Hope you enjoy the last chapter. Warning: Character Death please grab your Kleenex.
But however it will end somewhat happy.
So Long and Goodnight Part 2:
What's the worst thing I could say?
Things are better if I stay,
So long and goodnight
So long and goodnight
-My Chemical Romance- Helena
"What horrid nightmares that god would send upon you!" Thomas said.
After I woke up, Thomas sent the distressed versions of Anne and Katherine out of the room. He told Katherine to teach Anne how to take care of a baby (as much to Katherine's dismay she was still trying to get over the fact though in love with Thomas, that she was getting replaced by a nobody). The two of us sat at the edge of my bed as I told him every painful detail of that nightmare.
It shocked him what he was hearing. At some points he would just cross himself. Other points, he would cringe.
"God's sending me a omen Thomas," I said, "maybe you are destined to suffer at some point and maybe I will die saving you. Maybe god made this my destiny because I admit I am no saint. I have made many mistakes some minor some horrible and I am destined to make many more in my lifetime. I also admit I am not as faithful to my religion as you are as faithful as I am, I confess scarcely, I pray once in the morning and if I am not too tired once at night and no offence I don't wear a hairshirt and nor to I indulge in whipping myself, though I do admit I punch the wall every time I feel like I messed up big time and of course blood would be drawn."
Thomas cringed when I said the punching walls bit.
"I'm sorry I am cringing like this it sounds painful and oh I would like to clarify that Katherine threw my whip and all my hairshirts in the river. She said that hurting myself when I do wrong would set a bad example for Agnes. Katherine used to wear one you know until-"
Why wasn't I surprised Katherine was being the dominant in the relationship?
"Mary was born I used to be married to her remember."
"Right anyway Harry you were saying?"
"It's all god's plan I am going to be a hero, a martyr for someone's life."
Thomas crossed himself and then grabbed both my shoulders. He then looked at me eye length.
"Harry, you are speaking cryptically it is scaring me, But if what you say is true I don't want you to be a martyr for my cause. I can't live with that thought knowing you died because of me. I don't understand sometimes Harry, why you look so highly of me I am merely your servant and yes I am your friend as well but I am not supposed to be that important to you."
"But you are Thomas, when I was announced heir apparent to the throne my father basically laughed. Between Arthur and I it was me who was always yelled at, me who was always smacked by the rod, my father was constantly screaming HARRY because I was always doing something to make the family look bad and of course I was always judged. When Arthur died they all doubted me! Even my mother, the kindest woman you would ever meet. So when my father told me I was the next king of England I was scared, very scared because they doubted me so much they never prepared me for if something like this were to happen. And then you came along and it was like Moses parting the red sea, or the Angel Gabriel telling the Virgin Mary that she was pregnant with our savior! You were the only one who believed in me."
I closed my eyes and I remembered my first ever lesson with Thomas More:
"Your highness," My new tutor Thomas More said as he bowed, "You said you preferred to be called Harry right?"
I walked into the room with my head looking towards the ground. I couldn't believe my father sent me to my lessons within days of my brother's death. Did he not trust me to be King that much? I thought it was disrespectful. But I was afraid that if I questioned it I would get spanked for it.
"Yes," I said sadly.
I pulled out a chair and sat down. I opened my notebook to a blank page. I leaned my head towards my left hand, while playing with my quill with my right one.
"So what are we learning today?" I said, "As much as religion interests me it started to become repetitive and boring."
Thomas took his chair next to me and laughed.
"Unfortunately
Harry," He said, "your religious lessons will be replaced by
political lessons but no fear, I will make it interesting for you as
I can maybe add philosophical perspective to it. For if you
understand your people, their motives and their actions then you will
be a great, just, kind and fair leader." He put his hand on
my shoulder.
"I understand this is a trying time for you," He then said, "I know many have doubts about leaving you to rule this country. But I want you to know in all honesty that I believe in you and I promise you that you'll be a great leader."
I smiled.
"Do
you mean it Sir Thomas or are you just saying it to make me feel
better?"
"I truly mean it I see it in your eyes how enthusiastic you are. Now before we continue I admit I did not agree with your father putting you back into your routine lessons so soon after your brother died but the King is the King so we must obey. So I thought today I'd just teach you the fundamentals of government and then we'd spend the rest of the time doing what ever you want. Your father tells me you have your own group of friends maybe you could introduce me to them how does that sound?"
I smiled wider I was beginning to like this Thomas More already!
