Hey everyone! Surprise, did you miss me ;)

I am so terribly sorry that I have been away for so long. The truth is i've been busy, I have had a lot of good and bad things happen to me this last little while, and unfortunately, my writing has taken a back seat. I do promise to try and be better with updating, I also promise that I wont abandon my stories. I always have idea's rolling around in my head it's just the getting pen to paper that can be difficult sometimes.

I won't apologise for to long, just know that I am sorry and I hope this new chapter can allow you all to forgive me.

When we last left of with this story, Jane had given birth to a daughter, Margaret. Katherine relented her claim (and Mary's with it) and Mary was returned to court.

This chapter will see a lot of the fallout from the last. As well as some other important updates for the future.

Please enjoy and review.

As always I own nothing but the plot. Some dialogue has been used from Showtime's The Tudors.

Chapter 6:

18th of March 1537

Hatfield Castle

" The whore is pregnant," Anne shuddered slightly at her father's crudeness, he more than anyone should know to be careful. Even in her own children's household Anne had to be constantly aware of the spies around her.

She just hoped neither Harry nor Elizabeth had heard their grandfather's outburst. It would not do her well for them to repeat his words to their father. Her marriage had enough difficulties as it was.

" Papa, please," Anne responded pointedly, her gaze falling on her children playing happily at her feet.

" Anne…"

" I already knew Papa," Anne said quickly, interrupting any father outburst her father might be inclined to give, " These things are always so obvious with her."

The lady was pregnant, Anne had known for weeks now, how could she not? Jane was so very predictable, it was just how it was when she was pregnant with little Margaret; Jane was constantly ill, she wore her clothes fitted tightly (even if there was yet no sign of any pregnancy bump), and requested her favourite meals from the palace chefs every night. Jane did nothing to hide her condition, even if it had yet to be announced it was the news on everyone's lips.

It had happened quickly for her, Anne thought, trying to keep the bitterness out of her thoughts, Margaret was not yet a year old and already Jane carried a sibling in her belly. No doubt Henry would see this as further proof that his union with Jane was as blessed as his marriage to Anne. As long as she proved fruitful he would pay no head to the commons calling her a concubine and her daughter a royal bastard.

While Anne was not as loved as the Dowager princess had been during her Queenship, the commons had warmed to her. She had Katherine of Aragon to thank for that in part, she had admitted her marriage to the king to be false and as such the people of England had no further cause to label her own marriage to the king as a sham. Henry also had to be credited with improving her reputation and standing, Jane Seymour was not loved, next to Anne she was dull and boring, and so the attention had fallen on Anne and her children, and it was them (Elizabeth and Harry especially) that the people had grown to care for.

Jane Seymour did not have the charm or even the influence to inspire the commons. It surprised Anne daily that the woman still managed to attract Henry to her bed.

Her shine had worn off somewhat after Margaret's birth, Henry was no longer as armoured by her as he had once been, but their husband was a man with a King's lust and having two wives to bed was something Anne knew he greatly enjoyed.

He would be upset with her no doubt; he would see it as Anne's fault that she had failed to get pregnant where Jane had succeeded. He visited their beds equally after all, the favouritism she had been shown after Margaret's birth had faded to quickly for her liking, and once again she was one of two.

She was the first of two though; she must always remember that fact.

" And with you?" Boleyn questioned his eyes all but glaring daggers at Anne's flat stomach.

" I have had no signs," Anne responded evenly, doing her best to keep her smile firmly in place and to appear as if her empty womb was of little consequence to her, " and besides these things take time. Harry is not yet one."

" The little bastard is not yet six months."

Again Anne flinched at her father's tone, it was one thing for him to be so crass in regards to Jane (more often than not Anne had similar thoughts about her counterpart) but Margaret was a different matter entirely.

Jane's daughter was a sweet and docile child and Anne had learnt her lesson with the Lady Mary she would not make the same mistakes with her second step-daughter- especially when Henry accorded her the rights of a princess. It was not as if Jane was overly warm towards the girl in any regard, oh she tried to act the doting mother, but Anne saw through the façade. She made no effort to feed Margaret from her own breast, she made no complaints when the girl was moved to Hatfield so quickly with her half-siblings and she visited the children's residence only infrequently, her stays never lasting longer than a few hours.

Anne had remembered what it was like to feel disappointment and resentment towards her own daughter, but for Anne neither feeling had lasted long, Elizabeth had been the light of her life for a long time, the love Anne had felt for her had quickly overcome any feelings she had towards the girls sex, and three years ago Anne had been determined not to let it appear that she was unhappy with a daughter when she had promised a son.

