Unspoken [Henry/Charles] Tudors Fic
This is something I wrote a while ago and have been meaning to post.
Title: Unspoken
Pairing: Henry VIII/Charles Brandon
Verse: Tudors
Authors Notes: A little swearing. Spoilers for the end of season two. Written in response to episode nine, season two.
In the King’s chambers.
“That fucking bitch!”
Charles, in all his years of friendship with Henry, had never seen him cry. Henry was actually quite a private man. He didn’t tend to show his emotions. With them it had always been, on the surface, about bravado and competition. Anything else was never mentioned. Never. Charles might be close to the King, but he was still a loyal subject, and was never privy to such things.
All he could think to do was rest a hand on his shoulder. There were no words to say. Henry had been humiliated by his wife, everyone now knew of her lovers, although no one would dare say anything to Henry’s face. With the King in such a state, to mention such affairs, would be dangerous. So Charles remained quiet, waiting for a sign of what to do.
“How could I have been so stupid Charles? Everything I overturned, everyone I turned away, all for that lying whore! You knew all along Charles, you tried to warn me about her, but I was poisoned by her witchcraft.”
Charles didn’t respond. He had tried to persuade the King not to marry Anne, and had ended up banished for it. He knew now not to presume he could speak honestly with Henry.
“Your Majesty..I, I think we were all fooled by her. You couldn’t have known what she had planned. I am just thankful to God that her treasonous plans weren’t fulfilled. “
“She killed Katherine and got away with it. She could have killed Mary, and yet I always defended her when others saw through her. Never again will I let myself become close to a woman, they can never be trusted.”
“Lady Jane Seymour is a virtuous woman, I am sure that your Majesty shall be happy again.”
“Yes, Charles. Jane is honourable, but I thought Anne was too. I cannot make that mistake again. Do you not see that I am constantly used as a way for others to advance themselves? The Seymour’s may not have pushed Jane on me, but they will be thinking about themselves. Sir John is a good man, but he has sons, that are young and ambitious. They could seek to play things to their own advantage. Don’t you see Charles?”
Charles sighed.”Yes your Majesty, but I think if you are simply careful, you will find happiness again. Jane is from a good family, she will give you sons, I am sure of it.”
“Hm.” Henry nodded towards his friends. God willing, Jane would provide him with a living heir. He couldn’t stand any more upheaval. “You’re right Charles. As always you are a good and loyal friend,” Henry said grabbing Charles by the shoulders, “I know that I can trust in you.” Henry pulled Charles into a tight embrace.
“Don’t tell anyone about tonight.”
“Your Majesty, I would never reveal to anyone what you have told me in private. Nor shall I ever wish for anything more than your comfort and happiness.”
“Stay at court tonight Charles. I want you close to me,” Henry whispered.
Charles bent into a respectful bow. “Yes, your Majesty.”
Title: Unspoken
Pairing: Henry VIII/Charles Brandon
Verse: Tudors
Authors Notes: A little swearing. Spoilers for the end of season two. Written in response to episode nine, season two.
In the King’s chambers.
“That fucking bitch!”
Charles, in all his years of friendship with Henry, had never seen him cry. Henry was actually quite a private man. He didn’t tend to show his emotions. With them it had always been, on the surface, about bravado and competition. Anything else was never mentioned. Never. Charles might be close to the King, but he was still a loyal subject, and was never privy to such things.
All he could think to do was rest a hand on his shoulder. There were no words to say. Henry had been humiliated by his wife, everyone now knew of her lovers, although no one would dare say anything to Henry’s face. With the King in such a state, to mention such affairs, would be dangerous. So Charles remained quiet, waiting for a sign of what to do.
“How could I have been so stupid Charles? Everything I overturned, everyone I turned away, all for that lying whore! You knew all along Charles, you tried to warn me about her, but I was poisoned by her witchcraft.”
Charles didn’t respond. He had tried to persuade the King not to marry Anne, and had ended up banished for it. He knew now not to presume he could speak honestly with Henry.
“Your Majesty..I, I think we were all fooled by her. You couldn’t have known what she had planned. I am just thankful to God that her treasonous plans weren’t fulfilled. “
“She killed Katherine and got away with it. She could have killed Mary, and yet I always defended her when others saw through her. Never again will I let myself become close to a woman, they can never be trusted.”
“Lady Jane Seymour is a virtuous woman, I am sure that your Majesty shall be happy again.”
“Yes, Charles. Jane is honourable, but I thought Anne was too. I cannot make that mistake again. Do you not see that I am constantly used as a way for others to advance themselves? The Seymour’s may not have pushed Jane on me, but they will be thinking about themselves. Sir John is a good man, but he has sons, that are young and ambitious. They could seek to play things to their own advantage. Don’t you see Charles?”
Charles sighed.”Yes your Majesty, but I think if you are simply careful, you will find happiness again. Jane is from a good family, she will give you sons, I am sure of it.”
“Hm.” Henry nodded towards his friends. God willing, Jane would provide him with a living heir. He couldn’t stand any more upheaval. “You’re right Charles. As always you are a good and loyal friend,” Henry said grabbing Charles by the shoulders, “I know that I can trust in you.” Henry pulled Charles into a tight embrace.
“Don’t tell anyone about tonight.”
“Your Majesty, I would never reveal to anyone what you have told me in private. Nor shall I ever wish for anything more than your comfort and happiness.”
“Stay at court tonight Charles. I want you close to me,” Henry whispered.
Charles bent into a respectful bow. “Yes, your Majesty.”