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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

Chapter List
- 8
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At Court
            Rayne and the boys stayed at court at Henry’s insistence, and needless to say John was less then pleased with the news. However he was hardly in a position to demand her to leave and return to Norfolk. Once Henry found that she was expecting their 3^rd child, he had a quiet ulterior motive to keeping her in London. She’d borne two of his sons and both times he was absent from their birth, arriving days later. This time, being present at his child’s coming into this world was possible and he wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity.
            Unfortunately, Rayne’s health continued to decline. Henry first called on the court physicians to treat her but she refused them and insisted that her own, the Moorish healers in Norfolk, be summoned instead. At first Henry was reluctant to abide by her wishes, but then sent men to escort them back quickly.
            Henry sat at Rayne’s beside holding her hand, “I’m alright, My Lord.” She insisted despite the spells she had that now kept her in bed most days. “The doctors will tell you when I arrive that I simply need rest.”
            “I am not blind, Rayne. I can see you are not well.” He said seriously, “I wish with all my heart you would admit my physicians to treat you.”
            “They will do more harm than good, my lord.” She replied.
            The King sighed, “That’s James speaking. He never trusted our physicians that is why he preferred the Moors.”
            She smiled, “My scars would be far more hideous had it not been for them, and James death far more painful instead of peaceful. I am grateful to them, and I trust them.” He smiled holding her hand a bit tighter.
            “Very well, but I could command you if I wished it.” Rayne smiled arching a brow, and he laughed leaning closer and kissing her.
Early Arrivals
            The illness she suffered came with her pregnancy, made evident when the child arrived a month early. Although only 8 months old and a bit smaller then his brothers when they were born, he was strong and healthy. It was a blessing and something to truly thank God for. Especially since once he was born, Rayne’s health improved and she finally began to recover.
            John, hearing of the news she’d given birth to a son, left his army to go to court to see him. When he arrived, he went directly to her bed chamber in the Howard apartment finding her resting with the child close beside her. The Moors who treated her still watching over and caring for them.
            Even though he was pleased that he now had a son, he was somewhat disappointed the boy had inherited his mothers green eyes, and dark hair. He had hoped the child would take on more of his features, but he was a handsome child none the less.
            Rayne felt eyes on her and woke to find him standing over her near the bed, “John?” She said surprised sitting up. He sat down beside her looking into her eyes.
            “I am sorry I did not arrive sooner. I was under the impression he was not due to arrive for another few weeks.” He apologized. Rayne just stared at him for a moment never having him apologize for anything to her. “How are you feeling?”
            She didn’t know how to respond and wasn’t entirely certain she was awake. After a moment of silence she shook off her daze of confusion and carefully picked up the small one to show him. She pulled the blanket back a bit that was obscuring his face. John smiled reaching up and pulled the blanket open a bit more, “He is strong and healthy.” She said softly.
            “He has the Howard look about him. I had no doubt he would be strong.” John said with pride touching the small ones tiny fingers. “He should be named for my father, Robert Howard.”
            Rayne just nodded a little giving a small smile, “Yes.”
            John noted her soft voice and looked up at her. With a sigh he rested his hand on her shoulder, before taking her hand in his, “I know I have not been a good husband to you, but I want to change that. You have given me a son, and been a proper wife to me. You have kept your promises you made to me. I am long overdue to keep mine.” Still she starred at him unable to make sense of his unexplainable change in character. He laughed, “Please do not look so shocked Rayne, you are much too lovely for that.” He leaned down and kissed the infant’s forehead tenderly, and then Rayne’s before standing from the bed. “You look weary. Rest. We’ll speak again later.” Before she could say anything else he stood and left the room.
            When he was gone she reached up feeling her own head wondering if she was with fever, or if what just occurred truly happened.
Leaving Court
            Rayne walked with Henry in the garden. Since they were out in the open and decidedly not alone, others could see them, they didn’t hold hands or touch and simply walked side by side. “I would have you and our children stay here, forever so I can watch over you.”
            “You have our country and our people to watch over.” She said with a smile, “It will be better to have one less burden on your mind.”
            Henry came to a stop and looked at her, “You are not a burden to me, Rayne. You never have been and you never will be.” He stepped closer to her and spoke in a gentle voice, “Many is the time you have lifted my burden from me, my love. You have brought me endless joy and happiness.” He stepped closer to her still. “If we had . . .” He paused looking for the right words he wanted. “Had it been possible, had there been any way . . . I would have made you my wife years ago, and you would be my queen now and never leave my side.”
