A/N: thank you for the lovely reviews they inspire me to continue with the story of our star crossed lovers. Also further research shows me that my timings are off Mary should really be about 26 here but I wanted her to be younger so 24 it is. The year is roughly 1541, Which makes Elizabeth just turned 9 I think.


Philip visited his cousin Anne the day after and the turmoil on his face was obvious to her. "Cousin what is wrong?" She asked concerned for his well being.

"It is the king, I asked him if I may court Lady Mary because I intend to marry her and he has sent me away. I am not allowed to see her." He was dejected and sorrowful.

"Philip I don't know what to say. He is a temper driven man, the king. He is prone to fits of rage if something upsets him, you must give him some time and then write and ask again" Anne gave her cousin a hug before letting him go briefly.

"I have only one more day here before I must leave. I wish to see Mary again but don't know how I can arrange it so" His brow furrowed as he was lost in his thoughts.

"I am sure that I can do something there dear Philip" She kissed his cheek with kindness.


Mary was in an equal distress, she had given her maidenhead away to a man who her father had said she would not be allowed to marry. She had lost all hope that she would marry Philip and be able to leave this court or even be allowed to be happy here at all. It was torture, he was only a few rooms away but she could not see him or be with him. She had fallen in love and let her guard down and she had disgraced herself and lost sight of who she was in the process. Mary did the only thing she knew how to do in a terrible situation, she went to church and she prayed until her knees were sore and red.

"Your Majesty, The Lady Anne of Cleves" Was announced to his sitting room.

"If this is about Philip its my final word, dear sister. He will not be allowed to see Mary" Henry rubbed his temples he suffered with his headaches more often these days.

"He is very genuine in his affections your majesty, he looks so lost and miserable now that he is devoid of hope" Anne explained to Henry.

"I am sure that he is but it is simple fact that I have better people in mind to marry my daughter." Henry grumbled "It is not your business to question me on my business regarding my daughter" He put a lot of emphasis on the word "my".

"She is nearly into her 25th year your majesty, she will need to marry soon or risk missing her childbearing years completely then she will find it incredibly difficult to marry." Anne explained.

"I Realise this and I don't need your lectures or council, she is my child and I will do as I please!" Henry lost his temper and snapped. "Besides I always assumed that she would prefer to be in a convent abroad rather than marry" He sighed deeply and rested his head in his hands. "Problem is no one wants an illegitimate wife, I'm finding it almost impossible to find a prince who is willing to overlook that fact and those who do are so devoutly catholic that they despise me too much to look at my offers of dowry for her" He looked down at his hands and adjusted his ring for a second "I will have no choice but to increase her dowry and probably have to include some English titles for the man and a grand estate here in England."

"Then why not Philip?" Anne asked "He is of good standing as a Duke and Mary has told me that she likes him" Anne nudged again gently "Plus he is accepting of no dowry, you would not have to give him anything at all"

"No and that is my final answer" Henry stood up "Take your leave Lady Anne, I am tired" He instructed.


Anne had arranged to have Mary play cards with her that evening. They sat and talked a little but mainly paying attention to the game in front of them.

"My cousin tells me that he is to be sent away shortly" Anne mentioned softly in the quiet lull.

"Yes...I am most sorry to hear it" Mary's voice cracked and broke a little with the emotion.

"You love him, no?" Anne pried with gentle concern for her emotional young friend.

"I do, I have been afraid of my feelings for some time now and it is true that I am in love with him" Mary teared up and dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief.

"He is most aggrieved to have to leave here so soon and without a betrothal to yourself." Anne replied trying to give small comfort that her young beau felt the same.

"I know and I am also deep with sorrow, we might never see each other again" She cried softly.

"No that is not so" A masculine voice said from the doorway. Mary turned and there he was. Duke Philip of Bavaria, her true and handsome love.

"I have to go check on something a moment, forgive me." Anne smiled as she left the sitting room for her bedchamber. They were alone.

