Breaking The Cycle

May 1534
"Welcome Emperor Charles V." The king said after my nephew was announced. He came with an entourage of guards and nobles. Some of those of whom I recognized from childhood. As accustomed, the two manarchs hugged. King Henry motioned for Princess Mary and introduced her to her possible future husband, my nephew.  

"I would like you to meet our daughter, Princess Mary". King Henry said. My little princess stepped forward proudly, and made a deep curtsy. Just like I taught her.  

"It is an honor to meet you, your majesty". My daughter said and gracefully returned to my and her fathers side. 

"And ofcourse, may I introduce to you my wife the Queen and your aunt. Queen Katherine". The king my husband said as he took my hand. This was the first physical contact in a month. He put my hand in my nephew's, and Charles kissed it and smiled.  

"Welcome to England, it is so good to see you. My king and I are very happy that your majesty and my lady the kings mother have come". I said truely happy that I get to see my relatives. Charles smile widen at me and I could not help but return the smile. 

"Thank you aunt Katherine, it is also wonderful to see you again. May I introduce to you my mother, your sister". He said as he signaled the herald to announce her. As the herald announced her the trumpets played their music. When I saw my sister, happiness filled my heart. After so many years, I finally saw Juana. She walked gracefully as the courtiers bowed to her as she passed them by. Firstly she curtsied to her son, he nodded and she curtsied to myself and my husband. After Juana was properly introduced, she walked by me and held my hands. I haven't felt her touch in so many years. 

"My sister, after so many years we are together again". I said through unshed tears. 

"I have misses you so much Catalina. I have so much to tell you of our kingdom. So much has change". She sounds so much like mother. As the day progressed, everyone was out enjoying the joust, that my husband planned in my nephews honor, I had introduced Mary to her aunt. The two had some similarities. After some time together Juana and I were inseparable. We spoke about the pleasures of Spain and all that took place after I had sailed to England. Sometime after I noticed Charles with a lady of my court. She had her back to us and Charles was speaking as if he and the unknown woman were close friends. Suddenly they burst out in laughter and hugged each other. He kissed her on both cheeks. The lady turned and I almost stopped breathing. It was Jane SiVad. She told me they where friends, but I did not know they were so close that he kisses her cheeks. 

"I see you have already met Jane SiVad". Juana says. I nodded to her. 

"Yes, she my lady in waiting". I said and servants offered us small pastries and sweets. 

"She is a very sweet girl. She came to my sons' court a couple years ago. She is very wealthy, she bought an entire apartment in Charles' main palace in Granada. Oddly she knew nothing of serving what so ever. Soon she caught Charles' eye and he wished to court her. Unfortunately for him she declined". Juana said snorting a little. She continued. "After she refused, Charles said that the ones who refuse him are the ones he can truely trust. They became good friends, always were together. They went ridding one day, when they returned she killed more deer than he did. She is such a remarkable young woman". 

'I did not know that, why would see keep that from me'. I thought to myself. Jane told me that she knew Charles but never on such a personal level. 

As the hours passed, Juana and myself continued to speak. Soon my husband and Charles left for the kings office. I made sure Juana was situated comfortingly in her chambers. After, I made my way to Jane's apartment. When Lady Darrel knocked on Jane's lavishly designed door her page girl answered and said Jane was in the bath. The page girl let Lady Darrel and myself inside. 

"Where is the bath?" I asked the page girl. 

"This way madam" she said and I followed. Once we entered the bath, she announced my presence. I could not believe my eyes. The room of which I stood is the most beautiful room I have ever seen. The room was very spacious and brightly lit. The walls were decorated with marble soft golden tiles. Her flooring was tiled in a cream color. The cabinets had glass pained doors. Inside I could see expensive soaps, bath salts, bath oils and other bathing essentials. The bathing tub Jane was sitting in was massive and beautifully carved from marble. As I stood there, I almost forgot the reason I came. 

"Lady Jane, this is a very beautiful bathchamber". I commented. 

"Thankyou your majesty, I had no idea you would visit". Lady Jane said. 

"Lady Jane, where were you today during your leisure time?" I asked her. 

"I was.. with a couple friends your majesty. I am very happy for your majesty reuniting with your sister". She said trying to change the subject. I smiled and thanked her. 

"Anything else you have done today?" I asked. She looked down and took a deep breath. 

"You must have seen me with the emporer". She said with her head down. 

"Yes, I did. My sister told me of how he tried to court you and how you have refused. She then went on to say how you two have become frineds after". I explained. She raises her head and looked at me. 

"Yes, your majesty that did happen but he never touched me. He and I were more friends than anything". She looked at me and I knew she was truthful. "I believe you Lady Jane it is only that I had seen him kiss you". Jane smiled. 

"He always does that everytime he sees me. If it bothers you I will speak to him abou it". She said as she said up a little. I came close to Jane and set on the edge of her massive bathtub.

"There is no need for that Jane. I trust you with him and I trust him. You are trully a trustworthy person Jane". I said sincerely. 

"Always your majesty". She said with a smile. I nodded and left for my own chambers.