            She was silent and looked down for a moment, “In a way, I have been.” She looked into his eyes, “I have loved and been faithful to you all my life. In my heart and soul I never strayed. It would have been so with my body as well had I the choice. You have loved and cared for me when it would have been so easy for the Prince of Wales to forget a peasant girl who was in an unfortunate way. Unmarried and poor you could have denied me completely. Cast me aside and never claimed Thomas as yours. It did not matter that he was considered illegitimate to the rest of the world, he was legitimate to us. Created in our love. As was Nicholas and Robert.” She started to reach of his hand but stopped herself and took a step back knowing better than to touch him in public. Rayne took a quiet moment before continuing. “We have a family together, Henry. A family that I could not be more proud of, and have never regretted it or had a moment’s remorse.” Henry smiled and reached out taking her hands in his stepping closer to her once more regardless of their being in public.
            “You leave for Norfolk in the morning, John as returned to his army that is in the East,” He leaned closer resting his forehead to hers, “Are you well enough now to spend this night with me?” He whispered. “I will come to your chamber at midnight so we can lie together in each other’s arms. Even if only to touch and caress.”
            Rayne smiled and nodded, “Always. My love, my life.”
            Henry kissed her hands and smiled as well looking into her beautiful green eyes.
Strangers
            The ride back to Norfolk seemed like an exceedingly long and arduous undertaking. They had stayed at court so long they had much to return with.
            Somewhere on the road between London and home the small caravan of the carriage and two wagons stopped at a stream to water and feed the horses allowing Rayne and the children to stretch their legs from the long journey. Rayne allowed the nursemaid to hold young Robert while she, Thomas, and Nicholas went for a short walk. The boys had slept in the carriage and were full of energy. They started to chase each other around Rayne in a circle and then ran ahead. She laughed and smiled unable to keep up with them even though she tried. “Do not wonder to far from the carriage!” She called after them. They called back to let her know they had heard her.
            They would stay at an inn tonight as they always did on this journey. But there were still a few hours of travel yet today before dark. She never understood how sitting in a carriage all day could be so exhausting.
            Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted when she was knocked forward hard to the ground with a blow to the back of her neck. When she fell her head struck a stone. Rayne tried to see what was happening but the world twisted and spun before she was plunged into darkness.
            When she woke, she found she had been moved. Rayne felt a pain in her legs, and her head stung from the air on the open wound she had received. She found she was tied at the ankles with a leather strap and another tied her wrists behind her back.
            “Finally she wakes.” Rayne looked up to see a man dressed in dark clothes, black leather, and a black cloak with a large hood.
            “Who are you?” She asked seeing him sharpening his knife which was familiar to her as a preferred type of weapon for thieves and highway men. “What do you want of me?” He didn’t answer her and just checked the sharpness of his blade. “Sir, please. I am certain if I sent word to my husband he will pay whatever you . . .”
            “It is your husband who sends me.” The man said stopping her words, “And has paid me very well.” He put down his sharpening stone and stood walking over to her. Rayne tried to move away but it was useless, as he knelt down grabbing her by the hair jerking her head back, “My job would have already been complete but a message was meant for you.” Tears filled her eyes slipping down her cheeks and she couldn’t breathe has he pulled her head back further looking into her eyes. “John Howard wants you to know, he is no fool. He knows that the child you bore is not of his line. Although he will keep and treasure your sons as his own, he no longer needs you.”
            Rayne closed her eyes knowing there was nothing she could do, she couldn’t fight back and no one was coming to save her. Tears continued to stream down her face as she took a jagged breath, “Goodbye my love.” She whispered thinking of Henry.
            With that he pressed the knife to her throat, and sliced deep. Her eyes went wide as the blood gushed from the wound. She couldn’t draw a breath, she couldn’t move and soon her eyes rolled back and she fell to the ground lifeless. Within moments her body lay in a pool of her blood and she was gone. Immediately he went to work stripping the body of everything, including the pendant that she had worn since the day it was given to her by Hal. He had to make it look like a robbery to avoid suspicion coming back on her husband.
