~Revolt~

17th of June 1484, Middleham Castle....

Constance hummed as she slid the last pin into the top of Isabella's hennin to secure the new veil she'd made - sheer white silk with flowers embroidered on it.

"There" She said, placing her hands on her daughter's shoulders "How do you like it, my love?"
"I like it very well, Mother" Isabella's fingers brushed against the silk, a small smile on her lips as she gazed at herself in the mirror before them "Thank you"
"I am glad! Now, go and join your sisters! I believe they are still outside!"
"Yes, Mama"

Rising from the stool she sat on, she slipped from the room, head high, shoulders back. Once all was well, it would soon be time for her to marry, Constance thought, just as her brother had been. She'd received a letter from Marie detailing Edward's marriage and, while she knew it was needed and was glad to hear of the arrival of their allies, it had saddened her greatly.

It was a reminder of the duty of her royal children that, even when victory was achieved, she may not have her children safely in her arms for much long after. Aliénor was already betrothed to France and, at nine, she was mere years away from being a ripe age for her betrothal to be fulfilled!

Where would Isabella go? Or Cecily? Which far corner of Europe would they rule over and how soon would they occupy their own thrones?

She had no doubt the Woodvilles knew of Edward's marriage, it had been no secret affair, quite the opposite, but Grey had made no mention of it to her, likely on the orders of Arthur and Elizabeth. Without the knowledge of her son's marriage (which they clearly did not think she had) her rebellious spirit who be stirred.

Only they did not know it had never slept.

How she wished she could've been there to see her sweet son wed to his Queen, to reassure him as he truly stepped into his days of Kingship and manhood. She was sure Marie had done a fine job of that.

"Milady?"

Spinning around, she saw Martha walking into the chamber, a secretive smile on her face as she approached and swept a hurried curtsy before rising "Your grace, I being word from the Duke" She whispered, and Constance couldn't help but chuckle as she took her hands in her own, squeezing them with excitement.

"What is it, dear Martha?"
"They are going to take back Middleham. Lord Scrope's son is to bring his men in the dead of night and together with the Duke's here, they are to take it in the name of your son! Word has already been sent to Burgundy and soon our King's army shall land upon these shores!"

Her breath shuddered, eyes blowing wide as her mind processed the words spoken to her.

"Tonight?" She breathed and Martha nodded.
"Tonight!" She confirmed eagerly "The Duke has just received the message! You and the Princesses are to be taken to one of the servants chambers, when the time comes, at the top of the castle so you may be kept safe"

"Oh my....it is truly happening?" She had to have it confirmed again for with the incessant pounding of her heart filling her ears, she feared she'd heard incorrectly!

Martha nodded again.
"Truly. And I have every faith the forces of our one true King shall prevail"
"I have to tell the girls!"

Gathering all the composure she could muster, forcing herself to take a breath, Constance walked as fast as she dared from the bedchamber, allowing herself to speed up when she found the spiral stairs empty; a smile flashing across her lips composed of excitement, joy and fear.

It was going to happen.
It was finally going to happen!

Marie and Edward may already be boarding ships with their forces, she could soon hold them in her arms again! By the first snows of winter all could be well!

For a moment she'd wanted to ask why Richard had not brought the news himself but she knew, she knew all too well why. They had not spoken since that day in the stairwell, when feelings had broken free and given way to wild actions, not properly at least. The most they had said were pleasant greetings when in the company of others and, when they met at night to plot, they remained standing; hardly met each other's gaze.

Or rather, she didn't meet his.

It was strange.
She missed him.

But she couldn't push the guilt at what they'd done from her heart, that creeping feeling she relentlessly wrestled with. He'd made her feel young again, blushing with the first springs of love just as she'd been with Edward, and she couldn't abide it. But nor could she deny it, which only served to irk her more!

Striding into the gardens, she made an effort to straighten her face into her usual one of passive serenity and focused her gaze on her girls whom she could see ahead, Isabella playing with Cecily, Aliénor sitting at Alice's skirts weaving a daisy chain in silence. The latter sight made it easier to curb her joy.

