Chapter 15

And here's another chapter! I am going to keep this introduction short, but here are some highlights of the recent going on in the story. First, unfortunately Queen Katherine is dying and Isabella will get to say goodbye to her mother. She and King Harry see each other for the first time in over a decade in this chapter and it does get interesting. Also, we saw that Queen Maria of Portugal is struggling with the Succession, just like her late father did. Since King Harry has six children, Isabella isn't a Queen and Elizabeth is still very young for childbearing, I think Mary would be the one worried about more children as soon as possible. Elizabeth's unborn child name and gender is still up for debate, so please drop suggestions. Well, here's chapter 15!

July 26, 1550

Richmond Palace

King Henry's Privy Chamber

Harry was waiting on the arrival of his sister and had an angry look upon his face. He did not want to see Isabella, after she made the horrible scandal a decade ago. He was happy that Queen Juana had watched her these last few years and he had to admit, he was very criss to how his sister was.

Christina and Edmund had recently returned to Court and was waiting with him.

Christina touched her nephew's shoulder.

"You mustn't worry yourself about this. She is only your sister." she said, gently

Harry turned toward her.

"The same sister who all of Christendom considers a Great Whore. She made her bed and now she must lie in it. I'm just glad that the betrothals I made for my daughters were not tarnished because of her." he said.

Edmund shook his head.

"Even still, she is your sister and a member of this family and you both are about to experience a horrible tragedy together. You may never see Mary or Elizabeth again. Use this visit as an opportunity to accept your mother's impending death together." he advised.

Suddenly, the herald called out:

"HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCESS ISABELLA AND ANDRES DE CABRERA, MARQUESS OF MOYA! "

Isabella walked in with her husband and was soon face to face with her brother. Henry had to admit that Isabella was still the same in looks. Out if his sisters, he thought Mary was more beautiful, until Elizabeth fully mature. Isabella still carried beauty with her. Her long auburn hair was pinned up in a bun and under a veil, that was red in color, along with her gown. Despite being forty years old and having endured eight pregnancies, she had a very nice figure. Despite no longer being a Queen, she walked into the room with dignity and pride. Her husband had the traditional Spanish look to him: Dark hair and olive skin, but he was handsome and Isabella seemed happy with him.

Isabella and Andres bowed to him.

"Your Majesty." they said.

Harry stoop up and stared at Isabella. He couldn't help but feel anger and shame looking at her.

"You all are excused, except for Princess Isabella. I like to be left alone with her." he said coldly.

Christina and Edmund walked over to Andres.

Christina smiled at him.

"Come, let's get you all settled in and I'm sure you are hungry." she said, as they left the room.

Finally, Harry and Isabella were all alone. They stared at each other.

Isabella cleared her throat.

"I expected to see the Queen. Is she unavailable?" she asked, nicely.

Harry walked back to his chair.

"Queen Anne is recovering from giving birth to our sixth child, Princess Margaret." he said.

Isabella smiled.

"Congratulations. Father would be pleased that you secured the Succession. Will I get to see the baby Princess?" she asked.

Harry glared at her.

"You're supposed to be here to see our dying mother, not my children." he said coldly.

Isabella sighed.

"I see that you still hate me." she said sadly.

Harry laughed.

"You put our family to shame. You're lucky the Pope didn't excommunicate, due to you wanting to just do what you want. Father had a good marriage for you. You would have been an Italian Duchess and probably would have had a healthy family. Maybe your daughter would have been legitimate and had a good chance at a good marriage." he said.

Isabella frowned.

"She was betrothed to the Prince of Portugal for several years. She will make a wonderful marriage one day. I just hope that she has better fortune than I did." she said.

Harry scoffed.

"Really? Like disobeying her parents and illegally marrying a man just for title and status? Do you not see that you ruined your daughter's life? She cannot inherit ANY throne, because she is of illegitimate birth. You're the only Princess alive today who has a bastard child. Congratulations, dear sister." he said.

Isabella glared at him.

"I am happily married to a man, who loves Maria like his own daughter. We will make sure she makes a good marriage." she said.

Harry scoffed.

"Just make sure the Pope actually approves of the marriages you arrange. I don't think our dynasty can handle further scandal. You don't know how disgusted I was to hear that you made our sister, Mary, suffer the way she did seven years ago. You should be ashamed of yourself. Regardless to what you felt for the late King Diego, she is your sister and you made her and her family suffer, when you knew that you were wrong. You are a terrible sister." He said harshly.

Isabella glared.

