Author's Note: I don't own Reign, but the story is generally mine. Inspired somewhat by the fantastic 'Queen of Camelot' by Nancy McKenzie. Also, history has been altered for this story. This is definitely AU!

A bow-shot from her bower-eaves; He rode between the barley-sheaves;

The sun came dazzingly thro' the leaves; and flam'd upon the brazed greaves of bold Sir Lancelot

A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd; to a lady in his shield; that sparkled on the yellow field; beside remote Shalott

Alfred Lord Tennyson "The Lady of Shalott"

The flames of destruction covered France in a layer of darkness. Between the English, and the Holy Roman Empire, France had been a battleground ripe for the conquest for years. After decades of bloodshed, France won the ultimate battle, but at a terrible cost. Nobles were displaced all across Europe. The Royal family was in shambles, and a majority of the French countryside had been reduced to rubble, scorched earth reflecting the sadness within the French people.

One man rose from the ashes. One man declared he would rebuild a new France, a France that would shine brighter than any diamond.

"To Francis!" A man's voice cried, while he slammed his tankard of ale against the large wooden table. Echoes of 'To Francis' rose from around their makeshift meeting hall. It was the only room left intact in Chateau de Blois.

Francis rose, smiling, from his seat near the head of the table. His golden curls were the only outward reflection of his age, making him appear younger than his true years. A simple circlet of gold crowned his head, the only adornment marking him as King he would wear, albeit grudgingly. The real indication of his might and strength was his father's sword, hanging imperiously from the worn leather scabbard at this waist.

"Thank you, brother." He replied, tipping his tankard toward the initiator of the cheer. Though they shared a father and a few of his features, the brother's were easy to tell apart. The golden curls versus the disheveled brown locks were one main characterizing distinction. The other was their eyes. Francis had always been jealous of his brother's green eyes, not for any reason other than it made his features stand out amongst a crowd. "Sebastian, it is my turn to congratulate you. The work that has commenced on restoring the Chateau is splendid. Let us hope enough will be complete for my new brides arrival!"

Another round of 'Here, Here!' and 'God Bless King Francis!' weaved through the broken halls. Raising a hand to silence his lords, Francis turned again towards his brother. "Bash, I have a great task for you." Turning to address the entirety of his congregation, Francis continued. "As you all know, France needs an ally as we begin rebuilding this great country, and I need a wife." Murmurings of ascents floated by Bash's ears as he listened to his brother. "You may remember that years ago, before Charles V made his last attempt to conquer our beautiful France, my beloved parents, may God keep their souls, betrothed me to the young Mary, future Queen of Scotland."

Sebastian knew the story, as did all those who were left in court. Mary had been brought to France as a child to be raised in the French Court. But a few short months after her arrival, she was heralded away into the mountains as Charles V and his vast armies attempted their last effort to conquer France, and eventually England. Sebastian knew she had been kept safe outside Andorra La Vella, snugly situated in the Pyrenees mountains, and close enough to Spain to be free from the invasive threat of the Holy Roman Emperor.

"I have decided it is time we honor that treaty!" A deep hum filled the room as the men banged their tankards on the tables. Sebastian felt the vibration of the hum within him, as if this new beginning for France was awakening a new version of himself. He felt his own mug join in the ruckus, enjoying the revelry with his comrades. Once the noise levels began to recede, Francis continued. "Now, we all know Lady Mary is hidden safely away near the Spanish border. There is only one man I would entrust to bring her safely from within the mountains down to French court. Brother!"

Sebastian had been half-heartedly listening to Francis' words, mainly soaking in the sights and sounds of victory, and hope, when he heard his brother call for him.

"Brother, I am entrusting you to safely escort my future bride from her hideaway in the mountains." None of the men surrounding Sebastian were surprised. He was the country's fastest rider, one of it's most skilled swordsman, and right hand man of the King. If anyone would be chosen for such a task, it was he.

Francis made his way over to Sebastian, grasping his shoulder firmly, tankards of ale clanking around them.

"I thank you for the honor, brother." Sebastian acknowledged Francis heartily, inclining his head as was appropriate. He was touched by his brother's trust in him.

