Rebirth

Chapter 26

Mary and Greer sat outside in the green gardens that overlooked the stone hall that they had been taking leave in for a few days, drinking tea and eating from bowls of strawberries and blueberries. They were talking and laughing, enjoying the summer heat. The Queen was relaxed as she talked to her dearest friend, Kenna near them, playing with her twin girls, Amia and Maja on a picnic blanket, giggling with them as they rejoiced in their mothers' company. It made the females smile, hearing the children's laugh. The adoption hadn't gone through after she saw the two baby girls in Sweden, so Mary had arranged a match between she and a noble from their homeland. The marriage was just one of necessity, so they didn't see each other much. However, they made the agreement work.

"How have you been adjusting, ruling over all of these countries?" Greer asked, as her Queen had recently gotten back from a long trip.

"It's certainly a very large adjustment, but sharing the regency helps quite a bit, but there's quite a bit of responsibility on my shoulders at this moment," she said. "However, the power is quite an achievement," she grinned from behind her teacup.

"And, you're a woman in power, it's very unusual, but highly empowering. You work well with power. Are you getting enough rest? I know you've just came back from a long political tour," she said, looking into the slightly fatigued lines that decorated her Queen's under eyes.

"Yes, I'm fine. A queen who rules over almost half a dozen countries doesn't get as much sleep as she did when she was younger," Mary took another sip from her hot tea. "It's normal. I have quite a bit of help with the regents who take the pressure off when I need, so i can be with the children."

"How are they? I know little Annika and Annaliece didn't like being without their mother for too long," Greer grinned.

"They're very attached to me, i'll admit. For reasons we both know," she nodded once.

"Of course. Bothwell forced you into that marriage and forced you to get pregnant. You did what you had to," she said softly. "Nobody who knows blames you for it."

"That's why it stays between my two loyalist friends, nobody else," she said softly.

"I understand. I'm sure you're glad to be with them again, aren't you?" she asked gently.

"Of course, I miss them horribly when I have to leave them behind, but hopefully this trip makes up for the lost time."

"It was only a few weeks, Mary."

"That's a long time for a child, my friend." she ate a strawberry quickly. "I'm glad they're having fun," she looked over at Kenna, who lay on the floor giggling, children surrounding her.

"I'm glad they get along," Greer smiled, looking at her eight year old girl as she giggled away.

"Little Rose fits right in, doesn't she?" Mary asked softly.

"She does. I'm glad." Greer smiled, before they heard the door opening and closing, before voices filled the distance.

"Maman! Maman!" a little voice cried. Mary and Greer turned to see a little child running through the green summer grass, eyes wide, little cheeks pink as he rushed towards them. His hair shone in the sunlight, creating a golden halo that sparkled. The golden waves sprawled across his shoulders, big blue eyes lighting up as the females turned to him.

He beamed, showing off his pearly white smile that reminded the females so much of the late King of France. The little boy was dressed in black leather trousers, matching knee high boots, a white tunic, a black and gold waistcoat with gold buckles and a black silk and velvet embellished light coat floating in the wind as he ran towards them. He was followed shortly by another little boy. He stood a little shorter than the first little boy, but looked much like him. He had long blonde, straight hair with small blue eyes, pale skin and wore a matching pair of trousers and boots, the same white shirt, but wore a orange and yellow embroidered waistcoat and a thin brown velvet lapel on, gold embroidery going up the sides.

"My loves," Mary grinned happily as they reached her, instantly being pulled into a hug by the little boys.

"We missed you, maman," the little boy smiled wide.

"I missed you both as well, did you have fun?"

"We did, we did! James took us on Bessie and we rode for hours and hours, we saw mountains and lakes and streams and had cheese and bread and chicken later on, and-" the boy in brown velvet babbled. Mary smiled at them both happily.