The Tudor Rose: A New Age

Chapter 34

After the celebrations of the treaty were over; Henry VIII, his family, and court had return to England a couple days later. As promised, Charles Brandon retired from court life to rest at his estate where he soon became sick. Elizabeth 1st visited her sister and her sister's family, where she was named "Godmother" to her nephew and her husband was named "godfather". At the Sussex estate, Elizabeth 1st held her nephew in her arms as she sat in an armchair in Mary's bedchamber. Elizabeth smiled at her sister and said, "He's so precious, Mary. He reminds me of when Nicky, Katie, and Freddy were all born." Mary smiled and replied, "Indeed. I'm so lucky. He has been an easy babe so far. According to his governess and wet nurse, he sleeps easy and he's feeding well. The physician also says he's very healthy." Elizabeth smiled and gave her nephew to his governess who had walked up to her to take the baby. She turned to her sister and said to her, taking her hand, "How was the labor? Was it hard?" Mary sighed and replied, "It wasn't easy that's for sure. The midwife told me that he was breached and had the cord around his neck. It was terrifying for me because I didn't want to lose him. I could hear Nathaniel outside yelling to be let in and comforting me with soothing words on the outside of the door. He desperately wanted to be with me and help. It was by the grace of God that the baby and I survived." Elizabeth smiled at her sister and said, "I do wish I had been there to help you. What shall you and Nathaniel name him?" Mary gently clutched her sister's hand and replied, "You had other duties to perform, sister, no one can fault you for that. You were needed in France to preside over the treaty signing. *She grinned in pride* Nathaniel and I decided on naming him George Arthur Louis of Sussex. Nathaniel's father was named George so we wanted to honor him in naming our son. Obviously, Arthur is for our uncle Arthur, Father's brother." Elizabeth smiled and said, "What's Louis for?" Mary sighed softly and replied, "Nathaniel had a brother named Louis but he died during battle. That's how he became heir to the Sussex estate and Sussex fortune. He never told anyone about his brother's death because he was worried that people would think that he had stolen the title of being heir. His father then passed away of a broken heart when his mistress of a long time passed away as well." Elizabeth sighed sadly and said, "I never knew that about Nathaniel. We're close friends with each other and we never kept anything from each other either. What about his mother?" Mary replied, "His mother is still alive, thank God, but she and Nathaniel's father had a distant relationship after she found out about Nathaniel's father's affair with his mistress. She took refuge with her family then came back when Nathaniel and I first got married." Elizabeth sighed again and said, "Poor Nathaniel." Mary nodded and said to her sister, "Indeed. There's something that Nathaniel and I would like to ask you and James. *Her sister looked at her in curiosity* We were wondering if you'd like to be godparents to George. We know that you are to Cate but we wanted to know if you'd be the same to George. We couldn't think of anyone else worthy of the roles." Elizabeth smiled at Mary and replied, "James and I would love to, Mary! You have our blessing." Mary grinned in joy and said, hugging her sister, "Thank you so much, sister. We really appreciate it." Elizabeth smiled and was about to say something in return but was   distracted when Mariana rushed into the room, a distressed look on her face. She looked at her close friend in concern and said to her, "Mariana? What is it? Everything alright?" Mariana took a deep breath and replied, "It's the Duke of Suffolk, he's deathly ill. The physician says that he might die soon. You should go and see him now." Elizabeth's eyes widened in fear and turned to look at her sister. Mary nodded at her sister and said to her, tightly squeezing her sister's hand, "Go see His Grace. I shall be here as will George, Cate, and Nathaniel when you return. His Grace needs you more." Elizabeth nodded and then said her goodbye for rushing to leave. She had only brought Mariana and Caterina with her while the others stayed behind in Ludlow.

In the carriage, Elizabeth tightly clasped her hands together and bounced her legs up in worry. Mariana and Caterina shared a worried look between them as they worried about their mistress. Caterina took Elizabeth's hand into hers and said, "All will be well, Your Highness. You must have faith." Elizabeth looked at her trusted lady with disbelief and replied, "How can I when my godfather is laying in his deathbed as we speak and he could die anytime soon? And my father's health is deteriorating as well?" Mariana then took Elizabeth's other hand into hers and said to her mistress, "You must listen to me, Your Highness. His Grace, the Duke of Suffolk, has had a long and wonderful life in his lifetime. He has done many things and has done a great service to the Crown. He knows his time has come and he's ready to go into God's grace. As for His Majesty, he'll be ready to join His Grace as well. It's the way life goes and it always has and always will. All we can do is pray and keep faith that His Grace will pass on peacefully and the same with His Majesty when he does the same. Hmm?" Elizabeth took in her friend's words and nodded as a tear fell down her cheek. She knew her godfather was going to die and her father would do the same. She had noticed that the both men's health had deteriorated and were losing themselves as time had went on. They were old in age and were getting close to the end. She just wasn't ready to face what would come after the potential deaths of her godfather and her father himself. As the carriage got closer to the Suffolk estate, Elizabeth could feel her heart racing inside of her and she could also feel her pulse getting higher by the minute. Just as they reached the estate, the carriage door opened and a hand was held out to the princess. The princess then took a deep breath and took the hand, allowing the owner to help her out. Elizabeth stepped out and took a look around the estate which she had been to several times as a child and as she grew. At the front of the entrance of the estate stood Elizabeth's godfather's wife, Catherine Brookes with her children. The princess walked towards them, causing the Duchess and her children to curtsy and to bow in respect to Elizabeth. Elizabeth gave them a small sad smile and said to Catherine, "Your Grace, I thank you for sending me the message about my godfather. I have been very worried about his condition." Catherine Brookes curtsied again to her husband's goddaughter and replied, "Of course, Your Highness. While my husband and I are not as close as we once were, I knew he always held a great love for you since you called him "Uncle" ever since you were a child." Even though Catherine wasn't around when Elizabeth was young since Charles was married to Elizabeth's Aunt Margret at the time, Catherine still cared for Elizabeth as if she was her own goddaughter. In a way, Elizabeth considered Catherine her aunt as well. Catherine then turned to enter what was once her home, waving her arm in front of her to make way for her goddaughter'. Elizabeth sighed and said to her 'godmother', "Tell me, Aunt Catherine, how is Uncle Charles?" Catherine sighed as well and replied, "He is not well, I'm afraid. The physicians aren't sure of what illness he has but they are doing their best to make sure that he is comfortable. The King had called him to court one day to show loyalty to him about an incident but after that, his condition has worsened ever since. The physicians say he won't last the week, much less days."