Disclaimer: We, the writers of this piece, make no claim on Reign or any of its characters. We make no profit from this work as it is for reading and enjoyment purposes only.

AN: HELLO! I am back and alive and here is a collaborative piece with my lovely Madeleine/myfairwendybird. If you've been wondering where we've all been, there's a lot of reasons, but fortunately for you, we've all been over on Tumblr doing roleplay and here is one of our threads polished up. I'm on as Catherine at reignoftheflorentine and Madeleine is over at lionoffrance if you all ever want to read up on what we've been doing. It's an AU piece set a year or so before the events of Reign involving our favorites and we do so hope that you enjoy the read.

The King had been debating with himself for the better part of a week about whether he should bother trying to contact her. After all, he never had before, but there was something different about this time. It had been more than ten years since their marriage and though their relationship had disintegrated almost completely over that time, he'd found himself thinking not of Diane in these last months at the border, nor any of his other mistresses. Instead he was seeing only the visage of his wife as he thought of home. Her face was the subject of his every dream. Eventually deciding it couldn't make things any worse between them, Henry swallowed his pride and picked up his quill, preparing himself to write to the Queen that had become his obsession ever since he left.

My Dearest Catherine,

I know we didn't part on the best of terms. Unfortunately, doing so has become a habit for us over the years. The happiness we once shared seems so distant when we are together with our hearts having long since grown cold towards each other, but here, where I am so far from home, those memories are the clearest to me now. I remember the joy we shared in those first years as if we were living in them still.

I have so many regrets, Catherine. More than you could ever know. There's so much gone wrong between us it's hard to think of anything good that came of us, save the children.

Yet, it is the thought of you that fills my days and keeps me warm at night. I know it may seem strange to you and if I were honest, I don't quite understand it myself, but it has to mean something does it not? Perhaps I am a fool to tell you so, it has been a long time since we've acted as man and wife. After all this time such sentiments must be laughable to you, but I suppose what I mean to say is:

Happy Anniversary, My Queen.

I pray this letter reaches you in time.

With love,

Your Henry

Another anniversary had come, and yet this one had come as a surprise. Henry had written her a letter. A letter from the warfront no less. As the message had come in by dirt streaked rider, her first thought had been that they'd made a mistake. All his letters from war were to Diane and she nearly said as much until the messenger had presented the letter with a bowed head, For the Queen, said the youth. There was no one else who could truly claim that title besides she. Reading the letter in the privacy of her rooms, she could admit to herself that she'd shed a tear or two. She didn't think he'd remember their anniversary. He never remembered. Her quill had been dipped in her inkwell for a good few minutes as she thought of what to say. Henry? Dear Henry? My King? How was she to address a man who'd sent a love letter, but had been out of love with her for years? Sighing, she tapped off the nib of her quill before setting it to the paper. This was going to be an interesting write.

Dear Henry,

The messenger who delivered your letter woke me from my sleep, but I can't say I was upset for it. Happy Anniversary, Henry. I have nothing for you but good wishes, prayers, and a want to have you away from harm. I can't claim to have a handle on what your feelings may mean, but if you are still perplexed by the time you return home then we may discuss any shifts this may mean for our relationship.

Be safe,

Catherine

It had taken almost four days to receive word back, not that he'd been keeping track of course, but the day her letter finally came he had taken it from the young carrier and made off towards his tent before the boy could even tell him who it was from. The King tried to quell his excitement, preparing himself for the possibility that she'd only written back to chastise him for his foolishness. Taking a deep breath, Henry opened it with an uncharacteristic reverence, reading her words over and over to himself as a warm smile caught the corners of his mouth. It wasn't much really, or at least it wouldn't seem so to most, but for Catherine… well, it was more than he'd expected.

My Dearest Wife,

I thank you for your prayers and good wishes. Some days I feel as though they're all the protection I need. I am glad to hear my letter was not ill received, I know I've never written to you much during times of war, but I wonder whether you would object to my doing so more often? Thoughts of you still plague my every waking moment, and most of my dreams as well, and though I still can't say I know what they mean, I know I don't mind the company, even if it's only in my mind. I promise to stay healthy and return to you soon, my Queen, perhaps then we shall have a much needed talk.

Kiss my children for me, tell them their father loves them dearly and misses them for every day that I am gone.

With love,

Henry

When she'd sent her letter, she hadn't expected to receive one back. She'd thought his letter writing had been a passing boredom for him as he lay restless at night. The letter with his seal had come and she'd thought the news would be more dire than a love letter. Still, it felt as though she'd been struck.

Dear Henry,

So long as your letters don't detract from your responsibilities and sleep, I do not object. As it is, I want to remind you that you have an extra cloak and blanket in the green and gold sack should you be chilled. The children send the same with Hercule all but gurgling a little mumble of 'Papa'. Margot demands you come home - had you promised her a tea party or something of the sort? Your princess seems to be very put out with you, Henry. Shame on you. Oh, Margot now wants to retract that. She'd rather me say that… She sends her unicorn kisses and griffin hugs.

Praying for you,

Catherine and the children

The King chuckled to himself as he read her next letter, pleased to hear of his little ones, though he did feel awful about having promised Margot a tea party and having forgotten to follow through before he left.

To my dearest Catherine,

I'm glad to see you still can't help but take care of me, even from a distance. Your caring nature has been well missed in our time apart. Tell my princess I will be home as swiftly as I am able and I shall expect our tea party ready for when I arrive. Her unicorn kisses and griffin hugs are most welcome from the front and I send twice as many back. I am pleased to see our youngest still remembers me, it has been so long that I worried his young mind may forget his Papa.

But what of my older children? Are they also well? Do they miss their father? Do you?

What of your health, are you handling your regency? It seems silly to even ask, there is none but you I trust to keep France afloat in my absence.

Henry

Ripping his next letter open, Catherine realized how much vigor she sliced through the wax and calmed herself. It wasn't until she'd finished reading his letter that she realized she had a smile on her face. The children were out to lessons and as it was, she would be alone writing today.

Dear Henry,

What's a wife to do but worry over her husband on the front? Besides, I know you'd be too proud to ask for another blanket from your men.

Francis is Francis. He mentors his siblings and keeps them happy. He took Margot and Hercule around the castle the other day to look at all the portraits of you to bolster their memory that their father is still alive and well. Henry and Charles have taken to playing soldier and I'm not quite sure how I feel about that at their age. They miss you with a sweet fondness.

Everything is in order as it should be. The workload is manageable. I've taken the liberty of giving Francis some more responsibilities and he's doing rather well. His penmanship is more legible than both of ours which is a bit distressing.

A drop of ink hit the paper as she hovered her quill to write. Should she say it? He did ask her a direct question.

On the matter of whether or not I miss you: You gave me a reason to write to you and although this communication is welcomed, I do wish there wasn't a need for it.

Catherine

AN: So there's that! This plot is still being played out on Tumblr so please have some patience, but as this is one of our oldest threads, it does have some weight to it and just needs a bit of editing for the next chapter. Feel free to message us here or there if you have any questions and as always, we welcome any feedback you have! To all our returning readers, *SMOOCHES* and to you all who are new to Madeleine and I, WELCOME! We hope you've enjoyed the chapter.