Late summer, 1390

[tiltingwithlips]

It's been a tense few days.

Margaret, for all her patience, made it clear that Kate was not going to be negotiating with the Douglas again, and Kate can't say that she objects. She just wishes there were something, anything she could do to help. As it is, she spends a great deal of time pacing, riding, reading -- or at least staring at books. Rereading Harry's letter.

The sun is on the way down towards the horizon, the shadows lengthening, as she makes another round of the castle's courtyard.

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[valiantrebel]

There's movement on the road beyond the gate. The long rays of the late sun catch trails of dust kicked up by impatient horses. Someone could almost miss it.

Then one horse breaks away and charges ahead of the rest. A stirring sight, an eager rider.

"--Harry, wait," Northumberland sighs, but he'll be far beyond hearing range. Not that he would have listened.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate is, momentarily, busy scowling at the walls. When she rounds the corner, though, she catches a glimpse of the dust, the riders.

"What now," she mutters, and looks around to wave to one of the servants.

"Fetch the Lady Northumberland. There are riders coming. She'll want to meet them."

[valiantrebel]

The servants have learned that when Lady Percy is in a mood, she's to be obeyed as quickly as Lady Northumberland is. One unlucky fellow takes it upon himself to hurry inside.

On the road, meanwhile, Northumberland looks to Bolingbroke. "Let's hurry after. Someone must explain all this sensibly."

[tiltingwithlips]

"If any can fit a word in," Bolingbroke says. The ride has involved a lot of Harry Percy describing the Douglas in every uncomplimentary way he can think of.

Like. A lot of that.

But Bolingbroke nudges his horse to a gallop after Hotspur.

[valiantrebel]

Who is just about ready to leap off his horse and throw open the gate himself. These last several miles he's been nothing but smiles, imagining -- sometimes out loud, sometimes to himself -- how glad he'll be to be back. But now it's so close, and he's almost there--!

"What ho!" he calls up to the gatekeeper. "Shall we have passage, or will I be kept waiting a moment longer?"

The gatekeeper -- seems startled. "Call the Lady Percy!" he shouts back toward the castle.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate's head comes up.

"What would you have with her?" she calls back up.

It can't be, oh, it can't--

[valiantrebel]

"A kiss, if she'll have me!"

Good thing she can't see him right this moment, because that is one naked grin of joy he's wearing, and we can't have his wife thinking this whole kidnapped-for-a-month thing was hard on him.

[tiltingwithlips]

Her heart leaps.

"Open the gate, quickly!"

Outside, Bolingbroke and Northumberland catch up to Harry; Bolingbroke raises his eyebrows as he glances at Northumberland, amused but indulgent.

[valiantrebel]

Were Harry a dog, he'd be pawing at the doors. When the gate opens up, he urges his horse in at a trot; he's hopped off the saddle nearly before the groomsman can collect the reins.

"Kate?"

He's craning his neck, trying to spot her as he hurries toward the most likely door to the yard.

Northumberland dismounts with a little more patience. He smiles at Bolingbroke. "Here we are, the show at last."

[tiltingwithlips]

And here she comes, her hair down and a look of pure disbelief on her face.

"Harry?"

[valiantrebel]

His father convinced him to shave last night; he's not looking quite so rough around the edges as he has been. There's very little, in fact, to suggest he hasn't simply been away at court these four weeks.

Save for the way his shoulders drop in relief. She's right there.

"God's me, Kate--"

[tiltingwithlips]

She grabs him by the front of his jacket, still looking incredulous -- but no, he's solid and absolutely alive and right here.

It's not very decorous, no doubt, but she puts a hand on his cheek and yanks him into a kiss.

[valiantrebel]

Decorous, by the devil -- his heart's not bothered with decorum now. 'Zounds, how he's been dreaming of this moment, the warmth of her, the taste of her, the press of her against him.

When they do break, he has little appetite for it. He'll kiss her again, and for as long as he can.

[tiltingwithlips]

Nnnnnnnope.

When they break apart, she takes a deep breath; when he goes in for another kiss, she shoves him back as hard as she can.

"A fortnight, you said!"

She smacks him in the shoulder.

"Nay, ten days! More a game than war!"

[valiantrebel]

"Ow!"

What? This -- no!

"Steady, Kate, I hardly--"

[tiltingwithlips]

"And you come back with no word," she continues, looking towards Northumberland -- and then cuts herself off, blinking at Bolingbroke.

Bolingbroke gives her a nod. "My lady Percy."

"My -- my lord of Lancaster."

[valiantrebel]

Northumberland holds up his hand. "We'll not deny you your reunion, daughter."

"Did our letter not reach you? We sent a letter." Harry's more annoyed than pleading; he was rather envisioning his glorious return a bit differently.

[tiltingwithlips]

"When?" she demands, all skepticism.

[valiantrebel]

"They sent him!" Harry jabs a hand at his father and Bolingbroke. "Though apparently they did not pay him enough."

"We paid enough," says Northumberland, drawing his eyebrows together.

Harry glowers for a moment, then turns back to Kate. "Anyway, I'd have been home some weeks sooner had suitable terms been arranged--"

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate stiffens, offended. Then she sets her jaw and turns to Northumberland and Bolingbroke again.

"My lord," to Bolingbroke, "welcome -- and Father -- welcome home, and with a happy burden in tow indeed."

[valiantrebel]

Northumberland -- can't help but sort of not smile. "Happy indeed, and a burden, perhaps. We gladly bring him, though we regret the delay, and the surprise."

Harry sighs, loudly, and shakes his head. "Is my mother at least at home?" Someone should welcome him home without smacking him or insulting him, at least.

[tiltingwithlips]

"I sent for her."

STILL MAD AT YOU, HARRY. All cold shoulders over here.

"Have you ridden far? We must see to a bed for my lord of Lancaster -- will you stay here long, sir?"

"Tonight, at least," Bolingbroke says, with another deep nod, "and my thanks for your hospitality. I am glad of the welcome."

[valiantrebel]

"I for one will be greatly heartened to see my own bed again," Harry says, perhaps a little too loudly and pointedly. At which he strides off into the castle, stiff-legged and shaking his head.

[tiltingwithlips]

Kate opens her mouth, turning after him, and then hesitates, torn between pride and relief and responsibility.

"I -- I cry your mercy, lords, but will you pardon me--?"

[valiantrebel]

Northumberland all but shoos her away. "Go to, my lady!"