A/N: Once again I apologise for the delay in updating this story. However I do promise that along with this story, 'Her Majesty, the Marquess of Pembroke,' will also be updated today. I will then endeavour to update the rest of my stories by the end of this month.
Originally I had planned on this chapter being a LOT longer but after careful consideration I realised that the chapter would be more enjoyable (and read better) at a shorter length. I also thought it would be fun to leave you all waiting with the cliff-hanger ;)
This chapter covers some very big historical events, although I won't give anything away I will let you guys simply read and discover it all for yourselves.
A huge thankyou as always to those who have stuck with my stories and with me. A special thanks to all those who have reviewed or placed this story or myself on their favourites/alerts lists.
As always I own nothing. I will also say that some of the dialogue in this chapter has been taken from season 1 of the Tudors, on which this story is based.
Chapter 5:
22nd of January 1528
Whitehall Palace
Queen of England's Apartments
" You are absolutely certain Sir Thomas?" Katherine questioned desperately, and she cursed herself for the worrisome tone her voice had taken.
" Yes, Your Majesty," Thomas Moore responded thickly, nodding his head in confirmation, " I have just myself come from a meeting with the King, the Cardinal and the Duke of Suffolk."
" I see." Katherine murmured quietly not quite knowing what words to say to Moore's announcement.
" An announcement was made today to the Emperor at Burgos by both the English and French ambassadors."
" I suppose Sir Thomas, that such things were to be expected." Katherine put forward diplomatically.
She was a Spanish princess no longer, Spain was no longer her home England was and as England's Queen and the mother to its heir and therefore in times of war (as this had now become) her alliances must lay firmly with England.
Even if the thought of turning against her beloved nephew left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Things were not as they once were, and Katherine could not risk doing anything that would lead to the king's displeasure.
In the earlier years of her marriage, Henry would never have dared to upset her by declaring war against her family, and he had always been more than inclined to side with the Emperor when such conflicts had arisen between Spain and France throughout the years.
Yet now Katherine was no longer the only woman by the King's side, and it was no secret that Anne Boleyn favoured the French just as Katherine did the Spanish, and with Mary's recent betrothal to the French Dauphin and Wolsey's continual influence, such things as she had already said to Sir Thomas had been all but inevitable.
It would not do her well to dwell on such things, not with her position being so delicate.
There had been whispers after Isobel's birth that the King had been so displeased that he had wanted to find a way to annul his marriage to the Princess Consort. Katherine had never paid much mind to such rumours, but she had at least thought that Henry's feelings towards Anne Boleyn might cool off somewhat, after the enjoyment of their new child subsided somewhat and at least until she had given him the son she had promised. She thought perhaps that Henry might even take a mistress; it would have been the only circumstances she could think of where she would not be completely disappointed in her husband's unfaithfulness.
Yet he remained true to Anne in everyway. Katherine knew from her people that as soon as Anne had been able to resume her wifely duties that Henry had been in her bed every night and before that he had been in her bed anyway. He had not taken a mistress and instead of Isobel's birth causing some level of strain between the couple it had only served to strengthen their relationship. Henry was besotted with his daughter by Anne (as he had once been besotted by Mary) and he was thankful towards Anne for giving him such a perfect princess.
Isobel (or Izzie as Mary had dubbed her) was an easy and pleasant child; even Katherine would not deny such things. In many ways Anne's daughter reminded her of her own at such an age, they both took after their father, a thing she was sure Anne was thankful for… Katherine knew she was.
With Henry's history in producing healthy children before Isobel's birth (Mary and the Fitzroy boy were the only healthy children to his name) it was imperative for Anne just as it had once been for Katherine for her child to look like a Tudor.
No doubt Henry thought that if his daughter by Anne was so pleasing for him, that a son by her would be even more so, and Katherine could not help but think that that was what was keeping Anne in their husbands good graces.
If she failed to give him a son soon then perhaps the cracks would begin to show.
For now though Katherine couldn't think of such things, for now she had to pretend to be uncaring towards the fact that Henry through picking the French King over her own nephew (and his through marriage) had once again reiterated the fact that he would always choose Anne over her.
Perhaps one day she would be able to deal with the fact, but for now the idea of being second in the King's heart still left her feeling cold inside.
This place, this country, her husband's court, none of it felt like home anymore.
