~Everlasting Joy~

"My son!"
The scream that tore from Cecily Neville's throat as she fled into the courtyard at the sound of royal trumpets pierced the air like a freshly shot arrow. For once, the older woman did not care for her long sought grace and decorum; she pushed through the nobles on the steps without hesitance, eyes anxiously searching for the face of her son.

She let out a broken cry when she saw him riding beside Eleanor, shining in cloth of silver with his rightful crown on his head. So long she had thought him dead, so long she had thought all of her beloved sons lost to her that now his presence did not seem real! She half expected for his Father and brothers to appear with angel wings and halos on their heads!

Her slippered feet crunched beneath the thin layer of snow that had settled on the courtyard floor but when Richard jumped merrily from his horse she was soon swept into the air and clutched desperately to him.

"Mother" he murmured against the damask of her headdress and she held him like he were a little boy again, combing her ringed hands through his dark hair in an effort to convince herself it was him. All around her, all she could hear were the deafening cries of nobles and commoners alike, calling their love of their King and Queen.

'Leena' She suddenly thought and released her son to hunt for her daughter. It did not take her long for the Queen was gracefully sliding from her saddle, appearing almost a mystical fairy in her garments of gold. Cecily felt another smile spread across her thin lips; she opened her arms and Eleanor's eyes lit up when she saw her.

"Mother!" She cried, hurrying into the loving embrace.

"Queen Eleanor! King Richard!" The crowds chanted and Cecily laughed through the tears that clouded her vision when she pulled back to study the Queen's face.

"They love you, Leena!" She breathed, reaching for her son once more and pulling him close. She felt like she would never let him go again "they love you both!" Turning around, Cecily laced her hands with the King and Queen and raised them high into the air, beaming. A deafening roar was drawn from the royal court.

"York is victorious!" She yelled at the top of her voice, feeling her heart about to burst "Your King and Queen have returned!"

"Grandmama!"

Cecily dropped Eleanor and Richard's hands at the sound of her grandchildren's voices and sought to gather all of them into her embrace at once! One by one, she clasped them close, kissing their hair, telling them she loved them with all of her hearts.
"Oh my darlings, you are safe" she whispered when Eliza embraced her "you are all safe!"

As the nobles that accompanied the Yorkist army slowly left their horses, the Queen's ladies joined their beloved mistress and baby Katheryn was handed to her. The two month old squealed her delight at her Mother's face and Richard's merry chuckle filled the air while he encircled Eleanor's waist with his arm.

"May I present Princess Katheryn of York to the court!" He boomed and his court erupted into cheers while noblewomen crowded around the Queen to catch a glimpse of her babe, cooing affectionately.

For once, Eleanor was happy to endure them.

꧁꧂

That night Westminster was alive with merriment as was the rest of London. Wine flowed in the streets, men and women danced around bonfires that engulfed the city in a warm glow. Their drunken singing could be heard for miles around it was said but no one truly cared, not that night, all they cared about was celebrating their monarchs victory!

Inside the palace things were much the same, a buzzing hive of exultant joy that was completely unrestrained. For once the nobles did not care entirely for their carefully constituted and memorised rules of grace and decorum; felt free to be happy, revel in their relief.

They all wore their brightest silks and satins, adorned with broaches fashioned into white roses that were studded with diamonds and pearls! Duchess Cecily shone with jewels, such a dazzling smile on her face that she looked almost young again when she danced with the Prince of Wales.

The Royal children were dressed in their own outfits of cloth of gold, dazzling the courtiers as they danced happily in the torchlight, appearing almost magical fairies, especially the little ones.

Their parents watched them from their velvet-lined dais, their hands tenderly intertwined and affectionate smiles on their faces. Every so often the King would lean over and whisper something to his Queen that would make her smile; press a gentle kiss to his lips. They drank from one goblet, offering each other small sips of wine and gazing at each other like those young and new to romance did.

"I never want to be without you" Eleanor murmured when Richard offered her a piece of ham from his dagger and she took it between her teeth, smiling gratefully.

