Seven Devils All Around You
~o~
"Holy water cannot help you now
A thousand armies couldn't keep me out
I don't want your money
I don't want your crown
See I've come to burn
Your kingdom down
Holy water cannot help you now
See I've come to burn your kingdom down
And no rivers and no lakes, can put the fire out
I'm gonna raise the stakes; I'm gonna smoke you out
Seven devils all around you
Seven devils in my house
See they were there when I woke up this morning
I'll be dead before the day is done
Seven devils all around you
Seven devils in your house
See I was dead when I woke up this morning,
And I'll be dead before the day is done
Before the day is done
And now all your love will be exorcised
And we will find your sayings to be paradox
And it's an even sum
It's a melody
It's a battle cry
It's a symphony
Seven devils all around you
Seven devils in my house
See, they were there when I woke up this morning
And I'll be dead before the day is done
Seven devils all around you
Seven devils in your house
See I was dead when I woke up this morning,
And I'll be dead before the day is done
Before the day is done
Before the day is done
Before the day is done
They can keep me alive
'Til I tear the walls
'Til it slave your hearts
And they take your souls
And what have we done?
Can it be undone?
In the evil's heart
In the evil's soul
Seven devils all around you
Seven devils in your house
See I was dead when I woke up this morning
I'll be dead before the day is done
Before the day is done"
~"Seven Devils" by Florence + The Machine
Tyrion:"I understand how this game is played. I am not Ned Stark."
Varys:"Ned Stark was a man of honor."
Tyrion:"I am not."
~Game of Thrones 2X04
Margaery: "Your Grace. Everyone calls themselves Kings these days and if Renly wasn't a King then I was not a Queen."
Petyr: "Do you want to be Queen?"
Margaery: "No. I want to be the Queen."
~Game of Thrones 2X05
28th January – 27th February 1547
"I did not come to hear this" Maggie said, driving away from his eyes. She hated this, she hated waiting for news of her father and she hated Liam for trying to make things better when things were visibly not.
"Bella you have to let this rest, he is in God's hands now."
"Do not utter that name Liam, you know where I and God stand with one another."
"I know and that is why I say it, I believe that every man and woman can be saved."
"Then you are a dreamer."
"Aye but better a dreamer than a cynic, at least this way you can dream all you want without no one to tell you it is impossible."
"It is impossible."
"See? Now we are talking, I've gotten your mind off your father" He pointed out, giving a jesting smile.
"Now is not the time for jesting and making a fool of yourself." She complained but she couldn't help the smile on her lips.
"See darling? Your husband and lord is here to make it all better."
"Nay my lord, you are not my lord for I am the King's eldest daughter and at one time I was Queen and Archduchess and a Duchess Dowager, and I can have no lord."
"Since you refuse to make God your lord my lady then I must be your lord in His mighty steady." He crashed his lips on her, she giggled and the rest of the room turned their heads away, some of the ladies giggling as they gossiped about the Duchess Dowager outrageous behavior.
"They are watching" He whispered going to kiss her soft earlobe.
"And? What of it? Let us give them something greater to talk about." She said, feeling his hot breath on her neck as he began suckling and when he was done, he pushed his lips on hers again.
"It is outrageous, does she not care?" Mary complained crossing her arms against her chest. Her sister, she swore, had no manners.
"That is love."
"That is lust" She corrected but he encircled her in a possessive embrace. They did not attract as much attention, all eyes were centered on her sister and her lowly born husband, Baron Stark, instead.
"I could fuck you right here, right now and no one would notice."
"No" she warned "you devilish fiend, take your fingers off me" she put down his fingers from her bossom but he overpowered her and imprisoned her hands with only one hand and pushed his other, with his thumb under the little space between her low neck-line.
"You shouldn't have encouraged me with this low neck-line." He said pushing his other fingers at her center.
"Edward stop it." She warned "If my father's ministers were to see you-"
He silenced her with a kiss. "What? Take my dukedom, the regency away? You forget the regency council lords have promised me their support, I will reign supreme and with you by my side" he said biting the soft flesh, marking his territory, of her neck.
"Edward" She would not be able to resist any longer like the sap of a tree, her loins burst forward with her love juices and her legs quivered as he withdrew his fingers and pushed them underneath her skirts.
"Mmm…" He moaned feeling her wetness. "Just a bit more."
"Ned-"
"Just a bit more."
She bit her lower lip. Damn him, his tongue stuck from his mouth, giving her a wicked look. She moaned louder as he pushed his middle finger into the soft flesh and finally she burst forward.
Nobody was paying attention to their quick ravishment, Bella's seemingly outrageous behavior had driven all attention from them and her father's screams had deafened them from her moans of pleasure.
