~A Summer of blazing Stars~

July 1471....

The papers on his desk long forgotten, Edward grinned at the little boy sitting happily on his knee, playing with the quill he'd found. His Father stood but a few feet away, smiling at the sight of his son and brother together. It was no secret the King favoured his nephew, some would say even more than his own heir, for he certainly saw him more!

Prince Edward was eight months old, not even capable of walking yet but (while he loved his son) little Henry of Gloucester could walk, could talk and was the first York Prince of his generation. Besides, he was the first legitimate child of his favourite brother!

"There lad" He chuckled when Henry placed the quill back on the desk, now reaching for the royal seal. "You'll have one of your own one day. What shall you have as your sigil? A boar like your Father?"
"Cate has chosen a falcon" Richard murmured with a grin, recalling just a month before when she had presented sketches of her chosen sigil with her motto beneath.

"Ah" Edward exclaimed, bobbing Henry up and down on his knee to make him giggle "The bird of freedom and strength! It suits her well" His brother beamed with pride and he laughed, ruffling his little nephew's golden curls "He's a fine weight, Dickon! He shall be a great friend to my son, they shall be as close as we are! Why not send him to Wales with little Neddy when he turns two?" Richard snorted at that, shaking his head.

"And separate him from Cate?" He replied "Nay she would never allow it"
"You are her husband and he is your son, he goes wherever you command it!" He shook his head, gazing lovingly at his little boy.

"I'm not rightly sure he'd allow it either!" He joked "He'd be running through the doors of Fotheringhay within a fortnight to be at his Mother's skirts!" He could well imagine the image and Edward raised his eyebrows.
"They are close then?"
Richard perched on the edge of the King's desk as Henry stood on his uncle's knee, making to haul himself onto the paper-covered surface to explore.

"He's her first child" He sighed "and they only had one another during our exile, but yes they have always been close" Reaching out, he swept his son from where he'd clambered onto the desk and gazed into the deep blue eyes that were a reflection of his. Henry beamed, pleased as ever at being in the embrace of his father and little hands clasped onto the chain of office sitting on his shoulders "He may be my son but he's her boy"

"He seems rather fond of you too"
"Henry love Father!" Henry protested, making use of the new word he'd learnt just weeks before and Edward grinned, fiddling with the dagger at his belt.

"See, little brother!" He laughed "Speaking of Catherine, is she with child again yet?" Richard rolled his eyes "Now now, Dickon, don't look at me like that! None can accuse the two of you of not trying but I am eager to see the birth of a second York Prince!"

"Do you not have your own wife for that?" He retorted and Edward chuckled, beginning to roll the hilt of his dagger between his fingers "Besides, Cate and I both pray for another child but God has not seen fit to grant us one yet"
"A second son" The King emphasised before a short cry of a babe took the brothers attention "is that..."

The chamber door opened and George strode through, a wailing Prince Edward in his incapable arms. The babe squirmed and a nurse followed behind, watching the Duke anxiously with her hands itching to take the young Prince. The alarmed voices of women echoed in the corridors outside and not a moment later the Queen and Duchess of Gloucester rushed into the room, arm in arm and searching for their sons.

"Come here my Prince" Elizabeth said cooly, swiftly prying the Prince from his Uncle's arms before passing him to his nurse. With a wave of her hand she sent him away and Catherine crossed over to Richard, wrapping her arms around he and their boy.
"My darlings" She murmured as he gently kissed her forehead.
"Ma belle"

"It won't be so very long before we see him settled at Ludlow" George remarked as he watched the young Prince whisked out of sigh and Elizabeth turned with narrowed eyes. His words were always meant to stir and stir they did.
"Ludlow Castle?" She repeated, confusion settling clear on her face "We are to live in....Wales?"

Richard and Catherine glanced at one another. While they knew the customs of the royal family and had done since they were children, it was still clear, as it had been on the day of her coronation, that Elizabeth did not. Even after seven years as Queen.

Laying down the paper his eyes brushed over absentmindedly, Edward rose from his desk, the feet of his chair scraping along the marble floor.
"We won't" He murmured with a smile. 'God don't smile' Catherine thought with a sigh, knowing exactly what was to come. If any woman was protective of her son it was Elizabeth and she would not thank her husband for sending him across the country "but our son will. When he's two"

As she predicted, Elizabeth's eyes widened with dangerous disbelief and in the corner she could see George smirk "He's the Prince of Wales" Edward explained, running his hands along the Queen's velvet clad arms in an effort to soothe her "He must establish his own household there!" She tugged sharply away.

