~Little Eliza~

October 1473, Middleham....

Richard awoke steadily as his ears filled with the distant noise of clattering and the quiet cursing of a young woman as she picked up the mirror she had accidentally knocked to the floor.

Opening his eyes he could tell by the dim light that it was only just past dawn and was surprised to see Eleanor rushing around their chamber already fully dressed without the help of her ladies, a winter cloak pulled tightly around her. He kept watching as she pulled on a pair of leather riding gloves, slowly flexing her fingers to ease the tough material before she tucked a curl, that had escaped her hastily arranged braid, behind her ear.

"What on earth are you doing, Leena?" He asked, suppressing the urge to laugh as her surprised gaze shot to his. Looking upwards a little, she crossed herself before letting out a sigh and walking back to the bed, sitting beside him while smoothing out her skirts.

"I had hoped I would not wake you" she said softly "but I was going to leave a note! I'm going to collect Eliza"
"Ah" he observed with a nod "so today is the day? I had momentarily forgotten!"

"It is" she confirmed, a certain excited gleam in her eyes as she spoke before she took his hand, a look of sincerity overcoming her "I made a promise, to Bella, that I would take her in.... much like the promise I assume you made Kate with her chi....with Katheryn and John"

"I did" Richard confirmed, squeezing her hand as she gave him a small nod.

"I understand that now" she said "I have thought about it a lot over the past three weeks that they have been here, Richard and....I have come to the decision that today....when I return" she took a breath, reading herself for her announcement "that I would like to meet them. Katheryn and John, I mean"

She offered Richard a small smile, feeling pleased at the look of surprised joy that swept over her husband's face. In truth, she had been deliberating her decision for weeks, weeks during which she had been observing the children from a distance.

She had readily allowed for them to begin playing with Bess and Matilda and one morning had slipped along the ramparts to see Katheryn playing 'ring- a ring a-rosie ' with Isabel and Elizabeth while Anne watched on holding the little babe.

She found herself smiling at the little trio of girls whose grins she wagered could light up the very sky with their childish happiness and even felt her heart warm a little as she watched Katheryn hand Tilda her stuffed rabbit, curtsying prettily before she pressed a soft kiss to her half sister's cheek.

Ever since then, Eleanor had taken most opportunities to watch the children from a distance, always just out of reach for them but not entirely out of sight. She listened with close attention whenever Bess or Isabel recounted their days to her in the evenings while she attended to her embroidery, even found herself pressing for small details on what little Katheryn and John liked and disliked.

As they days went by she began to edge a little closer to them, went from observing them from the ramparts to the steps of the courtyard and waved to little John when he waved to her one morning as Francis had been showing him the rooks that were flying over the castle Towers.

The little boy had beamed at her, though he had no clue who she was, and she could not help but smile back, daring to blow him a small kiss from where she stood before walking inside again.

That past week she had received a letter from George in reply to the one she had sent him relating her plan of his and Eliza's meeting and how she planned to take her to Middleham after.

His written words had brought a smile to her lips as she read them for he sounded almost like an excited schoolboy about to receive a sweet, was overjoyed at the news he had a little daughter.

Still, the coming of Eliza, a new child into her home had made the final decision that she would at last meet Katheryn and John. Richard had accepted Eliza with hardly any questions asked, had allowed her to bring his brother's illegitimate child into their home. So it was only fair that she now accepted his children. And she knew she should have a long time ago.

She had resolved not to think of their mother Kate, to simply focus on the children and how they were as individuals. In separating them from Kate in her mind, she found it easier for her to think on them, on John's merry grin and Katheryn's kind face. She had decided to move forward. That it was high time she did so.

Now, as she looked up she could see a glowing pride in Richard's face that spoke of nothing but love for her. Reaching out he gently brought her head down to his and kissed her with all the tender sweetness he could muster before he nodded.

"Are you sure that you are ready?" He asked, once more squeezing her hand. Eleanor nodded.

