~My Darling Boy~

21st of February, 1474....

"What will you call him?" Elizabeth asked gently as she mopped her sister's brow and smiled at the little boy that was wrapped in blankets; nestled safely in his Mother's arms.

"Anthony" Eleanor replied, beaming at her newborn son who stared up at her with large blue eyes "my own little Anthony" she heard Elizabeth take a sharp breath at the name of their dead brother "It wasn't...." she began but Elizabeth held up a hand.

"I know it wasn't you" she said firmly before taking to braiding her sister's hair, arranging the red curls into one neat plait "you would not hurt our own brother, Eleanor, I know that. Anthony is a good name, a fine name!"

Eleanor smiled her thanks before she looked at her little boy again and the room around her. The last place she had expected to give birth was her old bed at Grafton Manor where she had slept since the age of five, but her labour had not proved difficult lasting only three hours before her son had decided to greet the world.

"What do you think, little one?" She asked "do you like your name?"
"I expect he will" Elizabeth said, settling back onto the covers at the opposite side of the bed. "though do you know how your husband will react?"
"It was not him who killed Anthony either! So don't go down that route, Elizabeth"

"I wasn't going too!" She protested "but I don't trust him, not as far as I could throw him!"
"You don't trust anyone" Eleanor pointed out and Elizabeth shrugged a little, looking to the stairs as Lizzie appeared, a smile on her rosy face.
"Life is easier that way" she sighed.
"Not when it pushes away those you love and gets innocents killed"

"The guards said Uncle Richard has been sent for!" Lizzie remarked brightly, shutting the window above her Aunt's bed that had been opened during the birth "he is to arrive tomorrow!"

"He is to come here?" Her Mother exclaimed and Lizzie resisted a laugh "to Grafton?"
"Where did you expect him to be?" She asked. "his beloved wife has given birth, to a son I might add, and you think he would stay in London? We both know that Uncle Richard would go around the world, into hell and back for Eleanor if need be!"

"I'm not sure that's true!" Eleanor laughed, looking to the side when she felt her sister gently brush a stray curl away from her face.
"It is" she whispered "it really is" the Queen was surprised to see no ounce of malice or resentment in her sister's eyes, only sadness.

She had found it strange, that day, how Elizabeth had gone from hating her to being civil. Kind even. It was a strange dynamic that their sudden civility had created and weather it was genuine or not was a question neither could answer. Perhaps the memories of their all home had melted away the ice of hatred that had come between them? Not forever, just for a little while.

But, despite all, Eleanor had to admit she did like being able to sit with Elizabeth without being in the middle of an argument, especially after she had given birth. What she needed was peace and she was glad Elizabeth had appeared to give it to her.

Perhaps Richard had been right? Perhaps her spirit was broken?

Or perhaps she was biding her time.

꧁꧂

Eleanor smiled softly as her babe suckled at her breast, seemingly falling asleep, eyes drooping slightly as he fed. 'How peaceful baby's look' she mused to herself. She had held thirteen of her own in her arms now 'how sweet and innocent'

"How is he?" Elizabeth asked from where she sat beside the bed with a piece of embroidery she had been working on since the birth. A picture of a knight with a shining sword and the Woodville coat of arms on his armour. Their brother Anthony.
"He is well" Eleanor replied softly "more than well, he is thriving"

"May I hold him?"
She looked up sharply at the question, trying in earnest not to frown. Elizabeth? Holding her son? She had thought for years that she would never trust her sister with her children but it had only struck her now how strong that feeling was.

"I think...." she began but her words faded away, replaced with a gasp as she saw her husband appear at the top of the stairs "Dickon...." there had been no trumpets, no rushing around at the front of the manor, she hadn't even heard the horses! Richard smiled, his eyes filling with happy tears as he saw his son in Eleanor's arms.

"Oh my darling" he breathed, beginning to walk forward but he stopped in his tracks when he saw Elizabeth. Something about her and her cold gaze upon him made his back straighten, his smile fade into a line. He inclined his head towards her and clasped his hands behind his back "Lady Grey" he greeted and she rose at his words, placing her embroidery aside.

Eleanor held her breath as her sister took a step forward with her head held high as if she were still carrying the crown of England. What was she going to do? Was she about to hit Richard? Was she about to shout? Scream? Order him away? Eleanor looked down at little Anthony who had finished his feed and was now sleeping before her eyes flicked back to the pair now face to face at the foot of the bed.

And then, Elizabeth did something that shocked the King and Queen and would have shocked the entire country if they had seen. She bowed her head and, taking a deep breath, dipped down into a curtsy.

"Your grace" she said steadily, her voice clear and even "welcome to Grafton" Eleanor let a sigh of pure relief pass her lips as she stared in astonishment at her elder sister as did Richard before he reached for Elizabeth's hand and gently kissed it.

"I thank you" he said and she nodded as she raised her head.
"I will leave you with" she looked towards the bed "with the Queen" and then she glided away, just as a ghost might; was gone from the room in an instant leaving her sister and brother in law staring after her in shock.

"Heaven on Earth!" He murmured before turning back to his wife "I was right! Her spirit is broken!"
"I don't know about that" Eleanor replied with a small smile before she shook her head and laughed a little "but do not think about that now! Come and meet your son!"

"Our boy!" Richard said with glee, almost like a small child as he suddenly rushed to the bed and climbed on top of the covers beside his wife. "Our new little boy! Thank you my love, he is perfect!" Eleanor's smile widened and she held their babe out to him.

"Hold him" she urged softly "he would like to see his Father!" He nodded and eagerly (but gently nonetheless) took the one day old boy into his arms and looked down into his peaceful face. The change in hands and people made Anthony awaken from his nap and he blinked a little. His Mother thought he might cry but he did not, simply looked at her before he took to staring up at his Father.

