Arthur

Chapter 30

Arthur, Prince of Wales; Ludlow, Wales, England. February 1502.

“Tell me about your country.” I asked, as I stroked Catalina’s soft red hair; I loved my wife’s hair, she somehow always kept the sweet smell of daisies in it. Catalina smiled at me, with a tired expression.

“What is it that you wish to know, my love?” She asked.

“Anything. How is it, your home, your country, your people…”

“I believe you already know my home pretty well.” She replied. “I have described it so many times to you! I believe you would know it well enough not to be lost if you ever visit it.”

Indeed; Catalina’s house, the Alhambra Palace, was something so fantastic I never got sick of listening about. It sounded as an exotic, ethereal Heaven, with all the Oriental beauties and mystery. She told me how the windows were built so as the arches would resemble lace, and I could only dream of the beauty of looking at the wonderful gardens through such beautiful thing.

“Then, tell me something different.”

“I will tell you about my mother’s great enterprise.”

“What is it?”

She smiled. “Christopher Columbus.”

I nodded, delighted; the news of the outstanding quest of Mr. Columbus had reached England, of course, and we were all amazed by what had been related to us. The man had discovered exotic lands on the far West, so rich of nature and mystery I could barely picture it in my head.

“Christopher Columbus is an incredibly wise man, and he had a rather daring vision.” She started. “In the year I was born, and he sought for my parents’ help on his ambitions. He was famous around Europe for his daring opinions.”

“What opinions?”

“This theory of his convinced him that it would be possible to find another way to Calicut. As you know, we have no longer the right to pass through Constantinople, therefore it makes it twice as hard to obtain success in a trip to the West.”

I nodded, silently; my tutors had told me about this, years back. Catalina reached her hand to the fruit basket that was on the table beside the bed, and grabbed an orange.

“Well, pretend that Calicut is right here.” She put her second finger at a spot. “And England, here.” She moved the middle finger to another spot on the orange, not far from the first. “The easier way to go from one to the other would be if we drew a line in between both, correct?”

“Correct.”

“What Mr. Columbus believes is that there is the possibility to us of travelling from one to the other surrounding the ‘orange’.” With the other hand, she lined from ‘Calicut’ to ‘England’ from the other side of the orange, a longer way, but certain. I smiled.

“Could it be?”

“God knows.” She said. “But even if not, his ambitious idea was very successful. All the other kingdoms in England rejected his requests and his brother’s, Bartholomew. Everyone believed he was delusional and a dreamer, that his ideas were not even close to reality.”

“Except your parents.” I guessed.

“Except my mother.” She corrected. “He had a meeting with her, and she decided to give him the chance of proving his theory. My mother provided him a good allowance and ordered that all Spanish cities he would pass by to provide him food and accommodation.”

“Just after my parents had won the war against the Moors and conquered Granada, that he managed to convince my parents to give their blessing so he would do the most ambitious journey of all: the search for the other way to the Indies. This time, it was my father who agreed to it, as my mother showed some skepticism.”

“He left eight years ago, on his journey. No one expected him to succeed, but my mother had great faith. And he did not disappoint her; few weeks after he had left, we received a letter telling us about his discover. A whole new land, full of unknown richness; There is so much gold and precious gems that one would be mesmerized. The natives were people without religion, and my mother saw it as a good chance of pleasing God by getting Him more loyal devotees. They were innocent, without weapons, learned things quickly, so they were easily controlled.”

“He took seven of them to Spain, and it was quite amazing. Their skin is dark, but not as dark as of the Africans. It is more of a copper tone, very different. Their hair is dark and straight, and they look tall and rough. Apparently, they didn’t wear clothes, so they had to get accustomed to it during the trip.”

“How amazing!” I said.

“Mr. Columbus returned to the new islands two more times, one year later and six years later. His fourth voyage is this year, in a couple of months. He has conquered so many islands so far, it is incredible! Who would have thought there was so much on the other side?”

“I bet the others are disappointed for not having put their trust in Columbus.” I said, thinking of my father and his constant urge for better nautical conditions.

“Oh, no question.” Catalina smiled. “I know the King of Portugal deeply regrets having turned down Christopher Columbus.”

“What did he take to Spain from the islands?”

“Gold.” She smiled. “So much gold… It was overwhelming to look at it. And precious gems, interesting herbs and plants, fruits… You can’t even imagine how wonderful it was.”

“Oh, I can.” I said. “The New World, is it not? A promised land. I dream to one day finance expeditions to find new lands as well. I wish to have such things, Catalina, and I would rather lose money than not trying.”

My wife smiled brightly. “Do you wish such things? Do you really, my love? That makes me so happy! I believe a country is also made by its conquers, and think of what England would be if you could find new lands!”

“If we could find new lands.” I corrected her. “Catalina, I want you to be more than just my wife. I want you to be my queen, to rule by my side, to advise me and support me. I want you to be like your mother is to your father, and I know you would settle for nothing less.”

I expected Catalina to beam with joy and excitement, but she simply nodded solemnly. “There is a reason why I was sent to you and to England. I intend to do my part.”

I put my arms around her again, kissing her forehead; I could not have asked for a better wife.

“Nice fruit basket.” I commented, glancing at it once again. “Was it a gift?”

“Yes. Your mother was kind enough to send it to me, along with an awfully interesting book about the genealogy of the House of Plantagenet and the House of York.”

“Ah, yes?” I said, distracted. Then I noticed a shadow passing through her face. “Interesting read?”

She closed her eyes. “Certainly very informative.”