A Frary Tale

All's Well

Francis and his army reached the place. They found the pagans surrounding the carriage, chanting and now lighting up a fire. An enraged Francis ordered his army to attack the pagans. Francis went straight to the carriage while Bash attacked the leader, and to his shock, the leader of the pagans is his mother, the woman in the black cloak.

“Son. Please.” Diane told Bash. “No Mother! This is enough! She’s with child!” “I know! That’s why we need to offer her. And if she’s gone Francis will be ruined and it’ll be easy for you to be king!” “I never wanted to be king!” And then Bash chained her mother and placed her in a cage for criminals.

“Mary, love. Are you alright?” Francis found a sobbing Mary. “Francis.” Mary embraced Francis. “She was so afraid but don’t worry when she heard your voice yelling she calmed down.” Marie assured Francis that Mary was fine. “Let’s go. You’ll ride with me.” Francis told Mary. He positioned Mary in front of him in a way that she wouldn’t have to straddle the horse. “Mary, just sit, like your sitting in a chair and hold on to me.” Francis said and Mary nodded. They rode off back to the cathedral as fast as they can.

The soldier that Francis sent rode faster than them and he reached the Cathedral first. “Your Highnesses! I’m here bearing news.” He said. “What happened. Where’s the queen and the dauphin?” The King of Austria asked. Catherine is in Henry’s arms trying not to cry in fear. “They’re on their way here. They just made me go first to deliver the news that they are safe and that the pagans were caged and are now led to the dungeons. Also, the leader of the pagans was Lady Diane. Sir Bash and Lady Marie are on their way to the castle for interrogation.” The soldier replied. “Marie went with Bash?” Henry asked. “Of course she will. After everything she did for Diane, this is how she repays her.” Catherine said. “What do you mean by that?” Henry asked. Catherine explained how Marie helped Diane to hide the identity of Lola and how Diane slept with another man. “That woman! I can’t believe that she did that. All this time, I thought she was loyal to me. I’m sorry Catherine.” Henry said. “What’s taking them so long?” Mary Tudor asked. "The soldier then checked the road. “Your highnesses! The dauphin and the queen are here.”

Francis helped Mary to get down of the horse. Mary can’t help herself and she embraced Francis so tight. “You’re still shaking.” Francis said while consoling her. “Thank you for coming to me.” Mary said while sobbing. “Why wouldn’t I. I love you.” “And I you.” All the other royals and nobles witnessed this quiet moment in the queen and dauphin’s life. Catherine walked toward them. “Mary, you should rest. We can postpone the wedding.” Catherine said. Mary then unburied her face from Francis’ chest and looks at him. “No. I can’t wait any longer to be called his wife.” Francis kissed Mary. “And I can’t wait to start my forever with you.” Francis said smiling at Mary. “Alright. Since, I can’t stop you. I’ll ask your ladies to fix you up and Francis go to your post and fix your coat and your hair.” Catherine ordered them.

They’re favorite song is played by an orchestra. And the door to the Cathedral is opened. Francis then saw his past, and future together as he see his present. His dream. His Mary. His light.
As Mary walk down the aisle. She sees the man who would make every sacrifice and hardships she had worth it. She suddenly felt satisfied with her life as the man she loved, loves and will always love waits for her. Her Francis. Her home.

The marriage ceremony was going well. Until the pope said. “You two are not like any royals I’ve wed. I see  that France would really have a true royal family. So, I will do it differently with you. Give your own message to each other before we move on to the vows. Please.” Francis and Mary looked at each other. Then Francis spoke. “I’ll go first. Because I don’t know if I could beat yours.” Everyone produced a small laugh. “Mary. The moment I saw you on the port when you arrived here when you were barely six, I knew that I should be there for you. You came here with soldiers, servants, your ladies, but no family. When you walked down the ship, I just felt the urge to hug you. And I did. That act started a spark in me to be always be with you. You are annoying, with your stubbornness and strong opinions. But you make me a better person. You always make me speechless with your opinions in politics even when we were children. I feel proud that I will be one with such strong woman. I feel proud that after a few minutes I can call you mine. You are my best friend. You are my elixir of life. You are my soulmate. You are my confidant. You are the love of my life. You are my light, and without you I am lost. Thank you my shrimp, for making my dream come true. I love you.” Francis finished with tears falling from his eyes. But he didn’t care. Well everyone was in tears. The kings of Europe are really trying their best not to cry. “Mary it’s your turn.” The pope said.
“Francis. I love you. When I returned to French Court, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought you forgot about me, but when I saw you through the field walking towards me, I don’t know if it’s just out of duty or did you really want to welcome me back to your life. When you hugged me that day, I remember the first time you hugged me. I remember how it was tight yet comforting. When you hugged me, I thought maybe I won’t feel homesick. But the thing is Francy, now I know, that it doesn’t matter where I am. As long as I am with you, I am home. You made me feel loved and accepted, it was hard to be a queen in a foreign land, but you made me feel that I belong. The truth is, without you, I don’t know who am I anymore. You are my life. You are the air in my life. I want you to be a constant in my life. You gave me a reason to fight for my life, that my life is worth living. I may live in France and Scotland may be my homeland but you my love, my Francy, you are my home.” She paused for a while looking deeply at Francis tear filled eyes as hers were filled with tears too. “And remember you asked me this question when we were seven. ‘When we turn 15, who am I going to marry? Is it the man or the country?’ I would be lying if I say that the reason of our union is not the alliance. That was our parents’ reason but Francy. I, Mary Stuart, tell you Francis Valois that I am marrying the man. Always the man.” There was a long silence, then the pope continued the ceremony.

The happy married couple exited the cathedral and went to their carriage. They went back to the castle for the reception and they couldn’t be more happy. “This is our first ride as husband and wife.” Mary said. “It is. And it isn’t our last.” They kissed and and savored this moment. This is one of those days that they will never forget as long as they exist.