~Consequences~

Westminster Palace....

"Gone? What do you mean, gone?" Arthur demanded, staring at the measly little man knelt before him in his reception chamber. His face was a picture of thunder, eyes clouded with rage.

If there was one thing other than his looks he'd inherited from his Father, it was his rage, more powerful than any storm and deadlier than a knife at full force, although, his was far swifter to rise than Edward's had been; he was not a man of patience and refused to be denied what he wanted.

Perhaps that was the effect of his upbringing, his Mother giving him anything and everything he wanted, telling him he was God's gift to mankind, a precious diamond through and through.

Elizabeth sat by the hearth but a few paces behind, watching the Duke of Buckingham with poison in her blue eyes; slender fingers sliding along the golden links of her necklace, decorated with every jewel under the sun, the black fur cuffs of her rich purple gown brushing her throat. She needed no words to portray her disappointment, nay, her indignation at the Duke's failure to retrieve her enemy's boys.

She'd needed those two boys, two sons. They would solidify her victory, her power. Hissing out a sigh, she drummed her free fingers on the elaborate arm of her chair, watching Buckingham tremble under Arthur's mighty gaze. She'd taught him to be fearsome and fearsome he was in a cloth of crimson doublet and golden chain of office. The very image of his Father but with her blood running through his veins too.

He was nothing but perfect.

"They were right under your nose" He spat "Right on the other side of that fucking door and you let them get away! I wanted my brothers, Buckingham, and you promised to bring them to me"

"It was her!" Buckingham stammered "Queen..." He flinched at his own words, seeing Elizabeth narrow her eyes out of the corner of his; corrected himself "Lady Constance convinced me that she would...."
"And you believed her?" She cried, standing quicker than a flash of lightning.
"His grace sent me with terms, my Lady the King's Mother! He ordered me to offer them to her!"
"And then collect her sons once she was convinced!" Arthur yelled. Buckingham shuddered.

"And I obeyed, your grace!" He tried "She bade my men leave me then gave me entry into sanctuary. I looked and looked but they were not there. She said they were gone and I returned straight to you!"

"The bitch is not stupid" Elizabeth said, beginning to pace behind her son "I should've known she would've found a way for them to escape, I should've seen it! We were fools to think that she would not smell danger through our bait! I told you she would!"
Arthur huffed, flicking his hand at the kneeling man.

"Leave us, Buckingham"

And Buckingham couldn't leave fast enough.

"I knew her to be a woman of quick wit but not quick action, Mother" Arthur sighed once he was gone "I thought my terms would be amiable, I thought she may relent! I meant to honour them!" He turned to her, repeating her words in his mind "Bait?" He echoed "What did you mean by bait? What did you mean to do?"

Elizabeth smiled and shook her head, holding out her arms and stroking soothing hands up and down his.

"They are a threat to you, my love" She told him in that soft, angelic voice she used when she desired something "Those boys are beloved"
"And those boys are my brothers!" He cried "Just as Anthony is! What did you intend to do to them?" She shook her head again.

"No, my love....they are her sons and I intended to do the best for you, as I have always done, have I not? I would never lie to you, Arthur, not you my sweetest son. I intended to give them a draught to send them into peaceful sleep or perhaps a silk pillow to set them at peace"

Arthur frowned and stepped out of her grasp. This was not what he'd intended! He'd sent Buckingham out with the most honourable intentions....hadn't he?
"You meant to kill them? Both Richard and Charles? You believe my Father would have wished for that? For the deaths of two of his boys at the hands of another? Their blood coating my hands?"

"For your own security!" His Mother replied, closing the distance between them again, her serene smile never once faltering "It would be painless for them and would completely solidify your position!"
"No! Not entirely" He corrected "Or do you forget that Edward is in Burgundy at this very moment waiting to strike? I intended to keep his brothers, my brothers safe! I intended to treat them well; show I meant no harm and then he would return too and there would be peace!"

