The Tudor Rose: A New Age

Chapter 26

Weeks later, things have changed once more in the Tudor court. Henry had changed the line in succession, seeing that he was unable to have anymore children. His eldest daughter, Elizabeth 1st, would be first in line for the throne since she carried the title "Princess of Wales". She would then be followed by her children who would take the throne after her. If, God forbid, should anything to happen to Elizabeth 1st and her family, then Edward should succeed her and his family. The same went for Mary and Elizabeth 2nd. The news was most welcomed by the recipients, especially Elizabeth 1st, who was still awaiting the arrival of her newest addition. She was already past her due date and was getting tired and restless of her prolonged condition. However, it would come to an end soon. With the princess, she was laying in her bed as she was lost in her thoughts. Suddenly, she felt a rush of pain take over her, causing her to let out a loud gasp. Her ladies then rushed in, concerned for her, as did the midwives. Elizabeth began to breath heavily and said to the women around her, "It's time! The baby! It's coming!" The midwives then leapt into action as they began to take charge. One of them, Madam Louise, took her place next to Elizabeth and said to her, with a calm voice, "Do not worry, Your Highness. Madam Marietta and I have safely delivered so many beautiful babies into the world and we shall do the same with this special little one. On my saying so, you shall need to push and pant heavily. But first, we're going to raise your legs a bit before we do so."

Elizabeth stared at Madam Louise before nodded as she began to pant heavily. Madam Marietta made her way over to Elizabeth's worried ladies to get them started on doing some tasks. She smiled gently at them and said, "Do not worry, ladies. Your mistress is in very capable hands. Can a couple of you go inform Prince James and Her Highness' siblings of the situation and another go inform His Majesty? They should know that Her Highness has gone into labor." Eleanor nodded and said, turning to the other ladies as she was the principal lady-in-waiting, "Of course, Madam Marietta. Lady Caterina, Lady Natalia; you shall go tell His Highness and His Majesty. Lady Mariana, you shall go tell the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth 2nd. I'm sure they'll tell the Prince Edward." The ladies in question rushed off to do as they were told, leaving Eleanor and Ursula behind to help the midwives with Elizabeth. Madam Marietta turned to Eleanor and Ursula and said to them, "Now, would one of you get some warm water as well blankets and towels for Her Highness? She will need all the help she can get. It seems that with the long wait, the baby is making its arrival very quickly." Eleanor nodded and replied, "I'll go get them, Madam. *She turned to Ursula* Lady Ursula, stay with the midwives and Her Highness and do what they need to get done." Lady Ursula curtsied to Eleanor and said, "Of course, Lady Eleanor."

While Elizabeth's ladies were off doing their takes, Elizabeth was clutching Madam Louise's hand tightly as she let out a painful yell and pushed with all of her might. Outside of the bedchambers, the court was bustling about as the news of Elizabeth's labor spread. Henry rushed down the halls as much as his body allowed and said to Charles, "As soon as my grandchild is born, I want the church bells ringing to announce the arrival of another Prince or Princess. I also wants tournaments to be arranged as well as feasts and other festivities. Also, have the Lord Hertford write a letter to King Francis and Queen Claude about the arrival of their grandchild as well. This child shall represent new beginnings of our future. How is my daughter?" Charles nodded and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Her Highness is doing well as the midwives suspect. They've told her to start pushing awhile ago. The Princes and Princesses have already been notified and have been escorted to the bedchambers to wait outside for the arrival." Henry nodded and said, "Good, then we shall join them." Charles bowed and replied, following Henry, "Yes, Your Majesty."

