Reign "Fated" (Part 4)

The person carrying the cup is the one having difficulty breathing. She keeps stumbling, knocking into walls and tables. Her cup is filled with a liquid with a green tint. The woman continues to move along, coughing as she goes. Clarissa is still following her. The woman is still moving through unpopulated areas of the castle, coughing as she moves. She stops at the top of a set of stairs, leaning against the wall. Clarissa stops just behind her, looking at her before pushing her. The cup goes flying, spilling the liquid and crashing to the floor. Francis tells Mary she is no longer alone in her struggles. He admits he would die for her, which makes her frown. Before either can say anything, a scream is heard and they rush from the rooms and towards the sound.

At the bottom of a set of steps several people surround a body. Lola turns to Mary, saying the servants found her and they came searching for Mary. Aylee is on the floor, a pool of blood surrounding her head. She tells Mary that she was told she would never return home again. She tries to speak, but is having difficulties. She tells Mary that there was too much bloodshed for her and they must go home now, before she dies. Everyone is surrounding them, crying, and Kenna looks to see a cat lick the spilled drink. She remembers Aylee drinking from the cup earlier.Mary gets up, wiping Aylee’s blood from her hands and onto her dress. She sees Nostradamus at the end of the hall and remembers what he told her. She tells him he was sent from hell and that he is the devil. Francis attempts to comfort her, but she pushes him away and continues to cry.

Diane tells Bash that Catherine knows about her plans, but will keep their secret for a trade. Bash asks what the try was and Diane admits she didn’t do it because she couldn’t live with herself if she did. She remembers smelling the jar with the poison once Catherine left her alone in Henry’s rooms, then throwing the jar and watching it smash when it hit the wall. Diane pulls him to the side, saying Catherine cannot hurt them if she cannot find him. She tells Bash of her plans to go to Henry when he travels, making him see reason regardless of what Catherine tells him. She thinks that once Francis weds Mary and he acquires England, Henry won’t care anymore and they will once again be under his protection.

Nostradamus looks down at Aylee, saying she was poisoned and questioning if he should suspect the queen when he knows the affects of this particular poison. He lifts Aylee’s hand and shows her finger tips, mentioning the blackened skin and the smell of flowers. He says the poison is one of his own, not Catherine’s, and then asks if he was being watched. He asks Clarissa, who he was speaking to all along, why she killed Aylee. Clarissa says that Mary needed to believe Nostradamus’ prophecy or she would have married Francis and caused his death.

Nostradamus realises Clarissa sees Mary as a victim of fate, much like herself. He tells her that Mary is a beautiful queen. He then grabs Clarissa and brings her closer to Aylee, telling her to look at what she had done. He pulls off her hood and tells Clarissa that she killed a child of God and made Aylee her victim, not one of fate. Clarissa has missing patches of hair, which is the only thing seen. He tells her she brought it on herself as he pulls Clarissa behind a curtain and up a flight of stairs.

Mary is packing to leave, and Greer asks about her alliance to France. Mary says she will find a new alliance, that the current one has cost them enough already. Mary believes in Nostradamus’ gift, and she cannot lose someone else she loves. She asks them to come with her, but Lola says they can’t. She knows Mary would be able to get away faster without them tagging along. Lola also says she knows if they tell Francis, he will try and stop her. Mary says she will send for them as soon as she can, and that they will all return home to Scotland.

Francis follows Mary into the hall, saying he doesn’t understand and wants to know why she didn’t tell him before.  She says she did, she told him she was afraid and worried. Francis says it doesn’t matter, he wants to marry her without any stipulations, that he loves her. Mary cannot trust that, reminding him of when he told her that as royals they cannot make decisions based on love. They have too many responsibilities to their countries and the lives of their people to make life choices based on love alone. She tells him she loves him, but she will not allow another person to die for her.

Mary is in the stables when she comes across a guard. He asks if she needs anything and she tells him she was just going for a ride. He says he will alert the guards, but she asks him not to. The guard tells her it is not safe for her to ride alone, and if the king finds out he let her, but Bash interrupts him. Bash knows the guard will get into trouble, so he volunteers to accompany Mary on her ride, and that he has horses ready for them. The guard is confused as to how Bash already has horses ready since he just volunteered, but leaves without questioning it further.When they are alone, Bash asks where she is going and what is wrong. She tells him she is leaving and he cannot tell his brother if he cares about Francis. Bash asks where exactly she is going, and Mary’s response is far. Bash tells her that far is his destination as well.

