{So I have decided because my brain is on a roll that I'm going to put out another segment now and not later like I had planned so I hope you all enjoy this entry also I know that back then they actually moved pretty fast in relationships but, I have been thinking that I may ask my viewers opinions on this one. So should their relationship move fast or should she make him work for it? Let me know in reviews please or in messages will work as well. As well I know that Mary does not actually end up with anyone in the season besides the possible relative to the Queen Anne of Cleves but, she was always my favorite so I want her to not end up like that so sorry if anybody disagrees but, I like the idea. Naruhina1519 thank you for the review I already messaged you about the beginning of the review but as for the rest thank you, I've been wanting to do this idea since the third season and I'm excited to actually be able to do so now. Thank you to all that have so far who have favorite, follow or read I appreciate it. Remember if you want quicker updates review, follow or like and I'll update quicker. So without further delay here is the next chapter. I do not own the Tudors only my own character and anything that you do not recognize.}
It was the day of celebration and I couldn't help the wide smile that spread across my face. Today I was wearing a deep purple gown with a round neckline that ended up pushing my breasts up slightly and around my waist was a beaded belt that connected at the middle of my stomach and dropped down and connected to a rosary that ended just above my knees. I choose to wear my mother's necklace and my hair was placed over my shoulder but bunched up just slightly around my ear so it looked as if my hair was forming roses, the rest of my hair from the neck down was placed over the shoulder so it laid on my chest and my waves and curls left to lay there. If I could get away with it I loved to have my hair down as much as possible I believed I looked better that way.
I had been reading on my bed when I heard the door open and my ladies running to greet whoever was at the door. After a moment I heard them mumble your Majesty followed by your grace. Charles was here! I felt my heart do a little leap and I pushed myself from my bed trying my best to act normal and gracious as I turned the corner to go and greet the men in my room. "Ladies…is my sister ready?" I heard Henry ask
I then appeared and spoke before my ladies could say anything, "Here I am brother."
I gave him a slight bow and looked to Charles after nodding my head at him, "Your grace." I spoke giving him a slight smile in the process.
Charles eyes scanned over me and I couldn't help but notice the wide grin that followed not long after, "Princess, you look lovely today." He complimented while he bowed
"Thank you."
We were grinning like fools when my brother stepped in offering his arm for me to take, "Shall I escort you to the festivities sister?"
I looked over to Henry who stood with not so much as an annoyed look but, a very amused one. I graciously accepted his offer and walked with them to the festivities. Children young and old were running around playing their own little games and I couldn't help but smile at the freedom they had. I loved children and I couldn't wait for some of my own. We were just reaching the stands when Henry stopped and turned me to face him "Ava I have a surprise for you today."
I rose my eyebrows at him, "Oh?"
A wide grin spread across his face and looked past me to Charles who was standing behind me. Before I had a chance to react I felt Charles body press up from behind me and his hands wrap around my eyes, then he whispered right in my ear, "Patience you can't see your surprise just yet."
I had to suppress the moan that bubbled up from my throat and I place my hands over my beating heart trying to will it to stop, I covered up this action by playing with my mother's necklace. I was so wrapped up in trying not to think about Charles breathing on my neck that I was surprised when he removed his hands and I had to blink a couple times to adjust to the new brightness. But, once I had I let out a laugh and couldn't believe my eyes. My two nieces stood directly in front of me both as beautiful as ever and I couldn't help but notice how alike Mary and her mother were. Mary and I were always close and a lot of the time we were each other's confidant especially as she grew older. Elizabeth and I talked to each other but not as much as me and Mary but, I loved them both the same. They were family plain and simple. I opened up my arms and Elizabeth let out a small squeal and ran into my arms. I couldn't help the bubble of laughter that escaped my lips. "My dear Elizabeth, how are you? You are so grown up and so beautiful and mature at that." I said as I held her at arm's length.
"Thank you princess."
I gave her another nod and smile and allowed my eyes to travel to Mary. I could see her smile growing bigger as I walked towards her, drawing her into my arms. I felt her tight grip on me and I knew that was a sign that she needed me there or she needed to talk to me about something. I gave her a kiss to both cheeks, "Oh Mary how I have missed you and your beauty still astounds me with every visit."
