Disclaimer: I own nothing, but my OCs. All rights go to Showtime, the creator of The Tudors.

A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you for being patient while I write another chapter. Hello to my new favs/followers: inkheartmagic, Danidollxx, and Alejandra-valenzuelac. I would also like to mention, if any author on any website such as wattpad, fanfiction, AO3, ETC. is inspired by my work, I am very flattered. But I will not tolerate pure plagiarism. For someone to take paragraphs from not one, but three of my stories and not recognize that they are my passages is entirely a moral fault. I worked hard on my work and for you to claim it as your own is unacceptable.

Ch. 13

And wilt thou leave me thus?

Say nay, say nay, for shame,

To save thee from the blame

Of all my grief and grame;

And wilt thou leave me thus?

Say nay, say nay!

And wilt thou leave me thus,

That hath loved thee so long

In wealth and woe among?

And is thy heart so strong

As for to leave me thus?

Say nay, say nay!

And wilt thou leave me thus,

That hath given thee my heart

Never for to depart,

Nother for pain nor smart;

And wilt thou leave me thus?

Say nay, say nay!

And wilt thou leave me thus

And have no more pity

Of him that loveth thee?

Hélas, thy cruelty!

And wilt thou leave me thus?

Say nay, say nay!

~Sir Thomas Wyatt

Warwick Castle 27th March 1537

Grace and Percy lay in bed at her family home, Grace lazily drawing circles on her husband's chest as he watched her. They had made love every night since she had been churched, 30 days after the birth of Rosalind. Percy was weak, often coughing in the middle of their love making and Grace could only do so much to ease his pain. Rosalind was a source of happiness for Percy, the Earl doting on her. He had no qualms with her parentage, loving her completely as she was his own.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Grace questioned, watching her husband for any sign of weakness. She could tell he was tired, his strength slowly leaving him. Some days he was confined to his bed because he was so weak.

"I promise you, I am fine," Percy insisted, giving her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. A thin line spread across Grace's lips, but she nodded as she climbed across her husband's lap and straddled him. The thin sheet fell from her body to reveal her nakedness, Percy running his hands over her thighs and hips. He guided her over him, groaning as she rode him. She was slow and deliberate in her movements. She didn't want to excite him too much for fear the coughing would start. The blood would always follow. She didn't know how much she could take.

A few more thrusts and they both finished, Percy relaxing into the bed while Grace lay down on his chest. Percy hesitated in what he would say next, knowing his words would upset his wife. But he needed to do this for himself, for his family.

"I need you to do something for me," Percy uttered softly. Grace peered up at him curiously, wondering what on earth he was referring to. His tone was serious, his cornflower blue eyes gazing at her with such intensity she knew what he would ask of her was difficult.

Percy cupped Grace's face in his palms so delicately, stroking her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. "I would not ask this of you if it was not urgent. I would not ask you to leave our daughter if it wasn't a matter of life or death."

"What are you talking about?" Grace questioned, her body starting to panic at his unknown request.

"I need you…I need you to go to court on behalf of my brother and the others. I need you to make the king see reason," Percy stated, his tone firm. "They are all innocent. We both know that. You're the only one he will listen to."

All Grace saw was red as she jumped up from her husband's lap and out of their marital bed. She quickly donned a robe as Percy looked on uneasily. He knew he had upset her. Her frantic behavior indicated that as she started pacing, pausing to give her husband an enraged stare before continuing her pacing.

"You want me to go back to that hell hole? You want me to see the king after…" Grace couldn't finish her sentence, her throat closing as she thought about Rosalind. She was Henry's daughter, his mirror image. She didn't know wat she would do if he found about her. She felt betrayed by her husband, that he would request such a thing when she was still vulnerable to the king.

Percy hesitantly approached her. However, his movements were labored, and he had to take his time to follow her. Grace watched him, feeling guilt pool in her stomach, but it was overtaken by her anger. He couldn't even lift himself off the bed, instead sitting on the edge as leaned over and braced himself on his knees. "I know this is hard for you. It is even harder of me to ask this of you. I do not want you to go. I want you to stay with me and Rosalind, but there are innocent men being put on trial. Just like your uncle had been accused of crimes, you would not want these men to die without a fight, or would you?" He was baiting her now. He knew exactly how to use his words to persuade her.