"There is no one I trust more, Bash. See that Lady Mary arrives here safely." Francis' sincerity bore through Sebastian. They were brother's, well half-brother's, who had each others backs since they were children. Even now, on the eve of complete peace, they were still taking care of each other.

"You know I will, my King." Francis laughed exorbitantly, his voice mingling with the laughter and mirth of the other men in the hall.

"Oh, enough of the formalities, Bash. Let us enjoy this evening. For the first time in ages, it is a quiet night."

They sat quietly for a few moments, watching the shadows of their men dance amongst the Chateau ruins. As he looked around their once beautiful home, he knew it needed much work before it would be fit for a Lady, let alone a Queen.

"When am I to escort Lady Mary?" He asked quietly, breaking the silence. He watched Francis sit quietly, unsure if his brother heard him, or if he was deep in thought himself.

"Honestly, I want you to leave tomorrow. It is a good week's ride to the mountains, and I have already sent a letter ahead so you will be expected, and Lady Mary will be informed. I would like if you spent some time with her and her ladies. She was left in the best of care with the Lord and Lady Carme, but she may be wary of court life."

"Court life? There has been no court in years. I am not sure what I might help her understand?"

"You see, that is just it, Bash. She will help us rebuild our home, our country, even our court. The wars barely touched the mountain villages. She may have no idea what awaits her here." Sadness weaved through Francis' words, for both brother's mourned the toll war had taken on their country and way of life.

"And I am to teach her?" Bash inquired, still unsure of his brother's intentions.

"Not so much teach, but guide her. Answer her questions, be the Duke I know is in there." At these words, Bash chuckled. The weight that was beginning to mount on his shoulders felt briefly lighter. This was a great task indeed, preparing the future Queen to what awaits her in the countryside.

"I will do my best."

"As you always do, brother. Please take Claude and Luke with you, for security purposes. The mountains should be safe, but we have not ventured that far south in awhile."

Sebastian nodded, bidding good night to his King and brother. He sought out his two fellow riders, explaining to them the task ahead. They were elated to be accompanying him to bring their future Queen to court.

As the rest of the men relished the evening's festivities, Bash headed to the small area that served as his room. Consisting of three walls and a roof, he was at least protected by the elements. Before undressing for the night, he scanned the halls with their broken walls. Scaffolding braced regions where he had directed repairs to begin. It would be a long process, but the Chateau would be returned to it's former glory. In his opinion, it would be even grander than before, showing the world that France did not crumble under pressure. Before saying good night to his brother, Francis had finally gave him a time-frame for guiding the Lady Mary. He wanted Bash and his men to spend a month with them in the mountain village. Sebastian hoped the repairs he was overseeing would continue in that time, preparing a least some rooms to be fit for women.

Women.

Throughout the years of war, Sebastian, Francis and their men traveled as a group of warriors. They had no time for a woman's companionship, unless the towns in which they stopped briefly had not been pillaged. Even then, whatever short-term satisfaction they gained did not fill the deeper need for love and family. Shaking his head, Bash visualized the scene that would unfold when they all arrived back at court. There would be Lady Mary, already destined for King Francis, and then her two, or maybe even four ladies, who would be catching the eyes of at least a hundred or more men. I will worry about that later, Bash thought.

Removing his shirt, and settling down on his plat of blankets, Bash eagerly closed his eyes, praying sleep would come quickly. Tomorrow would begin a new adventure, one that would likely change his brother's life, and the life of France. And if he was lucky, it might just change his life as well.

It took Bash and his men roughly a week, just as Francis had told him, to reach the small village of Andorra La Vella, where Lady Mary was residing within the home of the Lord and Lady Carme. He had been amazed at how untouched by war the mountain villages had been. Normal day-to-day activities were ongoing, as if there had been no war at all. The earth was not scorched, the homes were intact, and the few people they met on the road were friendly. Despite the need for extra security, not knowing what they might find this far south, Bash was pleased with the promise the land held. The promise that one day, the whole of France might be like this again.

After their brief introduction's, Sebastian was informed Lady Mary and her ladies were enjoying the pleasant afternoon in the meadow.

"It is probably best if we may freshen up before meeting the Lady Queen." Sebastian offered, realizing he and his men were covered in dirt from their travels, and also smelled quite disgustingly of horse sweat.

