Chapter 18
Here's Chapter 18 for you guys. Before I continue, I just want you to know that I have started another Tudors story called "A Golden Beginning." It is an Arthur/Catherine story and I hope you all like it. I am going to be updating both stories regularly and I welcome ideas on both. There will be a small time jump here to January 1551. Now, without further hesitation, here's Chapter 18 and please Read and Review!
January 5, 1551
Hampton Court
Princess Isabella, Marquesa de Moya's Bedchamber
Isabella was sitting by the fire in her rooms. She was anxious to return to Spain and see her two younger children, but bad weather was keeping her in England longer. She had remained, due to her mother's death, and when she wanted to embark back to Spain, bad weather had prohibited her departure. The tension in the Court was severe, due to King Harry not wanting his sister in the Court.
Andres walked in and kissed Isabella on her lips.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
Isabella shook her head.
"No. I'm constantly being tormented by Manuel and I miss our children. This is no longer home for me. My parents are dead. My brother does not want me here. I just want our life back." she said.
Andres smiles at his wife.
"I know and we will return to Spain, as soon as the weather allows us to. There is something I want to discuss with you." he said.
Isabella looked at her husband.
"What is it?" she asked.
Andres sighed.
"Do you think that we will have another child?" he asked.
Isabella shook her head.
"No. I'm getting too old to have children. I'm fine with the children we have. I think I shall go to bed. Please send Margarita in to get me ready." she said.
Andres nodded and went to fetch Margarita. She was a Spanish woman, not much older than Isabella and was devoted to the melancholy English Princess. When Andres found her, she bowed to him.
"Señor, is there anything I can do for you?" she asked, in their native tongue.
Andres nodded.
"My wife is ready to retire for the night. However, there is something I would like to discuss with you." he said.
Margarita paid attention.
Andres sighed.
"How is my wife's monthly bleeding?" he asked.
Margarita looked at him, in confusion.
"Despite her age, the Marquesa hasn't had a change in them, except that they are lighter. Why do you want to know?" she asked carefully.
Andres sighed again.
"I want my wife to bear another child. I feel that these melancholy spells of hers will disappear at the excitement of another child." he said.
Margarita nodded. She had seen Isabella through several of these spells.
"I agree. But, at her age it will not be easy for her to conceive." she said.
Andres nodded.
"I know. Inform her I will visit her bed tonight." he said.
Margarita nodded and left to attend to Isabella.
Queen Anne of England's Bedchamber
Anne and Harry were enjoying a private dinner in Anne's chambers. Because of the preparation of Princess Matilda's upcoming departure to Sweden, they hadn't spent any quality time together.
Harry cleared his throat.
"How are our children?" he asked.
Anne smiled.
"They are well. Eleanor's tutors are saying that she is exceptional in French." she said.
Harry smiled. Since she was betrothed to the Dauphin of France, eight year old princess Eleanor had to be fluent in French.
Harry took a sip of his wine.
"That's wonderful. How have you been, sweetheart?" he asked.
Anne smiled.
"I have no complaints. However, I just wish you would try to get along with your sister. She is still your family." she said.
Harry scoffed.
"That is a subject I do not wish to discuss while I am eating." he said.
Anne nodded and went back to her food. After a few silent moments, she turned to Harry once more.
"When will you come to my bedchamber like you used to?" she asked.
Harry dropped his fork. It was true that he had only lain with Anne one time in the five months since Princess Margaret's birth. Many people thought it was because of Anne's weight gain, which wasn't horrible looking on her, but it wasn't the case.
"I will visit your bed, when Margaret is a bit older. I do not want to endanger your health." he said.
Anne nodded her head, visibly disappointed. In their twenty years of marriage, Harry always had a lust for her. She had given him six children and was still young enough for more. She was fortunate he had no mistress in the twenty years. However, she felt that as they grew older, she was more afraid of losing her devoted husband.
January 12, 1551
Lisbon Palace, Lisbon, Portugal
King Carlos' Bedchamber
Carlos was drinking wine and silently crying. He had just been informed of his sister, Infanta Beatriz's death. She had begun to get ill the previous summer and had retired to her private estates. She finally expired a few days into the new year. Carlos was very close with his eldest sister and was devastated by her death.
There was a knock at the door.
Carlos looked up.
"Come in." he said.
Mary walked in. She was dressed in all black, once again. It was a trying time, since Infanta Beatriz died right after Mary's mother.
She walked up to her husband and put her hands on his shoulders.
