AN: Hello everyone, this is Angel More with a new and very important chapter, since Mary and Isabel of Castile finally meet. Sorry for the extension of the chapter and hope you like it.

Read and review (please? :D)

Chapter 5

- Good morning Princess Mary, it is time to get up. – said Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury and the lady in charge of Henry's daughter, trying to fake a cheerful tone, although deep inside she was everything but cheerful. It was Mary's departure day, and the old Lady Salisbury felt her heart shrink every time she thought about it.

She had witnessed the Princess's birth as one of Her Majesty's ladies-in-waiting, and she could remember vividly the joy and honor she had experienced when Queen Katherine, in her endless kindness and generosity, had appointed her, almost seven years ago, as her only daughter's governess. Margaret Pole had earned every drop of the Queen's trust, loving Mary as a child of her own. Who would not have done the same, she questioned herself, watching kindheartedly as the small bundle of blankets in the huge crimson bed started to toss and turn in response to her greeting. Mary was the sweetest of children, always good-natured, always smiling. She had a very uncommon sense of responsibility for such a tender age: she knew she was daughter and granddaughter of Kings twice over, and she behaved as such, never complaining about anything, never whining, never being capricious or selfish, always willing to share her dolls and pretty things with her friends among the ladies-in-waiting daughters. Furthermore, the little Princess had been blessed with an eager nature in terms of learning, and a keen ear on music. Everyone was marveled with her gifts: at age six, she could already master her Latin, English, Spanish and French like any Christian prince would. She would make a great Empress, Lady Salisbury was absolutely sure of that.

- Come now, Princess Mary – the old governess sat on the edge of the bed and caressed the auburn strands of the child's hair. – Are you awake?

- No – came a blurry voice from below the blankets.

- I did not know you used to talk in your sleep – mused Lady Salisbury, uncovering the Princess's resigned face. – Now, let me get you bathed and dressed. You need to look very pretty today, remember?

- Yes – Mary said, sitting on the bed while the servants rushed to fetch her tub. Soon she was being scrubbed from head to toe. She chose a pretty golden dress to wear, along with a necklace made of the tiniest yet most perfect pearls, and matching earrings. An hour later, she found herself in the carriage which would lead her to the deck, where her parents were awaiting her to say their last goodbyes. Their last goodbyes. This thought made Mary's heart heavy in sadness. Soon she would be on a boat, traveling the seas to meet her grandmother, Isabel of Castile. Mary could not deny she was excited to finally meet her grandmother, whom her mother had always praised and held in the highest respect and esteem. Mary knew that Isabel was a Queen on her own right, her mother had explained her that, and it was one of the things that made her even more curious about the Spanish queen. How would it be for a woman to rule a country? In England things were rather different, as far as little Mary could tell, despite her tender age. Her Papa was always busy, as a King should be, and his companions were always male courtiers. Their wives and daughters did not meddle in politics: instead, they spent their days reading, sewing, gossiping and sometimes playing music. Therefore, the prospect of meeting a woman who had risen so high among her gender made the little English princess anxious and scared at the same time.

However, there was one thing that would keep her head running in circles, trying to figure out the reason behind it. Mary knew that she was betrothed to her cousin Charles, and she was expected to be Queen of Spain as well as Holy Roman Empress, but why leave so soon? Why was mama leaving her with her grandmother? Why couldn't she wait for Mary to reach the age of twelve years old, just as they had all agreed when the treaty of Windsor was signed and sealed by her father and her future husband's signatures?

Mary could not understand this world of adults, it was just so complicated.

She was playing at the gardens when she felt someone behind her. When she turned around, Mary smiled at her mother, who opened her arms just in time to catch her as she launched into them, twirling her in the air filled with her happy giggles.

- Good morning Mama – she said, while her mother put her down.

- Buenos dias, mi hija (good morning, my daughter) – her mother said with a smile. Mary simply nodded as she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder, both taking a stroll in the garden followed by their respective ladies.

