Denial, Chapter 30: Sent Away
Title: Denial, Chapter 30: Sent Away
Author: wastingyourgum
Characters/Pairings: Legrand, OC, Queen Eleanor, King Richard, Little John
Rating: PG
Genre: Gen, tiniest hint of Slash
Words: 1508
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own
Notes: This continues the 'Round-Robin' fic 'Denial' and takes place shortly after 2x11 "Treasure of the Nation" but before 2x12.
Beta'ed by darkentwisted and robinfanatic
Summary: Legrand remembers being sent away from and by people he has loved...
Want to play? Come join us! Check out the Rules and join in the Round Robin fun!
Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
Sent Away
by wastingyourgum
"You're sending me away?"
It's because of Thierry, isn't it?
Legrand's mother sighed. "No, my son. I'm sending you to uphold the honour of our family name at the Queen's court. It's time you proved yourself in the world. I have written to the Queen asking for you to join her Guard. Once she sees what a good fighter you are," and such a handsome young man too, she thought, "I'm sure she will accept you. Then you can win your spurs and take up your father's title with pride."
"Yes, mother."
"Don't worry, I won't be sending you on your own..."
His heart leapt - maybe she didn't know after all.
"Luc will go with you as your manservant."
"Luc," he said, bitterly.
"Yes, Luc - he is a good servant and has been with our family for many years. Your... groom will stay here." Her face softened slightly as she saw his disappointment. She came over to him and put her hand on his cheek. "Mon cher, you are still a very young man. Thierry is a handsome boy and I know you have spent a lot of time with him growing up but the affection between you is just a childish infatuation. You will meet many beautiful women at Queen Eleanor's court and who knows, in time maybe one of them will become your wife and help you carry on our name."
"I am not a child," Legrand said, petulantly, giving the lie to his words. "And neither is Thierry - we love each other!"
"No!" His mother slapped him across the face. "Whatever it may be, it is not love - he is a common stable boy and you are a noble! Never forget that! If you insist in this... perversion at least let it be with your own kind."
Legrand blinked furiously, determined not to cry in front of her. "Yes, mother. I'm sorry."
>>>------------->
"Well, stand up then - let's take a look at you."
Legrand rose from his knees and watched apprehensively as Queen Eleanor approached him and then walked behind him. There was no denying she was a beautiful woman even given her advancing years and eight children. Her brown eyes sparkled with what he would later come to learn was an inherent sense of mischief.
The sudden pat on his rear made him jump slightly. Did she just...?!
"Your mother said you had grown into a fine young man, Legrand, but her letter didn't do you justice." She came round to stand in front of him again. "How old are you?"
"N-nineteen, Your Majesty."
"Ah, nineteen, such a delicious age."
"Yes, Your Majesty, though I would like to grow older." He bit his tongue but the words were out none the less.
She laughed and it was very unlike his mother's detached amusement. This was the full-blooded laugh of a woman with power.
"Very good! You have your father's wit, Legrand. I approve. He always was one of my favourites." She picked up a letter from her table. "Your mother also says she hopes you will one day find a suitable wife among the ladies of my court."
She didn't miss the sudden look of pain on his face though he quickly masked it. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Well, there will be plenty of time for that. Go report to the master of my Household and see about a uniform, then come back here. I shall have you wait on me at dinner and we'll... talk later."
He bowed carefully and backed out of the room. Once the door shut behind him, he leaned against it, breathing hard. Delaroche, the Guard Captain, was coming down the hall towards him and Legrand snapped to attention as soon as he saw him.
Delaroche took in his nervous sweat and red face and smiled, not unkindly. "So, the Queen's approved your admission to the Guards?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Funny, she usually goes for dark hair, not blonds." Delaroche laughed at the shocked expression on the tall young man's face. "Welcome to the Royal Guard, Legrand. We guard the Royals from everybody else and ourselves from the Royals!"
