Disclaimer: I do not own The Tudors.


Chapter 4 – Destiny and Fortune


After Mary had been declared healthy enough to return to her normal life, she begged leave of His Majesty to retire of their country home in Suffolk with her son, and Edward. The King granted her request, knowing London with its disease and dirt to not be the best place for a new babe, let alone a royal babe. Though while he allowed his daughter and grandson to leave court, Henry sent with them nearly an entire new household. He sent wet-nurses and maids, grooms and guards, cooks and food tasters, all for the protection and well being of his grandson. He even allowed Charles to accompany them and ensure they were settled properly before returning to court.

The months passed quietly in Suffolk, for which Mary was immensely grateful. Her son grew everyday and she enjoyed nothing more then spending time with him, and with Edward. Charles came back often and brought news of court with him. Nearly five months after Harry was born, Charles returned with news that Anne was once again with child. Two months later, he brought news that the King's attentions had once again wavered, this time to the Lady Jane Seymour. Charles reported that the Lady Jane was grace herself and that she had not become the King's mistress. What surprised Mary about this news was that Jane had not become his mistress because the King had not even asked it of her. Henry seemed to genuinely enjoy Jane's company and she was the calm to Henry's temper, easily able to diffuse his anger.

"He seems like a new man." Said Charles, as he and Mary lay in bed, his arm wrapped around her as she was pressed snugly against his side. "The Lady Jane is so serene and innocent, I don't think it's even crossed Henry's mind to take her to bed, and yet he is besotted with her."

"He loves Anne no longer?" asked Mary.

"Anne is so like the King; passionate and quick to temper. She cannot bear that Henry is not faithful to her and takes out her anger on him. And her father, and Norfolk, for all that their brilliance and cunning, they know the power the King has given them can be easily taken away and council Anne to bend herself to the King's will. And while Anne is also smart and cunning, she'd have to be to get where she is, she does not realize that her place as Queen is not untouchable."

"She has allowed the power to go to her head." Concluded Mary. "Believes that as Queen everything is her right and due, not that she should be the best Queen she can be for the people of England. You believe the King will replace her with Lady Jane?"

"Should the child she carries not be a son; I believe it a great possibility."

"Hmm." Said Mary, letting the conversation drop.

"Speaking of children," he said, looking down and Mary and raising her chin to face him. "Harry is now eight months old. I think it time we began working on a brother or sister for him." Mary laughed and leaned up on her elbow, looking down at Charles.

"Would you have me bear a child a year or more?" she asked teasingly. "I shall have half a dozen before I am even twenty at that rate." Charles laughed as well.

"You are slipping in your tuition, dear wife." He teased back. "Any scholar proficient in mathematics would know you would reach twenty years by the fourth child." With that he rolled on top of her and entered her in one swift motion. Mary gasped in surprise, though not pain. Their couplings were by no means unpleasant for her. As time wore on she learned what Charles liked and where to touch him and he learned the same for her own body, their interludes became quite pleasant. Charles was by no means a gentle passive lover, though he could be gentle when he chose. He enjoyed being in control during their lovemaking and often grew quite rough as he lost himself. Mary, who was usually in control of most everything around her; found she enjoyed giving herself over to her husband and his desires, even if it meant she did not walk comfortably the next day. Charles moved within his wife, gripping her legs and bending them to gain further access to her. She moaned and breathed his name as he hit a place inside her that brought her immense pleasure. He began thrusting quick and hard within her and Mary was briefly aware that, once again, she would not walk straight on the morrow before she lost herself to the pleasure Charles was bringing her. Mary fell apart, calling out Charles' name as her walls clenched around him. He thrust a few more times before he too came apart, releasing his seed deep into her womb.

oo00oo00oo

Three months later Mary found herself on her way back to court, Harry by her side. Edward had been given a tutor by the King and as this visit was of no special occasion, must remain in Suffolk and continue his studies. With the Queen's time coming closer, in just a couple of months, the King was in high spirits and desired his family to be close to him. He had planned a tournament and other entertainments and seemed intent on playing everyday. Mary was glad that her father was in good spirits and so was Charles, for it meant that not only was the court a happy place, but it also meant that he dealt with matters of state with a clear head.

