Title: Joint wives.
Author: PrinceBrennonTudor
Summary: What would have happened if someone made it their mission to save Anne and told Henry just to have two wives? What would happen to England with two royal wives? Will there ever be an heir?
Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors. But the story idea is mine.
Author's Note: Thank you to all who reviewed. I hope you all liked the last chapter I hope the action was too your liking. So some time has passed since the attack on Anne. Jane and Anne are now in the seventh month of Pregnancy almost their eighth. In this chapter Anne and Jane both try to champion Lady Mary. Oh and last time I asked if anyone was interested in making a fan made trailer please let me know I would really appreciate it. Oh and P.S I just realized I but the wrong date on the last chapter it was supposed to be September but I put July.
Chapter 11
January 29, 1537
The Queen's Apartments
Queen Anne sat with her ladies in a circle finishing the layette for her baby. Since the attack four months prior Anne had kept to her rooms mostly. It was pretty sure thing that she was still scared from the incident. Brereton was executed on high treason a week after the court had returned from WolfHall. Though the warden of the tower, who was present for the torturing of Brereton was sure that someone else was involved Brereton never confessed him partner. So he died on the scaffold alone. Anne never spoke this out load but she was sure one of the Seymour's was involved. But she has no prof and accusing the Seymour's would give the court reason to gossip and that the queen was saying this to but blame on her rival. So Anne just kept quiet and prayed every day that she will carry this child to term and gives birth to a healthy son.
As Anne sewed away her sister Mary entered the room carrying a sliver goblet. "Anne, Dr. Linacre has prepared your tonic," Said Mary who then handed it to Anne to drink. When Jane and Anne entered their fifth month Henry ordered that they both start taking a prenatal tonic. It was supposed to make sure Anne and Jane give birth to healthy children. Anne was paranoid about being poisoned so Anne required that at least one of her ladies were present when the tonic was prepared. Jane who was afraid that one of Anne's ladies would slip something into her tonic when Dr. Linacre had his back turned also required one of her ladies to be present.
Anne was hesitant when Mary handed her the goblet. While she knew it would help her baby, it taste dreadful and Anne could sometimes barely keep it down. Anne sighed and Held her nose, and down the mixture in one gulp. She put her hand over her mouth for a second before handing the goblet back to Mary who put it down on the table. "God, that stuff is horrid." Lady Mary laughed and took the seat next to her sister.
"It's for the good of the child."
Anne smiled and held out her hand for his to take. "Oh God, only two more months till I hold my son in my arms," prayed Anne.
"Amen," Whispered Mary.
Hatfield House
January 30, 1537
Lady Mary held the letter from Jane in her hand and frowned. Jane wrote saying that a spy of hers hand heard the king tell Anne that she had till next month to sign the oath or she would be prosecuted for treason. Her father would never move against her. She may not have obeyed him over the act of supremacy and the act of succession but she was still his daughter and he would never kill his own flesh and blood. All of a sudden Mary's door busted open and in came running Elizabeth. She ran to Mary and hugged her around her legs. "Lady Mary play with me," she ordered. "
Mary smiled and picked up her sister and placed her on her small bed when she realized something. Her father didn't need her anymore. He had Elizabeth and Anne and Jane were both with child. So he was likely to get a boy with one of them if not both. And If Mary was honest with herself she missed being part of a family. She missed her father calling her his pearl/ And She wanted nothing more than for him to take her into his arms and hug her and never let her go. But if she didn't sign the oath Mary realized for the first time she could be replaced and her father wouldn't think twice about it if he thinks he's saving England.
Lady Bryan walks into Lady Mary's room and takes Elizabeth by the hand. She tells the princess to go play with her cousin Mistress Annie and she turns back to Lady Mary. "Lady Mary, go to the Princess Elizabeth's nursery and help the ladies back we have been summoned back to court. She then leaves to go check on her charge. Lady Mary heads to the nursery to see ladies running back and forth packing Elizabeth's trunks. One of the ladies walked over to Mary and handed her a pile of shifts. She then pointed to one of the trunks and told Mary to get packing.
Mary placed the shifts on Elizabeth's bed and started to fold the shifts and place them in trunks. Well if she signed the oath she wouldn't be a servant to her sister anymore. She would probably have her own household and be able to once again dress in beautiful clothes, instead of the plain black ones she had to make due with.
But she couldn't betray her mother's memory like that. She wouldn't.
The Lady of England's Apartments.
