A couple years later, Henry VIII has gotten older, now needing to walk around with a cane, and his health had deteriorated even further. Catherine Parr was still his wife and Queen, being faithful to only him as he was to her. As for Princess Elizabeth and Prince James and their family, Elizabeth 1st had announced that she was pregnant once again, bringing joy to the kingdom once more. Nicholas was now with his tutors, being 12 years old. Katie was still under Lady Bryan's care, being 10 years while her brother Fredrick was 5 years old. Elizabeth 2nd and Edward had grown as well, with Elizabeth 2nd being 16 while Edward was 14. One day, Henry had decided to come up with a succession plan for his family on who would rule after who. With Elizabeth's 1st as the Princess of Wales and his natural heir, she would take the throne after home with her husband as King Consort. Then, after her, Nicholas would take the throne and if he were to die childless, Fredrick would take it after him and so on and so forth. As for Mary and her family, Mary had expressed that she had no desire for the throne and Henry had honored his second daughter's wishes. Edward was the Duke of York so he would have a claim to the throne but since he was too young, being only 14, he doesn't have the power to take it just yet. As for Catherine Parr, she had gotten close with Henry's children and grandchildren and he wanted her to be happy so he would give her permission to remarry to someone who would love her unconditionally. The old English king sat in his bedchambers with Dr. Linacre who was checking his health and the ulcer on his leg. Dr. Linacre cringed at the sight and said to the King, "I'm afraid the ulcer is having an affect on how quickly your health is worsening, Your Majesty. You must rest." Henry sighed and replied, "Yes, I know. I shall do so after I make my daughter, Princess Elizabeth a permanent Regent until my time comes when she will take the throne as Queen and after I address my court." Dr. Linacre nodded at the King and bowed to him, leaving him to his thoughts.
As promised, Henry had ordered that his court and family to be gathered into the throne room where he would addressed them. In the middle of her family, Elizabeth stood tall with Catherine Parr on her left and James on her right. Mary and Elizabeth 2nd stood on Catherine's left side, both holding each other's hands in comfort. They knew why the court and themselves were summoned. James took his wife's hand into his own and whispered, "Are you alright, my love?" Elizabeth inhaled sharply and whispered, "I don't know, my heart. I'm just trying to prepare myself for what's coming next." A chamberlain announced as Henry walked in slowly, causing everyone to curtsy and to bow, "His Royal Majesty, the King!!" Elizabeth curtsied deeply when her father slowly made his way into the room and over to her. He then looked at Elizabeth, gently pulling her out of her curtsy, and gave her a small smile. Elizabeth returned her father's smile with a sad one of her own, knowing the reason for his sudden summons. Henry turned his attention to the court and said, with a Kingly voice, "I am sure that you all are wondering why I summoned you along with my family so suddenly. The reasons are is because my health isn't what it used to be and I won't live long. I have some words to say to you all before that time comes. *He then turned to Elizabeth* I am appointing my daughter, the Princess of Wales, and her husband as permanent Regents of England until my time comes to leave this world when they will become Queen and King." Elizabeth's eyes slightly widened but it was more in surprise than shock because she didn't expect her regency to be permanent. James' eyes also widened because he didn't expect to be regent alongside his wife. Henry gave his daughter and son-in-law a comforting smile and said to them, "I have faith in you both that you will lead with honor, strength, courage, and kindness. I have no doubt that you will be a great King and Queen." Elizabeth and James bowed and curtsied out of gratitude and respect for their great monarch. Henry bowed his head to them, then kissed both of his eldest daughter's cheeks. He then moved down to Mary who looked at him with tears in her eyes, threatening to make her cry. Henry said to his daughter, "Mary, you help your sister to be a kind and loving mother to your brother who I leave in this world a helpless boy." Mary sniffled and replied, "Please, Father, don't leave us orphans so soon." Henry looked at his daughter with sympathy and said, bringing Mary into his arms, "Oh, Mary, Mary." From the sidelines, Nathaniel watched his wife with concern in his eyes. Next to him stood