[For Thomas] Changing Seasons

[happyfalcon]

There was no doubt, it had been hard. In the weeks that followed, Anne only got a few fleeting looks at Thomas Wyatt. Every once in a while they were able to steal fleeting kisses of the briefest touch of fingers at banquets. The letters they wrote were far more significant. Poetic verses, promises, sweet words - both were exchanged in equal passion.

But recently, Anne's happiness had taken a drastic drop. Henry had been pressuring her lately, wanting to make his relationship with Anne more public. She had refused, coyly at first, then logically. Her argument had been that, while he was married, it wouldn't do to have them both seen in public together. Henry had agreed at first without question. Recently though, he had started to grow annoyed. This would have been fine, except that Thomas Boleyn was beginning to feel the pressure as well, and was pressuring Anne to accept the king's public advances.

What else could she do? As the days grew darker, Anne turned to the only person she could trust without question: Thomas.

Anne wrote a letter, quickly and carefully when she finally had a free moment:

Dearest Poet:

Would that I could write of my fondness for you now; to tell you, as I often have these past days, that it is you that I love more than any. Alas, today I write to you with the gravest matter - The Lion seeks to show off his prize to the jackals that surround him. To show that the falcon is his, and belongs to no other.

What shall the falcon do, dear heart? You know well of the others that surround it, and the dangers the falcon faces should it refuse The Lion - though it wants nothing more than to do so.

I hope, dearest love, that you and your most brilliant mind are able to manifest some solution.

Until then, Poet, as always you have my heart, and my happiness lies with you alone.

Sincerest love,
~Brunet

Hopefully, Thomas's crafty mind would identify the new characters she developed to avoid dropping names. The Falcon, herself; The Lion, the king. What could she do? What should she do?

Slipping out of her chamber, folded letter in hand, Anne stepped down to their designated spot. No guards, no prying eyes in sight. Still, Anne kept the letter in her sleeve until she reached the left urn. Pretending to drop a bracelet, Anne dipped down to retrieve it, slipping the letter into the urn swiftly in the time it took to grab the bracelet and stand up. She continued on without a word.

Hopefully, Thomas could reply to her soon.

Comments

[howlikeyouthis]

((ooc:I hope this is not awfully tedious to read.))


Anne might come to regret that she didn't stay longer or that she didn't return to the event afterwards. Wyatt certainly regretted for not inviting her to a quiet corner to hold her and to kiss good night.

By the time a note was left in the urn for him to find, he had been riding out of London for a good while already. Sun was up but it provided little warmth in the December morning. Neither was there warmth in his heart, only worry and disappointment. The days ahead of him looked glum.

On a normal day Wyatt would have enjoyed being on the road like this. He loved the English countryside, just like his mother. He loved the city, too, and the opportunities it provided but there was just something grand about the beauty of England represented in the raw: the fields and the forests, rivers winding through meadows, small unpretentious hamlets, honest people toiling the land for survival and prosperity.

But even a person like him could hate the road when he was missing home - or the loved ones left behind.

He had been woken up early by a young page boy. For a lanky youth that he was, he had been pounding on the door like a grown man. Wyatt stumbled out of his bed in the darkness, rubbing his face, trying to get his eyes open.

"His Majesty is requiring your presence, Master Wyatt. Immediately."
Wyatt had a mind to ask the boy what it was all about but he knew it to be in vain. A page boy would know nothing; he only acted as commanded. "You are to take with what you need for a day's journey," the boy continued.
"Then wait," Wyatt replied in a surly tone and closed the door. Good God he wanted to drop back on the bed but there was no way he could let the King wait.

Fully dressed and his cloak and hat in hand, Wyatt followed the page boy to the King's chambers. He found Henry eating his beakfast alone, at the end of the long table.

"Thomas!" Henry's greeting was cheerful, genuine. He waved his hand at servants that stood on each side of the table, ready to serve the King when needed. "Leave us." They bowed and exited the room.

"I know you must wonder why I have summoned you here so suddenly and at such time."
That was obvious.
"I am sure there is a good reason, Your Majesty," Wyatt tried to go for a smile.
"I have heard good things said about you recently. You have performed tasks at your father's behalf, have you not? You have acted as a courier. You have been fast and effective."

Henry placed his left hand over a simple leather satchel at the edge of the table. It was easy enough to guess there were some sort of documents inside. Important ones. Henry's attention moved from Wyatt back to his food.

"I need these papers delivered to Dieppe."
A silence fell into the room. Wyatt couldn't believe his ears. Henry kept skewing pieces of meat and cheese with a small decorative dagger and chewing each piece carefully. He didn't raise his gaze even when he continued.
"I've never known you to be lost for words, Thomas."
Wyatt cleared his throat. "Dieppe, Your Majesty?" The words came out thin. France. Hardly a matter of a day's journey.
"That's what I said. There's a man you're to meet and to give these papers to. His name is Fletcher."

Wyatt listened silently as Henry explained in detail where to find that man and what to do. He tried his best not to think about the play the ladies were going to perform that night. He had promised to be there, to give the loudest cheer to Anne. Not to mention Christmas was just around the corner. His whole family had gathered to London to celebrate it together.

"But..." He couldn't finish the question. The King wanted his service.
Henry looked up.
"But what, Wyatt? Christmas? It is not as if you were planning to spend it with your wedded wife, now was it? We both know you've been playing the role of a free man for the past year and I am simply granting you the right to continue to do so. As a free, unattached man you are very much expendable."

Wyatt could feel his entire body turn hot and not in a good way. That was a reprimand, delivered right after declaring his worthiness in doing his father's bidding. He couldn't see the logic, nor the motivation behind it. His separation from Elizabeth had not been an issue before, though he knew Henry to be against it.

