The blaring of the horns and the herald announcing the arrival of Elizabeth had made a pause to everything in court. Even King Henry VIII turned from making secret glances with Anne to turn to his daughter. However, there were two people who was absent that Elizabeth had noticed......her beloved mother and sister. She decided to put her sadness aside and curtsied low to her father. Henry smiled lovingly at his eldest daughter and said to her, "Rise, my daughter. I am very proud and pleased to see that you have recovered. We welcome you with open arms and kindness." Elizabeth replied, rising from her curtsy, "And I am very honored to be back in court and to be in Your Majesty's good graces once more." The courtiers applauded for the recovery of their beloved princess. The only unhappy people who were not pleased with Elizabeth's return were the Boleyns, especially Anne. Henry walked over to his daughter and brought her into his embrace.
Soon, Elizabeth was escorted to her chambers by Charles where she was soon greeted by her godfather. Thomas bowed to his goddaughter, taking her hand and kissed her knuckles, and said to her, "You have no idea how glad I am to see you recovered, Your Highness. My family and I were so worried about your condition." Elizabeth smiled at her godfather and replied, "Please, Uncle, there are no need for titles here. I am forever grateful to you and your family for nursing me back to health. I am forever in your debt. If you need anything in the near future, just ask and it shall be yours to the best of my ability." Thomas said, "I am most thankful of you, Elizabeth. I must say that your mother would be proud." Elizabeth replied, "Speaking of my mother, where is she? I noticed that she wasn't present at court. I thought that once the plague was dispersed, she, along with my sister Mary, would return." Thomas said, as his goddaughter sat down, "I have spoken to your father about that matter and he said it was to get Catherine to submit to the annulment on the grounds of the possibility of the marriage between her and Prince Arthur was consummated. Alas, Catherine hasn't submitted." Elizabeth replied, "As much as I love and care for my father, I am glad that my mother has stood her ground. For I fear that my father will take another with the intention of the replacement of my mother as Queen." Thomas knew who Elizabeth was speaking of and he pitied the girl. He knew how much Elizabeth hated Anne Boleyn, even Elizabeth's sister hated the Boleyn woman.
Thomas was about to respond before the herald announced the arrival of Elizabeth's father. Elizabeth stood from her seat and curtsied to her father. Henry smiled at his daughter and said to her, "Sweetheart! How would you like to go hunting with me?" Elizabeth replied, "If Your Majesty's wishes it, then it shall be done." Henry grinned and said to her, "The Lady Anne Boleyn along with her father, brother, and uncle are joining us as well. I expect you to be kind and respectful to them as you are to me." Henry knew that his two daughters, had a dislike of Anne. He only hoped that his eldest daughter would welcome Anne, not for the grounds of Anne but for him and his happiness. Elizabeth held back her hatred for the Boleyn family and did what she was told. Elizabeth replied, "Yes, Father. I will do what His Majesty commands."
Soon, the young princess found herself horseback riding with her father's hunting party and the Boleyn family. She rode next to George Boleyn, who had been nonstop trying to impress her with him. Thomas Boleyn noticed that the young Princess was getting annoyed with his son and said to George, causing all heads to turn to him, "That's enough, George. Surely, Her Royal Highness has had enough of your bragging. Leave the Princess in peace." Elizabeth sent a grateful smile towards the French ambassador then turned her head back to continue on. George slowed down to join his father and whispered lowly, "What was that, Father? You told me to make good impressions on His Majesty's heiress." Thomas Boleyn whispered, glaring at his only son, "Then, maybe you ought to remind yourself that the Princess Elizabeth is already betrothed to Prince James of France and is set to married upon the arrival of Princess Elizabeth's twentieth birthday. She's already eighteen years old, much younger than you." The hunting party came to a stop in a clearing where there were blankets sitting underneath the trees. After jumping off his horse, Thomas Boleyn decided to go help Elizabeth who looked conflicted about jumping off her horse. Thomas smiled kindly at the princess and said to her, "Allow me, Your Highness." Thomas helped Elizabeth off of her horse and bowed to her. Elizabeth smiled at the man and said to him, "Thank you, Sir Boleyn." Thomas opened his arm, allowing the princess to walk ahead of him. Elizabeth walked ahead of Thomas and made her way over to her father.
Once the group got settled, Elizabeth sat on a blanket, not too far from Anne, and watched as her father rode on his horse. Feeling the need to start a conversation, Anne turned her attention to the young teenager. She cleared her throat and said to her, "Your Highness, His Majesty tells me that you are to wed Prince James of France on your twentieth birthday. Are you excited?" Elizabeth replied, "I believe I am. His Highness writes letters to me, telling me how he can't wait to be my husband and live a long, happy life together." Anne said, smiling, "That is very kind of him to say such things. May I say that I am very glad to see you recovered from the plague? I too had fallen ill from the illness and your father sent me many letters, concerned about not only my health but yours as well." Elizabeth replied, "Thank you, Mistress Boleyn." From afar, Henry watched his love and daughter converse with one another. George came up to him and said to him, "If I may so, Your Majesty. Your daughter is quite beautiful." Henry replied, "If you are inquiring about my daughter's hand in marriage, Sir Boleyn, then you are mistaken. The Princess Elizabeth is already in a marriage contract to Prince James of France and set to marry him in two years." George held back a sigh of annoyance. His chances of seducing the young princess were now gone since he had gotten the confirmation from the King himself.