~Queen Militant~

August 1469, London....

It was a strange thing to ride alongside her brother again but stranger still to travel with Anthony Woodville! Well, to tell the truth she hardly saw him. He came to her, as Edward had said, but instead of being met by the Queen, he received a frosty reception from James who wasted no time in ordering him to travel at the back of Constance's entourage.

That was where he went and that was where he stayed, out of her sight as much as possible!

She was pleased by that but if she were ever forced to be in the company of any Woodville, she would choose Anthony. Apart from the blood he shared with his grasping kin, she had no personal quarrel with the blonde man. An enigma amongst his kin, he was always respectful of her station, calling her 'your grace' and bowing low wherever she appeared.

He never gave cause for offence but he was still a Woodville and that was all James saw, earning Anthony a stern glare every time he even dared look in the Queen's direction!

"Is there any way to send him back?" He'd asked one day, making Marie giggle from where she rode in front of him (the two having quickly bonded) and Constance smiled.

"Unfortunately not" She admitted "Besides, I have no time for Woodvilles, brother, I only have time for my Lord husband's return"

༻᯽༺

"Oh my dear!" Cecily cried when her daughter in law  and James walked through the door to her chambers, completely ignoring Anthony who stood uneasily behind, rather unsure of what to do "You are here! You escaped!"

"There was nothing to escape from, Mother!" Constance said, enjoying the crushing embrace the older woman held her to before pulling away "This is James of Bourbon, my little brother, although as you can see, he does not live up to that title!" Cecily gave a kind nod but her mind was elsewhere.

"And where is my granddaughter? Where is Marie?"
"I'm here Grandmère!" Marie called, running away from Anne and into her Grandmother's arms where she was whisked from the floor with surprising ease by Cecily. The Duchess placed one hand to her hair, stroking the long brown curls and kissing the little girl's cheek before welcoming her own daughters and niece into her embrace as they entered.

"I am glad Margaret is not here to witness this" She murmured "George was always her favourite...."

"He can be no one's favourite now!" Beth protested bitterly, ordering a servant to stoke the fire before she sat "he has betrayed us! He has betrayed us all and so has Warwick!" The sound of shoes running along the hall made them turn to see an out of breath Isabella rushing towards them, one hand on the bodice of her gown as she tried to steady her racing heart.

"John and Dickon have arrived...." She gasped, trying to dip into a curtsy which the Queen simply pulled her from before her gaze settled on Anthony and her eyes went wide "What are you doing here?" Suddenly all eyes were on Anthony and he shuffled from foot to foot, abandoning any Woodville bravado.

Cecily pursed her lips, folding her hands primly in front of her as she motioned the man forward with a wave of her hand.
"An excellent question. What are you doing here, Woodville? You are no friend to us"

"I like her" James murmured and Constance had to suppress a grin before a fray could begin.
"Tis by the order of the King, Mother" She said "Lord Rivers has been charged by Edward himself to care for me"

"It is true, your grace" He affirmed "Now I am Earl Rivers" Anne gave a snort he ignored "I wish to be an ally and friend to the Queen, not an enemy" Cecily arched a suspicious eyebrow, looking between Anthony and her daughter in law with a measured look.

"And what of your whore sister? And your Mother, brothers and other sisters? What of them? I of all people know how tight knit you Woodvilles are" Opening his mouth to speak but finding no answer came, Anthony went down on one knee and took the Queen's hand, pressing it to his lips before resting his forehead against the back of it.

An act of submission and loyalty that took Constance completely by surprise, so much so she was almost tempted to jerk her hand back. Cecily's sharp sigh pierced the air and she watched with narrowed eyes as Anthony rose, his head still bowed.

"I have been betrayed too many times in my life to trust you" She said slowly "but if you are loyal to your Queen, Woodville, I may learn not to despise you entirely" Anthony bowed to her and Constance nodded, waving him away with a hand before she turned to Cecily "You must go to the Tower with the whore. You must!"

