The Other Boleyn Girl– Proposals to Wedding Bells
List of Characters:
Lord Boleyn: Hakoda Boleyn
Lady Boleyn: Kya Boleyn
Ann Boleyn: Mai Boleyn
Mary Boleyn: Katara Boleyn
George Boleyn: Sokka Boleyn
Uncle Howard: Bato Howard
King Henry Tudor: Fire Lord Zuko Tudor
Queen Katherine Tudor: Fire Lady Song Tudor
William Carey: Aang Carey
William Stratford: Haru Stratford
Jane Parker: Ty Lee Parker
AN: The characters in this story are all OC, just to let you know, but also let me know what you think…do you like it, should I keep it going? Also Zuko does not have his scar…I know he may seem naked without it, but his character does not have a scar…sorry. This story will work only this way, if I get reviews I will continue, if I receive none, than I do not know if I am pleasing the reader or not. So the more you review the more I write. I know I am not the first person to say this, but that also goes with my other two stories "To Never Forget" and "The Notebook". So without further delay, since I received many hits and three reviews the first day, I give you "The Other Boleyn Girl".
Clouds parted, beams of light trickled down onto the summer wheat as three small children ran about enjoying the simplest of things. Trees surrounded the area, kept it closed off from the rest of the world. Two sets of eyes watch over the small children chasing one another through the wheat, their small bodies barely able to stand taller than the grass.
"I received a proposal from the Carey family," a tall robust man states as he and his wife are joined by the hands, "for Mai," he continued.
"Oh that's wonderful darling," his wife seemed pleased.
"But I gave them Katara instead," he finished as he and his wife began to head towards the three children, "I think Mai can do much better than a merchant's son," he continued as the stood still watching as the three children bumped around together. Two were of the darker skin completion, whilst the other was a bit paler that her siblings. It had been an odd occurrence for her to be so light skinned, but she was loved none the less.
"What, and Katara can't?" his wife protested gently, "I think you underestimate her," she smiled gently.
"Of course I haven't. I think Katara is the gentler out of the two, but in order to get ahead in this world you need more than fair looks and a gentle heart," whispering slightly as they approached. They watched as the three children fell down together, disappearing in the tall wheat. Their parents couldn't help but chuckle at this.
"Well done Mai, well done children," their father praised them heartily as they jumped up from the ground, their heads popping out of the wheat and they began to run as fast as they could for their father.
Kya, their mother watched the beautiful display before her, her three darling children and her beloved husband together in these small, blissful moments made her heart always flutter. Treasuring these moments was something that she had always done, for she knew that one day her children would be grown, married and start a family of their own and wouldn't need their parents anymore.
That thought sent a chill down her spine, she didn't like the idea of being separated from them, let alone not needed.
"Come children, prayer will be starting shortly at the temple," she clapped her hands together, breaking them from their bond with their father.
"Yes come," Hakoda stood strong and tall, each hand grasped by another, and Katara held her mother's. Sokka and Mai had always seemed to be her father's favorite, mainly because Sokka was a boy and Mai; well Mai was complex and different.
13 years later –
Temple bells rang loudly throughout the small village; the fire lilies blossomed splendidly to where even the sun was envious. The skies were clear and the temperature just right for a harmonious and blessed marriage. Today was the day, after so long a wait, the young couple were finally to be wed. Katara Boleyn was promised to Aang Carey, a young man her senior by two years over ten years ago, and now they would finally put aside a promise and make it actuality.
Katara was up in her bed chamber getting prepared for the big day, whilst her sister Mai and brother Sokka waited down below for her to arrive.
"Well don't you look beautiful," Sokka whispered in Mai's ear as he circled her, giving her an overall look. Sokka had grown much from that small scrawny boy, to a handsome, well built, clean young man of 20. Mai on the other hand turned more and more radiant each day, she had the body of a woman, curves in all the right places, dark long locks that trickled down her back, and a brilliant smile and soul piercing eyes. She was truly a fierce and beautiful young woman of 18.
"Not too beautiful I hope," she cupped her hand in Sokka's arm as they headed up the stairs for Katara's chambers, "today is our sister's day! One wouldn't want to outshine her," they laughed as the drew nearer.
