This is sort of like Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol but with Henry VIII. What if someone came back to show him the error of his ways? and in my view there were many. I also 'borrowed' an element of the movie Meet Joe Black to start the story off. Hope you enjoy, please review!

Whitehall Palace, December 1546

Hunching over a letter from an imperial ambassador King Henry grunted in dissatisfaction. The Spanish alliance was not reaping the benefits he expected. Tossing the letter aside Henry leaned back unable to ignore the creaks and groans his elderly body now made. He yearned for the days when he was fit and young and astride a horse. He leaned on his walking stick as he stood up, a sudden bout of dizziness washed across him and a pain in his chest attacked. He clutched his chest, and closed his eyes willing the pain away, and a moment later is was gone.

'Yes' A cold voice whispered, Henry dropped his stick in fright and looked around in shock, trying to find the culprit without toppling over.

'Who is there? Show yourself!' He demanded forcing his frail voice to speak with more power than he felt. Henry's eyes scanned the room taking in the ever darkening light from the two windows, he looked to every corner of the room, he looked to the table across from him noting there was no one hiding underneath, the curtains remained flat and unmoving. He looked around twice more until satisfied that no one else was in the room. Confusion swept him, who had spoken so coldly 'yes'? and what did they mean? Almost with a laugh Henry shook his head, it was all his imagination. Leaning heavily on his cane he made his way slowly towards the door of his study. He knocked on it impatiently, the door opened for him by one of his nameless gentlemen of the privy chamber. Since that idiotic little girl he married shamed herself and more importantly him he did not bother to learn their names. With annoyance that he was unable to stop with unwanted memories he thought back to how fond he was of Thomas Culpepper. Culpepper betrayed him, and now he was dead. With a feeling of justification, Henry ignored his household and continued on towards his own rooms. His brother in law Lord Hertford came along the corridor and went into a bow.

'Your majesty, the queen was wondering if you were joining her for dinner this evening or perhaps it would be just yourself and the prince of Wales?' Edward Seymour asked and Henry shook his head. He would like a family dinner with all of them, his son, his wife, his daughters Mary and Elizabeth. Hertford nodded graciously, he excused himself and went back to his chambers. Henry paused in his slow walk and watched his retreating back, Hertford was convinced that he would be the next Lord Protector. Henry continued on, as Bishop Gardiner came over to him bowing and continuing walking with the king. Gardiner was again speaking of those he would like to have killed as heretics, Henry was too exhausted to think of it all. Gardiner also wanted to be included in Henry's dear son Edward's council when Henry died. Henry darkly and fearfully thought it was coming sooner than he ever anticipated.

'Yes' the cold voice whispered once again, Henry froze in his walk making those around him pause all three grooms and Gardiner.

'Yes' the voice said coldly, Henry felt a chill go up his spine, he held a hand up to stop Gardiner's rant.

'What was that?' Henry asked and Gardiner paused before speaking.

'More people in your very own household are violating the fasting laws' Gardiner said and Henry flushed in annoyance and shook his head.

'No that voice' Henry said looking up and down the darkened corridor, he would scold his attendants for not lighting the rooms earlier, now he could not see whatever coward was insulting him. Gardiner went oddly quiet, and Henry looked to him.

'What voice, your majesty?' He asked and Henry's eyes went to his grooms but saw they were as clueless as Gardiner. Henry dropped his hand and leaned more heavily on his cane and shook his head.

'I am tired, it was nothing' He said hoping not to give them any more reason to suggest that he would not make it to Christmas in the following year. Henry continued on hobbling down the corridor thankfully Gardiner had receded his attack and was content to discuss Henry's daughter's return to court. Gardiner enquired into the lady Mary's health and Henry nodded. Gardiner was a papist, and Henry no matter how many threats he flung at her could not get Mary to truly fold from also being a papist. It was for this reason that Henry was secretly happy that Mary had never married, there was a suitor some years ago, his name was Philip. Henry had dismissed him for several reasons, mainly the young duke had foolishly stated that to appease Mary he would revert to Catholicism. Henry could not have that, his son Edward was only three then, Henry had seen Mary as a strong willed rival and with a military minded husband as was Philip of Bavaria then Edward's throne and that of the Tudor dynasty would have been a stake. Cromwell had warned him, the Seymour's had warned him and so had many of his other councillor's, thus Mary was still unmarried and she was no longer as strong will as she had been and from what some reports told him Philip was an exhausted wounded wreck from his last military activity. A slight pang of regret flashed through Henry as he thought of the young girl he referred to as the 'pearl of his world' but a son was always more important. Finally he made it to his chambers and saw down heavily in a chair near the fire. The winter was ferocious, it was a miracle that today there had been no rain but the sky was dark, the cold air was ice. Henry ordered his chair to be moved closer to the fire. He was delighted to have his son present, Edward was perfect in every way with a small sad smile Henry thought of his other son, the one who died his little Henry FitzRoy. He had such potential and for reasons he could not explain, God took him away. Henry felt a pain in his chest again and moved his hands to feel the pressure building, he closed his eyes expecting the onslaught of pain.

