Chapter 173
Well, in the last chapter, we saw the death of King Henry VIII. It was actually pretty sad writing that chapter. He was a big part of the story, but now he's gone. I know that some of you are happy he's gone lol, but now a new era has begun with his death. In this chapter, we will see the reactions of his daughters and maybe other people. I hope you are all satisfied of how this chapter is. So, this is the FINAL CALL for picking the gender of Isabella's unborn most likely last child. Please leave suggestions. Anyway, without further ado, here is chapter 173! Please Read and Review!\
January 31, 1547
Whitehall Palace
The King's Privy Chamber
Harry stood at the door, looking at the Privy Chamber, which now belonged to him. It had been three days since the death of his father and it had not been announced that he had died yet. It was up to Harry to do that. First and foremost, Harry wanted to write letters to his sisters and his aunt Margaret, letting them know about King Henry's death.
Harry walked over to the desk and dipped the quill into ink and began to write the necessary letters. Despite the tears that fell down his face, he knew that he had to announce that his father had finally died.
Suddenly, the guard walked in.
"Excuse me, Your Highness...I mean Your Majesty, but your wife wishes to see you." he said.
Harry blinked at the way he was addressed. It was the first time he had been called Your Majesty.
"You may send her in." Harry said.
Anne walked in, wearing black. She walked up and kissed Harry on his lips.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
Harry put on a fake smile and nodded his head.
"I'm the King of England now. Why shouldn't I be happy?" he asked his wife.
Anne put her hand on Harry's shoulder.
"It's not a crime to love and miss your father, sweetheart. Despite everything, I know you loved him and you cherish the good memories you have." she said.
Harry had a few tears slip down his face.
"I do remember those times. But, since I'm the King of this realm, I have to organize our joint coronation, which will be held after my father's funeral. I also need to let my sisters know that Father has died." he said.
Anne nodded her head, understanding him.
"I know, but please promise me that you will take time and properly mourn your Father." she said.
Harry nodded.
"I promise." he said.
Anne kissed his forehead and left the room.
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Princess Christina's Bedchambers
Christina, dressed in black, sat near a fire, with her five year old daughter playing at her feet. She has barely said anything, ever since Henry's death four days ago. Her only solace was her children. Even Lorenzo, her beloved husband for over twenty years, could barely say anything to her.
Lorenzo walked in.
"Sweetheart, I know that you are feeling down about the death of your brother, the King, but something has to give. You've been confined to these rooms for three days. I think we should move to Italy." he said bluntly.
Christina looked at her husband, with shock.
"What for? You said living in England didn't bother you." she said.
Lorenzo nodded his head.
"It doesn't, but what exactly is keeping you here anymore? You gave birth to Melanie there. You enjoyed the weather. I don't see the issue." he said.
Christina rose to her feet and looked at little Melanie's governess, who escorted the five year old out if the room.
"This is my home Lorenzo. My brother is not even yet buried and you want me to leave? I still have Edmund and Katherine here. We can be here nephew, who will be crowned King after we bury my brother. I still feel connected here. I can't just walk away." she said.
Lorenzo hugged and kissed his bereaved wife.
"I know you'll miss your brother. He basically raised you. I promise you that I will do whatever I can to get you through this tough time, my love." he said.
Christina smiled at her husband.
"Thank you, sweetheart." she said.
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Whitehall Palace
The Royal Chapel
Katherine, now the Dowager Queen of England, walked into the chapel. She was dressed completely in black. She could not believe that she was mourning another husband. She remembered losing her first husband, Prince Arthur, when she was only seventeen years old.
"Madre de dios." she said aloud, as she became aware of her own surroundings. The entire Chapel was candlelit and was drapped in black. She began to walk in, eyeing the casket that sat on a pedestal near the altar. Katherine wanted one last goodbye with her husband of forty years.
Katherine made it to the coffin and looked at the lifeless body of Henry. He was pale in the face and was already embalmed. His body was awaiting to be taken to his tomb in St. George's. His body was dressed in magnificent robes, almost the way he dressed in life.
Katherine's blue eyes started to tear up, as she looked upon the man she shared her life with, along with four children. She had to admit that he was not perfect, but he was her husband and she greatly loved him. He had mistresses and even fathered two children outside of their marriage, but she could not ever sat she didn't live him.
Katherine touched Henry's cold, folded hands.
"Oh, Henry." she said.
She wiped the tears from her face. She couldn't believe that her husband was gone. She felt useless now. With Henry's death, now she had to depend on the kindness of her son, the new King Henry, to survive.