their daughter, Princess Cate, who looked at her father with confusion then turned back to her mother, wanting to go comfort her. Young Prince George wasn't able to attend the gathering since he was only a couple months old and too young to join such events. He wasn't alone since Prince Fredrick kept him company with Lady Bryan. Henry then walked over to Elizabeth 2nd who stood with her head held high and said to her, "You are so very young but you can help your sisters look after your brother. Your eldest sister will need all the support and help she will need to become a good Queen." Elizabeth 2nd nodded at her father and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. I promise." Henry smiled at the teenaged girl and said to her, "Bless you, child. Bless you." He held his gaze on his youngest daughter before moving on to his wife, who held onto Mary and Elizabeth's hands in comfort. Henry held out his hand for his wife, who let go of her stepdaughters' hands in exchange for his hand, and said, "Kate....... the time has come for us to bid farewell. *Catherine looked down sadly, tears threatening to fall* It is God's will. When I die, I order these gentlemen to treat you as if I was living still. And if it is your pleasure to remarry, I order that you shall have 7,000£ a year as long as you live for your service as well as your jewels and ornaments." Catherine let out a soft sob as Henry brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly. After that, Henry turned to leave, causing everyone to curtsy and to bow. Elizabeth 2nd was the first of the royal family, who stood behind, to leave, her head held high. Elizabeth 1st watched her youngest sister leave but was held back when Mary came up to her with Catherine. This would be the last time the group would ever see Henry alive.
The next day, in his bedchambers, Henry was lost in his thoughts and his mind had drifted off to his past and his other wives. The first one he thought of was Catherine of Aragon, Elizabeth and Mary's mother. He remembered the good times he and Catherine had. Then when Elizabeth 1st and Mary came along, it felt his life was complete for a short while. Elizabeth was his precious jewel and Mary became his pearl. The King remembered how he had many affairs during his marriage with Catherine and how distraught she would become, especially when one of the affairs gave him an illegitimate son. Suddenly, he felt a presence in his bedchamber, causing him to look up. Henry sighed and said, "Why are you here?" Catherine appeared in a black dress with Mary and Elizabeth 1st appearing by her sides and replied, "I think you know, Henry. I came to see our daughters, Elizabeth and Mary. *Henry looked surprised* Why should that surprise you, Henry? You have not always been kind to them." Henry glanced at Elizabeth, who had black on as well with a solemn look on her face, and said, "I have so, Catherine." Catherine shook her head and replied, "Not when they were young. I have wept so often to see Mary alone for a long time. Had it not been for my dear, sweet, and caring Elizabeth, she would have never been able to have a husband to call her "wife" or children to call her "mother". Elizabeth stayed in your good graces because she was afraid to anger you." Henry walked towards Catherine's ghost and Mary and Elizabeth's spirits and said to his deceased ex-wife, "Is that why you have come back, Catherine? To chide me for all that I am not?" Catherine slightly shook her head and replied, "No, I have not. *She glanced at Elizabeth* All Elizabeth has ever done is to try to make you proud. She wants so much to make you happy as well." Henry glanced at Elizabeth with a soft smile and said, "I am so very proud of her, and Mary. So fiercely proud. *His smile then turned into a glare when he turned to look at Catherine* Go away, Catherine."
Catherine just smiled softly and said, "You've sent me away before even though I loved you but I was still your wife in God's eyes." Henry turned away then turned back only to see that Catherine, Elizabeth, and Mary were gone. Awhile later, his thoughts then drifted off to Anne Boleyn, feeling his heart break for how much she had begged to spare her life when she was accused of adultery. Henry remembered how she begged to think of their own Elizabeth, her voice breaking as she shouted at him. There was another presence that entered the room as Henry was taking a drink of his wine. He sighed to himself, knowing fully well on who it was, and said, "Why are you here?" A woman's voice replied, "To see my daughter. She was the only pure thing in my life and in my life, I neglected her since she was only a girl and I wanted so much to give you a son."
