Anna sat in her small stateroom aboard the HMS Newcastle.

She had taken off her outer garments and her bonnet before she had sat down at the small table.

Moonshee and Beebee had taken Louis up to the main deck to watch the ship slip out of its berth and head toward the open sea. The urge to cry had begun to overcome her and it upset her because it wouldn't do a thing to change the situation. She was doing the only thing she could do because to stay would have become more painful than it was at that moment.

To try and remedy the situation she decided to write a letter to the children, but that only forced her to face the inevitable and Anna began to cry. It was almost like the loss of Tom all over again. It was just as permanent, but it wasn't because of death.

As she cried, she didn't hear Beebee come in. All she was aware of was of being comforted by the feel of the woman's arms around her. Beebee didn't try to reassure her or make her feel better because that would have to come with time, as it had with Tom. Anna collected herself and sat up. "I'm sorry."

Beebee took her hand. "Perhaps some tea?"

"Thank you Beebee, that is a lovely idea." She sighed. "I'm going to miss all of them terribly."

"I know you will ma'am, but you did what was best."

Anna nodded. "Yes, but it doesn't mean I wish things couldn't have been different."

Beebee nodded. "It's not my place to say this..."

She laughed, the first time she'd felt like it in days. "You've always spoken your mind, I see no reason you should stop now."

The older woman smiled. "I was with you when you lost your husband and I worried that you would never be happy again. Then we came here and I worried again."

"I know you did. I was finally able to accept that Tom was lost to me forever and no amount of grieving would bring him back. Now I fear, I find myself in somewhat the same position."

"That is why I worried. I could see what was happening, but it was not my place to tell you that you shouldn't."

"You needn't have ever worried about that Beebee. I always knew my place and he never forgot his and we both knew what that meant."

"I do wish it could have been different for you ma'am. It was nice to finally see you smile again."

"I'll be all right, truly I will. And I think a brisk walk around the deck will do more good right now then having a cup of tea in here." Anna decided before she stood up and found her bonnet. She put it on and stuck the hatpins in before she tied the loose ribbons into a bow.

Beebee smiled and followed Anna out of the stateroom.

It wasn't unusual for the king to visit any one of his wives or concubines in their quarters, but it was never to talk.

On this particular visit, he came to see the Lady Thiang. Since the loss of Fa-Ying, she had withdrawn and ceased to join in the activities of the Royal Family as she once had. Though the wives worked together to raise the children, her position was unique in that she had given the king his first born son and his favorite daughter.

That raised her esteem in his eyes and gave her a say that the other wives would never have and Lady Thiang never took advantage of that honor.

He walked through a hallway of prostrate wives and concubines to come to a stop before his Head Wife. She seemed to sense him there and looked up. He indicated to her to stand and when she did she followed him outside and they walked to the children's garden. When they had reached the pavilion that had been the schoolroom he motioned for her to sit.

"Mem Leonowens wish for me to thank you for kind words. She also tell king to tell the Lady Thiang that she appreciate help you give when she first arrive." King Mongkut told her.

"She was most kind to children Your Majesty." She answered.

"They will miss her."

"As His Majesty will also?" She asked softly.

Lady Thiang always managed to get to the heart of the matter and do it in such a way that the king never took it as a sign of disrespect. He knew his judgment had been right when he'd asked Anna Leonowens to educate her.

"She save King's life." He frowned and began to pace.

"What will His Majesty do about teacher now?"

"King has not yet decided, but cannot take too long." He told her. "Must find proper teacher who will not try to convert children."

"What will they do in meantime?" Lady Thiang asked him.

"Have been thinking about such and King think that you should help children until new teacher come."

"I am not teacher Your Majesty." She reasoned.

"You are most correct, but you can help children not to forget what mem already teach them. Must not have new teacher think Royal Children not educated."

"If king wishes me to do so." She agreed reluctantly.

"King wishes it so because it is time for you to be with children. They have missed you."

"Heart still in mourning and feel need not to be with others." She said and a tear rolled down her cheek.

The king watched as the Lady Thiang gathered her composure and softened his regal stance just a bit. "King know how you feel but will tell you what mem Anna tell me, you cannot shut world out forever. Lady Thiang has been away from Chulalongkorn and other children too long and King think you need to be with them now."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He began to walk back to the Wives Residence and the Lady Thiang followed him. He stopped in mid-stride and turned to face his Head Wife. "King almost forget to say that I ask mem Anna to write to you. I believe you would enjoy such and she has agreed."

She nodded and a gentle smile crossed her face. "Thank you Your Majesty, I would enjoy such from mem teacher."

"She knows pain of loss and perhaps can help."

It was unusual that the Lady Thiang would look directly at him. "As she help king?"

He smiled at her. "Yes, as she help king."

He turned back around and with his Head Wife behind him, walked out of the garden.