He withdrew abruptly his fingers and looked in the direction his peers were looking to.
Mary followed his gaze, gasping still for breath from the ravishment she'd experienced from her lusty wolf.
Her father was suffering and here they were teasing. Bella stepped forward and without warning walked forward into his chambers, pushing his doctor aside and ordering everyone, including his fool Will Somers out.
"Bella? Bella, is that you? Come my daughter …" his voice rasped. He was only a shadow of what he once was, the handsome and strong King she remembered from her childhood days.
He had seemed a giant to Mary, the perfect to Bella at one point and the perfect companion to Maggie at another when he'd been married to the concubine.
"Yes father 'tis me, your daughter Bella." She answered kneeling at the foot of his bed. She would not kneel before him, at his side like Mary did, she would not look at him with worship like her younger sister and she would not speak words candidly like her youngest sister, Maggie.
He wished in that moment that he could have spent more time with her, that he had taught her everything he had to teach her to be a better monarch, God how he regretted she was not a man, than he ever was.
"My daughter … tomorrow I shall be dead, all breath shall go from my body and your brother, praise be to God grant him good health, Prince Edward shall be King." He said reaching for her hand but she did not say a word or reach out to him.
Aye, she is not Mary, nor he wanted her to be. He realized when Mary was born it had been one of the happiest days in his life and Katherine's because the girl had been taught to be a pleaser like her mother and Henry liked that. He loved people appealing to his vanity and he both loved and was annoyed of her devotion and how she said nothing but words of praise and almost knelled at his presence. She was the perfect subject, the perfect slave and like everything he loved he had taken her love and turned it into open resentment and hatred for him.
She would never say it for her open devotion to him but he had left his middle daughter scarred in a way that every time she looked at him, Henry could not help but notice her resentment and hatred for him.
I have wrecked them. I have wrecked them all. "Child …" he begged, his eyes pleading, in one final attempt but she did not come.
He hid his arm underneath the blanket and like a frightened child he held the sheets close to his chest and spoke once more. "I have asked your sister to worship your brother and raise and love him as she would her own children. I know that her younger children look up to him, her youngest son is named after him. She will make a good substitute for his loving mother."
"Aye, she will father"
He nodded, pleased she had spoken at last and in agreement. "I have done you and your sister so many wrongs, had it not been for you and Maggie I would have wasted half of my years invested more in my heir, denying you and your sisters happiness but I thank thee every day for inheriting my father's passion, cunning and last but not least …" he took a deep intake of breath as he spoke his last to her "my determination. You saved your children Bella … you … you saved your sisters … everything they are they owe it to you … p-please take care of them … never forget your bond … always look af-after the family …" and then he was no more.
Henry VIII, the once mighty, loved and feared King of England, France, Lord of Ireland was interred in Westminster weeks after his passing.
The funeral was the greatest spectacle the Kingdom had ever seen. People rode from every corner and walk of life into London to see the procession. *But though the procession had started in London, his body had been moved from its privy chamber at Whitehall where he had been watched over by chaplains and gentlemen of the chamber with the funeral services going on for ten days; on the fourteenth with great solemnity to Windsor where the roads had been cleared and widened to allow the free passage of the procession.
The coffin borne on a gilded chariot, draped with cloth of gold and blue velvet was a glorious sight like the pagan ceremonies of the Roman Emperors, Henry had left in his will nothing to chance, he wanted to live forever in his former subjects' imagination as the greatest monarch that ever walked the Earth.
And even in his effigy he conjured this great memory by wearing a **crown of imperial and inestimable value and carried a golden scepter and the bal of the world with a cross.
At the head of his coffin, on the chariot, sat the chief gentlemen of the privy chamber, Sir Anthony Denny and Sir William Herbert with the addition of Baron Stark –the most likely favor he would ever receive from his marriage to his eldest daughter, the Duchess Dowager, Isabella Tudor.
After them came gentlemen bearing the Tudor ancestors' standards and family badges including the father of their French-Lancaster dynasty, Owen Tudor with the red dragon badge over a painted black background. Several others followed, the choir and chapel officials and behind them fifty poor men dressed as mourners and those carrying torches were accompanied by two carts on each side bearing supplies in case they had to replenish the older souls that burnt out.
Their chief mourner, the Three Graces' cousin's husband, the Marquis of Dorset, Henry Grey and the King's chamberlain followed them, followed by the King's master of the horse and many other finer gentlemen who had been close to great Hal during the last years of his reign.
