~Christmas~

December 1469, Westminster....

Ever since King Edward returned from capture, there hadn't been a soul amongst the court who had not seen his Queen dancing around as if she were still the girl of fifteen that had stepped onto English shores! A new light glimmered in her eyes, gave a rosy glow to her cheeks; life to her steps that sprung merrily across the palace, each a merry dance she would perform over and over yet never grow tired!

While her brother missed his beloved Italy and the company of his Medici brothers, James settled into the English court easily!

Constance had always been of a generous nature, giving to the poor and bequeathing gifts to those who were loyal to her. She knew it was the duty of nobles to care for the less fortunate and always seen to it that she did but that Christmas season she seemed to have become the Saint of giving himself!

She spent almost the entirety of November giving gifts to the poor, visiting orphanages and poor houses where she worked tirelessly to find occupations for the unfortunate souls there. She funded them with gold from her personal coffers, paying for six new chapels and gifts for the orphans she met.

Their downcast faces engraved her dreams so they began to haunt her until she made a quick return. To see their smiles when they opened their gifts brought her almost more joy than liberating her husband had and she had found ten places within the royal household for the eldest!

The children's cries of joy could be heard several streets away!

For Marie she had six new gowns made, each befitting of a Queen which overjoyed the little girl beyond measure! Matching headdresses followed and soon the Princess was floating around Westminster in her newfound finery like a little beaming angel!

For her husband, Constance commissioned a new sword, made of the finest steel with the hilt possessing a polished ruby set in shining gold. Maxime Felix lay engraved beneath it and when Edward received his gift he had swept his Queen from her feet, covering her face with kisses before taking her to bed for the rest of the day!

For each of her ladies she had had new gowns made, each in a different coloured silk damask of the finest quality she could lay her hands one!

Each came accompanied with a precious jewel clasp, the hue of which matched their gowns and made their eyes glint with wonder. When the royal ladies had been given their gifts upon Christmas morning Edward remarked at dinner that he could swear to hearing their squeals of delight across the palace!

Constance simply laughed, kissing him as she had developed a fondness for doing whenever he parted those handsome lips of his!

With Isabel now gone astray and with child, she knew she must choose new ladies but she did not concern herself which such tiresome matters during the days and nights of feasting and dancing that engulfed the court! Nay, she had rather bedeck herself in shining jewels and dance with the King in their Woodville free court.

True to his word, Edward had sent forth a messenger to have Elizabeth, their son and her kin herded out of London in time for his return! It had not been a well received message, it was said, one met with flying fists and buckets of hot tears.

Constance half expected to be told her rival had had to be carried out with her fingernails catching on the door frames; finding never ending amusement in that particular image which could entertain her mind for hours on end!

Retuning to London, despite the putrid smell of the muddy streets strewn with animal dung, felt like a fresh breath of air to her! The Palace of Westminster was a new place all of a sudden, a new realm that was her very own once more.

The throne did not seem so crowded anymore and when she looked out over dances at feasts she no longer felt the fear that she would catch sight of a golden Woodville head amongst the court! Still, there was one absence that was noted with a little less joy; more lingering disappointment.

The Nevilles.

John was there, of course, with his five daughters and fine son whom had been raised to be Duke of Bedford as reward for his Father's loyalty! It was a prestigious title for the Nevilles, bestowed onto another living son but Constance found she needn't worry.

For she was pregnant.

Edward's seed had finally quickened her womb again and a little life resided within her. She put it to the absence of the Woodville clan, the stress that their departure had removed from her shoulders. It was as if she had been set free from a cage, like a pet bird now allowed to fly once more; blossom in the sky.

Just as her babe would blossom within her.

It scared her, of course, despite the joy that filled her heart, but how could it not?

She had lost four babes through blood and blurred vision caused by hot tears and there was half of her heart that feared she would loose the one that grew within her now, that they would be carried away and buried in the Palace chapel with their unfortunate siblings....

But still, she found she had hope. One ember of the feeling left from the once burning fire that had long since been doused by her grief. Many nights she'd lain awake since her discovery, her hands over her belly while she wondered, hoped, prayed with all the strength she had.

'Give me a Prince!' She would whisper into the night, Edward's even breaths fanning her cheek while he slept peacefully beside her. The King himself had all but fainted when she had told him the good news, placing his hands on her flat belly; eyes shining. He had stumbled back, almost tumbling into the fire in his shocked daze and had to be guided to nearby chair!

"You are with child?" He exclaimed, staring at her belly in disbelief "You are with child again?" Constance had simply nodded, revelling in her joy and then Edward's when he sprang to his feet and kissed her senseless! They didn't leave their bed that night, nor the next morning.