Grace narrowed her eyes at Percy, but he just gave her his boyish smile like he always did. It could completely change her mood, no matter how mad she was at him. She approached him, standing between his legs as his face came to rest on her stomach and her hands began weaving though his blonde curls. He held her closely, waiting for her answer.

"I can't leave you in your condition and I can hardly leave a child barely a month after I've given birth." It hurt her heart to be parted from her daughter for more than an hour. She was constantly with her from morning to dusk. She even fed her child, something that was frowned upon as she was a duchess. But she insisted. She would not have a wet nurse unless she had to. "And Anne…" Anne had just delivered her own child, a boy whom she named after her brother George. The late queen had proven herself capable of having sons, a triumph indeed for Jane was not yet pregnant. But she would be occupied with George. She had no time for Rosalind.

"Anne will be fine. Richard constantly dotes on them. He will not go back to court until Anne forces him to. And she can feed Rosalind. I've already discussed it with her. We will find a wet nurse if the situation arises," Percy continued, trying to allay his wife's fears.

"And what will I say when I show up at court, unannounced and uninvited?" Grace questioned. "How can you think I can look at him, let alone petition him for the lives of those men?" Percy didn't know what to tell her. He knew that because of his brother's involvement in the rebellion, they were also at the mercy of the king's wrath. If his brother was attainted, then he could be as well. Northumberland could fall into ruin. Gloucester could have the same fate.

"Because it is not just their lives at stake." Grace looked down at Percy with wide eyes, now fully understanding his urgency.

"He would come after us for your brother's actions?" Percy nodded, letting out a deep sigh of frustration.

"When I am gone…" Grace tried to pull away from Percy, but he yanked her right back to him with as much strength as he could muster. She would not hear him speak like that, even if it was the truth. "When I am gone," Percy continued, his tone severe and strident, "The king will come after Northumberland. Cromwell will convince him to. Our lands and titles will be attainted, and the king will hold it above your head. He will show no mercy. You must appeal to him before it is too late. He may take Northumberland, but he may spare Gloucester if you make haste. He will hesitate because of you."

Grace rolled her eyes in an irritated manner. The king would not budge if Cromwell convinced him. She bit her lip, feeling overwhelmed at all her husband was telling her. Percy reached up and grasped her chin tightly so she would look at him. Just like the king used to. She flinched slightly, but Percy didn't notice. All he wanted her to do was listen. He was unaware that his action had made her think of the king.

"Grace, he will listen to you. You have some type of hold over him. I don't even understand it," Percy emphasized. He hated that Grace still had a connection to the king. Even though she hadn't seen him since Christmas, Percy knew the king was affected when Warwick told him of Rosalind's birth. He still wanted her, and Percy would do everything in his power to protect her, even if it meant sending her into the lion's den first.

"You're exaggerating," Grace spoke tersely. She didn't like the way Percy alluded towards her relationship with the king. She denied any association she had to him. She was lying to herself. And with Rosalind, she would always be bound to the king whether she liked it or not. Whether she believed it or not, it was still true.

"Exaggeration or not, he will speak to you if you put yourself in his way." Percy gave Grace a pointed look at which she shook her head.

"Now you sound like you want to offer me up to him on a silver platter. Are you Judas, my love? Are you selling me to the king for 30 silver pieces?" Grace voiced sarcastically.

"No. I would offer up my soul to assure your safety." Percy sounded so desperate as he stared up at his wife. He pulled Grace closer, burying himself into her. She would hate him now for sending her to court, but she would thank him later, she would thank him when her life and their daughter's was out of danger.

Whitehall 29th March 1537

"I have spoken to Ambassador Chapuys. I hope you do not mind. He was quite excited about telling me about Lady Mary's marriage prospects," Jane mused excitedly to the king as they ate breakfast together. The courtiers stood around them patiently, waiting on the royal couple as they ate.