Her mother and her tutor, Jose Luis Vives, had taught her Spanish as a way of enriching her knowledge and also of remembering her roots. Later, her mother had explained her that it could be used as an advantage in some situations. For example, as a Queen, her mother was loved and respected throughout the country. However, no matter how great and kind a King and a Queen might be, there would unfortunately always be some greedy and ill-intentioned people trying to do them harm. That was one of Mary's first lessons. People who would do anything to increase their influence and wealth at Court, even if that included spying on the Queen they were supposed to look up to as a role model. Therefore, mastering a language few people did brought Mary a precious benefit.

Finally her mother broke the silence. Once again in Spanish. Her mother had definitely something very important to tell her, something that she did not wish to be overheard by any of their ladies. Well, except for Lady Willoughby, Maria de Salinas, but that was her mother's most trusted friend, who would never betray them.

- How are your classes going?

- Don Jose seems to be pleased with my efforts – said Mary modestly. Katherine's heart swelled in motherly pride.

- I am glad. He says your Latin is perfect, as well as your Spanish.

- He is very kind – said Mary, blushing.

- Speaking of Spanish… have you written to your cousin lately? – asked Katherine, in the most casual she could find, although her heart started to race in nervousness.

- Yes, I have – Mary looked up to meet her mother's eyes. – He says he is looking forward to meet me again, although we still have to wait a few more years.

- Or maybe not – Katherine sighed, looking downcast. – Mary… I and your father have come to a very important decision regarding your future.

- What is it, Mama?

- Well, we've decided… - Katherine's voice faltered her, and she had to take a deep breath in order to continue. – We have decided to send you for Spain in a few months, in order to be educated by your grandmother.

Mary blinked in confusion, stopping dead on her tracks.

- But… I thought I would have to wait until my twelfth birthday, Mama. Has something happened? Is that because of that woman?

Katherine's eyes widened as she knelt down so her face would be at the same level as her daughter's.

- What woman, sweetheart? What are you talking about?

- I am sorry Mama – Mary looked to her feet, avoiding her mother's gaze. – You have taught me it is not good to overhear other people's conversations, but I couldn't avoid it, I swear. Don't be upset.

- I am not upset mi amor, I am sure you didn't mean it. What have you heard?

- I have heard Papa is in love with another woman… what's her name… - Mary furrowed her brow, trying to remember – Nan Bullen? I am sorry Mama, I shouldn't have told you this – Mary's face turned red, realizing what she had just done, and the little princess was about to pick up her skirts and run if her mother didn't stop her.

- Mary, listen to me, sweetheart – said Katherine, making a mental note to warn Lady Salisbury about the behavior of the maids under her supervision. – You have done nothing wrong, although I would have preferred you knew about this in a different way. Mary's eyes widened in panic.

- It is true, then? Papa is in love with someone else? But you are his wife, he can't do that!

Katherine tried to smile. If only things were that simple.

- Mary, let us sit, shall we? – she said, walking to the nearest tree and sitting on the ground, with Mary running to her lap. Only then she took another deep breath and tried to explain her situation in terms that her six-year-old child could understand.

- You know, Mary, princes and princesses of the real world, the world we live in, don't exactly behave like the princes and princesses of the fairytales I used to tell you to make you fall asleep at night.

- What does that mean?

- Marriage between a prince and a princess isn't about love or affection. Well, not at first. But with time you grow to love your husband, as I did and always will do.

- That means you did not love Prince Arthur or Papa when you married them?

- No, not at first. But as I told you, I was starting to love my husband Arthur when the Lord chose to take him away from me. As for your Papa, he had always been like a younger brother to me, but ever since he proposed to marry me I started to look at him differently. We have grown to love each other throughout the years. I was happy to be Queen of England, and your father was excited about having heirs to succeed him on the throne.