"Mary, last night was the single most greatest night of my life. I do not regret it but I know that you might" He took both her hands in his. " It is my wish that you continue to write to me in Bavaria, I do not want our love to fade" He kissed the tips of her fingers.

"Philip you leave in the morning, how are we supposed to be anything more than friends if you are no longer on the same continent as myself?" She looked to his eyes "I do not need a penpal, I need a husband." She softly cried a few tears.

"I know and I intend to marry you but I need to give your father sometime to realise that I am the best for you" He whispered "I love you Mary, please say you will write?" He pleaded.

"Of course I shall write to you, you are what keeps my heart beating in my chest Philip" She replied, he leant down a little and they kissed softly.


2 days later.

"The Lady Mary, your Majesty" She was introduced by the usher and walked in straight backed with her hands clasped in front of her before curtsying to Henry.

"Daughter, come in. sit, please" He smiled at her and gestured to a seat opposite his in his sitting room. It was a very grand room, adorned with furs and rugs. Hangings covered the walls containing his badge with Tudor Roses and the huge HR in the centre. Beautiful works of art by the finest artists stood on easels in corners and fine sculptures by the most talented sculptures of the time completed the décor. Henry himself was sat in a beautiful carved chair made from the finest Oak.

"Thank you your Majesty." She said respectfully.

"I am your father Mary and you must understand that I have your best interests at heart. I sent Duke Philip away with the best intentions for you. You are a princess in all but name dear and you are entitled to a marriage to someone befitting your station" He explained calmly.

"But Father, Philip is grand enough for me. I do not want empires to preside over. I just want to be happy." She disagreed with the king and this displeased his majesty and he sighed and rubbed a hand over his forehead in frustration.

"Mary you do not know what you want. This is why I am looking into previous offers of marriage proposals for you. I am considering between Prince Philip of Spain or the new King of Portugal and of course there was mention of Francis's second son, Henri being interested also" He smiled at her "they are all good choices and come with beneficial alliances for England. You should be glad, after all Prince Philip of Spain is next in line to the throne" Henry talked up his choices.

"I do not think it appropriate Father as I wish to marry Duke Philip of Bavaria" She defied him again.

"Mary, you will do as you are bid! I am the King and you are my child" He spat "You will marry one of them and you will do it soon. Understand me?" He said coldly "We are done here, be gone. I will let you know when something is decided." With a wave of his hand he dismissed her.


Mary moped around for weeks. She was off her food and downright miserable if truth be told. She had always prone to sickness so she wasn't surprised when after not eating properly for over a week she was struck with sickness and confined to her bed.

"The Lady is sick Your majesty, struck with a mild fever and vomiting every few hours. She hasn't eaten a single morsel for 3 days. Her ladies have told me they wish for your permission to send for the doctor?" The Spanish ambassador, Chapuys relayed Mary's condition to the King.

"Fine send Linacre to her chambers." Henry grumbled.

"Your Majesty, may I say something?" Katherine interjected.

"go ahead?" Henry replied.

"She isn't sick, she's just pining. She has no need of the doctor she will get over it and be fine eventually." Katherine explained.

"Hmm a good thought sweetheart. There you are Chapuys, if she isn't improved in a week I shall send for the doctor. But try and get her to eat something will you?" Henry dismissed him and turned back to his wife.

"Now my sweet, we are going to visit my son this afternoon, would you like to come?" He asked.

"Of course, I would love to see the prince of Wales" She almost squealed with excitement.

"good we leave at noon" Henry was happy at her good spirits, everything was an adventure for one so young "Hopefully he will have a companion to join him soon" He added raising an eyebrow to her.


Lady Mary's Chambers

"Do not send for a doctor!" Mary was insistent with her maids. "I mean it, if any of you defy me I will send you away" She was almost crying.

"But my Lady you must eat or you will become seriously ill" one of her senior ladies protested.

"Fine get the kitchens to send me a light broth and some dry toasted bread, but no doctor!" She relented but only slightly.

