Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors or any of its characters. Also I do not own Mary, mine is loosely based on that actual Mary Tudor, Henry's little sister who did in fact marry Charles Brandon. On the show they combined his two sisters.
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Mary had ended up setting the rabbit free not very long after her late night encounter with her brother's best friend Charles Brandon in the hallway. In a way she was sad, she liked taking care of the little rabbit, but she knew it wasn't meant to live inside her room, especially when you travel to and forth to the different courts.
It had rained all night through into the morning, which in turn caused many of Mary's ladies to be very groggy, since the thunder had kept them up most of the night. But that wasn't the same story but Mary, she loved rain. She felt it so soothing in a way. She was sitting by her window in her sitting room just staring at the drops sliding down her window, as her ladies slowly worked on their needle work. They would be moving to the Richmond Palace soon, and Mary was quite content, it was her favorite as a child.
A knock came at the door, but Mary did not move her eyes from the window. A knock came again before one of the ladies answered it. "My Lady.. He has something for you"
"Who?" Mary turned and looked at the door seeing a squire, "What do you have for me?"
"A present my lady." He bowed quickly then took a step in, a moment later a little puppy came waddling in.
The ladies all started to talk, "look!"
"Awe it's precious my lady!"
Mary's eyes instantly lit up as she got up from her position by the window and went to pick up the small dog, "he is so adorable.. Who is he from boy?"
"Master Brandon My lady.." the boy stood there awkwardly, he had to be just a year or so younger than the princess age wise. "He would like to know if you accept his gift"
"Brandon" Mary whispered to herself as she lifted the dog and looked into his face. The dog just stared at her for a moment before licking her face causing her to chuckle, "Cute is he not?" she looked back at the boy, "Thank you. You can tell Master Brandon I accept his gracious gift" The boy nodded and bowed, then quickly left the room.
Rosaline came next to Mary and slowly stroked the dog, "He is quite adorable my lady.. Should you have accepted it?"
Mary turned and looked at her friend, "There was no reason not to. Master Brandon's intentions are honorable. He knew I was needing to give up the rabbit so he got me something that would be able to stand being inside and up for traveling.."
"Oh" Was all Rosaline could spit out, "You must thank him then"
"Later. First I must name this adorable creature" she lifted it up, and both her and Rosaline stared at the dog trying to think up a name for it.
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Brandon was thrilled that she had decided to accept his gift, but he knew not to express his happiness in front of the young messenger he had deliver in in the first place. He had many reasons to be happy though, the king was granting him with the title Duke of Suffolk. Charles had tried to tell Henry it was too much, that all he needed was his friendship. But Henry insisted, and Charles would become the Duke of Suffolk.
"And what that Brandon you shall find many ladies to your liking" he smirked, "not that you do not have enough chasing you as it is, but perhaps you are still trying to find someone to catch your heart Charles" Henry started to laugh, soon Anthony Knivert and William Compton followed.
Charles just shook his head, "it was just rubbish talk Henry, you know me"
"I do indeed" Henry stood up and walked over to his friend, "That is why I trust you very much, and I know you would never do anything to ruin our friendship"
"Of course not. I am loyal to you my grace"
"I am glad, because I have a great favor to ask of you" Henry placed his hand on his friend's shoulder and motion for them to take a walk. "As you know we will be moving the court to Richmond soon"
Charles nodded, "Yes"
"My sister Mary is leaving at once and will stay there for a while until I and the rest of the court arrive. And I Would greatly appreciate it if you would escort my sister on her journey.."
"Of course your grace, I would be honored"
Henry smiled widely, "I am glad you feel that way. And I know you and Mary usually do not see eye to eye, but I trust you will keep her safe"
"Of course"
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It was not a very long journey, but it was a journey none the less. Henry wanted to make sure that his favorite sister was in good hands, hence in his deciding that Charles would escort her on the journey. The ride was pleasant and Mary found herself listening to the idle chatter of the men outside her carriage. Most of their talk involved around ladies at court, it was disgusting the things they said. She found herself wondering if any man was truly faithful this their wives? She had heard her father never looked at another woman besides her mother. She knew Henry had a wandering eye, and it was rumored that Bessie Blount was his latest conquest. It made her wonder about her departed brother Arthur? She highly doubted he would have ever been unfaithful to Catherine for their brief marriage. Mary had heard whispers that they had never even consummated their marriage; in fear of it harming Arthur's weakened health.
