A/N: Hitting the halfway point here! Thanks to all sticking with the story.
Also, it was pointed out to me that in chapter 3 I had originally said Bash was younger than Francis. Of course, he is actually older. I have since corrected the error. It will not effect the story's outcome but was simply a typo. Thanks bbtirl360!
I do not own Reign, but Aonghas is all mine.
As she took her seat upon the throne, Mary looked about the room at those gathered there, presumably in her service. She was supposed to trust in the men that sat before her, not suspect so many of them, Lord Roxburgh and all of the Protestants, of such treasonous acts against her crown. She would never be able to rule her subjects in the company of so many set against her. This situation needed to be handled perfectly if she were to start her reign on the right path and even footing.
"My Lords, I am discontent." Her head held high the authority belonging to her. "An uprising. A move for succession. An entire village slain just outside the bounds of my birthplace, all innocent. An attempt upon my life and not at the hands of the English but of my own countrymen. It is a sad state of affairs I have come to correct."
Both Bash and Mary of Guise, Regent of Scotland and Mary's mother thought very much the same thing as they looked on Mary's address to her subjects. She was a girl no longer.
The mother watched as her daughter, so long since having been in her company, took to the throne with natural proclivity. This woman seemed such a stark contrast to the girl in whom she had little confidence just days ago could take her place in rule in the next year upon reaching the proper age. She had known Mary to be unprepared, unable to understand the politics of her homeland, unable to handle England.
She had still been worried for her on that count during the last several days when it appeared Mary Tudor had sunk her claws into the young woman. But command of the English army was not something she had come to expect out of her and now that she could see her daughter very much alive she was proud to see all that she had become, commanding the attention and fear of all those in the room.
The Scottish queen could see the pride emanating from her mother and Bash, but her controlled rage of authority seemed to have no bounds when it came to the men sitting in the room before her. "Does anyone one of you have something to say on how we as a country have come to this place and time? Of how it is that your queen must come and sit before you in the clothing of a man for she had to fake her identity and her death?"
All of the lords were silent. Some may have simply been too stunned to speak, others may have had nothing in answer to her request but some still had said answers and chose silence over facing their queen.
She knew this, and it angered her more. "Lord Roxburgh. Come forward."
The man was visibly apprehensive as he stood from his chair and took his place in the void of the floor before his queen's throne. "Your grace." He bowed to her, almost unbelieving that she remain alive for his reports had been so sure she had passed.
Mary reclined as she examined him. There was something so very different of the gray haired, blue eyed man she had once known. But it was not that same something which she had expected to find in a traitor such as he. There was subservience, true and utter. She knew not what to make of it so stuck with her facts. "I believe you have something which does not belong to you. Do you wish to surrender it to my French Counsel?"
Bash came forward a few paces to identify himself, his hands behind his back and offering a small bow to Mary and the court. He noticed her comfort upon the throne, how well she wore the responsibility of rule. He was not surprised in this, he was however surprised that she make mention of him in her court to be of her continued service. It was not expected but was something he found he rather enjoyed, having an official position among those she ruled. So, he did his best to look subservient to Mary and yet still intimidating to the Lord in question.
"Your Grace?" Roxburgh was utterly baffled. He had expected her to be dead and now he must face a man he knew not of and surrender something which he was unsure he knew of what she speak.
Mary's eyebrow arched in challenge. "Are you hard of hearing Roxburgh or do you simply not wish to answer my request?"
The lord snapped to at the warning in her question. Clearly she had little patience at the moment and he far rather appease her than face whatever accusation she was to launch upon him for he knew he would not be singled out among all the men there, including the protestants if she had not something she suspected of him. "I simply do not know to what you are referring."
Mary stood, reaching her full height. Her figure a sign of true power. "You have withheld the return of a French company." She walked closer to him remaining on the platform of her throne so as to tower above the medium built man. "Do you deny that you have used said army in your plot to take my crown? That you have used men of your own to claim innocent lives? To kill me?"
The man shrank away from her booming tones. "I- your grace, I most ardently deny the latter two accusations." He fumbled with his hands, something entirely uncharacteristic of a man all knew to be of power and composure on all matters save anger. "I did wish your crown, but I swear to you it was only after you died of other causes."
