A/N:- I hope that you all enjoy this chapter. I know that I have enjoyed writing it. I will admit that the first two scenes are from "Elizabeth" which was released in 1998. The rest, however, is of my own making. I used the two scenes from Elizabeth, as it will begin to put things into play and can move my plot along. I do not own The Tudors, history, or anyone you recognise. Only the Princes and Princesses, and their cousins, etc, are mine. Nothing more. Some of these sections are short, but that is what makes them work best, I feel.
18th October 1551: London, The Thames, outside Whitehall Palace, England
While Kat Ashley, Blanche Parry and Lady Catherine Grey played cards at the end of the boat, Robert reclined by his wife's side. Both He and Elizabeth had golden masks on long thin golden stick handles. They were reclined on a large pile of pillows. Robert sat up, and moved forward a bit, holding the mask to his chin. Elizabeth watched him, and he began to speak "My true love..." He began, returning to his wife's side "...has my heart, and I have hers. My heart, in me, keeps her and me in one." He reclined onto his back, and raised a hand into the air "My heart in her. Her thoughts and senses, guided." He placed the hand elegantly to his chest "She loves my heart..." Elizabeth gave a small laugh and Robert extended a finger "...for once, it was her own," He placed the finger onto Elizabeth's skin, right where her heart was. He rested his head just above her breasts "I cherish hers." He looked up to her, and she looked up to down to him "Because in me, it bides."
Elizabeth raised the mask again. Robert spoke, on last sentence "My true love has my heart," He placed his hand to the side of the golden mask "and I have hers." Elizabeth removed the mask again, and a firework, from the edge of the Thames, shot into the air. Francis Walsingham was stood on the bank.
"Are you going to betroth Bessie to the Duke of Orléans?" Both Elizabeth and Robert gave a small laugh and Elizabeth sighed "On a nght such as this, could a woman say no to her daughter's betrothal?" Robert smiled "On a night such as this, could a Queen say no?"
"Does not a Queen sit under the same stars as any other woman?" Elizabeth asked, and Robert gave a small laugh. Robert got up and moved to the edge of the boat "Monsignor Alvaro! Monsignor Alvaro! Monsignor Alvaro, tell me. As well as Ambassador, are you not also a bishop?" The Spanish Ambassador, Monsignor Alvaro, who could easily perform the marriage, looked over to Robert. Elizabeth moved forward, to pull her husband back as he smiled down to her. Monsignor Alvaro was on another boat, sailing nearby "I am, Your Majesty," Monsignor Alvaro replied. Robert smiled "Then you can marry Bessie and the Duke of Orléans, now." Monsignor Alvaro looked confused for a moment "Now, Your Majesty?"
Elizabeth laughed, moving back the see through curtain, so that she could see Monsignor Alvaro. "Perhaps he does not know enough English to perform the ceremony?"
"Alas, Madame," Alvaro replied, from his boat "In this matter, I can be of no help to you." Elizabeth laughed, reclining back into the pillows. The scene of happiness would not last much longer. "Madame!" Catherine Grey cried. There was the sound of an arrow being fired, and the sound of someone gasping in pain, as the lifeless body of a man fell through the see through curtain. Catherine screamed. Elizabeth gave a yelp, and Robert's head snapped in her direction. Kat, Blanche and Catherine were on their feet in an instant.
Cries from different people could be heard from the bank and other boats. Robert moved the man off of Elizabeth. It was one of the castle guards, who had been shot, straight through the heart. Robert grabbed the curtain and began pulling it away. "The Queen! The Queen!" Robert cried "Look after the Queen!"
The sound of another arrow being fired, echoed from somewhere, and an arrow pinned itself into the side of the curtain. Catherine Grey screamed and Elizabeth gasped.
Elizabeth's ladies lead her through the castle. "Catherine," Jane Grey began, to her sister "See to the Queen's chambers," they passed a large support beam, which held the roof up "Catherine! GO!" Catherine lifted up the front of her skirt, and sprinted ahead to the Queen's cambers "Get the bedchamber ready, Ladies. Quickly!" Kat called, as they reached a nearby archway. Catherine appeared in the archway "Come!"
"I am perfectly... well. Please do not... do not fuss." Elizabeth ordered. Robert followed her in, taking his wife by the hand.
"Madame," Cecil began, as the ladies removed Elizabeth's dress "If only you would heed my advice."
"I narrowly escaped with my life, Sir," she replied, gripping the table as her ladies began to wash the blood from her stained dress "I cannot now discuss Bessie's marriage."
"Forgive me," Cecil replied "But one cannot be separated from the other. Have I not told you-?"
"Yes!" Elizabeth sighed, sitting in the nearby chair "And, I am sick of it!" she got up, and the ladies stripped her dress off, and wrapped her in a robe, with Robert's held "This entire conversation is ill timed." Elizabeth, who had been stood behind a screen, so that Cecil could not see her without clothes on, emerged "My patience, Sir William, is not infinite." She emerged, and stopped for a moment. Robert seemed as confused as she did to see the French Ambassador stood in the doorway. The French Ambassador bowed. "Tis a great joy to see that Your Majesty is not hurt," The French Ambassador assured her, after he rose from the bow. "It was a terrible affair."
