Author's notes: Thank you for the follows and favorites. I am glad yall liked my first chapter. This chapter get a little more into the current situations surrounding England, the relationship between Henry and Anne, and Henry's POV. I am trying not to make Henry so love sick, but he was the type to fall in love at first sight. Thank you for your support! Means the world to me!

Chapter 2 - The Hunt

We rode out along the rolling hills of England and I took in the fresh scent of country air as we left the city behind. There was nothing like the country or being out in the wide open. London was dirty with garbage filled streets and people dumping chamber pots every which way. but here it was relaxing and peaceful. I would rather live in the country any day by the grace of God. I rode my horse along, keeping up with the rest of the hunting party. From my knowledge my brother Wallace, The King, The Duke of Suffolk (Charles Brandon,) and George Boleyn were amongst our party along with the King's guard. We suddenly slowed down as the King threw up his arm signalling that prey had been spotted. I watched as he quickly drew his bow and fired upon a deer who darted from the brush. It staggered for a bit before it collapsed to the ground. I felt my heart jerk as no one raced to put the poor thing out of it's misery.

"Somebody please end the suffering of the poor creature who was good enough to lay down his life for our King" I said almost in tears.

The King looked at me for a moment and I thought I had offended him However, he jumped down and grabbed his dagger, putting it out of it's misery.

"I put it out of it's misery, for you Lady Alaina. He suffers no more." The king bowed as I nodded my thanks.

"Well done your grace!" Charles boomed.

The King wiped his knife on the ground and stood, bowing to me apologetically.

"I am sorry that you saw that my lady. I should have warned you to look away." he said staring up at me and ignoring the hoots and hollars from his gentlemen.

"No offense taken your majesty. You have killed meat for your court. A noble sign of an excellent hunter." I smiled down at him.

He grinned up at me and placed his hand on my knee. For the briefest moment I felt a tiny shock go through my body and my face betrayed me as my cheeks burned from his touch. He stood like that for a few moments until he was distracted by his men. Boys will be boys, as always. They horsed around for a few moments before The King looked back at me.

"My sweet lady I do believe you were to show me your skills in archery." Henry grinned.

"Yes, whatever the king commands." I said as he helped me down from my horse by placing his firm hands on my waist.

He lifted me down with ease and standing next to him I realized how tall he actually was. I was 5 foot three and he was well a foot over me. He was every bit the gracious, athletic, and golden King they describe him to be. I didn't realize I was studying his face when he looked down at me.

"I am sorry that I'm not clean shaven, my lady. I am growing my beard out in token of my friendship with King Francis!" he said as he captured my hand with his.

He slipped my riding glove off and trailed my fingers along his chin, letting me feel his prickly stubble.

"That is very gracious of your majesty to do that for a token of friendship." I smiled.

"The Queen hates it. Tell me Lady...how do you like it?" Henry asked me, gazing down at me with his stormy, grey eyes.

I didn't know what to say. To disagree with the Queen about her husband put me in a bad situation. As if my brother could read my thoughts he piped up with a save.

"Francis will be jealous because he can't grow a beard. That takes a real man!" Wallace laughed as the king shook with laughter.

"Now Wallace we must forgive him for that..." the king winked at me. "Now Lady Alania I do believe I was promised to see your archery skills."

"Oh come on your majesty! She's a woman! She can't possibly shoot the bow!" Brandon laughed walking up to us. "Let's not make a joke of her!"

"Now Charles, I will have you apologize to the Lady if she best you in competition." The King taunted. "My money is on her."

"How much?" Charles asked. "100 Crowns? 200?"

"Let's make it a purse of 500 Gold Crowns." The King laughed. "Now come on Lady Alania. Don't let me down."

"Get ready for disappointment" Charles said. "What are the rules?"

"Well whoever shoots a startled hare first...of course wins." The King mused. "Beaters! fetch us something lively!"

I watched as the beaters ran out into the open field shaking whatever they could in hopes of startling a rabbit or two. I kept my eyes on the horizon so I could pinpoint the slightest movement. My father, along with the rest of the Scottish nobles, believed that a Scottish woman should take up arms if need be. We were trained to defend our lands and home if the occasion ever rose. Suddenly, a movement as quick as light darted out and I drew my weapon automatically. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Charles had seen the same thing. I fired quickly as my arrow struck true. The King started to bellow with laughter as Charles' arrow had embedded into the ground.