Mary arrived at Hampton Court and was greeted by Charles who helped her from the coach and then took Harry from his nurse.

"You have grown, my boy!" he said, lifting the child up in the air, bringing forth squeals of delight from him, and a bright smile from his mother. At nearly a year old, Harry did not have words yet, but he could recognize people and things, and he most certainly had missed the presence of his father.

"Indeed he has." Said a voice behind them. They turned to see the King, coming outside the castle. They bowed before him but were waved off as he approached Charles and his grandson.

"He is a strong and healthy boy." Said Henry, taking Harry into his arms. "While we lament that we have not seen him, or our beloved daughter, in many months, we praise God the country has agreed with him. Has he been at all ill?"

"He did catch a chill a few weeks ago." Said Mary. "However, Your Majesty's physician was more than capable of dealing with it, and he suffered for but a few short days. We were told his life was never even in any danger." Henry nodded and kissed his grandson's forehead before handing him back to Charles.

"You have arrived at the most opportune moment." He said, taking his daughter's hand and leading her to the palace. Charles, Harry's nurse and Mary's ladies followed, while the remaining servants began unloading the coaches. "A feast has been planned for tonight in honour of your arrival. I shall show both my beautiful daughter and grandson to the entire court. And tomorrow, I shall best your husband in the lists."

"You shall try, Henry!" called Charles from behind them where he was showing his son the sights along the way. Henry laughed and Mary was both surprised and happy at the easy camaraderie between them. Apart from the initial formality, there seemed to be no decorum between the two, as Mary observed during the remainder of the day. Charles was treated very much as Henry's equal, or rather as close as an equal as anyone can be to a King. During the feast, Mary saw that this irked the Boleyn's to no end for there was no doubt that the King did not place them as highly as Charles. That night, Henry entered with Mary on his arm, Charles on his left, and Harry in his arms. The entire court applauded their entrance, and Anne looked like she had swallowed a lemon. Henry paraded Harry around for most of the banquet until such a time as the little boy fell asleep in his arms, and Mary had his nurse take him to bed.

The next morning, Mary sat in the royal box and watched the tournament. Anne had elected not to attend in fear that the excitement would harm her child. The jousting went well and was entertaining. After the lesser nobles had jousted, Charles entered the lists ahead of the King, preparing to fight the winner of the last joust. Charles took his lance from his squire and rode up in front of the royal box and held his lance out to Mary.

"My lady wife." He said, smiling at her. Mary smiled back and stood, untying the ribbon around her wrist as she went. She then tied it around the tip of Charles' lance.

"Joust well, my lord husband." She said. He bowed his head in promise and indeed he did not disappoint. Charles won his first and second round and won the honour of jousting with the King. Charles was one of the few people who would not just allow the King to win and so that joust was one of the longest and most interesting as both parties were intend on winning. Eventually, the King beat Charles and was then declared the victor of the day. Charles removed some of his armour and went to join Mary in the royal box. She congratulated her husband on a good joust, even if he did not win, and both settled to watch the King joust Henry Norris. The first pass brought neither competitor closer to victory, however, the second pass brought on tragedy. Sir Norris hit the King hard, right in the middle of the chest sending him backwards off his horse. However, the King still held the reigns, which brought the horse toppling on top of him. The horse righted itself and ran off, however the King did not move. The crowd cried out and Charles, Mary, the Boleyns and the Seymours rushed to his side. Charles pushed the Boleyns aside so he could reach the King and Mary slipped in behind him. Dr. Butts arrived moments later and removed the King's helmet, finding a gash, which was the source of the bleeding.

