~Bound by Blood~

Laarne Castle Burgundy....

"Look at them" Marie breathed with pride, watching from her chamber balcony at the approaching forces, the Bourbon banners fluttering in the wind, two men leading them, one in a deep blue cloak trimmed with white fur, the other garbed in the crimson robes of Cardinals.

Behind them - five hundred men (three hundred of their own, the remaining two mustered by Queen Charlotte) their boots pounding against the earth as they marched forward, carrying pikes, swords - heavy cannons drawn behind horses. They would camp outside the walls, their Lords would stay in the castle.

That day was the beginning of all, not only were the Bourbon brothers arriving but the next morning the Duke of Brittany and his men were due, along with his seven year old daughter, the Lady Anne. Reports said she was beauteous and, despite her youth, possessed a keen, intelligent mind. If proved to be true, those assets would make good foundations for a Queen.

Soon, two thousand men from the Holy Roman Empire would also arrive!!

"You make our house proud" Margaret said from beside her, one hand on the balcony ledge as she watched the approaching force with her niece "Commanding men at eighteen! The same age your Father was when he took the throne. By God, you truly are his daughter"

"We should make ready to greet them" Marie replied, eyes still trained on the leaders "I am rather excited too! I've never met any of my Mother's kin apart from her own Lady Mother and Uncle Jamie. I am glad they are come to avenge him and the injustices against her, it shows them to be of honourable character"

"Particularly when they are French and we are about to ally with Brittany"
"Precisely. Now, let us go or I may leap from this ledge and out of the gates to take my first look at them!"

"Damen?" 'Ladies?' A deep voice called as they turned and Marie smiled at the sight of her husband in the doorway of her bedchamber, dressed in deep burgundy with slashes in his sleeves which revealed cloth of gold - the same material as her gown.

"Max!" She greeted brightly, curtsying "Ich freue mich, dass Sie hier sind" 'I am glad you are here'

"Ich muß meiner gnädigen Frau und den Herren von Bourbon meine Unterstützung erweisen, nicht wahr?" 'I must show my good Lady wife and the Lords of Bourbon my support, must I not?' He stepped forth into the room and offered her his arm which she took with a smile, walking into the corridor with him. Margaret followed "Hat euch mein Geschenk gefallen?" 'Did you like my gift?' He asked and Marie nodded, smiling wide as she pushed back the white veil of her hennin to reveal the pair of beautiful ruby earrings one of his manservants had brought her that morning.

"Sie sind wunderschön, Max!" 'They are beautiful, Max!' She replied, her fingers sliding along the gently swaying jewel, carved in the shape of a teardrop, encased in gold with small golden hearts dangling from the bottom of them on a small chain. Her own heart had grown warm and her cheeks flushed when she received them and more than one of her ladies teased that they were a sign of his ever growing affection for her.

She calmly scolded them of course, through giggles, waving their suggestions away but she couldn't deny her hope that they were right.

He'd given her hearts.
Hearts under a ruby.
Red was the colour of danger, of blood.
But it was also the colour of love, was it not?
Surely that meant something?

"Du verwöhnst mich mit so vielen schönen Dingen!" 'You spoil me with so many fine things!'
He only laughed and smiled, coming slowly to a halt.

His smiles had been changing over the months, of that she was sure. They reached his eyes which were no longer always sad, a window to a world of grief, there was life within them again! His gaze was present in the land of the living, shining when he smiled and when such a smile graced his lips, Marie increasingly found there was little else that gave her as much joy. It meant that he was with her in life, that he was healing.

"Du bist meine Frau und sollst meine Kaiserin sein. Es ist nicht weniger, als Sie verdienen" 'You are my wife and you shall be my Empress. It is no less than you deserve' He said and lent forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead which made colour flush her cheeks "Nun, laß uns deine Onkel kennenlernen, sie bringen den ersten Teil deiner Rachearmee!" 'Now, let us meet your Uncles, they bring the first part of your avenging army!'

"Lassen Sie uns" 'Let's' She agreed.

