Thank all of you for reviewing and sending me suggestions. I didn't think I was going to get that many but it warmed my heart to check my email this morning. I even got a guest review too!
Now on with the show!
/
December 16 1529,
Henry.
I woke today with an odd feeling, maybe I was nervous or it could be because I couldn't get Thomas More's execution out of my head. I could hear his words, each syllable spoken with such confidence and pained me. Slowly I dressed, pulling my boots up and making sure they fit just right.
The page hands me the rings before I leave my chambers and head to see Anne. Her sister opened the door, announcing me and her face lite up as I appeared around the corner. She sat in the middle of her bed, legs crossed and a tray of fruit infront of her. With her dark hair and fair complexion the white chemise she wore made her look like and angel.
"Your Majesty." She smiled at me accepting my kiss before I sat down beside her.
"How are you both fairing?" I ask.
"I've been having a little pain in my back but the child kicks like no other." She answered her hand rubbing her stomach.
"That means he will be strong."
"Just like his father." She said, "We need to decide on names."
"Yes we do." I nod with a smile. "For a boy I was thinking of Edward or henry."
"I like William or Alexander." She suggested, "Prince Alexander the beloved son of King Henry the 8th."
"Well when you say it like that." I say moving to beside her on the bed, one of her ladies moved her tray, giving me room to lay my head down on her stomach and try to feel the baby move. Anne began to hum a song that I wrote for her many years back, warming my heart and to my surprise I felt a kick on the side of my head.
"Did you feel it?" Anne asked, continuing to hum. The more she hummed the more the baby moved and my heart felt warmer than normal. My child was moving to the sound of his mother voice and was kicking me in excitement.
"You have made me so happy Anne." I say cupping her face, and pulling her forward into a kiss.
"Now…Now your Majesty, no excitement so close to the birth." The midwife chuckled.
Standing up, I bow to her "I have a meeting to attend too but I will be back for dinner." I leaned down once more and kissed her before leaving her chambers. These Privy meets were more than boring and I can see why my father was also the angry type once he was done. It the same broken story over and over, told different ways by different people.
"Has my daughter arrived from Ludlow?" I interrupt them.
"Yes sir, she arrived just a few hours ago and she is out-"
Sitting up in my chair, one of Anne's ladies burst through my doors interrupting the meeting with a smile on her panting face.
"What is it Madge?" I ask standing up.
"The Queen has gone into labor." She panted before taking off once again.
"Meeting is complete," I say quickly leaving the room with Cromwell hot on my trail. He began writing down everything I was saying with Charles with him.
"Congratulations your Majesty." Charles Smiled making sure I heard him.
"Cromwell I want you to organize joust, banquets and masques to celebrate the birth of my son." I demanded while walking to the throne room, "I can't decide whether to call him henry or Edward and I've asked the French ambassador to hold him at his christening, if he drops him its war."
Through the laughing and celebrating with my closest courtiers, I could hear Anne's screams and groans coming her chambers through our laughing and my heart went out to her. I wished that I could be there with her, holding her hand and encouraging her to push. Child birth was such a horrible time for a woman.
"Of course and did you not find such occurrences shocking, eminency?" I ask him with a laugh.
"Your Majesty, I am a venetian" He yelled looking around to others, "I come from a city where all the men are gamblers and all the women whores."
"What is there to be shocked about huh." I laugh, looking up beside me to see Cromwell. "What is it?"
"It seems the Queen as passed out." He said "And she isn't responding."
I don't think I have ever moved so fast in my life, she passed out. Was it from pain, was it from a complication from the child birth? Everything I thought of sent my nerves over the edge and I panicked.
My daughter and one of Anne's ladies stood outside her chamber doors for me, I knew they were waiting for me because Mary put her hand on my chest to stop me from entering.
"The Midwife got her to wake and the baby is fine." She said.
"What did she have?" I asked as the doors opened. A woman I had met once that morning brought out a white blanket with a baby in her hands and handed the bundle to me.
"Congratulations on your prince Your Majesty." She curtsied to me.
"A son." I whisper, "I have a son."