"How are you, my love? " she asked
Carlos sighed.
"I'm getting through it. It's just hard because she was so strong. How can a simple illness take her away?" he asked.
Mary nodded her head.
"Beatriz was a wonderful woman. She will be greatly missed her. However, she is reunited with your parents at the side of our Lord." she said.
Carlos nodded.
"You're right. However, I just need to be alone right now, Maria." he said.
Mary looked shocked.
"No, Carlos you need me. You were there when my mother died. Please let me comfort you. Is there anything I can do? " she asked.
Carlos sighed.
"Hold me. Let me cry over my sister, since the entire Court expects me to be strong." he said.
Mary held her husband, as he began to sob over his late sister. Mary knew she had to be strong for her grieving husband and she hoped that he wouldn't stay melancholy for long. The country needed him.
January 20, 1551
Chateau de Fontainebleau, France
Queen Catherine's Bedchamber
King Henry was pacing outside of his wife's chambers. She had been ill recently and had summoned the Court physician. Her health had been fine since the birth of Prince Charles in June 1550.
The physician walked out and bowed to the French King.
Henry looked at him.
"Well, what did you find?" he asked.
The physician looked up.
"Her Majesty is with child. She shall be brought to childbed in eight months." he said.
Henry smiled. Queen Catherine just gave birth seven months ago and was now pregnant again.
"Thank you very much. You may go." he said, as he walked in his wife's rooms.
Queen Catherine was lying in bed, in her nightgown. She didn't mind being with child again, but she knew husband would be watching her like a hawk until her labor pains began. This would be her fifth child. She had lost one son, Prince Louis, already as an infant.
Henry sat down on the bed..
"You have pleased me well, darling. You have another son in your womb. I will announce the pregnancy in two months and we will reside here, until you've been churched. I just know it wiklybe another boy." he said.
Catherine smiled.
"Only if God wills it." she said.
Henry nodded and stood up.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go see Madame de Poitiers. I'll see you later, darling." he said, as he kissed Catherine on her cheek.
Catherine nodded her head and reached for her Bible and began to read, trying her best not to cry.
January 25, 1551
Alcazar of Segovia, Castile, Spain
Princess Elizabeth of Spain's Bedchamber
Elizabeth was lying in her bed, reading a book. Now that she was full-term in her pregnancy and had experienced some minor pains the last few weeks, Queen Juana insisted that she remain near or in her bedchamber. Elizabeth didn't like this, but she knew better than to argue. She was carrying Spain's future and had to put her wants aside for now.
One of her maids, Leonor de Garza, walked up to her.
"Alteza, do you have anymore pains coming?" she asked.
Elizabeth shook her head.
"No. I haven't felt anything. Please open the window. I love watching the sun rise." she said.
Leonor shook her head.
"I can't. la Reina said its getting to cold to expose you to the weather." she said
Elizabeth sighed.
"In that case I hope my next child is born in the summer time." she said.
Suddenly, Elizabeth felt a sharp pain shoot through her abdomen. She leaned forward and grabbed her swollen stomach.
Leonor grabbed the pregnant Princess.
"Alteza, what is it?" she asked.
Elizabeth began to breath harder.
"I think my time is here finally. Fetch the midwife and alert my husband. These pains are more serious than my last ones." she said.
Leonor nodded and raced from the room.
Later that morning...
Queen Juana, Emperor Charles, Infantes Luis and Juan and Infanta Lilliana were waiting outside Elizabeth's Bedchamber, as her labor progressed. All of them were on edge. Luis couldn't keep still, as he heard his wife scream through the closed door.
He finally groaned.
"What's taking so long? She shouldn't have to suffer this long. It's been four hours." he said.
Juana stood up from her chair.
"I understand your frustration, Luis, but stay calm. These matters can take awhile. She will be fine. I went through that pain six times. Elizabeth will be just fine." she said.
Luis nodded and finally sat down and began to pray for his wife and unborn child.
Inside Elizabeth's Chambers...
Elizabeth was on her bed and beginning to push. She had a relatively short labor, since she only started labor four hours ago. She had a silk veil over her face, because she didn't want her household to see the agony in her face and she tried her best not to scream, except a few times.
The midwife was trying to soothe her.
"Push, Alteza. You mustn't give up. The head has appeared." she said.
Elizabeth pushed, as she held her rosary against her swollen stomach. She knew that childbirth could kill her, so she wanted to make sure her soul was right with God. She silently prayed, as she continued to push her child into the world.