'Yes' the voice rasped coldly once again and Henry opened his eyes in surprise, the pain lessened enormously.

'Who are you?' He asked angrily, standing up on his shaky legs thankful that he was alone in the room at the same time wishing others had been around him for comfort.

'Why do you keep saying "yes"?' He asked

'Yes is the answer to your question' the cold voice replied and Henry felt a cold sweat, the voice formerly seemed to echo around the room now it seemed closer to him almost as if the speaker was standing next to him. He looked around feeling a sense of fear.

'What question?' He asked in a small voice, hating the weakness in him

'The question you have been asking yourself now for weeks' The voice said, Henry froze and thought of the question.

'Am I dying?' He asked the voice replied hoarsely once again.

'Yes' Henry stood still, he feared death always had. He remembered losing a beloved little sister, then a beloved little brother, then a not so beloved older brother and finally the worst death a son could experience by the death of his mother. Death took everyone, his father, his sons, his beautiful wife Jane and now it was coming for him.

'What do you want?' Henry asked the fear he felt had crept into his voice, but faced with a chilling voice with a chilling answer he decided to drop any pretences of bravery. The voice said nothing and Henry waited nervously, just as he thought it was all in his mind a cold answer was spoken.

'Repentance'

Henry frowned, confused.

'Repentance' Henry muttered to himself, wondering what he should repent for. If anything God, heaven and the angels above him should apologies to him. His mother cruelly taken away from him, his wives were constant disappointments, his sons were ripped from his arms by death and his friends all perished before him, Edward was the only bright light and the heavens had taken Edward's mother away from them both.

'I am coming to you Henry' The voice said and Henry inhaled deeply, his thoughts of death led quickly to deep fear, his thoughts went to Edward he was only nine.

'I will help you' The voice said and Henry frowned.

'Help me, what will you help me with?' Henry questioned loudly to the room.

'Soon….' The voice said to Henry's unvoiced question, the hairs stood on the back of Henry's neck in a horrible anticipation. He sat down in his chair fear almost crippling him, it was an unfair fight he was a fifty five year old man, had he been robust and able, he would have been able to withstand anything that came his way. Not wanting to be alone a minute longer Henry stood up and leaned once again for support from his cane and made his way to his door, he opened it and began his slow walk towards the queen's rooms. It was no longer love with Katherine Parr, but she was good for comforting. His grooms followed him surprised at his exit from his rooms. They opened the queen's chambers announcing him and Henry entered without waiting to see if she was ready to accept him. She was sitting at a table with his daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth bounced up and almost threw herself at Henry who still on edge could barely bring himself to pat her but certainly scolded her.

'Alright girl, sit' He said more harshly than he intended, he glanced about the room almost expecting the angel of death to be there before him. He caught Elizabeth's disappointed look and Katherine's soothing hand on the girls red locks. All three sat as the queen asked how his day went, Henry eyed her wondering if she knew anything. Did Gardiner tell her of his odd behaviour in the corridor? He chose to ignore her watching the two doors in her suite, both remained closed. Henry eyed wondered which door death would chose if death was coming for him, his stomach dropped in thought that death would not use a door. His mind hurried over the conversation, he was dying, death was coming to him, what was the other thing? Death demanded he repent, for what? He saw that Elizabeth was looking at him asking him a question.

'What is it?' He barked at her in annoyance, sometimes looking at her and talking with her he remembered her mother, and he hated to admit it but it hurt too much. Elizabeth again looked upset at his dismissal.

'I was wondering when Mary would arrive?' She asked and Henry frowned, death was coming for him and this girl was asking him something as trivial as the arrival of his elder daughter. Calming his nerves and his temper he responded.

'I do not know, do you two not correspond?' He asked hastily glancing around the room once again. How soon would death come? The door opened near the fire and Henry tensed and gripped the arms of his chair, his daughter Mary came in, dressed in black. She came forward and with a tight smile she graciously curtsied and kissed his cheek lightly. She sat asking for the health's of those around her but Henry did not answer. He could admit he barely paid attention to this girl, but he noticed she was aging as rapidly as her mother had, by the time she would reach forty she would look fifty. The door opened again and Henry froze not noticing the odd looks the women in his life were sending him. In came his precious handsome son, he was medium height, with fair blonde hair and a pale complexion. Edward looked like Jane, looking at him also hurt but it was beautiful feeling. Looking at Edward and loving him added to the love he already felt for his beloved Jane. The boy came over to him happily and they hugged, Henry cast his fear aside and hugged his son tightly. Edward hugged his stepmother and his sisters, and he sat at Henry's right hand. They spoke happily of Edward's lessons, Elizabeth's Latin and Mary's renovation works on Hunsdon House her main residence. Henry felt himself relax, perhaps he was being tired lately, he was no doubt worried about Edward's future. He leaned back more comfortable enjoying the food being presented, enjoying the ale being poured for him. He enjoyed Edward's teasing of his sisters and Katherine's light scolding with a big smile.

