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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

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Returning to Court
            Rayne was plunged back into her studies in the months that followed her son’s birth. He was given the name Thomas Howard and was a bright and happy child, very strong and very healthy. James couldn’t have been more pleased with him, and his young mother.
            Her studies of the ways of the court were most important now for when they returned James wanted everyone to see her as a Duchess, no longer a peasant girl, full of fear, doubt, and uncertainty. But a strong intelligent woman.
            Since she could read and write now, she and Hal had been corresponding with each other regularly. It made them feel closer to one another shrinking the miles between them. Yet it did make the longing they felt to be together even worse. It wouldn’t be long before Rayne and James returned to court and all involved parties were very anxious.
            Finally, nearly a year since young Thomas was born, they returned to London. A situation that would be like graduation for Rayne, a feather in James cap, and a step towards insuring young Thomas’s future.
            James knew of the romance between Hal and Rayne, yet wasn’t jealous or bitter for it. Prince Hal was the future King of England after all, and was royalty and second in the kingdom only to his father. But most of all, it was two young people who were in love and circumstance did not favor. He loved Rayne very much and enjoyed watching her blossom into the beautiful and intelligent young lady she was now. Perhaps it was because of her humble beginnings but she was deeply grateful for everything she was given, and took nothing for granted. Something which made providing for her a pleasure rather than a burden.
            When the carriage came to a stop outside the castle, Rayne didn’t move. She was frozen in place, terror keeping her still. James knew she was incredibly nervous about coming back after the Kings scolding her on their wedding day. “You mustn’t be afraid my dear.” James covered her hand with his, “You are ready. You belong here now. This time everyone will know it, and no one will doubt it.”
            “What of Thomas?” Rayne whispered worriedly, “Anyone who sees him will know . . .”
            “You worry because of how much he resembles the Prince? Mostly in his eyes and hair?” James said. Rayne looked down and nodded a little bit, “Rayne, those who know will never forget. But they will not constantly speak of it if you show no concern.” He squeezed her hand to reassure her again, “Fear not, I will be with you.”
            Rayne smiled and looked up at him giving a nod, than took a breath gathering her courage before they exited the carriage to settle into their apartment.
Banquets
            That evening in the banquet hall, Rayne was set on the opposite side of the room from the King and James. James was a dear friend of the King so of course he was seated beside him. It was a bright celebration filled with color and energy, and Rayne was captivated by all of it. She chatted and laughed with the ladies she was seated with, making her feel less vulnerable and out of place.
            Rayne looked absolutely lovely. Her raven black hair was sleek like silk, her soft alabaster skin seemed to glow, her green eyes were like broken pieces of emeralds that glistened in the candlelight, her lips like crimson roses, and all of her movements graceful and delicate. She wore a hunter green dress with silver decorations and a sweetheart neckline, and a matching green headpiece that only complimented her beauty and made her eyes sparkle. It was definite that no one could see a peasant girl now, even in their own imaginations.
            In a rare and strange sight, the prince appeared in the banquet hall that evening and took the place that was set for him. His eyes were anxiously and immediately drawn to the reason he was there. The young beauty whom had been drawing most of the attention since her arrival. Usually, by this time of the day, Hal would have stolen away to Mistress Quickly’s to meet Poins and Falstaff. Yet for obvious reasons, this was a special occasion that he wasn’t going to miss.
            The Prince wasn’t disappointed by the sight he was greeted with when he laid eyes on Rayne. When their eyes met, the rest of the room seemed to fall away. Most of the room was far to engrossed in the festivities to notice, but there were a few that did. Specifically, the King. Up until now he had been very impressed with the transformation of the young peasant girl into a noble, but right now what he saw was more scandal and embarrassment the way his wayward son seemed to shine as he looked at her.
Midnight
            After the banquet, as the guests were leaving back to their rooms, Hal stood in a darkened corner of the hallway which he knew Rayne had to pass to get back to her rooms. It was a somewhat silly thing for a prince to do, but as long as Rayne was here under such formalities, he couldn’t wait any longer to see her and steal her from the crowd.
            Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, he heard footsteps lighter than a mans. He looked down the corridor and found that Rayne was walking behind several others by herself. Hal grinned as this couldn’t be more fortuitous. When the others passed he waited until Rayne started to pass then snatched her out of the hallway back into the dark corner he’d been occupying, covering her mouth to keep her from screaming.
“Shh, Rayne, it’s me.” He said quickly. She stopped struggling and her eyes lit up when she saw his face and he took his hand from her mouth. “It’s me.” They both grinned before embracing tightly, which quickly transformed into a desperate hungry kiss. A few more moments of intense growing passion before more footsteps caught the young lovers attention. They moved back against the wall in the shadows and waited for them to pass by. Then Hal took her by the hand, “Come on.” He whispered, and at once they raced to his bedchambers, where the door was promptly locked tight so they wouldn’t be disturbed.
Back Again
            Hal lay over Rayne thrusting deep inside her with long deliberate strokes, enjoying the feel of her body, the taste of her lips and her warm skin each time he filled her. The Prince held her tight in his arms, feeling her bosom press against his chest with each labored breath. His hips pressed against hers desperately wanting to possess every inch of her. Every touch, every taste, every sensation was beyond elation.
            The nights they were apart and spent so far away from each other were excruciating. Although most days the Prince was his charming good humored self, there were some days he missed Rayne so much it was torture and everyone around him bore the brunt of it. Hal had been dreaming and anticipating lying with her again and it was as exhilarating as he imagined if not more so.
            He thrust a bit deeper and harder when he felt her body tense around him, and he held her tighter in his strong arms seeking out her lips and consumed them in a hungry ferocious kiss. A few more deep thrusts and he released deep inside her quivering body as their forms shook in a shared climax. Hal just held her as they caught their breath, their bodies writing together in pure bliss and pleasure at the feel of one another.
            Hal opened his eyes and looked down at her, how beautiful she looked in the candlelight a slight sheen of sweat to her brow from their efforts and the way her soft Raven black hair cascaded down the pillows. Her hands still clung to his shoulders as her emerald eyes gazed into his. The Prince couldn’t help but kiss her again, once more, than over yet again. Then he rested his face against hers just embracing her tighter still. Rayne wrapped her arms around him and hugged him in return just happy to be with him again.
            Hal grinned feeling her return of affection and then rolled over her on the bed not releasing her so she would be on top of him. Rayne giggled a little as she moved to sit up on his abdomen looking down at him as he rested his hands on her thighs. He loved to gaze up at her like this, at her beautiful body that he’d been dreaming of.
            After a few moments in the quietness, Rayne’s smile faded a bit, “The King isn’t pleased with my being here.” She said softly having felt his icy glare during the banquet. Hal thought that amusing. It was a strange conversation to begin when they had just made such passionate love. Yet it showed him she was still a bit shy when it came to the act itself.
            “That’s just his face Rayne, that is how he always looks. It twisted that way years ago when I was born, and remains so ever since. The cause of that face is mine and no one else’s. Besides, we’ve done everything asked of us, and stayed away from one another for far to long. I’m having trouble caring what he thinks.” Hal didn’t want to think of any of that now, “You mustn’t be afraid Rayne. He can’t harm you.” He grinned, “My beautiful Duchess of Norfolk.” She half smiled finding that title silly when he said it. Hal’s hand slid up her thigh and rested over her abdomen a moment. Rayne wasn’t certain why he did that, as he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
            “I shouldn’t be afraid, but I am.” She confessed in a soft voice. Hal looked up at her and could see the conflicting emotions that were going through her mind. He sat up and wrapped his arms around her looking into her eyes as their bodies pressed tight together.
            “Nothing will happen to you. James would forbid it. I forbid it.” He promised her. “You needn’t fear, you are not alone anymore.” Hal spoke with such truth and sincerity when he gazed into her eyes. Rayne smiled as it seemed to give her some amount of comfort to hear him say so. She rested her hands on either side of his face. Then they kissed once, then again anxiously as passion began to overtake them.
