Chapter 8

Well, another day another chapter lol. I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. I won't give the plot away, but we have many things coming up. In this chapter, we will several things. Each Royal Family has their own conflicts going on in this chapter and there will be good news coming in this Chapter. But, enough of my rambling. We will be picking up in early May 1549. Please enjoy Chapter 8 and don't forget to Read and Review!

May 5, 1549

Hampton Court

King Henry's Privy Chambers

Harry and his Council were looking at the betrothal for Princess Elizabeth and Infante Luis, Prince of Asturias. Everyone knew time was running out and that both of the them would be turning sixteen years old soon, which is when the martinis supposed to take place.

Edmund Tudor looked at his nephew.

"Your Majesty, the betrothal is clear. Princess Elizabeth must depart for Spain when she reaches sixteen years of age to marry the heir to the Spanish Throne. " he said.

Harry nodded.

"I understand and I have every intention of fulfilling that betrothal. It's a good match. It will do England good to have one of its Princesses as Queen of Spain. However, she is also my sister and I will not risk her life. Spain and France are at war and a future Spanish Princess with a large dowry on the sea would be a sitting target to the French. " he said.

The other Councilmen nodded and began to murmur amongst themselves.

Henry Grey, the husband of Catherine Grey, cleared his throat.

"Your Majesty, we could always cancel the Spanish marriage. Princess Elizabeth could marry a Frenchman, that way she would be safe." he said.

Harry shook his head.

"No. I'm not sending Elizabeth to that snake pit. She's going to Spain and that's my final decision. Now, all we have to do is figure out how to send her safely." he said.

Edmund Tudor lifted his head.

"What about Portugal?" he said.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"We already have an alliance with Portugal. My sister, Mary, is Queen there now. Anyway, their son is too young for Elizabeth." he said.

Edmund shook his head.

"No, Your Majesty. I do not mean an alliance with Portugal, but we could send the Princess to Portugal, she could take refuge with King Carlos and Queen Mary and then continue to Spain by land." he said.

Harry nodded.

"That may work, but the problem is that the last time I wrote my sister, Mary, they were still in Africa on expedition. There's no telling when they will return. My cousin, Infanta Beatriz of Portugal, is regent of the country. However, I am willing to try it." he said.

Harry turned toward his notary.

"Write a letter to the Portuguese King and see if he will allow Princess Elizabeth to seek refuge there, until the Spanish war is finally over." he ordered.

The young notarty nodded and left to write the letter.


Hatfield House

Dowager Queen Katherine's Bedchambers

Katherine was lying in bed, as her physician examined her. She has been feeling very ill and weaker than usual. Sometimes her chest was hurting so bad, that she was sometimes confined to bed. Finally, the pain was just do unbearable, that Lady Darrell had to call the physician.

The physician cleared his throat.

"How often do you feel these pains, Your Majesty?" he asked.

Katherine took several breaths, before speaking.

"Every now and then. Some days I have the energy to get up and actually move around, but other days the pain is unbearable and I must stay in bed. I try not to complain much, but my Ladies are making a fuss over it." she said.

The Physician turned and looked at her.

"Your Majesty, I am concerned about these pains you are feeling. They are occurring around your heart. You are over sixty of age. It could be just the natural feeling, but I want you to pay attention to these pains and if they occur, please let me know. I am going to make you a tonic I want you to take three times a day. It will strengthen your heart. I will show your maid, Lady Darrell, how to make it. " he said.

Katherine nodded her head and gave a weak smile.

"Thank you so much, Doctor. God bless you." she said.

The physician smiled at the former Queen. Despite the fact that there was a new Queen, Katherine was still important to the Country. She was still their Queen and they loved her.

Suddenly, Elizabeth Darrell walked in and immediately went to her mistress.

"Are the pains still ailing you, Your Majesty?" she asked, worriedly.

Katherine shook her head.

"Not as much as they were. Thank you for calling the Physician. I simply want to rest. Is there something else I can do for you?" she asked.

Lady Darrell shook her head and smiled at Katherine.