2 days later, Princess Mary rose from her bed but she remained pale in colour and withdrawn from the rest of court.

Philip,

I must pass this letter to you through Anne of Cleves for I am forbidden to write to you by the King. I am afraid my love for my courses have not come since our liaison and I think I am with your child. My father is trying to arrange a marriage to some foreign noble and I am afraid that any husband he finds for me will forsake me and this innocent babe. More than that I fear for my life should the King discover my condition. Please Philip you must find the strength to rescue me and our baby. I beg you, do not abandon us.

Love always,

Mary.


Approximately 2 weeks later.

Philip rested his head in his hands upon his desk. His lovely Mary was going to have his baby. He was to be a father but he had to make her his wife first. He had to convince the King and if that didn't work he would have to marry her anyway to make this child his legitimate heir and to save her from her father's wrath.

His most Gracious Majesty King Henry VIII of England.

Your majesty,

I beseech you please reconsider my proposal of marriage to the Lady Mary. I beg of you to please understand, she is the light in my sky, the sun to my moon and the bloom in my rose. If you believe me too lowly for her perhaps I could prove otherwise with gifts for your majesty, think of it as a dowry if you will. If your daughter becomes my wife I shall in return give you 2000 crowns and a fine stretch of land in Bavaria with one of my grandest castles upon it. Please consider it.

Philip, Duke of Bavaria.


Henry laughed aloud as he received the letter. What a stupid fool the Duke was. He would reply from courtesy alone not that the man deserved any.

Your Grace,

I am most flattered that you think my daughter worthy of such attentions but I must protest that I cannot allow you to try to buy my Daughters hand in marriage. I have also just accepted a proposal from the Duke of Orleans second in line to the French throne on Lady Mary's behalf. So I wish you forget of my daughters hand all together sir for she is soon to be another man's wife.

King Henry VIII

King of England, Ireland and France.


Mary sighed, she was sat up in bed, this was the third morning in a row she fell too unwell to rise and join the court for morning hand dropped to her stomach, in her nightgown she could feel the small swell of her stomach beginning to grow. She was nearly 3 months with child and every day she was plagued with fear that someone would discover her condition. Not only that, she was due to be married in 2 months time and by then the child in her belly would be visible to all and she would be called whore and harlot by everyone. Then her betrothed would not marry her, her father would disown her and perhaps come up with some false charge and have her executed.

She prayed everyday for her father to relent and Philip to marry her. She had not partaken in communion for the last 3 months as she had not confessed her liaison with Philip she did not feel it her right to take it and her refusal had been noted by some.

Henry walked into her chambers without being announced.

"Daughter, I have had a most intriguing letter from the Duke of Orleans, he says you have refused his proposal" Henry said coldly "Did I not tell you that you must marry soon and you would wed who I chose?" Henry spat viciously. "I do not care how ill your pining for this other man makes you, you will marry who you I say!" He was furious and his face turned beet red.

"I will not consent to marry anyone except Philip." Mary said simply.

"Then you will leave court, you are to stay at The More until you give up this pathetic resistance and stop your childish tantrums." The king said appearing void of emotion as he sucked any last vestige of hope from his eldest child.

"The more? Isn't that my mothers old house?" Mary questioned seeming slightly confused at his choice.

"Yes, it was one of your mothers last remaining properties upon her death and she left it to you in her will. It has been ignored these past years though and it is not in the best condition" Henry said before turning away "You will leave tomorrow unless you can come to your senses and agree to the marriage I have arranged for you" Henry walked out of the room with his usual commanding stride.


A/N: those who guessed she would get pregnant get a gold star! What's next for our star crossed lovers? I must admit that this isn't my favourite Tudor pairing but I felt there was a story here and wanted to get it down and out there where as with an Anne/Henry story most ideas have been done and probably better than I could do myself, though I will probably give it a shot at some point later in time. Also I must admit I enjoyed seeing Mary's character soften around the edges as she fell for Philips charms on the show. Please review folks.