~Poor George~

"I have failed" Eleanor murmured miserably as Anais brushed out her hair, for once her face unsmiling as she noticed her Lady's misery. "George is to be executed. The only things Edward has relinquished are that George can chose the method of his own death and that I am allowed to see him, though what I will say I don't know"

"But you tried, your grace!" She said gently. "surely that is vhat matters most?" Eleanor shook her head.
"Trying will not keep him alive Anna....but thank you"

"Vhat of Duke Richard?" Anais asked, beginning to arrange the copper curls into a neat braid, her hands, skilled at their work, moving quickly. "vhere has he gone?" Eleanor frowned slightly. Where had Richard gone? He had left a quarter of an hour ago in silence and had not returned. Perhaps he had gone to try once more with Edward?

"He will be back soon, where ever he is" she sighed, draping her finished braid over one shoulder and smiling a little at her friend "he would not leave me tonight and I do not think he wants to be alone either" she was right for but a moment later Richard walked into the chamber but the raven haired girl he had at his side made Eleanor gasp.

"Eliza!" She cried as the girl ran at her, wrapping her arms around her Aunt's waist as Eleanor stared at her and then Richard "how is she here?" She asked, stunned "it takes three weeks at the very least to travel from Middleham to here yet George's....his fate was only announced today"

"You know that I thought George might turn up?" Richard murmured and Eleanor nodded. "well I sent for Eliza a week after we made for here, just in case"
"Well I'm beyond glad that you did! But was she by herself this whole time?!"
"Of course not! She had our guards with her and..."

"And me" Eleanor looked to the door once more as fourteen year old George Neville sidled into the chamber. A shy smile on his face "she rode pillion with me the whole time, Eleanor, though I think I may have a permanent bruise around my waist from it!"

"Well thank God for you, Georgie!" She sighed with a small smile, releasing one arm from Eliza to welcome him into her embrace. He came without hesitance, a proud look on his face as he kissed her cheek. Georgie was a quiet boy, thoughtful, rather like Richard if you were to place him in a room full of strangers though Georgie was quiet with even those he knew best!

He took pleasure in hunting and riding and all kinds of sports which he excelled at but he mostly preferred to follow Richard (whom he had come to idolise) around Middleham, hanging on his every word as if it were gospel.

And hanging onto his every word was Eleanor's own George and John, who followed him as monks follow God! They looked up to him, saw him as the perfect knight (whom he was becoming more and more each day) and both Richard and Eleanor knew that John and Isabel would be proud to see him thus in their care.

"Thank you, mon cher" she said as he walked back to Richard and Georgie nodded, trying to hide the proud blush that stained his cheeks at her words; became fiercer as Richard patted him on the back as if he were an equal.

"Is Papa in trouble?" Eliza asked as she looked up, her arms still around her Aunt's waist. She felt her heart drop as she nodded; hung her head slightly. Georgie had told her all the way from Middleham that all would be well! That her Father would be well! But it was clear from the look her Aunt and Uncle exchanged that her Father was not well.

'It's strange' she thought as she glanced between them 'they think I don't notice their unease....but I do'

꧁꧂

His back pressed firmly against the wall as he sat, stone cold against his skin that was covered only by his shirt, George looked around his cell. It wasn't the worst thing he could imagine, he had to admit. The bed was rather large, the sheets clean and fresh, the floor covered with carpets and he even had his own desk, though he had no use for it.

He looked at the wall opposite him. Straight lines of charcoal marked it. One mark for each day he had been in the Tower. One day closer to his death.

One....

Two....

Three....

Four....

Five....

The fourth line had a cross underneath it for that had been the day he had found out his fate.

Execution.

At first he had not believed it. That his own brother would condemn him to death. That he would die a traitor and be known as a traitor throughout the land although many already thought of him as such. Picking up the silver goblet by his legs he took a sip of the malmsey wine that filled it, relishing the bitter taste on his tongue.