"And what possible use has Wales for an infant Prince? Is Cat's son to be sent to Rutland? He after all is to be three this year!"
"The people must know him from childhood, your grace" Richard said, lowering little Henry to the floor "That way they'll learn to love him and that's how we'll break Welsh loyalty to the Tudors"

His brothers nodded in agreement either side of him, as did Catherine, but Elizabeth merely scoffed, about to open her mouth to snap a sharp-tongued reply when Edward spoke.
"This is what it means to have a Prince and not a girl" He said, leaning back against his desk "it is simply the matter of choosing the right guardian for our son...."

"Then I will appoint his guardian!" She cried, causing the brothers to exchange doubtful looks "I am his Mother and if he is to leave me then I will choose into whose care he goes and who will raise him into a man"
"It is not simply a matter of raising him into a man, my friend" Catherine volunteered gently, wondering if her council could help sway the Queen, coming from another woman, a Mother, and not a man "It is a matter of raising him into a King"

"And on that you are probably not best placed to..." Gathering her skirts, Elizabeth turned on her heels and swept away in a swirl of blue velvet and golden curls. Catherine rolled her eyes, turning to the man who'd spoken; glaring at him.

"Well thank you, George" She muttered "For always being so helpful!"
"I try" He replied bitterly, coaxing her cold laugh to fill the air.

"I'm sure you do. Speaking of your helpful nature, how is the Lady Anne Neville? I know she was placed in your care yet I have not seen her"
"Perhaps because she does not wish to be seen"
Another laugh echoed around the chamber.
"Where is she?"
"Why do you care?"

"Answer the question, George" Edward sighed, rubbing his temple "For the love of God cease your games" George smirked, sweeping an almost mocking bow that made Richard's jaw clench with anger.
"Anne is here in the Palace" He said at last "But she is in mourning for her husband, something you should know. Does she know that you were the one who killed him?"

"You bastard...."
"Cate, no!" Richard cried, grabbing her arm as she made to strike her brother in law "No!" Tears stung her eyes, threatening to spill down her cheeks but she was determined not to let him see them. With a furious determination she blinked them back, struggling against her husband's grip.

"Let me go" She hissed and he did as she bade, clenching her fists by her side to prevent them from flying into George's smirking face. He would not see her cry, he would not see her weep.

Gathering her skirts just as the Queen had done, she picked up her son from the floor and buried her face in his golden hair as she strode from the room. His words burned in her mind, repeating themselves over and over like a curse. 'She is in mourning for her husband'. George was a liar, that much was true....and yet she could see nothing but truth in his words.

Prince Edward had loved her, why was it not possible that Anne had loved him? That she mourned his death and that was why she did not emerge from her rooms? It wasn't absurd for Catherine did just that, only she welcomed the light of day now as a release for her grief. Young Anne clearly did not and who was she to question that?

꧁꧂

September 1471, Sheen Palace, London....

The air smelt of smoke that billowed in great grey clouds from the small bonfires dotted around the palace courtyard. Soldiers stood by them, eager to protect themselves against the incoming Autumn chill but Catherine saw no need for the flames. To her, the air was still warm, the leaves on the trees still green with summer's life.

She much preferred the Palace of Sheen to that of Westminster, it's spires did not reach as high to the sky, grasping for power from God and streams of gossip did not flow as readily.

It's gardens were not full of the red and white roses that had long plagued the land as a symbol of war but of primroses, violets, an array of dianthus's and forget me nots. She favoured the little blue flowers with their delicate petals and soft name that stirred memories of those lost to her in her heart. So dear the blossom became that past week that she'd chosen to add it to her sigil and now her falcon held a sprig of forget me nots in its sharp talons.

Though Sheen belonged to the Queen, it was not Elizabeth whom Catherine felt close to when she was within its comfortable walls, it was King Henry. He was the one who'd built it for his beloved Marguerite and she hoped his soul smiled down upon it, upon her, as she glanced up at the blue sky, void of all clouds, white or grey.