30th of March 1528
Whitehall Palace,
Princess Consort of England's Apartments
Anne stared at the letter in her hands with saddened eyes, when England and France had formed an alliance against the emperor, she had known that many things would be effected but yet she had not thought that this would be one of them.
" What is that sweet sister?" George questioned over the top of his deck of cards, they had been in the middle of a game when Nan had bought the letter to her attention.
" It is a letter from the Duchess of Savoy," Anne replied trying to keep her voice even and calm, and not let her brother take note of the disappointment that was currently cursing through her body, " She is disappointed with me."
" Ah," George replied the sound rolling effortlessly off his tongue, " I don't know what she thinks you can do."
" Perhaps if I talked to Henry, maybe I could convince him to allow trade to continue between England and the Netherlands," Anne suggested hopefully. Margaret of Austria had given her, her start in this world, she had taken her under her guidance and seen Anne educated as befitted a Princess.
They had shared a close bond both during her time abroad and since Anne's departure, they exchanged letters often and Anne had always felt glad to count her as an ally.
" Don't be stupid Anne," George answered his voice almost teasing, " England is at war with the Holy Roman Empire, the Netherlands is apart of that Empire, and Margaret is Charles' aunt she would never go against him."
Katherine has, Anne thought but dare not say out loud, Katherine had no choice in the matter, no doubt doing so had hurt her.
" Yes, but still our issue is not with the Netherlands and surely…."
" Anne," George interrupted his voice cutting and cold. She had never heard him speak to her like that before, " will you stop it? Things are not as they used to be, they are not as simple you must forget your old friends and alliances, you are the Princess Consort of England and England alone, that is where your interests must lie."
" Yes, I know that but…."
" I said you are the Princess Consort of England for God's sake would you act like it."
It was no a usual thing for her to be shocked into silence, especially by her brother who more often than not focused on keeping her in good spirits. Such reprimands would usually come from her father or uncle, she and George had always been close, she had always fought with Mary more than she ever had with their brother.
Any retort she may have had to George's words however would have been immediately interrupted with her husband's entrance into her bedchamber.
" Sweetheart," Henry addressed with a soft smile and a small incline of his head, before turning his attentions on Anne's brother, "Lord Rochford, would you leave us please."
" Your Majesties," George answered with a nod of his head and a swift bow, before departing Anne's rooms as the King had requested. His deck of cards lay forgotten on Anne's table, he would be disappointed by that, Anne thought, he kept claiming he had a winning hand.
" He would have beaten you sweetheart," Henry stated turning both Anne and George's cards over with a lazy flick of the wrists, " Lucky I came to save you from such embarrassment."
" I had not expected you so early, Henry." Anne queried, it was a normal occurrence for her husband to visit her bedchamber every night, but the sun had not yet set and Anne was worried as to what that could mean.
" I have a proposition for you Anne," Henry responded with a smile, moving closer to his wife and wrapping his arms around her and placing a chaste kiss on her cheek, " How would you like to travel to Eltham in the morning?"
At that Anne could not help but beam it felt and age since she had last seen her daughter, and although Isobel (at not even six months of age) would not doubt not remember the experience in the years to come, Anne would, to have her daughter raised by other women was not a fact that she was quite yet used to….truthfully she didn't know if she would ever grow used to such things, nor did she know if she wanted to.
" Oh Henry I would love to, I am sure Isobel would appreciate seeing us," Anne exclaimed happily, " And I am sure Mary would love seeing you as well."
It was important for her to maintain the image of being a good and loving stepmother, even if said stepdaughter was not exactly thrilled with Anne's presence in her life. Even if Mary was not willing to try with Anne it was important for Anne to maintain the appearance that she was always trying to maintain a good relationship for her marriages sake as well as her own daughters. For now Mary seemed to be quite pleased with her new sister, dubbing her Izzie, and according to their governess showering her with constant affection, and it was imperative that Henry's eldest daughter had a loving relationship with all of Anne's children.
If she loved them, she would be less inclined to one-day turn against them.
And for that to happen Anne needed to be accommodating to her unruly step-daughter, she could not give the girl a reason to one day turn against any of her current and future half-siblings, especially considering that the girl would one day become the Queen of France.
" Yes, I am sure she would," Henry responded with a smile, kissing Anne on her temple once again, " Do we have any news to bring with us to Eltham sweetheart?"
