A/N: Hey! So, I've just started Spring Break, and will be at the writing like CRAZY now, so you can expect a new chapter soon.

Anonymous Reviewer- I totally understand if you don't like the name I've chosen for my OC, and it's completely alright for you to have your own opinion, but, by the way, Marina is not such a special name- my maternal grandmother is called Marina, and the name means, 'Of The Sea'. The sea also has a special connection with the story, so to speak.

Dianna Boleyn- I loved your reviews, and your defense of my character. It's great that someone is reading deeper into Marina's past life in France, and her mother, because it will have an important part to play. And as for your other comment, you are quite right- Marina is far too proud to agree to ever become Henry's mistress unless there are some really special circumstances involved, but she is, under all that hard faced façade of hers, simply a human being, with human emotions, and there is a lot of lust inside her, of which the Volta was a representation. She does, also have quite a history.

Kittenallie- Maybe not a rival mistress just yet, but trust me, Queen Kat won't go down without a fight!

Which brings me to say, that Katherine of Aragon is going to be pretty OOC in this story.. I didn't want it that way at first, but then, it's a fan fic, so things change! And also, in the show, they merged both of Henry's sisters, Mary and Margaret, into one, just Margaret, to avoid confusion or something, so that's what I'll do.. Let's just say that Princess Margaret married King James of Scotland, and had a son, and when her husband died, she returned to court and married Brandon. Her son is King of Scots. Anyway, enough of my annoying voice- on to the chapter. Also, I just wanted to let everyone know that the royal family is currently residing at Whitehall Palace.

Chapter Three

19th February, 1516

Wolfson Forest, Oxfordshire

Henry, King of England sighed as he stared at his reflection in the pool of water in front of him. It was one of the rare moments in which he was alone, no guards, no friends, no Katherine. Just him. Him and his thoughts, that was.

Katherine had given birth. Twins, they had said. Healthy twins, they had said. Or at least to Katherine. A boy, and a girl. Katherine had asked for the girl, who was truly a pink, healthy looking child, to be named Mary, after the blessed virgin. As for the boy, Katherine was told that he was weak, but sure to gain strength soon enough. But Henry had known better. After taking one look at the boy, who he had, upon hearing of his birth, called Henry, he knew, sure enough, that he was not likely to survive. He was pale, almost white, with sad, grey eyes, and he weighed as much as a bible. He had drawn Dr Linacre and the midwife to the side, and they had confirmed his suspicions.

"I am truly sorry, Your Majesty. The little Prince is too ill to live. I believe her Majesty very nearly fainted when she was delivering him, and, because of that, he must have been stuck in a part of the canal where he could not breathe for too long a time. That has, it seems, done severe damage to his lungs, and other systems. I am afraid that he shall not live longer than two weeks at the most."
"Is there really no chance for him to live Doctor?!" Asked Henry
"There may be, Your Majesty, but it will be a true miracle if His Highness recovers." Replied Dr Linacre, hoping to god that there was a chance.
"We have not told the Queen, Your Majesty", said Dr Linacre, "For Mistress Nollys and I both agree that it would damage her health very severely."

"Her health!" Henry had hissed. "Her health! Why should she be spared from knowing pain? The pain that I am feeling now- the pain that my poor son feels. Why? Why, when it is all her fault?!"

Before Dr Linacre could say anything, he had stormed off, banging the doors, leaving Katherine, who had previously been fussing over baby Harry, looking bewildered.

Henry shuddered as he remembered. That had been yesterday, and today, early in the morning, he had left for Oxford. He had to see her. To take his mind off of what was happening. He needed some manner of distraction. She would be alone, he knew, as her brothers and sisters were at court, and her father at Arundel.

It was midday, and he was about halfway to the castle, somewhere in the middle of Wolfson Forest, and, as his horse had been growing tired, he had decided to stop for a while and rest by the lake. He would be there soon- probably in time for luncheon. But for now, he had to think. But he just couldn't. His mind was far too clouded with sorrow.

A tear slid down his cheek, as he thought of his soon to be dead son.

