Scotland

To Mary the whole world was engulfed in a wave of darkness. Had God abandoned them? Given her the chance to rule England just to take it away. Mary knew God worked in mysterious ways, but now it just seemed like he was toying with her. God is supposed to bring hope and light, but his works were about to start a continental war. Why would he give Elizabeth a child?

When Catherine told Mary about Elizabeth's pregnancy, Mary couldn't speak. She didn't know if she was mad, or sad, or just ready to give up. She stood up and went into the small chapel and locked herself in there, saying she needs to pray for guidance. However, Mary wasn't praying for guidance, but she was having a full breakdown.

Maybe it was the hormones of the pregnancy, or being a teenager. Perhaps both, but when the door to her chapel was locked Mary became an emotional disaster. Her future child, at this point, was the one thing giving her a chance to take down Elizabeth, and in all reality, one of the only reasons she's still alive. Now Elizabeth, would be giving her claim and the king of Spain, a child. Though King Philip had an heir already, his child with Elizabeth would be a royal, meaning no getting rid of it.

This pressure was to much for Mary. She felt as if she were in a sick twisted game, she didn't want to play anymore. Streams of tears rolled down her cheeks and her hands were shaking. She was furious. She was devastated. The best word to describe her was, defeated. Mary felt that with a child, Elizabeth could easily defeat her. Not only was Mary going to lose England, but with Elizabeth in charge, Scotland didn't stand a chance. After her children were born, Mary knew she'd be as good as dead.

Mary, still shaking and hysterical from despair, kneeled down in front of the crucifix. She looked at the image of her savior and the Virgin Mary." Why do you do this? Why do you call to me, just to condemn me later?" She asked softly." Your most devout follower told me you were testing me. I know you never give what cannot be handled, but I am at my breaking point. I beg you my lord, I don't want to rule England, I so not want to fight for my claim. I just want safety for my country and my family."

Mary looked at the crucifix, but of course no response. She slowly rose and rested her hand on her belly." I cannot do this," she said softly. She went out to one of the guards outside the chapel," Get me a carriage, a small one," she told the guard," I am leaving Scotland."

England

Elizabeth was standing on a balcony in the palace, looking out across the snow covered hills. It was a snowy and cold night, but Elizabeth liked to stand out in the cold. She had everything she could possibly want. She became queen to avenge her mother, and she would be giving England an heir. However, she felt empty.

She then heard a familiar voice," Can I join you, your majesty?"

Elizabeth turned and saw Lady Mary standing in the door way. Elizabeth sighed a bit. Ever since her last talk with Lady Mary, it was clear her one friend, wasn't even on her side." I have no interest in talking to you."

Lady Mary walked up and stood next to Elizabeth," I know, but in life we must do things we do not wish to."

Elizabeth looked at Mary, not with the anger she gave all her other cousins, but with a sense of pain." Why are you standing beside me? Shouldn't you be behind me? It's easier to stab me in the back that way. You of all people would know how do that."

"Bess, I hardly stabbed you in the back, I just didn't want to marry the Spanish prince, I love Charles, or I think I do," Mary said looking over at her cousin.

"And here we are with more of your lies! You think I don't know?" Elizabeth asked her getting angry," You communicating with Marie de Guise, then coincidently Catherine De Medici shows up? I am not stupid." Elizabeth said refusing to look at Lady Mary." And don't concern yourself with love, people like us cannot have it. We can't marry for love, and family doesn't even love eachother."

"Family can love each other, you just have to open yourself up to it," Lady Mary said to her cousin.

"You can really believe that?" Elizabeth said turning to Mary, a small tear strolling down her cheek," My sister beheaded yours! My sister locked ME in a tower! And Catherine Grey, cannot even look at me! Family doesn't exist for people like us!"

"Your sister killed Jane for political reasons, my sister understood that. She was a ruler who separated emotion and her duties," Lady Mary replied," But she loved you and she loved us. Mary could've killed you too, but she didn't."

"She couldn't," Elizabeth said," I did not commit treason. I'm sure my sister would've taken my head if she could."

"Yes she would, because if you committed treason, as a queen it would be her duty to execute you," Lady Mary told Elizabeth," But you forget her last wish was for Mary Stuart to tell her love for you. The great Queen Mary Tudor's last wish was to tell her bastard sister how much she loved her."

"She could've told me herself, had she not pushed me away!" Elizabeth said clenching her fists tightly.

"We both know that is not true," Lady Mary said," Live in misery if you wish. Hate the world if you wish, but I promise you it isn't worth it. And remember, the first thing Mary Stuart told you, was that she wanted to be your friend, but it was you who rejected the offer." At that Lady Mary walked away.

Elizabeth starred at Lady Mary in awe. That scared little girl that was here when Mary got here was gone. Now Lady Mary was a confident young woman with wisdom beyond her years

Scotland, one mile from the English border

Mary sat in her small carriage as it travelled at a quick speed on the snow covered roads. She heard the coachmen call back," Your highness we are almost to England."

"Thank you," she said and smiled a bit," Keep going until we reach the palace, I am giving myself to Elizabeth."

"I don't suppose I could convince your majesty to reconsider?" He asked her hopefully.

She shook her head," Sorry, but I have to do this, it's the only way to restore peace."

They road for a bit longer when the coachmen spoke back into the carriage again," Your majesty we are being followed! They bear the Scottish colors!"

Mary sighed, she knew someone would try to stop her, but she couldn't stop, she made up her mind."Keep going, speed up if you can."

"Your majesty these horses have been running for a while," the coachmen said," At full speed we could outrun our followers, but at this rate they will catch up with us."

Mary looked out the window and saw one of the horses hurriedly catching up to them, and she noticed it was a woman riding the horse." Coachman, can you stop please?" The carriage stopped and Mary stepped out." Catherine Grey?"

Catherine dismounted and walked over to hug Mary." You were smart sending out two other carriages in different directions, but we decided to split up. Francis is chasing your carriage in North Scotland. Mary what the hell were you thinking?"

"I am thinking that this needs to stop! Someone needs the think of the people and stop this war before it begins," Mary replied to her cousin.

"But what about Scotland? The succession is not clear here! Your death would've started a war!" Catherine said to Mary.

"I wasn't going to die, I was going to surrender my claim," Mary said.

"We both know Elizabeth would eliminate you and possibly your unborn child!"

Mary began to cry," I can't do this! I am defeated. If I keep going down this path we will all end up heads on a platter!"

"One often meets their fate on the path they take to avoid it," Catherine said," Mary, God called you to do this!"

"God has nothing to do with this!" Mary yelled at Catherine," This whole endeavor was because an insane dying queen, who went months thinking she was pregnant when she wasn't, told me I was supposed to be queen!"

Catherine took Mary's hand in hers," Mary Tudor knew what she was doing. She was leaving England in good hands. I beg you, do not give up on her dream yet. Because if you die, then Elizabeth can do what she pleases. She'll take Scotland, she'll probably murder your people. Your mother will be executed, and so will Edward and I. Francis might live, and it will come out my sister was helping us. Mary we are in this together, you are not alone!"

Mary looked at Catherine and hugged her tightly," Lets go home." She said softly and the two got back in the carriage to go back to the estate.