I fell in love with this TV show a long time ago, and I have recently returned to it, in the hopes that I can retell the story of Anne and Henry if just few things had been a little different.
There is some debate about when Anne was born 1501 or 1507. For the purpose of my story Anne will be born in 1507. She became Catherine's lady in waiting at about age 15 1522. Cardinal Wolsey dies in 1530, so in my story Anne is 22/23 when this story starts. Elizabeth is born in 1533 so Anne will be 25/6 at that time.
Many of you will claim this is not true, or debate this. Please remember this is fanfiction, and this is the age I have chosen Anne to be.
"For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.
Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
so shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth"
(Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet)
November 1530
So this was love. It was not what I had expected. When Henry had suggested we go for a ride, I did not expect to lose my maidenhead on the outing. But he was quiet, and unresponsive as I tried to talk to him. He cantered away from me, and although I had a good seat it was difficult to keep up with him, Henry was a talented horseman. He led me into the forest not stopping to speak and shrugged his cloak to the ground.
I understood. He had finally lost his patience, I could understand why, he had given me and my family everything, and in return I had given him nothing. Except my heart. He held it completely, I was his and would be his alone, no matter what time, I belonged to him, and I accepted that. I matched, his question with my answer by removing my hat and throwing it to the ground, the passion and lust in his eyes frightened me, but I was determined to satisfy him.
I tried my best to be passionate and sexy, despite my nerves. When he entered me I felt pain but also happiness that this was with him. Granted it was not how I had imagined it, but it was with the love of my life, of that I was sure.
He pulled me to the ground on top of his cloak and pulled me on top of him, I pulled up every memory of my sister's conversations regarding sex and tried my best to move in a way she said men liked. It seemed to work as he threw his head back and gasped, he shifted slightly, and instead of pain there was pleasure. This was heaven, this was bliss, and it was with the man I loved.
Suddenly he tipped me and was over me, his full weight baring down on me. I instinctively wrapped my legs around him. He buried his head in my neck and thrusted with hard, slow movements. This wasn't as pleasurable, and was slightly painful, but I was determined to allow him whatever liberties he wanted. The way he stared at me, the way he pulled at me, and showered me with kisses, filled my heart. I would bear any pain, just to see love in his eyes. Henry, the king of England, was in love with me. His thrusts were getting harder, and he was panting in my ear.
'I'm going to come,' He whispered at me.
Suddenly I was terrified, if I got pregnant, the poor child would be illegitimate, and Henry would not love the child fully. Our children had to be legitimate, I couldn't risk them being labelled a bastard. I wouldn't raise them with that label over their head.
'No you mustn't!' I yelled and threw him off me.
His reaction was not pleasant, as he screamed in frustration. He staggered to his feet and kicked at the ground and pulled at his head. He pulled his shirt from the ground and stamped over to his horse.
This was it then, I had disappointed him. My father would be so mad with me, he would punish me. Henry was going to leave me here and I would be ruined. I sat up and tried to pull myself together, Henry was already dressed, and was checking his horse, his face was thunderous, and I could hear him swearing. I made to stand up to comfort him, but the sight of my legs stopped me.
They were streaked with blood. There on my bare legs and on Henry's cloak, was the evidence of my maidenhead. I gently prodded at myself and looked at my hand, my fingers came away scarlet. It was all for nothing, Henry would abandon me, his patience at an end. I promptly burst into tears. I was so consumed in my fear, confusion and heartbreak that I failed to hear Henry come back.
He gently moved a curl out of my face, and cupped my cheek, 'Anne?'
I couldn't look at him.
'Anne, I'm sorry for yelling, I was just frustrated, you felt so good, better than anything I had ever felt, and I so wanted to complete us both,' Henry said.
I couldn't reply as tears streaked my face and I gave big heaving sobs.
'Anne, sweetheart, my love, it is okay, I love you,' he whispered.
A handkerchief dabbed at my face, and I shook my head.
'You shouldn't see this,' I told him.
'See what my love?' he asked confused.
I hesitantly unfolded the cloak that was keeping my legs hidden, and his gaze fell on the blood of my virginity. He was utterly silent.
'I didn't think…'he said still staring at my legs in shock.
'What?' I asked wiping my hand over my face.
'You claimed you were a virgin…'
'You thought otherwise?' I asked.
His gaze shot back to my eyes and I saw the guilt in them.
'You were always so confident with your body, the way you move, and the way you act around men, as if you were aware of your power. The way you dress, so elegant yet so seductively, and your sister, and Thomas Wyatt, I just assumed…' he trailed off.
'Well you thought wrong!' I snapped and made to push him away but he clung at my shoulders and wouldn't leave.
'I'm so sorry, my love,' Henry said shamefaced 'I was willing to overlook the fact you were not a virgin, and reconciled myself to the fact that you had lied, and that was okay, but now..' he stared at me.
'And now?' I asked.
'I am sorry, forgive me for doubting you? I will never do so again,' he said sincerely.
