PLEASE READ AUTHORS NOTE:

HOLY CRAP I AM SO SORRY! It's been too long since my last update!

Too much has happened in the long year since I updated last. Moved multiple times, changed jobs, caught Covid-19, it was just a big mess. I hope all of you are staying safe during this time. I don't wish this virus on anyone, it was awful. Btu that still doesn't excuse how long it's been since I've update. Ok here is the story and be sure to read the authors' note at the end cause you may want to kill me afterwards.

Now without further ado here it is.

Disclaimer: I own no characters or content from the show. I only own my OC's.

Christine's POV:

"Come on Beatrice!" I called for my sweet puppy to follow me through the court. Henry had gotten her for me as a gift after giving birth to the twins. It has been almost a year since their birth and life has been completely blissful. Court continues on peacefully even though there is always some man or woman trying to gain favor with Henry for power. Other than those few unsuccessful schemers nothing seems wrong. It has been many years of this unexpected happy life that I sometimes forget that I am not from this time. I fell into my life here so easily that it seems like I was always meant to be here with Henry and our children.

"Sweetheart!" I hear a call and turn to see my Henry coming towards me with Cromwell hot on his heels.

Cromwell and I have become something close to frenemies. He is not my champion nor am I his but we do confer with one another on how best to change England for the better. Of course, we do not agree but we don't try to bring the other down. When there was the talk of war with France he and I immediately shut that down. This country needs many things but not a war. Recently Henry, Cromwell and I have been discussing our plans to visit the north and work out a union with Scotland. Since the Scottish king has only his daughter Mary as an heir we have talked of her marrying our second son Henry so he can become King of Scotland. The idea has all of us excited to have Scotland under the Tudor reign. Hopefully, history will be kinder to Mary the queen of Scotland.

"Henry." I smile as he comes up to me and kisses me soundly on my lips. Someone is in a good mood today.

"Good news for our trip. Scotland's regent Mary of Guise has agreed that she and her advisors will meet us close to the border in the North. Plans are underway for our son to be the consort of the Scottish crown. Although I would have hoped for a much greater country for him, a treaty with Scotland would be a uniting force for England as a whole." Henry said and I knew he had a chip on his shoulder towards Scotland but I loved the country and it would be a relief to have my son not too far away.

"I am glad this is going so smoothly, Henry. I know Scotland may not seem like much of a kingdom with the weather but it is a great advantage to England with Scotland's resources.

"Your Majesties" Cromwell interjected. We both turned to look expectantly at him. "The plans for our journey is nearly complete we should set forth sometime next month."

"Thank you, Cromwell." I dismissed him and turned back to Henry. Cromwell turned and left knowing not to interfere when it came to my relationship with my husband. "I woke this morning to find my bed cold and empty". I smirked at Henry.

"I'm sorry, my darling. This journey to Scotland has Cromwell running frantic and it is important to our son, not to mention that there are rumors that many officials in Scotland wish for a French alliance. We have to show them how beneficial it would be to align with us. There is still so much to do before we leave, are your affairs in order and your ladies?"

"Yes, everything is ready. Mary sends her regrets saying she will not join us since she is content in her household with her family." Henry smiled at the thought of his daughter with his grandson living happily. "Elizabeth is excited to join us although she expressed that she would like her friend 'Robin' to join us." Henry's smile immediately turned to a grimace. It was one thing for his 'pearl' Mary to be married with children, but Elizabeth was still so young and the thought of some young man close to her filled him with rage. She was his jewel and it hurt his heart to be replaced in her life. But she was growing into a wonderful woman and so beautiful like her mother. The thought of Anne Boleyn was foreign to Henry but it made him sentimental of the old days when he saw his daughter and was reminded of how much he loved her mother at one point.

"I don't think having that boy around is such a good idea." Henry tried so hard to hide his true feelings from me, but I knew better.

"Really? Why would it be so bad if he came? He is a credit to his father and is gaining notoriety in your majesty's court. Surely, he would be a benefit when dealing with Scotlands officials." Henry gave me a look while I spilled out my own sarcastic tone. He always knew when I was messing with him.

