Disclaimer: I neither own Reign, nor profit from this story.

Ch 9 - The Moments that Build the Bonds

Entering their house, Henry first noticed how quiet it was.

With so many children it was a rare occurrence.

Walking into their bedroom, Henry couldn't help but pause a moment to watch Catherine sleep.

So infrequently was this woman anything but a graceful mobile seemingly continual source of energy, albeit a very different energy that the children's. It was a sight he soaked in gladly anytime he had the chance.

Sitting on the bed next to her, Henry tried to observe any signs of distress or illness in her face,

He knew he wasn't the most observant man, but it concerned him that he might not have seen any signs of her feeling less than her best.

Brushing a tendril of hair off of her face Henry smiled as her nose crinkled at the contact and she turned away slightly. He continued his movement down her arm and back up again until a sigh and a groan passed through her lips.

As she was now on her hay to wakefulness Henry decided to sweeten the deal. Leaning down to kiss her gently on the lips, he felt her smile grow under his own.

Leaning back to watch her fully return to wakefulness, he was thankful that he had not lingered.

Taking a breath inward audibly Catherine's eyes sudden'y flew open.

Henry watched as his wife struggled upward, her body not yet fully freed from the grips of sleep. He wished he could help her, but knew that it would likely end in nothing but pain for both of them.

"Why are you home Henry, what time is it!"

Henry waited until her eyes met his before speaking.

"Mary said that you haven't' been feeling well, and as the children were well in hand she thought you could use the rest."

Trying to get up more quickly than the tangled sheets would allow Henry reached for her nearest hand to try and still her. She looked back at him before allowing her shoulders to slump slightly.

"I though I was simply beginning to feel my age Henry, I hadn't realized that anyone else had noticed." she reflected, somewhat deflating as she spoke.

"I was thinking that I might go with Henry and Charles to catch us some fish for dinner and on our way collect some berries and mushrooms…" Henry's voice tried off uncertain of how his suggestion would be received.

"Henry you need not tread lightly, I am not a fragile doll that requires handling,"

Squeezing her hand, he responded in what he hoped came across in the right way. "No, but when I find out that you have not been feeling well I still worry."

A half smile appeared on on her face. She squeezed his hand back and turned to face him more fully.

"I know, and I appreciate the gesture." She finished.

Rising, she found herself in the rare position of standing taller than Henry. Before leaving she took his face in her hands.

"Once again my love you are correct."

Leaning down to return the favor of a kiss on his lips she paused before replying. "I will begin preparing onions I picked earlier for a soup to go along with you efforts in hunting and foraging. A most rustic meal for a king."

"I appreciate the comparison Catherine but I have no desire to be a king of anything my love."

"Well then, you will be a king only to me."

Chuckling he ran the back of his hand along her cheek.

"If you insist my queen."

Blushing she leaned down for one more kiss before retreating fully. Turning to leave their room she put an extra sway in her hips while a smile found its way to Henry's face.

If he said it once he would say it again, his wife was amazing.

-/-/-/-

On their way back from the game, Mary and Francis were walking together at the head of group.

Bash had decided to stay with them for a time longer and had taken over corralling Margot and Hercule while Claude and Elisabeth chattered quietly behind them. Bash's mother usually worked late and he wouldn't be expected home until much later.

Though he was decidedly older than men Francis or Mary, he had always found these siblings to be welcoming, especially considering his family, or lack there of.

His mother had been married once, but not long before he was born his father had died under questionable circumstances.

There was a rumor around the village that his father had become increasingly violent and that his mother had plotted to kill him. In turn she was left with a modest fortune from his father's business and was left comfortably widowed.

For a time she was content, but after a while decided to use the funds she was left to create her own a business. It was in part a haven, in part a matchmaking services, and in part an instructional institution for women who need to learn a skill.

And for that she was shunned.

Well that and the further rumors that she essentially ran a whore house.

When he was younger she had tried to protect him from her reputation. As he grew up though and began to piece together what the villagers were speaking of, he simply avoided the business part of their dwelling as much as possible in order to remain as naive as possible.

The few things he had found out unintentionally prompted him to be fully in support of the saying 'ignorance is bliss'.

One particular function of her business was to throw galas for which her ladies hosted, and interested men could pay to be admitted entrance. Also the reason he would not be expected home for some time.

In and of themselves they were innocuous, encouraging her ladies whom she had taught the arts of poise and presentation to meet potentially eligible and interested suitors. And as far as he knew it was left to the discretion of each lady how far she was willing to allow each liaison to go.

But again the less he knew, or rather the less he continued to find out, the better.

Another reason he had felt such a close connection with the family he was now escorting home was that not only had the siblings accepted him as if an adopted brother or distant cousin, but their parent's had as well.

He had never met someone with as big a heart as their mother Catherine, and Henry their father was both a good provider and a man dedicated to caring for his family.

Though he still sensed some discomfort with his mother, they never seemed to impose her reputation onto him, to extend their perception of her to his character or merit. As far as he could tell they simply saw him as someone who had never had a father figure to look up to, while also having a mother who had to make her own way in the world.

Though he rarely took them up on their offers of hospitality, he had an open invitation to stay for a meal or even a night if he chose.

Despite everything he loved his mother and never wanted her to feel as if she had failed him. She was her own person, and while he did not agree with all of her choices, he chose not to judge her for them.

Drawing himself back to the present, Bash noted a small band of men following them from a short way away.

They seemed to be keeping their distance, but had stayed their course for as long as the road would allow to follow their little group as they made their way back toward the Valois' home.

With Hercule in his arms though and Margot 'helping' him with his walking stick, he decided that it would be best to keep silent about it for now. He did however decide to mention it to Henry later, and for now just keep a keen eye out for anything else that struck him as suspicious.