~ All Little Birds Fly the Nest~

June 1472, Westminster Palace....

Jacquetta Woodville, the matriarch of the Woodville clan, was dead. Constance didn't know how, nor did she care, all she knew was she'd died at Grafton and it brought peace to her heart.

Peering over the edge of the intricately carved cradle in the royal nursery, she gazed at her two month old daughter, one hand gently rocking the crib back and forth as she slept. Swaddled in white cotton, her rosy face visible from beneath the little cap she wore, Isabella was the picture of health, a robust little thing who knew exactly what she wanted!

Her Mother chuckled at the thought of her little squeals when she wanted feeding (far louder than James, Marie or Edward had been) and the little hands that would clasp tightly to her breast while she suckled, keeping her just where she wanted to be! Constance adored her.

"Ma Mére?" She turned at the sound of her eldest daughter's voice to see her entering the nursery with her little brother. His hand in hers, he unsteadily toddled by her side, a sight that had their Mother's heart melting in her chest. Now he was walking, he no longer donned the gowns of babyhood but a little velvet tunic and hose underneath paired with tiny red leather shoes on his feet!

He was growing, she mused, the thought bittersweet.

"Come to me, my loves" She greeted warmly, bending down to the floor and opening her arms wide. While Marie would usually rush into them, she waited for Edward. She knew he couldn't yet run, only just having taken his first steps alone two weeks prior and she encouraged each movement as he slowly crossed the room, beaming at his Mother.

"Mama!" He cooed when she finally enveloped the two in her warm embrace "My Mama"
"Yes, sweet boy" She replied, kissing his golden curls "And how are my two dearest loves today?"
"We are well, ma Mére!" Marie replied happily "Are we not, Neddy?"

"Neddy well" Edward agreed, pointing proudly to himself and Constance smiled.
"We thought we could see Isabella?" Marie continued "Neddy is fascinated by her, he wonders how she can be so small!"

"Small baby!" Her brother confirmed, trying to grab onto the cradle's legs so he could climb them. When he found he could not, he frowned, bottom lip sticking out and turned to his Mother "Up!" He demanded, thrusting his arms at her "Up! Up!"

Laughing, she lifted him up easily, settling him on her hip while Marie looked over the edge of her sister's crib, a small smile curving her lips. Just as Constance had thought, she was absolutely delighted to have a little sister! Day and night (when she was not with her brother) she watched over the little girl, singing her songs or reading Latin to her!

"She is intelligent!" She would tell her parents "I know it!"

"Hello, Issy" She now greeted, kissing the baby on the cheek and giggling when Isabella's emerald eyes fluttered open, her beautiful smile appearing at the sight of her elder sister.

"Sissy!" Edward babbled, reaching for her but Constance kept him on her hip. He'd held Isabella in the first days of her life but she didn't quite trust him with her. She didn't believe he would intentionally harm her, oh no, but he was curious and she was small.

"You can see her closer later" She told him gently "When I come to feed her next! She's just had a feed so she is tired now" Edward pursed his lips, nuzzling into her shoulder and she ran a hand over his hair, winding the curls around her fingers.

"Constance! Connie"

She turned quickly as Richard burst into the room, breathing heavily and a wide smile on his face, a letter with a broken seal in his hand.
"Richard!" She greeted in surprise "What brings you here?"

"I have it!" He replied triumphantly, striding further into the nursery "The papal dispensation for me to marry Anne! I have it!" He showed her the paper he held and her heart was filled with joy.
"My dear brother!" She rejoiced, setting Edward down to pull Richard into a hug "I am so happy for you!"

The dispensation had been something he'd been eager to get since February since he and Anne had run away four months prior, or rather, she had. He'd returned to Eltham less than a day after her disappearance with George immediately on his heels demanding to know where his ward was.

And he told him, a smile on his face, for where Anne was George couldn't touch her. She was in sanctuary at St Martin Le Grand. George was utterly furious but true to his word, the King didn't lift a finger to help, rather he sat back and watched the events unfold with amusement. The only action he did take was giving Richard permission to marry Anne in March which of course caused George to practically explode with rage!

Richard certainly didn't care, he was the happiest anyone had ever seen him!
"When are you to be wed?" Constance asked eagerly and Richard smiled, tucking the dispensation in the front of his doublet.
"Next month, though I don't know how I shall wait!"

