The Life of Elizabeth Tudor

What will change...

Back to Elizabeth's POV

I was sat in the window seat watching the world in wonder, how the dew clung to the shining blades of grass. The white fluffy clouds rolling in slowly being pushed by the gentle breeze, swaying the tops of the trees across the river as if waving goodbye to the night.

I Knew it wouldn't be long until the rest of the house was awake, but it was so rare I would wake before the maids I was enjoying the silence. The peacefulness of the stillness, in a world moving too fast.

Two maids came bustling in greeting me with a good morning and then hurrying about, making the bed and throwing back all the curtains. After setting down a tray with breakfast they left me alone, I ate the food while pondering recent events. What would change now that father had married, would anything change?

I was dressed into a blue dress by my ladies, and they brushed my hair until all the tangles were gone. Deciding it was time to leave my chambers I walked down the corridor and down the grand marble staircase to the entrance hall where a manservant was letting a boy in. Seeing me he walked up to be briskly and bowed then keeping his gaze on the floor he spoke:

"My Lady, I have been sent by the court due to the will of your father the great King Henry." Wondering what my father had sent him for and waited for him to continue.

"I am here to announce the news that it has been decided you brother shall be joining your household here with you, and your sister Mary will be visiting often aswell" Shocked I stood staring at the messenger, not expecting anything like this. The boy finally looked up from the floor and noticed my confused expression.

"My Lady, I do believe that it may be due to your new step-mother Queen Katherine, wanting you all to be a family" he said boldly. Normally it is unfit for a messenger to say such things, but this made him seem all the more interesting.

"When shall I expect them to arrive?" I asked the messenger trying to use an authoritarian tone.

"This afternoon I believe." This afternoon! Such short notice, I forgot all about the messanger in front of me as I dashed through the house leaving the servant to show him out. I reached the living room where the housekeeper was.

"My Lady if I do say so it is not befitting for you to running about like that!" She scolds me. Being part of her occupation to oversee my education and upbringing to a proper standard.

"I am sorry, but I have just been informed that my brother and sister are to be arriving this afternoon, we must prepair." Not seeming fazed by this news the housekeeper simply nodded and walked down the corridor.

Trusting her to organize the house and rooms for the guests I went back upstairs to change into something more presentable. My ladies changed me into a new purple dress with took so long to tie all the laces I thought it would never be done. However this did give me time to think, why is my brother coming to live here. I know Katherine wanted us all to be more of a family but I do not understand father agreeing to this. I know his feelings on the matter and those towards me and my sister.

It wasn't long and the announcement was made that Mary had arrived, her ladies and other servants were shown to have some food while Mary and I sat on the terrace with some tea.

"If you ask me it's all very strange, Edward is the next in line for the throne while father has discredited us. Why would he wanted Edward to be around us, he has made it clear that he intends to try no relationship with us?" Mary thought out loud, sour that Edward was next in line, and jelous of the preferance father had for him.

"I think it's Katherine, she said she wanted us to be a family and whatever you may think you cannot deny that father loves her dearly. I think he would do anything for her, isn't that what love is about? Making each other happy and becoming a family."

"Yes, until one of his men has had enough of the persuasion over power so your head is cut off." Bluntly stated like fact, while looking deep in thought. I stayed quiet not really knowing what to say after that comment.

"Elizabeth... I never liked your mother for what she did to my mother. But she never deserved ... that punishment. I was young but I remember, it was a tragic day for all, even my mother howver she won't ever admit it, was sad to hear about Anne, after all Anne had been my mother's Lady in waiting, they were very close once. With everything that was said about her whether it be true or false, one thing was certain. She was a devoted mother, and it was clear to everyone that she loved with all her soul, even when she knew she was losing Father with the distance between them growing. Anne just seemed to be concerned with you, you were all that mattered to her even above her own life. She knew what was going to happen, there came a point when we all could see it, but instead of trying to save her life she spent that time making sure everything was arranged so that you would be looked after, no matter what." Looking over at Mary I saw a stray tear rolling down her cheek.

"A true love like that cannot be parted by death dear Elizabeth, I know her love is still strong for you now... A love I never had." I knew Mary's mother was always more concerned with power and station above love or family. My ladies often spoke in sympathy for Mary for growing up in such an unaffectionate home.

"This is our chance sister..." I spoke softly moving to kneel before her wiping her tears away with my hankie. "To be a real family, you can have love. Love from me, Love from Edward, and one day from a husband. But we will always be family, and a family's love is eternal."

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I hope you like it, I was almost in tears myself when writing Mary's speech. Please comment what you think, and remember to vote. Thank you