Anne could not help but shudder slightly at his words, it seemed now that he asked her such a question every night, and though he had yet to express his disappointment (to her) Anne could not help but worry as to his response.
She was not yet pregnant, but then it had not even been a year since Isobel's birth. They had been trying, as soon as she had been given leave to return to her wifely duties Henry had been an ever-present presence in her bed, yet still her womb remained empty.
For now she did not think he would push the matter to far, for now he was still enthralled by her and even more so with their daughter who proved to be a true credit to them. Yet Anne knew well enough that such enchantments would not last forever she need only look at her counterparts to know that.
Once Katherine and Mary had been the centre of Henry's world, despite Mary's sex Henry had never (in the early years of her life) shown disappointment in her or in Katherine. Yet time had shown that Mary had not been enough for Henry and in time Anne knew that her own daughter would no longer be considered enough for her father or for England. That time no doubt would also come quicker for Anne and Isobel seeing as Henry already had a daughter and had already proven that his one desire was to have a son to follow after him.
" No my love, not yet," Anne responded quietly her eyes downcast, " I am sorry."
" Don't be my love," Henry responded rubbing his hands gently against Anne's cheek, " these things will happen in time."
Despite his words and soothing action Anne thought she could detect an ounce of disappointment in her husbands voice, a tone that let her know that such a time would have to come quickly.
12th of June 1528
Richmond Palace
Privy Council Chambers
" My Lords, we must speak of this unrest throughout the country," Henry announced to his councillors staring long and hard on each of them. Wolsey had bought news of the unrest to him the night before and Henry despite being furious that his subjects would dare risk his wrath was also worried, his war with the Emperor was proving costly, as was his alliance with the French King.
He knew well enough that the unrest was being caused by the economic difficulties England had been facing due to the war forces, but he also knew that the Emperor was a powerful enemy to have, he wanted his French alliance, his eldest daughter remained promised to the Dauphin but perhaps it was time that his councillors devised a truce with the Emperor, he had another daughter now, perhaps Isobel could be used to create an alliance with Spain as Mary had been used with France.
His words and thoughts were further interrupted however by the sound of the chamber doors swinging open and the sight of Anne, out of breath and the skirts of her purple gown clutched tightly in her hands as she ran towards them.
" Your Majesty," His councillors all exclaimed in usion dropping into slight bows as they did so.
" My Lady," Henry grunted angrily, pulling Anne out his council chambers and into an empty adjourning room. Such conduct was beneath a woman of her standing and Henry had always thought that Anne had known how to conduct herself royally, just as Katherine always had, " I was in council."
" Yes, Your Majesty, I apologize, your majesty," Anne responded nodding her head slightly but Henry was not under the impression that she truly meant her words.
" Anne, you silly…."
" I have missed my bleeding," Anne announced happily interrupting her husbands reprimand, " I am with child."
At that Henry could do nothing more than stare at his wife in shock before taking her head in his hands and kissing her temple lightly, " Oh sweetheart."
" I just had to tell Your Majesty," Anne responded her smile staying firmly in place, " I am sorry I made you angry."
" I'm not angry," Henry promised kissing her again, " How could I be angry?"
At that Anne bought their faces together kissing Henry passionately, it was a son this time she was sure of it.
" Anne, listen to me," Henry commanded pulling their faces apart far to quickly for Anne's liking, " For the sake of our child please do not over excite yourself, go and lay down and I will come see you very very soon my beautiful wife."
" As your majesty wishes," Anne responded moving away from Henry before placing a hand on her stomach and curtsying slightly.
She carried a son. She had to be.
20th of June 1528
Whitehall Palace
Queen of England's Apartments
" He has given them a palace?" Katherine questioned in some shock.
" Yes, Your Majesty," Moore responded quietly his eyes slightly downcast, " The King expressed his liking of Hampton Court and Wolsey gifted it to him and the Princess almost immediately. He said it was a gift for Anne's recent pregnancy."
At that Katherine could not help but scrunch up her nose slightly. She had not been expecting Anne to fall pregnant so quickly after her daughters birth, Isobel was not yet one yet already Anne was expecting her second child. Katherine knew that the cardinal was no great friend to her, and he preferred Anne because of her French interests but for him to gift a palace solely upon Anne and Henry set her on edge.
