FRAGMENTS OF A DYNASTY
Summary: Edward lies there dying and he thinks about the many things he wished to come true. Inspired by the Lady Jane Grey film and Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir.
Pairings: Edward/Jane, sort of Edward/Mary Queen of Scots, sibling love Edward/Mary/Elizabeth, a little Jane/Guilford.
As his time was coming to the end he was plagued with wishful thinking.
The 'what could be' would never stop plaguing him. He imagined his many birthdays, Christmases, epic wars, successfully converting the country to the Reformed faith, strengthening the economy, marrying Jane Grey...
They were only friends and barely that. When he was a young boy he had thought the only girl worth knowing was Elizabeth (she played with the boys and was intelligent unlike most of her gender) but then the only girl he knew was Elizabeth. For a time. The Greys were the only grandchildren of his aunt Margret who died years before he was born and therefore it was an honour to have them at Court.
Jane was close to his age and therefore the one he spent most of his time with. She was small, quiet, meek, and serious. She understood philosophy, religion, and theology as well as Elizabeth did. Her mind intrigued him and he enjoyed discussing many topics with her.
They were only friends.
Then as they reached the beginning of marriageable age he had began to notice her. She was taller, she was beginning to curve in the right places, she had a pretty smile, and she moved almost gracefully as Elizabeth, she was a woman.
He knew he was to marry Mary, the Queen of Scots, and unite Britain under one crown as his father had wished. But Mary was a Catholic and there had been reports that she is a vain flighty thing, she was also promised to the Dauphin and residing in France. She was unreachable and becoming increasingly unwanted by Edward.
Jane was there in plain sight. She was the heiress to the Duke of Suffolk, she had a claim to the English throne, she was serious and cared little for appearance, and she was a Protestant.
They did not always discuss religion and theology. Sometimes they sat beside each other on the ground like little children or the poor and play games as they tried to recapture their long lost childhood.
He tries to ignore the bruises that peep out from the back of her gown. If it was possible he would have her awful mother in the Tower for abusing someone as perfect as Jane. Alas it could not be possible.
He was dying.
He had little power.
No parent would allow a law forbidding them from punishing their own child.
But he wishes it so.
His wishful thinking creates a beautiful illusion of Jane smiling at with in gratitude as he locks away her mother and sweeps her off into a powerful rich position as his queen. He pictures his sisters' happy faces at his wedding and the closeness they would have with Jane. He imagines Mary letting go of that papacy nonsense and returning to him as an obedient loving sister assisting his Jane in the ways of the Court. He pictures his sons and daughters with Jane's eyes and his looks. He sees a long Tudor Dynasty and history praising the good behaviour of King Edward VI and his wife Queen Jane.
But it will not happen.
He feels like crying bitterly as he encourages Jane to marry John's youngest son. Guilford will take care of her. She will live a happy life as the future Duchess of Suffolk with many children and the security of wealth. She will age to an old age and die in her sleep.
While he will cough up blood and be in pain and agony to the very end. He shall suffer not just physically but emotionally and mentally.
He lays there in his bed and wishes he could have a full long life with his beloved Jane and his wonderful sisters.
He sees how miserable Jane is at her wedding. He wishes he could make her happy, he wishes that he could change the circumstances; he wishes that Guilford Dudley will be a good husband...he wishes...he wishes...
There is nothing he can do.
When John informs him that Mary would return England to Rome and Elizabeth is too scandalous to be Queen Edward tries to ignore him. He knows his sisters, they are Henry VIII's daughters, they are strong, intelligent, good women...but...but John does make a point. And if he cannot make Jane his queen, he can still make her Queen.
So he signs the will and lays there miserably waiting for death to come take him away.
He just wishes that his three important women – Jane, Elizabeth and Mary – will be happy and accept his choice of successor.
Wishful thinking though crumbles under the cold reality of truth.
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