Chapter 6
Chapter six has finally arrived! I hope you all are loving the story so far. I am doing my best to write it:] Now, one of my readers asked how old Prince Owen of England is, so I shall answer it with all information. King Harry and Queen Anne have five children: Prince William of Wales [born January 1, 1532] Princess Matilda [born March 7, 1535], Prince Edward [born October 12, 1537], Prince Owen [born June 23, 1539] and Princess Eleanor [ May 23, 1543]. As of now, Prince Owen is currently nine years old. I will look into Elisabeth of Valois:] Other ideas are welcome. This chapter will end with Catherine Parr giving birth:] I know many of you were waiting for that. Now, on with Chapter Six! Please Read and Review!
July 10, 1548
Hatfield House
Dowager Queen Katherine's Bedchambers.
Katherine was sitting by her window, teaching her young granddaughter, Princess Eleanor, how to sew. She enjoyed her time with her grandchildren, especially when they were very young. At five years old, Eleanor was the youngest Princess in the Royal Family and she was very close to her Spanish Grandmother. However, she was frustrated that she couldn't sew well.
She threw her cloth down on the floor.
Katherine picked it up.
"What's wrong, dear?" she asked.
Eleanor looked up.
"I can't do it. I don't want to do it anymore." she said.
Katherine tried her best to soothe her granddaughter.
"You must be patient, sweetheart. Sewing will come to you, but only if you don't force it." she said
Eleanor smiled.
"Grandmother, can't we go to the Garden? The butterflies are flying now." she said with a sweet face.
Katherine giggled and sat her sewing down.
"Alright, dear. However, tomorrow your sewing lessons will continue." she said.
Suddenly, Lady Darrell ran into the room.
"Your Majesty, you have two visitors in the parlor. Please come quickly." she said.
Katherine nodded.
"Please take Princess Eleanor out to the Gardens. I will be there shortly." she said.
Lady Darrell took Princess Eleanor's hand and left the room.
Katherine walked out of her rooms and went down to the main parlor. She walked slowly down the stairs, due to age and not wanting to suffer a fall. She passed several maids, who seemed to be working frantically and in a hurry.
"What is going on with everyone?" she asked herself.
Finally, she made it to the parlor.
"Who is here to see me?" she asked.
To her utter surprise, Harry and Elizabeth walked in the room.
"I'm sorry, but can't the King of England visit his mother?" Harry asked, with a smirk.
Katherine rushed forward and hugged her children.
"Oh, I'm sorry to behave in such s matter, but I am just so happy to see you both." she said.
Harry smiled.
"Don't apologize for being my mother. To the country, I am King Henry. However, I will always be Harry to you, Mother." he said.
Katherine grabbed his hand.
"I am so proud of you. I have heard of everything you have done." she said.
She turned toward Elizabeth and smiled at her.
"Elizabeth, sweetheart. How are you? Do you like Court so far?" she asked.
Elizabeth put on her best smile.
"I do, Mother. However, I cannot stop worrying about you. Being separated from you is not pleasant at all." she said.
Katherine caressed her face.
"You need not worry for me. The Ladies take very good care of me, as does our Lord. The only thing I'm missing these days are my children and your father." she said.
Harry smiled.
"Well, you will be pleased to know that your children will be lodging with you for a few days." he said.
Katherine put her hand over her mouth.
"But what about Court? Who will be there?" she asked.
Harry laughed.
"Mother, do not worry. England will not fall apart in a matter of days. Besides, I have very trusted advisors. Now, you just enjoy your children's visit. I ask as a son." he said.
Katherine nodded her head.
"Alright. Welcome to Hatfield, Your Majesty. I'm sure your children will be happy to see you." she said.
Harry nodded.
"They will be. Being away from Court will be good for me." he said.
Ludlow Castle, Wales
Prince William of Wales' Bedchambers
William was sitting at his desk, studying his Latin. As heir to the Throne, his father wanted to make sure that his education was taken seriously. William was a very studious pupil. He loved to read, but one thing he was craving the most was the love of a wife. Due to his betrXothal to young Mary, Queen of Scots, he had to wait eleven more years before they were officially married.
Suddenly, one of his good friends and one of his cousins, Prince Mark, who was the second born son of Edmund Tudor and his late wife, Anne Boleyn.
"Dear cousin, why don't you come play tennis for a bit? The King doesn't need to know you put off studying for a bit." he said.