Jane was quietly reading a book of devotions, when her sister Dorothy entered and caring her prenatal tonic. Jane sighed put down her book and took the drink from her sister's hand and downed the drink. Jane the put down the goblet and picked back the book. Dorothy picked up her needlework and started to finish sewing a little gown fit for a prince. "So sister, how is the christening gown going," asked Dorothy? Since Jane was denied the proper christening gown by Anne she had to make her own.
Jane once again put down her book and pulled reach for a basket filled with baby clothes. On top was the christening gown. Jane pulled it out and showed it to her sister. It was made of pure white silk embroidered in silver and gold. It was perfect. It would surely outshine any gown Anne made. Jane put the gown back into the basket and stood up to start getting ready for dinner. Jane found it very up confortable to walk with her huge belly if front of her. She went to her cabinet and looked through all her possible gowns. She chose a gown of light blue silk trimmed in sliver. Her ladies dressed her in the gown and for jewels she chose the diamond tiara and necklace that Henry gave to her when she was told she was to be addressed as Lady of England. Jane had turned and was about to leave when she noticed a Lady Missleton wearing an expensive looking ruby necklace. Jane had a theory where the necklace came from but she wanted to make sure before she over reacted. But Jane was sure Lady Missleton was the king's mistress.
Jane and her ladies headed to the dining hall. When she was announced the court sank into bows as she headed towards the royal table. Anne and Henry were already here waiting for Jane to arrive before they started to eat. Jane made a shallow curtsey and one of the pages pulled out her chair for her to seat. "You look very good Your Majesty," said Jane, as she took a sip of wine.
"Why thank you Jane. How do you feel?"
"I feel fine, our son is strong. I feel him kick every day." Jane placed a hand on her stomach. And Henry placed his on top of hers.
"My son," I was all he said.
Jane and Henry seemed to have been lost in their own world till Anne cleared her throat clearing not wanting to be ignored all night. "Oh right sorry sweetheart, Henry said. He removed his hand and turned to Jane. "Oh, Jane as I was telling Anne we should plan some entertainments for The Princess Elizabeth's arrival.
"Oh I thank that can be arranged," Stated Jane.
"Good, I will leave it to you and Anne to plan."
Whitehall Palace
February 3, 1537
Anne paced her rooms waiting for her daughter to arrive. Elizabeth would stay at the court till the birth of the baby. And with God's grace Elizabeth would return to Hatfield with her brother by Anne who would hopefully be Prince of Wales. Anne kept pacing the rooms till she heard the familiar calling to make way for the Princess Elizabeth. The door to her apartments was thrown open and Elizabeth and Lady Bryan crossed the threshold and dropped into deep curtsies.
"Mama, "Elizabeth cried as she ran towards Anne, before Lady Bryan could restrain her.
"Your Highness, please be careful around the queen. You must think of the child she carries.
"Lady Bryan its fine. But if you have a minute I would like talk to you." Anne put Elizabeth in one of her arm chair and walked over to Lady Bryan.
"Lady Bryan I will ask you to speak plainly. How is the Lady Mary?" She whispered so Elizabeth couldn't hear.
Lady Bryan hesitated a moment before she answered. "Truth be told Your Majesty, she is sad all the time. If i knew any better I would say she is close to giving in to the king's demands."
Anne nodded and signaled for Lady Bryan to leave. And she walked back to where Elizabeth stood. "Mama, what were you and Lady Bryan talking about?"
"Well aren't you nosy. If you must know I was asking Lady Bryan how the Lady Mary is doing.
"Oh…" said Elizabeth. She was quiet for a minute the spoke again. "She cries a lot. I don't think she's happy being my lady-in-waiting."
"How does the Lady Mary treat you Elizabeth," Anne inquired?
"She is very kind to me; she plays fun games with me and sings to me."
"I'm glad sweetheart." Anne said quietly, "I'm glad." Anne was now surer than ever that she needed to fight for Lady Mary.
King Henry's apartments
King Henry tried to read over the proclamations that Cromwell put before him, but he couldn't concentrate. Mary was here in the palace and Anne and Jane were both asking him to restore Mary back to his affections as his daughter and make her a welcomed member at court. And Henry longed to do so. But how could he when she didn't obey his command about the oath? But Henry longed to take Mary into his arms and make her feel safe. But he wouldn't till she obeyed him, or she would suffer for it.
Henry set two pages to Anne and Jane to come to him. Both Ladies upon entering dropped as deep of curtsies as their huge bellies would allow. "Is something wrong Henry? Are you ill?" Anne asked him walking over to his desk and put the back of her hand to his forehead to see if he had a fever.
"No, no I'm not ill I just have a lot on my mind."
