Anne called Maria to her that evening and they sat by the fire as she had always wanted to in Cleves. Just the two women together, relaxed. Anne had to admit that asking Maria to stay with her had been an inspired idea. Maria was German, had been raised in the same courts as Anne. Yet she was young and witty and fit in with the English court in a way that no other German counterpart did. She had been quick to immerse herself in with the English ladies and was the first to adopt a more English way of dressing. The time was coming for her German retinue to leave her and Anne had to make sure Maria was allowed to stay. She needed at least one friend at court and in her household she could trust.

They sat together now, sipping on honeyed wine and discussing Anne's next steps in German. The easiest way to prevent eavesdroppers.

"He should see how far you have come. How much you are becoming used to these English ways." Anne had taken the opportunity of this time her husband had left her alone to acclimate herself to the English court. She was quietly proud of how rapidly she was improving in the language.

"You should dance." Maria suddenly declared, thumping her fists on her legs, excited about her idea. Anne gasped lightly at the very idea. "This court is not like Cleves. Women here dance all the time. What better way to show him how you are coming to enjoy his country!"

"Young women." Anne argued, scandalized at the very thought. "Unmarried women. Maids in waiting, not queens!"

But Maria scoffed. "Lady Seymour was twirling around just last night! With a man who is not her husband, I might add..." Indeed, Anne Seymour was rarely seen in the company of Lord Edward. But the Seymour man was not one who had buried three wives.

"I cannot dance with a man." Anne was insistent, her old fears returning ten-fold.

Maria nodded, immediately agreeing. "No. That would be unseemly. But with your ladies?" It was tempting. But still dangerous...not to mention..

"I do not know how to dance the English way..." Anne all but whispered, ashamed. She had been improving in speech and dress, but still felt awkward surrounded by the perfect ladies of court. Trying to dance with them would only highlight how unpolished she still felt.

"Let it be a tableau.." Maria mused, tapping her lips in thought. "Lord knows the English are so fond of their pageantry." Anne bit back a smile. "A dancing instructor can come in, teach us all the steps. It can be a German dance, one that everyone will have to learn." The idea was growing on her. But she knew if she was going to be daring, she may as well commit.

"It can be Italian." she decreed.

...

And so Anne had begun planning. When she had expressed to Lady Catherine Brandon her intention, the lady's eyes had gleamed with approval. The duchess had also made the suggestion that Anne not tell Henry of her plans, to let it be a surprise. When the dancing instructor had been summoned, Anne had tried to not be insulted by the shock in the man's face at her suggestion. Nevertheless, he had immediately jumped at the chance to once again secure a queen's patronage.

Maria had been a godsend at taking the lead along with the Duchess of Suffolk to choose the costuming, draft the story, and assign director to the queen's ladies. This was to be a nod to Anne's first lesson on the English Court as the ladies were to play as a deck of cards. The valiant Queen of Diamonds, played by Catherine Brandon, was to lead her army of red against the wicked Queen of Spades, played by a delighted Maria. The red would soon overtake the ladies in black, freeing the illustrious Queen of Hearts, which was to be Anne, who would lead her saviors in a simple dance that would end in a glorious display of red silk. It was a tableau centered around the grace and power of femininity and no one could accuse them of any inappropriate or bawdy behavior. Frivolity however, certainly.

The maids of honor had all been absolutely delighted in their parts, thrilled that after a few months of sobriety, their queen seemed to be joining the festivities of court. Anne herself was increasingly worried about how her actions would be received by the court. Would her ambassador see it as such an affront to their original mission that he leave her without German representation? Would the peacocks at court see it as not nearly enough of a spectacle and think her dowdy and out of touch? But all of her concerns paled to how she hoped Henry would see her. She prayed most fervently that he would see that she was trying so hard to fit in to his court and his life. That she was happy to be here with him and his children to help them complete their family. That he no longer had to hold her at a distance, she could meet him halfway.

It was this in her head as she shrugged on the elaborate red gown that had been designed for her. It was a completely English cut, with a square neckline trimmed with cloth of gold. She wore no other adornment outside of a wreath of red roses in her hair, which was left to fall down her back in ripples of gold. She had at first put her foot down when the Duchess of Suffolk had suggested she leave her hair unbound- she was a married woman and a queen and it was unseemly. But after Lady Hart, Catherine Brandon, and Maria had all insisted, she had begun waffling and had agreed to at least try it in her rooms. But when the little Princess Elizabeth had arrived and audibly gasped, declaring Anne to be a beautiful Queen of Hearts, Anne had finally agreed.

They had all taken their places, Anne hidden away from the audience until her big reveal. Her nervousness caused her heart to pound as she sat in her little seat. She knew that Henry had been given some excuse as to why Anne was not at his side on this dinner- that she had been feeling under the weather and to please enjoy the festivities without her. She paused as the music began, wondering if Henry was disappointed she was not beside him or if he was relieved. She shook her head, willing such thoughts away. Tonight was about convincing him that she could occupy this place in his life and she could not let her doubts cloud her.

As the 'war' came to its culmination, Anne steeled herself for her big reveal. She forced her chin up, her shoulders to square, and her lips to curl with mirth that she didn't quite feel. This was her moment. The curtains were swept away, uncovering her to the crowd and she could hear gasps from the audience. But her eyes were on one person, her husband and king. What would she see?

Surprise. And then...delight.