This particular chapter is one that you will want to be careful reading. If you're not a hardy person I wouldn't suggest reading the second part of this chapter. If you are, have fun with it. Here's your warning, the second half is not for the faint of heart.
December 31st, 1555
Dover, Kent
Isabella clutched Edward's hand as the approached the coast. She shivered and used her free hand to tighten her cloak around her pregnant body. The waves thrashed against the rocks on the coast line, sending a spray of mist into the air. Her husband put his arm around her and she used her now free hand to fix her hood closer to her head. In front of them, Elizabeth walked alone. Her resigned facial expression gave away all of her thoughts on marriage, although everyone including Elizabeth knew nothing could be done. Her proxy marriage had taken place a few days ago, Robert Dudley standing in for Prince Eric. Ruth had joked quietly to Isabella that Elizabeth wished she was marrying Dudley instead of the Prince of Sweden, and Isabella knew it to be the truth. She had seen Elizabeth crying in her bed chamber after the ceremony. Now, the Swedish princess stood strongly as she approached the vessel that would take her away from her homeland to her new country. It dawned on Isabella that she would be making this journey to Dover for each of her daughters as they married into the various royal houses on the Continent. A large ship, bearing the Swedish coat of arms, was docked a little further down the shore and Isabella pushed on determinedly, not wanting to hold back to procession. Elizabeth's ladies trailed them, whispering among themselves about the impending trip to Sweden. Isabella nearly slipped on the flattened grass, Edward's arm caught her and she smiled at him gratefully. Peasants had gathered along the coast to see off the beloved Lady Elizabeth. Elizabeth turned to face them with a smile and gently waved to the masses.
"People of England, I Elizabeth Tudor will travel to Sweden to become the wife of His Highness Prince Eric. However, I will never forget my origins. I am the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn of England," She paused to allow the cheers to die down. "It is my honor to serve England in the capacity of being a wife and mother as well as fulfilling a treaty of friendship between my dear brother, His Majesty the king and my future realm of Sweden. Although my heart will always remain on English soil I find no greater joy in life than to serve my beloved mother England. Alas, I must now bid you all a bittersweet farewell, it has been a pleasure serving the king as his loyal advisor and assisting in arranging the marriage between our dear King Edward and his beautiful consort Queen Isabella."
Elizabeth took a longing glance over the English people and turned to Isabella and Edward. She curtsied to them both and Isabella returned the gesture, Elizabeth now being a foreign queen. Her blonde-haired husband was stand on the deck of the boat, looking down gently at his queen. Isabella lifted her skirts to approach Elizabeth without the help of Edward. She embraced her husband's sister for a final time and held her hands within her own.
"You must promise me to write often. Also, I want to see portraits of my future nieces and nephews as the age. Do you promise me?" Isabella smiled.
Elizabeth chuckled heartily. "Of course, as long as you do the same. You and I spent many a lesson together in Bletchingley Palace with the Lady Anne, you and I were sisters long before you became the queen."
"You are right, Princess Elizabeth," Isabella giggled.
Elizabeth's eyes seemed to grow more solemn. "Farewell, Queen Isabella."
Isabella nodded to Elizabeth she turned to board the boat that would take her away from England. Isabella could only look on as the boat cast off, watching as it faded into the horizon. She stood there like a statue, the crowds began to disintergrate as if they had never been there. Edward came from behind and place his arms around Isabella to warm her.
"She is gone now, Izzy." He murmured into her ear.
Isabella sighed. "I know Edward. I just hope he treats her well. Not all kings are as kind as thee,"
Edward slipped his arm around hers and led her back to the litter that had brought her to the shore line. She sighed as she thought about the long journey back to London. She would've preferred to make the journey on horseback, but her condition prevent that. Boarding her litter her thoughts strayed to Elizabeth and she prayed her brother's sister would suffer no hardships in her new country.
January 3rd, 1556
Kalmar Castle, Sweden
Elizabeth took a deep sigh as Blanche Parry placed the veil on her head.
