She was a young widow standing underneath an Oak tree. In her hands she held those of her two young sons, standing either side of her, fatherless, penniless and depending entirely on the generosity of their grandparents, her mother and father.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquP1JmECa6
As the men on horses approached, she bowed as low as she could possibly manage. They stopped in front of her. She kept her head down, she heard a thud as one of the men dismounted his horse. He offered her his hand. She took it gracefully, bowing her head.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAQCwCLDpU
"My lady, your face seems familiar to me but your name escapes me. Please, remind me of the name you go by." The man said with a dazzling smile.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD20ynD1RmG
"I am Elizabeth Woodville, sir. Widow of the late Sir John Grey."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7oZT1p9m3
"Grey? He fell at St Albans, did he not?" The man asked. Elizabeth nodded. "He was fighting on the wrong side." The man added darkly. His eyes examined the woman in front of him.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3TYQlwITL
"He believed in his cause, my lord, but we all see now the wrongness of that cause. I assure you, your grace, that my family and I swear to be unwaveringly loyal to the house of York."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVLibIs6TK
"And what is it you want from me today, Elizabeth Grey, for I do not think you came here simply to pay respect to your sovereign lord and king?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RnpRqYO30
"No, your grace. I come to ask you humbly to give my sons their birth right. I ask not for myself, but for them. I ask you to return to them their inheritance and their lands."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nHhUIxPmr
"Return the lands of a traitor?" The man asked, humour in his tone. From behind him, his younger brother, George, laughed aloud. The man next to George, the Earl Warwick, nodded in agreement.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL70uumvark
"Forgive me, your grace," Elizabeth spoke, her boldness growing, "But my husband did not consider himself a traitor. He was fighting for the king that sat on the throne at the time. Had he lived, he would have done the same for you. He was not loyal to the house of Lancaster, or disloyal to the house of York. He was always loyal to the house that sat upon the throne of England. Do not blame him because that house was not yours. I beseech you sirs, understand that."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGpWq05Aqn
The king was taken aback. Beside him, George was ready to reprimand the woman, who was nothing more than the widow of a knight. Her social standing was nothing. The king put his hand across George's chest to stop him advancing towards her. Her gaze did not falter; she was not intimidated by him. George was merely fifteen years old. She was twenty-three.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwg5RFlGZ3
"You speak boldly to your king." The man before her stated.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGOKuOhyYN
"I believe in honesty, your grace. How shall you run a kingdom if your subjects are not honest with you in all matters?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevmTrCdfVv
The man took a step forward, until he was merely an inch away from her.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfdRU0wQjP
"And tell me, Elizabeth, do you so swear to be honest with me in all matters?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCd93gRWBl
She held his gaze firmly. She refused to look away and be reduced to a meek widow standing by the roadside, begging for her husband's inheritance.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5K35Go2it
"I do so promise, your grace." She held his eye contact, before bowing her head slightly as a sign of respect. He smiled, he was amused by her.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAdbZeEOz9
"Come, I hear your father owns a great house in these parts. My brothers are thirsty, and I need to stretch my legs. They will take some rest, if it shall not trouble you or intrude on the generosity of your parents."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX50N5WMlm7
Elizabeth shook her head.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTcVdMLixn
"Not at all, your highness. On the contrary, it would be an honour."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEl7pt5bcu
"Proceed, then." The man said, taking his horse by the reigns and leading it forward. He was followed by his brother George, and his even younger brother Richard, only twelve years old. Elizabeth lead the way, her sons to her left and the king of England to her right. As they walked, both George and Warwick rode their horses behind them, grimacing as they went.