The Apartments of the Queen of England

Katherine was lying back on her bed. She had just had Lady Maria de Salinas, now Willoughby and married to Baron Willoughby de Eresby, take Harry to his nursery. Harry was so weak. Such a poor, poor child. The doctors and midwives assured her that it was nothing; did they think she was some sort of fool? Her husband obviously knew. She could tell.

She had spoken to no one about her fears- not even Lady Willoughby. If baby Harry died, then she would have only Mary left. A living child, she would be, it was true, but a girl. Henry must detest her now, she knew it. It was her fault. Not entirely, but for the most.

She had truly tried to remain strong while delivering little Harry, but for a minute- just a minute, she had let herself go. She had almost blacked out. That was probably it.
She had heard the midwife whispering to Dr Linacre about breathing problems and such. But, she knew, if Harry died, then so did Henry's love for her. So did her title of Queen. So did Mary's prospects. Not that she cared much for those, anyway. She found it surprisingly hard to love Mary. It seemed that it was also partly Mary's fault for being so large while coming out, and tiring Katherine to the bone.

Anyway, knowing him, Henry was probably trying to have their marriage annulled already, and, if he did, then Mary would become a bastard, and Katherine would lose the title of Queen. That could not happen.

"Lady Willoughby!"
"Your Majesty" Said Lady Willoughby, appearing.
"Please, fetch me some of my parchment and a quill pen."
"Of course, Madam."
She handed Katherine a hard board, with a hole for ink, a piece of parchment, and a quill pen. Katherine dipped the pen into the ink, and began to write.

Charles, King of Spain

My dearest nephew,
I write to you now to ask you for your help. As I think you must have heard by now from your ambassadors, I have delivered twins, a daughter, Princess Mary, who is healthy and robust, and a son, Henry, who is, I fear, not so. He is, as assured by the midwives and doctors, going to die very soon, perhaps by the end of the month, perhaps even sooner. They have not told me this, obviously, but they have told the King. My son will, most likely, die. Unless god works a miracle. And when he does... when he does, I fear that the King will annul our marriage on some ground or another.

As you know, the King is loved by his Holiness, who will, rest assured, immediately grant the annulment. I beg of you, help me. I do not wish for you to harm his holiness, for that is a sin that only Satan would be able to commit, but, let my husband know, that if he makes a single move to annul our marriage, then there shall be dire consequences.

I care not for England. I had to pretend, but in truth it is just an ugly, grey little place with no charms and bad weather. And perhaps, if my daughter is one day crowned Queen, she could be wed to one of your own future sons..
Anyway, that is all there is to it. So, I beg of you, my beloved nephew, help me. Help your Aunt.

Catalina d'Aragona
Queen of England

Katherine waited until the ink dried, and then, after rolling up the parchment, she took the piece of purple ribbon that tied her hair, and tied it around the parchment. Then, she called Lady Willoughby to her bedside.

"Lady Willoughby. Take this letter to the Spanish Ambassador, and tell him to deliver it to the King of Spain. Tell no one, do you understand? No one, not even his Majesty."

"I understand completely, Madam."

The Rooms of Marina Howard
Wolfson Castle, Oxfordshire

Marina was lying back on her bed, fully clothed, thinking. It was around twelve in the afternoon, and luncheon would be served in about an hour. Not that she was particularly hungry.
Her thoughts were consumed not by want of food, but by a person. She could remember his hair, his face, his eyes, as they stared into hers.
"You're beautiful"
She remembered his words, and they made her spine tingle. No man had ever called her that before. Not that she had given them a chance, of course. She had put them off so greatly, been so cool and, seemingly (to the men at least), so rigid and prim, that they had given up on her. She had found Robert Lester easy to speak to, one could say. He seemed nice. She had been writing to him quite a bit, as she had been so very bored, but it did not seem to her as if her friendship with Robert Lester would evolve into something very intimate, at least not for her part.

But the King. Why could she not be rid of him? Her thoughts. She decided it was simply annoyance at his bumptious, cocky behavior that was keeping his face in her thoughts.

Her pondering was interrupted by her lady, Olivia.

