~Besieged~

"Ma Mère! Ma Mère! Come quickly!"

Constance all but threw down her embroidery at the sound of her little girl's voice, jumping to her feet as Marie rushed into the solar, yelling at the top of her lungs.

"What is it?" She asked hurriedly, ready to run to the nursery "Are you hurt? Is Edward hurt?"
"No! No!" Marie giggled, taking her hand and beginning to drag her from the chamber "Uncle Jamie is back!"

Constance's eyes went wide at the news and then she was rushing through the Tower with her daughter close behind, skirts flying. James had been under house arrest at their childhood home for many months and she'd had no word he'd been set free by their brother but Marie was hardly ever wrong, particularly when it came to identifying her beloved kin.

Rushing out onto the Tower steps, Constance let out a heavy sigh of relief, halting at the top as a laugh bubbled in her throat; spilled past her lips which curved into a bright smile. Standing at the bottom, clad in clothes dusty from travel, his golden hair ruffled but blue eyes bright, was indeed her beloved little brother!

"Good Morrow, your grace!"
"James!" She cried and rushed down the steps, giggling like a little girl, into his waiting arms. He smelt of leather and the earth when it was freshly watered with rain in spring "God's bones, Jamie!" She clung to him tightly, trying to suppress the hot tears that flooded her eyes "I did not know when I would see you again!"

"I came as soon as I could" He replied and she didn't doubt him as he pulled away, gently cupping her face, turning it from side to side "Did they hurt you? I was worried out of my wits when I had word the Lancastrians took London" Constance took his hands, gently drawing them from her cheeks.

"The scars I bear are not on my face, dear brother" She confessed "They are on my heart....and my back"
"Your back?"

"Yes" She sighed with a wry smile "The Duke of Somerset had his man beat me when Ned had the children rescued, he thought I knew where they would be which I didn't!" In an instant Jame's handsome face had contorted with rage and he squeezed her hands, the promise of revenge burning in his eyes.

"I will...."
"Kill him?" She finished "Ned has promised as much and I hope I shall be there to see it"

"James!" They turned at the sound of the King and his heavy footsteps thumping merrily down the Tower steps "Lord, it is good to see you returned to us!"

"Your grace" James greeted, about to sweep a bow but Edward reached him first and placed his hands on his shoulders to keep him from it.
"Edward" He insisted, all smiles "We are brothers after all, are we not? And I owe my life to you, as do Dickon and Will, not one of us will forget how you gave us time at Doncaster"

"And I would do it again!" James returned, making the King exude a hearty laugh.

"I hope the need does not arise!" He said "But I am glad of your loyalty and the loyalty you bear for Connie, it is most valuable" Stepping back, he smiled at his wife who linked their arms, standing on the tips of her toes to kiss his cheek.

"I hear George has come crawling back to you?"
"Crawling back is certainly the phrase" Edward replied "it's a wonder he can even do that for he is more serpent than man!"

"And one day he will strike us again with his venom!" Richard's voice added as he joined the group, fresh from training in the courtyard, something Constance debated on scolding him for with his arm still healing. James grinned and the two shook hands "It is good to see you, James" He inclined his head.

"Richard. You are a force on the battlefield I hear?"
"He certainly is!" Edward answered before his little brother could muster a humble reply "and with any luck he will be a force in our next battle too!"
"I'm sure he shall!" Constance enthused and Richard gave her a shy smile, twisting the rings on his fingers as was his habit "He is a fine son of York!"

༻᯽༺

"It frightens me to watch you go, I couldn't bear to lose you now"

Edward gave her a small smile in their bedchamber mirror as he strapped on his gauntlets, readying to go to battle once more.

"You will never lose me, Connie" He told her, turning and striding over to the bed where she perched on the edge, the mattress dipping when he sat by her. One iron-clad hand gently brushed its way up her arm and glided across the small of her back, pulling her to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, sighing.

"Have you bade farewell to the children?"

"I have" He confirmed "And I've promised Marie I shall be home to take her on the first hunt of the season, you do not think I would break such an oath do you?" Constance shook her head, the promises he made to the children were as sincere as her prayers, perhaps even more so "Besides, you will be safe here!" He continued "James is to stay, sworn to your side as always!"

"His return has certainly made Marie happy"
"It has!" He enthused brightly, squeezing her shoulder "and given more morale to our men! His release means the House of York is regaining its roots in power and they will be stronger than ever if I win!"

