~Falling Fast~

January 1476, Windsor Catstle....

"Pregnant?" Edward exclaimed, looking at Constance as she stood before him in his chambers, beaming, one hand placed on her stomach "You are with child?"
"It seems God is happy that we are as one again!" She giggled "He has blessed us and I pray he gives us a Prince!"

"I suppose it was only a matter of time!" Edward laughed, pulling her into his arms, kissing her hair "With amount of times we've bedded one another over the Christmas season, I would be shocked if you had not fallen with child!" Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled into his doublet.

The Christmas season had been one of the happiest in her memory, surrounded by family and friends and her beautiful children. The girls adored their gifts and, as she'd hoped, they all wore them on Christmas Eve together, making a glorious spectacle for the court to gaze in awe at!

They were not the only ones that matched that night. Edward bought their son a cloth of gold doublet and bejewelled cap to match his own! All the Lords and Ladies said the young Prince was the finest boy that ever was seen, the very image of his mighty Father and Neddy was certainly pleased!

On New Year's Day, mass was held and afterwards, the royal family stayed in the chapel to say a special prayer and light candles for Anne. After they took a meal in the King's chambers and remembered her in happiness instead of grief. It was the first time any had seen Richard smile properly again.

Soon after, Anne of York went into confinement and the Queen with her remaining Ladies prayed each day for her health and safe delivery of the baby. Anne was still sure it would be a girl.

"Do you need to rest?" Edward asked, leading her over to his bed and gently sitting her down "Do you have any cravings? Should I send for oranges? Are you sick at all? Do you need a physician?"

"I am well" She assured him as he sat by her, slipping an arm around her waist "I am more than well, Ned, I am happy! I am going to give you another child!"
"Another Prince or Princess!"
She chuckled.
"I hope it is the former!"
"We will love them no matter what!" He replied "We always have and we always will. Does Marie know?"

"Not yet!" She laughed "though my ladies know, they always know!" Leaning her head against Edward's shoulder, she sighed "It is strange to think that in the next ten years or so, she will likely have children of her own....and we won't see them" Edward frowned.
"Why ever not, sweetheart?"

"Because she will be away from me!" Constance complained "far away across the sea!"
"Margaret and Mary came from Burgundy" He pointed out "Your brother has travelled the known world! There is no reason why she may not come back!"
"What if her husband doesn't allow it?"
"Then we will go to her! You only ever have to say the word and I shall fetch or we will go to our children. You are an enigma amongst most Queens on that score but it only makes me love you more"

"Your grace? My King? My Queen?"

"Lizzy?" Constance exclaimed, standing at the sound of her Lady, her distressed tones echoing through the King's chambers with her hurried footsteps.
"Forgive me" Lizzy cried as she burst into the bedchamber, stumbling into a curtsy; trying to catch her breath "forgive me, your graces, but it is Anne....the baby is here, it is a girl...."

"Why that is great news!" Edward said but Lizzy shook her head.
"The baby is here, your grace, but she won't stop bleeding, your sister won't stop bleeding...."
"Bleeding..."
She nodded.
"Please, your graces, you have to come"

Turning, she fled the room with Constance and Edward in hot pursuit, running without any care for decorum or protocol; the stares they received from courtiers. All they cared about was Anne. She couldn't have the same fate as Annie, she couldn't die in her childbed.

When they entered her confinement chambers, the air was thick with blood, the light dim and the tension taut. The midwives were stood back from the bed, covered in blood with their heads bowed, one holding the child. Beth knelt at the prie-dieu, her rosary wrapped tight around her fingers and her prayers coming out in hurried murmurs infused with sobs.

The King and Queen's eyes turned to the bed where Anne was propped up on the pillow, eyes dazed and long hair a waved mess behind her shoulders. She lay in her shift, legs slightly splayed and the white silk marred by the fresh red blood leaking from between her legs, pooling onto the mattress.