When the festivities truly began she decided that she must take the delicate matter of Anne and Isabel's favour into her own hands. It was time that they and their father were forgiven (though the girls had done no wrong) and she knew that Edward (though still hurt from the betrayal) would thank her for her actions once they were seen through.

Besides, she missed their company and, of course, had gifts to give.

༻᯽༺

New Year's Eve, Westminster....

Swirling patterns of frost wound their way up the Palace windows, their icy fingers claiming the glass panes upon which they appeared as their own.

They used them as a their place to perform their elegant dance, one of winter magic that mesmerised all who looked at it. Such delicate lines of icy beauty were each unique in the world and so delightful that they could have only been created by the hand of god himself.

Still, that New Year's Eve, Constance did not look at them for she had enough joy within her already! The return of traitors was meant to be a sober affair, one of rarity that was a spectacle for those loyal to the victorious could watch with smug expressions; triumphant condescension. Rebellion so often ended with the sharpened blade of an axe glinting in the sunlight before it descended that this was an event not to be missed.

Yet the courtyard was empty.

The sound of hooves against cobble filled the air and two white horses trotted ahead of a carriage adorned with the Neville colours of red and white. George and Warwick looked almost wary as they rode into the Palace of Westminster, staring back at the pairs of eyes that glared at them from the icy windows. Even now, none dared to cross the Earl of Warwick in person.

On the palace steps stood three figures, the King the Queen and Duke of Gloucester, all still as alabaster statues, the youngest of the three firmly holding the hilt of his sword. Edward kept his eyes on his cousin as he strode down the steps, watching the Coutness of Warwick and her daughters clamber out of the carriage shaking with cold, or with fear, he could not tell.

They were all wrapped in cloaks of heavy velvet but the curve beneath Isabel's was already clear to see. She carried a strong babe, one she cradled protectively as the King approached almost as if she feared the baby would be taken there and then. Anne shrank behind her, clutching her Mother's hand while Edward strode fourth to her Father, an unreadable expression on his handsome face.

From the steps, Constance watched him with bated breath, wringing her hands in front of her pearl-adorned bodice. She had urged him to reconcile with his Neville kin, urged him to be warm, welcoming. A little higher and mightier than normal perhaps, just to affirm his position of power but friendly all the same. Christmas was a time of celebration and peace and the Queen would see just that done.

Her husband wore no crown that day, as she thought he might, if anything he was dressed rather simply for a King in an umber velvet doublet without a chain of office about his neck. It was a vast contrast to the extravagant costumes of silk and satin he proudly wore during the festivities but she had no doubt he would return to such garments once the new arrivals had been seen to.

Once peace had been made.

"Will you not join them Dickon?" She asked the young man standing beside her "will you not join Ned and forgive them?" Dickon shook his head, his hand still on the hilt of his sword. He was shrewder than Edward was, shrewder than his two brother's combined the Queen supposed; a trait evident as he grew. He was slow to forgive, slower still to forget when it came to the matter of betrayal he would not be lenient, unlike others.

"No" He answered flatly, watching Edward embrace their cousin then brother, grinning widely as if no treason had passed between them "Our cousin I can forgive in time but not, I don't think, George....while Warwick is like a father to me, George is my brother and that, somehow, makes the betrayal far, far worse..."

Constance nodded her understanding and patted her youngest brother in law on the arm before she gathered her cerulean velvet skirts and descended the marble steps.
"You may go inside, brother" She called over her shoulder "go inside and warm yourself by a fire or two!"

She approached the prodigals as Edward embraced George, hugging him to him like a child would hug a toy, so, she headed towards Warwick.

The Earl looked her directly in the eye, ever the bold one, and slowly bowed to her. She accepted the gesture with a polite nod before taking another step forward.
"Lord Warwick"
He bowed again.

"Constance"
She smiled slightly at that. Despite what she'd told him at Warwick Castle, it was quite clear that he knew where he stood in her affections. Opening his arms, she moved into them easily, wrapping her arms around his neck while her smile turned into a grin. He would be part of her new Woodville-free court, he would revel with her in the great hall, drinking wine beside Edward while her baby grew.

Oh, he would be so happy when she told him she was with child! Truly, it would heal the breech between their two families and what fun Anne would have fussing over her little one! She and Isabel could raise their boys together.

As she drew back from the fond embrace, she allowed one hand to brush her clothed belly, feeling a warmth rush through her veins before she turned to George. Now that he had been welcomed back into the King's good graces, he had no guile with placing himself back in hers.