The Fields
            Early in the morning, Hal and Rayne rode out from the castle into the endless fields of green. The Kings lands were vast and Hal had ridden them many times and with such speed. It was strange yet exciting to find himself in a flat out race with his lovely companion. After a good hour of chase, Hal caught up with Rayne who was giddy with excitement.
            “Does your husband know you ride astride in such a fashion?” Hal asked astonished by her riding skills.
            “It’s difficult to ride fast over a distance riding on a side sitting saddle. I tried and fell off many times. It’s much easier to ride this way.” She said looking over the countryside from the high hills they stopped on. “Everything is so beautiful here.”
            “London in the spring, almost as lovely as London ion the fall. I imagine that you will be seen more here in the court. You’ve impressed many and no longer they imagine you a peasant. You’ve not even been at court a full week and already you have made friends and allies.” He smiled moving his horse closer to her, “Did I not tell you, you had nothing to fear?”
            Rayne sighed looking down her smile fleeing altogether. She hated the way everyone at court seemed so disingenuous. “How can I count friends of those who do not know me. Many of the ladies seem very friendly, but they are very different and speak differently of me when I am not there. They imagine that I don’t know how they talk of me when they believe I cannot hear.” She shook her head a little, “I’ll make no friends of such people.”
            “You must learn to play the game now, Rayne. Unfortunately you are part of it. The best advice I can offer is to trust no one, except yourself. You have good instincts, you’ll know if someone is trying to lead you astray.” They continued walking their horses until coming to a stop under a great willow tree. Hal helped Rayne down from her horse, “I don’t know about you my dear, but I am beyond famished.”
            Rayne turned and took the bags from her saddle and Hal did the same from his own. They had packed lunch to eat out in the fields intending to spend the day out together. Rayne spread the horse blankets on the ground and set out their meal to share. Hal was smiling as he watched her, than knelled down on the blankets with her as she set the food and poured the wine.
            “Do you remember the night we spent together in the country, when you foolishly tried to flee London?” He questioned, “I hunted and you prepared our supper. Rabbit stew as I recall.” Rayne smiled and handed him his wine glass when she filled it.
            “Oh yes, it is one of my fondest memories your grace.” She smiled.
            Hal sighed a bit annoyed and reached over resting his hand on her arm, “We’ve spoken of this, countless times now. You are to address me as such only when others are present. How are you to address me when we are alone?”
            Rayne looked a bit sheepish, “I’m to call you Hal or by your given name Henry.”
Hal gave a nod, taking a drink from his glass. “It makes me happy to pretend for a time, we are simply a man and a woman. No titles, no duties, except to each other. Does that please you as well?”
            She gave a small nod, “Yes my L . . . Hal.” She said correcting herself. The Prince chuckled.
            “I want you to be familiar with me, Rayne. It’s a liberty I am giving to you. Others such as Poins and Falstaff presume so much in how they address me in their speech and writing. And yet, “Reaching over he took her hand, “The one person whose privilege it is that I have granted to be so familiar with me carries a look of shame and is uncomfortable when I ask she calls me by my Christian name.”
            “I’ve always been taught since I was born you must always address your betters properly. There is no higher in England then those of royal blood. Never should you be address so informally. It could be punishable by death.” She explained.
            Hal smiled and moved closer to her putting his arm around her. “You’re right, that would be terrible indeed.” He sat behind her and kissed her neck wrapping his other arm around her as well, “What sort of names could be found somewhere in between endearing and sudden death? Hmm?”
            Rayne smiled when he rested his chin to her shoulder, “Names?” She said thinking a moment.
            “Yes. Like when I call you my darling. Or my dear.” He kissed her ear. “My sweetheart.” He whispered, “My treasure.”
            “My Love?” Rayne’s eyes went wide not having expected to say that out loud. It was to presumptuous.
            Hal grinned hearing this, “Yes, I believe I would like that very much.” Rayne turned looking into his eyes, not thinking he would grant her use of such a term of endearment. “Do you not love me?” He asked.
