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Ch 26 - Decisions, Decisions

Henry also took Francis outside but in the opposite direction.

Francis could feel his father's concern in the weight of his step and in his demeanor. If he had not been concerned from his mother's initial request, he certainly was now.

Eventually Henry turned to face Francis, a noticeably sufficient distance from the house and where his mother and Mary were that they would not be overheard.

"Francis," Henry began, "you have done well as my apprentice these last years, and it has been my honor to see you begin to develop into the man you will become."

Though he paused in his speech, it did not seem like his father was finished at all and so Francis waited.

"I have also had the pleasure of seeing you with your younger brothers and sisters and believe that one day you will be a good and kind father, able to instruct your own children so that they too might grow into fine men and women as it should be."

"Thank you father," Francis replied now completely at a loss at where this was going.

"My question to you is this, and I want you to really consider this before you answer. I will not fault you for whatever answer you give and want you to answer as honestly as you can."

"Of course father, what is it?"

"Francis," he began but paused mid statement as the weight of what he was going to ask his son, not yet a man, though well on his way to being one.

"Francis I want you to consider what you would say to the possibility of a marriage of convenience, not for money or power, but for the life of another in jeopardy."

Frowning Francis replied simply, "I don't understand father."

Pursing his lips together Henry continued.

"My son I know you are well aware that although we try our best as your parents to raise you brothers and sisters all with in equal standing and without partiality."

Nodding his head in agreement Francis answered, "Yes of course father, you and mother have always been wonderful parents. Even to Mary we have never let as if you favored or desired one of us over another."

Chuckling Henry answered, "While I am sure that is not entirely true Francis I appreciate the compliment. But Francis you know there are others out there that do not have the same thoughts, that view women as property and second class citizens."

Frowning Francis once again acknowledged his father's words. "Yes of course father, though this view is held by few in our village and they are often held in little regard, I still don't understand what this is about."

Nodding his head and smiling as if to remember a memory of mixed emotions Henry continued, "And what if it was within your power to save a young woman from a fate lacking respect or even of cruelty, would you do it?"

"I would do my best father but I am not very able in many things, only recently having turned twelve and still an apprentice, what could I possibly do that would be of any help?"

"Indeed my son, sometimes it takes only a word and a promise to be of service to this end, but it is not a word to be taken lightly."

Now getting frustrated at his father's use of evasion Francis asked plainly. "Father what are you asking of me? We are going round and round in circles over what feels like it might be a veery simple question."

Sighing Henry smiled at Francis's words, so much wisdom from one so small.

"Francis what if you were presented with the choice of marrying someone purely to prevent her from entering a life unknown, but one which very well may lead to a great deal of loss and pain.

"I don't know father, I have certainly not yet considered the possibility of marriage. Are you speaking of Greer, Mary's friend? I…I am certainly not pleased at how her reputation has been tarnished by her new living arrangements, but we hardly know each other. I don't know even know if she would consider it."

"Rocking back and forth on his heels Henry answered him, "Then it is a good thing that it is not Greer I am speaking of, but Mary."

-/-/-/-

"Mother, will you please tell me what is going on," Mary insisted.

Her mother had not yet stopped after marching them both out of the house until she came to the span of rope between two sturdy trees they used to hang wet clothing. Nearby was a bench that they would sometimes sit to fold the dry laundry together and talk or sit quietly as the younger children played.

Sighing at the weight of what she needed to say, Catherine paused only momentarily before continuing.

"Mary earlier I spoke of moments in your life where sometimes decisions are forced upon you and once made it is up to you to do what you can with what you are provided."

"Yes mother, and it worries me no less than it did when you first mentioned it, what…"

"Mary those men were here for you." Catherine stated bluntly, knowing that there was no good way to say it, and that it would probably be better to just get this over with.

"For me, why?"

"They claim to be here on behalf of your family to bring you back with them so that you might be reunited with your family of birth."

