Hello readers sorry it took me a couple of weeks to update, I was working on a play, writing a research paper and just started an online class. You think that my brain would realize that I have too much going on and stop signing me up for things, but no, I continue to be eternally stupid.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed, I hope that you like this new chapter.

I do not own the Tudors.


January 27 1539

Whitehall Palace

Lady Mary Tudor stared out of her carriage window as she approached Whitehall Palace, trying to see who was there to greet her. She hoped it would be her father; ever since he had been married to Jane he had been kinder to her, once again treating her as his precious pearl. However as they reached the courtyard she only saw Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and the Queen's eldest brother Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford.

"Your Grace," she nodded to Charles as he helped her out of the carriage. "My lord," she greeted Edward. She noticed that both men looked dour and solemn.

"My Lady Mary, you look as lovely as your mother. I trust you've heard the news? Her Majesty has given birth to a bonny girl two days ago; the King has named her Princess Anne," Charles greeted her, knowing that she, and the whole country, knew of the name of the Princess. It had caused quite a stir within the population of London; rumors had started filling the streets. Some said that the King was going to overturn the verdict of Anne Boleyn's trial, others said that he was in the process of annulling his marriage to Jane because of the daughter she gave him, and more said that the Prince Edward had died the day past. Mary was unsure how to act, she was sure that most of the rumors were untrue, but she had heard that her brother, Edward was nearly dead; some said he already was. If that was true then her father would have no qualms about annulling his marriage to Jane. While he had originally married Jane out of love and fondness for the lady, as their marriage progressed her father had increasing grown bored with her sweet stepmother.

Mary decided to test the water, "How is my stepmother, my Lords? And my brother? I heard he was ill?" Mary studied their faces and saw that they both remained neutral.

"My nephew has started to make a miraculous recovery, thank the Lord," Edward Seymour stated. Mary was relieved that both her brother was safe from death and his mother from abandonment and crossed herself.

"As for my sister," Edward continued, "she has been a little upset but I am sure that your presence will sooth her."

Mary followed them to them her apartments at court and, after they dismissed themselves, dressed into a clean dress. It was a deep burgundy with a square neckline and golden embroidery. She straighten her gable hood and then started to make her way to the Queen's apartments.

As she passed courtiers in the hall, she heard their whispering stop as if she were going to scold them for gossiping. When she finally reached the Queen's apartments she was announced and then she quickly rushed to the side of her stepmother who was still in her bed wearing a nightgown.

Jane smiled when she saw Mary, "Oh, Mary, I have missed your presence. I wish you could have been her for the birth like you were when I was giving birth to Edward, but I was not expecting to give birth for a couple more weeks." Mary looked at her stepmother, and while the Queen seemed happy to see her, Mary couldn't help seeing a sadness in Jane's eyes.

"Jane, how are you? Are you alright? I heard what he has decided to call her… I would never think my father to be cruel to you like that," Mary said. She knew that her father could be cruel; he had forced his true wife and daughter to be separated, and he had abandoned them. But despite their worsening marriage she had not foreseen this cruelness to Jane.

"While her name was a blow to my pride at first, I longer care. I just want to see my baby girl. I only got to hold her for a second; she didn't even open her eyes yet. Henry has forbid me to see her until after her christening; he said that he feared that I would harm her because of her name, but I would never, Mary, you know that don't you? I would never," Jane's eyes were wet with tears

Mary quickly sat down next to her stepmother, "Oh, Jane, I don't believe that you would hurt your daughter, and neither does my father. He was just upset about the sex of the child. Everyone knew how much he wanted a Duke of York, but it is God's will that you have a daughter. It is not your fault, Jane. Just as it was not my mother's."

Jane wiped the tears off her face, "Oh, thank you, Mary. You are right, it is God's will. I have just been so upset with your brother falling ill, but the physician says that he is doing much better and that he will recover soon." Mary stroked Jane's hand and smiled at the Queen.

"Your Majesty, if I might have your leave to go and meet my sister, I swear I will tell you all about her," Mary smiled at her stepmother who nodded her head.

As Mary headed down the halls to the royal nursery, she thought of her little sister. The only sibling of hers that she had yet to meet, Mary knew that with her help, and Jane's, that the little Princess Anne would be a good Catholic, following in the light of God.

When she reached the nursery she saw her sister, Elizabeth leaning over a cradle.

"Elizabeth, oh how I've missed you," Mary opened her arms and embraced her sister as Elizabeth flew into them.

"Mary, look, look at our sister. She looks like me doesn't she Mary?" Elizabeth pestered her as she walked over to crib.

