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

A/N: Another long chapter for you all! I would like to point out that I have used parts of Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 11, July-December 1536 for the dialogue between Cromwell and the king in the first part of this chapter, specifically letter number 1175, Henry VIII Ellerker and Bowes on 27 November 1536. I would also like to point out that Norfolk has been replaced with Suffolk as he was in the show. Norfolk will make appearances in this story, but his importance is slightly altered. I would also like to point out that I have a poll up regarding who Mary Tudor's husband will be. Please vote! Welcome to my new favs/followers: fco ala, Roseana23, and Sumwidge.

Ch. 9

"Un-thread the rude eye of rebellion, and welcome home again discarded faith."

~ William Shakespeare

Richmond Palace 2 December 1536

Henry lay in his bed, lazily watching the woman who was sleeping soundly next to him. It was not his wife, but Anne Bassett who he shared his bed with most nights. She was much more lively than Jane, always dancing merrily with the other ladies-in-waiting. Jane always emphasized her religious piety, going to mass constantly with her ladies, making the king's shirts in her rooms, and always reading the bible in her chambers. She danced occasionally with the king, but more than often, she watched the festivities in the great hall while her brother Edward advised her on certain matters. She was not eloquent when ambassadors came to visit her. She knew French and Latin, having served both Catherine and Anne, but she did not use the languages as frequently. She was soft spoken, subservient, everything Henry had wanted in a wife and now he found himself lacking in enjoyment.

Henry continued to watch the "new Anne" as he called her in his mind. She was the step-daughter of his half-uncle, Arthur Plantagenet, Viscount Lisle, and had bene sent to serve Jane after her coronation. Honor Grenville, Anne's mother, had been most persistent in making her daughter's ladies to the queen, but only Anne had been chosen while Elizabeth Bassett had been sent to serve Catherine Brandon, the Duchess of Suffolk. With her dark blonde hair and grey eyes, Anne was an enchanting woman with a hint of mystery to her being. She knew exactly how to charm the king, Henry taking her as a mistress soon after the Pilgrimage of Grace began.

Speaking of the rebellion, Henry still felt threatened by the leaders. After sending letters to the Earl of Derby, Henry thought it wise to maintain an army in the north in case such a rising be attempted again. And with news from Cranmer that the Pope would make his cousin Reginald Pole a cardinal, he felt even more threatened and betrayed. If his cousin were to accept such a position, he would be supporting the king's greatest enemy. But if he refused, he would express his loyalty to his cousin and king.

Suddenly, a knock was heard at his chamber door, the king rising quietly and putting on a robe before entering his study. He was irritated, a scowl on his face at being interrupted as he spent time with his mistress. He yanked the door open, coming face-to-face to Cromwell. If his Lord Privy Seal was here then certainly something was wrong.

"Majesty excuse me for bothering you at such an hour, but I have an urgent letter that needs to be addressed," Cromwell spoke quickly, giving the king a letter which he ripped open unceremoniously. His eyes scanned the letter, his anger rising to the surface as he realized the authors of the letter were the rebels who had been delegates at his court. His hands began to shake, Cromwell looking nervous as he watched the king's jaw clench ad his eyes darken to that hellish shade of black.

"Write this down, Cromwell," the king demanded through grit teeth, Cromwell immediately sitting down and reaching for parchment and paper to write on. "We have read the letters addressed by you and others from York to the Duke of Suffolk, and greatly marvel at the ingratitude shown to us in this insurrection, especially by men of nobility and worship, and the great slackness of you twain that were messengers from the whole company of that assembly to us, especially that you have not made us a full answer of your instructions." Cromwell hurriedly scribbled down the king's words, his hand beginning to cramp as the king rapidly continued in his spiel.

"You might well perceive when you were with us that unless the inhabitants of those parts would, in their deeds, show themselves true subjects, allowing our people freely to resort to us, and our letters to be conveyed without interruption, and make redress for all attempts since the appointment taken at Doncaster, we would not have directed our brother Suffolk and our Admiral into those parts, and that the reason our answer was not sent by you was that they had, since the appointment, committed so many offences. This is also the cause why Suffolk and the Admiral do not repair to them until they have assurance of their loyalty." Henry merely discussed the rebels opposition to him and the fact that they showed their disloyalty. He wanted them to put down their arms, accept his will, and return home so that his ability to rule was no longer questioned by the other dynasties of Europe.