It would not be long until he would no longer be able to taste. Or hear. Or breathe for that matter for he would be dead. Dead and buried at the hands of his own brother! Did he believe in God any longer, he wondered as he took another sip. He was no longer sure and if heaven and hell were real but he was sure he would be sent straight to the latter for his sins.

At least he knew Elizabeth would join him there sooner or later, though he more he reflected on that fact, the more he wondered if it were funny or a curse. Perhaps that would be the torture the devil would dish out to him? To be trapped with Elizabeth Woodville for all eternity!

To see those calculating green eyes, those cold elegant hands and that empty smile each day would surely drive him insane if he hadn't been sent mad already! She was the reason Edward had condemned him to death, George was sure of that for his brother would not have done such a thing if she had not poisoned his mind against him.

Edward had his rants and his rages but murder of his kin was not in his nature. Not unless someone had convinced him to act otherwise. That someone being his witch of a wife!

Had anyone defended him? Tried to overturn the verdict? Had Richard tried? Had his Mother? Had Leena? What would happen to Eliza after he was gone?

How would his Bella react? Would she mourn him? Would she weep as he would have for her?He had loved her. He had always loved her and he would go to his death doing so. But would she go to her death loving him? George frowned and finished his wine, throwing the goblet carelessly aside.

What would happen to Maggie? To his little Edward? Would they become wards of the crown? Offered up to noble guardians like cattle? He grimaced as he thought of the fates that could befall his children but had no chance to linger on them as the jangle of keys made his ears prick up and the door to his cell swung open.

"Papa!" Eliza shrieked as she ran into the room, arms outstretched while George jumped to his feet, almost not believing his eyes as he caught his daughter, lifting her high into the air "Papa! They cannot take you from me! I will not let them! You must come back to Middleham!"

Behind her walked Eleanor, her usual quick pace slowed by grief as she looked at her brother, head tilted as her eyes filled with tears. She knew this was the last time she would ever see him. The last time Eliza would ever see him.

"You brought her to me?" George gasped as Eliza clung to him with all her strength.
"Of course I did!" Eleanor returned, moving forward and wrapping her arms around his neck as Eliza had done "in truth it was Richard who ordered her brought to Westminster so it is him you must thank!"

"Is he here? With you?" He felt his heart sink as she shook her head. It was strange, he and Richard had spent most of their adult life as rivals and as enemies during the wars yet now he wanted to see him, wanted to thank him.

"He's still trying to make Edward relent" George smiled at that. So Dickon had tried for him! "I have tried and so has your Mother. Bella would too if she were here!"

"Try for what?" Eliza asked as her Father finally lowered her to the floor and she ran over to the bed, settling herself on the comfy covers. The two adults glanced at one another and Eleanor shook her head. Both she and Richard had tried to explain what was happening but the eight year old had not understood. Not truly "Aunt Leena says you are going away?"

George's brows furrowed as he went to sit beside his daughter, copying her crossed legs as he took her small hand in his large one and nodded.
"I am, mon petit" he said slowly. It was clear it pained him to say those words "but you mustn't worry. We will meet again someday. And even if I am not with you, I will always love you"

"But you have already been away so long, Father!" Eliza complained with a frown "a whole year! Away! Why must you go? Why can't you stay with me?" Before he could answer, the door to his cell was thrust open and a guard strode in.

"Time is up, your grace" he said but Eleanor shook her head, watching as Eliza shuffled towards George, wrapping her arms around him as if to meld him to her.
"Just five more minutes?" She asked but the guard shook his head.
"Tis the King's orders" he said stoutly and Eleanor sighed as George stood, Eliza in his arms.

"I will take care of her, I swear" she promised as Eliza was passed to her, though the little girl tried to cling to her Father; little hands grasping at his shirt.
"Father?" She asked, her eyes wide with worry as George pressed a kiss to her forehead, tears filling his eyes though he tried to push them back.