>>>------------->
"You're sending me away?"
It's because I can't love you like you want, isn't it?
Eleanor sighed. "No, Legrand, I am sending you to help protect my son Richard - who means more to me than anything in the whole world. You are my strongest and bravest knight and it would give me great comfort to know you are with him. He will be leaving shortly with Young Henry and Geoffrey. I will remain here and try to rally some support for Young Henry amongst the Southern nobles before joining my sons and you, in Paris. I only hope the King does not catch wind of our plans."
"If I've failed you in any way, Your Majesty..."
"You have never failed me in any respect and I do not expect you to do so now. I'm sure Prince Richard will appreciate you just as much, if not more, than I do."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'm sorry."
>>>------------->
"Well, stand up then - let's take a look at you."
Legrand rose to his feet as Prince Richard strode forward and walked swiftly round him. He had the same predatory gleam in his eye that Legrand remembered from his first meeting with the Queen. Though not as tall as Legrand, the young Prince was already taller than most other men and his stature, good looks and already proven military prowess made him possessed of the self-confidence and presence of a man many years older.
"How old are you now, Legrand?"
"Twenty three, Your Majesty."
"My mother seems to think you will make a good addition to my Personal Guard," Richard told him. "I have to admit I'm surprised she's let you go, but then she always did spoil me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Richard eyed the large knight appreciatively. He'd seen him many times in his mother's company at Poitiers but only recently had started to notice just how handsome his mother's favourite actually was. He'd tried to be subtle when asking the Queen about her Champion but she'd obviously spotted his deeper interest and decided to indulge his wishes.
"Go find a billet and then come back for dinner. We never really had a chance to... talk at Poitiers." Richard winked at him and Legrand coloured slightly before bowing and retreating from the tent.
Big, blond and unless I'm mistaken, not entirely unwilling - think we'll keep him around for a while. Richard thought.
>>>------------->
"You're sending me away?"
It's because I'm not as young as I once was, isn't it?
Richard sighed. "No, Legrand, I'm sending you on a very important mission because I trust you more than any one else in this matter."
"Your Majesty, I'm honoured by your trust but surely my place is here! I may not be your youngest knight but I can still beat any man in the camp in fair combat. Perhaps one of your less experienced Guards..."
"No Legrand, your experience is what this mission requires. I would have sent Carter were he here but in his absence you are my next best alternative."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Legrand choked down his bitterness at being described as next best to anyone, let alone the young, good-looking Englishman who had most recently captured Richard's affections. "And you can't tell me what 'Thesaurus Patriae' is?"
"No, it's too dangerous for anyone to have that information right now, but you and Robin will figure it out between you at the right time, I'm sure."
"Are you sure you can still trust Robin, Sire? The reports from England..."
Richard cut him off, sharply. "Jealousy is not an attractive trait, Legrand. I have as much faith in Robin as my mother has in you. See that you do not let either of us down." Richard caught his breath - had he said too much? Legrand gave no sign of having realised the deeper connection between his King's words and the mission he'd been entrusted with.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'm sorry."
>>>------------->
"Well, stand up then - let's take a look at you."
He got shakily to his feet, wrinkling his nose at the peasant's cloak around his shoulders.
"Perfect!" Little John clapped him lightly on the back and laughed. "Even if the Sheriff does spot you in town he'll never think you're the same man he skewered at Midsummer. Your own mother wouldn't recognise you!"
John's casual mention of his mother made Legrand's memory fly back to his youth and another brown-eyed peasant he had once loved. He looked at John in sudden shock.
"Whoa! You've gone white as snow!" John hastily grabbed his arm and Legrand's heart started beating again.
"No, I'm fine. You're right - she wouldn't." And she definitely wouldn't approve of you - what am I thinking?!
"Maybe it's still too soon to have you up and about - you should go back to the camp."
"No, John, I'm fine. Please... don't send me away."