The king started pacing, his relaxed body now once again filled with tension as thoughts of the rebellion plagued his mind. "We are much surprised that, as the commons be now down, and perhaps not so ready to rise again as some pretend, the nobles and you, the gentlemen, should have signed such a letter to the duke of Suffolk, by which it seems they make themselves a party with the commons. This is clean contrary to the reports of you, Sir Ralph Ellerker and Robert Constable, who declared them to have been taken against their wills, which did then chiefly move us to take compassion on them." If the nobles had or commoners had participated in response to force, the king could forgive them. Otherwise, he would have to punish them as he would see fit to do to the leaders of the rebellion.

"God commanded them to obey their prince whatever he be, though he should not direct them justly, and their oath of allegiance pass all other oaths, without the keeping of which all other oaths be but nought and vain." Henry referred to the oaths of Supremacy and Oaths of Succession to which the pilgrims appeared to deny with their uprising. "Wherefore, who can think that you, persevering in this madness which daily by your letters and doings ye declare more and more, should not be ashamed to call yourselves humble subjects when your deeds be so far contrarious?" He could not understand how these men would rise against him and call themselves loyal for if they had been called to arms, wasn't this an insurrection against him and his reign. "For who would think that true subjects, though they were offenders, would not come to any part of our realm we should allot under our safe conduct? What madness has seized them not to see that a small continuance of this will destroy themselves and utterly devast those parts which they inhabit? Would be sorry to be obliged to repress them by force, but if they persevere, will take measures to cut them off as corrupt members." Because of the Pilgrimage, Henry saw these subjects as corrupting the northern part of his realm for if they abandoned their work for this rebellion then they were abandoning the people who needed them most. If his subjects were to continue this way, they would not only destroy their livelihoods, but destroy England as well.

"We think it no little shame to all you that have been accounted noble to suffer such a villain as Aske, having neither wit, nor experience, to subscribe the letters sent to the duke of Norfolk before you all as if he were your ruler. Where is your nobility become to suffer such a villain to be privy to any of your affairs, who was never esteemed in any of our courts but as a common peddler in the law? We and all our nobles here consider your honor greatly touched by the same. It is only his filed tongue and false surmises that have brought him in this unfitting estimation among you." Henry was quite insulted that the commons and nobles would rally around such a common man, a previous lawyer who had been in the service of the earl of Northumberland no doubt. Why would such men follow a person of such little importance unless he was truly a man of the faith?

"Finally, you are to tell them we are as much inclined to mercy as ever prince was if we find in them a disposition to seek it. But unless they will permit our subjects free recourse to us, and not intercept our letters to them or theirs to us, withdraw their men from our towns and castles, which they keep now contrary to the duties of good subjects, restore the ship that was sent to Evers and molest him no further, but show their submission to us by deeds, we do not intend my lord of Suffolk to common any further with them but to stay till we know by your answer to these, to be sent to the duke of Suffolk, whether we shall repute them as good subjects or traitors." Henry would only show mercy if these men regretted their actions and pledged their loyalty to the king as well as withdrew from the rebellion to return to their homes. But otherwise, he would show no mercy and unleash his fury on the rebels. And he would rely on Suffolk to inform him so.

"If that is all Cromwell…" the king spoke, his dark eyes holding a warning glare in them if Cromwell asked anything else of him while Anne was in his rooms. Cromwell shook his head, rising from his chair, bowing, and exiting the room. He knew he had been a risk to disturb the king, but he left with a smirk on his face. It seemed the rebels would need no help from Cromwell to destroy themselves. The reformation would be back on track in no time and if he had anything to do with it, Grace would be one considered among the rebels.