Jane made no such efforts. Most of her efforts these days were spent on getting the Lady Mary to her side, and Anne was not ashamed to admit that she enjoyed seeing her efforts constantly dismissed by her stepdaughter.

The Lady Mary had been at court throughout the Christmas and New Year festivities, since February she had resided at Hudson house (a Christmas gift from the king) so far she had (politely) refused Jane's offers to come to court and Henry it seemed was in no hurry to push his daughters hand. She had signed the oath; he cared for little more other than that-for the time being.

Anne knew that in time the girl would have to be bought to court on a more permanent basis, it was also imperative that a suitable marriage be conducted for her quickly and of course there was the ever-present issue of the girls mother.

Katherine of Aragon had not relented her claim on the English throne for nothing; she had not named herself a whore and her daughter a bastard without expecting something in return. She wanted contact with her daughter and Mary in turn wanted the same. Henry was not yet ready to be so accommodating Anne knew, he had made promises of course, but he had never promised when, and her husband had turned into a fearful and untrusting man. He was not yet past thinking that the Dowager princess and their daughter might plot against him to usurp his throne….to usurp Harry's throne.

The uprisings throughout the country were of course not helping matters. The people called for the monasteries to be left alone but they also whispered for the Lady Mary's restoration, Katherine's place as queen was no longer debated but Mary's position was. If little Margaret could be labelled a princess than surely, Mary, doubly royal, could be as well.

Anne would speak with Henry about allowing Katherine and Mary to have a supervised visit and she knew Jane would support such a plan. Such a reunion, at the very least would encourage the growing number of rebels to think more kindly of their king. A suitable marriage for the girl might also quieten them- in that issue in any case.

In regards to the monasteries there was little Anne could do. She had tried reasoning with both Henry and Cromwell; so far all she had got for such efforts was a reminder to remember her place. Harry's birth had not mended her marriage as she had thought; it had worked only to secure her position as Queen of England.

" I will give the king a Duke of York, papa," Anne spat in a whisper. Couldn't her father see that he was only making her more anxious about her position by reminding her of Jane's condition, " These things take time. And besides there is no guarantee that the child in her belly is a male." Or even that it will live.

" And if it is?" Her father remarked his eyebrows slightly raised.

" Then he is a second son, nothing more. Jane's children will never take precedence over my own. He would not even be named the Duke of York."

Such a title was reserved for the sons of the Queen of England, if Jane was to give Henry a son, he would only be granted the title if Anne proved incapable of bearing more children, currently her monthly courses were still regular and the king's doctors and the midwives had assured Anne that she still had many years of childbearing left in her. Anne had never had any trouble conceiving, in the four years of her marriage she had found herself pregnant three times, she had lost one child, yes, but Elizabeth and Harry were strong robust children, she would bear a Duke of York of that she was certain. She had to be.

"Mama," The voice startled her from her musings and as she looked down at her son, his hand pulling at the skirts of her burgundy gown to be lifted, Anne knew that she needed spend her time stressing on matters beyond her control.

It would do her no good to stress over the fact that she was not yet carrying another child in her womb, not when Harry was still so young and he and Elizabeth so healthy. She had no need to stress over conceiving a Duke of York for Harry would be King one day- no matter the outcome of Jane Seymour's pregnancy, Anne's son, the Queen of England's son would be King.

" My darling boy," Anne murmured lifting Harry into her arms, even her father, miserable though he was at the Lady's recent success could not help but smile at their interaction.

She had to keep her focus on matters she could control. She had to keep Henry in her bed, she had to make a start in planning Harry's first birthday celebrations and she had to figure out a plan for the Lady Mary and her mother.

30th of March 1537

Windsor Palace

" Do I look alright?" Jane questioned nervously, as her ladies fussed about her hair and dress.

It had taken her an age to decide upon her attire, she wanted to make sure she looked the part of a doting stepmother while also ensuring that she was dressed as befitted her station as a wife of the King.

Her choice had fallen on a gown of soft blue, with a lilac underskirt and sleeves. She wore her blonde hair down behind a tiara, and she wore a matching blue necklace around her neck. She wore her dress laced tight, to highlight her growing stomach, it must always be remembered that she had been proven fertile.

" Your Highness," Elizabeth Seymour called drawing Jane's attention to the entrance of her chambers, " The Lady Mary."

Jane took a deep studying breath, before clasping her hands together in front of her stomach to stop them shaking. This was to be the first time Jane was to be alone with her stepdaughter and she could not help the nerves that were all but consuming her.