"No" Constance cried, rushing to her side, kneeling and grasping her hand, pressing kisses to it "No, no, no, no....Anne! Anne, look at me, please, look at me" A soft groan left Anne's lips and she turned her head, the bleariness in her eyes cleared a little at the sight of her sister. A weak smile curved her lips.

"Connie...."
"That's right" Constance said, nodding "It's me, I'm here, Anne, I'm here"
"Is my baby safe?"
"Yes, yes, Anne, she is safe, she is beautiful"
With difficulty, she swallowed.
"Does....Ned know?"

"I'm right here, Nan" Edward said softly, striding around the other side of the bed to kneel by her side, taking her free hand. Slowly and shaking, Anne turned her head again, looking at her brother, eyelids fluttering "Would you like me to send for Mother? I can do it...."

"No..." She squeezed his hand, forcing him to stay as he made to rise "no, Ned....she is at Baynards....do not worry her by forcing her to make a mad dash here when....I shall be gone by the time the next hour strikes"

"Do not say that" Constance whispered, tears beginning to stream down her cheeks "do not give up, Anne, please"
"It is God's will...." She took a wheezing breath "my daughter is safe and now I must rest....I'm so cold, Connie....so very cold...."

"Anne!" Beth sobbed, tearing away from the prie-dieu to rush to her sisters side, kneeling by their brother "Please, Anne, stay! Stay with us!" Another small smile graced Anne's lips as the bleariness overtook her gaze and her head slowly turned to look up, eyelids quivering, eyelashes wet with tears.

Looking down, all could see the pool of blood was only increasing by the minute.
"My daughter is.....safe and....well...." Each breath she took became shallower, each more difficult to take as her words were to speak "that....is all I....care....for...."

Constance shook her head, pressing her forehead to Anne's hand "Tell her....that I....love her....every....day and my husband....that....I will always....love him"
"We cannot lose you!" Beth sobbed "Our house cannot lose another! We need you! Without you, our sun will forever be dimmed"
"It....will....not...." Anne whispered "It....will never dim....while we control....the....throne....while our blood....lives...."

Anne was more than a sister to them all, she was almost a Motherly figure, authoritative and caring, particularly when Constance had been in her younger years. She had always been there to support, to guide, to comfort, help her be the Queen England needed.

She couldn't lose her.

"Please, Anne" She quietly begged though she knew it wasn't her sister's choice "Please don't leave...." But Anne didn't hear her, she was already half drawn between the worlds of the living and the dead.
"Know....I....love you....all" Was all she could muster "Remember me.....in....your....prayers"

And with those words, Anne of York closed her eyes for the final time.

༻᯽༺

St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle....

Once again, the members of the court and the House of York congregated within Windsor's great chapel, shrouded in black as the funeral of Anne of York proceeded.

How many times had she mourned in this spot, Constance wondered as she looked up at the stained glass windows, her eyes sore from crying, how many more times were still to come?

While Edward stood to her left with their daughters (the girls having been brought from Eltham), Cecily stood to her right, stoic and proud to the gaze of others but they hadn't seen how she'd collapsed when her son told her of Anne's death, how she'd wept and cried out for her eldest child, yelling her name over and over in the arms of the Queen in the hope that it would bring her back.

Two children she'd now lost in adulthood and, through the black of her veil, Constance could see the silent tears marring the Duchess' cheeks. Despite all the trials she'd endured, her beauty still remained, even if her face was now rather careworn. What else could be expected?

Reaching down, she took the older woman's hand in her own, squeezing.

Beth was nearby with her kin, holding the tiny babe beside Anne's widower, gently rocking her back and forth. The little girl only began to cry when her Mother's coffin was lowered into the earth, as if she could feel a part of her soul being dragged away from her. An air of misery hung thick all around them and no prayers nor candles could piece it.

While Cecily's ladies escorted her to her chambers, Edward took Constance's hand and lead her over to Thomas St Ledger, nodding when she took the baby from Beth, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Sir Thomas" Edward began as Beth moved away with her own children, his voice seeped in sadness "my condolences on your loss. My dear sister bore you a great love and I know you returned it" The man managed a meagre smile and a bow, a grief-stricken glimmer to his brown eyes as he rose, made all the more prominent by the purple crescents beneath them.

