hey people i am back again! and for those of you who have not heard from ,i am alive! i am so sorry for the lateness update and leaving you on that cliff hanger, but iv been busy. thank you to the many readers who messaged me and supported me, and everyone who has read this so far! the support really helps me write. anyway recap:

henry gave katherine the sapphire jewel, so annes jealousy burns. now it seems theres only one way left for her to get the crown. kill katherine da da da..dan dan. * dramatic music.* a big thank you to super sarah who has been proof reading these chapters the past days and has been doing a wonderful job! thank you to all the people who have reviewed, you guys mean the world to me. seriously 99 reviews! thank you! anyway onto the fic! really gota stop rambling lol.

Disclaimer, i do not own the tudors.

Chapter 12 the final hour


Snow fell like ashes, blanketing the once lush green grass outside the castle. The sun had hidden away behind the clouds; winter was here. The days had passed in a hurry; each day seemed to be repeating itself. Every morning Katherine would wake up and dress quickly, she would then rush down to see Henry and receive the same news. That he was recovering and that he would soon be fit to be King again. But until then Katherine was to rule England as second-in-command. Katherine was still not happy, for Henry's pain pained her. So she spent her mornings by Henry's bed then her afternoons making new plans to build schools for the less fortunate children who did not have money, and building schools for girls who she believed should get an education. Katherine worked hard on this, for she knew that it wasn't an area that Henry spent a lot of money in. Then when the sun had fallen she would go to the chapels and pray for Henry's health before retiring for the night. This was her daily routine throughout the week.

Unfortunately, because of this busy schedule she had no more time to spend outside in the gardens or horse riding or any other activities. This saddened Nicholas, for he missed his friend dearly, but he knew and understood how busy Katherine was. So he had spent his days in the library reading; drinking with the other men at the taverns; and with the other ladies at court, helping them look after their children for he loved kids and dreamed of having a child of his own one day.


Katherine of Aragon knelt down on her knees, the velvet ends of her ebony robes falling onto the ground. Katherine clutched the cross necklace in her hand, her sapphire necklace that Henry had given her hung on her neck, glistening in the moonlight. Still holding the necklace she brought her hands together in prayer, looking up at the crucifix.

"Dear Lord, I would like to thank you. Henry has improved greatly over the past days and I have you to thank. I am sure that you know what is best for him, and am fortunate and happy that you have decided not to take him out of this world yet. Thank you," she whispered.

She bent down on the cold floor and kissed it, before rising up. It was then she heard the loud clacking of footsteps running, echoing around the room. A small servant boy raced up to her, huffing and puffing slightly but flushing with joy. He quickly bowed down deeply to her, almost toppling over.

"Your Majesty," he panted, lifting up his head, "I bring good news! It is the King. His Majesty is waking up and the physicians have said that he has recovered. It is a miracle."

Katherine's eyes widened and her mouth rounded.

"W-What?" she stuttered, barely being able to believe the news. "Henry has recovered?"

The boy nodded excitedly, his fringe fraying up and down with his nods.

"Please Your Majesty, come, but you must hurry."

Katherine gave him a quick nod and followed him, racing down the hallways, and for the first time in days she wore a smile. She barely noticed the people bowing down for her, she could only think of one thing. Henry is better! He has recovered! My prayers have been answered.

It wasn't long before she was inside Henrys room, once again kneeling down beside him. Henry looked up to her and sat up, smiling.

"I am much better now Katherine."

She returned the smile.

"I know, you cannot believe how happy I am. Oh how I have prayed and prayed and..."

But she stopped when she saw Henry chuckling slightly. She frowned when he did this.

"What?" she asked.

"Katherine the physicians had told you that I was getting better, why were you worrying so?"

"Well..." Katherine said attentively, not wanting to say something ridiculous. She looked down, thinking. After a while she looked back up, meeting his eyes. "I love you, and that is all. That is why I did it Henry. Can you not see how much I love you?"

Henry opened his mouth to speak but then closed it. Finally he let out a small sigh.

"I know," he replied.

Katherine stared at him, as if expecting him to say more. But he did not.

"'I know?' Henry, is that all you can say?"

Katherine's eyes started to water slightly, but she held the tears back.

"Katherine... I..." Henry stopped then tried again. "Katherine, please. I just wish that you would not make this so hard for me. That you could see that our marriage was a sin."

Katherine continued to shake her head, the tears now forming. Henry reached for her hand but Katherine snatched it away. Henry shut his eyes and sighed.

"Katherine I do not love you, I love Anne."

