~The Fate of Kings and Queens~

19th of June, 1484, Burgundy....

"How long shall it be until you send for me, my Lord?" Anne's eyes gazed up at him like two blue stars, glimmering with bashfulness and awe. Much to his chagrin, Edward had found it hard not to warm to his little wife.

Her joy was infectious, the sweetness of her smile even more so, her eagerness to listen to him and to be in his presence served to endeared her to him rather than irritate but it was her utter devotion to him, her true belief in his cause and worth that made it impossible not to take her into his heart.

He stood in the golden armour Maximilian had bestowed upon him only days before decorated with holy symbols and the sigils of his house alongside his own - a falcon argent in a golden fetterlock (opened as his Grandfather had styled it), a crown atop its head; white rose in its claw. It would be a symbol emblazoned on every banner and livery, every cap across the army set to depart on the morrow. His army.

Four thousand one hundred men and their commanders sworn to his service, to fight to the death to secure his throne. Men he would lead. Men he would inspire for battle, lead into the fray; fight alongside.

Once he reached his kingdom, even more would answer the call to his banner, for love of him and for his Father - his Mother too.

His sword was at his hip, one hand rested on the bejewelled hilt, as he sat by Anne at the end of his bed.

His feet were planted firmly on the floor.
Hers were only just halfway to it, gently swinging back and forth beneath her gown.
"As soon as my victory is secure" He told her gently, his small smile making her blush - much to his amusement "Then you shall be crowned the Queen of England"

"And you it's mighty King!" She enthused.
"Indeed, Anna" That summoned a smile of her own. Whenever they were alone, he called her by her Breton name, it made her happy although she declared she liked Anne very much! She sought to please him in everything, demonstrate her devotion, determined to be as English as he!

He'd never met another soul so eager to learn his native language and Lord was she a fast learner! Her mind was like a sponge, soaking up every drop of knowledge that surrounded her, always seeking more even when it seemed she'd drained a topic dry!

"You shall rest in the Tower of London the night before, as shall I" He continued "and we shall gift robes to one another to wear to the Abbey! A road of velvet shall be laid out for us and the people shall be so very pleased! It is likely we shall go deaf!"
"They shall shout for love of you, my Lord"

She looked at him with such trust, he thought, so very confident in his victory, and yet he did not feel one ounce of pressure in her presence. It was a change he liked very much, to be well liked yet not crushed by the expectation that came with such fondness.

"And for you, my Lady, you are their rightful Queen and you bring power to our nation. The people shall take you into their hearts as they took my Mother. They all but worship the ground she walks upon!"
The little girl looked down, wringing her hands in her lap.

"You speak so highly of your Lady Mother, the Dowager Queen, all I have met do, I hope very much that she shall like me but I am so nervous to meet her!"

"Ah!" Edward chuckled, shaking his head "the last person upon this Earth you need be afraid of is my Mother, Anna. She is gentle, she is kind, she shares your keen mind and shall love you greatly. I should say she will find in you a kindred spirit"

"Really?" She breathed with so much trusting hope he almost laughed again! "I already hold her in such great esteem"

"She shall love you as a daughter" He assured his young wife, hesitating a moment before he placed a hand over both of hers "I hope you shall keep me within your prayers"

"Of course!" She exclaimed, pulling one of her hands from his grasp and dipping it into her sleeve, pulling forth a silver locket on a silver chain she was clearly eager to present, turning to him with much excitement "I hope you shall accept this humble gift from your Lady wife, my Lord"

Edward couldn't help the fond smile that appeared on his lips and lifted the locket from her grasp, placing it in his palm. It was a delicate thing, the pendant being oval in shape, a heart engraved upon the front "It has a lock of my hair within" She murmured softly, blushing once more "So that I am always at your side"

Sliding his thumbnail into the groove around the middle, the locket clicked open and there, in the centre, was indeed a small lock of golden hair, tied with a thin strip of blue ribbon.

Much to his surprise, he found tears pricked his vision with a sudden sting.

"You have so much faith in me you would let a piece of yourself travel at my side across the sea?"
"Of course!" Came her certain reply "You are my husband and God's ordained King and where you go I shall follow in deed and in word" Blinking quickly, he glanced down at her, her bright eyes, assured smile, trust absolute. She reminded him so much of his little sisters.

"Thank you, Anna" He said, fastening the locket around his neck "I shall wear it to battle and with your belief, I am sure to win"

༻᯽༺

Marie cooed as Charlie nuzzled into her neck, arms looped firmly around her as they looked across the gardens from her bedchamber window, Richard reclined in the window seat, toying with his dagger.

"Stay, Marie" Charles murmured but his brother sighed.

"She cannot and nor can Edward or Uncle John" He told him "They must fight for our brother's throne" The two had meant to stay only a little while to bid goodbye to their sister before they attended their training with Maximilian but 'a little while' had quickly turned into two hours.