Cromwell? Had that man told forward the conversation Wyatt had had with him? True, Wyatt had not sworn Cromwell a secrecy (and should he get his divorce, that would be common knowledge) but he had also not anticipated anything like this.

"I believe you're the right man for this job."
"Yes, your Majesty." What else was there to say?
"Your family will undertand. I will tell Sir Wyatt personally that you're on King's mission. He will be proud."
"Thank you."
"Your horse has been saddled. Good luck." With that, Henry dismissed Wyatt.

As he rode south, towards Arundel that would be one of his stops before reaching the port at Seaford, Wyatt's mind went through that discussion. But even more so, he kept thinking about Anne and her reaction for not seeing him in the audience. She wouldn't know what had happened. The most she'd be able to glean out was that he was "on King's mission".

With the return date unknown.

[happyfalcon]

((Like I said - let me know if this doesn't work in the grand scheme of things!))

There was obviously much celebrating and applause when the production was complete. The players were obviously pleased with smiles on their faces. Even Anne, though what she felt inside was so far below happiness. Thomas hadn't come. She forced the smile on her face, even through the unmasking. But when the other ladies began to partner with the men for dances, Anne went the other way entirely.

She didn't feel much like dancing.

But Anne's doldrums were knocked clear out of her when someone grabbed her arm and began giggling gleefully in her ear. As she turned in surprise to see who had come upon her, Anne smiled weakly. It was Mary, and thank God for her. Anne looped her arm with Mary's and they continued walking.

"You were wonderful, Nan!" Mary exclaimed. "You all were!"

"You're too kind, sister!" Anne continued faking her smile, playing her role.

But Mary saw right through it and immediately her expression turned solemn. Knowing full well Anne couldn't speak in the open, Mary pulled her into a corridor and into a small alcove where they could whisper without fear of being overheard.

"What's wrong Nan?"

"What? Nothing!" Anne shook her head, biting the side of her tongue as she felt her eyes turning glassy. Mary grasped Anne's wrist tight and looked up into her eyes.

"Anne. I mean it. Tell me now," Mary demanded.

Anne was defenseless. Being called Anne by her teasing, loving sister - that meant serious business. Anne pressed her lips together, fearing they'd betray her. She knew she would tell Mary everything. Right now, this very minute.

And it would ruin everything.

"...I can't," Anne shook her head slowly, looking away from Mary. But the elder Boleyn sister reached for Anne's cheek and turned it to face her.

"Anne you don't look well at all," Mary spoke softly. "You look ill...perhaps you should come back to Hever with me tomorrow - the country air will do you good."

Anne agreed, leaving the festivities with Mary to retire early. The very next morning she was packed and ready to leave. Anne sent a note with a page boy to the King, telling him that she was unwell and was returning the Hever earlier than scheduled. With a heavy heart and hand she penned of her affection for his majesty.

Christmas at Hever was usually a joyous affair. Anne and Mary came home before the Boleyn boys and helped direct the servants in preparation for the festivities. A few days later, their mother Elizabeth returned to Hever from visiting relatives in Arundel. She greeted her girls with jovial cries and hugs for them both. When asked of her travels and the condition of their relatives, Elizabeth told them both that she had by curious happenstance ran into Thomas Wyatt.

Anne tried not to let her emotions show, but her body did tense a bit. He'd been in Arundel? What on earth for? Some errand, no doubt - which was a far better explanation than just being blown off. But it still hurt. She didn't want to expose the feelings she'd had, nor open herself up to questions, so Anne didn't ask how they had come upon each other. Mary gave Anne a strange look before changing the subject and continuing with the festivities. Only a day later, George and Thomas Boleyn arrived, and the guests for the festivities came that evening.

In the few days that followed, Anne was given several stern lectures on how foolish she had been for leaving things with the King where they stood. She listened, she apologized, she didn't care. Anne was too sullen to let anything affect her. And more festivities were planned anyway.

Christmas came and went, sure enough - which was the larger of the parties - but there were festivities planned for New Year's Eve as well. Anne spent most of her days with Mary, or in the library. But every poem she read did nothing to lift her spirits.

New Year's Eve came; Anne had wanted to wear a deep grey gown but Mary wouldn't allow it - she begged Anne to wear red, as she looked so lovely in it, especially at the production, but eventually they compromised with a green gown. In order to get through the evening with George laughing and carrying on with as many women as could stand him, and Mary flirting with any man who paid her attention, Anne took it upon herself to assist in the draining of the wine kegs.

[howlikeyouthis]

Wyatt reached Arundel on the second day and was kindly greeted with various members of the Howard family. He had not known in advance but Anne's mother Elizabeth was among the hosts. This pleased him, as upon hearing that the countess was about to leave for Hever the next day, news of him would reach Anne's ears soon enough. Those news would be rather insignifant in content but, he hoped, would let Anne know nothing bad had happened to him.

He didn't discuss his travel plans in front of any of the ladies but instead confided in some of the menfolk. He had never boarded a ship at Seaford but it was a known fact that the town was inhibited by some of the worst individuals that the Earth carried on its surface. A very sound advice was to leave his horse on the west side of the River Ouse. There lived a respectable farmer who took care of travellers' horses for not too bad a fee. Anyone who was foolish enough to leave a horse at a stable in the town itself deserved to get his animal stolen.

So that was what Wyatt did. Leaving Arundel early, he arrived at the farm after sunset and enjoyed simple hospitality overnight sleeping in the barn. On the next day, weather was abysmal and he knew there would be no ships to sail to France. Still, he walked to town to find out about all the options and to secure himself a place on the first possible ship. There wasn't much else to do but to sit in a pub and listen to sailors' stories, and the occasional singer or a lute player. Seaford was not a town that he'd want Anne to spend any time in.

