1469
Isabella of Castile, eighteen, and Ferdinand II of Aragon, seventeen, got married against so many people's wishes. Isabella's brother, Henry IV, Portugal's king Afonso V...They also went against the law, because they were cousins. A papal bull was needed and he refused, but that did not stop them and didn't hesitate to have it falsified so their union was possible. It didn't take long to come, however; Vatican City once again managed to convince the Pope that Aragon's fleet would be very useful to Christianity now that Byzantium had fallen against the Ottoman.
Like outlaws, they got married in a humble little chapel in secret. They knew God was in their favor because they had big plans for Spain, and would stop at nothing to see them come true.
1480
The once great Arabic caliphate was expiring. Reduced to a tiny bastion in Granada, it was prosperous, as it cultivated sugar and had a port to trade from with all countries at the Mediterranean sea; but this was both its greatest trump card and its curse, for such treasure was very sought-after. Civil wars were commonplace, the Alhambra was a nest of snakes. For what Spain had understood, the last mistake the king Mulay Hacen made was repudiate and put his wife into jail to benefit the Christian concubine Soraya, and the fallen queen—said to be a descendant of Prophet Muhammad himself, no less—got to turn her son and heir Boabdil against his own father, to punish this affront. It was entertaining, sad and lucky for Spain: entertaining because he loved dramatic stories just like these; sad because he had once seen Al-Andalus' splendor and now saw how such great empire crumbled because of human treacherous nature; and lucky because this made things so much easier for them, the Christians.
"They are weak and cornered. Their resistance is desperate. A siege will break them."
Ferdinand was an excellent strategist. His father had trusted him many battles ever since he was just a prince, with great results. So did Spain.
"If you think this is the most adequate way to proceed, go ahead with it. Your ideas have produced result to the date." Spain nodded, rising his head from the map on the table.
"Not just my ideas. Your arm also helped." Ferdinand smiled.
"God guided my arm, don't give me too much credit." Spain chuckled. His smile faded slowly, looking around, at the war camp, a camp so large, so well-equipped, it had practically become a city. "Soon all of this will be over...It's taken almost seven centuries...The work of so many ancestors of yours...It is very tiring, physically and economically...If it wasn't for all the land we have conquered, the loot and the efforts of our people..."
"Fighting a crusade on our own is not easy, but the Lord is certainly in our side."
"Yes. I wish my kin was a bit more involved. It's like they think that because I've lived among the infidels I am one of them."
"Let them talk. Once this is over, you will have shown your true loyalties and no one will ever doubt you again. And even if you were alone, you will still have a clear conscience."
Yes, Ferdinand was right. The Scriptures had taught him not to try to please the world but God. If He was happy with his efforts—which He was, because He had protected him and aided him in battle—, everything was fine. He was an adult anyway. He had to be strong, his will and mood could not depend on the opinion of others.
He smiled brightly at Ferdinand. "You always know what to say to make me feel good."
Ferdinand patted his back and Spain walked away, into a tent, where his king's wife was. He found her playing with her children as much as her advanced pregnancy with twins allowed her.
"Hello, children! Hey!" Spain chuckled, seeing how the prince and princesses immediately ran into his arms, calling his name. He took little John and walked to Isabella. "We think we have found a way to unblock this situation."
"I'm glad to hear that." Isabella smiled.
"...I know you told me not to worry about it, but my Queen...I really think you should go back to Medina and rest away from all this."
"Well, you are far more valuable than I am, yet here you are, fighting like any other soldier." Isabella replied, gazing at him gently but firmly.
"I will be where my soldiers are."
"And I made a vow to take care of you no matter what, so I will follow you wherever you go."
It reminded Spain so much of that woman, whose face time had erased from his memory, who was always following him around to make sure he didn't hurt himself, to the point of being a little tiring...He had not valued her efforts until she died. That woman he used to call 'Mother'. It was such a warm feeling, knowing he still had one, even if they had no blood ties...Her presence was really like a mother's to the troops. A monarch infused with sanctity, with the bravery and determination of a warrior...All a man.
"But when Portugal's king invaded us you lost a child. The fruit of your womb must be protected."
Isabella touched her swollen abdomen at those words.
"The unification of the kingdoms depends on it." Spain finished.
"I am stronger than you give me credit for. I was younger back then. I am not scared anymore. More children will come if I lose any." Isabella replied.
She turned her head to caress her older daughter's, named after her as tradition demanded.
"You have seen siblings kill each other too often. Yes, siblings—for we are all sons and daughters of the same Father. We all sworn to protect you but each of us wanted more and neglected you."
"Human nature. I can understand." Spain muttered, barely audible.
"Everything is tied up so if something happens to us, our daughter will inherit it all. Our lineage is preserved...When they grow up a little more, these, and the children that are to come, will be married to the heirs of the Christian nations, and there will be no more division. You will not have to suffer these fights for supremacy...Marriage is a really marvelous instrument when used wisely. It brings peace and makes powerful alliances."
She and Ferdinand were proof, after all.