- But I never had any brother… - Mary stated in confusion until it dawned on her. – That's why Papa doesn't love you anymore? Because he has me instead of a son? – The truth hurt her so much that she couldn't stop blabbering. – What difference does it make? I am learning all my lessons, I know how to behave like a Princess, I know how to ride a horse, how to sing, how to dance… I will learn how to joust and hunt and fight, Mama. I can be a Queen on my own right, just like my grandmother. I…

- Mary, please stop sweetheart – Katherine put her both hands on Mary's shoulders in order to calm her down. – I am sorry, but I have no choice. As much as you excel in your studies, it isn't enough to make you Queen of England someday.

- That's why you're sending me for Spain? So there I can be Queen? – whispered Mary.

- Yes, mi cielo. There you can be a Queen on your right, and an Empress too.

- But then Papa would have no one to succeed him… unless he marries again – Mary covered her mouth with her tiny hand. – But… how? He's already married, he can't undo his marriage to you!

Katherine sighed. This conversation was getting too complicated for a six-year-old girl.

- Mary, listen to me, sweetheart. That's true: the only way Papa can get a male heir is by marrying again, and therefore he has to divorce me. But before that, he has to ask the Pope permission to do so.

- Because the Pope is the Father of the Holy Church and God's voice on Earth, so only he can dissolve such a sacred contract as a marriage – Mary nodded. – Don Jose told me that in my religion class.

- Exactly – Katherine nodded. Her daughter's maturity and sense of faith had always amazed her. – Which can only be done with my consent.

- So if I go to Spain, I will be Queen at once, and Papa will have sons by another woman who will succeed him on the throne? – Mary tried to understand the main point of the conversation.

- Yes – nodded Katherine. She did not want to tell her daughter that the real reason why she was sending her to Spain was because Anne Boleyn was plotting to kill her. Kill her, her sweet, loving pearl. Katherine crossed herself mentally. – And you wouldn't feel bad about having a brother who would take the throne away from you since you will have not only one throne, but two! – She tried to cheer her daughter up. Being Queen was something that Mary had always hoped, following her mother and grandmother's role models.

- That sounds fair – Mary nodded gravely. – But what about you, Mama? Will you still live here once Papa marries another woman?

- No, Mary, I will not. I will join a nunnery, God willing.

- That means I won't see you again? – Mary was about to start weeping again. It was so unfair! She did not want to lose her Mama, not like that. If she had been born a boy, none of this would have been happening.

- I will write you as often as possible, mi cielo – said Katherine, pretending a reassuring tone. – Please, Mary, I know you don't understand much of this matter yet, but one day you will, I promise.

Mary could simply nod while she threw her arms around her mother's neck.

- Princess Mary, we are here – Lady Salisbury snapped the little princess out of her memories. – Your parents are already waiting.

Mary nodded again, jumping graciously from the carriage, and politely declining the hand that Lady Salisbury offered her, walking alone with her head held up high and her hands strongly intertwined in one another. People made way for her, curtseying and whispering wishes of a safe trip. Mary kept on walking, smiling to them. No one could tell this was one of the saddest days of her life. She might be only six, but she knew who she was and what was expected of someone in her position. She might not know much about the world or about politics yet, but no one could ever say that the granddaughter of Isabel of Castile didn't know how to behave in public.

There they were, the Queen her mother and the King her father, waiting for her. Her mother was truly beautiful, Mary thought, with her auburn hair pinned up, her dark red dress embroidered in gold and a set of black pearls embellishing her neck, which matched the blackness of her furry cloak. Her expression was calm and jovial, although they both knew it was a fake. They were pretending to be cheerful for each other's sake. If she could, Mary would have thrown herself into her mother's arms, but instead she took a few more steps and dropped in a perfectly rehearsed curtsy, followed by her ladies, only rising when her father gave her his hand to kiss.

- You look beautiful, my darling – said the King, admiring her.

- Your Majesty is far too kind – said Mary, while Henry picked her up. From where she was now she could see the raven hair of Anne Boleyn among her mother's ladies in waiting. When Anne lifted her gaze to meet hers, Mary felt her stomach churn in discomfort, but she did not know why.