It was a sign to the whole of England (and Europe as well) that Anne was the favoured wife of the King, and that Katherine despite being England Queen and the mother of the countries heir was much forgotten, as if Katherine did not already know such things.
Katherine's life was one of order and regularity, she did the same thing every day (except for those days were she took leave to visit Mary at Eltham), she woke, spent time with her ladies and prayed, she was not visited by her husband in fact she only ever saw Henry when it came time for them all to be present together for the sake of the court and to keep up appearances.
When he held her hand his touch was cold and distant, when he kissed her his actions were always chaste and lacking of passion. He sent her no news about the goings on of the court or the country, whatever she found out she found out from the Spanish ambassador or Sir Thomas, her ladies of course bought her some gossip but it was hard to know how much weight to put behind their words.
" A grand present indeed," Katherine responded quietly unable to keep the bite out of her tone, " especially if the Princess delivers another daughter." Or god forbid a stillborn child.
Sir Thomas did nothing more than incline his head slightly at her words, he even more so then her needed to be more careful with his dealings. Henry could not rid himself of Katherine without a fight; it would not be so easy for him to dismiss a simple councillor despite what bond they once shared.
" The King has sent out terms of peace to the emperor," Moore said suddenly, no doubt he thought such words would bring Katherine some joy.
Once they would of, but Katherine knew well enough that Henry's actions had not been for her benefit. Henry had not seeked a truce with his wife's home country out of husbandly love and affection, he had not had a single thought to how his war with Katherine's nephew might have affected her, he had done this because the people of England were growing restless and wars were expensive.
What Henry did he did for himself, it was something she had been forced to learn.
" Will Mary's betrothal with the Dauphin remain in place?" Katherine questioned the last time Henry had sought an alliance with Spain, Mary's betrothal with France had been quickly replaced by a betrothal to the Emperor himself.
" Yes, Your Majesty," Moore responded nodding his head, " If a betrothal is needed to secure the alliance it will not be done through your daughter. Mary will be Queen of France Henry does not want that to change."
So he will offer them Isobel, Katherine thought, or perhaps even the promise of an English prince in Anne's belly.
No doubt Anne would have wanted a match with a country that was more favoured towards her then Spain ever would be, and she could not help but wonder if Henry had informed her of his decision to promise her child to an enemy country, or if he had kept it secret as he had done with Mary's betrothal to the French Dauphin.
24th of June 1528
Whitehall Palace
William Compton was dead, the sweat had taken him and his lady wife, his demise was sudden and unexpected and Henry's doctors had assured the King that his friend would have felt little pain in the end.
All Henry had said for days was 'poor William,' his friends demise had touched him deeply and Anne knew well enough that his loss would be felt for a while longer yet. The Compton's had passed at Warwickshire, a long way from London, yet Anne worried, they all worried, that it might make it's way to them even with the protection that the seclusion of Whitehall offered.
Anne especially was worried, in her condition it was hard not to be. The babe in her belly may very well seal her fate and Anne could not allow any hardship to befall it. Henry's doctors had advised them both to make sure that they fortified themselves against the sweat regardless, they gave them plasters to heal ulcers, unguents to cool inflammation and prevent itching, ointments that helped with digestion, and sooted dry skin, they had been given pills of Rasis (named for the Turk who invented them) which were said to be good against the sweat and finally they had been given an infusion which Dr Linacre assured them was their best method of prevention.
No doubt Katherine too had been given the same remedies, she was still the Queen of England after all, even if it were Anne who was carrying the future of England in her womb. Mary and Isobel were safe at Eltham for now, but Henry had decreed that if there were any inclining of the sweat heading in their direction that they would be moved immediately.
Anne knew that she had to keep her worry at bay, it would not do her or the baby well to be in a state of agitation, yet try as she might Anne could not fight the feeling that something bad was soon to fall upon them. Yet for now she had to suppress her fears, Henry had arranged an audience between themselves and the new French Ambassador an unofficial meeting before the man was welcomed to court formally, a meeting in which Katherine was not invited, and therefore which allowed Anne to build a rapport with the French Ambassador before he had even met Henry's other wife.
" Your Majesty," Jean de Bellay announced with a deep bow, " allow me to present to you my credentials as the bishop of Bayonne and the new French ambassador."