"My lady! My lady!" Olivia shouted, as she came running into Marina's rooms.
"Olivia? Whatever is it?" Marina replied, startled.
"Oh, my lady Marina, it's the King! He's here!"
"The king? What in god's name is he doing here?"
"He said he was on a hunting trip, my lady, and he has decided to rest here for remainder of the day, and for tonight."
Marina's lips pressed together. A hunting trip indeed.

"I see. Olivia, go and have some rooms prepared for his Majesty. And tell Dianne- oh no she's out somewhere- tell Irene and Claudine to have my dining room prepared for luncheon. Send his Majesty to the Rose garden. I shall be there to greet him soon."

"My lady." And she departed hurriedly.

Marina stood, smoothed her gown, made of grey damask, put on a fur cloak, straightened the pearl diadem on her head, and made her way through the hall and down the wide, oak staircase, to the back gardens, and toward the lake.

Henry was there, pacing around the garden. He stopped as soon as he saw her. She came towards him. She bobbed a quick curtsey, and then walked right up to him.

He looked messy, rough. Handsome. Rather good looking, he was. She almost felt like being inviting. But she couldn't do that.

"Your Majesty."
"Lady Marina, forgive me, I really don't mean to-"
"What exactly is the meaning of this? I left court for a reason! I am afraid that Your Majesty cannot just arrive here unannounced when neither my brothers nor my father is here, and I-"

"My lady!" He interrupted. "My son is most likely going to die in a fortnight. And there is little chance for him to be saved ."
"Oh my god. I am so sorry Your Majesty."
"I came here because I needed to get away from it all for just a little while, and I thought that you wouldn't mind helping me with that. But I see now that I am not wanted, so I suppose I shall just go."

He moved to walk away.
"No. No, wait." She said. She caught onto his hand, and gripped it. She was surprised, as was he, but she more so, by what she had done.

"You may stay, Your Majesty. I will take you to the rooms prepared for you, and you can ready yourself for the noontide meal."
"Thank you, Lady Marina."

The Small Dining Room, Wolfson Castle

"His Majesty the King!" Called the guard at the door.
Henry entered, looking slightly less disheveled than he had looked when he arrived. Marina stood and curtsied. The King gestured for her to be seated, sat across from her, and Irene and Claudine brought in the food, and Olivia the wine.
The fire was roaring, for even though it was the afternoon, it was still cold, for it was only mid February. The ladies set the platters of roasted duck and potato on the table, and filled the glasses with red wine. Then, they stood at the ends of the room.
Henry said nothing for a few minutes. He began to eat.
"Exquisite food, lady Marina- you must give my compliments to the chef."
"Why thank you, Your Majesty- I am sure that my ladies can pass that message on." She gave an eye signal to Claudine, who, tactfully ordered everyone out, and followed them herself, closing the doors firmly behind her.

"I am so sorry about earlier, Your Majesty." Said Marina, feeling rather ashamed for once.

"It's perfectly alright. My situation is not the kind that you can guess easily.. And I didn't really give you the innocent impression when I.." He trailed off, looking apologetic.
Marina smiled at him, and chuckled lightly.
"What about The Queen? How is she?"
Henry's face darkened.

"Do not ask me about that woman and her feelings." He spat. "It is all her fault."
"What's her fault?"

"She let herself go for a few minutes, the child was stuck, and now his lungs aren't working. He will be dead by the end of the week, if not sooner. And it's all her fault. All of it. If she could just have been strong enough!"
"Now I don't think that's fair. Childbirth is very difficult." She said. Noticing that the King's wine glass was empty, she got up, and picked up the wine jug.
"And what would you know about childbirth, exactly?"
"Not very much, but I am woman." She replied, beginning to pour the wine.

"I just- I just don't understand what I have done? Why is god so angry with me. Why has he given me this life? Why do I have no living son? What did I ever do?" He seemed near tears. In that moment, he reminded Marina of a child, lost, confused, upset. Alone. Not quite sure of what she was doing, or why she was doing it, she put the jug down, and seated herself on the chair next to him.