"I've come to realise that....that I have no need to fear them and never did" she replied softly "that they are children, innocent of any accusations that I may have ever unjustly held against them. I was wrong to react as I did, to place my own insecurities on them when they are without fault. They are your children Richard and that can never change. I will accept them. Perhaps I may even grow to care for them. In fact, I think I shall for they are sweet little things"

"Lord knows it's enough that you should want to meet them!" Richard cried happily, kissing her again "when should they be brought to you? Where? Should I bring them? Or should Anais and Marie? Would you like me to be there or not?"

"Questions! Questions!" Eleanor laughed, feeling as if a weight were being lifted off her shoulders the more she spoke "bring them to me after dinner. I want it to be just me, you and them and then tomorrow I can introduce you all to Eliza!"

She rose gracefully from the bed as Richard eagerly nodded, wishing her all the luck in the world as she left their bed chamber and headed to the courtyard. Her horse was already saddled and two guards awaited her, though they were not the only ones there for the Duke and Duchess of Buckingham were too, along with her servants that had accompanied the Duchess to Middleham!

While Catherine sat almost regally on her horse, adorned in silk and jewels as per usual with a passive expression on her face, Harry sat on his with his shoulders slumped, his hat pulled sulkily over his head. They were returning to their home that day (after many weeks arguing over the subject) and while neither of them were happy with the circumstances, Eleanor had to admit her fifteen year old sister was taking it far better than her older husband.

Catherine rolled her eyes playfully in Eleanor's direction as the Buckingham's procession of luggage wagons finally moved into motion and the Duchess waved, hoping with all her heart that the pair may one day be able to find peace, though she rather expected to find Harry back in the North before the year was out!

Once they had safely departed, she mounted her own horse and took a deep breath, a part of her exited to see George again as she nodded to her guards and set her sights on the future.

꧁꧂

The twenty one year old Duchess watched her brother in law with increasing interest as they rode towards the convent that became closer with every second, its tall towers and spires dominating the land despite the vast hills that surrounded the stone building.

They had met upon the road around an hour ago but the air had been void of their usual witty conversing for George seemed to have delved into an unusually silent world of his own.

Never before had Eleanor seen him look so serious, yet so hopeful, so worried. He kept tugging fretfully at the scarlet velvet cap he wore, pushing the white feather that adorned it away countless times before he removed the item all together and stuffed it impatiently into his saddle bag. 

Once or twice, she had opened her mouth to speak, to perhaps tease him for his nerves in a way that would distract him, only to close it again, feeling that the silence was one that should not be broken.

Though she had to admit she found it strange. The Duke of Clarence? Silent with nerves? It was a rare sight indeed but did rather serve to endear him to her a little more for it showed he truly cared about the approaching meeting.

As they dismounted, instructing the guards that accompanied them to wait at the convent entrance, the doors swung open and the excited squeal of a little girl filled the air.

"Aunt Leena!" Eliza cried as she saw her beloved kinswoman, letting go of the hand of the nun who escorted her to rush forward towards the duchess. The three year old toddled across the grass with all the strength her short legs could muster, lifting the hem of her pale blue gown.

She looked forward to the visits from her Aunt more than anything in the world. Would awake every morning on the day of her two monthly visits as the sun peeked over the horizon, dressing in her cosy chamber before she climbed the stairs to the clock tower.

There she would settle herself in a window that overlooked the valley the convent was situated in, her dark eyes watching the distance for the Duchess of Gloucester's approaching horse.

Each time she came, Eleanor would bring a little gift with her, a token of affection that her niece would set out on her bedside table, remembering each one before she went to bed every night.  Now she watched, her eyes shining with anticipation as her Aunt bent down to her height and produced a small coin, a single florin, from her cloak.

"This was sent to me by your Mother, sweeting" she said softly, holding up the item for her niece's curious inspection.

The golden circle shone in the early morning sun and Eleanor smiled as she watched Eliza's little fingers curl around the gift, taking it into her hand. Another of her fingers began to trace the patterns that were engraved on the metal before she looked up, a smile on her face.

