Disclaimer: the prince and Higgins belong to me, everything else is history.
Sorry i haven't updated in a while, i did try and get a Christmas chapter out but i have had writers block and it hasn't been fun. i did put up a chapter by mistake but it wasn't ready.
But please enjoy.
Chapter V
Westminster Abbey
To many other people Anne of Cleves wasn't of great beauty, but to me she was perfect. As she walked towards the altar I remembered the day we met.
Flashback
Whitehall Place – 7 days ago
I was full of nerves and Higgins was having trouble trying to dress me. I kept looking at the time, still an hour to go before I meet her.
"Sire, Can you please stay still or you won't be ready in time." Higgins asked.
"Sorry Higgins, I am very nervous." I replied.
Before Higgins could answer there was a knock on the door and my father strolled through.
"Not ready yet? Having trouble Higgins?" He asked.
"Yes your Majesty, having trouble keeping still." Higgins replied.
"I am not surprised." My father replied with a chuckle.
"Father, is she here yet?" I asked.
"Yes, and is waiting for you." My father replied.
"Please hurry Higgins." I asked.
"If you stay still Sire, then I will be able to finish." Higgins replied.
Finally I was dressed and standing on the dais in the great hall. The doors opened and a woman approached the dais, Anne of Cleves looked just like her portrait, I was captivated. As she reached the dais she dipped in to a low bow. I stepped forward and raised her out of the bow, even close up she was still captivating.
"My Lady, you are welcome here." I said with a bow.
"Thank you, your Majesty." Anne replied in broken English dipping into a curtsey.
"I am fluent in German if that would be easier for you." I replied in German.
"Thank you, my lord." Anne replied.
Over the next few days we spent time together and learned about each other, the days slipped by so quickly and before I knew it, it was my wedding day.
End of flashback
Anne stopped a few inches away from me and sunk into a low curtsey. I stepped forwards and brought her out of the curtsey.
"Ready?" I whispered.
"Yes." She replied with a smile.
We turned to face the Archbishop Gardener.
"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Gardener chanted.
"Amen." We all replied.
"We are here to witness the marriage of Henry, Prince of England and Anne of Cleves. Will you please face each other." Gardener said.
We turned and faced each other, our eyes locked and we took each other's hands.
"Henry, do you take Anne as your wife, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life?" Gardener asked turning to me.
"I do." I replied still looking at Anne.
Gardener then turned to Anne.
"Anne, do you take Henry as your husband, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life?" Gardener asked.
"I do." Anne replied locked in my gaze.
Gardener then turned to the altar to bless the ring.
"Almighty God, bless this ring, symbol of faithfulness and unbroken love." Gardener chanted.
Turning back to us Gardener offered the ring to me. I took the ring from the cushion and slid it onto Anne's fourth finger and said. "Wear this ring as a sign of our faithful love."
"Henry and Anne have both vowed to love one another. I now proclaim that they are husband and wife, Prince and Princess." Gardener said.
Anne and I turned to face the congregation. We proceeded back down the aisle, we stopped at my father and we both bowed and curtseyed.
We then turned and led the congregation out of Westminster Abbey and to the wedding banquet.
Sorry for the shortness of the chapter but hope you enjoyed it. will try and get another chapter up soon.
Please R&R