~Woodville Brood~

"Are you sure you wish for her to stay?" Eleanor whispered as George tucked a sleeping Eliza into her bed, gently smoothing her hair away from her peaceful face. He nodded.
"Isabel is at Warwick castle with Maggie. She is with child again you see...."
"I know" Eleanor said softly "I made sure she was not at court before I brought Eliza....I do not wish to cause her any unease even if she and I have never been the best of friends"

George smiled gratefully, raking a hand through his hair before he began to pad around the room, blowing out the candles that lit it as he went.

"I want to spend every moment I can with her" he explained, looking momentarily towards his sleeping daughter who had curled up under the covers "I want her to know that I love her and with the French war approaching....well if anything happens I do not want for her to forget me"

"Nothing will happen!" Eleanor reassured him, linking their arms as he stood beside her once more "I do not wish for this war, George, I won't not deny it....but Edward has decided that it shall go ahead so now we must support him" her brother nodded again, sighing a little before the pair turned and left the room, shutting the door quietly behind them.

Eleanor looked up at the curved windows, seeing the soft glow of an amber sunset shining through the diamond panes of glass. The long summer days meant extra hours of daylight but if the sun was now making way for the moon then it must be late!

The distant chime of a clock striking ten confirmed her thoughts and she turned to her brother, reaching out to pat George on the shoulder "You can be very sweet sometimes" she murmured, almost chuckling to herself as his cheeks turned an embarrassed scarlet "I know that you pride yourself in appearing cold and somewhat intimidating but you are a good Father to Eliza and she loves you for it"

"I hope I am a good Father to all of my children" George admitted quietly, once again running a hand through his hair "despite my other failings"
"We all have our failings" Eleanor returned with a smile "Lord knows I certainly do, though I am trying to right some of them!"

"Such as throwing off the yolk of your sister?" He teased, earning a small push as they headed towards the doorway.
"You'll be pleased to hear I snapped at her for what I think was the first time in my entire life today! It was when she questioned me on bringing Eliza to you and from the look she gave me I do not think I have heard the end of it" she replied, grinning as George did.

"Hallelujah! I was beginning to think this day would never come, beloved honey pie!" He cried, raising his hands to the ceiling before looking quickly to the door behind which lay Eliza and lowered his voice. Eleanor merely giggled, he had called her that same nickname the night he and his brothers had returned from exile.

The first night she and Richard had lain together. Suddenly she was filled with need as a pleasant shudder ran through her. For nigh on two months she and her husband had been parted, the longest ever since the war five years prior and she had found herself missing him each day.

Her eyes searched for him at dinner, wandering over each face at the high table, her ears longed to hear his merry laugh that filled the great hall when amused. At night she had woken to find her hands absentmindedly seeking the warmth of his body, shivering miserably when she found the covers empty of all but herself despite the summer heat.

She had rediscovered her hatred for lonely nights and now wanted nothing more but to have Richard by her side again. She knew, with a secret delight, that as soon as she set foot in their chambers she would be swept into his embrace and so grinned as she bid George a goodnight.

With rather hasty steps, she left the chamber, slightly lifting the hem of her gown so that she would not trip or stumble. It surprised her to find that after so long away she still new the winding passages that filled Westminster, making the path to the Gloucester's chambers as easy as if she were gliding there on a gentle breeze.

She could see the doors, the golden handles that embossed them and felt the corners of her lips curve in a secret smile that was meant only for herself and Richard and then....

"Your grace?"
Eleanor turned, almost huffing in annoyance as she eyed the pageboy behind her with a momentary resentment. Whatever could he want? Just when she had about to claim her long sought reunion! Who could have spoiled such a moment?

"Yes?" She replied, rather aware of the impatience in her voice, though she tried to soften it slightly "what is it?"
"The Queen has sent for you and is awaiting you in her chambers"

Eleanor almost groaned out loud. It seemed she was to have the confrontation with her sister sooner than she had first thought! She had rather hoped to talk it over with Richard, perhaps look to him for a plan where she would not back down.

Long ago she should have broken free of the hold of her sister, had now realised she had been too blind to see it. But now that she had, that she could see that damage that was brought in following her sister she was determined to do so no longer.

She did not want she and Elizabeth to be enemies, no, that was one of the last things she wanted, but she knew in her heart that her sister would not take well to her change in loyalty.
"Thank you" she said at last "I shall attend upon her directly" the pageboy bowed low before he walked away down the hall.

Eleanor glanced at the door behind her, a feeling of longing making her hand reach out towards the handle before she reluctantly drew it away and walked towards her sister.