Once outside the door they knocked gently while calling to her, "Katara? Katara may we come in?"
A muffled noise came from the other side of the door, "Yes," it was Katara. Mai turned to her brother and smiled, then opened the door and they entered seeing Katara dressed up brilliantly. Her gown was a light shade of blue, with white silken sleeves that hung loosely round her arms. The dress crumpled to the floor round her feet as her shoulders were bare. A necklace choker she wore with the letter B dangling gently from it.
"Oh doesn't she look stunning," Mai said as they approached Katara. Her hair was still down, in its natural curled form and her skin seemed to have a glow, as the dress complimented her greatly, "younger than me, prettier than me, married before me. I am truly accursed. I'm just the other Boleyn girl," Mai stated pouty like as she handed Katara her bouquet of flowers.
"Don't say that, you will marry soon enough," Katara said as she hugged Mai tightly.
"So is this it Mrs. Carey, are we to never see you again after today," Sokka questioned as the two separated from one another. Katara smiled as she ran her hand down Sokka's clothed arm.
"No, I'm just getting married is all. Other than that nothing else shall change," she kissed his forehead and hugged Mai once more.
"Come dear brother, we best leave her so she can make herself pretty," and with that Katara watched as her siblings walked out.
Fire Nation Capital –
The sickened queen lay in her bed, sheets crunched up under her curled fingertips as the beads of sweat trickled down her brow.
"Was it a boy?" she questioned weakly as the doctor examined the stillborn child. He merely nodded to the nurse and the queen at the same time.
"I am sorry your majesty," he replied softly.
"It looks like there will be no brother for you to rule in your father's stead once we are gone," the queen whispered to her daughter the Lady Zahra, "tell his majesty," the queen turned her attention back towards the doctor and stated it with pride and dignity. She would not allow this to bring her down any more than it had before.
"Yes your majesty," the doctor bowed before the bedridden queen then made his way to the Fire Lord's councilmen chambers where he awaited the news of his wife's delivery.
"Your majesty," the doctor stuttered lightly, the Fire Lord did not turn to him, "your, your majesty!" he shouted a little louder to catch the young ruler's attention. Fire Lord Zuko turned to him, his shaggy hair covering his brow, but his eyes were seen perfectly. Pools of liquid gold pierced into the doctor's dull ones and instantly he knew. His wife had given birth to another stillborn.
"I'm so sorry your majesty," the doctor whispered as he watched the young man's face turn to cold bitterness and forced his attention back to his paperwork and council members.
Village Olata -
The wedding went off splendidly without any interference nor trouble, Katara had been stripped of her maiden title and was now Katara Carey, wife of Aang Carey. She was happy in this moment, to be married to a close childhood friend of hers and not to some pig faced man who could care less of who or what she was.
People danced to the music in wedding accord, while Aang and Katara were walking hand in hand, watching the others celebrate.
"Are you happy?" he asked in his deep voice.
Katara nodded her head gently as she kept it down, "Yes, very happy thank you," she replied.
"You wouldn't be happier with noblemen, or a duke?" he questioned, a hint of sarcasm hid in his voice.
"I want a husband thinks of me first thing in the morning and last thing at night," she commented as they watched Mai and Sokka dance with the others.
Aang bent over slightly grazing the top of her head with his lips, "then you have come to the right man," he said gently, "come let us join the others," and with that they were off dancing the night away.
While during the celebration, the Boleyn children's Uncle arrived shortly after the marriage had taken place. He had a long journey from the palace in the Fire Nation capital to the smaller village outside and at the base of the volcano. But once he did, he greeted the newlyweds then his niece and nephew and then went to his sister and brother-in-law.
"Brother," Kya said gently as he kissed her hand.
"Sister," he smiled slightly, but not much, "Hakoda," he bowed to him then watched as Katara and Aang danced with one another, "you both must be so happy," he whispered, signaling with his eyes for Hakoda to follow.
"What is it Bato? Can we not join the others, or must we walk away and chatter in secret?" Hakoda joked about with his wife's brother.
"There is a strain on the Fire Lord's marriage," Bato began as he laced his fingers together behind his back, "the failure to provide a male heir has weakened the Fire Lord's power," he continued.