"I must not!" She retorted lightly "I have spent many more an hour than I would like in the same room as that witch!" There was no denying the flicker of amusement that flitted across the Duchess' features at that.

"So you think her a witch?" She asked and the Queen simply shrugged.
"Her Mother too. Now, Anne, bring forth John and Dickon, there is much to be said and less than ample time to say it!"

༻᯽༺

Sitting upon the throne in her chamber, hands placed determinedly on the carved arms, James at her side, the Queen watched the two men before her. The Earl of Northumberland and Duke of Gloucester.

They had entered her chambers straight from dismounting their horses in the courtyard and were rather dirty from travel. Their cloaks were flecked with mud, their cheeks brushed with dust from the road; kicked up by their eager horses hooves and their bows were far from graceful! Dickon had practically fallen over, tripping over one of the carpets so that he had to be hauled to his feet by his cousin!

"Steady lad" John had chuckled, his armour clattering as he patted the young Duke on the arm. Constance watched him with a degree of amusement that pushed her worry aside for a mere moment before her little brother in law managed to successfully bow; grinning tiredly at her.

Standing still, they awaited her command as they would for their King's.

"This is my brother, James" She announced, glancing towards her younger brother and he bowed to the two men who nodded in return "He heard of our plight and has come to my aid. You need have no suspicions of him, he is my kin and loyal to me entirely" She sent him a small smile "he has been since childhood"

"I shall do what I can and what I must" He affirmed "Although I do not know his grace, I wish for nothing more than to secure his position for the sake of my sister and my niece"

"Then you are welcome at our side" John replied and Dickon nodded his agreement. Any help they could gather was welcome in a time of war.

"I want you to raise your armies" Constance ordered and the Englishmen nodded, taking the two seats that she gestured to by the fire, nodding thoughtfully. With their King captured, brute force in the form of men at arms was perhaps the only way to retrieve him from the power-hungry jaws of his own kin before they snapped shut "I want you to bring them to London and then march North where Edward is being held. He was at Middleham but now I hear he is being held at Warwick Castle"

They nodded in understanding and she could see behind their eyes the cogs of leadership beginning to turn, calculating routs and plans, the best ways to evade enemies and spark victory.

"I think the Queen should lead them"

Dickon immediately choked on his wine at James' words, coughing and spluttering for all the world while John's eyes bulged out of his skull as if he had just grown another head!

"Lead them?" He exclaimed, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion "lead them? My Lord, I trust her grace but she has ever commanded men before?"
"Had Jeanne D'Arc commanded men before God ordered her to?" He returned and Constance stared up at him with the same shock as her English kin, thinking perhaps he'd gone mad on his travels!

Her? Lead men? An army? What he said about Jeanne D'Arc was true but she had had the Lord himself on her side and in the end was still burned by her enemies! War had never been in her nature and this certainly wasn't! Or, at least, she didn't think it was.

"Well, not exactly lead them" James corrected "but I think you should put your men into the Queen's capable charge and then march to Warwick castle under her command. There we will stay outside of the castle walls and negotiate for Edward's release!"

"Negotiate?" Dickon cried, still struggling to catch his breath until John thumped him on the back "you want to go to Warwick castle to negotiate?!"
"What would you have her do?" He retorted "Leave her King, your King, to rot in a Tower at the hands of his own cousin and brother?"
"That's not what I meant...."

"Then let her to this! It is well known across Europe that England loves its Queen, Constance has done well to earn their affections and now is a time to use that love to gain victory!" James sighed pinching the bridge of his nose in thought "It sounds mad, I know, my Lords, but unless you wish to be slaughtering your close kin within the next weeks I suggest you consider my plan!"

The chamber fell silent for a moment, the only nosies being the brush of metal against wood as John rose from his seat and began to pace back and forth before the hearth, his strong arms folded in thought while the other two watched him.

