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Ch. 25

Present fears are less than horrible imaginings.

~Shakespeare, Macbeth (Act 1 Scene 3)

'Cry "havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war'

~Shakespeare, Julius Caesar (Act 3, Scene 1)

Whitehall: Queen's Chambers 25January 1536

Anne and Grace were in the queen's chambers, listening to the Earl of Rotchford as he spoke plainly to the queen about the king's recovery. Anne was pacing in front of the other two, a concerned expression in her face. Grace watched her warily, worried that the excitement from the previous day would cause stress. "The king lives," Boleyn spoke, eyeing his daughter. "We must be grateful that His Majesty took no hurt in his fall."

"Yes, thank God." Anne still looked distracted. She was elsewhere and not entirely focused on her father's words.

"But it means that the safe production of a son from your womb is more than ever imperative." Grace rolled her eyes at Anne's father and scowled at him. Boleyn noticed the look she gave him but turned a blind eye to her behavior. He was not even concerned for Anne, just his social standing in the world. If Anne bore a son, he would be the grandfather of the future king of England. "So, I beg you to be always careful with yourself. Take no exertions or excitements. Shut yourself away, as much as you can, from the world." Grace's scowl disappeared from her face at his words. Now he seemed worried for his youngest daughter's health.

"I must remove Mistress Seymour from among my ladies." Grace's eyes narrowed at the mention of Jane Seymour. She agreed with Anne but knew she should not overexert herself. Mistress Seymour always seemed to be following in the shadow of the king along with her brothers and father.

"This is what I mean. If you fret about such little matters then your thoughts may poison the child inside you," Boleyn said in a sharp tone.

"It is not a little matter to me… or to Grace," Anne retorted.

"The king is your husband, not Grace's," Boleyn continued.

"But she is loyal to me. And I respect her for that, as should you," Anne replied. Boleyn sighed, agitated at his daughter for including Grace. He was already perturbed at her presence during their private audience.

"Never mind that." Boleyn shook his head, lowering his voice and continuing his speech. "Afterwards, when you have given the king his great desire then you will have all the power to deal with her as you like."

"I'm sure the king would not care what she did with Mistress Seymour now," Grace muttered. Boleyn sent her a warning look.

Anne nodded her head at her father's words as he stroked her cheek softly. "Think that I am the angel come down to tell you that you carry the Christ child in your belly." Boleyn kneeled in front of Anne, putting his hands on either side of her stomach and pressing a kiss to her pregnant belly. Anne smiled at her father's action, having not seen his affectionate side in a while. She would try and follow his advice, but she still could not get Mistress Seymour out of her mind.

"Majesty." Lady Madge entered her chambers, Lady Bryan and Princess Elizabeth entering. Spotting her mother, Elizabeth ran to her and wrapped her arms around her legs.

"Mama!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"Oh Elizabeth, my darling," Anne said to her daughter, reaching down to pick her up. She ignored the scolding loom her father gave her and she gently lifted Elizabeth into her arms who had a quizzical expression on her face.

"Is the baby in there?" Elizabeth questioned, pointing to Anne's protruding stomach.

"Yes, sweetheart. The baby is inside mama's stomach. Come summer, you will have your brother," Anne explained. Elizabeth looked at Anne wide eyed as she tried to understand the situation in her two-year-old mind.

"I will share all my toys with him then," Elizabeth replied, reaching down to pat her mother's stomach.

"That is very kind of you, my darling," Anne spoke, pleased with Elizabeth.

"May I see Gracie now?" she questioned. Anne nodded at her daughter, setting her down and watching as Elizabeth ran into Grace's arms. Elizabeth giggled as Grace threw her into the air and caught her, Anne smiling at the scene. She was glad of her daughter's behavior regarding her new sibling. She knew Elizabeth would be an excellent older sister. She just hoped Elizabeth would not be jealous about the attention her new sibling would receive, especially if that ch9ld was a boy. Anne prayed to God every day that it was a son, that she would have a boy in Henry's perfect image. And she was glad Grace treated her daughter so well. She knew Grace loved both the king's daughters equally and she would not dispute over their positions. That was for the king to decide. The only thing Anne doubted was that if something happened, was if Grace would choose her or the king. For now, she thought not to dwell on the subject, focusing on the present and enjoying the time she would have to spend with her daughter.

26th January 1536 King's Chambers

Grace was present in the king's chambers as Dr. Linacre examined his majesty's wound. Sitting next to the king, she held his hand as he spoke to Dr. Linacre. He was shirtless and there was little to the imagination down below as he was covered in a sheet and thin undergarments. He inhaled sharply as Dr. Linacre pressed a wet cloth around the wound. Grace winced when she saw the injury, though it was not as bad as it could have been. It was healing, but the skin was still ugly and marred. Henry rubbed his fingers over her knuckles, noticing her distress at his wound.

