~Lady of the North~

January 1473, Bamburgh Castle....

"Ahh come here my precious boy!" Catherine laughed as Henry ran towards her soaked to the skin with melted snow, his blonde curls darkened, plastered to his head and only dressed in his breeches. He'd been playing in the snow settled over the green and had decided to make snow angels, something that had of course seen him soon drenched!

He threw himself into the towel she'd warmed by the fire snuggling into her while she wrapped it around him, kissing his chubby cheeks.

A few feet away lay a tiny wooden tub (filled with freshly heated water) and Joan on the carpet, being undressed from her swaddling shawls by Margery's gentle hands. At seven months old, she had the strength to sit up and wiggled around, fingers clutching at her toes and her delighted squeals filling the air.

"I shall be with you in a minute, my darling" Catherine cooed, reaching over to stroke the thatch of dark hair on her head while Henry giggled.

"Joaney growing, Mother!" He said, covering his head with the towel to dry his hair and she nodded, pulling him onto her lap. The sound of the door alerted them and Henry squealed at the sight of Richard striding into the bedchamber.

"Hello, my little knight!" He greeted, swinging his son into his arms to kiss him "Ah! And my little Princess Joan too I see!" Joan squealed, rolling around and flailing one little hand around, trying to wave. She'd grown increasingly fond of her Father in the past months and even then she tried to roll off the rug towards him, making him chuckle and put Henry down.

"Thank you, Margery, I will see to my daughter now" He said with a smile, kneeling by the baby's side and letting her clasp one of his fingers. She drew it eagerly towards her mouth and Richard shook his head, laughing as he tapped her on the nose.

"Your graces" Margery said once she rose and glided away, shutting the bedchamber door behind her to leave the little family alone.

Henry walked over and plopped himself by the little tub, watching as Richard leant down and scooped little Joan into his arms. She squirmed slightly, mewling at the uncomfortable feel of his leather jerkin on her soft skin but that discomfort was quickly whisked away when he lowered her into the warm water.

Eyes wide and hands splashing, Joan smiled her toothless grin as Catherine shuffled over, kissing Henry's cheek and pulling him onto her lap again to dry him. Richard helped to keep their daughter upright, one hand supporting her back while the other cupped the warm water and gently poured it over her little body.

"There" He murmured sweetly "Is that better, little one?" Joan gurgled, patting her hand against the water to create little splashes that flecked her face; making her blink.

"It is" Catherine said, rubbing Henry's golden curls to stop them from dripping water onto her skirts "She does adore her baths!"

Looking around the bedchamber she and Richard shared, a familiar warmth filled her heart. Much had changed in the interior of Bamburgh Castle during the month they had been there. Tapestries had been added to the bare walls and their possessions now lay in every corner! York banners adorned stairwells and boars and falcons were embroidered everywhere!

In some ways, Catherine had been surprised at her adjustment, for she'd soon realised that Bamburgh could truly be a home, and all through her life she had searched for true safety and always been loathed to leave it! She continued to pine for the familiarity of Fotheringhay, the sunny orchard and calm river but now she occupied her time with walks along the beach, staring out into the vast ocean and imagining what it could possibly contain.

More than anything, it had thrilled her to see how happy her dear husband was! Amongst piles and piles of parchment, he could often been seen in his study, quill in hand, brows furrowed with concentration and (while he looked serious) Catherine knew joy filled his heart! The joy of being the Lord of the North!

His happiness was her happiness and it settled her to know he was content, as were their children.

When spring sprung from the earth, flowers blossomed and leaves appeared on the trees, he would create his council of the North! It was something he talked of from dawn till dusk and even then, while he cooed affectionately at their daughter, she could see the cogs of his brain turning.

But so were hers because that day, Georgie and his new wife would be arriving at Bamburgh. They had not attended the Christmas festivities the previous month but Catherine had decided that the new year would be a time of new beginnings and so had invited Georgie and the new Lady Bergavenny to her new home.

It made her somewhat nervous, at the prospect of meeting Margaret Fenn (or Neville as she would now be called, as she'd been) but she was determined and Richard could see that.
"When will they arrive?" He asked as he trickled water over Joan's dark hair and she blinked, squirming in the water.

"Any moment now" Catherine replied, watching as Henry rose from her lap and ran over to the bed, jumping onto the soft covers "And I must say, I feel ready to faint!" Richard chuckled and picked up a bar of soap and rubbed some onto his hand before wetting it and beginning to clean Joan's little arms.

