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The Company Thou Keepest	By : MarianTheBlackadder Category: G through L > Hollow Crown, The Views: 2264 -:- 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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*Note To The Reader* I am not a Mary Sue writer, and 6 chapters of the warm and fuzzy's is sort of a record for me. So please be prepared for things to start turning around quickly. If you'd rather stay with the warm and fuzzy's, I just wanted to warn you what was coming a little. Enjoy!
Wild Fires
            As usual, secrets and rumors spread faster than actual news that everyone was meant to know. The fact a husband needed to be found for the Duchess of Norfolk perked up ears all over the kingdom. Especially for the ambitious who had their eye on wealth and property.
            Hal sat with Poins at Mistress Quickly’s discussing it with, for lack of a better term, his ‘friend’ trying to sort it out. Poins had put up his own name only once, and a simple yet sharp glare from Hal caused him to immediately withdraw it as a jest.
            “It’s going to be difficult finding her a man with the specifications you have indicated my lord. You find fault to reject each one no matter his station or personal holdings.” Poins said seriously.
            “I have excellent reasons for all my rejections, Ned. We ourselves know these men. Women are sport for them they don’t deserve a woman like Rayne.” Poins just looked at the prince before sighing and shaking his head. This was the same problem that had been before, Hal would never think any man besides himself was worthy of her.
            “Why not let her choose then?” Poins asked, “She has enough worldly experience now in the court, she may choose well. She may choose someone she actually likes.” Hal shot him another look.
            “How now lad, you think too hard on it Hal.” Falstaff said walking over sitting down next to them, “Hal, you want another man like James Howard. One who will spoil her and her children and make no marital service demands on her in return. Allow her to keep her freedom and independence that has been afforded here these past few years. To act as a guardian, not as a husband.”
            That pretty much summed it up expertly what the Prince had in mind. “Know you of such a man?”
            “Gods wounds, Hal, you cut me to the core that you even need to ask.” Falstaff replied.
            Hal just stared at him for a moment before both he and Poins burst into laughter. What else could it have been but a jest? To give Rayne and his children over to Falstaff? It was beyond a laughable absurdity. “Not in 120 million lifetimes, if you were the last man standing on this Earth. If Poins, who is by far the more healthy and fit of the two of you isn’t worthy of her, what hope could you possibly have?”
            “But I am your friend Hal and I would not lay a hand on her which is what you truly desire, and I would be certain she had everything and more to make her happy.” He promised.
            “A friend you may be, for lack of a better word, but you will not have her, nor Norfolk’s holdings which I suspect you have more of an eye for then my lover and children.” Hal said.
            “But Hal . . .” Falstaff began only for the prince to sternly raise his voice.
            “My answer is no, Jack Falstaff. Ask not again.” It turned his stomach to think of tethering poor Rayne to such a mess of a human being if he could still be called such. His drinking, his whoring, his gambling, his gluttony, the list was endless. “No, there is someone out there that will care for her as I would, I simply must find them.
Sanctuary
            “You look tired my love.” The Prince said smoothing a few stray strains of hair back from Rayne’s eyes. “Have you had no rest?”
            “A little. But I mostly stay with James through the days and the nights now that his condition worsens. I fear his is not long for this life.” She said sadly. She closed her eyes leaning against the Princes chest. They sat outside in the garden under the branches of the large willow tree against the roots laying in one another’s arms in the moonlight. “I feel as I can sleep with you beside me.” She whispered as his arms held her tighter to him. “But if I close my eyes you may disappear from me.”
            “Sleep my love, I will be here when you wake, my arms won’t let you go.” He kissed her head with his promise, “Sleep. I’ll protect you.”
            A solution came luckily from the Howard family. James nephew John Howard decided to take Rayne as his bride once his Uncle had passed on. The situation was known to him, and even though the situation may have had small changes in store, her marriage would mostly remain unchanged. It was good news, and she would be safe and treated well. “Sleep.” He said gently into her ear once more stroking her hair.
            Hal’s own father’s health had begun to decline and he was grieving for countless reasons made all the more painful to have to hide his grief from the world. But he didn’t have to hide from Rayne, and desperately needed to be with her for a few days. There was a small swell to her belly where Hal’s unborn child grew, and he stroked her abdomen gently. Legitimate or not it was still his. He legitimately loved both Rayne and their children. He wondered if all men who fell in love and were free to choose who they married felt the same way about their lover carrying their child. How sacred it felt, how wonderful it was just knowing she didn’t think of it as a duty, but as an honor and a privilege. An act of love from beginning to end, between two who loved each other completely, creating life together.
            His future queen would bare him children of course, and they would be of the royal line and heir to his throne, but these children, his and Rayne’s were so precious to him. He couldn’t put it into words how they made him feel, his family.
            A small shimmer caught his eye and he reached up moving her cloak aside slightly. A smile appeared recognizing the necklace that he had given her. Just as she said she had never taken it off and she never would. Hal kissed her head again and held her tight just letting her rest and protecting her from all the world.
