~The First York Prince~

Eleanor ran faster and faster as her sister's cries from sanctuary became louder. Dashing down the passageway, while Tom carried Lizzie behind, she threw her shawl aside and immediately went to Elizabeth who was almost doubled over in pain, agonised groans escaping her.

"It's alright" she soothed, wrapping an arm around the Queen's waist and guiding her to their sleeping quarters where she leant against a barrel. Eleanor began to unlace her gown, pulling quickly at the intricate laces until they became loose. She looked to the side as the door to their sanctuary opened and Jacquetta rushed in with an alarmed expression on her face.

"Mother!" Eleanor cried in disbelief "mother the baby is coming!"
"I know, I know" her mother said as she took over, helping to remove the Queen's gown before fetching the cleanest sheets and a bowl of water.

"Mother!" Elizabeth gasped as she clutched her belly "you are free....you have been set free"
"Only for a little while, my darling" Jaquetta replied while Eleanor ordered Tom and Rickon to take the three, now weeping, Princesses to the passageway, so that they would not have to see their mother's distress "after the trial I came across the Duke of Clarence...."

"George?!" Eleanor exclaimed as she began to dip the sheets into the water and dab gently at Elizabeth's forehead while she cried out in pain. "what on earth did he want with you?"

"Calm yourself" her mother ordered, watching for signs of the baby "I went in search of him and made a deal. I could come and see you and after I go back to Grafton!"
"You can't leave!" Elizabeth screamed as pain wracked her body, almost causing her legs to give way "I need you!"

"You have Leena" Jacquetta reminded her, gesturing for her younger daughter to help keep the Queen upright, preparing her to push.
"I can't do it...." Elizabeth whispered while the Duchess wiped away the tears on her face, shaking her head as she smiled encouragingly "not without Edward...."

"You can" Eleanor assured her "you will deliver a Prince this day....a fine York Prince that shall rule this Kingdom after Edward!" She nodded as she began to scream, pushing for the first time while her kinswomen encouraged her.

"That's it, my dear! Push!" Jacquetta said, placing a hand on her daughter's back and willing her to push again. Eleanor took Elizabeth's hands in her own and cried out as she felt them practically crushed in the Queen's grip, reminding her a little of the pain she went through when birthing her daughter.

'Keep my baby safe' she prayed fervently before returning her attention to the task at hand and smiling at her sister.
"Just a little more" she said, leaning their foreheads against each other "and then you shall have your son in yours arms"

"Just as you shall have" Elizabeth returned "you shall have your son in your arms....it is seen, Leena....a son with a crown...." Eleanor's brows furrowed in confusion as she heard her words and looked to her mother for an explanation.
"She is delirious" Jacquetta muttered "the pain.... the stress....it's marring her thoughts"

Taking up the cloth again, the Duchess dipped it into the water and gently wiped her sister's face, ordering her to stay awake.
"You shall not leave us" she said firmly "your babe needs you! Your children need you! Mother and I need you, Lizzie!"

The Queen slowly nodded, pushing with all of her strength before a baby's cry filled the air and she slipped to the floor, leaning against the barrel while Jacquetta handed the babe to the Duchess.

Eleanor smiled at the child as she gently cleaned him with a fresh sheet before wrapping him in a silk shawl and cradling him in her arms.
"You have a son!" She cried happily and beamed at Elizabeth who held out her arms for her little boy. The Duchess gently placed the baby in his mother's embrace before standing back and letting out a sigh of relief, wiping away her tears of joy.

"England has a Prince! A York Prince!" She laughed, leaning against the crypt bars "Edward has a son!"
"Oh my darling boy" Elizabeth whispered, kissing her son's forehead as her mother embraced her. "my little Prince"

"This is the first step to victory!" Jacquetta said with a nod "we only need get news out of a Prince of York being born and supporters will surely flock to Edward's side!"
"Of course!" Eleanor exclaimed "when the next delivery of food comes I shall tell whoever brings it and, knowing London, the news shall be spread like wildfire!"

"We must be careful, though" Elizabeth murmured, looking between the two faces of her mother and sister "if Warwick hears....he may break sanctuary....then what would we do? I will not have my boy harmed...."

"I...." Eleanor began only to have Jacquetta hold up a hand, halting her.
"Do not think on such things now" she said, helping Elizabeth to rise before guiding her to her bed "focus on your rest for an hour or so, Leena and I shall care for little Edward"

"My little Edward" the Queen sighed happily as she handed the baby to Eleanor and lay down on the bed, pulling the furs up around her.

꧁꧂

January 1471, Sanctuary....

Eleanor smiled sadly as she bounced two month old Edward on her knee, reminding her of her little daughter which she did the same with.

"How do you fare, little Prince?" She asked as he giggled and grinned up at her, his little hands reaching for the braid that hung over her shoulder "Ah, you like this, do you?" She giggled, tickling his nose with the end until he shrieked with laughter "I'll tell you a secret, when I was little I hated the colour of my hair! All of my sisters were blonde and I was a redhead!"

