Epilogue

The church bells chimed loudly throughout the city. The people rushed to the doors eager to see Lady Anne Boleyn walk through those doors and marry His Royal Majesty, King Henry VIII.

There had been great excitement when the King finally came out of his confinement. King Henry had organised a party in the city to celebrate. The party lasted all day and well into the night. As night drew darker, King Henry led Anne into the woods.

'Have you enjoyed your night Anne?' he asked. 'Indeed Your Majesty. Very much so. Everyone was delighted to see you again. You have everything you want again.' answered Anne.

King Henry nodded slowly. 'Not everything. There is something I still desire.' he said. Anne raised an eyebrow. 'What is that Your Majesty?' she asked.

'I want you to be my wife. I want you to be my Queen.' answered King Henry going down on one knee and taking Anne's hand in his. 'Anne Boleyn will you marry me and become my Queen?' he asked.

'Your Majesty...' whispered Anne. 'Don't call me that.' said the King. She smiled down at him. 'Yes Henry, I will marry you.' said Anne, kneeling down and hugging him tight, tears trickling down her cheeks.

Now the people watched as the carraige arrived at the church. Cromwell rushed over and helped the Lady Anne- soon to be the Queen Anne- down.

She looked beautiful. Her long dark hair tumbled down her back, contrasting wonderfully with the pearl white dress she was wearing. Anne was wearing a tiara, with bright diamonds. Jane and Katheryn lifted up the train of her dress, smiling happily. With a smile to the crowd, Lady Anne took her brother George's arm and walked into the Church Royal to marry His Majesty King Henry VIII.

'We have come here together before God and these witnesses to join in holy matrimony Henry VIII, King of England and France, Defender of the Faith, Supreme Head of the Church of England and the Lady Anne Boleyn.' said the Bishop Gardner.

King Henry took Anne's hand in his, grasping it tightly. At last he and Anne would be together as husband and wife, as king and queen.

'And by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.' announced Bishop Gardner. Everyone in Chapel Royal watched as King Henry and Queen Anne sealed their marraige with a kiss.

A few months later...

Anne sat in her bed, cradling the new born child gently in her arms. She looked up at the sound of footsteps coming towards her. King Henry sat down beside her on the bed and took the baby in his arms.

'She is beautiful. One day she will be a great Queen. Just like her mother.' he said happily, smiling down at the baby. 'Her name shall be Elizabeth.' said Queen Anne. King Henry smiled at her. 'A perfect name for a perfect little princess.' he answered kissing his queen gently on the lips.

Ten years later...

The ten year old Princess Elizabeth ran down the trees laughing happily. Her nine year old brother Prince Edward rushed after her trying to keep up. 'Careful children! Don't go too far!' called Katherine Parr, looking up from her sewing.

Katherine had recently been married to Sir Thomas Seymour, Jane's older brother and was now one month with child.

Nearby the Prince and Princess's six year old twin siblings Henry and Mary were laughing as they rolled around on the grass with Lady Katheryn Howard.

A few months before, at a feast, Katheryn had met the love of her life, Sir Thomas Culpepper. They were to be married in a few weeks time.

Jane Seymour had found happiness as well...in the arms of Anne's beloved brother George. They had married the previous year and were given the titles Viscount and Viscountess Rochford by the king. They now lived happily at Hever Castle with their young son though they visited regularly.

Not long after Henry and Anne had married, Charles Brandon had married the King's sister Margaret and had three young children so far, Henry, Frances and Eleanor and now Margaret was expecting her fourth child.

A year after the curse was broken, Anna of Cleves was made Duchess of York and a home in Richmond Palace near the castle. Cromwell had been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer by the king and was given the Order of the Garter by the queen. Although neither had married yet, both Anna and Cromwell have begun to get closer to one another...

From her balcony, Queen Anne watched her friends and her children playing in the grounds. Never had Anne felt more happy. She had her beloved brother had was now happily married, she had her wonderful friends, she had a loving husband and four beautiful children...and a fifth child on its way. Queen Anne looked down at her stomach, now three months with child. Another sibling for her children, another child for her and her husband.

Just then, strong arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close. 'My sweet wife.' said the king kissing his queen gently on the cheek. Queen Anne turned to her husband, laying her head against his shoulder. For a few moments they watched in silence as their children laughed and played in the sun.

'Come with me Anne.' said King Henry leading Queen Anne out of the room, down the stairs and into the ballroom. He lead her to the centre of the room and wrapped his arms around her waist.

'What are you doing Henry?' asked Queen Anne, eyebrow raised. 'Don't tell me that you have forgotten the night we experienced here ten years ago?' whispered King Henry smiling down at his wife.

Slowly the King and Queen of England began to dance around the ballroom, just as they had done ten years previously. Queen Anne laid her head on the king's shoulder as they moved around. As they danced Anne remembered Katheryn singing sweetly as she and her husband danced for the first time together.

When they finished the king and queen walked out to the balcony and looked out at the view. The sun was beginning to go down and the children were being taken inside.

Queen Anne turned to her husband. 'I told you ten years ago that I would forever be grateful to you for saving me Henry.' she started but King Henry placed a finger to her lips.

'No my sweet Anne. I am forever grateful to you. I did not save you. You, my darling Anne, saved me.' he said.

As the sun set over the horizon, the King and Queen of England, Henry and Anne leaned in and sealed their eternal love once more with a gentle kiss.

The End!

And that's the end of Beauty and the Beast! I might write more Tudor stories soon. Until then...R&R!