"I did, your grace, I still do and always will"
"Indeed, and that is why I wish to make her child a ward of the crown"
Constance's eyes widened with shock and she stopped rocking the child for a moment staring up at her husband. How could he even suggest such a thing?
"Edward! That is...."
"I agree, your grace"

Her mouth dropped into a small, astounded, O at the sound of Thomas' words and she faced him in disbelief, unable to comprehend the calmness in his voice nor the speed of his agreement.
"You do not wish to keep her?"
A wry smile plucked at his lips at the question and he reached out, gently smoothing a hand made rough with the handling of swords, over his daughter's head.

"I am a soldier, your grace" He said "My life is made of hard travelling and blunt truths, campsites full of men grown, no life for a babe, let alone the child of a York Princess and a girl at that. I wouldn't know what to do, I wouldn't know what was best. You and his grace, the King, can provide a good life for her, a secure future that will see her raised and married well. I love my daughter, how could I not, but I belong on the battlefield, your grace, not in the nursery"

While she was still surprised, Constance couldn't disagree with his reasoning. She did not want her niece to grow up in a war camp and nor would Anne have. Edward only nodded.
"Her warship will go to my sister, the Duchess of Suffolk" He decided "and I promise she shall be well cared for, you may visit her whenever you wish"
"I would certainly like that. She is all I have left of my Anne. Thank you for this great service, your graces"

He bowed again and Edward gave another nod, patting the man firmly on the shoulder. He'd objected to the marriage with his sister, raged against them both, but he'd seen the love they bore one another and it pained him to know they had been torn apart. At least his sister had seen a few years of true happiness.

"It is the least we could do, Sir Thomas"

༻᯽༺

"Another child without a Mother" Constance murmured sadly as she watched Isabella and Cecily play by the fire in her chambers from the window seat by her bed, giggling as they did so, well, Cecily laughed, Isabella was sombre, only playing to entertain her little sister.

"Why are you sad, poppet?" Her Father had asked her earlier.
"Because you are" The three year old replied before hugging her Father's leg.

"It is a sad world we live in" He then said to her Mother, placing down his goblet of wine and placing his hand atop hers "God's will is often confusing and yet we have no choice but to accept it"

"Just as when he took Annie" She whispered "I miss her every day and I shall miss Anne too. She was my sister, my friend, loyal to me above all others...."
"We will both miss her, my love, but I beg you do not let grief pray on your mind for too long, I do not wish for you or our child to suffer"

She knew he was right. The more stress, the more emotions were swirling around her body, the more times she wept, the higher the chance became she would lose the babe. Instinctively a hand came to rest across her belly.

"He will not....Anne would want me to seek life, not death....if this child turns out to be a girl we shall name her for our sister and for dear Annie. They will not be forgotten. Not ever. Not for one moment"
"I think that a lovely idea, sweetheart"

The door opened and, hand in hand, Marie and Neddy walked in, the little boy frowning, holding a toy knight to his chest. While his sister went to kiss their Mother on the cheek before settling herself on the bed with a book, he went to his Father, standing by his knee.

"Father?"
Edward tilted his head, wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulders.
"Yes, Neddy?"
His little frown deepened and he looked up.

"Why does everyone we love die?" Constance's heart hurt at the question and she found tears spring to her eyes "Aunt Annie is gone, now Aunt Anne. I don't like it" He shook his head "It hurts, Neddy" Edward tilted his and, with a sad sigh, lifted his son onto his knee, running a hand through his golden hair.