"Milady" Alice greeted when she saw her, rising and offering a curtsy. Constance nodded in return and, upon drawing closer, could see the same sparks of excitement in Alice's eyes that Martha's had held.
"Good Morrow, Alice, I trust you are well?"
"More than" Alice replied with a knowing smile "As I trust you are?"

"Indeed, it is a....fine day, is it not?"
"A most splendid one, milady"
"Hm, I shall tend to my children, you may leave us"

With a smile and a nod, she bobbed another curtsy, walking back to the castle as Constance took a seat on the little stone bench she'd previously occupied.
"Girls! Come here, my loves"

In an instant, they obeyed, Aliénor hopping up onto her lap, Cecily and Isabella sitting either side.
"Yes, Mother?" The eldest asked. Their Mother smiled.

"You must listen to me very carefully now. Tonight shall be a strange night but you mustn't be afraid. All you need do is do as I instruct and all will be well, can you do that for me?" The girls nodded.
"Yes, Mama" The two eldest said, Aliénor kissed her cheek.

"Good, I knew you could!"
"What is happening?" Cecily asked and Constance put an arm around her shoulders. She did not want to tell them too much but she did not want to tell them too little - either could result in fear.

"Your Uncle is to be very courageous but he will not be harmed and we shall not be separated, my darlings. There will be a lot of noise, mayhap some sounds that may scare you but I swear to you not one hair on your head will be harmed"

"Our friends are going to take Middleham" Isabella said pointedly and she smiled, sighing. Isabella had become almost exactly like Marie was at her age in some ways, there was nothing that went unnoticed by her, hardly anything that could be hidden!
"Yes" She whispered and Cecily grinned "but you must not breathe a word! Not one"

"We won't!" Isabella promised "Will we?" The others shook their heads, Aliénor putting a finger to her lips although there was no chance she would speak of the weather, let alone the plan for taking Middleham!
"Edward is coming back!" Cecily giggled quietly "Isn't he? He's coming back to us!"

"He is" Her Mother confirmed, gathering them all into a firm hug "soon, all will be well, my loves, I promise"

༻᯽༺

That Night....

"Have you your shoes, Cis?" Constance asked quietly as she brushed Aliénor's hair before the dressing table mirror, glancing over her shoulder to see Cecily quickly pull out her pair of blue silk slippers from under the bed, wiggling them in the air before sliding them back where her sisters shoes were along with their cloaks.

The top of the castle would be cold but the girls couldn't be fully dressed, not when two o clock had chimed only minutes ago! It was nerve wracking enough to have them slipped from the nursery and through the servants passageways in their nightgowns!

At least if they were seen wearing them an excuse could be sought! Perhaps nightmares (which all the castle knew the girls suffered from) which meant they needed to be brought to their Mother, or illness which could easily be feigned!

All needed to seem as normal as possible which was why only a few candles were lit, the fire kept low and they spoke in hushed whispers; Martha and Alice standing guard at the door, listening for unfamiliar footsteps. The guards outside were now Richard's men!

Oh, Richard, Constance thought as she gently brought the brush through her little girl's locks again. How was he faring? What was he doing? Would he be donning his armour by now? Was he as nervous as she? Her breath trembled as she exhaled, placing the brush down on the dressing table.

The more time that passed, the more she found her need to see him grew, the need to see his face, to reassure herself and him that all would be well. She couldn't let him go without saying....not goodbye, she couldn't bear another goodbye. They were so final, so harsh, so foreboding as if those who made them were certain misfortune would befall them!

She would do everything she could to ensure nothing bad befell Richard. Yes, she had to see him.

"Stay here, my love" She whispered, kissing the top of Aliénor's head "I shall return soon" She began to move away but the young girl caught her hand, making her turn to see Aliénor's free hand offered to her, pinky finger outstretched. Constance smiled. It meant she had to promise. Her little girl wouldn't let her go otherwise.