"Goodbye, mon petit" he said softly, curling a lock of his hair around his finger but Eliza shook her head, her lower lip beginning to tremble as she reached for him again.

"Don't say that, Papa" she whispered "not now, not ever! I cannot do without you....not without Mama" George smiled slightly through his sadness as his eyes fell on the pendant around her neck, the same one he had brought back from France for her; the same as the pin on his hat.

"You are a Clarence, Eliza" he told her firmly, trying not to burst into sobs at the sight of Eliza's distress and the tears that were quickly beginning to slide down her pale cheeks, dripping onto her gown.
"I'd rather not be a Clarence if it means I can stay with you" she wept "why can you not stay? Come back to Middleham with us?" George shook his head sadly.

"I will take care of her" Eleanor said again "and your Margaret and Edward. I will care for them all!"
"I know you will" he said gently "I will miss you Leena....my beloved honey pie"
"Not as much as I will miss you!" Eleanor returned, almost laughing as she saw a remanence of his grin "and certainly not as much as Bella will miss you....you have been my greatest friend and have helped me in so many ways, I will never ever forget you or cease to mourn you"

"Come along your grace..."
"Oh for God's sake!" Eleanor cried "you know what is to happen! Will you not let us have a moment of peace?!" The man shook his head, though there was sadness in his eyes.
"Goodbye Leena...." George murmured, kissing Eliza on the cheek one last time while she continued to weep; her little hands trying to cling onto him "and goodbye my darling girl"

And then they were gone, escorted firmly away by the guard while Eliza screamed her protest and Eleanor looked over her shoulder, stifled sobs escaping her lips, her gaze never leaving her brother's until the door shut and he was gone from her sight.

꧁꧂

18th of February 1478, The Tower of London....

Drowned in a barrel of wine.
A barrel of malmsey wine.

A fools death if ever there was one, that was what the court said and that was what Eleanor thought as she rode into the Tower of London at dawn, her cloak wrapped tightly around her. The guards looked surprised to see her, their eyes widening at the sight of the two soldiers that accompanied her.

Their liveries were deep blue velvet, a golden phoenix stitched on them and the words 'vigilantes, expectans, amoeni' below it.

Watching
Waiting
Winning

Eleanor's personal motto. Eleanor's personal emblem. And she had ridden through the entire city with these guards by her side for all to see. Even though it was early, the streets were already bursting with people and she knew they would be.

She had wanted the people to see her.
Had wanted them to know she was going to George's side for that day was the day he was to be executed.

"Take me to the King" she ordered and no one dared deny her, taking her through the winding halls of the dark tower; down a set of steps to where Edward was waiting. His head was bowed, void of his golden crown and his hands were clasped in front of him as if he were in prayer.

As he heard footsteps approach he had no need of turning around for there was only one person it could be.
"Ma petite boule de feu" he greeted softly hearing her footsteps halt behind him, her quiet instruction for the guard to leave them "is this another plea for my brother's life?"

"It is, Edward" Eleanor replied and he turned at last. One half of her wanted to reason with him, wanted to simply talk to him, bring him around while the other half wished to bash him around the head with whatever her hands could reach until he listened to her "You know I never beg" she said firmly and he nodded "but now I beg for the life of George" taking a deep breath, she slowly sunk to her knees as Cecily had done just a few days before as she reached out and caught Edward's hand; kissing the regal ring on his finger "please. Spare his life if not for your own conscious than for the heart of your Mother. For the sake of George's children. Would you have them alone in the world? Margaret and Edward will be orphans! And Eliza will be alone for neither I nor Richard will be able to fill the hole in her heart that will be caused by this! Lock him away if you must but do not take his life! Richard and I will pay for the expense out of our own pocket if we must! But we will for his sake! Please, I beg of you, Edward. Spare George"

Staring down at her, Edward felt tears prick his eyes. Even after all George had done, Eleanor still cared for him; had come to beg for his life even after he, the King, had threatened her with banishment if she ever spoke of it again. She had risked her position and that of her family's all for George. All for a traitor.