"What is it?" the king questioned.

"Nothing your majesty. It seems that if we had not performed the tasks we did after your accident that your wound would have been left open and an ulcer might have formed. We will have to watch it to be careful," Linacre responds.

"So, I am healed?" the king asked.

"Not entirely, Your Majesty. But you are much better than you could have been. For now, you'll have to wear a dressing, have the leg bound up. Though Your Majesty is still a young man you're not as young as you used to be. In those days, you were able to joust the whole day and not feel the effect." Henry blocked out Linacre's words, looking to Grace as she observed him. He merely smiled at her, mouthing "I love you." Grace blushed, but did not hide her affection, pressing a kiss to the palm of his hand and uttering the words in a soft whisper so only he could hear it. Linacre was unaware of their conversation, unaware of the love before him.

"We must be thankful that the king has recovered, that we worked quickly to save him," More spoke. The Warwick family, excluding Grace's elder brother Richard, sat in the Duke's chambers discussing the king's recovery. Grace nodded at her uncle's words, biting her lip nervously. She didn't know why he had called this family meeting as it was usually her father who did so.

Warwick stared warily at his daughter, worried at his recent discovery. He knew she was in love with the king. Him and More could see it plain as day. This gave him ever more reason for her to exercise caution around him, especially with the Seymours at court. "You must be careful, daughter," he spoke. "If something had happened to the king, some would want you to be displaced."

"The queen would never let that happen," Grace spoke.

"It is not the queen he is referring to, sister," Arthur spoke up. "Is it father?"

"Right you are my boy. Cromwell, Grace. Cromwell seeks to get rid of you. If something had happened to the king, Cromwell would still possess the power to harm you. Boleyn would not care as he would have been the Lord Protector," Warwick said.

"Everyone knows that," Grace declared, laughing at her father's comment. Warwick and More frown at her response. "I thought that was a common fact. He hates me. He hates the queen. It's only natural for the right-hand man of the king to hate us as we disagree with his proceedings with the Church. As for Boleyn, I could care less what he thinks."

"Exactly," John added. "You're a threat to his progress. And as for Boleyn, he does not care for you either."

"You're a threat to his rule so to speak. Cromwell I mean," Christian joked.

"This is not a joking matter. This is politics," More explained. "All the more reason for you to be careful. Don't voice your opinions in front of him. Don't openly disagree with him."

"I understand that, uncle," Grace responded. "And I won't. I'll just speak to the queen about it. I won't even say anything to the king."

"Good," Warwick spoke. "Just keep it that way."

"I will, father," Grace said in an irritated tone. She hated being treated like a child. "Now if you'll excuse me, the queen is expecting me." She exited her father's chamber, giving her father and uncle a kiss before she departed.

"Make sure she truly does understand the consequences if she doesn't listen, Richard," More spoke to his brother-in-law. "Or else it could cost her dearly."

27 January 1536

A banquet was being held in the great hall on behalf of the king's return to court. The king had partially recovered from his injury and had been bound to his bed since the accident. He walked with a slight limp, but it did not bother him much. Mary sat on his left, Anne on his right, and Grace sat on Anne's right. The king was surrounded by the most important women in his life and he did not care if people protested at his actions. Mary was his daughter and Grace was his second love, Anne being the first.

"I'm so happy you're well. I was so alarmed, so afraid," Anne spoke, a hint of fear in her voice. She held the king's hand in hers, conveying how happy she was at his recovery.

"As am I, father," Mary added. Grace nodded, showing her agreement.

"So was I when I thought that through my foolishness you might all be affected, you especially sweetheart. You might have lost the child," Henry said.

"Your foolishness?" Anne questioned, wondering where this change of behavior was coming from. She wouldn't dare tell him he was being foolish, but she was glad he knew not to continue like he had when they had first been courting. Grace rose an eyebrow at the king's words, locking eyes with Mary who had the same expression on her face.

"Foolishness, majesty?" Grace added aloud.

"It was a mistake to think I could behave like I used to. In any case those carefree days are gone," Henry replied. He lifted Anne's hand up to his, kissing it gently before reach9ng for Grace's and Mary's hands, doing the same.

"Our daughter was brought to court and everyone admired her." Henry broke out in a smile at Anne's words. He was proud of his daughter's progress, much like he had been with Mary's when she was younger. "I think she'll be a great beauty," Anne continued.