/
Anne,
It seems so quick that I was washed and changed and sitting up in my bed waiting. I seen the midwife take the baby from its crib and leave my room and I panicked. I haven't even been able to hold the child let alone know what it is. Others around me are all smiles and laughs while I sit here in pain longing to hold what I carried for 9 months and yet I don't know where they took my child. My sister is standing to the right of me while Nan is standing to the left while my other ladies begin to curtsy to whoever is was who entered.
Henry slowly walked to the doorway of my bed chamber, a white bundle cradled in his arms and at that moment I knew. Everything I promised, everything we hoped for was in his arms. When he looked up at me I felt the love and adoration in his heart for me while the tears ran down his cheeks.
"Thank you." He muttered, barely above a whisper. "You did what you promised."
"You have a son." I say my chest beginning to heave in a cry.
"We have a son Anne." He stated, "A beautiful boy with eyes like his mothers."
"Congratulations Your Majesty on the healthy Prince." The midwife bowed to us.
Henry sat next to me, handing me the baby in a swift motion and the tears exploded from my eyes and I was unable to control it. He was beautiful, ten fingers and ten small toes. These 9 months of carrying him and singing to him and he was finally here. My sweet little Prince.
"Owen Alexander." Henry whispered in my ear. "Prince Owen Alexander Tudor Prince of Wales." He stated before turning to me "I love you Anne."
Looking at him, I kissed him, "I love you too Henry."
"I've had Cromwell organize joust, banquets and many more things for him and you will have new dresses made and I've been making another chamber quiet larger than this one for you with a new bed and anything you want." Henry said touching our sons face.
"You don't have to do that my love."
"Yes I do, you are the Queen and the mother of my son, I must and I will have not have no for an answer." He kissed my forehead.
"Madam, the Princess Mary." Nan announced at the end of my bed chamber.
"Mary, come and see your brother." Henry ushered for her to take the other side of me. He fused for just a moment before Mary cradled his head with a smile on her face.
"He is beautiful." She said looking up at me, "What did you name him?"
"Owen." Henry answered for me.
"Just a strong name for a boy." She said with a nod. "Im sure he will break all the girls hearts."
"Not until he is much older though." I chuckle. "Who will be holding him at the Christening?"
"The Ambassador of France and I have already stated that if he drops him its war." Henry stood up, giving me a kiss on the forehead once more. "I have a meeting with Cromwell but I will back this evening."
"I will see you then." I smile, giving him a nod as he left Mary and me. "How are you settling in at Hatfield?"
"Comfortable actually. Father has told me I can decorate it as much as I like, I just can't go overboard. I know he has made arrangements for Cromwell to start cleaning and redecorating Ludlow for him." She looked down at the Prince. "He will have his own court and everything."
"Now Mary, even though you father has a son, I don't want you to think he is going to push you out of the family. You're still the first born and a Princess" I touch her hand. "I don't want you to feel left out of anything."
"Thank you Anne." She smiled, giving me a side hug before handing her brother back to me. "I have to go see my mother now, but I'll be back for dinner with you and the King."
"Mary." I nodded to her in dismissal.
/
For eight days, Henry held to his word. There were joust, banquets and huge Masques just for the Princes birth. The bells rang in every church across the land, and in every pub, Henry had ordered a round on the crown. It seemed that everything was falling into place. The Queen had been churched and the Christening was taken place in a moment but it didn't seem as though all here happy. Half of England weren't so sure about the Prince, but none could raise their voices in protest and Brenton knew this. He knew that if a word was spoken about the Queen being a witch he wouldn't have a head. But he must, surly the king could see that she has poisoned his mind against the true faith and his true wife.
"I could still do it." He whispered to the man beside him, "A woman is very week after childbirth, it wouldn't be hard or I could turn my sights on the child."
"You will not." He shook his head, "No matter what you do it will be blamed on my master and it is not something he needs right now. He has the Turks to worry about."
"How can you idly sit by and watch as the King destroys his realm for a witch and her spawn."
