I don't own Tudors.

Chapter 5

Three months later in the year 1521

It seemed that Princess Margaret was back, not as a grieving widow to the King of Portugal, but with a new husband Charles Brandon.

Edmund told his wife that the King was furious. Edmund was much the same, but at the insult that Margaret was supposed to be in black and grieved for six months. To even think, she could just impulse be married for the second time without the King's permission.

Ariel wasn't in the meeting since Edmund wanted to make sure she was not stressed out over anything.

And that is not the worst part, the Emperor Charles had betrayed King Henry as he had taken their gold and negotiated with the French King against England.

The court whispers over the alliance which Spain had no intention of paying them back for the ships, canons, and men. The king had lent them in return for this alliance and Princess Mary's engagement to Charles.

Ariel is worried, but she cannot allow that to affect her child.

It grows bigger as the months pass. Ariel has been careful not to eat anything that could harm the baby.

Ariel felt fear at the thought of being imprisoned like a hostage.

'Will I be just like Isabella She-wolf of France once imprisoned by the King over her country's folly?'

That is Ariel's fear of her position.

But she is reassured by her husband.

Edmund assured that the King would not imprison her over the betrayal of Emperor Charles through negotiation with Francis.

Even the King visits Ariel in a surprised manner. She ordered her maids to warm up the fire more to keep themselves comfortable.

"Your majesty," Ariel bowed her head as she was wrapped in a wool blanket to cover herself.

"Please," Henry paused her from getting up. "Don't get up for my account."

Henry looked at the womb.

She looked so small.

He did regret making such an order.

Or perhaps in his hasty mind had rushed too soon for her body to handle pregnancy. However, he heard from the doctor that Lady Ariel needs much rest since this is one of those critical times. To easily, lose a baby.

Henry recalled Catherine had suffered during her pregnancy, lost two boys and four girls who were stillborn and had miscarriages.

He envies his brother.

At least with a young wife, god surely will bless them with a son.

"You majesty," Ariel's voice snapped Henry out of his mind. "I have complete faith a son shall come for you. Perhaps, god is testing you just like he tested Abraham and Sarah over their prayers for a son."

That is what Ariel believed. Being patient is hard, but it will be a wonderful gift if you truly desire it with all your heart.

"My dear sister," Henry affectionately called Ariel, "I understand that God does this, but I fear I am being punished for a sin."

Ariel gasped and looked at the king in fear.

Sin?

What sin?

Surely, God wouldn't punish Henry for his infidelity. Tis, a custom that kings have that was expected of them to have mistresses or virgins to lay with besides their wives.

Henry stood and leaned on the fireplace.

"I suppose you don't recall the time during the fields of Gold back in France." Her eyes are focused on his words. "During our negotiations about my daughter's marriage to the dauphin. Francis, his terms for my daughter's dowery were twice as high as my brother's marriage to you. You know what he says, "That is because he is a true Tudor royal." Catherine argues, "So was Mary."' Henry heaved to calm his breath and continued, "The king of France said, "Your wife Catherine was the wife of your brother. The pope questioned me not so long ago. He asked if you could even marry. If you could be lawful in the eyes of god."

Francis said that. She wonders why she didn't say that in her letters. Or why did her husband not say anything?

Henry turned and questioned her.

"Tell me, if what Francis said is true and not pettiness of our rivalry?"

Ariel thinks clearly. Her cousin is many things, but he was never a liar when it comes to his strength and intelligence as well as his lust.

She said, "Forgive me your majesty. My cousin is many things. He enjoys rivalry with you because he sees your potential that no one can see. That is why he pushes you. He wished to see his equal in you. And like you, your majesty, he is a religious man. He doesn't speak lies in the words of God. Because he too is man, and he knows how to fear god for his immortal soul."

She hoped that she answered what he wished to hear.

Henry is shell-shocked. She spoke true and struck him with daggers. They stabbed his heart. Yes, Francis is many things.

But like Henry, he is a god-fearing man.

Francis too fears for his family's soul as well.

Henry realized something. It wasn't Henry who sinned and lost all his sons, but it was Catherine. Of course! Why else would God take their sons away?

He must save his soul and give England a new queen and heir.

And he knows just the right person for that.

"I thank you, sister." Henry kissed her forehead and told her to rest. Ariel nodded and bid as he told her.

Ariel had dreamed of a boy playing in the fields of the rose garden.

For other days, Henry had been in the presence of Anne Boleyn. Ariel heard it all from her maids. The king desires his divorced Catherine under the annulled over the bible.