As they reached the great doors opening into the castle courtyard, the sound of heavy hooves on cobble broke the air, clattering closer as Marie, Max and Margaret took their places at the top of the steps, watching as Charles and Peter of Bourbon (along with a few of their men) rode towards them.

When close enough, they came to a halt, clothes rustling when they dismounted. Charles adjusted the golden cross over his clerical robes, making sure the chain was straight before nodding to his brother. Maximilian drew himself up to full height, pushing back his shoulders.

Suddenly, Marie felt a little hand slip into her free one and looked down with a start to see Phillip gazing up at her, a smile on his face. He always had a way of finding her when she least expected it! The boy could appear and disappear quicker than smoke and she couldn't help but smile back, unable to bring herself to chastise him. She loved him. Him and his little sister.

Margaret chuckled, stroking his soft blonde hair.

The brothers approached the steps, bowing in unison, though it was Peter, the younger brother, who spoke first, taking off his light blue hat which matched his doublet.

"Vos grâces" 'Your graces' He began, bowing again "Ma noble nièce" 'My noble niece' Marie inclined her head towards him "J'aurais souhaité que ce fût dans des circonstances plus agréables que nous nous rencontrions, mais dans l'état actuel des choses, mon frère et moi sommes venus venger le meurtre de notre frère, notre sang, feu lord Jacques de Bourbon et l'ignoble trahison portée contre notre sœur, la reine douairière Constance d'Angleterre et son fils, le roi Édouard. Nous amenons nos hommes et la foi de la Sainte Mère l'Église pour réparer cette injustice envers notre maison et honorer le traité entre la maison d'York et la maison de Bourbon, scellé par le mariage du roi Édouard sa reine, notre chère sœur, il y a plus de vingt ans"

'I wish that it were under more pleasant circumstances that we met but as it is, my brother and I have come to avenge the murder of our brother, our blood, the late Lord James of Bourbon and the vile treason brought against our sister, Dowager Queen Constance of England and her son, King Edward. We bring our men and the faith of the Holy Mother Church to right this injustice to our house and honour the treaty between the House of York and the House of Bourbon, sealed by the marriage of King Edward his Queen, our dear sister, over twenty years past'

"Si la noble maison de Bourbon veut vraiment honorer votre alliance, où est votre chef? Le duc Jean?" 'If the noble house of Bourbon truly wishes to honour your alliance, where is your leader? The Duke John?' Maximilian asked and the brothers glanced at one another before Charles answered.

"Embrasser le cul du roi Louis, je parie" 'Kissing King Louis' arse, I'll wager'

From the corner of her eye, Marie saw her husband grin and felt her own lips follow, the crude remark made even funnier by his clerical robes of martyr red, the picture of holy service! "Mais nous ne sommes pas ici à cause d'un simple traité" 'But we are not here because of a simple treaty' He continued, his voice turning stern "Nous sommes ici pour tenir les promesses faites, des promesses que nous sommes tenus par notre sang d'honorer" 'We are here to fulfil promises made, promises we are bound by our blood to honour.

"Le seigneur de Bresse, veuf de notre sœur Marguerite, sera bientôt là" 'The Lord of Bresse, widower to our sister Margaret shall soon be along' Peter added which made Marie's heart jump - yet more support for her kin! She would pray for Margaret's soul and that of her living husband that night, she decided "car il veut honorer sa mémoire et il amènera avec lui cent hommes et deux cents autres du prince d'Orange et de sa dame femme, notre sœur, la princesse Jeanne" 'for he wishes to honour her memory and with him he shall bring a hundred men and a further two hundred from the Prince of Orange and his Lady wife, our sister, the Princess Joanna'

Maximilian nodded, glancing at Marie before he returned to them.
"Eh bien, Messeigneurs, je vous souhaite la bienvenue dans ma cour" 'Well then, my Lords, I bid you welcome to my court'

༻᯽༺

The next day....

"There" Grace murmured as she tired the golden cords of Marie's heavy ceremonial robe, the collar and edge trimmed with ermine, one half bearing the arms of the Holy Roman Empire, the other, the arms of England. Beneath she wore a gown of crimson cloth of gold and her hair was loose, brushed in a shining river of dark brown waves down her back.