"Then I shall get to work immediately!" She replied happily "I have gifts to commission and words to prepare, it must've been a difficult time for her" Richard shrugged.

"I suppose, but much less difficult than being here"

༻᯽༺

12th of July 1472, St Martin Le Grand....

As Constance rode through the streets of London in her carriage, surrounded by mounted guards, she waved to the people that recognised the royal banners, throwing coins from her purse and smiling. They called their infinite love to her as always crying 'God save the Queen!' as loudly as their voices would allow.

"They adore you!" Isabella Ingoldisthorpe chuckled as she listened to the people "Truly"
"And I am grateful for their love!" Constance replied, throwing another handful of coins to those by the roadside, eliciting a great cheer "I do hope Anne is well" She continued, placing her purse on the seat beside her and sighing "Did we bring all of her gifts?"

"You know we did!" Isabella teased, nodding to the pile of presents wrapped in blue silk sitting next to the Queen "and she shall love them!"
"I hope so" Constance murmured, beginning to twist her rings. She never thought she'd be so nervous at the prospect of meeting her little protégé again but she found her stomach winding itself into knots!

She remembered how much she'd changed when she'd last seen her, how desolate and guarded she'd looked and sounded. But that was over a year ago now and, perhaps since she'd been recused, the bright spark in her had returned somewhat?

"I shall understand if she is angry with me, I promised myself I would protect her and I failed. I left her in the hands of George and God knows what would've happened to her if she'd been left there!"
"You we're going to rescue her but Richard took her first!" Isabella countered but her word's did nothing to soothe the Queen.

"I still should've done it sooner" She murmured, chiding herself "I shouldn't have waited until danger was looming over her - she had to flee that very night because George planned to send her into a nunnery Richard told me!"

"That certainly is George" The Countess sighed "but Anne will not find you at fault, I'm sure of it"
"I'm glad someone is!"

When they finally reached the abbey, Constance climbed out of the carriage with an air of trepidation, looking at the stone entrance building where the Abbess stood to greet her.

"Your grace" The old woman said, her grey hair tucked beneath a starched wimple, the skirts of her pristine black and white robes billowing as she curtsied "We are honoured to welcome you to St Martin Le Grand"
"Thank you" Constance replied, crossing herself as she and Isabella followed her inside, a guard carrying Anne's gifts behind them.

While entrance and the walls surrounding the abbey, the four buildings inside surrounding the gardens were wooden, whitewashed and timber framed. It was a pretty place with an aura of peace she wagered none could break and instantly felt herself relax a little.

"How is the Lady Anne?" She asked as the Abbess lead them through the buildings, all filled with nuns who curtsied as the royal party passed "Is she well, is she happy?"

"She is a quiet girl, your grace, but very gracious and kind. She always livens when his grace, the Duke of Gloucester, calls upon her" She sent the Queen a small smile "She shall make a happy bride this day, your grace" Constance returned her smile, lifting her skirts as they ascended a small set of steps to the top floor of the third building "This is Lady Anne's room, your grace, I shall leave you to your visit"

The Queen nodded and, once the woman was gone, slowly reached for the handle, opening the door, she forced herself inside, taking a breath that turned into a gasp as a pair of lithe arms threw themselves around her. Honey hair tickled her nose and a relived laugh reached her ears.

"Constance!" Anne cried, pulling away to see if her eyes told her true "Oh, Connie, you came to me! I feared you would not!"

"I...." Constance began as Anne swept a deep curtsy, the light pink velvet of her skirts highlighting the renewed rosiness in her cheeks. Her eyes were still darker, when she glanced up, no longer harbouring the glow of youth but she looked well, more than that, she looked happy "Of course I did!" The Queen managed and Anne beamed at her, taking her hand and leading her to the small four poster bed she had where they sat.

"I shall leave you" Isabella said with a smile, instructing the soldier to leave the gifts on nearby coffer before they departed.

"I hope I was not too forward, your grace!" Anne said with a small smile "It was just, I was so relieved to see you! Particularly on this day!"
"Not at all" Constance laughed, the knots in her stomach unwinding easily "We are friends are we not?"
"I'd hoped so and I'm glad we are!"

