𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter twenty; Falling Into Faith
" I have faith in you, Elspeth Liens, and I am asking that you have faith in me. "

  THOSE IN ELSPETH Lien's inner circle were deeply concerned with her behavior following the approval of Mary's response to Henry's ultimatum.

  Once it was solidified that Henry would depart in an attempt to legitimize Sebastian so that he and Mary may wed and rule France and Scotland, Elspeth Liens was a very difficult woman to find.

  Not just for Kenna, whose own world was being turned upside down, or Sebastian who craved only her company, or for Mary who wanted nothing more than to find another option that saved lives while keeping one of her dearest friends happy. No, Elspeth was difficult to find for even the greatest hunter in all of France, who swore he'd scoured the castle top to bottom at least three times, and every servant who went rushing off to deliver a message from Catherine De Medici who now sat behind a locked door, only to return with overwhelming fear for failure to find the recipient.

  As if Elspeth had turned into a ghost, a tall tale of the French castle, people spoke and searched but could not find a glimpse of the woman.

  Until Demetre Langlois, red-faced and out of breath, stumbled into the stables.

  Elspeth had traded her Parisian dresses for a Scottish one. It was faded, now a blue so pale it almost looked cream, the lace that lined the bottom was dirtied with mud and scuffed to nearly falling off, the cuffs of her sleeves that rested only three-quarters of the way down her arms were fraying to match. Aside from these small lace details, the dress was a plain one, modest and forgiving, with no corset to be seen; the kind a child would wear, for it would no doubt be ruined before supper.

  Her pale yellow hair was down in curls, half of it tied out of her face with a stringy ribbon, and upon closer inspection, Demetre noted the tangles that plagued the style, as well as her dirt-stained fingertips.

"Petal, everyone has been searching for you."

  Elspeth did not turn her head at his words. She continued the monotonous task of brushing a horse down, the very one she'd taken on every ride she'd had in France. A pale brown mare, with a gentle demeanor but impressive sprint; the horse did not have a name prior to Elspeth, but the woman had been fondly referring to her as 'Camille'.

  "Well, I have been found," She said quietly, "No need to worry."

  Demetre stepped further into the stables, allowing the door to close behind him.

  "I have been searching for you."

  Elspeth did not turn her head, but her hands slowed to a halt, resting on the spine of the animal that was patiently standing for her.

  "Elspeth. . ." Demetre breathed out, "If this is what will become of you. . . perhaps you should rethink your involvement-"

  "And do what?" She questioned, turning to face him with nothing but anger in her expression, "Give up on it, Demetre, give up on the man I am-- was-- engaged to?"

  "Is that worse than this?" He questioned, letting out a wry laugh, "Hiding away in the stables, not painting, not laughing; you are not happy."

  It wasn't his words that twisted Elspeth's gut and tugged on her heart. She could get over his harsh way of speaking, forgive his wording, and hear the message; it was the way he was looking at her.

  With disbelief, a thing she read closer to disgust than anything else.

  "You do not know what I am, Demetre."

  "I have spent almost every day at your side since you arrived here," Demetre rivaled, taking yet another step closer to Elspeth, "I have listened to your stories, I have watched you paint, I have heard your poetry, I have ridden alongside you; whether you're fond of the truth or not has no effect on it, Elspeth Liens."

  Elspeth only grew more frustrated, her anger surging to protect the soft well of emotions that were currently in a raging battle over what to do.

  "I will remain with Sebastian, that will make me happy."

  Demetre closed the gap, standing toe to toe with Elspeth, who had turned to fully face him.

  "It would have," He said quietly, "If Nostradamus hadn't foreseen something that may or may not come to pass. If Henry hadn't threatened his life. If Mary hadn't thought up this plan. If you or Sebastian hadn't gone along with it. But do you, Elspeth Liens, a scholar, an artist, a fighter, and a free woman, truly believe you will be happy as his mistress?"

  Elspeth swallowed her emotions as his eyes stared right through her.

  She knew he was right. Elspeth knew this would not foster happiness if it could even foster love.