Henry read the testament of the bible over his reason for divorce.

Leviticus 18:16

"Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness."

Leviticus 20:21

"If a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing...they shall be childless." That was Henry's argument.

Thou, he has Mary. His only daughter, but there are no sons.

However, Catherine of Aragon said in her passage.

Deuteronomy 25:5

"If brothers dwell together and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be remarried outside of the family to a stranger; her husband's brother shall go into her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her."

Ariel supposed those are very good arguments from both the King's and the Queen's. But she recalls that many said Prince Aruther did bed Catherine, but she was already a lustful woman at that time.

Ariel knew this was man's cruel intention to denounce the queen's virtues. Her husband Edmund is working twice as hard now that the King wishes to have a new wife. Edmund came that night as Ariel was about to sleep.

He looks exhausted.

"My love," Ariel whispered. Edmund had not shared their bed because of Tudor's superstitions of making love during the pregnancy.

Ariel understands. Edmund is as pious as his grandmother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, the King's mother.

"I wished to see you before you go to sleep." Edmund sat by the chair near her bed.

"Is the King determined to divorce his wife?" Ariel questioned him. Edmund sighed heavily and rubbed his face.

"Yes. And that his queen-in-waiting is Lady Anne Boleyn. Mistress Boleyn seemed to agree with the King to make her his queen. The rest of Boleyn are gathering to support her as queen of England." Edmund groaned as he saw that snake Thomas Boleyn seemed to try to talk to him. No doubt to weasel himself into his good grace.

Edmund can't stand people like this. Now he recalls why his father the king was unpopular. Not because of his taxes, but because he can't stand lords who are kissing his arse.

The Boleyn's are rising in power.

Just like the Woodville family years ago.

They are the power vacuum in this court.

"We'll…" Ariel hesitated as Edmund looked at his wife. "We will be endangered too?"

Edmund negatively disagrees. "Fear not. As long as I am here. You and our child will be safe." Edmund kissed her womb and said, "My wife, we have all the time in the world."

January 13, 1522

"Gahh!" Ariel heaved up and down as her ladies were helping her.

Her baby is coming.

And he isn't patient anymore to come to this world.

"My lady, calm." The nurse came forward as the whole army of midwives were hurrying up to help both the duchess and the baby. They help her to lie on the bed. Ariel is scared.

No one told her that this would be painful.

"All right, the baby is pressing. It's time." Ariel heard as many of the voices told her to push.

Ariel grunted and screamed so that the whole court could hear. The lords winced as they cannot imagine the pain of a mother-to-be. And some ladies are nervous but curious if there is any news.

Edmund sat down and focused ahead, but he was not paying attention. He refused to leave as he could not be allowed to be with his wife.

King Henry is sitting with Edmund. Along with a few close friends are with him.

This will be the first child that Edmund Tudor will have, and he is nervous. I mean he was nervous about Queen Catherine's labor, but this is different.

It is his wife this time.

Henry looked calm, but he was praying. For a sign that his marriage is the cause of not having sons.

He closed his eyes and prayed for a sign that his brother had a son.

The sound of a tiny cough then a wailing cry of a newborn sounded out loud.

WAAAAAAH!

Edmund jerked his head at the door. He quickly jumped onto his feet and headed to the chambers of his wife.

Henry followed and the other men behind the royal Tudors.

The lady in waiting, Grace More cousin to Thomas More came forward with a babe in her arms.

"Congratulations, your grace. Her grace has given birth to a son." Her Irish scent gave away. Since her mother's side is an Irish merchant. Edmund choked his air off and stared at the child in her arms. He is small but strong.

"A son?" He questioned her.

However, he is not like all lords who see their sons first. "What about my wife? Is she well?" Edmund is concerned for his young wife.

"She is tired. The poor thing. Her grace is fine." Edmund quickly went to his wife. Grace doesn't know what to do but sees the king and Thomas More.

"Your majesty," She bowed her head. Henry looked down and saw his blackish wet hair and eyes were closed.

Henry reached for his arm. "May I?"

Grace was startled and then said, "Of course, your majesty. You are the uncle of the young Duke of York."

Henry felt happy.

All the men looked down at the future Duke of York.

"I hold in my arms is proof, my lords. That God has shown a sign of what I must do." King Henry declared what he needed to do for England and his soul.

Canons were shot and they celebrated the entire week.

Many courtiers had been merry for this is good news for England.

