June 20th 1534

It had been a while, but Mary was glad to have an audience with her father. The king was always so busy performing courtly duties and it came as quite a shock when he asked for Mary to join him for breakfast.

He did most of the talking and Mary was happy to listen. She could not say she had forgiven him quite yet, but she put all her mind and soul into acting like she had. After all, they were made to believe the king was directly chosen by God and the closest thing to him on their poor earth. Apart from that, he was the only living parent Mary had, and he had indeed been good to her lately, so she decided she would enjoy his company.

Mary nibbled on a piece of cheese as the king spoke about the jewel encrusted dagger he had commissioned for Henry Fitzroy, his bastard son and Mary's half-brother. She had not even realized it was the boy's birthday this week, it was odd because Mary had only met him once in her entire life and he was her brother. She thought how strange it was, the accident of birth. If only Henry had been born of her mother, her mother would still be queen, perhaps even alive to enjoy both her children having breakfast with their father. An image of a happy family of four doing just so flashed in her mind and Mary felt her heart clench.

"You have not come with child yet?" Henry asked breaking the silence that followed while he drank from his golden goblet. "No grandchild for your old papa" Mary watched in unease while he spoke, but then relaxed when she saw a very brief smirk grace his lips.

"I am an old man now," Henry said in a more somber tone "In eight days' time I shall be three and forty and still no son awaits my throne"

Mary was not sure what to say to that. He had never spoken to her on this topic. It had been echoed, yes. Implied in many of their brief conversations, but never in such an intimate setting, in such a calm tone.

"Your Majesty, you are not old. You are still fit and strong. The bonniest prince in the whole of Europe" She smiled lightly "I'm sure…boys will come"

Henry studied his daughter for a brief second. He watched as she held her head up while her eyes stayed trained on him. He knew she spoke to be sincere, but no matter how sincere her words, he saw the flash of hurt in her eyes. The tiny twitch of her upper lips and the effort she made not to cry. If only she knew why he needed a son to succeed him. If only she had been a boy.

"Mary…I have told you to call me father when we are in private" He finally said after a few minutes

"Forgive me…father" An awkward silence followed.

"About the order of succession–" Henry began but was cut off when a messenger entered. Mary felt unreasonable angry at the poor man for she wanted to know what it was the king wanted to say about the succession. Was he going to reinstate her? Before or after Elizabeth?

"A messenger from the north, your majesty" The man announced and all thoughts were silenced in Mary's head. The north meant the rebellion, the rebellion meant Tom. The king motioned for the man to come in and Mary watched as a young boy of about sixteen came wearing livery that she recognized to be the Earl of Northumberland's. She leaned back in her chair and watched as the man bowed to father and daughter before handing the king a letter.

Mary believed that there was nothing to worry about. Surely, if Tom was hurt then Reynolds would have come not one of Henry Percy's men.

The king sighed deeply as he finished reading the letter. A small shadow crossing his face. Mary leaned forward in anticipation to hear what was happening. The king glanced at her and then motioned for his message boy

"Go and bring the Queen and the Earl of Wiltshire immediately" Once the boy and the Percy Messenger had gone, Henry turned to face Mary. She sat still without giving any indication of her nerves. In that brief moment, with the stoic expression on her face, she resembled her mother and Henry braced himself for whatever reaction Mary would have to this particular news. If she had come to care for Winchester or not, he did not know.

"Your husband was wounded a few days ago. Apparently it was nothing too serious, but I am afraid the wound is festering and the doctors are concerned he has few weeks left to live"

Mary remained still. She processed everything her father had said. Tom was wounded. Tom was sick. Tom was dying. A thought said 'Mary rejoice' but, how could she when she felt every fiber of her body still? What about little Malti. It would break her heart to lose her father. What about Maryanne? She loved her brother so, even the queen. What about Master Reynolds, Mistress Sawyer and Margaret? They all respected him. What about her? Her heart clenched. Had she done this? Had she prayed for this?

"I shall order for prayers to be done on his behalf" Henry said. He sighed again and shook his head "I wish not to lose a good friend"

Mary remained silent as her thoughts could not seem to pull itself together.

It was then that the queen rushed in followed by her father. Anne was already in tears as she went to hang on to Henry, Thomas Boleyn stood waiting by the doorway.

"A messenger came to my father…oh Henry, my big brother. My sweet sweet brother" Henry held on to his wife in such a way that he had not in a while. Anne subbed into his chest and he continued to sooth her. Thomas Boleyn sr. walked in to greet the king.