"Whether you like it not, we have to act happy until the time is right." Chapuys turned to him. "The pope wouldn't ask you to kill an innocent child who has done nothing in these matters for which we are witnessing. If you harm the Prince I will slander your name across this land and my own. Now pay attention."
"Ambassador." He muttered.
Ambassador of France handed Archbishop Prince with a smile. "Abrenuntias satanae " He said pouring a little water on the Princes head only getting a cry of displeasure. "Abrenuntio ego te baptize in nomeine Patris." He poured more across the baby's head, "Et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Vade in pace et Dominus vobiscum, Amen."
Marie smiled, wrapping the child in a soft cloth before cradling him against her. She followed the announcing page from the Chapel in a slow pace, enjoying the bows and mutters coming from the people she passed.
"God, of infinite goodness, send prosperous life and long to the high and might Prince of England, Prince Owen!" The page yelled through the halls to the Queens new chambers.
Anne sat in the middle of her bed in a dress of gold and red with a diamond tiara on top of her dark curls. Marie handed her nephew to the queen, thanking her majesty for allowing her to carry him before joining the others.
"Prince Owen." They all said, bowing before Anne and the Prince and at that moment Anne knew she had the power and she would no longer be pushed around. She was the Kings rightful wife and she would help him make this land good again.
/
"There can be no question of illegitimacy Cromwell. I know that boy is mine." Henry grinned. "How is the Act of Secession coming along?"
"It seems to be coming along well your Majesty, most are in favor for it except a few that are still old fashion but im sure Cramer can persuade them into signing the Act as well." Cromwell explained.
"Cromwell, I know that there are some people, some wrong-headed still and some biased people who still unwilling to accept my Marriage to the Queen. I heard them whisper amongst themselves thinking I can't head it but I can. I think some sanction should be made against them."
"But everyone had signed the oath."
"Yes but they signed the oath to save their skin." Henry said sitting down. "They aren't going to live by it. Norfolk has been refusing to sign because his niece is my wife and what if Anne where to hear that."
"I will do as your Majesty commands." Cromwell bowed.
"Thank you Cromwell." Henry smiled, "Also about the Christmas tide celebrations, I would like to hold them off till Anne was better. She loves the dances and banquets I plan for Christmas."
"Yes sir." Cromwell nodded leaving him chambers. Sighing, Cromwell entered his office, sitting at his desk not really wanting to look over the papers he had infront of him. If he wanted to speak his mind he could say the King had gone insane. Norfolk had gone aboard for a while to France and wouldn't be back till the spring. How can one deny the oath if he isn't here to swear it.
"Cromwell." A voice said, causing him to look up.
"Katherine, what are you doing here?" He asked
"I brought you some wine, just walking in here you seemed a bit stressed." She sat the tray down.
"I think the King is losing his mind." Cromwell blurted. "He wanted to know how the act of secession is going when we have had that in place since before the prince was born and now he is wanting me to take drastic measures against the people who won't or hasn't taken the oath."
"Like Sir Thomas." She asked.
"That's already been dealt with." Cromwell stated. "He said Norfolk has not taken the oath and wont because it goes against him but Norfolk is in France."
"It seems he really has lost his mind." She shook her head. "So what is to happen if Anne has a daughter?"
"If Anne has a daughter she will be placed behind Mary unless Mary becomes queen to another country."
"So any daughter the Queen has till be put behind Mary?"
"Yes wife, you will not need to worry about secession of Mary." He said.
"Well thank you." She smiled.
/
Henry,
"Duke of Suffolk." A page announced from Henry's chambers door.
"Charles." Henry greeted him. "How have you been?"
"Fine your majesty, congratulations on the young Prince." He said sitting down with him friend.
"Thank you," Henry sat down with him. "I know I declined your Marriage to Miss Katherine Brook and I know you have been looking for a wife these past few months and I think I have one for you."
"Who?" Charles asked a little confused.
"My sister in law. Marie." Henry Smiled.
"You want me to marry the queen's sister?" Charles questioned.
"I think it's a wonderful match. She had children and so do you. Your son needs a mother and Marie is the perfect type for you. She is witty and very open hearted plus she is wonderful with children."
