"How could she do this to us?" George Boleyn looked at his father; he had heard this question ever since Anne had become Queen. There were times that George felt sorry they had pushed Anne into becoming Queen of England, yet the benefits had been worth it. "Father, she has the right to love whom she chooses." Thomas looked at his son hardly able to believe what he had just heard. "Did I raise a fool instead of a son? She is royalty now! Anne cannot simply marry who she chooses, and I forbid it!" George looked down slightly; he was tired of being the fool in his father's eyes. He finally snapped, and he knew that it was the right time. "Your daughter is the Queen of England! She has absolute power over the kingdom! You feel as if she cannot choose the right husband? That makes you the fool here, not me!"
Thomas looked at his son shocked and angered he'd have the guts to argue with him. George couldn't be stopped however, and he kept shouting so loud others would hear him. "If the worst case be true and she married His grace what is the harm in that? The people respect him; he was Henry's best friend since childhood. If Anne has taking a liking to him its best you agree with her now. This is politics; she is queen still and it's best to not offend her!" George finally stopped yelling, and looked at his father. He was angered, but there was nothing he could do now. George knew that his father had lost Anne's favor a long time ago. His father had made the mistake he had seen many people do at court. He had forgotten the place of people he used to advance his own political goals.
George wondered if Anne would hate their father so much that she'd place him on the chopping block. Deep down, George knew the answer and it scared him more than anything. Anne was becoming stronger, and more independent of others. With Brandon around at court now, it seemed she preferred long walks to attending court business. The garden was in full bloom now, and Anne would surely go out for a walk in it today. Walks kept Anne in a happier mood, as she had taken many when Henry was not with her. She had learned how to handle being cut off from displaying her emotions, yet when she was alone there was little doubt to George that she must still cry. Anne had been more involved in Elizabeth's coronation, and at times she talked about Henry.
Anne smiled while walking along the garden paths with Brandon. Once he had formally arrived at court, he stayed mostly with Anne. There was already talk at court, and neither of them listened to it. "Tell me what he was like?" Anne looked at Brandon surprised slightly not sure what he meant. "What who was like?" Brandon smiled slightly. "Henry, I saw a different part of him than you did over the years." Anne stopped at a bench; it was beside her favorite fountain. "Henry was very passionate, stubborn, kind, and loving until a few years before his death." Brandon saw the pain in Anne's eyes, and for a moment he wondered if it was the same Anne he knew. His thoughts processed what she said though, keeping in mind to be careful about what he asked.
"You said that he was loving and kind up until a few years, what changed his affection?" Anne ran her fingers through the water in the fountain. "I wasn't a good wife towards the end. Brandon, I am naturally jealous. I did not want Henry taking a mistress; it broke my heart to have him love someone else. Still, he was the King of England and got what he wanted." Brandon looked at Anne gently grabbing her hand as she trailed off. "I have not been loyal in the past, but I assure you Anne that you will never worry about that. If I may be bold, I don't think you were a bad wife to Henry." Anne looked at Brandon surprised to hear him speak to her like this. "You may be plain with me always Brandon. What makes you say that I was not a bad wife?"
Brandon smiled slightly. "Because, he chose you over me." Anne blushed slightly, she had never meant for that to be brought up. "Brandon, I was a different person then. Henry was as well, he changed so much through the divorce." Brandon looked into the water and laughed slightly. "Henry was always changing. He could never be tamed by anyone, because he knew he was the King of England. He liked reminding people of that." Anne ran her hand up Brandon's own before gently lacing their fingers together. "I think Henry would approve of us together. You were truly the man he trusted above all others, and I sometimes resented you for that. He trusted you above his own wife sometimes." Brandon lifted their hands, and gently kissed each of Anne's fingers.
Anne was unable to keep from blushing again. She had never been so shy in the past, but Brandon made her shy. It was as if Anne had never been in love before, until she was with Brandon. She loved hearing his voice as they talked now, and she appreciated how Brandon treated her as herself not the queen. "He trusted me because we were not in love. Henry never knew how to compromise, and so I imagine he didn't want to grow up. At the time, I didn't want to grow up either." Anne laughed slightly knowing that Brandon was right. For someone who had such a bad reputation, he was very smart when he needed to be. Brandon saw Anne lost in thought, and he had another moment where he didn't want to grow up.
