So for those of you who don't know I have put up a poll about Katherine's baby I've already decided what I am going to do I just want to see what you guess think. And hey I might just change my mind!
Ages-
Katherine of Aragon-29
King Henry VIII-26
Princess Mary Tudor-2
Thomas Boleyn-41
Anne Boleyn- 17
Mary Boleyn-19
George Boleyn-6
Sir Thomas More-38
Princess Margaret-21
Joanna-39
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Katherine Boleyn
Whispers circled fast in Court, many had noticed the sudden favor Henry has bestowed on me and many were talking.
"Your Grace" I heard and turned to see the Spanish ambassador Eustace Chapuy's bowing in front of me.
"Your Excellency" I said with a quick curtsy.
"Is it true madam?" he asked sitting down next to me I stared down at my green satin skirts.
"Some are saying you are having an affair with the King" I bit my lip looking back up at him "the Emperor wishes for you to write him".
"I shall write my nephew as soon as I am done speaking with you and have a messenger send it" he nodded.
"Alas have you changed the mind of the King on the marriage between the Princess of Wales and the Dauphin of France?" he asked and my eyes widened I had honestly forgotten all about that.
"Forgive me Excellency I have honestly forgotten to speak of it with him, but I promise today I shall".
"I understand Madam" he said standing up "I shall be on my way I have to speak with the King today" I nodded.
I walked over to my desk and pulled out a quill and piece of parchment.
Emperor Charles of Spain
I sighed looking at the letter in front of me, it was from my Aunt Katherine the Duchess of Wiltshire I slowly opened it letting my eyes skim the pages.
Dearest Nephew,
I have never expected you write you a letter, at least for a while. I will admit that your words had hurt me greatly I know your mother my dear sister Joanna would not wish for us to argue like this. How is she? I had often thought of my sister and wonder of her health, but alas I hear nothing from Spain. I hope that the next time we meet it shall be in better spirits then before.
Your Aunt Katherine, Duchess of Wiltshire
"My son whom is it from?" I heard my mothers voice ask, of course she would choose now to arrive.
"From Katherine" I said a common name in some places, but my mother knew, she always seemed to know.
"My sister" she said her voice soft.
"She inquires of you and your health" I said as if it was nothing stuffing the letter in my desk.
"Can I write her back?" she asked with a raised eyebrow and I sighed.
"She is your sister, mother you may".
Katherine Boleyn
It was late March as I was 6 months along I could feel the child inside me move, but nothing brought me greater happiness then when Ambassador Chapuy's placed a letter in my hand.
"Goodbye Your Excellency" I said looking down at the handwriting I had not seen since I was but a girl a long time ago.
"Katherine what was the Spanish Ambassador doing here" Thomas asked taking a seat near the window.
"He was delivering a letter" I said in awe.
"From whom?" he asked walking over to me and tried to grab the letter but I quickly pulled it close to me.
"From my sister Joanna" I said turning my back to him and desperately opened it.
Dearest Catalina,
It has been so long since I have spoken to you and the first thing I must say is that I miss my little sister so very much. I hear of your troubles from the English ambassador I wish so much to see you again and hope in the future we might see each other.
I am distressed to hear of your marriage to a Duke, but I understand my dear sweet you did what was best for your daughter, Princess Mary of Wales and I cannot be angry at you for that. God only knows what might have happened if you refused him. I have heard of the birth of your children Isabella and Thomas I congratulate you sister, you have always loved children very much. I also hear of your newest pregnancy and again, congratulate you.
I know times are hard in England with that witch, Anne Boleyn poisoning the King's mind against the true religion I beg you sister to do what ever you can to save the people of England's soul. I also bring you the most unbearable news our sister, Maria of Aragon has died this March 7th. Her daughter Isabella is to be married to my son Emperor Charles the date is not yet known though arrangements are being made.
Your Elder sister,
Joanna
I had not even realized I had been crying and I hugged the letter to me "mi hermana" I whispered.
"Katherine are you all right?" Thomas asked and I turned to face him.
"It is from my sister, Joanna she says that my sister Maria died" I felt his arms wrap around me.
"It will be all right" he whispered kissing me gently for the first time in months. I sighed as he pulled away the moment was perfect. "What else did she say" he asked keeping me close to him.
"Maria's daughter, Isabella of Portugal it to marry the Emperor, and that she wishes we will meet someday" Thomas smiled.
"Maybe" he said, the moment was ruined when the doors opened.
"Katherine we need to speak, alone" Henry said and I jumped away from Thomas's embrace.
"Majesty" Thomas said bowing and leaving the room. He dismissed the servants and walked over to me.
"Henry" I said watching him pace the room "what is it, it must me important if you so rudely interrupted my conversation with my husband" I said slightly annoyed.
"It seems Sir Thomas wishes to become a martyr I have given him another chance to sign but he will not, I have made the date of his execution July 6th 1518" I licked my lips nervously.
"You do not have to kill him, Henry this oath is ridiculous" I said taking a nervous step forward laying a hand on his shoulder as he turned his back to me.
"It is not!" he spat whipping around to look me in the face.
