DISCLAIMER: Do not own anything from the Tudors. Also, I apologize if they are slightly OC…despite it being an alternative universe. I still wanted them to maintain some semblance of what made them lovable to us from the TV series. Also, I apologize if I made any grammar or spelling errors. I checked several times…but I'm sure you all know how sneaky they can be. Besides, I am an English major, not a spelling or grammar major. :p

Also: important note. In case the time line confuses you, yes...it is supposed to be 1533; the year Anne starts in King Henry's court. I am simply moving Henry's religious qualms up a bit earlier. And they have nothing to do with Anne. Also, Cromwell doesn't become Privy Seal or any of those snazzy titles until 1535 but for my own creative purposes…he gets promoted 2 years earlier. Yay Cromwell.

Summer 1533

The next few days blurred past Anne as though they were but distant dreams. She was a myriad of emotions: anger at her father, peace with her sister, fear of the King, and curiosity towards this new Mr. Cromwell. She felt some semblance of safety knowing that at least one supporter of her faith would be at court with her amid the wolves of Catholicism. Even King Henry was not so powerful yet to stand up to the bishops, the cardinals and the Pope. Even though Mr. Cromwell was just one man, one man who would probably be just as secretive about his faith as she, Anne felt less alone. She still dreaded facing the King. She had no plan, no idea of how to avoid His Majesty and his overwhelming ways. Anne thought perhaps to make herself un-extraordinary, so that the King would pass right by her; however, her father was to make sure she could do no such thing. He was coming with her. The day they were to leave, Anne discovered that her father had, in fact, sent George ahead to herald their coming to the King. Now there was no way that the King would not notice her. Anne groaned at the gross improprieties her father and brother would sink to, in order to ensure the King looked upon her with desire. She also discovered that Mary would not be accompanying them to court or even half way. The disgust their father felt for Mary ruled the outcome of how the sisters would say their farewells. Already emotional, Anne was quite beside herself when the time came to actually say goodbye.

The day of the journey had dawned clear and warm for July. The cloudless sky sent the sun's rays beating down upon their caravan. The trip from Hever Castle to Whitehall Castle in London took about three days time. Fortunately, they would be making a midway stop before reaching London, for which Anne was grateful. She needed time to pray and to think before she was hurriedly thrust into court life, where she was to be, in all possibilities, pursued by the King. Her father's plan was simple: seduce the King, earn his favor, become his Queen. Anne shuddered at the thought of pretending to like King Henry. She thought back to her dreams the past few nights. She had been having the same dream where a panicked man with no face was trying to get to her, to save her, all the while screaming her name. She had no idea what it could potentially mean, but it was strange all the same.

The bell at the estate's abbey tolled signaling the arrival of noon and their expected departure time. Anne stepped out in to the bright sun light and immediately rushed into her sister's arms, holding her tightly.

"Mary, please don't make me do this alone," she pleaded, "I want you with me."

Mary blinked back tears, distressed at seeing Anne so desperate. Mary was always accustomed to depending on Anne's quiet strength and relying on her in troubled times. Mary was at a loss; she had never been the strong one. Anne must be truly upset to be showing this much vulnerability. She could feel Anne quivering in her arms. Mary quickly gathered Anne into her arms again, anxious to reassure her.

"Anne, my sweet Anne, for...forgive me," Mary found it hard to continue, "please forgive me for bringing this upon you. It is entirely my fault. I will try my hardest to escape this decorated prison Father thinks he can keep me in, and I shall come to you as soon as I can."

Anne wiped her eyes and looked up at her elder sister. I must be strong; I can't let Mary worry constantly for me while I am away. She will have enough to deal with. Anne collected herself and hugged her sister again. She was sure the servants watching were unsure of what to do, what with two adult women crying together at the front gate. Anne gave her sister a small smile.

"Write me often, Mary, as I will you. I pray you visit me soon. I fear I shall be suffocated around George and Father."

Boleyn came up behind Anne, suddenly, and grasped her arm to lead her away. Anne began to feel the reality of what was happening to her and broke free of her father's iron grip. She gave Mary another tight hug and as she did this, Mary pressed a cloth pouch into her hand.

"For you, a gift the King just might recognize. It might bring back his more recent unpleasant memories of me and make you repulsive to him."

Anne opened the pouch to find the treasure of the Boleyn family women: the extravagant pearl necklace with a large "B" dangling from the center. It was handed down to the eldest daughter in each generation; therefore, Anne had never thought to one day own it. She felt a cold tight grip on her elbow and knew her father was waiting behind her.

"Come Anne, we depart now." He said with no compassion for the farewells of his daughters. As Anne climbed into the carriage, Mary followed her. Anne turned around to meet Mary's eyes; her own filled with unhappy tears.

"Farewell, sister, I will be miserable until you come."

With a final wave, the carriage started off down the bumpy dirt road, and Anne left her childhood home behind for good. Anne dejectedly sat back and settled in for the long journey, pointedly ignoring her father.

