Eagerly, I reached in and grabbed the book, and then I carefully let down the lid. I trembled as I carried the book over to the window and sat down in an armchair there. The letters on the front of the book were in a language that I did not know. “Fillos da Mente e da Lúa.” Some of the words were a little familiar. In French, “daughter” was “fille,” and in Latin, it was “filia,” so I assumed that the first word was “daughter,” since both seemed very close. The last word was “moon,” I was sure, for in French, “lune” was “moon,” and in Latin, “luna” was “moon,” and, since I seemed to have an affiliation with the moon, it made perfect sense it would be written here.
“So…daughter and moon,” I whispered, and it came to me acutely that the words inside this book would change me forever.
I gently cracked open the book. Inside, there were dozens of pages written in a steady, graceful hand in the same language as the title. However, as I flipped through a few pages, I soon saw a different hand had started to write, and then a different language was being written. Before long, I was looking at my mother’s handwriting on the page. I recognized it from the letter to Kat. Hers were the last words written in the book. It seemed to be a journal of sorts.
I suddenly heard the scuttle of several rats right under my feet and I jumped up in my chair, searching the darkness for the creatures. In my haste, I held onto only one half of the book and let the other half dangle. Immediately, I heard something thud to the floor. There in the darkness, with only my power as the light, I saw the intricately worked silver key. I hoped it was the very one for which I had been searching.
Clutching the book and the key, I ran to our apartment. I did not want to wake Kat, so I closed the door quietly and went to my sleeping chambers. The box was very heavy, but I carried it over to the table next to my chair and, fumbling just a little, I slid the key into place. It clicked several times. When I pulled on the lid, it rose heavily.
The first thing I saw was a white sheet of parchment against a finished piece of black velvet. I took the parchment and was surprised to find two separate letters. I flipped the first over. It had my name on it. I jumped a bit in my seat as I realized that this was actually happening. I had a letter from my dead mother. I carefully opened the letter and read.
My dearest darling Elizabeth,
* * *
I sit here, knowing that my doom is come. I know that I will never again look upon your lovely face or be able to share in all of the amazing events in your life. I write this knowing that I have given you a gift which will perplex and perhaps even frighten you until you understand it, and I will not be there to help you or guide you. I am sorry for this, more than anything, but I cannot change what has happened. I can do only what I am able, and that is to set in motion events in which you will come to those who can help you.
* * *
I do not know what your father will do to my family when I am gone, nor if you will even be allowed to see my mother, but I pray with all the fervor of my soul that those who should will keep their word, and that you will find your way to your grandmother to get this last letter from me. My mother will tell you what you need to know about your birthright, so I will only tell you about my last gift to you. Though it is not the most important, it is still a magnificent and significant inheritance. It rests within this box. I had it reset to fit my taste, but the pearls date back to the first woman who wrote in the journal your grandmother will give you.
* * *
Her name was Sephira, and she is your ten-times-removed great grandmother. She is the first Fillos we have record of. You may change out the letter B, but care for the pearls as if they were the most precious treasure, because they are. Keep them locked in this box when you are not wearing them. However, when you are wearing them, my daughter, wear them with the pride of a Fillos da mente e da Lúa.
* * *
Elizabeth, I need you to know that I love you and I am so proud of the little lady you are becoming. I knew that you would be a girl from the moment I knew that you were in me. Your father had no part in that fact; the power of the moon made it happen. You see, the first time your father and I made love it was on the deck of a ship under the moonlight. That is how Fillos are conceived—only under the moonlight. Though I pretended a boy was all I wanted, how could I not want the one thing more important than Henry and all his godly kingship: a daughter of the moon, with the mind and power of her mothers, and the wisdom of her past as her birthright? I wanted you more than anything, and I was so fortunate to know you and see you grow. You are the light of my life. Know that, my daughter, and be extraordinary.
* * *
With all my heart and love—
Your mother Anne
I had not realized that I was crying until I was finished reading. It was as if she knew what my heart needed to hear, and she said it. I sat for several more minutes, reading and rereading her words, and then I pulled the velvet off the necklace she had left me, excited that I would have this precious heirloom to always remind me of her. It was more beautiful than I would have thought. The pearls glistened in the moonlight, and the golden “B” stood out against the white of the pearls and the black of the velvet. Carefully, I picked the heavy gemstones up and wrapped them around my neck. Instantly, I felt connected to not only my mother, but all the women who came before me and had worn these same pearls.
Episode 11
October 1542
Hever Castle, Kent
Thinking of my ancestors brought me back to the other letter, which I was sure my grandmother had left for me. I opened it up and read.