"Ah, then you have a sweet heart, my son, just as I knew you to posess" Elizabeth said, cupping his cheeks "But that could never be. Too many love them, too many would rise for them and they will not be boys forever" Arthur continued to frown but she only sighed "You know I would only ever do what is best for you, do you not? As your Mother and councillor?"

After a moment, he nodded. His Mother would only ever act in his best interests, he knew that...

"And you truly believe they would be a threat to me?"

"They are, my sweet" She assured him "and so is she, their Mother. I know she was kind to you as you grew and that is why you wish to show kindness in return but you are a King. Kings have no room to show kindness to their enemies....she would take your crown" She whispered, her smile fading away "She would seek to kill you and your brother and me too! She would take all you hold dear and our world would burn. You will not allow that to happen! I know you won't"

"I will not!" He said, his voice turning fierce as he gathered his mothers hands into his and kissed her knuckles. She was right, she was always right! Constance would take his rightful throne and put him and his little brother to the sword - she would see his Mother dead! No, he would not allow that. He would be the King England needed (as well as their rightful one) and defend his family from those who would harm them.

That is what his Father would truly want!

"I will see her punished for this defiance" He promised and his Mother's smile returned, eyes gleaming with pride and triumph, though he did not see the latter "I shall send men to surround the Abbey, that way no spies of hers may see her and her brood"
"Yes" Elizabeth encouraged him "Yes, my son!"

"I shall order the Archbishop to halt his supply of food to them!" He continued, emboldened by her approval "If they wish to act as common criminals, defying their King then let them live thus! All shall learn what happens when I am crossed!"
"Just like your Father before you"
"Yes....and like him I shall strike back when I am struck"

༻᯽༺

Three days later....

"Ma Mère, I'm hungry" Aliénor sniffed as she grimaced in her Mother's arms by the fire, her stomach growling painfully as it had been for the past three days. Her sisters felt the same. Grey faced and aching, they sat at their Mother's skirts while Katherine watched on from the chair opposite, a hand on her own rumbling stomach.

Arthur and Elizabeth were true monsters, Constance thought. Having been proven unsuccessful in claiming her boys, they now sought to starve her girls. It was a punishment. Their food had stopped coming, guards surrounded the abbey, the only thing arriving through the sanctuary door being a note from the Archbishop explaining why. They had half a loaf of bread and a small pot of honey but, even through strict rationing and the grown women skipping meals, that had run out that very morning and all the inhabitants of the sanctuary were miserable.

"Perhaps we could catch fish?" Cecily mumbled, her head resting against her Mother's knee; staring aimlessly into the flames.

"And how do you intend to do that?" Isabella mocked "You have no net, no bait and would drown before you even got halfway to the watery depths of fish"
"There's a pike, up there" Her sister pointed out, glancing at the great spiked weapon balanced above the hearth. Isabella scoffed.
"So you've suddenly learnt how to wield a blade that weighs thrice what you do?"

"Girls, please!" Constance snapped, her nerves even more frayed than usual on an empty stomach. Her daughters were silenced. But only for a moment.
"We could eat the courtyard grass?" Cecily suggested and Isabella stared at her as if she were mad.
"Grass?" She repeated "Cec...."
"No, no!" Their Mother interjected, sighing heavily "Cecily is right, Issy, if this hell endures....we can eat the grass" Though it would be the destruction of any remaining dignity, she had to admit, that particular thought had already crossed her mind more than twice.

Katherine raised her eyebrows.

"Can we eat it now?" Aliénor whined "Please, ma Mère, please, please, please? I'm so hungry!" Both of her sisters looked up at her with the same amount of desperation, pleading and who was she to deny them what little that could be eaten when they felt starved? Closing her eyes, she nodded.
"Be careful on the steps, my loves, and do not eat it all! Take only what you need to quell your bellies for a time"

The three girls leapt from their places and were out the door in a moment, disappearing into the evening sun.

Sighing, Constance leant her head against her hand, tears pricking her eyes.
"I am a failed Mother....I cannot even feed my own children, Kate, they are eating grass!"
"If you are a failed Mother I am an awful one" Kate replied, still staring into the fire "I do not even have my children with me"
"You were at court, they were days away!"
"And your children's food was taken by the spawn of the Devil, Connie, do not blame yourself for that"

Looking up, a faint smile tugged at her lips "We could always try to catch fish?" Constance raised an eyebrow.

