I {H}old The Crown

Mary could not stop herself from chuckling. "She could still get pregnant, even after she goes out of heat. It last about two weeks." She looked at him, unable to help her smile. "You might just have little Duchesses on the way, and I am willing to bet on who the father is." She then looked away, struggling to stiffen her chuckles. She wasn't sure why she found the whole thing so amusing.

Noble began nipping at her playfully. He then darted off, wanting her to chase him. It was all a game.

"It is just crazy is all," Rebecca admitted, though him sticking his tongue out only made her giggle again. "Of all the things to happen, in the midst of everything, your dog ends up getting pregnant because of mine." She shook her head, glancing off at the two as they played. "They'll be good dogs if they are anything like their parents though," she said softly. She then looked back at him. "Now then, I'm ready for bed. It's been a long day, and it will be another long one tomorrow."

[feel free to skip to the morning if you]

Mary rolled her eyes, giving a low whistle. Noble darted into the house and disappeared down the hallway in the direction of the bed room. "Whatever," was all she said. She then disappeared into the darkness, going to bed.

The next morning, the cheerfulness from the day before was gone. Everyone was gathered around, eating in silence. Even Mary seemed downcast. When Francis entered the room, Barron looked up. "Warren, Catherine, outside. Get on with your chores," he ordered. The twins left in a hurry. They clearly did not want to be in the house at that moment. Fiona got up, serving Francis his own breakfast. It was not much. Rowan, who was leaned against the door frame, glanced over at the prince. There was a dark look in his eyes.

Rebecca looked away, not meeting his gaze. Barron finally spoke. "Men came to the barn last night. They were looking for two you," he said, looking at Francis. Rowan then spoke up. "I managed to convince them that the reason I was sleeping in the barn was to watch over the calf, not because we had a guest. I was lucky they left without a fight, though I believe they have ever intention of coming back. They won't take no for an answer the second time." Silence filled the space once more. It was Fiona who finally spoke up this time, saying the words everyone knew were coming. "You and Mary cannot stay here any longer. It would put not only your lives in danger, but also ours." She meet Francis's eye. "I am loyal to my king, but not even he comes above my children." She was not being selfish. She was a mother protecting her family. Barron rubbed the back of his head. "I know I said you could stay as long as you need, but Fiona is right. Those men will come back, and we won't be able to stop them a second time. I am sorry, Prince Francis, but you must leave today. I can give you saddles and supplies and what little money we have. It is not much, but it will help you on your way."

Rowan did not speak. He gazed at Francis for several minutes, his thoughts unreadable. "Rowan, go get their horses saddled and ready to go," Barron said. Rowan left without a word, vanishing out the door. Fiona then stood up, sighing heavily. "I will get you some food and water for the journey," she muttered. She then left, heading towards their storage room. Barron looked at Francis for a long time. Then, softly, "You are a good man, Francis, and you will be an even better king. I only wish there was more I could do." He then stood up with some difficulty. His age, along with his old battle wounds, were showing more and more. He hobbled out of the room, disappearing into his bedroom. Mary took in a rugged breath. "I need to go change, but then I will be ready," she told him weakly. She pushed herself off of the chest where she had been sitting. She was struggling not to cry as she went to walk past him.

"The dogs are out back. Mary took them out there this morning so they could be outside but not get far," Rowan said. He walked forward, carrying a saddle. He placed it Beauty's back and began securing it. The calf from the night before was no where in sight. "My sister is a fighter," Rowan suddenly said as he worked. "She's always been the toughest and bravest out of all of us. When things got tough and money became scarce, she was brave enough to leave home to work for whoever would hire her. She sent the money back to us. Me, I was too scared to leave. I didn't want to leave. But her, she has always belong somewhere beyond here." Rowan stood up straight as he finished with the horse. He looked Francis in the eye. "You may be a prince, and I a peasant, but I am going to ask one thing of you, regardless if I have the standing to or not." He paused just a moment. "Look out for Mary. Make sure she gets a husband who will treat her right and not force her into a life she doesn't want. She may be tough, but she's also too loyal for her own good. If she thought by marrying someone, even someone who would beat her, to make things just a little bit easier for her family, she would." Rowan did not wait for Francis's response. He went and grabbed another saddle. He began saddling Lightfoot. The mare snorted, clearly not happy about it. Rowan did not say another word.

Rowan looked at Francis as he finished with the saddle. "For a prince, you're a decent guy," he said. He then went to the back of the barn, rummaging around. He returned with a sack in hand. "Here. Some apples for you and the horses," he said, handing them to him. It was then Mary walked in. She had changed into pants and shirt. Her hair was braided to keep it out of her way. She had two clocks in her arms. "My father wants to speak to both of us before we go," she told Francis. She laid the clocks across Lightfoot's back. They would have to be packed with the other things. She stroked the mare's neck, trying to calm herself. "The dogs are in the pen. I'll go get them," she muttered after a minute. She walked out, vanishing. Rowan untied Lightfoot and grabbed her lead. He gestured for Francis to do the same before he walked the horse out. Barron and Fiona were standing together near the house, the twins beside them. They each had something in their hands. Mary walked around, Noble and Duchess with her.

Fiona stepped forward. "Food and water for the journey," she explained. Mary took it from her, tying it to Lightfoot's saddle. Barron stepped forward next. There were unshead tears glistening in his eyes. He gently grasped Mary's hand and deposited the small pouch in her palm. It was a coin bag. "It is not much, but it will help you on your way," he said softly. "Father, I can't accept this," Mary said, shaking her head. She tried to hand it back, but Barron would not take it. "Considered it your inheritance." Mary sighed heavily, giving up. There was an unspoken truth, an unspoken tension, in the air. Though no one had voiced it, the family knew this was most likely the last time they would ever see Mary. Mary leaned down, hugging the twins, as Barron went to Francis. "Take care, young prince. The road ahead is long, but you are both strong." He clamped Francis's shoulder for just a moment before moving away. Mary muttered a farewell to her father and brother. Then Fiona moved forward. She rested her hands on her daughter's shoulders. "Be brave, little one. The world is cruel, but you have always been a fighter. Never let them see you with your head down." Mother embraced daughter, and then the family was gone. They did not linger to see them leave. Mary sighed heavily before going to Lightfoot. She mounted the mare before looking at Francis. "I am ready when you are," she said softly. Noble barked up at them. Even he was ready to go.

Mary had smiled back only faintly. She gently nudged Lightfoot, setting the mare in motion. She followed Beauty, snorting. Noble darted ahead, scouting the are in front of them. He went back and forth doing that way, nose to the ground or high up in the air. Mary glanced back at the house only once. She knew she would probably never see her family again. She sighed as she turned back around. She could not dwell on such thoughts right now. She looked at Francis, catching his grin. She smiled faintly to herself. "What is the plan when we reach the castle?" she asked him. "We don't exactly know what condition it is in."

Mary nodded, accepting his plan. However, when he mentioned Lightfoot, she scoffed. "She is a good horse!" she argued playfully. But she chuckled, leaning down to pat the horse's neck. "But you are right. She is no war horse." She sat back up then, glancing about as they went. "Perhaps we can camp by the river? It would give us fresh water and fish," she suggested. However, she would accept whatever he decided to do. In her mind, she was still no more than his servant. She obeyed him. Noble suddenly darted back to him. He was panting heavily. He began walking beside the horses, his tail and head down. Mary glanced down at him. "What in the world have you gotten into?" she muttered. The dog did not even spare her a glance.