AN – The long awaited chapter 7, enjoy! :) Be warned there's bad language and a scene of horror/violence.
Disclaimer - None of the characters belong to me, I take no credit for it, Showtime & Michael Hurst are the rightful owners, basically its not mine!
Mary Tudor, gladly sat down on the seat that Edward Seymour had offered her. So it had come to this? Bargaining with the family of Henry's mistress? She forced herself to think positive and to listen considerately to the lice that was Edward Seymour.
Edward bowed once more to the princess, he only hoped no one had noticed her arrive. Now that would really cause problems for them all if it got back to the King.... He sat down opposite the princess and tried to put into words the plan he had been concocting since the whore escaped the Tower.
"Your Highness, I'm sure you have noticed the King's actions of late, concerning Anne Boleyn?"
"Yes, yes, I'm well aware of that...."
He found himself gulping, if they upset the princess then it could be their necks on the line instead... "Since that situation involves my sister, Jane Seymour, we've been thinking about an alternative event which we all might like better..."
Mary started to pay attention at this, the Seymour's at least were Catholic so she could have a very good chance of favour with them if that Jane woman ever became Queen!
"Tell me of your plan, lord Seymour."
He smiled and began to explain his plan to the princess, it looked as though they might manage to put it into action after all...
Henry sat at his desk, with his head in his hands. He had spent most of the morning thinking, thinking about Jane, thinking about Elizabeth and thinking about Anne. That visit yesterday had almost been enough to make him want Anne back as his queen. He could still see the precious look on Elizabeth's face as she had been greeted by both her parents. Luckily, the only thing stopping him taking Anne back was Jane and common sense.
First of all, he loved Jane with every ounce of his body and soul and he desperately wanted her as his Queen. Other than that he had also made her many promises to which he was determined not to break. And the most important thing keeping him from Anne was his kingdom. The people had never liked Anne but had sympathised with her when she had been close to death but now that she was back at court they worried that he would be tempted to take her back. Now, he could see that taking her back would truly be a foolish idea, he was just starting to get the people's love back and to break that now would surely create more problems than he wanted.
Yes, he would be better off breaking Anne's dreams of being Queen again. Instead he could give her an estate or two and let her keep her title of Marquess , she could be well off and respected. And he might even be persuaded to give her the title of the King's sister. That way no one would dare insult or despise her and she would live a happy life. It would also make sure he could see her when he wanted and it would help if he thought of her as a sister instead of a lover. Yes, that was what he would do! Anne would be happy, Elizabeth would be happy, Jane would be happy, his people would also be happy, but most of all he would be happy! Henry leant back on his chair and smiled for the first time that day.
She crawled out of her bed, and yawned as her ladies appeared through the door to help her dress. Today was an important day she was told, the King wanted to see her and he wanted to see her dressed in some finery. This had confused her at first as it had been part of her release agreement that she not wear her Queen's clothes, but Anne needn't have worried.
"My lady, the King has ordered these clothes to be brought for you, he says that they are clothes befitting your status." shouted Madge as she helped the other ladies bring in a large trunk.
Anne smiled at the thought of some new clothes but then a horrible thought struck her, what if Henry wanted her back as his Queen? Quickly concealing her horror, she walked over to the chest and peered inside. Inside were several lovely gowns, each one unique in its own way and all French! She felt like squealing in delight and parading them all around the room, but then she remembered that she must act at least a little dignified! With a wide grin, she sifted through them until she found the one she wanted, a deep blue gown. It had fir trimmed bell sleeves and fine embroidery tinted with jewels all over the front. Anne placed the gown against her and looked in the mirror to see if it suited her, he ladies all gasped and applauded making comments about how a fine a gown it was.
She couldn't help but glow with joy as she was helped into it by several eager ladies in waiting. Now, if Charles could resist this then he had extreme willpower!
( for gown! )
Thomas Cromwell sat in his office, truly scared for the first time. All he had heard so far was that the King was willing to blame Anne Boleyns imprisonment all on him!