Atop her head, a beautiful crown encrusted with precious jewels. Her fingers were covered with rings and she donned the earrings Max had given her the day before. He would be dressed similarly for that day they would be welcoming the Duke of Brittany and his daughter, the future Queen of England. That day the betrothal ceremony would take place, England and Brittany would be bound together, Edward would gain another ally. 

"Thank you, Gracie. Ladies" She nodded to the others around her "Make your way to the great hall, I shall see to my brothers" They all curtsied as she swept from the room, twisting the rings on her fingers as she strode through the halls, nodding to courtiers as she approached her brothers rooms, hesitating as she arrived outside the heavy oak doors.

In a few hours, she would be betrothing her little brother to an even younger child. She sighed.

It had to be done.

"How do you all fare today?" She asked as she strode into the room, halting abruptly, eyes widening in pleasant surprise as she saw her husband by the hearth, her brothers standing before him, the eldest in cloth of gold, the younger two in rich purple damask. Max, like her, wore a royal robe bearing the arms of his Father's Empire and a crown on his head. He looked a true King.

A hand on Charlie's shoulder, he was looking across each of their faces, speaking determined words in French to them, from what she heard. Thirteen year old Edward stood tall, even taller than him, nodding attentively and when he turned at his sisters entrance, she could swear she caught a glimpse of their Father.

Well, he was wearing his crown and she could not deny it suited him well!

"Marie!" Charlie giggled and ran to her, cooing happily when she lifted him into her arms; kissed his chubby cheeks.

"Hello, my love. Et bonjour à vous trois!" 'And hello to you three!' She said with a smile, walking over to the hearth. Maximilian stood and Edward was quick to stand by him, imitating his stance with his hands clasped behind his back as he bowed "Je dois dire que vous avez l'air très bien. Êtes-vous prêt pour ce que la journée vous réserve?" 'I must say you look very fine. Are you ready for what the day holds?'

"Bien sûr, soeur" 'Of course, sister' Edward replied, a firm nod of his head which made his crown slip forward and his had fly up to catch it.

"Fais attention, mon garçon!" 'Careful, lad!' Maximilian chuckled, helping him right it - Edward gave a bashful smile, embarrassment flushing his cheeks "Vous devez apprendre à porter votre couronne comme si elle faisait simplement partie de votre tête" 'You must learn to carry your crown as if it is simply part of your head'

He nodded, holding his head high.
"Où sont Phillip et la chère Mary?" 'Where are Phillip and dear Mary?' Marie asked.

"Déjà dans le vestibule avec leur gouvernante" 'Already in the hall with their governess' Max replied, walking over to her with Edward and Richard obediently following at his heels, trying to copy every move "Comme nous devrions l'être. Le duc François et sa suite sont là" 'Just where we should be. Duke Francis and his entourage are here'

Her heart skipped a beat, making her stomach turn and she nodded. It was happening "Il ne nous reste plus qu'à faire notre entrée devant le tribunal, et vos frères doivent faire de même" 'All we need do now is make our entrance before the court and so must your brothers' She nodded in agreement. Her brothers would not enter with them, they would enter after proclaimed as the King and Princes of England, prove they could stand by themselves.

"Ensuite, qu'il soit fait" 'Then let it be done'

Placing little Charlie back to the floor, she took the arm Max offered and was glad to see his eyes light up when he caught sight of her earrings. It made warmth rush to her heart.

"Vous les portez" 'You are wearing them'
"Bien sûr. Ils me sont très chers" 'Of course, they are very dear to me' She hesitated for a moment, their eyes locked, and then she leant forward, pressing a kiss to his cheek. His clean shaven skin was soft beneath her lips and warm with life. She heard his sharp intake of breath then pulled away, worried she had been too forward until she saw the soft smile adorning his lips and his hand came to cover the one she had curled around his elbow.

"Tu es très belle, Marie" 'You are very beautiful, Marie' He said and then glanced over his shoulder to where her brothers were waiting, Edward with a mix of confusion and disgust on his face, Richard with his jaw almost almost on the floor and little Charlie who's happy beam could've been brighter than the sun! "Êtes-vous prêts, les gars" 'Are you ready boys?' He asked and three determined nods replied, making him chuckle and push open the chamber doors, leading them into the hallway.

