#angedefrace

//I MISS YOU

My dearest Catherine -- my angel, 

               Forgive that this letter has arrived to you so late; there was a break in this poor weather and we chose to move on without rest until we reached the Seine river, we made camp there, though by the time this reaches you we will have moved on towards Rouen.

I have been waiting to tell you how happy your last message has made me. By faith, Cate, it fills my heart to hear of this pregnancy. To think that by this time next year we will have a son, the thought brings me such joy.

I think of you every day. Most especially when the night grows quiet and I am alone with my thoughts, they are all of them about you. The day I am able to return to you and the warmth of your heart cannot come soon enough. I love you. More than life. 

The aisles of the church were filled to standing room only as more people shuffled their way inside; lines of them adorning the streets of Windsor as the excited thrum of their voices was silenced by the soft sound of music striking up and signaling the royal family to begin their rehearsed walk down the red carpet that led to the alter, there the prince of Scotland awaited his bride to join him. 

Henry’s hand found Catherine’s easily as their fingers intertwined; his aged and calloused pads massaging her skin to comfort the tears that had begun to escape her composed expression.  

“It is all so perfect mon amore.” Catherine smiled and kissed Henry’s knuckles. “Do you remember our wedding , angel?" Henry tucked a long curl behind her ear with a reminiscent smile, “Oui ‘arry. I'll never forget." She replied with a wistful glance to his lips.

He opened his mouth to speak but found his lips left parted in awe as their daughter came down the aisle to join her betrothed at the alter; the exchange of vows between the two moving the king near to tears at the sight.

“I remember as well." Henry whispered to his wife. "You are as much a vision now as you were then, more so as you have grown in beauty to my eyes with the passing years.” His hand gave hers a gentle squeeze, his blue eyes met her's in a visual embrace that would still any who questioned their love.

Lips mouthing the words given by the priest as his eyes held hers; brimming with tears, he repeated the same sacred words he did twenty seven years ago. And Catherine, his angel and savior, returned them with the same love and passion as she had that day. 

“So long as we both shall live."

Henry caressed her cheek and brushed his lips over hers.

{ angedefrace }

"—Are you listening, princess?" Anna's voice cut through the silence. The woman might as well be speaking to an empty chair. 

The way her focus was on every point in the room but the page of words in her lap didn't not escape Henry's notice, nor did her tutor's droning on about annunciation. It's not that Anna was a poor teacher, Cate was simply a sensitive pupil, so emotionally aware that she often took a terse word to heart. He couldn't watch his love develop such a disdain for education. 

∟ Shipping Meme: Henry & Catherine with angedefrace