"Take him gently inside, where I can better examine him." Charles nodded, but Dr. Butts wasn't done. "And pray for his life." Colour drained from Charles' face as well as everyone who heard Dr. Butts. Mary made the sign of the cross and closed her eyes.

"Seymour, Boleyn!" called Charles as he, the two Seymours and George Boleyn began slowly taking him to the nearby tent. Lord Wiltshire ran off toward the palace, undoubtedly to Anne and to Cromwell, to make plans in case of Henry's death. Mary was still standing in the same spot when a groom ran from the tent the King had been taken to, and came up to her.

"Your Highness, I am to take you to the Duke."

"Why?" asked Mary, though she did not fight as he led her away.

"I do not know, Your Highness, I only follow the Duke's orders." Moments later they entered the tent and Charles immediately came over to her, grasping her arm and leading her to a far corner for some privacy.

"Husband, what is going on?" she asked.

"It is not yet known if the King will live." He whispered. "Should he die there will be a struggle for power."

"But surely Elizabeth is the rightful heir." Said Mary, unsure why she was not vying for the throne to overthrow Anne and the Boleyns.

"While the King has declared his children by Anne as his heirs, it has yet to get through parliament. There is a strong argument for you as the rightful heir as you were never officially and legally replaced. There will be those who want Elizabeth on the throne, and those who will want you on the throne, especially with our son." Mary nodded.

"That is why you are here. I want you protected by my side until we know whether the King lives or not. Our son is being brought to us and I have sent two-dozen men at arms to Suffolk to protect Edward." Again Mary nodded. Just then, a groomsman and two men at arms led Harry and his nurse into the tent. Mary took her son into her arms and held him tight. The three of them then went over to the King's side and knelt next to him, praying for his quick recovery.

Mary, Charles and those closest to the King spent the day in prayer, never leaving his side. Dr. Butts had done all he could and the King's fate was now in God's hands. Hours past and the sun began setting before there was a change in the King's condition. Charles had opened his eyes to look once again at the King but before he was able to settle back into prayer, he noticed a little flutter in the King's eyelids. Thinking he's imagining it, Charles said nothing. But he continued to stare at the King's face, hoping to see it again, to know Henry is waking. After a few gruesomely long moments, the King's eyes not only flutter again but also open. Henry looks around for a moment before spotting Charles.

"Charles." He murmured. The man in question let out a loud laugh, bringing the attention of his wife and the men around him, to the King.

"Henry! Thank God!" said Charles, putting his arm around Henry and leaning against him in relief. Tears came to Mary's eyes as she too thanked God. Harry began fussing at the change in his mother and Mary, who had never once released her boy in all those hours of waiting, held him closer. Henry looked down to his daughter and grandson, bringing a hand up and placing it on Harry's head, calming the child.

"It is alright." He whispered. "Everything is alright." In their relief, no one saw him remove a bit of ribbon from his breastplate, bringing it to his lips and holding on for dear life.

oo00oo00oo

The King recovered slowly from his fall and the physicians said his leg would never be the same again, but Mary and Charles were too happy he lived to truly care. Henry's mood was sour at best as his leg caused him pain and gave him a limp that would more then likely never go away. But what caused his mood to turn the most was the fact that Anne lost the child she carried. It seemed Anne's days as Queen were numbered and Mary did not know exactly how she felt about that. She didn't like Anne, could never like Anne for displacing her mother. Then there were the changes Anne wrought throughout England, the separation from Rome being the biggest in Mary's mind. Yet at the same time she could not wish Anne ill, not entirely at least. So long as Anne was Queen, Mary could continue living as she was now, and she did not wish that to change at all. Then there was Elizabeth, whom Mary had grown to love dearly. She remembered all too well her own separation from her mother and did not wish that on her half-sister.