"Ah good show! Good show! I guess it is true what they say about the Scots!" the king laughed. "Charles I expect a gift for the Lady..."

"Of course your majesty. I know just the thing." he said looking at me.

I frowned at him because somehow I didn't think his gift would suit me. Brandon had a reputation of being a ladies man in court. From my understanding he wasn't above bedding married women either.

"Where did you learn how to shoot like that Lady Alania?" The King asked as he helped me to my horse.

"My father taught me." I said grabbing the reigns.

"I hope my daughter Mary turns out just like you. I propose shooting lessons for her. I think you would fit nicely to teach her." The king said as we started to ride.

"I would be honored to teach Princess Mary..."I said and instantly regretted my words.

"She isn't a princess any longer...she is just a Lady." The King snapped.

"I beg your pardon, your grace." I said.

"I am sorry your majesty. Please forgive her. She is new at court." Wallace said.

"She better be glad she is such a joy to be with. Pardon granted." The King smiled as we rode back to the castle.

We got back in the courtyard and the King was instantly greeted by Wolsey who pulled him away for further business. I looked down to see Charles extending his services to help me off my horse. Oh great! Just what I needed.

"So Lady Alania, will you be at the banquet tonight? I do believe they are going to prepare that rabbit especially for you." he grinned.

"If Queen Anne attends then I'll be there." I said as I tried to move past, but he blocked me.

"I would love a dance with you so save me one." he said giving me his charming smile. "That is if you Scottish girls can dance. If not I would be happy to tutor you in private on various dances."

I just stared at him as he got extremely close to me. I was about to say something when my brother interrupted us.

"Now Charles...stop asking her for advice. We can't help that you stink at shooting bows!" Wallace laughed.

Charles gave him a look before bowing to me. "I was just asking your sister for a dance tonight. No harm done, Right Lady Alania?" he winked.

Wallace seemed to herd him off as I gathered my things to take in. I started to walk in when Wallace suddenly grabbed me by the elbow and pulled me to him.

"You must take great care of what you say in front of the King." he said in hushed whispers.

"I am sorry Wallace, but is she not a princess of England?" I asked. "Surely he can't take that away from his own daughter."

"Not anymore. Please listen sister or you might lose your head." he grumbled.

"Wallace..." I said "I am sorry. I was not thinking."

"Well not thinking gets a lot of people killed. I am afraid the King is taking a liking to you." he said running his hands through his red hair.

"I promise I have not asked for it." I said getting defensive.

"I didn't say you did, but if he ask you to be his mistress...well I just don't know what to do." my brother whispered and for the first time I felt fear grip me.

" I won't be his mistress. I have right to refuse." I spoke.

"And damage our family name. What the King wants, he gets. Just try to stay out of his way." Wallace said as he excused himself and left.

I stood there for a moment with my heart beating in my ears. Just what if The King wanted me as his mistress. Would I go to his bed to raise my family? Or would I deny him and possibly disgrace us? I also couldn't deny the shock I felt went he touched me. That had to mean something, right? I walked back to my rooms to change back into my gown and wash up. It wasn't 10 minutes later I was summoned to the Queen's chambers. I walked in to her outer chambers and heard another voice with her. I thought it indecent of me to barge in so I waited until her meeting was through. I couldn't help hear the voices carry through the cracked door. I picked up something about getting rid of the boy and then everything was hushed again. Soon, George Boleyn came out and slyly smiled at me.

"Nice hunt, my lady." he said bowing.

"Thank you, Lord Rochford." I smiled back as he walked out. I knew he had filled his sister in on the hunt and I only imagined what he said.

As I walked to see The Queen seated in a red chair, staring at the fire. Her hand was pressed on her belly. She looked like she had been crying.

"Your grace." I said bowing low.

"Did you have fun?" she asked in a weak voice.

"The hunt was very entertaining. I shot and killed a rabbit before the Duke of Suffolk." I smiled.

