A/N: Well it has been awhile... I truly meant to update this over my Christmas break but I was in an accident on Christmas Eve, of all days. I ended up having surgery over break and needed to drown my sorrows of having an uneventful break with many episodes of the Tudors. Once I got back to school I encountered a huge case of writer's block which I solved by writing something for my book that will happen MUCH later. I finally got my act together and produced this, which is supposed to be relevant around Christmas time, because it takes place during Yuletide. I hope you all enjoy it. Please read and review because I LOVE hearing what you have to say and I take all of your reviews to heart! Enjoy!
Chapter 9- Richmond Palace- December 1502
The chapel was cold and still dark but this was exactly how Margaret Beaufort liked it. Comfort, she thought, was for the weak. One's mind cannot be on one's prayers if they are too comfortable. She prayed for her country, for her dear son the King, for her grandchildren, she even prayed for her daughter-in-law and the Spanish princess. She had a general dislike towards both of them. Over the years, Margaret had succeeded in overshadowing Elizabeth's influence on Henry. She had almost willingly complied. She was content to do her duty to give the King heirs and stay out of the business of the state. On the other hand, Katherine did not seem so willing to be brushed aside. Lady Beaufort worried about the sway the spoiled Spanish infanta held over Arthur. Katherine was too used to getting her way, too used to being the favorite of everyone at court and that had to change. Her son was almost more besotted with her than her grandson was. To Margaret Beaufort, Arthur regarded his wife politely, but indifferently. He had grown up a great deal in the past year he has spent at Ludlow. She knew her decision to send the young prince there would go him good. At court, under the watchful eyes of his simpering mother, he would never learn to be a man. She had not, however, wished for Katherine to accompany him. It was the compromise Henry came up with between Margaret and his wife. She had wanted to send Arthur away by himself; Elizabeth thought it best that the couple remain together. Lady Beaufort did not count this as a defeat. Indeed, the decision had not proved fruitless, since Katherine became with child quickly. The girl's fertility was the only thing Margaret could credit her with. Then again, the child was not born yet and it was uncertain on whether or not it would be a prince. Katherine still had much to prove.
Margaret, of course, prayed for Arthur to have a son. Only a son could further secure the Tudor dynasty on the throne of England. She has worked over half of her life to see her son sit upon the throne. Acolytes moved quietly around the chapel lighting candles, careful not to disturb the King's mother.
The door moaned as it opened and Margaret turned her head to see Katherine and two of her women enter the chapel. Maria de Salinas helped her to kneel and handed her rosary to her. Arthur arrived shortly after his wife and his grandmother was not unaware of his hand grazing along Katherine's arm as he knelt down in prayer. Katherine turned her head ever so slightly towards him and a small smile spread across his face, though his gaze remained fixed on the crucifix above the altar.
Maybe the reports from Ludlow were true, Lady Beaufort thought to herself. She would keep an even more watchful eye upon Arthur now. Although he had been raised from birth to be a king, the King's mother had always thought that the small, quiet, serious Arthur would be better suited to life in a monastery. She had worried that he would not grow out of boyhood, or worse, would die young on the throne. Now, that fear which had plagued her and her son faded over the course of only a few months.
Once the King and Queen were in attendance the priest began the mass and Margaret concentrated on her missal. After the mass was over, Lady Beaufort overheard the Queen requesting Katherine's presence in breaking the fast.
"Very good Elizabeth," the older woman said. "I shall join the two of you."
The Queen merely smiled and nodded. Margaret knew she would not have refused her. The three women broke fast in the Queen's solar in an awkward silence until Elizabeth spoke.
"Have you decided what you are wearing for the Twelfth Night?" the Queen asked Katherine. "It is the most festive night."
"Yes, your Grace, I have had my gown made for some time."
"Speaking of gown, Elizabeth, my dressmaker will come to look at your gown so as to replicate it." The King's mother always wore the same dress as the Queen on festive or state occasions. It was not something Elizabeth was pleased with, but she accepted it and took comfort in the fact that she always wore the dress better than her mother-in-law did.
"My lady grandmother," Katherine began, an idea churning in her head. "I know it is not customary, but I would be most honored if you would wear a replicate of my gown for the Twelfth Night masquerade."