The Lady Jane Seymour became a constant presence at court and by the King's side. A month after the King's accident it was clear to all at court that Anne was finished and Jane would take her place. Mary liked the Lady Jane a lot. When she came to court as Lady to Anne, Mary began spending time with her and quickly found her husband's impression of the Lady to be true. Mary could not think of a kinder, gentler soul. Mary knew even her mother, who certainly had a gentle soul, could be harsh and cold. Though Mary supposed that was a trait all those of royal blood had. She certainly did, she had inherited her father's temper, and Katherine had been raised as an Infanta of Spain, daughter to two of the greatest monarchs in Christendom, and as the future Queen of England. While it was clear Jane could handle the King and diffuse his temper, Mary sincerely hoped that she would be able to steel her heart enough to deal with the plots and intrigue of the royal court.

Things quickly came to a head with Henry's desire to be rid of Anne. Evidence was found that had the Queen committing adultery with over ten different men, including her own brother. The King sent both Mary and Jane away from court so as not to spoil their innocence with the blackness of Anne's crimes. Mary prayed for Anne's soul, as she, along with Charles, suspected that the charges made against Anne were false and merely a scheme concocted by Cromwell so the King could be rid of Anne. Mary wondered why her father did not just put Anne aside as he had her mother, but refrained from asking and prepared to leave court without a fuss. There were things that even the King's precious pearl could not ask.

Before she left, Mary quietly dispatched a dozen men at arms who were to ride to Hatfield, the official residence of the Princess Elizabeth, and bring her sister to her in Suffolk. Whatever the fate of her mother, Mary would not abandon Elizabeth. The day before she was to leave for Suffolk, Mary found her way to Anne's chambers where she was under house arrest.

"Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Suffolk." A maid announced her entrance to Anne and the two ladies who remained in her service. Anne's head snapped in Mary's direction and the younger woman saw the hollow, lifeless eyes of her enemy, though she took no pleasure in it as she once thought she would.

"Madam." Mary bobbed a curtsy, still refusing to call Anne Queen, though she wanted this meeting to go well.

"Your Highness." Anne replied quietly, any fight she had had before gone.

"Lease us." Mary ordered the ladies as she approached Anne and sat in the chair beside her.

"Why have you come?" Anne asked once her ladies were gone. Mary thought on that for a moment. Why had she come? Why had she felt the need to see Anne before what would no doubt be a farce of a trial and then almost certainly her execution.

"I have come on behalf of my sister, Elizabeth." Mary finally decided. Anne's eyes flew to the younger woman at the mention of her daughter. Mary saw the love in Anne's eyes and knew now what she would say. "I wanted you to know that I have dispatched men at arms to bring her to me in Suffolk. Whatever should happen, she will not be abandoned as I was. I will care for her, this I promise you." Anne stared at her for a few moments before bursting into tears, flinging her arms around Mary and sobbing onto her shoulder. Mary did nothing to comfort her, though neither did she try to pry the woman off her. When Anne was cried out she lifted her head and spoke in a soft, broken voice.

"Thank you."

Mary left shortly thereafter, quite disturbed at what she had seen. The difference in the woman who had stolen her mother's place and the one Mary saw this day was tremendous. She walked swiftly back to her rooms and went immediately to Harry's side, taking her child into her arms and holding him tight, though he slept on. Anne's show of motherly love had reminded Mary of her own child, and Edward, and had Mary feeling a connection to Anne for the first time. They both loved their children, and Mary swore that Elizabeth would grow knowing her mother had loved her dearly.

Elizabeth arrived at Suffolk manor three days after Mary. She happily ran into her elder sister's embrace and Mary was thankful that Elizabeth was too small to know what was going on. She was not quite three and so was able to find joy during this difficult time. A week later, Mary received a letter from Charles saying that Anne had been found guilty and was to be beheaded by the end of the month. The day Anne died, Mary spent with her sister, showing her as much love as she could manage, knowing that the little girl would never know her mother.