Apart from a few servants and guards, the corridors were all but deserted, the courtiers having gathered in the great hall to await their Duke and witness the joining of two great forces. Who would wish to miss it?

Max and Marie processed regally towards the hall's doors, already able to hear the great chatter behind them and the boys halted a few steps behind. There they would stay until they were announced.

Max nodded to the guards who pulled the great doors open, revealing a clear isle straight down the centre of the hall, lined with courtiers, and immediately the chatter fell silent, a thousand pairs of eyes turned their way as he and his wife were announced. They strode forward. The doors closed behind them.

"His grace, Prince Maximilian and his esteemed Lady wife, the Princess Marie of the Holy Roman Empire"

The hall had been decorated with lavish pomp and ceremony, no expense spared to make it appear glorious. The dias was covered in deep crimson velvet and held two golden thrones which they would occupy underneath an elaborate canopy with golden tassels. The courtiers bowed and curtsied, the rustle of their clothes piercing the hall's silence as their Duke and Duchess swept by, ascending the Dias and gracefully taking their regal seats.

It was clear for all to see the Duke and Duchess already looked a fine Emperor and Empress.

Either side of the platform were the highest of the court, including Marie's ladies and Uncles, Francis Lovell and John Neville with his wife, Max's advisors and members of the council, looking on at the rest from their privileged positions.

Sitting tall, Marie rested her bejewelled hands on the throne's fine arms and allowed her eyes to finally settle on the group on the right hand side of the isle that stepped forth, composed of richly dressed men.

Their leader was dressed in a pure white doublet with canton ermine in the same design as the flag of Brittany and wore a heavy chain of office of solid gold over a crimson robe, a black velvet cap with a luxurious white plume and back pointed shoes. His face was rather handsome, chin covered with a short, sharply cut beard, eyes a piercing blue, a straight, pointed nose and straight flaxen hair cut clean at his shoulders.

He smiled, performing a perfect bow and his men followed, as did the child, though she curtsied.

Duke Francis rose and flashed a handsome smile, resting a hand on the pommel of the sword strapped to his leather belt embroidered with golden thread.

"Your graces" He boomed, his deep voice, thick with his accent but nonetheless clear "I am honoured to be invited to your beautiful court and hope that this day shall mark the beginning of a great alliance between the great nation of Brittany, England and the Holy Roman Empire"

"My Lady Wife and I thank you, Duke, for your attendance" Maximilian replied, holding out a hand to Marie which she took "and my court is honoured to host you and your esteemed entourage!" They inclined their heads and Francis returned the gesture.

"I think it time you were introduced to the one true King of England" Marie said and nodded to the guards by the door at the opposite end of the hall. Instantly they obeyed her signal and they hauled the doors open, the ancient wood creaking as they revealed the three York boys, Edward at the front, strikingly tall at six foot one, making him appear older than his thirteen years; confident, carrying his crown with pride.

The Duke and his men turned and the three brothers strode into the room,

John Neville stepped forward.

"Duke Francis of Brittany, I am honoured to present to you, Edward, by God's grace, King of England and of France and Lord of Ireland, accompanied his noble brothers, the Princes Richard and Charles, the true born sons of King Edward the Fourth of England and Queen Constance!"

Duke Francis and his men parted, allowing the three boys through as they reached the Dias and offered small bows to their sister and her husband who nodded in greeting. Motioning for his brothers to stand by John, he turned to the Duke and offered another bow which was amicably returned by him and all of his men.

"Duke" He began and Marie felt pride blossom in her chest at the command and confidence in his voice, instantly seizing the attention of the court "It is an honour to meet you a last and my great hope that we may be firm friends as well as strong allies for we are to be bound together in the eyes of God through our alliance"

Francis' lips curled upwards slightly, but his smile was not one of mockery, Marie noted, it was one of surprise, respect even.

