FRAGMENTS OF A DYNASTY
Based on the TV Show "Tudors"

Summary: Mary is filled with disappointment. She is disappointed with Elizabeth, with Anne of Cleves, with her people, and with herself.

Pairings: sibling Mary/Elizabeth and friendship Mary/Anne of Cleves.

Mary did not cry or felt true anger or hatred.

She was merely...numb.

Her beloved sister had betrayed her. She had plotted against her with Thomas Wyatt. She desires the throne more than she loves her own flesh and blood. If she is flesh and blood that is. It is highly possible that Elizabeth is Henry Norris' child or Mark Smeaton's. There is no definite prove that Elizabeth is the true daughter of Henry VIII after all she looks more like her mother than her father.

The Spanish ambassador whispers things in her ear and she cannot help but agree with him.

She feels...disappointed. She had hope Elizabeth would prove the ambassador wrong and show the world that she is a loyal sister and subject to Mary.

Mary feels so very disappointed.

She sends Elizabeth to the Tower in hopes of teaching her a lesson. In gaining a confession and ending this charade so she could live in peace without Anne Boleyn's mocking eyes watching her fall in despair.

"Your Majesty," one of her ladies interrupts her thoughts, "the Lady Anne of Cleves has asked to see you."

"Show her through," Mary says.

She was not sure if she wanted to see a woman who was so easily converted. She had great affection for Anne but she has noticed Anne would cleverly do as she is asked. She will be whatever Henry VIII asked her to be – wife, sister, Reformer, Catholic – and then she will be a strict Protestant as Edward asked her to be, and now she is a devoted Catholic as Mary asked her to be. If Anne was to outlive Mary, Mary knew that she would be whatever Elizabeth asks of her, and that so very much disappointed Mary.

Anne curtseys, they exchange pleasantries, and then Anne surprises her by announcing she is retiring to the country. Mary feels more disappointment rushing through her. She had hoped her friend would remain to see her wedding.

She questions Anne why she is leaving...

"I do not wish to be next," Anne confesses boldly, "first Lady Jane Grey, now Elizabeth, and then who? I have learned the Reformed faith and am more learned in that than I am in your belief. I merely wish to live privately and will not be forced to make any public statements."

So did Thomas More and he ended up being beheaded because he refused to sign the oath. Only the difference is Thomas More has pride, faith, and devotion, Anne of Cleves was a woman willing to do as one wishes.

"I do not understand why though. I know you are loyal to me as you have been loyal to every true sovereign. I have no reason to commit you to the Tower, so tell me Aunt, why do you really wish to leave Court?"

"I am disappointed," Anne says quietly and quickly. Mary would not punish her but she wishes Anne was not so...truthful. "I am so disappointed in you. You prefer to listen to men who only wish for your favour over your own flesh and blood. You have chosen to send your very own sister to the Tower and your very own cousin to the block. You have blinded yourself and that disappoints me because I know you are one of the most intelligent and learned women in the country. I am just so disappointed and much prefer to be alone than here."

After murmured apologies, a farewell, and regards given, Anne leaves the moment Mary dismisses her. Mary did not say anything; she coldly glared at Anne, coldly dismissed her, and vowed to not invite her to Court.

She was disappointed to. Not at Anne, not at Elizabeth, not at her own people, but with herself.

She was so very disappointed at what she was becoming.

She felt like she was drowning in self-shame and disappointment.

However she was too stubborn to change anything. She will continue down this path until she drowns in this disappointment completely.

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