The Tudor Rose: A New Age

Chapter 17

A couple weeks later, Elizabeth and her family along with her siblings and Katherine Howard all stood in front of the castle to say goodbye to Henry as he went on his Northern Progress. Henry was speaking with Thomas Cranmer, his adviser, before he began to say his goodbyes to his family. Elizabeth stood in the middle of Katherine Howard and her husband with her son in front of her as she watched her father. Little Catherine was with her nursemaid since she was too young to be brought out of the nursery just yet. Henry smiled at Mary and Elizabeth 2nd and said to them, "My dear daughters, I hope that you two will help your sister with her new role?" Mary curtsied to her father and replied, "Of course, Your Majesty. We will do our best." Elizabeth 2nd curtsied and said, "Yes, Your Majesty." Henry smiled and chuckled, placing his hands on their cheeks, rubbing them with his thumbs. He then moved down to Katherine who watched him intently. He smiled softly at her and said, "I do hope that you're not upset with me about making Elizabeth regent. I just wanted you to not have any pressure since you've been Queen only for a couple weeks." Elizabeth 1st glanced over at Katherine who smiled sweetly at Henry, making Elizabeth roll her eyes discreetly. James noticed his wife's annoyed expression and smiled to himself, trying to keep himself from snickering. Katherine smiled and said, "Of course not, Your Majesty. You're the King, your decision is mine to obey. To be careful on your trip and think of me?" Henry chuckled and replied, "Of course, sweetheart." He brought the young Queen into a sweet kiss, causing Elizabeth to roll her eyes again. Pulling away from his wife, Henry then moved on to the last people to say goodbye to. Elizabeth and James both bowed and curtsied to him, with Nicholas following them in suit. Henry smiled at his daughter and son-in-law and said to them, "I trust you both will keep everything in good shape while I'm gone?" Elizabeth grinned and replied, "Of course, Your Majesty. I will do everything in my power to keep your kingdom safe and secure. You have my promise." Henry nodded and said, "I have no doubt. I'll be back soon enough. *He turned to his son-in-law* I trust that my daughter, your regent, is in your safe hands, James?" James bowed and replied, "You have my word, Your Majesty."

Henry placed his hand on the young man's shoulder and patted it gently. He then knelt down to his grandson and said, "You be good for your parents, you hear, young prince?" Nicholas smiled and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I promise to protect my mama and papa." James and Elizabeth shared a soft smile, both chuckling. Henry chuckled and said, "Good boy." He stood up and ruffled his grandson's hair, causing the boy to giggle. The King then made his way over to his horse where his progress party was waiting for him. He got on the horse with the help from a valet and took the reins. Elizabeth watched as her father bowed his head and tipped his hat to them. She then curtsied to her father, causing the others to bow and curtsy to him as the King rode off. They rose from their bows and curtsies to see that the King and his traveling party were long gone. Elizabeth held her head high and said, causing Thomas Cranmer to rush over to her, "Master Cranmer? I'd like to meet with the council to discuss the latest developments in our kingdoms and matters of state. My father may be gone but that doesn't mean that the state is in a standstill." Thomas Cranmer bowed his head and replied, "Of course, Your Highness. I'll gather them immediately. Is there anything else you'd like me to bring forward to the council?" Elizabeth glanced over to Katherine who was giggling with her ladies-in-waiting and whispered, "There is something I'd like you to do in private for me, Master Cranmer. I've heard rumors about the Queen and her.....lustrous past. See to it that you investigate it, please? Discretely and report anything back to me and me only." Master Cranmer bowed his head and whispered, "As you wish, Your Highness."

James then walked over to Elizabeth with Nicholas and the nursemaid who was holding Catherine. Elizabeth smiled and said to the nursemaid, "Sarah, could you take Catherine to Lady Bryan, please? I'm sure it is almost time for her nap and I want her to be well rested for the feast tonight. And the same goes for Nicholas." The nursemaid, Sarah, curtsied and replied, "Of course, Your Royal Highness. Come along, dear prince and princess." Nicholas groaned and said, "But I'm not tired." James and Elizabeth chuckled and James replied, kneeling down to his son's height, "I know you're not but you will be later and you won't be able to play with your cousin Cate. She'll be well rested and will want to play with you but you won't be able to without a good rest." Nicholas sighed and said, "Okay, Papa." James smiled and replied, "Good boy, now run along. Mama and I will check on you later after the council meeting." Elizabeth knelt down, straightening her dress as she did, and said, "I'll come see you after the meeting, my love. I promise." Nicholas smiled and replied, hugging his mother, "Okay, Mama." Elizabeth pulled away and smiled softly as her son took his sister's nursemaid's hand, walking off with her. James turned to his wife and said, smiling, "We're doing a good job in raising our son, aren't we?" Elizabeth chuckled and replied, "Only time will tell, James. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Shall we go ahead to the council chambers, my dear husband?" James smiled and said, "As you command, my darling wife." Elizabeth 2nd and Mary watched their eldest sister walk off with her husband as courtiers curtsied and bowed to them as they passed. Mary turned to her half-sister and said, "Well, I'm going to the chapel for prayer. Would you like to join me, Lizzie?" Elizabeth 2nd smiled and replied, "Thank you for the offer, dear sister, but I'm afraid that I must decline. I have a dance lesson with my tutor. He's teaching me the Volta." Mary smiled and said, "I might have to skip prayer today to see you attempt the Volta. God won't mind me spending time with my sister." Elizabeth 2nd grinned and lead her sister towards her bedchambers, with each princesses' group of ladies-in-waiting following behind them.

