AN: Here again is another chapter. I am excited that other people are excited. Thank you for all the reviews.

Anyway I am glad that I am getting positive responses for little Princess Anne. Well anyway, I guess onto another chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own history nor do I own the 'Elizabeth' Movies. I do not own the 'Tudors' either, Michael Hirst owns them.


Chapter Two

24th May 1562

Elizabeth was in her room's cradling her daughter in her arms. Her ladies were around her giggling at anything that was different and new that little Anne did. Elizabeth had an idea that this little Princess was going to be spoilt.

Robert Dudley was standing in the doorway. Unnoticed by Elizabeth or her ladies he continued to look on at the scene before him. It wasn't long though that Lettice Knollys noticed him and bowed. The rest of the ladies bowed and Elizabeth looked up from Anne and towards her husband. Robert walked closer to the two of them and excused the ladies from their presence. This was one of the rare family moments they would have and they both knew it.

"Her wet nurse says she feeds well," stated Elizabeth, making sure that Robert did take an interest in their daughter, even if she wasn't the son that he wished for.

"That is what is to be expected of a princess of England is it not," said Robert. He loved his daughter. They were both young. Maybe this was test to see if they could have a healthy child and raise it right. God must be testing them he thought, giving them a challenge.

"Robin, I have organised that the Princess, our daughter, has her own establishment. She shall receive it in the coming month and I wish that to be at Hatfield. There was nothing wrong with it when I resided there and I think it would work just fine for her," said Elizabeth. This wasn't a question, this was a statement. She knew that Robert would have to agree.

"I am sure Hatfield will be perfect for our daughter. I am sorry that you do not want her to stay here much longer as she is a ray of sunshine," said Robert smiling down at his daughter's little face.

"I wish it was possible but I must govern this country but I will see her every moment I can. I want to be an active mother in her life. Like my own mother tried to be before she was..." Elizabeth couldn't say the word. Her voice choked up. Robert gently placed a hand on Elizabeth's back for comfort. She at least had the reassurance that she would never be taken away from her precious daughter.


Mary, Queen of Scotland, had just received the news that her cousin, the Queen of England, had given birth to a child, a daughter, the Princess Anne. Her position as rightful heir to the English throne was now a step further away. Yet she was still the true Queen of England and she would continue to proclaim it.

She was frightened though. Elizabeth had been able to give birth to a healthy child, a daughter though, but still a healthy child. She had nothing. Yes, her husband had died when they were both young and of course he had never been the healthiest of men and she was never able of conceiving a child. She had a sudden urge, no a need to marry again, a need to have an heir to Scotland and a true heir to the English throne.

"Thank you, Lord Darnley, for telling me the news of this most joyous occasion. You have served me well," said Mary to the man who had been the messenger.

There was something about this man, maybe his loyalty to her and the Catholic faith, that made her want to know more about the man behind the man.


16th June 1562

It was finally time that little ray of sunshine within the court was taken to her own establishment at Hatfield. Elizabeth had decided to take her daughter to Hatfield and examine that everything at her old home was in top condition. Robert could not come thanks to a cold he had contracted and was forced to bed rest.

As they reached Hatfield, Elizabeth had a flood of memories come to her mind of the time she had spent there, some were good and some were bad but for her little Anne she hoped that it would all be pleasant.

Anne had grown so much since the time of her birth; Elizabeth couldn't believe it was the same child. She was still healthy, that was a good sign. She hoped that Anne now living in the country could only improve her health.

Elizabeth was helped out of the carriage and handed her daughter. The people she had assigned to work here at Hatfield had arrived the day before to make sure that everything was in working order for the arrival and stay of the princess.

As they bowed before the Queen and their own Princess, they each relished in the amount of responsibility that had each been given.

Mary Knollys, the Queen's cousin and a well educated lady, had been assigned as the Princess's governess. She felt that it was a great responsibility. Her position was well thanks to her relationship with the Queen but she did hope not to let her down or her family.

"Hello my dear people. You have been all honoured with a position of great importance to me and to his majesty the King Consort," stated Elizabeth. "You are all important members of the Princess's household. Do your jobs well and you will be rewarded for it."

Elizabeth handed her precious daughter over to Lady Mary. "Your Majesty, we will all do our best to take care of the Princess of England."

Elizabeth smiled. She trusted her cousin as she had known her for a long time. She hated the feeling of separation though but her daughter was a Princess and she was a Queen. It was to be expected.


17th June 1562

Elizabeth's mind was elsewhere. It was thinking of her daughter. She wondered how she was doing and how she was feeding. Suddenly, her mind was diverted to the door of her empty presence chamber. Lady Lettice Knollys was standing at the door.

"Your majesty, may I speak with you," said the young lady at the door. She looked frightened but she thought that Elizabeth should understand. She was a mother as well.

"Yes, please come and talk." She needed conversation, anything to bring her mind to present situations.

"I am here to ask for my leave," said the nervous Lettice.

Elizabeth looked stunned. Why would this young healthy girl need time for leave? "Why?"

"Your Majesty, I am with child, my husband's child and he would like it that I did not exert myself and we are to live in my husband's country seat."

"Who is your husband?" asked Elizabeth. It would probably seem obvious once she knew but at the moment she didn't truly care.

"Walter Devereux, your majesty. He is also the Viscount Hereford."

"Yes, I know him. He is a good servant to both of our majesties. I am sorry for not remembering. My mind is elsewhere these days."

