Chapel

Catherine came to the chapel dressed in the finest muslin fabric. It was white with delicate lace hand sewn on the bottom. Wrapped around her hand was her rosary beads given to her on her first holy communion. Now they were tightly grasped around her fingers, the crucifix dangling loosely. Making the sign of the cross with her fingers dipped into the holy water Catherine began to pray for her brother Charles. That he would see sense and release their mother unto her own free will.

I entered the chapel, clad all in black with a sheer black veil over my face. The sunlight shone through the stained glass windows and I could see them through the filmy haze of my veil, rainbows of red, blue and green slanting onto the stone floors. Up ahead I saw a figure in white. I knew it was Catherine, devout as I had hoped she would be. The holy water was warm to the touch and I made the Sign of the Cross before going to the altar and genuflecting. I saw Catherine was at her prayers so I remained silent in my own thoughts until she was ready.

Catherine heard the entry of another inside the chapel. She finished her prayer hanging her rosary beads back onto a chain around her waist. As Catherine stood she crossed herself, turning to see her mother sitting not that far off. Inside she was overjoyed to see her mother but it would be improper to show such excitement for a queen. Catherine smiled letting her happiness radiate inside as she flowed down to where her mother sat. She curtsied before her as a sign of respect she was still a great queen in Catherine's eyes. My beloved mother it brings me great joy to see you.

"And I you," I replied smiling. "It does my heart so good to see you at prayer." I placed my hand on her cheek. "I wish your brother would let you out of here, at least. You deserve a place in the world, to grow and thrive. I'm old, I need no more of that."

Catherine tried to smile for the sake of her mother. She felt a lot more safer staying here with her mother than at the hands of her brother. I want you to know that you are an excellent mother. You brought us all up the same. I promise to keep following the true religion. Catherine promised her mother. Never in her life time had she seen her mother have a moment of madness never. Mother may I speak honestly with you.

I nodded and led my daughters to the small side altar. "You may tell me anything."

Catherine walked with her mother. She curiously glanced back at the Nun wondering if she was a spy for her brother.I do not mind being here with you mother. Actually, I feel more safer. I just feel, I feel as if Charles is punishing me but I don't know what I have done. Catherine looked down feeling utterly deflated and surprisingly alone. She loved her mother and envied the freedom of her siblings. They did not know what freedom was to do as you please, to write to whom ever tickled their fancy, to be outrageously flirtatious with a stable boy. Instead they wasted it pestering Kings,Princes,Princesses and Ambassadors.

I noticed Catherine's glance at the nun and crossed my fingers to ward off the evil eye. "I don't know why Charles doesn't marry you off. You need to have a life outside these walls. I suppose I'll have to talk to him myself," I said clicking my tongue.

Catherine hesitated her mother from such actions for a moment. I don't want him to take out his anger out on you, Mother. I don't mind being here it brings me comfort to know that you are safe. My mind would be wrecked with worry if we were apart. Catherine whispered to her mother. She couldn't understand why the men in her mothers life were always so cruel to her mother.

Her words touched me so, and I embraced her. "You are my little sparrow. If what you want is to stay with me I would not stop you."

The love between a mother and daughter was unbreakable. Catherine had always loved her mother, comforted her mother when her deceased father flashed his indiscretions around the court. He knew it hurt her mother terribly and he kept on doing it. Just because we are here doesn't mean that we can't have our own merriment. It has been years since we have spent the winters together.

A time for peace on earth. I hope that cousin Mary shall be at least allowed back at court and not on her own. Catherine really couldn't believe that a king could be so heartless to keep a mother from her child. That was not the way to behave as a king.

"Is Princess Mary allowed to write you? I know from outside sources that your aunt, the queen, is forced away from court to make room for that awful Boleyn whore and to placate her family as well," I said with a shake of my head.

Catherine had wondered many things about her fathers death. And she was ready to fight any imposter to make sure that her brothers born from the same mother as Catherine's had the lands. Mother, the children you bore with that so- called father of mine are his truthful heirs. So my question is where is Burgundy? Catherine knee that she wasn't allowed to write to her cousin. All letters were interceded by Henry Tudors spies. I could write a thousand letters to Mary but she will never know.

"You will have to trust our ambassador to get a letter to Mary Tudor. As long as there is nothing too personal in the letters. As for Burgundy, why do you ask?" I looked at Catherine with curiosity.

I wanted to know what happen to the lands after father died. Did King Francis claim the as his own or are they free to claim. In truth I had never left Portugal and the fact that my Father had married me off to my cousin sickened me.

I gave a hollow, bitter laugh. "They went to your brother Charles."

Mother... Were you aware that my dead husband had married me off to that.. The words were trying to form in my mouth but they couldn't. My Father had married me off to a sexual predator who liked the comfort of other men and young boys. I don't want to marry John of Portugal it is inbreeding and it would make me a laughing mockery. The whole kingdoms knows that he has a male relationship with a certain courtier.

"You know as well as I do that if I could remove both of us from our situations I would in a heartbeat. Being females, we are afforded such luxuries. As it stands you must marry this man. Believe me, I like it less than you." I stroked my daughters red gold hair.

I could of wept with such sorrow as to what would become of me. I felt a strong powerful grip, tightening around my chest. I closed my eyes at my mothers touch- letting my mind wonder to such better times for us both. What if I never see you again mother.

Tears sprang to my eyes but I wouldn't let them show. "We must be grateful for the time we do have together."

I felt infuriated with my mothers lack of emotions. Why do the Spanish never show emotions! Were I born to an Italian mother she would show greater compassion to my situation. Twas not my mothers fault, she had a lot to deal with. I would miss her as the moon missed the sun. I shall therefore take my claim to Charles if he shall here me. It is thine only hope for happiness.

"Perhaps Charles will show leniency to his own sister," I agreed. I hated to see Catherine so morose when all along she deserved to be living her own life.