The tears were now falling down, the harsh words slicing through her heart. She kept on shaking her head. Taking a shuddering breath, she stood up, taking a few steps back. Henry pulled off his covers and got up, wobbling slightly but then standing firm.

"Katherine please, look at what I am offering you. As much money as you want and your very own home. You would be able to visit Mary as often as you wanted; why do you continue to stay?"

Katherine shook her head again, staring at him as if for the first time.

"You still do not understand it do you?" she took his hands. "I love you Henry! Our marriage was legal; we are married in the eyes of God. I produced your only daughter for you and have done so much more then that whore can do." She released his hands. "I will not give in or move. I am doing what is right. What is right with me and in the eyes of god. I am sorry, but I will not give in."

She lowered her eyes and turned, heading to the door. She stopped and turned around once more.

"I may not have given in to your plan. I may still have my crown, my dignity and my loyal followers. But you hold my heart and my love. And I only wish that you would release it."

And with that Katherine left, leaving Henry standing in the dark. Henry was feeling a mixture of feelings, he was confused, shocked and felt a heavy weight deep at the bottom of his heart. Was it sadness? Anger? No, it was regret. It was guilt. And it was longing.


Nicholas Williams walked inside the wide double doors, glad to be back in the warmth. He headed towards his room, planning to ask the servants to run him a hot bath so he could get rid of his awful headache. He knew that he had drunk too much, but lately it was all he felt like doing. He knew that just because Katherine was busy didn't mean that he had to drink himself every night. But when he saw Katherine praying for a man who had called her so much misery, he felt angry. How he loved Katherine and would want nothing more than for them to have a life together, if only she returned the feelings. Nicholas let out a small sigh. Then something caught his eye, a strand of ebony hair. He quickly broke out of his thoughts and saw Katherine hurriedly walking beside him.

"Katherine," Nicholas said catching her attention.

Katherine stopped at the sound of his voice and turned to face him.

"Nicholas?"

"Katherine, it has been awhile since we've last talked."

Katherine nodded.

"It has. So... why did you call me?"

Nicholas eyebrows scrunched slightly. Should there be a reason to say hello to his friend?

"Well... I was just thinking now, it has been ages since we've done anything together." He paused and saw Katherine about to protest, so quickly continued. "Your whole day is spent being with Henry or praying next to him or doing some sort of charity work. You never do anything for yourself anymore."

Katherine sighed slightly.

"Yes I know, I have been busy. But I've just been so worried these past days. But there is good news: Henry is recovering."

Nicholas heart froze slightly.

"He's recovering?"

Katherine smiled and nodded.

"Yes, isn't it great! So the royal ball shall be held tonight. Henry is healthy to run the country now. Perhaps after the ball we could do something? Just like old times."

Nicholas smiled.

"I'd like that much, Catalina."

Katherine returned the smile and threw her arms around him, giving him a hug. She released him then spoke.

"I am sorry for the past days, I know I've been a bit..."

But Nicholas cut her off.

"It's ok Kat, I understand. You were worried and that's okay."

He met her eyes and Katherine felt her heart beating. She quickly coughed and averted her eyes from him.

"Well I must be going, I have lots to do. I'll see you some other time."

And with that Katherine left. Nicholas watched her go; they were going to meet up again after the ball, surely that was good news. He could only hope so.


Anne Boleyn strode through the hallway, her thoughts swimming around inside her head. Clutched in her hand was the bottle of poison she was given to by her father. She took a deep breath and exhaled. After battle of to kill the Queen or to not kill her had run in her head, she had decided that she had to kill her. It was the only way she could get the crown. Suddenly, Anne felt herself crashing into someone. She fell down and looked up to see Nicholas, quickly she closed her hand and sighed with relief, the bottle of poison was still in there. Nicholas looked down at her and she quickly smiled back up at him. She prayed that he would not see the glass bottle in her hand and suspect anything.

"I'm sorry Nicholas. I wasn't watching where I was going."

Nicholas frowned at her, Anne Boleyn was apologizing? He held out his hand to help her up. Anne's eyes widened in surprise at the gesture, then slowly took his hand then got up. Pretending not to care about his kind gesture, she brushed the dirt down at the ends of her skirts.

"Thank you." she said stiffly.

Nicholas eyes widened at her apology. Anne knew that she had let too much out. I'm too paranoid, she thought. She took a deep breath, she had to remain calm and not give anything away.

"Well I should go now, so..."

Something caught Nicholas' eyes as she was talking. He saw the skull and cross on the shiny bottle and frowned.

"Anne," He said slowly. "Why are you holding a bottle of poison?"

Anne's blood froze and she stopped talking. Her heart was hammering against her chest as her mind went crazy thinking of a million excuses.