"I think that possibly....it is good" He declared at last and Dickon slumped in his chair, reaching for another drink.

"Ned will kill me for this" He grumbled despite the look of hesitant excitement in his eyes. Help the Queen to lead a siege, a military campaign, to truly restore his brother to the throne? Why, it was enthralling just to hear it suggested and the young man could all but taste adventure on his tongue!

"He won't be able to kill you if we fail" John pointed out with a shrug "And if this works then....he will be too thankful to think of that! Besides....if Connie can to this" His eyes lit up with ideas, bright sparks shining in the brown depths flecked with gold "It will bring her closer to Edward....further away from the Woodvilles!"

A small smile flickered on the Queen's lips at that and, nodding, she rose from her throne to join the two men by the fire with James by her side. These were men she could rely on, these were men who would work until their last breath to see Edward a secure King. They would win, Warwick and George would see.

"Anthony will stay here to protect his sister, we cannot trust him and you, James, I will depend upon you to keep order in London with Duchess Cecily but us three shall march to Warwick Castle and retrieve our King!" She hesitated slightly, still sensing the unease that coursed through Dickon's young veins "Will you see it done?" He looked at the fire, drinking in the flames as if to give him courage before he nodded, leaning his head against her side.

Warwick had raised him, taught him to fight, how to act the Duke he was but now....now that must be pushed aside for the greater good. His summers spent at Middleham must be forgotten, hours sitting by the fire with the great Earl whom he had come to not only respect but love. Now that must be, not forgotten, but locked away until the battles to come were won.

"Let us see it done" He murmured and his voice became a little quieter "You will be a Queen Militant, like Marguerite of Anjou" Constance shook her head, bringing the young man into a warm hug while she carded a hand through his soft hair.

"Not like Margaret of Anjou, my Lord" James told him "Like Constance of Bourbon"

༻᯽༺

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire, England....

"Advise me?" Edward yelled in enraged disbelief, glaring at his cousin from where he stood in the great hall with Warwick safely out of reach at the opposite end of the long oaken table. Oh what he would give to throw it aside and strangle the Earl where he stood!

For a month he'd been kept at Warwick Castle, a prisoner in his own Kingdom with his own brother and cousin playing jailer!

It was a situation that, to most, would cause insanity, a rage so hot it would burn down Warwick castle in an instant but Edward, being Edward, often found it a source of amusement for himself. He would sit in his room which, while his cell, was grand and gaze up at the plastered ceiling, grinning boyishly to himself at the absurdity of the surrounding chaos.

Retaining his merry nature, he would sometimes play cards with his guards, whom he quickly befriended and would tease them for keeping their rightful King prisoner! It made him roar with laughter to see their faces pale when he threatened to have them executed when he was free, often he considered the idea, after all, they were traitors.

On some days, however, particularly when he was faced with his cousin or (heaven forbid) the ever irritating George, he had a tendency to lose his temper at their ludicrous words. Just as he did now.

"Not lock me up or take away my throne but no you would advise me?!" Edward slammed his fists down upon the table so hard the legs shook, causing his cousin to flinch slightly. He was pleased that his presence still carried some fear with it though had little time to dwell on the matter when Warwick spoke, once more grasping at straws.

"Edward, the council feels...."

"No it doesn't!" The King thundered "The council feels nothing but what you tell it and you will turn them against me!" With strong strides he strode around the table and was satisfied when Warwick took a step back.

"Edward" He began again "All we ask is that you take back your old advisors and cast the Woodvilles to the wind!"

"Which you know I will not do! So you will use that as your excuse to keep me here while George, of all people for heaven's sake, rules in my place! But really, cousin, you rule through him"

The Earl hissed under his breath, growing tired of Edward's defiance and silently wishing that he was still the boy he could thwack when he wished.
"Edward!" He cried in an almost desperate manner "the loyalty that we had to...."