"I'm a terrible sister? You are the one who's throwing insults at me, when our poor mother is dying upstairs." she said

Harry walked up to her.

"Don't act concerned about our mother's health now. Not after all the grief you bestowed upon her and our late father!" he said.

Isabella laughed.

"Our father? Please, he never cared for me. He resented me and cared nothing for me. He took my daughter from me and let her die in France. Mary and Elizabeth have good marriages, but I had to marry someone of my own choosing and I'm glad he didn't have a say in it. If I had returned to England, I would be in the Tower for all of my days." she said.

Harry smirked.

"You in the Tower is tempting, but nonetheless you are my sister and I'm not cruel. Let's go and see Mother. But I warn you, any nonsense or disrespect and there will be consequences." he warned.

Isabella scoffed.

"Look at how my life was before I married Andres. Your threats are nothing like that. Now, may I please go see our mother?" she asked.

Harry nodded.

"The Guards will show you the way. I would prefer you see her alone." he said.

Isabella nodded and left her brother's sight.


Dowager Queen Katherine's Bedchamber

Katherine was sitting in a chair, with a nice warm robe wrapped around her, to keep her warm. Even though it was summer, she was complaining of chest pains and chills. Today was actually a good day for her. She wasn't in much pain, but she was weak.

Lady Darrell walked in and smiled at her.

"Are you well, Your Majesty?" she asked.

Katherine nodded.

"For now, yes. I know I still don't have much time left, but God is merciful enough to give me this extra strength today." she said.

Lady Darrell smiled and nodded.

"That he is, Your Majesty." she said.

Katherine looked out of the window.

"How is the Queen? Has she been churched yet?" she asked.

Lady Darrell shook her head.

"No, Your Majesty. She hasn't emerged yet from confinement, however I heard the birth went well. However, she wanted to be sure that she wasn't going to become ill." she said.

Katherine nodded. She had been in confinement so many times and knew that danger could continue even after childbed. She prayed daily for Anne.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Lady Darrell looked at Katherine.

"Were you expecting anyone, Your Majesty?" she asked.

Katherine shook her head.

Lady Darrell walked to the door and opened the door and let out a surprised gasp.

Before Katherine could ask who was there, a woman walked in and gave Katherine the shock of her life. It was her eldest daughter, Isabella.

Katherine stood up, slowly.

"Isabella? Is that really you?" she asked.

Isabella had tears develop in her eyes and nodded her head.

"Yes, Mother. It's me." she said.

Katherine enveloped her in a hug and began to cry. She never thought this day would come.

Isabella took a look at her mother, ignoring the heat radiating from her frail body. She was just happy to see her mother again.

"I am just so happy to see you again, Mother." she said.

Katherine touched her face.

"As am I." she said.


July 28, 1550

Lisbon Palace, Lisbon, Portugal

Queen Maria of Portugal's Bedchamber

Mary was doing some sewing. She had a lot on her mind. Between her mother's illness and Infanta Cristina's sudden fevers, she was stressed and sewing and prayer relaxed her. She also was sorely disappointed that she was not pregnant again. She had given birth nearly seven months ago and she and Carlos had intercourse frequently and she was still not pregnant again. She knew she could still bear children, but now it was taking longer.

Then, she heard a knock at her door.

She looked up.

"Come in." she said.

Her sister-in-law, Infanta Isabel, walked and smiled at her.

"How are you, dear sister?" she asked.

Mary took a deep sigh.

"Just trying to conceive again is proving to be rather difficult this time." she said.

Isabel sighed. She didn't understand why Mary was putting so much pressure on herself to produce a second son, when Portugal's future was secure in Infante Duarte. He was eleven years old now and very healthy. In a few years, he would be married and would be able to have heirs of his own.

"Maria, I do not understand. You cannot keep pressuring yourself to keep conceiving. Especially at your age." she said.

Mary turned to her, in anger.

"How can you say that? You just announced your newest pregnancy and you are just a year younger than me." she said.

Isabel put her hand on her midsection. She was nearly four months pregnant with her eighth child.

"Yes, but there is no pressure on me. You have to come to terms that you may not have anymore children." she said.

Mary became angry again.

"Don't you think I know that, Isabel? Do you know what it's like, being told that it is your job to produce sons for your husband and feeling the disappointment when the midwife says it's a daughter? Also, your mother produced many sons and daughters for your father. My mother failed many times. I'm just like her. She only had one living son and that's what I have. I don't want to be seen as a failure." she said.

Isabel sat Mary down.