"Is it something we can help you with?" asked Jane.
Henry sighed and reached down and pulled out a paper from his desk. He handed it to Anne." Both of you go to the Lady Mary and get her to sign that oath by midnight tonight or she goes to the tower."
Anne and Jane stared at Henry for a moment is disbelief. He gave Mary till they were in their eighth month. So Mary should have two weeks left but Henry was going back on his promise. "But Henry you gave her till later this month."
"But nothing she has had enough time," he bellowed. "She will sign tonight or be imprisoned.
Jane and Anne dropped curtsies to Henry and left him and headed to Elizabeth's nursery.
Princess Elizabeth nursery.
"You're Majesties, what do we own this pleasure?"
"Lady Bryan we have come to see Lady Mary," Stated Jane.
Lady Bryan was dumbstruck for a moment but she quickly recovered. "Yes your Majesties, one moment." She disappeared for a minute and returned with the solemn Mary. Lady Bryan and Mary dropped curtsies and Lady Bryan left the room. "Mary, we have come on your father's order to have you sign the oath,"
Mary looked away from her step-mothers and walked over to a window and looked out of it. "Madam as much as it pleases me to do as my father commands me, I will never condemn my soul for an earthly king,"
Jane walked over to Mary and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Mary please, your father will send you to the tower tonight if you don't sign. I don't wish that on you and me pretty sure Anne doesn't either.
Anne now advanced onto the two of them. "Of course I care. I don't want Mary to act as a servant to Elizabeth. I want her to be a free young lady with the love of her father."
"If you don't want me to be a servant to Elizabeth why did you make me one of her ladies when she was first born?" Mary bellowed at Anne. Tears were now running down her face, as she looked at Anne daring her to prove her wrong.
"Mary I didn't put you into Elizabeth's household, your father did. But I will admit that I didn't fight to keep you out. And Mary you listen to me I might have been mean in the past but I am trying to right it. And if you sign the oath I will try to persuade your father into making you a princess again."
Now it was Mary and Jane's turn to look dumbfounded they never expected Anne go as fair as to make Mary a princess. Anne slowly put the paper down on the table across from Mary. "We will comeback in an hour and see what your answer is. And we will send Chapuys to guide you into doing the right thing," Stated Anne. Both she and Jane turned and left but not before tell Lady Bryan to summon the ambassador.
One Hour later.
Anne and Jane returned in time to find Elizabeth and little Annie eating supper. Elizabeth bolted out from her seat to hug her Mama. "Have you come to visit me Mama," she asked?
"No sweetheart tonight the Lady of England and I have some business with the Lady Mary."
"Oh," said Elizabeth sadly.
Oh don't be sad sweetheart. When I'm done with business I will come to talk to you."
Jane and Anne walked into the little room that Mary was in. She was standing by the window again looking out at the stars. "Mary? Do you have an answer for the queen and me?"
Lady Mary simply walked over to the table and picked up the oath and handed to Jane, her face was expressionless .Jane opened it and sighed with relief. She had signed it. She signed simply as Mary Tudor which was a sign that she gave in to her father's wishes.
"Oh Mary this is wonderful, "Anne exclaimed.
"Oh yes Mary it is, agreed Jane. " And now we will take this to your father."
King Henry's Apartment
Henry looked down at the signed oath with pleasure. Mary final gave in. Know they could truly be a family again. And was all because of his beautiful wives. Know he wouldn't have to worry about Charles demands because Mary had finally agreed that she was the offspring of an unlawful marriage. And not true issue. "So since Mary signed, she will be removed from Elizabeth's household first thing tomorrow and be given a household of her own. "
"I will take care of picking the decorations for her room," said Anne.
"And I will appoint some ladies-in-waiting," said Jane.
Both women turned to leave when Anne turned around. "Oh and Henry I told Mary if she signed you would make her a princess again."
Henry who still had his head bent over the oath shot his head up "What?"
"I said I told Mary that since she signed the oath that you could make her a princess again. And I think you should of course she will have to come after Elizabeth and any other children Jane and I give you. But it's always good to have spare heirs." Said Anne." And true be told it couldn't hurt."
Henry started to nod his head that he agreed. "I guess your right Anne it couldn't hurt."
So there you go chapter 11. So next chapter will include a time jump and the birth of the two royal babies. So what will happen? Will they both have girls? Both have boys? Or will there be one of each? Well you will have to wait till chapter twelve to find out. Oh and I would you guys to name some baby names you think I should use, give me boy and girl names. And finally please review.
T.B.C