  But she was at a crossroads. Fear in both directions, her mind and heart pulling opposing ways, and it was not as simple as it had once been.

  "You do not know what this is like, Demetre."

  "To have options? To have the choice to stay or walk away?" Demetre questioned, his own anger rising despite his best efforts to keep it hidden far, far away from her, "I assure you, Elspeth, being forced into a position- any position- is much worse than what you face now."

  Demetre's heart stung as her eyes shone with unshed tears, but he pushed past this in hopes he would strike something within her.

  "If I leave Sebastian, he is still stuck in a position he does not wish to be in," Elspeth said shakily, "Mary would take the blame- she would never forgive herself."

  "Think of yourself first. No one else will."

  And then, all at once, the thing that had been clawing at Elspeth Liens came tumbling out of trembling lips.

  "Defiance to love will be my downfall."

  Demetre softened at this instantly, unable to push any further.

  "Petal," He said softly, reaching out only to catch himself before he placed a hand on her arm, "Prophecies-"

  "I know you do not believe in them," Elspeth said quickly, hurt eyes staring up at him, "But you said you believed in me, Demetre."

  He pursed his lips before speaking.

  "Prophecies can mean many different things," He said gently, "I know. . . I know that you love Sebastian, and I know that he loves you. But if you do not want this, do not follow through with it. Please."

  "You don't wish for it?"

  "I only wish for your happiness," Demetre said, "And it is nowhere to be found as of late."

  Elspeth cast her eyes to the ground, unable to argue with this sentiment.

  "I do not believe in prophecy," He continued, just as softly, "In the tellings of events before they happen, I have no faith in that. I have faith in you, Elspeth Liens, and I am asking that you have faith in me. I will never allow anything ill to become of you."

  "My very own guard?" Elspeth attempted to joke, only to look up at Demetre Langlois and find an expression she couldn't quite place. "I cannot ask this of you, Demetre."

  "You are not."

  "Protecting someone, taking care of them, giving them gifts. . ." Elspeth breathed out, "You are too kind to me. You should do these things for a woman who-"

  "I am not interested in finding love, Petal, I ask you to let that idea go," Demetre cut off swiftly, "I do these things for you because you are the only person. . ."

  Elspeth furrowed her brows as he trailed off, the man turning his head away from her quickly as he cleared his throat.

  "I will take care of you, Elspeth. Regardless of what choices you make."

  "It's rotten work."

  "Not to me," Demetre said, turning back to her, "Not if it's you."

  And Elspeth Liens let a breath out as Demetre Langlois focused only on her. Her mind and heart were still battling in hopes of crowning a victor to make the decision for her, her emotions were still a whirlpool for herself and those around her, but she knew now that at the very least she would not end up alone.

  Demetre would be there. To watch her paint and ride alongside her, to give her support or snap her back to reality when need be. He would remain there, right there, for as long as she needed it.

  "I cannot express how grateful I am for your friendship, Demetre," Elspeth said quietly.

  "And I, you," He responded with a soft smile, "Now, would you like to go for a ride to quiet that racing mind of yours?"

  Elspeth's face split into a grin at his suggestion, quickly accepting his help tacking her horse before he did the same to his.

  And for the rest of the day the world was quiet. Elspeth did not think of her love or her friends, she did not think of France or Scotland or marriage.

  She thought only of herself. Of how free she felt, of what she might paint next, of when she could ride next before this one was even over.

  It had seemed Elspeth Liens discovered peace was a thing found only far away from court.

↬

  "Elspeth, my dear."

Elspeth peered around the room, surprised with the extravagancies that had been brought into what could only be called a prison cell.

  "I am surprised you did not visit me sooner."

  "I apologize," Elspeth spoke finally, "I've found myself rather. . . my mind has been busy, as of late."

  "I'm sure," Catherine said, patting the seat next to her, "Come, sit."

  Elspeth obeyed, sighing as she took the seat.

  "Have you thought this through?"

  "No," Elspeth responded honestly, "Demetre has helped me realize a few things about the arrangement. I've written my brother for his input."

  "Demetre spoke to you about this?"

