~ | The Tudors |~

~ Elizabeth ~

My body was like frozen as if I had plunged into a lake and froze. I couldn't see nothing but blackness as like the night sky with no stars or light from the moon.

I could hear whispers from time to time again. Things like. "The baby is still alive." "She has the same illness as the other at court." "Her body just needs time to rest." There was others but all were a bunch of mumble that I could not piece together.

What worried me was the sickness part, what sickness? What is happening?

I would drift into sleep then wake but could not open my eyes or move and repeat. I would feel damp cloth being rubbed all over my body.

Though this time when I woke it was like a shock to my lungs I took a huge gasp. Sitting up as I chocked on nothing but dryness from my throat. I looked up to see all my ladies running to my aide asking me all sorts of questions. Behind them was a group of physicians who all looked at me with a sigh of relief.

"What happened?" I gasped out once my chocking fit had gone.

"You were out for over a few days. Most of the people at court have come down with the same sickness, but you and a few people from the Portuguese court had it bad. Dehydration and onset of fever with chills, almost like the sweating sickness." One of my ladies was quick to explain.

Though I was about to ask something when I rember something... my baby! "How's my baby?" I asked frantically towards the physician.

"Everything is okay. Baby is fine being fluttering none stop." A midwife spoke sitting down next to me on my bed. I looked down to see I was in a white gown with a bunch of wool blankets covering my body.

My nerves went back down at her comforting words. "Here drink this. You have not had fluid in a few days. Your body and baby needs it." She held a goblet of water to my mouth helping me sip on it.

My throat was relived after suffering from dryness. Though once my mind cleared I realized something, ....where's Henry?

"Where the king?" I wondered if he too was infected with the ghost of an illness. Though by the looked on the faces of everyone in my quarters he wasn't.

"He has been by your side since you collapsed, but he had a privy council meeting that he must attend. They are deciding on a resolution over the illness." The nice midwife spoke encouraging to drink more.

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I finally was allowed to sit in a chair. The physicians and midwives were weary and did not want me to over do it, but I couldn't lay in the bed any longer. After some arguments they allowed me to sit in my chair by the fire with my ladies.

It was peaceful to say the least. It was day time out, yet you could not hear a single noise from London. Everyone apparently have fled or have isolated themselves, but so far only a few people at court had come down with the illness and a few dozen commoners in the city.

My ladies were quick to inform me of all the gossip I had missed when I was unconscious. Normally I don't like to stick my head into drama, but the drama from different courts combined is like a nice cup of ale.

I even heard Mary has decided to accept the King of
Portugals proposal. Which made me shriek in joy. I know she has always wanted to marry and have children of her own. Though the preparations and the marriage dowry must all be prepared and organized before the wedding can take place.

Queen Mary of Portugal, has a nice ring to it if you asked me.

"Now the king must find the lady Elizabeth a husband." Lady Catherine spoke in excitement as she continued playing her card game. That thought though was a great idea. Of course I would want to hold off the marriage in tell she at least was ten and fifteen, but having a fiancée would solidify her status in the Royal English house.

"Indeed. I heard the king of France's second eldest son, the Duke of Orléans is close to the age of marriage. Apparently his father is already on the lookout for a bride for the young prince." Lady Anne spoke this time. It would make sense, even if the young boy was only ten and one. His eldest son doesn't have the best of health, so his second son will most likely be the next King of France.

"Hmm maybe you're right, ladies. It would be an excellent idea." I spoke up before returning to my own thoughts.

Though my thoughts were interrupted by huge pattering of feet coming into my quarters. I didn't take long for me to realize it was Henry. He came running in stopping in disbelief like I had awaken from the dead. Making me chuckle internally at the thought. "You're awake! How you feeling." He spoke hushing himself kneeing down rumbling my growing belly.

"I'm fine. Just a little fatigued, but we're both okay." His face went from a stern to a relieved one.

Henry sat there for a little bit before sitting in the chair across from me. It didn't take long for him to let out everything that was on his chest.

Apparently the King of Spain cousin had caught this illness from being abroad in Germany. Apparently he had no worries that it could spread or cause an outbreak. Some people are very inconsiderate of others.

He also now has to pay Mary's dowry, which wouldn't be hard considering the pockets of the English crown are deeper than Portugal's. Though the arrangement and all the details was what was troubling him into headaches.

He also now had to arrange the official treaty signing with the King of Spain and Portugal. Which still needs to be written up and term agreed upon by all sides.

It's understandable Henry stress with all of that on his shoulders and more, not to mention my unexpected illness.

"Henry, why don't I deal with Mary's marriage details. You focus on the more important diplomatic matters like the treaty." The offer was tempting for him, but I could also see his thoughts turning in his head.

"Henry I promise I will be fine, plus I can do all the arrangement from the comfort of a chair or a bed for that matter." I spoke this time grabbing his hands in mine.

I know he wants me to rest and I will, but he also knows he needs my help. It's unusually for the Queen to handle diplomatic issues, but when it comes to marriages it isn't uncommon for the Queen to participate to an extent.

"Okay, but take it easy. You had the whole court and I sick with worry. Your due less than three months. You and the baby come before anything, even the treaty." He sweet spoken words had my heart skip beats.

He got on his knees again infant of me, but instead of rubbing my belly he kissed it and the most sweetest thing happened, the baby kick where Henry left the kiss. Making us both smile in pure bliss.