'Het legioen dat de leeuw niet in zijn hempje staan!' *Moving on* Thank you all for the kind words and reviews! Another chapter! I hope you will not be dissapointed.

I do not own The Tudors, only this story.

*x*x*x* CourtlyLady

Chapter IX The Pope's small matter

Chelsea Estate- 8th January 1533

'Your Majesty? Are you awake?' a very familiar voice asked. She felt a hand stroking her cheek carefully. She turned her head on the pillow to meet his chocolate brown eyes.

'Where am I? Where is he?' Katherine said weakly, but Sir Thomas More could still hear the panic in her voice.

'Hush, everything is all right. You are at my place and your son is sleeping in the next room' Katherine tried to sit up straight, but fell down on the pillows again. Thomas heard her groaning in pain, although she desperately tried to suppress it.

'Please, I want to see him' Katherine did another attempt to sit up which resulted in that all the color drained from her face. Her long dark hair shined, because of the sweat which had seeped for hours of giving birth.

'I will help you' In a few seconds she felt his large hands under her armpits, lifting her lightly. Thomas placed a few more downy pillows against her sweaty back to support this position. He gave her a radiant smile, before he left the room to bring her newborn Prince. She listened to his heavy footsteps on the wooden floor. The winter wind howled, weeping big white flocks. He came back, holding a small bundle in his arms.

'Mi hijo, my little Prince' Katherine stretched out her arms, eager to cradle the baby against her chest. He handed her the small bundle, placing the baby in his Mother's protective arms.

'I shall leave Your Majesty and His Highness alone' Thomas said cheerfully. We bowed politely as always and walked to the door.

'You may stay if you like' Katherine told him, her eyes not leaving her son's pink face. Of course he wanted to stay! He hopped back to the large bed and looked around the room. No chair.. As if Katherine heard his thoughts she gestured he was allowed to take place on the bed. He laid down next to Katherine, watching the boy's features. Silent moments past by, when they both enjoyed the little miracle.

'He is perfect' she whispered. She kissed his smooth hair. She was glad she had brought him save into the world. She touched his tiny hands, counted his fingers and toes, admired his nails.

'What will be his name, Your Majesty?'

'Please, call me Katherine and I shall not name my son Henry' she said resolute. She thought about the King who was probably celebrating her banishment.

'Why are you not at court, Thomas?'

'I quit my job and left court. I disagree the way people are treated. I disagree the way the King treats you' He saw tears falling down her colorless cheeks.

'I-I am sorry, Katherine. I did not mean to upset you' He wanted to wrap her in his arms and kiss the tears away. He wanted to console her and take away her pain. Seeing her like this hurt him greatly.

'You did not upset me.. but you are so brave to leave court' she sobbed like a little girl. She positioned her head on his shoulder and without thinking he took her in his arms.

Three weeks later..

'He will be fine Katherine. Miss Darrell takes good care of him' Thomas tried to reassure the Queen. Every few seconds she looked over her shoulder at the manor. Thomas had persuaded to go for a stroll by the Thames. She was attached to his arm as they ploughed through the fresh fallen snow.

'I cannot thank you enough for taking care of us Thomas. I hope we are not a pain in the back' Katherine's eyes were casted down at the floor as if she watched her steps, but in fact she did not want to look him in the eye. The past weeks she had realized something which had changed everything. She loved him. She was deeply in love with him. Afraid he could see the desire and passion in her eyes.

'How can you say such things! It is a honor you stay at my place' and sleep in my bed he thought with a smirk on his face. He would sleep a thousand years on the couch if he had to, so that she could be in his presence. In this tale she was the Princess and he the frog which waited for her soft lips to touch his. A passionate kiss which would acknowledge their undying love.

Sadly this was not Utopia. The thoughts he often had of which this one was one of the most innocent, were dreams. He would always wake up again, facing the truth. He was a common man and she was the Queen.

'I received a message from my nephew The Emperor' Thomas was dragged back into reality. No.. this could not be good news. Thomas felt how his stomach shrunk at the thought. She is to be taken away from me!

'He says that I have to go back to Spain. He is the head of my family so I cannot refuse, but-but my poor girl.. my poor child. Alone at Ludlow Castle. Although how much I want to stay here, I have to leave England' She started whispering, which forced Thomas to bow his head closer to hers 'The letter included another obligation. His Holiness himself wants to discuss the divorce with me, without Henry'

'Thank God there is still justice in this world'

'Justice? Katherine recoiled. Thomas watched her restlessly pacing around. He quickly had to imagine a way to soothe her, because she was still not fully recovered. She had to take it easy.

