Title: Joint Wives
Author: PrinceBrennonTudor
Summary: What would have happened if someone made it their mission to save Anne and told Henry just to have two wives? What would happen to England with two royal wives? Will there ever be an heir?
Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors, but the story idea is mine, along with any characters not in the show.
A/N: I am so sorry I haven't updated in a while, school is getting so crazy and being that it's my senior year, I am trying not to fail. So you guys know the routine Please review! And without further a due chapter 14 of Joint Wives.
Chapter 14
18th May, 1537
Whitehall palace
She loved him. Princess Mary may not know a lot about intimate matters, but she knew she loved him. Prince Philip has been at court for two weeks and Mary couldn't imagine going a day in her life without being at his side. Philip made the days feel like they had no end. He made her feel like she have no care in the world, like she didn't have to worry that her place in the succession was not secured and that, at the age of twenty-one she was considered to be a spinster. Mary knew she wanted to marry him but she was sure, her father would never allow it. Even though her father had come up with the idea of Philip coming to court Mary was sure that since Philip was a Lutheran, her father wouldn't allow a marriage to happen. But never the less Philip insisted on talking to her father and asking him for his permission. That is why Mary stood outside her father's throne room, preparing herself for heartbreak.
The door flew open and Philip walked out, his face showed no expression all he did was take her hands into his and whispered, "Your father wishes to see you." Mary let go of Philip's hands and walked through the throne room doors. Her father sat on his throne. He wore the same expression that Philip wore. Mary approached the throne and curtsied deeply; She didn't not rise to she was ordered to by Henry.
"So Mary, you would like to marry Philip of Bavaria?'" Her father inquired in a neutral tone.
The air around Mary felt tense, but she held her stance. "Yes, father. I want to marry him. I love him"
Silence fell upon them, for what felt like an eternality. Finally King Henry stepped off his throne and approached Mary. She ready to drop into another curtsey, but before she had the chance, her father grabbed her up and pulled her into a deep hug. There were tears in his eyes when he realized Mary. "Of course you can marry him Mary. I can see that he truly loves you."
They both just stood there hugging each other. Tears spilled from both their eyes and the years of anger, they both felt for each other slipped away and were replaced with the love of a father and daughter.
22TH May, 1537
The Lady of England's Apartments
Jane sat at her window seat with her daughter in her arms, this little beautiful bundle of joy that she help to create. As the bright sunlight, warmed their skin, Jane felt such a connection with her daughter Cecelia. As Jane looked down at her daughter, her heart broke. Today she would have to relinquish control of her daughter to Lady Bryan, for today all the younger royal children would be sent to Hatfield palace. Princess Elizabeth who has been Lady Bryan's charge since she was a baby was given a new governess. Katherine Champernowne, who has told the child to call her Kat, has already bounded with the princess and was just like a second mother to the child. Unlike Jane who has nearly been married to Henry for a year, but no matter how hard she tried to befriend her, Elizabeth put up her natural defenses against Jane.
Jane sat in the window seat, when there was a knock on the door. Jane nodded to Lady Missleton, who opened the door and announced the visitor. "Your Majesty, Lord Beauchamp is here." Jane stood and handed Princess Cecelia to her nurse. She smoothed down out the wrinkles in her light blue silk gown.
Edward Seymour bowed and kissed his sister's hand. "Brother what brings you here," Jane asked.
Edward looked around uncomfortably. He hated being the one to bring women, news he knew would sadden them. He could only hope Jane wouldn't start to cry. He definitely couldn't deal with a woman's tears. "I have been ordered by the king to bring you down to the courtyard to see the children off."
"W-what," Jane stammered?
Edward still looking uncomfortable answered. "It's time for Cecelia to leave. The king and queen are already in the courtyard waiting. Jane just continued to stare at her brother, and for a moment Edward thought his sister was struck dumb. But just as quickly Jane recovered.
"Very well, I will carry the princess myself." Jane turned to the nurse and took Cecelia from her. Jane headed towards the door then Edward and the nurse followed closely behind. As they walked down the great staircase towards the courtyard Jane struggled to hold back the tears. The courtiers watch Jane and whispered as she passed. Jane kept her head high and tried her best to ignore them. When they finally reached the court yard, Henry and Anne, where hugging Elizabeth goodbye and giving Arthur a final kiss before handing him to his nurse.
How can she just willing give her babies away to be raised by other people without protesting? Jane wondered truly believing Anne was a heartless woman. Henry and Anne turned to see Jane enter the courtyard, and as Jane drew closer to the two, she could see tears in Anne's eyes. She didn't want to give up her new babies to nurses. Anne wanted what Jane wanted, to be able to be a real mother to her child, to be able to wake up every morning and to pick up her child, to be able to feed them with their own breast, instead of leaving that to other women. And for the first since Jane met Anne, she felt a connection with her.