Doncaster 6th December 1536

Suffolk had arrived at Doncaster in due time, the king sending him to finalize agreements with the rebels. The pilgrims had created "The Commons Petition" or rather the 24 articles of the Pilgrimage of Grace. The demands included that 1) heresies be destroyed, 2) the supremacy of the church regarding the "cura animarum" be reserved to Rome, 3) that the Lady Mary be legitimized, 4) that the suppressed abbeys be restored, 5) to have the tenths and first fruits clearly discharged of the same, 6) to have the Friars Observant restored, 7) to have certain bishops and heretics be punished, 8) to have Cromwell and Rich punished, 9) that certain lands in the north be by tenant right, 10) to have crossbows and handgun statues repealed except on the king's property, 11) that Dr. Leigh and Dr. Layton be punished for their extortion of religious houses, 12) that there be a reformation for the election of knights of the shires and burgesses, 13) that the statute for enclosures and intakes to be put in execution, and all enclosures and intakes since before Henry VII to be pulled down, 14) that they be discharged of the quinzine and taxes now granted by Act of Parliament, 15) to have a parliament at Nottingham or York, 16) that he statute of the declaration of the crown by will to be repealed, 17) that the rebels be pardoned by Parliament, 18) that the privileges and rights of the Church be confirmed by an act of Parliament,19) that the liberties of the Church have their old customs, 20) to have the statute "That no man shall not will his lands," be repealed, 21) that the statutes of treasons for words to be repealed, 22) that the common laws may have place as was used in the beginning of the reign, and that no injunctions be granted unless the matter has been determined in Chancery, 23) that men north of Trent summoned on subpoena appear at York, or by attorney, unless it be directed on pain of allegiance, or for like matters concerning the King, and 24) that there be a remedy against escheators for finding false offices and extorting fees. It was a long list and Suffolk was sure he would not grant all demands, but he would ask these pilgrims which were the most important and he would try and establish peace in England once more between subjects and king.

Suffolk sat across from the leaders of the rebellion, the king's guards standing behind him as a show of strength while he delivered his thoughts in regard to the petition. Norfolk and Shrewsbury sat on either side of him, remaining silent as he addressed the rebels as the king's head of negotiations. He scanned the crowd for Grace, but realized she was not present, confirming his suspicions that she had been a captive or that she was hiding in her chambers so as not to confirm her participation in the rebellion. "Gentlemen, I have read your new petition. Among other articles, you asked for the setting up of a special convocation or parliament to debate, without fear or His Majesty's displeasure, questions of heresy, the royal supremacy and maintenance of the faith. I can tell you now that the king has graciously conceded to your request."

Exclaims of approval were heard from the leaders and the few rebels present that were allowed to witness the meeting. "A special parliament will be summoned to be held not far away at Westminster, but here in York, to debate and decide on all these questions." Aske, Constable, Ellerker, and Darcy all looked relieved that the king had accepted their demands, feeling that their king had come to such a decision based on his own conscience and that perhaps he had realized Cromwell was not trustworthy and only trying to forward his own policies, not the king's.

Constable nodded at Suffolk, muttering a grateful "Thank you," to Suffolk before he continued, emphasizing their main points of the articles. "We've also asked for the heresies of Luther, Wyclif and Tyndale be annulled and destroyed. We've asked that the heretics, bishops and temporal be punished. That Cromwell, Audley, Sir Richard Rich be punished as subverters of the good laws of this realm and maintainers of false sects."

"That is not for me to decide, whatever my true feelings…" Suffolk halted for a second, hinting at the malice he held for Cromwell and that he too might wish the punishment of the Lord Privy Seal. "But such questions are exactly what the special parliament will be constituted to decide."

Aske was the next to speak, Suffolk's calculating eyes shifting from Constable to the leader of the Pilgrimage of Grace. "Is it possible that this parliament can also debate the question of papal obedience, touching the cure of souls and the legitimacy of the Lady Mary?" Aske questioned.

"Yes, Mr. Aske. I can guarantee that all these great matters can be put before the parliament without fear or favor," Suffolk confirmed.

"And the king is still willing to offer a general pardon?" Darcy asked, still wary in believing the king would be merciful.

It was silent for a few short moments, Suffolk unintentionally making Darcy shrink further into his doubt. "Yes. I say that with hesitation. The more his majesty understands the causes of this uprising and the loyalty of the pilgrims to his person and rule, the more he is persuaded to show clemency."

Aske turned to Constable, some short, whispered exchanges occurring before they continued. "There is one other great matter. Your Grace knows that we demand that the suppressed abbeys should stand or be restored. This is our sticking point. We were always determined to fight and die for the maintenance of our religious houses." Suffolk was overcome with Aske's power and strength demonstrated by this display of perseverance, understanding why so many men had followed him during the pilgrimage. It was his loyalty to faith as well as to the king that had attracted so many followers.

