Title: The Consort
Author: PrinceBrennonTudor
Summary: What if kings had a harem full of consorts to bear them heirs to continue their royal line. What scandals and plots happen within the harem? How will the consorts handle the pressure, rewards, and the betrayals?
Disclaimer: The story idea is mine, but I do not own the Tudors, but some of the characters are my own.
Chapter 6
Royal Harem
October 1522
Three months have passed since they all entered the harem, and life finally fell into a routine. The consorts would break their fast every morning, before attending the queen in the consort chamber for daily instruction. Sometimes they were just sewing for the poor or churches, sometimes the queen sent the consorts to different churches to give out alms. Anne herself, hadn't been sent out yet, but she was dying too. It seemed that they never actually leave the harem except for feasts and to lie with the king; which Anne has still yet to do. Anne and Jane were both the only consort not yet s to service the king in bed, and except for the Ursula, the other consorts were making sure they knew. Though it did seem that the king was courting her. He would send her a small token here and there. He would take her for walks in the gardens, and she has dined with him privately
After breaking her fast, Anne had her maids dress her in a beautiful sapphire blue satin gown with gold threading, before she walks down the corridor into the consort chamber. When Anne entered, the first thing she notes, was that Queen Katherine wasn't there. Instead Lady Blount was sitting in a chair that had been moved right in front of the dais. All the consorts who came in before Anne were curtsying to Bessie before standing before their usual seats. Anne walks up the aisle and bob a curtsy to Bessie, who greets Anne with her usual sinister smirk. Anne walks and stands in front of her seat between Jane and Ursula. " Where is Queen Katherine," Anne whispers to Jane. Jane just shrugs, Anne turns to Ursula, who shakes her head in turn.
" You may be seated," Lady Blount calls out to the other consorts. All the consorts seat in one motion. " Madam Edith, tell me about today's attendance," she commands of the harem madam.
Madam Edith makes her way up the aisle and reports to Bessie. " Just about all the consorts are accounted for except for The Honorable Lady Mary Boleyn, who has started her confinement, and Lady Eleanor Luke."
Lady Blount looks pissed. " Where is Lady Luke," she exclaimed!? She turnss to look over at the girls Eleanor was closest too " Do you know where she is," she points at them
accusingly.
" Y-your G-grace," one of the girls frighteningly spoke up. "Eleanor, called for a physician early in this morning. It seems that she's not feeling well." The young girl kept her head bowed as if fearing that meeting Bessie's eyes would make her eyes fall out.
The room grew quiet, as the consorts waited for Lady Blount to react before they said anything. Bessie gave a thin smile, her hands grasped her the arms of her chairs tightly. " Very well," she says, her voice very tight. " We will start without her." She signals to one of her maids, who hands her a scroll. " Listen up, the queen isn't feeling well, so I am running the meeting today" Bessie unrolls the scroll, and looks over it. " These are orders from the queen, and they are to be obeyed as if she were here." She looks over the group before continuing. " First order of business, the following consorts are to go to the Lambeth, and hand out alms. " She takes a breath before listing them off. " Lady Jane Seymour, Lady Anne Boleyn, Lady Ursula Misseldon, and Lady Katherine Brooke."
Jane, Anne, and Ursula all smiled at each other with joy. Anne looks over at Katherine, who look less than pleased to have gone with them. Bessie was about to continue with her announcements, when Eleanor comes bursting in, looking quite pleased with herself. She scurries up the aisle and bows deeply before Bessie Blount. " Lately," Bessie growls at her.
" Begging your pardon, your grace," Eleanor says breathlessly. " I wasn't feeling well, and had to summon the doctor,"
Bessie gave her a once over before continuing to glare at her. " Well, you 're looking well now," she observed. " What did the physician say?"
Eleanor beams with pride when she makes her announcement. " I am with child."
The chamber grows quiet again waiting for Lady Blount's reaction. Eleanor starts looking around when no one congratulates her, Anne could sense the fear coming off her, as she waits for Bessie to say something.
After what seem like an eternity, Bessie finally speaks. " How far along," she questions, the now anxious Eleanor?
" T-two months, your grace," Eleanor cast her eyes down. Anne was sure if it wasn't for her gown, she would be able to see Eleanor's knees shaking.
