Disclaimer: The King, Higgins and the children belong to me, everything else is history.

Well all stories must come to the end and this one has as well.

Hope you enjoy.

The next day I called Lady Carey and the child to my chambers. I was still undecided about the child's parentage but I was throwing caution to the wind and had decided what to do. I had spoken to Anne and she had agreed to my proposal but had a few amendments.

Lady Carey was shown in by my chamberlain with Elizabeth close behind her. They sat on the seats that I had offered them.

"Lady Carey, I fear I must ask you one last question. After your late husband passed you were left with your dower land and as you said the sum was not substantial to support three children, why did you not try to find another husband for security?" I asked.

"My parents did find me another husband but he would not accept the children into his family and I was unwilling to give up the children to remarry." Lady Carey replied.

"So you have stayed unmarried for all this time and your family have not supported you in any way?" I asked.

"Yes, your Majesty." Lady Carey replied.

"I see. I know things have been difficult for you and your family and I have come to the decision that the childs father was my late father so I will recognise Elisabeth as my blood but I would like her to stay with you until she has completed her lessons. I am willing to pay for a tutor and any other expenses that you deem fit, I am also going to pay you a sum of 200 Sovereigns for any outstanding payments and as a stipend for her upbringing." I said.

"Your Majesty, I don't know what to say, all I can say is thank you." Lady Carey exclaimed.

"I will invite her to court every once in a while and would like you to accompany her with a governess. I would like her to meet Prince Edward as I feel they will get on with each other being similar in age." I said.

"Yes, your Majesty." Lady Carey replied.

"Once she has reached the age of 14 I will find a suitable husband and provide dowry for her." I said.

"Thank you your Majesty." Lady Carey replied.

"Elizabeth do you know what has happened?" I asked.

"Yes, your Majesty. I have become your sister." Elizabeth replied.

"Yes, that is right. Your life will be become different but I would still like you to have a normal upbringing which is why you will still be living with your aunt. Once you reach the age of 14 you will come and live in the palace with me and my Queen, you will be given rooms at court with some gentlewomen for company and I will bestow on you some estates for you to live in when you are older. You will have the title of 'Lady' the same as your aunt."

"Thank you, your Majesty. May I ask a favour?"

I nodded.

"Can my cousin come to keep me company?" she asked.

I look at Lady Carey; she looked surprised but gave me a nod to say it was alright.

"Yes, I think that can be arranged." I said.

"Thank you, your Majesty." Elizabeth replied.

I gave them leave to go and asked Lady Carey to send me regular updates of her studies. Two days later they left and returned home to Essex.

It was the middle of July when I heard news that Mary had landed safely in Spain and had been greeted by the Spanish court and her future husband. One boat had sustained damage on the voyage and would not make the journey back with the rest of the fleet.

I sent a message to Anne telling her the news and then set about working on Edward. I had forgotten all about him, he was now 6 years old and according to his tutors he likes to spend most of his time in Church. I had called him to court to discuss his future; I was on my way to his rooms when I saw his manservant, Johnson walking towards me.

"Ah, Johnson, is your master in his rooms?" I asked.

"No Your Majesty, he has gone to the chapel." Johnson replied.

"Thank you Johnson." I said.

I made my way to the chapel. As I entered I saw Edward kneeling in one of the pews with his head bowed, he looked calm and at peace. I walked up to the pews where he was, made obedience to the Alter and slid into the pew.

Edward didn't stir at my presence and I didn't disturb him until he had finished. After a while he raised his head.

"Have you found what you are looking for?" I asked.

"Not yet but I feel at more peace here than anywhere else." Edward replied.

""You know our Father's will that you be married, do you wish not to be married and to join the Church instead?" I asked.

"I have a passion for the Church, I know our Father's will and do not wish to go against his wishes but I feel that any marriage would be a waste of time." Edward replied.

"Do you have any order that you wish to join?" I asked.

"Not as yet but with time and contemplation the answer will reveal itself." Edward replied.

"I see in that case may I suggest that you continue your education and when you are 10 you may join whichever order you wish. Does that sound interesting to you?" I asked.

"Yes and I agree." Edward replied.

"Then it is settled." I said.

"Thank you, brother." Edward replied.

We sat there discussing points of view then I left him there and went and back to my chamber. Once there I called for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Fisher. When he arrived I was sorting some papers. I offered him a seat, I needed to talk about Edward but there was another issue I needed his advice on.

"How is the Archdiocese?" I asked.

"It is doing well. The plans for your visit are well underway and I have set workman to work repairing the spire after the fire." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"That is good news. I have two things that I wish to discuss with you." I said.

"I am at your Majesty's service." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"You know of the religious cult that has sprung up across Europe and when I married Anne her brother was part of that cult, I have to ask if it has reached our shores?" I said.

"I am afraid it has. I am working with the Lord Chancellor to try and eradicate the problem but I fear it is growing too fast for us to combat." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"Is it contained or wide spread?" I asked.

"It is contained in certain places but it has reached London and is quickly spreading." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"What is being done to stop it?" I asked.

"When a person is found or brought forward, they are given a chance to recant or face harsher punishment." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"And if they still do not?" I asked.

"They are sent to Smithfields." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"How many have you sent there?" I asked.

"15." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"15, were they all legitimate?" I asked surprised.

"Yes." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"Before they are sent I would like to see names and what they are accused of." I said.

"Yes your Majesty." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"Thank you, Archbishop. The other matter I wish to discuss with you is that of Prince Edward. His tutors say that he spends more time praying. I went to see him today and I found him in the chapel at prayer. We spoke and he wishes to enter the Church but does not know which order to enter." I said.

"I must say that the Prince has been sending me letters on religion. If your Majesty would agree, I will talk with Prince Edward and help him to choose an order to enter." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"That would be helpful my Lord. I have said that he can join any order he wishes when he reaches the age of 10. Although I did not expect Edward to want to enter the Church, my father's wishes were that he was to be married." I said.

"Edward was a small boy when your father passed." Archbishop Fisher replied.

"True but if you would talk to Edward that would be appreciated." I said.

"I am as always your humble servant." Archbishop replied.

"Thank you my Lord Archbishop." I said.

"Your Majesty." Archbishop replied with a bow.

Leaning back I thought back to my coronation. It seemed as though it was ages ago but it had only been a year.

So much had happened in that year. I had lost little Catherine, the loss was almost too hard to bear and she now lays at the bottom of mine and Anne's tomb waiting for us. Anne had given birth to another girl, Isabella. She was beautiful and after Catherine's death she was a ray of light sent from on high.

Mary had left England for Spain, the marriage contract that my father negotiated had been fulfilled and she was settled in her new home. I had found out that I had another sister, Elisabeth. I didn't know much about her but in time I would get to know her.

Edward had decided on the life in the Church and with Archbishop Fisher's guidance he would find where he wants to be.

As for my beautiful Anne I couldn't imagine life without her. All that time ago when I saw her painting I fell for her and she has given me everything without question. Our two children were both fit and healthy; Prince John was growing up fast and would be soon starting his schooling.

A year had flown by and my reign was only just starting, what was going to happen in the future I didn't know but I knew I wouldn't face it alone.

The End

Well that was it, I hope you have enjoyed reading this story.

I have 2 other stories but they are not ready but would you like me to write another story on the Prince/King.

Please review with a yes or no.

I would like to say thank you to my editor and long term friend Jonathon, he has helped me through the spelling, punctuation and grammar. Without his help I couldn't of got this far.

Thanks everyone and look out for more.