The Bachelor
BASED ON THE LIFE OF HENRY VIII OF ENGLAND
CHAPTER I
Author's Note: In this chapter, Henry is 13 years old. Charles Brandon is 18. In reality, Charles was approx. 7 years older than Henry.
Henry Tudor fell against a tree, breathing hard. He struggled to catch his breath. He glanced around the garden warily for his attacker. His heart pumped rapidly with blood and adrenaline. He couldn't sit there forever; sooner or later, he'd have to get up and make a run for it.
He got to his feet slowly, and slipped around the trunk of the tree. He saw that the path to the palace entrance was clear; if he was quick, he could reach it without being caught. Giving himself another moment to breathe, he prepared himself to run. With one final breath, Henry pushed away from the tree and ran madly towards the path.
He did not make it ten feet before he was knocked off his feet, thrown to the ground by his enemy. Henry cried out as he hit the ground with a resounding thud. He groaned, rubbing his shoulder, which would surely now bruise.
"Got you," his attacker said as he sat up in the grass.
Henry sat up as well, and narrowed his eyes. "This once," he replied, "Never again, I promise you."
Charles Brandon laughed heartily. "Just admit it, Harry," he said joyously, "You'll never beat me."
"You brag because you're bigger and stronger than I am, but you cannot deny that one day I'll be far greater than you ever will be!"
"Without a doubt," Charles replied, "Now, shall we play again, or is your Grace too exhausted from the exertion?"
Henry knew a dare when he heard it. "This time, I'll find you!"
The boys grinned at each other and got to their feet. They were about to run, when Charles said, "Look out; here comes the Dragon Lady!"
Henry glanced up the path to see his grandmother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, walking down the path. She walked purposefully down the path towards the boys.
"Perhaps she hasn't seen us; perhaps we can run," Charles suggested.
"It's too late," Henry said with a shake of his head, "It's not possible that she hasn't seen us."
"Harry!" Margaret Beaufort said as she neared them.
Henry winced at the sound of his grandmother's shrill voice. "Grandmother," Henry said as he stepped forward.
"Your father demands your presence inside. He's in the hall," Margaret stated, "Charles, you may go now."
Charles frowned. He'd been hoping to spend more time with his friend, who he hadn't seen for a while, but he followed Lady Beaufort's orders and left.
Henry followed his grandmother into the palace. His father, the King Henry VII, was sitting in the hall as Lady Beaufort had said he'd be. "York," the King stated.
Henry bowed before his father, and kissed his hand. The King signalled for him to rise. He addressed his mother. "Where is Arthur?"
"He is finishing with his tutor; he will be down shortly."
King Henry nodded. "You may leave us," he told his mother.
Lady Beaufort nodded reluctantly; she obviously wanted to wait and see what the king had to say to his sons, but she obliged the king and left.
Henry waited quietly and meekly until his father was ready to speak to him. It did not take long. "I'd like to talk to you about my expectations," King Henry said, "Are you aware of what is expected of you, as Duke of York, and as my son?"
Henry frowned. "I believe I am, my lord."
"Are you?" The king rose from his chair, "I have received reports that you have met sparingly with your tutors during the past three weeks. Some days, I am told, you do not meet with them at all. And when with them, I am told that you will pay no attention to them."
Henry was indignant, but did not dare to say so out loud.
"You do not do me proud through these actions, your Grace," the King said loudly, "I have shown you great favour by offering you the best in education, and yet you dare to rebuke me?"
Henry clenched his fists, and did not speak.
"What have you to say, York?" King Henry demanded.
"I do not believe the accusations are fair, my lord," Henry said.
"Then you claim to have been studying diligently all along?"
"I do," Henry said.
"Then you mean to say that you haven't been wasting your days, playing silly games and engaging in fruitless endeavours? As you are well aware, you are to enter the Church. To do so, you must be learned. How are you to be educated, if you do not take time to learn?"
"I will try harder, my lord father," Henry said quietly.
The King's temper cooled. "Just make sure that you do."
Just then, two other members of the Tudor family entered. The Queen, Elizabeth of York, entered with her eldest child, the Prince of Wales, Arthur. The King's face lit up at the sight of his wife and son. "See here, Harry," he motioned to his elder son, "Your elder brother spent nearly the entire day with his tutors; improving his mind, allowing himself to be educated. Will you not follow his example?"
"I am not to be king as Arthur is," Henry said crossly.
"That is so, but you are going into the Church. That is a very important profession. England would be thrust into great chaos were it not for the complete stability of its religion," the king stated, "It would please me if you were to follow Arthur's example."
"Yes, your majesty."
"You may go, now. I have to speak with your brother," the king ordered.
"I'll take Harry to his quarters, if it pleases your majesty," the queen said.
The king nodded brusquely, and Elizabeth led her son out of the room. Henry was quiet as he and his mother walked through the corridors of the palace. "Do not think that he judges you harshly, Harry," his mother said softly.
"It's hard not to think that," Henry replied, "He compares me to Arthur. He always will."
"Arthur is his heir, and his temper suits the king," Elizabeth stated, "But you are also his son, and he is very fond of you."
"If I was to be king, he'd like me better."
"Don't think such things. He'll be proud of you whatever you do."
"That's unlikely," Henry replied.
Elizabeth sighed, for she knew what high standards her husband held for their children. "You will do him proud, Henry; I know you will," she promised.