Bessie stands from her chair and floats down the aisle and standing before Eleanor. She opens up her arms, and pulls her into a hug. Anne was sure she saw Eleanor, flinch. " Come ladies, we must congratulate our sister on bearing another child for our lord king," Bessie announces to the other consorts.
All the ladies stood and one by one, they smile and hug Eleanor, When it was Anne's turn, she hugs Eleanor " Congratulations Eleanor," she whispers in her ear.
Eleanor smile and hugs her back. " I guess the Boleyns' better watch their backs," she whispers so that only Anne could hear.
Anne jerks away and gives her a confused look. Eleanor just smiles at her before returning to receiving the other ladies. Anne moves around to join Ursula and Jane over in the corner.
" Anne, what is it," Jane asks with concern, reaching out to take Anne's hands.
" I think Lady Luke just threatened my family," Anne said in disbelief.
" What did she say," Ursula demanded, looking ready to punch Eleanor if she wasn't pregnant. .
" Don't worry about it," Anne whispers as they head back to their seats, and waited for Bessie to continue reading off the queen's duties. After Bessie read off the whole list, she released all the consorts to their assigned duties. Anne, Jane, Ursula, and a less than thrilled Katherine, all headed out to the carriage in the courtyard, that was waiting for them. The ride to Lambeth was short, Anne and the girls that a lively conversation, and Anne tried to engage Katherine into the conversation, but she chooses to sit in silence.
They arrived to Lambeth church just in time for mass, and were shown to the seats of honor by one of the priests. After mass the archbishop leads them to a pair doors, where the crowd of the poor was lined up waiting to receive alms. " Good people of Lambeth. One this great day, our noble consorts will distribute alms to you unfortunate, but loyal subjects of their majesties." The crowds bowed as the consorts moved forward. Ursula took the lead, and started to pass out the alms, and the rest followed her example. Filth covered hands grab onto them, blessing them and pleading for them to beseech the king on their behalf.. Anne look behind her and could see the distress on Lady Katherine's face as the crowds reach out, some taking hold of her gown to bless her. She jumps when she touched their dirty hands, giving off a small squeal. Anne and the other consorts laughed, and continued giving out the alms. As Anne was handing one woman, her coin, the lady took her hand, and kissed it. " Bless you my lady," She cried as she pressed Anne's hand to her forehead. Anne smiled at her, and wiped away the woman's tears with her own hands," Be strong, there is nothing to fear. God loves you." She tells the woman before she slipped her an extra coin. As she moves on she hears the woman call out. "Bless you my lady!" This brought a smile to Anne's face, because she loves to help the less also plans to use her position as a consort, to do what she could, for as long as she held the position.
After the alms giving the ladies climb back into the carriage, and took the short ride back to the palace. Anne, Jane, and Ursula were all in good spirits and happy chatting away about the day's events. Lady Katherine continued to keep to herself, but Anne would notice, that she could keep checking her hands every minute or so, as if she fear that she caught something from the peasants. Anne just chose to ignore her instead to bring attention to it, she didn't have time for people like her who were now in a pampered position, but look down on the poor. She turn her attention back to her conversation with Jane and Ursula. The carriage pulls into the palace courtyard, where they found an anxious looking pageboy, wearing the livery of the Harem. As Anne and the rest of the consort climb out the carriage, her approached and bows. " Thank goodness your back my ladies," He exclaims!
" What happened," Anne question him.
"The Lady Mary Boleyn has gone into labor my lady," he informs them. " All of you are required to attend, as it tradition
Anne rushes past the page and sprites down the long corridors to she makes it to the door of the Harem. The guards seeing her coming through the doors open and she rushes past them with Jane and Ursula following not too far behind her. Mary's screams could be heard throughout the Harem. The three make their way down to Mary's apartment. Inside she found Lady Blount and her cronies, sitting in the chamber outside the bedroom, drinking wine. " Aw Ladies, we're wondering when you three were going to grace us with your presence," Ursula says as she places her wine down on the tape before her.
" Begging your pardon, your grace." Jane peeps up her a usual quiet way. " We have only just returned for Lambeth.
Ursula just rolls her eyes before turning her attention to Anne. " You best join your sister, Lady Boleyn, she has been crying out for you, and it's getting to the point of being annoying."
Anne balls her fists up in fiery, she wanted to go all off and punch Bessie in the face, but she knew the consequences would be dire. Instead she chooses to ignore her and makes her way into her sister's bed chamber.
