She was a young widow standing underneath an Oak tree. In her hands she held those of her two young sons, standing either side of her, fatherless, penniless and depending entirely on the generosity of their grandparents, her mother and father.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDgYqlwfiK
As the men on horses approached, she bowed as low as she could possibly manage. They stopped in front of her. She kept her head down, she heard a thud as one of the men dismounted his horse. He offered her his hand. She took it gracefully, bowing her head.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SY2a5X08Z
"My lady, your face seems familiar to me but your name escapes me. Please, remind me of the name you go by." The man said with a dazzling smile.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCnN9aed0o
"I am Elizabeth Woodville, sir. Widow of the late Sir John Grey."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSiiSpv7Ic
"Grey? He fell at St Albans, did he not?" The man asked. Elizabeth nodded. "He was fighting on the wrong side." The man added darkly. His eyes examined the woman in front of him.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRnyVF4Xoo
"He believed in his cause, my lord, but we all see now the wrongness of that cause. I assure you, your grace, that my family and I swear to be unwaveringly loyal to the house of York."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zN27wn6Zq
"And what is it you want from me today, Elizabeth Grey, for I do not think you came here simply to pay respect to your sovereign lord and king?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT150maucfK
"No, your grace. I come to ask you humbly to give my sons their birth right. I ask not for myself, but for them. I ask you to return to them their inheritance and their lands."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxthL5wef2
"Return the lands of a traitor?" The man asked, humour in his tone. From behind him, his younger brother, George, laughed aloud. The man next to George, the Earl Warwick, nodded in agreement.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0Lv7ejqTt
"Forgive me, your grace," Elizabeth spoke, her boldness growing, "But my husband did not consider himself a traitor. He was fighting for the king that sat on the throne at the time. Had he lived, he would have done the same for you. He was not loyal to the house of Lancaster, or disloyal to the house of York. He was always loyal to the house that sat upon the throne of England. Do not blame him because that house was not yours. I beseech you sirs, understand that."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf9B8vKn7h
The king was taken aback. Beside him, George was ready to reprimand the woman, who was nothing more than the widow of a knight. Her social standing was nothing. The king put his hand across George's chest to stop him advancing towards her. Her gaze did not falter; she was not intimidated by him. George was merely fifteen years old. She was twenty-three.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUg7oP81hE
"You speak boldly to your king." The man before her stated.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzfMZKZrwQ
"I believe in honesty, your grace. How shall you run a kingdom if your subjects are not honest with you in all matters?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYPbxN3TNW
The man took a step forward, until he was merely an inch away from her.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuDURylocD
"And tell me, Elizabeth, do you so swear to be honest with me in all matters?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeN50fXQXD
She held his gaze firmly. She refused to look away and be reduced to a meek widow standing by the roadside, begging for her husband's inheritance.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWNJkAHMjz
"I do so promise, your grace." She held his eye contact, before bowing her head slightly as a sign of respect. He smiled, he was amused by her.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uuPmaTLqI
"Come, I hear your father owns a great house in these parts. My brothers are thirsty, and I need to stretch my legs. They will take some rest, if it shall not trouble you or intrude on the generosity of your parents."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cRLT2FL0S
Elizabeth shook her head.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8070Vz5NFd
"Not at all, your highness. On the contrary, it would be an honour."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXXNUFtXVO
"Proceed, then." The man said, taking his horse by the reigns and leading it forward. He was followed by his brother George, and his even younger brother Richard, only twelve years old. Elizabeth lead the way, her sons to her left and the king of England to her right. As they walked, both George and Warwick rode their horses behind them, grimacing as they went.