"Of course, she will. Look at her mother. And her sister. Beauty runs in our family." Anne and Mary smiled at Henry's words.

"Will you not ask King Francis to reconsider his refusal?" Anne questioned, lowering her voice slightly so only those at the table could hear. Henry let out a deep sigh at her words while Mary was slightly angered at her words. Henry had thought she would not bring up the topic again, at least not until after their child was born and especially not in front of Mary. It appeared they had reached a new stage in their relationship, but to what degree, he did not know. "If we delay much longer in finding a good marriage for Elizabeth people will talk even more than they do already."

"Why do you talk of Elizabeth when Mary is not yet betrothed?" the king asked, shocking all three women. Anne was slightly insulted by his words but could not reply. Grace came to her rescue, relieving the tension between them.

"You are right, my lord. Perhaps while you are finding a betrothed for Elizabeth, you should find one for the Lady Mary. Would you like that, Lady Mary?" Grace said, diverting the focus to Mary who blushed in her seat.

Henry turned to Mary, a serious look on his face. "I think it's time we find you a husband Mary, perhaps an English noble or a French one. Would you like that?"

"I shall do whatever your majesty asks of me," Mary replied, the perfect lady she was. Henry was pleased with her answer.

"Then it's settled. We shall ask Francis once again about Elizabeth and inquire about a match for Mary. The Duke of Guise's eldest son as well as the Duke of Lorraine's son are a few years younger than you, but they shall make excellent husbands if we are able to pursue a marriage. However, I would prefer we find you an English husband. That way you may stay close to home. I cannot have my pearl be far from me." The king's statement was final. All three women could tell by his tone and all three of them could only nod their heads at the king. Anne was satisfied, Mary was happy, and Grace was relieved that the royal family was slowly mending itself.

28 January 1536

Cromwell was in his personal chambers, going over documents by the candlelight instead of sleeping like the rest of the court was. He was busy at work, running his majesty's kingdom as he saw fit. He was disturbed by the appearance of the royal family the previous night, seeing that Mary had been restored to her father's graces on behalf of Lady Neville.

Cromwell was interrupted from his progress when a page entered, announcing, "His Excellency, the imperial ambassador."

"Excellency," Cromwell said, putting his work aside to properly greet the ambassador.

"I wondered if you had put the emperor's proposals to the king. I tried to persuade the Lady Neville to put such a proposal to the king, but she refused," Chapuys explained.

"You will come to understand, excellency, that Lady Neville should not be spoken to about pollical matters," Cromwell replied in an irritated voice. "And no. Not exactly. I wish with all my heart that we could reach a speedy accommodation. However, in the question of legitimizing the Lady Mary there remains one great obstacle."

"You mean the queen." Chapuys knew of the queen's dislike for the emperor as well as all things Spanish. She had a contempt for the Spaniards because of her dislike of Catherine and therefore, favored the French. "I know she hates the emperor as Catherine's nephew. They say that when she was told of his victory over the Turks she looked like a dog being thrown out of a window." Chapuys chuckled at his lasts sentence, a small smirk breaking out on Cromwell's face. It seemed they both disliked the queen. "But what can we do?" he questioned.

Cromwell had a determined look on his face and Chapuys could not help but think how dangerous of a plan he had concocted in his head. "If there is an obstacle in our path, Excellency we must find a way around it."

29 January 1536

Henry sat in his chambers, reading over a letter from his sister Margaret who had spoken to her son about a meeting between himself and his uncle. Henry was looking forward to the arrangements, hoping that a stronger alliance could be developed between Scotland and England. A knock was heard at his chamber door and opened to reveal Lady Jane in her lady-in-waiting garb.

"Lady Jane," Henry said surprised.

"Majesty." Jane lowered herself into a curtsy, smiling at the king when she rose.

"To what do I owe this visit to?" Henry questioned, not understanding why she sought an audience with him.

"I just had to see you now, majesty. I have been worried for your recovery, which I see now is progressing nicely," Jane revealed.

"Yes, my injury has been healing daily, though my leg still bothers me at certain times of the day," Henry said.

"I am pleased that you are recovering so quickly, majesty." Jane walked towards his majesty, Henry noticing her odd behavior. "I feared for your life greatly." She halted for a moment, gathering herself as she thought of what to say next. "Your majesty must know that I admire you greatly and that I am at your disposal whenever you may need me."

Henry was taken aback by her words, watching her intently as she stepped in front of him. He was going to speak but was stopped when Jane leaned down and pressed her lips to his. He didn't kiss her back but was in a state of shock. He was frozen in place, unsure what to do. For the first time in his life, he did not want anything to do with a woman who was throwing herself at him.