"I wish to send one of my doctors, your majesty. Dr. Lewis has treated Tom since childhood, perhaps he can find a remedy"

They continued to speak. The king offered to send his own doctor as well and Anne cried and begged him to do just so. Mary barely heard anything they were saying. To her, they could all be far away as they talked for they were only echoes in her hearing. It was not until she finally spoke up that they kept quiet.

"What did you say Mary?" Henry asked.

She looked up at her father this time, her resolve strong and nothing clouding her judgment.

"I wish to go be with him."

"Absolutely not!" Henry glared at Thomas Boleyn for speaking before him and the older man looked away but remained red in the face.

"Henry?" Anne looked up at her husband

"There is a rebellion there, Mary. I cannot allow it" her father said

"But if he is dying-" Mary began but was interrupted by the Queen

"Why do you care?" He dark eyes bore into Mary. She had let go of the king and was now only a few steps away from her step daughter. Mary could see the tears in her eyes, the setting of her jaw, and the hardness of her glare. Anne was coming for her and Mary stood her ground. "Or, perhaps you wish to complete the job"

"Anne!" The king moved her shoulders so she was facing him "How dare you speak that way to my daughter"

"Bastard daughter, Henry" The queen was mad with anger no doubt. She was not expecting to see Mary with the king, she absolutely had been dreading the younger woman's return to favor and now was a good time as any to remind her of her place. "Because you have not made that clear, there is a rebellion. One that might just cost me my brother's life!" The king had no immediate response to that, but he needn't bother for Mary was capable of defending herself.

"You might call me bastard, but you forget I have the blood of many kings and queens running though my veins. Just because you whored your way to become queen does not give you the right–"

"ENOUGH!" The king was seething. Both women glared at one another hoping just this once looks could kill.

"Perhaps you should both go to Alnwick Castle. I will send reinforcements with you to keep you safe. Hopefully during the long journey you will both learn to get along"

Anne looked at Henry immediately, her eyes wide and screaming the question she could not ask: Are you insane?

"Henry, you cannot do this to me"

"I can, sweetheart. I am the king" He walked towards the door before turning once more to face them "I need you two to sort out your problems far away from my court" He gave them all a knowing look before walking out of his office.

If did not take up to two second before Mary followed in her father's footsteps, leaving Anne and her father reeling in fear and anger.

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It took days to complete their journey and the entire time Anne prayed that her brother still lived. She knew that infections were what killed people, not battle wounds. She would spend time discussing remedies and possible scenarios with Dr. Lewis praying that the man's ideas would prove well for her brother. The fact that she was returning to Alnwick did not cross her mind until she saw the castle ahead and her stomach twisted in knots. She was going to see him again, the man she had wanted to marry. The man who took her first kiss. She had no feelings for him now, but she had jilted him and now all she felt was shame when he was around.

The carriage stopped and with the help of some of her ladies, Anne reshuffled her dress so it was presentable. She was glad that Mary had wanted to ride her unruly grey mare the entire way.

Anne stepped out of the carriage and saw Mary coming off her horse with the help of one of Northumberland's men.

"Your Majesty" Anne turned and saw him. Still handsome after all these years. His voice was toneless and he showed no indication that they once had a close relationship as he greeted her.

"Lord Northumberland"

"My Lady Winchester," He bowed lightly when Mary approached and the younger woman curtsied.

"My lord"

"If you will follow me, I will lead you to your husband's chambers" He turned to lead them and both women followed without glancing at one another.

"How is he, my lord?" Mary asked walking up so she was beside him.

"He still lives." He announced glancing back at Anne before looking at Mary again "He is fine some days, and others we think he has reached his end. My doctors have been working very hard"

"We have brought doctors as well." Anne said "Doctor Lewis is very good and the king's own doctor should arrive in a day or two" Henry Percy only nodded his head.

He looked at Mary. "He will be glad to see you" They had stopped in front of beautiful large oak doors. Percy knocked and it was immediately opened on the inside.

"Master Reynolds" The old man bowed to his mistress and the queen.

"My lady, I am so happy you have come. Lord Winchester has asked of you"

"He has?" The old man nodded.