"Other causes? Such as what may I ask?" The queen's teeth grit together in her ire that this man so openly admit to his plot and yet still retain composure of innocence.
"I thought you would have succumbed to an English plot initially. That is why I retained the French company, so as to appear to have the support of our ally in taking the crown over that of Mary Tudor. I had believed that by pulling France into the matter that the English would set against France and it would be in their best interest to ensure our crown stay Scottish, and Catholic."
"You are quite enterprising." Mary returned for she knew not what to think in that moment. She shared a glance at Bash and saw the reflection of her own thoughts there. Perhaps Roxburgh was not behind this all. "And what of Linlithgow? You truly claim to have had no involvement?"
The man before her looked plainly in his response. "I must admit to your grace that I am unfamiliar with what you mean of Linlithgow? Has something occurred?"
As greatly as Mary did not wish to believe him, there was a level of genuine confusion in his tone that she knew he must truly have been ignorant of the atrocity. She paced but only some as she turned her address to him and the court as a whole simultaneously. "Linlithgow, the village just outside of my birth place was the subject of a most dreadful siege which came to lay out, on display, all of the four hundred innocent lives of our countrymen there. A survivor, a single tortured man, reports that this violence came in the name of looking for me, for my head." She did not even bother to pause before issuing her next statement. "One of you has been trying to kill me."
A gasp could be heard among all those there, particularly strong among her mother and Mary realized that truly, most there had no idea of what had happened in Linlithgow. She believed Roxburgh might honestly not have been involved, she was unsure.
She was not prepared to sentence a man to his death when such doubt had come to rest within her heart. She knew too well how great a matter it was to take a man's life and was not prepared to do so again without just cause.
She had to think on her feet of some manner in which she could come to find the truth, of some manner of disarming the men around her. If she continued to single out the man before her as her lead suspect she might have some chance of an investigation coming to solid conclusions on who, among the men there, was truly seeking her crown. "Lord Roxburgh, you have admitted to an illegal action of great proportions of international political influence. On this alone you shall be detained. However, during your imprisonment an investigation shall be launched immediately so as to discover just how deep your involvement in the plot for my crown has ran. Then you will face trial."
Bash made much of the meaning of the queen's momentary glances in his direction. He knew her more than anyone and knew that she too did not believe Lord Roxburgh be responsible for all that had come to pass. But he made no hint at this, retaining his emotionless attention upon her form as she waved off the guards having ceased possession of the Earl and removed him from the chamber.
"Now, my Lords." Mary returned to her seated position. "We have an uprising still to address."
The regent, mother of Mary stood at the side. "If I may…"
Mary held her hand to interrupt her mother's intervention. She knew she meant well but Mary was to take command of these men in a year's time. She must establish herself as the leader on this issue now so as to smooth the transition. "You may not."
Her attention turned back to her court. "I have spent a great deal of my journey of leading the English troops here under my command," she added this so as to demonstrate the level of her authority. "In contemplation on what to do with the relatively large section of my population discontent to suffer under a crown of a faith so different to their own. I care about my people, all of my people but I care for my country's governance above all for it is what serves our populace." She held her posture high but kept her eyes kind, seeking those of the Protestants in the room so that she might soften their stance against her.
"I will always defend my faith as ruling in this land but I am not unsympathetic to the desire for one's personal freedoms of conscience." She could see the effect her words had among those there. This was more than they could expect from a Catholic queen. "I will tolerate what a man does in his own home or his own heart but I will not tolerate trying to rise against a government in the name of it."
She spoke over the communal intake of breath at the proclamation, aware of just how striking such an admission be. "I am not blind to the fact that some here, unidentified at the time, have been responsible for the use of troops within the Protestant uprising. As I wish to keep our country intact for the sake of both faiths I will offer this. Recall your men. Have them leave the villages in which they have come to take quarter. Return them to their everyday lives and return your loyalty to this court and to your queen. Do this and I will not utilize the English forces of my command, the magnitude of which has never been seen in Scotland as of yet, to repress and eradicate every last man, woman and Lord within this room having supported the uprising against me."