'He is not the man I married. They made him a monster. They showed him he can posses everything. He does not want me anymore! He-'

In a haze he buried her in his arms. In surprise Katherine looked up and then unexpectedly felt his lips touching her. He broke the ice.. finally the ice was broken!

Oh God.. WHAT HAVE I DONE! The Princess should kiss the frog! NOT VICE VERSA! 'My Queen! Please forgive me for violating you like this! I do not know my place! You should send me to the scaffold!'

'Please kiss me again' Did it really happen? It happened so fast.. Of course it had happened! What other thing could cause that The Queen of England was wobbling on her knees.

'What?' Thomas looked down at the pretty face of the Infanta. Her crimson lips which he touched just seconds ago, curled in a smile.

Katherine wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. 'Kiss me Thomas.. kiss me'

Eustace Chapuys's residence (Thomas's temporary address) – May 1533

'Mi señora' a man opened the door of the carriage and helped Katherine out. Immediately the May sun warmed her face. She sighed happily, looking at the manor at the end of the path.

'Gracias, señor' she applied with a smile. She was in Spain after all those years, she had returned home! She had lived longer in the cold and wet England than she had ever lived in the warm Spain. Katherine smiled down at her son in her arms. How much he had grown! Carlos was a small male vision of Katherine, except for the eyes. He had his eyes. No she reminded herself. I should not think about him anymore. I am a single woman, free to remarry.

'KATHERINE!' Her heart warmed upon hearing the voice of the man she loved. She turned her head towards the sound and there he was.. her Thomas More. The familiar feeling in her abandon stroke up. Thomas started running and as response to his action she lifted her skirts with one hand, holding Carlos with the other. It must have looked ridiculous, but she did not care at all. All that mattered was she in his arms, his breath in her neck, his lips on hers. The distance between them became smaller and smaller. Love, happiness and desire built up in each other's eyes. He caught her in his arms, wrapping his arms possessively around her waist.

'My love, you came back to me.' he whispered in her hair. 'Mi amor, of course I came back.' she applied with a smile.

'How are you feeling? You look very healthy.'

'I have not felt so happy in years. I have good news. I am an unmarried woman.'

'The Pope annulled the marriage?'

'Not exactly. The Pope is very angry with Henry, because of the break at the way he treated me. His Holiness suggested something else. He baptized us, me and Carlos, to wash away the past, so we can make a new start. Washed and came out clean. He declared Mary and Carlos lawful and legitimate. I have been told the marriage is dissolved, not as a divorce but more like widowhood'

'Are you pleased?'

'I am most happy.. to be with you'

'I love you, Katherine. I will always love you'

'Te amo, Thomas' He locked her lips in a passionate kiss.

'And how are you little man?' Katherine handed Thomas the four-months-old Carlos who was staring at him with big eyes. Thomas lifted the boy in the air, making him cry in joy.

'Shall I show you around, Kat?' He looked at the carriage. Apart from the smirking coachman, nobody was there. 'No maids?'

'Euhm.. no. The Emperor decided I should live a quiet life far away from court for a while and I am very grateful for that. It is a secret who I am. I present myself as a common Duchess.'

'I see' He paused for a moment 'And what about-' Thomas stopped speaking. He cursed himself he had started in the first place. Two questions had burnt his mind for the past few months. He should wait, although the curiosity was hard to suppress.

'I know what you are going to ask. ' She met his eyes. He expected to see the sorrow he had seen during the Great Matter, but the twinkles of delight were still there.

'He married the girl and she is with child. He is happy and she got what she wanted. Although I am still the Queen in the view of many people including the Pope, I have to yield. I do not want him back.'

'Ok.. let us think about more important things' he took her hand in his own, still carrying the little Prince. One question was answered. Hand in hand, they walked in the courtyard of the manor. The sweet scent of the flourishing flowers welcomed them.

'You know I forgot how warm Spain could be' Katherine giggled lightly and removed the dark cloak from her shoulders. She placed it on the green glass. Thomas melted at the sight of her, wearing a black low-cut dress. His eyes which were filled with desire, rested on her tightly laced chest and Katherine noticed.

'My face is not there, Sir Thomas' she lifted his chin and he blushed slightly.

'Forgive me' he chuckled 'I was just admiring your.. eh.. necklace.'

'That is funny, because I am not wearing one.' She placed a kiss on his lips. He handed her Carl and she carefully placed him on her cloak. The little boy babbled happily in his own infant language.