"Is there any way I can think this over, that's a very big decision." Charles asked still surprised.
"Oh course you can think it over. I didn't want to suggest it to Anne until I was for sure that you would agree." Henry spoke, "Shall we play a game of cards to take our mind off things?"
"Yes that would great." Charles nodded as Henry shuffled.
/
Spring 1530
Rome.
The Pope didn't want to relay this message but it seems it needed to be done. Since the King of England didn't want to play by his rules he would have to do a drastic thing and he didn't want that. With the Holy Roman Emperor speaking of his Aunt and trying to get the pope to void the marriage between Anne Boleyn and the King it seems he was at a standstill. He could either void out the marriage that pope Clemet had signed off too or have Henry return to Katherine or he could excommunicate him all together. The Emperor mustn't know about the marriage his aunt was already in, which would there would be no way for him to void that one.
He chose the excommunication, the entire Roman court agreed as did the Cardinals that he rules and they all agreed as well, plus they were all still angry with the death of Fisher and More.
"To the faithful people of England, your Holy Father offers you the hand of condolence. His tears of grief and his anger at the martyrdom of Sir Thomas More and Cardinal Fisher. Their murders had shocked the whole of Christendom." He spoke to his audience, "It was an unpardonable sin against God and our Holy Church, in whose name these two great men died. We pray for those in England who must continue to live under such tyranny and in dear for their lives and their souls." He stood up. "We pray the King ceases to listen to evil counsel and returns to obedience and the true faith before it's too late. Amen. You are all dismissed."
"Come this way Brenton." Campeggio ushered him towards the Pope.
"Brenton, what are you doing back my son."
"I have come to report from England." He said kissing the Popes hands. "It seems the witch has delivered that of a Prince."
"A Prince." The Pope repeated, letting go of Brenton's hands and slightly walked backwards. "This is news to us."
"I thought I should report this as soon as possible." He stated. "Are my orders still the same?"
"Yes they are still the same." He nodded, "I have went ahead and excommunicated the King for the sake of the Emperor but I fear it will do no good. The King of England has his mind set on my returning to the Flock of the Faithful and wants to remain in heresy and the evil ways. The King of England may never redeem himself from the clutches of heretics who even now lead him towards destruction and damnation. It's unspeakable."
"I agree, Your Holiness." Brenton agreed as Campeggio nodded in agreement.
"What is the name of the new Prince?" He asked.
"Owen." Brenton answered.
"Thank you Brenton." He said, "I want you to return to England and report to me if anything had changed."
"Yes of course, Your Holiness." Brenton bowed and left.
"I pray that England finds its way back Your Holiness." Campeggio said.
"That's all we can do Campeggio, is pray."
/
3rd person.
Earl of Wilshire chambers.
"Im to what." His son repeated.
"I have secured a marriage for you." He smiled, "She is the Kings cousin and a pretty little thing she is." He handed the painting to George. "Don't you think? Her name is Jane."
"If you think of her as pretty, you marry her." He shot back, tossing the painting on the desk. "She looks like a frog."
"A frog you're going to marry." His father stated matter of fact.
George shook his head, "I refuse."
"She is a good match to this family and you will. The King has already agreed on it so it's done." He said standing from his chair in anger.
"No." George stated again before leaving the room.
In irritation, Thomas sat back down in his chair, picking up the small painting and looking at his once more. Depending how you turned her face she did in fact look like a frog but he wasn't going to admit that. He knew this marriage was going to make him rich and he knew it would be good for his son even if he had to force him to do it.
George huffed to himself as he walked past the courtiers at the May Day banquet to the gardens. He needed to blow off some steam and here is where he could yell and scream all he wanted without anyone hearing him. Near the lake he stopped, picking up a few rocks and skipping them across the water while he muttered to himself.
"The more you mutter to yourself the more people will think you are crazy." A voice said interrupting a skip and the rock sunk. Turning around he quickly bowed.
"Princess Mary." He said.
"Oh George you don't have to bow to me every time you see me." She chuckled, turning to her lady. "You may leave Eleanor, go see your father, im sure he misses you."