Queen Elizabeth awaited her mother-in-law's answer in stunned silence. Margaret Beaufort pursed her lips and drew in a deep breath. She mulled the idea over in her head. Katherine was extremely popular with the court and the people. She and Arthur would be the center of attention at the masque, not the King and Queen. It seemed like a clever idea.
"Very well," she replied, exhaling. "My dressmaker will come to your chamber this afternoon. What will you be wearing?"
"The dress is dark blue and green so dark that one would think it was black, until the like plays upon it a certain way. It is like a bird. The mask of feathers that I have had made to match it looks very regal. You will look most exquisite my lady grandmother."
Margaret Beaufort smile at Katherine. Perhaps she had misjudged the girl. "We will both look exquisite, my dear."
***
Arthur could not believe how much his youngest brother Edmund had grown. He was now four and could sit atop of his own miniature hose. He was only allowed to trot but his form was impeccable. Arthur drilled him in what he was learning from his tutors while Harry galloped far ahead of them showing off his skill. Harry hadn't changed a bit in the past year, although he had spent the better part of it as a pupil of the Archbishop of York. He was still haughty, competitive and hot headed. Arthur could not imagine him as a member of the clergy, as their father wanted him to be. He could not see Harry as doing much of anything except gallivanting about the country, wasting his days away on women and drink. When he became King, Harry would no doubt expect a spot on his Privy Council.
"Arthur are you listening to me?" he heard Edmund call.
"What? Yes, of course," he replied.
"Father is going to make me a Knight of the Bath!"
"Is he now?"
"Yes, and I get a sword."
"Do you know how to use a sword?"
The Young Duke of Somerset thought for a moment. "No, do you?"
"Yes, I do."
"Have you ever had to use it before?"
"No, only in practice and tournaments."
"I'm going to be a great knight one day. Can I be a commander in your army?"
Arthur smiled at the eagerness of Edmund. It was different from Harry's eagerness to compete and his thirst for blood. Edmund was eager to serve his country and to serve his brother, even at such a tender age.
"England does not have a standing army," he said and the little boy frowned. "But should I ever need one, I will call on you."
***
Katherine gazed at herself in the mirror of her dressing table, absentmindedly musing over the past few days. Christmas had been truly wonderful but tonight, Twelfth Night would be the crowning glory of the season. She was so lost in her thoughts that she was nearly startled when Arthur's reflection appeared behind her in the mirror.
"My lord, I was not expecting you," Katherine said as she rose from her dressing table. She was already dressed and one of her ladies was setting tiny rubies in her hair.
"Sweetheart," he said kissing her cheek. "You look radiant. No one can surpass your beauty tonight." She blushed and inclined her head. She was still worried about her scheme to trick the king's mother. Her new gown was a deep wine color with cloth of gold.
"Do you really think it looks alright?" she questioned him.
"Yes, of course," he said taking her hand. "Before we go to the Twelfth Night masque, I have a present for you?"
"Another one? You've already given me so many beautiful jewels. But I must confess, I have another gift for you as well. May I give you mine first?"
Arthur nodded as Katherine pulled a cloth wrapped package from a chest and handed it to him. He smiled as he carefully unfolded it to reveal a small dagger. He unsheathed it to reveal a shimmering silver blade.
"It is from Spain, made of Toledo steel, the best in the entire world."
"Thank you. I shall carry it with me always. Now, it is your turn."
He called for a groom to come into the room and soon a young man entered holding a small dog in his arms. Katherine practically squealed with delight and took the small creature into her arms.
"She is a terrier from the north. She won't get much bigger than this so you can keep her with you."
"What is her name?" Katherine asked.
"She does not have one, I thought I would let you name her," Arthur said.
"I think I will name her Vivian, Vivi for short," Katherine decided and nuzzled the little pup. "Thank you so much, she is wonderful!"
'I'm glad you like her, perhaps she and Samson can play together."
"Samson would eat her!"
"He would not, he's a sweet natured greyhound," Arthur laughed.
"Regardless, he is much bigger than she is," Katherine protested.
"I think we should be leaving soon, everyone will be waiting for us. Are you ready?"
"Yes," she said. Katherine handed the little dog off to Lady Margery Seymour who had recently joined her household, linked her arm with that of her husband and left the room.
