Disclaimer: the prince, Higgins and the children belong to me, everything else is history.

Hi guys, this story is drawing to an end which is sad : (

But in good news I and am writing a new story about Lady Jane Grey so I hope you will read it when I complete the first chapter. Also I am thinking of writing a sequel to this story. I will leave it up to you, if you would like a sequel then review with a :).

Anyway please enjoy.

Chapter XII

As I exited my marquee I could see a crowd building on the tilt yard ground and off to one side I could see my father's horse being led off the tilt yard limping on its front left hoof. I started to run back to the yard when I saw Higgins running towards me. I stopped. He stopped just short of me panting and breathing hard.

"What's happened?" I demanded.

"The king has been thrown from his horse and crushed. He is not moving and there are rumours that he is dead." Higgins replied breathlessly.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing but I still needed answers so I asked.

"What are they doing with the king?"

"Before I left to find you, I heard Dr Butts saying that the King should be moved with all care to his marquee where the doctor could serve him better." Higgins replied.

"Then that's where I shall go." I said then I realised that Anne would have seen everything and so asked. "What about my wife? Is she safe?"

"I am unsure about that I shall go and check now." Higgins replied.

"Please do, and come to me as soon as you know, but don't come back until you have seen her yourself." I said.

"Yes, Your Highness." Higgins replied with a bow, turned around and started to run back to the Palace.

I started to move towards my father's tent and as I drew closer I could see a large crowd gathered at the entrance. One of the guards, that was standing at the entrance, saw me.

"Make way for the Prince, make way." He shouted and the crowd parted.

As I walked through I could see people bowing and curtseying but all I wanted to do was get into that tent so I just walked through. Once inside I was met by Brandon who must have heard the guard. He went to bow but I stopped him as there was no time for formalities, I wanted answers.

"What happened, Brandon?" I demanded.

"The King was riding against Henry Norris when his horse reared and the King was flung from the saddle and crashed into the wooden barriers which snapped. His horse lost its footing and fell on top of him." Brandon said.

"What is his condition?" I asked.

"I will take you through and Dr Butts can explain more than I can." Brandon replied.

Walking through a screen we came to centre of the tent. Everyone that was present stood and went to make their obeisance but I waved it aside. I called Dr Butts over and asked him the same question that I had asked Brandon.

"Your Highness, the Kings life hangs in the balance. As a result of his horse falling on him and the fall, the King has suffered a broken leg and it has torn through the skin. He is bleeding and I cannot stop it." Dr Butts said.

"Is there nothing else you can do?" I asked.

"The only way I know is to sever his leg from the top of the break but in his condition I would advise against it." Dr Butts replied.

"So what you are telling me is that apart from him never being able to walk again there is nothing you can do, Dr Butts." I asked getting angry.

"Yes, Your Highness." Dr Butts replied.

"Is he awake?" I asked.

"Yes, I have given him medication for the pain." Dr Butts replied.

"Does he know?" I asked.

"Yes and he…." Dr Butts started to reply but was interrupted by a voice.

"Enough! My son, come here, everyone else, leave!" My father said in a loud voice.

Everyone made their obeisance and left. I walked over and looked down at my father. He was pale and every so often would wince in pain. Looking down I saw his left leg was covered in a bandage that was red with blood.

"My Son. I wanted to be there to help nurture you into a proper King but I fear I will not live to see that happen." My father said.

"Father, I still have need of you. Your grandchildren need you. I'm not ready to be King, please hold on longer." I said, welling up inside.

"I will try for you, my son. I will get moved back to my rooms and there will make preparations for your ascension to the Throne of England." My father replied.

"Yes father and I promise I will not leave your side until the end." I said trying to keep the tears at bay.

The King was moved with all care back to the palace and to his rooms. I stayed with him throughout the journey. Once the King's armour was removed and he was safely put in his bed. The attendants were dismissed. There was only me, Brandon and Dr Butts in the chamber.

"The King is resting now. If I may, Your Highness, that you go and remove your armour and refresh yourself. You won't do yourself or the King any good in the state your in." Dr Butts said.

"I promised I would not leave his side and I am going to keep that promise." I replied.

"But, Your Highness…" Dr Butts started to reply but was interrupted by Brandon.

"My Prince, I have to say I agree with Dr Butts. You need to have all your strength to endure what is to come and your armour will start to get heavy. I promise that I will stay here until you return." Brandon said.

"Will you send word if he wakes up while I'm away." I asked.

"I will." Brandon replied.

"Then I shall comply with what you both have said." I said rising from the chair I had taken beside the bed.

Both Brandon and Dr Butts bowed and I turned and left the chamber. The corridors were packed with members of the court and by the door stood Higgins.

"Higgins, how is Anne?" I asked walking through the crowd.

"Her Highness is shaken by the events and would like you to see her if possible." Higgins replied.

"I will try and see her after I have got my armour off." I said and then I saw a page and called him over.

"Take a message to the Princess Anne that I will come and see her now. Go!" I said and the page ran off.

"I have clothes in Anne's chamber don't I Higgins?" I asked.

"Yes Your Highness." Higgins replied.

"Good I will get changed there." I said.

Minutes later I was at Anne's chamber, normally I would knock but I just pushed the door open and walked in. Anne was sitting on the bed with all her Ladies around her. Anne looked up and saw me, her eyes widened and she rushed off the bed and into my waiting arms.

"Henry!"

"Anne! How are you? Higgins said that you saw everything." I said.

Anne didn't say anything but nodded. I looked at her ladies and said,

"Please leave, I wish to be alone with my wife." I said.

They made their obeisance and left. Once they had gone I lifted Anne's head and looked into her eyes.

"My love, I don't have much time. My father is fading fast and I need to get out of this armour and back to him." I said.

Anne nodded and let go of me and Higgins stepped forward and started to remove my armour. Anne walked to the door and called for hot water and wine. By the time the last bit of armour was off it had arrived. I stripped down to my breeches and went to wash myself. Higgins started to come over to help but was called off by Anne who took the cloth and started to clean me. While she cleaned me I spoke to her in German.

"Anne, I hate to put this burden on you but you must prepare yourself for the death for the King. I am unsure how long he has left and being next in line is not easy. I will be King of England and you will be my Queen, our lives will change for ever." I said.

"I will be strong for you and for the children. What about your brother and sister?" Anne asked.

"Edward will be with me and if you can have Mary with you that would be a big help" I replied.

"Will Edward understand, he is only 2 years old almost 3?" Anne asked concerned.

"I will be there with him and I wasn't much older when I lost my mother." I said.

"I know, but he will have lost both of his parents within the first 3 years of his life. For a young child it will be hard to understand." Anne replied.

I could see her mothering instincts coming out and so said,

"Alright, if you feel it's best then keep him with you."

Anne was about to reply but a knock on the door stopped her. Higgins went to the door and took a massage from the page at the door.

"The King is awake and is asking for you." Higgins said closing the door.

I nodded and went to the clothes that Higgins had put out for me. Higgins followed me over and helped me get dressed. Once I was dressed I went over to Anne and gave her a cuddle and a kiss on her forehead and said. "Be strong for both of us."

Anne, overcome by tears nodded and let go of me. I gave her one last comforting smile and turned and left.

Well I hope you liked the chapter, it ran on similar lines to the accident he had when Anne Boleyn was Queen but changed the outcome.

Don't Forget, if you want a sequel to this story then review with a :)