As Elizabeth travelled to Hever people stopped and greeted the Princess. Elizabeth was surprised for she had been absent from England for so long that she naturally assumed that most would not know her. All around the people cheered for "Good King Harrys' daughter" but was most surprising of all were the cheers for "Good Queen Anne's daughter" as well.
Elizabeth looked to her escort Hal Brandon for an explanation. "Your father the King made it well known throughout England that Queen Anne had died trying to protect the English people from Cromwells' greed. Cromwell used the money to bribe other nobles to follow the new faith whilst your mother wished that the money to be used for charitable purposes."
"Aunt Mary told me something similar." Elizabeth remembered visiting some of these projects that Mary had opened in Boulogne and dedicated to Anne's memory. "However I don't understand what these events have to do with my mothers' death."
"Cromwell gathered the false evidence against your mother." Hal explained sadly, "Not only that he made sure that your mother was blamed for his failures involving the Reformation. Almost everyone in England blamed your mother for the destruction of the monasteries but it was her who fought Cromwell to keep the good ones open."
"And my father believed that the evidence Cromwell was supplying was true." Whilst Elizabeth had no doubt that Cromwell was a horrible man to bring these false reports to the King, Elizabeth still felt that her father should have believed his wife when she denied these allegations.
"I don't think the King even looked at the evidence." Hal wasn't sure if he should be telling the Princess this but he wanted to be honest with her. "My father said that whenever a trial involved a friend or a loved one the King usually kept a distance and allowed others to investigate."
"There were others?" Elizabeth was curious as how many others were falsely executed because her father hadn't taken the time to look over the evidence.
"The only ones I knew of were Cardinal Wolsey and Sir Thomas More." Hal remembered how his father spoke about them and how even he played a part in Wolseys' downfall. "Cardinal Wolsey died on the way to tower whilst Thomas More had been executed for not signing the oath accepting the King as head of the English Church. Thomas More was loved by most of the people and many blamed your mother for that too."
"Did she have anything to do with Thomas More's downfall?" Elizabeth knew of her mothers' involvement in bringing down Wolsey thanks to her Aunt. Elizabeth had no sympathy for Wolsey as it was well known that he had spent most of the English treasury in an attempt to make himself Pope. However Elizabeth heard how well regarded Thomas More was and didn't like to think that her mother had played a part in his death.
Thankfully Hal had eased her worries, "No, she kept her distance like the King had done and yet she was still blamed for his death."
"I suppose the English court isn't that much different from the French one. So many different factions ready to tear the other down." Elizabeth thought the Catholic and Protestant factions constantly struggling for position in France and Elizabeth was at the centre of it with both sides trying to get her to favour their cause. "Will they try to bring me down like my mother?"
"They may try Princess." Hal Brandon was going to make certain that it would never happen but he wasn't the only one. "However I shouldn't worry. Ever since his majesty found out the truth of Cromwells' plot he has been more cautious with his trust and takes more of a personal interest in trials concerning treason."
"That's good to hear." Elizabeth would find out for herself if Henry Brandons' words were true but for now she was heading for her mothers' childhood home. Elizabeth had heard many stories from her Aunt Mary and wanted to see it for herself. Though Hever Castle could never compare to having her mother there with her Elizabeth was glad to have something belonging to her mothers' family.
Hever Castle was nothing like what Elizabeth was used to. It was fairly small but had its own charm which Elizabeth loved. Perhaps it had something to do with being her mothers' childhood home. "I remember when I first arrived in Spain" Mary had watched as her sister stared at the place in wonder. "For the first time in years I actually felt close to her again."
Elizabeth turned to sister and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I heard about your imprisonment in Spain. For what it's worth I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologise for. If anything the experience made me stronger." Mary smiled kindly at her sister then she frowned at her own naivety. "I was a grown woman behaving like a child chasing ghosts. I was so busy wishing for things to go back how they used to be but never thought of how things actually are now. Perhaps if I paid attention to current situations I wouldn't have found myself at my cousins' mercy."
"You certainly have more confidence in yourself and our father certainly believes you to be capable. He made you act as regent during his absence after all." Elizabeth smiled proud of her sisters' achievements.
However Mary was modest. "He only asked me to be regent because he felt the Queen wasn't worthy of the responsibility."
"If he didn't believe her to be worthy then why make her Queen at all." Elizabeth didn't want to be bitter but it was hard not to be. Elizabeths' mother died so that Jane could be Queen and now her father wasn't happy with the results.
"At the time Father thought she was something that he wanted." Mary commented based on her own observations. "She didn't argue with Father over policy and did exactly as she was told. Unlike our own mothers who often to spoke their mind."
Elizabeth smiled at her sisters' comment as it was the first time Mary acknowledged their mothers similarities. "So what changed?"