"Connie!" He greeted warmly, as easily as if he had simply taken a trip over seas and was now returned. By God he was arrogant and nothing would stop him from gathering her into his arms and kissing her cheek. She responded with a light chuckle, slapping him playfully on the doublet before she felt Edward's arm curl around her elbow.

He pulled her back against his chest, placing his arm safely around her waist just as he had always done when she carried their babes....
'I now carry another one!'  She reminded herself and did not have to force her next smile in the least, letting it grace her lips as a bout of generosity flooded her veins.

"Anne!" She called and the little rosy face of the youngest Neville perked up from where it had been hiding behind her sister's cloak "how should you like to be my Lady in Waiting?" Anne's expression brightened like a freshly lit candle and she leapt forth to her father, grabbing his hand in a way her Mother tutted at but the young girl did not seem to care.

"May I Father?" She breathed and Constance found her heart melting with affection at Anne's gentle voice. Oh how she had missed her little protege! Warwick arched an amused eyebrow at his youngest daughter's request, unable to deny the pleading within her bright blue eyes. Those large angel eyes of hers.

"Of course you may!" He exclaimed, wrapping an indulgent arm around his youngest daughter's shoulders while she bounced happily on the tips of her toes; eyes shining with excitement "If the Queen commands it then we shall obey"

"I'm glad to hear that, cousin!" Edward teased before turning to the steps "come, my friends, let us enjoy the season's celebrations! This is a time of joy!"

"Uncle Richard!" The adults looked up at the sound of a childish shriek and the patter of small feet on stone to see Princess Marie bounding down the steps as fast as her legs could carry her! All morning she'd been bouncing at her bedchamber window, avoiding her nurses on the lookout for the return of her beloved Uncle! Now, a grin on her face, her eyes were alight with joy and Constance's heart filled with love for her daughter.

Marie dashed across the courtyard, holding her crimson skirts high above her silk-slippered feet, like a hound who'd caught a scent as she ran towards Warwick. His serious face contorted with joy and he bent down a little, just in time to swoop the small Princess into his arms. Her arms wound about his neck and he grinned, holding her close.

Even Isabel mustered a smile.

"You came back!" Marie giggled, voice muffled in his cloak "You came back, Uncle Richard!"
"Of course I did" Warwick replied, setting the little Princess back on her feet "I would not abandon the chance to visit my favourite Goddaughter now would I, your grace?" Marie's eyes peered up at him like two adoring saucers, paired with her Mother's smile that could light up a very room.

"Am I truly your favourite, Uncle Richard?" She asked, giggling with glee when he nodded and taking his hand to drag him inside "Come along!" She proclaimed, every inch Edward's daughter "You must listen to the musicians ma Mère has had brought from the court from France!"

Casting one last look back at the group, Warwick smiled at his cousin and the King grinned in return, sliding an arm around Constance's waist.

"There" He said; satisfied "There is peace and you have your little protégé returned to you!" His hand slowly found its way to her belly and be bestowed a kiss to her forehead, warming her with a mere touch of his lips "There are fruitful times ahead, I can feel it"

She did not doubt him. How could he be wrong when the Woodvilles were gone?

༻᯽༺

The crisp air was cool on Constance's skin and she was happy to once more hear Anne's trotting steps behind her as she carried the train of the Queen's heavy cloak. Along cobbled paths covered in snow they walked, the pristine white blanket crunching beneath their feet.

The bushes they passed caught her eye, causing her to stop for a moment and look at the roses that had marched into winter in full bloom until the reaching fingers of ice clasped around them; forcing their petals to close. Now, there they lay, covered in a sheen of  sparkling ice and dangling from their stems like heavenly chrysalis's frozen in time.

The crunch of snow behind her made her smile and she sensed a little face peering curiously over her shoulder. She'd missed her loyal protégé, the girl so sweet and quiet, none could imagine her ever hurting a fly!

And she was loyal to her Queen, that much was certain.

"Come, Annie!" She invited merrily "You needn't tend to my cloak, walk with me!" In moments, the ermine trimmed velvet had hit the snow and a little patter of feet came to her side, making her smile. Linking her arm with the young girl's, they walked through the gardens, the sky a clear, stark blue above until they came to a stone bench and settled upon its cool surface.

"There" Constance told her and Anne beamed "Now, you must tell me how you are, little one, I have missed you after all" blue eyes glowed at that.
"I am well!" She chirped "I am happy to be here, your grace, as is my sister"

"Is she?" Constance laughed "From her expression in the courtyard she thought Edward was about to eat her alive" At that, Annie blushed and turned her face to her skirts, shuffling them about in the snow.
"She thought he would be angry, that you would be angry"

A small frown overcame the Queen's lips at that and she sighed. She'd intended this Christmas to be one of peace and that was what would happen! She wouldn't have the Neville girls afraid to be at court!