Mary looked over the cradle and gasped at her sister's open eyes, the eyes of the harlot.

She heard Elizabeth from behind her, "We have the same eyes, Anne and I. Aren't they so pretty, Mary? Mary?"


January 28 1539

Whitehall Palace

Mary Stafford neé Boleyn stared out the window of the carriage that had been sent to her by the King. She hadn't been to London since she was banished for her marriage to William Stafford. She did not know why she was being called to London; she was sure that the King would have nothing to do with the Boleyns after he had executed her sister and brother. Yet two days ago a messenger had arrived at the humble house where she and her family lived, and showed her a letter written from King Henry's own hand. He had requested that Mary come to the christening of the new Princess Anne.

Mary was unsure why her former lover had invited her here; they hadn't spoken in years. She wondered if he was going to overturn the verdict of Anne's case, and George's for that matter too. That was all that people had been talking about in the local market near her home where she lived with her husband, son and daughter. However Mary thought that would be unlikely, as Henry was a proud man who hardly ever went back on what he said.

When the carriage arrived at Whitehall Palace there was a groom in the King's livery waiting for her. He escorted her to the King's chambers that she had once been so familiar with. She straightened her plain dress that was too common to wear in front of the King of England, hoping that he would not mention the poor quality of the dress. Once she was certain that the dress was the neatest it could be she told the groom to announce her and entered the room. The King was standing behind his desk. Mary curtseyed.

"Mary Boleyn, it has been a long time since I saw you last. You have no doubt heard how I fare, so tell me about your new life? Did you have any children with your husband? William was it?" Henry asked her. Mary could not help but feel uncomfortable; this was the man that killed her brother and sister. He could easily kill her too. He was not the man she once knew; that man was long gone, she had to trend carefully.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have a son, Edward, who will be turning four in March, and a daughter who turned two just a month past," Mary said humbly with her voice full of love.

Henry smiled at her, "And your daughter? What is her name?"

Mary spoke hoping that her former brother-in-law would not be offended, "Anne, for my sister, but we call her Annie."

Henry must have sensed her hesitation to reveal her daughter's namesake to him. He gave her an easy smile, "It is alright Mary; I named my new daughter after your sister as well. I fear that I was led astray by my counselors three years ago. They convinced me that Anne and the others were guilty; I was blinded by their lies."

Mary was sure that it not only his counselors' fault but opted not to mention Henry's own part in his wife's death and to let the King tell his own revised version of history. She tried not to let any of her anger show towards the King.

However Henry was too caught up in his story to notice Mary's lapse of concentration. "When I finally saw past their tricks, how they had pushed a virtuous maiden into my lap to distract me while they got rid of Anne, I knew that I had to repay a debt to the Boleyn family," Henry reminisced.

Mary was unsure of what the King meant, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I do not understand. Why would you come to me then; I was disowned by my father, I am no longer a Boleyn." Mary looked down ashamed to have to recall her last meeting with her family. Even though Anne had sent her money and a golden chalice so that Mary would have enough to live on, once she was banished she never saw her beloved sister again.

"Nonsense, Mary, you will always be a Boleyn. And one of my favorite ones, truth be told," Henry paused, and Mary knew that the King was thinking about his once favorite Boleyn, her sister, Anne. Mary knew that Henry must have tried to force himself to hate Anne; though it seemed that he was failing. Mary knew that feeling well; after her banishment Mary had tried to hate Anne but never could. Henry continued speaking, giving her a brief small smile, "Anyways, your mother is dead and your father is dying, you are the only Boleyn left, of your father's line anyway. So I know it is to you who I must make reparations for my actions three years ago." Mary couldn't help but feel bad for her deceased mother, who had died deprived of her children, and for her dying father, who had caused all of his family such unhappiness. But she refused to see her father who had abandoned her; he chose not to have her as his daughter and now he had his wish.

Mary was curious about the reparations the King had mentioned, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty? What did you mean by reparations? I don't understand." Mary of course knew what he had meant; she just didn't want to appear greedy in front of her King.

Henry just smiled at her, "Oh Mary, we both know that is not true. While you were not the smartest Boleyn, we both know that you are more educated than half the women in this court."

Mary ducked her head and blushed at the compliment, "Your Majesty is too kind."

"I was just telling the truth, Mary. In fact I think that it qualifies you for a position in the royal household," Henry stated. Mary felt herself pale a little bit; she had no wish to serve under Queen Jane, the woman who had replaced her sister.