It is decided that King Henry of England shall be the godfather to his nephew. Edmund wished to name their son, Alfred.

For he believed that with a name like that. He can live passed adulthood and god will give him his destiny. They baptized their son in the Observant Franciscans as King Henry was when he was born. Ariel was pleased that she had a son of her own.

King Francis had sent his gift of ships to Alfred as a sign of family and peace offering to the Tudor family.

Henry begrudgingly accepted the gift, but he seemed pleased that his nephew had a wide look of wonder at the ships in his mother's arms.

'Alfred Tudor Duke of York and commander of the armada. I like the sound of that.' Henry nodded as he decided what destiny Alfred might have growing up.

1526–1527

Ariel is settling her life in York for their son, Alfred. Edmund insisted that their son should be named after one of the greatest kings Edmund had admired. Their son Alfred was named after Alfred the Great king of the Anglo-Saxons whom many said was the first king of England.

Airel is settled well in estates.

She watches as her son seems to enjoy the garden as he giggles as he runs through them. Edmund insisted that they wait until their son was old enough and would try again for the second child.

Alfred is five years old. He is treated with such care as if the king feared her son would share the same fate as his sons.

Edmund made the excuse years after Alfred was born, that he wished that his wife would recover faster back in York estate.

She missed her husband.

And their alone time.

"Mama!" She snapped out of the loneliness of her husband's absence. Alfred came running back as Ariel laughed, "Oh, my little knight."

She lifted him in her arms. She is so happy to have a son of her own. She kept her promise of passing the bloodline of her father and grandfathers. Now she will have to make sure he learns to play smart and stay alive.

'I wish for my boy to grow as a man. And one day hold my grandchildren in my arms.'

"My lady," A rider came forward with a letter. No doubt from her husband.

"My lord husband sent you," Ariel commented as she placed her son on the ground and reached for the letter.

"Yes, my lady."

Ariel unfolded her parchment and broke the seal.

"My fair lady,

How is your health? How is our son?

I am well, my lady. I am frustrated that my brother the king is asking questions because his marriage should be annulled.

He firmly believed he had offended God.

Now there are talks of heretic ideas from Lady Anne Boleyn.

To break away from the church and created a church of England instead.

I fear that if the Pope does not grant this. My brother the king could be excommunicated from the church and England would be helpless against, France, Spain, and Scotland.

Pray for me, my love.

ET

Ariel sighed as she felt a migraine coming. By God, this Anne Boleyn.

She couldn't believe it. Yes, she did read most books that say a man philosopher, and some were considered heretical ideas of man's free will.

But will the King allow this?

Will he truly risk the wrath of god for the sake of having a son?

"My lady?" The rider questioned her in concern.

He has a feeling something is upsetting her. Judging by the letter from her lord husband is not good news.

She gave the rider her handkerchief with her rosary given to her by her mother. "Tell, his grace that God will guide him. I, his wife, and son are thinking of him."

Rider bowed his head and turned his horse around to return to court.

"Mama?" Alfred questioned his mother. Ariel gave him a small smile to hide her pain. "Come now, let us pray at the chapel." She guided her son to go to their private chapel to pray to god for a miracle.

1528

"It's the sweat!" a runner from the village shouted to the public. "It's the sweating sickness!"

Ariel gasped in fear.

Oh God!

She had heard about this before during her time in France. It is a sweating sickness. A plague caused by Henry the seventh army who were carrying them when they entered the shore of Wales. Some said it was God's punishment when the Tudors stole the crown of the true York king. Others said it had something to do with the death of the two York princes in the tower involving Margaret Beaufort.

"Mama?" Alfred questioned his mother. Alfred holds his wooden sword toy and a stuffed lion cub. He is scared. What is going on?

Ariel shed tears and went to carry her son in her arms. She needs to protect her son. No matter what the cost is.

She quickly ordered her steward, "Quick, close this estate down and let no one in. We will protect ourselves in the tower."

"Yes, your grace." The Steward bowed and went to get her order down.

The sweating sickness is spreading like a plague. Already confirmed that hundreds of common folks had caught the sweats. Over hundreds more had died from it.

Lady Ariel the Duchess of York and Gloucester and her son, Alfred Tudor held in the tower to get away from the sweat.

Ariel ordered soup and bread from servants who distanced themselves to keep the sweat from reaching contact with them.

She distracted her son by reading him books and teaching him lettering. Just because there is a plague doesn't mean he should stop his studies. Alfred didn't question his mother, but he would gaze out the window and question her. "When can we outside?"