Marie did not mind in the slightest for, while she was sure of the love the people of England bore her and her brother and their noble supporters were many, nothing was ever entering certain in war. There was the chance she may not see her little brother's again. The thought made her hug the boy in her arms tighter.

"It will only be for a little while" She replied and sat down on the window seat beside Richard "If we are lucky, there shall be but one battle and then you can go home. You can see Mother again"

"Mama" Charlie murmured and she nodded, running a hand over his blonde curls which had returned fully to their golden splendour.
"We shall free Middleham and then march south, it is likely we shall meet with the usurper in the middle"

"And he will die" Richard muttered darkly "they will all die. The bastard usurper, his bastard brother, their whore Mother and their kin. They will die" Marie glanced at him. He was seven years old and yet so much anger plagued him, bitterness festered in his words and gaze. No child should be thinking of death, let alone the brutal plans Richard had in store for their enemies, for their half brother Anthony who was .

"Uncle Dickon shall see they are gone" She told him gently "I do not wish for you to spend your days in gloom, conjuring all sorts of bloody things in your head when you should be conjuring happiness and praying for our prosperity"

"Our prosperity lies in their demise" He returned sharply and she sighed, reaching out and running a hand through his hair, just as she'd done to Charlie.

"It does. But you need not think of it. I forbid you to do so while I am away. Instead of anger, conduct your spirits to hope and faith, in making our dear Mother and Father proud. They would not wish for you to wallow in bitterness now would they?" He raised his eyes to hers.

"No" He begrudgingly conceded.
"And I do not wish for such thoughts to be impressed upon Charlie. We wish for you to be happy, don't we, my love?"

"Happy!" Charlie giggled, reaching down to the cushions; kneeling up to the window and looking at the garden below "Very happy!" Marie arched an expectant eyebrow at the elder brother and, after a moment, he gave a short nod.

"Very well. Only because it is your wish and would be that of our parents"
"What would be the wish of my brother and sister?" Margaret's voice called as she entered, Maximilian at her side. A warm smile blossomed on Marie's lips and she rose from her seat, moving to embrace her Aunt before embracing Max, pressing a kiss to his cheek and blushing when he returned the gesture.

"Mari" 'husband' She greeted.
"Femme" 'wife' He returned, squeezing her hands "Je suppose que vous n'avez pas dit adieu à vos frères?" 'I take it you have not bade goodbye to your brothers?' She raised her eyebrows, sighing.
"Je n'ai pas" 'I have not'

"Eh bien, n'ayez crainte" 'well, fear not' Margaret said "je vous les ferai apporter après le souper, votre mari désire vous parler" 'I shall have them brought to you after supper, your husband wishes to speak to you' Holding out a hand, she beckoned to her nephews "Venez les garçons, j'ai arrangé vos activités préférées pour remplir votre journée" 'Come boys, I have arranged your favourite pursuits to fill your day'

Immediately the two boys obeyed, Richard holding Charlie's hand as he waddled over to their Aunt and she lead them from the room, nodding to her niece as Marie mouthed a quick 'thank you'. If there were any day her brothers needed distraction it was that one.

"Also" 'So' She said, returning to the window seat and motioning for him to sit beside her "Worüber möchtest du mit mir sprechen?" 'What is it you wish to speak to me of?'

"Nun, ich würde es dir lieber zeigen" 'Well, I would rather show you' He replied, not moving to join her. Instead he glanced over his shoulder, an excited gleam to his eyes that made her frown slightly in confusion "Kommen!" 'Come!' He called and the door swung open.

Two pageboys walked in, each carrying jointed effigies without heads but it was not them that made Marie stand, mouth agape, it was what the effigies bore upon their stiff, wooden bodies.

One possessed a beautiful silk gown in a deep purple hue. The sleeves were tight with bell cuffs made of ermine, slashed at the elbows to reveal the cloth of gold kirtle beneath as did small slits at the bottom. The neckline was unusually high, not one that would be seen upon the usual court gowns but that, she supposed was so the metal of the beautiful breastplate on the second effigy did not chafe upon her skin.

It was a stunning piece of metalwork, iron with a golden finish so it shone like the sun. Every inch was intricately engraved and, upon closer inspection, she could see the symbols of her house, her family, and that of the Holy Roman Empire with a matching gorget. She couldn't believe her eyes.

"For me?" She breathed before remembering Maximilian did not understand a word of English "Für mich?" She corrected herself, looking to her husband who's lips possessed a small smile. He nodded, walking to her side.

"Für dich" 'For you' He confirmed "Für deinen Kampf. Ein Kampf, den du gewinnen wirst" 'For your fight. A fight you will win' She shook her head. He not only wished for her to act as a warrior, he wished for her to look like one too, a figure that would stun the masses. Just as her Mother had done when she was a little girl.

"Es ist so schön" 'It is so beautiful'
"Und Sie sind es auch" 'As are you' Came his reply and her gaze found his again, cheeks painted a flushed crimson.