She knew that something was wrong as soon as the Queen's guards closed the doors behind her. She found herself shivering slightly, the air in the room almost as cold as ice. The heavy curtains were pulled across the windows, blocking out every shard of the warm summer light from the chamber, leaving the torches to guide her vision.

Elizabeth sat on a throne beside her large state bed, her golden hair tied back tightly with her crown placed firmly on her head. Her slender fingers drummed impatiently on the arm of her chair as if she had been awaiting her sister for hours on end and her lips were set in a straight line that betrayed her displeasure.

Eleanor had never thought that she could truly fear her sister as she did now, forcing herself to move forward before she dipped down into a small curtsy. The Queen merely watched her with her green eyes, cold green eyes that now reminded Eleanor rather of a dragon gazing upon its prey.

Careful and calculating, lit by angry flame.

Elizabeth's gaze swept her sister from head to toe, momentarily lingering on her neck and making the Duchess gulp nervously, one of her hands curling around the silk of her gown.

"You sent for me, Elizabeth?" She asked and the Queen gave a small nod "tell me, what is wrong? Are you displeased with Eliza? I know you disapprove of me allowing her to see George but he is her Father and...."

"George" Elizabeth suddenly said, a harshness that Eleanor had never heard directed towards her making her flinch slightly "that is what is wrong, Leena. George" she suddenly rose from her throne, seemingly towering over her little sister before she stepped down from her small dais and walked towards her "why is George still here?"

Eleanor frowned.
"Still here?" She repeated slowly "what do you..."
"I was thinking!" Elizabeth interrupted, the flames of the torches illuminating her stoic expression as she moved across the room, clasping her hands together "you cursed George long ago, did you not? It has been six years since that curse was laid....so why has it not worked?"

Turning around she began to walk slowly back towards her sister. Eleanor suddenly felt the urge to step back, to turn and run. Run from her own sister. She bit the inside of her cheek as Elizabeth came face to face with her, her teeth tearing painfully into her flesh as she felt the Queen's cold fingers curl around the string of pearls around her neck.

"Where is the curse, Leena?" The words were whispered, almost barley audible at all though Eleanor heard them as clear as day for her heart began to pound "where is it?" Elizabeth said again, her grip on her sister's necklace tightening.

"I burnt it"
As soon as she had spoken, Eleanor could feel her sister's anger rise, pure rage entering her eyes as a shaky gasp escaped her lips. The Duchess straightened her back a little, raising her chin.

She must stand her ground, must not turn back. She had promised herself, promised George, that she would break away from her sister, for the sake of herself and her family. She must not back down.

"I burnt it, Elizabeth" she said again, jumping as a shrill cry escaped her sister's lips and she felt her necklace snap, the sound of pearls bouncing against the stone floor, rolling into the dark, resonating around the room.
"What?!" Elizabeth screamed, jerking away, the remnants of Eleanor's necklace in her hand before she threw the thin strand of silk to the ground "what have you done?!"

"What I should have done many a moon before I did!" Eleanor retorted sharply, making Elizabeth's expression melt into pure disbelief.

"He is our enemy Leena!" She cried.
"He is not!" Eleanor shouted, slightly shocking herself with her vehemence "He is your enemy, not mine! He is my brother and one of my closest friends! The Father of Bella's child! Does that mean nothing to you?!"

Elizabeth scoffed, tossing back her head as she stalked back to her throne, sitting down and gripping the arms as she tried to keep her composure.

A hot flush made its way up her neck, marring her pale skin. Never before had she imagined Eleanor could nor ever would speak to her in this way! Would openly oppose her! She had always obeyed....yet now she refused to.

"You are nothing more than a foolish child!" She hissed bitterly "you cannot see the consequences of your actions as I do!"

"I am not a child!" Eleanor cried "I may be foolish in some things but I am not a child any longer, something you have always failed to see! I am my own person, Elizabeth! I am not just a puppet for you to command! I am nearing twenty three for God's sake!"

"Ha!" Elizabeth replied, though her laugh was harsh and grating, held no amusement "George killed our Father and our brother! Betrayed Bella! Yet you have destroyed the one thing that can help us have our revenge on him!"

"Revenge!" Eleanor shouted, throwing up her arms in despair "is that all that you crave? All that you yearn for? Is it the only thing that makes you feel powerful, Elizabeth? The one thing that makes you feel as though you have achieved something in this life? And you speak of our revenge! Well I do not want it! I have forgiven George! You should have too! It is what Mother wanted!"

