A/N: Sorry This update has taken so long I've been sick. In other words I know the Duke of Buckingham was executed before Charles Brandon became the Duke Of Suffolk in the series. But for now in this story let's just say his execution has been postponed. Also I'm debating whether or not to make Elizabeth Anne Boleyn's ally and I want you to let me know in the comments. Yay or Nay?
Next Morning
-Throne Room-
"You requested my presence your majesty?" Charles said calmly
Henry sat upon his throne gazing with a locket in his hand,
"is something the matter majesty?" Charles asked softly
Henry sighed, "It is my sister." He began " I'm concerned for her,"
Charles brows drew together
"Harry?"
"Lizzie was a child when she was last at court, and as I'm sure you noticed she's not a child anymore,"
Charles shifted uncomfortably, oh he'd noticed alright how could he not have noticed
"I'm want her to guard her Charles, at least while she settles into court life."
Charles swallowed at the lump in his throat.
"Forgive me your majesty but don't you think you should assign someone more equipped to handle the safety of Princess Elizabeth?"
Henry fixed his longtime friend with a even look.
"I have absolute faith in your abilities old friend, a side from that there is no one who I trust more with her safety."
Charles swallowed "Does her highness know that I am to be her escort" Charles asked
Henry sighed "Not yet, Bring her to me and I'll speak to her."
Whatever confidence or propriety Charles had exuded during Princess Elizabeth's arrival was gone by the time he stood at the entrance of Princess Elizabeth's chamber. It had been several years since Charles had seen the Elizabeth and the last time he had seen her she had been a fierce child with skinny ankles and strong opinions and it was hard to place that child with the beautiful young woman he had seen the previous day.
Sighing he knocked and waited, a few minutes a young woman with wavy brown hair and emerald green eyes emerged.
She curtsied
"Your Grace." She said
"Madam I wished to speak with your mistress"
"Well sir she's not here I'm afraid"
"Not here" he repeated startled
The alarm must have shown in his tone because the lady quickly replied
"My mistress has always been an early riser sir, she left for the palace grounds early this morn, I expect you'll find her there."
Charles nodded his thanks and ventured outside onto the palace grounds
"I still think this is a bad idea" Anne said crossly
Katherine and Anne sat in the grass, watching as their mistress stood knocking another arrow before letting it fly, the arrow sank into the center of the target piercing the first arrow to the shaft.
"Wow." Katherine said awed
"Really milady I must insist we return to the palace, We could get in trouble." Anne pleaded
Before Elizabeth could answer, a sudden movement caught her attention, with quick precision Elizabeth had her bow drawn ready to shoot at first sign of danger.
To her surprise, Charles Brandon came into view red faced and sweating, Elizabeth saw his eyes widen slightly at the sight of the bow and arrow aimed in his direction.
Sheepishly she lowered the bow, "Your Grace" she said warily
Clearing his throat, he spoke. "Your highness His majesty King Henry has requested an audience with her I'm to escort you to him"
Cocking his head he raised an eyebrow "Although given the circumstances I will take you to your chambers to change into something more presentable.
Elizabeth nodded "That would be great" she said
Offering his arm he inclined his direction toward the Grey sisters motioning them to follow. Taking his offered arm Elizabeth heard Charles mutter quietly and maybe you later you'll tell me how you came to be so skilled with a bow and arrow"
She smiled inwardly and launched into the story of her time with Lord Grey and how she came to learn archery.
Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham was seething, first his precious daughter had been defiled by that whoreson Brandon and now the King had publicly humiliated him rejecting his proposal of marriage for princess Elizabeth.
Unlike most of the courtiers Buckingham remembered the King's mother Elizabeth of York and out of all her children, her daughter the Princess Elizabeth was the only to inherit her mother's Plantagenet features, the resemblance between mother and daughter.
Stafford watched in disgust as Charles Brandon escorted the Princess back into the palace walls, the two deeply immersed in conversation, trailing behind them at a respectable distance two women both seemingly immersed into a conversation of their own.
Buckingham scowled as he saw Brandon cup Princess Elizabeth's face
"a whoreson like Brandon has no business touching a woman of royal blood." He thought angrily, he sighed no matter, they would get what was coming to them, but for now he would bide his time.