He did manage to board a ship the day after that and while the sea still showed its power, they weren't in any serious danger. Dieppe seemed to him like a regular town with a wall around it and a castle in half ruins. It was a small port town but a good deal more attractive than Seaford.

But he wasn't there to see the sights. Remembering Henry's orders Wyatt found his way to an Inn where he was to meet this man called Fletcher. Thankfully he didn't have to wait for long. Still, another day was drawing to its end and again he had nothing else to do but wait. But at least he didn't have to guard those valuable documents with him anymore. Now with more money in his pockets (for Fletcher had rewarded him), Wyatt took in the surroundings.

The return journey had its own difficulties, starting with the captain of the ship refusing to land at Seaford until he was bribed to do so. Wyatt suspected that was simply a clever way for him to empty the pockets of his passengers. But back in England he landed and was very glad of it. A cold front had settled over the country and the ground covered in a thin layer of snow. Wyatt wrapped his cloak tightly around himself as he headed back north. He would need one more overnight stay before Hever.

Had he not wanted so badly to see Anne to make up for his absence, he would have stayed put at that last place. A rough, cold wind blew from the north bringing some more snow, making traveling nearly impossible. The roads that even on a fine day were poor due to mud, were now slippery beyond belief. His beard (and the ends of his hair not tucked underneath the hat) got covered with a white frost. By the time sun began to set, he was cold from head to toes. Wyatt urged his horse forward, feeling very sorry for the animal but not wanting to give up. He was so close.

He would never be able to express in words how it felt to reach the Boleyn lands. Trembling from cold he entered the stables, found someone to help him unmount and took care of the horse, then escort him to the door.

A servant let him in. He heard voices and laughter. And George's astonished, "Wyatt? What the hell-?" But George was on top of things, and not trying to make a joke of the situation. "Good grief, come in. Let me get you in front of the fire." He took away Wyatt's cloak and hat and walked him to the library where other guests were gathered at the moment.

"Mulled wine for our guest of honor. Make haste!" George ordered a servant while seating Wyatt down. Everyone turned to look at them but Wyatt didn't even notice. He shivered too much. Thankfully the fires of Hever always burned so hot.

"Do you... suppose you can offer a warm bed for me, friend?" Wyatt asked in a weak voice as George pulled a chair for himself and offered the goblet of warm wine. Anne had sort of invited him, but not exactly.

"Do you need to ask? We don't even a have a full house here. It's been so cold these past few days that not everyone we invited even came."

The goblet was too hot, prickling Wyatt's hands, but he knew that once he had melted enough, he would to enjoy it.

But while waiting for that, he looked around the room. Was Anne even in Hever anymore or had she returned to London?


((OOC history lesson à la Wikipedia: Seaford was the main port in this area and apparently the people living there were kind of a bad lot :). The first three paragraphs explain it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaford,_East_Sussex

Also to say I did not count the days precisely but only so-so, nor do I really have knowledge of 16th century Dieppe.
Shall we think her note is still in the urn or did she retrieve it?))

[happyfalcon]

Anne wasn't in the library - she was near the kitchen drinking wine, and had gone through several cups already. Mary, the social butterfly that she was, of course was in the center of the excitement. She saw Thomas make his entrance in his sorry state - thank heavens George was being serious this once. Mary bolted through people, looking for Anne, knowing that she would want to see her childhood friend. It took some time but she did finally find her younger sister. Without a word, Mary seized Anne by the arm and dragged her away from the wine kegs.

"Wha-? Mary!!" Anne exclaimed as Mary dragged her to the library.

There was a crowd gathered near the fire, chattering and whispering and pointing. Anne's brow furrowed as she and Mary had to pause while the elder Boleyn sister looked among the people for an opening.

"Mary what's going-"
"Come ON, Nan!" Mary again tugged Anne quickly, nearly making Anne spill her wine as she guided her through the assembled crowd. At the last moment Mary turned and shoved Anne through the last couple people first.
"MARY!?" Anne started to wheel around on her sister but there was a sight that gave her pause.

Even in her flushed, slightly intoxicated state, she recognized those blue eyes. And no amount of frost nor snow could disguise those golden curls. Anne's expression softened, forgetting all about Mary even as her elder sister slid up beside her. Everyone else in the room faded away - replaced with a strange combination of the dull but still present sting of pain from Thomas's absence at the play and the concern at seeing him in such a state.

"T....Thomas..." Anne stammered, searching her mind for some explanation. "My God, what happened to you?"

"We last heard from mother days ago that you were in Arundel - goodness, don't tell me you rode all the way here in this ghastly weather!" Mary exclaimed, giving Anne a slight nudge with her elbow - masking it as an accident of bringing her hand up to her own neck in shock.

Anne knew what Mary meant by the gesture, though she didn't understand how Mary could have figured that it would mean anything to her.

Had he indeed ridden all night in this storm? To get here? Why? Why had he been missing the night of the production? Without a word, no less. What had driven him to Arundel? Why return now? Too many questions. They all bombarded her at once, resulting in a sudden wicked headache. Anne brought her free hand up to her temple and winced a little. Mary glared at her and snatched Anne's cup of wine from her, hissing something under her breath that Anne had drank quite enough. Anne just shot her a nasty look in response.

((/whistle. Wow, it's like the King was TRYING to kill him! But yeah, I didn't do precise days either, the advantage of using vague terms to make things work lol. Uhhh...I mean...do we really WANT someone else to find it? Or Anne could have retrieved it, as confirmation that he really had left earlier that day...idk really what would work to our best advantage...))

[howlikeyouthis]

That familiar voice, no matter how distressed, was all he needed to hear at that moment.

"Anne..." Had Wyatt's face not been half-frosted, his expression might have revealed the crowd far more feeling than he wanted but as of now there was precious little anyone could have guessed from that statement. It was simply a greeting made by one friend to another. Wyatt let out a sigh and closed his eyes briefly, sinking down into the chair.