Ariel answered the same. "We are waiting here to be safe. If god is willing, your father might come for us."

No news from the outside except that King Henry ordered his courtiers to leave the palace since it was someone caught the sweat. The king had to flee into an isolated castle.

No news came from her husband. Ariel is pacing in the night. Her son is sleeping in the same bed as his mother since they only have one big bed in this tower.

'Where is Edmund? Why isn't there any news from him?' Ariel thought as she nibbled her fingers to calm her nerves.

Oh…!

She realized this old habit was back.

She hasn't done that since she was a child. Ariel looked at the redness and bite marks on them. She sighed sadly.

Walking back to bed and sitting there. Ariel gazed at the moon shining brightly that lit up the room.

Ariel closed her eyes when she remembered the sweet voice of her dear mother.

"Rest now, my love." A beautiful woman with hair as black as night and skin as clean as a pearl. Her blue eyes gazed at her youngest and only daughter as she laid her to bed. A little Ariel looked at her mother with such love.

Rosalie Plantagenet sings a song that is passed to the kind nun who took care of her before entering the court of France.

"Days in the sun

Where your life has barely begun

Not until my own life is done

Could I ever leave you?"

Ariel sang the next.

"How in the midst of all this sorrow

Can so much hope and love endure?

I was innocent and certain

Now I'm wiser but unsure"

Ariel looked down at where her son was dreaming his dreams away.

"Stay strong, my son." Ariel sighed as became determined. Her childhood and fantasy end tonight.

"We are going make it."

June 20 528

Edmund remained in the palace while his brother the king and a few members of his family and courtiers fled. He ordered his men to burn all furniture and objects to start a fire to prevent any disease that could spread.

All seemed to slow the sweating sickness down as people began to recover, however, a tragedy happened to the Tudors. Once again, the second victim of sweating sickness.

"Ngh." Edmund groaned as he clenched his heart pressed by his hand. His aid Richard is with him. "Your grace."

Edmund felt dizzy.

"Tis, nothing. Just slight chest problems. It will pass." He waved him off, but this time. It became stronger and the Duke of York cried out in agony. "NGH!"

"You grace…!" His aide, Richard, ran to his side as Edmund collapsed to the ground. "Someone, help us! Someone with his grace needs help!"

Richard cried out to all those who could hear him.

Edmund Tudor Duke of York has caught the sweat.

In his chambers…

Edmund groaned and wheezed as he tried to stay awake. Luckily for the Duke, a few guards who went to war with him and court life had risked themselves to carry the Duke to his chambers.

Their best doctor came to heal the duke, but Edmund feared that this was his time.

'No…! I have to get back to Ariel and Alfred. They need me still…Ugh! God why? Have you forsaken me?' Edmund is afraid.

This was the same sickness that had taken their older brother Arthur.

"Richard…Richard!" He called his aid to come near him.

"I am here, my lord."

"Write…me…" He whispered, but he can't give up. "A will. I need…to settle this…my family…"

Richard obeyed and grabbed the paper and quill.

Whatever happened between the men kept him through the night. Edmund had instructed firmly about what was to come of his estates, wealth, titles, and his family. He pulled out his duke ring pressed his seal and wrote his name.

He then orders Richard to bring him a priest for his final rights and blessing before dying. The priest, Father Charles blessed him.

Edmund knew his time was near. For you see, he saw his dead mother Elizabeth of York who wore her crown. She is dressed in all white and she is as beautiful as he remembers as a boy. She smiled and opened her arms to take him with her now.

"My love…" Edmund looked up at the ceiling. "Forgive me, my wife…For I…cannot disobey… the will…of god…to take…me…home…God save…King Henry…Viii…" Edmund lets out his final breath and dies.

Father Charles cries and announces as mourner. "The Duke of York is dead! Prince Edmund Tudor is dead!"

The news came to a tragedy. Another prince of the house of Tudor became another victim of the sweat.

Back in York estate, the rider gave his lady the news.

She looked back hoping to see her husband, but she saw his face. She knew what happened to her husband.

Ariel Plantagenet is the granddaughter of Richard III and Anne Neville, daughter of Rosalie Plantagenet and King Louis XII of France. She is now the widow of Edmund Tudor, Duke of York, and Prince of England.

Reviews are welcome. I hope this was worth the wait.

The grim atmosphere spread at the news of Edmund Duke of York, funeral, his final will. What will happen to Ariel and Alfred now?