"What I can say about that is that all further destruction of the abbeys will cease until the parliament meets. It will then be up to Parliament to decide if and when the others will be restored." Sounds of joy erupted among the rebels for it seemed all would be well now. But Suffolk knew better. Darcy knew better, but the man would wait to speak to Aske about such a matter, away from prying eyes. The rebels would be dispersed, would return home at the demand of Aske, but danger would still linger in the air as a constant reminder of the king's ever-changing nature.

Warwick Castle 15 December 1536

"I'm glad you have returned safely with my nephews and Elizabeth," Grace declared as her and Anne enjoyed a pleasant walk in the gardens at Warwick Castle. Anne had returned from Calais a few days before, bringing joyous news with her concerning George's marriage and his beautiful bride. Mary had been sad to miss her brother's wedding but was glad he had started a new life in France. Their father still refused to make contact with them and vice versa, Lady Elizabeth Boleyn removing herself from her husband's household and establishing herself at Warwick Castle with the duke's permission. They no longer needed to endure the cruelties of Thomas Boleyn, the man still desperately trying to maintain his status instead of focusing on his family.

"I wish you could have been there, Grace. I've never seen George so happy. And Francois was such a gracious host. He asked about you, about us." Grace nodded at Anne's words, hinting at what would be spoken next. "Grace, you must be cautious now for even Francois knew about your involvement in the pilgrimage," she warned.

"I did not participate. I simply joined them while they traveled to Pontefract," Grace retorted.

"But because you joined them, their numbers increased. They cannot say that your presence did not have an effect on the people. You are the wife of the Earl of Northumberland, a popular figure in the north. And as you are his wife, you garnered much attention for this pilgrimage, some may say you even raised the forces yourself," Anne added.

"Are you going to lecture me like my father and uncle?" Grace questioned, her irritation evident as she unlinked her arm from Anne's, her forehead scrunching up as she gave her sister-in-law a hard stare.

"This is a dangerous game, Grace. Trust me. I played and I lost. You cannot force the king to listen. I even thought that the abbeys should be restored if they had excellent reports or even used for other purposes, but Cromwell disagreed and look where that got me," Anne pointed out. Anne had lost everything. She had been Queen of England and had been reduced to nothing during her stay in the tower. If not for Grace, she would have lost her head, but she was lucky. With the intervention of More and his niece, Anne had kept her head and her daughter.

"I'm not going to force the king to do anything. You think he would ever listen to me with Cromwell whispering poison in his ears?" Grace questioned, her eyebrow raised sassily as Anne rolled her eyes. "Besides, the only reason I would return to court is if Henry was summoned and he was. I won't leave my husband's side, Anne. And I won't let Elizabeth go to court without me either. I know I cannot always go, but you are banned from court until further notice, and she needs someone that can protect her. Mary must remain loyal to her father and will stay by Jane's side to appease him so she may not always be with Elizabeth. But Elizabeth does not know my father or uncle well enough. She would feel alone if I don't go with her," Grace explained.

"And I would be grateful if you do go with her. I may be her mother, but she looks up to you as well. Her and I both know you would do anything for us as you have proved before." Anne took Grace's hands in hers, squeezing gently in thanks for Grace's sacrifice. "I just ask that you not only protect her but protect yourself. You still have a hold over the king and if the Seymours or Cromwell try to make a move against you, it may be in your benefit to be pleasant towards him for the time being."

"I don't want to be anywhere near him, Anne." Grace retreated from Anne once more, tearing her hands from her grip and angrily stomping across the garden. If it were any other situation, Anne would have laughed at Grace's behavior as she paced around the graveled paths, her hands cradling her swollen belly. But she knew exactly how Grace felt and it worried her deeply. "He still…He still has some type of hold on me," Grace whispered softly, Anne barely hearing her words.

Anne could only nod her head in agreeance, cautiously approaching Grace. "You can't let him get to you, Grace. You must rise above it."

"But I can't. How can I when I gave him everything?" Grace cried. "I love Percy, I love him more than anything, but I can't deny that I loved him once. Is that wrong of me to even say that?" Grace cried into her hands, collapsing on a bench in the garden as her emotions took over. Anne immediately went to comfort her, embracing her tightly.