Linking her own little finger with her daughter's, she held it tight, shaking it before she let go with a smile.

"I shall return before you blink!" Aliénor blinked twice and Constance chuckled, kissing her again "See you soon my darling girl" Giving a small wave to Isabella and Cecily, a nod to her attendants, she slipped into the servants passageways, making the short distance between her and Richard's chamber as quietly as possible.

Many of the castle inhabitants were loyal to her but God forbid she came across one that was not! In the silence, she could hear the muffled clank of metal as she reached Richard's door. She wished for a moment to hesitate, a moment to slow down, to pause but she didn't possess one. She could not risk it; nor did she want to for the fear of capture was far worse than the guilt eating at her.

Pushing the door ajar and sidling inside, she jumped as four pairs of eyes shot her way. The ones closest were two men who guarded Richard's door, pikes in hand, swords at their waist, mail beneath their dark blue doublets. Their hands (which had flown to the pommels of their blades upon her entrance) fell to their sides when they saw her and they rose from their seat on the coffer at the end of Richard's bed and removed their caps, bowing low.

"Your grace"
"Your grace"

"Rise" She told them quietly "I take it you are amongst those loyal to my son now? To the Duke?" Her eyes flicked to Richard who stood before the large chamber window - curtains drawn - in full armour with a pageboy. He seemed to have frozen in place, right arm bent; fingers adjusting the vambrace around his forearm. His eyes pierced her, making a flush of heat burn her face.

"We are, your grace" One of the men replied and she forced herself to return to him and his companion "and we shall fight with all our strength this night and every moment until our true King is upon his throne and his enemies vanquished"

"Then I thank you, your service shall not be forgotten by me, or by my son when he claims his rightful throne"

"Or I" Richard added before nodding to them "You may go now, all must seem as usual"
"My Lord" They replied in unison, bowing low to him, then her before making a quiet exit.
"You too, boy"
"Milord"

The young lad obeyed instantly, young eyes darting quickly over his work to ensure all was well before he bowed and crossed the chamber to the servants passage, bowing to Constance when he passed her. With the click of the door latch, they were left alone.

For a moment, there was naught but silence, their eyes locked, she wringing her hands, searching for words, he completely still which was rare. She could not tell whether it was a good or bad thing.

"I did not expect you" He said at last, retrieving his sword from where it was leant against the wall and sliding it smoothly into the leather scabbard at his hip "I thought you would be with the girls"

"I was" She replied, daring to venture a little further into the room, heart pounding with nerves "and shall return to them shortly to go to the chamber where we are to be kept safe" Richard hummed in approval, giving a small nod.

"I am glad you are here, Connie, we have not spoken properly in.....many days"
Guilt reared it's ugly head once more at his words, bringing flashes of bright memory to the forefront of her mind. She felt her cheeks redden.

"We have not, but I found I had to come. I had to see you" Relief flooded her heart at the small smile that curved Richard's lips and her frame relaxed somewhat, the knot of tension untying itself inside her stomach. He was not angry.

"I am glad you did" He told her "I admit, I had hoped you would, I wished for a chance to say goodbye in case...." No!

"Don't say it!" She interrupted, her feet suddenly pushing her further towards him in protest "I cannot bear to think it, I refuse to have it spoken"
"Then I shall not speak it" He conceded, eyes never leaving hers as she came to stand before him "but, now I do wonder, why did you come if not to say goodbye?"

"Because I knew if I did not see your face then I would claw the tower door down when the fighting begun and run into the fray without a care for my own fate until I looked upon it"

She did not think of her words, she did not have to, they poured from her lips like honey, pulled from her tongue by anxiety and the ever growing feeling she could no longer deny. It seemed nor could he for in moments he had crossed the room to her and had taken her lovingly in his arms, holding her close. She did not care that the cold of his armour seeped through her dress, his touch warmed her and she wished to meld herself to his embrace.