>>>------------->
On to Chapter 31 - Marian has a decision to make...
Author: wastingyourgum
Characters/Pairings: Legrand, OC, Queen Eleanor, King Richard, Little John
Rating: PG
Genre: Gen, tiniest hint of Slash
Words: 1508
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own
Notes: This continues the 'Round-Robin' fic 'Denial' and takes place shortly after 2x11 "Treasure of the Nation" but before 2x12.
Beta'ed by darkentwisted and robinfanatic
Summary: Legrand remembers being sent away from and by people he has loved...
Want to play? Come join us! Check out the Rules and join in the Round Robin fun!
Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
Sent Away
by wastingyourgum
"You're sending me away?"
It's because of Thierry, isn't it?
Legrand's mother sighed. "No, my son. I'm sending you to uphold the honour of our family name at the Queen's court. It's time you proved yourself in the world. I have written to the Queen asking for you to join her Guard. Once she sees what a good fighter you are," and such a handsome young man too, she thought, "I'm sure she will accept you. Then you can win your spurs and take up your father's title with pride."
"Yes, mother."
"Don't worry, I won't be sending you on your own..."
His heart leapt - maybe she didn't know after all.
"Luc will go with you as your manservant."
"Luc," he said, bitterly.
"Yes, Luc - he is a good servant and has been with our family for many years. Your... groom will stay here." Her face softened slightly as she saw his disappointment. She came over to him and put her hand on his cheek. "Mon cher, you are still a very young man. Thierry is a handsome boy and I know you have spent a lot of time with him growing up but the affection between you is just a childish infatuation. You will meet many beautiful women at Queen Eleanor's court and who knows, in time maybe one of them will become your wife and help you carry on our name."
"I am not a child," Legrand said, petulantly, giving the lie to his words. "And neither is Thierry - we love each other!"
"No!" His mother slapped him across the face. "Whatever it may be, it is not love - he is a common stable boy and you are a noble! Never forget that! If you insist in this... perversion at least let it be with your own kind."
Legrand blinked furiously, determined not to cry in front of her. "Yes, mother. I'm sorry."
>>>------------->
"Well, stand up then - let's take a look at you."
Legrand rose from his knees and watched apprehensively as Queen Eleanor approached him and then walked behind him. There was no denying she was a beautiful woman even given her advancing years and eight children. Her brown eyes sparkled with what he would later come to learn was an inherent sense of mischief.
The sudden pat on his rear made him jump slightly. Did she just...?!
"Your mother said you had grown into a fine young man, Legrand, but her letter didn't do you justice." She came round to stand in front of him again. "How old are you?"
"N-nineteen, Your Majesty."
"Ah, nineteen, such a delicious age."
"Yes, Your Majesty, though I would like to grow older." He bit his tongue but the words were out none the less.
She laughed and it was very unlike his mother's detached amusement. This was the full-blooded laugh of a woman with power.
"Very good! You have your father's wit, Legrand. I approve. He always was one of my favourites." She picked up a letter from her table. "Your mother also says she hopes you will one day find a suitable wife among the ladies of my court."
She didn't miss the sudden look of pain on his face though he quickly masked it. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Well, there will be plenty of time for that. Go report to the master of my Household and see about a uniform, then come back here. I shall have you wait on me at dinner and we'll... talk later."
He bowed carefully and backed out of the room. Once the door shut behind him, he leaned against it, breathing hard. Delaroche, the Guard Captain, was coming down the hall towards him and Legrand snapped to attention as soon as he saw him.
Delaroche took in his nervous sweat and red face and smiled, not unkindly. "So, the Queen's approved your admission to the Guards?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Funny, she usually goes for dark hair, not blonds." Delaroche laughed at the shocked expression on the tall young man's face. "Welcome to the Royal Guard, Legrand. We guard the Royals from everybody else and ourselves from the Royals!"
>>>------------->
"You're sending me away?"
