Sorry for the long wait guys. Thanks for all the reviews. This one is a bit longer than the last one.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Tudors.

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Mary sat alone in her rooms. She had pleaded illness and dismissed her ladies and governess. The curtains were drawn, cloaking the room in darkness. Although everyone tried to keep news from court and of the annulment reaching her ears, she knew well enough what was going on. As the King's visit drew nearer and nearer her thoughts dwelled more and more on it.

When she was still the pearl of his world and her mother still queen in his eyes, she had visited the court often. She knew her father well. He was handsome, intelligent, and charming. He was often full of good humour and no one could accuse him of being a miser like his father. Yet at the same time, he had been a spoiled prince and was now a spoiled king. When he wanted something he would go to great lengths to get it.

It was for this reason she wondered if her mother would succeed. He was dead set on having his whore as his wife. Mary had also heard that Kathryn Shelton had introduced him to heretic learnings. If he did not get what he wanted from the pope would he turn to the protestants?

She needed to prepare a plan just in case to protect her own position. If he was set on having a new marriage it would be best if it was with someone who supported Mary. How could she find someone that could do it and was faithful to her?

Mary pondered this for a while and when she closed her eyes she saw dark eyes flashing out at her, like dark hooks for the soul.

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Henry dismounted from his horse, not waiting to see if his entourage had caught up yet or not. It might be a while yet since some of them had brought their families. He waited for them to announce the King, then strode into the hall as if he owned it, which he did.

He was pleased to see that all were curtsying or bowing before him. Mary stood at the end of the hall, her curtsy shallower than the others because of her status as Princess. His breath was taken away at the sight of her. She was no longer a little girl but a beautiful girl. He could see himself in her but also Katherine too.

His eyes sweeping the hall he was pleased to see that Mary had surrounded herself with pretty young ladies as did her mother. His eyes caught on a dark haired girl standing next to a blonde in particular. She looked beautiful. Dark, mysterious and enigmatic she was just the kind of girl he would have chased before Kathryn. He tore his gaze away and moved to approach Mary. He gave the signal to rise and smiled down at Mary, trying to push all thoughts of the mysterious girl away unsuccessfully.

She was Thomas Boleyn's daughter was she not? The youngest Henry believed. He remembered her sister fondly, she had been his mistress before Kathryn had come along. Her brother, George was one of his men. He was a healthy, energetic boy, one of Henrys inner circle. He would have to ask the father if she would be coming to court soon and honor him or George in some way to earn her favour.

"So he didn't bring his whore after all." Anne stated under her breath so only Jane could hear her. Jane shot her a shocked look. Anne was bolder but that didn't stop Jane from protesting her sometimes. Jane believed that a lady should always be respectful and generous even to those who did nto deserve it.

"Anne you should not use such language." Jane cautioned. Anne shot her a mischievous glance then turned back to the festivities. Her family was here and she was eager to see them. She hadn't seen them in a year or so. It was her only regret about living in the country with the Princess. Catching sight of Mary's head tossing in that flirty way of hers she smiled at Jane and made her way through the crowd.

"Anne!" Mary laughed brightly and ran to embrace her sister. She waved to George, calling him over. Anne laughed as her brother twirled her around then set her down. He looked her over. She was wearing a beautiful deep red gown that was fringed in gold. She had always known how to dress to bring out her best.

"You've grown!" Anne exclaimed, looking at her brother closer. He had certainly grown into a handsome young man. "You must be cutting a swathe through the ladies at court." George nodded with a playful look in his dark eyes. He had dark curly hair not unlike Anne's. They had both inherited their fathers looks while Mary favored more their mother. Although Mary and George enjoyed court more and were ambitious like their father, Anne and Elizabeth Boleyn preferred quiet lives and were both adept at hiding their true feelings until it suited them to reveal them.

"You've grown as well." George said, meaning it. She was beautiful in a subtle exotic way while Mary was so playful and energetic. While Anne was interested in her studies and very intelligent, Mary could rather mingle with those of the court.

Catching sight of a pretty girl, George bade farewell to his sisters and ran to catch up with her. A handsome man stepped up to ask Mary to dance and Anne was alone. Looking around for the person she wanted, perhaps, most to see she was surprised at a deep voice behind her. "May I have this dance?" Anne turned to see it was none other than the King himself. Caught between her anger and excitement she nodded.

As the dance started Henry whispered to her, "You've served Princess Mary for a long time have you not?" Anne looked up at him. He was getting rid of his wife, bastardizing his daughter, yet he kept up with her attendants and asked about her. The King was truly a mystery. It was hard to tell what he would do next.

"Since I was eight years old your Majesty." Anne answered, glancing at him from the sides of her dark eyes as he twirled her. Once again Henry found himself astounded at her beauty.

"She's certainly grown." Henry said, his eyes softening at the mention of his daughter. Anne puzzled over this for a second. For three years he had neglected Mary in favor of his mistress and her promise of a son and now he was taking pride in her?

