Empire of Dreams

*6*

Christmas spent with Catherine's family made my heart ache for Queen Anne. The morning of Christmas before the sun could rise, I grabbed my riding coat, left a not for Catherine and Thomas and left for Anne's.

On reaching the Queen's house, I found her on the living room couch, almost passed out.

"Anne!" I whispered under my breath as I rushed to her. On touching her skin I realised she wasn't passed out, she had high fever.

I may not be the medical prodigy Katherine was, but I knew my way with the basics. After giving her the medicines, I made a warm breakfast for her and laid the table. Just as I turned to call Anne, there was a knock on the door.

I wondered who it was, knowing quite well Anne lived without servants. On opening the door, I was face to face with whom I could only describe as an angel.

"I'm sorry, you are?" I asked, my voice sounding as amazed as I felt.

"I am Avalon, your Grace" she curtsied. So I was recognisable.

"You are here for?"

"Oh! Avalon, you're back!" I turned at Anne's voice. The medicines had worked their magic on her.

"You know each other?" I asked softly as I closed the door.

"Of course we do, Avalon is my ward. Younger sister of lady-in-waiting, she has always been quite dear to me, though not for her continued proximity to me. She is a talented cook and candle maker. I think she is destined for great things in the future and as you know, I am not usually wrong." Anne spoke quickly in her hoarse voice as she settled at the table.

I served the extra portions of food I had left for Anne as dinner now that Avalon was joining us. Warm stew seemed to warm our hearts as the conversation grew personal.

"Mary's just a year younger than me, you know" Anne said as she took a bite of the fresh bread.

"You really were the age of the King's daughter then! I thought it was an exaggeration when I heard you were young enough to be the King's daughter." I wondered out aloud.

"I was. There are a lot of things I know about Mary which no one does. I guess she saw me as someone who would understand both the weight of the crown and the lightness of our age. She found a friend in me when the King couldn't find a wife in me. I was honoured as the Queen sister though" Anne scoffed.

Years of bitterness was evident from her voice. I shuddered to imagine if someone so peacefully divorced harboured so much rage, what would've been the state of the other Queens so brutally cheated? I suddenly felt a lot of sympathy and concern for Mary and Elizabeth.

I found myself searching Avalon's face for reaction, but if this was the first time she was hearing about this, which she probably wasn't, she hid it well.

"It's Christmas, Anne. Let's not go down the bitter road. Why don't we enjoy together?" She said calmly and so the conversation was steered towards more bland topics like hats and pets.

After the breakfast, I cleared the kitchen as Avalon returned after settling Anne back in the bed.

"You know more than you let on" I said though I myself was unsure of the reason.

"Same goes for you, your grace" she spoke in a level voice. She was good at this.

"I, Avalon, am the third in line to succession. The thing that matters most in my life is to keep my lips sealed, don't you understand that?"

"I too am a businesswoman, repected lady, I too can't spill secrets left and right"

"But you can tell me about this close relationship with Anne. What is it between you two? Sisters? Friends? Or maybe Mother-Daughter? Don't you think the close proximity of yours with a former queen concerns me, a potential future queen?"

"It should not, because this- is personal. It is between me and Anne. You royals shunned Anne away. She was a jewel you threw away like a stone. I was there for her all those years so it may be a little difficult for you to understand" Avalon had finally lost her temper. She had raised her voice at someone higher in rank than her. This was almost treason.

"I must leave now" she hastily curtsied and left and I had to leave that matter for the time being, though I would have loved to do otherwise. 

I packed my belongings and after cooking a very basic lunch (which may or may not be due to my annoyance with Anne for not telling me about Avalon), I summoned a carriage back to Sudeley. Just as the carriage was about to move, Anne handed me a thick diary and letter. The carriage moved before I could reply but I watched as she disappeared back into that damp, ruined place she called her house.

Catherine pulled me into her room as soon as I was back.

"What were you thinking, going to meet the former queen in secret like that?" She hissed.

"Aunt, you of all people should understand. She was alone for Christmas! She was ill for heaven's sake! If I hadn't visited her, one can only imagine what would've happened to her!" I explained exasperated that I was being interrogated.

It was clear a conversation would get us nowhere at the moment so I retreated to the kitchen garden. It was a small dark area with all kinds of edible herbs, vegetables and fruits. It was truly as if I had entered another world. I was the last person who could be called nature's daughter. I didn't like plants much in fact, but the solitude in this greenery seemed to have a special effect on me. It was sure to become one of my retreating spots.

"A letter for you, Lady" the gardener handed me a letter. So much for solitude.

Tearing it open, I took in a deep breath. It was from Elizabeth.

Another chapter down in the Empire of Dreams and here's the soundtrack for it. I know it's too long, but that's what I listened to while writing this chapter and it takes you back to those dats too ;)