"Thank you, Leena" she whispered, standing on her tiptoes to press a kiss to her Aunt's cheek in thanks before she turned and bounded inside, waving for her Aunt to follow.

Rising to her feet, Eleanor looked to her side with a smile only for her to be taken aback as she saw the tears that were sliding down George's face. A silent joy filled his eyes as he watched his three year old daughter hop up the convent steps with a giggle.

"She is so....so much like Bella....although rather like me in appearance" he breathed, gulping to try and swallow the sob that threatened to escape him. How he wished Bella could be there too. He glanced to his right as he felt Eleanor slip her hand into his, almost crying herself at the sight of his glee.

"Come and meet her" she invited quietly, beginning to lead her brother in law after the excited little girl, knowing that she would be skipping happily towards her usual spot in the gardens. With a half nod, George forced his feet to move and he and Eleanor made their way after Eliza.

꧁꧂

"Eliza!" Eleanor called from where she had settled herself and George on a bench while they watched Eliza dashing in between bushes and flowers, her black hair flying behind her as she was chased by numerous nuns with indulgent smiles on their faces.

At the sound of her name, the little one toddled over and proceeded to seat herself at her Aunt's feet, gazing up her at her with the highest admiration so that she did not even notice the man that sat beside her "Eliza I have someone I want you to meet" Eleanor said warmly before she nodded towards George and watched with grin as her neices' eyes shifted towards the Duke of Clarence.

She studied him intently, shuffling towards him every so often as she looked between George and her Aunt before reaching for the golden locket that hung around her neck. The pendant had been a gift from Eleanor for the Christmas of 1472 and had been much sought after by the Duchess.

For inside the golden cases lay two portraits, one of a man and the other of a woman. George and Bella. She had sent to Florence for the small painting of Bella and had been overjoyed when it had arrived for the portrait was almost an exact likeness, even managed to capture the Lady of Florence's enchanting smile.

She had had Marie paint the one of George, finding herself pleasantly surprised at the skill her Lady had with a paintbrush for it was clearly the Duke of Clarence that stared at her from the paper when she had stared at it for the first time.

She had placed the two portraits inside of the golden casing she had designed before presenting it to Eliza in late December. She told the little girl that these two were her parents and that they both loved her very very much.

Eliza did not seem to understand entirely, after all she had only been two at the time, but still she had smiled her toothless grin and clutched the locket to her chest.

Now, she opened it and pointed to one of the portraits inside, looking up to Eleanor for confirmation.
"Papa?" She asked quietly, using the word her Aunt had spent months teaching her and George found tears flooding to his eyes again as his sister in law nodded, stroking her niece's cheek with a finger.

"Yes" she replied as Eliza's stare flicked to George and their identical eyes locked in their first ever gaze "this is your Father sweeting" the little girl stood, scrambling to her feet as she stepped a little closer to the bench, slowly closing the locket around her neck again.

George held his breath, unsure of what was to come before his eyes widened in shock as he found Eliza practically throwing herself into his embrace. Her little hands clung to his doublet, his collar, even his hair! Anything that she could grab onto to make herself secure in his arms.

"Papa!" She shrieked happily, nuzzling into his neck and cheek while George all but collapsed into sobs of happiness, clutching Eliza's small body to his "Papa! Papa! You've come to me!"

"Of course I did!" He wept, gently stroking her hair, for once not caring in the slightest for the cold facade he liked to hold "of course I did, Eliza! My most darling darling girl!" Eliza giggled at the sound of her own name, drawing back a little as her small hands began to trace the lines of her Father's face "W-where Mama?"

At once George's smile seemed to falter and he hesitated, unsure of what to say to the sweet little girl he held in his arms. Eleanor saw his trouble at once, finding her own smile fall at the mention of her absent sister and took Eliza's hand, diverting the girl's attention for a moment.

"Why don't you go and find some flowers for your Father?" She asked and Eliza immediately nodded, her heart set on finding the daisies she made into chains as she slid from George's lap and bounced away, her Mother forgotten for a while once more.

"I wish Bella could see her" George whispered "but I hope you know that I am so grateful for you letting me see her, for taking her into your care" Eleanor shook her head slightly, placing her hand atop his.