The necklace she wore was one of great splendour, three rounds of polished pearls around her slender throat, sapphires between them and a great emerald, carved like a raindrop, hanging from the bottom between her collarbones.

Such jewels only belonged to Queens and, in fact, this particular piece had belonged to the previous one, but that did not stop Constance's hands from reaching for the clasp. With one firm twist and a clink of jewels, it slid smoothly into her hands and the Neville girl looked up, eyes wide with surprise when the necklace was passed her way.

"Here" Catching one of Anne's small hands, she pressed the precious jewels into her palm "To show that we will always be friends and" She shook her head as Anne began to speak, smiling "I will not take a refusal. This is yours now, Annie and none shall take it from you just as none shall take our friendship"

Those innocent blue eyes continued to stare up at her, trusting in their delicate youth.
"Are you sure, Constance?"
Constance smiled, closing her hand over the necklace.
"I am sure"

༻᯽༺

"So this is where you've chosen to hide is it, my Lord?"

She was teasing him, of course. Warwick didn't hide, he never hid, he only retreated until he could find a better strategy to work with and that day, he had retreated to the courtyard balcony. In the hall she'd searched for him, in the gardens too and finally came across him bathed in the golden rays of the evening sun, leaning on the cool stone between two pillars.

He had forgone a cloak, used to such cold from his life in the North, and his dark hair was ruffled by the breeze, brushing its cool fingers through the dark curls. His sigh mingled with the wind. She frowned, one hand on her belly as she approached him though there was nothing yet there to cradle.

Her body was cast into a shadow as she leant against one of the pillars, watching her friend (so recently her enemy) catch the falling snow on his fingers. Each time they landed they melted within moments, intricate patterns of ice turned to invisible droplets.

"Not one is the same" He murmured at length, watching them "Just like not one moment is never the same as another" Still he didn't look at her and her frown deepened.

"What is wrong, Richard? Are you not pleased the Woodvilles are gone? That we have a new court of peace?" He sighed again and at last turned to her, leaning against the opposite pillar.

"Of course I am, Connie" He returned, warming her heart with that single endearment "I only worry they will come back! Edward has ordered them from court but...."

"You think him weak" She interjected and held up a hand to rebuff any excuse that would emerge from his diplomatic lips "Of course you do, otherwise you would not have rebelled. You would not resort to placing George on the throne for your own amusement" One dark eyebrow was arched at her and she mustered a small smile, watching him tilt his head.

"The Woodvilles had their claws in deep to the bone, they were tearing this court, this nobility, your honour apart and yet he did nothing to stop it! I did not do it to injure you. It is very important that you know that Constance"

"Then why did you do it at all? Could you not have put up with the Woodvilles until I found a way for us to be rid of them? The Lord teaches us patience and I am not a fool Richard!"

"I do not accuse you of being one!" He cried, shaking his head in a silent reprimand for the sharpness in his voice as he turned to the courtyard again.

"Then do not wound me by taking action such as that which implies I am!" Constance replied, moving just one step to join him and placing a hand on his arm "I am not the little girl who came to England, Richard, I have lost too much to still be her. I am Queen, the one true Queen of England and you have no need to worry!"

He looked at her, a small frown marking his face and she hesitated only a moment before taking his hands and guiding them to her belly. She pressed them against the soft silk of her gown and his expression transformed from one of confusion to wonder.
"You are with child?"

"We are on the edge of a golden world, Richard" She murmured and he stared at the front of her gown as if she carried a miracle, the second coming of their saviour! For the house of York, the babe she carried was.

"A boy?" He whispered hurriedly, not stopping to think how she could possibly know, but rejoiced in her nod, his lips breaking into the smile she had missed for so many months "Oh God, Connie! Oh God!" His voice was infused with merriment, an almost boyish excitement that left him breathless "Christ this is what we needed! How overjoyed you must be!" Eyes lit with happiness, he looked at her but her own glow had faded and she suddenly stepped away, flinching at memories he knew only too well.

Had he forgotten them, he would've picked her up and spun her around the balcony but he knew from her last two pregnancies that when a little life grew within her she did not like to be touched. It made her too scared.

"I do not want to be happy" She admitted quietly, her voice, soft like a mouse's squeak reminding him of Annie "Not yet. Not until I hold my Prince in my arms and I know he will live"
"Connie, I did not...."

"You do not need to pity me, Richard" She instructed firmly and held out a hand, commanding him to take it in silence "But you have been by my side since the day I met Ned. Do not abandon me now"