Hello guys! English, it is not my motherly language, I'm French so I apologize if there are some mistakes. Don't hesitate to tell me where they are so that I can improve.
I know that this kind of story is overdone but I want to make my own version.
I hope my little story will please you.
Sincerely
Marina Ka-Fai
Warning! This chapter contains violence and strong language. If you are ill-at-ease with it, please do not read.
One more chance
Chapter seven: Dawn of a new start
Time passed by quickly and the end of April arrived. During that time, Anne continued to open her heart to Henry and as a result of this therapy, their marriage was peaceful again. At least, there was no more arguments, no more blames... And the queen of England surprised herself to really like Jane and Mary, the same ones she considered as her nemesis just a few months before. Mary and her had one common point: their love for Elizabeth. Anne tried her best to become closer to Mary. And Henry helped her a lot for that, more than pleased to see two of the women of his life trying to get along. First, the royal couple let Mary have private masses with catholic priests. And as long as she did not try to convert people, she could speak of religion freely. Knowing that she lacked clothes, Anne organized a day with her stepdaughter to make her choose gowns, jewels, headpieces. Mary liked it, it was funny, especially with Elizabeth being in admiration in front of the jewels.
' And what kind of jewels should I get, Bessie? ' Mary asked
' Pearls. Because Papa always says that you are the pearl of his world. ' The young girl said with determination
To make Mary feel accepted, Anne asked for spanish fashion to be brought to the young woman. She also asked for a portrait of Catherine, so that Mary could have an image of her mother when she felt sad. She even asked something to Henry that she knew to be a touchy subject:
Letting Mary visiting her mother's grave and mourn her properly.
Even if he was not pleased by the idea, Henry admitted that his daughter deserved that and he allowed her to go there.
' Will you go with her, Anne? '
' I fear it would be seen as rude towards Catherine's memory. I think that the spanish ambassador would be a wiser choice. And he is Mary's friend. I'll go only if she asks me to. '
When Mary learnt the new, she was so moved that she had to sit down. Anne even believed that she would faint.
' How can I ever thank you? ' Mary said after a few minutes
' It is only natural Mary. I have caused many harms to you in the past, it is normal that I make amends. '
' Will you go with me? '
The elder woman looked at her stepdaughter with surprise.
' My mother and you were not the best friends in the world but I think she would be grateful for all that you have done in my name. '
She could see in Mary's eyes how much it would mean to her if she went with her. So she agreed and three days later, they were in front of Catherine's grave. It hurt Anne to see that such a great woman had no true memorial, fitting her status. She did so much for England during the first years of her reign! She was a good queen and did not deserve what happened to her. Even if her marriage to Henry was unlawful, her loyalty to England and all that she had done for it made her a true queen. And yet, she died alone, without seeing her daughter again. She deserved to die loved, with the best physicians money could buy, not poor, alone and in neglect. Anne felt tears coming in her eyes. What a cruel fool she had been!
' I am so sorry... '
Mary gently took her hand and smiled to her.
' I am certain that Mama knows it and that she has forgiven you. She is certainly very happy to see that you try your best for your redemption. '
' I killed her... '
' You did not. What killed her was a tumour on her heart. '
' You're so kind... '
When they were back, Anne directly went to see her husband. She explained all that she felt. Henry admitted that for all that Catherine did for the country, she deserved a proper ceremony, a memorial.
' We shall have a mass in her memory and a memorial will be built. And upon her grave, there will be something more regal. Catherine gave me Mary. I shall never thank her enough for that. '
XXXXXXX
A few days later, Henry was walking in the corridor to join Anne. On his road, he met George and Mark.
' George! '
' Your Majesty. ' George and Mark bowed
' Where you on your way to visit the queen? '
' Yes, Your Majesty. ' Mark answered
' Let us go together then. '
The three men talked while walking.
' I must find a way to thank you for all that you do for my wife. You are a true comfort to her. George, I've heard that your marriage is unwell.'
George looked quite ashamed and almost sad.
' Alas, Your Majesty, I married a monster. I admit I am not the best husband to her but she is sneaky, paranoid. She even threatens me. '
' How can she do that to you? ' Henry asked quite surprised
' By telling me that if I am not faithful to her and if I do not conceive a child with her, she will tell the whole court that Mark and I have an affair. Which, of course, is false. '
' Those are serious accusations! She could have you killed with that! Do you have witnesses? '
' My whole family. Mark. The queen. '
The king promised to himself to do something for George. He was a good man and did not deserve such a thing. And to know her brother well would ease Anne a lot.
Suddenly, from the queen's room, they heard screams from a woman and a man.
