I don't own Tudors.
Prologue
King Henry VIII has been grieving his third wife, Jane Seymour who had passed away after delivering a son, Edward.
Now they believed it was time to give him a new wife.
Yes, he has a son now, but England is still worrying that if something would to happen to his son then England will have no heir again.
Now he has his best men to find him a new wife.
Henry lays his head as he dreams of a time he was young and happy.
Memories/dreamlike
Henry was attending the "Field of Cloth of Gold". He noticed a young girl of age nine looking at the horse that he brought from England.
She isn't a peasant girl, but judging by her clothes she is either noble-born or a knight's daughter. 'Ah, looks like my horse as an admirer.' The King thought as he watches the little lady give his horse more apples.
"My lady," His voice startled her as she looked down to the ground as she fear she is in trouble.
"Oh, you are not in trouble." He gestures kindly as the little girl looks up. She is freckle faces as she has fuzzy brown hair. She doesn't a word as she shyly looked at his boots.
"In fact, you seemed to help my servants put him in a better mood." She look up again when he said those words.
She smiled and nodded agreeing with him.
"You like horses, don't you?" Henry questioned her.
"Yes, sir." She happily replied. "My father is a duke, and he breeds the best horse in the lands."
"Really?" He is intrigued as she announced that she is the daughter of the duke. "The very best."
"Of course, how else can France ride our horses well." Henry paused a bit as he did notice that King Francis's horse does look like a fine breed for war.
"And your father is?"
"Cosimo Medici, Duke of Nemours, and a lady is Jean de Orleans cousin to his majesty King Francis. I am the only daughter. My name is Marguerite de Medici at your service, sir." She gave a light curtsy.
Henry laughed and gave a bow.
"A pleasure my lady." He kisses her on her hand.
The dream ended as Henry startled awake.
He had almost forgotten about that year. That little girl who was always fascinated by horses and would love to breed beautiful ones.
Henry decided to see if she is still alive.
At the meeting with Thomas Cromwell, Henry had woman portraits.
Anne Bassett, Elisabeth Brooke, Lady Lucy Somerset, and Christina of Denmark.
Henry looked at the women, but he is wondering about one person.
"There is someone had in mind." Thomas Cromwell looked at the king. "Your majesty?"
"Can you find this person of interest called Lady Marguerite de Medici?" Henry looked at Cromwell who look startled and simply bowed his head.
"Yes, your majesty."
Henry would have to wait and be patient if chances are that she is married, widowed, or dead.
Days came and salvation smiled upon Henry.
"Lady Marguerite De Medici had married twice by proxy. Her first husband was fourteen, Charles duke of Valois who died and they never consume their marriage since she was nine years old. Her second was the Italian lord name Reginald de Medici who was older in his forties she married him when she was nineteen as they came from the same grandfather to inherit his lands in Normandy. She became the Duchess of Normandy as Reginald became the Duke."
"Any children from the marriage?" Henry is curious.
"Sadly, her husband couldn't perform because he was away in the war and suffered illness in his leg. She became devoted to nursing him and taking care of their estate. Nevertheless, she was taking care of her stepson, Giuliano De Medici who was ten as they shared a close relationship as the mother to son. When Reginald died two years later, Lady Marguerite had taken regency for her stepson until he is of age. She fought and brought able men to protect Lord Giuliano's inheritance and themselves from others. She brokers an arranged marriage with her stepson's new bride who is the great-daughter of Emperor princess Joanna of Aragon. Hence, bringing an alliance in protecting her husband's lands and family." Thomas finished his report.
Henry is puzzled and thought about the hardship that she endures. Marriages by proxy are not all rare, but in lady Marguerite's case, she did her duty as a wife to take care of her husband and be a dutiful wife to their needs.
"Send the proposal to Normandy. I wished to have her hand in marriage." Henry order Cromwell.
Normandy
Giuliano is not pleased with this. The King of England is asking. No demanding that his lady stepmother is wedded and will be crowned queen of England.
He looked outside where his lady stepmother is holding a court with ladies enjoying the sun and warmth here in his lands.