'I am here' The voice whispered and Henry dropped his goblet, the four at the table paused and looked at him as he remained stiff in his seat.

Good God!

'I am standing outside the door Henry, will no one let me in?' The voice said and Henry felt drops of sweat form on his forehead as he could hear that the voice was indeed closer to him than it had been previously. Apologising for his foolishness Henry fixed his cup standing it upright as his family noted the small quiver of his hand. They began to speak again.

'Henry let me in' The voice said, Henry signalled for a groom to come to him, the young man bent over.

'Is there someone standing outside the door?' He asked quietly, the groom nodded to Henry's request and walked towards the door. Henry watched the man's side as he opened the door and the groom quietly spoke to who ever was standing there. Henry wiped away the sweat from his brow, breathing in deeper than he normally would have. The groom left the door open and walked back towards the King and bent over.

'Yes your majesty, a man is there' He said and Henry nodded, fear gripping him he stood slowly the young groom assisting him as the heads at the table looked up in confusion.

'I will be back a moment, urgent business' Henry said, he did not want them to see him die. He wanted to get out of the room and ask death to make himself sparse until Henry could return to his rooms where death would take him, not in front of his family. Henry limped towards the door and paused before turning and exiting the room. He stood in the dark passageway and frowned looking around, the corridor he noticed was almost ice cold and was darkly lit. Henry then spotted a dark figure at the end of the corridor staring out the window towards the full moon placed firmly in the sky. Henry hobbled slowly towards the figure, his eyes could make out that man was dressed in a dark tunic and hose. He was built but not overly so, more stocky than broad. Henry noted the man was as tall as he, the illuminating light made out to Henry that the man's hair was a golden blond. The man had his arms around his back, holding his hands together. Death was not what Henry expected him to be.

'I am not death' The voice Henry loathed and feared said, but it seemed softer but no less dead than it had been before. It was as if the voice had not been used in a long time, and was only returning to its former use. Confused at how the man knew his thoughts Henry stopped his slow walk. The man turned causing Henry to flinch, but again he was surprised. Death was not hideous like Henry had been expecting.

'I am not death' The man said again, his soft rasping stated almost tired. It was a strange situation, the man should have been a complete stranger but something seemed almost familiar about him. The man took a step towards Henry and Henry forced himself not to shrink back. The golden hair a mess on the man's head also curved into making a fringe flop on the man's forehead. The man stepped forward, he had a thin face, high bridge nose as the man stepped closer and closer Henry could see the man's small but deep blue eyes. The man's lips remained tightly closed and he continued to hold his hands behind his back.

'Hello Henry' He said with an almost hesitant crooked smile. Henry could not sense anything threatening in the man and since he was not death.

'Who do you think you are?' Henry demanded angrily, the man's smile faded and his eyes became cold.

'I know who I am' He replied stonily

'I have come to help you' The man answered without giving Henry time to speak, Henry did not respond.

'You have not long left, but you have done more harm than good to the flock you ruled and to the family you should have cherished'

Henry shocked sputtered in indignation. The man stood still listening as Henry insulted him.

'You will not speak like that to me Henry, we will return to your family, you will finish your meal, then you will come on a journey with me' He said and Henry stared at the man.

'What journey?' He asked and the man smiled a crooked smile once again.

'A journey through your memories, tonight we will explore your past, present and future' He said and Henry frowned.

'Why?' He asked and the man smiled sadly.

'Towards the end I hope you will not need to ask that' He said and Henry frowned.

'Who are you?' He asked and the man smiled softly, almost affectionately.

'I am from your past, you cared little for me, and I admit I cared little for you, but I care enough for you and your family to wish for a alternative ending for them, so that death does not see to it to take a cold youngster away, a dark sadness will not overcome another and another will not live each day with regret for never taking a chance at love in fear of being vulnerable' The man said confusing Henry further.

'You are not going to kill me?' He asked and the man shook his head in annoyance now.

'I am here to help you' He said and Henry nodded.

'You wish to eat with my family?' Henry asked and the man nodded as if it were an ordinary request. Henry looked closer at the man, his mind irritated at not being able to place him.

'And who shall I say who you are?' He asked and the man smiled again.

'Who do you think they'll accept me to be?' He asked and Henry eyed him, the man was at most mid thirties. Who could he say he was? Silently Henry made his back to his family with the mysterious guest, Henry paused at the door.

'Did God send you?' He asked quietly and the man smiled.

'No your wives did' He said and Henry's mouth opened in shock.

'Are you a ghost?' He asked and the man actually laughed

'No I am a spirit'

'What is the difference?' Henry asked

'A ghost is someone who has passed on and is "stuck" between the physical world and the afterlife, they do not cross into the light but stay behind for one reason or another usually because of fear, poor souls' The man replied

'A spirit is a person who has passed on, but has passed into the light and into the afterlife, there we go through life review and can come and go between each world, spirits come back, watch, comfort, and protect, ghosts do not'

A groom appeared.

'Your majesty, will the gentleman be joining you?' He asked and Henry closing his mouth nodded. He and the spirit then walked into the room to face the questioning stares of Henry's family.