Disclaimer: I don't own the Tudors, because if I did Princess Mary would be the ruler of a Golden Age, or at least get a happy ending. AN: Sorry for the delay but school has been hectic (well more than usual) but luckily the term is winding down so I should be able to update more often. Italics is either for thoughts or flashback.
God that man was an idiot.
Philip should have known that Francis had no intention what so ever of hurting Mary, he only said that to ensure that his deception wouldn't't be exposed. But as happened all too often, the man was blinded by love, he would keep quiet.
Normally Sir Francis would've laughed at fools like that, but now he was beginning to fear that he was turning into one of them, after all the old Sir Francis, would never have gone to all this much trouble for a mere girl and the more he tried to remind himself that it was just because she was the King's daughter, the more he realized it wasn't.
Philip, clearly ignoring the physician's advice made his way as fast as he could without attracting attention to the Great Hall where he knew that Mary and the Royal family would be dining. He just hoped it wasn't too late, he couldn't think and he certainly couldn't breathe, all he knew was that if he didn't get in there and stop Mary before she unknowingly put herself in danger.
"What is it sweetheart?" Henry asked Mary once they were alone.
"Your Majesty…. I" Mary paused; she had to phrase this delicately.
"It is about Duke Philip's accident"
But before she could get another word out, the guard opened the door and announced Philip's presence.
"Your Majesty" Philip said, trying not to sound out of breathe.
"May I speak to Princess Mary alone please?"
Henry frowned, he hated being interrupted but he decided that since Philip was ill he would make an exception just this once.
"Very well" he said, frowning at him but nonetheless leaving them alone.
"Philip?" Mary said, frowning, once they were alone.
"Sweetheart, you must not tell your father about what happened, Sir Francis has threatened to hurt you, and that is something that I cannot allow to happen."
"He wouldn't dare. My father is not stupid and neither is the rest of the court, they would suspect something if you were hurt."
"Mary don't you see?" Philip said, trying not to yell.
"There is nothing that that man would stop at to possess so fine a jewel as the King's own daughter, if he had to murder me to do it then I doubt he would hesitate."
"What do you suggest we do then?" she questioned him.
"We must be married, as soon as possible, is everything ready?"
"All except the rings." She said.
For the first time that day Philip smiled.
"Do not worry sweetheart I have that taken care of. I was going to wait until the wedding but now is a good a time as any" with that he pulled out a ring.
Mary gasped. Could it be?
*Flashback*
"Your Majesty" Philip bowed before the King. He wondered why he had been invited to the King's private chambers.
"Do you have a ring Duke Philip?" the King questioned him as they sat down.
"Not yet Your Majesty, it is early days" he replied.
The King then pulled out a small box and gently, as though it contained something precious, opened it. Inside was a small gold band with a large ruby and two small emeralds on either side.
Henry sighed as he examined the ring.
"This was Mary's mothers ring. She willed it to me when she died.I suppose as a reminder of her views on our marriage." He surmised.
"Despite all that has happened, it would please me greatly if you gave this to Mary. I know Katharine would have wanted her to have it. May God bless your marriage as it never blessed ours"
For a moment both the King and the Duke were lost in thought but then Philip broke the spell.
"I thank you, Your Majesty" he bowing as he left.
Meanwhile Henry was left alone with his thoughts.
*End Flashback*
Philip, due to his injuries could not manage to get down on one knee but despite this he triumphantly slipped the ring onto Mary's finger, knowing that he was lucky to be alive.
"Will you marry me, my Princess?" Philip whispered softly in her ear, as though he had not already asked her. Mary felt like she couldn't breathe. Her mother's ring. This was supposed to be a bad omen but somehow it just felt so right. It fit her perfectly, as though it was made for her.
"As soon as I am well, we shall be married, I cannot stand it any longer" Philip said, hating to ruin the moment.
Suddenly all of Mary's fears came rushing back and she merely nodded. "I shall inform the King.
****
Soon the court was buzzing with the unexpected news that the wedding of Princess Mary to Duke Philip had been moved to a week was just enough time for the Duke to recover from his injuries.
Francis cursed; his plan was falling apart at the seams. But Francis was no fool.
He always had a plan B.
****
The day of her wedding came around so fast it felt like it had been only yesterday since they were engaged.
Mary's hands shook, she was terrified. In just a few short hours she would officially be Princess Mary, Duchess of Bavaria. Suddenly the door to her chambers opened as the guard announced Elizabeth's presence.
Forgetting all royal protocol Elizabeth ran into Mary's arms. She had not yet met Philip and would only do so at the wedding, as would Prince Edward.
Elizabeth, Lady Salisbury and a few others were arriving now to help her get ready.
"Bessie!" Mary swung Elizabeth up into her arms and hugged her tightly.
"Oh Mary, how I have missed you." Mary sat back down and Elizabeth climbed onto her lap.
For once, the two sisters were alone.
" Are you really getting married?" Elizabeth frowned. It wasn't fair! If Mary married she would never see her again!
"Elizabeth, don't be like that, I am sure that you will love Philip as much as I do." She gently chastised her sister, knowing how hard this was for her.
" But I will never see you again!" Elizabeth protested indignantly.
Mary couldn't help it, she burst out laughing.
" Bessie, sweetheart, the King has said that both Philip and I will live at court for a while, perhaps forever, I am not going anywhere. I could never leave you."
Elizabeth suddenly buried her head in Mary's lap. Thank goodness I'm not wearing my wedding dress yet! She thought.
" Good" continued Elizabeth, her voice muffled. "Because, although I love Edward he is only a baby and not nearly as much fun to play with as you Mary" she lifted her head up and grinned at her sister.
Then came a knock at the door.
"Forgive me, Princess Mary it is time to get ready" It was Lady Salisbury.
"Lady Elizabeth, Your Father requests your presence in the Throne room." She continued as Elizabeth reluctantly got off Mary's lap.
****
Eventually after many hours of preparation Mary was ready. She looked in the mirror and was amazed at what she saw.
Her hear was curled and flowing loosely down her back, complemented with her incredible wedding dress and a diamond tiara that Queen Anne had given her.
Her mother's ring would soon make everything complete.
With the greatest reluctance she had given it back to Philip only after making him swear to protect it with his life.
"Your mother would be so proud of you" Lady Salisbury whispered in her ear as tears came to Mary's eyes.
That was the only jarring note to this perfect day, her mother wasn't here to share it with her.
A quiet knock came at the door and a guard poked his head through.
"Princess Mary, Lady Salisbury, it is time."
Mary stood slowly.
It was time.
Time to marry the man of her dreams.
Time to make her mother proud, but most of all,
It was time to make history.
AN: Yay! Wedding next chapter. Look I know that I made Henry a little OC in regards to his thoughts on KOA and her ring etc but deal with it because I like to pretend that as far as KOA was concerned that Henry cared. Please review!