"My poor, poor child. All of them. All those little Henrys who have died, suffered for some sin that I have committed."
"It is not your fault. You mustn't believe that it is. Please. Don't- don't drive yourself into self blame."
"Oh Marina. What will I do? I just can't bear it anymore. I can't go back there. I can't face Katherine. I can't face this." Suddenly, he made an abrupt movement, and clasped her hand.
She flinched, and he noticed, and pulled his hand away, or almost did, until Marina caught onto it.

"You need to face this. You can't run away from it. And you need to stop thinking that it is your fault! You are a good man. A good king. You need to start believing what others believe about you."
"Do they really believe it? Do they, or is everyone just putting on an act?"
"They do believe it. And you need to as well, or you'll just be miserable forever."
"I suppose. But Marina I've had a thought. What if I did do something? What if we did, me and Katherine. She was my brother's wife.."

"But the marriage was not consummated, surely, if the Pope gave a dispensation.."
"Yes, but that's the thing. What if it was consummated. The Pope wasn't to know, obviously. But if Katherine let everyone, including me believe that her union with my brother was a chaste one, and was not consummated, and it actually was, then we have been living in sin all this time.."

Marina snorted. "And why hasn't anyone pointed it out to you, exactly?"
"Out of love for their Queen. If Katherine and I have been living in sin, then suppose that this is a punishment. A punishment from god for what we have been doing these last six years. And maybe that is why we have had no living sons.."

Marina sighed. "I think that your Majesty needs a distraction."

Wolfson Forest, Oxfordshire

A few hours later, Henry and Marina were on their way back from their riding trip through the vast expanse of Wolfson Forest. Marina adored riding. It was something she enjoyed above most others. She loved streaking through the woods, the wind snapping at her face as she rode. Of course, this time hadn't gone so well. Henry, for his part, found her a brilliant rider. And he had had such a good time. But then things had gone awry.

They had walked on their horses through the woods,

He had said to her, as they mounted their horses, "You had better watch out my lady. I am, you'll find, an experienced rider."
"Are you then?"
"Yes. Very much."
"I see. Are you worried I won't be able to keep up with you?"
"Yes, I am rather. I don't want to lose you just yet."
"I don't think that you'll have to worry about having to lose me.. You'll have to find me first."

With that, with a cackle, she rode off, like a streak of lightning through the woods, and all Henry could see for a few seconds was the dust that she left in her wake. Then, as soon as he got over his shock, he kicked his horse, who galloped forward, and he chased after her.

"I'm coming to find you!" He shouted.
He heard her laugh, probably one of the few genuine ones that he's heard from her in a while. It sounded like the tinkling of silver bells, and it sent shivers through Henry's back.

It was coming from the woods. He kicked his horse to the side, and galloped into the forest. For around an hour, he kept catching glimpses of her chestnut brown hair, and quickened his pace, only to be outrun again. Then, finally, a few paces ahead of him, he caught a glimpse of her hair once again, before she galloped off. He quickened his pace, and in a matter of seconds, he was by the lake, and there she was, standing next to her dark grey stallion, gazing into the woods, obviously waiting for him to arrive.

"I've found you." Henry said, laughing, and jumping off his horse, and walking towards her.
"So you have. Well, you've found me quicker than anyone else Then she became more serious. "Most of them just give up after a while. They don't bother."

Henry's eyes turned soft. He came closer to her, until he was only a single pace away.
Then he looked at her.

"Perhaps that's because no one else wants to find you as much as I do."
She looked a little taken aback, but smiled, her eyes softening, and blushed very slightly.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Nothing, nothing. It's just.. It's just no one's ever said that to me before."
"First time for everything." He said, causing Marina to chuckle softly.
"Do you know how beautiful you look right now?" He said, reaching out to stroke his hand against her cheek. His face was now so close to hers, that she could feel his sweet, cool breath on her face, his eyes boring into hers.

She wanted so badly to give in to her overwhelming, just to lock her mouth with his, to stay by that lake forever, have him forever. It wasn't love, she knew, but it was something. Lust, perhaps. Sorrow for his loss. Loneliness on her own part.