' Anne! '
XXXXXXX
Anne was talking peacefully with Jane. They discovered that they had a common passion: needlework. The raven haired woman had to admit that Jane had a lot of talent for this activity.
' One day, I'd like to learn how to do this. Would you be kind enough to teach me, Jane? '
' It would be an absolute joy and honour, Your Majesty! '
Jane realized day after day that Anne was not the witch she was told by her brothers. She was a fierce woman, yes, but she was very loving and warm with those she cared about. She was also very pious, inclined to help when people were in need. She was a loving mother and how she tried to help Mary was admirable.
While they were speaking, the women heard a loud noise from the door being smashed. Both of them got up. Thomas Boleyn had entered and seemed in a terrible fury.
' You are nothing but a failure! You stupid slut! ' He shouted to his daughter and queen, walking to her.
Anne flinched and for the first time, she was scared of her father. Jane put herself between her sovereign and Thomas as a shield, feeling that he could go wrong. A lady in waiting could be easily replaced. Not a queen. Gathering her courage, she said with determination:
' Step away from the queen! '
' Get out you! '
He pushed her so hard that she fell on the ground with a scream and hit her head.
' Jane! ' Anne screamed
Thomas grabbed his daughter by the shoulders and pushed her violently against the wall.
' You destroy all of my work! You befriend the king's slut and his bastard! And you lost his son once again ! Your job is not that hard! Spread your legs like the good whore you are! '
Anne was shaking of fear, it was the very first time that she saw that he could kill her if he wanted to. She was unable to utter a word. Her back was hurting her and Jane was still on the floor. What if he killed both of them? In her mind, one single word was repeated again and again. Henry.
' You'd better get pregnant quickly! It is thanks to me that you are queen! You owe me a lot! '
' The queen owes you nothing! Let go of my wife! ' Henry's voice shouted from behind
George ran to break his father's "embrace" while Mark helped Jane. Anne almost fell in Henry's arms.
' Guards! Take him to The Tower! ' He shouted
' Henry... Please no... ' Anne's weak voice said
' But Anne, what he did was unforgivable! '
' I know but please... He is still my father... Please... '
Feeling that Anne meant it, he banished Thomas from court but annulled his order to have him imprisoned.
' Be grateful, Boleyn! '
The room fell silent as the mad man went.
' Jane... How's Jane? '
Anne turned her head to see where the young lady was. She looked lost, shocked and suddenly exhausted. Though, her eyes were full of relief when she saw her standing.
' I am very well, Your Majesty. Just a bit dizzy. ' Jane assured with a small smile to ease her queen.
' We must find a way to thank her, Henry. She put herself in my father's way, as a shield, to protect me. '
' Did you do that Jane? ' Henry asked astonished by the woman's courage.
The Seymour girl started to blush as she said that it was her duty to protect the queen.
' Even so, you must be rewarded! We shall find something! ' The king said.
George, Mark and Jane left. Anne remained in Henry's arms. She felt safe that way. His strength eased her fear. He was there, with her. It was all that she wanted.
' Is it the first time that he acts like this? ' He asked
' No. But it is not his fault. It's mine. Because I make him worry. Because I have lost two babies. '
Raising her head smoothly with his hand so that she could see his eyes, Henry told her:
' He may be your father but you are the queen. He must respect you. And not stress you with these matters. You can do as you like, he has nothing to say about it. I will not let him do it anyway. '
' He will never do any harm to me, will he? '
' Of course. He is banished and never to return unless you desire otherwise. '
' I'd like to have my sister Mary back to court. I banished her but somehow, if Father was not with me at that time, she would have stayed. '
' I shall send someone to her house to announce that she and her family is welcome back at court once more. '
Anne smiled a bit.
' You look so pale Sweetheart! Please, rest. '
The woman nodded and decided to have a nap. Henry stayed by her side during her sleep, he wanted to be here if she had any nightmare. He realized how stressed Anne was. Pushed by her father, under the pressure of court, all eyes upon her belly. And he acted like a rude peasant. No wonder why she miscarried! When she was expecting Elizabeth, the pregnancy went smoothly because everything looked so good, they were just married, in love and everything seemed to work well. And then, there were the disappointment of the birth of a baby girl, even if she revealed herself to be a lovable child, a miscarriage, adultery, Mary, Catherine, the Oath, Rome... And yet, Anne never complained. But when she tried to open herself to him, he rejected her. But she never ceased to love him, to try to please him. How strong his wife was!
' She is the moon of my life! ' He thought while he watched her.
He hoped that having Mary Boleyn back to court would help Anne to feel as happy and well as she was when they married.
