An Endless Supply Of Rubies

A Moment of Nostalgia

Fanfic: An Endless Supply of Rubies Ch 35, Tudors | FanFiction

A/N: Since there is a new queen, here's a look at how everyone is aging. Katherine Howard, as mentioned, is 17. Henry is 49. Charles is 55/56. Mary is 24. Amelia is 23. Elizabeth is 7. Edward is 3. John is 6. Owen is 4. Eleanor is almost 3. Jane is 1.

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20 August 1540

Amelia had not been present when Katherine had been announced as Queen. Charles had told her all about how the teenage girl danced gaily and stolen the hearts of all of the people at court. No matter what she was told, Amelia was still a little bitter. She was too young, too inexperienced. In truth, she did not want to support such a young girl as Queen. So she simply told her father that she was feeling unwell, and that she did not think that she could make the journey.

Mary, in the mean time, was still elated over the prospect of marriage to Philip. He was going to convert to the Church of England when he arrived in England to marry her. Although this was not Catholicism, Mary had determined that the religion her father had created was much closer to Catholicism than Lutheranism was. There were some delays that were preventing the marriage from taking place, but the King had assured his eldest daughter that her marriage would take place soon.

Unfortunately, Amelia couldn't avoid the King's request for her to meet Katherine for very long, and she found herself making the journey to London with Mary by her side. And, also luckily for her, the King wished that all of Amelia's children, save for Elizabeth and Edward, make the journey as well.

Lady Rochford was the one who greeted them, and Amelia quickly filled her in on the happenings of her life since they had last met. She escorted both women, as well as the children and ladies-in-waiting to Mary, into the Queen's chambers, announcing them as they entered.

"Lady Mary, Lady Amelia," Katherine greeted as they curtsied. Both women were slightly annoyed that the girl did not use their proper titles, for Mary was a Princess and Amelia was a Duchess.

"Madam," both women replied simultaneously.

Katherine stepped forward. "It gives me such pleasure to meet you," she said. A wide smile filled her face as she practically bounced over to the table by the windows and sat down. When Mary and Amelia's expression did not change and they continued to stand, Katherine's smile faltered, and she stood once again. "The King talks about you two often, no, all the time, with such affection." Once again, the two women remained stoic. "It is my dearest wish that you and I may be kind and loving and warm to each other. After all, Lady Mary and Lady Amelia, you are now my stepdaughters," she finished.

It was clear that Katherine had been expecting Amelia and Mary to welcome her into the family with warmth and open arms, despite the fact that Amelia and Mary were six and seven years older than her respectively. Amelia felt a sort of pity for her, for believing that the two older women would like her simply because she was now their step mother. She shuddered at the thought of calling a child "mother."

"We shall attend upon Your Majesty whenever Your Majesty chooses to invite us, pending the approval of our respective spouses," Mary answered for them. Amelia nodded her head in agreement.

"Thank you," Katherine replied, her mood seeming much more upbeat. "Will you stay a while? My maids have made some cakes."

"No, thank you," Mary replied. "I bid you good day, madam," she said with a curtsey before turning to leave.

"I shall stay, madam," Amelia replied, a small feeling of guilty and pity weighing on her heart. "I am sure that my children would love some cakes before we return to Suffolk."