~The Battlefield of Women~

May 1475, Eltham Palace....

With the death of the Duchess of Gloucester, the King and Queen saw fit to take their son back into their care for a time. The poor boy was utterly distraught at his Aunt's death and sobbed for hours on end, demanding God bring her back, that he had to bring her back.

"But she was good!" He cried, not yet able to understand that death took whether souls were good or bad, that it was simply God's will.
"Some say the Lord takes the best of us so they may enjoy paradise at his side and not have to suffer the earth" Constance said one day as her sweet boy cried on his bed, trying to comfort him, but he only wept harder.

"But I need her!" He sobbed "I need her, Mama! She is warm and kind like you! If she is gone, there will be no one like you at Middleham! No one will kiss me goodnight!" That made Constance's face crumple and, gathering him into her arms, she cradled him, kissing his hair while she cried too "Please don't die when baby comes" He whispered "Please don't die"

"I will never leave you" She told him fiercely "Never. Not even when you're a man grown"

On their sombre return south, the court settled at Eltham, allowing the royal family to all be together again while they mourned. Even if things between the King and Queen were still worse than a stormy night, Constance was overjoyed to have her three precious daughters and son all within reach again.

"I miss my son and daughter" Isabel confessed when they took a walk in the gardens together one morn - as had become a habit "They are still at Richmond and I do wish they were here"

"You are more than welcome to house them in the royal nursery" Constance invited, thinking of the plump little girl the Duchess had borne two years ago and the baby boy born just three months prior. Isabel smiled her thanks but shook her head.
"Georgie wouldn't allow it, he thinks the court too dangerous for our precious Margaret and Edward"

The Queen hummed, smoothing a hand over her swelled belly that, while seven months gone, was still rather small.

George was part of the reason she considered the court unsuitable for her children and he had wasted no time after their return to London trying to stir the nobles into agreeing with his plan to invade France. Constance hadn't been present for the discussions, nor had Edward told her of them, but people talked.

"We will love Annie's boy" She sighed, linking her arm with Isabel's "We will see him raised into a fine man and give him the very best any of us could offer" Isabel nodded, wiping away a tear that slid down her cheek with the back of a ringed hand.

"He was so very tiny when I saw him" She murmured "and already in the black of mourning....he doesn't even know what it means...." Her slender shoulders heaved as she broke into sobs and Constance looked to her two ladies behind, Lizzy and Isabella, waving for them to help the Duchess.

"See she is safely returned to her chambers" She instructed and the two did as they were bade, their arms around the sobbing Isabel as they made their way back to the palace.

"My Queen! Your grace! Constance!"

The Queen's eyes flicked past the group to see Katherine racing down the gardens towards her, holding an armful of orange silk skirts that were almost as bright as her husband's hair! It wasn't difficult to see the look of worry on her face and when she reached her mistress, Constance caught her by the shoulders.

"Breathe, Kate" She told her "Breathe and tell me why you look like you've been struck"
"In some ways I have!" Katherine replied through heavy gasps, hands on her hips as she tried to regain her breath "I am very sorry for the news I bear, Connie, but I did not want you to hear it on the lips of others"

Constance frowned.
"What do you mean? What has happened?"
Katherine took another breath.
"The King has declared he shall invade France"

The Queen's blood ran cold. No. He couldn't, he wouldn't do this to her, to England! The country couldn't stand another war!
"What...."
"He's just announced it" Katherine continued "I'm so sorry, Constance"

The Queen didn't reply, holding her skirts as she began to run up to the palace, her mind whirling, heart racing. France was her homeland, her country no matter how long she'd been on English soil. They didn't need more war, more bloodshed, more danger!

It wasn't just the people of England and France Edward would put in danger, it was himself. Every time he went to battle there was a chance he could die, that England would be left with a boy King and she was sure trouble would arise with that. She shook her head, entering the palace and rushing through the halls as quick as her dignity would allow to his rooms, dismissing the guards as she entered.