            “I do. With all of my heart, for it belongs to you, always.” She said in all honesty. “Whenever I see you, it’s difficult to breathe, I think it’s because I fear you are a dream and a full breath may wake me and take me from you again.”
            Hal smiled, “I feel no less in awe of you. I count the days between your letters, and wonder if you think of me.”
            “You’re always in my thoughts . . . my love.” Rayne said in a quiet whisper. The prince grinned hearing her try it out. He touched her chin turning her face towards his, and kissed her tenderly.
            What was especially pleasing about his relationship with Rayne was that it was honest. There was no agenda, she had no social or political ambitions, she was loyal to him in a way that some of his nearest friends fell terribly short of. He knew of Falstaff’s ambitions, and Poins, and several others and how they misused his favor and though he did not notice. Rayne, however, wanted nothing of him. Not wealth, nor fame, nor titles. She loved him as himself although she would rarely admit it for fear it was improper. But right now, in this private and quiet moment between them, even though fully clothed, they were completely naked in their emotions and love. “I am content, my love.” Hal whispered against her lips. “I will care for your heart as you care for mine, for all time.” He vowed.
            This brought a bright smile to her face, and at once their lips met hungrily, unable to cling to each other tight enough. Slowly, the prince lay her back on the blanket beneath him and looked down into her beautiful eyes. Then they began to consume each other’s lips, their passion a hot fiery flame desperate to be quenched.
Unwise Outings
            The Prince and Rayne stealthily slipped from the castle in the evening. To keep from drawing to much attention, he made certain that she wore her most simple dress, and a plain cloak, with a large hood to cover her face.
            Together they made their way through the streets to Mistress’s Quickly’s, and went inside. At the door, Rayne paused pulling Hal to a sharp stop, “What’s the matter?”
            “Will they be happy to see me?” She asked.
            “Rayne, she speaks of you with such pride, I’ve no doubt she will be ecstatic to see you.” He promised taking her hand again and leading her further inside the tavern. They walked around to the main part of the house where Mistress Quickly was sitting.
            “Mistress Quickly, I have brought you a gift far from the country.” Hal announced motioning towards his cloaked companion. Rayne smiled and reached up moving her hood back letting it fall to her shoulders.
            The old hostesses eyes squinted a bit as though she didn’t recognize the face. This caused Rayne’s smile to dim afraid she’d forgotten her. Then the Mistresses eyes lit up and she stood, “Jeszu!” She exclaimed in excitement as she began to laugh opening her arms, “That clean angelic face of thine gave me pause, but I’d never forget my sweet girl!” Rayne grinned as they embraced as did Hal watching them. “How now, why did you not send word you were returning to London?”
            “I wanted to surprise you Aunt Quickly.” She said hugging her tighter. “What of Uncle? Of Doll? Of Francis, Tom and Dick?” Rayne asked looking at her anxious for more news.
            “All are still here and ask of you. We look forward to your letters that you send to me.” She said rubbing her arm.
            “There’s a sight I never thought would cross my eyes again!” Rayne turned to see Doll and a smile swept her face, the two women embraced having been good friends. “Look at you.” She said stepping back looking her over. “By my troth, with a good diet and a rich man looking after you, I’d swear I was greeting a princess.” Doll covered her mouth realizing what she had just said in front of the Prince and looked at Hal, “Pardon my words good my lord.” She said in embarrassment. “Your proper title be duchess now of course.”
            “Oh, merry, I’ve forgotten today is Tuesday. Pray you stay a moment and I’ll return and won’t be long.” Hal said letting Rayne know he was leaving but would be back shortly before turning and leaving the house.
            “Come, come!” The mistress took her arm and Doll took the other as they led her to a table and both sat down. “So? How is my nephew than? You could not have brought him with you?”
            “No, the Prince was concerned if I took Thomas out some alarm may have been sounded to bring unwelcomed attention to this house. I’m afraid it’s just me Aunt.” Rayne answered.
