~Two birds, One Stone~

June 1483....

In the council chamber they all waited: Catherine, George, Francis, Rob Brackenbury, Hal and a new man amongst their ranks: the Duke of Buckingham. Catherine knew him as the husband of the youngest Woodville and with his sandy blonde hair and blue eyes she could almost count him has one! What help to her or her husband he could be she didn't know but he was sat at the table all the same.

"Where is his grace?" He asked at length and Hal snorted, earning a stern look from his sister.
"I would have thought you knew since you declared as soon as you walked through those doors that you were here by his invitation and yet we have rarely laid eyes on you, your grace"

"Brother" Catherine tutted "If his grace is here by the Lord Protector's invitation then we are not to question it, are we?" Hal simply grinned and gave a small nod in her direction "My husband shall be along shortly" No sooner had she spoken the words than the chamber doors were thrust open by guards in black liveries and Richard entered, prompting all present to rise to their feet.

"Please, sit" He grumbled, waving dismissively as he took his place at the head of the table, watching the others take their places once more "We have much to discuss as I'm sure you know, concerning the future of our country and our King who is now safely installed in the Tower"

"And a child" Hal finished "We must handle our next steps with care, brother" Catherine looked up at the endearment, eyes connecting with his across the table as she tried to fathom weather it was real or not. It was certainly possible, it had been used before and Hal was here was he not? Even if he was not the fondest of Richard, he would at least support her and her children so, in turn, him too.

"Hal is right" She vouched "So what are we to do? One York brother is in the Tower, the other in the crypt of Westminster Abbey. What do we do?"
"Are you suggesting we fetch him?" Francis asked "We cannot break sanctuary"
"And I'm not insinuating we do!"

"But we must fetch him" The eyes of the table turned to Buckingham as he spoke, including Richard's, curious as to what this unfamiliar man may say, may plan "And we must make it a situation the Dowager Queen cannot refuse" He continued once he recognised their attention was firmly in his grasp "Not unless she wishes to start another war which the people will not thank her for"

"No" Catherine agreed with a nod "The people have had enough of war but our peace is on a knife's edge"

"So we must remove it from that edge by securing ourselves" He concluded "And to do that we must have the other Prince in our custody"
"It would most likely be safer for him" Brackenbury suggested "His Mother is a clever woman, I would not put it past her to use him in a plot"

"Nor would I" Richard murmured "It is our God given duty to protect my nephews and a crypt is not the place for either of them! You are right, Buckingham, we must do something....I will send you along to the Abbey and you must tell Elizabeth what we wish, you must tell her it is the only way; that it is safer for Richard"

"But what if she disagrees?" Rob asked "We cannot very well wrestle him from her arms! We are not brutes!"

"We must give her an ultimatum" Catherine agreed, despite the deep pit of guilt being dug in her stomach. Never had she ever dreamt of going against Elizabeth in this way, her friend, her sister and never had she dreamt about taking a child from their Mother. She knew that pain well enough "and I have a simple one. She either gives up her nephew or soldiers will be placed outside of the Abbey, all source of contact will be cut off from her. She will be alone and she won't want that, not if she intends to plan"

Murmurs of agreement flew around the table and Richard nodded, reaching out to place his hand atop hers. With a gentle squeeze, she knew he knew how difficult this was for her. 'I love you' He mouthed and she smiled a little, intertwining their fingers.

"Then that is what we shall do" He announced "it is hard but these are hard times. We will fetch Prince Richard this evening and hopefully escape the speculation of the city, we shall meet again once it is done" With a dismissive wave, all rose from the table and the Duke and Duchess leading the way out into the hallways.

Their friends passed with solemn nods of their heads all bowing too until Buckingham passed and Richard called out to him "Harry!" The younger man stood up straight, trotting like a puppy back to the Lord Protector's side and looking expectantly.
"Your grace?"

"I've decided my wife shall accompany you to the Abbey" He said and Catherine's eyes widened. She? Go to the Abbey? "Not for claiming the boy but for on the journey to the Tower. The King is fond of her and Prince Richard has known her since he was a boy, she will be a comfort"

"Of course, your grace" Harry replied, bowing lower than any of the others, almost comically so, and Catherine had to hide a smile behind her hand.
"Thank you" She said "Harry. It is good to have another ally" His face lit up and he bowed again before strolling away, his chin held high. Richard smiled and led her away, watching the shuttered windows that passed by every step or so.

"We should have them opened again" He mused "Edward's coronation must be steeped in celebration, not gloom"
"I agree, my love" Catherine sighed "But did you really mean what you said to Buckingham? I am to go to the Abbey this eve?" She looked up at him with curious eyes and he nodded, squeezing her hand again.

"You will calm the boy"
"But not Elizabeth" She reasoned "I will go all the same. Anything to help you, my love and I believe you are right, the Prince will be safer with us and free to run around in gardens instead of a damp tomb!"

꧁꧂

Black was the colour of mourning but it was also the colour of concealment and Catherine was glad of it as she slipped through the Abbey, concealed by guards and midnight shadows.