She placed her hands on my upper arm and said, "Hopefully if what I hear is true, are you staying permanently now?"
I chuckled under my breath and replied, "Yes, your father has been very kind in promising me my own choice in marriage and I hope to not leave court unless necessary."
"Yes well now that I have given you your surprise shall we continue on with the joust." Henry spoke from beside us
I nodded my head in his direction and Charles spoke from behind me "Well I must go and get prepared."
That's right he will be in this tournament as well, "I wish you the most luck in the tournament."
He gave me a nod and bowed once more to us before he walked away. Henry started to go into the booth and I wrapped my arms around Elizabeth and Mary and walked with them into the stands.
We were not long into the tournament when I had to pull out my fan to cool myself down, Elizabeth and Mary following suit. I had been watching Mary for some time and I had come to the conclusion that there was something bothering her and that I would need to speak with her. Cheers erupted at another winning and after a short while you could see Charles make his way out. His eyes seemed to glow at the arising claps and cheers for himself. I watched him as he rode his horse to the stand where we were all situated and he looked around until his eyes fell on me. He smiled kindly at me, his eyes never leaving mine, "Princess…will you do me the honor of blessing me with your favors so as to give me the utmost luck." He asked huskily
I pulled on the purple silk ribbon that was barely wrapped around my wrist and stood up slowly making my way towards him my eyes looking into his. Once I reached him I gently wrapped it around his staff and once tied I leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on the ribbon. Only then did my eyes leave his and once I had opened my eyes to look once more at him he seemed to be infatuate with my actions and I nodded my head at him, "Your grace."
He smiled once more before bowing slightly and turning to go back to the tournament. I let out the breath that I had not realized that I had been holding in before. I went back and sat in my spot and Henry spoke quietly to me, "I hope you see the respect and love he holds for you…has always held for you."
I nodded my head in acknowledgment, my eyes trained on the horses that ran towards each other. In the last moment I closed my eyes praying to god that he would win, the stands went absolutely silent as I did this and then they erupted in cheers. I had opened my eyes to find Charles sitting on his horse and you could hear his deep laugh through the cheers. His eyes meet mine once more before he rode off to the stables.
~~TUDORS~~
It was now time for drinking and dancing and my eyes shone with excitement at watching Elizabeth dancing. Henry eyes were trained on the crowd and I'm sure looking for some beauty to take to bed tonight and as much as it should bother me it doesn't because that is the way of court. Mary sat beside me and she sat proud at that but, I knew she wished to dance. Mary always loved to dance and so did I. I finished my wine and I leaned over and whispered in her ear, "I want you to come to my chambers tonight, will you?"
She looked at me curiosity written all over her face, "I know you need to talk, it is written in your eyes and in the actions of your body. Come and entertain me tonight like you did when you were a child, we may talk about whatever is on your mind and as well as anything else you wish?"
She smiled at me," I would very much like that."
I nodded my head at her and noticed a group dance that was being prepared in the center of court and in front of us. I grabbed onto her hand and pulled her up with me. She looked astonished but when she realized that I was pulling her into the dance she seemed to relax. I stood adjacent to a very young gentlemen. You could see the excitement brewing in his eyes. Just as the song was about to start, a hand reached out and was laid upon the young man's shoulder. I followed it up to meet the face of Charles, he leaned forward into his ear and whispered something into it. The boy looked up with fear on his face before he scurried off and Charles took his place. A playful smirk showed on his face and the dance started. Before long we were in each other's embrace as he swung me around to the upbeat song. One of his hands placed sturdy on my lower back and his other hand on my hip pulling my flush against his muscular body. I placed one hand on his chest and one on his shoulder grabbing onto the slight fur trim he had on. He leaned in and whispered in my ear "You do look lovely today Ava, you outshine everyone here."
I giggled, "You're not too bad looking either Charles, "I didn't want to ruin this but I had to ask, "Pardon the forwardness but, should you not be dancing with your wife Charles."
He looked at me and I could swear anger and sadness flashed across his face before a mischievous smile came across it instead, "Well Ava I would say it sounds like you do not wish to dance with me."