"I believed it happened shortly after Father was made aware of your disappearance." Mary had been surprised by her fathers' sudden change in attitude and wanted to find out how it happened. Mary spoke with countless people at court and they all said the same thing. "Queen Jane had already fallen out of favour when word came about my supposed treason as she was the one who enabled me to leave the country in the first place by encouraging Father to have me betrothed to Phillip. However it only became worse when Father had found discrepancies in the Royal ledgers."
"What kind of discrepancies?" Elizabeth was curious as to what they were. It must have been serious if it had turned her father away from his Queen.
"From what I understand Cromwell had spent money that should have gone to your household on not only your mothers' imprisonment but on Queen Jane's coronation as well." Mary explained, "However that was not all what Father had found. He also found out that whilst Queen Jane was willing to spend money on gifts for me she spent nothing on you. Naturally Father confronted Queen Jane on this matter and it seems that the Queen was unable to give a good enough explanation."
Elizabeth looked away from her sister in worry. "The Queen must despise me for ruining her marriage."
"Queen Jane has had plenty of opportunities to make amends and she has failed to do so." Mary thought how Jane refused to aid Mary in welcoming her sister to England. "I may not have liked your mother but she did try to make peace with me. I tried countless times to get the Queen to convince Father to bring you to court before you left for France and she did nothing."
"What if she tries to turn the court against me?" Elizabeth remembered how Queen Eleanor tried to get rid of Elizabeths' aunt by having Mary Stafford drink poison to prove her familys' loyalty.
"Queen Jane may try but she certainly isn't cunning enough to accomplish that." Mary tried to reassure her sister with a comforting smile. "Do not worry sister. You have plenty of friends in court and Fathers' love. You have nothing to fear." Elizabeth wanted to believe that her sister was right but she knew that she had to work just as hard to earn the people's loyalty and maintain her fathers' love. Although her father tried to reassure Elizabeth that his love for her had been unconditional Elizabeth remained sceptical. After all Anne Boleyn had been confident in King Henrys' love for her and look where that led her.
Elizabeth lay in bed thinking of the day's events. Both of her conversations with Mary and Hal played in her mind. It wasn't just one event that led to her mothers' death it was many events all intertwining and culminating in one twisted web.
Earlier in the evening Elizabeth had been searching for a book to read before she had gone to bed. As she pulled a book from the shelf a piece of paper fell out of the book. In closer inspection Elizabeth realised it had been a letter from her father to her mother. Elizabeth had felt it was an unusual place to store a letter but then she remembered something her Aunt Mary once told her. Her mother used to hide the Kings letters from Elizabeths' grandfather Thomas Boleyn. Thomas Boleyn wanted to know of the Kings' feelings for Anne so he could gage what kind of rewards he could get from the King. As Anne's feelings grew for the King she had no wish to share his private thoughts with anyone not even her own father.
After reading this particular letter it was easy to see why. In this particular letter the King had stated that he would give up the kingdom for a moment in the arms of his beloved sweetheart. He had even drawn a love heart next to his initials and signed as 'your humble servant'. Elizabeth wondered if they were more and scanned the bookshelf. After reading every letter she had found in its hiding place it had become clear that her father the King was truly devoted to her mother Anne Boleyn.
Her mothers' death became more tragic in Elizabeths' eyes. They had loved each other dearly and everyone saw fit to tear them apart in the most brutal way possible. Whilst Elizabeth did acknowledge her father made mistakes in placing his trust other people rather than his wife, Anne had made mistakes too. Anne relied too much on Henrys' love to protect her from enemies like Cromwell. Anne had needed the love of the people and unfortunately for Anne she only achieved that when she died. Elizabeth won't be making that mistake she thought. She would accept her fathers' love but she won't solely rely on it. She would make friends at court and she would earn the peoples love. She won't allow herself to fall victim to her enemies' schemes as Anne had. Elizabeth would survive.
Elizabeth suddenly remembered why she hated sewing so much. It wasn't that she lacked skill, as with anything she wasn't good with she tried even harder to master but that didn't mean she liked doing the task. She cursed as pricked her finger on the sewing needle for what felt like the hundredth time. She attempted to continue with her work but was interrupted by a visitor. "That doesn't seem like proper princess behaviour cursing like a commoner."
"Hal." Elizabeth smiled and risen to greet him glad for the interruption of the dreadful task.
"What is so important that you would risk damaging your fair hands your highness?" Hal Brandon kissed her abused hands jokingly.
Elizabeth laughed at the gesture. "If you must know I was making a gift for my father the King."
"I'm sure your father would be most thrilled to have a gift covered in your own blood." Hal smirked observing her work. Despite Elizabeth struggles to put the pieces together it was fine work.
"I'll admit needle work isn't my strong suit." Elizabeth said nervously. She wanted the piece ready for when she arrived at court.
