THE MANY SUITORS OF ELIZABETH TUDOR

(Suitors, as in, men who desired her and she wasn't so keen or sure if she wanted them as well.)

One: Robin Dudley

"Look, my lord, the lady Elizabeth plays with her brother, the Prince of Wales." A minor lord exclaimed to Arthur Kirkland, personification of England. He nodded, distracted by the investigation that had ravaged through King Henry the Eight's court. It was a horrible feeling, to be in the presence of young, innocent children after he had been exposed to the ugliness of adultery and betrayal. He didn't want to stain the innocence the royal children an their companions exuded.

But the happiness Prince Edward released seemed like it wasn't shared by everything. The second bastard daughter of Henry the Eight was upset, though she tried to hide it from her adoring brother. He laughed, threw his arms around her and placed kisses on her cheeks, as his companions played. Lady Bryan and Kat Ashley watched them with a careful eye.

"Is the lady Elizabeth upset?" Arthur murmured to his companion, who could only shrug and squint, trying to get a good look at the girl. Then, without warning, she gently moved her brother from her lap and stood up and ran towards the garden. Edward cried "Sweet sister!" and flung his hands out to one of the companions. Arthur sighed, feeling tired.

"Excuse me, my lord, I must make sure that the lady Elizabeth isn't going to stray from this area. Please watch over his highness." When the noble nodded, Arthur took his leave and began in the direction Elizabeth had gone. But a boy rushed in front of him, leaving him flabbergasted. It took him awhile to realize who it was: Robert Dudley, or Robin, as Elizabeth affectionately called him. Arthur hurried his pace, hoping that both children wouldn't do something insane and run amok like wild animals. As he approached the center, he heard Elizabeth's voice, loud and clear say:

"With God as my witness, I shall never marry." He heard her voice, which trembled with no emotion, loud and clear. He felt old, as if he had just watched her age before his eyes. She was still a child, and should have had the wild fantasy of being swept off her feet by a handsome prince.

Then again, regardless that her mother was a whore, she was still royalty. Royalty knew better than to fantasize about love.

"But, what if you fall in love with someone?" Dudley's voice broke Arthur's thought. The boy was curious- after all, young boys didn't think of love.

"Then I'll love them. Do you honestly think you have to be married to love?" Most people did not marry for love. Or perhaps, they had an attraction to their spouse but it faded. Just like...

"Alright, lady Elizabeth and Master Robert-" Arthur stopped, and step backwards, feeling like he intruded on a private moment (which they were too young to have!) The young Dudley boy held both of Elizabeth's hands tightly, and had them near his lips. The girl, on the other hand, had her eyebrows slightly quirked and looked more cheerful, perhaps amused by Dudley's actions. The blond man witnessing this moment coughed into his fist and tugged on his doublet. He reached out for the back of the boy's shirt and pulled him away from the lady Elizabeth.

"Master Dudley, you are his Highness' companion, attend to him!" He pushed the poor boy towards the exit, and whipped towards the prince's sister. But she interrupted him before he could reprimand her as well.

"Aren't you supposed to attend my brother too, Lord Kirkland?" Lady Elizabeth said sweetly, curtsying to Arthur and glided out of the garden. He watched her leave before sighing deeply.

"Those two will give me a hard time, Robin and Bess." Arthur rubbed his face and left the garden too.

Historical moment (s): This takes place after Katherine "Kitty" Howard's death, (she was the fifth wife of Henry VIII). Kitty was quite close to Elizabeth, as both were cousins (Anne's uncle, The Duke of Norfolk, was Katherine's uncle as well) and close in age. From what I've read and seen, Kitty often showed lots of favor to Elizabeth. So, when she was executed, Elizabeth was scarred, per say, as she was now old enough to know why her step-mother died (Kitty's grave was next to Anne Boleyn's as well). I don't know if she told Robin around this time that she would never marry (Depends; the Tudors has Elizabeth say it to Mary, and she's around 13 or so.)

Also, the part that says "As God as my witness..." is taken from the Tudors. The reason why Elizabeth acts very mature (I think she was around 8 or so...) is because she practically grew up quickly ( You can look up David Starkey or my crossover "Growing Up in England" for more info)

Constructive criticism is always welcomed!