An Endless Supply Of Rubies

Sixth and the Final Wife

Fanfic: An Endless Supply of Rubies Ch 40, Tudors | FanFiction

A/N: Wow. I can't believe that the end of this story is almost here.

2 May 1543

This day was significant for two big reasons.

First, it was Amelia's birthday. On this day, she always spent most of her time in deep reflection of how her life had gone.

It was now ten years since she had returned to court, ten years since she had last been in the Netherlands. Ten years since Amelia had married Charles, as well. Ten long, lovely years together. They had had their ups and downs, of course. Charles admitted that he was still haunted by the things he had done during the Pilgrimage of Grace. Most recently, he had admitted that he had seen the ghost of Lord Darcy. That had greatly frightened her husband, and she thought that the incident had caused him to begin to think of his own mortality.

Today was a rather happy occasion. Since the sun was shining brightly outside, Amelia had allowed her children to take the day off from their lessons to run and play outside. Generally, this was frowned upon in English society. Someone with tanned skin meant that they were laborers, who spent most of their time toiling in the hot sun. Pale skin was desirable, because it meant you could afford not to be a laborer. However, on a day as beautiful as this, Amelia believed that the children could spare a day.

The second day of May was also the day that Mary's second child was born. She felt that she was fortunate to give birth to a healthy baby, but it was still not the son that she had hoped for. Margaret was excited to have a little sister. Annis, Mary had decided to name her. She admitted to herself that she still loved her two daughters, and that she would one day give her husband the sons that he deserved.

Of course, Philip wanted a son. Every man in every European society wanted a son to pass on their title and riches to. But he wasn't yet concerned, as some men would be, over his wife's ability to bear sons. They had not been married for long, and they were both still young. Besides, his daughters were beautiful. He could see so much of their mother in them, and he knew that one day, they would grow to be poised and refined, just as Mary was.

1 July 1543

There were some peace treaties that Amelia simply did not agree with. One, for example, would be the treaty that had promised her to the Prince of Denmark. It had caused her to be sent away from her family, and then prevented her from coming back. Another would be the "peace" treaty recently signed that asked for war between England and France.

The third was one that had been signed only today. The Treaty of Greenwich had been hailed as the one that would finally bring England and Scotland under one crown. It promised that Mary, Queen of Scots, who was only six months old, would one day marry the little Prince Edward, who was not yet six years old. Granted, they were both royals, but they were both so young.

Her father was also something she was concerned about. His behavior seemed to be more erratic and wild. He was demanding war with France, craving it. There was no way that a war with France would bring with it any good, however. Maybe the King would gain some more territory, but the cost would be too great, especially considering that her husband had just been named one of the commanders.

14 July 1543

Just two days after the King and Catherin had been wed, Amelia heard the good news that she, her sisters, and her children, had all been restored to the line of succession. Of course, they were all behind any children that Edward and Mary would potentially have in the future, but it still felt good to finally be recognized once again as an heir to the throne. It did not, however, re-legitimize the three sisters, which Amelia feared might cause trouble down the road.