"Your highness, it is an honour to have you in our home. I do hope you everything is to your liking, and we would like to extend to you the offer of supper."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmG6uubBka
Elizabeth's father stood in the entrance hall, his wife beside him. The king, Edward, admired the ceilings and handed a passing maid his riding gloves.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS1RwVTUIM
"See that these are put with the rest of my things." He said casually. Then he turned his attention to Sir Woodville.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLguimpN5k5
"That would be most generous of you, sir Woodville. My brothers and I would be happy to oblige. I do believe both George and Richard are in need of a slight refreshment, however I would much like to take a walk in your grounds."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ1lGfnpDb
Elizabeth's father bowed his head.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w6t3Tl1rh
"Of course, your grace. Shall I send for one of my son's to accompany you? Anthony is indeed a great poet and knows these grounds better than any other."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr69hkZoytZ
"No need, sire. I would much prefer the company of your daughter." Edward said, glancing to Elizabeth in the corner. At the mention of her name, she looked up, startled. Her father looked from Elizabeth to the king, and disregarded the worried look on her mother's face. He nodded to Elizabeth.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYCe5jDWwp
"It would be a pleasure, my lord." She said graciously.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQUTYQjJQi
Edward smiled.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vzpMi5FAV
"Very well then. Elizabeth and I have important matters to discuss, I believe. I will do all in my power to return to you the lands you are due."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2dAoNRqvs
Behind him, George was trying hard to mask his discontent. Edward shot him a look of disapproval and the middle brother smiled.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KtaCC5MBv
"I am perfectly content, brother." He whispered as Edward walked by. Edward looked to Elizabeth's father, and back to George.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTyKKvnxDf
"Sir Woodville, I would very much appreciate it if you were to take my brothers to the kitchens and give them some ale. It has been a long journey and they are still young!" Edward laughed as George scowled. Richard simply smiled at his older brother, and followed Elizabeth's father into the kitchens.
"There is a tale about my brothers and I, perhaps you have heard it?" Edward said, walking through the well-tamed grounds. Elizabeth did not reply. "Earlier this year, at the battle of Mortimer's Cross, three perfect suns rose in the sky. It was taken as an omen that we would be victorious. Three perfect suns in the sky for the three sons of York; Richard, George and I."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMvHzl2kL7
Whatever effect Edward desired this tale to have on Elizabeth, it did not. She merely smiled and said "Yes, I do believe I heard that somewhere.".2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q5e22miqh
"On the matter of the inheritance of your sons, I do not think there will be any issue in recovering it. After all, I am king." He said, smiling smugly.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd0cYoitke
"Yes, your grace, you are." Elizabeth said simply. "I would very much appreciate it if you would oblige me in this matter."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7f6Qb9pLD
"And if I do, lady Elizabeth, what matter shall you oblige me in?" He asked, stepping in front of her, forcing them both to come to a stand still.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7guchX5umn
"Excuse me?" Elizabeth asked, forgetting her manners before adding: "Your grace?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrCuyXDXma
"You are a beautiful woman Elizabeth. I am sure we could reach an agreement." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She shrank from his touch and barely resisted the temptation to swat away his hand.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7mpURxFAQ
"My lord I fear you misunderstand me. I shall not compromise my honour, not even for that of my children." She said sternly.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgi2mEyyw6
His face dropped and he suddenly became angry. Never before had a woman refused his bed, and now he was king and surely there was nothing more attractive than that? Surely, nothing was worth more than a night or two with a king?2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqV4SWFLKs
"I am sorry for the misunderstanding, Lady Woodville. Or do you prefer Lady Grey? No matter; I am sure your traitorous husband would understand if the crown kept his lands, for we are so dreadfully short on revenue. The Lancastrian rebellion cost us so much that our treasury is lacking. It is only fitting that the rebels themselves shall pay the cost. Good day."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5e3vMPM9a
He left her then, standing alone in the grounds.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXUxnaL2Hv
2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJC0ViJsFz
The king and his brothers stayed late that evening, regardless of the fact that Elizabeth's father had been a vehement Lancastrian and had fought against them in battle. All of this seemed meaningless to Edward. He talked to them easily, as if they were childhood friends. He spoke to them as if Elizabeth was not in the room, as if he had never met her and he had not, in short, asked her to become his mistress. When her father asked Edward if he planned on returning the lands of John Grey to Elizabeth, Edward simply smiled stiffly and said: "I shall try my best.".2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkYCFZ5wPF
He left without saying goodbye to Elizabeth, paying his respects to her father and taking off swiftly into the night.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNud6hHz7t
Elizabeth was surprised then, when she was woken up three days later by her mother shaking her frantically.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigAn9ouxD0
"It's the king, he has sent messengers telling us to expect him within the hour. He says he wishes to speak with you."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTGIWHspRG
Elizabeth got dressed as quickly as possible, pinched her cheeks for a bit of extra colour and dabbed her wrists with a small amount of the only perfume she owned. It contained rose oil and other spices and the scent of it followed her as she glided down the stairs just as the king rode into the courtyard outside.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3mqRd77YJ