"It shall be the memory of yours that sustains me this night" He said "With you upon my mind, I cannot falter" A smile touched her lips, he was so very sweet.

"May I....." He pulled away a little at her words "bestow my blessing upon you? As I used to do for Ned? He believed it brought him luck" And she hoped it would prove the same for Richard! She felt her heart twist with pain at the notion of sharing such an intimate act, it had always been for Edward, always, for more than twenty years! But he no longer needed it, she told herself, he was not the one in danger any longer, he was not the one her nerves were tearing themselves to shreds for.

She loved him, of course she loved him, she could never not love him, her Ned, but he was not there any longer. Richard was and it was he she was desperate to protect, the exact same uncomfortable feeling swimming in her veins in her as it always had for Edward when he went to fight. She couldn't lose him, she couldn't bear it.

"I would be honoured" Richard replied and, drawing his sword, hands upon the hilt, he bent down onto one knee, bowing his head to her. Just as Ned had done. Reaching out, placing her hand atop his head, immersing her fingers in his mass of dark curls, a smile touched her lips. It felt so natural to do, so right, so familiar! She felt almost calm.

"I pray that God grants you victory this night, that honour and glory be restored to our land. Come back to us" She paused, nodding "....to me, Richard, I know not what I shall do without your company or support" After allowing herself one more moment of peace, she removed her hand and he rose, returning his sword to its place. Immediately, her nerves flooded back, swathed in heated adrenaline.

"I shall return, I swear it to you" He whispered. She nodded, though weather it was to reassure herself or him, she did not know.
"And you are a man of your word"
"I am"
"You are. Ensure it stays thus"

She felt lightning pulse through her as their fingers brushed against one another, slowly intertwining, coming together like two pieces of a puzzle. She couldn't bear the thought she may never feel the warmth of his hand against hers again....

"Naught shall stop me from seeing my nephew crowned, nor you and my nieces safe" He told her firmly "you may depend upon it" She did. That and his skill as a seasoned warrior.

"The other day....." She whispered but he only shook his head, squeezing her hand.
"Do not speak of it, Connie, not now, not in this moment. Let us do so after, when our hearts are not running at such a speed they may break from our chests" He paused "But do not think for one moment that I regret what transpired between us"

"Richard...." His free hand came to cradle her cheek, making forthcoming words die in her throat.
"I must go and so must you, I only ask that you keep me in your prayers. I know you still waver in your faith but please, for me" At that moment she was sure she would do anything for him, weather that be pray or leap out of the nearby window with a sword to take on the enemy all alone! She just wanted all to be well, him to be well!

"I shall keep you in my sights if I can" She replied, feeling herself beginning to shake "if there is a window I shall be by it" If there wasn't she was afraid she would wander the halls until she found one! He couldn't die....she wouldn't allow it! Thumb stroking across the soft plane of her cheeks he smiled, gazing into her eyes for a moment before he leant forward and pressed his lips to hers.

It was a gentle kiss, soft and tender, with no urgency - despite their situation - or burning passion but it was still loving, greatly so. He did not hold her tight, she could pull away if she wished but she found (with a heavy though unsurprised heart) that she did not and for a moment, the crushing burden of guilt slipped away.

When they parted, he brought her into another embrace, cradling her head against his shoulder, her fingers gripping the tops of his arms, eyes screwed shut to keep out the world for one precious moment longer.

"Come back to me" She whispered "Promise me, promise me again that you will!"
"You did not lose Ned in battle, you shall not lose me to one"
She grimaced.
"No....but I did lose him too soon...."
"It shall not be so with me, I promise, Connie"

She nodded, all she could do was nod. She couldn't prevent him from taking Middleham, not only was he one of the finest soldiers but he was someone the men would follow to death. It was not so wise of him to promise his return either but she had asked and he had given, just as he always did. Her heart sung through its fear for that.

