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The Company Thou Keepest	By : MarianTheBlackadder Category: G through L > Hollow Crown, The Views: 2262 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to "The Hollow Crown Series" of the BBC, Nor the rights to Henry IV nor Henry V of Shakespeare. I make no profit from this story other then the enjoyment of my writing it and others reading it. I recieve no money from this st

Chapter List
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Camp Followers
            Henry just looked at his generals in disbelief this was even a subject to be brought up at their meeting. “Honestly?” He asked. “We are in the midst of a campaign to take back what is rightfully ours in France, we are plagued by a cowardly opponent, bad water, starvation, and disease . . . and anyone of any class in this army is thinking about French whores?”
            “They do follow us, sire. Coin is coin whatever country or the circumstance.” One of the Duke’s pointed out.
             "Why is this even a subject at my table?" Henry asked but the conversation continued.
            “They are French!” Another exclaimed still not understanding how this was a problem having been one of the concerned parties about the matter.
            “Far be it from me to begrudge physical affection to any of my men . . . but I have to agree. Where are they getting coin?” One of the Duke’s said.
            “Coin, goods, . . . possibly information which is why this is a problem.” The King just sat in silence watching the conversation move around the table thinking it absolutely ludicrous that this was even a subject. Though if information was being traded for sexual favors, that was a problem that couldn’t be afforded.
            “The matter is easily remedied, simply disband them.” Henry said, “This never should have made it as far as this table if you believe we have traitors in the ranks and spies among whores. It should have been dealt with swiftly and punished severely.” He said seriously, “Have it be known if any man is found fraternizing with the enemy he will suffer severe consequences.”
            “Yes my Lord.” They all agreed.
            “Now is there anything else of importance to be discussed? There should be time enough for rest before dawn.” He looked around the table and no one spoke. “Good. Then back to your tents.” All stood once dismissed and waited for the King to leave the table first.
Nights in White Satin
            Henry sat in his tent having removed his armor long overdue to retire. He starred at a flickering candle on the table before him. It seemed like ages as he watched the flame eat away at the candle, so many matters on his mind. The French fought like cowards, and were no more than mongrels to be cut down like wheat at harvest.
            The King felt a hand softly rest on his shoulder, a touch he knew well. He smiled and reached up covering the hand. “You should rest.” A familiar gentle voice said in his ear as she moved to the side of where he was seated resting her other hand on his arm.
            “I felt myself miss you today.” He answered as he looked into her green eyes as she kneeled down beside him. “I thought of when we rode together in my father’s fields, in the Spring in London. I find myself wishing I was there with you now. The mud on our clothes were a sign of more pleasurable circumstances.”
            “There is still so much work to be done, my King.” Her voice said softly. “Your men love you, England will be victorious in her endeavor.”
            “Shhh.” He whispered reaching up and touching her face, “That is not my Rayne speaking, that is my own troubled mind.”

            “It is not your mind that is troubled but your heart. And when matters trouble your heart, I am troubled.” She answered reaching up and running her fingers through his locks. He closed his eyes enjoying the feel of her touch, he remembered it well. “You must rest.”
            Henry opened his eyes looking at her lovely face, “I feel you, your touch, your taste, your warmth. So why am I still filled with sadness when I look upon you?” He questioned.
            Rayne smiled softly, “Because I cannot stay. I am always with you. Can you not feel my arms when you are riding in the rain? Can you not feel my hand over your heart when you can show no man the sorrow you feel? My breath to warm you when you are cold? I am here with you . . . . even if we cannot be together for a little while.”
            “Take me with you. Now.” He whispered leaning closer, “I want to be with you again.”
            Tears filled her eyes as she stroked his hair before resting her hand to his face kissing him gently before she shook her head no. It wasn’t time for him yet, he had to stay. “You must sleep, my lord.” She said gently closing his eyes with her hand, before holding to his arm once more.
            He was exceedingly weary, knowing it was a foolish passing thought to be able to leave with her, “Will you watch over me?” He whispered keeping his eyes closed. “If I sleep?”
            “Always, my love.” She whispered into his ear, “I am always with you.” He felt her lips to his and he kissed her back gently, remembering her taste.
            “My Lord?” He opened his eyes to find himself alone as he feared would happen, except the page that stood at the door calling for him. Having nodded off and been dreaming yet again much as he had done countless times before. Henry sighed and looked at the candle again, before standing as the page followed him to help prepare him for bed.
A Legacy
            Henry did much in his reign as King. He succeeded in subjecting France, he married their Katherine and took her as his Queen, and it was not long after that she bore him a son, an heir to his throne. He was a formidable monarch, courageous, strong, brave and well respected by his subjects and opponents alike.
            But even a King as powerful as Henry V in strength and will, could not fight an enemy from within. He fell exceedingly ill on his last campaign to France. He was being treated aggressively for a painful disease which overtook him that he had fallen prey to just months before, but was expected to make a recovery as before.
            Even though he was young, he was weary. His marriage to Katherine had only taken place two years before, and he was a good husband and lover to her. He had learned how to be so by Rayne. Yet she never held his heart. It belonged to another that often would visit him in his dreams. The pain he felt inside was more than just a physical aliment that the doctors could not offer him treatment or aid.
            One night, while lying in bed in his tent, his eyes opened to a familiar sight. Two green eyes looking down at him as she sat by him on his bed. She leaned down kissing his lips tenderly, before looking into his eyes once again as a smile swept her face. Henry couldn’t help but smile as well as the pain in his body seemed to lessen more and more. Carefully, she reached up and took the crown that rested on his brow off his head and put it down beside him. Then she stood holding out her hands.
            Henry took a breath and reached up taking them, standing from where he had been laying finding all the pain and weariness leave him as he stood with her. A smile swept his face as he could touch her, see her, feel her and unlike before when she visited him in his dreams, he did not feel sadness. He embraced her tightly to him, before cupping her face and kissing her passionately which she instantly returned. They looked into each other’s eyes as they both laughed beaming with happiness. He kissed her again wrapping his arms around her never intending to let her go again.
            Then a realization came upon him and he turned still holding her hands seeing a pale body lying on his bed. A face he wasn’t even certain he still recognized aged and twisted from pain and his years as King. He looked at crown that the man wore on his head, just a piece of circular metal that meant nothing to him as he looked at it now.
            “Henry.” He heard Rayne say and he turned back to her. He grinned holding her hands tighter.
            "I'm ready, my love." He answered.
             Looking into her eyes they both smiled and kissed once more before they walked out of the tent together, hand in hand into eternity.
The End
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The Company Thou Keepest