I don't own Tudors.
Chapter 2
November 5, 1515
Lady Ariel of Gloucester and House of Plantagenet now, the newly made Duchess of York, is taking her moment to enjoy her new home.
The king gave his new sister a wedding gift, and that is something worthy of marrying a prince. He returns the lands, wealth, and title of Gloucester itself.
It shocked everyone in court.
She recalls that his Spanish queen and Wolsey had not like that idea, but it was the king's wish since she was the illegitimate daughter of the French king.
Now she has wealth and title should anything happen to her or her children that she may bear.
Edmund is a serious, grim-faced, honorable man, but he utmost held affections for his lady wife. Since she is still young, they won't consume their marriage until she is nineteen, and Edmund seems to favor ensuring her body is more mature to carry their children properly.
She has her ladies-in-waiting by the king himself.
Ariel is mostly being educated by the head nun, Mary-Rose Neville. A fellow Plantagenet chose life as an educated nun than a lady marriage in court since she was a widow when she was eleven.
She is well versed in Latin, French, Spanish, and Greek.
Ariel even read more books than she could imagine. She wished that she could be Edmund's full wife. She knows she is married before God, but they didn't perform duty as husband and wife.
Yet Mary-Rose consoled the girl and said, "You will perform your duties, but not too soon. For your husband wouldn't bear the thought of being a widow early."
So, she must study and be humble for what God has blessed her.
February 18, 1516, Palace of Placentia
Ariel barely turns fifteen from February 14, ironic for it is St. Valentine's day himself. Edmund gave her a beautiful Mare full of Buckskin coat, and she named it Sol which means sun, despite being female.
She had returned to court with her husband to greet their royal family.
Katherine is in her private chambers, where many wait at the feast for any news of a son. Ariel is stuck by Edmund's side as if she is like a lost child to a parent.
Her husband doesn't mind since she is new to court life and lives in the countryside.
Everyone had a feast as they noticed Katherine's lady in waiting; Lady Maria de Salinas came and whispered the news of the royal child into the king's ear.
Henry's smile dropped in an instant.
Edmund, Ariel, and all the other courtiers noticed the change in the king.
Henry swallowed his disappointment. He and Catherine long to have a son but gave him a daughter instead.
He stood up and looked at his entire court. His eyes looked around as he reached for his goblet and raised it in the air.
"We have…" Henry started and finished as his heart grew heavy with disappointment. "A daughter. Princess for England. She will be named Mary!"
Henry made a big gulp from his wine and swallowed his bitterness.
He waved for the music to continue. As the courtiers began talking, no doubt they whispered about a girl instead of a boy.
Lady Ariel looked at her husband as Edmund nodded to congratulate the king.
"Congratulations, brother." Edmund bowed as Ariel curtsy.
Henry did not comment and silently thanked his brother. He looked to another distraction as he spotted her.
Elizabeth Blount.
Another courtier wished to make her debut in court.
Lady Blount's good quality is beauty, grace, and good manners.
Edmund saw his brother's eye wandering towards another woman and concealed his frown.
"I will leave you be, your grace," Edmund says his goodbye as he leads his wife to the other side.
Ariel looked at her lord husband and said, "Fear not. Surely, God had his reason to give their majesties a daughter, and perhaps, it was to give hope that a son will come after the princess is born."
Edmund nodded, "Aye. Perhaps you are right."
Ariel knew that a king, an heir, and another son for a spare would make the kingdom happy. However, she noticed her time in France was different here in England.
It seems like girls are not what they were hoping for, and England has surrounded itself with enemies of Scotland and France.
She prays that the king shall have a son and soon.
London, 1518 Whitehall Palace
As if these years weren't worse. The king is still without an heir. Now Henry VIII believed that his only heir would be his brother Edmund Tudor.
Edmund Tudor still hadn't consumed his marriage to his lady wife, Ariel Plantagenet.
Lady Ariel from the esteemed house of York, King Louis XII's daughter and King Richard III's granddaughter.
She is patiently waiting to fulfill her wifely duties to her husband.
In the grand meeting room before the king's chamber, a group of the noblemen-the privy council to be specific-were waiting for their lord and sovereign, King Henry VIII.
"The King!" The page announced.
"My Lords," Henry entered the room. He was a young man with short brunette hair and a strong, athletic build, and his aura was commanding. With the opulent black, silver, and gold embroidered matching jacket and trousers he wore, he showed no evidence that the French had murdered an important member of his family.
Edmund followed his example as he, too, wore black as well.
"We meet to consider questions of great moment. The king of France has demonstrated to the world his aggressive policies. He's already overrun five or six city-states in Italy. He's a threat to every European Christian nation, yet he bullies the pope into declaring him Defender of the Faith. On top of that, he has our ambassador in Urbino and my uncle murdered in cold blood to prove that nobody can touch him. My lords, I believe these all cause for war!"