He was using my words from last night against me, if only he knew how much I was loving this dance with how close he was to me and if I had my way I wouldn't allow him to leave me. By now the song had ended and we unfortunately parted. I sighed but reluctantly pulled away. His hand on my back pulled away but the one on my hip stayed firmly planted there and his finger gently ran down my forehead to the tip of my nose. "Relax, your face looks so different when you do that."
I had to blink a few times and I then remembered where we were and I pulled away slightly. His hands fell to his side and he looked disappointed for a moment. I looked around for Mary but I couldn't find her, I supposed that she must have retired to my chambers like I had asked. When I looked back at Charles he still had that look on his face. So I stepped forward once more and asked, "I am tired now and would like to retire to my chambers for the rest of the evening will you escort me there your grace?"
A smile came back to his face and he said he would. I walked over to my brother and up to his side before I bowed my head and told him, "I believe I may retire for the evening brother but I must thank you so much for throwing this celebration for me, it makes me feel very loved and welcomed back into court."
He stood up to give me a hug and when he pulled away he gave me a kiss on the cheek, "You have always been loved and welcomed here so I am glad you feel that way. Have the sweetest of dreams and I shall see you in the morn."
I gave him a quick nod and went to meet Charles at the doors. I gave my brother one more look to see his wide smile directed in our direction. I wrapped my arm around Charles offered one and allowed him to steer me to my chambers. For a while all you could hear was the click of my shoes and my dress dragging across the floor. "She divorced me." Charles said quietly from beside me.
I looked at him confused and he continued on, "The duchess."
I nodded my head in acknowledgment, divorce was a very uncommon thing as you needed the king's permission to do so and that was very hard to receive no matter how many times he has managed himself to get away with it. Most people either pjt up with each other or would separate and saw other people and only got together for a child's sake or for political events. "She was very unhappy and the more unhappy she got the more I realized that we did not love each other as we once did. She now raises our child in the confinements of the castle in Suffolk as I would not like to put the mother of my child out into the world without safety but she no longer bares the title of duchess. Henry saw this unhappiness and granted the divorce but, on the condition that she stay in Suffolk and not attend court here and that she no longer acknowledges herself as my wife or the duchess of the land."
"And she was okay with that?"
"Well she put up a slight fight against it but, yes in the end she accepted the fate that she was handed."
We were silent for a moment and I felt my jealousy well inside me with my next question, "Do ever visit her Charles?"
"I use to yes but, I found the company of court to be much more pleasurable. So I only return to see my son and to take care of any business I may have there."
That's right he has a son Henry I believe his name was. I only meet him when he was just born at the celebration my brother threw but, that was it. We were silent once again and before long I had reached my chamber doors. "Well this looks like it is where we part Ava. It is good to have you back."
I nodded my head releasing his arm and turning to face him. I stepped forward and placed my arms around his neck drawing him closer for a hug. I felt him stiffen at the sudden contact but, then his body relaxed into mine and he wrapped his arms around my back pulling me tighter into him. When we pulled away he placed his hands on my hips and kissed my right cheek and then slower this time he kiss my left. His lips were light against my cheek but, they seemed unwilling to leave. It may have been the wine that caused me to do my next action but, it wasn't one that I would regret. I turned my face just slightly, I looked down at his lips at first and then gazed at his eyes to see if there was anything that would tell me this would be a mistake. But, instead he closed the distance between us, his lips capturing my own. It started out light but, when I pushed closer to him he gladly accepted and spun us around so that my back was pressed against the wall. One of his hands stayed on my hips tightly gripping it and the other traveled to my hair where he entangled it into his fingers. I moaned just slightly into the kiss and placed my hands onto his chest. His tongue slid across my bottom lip asking for entrance and when I accepted his tongue danced against mine. My knees were getting weak and he pushed us closer together making sure I wouldn't fall. He was the first to pull away and I moaned in protest but looked at him. His fingers traced my bottom lip and he opened his mouth to say something, "Ava I-"
Suddenly the door to my chambers opened and we sprung apart from each other. I wanted to know what he had to say but, one of my ladies in waiting poked her head out and asked sheepishly, "I'm sorry to interrupt princess…your grace but, the lady Mary was about to send me out to ask you if you were still planning on spending some time with her?"
