Chapter 11
Hampton Court
Four Days Later
The king had awakened before the entire court it had seemed. He had began wondering around the palace trying to find things to do as he was of a restless sort, but there was no one around to play his games with. So he had resorted himself to attempt to remember the merriment of the night before. The wedding had gone ahead without incident and all of court had gone on parade through all of London and then returned to court for a great feast, one that had left Arthur with little memory of it. The king suddenly heard footsteps approaching once he had settled him self in a chair near the fire in the great hall.
"Your majesty i did not expect to find you here." The king turned to peer behind his chair to find the Duke of Norfolk steering back him. The duke quickly bowed in greeting.
"Your grace, ... please join me." Arthur pointed to the chair opposite him. "so your grace, what wakes you so early?"
"nothing more than the birds your majesty." This answer the king knew to be a lie. "I remember seeing your brother in law sir Thomas Boleyn and his family." The king had said this trying not to reveal himself too much.
"Yes your majesty they have all enjoyed the great festivities and now they must pay the price for it." Both men smiled.
"i am glad of it, it is time i have repaid the debt of hospitality he show us at Hever. And what of your nieces your grace are they well founded?" both knew of what was meant by the comment. The Prince of Wales had been entranced by Anne Boleyn during their visit to the Boleyn's home some months before.
"i believe so your majesty my brother and sister are in the middle of finding fine marriages for both Mary and Anne." The king smiled and lent forward.
"I know of the letters between them Thomas, tell your niece she will break of any contact with my son now that he is married he will be busy with new wife and no time for a whore. If i find my instruction has been broken ... shame your father was taken for a traitor Norfolk i pray no misfortune comes to your head. Tell that girl to find some other to play with." The Duke rose bowed and merely replied,
"your majesty." With that he left through the king feared the matter was not settled. He then went back to his chambers. The room was still dark, the shutters had yet not been opened and the king proceeded to do so. a grown came from behind him.
"you know you should get up or someone may think you're the queen of England." The king began to laugh and bounced onto the bed.
"get off me it is too early for such nonsense." Katharine giggled.
"it is never to early for such nonsense and you would not object if you were wise of drink such as i."
"if i were that nothing would ever get done." The pair laughed and laid in each other's arms.
"How do you think everything went?" there was a noticeable hint of worry in the king voice now.
"Everything was fine there is no need for concern Arthur." the queen's voice was gentle in response to this.
"Do you think they liked each other, will they be happy like us?"
"Not like us, no one are like us Arthur, but i suppose that they shall be happy all the same."
"Do hope so my love or i shall feel ..."
"feel what my love?"
"... that it was my fault."
The King's Privet Dining Room
Later That Morning.
"So my dear Maria, how are you today?" the king had carefully considered if to ask this question wondering if he could get the information he desired from it or if he would seem to be prying.
"i am well your majesty. All have been so kind to me and have been made to feel so comfortable here." Though the young princess was still of a meek disposition she seemed to be more confident around them.
"very good my dear, and you Henry, ... how was yesterday?"
"A great day father, i enjoyed it immensely." The king surveyed the couple. He thought that they seemed to be comfortable with one another.
"Papa! I had a fantastic time i stuffed m self til i could move no longer." This outburst had come from the ever lively and outrageous little prince Peter. The group began to laugh and the king exclaimed,
"I know that my little one i feared there would be nothing left for any of our other guests." Again the group laughed.
"Husband, Maria, and some of our children shall leave you now." The two women along with Mary, Richard and Peter stood, bowed and left the room. Only Princes' Henry and Edward remained with the king. Arthur sat quietly awaiting what he knew would arise and with little patience the king was rewarded.
"Father, i thank you for the great efforts that you have made for me ... how ... how would i ..." Henry's uncomfortable thought was well known to the king and he fought the urge to smile at them.
"How would you what Henry?" it took everything the king had not burst into laughter at this moment.
"How do you know ... if... you have coupled with your wife correctly?" the duke of York's face turned bright red and Arthur had to turn his face from them.
"ah ..." he coughed in order to clear his throat of the laughter, "were you both, ... undressed?"
"ah,yes."
"then you saw the differences between you both?"
"ah yes"
"then i am sure you shall be fine." The king was not sure if anything had happened but was sure that he had set all on track. "What about you Edward, how do you fare lately?"
"I am well father, i enjoyed the feast. Will you send them to Ludlow father?" Henry turned fixed his gaze upon his father awaiting his response.
"Not quit yet Edward. I thought Henry we might make some changes to Ludlow. I did when i was there but no one has lived there for a few years now and we could make it more comfortable for you now, what do you think?
"That would be ..." at that moment the archbishop Henry Tudor the kings brother burst into the room.
"Brother what do you think you're doing?"
"Your majesty forgive me but ... the French they have attacked Calais."