AUTHOR'S NOTE: So this is it. The final chapter to Falling Out Of Favour. I changed this chapter at the last moment as I couldn't bear my other ending. Also, if this chapter is confusing, bear in mind that it is the final hour in the point of view of all characters. I thank everyone kindly for giving me such great support with this fiction. I really appreciate it!

Falling Out Of Favour

Chapter 15

MARY:

Mary watched as the axe lifted high, her heart pounding and her body fracturing. The memory of the decapitated pagan raced back to her mind and she felt faint. The axe began to fall swiftly, smoothly and forcefully. Cutting through the air and slicing through the back of Sebastian's neck and bone. His headless body fell to the floor, splintered bone and blood oozing onto the wooden floor. His head dropped down off the platform, it had been severed along with her soul...

Mary awoke with a start, questioning her ability to fall asleep on the eve of Sebastian's execution. A man that she held so close to her heart. The room was dark and slightly musky, the windows slightly steamed with condensation. She coughed somewhat as she got out of bed and lit a dozen candles around her quarters. After checking the clock on the mantelpiece she felt discomforted at the knowledge of it being early morning. She looked into the mirror that was leaning up against the wall closest to the fireplace and felt lethargic and lost. As she looked into her own eyes she was met by an emptiness like no other. A creak sounded behind her causing her line of thought to break.

"Hello?" She typically called, turning to face the noise.

The door to the hidden passageways lay open, still swinging in the night air. She picked up the nearest candle and walked towards it slowly and cautiously. She had half expected to see Sebastian come through here once more. Her heart sank with grief when she realized she had expected too much. As she reached the doorway her soft bare feet crunched against a surface that was entirely new to her. She looked down to find a rolled up piece of parchment with string popping out of it. She put the candle down and picked up the parchment, unravelling it and releasing the key that lay inside. It hung on a thick taught segment of string. She stared at it condescendingly for some time, until she realized what it was she had to do, but her mind was in two.

KING HENRY

Though his face wouldn't have reflected it, his heart ached. Diane had left court that night, distraught and refusing to watch their son die. The face of Sebastian replaying through his mind as he'd called his sentence and the way he had pleaded to Mary. He knew there was something to be treasured, but it wouldn't blossom in this life. His sentence had brought strife into his home, but he had to follow through and he was determined. He sat awake at his desk, staring at the papers that signalled for his execution. His face was illuminated by the orange candle light that flickered before him, making him look entirely menacing. He loved his son and for his execution he knew that he would pay the ultimate price. No sleep would be gained that night.

MARY

"But what am I to do with it?" She called down the passageway. "Please," she begged taking a few steps forwards. It was then that her feet crunched onto something else. It was rough against her skin, causing her to flinch. She looked down and there was a pile of straw on the floor. Her eyes followed the straw and she found that it led down the passageway. A trail had been made, one that she must follow.

Mary did as expected and followed the trail quickly to find it led in two directions and for a fraction of a moment she was at a loss. She then gasped, realizing that the straw must lead to the dungeons and the stables Mary ran directly back to her rooms. She got dressed in flurry without washing and gripped the roots of her hair back with a headband, leaving the ends to flow freely behind her. She hung the key around her neck, hiding it under her dress and cloak and stepped outside her rooms and was instantaneously accompanied by four of her own Scottish guards. She addressed the one furthest away from her broadly.

"Go ready my ship, we leave at first light," she chanted.

"Your majesty, King Henry has said that under-"

"Your loyalty is bound to me, do as I say and speak of this to no one." The guard nodded and disappeared down the hall, his armour clambering with every step. She could see him clear as day and this worried her. She turned her gaze out the window beside her to see the sun beginning to rise. Three servants approached her and her heart sank at how little time she had. "Awake my ladies and tell them that if they must pack to pack lightly," she turned to one of her guards, "accompany her and tell them to meet me at the docks." She whispered lightly so the servants couldn't hear. She only trusted her own men, whose loyalty was bound. One of the servants turned away accompanied by a guard and Mary addressed the last two servants. "Pack my things and once my guard returns he shall know what to do with them. You two… follow me." She addressed the last two guards finally and began striding down the hallway, her guards close at hand.