"When you win" She corrected, cupping his face so their eyes met "You will win, Edward, you have to"
"I will!" He chuckled, kissing her forehead "I am quick, I am brave and I am lucky!" He paused "Elizabeth and her sons have emerged from sanctuary. On my orders she and they have gone to Grafton to join the rest of her family. She is not welcome at court"

Constance only nodded at that then, after a moment, she sighed again and let her hands fall to his, curling her fingers around the cold gauntlets.

"You must promise to bring Anne Neville back with you" She said, nodding to herself as she spoke "She is a child, a child who has just lost her Father and has all but been thrown to the enemy with Isabel here and her Mother having gone into sanctuary after Barnet. She is all alone and I know how that feels"

Biting the inside of his cheek, Edward nodded. Reaching Anne would perhaps be a difficult task, after all, she wouldn't be on the battlefield with her husband, she would be with Marguerite of Anjou but he intended to capture her anyway!

"I only hope she isn't with child" He murmured and Constance drew in a sharp breath, nodding.
"I do too, though I think our hope is founded on different reasons"

༻᯽༺

Wrapping the soft woollen shawl around her shoulders, Constance watched from the Tower walls as her husband's forces marched through the city of London to battle. She'd lost sight of him many minutes ago but still she watched, tracking his movements through the cheers rising in the streets, growing ever more distant.

Soon he would be gone entirely.

"Good Morrow, sis" A voice greeted behind her and she turned to see James heading up the steps towards her, a warm smile on his face. She returned it and rested her head on her brother's shoulder when he put an arm around her. The gentle familiarity was soothing and for a moment she closed her eyes, merely listening to the faraway cries of 'God save the King' that were carried to her on the morning breeze.

"I have something for you"
She opened her eyes, raising her head as James brought out his free hand from behind his back and presented her with a leather bound book on which were letters embroidered in gold thread.

'The Legends of Charlemagne'
It was their Father's.

Hot tears flooded her eyes and she took the book from his hand, cradling it close to her chest as she inhaled the familiar scent of the ageing pages she'd turned so many times. It was the most precious gift he could've possibly given her.

"Oh, Jamie" She whispered, gazing up at him with tears sliding down her cheeks "There is not a day that goes by where I don't miss him....even now"
"I know" James replied with a smile, gently squeezing her shoulder "Which is why I brought it....and the rest of your favourites of his collection. I thought you could read them to the children....as you used to read them to me after he died"

Turning, Constance smiled up at her brother, laughing quietly when he reached out and dabbed away her tears with his handkerchief.

"Thank you!" She said, pulling him into a hug. If anything could've made her feel better during a time of war it was this, a reminder of their childhood and the Father they'd loved. It made her feel close to him again "Thank you so so much!"

"I knew it would sway your mind from trouble" He returned with a shrug, guiding her away from the Tower walls and down steep steps; across the green still wet with morning dew. Constance knew he was right and made her way to the nursery where the children would be waiting for her. Upon her and her brother's entrance, they were met by the delighted giggles of Marie and welcoming gurgles of little Edward who was sitting up in his crib, grinning.

"Bonjour ma chère" James greeted, hoisting Marie from the floor as Constance plucked her son from the comfortable confines of his cot.
"Bonjour Uncle!" She replied happily, kissing him on the cheek. Her Mother was glad to see her smile instead of frown as she had done most days since Barnet "What adventures shall you tell me of today?"

"It is actually your dear Lady Mother who shall be telling the tales" He corrected, striding over to the window seat and sitting down with her on his lap, Constance and Edward swiftly joining them "From a book belonging to your Grandfather!"
"Grandfather Richard?" Marie asked. James chuckled.

"Nay, petite rose, your Grandfather Charles, the Duke of Bourbon, my Father, and your Mother's too!"
"Charles" She hummed thoughtfully "You have spoken of him before have you not, ma Mère?"

"I have!" Constance replied happily, smoothing a hand over her daughter's hair, just like her Father used to do to her "Though not enough, I shall admit. He was a very fine man" Her eyes met her brother's "A very fine Father"

"Like my Father?"
She couldn't help her bright smile and nodded, returning her attention to the young Princess.
"Yes, little love, like your own dear Father"

"Who right now is securing his Kingdom for you two!" James added, whisking Edward from his Mother's lap and high into the air. The little boy shrieked with delight, kicking his little feet, fingers reaching out to tap at the diamond panes of glass in the window behind.