"Everyone must die some day, my boy" He told him gently "it is only sometimes that God calls some home to the heavens early. When I am called, you will be King" Neddy shook his head again.
"I don't want to be King if you'll die"
He gave a little sniff, his bottom lip beginning to quiver and his Father wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"I won't die for a very long time" He said and his son looked up at him again "I promise"
"Nor will Mama?"
"Nor will I, sweet boy" Constance answered "We will always be with you"

After a moment, Neddy seemed convinced and cuddled into his Father's doublet, one small hand clinging to the front as he closed his eyes.
"Would you like me to call his nurse?" Constance asked but Edward shook his head.
"Nay, sweetheart, let him sleep, let him rest"

And he did, drifting to the land of dreams in the safety of his Father's arms, his Mother watching.
"I wish to speak to you of Lady Margaret's son" The funeral had reminded her of the importance of family, the importance of a Mother to her child. Baby Anne would never meet her Mother but she could perhaps help Margaret's son.

"Ah" Edward said softly as he looked up from their boy "You've spoken of him before" She nodded.
"Yes, after the death of our son but then you and I were separated and we did not speak of it again, I would ask to speak of it now"
"You are fond of her I take it?"
She smiled.
"Very!"

Edward raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised at her answer though she and Margaret were often seen together in the gardens or chapel.
"I always find her austere" He admitted, having never really taken to Lady Margaret "and she's so pious it can prove to be rather unnerving!"

"She is a good woman!" Constance pressed "and has been put through unimaginable trials during her life only to be separated from her only son because of the blood he bears"
"You know I cannot lift his banishment"
She'd thought he would say that but chose to voice her opposition nonetheless, looking to her young daughters as they played.
"Would it not show we are secure, that you are secure?"

Edward tilted his head.
"While he is of no matter or worry to me, he placed himself in exile, settling with our enemy" He explained "No, I will not allow him back to England but I will grant Lady Margaret leave to visit her son in Brittany if you can spare her"

Constance's heart leapt and she reached out, being careful not to wake Neddy as she took Edward's arm.

"Truly?" She asked "Do you truly mean that?"
"I do" He replied with a sigh "Today has made me think much on family" She smiled.
"Of course I can spare her!"

༻᯽༺

"Margaret?" Constance called softly as she entered her chambers, heart quickening in excitement as she spied her Lady shaking out a cloak and folding it away in a coffer. At the sound of her mistress's voice, she stood up straight, performing an elegant curtsy before closing the chest lid.

"My Queen. Is there something you need?"
"No, Margaret, thank you!" Holding out her hands, Constance almost skipped across the room, squeezing when Margaret took them and pulling her close "Margaret I have the most magnificent news!"
"Oh?" The other woman replied "It has certainly put you in a good mood! I am glad!"
"And yet you shall be gladder than I!"

She giggled at the look of confusion that swept Margaret's face and squeezed her hands again "I have spoken to the King! He will not lift your son's exile but he has given you permission to see him! You and Henry may be reunited!"

That same look of confusion was swept away by one of utter shock, Margaret's pale pallor paling further as she took a short gasp before dropping to her knees.
"My God...." Trying to catch her breath, she looked up, tears glimmering in her eyes as she smiled and pressed her forehead to the Queen's hands "Thank you! Oh thank you, your grace!"

"I said I would do it!" Constance laughed, raising her friend to her feet and keeping her steady "I am only sorry I did not make a firm plan sooner!"

"That is of no matter!" Margaret exclaimed, so overcome with joy she threw her arms around the Queen and hugged her right "Because of you I may see my son again! Because of you I we will be reunited. You have my greatest thanks" She pulled away, beaming "and so does his grace, the King! His gracious generosity humbles me as much as it lifts my spirit! I must go to my boy" She hesitated a moment, looking to her Queen again "That is, if I have your permission, your grace"

"Of course you do!" She replied "In fact, I order you to go! Some of the King's guards shall accompany you to ensure your safety and return, though I do not believe you capable of any deceit, and you will see your boy!"

"It is a miracle!" Margaret laughed "I thought I would never see him again! Oh, your grace, would you pray with me?"
"It would be an honour"

Still hand in hand, they made their way to the Queen's prie-dieu and knelt, skirts pooling around them as they bowed their heads in prayer.