AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is long overdue and I apologize. College got on top of me leading up to Christmas break, but I'm back now. I started this fiction before I found out Diana was trying to get Sebastian legitimized, but now I need to think of a different legitimization plot. So bare with me while I create up a different way for his legitimization. For now, enjoy!

Falling Out Of Favour

Chapter 5

After an extreme prolonged hour of Mary's heart racing like wildfire, her alarmed horse galloped directly back into the castle grounds and up to the king's stables. Her hair was flooding rapidly in the wind behind her, like paint being spilled onto the surface of water. She could barely control the horse with it hurdling beneath her hastily and she wondered transitorily how it knew where she desired to go. She felt its legs moving in unison beneath her and she felt like she was one with the horse. She gripped onto the reins firmly as it passed through the stable fence. As the horse hurtled into the stables and abruptly halted, Mary slipped off its back. Her feet malformed as they made succession on touching the floor. The saddle slipped under her loss of weight and became marginally loose. The stable man steadied the horse, taking its reins into his hands. His face puzzled at the sight of Mary being so disorientated. She tucked her hair behind her small ears as she walked out into the grounds. As she stepped beyond the wooden panels and into the fresh air a gust of strong wind blew her dress back. She directed another stable boy to send message to the castle ahead of her that Sebastian was in fatal trouble in the fields to the south. She watched as the boy disappeared through the trees heading towards the castle. Her face felt hot and her body was flustered. Her legs ached and her lungs were sore. Her hair was knotted and thick. She leaned up the hard wooden panels of the stable to catch her breath. She felt her hand splinter on the wood as she heard footsteps coming towards her from behind the stable. In an instant, a forceful hand pulled her around the side of the stable, where the noise had previously come from. Her heart raced at the sight of Sebastian, he had caught her off guard.

"Bash!" She winced startled.

"Shhh," he hushed his blue eyes piercing hers. She could tell by the look on his face that he wanted their conversation to be quiet. The sight of his dirt ridden clothes and blood on his brow hurt her, deeply, but most of all she noticed that he was out of breath. She glanced behind him and saw the horse grazing over the grass. He was the better rider, so had gotten there shortly after her.

"Are you okay?" She felt like it was a senseless question, but asked it none the less. He smiled the smile she had always admired since she met him, consequently causing her to place her hand on his face, examining the cut upon his brow. She felt a strong obligation to nurse him. In return, he cupped her hand affectionately. He loved the feel of her skin under his. It was soft, gentle and warm to the touch. The touch of his hand on hers forced her eyes to avert from his brow and into his eyes. They sent electric sparks into hers.

"I was ambushed by bandits after you left. Being the king's bastard didn't have the desired effect."

"We have to tell someone," she gasped nodding her head towards the castle and ignoring his poor attempt of an anecdote. Her hand plummeted from his face as she pulled on his hand, edging him towards the castle. He tugged it back and she turned to face him again.

"We," he emphasised, "tell no one. However, I will alert the king that bandits have entered into his territory."

"Well that's going to be difficult," Mary's eyes drew towards the floor.

"Why's that?" Sebastian shrugged his shoulders.

"Because I've already sent word that you was in trouble."

"Was being the preferred word…" he mumbled and Mary uttered, glaring up at him intently. "I'll correct matters when I get to the castle," he persuaded her.

"I was so worried, Bash. One moment you was there the next you were gone," her voice broke at the thought of Sebastian not returning.

"Well as you can see I'm fine," he placed a hand on the side of her shoulder out of compensation. Her dress was soft under the palm of his hand. "It was nothing more than bandits pillaging," he kissed her forehead lightly, his lips were dry and Mary winced at his act of compassion. "Would you like to go riding again tomorrow?"

"A kind gesture, but we can't."

"And why would that be?"

"Well the events of today are an adequate illustration." Mary flinched slightly as a rain droplet landed on her cheek and sunk into her pours. By staring into the distance and focusing she could just about make out the fine rain as it fell past the tree's bark. She could barely feel the rain falling except for the odd droplets that landed in awkward places.

"The odds are extremely slim that it will happen again," Sebastian retorted snapping Mary's attention back towards him. When her facial expression didn't falter he spoke again. "You're scared of Francis…" he sighed.

"I'm scared for my country," she corrected him not entirely confident of her words herself.

"Oh well that reassures me," he jested.

"I want to be with you Bash, but it's risky."

"We can't be together unless we're outside of the castle walls," he punched, "and I would much like to be with you."

"That's not fair," she felt like he was guilt tripping her into saying yes. Another gust of wind struck hard and blew her hair over her face. She noticed that the fierce wind was coinciding with her emotions. Frustrated, she used her hand to hold her hair back off her face and blast Sebastian a scornful glance.