"My love," his wife started it out.
"No." Giuliano rebukes it.
"My master wished to have Lady Marguerite's portrait."
"So, to match his vanity and gluttony of her virtues." Giuliano knew that his lady stepmother is young and beautiful. Men still wished to marry her during her regency but refused for Giuliano was young and still need her protection.
The English messenger then replied, "No, my lord. But we should discuss this with Lady Marguerite's presence."
Giuliano heaved his breath and waved to his servant. "Bring in my lady stepmother." The servant bowed and went to do what his master bid.
Giuliano waited as his wife Joanna looked between the two men.
The servant announced his stepmother's presence.
Lady Marguerite is indeed a beauty. Her caramel shines with its long curls and her blue-grey eyes, show a tan that makes her exotic and wide hips for birthing. She dressed in an Italian fashion dress.
"My lady," The English messenger bowed to her.
"My Lord," Lady Marguerite gave him a deep elegant curtsy.
"You have come from England."
"Yes, my lady. My master King Henry Viii wished to propose to be his wife and queen of England."
Giuliano added, "The Same King who divorced his first wife, beheaded his second one and the one who died." Giuliano always had a bad temper when it comes to outsiders who dared to try and court his lady stepmother.
The English man rebutted, "It is the will of God."
Giuliano would have yelled but his lady mother stopped them both.
"If it is the will of God, would his majesty be pleased with me? Why would he like the portrait of myself if I know not of his?" Marguerite questioned him.
"Why of course, for you are beautiful."
"But is that all he wished?" Her words silenced the messenger. Lady Marguerite looked walked towards the table where she pluck a few sugar grapes.
What seems a moment she turns and said, "Tell the King that if God wills him to marry me then I will happily accept the decision once he sees my portrait, but first have him write a letter for I wished to know him in return."
ENGLAND
King Henry looked at Lady Marguerite's portrait. She is beautiful as she wears her Italian dress with flowers of rose all around.
"Tell me what you think of her?" The King caresses the portrait. Thomas Cromwell admits that she is beautiful and strong.
"A fine woman. If the pictures do not lie."
The English messenger replies, "She is a strong will, firm even. Since it looks like Lord Giuliano has quite a temper if no her ladyship interferences."
Henry nodded and said, "You call it strong will. I say she is confident."
"She relies on a message, if God wills him to marry me then I will happily accept the decisions once he sees my portrait, but first have him write a letter for I wished to know him in return."
Thomas looked a way of defiance, "A bit disrespectful of that woman. Her family is nothing more than Bank people who upstart on their position with royal bloodlines."
"A family that has risen to one of the most powerful in all of Europe," Henry corrected Cromwell.
Henry didn't reply as he stare at the portrait.
"Very well, I will write her a letter to know who I am."
He stated that he send the letter to Lady Marguerite in shown history museum.
"My dear lady Marguerite de Medici,
You showed such strength and upheld faith that God deliver you from your tragedies. I know that you may not remember me, for I am that knight of horse whom you devoted your time as a child. I recalled your courageous smile that shines my glooming days. Now I see as there is still that spark that made my heart so warm. I would to feel your strength to protect my kingdom as you protected your beloved spouse's legacy.
My lady, I wished to shield you and protect you as you would in return.
I would gladly lay down my arms and kneel before thee.
A maiden who defends me honor and legacy of England.
I would so desire to have thee as my wife and queen.
Please read my letter and pray that I would have no other but you.
HENRY R
She read his letter and prayed in the chapel.
Until the seventh day of March, Marguerite de Medici was no more than 28 years old when she accepted the king's proposal as his wife and queen consort to King Henry VIII.
All of England as well as Normandy rang church bells for all the world to hear that he has chosen Marguerite de Medici as queen.
In later history, she will be known as the Medici Queen.
Her battle and wit will keep her well in court.
Reviews are welcome.
Next Chapter, England ships came to bring Marguerite De Medici to the wedding. Henry and Marguerite De Medici meet face to face. A wedding of the century.