Disclaimer: i do not own the Tudors

Chapter 1: The First Meeting

May 30th 1536

Helen was beyond nervous as she held the jewelry box in her hand, and walked to the Kings chambers, the beautiful gold necklace with emeralds was the latest piece commissioned by the King for the Lady Jane Seymour. Who was soon to be his third wife if the rumors could be believed, given that Queen Anne was dead Helen imagined that yes it was true.

Helen sighed a little; at least the King respected his late queen enough to wait to marry Jane Seymour. She swallowed as she came upon the kings chambers, she curtsied to the guard in front of the door and said "I come on behalf of my father Cornelius Hayes, to deliver the latest piece his Majesty the King commissioned."

The guard nodded and opened the door for her Helen walked in and curtsied keeping her eyes on the floor and not rising from her curtsy until the King spoke to her. "You look familiar madam, have I seen you before?"

Helen swallowed "I was a Maid of Honor to her Majesty the late Queen, your Majesty."

Henry smiled "What is your name?"

"Helen Hayes your Majesty" she responded not looking up to meet his eyes.

"Mr. Hayes' wife?" the King asked surprise in his voice

Helen couldn't help it, she laughed a little and said "No your Majesty. I'm his daughter."

The king walked closer to her and then she saw a hand gently hold her chin and lift her face so her eyes would meet his.

Helen found herself breathless, she had never seen the king so close before, she couldn't believe that this man, with warm blue eyes and rich auburn hair was the King of England who had set aside two wives so cruelly.

Henry was surprised when the young woman stepped into the room, he had been expecting Mr. Hayes but it was not an unpleasant surprise. The young woman in front of him was very lovely; her hair was a rich chocolate brown that came to the small of her back in a braid. Her eyes were a bright green that resembled the most gorgeous emeralds, her skin was slightly tanned, her lips were pink and kissable. The dress she was wearing was a simple one; light blue the only jewelry she wore was pearl drop earrings. She also looked young, she couldn't be any older than twenty.

Henry smiled "How old are you Mistress Hayes?"

Helen smiled a little self-consciously "I recently turned 18 your Majesty."

Henry nodded and finally noticed the box in Helen's hands. Helen saw that he had noticed it and she curtsied again "I brought the latest piece you commissioned your Majesty, my father would have brought it himself, but he was exhausted and needed to rest."

Henry smiled "So here you are, in your father's stead." He took the box and said "Perhaps you can give me a female opinion on the piece, I want to be sure that it is admired by its recipient."

Helen smiled "It is a lovely piece your Majesty, you have excellent taste."

Henry looked a little surprised "You've seen it already?"

Helen paled a little and seemed nervous "Yes your Majesty, my father shows me all the pieces for the same reason you wanted my opinion." She was worried that he might think that she had tried on the piece or looked at it while bringing it to him.

Henry smiled reassuringly "It's alright Helen, your father is an amazing Goldsmith, I am not surprised he was asking the opinion of such a lovely lady like yourself."

Helen blushed even brighter and looked down "You flatter me, your Majesty."

Henry smiled, but realized that Helen was becoming a little uncomfortable, "You may go if you wish Helen."

Helen curtsied again and left the room.

Henry watched her go with a small smile on his lips.

It wasn't until later that Helen realized he had called her by her first name towards the end of their conversation.

June 1st 1536

Cornelius Hayes was summoned by the king two days after Helen meet Henry.

The king appeared to be in a good mood when Cornelius was admitted into his chambers. The king smiled and said "ah Mr. Hayes!"

Cornelius bowed "your Majesty."

Henry smiled "I would discuss with you the future of your daughter"

Cornelius looked at the king startled "My daughter… your Majesty?"

Henry nodded "She is a very beautiful young woman; have you had any offers of marriage for her?"

Cornelius nodded "Indeed your Majesty… but my daughter will have none of the men who make the offers."

Henry looked at Cornelius amused "Why not Mr. Hayes?"

Cornelius smiled a little "She wants to marry for love, she wants to love the man that she will be with for the rest of her life."

Henry smiled "Very sensible of her…" he seemed lost in thought for a minute and then said "We would commission another piece from you Mr. Hayes."

Cornelius nodded "What do you want it to look like your majesty?"

Henry smiled slyly "Have Helen design it, I would love to see what such a piece would look like when designed by a woman. It should be fit for a Queen however."

Cornelius nodded and walked out of the room, having been dismissed. As he walked away, he was worried, why would the king show such attention to Helen? Unless…

Cornelius shook that thought away, the king was planning on marrying Jane Seymour, at most what he might want from Helen was for her to become his mistress, nothing more would come of the kings attentions… would it?

A.N. okay, originally Helen wasn't going to be the Goldsmith's daughter. i first gave her the name of Helen Shore, but then i looked into the Shore Family name and found Jane Shore who was a mistress of King Edward IV and the wife of William Shore, who was a goldsmith, i remembered the goldsmith from Episode 3 of the Tudors and so Helen Shore became Helen Hayes, honestly i think i like this background for her a little more, and it gave me a very nice way to introduce her to the king.

the picture for the cover is from an episode, i will give a basket of virtual cookies to the person who can figure out which episode that pic is from.

this story is inspired by the Elizabeth's Advocate Challenge by ReganX

oh and yes it is intentional for Henry to be falling for Helen so quick, lets face it he fell in and out of love with his many wives within the blink of an eye. it makes sense that he falls for her so quickly, i do not wish to get any grief for it, it also helps move the story along in my opinion.