Courtyard

"I am Mary's niece Katherine Elizabeth Henry VIII king of England daughter."

She said with a smile.

"Thank you dear uncle."

She said with a smile.

"I am visiting kingdoms and I thought the first one would be where aunt Mary is at dear uncle."

She said with a smile. As she ladies in waiting and two guards fellow her.

She followed her uncle inside.

"Thank you dear uncle."

She said softly as her ladies and the two guards walk with her.

My retinue clattered into the courtyard as my wheelhouse rolled in, the royal standards of England and Navarre flutter for the four horsemen that surround it. Sat inside, I pull the curtain open and gaze out upon my sister's home: smiling at it. The door is opened and a hand appears to help us out: my ladies go first and then followed by the wet nurse. Lizzie sits on my lap, cheerfully staring out at the new world we had arrived at...so far and distant from court and England. It was the first time in Scotland for both of us. Lifting my daughter onto my hip, I take the hand and glide from the carriage. As one of my ladies takes Lizzie into their arms, I smile at her before turning and looking for someone to announce our arrival.

"Your Grace..." Smiling, I approach him. "It has been far too long Royce, far too long." My Navarrese ladies flutter around behind me, my personal guard stood to attention made my entourage seem enormous but it was a shadow of what it had been while I was queen. "I thought I would surprise my sister and yourself....I hope that isn't inconvenient?"

Taking his arm, I smile warmly "You're very kind..." Sighing slightly, my ladies fall in behind my brother-in-law and I; one fawns over the train of my gown. "I have missed you both. Whitehall hasn't been the same without you...and now Charles is gone; It is just Henry, Lady Anne and I."

"I'm sure he will, but it only proves that staying on Henry's good side is prudent...If he can banish Charles, none of us are safe..." Walking beside him, I smile. "I'm afraid it won't be a long stay, I wouldn't to cause any inconvenience."

"You are both far too kind!" I smile warmly, walking beside him: I glide gracefully across the ground. "I'm looking forward to meeting my nephews, how are they?"

"Both Henry and I were sad to have missed the christening but I'm here now and he sends his love." Smiling, I look at hmy brother-in-law. "A future Duke, a Lord, the future Queen and a princess: the tudor cousins, our children and niece." My pride cannot be hidden, shining from my warm smile.

Smiling warmly, I squeeze my Brother-in-Law's arm gently and speak in my silky voice. "There is no need to worry; Charles always calls me "Katie" or "Kate" and gets away with it." I laugh at the thought of Charles and his love for our family; his banishment had been a blow to me but I dare not question Henry. Only fools would do that now... My smile remains immaculate ar these thoughts cross my mind and I radiate my serenity. "You are my Brother-in-Law and the father of my nephews; we are family. You may, of course, call me Katherine or any variant of it." Laughing cheerfully. "You have nothing to fear."

Smiling, I sigh gently as I continue to float beside the Duke; my golden hair flowing in the breeze and framing my face. "You are very kind Royce...very kind, indeed."
Looking at him, I remain conposed...hiding my fear at the unknown and what decision Henry would make for my future. "His Majesty has told me that when I return to court that we shall discuss my future...Henry said just as you did, that I am young, beautiful and that I should be married again."

Smiling, I glance around at my daughter as she is carried in the arms of her governess and my ladies fluttering behind the Duke and I. "I can only hope that any future marriages I have be as happy as yours is."