Their relationship had not developed, as Jane had wanted it to. So far Mary had been cold and distant towards her, not once had the girl sought Jane's company and the gifts Jane had bequeathed unto her, Mary had received without a word of thanks towards her stepmother. It was well known, that the Seymour's had been supporters of Queen Katherine, that they had been staunch Catholics, as Mary and her mother were, and yet Mary was no warmer to Jane than she was towards Anne Boleyn.

It had been at Jane's request that Mary was bought back to court, and for this visit Jane would not wait for Mary to seek her out, she had to show herself to be a friend to the girl, she had to make Mary see that Jane's friendship and support could be trusted.

Mary might not know of Jane's sympathies towards her and her mother, in the most discreet way possible, Jane had to show Mary that she was in favour of the girl's restoration to the line of succession. Of course there was nothing Jane could do in regards to Katherine of Aragon, Jane could not fight for Katherine's rights as Queen's when the woman had relented already, nor would Jane fight for something that would see her and her children removed from the royal family. But she could still fight for Mary's cause. It could still be argued that the King and Dowager Princess of Wales had been married in good faith and that Mary had been the result of that good faith union. She could be named a Princess again; she could be named an heir, even if only behind Margaret, surely Mary would care only to be labelled legitimate.

Mary was dressed in a gown of rich burgundy, her hair up behind a fetching French hood. She was flanked, on either side, by two maids, she curtsied prettily in front of Jane, but Jane could sense no warmth in her greeting or lack thereof.

" Lady Mary," Jane greeted warmly, trying to convey a level of excitement in her tone and smile.

For a few moments Mary did nothing but stare at her before she mumbled out a soft, "Madam." It was of course not against royal protocol to greet Jane in such a way, yet Jane had all but forbidden her own ladies from using such a term, she preferred to be addressed as 'Your Highness,' or even "My lady,' 'Madam' was so cold and indifferent and it did not reflect her royal title or station.

" It gives me such pleasure to meet with you," Jane started, ignoring her stepdaughter's apparent snub and motioning for the girl to sit with her at her table.

Jane was already seated before she noticed that Mary had made no move to follow her, indeed it did not seem as if she would make any effort to follow her at all.

Quickly Jane stood once again, fighting to hide the embarrassment she was feeling, " The King talks about you often, no, all the time, with such affection." Her statement was of course not entirely true. Henry did speak of his eldest daughter, and it was obvious to all that he held affection for her and was overjoyed that they had been reunited, but he spoke of his other children more, Prince Henry especially was often the focus of his conversations.

Still Mary did nothing but stare at her, and so Jane knew it would be up to her to try and reach a positive outcome from their meeting, " It is my dearest wish that you and I may be kind and loving and warm to each other, after all Lady Mary you are now my step-daughter."

For a few moments more they stared at each other in silence, and Jane knew her smile had turned hopeful and desperate, for a brief second Jane thought she saw a look of sympathy cross Mary's face but it was gone as quickly as it came.

" I will attend upon Your Highness, whenever Your Highness chooses to invite me."

The girl was doing nothing more than what was expected of her, yet still the words put a smile on Jane's face. If Mary got to know her, Jane knew they could be firm allies, " Thank you…Will you stay a while? My maids have made some cakes."

"No," Mary answered almost immediately, her eyebrows raised slightly, " thank you, I bid you a good day, Madam."

With another shallow curtsey the girl was gone.

She did not even wait to be dismissed.

2nd of April 1537

Windsor Palace

It was not a usual occurrence for her husband to call on her at dinnertime. Usually if Henry wanted to sup with her, he would call on her rooms or request her presence in the great hall.

In the early years of their courtship he had of course requested her presence often, even in the first year of their marriage it was not uncommon for the King to call her to an evening meal, in recent times however Anne was expected to wait for him to come to her. She could not remember the last time they had eaten together in the King's chambers.

She would not complain of the invitation of course. With Jane Seymour pregnant it was imperative that Anne seduce Henry to her bed, already there had been rumours that he had taken a mistress, there were rumours that he had taken more than one in fact. Lady Ursula Missildon and Lady Anne Basset were the names Anne had had whispered into her ears. They were both pretty young brunettes and both were members of Jane's household.

It was a small consolation to Anne that her own ladies had remained true to her while Jane's had already betrayed her, as Jane had once betrayed Anne…how Anne had once betrayed Katherine. It was a small consolation only though, despite the pain he had caused her since Elizabeth's birth, Anne still loved her husband and it still hurt her greatly when he betrayed his marriage vows.