"Your highness, it is an honour to have you in our home. I do hope you everything is to your liking, and we would like to extend to you the offer of supper."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozVpsSQMAy
Elizabeth's father stood in the entrance hall, his wife beside him. The king, Edward, admired the ceilings and handed a passing maid his riding gloves.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEGv1Ul6QX
"See that these are put with the rest of my things." He said casually. Then he turned his attention to Sir Woodville.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAml8yPYCZJ
"That would be most generous of you, sir Woodville. My brothers and I would be happy to oblige. I do believe both George and Richard are in need of a slight refreshment, however I would much like to take a walk in your grounds."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVitr78OyH6
Elizabeth's father bowed his head.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnDtukNxee
"Of course, your grace. Shall I send for one of my son's to accompany you? Anthony is indeed a great poet and knows these grounds better than any other."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrd7Kw9IiI
"No need, sire. I would much prefer the company of your daughter." Edward said, glancing to Elizabeth in the corner. At the mention of her name, she looked up, startled. Her father looked from Elizabeth to the king, and disregarded the worried look on her mother's face. He nodded to Elizabeth.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yVqw7nGwX
"It would be a pleasure, my lord." She said graciously.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2Pd5aicRU
Edward smiled.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvTiatJZP4
"Very well then. Elizabeth and I have important matters to discuss, I believe. I will do all in my power to return to you the lands you are due."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfaRrBuCzv
Behind him, George was trying hard to mask his discontent. Edward shot him a look of disapproval and the middle brother smiled.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQjbXC44Gz
"I am perfectly content, brother." He whispered as Edward walked by. Edward looked to Elizabeth's father, and back to George.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV5NWrh4SC
"Sir Woodville, I would very much appreciate it if you were to take my brothers to the kitchens and give them some ale. It has been a long journey and they are still young!" Edward laughed as George scowled. Richard simply smiled at his older brother, and followed Elizabeth's father into the kitchens.
"There is a tale about my brothers and I, perhaps you have heard it?" Edward said, walking through the well-tamed grounds. Elizabeth did not reply. "Earlier this year, at the battle of Mortimer's Cross, three perfect suns rose in the sky. It was taken as an omen that we would be victorious. Three perfect suns in the sky for the three sons of York; Richard, George and I."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokg66RwLdu
Whatever effect Edward desired this tale to have on Elizabeth, it did not. She merely smiled and said "Yes, I do believe I heard that somewhere.".2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcyh6vRRpB
"On the matter of the inheritance of your sons, I do not think there will be any issue in recovering it. After all, I am king." He said, smiling smugly.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLGqSZAaj0
"Yes, your grace, you are." Elizabeth said simply. "I would very much appreciate it if you would oblige me in this matter."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1E2fTRTxS
"And if I do, lady Elizabeth, what matter shall you oblige me in?" He asked, stepping in front of her, forcing them both to come to a stand still.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKbpUmABXJ
"Excuse me?" Elizabeth asked, forgetting her manners before adding: "Your grace?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOJNfMH5pi
"You are a beautiful woman Elizabeth. I am sure we could reach an agreement." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She shrank from his touch and barely resisted the temptation to swat away his hand.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktkAxJCAw5
"My lord I fear you misunderstand me. I shall not compromise my honour, not even for that of my children." She said sternly.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e62VwMarO
His face dropped and he suddenly became angry. Never before had a woman refused his bed, and now he was king and surely there was nothing more attractive than that? Surely, nothing was worth more than a night or two with a king?2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AJ0NidZhX
"I am sorry for the misunderstanding, Lady Woodville. Or do you prefer Lady Grey? No matter; I am sure your traitorous husband would understand if the crown kept his lands, for we are so dreadfully short on revenue. The Lancastrian rebellion cost us so much that our treasury is lacking. It is only fitting that the rebels themselves shall pay the cost. Good day."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb4irHS4qt
He left her then, standing alone in the grounds.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOqE23NMtt
2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHzlLjBX2m
The king and his brothers stayed late that evening, regardless of the fact that Elizabeth's father had been a vehement Lancastrian and had fought against them in battle. All of this seemed meaningless to Edward. He talked to them easily, as if they were childhood friends. He spoke to them as if Elizabeth was not in the room, as if he had never met her and he had not, in short, asked her to become his mistress. When her father asked Edward if he planned on returning the lands of John Grey to Elizabeth, Edward simply smiled stiffly and said: "I shall try my best.".2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAtJowrrzj
He left without saying goodbye to Elizabeth, paying his respects to her father and taking off swiftly into the night.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWznroeSYF
Elizabeth was surprised then, when she was woken up three days later by her mother shaking her frantically.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPinfKVJyT
"It's the king, he has sent messengers telling us to expect him within the hour. He says he wishes to speak with you."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXG69BopwG
Elizabeth got dressed as quickly as possible, pinched her cheeks for a bit of extra colour and dabbed her wrists with a small amount of the only perfume she owned. It contained rose oil and other spices and the scent of it followed her as she glided down the stairs just as the king rode into the courtyard outside.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH7bM1p9mb