The procession had stopped at Syon. Everyone had been worn out by the long walk. Mary and her sisters with their respective spouses stayed in the larger apartment, much to the Marquis of Dorset's displeasure who thought being the chief mourner and married to King's niece he would be worthy of greater respect. But it was not so. Everyone who loved Hal loved his daughters and everywhere they rode the people would come crying out the Graces' names.
The procession resumed the following day and reached London four days later where joined by the choir, the Garter King of Arms and the heralds, the crowds cheered *"Vive le noble roy Edward!" and then the trumpets sounded, canons fired and the ground seemed to shake as they said goodbye to their noble lord and welcomed their new one.
King Edward VI at last, he thought with joy, waved at the crowds, a smile playing on his lips as he saw the thousands of followers who had come to greet him.
They all felt like actors on a stage play pampering to this simpering fool but Edward did not make it known, his displeasure seeing their sisters standing side by side next to him like his equals.
This was a day of celebration. His mother's triumph and his father's, he would not disappoint them. He would build a better and freer England raising it from the ground up, purifying it from all its evils and like the phoenix he would achieve immortality through his sons as his father through him.
His eyes traveled to his cousin and niece, Meggie Boleyn. She turned the other way.
Mary rubbed her shoulder "It is alright" she whispered and encouraged her to smile at her uncle. It would be great to foster a relationship between her daughter and brother, they were family after all and she knew it was her father's dying wish, she heard it from Bella, to keep all the family untied. It was not that Meggie did not love her family but there was something, something, about her uncle that scared her.
Everyone mourned and cheered for their late and present Kings. Edward VI made it known he was a strict conservative unlike his father who only in name and would not indulge in the same vanities, yet he held moderate feasts in his honor.
Mary and Edward were there, attending each one. The King's uncle and recently chosen as Lord Protector by the Regency Council, made sure his nephew did not back down on his promise and turned into a spendthrift like his father. He kept him on a tight purse and whenever he wanted to spend money or invite his friends, the final decision would rest on his uncle or his wife who ruled over his household with a strict hand, and most of the time he said no.
"You must be proud" Bella told her. "You Queen of England, at least until a little royal chit comes to supplant you."
"Nobody is supplanting our sister, we made sure she married Edward and we will make sure she remains this realm's only queen."
"In all but name, what good is that?" Bella said. Like their mother she wanted ultimate power, she wanted it all her being as much as she feared it when it was so close. If Edward were to marry and have issue, any issue she would not have to worry any longer for, or covet the throne.
All her worries would disappear but Mary did not seem let go so easy of power. Now that she gotten her first taste of it she did not want to let it go.
"Shadow Queens tend to live longer sister. Remember Eleanor of Aquitaine." Maggie said as Mary momentarily left them to join her husband in greeting all their guests.
"Aye, she lived the rest of her days in captivity for her sons' rebellions she foisted on her lord husband." The lady Marques, Frances said snappishly emphasizing on the word lord. It was well known what Frances thought of women who rebelled against their sovereign lords. She taught her daughters to be submissive and good Christians even if she never followed that advice herself.
"That was only during her marriage. She was released once her son was crowned." Meg said.
"Well you are both wrong, a woman who disobeys her husband and her King can never be truly free and for that I truly pity her." She said folding her hands. "Your sister Mary would do well to follow her mother's example. Good Queen Katherine, God rest her soul, never went against her sovereign lord and it has surely earned her a place in heaven."
"Except when the great whore tried to take away her crown." Said Meg. She and Maggie laughed.
"You are both impossible. If your sister follows your example I shudder to think what England will become. It is well known that the first reason men fall is in account to their wives' behavior. She better not try to outshine her husband or else he will."
"The lioness does not need to outshine her husband when he is a golden wolf." Maggie said smiling widely as she gazed at the new golden power couple. "King in all but name." she added.
"Don't forget she carries the Boleyn vultures with her." Frances said.
"Not vultures cousin, falcons" Bella corrected as Mary joined them "Last time I saw your children, your daughter seemed ready to do battle."
"They learn well from their Aunt." Mary said, sitting down in between Bella and Maggie –the two people she could always rely on.
"She must be, she has been catching every young man's eye since she arrived to court." Frances said with disapproval.
"Anne seems to be adjusting rather well. She is her mother's daughter after all. What about Meggie, sister? She has her own following but seems very stiff."
"Court has been a new experience for her, she is not used the attention." Mary explained. Her younger daughter had been very shy when they arrived and she refused to see her uncle, even when she bowed she would not raise her eyes to him.
Edward tried to encourage her but she was afraid of speaking her mind when her royal uncle was around, she preferred to keep to herself like her younger brother Edmund.