Dammit I forgot all about Mary and I looked at Charles, "We will continue this conversation at a later date your grace. Have a good night."
"You as well princess."
I turned and disappeared into my chambers, my chest rising and falling fast at what had just happened.
Both me and Mary had gotten changed into our night dresses and were now sitting in the bedroom. I was sitting on my bed with a lady behind me brushing out my hair while Mary sat on the chest in front of the bed and I brushed hers. We had made such a habit of this when I was visiting court, Mary thought it comforting and I quite enjoyed brushing her long hair then braiding it so it laid over her shoulder. Mary had cleared her throat and I took that as my cue that she now wanted to talk alone so, I looked back to my lady and told her that I no longer needed her and wished her and my ladies a goodnight. Once the door was shut, I heard Mary mumble under her breathe, "You know me so well Ava."
I hummed slightly and replied, "Yes I do but, that's because I pay attention to you. So, will you tell me what is on your mind?"
"It's the fact that I have yet to marry or even become betrothed to a man, and it's not as if a lack of men have asked but, father keeps on refusing the offers."
I understood what she was talking about, most women her age especially with her social standing were already betrothed to another and with at least one child on the way. But, for whatever reason my brother always turned them away, Mary to him was special and I could tell that he wanted to give her the world but, he didn't like the idea of letting her go. So instead I choose to bring up a good memory, "Did you know that your father betrothed you to a French prince when you were just a little girl."
"No I did not."
"Well he did and besides the obvious reasons why that did not work out, I remember one thing from that meeting…I remember the way you stood there respectfully and in the end just to push the prince down."
"Oh!" she gasped surprised
She looked back at me and we burst out laughing before she faced forward again and I started to braid her hair. "Look Mary I know how you feel but, trust me it is better this way to wait until you find the one you love…I was lucky to be blessed with a marriage where my husband wanted nothing more than company unlike your other aunt who was forced into another loveless marriage and forced to have relations with a man whom she did not love and was completely horrified of. I don't know if this will make sense to you but, your father turns these people away because he has yet to see you as the grown woman you are…in his eyes you are still his little girl who pushed the prince of France down in front of a million people."
She giggled and asked quietly, "Do you mean that you are still a maid?"
I was shocked at the sudden question but, answered her anyways, "Yes, he never wanted to ruin the one thing that was so important he believed that I should save it for a man of my choosing and love. Something so little but yet means so much in the end."
By the end we had just finished braiding her hair and she stood up and walked towards the mirror. She touched her face and a worried expression caressed her face. I stood up and walked behind her and I said, "You are a very beautiful Princess Mary and I am sure that there will be at some point a man who is so smitten with you that he will not take no for an answer. He loves you Mary and so did your mother, he will not let you die a maid I swear."
I saw a tear fall from her face at my words and she whipped around and buried her face into my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her and held her there for a few moments. She pulled away and we started to head towards my bed pulling back the blankets and settling in and just as we did she turned to me and said, "You know my mother always loved you and adored your admiration for my father even up to the end she told me that even though she would no longer be there that she always trusted you and wanted me to always feel the same towards you."
I smiled and placed my hand in hers, "Your mother was a lovely woman and very smart at that and I will always be here for you and even your brother and sister if I have to, I want you to realize that even when the world is dark and there doesn't seem to be a light when you feel abandoned and alone family is all you have got left, because nothing runs thicker than blood."
We laid back on the pillows and turned to face each other and she wrapped her hand in mine just like she would do when she was a child. Just as I was falling asleep she whispered, "Ava?"
"Mm?"
"Do you love his grace?"
I opened my eyes to see her brown ones boring into my own. "You mean Charles?"
She nodded her head and I let a smile grow on my face, "I have for many years…why do you ask?"
"Because I think he loves you to, I can see it in his eyes and the way he danced with you tonight, like you were the only two people in that whole room."
I gave her hand a quick kiss and told her to go to bed as it was late and my dreams were filled with the what ifs I now faced with the man I still love.