June 5, 1534
It had been a week since my nephew and sister sailed back to Spain. The king my husband decided to plan a picnic and invite the nobles. He and a small hunting party rode into the nearby woods to hunt. It was the King's idea to celebrate the begining of summer, he also promised Mary he would spend time with her. Some of the King's companions also brought their children as well. Once all the soft blankets were put down, my ladies and courtiers and myself, set down and enjoyed the warm breeze. There were a spread of apples, pears, pies, boiled chicken, strawberries... Mostly small foods. The children along with their nannies and guardians went on the hill to play in the plush grass and flowerbeds. I sent a couple of my ladies to collect apples and conversated with the courtiers while occasionally watch Mary playing with children her own age. A couple hours went by and everything was going fine until we heard a gut wrenching scream, my daughters scream. I don't remember running to her, but I was right there. She was crying histerically and grabbing at her legs. When I lift her dress I almost fell back. Her knee was dislocated, I tried to calm her but the pain was too great for her. It hurt to see her in so much pain. My efforts were useless. I looked to a guard and quickly instructed him to inform the King. 

King Henry
I have killed seven deer and three hogs. I bragged to Charles about how he could not catch up to me. We were out for a couple hours and was preparing to join the ladies at the picnic. A few guards running in our direction caught Charles attention and he informed me. They stopped in front of my horse and struggled to catch their breath. 

"Calm yourself". I said. As he caught his breath he began to speak. 

"Your majesty, Princess Mary dislocated her knee in a playing incident". He breathed. I looked at him frozen in shock. With a nudge from Charles I quickly came to my senses and pulled the reins of my horse and rode to the picnic site as fast as I could. As my horse neared the area I didn't stop for the courtiers and hopped from my horse and ran to my wailing child. 

"What happened to my daughter" I yelled. Katherine held Mary in her arms her. 

"Henry, Mary dislocated her knee playing with the other children". Katherine said, she stood up to speak to me. I was so angry that she would allow Mary to play with pessant children. 

"Where the hell were you". I roared. Anger seeping through every pore in my body. How could she be so careless and allow our only child to get hurt. My anger boiled and before I could contain myself I violently pushed Katherine to the ground. 

Queen Katherine
Everyone around me gasped as they witness the King pushing me down. Charles quickly came to my side and helped me up. 

"Henry, please. Catherine says Mary along with other children and herself were rolling down the hill". I said, hoping he would not harm me. Henry looked around and yelled "What is everyone standing around for, help my daughter!"

Jane SiVad

My basket were filled with fresh picked apples for the Queen. Lady Darrel and myself were sent to collect them for her. As we came close to the picnic area we noticed a crowd surrounding a small child. When we neared the area I saw that it was Princess Mary crying in her mother's arms. A physician was examining her leg. He was barely touching it and she screached in pain. Going through the crowd and getting closser I saw that she had a dislocated knee. I had dislocate my joints before, due to extreme training. It was a simple task one must do to place the joint back into its socket.

"Your majesty if I may, I can help her highness". I offered and she looked to the King and back at me. 

"Please, do what ever you can to help her". Her majesty pleaded. I kneeled beside the crying child. 

"I need some space". I said and the people around me backed up. I began to rub the Princess's lower thigh and upper calf to soothe the pain. 

"Your highness, I am going to carefully turn you around on your side". I said and she nodded slowly. Once I got her on her side I asked for help to keep her on her side and the Queen came to help me. I lift my dress to expose my knee and placed it on her small misshapened knee. I raised myself a little and I let myself fall with my weight in my knee. We heard a crack once I made contact. The Princess yelpped and gasped. The Princess knee was quickly put in place. She stopped her crying and inhaled deeply. 

"Sweetheart, does it still heart?" The king asked as he kneeled beside his daughter. 

"Only a little papa". She replied trying to put on a brave face. 

"Thank you so much, Lady SiVad". The Queen said. 

"Yes Lady SiVad, thank you very much". King Henry said.

"Yourwelcome your majesties, it is my duty to help her royal highness". I said sincerely to them. 

The King nodded and scooped the Princess in his arms and walked to his carriage and carfully placed her in and got in himself. He purposely left the Queen behind.

Queen Katherine 

I kissed my child's head while she slept. I have been watching her sleep for a while now. It was getting dark and I quietly exited her room. Once I reached my apartment my husband was waiting for me. I quickly dismissed my ladies and I faced him, alone. I could tell he was angry with me and I found myself afraid of him. He wore a mean glare and a vein throbbed in his neck. 

"Where the hell were you when my childs life was put in danger!" he yelled. 

"Henry, I let them out of my site for a second, and I did not know they were rolling..." he cut me off.  

"What if she was killed Katherine, she could have easily broke her neck". Henry hollered, his breathing became histerical. 

"Do not say that". I said hurt at his comment. 

"Maybe I should just take her away from you, she was almost killed in your care. I will not let that happen again!"

"You can not take my only child!" I cried, but Henry grabbed me and slammed me against my door. Then he slapped me hard across my face. I began to cry and he stopped himself from hitting me again. 

"Do you not see what you make me do". He yelled and hit the door behind me with his bare fist. I jumped in fear and slid to the floor. 

"Why must you hurt me so?" I sobbed. 

"Dammit Katherine, dammit!!" he seethed, and he left me on the floor. Elizabeth rushed in and came to my side. She consoled me and helped me up. She helped me out of my dress and I slid in bed. 

"You must promise me to never speak of this". She looked puzzled at first and nodded in promise. That night I could not sleep. My face was throbbing in pain. I lay there most of the night, thinking what was to come for me tomorrow.