He entered the house, removing his riding gloves and cloak. He nodded to Elizabeth.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjqpfmDYlu
"I wish to speak with you." He said shortly. She nodded and followed him outside. She had not expected to see him again, and even if she considered it, she did not expect it to be so soon. Surely he could not have changed his mind and recovered her lands so quickly?2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCwMnFnSPS
"I shall be blunt, Elizabeth." He stated as they walked through the gardens. "When you declined my offer a few days past, I was angry." He laughed, then. "I have never been turned down by a woman before! You quite wounded my pride."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LiVHBArZp
"Your grace, I should rather be a penniless widow than be known throughout the kingdom as the king's whore."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmV2t5FOaR
"You fascinate me Elizabeth. Your boldness is something I have never seen before in a woman."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeNXTEqi6H
"If this is an attempt to sway my resolve-" She began. He cut her off almost immediately.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDummvRdMH
"I would never. I understand your decision. I merely came to tell you that since that day I have barely been able to have a moment to myself when you are not clouding my thoughts." He looked at her then, as if expecting her to say something. When she remained silent, he carried on. "May I ask you a question? Do you love your king?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0z0NuaBEu
"Of course." She answered with a shrug, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28Xk6qbZGG
"And what about me, Elizabeth? Do you love me?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEQUucvibl
"Are you not the king? I thought I had already answered your question."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktXdCxvGQ3
"If I were a peasant, working the land for a man such as your father. If I were your stable boy or a tradesman, would you love me then?" He asked, an urgency creeping its way into his voice. His eyes were wide, her breathing became unsteady.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv95dpicyMZ
"Indeed sire, I do think I should love you all the more, for at least then I could trust that your love was true."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4U4ZjVmKY
He laughed then. "And could you love me even as a king?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrQYBK6o9N
"I believe I could, your grace." She said, smiling.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQobbuxwCw
"Forget your grace. Edward, call me Edward." She nodded and he continued. "I see only one way forward, Elizabeth."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9DXKAzP0H
She raised one eyebrow in a questioning manner.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCErpCpb7BE
"I shall have to marry you." He said simply, walking ahead of her and pausing only to glance at her shocked expression and let out a laugh.
.
"I have hired a priest, it shall have to be a small wedding, my love. Your mother can attend, but you must keep this from your brothers, at least for now." Edward said, pressing a kiss to Elizabeth's forehead.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFvutjp2IY
"What will you tell the earl of Warwick? Is he not in France securing a French bride for you?" She asked, with a sharp knowledge of current politics that Edward was not aware she possessed.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD85gYhodwV
"Indeed he is. Well, I imagine this shall... irritate him at the least!" He said, finding great amusement in irritating his powerful cousin.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQuNFLeCri
"Are you not afraid of him? They say he put you where you are now, they call him the kingmaker."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkRxmGXJ6P
"And he has made me king. His job is done, what harm can he do me now? I am the king of England."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaIxTl53UH
Elizabeth bit her lip and Edward laughed, kissing the back of her hand.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZlJ4LMLrE
"My love, I shall marry you and Warwick and my mother and my brothers and the entire kingdom shall have to accept it. Plainly, I love you and you shall be my Queen." He released her hand from his grip. "Now, go and make yourself ready. I have but a few hours and I want the wedding to be over with quickly, so that I can spend as much time as possible with you as my wife." Elizabeth nodded, hurrying back to the manor house to change.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bf0pAckkB
The wedding ceremony was over within hours. The couple left the small chapel in the grounds, followed by Elizabeth's mother and the priest Edward had hired. Her mother, Jacquetta, handed Edward the keys to the hunting lodge just outside the grounds. She gave the couple her blessing, then returned to the house, swearing to say nothing of their union to another soul.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ulvv1o5G6
"Come wife," Edward said, smiling seductively. Elizabeth laughed and took his hand, following him on the dirt path leading to the hunting lodge.
Edward stayed a few days, but soon he had to leave. Elizabeth sat up in bed, the sheets tangled around her legs.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3qQwbcYv9
"Must you go so soon?" She asked and he nodded, pulling on his leather boots.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rLvdEGJ7d
"I must go back to court. I intend to announce our marriage at a council, I have summoned all the lords of the land." He glanced up from lacing his boots. "Your father and brothers will be there."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2NRVIsQhy
"Oh, can we not stay married in secret? I much prefer having you all to myself."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePSmHVagyw
He sat at the edge of the bed, resting his hand on her leg.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR5DvfngaC
"You know I would keep you here if I could, but I cannot run my country from here and you cannot be made Queen from here. I shall write to you within the week, wait for my letter telling you to come to court." He rose then, pulling on his riding cloak and placing a hand on the door handle.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDsMPetqcA
"Good day, wife." He said.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL8PafVNcD
"Good day, husband." She said, smiling to herself.