She gazed at the youngest daughter of Warwick, quickly pulling her into a second hug as a wave of relief washed over her. She was safe, Anne was safe.
"I'm so sorry" She whispered "I'm so sorry I didn't help you, that I didn't rescue you"

"George is the slipperiest of serpents" Anne sighed, pulling away after a moment "and besides, you have had matters of your own to attend to" She smiled again "Dickon tells me you have welcomed a Princess into the world? Constance beamed at the thought of her delightful daughter and nodded eagerly.

"Isabella!" She said proudly "Princess Isabella of York! She is a beautiful child and I hope you shall meet her! But first" She rose from the bed, wandering over to the pile of presents "we must see you wed!"

"Are those truly for me?" Anne breathed, gazing at the silk-wrapped packages and Constance nodded, lifting the largest into her arms. Anne had no Father nor a present Mother to see her happiest day so she would make it special, she was determined to.

The silk contained something she hoped would delight her young friend. She'd spent weeks on the design and employed only the best to craft it.

"I've brought you books, jewels, silks for sewing but it's is your wedding day, Anne, one of your choosing this time, I hope?" Anne nodded enthusiastically and her heart warmed even more "Well" She continued, sitting again "then you must have something special"

Placing the heavy package in Anne's lap, the sixteen year old slowly slid the ribbon binding it away and the velvet unfolded, revealing reams of deep crimson silk damask trimmed with white fur. Her wedding dress. In the colours of her family.

"Oh, Connie, she whispered, standing and holding the beautiful gown up to see it in its full glory. Cloth of gold made the under sleeves and the same damask as her gown crafted long hanging sleeves over them that brushed the floor. Cloth of gold crafted the embroidered sash at the waist, depicting emblems of her House and of York too, most notably the bear and ragged staff of Warwick and Richard's white boar.

"Oh, Connie" Anne whispered again and when she turned to her, Constance realised she was crying "Thank you!" She cried and threw herself into the Queen's arms again, burying her face in her soft neck for a moment "Thank you so much"

"I brought one of my circlets to match" Constance replied when Anne pulled away "blue slippers for luck and jewels too. They are another gift from me to you, I shall help you prepare! I shall help you dress, comb out your hair...."

"But that is the task of a ladies maid!" Anne interrupted, aghast, but the Queen only smiled, taking her hand.
"It is the task of a friend....and of a sister"

True to her word, Constance helped her ready for her wedding, having the nuns bring up water for a warm bath and washing Anne's long hair in the same expensive oils she herself used. Once she was out and dry, she placed a silk shift over the young bride's head and put on her stockings and shoes: helped her step into her heavy gown, tying the silk laces on the back.

With a beautiful ivory comb, she brushed out Anne's soft hair until the honey coloured waves shone, flowing in a silky river to her slim waist. Gently, she set the ruby and pearl circlet on her head and placed the matching necklace she'd brought around her slender neck, sliding rings onto her fingers.

"You look beautiful" She whispered as Anne stared at herself in the dusty mirror hanging on her wall "A true royal Duchess" The girl blushed and Constance took her hand again, leading her to the bed where they sat "Now, as your Mother is not here....I believe I have things to speak to you about....I know you have been married before but have you ever laid with a man?"

Anne's blush darkened and she slowly nodded.
"Only....only once, on my wedding night. Marguerite of Anjou wished for my marriage to Prince Edward be consummated and so it was" She explained "He tried to be gentle but it was painful all the same though he apologised for my discomfort before leaving. He did not bed me again"

"I see" Constance murmured, nodding. She'd rather hoped she'd been spared being bedded at all as she'd only been fourteen but for political alliances to be sealed they had to be consummated. At least he hadn't been rough with her she supposed "With Richard it will be different"

"You are sure?"
She nodded.
"When love is entered into the equation, all manner of things are possible, Anne, most of all, your pleasure. Richard will give it to you" Anne frowned slightly, biting her lip out of embarrassment.

"Is it....right? To feel pleasure?" She asked "While in sanctuary, he has shown me....many things during his visits, things I can hardly describe but brought such bliss! I was taught such feelings were wrong"

Constance smiled, remembering her own education on the sin of pleasure that should be avoided at all costs.
"As was I" She admitted "but, as my dear sister Isabella told me on my wedding night, I believe God would not make it pleasurable if he didn't intend it to be that way....do you love him?"

Her blush returned, this time scorching her cheeks red, hot.

"I...."
Constance laughed.
"Truths of the heart are often more difficult to tell than lies" She said, deciding to ask a far simpler question "Are you happy?"

