Sleeping in the Shadows
Summary: A turbulent spirit tells her forgotten story.
Rated: K+
Disclaimer: I don't own the Tudors
The man could hear light footsteps sneaking along the darkened corridors. A quick turn and a sigh of hesitance reveal the lady.
Those sweet lips upturning into a smile, she gathers her skirts and twirls away into the descending shadows. No matter how he runs, he cannot reach her. Lyrical notes echo in his ears, giving this strange dance a new side.
The lady appears again, her dress embroidered with fine lace and shining jewels.
She giggles, and then sweeps down into a curtsey. It's all a game, he thinks.
Perhaps she wished only to tell her forgotten story.
A quick flash of darkness blinds him when her gaze finally turns to capture him. Then the music stops and it's silent.
The smile fades with the wilting flowers in her hands. The regal fingers reach up to the new delicate crown resting atop the soft curls.
Faded semblances of great men swirl around her, driving her to insanity as she clutches her head and drops to her knees. Another dance, another tear, and it's over.
She no longer sees him, but the invisible murderer gleams like a diamond next to the faceless servant.
Towering black stones surround her and she falls to the floor, weakly grasping for support among the aging tellers of sorrow.
'God save me,' she cries. A helpless, soundless, eternal wail by the forsaken creature.
A look at the sky, a sting of a memory, a good-bye from her heart. Then she's flying and screaming.
She curses what suffering life has brought her, and she mourns what it could not give her.
Sobbing for death, and tumbling for life, she begins to thrash inside the coffin.
A frost begins to settle and he can see his breath pool into ice. The coffin lid opens and there she stands next to it. Clad in a simple mourning gown, the happiness has left her smile, and she lays a single ribbon inside of it. He walks closer and sees the inscription on it. The most happy.
A final look at him and the smile returns. But there's something bitter and lonely in it. There is no humor, no liveliness, no end. Then she's gone.
For fear of the vision returning, he walks out of the room and shuts the door. Even against the muffling door, the sound of that doomed laugh still rings in his ears.
Hi everyone! This just sort of popped into my head one day and I had to write it all down. If anyone is wondering whether the woman is Anne or Katherine, well…you decide Even though 'the most happy' was Anne's motto, Katherine said it in a scene as well (on youtube if you want to see it).