  Elspeth furrowed her brows at Catherine's shock, but the Queen waved it off quickly.

  "My dear, you look a mess," Catherine sighed, "Where have you been?"

  "In the stables, mostly," Elspeth said meekly, "It's the only quiet I can find."

  And Catherine sighed, her harsh exterior melting away as she turned Elspeth to face away from her and tugged the ribbon out of her hair.

  Part of it was selfish. The act of caring for Elspeth the way a mother would, tugging knots out of her hair to braid it neatly to her head. Catherine was well aware she was doing this for herself, as much as Elspeth, after Francis's outburst days prior.

  Catherine longed to feel like a mother more than ever, and Elspeth was a girl who needed comfort.

  "This brother of yours," Catherine said, "Is he older?"

  "He is," Elspeth confirmed, "Quite a bit older, as well. His name is Hans, he's the oldest of all my siblings; he's to be Duke when my father passes."

  "So a level-headed man, I hope?"

  "Most of the time," Elspeth couldn't hold back a snicker, "I've only seen him angry once. A boy followed me home when I was only ten years old; he'd told me he had quite liked me, and I turned him down, he was so sure if he spoke to my parents they would overrule my decision."

  Catherine worked through the woman's hair gently, listening intently to her words.

  "It was Hans that saw him first," Elspeth said, "He was outside already, sitting with my mother while she read. Hans was polite until the boy told him why he'd come. . . I was so surprised. My brother, always calm and kind, lectured the boy about respect and manhood. . . The boy got angry, of course, and said something poor about my character. That was it for Hans, he. . . I mean he shouted so loud I swear it was heard across Scotland."

  "He sounds like a good brother."

  "He is," Elspeth smiled softly, "That is why I wrote him first. . . My parents would not be fond of the idea. My other brothers would. . . well, Fraser, the second oldest, would tell me if it's true love, I should follow it. Douglas, my youngest brother but still older than I, he would tell me I've gone crazy, to just join him in Paris so we can live freely and create art every day. . ."

  "I had no idea a brother of yours was in France."

  Catherine finished off the braids before Elspeth turned to face her, nodding with a gentle smile.

  "He traveled here three years ago," Elspeth said, "Adored the city so much he made his stay permanent."

  "Ah, perhaps we should offer him an invitation to the castle."

  "Hans is the only one who would come and act well-mannered," Elspeth sighed fondly, "I have no doubt he'd rush here the moment he opens that letter."

  Catherine watched Elspeth shift in discomfort, chewing at her bottom lip. The woman chastised the act, which quickly knocked Elspeth out of it.

  "My Dear, you--"

  Catherine's calm expression turned cold as her cell door opened. Elspeth turned, facing one of the very people she had been avoiding.

  "Elle."

  Elspeth stood quickly, suddenly aware of the dirtied cloth dress she donned. Of her pallor face and childish hairstyle.

  Suddenly she was aware of who she would be compared to for the rest of her life. The one who she would stand not beside, but behind.

  "Mary," Elspeth finally breathed, "I-- I will take my leave."

  "Please, stay," Mary said quickly, "There was an attempt on Bash's life."

  Elspeth swallowed thickly, glancing back at Catherine.

  "The life of a soon-to-be king, I suppose," Elspeth said weakly, turning back to Mary, "I have business-- Demetre is helping me prepare."

  Elspeth turned back to Catherine, the woman's expression reading utter disappointment.

  "I'll visit you again, I promise."

  "I know."

  "Thank you."

  Catherine's face softened, and she reached up to squeeze Elspeth's hand.

  Mary frowned as Elspeth brushed past her without another word, ducking her head as she did.

  "Are you proud?"  

  Mary stared after her friend, even at Catherine's words.

  "Your most promising lady-in-waiting. Reduced to that, only by your plot."

  And Mary said nothing, because she had nothing to say.

  Because she could not deny it. She hated that Elspeth was in that situation and that Mary was the reason she was put into it.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
HI WELCOME BACK??
I literally thought this story
was DEAD cause Reign got taken
off of Netflix but someone left
a comment about Reign being free
to stream on the CW website so
here we are!!