Mary was surrounded by midwives and consorts. On either side of her, one of her maids were holding her hand. With each contraction Mary let out a moan, trying her hardest to not scream. Maty sees her sister and cries out for her. " Annie!"
Anne rushes to her sister's side, barely let's the maid move out of the way before she took hold of her sister's hand. She seats herself in the seat. " How are you doing Mary," Anne ask as she rings out a wet rag from the basin on the side table, and starts to wipe her sister's forehead.
" It hurts," Mary whines to her sister! The contractions start to come faster, harder. Maty start to cry from the pain. Mary's grip on her sister's hand becomes also crushing, but Anne just grits her teeth and let's Mary squeeze.
Mary's labor goes on for the rest of the day and welling into the night. Anne, Jane, and Ursula took shifts sitting by Mary;s side and having their hands crush by her iron grip. The other consorts would take shifts leave to their own apartments for they could rest or eat. Anne never left, instead she order a trestle bed set up in the outer chamber, so that she could get some rest if needed. During her break Anne was resting on the trestle bed, when Jane shook her awake. " Anne the midwives says it's almost time."
Anne slowly sits up and takes and groggy looks at her surroundings. It was dark outside and the only light was coming from the candles. Anne could hear Ursula ordering a page to summon the other consorts. Mary was now panting from the pain of the contractions. A maid was holding a goblet of wine for her to sip from, but Mary wasn't interested. One of the midwives approaches Anne. " It's almost time my lady, the child is crowning."
" Okay, the other consorts will be here in a moment." Anne tells the midwife as she join's her sister's side.
As if they were summon by her very words. The doors to Mary's apartment were thrown open and the consorts rest of the consorts enter lead by Lady Blount. She wore her night shift with a green satin dressing gown over it. Her hair was down in a sleep plait. " Well it's about time," she announces to the room. She enters Mary's bedchamber and orders for a chair to be brought to her. " I was starting to think this baby was never going to come. " A servant brought a high back chair for her, she sits down gracefully with her head held high like a queen. Lower back chairs were brought from her two friends Lady Anne Stafford and Lady Jane Howard. The rest of the consorts stood behind them in orderly silence. It was very eerie to Anne to have all these people watch her sister give birth. Lady Eleanor Luke look like she was ready to pass out at what she was seeing. Now knowing what she herself will have to go through in seven months time.
The head midwife goes and checks Mary. She turns to Lady Blount. " It is time my lady." Sh signals to one of the other midwives to bring a sheet which they place under Mary.
Anne grips her sister's arm and whispers. " It time Mary! You must push!" She reaches for the rag to mop her sister's forehead again. " You can do it!"
Lady Mary groans " I can't!"
" You can," Anne, Jane, and Ursula call in unison!
Mary let's out a deafening scream as she pushes her child into the world. She pauses only for a moment to catch her before pushing again and the child slides into the world with a thunderous cry. Mary falls back into her pillows into in exhaustion. The midwife scoop the baby up to exam the child and to bath it.
" Annie," Mary whispers. Her sister leans in to better hear her. " What is it? Is it a boy?"
Anne straightens up to see if she get a peak. " I can't tell."
The Midwife comes back with the child wtap in purple silk. She stands before the consorts and announces. " It's a girl. A beautiful, healthy princess." She approaches Anne and places the child in her arms, since Mary was to exhausted. Anne glances down at the squirming life down in her arms. The baby was beautiful. She had Mary's beautiful chocolate brown eyes, and wisps of of auburn brown hair on her head. She met her aunt's gaze unflinching and with a degree of curiosity.
" I want to hold her," Mary says struggling to sit herself up. Anne signals for a maid to help prop her up on pillows. Once she was prop up Anne carefully places her young niece into her mother's waiting arms. " Hello my beautiful darling," She whispers to her daughter. " Know that you are loved, no matter what."
The consorts in the room coo at the intimate moment between mother and daughter. Lady Blount stands and heads towards the door. " A touching moment. I'm sure my son will be pleased to her about his new little sister." Before leaving with Jane Howard and Anne Stafford following close behind her. Anne roles her eyes before turning attention to her sister and niece
" I better let papa know," Anne says giving her sister a kiss on the forehead. " Get some rest. I will be back in a later." Anne says. She walks to the outer chamber where she found Madam Edith waiting patiently. " Has the king and queen been told," Anne inquires?
" Yes my lady. The king and queen say they will visit in the morning."