CATHERINE

Shocked by King Henry's sentence, Catherine spent the remainder of her day and night within her quarters. She remained unaccompanied whilst she reflected on the day's events. She had never, in her lifetime, thought her husband capable of killing his favourite son. She perceived him as being spineless and now she realized he wasn't. He was insane to think anything could be gained from killing Mary, Queen of Scotland's, lover and his own flesh and blood. As the sun began to rise she sat by the fire place with a goblet tight within her grasp, refusing to let go, for she feared the loss of reality.

MARY

Mary was tired as she walked indiscreetly down to the dungeons, bold as daylight. She did not acknowledge any passers-by not out of fear, but because she despised everyone within the French Court. Everyone but her Sebastian. Once she entered into the dungeons Henry's guards took their stance outside Sebastian's cell. Mary assumed that they must have been resting.

"Open the cell door," she demanded whilst walking past the other cells.

"We are under or-"

"I demand that you open the door now, or your heads will be joining the prisoners," she growled as she approached them. The armoured guard on the left quickly opened the door and Mary marched right in.

"Mary?" Sebastian asked confused upon her entrance, her guards standing outside. In great effort he attempted to stand but his feet were chained to the floor. Mary kept her distance for the time being, but then she heard the distinct sound of the door closing behind her and she approached him. She was now in reaching distance and Sebastian stretched out with his hands and lay one of his palms on her stomach. His touch magnified her ability to stay sane.

"Did you mean what you said?" She asked standing before him, her heart racing. She couldn't understand why she was questioning his loyalty and love at such a time.

"What do you mean?" He asked his eyes boring into hers.

"That in time you would be brought back to me?" She asked loud enough for the guards outside to hear. She then placed her hands on either side of his cheeks and tilted her head. "If you could, would you live in Scotland with me?" She whispered.

"As long as I am with you and our child, I would live in a barn," he smiled despite the current situation, "I am sorry I have left you alone in all this… I-" Mary took the key from hanging around her neck and placed it into his hands. It was warm against his skin. Her breasts had warmed the once cold metal. He glared down at it within his grasp in the dark and then looked up at her. "You haven't… tell me you haven't!"

"We can be with one another," she whispered in more of a hiss.

"At the price of our heads! Henry will not rest until I am back."

"Then Scotland will protect its queen and future king…"

"I don't want to be a king, I never asked to be a king."

"As noble as your intentions are, I refuse to let you sacrifice your head for the price of my love."

"I can't…" he said unbelieving. His mind being persuaded.

"This is what you wanted, now you have it," she said grazing her lips against his, "now take it." He was recoiling until that moment. Her lips had struck the life essence back into him.

LOLA

Lola had been the last lady to be awoken, a circumstance that she was happy for as she gained the most sleep, even if it was only a few extra minutes. A guard had come in and demanded she leave immediately and meet her queen at the docks. At first she had been so disorientated from sleep deprivation that she was going to call her own guards to get him out, but after recognising him as a Scottish guard she flung herself out of bed and hurried to get ready. She hadn't thought about Mary that night and how she must be feeling, but she knew now that Mary couldn't possibly watch Sebastian die. She needed to be there for her queen and friend and so she was ready quicker than the others. Leaving majority of her belongings behind and only packing a few items to get her by on the journey back to Scotland.

MARY

"No touching the prisoner," one of the guards called through the gap in the door and Sebastian started unlocking the chains at his feet. "Hey!" One of them shouted beginning to unbolt the door but there were two loud smashes and both Mary and Sebastian stopped in silence. The door opened and both of Mary's guards stood there all in good health.

"You will be repaid," Mary nodded and turned back to Sebastian. "The hidden passageway to the left of your cell… take it and follow the straw down to the stables. There I will be waiting." She stated and Sebastian stood monotonously. He couldn't smile, it wasn't over yet, but she was saving him. He pressed his lips hard against hers and ran for the passageway.