"You must do, what you must Elizabeth." Kat Ashley quipped as she stood by the door, directing every step of Elizabeth's ladies.
Elizabeth snorted. "I would much rather die a virgin than marry him. He is a drunkard from what I observed on that ship. If Edward had not pleaded with me so, I would have refused."
Elizabeth's cousin Catherine Carey seemed to be the most enthused. "Elizabeth it is not as if you could have become Queen of England, we all know Isabella will bear many children, she is German. Now, you have your own subjects and can do what ever it is you wish. After the Eric ascends the throne, that is."
Elizabeth nodded at that thought. "I do supposed you are right Catherine. I just hope consummating the marriage will not last too long."
"I do not know of that. Once it happens you might wish for it to last much longer." Blanche chuckled slyly.
Elizabeth chuckled sarcastically. "I think it not,"
She took the time to admire herself, dressed in an all green dress and her hair plaited carefully, she was no average looking woman Without another word to her ladies Elizabeth walked down the corridor to the grand hall. Her soon-to-be husband stood there, waiting for her arrival.
He smiled at her sweetly. "Elizabeth, you are absolutely beautiful, more beautiful than the English queen."
Elizabeth took the compliment and smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
She curtsied slightly and he gripped her hand. It was a pity that their marriage would not be celebrated publicly like Edward and Isabella's marriage had been, they were not yet the sovereigns and so their marriage was a simple, private affair. It was just was well, Elizabeth, always ready to give a speech, had not quite fully mastered the Swedish language. The ceremony was short, as Elizabeth and Eric were already married, and it was only a quick ceremony to solemnize it. The priest had came and went in a short hour.
"It is time to consummate our union, my dear Elizabeth." Eric murmured sweetly to her.
Elizabeth glared. "We have not yet celebrated, it is not yet time for the marital bed. I-"
Eric raised his hand to silence her. "I do not know the English custom, but you are now in Sweden. I am your husband and I say it is time for you and I to lay as man and wife."
With a last look of defiance Elizabeth allowed one of Eric's gentlemen to escort her and her ladies to Eric's bedchamber. The servant bowed to her and hurried back to Eric's side. Blanche pushed the door open and ushered Elizabeth inside. A fresh linen shift was folded upon the bed with a note "For Elizabeth" written in English. Kat Ashley began to untie the stays in Elizabeth's dress and Catherine removed the veil and began to unravel Elizabeth's hair. With her hair hanging down her back and the dress around her ankles, Blanche dressed her in the thin shift Eric had left for her. Elizabeth sat upon the bed quietly as her ladies abandoned her to her fate.
I blame none other than that wretched Northumberland for this sham of a marriage. Edward pleaded with me so desperately to accept this, it being the station of a woman to marry and be a mother. OH, I pray to God that Eric is gentle with me. Kat Ashley only told me it would hurt, not at all what to do. If this is my fate, I wish only to-
Her thoughts were cut off by the sound of the door opening. Eric was approaching her with the silence of a predator.
He chuckled. "Do not be frightened, Elizabeth."
He pulled off his hose and doublet and pulled her into a long kiss. She attempted not to gag from the strong smell of ale on his breath. He pulled himself into the bed, laying her on her back in the process. She took a deep breath to calm herself, but as Eric lifted the shift to reveal her bare body, without thinking she struck him. His eyes became dark and she lay there, trembling.
"You will not deny me, Elizabeth." His eyes met hers sinisterly.
She managed to choke out a response. "Eric, please can we not wait for a few-"
He shook his head. "You will not deny me."
He gripped her arms and pinned them down above her head, his body was already positioned between her legs and she felt his member growing stiff. The tears began to run down her face.
"Eric, please reconsid-" she cried out as her husband forced himself inside of her.
She attempted to twist her arms free of him but he only gripped them tighter.
"It only makes me enjoy it more when you struggle." He whispered lustfully.
Elizabeth could only whimper as Eric ravaged her body. His fierce moments lasted for much longer than Elizabeth could take. The last thing she could remember was Eric's face before being overcome with blackness.