"And how successful do you think we would prove at that? We would ruin our dresses and likely drown! Besides, I cannot lift that pike, can you?"
"No. No I cannot"
"Then we shall have to find another way"

They fell silent.

The gaze of the two women darted up when a knock came at the sanctuary door after a few minutes of waiting and wondering and Constance held out a hand as Katherine made to rise.
"No need, my friend, I will go"
Katherine remained seated and she walked over to the door, opening the small hatch and peering into the passage on the other side, lit as always by the glow of torches.

Her eyes flicked down and she was taken aback to see an old woman standing there. She stood hunched over, her back curved into a slight hump, her dark clothes were worn and her skin wrinkled, tanned by the warm touch of the sun. Her blue eyes twinkled when she looked up, a smile appearing on her chapped lips which revealed she was missing a tooth or two, most who reached that age (which was few) did.

Upon catching Constance's gaze, she immediately lowered her eyes and dropped into an unsteady curtsy, plainly one that had not been performed before.
She held up an old wicker basket, a simple cloth covering the top, daring to glance up again after a moment.

"Milady, I 'ave come to ye this day after us the people 'eard of yet more ills done against ye an' the Princesses. We are most glad yer Princes escaped, milady and think it wrong ye be made to starve. We don't wish to see it, milady, we 'ave no love for the bastard pretender but we have ample love for ye an' yer family. Many of us do not 'ave much but what little we 'ave we wish to share with ye and yer babes"

She held the wicker basket up a little higher and Constance realised with a pang to her heart and tears flooding to her eyes, that the woman had brought them food. She was right, many across the country had little to their name and often in London, food became scarce for many and yet, they wished to provide for her and her children.

"We are also very sorry for yer losses, mildly" The woman continued as tears spilled down Constance's face "and the Lady Hastings" She reached for her handkerchief, dabbing at her cheeks.
"My dear lady, I cannot...."
"Ye can, milady!" The woman pressed, offering up the basket again "and we give it freely, with full 'arts an' a prayer that yer suffering does not last, that your boy 'as his crown. Ye 'ave 'elped us many a time, milady, please, allow us to 'elp ye in yer time of need"

Constance sniffed, her breath shaking as she finally reached out and lifted the basket through the hatch, the smell of fresh bread and cheese assailing her nose and making her stomach growl.
"Kate!" She called "Come look!" Katherine rushed to her and took the basket with a grin, eyes full of joy.

"I shall fetch the children!" She said and almost ran away towards the courtyard.

Immediately, Constance returned to the window, relived to see the woman was still there. If she could, she would let her in but she could not risk such a thing,  it was too dangerous. Reaching up to her neck, she unclasped her necklace and let it fall into her hand. It was the least she could do to repay the kindness of strangers.

She extended her arm through the hatch and the woman's eyes went wide at the sight of the glittering emeralds and shining diamonds set in gold but she immediately shook her head, taking a step back.

"I cannot, milady, an' I will not" She said "We wish no reward but yer good health an' happiness"
"Please!" Constance insisted but the woman shook her head, standing firm until she withdrew her arm, replacing her necklace around her throat. Nodding to herself, she reached through the window again and the old woman grasped it gently with bony fingers, about the press her lips to her knuckles but this time, it was Constance who protested.

"Nay, sweet lady" She said "It is for me to pay homage to you for you have given my children, my friend and I the greatest gift that can be given. You have given us life" Before the woman could reply, she pulled her wrinkled hand towards her and pressed a kiss to the back of it, squeezing, before letting go "Thank you" She whispered and the old woman beamed, her eyes now filling with tears. She held the kissed hand against her heart, stumbling into the same uneasy curtsy as before. Constance smiled.

"Tis my honour, milady" She said and finally turned away, hobbling away into the passage. Though she did not look it, perhaps she was an Angel, an Angel sent from her Edward. Perhaps even in death he did not abandon them entirely.