"I love you," was the last words that escaped his lips before he disappeared. Another one of Mary's guards appeared and she tilted her head slightly.

"Did you give my ladies their message?"

"Yes, they left immediately your majesty. I also ordered your carriage."

"Go on ahead and once the carriage arrives I want you to saddle up the horses. I will be riding horseback."

"Yes, your majesty," he nodded and he himself disappeared.

"Forgive me, my queen… but do you have a plan?" The guard beside her asked.

"My plan?" She echoed back, her steady breathing becoming more rapid. "My plan is to walk out of here and you are going to protect me."

SEBASTIAN

As soon as Sebastian exited into the passageway he was accompanied by a trail of straw. He cocked his eyebrow slightly wondering why Mary had set a trail when he had played in these tunnels himself as a child. He closed the door behind him and began jogging down the passageway, every now and then pausing in the darkness to feel his way around. It was now that he appreciated the crunch of the straw beneath his feet. It helped him to navigate in the dark. When he strayed from the straw his feet would be met by the loud impact of his boot on stone. He felt like he was being watched in the darkness, but when he paused he heard nothing but his own heartbeat in his ears.

MARY

Mary left the dungeons almost immediately and began walking straight towards the foyer. Her footsteps echoed around her, the hallways were empty. The message must have been passed to her Scotland guards because as she walked she was accompanied by three more upon leaving. They were a lot bigger than her and filled the space around her.

"Mary… where are you going? Mary!" Francis called from upon the staircase, but she ignored him and walked directly through the foyer doors and into the court yard. Francis's footsteps picked up pace as he ran towards her and still in a mode of ignorance she mounted her horse. Her guard mounted the horses behind her. "Mary! Wait! You can't-"

It was too late. As the morning sun shone bright Mary kicked her horse into gear and it hurdled forward. The breeze whipped her hair back and it lashed left and right behind her. The sound of dozens of hooves behind her filled the morning air and she took comfort in it. She made head way straight for the stables and her guard split paths. Half heading towards the docks and four of them following Mary. As they reached the stables they found them empty. One of the guards dismounted his horse and left it beside Mary. At the sight of Sebastian not being here, she suddenly felt ill, but it wasn't long before they heard someone clambering through the stables and exiting through the entrance.

"Bash! I was so worried," she called and he smiled mounting the horse beside her.

"Would I ever disappoint?" He jested and she smiled, together they galloped towards the docks.

FRANCIS

After witnessing Mary's rush of a departure Francis ordered, along with himself, guards down to the dungeon to check on the prisoner. As much as he despised his brother for depriving him of the love he held most dear, he still had an inkling of hope that he would have escaped. Upon reaching the dungeons he found both of his guards sprawled unconscious across the floor and the cell door lying wide open. In frustration he screamed.

"Find him! Now! Find him!" He yelled in performance and as his guards disappeared he turned to himself. "Run brother."

MARY

Mary watched as Sebastian took his first step onto the boat. As his foot hit the wooden deck he sighed. She knew the relief of safety and freedom must be eccentric to him. She was truly happy for him, but she was also happy for her own selfish needs. She had saved the man she loved and he would always be there for her and their child. She knew some would frown upon her for bearing a bastards child, but to her Sebastian was so much more. As she reached down for her stomach Sebastian caught her hand. She hadn't heard him approach and so he startled her.

"Thank you," he smiled his blue eyes gleaming. She tried to smile, but it looked more like a smirk. Sebastian kissed her reverently and she responded by kissing him back and letting her hands rest upon his chest.

"Bash?" Kenna asked confused with a sense of relief as she walked up onto the deck, followed by the others. A broad smiled spread across her delicate features.

"Yes?"

"I think she meant, how could you possibly be here?" Greer furthered. Her smile matching Lola's as it battled with her inner emotions of worry.

"I was saved," he smiled turning back to Mary. Her ladies disappeared below deck, desiring to know more, but knew to ask questions at a better time.

"Stay with me," Mary worried quietly and Sebastian turned his attention back to Mary, who still lay within his grasp. "Not out of obligation, but because you want to."

"Always."