Princess Margaret watched as her friend the Princess Elizabeth said goodbye to her brother Prince Henrys' children Prince Francis and Princess Elizabeth of France. The English Princess gave some last minute advice to her namesake and teased the young Prince about future suitors. "You promise not to forget me your highness, I'll be so heartbroken if you'll forget me."
The young Prince blushed which caused his sister to giggle. "But what about Uncle Charles? Won't you miss him as well?" Prince Francis stuttered.
The Tudor Princess laughed, "No one in all the realm is more handsome than you my Prince." Prince Francis sister laughed as the older Princess kissed him on cheek making him turn even more red with embarrassment.
Princess Margaret decided to give her nephew a break. "Run along you two. Lizzie and I would like to speak with each other before she goes to England."
"Bye Aunt Lizzie." The children waved as the servants took them back to the nursery.
"I guess you won't be officially made their aunt as you won't be marrying my brother." Princess Margaret linked arms with her friend as they walked through the gardens. "He's quite upset about it you know."
"They'll be others." Elizabeth reasoned dismissively not wanting to talk about it.
"I think you under estimate his feelings." Margaret persisted. She liked Elizabeth and longed for the day to call her sister but Elizabeth always seemed less enthusiastic by Charles attentions.
"It's not that I don't like your brother but there's a part of me that always longs to be in England and I don't think he understands that." Elizabeth explained sadly. "I have family who I haven't seen in so long and some whom I never met." She thought of her younger brother Prince Edward. Although his mothers' family had hurt Elizabeth in ways no one could imagine she would still like to meet him because that's what her elder sister Mary would have done. The Lady Mary showed no reservations in showing her younger sister love despite what Anne Boleyn had done to Marys' mother and Elizabeth had never forgotten that.
"Do you believe they will love you like we will though?" Margaret questioned. Elizabeth couldn't answer that but she couldn't live her life without knowing for sure. It could have been so easy for Elizabeth to marry Charles and start a family of her own but she would always doubt. Elizabeth would always wonder about her family in England and she needed to find out for herself if her family had missed her just as much as she missed them.
Mary Tudor was spending time with her younger brother Edward. The boy seemed a lot more happier now that he had companions like his cousin Ned. After Edwards' birth many at court expected more brothers and sisters in the nursery but none came. Mary wasn't certain her father was sharing a bed with the Queen anymore which surprised Mary since her father was so desperate for heirs. However Henry had confided in his daughter that the events concerning her and Elizabeth were Gods way of punishing him for not just how he treated them but their mothers as well.
Mary had never considered before the treatment Anne had suffered at her fathers' hands. Marys' own bias prevented her from feeling sympathy for Anne but once she considered the countless offers her own mother received if she just walked away. Mary couldn't help but feel bad for Anne as she was never given the option to walk away nor did she have the allies Marys' mother did. She was all alone with not even a relative to back her except George and his name had been dragged through the mud with her. There were no Emperors or lords coming to Anne's rescue though Mary did have to wonder if King Francis was so willing to help her sister Elizabeth through this troubling time why not Anne as well?
Mary had no time to dwell on this matter as a messenger came in and informed her of the news of her fathers' success. "Did you hear that Edward?" Mary smiled pulling her brother into her arms. "Our sister is coming home."
Edward had heard about his sister Elizabeth and he also heard of his fathers' attempt to rescue her. "Do you think she'll like me sister?" He asked curiously.
"Of course she will brother." Although Mary couldn't be absolutely sure as Elizabeth spent so much time away from home but Mary had to believe that Elizabeth still possessed that generous heart she had when Mary had served in Hatfield. Whilst the other servants looked at Mary with contempt or even pity Elizabeth treated her like a sister. Elizabeth always requested that they referred to each other by name and not by titles. Elizabeths' love for her sister had always been unconditional and Mary had hoped that it would be the same for Edward.
Francis Bryan watched as Elizabeth said goodbye to Prince Charles. Whilst it was clear that Charles was devoted to Elizabeth, Francis Bryan could tell that Elizabeth wasn't as enthused though she hid it well. To an outsider they were two young lovers tragically pulled apart by circumstance. To a person like Francis Bryan who knew Elizabeth well he saw that the Princess was relieved that she no longer had to take part in the charade.
With one final kiss from the Prince the girl turned to Sir Francis who was to bring Elizabeth to be exchanged for her aunt and cousin. As they rode away Sir Francis couldn't help but comment on her farewell to the Prince, "You didn't have to lead the poor boy on you know."
Elizabeth sighed, "It wasn't my intention but Charles is so persistent." Elizabeth was glad she could be honest with Sir Francis. He never judged Elizabeth for he knew he had done worse in his youth and despite his past behaviours he never encouraged Elizabeth to follow his example as he was sure his cousin Mary Stafford would have killed him. "Sir Francis? Do you think there is something wrong with me?"
Sir Francis Bryan was surprised at Elizabeth sudden question. "Why would you say that?"
"It's just that any woman in the French court would love to receive such attentions from Charles and yet for some reason I find his attentions stifling." Elizabeth explained with concern.
"No Elizabeth there is nothing wrong with you." Sir Francis smiled reassuringly. "He was just simply not the one for you. As you know I've met countless of women and there was not one of them I wished to marry until Madeline." It was a shock to everyone who knew him that the well known womanizer Sir Francis Bryan had finally settled down. His mother written countless letters to both Elizabeth and Mary asking all kinds of questions about the woman who finally got her son to marry. However what his mother didn't realise was that Sir Francis hadn't quite settled down as most would believe. He just found a woman who shared his interests. When Madeline had spied on Diane for him he was fascinated by her intelligence and was awed on how quick she was to save his cousins' life when Mary had been poisoned. He continued, "With Madeline I've finally met my match and maybe one day you will too."