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"WHO IS IT?" I yelled causing Thomas to jump in fright.
The door opened and Brandon and Knivert were standing in the doorway. They were both hysterically crying. They were holding each other's arms as if they were a married couple. I knew this was bad. Could my life get any worse? Wait a second? Where was Compton?
"Dear lord what happened to you two?" I said, "and where the hell is Compton?"
Brandon let go of Knivert and turned his back to me. He started to sob harder.
"He's dying," Knivert said.
No it couldn't be! Compton was fine hours before! He was happy merry and blabbing away about how in love he was. He couldn't be dying. I felt Thomas rubbing my back. He had a gut instinct he wasn't leaving my side tonight.
"But at the banquet he was happy and cheerful you're playing a trick on me Knivert."
Knivert started crying harder. That's when I knew he wasn't lying. God everyday was becoming crueler and crueler to me. I started tearing up.
"Compton requested we'd be there with him and yes that includes you sir Thomas because he wants you to be Henry's crying shoulder."
I couldn't help but smirk a little. But I knew deep down inside this was going to be one the most single most painful experience of my life.
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By then I had seen only two human deaths in my life. The first death and I remember this exactly, not only was the first time I witnessed someone die, but it was the first and probably the last execution I would probably attend.
I was 16 pretty close to the beginning of my reign. By then my father who declared Thomas a godsend was used to the fact I was becoming King and gave me some tips about how to be a ruler. I remember why he forced me to witness this execution. It was because as much as he loved how Thomas added philosophy into my studies, some philosophy was making me too soft. So my father ordered me to some random nobleman's (I forget who he was, must have been Plantangent) beheading. It was not at all a pretty sight. It took three times to cut off the man's head. I ended up throwing up on Brandon's (he was kind enough to come with me) new doublet.
The second time I witnessed a human death was when my young son died. But that was a death that even to this day I can't even describe.
But now I was going to witness a third human death: the death of my childhood friend. I had known Compton since Knivert and I were four and Compton and Brandon were 7. The four of us did everything together from sports to schooling (aside from my private lessons). It killed me to know that our quartet was now going to be a trio.
As I walked to Compton's room Thomas had his arm wrapped around my shoulder. My hands were crossed in front of me and I was looking to the floor.
"Thank you for coming with me Thomas," I said.
He patted me on the back.
"I would have wound up being your crying shoulder anyway," He said.
I sniffed from the premature tears.
"Thank you Thomas this is why I trust you the most of my friends, would you do me a favor?"
He started rubbing my back more vigorously.
"Sure Harry."
"Would you pray for him?"
Thomas gave me another reassuring smile.
"Of course I pray that God will open his doors for your friend."
"Thank you."
We finally stopped at the door and a puffy eyed Anthony Knivert turned around. I cringed hearing the terrible moaning from behind the door. Dying must have been so painful for Compton. I couldn't help but wonder that if my death were to be as my nightmares told me was it going to be that slow and painful?
"He's in here," Knivert said.
He slowly opened the door. Brandon followed after him. I took a deep breath before walking in with Thomas behind.
It was a dismal scene. Compton was pale and writhing wildly. Priests were surrounding him and praying. I looked behind me to see that Thomas crossed himself. Compton's eyes gazed at the four of us. He gave us a weak smile.
"You guys came," Compton said in a weak voice, "even Owen Tudor joined, the doctor said for you guys not to come too close though, I have caught the sweats."
Oh the dreaded sweats. It was the same illness that took my brother. Knivert, Brandon and I looked at each other debating how close we should get to him. I looked back at Thomas who gave me a reassuring smile.
"I'll pray for god to protect the three of you," He said, "you should be with your friend."
I first slowly walked to the footboard of the bed. Knivert and Brandon hesitantly followed behind. They each took a spot on either side of me. Brandon tried to stay strong while Knivert was whimpering. Knivert took the death the hardest because he and Compton we equivalent to Brandon and I. A few tears escaped my eyes.
"I'm in a lot of pain, I thought you guys would make the dying process easier by sharing memories the four of us shared."
Oh there were tons of memories. They were hard to choose because they were so vast. Whether it was a time we played sports or a time we would get into trouble. I tried to think of the best memory. Brandon who was on my right side smiled then laughed.
"Remember that time we played hide and seek," He said, "I wanted to find the best hiding spot, so I ran into Princess Margaret's room I remember you guys finally found me after Margaret threw my whole body out of the room because she was changing while I was hiding."