He sighed. "Fine, the boy may come." He turned to leave but not before turning back to me for a kiss. "I will see you tonight." He smiled before walking away.

I look on as he walks away. It is nearly Christmastide and he is in excellent health. No wounded leg, no glutenous appetite and he so active for his age. I still remember my history, even though I have been here for so long. This would have been his last Christmas before dying in January next year. I dread to think of it. He has become so much of my life despite me knowing what history portrays him as. But I have changed it. Little me changed the once worst king of England into a gracious king. He still may be a little infamous for his divorce of Katherine of Aragon and his split from the Catholic church for Anne Boleyn but that is where it stops. His marriage to little me stopped so many lives to be lost to his tyranny. He still has his temper but thankfully I'm usually there to quell his anger. It would be considered a great accomplishment if people knew of it. But no one will. And I do hope history will change concerning his death.

Elizabeth's POV:

"Robin!" I giggled as my dearest and oldest friend danced with me around the hall. I love court and I now feel old enough to become a lady of the court, being as graceful as my mother Christine.

"You're tutors have taught you well my lady. You dance as though you have been a lady of the court for years." He smirked giving me his standard charm. Thankfully I have always been immune to his whims.

"Ha! You clearly are blind to the other ladies here Robin. Some are older than I and have been at court more often than I."

"Yes they have been but none so beautiful as you, my Bessy." He pulled me closer till I could feel his lips drawing closer to mine. I was so tempted to allow him such liberties. I made it no secret that I adored him and would give no other man any consequence. My father had brought up marriage a few times in my presence but Christine always looked at me, smiled then told my father it would be best to wait a little while longer. She knew where my heart would lie even before I knew it myself.

"HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN!" The page announced breaking us apart. I don't care if the court sees my indiscretion but I do care in Christine sees. Her opinion is the only one I truly care about.

As she walked into the room people stood back yet clamored over each other to look at her. She was everything the ladies of court aspired to be and she was everything the men of court lusted over. To me, she has always been my mother, even though she reminds me not to forget my real mother.

"Elizabeth. Robert Dudley." She addresses both of us as she approaches. We both bow. "Majesty."

"Robert would be so kind as to give my daughter and I some privacy."

"Certainly your majesty." Robin bowed and walked away. I turned to my mother seeing her smug smile looking down at me.

"What? We are not courting so I don't know what you are so smug about."

She laughs leading me by the hand while my companion Kat follows behind us. "You are still a little too young to be courted and married. Give it a few more years and I know you two will tell your father and me the happy news, news which I look forward to, for nothing would make me happier than to see you happy my Lizzy." Her words brought tears to my eyes. "Oh don't cry! I didn't wish to speak to you not to make you cry. Indeed I am here to tell you that you will join your father and I on our trip to the North. Mary will not be able to come with us but since she is highly favored in the North she will write a letter for which you will present to the people." I am at a loss for words. Never before have I been allowed to handle public affairs. Such responsibility is what I have been wishing for but now it is here and I am nervous.

"I am thankful His majesty trusts me with such a task." I keep my head bowed, unsure of why such a task is now given to me. My father's mood can sometimes shift when it comes to me, because of my mother but I always hope to please him and make him proud.

"Well I am sure you will inspire loyalty among the people and I will be right there with you." I squeezed her hand praying that she would always be by my side. "Now since we will be away from London for a while, would you accompany me to Windsor Castle to see Charles, Hal, and Anna tomorrow?"

"Yes, I would love to see them." I haven't seen my brothers and sister for weeks now. Charles has grown so much and is spending more time with his tutors than with the rest of us. I miss him dearly.

"Good then take Kat and prepare for tomorrow I believe we shall only stay one night."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." I bow and turn to leave with Kat. My only regret for going on this trip is that I will also be away from my Robin.

Author POV:

Christine walked through the court heading back to her apartments to prepare to see her children tomorrow. The court was a busy place full of people looking to gain more power and wealth by getting close to those in power. It was laughable to see many ladies and men smile and flatter her to gain her favor. But she was unmoved to show anyone favor who did not deserve it, which called for a serious judge of character that she constantly tried to master. For along with people that wished for her favor, she was not naive enough to not suspect people would wish for her downfall. Luckily she had given the King two sons securing the Tudor legacy, so she would never be torn down without massive repercussions. Still, she always made note of who was for her or against her.