"No, Your Majesty. Please get some rest." she said, as she covered Katherine with a thick blanket.

Katherine smiled and drifted to sleep.


May 11, 1549

Bahia Palace, Morocco, Africa

The Courtyard

Mary was really enjoying the beauty of Morocco. It was completely different from Portugal, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. The Moroccan people were hesitant to accept their presence, since the Portuguese were all Christians. However, there were certain things that Mary enjoyed about the Moroccan culture. She enjoyed the fashion and the art. The Palace they were currently in was so beautiful, with it's courtyard and an actual fountain. She also enjoyed the kindness of the Moroccan maids who tended her.

One of them, Fatima, walked up to her.

"My Lady, it is becoming too hot. Why don't we go back inside?" she suggested.

Mary looked at the young former Muslim girl and smiled.

"Very well. I believe you are right. I was not ready for Morocco's weather. I've been feeling dizzy and sick to my stomach for a few days now." she said.

Fatima looked at her new Mistress, with concern.

"Are you ill? Should I summon physician or apothecary?" she asked.

Mary shook her head.

"No, I am sure it is nothing. I am just hot." she said.

Suddenly, the women heard heavy footsteps. They all turned and came face to face with King Carlos. He was dresses in magnificent dark green clothes with his crown planted firmly on his head.

Mary smiled.

"Sweetheart." she said, as she kissed his cheek.

Carlos returned her kiss.

"I'm sorry to disturb your walk, but the baptismal is going to take placed in the Chapel now. I wanted us to be present." he said.

Mary nodded.

"Of course I will accompany you there. We can go now, if you like." she said.

Carlos extended his hand.

"Of course, darling." he said.

Mary took his hand and they began to walk toward the room that they used in the Palace as a chapel.


Carlos, Mary and the rest of their Portuguese subjects that accompanied them on their journey watched as some of the Moroccan people, who were born Muslims, renounced their faith and chose to be baptized as Christian. Unlike their ancestors, Carlos and Mary did not want to come into a strange land and control their religion. They offered the choice of converting and the decision was left up to the individual. After being baptized, they were given a Christian name.

A young man, whose name was Ahmed, stood forward and let the Priest pour water over his head.

Carlos looked at Mary. She didn't look well. She was looking pale and profusely sweating.

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" he asked.

Mary nodded her head.

"Yes, I'm fine. You shouldn't be talking during Mass." she said.

Carlos smiled and nodded.

"Very well." he said.

After the baptismal, all of the converts stood in front of Carlos and Mary.

Carlos stood up.

"Good Christian people, you have all been baptized in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. You are therefore welcomed into his House and family. I hope that you all will go out into the world and spread the news about him. I am not your leader and you are not my subjects, but you will always be in my prayers and thoughts. God bless you all." he said, as he took Mary's hand and departed from the Chapel.


King Carlos' Bedchamber

Carlos, Mary and his sister, Infanta Isabel, we're enjoying a quiet, private meal together. Carlos was celebrating the fact that he had, once again, found great wealth in his expedition to Africa. Now, successfully had a trade, so he wouldn't have to always travel far.

Isabel smiled at her elder brother.

"I am so proud of you, brother. You are accomplishing so much more than any of our brothers did and you've only been King for six years. The Lord has truly blessed your Reign." she said, as she sipped her goblet of wine.

Carlos smiled back.

"I haven't done anything, without the Lord guiding my way." he said.

Mary took his hand in hers.

"I thank him that he has blessed you so well, sweetheart." she said.

Carlos gripped her hand.

"You becoming my wife was one of those blessings." he said.

Mary began to blush. She was amazed that after fourteen years of marriage, Carlos could still make her blush so heavily.

"You're too kind, Carlos." she said.

Isabel smiled at the sight of her brother and sister-in-law being so in love after a long time. Their marriage was a true love match, just like her very own.

"So, now that Africa was such a success, what will be your next move, brother?" she asked.

Carlos took a sip of wine and looked at his sister. Mary stood up, to stand by the window to watch the sunset.