He didn't have energy to answer any questions yet. Not when he wasn't even sure how much to tell. He could perhaps share some with the Boleyn family. He could laugh and joke with George about the things he'd heard at the docks and he could describe some of the prettier sights with the ladies. And to Anne alone, he would definitely tell of everything that he'd seen that had reminded him of her. But right now, the room was full of people who didn't need to know any of it.

Thomas Boleyn saved him from explaining. "Mary. Anne. Let Master Wyatt get his bearings first. There's time for questions later." The lady of the house appeared then, placing a warm wrap over Wyatt's shoulders. He thanked her and turned back to the sisters.

"Do not worry, ladies. I will be fine after some of this," he lifted up the goblet and took a sip, "and a good nights sleep." He directed the following words to Anne. "I wonder... would it be too forward if I requested your help in pulling my boots off, Mistress Boleyn. I should like to warm my feet by the fire." No chance of him hopping around to remove them this time.

"And music? I should love to hear something played." A hint for Anne to fetch her lute.

As if by a miracle, a small table had already been brought to him with a bowl of broth and bread placed on it. That was pretty much all he could eat, too, despite of being very hungry. No doubt he'd misuse the bounties of the breakfast table the next morning.

The crowd scattered some, after being satisfied (or not satisfied) with what they were getting out of Wyatt at the moment.


((OOC: I meant 'inhabited' Seaford, not 'inhibited', but I'm sure you got that, huh.
It wasn't my intention to make it seem like Henry had such ulterior motives.

The note, well, I don't have plans for it but maybe not anyone finding it at this point. We can do that later with another letter. Btw, it just occurred to me that a letter inside an urn would get soaked once it rained...))

[happyfalcon]

His voice, the way he spoke her name, it was enough to melt any pain or anger she felt towards him. The power of his voice and that single word was far too powerful. Anne's headache faded. He looked so pitifully cold and miserable, she longed to hold him tight to her and let his body absorb the heat from hers. But obviously she could not do this, not now. And not before she got more details from him about his whereabouts that night.

The appearance of their father made all the Boleyn siblings stiffen. As Mary and Anne were the only two standing and being addressed, they tipped their heads down almost in perfect sync and curtseyed slightly.

"Yes, Papa."
"Sorry, Papa."

Anne turned back to Wyatt when he spoke again. She couldn't fight the smile that tugged the corner of her lips. So he was staying the night at least in Hever. Good - it meant she could steal a private moment at some point. For despite her pain and curiosity Anne still burned for his touch. Far hotter than the fire she'd portrayed in the production some week or two ago.

"Not too forward, Sir Thomas - you're a guest of Hever and a Boleyn friend, and one who has clearly traveled a fair distance in this wicked weather and graced us with your presence when others stayed away without a word," A little dig at his absence at the production. But only a little - Anne wasn't cross with him, there was no malice in her tone and her smile was sincere. Just a secret hint to him alone that, in time, when he warmed up and recovered from his journey, that she expected some explanation.

Mary seemed privy to her meaning and glowered a little as Anne stepped before Wyatt. She knelt down slowly, slender fingers of one hand gingerly grasping his ankle - unsure of his level of feeling and not wanting to cause him pain. The other hand grasped his leg above his boot to steady it as she pulled the leather garment off. As Anne reached to repeat the motion with Wyatt's other boot, Mary grinned at his request for music.

"You there!" Mary called to a servant. "Fetch Lady Anne's lute, won't you?"

As the servant scurried to obey, Anne glanced up at Mary once she'd pulled Wyatt's second boot free. Anne rose slowly, taking a few steps away to the side of the fireplace.

"Oh come on, Nan. Don't look like that, you've been practicing, haven't you?" Mary teased, reaching out and pushing a lock of Anne's hair from beside her neck, fully displaying her bare shoulders.

The servant returned quickly enough and held the lute aloft for Anne, who slowly took it from him. Defeated, Anne settled in a small chair beside the fireplace and for a moment tuned the strings. Once that was done her nimble fingers played a slow and sweet tune. There seemed to be a sadness in the melody; while Anne was no Mark Smeaton, she was skilled enough in her own right.

Mary had a servant pull up another seat and she sat beside George, listening to Anne play with a dreamy expression. As she played, Mary glanced to their frosty guest. More than anything wanting to know more of his travels, but forbidden by her father to ask.

"Have you any requests of Anne, Master Wyatt?" Mary paused a moment, of course not realizing someone might glean an ulterior message from the question. "For her lute? I enjoy the song she plays now, but did you have another tune in mind that you wished her to play?"

Anne glanced up from her playing and Mary silently sipped the wine she'd taken from Anne.

((Oh no, I figured that wasn't what you meant I just thought it was ironic given how dangerous the place was and how Henry obviously doesn't like Wyatt.

You have a point...I'm sure the snow and rain destroyed the ink and therefore the message long ago.))

[howlikeyouthis]

Unfortunately that little hint Anne gave of him going missing on that important day didn't quite sink in. Wyatt was still feeling the fatigue too much to grasp everything that was being said and done around him. Slightly embarrassed, he registered others fussing over him. But it felt wonderful, no denying that.

He winced, taking in a sharp breath as Anne pulled off his boots. He wasn't in pain- no, he was in little pain, but it was nothing he couldn't endure now that he was in this warm house among friends. Once he could lift his legs up to a stool and try to move his toes, life seemed so much better.

"Thank you." His eyes fixated on Anne for a moment too long. Mary's fingers had swept across her sister's shoulder, exposing the smooth skin that Wyatt had kissed so many times. He lowered his gaze and hid himself behind the goblet.