"Don't worry, your majesty," Lettice said touchingly as she placed a hand on top of Elizabeth's hand. "Your daughter is in fine hands. My sister will be making sure that her every whim is attended to and that all your commands are set out perfectly."

"I am sure you are right. Anyway, you will soon know that feeling as well. Congratulations and I will gladly let you have leave," said Elizabeth. She stood up and hugged her cousin. Elizabeth wasn't a truly affectionate person but this was her cousin and Lettice had served her well. "Maybe, if you have a daughter, she could be a companion to the Princess."

Lettice nodded. That was an extremely generous offer and one her husband would surely accept. He of course was adamant that it would be a boy but that is what every father says about their unborn child.


Robert Dudley had recovered quickly from his cold and was soon up and about. The first thing he was going to do was to go and find his wife.

He found Elizabeth sitting in her rooms with a few ladies around. Of course, a few of his own gentlemen followed him around like hawks. The ladies bowed as he walked in and the gentlemen bowed at Elizabeth.

"Leave us," commanded Elizabeth. All the ladies and gentlemen left the couple in a second. Robert ran over to Elizabeth and embraced her in a hug and a kiss.

"Robin, thank god you are better," said Elizabeth. "I could not have lived knowing you were unwell."

"Bess, it was merely a cold. The weather change must have gotten to me," brushed off Robert. "How was our daughter?"

"Anne behaved as ever like a princess. It is like she already knows that she is one," said Elizabeth, obviously proud of her daughter.

"Well, if we have one well behaved daughter, why not have more children Bess?"

Elizabeth immediately snapped her head around at him. Was it that he did not love their daughter? No, that wasn't it; it was probably Walsingham and Cecil in his ear telling him that they needed a son. She had been an unwanted daughter and she was able enough to govern her country, why could Anne not be able to.

"Do you think Anne not able to rule?" asked the now tempered Elizabeth.

"Of course I do but infants can die Elizabeth. Your own father came to the throne by chance. If his brother had not died, he could have not been King. And wouldn't Anne love to have a sibling. Someone to bond with," responded Dudley.

"If you think it must be so it could not happen for awhile yet as I only just had Anne. Leave, leave now and send my ladies in."

Robert bowed towards her. He didn't want to upset her on the topic but he knew the rumours that her cousin, Mary, was looking for a husband. A husband that could help her deliver a Catholic son.


In Edinburgh Castle, Mary, Queen of Scotland, was listening to her lords. They did not like the news of a child being born the Queen of England.

"Your majesty, maybe it would be wise to get rid of the child in some way," cried out of the lords.

Mary could not do that to an innocent child. It had done nothing to truly offend her. It was but a baby, "I will not have the murder of an innocent baby on my hands."

"Your majesty, there is but one other option. The Queen of England must never have a son. We could have people poison the baby every time she conceives. And if you have a son, soon, we could create an alliance with her through the Princess Anne. If you could not be Queen of England, maybe a son of yours could be King of England, jointly ruling with the Princess."

Mary liked the idea but how was she to have a son; she was not even married any more. "My lords, we must pray for the Queen to have a healthy son." All the lords laughed at Mary's remark. Not only was she now having a go at Elizabeth but she was being deadly serious about herself.


20th Aug 1562

Elizabeth was in a happy mood. She was off to see her daughter, with her husband, for the first time since the Princess was born. She was now three months old and changes from her last visit must be recognisable.

They each rode by horse to Hatfield and arrived swiftly. Elizabeth was off her horse first and hurried into the castle doors with Dudley trying to keep up with her quick pace.

Lady Mary Knollys was there to great their majesties at the door. She nodded towards them both. "Your majesties, your daughter is through this way if you please."

Elizabeth followed Lady Knollys through the hallways that she had once called home. As she entered a large room down the end of the corridor, she finally saw her beloved princess being held by one of the wet nurses. Elizabeth had been given daily reports of her progress but that was nothing like seeing her daughter.

Elizabeth walked forward and the wet nurse reluctantly handed the baby over to Elizabeth as she sat down. Elizabeth looked down at her daughter, who had now grown little bits of dark brown hair on the top of her head. Elizabeth knew that her daughter would be a beauty, an almost exotic beauty like her own mother, Anne Boleyn.

Elizabeth looked up towards Lady Knollys. "Does she feed well?" asked Elizabeth.

"She is good in every way, your majesty and hardly cries at all, as if she already knows she is a princess," replied Lady Knollys, who was already fond of her little charge.

Elizabeth smiled down at Anne who was busily trying to get a hold of her mother's small gold-chain necklace. "I love you Anne. I love you with all my heart and I bid you never forget it."

"Your majesty," said one of the wet nurses. "It is routine that the princess should be fed right now."

Elizabeth nodded in response. She handed her daughter back over to the wet nurse and looked up at Robert who had been watching the moving scene unfold. "Do not worry darling. She will be back in your arms once she is fed. It is good for her to be in routine."

Elizabeth nodded but it was hard to be separated from her daughter, her only child. She was not sure that having more children was for the best but she knew that it was probably better in the line of succession. Especially, if the rumours were true, Mary, her cousin and Queen of Scots, was trying to usurp her position as Queen of England.


AN: I hoped you liked that chapter. I was glad to enter Mary, Queen of Scots, into the fold of the story. Her story will be more important in later story lines that I have in my head. Anyway, thank you for the reviews. It means a lot to have people reading the story. Please review again.

TBC