A/N: Alright, so I read someone's review asking for more about Elisabeth's reign and I'm not going to disappoint!
Chapter Summary: Mary somehow predicted the future…or maybe these damned Frenchmen are far too predictable. Well, there goes the betrothal between Mary and Francis Jr.
Boleyn-Howards
Anne Boleyn looked at her father in shock, "You want us to spy on the Queen of England for you?!"
George, bless him, supported her, "We know nothing about her, Father, she could have us hanged if she finds out for all we know!"
Thomas Howard took the time to come forth, "Which is why you won't get found."
Anne sighed; she truly couldn't change their mind on this. It was at times like these she wished she'd stayed in France with Duchess Marguerite – at least she didn't send her to spy on the highest class of royalty.
Unlike her father and uncle, Mother would never have allowed this.
Queen Elisabeth
"Your Majesty," the French Ambassador greeted in his thick accent while doing an intricate bow, no doubt to sweeten whatever stupidity his master had done now. Huh, I'm starting to get that Tudor dislike for the Valois line. Ah well, considering one of them wanted to harm and usurp my would-have-been younger half-sister, I don't really care. Even if it is a 'once upon a time' thing now that I've inevitably changed everything,
So, I read the letter and gritted my teeth; it was really hard not to blow up on the guy…wait, should I? Yes, yes I should. After all, he is Francis' representative, isn't he? Plus he's French.
And I have, at the moment, taken a heavy disliking to those snail-eaters. What kind of idiot eats snails anyway?
Dowager Queen Katherine of Aragon, Charles Brandon, and Mary Brandon née Tudor
The three of them, as the Regents, were entering the Privy Chamber when they saw the French Ambassador quivering at Lisa's furious gaze.
"Katherine, Charles, don't go close to help that pitiable man right now…unless you wish to be on the receiving end of my mother's temper that Henry and his elder daughter inherited."
True to Mary's word, the temper exploded.
And what an explosion it was: "Who does your snail-eater of a master think he is?! The previous king, my father's, body is not yet cold and he comes here demanding I give up my crown?! Tell that blasted son-in-law of the previous king that I will not give up my god given right just because it doesn't settle well with him! I was properly invested Princess of Wales when I was six and Valois didn't have a problem. Now that I am suddenly queen, he demands I give up the throne or else our countries will be at war! Some respect you blasted Frenchmen have!"
After she calmed down considerably from panting, she made a dismissive gesture with her hand, "You may leave, Your Excellency." She said frostily.
As he left, Mary entered and casually asked, "What's Francis done now?"
Angrily, she threw the French king's letter in the Duchess of Suffolk's hand. As she read it, little by little, her eyes began widening, and finally she all but whispered, scandalized, "Is he mad? What idiot of a king does this?"
Charles, though he wasn't raised as a royal, understood that this was completely horrible, while Katherine was seething.
"Lisa, do you realize that since you have – correctly – refused him, this is also a war declaration from France?" the Spanish Infanta told her daughter.
Elisabeth closed her eyes, "Yes, I do, Mother; at least we might get our territories back…"
"…Or we could lose Calais." Mary pointed out.
Elisabeth suddenly turned steely, "We could, yes, but I don't intend it to happen."
Elisabeth
My aunt was right, of course, but if I was the Queen of England, I'd do my damnedest best to not lose against France of all places within my first year as ruler. Calais will not be conquered or forfeited.
The other Mary, Queen Mary I, may have lost it, but I won't.
(Hopefully, I could get Aquitaine and everything else that should belong to the English crown while I'm at it.)
Mother left to call a Privy Council Meeting, Uncle Charlie sat on his seat while massaging his temples, and Aunt Mary left to call for Lady Salisbury to care for Frances, Nell and Princess Mary.
Once everyone was settled, with me in my rightful place at the King's Seat, I began, "I just received a missive from Valois."
The Earl Marshal, Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Howard interrupted, "Surely, that is not something to call a Privy Council over, Your Majesty? France and England communicate all the time."
Was that little Duke being condescending to me, his Queen? "I know that, My Lord Duke, however, this was a war missive." I wanted to say something more, but this was the premier duke of England and Earl Marshal, the highest ranking nobility after the Royal Family.
Clearly, the fact that I'd reminded him that he was a duke talking to the Queen kept his mouth shut. Royal pride is getting to me…still; I can't believe they actually thought I was stupid enough to take that insult in stride.
Let's just hope I don't become another Daenerys Targaryen ('Mad Queen').
Wait a minute, they don't know anything about a Song of Ice and Fire, so if I was to, say, add a new office, it wouldn't be too horrible, would it?
"What does Your Majesty propose we do?" one of the men inquired.
Well, seeing as Francis has too big a head, I doubt he'll surrender, so the best chance's winning this.
Suffolk chuckled, "I quite agree, Your Majesty."
I said that out loud.
"If I may," Aunt Mary put in her own two cents, "From my time in the French court, I know that the former Duke of Valois relies heavily upon his sister, Duchess Marguerite, and his pride dictates his actions more often than not. If we use both of those to our advantage, perhaps we could win."
Wolsey protested, "My Queen, we could always come to terms of peace for an alliance."
