Jane Seymour Part 8

Anne was sent to the tower to await her execution which was due to happen in about 10 days time. Her brother George Boleyn and the other men who had been charged with sleeping with the Queen would be executed before her.

Henry called me to him the very next day. We were accompanied by my brother who sat at the opposite end of the room as we spoke.

" I can now promise marriage, Jane. Just as soon as the... execution has taken place. We only have to wait a while longer."

" I am looking forward to it your Majesty. " I replied

" You must call me Henry while we are in private now. We are almost married after all."

" Okay, Henry" I smiled

He placed a chaste kiss on my lips and said " Now I must go and see to the affairs of this country, my love. I shall see you very soon. "

He placed a final kiss on my forehead as both me and my brother exited the room.

" I think my little sister was just proposed to by none less than the King himself." my brother said.

" You shouldn't have even been listening in your supposed to be a chaperone not a spy." I said with a look of annoyance on my face.

" I was only joking. Congratulations!" he said with a smile.

" I hadn't realised you cared." was my response.

" Of course I care this could mean great things for me as well as you." he said smugly.

My brother and I had a strange relationship. At times we acted as if we were still children bickering and joking and at other times he acted all superior and formal I could never tell which mood he would be in.

The days went by and one after the other each treasonous man was killed. I prayed a prayer for each of their souls as they departed this earth with a feeling of sincerity. With some feelings of guilt I awaited the death of Queen and with eager anticipation. I knew that her death would allow my marriage to the King.

When the day finally arrived I was undecided as to whether or not I should attend her execution. Before I had fully decided I was summoned to the King.

" Will you watch it with me from the window? I know it's a lot to ask but I would really appreciate it." the King said.

" Of course I will if that is what you want your... Henry."

" Thank you sweet Jane." he said as moved a piece of hair out of my eyes.

He grabbed my hand and we looked out the window to the place where his wife would die. We did this a while waiting for the time to arrive. Not long before it was time for Anne to come out he broke the silence.

" I hope this is right, Jane."

" Don't doubt yourself. She has been given a fair trial and justice is about to prevail." I replied in an effort to comfort the man which I was seeing a weakness to for the first time.

" I know, its just that I... loved her." He said in a cracking voice.

At that moment I wrapped my arms around him whispering the words " I know you did" over and over again.

Eventually we saw a woman dressed in finery walk out. It was Queen Anne I regained the grip of the Kings hand as we witnessed her striding out head held high handing out money to the poor. When she got up to the stand where she would die I saw the fear appear in her. You could see the unsteadiness of her body as she approached the time when all would end. She was going somewhere which no one knew anything about. I looked into the eyes of my King as I saw both pain and strength. This hurt him. This hurt him a lot but he had the strength to do it. She said some final words which we could not hear through the thick glass of the window. She put her head down as the swordsmen approached her from behind. The head of the Queen was removed in one swift movement. I turned away both in repulsion, shock and guilt. Was this all my fault? Or was this the right thing?

I didn't see the King again that day however he did call me the one following. Where he officially proposed to me. I asked myself how he could forget one wife so fast but still I said "Yes" with much certainty. It was what I wanted. All I could hope for was that I was enough and that I could produce the male heir he longed for so much.

Sorry for the short length of this part but I didn't want to start any of the wedding preparations in this part. Still I hope you enjoy.