Four years later; Elizabeth 1st had received word that her mother, Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII, and the Queen of England, had passed away. The twenty-four year old princess sat underneath her favorite tree as she sobbed with grief. She had dismissed her ladies to be alone. James was in a council meeting with her father and the council members so she didn't have to worry about him. With the ladies-in-waiting, Lady Eleanor paced around in worry while Lady Mariana and Lady Caterina watched. Lady Caterina said, "I'm sure Her Highness is just fine, she's only grieving." Lady Eleanor turned to the other lady-in-waiting and said to them, "Wait here. Stay alert for Her Highness." Lady Mariana replied, "Of course, my lady. Where are you going?" Lady Eleanor didn't respond and left the two ladies-in-waiting. The blonde haired woman made her way to the council room where the meeting had just ended and the members were walking out. She stood there as she waited for James to come out. James came out of the room, deep in conversation with Charles. He noticed Lady Eleanor, his wife's principal lady-in-waiting, and said to her, coming over to her, "Lady Eleanor? What brings you here?" Lady Eleanor curtsied and replied, "I am worried for Her Highness, Your Highness. She received a letter from Lady Darrel about Queen Catherine's death earlier this morning when you were in council." James said, "Where is Elizabeth now?" Lady Eleanor replied, "In the gardens......under her favorite oak." James raced to the gardens and found his wife where Lady Eleanor said she would be. Elizabeth was laying against the tree, asleep, with tear stains on her cheeks and a letter in her hands, laying next to her. James walked over to his wife and picked her up, carrying bridal style. He carried her to their bedchambers, followed by her three ladies-in-waiting.
To Henry and Anne, the death of Catherine of Aragon was a sign that they could finally be together without someone threatening their relationship, in their eyes. They didn't know how much sorrow Elizabeth was in and they probably could care less. All that mattered was that Catherine was dead and they could live in peace. And they were going to celebrate their victory over Catherine. The next week, Elizabeth and James joined the courtiers in the castle gardens where the celebrations of May Day were held. Elizabeth knew that this was not only to celebrate May Day but also to celebrate her mother's death. It all just seemed wrong to the princess. Elizabeth whispered to her husband, "This isn't right, James. I should be mourning my mother's death, not celebrating it." James whispered, "It's only for appearance for the sake of your father and that harlot." Elizabeth only sighed and nodded then turned when the blaring horns announced the arrival of her father and Anne, along with little Elizabeth. Upon the arrival, little Elizabeth took notice of her older half-sister and raced towards her, ignoring the calls of her governess. Elizabeth 1st turned to see her younger half-sister running towards her and smiled, kneeling down to the girl's height. Little Elizabeth exclaimed, "Sister!" Elizabeth 1st chuckled and said to her half-sister, "Oh, Lizzy. Running is unbecoming of a girl with your status and very unladylike." Little Elizabeth only smiled at her half sister and replied, "I couldn't contain my excitement. I have missed you when you were gone." When Elizabeth 1st received the letter of her mother's death, James decided it would be best to have her recover and mourn her mother's death at their estate in England, away from court. As much as he wanted to take his wife and go to France, he couldn't and had to stay in England to represent that when the time came for him to be King Consort, he would represent both England and France.
Elizabeth 1st smiled at the four year old girl and turned to see her father walking over to her with Anne by his side. She glanced at James and stood to curtsy to her father and Anne. James shared an uneasy look with Elizabeth as he bowed. Henry smiled at his daughter and son-in-law and said to them, "I am pleased to see you both at the celebrations." James replied, as he rose from his bow, "Of course, Your Majesty. We wouldn't have missed it for the world." Henry smiled at his son-in-law and turned to his daughter who curtsied to him, without any emotion. His smile turned into a frown when Elizabeth excused herself. Henry said to James, "What's the matter with my daughter, James? She used to be the brightest star in the room but now that brightness is gone." James replied, "Well, her mother did die, Your Majesty. She's going through the grieving process." Anne only watched the woman in question as the princess walked around the gardens with a grim look on her face. Elizabeth was in a deep conversation with Thomas Moore when Lady Eleanor ran up to her and whispered something into her ear. Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock and concern then rushed out of the gardens, with Thomas Moore behind her. James then excused himself to go after his wife.