Disclaimer: I neither own Reign, nor profit from this story.Ch 32 - The Spell of a Moment

Back in the house the three men had made quick work of rearranging the furniture and the boys had joined them as well. Hercule would soon be asleep but for now Francis was holding him as his father kept Charles and Little Henry out of trouble.

A sullen Bash and the visitors finished their task and made it in before the men had heard anything at all from the ladies' room.

Munro witnessed the scene in front of him with the men of the household doing the women's work as they catered to the girl, which caused him to shake his head in disbelief. Bash eventually joined in with Henry and Francis, and though the sight of the three of them mildly offended him on behalf of his gender, the scenes almost sweet.

A man caring for his children, what a novel idea.

Eventually Margot was sent out, made to be as presentable as possible and equally as out of the way. Henry offered all the men another cup of mead while they waited.

"With your permission Henry I saw a fresh bottle in the pantry and would be happy to retrieve it for you as you are currently occupied."

Henry looked up briefly before waving the man on and returned his attention to his sons who were more likely to get themselves in trouble the longer the evening waned. "If you don't mind Nostradamus you are welcome to do so."

Nostradamus bowed his head in his usual fashion and retrieved the cups from the table to pour out the drinks.

He much preferred to be out of sight and on his own. His choice of profession made many wary of him, but the solitude bought him peace. And everyone eventually needed his services, grudgingly or otherwise so he was able to maintain a lifestyle that suited him.

The ladies seemed to be taking extra care for Mary and the men had finished two cups worth of mead while they waited, but finally the two girls came out to announce they were ready before sitting down themselves.

Once all of those that would be watching the ceremony were settled the girls informed Mary and Catherine that it was time.

There was nothing to play music on so the priest suggested a familiar tune to sing the bride out. Francis of course had taken his place near the priest who was standing in front of the fire. When Mary came out Catherine was in tow eventually bending down to settle the back of the dress so that it was as neat as could be.

When she eventually straightened back up Henry nudged Bash to escort her up to her seat, always thinking of his wife even if his choice of gestures was not precisely what either of them desired.

Once she was seated Henry extended his arm to Mary and father and daughter walked the few step forward to where Francis and the priest were standing.

"Who gives this…ehem, who gives Mary," the priest stumbled over his words, uncomfortable as he was to use the word woman just yet, "To be joined in marriage to Francis?"

Henry was certainly not ready for this to happen so soon, but as it now was he said simply, "I do." As soon as he said those words though he turned and searched Mary's eyes for any last minute signs of hesitation. When he was satisfied that he would find none he took his seat next to Catherine, joined his left hand to hers and drew her in by the shoulders affectionately with his right arm.

The ceremony went on without an issue. All eyes turned to Munro when the question was posed, "If there is anyone here who objects to this marriage," Munro meanwhile turned to Bash who turned beet red, but both remained silent.

Catherine wondered about at Bash's reaction but decided that if it was truly an issue that they would simply have to resolve it in its own time.

At the end when the new couple was given permission to kiss it was their turn to be embarrassed. All they could manage was a quick peck on the lips, which brought forth quite a few giggles and broke the tension.

Indeed Catherine did have some refreshments which she, Claude, and Elisabeth put out while everyone began chatting to each other and offering the newlyweds their congratulations.

Once done and when everyone was settled once more Henry suggested the new couple should have their first dance, to which they commented on the lack of music.

"Well perhaps you mother could be convinced to grace us with a song," he answered somewhat hesitantly. The response that he received from Catherine was a glare.

Suddenly much more awake with all the excitement after the boring ceremony Charles jumped into the conversation suddenly. "Yes mother, you always sing so beautifully to us, and we could help you", he said grabbing Little Henry's hand who simply nodded at his brother's suggestion, caught up in the moment.

Never able to refuse such a request from her children Catherine reluctantly agreed.

Once the men had again moved the chairs around to create a dance floor Catherine and the boys stood together, off to one side, and began to sing. Francis then took his cue and led his new bride into the center before he bowed to her.

They had both been instructed in simple but proper dance steps and etiquette and initially did their best to remember and follow what they had been taught. This wasn't exactly a proper dance tune though so eventually they decided to forgo protocol and Francis simply led Mary in a simple step for the just the two of them.

Despite her mild annoyance with him, Henry decided that he couldn't stand not dancing with his own bride a moment longer so he went over to the girls and asked them to take over for their mother as he walked over and reached for her hand.

Confused at first Catherine complied and then smiled as he pulled her into his embrace.

With both couples moving on the dance floor and the voices of their young children ringing in the air suddenly the whole scene felt magical.

And then he felt it.

Munro had begun to feel tired some time into the ceremony but it had been a long day and he though nothing of it.

Now with the aid of the spell the whole evening had created he was beginning to feel outright drunk, though he had not consumed nearly enough for that to be the case.

Looking to the bottom of his cup he noticed the vestiges of some herbs he had been too hasty to notice when consuming his beverages that evening.

He moved to stand up and call his men into action when the firm hand of Nostradamus clamped firmly down onto his shoulder and prevented him from going anywhere.

"You will not be harmed but I have made it so that you and your men will sleep soundly and well. You will do nothing to disrupt this couple from their newly made vows. You have cost them enough as is and will be permitted to do nothing further."

Anger now boiling in his belly, Munro tried anyway to rise from his chair but found that his limbs were simply too heavy.

Not long after he and and his two other men slumped over in their chairs.

It was so small a change that Nostradamus decided not to disturb the couples dancing. Their visitors should be knocked out until morning and the image of a couple long married and one brand new dancing in tandem was just too sweet to disturb.