"Let it be done" She breathed, tears pricking her eyes and after a moment the firm safety of his arms left her, leaving her feeling bare as Richard collected his helmet from the cushion on the window seat. He didn't say another word when he passed her and exited the way she'd entered, doing all he could to quieten the clank of his armour echoing through the servants passageway.

Soon after, she followed and when she entered the cool corridor, there was naught but silence and an icy breeze flowing through an open window. It felt heavenly on her burning skin and her feet drifted towards the source, leaning her head against the stone arch of the window.

Her eyes fluttered shut, tired, anxious, and when they opened again, they widened, her body suddenly alert once more as she saw a pinprick of light in the near distance, one that was quickly extinguished but not before she was sure she caught the gleam of armour. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked out across the nearby western wall and her heart quickened when she saw no guards.

Ordinarily they would be, but not that night, they had converted to her cause (if they were not already supporters of her son), perhaps manoeuvred the postings so they were placed there, and would be gathering with the rest - where she knew not. But there would be no warning for the Woodville spawn that night, there would be no preparation, only defeat.

They were coming, the Scropes were coming.

Their time was at hand.

Pushing away from the window she hurried back to her chamber, eyes instantly darting to Martha and Alice who were still at the door.

"It is time" She said "The Duke is prepared and shall soon begin the attack, I believe the Scropes are near. It is time we went to safer quarters. Girls, fetch your cloaks and shoes"

༻᯽༺

And so Constance and her daughters were snuck up to Martha and Alice's quarters with not a sound between them apart from their soft footsteps. The bed was quietly placed firm against the door and she and the girls huddled in the furthest corner behind a great chest of draws. Martha and Alice sat on the bed, ears pressed to the door.

For ten minutes or so, all was silent, the air taught with nerves like a bowstring about to snap. Constance felt her heart would burst. Her girls pressed close to her side, she held her arms around them, kissing their heads, watching the nearby window for sight or sound though she could see naught but the night sky glistening with stars.

Richard would not join Edward in the heaven's that day, she told herself, he would win, they would win. Please, she whispered in her mind, to who or where she knew not please let him live, let him return, let him win....

A muffled clatter from below made her jump, her heart halting for a moment before skipping into a panicked pace. Another clatter came but moments later, the shout of a man's voice, another clatter and a heavy thump. It was happening. That was no soldiers brawl.

Cecily squeaked as another clatter sounded, hiding her face against her Mother's bodice, and from that moment on, there was no quiet. A great chaos erupted, engulfing the castle in muffled yells and the distinct sound of metal clashing against metal that made them all flinch. Though it was not the fight that frightened Constance, it was the uncertainty of who was winning it, of who bled, which hearts were still beating.....

There was nothing they could do but sit and wait, a cruel torture of the mind that could not be ceased.

A great crash from outside almost made her cry out but she bit her tongue, unable to stay seated at the almighty bang and rushed to the window, clasping a hand to her mouth as her eyes blew wide at the sight below her. The courtyard - only it was less a courtyard than a window into hell. Men were dashing here and there, some limping, some embroiled in fights, blades clasping, fists flying.

The horses had been let loose from their stables and some had been mounted, turned into weapons.

Her eyes darted around, searching for Richard, there were men in armour but it was so dark she could not distinguish one from the other! The only light there was came from the forces of the Scropes outside who had now lit torches and seemed to be attempting to break down the gates! At least they were here, Constance told herself, they would all but ensure victory!

Suddenly a flash of fire exploded before her eyes, rising to the sky in an angry ball of orange and yellow, cloaked in black smoke. Screaming, she sprang back from the window and Isabella was instantly at her side, letting out a gasp.

"The stables are alight!" She cried, staring at the burning building which had lit up the courtyard, illuminating the castle gates as they burst open and men armed flooded through, carrying the arms of the Scropes "Look! There's Uncle Richard!"

"Where?" She demanded, following Isabella's pointing finger to a man clad in armour, forcing his way through the thicket of fighting men to the Scrope's leader, the baron's son, Henry. It was Richard, she realised with great relief, she knew his armour well, finely made with a white rose painted on the pauldron - though she could see it was dented, blood smeared along the metal.