Isabella rose her eyes to Spain.
"The Lord said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper. And I am sure nations are not meant to live on their own, either. You are special, Spain. Your kind is not like ours. Where there is uncertainty and weakness, you remain solid. Time rots everything; you prevail..."
Spain blinked. "Are you suggesting that I should get married, my Queen?"
"You and Portugal have always been close. He has always been our ally. Marriage would reinforce that bond."
"The Lord does not approve the union of two men."
"What the Lord frowns upon is carnal union. This would be more of a bond, a vow of eternal loyalty. I know the Pope has issued bulls allowing two male or female nations to receive the sacrament of marriage. You are not human. You cannot be applied human laws."
Spain wasn't very sure about it, but the idea felt so tempting...He would picture it, and it was not unpleasant...Portugal and him, after so long, forever together...His brother...His husband...One being, ruling the peninsula...
"He is a good catch." Isabella seemed to read his mind, because she gazed at him with a side smile. "His explorations around the African coast have made him rich, with ivory and slaves."
"He certainly is..." Money was always good, Spain thought, as little John was trying to steal his nose. Although he had never loved Portugal for his money...
"You know well that the invasion was entirely his king's decision; he has apologized for it and sworn he wouldn't interfere in our matters. Now that he is free from this kind of influence, he could be useful. France was way too interested in getting a profit out of our problems..."
"It's just that he loves trouble and never misses the chance to meddle...He's not going to invade us." Spain replied.
"Just in case, we must make sure you've got good allies. You never know who will stab you in the back."
Sadly, she knew what she was saying. Her brother Henry had been humiliated and ultimately lost his own kingdom and all pretensions of getting the Portuguese throne for his daughter because of a rumor that said he was impotent and the child was not his. Their own father had to fight for the throne after the regent, his uncle, and his cousins tries to steal it from him. Ferdinand himself had had many children with other women—his obvious fertility being a tiny little consolation for Isabella, for it assured many heirs.
"Maybe I'll have to marry him too." Spain smirked.
"I think there are more interesting suitors in the continent. Leave that to me. Your job is to bring back what the Moors stole."
His house was close to be all Christian again, but there was still so much to do.
In order to help with that, and also consolidate their power over all these fragmented territories, Isabella got permission from the Pope to create the Holy Office.
"What was his crime, again?"
"Judaizing."
"Ah."
Isabella turned her head to Spain and saw him resting his head on a hand, the cross of his rosary on his lips.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, it's just...dinner is hurting my stomach. I'll be fine in a while."
"Are you sure you want to stay?"
"Of course. I am supposed to be here, right?"
"I know you would love to be somewhere else..."
Spain turned his head to Isabella and saw her smiling a bit.
"Well, I can't be cutting heads and disemboweling infidels all day...It feels...I mean, it's kind of a rush, but everyone's got to rest some time." Spain muttered.
"You sure do have thirst for adventure."
"I really do."
There he was, the marrano, mounted on a donkey, wearing the scapular in which the sentence was drawn clear so everybody around could see what happened to those who plotted to attack the only real faith: the flames of Hell. Unmoved by his pathetic expression of resignation, Ferdinand turned to Isabella.
"Our good old Spain was born to explore and fight. I know he has been escaping from palace to go to festivals."
"Heh. Yeah...I just have a burning blood. Can't help it."
Talking about burning...
The nation's eyes turned to the square, where the prisoner had been dismounted and dragged to the pile of wood where he would receive his punishment. His eyes seemed to gleam and her expression turned stone cold.
"I really don't get them. We've been good to them, haven't we?" Spain muttered. "People were killing them like dogs in the streets, we give them a chance to save themselves accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord, but there are still so many who keep practicing their heathen rituals. Those false Christians are the vilest, most treacherous creatures on the planet, and you can't trust them. They claim to love you, but they keep collecting riches while your people goes through hardships; they claim to praise the Lord, while they keep practicing their heathen rituals. When the Moors came...it was God's design. He was teaching me a lesson. Their coming and victory was not an accident. The Jews, the Moors, helped them come. They are like plague, rotting everything good from the inside. And what do you do with an illness?"
Isabella glanced at the man who was being tied up to a post.
"You do everything possible to eliminate it." She replied.
"So it won't hurt you. That's it. They transgressed the law—and they put our people's souls in danger by attracting them with that dangerous belief of theirs. They insult our Lord and practice their aberrant rituals when they think nobody is looking. Look what they made us do."
Ferdinand joined his hands, getting comfortable in his seat.
"I celebrate your determination, Spain."
"I mean..." Spain's passion cooled down and he looked at his king like a child looking for his father's approval. "I did all I had to do. Right?"
"Yes, Spain. No one can say you didn't try to do things the good way." Ferdinand replied.
"Sometimes..." Isabella muttered. "One must harden their heart to protect what they love."
The man was offered to kiss the big crucifix the priest offered him. He didn't even look at it, his head remaining low, almost looking as if he was already dead.
...Yes...They called him 'Antonius'. 'Brave'. He had to do what it took.
