Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to The Vampire Diaries, TV show or books. However, I decided to have a little play around with the characters (I would definitely like to play with Damon).
I apologise for the delay in releasing this chapter, I've had a poorly dog who has had to go to the vets. I was unable to concentrate on writing for about 24 hours as I thought it was something serious. Fortunately it was just an infection.
We are now building up to the wedding. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
On 11th February 1531, the Convocations of Canterbury and York who were the English Church's legislative body granted Henry the title of singular protector, supreme lord, and even, so far as the law of Christ allows, supreme head of the English church and clergy which gave him some administrative authorisation although it had not quite declared him their spiritual messenger as he had wished. Both Damon and George Boleyn had explained the process to change the minds of the doddery old priests would be a lengthy one. He would need people of his own in place who accepted him to overrule those who stood against him. Henry accepted this argument although privately he wasn't happy about it. It did allow for him to ensure small actions could be undertaken and this ensured the betrothal between Elena and the butchers boy was annulled by Valentines day. As a gesture of goodwill, Damon sent half of the dowry the King had pledged to the butcher and his son, ensuring they had a better life and the son would be a popular match for any woman of the lower classes.
In the meantime, every night since, Damon and Elena had supp'd together, enjoying their intimate moments with each other. Matthew and Maud knew not to disturb them although Matthew would look at Damon as though he knew exactly what was going on, however Maud probably had a fairer idea. One of the problems Damon had noticed during their late night encounters was a language barrier, to be specific the use of sexual terminology. He'd lived for so long and wasn't in England during this period, hence he'd completely forgotten the old English sexual terminology for most body parts. Considering Elena would never know any different, he decided he was going to give her a proper sex education in the biological sense with added 21st century slang words. It wasn't the most proper thing to do, but as Elena wouldn't be spending the night with any man other than himself, what he wanted her to know was what mattered the most.
The decision to make their betrothal public was held off until after Valentine's Day as there were more important matters at court. Lord John Gilbert was huffing and puffing around, despite his hatred for Damon marrying Elena, he was still feeling as though he had just been elevated in status by having a daughter marry well above her station to a high ranking Earl who happened to be part of the Privy Chambers. Meaning John expected he would be continuing to live at court and maybe find someone more suitable for Katherine than Lord Stockbridge, Damon suspected he'd even hoped Katherine might be the woman to replace Anne as a personal favourite to the King once Henry married Anne. What John didn't know, and what Damon had shared with Elena, Maud and Matthew; was that Damon would not be staying at court. Instead he would be retiring to Norton Hall, where he and Elena would raise their family together. He would breed birds for the King to use for his falconry hobby as well as starting up an armoury business with the Earl of Shrewsbury to ensure the kings men were always ready for battle on all fronts. As Norton Hall wasn't too far away from being literally in the middle of England, Damon was well placed to get armour to the northern and southern Lords. Maud had been released from service by the King to go and work for Damon to be Elena's personal maid. Damon had also persuaded Elena to take on Hannah, even though she had once been his mistress. Elena was fully aware Hannah had been compelled to feel nothing for Damon and all of her affections were for Matthew, to whom she was betrothed to. Although Elena was initially uncomfortable with the notion as Hannah had seen Damon without his clothes on, Damon promised to compel Hannah to forget any specifics of their encounters, as he would ensure Matthew asked no questions. Maud had been on hand to reassure Elena that there was no physical way Damon could be with another woman as he simply wouldn't react in the appropriate manner, in other words he wouldn't be able to get it up.
Damon desperately wanted to compel the King into announcing their betrothal, but he never seemed to get more than five minutes alone with him since the announcement of his appointment of supreme head of the English church. While ever the King was so busy, there was no way Damon Henry would announce a marriage and a member of his Privy Chambers abandoning him, as it would seem the Earl of Hallamshire did not agree with the appointment. Instead it needed to be a reasonable argument for him leaving and still be at least part of the Privy Council and when at court the Privy Chambers. By the time he managed to get to speak to him, yen days had passed since the declaration and two weeks since Damon's proposal. To make matters worse, Lent was approaching fast and all celebrations for their betrothal needed to be held before then, when the King usually gave up meat for most days, which limited celebrations.