Jane was in a rather cheery mood that morning Henry noted. He smiled slightly; glad she was in such high spirits. She did look beautiful at that moment, her silver and blue gown accenting her light features. She was wearing the silver and pearl jewelry set he had gifted her as well, the crown and matching pieces also showing off her delicate features. She had no idea of Anne's victory over her. She had given birth to a son while Jane was still childless. It bothered the king immensely, though no one had the courage to tell Jane. She was oblivious.

"It is time Mary finds a husband, even if he may be Portuguese. It will strengthen our alliance with Emperor. But do not involve yourself in such matters, sweetheart. I am taking care of everything," Henry stated.

"Forgive me if I offended you. I'm merely pleased we may be able to help plan a wedding for Mary. It is time that she has a family of her own, don't you think?" the queen asked, taking another bite of her quail eggs. It was odd she was eating them again as she had requested them two days in a row.

"Yes. It is time that she married, though I haven't decided who. The French have taken Artois and are building fortification at Saint Pol. It may be more suitable for her to be a bride of France now. She is my pearl, but she is not a child anymore. She is a woman, and she should be married," Henry responded. However, he was more intrigued with her eating habits rather than Mary's impending marriage now. "I see you are eating quail's eggs again, sweetheart. Did you not have those yesterday?"

"Yes, your majesty. I seem to have developed a fondness for them." Jane smiled again, but it wasn't a regular smile. It was like she was keeping a secret from him that she was dying to tell. Henry studied her further, her bright blue eyes, the natural pink colors her cheeks had. She was radiant. And then it all made sense to him.

"A special fondness?"

"Well indeed," Jane replied, her joy practically bubbling over "For some reason I desire quail's eggs above all else." Henry chuckled, pleased with her answer.

"Leave," the king demanded. All the courtiers left in a hurried manner. He was impatient, his eyes darting from the court back to his wife. He was ecstatic at her secret announcement but would not say another word until they were alone.

"I think you're with child," Henry stated, pointing at his wife's stomach.

"I am," Jane confirmed. She was on the verge of tears, her happiness contagious. Henry chuckled and practically jumped out of his chair, kneeling before Jane as he looked up at her in adoration. This was what he needed, what he had waited for. He was convinced that God had punished him until now. Perhaps his patience was being rewarded.

"My love," Jane declared.

"My Queen." Henry kissed her deeply. He had achieved the happiness he desired. He was wrong to think that his wife was barren. "We shall have to postpone your coronation. There is no need for you to exert yourself at such a celebration until after the birth." Henry noted that there was no need to rush such an occasion. It was not like Anne's coronation. She had no rivals, no concerns for herself that Anne had experienced at the time of her crowning. Jane had all the time in the world to be crowned, to be declared queen before the English people.

"I understand," Jane voiced, though she sounded disappointed. She was looking forward to her coronation, the ceremony that would rightfully declare her queen.

"I promise it will be the most glorious occasion, but when you are not pregnant. When the child is born and you have regained your strength, I promise you will be crowned," Henry stated, cupping her face ever so gently and kissing her again. Jane could only nod at her husband's words. She felt complete at seeing him so overjoyed, but she knew it could all be taken away with a snap of his fingers. Even if she was queen, her fate lay with that of her child.

1st April 1537

Francois paced anxiously in his chambers, thinking of his people who suffered from the hands of the Spanish monster. They fled from the impending danger of the Emperor's army who had already killed 2,000 Italians near Turin. The Duke of Wurttemberg had already offered his assistance, 20,000 to 30,000 lance knights being the agreed number. His son-in-law had also promised 100,000 men for France while 50,000 men would be sent to England from Scotland if Henry interfered in the war with the Emperor. King James loathed his uncle, his hate increasing as he had been denied passage through England for his young bride. Madeline remained at Rouen because of her ill health, yet James was in Normandy.

In addition to the war, the king's marriage being delayed. He had arranged to meet her in February, but it had been delayed until the summer. It made Francois extremely anxious. He needed to secure his dynasty with more children and his future bride would do so.

Interrupting his thoughts, a servant entered the king's chambers and announced that there was a letter from the Bishop of Verona. Francois snatched the letter impatiently, scanning the contents rapidly.