"Maybe I can send Jane along, she has been spending the last months in the new Baroness of Sudely's household, she has been such a good influence on her younger sister. My Catherine has never been in such good behavior, perhaps I can send them as your daughter's companions. I am sure she will feel better with girls her age, especially Jane, they share a lot in common and Jane has always complained to me that she needs intellectual companionship, whatever that means." Frances mocked, laughing at her daughter's words.
Mary shook her head mentally. Poor Jane, what her niece had to suffer at Frances' hands. Though she did not doubt Frances' love for her children, she did not put it past her to use her children for her own advancement. Perhaps sending Jane and Catherine to be her daughter's playmates would do her good.
"Tag you are it. Catch me if you can Janey!" Catherine called snatching her favorite book from her hands, Jane chasing after her.
"Give it back!" But Catherine would not give it back. It was stupid besides and their mother had sent them with a purpose and Jane was too dull and immerse in her books like their other dull cousin, Meggie, to remember.
Meggie grew frustrated with their cries and standing up went to Catherine and snatched the book fro her hands, ignoring her cries of outrage and handed it back to Jane.
"Thank you" Jane said politely, curtsying to the Protector's stepdaughter.
"You do not have to do that." Meggie said, waving her hand dismissively.
"I am sorry." Jane said, her gaze falling down.
"Jane, you don't have to look down or bow to me every time you talk. We are cousins."
"But you are the Lord Protector's stepdaughter and I am no better than the Marquis' daughter."
"You are the grandniece of the King of England and granddaughter to the Dowager Queen of France, that is something. Come," she took Jane's hand and giving Catherine a pierced look that sent her away, she led her to her bedchamber where she shared with her all her books and translations she made with her Aunt Kate.
"She was my tutor as well, father was a little hesitant but mother managed to convince him. She is a good woman and-" she hesitated, biting her lip.
"It is alright Jane, I know what she is and what she preaches, why do you think our uncle lets her book circulate around court?"
"You read all of them?" Jane gasped, she never thought there was another soul in her family who did.
"I have, I helped her with some actually. My uncle calls me a natural scholar." Meggie boasted then seeing her cousin's shy look, she brushed her pride aside and handed her a copy of her Aunt's latest book. "I bet your mother does not let you have as many books as you want."
"She does but she always keeps them once I finish to herself, she is much of a hoarder I fear but she loves reading and I think that makes us closer sometimes."
"I know how you feel. Me and my mother are not exactly … close."
"Your mother seems kind of nice." Jane said, hiding her disagreement over her mother's ideals with a polite tone. She couldn't understand how someone so Reformist and devout to the true faith like the Protector could have wed someone so different.
"You can say it. Everyone knows anyways. My parents are like water and vinegar, I don't know what keeps their marriage alive to be honest but they are very much in love and the Duke treats me well."
"Is it true then that … does she practice-"
"She does" Meggie said before Jane could finish.
"Doesn't it get the King, I mean our uncle mad?"
"It does but no one needs to know and as long as she does it in private no one really minds."
Jane did not agree with that kind of practice but she nodded and kept her opinion to herself because she did not want to lose her new friend.
"She seems to be very invested in converting Meggie." Mary said to her husband. Bella who was within earshot laughed loudly.
"Your daughter is her father's daughter, it will take more than a petty mouse to convert the she-wolf."
Mary was about to respond when Edward intertwined his fingers in hers, a proud smirk gracing his features.
"I see His Grace is very proud of his litter especially his oldest pup."
"She takes after both her parents. What is not to be proud of?" Edward told Baron Stark, then smiled down at his daughter whom her cousin Jane stuck with like glue.
A/N: I promised I would deliver a chapter before the premiere of OUAT ;). Thanks to all my readers, reviewers and everyone else who's favorite this story and put it on their alerts, my Beta Reader Mimi Dubois. I greatly appreciate it. It has been a great ride, there may be one more chapter to go so stay tuned ;)
Sorry for re-uploading experienced some mistakes in the editing room, now that all that is cleared up, hope you enjoyed this chapter.
I thought this song fit this chapter especially as the melting pot is starting to show, the games for power are just beginning. Sorry no scorching hot scene today though we did see Bella and Mary's husband being horny ^^. But there might be one next chapter, in the epilogue ...;)
* and ** point to sources used: The Function of Ceremonial in the Reign of Henry VIII (*) by Jennifer Loach (it is available on JSTOR, Scholar Goggle and other journal database), Tudors by John Guy, Henry VIII and his Court (**) by Alison Weir and Tudor Age by Jasper Ridley; taken directly from the contemporaries present at that time, hence the Middle English, French and Latin. And yes the funeral processions of Kings were in fact long ones and nothing new in fact by this time.
R/R!