" I am happy to receive them," Henry replied with a smile, " And to be a friend and ally to your master, I send my thanks for his precious gifts."
At that Anne could not help but smile slightly, her hand moving without thought to her growing stomach. King Francis had recently gifted them many expensive and elaborate gifts to celebrate her pregnancy, it always made her glad to know that she could at least count France as her ally. Katherine may have had Spain and the Emperor but Anne was not without her own friends in high places.
" It is his pleasure, Your Highness."
Henry nodded simply before turning his attention to his wife, " Excellence, allow me to introduce my wife Anne, the Princess Consort of England."
" It is a pleasure, your majesty," Jean de Bellay responded, taking Anne's outstretched hand and kissing it lightly, " His eminence, Cardinal Wolsey, has tome me all about you. He did not however tell me how beautiful you are, for a Frenchman, that is a crime."
Anne laughed lightly at the ambassador's praise, such a response was of course expected, but that did not mean that the compliments were not appreciated. And Anne did feel rather beautiful, dressed in fetching black and white ensemble that perfectly pressed upon her stomach, showcasing her condition to all that laid eyes upon her.
" But Frenchmen tell every woman she is beautiful, is that not a crime too?" Anne responded with another laugh, it was important for her to be charming and witty, to be seen as the younger of Henry's wives, the more charismatic and interesting one. She could not appear to be a lifeless simpleton who smiled and nodded at every word that was thrown her way, " I have a gift for you."
With a wave of her hand the wolfhound they had purchased the ambassador was in her hands.
" For me?"
" For you sir," Anne answered handing over the wolfhound with a charming smile, " This dog is very fast really formidable."
" What's his name?" The ambassador questioned with his own charming smile, all Frenchmen it seemed has smiles full of charm.
" Wolsey," Anne answered thickly, before laughing loudly, a course of action both Henry and the ambassador followed.
" You ought to be glad, sweetheart," Henry told her some hours later when they were riding back into the gates of the palace, " the meeting went well, his excellence seemed to like you well."
Before Anne had the chance to respond to Henry's words she was overcome with a dreaded stink. It was vinegar, and that she knew could mean only one thing.
" What is that stink?" The French ambassador questioned loudly from behind them.
" It is vinegar, excellence." Anne heard her brother explain from behind her, but her eyes were focused in front of her to the groom that was running towards them.
" Your majesties, " The groom greeted with a stiff nod of his head, he was sweating…he looked afraid.
" What's happened?" Henry questioned and Anne could hear the worry in his tone. Henry was a mortal man just like the rest of them, and he feared that mortality more than anything else.
" There has been an outbreak of sweating sickness, three hundred deaths this day alone."
" Fetch Dr Linacre quickly, " Henry ordered before turning his attention on Anne, " Anne don't be afraid, George I want you to take your sister to her chambers, I will come see you soon…I cannot risk your health sweetheart."
Anne nodded with a small smile as Henry bought his lips against hers in a chaste kiss, before dismounting from his horse and following his groom quickly inside the palace walls.
" What about the Queen?" Anne heard Henry question somewhat panicked.
After all of his promises of love and fidelity, his assurance that she was the wife he cared for, the Queen in his heart…he still cared for Katherine.
And Anne doubted that would ever change.
26th of June 1528
Whitehall Palace
Princess Consort of England's Apartments
Anne was bored, more bored then she had ever been in her life. The sweat had come and it had taken many lives already and no doubt it would take many more. Herself, Henry and Katherine had all been confined to their rooms, and every person that was to be in attendance upon them was first checked before being allowed to enter their presence.
Thankfully, Isobel (and Mary) were still safe at Eltham. Anne did not want her daughter's health to be another matter she had to worry about. For now her focus had to lie solely on the child in her belly and his survival.
One of her maids was crying. Anne could hear her, despite the girl's best efforts to hide her tears. Anne didn't blame the girl, it was a dangerous time, she too was scared.
" Child, what is it?" Anne asked sweetly, waving the maid that had been brushing her hair away with a hand and turning to face her upset servant.
" Nothing madam," the girl responded breathlessly, " I just felt a little dizzy."
She was worried she had caught the sweat then, as they all were. Every ill feeling set everyone on edge in times such as these. It was to be expected.
" Oh come here," Anne called stretching her arms out in an effort to embrace the girl.
