AN: Just throwing this event in there, to create a timeline. :) I assume Richard didn't know about Henry's involvement, and as it's from his point of view, you'll have to make your own conclusion as to Henry's reaction! I think this event must have been important in terms of the pressure on Catherine to produce an heir. Thank you SO MUCH for the reviews! I am so happy to read them!

Chapter Four

"Call the court physician!"

Richard leapt to his feet, along with the rest of the spectators on the tennis court, as the Dauphin of France lay, apparently lifeless, crumpled on the ground. Gasps and cries filled the air, ladies clutched at the arms of their gentlemen, and several people rushed to the Dauphin's side. Richard glanced at his friend. Henry seemed frozen in place, shocked and pale.

"Henry? Henry! Come!" Richard grasped his friend by the shoulders and purposefully marched him to a nearby seat. He noticed that Henry's hands were shaking. The poor fellow, to witness such a shocking incident involving his own brother. He hoped that Francis had simply fainted, and would revive shortly. Keeping a firm, steadying hand on Henry's shoulder, he watched the physician arrive in a great flurry, and disappear behind a crowd of onlookers, attending to the young prince.

"I need to move the Dauphin to the castle immediately!" came the physician's deep and authoritative tone. Within moments, several strong young men were bearing the weight of the Dauphin's unconscious body back to the castle, heading for the royal infirmary. Henry had not yet spoken a word, and Richard could see that he was in great shock still. As he watched the men, he saw Catherine further afield, walking across the lawn towards the tennis court. She paused, and seeing the party moving hastily towards the castle, and her husband sitting motionless beside Richard, she broke into a run, even in her full skirts, to reach them.

"Henry! Good Lord!" she gasped breathlessly, "What happened?!"

Henry did not speak, or look up at her, and Richard mentally chastised himself for having not averted his eyes from Catherine quickly enough. He was genuinely worried for his friend, and this was hardly the moment to be caught off-guard by the way Catherine's lips and cheeks were redder than usual from her exertions, and the delightful curve of the top of her breasts as they threatened to heave out of the corseted gown they were confined in as she fought to catch her breath. "NO." he said firmly to himself, as he tore his eyes from their glorious rise and fall. Returning his concerns to that of his friend, he spoke for Henry.

"Francis fainted, I believe. They have taken him to the infirmary. It was quite a shock."

Catherine knelt by her husband and laid her hand upon his knee.

"Henry? Was he tiring? Was it a strenuous match?"

Henry ran his hand shakily through his hair, and licked his dry lips, but didn't answer her. She threw an anxious glance at Richard.

"It was quite strenuous, yes. Francis seemed fine, though he did ask for a drink, so he must have been tired. He finished his water, and then simply collapsed. It was quite unexpected… Henry?"

His friend nodded, still staring out across the lawn towards the castle where his brother had been taken.

"Come," Richard took Henry's arm decisively, "Let us follow them, and see for ourselves how he is doing. I am sure the physician is taking good care of him. He fainted, that's all."

Catherine stood and went to Henry's other side, supporting her husband as he rose from the chair, and linking his arm with hers as the three of them made their way across the grounds.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/

Richard waited respectfully outside the infirmary, several days later, knowing that grave news of some sort was being given to the royal family inside. Prince Francis had not recovered as expected, and he wanted to be ready to support his friend as soon as he could find out the news. Shifting his feet further from the wall, he leaned against it to rest his legs a little. He had been waiting for almost an hour, and he was feeling restless. He brushed his fingers against the rough stone wall, feeling its texture, but snapped them back to his sides and stood straight as the door opened and King Francis and Queen Eleanor stepped out. The King looked grief-stricken, drawn, and smaller in stature than Richard remembered. He bowed respectfully as they passed him, though they didn't appear to see him at all. Eyes back on the door, Richard waited further.

At length, the Dauphin's siblings, Madeleine, Charles and Margaret, appeared from the doorway, and made their way down the corridor. Madeleine smiled sadly at Richard as they passed him, but they too seemed without words. When Henry and Catherine finally stood at the door, Catherine pulled it closed behind them. Henry stood as though a stone statue, and as he saw Richard move towards him, much to his friend's surprise and concern, he began to gasp and sob.

"My brother!" sobbed Henry, "He is dead!" And he clutched Richard's shoulder as though he could barely support his own weight.

"How can it be?!" breathed Richard, in shock. He had known that Francis was very ill, but he did not know that he had actually died.

"He is dead!" repeated his grief-stricken friend, "He is gone!"

Richard and Catherine hastily bore Henry to his chambers, where he sat dumb-founded on his chaise, scrubbing at his tear-stained face with a handkerchief like a small boy. Catherine called for hot drinks with herbs that she had been learning about, meant for soothing and restoring. Henry sipped his hesitantly, Richard gulped his down without really tasting it, and Catherine's remained untouched. She had been obviously concerned and attentive towards Henry, but now she looked fretful, even afraid, and Richard wondered why.

After perhaps an hour of sitting together, attempting to process the shock of the situation without words, Henry spoke, sounding stronger.

"I shall have to speak to Father about the proceedings." He stood, and walked slowly to the window. "The funeral…. We will be in mourning for some time."

Richard crossed the room and stood next to his friend.

"I will support you in any way I can," he offered, "You are the Dauphin of France now, my friend."

Henry turned to Richard and hugged him. "Thank you. I appreciate your support, as always."

"I will let you and Catherine to yourselves now, but you can send for me any time."

Richard turned to leave, and noticed Catherine was sitting on the edge of the bed now, fingers clutched together in her lap, staring at them intently. She looked tense and anxious, and he wished it would be appropriate for him to go and give her a hug too. He paused to see if Henry had noticed her. He had. Richard quietly walked to the door to give them some space.

"Catherine," spoke Henry softly, almost in disbelief, "We shall be King and Queen of France some day!"

As Richard opened the door, he heard her quiet, somewhat sullen response.

"What good is a King without an heir?"

Her husband huffed with annoyance and turned sharply away from her, looking again out of the window.

"I am serious, Henry. Three years, almost. And the situation that I feared has come upon us. Don't you think it's time to try what I suggested?"

Henry sounded almost angry with his wife, his tone strained and bitter, "This is not the time, Catherine. Do not pressure me!"

Catherine sighed, looking back at her hands in her lap, and Richard quietly closed the door on the couple.