Harry was beside her, a determined look on his young face, an eagerness to prove himself that had never been sated she suspected. Despite being husband to the sister of the Queen, Buckingham had never held a position in Government, in fact, Edward had somewhat shunned him! For a young Duke that was mostly unheard of but what she had heard was the Duke and his wife detested one another!

Westminster Abbey was blacker than the night sky, for while the sky was dotted with stars, brightening the darkness, the Abbey had nothing but the odd torch to light the way. There was no bishop, no choir boys, no multicoloured light cascading down to them from heaven and the biblical scenes depicted by shards of glass, each a miracle of beauty.

There was nothing.
If Catherine could ever have pinpointed a visual depiction of grief and the hole it hollowed out in the heart, she would've chosen this one.

The infrequent torches guided them towards the crypt, leading them step by thudding step along the polished marble floors, the guards dressed in full armour: swords at their side.

'This is a peaceful solution' She thought 'we are not going into the crypt to fight the children!' But perhaps a little intimidation wouldn't hurt, at least with Elizabeth? It would prove the ultimatum set by the Lord Protector was not made of empty words and that was what Catherine told herself as they came to the door, protecting the passageway to the crypt and one of the men shoved it open.

"This is as far as I go, my Lord" She said firmly and Harry gave her a nod, reaching out in an gesture of sudden familiarity to give a gentle squeeze to her shoulder.

"Have no fear, your grace" He told her "We shall get the Prince and all shall be well" all she could do was nod and hope he was right.

"Remember to take the food to them too" She added, nodding at the soldier carrying a great crate in his arms, full to the brim with vegetables, bread, meat, cheese. It had been her special request for them to bring it for she could not bear the thought of those in the crypt going hungry and it soothed her guilt somewhat. Even if she was taking Elizabeth's son, at least she was giving her a lifeline.

Although even she knew the two did not equate. A son for food? It was not even a meagre payment.

"Good luck" She murmured as Harry and his men disappeared into the darkness. God knows they would need it.

When the door closed, she retreated to the pews just a few feet away and sunk into their cold, wooden confines, clasping her hands in prayer. She prayed for forgiveness but also for the Lord to see that what she was doing, what they were all doing was for the best. Of course it was for the best! Both Princes had to be safe for the realm to be safe and only one was in the Tower at that moment.

Even the thought of the place made her shudder. Damn tradition, she thought, if she could have Edward moved to Westminster or to Windsor she would but she knew circumstance would not allow it. Nor would safety. Edward had expressed a desire to meet Henry so that gave her at least one avenue to check on her nephews! She would ensure they were safe within the walls that were meant to be the safest in all of England and yet appeared to only see death within them.

The deaths of those meant to be protected.

'Oh Edward' His face, still young at just seventeen, flashed across her mind and she prayed harder but for him this time. 'Let him be safe' She prayed 'let him be at peace, let him be with his Mother and Father, take away their pain' It was a pain only the Lord could remove and she hoped when they entered his paradise he had. Only he could know how much the burdens of the world had torn their hearts and minds. Only he could fix that.

Or if not fix, soothe.

"Your grace?" She didn't know how long she had knelt there, hands clasped, murmuring the same words over and over but voice of Harry had her peering into the gloom once more. Their guards now held torches, illuminating their figures that cast shadows against the wall: ominous, looming.

Harry stood amongst them, one hand behind his back, the other on the shoulder of a young boy who looked as scared as a little mouse, the dark hair crowning his head curling just below his ears. Dressed in a dark doublet brushed with dust and dirt, his lower lip trembled and he wrung his small hands, looking around with wide eyes for any side of safety when the only safety he'd ever known had just been taken from him.

Prince Richard of York was only nine, just a year older than his Uncle had been when he lost his own Father....

Catherine's heart ached and she made haste to gather her black skirts, hoping she didn't look too much like the angel of death as she made her way towards him. Even though he didn't trust Harry one bit, he still shrunk away into him.

"Hello, Richard" She knelt once more but this time in front of him, to show she meant no harm. His little face peeked out from behind Harry's leg and he frowned a little, recognising her voice. Small feet carried him forward and as he came into what little light there was, it could be seen he was holding a little toy rabbit to his chest, with a fluffy tail and bouncy ears.

A rabbit just like Cecily's.

"Aunt Cate" He murmured quietly and she held out a hand, smiling a little when he slid one of his own into it. His skin was still soft as a babe's "What is going on? I'm....I'm scared"
"My sweet boy" She whispered and didn't hesitate to draw him into her arms, cradling his small body against her own "There is no need to be afraid. I am here and we are going to see your brother!"

"My brother?" He murmured against her shoulder, his already quiet voice muffled by the fabric he instinctively nuzzled into, and she nodded, rubbing soothing circles over his back.

"Yes, you can be with him for his coronation! Now" She gently released him and looked into the little face that watched her for guidance "Will you come?" He bit his lip a little, thinking only a moment before he nodded, making sure to take hold of her hand again.

"I know I will be safe with you" He told her and she rose to her feet, lifting the young Prince into her arms and trying to push back her tears as they walked from the abbey.