He had called her beautiful and he was so very handsome, she thought, with his light blue eyes that she was sure held a deepening affection for her in their mysterious depths. Or at least they had once been mysterious, now the mist was clearing, it had all but cleared and she knew him. She was glad to. More than.

"Ich habe noch ein weiteres Geschenk, das ich dir machen möchte" 'I have another gift I wish to bestow upon you' He continued "Erlauben Sie mir?" 'If you would permit me?' Extending a hand, he guided her back to the window seat, this time sitting beside her.

Pulling a small velvet box from the front of his doublet, he offered it to her, hands pressing together almost anxiously when she took it, watching for each and every reaction she could give.

Opening the box, Marie's eyes widened at the presented to her - his very own emblem, the pomegranate, fashioned from gold and split in the middle to reveal its precious seeds made from rubies.

"Ich....ich habe dich sehr lieb gewonnen, Marie" 'I....I have grown very fond of you, Marie' He murmured "mehr als lieb" 'more than fond' Her gaze shot to his, heart fluttering in her chest at his unexpected (though not un-hoped for) words "Tatsächlich" 'in fact' he whispered and a shiver ran through her body, goose flesh erupting onto her skin "Ich glaube, ich mag dich lieben" 'I think I may love you"

"Denkst du?" 'You think?' She breathed and he chuckled, shaking his head.

"Es war schwer gewesen, so schwer nach Maria, solche Gefühle zu empfinden, geschweige denn sie zuzugeben. Ich fühlte, dass ich nie wieder im süßen Licht der Liebe wandeln würde, dass ich den Rest meiner Tage damit verbringen würde, um meine verlorene Liebe zu trauern, aber du hast mein Herz genommen und es wieder gesund gemacht, zum Glauben an die Zuneigung - hast es geheilt, als ich glaubte, es sei für immer gebrochen.Was ich für sie empfand... Ich glaube, ich fühle jetzt für dich.Was fühlst du für mich?"

'It has been hard, so hard after Mary to feel such feelings, let alone admit them. I felt I would never walk within the sweet light of love again, that I would spend the rest of my days mourning my lost love but you have taken my heart and nursed it back to health, to faith in affection - healed it when I believed it to be eternally broken. What I felt for her....I believe I now feel for you. What do you feel for me?'

Untangling his fingers, he reached for her free hand, clasping it tightly.

"Was du gesagt hast, hat mein Herz zum Leben erweckt. Meine Zuneigung zu dir ist in den letzten Monaten sehr gewachsen und deine Worte haben nur ihr glühendes Feuer genährt" 'What you have said has brought my heart to life. My affection for you has grown greatly during the past months and your words have only fed their ardent fire' Her voice was quiet, shaking, and butterflies erupted in her stomach as his thumb stroked across her knuckles.

Maximilian nodded, weather in response to her or to reassure himself, it was unclear but she did not care, their gazes locked, searching, speaking without words.

"Dann" 'Then' He said, voice little more than a whisper "wenn du zurückkehrst, könnten wir versuchen, einander zu lieben? Sei glücklich? Ein Leben beginnen, in dem wir eins sind?" 'once you return, might we try to love one another? Be happy? Begin a life where we are as one?'

Placing down his gift, Marie took his other hand, squeezing tight as she shuffled closer to him. She felt as if she were on fire and relished the burn, every lick of the flames that made the blush on her cheeks turn a deeper red. She had hoped he would one day make such a proclamation as this, that she would have the chance to love and be love as her parents had.

Now, here it was.
And she would take it.

"Das würde mir gefallen. Das würde mir sehr gefallen" 'I would like that. I would like that very much' 

He nodded again and gently pulled one of his hands from her grasp, taking up the box upon her lap and lifting the necklace out of its confines.

"Bitte" 'Please' He said "Erlaube mir" 'allow me'  She was only too happy to accept, turning her back to him and sweeping her hair over one shoulder. The feel of his finger tips upon the back of her neck sent a pleasant shiver down her spine as he released the necklace she wore and she caught it in her hand before he replaced it with his pendant, fastening it deftly around her throat.

Looking down, she smiled at the sight of the golden pomegranate sitting prettily just above her gown's soft square neckline. Her fingers reached up to touch it, dancing across its form and the ridges of its ruby seeds. It was beautiful and it made her truly feel like his. Glancing over her shoulder, fingers still upon the pendant, she smiled, blushing fiercely again.

This was the man she was to spend the rest of her days with, she thought, the man whom with she could share so much happiness - love.

She could be as happy as her Mother, happier even.

"Vielen Dank, Max" 'Thank you, Max'
He smiled and she turned to face him again, leaning into his touch when his hand came to cradle her cheek, his touch unfamiliar but in no way unwanted. She craved it like flower does sun, eagerly wanting the day when his touch would be second nature to her skin; expected. Softly, she rubbed her cheek against his palm.

"Du sollst die schönste Kaiserin machen" 'You shall make the most beautiful Empress' He said and she was sure in that moment that there could be no other man for her, no other soul.

There was only Max, there would only ever be Max, and her heart rejoiced because of it.