The proclamation, the threat implied startled most there, excepting Bash. His Mary was quite engineering. Keeping her crown with communion of the papacy while simultaneously allowing the Protestants freedom to practice was something wonderstruck. Such a thing had never been truly accomplished before but he felt that perhaps she had stumbled upon a way to do so. They could have their religion, not worry on their head but shall never use their faith against her own, against her crown.
A line was specifically set and if the Protestants in the room knew what a good deal looked like they would see how very lucky they had become in have their queen, who could eradicate all with the powers now belonging to her by her own crown and that of England, outright allowing their private practice of their faith.
Mary might rule with iron, but also with grace.
"I see recognition among you that you understand the generosity of my offer. I expect a full report of the cessation of all hostilities by the morning, before the arrival of only half of my reserve troops, a number far greater than necessary to kill every last one of your men." Seeing the slight nod of approval her mother tried to hide from the court, Mary smiled internally. She did good today, she knew it. "This court is dismissed, so that you might all go about your business," she hinted. "Whatever it may be."
She rose and accepted the bow of her men before exiting the room, their dismissal a relief to all so intimidated.
She refused to look behind her, moving towards the chambers she remembered as a child, where she and her half-brother James, bastard son of her father's favorite mistress, had once played. She thought it an appropriate place to retreat, knowing full well that Bash would follow her as always.
"You were magnificent." Sebastian closed the door tightly behind him before approaching the young queen, his pride showing as he rest his hand upon the cheek he kissed earlier. "Such a natural queen."
"I have been a queen all my life. I rather hope it would come naturally." Mary slipped into the cheeky manner she found most comfortable. She had so very much to repress when it came to her feelings for Bash as right now she had much business to attend. "You understood?"
The counsel nodded, retracting his hand now that it appeared they were back to work. "I did. Roxburgh certainly had opportunity and access to have done all but that does not mean he necessarily did so. You had known him to be loyal to your mother before?"
Mary ardently agreed. The man played a singular role in her short childhood here at court. "I believe my mother may have even had a… she may have had liaisons with him, recurring."
"Oh." Bash wondered on the implications that might have for himself for only a second before deciding that might be better saved for another time. "Then perhaps he truly did only want to keep the crown Scottish. I could see this."
"As could I." She paced the room, looking toward the window where she had once stood for hours, practicing how to hold her posture. "He was much like a father to me. I feel almost ashamed for having suspected him."
Bash placed a single hand on her shoulder, his other securely behind his back. He could tell a full embrace would not be welcomed at the moment but still felt the need to offer comfort. "You mustn't feel so. Unfortunately, betrayal is possible of anyone. It is only fondness that breeds loyalty and it seems he was quite fond of you, even if afraid."
She accepted his consolation on the matter. "Would you lead an investigation, along with Wallace, commander of the battalion, into Linlithgow and my attempted assassination? On the missing company as well. I trust no one else and you always prove so very successful at whatever task I ask of you."
He was glad for that. All he ever wanted was to show her that while he may be a bastard that he was capable, loyal and deserving. "I will do my best, you grace." He bowed, but with his usual smile returning. "After all, why waste effort and time on assigning a task to a lesser man when you have a better one before you?"
Mary smirked to the side, how true his words. "Precisely."
"My dear daughter." The words rang out as the large door to the chamber opened and in stepped the regent, her arms open wide. She noticed the presence of the Frenchman in the room, aware of the rumor circulating of her daughter's affections for the man but chose to table thought on that until she had properly seen her child. "Come see your very proud mother."
"Mother." Mary beamed, nearly running towards the older woman in her haste. "I am so very happy to see you once more."
Bash watched the embracing women with genuine delight. He had been worried that all he and Mary had done to restore some of her emotional balance the night before had been thrown off yet again by all this political business but seeing her so human, so much the woman he knew of her was refreshing and enlightening. She loves with a very large heart.
Mary backed away from her mother so as to allow her friend into the moment as well. "Mother, I would like to introduce my French Counsel, Sebastian de Poiters, son of Henry." She gestured between the two. "He is my closest friend, so please treat him kindly."