"Oh, my God." Jane broke away from the king at the outburst, revealing Anne and Grace standing in the doorway to his chambers. "Oh, my God," Anne repeated. She held onto the wall for support while Grace remained silent. Her heart dropped to her stomach at the sight and she felt a pain that she had never felt before. She was shaken out of her stupor by Anne's behavior, trying to calm her down for fear of the child. "Oh, my God, what is this? What is this?" Jane ran behind the king's chair for protection while Henry could only look on his wife and Grace with guilt in his eyes. He felt ashamed, horrified that the two o them had witnessed the scene between him and Jane.

"Anne…" Grace tried to reach for Anne, tried to pull her into her arms as she maneuvered to stand beside her, but Anne stepped away from her reach. She forgot about Grace in her anger and went to slam the door in her fury. The door barely missed Grace as she jerked out of the way. The door slammed violently and opened slightly again, Grace cringing at the sound. She attempted to reach for Anne again, but she again moved out of her reach. "Just when my belly is doing its business I find you wenching with Mistress Seymour!" she exclaimed.

"Sweetheart." Henry rose from his chair, trying to comfort his wife, but Anne rejected his attempts.

"No," Anne replied angrily, bracing herself on the table.

"Mistress Seymour, I think you should leave," Henry spoke sternly. Jane scurried away like the frightened little mouse she was. He didn't watch to see if she left, his eyes frantically scanning over Grace and Anne. Grace wouldn't look at him, her green eyes filled with a combination of concern for Anne and rage at Henry.

Henry went to the aid of his wife, whispering soothing words into her ears, but Anne's anger sparked once again. "Why are you doing this? Why did you have to do this?" She hit Henry, her fury getting the better of her. Henry, angered by the action, knows he must calm Anne down. He was worried for her, worried that the excitement would harm their child.

"Peace…Peace, now," Henry uttered softly, but Anne moved away from him.

"No, no, no!" Anne yelled out, backing away from Henry as he reached for her.

"Don't touch her!" Grace exclaimed, shocking the king. He put his hands up in the air like he had been a naughty child caught doing something wrong or as if his hands were on fire. "Don't you dare touch her! You don't deserve to touch one who is carrying your child so dearly, not when you clearly have other priorities."

"Majesty," Grace spoke as she reached for Anne. Anne was breathing rapidly, anger and betrayal flooding her senses as she stood on the opposite side of the room. "Anne, calm down." Grace kneeled in front of her, putting her hands on either side of Anne's stomach. "Shhhh it's alright. I'm here." Anne stopped shaking, one hand on her belly while the other held Grace's hand. She steadied her breathing, listening to Grace. " Remember your son, the future king of England, is in your belly. You must be calm for him. You must be strong." Grace pressed a kiss to Anne's belly before rising to Anne's height. Anne nodded her head though she was still crying silently. Grace linked her arm with hers, making sure she was alright before they began to leave the room.

Henry tried to move forward to comfort his wife and Grace, but his attempt was to no avail. Grace sent the king a fierce glare as Anne was still in a state of shock, and she looked at him as if he were some disgusting creature. Henry felt the guilt wrack his body, though it was not his fault. Jane had kissed him. He had not asked to kiss her, nor did he ever dream of such a thing. And now the two most important women in his life wanted nothing to do with him. He watched them as they left, his eyes glued to their beings. He didn't know what he would have to do to earn their forgiveness, but he would do anything, be anything for them to atone for his error.

"Two knaves."

"Two queens and a king."

Grace tried to block out the voices of Lady Madge and Lady Nan while they played cards as she sat in the queen's apartments. She had been able to calm Anne down and managed to get her back to her apartments before she had had a complete breakdown. As soon as the door was shut, Anne had burst into tears and sent away her ladies. She felt humiliated with what had happened, Grace feeling the same. They had both been betrayed by the man they loved.

"Why? I don't understand. How can he do this?" Anne cried to her.

"I don't know Anne. I don't know," Grace conveyed, finally letting her guard down. Hot tears began to pour down her face as she spoke and she wiped them angrily, making her face red.

"I knew I should have removed her from my ladies. I knew she was trouble the minute I laid eyes on her," Anne continued.

"You still can, Anne. Have her removed immediately. She deserves it," Grace spoke. "But you need to rest now," she continued. "How about we get you undressed and into a night gown so you can go to sleep." Anne only nodded her head as she cried silently into Grace's shoulder. Grace could only rub her back soothingly, numb with shock at what she had just seen. She had never thought the king would do such a thing, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized how similar to Jane she was. She had caught the king's attention, and though she rejected it at first, she came to accept it. She clearly saw herself in Jane and felt ashamed of her actions. She felt as if she had betrayed Anne.

