Fourteen year old Elizabeth Tudor sat alone in her chamber's, staring into the fireplace. Her mind racing with thoughts, anxiety gnawed at her mind, nausea came in waves forcing her to keep a chamber pot nearby. All the signs pointed the one thing she had never wished for, and the one thing that could destroy her.
She was pregnant.
She had been foolish to fall for Thomas Seymour, she knew that much. She had loved the way he treated her with his gifts and his flirtations. But when he took her virtue from her, She knew then that things had gone to far. She had told no one, not even dear Kat who had been a mother to her for so many years. She knew she would have to go to Mary, the child was an innocent soul that had never asked for this. So taking quill to parchment, Elizabeth began writing to her old sister, in the hopes that Mary would help her.
Dearest Sister,
I beg of you, allow me and my mistress Katherine Ashley into your household. Something terrible has happened, something I can not say in this letter. I just pray that you will guid me and help me during this time.
with all the love in my heart
Elizabeth
Sealing the letter, Elizabeth sent it via a messenger, knowing that it would be delivered right into her sister's hand. She managed to see the letter off before another wave of nausea hit her and she became violently sick into her chamber pot.
A day later, just as Mary emerged from her chapel, the rider came into view. "Princess Mary, I bring a letter from your sister, Princess Elizabeth." The letter was handed into Mary's hand and she watched the rider leave. Sighing internally she looked at the letter and she frowned. She had warned Elizabeth about staying in the house hold of Thomas Seymour and Katherine Parr. They had married against the council so soon after her father's death and it hurt that Elizabeth would have rather stayed in a house of sin than be with her sister.
Thinking nothing of it, Mary opened the letter and was immediately alarmed by it's contents. Walking at a fast pace towards the manor she called out to her dear friend Susan, "Get a carriage together and fetch the doctor and my priest, I am going to fetch Elizabeth, Something has happened." Susan nodded and she made her way out of sight. Mary rushed to her bedroom and she pulled a cloak over her velvet gown and clasped it at her neck. Grabbing a pair of gloves along with her rosary and prayer book she made her way down the stairs. She didn't know what was making her go after Elizabeth, She only knew that something was pulling her towards Chelsea to be with Elizabeth.
She walked outside and turned to Susan, "Make sure it has blankets and food, Expect me back before the end of the week" Susan nodded and she went to grab the rest of what Mary wanted as the priest came into view, "My dear lady what is it." Mary turned towards the ageing man, "I know not father, all I know is that something is pulling me to Elizabeth. By gods grace I pray nothing has happened to her.
The next afternoon, Elizabeth sat alone in the gardens of Chelsea dressed only in a loose fitting gown of Blue velvet, with a black fur lined cloak around her. Her hair was free from any pins and hoods and it stood out in contrast to her dark clothing. She was pale and had grown thin since realizing she was pregnant. Mary arrived and was led through the manor and into the garden entrance, Kat turned towards Mary and curtseyed, "I fear for her my lady, She is expecting you."
Mary nodded and she walked through the mazes and finally after a few moments she spotted her sister. She went to call out her name when she suddenly stopped. She was shocked to see how frail her sister looked. but what shocked her the most was that Elizabeth was holding a rosary in her hands. One of the many Mary had given her while trying to convert Elizabeth. The girl was gripping the beads hard and seemed to be in deep prayer as Mary made her way towards her.
"Elizabeth."
She said softly and Elizabeth's body went rigid. She stood and turned towards her, "Well met sister.' She said in a weak voice, "it does me good to see you." She stepped towards Mary and her knee's gave out. Mary reached out and she grabbed her sister, "Elizabeth what is going on your letter frightened me. Tell me what has happened."
Elizabeth looked her sister in the eyes and a single tear rolled down her cheek, "I'm with child Mary." Mary's eyes went wide and she released her grip on her sister, She stood and her gaze hardened, "Who is the father?" Elizabeth took in a breath, "Thomas Seymour."
Mary stared down at her younger sister, "You are nothing more than a common whore! you have that whores blood in your viens and you are no better than your mother!" Mary turned to leave only to stop when Elizabeth screamed out, "He took it from me Mary! I didn't give it willingly," She swallowed the lump in her throat and she turned, "You are lying." Elizabeth shook her head,
"Mary I wouldn't lie to you. Look into my eyes and tell me I'm lying."
Mary stared into her sister's eyes and saw sadness, fear and abandonment, " please, Help me." Elizabeth said as she reached out to her sister. Mary broke and she grabbed Elizabeth's hand, sitting on the bench, she pulled her sister to her, holding her like she did when Elizabeth was a child. The stone walls she had built around her broke and Elizabeth began sobbing into Mary's shoulder. While gripping her sister tightly
"People told me to kill it, even told me how but I couldn't. It is an innocent soul."
She cried out as Mary pulled back and she wiped the tears that fell, "I am taking you Hunsdon, I am taking you away from here." Elizabeth nodded, "Can Kat come with me, please" She whispered and though she didn't want her to, Mary nodded.
"She can come." ...