"I am" Anne answered, quickly and sincerely enough to ensure the Queen she was telling the truth and it made her heart sing "I most certainly will be!" She continued "Richard loves me....and I love him!"

The song in her heart turned to a crescendo, a thousand instruments playing the happiest tune she could've hoped for for Anne!
"Then your happiness is as sure as your pleasure"

"He says we shall live at Middleham Castle part of the year when the Prince is a little older!" Anne continued, her excitement roused and some of the childlike expressions Constance had always known returning to her face.

"Then you are going home!"
"Yes!" She laughed gleefully before her voice softened a little and she peered up at the Queen with large eyes "Will...will you visit me, Connie?"

Constance's heart swelled in her chest, the offer making tears spring to her eyes.

"Of course I will!" She promised, taking Anne's hands "Ah, I still remember the day I first met you. I was pregnant with James and you, a tiny little thing, toddled into the chamber where I was resting, crawling into my lap. Now look at you, you are a woman!" Sighing, she leant in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead "I am very proud of you, Annie"

༻᯽༺

St Stephen's Chapel, Westminster Palace....

Very few stood in the pews of the chapel that morning - the King, the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Dowager Duchess of York, The Queen's ladies in waiting and their husbands, the Archbishop of York (Anne's Uncle who would perform the ceremony) and of course, the groom, dressed in a dashing cloth of gold doublet.

The bride was lead by John Neville, a rather sad smile on his face when he looked at his niece who hung onto his arm, small hands shaking with excitement or nerves, he couldn't tell.

He as well as any knew it should be his brother who gave her away. The weather was fine, lighting the stained glass windows so the beams cascaded in an array of colours onto the stone floor - just like at the King and Queen's own wedding!

Before the young bride walked Marie in a pale blue gown, scattering white rose petals on the ground from a little basket she held. She joined her parents when she reached the front pew, setting the basket at her feet and beaming at the bride as John gave her over to her new husband at the alter. The young couple smiled shyly at one another.

"Vous souvenez-vous de notre mariage?" 'Do you remember our wedding?' Edward whispered as the Archbishop began his drone of Latin and Constance smiled in fond remembrance.

"Comment pourrais-je oublier?" 'How could I forget?' She whispered back "J'avais quinze ans et j'étais terrifiée, je ne pense pas avoir jamais bu autant que cette nuit-là avant que tu ne me couches! Mais quand même, je compte ce jour comme mon plus chanceux" 'I was fifteen and terrified, I don't think I've ever drunk so much as I did that night before you bedded me! But still, I count that day as my luckiest'

Her smile widened as his arm slipped about her waist, discreetly holding her close and she placed her hand atop his, their hearts warming when their fingers easily intertwined.

"Pensez-vous qu'ils seront heureux?" 'Do you think they will be happy?' He asked, watching as Richard and Anne exchanged rings, a heated blush staining both their cheeks. He was almost tempted to chuckle.

"S'ils sont deux fois moins amoureux l'un de l'autre que je le suis de toi, Ned, alors ils seront vraiment très heureux" 'If they are half as much in love with each other as I am with you, Ned, then they shall be very happy indeed' Constance replied and his smile widened.

Just as she did, he counted their wedding day as his luckiest too.

༻᯽༺

August 1472, Westminster Palace....

"Ah, look at him!" Edward enthused as he showed his son how to hold the reins of the small grey pony he sat atop in the courtyard "He's a fine horseman already!"

Despite his joy, Constance couldn't find it in herself to smile - she hadn't been able to muster the joy for almost a month to the day, ever since her precious son had turned two. While it marked a celebrated milestone, it also sent an arrow straight to her heart for it meant he was soon to be taken from her and almost that dreaded time had come.

In less than two weeks, Prince Edward was to depart the capital with the newly wed Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and be taken to Ludlow castle where he would be raised. Ludlow was so far away, Constance lamented daily, the thought casting her into a melancholy mood. It was no easy ride nor would news from the castle travel fast!

Her heart and mind were filled with fears she prayed daily wouldn't come to fruition but, as she knew, while Richard and Anne would do all they could to protect him, there were some things mortal men couldn't fend off.

They couldn't fend off a fever.
They couldn't fend off the will of God.

As such thoughts stirred in her mind again, she took her boy's hand, gently kissing the soft skin and he beamed at her, twisting in his little saddle.
"Mama!" He said, dropping the reins entirely to reach for her "Neddy want my Mama!"