It's because I can't love you like you want, isn't it?
Eleanor sighed. "No, Legrand, I am sending you to help protect my son Richard - who means more to me than anything in the whole world. You are my strongest and bravest knight and it would give me great comfort to know you are with him. He will be leaving shortly with Young Henry and Geoffrey. I will remain here and try to rally some support for Young Henry amongst the Southern nobles before joining my sons and you, in Paris. I only hope the King does not catch wind of our plans."
"If I've failed you in any way, Your Majesty..."
"You have never failed me in any respect and I do not expect you to do so now. I'm sure Prince Richard will appreciate you just as much, if not more, than I do."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'm sorry."
>>>------------->
"Well, stand up then - let's take a look at you."
Legrand rose to his feet as Prince Richard strode forward and walked swiftly round him. He had the same predatory gleam in his eye that Legrand remembered from his first meeting with the Queen. Though not as tall as Legrand, the young Prince was already taller than most other men and his stature, good looks and already proven military prowess made him possessed of the self-confidence and presence of a man many years older.
"How old are you now, Legrand?"
"Twenty three, Your Majesty."
"My mother seems to think you will make a good addition to my Personal Guard," Richard told him. "I have to admit I'm surprised she's let you go, but then she always did spoil me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Richard eyed the large knight appreciatively. He'd seen him many times in his mother's company at Poitiers but only recently had started to notice just how handsome his mother's favourite actually was. He'd tried to be subtle when asking the Queen about her Champion but she'd obviously spotted his deeper interest and decided to indulge his wishes.
"Go find a billet and then come back for dinner. We never really had a chance to... talk at Poitiers." Richard winked at him and Legrand coloured slightly before bowing and retreating from the tent.
Big, blond and unless I'm mistaken, not entirely unwilling - think we'll keep him around for a while. Richard thought.
>>>------------->
"You're sending me away?"
It's because I'm not as young as I once was, isn't it?
Richard sighed. "No, Legrand, I'm sending you on a very important mission because I trust you more than any one else in this matter."
"Your Majesty, I'm honoured by your trust but surely my place is here! I may not be your youngest knight but I can still beat any man in the camp in fair combat. Perhaps one of your less experienced Guards..."
"No Legrand, your experience is what this mission requires. I would have sent Carter were he here but in his absence you are my next best alternative."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Legrand choked down his bitterness at being described as next best to anyone, let alone the young, good-looking Englishman who had most recently captured Richard's affections. "And you can't tell me what 'Thesaurus Patriae' is?"
"No, it's too dangerous for anyone to have that information right now, but you and Robin will figure it out between you at the right time, I'm sure."
"Are you sure you can still trust Robin, Sire? The reports from England..."
Richard cut him off, sharply. "Jealousy is not an attractive trait, Legrand. I have as much faith in Robin as my mother has in you. See that you do not let either of us down." Richard caught his breath - had he said too much? Legrand gave no sign of having realised the deeper connection between his King's words and the mission he'd been entrusted with.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I'm sorry."
>>>------------->
"Well, stand up then - let's take a look at you."
He got shakily to his feet, wrinkling his nose at the peasant's cloak around his shoulders.
"Perfect!" Little John clapped him lightly on the back and laughed. "Even if the Sheriff does spot you in town he'll never think you're the same man he skewered at Midsummer. Your own mother wouldn't recognise you!"
John's casual mention of his mother made Legrand's memory fly back to his youth and another brown-eyed peasant he had once loved. He looked at John in sudden shock.
"Whoa! You've gone white as snow!" John hastily grabbed his arm and Legrand's heart started beating again.
"No, I'm fine. You're right - she wouldn't." And she definitely wouldn't approve of you - what am I thinking?!
"Maybe it's still too soon to have you up and about - you should go back to the camp."
"No, John, I'm fine. Please... don't send me away."
>>>------------->
On to Chapter 31 - Marian has a decision to make...