While Anne tuned her instrument, George refilled his own cup and, choosing to believe his father's command had been directed only to the girls, bombarded Wyatt with his own questions.

"So, tell us everything. Where have you been? You look terrible. Where did you go from Arundel? Why would you ride in this weather?"

Wyatt shook his head in an almost unnoticeable manner, smiling faintly. Really, he did't feel like talking. Yet, to ease his friends' minds, he had to offer some explanation. However vague.

"The King summoned me early on that day. You know, the day the ladies' had their performance." Wyatt didn't look at Anne, but wished that she was paying attention. "You don't say no to the King."

That was all he'd say for now. George nodded. Reaching for the bowl of broth, Wyatt settled to listen Anne play. He liked that piece. It suited this evening.

Considering Mary's question, Wyatt rubbed his chin. "Hmm. I am ever so sorry I missed the play. How did it go? Would you, Anne, be able to play any of the tunes Mark Smeaton composed for it?"

[happyfalcon]

He may not have registered her subtle hint but Wyatt answered it all the same. So the king had sent him away? Oh, that made Anne mad enough to shout at his majesty. But she knew that she couldn't do such a thing. So Anne continued playing her lute, finishing the tune with a skillful twang of the strings.

The explanation he provided was enough to make Anne forgive him completely. Not that she could really stay angry at him long anyway. She smiled to Wyatt as he looked upon her, happy to have him so close again.

"I very much doubt that I could play so masterfully as Mark Smeaton, Sir Thomas," Anne replied with a defeated shrug.

"Well then you simply must show him your dance, Anne!" Mary chimed. "You're the only one here who participated, so only you know how it went."

"I could, but there were three other women with me for that part," Anne replied sheepishly.

"Well show him your part now, and maybe after he's recovered from his journey you can show Sir Thomas the dance of the Two Spirits," Mary grinned.

Unable to protest without looking suspicious, Anne simply nodded and stood up.

"You see, Sir Thomas, the play was a tribute to her majesty the Queen. Two spirits represented the King and Queen, and the four elements, earth, air, fire and water, blessed their union. I played Fire, your sister Margaret played Air."

As best she could, Anne stepped to a more open space where she could be seen and replicated her dance, completed a series of turns and moves as she had before. Once complete she bowed as she had, and the room erupted into applause, which startled Anne and made her blush.

"The original was much better, but that was my small part," Anne blushed darker as she addressed Thomas.

[howlikeyouthis]

When she offered that smile at him, Wyatt relaxed visibly. It had troubled him so to think Anne would never forgive him for disappearing without a word. Her expression warmed him almost more than the fire. He would still need to apologize in private but he would do that in a heartbeat when the opportunity presented itself.

He followed silently as Mary prodded Anne to perform the dance that Wyatt had missed seeing. George jumped up, clapping hands thrice and raising his voice to a, "Silence!" to interrupt the chatter in the room.

Wyatt turned around to watch. At least now he had a reason to look at Anne as intently as he wanted, which he did, smiling all the way. Mary was standing behind his chair and Wyatt thanked for it silently. Anne's siblings were the ones who could first spot the love he felt for their sister if he wasn't careful.

Suppressing a desire to whistle, Wyatt clapped his hands just as hard as the rest of the crowd.

"It was wonderful and the lack of music only emphasized your talent." He rose up and made a bow even if it was slightly comical with his boots standing alone behind him.

"And did you not say you represented Fire? Let me guess, in a gorgeous, flaming red dress?" He sat down again, touching his heart. "How can I ever forgive myself for not being there?"

He paused. "More than that, can you forgive, mistress Boleyn?"

So this wasn't the private place he had imagined but there was no reason to wait for the occasion.

[happyfalcon]

Anne positively glowed at the compliments and attention, though her her cheeks were indeed still flushed with slight embarrassment. Mary clapped giddily and glanced around at the others in the crowd. But Anne couldn't take her eyes off of Thomas - which was fine as he spoke, it was only polite that she give him her full attention. That was her cover, anyway.

"Even half-frozen you continue to be the shameless flatterer, Sir Thomas - I am glad that the bitter north wind stole only your body's warmth and not your charming nature," Anne giggled a bit at his bow - he did indeed look silly in his bare feet, boots abandoned behind him.

"I did try to get her to wear a similar red gown, Master Wyatt," Mary grinned. "But my stubborn siblings can never be asked to do anything against their will - I am only glad she agreed upon this gown and not the grey frock she first chose."

Anne hardly heard Mary's voice. Her eyes followed the movement of his hand over his heart. The only sound she heard was Wyatt's voice, and the sincerity in his tone. With a smile Anne curtseyed low before bringing her gaze back up to meet his again.

"Do not let yourself be troubled, Sir Thomas. This is a most joyous season, is it not? I can indeed forgive you, and most readily do so," Anne paused, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Though I think we might agree that, as you missed such a lovely dance indeed, that you owe me one yourself, do we not? After you've recovered from your journey, of course."

"Anne. Mary. Did I not tell you both to cease pestering Master Wyatt?" The voice of Thomas Boleyn appeared again, and again both women went rigid. Of course he had seen Anne's dance just now, but had thought no ulterior motives of it, not yet.

It was just poor manners - and his orders would not be ignored.

"Master Wyatt will be in no shape to dance tonight, the hour draws late already," Boleyn turned to Thomas with a polite smile. "Forgive my daughters, Sir Thomas - as it happens, we have more festivities planned for tomorrow evening, when I'm sure you would be more willing for such pleasantries. If it pleases you to stay at Hever again tomorrow, as the weather shows no signs of improving, you are most welcome to do so."

Anne bit the side of her tongue to keep from grinning; hoping Thomas would accept the invitation. Both she and Mary got another look from their father as he turned to leave again, the message clear: 'Do not make me tell you again.' They were both quiet for several minutes after that.