"Well, I want to set my eyes on Asia. I have seen and heard such beautiful things about that country. I don't know if I will personally make a journey that far, but I could send envoys there. I'm also thinking of sending explorers to the New World. I want to claim more territories and with God on our side, I am sure we can accomplish that goal and spread the True Faith, without spilling more blood." he said.

Suddenly, Mary let out a loud gasp. Carlos and Isabel looked in her direction.

"What's wrong, darling?" Carlos asked, in concern.

Mary pointed toward something on the floor. It was a smear of blood.

"The maids must have forgotten to clean something. Maybe a mouse was killed in here or something." she concluded.

Isabel let her hand over her mouth and turned very pale.

Maria... I'm sorry...but the blood is yours." she said.

Mary gave her a puzzled look, but she looked down and the blood was coming from her. She slightly pulled her gown up and the blood was slowly dripping down her legs.

She looked up at her husband and sister-in-law.

"Oh, my God." she said.

Isabel stood up.

"I'll go find the physician." she said, as she ran from the room.

Carlos went over to Mary.

"It's alright, sweetheart. You'll be fine." he said soothingly to her.

All of a sudden, Mary collapsed in his arms.


One Hour Later...

Carlos and Isabel stood outside of Carlos' Bedchamber, while the physician examined Mary. Carlos was pacing back and forth, anxious with worry. He couldn't get the sight of his wife fainting out of his head. He was just praying that she was not seriously ill. This had never happened to her before.

Finally, the physician walked out.

Carlos walked up to him.

"How is my wife? May I see her?" he asked.

The physician nodded and stood aside.

Carlos rushed in and saw Mary sitting up in his bed. Her dark auburn hair was let down and she finally had more color in her cheeks. He rushed over to her and kissed her forehead.

"Maria, I was so worried about you. Are you alright?" he asked.

Mary smiled and nodded.

"I am more than alright, Carlos. I'm with child. Finally, my womb carries another child of yours." she said.

Carlos had a smiled break across his face, as he hugged her. He let her go and looked at her.

"But what about the bleeding? You've never done that in any of your other pregnancies." he said.

The physician cleared his throat.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty, but sometimes bleeding in the early days of being with child is normal. As far as I can tell, the unborn child that slumbers in the Queen's womb is healthy. She will be brought to childbed in January, which is in eight months." he said in a very deep voice.

Carlos nodded.

"You will be greatly rewarded for your efforts. I would like if you attend the Queen during our stay here in Morocco." he said.

The Physician nodded his head.

Carlos turned back toward Mary and kissed her again.

"I love you so much. Another beautiful child that the Lord is blessing us with. I pray that he or she is as beautiful as you." her said.

Mary smiled and caressed his face.

"I pray that our child looks like you more. I shall make a pilgrimage when we return to Portugal to pray for a healthy son." she said.

Carlos gave her a soft, but firm look.

"Our child may very well be another daughter and we will love her just like her sisters. It is up to the Lord to decide upon the sex of our child and he is discreet in these affairs. The only thing I want is for our child to be healthy and you to survive the birth. I will ask for nothing more." he said.

Mary nodded.

"You're right. I just want our child healthy. Boy or girl, this child will be greatly loved." she said.


May 19, 1549

Aljaferia Palace, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain

Queen Juana's Privy Chamber

Queen Juana and Charles, the Holy Roman Emperor were waiting to negotiate with the French Army General. Juana was totally against negotiating with the French. To her, they were her enemy.

Charles looked at his mother and noticed her stoic expression.

"Mother, please straighten your face. We're the Monarchs of Spain. Do we want to leave the impression that Spain's Queen is an unforgiving woman?" he asked.

Juana looked at her son.

"I do not care what these people think. They have never liked us and I will not make friends with my enemies. However, I am willing to listen to reason, so that this war can end and we can finish these wedding preparations for Luis." she said.

Charles nodded his head, not willing to argue with his mother. She was nearly seventy years old and when her mind was made up, there was no changing it at all.

Finally, the French General walked in and bowed to Juana and Charles.

"Your Majesties." he said, in his native tongue.