Suddenly, Katherine's lady-in-waiting and her dear friend, Lady Elizabeth Darrell, walked in and bowed to Katherine.
"My Lady, I just wanted to tell you that Princess Elizabeth has been brought to Court." she said.
Katherine looked at her.
"Does she know about her Father, the late King?" she asked.
Lady Darrell shook her head.
"No, My Lady. The King wanted a private audience with her and the Lady Rose." she said.
Katherine nodded her head.
"Good. Let us pray for my husband's soul and go to my daughter." she said, as she kelt at the altar that her husband was laid upon.
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Princess Elizabeth's Bedchambers
Elizabeth was pacing back and forth, awaiting her brother's arrival. She had been residing in Hatfield House with her household and her half sister, Lady Rose. Elizabeth had to admit that she enjoyed being an older sister. She felt sorry for the motherless child. Not only did she lose her mmther while she still slumbered in the cradle, but she was a royal bastard daughter and was not of any political importance like her half siblings.
Elizabeth looked at little Rose. At nearly nine years old, she was growing into a very beautiful young girl. She had her late mother's light olive skin complexion, but it looked more golden. She had the Tudor auburn hair, which flowed down her back in waves. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of brown, but hadcw hinr of her father's piercing blue in them. However, since she grew up hearing what her mother's fate had been, she had developed a very timid and fiercly obidient disposition. She also was a very strict Catholic. Even more devout than most clergymen.
Rose looked up at her sister.
"Beth, why do you were summoned to Court?" she asked timhappy to
Elizabeth smiled at the little girl.
"It's our home, dear. Father hasn't been feeling too well, so maybe seeing your sweet face will make him all better." she said.
Rose smiled at Elizabeth.
Suddenly, Edward Fitzroy walked in. He bowed to Elizabeth.
"My dear sisters. I pray your journey." he said.
Elizabeth nodded her head.
"It was. I'm sure you are very happy that we are back, since you are reunited with Kitty." she said, with a smile.
Edward smiled before dropping it.
"I just wish that you returned to Court on better circumstances." he said.
Elizabeth looked at her older half brother, in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" she asked wearily.
Edward took in a deep breath and exhaled.
"I'm sorry to inform you about this. This is not easy. Our father, King Henry VIII, is dead. Long live the King." he said to his sisters.
Elizabeth face fell suddenly. Her gray eyes began to fill with tears. Her hands went up to her mouth to stifle the small cries she was letting out.
"No. No. Father isn't dead. Edward please tell me he isn't dead." she said.
Edward closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth." he said.
Elizabeth began to weep openly at that point. She couldn't believe that her father was dead.
Rose's blue eyes filled with tears at that point also, except she just held on to her sister, as they both wept over their loss. Rose was crying over the fact that the only parent that she actually got to meet was now gone.
Finally, Elizabeth wiped her eyes and stood up straight.
"How is my mother?" she asked.
Edward looked at her.
"She is alright. She has been quietly mourning the late King." he said.
Elizabeth nodded her head.
"What about my brother, the new King? When will his coronation take place?" she asked.
Edward cleared his throat.
"He organized it to take place after our Father's funeral, which will take place in two weeks. His coronation will take place the day after the funeral. We are all permitted to attend the funeral. Even our brother will be there." he said.
Elizabeth nodded her head.
"Thank you, brother." she said, as tears still fell down her face.
Edward nodded his head and left his two sisters alone.
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February 10, 1547
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Dowager Queen Margaret's Bedchambers
Margaret was watching her granddaughter, Queen Mary, play with one of the Palace's spaniels. Mary, Queen of Scots was now four years old and was the light of Margaret's life. She had auburn hair that reminded Margaret of her Tudor heritage.
Mary looked up at her grandmother.
"Grandmother, are you mad?" she asked.
Margaret smiled and shook her head.
"No, my darling. I could never be mad at you. I am just thinking." she said.
Mary smiled and then ran after the dog.
Suddenly, the Scottish Amabassador walked in and bowed.
"Your Majesty." he said.
Margaret stood to her feet.
"Ambassador. I am shocked to see you. I thought you were still in England, conducting business with my brother, the King." she said.
The Ambassador took in a deep breath.
"I was there, but there was something that made me return urgently to Scotland. I have news about your brother, the King." he said carefully.
Margaret looked at him.
"Is he ill again? If he is, I will just pray for his health. I know that he has been in poor health for over a year." she said.
The Ambassador cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry, my Lady. Your brother, King Henry VIII, has died." he said gently.