"Thank you, King Edward. Now, it is my privilege to present to you, my daughter, the Lady Anna of Brittany"

She looked around, watching the doors again to see if the girl would make a grand entrance but instead her Father's men parted, revealing a small child in a cloth of silver dress and truncated hennin, the sheer veil floating down her back as did her hair. A beautiful colour it was, a honeyed blonde that went well with her light blue eyes. They were kind and warm. Her face was beautifully rounded, her cheeks plump and rosy with an adorable button nose.

In her hands she held a small bouquet of white roses and smiled shyly at her husband to be, walking forward and sinking into a deep curtsy.

"Your grace" Her voice was light and pretty, like clouds on a clear summer's day.
"My Lady" Edward replied and held out a chivalrous hand, helping her rise to her feet. Stood at full height, she was only just above his waist!
"I bring these white roses from my land as a symbol of our union and hope it may prove as beautiful and as fruitful as they are"

It was clear she'd been trained to say those words but that did not sour their sweetness and Marie put her free hand to her chest as Anne held out the roses to her brother and he took them.
"Thank you, Lady Anna" Smiling, he leant forward and kissed one of her rosy cheeks, taking her hand and brining her to his side so they faced the court together.

Her Father and Maximilian clapped and the court shook followed in riotous applause, smiling at the young couple.

"The betrothal ceremony shall commence once we have feasted to celebrate this happy union!" Marie announced and the Duke bowed, smiling triumphantly at his little daughter.

༻᯽༺

The tables were brought from the sides of the hall and the great one placed upon the dais with more chairs upon which the most important sat. Francis seated beside Marie, Anne beside him, then Cardinal Charles and Edward was beside Maximilian, with Richard, Charlie, then Phillip and Mary.

The food and wine were exquisite, the very best the courts cooks and vintners could conjure for the occasion! Courtiers danced in the centre of the hall and the air was alive with merry music and the sound of laughter, happy chatter amongst friends and family.

"And so you shall be the one to marry King Edward to my lovely daughter, your Eminence?" Duke Francis asked Charles who placed down his goblet.

"I am honoured to have been asked by her grace, my dear niece, to perform the rights of the betrothal and the wedding thereafter, your grace" He replied, smiling at little Anne who grinned happily back, swinging her little slippered feet back and forth under the tablecloth. Three cushions had had to be placed under her so that she could sit at table instead of being practically under it!

"I would not have anyone else, Uncle" Marie said, nodding to him before looking at Francis "This is a royal wedding, is it not? And who better to wed a King to his Queen than a Prince of our Holy Mother Church?"
"It certainly bodes well! A union truly blessed by God" He laughed and Marie politely laughed with him in agreement.

"Indeed it does! Now, I think it only right that the King and his future Queen dance together! A beautiful display of our unity before the betrothal ceremony"

"I think that a fine idea!" A voice said behind them and she turned to see Edward, crown still on his head, an affable smile on his lips "But first, if you will excuse us, I must speak with my sister. Alone"
Marie blinked in surprise but nodded all the same. He would not ask such a thing of her if it was not needed!

"Of course! Do excuse us for a moment,Duke" Francis gave a nod and a smile, turning to continue his conversation with Charles as Marie rose, following Edward as he stepped down from the dais and slipped through a door behind it that lead from the hall; walked along the corridor for a few paces before turning into a small chamber and closing the door once his sister had entered.

She turned, expecting to see his usual composed self but was instead met with an indignant frown.

"She is a child!" He hissed angrily, towering over her and Marie sighed, shaking her head.
"You are a child"
"I told she was a little younger than I!" He cried "She is younger than Aliénor for Christ's sake!"

"Lower your voice, Edward!" She snapped, the last thing they needed was her not-so-little brother scuppering their plans with his heated complaints!

He he huffed, gritting his teeth. The girl he'd been presented with was practically a baby, he thought, she would make a better match for his brothers! Could Marie have not thought of anyone better for him?

"That girl is younger than our youngest sister, does that not mean anything to you?" He asked, throwing his hands in the air "She is seven! Seven, Marie! And seven years younger than me, a year younger than Richard! She's barely left her crib!"
"Max is five years older than I!"
"You were not wed to him when you were still in swaddling!"

