AN : Don't forget to tell me if you like this story or if you have ideas for the next chapters.
Disclaimer : I don't own « Reign », no plagiarism is intended and I do NOT make profit of this story.
Chapter 18 :
Next morning in Catherine's chambers
She nearly hadn't slept of the night and as every morning she was queasy.
Every time she closed her eyes she saw Henry, killed before her eyes. In her nightmare, she was screaming, she was trying to move but she couldn't.
It was as if she wasn't there. Nobody could hear her and nobody could see her. She was just there, watching this bloody spectacle and she could do nothing…
« I should go and see Nostradamus. He could surely give me something to help me sleep peacefully. The same medicine I took every time Henry went to war… »Catherine thought.
She got up and called for a servant to help her dress. She choose a simple very light green dress with silver embroidery. Her belly could not yet be seen, unless you pay attention. Another girl braided her hair back and fixed it with an emerald pin.
After that, she went in the royal family private dinning room and took breakfast with her children and Mary. They all conforted each other and once the breakfast was over, the children went with their studies and Catherine went to see Nostradamus.
/-/-/-/-/
Campsite, 4 hours before dawn.
The soldiers were preparing themselves while the King and his generals where discussing of the last details of the attack.
« Yes, it's the best way » Agreed Henry.
And the generals were off.
«- General Irwin. A word. Called the King at the last moment.
- Yes, Majesty.
- I want you to lead the group of men who will attack by the South. I know it's risky but this requires experience and I see no one but you, Eugene.
- I am more than honored, Henry. Said the general bowing and turning to leave the tent.
He was about to leave when Henry added :
- And manage to stay alive.
- Be assured of my entire cooperation.
Both men smiled at that and then the general Irwin was gone.
Ten minutes later it was time to go. The King put on his armor, took his sword mounted his horse and left with the biggest part of his army to by-pass Calais while the rest of the men and Irwin stayed in the camp, waiting dawn to strike.
Three hours later, Henry and his men arrived at a hill situated in the North of Calais. Behind this hill was one of the english campsites. They would hide here, waiting for the good time to strike.
A few moments later he heard trumpets and saw the soldiers moving in the South direction. It was time. Irwin had attacked and now he had to close the trap on the english. Encircle them and slaughter them all.
He drew his sword and led the charge.
« AAAAAAAAH ! EVERYONE WITH ME ! WE ARE GOING TO SHOW TO THOSE ENGLISH WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FRENCH ! » Yelled the King while lauching his horse in full galop.
« YES MAJESTY ! ALL WITH THE KING ! » Yelled back General Moreau.
And all the men followed their leader while screaming with anger and determination.
/-/-/-/-/
Nostradamus's office
The seer heard a knock on the door.
Who could it possibly be, at this hour ? He thought while openning the door.
« - Goodmorning Nostradamus. I hope I am not disturbing. Said Catherine.
-Goodmorning, Majesty. Even if you were disturbing, I couldn't posssibly kick you out.
And they both chuckled at how very true Nostradamus's statement was.
- I was only saying that to be polite, apparenty it's a fail. She laughed.
- I have something to ask you, Nostradamus. She continued
- Come in. He said while stepping aside to let her in. »
Catherine was standing in the middle of the room and Nostradamus went behind his desk to continue to make the potion he has started to prepare before she came.
Seeing that she didn't talk, he looked back at her and said :
« - So. What do you want to ask me.
- Well… my nightmares have returned. And… I wondered if you could give me some medicine to sleep more… peacefully.
- Certainly my Queen. »
He began to prepare the potion and could help but to let his curiosity get the better of him.
« Excuse the question but… with your husband away. Am I right to think that these are the same nightmares you had when you were younger when his Majesty went to war ? » The seer asked while mixing the medicine.
« Yes… yes it is... » Answered the Queen honestly.