༻᯽༺

July 1483, Laarne Castle, Burgundy....

"There there, my love" Marie crooned, rocking Charlie back and forth in her arms as if he were still a newborn infant. He was in his nightgown, wrapped in a heavy blanket; head tucked into the crook of her neck while he drifted to sleep.

Richard lay beside her, she was sitting in their great bed, helping them both to the land of dreams for they had arrived but two days before and were still plagued with fear. The elder had managed to find rest but Charlie's mind was more stubborn and every so often he would open his eyes; look around, then stare up at his sister until his eyelids fluttered closed again.

Marie knew she would likely be subject to this routine for many weeks to come but did not mind. It had been the same with their elder brother and cousin, though Neddy tried to be as brave as a man. She'd check on them once Charlie was asleep, she thought (looking over to the small table by the bed where their Mother and Father's crowns lay on velvet cushions), she always did.

When her two youngest brothers had arrived, she'd fallen to her knees with relief and gathered them both into her arms, holding them close. Her Mother was clever to send them away from England but she feared it may put her and her sisters in even more danger! The bastard had been crowned and there were now those in England who called him King - traitors of course. She spent her days with Margaret, plotting and planning the day Neddy claimed his rightful crown.

They'd sworn that before the next year closed, he would be King and Arthur would be dead, his Mother and kin too.

"Marie?"

She looked up to see her husband standing in the open doorway, a rare soft smile on his lips, pricked with sadness, as he watched her. How long had he been there? She'd been too consumed by her thoughts of scheming to note his presence. Ever since her brother and cousin arrived, she'd seen more of him, little by little, though he still did not often speak to her at length. It seemed he liked to watch her with the children and even begun talking to them himself.

"Mein Herr" 'My Lord' She greeted "Brauchst du mich? Ich sah gerade meine Brüder schlafen" 'Do you have need of me? I was just seeing my brothers to sleep' Maximilian shook his head and, wringing his hands, stepped into the chamber, slowly approaching until he was beside her and sunk stiffly into the chair she'd placed by the bed.

"Du kümmerst dich sehr gut um sie" 'You care for them very well' He said, looking upon little Charlie who was finally settled "So wie du es für Phillip und Mary tust" 'As you do for Phillip and Mary" Marie smiled. That was high praise indeed and far more than she mostly heard from him.

"Ich weiß, dass ich ihre Mutter nicht ersetzen kann, aber ich möchte ihnen dennoch die Liebe zeigen, die mein lieber Cousin ihnen geschenkt hätte, wenn Sie mir erlauben?" 'I know I cannot replace their Mother but I still wish to show them the love my dear cousin would've bestowed upon them, if you will allow me?'

Another of Maximilian's wistful smiles graced his lips and he sighed.
"Natürlich tue ich das, aber selbst wenn ich es nicht täte, könnte ich es nicht verhindern, sie verehren dich so sehr! Vor allem Phillip" 'Of course I do but even if I did not I could not prevent it, they do adore you so! Especially Phillip' That was true enough, the boy trailed at her heels like a lost puppy.

Suddenly, she felt the touch of tentative fingers upon her arm and looked up in surprise to see Maximilian had placed his hand upon it. He'd never done that before. Apart from holding her hand when he lead her into dinner or escorted her somewhere, he did not touch her. He himself seemed rather nervous of the action and his eyes searched her face for any discomfort or repulsion. She only smiled.

"Wenn der kleine sich beruhigt hat, darf ich mit ihnen sprechen?" 'If the little one is settled, may I speak with you?' He asked and Marie nodded, slowly moving one of her hands from Charlie and placing it atop his for a moment. His eyes immediately flicked down but he did not remove his hand.

"Ich werde in einem Augenblick bei dir sein, mein Herr" 'I shall be with you in one moment, my Lord' She answered and he nodded, meeting her eyes again before gently removing his hand and standing; walking quietly from the room.

