From the moment I leave my bedchambers the next morning I can see that the whole castle is abustle for the picnic. Scotland has it's own traditions so I'm not quite sure what to expect of a French picnic. Lola, Greer, Kenna, and Aylee all stay close to me as we make our way to the lawn by following the traffic of the servants. As I walk by, many of them pause in their work to bow or curtsy and murmur a quick 'Your Majesty' before passing by. I feel bad that my mere presence is interfering with their work but I know there is no way to get them to stop. Instead I smile and nod to each one while quickening my steps until we reach the lawn. I look up at the bright blue sky and fluffy clouds above. I can't help that I am so far preferring the weather in France to that of Scotland, even if the scenery is not as beautiful.
Everywhere I look there is something going on. Tents being set up, food put upon tables, and the constant bustle of people. Without an idea of where I should go to be out of the way, I am relieved to see Queen Catherine gracefully glide into the chaos as though she does it everyday.
"There you are Mary! Oh don't you look darling." she exclaims with pure excitement. I feel my face heat up with pleasure at the compliment. My mother was never so carefree with positive remarks. More often than not I got criticism and orders. It feels as though I miss Scotland less and less as the hours pass by.
"Your Majesty." I curtsy and bow my head out of respect as is habit.
"Oh Mary, please don't be so formal. Call me Catherine, after all we are both queens are we not?"
"I suppose you are right… Catherine." I smile a bit as it seems quite funny to call her as such.
"Much better! So where are you girls off to?" she asks brightly.
"Oh um. We aren't sure as of yet. I'd like to get out of the way but-"
"But you haven't a clue of where to go! Of course how silly of me you've still only just arrived! Come, come I shall get Elisabeth to show you the gardens. They are quite spectacular and a wonderful place to explore. I shall send along some guards and call you back in time for the picnic to start. We will begin with introducing you Mary, and then many of the guests will likely want to meet you. I hope it is not too overwhelming for you my dear."
"Thank you Catherine, I am sure that I shall manage." I smile to show the truth of my words as my mother taught me to never show my discomfort to others. No matter how unpleasant it may be it must be done.
"Very good then. I shall return in a moment with Elisabeth."
Before long we are quite far into the gardens and the noise of the picnic setup have faded away. I enjoy talking with Elisabeth as she is just a year or so older than I and rather nice to speak with. She tells me about the castle and what she does day to day as well as her hopes for her future. Elisabeth is beautiful and smart with a lovely laugh and I hope to be friends with her in this new place I get to call home.
We continue to walk through the hedges of the garden when suddenly behind a hedge a body jumps out in front of us. Elisabeth squeals in shock and I take a step back closer to the guards Catherine sent for us. I immediately fear that it is an Englishman sent to kill me as it is no secret that the English have been after me since my father's death. However I quickly realize that it is just Francis as Elisabeth begins scolding him for scaring her so. He ducks his head and apologizes while stifling laughter. His laugh makes me want to laugh too but instead I just smile.
"I apologize dear sister but Mother sent me to collect you and Queen Mary so the picnic can begin."
"Well there is no need to scare us in the process Francis!" Elisabeth huffs.
"I assure you that was not my intention sister. Now if you would do me the pleasure, may I escort you both back to the picnic." As he asks he holds out a hand to both of us. I manage not to giggle as place my hand on his arm as Elisabeth does the same on the other side. Francis and Elisabeth keep up a playful banter as we make our way back. I stay silent as I ponder how I shall endure the coming onslaught of introductions that is sure to occur. 'Remember you are a queen' I think to myself and I lift my chin a bit higher and straighten my back. If Francis notices he says nothing as we finally arrive on the lawn and he leads me over to Catherine.
"Mother, Queen Mary as requested."
"Oh Francis thank you. Elisabeth could you go wait with Claude and Louis, I shall be there shortly. Now Mary and Francis as you are technically engaged, you shall be announced together. Just smile and be friendly so we can get the unpleasantness out of the way quickly. Then the real fun can begin!"