"It was a meeting long overdue" she admitted "I should have let you see her a long time ago, George....while it may have been a good plan to keep you from her at first, after what you did to Bella....she is still your child and she deserves to know the love of her parents, just as you said...."

"And how long have you felt like this?" George asked, slightly surprised at her confession, though he supposed he could have seen it coming if he thought hard enough.
"Quite a while" she replied slowly "and I should have acted on it long ago....I'm sorry that I did not, I was wrong, George"

"Then why did you continue? If you disagreed, Leena?" He cried before catching the guilty look that swept her face, telling him the answer as clearly as if she had yelled it "Elizabeth" he grunted, voiced laced with hatred and she nodded quickly "why do you do it?" He sighed.

Eleanor arched her eyebrows cautiously.
"Do what?" She enquired, surprised when George began to laugh, going from frowning to grinning (albeit rather ruefully) in a matter of seconds.

"Follow Elizabeth around like a lost pup!" He cried, laughing even more when Eleanor looked affronted.

"I do not!" She protested only for her friend to stare at her with the most doubtful look she had ever received "....oh God I do don't I?" George nodded, moving to take her hand as she suddenly paled.

"Why do you do it?" He asked again "I know that she is your sister...."
"That's just it!" She muttered, almost reluctantly "she is my sister, I have followed her since I could walk...."
"Just because she is your sister does not mean you must bow to her every command"

A humourless laugh left Eleanor's throat and she looked at her feet, kicking aimlessly at the dirt beneath her shoes.

"I said something similar to Dickon once" she confessed, remembering the night of mad King Henry's death "I must have sounded like the biggest hypocrite to ever walk the earth....oh God, George" leaning forward she pressed a hand to her forehead.

"You must break free from her" he instructed firmly "I know that you feel you owe her your loyalty....but what good has come from following her? What has it served to do but cause destruction and pain? What of John? You were his friend, Leena, and Elizabeth destroyed his entire life, making him turn to the side of Lancaster for God's sake!"

"And I never defended him" she reflected miserably, guilt filling her again "not to her....not once. I should have! I should have long ago....
b-but has she not protected me since I was a child? Ensured my happiness!"

"Happiness?" George cried in disbelief "she caused your wretchedness, Leena. I think that you are happy with my brother now, I know for certes he loves you....but I also know that you went to her to voice your unhappiness! And what did Elizabeth say when you objected to the marriage plans for you? You told her you did not want it but what did she do?" He paused for a moment, watching as Eleanor's face fell even further into misery.

"Nothing" she whispered, her mind beginning to spin with doubt and suspicion "s-she did nothing"

"Exactly my point!" George said sternly, carding a hand through his dark hair "as long as she's protected she does not care who suffers....for heavens sake, Leena, step back for once in your life, away from the glittering goddess that has infected your mind and try to see your sister for the bitch she is"

Eleanor's head darted upward, her lips parting to fire a sharp tonged defence for her sister as she had done many times before only to find no words left them. For there was no point.

There was no point in defence for George spoke the truth.

Nothing but the truth.

For once.

"I've let myself down" she said instead, her mind reverting back to all the times when she had followed her sister's lead only to leave sadness and anger, destruction and grief in her wake.

How many times had she been blind in her loyalty?

How many times had she obeyed Elizabeth without question or thought yet chastised others for doing the same? "I have let so many people down over the past years, George....perhaps it is time. Time for change...."

"I'd say it's high time you broke free from the swaddling bands of obedience Elizabeth has kept you wrapped in" George returned, his tone void of all amusement, placing an arm around her shoulders before he sighed "let her go, Leena" he murmured "join us, my brothers and I....give your loyalty to Richard and to your children....take care of your family, your new family"

"And rule the North" she added, breathing deeply to try and steady her heart as George nodded "as its Queen"

"As its Queen" he repeated before a smile lit up his face at the sight of Eliza skipping towards him, a fistful of daisies in her hands "though I would rather you were the Queen of England"