Prologue

Hey guys, this is a new story I'm working on, along with my other project "The Golden Years." This story will be about Prince Arthur and Princess Catherine of Aragon. We will see how things would have been had he lived and became King of England. This first chapter is just a prologue and the next chapter will officially start the story. The prologue will take place in March 1489 at the signing of the Treaty of Medina Del Campo, which included the betrothal of Arthur and Catherine. Please Read and Review and I'm sorry if this chapter is very short.

March 27, 1489

La Mota Palace

Medina Del Camp, Valladolid, Castile, Spain

The English Ambassador was sitting looking at King Ferdinando and Queen Isabella read over their agreement. The envoys were on awe of the Spanish Royal Family. They had been staying in Castile now for two weeks and we're shocked at the wealth and the love between the Family.

King Ferdinand was a true Spanish King. He had dark hair, olive-tonned skin and was not very tall. While not particularly handsome, he had a masculine build to him and was muscular, despite being thirty-seven years old. He had a wandering eye, but was very much in love with his Queen.

Ferdinand began to speak.

"My lords, we have played host to you now and have enjoyed your company. You came here to inquire about our youngest child, Infanta Catalina, to be married to your King's eldest son. While the match is attractive, my Queen and I do have concerns. The current King's grasp on the Throne isn't very strong. He will have rebellions. If he can hold in to his Throne until Catalina is of age, we will send her to England." he said.

The English Ambassador began to speak.

"Your are most gracious, Your Highness. This Spanish Alliance will be worthwhile. Your daughter will be the mother of Kings and will be greatly loved." he said.

Finally, Queen Isabella spoke.

"Let's not also forget that with this potential marriage, rebellions will be less of a risk, since we will not see our daughter lose any title to her name that God intended." she said.

The ambassador was shocked. It was no secret that Queen Isabella was a very beautiful woman. Now thirty-eight years old and the mother of five children, she possesesd a beauty that was exotic. She was fair-skinned, had long auburn hair, was of medium height and her eyes were a mixture of blue and grey. This woman, who was never meant to be Queen, was now the most powerful woman in Christendom and all because of her husband's military strategy and her powerful tongue.

The ambassador nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty, it's known that my King is new and this marriage will certainly help everyone." he said.

King Ferdinand stood to his feet.

"I assume the dowry would be very large. As you know, we are at war with the Moors in Granada and have been for several years. I hope you're King understands this. The first half of the dowry will be paid upon Catalina's arrival to England and the rest afterwards." he said.

Isabella shook her head.

"No. I will not have our daughter in debt to her new family. The entire dowry will be paid in full on Catalina's arrival. We will have everything in writing and will not go back on our word. Now, we may go visit the Infanta so you can see she is in perfect health." she said, as she stood up.

Ferdinand stopped her.

"I would like a word with the Queen. You will be escorted. We will join shortly." he said.

The Ambassadors left with a guard. Isabella looked at her husband of almost twenty years, in confusion.

"Is there something wrong, Fernando?" she asked, in Castilian.

Ferdinand sighed.

"Isabel, how are we going to send two hundred thousand crowns, when we don't even know how long this war with Granada will take?" he asked.

Isabella smiled.

"Dear Husband, God is on our side. If Catalina marries the English Prince, the House of Tudor will be validated. Remember, my grandmother was an English Princess and Catalina is her namesake. We don't want a daughter who owes anything. That's why her marriage portion will be paid in full. She will go into her marriage, as a woman, not a debted Infanta." she said.

Ferdinand sighed. He had his own business to handle in Aragon, but he also knew that Isabella and Castile were alot wealthier than he. He adored all of his children, legitimate and illegitimate, however Aragon always had problems with France and half of his daughter's dowry would help. However, he couldn't argue now.

"Very well. Come, let's go to the children." he said, as he extended his hand to his wife.


The Nursery

The English Ambassadors were watching the five children of Ferdinand and Isabella. It was unusual to see this setting of a happy family.

Finally, Isabella and Ferdinand walked up.

Isabella spoke.

"It's remarkable. They are my greatest achievements in this life. I would love for you to meet all of them." she said, as she walked in.

After seeing her, all five children rose from their activities and bowed to their mother, father and the foreign visitors.

The English Ambassadors knew of the children and began to look them over.

The eldest child, Infanta Isabel, was nineteen years old and was the ideal princess. She was tall, fair and had beautiful light brown hair with blue eyes. She was currently betrothed to the Prince of Portugal and would marry him upon his fifteenth birthday within the year. She was unusually bright and was educated to be a ruler, since she was the former Princess of Asturias, until the birth of her brother.

Infante Juan, Isabella and Ferdinand's only surviving son, was almost eleven years old and was the apple of his parents and sisters eyes. He was a gentle Prince, with delicate features. He had very light brown hair, light brown eyes, had a fair complexion, but was also prone to fevers. His delicate health was a major concern to his parents, but he seemed to outgrow the worst of it.

At almost ten years old, Infanta Juana was a forced to be reckoned with. She was an unusually beautiful girl and very intelligent. She was fluent in. Latin by the age of just five. However, she had a sharp wit and a short temper, that greatly concerned her mother,but amused her father, since she reminded him of his late mother. Even her physical appearance was fiery. Her long, auburn hair was nearly blood red in color, her blue eyes were so piercing, it gave her a sharp look,but her skin tone was more light olive like her father.

Quiet and almost unnoticed, six year old Infanta Maria was a sweet creature. Like most middle-born children in big families, little Maria was sometimes unintentionally overlooked on things. Most of her clothes were secondhand from her elder sisters. However, her very existence was a miracle. Maria actually had a twin, who died during their difficult birth. For the first few months, Queen Isabella didn't interact with Maria, possibly out of grief. However, she grew into such a docile child, it was shocking. However, she still possessed her own beauty, that wasn't secondhand. She had brown hair, like her father and blue eyes, like her mother. Her skin was perfect and fair. The English Ambassador thought to himself that she looked like a doll.

Finally, looking older than her years, was three year old Catalina. She was even more beautiful than her sister, Maria. She had very light auburn hair, pale blue eyes, fair skin and a regal look about her. She wasn't the average toddler. She was smart and eager to learn. As the youngest in her family, everyone was crazy about her, especially her sister, Juana, since they closely resembled each other. Catalina looked up at the Ambassadors.

She curtsied, but not low enough to make them think they were superior to her.

"My Lords." she said.

Isabella smiled, with pride.

"That, my lords, is your future Queen of England." she said.

A/N Here's the first chapter to my new Tudors Story "A Golden Beginning". This is an Arthur/Catherine story, so things will change drastically in English History. This chapter just focused on Catherine's betrothal and her early childhood and her family. The next Chapter will be a time jump to the year 1501, when Catherine is nearly sixteen years old and preparing to depart for England and we will meet the English Royal Family. Now, how do you guys want Arthur and Catherine's marriage to be? How many children should they have? How long should Arthur reign? And what should become of Prince Henry? Any ideas and suggestions are welcome, as always. I will try to upload a new chapter every week, since I'm still writing "The Golden Years". Thank you all and Please Read and Review! Chapter 1 coming soon!