The More

November 1533

The fireplace burned lowly in the cold dark rom. Lady Darrell, wrapped in a wool cloak put another layer on top of the older woman sitting by the dying fire. They were running out of money and they were trying to manage as best as they could. The woman seated before her with the vacant look in her eyes had been through times like this before. When her first husband died she lived a simple life like this, but she had thrived despite it all. This time it was different. She was a mother forbidden from seeing her child ever again, much less communicate with her. She knew of Mary's position in Hatfield and it caused her to weep. Her daughter was a true born princess, her grandparents from both sides were great monarchs and she was serving the granddaughter of a gentry.

Katherine did not even think of her new found low position she had only Mary in mind and she had long since resigned to the fact that she might die here at the more not recognized as queen by her husband, but by God. She only worried for Mary whose years were still many on this earth.

"Your Majesty, would you not eat today?" Lady Darrell asked her, concern laced in her voice.

Katherine shook her head and pointed to something on her desk. Lady Darrell knew what it was and she sighed.

"Your Majesty, you cannot starve yourself" she begged Katherine

"I do not stave myself, Lady Darrell, I fast for a good cause" Katherine told her simply "Please bring my purse"

Lady Darrell knew better than to argue with the woman before her and did as she was told.

"My Daughter has nothing else in this world and everything has been taken away from me" She said as Lady Darrell handed her the small blue velvet purse with a golden string, a gift she had received from her mother in law upon her arrival. Katherine sighed at the memory of the sweet woman that bore Henry and she wondered why he had strayed so far away from his mother's teachings.

"I leave her this so that when I die, she will not think her mother forgot her as her father has"

Lady Darrell looked on at the old queen with so much pity that she tried so very hard to contain her tears.

"My Lady, you know the princess would never think that" She said trying to console her, but Katherine said nothing as she put the few coins she had been saving into the purse. She tied the golden strings and then looked up at Lady Darrell, the younger woman was not surprised to see all fire gone from her blue eyes.

"You must promise to give this to her when my time comes"

Lady Darrell held in a sob so she could speak clearly, "Do not speak of death, your Majesty"

Katherine looked at the weak fire that did nothing to keep her warm. What was the point of hoping anymore? What sort of miracle could she expect?

"Not speaking about it does not keep it away, Lady Darrell"

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Hatfield Palace

November 1533

Mary sat up suddenly. It was only a dream, a very terrible dream, but a dream none the less and it was not true. Her mother was well, dispirited, but well. Chapuys had said so during his last visit to her; there was no way her mother would die, she was not a sickly woman and Mary knew her mother would not be so cruel to leave her alone when she needed her the most.

Taking a deep breath, she looked around her room. It was small and boring, hardly fit for the king's bastard daughter, however she was being taught the lesson of knowing her place and so Mary didn't complain. It was not what she was used to growing up, but honestly Mary's room was the least of her concerns. Nevertheless, at this moment the room felt a bit too confining. Mary felt as though she could not breathe and so she got out of bed, put on her dark cloak and walked out.

She found herself in the main entrance of the palace standing infort of an open window. The weather was cold and rainy and Mary stood there with her eyes closed taking cool refreshing breaths. She did not know how long she was standing there for when she heard someone say her name. She quickly turned to see a girl about her age, she was a servant and one that Mary knew and liked.

"Margaret?"

Margaret lifted the candle she was holding so Mary could see her face properly in the dark.

"My Lady" The young girl quickly curtsied and went to close the window before turning to look at Mary

"My lady, you would sure give yourself a chill if you keep standing here, please return to your room so I may relight the fires"

The thought of returning to her room put her off and Mary quickly shook her head. In that instant her stomach rumbled and she looked at Margaret who gave her a slight frown.

"You did not eat supper" It was not a question and Mary smiled. Margaret was the kindest person at Hatfield and if possible her only friend here.

"Is there anything left in the kitchens?" Mary asked her and Margaret nodded leading the way to the kitchen. She set a stool for Mary to sit and brought her a plate of bread and cheese with a couple slices of meat. Once she set the plate before Mary she brought them both cups and filled it with warm ale. Once she was done eating Mary put her plate down.

"I dreamt of my Mother" Mary began "I miss her so much and only wish I could write to her." Margaret said nothing as she watched Mary get lost in her thoughts.

"When I was younger, I would visit court and my mother would come to my chambers and give me the tightest hug." Mary smiled at the memory "I would complain that I could not breathe and she would tell me that it was a hug for every day we were separated. She would kiss my cheek, pick me up and twirl me around as she sang my favorite Spanish song." Tears had begun to form in Mary's eyes and she wiped them away quickly "I know she is dispirited and ill. All this has taken its toll on her and all I want is to be able to hug her as tight as I can before she leaves this earth. My fear is…my fear is that I will not be able to see her before she dies. I fear I will never see my mother again" She let out a sob and quickly wiped her face.

Margaret herself had moisture in her eyes.

"I thank you Margaret for being so kind to me and for listening to me."

"I'm always here to listen, my Lady. Thank God the king comes tomorrow, you can talk to him about seeing your mother. Perhaps he would change his mind" She said

Mary gave her a sad smile. If only she knew her father well.

"Perhaps" Mary said.

Margaret stood up.

"Come, My Lady you must go back to bed, the court arrives tomorrow, you want to be bright eyed and well rested. I'm sure everything would be fine. God's plan for us are never of evil, the good book says so"

Mary thanked her again and Margaret handed her a candle so she could walk back to her room easily. When Mary got back to her room, she did not go back to sleep. The courts arrival tomorrow was not bringing her any sort of hope or joy. She knew that only trouble came when her father and his entourage were near, trouble for her at least.

0000000

That's chapter 3. I hope to get more reviews just so I know if you guys like it or not. Thanks to those that have reviewed and followed this story I really appreciate it! Next chapter, the court is in Hatfield.