Eight days after Anne's execution, Mary was summoned back to court for the King's wedding to Jane Seymour. She planned to bring Harry with her, though left Edward in Suffolk with Elizabeth. She would have loved to bring them all, but having Elizabeth at court so soon was not a good idea, and she would not leave the little girl alone. Mary found in Jane a completely lovely woman, quiet, devout and dedicated to the King with such a loving heart. She was the opposite of Anne in many ways. The very day of her wedding Jane spoke to Mary about bringing Elizabeth back to court as soon as possible and how she hoped to be a mother to her. Mary agreed and said only that she too intended to be a mother to her sister, ensuring the little girl grew up loved and cared for. On that the two women were in complete agreement. It didn't take long to convince the King to bring Elizabeth back to court, it seemed he would do anything for his new wife, and all she had to do was wait for the right moment to ask. The day Elizabeth returned to court saw Mary walking hand in hand with the three year old, ignoring the whispers and stares as they made their way to their father's presence chamber.

"Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Suffolk, and the Lady Elizabeth Tudor." The herald announced. Mary felt Elizabeth tense beside her and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"It'll be alright." She whispered. When they entered the chamber both stopped and bowed, waiting for the King to say something.

"Come here, child." He said and Elizabeth forced her feet forwards. She knew this was her father, though wasn't exactly sure how; she could not remember her father.

"Votre Majesté, ça va?" She'd started learning French recently and Mary had told her how their father loved learning, so she thought it a good first impression. At least, she hoped it was.

"Ça va bien, ma petite. Viens ici." He motioned her forwards and took a good look at her. Unlike Mary, who favoured her mother, he could see much of himself in Elizabeth. She had the same coloured hair, the same strong chin, the same blue eyes with stubbornness hidden away in them, the one trait he shared with both of his children. Regardless of the rumours that Elizabeth wasn't his child, one look at her and he knew she was his. Reaching out, the King picked her up and sat her in his lap, kissing her on her head. Mary took her seat on the King's left and instantly felt her husband's hand on her shoulder, his gentle squeeze telling her all was well, which her father's next words only confirmed.

"Je suis en famille!" He announced, and the court clapped. When they were left alone again, or as alone as the royal family ever got, the King smiled down at Elizabeth.

"Sweetheart, allow my to introduce to you Queen Jane."

"An honour, Your Majesty." The little girl said, the words sounding far too grown up to be coming from one as young as her.

"The honour is mine, Lady Elizabeth." Jane replied. "Or should I say…?" She trailed off and looked to her husband.

"Ah yes." He said as if he'd forgotten. "Elizabeth, I have decided to bestow on you the title of Marquess of Pembroke, it was your mother's title." The easy reference to Anne so soon after her death was a surprise, but one Mary was glad to hear. "I am also granting you the style of Royal Highness, as was granted to Mary upon her return to court, and as befitting the daughter of the King." There was no mention that she was illegitimate or why she wasn't to be called Princess, as daughters of kings usually were. Henry made up his own rules, that much everyone knew, and it was best just to fall in line and agree with it.

"Your Majesty does me great honour." She's been coached on what she could and should not say to the King and so far had proven a fast study. Henry smiled, clearly pleased with her reply. He spent the rest of the afternoon with Elizabeth on his knee, giving her all the attention and praise he gave Mary when she was young. By the time the King decided he'd spent enough time with others and that he wanted time alone with his new wife it was well established that Elizabeth was a part of the royal family once more. That very night Lady Bryan, Elizabeth's former governess, came to fetch her from where she'd been staying in Mary and Charles' chambers. She was to be the young girl's governess again and run her new household the King granted her. Elizabeth became a joy at court, Mary was happy to see, her keen mind and thirst for learning making Henry very proud of his youngest daughter. He saw to it that she received the finest tutors in all things and laughed uproariously when she danced with him. For her part Elizabeth grew to love her father very quickly and Mary only hoped that he would not disappoint Elizabeth as he had disappointed her.


A/N - Short fic, only one chapter left.

Review please!