"I really can't imagine you not being good at anything once you set your mind to it." In Hals' mind Elizabeth was good at everything. Languages, dancing, poetry, the list seemed endless. The perfect princess he thought and looked away embarrassed by such thoughts.
Elizabeth blushed at the complements. Though other men like Prince Charles of France gave her such complements before this felt different. She immediately changed the subject, "If may be so bold Hal is there anything you're not good at?"
"There are quite a few things I'm not good at your highness." Hal smiled kindly. "Languages for one thing and dancing but like my father I am good at sports."
"I heard the Duke of Suffolk is a good athlete so was my father before his injury." Elizabeth was a fan of sports too but rarely took part as it wasn't considered ladylike. "I also heard from my aunt that my mother liked to go hunting as well."
"Do you like to go hunting your highness?" Hal enquired.
"Very much so my lord." Elizabeth already experienced some hunting at Hever but it wasn't as much fun without someone with you who actually enjoyed it. Some of her new ladies appeared not to care for the sport. "Perhaps sometime in the future you could join me?"
"I would be honoured your highness." Hal smiled and gave her a polite bow. "However I did come for a reason. Everything is being arranged for the pageant being held in your honour. Seamstresses will be arriving to have you measured for your dress."
"Do you know what the pageant will be called?" All Elizabeth knew was that she'll be taking part but she knew little of what it was about as her sister Mary wanted it to be a surprise for her father.
"The Châteaux Vert." Hal somehow knew it must have been important for when his own father had learned of the name of the pageant Elizabeth would be debuting in he seemed to go off into another world.
Charles Brandon arrived at Hever to meet with his son and discuss arrangements for Princess Elizabeths' escort to Hampton Court Palace for her debut. As he arrived he heard music and laughter coming from the main hall. As he went to investigate he saw the Princess Elizabeth attempt to teach his own son to dance properly. "I told you I was no good at dancing your highness." Hal protested weakly although he seemed to be enjoying himself.
"Nonsense." Elizabeth insisted, "Your doing a lot better than when we first started. It's like with any sport you just need to practice more."
"Wise words your highness." Charles agreed interrupting the lesson. "I wasn't very good at dancing when I was younger but I learned to get better as will you. Hopefully much sooner as you will also be performing in the pageant with her highness."
"Do you know anything about this pageant?" Elizabeth was very curious to know why it was so important that it remained as a surprise for her father.
"I do you highness, very well." Charles thought back to the time when the Châteaux Vert was last performed. "Your mother and father met in that very pageant. She was Lady Perseverance and your father was Lord Honesty."
Elizabeth wasn't surprised to learn that she would be performing her mothers' role of Perseverance. She could only laugh internally at the thought of her father playing the role of Honesty. However she couldn't help but wonder, "Who is playing Honesty your grace?"
Charles could tell she was worried about a betrothal being made for her so soon so he tried to reassure her. "As far as I'm aware your highness they'll be no Lord Honesty this time. However Lord Honesty wasn't meant to be Lady Perseverance partner in the pageant. Lord Gentleness was supposed escort Lady Perseverance from the castle."
"Me?" Hal Brandon knew he had been given the role of Lord Gentleness but he was surprised to be the one selected to be Princess Elizabeths' partner.
"Hopefully you would do a better job of protecting Lady Perseverance than I did." Charles commented remembering his time as Lord Gentleness. He had barely given Anne a second thought as he had been so focused on the Princess Mary at that time. Looking back Charles couldn't help but notice the comedy and tragedy of it all. Two pairs of lovers risking everything to be together but in the end both hurting each other more than they ever thought possible.
"You were Lord Gentleness?" Elizabeth was fascinated and wanted to learn more. "Who was Lord Honesty supposed to be dancing with?"
Hal had already guessed, "It was Mother wasn't it. She was the one dancing with the King." Now he understood why his father acted so strangely when he found out the name of the pageant.
"Yes son she played the role of Lady Mercy." Charles confirmed sadly. Elizabeth observed the tension between father and son. It seemed strange to her for as far as she was aware the Duke of Suffolks' marriage to the Princess Mary was built on a love that conquered the odds. At the time the King was well within his rights to have Charles Brandon executed for marrying the Kings' sister without his permission but Charles somehow survived and ended up having children with her. Elizabeth had to wonder whether any great loves were meant to last for it seemed to Elizabeth that despite the great love Hals' parents had shared they too ended up losing their way as Elizabeths' own parents had. Elizabeth wanted to discuss this with Hal but could do nothing whilst his father was there. For some reason Hal seemed to understand the confusion Elizabeth was feeling towards her own father and she wanted to understand why. Did Charles Brandon betray his wife too? If that was so then how did Henry Brandon remain so close with Charles after Princess Marys' death? There so many things about Henry Brandon that Elizabeth didn't know but she wanted to find out. Perhaps her time at court will help her discover more about Henry Brandon.