He wasn't in his reception room so she strode to his bedchamber, flinging open the door and striding inside where Edward was sitting at his desk, signing papers. Her anger flared.

"So you would listen to George and seek to wage war upon my people?" She demanded, slamming her hands down on the desk as he looked up.
"They are not your people, Connie" He replied calmly "My people are your people, they have been for the past fourteen years!" She scoffed, glaring at him.

"Their blood runs through my veins, they shall always be my people, Edward! How do you not see that? I am loyal to England and have been since we joined our two houses in marriage but I still belong to those across the sea! When you cut them, you cut me, we bleed the same blood and weep for the same lives you seek to take!" She shook her head, her voice slightly softening "Please reconsider!"

Edward stared at her for a moment but then shook his head, standing.

"I only wish to reclaim what rightfully belongs to our son!" He said, instantly stoking her anger again as he walked around the side of his desk. What on earth did he mean he was doing it for their son? Putting himself and the country in danger was perhaps the worst tactic for keeping their son's future safe!

"English Kings have enough trouble governing this island!" She cried, throwing up her hands in exasperation "Do you truly think you can reign back in a world of glorious empire when Lancaster still rumbles?" He only sighed, turning to face her.
"Lancaster is gone"

"There are more!" She yelled "there will always be more, my Lord! And what of Dickon? Anne has just died in her childbed and you seek to tear him from her grave before her body is cold?"
"It will do him good, my Lady!" He snapped and she didn't quite believe her ears for a second "He shall be able to shed the rage he holds in his grief!"

"By using it to slay the people of my homeland?" She shrieked, an inch of self control away from hitting him "Well, my apologies for getting in the way of your innovative mourning solutions but I will not have it!"

"You will have whatever I give, my Lady" He told her sharply as he stepped forward "I may be your husband but I'm also your King and you my subject" She moved towards him, narrowing her eyes.

"I am your Queen"

Without warning, he surged forward, grasping her hips, pulling her against him before he smashed their lips together. The kiss was hot, demanding, passionate and, despite her anger, Constance felt herself kiss him back. It had been so long since she'd touched him, since he'd touched her and, harshly grasping his jaw, she pulled him closer.

Reaching up, he plucked the pins from her headdress, tearing it from her head and pulling at the braids coiled around her head until they were loose, falling in a waved river down her back. Continuing their hurried kisses, he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist, knowing what was to come when he placed her on his desk.

Grabbing her skirts, he hiked them up, tracing the bare skin of her thighs above her embroidered stockings. A soft sigh left her mouth, it had been so long since she'd felt him and the ache between her legs grew. She knew if he touched her she'd be wet, dripping.

Grasping the front of his doublet, she yanked at the golden clasps until they came undone, pushing it from her shoulders before she reached for his shirt. He helped her, breaking their kiss for a moment to yank it over his head and toss it to the side throwing back his head for a moment when her hands glided across his chest, nails leaving marks as she scratched his skin.

He reached for the back of her gown, pulling at the laces until he could draw her bodice down with her shift, pushing it to her waist. One hand cupped her right breast while the other slipped beneath her skirts again. She opened her legs.

They both moaned when his fingers found her cunt, Constance tossing back her head throes of pleasure. He slipped one finger inside, pumping it slowly in and out before he added a second while his thumb found her bud of pleasure, drawing circles around it in the way he'd knew would make her come undone.

Pleasure flooded through her veins, coiling in her belly until it snapped and white light flashed before her eyes. She fell against Edward, burying her head in his shoulder but he gave her no time to recover, unlacing his breeches and hooking her leg around his waist. She cried out when he thrust into her in one smooth, sharp move, biting down on his neck so hard it nearly drew blood.

Snapping his hips, he fucked her, pulling her head back to kiss her once more. Constance responded with all she had, wrapping her arms around him, finally feeling again how good it was to have him inside her.