He entered the house, removing his riding gloves and cloak. He nodded to Elizabeth.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKAosG9Mzp
"I wish to speak with you." He said shortly. She nodded and followed him outside. She had not expected to see him again, and even if she considered it, she did not expect it to be so soon. Surely he could not have changed his mind and recovered her lands so quickly?2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNTvdEUxuM
"I shall be blunt, Elizabeth." He stated as they walked through the gardens. "When you declined my offer a few days past, I was angry." He laughed, then. "I have never been turned down by a woman before! You quite wounded my pride."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHOllwg0Ya
"Your grace, I should rather be a penniless widow than be known throughout the kingdom as the king's whore."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0ljsHd5QL
"You fascinate me Elizabeth. Your boldness is something I have never seen before in a woman."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEBVg1QcNn
"If this is an attempt to sway my resolve-" She began. He cut her off almost immediately.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGDYHQQpGy
"I would never. I understand your decision. I merely came to tell you that since that day I have barely been able to have a moment to myself when you are not clouding my thoughts." He looked at her then, as if expecting her to say something. When she remained silent, he carried on. "May I ask you a question? Do you love your king?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqa2MfuCyp
"Of course." She answered with a shrug, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7RSrIYm66
"And what about me, Elizabeth? Do you love me?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxfsFgCbHX
"Are you not the king? I thought I had already answered your question."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbHqvFk4jr
"If I were a peasant, working the land for a man such as your father. If I were your stable boy or a tradesman, would you love me then?" He asked, an urgency creeping its way into his voice. His eyes were wide, her breathing became unsteady.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6GNOXzKam
"Indeed sire, I do think I should love you all the more, for at least then I could trust that your love was true."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRJRXCrkV1
He laughed then. "And could you love me even as a king?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDbzKWxdjo
"I believe I could, your grace." She said, smiling.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfrxvSwMDa
"Forget your grace. Edward, call me Edward." She nodded and he continued. "I see only one way forward, Elizabeth."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYqqjlRG4I
She raised one eyebrow in a questioning manner.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7b2fcwWG7
"I shall have to marry you." He said simply, walking ahead of her and pausing only to glance at her shocked expression and let out a laugh.
.
"I have hired a priest, it shall have to be a small wedding, my love. Your mother can attend, but you must keep this from your brothers, at least for now." Edward said, pressing a kiss to Elizabeth's forehead.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxeqiQaLz9
"What will you tell the earl of Warwick? Is he not in France securing a French bride for you?" She asked, with a sharp knowledge of current politics that Edward was not aware she possessed.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDynPvs9Lyk
"Indeed he is. Well, I imagine this shall... irritate him at the least!" He said, finding great amusement in irritating his powerful cousin.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u43CVw8aQ
"Are you not afraid of him? They say he put you where you are now, they call him the kingmaker."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmPavdf9WM
"And he has made me king. His job is done, what harm can he do me now? I am the king of England."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBterR7MivU
Elizabeth bit her lip and Edward laughed, kissing the back of her hand.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXWODhkTjg
"My love, I shall marry you and Warwick and my mother and my brothers and the entire kingdom shall have to accept it. Plainly, I love you and you shall be my Queen." He released her hand from his grip. "Now, go and make yourself ready. I have but a few hours and I want the wedding to be over with quickly, so that I can spend as much time as possible with you as my wife." Elizabeth nodded, hurrying back to the manor house to change.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtApFzngIjz
The wedding ceremony was over within hours. The couple left the small chapel in the grounds, followed by Elizabeth's mother and the priest Edward had hired. Her mother, Jacquetta, handed Edward the keys to the hunting lodge just outside the grounds. She gave the couple her blessing, then returned to the house, swearing to say nothing of their union to another soul.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxnD34I3AQ
"Come wife," Edward said, smiling seductively. Elizabeth laughed and took his hand, following him on the dirt path leading to the hunting lodge.
Edward stayed a few days, but soon he had to leave. Elizabeth sat up in bed, the sheets tangled around her legs.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNEJ4Gvxra
"Must you go so soon?" She asked and he nodded, pulling on his leather boots.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5NFFT0NlJ
"I must go back to court. I intend to announce our marriage at a council, I have summoned all the lords of the land." He glanced up from lacing his boots. "Your father and brothers will be there."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt21XmclU6k
"Oh, can we not stay married in secret? I much prefer having you all to myself."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pbAlidsln
He sat at the edge of the bed, resting his hand on her leg.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvy0bI6jen
"You know I would keep you here if I could, but I cannot run my country from here and you cannot be made Queen from here. I shall write to you within the week, wait for my letter telling you to come to court." He rose then, pulling on his riding cloak and placing a hand on the door handle.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP74kocxAy
"Good day, wife." He said.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOXUYxEdE6
"Good day, husband." She said, smiling to herself.