"Your Majesty." She turned to see Bishop Gardiner approaching. Definitely, a man who was against her for her neutral views. She simply believed what the king believed and showed no favoritism to either side fo religion, furthermore, she did not condemn people for their beliefs. To him, that was practically heresy.

"Bishop Gardiner, how are you this fine day?" Her words civil enough, but through her eyes he could see her contempt towards him.

"I am well thank you, your majesty. His Majesty has honored me with snuffing out heretics in his court which has kept me busy since heresy seems to spread like a virus." His smug face was one that Christine would love to punch.

"Well, you do the king a great service for your loyalty and obedience to him. I feel sorry for those poor people who had to die for wishing to believe what they believe God's word to be. Is it also so, your grace, that the burning of these heretics only martyrs them in the eyes of unlearned people. Therefore furthering their cause, making more people into how you call them heretics." His smugness turned sour at this point.

"I only wished to inform you, madam, that his highness' tutor Mr. Beckett has been accused of heresy and I mean to petition the king with a warrant for his arrest."

"Really? Do you have this petition?" Gardiner suddenly looking nervous at her lack of fear. He nodded. "Let me see it." She held out her hand, her eyes never leaving his, goading him to refuse her order. He pulled the paper from his folder handing it to her, fearing she would rip it in two.

Christine looked over the petition with a list of proof to have Mr. Beckett arrested. "Well since his majesty has you so busy Bishop Gardiner then I shall help your endeavors and give this to the King myself." His face was positively pale and moved to insist she give it back. But she interrupted. "Surely your busy schedule keeps you so overwhelmed, your grace. I shall do this service to give you some respite. Be assured I shall give this to the King, you have my word. Good day, your grace." She dismissed him with a wave of her hand. Slowly and reluctantly he moved away, keeping his eyes on the queen silently willing her to give his petition back but her eyes stared back with such fervent intensity it would knock him off his feet.

As soon as his back was turned so did she to give this paper to Henry. She knew that Beckett was a reformer but she gave him strict instructions to not be obvious about it. She allowed him to teach her son his beliefs only under the condition that he would also teach other doctrines so he would make his own decision. It was obvious that her son shared her belief of letting people keep their doctrines that gave them comfort but he did show some partiality to the teachings of Martin Luther. She always warned him that people take their religion very seriously and he would be a great king to be firm in what he believed but not punish others who did not believe the same thing. God forbid her son would be like Mary or Henry would have been, killing those who opposed them.

She reached her apartments trying to stall before giving this paper to Henry. She turned to one of her ladies. "Send for my lord Cromwell." Her lady nodded and left to fetch him. It amazed her that Bishop Gardiner would be so bold with his arrests of so-called heretics. Cromwell was the Lord Chancellor and was mainly in charge of arrests and trials. But I suppose that Gardiner would go over his head to Henry since it was known by some that Cromwell was a reformer. Thankfully he kept himself in the king's favor to be above suspicion.

"My lord Cromwell, Majesty." Her lady announced.

Christien turned to see Cromwell bow before her.

"Your Majesty."

"Cromwell." Christine turned to her lady, Catherine Parr. "Cate, would you stay please?" Catherine nodded and stood close to the door to listen for anyone who would eavesdrop. Christine trusted her, knowing she was a reformer as well. (From her old history lessons.)

"Cromwell, just now Bishop Gardiner came to me to gloat of his attacks on so-called heretics." Cromwell froze and looked at her with a nervous disposition. Would the queen be the one to expose him and have him dragged to the tower? "Be at ease my lord Cromwell, I have no interest in seeing anyone attacked for their faith." He relaxed a little but his nerves were still on edge. "Gardiner showed me a petition for the King to arrest my son's tutor, Mr. Beckett. Now I knew what he was when I met him and we came to an arrangement so he could have his position and not be under suspicion of heresy. But, it seems that he was not as careful as I thought he would be. Now I have to give this petition to the king since I said I would. But I trust that you would help me so Mr. Beckett would be cleared of the charges." Christine showed the petition to Cromwell, who took it eagerly and read through the charges.

