Author's Notes - Thank you everyone for your continued support! Your reviews and encouragement make this story possible. I'm glad I've managed to capture Katherine's character so well and I hope I continue to do so. This is a seriously long chapter, mostly because I just couldn't decide when to stop writing! Next chapter should be up soon. In the mean time, as always, please read and review! Oh, and the Mistress Blount mentioned is NOT the same Elizabeth Blount who gave birth to Henry FitzRoy. Completely different lady.
Disclaimer - Don't own, don't sue.
The memorial service for the dead was a sobering one. Henry sat beside Katherine in stoic silence, eyes distant as the ethereal sounds of the requiem filled the chapel. News had arrived from Hever weeks ago that Anne had contracted and survived the sweat. He'd been relieved to hear that she'd survived but now the question remained: what could he do to win his way back to Katherine's heart? Observing her from the corner of his eye, she was every bit the queen she'd been raised to be. Her gaze was solemn, focused on the choir, dressed in the somber mourning clothes the entire court had donned. He'd been absurdly grateful she'd survived, especially with the death of people like Wolsey. His best advisor had contracted the sweat and had been one of its many casualties. Maybe More would know what he should do. Thomas was his most trusted friend and advisor, after all. With that settled, he bowed his head with the rest to pray for the souls of the deceased.
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"I wish to put an end to this divorce business."
Thomas More prided himself on always being composed but now he had to fight the urge to gape at his former pupil. They were alone in Henry's privy chamber, the king having taken great pains to make sure no servants were around to overhear them. "Majesty?" he finally asked, trying to recover from the sudden shock. Did Henry truly mean to forgo this divorce and return to Queen Katherine?
Scrubbing a hand across his face, Henry eyed the older man. He'd known his decision was going to shock a great deal of people, but if that was what it took to win his queen back, he would do it and to hell with everyone. "I made a mistake, Thomas. I wish to put an end to this divorce."
"Are you certain, Harry? I feel that if you should change your mind again, the people may not be willing to forgive you," More cautioned gently. Thomas knew he was playing with fire, but he had to be honest with the king. The common people had not been pleased when Henry began seeking the divorce in order to marry Mistress Boleyn. Katherine was a good and fair queen and no one, including Thomas himself, wanted to see her set aside.
"I'm certain, Thomas. I have made a mistake in pursuing this matter for so long. Katherine and I have a lawful and true marriage, and I no longer wish to set her aside," Henry reaffirmed solidly. A sudden movement behind a curtained hallway caused the curtain to move ever so slightly. He'd asked one of his wife's ladies to hide behind a curtain and listen to his words and now he smiled to himself, knowing the young lady was off to report back to her mistress what she'd just heard.
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'You've come back from the dead! Do you know what this means? You can go back to the king!'
Her father's words had haunted her since the day of what her father viewed as her miraculous recovery. It had taken weeks for her to regain her strength and now that she'd recovered fully, they were all anxiously awaiting an invitation to return to court. A servant had rushed in not half an hour ago to inform them that people dressed in the king's livery had been spotted on the road to Hever. Servants were running to-and-fro, making sure everything was in readiness for the king's arrival. Anne's spirits lifted when she saw the riders enter the courtyard and without hesitation, she hurried down the stairs to greet the king.
"His Grace, the Duke of Suffolk!"
What was going on? Anne wondered to herself, meeting her brother's gaze as they waited in the common room. Where was Henry? Maybe he had been delayed and sent Suffolk on ahead to inform them the king would be coming shortly. Silently, she prayed that was the truth.
"Your Grace," Thomas Boleyn greeted, giving the slightest of bows which was returned by Brandon.
"My Lord Rochford," Charles replied, returning the insult of a bow. "I come with a message from the king."
Something about this did not feel right. Anne felt her knees tremble as she met Suffolk's gaze. It was a well-known fact the two of them didn't get along, but now his gaze was filled with pity. No, oh please God, no…
"His Majesty is grateful that you have made a full recovery. However, his Majesty states that you and your family are to remain here in Hever, until he summons you again." The words were delivered in the kindest tone one could manage, but Charles could tell that they'd hit their mark regardless. Anne became suddenly pale as she sat heavily in a cushioned seat. Thomas looked completely outraged, and George looked rather confused.
"We are banished from court?" Thomas finally managed, forcing the words out. What on earth could possibly have happened? Things were going so well for them and now they were to be banished from court.
"Yes, my Lord, I'm afraid you are," Charles replied, glancing uneasily at the now pale and shaking Lady Anne. The Boleyn men looked stunned, almost unable to comprehend the fact that they were now banished. With a final bow, he turned on his heel and walked away.
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"He said that your Majesty's marriage was a true and lawful union and that he no longer wishes to set your Majesty aside." The young lady reported, keeping her eyes downcast respectfully as she reported all she'd heard to the queen.
"Thank you, Mistress Blount. That will be all," Katherine replied calmly, but inside her thoughts were racing. Was Henry truly calling of this farce? It really seemed too good to be true. What of Lady Anne? Just thinking of the young woman who'd served in her household and then went on to try and usurp her rightful place as both Henry's wife and queen made her blood boil. She was all too aware of how ambitious the Boleyn family was and just how close she'd come to losing Henry to that scheming little wench. With a quiet sigh, she set aside the delicate shift she'd been embroidering for her daughter Mary and rose. Taking the few steps to her writing desk, she settled in the comfortable chair provided for her. Could she forgive him? Katherine honestly wasn't sure. She loved her husband, truly she did, but part of her didn't want to forgive him. She could close her eyes to his many affairs, knowing that he was both a man and the king. She couldn't expect him to remain faithful all the time, especially the times she'd been pregnant and unable to fulfill her duties in the marriage bed. The thought of being set aside like she was nothing for the daughter of a knight rankled. She was the daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand, and as such, she would fight for her right as queen until the breath left her body. There could be no doubt that Henry truly meant his words about their union before she would even consider forgiving him, she decided. Grabbing a quill, she gently trimmed the nib before dipping it in ink and beginning to write. Moments later, she studied the contents briefly before nodding in satisfaction. "Please take this to the king," she commanded, folding the parchment and sealing it before handing it over to one of her ladies. "Make sure to get a response before returning."
The young lady curtsied, murmuring a soft, "Yes, Milady," before rising and shuffling out of her chambers.
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Henry looked up alertly as one of Katherine's ladies was announced. The young woman curtsied, and waited. "You bring something from your mistress?" he asked, nodding his permission for her to rise up.
"Yes, your Majesty. Her majesty requests a response as well, sire," she told him politely, handing over the parchment before curtsying again and stepping back.
Breaking the seal, he skimmed the letter briefly. A smile lit his features and he had to restrain himself from whooping with joy. "You may tell her majesty that I will indeed dine with her tonight," he finally answered, unable to contain the joy lacing his words. Clearly this meant she was on the verge of forgiveness, he couldn't help but think happily as the young woman left his presence. Or was she? The letter was politely worded, only asking him to join her for supper in her chambers if it so pleased him.
Why couldn't she see he did indeed still love her? What would it take for her to accept his love once more and forgive him? He'd freely admitted their union was a true and lawfully one, though the thought of begging the pope for forgiveness went against his pride. This very day, he'd decided to banish the whole Boleyn family from court, vowing to never see Anne again. With her gone, could Katherine forgive him? He certainly hoped so.