At first Hakoda didn't understand where his brother-in-law was going with this, "Soon word will be out that the Queen can no longer bare children, all those that have been brought into this world from her vile womb have been male stillborns and when the Fire Lord is finished with her he will be seeking comfort elsewhere," Bato looked at Hakoda now, "I just am having trouble finding the right Howard girl to be placed there, one that will catch his eye," he finished.
Hakoda knew where this was going, and thought that perhaps this was an opportunity, so he took it, "What about Mai? I realize as a Boleyn she isn't a Howard, but your sister's daughter, surly she is better than none," Hakoda stopped in his tracks, causing his brother-in-law to do the same.
"But Hakoda she is your firstborn daughter and your favorite. Wouldn't you want what's best for her to live a non complicated life, like Katara?" Bato inquired.
"Yes if Mai were a non complicated girl like Katara then yes, but she's not," Hakoda finished.
Later that evening –
Mai and Katara sat in Katara's old chambers were she was being prepared for her first evening with her new husband. It was still as the two sisters sat at the edge of the bed, hands placed in each other's as words were trying to be found.
"Are you frightened?" Mai questioned Katara as she fiddled with her robes.
"A little," Katara seemed to muster out as she looked up at her sister.
"I should be able to tell you how it will be tonight, advice that I should give you, alas I cannot. I fear I have failed you as a sister," Mai broke the silence suddenly as she tucked stray hairs behind Katara's ear.
Katara smiled her brilliant smile as she always did, "No one could have asked for a better sister," she leaned in taking Mai in her arms and embracing her tightly.
Shortly after their conversation, Mai escorted Katara down the long darkened halls where they paused slightly at the door which lead into Aang's chamber or well 'Their' chamber. Katara shuddered. Of course she and Aang had been friends since they were children, but never did she think of sharing such intimacies with him. She was frightened.
"Everything will be alright," Mai assured her, "tell me everything in the morning," the door slightly opened, "no details spared," she whispered as Katara smiled and nodded at her last demand. Soon after speaking to her sister, she watched as she disappeared behind the door, leaving her out in the hall for a few spare moments before searching for her father and uncle that had requested her earlier.
Katara however stood at the entrance of her husband's chamber as she watched him walk slowly towards her, his chest bare and his pants loosened. Extending a hand out towards her, Katara hesitated for a moment before reaching for it, but after she had, he led her to the bed where he preceded to strip her of her robes.
"Lay down," he commanded gently. Her heart was running faster than it had ever done before, was this how all felt when they were about to embark on an intimate journey with their betrothed? She did as he told her too, laying down on her back ready to receive him, and receive him she did.
Mai walked down the hall and through the grand hall of their home where she found her uncle and father waiting for her patiently, "Father," she bowed, "Uncle," once more she bowed, "you wished to see me?" she questioned.
Slowly Hakoda approached his eldest daughter, "Yes," he held her hands in his, "an opportunity has arisen, an opportunity if you succeed could give you incalculable wealth and position," he continued.
"There's a strain on the Fire Lord's marriage, and in such times as this a man tends to find comfort elsewhere," Bato stated, staring dangerously at Mai with his cold eyes.
"Due to your uncle's close friendship with the Fire Lord we are alone in knowing this, but it won't be long before every other noblemen will be parading their daughters under his nose," Bato cut him off.
"Before we watch others benefit we would soon rather—" It was Mai's turn to cut her uncle off.
"What? Have him bed me instead?" she demanded. Her father began to stammer and dismiss that idea but her uncle could care less.
"Yes," he nodded silencing Hakoda, "exactly."
"The favor he'd bestow upon us, upon you if he liked you," Hakoda began.
"To be mistress of the Fire Lord is in no means to diminish yourself," Bato finished.
"And what? After he's done with me my reputation and prospects would be ruined!" she snapped.
"On the contrary," her uncle chimed in calmly, "when the time came to finding you a husband it would be a duke or high ranking general at least," he folded his hand across his lap, watching as his niece stood silent.
"So," he rose, still his eyes were upon her, "do you accept the challenge?"
Mai looked up at him through her narrow slits, a devilish smirk creeping across her lips.