Funerals
            When James death came, even though it had taken months still felt sudden. It broke Rayne’s heart to have to say goodbye to her dear friend and a man who had been a father to her. She was in dire straits and he had given her the world. He saw she was well educated beyond what it was thought proper for a woman to be educated; he had always treated Thomas like he was his son and never once threw the fact of his parentage at Rayne to shame her. Although he did not tell her of it, she knew that he had smoothed the way for her and for Hal with King Henry. He had been so furious with them on several occasions, but somehow they found leniency despite his anger.
            With the Duke of Norfolk’s death came numerous guests. The Bishop to preside over the funeral, endless family, loved ones and friends and it was for Rayne to be the gracious hostess and entertain them all. A massive undertaking for a pregnant grieving widow but somehow she managed it.
            Hal had gone with his father and their army’s to quell an uprising to the north. Although they had won, it still took a little time to return. Another absent person was James nephew, John. The man to whom she was promised. He was on a campaign as well that kept him away and had not yet returned. Entertaining a house full of people who had mixed emotions and opinions on the young peasant born Duchess was taking its toll.
            At night, after she had taken her bath which helped relieve some of the pain in her back and legs, she dressed to retire but would lay awake unable to sleep even though she was exhausted. There was so much uncertainty and a fear like she had never felt before. She worried for Thomas, she worried for her unborn child, she worried for Hal, and she even worried for herself now.
            “Permission to enter M’lady?” Rayne sat up and a smile of relief swept her face. Hal smiled as well taking off his jacket tossing it aside as it was a bit damp from the rain and walked around the bed as she stood embracing her tightly. He unintentionally winced when she hugged him back causing her to instantly release him.
            “You’re injured.” She said horrified looking up at him.
            “Well, it does tend to happen in battle my darling.” He said, “It’s nothing. Merely a scratch.”
            “Have you been properly attended to?” She asked knowing that some men had a tendency to be foolish about such things because of their pride and vanity. “Let me see.” She said taking the hem of his shirt beginning to roll it up. He half laughed and caught her wrists.
            “Rayne, I tell you it is nothing.” He said gently knowing she had enough on her mind without being concerned with his little wounds. “Battle has simply made me a little weary and I’ve not slept in a few days.”
            “Oh my love.” She said reaching up cupping his face which was a bit dirty as well. Then she took his hand, “Come.”
            Before he could protest she took him from her chamber and woke several servants instructing them to care for the prince. To clean and see to his boots and garments and to prepare a bath immediately. Hal didn’t argue with her because he was well beyond weary, and his bones did ache.
Quiet Moments
            After being fed, bathed, and cleaned he return to Rayne’s rooms to find her awake sitting at the window seat looking out at the bright stars and large full moon. It was a beautiful night. He walked over and sat down with her kissing her neck. She smiled and turned towards him, “Better?” She asked.
            “Much. Something about the bath oils and salts that were used made many of the pains and aches in my body melt away.” He said astonished.
            “The Moorish healers that James had give me treatment after what happened, they instructed me to take such a bath every night. It takes the pain away and makes the healing go faster.”
            “Moorish healers, hmm? We could use their kind in droves on the battlefield. Although I fear it could make the battles last longer if they can get men back in the field to quickly.” Hal admitted. He rubbed her back a bit, “You’ve not been sleeping, Rayne. I see it in your eyes.”
            “How can I?” She asked. “I stayed with him the last few days of his life, and I held his hand which seemed to give him strength but he stopped being able to talk. He stopped being able to open his eyes. Yet still he would hold my hand grasp it as if to tell me he knew I was still by his side. Then . . . in just a matter of moments, he was there in one breath and then gone in the next.” She closed her eyes, and a tear escaped rolling down her face as the pain in her heart made her body shake. She had been around death before, but never someone she had been so close to except her mother and it was like having her heart ripped out of her chest.
            Hal took her hand and gently pulled her to sit on his lap wrapping his arms around her. She laid her head to his shoulder holding closer to him. “I grieve for your loss Rayne.” He said sincerely. “With my own father’s health continuing to fail . . I fear I may soon be at the lead of a funeral procession as well.” He confessed lowering his head, lacing his fingers with her.
            “I wish I could be there for you my love.” She said softly.
            Hal furrowed his brow, “Why would you not be?” He asked.
            “I am banished from the court by your fathers order. I cannot break his command at this of all times.” Rayne answered.
            “If I want you there, which is my wish, there you will be and welcomed.” He shook his head, “There seems to be no end for sorrow for us at this time. Let us not dwell on such unpleasantness for now. Greif only exhausts us and causes more prolonged agony.” He found a smile and looked up at her, “Let us enjoy each other’s company instead. Yes?” He asked.
            Rayne smiled softly and nodded, “Yes.” Hal grinned and kissed her sliding his fingertips through her raven black hair that was soft and fresh from her own bath. After a moment he reached down and lifted her into his arms as he stood carrying her over to the bed and lying her down gently. At 7 months, she had quite the swell to her abdomen and he wanted to be careful not to hurt her or the baby.
            Hal found her lips once again tasting them as he lay over her. Rayne anxiously returned and lavished every affection on him having missed him so.