« Catherine, I know you well enough to say that it would be usless to try to convince you to stop worrying over your husband but please… think of your baby… stress is not good for a pregnant woman… »
Catherine laughed ironically and answered : « I am not only a pregnant woman… I am the pregnant Queen of France. I have duties and I can't simply avoid stress. Stress is part of a monarch's life. »
« I know but take care of yourself, especially in your condition… » Said Nostradamus while handing her a vial with brown liquid.
« One sip. No more. » He instructed his Queen.
Catherine nodded, thanked him and left to attend to her queenly duties of the day…
/-/-/-/-/
Back to the campsite
« This was a glorious battle but it won't be enough to beat the english. This country as attacked ours ! They have taken Calais and killed many of our brothers ! We CAN'T let them take ANYTHING else ! AND WE WILL FIGHT THEM TO THE DEATH !
WON'T WE ?»
« YES WE WILL ! » Answered the army.
« Long live King Henry ! » Yelled General Irwin.
« LONG LIVE KING HENRY ! » Yelled back the army.
« And now go and honor those who have fallen today. » Said Henry and then he retired and went to his tent. »
/-/-/-/-/
Later that night in the campsite near Calais
Several women have arrived in the campsite to… satisfy the soldiers's needs. You could hear woman's laughs and see them dangling themselves in front of the men.
« Where is the King ? » Asked the lady Isabelle to the General Moreau.
« He is surely down the stream, washing himself. » Answered the General.
The girl thanked the man and went in search of the King.
A few minutes later she found Henry in the middle of the river, only wearing his pants.
The King was too occupied to wash his body so he didn't see the girl arriving.
The girl took off her clothes silently until she was wearing nothing but her white coton gown.
She went into the water behind Henry and asked :
« May I help you, your Majesty ? »
The King was so surprised to hear a voice so close to him that he nearly dropped his soap into the river. He turn around with the speed of light.
« Who are you ? What are you doing here ? » He asked on the defensive.
Isabelle laughed and answered : « You don't have to worry. My name is Isabelle and I was looking for you. »
« What is it ? Had the english attacked us ?! » He asked, worried.
« No, no they haven't. Everything is under control, your Grace. »
« So why were you looking for me ? » He asked angrily putting his hands over his hips.
Making a few steps foward and putting her hand on his chest she said seductivly :
« I thought we could help each other. »
« I don't need your help. » Answered Henry while turning to get out of the river but Isabelle grabbed his arm and said : « I am scottish and one of Kenna's old friends… »
Taking back his arm from her he said : « Nice to meet you but... » But he was cut off by Isabelle's lips pressed against his.
Not even a second later he pushed her away causing her to nearly fall into the water.
« What IN GOD'S NAME are you doing ? » Screamed the King, eyes darkened with fury.
« I thought... » But this time he cut her off.
« You thought wrong ! » He said firmly.
« What is it ? Am I not pretty enough ? » Asked the insolant little brat.
« I. Love. My. Wife. ! And I am not going to throw away my last chance for you or for anyone ! And to answer your question, with forty degrees of fever, her hair mess up and glassy eyes, the Queen is always a million times more beautiful than you at your best. Goodbye. » Responded the King while finishing to put on his shirt.
One moment later he was gone back to camp leaving behind him an Isabelle who was more than angry to have been tossed aside like that by the King of France.
Lady Yvonne who had witnessed all the scene and heard every bit of the conversation between the sovereign King and the girl suppressed a laugh and followed Henry discretly, on the way back to the campsite.
When Henry arrived he went directly to his tent and ordered his dinner to be prepared and brought to him.
Directly after returning from the river, Yvonne wrote to her Queen to inform her of what she saw today.
The scottish lady wrote to her friend Kenna and told her of Henry new found affection for his wife.
His meal on his left side the King of France began to write two letters…
To be continued…
AN : Hope you enjoyed, don't forget to leave a review, please
;)
To whom the letters - the King is writting - are adressed ?
Laura D.