Disclaimer: I don't own anything

To Mademoiselle Boleyn: i will more than happily answer your questions but i will need an email or some other way to reply to you because the answers to your questions are rather long. though the answer to your first question is at the bottom of chapter 1, but i thank you for being so interested that you reviewed every chapter.

Chapter 10: A Moment of Peace

(July 14th)

Charles remained expressionless as he heard the court announce the verdict; John and Edward Seymour were found guilty of treason and sentenced to death at the Kings' pleasure.

Jane was also found guilty especially since they had found a poison in her rooms. She was sentenced to death at the Kings' pleasure after she gave birth. She was due to give birth in November and until then she was safe. John and Edward looked unhappy but Jane became frantic, she insisted that everything was a mistake that would be corrected if she could see Henry.

Everyone knew that Henry would never be willing to see her now.

(July 15th)

Helen took a deep breath as she stood in front of her window, she had been churched three days ago and was enjoying her freedom from her confinement to her bed, she turned to look as Annabelle came in the door "Prince Arthur and Prince Charles are well and healthy my lady."

Helen smiled and sighed in complete relief, and then she burst into laughter and ran her fingers through her hair. "I've done it Anna; I've really truly done it! I have made England secure, I have made Elizabeth safe!"

Helen looked at Anna and said "I am truly the Queen of England now, I have done what no one believed possible, I have given the king TWO sons in less than a YEAR of Marriage! HAHA!"

Helen spun around the room and giggled "Anna, I don't think I have ever felt so relieved in my life!"

Anna smiled and shook her head, amused at Helen's giddiness. Anna looked at the door when Charles Brandon entered though Helen did not, Anna curtsied and Charles smiled at her and said to Helen. "You look Pleased Helen."

They had decided to let go of formalities, neither of them really cared what the other called them. So they simply referred to each other by name when not in public.

Helen turned to grin at Charles "Is there a reason I shouldn't be pleased Charles? I've done the impossible!" she sighed and sat down "Hopefully you have good news for me about the trial."

Charles smiled and nodded "John and Edward Seymour are both guilty of treason and will be sentenced to death by beheading, Jane was also found guilty, and after she gives birth, she will also be beheaded.

Helen sat up a little "Is she to be moved to the tower?"

Charles nodded.

Helen bit her lip and sighed knowing there really wasn't anything she could do about it. But she wondered if Jane would be able to keep the baby while she lived in the tower.

Helen shook her head deciding to leave it in God's hands to decide whether Jane's child would survive. She asked "How is Mary taking it? My giving birth to twin sons?"

Charles frowned and narrowed his eyes "You know the answer to that Helen, she's not taking it well"

Helen sighed and rubbed her forehead "You know her Charles; you have seen her grow up… what can I do to help her overcome this?"

Charles sighed "I believe that part of the problem is that she herself is still unmarried… perhaps Marriage will help her come to terms with everything."

Helen looked thoughtful and nodded "I will have to discuss it with the king, but perhaps it can be arranged."

Annabelle watched Charles leave and whispered "I thought you two didn't like each other."

Helen smiled "We don't, he wants Mary on the throne after my sons and I want Elizabeth on the throne after my sons. But we both have enemies and we both love the king, so we must work together."

Annabelle bit her lip and then said "What if he turns against you?"

Helen smiled up at Annabelle and said "He won't Anna, not after this, he won't turn against me when I have given birth to two sons, even if… god forbid… my son's were to die, he wouldn't turn on me, because I can still give the king more sons, besides, he knows that if he tries, I will bring him down with me. For this same reason I can't turn against him… We may not like each other… but for Henry's sake… and our own… we have to get along… Henry will never get rid of Charles… and now Henry will never get rid of me… so we're stuck with each other."

Annabelle looked worried but swallowed and went back to her embroidery.

Later that night Helen sat next to Henry as the court celebrated their wedding anniversary, Helen thought the whole thing much too extravagant for only their first year of marriage but decided to humor Henry.

Henry was simply smiling at her, more in love with her than ever it would seem, Helen thought it was poetic that she would be able to lie with her husband again on the night of their anniversary.