" No I still feel dizzy I…." She stopped short for only a second before her hysteria truly kicked in, " I've caught the sweat."
At that Anne laughed slightly in an effort to calm the girl down, " No gentle child, its just a headache no more than that." Slowly Anne moved next to her maid, being more than prepared to take the girl into her arms if needed.
No one at court had yet caught the sweat she would not have hysteria building for no reason.
" It's not," the girl exclaimed, her voice even more breathless, and Anne noticed that her hands where cold and sweaty, " I have pains in my stomach, yes isn't that a sign?"
Before Anne knew what was happening the girl was on the ground and knelt beside her still trying to calm her.
" How can you deny it?" The girl continued, she had begun to cry, " I am going to die."
" No, no," Anne muttered calmly, " your not going to die, no, listen to me your not going to die ok?"
Anne took the girl into her arms rubbing soothing circles into her back, but soon enough the girl was out of her arms screaming and withering in pain, and as Anne watched her she realized that the girl had not been mistaken.
She had the sweat, and would likely die soon.
What did that mean for Anne? For her child?
King of England's apartments
" My poor maid has this day caught the sweat and died," Henry read Anne's letter in a dethatched tone, praying with every part of him that her words weren't true. "I beg your majesty what shall I do?"
Already they had had limited contact since the sweat reached London. Now he wasn't even permitted to see her. She was his wife, the mother of his second daughter and carrying his child in her belly, but he was the King and his life was considered more important.
" I want to see her," Henry stated firmly, glaring at Wolsey sitting (far) across from him. He needed to see her.
" I would council against that," Wolsey responded softly, clearly not wanting to upset his already irritated King, " any contact with an infected person or even those who have had contact with an infected person is dangerous and you are the King of England."
" Yes, Yes I know," Henry, answered loudly," But she is my wife, she is carrying my child...what if she…."
Henry stopped short, unable to bring himself to finish his sentence, as he struggled to fight back the tears that were threatening to fall.
" What if she dies?" Henry finished after some time.
To that Wolsey had no answer, "Gods," Henry muttered sighing deeply at the cardinal's silence.
Wolsey was right Henry could not risk his own health, not even for Anne and their child. She had to be moved, for her health and his own, she had to leave the palace and be moved to a place that had not yet been affected.
" Alright," Henry began, " tell her she must leave the palace, she must go with her father to Hever and by all means shut herself up there. I will send her infusions to fortify herself and the baby, and I will write to her daily."
At that Wolsey nodded his head stiffly, " And what of the Queen?"
Henry had yet to give Katherine any thought so preoccupied had he been with Anne's own news. With the sweat having already entered Anne's household it would be best if Katherine too were sent away….at least then he could tell Anne that it would not just be her leaving court.
" I will send the Queen and the Princesses Mary and Isobel to Ludlow," Henry answered, he just hoped that Anne understood that he couldn't send her there as well, " I pray to God they will be safe enough in Wales."
" And you, Your Majesty?" Wolsey questioned.
" I will shut myself up here," Henry answered stoically, his mind still filled with thoughts of Anne. Why now? Why did such a tragedy have to befall them now, when everything was finally falling into place? " and keep the sweat at bay with every means."
At that Wolsey stood preparing himself to leave…would the cardinal now forsake the court? " If I may advise your majesty, to keep as few people around you as possible and that way you can reduce the risk of contamination."
" God bless us both." Henry ground out, his voice beginning to shake more and more.
" Indeed." Wolsey responded crossing himself.
28th of June 1528
Henry had sent her away. Her husband had sent her away. The King had sent her away.
She was his wife, the Princess Consort of England, the mother of his beloved youngest daughter and carrying his son in her belly, yet she still would never take precedence over the King's own health. Her maid, that poor young girl, that Anne had comforted and wrapped in her arms had been right, she had caught the sweat and she had died a most horrible death. Now the fear was that Anne herself had been contaminated and so she was sent to Hever, with her father (her brother was already there) where the sickness had not yet reached in the hope that it would be her saviour.
To be fair to Henry, it wasn't just her he had sent away. He had had Katherine and the girls sent to Ludlow, and half his court had been sent from the castle, the less people around him the better. If not for her maid, Anne most likely would have been sent to Ludlow as well, but just like Henry, Mary and Isobel were too important to risk contamination, they were his only legitimate heirs. Yet Anne did not doubt that precautions had also been taken to preserve the life of Henry Fitzroy.