"Thank you Your Highness." She curtsied and left quickly.
"Are you angry about something? I've never seen you mutter to yourself in such anger before." Mary asked picking up a semi-flat rock. "Will you show me?"
"Of course." He said standing behind her. "The muttering of a madman should worry the Princess of England."
"Yes but you seem angrier than normal." She stated and flung her arm out like she showed her. The rock skipped the water once before sinking. "I did it." She jumped in excitement.
"Congratulations Princess." George smiled at her.
"Thank you." She bent down picking up another rock. "Shall we again?"
"Yes."
"Now wait, if my rock skips more than two this time, you have to tell me what's wrong." She wagered.
"And if it doesn't?" George asked.
"I'll grant you a kiss." She blushed.
"Seems fair." George agreed watching her concentrate on the rock and the throw. Closing her eyes at the last minute the rock skipped over the water three times, sending her in a small dance of excitement. "I win."
"It seems so." He sat down on the grass. Mary sat beside him, smoothing her dress our around her and getting comfortable. "It seems my father wants me to get marry."
"To whom?" She asked picking a flower and pulling off the pedals slowly.
"It's Lord Morley's daughter Jane. He is cousin to your father and my father thinks it will be a good match." He groaned. "I seen her portrait today and she looks like a frog."
"What kind of frog?" She asked in a laugh. "Brown, green, gray? Wait what about yellow?"
"You're not being funny Mary." He laid back, staring at the blue sky. "Im not ready to marry. Well not her anyway."
"Is she that ugly?" Mary asked.
"I would say she looks like a frozen brown frog with horns." George chuckled. "I don't think she would be ready to marry be either. Im a hard person to get along with."
"You're actually quite easy to speak with." Mary admitted before standing up as did he. "You're just a very relaxed person."
"If you say so." He smiled, as she leaned up and touched her lips to his briefly before pulling back in a kiss and leaving him alone in the gardens. He stared at the back of her disappearing head for a longest moment before realizing what happened. The Princess kissed him. He would feel the ghost of her lips pressed against his own for the longest moment. A touch on his shoulder brought him back to reality and quickly he turned to see his sister and her ladies.
"Majesty." He bowed.
"You were really spaced out, what's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing." He stated, "Why aren't you inside, the May day Banquet is in full swing."
"The room was becoming too stuffy in there for me. I needed the fresh spring air." She smiled, her hands resting at her belly. "I have a secret."
"Oh please tell me you aren't trying to marry me off to someone too." He rolled his eyes.
"Who is trying to marry you off to someone?"
"Father." He blurted, "He wants me to marry Lord Morley's daughter Jane."
"Ew not that toad." She said.
"That's what I said." He agreed.
"I will speak with the king, and try to persuade him to say no ad have her marry someone else."
"Make her marry father." He laughed, "That would be amusing, but what is your secret sister?"
"Oh." She smiled widely, pulling him to her, "I have had the most peculiar craving for oranges."
"Oranges." He raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, oranges." She smiled, "It started three weeks ago."
"Sister are you pregnant?" He asked stopping their walk to look her in the eye. When she didn't look away, but smiled from ear to ear he knew. "How long? Does the King know?"
She nodded, "Yes the King knows, I told him this morning. He keeps wanting to tell everyone but I want to wait till I am showing. My ladies know but im hesitant to tell father?"
"Why is that?" He asked continuing their walk. "You know father is always the happiest when you are with child."
"That is only because I am the Queen. Im sure since he had a Prince for a grandson now he isn't much worried about me having another." She rolled her eyes in a groan. "Father doesn't much speak to me anymore since Owen was born."
"Well he should. You're his daughter, plus you're the queen and you can summon him to a meeting whenever you want." George laughed as the King and a few others showed behind him.
"Lord Rochford, how are you?" Henry asked.
"I am well your Majesty, I seen that the queen was unescorted so I took the liberty." He answered.
"Why thank you, in the Queens delicate time she will need an escort always." Henry smiled before looking at Anne. "Are you alright sweetheart?"
