Chambre de Le Roi Francis et La Reine Katherine de Navarre

Laughing and placing a kiss upon his lips "We're both fine my love....there is no need to worry" Wrapping my arms around his neck, I gaze up at him lovingly and try to put the heart break of leaving my family behind from my mind.
"I love you with all my heart."

"There is no other King I would rather be the consort to....I am your queen and always will be." I hold my head regally and feel the strain on my neck as I support the diadem on my head. Smiling at Francis, I take his hand and place it upon my belly. "Vive la famille royale de Navarre" Giggling with glee, I carefully remove the tiara and hand it back to him.

I shake my head; smiling at his continued touching of my belly. "It will be absolutely fine." Sighing slightly, I move over to our bed and sit down. "I will look like a queen and remind the French that I was born to mother kings." With a smile, I lay down on the bed and breath slowly.

Re-entering our chamber, I feel a twinge in my swollen belly. Sighing in exhaustion; I ignore it and take a seat....trying to breath slowly as another twinge spikes through my abdomen.

"I'm fine darling...." Breathing out and closing my eyes for a moment. Standing up and moving about the room, my hand resting gently upon my bump.

I stand still again....Wincing in pain; I feel a gush of fluid from my body. Looking instantly at the floor and then raising my head to meet my husband's eyes. "Francis....What's happening?"
Feeling scarred and in enormous pain, I look at him pleadingly. "It's too early, we're not in Navarre! I don't even have a birthing chamber...."
Panicking more and more, I try to breath slowly to no avail; I was too scarred, terrified for my child and myself.

My ladies scramble around me to make the bedchamber ready, as I climb into the birthing chair in considerable discomfort. I grit my teeth. The Midwives that travelled with us enter and begin their work....for this is an event of great importance. I am carrying and birthing the heir to my husband's throne. Letting out a scream, I begin to push and lift my entire body with the agony. I flop back into the wooden prison. Breathing in and out, tears stream down my face....This wasn't how it was meant to be. I wanted to give birth in Navarre or at least in England surrounded by my family....Another pain strikes me! I screech out, and push once again. "Francis!... Francis!...Francis!" I call out in desperation, needing some moral support in this action.
Sure that the entire French court can hear my screams, I release another and throw my head back in absolute agony.
"I can't....Please, I can't!" I call out as I push with my whole being...pleading for this ordeal to end.
It lasts for hours, the labour drags me to the deepest pits of despair. But in my darkest pain, I feel the urge to continue as my mother must have done, and my Grandmother before her.... Gripping the arms of the chair; I push for the final time. And then, all of a sudden; It's over.
Collapsing into the wooden chair, I breath slowly and rest against it. My chief Midwife wraps the bundle in cloths and then presents it to with a bow; smiling as she says "Your Majesty is delivered of a healthy baby girl...A little Princess, my Queen."[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Cradling her in my arms for a moment and then gazing up at my husband, I felt complete...blissfully complete and joyous. "Our Lizzie...." I return my eyes to my beautiful daughter. So small and delicate but at the same time strong and calm.
"I should write to Henry, Mary and Charles...let them know they have a new niece; a new Elizabeth to love."
Looking up at Francis once more, I smile brightly "Would you like to hold her?"

Smiling brightly, I breath in relief. Sore and uncomfortable but feeling immense joy, my heart beat becomes normal again; my body relaxing from the ordeal that I had just endured. "Are you sure that you don't mind calling her Elizabeth? We can name her after your mother instead." I say with a smile.