Elizabeth snorted in response. "I doubt a Princess will have so many opportunities."
Francis didn't have any time to respond as they finally arrived at their destination. It was no surprise to Francis that King Henry had selected the Duke of Suffolk to escort the Princess but he wondered who the young man was sitting at his side. There was no time to answer that as Mary along with George rushed to Elizabeth and hugged her. "I'm so sorry Elizabeth." Mary cried.
"You don't need to be sorry Aunt." Elizabeth reassured, "I want to meet him."
Mary knew that was true. Elizabeth asked many questions about her father and despite her own personal feelings regarding her former brother in-law Mary did try not to paint King Henry in an awful light. This was no different, "He has changed Elizabeth. He was most kind to me and George."
"All he kept talking about was how much he missed you." George spoke eagerly, "And he made me a Duke."
"I heard." Elizabeth smiled at her young cousin. "You know George being a Duke is a tremendous responsibility. You must take good care of your land and your tenants. Do you promise?"
George nodded promising to take good care of Calais. Both the Duke of Suffolk and his son Henry Brandon watched the scene with fondness but it was soon time to go. Elizabeth watched as her aunt and cousin left with Sir Francis. She then followed her uncle and cousin that she hadn't spoken to before now. Both tried to reassure her that the King was most eager to meet her but Elizabeth would only be certain when she had met her father face to face. Elizabeth hadn't forgotten that her father had her mother killed but she had also known that it had come about thanks to second hand information by the Pope and other jealous courtiers. Elizabeth was determined not to make her fathers' mistake. She was going to form her own opinions about her father based on her own observations and not rumours.
Prince Henry and his wife Catherine greeted Mary on arrival which shocked Mary as she was certain Prince Henry didn't like her, more so now that Diane was dead. However here he was greeting Mary as though they were old friends and treating George like a true brother. He even offered George to be educated alongside his nephew Prince Francis. When the Prince had left to return to his duties Catherine explained her husbands' change in attitude. "Henry is beginning to understand the hell his father had gone through when he and his brother were imprisoned."
It took awhile for Mary to understand what Catherine had meant by those words until she suddenly she realised, "The King worried for us?" Mary clutched her sons' hand in surprise.
"I think worried was an understatement Mary." Catherine said seriously as she led Mary through the palace. "He and your daughter are waiting for you in there."
Mary entered the room only to be engulfed by her daughter Annie, "Mama I was so worried." Annie then turned and kissed her little brother much to his embarrassment. "I'm so glad you're both well."
"So am I." Francis breathed a sigh in relief watching as his son interacted with Annie. His son appeared to be unhurt but seemed to be shy in his fathers' presence which seemed to surprise Mary as George seemed so relaxed and brave in front of King Henry. Mary told Francis of how brave George had been and Francis turned to his son for confirmation, "Is that true son?"
"Yes your majesty." George said nervously desperate for his fathers' approval.
"There is no need for such formalities in private." King Francis smiled at his son. "When it's just us you can call me Papa if that is what you wish." King Francis knew he hadn't been the best father to George and he wanted to make amends.
"I would like that Papa." George rushed into his fathers' arms. Mary watched the scene with tears in her eyes. She placed her arm around her daughter Annie and watched as Francis tried to forge a bond with their son. There was only one thing missing during the happy scene and that was Elizabeth. Elizabeth had been a constant part of their lives since their arrival in France and now she was no longer there. Elizabeth would be starting a new life in England and Mary prayed that all would be well for her niece.
Henry Brandon watched as Elizabeth adjusted her appearance. She was acting very differently form the calm and composed girl he first met. She behaved with all the dignity of a Princess but as they got close to her fathers' camp she became more nervous. Elizabeth practically jumped when her cousin placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You shouldn't worry your highness." Henry Brandon smiled at her. "The King has missed you a great deal."
"So you and your father keep telling me Hal." Elizabeth agreed to call Henry Brandon Hal as he hoped to be friends as their fathers were but his father Charles watched the interaction with concern.
Charles couldn't help but be reminded of his sons' mother the Princess Mary as he watched Elizabeth interact with his son. He remembered how frightened Mary had been to marry a man old enough to be her father and how Charles had done his best to reassure her. Charles never planned to actually fall in love with her nor did he plan on defying his King by marrying her but Charles did just that. Fortunately Elizabeth wasn't on her way to an arranged marriage nor did she know Henry Brandon well enough to fall for him as her aunt did Charles. However Charles couldn't help but compare Elizabeth to his lost wife as the resemblance was striking. If it weren't for Anne's striking dark eyes Charles could have almost mistaken Elizabeth for the late Princess.
However Charles could no longer dwell on such thoughts as they had finally arrived. King Henry wanted this reunion to be as private as possible. King Henry watched as Elizabeth entered the room gracefully. As Elizabeth knelt before her father Henry was taken back to another time when Anne had done the same when he had given her the title of Marquis of Pembroke. If it wasn't for the Tudor red hair he could have sworn it was his Anne alive again but it wasn't. His little girl Elizabeth had grown and Henry had missed most of it.
Henry approached his daughter placing his hand underneath Elizabeths' chin so he could look into her eyes. Elizabeth noticed the tears in her fathers' eyes threatening to spill. She saw that he was just afraid of this meeting as she was. It was surprising for Elizabeth to see a man so powerful appear so broken by regret. This had made it easier to forgive him. Elizabeth risen slowly and approached her father cautiously. Her father smiled at his daughters' courage, "My Elizabeth." Henry then kissed Elizabeth on the forehead and held her close. He finally had the part of him he thought lost forever. His precious jewel of England had finally returned to him.