Elena was getting frustrated with the delay as she couldn't even select an appropriate dress as it would give away their plans. What Elena didn't know was Damon had more plans up his sleeves than he had let on.
Eventually, Damon and the King were able to meet almost alone so they could discuss Damon's future. He had proven useful to the King and his reasons to let the Earl go needed to be very believable for the rest of court not to speculate on any split. Thus Henry invited Damon to shoot with his for the day as the skies were clear and it was warm for late February. They weren't completely alone, Sir Henry Norris was always close by, but not close enough to hear them and there was the yeoman who handled the arrows. However, for Damon this was as close to alone as it would get and it would have to do.
"Hallamshire, you wished to speak with me alone." Henry nocked his arrow.
"Your Grace." Damon smiled. "I wished to discuss my upcoming nuptials." he said.
"Ah yes, the delightful Elena." Henry smiled. "Between you and me, it was probably a good job you decided to wed her. I might have wavered on my divine love towards Anne should she have come to my room. Alas, we all fell ill and there was no time for the occasion. More the pity for me and luck for you. What can I do in regards to your nuptials?" he asked.
"I would like them to be announced forthwith." Damon told him. "I desperately wish to start married life and start a family up at Norton Hall. I know with your announcement in regards to your appointment that it might be wise to ensure your army is well secured and armoured in only the finest. At a reasonable cost of course." he bowed his head. Damon wanted to try and talk the King into this matter before compelling him to ensure he was able to answer any questions legitimately and without sounding like he'd had his mind tampered with. It was one thing to compel a person into recounting a one-on-one conversation, but compelling someone who was making a public announcement and may have to respond to questions was an entirely different matter.
"Reasonable cost always sounds good to me Edmund." the King smiled as he drew his arrow, aimed and released it, just missing the centre of the target by an inch. "Fuck!" he said. "Your turn." he smiled, as Damon pulled an arrow from the quiver and nocked it just like the King. "If you can best me, I will declare them this evening." he smiled.
Damon knew one of Henry's few decent traits were as a sportsman. He didn't like to lose, but he didn't like to win unless on merit. Thus Damon felt it only fair to query the King as he wanted to let the King at least feel like he wasn't doing to bad against Damon.
"How about we play nine arrows?" Damon suggested. "Then we can truly determine the best, who knows one of us may make a minor mistake which wouldn't represent our usual talents." he added before drawing and releasing the arrow, hitting the bullseye dead centre.
"Hmm." Henry nodded. "Methinks nine arrows might be either the wisest choice, or I am to lose very badly." he shook his head. "I have an idea. I win and I will announce it tonight without too much fanfare. You win and there will be a banquet in yours and Lady Elena's honour." he smiled.
Damon thought for a moment. Although a celebration would be nice, he didn't want too much of a fuss, and he didn't think Elena would be too happy about it either, thus Damon was happy to only just lose to Henry, who happened to be an excellent archer. To have won Damon would have had to try hard and use all of his vampire skills, however it was a realistically close game in which the King was declared the winner by Sir Henry. Who set off for the palace to allow Henry and Damon a few minutes alone to discuss matters in private. This time Damon felt compelling would be needed as no questions would be asked and he felt this would reinforce Henry's united front with the Church in England.
"I want you to arrange for a small ceremony between myself and Elena to take place on the eve of Lent. I want Anne's best dressmaker to bring their finest fabrics and for a suitable gown to be made for her wedding day. I am also wanting them to create a second more modest gown as a personal gift to her from Lady Anne. You are to arrange for the Archbishop of Canterbury to perform the marriage ceremony in front of court to ensure nobody is under any illusion that we are not wed. I wish for you to keep Lord John and Lady Katherine at court until after Easter, while the Countess and I will be leaving after our marriage. If the Archbishop is unwilling, then I must be informed immediately as you will give me permission to deal with him immediately." Damon compelled Henry quietly. "Do you understand?" he asked. "You will also invite Lord John Gilbert and his daughter to sup in your Privy Chambers with us tonight to announce our betrothal, there in front of everyone, you will demand Lord John Gilbert tells you exactly where the black pearl is and force him to give it to me as part of the dowry for Elena. It is imperative the pearl becomes mine. Should he refuse, tell him his refusal would be regarded as treason and is punishable by death. He is to be escorted to Swarby Manor where he will hand over the pearl to either myself or my usher, Matthew."