.
"She is a nobody, Edward. She is not fit to be the queen of England!" Warwick shouted. He and Edward had adjourned to a small antechamber, out of the sight of the lords of the kingdom but not quite out of earshot.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV5eoGWQ5H
"Nevertheless, she is my choice Warwick. She is my choice and as king, my choice is final."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6fKmQXDWv
"Perhaps you should be thinking less about who you want in your bed and more about the woman you want beside you as you rule this country. You are careless, Edward. Little more than a boy with too much power." Warwick was red in the face, his fists clenched. Not only had he wasted months organizing a French marriage, he had been humiliated in front of the entirety of Christendom. He was supposed to be Edward's closest adviser, and yet he was the last to know about his marriage. The king valued him little more than the small country barons and lord who had been summoned to court to receive news of the marriage at the same time.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ucllIH3y4
"Careful, cousin. You are merely a step away from treason, to insult your king like this." Edward said calmly.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDwNLUS9aN
"You would not be king if it weren't for me. I put you where you were and I could pull you down again too." Warwick threatened.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLT0I1QsBA
"With what army, Warwick? You shall cease to speak to your king in this manner or I shall have you banished from court." He said carelessly, waving his hand dismissively.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPRqecI9Sc
"No need, my lord. I shall exile myself. I should rather live away from court than serve her as my queen." Warwick said, stalking away and leaving the king standing in the antechamber, no longer amused at the prospect of irritating him.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9VFvzWbYc
When Edward re-entered the chamber where all the lords were gathered, he immediately spotted his brothers. George too, was on the side of Warwick, an angry and dangerous glint in his eye.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dh1tSdv9V
"When is our queen to be crowned, dear brother?" George said, his tone venomous. Warwick and George were dangerous enough on their own, but for them to work together against him? Edward was no longer cocky enough to relish in the thought of his secret marriage. In fact, as George stalked away in the direction Warwick had left, Edward quite began to regret it.
.
The king's feared proved both ill and well founded. The earl of Warwick was indeed angry, and led rebellions against him. Even his own brother, George, was enticed into rebellion against him after marrying Warwick's daughter Isabel in secrecy in Calais. But Elizabeth proved to be a kind, generous and graceful queen, and an even better wife. Already she had provided Edward with three daughters, and though he much desired a boy, his eldest daughter Elizabeth was known throughout the land as her father's favourite. Even as a child, she possessed an exceptionally sharp mind. Besides, the Queen's stomach grew large once again, and she promised that she knew that this time it was a boy.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmgMwqMyUm
The year was 1470. It was September. The Queen was nearing her time, seven months into her pregnancy. Elizabeth was sitting by her window when she heard the commotion outside in the hall.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlq1KoPr9u
"I will see my wife!" Edward commanded. Her ladies feebly tried to stop him.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9umBl2OHeS
"My lord, bearing this burden on her will only harm the baby!" The midwife pleaded. Elizabeth rose from her seat.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrUWNyMc36
"Husband? What is it?" She asked, disregarding her embroidery.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ3bEZv0R7
"Warwick is organising an uprising in the North. I must go at once."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1o5MMlmUe
She nodded weakly, grasping his hand.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmQI4HEcv4
"Return safely, my love."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vUxvaMNmW
"When have I not?" He asked, flashing a cheeky smile. "York never looses."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKQdrDBFxw
She smiled, trying to show her confidence in him, but in her heart she knew he would not be beside her through the last stages of her pregnancy. He would not be rushing inside to see his newly born son when her time came.
It was a few days later when a letter arrived from her husband. It was in his own hand, and obviously written in a hurry.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2nRCkH7WJ
My dearest Elizabeth,2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGNCqB70a1
The uprising in the North was a ruse; it was Warwick's brother who caused it. George, my brother, has turned on us once again and has landed at Plymouth with both Warwick himself and the sleeping king. They intend to restore Henry to the throne. I am heading South, but I am surrounded. Therefore, I am retreating out of the country and I urge you to take our daughters and find safety in our most defensible castle. I have with me my brother Richard and your brother Anthony and they are safe. I pray that you do not fear for me, for I shall always win and I shall return as soon as I am able. I pray that I will be able to come back to you before the birth of our son.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuilF9CQpo
Your husband the king,2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YqAjzHOsw
Edward2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSTDJhAgU1
Upon reading the letter, Elizabeth's hand moved instinctively to her stomach and she sank to the floor. She waved away her ladies.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYScN2Ipz2n
"Go, get my daughters and pack our things. We shall go into sanctuary. Alert my mother."