Mounted on horseback, standard bearer at his side on horseback also and drawing a third horse behind him, Henry nodded to Richard and the two men clasped hands for a moment, before the latter mounted the spare horse, sheathing his bloody sword and pulled the battle axe from his belt. It was his favoured weapon, she thought with a beating heart, and now he was on horseback, there would be little to stop him.

But as her eyes began to follow him across the courtyard, the glass before her was pierced, an arrow shooting through the window and between her and her daughter, shattered glass falling to the floor.

"Get back!" She cried, instinctively grabbing Isabella and pulling her out of the way, staring at the arrow that had stuck itself fast in the door opposite, above Alice and Martha's heads.

A cold stream blew through the hole in the window it left, the heavy sent of smoke seeping into the room, voices from below amplified.

Without another word, she rushed back to the corner behind the chest of draws, Isabella in her arms and sunk to the floor, gathering the other two close. Forcing herself to breathe, she looked up at the window, trembling. She could no longer watch, the sliver of control she'd felt she had vanished. They returned to silence.

The pounding of her heart filled her ears, pierced with cries and clangs of metal; the fall of horses hooves and crackle of burning wood. The stinging scent of smoke assailed her nose and she grimaced, turning her head away. Alice pulled the arrow from the door, snapping it in half and throwing it to the side with trembling hands.

The only thing possibly higher than their fear at that moment was the level of adrenaline flooding their bodies.

So they waited and waited and waited some more, it felt like an eternity but was only little more than an hour. An hour of held breaths and fearful glances, an hour without knowledge; tentative hope.

Until at last, the sounds quietened, the clanging and crying ceased, leaving nothing but the whistle of air flowing through the broken window.

"Milady" Martha whispered sharply, making Constance's head shoot up "Footsteps!"
Removing her arms from around her girls, she rushed to the door, sitting between her attendants and pressing an ear to it. There were indeed footsteps but only one pair and they were hurried but not aggressively so.

They stopped before the door.

"Connie?"
"Richard!" She gasped, hands flattening against the wood, heart pounding. He was alive!
"Connie, are you well? Are the girls well?"
"Yes! We are! What is happening!"

"We have won! We are safe!" He cried, trying to open the door only to find his way barred by the bed "What on earth have you got stacked against this?"
"Move it!" Constance ordered, jumping from the covers and the others followed, pushing the bed away and as soon as she could, she flung open the door, beaming at the sight of Richard.

His hair was tangled his face and armour streaked with blood and mud but she did not care. She threw herself into his arms.
"You shall dirty yourself" He murmured, though his arms held her fast and close.
"I do not care!" She whispered "You are safe! You came back to me!"

"And we have taken Middleham!" He replied "The castle is ours, Connie, we are triumphant! All has begun!" Pulling back a little, she cupped his face, the happiest of tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Girls! Come and praise your Uncle for his bravery and skill" She cried and three sets of footsteps immediately rushed across the chamber; three pairs of arms hugged Constance and Richard.

"We are safe?" Isabella gasped, laughing "We are truly safe, Uncle Richard?"
"We are!" He told her and Cecily giggled, Aliénor jumped up and down, grinning. After a moment, he looked to Alice and Martha who curtsied "Take the girls to their Mother's chamber and have anything their hearts desire brought from the kitchens! I must show her grace, the Queen Regent, our victory"

Tucking Constance's hand in the crook of her elbow, he made to head down the stairs with her but Isabella called out.

"Not I!" She said and the adults looked over their shoulders, surprised. Some would've bowed their heads, flushed with embarrassment. Not Isabella, she held her head high "I wish to accompany you. Please" Constance blinked and then found herself nodding.

"Of course you may" She replied and her daughter nodded her thanks, hurrying to join her on the stairs and descending with them. It was not long until Constance could hear a great ruckus from the hall, the rhythmic banging of boots on the floor, yells, shouts that began to form muffled words then clearer ones.

