A Frary Tale

The Arrival

“No. Don’t go. Stay. Please. I want you to stay. Don’t make her go. I’ll protect her.” Young Francis said.
“I’ll be back. I promise. Then we’ll get marry. Just. Don’t forget me. Please?” Young Mary said.
“Promise.” Francis said crying.

“No. No. No.” Francis moaned then suddenly awoken by a knock. ‘That dream again. I miss her’ he thought.

“Dauphin, are you awake” the pager outside asked.
“Yes. Enter. What is it?” Francis said.
“The king wishes to see you now.”
“Alright.”

“You wished to see me Father?” Francis muttered upon entering his Father’s quarters. “Yes. I need you at your best later. We will be welcoming someone important.” The king said. “But father, today is..” He was cut by his Father. “No buts. It is an order!” With that he bowed and left.

Unknown to everyone this day was marked precisely to the dauphin’s mind. This is the day Mary left. Usually Francis spend this day by the lake where he and Mary found an abandoned tree house where they play while hiding from their maids. No one knew of that tree house they’ve found, even his mother.

Trumpets are being blown, the guests are finally here.
“Are you ready?” Bash asked. “Yes. Very much. The sooner this starts, the sooner I can slip away.” Francis answered. “Wait. You don’t know?” Bash inquired. “Know what?” Francis, confused now. “Who you’re welcoming.” Bash said. “Bash, shut your mouth. Let him find out.” King Henry said smirking. “You didn’t tell him who. Why would you do that?” Queen Catherine asked. “I just wanted to know his reaction.” King Henry said.

“Queen Mary of Scotland and her Ladies has arrived.” The announcer said.

Francis eyes widened. ‘Did he say Mary? My Mary? She’s back!’ A smile suddenly came to his lips. A rare, very rare occasion to be seen in his face. He was always sad and indifferent since the young queen left. Francis then walked through the field to where the carriage is.

“Is that Francis whose standing next to the King?” Aylee asked. “No.” Mary said. “That my dear is Sebastian. The king’s bastard. I heard the king favors him.” Kenna added while smirking. “Francis is the one walking towards us.” Mary said smiling.
“Your grace.” Francis bowed. “Seriously? Please call me Mary.” “Francis.” He said beaming. “You can go ahead” Francis told Mary’s ladies and Mary nodded. When they left.
“I miss you Shrimp.” Francis said using her nickname to Mary growing up. “I miss you too Francy”

On the other end of the field.
“Welcome Ladies. He made you go first?” King Henry spoke. “Yes, Your highness” Greer said then they move to the side. “What do you think are they talking about?” Queen Catherine asked. “Maybe what time they would sneak to each others bed.” Elisabeth said jokingly. Catherine with a raised eyebrow said “Don’t joke like that. They are not children anymore.” “But their affections just grew. Who knows. Absence makes the heart grow fonder” Bash interjected and Elisabeth nodded upon approval to his half-brother. “Well, I believe that they wouldn’t do anything that would jeopardize their engagement. You see, they miss each other and are basically enamored by each other. They would do everything right just to be married to each other.” Catherine said while King Henry nods on approval. “Are you sure about that my Queen?” Diane, Bash’s mother, said pointing to the Dauphin and Queen’s direction. All of them were shocked as they see Francis put Mary into a big embrace.

“I miss you so much darling” Francis whispered. “I miss you too. Darling huh.” Raising her eyebrow. Francis suddenly adjusted and gave Mary a kiss. Mary was surprised. “You are my first kiss” he muttered. “And you are mine.” She answered. Francis tried to deepen the kiss but then they heard Catherine’s quite angered voice. “Francis. Bring her here right now! We missed her too you know!”
With that Francis offered his hand to Mary and said “Finally, I’m never gonna miss you again” Mary took his hand with a smile on her lips, and walked towards the others.

“Welcome Queen Mary.” King Henry bowed. Everyone’s eyes widened as this is not a common scene in the French court, but of course he will really bow down to a 14 year old queen who is sole regnant to a throne, functioning regnant, with her mother as regent. Mary has been ruling Scotland from the convent she’s been hiding, she regularly is visited by her Ambassador to France Lord Adin, one of her generals and godparent General Mckenzie and Ambassador Adin son, Marcus, who she’s planning to make her secretary. Mary answered with a curtsy.
“My little queen. You’re back. I’m glad that on December I wouldn’t need to travel just to celebrate your birthday with you.” Catherine said smiling. “What? You visited her and you didn’t bring me?” Francis retaliate. “Calm down Francy. It’s not her fault. I told her that it would best if you not come.” Mary said, “it was so hard for the both of us when I left, do you really want a repeat of that moment every year. I just want that the next time we will see each other is, you know, no one would leave.” Francis was left speechless he thought of it and she’s right, he would want her to stay forever, he wants her to remain a constant in his life. “Alright then, do you want to explore?” He surrendered and asked. “When did I ever say no to that?” Mary said. Catherine reminds them of the gala in honor of Mary’s return she’s holding. “Do not be late. And I don’t want any limb broken after your exploration. For goodness sake you are not 6 anymore.” With that they started walking towards the lake.