~To France~

Two days. That was how long it had been since the argument between the Queen and the Duchess of Gloucester.

The news had spread like wildfire, each courtier recanting their own tale with a little more exuberance than the last to keep their listeners enthralled. Some said that the Queen had struck her sister, some said the Duchess had struck the Queen. Nothing was truly for certain apart from one thing.

Almost all had sided with the Eleanor. For the fact that she had stood up to the Queen if for nothing else for none knew the true story!

The murmurs of support for her had been quiet at first for most were afraid of the Queen's wrath, well aware of what she could do to those that were out of favour with her as the Duchess most certainly now was. But over the two days since the incident, the allies of Eleanor had grown and grown in number until it seemed the whole court were singing her praises!

Especially George.

He had been bouncing around the palace like an excited bunny!

The dislike for Elizabeth at court had always been a staunch truth between the nobles, so now that they had found one so powerful as a royal Duchess (and one of the 'Woodville brood' at that) they all seemed prepared to begin risking their positions a little more.

Neither the Queen nor the Duchess knew of this sudden shift in the court's loyalty for they had been shut in their rooms for the previous two days, each throughly shaken by their confrontation.

It was just past sunset as Eleanor settled herself by the evening fire in she and Richard's chambers, her fingers drumming on the silver goblet she held. Her husband sat beside her as she stared into the flames, his hand interlaced with her free one while he gently stroked her knuckles with his thumb.

They were to leave for France in the morning with the rest of the English army and the King and both were throughly glad of it. For not only did it mean escape from London it meant escape from Elizabeth. Upon her return to their chambers two days prior, they had not shared the loving reunion both longed for but Eleanor had merely fled into Richard's arms, her heart pounding and ears rushing with her sister's words.

She had confessed (almost) everything to him immediately and he had been surprised (though rather impressed) to hear of what had transpired but had agreed with her when she had admitted that she felt it had to be done. He had long since rather resented Eleanor's loyalty to her sister and was glad it was now broken.

The pair had talked into the small hours, agreeing that the sooner they were able to get away from Westminster the better. Court was not safe for them with a raging Elizabeth who may be seeking vengeance around every corner and they would certainly be out of favour for a time.

Eleanor suggested that she may be able to bring Edward to her side, knowing that he had always cared for her and with the French war they would be together most of the time. As long as Elizabeth hadn't been able to poison his mind by the time they set sail!

As the hours past she found herself beginning to fear what her punishment from Elizabeth truly would be for she was sure now that her words and actions would not go simply unnoticed. How could they be? She had always thought woe betide anyone who questioned her sister's power as Queen and she had done just that, more than that.

Her primary concern was for her children. What if Elizabeth chose to turn her anger upon them? With a form of curse? She was not sure if Elizabeth would turn her magic upon her own, against another daughter of Melusina yet she could not fully put it past her.

What if she laid down a curse that would harm her babes? Her little ones? Eleanor could not bear the thought, pushed it away every time it entered her mind for she could not allow this fear to grow. If it did it would only consume her for she could not admit it to Richard! How could she without revealing her own actions and that of the rest of her family?

No, the quicker they could leave for France (and after that the North) the better.

Now as she and Richard sat by the fire, she turned to look at him, smiling softly as their gaze's locked and she felt him squeeze her hand.
"Do you love me, Richard?" She asked "truly?"

A certain surprise lit Richard's eyes at the question but he did not hesitate to respond, bringing her hand to his lips as he nodded.
"Truly, Leena" he told her, pleased that she seemed to relax at his word's, her worried expression softening slightly "and you?" He continued, playfully arching an eyebrow "do you love me truly, Duchess?"

Her lips quirked upwards and she placed down her goblet by her chair before turning back to him.
"I do, my Lord" she returned lightly as she leant forward to brush a kiss against his warm lips "just as I always shall, now shall we go to bed? I fear we shall not get much sleep on the ship tomorrow!"

Their hands still joined, Richard let Eleanor raise him from his seat as she led him towards their bed. She was quick to discard her gown, letting the material fall from her body with a heavy sigh as if it had been a burden for her to carry all day. She kicked her shoes to one side, sliding her stockings off with ease before she decided to discard her chemise as well. It was too hot for such things!

Scrunching up the embroidered linen in her hands, she turned around, throwing the ball of material at Richard with a giggle, almost applauding as he caught it. Tossing it to one side he removed his shirt, leaving him naked too and almost grinned when he found Eleanor's eyes wandering up and down his body, her bottom lip pulled absentmindedly between her teeth.

"Are you sure it is sleeping you wish to partake in tonight, sweetheart?" He teased as he caught her hand, bringing her up against his chest. Lust flickered in her green eyes for a moment, considering her options while her hands glided down his chest, lightly tracing the lines of the muscles and making his pulse quicken slightly.

"I am sure, though you do tempt me, sweetheart" she said at last, smiling as he nodded and swept her into his arms, carrying her to their bed before he placed her down and lay next to her, pulling the covers up around them. Eleanor lay her head on his chest, trailing one of her hands slowly around it while her fingers danced patterns on his skin "it frightens me to watch you go to war, though I am coming with you" she admitted after a moment and Richard raised his head from the pillow a little.

"Frightens you?" He repeated quietly, slipping an arm around her waist so that she could cuddle closer to him "there are times when I don't think you fear anything!"