.
"She is a nobody, Edward. She is not fit to be the queen of England!" Warwick shouted. He and Edward had adjourned to a small antechamber, out of the sight of the lords of the kingdom but not quite out of earshot.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkYk8YIfG9
"Nevertheless, she is my choice Warwick. She is my choice and as king, my choice is final."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaGsTsLeUv
"Perhaps you should be thinking less about who you want in your bed and more about the woman you want beside you as you rule this country. You are careless, Edward. Little more than a boy with too much power." Warwick was red in the face, his fists clenched. Not only had he wasted months organizing a French marriage, he had been humiliated in front of the entirety of Christendom. He was supposed to be Edward's closest adviser, and yet he was the last to know about his marriage. The king valued him little more than the small country barons and lord who had been summoned to court to receive news of the marriage at the same time.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mi6wvASwa
"Careful, cousin. You are merely a step away from treason, to insult your king like this." Edward said calmly.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ57ead8qI
"You would not be king if it weren't for me. I put you where you were and I could pull you down again too." Warwick threatened.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yuyT4aMx8
"With what army, Warwick? You shall cease to speak to your king in this manner or I shall have you banished from court." He said carelessly, waving his hand dismissively.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAYx6L0rE6
"No need, my lord. I shall exile myself. I should rather live away from court than serve her as my queen." Warwick said, stalking away and leaving the king standing in the antechamber, no longer amused at the prospect of irritating him.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt69tFmC8I
When Edward re-entered the chamber where all the lords were gathered, he immediately spotted his brothers. George too, was on the side of Warwick, an angry and dangerous glint in his eye.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtgimQRkZi
"When is our queen to be crowned, dear brother?" George said, his tone venomous. Warwick and George were dangerous enough on their own, but for them to work together against him? Edward was no longer cocky enough to relish in the thought of his secret marriage. In fact, as George stalked away in the direction Warwick had left, Edward quite began to regret it.
.
The king's feared proved both ill and well founded. The earl of Warwick was indeed angry, and led rebellions against him. Even his own brother, George, was enticed into rebellion against him after marrying Warwick's daughter Isabel in secrecy in Calais. But Elizabeth proved to be a kind, generous and graceful queen, and an even better wife. Already she had provided Edward with three daughters, and though he much desired a boy, his eldest daughter Elizabeth was known throughout the land as her father's favourite. Even as a child, she possessed an exceptionally sharp mind. Besides, the Queen's stomach grew large once again, and she promised that she knew that this time it was a boy.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnluYGPI5MV
The year was 1470. It was September. The Queen was nearing her time, seven months into her pregnancy. Elizabeth was sitting by her window when she heard the commotion outside in the hall.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp7Tqdm77j
"I will see my wife!" Edward commanded. Her ladies feebly tried to stop him.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8H5klkJrl
"My lord, bearing this burden on her will only harm the baby!" The midwife pleaded. Elizabeth rose from her seat.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCyan2wEeb
"Husband? What is it?" She asked, disregarding her embroidery.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZnXakRiz9
"Warwick is organising an uprising in the North. I must go at once."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n2NXbs4Nm
She nodded weakly, grasping his hand.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3OkXzY9rZ
"Return safely, my love."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jUOa2T1Oj
"When have I not?" He asked, flashing a cheeky smile. "York never looses."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdvkUhXabQ
She smiled, trying to show her confidence in him, but in her heart she knew he would not be beside her through the last stages of her pregnancy. He would not be rushing inside to see his newly born son when her time came.