            This was a far cry from what seemed now like a lifetime ago when she was just a peasant chamber maid at Mistress Quickly’s. The mysterious young beauty that caught his eye and he hadn’t been able to look away from every since. It was as though God saw how lonely Hal was in a crowd surrounded by people of every rank and even family. Then he sent him an angel to be close to, confide in, and keep secrets with. A trusted friend and ally in the truest sense of the words. But the price for such bliss was high. They couldn’t be together as man and wife, he couldn’t claim their children as his own, and soon she would be a bride again to someone much younger than her previous husband had been. James age had unconsciously provided Hal a certain amount of comfort and reassurance he would not demand his husbandly rights of his bride. He physically was unable to. John, James nephew, who would arrive any day not to take their vows, was 38 as of the spring. Hal wasn’t as familiar with him as he felt he should be, he knew of his reputation as a fierce warrior, a loyal subject and a brave man. It was also widely believed he was very handsome, and extremely intelligent. Also, as a Howard, Hal had no question that he would be incredibly ambitious as well.
            It was infuriating to consider, and lying here in this bed, with this beautiful goddess was all he wanted to think about. He started to move her gown up her hip sliding his hand around to her lower back, baring more of her body to him. However when he began working the cloth up her body further the whole of her form went ridged and she braced her hands to his shoulders.
            “What is it darling? What’s wrong?” He asked concerned he’d hurt her.
            “The candles.” She said softly, “I should put them out and close the shutters to keep the cold away.”
            This was new. She’d never stopped them like this for such trivial requests. “If you do that it will be black as pitch in this chamber, we won’t be able to find each other.” He said with a smile in a playful tone. But after a moment his smile faded seeing a deadly seriousness in her eyes, “Rayne?” He said gently stroking her cheek, “Why don’t you want me to look upon you my lovely?” He asked, “Is it because you are with child?”
            “No.” She said embarrassed. “You looked upon me when I was as such with Thomas and still you loved me.” She admitted.
            “Well then why . . .” It suddenly occurred to him that since her flogging, they’d not been fully unclothed in each other’s presence. There was no doubt scaring left on her body from the ordeal and she was ashamed. “Oh darling, you know such things won’t change my love for you.” He sat up and gently took her wrists and pulled her to sit up as well. Hal smiled a little looking into her eyes, “When I first arrived tonight, you wished to see my wounds. Remember?” He asked her. Rayne nodded a little. Hal looked into her eyes, “Never have we hidden ourselves from each other in shame. Our love had never warranted such silliness as it is real love.” He touched her chin and kissed her tenderly before looking into her eyes, “I will show you mine, if you show me yours.” He promised. Rayne looked into his eyes trusting him and giving him a nod. Hal nodded as well as he pushed up from the bed and stood taking her hands helping her to her feet.
            Hal began by removing his tunic baring his chest. He had a number of fresh wounds from battle indeed. The one on his shoulder was the worst. It was severe and even though was well on the mend it was still red and looked angry. It brought tears to her eyes to imagine how painful it must have been to endure. Rayne slowly reached up and ever so gently and tenderly traced the wound with her soft fingertips. It sent a shutter down the Princes back, but it was not one of pain. The agony in her eyes that he had been hurt so ran deep in her heart and soul. Rayne looked up at him tears escaping from her eyes.
            After a moment she reached up pulling the ties of her nightgown and started to open it but her eyes closed and her hands began to tremble feeling anxiety, fear and humiliation overtake her.
            “Shh..” Hal said quickly reaching out and drawing her into his arms, He kissed her face and head embracing her, “It’s alright. Shh, my darling shh.” He whispered. “Be still.”
            They had come this far, and he felt as though he had the right to look upon her. Nothing could be worse than seeing the wounds when they were fresh and her mind would not rest until she knew that scars of any kind meant nothing to him. It was just skin, and it was her heart that he prized.
            Hal gently turned her away from him, but kept an arm firmly around her across her shoulders so she wouldn’t suddenly feel she had to flee. He slipped the gown open and let it slide down and fall to the floor around her feet. The stripes she bore across her back and legs were far less then he had expected considering the damage that had been done to her. The Moors had done their work well. Reaching up he slowly traced the long smooth stripes across her back causing her to close her eyes feeling his tender touch on her body.
            The prince was overcome as he touched each mark, as it wasn’t just scars on skin as he believed. They were so much more than that. His wounds and scars he earned and received in battle. Rayne had received hers for her love for him. She was beaten and tortured as they tried to convince her that her love for him was a sin against God and even the state. A warning she neither believed or heeded for she loved him still. Despite all the gossip, the ridicule, the pain she had endured. “Oh my love.” He whispered wrapping both arms around her embracing her to him tears in his own eyes. Even now she carried his child in her womb with pride and honor that it was his, her loves. “I said these marks wouldn’t change my love for you,” He said softly into her ear holding her tighter still. Rayne’s heart stopped in her chest feeling as though her worse fear was coming true and closed her eyes, “They’ve only made me love you ten thousand times more.” Hal whispered.
            Rayne’s eyes opened as she turned looking up at him. Tears escaped his eyes as well and they immediately kissed passionately before just holding each other as tight as they could, cherishing each other.
To Be Continued . . . . .
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The Company Thou Keepest