"I understand." Henry nodded numbly.
"Thank you Your Grace." Damon bowed, no longer compelling Henry. "I am most grateful for your offer to have us married by the Archbishop himself. I'm sure Elena will be ecstatic." he smiled.
"My pleasure." Henry nodded. "I will miss you at court. You have been an interesting addition to my Chambers. Obviously you will still have a place whenever you return to court, but with a wife as fine as your intended, I'd not only keep her locked up, I'd be inclined to spend a few lazy days in the bedchamber." he laughed.
"I must admit, I very much intend to spend a lot of time in the bedchamber with my wife." Damon laughed. "These last few weeks have been torture not being able to consummate our love for one another."
"Harry!" the King called out to Sir Henry Norris. "I want you to get a message to William Warham, the Archbishop of Canterbury." he added as an afterthought to clarify which one he meant as there were two William Warham's, one being the Archbishop of Canterbury and one being the Archdeacon of Canterbury.
"Then let it be on the eve of lent, we will have great celebrations and feasting before allowing you to have an enjoyable life together." Henry thumped Damon on the back as they arrived at the gatehouse and met Sir Henry. There Damon left the King behind and made his way back to his chambers to give Elena the good news.
Elena was invited to Lady Anne's chambers as the King had ordered her dressmaker to create a dress for the wedding. Although it was not to be announced until that evening, the King had told Anne about the betrothal and instructed her to help Elena choose some fine material for a dress. After he had visited Anne and Elena, Anne's dressmaker was to take his finest white satins, lace and silk to Damon as he wanted to choose something for her too while Anne kept Elena occupied. Now Damon had a date for the official ceremony, he could send Matthew on his secret mission to visit Maggie Frampton.
That evening Damon and Elena were invited to dine in the King's Privy Chambers with Lady Anne, George and Thomas Boleyn, John and Katherine Gilbert, Sir Henry Norris, Sir Richard Cecil (Henry's Groom of the Robes), the Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas More and the Duke of Suffolk. In the presence of such distinguished company, Lord John was acting pompous; despite him being a Lord, he was not used to being surrounded by such an elite group of people. Katherine, thinking she might attract the attention of the Duke of Suffolk, who had a terrible reputation with women, was trying her hardest to catch his attention as it was known his wife, the King's sister who was usually referred to as the Queen of France, was a very ill woman. Indeed, unsurprisingly she would be dead in little over two years, she had never fully recovered from the sweating sickness she caught in 1528. Fortunately for Elena, this was not her first meal with the King, also she had already spent plenty of time with Anne, meaning she already knew the decorum of dining within the Privy Chambers and exactly how to not put her foot in her mouth.
At the end of the meal, they were dining on poached pears and sipping on the finest wines. Damon and Elena were already used to this luxury, however Lord John and Katherine were not, thus they had both consumed a little bit too much wine and were a little worse for wear, earning them disgruntled looks from the rest of the group, in particular Sir Thomas More who was very religious and also seemed to lack any sense of humour.
"I have an announcement to make." Henry stated, to which everyone quietened their chatter. "It is with great regret that the Earl of Hallamshire and I should part company for some time. From his perspective it is probably a good thing as he gets to spend all day in his bedchamber with his lovely new wife and make lots of money from me." he laughed, to which everyone else, except John, Katherine and Thomas.
"What money is this Your Majesty?" Sir Thomas asked, forever considering the finances.
Henry sighed. "After the Convocations announced me as Supreme Head of the English church, I fear there may be some disquiet amongst other quarters, largely that fucking Emperor Charles." he spat as Sir Thomas refrained from saying anything despite desperately wanting to. "I have asked the Earl of Hallamshire to join work with the Earl of Shrewsbury in making extra armour for any unexpected reprisals. Although I do hope it is money well wasted." he laughed. "But the most important point is to congratulate my friend Edmund on his impending marriage to the lovely Lady Elena Gilbert. I suggest we all raise a toast." he cried.
Everyone raised their goblets of wine and drank to the health of Damon and Elena, who simply sat there looking lovingly at each other.
