~Middleham~

July 1472....

"Beautiful" Eleanor breathed, her eyes wide with wonder as she gazed over the landscape of Wensleydale. A gentle breeze flowed through the air, rustling the leaves on the trees and beams of sunlight cascaded over the fields and village below.

As they approached Middleham, Richard had taken her away from the baggage train and together they had ridden to the top of the tallest hill that overlooked the castle for the first glimpse of their new home. Eleanor found that she could barely breathe, rendered speechless by the beauty that lay before her eyes.

Her lands. Her new home.

The sky was the clearest blue, making the colours of the scenery seemingly jump into life as if each blade of grass, each brightly coloured flower were calling to her. Beckoning to her, entrancing and enchanting her, weaving a mystical spell around her heart.

A smile spread across her lips, one of pure joy, as she found tears filling her eyes. This was to be her home, where her little Bess would spend her years growing up, climbing trees and riding across the sunny fields without a care in the world, hopefully with a number of brothers and sisters in tow!

"D-do you like it?" Richard's voice was barely audible as he softly called out to his wife, his face the picture of excitement and anxiety as he watched Eleanor's reaction, noting each little change in her expression. He was rather alarmed when she turned to him, almost crying, but breathed a sigh of relief when she reached out, taking his hand in hers.

"I have never seen a place so beautiful" she said, a laugh escaping her as she tilted her head back and closed her eyes, letting the breeze blow gently over her skin like a thousand small kisses.

She was glad that she had left her hair loose that day as the winds of the North combed through her copper curls, making them sway gently from side to side. She laughed once again, pure happiness filling her heart and mind, a feeling she had not felt for such a long time she had been beginning to fear she never would again.

But now she did. True joy. And none could mar it.

"I'm home" she announced and felt her spirits soar as Richard smiled at her, also beginning to laugh in his delight and relief.
"You are" he said with a nod, looking out over the vast landscape and feeling his smile widen as his eyes settled on Middleham castle "we are.... now, look"

"Look where?" Eleanor asked, aligning her horse with her husband's as she followed where he pointed, towards the castle. It's walls towered over the village below, the ramparts reaching up to the sky and the towers reaching even higher with a flag flying at the top.

The blue and murrey of York made the flag bright in the sun, Eleanor was sure it would be able to be seen for miles around but as she leant forward a little in her saddle, she gasped as she saw the emblems emblazoned on the material.

A rose of York stood proud in the middle, a golden crown at its yellow centre, on one side a white boar and on the other a golden Phoenix, a ducal coronet on its head.

"Our emblems" Eleanor whispered in surprise, looking to Richard "they stand together....almost as one"
"Just as they should do" he said, taking her hand once more and brining it to his lips "just as we will, my darling. We are equals, you and I. You rule this land just as much as I do and I want all to know it....the North is our country, Leena, and you are it's Queen"

Eleanor beamed, her heart swelling with glee and another feeling she was only just beginning to understand, one that scared and excited her but she momentarily brushed it aside. Darting forward, she pressed her lips against Richard's, kissing him with all the happiness she felt before she drew back, giggling at his rather bewildered expression.

"Really!" She teased, leaning forward to kiss him again "you look as if I have never kissed you before!" Richard merely stared at her, his cheeks reddening a little before she leant in a little further, her lips brushing against his ear "you will know my true joy tonight" she whispered and Richard raised his eyebrows, eyes suddenly shining with desire as she pulled away from him and sent him an inviting smile, tilting her head.

"Perhaps we shall make a little Duke?" He suggested with a grin, reaching out to gently catch her chin, brushing his thumb along her bottom lip in a way that made her breaths suddenly grow a little heavier "a little Middleham Duke, a brother for our Bess"

"I think Bess would like that" she observed "but even if we do not make a Duke on this night, I shall certainly enjoy trying" straightening up in her saddle a little she smirked at her husband before nudging her horse into a gallop and flying down towards the castle before he could stop her. Not that he would have.

Soon the two were riding side by side, racing through the fields as carefree as two children running home for dinner.

They sent each other grins as they bounded over streams and hedges, each silently daring the other to push their steed a little faster, attempt to jump over a hedge that was a little higher than the last.

"I'm going to beat you, Dickon!" She called over her shoulder only to hear a shout of laughter in return.
"So you have decided to call me that now?" He replied merrily, secretly pleased beyond words that she had finally called him by his nickname as he did hers.

"Well you call me, Leena" Eleanor countered, slightly slowing down a little as she approached the gates of the castle. Gazing up at the walls that cast all in front of it into shadows, she suddenly felt a knot of nerves tie themselves into her stomach.