She had given him everything. Yet still it never seemed to be enough for the King of England.

She should not have been surprised to see Jane at Henry's table already. Henry always strived to keep things equal between his two wives, despite Jane's lower status, she always sat on one side of the monarch, the three of them presided over everything together, whether it be a state reception, or a simple feast or banquet, their little trinity was always there- the King, the Queen and the Lady (a woman no better than a concubine).

She should not have been surprised to see Jane sitting beside the King in a gown of light pink and yellow, she certainly should not have been hurt by it, not now after so long of growing use to Jane's presence in her life, but she was.

She had thought she was having a private dinner with her husband, not with her husband and his paramour.

She cursed herself inwardly for her choice of dress, she should have known better, a charming gown of light red and cream, with a seductive cut and tightly laced to highlight her breasts. She had decided to wear her hair in a messy bun and around her neck (bringing further attention to her plunging chest) was a ruby necklace.

She had thought to seduce her husband only to find him having already seduced by her rival.

By right and royal protocol Anne should have been the first at the King's table, in public and in private when Henry was not present, Jane was required to curtsey to the Queen, yet since the confirmation of her second pregnancy Henry had become lax in ensuring royal etiquette was being met.

" Husband," Anne murmured fully composed and in control of her emotions, " Lady Jane," She added almost as an afterthought once she had taken her place at Henry's side.

Let Jane think that she remains unbothered by her presence….and her ever-growing stomach.

" Madam," Jane answered with a nod, her head held obnoxiously high, Anne had refused to address Jane with any title and so Jane had refused to do the same.

"Sweetheart," Henry greeted removing his hand from Jane's and placing a chaste kiss on Anne's cheek, with a smirk Anne noticed the lust in his eyes, the longing her choice of outfit had no doubt raised in him, he would not make it obvious with Jane present of course, not in her condition, " You look beautiful, as always."

" Your Majesty is too kind," Anne, responded fluttering her eyelashes modestly, perhaps she could charm him enough to see Jane dismissed from the table.

" And you too modest," Henry all but purred, before turning to Jane, " Doesn't the Queen look lovely tonight Jane?"

Jane paled immediately at his question, she could not ignore him nor could she risk insulting Anne in front of him when Henry was quite obviously feeling warmly disposed to her for the time being.

" Your Majesty is a beautiful woman," Jane answered sweetly smiling as if her mouth had been dipped in honey, " I am so jealous of you at the moment in fact, to have such a slim figure while I grow more plump by the minute."

Clever little minx, Anne thought bitting her tongue from any smart retort that she had wanted to make in return, " Your belly is a blessing from God, Jane. You needn't be ashamed of it."

" Anne is right, Jane," Thank God for her quick wit, " You should be pleased that we have been blessed so quickly after Margaret."

" Of course, sire," Jane replied her eyes lowered to the soup in front of her, Anne couldn't help but smirk into her own spoon, Jane did not know Henry as she did, she would never know how to play on his emotions as Anne did.

They sat in an awkward silence for what seemed like hours, the sounds of cutlery and chewing were beginning to make Anne feel dizzy, when Henry's voice sounded throughout the room it all but echoed, surely he would now dismiss them and put an end to this awkward act of unity he had forced them to take part in.

" Ladies, I requested the presence of you both here tonight for a very important reason,"

" And here I thought you wanted to enjoy our lovely company my love," Anne cut in laughing charmingly.

" Of course it was lovely to have a private dinner with you both," Henry answered with his own smile, perhaps it had been as awkward for him as it had been for them, " but there was a matter I had wished to discuss with you both."

At that Jane sat up straighter, her eyes intently focused on the King, Anne had to fight the urge to roll her eyes, bound to obey and serve, the simpering little bitch was always eager to appear pleasing.

" I wished to speak to you both of the Lady Mary," Henry put forward softly.

" Your daughter?" Anne questioned, although she felt it to be an obvious answer, Mary was such a common name, she wanted to be sure they were discussing her step-daughter and not some strumpet her husband had taken to bed.

" Yes," Henry answered his mouth growing thinner, " she has become somewhat of a problem…"

" But surely Mary has proved herself to be a kind and loving daughter," Jane interrupted, " She has signed the oath of succession, she has accepted her illegitimacy and seems to greatly enjoy being returned to your good graces."

It was perhaps the most passionate Anne had ever heard her counterpart speak, but the girl had of course made one glaring error- she had interrupted the King and Anne doubted Jane had ever done that before.