"You were born to do great things. Never forget it. God is watching you. He has put His hopes on you.." Isabella said.
"Then...I shall make Him proud."
The three of them turned their heads to the ball of fire in the middle of the square. Inside of it, someone, something was screaming.
With the marrano, an effigy of another judaizing who died in prison was thrown into the fire.
Spain's lips curved that the sight. He forced himself to look and feel nothing.
1485
Spain stopped listening for a second and studied at the man in front of him. He said he was from Genoa, but he really seemed Spanish and had some kind of Portuguese air? Columbus, his name was. Christopher Columbus. He didn't know who had invited him, or how he got the chance to talk to him and his monarchs. Luck, maybe? No, not luck. He surely had made his way into palace thanks to the recommendation of someone important. The man had a way with words, that was for sure. He seemed really interesting to him—although the word the court would have used would have rather been 'mad', 'deranged', 'stupid'.
"A new way to Chipango. We will avoid the Ottoman's claws and reach lands no other nation can travel to. Also think of the lands no one has ever seen before that you can claim."
Spain turned his head to Isabella and Ferdinand. Their expression, he thought, was of great interest—of course, because any innovation which could give them an advantage was welcome at that time—, but also great reluctance. Portugal had rejected this man's project, why should they accept?
"And..." One of the ministers addressed Columbus with a frown. "How do you know those lands exist?"
"I just know, sir."
"Oh. Then, if you say so..." The man ironized, turning around to look at his king and queen, with an expression of mockery.
"Solid proof would be desirable." Ferdinand agreed with his minister.
"I have been there, your Majesty." Columbus was forced to reveal. "Some years ago, I visited those lands in an expedition. That is why I am so sure that we shall find something there."
Spain took another bite to the apple he was eating, then glanced at Isabella and Ferdinand again. They were whispering into each other's ears.
"May I give my opinion, your majesties?" He asked aloud.
"Speak." Isabella nodded.
"This might be a great chance we can't miss. Asia has treasures that no European nation can reach after the Ottoman conquered Constantinople. And if we find those lands, we will have the chance to convert the people we find to the real faith. Also, think of he gold and spice. It would be useful to have those."
He smiled when he saw a frown in Ferdinand's face. That meant he was considering it seriously.
"But what if those lands do not exist?" He asked.
"Then what do we lose promising him a reward?" Spain replied.
That was a good question Ferdinand lost no time to ask.
"And what do you expect in return, mister Columbus?"
"The rank of Admiral of the Ocean Sea," The Genoese replied calmly, "the post of viceroy and governor of the lands we find, and ten percent of the proceeds."
Spain could have been tactless, but he expressed what everyone in the room felt when he whistled with his eyebrows arched.
"Maybe you would like me to give you my underwear and let you sleep in my bed too, sir?"
"I only request what I think is fair, taking into account the profit." Columbus replied with a frown.
There was a pause, Columbus gazed at the noblemen and the monarchs around him.
"I am fully aware that my project is very ambitious, but I only request you to trust me. If everything goes well, your glory will have no equal."
With a bow, he left the room, leaving a great impression.
"How dare he!" A fat nobleman exclaimed.
"Do not listen to such seller of chimeras, my lord and dame." Another one said to Isabella and Ferdinand. "He is surely a man who should be locked away in a madhouse."
"I have never heard such a foolish thing!"
Since the audience was over, the monarchs and Spain left the room and the three of them took a little walk around the galleries of the palace.
"I would like to hear your opinion, Spain."
Spain turned his head to the queen.
"Well...It sounds completely crazy. That's why I like it. We would only risk...what? Three, four ships? The world is very big. There may be things out there nobody has found yet."
"I know you would be very happy living the life of a sailor." Ferdinand smiled.
Isabella chuckled and caressed his chin affectionately, as she did with her own children. Spain responded taking her hand as they walked.
"Your opinion is very important to us." she said. "We shall consider Columbus' offer carefully."
"There are so many things we have to consider..." Ferdinand said.
"Well, if Aragon doesn't want to finance this adventure, Castile perhaps will.."
"Alright. I shall not interfere with your decisions, my dear. If that is your wish, Spain, to accompany Mr. Columbus if his plan is approved, you may go."
Spain stopped suddenly, making the monarchs chuckle.
"Wait. You said...?" Spain blinked with astonishment.
Ferdinand smiled and nodded.
"Go and explore those lands, if you are so eager to see new things and put your skills to work."
"Oh, Ferdinand, but...! Are you sure about it?"
"Granada is in our hands, and I don't want you to get bored in here. Do what you please."
His mother was as protective as his former mother, and Ferdinand was in a way like his old father, the one who dared to hit Rome in the head. He didn't agree on everything with his wife, either, and that included letting Spain explore, do potentially harmful things, so he knew to deal with them and stay away from danger. Probably he didn't believe in Columbus' crazy project, but he believed in him, and was surely sure that he could get a valuable lesson from this.
More than their subject, he felt like their son, and Spain never told them.