"Yes it is!" I said recoiling by hand back to my side "this whole situation is ridiculous, Henry your damming your soul I ask, not I beg you to return to Rome and to the true religion" I pleaded his look only got more poisonous before he snatched the letter from my hand.
"And who in the hell is this from" he snapped.
"My sister, Joanna" I said trying to get it back.
"You conversing with the enemy" he said holding it out of my reach.
"No I am talking to my sister, whom I have not spoken to for the longest time, please give it back" I begged but he did not listen.
King Henry VIII
She was talking with Joanna of Castile co-ruler with her son the Emperor of Spain my enemy. "We are in fragile times Katherine you cannot speak with them!" I yelled angrily
"Tis only my sister I wish to speak with Henry" she pleaded trying desperately to get the letter.
"Why not speak with your other sister Maria" I yelled down at her.
"You should know Henry she is dead" Katherine said bitterly tears spilling over her eyes.
"Katherine I-" I started but suddenly Katherine kneeled over hands flying to her stomach with a gasp.
She's having a miscarriage
I thought, dropping the letter to the ground I was quickly by her side.
"Katherine what is it?" I asked frantically and she took my hand placing it over her stomach where a strong healthy kick came. I sighed in relief and awe touched me, in the back of my mind I still knew it could be Boleyn's child but for an instant I forgot that.
"It kicked" I whispered.
"Yes, yes it did" Katherine said with emotion in her voice.
"I am sorry Catalina" I said affectionately touching her cheek and picking the letter of the ground and handing it to her. "You may speak with your sister but nothing about politics, am I understood" she nodded holding the letter tightly to her.
"Thank you Henry" she whispered and I smiled faintly.
Queen Anne Boleyn
I paced my rooms nervously, my musician, Mark Smeaton played a soft tone but I did not listen.
"Papa" I said as my father entered the room. I ordered the others away with a swift jerk of my wrist.
"Anne" he said with a small bow.
He was silent for a moment making sure that everyone had left the room before going on. "Anne you must get with child quickly" he ordered and I wanted to laugh.
"It is not the easy Papa he has not once visited my bedchamber, instead choosing those of Katherine's" I spat bitterly "where is he now?" I asked looking at him he was weary of his answer.
"He is with the Duchess" he finally answered and I wanted to laugh.
"You see" I cried "there is not point in trying to hard, I do not see why she does not just lose the child" I growled.
"Watch your tongue girl, that child could be mine" Papa said angrily.
"But why take the chance" I said throwing my hands in the air "do you not see how that brat could ruin everything" I screamed at him.
"YOU DON'T THINK I KNOW" he suddenly screamed back "I KNOW PERFECTLY WELL WHAT COULD HAPPEN, ANNE, YOU DON'T THINK I HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, WHAT OF ISABELLA AND TOM HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO THEM!". He said in a flurry.
"Yes I have and I have to worry about my Elizabeth" I said calmly.
"Then you understand how I feel, do not do anything stupid the King has eyes everywhere if you dare make her lose that child you could lose your head". He said before leaving the room, I raised my head high as he left me alone in the room.
"I want my daughter Elizabeth brought to Court" I said to Mistress Seville.
"The Princess of Wales as well?" she asked.
"NO" I yelled and she nodded quickly leaving.
Katherine Boleyn
George was leaving back to Grimston today I felt sad that he had to leave but I knew he would be well taken care of my Mistress Lowell.
"Goodbye George I shall see you soon" I promised kissing his head as Thomas helped him into his carriage.
"Bye mama, papa" he said waving as the carriage rolled down the street.
"I wish I could go to Hever" I said longingly as the carriage soon disappeared.
"I know, Mon Cher, come let us go inside".
We walked slowly back into the Palace night was soon falling and I had still yet to talk to Henry about Mary's betrothal.
"I bid you goodnight Mon Cher" Thomas said kissing my hand.
"And you as well" I said with a smile as he left me alone in what used to be our chambers.
The maids quickly undressed me and I got into bed, the all too familiar click of the door sounded and I knew Henry was in the room before he spoke.
"Catalina" he said pulling my back against his chest his hands resting on my stomach.
"Should you not be with your wife" I said and he only laughed lowly.
"Do not speak of Anne now" he ordered and I nodded.
"Can we talk of Mary" I said testing the ground.
"Yes we may, what about her" he said pushing an ebony lock from my cheek.
"Her betrothal to the Dauphin of France" I said carefully and Henry sighed.
"It is done, nothing you say will change my mind" he said firmly.
"Please" I said.
"NO!" he said loudly and I stilled "I am sorry, but it is done, Catalina the French said they would be kind to her, there is nothing to worry about".
"If you say so" I agreed.
"I do" he said again firmly "now sleep for the baby".
I did as I was told knowing there was no changing his mind when it was set, I could only hope the King of France would do something to upset Henry and break the betrothal. Till then my daughter, my Mary was destined to be Queen of France.
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Katherine of Aragon's sister Joanna actually lived till the age of 75 dying in 1555. Her other sister Maria of Aragon really did die March 7th 1517 but I put it a year later so Katherine could learn the news now. So there's my little historical lesson Lol.