"You are not a failure and neither is your mother. You both have four beautiful children and need to thank Go0d for them every day. Yes, I gave birth to seven healthy children and with God's mercy, I will bring this new child into the world safely as well, but if I hadn't, I would still thank Him for whatever I was blessed with. You need to be as well." she said.

Mary had tears develop in her eyes.

"I am grateful. I love Duarte and my daughters. I just don't want to be the reason a dynasty falls apart." she said.

Isabel smiled.

"You wont be. Now, if it's God's will for more children to come, then it will happen on it's accord. Just please stop stressing yourself. Now, how is your cycles?" she asked.

Mary sighed.

"They are very painful. I do not know why, but they have always been like that. Sometimes I even skip a moth or two and then they resume. That's why it is hard for me to conceive sometimes." she said.

Isabel gasped.

"I had no idea. Have you talked to your physician?" she asked.

Mary shook her head.

"No. I do not want the Court to know that I am having women's problems, that could affect the future. The only one who knows are Carlos and one of my maids." she said.

Isabel sighed.

"What about Dr. Baquis? Maybe he can do something. You had Infanta Cristina just fine under his care and advisement." she said.

Mary smiled.

"I'm not pregnant. I think you need him more than I do." she said, with a smile.

Isabel laughed.

"So how are things with your family? I heard that your mother is ill." she said.

Mary nodded.

"Yes, but I know she will recover." she said.

Isabel smiled.

"I am glad that you do know that.' she said.

Mary nodded.

"I do. I really do." she said.


August 2, 1550

Alcazar of Seville

Seville, Castile, Spain

Infante Luis of Castile and Aragon's Bedchambers

Luis was writing a letter to his mother. She decided to stay away from Court, with his younger sister. He had to travel all over Castile, since he was the Prince of Asturias and was now expecting an heir of his own.

A guard appeared at the door.

"Alteza, The Princess of Asturias is here to see you. She says it is urgent." he said.

Luis smiled and moved his letter to the side.

"Send her in at once." he said.

A few moments later Elizabeth walked in. She had a small bump in her midsection and was dressed in a dark green gown and had her brown hair down her back, curled. Luis was admiring her.

She smiled.

"What are you staring at?" she asked.

Luis stood up.

"My beautiful wife. How are you feeling, sweetheart?" he asked.

Elizabeth put a hand on her small swollen bump.

"The dizziness and morning sickness has finally stopped. I feel so much better. I came to see you about the child." she said.

Luis got a concerned look on his face.

"Is something wrong with the baby?" he asked.

Elizabeth shook her head.

"No, nothing like that. The Queen is trying to betroth our child to an Archduchess of Austria, if it's a boy." she said.

Luis looked confused.

"Do you have a problem with Austria?" he asked.

Elizabeth shook her head.

"No. I just don't think it is wise to betroth our child to anyone when we don't know the sex and when the child hasn't even quickened yet." she said.

Luis sighed.

"I see your point, but you have to understand that she is looking after our child's well-being." he said.

Elizabeth nodded.

"And I love Aunt Juana for it, however, this child could very well be a girl and no one is preparing for that." she said.

Luis smiled and hugged her.

"Don't worry. I don't mind if the baby is a boy or a girl." he said.

Elizabeth nodded.

"And neither do I. I do not care if we never have a son." she said.

Luis looked at her, confused.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

Elizabeth sighed and walked over to a nearby window.

"I have watched my sisters fall apart over not having a ship of sons. Aunt Juana has governed Castile and Aragon for many years now. If we have all daughters, all we have to do is find our eldest daughter a good husband as her consort." she said.

Luis smiled.

"I agree with you. I will not pressure you for sons." he asked.

Elizabeth sighed, in relief.

"Thank God." she said.

Luis walked over to her.

"Is that what has been bothering you?" he asked.

Elizabeth nodded.

"I didn't expect to become with child this early in our marriage. I thought it would take some time." she said.

Luis smirked.

"Well, we spent a lot of time in the bedchamber, so I knew it wouldn't take too long." he joked.

Elizabeth blushed.

"No need to be vulgar, Luis. I know we were intimate a lot. However, my family history just gave me the impression that it would take long." she said.

Luis looked at her.

"What history?" he asked.

Elizabeth took a breath.

"My mother lost five children before my birth, my sister Isabella lost five children and My sister, the Queen of Portugal lost a son in childbirth five years ago. I am scared that I will have the same luck as them." she said.

Luis looked at his wife, with pity.

"I understand your fear, Mi Amor. However, you cant compare yourselves to them. You are your own person." he said.

Elizabeth kissed Luis on his lips.