I stared at him confused. He thought me not a virgin yet he had been willing to wait until marriage anyway, he respected me that much. And in return I had lied to him in other ways. I remember him always saying that we should be honest, for it was the definition of love. I should tell him everything. Lies lead to misunderstandings. It was as if my future played out before my eyes, and suddenly I needed him to know everything. I had no idea if he would forgive me, or not, but I had to try, otherwise I suspected our relationship, no matter how passionate would end in disaster.
'I have lied to you,' I said staring at him in the eye.
'What?' he asked frowning.
'From the beginning, when you tired of my sister, my father and uncle took me aside and bid me to get close to you,' I said.
He stared back at me with hard eyes. Saying nothing.
'My father had always been strict, I was well educated as a girl, and sent to many countries to learn as much as possible, I thought it was to give myself a better future, but it was always for his own elevation.'
'Then it was all a lie?' he asked quietly, instead of anger, heartbreak showed in his eyes.
'No!' I screamed and cupped his face with both of my hands.
'Your father and uncle arranged everything?' he asked grasping my hands and pulling them sharply away from his cheeks.
'At first yes,' I replied. 'But after a while, you wrote me such beautiful letters, you showed me your heart, and your true self, I was humbled, and I fell in love with you, you the man, not the king. But you were already taken from me, you were married to Catherine and to your country, I knew we could never be, but then you pursued me, and my father told me to hold out and not give in to you. But I would have been content to be your mistress, as long as I could be with you.'
'You love me?' He whispered tears in his eyes. 'Truly?'
'I would bid you never doubt it, for I would die for this love,' I told him passionately.
He leant forwards and kissed my cheek.
'When you did not claim me, I knew that I would forever be yours, you respected me, you would wait for me, and you wanted me to be your wife. I admit my vanity was flattered and I felt an arrogance I had never felt before.'
'You are not arrogant Anne,' Henry said bewildered.
'I have behaved so poorly, flaunting my love for you, not thinking of the consequences, not thinking of how much our love is hurting you,' I replied.
'Your love is what fills me with joy, is what reminds me that I am just a man in love with an astoundingly beautiful girl!' he told me.
'Our love could change things Henry, we both know the pope is not going to allow you a divorce, if you change things in this country, if you become the head of the church and king, I fear the displeasure of the world will fall upon us.' I whispered to him.
He pulled my head closer to him and kissed me hard on the mouth.
'I will destroy anyone who stands between us Anne, not Catherine, France, Spain, or any unknown country will make me cast you off, I am yours, and you are mine, a love this strong can only be a sign from God, that this is his want, this is his doing, together my love, we will change the world.' Henry said confidently and with passion.
'And your people?' I asked doubtfully.
'What of them?' he asked.
'They love Catherine Henry, if I replace them, they will despise me,' I said fearfully.
'They love Catherine for her kindness and charity, both of which you possess Anne, you are not an evil woman, but you have things she does not, you are English, you were born here, you are intelligent and more accomplished than any woman I have ever met. I know that if you apply yourself, you will think of a solution.' Henry replied.
His belief in me touched my soul, he was right, I was clever, and I was generous and kind. I decided I would learn more about my people, for how could I rule them if I did know not know them?
'You're also beautiful,' he continued and I stared at him, 'the most beautiful and enchanting woman I have ever beheld, your eyes bewitch and ensnare me, your skin is perfect, and your hair, I have never seen hair so lustrous and full, the way it shines red in the sun. When you smile, it is as if Aphrodite herself were amongst us. Your beauty will capture the hearts of the people, just like it did mine,' Henry said.
I blushed, I had always been told I was pretty, but no one had ever lavished such compliments on me before.
'I love you,' I told him tears prickling my eyes.
'I love you sweet heart,' and he rubbed my nose with his making me giggle.
I went to stand but he stopped me.
'Wait.'
With his handkerchief he wiped at my legs removing the blood. I gasped and attempted to stop him but he would have none of it.
'This is the most precious gift anyone has given me, and I am ashamed it happened as it did. This will be my reminder that I can never take you for granted.'
I let him finish, and then I stood and he also folded his cloak which was blood stained, and put it in his saddlebag to keep safe. I knew it would go with his handkerchief somewhere safe as proof of my virginity.
I awkwardly bent to retrieve my clothes but gasped at the sensation between my legs. I was quite sore.
'Sweetheart!' Henry exclaimed at seeing my pain 'what a beast I was.' He said shame faced.
'No,' I replied taking his hand 'it was perfect because it was with you and it led to us having this understanding.'
'I still should not have been so rough, next time, I will make it up to you my angel,' he promised kissing my hand.
He retrieved my clothes for me, all the while admiring my still naked body, only dressed in my riding boots.
'I would have you painted like this, but then I would have to kill the painter for daring to look upon you,' he said staring at my body with passion.
'I am yours.'
'Then I am most fortunate,' he answered.
He surprised me by helping me dress, and lifted me onto his own horse, tying mine to his. He mounted behind me and his arms enfolded me as he kicked, his mount into a slow walk. The way back to court, was filled with conversation, deep and meaningful, and I felt as if my heart would burst for this man. He had forgiven me, and I him, and now I felt as if we were closer than ever, as if finally, we were truly one.
Let me hear your thoughts?