Eternal Flame

Banishment-1534

"Eleanor Luke. See the way the King looks at her?"
"Yes. She is his mistress."
I muttered,"Then get rid of her."
"Yes, your Highness."
"Oh please, George. Just call me Anne. I am only your sister."
The next day, I noticed Lady Eleanor did not come to court. "Did you do it, George? Did you get rid of  her?"
"Yes."
"Good."
In the evening, the King asked me to come to his bedchamber to speak with him alone. He sat in a chair, looking off into the fireplace with his hand on his chin, pondering about something.
"Yes, Henry? You asked me to come here to speak with you."
"Anne, why is Lady Eleanor not at court?"
I sighed. "I dismissed her."
"Why?"
"It seems to me that the Lady Eleanor stole something precious from me."
"Are you sure she stole it?"
"Yes, I had the evidence. I had no choice."
He continued to ponder and look off into the fireplace in front of him. "Hmm...."
"I hope your Majesty is not too disappointed." I smiled, in a slight smug manner.
He looked at me and slightly chuckled. "You are excused."
"Thank you, your Majesty." I left and went back to my quarters.
A while later, my father came to visit me. And so did Mary. "Sister, Father. I know you are both very angry with me, for I left without permission and without announcing it. I also did not state where I would be and when I would come back. But now I am back. And with some good news. I.....am married."
Father and I were in shock. "WHAT?!?! To who?" We both said at the same time.
"To a soldier named William Stafford."
Father was in even more shock. "You married a COMMONER?!?!"
       She nodded. "Yes, Father. I know you are very disappointed with me. I know you want me to only marry above my status. But I love him. I really do."
He crossed his arms over his chest.
I looked at her. "Then you should stop."
Father's eyes were like burning flames."Disappointed? No. Angry? Yes. How could you, Mary?"
"I am sorry, Father. And as you could tell, I am pregnant with his child." She rubs her very large belly gently, looking down and smiling.
      Father was in more shock. Anger filled his face. I, however, was not only shocked and angry with her. I was also bitter. "How is this good news, Mary? You tell Father you married a soldier, a commoner. And now you tell me you are pregnant with his child RIGHT AFTER I LOST MY SECOND CHILD?!?! IT WAS A BOY TOO! HAVE YOU NO SHAME?!"
"I am sorry, sister. I truly am sorry."
I turn my face away from her, mad from all the news she was giving us. "Just leave, Mary. I never want to see you again."
        I could hear her sniffles."I am sorry, sister. I really am--"
       I turn to look at her this time, displaying my anger towards her. "As punishment, you are now officially banished from court."
       She pleads with her tearful eyes. "But sister, please--"
       I look at her with more anger. "Do not tempt me, Mary."
       She looks down and bites her lip, more tears falling from her eyes. "Yes.....your Highness...." She curtsies and exits. I hear her sniffling as her footsteps slowly fade away.
Father turns to face me. "Do you think she told George?"
"I do not know."
He sighed. "Anne."
"Yes, Father?"
"What did you do to kill your baby?"
"What? I did not kill my baby."
"You need to give the king a son. Or else we will fall out of his favor and he will have Lady Mary restored to the royal line."
Still bitter about my miscarriage, I dismissed him."Father, you may leave now." He bows and exits. The King walks in, irritated. "Henry, are you alright?"
He sighs. "No, it is just.....I am still grieving over the loss of our boy."
"I am too, Henry."
"Hmm....."
"Henry, I have a question to ask you."
"Yes?"
"Do you still love me? Do you still have passion for me?"
"Anne, that was not one question. That was two."
"Please, just answer them."
     He laughs and embraces me. "Yes, I still love you and have passion for you."
      I smiled out of relief because I was frightened he was not in love with me anymore. I laughed. "I would only be unhappy if you ever stopped loving me."