Wake
            Rayne’s lifeless body lay on a long table in the Howard apartment at court. She had been dressed in a black velvet gown with long sleeves that came to a point at the back of her hands, and had a high collar concealing the clean and stitched cut across her throat that had stolen her life. There were candles lit all around the room and her body lay beneath a thin veil of gossamer at the center, countless flowers were on and beneath the table and everywhere possible.
            Her killer had been caught just a few hours after her murder and brought back to the castle not long after the body that had been beaten and stripped naked had arrived. His guilt was proved when on his person was found the pendant that Rayne was never seen without, a gift that had given to her by her lover. Even though he was questioned and severely tortured in every way that was known to them by Henry’s order, he said nothing leaving them to conclude it had merely been a robbery gone bad.
            It took Henry quite some time to gather himself enough to go to her. Now he stood near the table, his eyes on the lifeless body of his love, far too beautiful and far too young to be lying in death. He had dismissed everyone, leaving him alone in the room which grief hung in the air like stale tobacco smoke. His eyes were red and strained somewhat by his unwillingness to let tears fall.
            The King walked closer and reached out, slowly pulling back the veil so that he could look upon her face unobstructed. She was so dreadfully pale, her skin grey even after being prepared for viewing and burial. He studied her for a long time, almost as if trying to convince himself she was merely asleep and would wake at any moment. He reached out and placed his hand over hers and it was freezing to the touch.
            He was present for some of her murderer’s questioning having performed one or two tortures himself when the insolent man had laughed or scoffed at Rayne’s very name. It was infuriating to know that this man was who Rayne’s final moments were spent with. This cold and unfeeling lunatic that would steal her life away so callously with no remorse. The only reason his death didn’t linger still, for as long as it could be made to last and longer was because when Rayne’s body was inspected she was not found violated or molested in anyway other then the wounds she had sustained.
            Henry was beside himself, he felt numb inside as he looked at the body before him. As though his soul was trying to shield itself from the unfathomable pain of losing her.
            “Please,” He said breaking the silence, “Please do not be gone, my love.” His voice was a quiet whisper, much in the way they whispered secrets to each other when they lay in one another’s arms in the gentle glow of candlelight. “Do not . . . leave me here, to face this dismal existence alone.” He begged tears finally escaping his eyes. “Since I was young it was you and you alone I confided all in. Still, you know me better then even my siblings. Even though your fingers have gone . . . so cold, you still hold my heart and soul in the palm of your hand. Please, I beg of you, do not be gone.”
            He bowed his head still holding his hand over hers, holding it tightly wishing that she were holding it back. Opening his eyes, he released her reaching into his pocket taking out the pendant that she had worn since he had been but a Prince. He unclasped the chain reaching forward and clasping it behind her neck, adjusting the pendant to rest over her heart.
            “You have always done as I have asked of you, my love.” He said still in a quiet whisper, “Will you now grant me one final wish?” Leaning down over her he cupped her cold face in his hands, and placed a gentle kiss to her right eye and then to her left, and then placed a tender loving kiss to her lips. “Watch over me, and wait for me so that we may be together in death, as we have not been permitted to be in life.” He said his voice breaking. Henry kissed her once more, before resting his face to her chest finally letting his grief wash over him as he clung to her body.
Burial
            John and the King finally came to blows over what would be done with Rayne’s body. John arrived at court with every intention of taking her back to Norfolk with him to be buried. Knowing that their marriage had never been a happy one, Henry was unwilling to entrust her body to him to be honored properly and forbade him to take her from the city. The Howard family had crypts in London which were available and there was no earthly reason that her body could not be interred there under proper supervision.
            The young King was furious as he waited to see tears escape John’s eyes, but none ever did. He kept a solemn look about him but it was just that, solemn. Like one was attending the funeral of a family member not well known to them. It was not how Henry imagined a husband who cared for his wife would act. It was too late now for anything to be done about his marriage to Rayne, but it only sealed Henry’s hatred of the man.
            Henry wasn’t the only one that was devastated by her sudden and untimely death, and was joined in his heartbreak and grief by their sons Thomas and Nicolas. The King spent hours with them, talking and playing with them to cheer their spirits which in turn cheered his own. Although he would have spent more time with them gladly, matters of the Kingdom required his attention and it wasn’t long before relations with France were breaking down rapidly. He had no choice but to focus on England, its interests, and its future.
To Be Continued . . . . .
- 8
- 9
- 10
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The Company Thou Keepest