"Thank you so much, sweetheart." she said.

Luis smirked again.

"The only bad thing about you being with child is that I can't enjoy attempting to make it happen." he said, slyly.

Elizabeth laughed.

"Well, that is our job. We have to have progeny." she said.

Luis nodded.

"That's true and I cannot wait until the nursery is full of our beautiful children, but I would also love to enjoy my wife. I know that it is wrong, but I love you and I want to express it and not always with the consequence of children." he admitted.

Elizabeth opened her eyes, in shock.

"I'm your wife and I will not deny you what will make you happy, but promise that you will do your best to be a good Christian man and King." she said.

Luis nodded.

"I promise." he said.


August 7, 1550

Richmond Palace

Dowager Queen Katherine's Bedchambers

Katherine's condition had been up and down. Isabella refused to leave her mother's side. She had even begun to look after her mother. There were moments, when Katherine would talk to her daughter on end. But now, her condition had turned very critical. She had horrible pains in her chest and stomach and was sometimes delirious from her high fever.

Katherine looked up at Isabella.

"Sweetheart, I need to speak to your brother and the priest. I know my time isn't long on this Earth." she said.

Isabella shook her head.

"No. Please Mother. You cant die. Please." she said.

Katherine took several deep breaths.

"We can't deny it anymore. That is why you are here." she said.

Isabella began to cry.

"But you are you are my mother. I can't lose you." she said.

Katherine touched her hand.

"I know, Mi hija. However, God has the last say." she said.

Isabella began to cry.

"I wish I hadn't come. I haven't seen you in many years. Now, you are just going to die. I can't bear this." she said.


Later that evening...

Katherine had finally received her Last Rites and made her final Confession. She was barely breathing and was lying in her bed, resting. King Harry and Isabella were by her side, as Katherine's maids and some clergymen prayed in the room.

Isabella walked closer to her mother. Katherine opened her eyes and looked at her children, mainly Isabella.

Katherine took Isabella's hand.

"Isabella, please do well in this life. You have been troubled. I worry for you, dear daughter. I leave this world knowing you will be a wonderful woman." she said.

Isabella smiled, with tears coming down her face.

Katherine smiled at Harry.

"My darling son. I am so proud of you. You have been a wonderful King. I thank God for allowing me to do my duty." she said.

Harry smiled.

"Mother, you are a wonderful woman and England shall miss you." he said, trying to hold back tears.

Katherine began to breath heavily.

"Tibi, Domine, commendo spiritum meum" she said.

Suddenly, Katherine took a raspy breath and was silent.

Isabella let out a sob. Harry let a few tears fall from his eyes and made the sign of the Cross, while looking at his mother's lifeless body.

Lady Elizabeth Darrell, Katherine's most faithful maid, began to sob and cried near Katherine's bedside, after she closed her eyes for the final time.

Harry looked at the physician.

"Do a post mortem on the Dowager Queen." he said, before leaving her chambers.


Queen Anne of England's Bedchamber

Anne was in her bed, resting in a chair. She was finally going to be churched soon, but she still preferred to stay in her chambers. She really missed her darling husband and hoped he came to see her soon.

Her maid, Lady Margery, came in.

"Your Majesty, are you quite well?" she asked.

Anne nodded and smiled.

"Of course I am." she replied.

Margery smiled and left the room.

Suddenly, King Harry walked in and Margery bowed.

Anne smiled.

"Harry, you came to see me. Please, tell me how the baby is doing." she said.

Harry had tears down his eyes.

Anne stood up.

"Is something wrong with Margaret?" she asked.

Harry shook his head.

"No, it's my mother." he said.

Anne opened her eyes, in shock.

"No. Is she...?"

Harry nodded.

"Yes. She's dead." he said.

Suddenly, he broke down and collapsed into Anne's arms. She began to sooth him and rub his back. She knew that he really loved his late mother.

Harry continued to cry.

"I should've took better care of her." he cried.

Anne had tears form in her eyes.

"She will be greatly missed, sweetheart." she said.

A/N Well, there it is. Katherine of Aragon has died. I t was hard, but it was time for her to leave. I know her death scene was not as magnanimous as King Henry VIII, but I know every one is looking forward to the future. Now, a scandal is coming up in the next chapter, regarding Katherine's death. I want to see what everyone thinks will happen. Also, I am still taking name and gender selections of Luis and Elizabeth's unborn child [due January 1551]. Also, marriage ideas for Infante Duarte, because I don't think that Isabella's daughter, Maria, will marry Duarte. Please Review! Chapter 16 coming soon!