            “Well tell us of him.” Doll said, “What of his look? His humor?” She asked anxiously. Doll leaned closer and spoke in a quiet voice, “Does he have the look of his father?”
            Rayne smiled knowing that she could speak freely with these women as they were her family and friends. They spent the hour speaking of her son who looked so much like the Prince , of her husband, of her home in Norfolk, and the two women shared in her joy.
            “Well this is an unexpected vision.” A voice said catching the attention of the women. All turned to see that Jack Falstaff had returned from his outing, “It seems the Prince’s whore graces us with her presence again.” The bright shine of happiness Rayne had been glowing with faded. “I suppose it was inevitable, once you ran your course through the men at court what other life would you lead.”
            “Hold your tongue you foul mouthed man. She is a lady and is my sister’s only daughter. Show her the respect due to her.” Mistress quickly exclaimed, “You have only your knighthood to lay claim to, she is a duchess by marriage.”
            “I say she is no different now then she was then. A poor peasant bar wench who happened to catch the Prince’s eye for a passing moment. Then trapped him into a state of helpless responsibility when she became impregnated by his royal loins, if her story is to be believed at all that is.” Falstaff said harshly ordering a cup of sack be brought to him immediately.
            “Hang yourself!” Doll shouted hitting him in the shoulder, “She’s done nothing to wrong you! You’ve no call to be shaming her with such slander.”
            Falstaff was bitter about Rayne’s unprecedented good fortune, but even more that she was far closer to the Prince’s favor. He had to sit in the tavern and listen to the letters as they were read aloud to the illiterate, of her life in Norfolk, of her son, and it made his blood boil in his veins. He himself with a knighthood was not above a Duchess, and was constantly without money except that which he borrowed, won, or stole. It was infuriating to see nothing but good come of a peasant girl’s fortunes.
            “You should hold your tongue rather than letting it spew such vile hatred over everyone else. Have you lost your head?” Mistress Quickly said wrapping an arm around Rayne.
            “And say you she is noble? Tell me then, why would a Duchess come to this house? It is not thought of as proper for the Prince or myself to be here, what business hath a ‘lady’ within these walls?”
            “My family and friends are not forgotten, Sir Falstaff.” She said addressing him correctly. “I came to see them while my husband and I are here at court.”
            “A husband or benefactor? The lines aren’t blurry enough to pretend they are not there.” Falstaff said drinking his ale. His words were especially sharp because she had considered them before, and felt guilty about everything that had happened. Now to hear someone say so aloud seemed to make them true, even though Hal had told her time and time again that they were not. “How is it you can call a man your husband who you do not share a bed with? You’ll eat his food, you’ll sleep under his roof, you’ll take everything he has even his title and yet still your marriage remains unconsummated.”
            “How do you know of these things?” Rayne demanded tears in her eyes that her pride would not allow to fall.
            “You should know by now that all things done in the dark are brought to the light young Rayne. There are no secrets at court.” He said taking another large drink from his cup before passing it to be filled again. “Still so innocent considering all that you have managed to accomplish before your 20^th birthday. Not entirely certain if you should be ashamed or are to be congratulated.” Rayne felt like her heart had been speared in her chest and could hardly take a breath.
             Just then the door of the tavern opened and in came Prince Hal and Poins, laughing and talking back and forth. When they rounded the corner to the main part of the tavern, the merriment and joy that he had left seemed to have disappeared.
              “Hello lad! You’ve been missed around here this past week, where have you been hiding yourself!” Falstaff greeted him joyously changing into a completely different man when the Prince entered.
               “What’s this? When I left not moments ago there was laughter filling this hall. Now all has gone quiet.” Prince Hal said as he walked closer to Rayne.
              The young Duchess reached for her cloak and stood wrapping it around her shoulders, and instantly the Prince helped her dawn it. “I should get back, it will be time for Thomas to be put to bed.” She reached up and covered her head. Before anything else could be said, she turned and left the tavern. Hal looked at everyone around searching for an explanation before he hurried to follow after her not willing to let her walk these streets without an escort.

To Be Continued . . . . .
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The Company Thou Keepest