Thomas pulled her close to him 'Close your eyes' he whispered in her ear. Katherine frowned in curiosity and then closed her eyes. She heard Thomas walking around and coming back again.

'Now take a bite' she obeyed and tasted a familiar juice. Something she had not tasted in a while.

'Do you know what it is?'

'Is it a pomegranate?'

'Yes! The symbol of and heraldic device of the City of Granada. Ok.. open your eyes again' She blinked a couple of times. The bright sunlight was blinding her sight. She wondered where he was hiding, because she did not see his vivid presence. Then she lowered her gaze and there he was.. kneeling on one knee in the middle of pale pink blossom, holding a shining round ring. Tears of joy started to form in her eyes. He took her small left hand in his own hands and started speaking.

'Sweetest Katherine, Queen of my Heart. I want to wake up every morning beholding your beauty beside me. You are my heaven on earth, my hunger and my thirst. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?'

'Y-y-e-e-e-s-s-s' she stammered, wobbling on her knees. 'I do.'

'Really?' he sighed in relief. He gently shoved the ring around her finger. Smiling as the happiest man on earth he rose to his feet.

'Of course, mi amor!' She jumped in his arms. 'You brought beauty from my pain.'

The Queen's chambers – 31st December 1542

After Thomas More's appearance, King Henry had commanded the children to go to the deserted Queen's Chambers. Five Queens had lived in these chambers during King Henry's turbulent reign.

Carlos and Josefina shoveled into the room silently. The chamber was beautifully decorated. They felt uncomfortable without their parents in a strange chamber in a unknown country. Josefina reached over and grabbed Carl's hand.

'Carl, where are Mummy and Daddy? Who are they?' She pointed to Mary and Elizabeth. Mary wanted to hug her brother and sister. It was understandable they did not recognize her. Josefina had been a baby when she had seen her older sister for the last time. Mary opened her mouth to say something in Spanish, but Elizabeth distracted her.

'Where are you going?' Mary watched Elizabeth opening the door with force and pacing outside. Her gown rustled because of the hasty footsteps she took. Her red hair waved like a veil in the wind.

'To His Majesty. It is my duty to tell him that mister More kidnapped me' she screamed over her shoulder, without looking at Mary.

'Sir Thomas did what?' Mary was transfixed for a moment. The saint Sir Thomas More kidnapped her sister? The events of the evening flashed before her eyes. A couple of hours ago she was crying in her prison cell, because her little sister had been kidnapped before her eyes. Then her Father had visit her, bringing the news of her Mother's disappearance. Her Father had taken her to his chambers where she had fallen asleep, tired of the pressure and fear. By opening her eyes, she discovered her Mother and two sisters in the room. A little while later her stepfather and her brother dashed into the King's chambers.

'No you will not!' Mary lifted her skirts and ran after her sister. Mary stretched her arm and grabbed the fabric of the expensive dress. If a courtier had seen them running like this, he or she would have thought they were playing tag. But this was not a childish game.

'Mary! That man is the kidnapper! I have to tell Father! Let me go!' Elizabeth struggled, forcing Mary to strengthen her grip.

'No, Lizzie! You are not going to tell Father!'

'Why not?' she said defiantly.

'Did he harm you?'

'No, but-'

'So you are not going to tell him! Listen to me..' Mary pulled her younger sister towards her, still holding onto her dress tightly. 'You cannot tell Father. He will execute Sir Thomas More and he is a good friend of my Mother. Please do it not for my Mother. For me.'

Elizabeth looked at her sister's face. She felt the tears running down her cheeks. Mary let go of her dress, pulling her sister in a tight embrace.

'Lizzie, what is the matter?'

'Since when have you known she was alive?' Mary was surprised about the question.

'I have been told when Father married Jane Seymour, may her soul rest in peace. When I had to sign the Oath.' Mary rocked her sister in her arms.

Lady Mary's residence – June 1536

'What if I do not sign it?' Mary looked down at the letter, her eyes filled with hatred. She wished the hatred was intense enough to burn this heretical oath.

'It is very possible the King will put you to death' Eustace Chapuys did not know another way to tell her. He could not believe the English King made him daughter sign a paper which would declare herself illegitimate.

'I will not sign it then' Mary threw away the quill. The bottle of ink capsized, ruining the perfect white tablecloth.

'My Lady!'

'I cannot risk my immortal soul for the favor of an earthly king. I know my Mother would never take the oath, so I will also not. I want to reunite with her and if dying is the only option so be it'

Eustace saw Mary's determination. Something which she had inherited from her Mother. The Emperor had forbidden him to tell Mary about her Mother. He thought it better that his cousin did not know her Mother was alive. But then he remembered Catalina's teary face and the words she softly spoke before he left to England.

