Ok, here's chapter 17! I can hardly believe there's only 3 more chapters after this. Anyway, I think this is also the longest and most emotional chapter yet. Thanks so much for reading this story so far. I so appreciate all of you. ~ Sweet R.
Chapter Seventeen: Under Siege
Francis peered over the battlements as the sun began to set and ran trembling fingers through his hair. Almost a week had passed and the army outside the outer wall grew bigger every day. All attempts at negotiating with the Bourbons had failed miserably. Antoine refused to even consider a truce unless he turned Bash over to them as a prisoner of war. Francis refused to allow that to happen, even though his brother said he would gladly give his life to protect France.
Since the first meeting, the enemy had made a few attempts at scaling up the wall with ropes and hooks, but so far, his men had fought the enemy off. Now it had turned into an endless stalemate. They had enough food within the castle to last another couple of weeks if they rationed it well. However, water was another story. If something didn't change soon, they would be in serious trouble. He had to do something drastic and soon.
"Francis," a soft voice said.
He looked behind him and saw his wife approaching, hands clutched protectively over her bulging abdomen. Now overdue with their child, she hadn't ventured very far from their bed. Concern gripped his heart. Had she climbed up all those stairs by herself? "Mary, what are you doing out here? You're supposed to be resting."
"I couldn't sleep." She paused and caressed his cheek, studying his face with concerned eyes. "Francis, what is it? You look pale."
He closed his eyes and held her hand against his face, treasuring the comfort of her gentle touch. Mary's presence made every troubled thought drift away. They were happy together in their own Eden. Couldn't they stop time and remain like this forever? He still believed their love could overcome anything. It was unbreakable and eternal. If they believed in it enough, could their love be powerful enough to create a different world—a world where war and death and suffering didn't exist?
"Francis…please talk to me."
He opened his eyes as reality came crashing around him again. He gulped while putting his hands on her shoulders. "Mary, we're running out of time. I cannot hide behind the walls of this fortress any longer."
She turned her gaze toward the men gathered outside the castle walls in despair. "But what can we do if they refuse to listen to reason? They've made it very clear they want to cut down the entire Valois line. Francis, I'm worried about what will happen to Anne if they invade."
Francis wiped a tear off her cheek. "Mary, look at me." He gently touched her chin, drawing her face toward him. "I promise that I won't let any harm come to you happen to you or our child. I have a plan. Tonight, when most of their army is asleep, I'm going to lead the army through the secret underground passageways. We'll catch them by surprise."
"No," she cried and clung to him. "It's too dangerous." "Everything is going to be all right," Francis said while wrapping Mary in his embrace, holding her as close as her pregnant belly would allow. Anne's little kicks bounced against his abdomen and he smiled while lowering his hand to Mary's belly. "You bring so much beauty and light into my life already, my little Anne. Just like your mother. I promise to keep you safe."
Mary looked up at him with tears glistening in her eyes. "She's going to need you, Francis."
"I know. She's going to need both of us. That's why I have to do this…so we can raise Anne in a time of peace and not war." She tried to protest but he smothered her words with a kiss. Then he took her hand and led her away from the walkway. "Come. Let's get you inside where it's safe.
"All right, but I'm still not finished talking about this." They made it down one flight of stairs before she stopped and clutched her midsection with a gasp of pain.
He held onto her as his heart hammered against his ribcage. "Mary! What's wrong?"
She let out another agonizing cry and clenched her teeth. "It's the baby. She's coming!"
…
Mary had never felt such pain in all her life. It crashed over her like ocean waves, only relenting for a few seconds before ripping through her abdomen with a vengeance again.
Francis carried her into their chambers and called for help. He stayed in the room, holding her hand and wiping her brow with a cool cloth. His whispers of love and reassurance kept her calm. When Nostradamus, the physicians and midwife arrived, they tried to convince her husband to leave but she clung tightly to his hand. "Please. Please stay with me."
He kissed her hand and nodded. "Of course. I'm not going anywhere, my love."
It wasn't common for men, especially kings to remain in the room while their wives gave birth, but Mary desperately needed him and thankfully he stayed. By dawn's light, her struggle intensified, and the midwife said it was time to push. But an hour later Anne still hadn't come. Mary barely had any strength left and sweat dripped down her face. Her head fall back against her pillows in exhaustion. "Francis…I can't do this."
"Yes, you can," Francis encouraged. "You're the strongest person I know. You can do anything you put your mind to, Mary Stuart. Soon we'll meet our beautiful Anne."
"Yes, we will," she said with a weak smile and sat back up with renewed strength.
A guard came in, careful to avert his eyes. "Your Majesty, the enemy has breached the outer wall. The men are fighting them in the courtyard. What are your orders?"
Mary saw fear flash in Francis' eyes. They both knew what had to be done "Go," she rasped as another wave of pain crashed through her body. "If they invade the castle, we'll all perish."
Francis framed her face in his hands and tears gleamed in his eyes. "No matter what happens, I love you," he whispered before kissing her lips.
"I love you too," she replied and in the blink of an eye he was gone.
Kenna and Lola came in to replace Francis, but everything happened in a blur after that. Guards barricaded the door, and she heard men fighting out in the hallway. She worried about Francis, but somehow managed to push it all aside and focus on their daughter. Every pain and every push brought her closer and that was all that mattered. Finally with one last push and a blood curdling scream, Anne came into the world.
The midwife wrapped the baby in a blanket and placed her in Mary's arms. "A girl," she said with a smile. "A beautiful girl."