Finally, after only four hours of labor, Elizabeth felt something slide between her legs and give out a loud, ear piercing scream. Elizabeth smiled and took the veil of her face.
The midwife took the crying infant, cut the umbilical cord and went to bathe the child. After being cleaned and bundled in a warm blanket, the child was brought back to Elizabeth.
The midwife smiled.
"Congratulations, Alteza. The Lord has blessed you with a beautiful, healthy daughter." she said.
Elizabeth smiled and took her new daughter in her arms. She couldn't believe how beautiful her child was. The small Infanta had a film of light brown hair and when she opened her eyes, they were a mixture of gray and blue. Elizabeth placed a kiss to her daughter's head.
"Hello, my darling." she said.
Elizabeth was so mesmerized by her child, she didn't hear Luis, Queen Juana and Emperor Charles walked in. Luis smiled, as he saw his daughter for the very first time.
He kissed Elizabeth on her lips.
"She's so beautiful." he said.
Elizabeth smiled at him.
"You don't mind that she's not a boy?" she asked.
Luis shook his head.
"No. I wouldn't trade her for anything." he said.
Juana stepped forward and had tears in her eyes. She couldn't believe that she lived to see the birth of her great-great grandchild, who could potentially become another Queen of Spain.
Elizabeth smiled at Juana.
"Would you like to hold her, Your Majesty?" she asked, in Spanish.
Juana nodded and took the precious bundle into her arms. She couldn't believe that this child was so beautiful.
Charles smiled at his great granddaughter and looked at Luis and Elizabeth.
"What will her name be?" he asked.
Luis smiled.
"Isabel. After her mother and your grandmother, the Catholic Queen." he said.
Elizabeth nodded her head.
"Infanta Isabel. It's perfect, just like her." she said.
Juana kept smiling at the baby Infanta.
"My little Isabel." she said, as the infant began to fall asleep.
February 10, 1551
Hampton Court
Princess Matilda's Bedchamber
Matilda was reading one of her favorite books. She was trying to keep to herself. She also was trying to learn more Swedish, so she could communicate with her soon-to-be husband. She didn't mind marrying a Prince, but she did hear that Sweden was not a Catholic country and that frightened her. Woukd she be persecuted for following the True Faith? What about her future children?
Suddenly, Queen Anne walked in. Now slowly approaching middle age, Queen Anne seemed to have more trouble regaining her figure from her last pregnancy. She slowly walked up to her eldest daughter and touched her shoulder.
"Darling, what troubles you?" she said.
Matilda sighed.
"My upcoming marriage to the Swedish Prince. I hear he's handsome and not much older than me, but he is also a Lutheran heretic. How can I in good conscience be happy with him, when his immortal soul is in danger? Not only his soul, but the souls of our future children." she said.
Anne hugged Matilda. She knew what her daughter was going through. Anne had been a Lutheran before her marriage, despite her mother being a traditional Catholic. Upon her marriage, she converted to her husband's Faith, so that England would accept her. Because of that, she never discussed her life as a former Protestant Princess.
"Anne looked at her daughter.
"You don't have to give up the Faith in which you were raised, but that doesn't mean make your husband and his family into your enemy. Give it a chance, Matilda. If you are unhappy, then you can always talk to God and he will relieve your pain." she said.
Matilda smiled at her mother.
"When do I depart for Sweden?" she asked.
Anne sighed.
"Sometime in April. I do not know the exact day." she said.
Matilda nodded.
"Then I shall be ready by then." she replied.
A/N Finally Chapter 18 is up! I apologize for making this chapter a little short. You may notice that I'm including the French Royal Family as well as the Swedish. I want us to see the Daughters of England's lives as Queens. Now here are the Questions for my dear reviewers. 1. Isabella is forty-one years old and her husband believes that getting her pregnant again will heal her ill mental health. Should I allow another pregnancy? 2. King Harry and Queen Anne are not as intimate as they were. Should they remain a loving couple or simply become a husband and wife, who is married strictly for convenience? 3. Princess Elizabeth of Spain finally gave birth to the beautiful and healthy Infanta Isabel in this chapter. How many more children should she have and what genders and the age differences to the first child? 4. Princess Matilda will be getting married to a Protestant Prince, while she herself is a Catholic Princess. Will they have a harmonious marriage? Also, how many children should be born? Please answer these for me, as I work on my other story. Please Read and Review and Happy New Year's to you all!