The regent took in the young man. He was gorgeous, and seemed to harbor a genuine affection for her Mary. She could see this. It takes a woman to know what lay in a man's heart and she knew for a fact that if he were not a bastard that her daughter would be married to the future king of France. "I always endeavor to treat the French kindly. But I will make more the effort for your friend. It is my pleasure to meet you, Sebastian."
He bowed to her. "The pleasure is my own, I can assure."
The mother nodded politely before turning to her daughter, aware that business must resume. "I wish to speak with you on Roxburgh."
Mary stepped closer, aware of the difficulty her mother must be facing. "I have arranged for Sebastian to perform an investigation into the matter fully, however his efforts will not be subject to Roxburgh alone."
The regent took in a breath of relief. She knew then what the young queen meant to do. "He had been excessively worried for years that our crown would fall to English hands."
Bash stepped forward as well, deciding he should take over the conversation since it was his investigation. "Perhaps you and I might discuss his motivations, and those possible of others so that I might have a place to start."
The door opened once more before a reply could be made "Mary! I knew you would be here." James Stewart, Mary's half-brother came into the room. "I have such fond memories of teaching you 'royal ways' here."
Mary could feel the pink rise on her cheeks, her playful game being revealed in front of Bash. "I feel it has been too long since I have seen you last. I might introduce you to my trusted friend and counsel Sebastian. Bash, this is my half-brother James, Lord of Abernethy."
Bash and the man bowed to one another, aware the other was much like he, the favorite illegitimate sons of their fathers, both kings. "Might I steal my younger sister?"
Bash and Mary of Guise both gave their consent and were left to their interview on the investigation while Mary took her elder brother's arm in search of a walk.
"You have grown into quite a fine young woman." Her brother admired, pride emanating from him. "You nearly scared half the lords in that room to death you know, including myself."
Mary chuckled softly. Theirs was an interesting relationship. She knew him to be one of the few Protestant reformers in court which did not wish the uprising, according to Dùghlas. She knew not much of the man he had become other than he too loved someone that he should not and that the weight of Scotland's concerns came to rest upon them distinctly, though in separate ways. "You will find my brother that I have had great instruction on becoming that queen I must be."
He eyed her face peripherally. "And some moral support as well, I assume."
She knew that tone of voice. She was suspected of some mischief. "What ever do you mean?"
"Must I say it?" He waited until they were outside the castle doors and past the guard's listening ears to continue. "Your friend, Bash you called him? Tell me of him."
Mary's blush grew steadily more inflamed. Her brother knew quite well what he was insinuating. "He is Francis's brother, quite roguish. I think he rather enjoys that he is not royal, for he gets to hunt as he wishes, compete in tournaments, fight, ride, flirt-"
Her brother cut off her words. "Yes, he loves to fight for the pretty queen with whom he flirts I must wager."
She guiltily looked away. "Will you not let me finish." She waited out his chuckles before continuing. "He has proved to be a most capable and loyal friend and counsel. I trust no one more."
"Not even me?" He asked, some playful challenge in his tone.
"Not even you, my brother." Mary supplied, knowing those words were quite true. She was unsure if it spoke more of her trust in Bash or simple lack of familiarity with her brother to know his loyalty more in her heart. "He is also very intelligent, aware, capable of command really. He gives me such great support that I…" she trailed off at her brother's accusatory stare. "What?"
The man looked around them as he stopped their progress through the gardens and turned to her. "Mary. Just say you love him. There isn't shame in it."
She wished she could share the sentiment but found it so unnatural to do so, even if she had said much the same to Mary Tudor. "I trust him. Is that not enough?"
"Very well." He sighed, retaking her arm. "Now, the true question is what do you plan on doing about Francis? He is an unpopular choice for a consort of England is he not?"
"That is most certainly the case." She joined his sigh with her own. "I wish to maintain the alliance with France, I am just unsure how to secure it without my hand belonging to the dauphin. He is a treasured friend, but not only do I not wish to marry him now that I do not have to, I feel as though doing so would only bring down all the progress I have made." And potentially bring about his death, she added in her mind. She should speak with Aonghas soon on that thought.
"Such a busy young woman you are." He pat her hand that rest upon his arm. "Now, we shall deliver you inside to your mother, I am sure she has much to say on the young man as well."