Margaret froze, in shock. Slowly, she turned away from her subject.
"Leave me please." she said.
The Ambassador bowed and walked out of Margaret's bedroom, closing the door behind him.
After the door was closed, Margaret began to sob.
"Oh, Henry!" she cried out.
She fell to her knees and cried out:
"No, HENRY!"
She could not believe that she had lost most of her immediate family. She already lost her parents, her older brother, two of her sisters, two of her children, two grandsons, two husbands and now one of her younger brothers.
"Why, Lord? I cannot lose anymore. I cannot bear it." she said, as tears fell down her face.
Suddenly, one of her Ladies-In-Waiting ran in.
"My Lady, are you hurt?" she asked, in concern.
Margaret shook her head.
"No, my brother is dead!" she screamed.
The Lady-in-Waiting put her hand to her mouth and knelt down to comfort her mistress.
"I am so sorry, My Lady. Come, let me help you off the floor." she said.
Margaret took the lady's hand and was sat back in her chair by the fire. she looked at her maid.
"Go find my granddaughter and send her to her bedchambers. I do not want her becoming ill from the draft in the halls." she said.
The Lady looked at Margaret, in confusion.
"But, My lady..." she began to say.
Margaret gave her a sharp look.
"DO AS I SAY! THE HEALTH OF OUR QUEEN IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE, SINCE SHE IS ONLY A CHILD!" she screamed.
The Lady nodded.
"Alright, My Lady. I'll go immediately." she said, as she ran out of the room in search of little Mary.
Margaret began to cry more.
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February 12, 1547
Almourol Castle, Portugal
Queen Maria's Bedchambers
Mary was sewing blankets for the poor. She was a very popular Queen, due to her generosity toward the people of Portugal. She was known to walk the streets of the city and give them money or clothes. However, Mary was also sewing because she was sad. Her monthly courses were late this month and she though she had managed to conceive, but they arrived and she was not pregnant. It had been almost two years since her failed pregnancy, but she really wanted to give her husband another child, particularly a son.
Suddenly, Carlos walked in.
Mary smiled.
"Sweetheart, I am glad you came to see me. How are you?" she asked.
Carlos took a deep breath in and exhaled.
'I have terrible news, darling." he said.
Mary became terrified at that moment.
"Oh no. Are our children alright? Is one of them ill?" she asked in a terrified voice.
Carlos nodded his head.
"They're fine." he said, not taking his eyes of his wife.
Mary sighed and made the sign of the Cross, thankful her children were not in danger.
"Well, if the children are fine, what is the bad news?" she asked, still nervous at what terrible news her husband was speaking of.
Carlos handed her a letter.
"It's from your brother." he said.
Mary took the letter and began to read it:
My dear beloved sister,
It pains me to have to write this damning letter to you. It makes me happy that you are in Portugal, so I do not have to see your beautiful face stricken with sadness. However, as an English Princess, I have a duty to to tell you about family affairs. I beseech your forgiveness now. Our father, King Henry VIII of England, Ireland and France and Defender of the Faith, has died. He drew his last breath in the early morning hours on the twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord 1547. It pains me to tell you this, but as my beloved sister and the late King's beloved daughter, you must know. I love you, dear sister and I hope your family will get you this terrible time, since our realms separate us.
Your brother,
King Henry IX
Mary was in tears, as she finished her brother's letter. Her hands began to shake as she reread the news about her father's demise.
She looked up at Carlos, with tears spilling from her blue eyes.
"My Papa is gone." she said, before wrapping her arms around him and sobbing uncontrollably.
Carlos hugged her and tried his best to soothe her.
From the doorway, Carlos and Mary's three children stood watching their mother breakdown.
Duarte, who was almost eight years old, looked at his older sister.
"Catarina, why is Mamãe crying?" he asked.
The black-haired Infanta looked at her younger brother, while testing her hands on her younger sister's shoulders.
"Because her father, our grandfather, is dead." she said.
At that moment, the three children made the sign of the Cross in remembrance of the grandfather they didn't get to know.
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February 13, 1547
Valladolid, Castile, Spain
La Mota Palace
Isabella was sitting in the palace nursery watching little Maria and Fernando playing on the floor She had her hand resting on her swollen abdomen. She smiled at the thought that soon there would be a third child that would be joining the Nursery. She also thought of the children thst she had lost over the last twenty years. Isabella had given birth nine times to eight children and only two were still living. Isabella was constantly praying for the safety of her children. She couldn't bear to go through another loss. She was already thirty-seven years old and she felt that this child was going to be her last one.