Ahead of her the courtyard was already filled to the brim with servants dashing here and there, unloading coffers and standards from the multitude of wagons that had arrived only a half hour before. It was clear all we're trying to ready for the Duke and Duchess' arrival and it was that all present seemed to care so much about her coming that made her hands suddenly tremble.

What if she proved a disappointment to them? What if she could not live up to the duties and roles that she knew as Duchess she would have to perform. She had run a household at Leeds castle, a successful one where she had been beloved by all but she had never encountered anything on this scale. Or rather, never been in charge of anything as grand as what lay before her at Middleham.

Richard had all but dubbed her the Queen of the North and she already took pride in that title, would work to keep it and be worthy of it.

But was she fit to rule such a land? A land that was unknown to her?

"Are you well?" Richard asked as he reigned in beside her, frowning slightly as he observed the way the colour was draining from his wife's face. He reached out to take her hand as he realised it was nerves that had caused her sudden depletion in spirits, gently interlacing their fingers "They will all love you" he told her, smiling when she looked to him for reassurance "they will love and respect you"

"I'm so afraid....afraid of failure" Eleanor suddenly confided, a slight panic in her voice as she gazed at her new home "what if I cannot rule them? What if I cannot run the household?"

"What if the sky falls in? What if George sets fire to Westminster?" Richard chuckled, squeezing her hand again before he nodded towards the gates and took his reins in hand again.

"George would find a way to do that" Eleanor admitted and Richard felt glad when she smiled at her own words, a little of her previous colour returning to her cheeks. Taking a deep breath, she nudged her horse into motion and straightened her back, holding her head high as she and Richard entered the courtyard of Middleham castle.

They immediately drew the attention of the multitude of servants that were present and they all seemed to rush to the steps in a wave of shock. Once they had all gathered together they sunk down into bows and curtsies, a few daring to look up at the Duke and Duchess, curious to see their new employers for themselves.

Many, of course, already knew Richard and had since he was a boy still training and so most of the attention was diverted to Eleanor. Something she was fully aware of. She tried to look as regal as possible as she observed her servants, her household.

"Please, rise" Richard commanded with a smile and everyone present seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as they heard the merriness in the Duke's tone. He smiled around at all of them as they rose, gesturing for them to carry on with their work and Eleanor feared for a moment they would stay to assess her for a moment longer before a jovial voice called out.

"Dickon! Did I ever think this day would come? You've finally decided to grace us with your presence once more?"
"You knew he'd come home at one point or another, nothing can keep him away from this castle for long! Or us, come to mention it! We two are the most exciting beings to ever walk the earth!"

Eleanor found herself smiling as two men bounded down the steps, one with blonde hair, the other with chestnut that curled at his shoulders. She recognised the first man as Francis Lovell and assumed that the man with him was Rob Percy as they headed towards her husband, welcoming grins on their faces.

Richard immediately jumped down from his horse, all sense of rank or regality falling away as he embraced them both, laughing as he did so. They talked in hushed voices for a few moments, a roar of laughter erupting from their small group before Richard finally turned again and walked to Eleanor's horse, lifting his arms upwards.

She slid gratefully into them, feeling a little more reassured when he linked their arms and lead her forward towards his friends. Both Rob and Francis grinned at her, bowing low before they raised their heads.

"I believe you already know, Francis?" Richard asked as the blonde man stepped forward and took Eleanor's free hand, kissing it with a welcoming gleam in his blue eyes.

"At Tewksbury" He confirmed with a nod, clasping his hands behind his back as he stepped away "that was the day I knew you had a wife that was more than a worthy match for you in terms of bravery!"

"Though you far surpass dear Dickon here in terms of beauty, your grace" Rob joked, but the nod he sent her was sincere, a sign of acceptance and welcome which Eleanor returned as best she could.

"Sir Robert" she greeted "Richard has told me much about you and of Lord Lovell, of course"
"I should hope so!" Francis joked, hitting Richard playfully on the arm "we are more than worthy of mention, I can assure you!"
"That we are!" Rob agreed with a laugh before his smile widened as he saw Anais, Marie and Anne climbing out of their carriage "Christ, Dickon, you have brought a lot of women back with you!"

A shocked laugh escaped Eleanor's lips and Rob winked at her before she turned to greet her ladies, letting go of Richard's arm to embrace them both.

She was about to go to Anne but the girl simply hurried inside with her babe in her arms, her eyes alight with excitement as she entered her home for the first time in almost three years.