" Jane, my sweet, please do not interrupt me," Henry warned, " As you say Mary has proven herself to me and she has accepted you both and the children of course, but some of my people still refuse to accept that she is illegitimate."

He had not yet spoken to either of them about the growing rebellion in the North.

" There are calls for her to be reinstated?" Anne questioned pointedly.

" Yes," Henry answered with a nod, " although there has been no talk of her being placed in front of Harry."

" In front of the girls then?"

" Not necessarily," Henry mumbled, " not in front of Elizabeth anyway."

" Just Margaret then?" Jane responded, she sounded horrified, would she continue to support Mary if it jeopardised her daughters place in the succession.

" I will never place her in front of my legitimate children," Henry soothed, " But still something must be done."

He was afraid, Anne could see it; the rebellion must have grown larger than her father and brother had led her to believe.

" Perhaps you could reinstate her," Jane put forward, " behind your legitimate children, of course. The Dowager Princess has relented after all perhaps the marriage could be ruled as a union of good faith…"

" Mary is a bastard," Henry cut in coldly, " She has accepted the fact before God, so too has her mother, it's high time the rest of England, you included madam accept the fact."

" Mary is illegitimate," Anne agreed, bringing Henry's attention back to her, Mary was also a threat, she acted the dutiful daughter now but who was to say she would do so if Henry gave her legitimate status back, who was to say she wouldn't raise an army then, to see her mother restored and Anne's children made bastards, " and for now she has relented as you say, yet still the people need to be appeased, we must show them a united royal family."

For a second Henry looked at her as if she had grown two heads before he chuckled slightly under his breath, " Ahh Anne, it is as if you can read my mind. You are right of course, we must make England see that Mary has been welcomed back into our lives with open arms and that she accepts and appreciates her new position."

" Perhaps she could be given lodgings at court?" Jane put forward clearly not wanting to be left out of the conversation.

" I will not have her roaming around the court freely, not while she is an unmarried woman," Henry answered, " She will have to serve in one of your households."

" I will gladly take her into mine," Jane offered willingly.

Anne would make no protest. No doubt Jane thought she was doing the Christian thing by offering to take their stepdaughter into her household, perhaps she thought the people of England would think her a doting stepmother and that Mary would finally warm to her. Anne was not so stupid, Mary would think the position below her royal blood, to act as the Lady of England's woman, and the commons no doubt would think the same.

Perhaps they would think Jane was forcing the girl to be her servant as they had once thought Anne was forcing her to be Elizabeth's.

" I think Mary would be better suited in Jane's household," Anne agreed, " There is to much history between us for her to feel comfortable as one of my ladies."

" Good," Henry nodded his assent, " It is settled then, I shall tell Mary tomorrow."

" Perhaps there is something else we could do to show that Mary has been truly welcomed back into your heart." Anne suggested before Henry had the chance to dismiss them.

Surely he could not think that giving Mary a position at court, in Jane's household, would be enough to quieten the rebels who called for her reinstation.

" What?" Henry questioned.

" A visit could be organized for the Lady Mary and her mother," Anne answered softly, her eyes lowered modestly. She knew from her brother and her spies that this was one thing the rebels were calling for, and if Henry did not see Katherine and Mary reunited soon who knew how much longer they would stay obedient for.

Henry did nothing but stare at her for a few moments clearly pondering her suggestion over and over in his head, thinking through all the consequences he could think of.

" Yes," Henry answered finally, " You will accompany the Lady Mary to Kimbolton."

That Anne had not expected.

30th of April 1537

Yorkshire, Northern England

" The Queen has taken the Princess Mary to Kimbilton," Robert Aske sighed

inwardly, at the words of John Constable in front of him. No doubt his old friends words would inspire the large crowd that had gathered in York.

What he had originally envisioned as a small gathering of the commonfolk had turned into something much more. He had called a meeting so that the people of York, and those most affected by the recent dissolutions of the monasteries, like Sawley Abbey, could congregate and share their grievances. More than a few it seemed had grievances to share.

Robert knew they were in dangerous territory, who was to stop the King and his councillors from calling their meeting treason?

" So the King is listening to us then?" A voice in the crowd called, few others joined the man's sentiments.

" I'd say it's the Queen whose been listening," Called another voice and Robert had to bit his lip to stop himself from laughing at how fickly the commons could be, " It is she who has been known to quarrel with Cromwell and the rest of the King's dogs."

And it was she who had put the idea of a reformation in the Kings head to begin with, how quickly the people had forgotten their grievances against Anne Boleyn once she had become the wronged queen with a Prince of Wales in the cradle.