"You have no need to, sweetheart! Georgie is a good man and I'm sure his wife shall be a good woman!" He smiled at the baby before him, cupping his soapy hands and blowing a bubble that she marvelled at, reaching up to pop it and giggling when it did "He said he hopes you will be friends, did he not?"

Catherine nodded and laughed as Joan splashed  in the water around her before Richard washed the soap away and whisked her into a towel of her own. He wrapped her gently, cradling her in his arms and bestowing a small kiss to her damp forehead.

"He did" Catherine admitted, smiling as Joan's lips began to pucker, sucking demandingly "and I will try. Ah, come here my sweet girl" Reaching out, Richard nestled their daughter in her arms and helped to unlace her gown, gentling it over her her chest. Catherine smiled and guided little Joan to her breast, smiling when one tiny hand wrapped around her finger and she latched onto her Mother.

"There" Her Father murmured, making sure the linen towel was comfortably over her little head "Now why don't I go and fetch our son something to eat?"
"Hungry!" Henry yelled from the bed, bouncing upwards and running into his Richard's arms.
"Alright alright, lad!" He laughed, lifting him up as he stood "lets go and see what can be found!"

"Giddy up!" Henry ordered, now using his towel as the cape of a knight "Giddy up horsey!" His Father raised an eyebrow but Catherine merely grinned, also standing as she cradled Joan to her breast.
"Go on" She said "A noble knight commands his steed to giddy up"

Richard shook his head, holding Henry a little firmer before he sighed and imitated a horse's gallop, almost skipping out of the room with his son laughing. His wife watched with a grin, laughing herself when Henry told him to giddy up again!

"Our boy will be the end of Dickon!" She whispered softly into little Joan's ear, kissing her forehead while she continued to suckle happily, her eyes drooping sleepily in content "And so will you, my little jewel! As will all of our babes, you shall run us into the earth and we will love you for it!"

"Cat?" Margery called as she walked into the room, a nervous smile on her face. Catherine did not need to be told to know what that meant. It meant the return of an old friend and the arrival of a new one. Possibly.

"They are here, aren't they?" Margery nodded and her Lady nodded slowly to herself, detaching the small babe from her breast and moved her gown back onto her shoulder "If you may...."
"Of course"

Her gown was swiftly laced and she passed Joan to her friend, gently smoothing over her dried wisps of hair.
"Dress Lady Joan" She instructed quietly, smiling at her little daughter "Then bring her down to me" Margery smiled and swept a quick curtsy, watching Catherine with an encouraging gaze as she brushed at her silk skirts; tilted up her chin.

The laughs of her husband and son echoed in her ears as she descended down the winding stairs taking her down the floors of the keep. She kept one hand on the rail, the other on her stomach, trying to quell the knot of nerves wound tightly inside. Servant's footsteps echoed around her and when she reached the courtyard, many of them had gathered to greet the man and woman emerging from a carriage.

Georgie was not much changed, although rather more formerly dressed than usual, with his dark brown curls hidden beneath a velvet cap. He wore his usual merry smile, walked with his usual merry gait. The only thing that had changed was there was now a woman at his side.

Margaret Fenn was a pretty woman with kind brown eyes and light brown hair she kept hidden beneath a tall hennin. She rather reminded Catherine of a mouse the first moment she saw her, for while she was not particularly short, she gave the impression of meekness, of smallness. She stayed behind her husband, arm looped through his, one hand on her belly which was swelled with the growth of a child.

Catherine forced a smile onto her face.
"Ah, Georgie!" She greeted, picking up her skirts and strolling into the icy January air "It has been too long!"
"Well, I'm here now" He replied, straying from his second wife to take the first in his arms. He grinned. So did she "Are you well?" He asked, placing a hand to her cheek when he pulled away "Is baby Joan?"

"We are all well" Catherine answered, keeping her bright expression as her gaze shifted to the woman behind "And now I wish you to introduce me to your wife....I hope you are very happy" Georgie smiled gratefully at that, holding out a hand for Margaret to take.

She floated down into an elegant curtsy with a demure dip of her head, eyes on the snow beneath.
"This is Margaret, Lady Bergavenny"
Catherine paused; smiled again.
"Please, do rise" She invited, clasping her hands together "Georgie tells me you and I are to be friends and if that is true then you need not give me such a beautiful curtsy as that!"