"Yes, of course, let my man show you to your rooms. You all are most welcome guests in our home." Lord Carme spoke kindly, gesturing to a man of his livery to escort Sebastian, Claude, and Luke to their rooms. Not too many minutes later, all three men emerged from their rooms, ready to make their introductions and meet their future Queen.

Indeed, it was a pleasant afternoon. The sun hid between the clouds now and then, casting faint shadows on the grass as it did. Bash had assured Lord Carme they would need no assistance finding the Lady Mary, as long as he pointed them in the right direction. Turning the corner away from the home's garden, he could see the circle of ladies seated beneath the shade of an oak tree, right on the edge of a small meadow. He turned, motioning to Claude and Luke to look up ahead. Francis had not seen Mary since he was a child, so he had offered no physical description for Sebastian. They approached slowly, Bash's vision carefully inspecting each lady as he approached.

The ladies caught sight of the approaching men, standing slowly but acting unafraid. Bash bowed slightly, Claude and Luke following suit. "Ladies, I am Sebastian, Duke of Poitiers. This is Claude, Marquis de la Chambre, and Luke, the Viscount of Lanques. We have come to escort the Lady Mary and her ladies to the Chateau de Blois, your future home, and the home of the French court."

"Yes, sir Duke, we received the letter from our King that you would be arriving soon." Bash noticed the woman towards the back of the circle stepped forward, her eyes boring into his own. "I am Lady Mary, Queen of Scotland." Sebastian gaped at her, for she was the most beautiful of the ladies in the group. Her raven hair hung down over her shoulders, shining like black ink beneath the sun's rays. Her dress, not ornate as he was expecting for her station, was red, a stark contrast to her skin, which though pale in comparison to his own, was darkened by time spent outdoors. He realized he was being impolite, staring at her as was, but he could not turn his head away. He barely noticed the other four ladies around Mary, for she held his complete and undivided attention.

Bash had also forgotten his two men flanked him on either side, until Claude nudged his shoulder as he stood awestruck by the Lady Mary. He cleared his throat in embarrassment, bowing respectfully in an attempt to hide the blush that crept up his cheeks. The sniggers around Lady Mary assured him he had not been successful in covering the awe he felt at witnessing Mary's beauty and grace first hand. She shushed her ladies politely, returning her fierce gaze back to him. From deep within, a primal urge to protect her, to love her, began to bubble. Bash felt the unease in his stomach, the flutter of his heart, and the clamminess of his hands. He sensed the confused stares of Claude and Luke from behind him, their eyes worriedly following his motions.

As he stepped forward, Mary extended her hand in greeting. Bash was unaccustomed to such brazen forwardness by one of noble birth, but he accepted her hand graciously. A sense of calm flowed through him at her touch, and yet his hand burned. She held his gaze unwaveringly, their gazes locked as if they were the only two people in the small meadow. A small gasp of surprised escaped Mary's lips, and she withdrew her hand suddenly. Flustered, she took a step back, her eyes rapidly glancing everywhere but at him.

Regaining his composure, Sebastian bowed again, his formality as the King's half-brother reasserted itself. "My Lady, we are honored to finally meet you. We have come to escort to Chateau de Blois as I said, and we will see to it you arrive safely to your new home."

"To be Francis' wife? Yes, I am aware. I will graciously respect the treaty my parents arranged all those years ago, though marrying a man I hardly know is rather strange."

"Mary!" Sebastian saw one of the lady's behind Mary sway as she hissed the warning to her Queen.

"I understand, Your Grace. Please have no fear, for your gracious King is a gracious man as well." He could sense the approving smiles of Claude and Luke behind him, hoping he erased his earlier mishap. He offered his arm to Mary. "May we escort you back to the house for dinner?"

Mary nodded, fitting her hand around his arm. Just the mere touch from this woman he only just met sent goosebumps traveling along his arm.

He knew, in that moment, that she would forever change his life. The woman that was destined to marry his brother, and be Queen, would rule his country, and his heart. The hardest thing he would now do is spend a month with her, getting to know her, guiding her in the ways of their newly developing court, only to take her back to be his brother's wife.

Damn my life, he thought, for I will be damned to love her.