"It does surprise me that Gardiner has taken up my duties when it comes to warrants and arrests." Cromwell grumbled.

"I suppose he takes it upon himself since he believes you would be lenient with reformers since many have strong suspicions that you are one, Cromwell. Look, Mr. Beckett is a wonderful man and my son enjoys learning from him. I don't want Charles to be exposed to seeing his tutor being arrested and burned."

"I understand, your Majesty. I will send a secret post to Beckett and have him remove any literature that may be deemed heretical."

Christine nodded. "Lady Elizabeth and I are heading to Windsor tomorrow so see the children before we leave. I'll be sure to repeat what was said here to ensure he will be questioned and then released."

Cromwell nodded then gave Gardiner's petition back to Christine. With a nod to each other, Cromwell left the Queen's apartments and went to write a letter to Mr. Beckett in secret and in haste.

"Henry." Christine came upon Henry later that night in his chamber reading over some more plans for their trip.

"Yes, Christine." He looked up only to acknowledge her presence then look back down at his papers.

"I have a petition from Bishop Gardiner, my dear." Henry looked up again and extended his hand to take the paper. After looking over the petition and then looked up at me.

"Bishop Gardiner wants to examine Mr. Beckett on suspicion of heresy?"

"It would seem so, Henry. I don't understand how Mr. Beckett could be accused of heresy. He seemed to be a more studious man than one who forced false doctrines." Christine knew how to play this game with him. Henry was very devout in his faith and he was stern in his reform to the Church of England.

"I am sure it is all a misunderstanding, Christine. But Gardiner has to follow through with accusations fo heresy, to drive them out of England."

"I understand, Henry. You're probably right, someone is just making trouble for Mr. Beckett."

The trip to Windsor seemed to be a more stressful ride than a pleasant one. Christine usually loved country rides, they were always so relaxing for her. But her heart rammed in her chest hoping to get to Windsor in time to make sure that Mr. Beckett had received the letter from Cromwell and was prepared to face Gardiner's interrogation. Elizabeth was oblivious to her mother's anxious nature and read her book silently across from her with Kat by her side. When they arrived at Windsor her son was outside waiting with Mr. Beckett and his servants to welcome us.

"Charles my son." She said as she left the carriage rushing straight to her son. The years had gone by quickly for he was nearly 10 years old and he already seemed like a royal lord.

"Your majesty." He bowed.

Christine stopped him from his bow and brought him closer to her. "I am 'mama' to you young man." She gave a mock stern look prompting him to return a gentle smile.

"Yes, mama." He left decorum and embraced his mother and Christine returned it with such force. Her baby boy was growing up and her heart swelled at the thought.

During the day Christine checked on her son's studies and she looked in on Lady Bryan with her twins, Hal and Anna. The two babies looked up at their mother and smiled, filling Christine's heart with joy to see her babies happy. Later that evening, after dinner and joyous conversation, Charles and Elizabeth retired leaving Christine alone with Mr. Beckett.

"Mr. Beckett, did you received the letter from Mr. Cromwell?"

Mr. Beckett froze. "I did, your Majesty."

"And have you cleared your coffers of all forbidden books?"

"Yes, your majesty. I cleared many books whether they were forbidden or not. I only kept books on mathematics, languages and England's histories."

Christien nodded. "Good. The king was sure that Gardiner's suspicions were nothing but he is strict on reformers, Mr. Beckett. I am assured that Gardiner will question you and try and pry the names of members of people at court. But if he finds nothing and you stay strong then I am sure Mr. Cromwell will push to have you released immediately." Christine moved to leave the room and retire.

"I thank you, your majesty. May I ask why you were moved to ensure my safety?" Christine stopped.

Christine turned to look straight at Beckett. "I follow my husband, Mr. Beckett. His religion is my religion but that does not mean I condone harming people for what they believe for, in the end, it is in God's hands. Men are imperfect beings and we have no right to condemn those who we disagree with."

Mr. Beckett nodded and Christine left the room. He suddenly held the queen in high regard, she is a true queen with love for all subjects under her. Beckett then prayed for the health of his queen and that his arrest and interrogation would be short-lived.