Juana, who was fluent in several different languages, including French, stood up and held out her hand.

"You are most welcome here in Aragon." she said, also in French.

Charles gestured to a chair.

"Please have a seat and hopefully we will agree on peace to end this bloody war." he said.

The French nodded and sat down.

"My lord, the King of France hates this war. It troubles him to be at war with another Christian Kingdom and not to mention that it is very expensive to fight this war. We have an offer that will bring peace to our realms." he said, with a smile at Queen Juana.

Juana cleared her throat.

"What does the French King propose?" she asked.

The General handed her a document.

"We will all cease this pointless battle on two conditions: You will surrender the city of Roussillion and all of its properties to my King and also your granddaughter, Infanta Lilliana, will be betrothed to the Dauphin and will depart for Paris immediately. My King believes his son deserves a beautiful, Spanish bride." he said, with a grin.

Before Charles could speak, Juana slammed the document on the table.

"No. Absolutely not." she said.

The French General looked at her, in shock.

"No? What is it that you are object to exactly, Your Majesty?" he asked.

Juana glared at him.

"This entire nonsense. Roussillion is my city. My father fought for it forty-five years ago and his efforts will not be in vain. Also, I absolutely refuse to send my granddaughter to France and marry anyone there. Your King is mad if he thinks that his son will have a Spanish Infanta as his future bride." she said.

The General frowned at her.

"The Infanta is being offered a golden future. She could become a future Queen of France. " he said.

Juana smirked at the younger man.

"You are mistaken. The honor is to refuse the offer that inclines that my precious granddaughter lay down with a common dog and give birth to his pups for the rest of her life." she said.

The Frenchman stood to his feet, in anger.

"I will not have you insulting my King in my presence." he bitterly said.

Queen Juana, despite her age, also stood to her feet.

"I do not have you in chains, although the thought is very beautiful to me. I am not forcing you to stay here. You may leave my presence, as I insult your King, as I speak nothing, but the truth." she said.

The Frenchman leaned forward on the table.

"If I leave this place without peace and the betrothal of the Infanta, the war will continue." he said.

Juana also leaned forward.

"So be it. I'm Queen Juana of Castle and Aragon. God guided me to this Throne and as long as he gives me breath, I will defend it at all cost. I will not cede any power to your King and that is final." she said.

The General turned and left.

Charles stood and turned to his mother.

"Mother, why didn't you take the offer? Lilliana is nearly sixteen years old and she should be married. I am not crazy about the French either, but I could love to see one of my daughters become Queen. Adriana is the Queen Consort of Naples, why can't Lilliana become the Queen of France? " he asked.

Juana looked at her son.

"My father fought to keep Roussillion, while my mother lay dying in Castile. I will not have his efforts be in vain. I will also not have your daughter married to our enemy. We will continue to fight and I have a better match for Lilliana." she said.

Charles looked at her, in confusion.

"Where is the eligible candidate?" he asked.

Juana smiled.

"England. I want her to marry Prince William." she said.

Charles shook his head.

"That's not possible and you know it. He's betrothed to the Queen of Scotland." he said.

Juana smirked.

"There are two things to consider. The Scots Queen is not even six years old. She still has ten years before she can even safely bare children. Lilliana is already a young woman and I guarantee that once my nephew sees the dowry that we will provide, I'm sure that he will not refuse."she said.

Charles nodded.

"Very well. However, I am sure it can wait. We still have a war to win." he said.

Juana sat down.

"That will not be a hard task at all." she said.

A/N Another Chapter down! I hope you all enjoyed the events that took place. Before I conclude, I just want to explain some historical significance. The city of Roussillion, which is in France today, was once apart of Spain and Ferdinand of Aragon did fight the French for it in 1504. Also, how do you guys feel about Prince William's betrothal? Who should he marry? Also, another Portuguese Infanta or Infante is on the way! As we approach the 1550s, many things will come to pass, but I will not spoil them. Thank you all for reading. Please Read and Review! Chapter 9 will be up soon. Also, thanks for the birthday wishes. This coming Wednesday is the big day :)