"You will never be without me, my love" he returned, motioning for a page to refill his goblet "Our souls are bound together, Leena, not even God can separate us" She grinned at him, bringing their joined hands to her lips and gently kissing them before she took to gazing around the hall again. She did not believe she had ever been so happy.

Watching her children dance and play amongst the courtiers, her heart swelled within her chest, they looked so happy, so content! They rushed around without a care in the world, the little ones hands sticky with sugar from sweetmeats that they always returned to the great table for more of.

Lizzie and Georgie danced in the centre of the hall, gazing at one another like the other was the only person in the world. The Queen smiled at her redheaded niece. She would see those two married before the next year was finished, she was sure of it! 

Suddenly she became aware of the amused glances that were being thrown towards the dais by various nobles, the little hoots of quickly hushed laugher that escaped them. What was going on?
"They know something that we don't" she said, turning to Richard who simply chuckled.
"They always do!"

The King and Queen's attention snapped to the front as Duchess Cecily suddenly called for silence, an order that was obeyed with a simple clap of her pale hands. She harboured a secret smile on her face, one Eleanor arched an eyebrow at.

"She's plotting"
"She's always plotting" her husband replied, watching while his Mother flourished one hand and the nobles immediately retreated to either side of the hall, leaving her in the middle. She stepped forward, a glittering figure in her blue and murrey robes, her late husband's falcon and fetterlock badge embroidered upon the skirts, and curtsied.

"My King, my Queen, the court and I have a gift for you, one we think shall please you very well! One that arrived with our guests of France!" She stepped to the side and waved again, gesturing for the guards who stood at the hall doors to open them. They were pulled open with a creak though the movement heavy wood suddenly slowed to Eleanor as she saw the redheaded figure stood at the threshold.

Only her flaming locks were now hidden from sight, braided and bound beneath a tall, pearl encrusted hennin that had a dazzling circlet around the base. Standing tall in a gown of blue velvet and white satin damask, a proud smile lit her face, making her blue eyes shine.

"May I present...."
"Bess!" Cecily was swiftly cut off by Eleanor's overjoyed cry as she jumped from her throne, hardly daring to believe her eyes. Before her was her daughter, her very own child! Her Bess, her baby....

Only she was a baby no more, she was a Queen and, at thirteen, growing into a young woman of elegance and grace, seen clearly as she began to glide down the centre of the hall and nobles curtsied. Curtsied to the Queen of France.

But despite that, she would always be Eleanor's little girl and it was that thought that was on her mind as she stepped down from the dais and broke into a run, opening her arms. Bess could not resist at the sight of her Mother running to welcome her and picked up her skirts, dashing towards her as quickly as she could until they met and Eleanor's arms wrapped securely around her.

She felt a small, happy sob against her shoulder.
"Oh, my baby....my Bess"
"Mother" Bess whispered, tears blurring her vision before another happy cry filled the air as Cecily of York (now her chief Lady in waiting) entered the hall and fled into the arms of her sister, Elizabeth in a flurry of smiles wrapped in the latest French fashions!

To the side of the hall, Bess' siblings watched, mouths agape, hardly daring to believe their eyes.
"Truly Bessie?" Little Adela whispered, taking to sucking her thumb in thought and Matilda nodded beside her.
"Truly" she breathed before her sister's eyes met hers and she could refrain from action no longer "oh, sister!"

"Tilda!" Bess exclaimed, letting go of Eleanor to welcome Matilda (and then the rest of her siblings) into her arms while the court watched on, indulgent smiles on their faces. Eleanor wiped away her tears with the back of her hand while her children swarmed around their older sister, even Anthony who did not remember her!

Turning back to the dais, she could see Richard was staring on in wonder, a proud expression on his face and tears lighting his eyes. She held out her hand to him and he slowly stepped down from the dais, never tearing his gaze from his Bess as he walked towards her.

She soon noticed him and gently detached herself from the tangle of children that were wound around her body to stand tall before him, hoping he was proud of her.