- Are you ready, sweetheart? – her father brought her back to reality. – Don Rodrigo is already waiting for you – he nodded towards the Spanish envoy who had arrived weeks earlier and whose only job was to escort the Princess on her boat trip to Spain. Personally, Henry thought Katherine and her mother were making a storm in a glass of water because of this. What kind of man did they take him for? He wouldn't ever dream of hurting his daughter, nor would anyone near him dare to do the same.

- I am ready – Mary said, swallowing the knot on her throat. Henry kissed her on the cheek and tickled her nose before putting her down. Katherine knelt down in front of her child and whispered in her ear.

- Do not concern yourself with me, my love. I'm sure you will make a great Queen and Empress someday. Promise me you will be a good apprentice and follow your grandmother's advice on the most important matters.

- I promise, mama – Mary whispered in Spanish, before hugging her mother for the last time before being led abroad by her Spanish escort. She refused to look over her shoulder, for fear she would break down in tears.

Months later

Mary was playing with her favorite dolls when she heard a knock on her cabin's door.

- Come in – she said, straightening herself and putting the dolls aside.

- Princess Mary – said Don Rodrigo, in a merry tone. – We are almost arriving. You can already see Spain from your window.

Mary's eyes widened and she felt like a million butterflies were flying in her stomach. She ran to the nearest window and looked outside. The piece of earth was growing more and more as they got closer, and soon Mary could hear the noises of the crowd gathered on the deck, waiting for her, welcoming her to her mother's home country.

The little Princess took a deep breath and straightened her dress, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

- How do I look? – she asked D. Rodrigo.

- Beautiful, as always, my princess – he answered, amused by the sudden vanity of the King's daughter. At the same time, they heard the noise of the boat hitting the walls of the deck, indicating that the Princess should be ready to meet her people very soon.

Mary closed her eyes for a moment and then gestured D. Rodrigo to go ahead of her, leading the way, waiting for him to lend her a hand. When he did, the Spanish subjects finally had the opportunity to meet their new princess. Mary stepped outside, blinking slightly due to the intense sunlight, they roared in joyfulness, making the little Princess beam in happiness. She found her way through the crowd, and soon she was on a carriage to Alcalá de Henares, a town near Madrid that actually had been her mother's birthplace, where her grandmother Isabel was certainly waiting to meet her. Mary looked over the window, truly surprised and pleased with her reception. It was really heartwarming to hear her future subjects calling and wishing her well in her mother's native tongue. Unfortunately, that was not enough to make her increasing apprehension fade away, as D. Rodrigo noticed by the discreet fidgeting the Princess showed.

- I am sure you will love to meet Her Majesty your grandmother, Princess Mary – he said with a sincere smile. – She has heard great things about you, and I've been told she awaits you with great expectation.

- I hope she has heard good things about me – whispered Mary concernedly.

- Of course, my little Princess, of course – said D. Rodrigo with a discreet laughter. – What else can you expect from a member of the House of Trastamara other than a bright and well-mannered nature? Furthermore, between you and me, if you allow me to say this… Her Majesty is far too impressed and pleased with your achievements, your Highness. Your tutor has praised your abilities in the kindest terms.

Mary smiled as she felt the knot in her stomach dissolve a little. It was good to know her grandmother appreciated her efforts.

Finally the carriage stopped in front of one of the most exquisite palaces the little Princess had ever seen. And her fascination only increased when she stepped inside. It was decorated in the Moorish style, with lots of indoor fountains and colored tiles. D. Rodrigo lead her through a maze of hallways until they stopped at a heavy oaked door.

- Her Majesty has decided to meet you first in private, Princess Mary. Later tonight will take place a feast in your honor.

- Her Majesty is far too kind – said Mary, while a herald announced her. Next thing she realized, the great door was open and she was face to face with the Queen of Spain.

