Last night in bed Henry was looking nervous. It was really unnerving me. At breakfast Henry held my hand and never took his eyes off of me. He kept asking how I was and if I was well fed. He had never acted like this before. I watched him talking to Charles and William in the garden as my ladies and I sat in my chambers reading or sewing. I tried to listen to Mary seeing as she wanted help planning her wedding.
"I am sorry Mary but my mind is elsewhere today," I told her.
"Is it on the children Elizabeth seems to be doing all right," Mary said pointing to the corner of my chambers where Elizabeth was playing with Henry and Edward while Richard slept.
"No it is not I am sorry but can we continue this another day," I asked her. Mary nodded and walked away. I walked over to Jane who was looking out at William.
"Do you know what they are talking about," I asked her.
"No but I wish I did," Jane replied. We both watched our loved ones. Henry did not talk much during our private lunch that afternoon but I knew something was bothering him.
"Excuse us," I told my ladies and the grooms. They gave a bow or curtsey and left.
"Why did you send them away," Henry asked.
"What has you worried my love," I asked putting my hand on his.
"Andrea nothing," Henry replied but his eyes said something different.
"Henry you're lying. You're eyes are a darker shade of brown when they lie so please tell me," I asked. He put down his fork and sighed. He gripped my hand as if I would disappear and kissed it gently.
"Sir Francis Bryan has discovered that the Boleyns are hiding in various places near Hever. His plan of action is that him and a few others take small groups of men and scout out everywhere within a twenty miles," Henry said.
"You are one of those people aren't you," I asked him. Henry nodded.
"I want to be because I want to punish them myself," Henry replied.
"Who will remain here with me," I asked him.
"Your brother William and Edward Seymour are the ones in charge of protecting you and the children," Henry told me.
"When do you leave," I asked him.
"Right after I finish lunch with you sweetheart," Henry replied.
"So basically right now," I said to him. Henry nodded and stood up. I stood up as well and hugged him. Henry pulled me tight into his embrace.
"I won't be gone long," Henry said as he pulled away.
"Just come home safe," I said kissing him. He deepened the kiss and when we separated for lack of air.
"I will nothing will keep me away," Henry told me before leaving the room. My ladies came back in and I ran to the window waiting to see him go. As they gathered outside, Henry waved to me in his armor before riding off with Sir Francis Bryan.
"He will be back your majesty," Edward Seymour said.
"I know he will, he promised," I said to him.
As dinner approached I felt no desire to have a feast so I ordered the kitchens to deliver supper to everyone in the castle. William, Jane, Edward Seymour, Catherine, Mary and Elizabeth sat at the table with me. It was not as cheery as it could have been but there were some laughs here and there.
"So William when do you return to the Imperial Court," Edward asked.
"Right after I marry your beloved sister. If I find any willing Spanish maidens I will send them your way," Edward laughed as Jane lightly hit William on the arm. Mary let out a small chuckle knowing that Edward's wife was a cold woman having an affair with his brother. Voices were heard and a banging began on my door. William grabbed his pistol and I grabbed my dinner knife. William got up and I ushered Mary and Elizabeth behind me. William slowly opened the door. A man rushed in looking nothing like someone at court but like a merchant. William put his pistol to the man's temple.
"Why have you come to the Queen's chambers," William asked.
"I have come to warn her majesty," the man replied.
"Warn me? Warn me about what," I asked the man. William let him go.
"I was in the tavern near Hever a yesterday and heard some gents talkin'. They were going on and on about your majesty and they said that they should have acted sooner. They talked about their army marching on London in two days time," the man said.
"Are you lying," I asked the man.
"No your majesty I heard it and rode straight here," the man replied.
"Did they say anything about numbers," Edward asked.
"No they mentioned a medium sized army but I do not count very well meself," the man said.
"The Boleyns," William said through clenched teeth.
"Do you live in London," I asked the man. He nodded.
"Yes your majesty, I was visitin' me mum near Hever," he said.
"Return to your home, but I promise you London will hold," I told him. He nodded and left.
"Andrea what are you doing," William asked.
"I am not going to sit by and watch London fall," I told him.
"I am not going to let you fight either," William said.
"William this is my kingdom and I will hold the capital now you can either help me or get out of my way," I told him. He sighed.
"I am with you," William said.
"Edward," I asked him.
"The Seymours have always been loyal to the crown and we will not fail now," He said.
"Guards," I called. One named Thomas Barnes came in.
"I want you to summon every person in this castle and bring them to the dining hall now,' I told him get every guard on the way to help you accomplish it," I told him.
"Yes your majesty," He said before leaving.
"Let's go," I told everyone. We all walked to the dining hall. I was all nerves. I would have to defend London and given how hard that Henry had ridden out he would be miles away by now. I can shoot a gun fine but my sword fighting was a little rusty. My friend Kate had always had me practice with her because did sword fighting as a hobby. When we reached the dining hall I stood on the platform that held the throne chairs and waited. The dining hall started to fill with many lords, ladies and servants. Edward stood to my left while William stood to my right. When the dining hall was full and people were lined up outside in the hall I knew it was time to speak.
"I know that this is sudden but some terrible news has just arrived. I have been informed that the Boleyns have raised an army to come and attack London,' I told everyone. Murmurs began.
"When will they be here," a lord asked.
"Two days from yesterday,' William replied. More voices joined in the chaos that was starting to appear.
"The queen is still speaking," Edward shouted. The hall quieted.
"I know that I am just a queen but I am asking for your support and help. London is the capital city in England. We need to all stand together and defend it. I am asking you all to stand and fight beside me to help defend our great city. I am asking you not only as a queen but as an Englishwoman, to raise arms and fight beside me. I am asking for every man, woman and child you can fire a gun or use a sword to help me defend London. Who will help me," I asked.
"I will," William said.
"As will I," Edward said. As every lord, servant and lady, who could agree, to lend help, I felt relief. I was not going to do this alone.
"Ladies who volunteered please see Lord Seymour in the back room where he will write down your skills. Men the same with you but you will report to the Duke of Suffolk. The captain of the guard I will meet with here to look over the design of the city and the castle for a plan of attack. When you have either met with Lord Seymour or the Duke go back to your rooms but report here and you will be told where you are to be and what you are to do," I told them. The entire hall split into two lines and the captain of the guard came forward.
"You are the captain," I asked.
"Yes your majesty," He said bowing.
"Do you have the maps and designs," I asked him.
"Yes my father who was captain before me told me that the best way to be prepared was to have a copy of the maps and designs hidden on me at all times," He said.
"Well then let's get started," I told him pulling up a table that was behind the throne chairs. It was like a little end table. We began discussing strategy and when everyone finally retired for the evening I was exhausted.
