AN: Welcome to a new chapter of 'A Chance Not Worth Taking'. I am sorry for not updating this story but this chapter was next on my list. I hope you enjoy it; it is a bit longer than previous chapters.
I think I made a few little mistakes on when Anne was pregnant in the last chapters but that will all be fixed in these chapters.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Twilight as Stephenie Meyer has the rights to it and I do not own The Tudors as that belongs to Michael Hirst and to history.
Chapter Four: The Fall
29th January 1536
Not a few hours later than when Anne decided to make Rosalie her confidant, she had realised she was pregnant with the long for son, she knew it. She couldn't believe that she had missed that she was pregnant; she was even starting to show. She knew she should have been paying closer attention to these things but it was her husband's philandering ways that got the best of her mind.
Henry was over the moon with joy that he was to have a legitimate son within the year. It may not but he hoped for the best. Katherine was dead. Anne had every reason to be able to carry and deliver this baby to full term.
He had quickly gotten one of his courtiers, Sir Henry Norris, to organise a joust in celebration. His queen, Anne Boleyn, decided she would not attend though. She wanted no excitement to stress the baby out and cause it to die. Henry understood completely and he was in a way glad that she wouldn't be attending. He had decided straight away that he would ask another lady for her favour.
Mistress Hale was walking around outside the pavilion. She, personally, would love to be part of the tournament but it was seen unfit for women to participate. All she could do was watch. This was one of the moments when she wished that vampires were accepted throughout the wider community that were not just the legends of folk tales and viciously murdered when ever discovered.
She was starting to get restless. She didn't need to be back here but she didn't want to be in the stands either. She did not have the patients to go through the torment of Thomas Boleyn and John Seymour making comments about each other. It could never be that interesting.
Suddenly she noticed everyone bowing. As she turned to face the opening of the pavilion, King Henry was looking at her intently. She plunged herself into a large bow and only got up when the King said it was alright to do so.
Henry walked over to Rosalie. He was wearing his full jousting armour and looked the part of a warrior King. Rosalie couldn't believe her luck. She had now wished to be sitting near Boleyn and Seymour.
"My lady, how are you today?" asked Henry, trying to be the ever suave gentleman.
"I am fine and the weather is good. It must be your lucky day," replied Rosalie.
"It would be even better if you would do me a favour, my lady," said the King, looking at Rosalie with an ever hopeful look in his eye. Rosalie looked at him straight in the eye and raised her eyebrows for him to continue.
"My lady, would you be so kind as to let me wear your favour today?"
Rosalie had an inward laugh to herself. The nerve of the man. "I am sorry, your majesty, but I do not have a favour today."
Henry looked puzzled. Every woman had a favour and more than willing to give it to their King. Why did she defy him so? He asked bluntly, "Why?"
"Your majesty, a favour should be given from the heart of a woman without the knowledge that it has been given. A piece of ribbon means nothing. If it is your greatest desire today to receive a small piece of ribbon for a lady then ask Lady Seymour. She would be more than happy to give hers to you."
Rosalie did a small courtesy and walked to the stands. She thought that it was definitely time to see what was happening in the ongoing saga of the Boleyn vs. Seymour rivalry. The King on the other hand was bewitched by her. Why did she have the power to defy him so and that he would not take the slightest of grudges because of it? He wanted to know why. He needed to know why.
He couldn't come up with an answer so instead of worrying about it, he headed over to Lady Seymour. She on the other hand was modest and gently placed the favour in his hands. Rosalie may take some work but it wouldn't be long until he captured Jane.
The joust didn't go as planned though. In a joust between Henry and Norris, Henry was unhorsed and crushed by his horse. The crowd went into a sudden uproar about what had happened. He was quickly but carefully carried back to the pavilion by Brandon, Norris, Boleyn and Seymour so Dr Linacre could look after him better.
Rosalie made it her mission to tell the Queen of the terrible news. She didn't want to tell her but she needed to know. What if the King died? Their daughter, Elizabeth, could become Queen. It would not be easy though. Catholic rebellions against Elizabeth could easily happen and the infant's life could be in jeopardy. Rosalie's heart wasn't made of stone. She had always dreamed of having children but that she could never do now but seeing another child suffer, that was something that she could not bear.
Rosalie made her way swiftly to the Queen's rooms when she arrived back at Whitehall Palace. The Queen was listening to some calming music played by Mark Smeaton. As Rose barged through the door, the Queen was startled. Rose quickly bowed and started on telling the bad news.
"Your majesty," she said. "I am sorry to be the one to tell you this most terrible news but the King has taken a fall from his horse. The horse, unfortunately, fell on top of him and the King was crushed. They are afraid they he will not live the day."
The Queen felt like she was about to faint. "Mark, Mark," called the Queen. He would be able to give her balance. Anne was helped to her chair by Mark and Rose.
The Queen looked up at Rose. "Please say it's not so. I pray it's not so. Please, Mistress Hale, please get my dress and veil from that chest over there."
Rose quickly went and organised, set out and helped the Queen dress into these clothes while Mark had left the room. He had gone to tell Mister Cromwell, even though he probably already knew and was preparing for little Elizabeth's coronation.
Anne was dressed and then turned and grabbed Rosalie's cold arm. Anne's eyes looked like they were wracked with pain and worry. "Mistress Hale, Rosalie, please go to Hatfield and fetch the Princess. She must be here. Please bring her to me now."
Rosalie quickly left the room, went down to the horse stables and mounted her horse. In no more than eight minutes, Rosalie was off to fetch the Princess Elizabeth to the Queen.
Mistress Hale was greeted by a frazzled Lady Bryan. Lady Bryan nodded towards the young girl in which Rose replied.
"My lady, I am here to fetch the Princess Elizabeth back to the Queen. It is most urgent," said Rosalie. There was a carriage already waiting for them.
"I am sorry Madame but why?" asked Lady Bryan. Another lady had gone upstairs to make the Princess ready for travel and fit to meet her mother.
"His Majesty has fallen and been crushed by horse in a joust today," said Rosalie. Her voice did not tremble. "I must take the Princess to her mother in the case that she is our next queen."
Lady Bryan did not know how to answer. Elizabeth, thankfully, was soon down in a bottle green gown, an outfit every bit fitting for a Princess of the House of Tudor.
"May I come with my charge?" asked Lady Bryan. She was flustered but she felt she needed to be with her charge if she was to soon take on a very important role. Rosalie nodded. There was enough room for at least four people in the carriage.
Rosalie had left her horse at Hatfield. She would be able to retrieve it later.
As they rode in the carriage, the confidant little Elizabeth, already felt that Rosalie was a friend, something that pleased Rose immensely. Rose wished that this precious little child was hers but she could not be that lucky. Anne was her mother and that is where she needed to be right now, with her mother.
Rosalie felt guilty for thinking ill of the Queen. Yet, she was jealous. She had a beautiful daughter and would soon have another child. Rose could have none of it. If she had cried she would have right now. Instead, she continued to play the games Elizabeth was teaching her until they would arrive at Whitehall.
AN: I hoped you liked that. I tried to get to Rose's softer side, especially involving children. Anyway, thank you for all the reviews you have given this story. It is greatly appreciated. Please Review again and I hope this makes up for leaving this story not updated for the last few days.
TBC