"But why, I am perfectly happy here, and have been since you took me in all those years ago."

"I am glad to hear you say that Mary, especially as I do not believe that those men have any intention of taking no for an answer, and might indeed take some convincing of the truth in such a claim."

"Of course mother, I have never felt any different, I don't know why they would even consider this to be the contrary."

"Mary it is my understanding that they are far less concerned with how you feel in the matter than in what they can and will do, which brings me to the heart of the matter at hand."

"Mother I trust you and father, whatever this is I know that you have always desired the best for me, as with any of your other children."

"Then you must trust me now Mary when I tell you what I am about to put before you and to know that your father and I have considered all options we could see. That this seems to be the best option even though it is not our preferred one. At least not at this time."

"Please mother just tell me, what is it that you want me to do."

"Mary it is my belief that unless you wish to go with these men, and whatever they truly have planned for you that you must be married, possibly even tonight."

"What…but I haven't, I am not…to whom mother are you proposing I marry?"

"Francis."

-/-/-/-

The two pairs that had gone off to talk met in the front of the house.

Mary and Francis were looking at each other quite awkwardly, and had this not been such a serious situation Catherine would have laughed at the two of them.

"I believe we should leave them to speak with each other now Catherine," Henry stated finally, leaving no room for argument in his stance.

Catherine searched for the gaze of both of her children before giving her answer.

"We will figure this out no matter what you two decide. Though we believe this is the best course of action this will not be forced on you, either of you."

Their gazes finally falling from their mothers', both Mary and Francis nodded in response.

Henry reached for Catherine's arm, guiding her gently back toward the housetop give the two space.

"FrancisMary."

Spoken simultaneously, the faux pas allowed a little levity in a situation that at best was difficult, at worst was a nightmare coming true.

"Mary you should know that if you decide this is what you want, I will do my best to love and care for you wholeheartedly…that is to learn to love you with all of my being."

Surprised at his answer Mary nearly stuttered her response. "You mean you are actually considering this?

Unsure of whether to be shocked or confused by her answer he responded, "Of course Mary. I may not have considered this perviously, but I would never leave you to be abandoned, and I do care for you already. That is, if this is what you do want."

Still feeling a bit numb from this revelation she replied honestly, "Francis I don't even know what I want, this is all happening so fast."

"I know," he said, "for me as well. Though I suppose I am not the one that seems to be in danger here so perhaps I don't really know."

She stayed silent for what seemed like forever but must really have been only a few moments.

"I don't really have a choice here do I?"

Worried that she was being forced into this Francis tried to placate her. "We always have a choice Mary, and mother and father will do everything they can to protect you, you know that."

"But at what cost Francis? Mother said they had swords."

"And I would fight for you to the death, married or not." Francis replied with certainty.

-/-/-/-

Gazing at them from just around the corner of the house Catherine could not help but flashing back momentarily to the night Henry had just as awkwardly made his proposal.

A hasty choice of two unknowns.

Just then Henry wrapped his arms around her from behind and drew her back towards him.

She would have leaned into the embrace if she was less likely to fall over in the attempt. Instead she took a half step backwards and laid her head on his chest. In doing so she took her gaze off of the two young people now at a precipice and began running the last few weeks thorough her mind's eye.

She had counseled Mary about choices earlier, now come to fruition, but it wasn't really much of a choice.

Catherine's unknown had been Henry, Mary's were these strangers and their claims.

Henry loosened his hold and turned her around, breaking her train of thought.

"Come my queen, we should leave the prince and princess to their own deliberations while we finish getting ready for our guests."

He leaned down and cupped her cheeks to leave a sweet kiss on her lips.

As soon as he began to straighten though she pulled him back by his shirt and drew him into a searing embrace.

There had been so much going on that they really came together anymore for anything but consolation and she felt the loss. Now more than ever though she needed to feel connected to the man that had been by her side all these years, through many periods of joy and pain.

She needed her king to stand by her side, and to hold her heart.