At first, Mary was so nervous she almost wished a hole in the ground to swallow her. But then, when her shy gaze met the confident one of her grandmother, all her nerves faded away. Isabel of Castile was a beautiful woman, despite her age, with long white hair which once had been auburn like Mary's, and whose strands curled at the ends exactly like her mother and her own did. Her eyes were darker than her mother's, but nevertheless very similar to Katherine's, and her complexion was also akin to her mother, especially the round shape of her face and the pale skin, two of the most characteristic traits of the Trastamara women. She was dressed in a rich black velvet dress, embroidered in silver, which matched the laced veil which covered her hair like a mantilla, and also the black jewels on her neck and fingers. Mary remembered hearing her mother say that her grandfather Ferdinand had died a few months after the Princess's birth, but even so the mournful color of Isabel's clothing did not present her as a weak or gloomy widow, nor her wrinkled face showed any signs of tiredness due to the setbacks God had put on her way in so many years of regency. Instead, the darkness of her attire seemed to put even more in evidence the graciousness of her figure, and also expand the aura of respect and fairness coming from her, as her wrinkles added a confident touch of wisdom to her features.

When Mary finally crossed the distance between the door and the throne, she dropped to her knees in a low and deferential curtsy.

- You may rise, Princess Mary – Isabel said in Spanish. Her voice was low and serene, almost like a gentle breeze, yet it exuded respect in every syllable. Mary could tell her grandmother was a woman who knew how to be feared even without raising her voice. She did as she was told, and was relieved to see Isabel smiling directly at her.

- I hope your trip went well and you were well received here.

- Indeed I was. The people were most pleasant to me.

- I am glad to know. It is wonderful to finally meet you, my darling, after so many good things I've heard about you.

- The honor is all mine, Your Majesty – Mary countered. – I am most happy to meet the greatest Queen of Christendom.

Isabel laughed quietly, causing the English princess to worry. Had she said something she was not supposed to?

- You have done your homework well, Mary – said Isabel, gesturing her to come forward so she could caress her granddaughter's chin. – However, let us forget the formalities for a minute. After all, you are family, my little one, and God knows how much I have longed to embrace you – and with that the Queen of Spain leaned forward and opened her arms. Mary did not need a second invitation, as she wrapped her arms around her grandmother's neck, feeling herself being picked up and sat on Isabel's knee.

- Let me look at you – Isabel said, cupping her small face in her hands. – You're the spitting image of Catalina, praise the Lord; except maybe the eyes: you have the eyes of your father, as far as I've been told.

- I've been told that a few times too – Mary giggled.

- You cannot imagine how delighted I am to have you here – said Isabel, kissing her forehead. – It's been so many years since this palace has been filled with children's laughter.

- I hope I will not disturb you, Your Majesty. I understand you are very busy with state affairs.

Isabel laughed wholeheartedly. Mary was so polite and endearing, it was easy to fall in love with her at first sight, so to speak.

- You will never disturb me, my dear. As far as I am concerned, the gardens are all yours to play and run as much as you want. Furthermore, I have heard you are a very bright young lady, so I was hoping you could help me in state affairs once you grow up a little more.

- I would be most honored. But… who will teach me? D. Jose, my tutor, stayed in England… - Mary bit her lip.

- Don't worry about that, mi cielo. I'll tutor you myself.

Mary had to suppress her jaw from falling. She would be tutored by the Queen herself? What had she done to deserve such honor?

- You are my granddaughter, so you deserve nothing less – said Isabel, as if she had read her ward's mind. – Now, why won't you take some rest before the feast? I am sure you are tired from such a long trip. Please meet Doña Catalina Perez, your governess – and with a gesture a dark-haired woman in her thirties came forward, bowing to the royal women. She had a sincere smile, and Mary knew immediately she could trust on the lady.

She slipped from her grandmother's knee and gave her tiny hand to Doña Catalina, curtseying to her grandmother, which kissed her one last time on the forehead before dismissing them. Mary had won her affection straight away, and Isabel knew she would not regret having her as Queen and Empress someday.