"No! No!" Edward roared, storming a little closer as his handsome face contorted with rage "I am your grace to you, cousin, the Lord's anointed King and ruler of this Kingdom!" Warwick's eyes flashed with irritation and he leant on the table, glaring at his former pupil.
"Well what your grace needs to understand is that that Woodville whore's family...."

"Are loyal to me!" The King bit out "Which is more that can be said for you and George! Now where is my beloved Connie because if you have harmed a single hair upon her head...."

"I would never do that!" Warwick yelled in an anger fuelled retort "I love Constance and you know I do!"
"I know nothing but that you are a traitor, Richard, and I will be damned if I submit to your advice"

Edward's voice was quieter now, almost deadly in its tone, like a predator waiting to pounce for the kill.
"Escort his grace back to his rooms"

"Room" Edward corrected with a smirk on his face as Warwick's guards took his arms, ready to haul him back to his prison "Oh and while you're at it, cousin, why not invite brother George to supper with me? I'm sure we can have a cosy catch up, just the two of us, before I throw him from my window! Just think he will be able to fly like he has always wanted! Ah, what a gracious King I am don't you agree Richard?"

His loud laugh rang throughout the corridors like the call of a banshee and the Earl was tempted to cover his ears when the taunting echo did not relent. However he was glad he didn't when suddenly the warning trumpets called out and the Tower bell began to ring its sombre warning of attack. Rushing to the nearest window that flooded the great hall with light, he pulled impatiently on the iron latches until they gave and it swung open.

The sound of metal on metal immediately filled his ears, so many marching men dressed for battle that it sounded like heavy rain inching closer and closer to the castle. It's imposing walls towered over the army that approached but the shadow that was cast over their seemingly infinite ranks did not deter them in the least and they marched determinedly towards the castle gates.

'Mother of God help us' Was all he could think. George had stupidly disbanded their army weeks ago, leaving them with three hundred men at most while this army before him, well, it boasted ten thousand at least!

Their numbers were the least of what shocked him though, what struck him completely off his guard was when he saw who led them! The banners of Gloucester and Northumberland flew high in the air, proudly accompanied by their owners whose armour shone.

"My own brother!" He gasped before realising how hypocritical that sounded, even to him. His eyes settled on another figure, one dressed in a crimson gown topped with a golden breastplate that shone in the late-summer sun.

A purple cloak streamed behind her and, below the Queen's crown, chestnut hair was bound into an elegant braid. The arms of the Dukes of Bourbon and England flew high on a banner behind her, set in a coat of arms at the centre of which lay a four pointed star joined with a streaming sun and York rose. Fortis in officio lay embroidered in gold beneath.

Strong in duty.
The motto of Queen Constance alongside her chosen badge.

"Oh shit" Pushing himself away from the window, Warwick began to tear through the passages of his home on strong legs, yelling for his fellow traitor to join him on the ramparts before he cut off his head! The wind that hit his face when he burst onto the battlements was like a slap in the face, one that stung enough to wake any from a dream or nightmare.

Not this one it seemed for when he looked over the walls the Queen's army was still there, as determined as ever.

"What is it Richard?" George's voice rung through the halls as the Duke climbed the steps to obey his cousin's anxious call "Has Edward submitted? Am I to be King?" He broke out onto the ramparts, marching confidently towards the older man only to find himself grabbed roughly by the collar and hurled to the castle walls; forced to look over the edge.

"Look at that, you fool!" He hissed "Does that look like Ned's submission to you?" Pushing George away with a shake of his head, he watched as the Duke righted his collar with a frown, unhappy at having his fine clothes ruffled "I must admit I am rather proud of her. She has the courage she lacked when I met her and she is a good Queen! A powerful one"

"Only perhaps more powerful than is beneficial to us" George retorted, brushing a fleck of dust from his doublet with slender fingers "We must ensure that the baby in Isabel is a boy or all hope may be lost...."

