Katherine of Aragon's bedchamber

Margaret approaches slowly the Queens' room. She wants to see her sister-in-law and comfort her as she has heard terrible rumours about the King wanting to sererate from her.
A servant bars her way with a strict face and she smiles at him.

Please will you announce me to Her Majesty? My name is Margaret of Austria, regent of the Low Lands on behalf of Charles the Emperor and also a sister-in-law of Her Majesty, I was married to her brother John...
She waits patiently while he enters the room.

After a short while the servant returns, shaking his head.
' Her Majesty is not here, she attends Mass...' Margaret nods understanding.
Thank you, I'll come back another time. She walks away, lost in thoughts.

On my way to my chambers, I see a figure outside my rooms straight away. I fear I may have seen a ghost ,for I recognize her instantly. She turns and faces me. I gasp with excitement and pleasure..
I indicate for my ladies to leave me, and as I turn to do so, I notice that on our way back to my chambers. The three Boleyn girls have gone..
"My ladies, please inform his Majesty that I will be breaking my fast in my chambers today. Please send a page boy with some food"
They all look at me inquisitively. Then I see lady Maria De Salinas hurrying them away, averting their eyes. I turn to the guard's who bows, allowing me and Maggie to enter. Once we are both inside and the doors shut, I take her hands and kiss her on both cheeks
"My dear sister, I am so thrilled to see you"

Margaret does not look up as she walks through the corridor, but suddenly she hears the rustle of skirts behind her and when someone gasps, she turns around to see what's going on.
She regognizes her immediately but is shocked to see the changes in her once so beautiful sister-in-law. It is long ago that they have seen each other so naturally she is become older- just like herself-, but she looks so sad and quenched.
Margaret smiles warmly at her and waits patiently on her orders to the servants, then follows her into the room. She squeezes softly her hands and kisses her back, smiling widely.

Oohh, my dear sister, I thought I've missed you, I'm so happy to see you again!

"Ohh Margaret, my dearest sister, you have no idea how happy I am to see your face once again. A face I recognized and trust. But ,my darling sister, how did you get here? Wolsey spy's are everywhere! They watch mine and my friends every move" I see in her face she does not fully understand the enormity of my troubles

Margaret smiles and shrugs.
I just ran to your quarters, my sweet sister, am I not fully free to move in the castle? Frowning she looks at her worried face.
Spy on you? Why should he? And... does the King know about this? It's... ridiculous! She speakes outraged and hugs Katherine again, wondering if she might be overly suspicious and if not, what possibly could be going on.

Of course you are, dear sister! And you will always be! So these rumours are true, he really wants a divorce.
Margaret frowns and smiles encouraging at her.
Please, tell me everything, but first I send you the love of your nephew, the Emperor Charles and he assures you to help you as much as he can! And so will I, sweet sister, after all, we are family.

Margaret listens at her with horror and holds her hand tightly.
My sweet sister... I had no idea you suffer that much! Of course our nephew Charles will persuade the Holy Father to not allow your divorce, after all, the former Pope approved it and gave you dispensation! How can he revoke an earlier decision without any reason? Keep faith, and stay strong, dear Cathy, you have been his wife for so long, he can't just put you beside!
She looks at Catherine with compassion and caress her cold hand.

Margaret feels deeply touched by her words and saves her arms around her.
Dear sister... don't give up, you are not alone! God gives grief to strength... keep praying and He will not abandon you. You are a child of Ferdinand and Isabella who were both strong and proud and never gave up! I promiss you I will never let you down either! We are family and we support eachother, like you supported me when my husband and your brother Juan died. I will stay here as long as possible and be at your side, just tell me what I can do for you to comfort you and soften your sufferings.

I smile at her and grab her hand. And I feel a little tear running down my face "Thank you.." I manage to whisper

Her heart aches to see her strong-headed sister so fragile and she is silent for a while, just holds her gently and let her come to herself. After a while she whispers comforting at her.
Sshh... everything will be just fine... he will heave... he always loved you deeply... and the English people love you too...

She shakes her head over so much dishonesty.
My dear sister... is there no one here at court to support you? What about sir Thomas More, he is close to Henry, too!

Margaret frowns and gestures to a servant to bring some water for Katherine.
Has everyone gone mad here...? she murmurs to herself while her sister takes a few sips.

She takes one hand in hers and smiles encouraging at her.
Well, in any case, you have me! And our nephew the Emperor, who will not let you down and has the power to stop the Pope to grant a divorce. About Anne... you know she stayed at my court for more than a year and though she was a sweet and earnest child at the time, I will never forgive her for bringing so much grief and sadness upon you!
Be careful though, sweet sister, her father is a very ambitious man and you should indeed not trust anyone... There is one thing though I don't understand. Is there no one who can talk Henry out of this? Not even his closest friends or advisors? ... And what about Cardinal Wolsey, he is a clergyman, he can't possibly agree with Henry, not about this! Have you talked to him, my sister, he is the closest man to the king and should help you on behalf of the catholic faith?!

It was night. Geoffrey entered in the chamber followed by Queen's ladies. He bowed at Katherine and lady Margaret

Your Majesty...the King is here...

I nod in thanks
"Sister, I ask one think of you. Please, look and watch over one of my ladies, Elizabeth Craven. She is so young, but fights for my cause. She came to me today, and told me things about Wolsey. He asked her to spy on me, he has turned my ladies against me. He is not what he seems it would appear! He is on the side of the King and not the Lord. But promise me.."
I grip her arm "Please, look after Lizzie.."
Then I drop her arm as the King enters

Margaret smiles encouraging at Katherine.
Don' t worry dear sister, I will look after her... and take care, in my thoughts I will be by your side. she whispers.

She hugs her for a moment and walks out of the room. At the door she meets the King and she makes a curtsey.
Your Majesty... she keeps her eyes low to prevent herself from looking angrily at him. She would love to tell him what she thinks of the whole situation but this is not the right moment, so she leaves the room quietly.

Geoffrey bowed deeply and stepped back, letting the King coming in. Then he left the room

With shock at this out burst, I reply
"I am being reasonable! It is you who will not be reasonable!"