"Shhh…No. It's not wrong of you," Anne spoke to Grace in soothing tones, rubbing her back gently. "I will always be connected to him because of Elizabeth, but it's different for you. You walked away. You're the only woman who gave him all of you and then took it all away. He never truly conquered you and that's what kills him the most, Grace. You will always be the one thing he can never truly possess. Use that against him, use his weakness against him Grace. That is how you will get the upper hand, not just against him, but all those who seek to destroy us." Grace had quieted at Anne's words, the older woman having obtained a higher sense of wisdom because of her past ordeals with the king. Perhaps Anne was right. She was the king's weakness, but was he hers?

St. Paul's Cathedral 22 December 1536

Grace wished she was anywhere but at court, surrounded by the wicked vultures and ravenous wolves that all sought to ruin her with a flick of their wrists. She had come to court with Percy, not willing to let him go without her as he pledged his fealty to the king. It was a tradition every Christmas that every noble would present the king a gift as a sign of their loyalty and Grace did not want to be left in Gloucester. Besides, she had escorted Elizabeth to court as Anne was still banned. Richard had stayed behind, comforting Anne as she was separated from Elizabeth at Christmas. However, Warwick, More, and Christian had accompanied them to court, Christian even bringing his two older girls for Elizabeth's sanity. They wouldn't deprive Elizabeth of her playmates just because she had been called to court by the king.

Aske had also appeared at court, receiving a summons from the king. Constable had warned him, asking that he make sure the king means to honor the promises Lord Suffolk made on his behalf at Doncaster. Ellerker insisted that the king's promises were of value, but to ensure Aske's safety, Darcy had arranged for riders to be stationed along the road to London so that if Aske was imprisoned or mistreated, he would have news of it straight away.

Currently, his majesty's court was having a Christmas mass celebrating the birth of their savior. It had been dreadfully cold, the Thames freezing in London. The king, Jane, and Mary had all ridden from Westminster to the city, the roads decorated with tapestries and cloth of gold, priests blessing hem at every street corner, and the commons cheerfully greeting them despite the bitter cold. Grace and Percy had not been among the procession, but they had arrived in due course, Grace's family members joining them as they entered the cathedral together in unison. They stood on the opposite side of the church as the king and Cromwell did, Cromwell sending them a scathing glare at the appearance of his rival.

The king had not spotted Grace yet because of his focus on the service and on his wife who looked particularly angelic that evening. Wearing a cream fur shawl, the pale gold bodice underneath complemented Jane and the crown she wore made her appear the elegant queen she was. Henry was proud to have such a wife, but he felt a feeling of guilt build in his stomach at taking Anne Bassett as a mistress. Yet, he removed those thoughts from his head as Bishop Stephen Gardiner approached them to light the king's candle with his own. Henry then turned to Jane and Jane to Mary as the candles were lit during the evening service. That was when he caught sight of her, his eyes barely reaching her, but he turned back when he saw something familiar from the corner of his eyes. And his eyes greedily latched onto her figure, never wavering from it as he saw Grace dutifully watch the service, a small smile on her lips as she watched the chorus boys walk down the aisle.

Grace could feel it, the searing glare of the king's dark eyes on her. She tried to ignore it, the unmistakable burning she felt on her body. But she couldn't resist the temptation, the instant merging of eyes as Grace's green orbs connected with Henry's icy stare. She was trembling, though he couldn't see it. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how he still affected her with one look. She tried to figure out his undecipherable expression, but it was impossible. The same could be said for the king as he studied Grace's blank facial features. She would give him no reaction to his staring, even as his eyes drifted to her pregnant stomach. That was when his exterior slightly cracked. Grace could see it. The way his face hardened and then it wasn't as if he was looking at her, but through her. And she was instantly reminded of the first time she had been in church. He had looked right past her at her uncle and now, he was glaring with such hatred at Percy that it made her more fearful than she had been for her uncle.

Grace clutched her swollen belly, her other hand tightening on her husband's arm as she leaned over and whispered into his ear. "Henry," she spoke pleadingly as she dragged her eyes away from the king. " I should like to leave if we can. I feel most uncomfortable."