'Please Eustace, take care of her.. you are the only one she can trust. In an emergency you have to tell where I am, do you understand? If anything life-threading should happen, you have to say I am alive and I love her with whole my being'

'Mary, your Mother wants you to sign it' Eustace sighed, feeling guilty about betraying his master. This was was an emergency! Mary could impossible lay down her neck on the block if she knew her Mother was still breathing air. Surely the Emperor did not want his cousin's blood on his hands.

'My Mother is with our heavenly Lord'

'No, she is not dead' Eustace spoke the words with strength.

'How do you mean she is not dead? My Father instructed to bury her at Peterborough Cathedral and I was not allowed to attend the funeral ' Mary's confused looks obliged him to give answers.

'You were not allowed because there was no corpse, only bloodstained sheets and a bloodstained gown. The King thought she had been murdered and that somebody had taken away her body'

'Bloodstained sheets? Wh-what are you talking about?'

'My Lady, what I am about to say is strictly confidential. Even The Emperor himself does not want you to know. Though your Mother was heart-broken and beseeched me to tell you if anything bad should happen. Your Mother safely lives in Spain. Two years ago she gave birth to your little brother Carlos Thomas.'

'How? When? Without medical care?' Mary crossed herself.

'On the 7th of January. Luckily she was assisted by her maid Elizabeth Darrell, Maria de Salinas and.. eh.. Sir Thomas More.' At court it was inappropriate for a man to be present during childbirth. Wrong place at wrong time, though in this case at right time. Sir Thomas had decided to pay his Queen of Hearts a visit. Lively Thomas had walked into the manor, only to discover Katherine crying in pain, Elizabeth on the edge of fainting and Maria in panic. Thomas had hold her hand when the Queen was experiencing the dreadful pain of labour.

'She and Sir Thomas More went to Spain by ship. Last year she married Antonio de Salinas and was crowned Queen of Spain. I am glad to inform you that last month, one day after the harlot's execution, she gave birth to the heir to the Spanish throne Princess Josefina Elena de Salinas. I know it is hard to believe, but I am telling you the truth'

'A brother and a sister.. my Mother alive?' Mary took a deep breath. ' I think I need a new quill'

'I cannot even remember my Mother.' Elizabeth wiped away the salt tears. Compassion rushed through Mary's veins. How could she comfort Elizabeth when she is crying about her Mother? Saying praising words about Anne would not seem genuine out of Mary's mouth. Anne had destroyed her happiness.. happiness.. Bonheur! Mary revealed the pearl necklace and showed it to Elizabeth.

'I will give it to you if you promise to keep your mouth shut about Thomas More' she spoke calmly.

'But what is it?' Elizabeth stammered, glancing at the beautiful necklace.

'I found this in the Tower. It used to belong to your Mother. Do you promise?'

'I do so swear' Walking back to the chambers, Elizabeth's fingers gently touched the golden B. They heard someone nearing them. Elizabeth rapidly hid the necklace and they looked both innocently at the visitor.

'Princess Elizabeth, the King asked me to take you to your rooms. He wants you to retire' Lady Troy, Blanche Herbert who was in charge of the upbringing of Elizabeth said.

'If his Majesty desires, I shall. Good night Mary. Good night Carlos. Good night Josefina' she dropped into a elegant curtsy 'Good night Your Majesties.'

Katherine and Antonio, holding each other's hand tightly, appeared in the room. Katherine felt a shiver down her spine as soon as she entered. These chambers were full of memories and ghosts of the past.

'Sleep well, Elizabeth.' Katherine gave her a warm smile and Elizabeth and the shocked Lady left.

'What happened to Sir Thomas?' Mary asked with a soft voice and a worried expression on her face.

'He is protected by the Spanish throne. Henry cannot harm him. They are drinking a glass of wine together.' Katherine reassured her.

'MUMMY! DADDY!' Josefina ran to her parents, followed by Carlos. 'She looks like the pretty Princess of your portrait.'

'That my sweet daughter is your sister Mary' Antonio laughed. Carlos and Josefina excitedly ran to Mary and hugged her. They dropped all the formalities for a moment.

Bright and vivid colours illuminated the chambers. They heard loud noises outside and cheering people in the hallways.

'Feliz año nuevo!' Antonio called , kissing his wife fondly.

'Happy new year!' everyone repeated.

I hope you will review!

Next chapter: Father-son confrontation & more Tomkat flashbacks.