On my asking that if the legate came to you I might come also, he desired me to wait till he should hear again. My coming with this cardinal has two special causes, one that the Pope, knowing I have always been your most loving servant, is assured that a certain commission he has given me to negotiate with your Majesty touching the service of God and your public and private welfare will be received in the spirit in which it is put forth. The other cause is my own desire to pay my reverence to your Majesty. I enclose a brief from the Pope upon the first of these. The legate going towards Cambray, I will go to Amiens, where, if it please you to show your mind to the cardinal of Carpi, I will do all you command.

Francois chuckled. The bishop was asking him to accept the visit of Cardinal Pole as he was in Paris. He turned to the servant abruptly, startling the poor man who awaited a reply.

"Tell the bishop that Pole will not be received by me. I have more important things to deal with than an English squabble nor my service of God. I am at war with the Emperor." Francois thrust the letter at the servant, the man cowering as he thought the king would strike him in his fury. He nodded, bowing to the king to perform what was requested. Francois would not stop until the Emperor was defeated and the enemy was driven from his lands. God and the Pope would have to wait.

Whitehall Palace 10th April 1537

Grace had hesitantly complied with her husband's request, though it made her heart ache greatly. Her elder brothers remained home while Christian accompanied her. Her father, uncle, and brother Arthur were already at court, her defense against Cromwell and the Seymours. Elizabeth was also to be brought to court. It had been agreed she would spend Easter with her mother so Henry had sent for her after such. Christian's middle child, Eleanor, had accompanied them as a playmate for the king's youngest daughter.

"No one knows I'm here, do they?" Grace questioned as she readied herself for the day. More and Warwick stood behind her while Arthur laid nonchalantly on her bed. She eyed them with her mirror, her green orbs staring them down as she combed her hair. Catherine Carey assisted her, Grace's niece her attending lady-in-waiting.

"Only us," Warwick uttered, More studying Grace intently.

"Stop watching me like a hawk, uncle. I promise I am alright."

"Very well. A suggestion then. You should wear one of the gifts the king gave you," More replied, gauging a reaction out of her. Grace's eyes narrowed at him in the mirror, a fiery glare now taking over.

"Catherine, why don't you make sure the girls are being prepared for the day." Catherine curtsied to her step-aunt, heading towards the nursery chambers. She knew to keep silent and obey when the Nevilles talked. "I don't like you speaking of such things in front of her."

"Mary and John have spoken to her of everything. She knows why you're here," Warwick replied.

"I still don't like it. She's too young to be involved," Grace declared.

"She will have to be if she's apart of this family. She's protected by us. She is loyal to us." Warwick stated, staring his daughter down. She couldn't hold his gaze, lowering her eyes to fiddle with her hands. "I would heed your uncle's advice. Perhaps a necklace."

"I know what to do father," Grace said in a frustrated tone. She pulled a simple pearl necklace from her jewelry box, a sapphire the center of the piece. The king had given it to her as a birthday gift the year before. She had almost forgotten about it. "I shall wear his gift, but I wear my husband's colors." Warwick said nothing, merely nodding his head at her azure blue dress. It was simple, pearls decorating the neckline of the dress. She had a matching pearl headband, her hair loosely tied back.

"Good. Now, let's go for a walk in the gardens."

The king was occupied with his thoughts regarding the council as he walked alone in the gardens of Whitehall. His guards trailed behind cautiously, giving the kin enough space to let his frustrations out elsewhere if need be. The council had discussed the surety of Calais and other French towns, the status of alliances with the other princes specifically including that of his daughters' hands in marriage, and the readiness of the king's navy.

And then there was the rebellion, the consequences of it. There had been so many testimonies from witnesses and letters from Norfolk that it was starting to make the kings head spin. The only news that seemed to make him happy was that Elizabeth would be there that afternoon. Both of his daughters would be at court.

"Elizabeth…" Henry heard from around the corner of the garden. He had come into an opening, a fountain in the middle of the courtyard. A hedge blocked his view, but he knew that voice anywhere. A giggle erupted, closer to him than the voice. Elizabeth burs around the corner, her red curls spiraling around her. She was in a disarray, her cheeks red, her clothes wrinkled, and her eyes filled with joy.