There were cheers all around-albeit the three somber men. More, Wolsey and Edmund.
"Your majesty is certainly right," The daring Duke of Buckingham supported. "Your majesty is certainly right. You have every reason to prosecute a war."
However... "I warned you a year ago about French ambition, and it has taken this personal tragedy for your Majesty to accept my word."
Edmund ordered, "Lord Buckingham! Hold your tongue towards your king!"
Buckingham has been let lose his tongue to spit at them lately.
Henry and Buckingham glared at each other until the king turned to the Duke of Norfolk, "Norfolk?"
"I agree with my lord, Buckingham. The King of England has an ancient and historic right to the French throne, which the Valois have usurped. It's time we kicked them out, and we should attack France with all our might." Norfolk proclaimed, followed by another round of cheers.
Still skeptical, the king turned to the man in red, "What say you, Wolsey?"
The cardinal straightened out his posture and gave the king an agreeable answer, "These are indeed just caused."
"Good. Then it is settled. We are to war with France." Again with the cheers. "Your Eminence will make all the arrangements," The cardinal nodded. "Now I can go play."
The king's leave dismissed the council. Yet, not everyone was in a rush to let the subject go.
"Do you think we should go to war?" Sir Thomas Moore, the pious man in black, questioned his friend.
"I think we should try to do what the king wants us to do." Wolsey fought.
"What if the king doesn't know his best interest?"
Edmund said, "And that is why Kings have many advisors. The only one who can make the decisions is up to the king."
He made it to sleep with Bessie Blount to his supper with his wife, Catherine of Aragon. Over the next couple of weeks, the mood in court had lightened up, and everyone was back to normal routines.
It was the time of day for Tennis. The King and Charles Brandon were facing Anthony Knivert and William Compton. As always, Henry and Charles were betting on some innocent lady. Ariel Tudor is observing the game.
"My Lady." Buckingham startled lady Ariel from behind her. "Your grace." She greeted him. However, the Duke looked at her with lust in his eyes.
'Damn, Tudors were taking Plantagenet women to submit their claim to their throne.' Figures that Tudor King knew that if his queen didn't give him a son. Then the crown will go to his brother, Edmund Tudor, Duke of York. Prince Edmund has lands such as York and Gloucester, wealth, and titles for heirs to pass down.
"My Lady," Ariel sighs in relief, hearing her husband call her. She briefly says her goodbye and almost ran to be by her husband's side.
Buckingham scares her and feels safer in Edmund's arms than any man.
"How is our daughter?" He questioned her.
Catherine seemed pleased and answered him.
"Our daughter's tutor says she is a very bright young girl. You should be proud." However, Henry glances at his mistress, Bessie, as she places the plate on the table.
"I am. Truly I am."
Though Catherine should have left it at that,….
"You haven't been answering letters to my nephew?"
Henry looked irritated and answered, "Just because your nephew is the king of Spain does not mean I had to inform him of what I do?"
"I'm my father's daughter."
Henry angrily grabs his wife's wrist. "You are my wife, not my chancellor or advisor, but my wife."
Catherine's wrist was released from his grip and looked like she had crossed a line. And tries again.
"I would like to be your wife in every way." Henry looked back his her. "You stopped visiting my chambers like you used to. Will you not visit me again?"
Henry ignored her and said, "Eat."
Catherine continued, but she knew she had to question him. "They said you intended to make your brother, Edmund, your heir."
"He is my brother. He is loyal to a fault."
"I don't trust his wife. She is away from court and lived in both York and Gloucester castles." Catherine never likes Ariel as she is the reminder that her niece is not the duchess of York. Worse, she is from the enemy house of Tudors, and she is part French, making it easier to hate that girl.
"Since you refused to have her as your ladies in waiting, if anything, you look happier without her in court. Now you had a problem with her away from court."
Henry couldn't understand Catherine sometimes. His brother's wife is a charming, fair, and intelligent young lady.
If he knew her existence, Henry would have married her when he was once a duke of York.
Sadly, God had plans for both Tudors. One to be King and the other Duke.
"I am concerned about what will leave our daughter's inheritances and her rights as her father's heir."
"Enough. I will hear no more of this."
That is the end of this discussion.
Henry would do as he pleased. If no son is ever born, Edmund would be his heir. However, that lies in a problem.
Edmund still hadn't consummated his marriage with his wife.
Perhaps if he orders him to do it.
Will his brother obey him?
The Tudor line is at stake here, and he needs to stabilize it and secure their crown soon.
Reviews are welcome.
Next chapter, Meeting the treaty with the French king, Lady Ariel greets her French kin, and Henry orders, Edmund Tudor.