But anger still remained within her, demanding she take control, that she show him that she could be just at strong at him. Placing her hands on his chest, she pushed him with all of her strength, making him stumble back. He stared at her with fierce desire in his eyes, even more so when she got off the desk, staring up at him defiantly.

He moved back, she followed, matching each others steps until he reached the foot of his bed and she pushed him onto the covers. Wasting no time she climbed atop him hiking up her skirts and keeping him pinned to the covers with her hands on his chest. He could easily overpowered her if he wanted but he didn't, letting out an almost animalistic moan when she sunk down onto him.

Rolling her hips, Constance tossed back her head, rising him as hard as they could, making them both moan in ecstasy. Feeling herself close and knowing he would finish too, she took his hand, guiding it beneath her skirts until he found her clit and began circling it again, applying the perfect amount of pressure.

Bliss washed over them at the same time, making them cry out each other's names before all that could be heard was the sound of their heavy breaths. Gasping for air, she looked up at the canopy before climbing off the King, moving the bed instead of laying with him.

While it was on shaky legs, she walked to the desk, turning and leaning against it, watching her husband as he slowly sat up, as out of breath as she was. She stared at him.

"Get out"
He frowned.
"These are my rooms, my lady"
"I do not care and you have many. Leave this one. Get out, Edward"

Watching her for a moment, he moved, lacing his breeches and moving to pick up his shirt which he tossed over his head. Wandering over to her, he made to kiss her one last time but she turned her head away, not forgetting his latest insult to her in his declaration of war.

He sighed, nodding before quietly leaving the room, shutting the door behind him and leaving her alone. Slowly, she pulled her shift and the bodice of her gown back up, manoeuvring it onto her shoulders. Swallowing she looked to the empty bed, the rumpled covers that would still be warm from her husband's body.

Tears filled her eyes and she sucked in a sharp breath to prevent a sob leaving her throat. Touching him, being near him, was just a reminder of how much she'd loved him, of how much she still loved him, despite her anger. She didn't know why her heart was tied to him, why, whatever he did, it never fully relented it's love.

He still loved her, she had seen it in his eyes when he looked at her, felt it through the anger and desire when he kissed her. Yes, he still loved her and she loved him and part of her heart wanted to mend things between them but the other part wouldn't forget Jane Shore, wouldn't forget he'd just declared war on her homeland.

If their hearts never realigned again, it was a tragedy of his own making.

༻᯽༺

June 1475....

It was too early, a month too early. Again.

In her shift, covered in sweat, hair bedraggled, Constance walked unsteadily back and forth across her bedchamber, each step an agony for her as pain shot through her belly, her back and her thighs. Her breaths came in short, quaking bursts and her mind whirled with nausea and the memories of little Edmund a year earlier.

She couldn't lose another child....she couldn't have another baby die. If this one passed, she would never carry another one, that much she knew.

She fell against a bedpost when one particularly painful contraction tore through her and her ladies and midwives moved to help but she shook her head fiercely, holding out a hand.

"No!" She commanded "Don't touch me!"
It had been that way during the three hours since her labours begun. She'd not allowed anyone to touch her, even undressing herself, the pain worsening at the thought of their hands on her. No matter how much they pleaded, no matter how much they begged or tried to persuade, she refused. She didn't want it.

The women moved away, worried looks on their faces as their Queen collapsed at the end of the bed, crying out in agony. Tears streamed down her face and she tried desperately to catch her breath, trying to do what her body told her. She didn't want the help of the midwives, surely the greatest chance of her baby's survival was if she did what nature and God told her?

Pushing herself up onto her knees, her hands clawed into the covers of the bed and she forced her legs apart, pushing when her body told her to. A scream tore from her throat and a sob left her as her strength waned and she forced herself to stop, feeling blood run down her thighs, drip onto the floor.