Mary rolled her eyes at that but was happy to be returned to the castle, this time to her mother's chambers. Her brother left them to their 'woman's time' which meant he was off to spend time with his mistress. This, they all knew.
"I have had such an interesting conversation with your friend Mary." The regent broke the friendly banter of her third round of Pope July with her daughter. It was such a relief to see her taking relaxation when so much rested on her mind. She was glad to see her daughter had learned to be patient when no news on the actions of others has yet to come in.
"It seems everyone has taken quite an interest in Bash." Mary returned, her stack now nearly complete. She did so enjoy this time with her mother. It was rare that she could feel that her mother truly loved her but sitting in her company for several hours made those feelings simply vanish.
"Mary. It is obvious your feelings for the man, and his for you." She paused, making a move in the game as she was aware her daughter held great conflict in her heart. "He might serve well by your side, on the side."
Mary seemed to have lost her place in their game. "I would never ask such a thing of him."
"I didn't say you would ask. He might very well volunteer." At the look her daughter sent to her she decided she should be more direct. "I like him very much. He would always be loyal. It is a shame he is not legitimate. He would make the most ideal of husbands. And this is something a mother does not say lightly my dear."
"Yes, well." Mary shifted, clearly uncomfortable. "I am engaged. I should not be thinking such things."
Her mother finished her stack winning the game and gestured for her daughter to join her in a walk about the room. "Mary, you cannot marry Francis but you must return, after the uprising is settled, to France and maintain the engagement until another option is found."
Mary found herself distinctly uncomfortable in all of this conversation but particularly in this. "You mean you wish I deceive the dauphin, pretend I share in his affections?"
The elder Mary knew it was unfair to suggest this of her daughter but also knew it was best for Scotland. "Mary, this is important. I know not what might be done but surely there is some manner in which we might retain the alliance without putting your place with the English in jeopardy." She stopped their tracks at the window, looking to her daughter from the side of her eye as she stared ahead; Bash clearly visible riding a horse out to the gates. "Perhaps we might even find some manner in which you could have your heart's truest desire and not ask of him to compromise himself."
The words of Aonghas's prophesy seemed to echo within, her heart's truest desire. She had already decided that Mary Tudor was the first of the three women who were to set a path before her, and now she was fairly sure her mother be the second. She should fight her mother's words, insist to stay in Scotland until she takes her reign but that voice within her, originating from the piece of her heart saturated in the vision she once had, spoke louder than her conscience or her political wit. The path set before her, she must follow it to have her heart's truest desire. This she could do. "Very well."
Her mother turned her head in genuine surprise. "I had expected much more of a fight from that young queen I saw upon the throne today. You truly must love the bastard."
"I love the son of a king, mother." She assured. "It would do you well to remember that fact."
She could feel her mother's eyes upon her as she retreated to dress for the night, knowing how true those words held.
It seemed everywhere Mary went her feet would not take her fast enough. The consequences of her mother's direction continued to make themselves known as she thought on the matter. She must return to court and pretend to be committed to her engagement to Francis. According to Mary Tudor, she must also endeavor to keep Bash's feelings in mind and not promise him what she might not be able to offer while simultaneously not hurting his feelings. How she was going to accomplish such tasks she did not know, and it bothered her deeply. So deeply she labored upon it all through dressing, dinner and into the dancing of the feast welcoming her home.
"Your majesty has much on her mind." Aonghas stepped closer to his queen's side, aware that she was quite over taken with worry. "Your mother is the second of the prophesy, yes." He confirmed, already having known her next question.
"I feel as though I may never get used to your abilities." She confided. "But I do appreciate your counsel."
He bowed his head to her. "As I appreciate the level of patronage your majesty has shown to me." She had been quite generous he found. An order had been given by Mary that he be provided with large quarters in which to set his practice within the castle. This was to be his permanent home once she took her reign next year.
She allowed a soft smile to the man. "You deserve anything that might enable your service. Speaking of which, have you anything you might share on who might be my traitor?"
Aonghas looked deep within himself, coming to a conclusion. "If I tell your majesty too much, and identify the man, your counsel will be unable to obtain the evidence necessary to eradicate the threat. I will tell you only this. He be male, he not be your love, and be someone close of relation to you."