***
The members of court mingled with one another as they awaited the arrival of the Royal Family. Many of them had come solely to catch a glimpse of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The King and Queen were already waiting in an outer corridor with their younger children Margaret, Harry, Mary, Edmund and the King's mother. Arthur and Katherine, with their entourage of friends and attendants, moved down the long hallway towards them. As the pair drew closer, Lady Beaufort noticed Katherine's gown was very different from her own.
"Katherine," she said aghast. "This is not the gown that my dressmaker copied."
"No, my lady grandmother, it is not. Please forgive me," Katherine replied sweetly. "It is almost embarrassing to tell, but this afternoon when my ladies were lacing up the stays, I found them to be too tight and uncomfortable. Luckily, I brought this gown as well, which I had an extra panel added to while we were still at Ludlow."
"I see," came the reply from the still shocked older woman. What else could be said? The story Katherine related was certainly believable, but now she would look like a fool.
"I think you look ever so pretty," little Edmund said tugging on Katherine's skirt.
"Thank you, and don't you look so handsome and grown up."
"I am grown up! Look I have a dagger."
"Edmund dear," Queen Elizabeth said placing her hand on his shoulders. "Remember, that is not a toy."
"Yes, Lady Mother, I know."
"My Lord," the chamberlain said to the king. "Is everyone assembled?"
"Aye, announce us to the court."
The doors were thrown open and the herald announced the Royal Family. "His Grace Henry, King of England, Ireland, and France and Her Grace Queen Elizabeth. Her Grace Margaret, Queen of Scotland. The Right and Honorable Lady Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and mother to the King. Their Highnesses Arthur and Katherine, Prince and Princess of Wales, His Highness Henry, Duke of York. Her Highness the Princess Mary and His Highness, Edmund, Duke of Somerset."
The Royal Family was truly a sight to behold. Their great table was set upon a raised dais so that all in the hall could see them. Henry and Elizabeth were seated in the middle with Arthur to the King's right and Margaret to the Queen's left, with her grandmother next to her. Harry sat on Katherine's right and little Edmund next to him. Princess Mary sat very still next to her grandmother, whom she feared a great deal. Mary wanted to sit next to Katherine. Her mother had told her that Arthur's wife was now her sister and they should treat her so.
The feast was grand with many courses including venison, hare and goose. It felt wonderful for Arthur to be back at court with his family. It brought back so many memories from when he was a child. It was all the better now because Katherine was with him. Despite the fact that his grandmother did not seem to care much for his wife, she fit well into their family. His sister Margaret treated her with her usual standoffishness that was enhanced by the fact that she and James IV of Scotland had been married by proxy and she was now to be addressed as Queen Margaret of Scotland. Mary and Edmund admired Katherine the way young children do and wanted her to play with them. Harry liked Katherine but Arthur noticed, more than once, his younger brother looking at her with a hint a jealousy in his eyes. Arthur took Katherine's hand in his own hand and kissed it.
"Have I told you how marvelous you look tonight?"
"Yes," Katherine blushed. "You have, more than once."
"It doesn't make it any less true. Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Oh yes, everything is wonderful."
"Everything is always wonderful for Twelfth Night!" Harry interrupted. "Don't you have anything like that in Spain?"
"Well, we celebrate the feast of the Three Kings who visited Christ after his birth. It is far more solemn then this," Katherine explained.
"Well that is no fun. Don't you have masques or feasts or anything?"
"Yes, Harry, I'm sure they do," Arthur said irritably. "Maybe you should go and show off your dancing skills with Margaret. She looks as if she is dying to dance."
"You're not Father, you can't tell me what to do," Harry said reluctantly standing from his chair. As he left, he threw back over his shoulder "And you're not King yet either!"
"And you never will be," Arthur replied vehemently.
"Arthur, please," Katherine pleaded. "It's Christmas."
"I'm sorry," he half-heartedly apologized. He hated the way Harry always stuck his nose into things, always waning to be part of every conversation, always having to be the center of attention. "You're right."
"Of course I am," his wife said settling back against her chair. "When have I not been?"
Arthur laughed. "And you always know how to lighten my mood."