Cecil looked back to the Queen "The King of France would still know the answer to his suit."
"You may tell the King of France that he will have his answer shortly." Elizabeth replied "I need to discuss it with my husband first, as he is The Princess's father."
"Oh, Madame," Cecil moaned "The point is pressing!"
"The King of France cannot want my daughter, for his son, so much if he demands my answer so precipitously!" Elizabeth replied, casting a You're trying my patience glare to Cecil. "Perhaps," The French Ambassador began "Her Majesty will not answer because her heart is already set upon another." Elizabeth's face, which had been solemn, titled slightly as she walked to the Ambassador "Do not presume, Monsieur, to know the secrets of my heart." She glanced to Robert, who gave a small nod. Elizabeth's temper, which had been ready to explode at Cecil, calmed itself and she spoke, to the French Ambassador "Monsieur De Foix. Tell you King that I agree, to the eventual marriage of Princess Elizabeth, when she is twelve years old. On one condition. I wish, for the Duke of Orléans, when he is ten years old, to spend two years in England, so that there is no trouble between husband and wife after the marriage." Monsieur De Foix had his answer. The Betrothal would now be finalised, and he would return to the English court with a document for the Queen to sign. Monsieur De Foix nodded, and left, and Elizabeth called "Cecil!" He remained, and she moved to him "If you ever pressure me, or talk to me, like that again, you will find yourself under house arrest, now, leave my sight!"
19th October 1551: Spilsby, Lincolnshire, England
"The Queen was attacked?" Catherine Willougbhy, Dowager Duchess of Suffolk, Suo Jure 12th Baroness Willoughby De Eresby gasped. Her son, Henry Brandon, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, aged sixteen, nodded "Indeed," He replied "The Queen was attacked, on her boat, in the middle of the Thames. Someone tried to kill her with an arrow."
"Is the Queen alright? Has she recovered?"
"Yes," Henry replied "The Queen is well. Her husband, King Robert, is looking after her." He glanced around for a moment, looking for his brother "Is Charles still in bed?" he asked, shocked. He knew that his brother could sleep for hours and would likely spend his whole life in bed if he could. "Yes," Catherine replied "He's developed a fever and the physician has said that he is to stay in bed." Henry smiled, sniffing slightly "Can I see him?"
"He's upstairs." Catherine gestured to the stairs. Henry moved up the stairs, and pushed the door open. Charles was curled up on the bed. The bed quilt had fallen to the floor, and he was shivering a little. Henry moved forward, lifted the quilt off of the floor and placed it over his brother. He leaned down, kissed him once, on the forehead, and left the room, gently closing the door behind him.
"Do they know who attacked the Queen?" Catherine asked as Henry came down the stairs. He shook his head "No. But the King and Queen have their suspicions. They think that is was the Earl of Surrey, or at least, that the attackers had his permission. The second one is the more likely one, since the Earl is still in the tower."
"Why would he try and kill the Queen?" Catherine asked "If the Queen dies, then Prince Edward becomes King."
"Yes," Henry replied "But the Queen knows that not many people would accept Robert, or any Dudley for that matter, as regent, and thus, the Queen's nearest family member, who would be suited to be regent, is the Earl of Surrey."
"Surely Henry Carey, or Catherine Knollys, could be regent?" Catherine suggested. Henry shook his head "They have Boleyn blood. After the Dudleys, the Boleyns are the most hated people ever. That is why Surrey is the next-in-line to be regent, after his grandfather of course, but his grandfather is getting old. The Howards are disliked, but they're liked more than the Dudleys and the Boleyns."
"Hopefully," Catherine began "The King can change the opinion of the Dudley family." Henry chuckled "He doesn't need to. When the Duke of Northumberland dies, the Dudley name will improve. I promise you that, mother."
20th October 1551: Whitehall Palace, England
"How is my granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth?" Jane Dudley, nee Guilford, Duchess of Northumberland asked. Robert smiled, sitting opposite his mother "She is well, mother. She's growing up to be a right Tudor Princess, and a Dudley Princess too, for that matter. She's just as smart as her mother, just as stubborn as we Dudleys are, and only eleven months old."
"Good," Jane replied, taking a sip of ale from her cup and gave a smile "And Edward?" She asked, putting her empty cup down and clasping her hands together as she placed them on her knees. "He's a normal baby, and does all the normal baby things." Robert informed his mother "He is different to Bessie though. Bessie hardly cried when she was a baby, while Edward frequently cries."
Jane smiled "That is nothing to worry about, Robert. It just means that he will be more affectionate when he grows up."
"Your Majesty!" One of the grooms burst into the room "Prince Edward is missing. So is the Duke of Northumberland." Robert was on his feet in an instant "Find him!" He ordered. The groom nodded, and left. Robert looked to his mother "There will be no mercy. He will be executed!"
