The long journey ahead

[naivequeen]

Mary didn't look back, not until they were miles away from the castle. Her heart was already shattered into so many pieces, hearing Francis call for her when she left him and the court behind. She knew if she had looked back she wouldn't have had the courage to leave. They managed a good distance that first night and Bash had been remarkably quiet as Mary had huddled by herself and sobbed herself to sleep. But by morning, she seemed to have put herself back into some semblance of order. Her cheeks were red from her tears, but she had managed to gather water for the horses from a nearby stream.

She knew they still had a long journey ahead of them and an even longer one by boat before they would reach Scotland. No doubt Francis would be hot on their trail, whether or not he had his father's blessing to go after her. She knew he would try to reach her, try to talk sense into her and if she saw him again she might just let him.

The next evening proved to be far too cold to forgo building a fire. Mary didn't know what use she could be until Bash sent her to gather some wood. Even that simple task left her breathless. Her corset wasn't made for any sort of labor.

She realized they hadn't spoken beyond a few small words here and there, but she was grateful for Bash's company. She didn't know how she could have ever gotten through all of this on her own. Just by being here, he comforted her. She didn't have to make this journey, this great sacrifice alone.

"Is this enough wood?"

Comments

[thedarkprince]

Bash had no desire whatsoever to take Francis's place except that if he'd been born to it, Mary might have been his. And he would have stood up far more to his father, for her. He would have had the security of position to do so.

It's not like Francis was going to get beheaded for standing up to his father.

"Well, I hate to come a beggar to your court, but I am realizing I will very much have to cast myself on your shores and beg your favor." The overly-courtly language was said with a teasing smile, serious, but not really.

He nodded a little. "It is, but we'll get there. It's easier, faster, traveling just two, with just the horses, than if you had your whole entourage, luggage and carriage."

[naivequeen]

Mary smiled back at him, laughing softly at the thought of Bash begging for anything at all. He'd never have to. She'd never allow such a thing. "Well, we can't have that, now can we?" She mused with a playful grin. Feeling for the first time as if the world wasn't ending. "I'm sorry to say you'll have to be happy with a title and land. Of course that means you'll have to stay in Scotland for awhile. You might even be forced to stay at court. How perfectly horrid."

She couldn't wait to see what her mother made of him.

"I left my ladies in waiting at court, I just hope King Henry won't send them packing for my rudeness. I'll send for them as soon as we're settled."

[thedarkprince]

He considered that--or pretended to--for a moment. "Does anyone even know what to expect in a Scottish court?" he asked, teasing. She hadn't been there in a long time, he knew, but Scotland wasn't known for its luxuries. It was, however, known for its wild beauty and he was looking forward to seeing it.

"If he does, I think he would send them packing in this direction with escorts. He won't just kick them out into the world."

[naivequeen]

"No, least of all me." Mary hated how weak she sounded when she said those few simple words, but it was true. It had been over ten years since she had last been in Scotland. She wouldn't know what the current fashions were there, what the gossip was, or even what politics had come to light. But all of this could be learned and mastered in a fairly short span of time. Hadn't she done the same in France?

"But if it's not to your taste, at the very least you're always free to leave to your titled lands." Even though she knew she would see him periodically throughout the yeah, mostly during holidays when the court became overgrown with counts, lords, and dukes.

"I hope so. Especially considering his newest mistress is within my inner circle of serving maids." Mary didn't know how Henry would react, but she hoped her friend would be able to temper him if no one else would. Their actions would cause consequences, she certainly wasn't naive enough to fail to realize that.

[thedarkprince]

"Are you eager to see it again, after so long away? Most of your life has been spent here in France--do you remember much of your childhood there?" Royal children were often raised in safety, but so rarely sent so far from home. He understood the political circumstances, but it still made him ache for her. Already he felt the pangs of leaving France--necessary for survival and he would adapt, but this was home.

"Which is still a little too strange to think about--especially tonight." He gestured at their campsite, their fire, giving her a wry smile. He didn't mind it, was trying, mostly, to lift her spirits.

"He does seem very fond of her, yes." But, then, Henry was fickle. The sooner her friend realized that, the better.