"Is that so? I love to hunt too and I even shoot arrows for fun, but the little prince...he takes up all my time now." she said patting her belly.

"Well you are carrying the next King of England. That's the most important job of all." I said as she smiled up at me.

"Did The King flirt with you, Lady Alania?" she asked suddenly.

I stood there shocked as my Queen just asked the question I was wanting most to avoid. She stared at me with her cold, blue eyes and I swallowed hard. What would I tell her? She could easily have me crushed if she thought I was a threat. I was beginning to wish I had never seen the inside of the English Court.

Henry's POV

-Before the Hunt-

I readied myself in my rooms as I slipped on my newest pair of riding gloves. I was excited about going out and even more excited about getting to know that newest addition to my court. She was quite beautiful and graceful with flowing auburn hair and green eyes. She had sparked desire in me that I hadn't felt in some time with Anne. I straightened my collar as my groom announced the Queen was coming. I turned around as she barged in through the doors of my chambers.

"Henry...why are you taking her?"she asked eying me with fire in her eyes.

"I am only trying to make the lady feel more welcomed. Besides, I need not explain my reasons to you." I said turning away.

"Henry please...it will break my heart if you take another mistress. I can't take it anymore!" she said throwing herself in a chair.

"Darling please...calm down! Calm down, Nan! Think of the baby! If you must know my business I am taking her along because relations with Scotland aren't the best in the world. With the help of the McCloud family I hope to strength ties to my northern lords." I said.

Even though that was one of the reasons it wasn't my first reason. I was just honestly attracted to Lady Alania. Like a moth to a flame I was drawn in by her. It was almost as if I wanted to possess everything about her. Anne stood and walked over to me, placing her hand on my shoulder.

"You know I love you more than any woman in this realm." she said. "More than Catherine ever did!"

"I know that, Nan." I smiled at her in the mirror.

"It breaks my heart that you still acknowledge them." she said.

I turned my cold gaze on her and turned around. She knew just how to push my buttons.

"Acknowledge who Anne? Pray tell my that!" I shouted.

"You...and Henry Fitzroy who is just a bastard to that Blount woman!" she said.

"ANNE!" I warned.

"and Mary. You still think of her as your daughter. How do you know she even is yours?"

I looked at her with anger in my eyes and she was treading on subjects she need not cross.

"You need to calm down and leave these affairs to me! You worry about taking care of our boy!" I shouted.

Anne picked up a goblet of wine and chucked it across the room. I stormed over to her and pulled her to me, trying to get her to calm down in fear of our child.

"Nan..." I whispered calling her my pet name. "Please...you know I love you. I value our children above them. I've told you that."

"When the act of succession is passed..." she whimpered. "And our children are above all else...our boy..."

"It will be passed and that should be enough for you! Now, leave my presence and calm down. You are carrying our child!" I said as I stormed off.

I left her in my chambers, but I had to get away from her. There were sometimes Anne was the greatest thing that every happened to me and then times like these where she smothered the air I breathed. As soon as we got on our hunt my mind was completely wiped of the recent fight with my Queen. Lady Alania was such a gentle soul and the way she begged for me to end the suffering of a poor creature told me how gentle she truly was. A fine Scottish girl she was. Her fingers on my face had sent waves of joy through me. As we rode back to the castle I was tempted to invite her to my chambers that very night when I was met by Wolsey. I got off my horse as he had a look of dread on his face. Not before I looked back to see Brandon making eyes at Lady Alania. He had better watch himself!

"Your majesty, it appears the Emperor wants to go to war with you unless you put aside Queen Anne and take Queen Catherine back." he said.

"Oh what else is new!" I shouted as I got to my private chambers.

"I must stress that the alliance to France is more important than ever." Wolsey explained.

"Am I not going to meet King Francis? The Emperor will rule the day he turned his back on me!" I said sitting down. "Fetch the royal jeweler. I have a commission."

"Yes your majesty. For the Queen?" Wolsey asked.

I just glared up at him as he quickly bowed out. I wanted to make something for Lady Alania. Something that was green and would bring out the color in her eyes. I sat back in my chair and replayed our hunt together while waiting for the jeweler to come.