William shook his head.
"No. I will not disobey my father." he said.
Mark smiled.
"He doesn't have to know." he said.
William glared at his father's cousin.
"Why dont you go see your father? Your stepmother will be giving birth soon." he said.
Mark nodded.
"That is true. I'm glad to see him happy again." he said.
William smiled.
"Are you and you wife happy?" he asked.
Mark nodded.
"We are. She is employed in the Dowager Queen's Household right now, but I see her often. Our son is in the care of his governess." he said.
William looked away.
"I hope to have children one day. My wedding to the Queen of Scots is so far away." he said.
Mark patted his back.
"She won't be a little girl forever. Soon, she'll be a beautiful woman and she'll be all yours." he said.
William continued to study his Latin.
"I hope you're right." he said.
July 19, 1548
Somerset Palace
The Nursery
Catherine Parr was smiling, as she watched the new curtains she ordered from Italy hung in her unborn child's room. She had her hand rested on her swollen stomach, caressing it with care. She still could not believe that after three marriages, she was finally going to become a mother.
Edmund walked up behind his heavily pregnant wife, but she did not notice him. He wrapped his arms around her and startled her.
She turned around and smiled at him.
"You shouldn't scare me like that, darling. We don't want the baby to come sooner than expected." she said.
Edmund smiled.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I just wanted to see if there is anything I can do to help. You have been handling this Nursery on your own for over a month now." he said.
Catherine nodded.
"Yes, you may help me. You can help by staying out of the way. I know you have been through this excitement five times. This will be my first and possibly only time having a child." she said.
Edmund bowed.
"Yes, Your Highness." he said, with a smirk.
Catherine playfully slapped his arm.
"Thank you for thinking of me, sweetheart. However, I am fine. I will not do anything to risk our child. This baby means the world to me." she said.
Edmund hugged and kissed her.
"I know. If means everything to me also." he said.
July 25, 1548
Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain
Infante Juan of Aragon's Bedchambers
Juan was sitting in his chair, reading a book. He was being carefully watched by the guards, under orders of his grandmother. Right now, war was being discussed in Medina del Campo and he was dying to be present there.
All of a sudden, there was a knock at his door.
Juan looked up.
"Come in." he said.
Luis and Lilliana walked in and sat down next to him.
Juan became aggravated.
"What do you two want? Can't you see I'm reading?" he asked.
Lilliana smiled.
"Well, we are the only ones here in the Palace, besides the guards and the staff. Why don't you want to spend time with us? You know, one day we all will be married one day soon and won't get this same time. Especially me, since I'll be married abroad." she said.
Juan scoffed.
"Yeah, right. Father and grandmother are so busy looking after Luis, they haven't found you a husband yet and they betrothed me to a child." he said bitterly.
Luis glared at him.
"I resent that. I didn't ask anything, except permission to write to my future wife. Also, Grandfather does look out for you. Look at your sister, Isabelle. She is married to the Archduke and just gave birth to a healthy baby boy not long ago." he said.
Juan smirked.
"We always get second best. Look at Lilliana. She is a smart, pious Spanish Infanta. Why can't Father betroth her to Prince William of Wales? She would be a future Queen of England. Also, our mother was from England." he said.
Lilliana glared at Juan.
"I will only marry when Grandmother and Father tell me to and to whom they tell me to. I know they would never put me in a bad situation with a tyrant for a husband." she said.
Juan smirked.
"Even if your husband is old? I'm sure you want your husband to at least be around the same age as you are." he said.
Lilliana rolled her eyes.
"I would rather have my husband older than me, then to not have one at all." she said.
Luis smiled at his aunt.
"I'm sure that whoever marries you, they will cherish you, sweet Lilliana." he said.
Juan continued to read.
"Yea, but don't get your hopes up." he said.
August 2, 1548
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Dowager Queen Margaret's Bedchambers
Margaret was sitting in a chair, near the window. The castle had become a quiet place, ever since Margaret forbade her young granddaughter to stay inside. Even though the young Queen of Scots was nearly five years old, Margaret was making sure that she lived to adulthood.
A loud knock came from her door.
Margaret looked toward the door.
"Come in." she said.
One of the Ladies in charge of little Queen Mary's household came in and bowed.
"My Lady. I hope that you are well." she said.
Margaret nodded.
"I am well. What is it do you want?" she asked harshly.
The Lady-in-waiting cleared her throat.