" The Princess being bought to her mother is a step…." John constable began but was quickly cut off.

" She is no longer a princess," A voice cried, " The King will allow for the girl to be bought before her mother but he will not see her named a princess again, he would rather favour the lady's girl.

And there was the truth of it, Robert thought with another sigh, the King was giving them small victories but it seemed he would not allow for any of their demands to actually be met in full.

" The Lady is pregnant again."

" Another bastard for the King to favour over Katherine's girl."

" Gentleman, Gentleman," Robert called, knowing that talk of the lady was bound to turn their peaceful meeting on its head, the woman was a contradiction the people of England truly did not know how to deal with. The woman of England hated her, more so than they had ever hated Queen Anne, the Seymour family were meant to be a good Catholic family who had supported Katherine of Aragon and her daughter, and yet in accepting the kings marriage proposal the lady of England, had condoned bigamy and betrayed the former Queen and Princess, " This talk of the succession is not what we are about."

Robert had agreed to lead this meeting to discuss the King's religious reforms and the suppression of the monasteries. Talk of the King's second wife and their daughter could turn dangerous.

" Is it not?" John questioned his eyebrows raised ever so slightly, " The king has asked us to accept bigamy."

Which was a matter of religious reform, Robert knew this, but he also knew that the people had accepted the King as head of the English church, they could not deny his marriage without denying his position. And that, Robert knew, the King would name treason.

"We accepted the King is head of the Church of England, and so we must accept his decisions in such a role. The king married the lady to secure the succession."

" When Queen Anne was pregnant with a prince?" Robert could all but hear the commendation in the voice that called out, " And the Lady has given him nothing but another daughter."

" Our issue lies with the unjust and unlawful suppression of the monasteries." Robert reiterated firmly. He would not question his King's morals that was not what he was about.

Unfortunately Robert knew he could not say the same about the men around him. King Henry had always been a much beloved monarch; he had been a godsend to the people who had remembered the heartache of civil war and the cold and untrusting ways of the first Tudor king. The people had loved Henry through everything, through his childhood as the Duke of York, to the death of his brother and his assentation as Prince of Wales to King. They had ached with him through the death of 5 of his children to Katherine of Aragon, and accepted his daughter as Princess of Wales in the place of a son. When Henry had sought to divorce his Queen in place of a younger woman they had seen his need to secure the succession, when his quest for a divorce lead him to break from Rome they had blamed the woman he had sought to marry. Until recently Queen Anne was spoken about in the same manner as Cromwell and Crammer, but when the King had sought to condone bigamy, in the name of securing the succession, when the Queen was pregnant the people had begun to see that perhaps it wasn't Anne Boleyn and the King's councillors to blame, perhaps their King with his uncontrollable lusts was also to blame.

Robert feared that such realisations would lead to rebellion. He had not sought to be the leader of rebels.

" Which the King has allowed." John constable put forward, and Robert knew he couldn't argue with him on that.

" Yes," Robert agreed inkling his head ever so slightly, " And now we must do our best to show him he has been led astray by those around him, tell me what it is you all want?"

" Mister Aske," one man called, quietening those around him, " all our feast days are abolished and gone. Should it please the King's grace that we might have our holidays back?" Around him other murmured their agreement to such sentiments.

" We want the abbeys restored and demand that this advance of heresy be halted," added another, " We want these new heretic bishops like Crammer to be cast out and him and Cromwell to be supplanted by men of noble birth."

A chorusing thunder of "ayes" followed the words now being said.

Everything they called for Robert himself also wanted. He wanted his feast days restored, the abbey's that had been unjustly torn down bought back from the ground, and he wanted the King surrounded by better men than Cromwell and Crammer.

" So we see then, our quarrel lies not with the Queen or the Lady, if the rumours are to be believed neither Queen Anne nor the Lady Jane support what is happening in the country." Robert put forth practically, hoping that ended any more talk of the King's marriages or the succession.

"Rumours? We hear rumours, Mister Aske, that new taxes are to be levied against us; on our cattle and our christenings, on our marriages and our births!" The voice that yelled out was angry, angry and distrustful, as many of the commons had turned in recent times.

"Mister Aske, they even will destroy our parish churches and steal all their treasures," another man yelled, pleading for Robert to understand their plight.

Robert understood their plight of course he did, it was his plight as well, but he could not allow for their anger to turn into talk of violence, " Alright gentlemen alright," Robert soothed, " And what do you reckon you can do to stop them?"