In the council chambers, the council members were all sitting in their seats as they talked amongst themselves. Among the council members were Edward and Thomas Seymour, Charles Brandon, Nathaniel, and a few other noblemen whom Elizabeth and James trusted. The chamberlain announced as Elizabeth and James entered the room with Nathaniel behind them, "Their Royal Highnesses, Princess Elizabeth and Prince James of Wales and of France and the Duke of Sussex!" The council stood from their chairs and bowed to the royal family members. Elizabeth had her hands clasped in front of her and walked towards the head of the table, followed by James and Nathaniel. James stood on her left side while Nathaniel took her right. Elizabeth said, as she sat down, "Let's get to it, shall we, my Lords?" As she sat down, a valet came and pushed her chair in. Elizabeth let out a sigh and said, as another valet handed her a few papers, "So, what's first on our agenda, my Lords?" Charles Brandon stood and replied to his goddaughter, "The first thing that I would like to bring to Your Highness' attention is the movement of your brother's household to York. His Majesty the King brought it up and said that it should be mentioned during this meeting. And since he would be gone, he would like if if Your Highness would be in charge of it." Elizabeth nodded and said, "Of course, Your Grace. But the question remains whether my brother is ready. He is in mine and my husband's charge as the late Queen Jane had requested before she died a couple years ago. My husband and I feel that he is too young to have his own household. When I was announced as the Princess of Wales, even I didn't get my own household until I was ten. My brother is half that age I was." Master Cranmer stood and replied, "Of course, Your Highness. His Majesty merely wants His Highness to be prepared for his title as the Duke of York, as befitting his station." Elizabeth said, turning to the archbishop, "Tell me, Archbishop, do you have any children or younger siblings without any motherly guidance?" Master Cranmer shook his head and replied, "No, Your Highness." Elizabeth glared at him and said, "Well, then when I say that my brother isn't ready, then he isn't ready. My husband and I will discuss it and when we come to a decision, we will tell you. Anything else, my Lords?" Edward then stood up and replied, "Yes, Your Highness. However, this matter is more of a personal and private matter rather than state." Elizabeth nodded in understanding and said, "Of course, Lord Seymour. You may speak with me after the meeting. Anything else?"

After a short pause of silence, Elizabeth took it a 'no' and stood from her chair, causing the lords of the council to also stand. She gave them all a soft smile and said, "I appreciate your support and help in my new regency with my father gone on his progress. I promise to look after England with a kind, gentle, and loving hand. You have my upmost respect and trust. Thank you and I shall continue to look over anything that shall need to be done over the state. As for the matter with my brother, my husband and I shall look over it in due course." She made her way towards the door to leave, followed by her husband and brother-in-law and Edward whom she promised to speak to in private. Once they were out of the council chambers, Elizabeth turned to Edward to speak with him. She smiled at him and said, "What is in your mind, Sir Edward?" Edward bowed his head and replied, "I'd like your permission to court your lady-in-waiting, Lady Mariana Rockford. I understand that she was formerly related to the Boleyn's but she and I have become close friends and I've developed feelings for her." Elizabeth smiled brightly and said, "Why do you feel you need to ask my permission? The one who you should be speaking with Lady Mariana herself." Edward frowned and said, "I assumed that after our past quarrel over my nephew that you had a strong dislike for me. And that our friendship was terminated." Elizabeth's eyes softened and replied, "Well, that's in the past now, my friend. How about this? If Lady Mariana accepts your proposal to court her and you treat her with the respect and love she deserves, I shall see about reconciling our friendship and consider allowing you access to my brother. But, you must prove yourself worthy of such privilege." Edward got on his knee, bowing to Elizabeth. He took her hand and said, "I shall do my utmost to do so, Your Highness. You have my word." Elizabeth smiled and replied, lifting her friend from his bow, "Good, now go see Lady Mariana. She may be in my chambers with my other ladies-in-waiting." Edward grinned brightly and bowed to the princess before rushing off to see his friend. Elizabeth watched with her husband and brother-in-law at her sides before walking off.