Damn him and his wish for a bloody French alliance! If he so much as dares to suggest marriage, I will…
"Surely a marriage alliance would soothe them?" now, everyone was staring at the Cardinal as if he'd popped a second head.
"My Lord Chamberlain," I addressed through gritted teeth, "Do you want to know why this war is happening?" They wouldn't say it, but I knew they were intrigued.
"That French snake sent me a letter in which he had the gall – the gall – to order me to 'relinquish my rights to the throne' as I was clearly 'unfit to rule on accounts of being a woman'." I spat. "Or else France would declare war on England."
"Then we are to ready our troops for an attack on France, Majesty?" Norfolk asked.
"No, Lord Norfolk; prepare your troops, yes, but don't attack – we will attack when they will."
"But, My Queen, wouldn't it give us an advantage in–?"
I cut him off, "I will not be known as the ruler who drew first blood." Mother clearly liked that idea, and Aunt Mary seemed proud of me.
Hey, so what if I'm stealing stuff from series and shows? As long as it's working, who's going to know? It's not like TV, or Netflix or Amazon Prime Video is invented yet…
I could be turned into a TV show for all I know! I like the sound of 'Elisabeth: A Tudor Queen'…Anyway, I am getting off track.
Back to the Meeting: after a lot more negotiation, convincing them of my competence, and other work for the war, I left to the solace of my own chamber, ordering the guard to tell anyone who tries to enter that I am not taking any visitors at the moment save the Princess Mary, but if they say it is urgent, then they can enter.
For once in my life as Elisabeth Tudor, I sat down to think.
Before, I did things head on because I knew what would happen, but after Father's death, every single butterfly is flying. However, I have determined four things:
a) I am eleven
b) I am a female
c) I am the Queen of England
And d) France has declared war.
Sometimes, just being Theodora was easier – no people undermining your authority, no plots, no assassination attempts, no fear of betrayal, just…being yourself. As Queen, I had to think about my people, my country, first. I know my duty will always trump what I want, which is why I believe wanting something shouldn't be in a sovereign's dictionary, despite how much it was in Father's.
In my previous life, as a child, I'd viewed Henry VIII as a murderous tyrant who was like a three-year-old: he couldn't stand being denied.
Now I know why.
Yes, Elizabeth of York and Margaret Beaufort indulged and spoiled Harry to no end, but Henry practically ignored him (in his mind). To him, he was always second, because Arthur. He was everyone's golden boy, the future king, the one who would lead them to an era of peace. That built up resentment of being second-best, of not being 'good enough' came through and he wanted to prove his glory, that he was better.
And now I'm just thinking about dear ole Dad when I should be trying to think of a way to win.
Absently, I walked out and, ignoring the murmurs of 'Your Majesty' behind me, left to the place where my grandfather's portrait was kept.
When I reached there, I just stared at the painting: this was Henry VII, the first Tudor King of England, the once-Earl of Richmond, the nephew of Henry VI, husband of my sort-of namesake.
This was the king who bought stability and money to the realm after one of the bloodiest civil wars in history with the Hundred Years' War happening in the background. The man who united York and Lancaster.
"What would you do?" I mumbled at the portrait. "What should I do?"
Aunt Margaret would know what to do, she's ruling for her son…wait.
I looked at the portrait of Henry Tudor once again, "Thank you." I whispered one last time before gathering my skirts and walking at a hurried pace to the study.
As soon as I saw a page, I immediately demanded, "Fetch the Dowager Queen, Duke and Duchess of Suffolk this instant!"
And I looked to another (why are there so many pages swarming around me?) and ordered, "Get a quill and parchment."
Your Imperial Majesty,
Cousin, I hope you are well. As you know, His Majesty, King Henry VIII, of the Line of Tudor, King of England, Ireland and France, died a few weeks ago (may God bless his soul).
However, it seems the upstart, King Francis has seen it fit to insult England and her ruler – both previous and current – by demanding I give up my God given right. The right that my father bequeathed to me: the throne of England.
No, this seems too forward. I need to be diplomatic, or else I'll just sound like a little chit who wants to keep the throne for herself. I'll have to write another one.
Just as I was beginning to write my second letter to the Emperor, Mother, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Mary entered.
"You called us, mija?"
"Yes…I have an idea."
Mother raised an elegant eyebrow, "And that is…?"
"Scotland, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire,"
"I do not understand a word you're speaking." Uncle Charlie remarked; while, at the same time, Aunt Mary got a bright smile, "Oh, this is perfect!"
Slowly, Mother understood what I was saying, and a smirk pulled at her lips.
(I never thought the pious and loyal Katherine of Aragon would ever have a scheming face, or that she schemed at all. That was stupid of me, she had to be Ferdinand's favorite for something other than being the baby of the family.)
Once my father's best friend learned the plan, he also approved it.
Elisabeth Regina–Elisabeth Regina–Elisabeth Regina
"Announcing: Queen Elisabeth of England!" I walked into the hall with all the dignity, elegance and confidence I could muster.
"Announcing: King James V of Scotland!" my Scottish cousin entered the Great Hall.