"It's true Mary."

"Then with that proverb… we will never be together."

"Yes," his monotonous word cut through Mary's heart like an arrow in an apple. His tone was blunt and harsh. Hurt, Mary turned her back on him and began to walk away. She barely took a few steps before he spoke again. "It's not Francis or your country that's standing in your way," he called and she paused in her step, "It's you."

Mary bounded towards the castle in adamant frustration. The musky scent of the pine tree's littered the air around her and it set her pace slightly at ease. The rain was still fine and had not yet wet the floor and neither could she feel it. She imagined that any moment it would. The grounds were almost empty and she wondered where her ladies were. She was back in the castle within moments after her disagreement with Sebastian. Her clothes were slightly damp and she patted herself down with her hands to conceal the droplets that lay out the outside of her garment. The surface of her hair was laced with miniscule water droplets and her roots soaked them up engagingly. Frustrated and filthy, upon entering the castle she made headway for her rooms, taking off her outside coat as she walked. The castle seemed to be quiet and she had no idea what the hour was, but her mind was occupied elsewhere. Mary desired nothing more than to climb into bed, but she knew that she would have to stay up a little while longer. When in her room she got changed into fresh clothes, with help of her servants and ate a small meal in which they had prepared for her. She wasn't full but she knew it would get her by until the evening meal was ready. The meal of which she now dreaded entirely. She did not desire to look upon either Francis's or Sebastian's visage, for she knew it would just open up fresh holes of discomfort. There was a gentle knock on the door to distract Mary from her inconsistent thoughts and she turned to face her ladies in waiting as they entered into her room one by one. She bleakly noticed that they all seemed simultaneously happy.

"Mary, the king is planning another ball," said Greer bustling with excitement. Her hair tied back in a tight plait.

"What's the occasion now?" Mary jested walking over to the far window and looking out. The rain patted lightly on the windows and gravity caused them to drip downwards.

"I don't think there is one, but festivities are right around the corner," Lola anticipated.

"And when is this supposed ball?"

"The eve of Christmas," Lola continued.

"Well we have some time until then…"

"I hope its winter themed, I'd much like to wear my furs inside the halls. It gets so cold in there!" Lola mentioned.

"I agree, I like a dress with sleeves and maybe a shawl," Aylee added. Greer's attention was diverted toward Mary.

"What's wrong Mary?" Greer questioned.

"Who said anything was wrong?"

"Please, spare me the false emotions… your face looks like it's been clouted."

"I'm just tired," Mary insisted.

"And spare me your deceitful tone. Spill!" Greer forced.

"I argued with Bash again…"

"Any improvement on the situation?" Lola guessed placing herself on the window seat next to Mary.

"I thought there was, but we argued about Francis again," she said and then backed up on herself, "we argued about me."

"What about you?" Greer requested.

"Bash thinks my heart fears Francis and therefore my heart cannot truly be his, or at least that was my reading on the argument," Mary replied staring into the grounds. The rain was a lot heavier now and she felt a sudden relief knowing that she had missed it.

"Is it true?" Lola enquired.

"Of course it's not!"

"Mary…" Greer began.

"If it is, I'm well within my right. I can't let go," Mary insisted.

"Of what?"

"My responsibilities as queen."

"Oh lord, Mary!" Greer jibed. Her tone made Mary feel unsettled. "Give up on the queen speech. You're allowed to romance yourself!"

"You're allowed to love," Lola added and Greer nodded in agreement.

"I've been trained to love Francis since I was a child. I prepared myself all my life to love him. It's all I know… that is until I met Bash." Mary's eyes turned to her ladies in waiting and all four of them were frowning. Mary's mind wondered to the first time she laid eyes upon Bash on her arrival at court.

"You can sort this problem," Lola said. Greer and Aylee turned to face her, their faces disappointed.

"That's treason-" Aylee said astounded.

"Actually," Mary cut them off, "I've mentioned to Bash about he being legitimized."

"Mary! You can't," Aylee pushed her tone full of anguish.

"He has just as much right as Francis to be sitting on that throne."

"If he gets legitimised, he won't be sitting on that throne! He'll be next in line," Aylee scorned.

"Don't you think I know that?"

"You will marry the next king of France, not the second. Francis will have to die before Bash becomes king. That being the case I think it's accurate to assume Bash's head will be on a chopping block before Francis dies," Greer said, "I'm not sure you've thought this through Mary."

"Yes I have," Mary stated proudly, "The ball is on Sebastian's court now. It's down to him and the king."

"And the pope…" Lola added and with that said Mary suddenly felt as if she was drowning.

"I will no longer discuss this. I beseech you all to sojourn."

"We're here for you Mary… through friendship and duty," Lola said and they all nodded in agreement.

"Remember that," Greer finished.