2 months later (February)
(So I still have to bring myself to finish Reign but it's hard because I know Francis dies, but I have done my research and know more about Conde from reading other fanfics and so I'm bringing him in so my story doesn't go way off topic, but it is a little different because he is entering later than in the show. In the show we know he appears when Francis is bringing Lola back and during Mary's miscarriage, but since that didn't happen it changed. Making it clear though that I don't like Conde, so it won't put too kind of a light on him. Also, these chapters might be subject to change once I watch it but only in the effect that it's got parts of the show in it. I know enough about the rest of Season 2 to write so we'll see how this goes.)
Louis sat atop his bay stallion as he watched the castle from the surrounding area. He sighed and crumpled the letter in his hand stuffing it in his pocket. The letter bid him to befriend Francis and find out what kind of King he would be. He'd find out the truth and if Mary was as beautiful as he heard he might have some fun while he was there. The news where he'd come from was that Francis and Mary might not be on good terms. He spurred his horse back to camp where his men where. It was time to put his plan into action.
Mary made her way to the nursery to check on their two-month-old daughter Merida. She was growing like a weed and both Mary and Francis were wrapped around her finger. She was the one thing they'd hoped for together and if they never had another child at least they had her. In the two months since their daughter had been born Mary had gotten back into the workings of Court and taking some of the workload from Francis. King Henry had died shortly after Merida's birth and once Mary was strong enough the coronation took place and she and Francis were officially King and Queen of France and Scotland. Things were starting to heat back up with England now that Elizabeth was stalling her abdication. Things were a little tense and with Kenna's time approaching Mary just needed to get away for a moment. Francis wanted Mary to stay close to the castle unless he was with her for fear someone might do something dreadful. She entered the nursery and found Merida sleeping in her cradle, the nanny sitting nearby sewing. "My Queen." she said starting to rise. Mary held out a hand and shook her head. "No don't bother. You look comfortable and there's no need for any of that here. I just came to see how little Adi is doing." she said using the nickname she'd given her. "She's sleeping soundly and she's as healthy as can be." Mary smiled as she stood beside the cradle and looked down at her. Here all the cares of court seemed to be left at the door and it was just them.
Francis had dismissed his advisors when he felt a headache starting to come on. He was about to head to the nursery when a page boy entered. "So sorry my King, but there are men waiting in the courtyard and a Lord who claims relation to you and the Queen." Francis wanted to find his wife badly, but if this was a chance for him to find another ally he would take it. He thanked the lad and after securing a few of his close guards and sending for Bash he made his way to the courtyard.
Kenna headed back to her chambers returning from her daily walk in the gardens. The midwife and Nostradamus told her that just a short walk would be good for her, so she took their advice. She was feeling restless today anyway, so she wanted to take her mind off it. She placed a hand on the small of her back and sat down on the settee sighing heavily. She was ready to meet their little one, but she did have her fears of bringing the little one into the world. She pushed herself up off the settee and called to one of the guards to send for a servant girl to help her wash up and bring some food. She felt the urgent need to use the chamber pot, an occurrence that seemed to happen frequently since she'd been pregnant, but as she made her way over to it she felt warm liquid gushing down her legs and the urge to pee disappeared replaced by a sharp pain. She gasped and gripped her stomach with both hands. The sudden movement caused her to wobble and she lost her balance falling and then everything went black.
Bash met Francis in the courtyard and then they both walked to meet the stranger. "Let's hope this is good news. I want to check in on Kenna and you seem like you don't want to be here either." Francis just gave his brother a nod as they were now in hearing range of the strangers. "The King of France and Lord Sebastian the Duke of Auvergne and the King's closest advisor." The stranger handed his mount off to his page boy and bowed. "My King I am Prince Louis of Conde a cousin of both you and your Queen. I've heard about the problems with England and have come to offer my help." Francis was quiet for a few moments as he assessed the situation and then relaxed a little bit. "Well cousin, welcome to our home. We shall discuss your willingness to help, but first I'm sure you are weary from your journey. I will have a servant take you to a room here and your men can bunk with ours. We shall discuss further plans on the morrow." Louis bowed and smiled good-naturedly. "Ah, good food and rest does sound refreshing. Then on the morrow my King." Francis nodded, and he and Bash turned and headed back to the castle. As soon as they made it to the doors a servant rushed out and stopped in front of the brothers. "You must come. Your wife is in labor!" Bash and Francis glanced at each other and then unceremoniously rushed inside.
Louis heard the servant say something about a wife in labor and he wondered what was going on. His information must be dated if it was Mary on labor. "Surely two people at odds with each other wouldn't, would they?" He thought to himself. He gave the command for his men to follow the Kings to find a place to reside and he followed the page boy to the chambers that were to be his. This was turning out to be very interesting indeed.