"Please" She whispered, laying her head on the sheets for a moment, relishing their sweet coolness against her hot skin "Please, God, do not take this child from me"

Feeling the need to push again, she forced herself up, holding onto the wooden end of the bed as she clenched her teeth. Animalistic groans forced themselves from her body as she pushed, her limbs shaking with the effort that seemed to do nothing to shift the baby inside of her.

All it did was bring more blood. With every second her baby was not in her arms, she began to panic more, though she tried not to. She kept seeing the faces of her lost babes flashing before her eyes, each of their little faces perfect like they were sleeping but she knew they were dead.

"Come on...." She urged, pushing again with such force she felt she would split in two and screamed, her head falling back as her legs gave out and she went from kneeling to sitting on the floor with a thud that sent excruciating pain through her.

"Please Constance" Anne begged, putting a hand to her belly where her own baby had begun to grow "Please let us help you!" Constance shook her head, gasping for air.

"No!"
"Please!" Beth cried, stepping forward "you need not do this alone, sister!"
"I will!" She yelled "Do not come near me!" Laying her head on the bed, she groaned into the sheets, her body trying to push the baby from her womb.

Had she seen the little girl peeking through a crack in her open bedchamber door perhaps she would've allowed herself to be helped, allowed herself to be helped to the bed or the birthing chair.

But she didn't know her eldest daughter was watching.

Eleven year old Marie stared in horror as her Mother suffered on her knees, as blood dripped from between her legs onto the marble floor. She heard her cries, saw the agony she was in and wept because of it. She was near enough to hear the ladies and midwives whispers, to hear their worries and their predictions.

"With the amount of blood she's losing, if this endures much longer, the Queen will not survive"

Her Aunt Beth let out a small sob and Marie shook her head in disbelief, a terrified shiver running down her spine. Her Mother couldn't die, her Mother wouldn't die! What about her and her sisters and little Edward? They all needed her! What about her Father?

Then it struck her - her Father, she would get her Father! He would know what to do, he would help! Her Mother and Father were at odds but that would not stop him, he loved her!

Picking up her skirts, she ran from the Queen's chambers, her Mother's desperate cries echoing behind her. She ignored the servants that bowed and curtsied to her, the nobles that stared as she ran past, she simply wanted her Father and burst into his study red-faced and out of breath.

He and George were discussing the war with France and their heads snapped up at her unannounced entrance, eyes widening.
"Father!" She cried "It's ma Mère!"
Edward tilted his head.
"She's in labour, yes Marie"
"You have to come!"

He gave her a gentle smile but shook his head, leaning back in his chair.

"I'm sure your Mother doesn't want me there, poppet, I would only stress her and that is the last thing she needs at this hour" Marie shook her head, rushing up to his chair and trying to pull him out by his arm.
"No! You don't understand! She's dying!"
Edward frowned, panic flashing in his eyes.
"Dying?"

She nodded, finally managing to pull him away when he stood.
"The midwives say they don't think she will survive!" She cried "You have to come now!" His gaze darted to his brother before looking back to his daughter and breaking into a run.

"Marie, stay with your Uncle!" He ordered over his shoulder and for once, Marie was glad George was there, rushing into his arms. He lifted her up cradling the back of her head as she cried into his shoulder.
"All will be well, Marie" He soothed "Your Father will save her, all will be well, don't fear"

Edward ran through the palace as fast as his long legs could carry him, pushing servants and nobles out of the way if they were in his path, slowing him reaching his Queen. His heart pounded in his chest. Marie was hardly ever wrong but her Mother couldn't be dying! Constance couldn't die! He wouldn't allow it!

"Constance!" He yelled when he heard her scream, throwing the doors of her chambers open and rushing to her bedchamber. Bursting into the room, his eyes instantly found the pitiful sight that was his wife, knelt at the end of the bed and trembling all over, a pool of blood beneath her.

"Don't touch me!" She cried when his sisters tried to go to her.

"Please, Connie!" Beth begged "let us help you!"
"No....no, no, no....leave me....leave me...." Her head rested on the bedcovers and her eyes closed, body shivering and tears streaming down her face.