Before her, three sons of York played like boys, only one was a boy, a little boy now happily passed his third birthday and becoming more grown by the hour! With the help of his Mother he clambered eagerly onto his Father's back, the King's dagger in his hand. Catherine thought rather dangerous but the joy on Henry's face meant she couldn't bring herself to deny him!

Men surrounded the little group, each dressed in York liveries and bearing smiles on their weary faces. A great cheer arose when Henry raised his dagger in the air and his delighted shriek followed, making Richard laugh.

"There my little knight!" He exclaimed "You have your own army"

"Whatever shall I do?" A voice cried from opposite him, a strong voice belonging to the King who drew his sword from his sheath with a glint of amusement in his eyes. His little nephew grew more a warrior each day! He would grow into a strong man to stand beside his son when he ascended to the throne "Come on then!" He cried, watching little Henry's lips split into a grin that was the image of his Father's "Ill have you both!"

"Will you now?" Richard challenged "What do you think lad, can we defeat the King?"
"Yes! Yes!" Henry cried, waving his blade in the air and squealing his laughter when his Father charged forward and Edward did too, raising his sword high in the air. He brought it gently against his nephew's dagger and could've easily flicked it from his grasp but allowed Henry to push back and let his sword fall.

"You have defeated me!" He cried as his blade clattered on the ground and plucked Henry from his brother's back, placing him on his shoulders "Shall we find you a crown to wear, lad!"
"A crown Uncle Neddy?" The boy exclaimed, kicking his little legs "For me?" Edward nodded and promptly strode away, calling for his courtiers to make way for himself and the little York Prince.

"We are certainly in royal favour!" Catherine chuckled as she watched nephew and uncle disappear into the palace, taking the hand Richard outstretched to her. He pulled her close, brushing a chaste kiss to her lips (as he always did in public) and rubbing smooth circles into her waist "Some will soon believe our boy is in fact the Prince of Wales!"

Richard laughed at that and she leant into his arms, breathing in a deep breath of fresh, late summer air.
"Summer" She murmured "A time of mindless pleasure"
"Mindless pleasure you say?" He replied, raising one mischievous eyebrow. Lowering his head a little, his lips tickled her ear and she giggled, melting into him when he whispered "Well, if we are to have our son snatched by Ned, why don't we make another?"

She did not need to reply with words for the glimmer of lust in her eyes was response enough and Richard took her hand. Clasping it tight, they hurried across the courtyard and into the cool walls of the palace, making the Yorkist banners rustle as they passed.
"I want you" He murmured, snaking a hand around her waist to pull her against him and she smirked in reply, breaking free of his grasp and almost running away from him.

"If you want me" She teased, backing away until she felt the door to their chambers behind her, guiding her fingers to the handle "Come and get me, my Lord" Slipping into the room with a giggle, she tried to shut the door but Richard pushed it away and she ran with a cry, picking up her skirts.

Almost slamming the door shut in his haste, he ran after her, watching her swing around a bedpost and tumble onto the bed to get away from him. He tried to grasp at her skirts as they trailed behind her on the covers but the fine silk slipped through his fingers and she escaped to the other side.

"Really, Dickon! I don't believe you are even trying!" She called, making to run around the bed again when he began to clamber over it only to let out a surprised squeal as he leapt from the end, capturing her in his arms.

"Oh I believe I am, sweetheart" he murmured against her neck, pressing a kiss to it while he pulled her back to the bed. Turning her around he pushed her against the bedpost and his fingers began to almost tear at the laces of her gown until they were loose enough for him to push the material from her body. It landed on the floor in a heap and he pulled her back to face him, kissing her again. Pressing her body against his, she made to wrap her hands around his neck only to find he held them firmly at her sides.

"You wished to toy with me, Cate" He murmured between almost feverish kisses, beginning to pull her shift up to her waist while he nudged apart her legs with his knee "And now I wish to toy with you" Raising a hand to the front of her shift, he played with the strings he found before tugging them loose and pushing the thin material to the side.

It slipped from her shoulders, revealing her breasts and Richard immediately took one into his mouth, gently nipping and sucking until she gasped and wound her hands into his hair. One skilled hand slipped between her parted legs, stroking softly, teasingly, across her centre, the other holding her hip firmly still when she tried to grind against his fingers. Her head fell back against the bedpost and her lips parted in a silent gasp, stars flashing before her eyes as Richard's fingers teased her.