The Queen could not hear the conversation between her son and daughter-in-law, but she had been observing their actions all night. A glance here, a touch there, a whisper. It was plain for her to note the affection between them. When they danced, Arthur only kept his eyes on Katherine, even when they switched partners. Elizabeth could tell that her son was, without a doubt, smitten with his wife and she with him.
"It will not last," said a voice from beside her.
"I beg your pardon my Lady Mother."
"This infatuation Arthur has with her. It will not last."
"How can you be so sure? They seem happy with one another."
"Because alliances are not made for happiness, certainly they are not made for love. They are made for power."
Elizabeth snorted. What does Margaret Beaufort know of love? she thought to herself. The only thing she loves is the power she has and her son because he has given her power.
"My Lady Mother, I think you are mistaken," the Queen said bluntly.
"Just wait, you'll see. He will tire of her just as all husbands do. Just wait until she enters her confinement, when she isn't constantly at his side and then see what happens."
Elizabeth said no more. There was little point once her mother-in-law had made up her mind about something. She let her gaze travel down the table to where Katherine and Arthur sat hand in hand. It was a simple gesture but it spoke volumes. In all of her married life, Elizabeth could not remember a single time when the King had reached for her hand, even in the early days of their marriage which were happy enough. No, Elizabeth decided. Henry's mother is wrong. This is different; it will last, because my son is much different than your son. My son will be a great King.
***
The morning after Twelfth Night Queen Elizabeth decided to invite Katherine to break-fast with her after the mass. Henry was meeting with his Privy Council and so his mother would be with him, instead of pestering Elizabeth.
"Do you prefer to speak in French?" Elizabeth asked in an attempt to be accommodating.
"No, Your Grace, English is fine."
"Oh Katherine, please, no formality with me. If you please, call me mother, just as all of my children do."
Katherine smiled. "I would like that very much. Arthur and I almost always speak English when we are together. I am still learning with the Countess of Salisbury, but it had become easier."
"I'm glad to hear you have become friends with Lady Pole. You know she is my cousin."
"She has taught me so much about being English, it has been a great help."
"Tell me dear, how have you been feeling?" Elizabeth asked.
"Much better, I am no longer ill in the mornings. As I said the other night, I've had to add an extra panel to some of my gowns. I do know that Arthur very much wants you to come to Ludlow for the birth in April."
"I would like that very much as well, if the King will allow it."
"Let us pray that he does," Katherine replied sincerely.
"Katherine, may I ask you something frankly?"
"Yes, of course."
"You will have to forgive me, but it has been something I have been most curious about. The gown that the King's mother copied, you never intended on wearing it, did you?"
"No, I did not," the young woman said with a faint smile on her lips.
"I did not think so. Why did you do it?"
"Honestly, I do not know. The wicked idea just came to me at that moment. I know that I should show her respect, but it is so hard when she insists on ruling over every minute detail of our court at Ludlow. It is insufferable."
"My dear," the Queen soothed. "Suffice it to say that I understand you frustration, but I would advise you to tread with caution when it comes to the King's Mother. Overbearing as she may be, she is an even more dangerous enemy."
"You sound like Arthur," Katherine observed.
"How is my son? I've scarcely had a moment alone with him since your party arrived. I still cannot believe how he has changed."
"Yes, but you will find that he is still very much the same, even if he has changed outwardly.'
"He certainly gave us a scare in April, did he not?"
"Indeed."
"Arthur has always been different from his brothers and sisters," the Queen confided. "He was quieter, more contemplative, shy, but I feel as through that is changing, perhaps because of you."
"Me?"
"Katherine, it is not an accusation, it is a compliment. A mother notices things about her children, you will soon learn that, and I have seen the way Arthur looks at you. It is obvious that he cares a great deal for you, that he is happy. I just wanted to thank you for taking care of him. It is a little saddening, yet reassuring to know that I need not watch him so closely."
Katherine noticed tears welling up in the Queen's eyes and she instinctively reached out for her hand.
"I want to assure you that I will always care for Arthur. It is strange, but I love him in a way that I didn't think was possible. Arthur has told me so many things about you. I don't know how I could ever live up to everything you are to him."
"Well," Elizabeth said lightly with a wink. "Lucky for Arthur that he has the both of us."
"Do not forget," Katherine replied with a laugh. "He also has my Lady the King's Mother as well."