They made her heart stop.

"Long live King Edward!"
"Long live King Edward!"

They were calling for her son, crying out their allegiance, stating for all to hear who the true King of England was.

"He is coming" Isabella whispered "Soon all shall declare as such!"
"They will" She replied, taking her daughters hand as the doors of the great hall approached, filling her ears and her heart "My sweet boy. Our great King"

The doors swung open and they were greeted with riotous applause, bruised and battered faces turning their way, intoxicated with victory and the adrenaline of battle. The hall was in shambles, the furniture overturned, jugs smashed, Woodville banners stripped from the walls and lying in dirty shreds beneath the men's boots.

They ascended the dais and Richard waved a hand for silence which fell quicker than a heartbeat, all eyes trained towards them. Constance stepped forward, taking a breath.

"Tonight you have won a great victory, not only for yourselves but for God and his ordained representative upon this earth, your one true King, my son, Edward"

"King Edward!" They chorused and she smiled.

"T'was an honour, your grace" One young man (nearer boyhood than manhood she wagered) close to the dais called and when she looked over to him, he bowed deeply "Sir Henry Scrope" He said. The soldier on horseback whom Richard had greeted at the gates.

"You and your men are to be honoured along with all who fought for this castle, upon my son's return! I thank you for the aid you gave us this night. It shall not be forgotten" She turned to address the crowd once more "This night you have begun a crusade, you are soldiers of God and I swear that by the time our campaign is ended, the English soil shall be red with Woodville blood"

Men roared their support, stamping their feet, banging their fists against the walls and the upturned tables. She nodded to them, triumph flooding her veins, lifting her soul.

"And now, you are to make merry!" Richard declared, earning more cheers of approval "You have fought hard and deserve your thirst to be quenched!" He signalled to a nearby page boy "Lad, have food and ale a plenty brought!"

The boy bowed; made a hasty exit, grinning, but before celebration could commence, one of the side entrances to the chamber banged open and all fell silent as Richard Grey was dragged before the dais and thrown at Constance's feet. Dressed in his nightshirt, it was clear he had not fought but had certainly been beaten. His left eye was an angry red, turning purple, swollen shut, the eyebrow above slashed open and bleeding as was his lower lip.

The men immediately began to taunt him, hauling every obscenity known to man and Constance glanced to her daughter only to see her smirking, rage and victorious jubilation swimming in her eyes. She returned to the prisoner, holding up a hand so the room fell silent, and he looked up at her, teeth bared, good eye furious.

He was no longer pretty.

"You are most certainly a consummate actress. I congratulate you on that" He hissed.
"I am able to craft a facade, it is true" She returned "but it was your own foolish vanity and lack of any wits that blinded you to my actions and my Lord of Gloucester's" Cheers filled the hall again but after a moment, she signalled for silence once more and was obeyed.

"You will not succeed!" Grey spat "My family shall triumph, you may have won this battle but what is one castle to a kingdom?" She cocked her head to the side.

"My Lord Gloucester?"
Richard stepped forward.
"Yes, your grace?"
"Who is the King of England?"
"King Edward, your grace"
"And who is his Mother?"
"You are, your grace"
"Sir Henry?"

Sir Henry bowed again.
"At your service, your grace"
"My son has your family's support, does he not?"
"To the death, your grace"
"And who else has pledged their allegiance?"
"You have the people's hearts, your grace, and the Lords shall follow where you and your son lead. There is not a day that goes by where a letter is not smuggled to my Father from Lords across the realm pledging themselves to your cause. Upon your call, the whole of England shall rise for you!"

"Mere words!" Grey sneered and she laughed before a cold look overcame her features.
"They may be now but soon they shall materialise into people, more and more, day after day shall join my son's cause and soon you shall be sorry your family were ever born! Men of Middleham and Bolton!" She called "Who is the rightful King of England?"

