The King's Favourite

Secrets

Henry was eager to marry Anne. He did all he could when Katherine was around to provoke a reaction from her- this was so he could deem her as mentally unstable. Katherine realized what her husband was doing and remained calm, this angered the King. Anne was also angry at Katherine for not taking the bate and she taunted her saying "Time to find a queen who can give the King his heir." as she sat on Henry's lap at parties and mealtimes. Henry wanted to let Anne sit on Katherine's throne but resisted as it would spark too much controversy, he must convince everyone that Anne is merely his mistress and nothing more.

The King soon realized that the queen wasn't going to follow his plan, so searched vigilantly for another excuse to rid himself of her. Anne helped him with this and the two of them poured over book after book, document after document, but hope was dwindling. Henry had began to think that he would never get to marry Anne, he still loved Katherine but wanted an heir and some young passion.

Anne was even more determined then Henry to find a way to marry him. She searched her bible and found a passage explaining that 'it is sinful of a man to take his dead brothers wife'. Anne knew this could be a method of dispatching Katherine so kept in in the back of her mind, if she suddenly called for the King to tell him then suspicious would arise.

The next time Henry called Anne to his chambers, she took her bible with her. She found the verse and showed the King- he was impressed:

"If their was any doubt of your love for me, it has been removed" he said as he removed her pearl headdress.

Anne questioned him as she kissed him "But your grace, do you think it will work."

"I will write to the Pope and tell him of this verse, saying it disturbed me. His holiness will have to accept."

"An excellent plan your grace. I eagerly await his reply" giggled Anne.

The next morning, Henry did exactly as he had said to Anne; he picked up his quill and grafted a letter to the Pope. Their was no doubt in his mind that the Pope would accept and he was filled with a sudden new passion for his young lover. He remembered that it had been Anne who had found the verse and felt the need to thank her, he wrote a note to her explaining his love for her and expressing his thanks- he sealed it after adding an expensive necklace adorned with rubies and opals. Then he called a messenger boy to deliver both letters.

Anne received the letter and blushed with excitement. She then picked up the package that had arrived beside it and opened it, there lay the beautiful necklace. Anne gleamed at it but decided that she could possibly accept it, the King was her lover but Rome hadn't accepted Henry's claim. It was just too risky. She drafted a letter to the King explaining her thankfulness but reasons for not accepting the gift, she re-wrapped the necklace and sent both things back to Henry.

Henry was furious that Anne hadn't accepted his gift and called her to his chambers to explain herself. Anne repeated what she had said in the letter and although Henry appreciated her concern, he reminded her that he was King of England and that the Pope would have no choice but to accept his claim.

Whilst they were together a messenger knocked on the door, he had a reply from the Pope. Henry took the letter and read it to Anne with confidence, however as he read, he became less confident as he realized the nature of the letter:

"Henry VIII-,

On behalf of the Catholic Faith I have decided that your concern was simply invalid. Your marriage to Katherine of Aragon was completely within the rights of the church and there is no reason for us to annul the marriage. Whilst the reason for your sudden change of attitude towards your wife is unclear, I must warn you that if you intend to divorce your wife, the Catholic church will cease to connect with England.

-The Pope".

Henry was furious and tore up the letter, throwing the individual pieces in the fire, he stood breathing heavily and clenching his fists. Anne wasn't surprised but the letter had made her even more determined to become queen of England.

"I'm sure there is still a way." She soothed as she wrapped her arms around the King.

Henry's anger got the better of him and he turned on Anne, with an almighty shout he pushed her to the ground and assaulted her in the worst way a woman can be assaulted. When he had finished with her, he stood up and left the room very quickly. Anne lay on the stone floor in pain and shock, her dress had been torn off and her head hurt from its sudden contact with the floor, she was freezing and her whole body was shaking with the cold and shock.

Anne knew that she couldn't speak of this or the King would dispose of her, she must lie in the King's bed so if any servants found her, it would like like nothing had happened. Anne was weak from her trauma but reached out to find something she could use to haul herself up, her vision was hazy from her concussion and she grasped hold of one of the burning logs by mistake. She felt a burning sensation shoot through her hand and drew it back with a gasp of pain.

Instead of holding onto something, she slowly sat up and placed her hands in front of her, she sat there for a few minutes whilst she regained her strength from sitting up. As she regained herself, Henry returned and quietly stood in the doorway watching Anne. He had instantly regretted what he had subjected Anne too and stood in silence watching his one true love struggling even to sit as a result of him.

Anne decided she had enough strength to stand so pushed herself up onto her feet, like a child does when first standing. As soon as she stood, a shoot of pain surged through her body and she felt dizzy, she reached out to hold something but just as she grasped onto the King's bed frame, her legs gave way and she fainted. The King had seen her struggle to even stand and had rushed forward to catch her. She lay unconscious in his arms.

Henry's eyes filled with tears as he carried her to his bed and laid her down carefully. "What have I done?" he whispered as he stroked her raven hair "I have hurt you even though you tried to help me."

By morning, Anne could see clearly again and her concussion had subsided, her head and body still ached but she felt much better. As she opened her eyes she saw the King staring into her eyes and began to shudder. Henry noticed her shudder and spoke gently as Anne moved away from him

"Anne, I am so sorry" he sobbed "I didn't mean to hurt you and when I saw what I had done to you I was filled with regret."

Anne was still afraid of the King and remembered what had happened, yet she replied "You hurt me and my dignity. You monster"

This made tears well in Henry's eyes again and despite his desperate attempts to be strong, he began to cry. He could lose Anne and it would be his own fault.

Anne saw Henry's tears and saw his desperate pleas for forgiveness, she bravely moved towards him and placed her hand on his "I forgive you" she whispered, tears had began to well in her eyes too- could she forgive a man who had caused her so much pain.

Henry felt her soft hand so without moving replied "How can you forgive me? I am as you said: a monster." He was desperately sorry and surprised at Anne's unbelievable words, had she really said them?

Anne began to cry too "Even though you hurt me, I-I-I Lov-v-e You" she stuttered.

This was too much for Henry and he threw his arms around Anne, willing to accept any reaction. Anne was shocked but even though Henry had hurt her, his love was all she wanted. She embraced him and they sat just in silence for several minutes, only glad of each others company.