Festina Lente

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Royal Wedding

15th of June 1531 - London, England

The tolling of the bells did little to ease Anne's mind, they seemed to have been riding since before dawn and her heart pounded in her chest knowing what it meant; today she would be married to the King of England. 

It seemed like such a long time ago that she had caught the King's eye and this entire thing had begun; she had never believed that her refusal to become his mistress would led her here. 

Her father and uncle might have pushed her down this path but Anne knew that she could only relay on herself; it had been her that the King had fallen for and her views. 

Katherine was gone now and from what Anne knew had retired quietly to the estates that Henry had all but banished her too as the Dowager Princess of Wales; her daughter would be in attendance today at Henry's insistence. 

Her beloved was kind to his daughter now that her mother was no issue for him, though Anne was certain that the girl held no love for her and would happily see her displaced so that Katherine may return as Queen. 

"You shouldn't frown," Mary Boleyn tutted while she worked on the sleeves of Anne's dress, she smiled at her younger sister most pleased for her and knowing that Anne would make the most beautiful Queen. 

The room was filled with chatter and the other ladies in attendance didn't seem to notice how their lady had soured slightly while they talked about who would be attending. 

It seemed like invites had gone out across the kingdom, there had been talk of people gathering in celebration of the wedding but Anne wasn't sure that she believed that just yet. 

Katherine had been well loved and Anne doubted that would change right away when it came to some folk; even if the other woman had been found guilty of her crimes. 

Anne took a deep breath and looked down at the gown that she had chosen to wear for her wedding, she had spent months preparing it once it became clear that she would be free to marry Henry and their betrothal was announced. 

They were currently at the Palace of Whitehall and her marriage to Henry would take place in the Queen's closet followed by celebrations that would take place well into the night.

Stepping into the room, Elizabeth Boleyn couldn't help but smile at the sight of her younger daughter; finally, all three of her surviving children had been married off and while Mary might have been a widow now, she could marry again in time. 

Anne looked resplendent in the deep maroon gown that Elizabeth had helped her make, there was no denying how lovely her daughter looked and she seemed every inch a Queen. 

Waving her hands to dismiss the ladies, Elizabeth moved towards her daughter wishing only to speak to her for a moment; her life would not be the same after this and she wanted her to be prepared. 

The wedding would happen no matter what Elizabeth said to Anne, she very much doubted that the King would allow her to back out now especially with the entire country watching. 

"Are you ready?" Elizabeth asked moving to her side, her fingers gently brushing against the gown and she couldn't help but think of her own wedding day when she had married Thomas. 

It felt like such a long time ago, a day which would be very different from the one that Anne would now partake in especially given the fact that she was to marry a King. 

"Of course, I have waited long enough for this day," Anne replied turning to smile at her mother, she had done her waiting and she would not allow anything to ruin her big day; she wanted nothing more than this part of her life to be over.