A rosy flush tinted Margaret's cheeks as she rose, a small smile of her own curving her plump lips.
"It would be an honour, your grace" She said quietly and Catherine laughed, offering her arm to the woman who, while older than her, seemed like a frightened child.

"Come!" She invited warmly, linking her other arm with Georgie "Let us get you into the warmth and then you can see my darling Joan!"
"And little Henry!" He added, staring up at the keep in awe "By God you have come a long way from Haddon Cat!" She couldn't help but laugh at that.

꧁꧂

"Strange bird" Henry cooed, pointing at the seagull that flew over the keep battlements, squawking for its kin.

"Yes, my little Prince!" Margery chuckled from beside him, little Joan in her arms, wrapped warmly in thick furs, her small hands reaching for the snow below.
"Snow for Joaney!" Her brother mumbled to himself, scooping a fair amount into his leather gloved hands and holding it up to her.

Joan immediately stuck her little face into the pile, squealing at the cold and all but flying backwards, clutching to Margery's cloak.
"Oh little one!" She laughed, wrapping the babe's fur firmer around her while she whimpered "You will soon learn not to do that"
"No no!" Henry agreed. He grinned and sprinkled the snow back to the ground, jumping on it with a crunch.

From above, at almost the very peak of the keep, Catherine and Richard watched their children through the open nursery window. He held one arm firmly around her waist. His fingers stroked the curve of her hip and she smiled. While the icy winter chill swept into the chamber on ocean wind, she did not feel cold, she felt warm and sighed happily in her husband's embrace.

"Our two babies" She whispered, gazing lovingly at the scene below. Richard smiled.

"One who is not such a baby anymore" He replied, watching as Henry strode up to one of the guard's horses and held out a hand, laughing when the great bay stallion nuzzled into it "He will be five this year, tis time he learnt how to ride" Catherine glanced over her shoulder.

"Ride?"
"Aye, my love, he can walk, he can run, now it is time for him to ride!"

She shook her head with a smile, looking out of the window once more. Of course Richard was jumping at the chance of turning their son into a little Lord as soon as it arose! He couldn't wait for Henry to be able to hunt with him, play chess with him. He couldn't wait to show him the ways of battle, to show him how to use a sword....

"Richard?" Catherine's voice broke him from his fantasy. She chuckled at him, shaking her head and watching their children play below "I love them"
"As I love you" He replied, sliding both arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder "I love you so very much my Lady of the North"

She sighed again. He tilted his head, noticing the change from content to tired, almost weary. She was thinking about their duties.
"Who are our allies?"

"Allies?" He questioned, gently turning her around to face him, a frown now replacing the smile his lips had previously held. What need had she to know their allies? She knew he would keep her safe, that he would keep their family safe! They were on the brink of no war!

Catherine merely raised her eyebrows.

"Allies!" She repeated If you are to rule you must know who are your allies and who are your enemies! The South has always been loyal to York and the North to Lancaster, do you know who you can trust?" Now it was Richard's turn to raise his eyebrows and his frown softened somewhat. Trailing his hands up her gown he rested them on her shoulders, taking a moment to sigh himself.

"Well, I certainly know some of my allies in the North, enemies too although I would wish to make peace with them for we must be united. Only...." A hand found his cheek, gently cradling it while a thumb strokes the soft skin beneath.

"Only what?" Catherine asked and Richard gave her a slight smile.
"There is one more ally I would wish to add to our ranks, sweetheart"

She blinked, tilting her head in a way their little son had inherited and practiced in an adorable way. It was a sign of their curiosity but not a hurried one, one that showed they simply wanted a question answered.
"Who?"

Her husband's smile widened and his fingers stroked along the neckline of her gown, the velvet that balanced on her pale shoulders.
"Your brother" He murmured and his boyish grin appeared when Catherine cried out in overjoyed laughter, throwing her arms around his neck.

"You wish to ally yourself with the Percys?" She exclaimed, almost jumping up and down like a child. There were truly no words to describe the adoration that lived in her heart for Richard, it was like the brightest sun, hot and burning and yet held a gentleness to it that brightened her days, lit her nights.

"I have already done so partly in marrying you" He replied lightly "That binds our two families in a way that cannot be undone and all know how powerful your kin are, Catherine. They are loved by the people and by the Lancastrian nobility, if I am to be successful in Edwards role for me then I must not have your brother opposing me. Besides, I know of the love you bear him and your Mother. Now that.....now that we have peace I would wish for you to be reunited with your family, truly.