Henry stood and walked passed the woman, who revealed herself to be Anne Boleyn, Henry's second wife. He didn't reply, hoping she would go away like Catherine before her. Anne continued, "But now I am so proud of her, fiercely proud of her. *Elizabeth 2nd's spirit appeared next to Anne, causing Anne to bring her hand to touch her daughter's chin* She is so clever, and though she is like me in many ways, she is not intemperate as I was. You must be proud of her too, Henry." Henry rolled his eyes slightly, while he did love Elizabeth 2nd, there was no denying that he favored Elizabeth 1st, his first eldest daughter. He turned back to face Anne, who also worn black, and said, "I am so......very proud of her. And I know how clever she is, and I wish I could love her more. *He sniffled slightly* But from time to time, she reminds me of you and what you did to me." Anne shook her head and replied, stepping towards her husband, "I did nothing to you. I was innocent. All the accusations against me were false. I thought you knew. I am forever grateful that Elizabeth 1st took our Lizzie underneath her wing. She's an absolute saint in my eyes and I know she will be welcomed by myself and the others when her time comes to reach the golden gates of Heaven. *Her mind then went to her cousin, Katherine Howard* Poor Katherine Howard, she lies in the cold ground next to me, poor child. It was not her fault either but we were like two moths drawn to the flame and burned." Anne smiled slightly at Henry and turned to leave, walking towards her daughter. Henry inhaled sharply and said, turning to look at his second wife, "Anne, please don't........." However, when he turned, Anne and their daughter were gone. The next day, Henry was standing in a room of the castle by himself. It wasn't quiet though since he could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation between his courtiers on the outside of the room. A woman's voice said, grabbing the man's attention, "How is my son?" He took a deep breath in when he felt another presence and said, knowing who it was, "Jane. *He walked towards his beloved third wife* He is well. I have taken all care of him. Sweet Jane. Even though Elizabeth will be Queen after me, he is the Duke of York as he is my only son." Jane shook her head at her husband and replied, "My poor boy, my poor child." Henry shook his head and said, "No. He is the most beloved. He thrives under the care of his eldest sister with her own children." Young fourteen years old Edward's spirit appeared next to his mother and stepped forward to go to his father but was held back by Jane, who placed her hand on his shoulder. Henry said, looking at Edward with tears brimming his eyes, "He is my special boy." Jane said, "He will die young." Henry shook his head fiercely and replied, pointing his finger at the woman, "No, no." Jane said, a sorrowful look on her face, "Poor child, you expected too much of him, he was only a boy. The same way you did with dear, sweet Elizabeth. When she and I were friends in the past life, she confided in me on how much pressure she was under and she had wished that she would be free from all of it. She deserves so much better, as do the others. Kings too are made of clay. And God forbid, you locked him away like your father did with you. *Henry denied what Jane had said* Don't you understand? *Her voice broke as she spoke her next words* You have killed him and you will kill Elizabeth too." Henry broke down into sobs while Jane and Edward walked away.
A few days later, Henry VIII had ordered that a portrait be painted of him by Hans Holbein, one of the greatest artists of all Europe. He wanted to be remembered as a strong and powerful King, not weak and sickly. When Hans presented him the first draft, Henry denied it and told him how he wanted presented. While he busied himself with resting, Elizabeth 1st and James thrived as permanent regents. They were keeping the council in check and making sure that things were taking care of. Now with the treaty between England and France intact, there was no need for war in the near futures. As time drew near for his death, Henry was told that his painting was finished. Elizabeth came with her father to see the painting, both escorted by Hans Holbein. They were escorted to another big room in the castle where a giant painting stand stood, holding a covered canvas. Hans stood by the canvas and said, "Your Majesty? Your Royal Highness?" Henry nodded at the young man, waving his hand. Hans then pulled the tarp off of the canvas, revealing Henry's portrait. Elizabeth gasped softly at the painting, holding onto her father's hand. Henry inhaled sharply, taking in the marvelous sight. The painting revealed exactly how he wanted to be remembered as time passed on. Shortly after Henry and his daughter were shown the painting, King Henry VIII Tudor of England passed away and Elizabeth 1st became Queen Elizabeth 1st Tudor-Valois of England and France with James as her King Consort.