AN : Here we go again !
Yogurtime : Thank you for your review and for keeping reading this story.
You'll have the answer very soon.
THANK YOU A LOT !
Disclaimer : I don't own « Reign », no plagiarism is intended and I do NOT make profit of this story.
Chapter 17 :
A forest near Calais
« HALT » Said the King.
« General ! Make sure the perimeter is secured for 100 meters round, place archers and your advanced team on the edge of the forest. We will bivouac here and at dawn we'll strike » Ordered Henry while dismounting his horse.
« On your orders, Majesty » And General Irwin did as commanded.
« And… tell them to put up my tent, Eugene »
« Of course. »
« And when you will have finish your tasks, come take a drink with me. »
« With pleasure, your Grace. »
The man who was more like the King's friend, bowed and went to acomplish his tasks.
/-/-/-/-/
In Catherine's chambers
It was dusk and the Queen had finally finished all her appointments and meetings.
She was alone, sitting on her bed, her head held down.
After a few minutes, she heard a conversation between her guards and another person behind her doors.
« Her Majesty doesn't want to be disturbed. She told us to let no one in unless it was her children. »
« I am the wife of the Dauphin. »
« You certainly are but you are not one of her children. »
« Let her in » Called Catherine, recognizing Mary's voice.
A second later the door opened. What Mary saw didn't please her. Catherine was looking the floor, an handkerchief in her hand.
« -Catherine...
- Oh, Mary, sorry, I… sorry… Said the Queen, getting up fastly, making a few steps toward the widows and drying her tears.
What is it that you want, Mary ? She said still showing her back to the other woman.
- I just came to see how you were doing.
-Perfectly fine, thank you.
- Please Catherine, you are not « perfectly fine ».
The French Queen didn't answered so Mary decided to came closer to her. Putting her right hand on Catherine's shoulder she finally talked.
- I understand, Catherine. I know how you must be feeling.
- Oh no ! You don't… Answered the Medici Queen, while turning to face the Scottish teenage Queen.
- No, you don't know the pain in my chest everytime I think of him. You don't know how much I want to cry everytime I have a meeting and I turn my head to find an empty throne beside me. You don't know how much I miss is voice, is laughter, is eyes, all of him ! Said Catherine, increasing the volume of her voice at every word she uttered. So much that she finished screaming in despair at the younger woman's face.
-You're right… I don't know your pain. But what I know is that it is not the first time Henry went to war. He is more than capable to survive and he will. He is strong not only physically but also mentally, Catherine. And… you are giving him an excellent reason to return alive. Said the Scottish Queen while looking at her mother in law's growing belly.
Putting her hand where her child grew, Catherine answered :
- Precisely, what if he didn't return ? This child would never know is father !
What if…
But Mary cut her off
-He will return.
- And if he returns and he had cheated on me ! What would I do ? I cannot support another heartbreak… And I can only hope because it's too late… I have given him my heart despite everything that we have done to each other… I can't stop to love him and secretly… I have never wanted to… She admitted looking down in defeat.
- He will not cheat on you.
I pray that you won't Henry. Thought Mary.
- You know, we have tried before… to fix us… to fix what's left of our marriage. And it always ended up with him returning to that parasite Diane and the others…
- I know, Catherine. But think : If you don't give him this last chance, won't you regret it all your life ? Thinking about « What if I had trusted him ? Could he have truly changed ? » This is not a way to live.
And IF, it doesn't work whitch I highly doubt, you won't have any regrets, you would have given him his chance.
- But, can I ? Am I strong enough to take that risk ? Asked Catherine, eyes searching for answer.
- If there is one person who could do that, it is you. You are the strongest person I have ever known, Catherine.
- I am lost, Mary. I don't know what to do.
- Listen to your heart, for once in your life. You won't regret it. »
And with that, Mary turned around to leave. Her hand on the door handle, she said with a smile : If you need anything or if you just need to talk, call for me.
« Thank you » Answered Catherine.
/-/-/-/-/
In the forest, near Calais
The King was planning the attack with his generals. They would send a small group of men to attack the english by the south while they would go around Calais with the rest of the army to surprise them by attacking by the north.
« Yes, this is the best strategy » Agreed general Moreau.
« I apreciate your cooperation in those difficult times. Go get some rest. God willing we will succeed tomorrow. » Said Henry.
All the men bowed to their King before leaving the coucil tent. All but Eugene Irwin.
Henry fell on his chair, sighing. He was tired and preocuppied, noticed his old friend.
« - What is it ?
- Ah Eugene… Take a seat and pour me a whiskey.
The general did as the King said and sat down in front of Henry. After a few moments of silence, Henry took a sip and started talking.
- I can't stop thinking about her…
- Who ? Asked his friend.
- The Queen… I miss her…
- If you want I can call for a woman to come to…
But the general did't had the chance to finish is sentence. He was cut off by the King.
- NO ! Did you not hear me ? I miss HER ! I miss her scent, I miss her laughter, I miss her eyes… I miss her…
He said as his body tense and he straitened up on his chair, putting his elbow over the wooden table.
- You love her.
- Yes, yes I do. He admitted while leaning back into his chair.
I always have and I always will. I know it must be difficult to believe bearing in mind the behaviour I had just some days ago… But I do…
- I know, Henry. Every one can see it. The way you look at her when you think no one is watching, the way you breathe her perfume every time she walk before you… And she loves you.
- She never told me, recently… He admitted.
- Her actions are speaking for her. The way she looks at you when she thinks no one is watching, the way she breathes your perfume every time you walk before her…
The two men shared a laugh.
We have been doing this during two decades and we never realized it, fortunately, the recent events made me realize. Thought Henry.
Seeing his friend yawning, the King decided that it would be best if they go to rest now. They would have a long day tomorrow and the days after, the english would not be easly beaten.
Changing into more comfortable clothes, Henry couldn't help but think of his pregnant wife and of his children.
Putting his day clothes on the chair beside his « bed », he saw something coming out of his leather pants pocket.
He touched it. It was made of white high quality silk. What was it doing in his pocket ?
He took it and realized it was an hankerchief.
But wait ! Something was enbroidered with gold thread.
It was words :
I love you
Con tutto il mio cuore.
CDM
He smiled, he didn't knew much in italian but this, he understood perfectly.
He had won her again, he knew it would be his last chance and he was ceratinly not going to ruin everything…
He laid on his bed, hankerchief in hand and dreaming of the day he would come back to her. Because he would ! The contrary wasn't even thinkable.
/-/-/-/-/
In the Queen's chambers
After Mary's departure, she prayed God to protect her husband then changed into her nightgown and went to bed carrying with her a small bottle of oil from Cairo.
And as promised she rubbed her belly with it, while thinking of her beloved husband.
When she finally found sleep, she made a nightmare… Henry was killed…
When she woke up in shock, she was covered in sweat and found it difficult to breathe.
God, this was going to be a long night. She thought.
To be continued…
AN : Hope you enjoyed ! Will Henry resist when the good-time girls will shamelessly offering themselves to him ? Only the future will bring us the answer.
Laura D.