"King Edward! King Edward!" They roared and she nodded before motioning for silence again.

"The King shall not stand for this!" Grey thundered, making to stand only for one of the men who'd hauled him in to bash him in the back of the leg with the head of his mace so that he cried out in pain, crumpling to the floor again.

"You shall not rise in the presence of your Queen" He told him and Constance found her daughter's smirk appear on her lips.

"Of course not" She said, replying to Greg's remark "why should my son stand for traitorous rats infesting his kingdom? The King is my son and I guarantee he shall find the sight of you and the rest of your kin on your knees in the dirt a most satisfying sight"

"I returned your daughters to you!"
"They never should have been taken from me!" She hissed "Just because you return a stolen jewel does not mean you are any less of a thief but you took more than a jewel, sir, you and your kin took the keepers of my heart and that I shall not forgive" She looked to Sir Henry "Did you take any prisoners?"

"We did, your grace. They await your judgement"
"And I have it!" She declared "They wished to serve the usurper in life, they can be the first to greet him in hell"
"Including Grey?"
"Nay. He can become acquainted with the dungeon rats. They are so alike his kin I dare say a firm friendship shall be formed"

Laughter and applause, the stomping of feet, erupted around the hall again, cheers of her son's name, of her name, ringing in her ears "Take him away!" She ordered "And hang the rest!" Suddenly, an idea took her "Wait!" The room fell silent once more "Delay the executions until the morrow, I should like to watch as I am sure you should all like to. To see justice brought to the brothers you have lost this night in defence of our King and country!"

This time no cheers; solemn nods of agreement, men crossing themselves and she followed suit "Grey, you shall watch too"

"You would not dare hang them! They are loyal servants of the King" He yelled and she rolled her eyes, sighing.

"I have eaten an orange whilst watching a man's entrails be plucked forth as he still breathed. I assure you, I shall not tremble at the sight of a few broken necks"

Whoops and hoots, shouts of approval and laughter; applause once more filled the hall as Grey was dragged away, still spouting his protestations. Behind, she could feel Richard's proud gaze "Now I shall leave you to your merriment!" She declared "You have earned it!"

The men bowed to her as she descended the dais, calls of "God bless you, Queen Constance!" and "Long live your grace!" Following her as she swept from the hall, Isabella and Richard in tow.

"Well done, Mother!" The girl cried, flinging her arms around her, hugging her tight "You were perfect!"
"Yes!" Richard agreed "Just perfect and you, Issy, were every inch the perfect Princess! Go and join your sisters"

"Yes, Uncle Dickon!" She replied, satisfied and glided down the corridor, now free of a heavy weight. They all were.

"I cannot believe it" Constance breathed once her daughter was out of sight, walking down a separate passage towards Richard's chambers; up a set of stairs "How freeing it feels to walk corridors void of enemy eyes"

"Freeing indeed" He agreed, pushing open the chamber door for them and, as soon as he closed it, Constance felt his arms slip around her waist, chin resting on her shoulder. She giggled, melting into his embrace.
"You won! You came back to me!"
"I said I would, did I not? I am a man of my word"

Turning in his grasp, she smiled and gently cupped his face in her hands. He was real. He was there: alive.

"I thank you and the men for our victory....and God"

"You have regained your faith?" He asked, surprised.
"A little, I believe" She replied "My doubts are waning and my beliefs strengthening once more. Perhaps the trouble of this past year was his greatest test of all and he sent you to help me through it, to teach my son how to rule if his Father could not. It is hard, particularly with the murder of my brother, but....if it is the Lord's will then I am beginning to take comfort that those lost to me are seated in paradise and know no pain or suffering. I am determined to see that their deaths were not in vain"

"You made a strong speech to the men. You showed your power and I have spent time enough with soldiers to know how to recognise respect. You have earned theirs"
"And with it we shall take back what is ours"

He smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"We will take it and we will keep it. Now, I think we deserve a cup of wine"
"Or mayhap three!" She laughed.