Since Magic Crafter has recently updated her story, twice, I thought that I had best keep up the pace and give you one myself. Hope you enjoy this. It took damn well long enough to write. It really did, especially with writer's block, but, it's come along soon enough. Even though this is a short chapter, it sets up things for the future. I will start on the next chapter once I have updated my other Tudor stories.

28th March 1527: Whitehall Palace, England

Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, Ireland and France, whirled around the dance floor while Henry Tudor, King of England, Ireland and France, watched her closely, examining every feature of her body as she whirled past him.

Margaret, Dowager Queen of Scotland, Countess of Angus, Princess of England, Ireland and France, still heavily pregnant, had to hold herself back from vomiting as Queen Anne finished her dance by dropping into a curtsey. Margaret did not keep the disgust as she spoke "Very good, Mistress Boleyn,"

"Queen Anne," Henry swiftly corrected his sister. That was something that he should not have done. Margaret felt her indomitable temper rise to the surface and she sneered at her brother as she got to her feet "The moment that that woman becomes Queen is the moment that all of Christendom falls to their knees and starts kissing your immense breeches, Harry, for that woman-" Margaret pointed a finger directly at Anne "-will never be Queen of England! The people will never accept her!"

"Now listen here-" Thomas Boleyn tried to interrupt. Margaret turned to him "DON'T YOU DARE INTERRUPT ME! I AM A QUEEN! I COULD HAVE YOUR HEAD, MASTER BOLEYN!" Thomas Boleyn wisely backed down.

"Maggie-" Elizabeth, Dowager Queen of England tried to interrupt, but Margaret was having none of it. Whirling back to her brother, she sneered again as he rose "The people, Margaret, know when to accept a Queen!"

"Really?" Margaret roared "Then why did no-one cheer at her coronation and why did someone try to shoot her?" she added the next part to her sons "Unfortunately, they missed,"

Before she knew what had happened, Henry slapped her, hard, around the face. She stumbled a little "Mum!" James and Alexander caught their mother as Archibald rose, anxiously and little Margaret gasped. Mary gave a squeal of shock and Charles placed a hand on her shoulder while Edmund held her back.

"HENRY!" Everyone, including Margaret, jumped, as Elizabeth, in a rare bout of anger, roared at her son "That is no way to treat your sister, even if she is a stubborn woman that needs to learn when to keep her mouth quiet."

"But, mother-"

"But, nothing, young man! I don't care whether you are The King of England, without me you wouldn't be here, so you WILL listen to me, Harry! Do I make myself clear? Apologise to Margaret at once!"

"No, mother," Margaret got to her feet and brushed herself down "I thank you for your help, but it is not worth it. Henry is too stubborn a pig to see that he is in the wrong," Margaret cast a smile to her mother "I am going back to Scotland," she turned to Henry "Goodbye. Your Grace," She strode confidently across the lawn and her voice called back a few moments later "Boys! Margaret! Come!"

"YOU DO NOT HAVE MY PERMISSION TO LEAVE!" Henry roared after his sister.

That was the last straw. Margaret froze. She went as stiff as a board, before turning and striding across the lawn towards Henry. "Remember, little Harry," she began, as she reached him "That you are only King because of what happened to Arthur. He would have been much better ruling this country. For one thing, he wouldn't have been such a pig, nor would he have been so arrogant, fat, stupid or impertinent," She dipped a mocking curtsey to Henry and Anne, before dropping a proper curtsey to her other relatives. She swirled, and confidently strode across the grounds and disappeared off towards the castle. Dropping into bows, James and Alexander followed her, with Archibald and Margaret behind them.

29th March 1527: Whitehall Palace, England

Henry rolled over in the bed, looking down to the bottom of the room, where Anne was stood, praying, by a cross.

"Margaret's right," Henry began, a little annoyed, as he glanced down towards the large lump where his stomach was "I am getting fat,"

"I don't mind that," Anne began, finishing her prayer, and moving to the bed. Henry looked at her, with confusion on his face "What do you mind?" he asked. Anne climbed into the bed, and Henry rolled onto his side, throwing an arm over his wife's shoulder.

"I mind," Anne began "That your sister, Margaret, does not acknowledge me as Queen," she smiled, rolling over to face her husband and placing a hand on his raised chest "Even though you are getting fat, Henry, I can still sleep with you. Once Margaret goes back to Scotland, she may spread rumours about me, Henry,"

"And that is all they will be, Anne," Henry assured her "Rumours. Nothing more," he smiled, placing a kiss on her cheek "Margaret may have a temper, but she is not evil, Anne. She wouldn't spread rumours around, Anne, nor would she start them. Even when we were children she never spread rumours. Never. It was too far below her status, and, after her family and friends, her status is one thing she would never give up!"

Anne smiled, pushing herself closer to Henry and snuggling up against him. He smiled, placing a kiss on her forehead and, slipping both arms around Anne, he pulled her close. She felt Henry's expanding waistline press gently against her and the two of them fell asleep instantly, curled up in each others embrace.

30th March 1527: Whitehall Palace, England

Shaking hands, with Margaret, Henry sealed the deal.

"It is settled then," Margaret began "Alexander and Mary will marry after she reaches her twelfth birthday."

"She will," Henry replied, taking a sip of ale and then asking "She and Alexander will live in Scotland, I presume?"

"Yes," Margaret replied, before taking a sip of ale "They will live at Stirling Castle. Alexander was given a household there in December for his thirteenth birthday. He needed a household of his own. He and James couldn't live together forever."

"We all lived together," Henry contradicted Margaret "At least until Arthur and Katherine were married."

"Yes," Margaret agreed "But that was just because father was a miser and mother wanted to keep us all close, especially after Arthur's death."

A strained silence passed between the two siblings at the mention of their deceased brother. Margaret took another sip of ale, and attempted to break the ice. "I would never have expected you to remarry, Harry. Not after Katherine's death."

"Harry and Mary needed a mother figure in their lives." Henry replied, taking a large gulp of ale.

"They have our mother," Margaret informed Henry.

"They do," He replied "But our mother is ageing. She is not as young as she once was."

"Don't let mother hear you say that, Harry," Margaret commented "She'd have your head..."

"Indeed, she would. But I would never let her hear me say that she is ageing."

To Be Continued