[howlikeyouthis]

"Nay, the north wind shan't ever best me. This I promised myself when I rode across the country today. I had but one thought in mind. So I said... to the wind-"

George snorted. Not paying heed, Wyatt continued, "I said to the wind: you can try to blow me back to south with all your might, but this time you cannot stop me from reaching Hever."

"We know what that thought was." George's grin died out as quickly as it had formed on his lips for Mary slapped his arm.

"The green dress is very becoming," Wyatt managed to say in between the Boleyn siblings' gentle bickering. He didn't have time to say more before the lord of the house came to interfere the discussion again. Almost feeling like he was being scolded as well, Wyatt figured the best course of action was to go along with Thomas Boleyn's suggestions. Besides, he was still shoeless which made him quite self-conscious.

"Thank you, Sir Thomas. I will gladly stay if it's not an inconvenience for you, or your honorable wife."

"Not at all."

"And you are absolutely right, it has been a long day and I should like to retire for the night." He took his boots and didn't let his expression to show how uncomfortable it was to put them back on. "I apologize for leaving your party while it is still underway."

Wyatt turned to George. "Will you show me a room to stay?"

[happyfalcon]

Anne couldn't help rolling her eyes a bit - such dramatics. But it was another reason why she loved him - his free spirit. There was no mistaking that smile though, she was incredibly happy that he agreed to spend the night, and that her father seemed none the wiser. He had invited Thomas to stay. As he turned to George, Anne tilted her head to catch her brother's attention.

"I can show him, George," Anne offered. Before she could make an excuse for leaving herself, the ever-helpful Mary chimed in again.

"Indeed, with all the wine you've had tonight it's probably a good idea for you to be off to bed too, Nan," Mary nudged George again. "What do you think, George?"

Not wanting to give up the opportunity to socialize and woo another woman or two, George nodded. Though he grinned at Anne in a manner that made her want to smack him before their father saw. Luckily, Mary saw to that, giving their brother another slap in the arm before stepping away, blowing Anne a kiss goodnight.

"Follow me then, Sir Thomas," Anne smiled, turning out of the room towards the hall, before her father saw.

She led him down the hall from the library. Most of the guests were either downstairs in the kitchen or in the library itself. There weren't many people in the hall. Anne paused at a door before knocking, unsure if Mary or her parents had promised this room to another guest. When no answer came, she opened the door, finding it unoccupied she gestured for him to enter.

"You can stay here - we don't have so many guests as we did at our Masquerade, so you'll have the room to yourself," Anne gestured to the trunk at the foot of the bed. "If you get cold there are extra blankets in that trunk there."

[howlikeyouthis]

Wyatt followed a few steps behind, his cloak thrown over one arm. This gave him the opportunity to absorb Anne's green-clad figure in front of him; the flounce of her dress, the faint beat of her shoes on the wooden floor, the gentle sway of that dark hair with each rocking step she took. Smiling inwardly Wyatt realized he was slowly getting back to his old self again, no longer focusing on how cold it was.

He went on to immediately throw his cloak and hat on the bed. It was an inviting looking bed, indeed. The large oak headboard was engraved with rose motifs. The pillows were full. He turned to smile at Anne, tilting his head.

"Is that it?" Was she satisfied with showing him the room so matter-of-factly? Wyatt reached for Anne's wrist and pulled her flushed against him, turning her hand behind her back and holding it there.

His grip wasn't particularly strong. She could have freed herself without trouble if she had wanted to. Still, the motion had been swift enough to leave her little time to react.

Wyatt's other hand came up between their faces, his thumb and forefinger pressed together, as if he was holding something between them. Slowly lifting the hand above their heads, his eyes followed the movement. Then he looked back at Anne.

"Mistletoe," he whispered before his lips covered hers. The kiss was gentle and closed-mouthed but lasting a good while. The tip of his nose was cold against her cheek.

[happyfalcon]

Anne looked a little smug as he asked the question, enjoying having that bit of control. But he stripped that feeling from her soon enough. As he grabbed her, Anne couldn't help but give a surprised gasp. Luckily enough, she was able to nudge the door at least partially shut with her free hand - lest a servant walk by and see them. There would be no explaining away such proximity in a private room.

But Anne enjoyed it. Despite the chill and dampness of his clothes, she didn't feel whole without being pressed tight against him. Therefore she made no effort to free herself. Anne simply laughed a bit and shook her head.

Her eyes focused on his hand as it came between them. Anne's expression turned almost obviously puzzled. Her head tipped back a little to follow the movement of his hand. But as she saw his own eyes move back down in her peripheral vision, Anne brought her head back down as well to look at him.

Mistletoe, indeed! But he didn't give her time to give a witty remark. Anne held onto it in the back of her mind as she leaned up a little to return that kiss. Her cheeks were still flushed and hot from the wine, while his was still cold from the wind. Still, with how warm she was, his chill was welcome and refreshing.

After a long moment Anne pulled away slowly, tipping a brow at him teasingly.

"A few days too late for mistletoe, isn't it Master Wyatt?" As if he really needed a reason to steal a kiss from her. Still she kept her body pressed against his, not wanting to break away, not just yet.

Though she couldn't linger long.

[howlikeyouthis]

"Nay, I'm practising for next year. I shan't be late then."

He stroked Anne's hair before releasing her completely and stepped back. Wyatt rolled his shoulders to ease the tension he'd got from the cold. Despite of the secret nature of them being together in this room, he wasn't actually thinking of taking her into bed with him. That might have been his initial plan, days ago, but it didn't seem so urgent now.

"Good night?" He knew she had to go and would not try to stop her.