The next day Elizabeth and Christine left for Whitehall. Christine's heart ached at leaving her children behind and seeming so far away from her. But Henry always reminded her that it was best to have them away from court, away from infection, away from conspirators and away from distraction.

When their carriage arrived back at Whitehall Christine wasted no time going to her apartments to change then find her husband. Henry was in the middle of a meeting with his privy council headed by Cromwell. When she entered the meeting the men were not surprised to see her. It was now common to see the Queen in these meetings for the King did not stop her and she did give great council in many urgent matters.

The men stood on her arrival. "Your majesty." They all bowed to her. Christine nodded to them giving a smile to her friends and her brothers. One of the pages brought a chair next to Henry for her. As she seated herself she waved for them to continue their discussion. Cromwell began.

"As we were saying, the plans for our trip to the north looks to be a promising campaign to show forgiveness to the North after their rebellion, not too long ago and we shall spend our Christmastide in Lincolnshire before heading to York after the New year. The regent queen of Scotland, Mary of Guise, has agreed to meet with us sometime late January. The queen seemed agreeable to the marriage between her daughter and Prince Henry and Prince Charles' marriage agreement is solid so our standing is strong."

Henry nodded and looked to Christine who seemed pleased. "Well if there is nothing else gentlemen then I believe that will be all." He dismissed them all. As soon as the men left he looked to his queen again. "How was your trip my darling?"

"It went well, Charles is looking well and healthy." She said this since she knew his main concern was the health of his heir. "Hal and Anna are also well. Charles was eager to show me his horses." She smiled at the thought of her son. "I miss them so much. I wish you would allow them to court more often." She pleaded.

Henry always loved her care for their children. Besides him, she loved their children more than life itself. "I know you do my love, but Charles needs to focus on his studies and Hal and Anna are still too young and fragile to be brought to court. I know how much you may miss them, but rest assured that their situation is for the best." Christine then sighed and nodded before he leaped up from his chair and leaned down to scoop up his wife in his arms. "And besides, I have missed you from my bed milady." Christine giggled.

"I was only gone for one night, Henry." Henry smiled and kissed her before taking her back to his chambers to make love.

"Far too long for me Christine."

The time finally arrived for the King and Queen to depart for the North. Cromwell was left as Lord in command of London while the rest of the court was away. Many of Henry's advisors were set to come along as mediators for the treaty with Scotland, including Bishop Gardiner.

The bitter Bishop had been in a sour mood for weeks after his encounter with the Queen. Since then his arrest and interrogation with Mr. Beckett had no firm evidence for heresy and was obligated to release him. He was sure that the Queen was behind this and was determined more than ever to expose as many heretics around the king.

Elizabeth was glad that among the courtiers joining them was her friend Robin. He was accompanying his father since he was on the Privy council. She was also certain that he begged his father for him to join so they could be together for Christmastide. During the trek North, she often took a glance behind her to see him riding alongside his father looking back at her.

The whole parade of the King and his court was a spectacle for the whole countryside traveling from one place to another as they made their way north. Many came up to the road to bow and cheer for their sovereign. Many young boys looked on in wonder at the soldiers and the King himself and young girls and ladies looked at the Queen as a symbol of beauty and grace. The crowd's cheers led them on to Lincolnshire where whole masses waited with their Christmas cheer.

When the court settled in the castle at Lincolnshire the festivities began. Songs and dances played while many feasted gave homage and gifts to the King and Queen. Elizabeth enjoyed the festivities by dancing with her dear Robin, a sight that soured Henry's mood but with Christine there she assured him that it was not something to get angry over. But he couldn't help it, the sight of his favorite daughter with a young man made him fiercely protective of her. She was his most precious jewel in all England and a man of lower birth was not good enough. However, Christine was always there to tell him the opposite.

The festivities were grand as they spent their days in Lincolnshire then moving on to Pontefract castle before moving to York. The chapel where the meeting between the Scottish regent and Henry was filled with banners bearing the Scottish emblems as well as Englands. While they were waiting for the Scottish court to arrive all of Henry court were gathered in the cathedral with the King and his Queen waiting at the altars.