"Jane, sweetheart," Henry said as he kissed Jane softly on the lips. Then he took Cecelia from Jane arms and settled her into the crook of his arms. "She will be a great beauty on day. Just like her mother." Jane smiled at that. Henry walked over to Lady Bryan who was waiting with a nurse to take Cecelia. Henry placed the now squirming princess into the nurse's arms. Jane reached out and gripped Henry's arms, as if to say let her stay. But it was all in vain. All too soon the infant prince and princesses were all put into one carriage with their nurses and Elizabeth was placed in another carriage. And with a signal from the king, the carriages started to move, and then they were gone.
Later that day
The Queen's Apartments
"Oh Mary, that gown suits you perfectly," Anne said as she watch her stepdaughter get fitted for her wedding dress. Mary stood in front of the big mirror Anne had in her room. The gown was white and gold silk and trimmed with pearls. She was a vision of purity in her gown. Jane who was also here to give advice sat on the other side the mirror, looking through color samples. She has been mostly quiet during the fitting and Anne could tell Jane missed her daughter terribly. But that's why Anne was doing this, so Jane and she could have detraction, but Jane continued to mope and there was nothing Anne could do.
Mary on the other hand for once didn't seem to notice Jane's mood. She just kept smiling, and couldn't believe that she was going to be a bride to such a handsome prince. And Mary was thankful that when Philip's father, King Rupert having agreed that Mary and Philip could marry in a catholic ceremony in England on condition that a Lutheran ceremony took place once they went to Bavaria. Mary who at first hesitated to participate in a Lutheran ceremony agreed and since there was tolerance in Bavaria she knew she could practice her religion in peace, and there was an agreement that any of Mary and Philip's children would have the right to pick their religion as long as all the other country men had freedom could also choose theirs.
All of a sudden there a commotion as Madge Shelton or she was now known as Lady Norris since she had been married for two weeks, can in her hastily and bowed, "Your Majesties, Your Highness, His Majesty the King," Henry rushed pass Madge and ignored all the curtsies and whispers about how improper it was for a man to be at a woman's fitting. Henry stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of his daughter. She was a vision of beauty; she looked so much like her mother, when she was younger. Then it dawned on Henry that in five days his oldest child would be married and soon after that be leaving England and him probably forever. Henry gave and Anne and Jane quick a kiss.
"Oh Mary, you look beautiful." Henry said as he gave his daughter a hug and kiss.
"Thank you father," Mary said. Mary turned Away from Henry so he could see the tears in his eyes. Henry saw this and could tell Mary was having the same thoughts in her minds. They all sat in silence for a moment before Henry spoke.
"Well, I will leave it to you ladies." He the bowed to his daughter and wives turned and walked out of the room in a flurry of curtsies.
Jane stood and started to head towards the door. "I'm feeling n tired so I'm going to lie down for a little bit." Jane walked towards her room and she dismissed her women, lay down on her bed and cried her heart out for her daughter.
27th May, 1537
Chapel Royal
As Mary walked down the aisle toward Philip her heart thudding aloud, she was sure she would pass out before she reached him. But she felt the steady grip of her father's had as he guided her down the aisle, she knew that she would be fine, and that everything would be fine. As they approached Philip Henry turned Mary towards him and as she started to curtsey, he snatched her up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. The he placed Mary's hand into Philip's and backed walked to where Anne and Jane stood. Anne who was wearing a gown of cloth of gold took Henry's hand into hers as they slightly trembled with emotion and Jane whispered into his ear that this was a good thing for Mary and it that no matter what Mary will always be his pearl.
Mary stood next to Philip with and repeated the wedding vows. Her voiced trembled as she made final promise to him. Philip in turn made his vows and placed the ruby and diamond ring on Mary's finger, making her officially his wife. Finally they were announced man and wife and Philip kissed Mary sweet but passionately and little Princess Elizabeth, who was a flower girl started to cheer. After the ceremony the court sat down to a lavish feast. The Crown Prince and Princess of Bavaria were given their own dais and even served before the king and his wives.
Mary and Philip lead the court in multiple dances after dinner including the Volta. Mary never felt happier. When she looked into her husband's she felt for the first time the love of a man that was entirely hers. Finally around midnight Philip and Mary retired together for the first of many times.
A/N: So, I felt so happy to finally finish this chapter because I really wanted a happy ending for Mary. Sorry about not a lot of Private Henry and his wives action but next chapter there will be. So I will try to update faster for chapter 15 and in the next chapter will we will be hearing some special news. So till then I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please, please review.
T.B.C