"These are my ladies" Eleanor said with a smile, looking on proudly as her friends curtsied gracefully to the two Lords before them, keeping their gazes respectfully lowered to the ground. Marie was the first to step forward as the Duchess gestured for her to do so "Lady Marie Raoult" she stepped back and Anais stepped forward, raising her head, rather boldly, with a merry smile on her face "and Lady Anais de Cloet"

"How do you do" Anais said warmly with a grin, one that both men returned in full though Francis' eyes lingered on her for a moment before he saw the babe she carried in her arms.

Bess was staring around at all the unfamiliar activity that was going on around her, trying to take in the strange sights and smells as she sucked on her thumb. She did not make a fuss as some infants did, did not cry with a trembling bottom lip, simply gazed at everything curiously.

"And is this the Lady Elizabeth?" Francis asked, diverting all attention to the five month old who was suddenly lifted into her proud Mother's arms.
"This is Bess" Eleanor announced, smiling at Richard and then at Rob and Francis as they moved forward to greet the little girl, each taking turns to see if they could make her laugh or grin. Rob let out a triumphant cry as he tapped Bess on the nose and she giggled, her thumb leaving her mouth for a moment so she could smile at the stranger before her.

"I'm her favourite Uncle!" He announced loudly while Francis scowled a little, though it was clear to all it was in jest.

"I think you'll find I hoped to take that title!" He scoffed, dramatically folding his arms before he looked back to Anais only to find her blush and look away for she had been staring at him for the past few minutes like a lost deer "shall I escort you, inside, Lady Anais?" He asked, offering her his arm and Eleanor was tempted to laugh as Anna merely nodded, silent for one of the first times since the Duchess had known her.

Marie looked less approving as the two headed inside, though she took the arm Rob offered when Eleanor nodded her permission for her to do so.

"Do you like them?" Richard murmured quickly as he and his wife began to follow them into the castle. He was anxious for her to like his friends, for they were like family to him, like brothers and hoped Eleanor would come to view them as such too.

"I do" she replied, grinning at the backs of the Lords as they walked confidently in front of her with her ladies "very much" her head suddenly jerked ahead of her as a loud crash sounded from the great hall. Metal could be heard falling to the ground, causing a din as it hit the stone of the great hall floor.

"Oh for God's sake Harry!" A stern voice said, though it sounded like it was masking amusement as Rob flung open the doors to the hall and gave a delighted cry when he saw the seventeen year old duke of Buckingham dangling from the ceiling.

"Christ in a hay stack, Harry! How did you get up there?" He exclaimed as Harry peered down at him from where he was clinging onto a rope he had tied to one of the wooden rafters, his dark blonde curls bobbing as he swayed precariously from side to side.

The suit of armour he had been carrying lay in disarray on the floor beneath him and standing a few feet away was another lord who was trying to hide his grin. This man seemed older than the rest, sported a beard that was almost the colour of fire and as as bright as his startlingly blue eyes that lit up at the sight of Richard and Eleanor.

"Well well!" He announced, combing a hand through his shoulder length hair before he looked up at the young Duke still dangling from the roof who had also by now noticed the new arrivals and was turning as red as a beetroot from embarrassment "Dickon and his wife! And their little daughter! Welcome home!"

"This" Richard murmured as the man strode forward, slightly adjusting the sword belt that hung from his burgundy doublet at his waist "is Lord John Howard"
"Do call me Jack, your grace" Lord Howard said brightly as he bowed to Eleanor before grinning at Bess who grinned back, one of her little hands reaching out towards his beard "and you're a curious little one are you not?"

"This is Bess" Eleanor said, her heart immediately warming to Jack as he produced a little carefully carved wolfhound from his pocket and presented it to the baby. She took it into her hands immediately, distracted from his beard as she took to sucking on one of the wooden dog's ears " and you must call me Eleanor" her mother said before looking around at all the others "I want you all to call me Eleanor!"

"It would be an honour" Jack chuckled before her turned back to Harry and jerked his head for him to come down. Looking down cautiously at the floor, Harry frowned before he let go of the rope and fell to the floor, grunting when he hit the stones though Francis and Rob simply dissolved into peals of laughter.

He scrambled to his feet as quickly as he could, trying to straighten the cuffs of his doublet and shirt underneath, adjusting the chain of office he had around his neck before he strolled forward and bowed to the Duke and Duchess.

Eleanor eyed Harry far more carefully than the rest for, while it had taken her a few moments to realise, she knew this was her sister's husband. Catherine's husband. He had sulked all the way through their wedding in 1466, and throughout the evening's celebrations while Cat had merely beamed around at everyone, her little legs swaying as she listened to music.