"She has grown into a beautiful intelligent young woman. She does your Majesty proud." Anne replied truthfully. The Princess was graceful and dignified, two traits she must have inherited from her mother. Henry smiled then, his blue eyes lighting up. Anne smiled back, a dimpled smile that spoke of soft joys and promises.

Leaning close to Anne, "She is lucky to have such a beautiful, intelligent lady such as you." he whispered in her ear. He grinned when Anne blushed a deep red. He brushed his lips across her hand as the dance ended and stepped away. Another man asked her to dance as he watched and she accepted. She threw him one more playful glance and then turned her attention to her partner. Henry watched slightly jealous.

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Mary waited nervously for her father. He had requested to speak to her alone after dinner and the celebrations. She had been carefully watching him the whole night. After that first dance with Lady Anne he had not taken his eyes off of her the whole time. His eyes sparked with longing and envy whenever she danced with someone else.

A plan was already beginning to form in Mary's mind. She just had to work out the kinks. As she sank deeper into thought the King came in and sat across from her. He took a sip from his wine and they were both silent for a moment.

"I will speak plainly Mary. I have discovered that my marriage to your mother is invalid as she was first married to my brother. Katherine has refused to enter into a nunnery so I have asked the pope for an annulment which I know is the right thing to do. There cannot be another civil war Mary. I must have a son as my heir, a son for England!"

Mary sat silent during this. Her fathers son Henry Fitzroy had died a few years back. So he going to illegitimize her, throw her to poverty and take away her mothers rightful title all for some whore and a son that wasn't even born yet?

She tilted her head towards him but still keeping it bowed slightly. She got that from her mother, Henry noted, that ability to challenge while at the same time appearing to be obedient. Her eyes betrayed no emotion. "You would make me a bastard then, Your Majesty?" Mary asked hardly daring to breathe..

It had made her father angry, she could see that immediately. He jumped to his feet and started yelling, "I must have a new wife and a son! A woman cannot rule! You are as stubborn as your mother and a disobedient daughter! You and your household will move to Beaulieu!" He stormed out while Mary, pale-faced, raced through her thoughts.

If he wanted a new marriage then she would do her best to manipulate it to her advantage. She would talk it over with Lady Anne soon.

As Henry stormed out of the Princesses rooms all the servants saw he was angry and scrambled to drop into respectful bows. As he passed her ladies he could not help but see disapproving dark eyes on him.

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Mary was not the only one who had noted the King's interest in Anne Boleyn. "She enchants him that is for sure. But I do not think he will abandon Kathryn Shelton easily." Thomas Boleyn said thinking heavily. The Sheltons were cousins to them, the Duke of Norfolk at the head of them. Yet the Boleyn's felt no loyalty to them since they had not seen fit to help them at all when their girl occupied to King's attention.

"She's grown into an enchanting young woman. The King has always liked a sexy educated woman. Although how Anne learned to catch a man's attention, least of all a King's, here of all places is a mystery to me." Mary reported.

"It is curious is it not? It's no secret that Kathryn Shelton hates the Princess and the King has followed her in this yet he comes here for her birthday and dances with one of her ladies and most loyal supporters. Perhaps he wants to be kind to his daughter and he is searching for a beautiful lady that allows him to do that." George suggested. Anne was almost more faithful to Princess Mary than she was to her own family.

"That may be. If Anne does become his next fancy, she will do all in her power to help the Princess." Elizabeth reminded them. Her husband and children were ambitious that was for sure. Only Anne has no wish to rise farther than the Princesses service. Elizabeth could tell that she was happy there and had made many valuable friends. She loved all her children dearly but she wished that they were closer to her sometimes.

"Then we must encourage his attention. The Shelton's have shown no sign of helping us with their newly found fortunes so we must make our own way." Thomas Boleyn stated, looking at his wife and children.

"She'll not be catching anyone's attention here. The King will forget her fast if he does not see her again soon." Mary observed. Thomas furrowed his eyebrows. Another problem. Whatever else, Kathryn Shelton had the King's ear and for now had the power to get rid of them if they thought Anne was a rival and Anne did not garner enough of the King's attention for herself. They had left Anne in the Princesses service because even though she was out of favor and unstable, it would be even more dangerous to enter her into Katherines at this time and there was no other place for her.

Mary was still in the Queen's service and they took little notice of her so perhaps Anne would be safe there. "So we bring her to court." Thomas decided finally. Elizabeth allowed herself a small smile. She knew Anne well and that she would choose her own path.

TBC

Well I am a little bit more satisfied with this one. R+R please. Thanks for reading. I've got a new poll up on my profile whether I should start another story where Elizabeth Boleyn is widowed when her children are young and she marries Sir Thomas More. Also what do you guys think I should do with this story? Should Kathryn Shelton be the second wife and Anne the third or Anne the second wife? Tell me in a review or pm.