"Good morning my Lords!" The two raced to look over the ramparts, their eyes bulging out of their heads as they saw Constance beaming up at them looking incredibly pleased with herself. She chuckled quietly to herself, settling herself on her saddle while eagerly drinking in the shocked looks of the rebels before her face turned to stone and her voice hardened "My Lord of Warwick, my Lord of Clarence, I demand to see my husband, your Lord and King, Edward the fourth of England!"

George gawked at her, his jaw dropping to the floor while he looked to Warwick in disbelief. The Earl simply stared down at the Queen, drumming his fingers on the cold stone beneath them. He had taught her well, he thought, perhaps too well but he could not bear to suffer another day under Woodville rule!

"I'm afraid that is not possible, Connie" His stern voice rang over the fields where the army lay and rumblings of outrage surfaced at his words. John and Richard looked at one another, anger in their faces and in Constance's though she concealed it well. She masked it behind a facade of Queenly air, sticking her chin up slightly in defiance.

"I am your Queen, my Lord" She replied cooly "you would do well to remember that and you will address me as such. As your Queen I command you to open your gates or my men will raise your beloved castle to the ground" She held up a hand to command and the ranks of archers drew their weapons, drawing back their arrows with the strength of many men. They aimed them at the castle walls, more specifically the men and their guards that lined them.

Within seconds Warwick's expression appeared as George's did, one of impressed disbelief that made them look at one another. The younger looked ready to explode with rage, jump over the ramparts at the very least to throttle his kin despite he being the one deserving of such treatment!

"Dickon!" He yelled down to his little brother who looked upwards with clear distain on his face "are you going to allow this?" Warwick rolled his eyes, mirroring his youngest cousin's look of despair over the Duke of Clarence. Really he sounded like a child sometimes!

"She is your Queen George, you fool" Dickon retorted, a crisp edge to his voice "and I do as she commands as will you and this army!"
"But...."

"Oh shut up George!" Warwick commanded, trying to refrain from whacking the young man as he pushed him back towards the winding staircase from which they had emerged in panic "we have no choice, don't you see? There is an army standing at our gates, ready to besiege us led by your brother, whom I love as a son, my own brother and the Queen who is as dear to me as a daughter and is your sister! If they attack we will have no choice but to return fire and do you really want to run the risk of hurting any or all three of them? Because I do not" He gave him a small shove "Now go and find somewhere to sulk before I throw you to the dogs below!"

"I don't see how this is my fault!" George retorted but he had the good sense to retreat down the stairs and obey before Warwick truly could whack him as he would've liked.

Down below the castle walls Constance waited with bated breath, wondering what was happening upon the ramparts. Both men had disappeared from sight with worried expressions and she half feared they would return armed with longbows to fire sharp arrows through their heart.

Still, she waved for her own archers to lower their weapons and they obeyed with movements quicker than light, though nonetheless efficient.

John manoeuvred his steed to hers, leaning in with a grin while his armour clinked.
"I think my brother may have just murdered George" He murmured with a chuckle that Dickon grunted at.

"More the better for us" He said rolling his eyes to made Constance smile.

"Your grace?" Their heads shot up to see Warwick's once more, his steely eyes staring down at them while his lips held a smile that, however carefully crafted, was clearly forced. Constance tilted her head, an aloof expression on her face while she waited for him to continue "Of course we will open the gates to you, your grace. We welcome you as our Queen"

It was a proper response with not one slip of the tongue that showed any of the uncertainty she was sure that he felt. Really, he welcomed her into his home as if it were a normal day of she had turned up completely unwarranted! What folly that would be for anyone to believe it.

"The Queen you wish to replace" She retorted, much to John's' amusement "But I thank you, my Lord"

༻᯽༺

Thank you so much for reading!!
+
If you'd like to see what Connie's coat of arms would've looked like with her badge, I've put it at the top of the chapter! Until next time my lovelies 💛