21st October 1551: Whitehall Palace, England
John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland looked up, as the face of one of the Tower's guards appeared between the bars. "A visitor for you, Your Grace," The door swung open, and he looked up. Robert was stood in the doorway. He gestured, and the door closed "I didn't want to come here." Robert admitted "But I have never been able to say no to Guilford when he cries." Robert sighed, taking the chair near the door and placing it in front of his father, before sitting on it "You should see him, Father. He can barely speak."
Northumberland scoffed "It's because he is a sentimental child. He never learnt that the world is a dangerous place." Robert looked shocked at his father's attitude and took a deep breath before speaking "Do you repent for your actions, Father?" Northumberland laughed "No. I wanted more power at court, and, by kidnapping your son, I got it. Even if it was only for a moment."
"Very well," Robert replied. He got to his feet, put the chair back, and knocked once, on the door. It swung open, and Robert left. Northumberland had resigned himself to his fate, and would be executed the following morning.
22nd October 1551: Tower Hill, London, England
"Good people, all you that be here present to see me die. Though my death be odious and horrible to the flesh, yet I pray you judge the best in God's works, for he does all for the best. And as for me, I am a wretched sinner, & have deserved to die, and most justly am condemned to die by a law. And yet this act wherefore I die, was not altogther of me - as it is thought - but I was procured and induced thereunto by other. I was I say induced thereunto by other, howbeit, God forbid that I should name any man unto you, I will name no man unto you, & therfore I beseech you look not for it. I, for my part forgive all men, and pray God also to forgive them. And if I have offended any of you here, I pray you and all the World to forgive me: and most chiefly I desire forgivenes of the Queen's Highness, whom I have most greviously offended." Northumberland's voice was clear, and crisp as he spoke. "And I pray you all to witness with me, that I depart in perfect love and charity with all the world, & that you will assist me with your prayers at the hour of death. And one thing more good people I have to say unto you, which I am chiefly moved to do for discharge of my conscience, & that is to warn you and exhort you to beware of these seditious preachers, and teachers of new doctrine, which pretend to preach God's word, but in very deed they preach their own phansies, who were never able to explicate themselves, they know not today what they would have tomorrow, there is no stay in their teaching & doctrine, they open the book, but they cannot shut it again. Take heed how you enter into strange opinions or new doctrine, which have done no small hurt in this realm, and have justly procured the ire and wrath of god upon us, as well may appear who so just to call to remembrance the manyfold plages that this realm have been touched with all since we disserved our selves from the Protestant Church of Christ, and from the doctrine which have been received by the holy apostles, martyrs, and all sanctus, and used through all realms christened since Christ. And I verely believe, that all the plagues that have chaunced to this realm of late years since afore the death of King Henry the eighth, has justly fallen upon us, for that we have denuded ourself from the rest of Christendom whereof we be but as a spark in comparison: Have we not had war, famine, pestilence, the death of our King, rebellion, sedition among ourselves, conspiracies? Have we not had some erronious opinions spronge up among us in this realm, since we have forsaken the unity of the Protestant Church in wishing the death of the Prince Edward? and what other plagues be there that we have not felt? And if this be not able to move you, then look upon Germany, which since it is fallen into this schism and division from the unity of the Protestant Church, is by continual dissention and discord, brought almost to utter ruin and decy. Therfore, lest an utter ruin come among you, by provoking to much the just vengence of God, take up betimes these contentions, & be not ashamed to return home again, and join yourselves to the rest of Christen realms, and so shall you bring yourselves again to be members of Christ's body, for he cannot be head of a deformed or monstruous body." he looked up to the executioner and spoke "I forgive you with all my heart, and do I part without fear." And then, bowing toward the block he said, "I have deserved a thousand deaths," and therupon he made a cross upon the straw, and kissed it, and attempted to lay his head upon the block. He could not find it, and began to panic, as he fumbled around for it. The executioner grabbed his head, and laid it upon the block. The executioner raised the axe, and swung it down. There was a whistle of wind, and Northumberland died with one stroke of the axe.
"FATHER!" Guilford Dudley awoke with a start. Sweat was plastered to his forehead, and his chest rose and fell as he took a few deep breaths. He ran his hand through his blonde hair, and took a few more shuddering breaths. He glanced over to Jane. She was sleeping gently by his side. He chuckled to himself and smiled. Jane always had been a heavy sleeper. He gently stroked the side of her cheek, shifted himself into a new position, and pressed himself, gently, against her. Placing a kiss onto her cheek, he slung his arm over his wife's shoulder, to keep her safe, and gently closed his eyes. He would change for her, no matter what, and, while she was here, he knew that his nightmares were just that... Merely nightmares... nothing more...
He finally drifted off into a deep sleep dreaming of his family, alive, happy and well.
I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Review Please. Since I am on Easter Holidays now, I can update even quicker than usual; the person who gives my 36th review will be able to request something that they want to happen in the next chapter. Check the number of reviews, and, if you are the 36th reviewer, send me a message with what you want to appear in the chapter, and I will add it in.