That night Meg stormed into my room with fury in her eyes. I sigh knowing already what this was about. Her betrothal.
"Hello to you to Meg." I say
"I cannot and will not marry that pig that raids our lad and kills our people. I will not." she stated.
"If you wish to talk to me, sit down. If you wish to shout at me, take it to the end of the hall where my ears do not rattle." I retort sighing. She huffs out an breath and sits down
"Why must I marry the King of Scotland?" she questioned me
"The same reason I married your father. To bring peace." I answer "Meg, you have the same fire as I did when I married, I loathed your father and would have happily tossed him into the Thames if I could."
"You did? What changed?"
"We did, there is a moment where we connected, we bonded. The seed of love began to grow and now I couldn't imagine a life without him. I'm sure it will happen for you, but if it doesn't you remind him that you are a Tudor and you know how to use a blade, he hurts you, run him through."
"Mother?!" she exclaimed causing me to laugh
"Make them fear you first, if love does not grow at least they think twice about doing something worse. Meg, the day has finally come where something will not be easy, where duty comes over want. Rage about it then accept it, because it will happen." I declare
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The next morning I stopped outside to see Arthur off, he was going to take his seat at Ludlow. i glided over and kissed his cheek
"I love you my son." I whisper
"I love you too mother." I stepped back and took Henry's arm as I watch them ride off.
"I will miss him so. My first born with a wife of his own, and soon he will have sons, our grandchildren." I lean my head on his arm "I feel so old" Henry chuckled
"If you are old then I am not the King." he replied
"Your jest's have gotten worse with age, Henry. I am the funny one." I commented causing him to smile.
---- Months Later---
Everything seemed to be going well, Arthur happy in his principality at Ludlow. Both sets twins we thriving in there studies. Meg however was still raging about being a Scottish Bride. It was no surprise, but it did test my patience. I sat with Henry looking over business papers. I had taken on more of a role these past few years using the knowledge my father had given me. A page handed Henry a letter.
"News from Ludlow." he told me opening it up. He read what he was given and something changed.
"What is it?" i question
"I'll call for our escort. We have a long ride ahead of us." he handed the letter to me and I read it. Arthur was ill badly ill, with the sweating sickness. I stood , my chair scraping against the floor and moved as quickly as I could without running. We rode for what seem liked forever to reach Ludlow I dis mounted. Maggie and Sir Richard gave their respective greeting. But I could see the sorrow in their eyes and in my heart I did not need telling. I dropped to the ground, wailing and sobbing.
My son was dead. My precious first born.
Henry helped me to stand, he himself was in his own grief. We were taken inside. We prayed over the still and cold body of my precious boy.
"His body will come to London. His heart will stay here." I comment as Arthurs hart was put into its own coffin. We buried under what I told was his favourite tree. Henry moved to speak with Catherine.
"he found happiness with you." he stated
"I believe he found some, your grace." She replied
"You will return to Westminster with us. We will see if you are with child. Pray God you are." Henry took his leave and many of the small gathering left as well
"He loved honey. I will make sure there is bread and honey after the funeral in London." I say feeling as though a piece of me has died. I look back to Maggie to see that she has turned away.
"Oh, Maggie." I sigh
"I told you this would happen, Hope. Yet you still let your own brother die on that scaffold. I told you the Tudor curse would grip you and your children. Where is his future now? Oh, Arthur to be born into such a family as this." she cried
"You say to much." I scold
"Perhaps you and the King have enemies after all, Your Grace." She walked away and I turned back to Catherine for a moment before making my way back to the castle.
The next day we brought Arthur home to rest with his Grandparents, my parents who i prayed would protect him till I saw him once more
YOU ARE READING
York's Hope.
FanfictionEveryone seemed to know my destiny before I did. I am their Hope, I am His Hope. Hope is what I was names and Hope is what I shall bring. To my father, to my family, to my King.
