Thanks for all the reviews. For some reason this chapter didn't show up at the same time as The Royal Cradle update so I re-uploaded it.

Disclaimer: I don't own.

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Mary went over her speech nervously in her head. She needed to ask Anne to entrance the King. She expected that Anne would refuse at first out of loyalty to Katherine but Mary was sure she could convince her to do it. She tilted her head back and moved towards the window, letting the sunlight warm her face. She had been informed that Anne would be leaving her service to join the court. While this knowledge made her slightly sad she knew it was best for her plans.

She turned when the door open, happy to see it was Anne. "I understand you will not be joining us at Beaulieu." she waited until Anne nodded her confirmation. "I will miss you but I have a task for you there." Mary paused to gather her thoughts. Anne waited curious. What could Mary have for her to do? Mary finally decided the best way was to come out and say it.

"The King is determined on a new marriage and it is no secret that his current choice for a wife hates me. The King will do anything to get a new wife even I am afraid go against his Holiness." Anne wanted to reassure her mistress that this was not true but she could not bring herself to lie. "I need you once you are at court to do as much as you can to attract the King and replace Kathryn Shelton in his heart so he can be persuaded to be kinder to me and my mother."

Anne's eyes widened as she stammered a nervous refusal. Mary crossed the room hurriedly and took Anne's hands in hers. "Anne I need you to do this for me. Please, if Kathryn Shelton becomes the next queen none of us will be safe. My life will be in danger." Mary pleaded.

Anne stared in shock at the princess she had known for almost a decade. She had only met Queen Katherine when she visited Mary or Mary visited court but loyalty to Mary also meant loyalty to the queen. To betray one was to betray the other. Mary could sense Anne's hesitance and could guess the cause. "I am asking this of you as the rightful princess of England. You will not be betraying me or my mother. Please Anne." Mary's bright blue eyes stared into Anne's dark ones. Anne finally nodded after a long period of silence.

Mary smiled in relief. She knew she had just embarked on a dangerous journey but this was what had to be done. Still she could not ignore the darkest truth. That was that in replacing Kathryn Shelton's place in Henry's heart, Anne would also be replacing the queen's place.

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Anne made her way back to the rooms in a daze. She had already started packing for the court. Anne wished she was going with the princess. She entered her rooms unprepared for the sight that greeted her. Jane sat on the bed crying softly. Anne sat next to Jane and wrapped her in a warm embrace. "What's wrong Jane?"

"I-it would appear that I am not going to Beaulieu with you and the princess. I am going to join my brothers at court." Jane stammered, her pretty blonde hair falling limply around her face. Anne brushed it away softly.

"I am not going either. I'm to join the Queen's household. We will be together at least." Jane looked in surprise at Anne. This was news to her. Anne considering telling Jane of her task for a moment but decided against it. Her friend was too fragile.

"Then the Princess will be alone? She will be so lonely for the King has dismissed some of her most loyal ladies." Jane said, distress filling her blue eyes. Anne nodded sadly.

"We will all have to make our way through this storm. But we will make it through and come out the better for it." Anne promised.

Jane shook her head, crying a few more tears. "I hope you are right."

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2 Months Later

Katherine sat among her ladies sewing quietly. She had few left, loyal ones were very hard to find. A new one was supposed to arrive soon. She knew that all of the world knew about the state of her marriage and they were reluctant to show themselves favorable to her so why this Boleyn girl was coming was a mystery. She looked up when the door opened and a teenage girl came in dipping into a curtsey,

She set aside her sewing and stepped down to study the girl. She noted that the girl was a dark beauty. "Lady Anne Boleyn I take it?" she asked. She knew from Mary that Anne Boleyn was one of her closest friends and confidantes.

Anne nodded. She was glad to be here finally but the joy was dampened by the knowledge that Mary was at Beaulieu right then instead of her rightful residence at Ludlow. Katherine motioned for Anne to rise. She studied her for a second more wondering if she was placed here as a spy. Finally curiosity about her daughter won. "You have come from the Princesses household correct?" Anne nodded once more. Katherine smiled. "Come then, walk with me in the garden and tell me of my daughter."

Anne smiled only too happy to comply. For now she would be a friend to the queen until the moment came when Anne would betray her.

TBC

Poor Katherine. I'm afraid I will not be able to give her a happy ending in this but hopefully Mary, Anne and Jane will get a better ending than they did in real life. Thanks for reading. R+R please.