Percy stared down at his wife, worried for her condition. She shouldn't have been standing for so long with the weight of the baby now fully affecting her. "The service is almost over, darling. Would you like for me to find somewhere quiet where we can disappear? Is the baby bothering you?"

Grace shrugged her shoulders, not willing to tell him what was truly wrong for fear Percy would start a glaring match with the king. "No. If the service is almost over I won't make a spectacle and leave." When she looked back in the direction where the king was standing, she watched him lift his eyes again as well. He had probably turned his attention back to the service when Grace broke contact, but feeling her gaze on him, his eyes immediately returned to her figure and would stay there if she hadn't torn her eyes away. For a moment, she thought he looked forlorn, but she shook away the notion and began to study the patterns on the floor of the cathedral. She waited patiently, the service ending soon after her predicament.

Grace had hoped to depart with no further interruption, but she was proved wrong when she saw Mr. Robert Aske approach her. She nodded to him, expecting him to do the same, but she was mistaken as he swept himself into a low bow and reached for her hand to kiss it. She had known of his arrival to court, Aske having informed her of it in one of his letters, but she hadn't expected him to show her such familiarity.

"My Lady Gloucester," Aske spoke, sending her a genuine grin as he rose from his bow. Grace could hear the chattering break out among the courtiers and prayed only some had saw, though she was sure rumors were going to spread around court now. "My Lord Northumberland," he also spoke out of respect to Grace's husband. "I am glad to see a familiar face." Grace could sense his hesitance at being at court, though he couldn't deny an invitation from the king.

"Mr. Aske, your presence pleases me as well. Would you care to accompany me and my husband to our rooms?" If Grace was going to be the center of court gossip, she would not back down. She would embrace the attention and show these court weasels she was not to be messed with, that she was not to be forgotten so soon. Mr. Aske nodded, Grace latching on to his arm while still holding onto her husband. Her family members followed behind, More casting a backwards glance at the king. And he was happy he had for all color had been drained from the king's face at the sight of Grace keeping the company of the leader of the rebellion. Few saw his sudden change of behavior, but it had still been seen. Cromwell, Edward Seymour, and More had all been witness to the effect Grace still had on the king, the first two seething with hate while the third decided to do everything in his power to protect his niece, even if it was encouraging her to throw herself back into the king's good graces.

Greenwich Palace Christmastide 25 December 1536

Christmas celebrations had begun that day, three masses being held, and the genealogy of Christ sung in the hall as the courtiers chatted amongst themselves and danced as the musicians played harmonious tunes. The king sat on his golden throne dressed in an outfit of crimson and black with a decorated gold chain. Jane and Mary sat to his left and right, both wearing sumptuous red gowns with gold sashes and Christmas garlands in their hair. Behind them, a gold and green tapestry hung with the king's motto and symbol displayed. The rest of the hall was decorated with green Christmas garlands and golden pieces, adding some cheeriness to the dark hall.

Grace and More were at the entrance of the hall, Grace smoothing over Elizabeth's hideous red dress that Jane had commissioned for her. The color stood out against her pale skin and fiery red curls, the young Tudor princess more suitable to greens and blues. But Grace had to accept the dress from Jane's ladies or risk insulting the new queen. Elizabeth paid no attention to Grace's anxiousness about the dress, complaining about the itchy garland she had to wear in her hair. But Grace understood her fussing for she hated the traditional garland a majority of the court women wore. She had instead chosen a pearl headpiece with matching earrings and her dress was a gold color instead of the traditional red. Grace promised that Elizabeth wore the garland for most of the evening, Percy would take her riding the next morning which the redheaded girl enjoyed immensely. She nodded her head enthusiastically, putting her hands on either side of Grace's stomach as she reached up and started talking to her stomach.

Grace smiled at Elizabeth's actions, having seen her do such a thing with Anne as well. She had been quite affectionate when both women started showing signs of a baby growing in their wombs and Elizabeth had been very attentive to her mother and new aunt. "Watch," More spoke gently, nudging Grace who had been distracted by Elizabeth. She saw one of Jane's ladies, who had been late to the festivities, quickly grab a small pastry as she hurried towards the royal couple. Her dirty blonde hair had a Christmas garland placed atop its waves, and she wore a cream colored dress lined with lace collar and sleeves with a garish red sash across her chest like all the others. But that was not what Percy was motioning at. The king's eyes were filled with deep interest as he intently watched her approach him, his eyes flickering from her to the courtiers as she joined the other ladies.

