Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
°➶☽∘ ✥ ∘☾➴°
𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐎𝐅 the Sweat spreads throughout the land like wildfire and it is not long after this that news of Arthur falling ill reaches Westminster and its occupants. The next king of England is dying and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it.
As Henry and Lizzie sit in the council room, a letter is delivered to the monarchs, "News from Ludlow."
Henry is the first to read it over. As his eyes scan over the contents of the letter, he stands up from his chair abruptly, a look of worry coming to his face.
"What is it?" Lizzie asks, concern lacing her every word. She notices the look on his face, knowing the news can't be good.
"I'll call for our escort," Henry says, handing Lizzie the letter, "We have a long ride ahead of us."
It is not long after that that the king and queen ride to Ludlow, making hast at the news of their eldest child and son falling ill.
It is a long journey, one that they try to make quicker, with no stops on the way and fast horses.
°➶☽∘ ✥ ∘☾➴°
The rest of Arthur's siblings wait silently together. They wait for news of their eldest brother. Meg has Mary on her lap as they sit in a chair. Meg silently tries to console Mary, who seems quite upset about the news. Harry, on the other hand, keeps his arms around Alexandra, who tries not to cry with worry.
Lady Margaret enters the room, seeing the four siblings waiting together, they barely acknowledge her at first.
"No Arthur, please no Arthur," Alexandra mumbles. Harry keeps one of his arms wrapped around her shoulders while the other one rests on Meg's shoulder in solace.
Lady Margaret gives Harry a knowing look, to which he acknowledges lightly. Now he will be king, and now is heir to the English throne. Even if Arthur hasn't died yet, the Sweat will soon take him.
°➶☽∘ ✥ ∘☾➴°
The funeral for Arthur was rough for Alexandra to go through and she found herself in need of some comfort. Fortunately it seems God answered her prayers, because the day after Arthur's heart was laid to rest under a beautiful tree, a letter came from her lover in Denmark.
She let a tear fall from her face as she read it. The man who loved her and she loved did not yet know of her brother's death and in a way, it helped her, because for a moment, she could forget that her brother was dead and that her last words to him were not the kindest.
My Dearest Alexandra,
Do not be saddened by the memories of your cousin, let them bring you joy. Rejoice for Teddy, he is in a better place now, and his memory will live on in you.
Danish court has been boring as of late, I cannot wait to get a letter from you, it always seems to lighten my day. I cannot wait for you to see the beautiful waters and bustling towns when you come, I know how excited you are to get away from the cold dampness of Westminster. Denmark might not be the nicest place to live, but I hope it can be your home and a place you love and feel wanted.
I hear the sweat is back in England. Do be careful, my love. I want you to be as safe as you can. The thought of losing you - I can't bear to think of it.
Do whatever you must to stay safe and healthy. Call me selfish, but I don't want to lose you. I want you to be as healthy as you can be, for as long as you can be.
It is alright that you haven't told your brother yet, I just don't want you to be too sad when you finally tell him, I worry about you.
I hope everything is alright with you.
I love you.
Sincerely,
Your Faithful Lover, Christian
The letter brings Alexandra the joy she needs in the dark times surrounding her. She doesn't wait to respond, instead she quickly pulls out ink, a quill, and parchment and starts to write. A small, but sad smile makes its way to her lips as she decides to write back immediately.
She thinks back to Arthur's funeral and the small ceremony they had at Ludlow castle. It was customary to remove the heart of a royal and place it somewhere of significance whereas their body would be laid somewhere else.
Alexandra was happy to know that her brother would always lie under a beautiful tree in the field where he liked to sit and read.
My Dearest Christian,
If you haven't heard by the time you get this letter, Arthur has fallen ill and died from the sweating sickness. It was so sudden and unexpected. My brother has always had questionable health, but he seemed to be getting stronger and healthier as the years went by. Alas, it was not enough to save him.
My heart weeps and my soul is buried in sorrow.
I feel as though my soul has lost a piece of itself. I miss him already and he has only been gone for a few days. Before he left for Ludlow I was not the kindest to him, he had said a few words that made me deeply upset with him and I scorned him and punished him for it.
I never expected that it would be the last time I ever saw him and I had hoped we would speak again and reconcile. I cannot bear to think he died thinking I was angry with him.
I cannot speak of it anymore, for it brings me the utmost sadness.
I am alright, the sweating sickness did not reach Westminster. My siblings and I are safe and mourning for our brother. We will heal, we just need time.
I hope to hear from you soon, my heart needs healing and I believe only your letters can do that.