"Of course husband, the celebration was much exciting and I just needed some air." She said unlooping her arm from her brothers to her husband. "Come walk with me." She pulled him forward and looked back to see the others following. "Alone."
"Majesty" They all said while bowing.
Rochford took this chance to leave the gardens and enter the castle in search for the Princess. The entire walk with his sister, his mind was on that of her and he couldn't shake it. So many questions ran through his head. They were having a nice time and he even taught her to skip a rock and then she kissed him out of the blue and he needed answers to why.
/
Anne.
My news was the most exciting, I was with child again. I waited the anointed time I was told by Dr. Butts and as soon as the banned was lifted, henry was in my bed that night. We have enjoyed each other every night since then.
With my first born, I didn't feel sick to my stomach for have a few hot flashes but I am with this one. I truly am hoping for a daughter. I have my son why not wish for a girl, I was thinking to myself a few days before when I visited Owen at Ludlow that I accomplished what the Katherine could not. I have given the King a son, a boy who looks like his father and will someday rule over England after his father but when I thought about it and how I could rub it in her face, I didn't. She did wish good on me and my son with the proper manners but I couldn't bring myself to say anything bad to her.
Katherine was the Kings wife for many years and she had many children by him, and if I would have lost the baby, I would have been in the same eye as she was. Others thinking I couldn't give the king and would seek to remove me from his side like I did her and probably for some plain Jane as well.
"Sweetheart, you haven't said a word since we have been walking." Henry stopped up and looked down at me. "What is the matter?"
"Nothing is the matter, I just have been lost in my thoughts." I answered feeling his lips on my own. "I was just thinking of matters that would have had made me look bad and how they made me feel."
"No thoughts should make you feel bad. Think of our child to be." He said pulling me away from the main gardens to a secluded area before pushing me up against a tree. "Watching you dance." He leaned down kissing my neck, "Made me think of our nights."
A moan escaped my lips, feeling his lips press against my throat and down to my sore breast. His hands snaked their way under my dress lifting me slightly before I wrapped my legs around his waist. My hands pulled at his pants trying to loosen the string until I pulled back quickly stopping him.
"Anne what is it?" He asked gently setting me down on the grass.
Quickly I pushed him away, turning towards the bush and heaving the contents of my stomach. I felt him rub my back with one hand and hold my loosen hair with the other. "Im sorry"
"Don't be sweetheart," He chuckled, "we will continue this some other time." He handed me his handkerchief to which I covered my mouth and stood up trying to catch my breath. "How are you feeling?"
"I have been better." I chuckled, looping my arm in his once more. "Shall we continue our walk?"
He nodded, "Yes she shall."
"Since we are not going to fool around I wanted to speak to you about my brother." I cough quickly stopping as another wave hit me but I was able to keep my stomach settled.
"What about George?"
"He told me that you were arranging a marriage between him and Lord Morley's daughter." I say, taking a seat on the soft grass in a clearing him and I always snuck off too.
"I think it would be a good match. Lord Morley is my cousin and it would be a great honor, "He sat down next to me. "The only thing is, it's that your father is asking for a dowry more than what Morley is willing to send."
"You can certainly intervene on that, marriage arrangements have to go through you don't they. Why not have her marry my father instead?"
He looked at me sideways with one eyebrow raised. "Your father." Once I nodded my head he burst into laughter. "I cannot see your father marrying her."
"Most didn't see or didn't want to see us marry either and we did against all odds." I reminded him. "And now look at us, we are happy, we have a son who is a spitting image of his father and im once again with child."
He leaned towards me, kissing me on the cheek with a smile. "You always know how to say the right words when I have my doubts. But the proposal is right and besides your father hasn't been married or with another since your mother."
"And I think it's time he becomes happy, like we are." I smile.
"As you wish sweetheart."
/
Yesterday, when I completed the chapter yesterday, I tried to work on my actual book but I couldn't get the remaining chapter out of my head so the previous email stating I posted was a lie and this is the new one. I is sorry. The next chapter will be out soon.
Thank you for the reviews and all the encouragement.