"Anne Bassett," More muttered. "She is one of the queen's newest ladies and guessing by what just occurred, the king's new mistress."

Grace snorted in an unladylike manner, searching for her husband and father among the crowds. She didn't care who the lady was, only noting her beauty and obvious willingness. She was like all the others. "And why should that concern me, uncle?" she questioned, slightly nervous as to where her uncle might be taking the conversation.

"It doesn't. I'm just merely making a comment about his majesty's wandering eye," More continued, watching Grace for any signs of distress. She showed none, except for the usual lip biting that occurred when she was nervous. More wouldn't push her but accepted her answer. He knew just like Anne that the king still affected her in some manner. "Come, we must present Elizabeth to the king."

More led the two into the great hall, many latching their eyes onto Grace and Elizabeth as the younger girl clung to Grace's hand tightly. Percy and Warwick had positioned themselves closer to the platform where the royal couple and Mary sat, Percy giving his wife an encouraging smile as Elizabeth was presented to the king.

Henry's eyes betrayed nothing, but it was not missed when his eyes cast their way backwards to Grace for a short moment. "Thomas," Henry exclaimed, rising from his throne to embrace his old friend.

"Your majesty, Happy Christmas!" More returned, holding his friend at an arm's length. "I would like to present your daughter, the Lady Elizabeth." Both men turned to the small child, Elizabeth usually confident in herself, but for some reason, she shied away, looking at the woman who now occupied her father's time. She didn't quite understand what had happened, just that her mother was now married to Richard and that her father had married someone else.

"Elizabeth," Grace uttered gently, giving Elizabeth a slight push forward. "His majesty is waiting for you, darling. Just like we practiced." The young girl looked up hesitantly at Grace, nodding at her encouraging smile. Elizabeth consented to her aunt's direction, finally delivering a beaming smile up at her father and curtsying as gracefully as her three year old legs would allow.

"Votre Majeste. Ca va?" Elizabeth asked. Henry was quite pleased at his daughter's education, seeing that she would prefer French just as her mother had. It did not matter to him, just that she was learning. He wanted his children to have a broad education and Elizabeth would not be denied that chance.

Henry kneeled down in front of his daughter to speak to her, a small grin on his face as they conversed. "Ca va bien, ma petite. Viens ici." Elizabeth raced into her father's arms, giggling as he tossed her into the air. The court broke out in chuckles, no one denying Elizabeth's enchanting nature. "Je suis en famille!" Henry continued, a loud applause erupting at the sight that the king's daughters were not to be excluded from court and that Jane had accepted their company. Grace thought she would burst into tears at the sight, comforted by the fact that Mary and Elizabeth would not be rejected by their father, but the family moment was interrupted by Edward Seymour as he approached the king.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Robert Aske," Seymour announced, the king ushering Elizabeth to her sister's side while he awaited Aske's greeting. Grace joined her husband's side while More came to stand beside his brother-in-law, watching the scene with deep interest.

The leader of the Pilgrimage of Grace kneeled deeply, his eyes never leaving the king's as he spoke. "Majesty," he said, respectfully bowing his head as he awaited the king's reaction.

"Mr. Aske," the king responded, holding his hand out for Aske to take. He was a domineering figure as he stood above Aske, but the man did not cower as his kissed the king's hand in respect. "Come." He gestured towards his inner chambers, the two men disappearing into the room to speak privately while the courtiers were left to their own devices.

Grace had not noticed at first, having watched the pleasant scene between father and daughter, but now she instantly felt the cold stare of the queen upon her. She locked eyes with Jane, the queen's pursed lips indicating her disapproval of Grace's presence at court. But Grace would not acknowledge her, turning back to her husband as if nothing had occurred. She would not tempt Jane's displeasure. However, it seemed she was already met with suspicion and dislike on all sides of court as she caught the Seymours' and Cromwell's stare upon her as well. She would ignore them, for now, but when she was able, she would prove to them all that she could play the game of court as well as they could.

A/N: Comments?