By now, it was common knowledge that the Duke and Duchess of Buckingham were all but declared as mortal enemies, very rarely seen in the same castle let alone the same room. Eleanor was not much in contact with her youngest sister but she knew how unhappy she was, had been half expecting to find the Duke of Buckingham as more of a vicious monster than a man.

Yet all that was before her now was a flustered boy who seemed more than eager to please and welcome as he bowed, trying to make amends for his first appearance.

"Your graces..." he began, only to begin laughing in relief as Richard embraced him fondly, patting him on the back. As he was released, his gaze shifted to Eleanor and she saw the same cautions she had towards him reflected straight back at her in his blue eyes. Though there was no hostility and a few moments later his smile returned "Eleanor" he greeted, clasping his hands behind his back "I do not think you were expecting to find me here?"

"Were we expecting to find you dangling from our roof?" Richard chucked with a shake of his head "no, but I'm glad you're here all the same, what brings you this far North?" At once, Harry's face reddened again and he began to shuffle from foot to food, looking hesitantly at his sister in law.

"Ah" Eleanor said, understanding his predicament after a moment, though she hoped it would not cause an awkwardness between them "Cat?"
"Yes" he said slowly "my mother is trying to encourage me to provide an heir once again...."

"And you thought you should escape for a while?" She fished, an idea suddenly springing to her mind. Perhaps if she befriended Harry she could persuade him to make peace with Cat? And she with him? Nodding to herself, Eleanor reached our and patted Harry on a shoulder in a gesture that clearly surprised him and the others in the room "well you are very welcome here....brother"

A relived smiled swept across Harry's features and Jack chuckled in the background, his approval and respect for Eleanor rising by the second, surprised to find a Woodville that was not as aloof nor condescending as the Queen.

"So we are all friends now?" Rob asked as he sat down by the fireplace, grinning around at everyone while he rested his feet on a stool.

"We are!" Eleanor returned, taking a moment to smile at each of her new acquaintances, only just catching the way Francis tucked a loose strand of golden hair behind Anais' ear, causing the young woman to blush furiously "and very glad to be so"

꧁꧂

Kissing a sleeping Bess on the forehead, Richard made sure that her covers were tucked warmly around her small body before he placed the little wooden carving to the side of her crib and smiled. Without the small toy, her thumb was now once more placed firmly in her mouth, her other hand curled firmly around a lock of her own hair.

Moving away from the cradle, Richard glanced around the nursery, smiling at the tapestries on the walls that depicted scenes from the greatest ballads and tales. He hoped that one day Bess would have a little brother or sister to join her in the nursery and as he left he knew one of his dearest wishes was that they would love Middleham just as much as he did.

Walking into the bedchamber that belonged to the Duke and Duchess, he raised an eyebrow as he saw the heavy blue curtains were closed around the bed, the room dimly lit with only a few candles.
"Eleanor?" He called out, sidling over and drawing one of the curtains back only to find his breath get caught in his throat as he took in the sight of his wife before him.

She was lying naked on the covers of their bed, her pale skin a stark contrast to the red velvet that was beneath her. Her copper hair was fanned out on the pillows beside her like a stream of fire that lit up the green of her eyes as she stared lustily at him.

"I was wondering when you would arrive" she crooned softly, stretching her arms above her head as a seductive smile took over her lips. Richard merely stared at her, the warmth of desire flooding through him as Eleanor looked at him with hooded eyes that wandered up and down his body "well?" She asked "are you going to take off your clothes and join me or must I do it myself?"

Before she had even finished speaking, Richard had unbuttoned his doublet and was throwing it aside before he began to pull his shirt over his head. Raising herself up onto her knees, Eleanor helped the material over his head before she reached for his breeches and began to tug at the laces on them.

"Something has made you very eager tonight" Richard murmured with a smirk as he began to kiss her neck, gently tracing her jaw with a hand while she pushed his breeches over his hips and down his legs.

"Eager for you" she simply replied, wrapping her arms around his neck pulling him back onto the bed and giggling when her back hit the covers. She immediately crushed her lips against his, parting them as they pressed against one another, their want for one another quickly rising with each second that passed.

Her breaths grew heavy as she felt a familiar ache of need settle in her stomach and Richard's fingers brush between her parted thighs, making a soft whimper escape her throat. She cried out as he entered her, filling her in one thrust as she wrapped her legs around his waist, pressing herself against him.

The two could barely breathe as their bodies rocked back and forth on the bed, their lips hardly ever leaving each other's as if they could not bear to be apart. In that moment, they couldn't. Their need for closeness, for the pleasure that they could give one another proved blinding and they both cried out as they reached their high, their heavy breaths filling the warm room as they collapsed into one another's arms.