" Um, Uh..." she stammered, then an idea came. " It is for the mouse! In my bed chambers, it has been nibbling holes in my dresses. Filthy creature. So I got some poison to go and kill it."

Nicholas eyes narrowed, still suspicious.

"Why do you not let me kill the mouse? I am sure that it is no job for such a lady like you." He only had said such a lady like you so there would be no reason for Anne not to accept Nicholas' offer. After all, why would Anne Boleyn of all people want to kill a mouse?

But Anne's heart hammered even faster as her eyes darted back and forth.

"Uh, no it is fine. I shall deal with the mouse myself. Well, I bid you good day Lord Nicholas, for I must go."

And with that Anne quickly rushed off. Nicholas watched her go, eyes narrowed. He knew something was up, something bad. He only hopped that he could stop it before it was too late. Then a thought crept into his head. What is the one thing Anne Boleyn wants? He thought. The crown. To be Queen of England and marry Henry. Nicholas knew that Henry was now sick and Katherine far too busy to be noticing things. He knew by now how cunning and scheming Thomas Boleyn was. Did Anne want to poison Katherine? An alarm bell went inside Nicholas's head. No, surely she wouldn't... not even a person as evil as her… surely she wouldn't sink that low to get the crown? Nicholas shook his head, of course she wouldn't. But just in case, he thought, I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on her. Nicholas headed towards his bed chambers. The ball was tonight and he was going to go and get ready.

Anne Boleyn made her way to the great hall where the ball tonight was to be held. Already there were servants and maids and chefs and craftsman, all scampering around in a hurry; they were all there getting the ball ready. The hall was brightly lit with candles and in the middle of the roof hung a huge golden chandelier, and a long table sat at the back of the room where King Henry, King Francis, and other important people were to dine. Around the room were tables and chairs for the rest of the people to dine and in the middle the oak colored tiles were polished so you could see your reflection. But Anne ignored the glamorous scenery and chaotic workers and made her way down to the side of the hall and opened the double door.

She entered the kitchen, which was busy with the cooks rushing around, trying to get the rest of the food ready for the ball. Anne looked around and made her way to the head chef who was standing their above the bench, perfecting his pheasant pie. Anne held the bottle tightly and looked at it one last time and peeled the poison label off. She took a deep breath then exhaled. This was it, no turning back now. She was to poison Katherine. The Queen of England was to die. Katherine of Aragon, daughter of Castile of Spain and Fernando of Aragon was to die. Anne tried to stop the voice as she made her way up to the cook, but it repeated in her head over and over again. And it will be all your fault.

"Excuse me," Anne said to the cook. She was surprise at how small her voice sounded. Her voice never sounded small, especially when she was to speak to an uncommon servant.

The cook turned around, frustrated, but then saw that it was Anne, the King's mistress. He quickly put on a smile.

"Lady Anne, what is your will being here?"

"I-" Anne's voice stopped and she did not know why. Maybe she was scared? Maybe she did not want to do this? "Her Majesty ordered something to be put into her drink tonight. She has not been feeling well and needs to take this medicine." Anne brought up the bottle and gave it to the cook, who frowned, staring at it.

"Her Majesty usually tells me directly if she needs medicine in her food."

Anne's heart started hammering.

"I understand that the Queen has been busy lately."

The cook nodded and pocketed the bottle.

"I will make sure that this goes into her wine tonight."

Anne nodded back and left the kitchen. She had done it, it was complete. Katherine of Aragon was to die. Anne would get the crown and be Queen of England. If Anne was to now finally be Queen then why did she feel terrible?

Anne shook her head slightly as she left the hall to go to her bed chambers. She felt sick, she felt like throwing up. She felt guilty. Anne entered her room and sat at the end of the bed.

Six hours until the start of the ball. Maybe she should go and stop it?

Five hours. Of course not, it's too late.

Four hours. There could be a chance that she does not drink it.

Three hours. Why should I be feeling guilty? If the witch just accepted the divorce...

Two hours. This was not her fault; Katherine had brought her to do this. If she had just left for Kimbolten castle then none of this would have happened!

One hour. Anne shook her head, it was hopeless. She shut her eyes, one hour until the ball. One hour before Katherine of Aragon died. One hour between her and the crown.


*GASP!* hehe yes, sorry for the cliff hanger. oh my god, what a ****** doncha just hate anne? sorry if they were a bit out of character, but it has been a while since iv last written. and poor Nicholas, henry healed and hes loosing katherine. please review because they help me write! + its always great to have feedback on what i did good or how i can improve.

lydia