Mary, Queen of Scots | Ongoing | Book ONE | French Court

Chapter 10

First an important A/N before the chapter I know you have been waiting for 😂

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***

The horses pulled the carriages, whinnying here and there, whilst Mary, Francis and Charles sat inside one.

Francis was bored. Mary lay sleeping against the cushion and the only company he had was young Charles who was reading a book.

Charles smiled as he leant against Mary. "She even smells nice."

Francis sighed wistfully as he looked out the window. "I know."

***

The carriage pulled to a stop on the beautiful green field by the sea and a man came to let them out.

Francis got out and Mary sleepily rose.

"Can I finish my puzzle?" Charles asked hopefully, glancing up at them.

Francis popped his head back in.

"We'll come for you when the girl's boat has reached the shore."

Then he leaned in and reached for Mary's hand to help her out.

Mary gratefully took it and together they both walked away from the carriage and glanced over the cliff.

Shock absorbed Francis' features.

"They're too many boats!" he said, panicked.

Next, he noticed the flag and his stomach dropped.

"That's not a French ship. Those are English."

Mary raised her hand to her forehead, the wind making her eyes water.

"Is that a war ship?" she asked, her voice full of dread.

Francis glanced at her before looking back. "Yes."

"Guards!" he shouted.

"What are they doing here?" Mary asked frightfully.

Francis scowled. "I don't know. I think it was a hostile landing."

Mary shook her head. She felt like she was about to cry as she remembered her lessons.

"But England and France are at peace!" She stilled.

"Have they come for me?" Her eyes met his with urgency and without thinking he turned to his guards.

"Get Mary out of here! Hide her!" Then he turned back to her quickly.

"Mary, can you ride?" he asked forcefully.

"Yes," she replied, trusting him with her heart.

"Get my brother out of here and to someplace safe," he said to the guard before glancing down at the shore where more English gathered.

French guards pulled out their bows, ready to protect their future sovereigns.

"Mary," he rushed back to her. "Now."

Suddenly hooves thumped on the ground, interrupting them.

"No, wait!" a familiar voice called.

"Don't shoot. Stand down!" Bash called.

Francis turned to him angrily. "There's an English war ship!"

Bash sighed, out of breath, grateful he had got there in time.

"The English come in peace."

Everyone glanced back down the cliff, unsure.

"The French ship took on water. It was in distress. The English were nearby and gave rescue," Bash finished.

Mary turned to him from beside Francis. "Hang on. How do you know this?"

From above his horse, Bash replied, "They sent an Englishman ahead up to the castle. He's being held. If they're lying we will have his head."

Mary scowled, unsure as Bash sighed in relief.

***

The beautiful young French girl stood, protected by English guards and surrounded by her nannies.

She lifted her skirts up a little and made her way across to the French prince and his family.

There, she stopped, unsurely glancing up in front of them.

The older man leant down to the one she would marry and whispered.

"Go and introduce yourself," Francis said.

Charles shook his head stubbornly.

Mary looked at him and glanced at the young French girl who was almost shaking she was so nervous. Then she smiled and made her way over to her, remembering when she was the young girl meeting the man she would marry for the first time.

"Hello, Madeleine. I'm Mary," she smiled, bending over. "I know you've had a very long journey but you are safe now. And you are very welcome here."

Francis and Bash looked on in awe. Francis couldn't stop wondering if she'd be this kind and gentle to her own children. His children.

Mary reached her hand out and slowly, Madeleine placed her hand on Mary's, before Mary led her towards Charles.

"Go on," she whispered, smiling.

Madeleine stepped forward and curtseyed towards the young and handsome prince who nodded his head and reached to the floor, bringing up a beautiful stone which he handed to her.

For the first time, everyone was graced with her smile.

Mary and Francis both smiled, watching before they met each others eyes.

***

In the throne room loud and beautiful music played as everyone danced in celebration of Charles meeting his fiancé.

Madeleine and Charles ran through the dancers, laughing.

Mary watched with her ladies, smiling in joy.

Across the room Henry talked to his wife, Catherine.

"We've sent food and tents to the English fighters." Henry glanced around the room and sighed distastefully. "And there's Simon, the English envoy. He brought lots of guests to the court."

Catherine sighed, annoyed at the news. "Ah... So there's plenty of English to go round," she said, sarcastically.

"England's finest warriors just happened to be aboard the ship," she said, suspiciously, before glancing up at Henry.

"Aren't you the kind host."

Henry sighed. "Treat them as friends until they prove themselves foes. They'll be gone in a few days. No longer famished and on their way." With that, he wandered off, leaving Catherine doubtful.

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NEXT UPDATE: Sunday 13th (next week). xx