He shook his head, grimacing as Eleanor's hopeful expression fell.
"I can't" he murmured, watching her rise to her feet once more, brushing out the skirt of her dark gown.

She was wearing black.

"Then you are a fool!" She hissed angrily "a fool and no better than any traitor that you put to death! Where is George? I must give something to him"

"It's too late for that" Edward said blandly looking towards the window in the wall that overlooked a dark chamber. Two men dressed in black stood on a small wooden platform, hoods covering their faces, and Eleanor shivered as she stared at them and at the barrel full of wine between them. Wine as red as blood.

A door to the side opened and George was pushed in, dressed in his shirt and breeches; hands tied and face tear stained. His deep brown eyes searched the chamber, becoming more and more desperate as he saw no one but his murderers there.

"Has no one come to see me?" He asked, voice hoarse with fear and Eleanor moved to run, to find a way to him only to feel Edward's strong arm wrap around her waist.

"No! Let me go you bastard!" She raged, struggling against his grip while she heard George cry out, heard him struggle as he was grabbed and dragged towards his death. Tears stung her eyes "I will not let him go to his death thinking that none on this earth love him for I do! I love him Edward and I know you do too!"

George yelled once more but it was a yell that was cut short as a loud splash filled the air and Eleanor knew George was about to meet his death. Rushing to the window, jerking out of Edward's grasp, a pained cry escaped her as she saw George desperately flailing beneath the wine while he was held down "No!" She cried, a scream that deteriorated into sobs "no!" His legs kicked, body writhing as he tried to breathe, tried to surface from the world of choking, bitter red alcohol that had engulfed him. 

She looked behind her as she heard a muffled sob, turned to see Edward crying as she was, though he was trying to hide it, wiping away each tear that dared to escape his eyes. Eyes that would not leave his brother as he struggled for life. Edward's chest heaved, his mouth filling with blood and bile as he bit his cheek.

"Do not cry" she hissed, her vision filled with tears "you of all people should not cry, Edward!"
Turning back to the window, she stared on ahead, watching as George's struggling began to weaken, as the last traces of oxygen left his burning lungs and at last his limbs stopped thrashing. He was still.

The two stood silent for a moment, tears flowing freely down their faces as they stared at George's lifeless body that was brought from the wine and unceremoniously thrown to the floor. Eleanor half expected him to move, for him to breathe in a fresh breath of air and jump to his feet, once more escaping death as he had done so many times.

But his luck had finally run out.
And he was gone.

"I want you to give the guardianships of Margaret and Edward of Clarence to Richard and I" she said at last, trying to control the trembling in her voice "I think Anne shall want to take care of them but I shall have their guardianships all the same then they will be safe" Edward simply nodded wordlessly before he flinched as she stepped towards him, reaching it into her sleeve.

She drew out Eliza's golden locket "Eliza gave this to me" she said, holding it up for Edward to see "this morning, told me to give it to George and do you know why?" She did not wait for an answer, simply opened the locket to reveal the portraits of George and Bella "she told me it was so her Father could finally be with her Mother. So that they could finally be together and he could keep her close to his heart. She gave up the only image of her Mother that she has so that her Father might have it and be happy! I take it you will not deny me my request that he be buried with it?" Again, Edward only nodded silently, taking the locket and tucking it carefully into the front of his doublet.

Eleanor gave him a short nod before she turned and strode to the door, wiping away her tears as she yanked it open.

"Do you forgive me?" She could feel her stomach churn at the question. Her mind filled with images of the young boy with the handsome grin that had helped her down from her horse on the day she had arrived at court.

The boy that had danced with her at Elizabeth's coronation.
The man that had held her when she cried.
The traitor that now lay dead in a dark cell.

"Oh Edward" she breathed, her voice breaking slightly as she choked on a sob "whatever I have done in the past, whatever sins I may have committed....while my hands are not clean of blood...." she took a breath "I will never forgive you for this"