Word Count: 1033

Reign "Fated" (Part 3)

When asked what she thinks, Mary says that both Catherine and Nostradamus seem to believe it. Mary also admits she couldn’t sleep for days when she saw Tomas’ banner unravel, showing he was the dragon, who went off to fight the English’s lion. Greer says they were just sailors though, and they did not actually fight. They do discuss that Tomas was actually slain in the forest though, where poppies were at the time. While discussing the dragon and the lion fighting on a field of poppies, Bash explains that as a bastard, Tomas gave himself the symbol of the dragon since he did not truly inherit one. He then shows Mary his sword, saying he took on the symbol of the lion since he would not inherit his father’s. Diane asks what Catherine wants, and Catherine admits she never thought she would want anything from Diane. She tells Diane how she doesn’t understand how she does it, having Henry stray from her to Kenna and then back again when he gets bored. Diane admits that she loves Henry for who he is, not what he can give Diane.  Catherine corrects her, saying she doesn’t understand how Diane can put up with it. Catherine puts up with Diane and the embarrassment in public because she doesn’t have Henry bothering her in private. Catherine wants Diane out of the castle, never to return, or she will tell Henry what Diane was planning. Diane thinks Henry would understand since he adores Bash, but Catherine tells her the timing is not on her side. Regardless of who Henry might love, his love of power is greater and he doesn’t care what he has to do when something gets in the way of it. Henry wants England, and legitimizing Bash would prevent him from getting it. Catherine is happy since Francis might now be considered Henry’s favorite son, since when he marries Mary Henry will acquire England as well.  Diane tells Catherine that Bash never wanted to be legitimized, and if he is killed due to what Catherine tells Henry, Henry will find a way to kill Catherine. Letting Diane leave the castle, with her life, will stop Catherine from saying anything to Henry. In addition to leaving though, Catherine wants Diane to share something with Kenna first. Catherine removes the jar with the poison from her bag, showing it to Diane, who correctly guesses that Catherine wants her to poison Kenna. Catherine explains that there are two things she does not forgive, betrayal and stupidity, both of which Kenna has in spades. In addition, Catherine knows Kenna will do anything to get to Henry, and once Diane is gone she knows Kenna will go after Catherine next. Catherine wants Diane to take one thing off of her plate, this, and questions why she must always be the one with blood on her hands. She opens the jar, smelling it, saying it smells nice and is jade. She then puts the jar down and tells Diane these are her terms, before leaving the room. Kenna has a tray placed besides her bed with food and a cup of tea. Lola, Aylee and Greer enter the room, sitting at the edges of her bed. Kenna asks Aylee to pass her the cup, and when she lifts it, Aylee says it smells nice and asks what is in it. Kenna says it is a mix of lemon and honey, but Aylee mentions smelling a spice in it.  Kenna thinks it smells floral, and says it must be to speed the healing. She offers it to Aylee, who takes it but hands it off to Greer to hold while she goes through her bag.  She says her parents had sent her to France with things for them all to wear upon Mary’s wedding. Lola says she always forgets how rich Aylee is, as her family owns half of the land Scotland, because Aylee is so modest. Aylee hands out pieces of jewelry to each of them, telling them all to keep it. Frost on windows is melting, which was part of Nostradamus’ prophecy about one of Mary’s ladies dying.  Someone is carrying a cup, and walking behind them is Clarissa. One of them seems to be having difficulties breathing.Francis asks what Mary means by testing fate. Mary thinks there is a terrible price to pay by getting everything that they were wanted. She believes this is only meant for the gods, and not kings and queens.  Word Count:749

Reign "Fated" (Part 2)

As Catherine enters the room to join in on the conversation that include Mary, Henry, and Francis. Henry tells Mary that when the Mary Tudor of England dies so will Henry VIII's line. He tells Mary that she is literally the next heir to the throne, because her cousin Elizabeth is a bastard born child so she has no right to the throne. Catherine tries to reason with Henry telling him that having a Scot on the English throne and dismissing one of Henry VIII's own daughter will cause an uprising and when there is was Catholics against Protestants will be a very bloody war.

Diane finds Bash and tells him what she thinks is bad news. Her connections in the Vatican cannot continue trying to make a case for Bash’s legitimization so he can become the next in France, since this is what is crushing Elizabeth’s chances in England.  Bash isn’t upset about this, he is actually happy since he didn’t want to be legitimized in the first place. Diane goes on to tell Bash that she is sorry for dangling Mary in his face, but he needs to forget about her. They discuss Francis’ warning to Bash a while back, telling Bash to keep his distance from Mary. Bash wonders why both Diane and Francis equate Mary to a cool glass of water and Bash to a man with a thirst. Diane tells Bash that there is a similar thirst in Mary, for Bash. She warns Bash though, telling him that he should be killed over her.