What happened next was all a blur of faces and names that I can't begin to try and remember. Francis stayed by my side and made comments to make me giggle when no one was close enough to overhear. This seemed to last forever and was terribly boring. Finally Catherine announced for the guests to enjoy the food and have a wonderful time. At last we were left alone to enjoy the picnic.
After enjoying some food, I along with Francis and all the daughters of nobles around our age are gathered together for a game. Catherine arranges us in a circle and puts a cloth over Francis's eyes so he can not see.
"Alright children. I am going to spin Francis around so he won't know who is where in the circle. What I want all of you girls to do is call his name and we'll see if Francis can find his betrothed in the circle! Oh I do enjoy picnic games!" I don't feel nearly as excited as Catherine is. What if he doesn't find me amongst the rest? Catherine begins spinning Francis and counts to ten as she does so. As soon as she releases him the other girls begin yelling his name or his title. He turns in confusion not knowing which voice to follow. I realize I have yet to utter a sound and if I don't do so quickly then he will never find me.
"Francis." I say softly. Instantly I'm mad at myself as I have always been soft spoken so I try a little louder. Francis had started forward toward another girl but stops short and turns his head. Encouraged I repeat his name louder yet I am still quieter than all the other girls who are trying to out shout each other.
~ FPOV ~
What a deplorable game. How am I ever going to find Mary when I have a dozen noble girls yelling at me. It is all just an overwhelming amount of noise between the cheering of the adults and the shouts of my name. I have no guesses as to where Mary is so I turn in a circle trying to distinguish her voice with no luck. Without any other idea of what to do I pick a direction to walk in and hope that Mary is there. After a few steps I realize that the noise changed somehow in a way that I can't figure out. I tilt my head and hear it again but louder than the time before. Nothing but my name but spoken rather than shouted. It must be Mary. Although I have only known her for about a day it is apparent that she is quiet and she says my name in a way that seems different. Although the very notion is silly I listen for the next quiet call of my name and find which direction its coming from. I can't be sure that it is Mary but I hope it is or else this will be very embarrassing. I follow the voice and as I draw closer I can almost hear the smile of whoever is speaking. I walk as close as I dare before stopping and raising my arm so the noise quiets down.
"This one." I say as clearly as I can although I'm worried now that I'm wrong and its not Mary.
"Go ahead and remove the eye cover dear." I hear my mother say. Gently the cloth is pushed off my eyes and pulled off of my head. I blink a few times against the brightness of the afternoon and see in front of me a smiling Mary. The crowd cheers and hollers while many of the noble girls pout and head back to their parents. With a smile I reach for Mary's hand before bowing and kissing the top of it.
"Mary."
"Francis." We both smile widely at each other as my mother bustles through while clapping.
"Oh good show children well done! Run along and enjoy the rest of the day. Don't wander away though I want you nearby."
For the rest of the day Mary and I practically stick together while playing games with the other children and enjoying the enormous amounts of food the servants have prepared. We play all sorts of games like tag and ball and it is one of the most fun days I've had in a long time. Castle life is rather boring after all especially with no one to really play with.
Somehow Mary and I end up at the little pond that is by the edge of the woods. We sit beside the water and watch the small fish swim around and around.
"This is my favorite place in the whole world." I tell her.
"I can see why Francis. This is a beautiful little pond. And just look at all of these stones! Have you ever seen any so wonderful?" I can't help but laugh at her excitement over pebbles.
"Mary Stuart I do believe you are one of kind." She stays quiet for a few moments and I am worried that I have offended her somehow.
"Mary, I-"
"Is it bad to be different do you think?" She asks carefully in a more guarded tone than she had used previously. Seeing that I have hurt her feelings I take her hand in mine.
"Being different is what makes you special." I say. "Who wants ordinary friends?" Already I can see her fighting a smile.
"Is that what we are then? Friends?" she asks.
"Of course we are!" I help her stand and grin at her. "Race you back!" Without waiting for an answer I take off back towards the picnic with a queen running after me.