Anne nods and leaves to head to her family apartments.
Three Days Later
" God, of infinite goodness, send prosperous life and long to the high and mighty princess of England, Catherine!"
The court cheers for Mary's child. Anne as godmother to baby Catherine, was allowed to lead the court back to the Harem, with Queen Katherine following only a pace behind her, followed by the consort and court, all in order of precedence. As the court approach the Harem doors, the men fell back, and only the women followed. Anne made her way to her sister's room. Mary waited eagerly for the return of her baby. She was dressed in a green satin gown with emeralds at her throat and head. They were gifts from the king for the birth of their daughter. As Anne, the queen, and the court enter her chamber. Mary drops her head in acknowledgement of the queen, before holding out her arms for her baby. Smiling Anne places Princess Catherine into her waiting mother's arms. Mary kisses her daughter's forehead and holds her daughter as if she was presenting her to the court. All the women courtiers bow deeply leaving the queen and consorts alone in the Mary's rooms.
Queen Katherine approaches Mary's bed, smiling looks down her little namesake. " Congratulations Lady Mary. She is a beautiful addition to the royal family." There was a hint of sadness in her words. As if she thought of all the children she herself has lost. Katherine signals to one of the maids, who handed over a wooden box with mother of pearl inlaid on the lid. "Lady Mary, you have joined the ranks of consorts who have bore his majesty a child. As such We present you this necklace to show the world your status as mother to an heir to the throne." Katherine opens the lid of the box and pulls out the necklace. It was stunning. It was in shape of the Tudor rose. The red petals were made of rubies, the white petals were pearl, and the leafs were emerald. Mary reach for it with tears in her eyes. For once in Mary's life she was was at a loss for words.
" T-thank you,your majesty." she says thickly. Taking box from the queen.
"Alright ladies, Lady Mary is tired. We will let her rest," the queen commands.
Anne kisses her sister and niece. " I will be back later," she whispers.
Anne exits out with the rest of the consorts. She returns back to her rooms. Her ladies and maids were sitting in the main chamber sewing and chattering away. When they notice Anne, they all stand and all go over to the table and start setting out the food that had been brought for Anne. Nan pulls out Anne's seat and waits for Anne to sit. The other ladies start to place helpings of chicken,salad, bread and cheese on her plate. Nan pours Anne a glass of wine to Anne, and hands it to her. Anne eats for a few minutes and just chats with her ladies about the ceremony. A knock came at the door, and Anne signals for Nan to open it. In steps one of King Henry's pages, holding a letter and a wooden box. He bows before Anne. " My lady, I have a gift from the King." He places the letter and box before Anne, before bowing again and taking his leave.
Anne picks the letter up from the table and breaks the seal. It was a love letter from the king. Talking of how he craves to hold her in his arms, and show her that he is a true and loving man who truly wants her for herself and not for what she can give him. She puts down the letter and opens the box. Inside she found a beautiful bejeweled cross necklace. For some reason, Anne felt tears spring up into her eyes, and she knew that she had feels for the king. With a word, she abruptly stands up, and runs out of her room. Her ladies calling after her. She runs out of the Harem, and through the court, not caring about courtier glaring at her, as they hastied out of her way. She slows her running to a brisk walk as she approaches the king's room, and his sentries let her through and announces her.
Upon hearing her name, the king who was sitting over some work looks up in confusion. "Anne, what are you doing here." He gets up from his desk and walks over to greet her.
She doesn't answer, instead she leans in and presses her lips against the king's. Henry pulls back from her kiss daze. " Well I must say i'm please," he smiles.
" I got your letter," she starts. " After reading it, it gave me a lot of feels." She takes Henry's hands into her's . " Mostly it confirm what I already knew."
Henty looks at her eager for her to continue.
" It confirm that I do love you Henry," She whispers.
That was all the confirmation Henry needed. He smashing his lips against her mouth hard, cause a moan to leak out from Anne. He presses his har body against her till they were almost merage as one. His kiss Anne on every part of expose flesh he could. Causing Anne to moan louder. " Please Henry, I don't want to wait anymore," she pleads with him.
Henry gives her a cocky grim, and takes her by the hand and leads her into his bead chamber.
A/N: So, I hope every enjoys this update. Yes, I know It has been a very long time since the last one, but i'm going to try and do better about that. The next story i'm probably going to update is Modern Royal. Please Review!