" Mister Aske," A young man cried pushing his way to the front of the crowd, " Before our lands, our goods and our houses are taken from us by the church commissioners, we will fight!"

" Aye!"

"And we will die!"

"Aye!"

There was no denying it now; their small gathering had turned into a treasonous congregation. Many would die, Robert had no doubt, if it turned to violence, commoners against a King's army, many would die.

" That is our full answer, Mister Aske," the young man exclaimed his voice stubborn.

" Aye." The crowd cheered and Robert could do nothing but lower his gaze.

Their cause was a worthy one, but did he want to die being remembered as a treasonous rebel?

" I know you are angry. The destruction of the abbeys is a terrible- a criminal thing, since they represent, by their very presence, an exalted ideal to all of us," He sought to sooth them, to show them he agreed but that perhaps violence was not the best course of action, " But, gentlemen, this call to arms, to rebellion against the King's grace, is something which on my conscience I cannot agree to."

" Nonsense."

" Since the King is our body and soul, then an attack upon his is an attack upon the commonwealth and upon God himself!"

It was not the King's authority he had issue with, it was the actions he was choosing to take that Robert wanted changed.

" Did you hear that, men? The gentry don't care for us," Would they kill him if he refused to agree with their calls for violence? " Christ died for the poor. You remember that, Mister Aske?"

And that stopped any response Robert may have made towards peace in their tracks. They lived in the name of Christ their saviour, King Henry was meant to be Christ's representation on earth, he should have been prepared to give his life for his people not see them destroyed to meet his lusts and whims.

For the wounds of Christ, they would fight.

14th of May 1537

Kimbolton Castle

It was the first time in many years that Anne and Katherine had come face to face.

The last time they had met Katherine had been a Queen and Anne had been nothing more than the Marquess of Pembroke, the King's virgin mistress.

Now Anne stood in front of Katherine as the Queen of England, the mother of the King's only legitimate son and eldest legitimate daughter, now Katherine was nothing more than the Dowager Princess of Wales, the King's sister by law and the mother of his bastard daughter.

How quickly the tides had turned. For both of them. When they had last met Katherine had held the crown and she the King's love and affections, now Anne held the crown but she was no longer the sole owner of the King's heart, no another now made a claim to it as well.

In the past, not too long ago, Anne would have made sure to dress the part on such an occasion. She would have lauded her title over Katherine and her daughter, she would have covered herself in purple silk and the jewels of the Queens of England, but there was no point in all that, not with Katherine.

She would keep her games for court, for Jane Seymour.

Katherine could no longer harm her.

Anne was dressed in a fetching green gown; she wore a cross around her neck and her long hair down behind a French hood. Across from her Katherine looked pale in a gown of black, does she still mourn the loss of her crown? yet she looked regal and stood tall, her improved living quarters had obviously improved her health remarkably.

Mary stood to Anne's right, dressed in a gown of grey and blue, the girl looked well, there would not be talk of her being mistreated, and on Anne's left stood Harry, his eyes huge as he stared at the stranger in front of him, his hand clutched tightly in his mothers hand.

Bringing him had not been Anne's idea, but rather the King's demand. He wanted it reported to all that Katherine of Aragon had accepted his son over her daughter, he did not think, as Anne did, that Harry's presence, might cause more harm that it would good.

Anne did not know how long they all stood staring at each other, she only knew that it had felt like a lifetime, but she did know that she would have to be the one to break the silence.

" Your Highness," Anne put forward inclining her head ever so slightly.

" Your Majesty," Katherine returned, not missing a single beat as she sunk into a curtsey, a better one than Jane had ever given her, " I trust your journey was pleasant."

It must be torture for her, Anne thought, greeting Anne when her daughter was within an arms length of her. Katherine had not seen her daughter for years, no one would of begrudged her from running into her daughter's arms, but the woman was a Spanish Infanta by birth and an English Princess by marriage, she would not put a single foot wrong. Especially when doing so could see her separated from her daughter once more.

" Quite. The countryside is beautiful," Anne responded evenly, " It is good to see you recovered from your illness and returned to your good health."

At that Katherine did nothing more than incline her head.

" The King wishes for me to introduce you to our son," Anne continued pulling Harry in front of her slightly, " Prince Henry, the Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester."

Did it hurt Katherine to hear that name? Anne thought watching her for her response, but she never flinched as she sunk into another respectful curtsey, " It is a pleasure, Your Highness."

" Aunt," Harry answered in a small voice with his own small bob of the head. The boy was a month shy of one year; he had done more than most his age would have been able to. He truly was a credit to England.