And then came the one person I was looking for; "Announcing: Margaret Tudor, Dowager Queen and Regent of Scotland, Princess of England!"
I really hoped this went well.
And so it began – my first political and diplomatic mission: get Scotland's support before they declare for France and everything goes to Ramsay Snow's dogs…or Hagrid's nifflers, I'm not being partial.
Elisabeth Regina–Elisabeth Regina–Elisabeth Regina
It happened. I did it; I won both Scotland and the Emperor's support, with signed peace treaties!
Now, time to show that French piece of dishonor who's the boss.
-At the battlefield, before the fight-
Sitting on my horse, I looked at the gathered soldiers. Suddenly, I had an idea.
Sure, I was an eleven year old, but my academic prowess was quite well-known. Not to mention, this will only increase the people's love.
Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk
Charles saw as the Queen pulled her horse to go in front of the men.
"Your Majesty! Where are you going?"
"To cheer the people up, Uncle!"
Whatever did she mean by that? He knew that there was no way she'd be allowed on the battlefield (she was eleven!) but she was planning something.
Abruptly, she stopped her steed right in front of everyone, and addressed the crowd, "People of England!" and she immediately had their unwavering attention with that voice.
"I come here before you on this day, not as your ruler, nay, I come as the woman who swore to protect this country with whatever it takes, and I swear to you I will. They think us Englishmen nothing more than people hailing from nothing more than a cold Island-country; but we will show them what it means to be English! And once we victor over these French upstarts," so the Queen's disliking for the French had not yet been curbed, "All of Europe will think a thousand times before so much as lifting a weapon at us! I promise you this: I shall do my duty to England, I shall consider all Englishmen my family, and I shall never run in the face of adversity. I will face everything with England, and for England!" Charles looked at Anthony Knivert copying every single word she said down. "Those French think that we will never win this, that England will be theirs." There was a roar of disagreement, "But they won't – because they can't. They cannot take away England, for she resides in our hearts, and in our souls; they will never be able to take away the English blood that courses through our veins! We may die, yes, but we will not live in fear! I know some of you think me nothing more than a child, but know this – I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman," the Duke did not miss the way she sneered 'weak and feeble', though it seemed everyone else did, "But I have the heart of a king – and a King of England too! For England!" Looking at her, Charles did not see the little girl of Henry's who used to play hide-and-seek with him; he saw a true Tudor and deserving Queen.
There was a cheer of "For England!" and then a man saying, "God Bless Queen Elisabeth!" and everyone joined him.
In that moment, with the sun's ray on her golden-red hair resembling her locks to fire, her eyes clear as water and steely with determination, her skin almost glowing, and the soldiers shouting her name, Charles wondered if Henry was actually speaking the truth rather than praising his daughter out of the paternal pride and love he had for her.
Elisabeth is God's gift and blessing to England, Charles, just you wait.
They won that war and reclaimed the French part of the Angevin Empire of Henry II.
Elisabeth – after reaching London
As my entourage entered London, the first thing I noticed was that the common-folk were out watching us when it began.
"God Bless Queen Elisabeth!"
"Long Live the Queen!"
"The Dragon Queen!"
"God bless England's Queen!"
"Protector of the people!"
Okay, so maybe my speech made a bit – a lot – of an impact, as well as my staying in the war camps and tending to the soldiers.
Yes, I tended to the soldiers, because if I was in a position to do something for them, I would. They were, after all, fighting to protect the crown on my head – it was the least I could do.
I heard from Uncle Charlie, that Knivert wrote down my speech to show Mother, Aunt Mary and Princess Mary.
When we were finally at the palace, I personally knighted a few people who deserved it a lot, well all of the soldiers did, but I don't think I should knight everyone, so I only did it for the best of them; I also formally invested Princess Mary as Princess of Wales.
Elisabeth Regina–Elisabeth Regina–Elisabeth Regina
Bonus:
(Princess Mary)
Today was her ninth birthday and her sister had asked her to dress in the clothing she'd gifted her: a gown of Tudor red reaching to her ankles, with gold threads sewn into and an assortment of jewelry made of gold and pearls. 'This is for the Pearl of this world' she'd said. Mary had nearly cried at the reference to what her beloved Papa used to call her; she may be nine, but she understood that her father had gone away to God.
As she stood in front of the throne room, Lord Norfolk took her hand and whispered to her, "The coronet will be heavy, Your Highness, and do not be frightened or surprised when the bells ring." She did not know what he meant, but took it in stride.
"Mary Tudor, Princess of Wales, step forward!" she did so, and curtsied and faced her elder sister.
She gave a tiny soft smile, "I proclaim thee, Mary of the Line of Tudor, Duchess of Aquitaine and Lady of all its Lands that shall pass on to the heirs of your body."
She knew that she was to kneel just as she'd done when invested as presumptive Princess of Wales; true to the previous ceremony, Lisa placed a coronet on her head and the bells rang.
A/N: and cut! So, here you have the Anglo-French war's preparation and aftermath. I am not much good in actually writing a war, so sorry for those who wanted to read it, though, I won't begrudge you if you wanted to imagine it for yourself! Please review and tell me what you think happens in the war.
This is Arty, signing out!