Whore. Jezebel. Concubine. Usurper. These were just a few of the names the people of England called her. She couldn't blame them. Catherine of Aragon had been a fantastic queen. She excelled in many things.

Except where it counted. Anne mused that if just one of Queen Catherine's sons had survived she would still have her throne. Still be known as the Queen of England. Anne scoffed slightly.

Who was she fooling? People still called her Queen Catherine. She would always be their Queen. Mary would always be their true heir.

Her hand travelled by instinct to her swollen belly. No doubt she was happy. She now had everything she could ever want. A loving husband, the title of Queen, and a healthy Tudor prince growing within her.

There was this tiny bit fear at the back of her mind. The tiny but worrisome what if. What if she failed? Everyone said that it was a boy. The astrologers, the doctors, noblemen and ladies. Even she proclaimed that she would succeed where Catherine had failed.

Henry had proven himself capable of siring healthy sons. The evidence was His Grace, the Duke of Richmond. Lady Wilson nee Blount had done well. Though she birthed a royal bastard it was a boy. That secured her.

Since he was capable it depended on her. No one wanted to mention what would happen if it was a girl instead. Everyone was hopeful and excited.

They would rub her belly and proclaim that it was a boy. 'Yes, my lady! The prince grows strong within you. He kicks mightily.'

XXXXXXXX

A few days later she had a dream. And it scared her.

Anne screamed as another contraction hit her. She breathed as the midwives instructed.

She saw Henry who was giving instructions to her father and brother. "I want the bells to be rung as soon as possible. And distribute wine and food to the people."

"Push my Lady!"

She did and a strong cry could be heard. All the ladies stopped.

Anne became alarmed. "What? What is it?!"

Mary, her sister, comforted her. "Your Majesty has given birth to a very healthy baby girl."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "No."

Henry came in. He appeared emotionless but she could sense a very real anger behind his eyes.

"I'm so sorry."

"No matter. We are still young, and by the Grace of God, boys will follow."

XXXXXXXXX

Anne woke up with a start. Was that real? She rubbed her belly. A Princess. Princess Elizabeth. She had to tell Henry. She dressed quickly.

The guards appears alarmed when they saw the Queen.

"Your Majesty. What is it?"

"Please. This is urgent. I must see the King."

"I am sorry, my Lady. The king has forbidden us from allowing anyone to enter. He's very busy."

"Busy?" With a mistress no doubt. "Very well. Tell His Majesty that I have something very important to tell him and that I desire his company for breakfast in the morning."

They nodded. Anne turned and with every step towards her chambers her heart broke. Her ladies nearly pounced on her when she returned. They started a fire and wrapped her in bundles of blankets.

"My Lady you can't walk around without something on your feet," Madge Shelton, her cousin, said. "You'll get sick."

"Ladies. I have something I must share with you all. What I say is for your ears only. Promise me."

They bowed their heads. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"The child I carry is not a boy but a girl."

They all gasped. Surely their mistress jest. Everyone said it was a boy. Even the doctors agreed that they were expecting a lusty lad by September.

"How can you be sure sister?" Mary Boleyn asked.

"I had a dream."

They all look at each other. Could the Queen be going mad?

"You do not believe me?"

They said nothing. Anne sighed in defeat and announced that she was going to bed.

When she awoke the next morning Nan announced that the King was there. Anne sat up.

"Henry? I'm so glad to see you. I have something to tell you."

He held her hands. "Yes. What is it?"

She began to cry. "I'm so sorry. I've failed you."

"Anne." He turned to her ladies. "What's wrong with her? What is she talking about?"

Nan spoke up. "My Lady believes that the child she carries is a girl. She said she had a dream."

Henry processed the information. Though he would be disappointed if Anne gave birth to a girl, instead of the son he craved, he figured a healthy girl would be better than a stillborn boy.

"It's alright Anne," he said. "We can always try again. It's alright. I'm sure boys will follow."

He kissed her forehead. "I will leave you to get dressed. Ladies."

They curtsied. "Your Majesty."

As her due date drew near Anne noticed that no one said that she would give birth to a girl. Though she figured that they knew. No one appeared as happy and excited as they had before.

Her father certainly wasn't happy to hear it.

"Why would you say such a thing? Basing your fears on a dream. How stupid can you be?"

"I merely said what I believe Lord Father." She stood. "Never forget that that is what got us here. Not just you and your schemes but me. It was me he fell in love with. It was my opinions that he respected. It is me who is carrying his child. You are an earl and my father. I am a Queen and your daughter. Which of us ranks higher Lord Wiltshire?"

He swallowed. "You do."

She gave him a look.

He corrected himself. "You do, Your Majesty."

"Now. Remove yourself from my presence. When I desire your company father I shall call upon you."

He bowed and left.

XXXXXXX

When it came time for Anne to give birth she was nervous. Though Henry said he would be fine if she birthed a girl she was still worried.

A contraction hit her. She screamed in pain.

"My Lady push!"

She did. A cry was heard. "Is it a girl?"

"No. A boy. A healthy prince!"

"What?" How was that possible? She felt lightheaded and fainted.

XXXXXXXXX

Henry heard shouting inside. He became worried. One of the midwives came out.

"Well?"

"It's a boy."

"And the Queen?" George asked.

"She will not wake."

Henry paled. "No." He ran inside. They curtsied but Henry didn't see them. He saw the cradle and inspected the child. A boy. A healthy prince of Wales.

He knelt beside his wife. She was pale. He put his head against her chest. Her heart beats.

"Anne. Please. You can't go. You've done everything you promised. We have a son." His voice broke. "A healthy Prince. Please wake up."

Anne jolted awake. "No! Please don't! You can't."

"Anne. It's alright. You're safe."

"Henry? Where's our daughter? Where's Elizabeth?"

Henry chuckled. "We have a son."

"But. I was so sure. The dream."

"It doesn't matter. Now. You have the honor of naming our prince."

"Richard."

"Richard. Richard Tudor, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall. A fitting name."