Marie sighed again rubbing at her forehead.
"We have spoken of this, brother, your marriage is a political alliance as all royal matches are, nothing more. The love of Mother and Father was a rarity! You are not expected to fawn over Anne like a lovesick maiden!" That only seemed to increase his ire.

"I shall not marry her!"
"You shall!" She returned sharply, taking him by the shoulders - though she had to reach upwards. She felt like shaking him "You shall marry her for England and for Mother and for our brothers and sisters and for Father! You shall marry her to secure your throne so that our blood is not put to the sword!" He was a child too, but she'd spent the past months explaining the complexities of politics to him and he'd learned much from their Uncle Dickon!

God help her if he now chose to inherit their Father's stubbornness!

"It is a heavy burden but you are a King and will shoulder many heavier than this!" She told him, allowing her voice to soften a little when he didn't shoot a sharp retort "Anne is young and so are you, I shall not deny it, but this alliance with Brittany will help secure your crown, Edward! And she shall grow, she will not always be a little girl! She has a sweet temperament and is pretty, in time that prettiness shall likely blossom into great beauty! She is intelligent too and it shall do you good to have a clever wife, someone whom you can always rely on for honest council if you do need it"

Edward didn't much care, he thought, and the years Anne would be grown were an eternity away!

"If you are worried of your fidelity towards her, that you are now bound to her forevermore, I shall never approve of our Father's offences against our dear Mother, but I, and all others, can see why you would stray when you lust after women as all young men do!" Marie continued "Many Kings keep mistresses and my resentment of our Father's actions, while I wish he did not betray our Mother, was created because he cavorted with the witch for numerous years, the woman who caused our Mother so much injury! I was no champion of Jane Shore either until she brought your brothers here to safety but she did not breed the same hatred Elizabeth did. She only wished to please her Lord and King, she did not seek to cause offence to her Queen. That is the type of woman you must choose if you desire to do so or simply stick to unknown whores. You must never ever allow insult to your Queen, if you take a mistress she must always be beneath Anne, never above"

While he blushed to think of it, Marie was hardly wrong. He had begun to see women differently and desire them, wonder what it would be like to kiss them, to touch them, but they were women grown or at least girls of a similar age to him!

Anne was....a child, much more suited to be his little sister than his wife and Queen! He wished to feel loved by another, to love another, as his Father loved his Mother, perhaps more, and possess feelings he could act upon but felt nothing but indifference towards Anne whom he was to be manacled to!

"You and Anne shall grow together upon your thrones and over time it is my hope that you may find friendship; trust within one another! Mother shall likely be the one to raise her so you could not hope for a finer Queen!"

He shook his head, a little calmer but still feeling rather indignant.
"I do not want a Queen" He muttered and his sister have another sigh, though it was more inclined to sadness than irritation.

"Well you have one" She told him, cupping his cheek with a gentle hand "And that shall not change! Neddy, you know the next months are to be hard, this alliance shall ease them. I do not take pleasure in this. I wish that you could grow as you would've done if Father were alive, had more choice in whom you wed, but that is not the path God has chosen for you, for us! I am with you in this, Edward, I always shall be! Have faith, Neddy, in the Lord and in me! You know I shall only ever do the best for you" He nodded.

"I know that....but I wish Father were here"
Her fingers stroked through the golden curls of his hair. He shouldn't have had to carry such a burden at his age. He should've been at Ludlow or Middleham with their Uncle, training with the sword and swooning over girls with his friends, not preparing to lead a full fledged invasion and kill his enemies to claim his throne!

Their Father should've still been alive.
But he wasn't.

"I do too, I miss him every day, but now we must fight for his legacy, for our House, and your marriage brings us one step closer to winning" She cocked her head to the side "Let us return to your bride, I expect all you need do is pass her a sweetmeat or two and she will be satisfied!"

At last, a small smile appeared on his face and he nodded, following her as she headed to the door.

"Or a poppet" He quipped, earning a laugh almost identical to their Mother's in warmth and tone. It hardened his resolve. With this marriage, he could see her again, embrace her again, ensure not one hair on her head was ever harmed again!

"Perhaps you should give her one?" Marie suggested.
"Perhaps I will!"