"You look deep in thought my lady" Mary turned to see Charles Brandon riding next to her carriage at the same pace. She couldn't deny that he looked quite handsome, especially the way the sun shone on his face, "What troubles you?"
"Nothing that which I should speak of" Mary whispered only loud enough for him to hear.
Charles raised his eyebrow and smiled, "I see, well your whispers are safe with me"
"That may be, but perhaps they should not be whispered at all Master Brandon" Mary sighed, but soon began to smile when her dog came and jumped up onto her lap, "I never got to thank you for your gracious gift"
"So I take it that you like him?" Charles asked with a smile as he ruffled the dog's head.
"Very much so. Thank you Charles"
"The pleasure is mine Lady Mary. Have you named him yet?"
Mary nodded, "Edward, after my grandfather"
"A very strong name"
Edward started to bark and whimper, he obviously needed to relieve himself, "Oh Edward! You cannot relieve yourself in the carriage"
Charles pulled on the reigns of his horse, "Stop!" he called out, "the Princess's dog needs to relieve himself" The progression came to a half and Mary emerged from the carriage with little Edward in tow. "You there," he called out to a young squire, "Take the dog and make sure he does his business"
"I am very capable of walking my own dog Master Brandon" Mary turned and looked up at him.
"But my lady…"
She stared at him sternly as she cut off his sentence, "I will do it myself I said… come Edward" she walked away and ended up following Edward to a spot by a muddy pond. After a moment of sniffing he finally relieved himself. And just as they were about to head back to the carriage Edward begun to growl. Mary turned and looked down, she could not help but chuckle, "It is just a little squirrel Edward. Let us return" but the dog did not listen. He began to chase the small animal, and soon they started to circle around Mary. "Edward no. Edward stop. Edward!" she lost her balance and fell toward the pond. "CHARLES!"
Charles quickly dismounted his horse and ran toward where Mary yelled his name from, afraid that something had happened. When he got there he stopped dead in his tracks and smirked at the scene before him. Edward was chasing the squirrel around, while Mary sat in the pond covered in mud, "Mary?" he tried not to laugh.
"This is not amusing sir!"
Charles approached Mary and pulled her up and out of the pond, "I am sorry lady Mary. It is just…"
"Just what Charles?" she placed her hands on her hips and glared at him, "Do you find it amusing that I fell into the mud!?"
Charles' face was growing red from trying to contain his laughter, "no my lady" he shook his head. "I am sorry Mary, but it is quite amusing"
"Well I hope you enjoy it very much" She put out her hands and pushed him into the pond, but she did not realize he would pull him with her. "CHARLES!"
They sat there for a few moments, Charles laughing, and Mary with her arms crossed scowling at him. "Oh Mary, you cannot not laugh"
She tried to bite her lip, but it did not work, she slowly started to join him in his laughter, "Charles we are covered in mud! How are we to continue traveling in our state?"
"It will be fine" he laughed louder, "See Mary, we can get along"
Mary just looked down and tried not to blush, this was the most fun she had in quite awhile. And the last person she expected to share it with was Charles Brandon.
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Once they arrived at Richmond Palace, Mary was quickly whisked away and bathed. Many of her ladies were appalled that she chose to stay in her muddy clothes for the remainder of the day along with Charles Brandon. They were not quite sure how Brandon had ended up in the mud as well, he just said he slipped trying to pull the princess out, but the ladies suspected something else.
The days quickly passed, and the court was anticipating the arrival of the King and Queen. Yet Charles had no idea when they would come, something seemed to be delaying the king. He had caught himself staring at the princess Mary many times through the days. At dinner, when she sat outside playing with Edward, even when they would pass each other by.