Either way, she had led him on shamelessly. Men received wrong impressions on most occasions. She hadn't been able to control herself. When she'd let him hold her hand, when she'd let him stay in the first place.

If she let him get any closer, she wouldn't be able to control herself this time either.

She didn't want to love; she had been perfectly alright not loving up until now, why did it have to change? Why was this happening to her?

Why was she experiencing this feeling, this strange, strange feeling, that was making her face an emotion so potent that it was overwhelming, and all because of a man, who she had met all of two times, and had spent around five hours with in total. Even if he was the king.
Anyway, king or not, she could not let this man tear down everything she had built, because of her own emotions. It was out of the question.

It took every ounce of strength in her body not to kiss him then and there.

Then, she pulled her face away from his, letting his hand hang in mid air, and took a breath. Then, she looked down, and when she looked up again, she had regained her cool composure, and her hard, stone cold mask once again covered her face.

"I am afraid that I have given your Majesty the wrong impression. Do forgive me if that is the case." She said, in a flat tone.

Henry cursed at himself inside. Just as he had gotten her to let loose, he had overstepped the fine lines she had drawn and she had closed up again.

"We had better return, it's getting dark." Said Marina, seemingly speaking to no one in particular, and mounted her horse.

They had set off, and the ride was silent.

And now, they were almost back to the castle. As soon as they went in- through the back, and dropped their horses to the stable, Marina turned towards Henry.

"I hope your Majesty had an enjoyable day. I trust you shall be leaving in the morning?"
"Perhaps. Perhaps I shall stay a few more days. But I hope that I am welcome to dine with you this evening..?"
"Y-yes, of course, if your Majesty wishes."
"Thank you lady Marina. In that case, I shall go to my apartments now, to change."
"Lovely. I shall see you in the small dining room in around two hours or so."

23rd February, 1516
The Apartments of The Queen of England

Katherine was annoyed. Her husband had been away from the palace since the day after the twins were born. He had not come to see her before he left, nor had he sent her any message informing her of his departure. She had only found out in the evening, when she asked Lady Darrell where her husband was.

However, Lady Willoughby had told her that she had delivered her letter to the Spanish ambassador, who had sent it to her nephew King Charles immediately. The King was due to reply quite soon, probably by this evening, or tomorrow, the ambassador had told her through Lady Willoughby.

"Madam?" Said Lady Willoughby.
"Yes Maria?" Replied Katherine.
"The Spanish Ambassador is here to see you.."
"Ah, I see. Tell all the ladies that they are excused."

After all her ladies were gone, (something Katherine had to do each time the ambassador came to see her, just in case any of them were spies for the good Cardinal, who was, at the moment, ill).

Ambassador Mendoza entered, and bowed low to Katherine. Maria had left by this time, shutting the door softly. Katherine extended her hand for the Ambassador to kiss.

"Ambassador Mendoza."
"You Majesty. I must congratulate you on the birth of the Duke of Cornwall and Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary. And I offer my condolences in advance."
"So everyone knows, do they not?"
"Not exactly Madam. But I am very well informed. I sent your letter to the King immediately, and I have received a reply. Here it is." He said, handing her a rolled up piece of parchment.

She opened it up, and began to read.

Catalina d'Aragona
Queen of England

My beloved Aunt Catalina,
I shall, fear not my aunt, do whatever it takes to preserve your title, and your daughter's rights to the throne. Whatever is necessary shall be done. You should simply go about your daily duties, do whatever is needed of you, and I will make it clear to your husband that he will not find it in his own best interests, or those of his country, to try and annul your marriage.

Remain strong, my Aunt, and I shall protect you.

Charles V
King of Spain

Catherine smiled. Well, well, well. Henry was going to have a lot of trouble on his hands.

Well, that's it!
I know that Ambassador Mendoza actually came to England later on, but I messed around with it a little.
Next chapter- Things with Henry and Marina heat up a bit, Marina reveals a bit about her life as a child, and the Queen, lady Willoughby, and the Ambassador, get up to some plotting!

Read and review!

XX
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