"You win," Grace heard Nan say. She had zoned out for a moment as she replayed th events of the afternoon in her head.

"Do you think I should go and see if?" Madge questioned.

"No. Let her sleep," Nan replied.

It was then that Lady Jane appeared, all eyes turning to her as she entered the room. An outburst of whispers filled the room, all of the women looking to her in disbelief.

"Mistress Seymour, what on earth are you doing here?" Grace questioned sharply. Her eyes held a lethal look in them, and the other ladies made sure to back away from Jane.

"I am a lady to her majesty, and I thought it was required that I should be here," Jane responded meekly. She did not even look guilty for the pain she had caused that afternoon. She didn't even flinch away from Grace's sharp look.

Grave rose from her chair roughly, the legs of the chair letting out a groan at the violent treatment. "You think you should be here? After that spectacle you created this afternoon? Need I remind you what you did and how you upset the queen? You were throwing yourself at the king like a common prostitute. Whores are not to be ladies to her majesty, and I am sure you will be dismissed soon for your actions. Now get out."

Jane hesitated for a moment, looking to Madge for any sign of help. Madge's eyes remained glued to her feet and she remained silent. Grace became agitated, her eyes narrowing at the blonde-haired woman. "I said get out!" she exclaimed. "And don't you dare come back." When Jane realized that no one would come to her defense, she went to turn around and leave the room. However, Grace stopped her in her tracks.

"How dare you turn your back on me!" Jane froze in place, turning back to Grace with a frightened expression. "You never cease to amaze me, Mistress Seymour," Grace spoke sarcastically. "Once again your behavior is unacceptable." Jane was unsure what Grace meant, looking to the other women for help once more. They all stayed in their spots, looking anywhere else, but at Jane. "You've forgotten something," Grace gritted out through her teeth. "You've forgotten the respect you owe me." Jane realized at once that Grace was referring to her curtsying. Scolding herself internally, Jane curtsied to Grace as Grace herself walked in front of Jane. Grace stared down at her irately while Jane glanced up at her shyly. "That is where you belong. Looking up at me while I look down on you. Get out." Jane rose from her curtsy, backing out of the room and closing the door silently behind her.

The women in the room held their breath, no one saying a single word as they looked to Grace. She still held a fierce glint in her eye, an awkward silence filling the room. Grace returned to her seat, still fuming. The other women followed suit, continuing their card came until they heard a frightening cry.

"No!" All of the women jumped up from their seats, rushing into the queen's inner chambers.

"What is it, Your Majesty?" Madge questioned.

"Anne, what's wrong?" Grace ran to Anne's side, her face going white at what she saw. Anne's hands pulled forward her nightgown from between her legs. Red blood stained the material and covered Anne's hands. She was losing the baby.

"The baby," Madge gasped. Anne's ladies all covered their mouths with their hands, horrified at the sight.

"My boy!" Anne exclaimed, wailing from the pain.

"Get some help!" Madge stated to the women behind. They just stood there, their eyes glued to the scene.

"You heard her! Go and fetch the physician!" Grace shouted at them. She turned her attention to the queen. "Anne…Anne listen to me. We must do all we can to save the baby. You must…"

"No, no…no, no, no, no!" Anne yelled. Grace gasped as she saw Anne move slightly to the side, revealing the blood underneath her. She had never seen so much blood. Anne collapsed on the bed, holding her hands between her legs as blood continued to flow out from her. Grace could only support her, holding Anne in her lap as she writhed in pain.

"Gracie, Gracie don't leave me," Anne cried. She reached her hand out, grasping Grace's wrist in her bloodied hand. "Help me." The blood stained the sleeve of Grace's dress, but she did not notice. All that mattered was Anne's life in that moment. Henry had done this to her. This was Henry's fault. He had caused Anne to lose her child. It wasn't Henry's boy. It was Anne's boy in Grace's mind.

"I'm here Anne. I'm here. The physician is coming." Grace's voice could not reach above that of a whisper. She could barely talk. As Anne cried and wailed, she cried with her. She felt so much pain within her, though she knew it was only a tenth of what Anne was experiencing. She was losing her child, her golden world, her savior. Her station would be in peril now and all would know it. The queen was beginning her descent from favor and Grace would follow her, even if it meant losing everything.

A/N: So that is the last chapter for part one of COTAR! I will be taking a break to finish my other story The God's Champions so stay tuned for that! Thank you all for your support. Part two will be out in the next coming months.