"Mother would be turning in her grave if she could see you now Leena" Elizabeth sneered, a cruel snarl curving her lips as she watched her little sister's eyes fill with untold pain.
"Do not say that" Eleanor said, her voice dropping to a pained whisper as Elizabeth's words tore into her heart, reopening the wound of their Mother's death.

"Why not?" She returned, instinctively pouncing on the evident weakness she had mercilessly pried into the light "it's true, Eleanor....though I suppose I could be willing to forgive you. You will curse George again and we will have our revenge on him"

"Revenge again!" Eleanor cried as she tried to push back the stinging tears that filled her eyes. She could feel herself drawing away from her sister with each second that passed, heated resentment replacing the love that had once resided in her heart "how many people's lives have we destroyed with the revenge we sought?"

"Such as John?"
"Do not speak his name!" She yelled, momentarily shocking Elizabeth into silence "I have never defended John to your oh so mighty face before Elizabeth and it is something I will regret for the rest of my life! Because I should have defended him! He was my friend and I failed him but I will defend him now. You ruined his life in your quest for revenge! Your lust for Neville bloodshed! Do not speak against him for it was your fault he turned against us. It is your fault his children were left Fatherless, his wife left a broken hearted widow! If you had not let anger and hatred blind you for one moment then he may still be alive, your grace"

"He deserved it...." the Queen began, determined to defend her actions but Eleanor was quick to end her efforts.

"No!" She yelled, her fists clenched "no he did not! He was loyal to Edward! Loyal to you in a way! He would have died for the House of York if he had been called upon to do so! And even when all was lost he still said that he would fight for us! He was loyal and yet you took everything from him! He was a Father, a husband, was a man respected throughout the country for his chivalry and his loyalty and yet you did not hesitate to strip his security and happiness from him simply because you desired revenge on Warwick! But what did he do when Warwick came to the Tower that nights intent on killing you and your children? Did he follow his brother, hungry to see the downfall of the woman who had destroyed his entire world? No. He came to save you! To save us! He helped us to escape! He saved your life and yet you still view him as nothing more than a traitor!" She took a deep breath as she finally came to an end, almost glaring at her sister while Elizabeth looked on with a form of distain on her face.

She opened her mouth, closing it a moment later as she found herself at a loss of words. Eleanor simply stared back, a certain triumph in her eyes while she folded her arms defiantly across her chest.

"You...." Elizabeth began slowly "you will curse George again Leena and you will never speak to me in this way again"
"No"

The Queen's eyes widened in surprise again as Eleanor shook her head. She would not budge. She would not back down. She would not follow Elizabeth like the 'lost pup' George had likened her to.

She watched carefully as Elizabeth rose from her throne, stepping onto the floor before she made towards her sister. The Duchess did not move an inch, continued to simply stare at the Queen until the two were face to face, identical eyes glaring at each other with broken trust and anger filling them.

Suddenly Elizabeth moved backwards, her arm jerking upwards as she raised her hand, cutting through the air as she brought it down. A startled gasp escaped her as Eleanor's hand curled around her wrist in mid air, her nails slightly digging into the Queen's skin through the material of her gown as she protected herself from the blow.

"I said no" She hissed through her teeth as she felt power shifting between them "I am not under your spell anymore, sister" she released her grip on Elizabeth, watching coldly as she stumbled back, holding her wrist to her chest.

Turning on her heel, the Duchess began to walk from the room, her head held high though her heart was pounding inside of her chest, sending adrenaline pumping through her veins.

"I am not just your sister" Elizabeth declared, grasping at the last shred of confidence she had that Eleanor had not knocked from her "I am your Queen!"

A harsh laugh left Eleanor's lips as she turned, glancing at the crown that was now knocked slightly lopsided on her sister's head.

"Really?" She said, voice thick with harsh mockery "I hadn't noticed!" Turning again she walked towards the doors, throwing them open, almost gasping when she saw most of the court was clustered around the Queen's chambers.

There was no way that their words had not been overheard by the nobles that were all craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the Duchess. But she did not care, simply lifted the hem of her gown, holding her head high in the air as she walked confidently down the hallway.

A sense of power flooded through her as the crowd immediately parted for her, not a person stood in her way as she swept passed the court to her own chambers.

She was Eleanor Woodville.
The Duchess of Gloucester.
Sister to the King, wife to the King's brother.
She was a Mother to five children, she was the ruler of the North.

And never again would she bend to Elizabeth's will. Not now that she had broken free.