[werewolf AU] homeward bound

[tiltingwithlips]

The coronation is done -- and quite an event that was -- and true to his word, the new king Henry, the fifth of that name, provided all that the Percys needed for their journey north. In truth, they needed little; they came from Warkworth with hardly anything in tow, and return the same way.

But they do carry with them the security of the King's pardon, intangible (and if Kate is honest with herself, still somewhat dubious. Henry is sincere in wishing them to be allies, she is certain, but his subjects may not forgive so easily).

It's a few days ride to Warkworth. Kate has spent much of it in thoughtful silence. As they ride up to the castle gate, though, she lets out an audible sigh of relief.

Comments

[valiantrebel]

Bangor to Shrewsbury? Yet that is -- such a distance, how--

Lady Percy does withdraw one hand, to press it to her breast. "Unfathomable."

"Mighty, and very so."

She twists to study her son; Harry cannot take his eyes off Kate.

"We met the king's army, and nearly broke him," he says. "The prince and I had our reckoning. 'Twas there the world was given cause to think me slain."

"Yet thou livest." Lady Percy lays her hand against the side of his neck.

And there, for the first time, notices a line of scars.

[tiltingwithlips]

"Well, God was with us," she demurs.

[valiantrebel]

"If I grant God anything, it will be that thou wert made a willful creature, and sought me out when I told thee to stay back."

Lady Percy's eyes are saucers. Harry rests one hand on her wrist, as she takes his cheek with her other hand.

"Thou'rt bit?" she whispers. "She bit thee?"

"I should have died," he says softly, firmly. "I took a dagger in my side to the hilt. A wolf's grace is its capacity to heal, for the change to work. But for Kate, I'd be food for worms."

"Ah God, Harry!"

Harry looks at Kate, almost startled, as Lady Percy buries her face in his shoulder. He puts his arms around her as she weeps.

[tiltingwithlips]

Is this a good thing or not? Kate can't tell.

She gives Harry a helpless shrug and tentatively reaches to rub Lady Percy's back.

"'Tis all well now, mother, 'tis all well."

[valiantrebel]

Lady Percy straightens and pulls back. This -- this is not dignified. If she must weep, she'll do so alone.

She holds her head up and brushes away the wetness on her cheeks. "What can it mean?" she says at last. "I -- I never thought they were real."

[tiltingwithlips]

"It means we change at the moon, and little more than that. We are still ourselves, still all we ever were."

[valiantrebel]

"Faith." She swallows, and gives Harry a shaky smile. "He is trouble enough as a man."

Harry smirks. "Do not think that I am all the trouble in this marriage."

Lady Percy scoffs. "Yet you hid it from us, all these many years. Were you in fear? Of us?"

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate shrugs again.

"Of all, my lady." She glances at Harry. "The first man I was forced to tell apart from Harry asked if I had a soul."

[valiantrebel]

"Thou canst not give such a man as Owen Glendower such sway, Kate!"

Lady Percy frowns. "Glendower knows?"

Harry makes an unimpressed noise. "Yea, and decided he hated King Henry more than he doubted us. The man tries my patience."

[tiltingwithlips]

"He tries us all, but that made him no less dangerous when we were in his house--!"

She cuts herself off with a shake of her head.

"No matter, now."

[valiantrebel]

"The thrust of the matter," says Lady Percy patiently, "is that your wife has felt herself oppressed by such reception."

"She need not! We need not. If Kate Percy hath not a soul, no creature in heaven nor earth doth either. 'Tis proof enough, and any who refute it are little worth the time it takes to call them foolish."

[tiltingwithlips]

(. . . She really is looking forward to getting Harry back to their own bedroom.)

"If we are not proof enough," quietly, "mayhap the king's word shall be."

[valiantrebel]

She huffs. "I need no king's word to gladden my heart at your return. That both of you live, I care nothing for the rest, so long as I may kill you myself for letting me think you both dead these long months."

"A fair bargain. What say you, my love?"

[tiltingwithlips]

"I'd have it no other way."

[valiantrebel]

Harry smiles. "All is settled and accounted for, then."

"No." Lady Percy touches his knee. "We must still tell thy father, Harry. You must speak with him -- I will write him of your return as soon as you are off."

He shakes his head. "'Zounds, I cannot think on him now. Kate and I, we are so worn by the road..."

[tiltingwithlips]

"In the morning," Kate suggests, reaching for Harry's hand.

[valiantrebel]

Over Lady Percy's knees.

She knows her cue. She stands up; Harry immediately stands with her.

"I'll not keep you from rest, at long last. Thank God, we will make time for what remains anon."

She will, however, embrace Harry again, and kiss his cheek, and pull Kate close as well.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate laughs, startled, and puts her arms around both of them.

"I pray -- I think -- we will have time for all."

[valiantrebel]

Lady Percy lets them both go reluctantly, and even more reluctantly sends them away so she may to her letters.

There are more delays as they make their way through the castle toward the bedchamber -- more members of the household to greet and reassure. Harry hardly lets go of Kate's hand throughout, and by the time they finally near their room, his pace picks up. "The greatest trial we've saved for last," he murmurs after they have finally dispatched a tearful Butler.

[tiltingwithlips]

Amused: "Do you not feel welcome, love?"

[valiantrebel]

"I feel like the dog that everyone must pet," he grumbles.

[tiltingwithlips]

She reaches up to tangle her fingers in his hair, grinning fondly.

"O Esperance!"

[valiantrebel]

Harry makes a noise that sounds suspiciously like pffft.

[tiltingwithlips]

She gives his head a little shake, laughing, and lets go as they finally reach their own room.

[valiantrebel]

Just as they left it.

There's an old, stale scent still in the room: theirs, Harry realizes. That's him from before.

It's not precisely as they left it, though: indeed, within the last hour, someone has very hastily come in and freshened up the sheets. Perhaps there was a reason so many met them in the halls.

He has to laugh, and holds his arm out with a grandiose gesture. "Your bower, my lady."