"Papa!" Elizabeth exclaimed, Henry chuckling as she raced around the fountain to him. He gathered her in his arms, throwing her into the air as he always did when he first saw her for her visits.

"Elizabeth, where did you go?" Henry's joy effortlessly faded and was replaced with an almost sour expression as he waited for Grace to appear. She entered the courtyard, her lady-in-waiting on one side while she held another child on her waist. Her smile disappeared as soon as she spotted him, pursing her lips as she handed the child she carried to her lady. She nodded at the young woman, making her stand at the entrance to the courtyard as she approached the king.

Grace curtsied, her eyes disconnecting from Henry's when she reached the lowest point of her curtsy. It only deepened his frown, releasing Elizabeth from his grip as he placed her back on the ground. "Why don't you go with your friend back to your rooms and I'll come visit you later." Elizabeth merely grinned back, following her father's request. However, she sought Grace's approval as well and waited for her response.

Grace broke her trance to nod at Elizabeth, the young royal sparing her a kiss on the cheek before she left with Catherine and Eleanor. It left her alone with the king now as she gathered herself from her curtsy, waiting for him to speak. "And why are you here?" Henry was sharp and blunt, his tone cold. It was an unexpected reaction and when Grace dared to make eye contact with the king, she saw the wall he had put up with her arrival.

"I am here to settle the debts owed to my husband. As you recall he was the warden of the East and Middle Marches and must pay his deputies their fees. And there is the matter of my nephew's marriage to your niece," Grace stated. She did not falter in her answer and Henry rolled his eyes at the fact that Henry Percy's nephew Henry Clifford was marrying Eleanor Brandon. He had completely forgotten the connection to Grace, her sister-in-law being the Duchess of Cumberland and Clifford's mother.

"You're lying to me once again." Henry pinched the bridge of his nose. He would not pay Grace's game. She arrived at court out of the blue, just as she had done when her uncle was imprisoned in the tower. He wasn't stupid. He wanted her to admit why she was there.

"Majesty, there's no reason for me to lie to you." Grace's lie flowed effortlessly off her tongue, but she knew she had been caught. The king's eyes lit up with something akin to a mixture of anger and satisfaction as he edged his way forward. Grace did not back down. She stood her ground, staring back at him defiantly.

"Tell me the truth." The king stood inches from Grace, but she wouldn't budge. She turned her face to the side, biting her cheek while refusing to answer. Henry reached out, one hand grabbing her arm tightly and the other pulled her face towards him. He refused to let go, Grace looking like a child as the king squeezed her cheeks between his thumbs and other fingers.

Grace attempted to wrench her face from his grasp, but she couldn't move. The king wouldn't let her free until she answered. His blue orbs felt like they were reaching into her soul and her breathing became shallow as she stared back at the father of her child. She felt her voice stuck in her throat as her shield started to crumble. She could feel her emotions showing, the king's gaze softening until she opened her mouth. "You hold innocent men in the tower. Thomas and Ingelram Percy, Robert Aske, Lord Darcy…"

Henry finally released his hold on her, chuckling as he started to pace in front of her. "Finally."

"Did you think I wouldn't come to petition on their behalf?" Grace questioned.

"No. I knew you would." The king now had his back to her, his hands on his hips as he struggled to contain his inner turmoil. He faced her, lingering on the necklace Grace wore. She knew the game of court and she played it well. She always had.

"And no matter what I do, you will not listen to me."

"I believe your charms may be fading," Henry replied sarcastically.

"Are they, Henry?" Grace shot back at him. "Or will you not listen to reason? Has Cromwell deluded your mind that much?"

"You dare utter a word against my Lord Privy Seal?" Henry shook his finger at her, practically yelling. Grace was sure others could hear them by now. "You speak against me?" Grace backed away, uncomfortable at how close the king was and fearful of his anger. She was also afraid of more, that she would breakdown and tell him about Rosalind. And when the king realized her fright, he immediately stopped his tantrum.

Henry halted his angry actions, his hands facing upwards as he cupped Grace's face securely, but gently. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to see you? How I must control myself in your presence?" Grace remained silent, not uttering a sound as his hand trailed down to her neck to finger her necklace in a delicate manner.