"Father" she greeted, curtsying gracefully before squealing with delight when he laughed and gathered her into his embrace, holding her tight. Waving to a nearby nurse, Eleanor smiled as her little Katheryn was passed to her before she nudged Richard and he looked up with a grin.

"Ah" he murmured, turning the little Queen so that she might see her new sister "meet, Katheryn, the latest babe in our dear brood" the thirteen year olds eyes filled with wonder at the sight of the little redhead presented to her.
"Oh" she breathed, a small smile curving her lips "I love her very much....may I hold her?"

Eleanor beamed and handed her babe over to her daughter before looking around her to see the court were still watching! She grinned, waving her hand.
"Play on!" She called to the musicians "we must remind Queen Elizabeth of France of her homeland!"

A round of cheers went up around the hall and the royals returned to their seats, ordering a new one so that Bess could sit beside her Mother. She did so gracefully, arranging her velvet skirts around her with baby Katheryn in her arms.

She watched the courtiers begin to dance with an abundance of joy! Oh how she had missed this! The chatter, the laughter, the hustle and bustle of the English court! She had grown accustomed to the French court but it would never truly be her home.

England was her home, this was her home, the seat beside her Mother and Father was where she belonged and she revelled in it!

"We have our baby!" Eleanor giggled, taking Richard's hand once they were settled on their thrones once more and watched their eldest child with love "we have our girl Richard!"
"That we do!" He murmured "and I think she is splendid!" The Queen nodded her agreement, reaching for her goblet of wine and drinking to her daughter's health.

꧁꧂

Christmas Eve 1485, Westminster Palace....

Never had the court been more surprised when Elizabeth Woodville arrived at court by invitation of the Queen for Christmas.

It was common knowledge to the nobles that the two sisters did not have the smoothest relationship and had not done for many many years, indeed, the elder had plotted against the younger just two years ago! So, to see the former Queen of England (or Lady Elizabeth Grey as she was now announced) walking toward the dais upon Christmas Eve, dressed in a gown of deep blue damask, golden -now greying- hair bound beneath a high butterfly hennin, was a shock indeed!

All around the hall, candles flickered, lighting the chamber, the air of which smelt pleasantly of cinnamon. Sticks of the clay coloured spice hung from the bows of lush greenery that decorated the great hall for that Christmas tide, winding around the rafters and the tops of the two great thrones that sat at the peak of the royal dais.

Dressed in crimson velvet and fine ermine, their crowns upon their heads, the King and Queen watched as their former consort glided elegantly toward them, head held high under the ever scrutinising eyes of the court.

Eleanor still could not quite believe that she had invited her elder sister to court willingly; that she had extended the invitation. She had not really missed Elizabeth, in fact she had not twice heard from her ever since she had left Grafton the previous year.

They were all but strangers, the only thing holding them together being the bonds of a shared love for two boys long thought missing or dead by their Mother and the country. That was why she was at court, that was why Eleanor smiled at Elizabeth when she stopped before the dais, dipping down into a graceful curtsy.

"Lady Grey" Eleanor greeted "welcome to London, it has been long since you were last here"

"I thank your graces for the kind invitation" Elizabeth replied, her voice composed and light as usual though her younger sister's eyes were sharp enough to see the way her folded hands trembled slightly. Best to put her out of her misery, she thought.

Rising from her throne and brushing the train of her gown behind her, she stepped down the dais and gently linked her arm with Elizabeth's. Her flock of ladies stood almost protectively beside her throne and she gestured for Lizzie to join her, smiling at the redhead who swiftly deserted the others and came to her side.

"I have a present for you both" She announced and instantly the court began to murmur, turning to one another then back to the Queen. Letting go of her kinswomen, Eleanor strode forward and looked out over her court with a glint of mischief in her eyes "it has long been known that there are two precious jewels, very dear to you both that have both long been rumoured missing but in fact have been safe with me!"

