A new story. I saw this plot bunny and I just had to take it. The poll is still up on my profile for my next story though so go vote in it.

This is obviously an AU. Mary, Elizabeth and Edward will all show up at some point in here albeit with some different circumstances. I've switched around some birthdates mainly the Boleyn family. Anne Boleyn is born in 1491, Mary Boleyn in 1486, and George in 1488. Other than this pretty much everything is the same.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Tudors.

Pairings: KOA/Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn/Henry VIII

Lots of Time skips in this chapter, Italics are Catalina's thoughts.

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Ever since I was a little girl I was taught that I was going to be Queen of England one day. I would marry the Prince of Wales, Authur. I was schooled in England's customs and the rules and manners of a queen.

For Queens and Kings it was tradition for them to have a Lady of the Cradle, to bear children in the queen's name since childbirth was too dangerous for a Queen. I remember my mother teaching me about this. At least she was my mother in spirit, if not in body.

"Catalina when you are crowned queen and married to Authur, you will have to choose a Lady of the Cradle. She should be a young pretty girl from fertile stock and of good health. You must not allow jealousy or hatred to impede your judgement in this matter. She will have sons and daughters in your name and you must make sure she is loyal to you. Once she has children she will be promoted from Lady of the Cradle to the Royal Mother" Isabella of Castile lectured her youngest daughter.

"After all my Royal Mother Maria de Puebla was a fine woman and she bore your father many children although sadly only one boy. It was expected she would lose many more children than she did on the war march but she gave us five daughters and one boy. It is a pity she died of a sickness years ago. Here in Spain the Ladies of the Cradle are allowed minimal interaction with the King and Queens children but that differs in other countries." Isabella warned, making sure her daughter was paying attention. This was perhaps the most important lesson she would learn about being a Queen.

Catalina nodded although a turmoil of thoughts. "She will not be higher than me though? Even though she bears the princes and princesses."

"Yes Catalina. But once she is chosen she is bound to you. If she fails to bear children, it will be seen as your failure. You and her are one. Now as I was saying the customs are different in other countries. In England I understand that the Lady of the Cradle has a much more important position in the royal childrens lives, acting as a second mother to them. Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, the crafty monarchs, chose a girl that had a good claim to the throne in her own right and bound her to them providing them with even more safety. But you must make sure that the girl you choose is loyal to you else trouble could arise if she wants for more power."

I remember that conversation now as I ready to marry Prince Authur. I hardly know what to think of him. He is handsome in a way I suppose. He looks frail, not in as good of health as his younger brother Henry. Hopefully I will not have to worry about matters of queenship and Ladies of the Cradle for a while yet.

*****8 months forward*****

Everything has changed and in only a matter of months. My husband Prince Authur has died of a fever and Prince Harry is now the heir and I am Princess Dowager of Wales. There is negotiations in place for me to marry Harry now. Of course there is obstacles but they will all be overcome in time.

"Princess there are some problems raised for your betrothal to Prince Henry. Since royal couples are not expected to consummate their relationship, there is no question of your honor but some say this means the marriage was binding." the Spanish ambassador told her gently.

I cannot believe this! It is my destiny to be queen of England and God's will. Seeing her face the ambassador quickly continued, "But since the dowry was never paid in full the pope is issuing a dispensation and the betrothal will take place."

I was relieved at the thought. I will be queen of England one day.

******* 1504 ********

Thomas Boleyn, Duke of Wiltshire and Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk were meeting to discuss the youngest Boleyn girls future. They were brother-in-laws and when his sister had first married Boleyn, Norfolk had been dismayed and then somewhat mollified when the King made him a duke for his services.

"I was thinking of sending her to be a lady-in-waiting to the Dowager Princess of Wales and Prince Henry's betrothed." Boleyn began slowly.

Norfolk thought this over silently. "She is the princes betrothed but no one knows if the betrothal will be honored and she is not in the King's favor currently." It was true, the Princesses household was understaffed and underpaid, always given the worst quarters, and rarely seen in the company of the royal family.

"It's the best place for her at the moment. Since she has returned from France and there have been no offers for her hand, the only logical thing to do is to get her a place at court and without a queen and opening in the Princess Margerate's household, the highest place for her is the Spanish Princesses. With so few ladies she might be able to become close to the Princess." Boleyn trailed off letting the thought ripen in the others mind. Of course with their connections they might have been able to swing a position in the Royal Mother, Jane Staffords household but that did not come with as many opportunities.

Norfolk narrowed his eyes slightly smiling at the other mans craftiness. "If she becomes close to the Princess Catalina then if Catalina becomes queen perhaps Anne could be the next Lady of the Cradle, mother of the Kingdoms heirs. If Prince Henry does not honor the betrothal than we withdraw her sevices and place her elsewhere." He nodded, liking the plan more and more.

"So its settled then. We will ask the Princess Catalina to accept Anne tomorrow. After all why would she refuse?"

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Well well well, it seems plans are already in place for the future. What will come of this? Find out next time. Thanks for reading. R+R please. Make sure you vote in the poll on my page. See you next time.