"He is not always fully there. Sometimes he has conversations with Lord Rochford or Lord Wiltshire" Reynolds looked at the queen then, noticing her irritated scowl "He has asked of you as well your majesty"

He and Henry led them inside the immaculately decorated room, bursting with silks and gold colored drapes, but none of that seemed to catch Mary's attention. He looked only upon the pale thin person lying in a bed of his own sweat. His shirt was removed and Mary could see the long dash that ran from the right side of his abdomen all the way around to his side. It was deep, and she could still see the yellow of the pus and blood that refused to stop leaking.

"Doctor Andrews airs it out at mid-day" Reynolds said. His voice suddenly thick with emotion.

Mary realized then that she had been biting the inside of her cheeks. She did not know when tears sprang in her eyes and she had to clench her fit to keep them from shaking.

He looked nearly dead. His cheeks were hollow from lack of eating, his eyes gaunt and his chest barely moving. His lips had no color and Mary surprised herself by remembering how on a regular day he will use them to smirk or grin at her just to annoy her. Or the day he had kissed her. She never expected how…scared she would feel seeing him so helpless.

"Leave us" Anne said "I wish to be alone with my brother"

Henry Percy was the first to turn to leave. Reynolds looked at Mary who glared at the Queen. He took a step back and made to lead Mary out of the room, when Tom shifted in the bed. He slowly opened his eyes and immediately Anne sat beside him and took his hands.

Tom focused on her and Mary watched a small smile graced his pale lips. She felt her stomach drop when she realized that it was not her he would want to see, but the people that actually loved him. She was not sure what Henry Percy meant by him being happy to see her, it made no sense. His sister was here, perhaps she should indeed leave and come back later. She wanted to do just so, but Master Reynolds held her still.

"Annemarie." Tom's voice was a ghost of his usual boisterous tone. "So they sent for you then" Despite the pain he was feeling, Anne could tell he was joking with her, mostly trying to make her believe everything was not as bad as it seemed.

"I came as soon as I could" Tom closed his eyes for a second before opening them again.

"Is…did Mary come?"

Mary stopped breathing and her heart swelled Mater Reynolds had not been lying. She took a step forward and nearly faltered when she heard what came out of Anne's mouth next.

"Our sister could not make the journey, but–"

"No," Tom forced out struggling to breath "My-"

"I'm here" She finally poke up. Loud and clear. She watched as Tom froze before slowly turning to look at the foot of the bed where she stood.

"I'm here. I came," She paused not sure what to say with all eyes on her. What should she tell him when the last time they were together she had shoved him and ran away. Locked him out of their room and refused to give him a wife's blessing.

Tom did not seem to mind about all that though. The smile on his face had widened, immediately putting Mary at ease. She relaxed within herself and moved closer to his other side.

"I was worried" Mary spoke honestly.

"It's just a scratch" He said. Mary let out a laugh at his response. Tom beamed even more, her presence seeming to give him more energy.

"I can see that" Mary said taking the hand he had extended to her. His skin was warm and clammy and Mary felt her throat tighten and tears pinch the back of her eyes.

"I'm…not going to...die" She tried to blink back tears and look strong for him. Looking down at him, she kept her voice as calm as possible.

"Do you give me your word?"

"Yes"

"Good." Mary looked up at the others in the room "If you will excuse me, I wish to be alone with my husband"

Master Reynolds bowed and left without question. Henry Percy who stood by the doors smirked at the irate look on Anne's face.

"Come along, your majesty. I shall show you where you will be staying. It is the best room Alnwick has to offer"

Anne touched Tom's cheek to get his attention again, promising that she would come back. She kissed his cheek and followed Henry Percy out of the room.

When they were alone, Mary had the decency to look ashamed. She took her hand from his and clenched it with her other. "Forgive me for how I acted the last time we were together" Tom chuckled, tough with difficulty and a few curses. Mary was flushing pink when he set his eyes on her again.

"I...was going to apologize for my behavior, but after this…" He weakly motioned at his injury "I realized…I want to kiss you every day, with your permission of course" Mary didn't think she could blush even more, but she did not let that deter her, no matter how fuzzy his words made her feel on the inside. She came here to help him get better and that's what she will do. They would go about this one step at a time. She placed a small finger upon his lips to keep him from talking anymore.

"Shhh. Rest. I will be here when you wake"

Tom smiled as he took her in. her dark locks, pale blue eyes that nearly resembled ice. She was going to be here and that sent comfort to his very core, so much so that he closed his eyes and slipped to a very comfortable sleep.

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Thanks so much for the feedback. I like this chapter a lot, hope you all feel the same. Ask me any questions and feel free to leave reviews. Have a wonderful Tuesday!