(July 20th)

Helen smiled as she sat Next to Henry and watched as the almost five year old Elizabeth walked up to the thrones and knelt before Henry and Helen, she was wearing a lovely purple dress and was looking a little nervous.

Cromwell said aloud "Princess Elizabeth, you are by order and permission of his Majesty King Henry, today created Duchess of Pembroke."

Henry smiled down at Elizabeth and placed a small coronet on her head and then helped her to her feet.

Helen watched all this with a proud smile on her face, she wondered if Anne Boleyn was watching now and what she would think.

That night as she and Henry ate Helen said "Henry… I was wondering if we might discuss Marriage possibilities for Mary."

Henry looked surprised and probably was about to protest when Helen said "Henry, she is two years older than me and unmarried… she should be married by now, she should start a family."

Henry swallowed "Helen a husband for her may decide to fight for her to be on the throne."

Helen smiled "Possibly, but that would depend on the husband, let us hear out some of the requests of those who wish to marry her… please Henry, she is lonely… she surely wants a family of her own."

Henry nodded "Very well, if that is what you wish, then I will look into possible husbands for her."

Helen smiled and nodded "Have there been any offers for Princess Elizabeth's hand?" she asked wanting to make sure that Elizabeth had a royal marriage as befitted a Kings daughter.

Henry nodded "King Francis to one of his sons, but I don't trust Francis to keep his word."

Helen bit her lip and kept her mouth shut, she would let Henry deal with finding a suitable husband for Elizabeth, Elizabeth's marriage was political, and there for it was not for Helen to think on.

So she changed the subject "I want to raise Jane's unborn child here, with us, as befits a Kings natural child."

Henry looked up sharply and was about to reply angrily when she whispered "Henry, as your wife it is my duty to seek and secure the well-being of your children."

They had made a deal of sorts before they were married, she would stay out of politics, and he would let her take care of his children, ALL of his children, how she saw fit.

It was clear in his eyes as his face softened that he remembered. But his voice was disapproving as he said "That child will be the child of a traitor."

Helen nodded "Yes, but that child will also be the natural child of the King of England."

Henry frowned disapproving and Helen put her hand on his and whispered "I'm sorry Henry, I am a woman with all the weaknesses that comes from my sex, but as your wife and the woman who loves you beyond anything else. I want to see your family remain whole, the child Jane will have is a child of yours, you should love him or her no matter what its mother has done."

Henry nodded and kissed Helen's hand "You really must love me, neither Anne nor Katherine would be willing to welcome a bastard child of mine so readily and so happily."

Helen smiled and whispered "I welcome them because even though I am not Elizabeth's or Mary's mother by birth, I care for them both deeply, because they are yours they are a part of you, and I love you too much to want to hurt you by hurting your children, no matter who their mother is. Jane's child is innocent of the crimes Jane committed; the child should know its father and be loved."

Henry smiled at her, happy that he would be free to openly show love for his unborn child.

(August 6th)

Helen smiled up at Lady Ursula Misseldon who curtsied to her while she sat in a chair reading. Helen motioned for Lady Misseldon to sit down next to her "Lady Misseldon… I have been thinking carefully for a few weeks, as you know Lady Jane Howard, my principle lady in waiting, is leaving court to be married, most people expect me to give the position to Annabelle, however she has no experience with such things, and so I would like to appoint it to you."

Lady Misseldon was speechless for a moment before whispering "Your Majesty…"

Helen smiled and said "I need people who are loyal to me Lady Misseldon… and for all that you are the kings current mistress, I believe I can trust you. Can I?"

Ursula swallowed, she had wondered if the Queen knew about her being the Kings latest Mistress, but she nodded "You can your Majesty."

Helen smiled "I'm glad to hear it Ursula."

A.N. alright! i apologize for the long wait between chapters, I've gotten more hours at work and home life is hectic because my mother and sister are going up to Juno Alaska for a wedding, mom is going because she is the Maid of Honor and my sister is going because mom will need help, so i'll be alone and when they leave i will hopefully have all the time in the world to write!