"There now" She murmured, stroking his hair, and his little legs wrapped around her waist, arms around her neck with his bunny tucked safely between them "You shall be in a nice warm bed soon and you will be safe. I promise" Richard shivered when they stepped out into the night and Catherine wrapped him in the folds of her cloak, keeping him like that as they rode away.

The young boy curled into her like the little bunny he held, his breaths slow and warm when they brushed against her neck, telling her he'd fallen asleep. The steady movement of the horse seemed to imitate the rocking of a cradle for him. 'It's probably for the best' She thought, riding into the sight of the Tower. It took no great strength to remember the feeling of utter dread she felt every time she passed through the fortress gates and had no wish to inflict that on her already scared nephew.

When she handed him down to Harry, she untied her cloak and kept it wrapped around him, shaking her head when the Duke implored her to keep it.
"It is not a long ride to the palace, I shall be fine" She said firmly, despite the uncomfortable feel of her skin prickling in the cold beneath her gown "besides, Harry, I am from the North, I am immune to the cold!"

He raised one fair, skeptical eyebrow but bowed all the same, wishing her a safe journey before disappearing into the White Tower with the sleeping Prince in his arms.

"Sleep well, nephew" She whispered into the night.

꧁꧂

At first, the only sound was that of her horse's hooves along the cobble but such peace was soon pierced by a familiar shouting. Her name spoken, yelled, as Francis rushed down the steps towards her. Her horse stuttered, startled, rearing upwards and she held tight, coaxing him back down with gentle words.

"There now" she coaxed, stroking his ebony mane "There, all is right, all is calm, my boy" Petting him one last time, she moved her skirts and dismounted from her saddle, frowning at the look of pure shock on her friend's face "Jesus, Francis" She murmured, taking him by the shoulders "What's wrong? You're as white as a sheet"

"You must come" He spoke quickly, so quickly his words were hardly discernible and he grabbed her hand, pulling her across the courtyard.
"Where are we going?" She asked, trying to pick up her skirts as she was practically dragged up the palace steps and through the corridors without room for respite.

Francis didn't reply, only continued to pull her along until raised voices could be heard, fighting for control, for power, getting louder and louder. Until she recognised her husband's voice. Both of them "Oh God" Letting go of Francis' hand, she burst into the room only to see Richard and Georgie at each others throats, or very nearly.

The stood at opposite sides of the Duke's desk, fists firmly planted on the wood, banged down in anger. Between them, a piece of paper, crumbled and ripped at the corners, squiggles of black ink on it Catherine couldn't make out. It was not her main priority at that moment, the men were.

"What on earth is going on?" She demanded, slamming the door behind her and they turned with heated eyes.
"I've come here with important news and Richard refuses to believe it!" Georgie shouted.
"That's because you're fucking deluded!" Richard accused "I don't know where the hell you've got this or who gave it to you but it is a lie!"

Georgie's gaze shot to him again.
"It is not a lie and you would see that if you took one bloody look!"

"I don't have to and I don't want to!" Richard yelled like a child and Catherine finally moved forward, making it to the desk within seconds; snatching the piece of parchment "Do not even look at that!" Richard ordered but she ignored him with a stern glance.

Her eyes travelled along the ageing lines of writing and they widened as she began to understand what this was, even more so when she saw the signatures at the bottom.

"A marriage certificate" She breathed and looked between the two men before her. Their anger had melted away, leaving only tiredness in one and defiance in the other "For Edward but not to...." She frowned, shaking her head "but not to Elizabeth"

"No" Georgie murmured "to a Lady Eleanor talbot in 1461, three years before he married the dowager Queen, though if this is true, she was never really Queen at all and his son...."
"No!" Richard demanded "Stop this madness, stop it right now"

"Hush!" Catherine retorted "I can't think with you two squabbling. My mind is spinning quite enough without your added comments!" She shook her head "No, it cannot be true....Edward is the King, the rightful King. Something this certificate disputes. Georgie, who gave it to you?"

"Bishop Stillington, the man who performed the ceremony" He pointed to the bottom of the page "You can see his signature clear as day there" And true to his word, there it was. Her mind spun at an alarming rate, setting her heart pounding and the paper slipped from her hands, floating to her feet where firelight flickered before it.

"No...." She murmured "If this is real it means...."
"It means Richard is the rightful King" Georgie finished and they both looked to the man in their mind. He'd moved to the fireplace and was staring into the fireplace, the flames licking at the wood there, torturing it into charred pieces instead of devouring it all at once. It was cruel, just as this revelation was.

"You must think on it" Georgie continued "For this is no simple matter, this is the matter of our country and its future and it mustn't be taken lightly" Richard did not reply only glanced to the side as Catherine came to stand by him; hand on his arm.

"God I wish he wasn't but Georgie is right" She whispered and when she looked closer she could see tears were sliding down her beloved's cheeks "Oh my darling" Wrapping her arms around him, she held him close and he did not hesitate to hold her back, hiding his face in her shoulder.