He could've easily declared the Percys his enemies, seen their Lancastrian loyalties and turned from them, shunned them aside as others would. But no, not Richard. He had created a quest to make allies of them and (while there were definitely political advantage to such an alliance than any in power could see) deep down Catherine new he'd done it for her.

Overcome with love, she took his face in her hands and crashed her lips to his, revealing in the warm familiarity; the hands that tightened on her waist.

"Kiss me" She murmured, pressing herself closer "Kiss me, Dickon" he was more than willing to comply, gathering her against him and backing her against the wall. His tongue slipped into her mouth when she parted her lips and she moaned, feeling his hand slide up her bodice where her breasts were still sensitive.

It travelled over the top of her gown, gliding up the soft skin of her neck where her hair lay in a tightly wound bun, woven with pretty braids and ribbons. He liked her hair down, a silky curtain around them, and grasped at the metal pins binding it and tugged, letting them fall to the ground.

Catherine shook her head, a mischievous look in her eyes as her hair tumbled around her shoulders, flowing in flaxen curls to her waist. Richard's breath stuttered. He tucked a strand behind her ear, relishing the softness between his fingers and when she peered prettily up at him, he knew he had to have her.

Cupping her face, he kissed her again, fiercer, with a passion that turned their sparks of desire to burning flames.

Reaching out, he slammed the nursery window shut, never once breaking their kiss while barring them from the view of the sea and the people milling below. Catherine smirked "I see you have certain intentions, my lord" She said as he kissed down her neck "Wicked ones"

"Oh the most wicked" He replied, breathless. Insigent hands seized her waist, lips pressed against hers as he lifted her. Hoisting her up against the wall, his eager hands raised her skirts, running over her stockinged legs to her bare thighs "Cate" He moaned when she tugged on his hair, heat flooding between her parted legs "Sweetheart"

Her hands wandered down his doublet, slipping under the fine material and tugging at the laces of his breeches, pulling the material over his hips. She wanted him, she needed him, and cried out when his hand slipped easily between her thighs, two fingers pushing into her. He crooked them and she moaned, white light flashing before her eyes and head lolling back against the stone wall.

Pulling them from her after a moment, he grasped her hips, positioning himself between her thighs "Lets make a brother for our boy" He whispered, suppressing his low groan against the soft skin of her neck as he thrust into her. Catherine trembled against him, trying to smother her pleasured cry with a hand Richard pried away, pressing it against the wall behind.

A smile drifted across her lips as she moaned, clinging to Richard with all her strength and crushing her lips to his. She wanted him, she wanted this, she wanted him to give her another baby, another little one.

"Do it" She breathed. He squeezed her hip, his breaths stuttered as pleasure coursed through his veins "give me another child, Dickon, another son, a Prince" He smirked, head falling onto her neck "A York" He nodded, faster and faster, curls brushing her cheek.

"I will" He promised. Her fingers slid into his hair, tugging as his thrusts became quicker and they both moaned. He was going to come undone, as was she, and released her hand, slipping it beneath her skirts to use it to tease, to coax, to please. Catherine bucked her hips, begging for what she knew not, shuddering in her husband's arms as she was flung over the peak of pleasure.

Richard followed hardly a moment later, the feeling of her warmth clenching around him and for a moment all was quiet. Only their laboured breaths filled the room and they smiled, indulging in a kiss that was soft, loving, before Richard lowered Catherine to the ground.

Her legs shook, trembling with pleasure. He wrapped an arm around her waist, keeping her upright as her skirts fell and they collapsed onto the window seat beside them. He smiled again, staring up at the stone arch above while his head cooled against the window and he pulled up his breeches.

"Christ, ma belle" He chuckled when she rolled into his arms, peppering kisses over his cheek "You're certainly eager! You always have been"
"Eager enough for a second turn" She said and in one smooth movement was straddling his lap; hands on his chest. Richard smirked and he reached up, sweeping her long hair over one shoulder.

"Certainly" He murmured, letting his hand wander to the front of her gown again, slowly slipping inside to feel the soft skin beneath. His eyes found hers "But first I feel I should tell you something" Catherine tilted her head, rocking her hips just a little.
"And what might that be?"

Richard's smile only widened.
"Francis has written" He told her "He and Anne are seeking permission from the King to wed"