Now, Anne would see mother and daughter reunited, " It is also his Majesties pleasure to see you reunited with his daughter, The Lady Mary, he wants it known throughout England that the Tudor family stands united as one." Anne repeated Henry's words prettily enough, but she knew that neither woman was truly listening to her.

It was Mary who made the first move, in two short strides she was in front of her mother, and then before Anne had even blinked the girl was on her knees.

" Lady mother, I ask you for a mothers blessing," As Mary spoke it was clear she was fighting tears that were threatening to spill.

" You have it always," Katherine answers, her voice just as hoarse as her daughters, " my daughter."

Without a word, Anne took Harry by the hand and led him into the gardens. She had felt an intruder in that room; it was not her place to watch such an intimate moment between a mother and her child.

" Have they been treating you well, Mary?"

It had been many hours now since Mary arrived at Kimbilton with Anne. They were to stay the night and not tarry a moment longer, Mary knew those were her father's orders.

He only saw them reunited because of the rebels, not because of any feelings of love or even guilt, he may have towards them. Once they had been his whole world, now they were nothing more than pawns in a game of chess.

" Yes," Mary responded, because it was the truth, she had been treated well at her fathers court, " I have been given permanent lodgings at court, and maids to wait on me, the King has even seen it fit to give me an allowance."

" Yet still you seem unhappy?" Katherine could hear the resentment in her daughter's tone.

"Unhappy?" Mary questioned, confused by her mothers questioning, " I am a lady in waiting to the lady of England, I am made to curtsey to two of my fathers wives, and I am to award children of bigamy my rightful title. Tell me Lady Mother am I to be joyful at this turn of fortune because I am awarded rooms and servants?"

When she had finished speaking even Mary was shocked at her outburst. She had never been angry with her mother before, yet looking at her now set Mary on edge.

Her mother had given up. Mary had been ready to fight, for her mother and herself, she had been prepared, and Katherine of Aragon had given up.

Her own mother had labelled Mary a bastard.

" Yes," Katherine responded softly taking her daughters hands into her own, Mary fought to remove them but Katherine held her grasp tightly, " Be joyful. Be great full, for it is all we can hope for now."

" Be grateful?" Mary hissed, her eyes never leaving her mothers face, " You did not just sign away your rights when you gave up your crown, you signed away mine as well."

" I gave you a life," Katherine returned, did Mary think this was easy for her, " I gave you the chance at marriage, at children. How long do you think it would have been before our heads ended up on the traitors block?"

" The people would have fought for us," Mary whispered, her fight leaving her, her mother had wanted to protect her, as she always had, " They are fighting for us now Mama."

They are fighting for you. A very small portion of rebels, Katherine smiled, even now her daughter still had some innocence left in her, " Rebels and traitors," Katherine answered, before lowering her voice into a whisper, " they will never win, and they will never see Anne's son replaced, you must make an enemy of her Mary, ally yourself with her children, the lady does not matter, but Anne holds the future of England, and once your father is gone, she will hold your future as well."

At her mothers words Mary took a deep calming breath.

" What will you do now, Mama?"

" I will retire to Peterborough Abbey," And pray for us all, Katherine answered, " As I promised I would, and God willing we will not be separated for so long again."

A/N: So there was chapter 6, I hope you all enjoyed it! please leave a review to let me know what you think!

In this chapter we saw that Jane, not Anne, was the wife who is currently pregnant, those of you who know your history would know that this lines up with Jane's pregnancy with Edward in 1537. As you all know, in history, Jane gave birth to Henry's long awaited son and died shortly afterwards. That is not to say this will be the outcome in this story, I know the result of Jane's pregnancy and the aftermath of it, you will all have to read the next chapter to find out :)

The Pilgrimage of Grace also grew in this chapter, it will play out rather differently than it did in history or any of my other stories dealing with this matter.

This was a big chapter for Mary who has turned her nose up at Jane and been reunited with her mother. The Katherine and Mary reunion was a hard one for me to write, as as much as I wanted to convey the great happiness they would have felt at being reunited, I don't think it could be denied that there would be some feelings of resentment there as well. I have touched upon this in this chapter but it will come into play a lot more in the future.

This reunion also saw Katherine retire to a nunnery (the one she was ironically buried at) this does not mean she has become a nun it simply means she will be living a simple life of prayer many Dowager Queens have done this throughout history. Katherine will still be an important character for a while yet.

Chapter 7 will see:

More on the northern rebellion and the outcome of Jane's second pregnancy.