"You should have been mine. Your child should have been mine," Henry all but whispered.

"But I'm not," Grace responded as silent tears started to pour from her eyes. "I am his. I will always be Henry Percy's." She backed away from the king, his orbs filled with a glimmer of regret as he let her go. He simply nodded at her and turned his back before he revealed his true emotions.

Henry turned the corner of the gardens swiftly, his guards barely keeping up with their master as he hurried to the private solace of his chambers. He immediately slammed the door behind him, letting out an enraged roar as he hands sought out anything in reach. Papers were ripped nd scattered across the floor. Furniture was thrown and some pieces were broken from the blunt force of the man who wanted to destroy everything and anything.

It had been too hard to be in Grace's presence, to know that she would always belong to Henry Percy. It drove the king to the edge and rather than have her see his hard exterior diminishing by the second, he had been resolved to do so alone. He didn't need prying eyes watching his every move, though he felt sick knowing Grace had been left.

Grace practically collapsed when the king faded from her view. She couldn't breathe as she struggled to grasp the edge of the fountain for support. It felt like her whole world was shattering in front of her. Rosalind was his child and a part of her would always be his. She felt extremely guilty for that which only made her cry harder.

More was the one who found her, kneeling beside his niece, and taking her in his arms as she bawled against her uncle. She was under an immense amount of stress, petitioning for her husband's cause and the innocent men of the rebellion while trying to keep her child's parentage a secret. Anyone else would have cracked from the pressure beforehand. It wasn't until the king confronted her that Grace became broken.

"I can't…I don't know if I can stay here. It's like he knows. It feels like he knows what I am keeping from him," Grace cried.

"But he doesn't. You must not overthink this. You must demonstrate perfect control. All eyes will be on you whether you like it or not. Prove to them that you are more deserving. Prove to them that a wrong choice was made. Show them that you are the Duchess of Gloucester and the Countess of Northumberland. Show them you are made of iron from the north. Show them you are from Plantagenet stock. You will not be show easily forgotten my dear niece. You are someone to be remembered." More spoke with wisdom that only came from age and experience. Grace stared up at him through her tears, finally giving him a small smile that he desired. She knew all would fall into place, but now she would struggle for her family, struggle to contain what strength she had left before it abandoned her.

Whitehall Palace 11th April 1537

"I would urge you to watch your words in the presence of others. The Marquess of Exeter as well. You are all under suspicion." Warwick spoke feely as he stared back at Lord Montague. They were in the confines of his rooms, away from eavesdropping nobles. After his discussion with the king, he was taking no chances in watching another one his relatives suffer on the scaffold.

"Any why should I listen to anything you say, cousin?" Montague replied.

"Because I would hate for more blood to be shed because of words said in anger. Exeter accepted former abbey lands and was reported to have mentioned something that referenced the abbeys would be restored. He also mentioned that 'knaves' rule about the king.' My mistrust of Cromwell is well known but we must not discuss it any further unless in private."

"You've been conversing with the king I see. He trusts you. He trusts More. But he still holds Cromwell's opinions higher than yours. And though he would hate to admit it, there may be one who could hold all power over the king if given the opportunity. If the king let them do so," Montague remarked.

Warwick chuckled at Montague's musings, finding it entertaining that he would voice such a thing. "And who would that be? I doubt there's another poisonous viper who could do such a thing?"

"Not a viper. A woman," Montague stated.

"I hardly think the new queen could ever have that much power over him. If she gives the king a son, her position will be secure, and she may be able to have his ear for a time. His mistress has no power whatsoever. The king uses her for his sexual appetite, nothing more." Warwick knew where Montague was headed, though he played the fool.

"Your daughter could, if she wanted."

"My daughter could also keep your family protected. I could keep them safe from Cromwell," Warwick declared.

"Then we are in agreeance. We are in league with one another," Montague responded.

"Let us hope it never comes to that." Warwick couldn't help but replay what More once told him. 'If the lion knows his own strength'… The king knew his power, it was just the limits of his power that needed to be feared. He had boundaries before, but now anything was possible.

A/N: Comments?