This is just a small chapter. I'm still working on what I want to do with this story, but all these reviews made me write a bit despite the mountain of school work that I need to do. University is hard. Reviews are much appreciated and I try to answer all reviews. I love all of you thank you so much all of you that reviewed, alerted of favourited this story. I'm so happy with the response this story gets. If you gave suggestions for the story they're still welcome and will be considered.

Right someone mentioned that I had forgotten to tell you the timeline. Well this is in the Early 1520s and Mary son is born January 23 1522. I hope that clear most up otherwise I'll try to fix the dates in the earlier chapters later on.

Thank you to all of the wonderful reviewers!

Chapter three

April 15 1523

Being the wife of the Earl of Northumberland had its uses Anne thought as she viewed her room. It was scattered with fabric as she was making a new wardrobe to prepare for her return to court, especially now that her mourning for her father in law had passed. Anne picked up the letter that had been delivered to her Earlier. One of the benefits of having a sister favoured by the King and a husband that was an Earl was that Anne could keep contact with her sister quite often. The expanse was significant to have messages sent across the country, but to read her sister's words were comforting for Anne.

My dearest Anne

I do hope you and Percy are in good health and that my little nephew is growing as he should.

Things at court have settled in and I am quite astounded by the changes in my apartments. The King had promised that they would be redecorated in my tastes and he definitely has spared no expenses. The apartments are beautiful and very large, only the royals, Cardinal Wolsey and the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk have larger apartments. The Queen is the epitome of a good Lady. I must tell you how much I admire her. I know the last time you attended court you shared my admiration of her Majesty, even if you were still under father and uncle's influence. I do hope you will like court, my dearest sister. I find it quite joyful. I will tell you something I expect not many will know before you in the country but please do not speak of it apart for your husband. The Queen is with child. It is so wonderful. I am so happy for her she has not carried a child to term since little princess Mary. Her Highness seems to be very happy to have additional siblings. She and my son, Lord Wiltshire if we shall be formal, share the same household. On our last visit to Hatfield she told us about my darling's first words and we could see her pride when she showed us that he could walk. I cannot believe that the little princess is already seven. Her future is quite sure as she is to be the bride of her cousin the emperor Charles. I hope I shall not have to see my children move to another country.

Our uncle seems to have realised his longing for court and have returned after his decision to appreciate the finer things in life after the birth of my son. He seems to be very insistent of our good relationship. He has many suggestions for me and seems to think that further relations between our families would be very beneficial. I have discovered the delight that is our cousins from our uncle Edmund. While I can spare the company of our uncle who is a bit indulgent I quite like his children. Henry his eldest is not older than nineteen, but he is very intelligent. I have decided to give him the position as my steward and comptroller of my household, as Mr Dawlish had needed to retire due to his increasingly poor health. Henry's eldest sister Margaret is soon sixteen and she is my Lady in waiting. She is a very charming young woman even if she has received little instruction, she is still quite intelligent. I have furthered her education the year she has been with me and her progress is very promising. I have arranged for another of his sons to be given a position as a page boy for his Majesty. His youngest son might be a possible companion for my son in the future even if he is two years older. The two remaining children of Edmund, Mary is quite close to the princess Mary's age and as she is very sweet the Queen have expressed the possibility of her becoming apart of Mary's household. The youngest child, little Catherine is only months old.

The King's child with Bessie Blount has been made the Earl of Nottingham. The King have discussed the possibility of the boys becoming Dukes in the future but as my boy is only fifteen months old and Lord Nottingham is not yet four it would be impractical to have it made yet. I think the mere idea is staggering. What his Majesty has done for my and our son already is more than I could ever imagine and I am very thankful as I am sure we all are for his Majesty's generosity.

You wished to know about my room in detail, well they are quite spacious compared to most people's rooms. I have my own bedroom and dressing room as well as a drawing room. It is quite comfortable and his Majesty as decorated it for me. The rooms have wood panelling and to give it more colours I have several beautiful tapestries. I'm afraid that further effusions will have to wait until I can see you at court again, me dearest sister.

Do give my love and regard to your husband and to my nephew.

Your most affectionate sister

Mary Boleyn

Anne put the letter aside after sniggering at the description of their uncle Norfolk's reactions after his banishment had been lifted. Truly he should have known better with the family history he had than meddle in the affairs of the succession. Anne hoped he would not be so foolhardy again.

