A/N: Alright, everyone I know it seems like I dropped off the face of the planet for a while there and I am sorry about that. Between a summer job, a laptop on the fritz, and a number of other things, I haven't had much time to write. But with the summer coming to an end, I will be able to write more frequently once more, particularly after getting a new laptop. In the meantime, thank you so much to everyone who has kept up with this story. And an additional thank you to Lizairy Cullen, Roberta Lozano, Child of Dreams, Guest, deeciphereed, Robin4, hateme101, Frog1, Keisha, tricorvus, jamestudor, naturenohurry91, Purple Sky of Dreams. IWantColouredRain, Sakura, Guest, and Lady Eleanor of Slytherin for all of the fantastic reviews on the previous chapter. I hope you all enjoy this new chapter and one last thanks for your patience.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors or any of the characters, Showtime does.
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July 24th, 1543
Henry clung to both of his sons as he silently thanked God for His mercy.
Little Harry was still very weak, but Dr. Linacre had determined that all seemed well and the prince would most likely survive. Fortunately, he had not ingested much of the poison and so when it was purged from his body, it had not been as bad as it could have been.
The king was more than grateful that his boys were both safe and alive. He had immediately sent for Elizabeth, Edward, Margery, and even Mary. It had taken him nearly losing his son to realize just how much he loved his children. Even the daughter he no longer deemed legitimate. Now he wished only to see his sons and daughters and be near them.
Cromwell had reported to him that Brereton had confessed to the poisoning. He would be dealt with in good time, but for now Henry would spend the time, time he had come so close to losing forever, with his children all of them.
...
Cromwell had been present when George and Thomas Boleyn had watched a man be boiled alive feet-first, while Cromwell himself had left. He had also heard that the late Thomas Boleyn was believed by many to have ice in his veins instead of blood.
And now, as he stood watching as George Boleyn stood in front of William Brereton, his expression one of absolute fury, Cromwell himself felt a chill overcome him as though he were on the receiving end of the man's searing gaze.
"Who else was involved in this?!" George shouted, seizing Brereton by the collar of his shirt. "ANSWER ME!"
In all his time as one of the king's grooms, Brereton had seen many an outburst from King Henry, and he never believed he would ever see another man whose temper could even hope to match the king's. Now, he was certain the monarch had met his match.
"You were seen in the company of the Imperial Ambassador Chapuys not long ago," George's face had twisted into a cross between a grimace and a smirk, a most unpleasant expression. "Do you deny it?"
When Brereton didn't respond, he felt the palm of George's hand connect with his face, causing his head to snap back.
"Do. You. Deny. It?" Lord Wiltshire demanded once more.
No response.
"Very well," George's tone became calm and he turned to face Cromwell. "It appears Master Brereton does not feel the need to speak. I believe a bit of persuasion is in order."
Thomas Boleyn himself would have no doubt been pleased to see the cold smirk now gracing his son's features as he spoke these words, without a trace of his normal amiability.
...
Mary could no longer feel comfortable in the Imperial Ambassador's presence.
She knew he continued to slander her half-brothers and half-sister as bastards, barely even attempting to conceal his dislike of having to show the twins and Elizabeth any semblance of deference.
At one time, Mary herself had been so adamant in insisting that she was the true princess and they the bastards. But now, she found it did not matter to her as much as it once did.
A part of this had been due to nearly losing Harry to the poisoning, a revelation that she realized Chapuys had been suspiciously untroubled by.
Mary had also had to reconcile herself to a painful truth, one she had chosen to ignore for some time; her father was the king and made his own choices.
She had once insisted, and she was certain others had too, that everything that had transpired from the Great Matter to the Reformation had all been the fault of Anne. That the harlot had seduced a good man from his loving wife of over twenty years and manipulated him into showing favor to her children alone all the while leaving his poor eldest daughter to suffer.
But in the end, Henry had been free to make the choice himself...
A part of her would never truly accept that her status as princess had been usurped by Elizabeth, and that of heir to the throne by Harry. But, she realized if she must choose between her siblings and her titles, she would choose her siblings.
...
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I do hope everyone enjoyed that new chapter and, as a special Christmas gift, I shall offer up another chapter along with this one.