Lovely little Elizabeth,
* * *
I am so sorry that I am not going to be around to help you through this transition. But first, I wish to offer you words of comfort. I imagine you are experiencing some fairly dramatic changes because of the gift, or, I should say, the gifts that you have. Please feel comforted. You are meant to have all the power you do. We, the last five generations of Fillos da mente e da Lúa, (or Daughters of the Moon and Mind) have done a thing which shall ensure you are the most powerful Fillos of all. But I will tell you of this later. I should start at the most important part, the reason for this little hunt your mother and I constructed. (I am sorry by-the-by for any confusion or trouble you had finding this letter. It was necessary in order to keep your mother’s enemies from discovering the truth.)
* * *
My gift is foretelling. After I saw with certainty that your mother would be murdered, she gave me the charge to train you up in your gifts. However, once the horrid occurrence transpired, I foresaw my own untimely death.
* * *
So, my dear, this letter and the Fillos journal are all you will have to train yourself up in the ways of your gifts. This may be hard to understand or believe, but you must trust me, and all instruction contained in the journal. It is a record of your female line, all of whom had gifts just as you do. We call ourselves “Fillos”.
* * *
Elizabeth, the women in your family have protected this great secret for as many generations as the earth has had sons of Adam and daughters of Eve upon it. We are counting on you to do the same.
* * *
I was blessed to see your endowment of power. I saw you on a horse on a green, bathed in light. A piece of the moon fell from the sky and touched you. You were still very young. This event is spoken of in the lullaby your mother sang to you as a babe and it is carved on the desk that contains the history of our power.
* * *
Now to the power. Each Fillos has a different ability through our mother-moon, and I believe each ability is specific to our circumstances. I, as I have already mentioned, see things before they happen, (and a few other trifles, like hiding the painting of your mother in the foyer, and knowing when a woman is with child) but that is the extent of my ability. Foretelling has been very helpful in raising my daughters and sons to the high positions they have achieved.
* * *
&n
bsp; Unfortunately, they did not always listen to my advice, and you can see how each path has ended. Truth be told, Anne is the only downfall I do not pity, for she was the only one who knew my advantage and still she refused to use caution. Do not misunderstand me; I am very sorry for her fate. I wish I could have forced her to avoid it. Sadly, no one could force Anne to do anything, but I digress.
* * *
Your mother was more powerful than I, and could manipulate the thoughts, actions, and desires of those around her. My mother had a comforting or healing touch. My grandmother could call to the water and make it move with her will. I do not wish to frighten you, but you will have all of these gifts and more. I and your mother have made incredible sacrifices to secure your talents, for you alone will be in a unique position to use them.
* * *
In regard to what we do with this great, unearthly power, we have all felt different responsibilities, as you will read in the journal. We all are able to go quietly about doing good or evil as we see fit. I saw future things and was able to influence people and events because of my knowledge. I wonder, now that I am dying and am able to look back upon what I have done, if, at times, I did what I should have. Did I choose evil more than good? I guess I will know when I stand at the judgment bar of God.
* * *
Your mother was always ambitious, and I think that she was interested in making the world a better place, but according to her own ideals. You do not know the influence she had over the Privy Council and the king. She is the reason England broke with the Catholic Church. History, of course, will remember it differently, but I will tell you this right now: any brave thing your father did in regard to divorce or royal supremacy was a result of Anne’s influence.
* * *
However, Henry soon began to wriggle out of Anne’s control. I am not sure how or why, but we think it had something to do with his fixation on having an heir. Anne expressed how difficult it was to keep those with strong emotions under control, and Henry had very strong emotions toward the church. He did not care about anyone or anything more than those two things, and since she couldn’t provide him an heir and she took away the church, I guess eventually, his obsession won.
* * *
This leads me to you. You alone will decide how to use this power. I hope that you will choose well and be happy. I hope that you will not care about what others think, and make decisions that will lead you to a moral path of love, family, and comfort, for those gifts are from God and are where true contentment lies.
* * *
Experiment, test yourself, push your limits, and see what possibilities you can create. You have a marvelous advantage and you can make what you want of it.
* * *
You are a smart and good girl. I know that you will do very well. Know that the spirits of all your mothers are with you when you are shrouded in moonlight.
* * *
All other details pertaining to this power can be learned from the journal. Make an entry in it yourself, and most importantly, pass this power, in the proper time, to your own Fillos. Live well, my Fillos da mente e da Lúa. I will see you when we all face our maker.