"The Queen would like to know if she may play in the Gardens. She is very melancholy in her Chambers." she said.
Margaret turned and looked at the woman, sharply.
"No. My granddaughter will remain in her Chambers for her own good. I do not want to risk her health and Scotland will lose another member of this Royal Family." she said.
The Lady-in-waiting looked at the Dowager Queen.
"With all due respect, My Lady, but even you do not have any say in what happens to the Queen. If the Lord wanted to call her to his side, he could easily do so. Keeping the Queen locked up until her maturity is very cruel. She is still a child and needs to enjoenjoy her youth, before she has to take on the burden of running this country." she said boldly.
Margaret stood to her feet and walked over to the woman and glared at her.
"You are hereby dismissed from my granddaughter's service. You will receive no pension and no recommendations. You have no right to tell me what is best for my granddaughter. Leave the Palace immediately or your head will be separated from your useless body. Now go." she said.
The woman bowed her head and left Margaret's room.
Margaret sat on her bed and took a deep breath.
"She will be fine. God will not take her from me. He'll make me live long enough until she's Queen." she said aloud to herself.
August 14, 1548
Sintra Palace, Sintra, Portugal
King Carlos' Bedchambers
Carlos and Mary were lying in his bed, cuddling very close. Carlos was very happy. He had managed to clear up the financial ruin thst his brother had put Portugal in.
He sat up and smiled down at his wife of thirteen years.
"Maria, can you believe where we are now?" he asked, as he walked over to pour himself a goblet of wine.
Mary shook her head.
"It's hard to believe. This time, five years ago, we were struggling in Beja Palace. Now, you're the King. You replenished the Treasury very quickly." she said.
Carlos smiled.
"I know. Now we have to prepare for the next journey." he said.
Mary sat up, with a serious look on her face. Even though she knew he was King, she hated Carlos' absences
"When will you be leaving?" she asked.
Carlos turned and looked at her.
"Early in the New Year." he said.
Mary got out of bed and went to sit in a nearby chair. She didn't want Carlos to see her with a sad look on her face, especially when the only reason he was leaving was to better Portugal and their family.
Carlos walked behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Don't be sad, because you are coming with me." he said, with a smirk.
Mary turned around, in shock.
"I'm going to Africa? With you?" she asked.
Carlos nodded.
"Yes, you are. I can't be without you for months now. Besides, I want you to see how beautiful it is there. The animals are so majestic. My sister, Beatriz, can be the Viceroy while we are gone and she will look after the children. Oh, Maria, please say you are alright with joining me." he said.
Mary smiled.
"I am honored that you even want me to come. Of course I will join you." she said.
Carlos knelt in front of her and kissed her passionately on the lips.
"I am so glad that you are. I love you so much and I needed your presence and touch the last time I was there." he said, as his lips brushed against hers.
Mary smiled.
"You have my touch now." she said, as she gave him another passionate kiss.
Carlos eagerly returned his wife's gesture, picked her up and carried her to his bed and made love to her.
August 30, 1548
Somerset Palace
Duchess Catherine's Bedchambers
Catherine was sewing another blanket for her unborn child, who was due any day now. She was growing very excited that she was finally going to become a mother, despire being thirty-six years old. Also helping her see was her fifteen year old stepdaughter, Lady Mary Tudor of Somerset, Edmund's youngest daughter with his late wife, Anne Boleyn. She had grown incredibly close to her stepmother, since she lost her mother when she was only five years old.
Mary looked at Catherine.
"How are you feeling, Stepmother?" she asked.
Catherine smiled.
"Large. I would have had the baby already. It's just so uncomfortable to be pregnant in this unbearable heat." she said.
Mary nodded.
"I agree. It has been unusually warm this year. I'm glad that it rained yesterday and looks of the clouds, it will rain tonight." she said.
Catherine looked out of the window and the clouds did look very dark. She could also smell the moisture in the air. Unlike most English Noblewomen, she did not enter into confinement when she advanced further into her pregnancy. She felt that fresh air was important for the health of her and her child.
She turned and noticed a sad look on her stepdaughter's face.
"Mary, what's wrong, dear?" she asked.
Mary looked up.
"I just can't believe that Charlotte is already married." she said.
Catherine gave her a sad smile. Charlotte was Mary's older sister. She was eighteen years old and had just gotten married Sir George Howard, one of the elder brothers of Kitty Howard. Mary shared a close bond with her only sister, but felt that it was over since Charlotte was now a wife.