I smirked as I remembered the memory. We spent hours looking for Brandon until finally he came flying out of the room as if he were a spear. I looked over at Knivert who couldn't help but smirk against his tears. Compton laughed a little before he started coughing a little.
"I still can't believe you ended up marrying her but I see you are happy with her."
Brandon smirked a little more.
"She's a godsend she will definitely be a great crying shoulder tonight."
Knivert started to sob.
"Knivert don't be sad, god has to take us all eventually. Isn't that right Sir Thomas?"
We all looked back at Thomas who I could have sworn was whipping a tear from his eye. By then the last person who he saw die before his eyes was his first wife Joan Colt. Apparently he loved Joan so much that he completely for a while forgot he loved Katherine! This scene probably brought him back to that moment where Thomas was sitting at Joan's bedside as her life slowly slipped away.
"Yes," He said, "it's a cruel fact of life."
I sighed and turned back around.
"Henry why don't you share a memory with us? I don't think I have much longer and you were always a great story teller."
Quick note before I continue on dear reader, I was always a great storyteller. Many complemented me on that trait. Which was why I went on to write this story. I thought my great storytelling would keep you entertained. Anyway back to what I was writing.
I smiled there was one memory that kept popping on into my head.
"Of course my dear friend," I said, "Remember Hallows Eve 1502. When Brandon tried to tell us that Bloody Mary Story. And but made up some parts of it like he was the duke of the Town and that Katherine and Thomas More were married. And that when Bloody Mary tried to 'abduct' their daughter Thomas called everyone including the pope and Erasmus to stop the witch. And then Brandon said that if you were to go a mirror and say bloody Mary three times, she would kill you. So then Compton since you thought was nothing but Rubbish went to the mirror and said 'Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary.' And of course made Brandon look like a fool."
Compton broke out into laughter. But as soon as it started it abruptly stopped and was replaced by gasping breaths. Knivert suddenly grabbed onto the bedpost and started wailing into it. Brandon ran over to his side and started rubbing his back. He was crying too. As for me my smile faded and realization struck over me. Compton probably had not even five minutes left. Some tears started to escape my eyes.
"Guys…I…was…truly…blessed…to…you…as…my…friends."
Those were his last words. Not even a second after he said that he closed his eyes one last time and entered into the afterlife. I know I probably didn't say it in time for him to hear me but I said:
"And we're honored to have you as a friend."
Knivert turned around to face me.
"Is he gone?" He squeaked.
I sadly nodded my head. He sobbed harder. He grabbed Brandon and cried into his chest. I looked down onto Compton's dead body sadly one last time. Before I turned around to Thomas. He looked at me sadly.
"I'm so sorry Harry," He said.
I didn't reply I just fell into his arms and sobbed into his chest.
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I lied on my bed face first with Thomas rubbing my back. He kept humming a soft tune. As much as it helped I was still violently sobbing. Two hours had past.
"Harry," He said, "I know how sad this is for you but think about it, his pain is over."
I started to sob harder. It surprised me that Thomas More could not control my sanity. He started to run his hand through my hair. He continued to him his soft tune. Until….
"Mademoiselle Boleyn," He said, "I am glad you are concerned about Harry, but he is right now in a good state."
I lifted my head, which felt heavy. Anne stood there with a look of concern. She had a goblet of water in her hand.
"Let her stay Thomas," I said, "she's good company."
Anne smiled when I said that. She walked over to my side. She placed it on the side table and sat next to me. I grabbed her hand.
"Actually I can't stay long," She said kissing my hand, "my brother in law is unfortunately also dying from the sweats and my sister needs me to comfort her, but I didn't want to leave without checking on you I am so sorry about William."
She bent down and kissed me on the lips.
"When will you be back?"
She kissed me again.
"As soon as I can…I know I don't have to say to you but take care of him for me Sir Thomas?"
Thomas smiled and bowed his head.
"Of course not to fear Mademoiselle Boleyn." He said.
My crying died down. I felt as though my body was slowly relaxing. She kissed me one last time on the forehead.
"Know Henry that no matter what I love you with all my heart."
I smirked amongst the tears.
"I love you too." I said.
She kissed me one last time before walking out the door. Thomas looked down with a smile.
"She's good to you I see." He said.
I couldn't answer because the next thing I knew I fell into a deep sleep. Little did I know that when I woke up, Pandora's box was about to be opened.
Next up: Map Of The Problematique the chaos begins!