"He does it for all the people of England" Marie stated proudly "As the rightful King it is his duty" Constance chuckled, easily recognising Richard's words.
"Your Uncle Dickon said that didn't he?" Marie nodded "Well he is right to! Your Father fights for us but he also fights for his people as every good King should!"
"Will Neddy have to fight too?"

The Queen's smile faltered a little and her eyes flicked to her son, who was crawling about on the cushions around them having been put down. He was so small, so helpless, she could hardly imagine him at ten, let alone as a King in armour, wielding a sword, leading men as his Father did - nor did she want to imagine it.

"I very much hope not" She replied quietly, looking back to Marie "But you will find as you grow, little love, that men often create their own battlegrounds when they are not forced to one. They easily tire of peace"

"I don't" James quipped and in an instant her smile was returned to her lips and she took up her Father's book once more, turning the leather cover.
"Let us read!" She declared and Marie moved from her Uncle's lap to her Mother's settling herself happily on her ermine-trimmed skirts, head resting on her shoulder: content.

༻᯽༺

In the darkness of the deep night Constance jerked awake to dust raining down from the ceiling, the Tower trembling on its foundations, the raucous of cannon fire ringing in her ears. Outside men could be heard yelling and she threw back the heavy covers, stumbling as she stood and the Tower shook again.

"Mother!" Marie screamed as she burst through the bedchamber door, her face streaked with tears, the Queen's ladies (each in their nightwear) behind her, Beth carrying baby Edward. The little boy wailed and Constance immediately gathered him into her arms as Marie's arms clung tightly around her waist.

"What's happening?" She demanded as James strode in with Cecily, a hastily tied gambeston over his shirt. He meant to put on armour.
"It's Lord Fauconberg" Cecily said "the bastard son of my late brother"
"Your nephew?"

"He stood with Warwick" She explained as James bolted the chamber shutters "and now he seeks to take London for Lancaster, its possible he hasn't heard of the outcome of Barnet as of yet"

"Southwark is ablaze after the mayor denied him entry to the city" James said grimly, joining the group of women - arms crossed "He's now leading his troops up the Thames on ships, they're attacking the Tower and the bank"

"I'm scared! Don't let them take me again, ma Mère!" Marie whimpered and Cecily knelt by her, taking the young girl by the shoulders to turn her.

"You are a York" She said firmly, dabbing away her tears with the sleeve of her nightgown "You do not tremble in fear, none of us do"
"Neither do Bourbons" James replied, helping the Duchess to her feet and beginning to herd the women and children from the room "We must get to the lowest level of the Tower, you will all be safe there"

"What do you intend to do?" Constance asked, flinching as the Tower shook again, holding Edward against her shoulder so he didn't inhale the dust floating all around them "I want to know!" James didn't answer and they all rushed through the Tower, the scent of burning building floating through the open windows, making the Queen's stomach turn.

She couldn't help but fear Lord Fauconberg hadn't simply attacked to secure the city for Lancaster while Marguerite fought, what if he'd attacked because London was the last stronghold of York control? What if he'd attacked on Marguerite's orders because Edward had lost? Because Edward was dead....

"No" She whispered to herself as her family rushed down a winding staircase "Do not think such things"

"In here!" James instructed once they reached the basement of the Tower, a large, dimly lit chamber held up by stone pillars which the women gathered around, sitting and drawing their bed robes tightly around them. Marie pressed herself into her Mother's side and Constance kissed her forehead, stroking her hair to soothe her.

"All will be well" She told her "We will be well, little love" She could only watch as James nodded to her then rushed from the chamber, his feet pounding back up the stairs.
"Anne, bar the door" Cecily ordered and her daughter obeyed, hastening to slam the door shut and pull the heavy bolt across it "We must wait, wait and pray"

The assault seemed to last an eternity, every second filled with cannon fire and the fear of a Lancastrian victory. Volleys of arrows rained down onto the bank, fire swept across Southwark, devouring houses and people alike. Four hours it took for the noise to cease and when James finally returned, banging on the door for entry, the women inside jumped - even Cecily - and Edward mewled, only soothed by his Mother's coos.

"How are you?" He asked once Katherine let him in, fully dressed in armour, blood smeared across one cheek "Are the children well?"
"Yes now that has stopped" Constance replied, rocking her son back and forth "And you?"
"Tired. My ears are ringing....but we've withstood all they have"
"For now!"

