(no subject)

[never_promised]

Mmmm. Hmmm.

This bed is very comfortable. The light is coming in very strong, strong enough that it must be well into the day: what an idle king he is this morning! But if the king can't idle in bed, the softest bed, once in his life...

He sits up abruptly. Wait. He's supposed to be meeting the French court, the duke of Burgundy, princess Katherine.

Comments

[harryhotspur]

Harry shakes his head, no less frustrated now than when he first learned of it. "I have never known such causeless spite. I demanded reasons of him and learned naught."

[never_promised]

Mm. "Said he aught at all? What did they make of it, the security men here?"

[harryhotspur]

Harry snorts. "Locked away he was for some small space, and little good shall it do."

[never_promised]

Mmmh.

His eyes narrow for a quiet moment of thought, and then he gives himself a shake. "When he kills a man here, then they may take some greater notice. Sorry I am to leave thee with such a canker of a man. By rights he should be hanged, and then all might forget him."

[harryhotspur]

"My fortune is he liveth yet, in his place and in his own, and so may leave us oft."

[never_promised]

"Then he may be hanged there. We can but hope."

Harry would be lying if he said he didn't also somewhat enjoy Jim's presence here, so he doesn't say that. He moves restlessly around the room until a memory stops him. Ah, yes. One of the dresser drawers opens on some little boxes of food--pudding, half-eaten chunks of bread and cheese, a duck leg--and half a dozen apples. And Harry Percy's clean linens, now quite greasy. "Shouldst have thy servants whipped: disgraceful care they take of thee."

(The dogs, of course, are instantly at his side, noses in the drawer, tails wagging. They know where the food lives these days.)

[harryhotspur]

Harry laughs. "Nay but-- methinks that was the doing of a duke's son, was't not?"

[never_promised]

"And a most wretched page-boy he! A whipping or two more than he ever got would do no harm." Yes, yes, dogs. He's taking out what remains of the food and putting it on the floor for you. It's just a little more mess. "--Thou didst ask after France. I should tell thee, I go from here direct to meet Charles, his wife and daughter, the duke of Burgundy, and all. Our treaty is to be signed."

[harryhotspur]

Harry laughs again, triumphant now. "Why-- why, so all is won!" He looks like he wants to rush forward and embrace Hal, but he holds back. "England hath her own again. It is well won, your majesty, passing well."

[never_promised]

"I thank you, Percy!" He's grinning, and if Percy won't come and embrace him, he'll step forward and clap his hands onto Percy's shoulders. "There may yet be some work to do, some lords who hold out against their king's treaty, but--'tis done. I am to be named heir to Charles and regent of France, and I will marry Katharine his daughter, if she will have me."

He presses Harry's shoulders. "'Twas hard work, as thou knowest well: for thou wert with me at Agincourt."

[harryhotspur]

"I was. I was." And he still doesn't regret it.

A faint frown creases his brow. All of it-- Agincourt, wives, children-- has brought another topic to mind.

"But I wonder-- I wonder if I may some small service beg. If-- if you may find occasion and excuse for bearing it-- if you would bring a message to my son?" He pulls away, embarrassed. "Canst say-- I know not! An old cloak was found, an old trunk, a Percy servant fled to Calais that did give it thee..."

[never_promised]

Harry looks a little puzzled at the start of the request, or rather the start of the awkward rambling, but as soon as Percy names the favor his face clears and he nods. "I will, and gladly. If I deliver it not myself, personal, I will see it delivered--I must think what story will be believed, mark you. But yes, any such service that I may do, I will."

Should he mention that Kate has remarried? Hm, no, best not to, unless Percy asks.

"By all accounts the lad does well; he learns to turn his eye to the Scottish border."

[harryhotspur]

Harry brightens somewhat. "Ay, does he? I am glad of it. I pray he minds his lessons better than his father did. --and is fairer of speech, too."

[never_promised]

He gives Harry's shoulder a gentle punch, just a nudge, but doesn't comment. He's sorry he was an ass when he was a kid, okay? "--What message, though? Wilt write a letter? I shall bide me here in Milliways until thou'rt ready."

[harryhotspur]

He nods. "I shall write it, I shall see it done presently. I--" Must find Feuilly is the realization that pops into his head, and which he does not voice.

"--I thank you."

[never_promised]

"I'll not hang about thee, watching every word. Shalt find me in the common room or the library--the grounds--" Shrug. It shouldn't be too hard to spot him, he's probably the only guy in an ermine robe. "I am fair glad to do thee this service, Percy."

[harryhotspur]

"And I am glad to have it done. Methinks I should have seen to it long ere now, but--" What's done is done.

[never_promised]

"Thine own courier, I." He's happy to do it, honestly happy; as king Harry finds that he likes reconciliations and kind gestures. He's already thinking how to manage it, as he looks around the room, though when his eyes fall on the dogs licking their now-empty boxes he laughs and says, "But I am not thy manservant today. I leave thee with all this pudding-fat, Percy. And thy good hounds."

[harryhotspur]

"My thanks," he says dryly. "I soon shall seek you out."