Henry, ever the impatient man, was pacing back and forth around the altar with Christine waiting beside him. Both were dressed in as much splendor as they could to show the Scottish their wealth and power. When the sound of hoofbeats came closer the whole of the court stood at attention for the arrival of the Scottish regent. But when a servant came through the doors many were shocked and nervous at what could the meaning for this man to arrive in the cathedral.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Henry shouted.

The man knelt fearful for his life. "Forgive me your majesty! An urgent message was delivered to the castle for you that all of your children are deathly ill at Windsor." Many shocked gasps rang through at the news. For Christine, her heart gave way to hard beats of anguish. Her children, her whole life were sick and could be dying. Henry was shocked but it didn't stop him from making his way, quickly, out of the cathedral. He gave instructions to Cromwell to stall the Scottish regent till he knew more of his children's condition. Henry's horse was called and so was Christine's, Henry only noticing her as he got on his horse.

"Christine you should stay and help Cromwell with the Scottish nobles!"

"Not a chance in hell Henry! The children need us!" With her words, she took off in a fury towards Windsor castle with Henry following, like mad, behind her.

It was close to sunset when they finally reached the castle. As soon as they were in the front courtyard they lept from their horses as the stable boys took their horses. The steward of the castle, who had seen them coming a mile away, came out to greet them.

"Your Majesties! To what do we owe your surprise visit." He spoke in a nervous tone as he had not properly prepared the castle for the king and queen.

"Damn it man! We come to see what ails our children!" Henry shouted at the frightened man as he continued to walk past him to make it inside as Christin was still trying to dismount from her horse.

"Your majesty I am not sure what you mean, their highnesses are very well they are currently at dinner as we speak." The steward was now genuinely confused.

Henry stopped confused as well until a voice rang out.

"HERETIC WHORE!" Suddenly men appeared above the castle walls, bows and arrows in hand. Before anyone had a chance to react a flurry of arrows flew in the air aimed for the queen. Henry saw and screamed in horror as one arrow struck his wife in the stomach and chest, knocking her off her horse. Guards who had been in the courtyard rushed to shield the king as a few went into action to catch and stop the men shooting.

"NOOO!" Henry shouted trying to get to Christine but guards held him back as a few more arrows struck his wife.

Christine felt shocked at the initial shot and as she fell her thoughts raced to her children and her Henry. As she lay on the ground, the world around her became deafening. Henry's cries seemed muffled and each arrow felt like a cold knife being stabbed through her until it turned to a burning flame in her skin and bones. It stopped as the assailants rushed away to avoid the guards rushing after them. Henry pushed himself through his guards to get to his wife. He knelt by her side as she lay on the ground.

"Christine, my love!" He looked in horror at the growing bloodstains on her gown. Henry picked up his wife who was barely clinging to consciousness.

"Henry." Her voice seemed to wheeze out. "The children, protect the children, please." Her eye looked to his in sadness. "Mary, Elizabeth, Charles, Hal and Anna, tell them I love them, please my love." Tears grew in both of their eyes as the world was gone around them and the two lovers held close to one another.

"No please don't go. Please hold on for our children. Hold on for me, please!" Henry sobbed clutching at his wife trying to will her life to stay with him.

"Henry." Her voice suddenly calm and firm. "For me, will you love them, for me." Heavy tears flowed from her eyes but her eyes held her love but he could also see her life fading from them.

"Of course, Christine." Henry shuddered at facing his children without their mother. "I love you, Christine."

Christine smiled. "And I love you too, my king." Her single hand came to rest upon his cheek to wipe away his tears till her eyes looked into his and closed forever, her hand fell away from his face and Henry knew she was gone.

It took months for Henry to track down the men responsible for his wife's assassination. His grief at her death gave way to fury and determination to kill the people involved. After she died in his arms he was besides himself with grief but the guards at Windsor had given chase to the men who shot Christine. One was caught while others got away and unfortunately the one that was captured didn't know much accept for one of the other men that was apart of the plot. That led to another man to be arrested and then another till all that was left was a leader who had planned the whole thing. The men they had caught and executed told of the plan that was for two groups of men one would assassinate Christine at Windsor while the other would kill her if she stayed in the North. For awhile Henry was scared that they would ever find out who was responsible. Till one day while his daughter Mary was visiting, but also standing in for him since he was too grief stricken, she came to him to tell him of her suspicions. They were not easy to accept but he had Cromwell look into them and they turned out to be true.