Kenna finds a servant coming out of a set of rooms and asks if they belong to Diane. When she is told they are, but Diane is not there, Kenna tells the servant to let Diane know that the king’s mistress would like to speak to her. When the servant leaves, a man approaches Kenna. He tells her that he heard Kenna mention she is the king’s mistress, and admits that he thinks Diane is younger than he originally thought. Kenna is confused at first, but doesn’t correct him in thinking she is Diane. He goes on to introduce himself as the priest she has been communicating with about Bash’s potential legitimization, and that he is sorry but they cannot continue since the pope is in favor of Francis and Mary’s upcoming nuptials. Kenna hints at Henry knowing, but is informed that he was kept in secret at Diane’s request. Kenna thanks him again before leaving him.

Word Count:416

Reign "Fated" (Part 1)

Mary is sleeping against Francis' chest and she realizes that its already morning and is worried that the servants realized that she wasn't in her bed. Francis tells her that it's too late to do anything about it now and proceeds to tickle her, both looking happy and Francis hopes that Mary is pregnant and when she makes a fuss, since they're not wed yet, he tells her that it would just force Henry's hand and speed up the wedding process. They're interrupted by a knock on the door and the messenger says that the cardinal  is in the throne room and that he is currently in the throne room awaiting him.

The next scene shows Kenna lying in bed with Henry sitting on the side. She asks Henry to be dead honest about the Count's men beating her up at the feast. Kenna confronts Henry, saying that he has't been at her side and she asked the servants about Diane, who told her that they have see Diane in Henry's room and he said that Diane is just a friend and gives him council. Kenna asks him if he loves her and if he's willing to let Diane go for her. He says no, but apologizes sincerely, but Kenna blames him for the attack with the Count. Henry still chooses Diane to be his mistress.

Diane walks through the hallway towards the throne room and sees Bash and tells him that she wants to legitimize him and that it was all done in secret. Bash's response is that he doesn't want to have anything to do with his brother's job. At the end of the hallways walking towards the throne room is Mary and Francis and Diane concludes that if he wants to have the girl of his dreams, he would have to be legitimized. She tells him whether or not he gets her, Mary will have to wed France's next king whether it will be Bash or Francis.

Word Count:330

Reign "Left Behind" (Part 2)

Later on that evening in Mary's bedroom; Kenna, Greer, Aylee and Lola are reluctant to help Catherine with her plan as they don't trust her, but in order to gain their trust Catherine tells them a story of how she was kidnapped as a child and tells them she was held hostage for years until she was rescued by the Pope after she prayed.

Catherine and Mary show the secret tunnel to Olivia and tell them how they are all going to escape with the demonstration of the knocks on the doors. Olivia then asks them why she's the one that has to do that; Catherine then tells her that the Count wont suspect Olivia for helping them.Catherine tells Olivia that if she fails her duties in any way that she will meet with the Queen's extreme displeasure and then shoves her into the doorway and commands her to close the doors.

About dinner time, everyone arrives and enjoys the feast and the Count's men are extremely pleased and are playing with the gold that was offered to them. Mary takes a good use of her time and makes an excuse to get away with her ladies and get to the secret door, unfortunately Olivia isn't at her post as she was earlier when Francis and the others came down. Mary and her ladies are caught by the Count's me and are returned to the feast. Catherine's shocked to see them come back, and get up telling the Count that Henry will go to war for his heirs; she begs the Count to not take her children and offers Mary and her ladies instead, but the Count cuts her off by telling her to "give him her heart and cut it out of his chest so that they might be able to understand him."

Soon the Count's men begins to manhandle the ladies and the Count tries to rape Mary as Catherine tosses the hourglass onto the floor to silence the room. The Count's men begin to have nose bleeds and die and the Count doesn't understand because there wasn't any poison in the food so they couldn't have died because of that. Catherine reveals that the men are dying because they touched the gold because it was poisoned and since the Count never touched the gold he still tries to rape Mary and then Mary ends up stabbing him and Francis comes in and cuts off his arm. Kenna is injured in the process and Francis takes her to the infirmary.

Later that night, Francis and Mary argue about why he stayed behind and that the Italians could have killed him and Francis tells her that they need to be together to stay sane.

Word Count: 455

Reign "Left Behind" (Part 1)

At the beginning of the episode Catherine and Mary are on the castle balcony watching Henry ride off with his army to a small battle involving peasants, talking about Francis and Olivia sleeping together and how Mary is handling the situation so well. Mary gets ticked off by the issue because she's not aware of the problem and goes stomping off to go find Francis. Catherine does everything to prevent Mary from marrying Francis because Catherine still believes in Nostradamus' foreshadow.

