AN: A continuation from part one this begins as Jane Semour is dying (3.4) as Henry has flashbacks concerning Mary, Jane and himself. Also thanks to Lady Eleanor Boleyn for pointing out a slight error in this, I did write this late at night though:D
Henry stared in horror at the pale figure lying on the bed.
She was as pale as death, and Henry knew that she had childbed fever, just as his mother had had before her.
This couldn't be happening, not again.
But it was.
It had been 2 years since Katharine had died and though Henry missed her everyday, since he had married the woman now lying on the bed, the hole in his heart had started to heal.
He had executed Anne after it became clear (or so he was told) that she was cheating on him with a numerous number of men, including her own brother!
Henry would never admit it to himself, but really, he just wanted to get her out of the way. Shortly after Katharine's death, mere months in fact, he had fallen in love again.
The lady in question was Jane Seymour. Though they were nothing alike in looks Jane and Katharine both shared the same religion, a deep sense of piety and overall a great affection for his daughter Mary.
Many people speculated that he had chosen her as his next wife because she was nothing like Anne, and while that was true, he loved her for her true self, as well as the fact that she was so much like Katharine, yet different.
She was perfect.
Despite his promises to his dying wife he had not yet reinstated his daughter to the succession, since Anne (who he discovered at the time was pregnant) would have thrown a fit.
Jane, however, loved Mary and was constantly urging him to reinstate her and give her back the title of Mary, Princess of England and Wales.
So soon after the marriage he announced to a shocked (yet pleased) court that he intended to reinstate Mary to the succession and revealed the promise that he had made to Katharine as well as Jane. Mary would be behind any sons that he and Jane had, but in front of any daughters, including Elizabeth.
Some people commented that it was cruel of the King not to reinstate Elizabeth to the succession, but they had to see it from his point of view.
His memories of Elizabeth's mother were still far too fresh and there was also the question of whether she was his, as well as the fact that Anne had become pregnant before her marriage(for lack of a better word).
Any doubts he may have had about his decision were swept away the moment he informed Mary of the news.
*Flashback*
The moment she became Queen, Jane insisted on meeting Mary and telling her the good news in was time, high time, for Mary to be reinstated to the succession.
Mary couldn't believe it when Lady Bryan had announced, like an echo of the year before, that her father, the King was coming to visit. Nobody knew exactly what was in store for her. She had hoped and prayed that since the dreadful day of her mothers death, that the King would keep his promise to her mother and reinstate her to the succession, but weeks passed and still, nothing.
She had all but lost hope.
Then her father and the new Queen Jane Seymour entered the room.
"Mary, dearest Mary. How I have missed you." Henry greeted his daughter warmly.
" May I present you to Her Majesty, Queen Jane" Mary curtsied deeply.
"Madam."
"Mary, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I'll leave you two alone to talk in private." Queen Jane kissed Mary on the cheek warmly before exiting the room.
"Sweetheart, I have some important news." Henry and Mary sat down.
" I want you to come back to court,I know this has been a longtime coming, but Jane has pesuaded me to reinstate you to the succession and I want all of England to know that you are the heir to the throne above all others. At least until my son is born." Henry amended. " It will take time but I fully intend to reconcile with the Catholic church. You see, it took your mother's death" Henry paused, emotion overtaking him. "It took your mother's death for me to realize that I made an extreme error all those years ago when I allowed myself to be seduced by that whore. I know that it may not make up for all my past mistakes, but can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?" Henry whispered the last part, trying not to cry.
Mary couldn't believe what she was hearing, her father intended to reinstate her to the succession, all the things she had longed for and dreamed, were at last coming true!
"My daughter…. The pearl of my world…. Princess Mary Tudor of England and Wales." Henry embraced his daughter.
Mary sighed with satisfaction, she was at last content.
*Flashback end*
Now the woman that was responsible for so much happiness in all of their lives was dying, and there was not one thing he could do to save her. Needing to distract himself from the awful sight of Jane lying there, he remembered when he had told the entire court.
*Flashback*
It was Christmas, the first happy Christmas that Mary had had in years. Even Elizabeth was there. Henry glanced at Jane and she nodded.
It was time.
The court became deadly quiet as the King began to speak.
" My Lords and Ladies, tonight I am pleased to announce something that is very dear to my heart. My fair Queen has persuaded me to do something for which I have wanted to do for years." He took Mary's hand and pulled her up to stand beside him.
" As all of you would know, for many years, my daughter has held the title of Lady Mary. Well tonight at Christmastide I say that this title shall be abolished! I have seen the light and I have decided to reinstate my daughter Mary's well deserved and rightful title of Princess of England and Wales! Furthermore, Princess Mary is to be declared as my legitimate and rightful heiress to the throne of England until the Queen and I have a son." There was a stunned silence for a moment then many of the court burst into shocked applause. Only a few faces such as Cromwell held a faint hint of worry. Even Elizabeth clapped, though she didn't understand what was going on.
The King held up his goblet. "To my daughter Mary, Princess of England and Wales."
" Princess Mary of England and Wales." The court obediently chorused.
Henry waited until the thunderous applause had died down before continuing.
" Also, thanks to the Queen, I have decided to pardon all the rebels from the Pilgrimage of Grace, because as of this moment forth England is officially Catholic!" More stunned silence before even more applause.
" Now eat, and celebrate this momentous occasion and a new beginning!" Henry roared.
While the rest were eating Henry summoned Ambassador Chaypuys.
"Your Majesties." Mr. Chapuys grinned, " Princess Mary." He acknowledged her with a deep bow and turned to Elizabeth. "Lady Elizabeth." His bow was much shallower this time. Elizabeth frowned; she didn't like this at all.
" Ambassador Chaypuys, you will inform Emperor Charles of my return to Rome and the true faith, as well as the restoration of Princess Mary to her rightful position, also, convey my warmest greetings to the Pope and tell him I will soon be issuing a proclamation informing all my subjects of my decision."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Chaypuys bowed, although privately he thought that although the King said this today, he could easily change his mind the next. As though he knew what he was thinking, Henry also added. " I will also be signing a document, in front of witnesses that announces the legitimacy of Princess Mary, now and always, as well as my everlasting loyalty to Rome."
Chaypuys only just managed to stop his mouth from falling open, as others came up to congratulate the Princess.
*Flashback end*
Jane was the one who had reconciled them, and Henry thanked God for it everyday. Not only that but she had given him the son he had wanted for so long, and yet she was to soon forfeit her own life.
He had a son.
But, he realized, that he would have much rather of had a daughter, as long as Jane lived.
She had to live.
As he knelt down by the bed, he noticed that her eyes had stopped fluttering and she had grown still.
Another Queen lost.
" Jane…. Don't leave me…. Please" he begged her. "Just because you have done everything that you've promised…. Don't leave me… how will I survive without you? How will Mary survive without you? I love you." He broke down into sobs, and couldn't help but remember just a few short years ago, how he had once knelt at Katharine's bedside.
He had done his best to make things right, he had repaired the estrangement between himself and Rome, as well as legitimated his daughter again.
Why was God still punishing him?
"Maybe", Henry reflected, "It is too little, too late."
His heart was broken again for the second time.