"Your grace?"
Edward looked sharply at the midwife that addressed him.

"It's too early...." Constance murmured "it's too early....oh God its too early....Ned....I need Ned...." She cried out as another contraction swept through her "Edward!" The King was about to go to her but the midwife looked at him, something clear on her lips and he waited. She sighed.
"Your grace, if the Queen cannot deliver the baby and it becomes clear she's dying, we may have to cut her open"

Rage immediately flooded him.
"No!" He yelled and Constance tried to raise her head at his voice "You will not do that!"
"But, your grace....."
"Take one step towards her and I swear I'll hang you by your fucking neck!" The midwife's eyes widened and she stepped away, head bowed as Edward rushed to the Queen, kneeling by her.

"Everyone, leave!" Anne ordered and ushered the midwives and her fellow ladies into the reception chamber, only allowing herself to stay with the King and Queen.

"Edward..." Constance sobbed, raising her head, forgetting every inch of anger she'd ever held against him at the relief the sight of his face brought.
"I'm here, Connie" He said, putting an arm around her waist to keep her steady, startled at how hot she was "I'm here, my love, I'm here"

"Don't leave me" She begged "please don't leave me"
"I won't, I swear it!" Turning her body with a grimace and a soft sob, her shaking hands clung to the front of his doublet, head on his chest.
"Don't let me die....I don't want to die..."
Cupping her face, he turned it up and kissed her gently on the forehead.

"You will not die" He told her sternly "I will not allow you to die. You will live, Connie, you will have this baby and you will love them and watch them grow" Her bottom lip quivered, almost like a child's.
"Will you love me?"
"Always. Always and forever"

Her face screwed up in agony as pain tore through her belly and she turned back to the bed, gripping the sheets "Come on Connie" He encouraged "I'm right here, you will deliver this child....push! Push, Connie!" She did as he asked, screaming as she pushed with all of her strength, at last feeling her baby move a little closer to being born.

"Aghhh....Ned! Ned....the baby"
He understood and put his hands beneath her shift, gently feeling between her legs until he felt the crown of the baby's head.
"Push, Con! Push!"

She did so again, crying out, tearing at the sheets, using all the strength she had. Edward looked to his sister.
"The head is out, Anne"
She nodded.
"Good! Now you just need to get the shoulders out and baby will come"
He knelt up beside his wife, kissing her on the cheek.

"Do you hear that sweetheart?" He whispered and she nodded "not long now" Curling her hands into fists, she pushed again, dripping more blood onto the floor and then for the final time, her nails cutting into her skin as she clenched her teeth, pushing until the baby came free and her body collapsed at the end of the bed.

Edward caught the child, his eyes widening at the sight of the squirming little thing that began to wail as soon as she left her Mother. They had a daughter. Anne rushed to his side, carrying a linen towel.
"Here"

He wrapped the baby carefully, watching her with the same wonder he gazed on all their children with, perhaps even more so as he'd seen her first moments of life; was the first to hold her. A wide smile spread across his lips and, looking up to Constance, he was about to tell her of their fortune when he noticed something wrong.

Her head was on the bedcovers, her eyes were closed, her body limp, unmoving.

"Con? Connie?" He passed the baby to Anne, moving to his wife's side in an instant and lowering his ear to her mouth for a moment. She wasn't breathing "Constance! Constance breathe!" Picking her up, he carried her around the bed, laying her on top of it "I command you to breathe!" He said when she didn't move and he took her hand "Constance! I am the King and you will breathe for me!"

As if his words truly held sway over the matter of life and death, her chest began to rise and fall, slowly and shallowly but she was breathing all the same "Thank God!" Edward whispered, crossing himself and looked to Anne to bring the mewling Princess to him.

They were both there when Constance awoke "We have a healthy daughter!" He exclaimed happily, cradling the little girl, now quiet, and, despite her tiredness, she managed a smile.