"What have you called him?" Richard asked, not tearing his eyes from his son "I take it you have picked a name?"
"Anthony" Eleanor replied, quickly looking for any change in her husband's demeanour. To see if he tensed or frowned but he did not. His expression of love and wonder did not change as he gazed upon his boy apart from his smile which widened.

"Anthony" he repeated softly "its perfect, Leena. A perfect way to honour your brother" looking up he practically beamed at Eleanor and she beamed back "England has a true Prince! You have born a Prince, Leena! Our sons are York Princes by blood and have had their titles bestowed upon them but Anthony....our little Anthony has been born a Prince. I shall bestow upon him the title, Duke of Buckingham!"

"And he shall be a fine Prince and Lord" Eleanor said confidently, her heart slightly stinging at the last title spoken "a fine man as my brother was" she paused for a moment as a request lingered on her lips. It was one only he as King could grant.
"What is it?" He asked, instantly seeing her hesitation "tell me what you want, sweetheart, and I will give it to you"

"Would we....would we be able to stay here, at Grafton for a while instead of returning to court?" Richard thought for a moment, tilting his head a little before he nodded and Eleanor smiled.

"We can stay as long as you wish" he returned. "I've left Francis and Jack in charge I see no reason why they and Rob can't cope for a little while we relax here....would you like for me to send for your ladies?" Eleanor shook her head, reaching out to pull Richard a little closer to her.

"No" she murmured, tracing the lines of his face with a finger "I want to be alone with you, alone as we have never ever been before. Even when we were a Duke and Duchess we were never alone. Not truly. Now we can be. Just Dickon and Leena"

"We can" Richard mused as he instantly warmed to the idea. Peace was exactly what they needed after the events of the past year "now come here and let me kiss you"

꧁꧂

March 1484, Grafton....

One month. One month of peace they had had. One month free of duty and responsibility. One month to spend with their newborn son and each other.

For once Eleanor abandoned her fine gowns and jewels and wore the simple dresses of mauve and sage green, made of soft wool and linen, that she and her sisters had worn before Elizabeth had become Queen. Her hair was set loose with no intricate braids or twists, simply left to flow in curls of fire down her back.

Richard was quite the same, strolling about in his shirt, breeches and boots without his sword at his side and an easy smile on his face. He challenged Cecily and Lizzie to games of chess and engaged in mock sword fights with the little ones, even letting them crown him with a daisy chain they had made!

Together he and Eleanor took walks around the gardens, alone and undisturbed with only the birds and the occasional soft breeze for them to listen to. It didn't take them long to find the small Grafton orchard and once they did it became their safe place. The long and winding breaches gave them shade from the sun and it was there Richard would lie beneath a tree and gently draw Eleanor on top of him.

She would gaze into his eyes and he into hers and kiss her with as a tender and loving touch as if they were exploring the realms of romance for the first time all over again.

Eleanor and Elizabeth often walked in the gardens, picking herbs and flowers and wandering along paths and through woodland. Their civility and conversation was on thin ice and was a delicate balance both wished to keep.

They had silently agreed that an argument would not do and hatred had no place in those few weeks at Grafton and so walked and talked (sometimes even arm in arm) and sent each other small, reminiscing smiles.

But they both knew they would never be the same as they once were. Never would that same love be there again.

Too much had passed.
Too much had been said.
Too much resentment lay in their hearts.

So Eleanor did not have to feign the surprise that filled her when on the day that she and Richard were meant to depart, Elizabeth pulled her aside into an empty chamber and suddenly hugged her.

"I need your help" she said and her eyes widened as Eleanor pulled away with a scoff.
"So that's why you've been so subdued these past weeks!" She cried, jerking back when her sister reached for her again "you have been trying to worm your way back into my affections to claim a favour of some sort! God I should've known your scheming would never stop!"

"Just listen" Elizabeth sighed "give me two minutes and then you can go" Eleanor rolled her eyes, folding her arms and leaning back against the wall of the chamber; arching an eyebrow. The quicker Elizabeth said what she wanted to, the quicker she could refuse and then leave.

"Go on then" she said coldly and Elizabeth nodded.
"I need you to help rescue my sons" At that Eleanor downright laughed and turned towards the door but Elizabeth grabbed her wrist, tugging her back "please, Leena"

"Give you back your sons so you can plot and scheme and mount another rebellion against Richard and I? Never!" Eleanor yelled.
"But they will die"

Two sliver crosses....
Two silver crosses....
Two silver crosses covered in blood....

Eleanor's suddenly spun as the images flashed through her mind and she stumbled back against the wall, her hands grasping for something to hold onto. She tried to move away when Elizabeth's arms encircled her and helped her to stand but she couldn't and so had to hold still.

"Two silver crosses in blood" Elizabeth whispered hurriedly to her "you've seen them too" all Eleanor could do was nod "they represent my sons....Melusina is telling us they are in danger in that Godforsaken place and we must get them out"

As Eleanor managed to finally right herself and pull away from her sister she glanced back over her shoulder at her, shaking her head.
"For once....just this once I don't think you're lying" she said sharply as she tried to steady her breathing "for there is no way you could have known what I saw unless you saw it too....Jesus Christ Elizabeth"

"My boys need to be rescued Leena" Elizabeth said quickly, though she did not try to approach her sister again, staring at the opposite end of the small chamber "and I need you to help me....you do not need to give them to me, I do not even need to know where they are but I need you to place them somewhere they are safe"

"Fine" Eleanor bit out "but it's not for you. The last thing I want is those boys hurt. Everything they have has been taken from them. I will not let their lives be taken too"