After she'd leave, Wyatt would get undressed (leaving his linen undergarment on), hang his clothes over the chair by the door and slip under the layers of blankets - as many as already on the bed and as many as found from the trunk.

Closing his eyes Wyatt curled into a ball and succumbed to exhaustion. His last thought before sleep took over was the blushing but radiant face of Anne after her dance.

[happyfalcon]

She smiled, soothed as he stroked her hair. As he moved away, Anne leaned back herself. Though it had been so long, so long since they'd been together that Anne thought she might lose her mind if she didn't share his bed again to know his touch. But, he'd had a rough day to say the least - and had been traveling for some time. He needed sleep.

"I'll hold you to that," Anne leaned up to kiss him again. Soft, sweet, the proper good night kiss that she had wanted the night before the performance. But she soon stepped away again with a bow of her head. "Good night, Thomas Wyatt."

Carefully she opened the door and listened. No sound, nor footsteps. She peeked out slowly and found the hall clear. So Anne wasted no time in ducking into the hallway and down to her own chamber. There were two maids still up to wait on her, and they removed her dress and jewels to help her slip into her nightgown. Anne dismissed them and crawled into bed.

It was another hour or two, and she still hadn't fallen asleep. Not with Thomas under the same roof. After all he'd gone through to come here, he could very well have died, frozen to death in the snow. She'd hardly thanked him at all...

Anne rose slowly, quietly. The music and frivolity had lessened - most of the guests in bed. Given the late hour, she was sure her father and mother had gone to bed at least - George could very well still be up. But Anne knew this territory, it was unlike sneaking around the castle in London, she knew what floorboards groaned and squeaked, and knew to avoid them. Nimbly she crept down the hall to Thomas's room. Quickly she opened the door and slipped inside. He was asleep, which brought a smile to her face.

But all those blankets, was he still cold? Anne slipped her nightgown from her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. She carefully approached the bed, feet silently moving across the floor. He was curled in a ball beneath the blankets - she slowly lifted the blankets and slid into bed beside him. Sure enough, there was still a chill beneath his skin. Anne wrapped her arms slowly around his middle, gently nuzzling and brushing her lips against the nape of his neck.

She didn't need to make love, not tonight. Not in the state he was in - he was obviously still freezing cold. That called for a more gentle touch, just a secure embrace so that he knew she was there. She was more than willing to provide such. Anne kept her body flush against Thomas's so that the heat from her skin could be absorbed into his.

[howlikeyouthis]

"Man overboard!!"

A massive wave swept over the ship, taking with it one of the sailors. Passengers looked on in horror as the man disappeared with a scream on his lips. Wyatt ducked down by the side of the vessel, huddling low and grasping onto ropes for his dear life. Another man in a similarly grave position looked over the railing and called for the captain.

"Forget him!" the captain yelled back. "He's gone."

A sharp pain cut across Wyatt as the man beside him elbowed him hard in the face by accident. His cry was lost in the storm and so was the scroll of King's papers he had been guarding. With the ship getting whisked in the air yet again, Wyatt could do nothing but to watch helplessly as the documents rolled across the deck and vanished in the icy depths of the English Channel.

"We're going to die...," whimpered the man who had just caused Wyatt to lose those papers.

"No, we're not," Wyatt replied angrily at such weak spirit. "The captain won't let that happen."

"What captain? There's no one at the wheel!" exclaimed a young woman, her flaming red dress soaked through.

Wyatt turned to look towards the bridge. There was no one! He blinked and at an instant the captain was there again - but he had King Henry's face. And he didn't seem at all concerned by the storm. Wyatt blinked again and the real captain was back at the wheel.

And then suddenly he felt his hands slipping from the rope. The ship was turning over. Wyatt tried to get hold of something solid but the woman landed on his back, pushing them both down and down... She grabbed his waist and her lips pressed against his neck.


Wyatt's body shuddered lightly at the feel of the woman wrapping around him. His hand reached for hers, lacing their fingers together. He moaned contently. The feel of warm air on his neck teased his eyes slowly open. He took a deep breath.

The realization that he wasn't alone in this bed startled him. Delicate hands were indeed wrapped around him but there were no layers of clothing between them. He could definitely feel a naked body behind him.

"Hmhh... miss?" he managed to mumble until he began to understand where he was.

Closer examination of the hands, as dark as the room was, left him with little doubt.

"Anne?" He smiled sleepily, wanting to turn around but couldn't without possibly crushing her.

[happyfalcon]

As she felt him shudder, Anne leaned back a bit, thinking she'd hurt him somehow. But then she felt his hand wrap around hers, his fingers lacing between her own. It put her mind at ease for a moment before he spoke. She couldn't help smirking a bit as she shifted a little away from him to rest up on her elbow and look upon him while keeping her hand that held his draped over him.

"Sorry to disappoint you if you were expecting some other lady," she chuckled. Anne leaned in to kiss his temple finding his skin slick with sweat from his dream and the blankets.

With a frown of concern she brought her free hand up to push some of his curls from his forehead.

"Are you all right, Thomas?" Anne pursed her lips in thought. "What on earth were you dreaming? You're drenched in a cold sweat...though I hope it's only that and not that you're sick from your journey..."

[howlikeyouthis]

She shifted enough so that he could turn around to face her. It was too dark to see her features properly but he didn't exactly need to see her to know how she looked like.

"Other lady?" He frowned, processing those words. "She had a red dress. It was you. She was you." He smiled despite of the mild discomfort of being both cold and hot from the nightmare.

Her touch felt heavenly.

"I am alright. I don't feel sick, just... I missed you." He chuckled, reaching out to stroke her shoulder. "You're something, you know that? Coming to my bed like this."

He pushed away two layers of covers. One of them fell on the ground. With Anne cuddling close, he didn't need so many blankets.

"Come here, my love." He settled on his back with his arms open so that she could lie next to his heart.

