Chapter Text
"I'm yours, you're mine" he kissed her stomach and smiled, "I hope your pregnant" he said softly.
After riding as fast and as far as the horses could carry them, Bash and Mary made camp a couple leagues away from the palace. Safe in the knowledge that no one would find them (Bash was the best at hiding their tracks and no one could match their speed) they made a fire and Mary slowly began to let her mind actually process what had happened.
She had run away from the safety of the French castle, had left Francis behind her, his parting cries begging her to wait echoing in her head over and over. But she knew the truth now, the one she had tried to disbelieve with all her might.
If she married Francis, he would die.
Mary knew that Bash was concerned and confused as to why she had run, but as usual he didn't push. It was one of his traits that she found pleasing, he never prodded and poked like Francis did, he simply waited for her to speak. Whatever she would deem to tell him was fine.
"The horses have been ridden hard today, they'll take the night to rest as should you" Bash said, pulling a blanket from his satchel and unrolling it on the ground.
"I don't feel much like sleeping" Mary said, even though her body was aching from riding so long she knew her mind wouldn't rest tonight.
He sighed, "Mary...I know whatever made you leave Francis is your business, but it is my duty to keep you safe" he grabbed another blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders, "You must try to sleep if you don't want to fall off your horse tomorrow".
She smiled weakly at him, "Thank you Bash, I know this could get you into trouble".
Bash shrugged, "I was leaving as well, and its much safer to travel with someone than alone these days" he laughed, "Besides I can just imagine how seething mad Francis would be if he caught up and found you alone while I could have protected you" he indicated she should lay down on the unrolled blanket which she acquiesced.
"Oh he'll still be mad. He'll yell that you should have never let me leave" Mary admitted, "But it was my decision. I can't let Francis or anyone else be harmed because of me" she muttered, Aylee's body still crossing Mary's mind. She knew she was the cause of Aylee's death, even if she wasn't sure how yet. Perhaps they had inadvertently failed to kill the Queen of Scotland and killed her lady in waiting instead.
"Why would anyone else be harmed? Was this about what Nostradamus said to you?" Bash asked.
Mary pulled the blanket closer around her, "Something like that" she admitted.
Bash stared at her a moment. "Don't worry Mary, I'll see you safely to Scotland, then you can sort out what he said without worrying" he promised. He waited for a moment, but as he leaned closer to see why she wasn't replying he smiled.
She was already asleep.
For almost a month they had traveled across France, making it to the English Channel in a round about way to keep the castle guards off their trail. Over that period Bash had begun to worry.
The Mary at court had been vivacious, clever, and bright. She had an inner light that always shined even when she was worried. The Mary he saw now was withdrawn, always tired, and lately had been unable to hold much food down.
At first he thought it was some sort of plague or sickness, but it came and went at the oddest times and didn't seem to be affecting anything but her appetite.
It wasn't until they reached the month mark that Bash began to guess what was wrong.
It was just after mid-morning and Mary had only been able to drink water that morning when Bash edged towards the question.
"Mary" he waited until her had her full attention, "When was your last woman's time?" he asked gently. Her eyes glazed as she counted the days, then stuttered as she recounted with a confused look.
"Well over 6 weeks, that's odd" Mary murmured, then stopped. Bash was alarmed when her face went white as the moon and she swayed for a moment.
He grabbed her elbow, "Sit Mary, it's alright" he soothed as she began to breath fast.
"Bash, its been too long, I haven't- could this mean..." she trailed off. He nodded, "If the rumors that I heard the morning we left are true" he insinuated, waiting for confirmation. If so, Francis was going to kill him, hang him by the neck then have him gutted.
"Oh God" she covered her mouth for a moment, "I'm pregnant" she whispered.
"We have to go back" Bash said, his voice provoking no argument. Mary shook her head, "I can't. We're nearly to Scotland, and I can't hurt Francis" she stood, "I won't".
Bash stood and followed as she reached the horses, "Mary you don't understand. You're the Queen of Scotland and you're carrying the Dauphin of France's child. We have to get you back to the castle and married to Francis as soon as possible, or else..." he trailed off, not wanting to hurt her.
"Or else what?" she hissed, tears springing up.
"Or else the child will be a bastard. And you will be ruined, your country will fall to England" he told her harshly, knowing her had to tell her the hard truth.
She began to laugh hysterically as tears fell, "Francis, he said to me that morning 'I hope your pregnant', and here I am" she let her laughter peter out, "I hope he's happy, when he finds out he'll be completely insufferable".
"Let us hope so" Bash said, helping her onto her horse.
Mary smiled softly, "Of course you know the alternative" she said, grabbing for her horses reigns.
"What's that?" he asked.
"They'll say the child is yours, and that we ran away together to get married" she said, spurring her horse away from the Channel.
Bash stared after her for a moment, and suddenly felt the harshest sting of want he'd ever felt.