She looked up, as her husband walked in carrying an open letter.
She stood up slowly.
"Andres, are you alright?" she asked.
He gestured for her to come to him.
"Can you come here, sweetheart?" he asked gently.
Isabella gave a confused look, before standing up and walking over to him, following him out of the door.
Andres turned back and looked at his heavily pregnant wife. He had just received the letter that her brother sent out about King Henry's death, but with his wife being seven months pregnant, he didn't want to risk the child in her womb.
However, he couldn't lie to her.
"I just received this letter, from your brother. It seems your father died two weeks ago. I'm so sorry, mi amor." he said.
Isabella shed a few tears, before making the sign of the Cross.
"May God gave his soul." she said.
Andres, shocked at how well his wife was handling this tragedy, made the sign as well and repeated her.
Isabella walked to a nearby window.
"Is it warm outside?" she asked.
Andres nnoddd his head.
"Yes, why do you ask?" he asked.
Isabella turned back to face her husband.
"I'm thinking of taking the children out. In a few weeks I won't be able to, since the baby will be arriving soon. Do you want to join us?" she asked, with a small smile.
Andres, thinking that Isabella was just masking her grief, nodded his head.
"Of course." he said.
Isabella smiled and walked in the nursery to get the children.
Andres looked at his wife and took a deep breath. Either she was very strong and had accepted the fact that her father was dead or she simply just didn't care.
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February 14, 1547
Windsor Palace
St. George's Chapel
King Henry VIII's funeral procession was taking place. In his will, he stated that he did not want to be buried in Westminster Abbey, like his parents. He wanted his own space to rest for eternity. The funrrs service was grand and beautiful, as people mourned the loss of their fallen Monarch.
The Royal Family, all dressed in black, followed the coffin to its final resting place in the chapel. The burial was going to be private, like Henry wanted. He wanted a huge public funeral, with a huge procession, but a quiet burial.
Despite her age and obvious grief, Dowager Queen Katherine walked with such grace and elegance to her husband's grave, that onlookers were proud that the Spanish Infanta had been their Queen all of these years.
Princess Elizabeth walked a few steps behind her mother. She was dressed in mourning clothes like all the women in her family. She had tears falling down her face. She deeply loved her father, despite his flaws. She had many great memories of him and she would forever miss him.
Behind Elizabeth stood her uncle, aunt and their spouses and children. Edmund kept a plain face, while Christina shed several tears. Her husband tried his best to console her, but to no avail. Their three children stood by them, dressed in black and stayed silent.
Harry and Anne stood in front of everyone. They held hands. Harry was flinging more to Anne's hand, trying his best to control his emotions.
Anne, who was very fond of the late King, she smiled at everyone. She also appeared elegant and regal. This was a good thing, since in two days time, she would be crowned as the official Queen Consort. She and Harry decided not to let their children attend the funeral, since this was a dangerous time. This was to be her and Harry's last public appearance. They would be residing in the Tower that very evening.
After the Priest blessed the service and said several prayers. The entire family began to pray silently. Everyone had a different prayer in their hearts.
As the casket of Henry VIII is lowered into burial vault, his nine year old illegitimate daughter, Lady Rose Fitzroy, stepped up to the hole that her only parent was being put in. She had a large brown bowl in her arms. Her hair was down her back and she was dressed all in black. As her father was lowered into the ground, she reached bowl and began to throw little flower petals onto the casket.
"I love you, Father." she said aloud, in a quiet voice that no one heard.
Finally, the casket was out of sight. The entire nation of England buried not just an ailing King, who lost his life battle to illness. They buried almost forty decades of their country. They also buried someone's husband,brother and father. The entire Tudor Family had changed for the better.
Or had they?
A/N Well, there's the final chapter! I hope you all liked it. I've been working on this story for twenty months now and I'm actually said that it is over now. I was thinking of including Prince Harry's coronation, but decided not to, because it would include another chapter and I wanted to end the story with Henry VIII's funeral. I hope you all liked the ending. The new story will be up very soon and it will be titled: The Golden Years. It will probably be another long story, so please bear with me. There will be more adventures for the Tudor Family. We will see the Italian States come in to play also with the Pope and a few other clergymen. We will see the Tudor grandchildren grow up and make their way into the world. Well, I won't spoil it for you all, you just have to wait and see more:) The sequel will pick up six months after Henry VIII was buried, so August 1547. Thank you all so much for your support and all the reviews and messages and reading:) I hope to see you all when the next story is up. Hope you enjoyed the final chapter of A Change For The Better!