To let go

Margaret – Charles said and faced the ghost of his first wife.

Well I am most glad you haven't forgotten about me – She replied

Why are you here?

You know why I am here, she sent me. – She said sitting in front of him, and it reminded him of the time she was sitting next to her husband the king of Portugal.

She sent you? Why?

She's been watching, she wanted me to tell you she's happy to see how much you've loved her children and she is most proud of them, but she can't be at peace for your soul keeps grieving over her

How couldn't it? Without her I feel I have nothing, if it weren't for those children I wouldn't want life at all – he replied with tears in his eyes.

But it is not your time yet, or else it wouldn't be me who would be here in front of you. Let her go Charles; let her go with the conviction you'll see her again. Learn to live once love has died, learn to love again, that's all she wants from you; that's all I ever wanted for you two. – she stood from the chair an walked towards the door, but before leaving she stood still in front of the doo and looked back

Talk to her, she will be listening even if you cannot see her – and so as soon as she appeared she was gone, leaving Charles alone, he stood up from his chair and walked towards the window, he watched the could night outside.

I knew I loved you when I looked in to your eyes and saw mine, then you existed for me and I knew there wouldn't be another for you were here and now that you are gone I feel you in each kiss that would never be, I feel you in the absence, I feel you in the aftermath of this love that gave us both so much sadness... I feel you are in the forgetness, I feel you are in my memories, I feel you in each part of me, I feel you are everywhere.

Madeleine had developed a fear of horses, she couldn't stand the sight of them and she suffered terribly every time Charles took Arthur for a ride, she kept; she had became abstracted from the world and remained confined to her rooms. At first Charles thought of this as a normal behaviour, but now he was starting to be really worried, he really did not know how to handle the situation; he knew Sara would have a perfect solution but that made him feel even more impotent for he didn't not know what to do. He went to her rooms, and went. Found her sitting on a chair looking out the window, looking over Arthur and Henry.

Maddie? – Charles said

Hello your grace, I was just... thinking – she replied

Why don't you come out, perhaps read a book outside; it's a beautiful day

I don't want to, I don't feel safe.

Madeleine, being outside didn't kill your mother, it was an accident caused by the greed of man, but I promised your mother I would never let anything happen to you an I intend to keep that promise, as long as I am here you will not be harmed

But you won't be here; I know the king has called you his general and you are heading for France; you will leave us alone again.

If I could choose I would stay here with you, but the king has called me an I cannot refuse the king's command

I might be young but I am not stupid, my uncle might have commanded you to come but you yearn a war with all your heart and soul, perhaps even more than you yearn death. Don't lie to me.

Madeleine was right, Charles yearned for war even harder than he yearned for death, he missed breaking spears and battle swords, he wanted to feel young again. And it was then he realized what was happening, Madeleine had spoken with a maturity not proper of a twelve year old girl, just like her mother in her time; Sara had died, she was gone and he knew that, but she had left behind the best she had, she had left him her temper and her wisdom to accompany him, to keep him earthbound.

One more question your grace, before I leave – Madeleine said getting him off his trance

Yes Maddie?

You're not taking my brother to war, are you?

Off course not, Arthur is only thirteen he's not prepared for a war yet. - Madeleine suddenly smiled and the whole room seemed to light up, Charles then knew that that matter was exactly what was troubling her soul. She ran out of the room to look for Margaret who was picking up flowers in the garden. Charles laughed

Henry has remarried since Katherine Howard's beheading, he has married Catherine Parr, in a bigger irony she was the woman Thomas Seymour had fallen in love with and after stripping him of some his duties he was sent to the Low countries as ambassador, but that was just Henry's scheme to get him away. Although I think is not enough to make him pay what he did to us... I understand now why you wanted me to have your children, Maddie, she is so much like you in so many ways; she outdoes herself to serve around the house thinking she will repay that way everything I do for them and she even dares to scold me; a little girl scolding the duke of Suffolk... I miss you so much Sara, I really hope it isn't long before we meet again – Charles said to Sara's gravestone, he used to go there and speak, telling her everything that was going on, this was the last time he would do that before leaving for Boulogne.

The French camp was in silence; Henry was alone in his tent with Charles. He wasn't young anymore and he knew it and the past, even the grimy parts from it, kept getting brighter and brighter.

She would have told me this was stupid, Sara, she would have told me this was an unnecessary war. I miss her Charles, I miss my conscience, and she was my conscience. – Henry said

Your majesty I miss her even more, everyday for a second I have peace when I wake up, but then it all comes back to me.

She was the best thing the Tudor house gave birth to, and yet so few people got to know that. Oh Charles how I regret it, I think I never told her how much I loved her, perhaps she died thinking I didn't loved her enough...

I am loyal witness to how much she loved your majesty and I believe she sees things a lot more clear than us, I believe with all my heart she knows now how much we both loved her.

Charles met Brigitte Rousselot and fell in love with her, her personality being somewhat similar to Sara's but he knew that even thought she was a lot like her, they were not the same. He brought her home to England and introduced her to Sara's children, Arthur was fifteen now, Madeleine fourteen and Margaret nine. Both Arthur and Margaret welcomed Brigitte to the house hold but Madeleine didn't she felt Charles had forgotten her mother.

It is a beautiful painting, just like her – Charles said entering Maddie's room and watching a portrait she had made of her mother

I didn't want to forget her, seems like everyone here is doing so – she answered bitterly.

Was that directed to me?

Yes, no, I don't know... I just, I want you to be happy

Brigitte makes me happy Maddie

I know, but I don't want you to forget about her either... I guess it is taking it's toll now I ... want her back – Charles smiled

I will never forget about your mother, a love like ours will never disappear; but it isn't my time yet and until it is I must find our happiness, mine and yours. I really believe Brigitte can make us all happy and as you love me, as you loved Sara, would you at least give her a chance?

Yes, I will. She does not seem like a bad person after all – Madeleine and Charles smiled in complicity and so a new dynamic had been established, Sara smiled at the site of Charles and Madeleine's friendship, she had been there the whole time and she approved Brigitte too, she didn't need to worry she only had to wait patiently for the final hour, that approached quickly unbeknownst to everyone she loved.