Westminster Abbey

I arrive with much trepidation but also hope and courage. I am to meet anonymously with Katherine of Aragon whom does not know that I am much alive. I have been in seclusion and healing for many months - nay years, and no one knows that I survived thy childbirth of my last child and went into hiding to escape my life and fortunes wheel always turns and it was a hard decision for thee to leave my lord King and much loved husband. Did he even mourn for thee? I know not but there were many accounts of Henry locking himself in his rooms and refusing to see anyone not even his lady mother Margaret Beaufort. He was always a private individual and would never show affection in public, so much so that people often wondered If we were even in love at all. But of course rumours were rife. I will not dwell on thy past at any rate. My love and commitment to King Henry Tudor put much strain between thine self and my Plantagenet family and friends. So much so that I was much estranged and only found comfort and love with my new Tudor family and court ladies.
Infanta Catalina has just arrived into thy entrance chamber, so I must introduce thineself and explain thy reason for my absence to my daughter in law.

I arrive in thy entrance chamber of Westminster at thy request of an anonymous letter to meet with someone whom very much would like to speak. I am curious and anxious. Is it a Spanish courier? A messenger from thy Holy Pope about my betrothal? I see a tall woman coming towards thee and I move out of thy shadows and into thy sunlight as I am sure this is my contact.

I spy my son's betrothed, Catalina of Aragon and I move out of thy shadows of thy niche drawing myself to my full height and approach her with a mixture of caution and relief. I do hope that in time my son will forgive thee and allow thee to visit at court.

I draw myself to thy lady and incline thine head in acceptance. I wait for Harry my betrothed. I feel familiar with this woman, I am at ease with her.

I had been informed by Catherine that there was someone who wanted to see me at Westminster and so I had come at once to see her. I see Catherine waiting for me and I approach her.

"Catherine I received your letter and you said there is someone you think I would like to meet?

We link hands and cross over to thy entrance of Westminster where a woman is waiting in thy shadows.

I take Catherine's hand and walk with her to the side of the Abbey.

I see my son, thy King approaching with his betrothed and I step out of thy shadows and pull down thine hood.

As i approached the lady with Katherine she comes out of the shadows and before me I could not believe my eyes. I look at her closely.

"Mother is that you I thought you had died?

I am truly sorry Henry but it was all such a calamity. I fell into a deep and feverish sleep after childbirth. It was a long time until I was rested and healed, months. I awoke fully in an Abbey in thy countryside. The sisters had nursed thee back to health as much as they could. When I asked about my family, they told thee everyone believed thee dead. King Henry was looking at another marriage to carry on thy Tudor line and I believed it better if everyone believed what was true. My position was too precarious to leave. I was told if I got into contact with my children, it might cause too much pain and upset as ye were all just getting over thy news. As soon as I heard Henry had passed, I could not stay away any longer.

I listened to my mother as she told the whole story.

"Father never had the courage to remarry mother for he remained most of the time away from court life and he mourned for you. I was so upset too as I was very close to you. I can only say now I am relieved that you did not pass from this world and that you are here with me again. You must come back to the palace with us mother and to celebrate Christmas with us.

I watch and listen with great interest to Dowager Queen Elizabeth.

I smile and acknowledge Henry's suggestion.

That would be delightful Henry and I can talk to your dear Queen Katherine, tid been so long. I would love to accompany thy two of ye.

I smile back at my mother.

"Then let us all go and be together mother. What a great moment this is to be.

The royal guards form an escort as we leave Westminister's shadows and proceed into thy sunlight and thy future.

I join Catherine and we both head out of the Abbey with mother.