Yes another Anne/Charles story where they met before Anne met the King. I know, not the most original idea but if you watch the first meeting of Anne and Henry, Anne is paired up with Charles for the dance to begin so everything is based from that one scene (watch the background action in that scene really closely and you'll see what I mean)
With a flourish of trumpets Master William Cornish, dressed as the Jester of Ardent Desire, entered the playing ground with eight youthful, masked Lords following closely behind. As he played with the crowd, swiping his sword at the cheerful audience and jeering at the Dark Ladies who threw flower petals, the Lords formed ranks and adopted a bow, their eyes averted from the white Graces. All except one who stole a glance at one of these ladies imprisoned high in the castle. The Lady Anne Boleyn, Lady Perseverance, how apt a title she thought for she was here to ensnare a King. Like all the graces, she was dressed in layers of gauzy white, with a stomacher embroidered in gold and a white and gold masque that covered her eyes. As the Jester and the Dark Ladies began the opening paré Anne scanned the masked men below her. She had briefly seen the King in the Palace of Illusions at Val d'Or when she was little concerned with him for Henry was her sister, Mary's, concern and quarry. Anne could recall his hair - short and cropped – that he was shorter than King Francis, somewhat attractive but definite features were hazy in her mind. This she blamed on the absurd amount of free wine Francis had provided. Not that it mattered, her father had conspired with Master Cornish that Anne be placed in the Kings way. That they had done, Anne was at the very top of the castle set with the King's sister, Margaret, stood beside her.
"As Ardent Desire, I demand you release your prisoners!" The crowd cheering Master Cornish's taunts and hissing the Dark Ladies playfully wicked retorts.
"As Lady Scorn, I laugh at your desires"
"These men are noble lords.."
"No," A Dark Lady interrupted, "They're just men dressed up"
"I say it again; release these fair damsels that you keep so cruelly"
"Never!" The audience booed the Dark Ladies.
"You give us no choice then, but to attack and breach your defences!" An uncouth snigger rumbled through all attending, audience and players alike.
"No Knight shall ever breach mine"
"Lady, desire overcomes all. Attack!" With a charge of buckshot and more trumpets the Lords stormed the make believe castle with only the Dark Ladies flower petals to stop them. A deadly arsenal for sure. The Lords took the nearest Grace all except one. He who spotted Perseverance made a beeline for her, hopping over fence and scaling wall with no opposition. He firmly grasped her hand and with an intake of breath, like an arrow through his heart and stared at Anne, she gazed back at him. Anne modestly lowered her eyes as Henry's eyes remained bedded on her face.
"Perseverance you are my prisoner now." The King half choked still holding her while clinging to the flimsy castle set. As the musicians below piped into song Henry recovered himself and finally climbed onto the balcony and Anne retreated down the stairs so that he may take her place beside his sister. The music blossomed into something different and filled the air with a sublime March Masque excitement. Anne joined with a Lord at the base of the stairs, his sash read 'Gentleness' something Anne doubted as she took in his marvellously masculine form and well muscled torso. She knew this was not the King and that he, as far as her father was concerned, was out of bounds to her yet her body felt drawn to him. His entirety lured her and she felt as though she should possess him entirely. However, she could also feel the eyes of her father scrutinising her every move. The lords led their captives back to the ground floor, where they broke to make two opposing lines, the white Grace on one side and the Lords on the other. Thomas Tallis silenced the musicians and the Jester's drum roll theme returned as he walked between the partners.
"And now all shall be unmasked!" Attendants stepped up from behind and undid the ribbons of the masques to a fresh and delighted applause. Anne felt the King looking at her out of the corner of her eye but the sight that she had before her fixed her where she stood; she was almost rendered incapable of speech and smiled coyly at this most handsome gentleman. He had short cropped hair like the King though it suited his squared jaw better where it made the Kings chin look pointy and boyish. His eyes, also like the Kings, were blue but softer; they looked at her with more playfulness and warmth where the King had a dangerous glint, a maniacal spark lurking in them. The musicians began to play a stately Pavane and the lords and ladies took to the formal patterns of the dance. They threaded through partners, each time Anne brushed past Gentleness her skin tingled with goosebumps and even the tiny hairs on the back of her neck and arms stood on end, longing to touch him. The King's searching gaze not going unnoticed, watched her like a hawk as she danced tantalizingly close, then drifted away again. The couples joined at the centre and formed the two lines again only this time they stood side by side with the Lord's hand draped over the Lady's. Anne's heart jumped as their skin touched and Gentleness smiled at her.
"Tell me my Lady have we met before" Anne stifled a giggle; surely this man of men was not using a dreadful chat up. She refrained from replying "Only in your dreams my Lord"
"Perhaps, I run through most men's minds" Gentleness gave a short laugh; he had expected her to react daintily and modest like most ladies at court.
"What is your name my Lady?"
"Perseverance" Anne flashed him a mischievous smile as the couples broke apart to form a circle with another couple. After a twirl, Anne was separated from her Gentleness and paired with the King.
"Who are you?" The King asked, his voice sounding mystified by the young beauty beside him. Anne gave him a faint smile and gingerly replied "Anne. Anne Boleyn". They danced on, the King moving closer to her than the dance required. He brushed his forehead against her hairline and took in her scent, a delicate mix of lilies and roses with an unknown fruity trace, before she drifted away again. Anne could not prevent the smile forming on her lips as she returned to Gentleness.
"What is your name my Lady" He quickly whispered as the dance crew to a close. The crowd erupted into applause before Anne could reply, not that she had any intention of doing so for mystique and intrigue were the greatest abilities any woman had at her disposal. The music ended and the dancers dispersed, Anne retreated to her father.
"Well done my daughter, you certainly held his eye in the dance. With a little more... perseverance and lure of the flesh it shan't belong before he is yours." A devils grin spread over Thomas Boleyn's face as he lifted his cup to his lips.
"Charles!" The King called to his friend across the room. William Compton and Anthony Knivert were already at Henry's side boasting and arguing over who had the prettiest dancing partner. Charles, however, seemed perversely distracted.
"Carew? Far too top heavy for me" William noted "Besides, I think we all know the prettiest creature out there was attached to Charles' arm." He continued, Charles drifting in and out of the conversation as he picked through the court trying to find his Lady Perseverance.
"What are you saying about my sister, William?" The King threw his arm over William's neck and held him in a firm yet playful grip. As the King and William boyishly wrestled, Anthony coolly turned to Charles
"She can't have been that pretty, Charles is still here." The trio laughed at Charles' expense but it didn't faze him. "Well Charles?" The spell weakened with every second he did not see her and soon he was composed back to his scoundrel self.
"Does it matter? They all look the same from behind" The group erupted into bawdy laughter.
"Come on, let's go play" The King announced as he led his troupe to the Palace sporting grounds. Charles followed willingly, though in the back of his head he had a longing for his Lady Perseverance.
Please review if you like it and want to see more of Anne and Charles. :)