Marie watched him and then pressed another kiss to Charlie's forehead, slowly standing herself so as not to disturb him and drawing back the covers, settling him on silk pillows.
"Sweet dreams, my love" She whispered, draping the blankets over his body "I shall not be far if you need me"

Charlie rolled over towards his brother but did not wake and, with a smile, she tiptoed from the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Maximilian was waiting, pacing back and forth in the hallway, arms folded behind his back. He saw her and halted, nodding slightly in greeting.
"Mine Herr" She said, curtsying but he took a step forward, holding out a hand.
"Max, nenn mich Max" 'Max, call me Max' Her eyes widened slightly and he gave a small shrug "Oder Maximilian, wenn es Ihnen gefällt' 'Or Maximilian....if it pleases you'

She blinked.
"Es würde mich sehr freuen....Max" 'It would please me very much....Max' She said "Wenn du mich Marie nennen würdest?" 'If you would call me Marie?' His calm expression faltered slightly, pain flickering in his eyes.

It was her name, the name of his beloved first wife, the name of a dead woman his heart clung to....but here was Marie, his second wife, a living woman who loved his children and, perhaps, could grow to care for him and he could grow to care for her - in time. He saw that now.

"Marie" It was a whisper on his lips but spoken all the same "Das würde mir sehr gefallen" I would like that very much' Marie smiled.
"Ich freue mich, Max!" 'I am glad, Max!' She replied "Nun, worüber möchtest du mit mir sprechen? Ich hoffe, die Verwendung meines Namens ist kein Grund zur Sorge, dass Sie schlechte Nachrichten überbringen?" 'Now, what is it that you wish to speak to me of? I hope the use of my name is not cause for worry that you bring bad tidings?'

Maximilian shook his head, a slight smile curving his lips as he offered her his arm for the first time when they were not before the court and she took it, pleasantly surprised for the third time that night. They began to walk the corridor together.

"Nein, Frau" 'No, Wife' He said "Ganz im Gegenteil, das kann ich gerne sagen" 'Quite the opposite I am happy to say'

"Dann mußt du es mir nur noch in diesem Augenblick sagen, denn ich brauche ein Glück!" 'Then you simply must tell me this instant, for I am in need of some happiness!' He nodded.
"Natürlich. Ich habe beschlossen, Euren Bruder dabei zu unterstützen, seine rechtmäßige Krone zu erlangen" 'Of course. I have decided I shall support your brother in gaining his rightful crown"
Marie halted her steps and turned to him with a gasp of delight. She'd been waiting to hear those blessed words for months!

"Du wirst ihn unterstützen? Ihm helfen?" 'You will support him? Help him?' She questioned, searching his face and he nodded, the same small smile appearing again.

"Ja, Marie, das werde ich. Es gibt einen Vertrag zwischen deinem Land und meinem Reich, wir sind Verbündete und Verbündete kommen einander zu Hilfe, wenn wir in Gefahr sind!" 'Yes, Marie, I will. There is a treaty between your country and my Empire, we are allies and allies go to each others aid when one is in peril!' He declared "Außerdem ist der Aufstieg der Bastarde und die falsche Erklärung gegen die Ehe deiner Mutter und deines Vaters eine Beleidigung für dich, die ich nicht haben will! Du bist eine wahrhaft geborene Prinzessin, deine Brüder sind wahre geborene Prinzen und ganz Europa wird das sehen. Sie tun es bereits, und wenn dein Bruder seine Krone hat, wird es nie wieder bezweifelt werden. Es ist nicht jetzt! Alle halten Arthur's Behauptung für eine Absurdität, die von seiner Mutter erfunden wurde"

'Besides, the bastard's ascension and false declaration against your Mother and Father's marriage is an insult to you which I will not have! You are a true born Princess, your brothers are true born Princes and the entirety of Europe shall see that. They already do and when your brother has his crown, it shall never be doubted. It is not now! All think Arthur's claim is an absurdity grown by his Mother'

Her lips hardened into a thin line at the mention of the Woodvilles and she nodded, crossing her arms as she turned away; stepped over to the nearest windows and looked down into the dark moat.
"Ja. Ja ist es" Yes. Yes it is' She said through gritted teeth 'Sie ist eine Hexe, weißt du. Sie tötete vier meiner Brüder, drei im Mutterleib und eine meiner Schwestern" 'She is a witch, you know. She killed four of my brothers, three in the womb, and one of my sisters'