He regretted having anything to do with the Boleyns or even this court! It was true that they could bring you down as easily as they raised you, he only hoped that the King would be merciful and somehow he wouldn't be blamed for anything that had befallen the Boleyns. However, just as he was about to pack up and leave for his rooms, Charles Brandon with two guards accompanying him burst in. Cromwell jumped up in alarm as Brandon ordered the guards to seize him and read out from a piece of parchment.
"Thomas Cromwell, you are hereby arrested for treason against the former Queen Anne Boleyn and his Majesty, the ever gracious King Henry VIII of England..."
Here Brandon paused, a smug smile touching his lips as he watched Cromwell struggle against the powerful guards.
"You are therefore to be conducted to the tower at his Majesty's pleasure, and to remain there until trial."
Before Cromwell could protest he had the guards escort or rather drag him from the office to the Tower. Even though he didn't fully agree with Cromwell being charged for treason against Anne, he wanted him to be punished for everything he'd done. Besides no one really liked Cromwell and the destruction of the Catholic churches hadn't helped his reputation either. He followed the guard and a screaming Cromwell from the office and shut the door firmly closed. The only thing for sure was that Cromwell wouldn't be returning any time soon.
Anne smiled as she walked up the aisle, followed by her ladies, to Henry's throne. There was a large crowd present, watching to see what would happen to her. Out of the corner of her eye, she spied Charles looking at her, almost assessing her she was sure. Earlier on, she had heard that Cromwell had been arrested, she was happy as it was time Cromwell was shown the error of his ways but a part of her was also sad as she knew how horrible it was in the Tower. Still she walked on trying not to glance at Charles.
In the crowd, Thomas Boleyn watched proudly as his daughter walked up to the King's throne. There was no doubt about it, he wanted her back as his Queen which meant that the Boleyns were back on top! He smiled smugly to himself, when suddenly Thomas Howard nudged him in the ribs.
"Boleyn, did you see that? Brandon's been looking at her hungrily all this time...."
"So, that's nothing new. Every man looks at her that way."
"Yes, yes, but watch her. She glances back at him every now and then..."
Howard knew his eyes weren't deceiving him, there was definitely something going on there. Something that he needed to get to the bottom of and quickly.
Boleyn followed Howard's gaze, he was right! Anne did keep glancing back every now and then, any other person would just assume she was looking around her. That cursed whore and her bastard lover! He thought angrily as he watched them, no way was she going to do this to him, not again! Howard watched his angry expression in delight, his daughter wasn't so perfect after all. However, he knew that something ought to be done or else they might just all get it in the neck, literally.
Henry watched Anne walk towards him in delight. She looked so happy and the news he was to give her would make her happier than ever. There was something changed about her now, perhaps she was more wise but he knew for sure that she wouldn't enjoy being Queen again any time soon. When she finally stood before him, she dropped into a deep curtsey. Henry smiled and stood up, in a commanding voice she said,
"Good Anne Boleyn of England, you may rise. I have considered everything very carefully and I have decided to let you keep your title...."
There were some stunned gasps from everyone gathered, Henry smiled to himself and continued.
"of Marquess. I will also grant you some lands of your own and several estates worthy of royalty. As from now on, you will be forever known as the King's dear sister."
Henry's last words were drowned out, as a mighty crash rang out from everywhere in the hall. Suddenly a black clad man rushed forward and lunged at Anne, who was knocked off her feet almost instantly. The hall became a mad panic with scared courtiers trying to exit the hall and stunned guards trying to get through to protect the King. All mayhem ceased however when a blood-curdling scream echoed around the room. Everyone's eyes turned to the throne, but the King was fine he was too busy staring horror struck at the scene in front of him. Everyone else's gaze followed his, some women fainted whilst others screamed at the sight that met their eyes. The sight of Anne Boleyn lying on the floor in a small pool of blood with a deadly knife stuck through her side.
AN – Super cliffhanger! Omg, best and worst chapter ever!