The Queen and her small family fled to Westminster Abbey, where they were granted sanctuary.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqXWJMuN0f
Elizabeth watched through her window the procession of the old king. Warwick and her brother in law were with him. Edward was attainted of his lands and titles and George was given the duchy of York. King Henry was restored, and Elizabeth was no longer Queen. She was the widow of a knight and now the wife of a false king.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OmfNw6NJP
On November second the pains started. Elizabeth clutched her stomach with one hand and her mother's arm with the other.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58BR18TkOl
She lay, hours later, exhausted and weary, holding her son in her arms.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtTso8e4yk
"A boy, just as you promised him." Her mother said, gently stroking the child's hair.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCw2R6jDki
"A boy he is not here to see. Mother, I fear for him. Henry is restored to the throne, Warwick and George are against him... I cannot see how we can come back from this." A lone tear fell from the corner of ELizabeth's eye.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQwdMf6lGm
"Have hope, daughter. You shall sit on your throne again, with your husband by your side."
The leaves fell from the trees outside, snow fell from the sky and Christmas came and past. January and February slipped by and Easter arrived without any sign of Edward. The trees began to grow new leaves. The flowers outside came to life again. The child in Elizabeth's arms was growing at an alarming pace; already nearly six months old.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIZmaWXUMk
Elizabeth heard footsteps. Fearing the worst, she ran for the door and bolted it quickly.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskm4Q5WFog
"Your highness, I 'ave news!"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJqEoYzc6M
It was a young boy from the city. He looked weary from travel and smelled of horse.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa88IY5KCE
Elizabeth eyed him suspiciously.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHei6xH1AiQ
"What is it?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpq67Fac8Q
"Someone to see you, your grace."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDXNAwRZkZ
Elizabeth glanced at her mother, who shrugged. Elizabeth cautiously opened the door.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSzFpFNfJD
A figure emerged from the shadows, clothed in a dark cloak with a hood casting a deep shadow of the face. Elizabeth knew who it was instantly.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fRnriY0fh
She threw herself into her husband's arms at once.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgMJDkQphM
"How? How are you here? I expected to receive a note or..."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgMs5tDguf
"Elizabeth, all that matters is that I am here." He laughed. He kissed her softly, then opened his arms so his oldest daughter could jump into his arms. He smiled at his mother in law.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWBxIiYPjP
"Now where is my son?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz632QDws1F
Jacquetta lifted the baby from the cradle, handing him gently to his mother.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqwROjQT3r
"Edward, this is your son, Edward."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2PlJ9wVoz
The king smiled, absorbed in the tiny face of the child before him.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CHRZAxmk2
"He shall be a mighty king someday." Edward said, laughing.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFMi1lTsaf
"Like his father." Eliazabeth said, smiling. "How are you here? What do you plan to do next?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VmGeXSZk6
"George, the turncoat he is, has betrayed Warwick and has turned back to our side."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaR7uJ2Qa1
"And Richard? And my brother Anthony? They are safe?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaposJzjGs
Edward nodded. "They have gone to amass us an army."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmgnWs46JI
Elizabeth paled. "Promise me you'll return to us Edward."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC3UYOMuKk
"I've told you before, York's always win. And I have yet to lose a battle. Now, can we stop the talk of war? I have missed you dearly, and I would much like to spend the time I have now ignoring war. Tell me, how are our children? Is Elizabeth learning her Latin? And Cecily her music? And our son, how does he progress? Is he strong?"2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GhUIupdjR
Elizabeth laughed. "Yes to all. The children are perfectly well. They are much the better off now you are home."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOkvWPeqos
Edward smiled.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxm0rAsS9b
"They shall be restored to their positions. You shall have your throne and I shall have my crown returned. If it is the last thing that I do."
.