He gently ran his fingers through the fountain water; it was still cold from last night's rain. Brandon ran the cold water on his fingers down the back of Anne's neck. She jumped from it startled, and Brandon began to laugh. Anne hit him playfully, before she took off running along the path. Brandon was faster than she was, and he soon caught up to her. He grabbed her wrapping his arms around her waist, while still laughing. "Got you didn't I?" Anne couldn't help but laugh with him, she hadn't had this much fun in a long time. "Yes, you've captured me Your Grace." Brandon kissed down Anne's neck, while his hands ran down her body. Brandon heard Anne gasp softly, as his hands got below her waist.
Anne heard someone clearing their throat and groaned slightly. The only person that would dare do so at a time like this was someone sent by her brother. Brandon heard the noise too, and reluctantly released her. "What is it?" Anne's voice was edgy, she was angry enough already at the interruption. "Your Majesty, your presence has been summoned at once." Anne looked at the messenger and lost her temper. "Who would dare summon me? No one has the authority to do so!" The messenger looked down afraid. "Your Majesty, you brother has summoned you. There's been a revolt, and there's a fear for your kingdoms safety." Brandon looked at Anne worried, who would dare revolt against the queen? Anne looked at the messenger as if she hadn't heard the news at all.
Anne walked into the room where her brother was. There's was too much going on at once, but Anne tried to ignore it and concentrate. "George what on Earth is going on? Who is revolting?" George looked at Anne and sighed. "It appears to be a group of Catholic followers. They wish to restore the kingdom, and put Mary on the throne." Anne looked at Brandon, who up until that point everyone was ignoring. "What do you know about this?" Brandon shook his head. "Your Majesty I assure you that I know nothing." Anne sighed, and then remembered her daughter. "Increase the guard around my daughter. If the need arises, we'll see to it she is secured in the tower." Brandon looked at Anne fearing for her own safety.
He spoke up asking the question no one else had the guts to ask. "Your Majesty, what of your safety?" Anne looked at George instead of Brandon; her answer was easier to say that way. "I shall fight these rebels myself. We must show a sign of absolute strength!" Brandon looked at Anne surprised. "But Your Majesty, you don't know how to fight, let alone deal with traitors like this. Let me go, I assure you that I can handle this." Anne looked at Brandon and sighed. "It is not that simple! These are traitors, people that wish to destroy my daughter, my kingdom, and myself! They must be dealt with strongly!" Brandon sighed softly. "At least let me go with you, let me teach you the arts of war." Anne nodded; she knew she wasn't going to win this argument with him in her heart. "Alright, that arrangement seems suitable. We should start immediately."
Brandon grabbed Anne's hand gently as they walked out of the room. "Don't you want to see your daughter first before leaving? Anne looked at Brandon and sighed softly. He knew her so well already that it surprised her. "Yes, I'd like to go see my daughter before leaving." Brandon smiled slightly, before responding to her. "May I go with you?" Anne nodded. "Of course you can come with me. Why wouldn't you be able to? You've seen my daughter before, and she loved you." Brandon smiled as they walked down the hallway to go seen the Princess Elizabeth. She was closely guarded now, and a few people worried about Brandon getting to see her. Anne gave him permission, and that stopped any protests the people might have had.
Anne picked up Elizabeth, and for a moment her worries disappeared. Every time she came to see her daughter, she was reminded of Henry. She saw him living on through her own daughter, and that made her want to cry. A few tears ran down her cheek, and Brandon noticed she was crying. "Shh, it's alright Anne. Your daughter will be safe, and you'll see her again." Anne couldn't wipe her tears away, and she found Brandon wiping them away for her. He was suddenly gentle with her, and pulled her close to him. For Anne it was a sweet moment, the two people she loved closest to her were now her comfort. Anne's daughter may not have been able to know what this moment meant, but Anne did. For her, this could be the last time she saw her daughter.