* * *
With love, Elizabeth Boleyn
“Fillos da Mente e da Lúa,” I said awkwardly and caressed the imperfect surface of one of the pearls hanging heavily around my neck. Carefully, I put both letters and the journal in the box, closed and locked it, and held the key tightly in my hand.
I could not wrap my mind around any of this. I needed sleep. So, I curled up in my chair and watched the moon until my eyes grew heavy and closed.
I was standing on a precipice in the black of night. My hands were raised high above my head, and I saw upon my arms golden gauntlets. Rain pummeled my face. I was light, and my hands weaved power into a web of beautiful magnitude.
Finishing my masterpiece, I directed the web downward toward the storm-ravaged sea. I watched the power as it flew just above the water’s surface to its destination. When it met its target, the darkness exploded into light. The sight and sound of this terrible and mighty ripping of elements filled the silence around me. Lightning struck the face of the water, and the image of white-sailed ships covering the ocean surface became clear. There were so many of them…so many ships…but my power had just blown a hole in them, in this Armada. Smiling, I looked back to the sky and began gathering my power once more.
I yelled as I released it, “For my God, and my kingdom!”
I startled awake with a scream, and a moment later Kat came flying into the room. Morning sunshine filled the chamber, so I clearly saw how fear whitened her face. Rushing to my side in an instant, she touched me, assessing and asking questions.
“Are you alright? What has happened? You are covered in sweat. Are you ill? Are you hurt? My Lady, please tell me why you screamed!”
“Kat, I am perfectly alright. I had a bad dream, that is all. Please,” I said, and touched her nervous hand. “I am sorry to have frightened you so.”
She stood and assessed me with her critical expression, her eyes lingering on my neck. “Where did you get—”
“I found the key. It was in a book. I found it late last night and this was inside the box.” I touched the necklace that was still wrapped around my neck.
Kat’s eyes grew very wide, and her mouth gaped as she said, “Your mother’s necklace.”
“Yes, isn’t it wonderful? I cannot believe it. I am so happy to have it. I of course will change out the B for a T or perhaps an E, but I am beside myself.”
Kat’s face grew serious and she gently lifted the golden B off my neck to examine it. “May I offer you some advice?”
I nodded, wondering at her austere attitude.
“I would never wear this in front of your father.”
Shocked I asked, “Why ever not? If I have it changed why would he care?”
“You do not know this of course, but that necklace is absolutely the most signature item your mother ever wore, even as queen. In every portrait she is donning that piece of jewelry. I was told by a very reliable source that when she was crowned she wore it under her state robes. I think it would upset the king a great deal for you to flaunt this.”
Kat was correct. I had not known, but after learning from my grandmother's letter the history behind the necklace, I understood why my mother acted thus. The thrill I felt at this small intrigue, this secret that I alone understood, overwhelmed me for a moment. I felt amazingly un-alone. I had a mother who loved me so much she lived a very dangerous life to bring me to the place I now breathed. If I were less happy, I might have cried. I never understood how huge the void in my heart and soul was. But now that that void was filled, I wanted to sing. I wanted to jump up and dance. I wanted to ride.
I bounded out of my chair and said in a hurried voice, “I am going to take one of the horses out. Would you care to come along?”
Kat sighed heavily. “I have a terrible headache today, and this little episode has only made it worse. Besides, if you have found what you were looking for, won’t you want to leave?”
I smiled widely. “I have found what I was looking for. Anna will be here today sometime and after I have seen her we can leave whenever you would like. As for now, I am going for a ride,” I said matter-of-factly.
Kat arched an eyebrow at me and said slowly, “Respect, Elizabeth,” and she put her fingertips to her temples and began to rub. She sighed again and looked at me closely. “Stay within the grounds, please, and I will let you go alone.”
“Yes, we will stay here. Thank you,” I said, and walked to the door.
“My Lady.”
I stopped.
“Would you care to change, or at least leave your necklace so that it will not get lost?”
“No, Kat. I do not want to be without it for now, and I do not care that I am still in yesterday’s clothes. I will change later.” Then, I opened the door and ran happily to the stables.
Episode 12
November 1542
Hever Castle, Kent
Our visit with Anna was pleasant. My father’s fourth wife was small, fair of hair, eyes, and skin. Some might call her homely, for she did not have the round face that was fashionable, but I paid no mind to those things, for she was very kind. Though she did have a bit too much of a taste for the needle and thread. She enjoyed sitting with her stitching by the fire and would do so for hours on end. At first, she would speak to me as we sat, but very little, for her speech was heavily accented.
Elizabeth Tudor- Ancestry of Sorcery Page 8