He had spotted Mary that day outside sitting under a tree with a book in her hands, and Edward's head in her lap. She decided to take this opportunity to approach her. "Good day Lady Mary"
Mary did not bother looking up from her book, "good day Master Brandon. How is Richmond Palace treating you?"
"Quite well. It has always been my favorite"
"Good to hear. Are the ladies to your liking?" she knew she should not have spoken that way to him, but she was protecting herself.
"I only see one lady I would enjoy the company of, and know that it will never be" he admitted sadly, which caused Mary to finally look up.
"Too bad," she sighed and tried to speak sternly, "Perhaps one of Catherine's ladies will be better to your liking"
"Mary why are you so stubborn!"
"Because I am Charles," she put the book down and started to stroke Edward's head, "What other way should I be? I need to be stubborn in order to keep myself safe.. If I am too vulnerable I could open up my heart to someone and get it crushed when I must marry who my brother pleases. So Stubborn I shall stay"
Charles ran his hand through his short locks and nodded, "Are you looking forward to your brother's arrival?"
Mary nodded, "Very much. Yet I thought he would have arrived by now, perhaps something has kept him. Have you heard anything from him?"
Charles shook his head, "I have not, but I believe he shall arrive any day.." he held out his arm, "care to join me for a walk my lady?"
"if I must.." she stood up and took his arm. Charles reached out and snatched her book out of her grasp, and held it as they walked. "You never did tell me those whispers you should not speak of"
"That is precisely why I did not Master Brandon. It was just foolish thoughts"
"Were they now?"
She sighed, "I was thinking about men and if they are ever truly faithful to their wives. I know my father was. I know my brother is not.. And then I thought of Arthur, of course he was. And then I wondered did Catherine really love him? I heard that they became great companions and cared for each other deeply. Yet if that is so, how did she end up marrying my brother. I do know she loves Henry, but can you truly love another after being in love once? Can you truly let yourself marrying your loves younger brother" she shook her head, "it is just rubbish thoughts in my head"
"It is not rubbish thoughts Mary. They are your thoughts. I do believe the queen cared a great deal for your brother Arthur, but they did not have long enough to be together. And Henry made her feel the same way, but deeper…"
Mary nodded, "I guess. Why are you even talking to me Charles? I am just a child?"
"Mary you stopped being a child a very long time ago.. I want you to know I am sorry if I am ever rude to you"
Mary stopped walking and began to laugh, "You? I treat you like the devil Brandon, but that is perhaps I am fond of you, like I am my brother. That I perhaps think of you as another brother"
Charles nodded, "I am glad you think of me as so"
They stood there facing each other, her arm draped through his, "Charles, have you…" but they were interrupted by the barking of Edward.
They both turned to see a young messenger standing not too far away, "I have a message from the king"
Charles let Mary's arm fall and went toward the messenger, "give it here" he took the letter and read it over, "Your brother has been delayed longer than he anticipated, they will not join us for a another week or so" he turned to look at Mary, "There is a chance the queen may be with child"
"Child?" Mary's eyes lit up, "oh Charles this is such good news" she walked toward him and grabbed the letter from him.
"We must pray that she is, and that it is a boy"
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Was Catherine actually with child? Henry hoped so. He had heard from Bessie Blount that the Catherine had taken to her bed, but she showed no signs of her monthly courses. Henry had gone to visit her, and he had to admit she had a soft glow to her, perhaps she was? He had visited her chambers a few weeks before, so it would be sensible that she was carrying his child. And hopefully this one would be a boy, an heir to the English throne!
He had delayed the court going to Richmond for a while, in hopes to find out if Catherine was truly with child. Yet also for another reason, he was trying to find a suitable bridegroom for his dearest sister Mary. He wanted her to be a queen as Margaret had become. Perhaps he would send her to France? He would take his time to decide. As for right now all he wished for was that Catherine was pregnant with a boy, and that he would live.
"Please god, Let Catherine be with child. Please let it be the heir we so need" Henry whispered.
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A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I hope you continue to read. Historically Charles and Mary are my favorite. And I love Henry Cavill who plays Charles on the tudors. I won't update again until I get some reviews so R/R guys.