Catherine took Mary's hand.
"Your sister still loves you very dearly. Yes, she is married, but you will be too someday. Charlotte got to marry a man she loved, and as a member of the Royal Family, that is very rare. Be happy for her, since the love you both have for each other will never dwindle." she said.
Suddenly, Catherine felt a strong pain ehip through her abdomen. She grabbed her swollen stomach.
Mary grabbed her hand.
"Stepmother, what is it?!" she asked frantically.
Catherine began to breath deeply.
"Do not panic, but I think my time has come. Please get the midwife." she asked.
Mary nodded and immediately ran out of the room.
Eight hours later...
Edmund and Mary were waiting outside of Catherine's Bedchambers, awaiting the birth of the child. They heard Catherine scream several times and it sounded bloodcurdling. Edmund was filled with guilt that he was the one who as the source of Catherine's pain. He was also scared. The Physician had told him that Catherine being pregnant this late in life was a risk and that he should prepare himself, in case he lost a second wife.
Mary walked over to her father.
"I do not understand why it is taking this long." she said.
Edmund smiled.
"Do not fear. The child will come when it is ready. It took your mother nearly an entire day just to have you." he said.
Mary smiled.
"It did?" she asked.
Edmund nodded.
"I'll never forget that day. Your brother's and sisters were still very young, so I had the governess keep them in garden, until you arrive. Your mother was very strong and delivered you without any trouble. I just hope Care has the same fortune." he said, as he looked toward the closed door.
Mary hugged her father.
"She will. I know she will.
Finally, an infant's cry was heard from Catherine's room. Edmund looked at the door, midwife walked out. Her apron and hands were stained with blood.
Edmund walked up to her.
" Well?" he asked.
She smiled.
"The Duchess has given birth to a healthy, baby girl and she's a beauty." she said, with pride.
Edmund smiled and made the sign of the Cross.
"I can't believe it. I have another daughter. How's my wife?" he asked.
The midwife stood aside.
"You may go in and check for yourself." she said.
Edmund walked into the room, along with Mary. The room had a slight scent of blood, but no one cared.
In the bed, Catherine was sitting up, cradling s bundle, thst held a fidgety, brown-haired baby girl. Catherine looked at her husband and smiled, with tears in her gray eyes.
"Come meet our daughter." she said.
Edmund walked over and sat next to Catherine. She was still sweaty, but she was in a fresh nightgown.
"How are you feeling, darling?" he asked.
Catherine smiled.
"I feel complete now." she said, as she handed the new baby into her father's waiting arms.
Edmund cradled his new daughter in his arms and smiled at her. She was so beautiful with her chestnut brown hair and her blue eyes.
"Oh, Care. She is so beautiful." he said.
Mary walked up.
"I can't believe I have a younger sister. I can tell we will have such a wonderful relationship. What will her name be?" she asked.
Edmund chucked.
"Your stepmother was convinced she was carrying a little boy and wanted to name him Thomas. We never discussed girl names." he admitted.
Catherine smiled.
"I have the perfect name for her." she said.
Edmund looked at her.
"What will it be?" he asked.
Catherine took the baby back in her arms and cradled her.
"Her name will be Anne." she said happily.
Edmund and Mary looked at her, in shock.
"Is it after the Queen?" Mary asked.
Catherine shook her head.
"No, darling. I'm naming her after your mother." she said.
Edmund looked at her.
"That's sweet of you, sweetheart, but why?" he asked.
Catherine looked at him.
"Because even though she's gone, she is still apart of this family. Also, you all cared a great deal for her. I figured I would do something to honor her as well.
Edmund smiled, with tears coming down his face.
" I love you so much." he said.
Catherine smiled.
"And I love you." she said.
And with that, Lady Anne Tudor of Somerset was kissed by her mother, father, and older half sister.
A/N. Finslly, I finished this chapter. I apologize for the long wait. The holidays really had me busy. I'm glad I got to finish this chapter before New Years. So now, I shall ask some questions for the stories future. Who do you think Infanta Lilliana of Spain should marry? Do you all agree with Infante Duarte, Prince of Portugal, marrying Maria, the daughter of Isabella? How should Catarina and Juan's future marriage be? Who should die next in the story? Leave your ideas in a review or a message. Thanks for reading. Please leave Reviews. Chapter 7 will be up soon. Happy New Years to all of you!