"There was a storm, the ship was about to sink," he started to explain. "Um, in my dream, not the ship I took. You were there, holding me, like you just did."

[happyfalcon]

Anne settled in beside him, her chest partially pressed to his while her arm draped across him. She nuzzled his neck, feeling complete and whole again with him beside her.

"I missed you too, my love. My Thomas," Anne again brushed her lips against his neck. "What other woman would be brazen enough to sneak into your chamber?"

She kissed his neck again, chuckling slightly against his skin. "I doubt you'd love me so much if I were as meek and timid as any other maid."

Anne was content to just lie there like that. Cuddled against him, letting him take in the warmth of her own body after being so cold for so long. She listened quietly as he explained his dream, her fingers brushing softly against his chest.

"You've no need to fret any longer," Anne whispered. "I'm here. I'll always be here."

For as long as she could, as often as she could. So long as she had an ounce of freedom left, Anne would come back to him. Back to this.

"Mmm, if only we could stay like this forever," Anne sighed against his skin.

[howlikeyouthis]

Wyatt closed his eyes, satisfied that Anne was here by his side and that the storm at sea had been nothing but a nightmare. His fingertips played lightly along her back under the blanket.

"I can't think of one who would do this under her father's roof, no. But meek you are sometimes, Anne Boleyn, if you choose to be. I do love you even then.

I have seen them gentle, tame and meek,
That now are wild and do not remember
That sometime they put themselves in danger...

...with naked foot stalking in my chamber."

Turning his head, Wyatt blindly sought for her lips for a brief kiss.

"Promise me, love, that you'll never put yourself in unnecessary danger. If you don't, we can have many more nights like this."

He fell quiet, letting his own breathing catch the rhythm of her breathing. One hand travelled low to her rear. A sudden realization opened his eyes.

"It's the new year, already, isn't it? Hmh. Happy new year," he whispered.

[happyfalcon]

Her eyes drifted closed as he spoke, each word from his lips etched into her mind for her to play back over and over in her mind during those times when she could not be near him for long stretches of time. A slow smile broke across her face and she touched a kiss against his chest, over his heart. Then she felt his head turn and she tipped hers up to meet him. Her lips were soft as she returned that kiss, brief, yet full of deepest love and feeling.

"Why should I have reason to do anything that would endanger us? Endanger you?" For she had done plenty of things that had endangered herself. Or, more accurately, said things that had endangered herself. "I shall be as careful as I can. I want as many nights with you as I can possibly have."

Her body arched as his hand traveled lower, pressing more against him as she let out a slight giggle and moved to brush a kiss to his jaw.

"It is indeed," she replied, tipping her face up again so that her lips just barely dusted against his as she spoke. "Happy new year, my love."

Anne pressed her lips against his, a bit harder than his kiss before. She pulled away slowly, looking up at him through the dark.

"Let us hope that this new year brings us more good fortune."

[howlikeyouthis]

"Good. I don't believe you seek out to do unwise things." He laughed silently. "What am I even saying? I love your unwise things if they mean this."

Getting those lovely little kisses all over his face and body and having her tempting figure pressed against him was a sure way to make him moan quietly. As she applied more pressure with her lips, Wyatt opened his mouth and let his tongue wet her bottom lip. He shuddered again, moving his legs under the blanket.

Another repressed gasp followed the reaction his body was having at such an intimate embrace. Anne might feel it, too, depending on how she was positioned next to him, or top of him. At any rate, she might guess; they had been together enough of times for her to see this happen. He didn't mnd but neither did he want to act on it.

"Good fortunes... hmm. I wonder how hard I need to work for my good fortune tomorrow." He was thinking about Anne wanting a play of seduction from him.


((OOC: Not so great a tag but it's been a long day today. I still wanted to write something.))

[happyfalcon]

"Dear heart, there's a great different between 'unwise' and 'daring' - for what is life without a little risk, after all?" She chuckled. No risk, no reward. If she had not come here tonight, they both would be cold and alone in their own beds.

Anne had indeed figured that such a reaction might occur. As much as she may have wanted to take advantage of the opportunity, as they got them so rarely, she knew rest was probably the best thing for him. But it didn't mean that her desire was so easily held back. It took quite a bit of effort on her part not to let her hands wander south.

But no, they stayed where they were - one beneath her own body, the other draped across his chest. Anne chuckled at his words and at the movement of his tongue. She tipped her head a bit to brush a trail of kisses from his jaw to his ear.

"You've been issued a challenge, my dear Thomas," Anne whispered, letting her tongue tease against the lobe of his ear. "The attention of a falcon is not so easily won."

Of course she wouldn't make it too terribly difficult for him. He wouldn't have to do anything strenuous. Just a bit of fun, a little more risk to make the reward that much sweeter.

((ooc: It's fine! I appreciate you writing after a long day (because God knows we've all had those) and it was a good tag!!))

[howlikeyouthis]

Wyatt's eyes fluttered closed again and his head tilted to the other side when Anne's lips sought contact with his ear. He hummed, moving a hand dreamily on her body. Admittedly, he was starting to think if having sex would be the best way to get warm... but he was getting warm already and it was so rare for them to take things this slow. Therefore he appreciated the opportunity to just talk quietly with her.

"But when she catches sight of her prey, the falcon will not give up until she's got what she wanted, is that not so? That is where I'm putting my faith in," he teased back.

"I hope I'm still able to surprise you. I had plenty of time to think about you when I journeyed across the country and slept in lonely beds."

Wyatt sighed deeply, his body sinking into the bed. "I'm tired, but there's satisfaction in knowing I did what I was sent out to do and got back to you before the old year ended."

He was looking forward to spending the next day and the next night in her company. What more could he want?

"Are you going to be gone by morning?"