Mary spoke steadily, "Your Majesty is too gracious. What household would I be serving in?" Mary tried not to seem unappreciative as she questioned the King.

"You will be the Princess Anne's Lady Governess, of course. I will be moving Prince Edward to a different residence, and the Princess and Lady Elizabeth will live at Hatfield. I will expect that you will start after Anne's christening in four days, if you will take the position that is?" Henry asked curiously.

Mary was reeling, she would have a prized position as the Governess to the Princess, who was second in line for the throne of England. She would have incredible influence, but most of all she would be sharing a household with her niece, one of the only remaining parts of her sister. She would be able to help raise Elizabeth as Anne would have wanted as well as telling the girl stories of her mother. Stories that likely no one would have the guts to mention because of her fate and the King's anger. However she did not know if she could give up her country lifestyle which she shared with her family, she enjoyed the ability to see her family every day, to be a real mother to her youngest children.

Mary finally spoke, "Your Majesty, I would love to accept this tremendous honor however I would like to remain with my family. I am sorry if this was not the answer you were looking for." Mary looked down.

King Henry frowned, it was not often somebody turned down such a lucrative position, "Well then, your family must come with you." Mary looked up, shocked. Henry continued, "I suppose William can be the Master of the Household at Hatfield while your Edward and Annie will be companions to the Lady Elizabeth, and to the Princess Anne, when she is older. I can also arrange for your eldest children by William Carey to be there as well. Your Catherine is about fifteen, no? She can be a Lady in Waiting to the Princess and your Henry can be a page in Anne's household." Mary could hardly believe it, she would be able to live with her whole family and look after her sister's daughter. She hadn't thought that she would be able to see her Catherine and Henry again after they were taken out of her custody when she married William Stafford, five years ago.

Mary sank to her knees and spoke, "Your Majesty has given me an offer I cannot refuse, and I will be the best governess possible to Her Highness, the Princess Anne." Henry motioned for her to rise and when she did she thanked him for all of his kindness.

He then called a groom to him and whispered into the groom's ear. The groom left the room and returned with a little girl with red hair and blue eyes.

"The Lady Elizabeth, Your Majesty," He announced. At once Mary could see the resemblance between father and daughter but most of all she saw Anne, her little sister who was now dead. Elizabeth looked like Anne when she was five except with red hair instead of black.

Mary curtseyed to the girl, "My Lady Elizabeth."

Elizabeth looked at Mary, "Hello, who are you?"

And at those words suddenly Mary froze, unsure how she should introduced herself; as the Princess Anne's governess or as Elizabeth's maternal aunt?

Sensing her struggle, Henry stepped up, "This is Lady Mary Stafford; she is to be Anne's Lady Governess and she is your mother's sister, making her your aunt."

Elizabeth looked up at her; studying Mary's face. Mary stepped forward and bent down to talk to Elizabeth, "Hello Elizabeth. I am your Aunt Mary, and I'm so happy to meet you. I hope that we will become fast friends." Mary smiled at the young girl.

Elizabeth was looking at her inquisitively. "No," she stated.

At this Mary recoiled, "I'm sorry, my lady? What do you mean?" Mary hoped that Elizabeth wasn't rude and that this had been a misunderstanding.

"No, you aren't my Aunt Mary; I already know someone named Mary. You'll be my Aunt Marie, that's the French version of Mary, you know," Elizabeth said.

Mary smiled relieved, "Yes, I know. I lived in France; soon I will tell you some stories about France, my lady."

Elizabeth nodded, happy, and Mary was glad that she would be a part of Elizabeth's life. She would be able to do this for Anne.


Okay that is it for Chapter Two, thank you for reading and please review.

So Edward lives as does Jane (for now). And Henry thinks that Anne probably wasn't guilty. I made this so because I figured that if he had more time to grow bored of Jane he would miss Anne and realize that Anne was probably not guilty.

Some of you might be a bit surprised that I included Mary Boleyn in this story, I myself was a bit surprised when I added her in, but I thought it would be nice for part of Anne's old childhood to be part of her new one. I also wanted someone to be like a mother figure to Elizabeth and someone that could tell her about Anne.

I hope that you are all liking where this story is going. Mary Tudor is going to have an interesting relationship with Anne to say the least, and I have some plans for her that will not be revealed at this time.

The poll on who you want to be the next Queen of England is still up and please vote if you haven't already. I know I said last chapter that that if a queen was picked subsequent Queens would follow but now I'm not sure (sorry).

The next chapter will most likely cover Anne's christening and after that things should start moving a bit faster.

Please tell me what you thought of this chapter and review, they just make my day.