Glancing back over her shoulder she could see Elizabeth was now clinging to her daughter, her grip on her hand so tight Lizzie winced slightly. Though, she could not deny the look of wonder and excitement that crept over her face. The Queen smiled at her.

"It is high time they were now returned to you!" Gathering her skirts, she returned to the dais and her throne, casting a knowing glance at Richard who smirked in reply. He had known of this plan for many weeks and, in all truth, was excited to see it play out as she! Grinning at one another, Eleanor raised a hand and flourished it, a signal to the guards that waited for that very gesture at the hall doors "Bring them forth!"

Bowing deeply, the two guards clasped the iron handles and pulled on the heavy doors with expert skill honed over many years.
"Lord Edward and Lord Richard of York!" One cried and Elizabeth's high pitched cry filled the air for, standing at the threshold, were her two sons, standing tall and fine in velvet doublet of murrey and blue.

They were alive.
They were truly alive!

"My boys!"
"Mother!" Young Richard cried and abandoned all decorum for rushing forward, as did she, while their elder sister simply watched, completely dumbstruck; unable to believe her eyes. In an instant the hall was a hive of buzzing voices, of disbelieving exclamations and even a few fainting ladies that collapsed to the floor in heaps of silk and veils!

Eleanor smiled, her heart swelling when Mother and son met in the middle of the hall, clasping each other close while the elder York boy followed behind, a proud grin on his face as his Mother looked up at him.
"Oh my boy" she breathed, unable to refrain from weeping, hot tears sliding down her face "you look so much like your Father!"

Edward's merry laugh pierced the incessant chatter that surrounded them and he flung himself into his Mother's arms.
"You found them!" Lizzie cried and practically flew up the dais towards Eleanor, pulling her to her feet and into a firm hug.

"I never lost them!" She chuckled, holding her niece close before gently drawing away and motioning for her to thank the King. Lizzie did so in the most graceful curtsy she could muster before bouncing away to Georgie (who was standing beside their King's throne) and grinning from ear to ear.

Elizabeth took both of her boys into her arms, clutching them so tightly they feared she would never let them go until she took their hands and strode towards the dais again. The King and Queen's eyes widened as she dropped to her knees and looked up at them through, tear lit eyes, the veil of her hennin falling about her face that held smile of incomparable joy!

"Thank you!" She cried and her sons bowed "thank you!" She took a breath, letting go of Edward and young Richard's hands so that she could clasp hers in front of her, almost as if in prayer. But unlike when in prayer, she raised her voice instead of lowering it "You are my King and my Queen" she declared "you are the rightful King and Queen of England and have my loyalty and my love from this day until my last!"

Richard's jaw practically dropped to the floor (as did the rest of the court's) and Eleanor simply stared, thinking for a moment she had heard Elizabeth wrong. But no, she could not have heard her wrong for all the nobles in the room were staring at Lady Grey as if she had just sprouted wings, even her sons!

Turning to her husband, she began to smile, chuckling at the way Richard's mouth moved up and down like a fish out out water while he tried to gather what little words he could. She shook her head with a grin, before gesturing for her sister to rise.

"We thank you, Lady Grey" she said as Elizabeth stood, looked demurely at her skirts for the first time in her life "and welcome you and your fine sons to court"

꧁꧂

Looking out into the night, dotted with bright, shining stars and soft clouds, Eleanor melted into Richard's embrace as he wound his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. When in his arms, she did not mind the cool, wintery breeze that brushed against her face and nightgown after gliding through the open window before her.

Divested of his chains of office and doublet, she could feel the sturdy body beneath his shirt, now healed, the warmth of his skin mingling with hers until they both felt they could drown in their heated embrace.

"Do you think we are safe?" Richard asked, watching the delicate flakes of snow that began to drift into the air from the clouds above; feeling Eleanor smile as she turned her head and nuzzled into his jaw.

