It's me, Anne Boleyn

Chapter Ten - The Chateau Vert Pageant (Part 1)

Anne met with Henry Percy at least once a week to play chess or cards. Their friendship was growing stronger and their fondness for one another. Not only that, but they also had lunch together when the games were going too. Queen Katherine had permitted Anne one or two afternoons a week to meet her friend. Anne had been completely honest with the queen about her intentions, and she was grateful Katherine approved. She told Her Majesty about his predicaments as well and the queen found herself to be sympathetic with Anne's story. They were both young, but Queen Katherine could see they were in love with one another. Cardinal Wolsey, however, did not approve of the idea of Henry Percy cavorting with Anne. He let it slide, though, assuming it was just going to be a friendly game of chess amongst friends.

Anne promised Queen Katherine that she would be present in the room with her and the other ladies, that way there wouldn't be any confusion or questions from others why Henry Percy was sneaking off while he was engaged, and likewise with Anne with her unwanted engagement to James Butler. As long as they were chaperoned, all would be well, she hoped. Anne loved her weekly visits with Henry, and she improved greatly in chess, too. Anne was also happy with the fact that if anyone tried to start anything, she had Queen Katherine to back her. Katherine was daunting when she had to be. Even Anne did not dare cross her, as much as they were allies. Anne knew her boundaries and she learned them quickly.

It had also been time for the pageant for the Chateau Vert. They had gone through rehearsals several times, without costumes and now they were performing one final practice before the day. Anne was wearing her white satin dress with the white and gold sash around her that said 'Perseverance'. She wore a white-laced mask over her face and stood with the other ladies behind Chateau Vert, standing on a platform overlooking the Great Hall. The other eight ladies playing the villains wore black satin dresses with black and gold sashes with their names embroidered on them. They, too, wore black masks over their eyes to hide their identities.

The gentlemen came through the Great Hall, demanding the release of the ladies in white, Lady Scorn called back in a scathing voice to the men, refusing to allow them entry to rescue their ladies. Despite the warnings of Lady Scorn, the men jumped into action and rescued the captured and then brought them to the dance floor. The men who had roles were of Wolsey's household and also included King Henry and Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk (who'd rescued Mary Tudor, as was fitting). King Henry had been cast as 'Honesty', leading the gentlemen of the court and Henry Percy had been given a role as 'Loyalty'. The men were dressed in black suits with velvet, royal blue cloaks draping over their shoulders, hooked on with gold brooches provided by Cardinal Wolsey himself.

Originally, Henry Percy had been given the chance to rescue Anne from the chateau, but it had changed suddenly, without notice and now the duty had fallen to King Henry himself, but Anne had been unaware of these changes. Cardinal Wolsey started noticing their interactions as being more than friendly, and that angered him. He had encouraged the king to play a part with Thomas Boleyn, to distract Anne from Henry Percy. The last thing he needed was a little vixen trying to toy with a member of his household. As much as he didn't like Anne, she had won the favor of Queen Katherine, so, there wasn't much currently that the cardinal could do. Anne caught her breath when she saw the man behind the mask, uncertain of who it might have been. He was broad shouldered and fit as he was able to lift her down from the chateau as though she was light as a feather.

His blue eyes were vibrant and gazing at her with passion. The musicians began to play, and the line of dancers began the estampie. Cardinal Wolsey was keeping a watchful eye on all who performed and gathered in the Great Hall, most importantly a watchful eye on Henry Percy and Anne. Thankfully, the King had her attention and Henry Percy had also been distracted by Jane Parker, a daughter of Henry Parker, Baron Morley. Unfortunately, Lady Mary Talbot had not been present at court to distract her fiancé, but Cardinal Wolsey had written to her father a week ago, in urgency, insisting that she would come to court sooner rather than later. He did not approve of Henry Percy's friendship with Anne Boleyn. He made it clear from the start to Henry not to fraternize with the Boleyns.