Anne saw things differently now she reflected. Before her marriage, or more precisely before Anne had became a mother, she would have been a part of her family's scheming, not always liking their intrigues but still willing to do many things to promote herself and her family. Now she knew the dangers and she had someone depending on her. She lifted her son and cradled him in her arms sharing a private moment before the seamstress and the wet maid arrived. She would not risk her son's life or her eternal soul for prestige or money. She had all the money she could ever wish for and she was loved.

May 15 1523

"The Earl and countess of Northumberland." Mary smiled when her sister and brother in law was introduced. Her sister had never been seen as beautiful when compared to Mary, but her eyes had always been complimented. There were more things to compliment her sister on now, Mary thought as she could see her beloved sister glowing. Mary smiled but felt the envy in her. She so wished to be a part of a marriage and live quietly away from the intrigue. She loved the King, but she would never be anything else but his mistress the woman who warmed his bed.

Mary no longer attended the Queen and had refused any form of position on the dais. She was not royal and would not pretend to be. She was standing with the high ranking peers and their wives as her sister curtsied to the King and Queen. She could see the courtiers looking at them wondering what position they would have at court as close relations to Mary. Seeing the plots forming Mary felt the urge to scream at them but managed to refrain.

"I could see your displeasure Mary. I hope no one has bothered you again? I am quite sure that it was not your sister's appearance that caused your unhappiness." Mary turned around and curtsied to the King who had slipped away from the throne after the formal pat of the evenings celebrations had been completed.

"Your Majesty, I did not hear you approach." She suppressed the shiver that still cam whenever he touched her when he slipped his hands around her and pulled her up from her curtsy.

"Now what have I told you Mary? I am Henry to you and you do not curtsy before me unless we are very formal. Then we must do it unless I wish to give several of my courtiers a seizure. Now how are you my dear? I am sorry I could not visit the children with you." On the Queens insistence Princess Mary was to know Mary as a sort of family member. The Queen knew that Mary was more of a permanent mistress and she wished it to remain that way. Kings would stray but this mistress had caused very little trouble for more than two years of a position of power.

"I am well as are the children. The princess sends all of her love and she showed me a dance she had been taught lately. She is so intelligent and lovely. Our son is running more than he is walking and was delighting in terrifying his attendants by running around al the time. They are afraid that he will hurt himself. I understand their fear but he is a young boy not a doll. I told them to remove anything with hard edges from a room and have it filled with soft rugs and pillows instead. Even if he trips, which he will, he will land hard instead of hitting his head on the edge of a table. Honestly give people the charge of a child with royal blood and they become incapable of rational thinking." Mary muttered under her breath. The King burst into laughter beside her. He kissed her hair and smiled at her.

"I wished that I would have someone as you close to me when I was younger. I agree with you, the boy need to develop in his own time and be able to move. I will try to visit them next week." He led her out on the dance floor. While Mary had not been the May Queen as she had told the King that she did not wish to be even more offending to many people. The Queen had to live with the knowledge that her husband had an official mistress, should not need to see that woman hailed as the may Queen. Mary had told the King that she would not take that position ever again. She felt that she had hurt the Queen enough last time she had been May Queen. She would not be the cause of any more suffering if she could help it. Therefore while Mary was hailed as she danced with the King she still was neither the Queen of England nor the Queen of May. She did not wish to give any relatives any ideas.

Later that evening after Mary had retreated to her own rooms after spending some time with the King she was roused from her rest by Margaret Howard. She had been thinking of her sister and how she longed for the next day when they would be able to spend time together something that had been hard this evening as politics had intruded. She had heard the door but was not overly worried, until she felt the hands of her cousin on her shoulders. Margaret's usually pale skin was whiter than ever and Mary managed to think that she was lucky she did not have pale hair otherwise she would consist of only one colour, before she became focused on Margaret.

"My Lady, please you must get up." Mary rose from her bed and slipped into the dressing gown Margaret handed to her.

"Cousin I have told you to call me Mary, unless formality must be observed." Margaret nodded and leaned closer to Mary.

"Mary it's the Queen. I have just been informed by Lady Willoughby. The Queen has entered labour pains." Mary turned white and stared at Margaret. As she saw nothing but truth on her face Mary started running not caring about the fact that she was supposed to be to dignified to run in the palace. The Queen was her friend no matter their situation. It was far too early for her to enter labour. She should not be in labour for three more months unless the midwives had been wrong. Praying to god that they had indeed been wrong Mary entered the Queen's rooms and heard the heartbroken cries from the Queen's bedchamber.