"I like it!" A voice said from behind and Eleanor grinned as she saw Lizzie; gestured for her to come forward "your hair is just like mine, Aunt Lyanna, and therefore I do love it"

"And I love mine because of you, little one" The Duchess replied before frowning a little as Edward began to fuss, his little face screwing up as he wiggled in discontentment "now now, my Prince" she chided softly, lifting him fully into her arms "let us go and find your mother"

Elizabeth was making up the fire as her sister approached, but on seeing her son rose and brushed away the soot from her hands onto her apron before she took her son into her arms.

A loud knock came from the bolted door that lead out of the Abbey to the river Thames and Eleanor quickly made her way over, opening the small window to check who it was and grinning when she saw the same 13 year old boy that brought food to them, standing on the small set of stone steps that lead to the water.

Sliding back the bolt, she opened the door and, albeit shivering in the winter air, revelled in the cold sun that hit her skin.
"Good morning, Grant" she greeted and he bowed to her, his mess of fiery curls bouncing as they did almost every time he moved.
"Good morrow, your grace" he returned, passing the box of food he had brought, though Eleanor always wondered how he carried such weight with his willowy limbs "my father sends this, with his best wishes"

"As always, all of us thank you and your kin" Eleanor said with a nod as she took the box into her arms and placed it into sanctuary, where both Tom and Rickon immediately gathered around it with excited expressions, though their Aunt was quick to spot them "get away with you both!" She ordered and they fled without another word.

"We all pray for your lives, the Prince's and the safe return of King Edward" Grant said sunnily, placing his leather cap on his head and smiling as he always did "we all hope he shall return home and will be restored to his throne!"

"As do we" The Duchess returned with a small sigh "we must all keep faith at this time, Grant and it always gives me hope to see people such as you and your family have stayed loyal to the House of York"

"Many have done so, your grace" he explained, clasping his hands behind his back "especially with the news of the Prince" he lowered his voice a little "there are rumours that the true King is to return soon! That he is mustering an army across the channel and soon he shall once more claim his crown!"

Eleanor chuckled a little and crossed herself, making the boy follow suit before he bowed to her once more "I shall leave you to peace, your grace" he said before hopping back into the small boat he had used to cross from the street to the crypt. The Duchess waved to him as he went, turning to shut the door once more when he called out.

"Check the bread!"

And then he was gone.

Eleanor frowned as she bolted the door again and picked up the large crate of food, carrying it over to the long table at the side of the crypt before putting it down on the bench where everyone sat at mealtimes. Picking up the loaf of bread, she was surprised when it immediately fell into two halves and was even more shocked to find and small piece of parchment inside that she snatched up before it could float to the floor.

'To my most beloved sister' it said in neat handwriting on the front and Eleanor's heart leapt as she recognised it. Bella! She immediately unfolded the note and began to read as fast as he eyes would allow, sitting down to try and steady her breathing.

To my beloved Leena,

It is with a heavy heart that I heard of Edward's fall and retreat into exile (along with Anthony and your husband, Richard). And I think you can imagine how stricken I was when I learnt of George's part to play, though you will probably think me a fool for genuinely being shocked when the news reached me!

I also know that you are now in sanctuary and have been for two months! And I write to you now because the strangest thing has occurred.

Anthony and Richard are here! In Florence!

They come to Lorenzo and I to beg for support it seems, though I shall not say 'beg' to our dear brother or he may throw me from a window! We were both shocked when they arrived yesterday for it is the middle of December, Leena, and they gave no warning of their coming! My husband does not seem to think it wise to aid England but I shall try my best to convince his mind otherwise, for you and Lizzie of course.

What also surprised me was your husband's change in opinion towards you! For he was all concern at dinner. He was extremely anxious to know if you were well, if I had heard from you and so on and now he has just visited my chambers to request that, if I wrote to you which I am doing now, that I tell you that there is not a day goes by where thoughts of you do not cross his mind and he prays daily to return to you in England!

Do you know what has changed his feelings for I would say he is becoming rather enamoured with you, sister! Do you feel the same for him, I wonder, for I wish for your happiness above all things!

And now I ask after my dearest dearest Elizabeth. My little Eliza? I do confess I fear for her each day, though I know she is a secret and shall be safe at the convent! I do long for the day where you are able to take her into your home. When that is done I shall be able to rest easy at night once more because I know in my heart that you shall be the best mother to her the world could offer!

I must go now, but if you are able, I beg of you to write a reply to me as I fear for all of our family.

Your ever loving sister,

Bella ♕

Eleanor could not speak as she looked up from the page, her breath hitching slightly as the words sunk into her mind. Anthony and Richard had been in Florence in December to help muster for Edward's army? Well, now it was January. Would they be in Flanders with the King? Did they have the troops they need? Would Edward return for his throne soon?

Was what Bella had said about Richard's feelings towards her really true?"