The first day of travel progressed slowly, too slowly for Anne. The weather has turned foul again, unsurprisingly; however, Anne was not one bit bothered by this. It suited her mood and slowed them down on the road. This was something Anne would not be the first to complain about. She was still fretting about what to do once she arrived at court. She hoped to become acquainted with Sir Thomas Cromwell and become friendly enough with him that they may share some religious beliefs. She hoped to find a close confidant and ally in this man. A man she felt connected to, even though they had never met. Left to her musings, Anne didn't realize how quickly the time past. Before she knew it they had reached their first stop at the town of W—shire to dine and take a rest. It was still raining when they came to a stop and Anne almost slipped stepping out of the coach. Boleyn jerked her up by her arm, saving her from the fall, but not from chastisement.

"Clumsy girl! Focus on what you are doing!" he admonished sharply.

Anne regarded her father with dead eyes, indifferent. He looked as if he was ready to go into a long row. Red-faced, he sputtered on and on, accusing Anne of not being in the right frame of mind.

"In two days time you meet the King. Do you understand? We are counting on you to make a good impression, have you thought of that at all?" He pulled her over to the side of the tavern out of the way. "Have you thought about how you will dress or act before the King? Or have you been too busy wallowing in self-pity to do the right thing? This is your chance to prove that you are not as worthless as your sister." He narrowed his eyes. "Or maybe perhaps you are."

Anne turned her head away from him, trying to shut out the hurtful words, not believing her father could be that cruel. The sun was starting to stick its head out from behind the clouds as the rain began to drizzle away. Anne squint her eyes and tried to look around to find a haven away from her father. She noticed an abbey a few yards away and decided to head in that direction.

"I take my leave of you, father, at least for the duration of this stop. If you need me, which doubtless you will not, you can find me in the abbey." And without waiting for her father's reply, Anne turned on her heel and marched off.

The abbey loomed larger than life in contrast to the small town. It stood backed to the setting sun, which cast a warm golden glow over the entire structure. There was a small cobbled stoned path that led to the large wooden doors. Anne braced herself against them and pushed. They creaked decrepitly as Anne opened them, as though they had not been opened in a very long time. Anne was surprised dust had not flown up as she pushed them open. After the King started to realize that the Catholic Church was being deceitful in its financial aspects and withholding from the Royal Purse, he began to abolish the corrupted abbeys. Even though, Anne was a Protestant and didn't like what the Catholic Church stood for; it made her sad. There was a sense of beauty, artistry that she could appreciate when she stepped into an abbey or cathedral. She had many memories as a child in abbeys such as this one. She approached the bench near the altar at the front of the church and shifted her gown so that she might be able to kneel properly.

Oh, God, if you are listening to Your child, I need you now more than ever. Do not let me be thrown to wolves and trampled under my father's plan. He has no care for me, only in that which I can bring him and our family. God, please do not forsake me in this hour; this time of need. Give me an ally.

Anne spent the next half hour in dedicated prayer, beseeching God to spare her somehow from the schemes of her family. Time passed before she knew it and as she was finishing her last prayer, she heard a loud bang. She looked up, startled, as the doors to the abbey swung open and her brother George stepped in.

"There you are, sister, Father told me you might still be in here." George was grinning like a Cheshire cat, and Anne could not guess what he was so happy about. George stopped in front of her and, still smiling, pulled her into a tight hug.

"Oh, Anne, if you but knew what you are about to do for our family. The King is most anxious to meet you. I have told him great tales of your beauty and charm. In fact, everyone at court seems most taken with you. You will find yourself most welcome there."

Anne pulled away from George and glared at him. How could he do this to me? His own sister! Has he not heard what the King is like!?

Seeing his sister's face change so drastically, George took a step back and let the smile on his own face fall away.

"Anne, surely you cannot be upset about this proposition. This is a great honor for our family."

Moving to stand as far away from her brother as possible, Anne grasped the hem of her traveling cloak tightly.

"You really are just like father; you know that George, you are just like him. You have not a care in the world for your own sister's happiness; rather you would sell me off to the highest bidder."

"Who happens to be the bloody King of England, Anne!" George started to raise his voice.

Anne knew further argument would get her nowhere. She decided to just leave before her peaceful mood was completely destroyed.

The next two days of travel went by much the same as the first had. Her father and now her brother combined to make a very unpleasant and altogether annoying journey. They mentally harangued her motives and berated her attitude. Put that together with very little rest and poor food, and Anne was mentally and physically exhausted. By this point, she had resigned herself to her fate and just wanted to get it over with. As they were approaching London, Anne glanced up at the darkening sky. It seemed that just as she did so, it began to pour. And…typical, just typical. Of course it would start torrentially raining.

"Anne, we are to be met at the door by a Mr. Thomas Cromwell and party. They are going to lead us to our chambers and more importantly to yours, so that you may begin preparing. You will be presented to the King this evening."

Anne swallowed hard. Meet the King this evening? I thought I would have a day or so to prepare.

"Oh, well, maybe it is better this way, before I have a chance to think about it too much." She mumbled to herself.

If it was any consolation, she was rather excited about finally putting a face to the name of Thomas Cromwell.