"He really should have been marrying Katherine." John blurted out. "I caught them in a compromising position, but he wasn't exactly very gentlemanly about it. He claimed he thought she was Elena and told me to fuck off.!"
"It's true!" Katherine agreed. "He was trying to make me...use my mouth on his..." she looked down and fluttered her eyelashes. The Duke of Suffolk and Lady Anne both sipped from their goblets simultaneously, clearly trying their hardest not to not to laugh.
"Is this true?" Sir Thomas More looked at Damon in shock.
"Yes and no." Damon sighed. "As others can attest, at the masked ball, Katherine was trying to gain my attention by pretending to be Elena. Of course, I could tell the difference, Elena's voice is slightly different and she has an air of innocence which Lady Katherine lacks." he turned to Katherine. "I am not saying Lady Katherine is not innocent, it is just that Lady Elena is younger and her youthfulness does shine through her eyes and smile. Her knowledge of the terrors of our world seem to be lacking, whereas I believe Katherine is more worldly in these matters. Is that not a correct assessment Lady Katherine?" he asked.
"I...I suppose so." Katherine nodded.
Damon turned to Sir Thomas as the King seemed not to care as to whether Damon had done anything with Katherine or not. In fact the only one who was perturbed was the eternally pious Sir Thomas More. "As the evening progressed, I was feeling a little under the weather, possibly the start of the chill we all endured. I had also had wine which I suspect was not the greatest help in my circumstances. I retired early. The next thing I knew, Lady Katherine was in my bed trying her damned hardest to arouse my manhood whilst I was unconscious. If she was going to take it to her mouth, then I doubt it would have made any difference as I was not capable of such endeavours."
"He told me to put his pillicock in my mouth and suck it hard like a good little girl should!" Katherine stated, much to the shock of everyone at the table.
"Katherine!" Lord John admonished.
"Sorry father." she apologised and looked down.
"It isn't me you should be apologising to." John corrected her.
Katherine turned to Henry. "I am sorry for my foul language Your Majesty, I was only repeating what Edmund said." she batted her eyelashes at him, making an instant enemy of Anne.
"Edmund?" Henry asked with a touch of amusement.
"If I did, I was dreaming." Damon shrugged.
"And did you?" Charles turned to Katherine.
"Did I what?" she asked.
"Put his pillicock in his mouth and suck hard like a good little girl should?" Charles asked, much to the hilarity of the rest of the guests, except for Sir Thomas.
"Your Majesty." Sir Thomas bowed his head. "If I may, would you mind if I retire early? I have much work to be done and I would like to see my family this weekend." he asked nervously.
Henry laughed. "Of course Sir Thomas. I feel this conversation is definitely too vulgar for such delicate ears as your own. Make haste and see you on the morrow." he said.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." Sir Thomas bowed and left the room beetroot red.
"Can't handle any humour that one." Sir Henry laughed once Sir Thomas had left.
"How on earth did he end up with so many children?" Charles shook his head in disbelief, to which all of the room laughed, including John and Katherine, who didn't know Sir Thomas or why they were laughing, instead they just laughed along with everyone else to be polite, which turned out to be the wrong move.
"Do you find something funny about Sir Thomas?" Henry asked Sir John, who stopped laughing immediately.
"I'm just joining in with the laughter." Lord John replied.
"At the expense of my Lord Chancellor." Henry's eyes flashed as the room became serious. "You do not know the Lord Chancellor like the rest of the Privy Council, hence you are not invited to laugh at his expense. Do you understand?" Henry asked as Sir John nodded. "Everyone else here knows Sir Thomas well enough to appreciate what the laughter was about. As you are not acquainted with Sir Thomas, please explain the joke, just so that I can understand what the lay person thinks of my Lord Chancellor."
"He...he's a good man who does not like to jest." Lord John spluttered.
"And where did you get that information?" the King asked.
"By observation." Lord John replied confidently, clearly hoping that was enough to get him out of the shit.
"Ah, first impressions." Henry nodded. "Often they are correct, sometimes they are not. I have occasionally misinterpreted a person upon first impressions. Sir Thomas is a very pious man who does not feel a woman discussing taking a man's cock in his mouth is a suitable conversation for the dinner table. In front of the genteel company of Lady Anne and Lady Elena, I am inclined to agree." to which Anne and Elena looked at each other and smirked.