"Hast du sie getötet?" 'Killed them?' Maximilian came to stand beside her.
"Ja. Mit ihrer bösen Blutmagie. Sie ist so gottlos wie der Teufel" 'Yes. With her evil blood magic. She is as Godless as the devil'

"Dann werden wir Kardinäle haben, die jede unserer Truppen segnen!" 'Then we shall have cardinals bless each of our troops!' He resolved "Ich werde sogar an Seine Heiligkeit, den Papst, schreiben, damit die Männer vor ihren bösen Mächten geschützt sind! Und auch ihr werdet es brauchen, denn ihr werdet derjenige sein, der sie führt" 'I shall even write to his Holiness, the Pope, so the men are protected from her wicked forces! And you too, you shall need it as you will be the one to lead them'

Marie turned to him with eyes blown wide, her lips parting slightly as her arms unfolded.
"Sie führen? Ihr wollt, dass ich Eure Männer anführe?" 'Lead them? You wish for me to lead your men?'
He nodded, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Ich werde hier gebraucht, um mein Land zu regieren, das Land meines Sohnes, und es zu schützen, besonders mit den Franzosen an unseren Grenzen!" 'I am needed here, to govern my lands and my son's lands, particularly with the French on our borders!' He said "Außerdem wirst du eines Tages die Kaiserin des Heiligen Römischen Reiches sein und England ist deine Heimat. Du wirst vom Volk geliebt, und die Männer sollen lernen, dich zu respektieren, ebenso wie meine besten Generäle, die sie auf Linie halten!" 'Besides, you will one day be the Empress of the Holy Roman Empire and England is your home. You are beloved by the people and the men shall learn to respect you, as well as my finest generals keeping them in line!'

Marie blinked. Shed never expected to be entrusted with such power, to be valued so high by her husband, especially a husband she knew so little; who knew almost nothing of her! Lead an army? Her?

"Aber ich bin eine Frau" 'But I am a woman'
Maximilian arched an eyebrow.
"Ich glaube nicht, dass du ein Narr bist. Außerdem bist du sowohl die Tochter deiner Mutter als auch die deines Vaters. Beide führten Armeen. Beide gewannen. Ich vertraue darauf, dass du das auch tun wirst. Der Glaube, den deine Tante Margaret sehr gefördert hat, sie kann dich sogar begleiten!" 'I do not believe you are a fool. Besides, you are your Mother's daughter as well as your Father's. Both lead armies. Both won. I have faith you will too. Faith your Aunt Margaret has greatly encouraged, she may even accompany you!'

She felt her cheeks flush with warmth at the praise and averted her gaze to her hands, a pleased smile on her lips. He was right, her Mother had lead an army, her Father had lead many. They had never lost and nor would she.

"Oh, und ich habe einen Brief von John Neville erhalten, in dem es um ihn und seine Frau, die Lady Isabella, geht" 'Oh, and I have received a letter from John Neville regarding him and his wife, the Lady Isabella'
Her eyes shot upwards and her smile widened.
"Onkel John und Tante Isabella?" 'Uncle John and Aunt Isabella?' She cried "Ich fürchtete, sie wären tot!" 'Why, I feared them dead'

Maximilian nodded and reached into the front of his doublet, drawing forth a letter and handing it to her, watching as her eager hands unfolded it, eyes scanning every line "Sie kommen hierher?" 'They are coming here?' She asked gleefully "Vor Gericht?" 'To court?'

"Wenn es das ist, was du dir wünschst" 'If that is what you wish' Maximilian replied, offering his arm to her again. Folding the letter up, she gladly took it, walking the hallway again. Uncle John and Aunt Isabella were safe! They had escaped the Woodville grasp and were coming to join her! To join Edward! The York fold was growing and with that, their power was growing too.

By the first snows of next winter, her brother would have her throne; her Mother would have peace.