King Henry clutched his horses reigns tight as he cantered towards the tower. He couldn't believe what he was doing. Why should he give Anne the opportunity to plead her case? Only the thought of Jane's wide, frightened eyes caused him to move forward. Those same eyes had driven him to look into the courts findings and what he had found was irritating. The case against Anne was weak, filled with easily disputed holes. The judges had not found sufficient evidence enough for Henry to be able to take to Jane and convince her that what he was doing was right. It wasn't enough to convince himself.
His retinue passed the main gates of the tower walls and he caught a glimpse of the Constable, William Kingston in the courtyard. Climbing down from his horse, he threw the reigns to a groom as he approached the man. Master Kingston fell to a bow immediately but Henry caught his surprised face at the kings appearance.
"Your majesty must forgive me, had I known of your arrival sooner I would have something set aside to welcome you" the Constable said with a gruff voice raising his eyes to Henry's face.
The king waved away his apologies and gestured towards the main doors. "I will not be here long enough for that, sir. I will need you to escort me to the Queens chambers. I must speak to my wife" Henry spit out the title that she didn't deserve. Luckily, Kingston only nodded and gestured for the king to follow him. Up and up the stairs they went until they came to the final door that would lead them to Anne's cell. Master Kingston took one last glance at the king before he turned the key and pushed the heavy door open.
Henry stepped inside and it took him a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness in the room. The cell was truly fit for any of noble birth. No one could accuse him of housing her cruelly. While dark and slightly damp, the room was well enough furnished and there was a small crackling fire in the corner. There was a small writing desk near the bed and a chair by the thin, clouded window. A sudden movement by the desk startled him and in an instant he was staring into the haunted eyes of his wife.
"What are you doing here? " her broken voice cut into the silence. She had been more than a little surprised to see him pass through her door and she had observed him taking in her small quarters.
He stared at her in silence for a moment, taking in her appearance. She had clearly lost weight during her time in the tower. Her dress hung from her shoulders and her cheeks looked hollow, her eyes gaunt. He tried not to pity this tiny woman in front of him, tried to hold on to his fury. "I came for the truth, madam" he tried to sound cold and impartial "I need to hear your betrayal from your own mouth".
Whatever he had been expecting, it was not for her to burst into a fit of manic laughter. "You don't want the truth, know the truth. And you don't want to hear it. I'm tired of trying to make you listen" she turned from him and tried to make out something through the glass.
At this Henry balked, but a voice screaming in his head told him to keep going. "I gave you everything, woman!" He ground out "the least you can do is answer me honestly. You begged for me to listen to you. I'm here! Speak!"
Anne turned back and appraised him. Even in a plain black gown and no jewels, when she raised her eyebrow at him he felt she the queen and he the subject. He refused to give her the upper hand. He had serious doubts after reviewing the evidence and seeing Jane's angelic face pleading for his mercy in his mind pushed him to approach her.
Anne flinched away but not before Henry had caught her wrist. "You will tell me the truth" he demanded.
So she did. She told him everything. From the day she heard that her sister had become another king's mistress, to the masque of chateau de vert. From all of their letters and all his gifts to being forced to share them with her family. Her illness, their passionate night in Paris. From the secret wedding in the crypts to the birth of her darling Elizabeth. She told him of Eleanor Luke, Madge Shelton, and of her father's bullying. Of her enemies Wolsey, Brandon, and finally of Cromwell. She opened her heart and told him everything. "I have never been innocent Henry, but I did not do this. Please, for our Elizabeth's sake, believe me".
Henry sat still for a moment, looking into the fire. He rose and crossed to the cell door and pounded on it. When Kingston opened the door, Henry glanced back at Anne. She had stood and was eyeing him fearfully. "I need to think about this" he whispered and he walked out the door, down the stairs, and into the light.