Anne turned to Damon. "My Lord, you say Lady Katherine's attempts were in vain, is that correct?" she asked, trying to diffuse the situation.
"Apparently it went as well for me as it did his majesty. I pity her future husband." Damon replied, much to the enjoyment of Anne who clearly couldn't stand Katherine. "I do pity her future husband. Although he should get a decent dowry, for a Lady of Katherine's status" he smirked, hoping this would bring the discussion of the pearl to the table, to which Henry didn't disappoint.
"Speaking of which." Henry smiled at Lord John. "I am aware that part of the dowry given to the first married daughter is a rare and expensive pearl." he smiled. "Also as I have had to pay off the betrothal, you must ensure Elena gets that pearl." he informed him.
"I cannot." John shook his head, the compulsion pushing through.
"You will!" Henry's eyes flashed in anger.
"I'm sorry Your Majesty but only Katherine can have the pearl." John insisted.
"I am not asking you, I am telling you." Henry said menacingly as Damon discreetly put his hand on Elena's leg to stop her from protesting. "I will have you go to Swarby Manor, and bring the pearl to me, where I will personally give it to Elena. You will be kept at court until I find a suitable match for Katherine, although I am led to believe Lord Stockbridge seems to be the one who may have the greatest interest. As such Katherine will NOT inherit the pearl. Due to your insolence, I will escort Lady Elena myself as her chaperone down the aisle. I have already sent word to William Warham, the Archbishop of Canterbury so the Earl and Lady Elena can be married on the eve of Lent. It will coincide with celebrations which are already planned."
"I cannot give the pearl to Elena." Lord John shook his head, clearly terrified.
Damon knew he had to take charge of the situation as this was going to create larger problems as this was all Lord John would be able to say. However Damon knew he had been compelled and careful wording and actions would be required to get him to comply without aggravating the King too much.
"But you can hand the the pearl over to the King?" Damon asked.
Lord John looked at Damon in relief. "I cannot give it to Elena, but I can hand the pearl over to the King." he nodded with a small smile.
"Good, then that is all settled." Henry boomed. "We will have a feast to celebrate the nuptials and to say our goodbyes." he smiled, lifting his cup up once more. "To the future Earl and Countess of Hallamshire."
After supper, Damon and Elena made their way back to their chambers. Elena wanted to discuss something with Damon as it had been on the tip of her tongue for a while. Due to her being able to see his past she was able to make out large parts of his life, yet there seemed to be a huge dark hole where there was nothing, which was something she was keen to address. Once they had returned, they sat by the fire in Damon's chamber as they did every night, which usually led to more intimate endeavours, but tonight Elena was going to address the question of why she couldn't see everything about Damon's past, as it would be a good idea to know more about him.
"What would you like to do tonight?" Damon asked.
Elena grimaced, not looking forward to this conversation. "I want to know more about you." she said. "The blood only lets me see things, which don't always explain what it really going on. And there are things which are... missing." she frowned.
"Missing?" Damon asked confused.
"There is a huge hole where your memories are missing. Either they have been taken away or I can't see them for some reason. Is there something you are able to hide from me?" Elena asked.
Damon thought for a moment before he understood what was happening. "How old am I? He asked her.
"You said you were five hundred, but when I see you as a child, it looks like it was more recent." Elena frowned. "That is part of what is confusing me, there is not five hundred years of memories."
Damon closed his eyes, this was the part he'd been dreading. "I am five hundred and twenty six years old and I was born in 1493, the bastard son of Rodrigo de Borja, also known as Pope Alexander VI. My mother and I were sent to England with the groom whom she married. She died when I was twelve and I was educated in a monastery. My real father ensured I was well provided for financially and as a result I started a business breeding horses. I married Sarah who died in 1517 in childbirth. Shortly afterwards I was found by a vampire called Isobel and she turned me in 1518. After that I roamed the earth for just over five hundred years." he said.
Elena clasped her hand over her mouth. "You are from the future." she whispered.
"From 2019 to be exact. And I already know our fate." he said sadly. "At the end of the day, everyone and everything on earth is destined to die, eventually. Nothing is truly immortal."
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