"I'm here, sweet boy" She replied, immediately sweeping him into her arms to hold him close "I'm here, Edward, I will always be here" The sad truth of it was that she wouldn't be and, while she'd promised to write to him every day, she couldn't help but cry herself to sleep at night on the thought that, in time, he would forget her.

Anne and Richard would tell him of her, he would learn to read her letters but with such little memorable time in her presence as the years slipped by, she would become a distant figure to him, one to merely admire as she did the characters in her books as a child.

Admire, not love.

As she held him, two tears rolled heavily down her cheeks and little Edward sat up in her arms, a little frown on his face.

"Why Mama sad?"
Sniffing, she smiled at him through her blurred vision, kissing his button nose.
"Because I love you so much, sweet boy. You are my treasure and I bid you never forget it"
"Never" He repeated but she knew he couldn't keep to such a promise.

"Come now, my love" His Father murmured as he caught her tears after handing his son's pony to a groom "do not weep"
"How can I not?" She whispered, clutching Edward tighter "How can I not when you know what will happen?"

"Connie, I know it is hard but do not let his last memories of you for some time be one's of tears and sadness"

A sob caught in her throat at that and she smothered it in her son's tunic, trying to force away her tears. The last thing she wanted was for her son to remember her as sad. Once she'd steadied her breathing, she looked up again and forced herself to smile.

"Mama is just being silly" She told the child in her arms "Do you like your pony, my love?" Edward nodded and she looked up as a flock of doves flew overhead "Look, Neddy!" She enthused, pointing to the sky "Look at the little birds!"

"Birdies!" He giggled, clapping, looking to his Father once they were out of sight.
"Papa hold Neddy!" He demanded and the King grinned, gently taking him from his Mother and setting him on his shoulder just as he knew he liked.

Constance sighed, watching Father and son as they wandered back to the Princes' new pony and trying not to let tears overwhelm her again. She would save them for when night fell.

"Your grace?"

She turned to see Lord Stanley and her stomach lurched with dislike but she accepted his low bow all the same with a nod, clasping her hands before her.

"My Lord Stanley, I hope you are settling in well after your return to court?"
The man smiled as always.
"Indeed I am, your grace!" He said merrily "And may I introduce my new wife to you? Lady Margaret Stanley!"

Constance's eyes flicked to a woman beside him, dressed in a blue gown so dark it resembled the black hue of her hair which was gathered in a netted coif of the same colour. She had big, dark brown eyes and skin so pale it was almost translucent - she looked made for winter, not for the summer sun.

Around her slender hands was wrapped a rosary much like the Queen's own and a golden chain lay around her neck, it's crucifix pendant resting on the bodice of her dress. Bending her head, she curtsied deeply.

"Your grace" Her voice was low but possessed something that drew Constance to it, prompting her to keep watching the woman as she rose.
"Lady Stanley" She greeted "Congratulations upon your marriage, I hope it blesses you both"

The woman bowed her head at that in something one would usually take as respect but Constance saw as sadness "Tis a fine match, my Lord" She said, nodding to Stanley "If you will excuse me, I should like to become acquainted with your Lady wife" He practically beamed brighter than the sun at that and swept a bow she wagered would make his nose brush the floor if he went much lower before sauntering away, triumph in his step.

"I hope his grace, the Prince of Wales is well?" Margaret asked after a few moments of silence and Constance nodded, forcing herself to smile again.

"He is and I thank the Lord every day for it as does my husband, the King! He is two now so shall be moved to Ludlow soon with his own household to be raised by the Duke of Gloucester" She thought she masked the sadness in her voice well but Margaret appeared to see right through her veil of poise and reaching out, placed a hand on her arm.

"It is tradition but I am still sorry for it, your grace" She said and Constance found she didn't doubt the sincerity in her voice "Losing a child is hard, not being able to cradle a living one day after day is perhaps harder" Her gentle words made tears prick the Queen's eyes again and she was about to reach for her handkerchief when Margaret offered her own.

"Here, your grace" She said pressing it into her palm "And, if it pleases you, I shall pray for the Prince's prosperity as I shall for your happiness"

Constance blinked, moved greatly by this mysterious woman and, dabbing away her tears, a genuine smile overtook her lips.
"Thank you, Lady Margaret"