She sighed. "Unfortunately that does not narrow down the options too acutely." Truly, it left only four potential men, other than Roxburgh. All were first cousins.
The seer could feel her missing something key. "Your majesty would do well to remember that she has a bias, as do her Scottish advisors."
She looked upon Latharn and Dùghlas each dancing with a woman and back to her seer, about to ask him if one of them might be trying to sway her from the man to be at fault but she found the man gone and knew not to look for him. Though she had known him only for a couple days she also knew would never leave in a disrespectful manner if it were not for her own good not to ask what it was she wished to learn.
"Mary." Bash approached her side. "You seem to be very fond of your new apothecary. It is startling to see you have something so in common with Catherine." Mary's look to him spoke enough to have him in a chuckle. "I apologize, I promise to never compare you to her again."
"Good." She teased back. "I might be fond of you but even I am not sure I could contain the rage such a thing might prompt."
"Oh Mary, I would so very much love to see how you react when truly angry with me."
When she looked at him she saw something she never thought she would see, a blush rising on his neck. Perhaps things really did run both ways when it came to how whatever this be that lay between them came to affect the individual. "You should take care. You wouldn't want to tempt me, now would you?"
Bash wished he knew where all this tension came from, for he would do love to replicate the effect again. She was overwhelmingly tempting herself. Did she not know how great it has been upon his resolve to not claim her lips once more, this time without alcohol? Without Francis being able to witness? Without it being called a mistake? Perhaps this went both ways, however. Perhaps since their last attempt she had wanted this just as much as he.
How very satisfying it was a prospect that he truly was tempting her as well. "Not to anger, no." He smiled at her lavishly. "Might I a dance?"
She smiled back, almost shy after their flirting, and took his offered hand, aware all eyes of court were upon her. "Tell me." She whispered as the dance began. "How goes the investigation? My mother seems quite impressed by you."
He was happy for the compliment. "As I am with her. However, I have found some startling information on your missing troops. According to a man left behind to see to his ill wife, it appears they had received word of your death hours before Robert made his sacrifice." He was still startled by the amount of love the single action came to promote for the man who had once planned his death. "I suspect that from whomever that information originated be the man behind the plot of your assassination, as well as behind Linlithgow for it diverted their efforts towards the boarder. A scout is on his way to interview the commander."
Mary sighed out, knowing she must share something with Bash that she was unsure he would take with belief. "You know Aonghas to be a seer."
"I do." Bash confirmed, aware that Mary was reluctant. "He has had a vision for you? I assure you Mary, I hold a far greater respect for such things than Francis. Nostradamus has issued warning to me himself."
She let out a small breath, circling him as called for in the dance and returning to his side. "That is a relief to be sure. Similarly you might well know it to be when I say that he has, needlessly, reassured me of my trust in you."
He smiled gently at that. "You need not worry; I know you would never suspect me of being against you. I am far too deeply embedded in your service." He bowed as the song required. "What direction does he point?"
Here Mary wished she had more to say than what she did. "To a man of my close relations and trust. I ask that whoever he be you not tell me until you are entirely sure of his guilt. Please, spare me the pain of wonder."
"I shall endeavor to never cause you pain." Bash took her hand and continued to lead their steps after promising as much. He knew quite well that the man would most likely be as close as the seer warned and so he decided her request was one he wished to honor. He could not imagine what anguish it would be to have to convict a trusted man, yet again, of treason and sentence his execution. But it would be all the more so if there was any reason to hold doubt.
He danced with her several more times that night, each a true delight, before he escorted her to her chambers. Once again he posted English guards outside her door and left her to her slumber while he made a promise to himself to see to it he find some way of bringing out her carefree nature when the opportunity was next presented.
There was an idea in that but for now he wished to accomplish his task at hand. He set out towards the dungeons and servants' quarters seeking more intense investigation techniques so as to build his case. He wished for a full reveal of all those involved and to gather all the evidence he could to support a conviction so as to leave no doubt in Mary's mind at the guilt of the party responsible for having almost taken the life of his friend, his love, his queen. He was determined to serve her as she deserved and to show her that there was nothing he would not do to support her proper place upon her throne.