Again, she tried to push herself down onto them, the ache between her thighs becoming almost painful with need, but he held her fast and only shook his head, stroking her slower. He truly was toying with her and she was falling apart under his touch.

"Please...." She heard herself whisper as Richard began to entertain himself with her other breast, fingers still teasing below, still refusing to enter her though she felt herself becoming wetter with each passing second. He seemed pleased at her begging and smirked against her skin, waiting until she whispered the desperate word again before he finally pushed a finger into her.

Catherine mewled against his neck, beginning to move her hips back and forth as he softened his grip on her waist. Adding a second, Richard peppered kisses along her jaw, rocking them in and out of her at an almost torturous pace that soon had her begging again.  "Dickon" She moaned, trying to make him quicken but he was far too preoccupied with stripping her shift from her, using his free hand to guide it over her head and throw it to the floor.

Only then did he do as she asked, pressing his thumb against her clit as he thrust his fingers in and out. Catherine's head lolled back against the bedpost again but her fingers reached for her husband, tugging at the laces of his doublet and pushing the offending garment from his shoulders.

His kisses were becoming more desperate, like hers, and she could tell he no longer cared for teasing, he wanted to chase release. Winding the soft linen of his shirt around her hands, she pulled it over his head and brought his body against hers, snaking a hand to the front of his breeches and gently pressing. Richard hissed with burning pleasure, his forehead coming to rest against her shoulder.

She cupped him as best she could with her own pleasure threatening to make her legs buckle, gently rubbing until Richard grabbed her. Taking hold of her waist, he pushed her onto the bed with a bruising kiss, quickly joining her and sitting back on his heels to unlace his breeches. Catherine was more than eager to help, helping him to push the material over his hips before she found herself pushed back onto the covers.

Her hands taken, they were placed above her head; held firm by one of her husband's. Moving between her parted legs, Richard kissed her again and she wrapped her legs around his waist, willing him inside of her and crying out when he complied. He filled her entirely and her eyes fluttered shut in bliss, lips seeking his again.

They pressed against each other as he thrust into her at an almost ungodly pace, their breaths ragged. Catherine rolled her hips, trying to keep up, to match the passion he took her with, pulling him deeper inside. Their moans filled the room, followed by gasps when they both reached their peak, causing Catherine's back to arch.

Crying out each other's names, they sunk into the covers of their bed; limbs immediately intertwining. She rested her head on his chest, listening to his heart pound beneath her ear while she tried to regain her breath, pleasure still thrumming between her legs. She rubbed her thighs together and sighed contently, allowing Richard to pull them up the bed to rest against the pillows after a moment.

Letting her fingers dance lazily down his arm, she took his hand, gently wrapping it around her. He smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head and holding her close.

"I am with child"

Catherine shrieked as Richard jumped upwards, almost knocking her off the bed before he hastily grabbed her, pulling her back. She found herself pinned to the rumpled covers, an overjoyed smile dancing across her lips with Richard staring down at her in disbelief. She could've told him the news that filled her with incomparable happiness many weeks ago and would've done had her belly not refused to quicken for so long.

She wanted to be sure, sure that her menses were not late, sure that it was a child that grew within her belly. It had been three years since she carried Henry and part of her had begun to fear she would not conceive again. But no, she was with child, another York babe. Now, lying in Richard's arms, she found she couldn't wait a moment longer. He had to know she carried his baby!

"You're with child?" He repeated, almost dumbstruck, eyes wandering up and down her body for sight of the roundness that would not curve her belly for many months yet "Truly?" Are you truly?" One hand rested against his cheek and her smile widened as she nodded.

"I am" She murmured softly "I am to give you another baby"

"Our baby!" He cried in delight, smiling with such unbridled joy she could not help but laugh when he gathered her into his arms. He almost looked like a boy again "You are going to have our second baby!" He exclaimed, kissing her over and over until she had to push him away with a giggle to gain air.

"I am! I am!" She replied, now revelling in the news as if she'd just learnt of it herself. It brought a new happiness to her heart to celebrate it with her husband, to share in the joy that they'd created another little life. A brother or sister for Henry to play with!

A new beginning.
After war. After death.

A haze of love overcame the blue in Richard's eyes and he brushed a hand across her belly, looking with complete adoration on the place where their child would grow.

"You make me so happy, Cate" He whispered "So very happy"