Just days ago no one had taken precedence over her, but now when death was in the picture, her true importance became clear. She was replaceable. Katherine was replaceable. Their daughters were not. The King was not. So it was them who came first, even before the possibility of a son in her belly.
"How do you feel?" Her father asked from beside her. Anne could not help but wonder how comfortable he felt seated next to her on such a long journey. If she had caught the sweat (as they all feared) then no doubt the thought would be that he would be next.
" I feel fine Papa," Anne responded trying her best to smile and ignore the uneasiness that was growing in her stomach. She was pregnant; no doubt that was the cause.
" And the baby?" Thomas Boleyn questioned, and Anne thought his tone sounded more worried when asking about his unborn grandchild then it had for his daughter.
" He is well Papa," Anne answered her hand automatically going to her bump as she spoke. He had to be well.
" You're sure?" Thomas persisted, his eyes analysing his daughter's every movement and expression.
At that Anne turned her head furiously, trying with every fibre of her being to ignore the dizziness that was beginning to seep into her body. " What are you saying?" Anne questioned, ignoring the hysterical tone her voice had suddenly take. Just like her maid, " because of my maid I am certain to be contaminated?"
" No, of course not," Thomas responded, but Anne could hardly hear him, the air in the carriage was growing thin, surely he could feel it too, "What is it?"
His query only caused her distress to grow, as she realized it was only her that was struggling to breathe, " I can't breathe."
" What?" Her dress was growing tighter…perhaps if she loosened it, " What is it? What's wrong?"
Had she not just told him? " I can't breathe. Stop the carriage," Anne ordered her voice breathless, when her father just continued to look at her dumb struck she repeated her words, only louder, " I can't breathe, stop the carriage."
Thomas continued to watch his struggling daughter in horror, his hand automatically moving to hit the top of the carriage, " Halt….stop the coach."
As soon as the carriage had ceased it's movement and all but leaped out of it hoping and praying with every fibre of her being that the fresh air would relive her symptoms.
" Anne," She could vaguely hear her father's voice behind her, but it was nothing more than empty noise, " drive on….Anne."
The air was doing nothing for her; it was a thought that sent her into hysterics. She had caught the sweat; nothing could be done for her now.
She and the baby they were doomed.
30th of June 1528
Whitehall Palace
King of England's apartments
The Princess Anne is also sick, but still survives. Wolsey's words repeated over and over in his head, Anne had caught the sweat, and Henry knew well enough what that meant. His wife may die….and their child would perish with her.
" Dr Linacre," Henry summoned, his voice loud and desperate. She could not die.
" Yes, Your Majesty." Linacre answered, coming before him within seconds of being called.
" Princess Anne is ill," Henry explained, Wolsey's letter clutched tightly in his hand, " go at once to Hever castle and for the love of God save her life."
Immediately he could tell that Linacre was uneasy at such a request, but the good doctor did not protest, he knew as well as any the importance of Anne's life for Henry and for England.
" Oh Anne," Henry murmured, pulling out Wolsey's letter once more and rereading it, hoping that somehow the words on the page would somehow change.
She could not die. They could not die.
A/N: So there you have it chapter 5, I promised you all it would be a big and important one and I hope I didn't disappoint. Please review to let me know what you thought.
Firstly we had England and France uniting against the Emperor. Which had far reaching consequences for both of Henry's wives, with Katherine being forced to choose England and Henry over her home country and nephew, and Anne realizing that a life as England's consort was not easy. England's conflict with Spain also had an effect upon her relationship with the Duchess of Savoy.
Ultimately the cost of the war and siding with France was too much of a burden to bear, with the people beginning to grow restless as taxes grow higher, Henry realized that perhaps it was time to make alliances with the Emperor as well as King Francis, this time using one of his children with Anne as bargaining tools.
That's right the Princess Consort is pregnant once again, not even a year after Princess Isobel's birth. As a gift, Wolsey gives the couple Hampton Court.
Celebrations and negotiations with the emperor are short lived however as England is struck with the sweating sickness.
William Compton is dead, and Anne and her child are in grave danger.
Once again I thank you all for your continued support and ask that you leave a review to let me know your thoughts and hopes for the next chapter, which will be another big and important one.