"We are, Dickon" she murmured, brushing her fingers across the hands wrapped so tenderly about her waist. "Tudor has been chased back across the sea and we shall have him soon. We are loved by our nobles, are people, our family....one another" he chuckled against her neck, pressing his lips to the soft skin and relishing her soft sigh of pleasure "Elizabeth has declared her loyalty to us and our nephews will never come against us, not ever"

"You are sure?"
She nodded, remembering the day of the battle when Edward had fought for York, had fought for their son and their house.

"They are with us and they will always be with us. We plan to send them to Middleham in the summer, do we not? Being raised in the North shall solidify their loyalty to us if there could ever be any doubt, which I do not think there is"
"You are right" Richard murmured "as you always are"

"Well I know I am right about one thing" Eleanor replied, turning in his arms and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. He arched an eyebrow, raising a hand to gently cup her cheek.
"And what might that be?" He asked. She tilted her head into the palm of his hand, gazing lovingly into his eyes.

"That there is not another man on earth whom I could love more nor could have made me as happy as you have done, Richard"

Bending his head, he kissed her and felt her smile into the gentle caress, one of tenderness and a soft passion that encased them both in their own world.

"And I am sure there is not another woman that God could have ever created whom I could adore as much as I adore you, my dearest darling" he said when he drew away, even in the dark being able to see the coral blush that stained her cheeks. Oh how he loved her.

A little gurgle from the cradle by their royal bed made the two break their adoring gaze and turn to their daughter's crib. They both smiled indulgently and, hand in hand, crossed over from the window to the bedside, peering into the cradle to see their four month old daughter gazing up at them. Her little hands reached up towards her parents faces, tiny fists curling and uncurling while Eleanor cooed affectionately.

"I think she shall be our last babe" she mused and Richard 'hm'd', letting their daughter's fingers curl around one of his.

"Do you think so, my love?"
"I do....something tells me this year marks the end of our troubles and the end of our brood....but we have done well, have we not? She is the fourteenth of your babes I have carried! I match my Mother with that fine number!"

Katheryn babbled her delight and Richard chuckled, reaching into the crib to gather his youngest child into his arms. Arranging her blankets around her, he cradled her closely to his chest and she clung to his collar while Eleanor ran a finger along the auburn curls that crowned her baby's head.

"Parva Salvator meus" he murmured and his wife looked up at him.

"My little saviour" she whispered while Katheryn shrieked with laughter, finding delight in toying with the ties of her Father's shirt.

"Aye" he said, bouncing her gently in his arms "for she was the new life that came on the bleakest of days, was she not?" Eleanor could not help but smile at that for it was true. On a day so dismal many believed they would never see the sun again, little Katheryn had entered the world; one last drop of precious light.

A light now spread across the entire land.

The sudden chime of a church bell filled the air and Richard looked up at the same time Katheryn did, her blue eyes wide at the distant sound that repeated over and over. Twelve times the bell struck as her Father carried her to the window, letting her look out over the vast city in innocent wonder; Eleanor beside them, laying a hand on her husband's arm.

"Happy Christmas, little one" he whispered to their daughter, pressing a gentle kiss to her hair while Katheryn watched the dancing lights of London.

Her Mother's heart swelled within her and she brushed her lips against Richard's cheek, smiling when he removed one of his arms from Katheryn and wrapped it around her waist once more, pulling her against his chest. He nuzzled into her hair, fingers gently squeezing her hip.

Together they looked out over the city, the King, the Queen, with their daughter, the rest of their children slumbering peacefully just a few doors away.

The roofs dusted with a light blanket of snow, the torchlit streets, the occasional drunken shouts that emerged from windows as the birth of Christ was celebrated, it was all perfect to them in that moment.

They were safe, their family was safe, England was safe.

And they had one another, they always would.

They breathed in the cool air, letting it fill their lungs, life flooding through their veins while they felt the last ounces of the invisible weight they had born most of their lives, lift from their shoulders.

Eleanor smiled and intertwined her hand with the sturdy one on her waist, laying her head on Richard's shoulder as a grin of pure happiness spread across his lips.

"I love you, my Leena" he told her.
"I love you too, my Dickon" she replied.