"You know that's not true, dear heart" she murmured "I am afraid of many things....but I couldn't bear to lose you now, not now that we are happy and loved by one another" she raised herself up onto one of her elbows, brushing her hair over her shoulders while Richard gazed up at her.

"And we have our children!" he added, tone lightening as it always did when he spoke of them "Bess, Matilda, George and little William" he chuckled "Tis to be George's first birthday in two days!"
"I know" Eleanor sighed as a rather sad expression swept over her features "I wish we could be with him! I know that he would probably not know if it was his birthday or next Tuesday but...."

"But you wish to be with him to see his little face beaming adoringly up at you!"
Eleanor felt herself smile a little as she nodded, finding it endearing, as always, that Richard seemed to be able to read her thoughts so easily.
"Exactly" she confirmed, brushing the stray curls that had fallen over Richard's forehead away from his face "though I have arranged for celebrations which is why Anais and Marie are not with me!"

"Ah" he mused "I had rather wondered why your two disciples were not with you"
"My two disciples?" Eleanor giggled, snuggling down into Richard's arms once more "that I am sure is a form of blasphemy! Still, they are supposed to be arriving in London tomorrow and shall join us for the voyage to France and beyond!"

"I'm glad, if it makes you happy, Leena" He murmured, tucking her head under his chin "but I must admit, I am troubled as you know by George's call to arms. I fear that if he gains the regency of France that he has requested of Edward he will reach for more...."

"I remember" Eleanor replied, the sleep that had begun to gather in her mind fleeing in an instant at the suggestion of more treason "you mentioned it in your letter to me. Do you truly think George would seek to take England for himself?"
"If he does then we will have another rebellion on our hands and I do not think that Ned will be so forgiving to our brother were he to test his fate on the wheel of treason a third time!"

Eleanor frowned, though she knew Richard spoke the truth. If George did decide to grasp at the crown once more she did not think that the King would welcome him back with open arms. And Elizabeth would certainly not allow it, though that fact mattered little to her now.

She knew she would fight for George's life no matter what the circumstances came to be.

"Let is not speculate on what may come with George's greed, love" she concluded at last "let us focus on this war before we take sides on nonexistent ones!" Richard hummed in agreement, though he was still troubled and sat up for a moment to blow out the candle next to their bed, plunging the pair into darkness.

"Goodnight, sweet love" he whispered as he lay down again, smiling as Eleanor nuzzled into his neck.
"Goodnight, Dickon" she murmured.

꧁꧂

"When I return I will bring you whatever you wish, mon petit" George said as he knelt on one knee before Eliza, tucking a strand of raven hair behind her ear. The little girl grinned at her Father, shuffling from foot to foot, her slippers tapping on the stone floor.

They were stood in the stable block, the horses already waiting for them in the courtyard, with Eleanor watching them from the door, a smile on her face "So tell me" George continued "what do you wish for me to bring you from overseas?"

Looking up a little, Eliza's eyes finally settled on the sapphire and ruby pin that George had on his velvet cap; found her little hand reaching up towards it.
"A gem like this one, Papa" she said softly, patting the precious jewels held together with delicate gold "to remind me of you"

At once, George's features lit up, his eyes glowing with love and with pride as he gathered Eliza into his arms, pressing soft kisses to her cheeks while she giggled.
"If that is what you want then I shall bring it home to you!"
"Just bring yourself home, Father, that is all I truly want!" Eliza laughed, not noticing the tears that filled his eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him before she hopped to the ground once more.

Running over to Eleanor, she curtsied prettily to her before skipping to the carriage that had a nurse waiting inside to take her back to Middleham. George slowly rose to his feet, pushing back his tears as he adjusted his sword belt and walked towards the stable door.

"She loves you" Eleanor said, placing a hand on his arm as he passed her "and she wants for you to come back so do not do anything stupid, George, for her sake if for no one else's" her words were spoken with an edge of jest to her voice, though there was a sincerity in her eyes that George could not ignore and so he nodded.

Eleanor returned the nod before he suddenly put on one of his best smiles and strolled out into the courtyard, greeting Edward with a fond embrace and a merry laugh, while she searched for Richard. He was walking down the palace steps, pulling on his gauntlets as he went, though held such a serious look on his face that his wife was sure it could dampen even the brightest of the summer days they had been blessed with!

He was worrying again, she realised as he signalled for his horse, though payed no real attention to what he was doing, simply went through the motions like clockwork. Eleanor wished there was something she could do to ease his stress but the only real balm to his nerves would be that of the calming breeze of the North!

Only once they were returned to Middleham would he relax fully, but still, she was determined to think of a way to distract him in the meantime. Perhaps Anais or Marie would provide ideas? She was about to walk over to greet him when she suddenly found herself pulled aside into the stables once more, the door slamming behind her as she came face to face with her sister.

"Elizabeth" she greeted cooly despite the blatant shock of the Queen's appearance that had made her heart threaten to break through her chest.
Elizabeth's eyes searched her own, looking accusingly at the Duchess before she stepped forward.

"Do not forget the power I hold, Eleanor" she said quietly any trace of the warmth that coated her voice when she usually spoke to her little sister gone entirely, replaced with a bitterness that would never truly fade "you do not want me as your enemy"

"I do not seek you as my enemy" Eleanor replied "if you wish to make me into one then that is your choice" The Queen merely arched an eyebrow at her words before she swept past her, flinging open the door and disappearing into the courtyard "Heaven help me" was all Eleanor could think to say.