In Elizabeth's bedchambers, the Princess of Wales screamed in pain as she pushed once more. Madam Louise smiled gently at the young woman as she held her hand and said, "Well done, Your Highness. You're almost there, just a few more pushes." It had already been a few hours of labor and everyone was beginning to worry for both the child and mother. Madam Marietta looked up from the princess' legs and said, "We're nearly there, Your Highness. I can almost see the baby's head. I'm going to need you to give us one big push and then the baby shall arrive. On the count of three, I want you to push. Are you ready? *Elizabeth nodded eagerly, ready to be finished* Alright; one.........two..........three....push!" Elizabeth let out a loud yell as she pushed again, causing her ladies to watch her in concern as they were ready to receive the newborn. After she pushed, a loud wail filled the room, causing everyone to let out a sigh of relief. Elizabeth was praised for her hard labor and she was finally able to let out a deep breath. Eleanor rushed over to her friend and took her hand while Madam Louise went to help Madam Marietta with the newborn. Elizabeth sighed and said to Eleanor, as her other ladies gathered around her, "Eleanor? How is the baby? Is it alright? What is it?" Mariana stood on the other side of Elizabeth and replied, taking Elizabeth's other hand, "Your Highness has no need to worry. *She smiled softly* Your Highness has given birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy." Elizabeth sighed in relief and said, as the midwives cleaned her baby boy up, "I want to hold him. May I see him, please?" Madam Louise smiled and replied, walking over with the newborn, "Of course, Your Highness. Be careful now, he is quite tiny. He wasn't in any rush to enter the world but he was indeed ready to make his appearance. What shall you name the young prince?" Elizabeth held her newborn son in her arms and said, smiling brightly, "Prince James and I have decided on Fredrick Arthur Henry Tudor-Valois for my father, uncle, and James' uncle. We wanted to honor some of the most important men in our family so we decided to do so." Eleanor chuckled and replied, "Well, I think it is a perfect name, a perfect name for a perfect prince." Madam Louise smiled and said, "Shall I bring your family in, Your Highness? I'm sure they'll want to see you and the little one." Elizabeth nodded and replied, "Of course, Madam Louise."

Once Elizabeth and baby Fredrick were presentable, Madam Louise allowed the rest of the royal family to come in. Elizabeth's ladies stood off to the side of the room, all lined up, and curtsied. James was the first to enter and he rushed over to his wife's side. He placed a kiss on her forehead and said, "Are you alright now, my love? And the babe?" Elizabeth chuckled and replied, "We are just fine, my dear. Meet your newborn son." James gasped happily and said, "A son? We have another son?!" Henry then entered the room and said, "My sweet Elizabeth, you have done well. How are you?" Elizabeth smiled and replied, "I'm well, Papa, thank you. Come and meet your new grandson." Henry's face lit up and said, "Another grandson?! My, you'll have your hands full. I have already ordered that there shall be tournaments, festivities, and feasts in honor of the new Prince." Elizabeth smiled as she shared a look with her husband and replied, "We thank you, Father, we really do." Mary came up to her sister with Elizabeth 2nd and said, "I'm sure that he'll make a fine Prince, sister. What have you decided to name him?" Elizabeth 1st glanced down at her newborn son in her arms who stirred in his sleep and replied, "Prince Fredrick Arthur Henry Tudor-Valois." Henry's eyes softened and said, coming to sit next to his eldest daughter, "Arthur and Henry? After......" James smiled and replied, "We wanted to honor the most important people in our families and we were given the chance to. Arthur is for Your Majesty's brother and Henry for yourself." Elizabeth 2nd said, "Where's Fredrick from?" James replied, "My uncle, dear Lizzie. Uncle Fredrick was my favorite uncle out of of all my other uncles but he sadly died of an illness when I was a child. I vowed that whenever I had a son, I would name him after my uncle." Henry smiled and said, "I think it's a fine name. *He then turned to his other two daughters* We shall leave you alone to rest. I'm sure Nicholas and Cate would want to see their new baby brother. Come, Mary, Lizzie." Mary and Elizabeth 2nd curtsied to their elder sister and brother-in-law then followed their father out of the door. Elizabeth and James both smiled at each lovingly before looking at their third child, who slept soundly in his mother's arms.
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Madam Louise

Madam Marietta

Prince Fredrick Arthur Henry Tudor-Valois of France and England