Mary finds Francis in his chambers with Charles messing around and Francis tells her about the Italian Count coming to France to visit and that he must be greeted by a king or dauphin or else that would be an insult to his people. Mary tells Francis that he'll have more time to spend in bed and that she's quite pissed about how Francis is "parading" Olivia around court while Catherine crows over her. Francis' excuse is that he just needed some time to get away from her so that he can forget that he can't have her.

Catherine and Francis are then seen in front of the hall preparing to greet the Count as he;s arriving; Catherine then attempts to straighten Francis' hair, as the Count comes in and Catherine and her so greet him, and soon Mary joins them and they have wine and discover the Count's motives for visiting. The Count had planned on holding the castle and everybody in it hostage until he receives satisfaction after he reveals that his so was held hostage by France, released but then he died on his journey home. The Count discusses with Catherine that they will negotiate: one Italian to another, meaning someone close to her will die.

Francis and Catherine negotiate with the Count by offering him 10 times the money he paid to have his son released, but the Count isn't interested. Francis then decides to offer himself as ransom by saying that the Count and his men can leave that night with the heir to France as their hostage. Catherine tells Francis that he's crazy, but the Count surprisingly agrees to the offer. Mary then wanders the tunnels under the castle looking for a safe way out; later she enters into Catherine's chambers and Catherine tells Mary that the Italians plan to take Francis and they don't intend to return him alive or even at all. Catherine tells Mary that there is a secret way out with loose stones, pitfall and are a death trap to anyone who doesn't know the safe way out; however Mary reveals that she does. Catherine then says that she will stay in place of Francis and encourages Mary that once they are safely out don't come back to look for her. She says that she will over herself as a sacrifice and that since she's the Queen of France no one would suspect anything out of the ordinary. Mary then begins to question Catherine about her being trustworthy or not. Catherine's immediate reply is that she is willing to go threw hell to get her son out of the place right now and Mary agrees.

Word Count: 526

Reign "Chosen" (Part 2)

While Francis guilts Bash over bringing the pagans to the castle doorstep and attempts to motivate his brother to make a decision about the sacrifice, Kenna brings her fellow ladies to Henry's chambers and tells them that she is officially his mistress. There is one thing that she is concerned about and that is Diane and Henry's initials carved into the floor tiles and she immediately requests for them to be removed from Henry's chambers. Her ladies conclude by telling Kenna that the title mistress won't chase Diane away.

Later on in the throne room, Mary and Catherine interrogates the guards to see who was responsible for putting the stag's hear in in Mary's room. Catherine even puts out a threat that she'll burn down all the servants houses if they don't present the information by midnight. Kenna talks to Henry about her concern with him giving her a 15 room cottage on the castle property and that he refuses to honor her request by replacing the tile. Later, that night Henry writes her name in candles on the castle lawn during a big fireworks display causing her to forget her worries and run into his arms.

Bash heads to the dungeon to retrieve a thief that he takes with him into the woods in order to take Mary's place. He's determined to sacrifice this man for Mary to ensure that the future Queen of France won't be in a danger from the pagans. Francis takes this moment to confront Mary about seeing her kissing Bash, and her explanation is that she wasn't thinking rationally during that time, and then Francis comes down on her for navigating court with feeling and heart rather than intellect and leaves her.

At night, one of the servants come into Catherine's chambers and tells her that she saw one of the royal guards carrying the stag's head. She didn't see the face of the guard, but did notice that he was covered in blood which meant that the guard had to change. Catherine immediately rushes out of her room in search of her personal guard, Robert, who told her that he had to change his uniform earlier that day and took advantage of that time to leave the castle. Back in the woods, Bash prepares for the execution of the thief and allows the thief to tie the rope around his feet and the thief pleads for his life and also mentions that he has a young child he has to take care of. Luckily, a few moments later one of the pagans approach him and they fight and Bash wins and he stabs the pagan in the stomach. While riding back to the castle the thief says that he's grateful that Bash hadn't planned on killing him. He says that everyone chooses their own path or else the king will, saying the fact that he lives in a town primarily Protestant but that he practices Catholicism.  Bash gets the thief to admit to knowing who he and his mother are before pushing him off the cliff besides them.

Finally Robert and the servant Sarah are put in jail and scheduled to be burned at the stake alive, Bash returns from the woods and Francis tells his brother that if he would have died out there, he would have deserved it. Francis informs both Mary and Bash that the three of them are rulers and they need to start acting with the clear heads. He gives Mary permission to spend time with others, except Bash, and says that he has to do this in order to be in control of the situation between them. After their talk, Francis goes to Olivia and hooks up with her, while Mary and her ladies stand by the window watching the execution of Robert and Sarah.