"They've moored their boats" James continued "Set up camp not far from here, we will come under siege at dawn"

"Do we have enough men to resist them?" Cecily asked, beginning to pace up and down the chamber, her silk slippers echoing on the cool stone.
"The apprentice boys have been flocking in all night, they'll help to contain them" That earned sighs from more than one.

"So we just wait for our enemies to recover?" All gazes turned to Constance as she spoke again, a degree of disbelief on her face "and then they storm us?"
"What do you suggest, sister?" James snapped and she rose to her feet, cradling her son close.

"Striking back!"
She may not have been a woman of war but she knew the perils of it, she knew when action was needed and she had taken action before.

She had convinced the mayor of London to deny the Lancastrians entry to the city at sixteen, riding through the rain in the dead of night to save her family, her House. Had she waited, she may have been dead as Edward would have been, his brothers too.

She had led an army to the North to set her husband free from his captors at twenty five. Had she waited then George may very well have been crowned King and both she and Edward would be powerless, unable to protect those they loved. She would not wait that night.

"Stop them coming any closer to my family!" She hissed "Let's attack when they least expect it! Most men would prefer to die in their sleep would they not?" It was a dishonourable thing to think, even more so to say, but Constance knew she would rather put ten thousand sleeping men to the sword than risk one hair on her children's heads.

James drew in a sharp breath staring at her for a moment before he nodded.
"You are my Queen, I do as you command"
"Then I command you to attack before dawn"

༻᯽༺

The slaughter was quick and silent, carried out just before the sun rose and could shine it's light on their sin. Soon all that was left was a camp of ghosts and the heavy scent of smoke in the air, mingling with the stench of fresh blood.

When James finally returned to the Tower, almost swaying on his feet from exhaustion, his armour feeling double it's weight, he found his sister in the chapel. Still in her nightgown with a sheer veil covering her loose hair, she prayed barefooted before the alter, head bowed, her rosary wrapped right around her fingers.

"You'll freeze" He remarked as he approached her, resisting the urge to collapse into a nearby pew, but she ignored him "It is done" Her lips finally halted their silent prayers and Constance opened her eyes, raising her head to stare at the golden cross on the alter.

"It is done?" She repeated, a question to herself as her fingers slipped over the cool onyx rosary beads. The moral turmoil in her mind was clear and James placed a hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing "It was right" She whispered "It was not good but it was right, Jamie. I could not bear the thought of having my children taken again....not for one second...."

"I know" He answered.

"I did what Queens must do" She continued, crossing herself "Sometimes you must sacrifice lives to save lives and I have done just that. My son is to one day be God's anointed King, I did naught but protect his future" Despite the guilt in her heart, her voice was strong and determined and she rose to her feet with her head held high in the sight of God "My sweet boy is safe. My little love is safe. My kin are safe. My conscience is clear"

And with that she strode from the chapel, her brother taking one last lingering look at the golden cross on the alter before he followed.

Once dressed in a gown of heavy purple velvet, trimmed with ermine, Constance spent the day busy, dispatching soldiers to tame the fires of Southwark and clear the bloodbath of the night. She ordered a list of the buildings destroyed in the fire to be drawn up and brought to her so that she might give money to help have them rebuilt, listening carefully when one merchant was sent to relay the extent of the damage.

After, she ordered the royal tailor attend her in the Tower and commissioned new gowns for Marie to wear. All afternoon the six year old was stood in her parent's chambers on a little stool, beaming while different fabrics were draped over her.

"It is just as it should be" Constance said, admiring a length of crimson cloth of gold "You are a true born Princess of England and none should ever forget it" Marie tilted up her chin proudly and stood still while her gowns were fitted until it was near dinner time and she complained her limbs ached.

She was just tucking into her favourite soup in the nursery, her Mother holding Edward by the fire, when her Uncle James burst through the door, eyes bright with triumph and holding a crumpled piece of paper in his hand.

"He's done it!" He cried, waving the parchment as Constance sprung to her feet, passing Edward to his nurse "He's done it, Connie! There was a battle, at Tewksbury and Edward has won! He's won!" Picking his sister up, he spun her round while she squealed like a girl, tossing back her head and laughing with all her heart.

"He's won!" She crowed gleefully "He's won!" She didn't think she'd ever felt more relief. The happiest of tears steamed down her cheeks as James set her down and she gathered Marie to her, peppering kisses all over her face "We are safe, little love!" She told her "You are safe forevermore! Your Father is coming home!"