AN: Well I am a bit discouraged at the number of reviews but I will carry on writing. We are getting close to the good stuff and I hope you can forgive the short chapters that you have in the mean time. Thanks you to all who do review. For those that have either added me as a favorite and/or an alert please consider reviewing. I have posted so costume links on my profile to give people an idea of how I see the characters. Disclaimer in chapter one.

Hampton Court Palace

It was now early May and Anne had been back at court for nearly two months. The Queen had welcomed her back with open arms and Anne delighted in the time they spent together, time that was helping to heal the tear in Anne's heart left by the death of Lady Margaret. The Queen praised Anne on the transformations that had taken place at Hever Castle and for Anne's work sewing for the poor. When Anne informed Katherine of a widow in the village around Hever that she had hired to run a store that would sell clothing and basic supplies and a nominal fee Katherine was amazed at how much Anne cared for her people.

Anne was on her way from Mass to join the Queen in her chambers when Jane Seymour appeared in the hall. Anne and her ladies watched as all the courtiers bowed to Jane as she passed. Anne remained upright as Jane passed by her.

"Who are you? Why are you not showing me the respect I am due?"

"I am Lady Anne Boleyn, Countess of Wiltshire. And protocol as I know it does not command me to curtsey to a knight's daughter."

"How dare you the king will here of this disrespect."

Anne was seething as Jane flounced off and decided that she would ask the Queens forgiveness and take a walk in the gardens to clear her head.

Anne was unable to take her walk for as like most spring days, rain fell for most of the afternoon forcing her and her ladies inside. They were gathered around the fireplace in Anne's sitting room attending to their sewing when a page announced that the King was there to visit.

"Lady Anne, why do you refuse to show Mistress Seymour proper respect and courteous due to her station?"

"Your Majesty with all due respect, I understand how important Mistress Seymour is to you and when she is your wife I will of course show she all reverence due to that station. Please understand that in the court I grew-up in there was no protocol for how to behave with the betrothed of a married man. Furthermore, if Your Majesty would allow my free speech, as of right now Mistress Seymour is the daughter of a knight and as a Countess protocol, as I learned it, dictates that she would curtsey to me."

"You forget your place Lady Anne."

"And I beseech Your Majesty's forgiveness but I followed what I thought were the proper rules of this court."

"Lady Anne, regardless of what you were taught in Lady Margaret's court you will should Jane respect starting for this day forward or be banished from court."

"Of course is that is Your Majesty's command."

Queen Katherine and Charles Brandon looked on with great amusement as Lady Anne Boleyn ranted about her recent meeting with the King's mistress Jane Seymour.

"That woman, who does she think she is prancing around like some pure virgin maid waiting for me to show reverence to her? A Countess educated in one of the best courts of Europe, curtsying to a knight's daughter who can't even write her own name and who acts like a petulant child. And then to have the King to come to my chambers and inform me of the backwards protocol of this court."

"Now Anne mind your thoughts because regardless of how we may feel about her, Mistress Seymour holds my husband's heart."

"But how can you stand it? How can you be so strong and calm when that harlot is taking everything from you?"

"I do what I must for the good of my country and my daughter. I have fought this war for years but now there is little more I can do."

"What do you mean?"

"The King, Lady Anne, has demanded that Her Majesty be gone from court by midsummer. He also wishes for her to return the Royal Jewels."

"Yes, my beloved husband wishes to give the jewels worn by every Queen of England to the woman who is the scorn of Christendom. Now if you would both excuse me I wish to attend to my prayers."

Anne and Charles rose swiftly and left Katherine's chambers, Charles headed to the stables and Anne to her own chambers.

The next month passed in relative calm as the King continued to parade Jane around court. Anne spent more time with Katherine, Margaret, and Charles. The foursome played cards several times each week and the Brandon's quickly came to understand why Katherine cared for Anne. It was clear to them that despite how petite and slim Anne looked, she had a fire within her.

Charles had overheard several members of court remark about Anne and her looks. Most of the courtiers found Anne's looks to be quite common and very few described her as pretty. Charles could understand such comments, the English court favored woman like Jane Seymour with pale skin a blond hair. Yes Anne had the pale skin, but her dark hair and eyes were uncommon in England so most did not know what to think of her. What attracted Charles to Anne was her loyalty to Katherine, her passion for learning, her wit, and her spirit.

Charles thought back to the mask that Margaret had organized two nights previous. Anne was cast as Lady Perseverance and had enchanted the entire court. Charles did find it odd that he had no desire to bed the Lady, but instead to protect her much like a beloved sister. When Charles confided these feels to Katherine and Margaret they were not surprised.

"She is a beautiful girl, husband, but she is also fragile. It would be good for her to had a protector of sorts considering that the harlot dislikes her."

"Indeed Your Grace, once I am exiled from court Anne will need both you and Margaret. Care for her gently. Write to her when she or you are away from court, but do not let your concern be misinterpreted as something other that a sibling love for one another."

Charles took their words to heart, for he did wonder what would come of the court once Katherine was forced to leave.

July was now upon England and life at court was horrible for those who supported Katherine. The great Queen would be leaving court first thing the next morning and Anne was beside herself with grief. The one small consolidation Anne had was that the King had given her permission to continue writing to Katherine once she was moved to the moor. Anne had also received permission to leave court for a few weeks to attend to the needs of Hever. She only had one last thing to do before she left, say goodbye to Katherine.

"Your Majesty, I wished to say farewell to you before I left for the countryside."

"I will miss you a great deal sweat Anne. I look forward to your letters, I know that they will bring me comfort in the coming months."

"I will pray everyday for your health and quick return to court Your Majesty. You will be missed by all."

"Thanks you dear one. Now off you go I am sure that Kitty is missing you."

So with the finally blessing of her queen Anne left for Hever, praying that god would take good care of those at court in these most troubled times.

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