So here he stood at the door of the cell that held the man responsible for Christine's death. With blunt force he opened the door. "Gardiner."

The now former bishop sat on the floor, stripped of his rich garb and now in rags. A mere shadow of the rich vicious priest he had once been. "Your majesty."

Both men starred at the each other, one man scared for his life and the other trying to find the words to say to the man he had once trusted.

"Why?" Was the only word Henry could utter with out screaming and raging at the man. Gardiner could only bow his head and stare at the floor, trying to come up with the words to explain himself.

"Your majesty gave me a task to rid your kingdom of all heretics that spoke against you, traitors and men of false teachings."

"I would chose your next words with more care." Henry growled, ready to kill the man where he stood.

"Your majesty could not see that Christine Kingston was helping and sympathizing with heretics and she would turn your majesty away from our mission to bring down heretics and burn them for the heathens they are. She knew the prince's tutor was a student of Martin Luther and helped him avoid a trial." Henry's anger grew more and more as Gardiner continued. "And just as Anne Boleyn tuned you from your Catholic faith Christine Kingston turned you from your own reformation. So we got rid of her just like Anne."

His words chilled Henry to his bones. "What?" He gasped out.

Gardiner turned pale as he realized his own words. Henry felt his heart give way and he turned to leave as quickly for fear he may break down.

'How could I have been so blind.' He thought to himself. His anger at Anne blinded him to only see what he wanted to see and that was her fault and not his own. He fell to lean on the wall, his legs nearly giving way beneath him. All his past transgressions had caught up with his conscious and it was now tearing his heart in two. All his life he had been manipulated by men he trusted and by women he loved but he still let his own selfishness and anger destroy them when they did not deserve it.

Quickly, Henry made his way to Windsor and as he walked through the halls he looked out the windows to see his son Charles playing with some of his friends and Elizabeth. He could picture the day he met his love playing blind man's bluff with Elizabeth in the garden. Henry continued to his youngest children's room, there the nursery maids were busying themselves tending to his children's needs. Henry saw his two infant children being held by their nurses.

"Please." He said holding out his arms to hold his youngest children. As they were placed in his arms henry looked at his daughter Anna. Christine always spoke in Anne's favor and he couldn't help but think that Christine always believed she was innocent. He knew she spoke to Elizabeth of her mother when she thought he wasn't listening. It angered him at times but he didn't confront her about it. Now he felt like such a fool for being the tyrant that many had said he was. Because of his rage and selfishness he killed Anne, he discarded Katherine without any sympathy or care, he lost Christine, and he nearly severed ties with his first two daughters.

"No more." He said with finality looking out the window at his children while his youngest were nestled in his arms, thus beginning a new era in his reign.

PLEASE READ AUTHORS NOTE:

Please don't kill me! If this ending sucks for you guys then I am so sorry. For many months I have pictured this ending as a kind of full circle. Christine changed history and her influence prolonged Henry's life, therefore, she replaces him on the day of his actual death. It may be sloppy but it's how I wanted to end this story and there is more to come in the epilogue. If you have seen the Tudor series then you know how the finale goes so this isn't the end.

Many of you have stuck with me this far so please stick with me till the end. Sadly the epilogue I had halfway written was deleted so I have to work on that again. But I have it figured out in my head but of course, transmitting mind to paper is like grasping at straws.

P.S- I hope all of you are staying safe out there! Please be smart and stay home while the world deals with this illness. Unfortunately, I work in a medical field and I caught the disease and I figured making sure this story got updated would be a nice treat for you who are under quarantine at home. My state is currently going on lockdown and the number of cases doubles every day so please help not spread this disease even if you feel fine plz stay home and stay safe. Trust me you don't want to risk getting this virus. I only had a moderate case and even then I was in a lot of pain.

Sincerely, Steelegir19