Mary cried tears of joy and gazed at the beautiful little princess in her arms. Anne had a hint of dark raven hair and stunning blue eyes, like Mary's vision showed. "I love you, Anne. I've waited so long to meet you…and now you're here," she whispered. Anne's warmth soothed her and the chaos erupting outside the room silenced. Mary relaxed against her pillows and continued to cuddle the tiny baby close. Time passed in a blur and her eyelids grew heavy.
"Mary…are you all right?" Kenna asked but her voice sounded far away.
"Yes, nothing can ever be wrong again." She blinked and slowly turned her head toward Kenna. Strangely, her friend sat right beside the bed, but her face seemed out of focus. Mary let out a deep sigh as her strength waned. "Here, will you take, Anne?"
Kenna nodded and took the little bundle in her arms.
Without Anne's warmth, Mary began to tremble. "I'm… I'm so cold." Lola draped another blanket over her, but it barely helped. Her strength drained away as whispering voices swirled around the room.
"I cannot explain it…" the midwife said after examining Mary. "Her Majesty's life is fading."
Next, she heard Nostradamus. He spoke in a low tone, his voice tainted with grief. "I fear there is little we can do… but perhaps with some herbs…"
Mary didn't hear the rest, but a few moments later, he had her drink something. The bitter taste made her grimace, but within a few moments, she felt a small measure of strength returning. Still, Mary feared it would only be a temporary remedy. Was this the end of her life, like the prophesy had shown? She'd only just met Anne and barely had the chance to hold her. And Francis—she hadn't had a chance to tell him goodbye.
"Francis… where are you?"
…
Francis' heart drummed an uneven rhythm as he weaved down the corridors of the castle, sidestepping dead enemies along the way. After battling for hours, they had finally defeated the enemy soldiers who had breached the wall. Thankfully only a handful had made it into the castle. It appeared all of them had been slain without French casualties. He only hoped Mary and their child were both alive and well.
Francis made it to their chambers, breathing hard and pounded on the door. After announcing it was the king, the guards inside removed the barricade from the door and let him in. Mary laid in their bed, with Kenna and Lola tending to her. Their faces were stained with tears.
He rushed to Mary's side and relaxed beside her on the bed. His heart sank, observing the deathly pale tone of her face. "I'm here now, my queen."
She opened her eyes and offered a fragile smile. "You're alive."
"And so are you, my love." Francis took her delicate hand in his, shuddering at how cold her skin felt. He shared a brief glance with Nostradamus but the seer hung his head and left the room, confirming his fear. He'd failed to keep the prophesy from coming to pass. Mary's life faded before his eyes and he was powerless to stop it.
Mary's head turned slowly toward the other side of the room, eyelashes fluttering like it took an enormous effort just to accomplish the simple task. "Anne…she's in the cradle. Kenna, will you…"
"Of course, Kenna said with tears in her eyes and brought the baby over, placing her between Mary and Francis on the bed.
Francis reined in his emotions long enough to admire his infant daughter. "You are so beautiful, my little Anne…just like your mother."
"And look at those blue eyes," Mary whispered.
Francis smiled as the baby grip his finger. "She's a lovely combination of us both. Have you thought of any middle names for her yet?"
Mary bit her lip, looking deep in thought. "I sort of forgot about that…"
"It's all right," he said, caressing her cheek. "We have plenty of time to think of something."
They spent several heavenly minutes together with their daughter before Anne started to cry and Kenna took her to the nursery in the conjoining room. Once they were alone, Mary began to shiver, but Francis held her close, using his body heat to warm her. "There, is that better?"
Mary nodded against his chest. "There's nowhere I'd rather be…than wrapped in your arms."
He smiled and hissed her forehead, savoring the perfect way she fit into his embrace. "Good. We have our entire lives to spend just like this if you wish."
Her shivering calmed and she let out a deep sigh. "Francis…I want you to promise me something."
"What is it?"
"I want you to wed again…not only so Anne grows up with a mother…but for you. I want you to be happy, Francis. I want you to love again."
Her words shattered his heart into a thousand pieces, making it hard to breath. "I'm sorry, Mary, but I'll never wed again." He shifted his position so they were lying face to face but kept his arms wrapped around her. "No one else will ever measure up. You are my light and I'll love you and only you for all eternity."
"Oh Francis…I love you too…forever…" They shared a tender kiss and her eyes fluttered closed.
"Mary?" Tears streamed down his face as he sat up and touched her cheek. "Mary no…please don't leave me." Francis' breaths came in haggard gasps as he looked around the room helplessly. "Nostradamus!"
The seer rushed into the room and Francis stood up to give him room. "Is she…" His voice broke but he forced the words out. "No…she cannot be…"
Nostradamus examined his wife and then looked up at him again. "She's sleeping for now, but…"
"But what? Tell me."
"Your Majesty, I fear she could pass at any moment."
Francis sobbed and raked his fingers through his hair as his world crumble beneath him. "No, there has to be some way to save her." He paused to gaze at Mary's still, pale form resting on the bed. "Our love is stronger than death. I have to believe it is." He fled the bedchamber as a plan formulated in his mind. If Mary could trade her life for his with one choice, perhaps he could reverse it with a choice of his own.
Francis entered the nursery and lifted his sleeping daughter from the cradle. He held her close to his chest as tears dripped down his face like rain. "I love you, Anne, and hope your mother will remind you of that every day. I pray you'll both forgive me for my choice."