"Do you really have to go?" Katherine asked with unshed tears in her eyes. Two years passed from the day their son passed away. They grieved in a very different way. She spent hours and hours on her knees praying for a living child and when she wasn't doing that she spent her time with many great scholars. Henry distracted himself from his grief by waging war against Louis XII of France and chasing after pretty ladies at Court. He tried to be discreet, but Katherine knew. Her heart broke a little every time she heard about his dalliances. She saw how he looked at that woman, he once looked at her in same manner. The only thing that made her happy was that after he was finished with them, he always came back to her. His heart was still hers and she was thankful for that.

"I must and you know that I love. Our previous attacks failed because I placed my men in the hands of incapable men."

"You must do what you have to. I understand. And I have complete faith in you and your men. So why I am so worried?" She curled her fingers around the hair at the nape of his neck and closed her eyes, willing away the tears she knew were coming.

"No, no. You can't lose me, "Henry said softly, wrapping his arms tightly around her,

Katherine clung to Henry as he held her to him, and she burrowed her face in the crook of his neck, her voice grew softer

"I will pray to the God every night you are gone… for your safety and that we may grow old together. All I want is the rest of my life with you."

"That's what I want, too. There is so much we have yet to do. There is so much I want us to do," Henry said softly in return as he gently stroked Katherine's swelled belly.

" I need you to stay safe here and stay strong, so that when I return we can have all those things your heart desires. I have faith in you, my dear Katherine, I have faith that you will keep my kingdom and our unborn son safe."

Katherine looked up at Henry, pressing her lips to his again. "I will," she replied, finding strength in his words. "I will wait for your victory and return, and when you come back we will have our child," she said

"We will have our son and heir finally." He smiled and kissed her stomach.

"My brave Queen I am leaving England in your hands. I named you my regent in Dover Castle and I have no fear that you won't be able to do your duty, but just remember Archbishop of Canterbury, William Warham and Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey are your advisers. You will do well to trust them."

Her eyes ghosted over his face and she tried her best to memorize every mark and line. She closed her eyes briefly, imagining him smiling, for she could not forget that. She would hold onto that image and count the days until she would see his face again.

"Do not worry my love, I plan on making you I plan on making you proud."

/

"You called me Your Majesty?" Thomas More asked his Queen.

"I did, I am, I need of your advice."

"What bothers you?"

"I just received the troublesome news. Scots are planning an attack on England and are beginning to mobilize their troops. Scotland and King James IV are allying with France." She explained, her hand unconsciously going to her stomach.

"They are aware that the King is in France at the time and they probably assume that they can easily defeat the English army while the King is absent from his throne."

"They don't think of me as a threat."

"They made a grave mistake then Your Majesty," Thomas said and looked at women before him. She changed in the past few years. There was a regal air about her as if she was born for this position, but there was also something sad in her eyes. The loss of her children made her somehow more mature. He loved her still, there was no doubt, even more now. She has grown into women worth of admiration.

"Summon my advisors, my lord."

"With pleasure."

/

Katherine received the news that on the 22 August 1513, the Scottish king had an army of 80,000 men strong that crossed the border into England. They advanced into Northumberland. At the same time the Scots entered England, she sent Earl of Surrey north with his troops to meet them. They rallied 40,000 soldiers and Katherine was confident that they have a chance to win.

In early September Katherine traveled north to Buckingham where she awaited news from Surrey. While waiting she made a speech to the reserve troops who were camped outside the town. She was dressed in an armor her long auburn hair flowing in the wind. The swell of her belly was visible and she kept her hand on him while she was giving a speech reminding them for what they are fighting. People who watched her could swear that Goddess Athena came to Earth to raise their morale. However, the reserve troops would not need to fight because word would soon arrive of Surrey's victory at Flodden on 9 September 1513. Katherine was ecstatic. She managed to protect England. Surrey sent the Queen the Scottish king's banner and the bloody coat he had died in as their trophies. For a second Katherine remembered arrogant twelve-year-old Princess whom she once taught Spanish. She was now twenty-three years old and a widow, because of Katherine. She quickly shook off dark thoughts. It wasn't her fault that King James was dead, she didn't invade his country. He made his choices and now he was defeated.

She sent Henry late King's banner and coat together with a letter in which she informed him about England's victory.

/

Katherine couldn't help but worry. She was afraid that she will miscarry the baby. While she never made it to the battlefield she traveled as far as Buckingham. One October morning while she was going to the chapel with her ladies, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. The doctor was quickly summoned, but there was no help. Her labor has begun three months early. She knew what that meant, her child will die. There wasn't any hope. She delivered a premature son. He was alive, but barely. Katherine insisted on holding him. His skin was so pale that she almost could see through it and his eyes were tightly closed, but she couldn't help but imagine what color they were. Green like Henry's or blue like hers?

She held him, trying her best to memorize every mark and line until he drew his last breath.

Her victory in battle became a defeat in producing an heir for the king. She couldn't help but fear how will Henry react.

AN: Before writing this story I didn't know much about Katherine of Aragon. She was always just a wife who preceded Anne Boleyn, but while researching for this story I realized just how fascinating a woman she was.

How do you like my representation of her? And those who wonder about Anne in just a few short chapters we will be introduced to Princess Anne.

Review please.