14th March 1471. Barnet. The fog was heavy, the armies considerably large. Edward and his men moved silently past the enemy. They had no idea how close they were and Edward thanked the lord that the thick fog gave them such efficient fog. Mere feet away, the enemy would fire arrows miles out. The Lancastrian army, in the confusion, mistook its own men for the Yorkist forces. They attacked themselves and their fate was sealed.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoBQpiGYYc
Warwick's face was a picture of discontent. It was falling apart before his eyes; everywhere he looked Lancastrian men were being struck down by Yorkist arrows and Yorkist blades.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP6nRRQHnE
He saw George in the midst of the battle, the red rose on his jacket had been torn off and replaced hastily with a white one.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m5l5sATgl
"Turncoat, you filthy turncoat!" He shouted, knowing that without George's forces and his loyalty there was no chance that the battle could be won in favour of Lancaster.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QUCQ8cibU
George grimaced at Warwick from across the field. The handsome York brother was loyal to his house once more, and Warwick had fallen far from grace.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ER9x8mmNf
In his moment of distraction, Warwick himself was struck down in the midst of the battle. He fell from his horse and from across the field, Edward and George made brief eye contact. Warwick was like a father, and though they would not mourn the death of Warwick, the turn coat and rebel, they would mourn the death of Warwick, the kingmaker and their kinsman.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9lUiPR9ga
.
Edward returned to the loving arms of his wife, to his children, to his crown and to his court in London.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUAxd6aRPl
"Warwick is dead." Edward said to Elizabeth when they were alone. Her eyes held no remorse.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2ezRD7OAz
"I know you wish me to feel pity for him Edward but I cannot. He killed my father. He had my mother accused of witchcraft. I cannot mourn his death for I still see the heartbreak her eyes."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2gu4dQ8mc
Edward rested his forehead in his hands, leaning forwards on the table.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f7tyHzWgB
"I beg you not to trust George." She whispered.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU46j2hUCnb
"Elizabeth, let us not argue. I cannot bear it. It has been a long few weeks and an even longer few months. Let us give my brother the benefit of the doubt."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMgVm1SPzO
She nodded silently, biting her tongue, and rested a slender hand on his shoulder. He covered it with his own.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc1K5c50ry
"I never want to leave this country again. I promise you that I will never leave you again, and I swear I shall be there for the birth of our next child."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhBOsviREN
Elizabeth smiled.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvesMXTqKqa
"I have a feeling we shall have another boy."2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ4PLFdE22
"And he shall be named Richard." He said.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gs7ZOvr3t
"And shall we have one named George too?" She asked, laughing and raising one eyebrow.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUlPT9EWp5
"Of course." Edward said casually. "There must always be three sons of York, and they must always be named Edward, Richard and George." He took her hand and led her to the large four poster bed in the centre of the bedchamber.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDadM29tq57
They slept like children that night. For at least for the moment, their kingdom was secure. Their children were safe. Their marriage was solid and their family was loyal. The king that married the widow by the roadside for love slept soundly with her beside him, with their children in the nursery and the crown of England resting on their foreheads.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF6mopNNEg
At least for the moment, it seemed that the house of York was indestructible. Whilst the embers in the fire died away, and whilst the royal couple slept in their bed peacefully, it seemed that nothing in the world could end the house of York. Nothing in this world could crush the power of the White rose.2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0bmxftDvl
For the house of York was built on love, and what, Edward asked himself in his dreams, was more powerful than that?
Author's Note: Sorry for the long AN but some things need clearing up: this was incredibly difficult to write because so much happened in the 1460's/1470's/1480's and it was no easy task figuring out which events to include and which to not. As it was supposed to be a romance story, I attempted to focus more on Warwick as he was the main objector to the marriage of Edward and Elizabeth and so felt that his last rebellion in 1470 was more relevant. However, not all of this is 100% accurate and I feel that I must state so here: for a start, Warwick and George probably did not see much of each other at the battle of Barnet, and so this was purely my imagination. Also, when Edward and Elizabeth first meet, it is possible that he may have recognised her, but part of me doubts this. I am also not 100% sure that Edward would have had his brothers with him, as Richard was only 12 and living at Warwick's estate under his tutelage at the time (1464).2166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Igw2BE2ss
In short, I think much more exciting things could have been included but with the word limit it was not possible. For example, I would have much loved to include George's final rebellion and (spoiler!) his execution, and the love story between Richard and Warwick's daughter Anne. If you get a chance to research this period, I strongly advise you to, this just doesn't do it justice!