It was a few days later when a letter arrived from her husband. It was in his own hand, and obviously written in a hurry.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd7AAKv4W6
My dearest Elizabeth,2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSGsDhcbHb
The uprising in the North was a ruse; it was Warwick's brother who caused it. George, my brother, has turned on us once again and has landed at Plymouth with both Warwick himself and the sleeping king. They intend to restore Henry to the throne. I am heading South, but I am surrounded. Therefore, I am retreating out of the country and I urge you to take our daughters and find safety in our most defensible castle. I have with me my brother Richard and your brother Anthony and they are safe. I pray that you do not fear for me, for I shall always win and I shall return as soon as I am able. I pray that I will be able to come back to you before the birth of our son.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOtZI3oGFn
Your husband the king,2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPXDXdNtGu
Edward2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tGbTz3feM
Upon reading the letter, Elizabeth's hand moved instinctively to her stomach and she sank to the floor. She waved away her ladies.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m7REVfrot
"Go, get my daughters and pack our things. We shall go into sanctuary. Alert my mother."
The Queen and her small family fled to Westminster Abbey, where they were granted sanctuary.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGTghqhV1m
Elizabeth watched through her window the procession of the old king. Warwick and her brother in law were with him. Edward was attainted of his lands and titles and George was given the duchy of York. King Henry was restored, and Elizabeth was no longer Queen. She was the widow of a knight and now the wife of a false king.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSf08VM2kS
On November second the pains started. Elizabeth clutched her stomach with one hand and her mother's arm with the other.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwqKI2tqvv
She lay, hours later, exhausted and weary, holding her son in her arms.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKId3VniWK
"A boy, just as you promised him." Her mother said, gently stroking the child's hair.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXhW0vr4eG
"A boy he is not here to see. Mother, I fear for him. Henry is restored to the throne, Warwick and George are against him... I cannot see how we can come back from this." A lone tear fell from the corner of ELizabeth's eye.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHuEN3tTUA
"Have hope, daughter. You shall sit on your throne again, with your husband by your side."
The leaves fell from the trees outside, snow fell from the sky and Christmas came and past. January and February slipped by and Easter arrived without any sign of Edward. The trees began to grow new leaves. The flowers outside came to life again. The child in Elizabeth's arms was growing at an alarming pace; already nearly six months old.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUWAW2xrS6
Elizabeth heard footsteps. Fearing the worst, she ran for the door and bolted it quickly.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnlqfZDvnD
"Your highness, I 'ave news!"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdoURQX9CA
It was a young boy from the city. He looked weary from travel and smelled of horse.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq0jDotCv7
Elizabeth eyed him suspiciously.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemmoNYl27i
"What is it?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBRkkqPoiv
"Someone to see you, your grace."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3AJUxf8zO
Elizabeth glanced at her mother, who shrugged. Elizabeth cautiously opened the door.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNgEreSTii
A figure emerged from the shadows, clothed in a dark cloak with a hood casting a deep shadow of the face. Elizabeth knew who it was instantly.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcCEEMMUJb
She threw herself into her husband's arms at once.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9xFpT2Ke4
"How? How are you here? I expected to receive a note or..."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0EHGOPho3
"Elizabeth, all that matters is that I am here." He laughed. He kissed her softly, then opened his arms so his oldest daughter could jump into his arms. He smiled at his mother in law.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSd8L69H9a
"Now where is my son?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4mzhf017o
Jacquetta lifted the baby from the cradle, handing him gently to his mother.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVORRPTJq7b
"Edward, this is your son, Edward."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtXKJz5wxp
The king smiled, absorbed in the tiny face of the child before him.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihfmYmZkUN
"He shall be a mighty king someday." Edward said, laughing.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATUprxNpZ7
"Like his father." Eliazabeth said, smiling. "How are you here? What do you plan to do next?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYivhUjkWwj
"George, the turncoat he is, has betrayed Warwick and has turned back to our side."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmYRVOpvhR
"And Richard? And my brother Anthony? They are safe?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX1wXOQNk5
Edward nodded. "They have gone to amass us an army."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI7sJiOKo6
Elizabeth paled. "Promise me you'll return to us Edward."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1b41GRx41
"I've told you before, York's always win. And I have yet to lose a battle. Now, can we stop the talk of war? I have missed you dearly, and I would much like to spend the time I have now ignoring war. Tell me, how are our children? Is Elizabeth learning her Latin? And Cecily her music? And our son, how does he progress? Is he strong?"2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oUveiVEcb
Elizabeth laughed. "Yes to all. The children are perfectly well. They are much the better off now you are home."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDxJmTR0Cw
Edward smiled.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4uIfI3zkD
"They shall be restored to their positions. You shall have your throne and I shall have my crown returned. If it is the last thing that I do."
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14th March 1471. Barnet. The fog was heavy, the armies considerably large. Edward and his men moved silently past the enemy. They had no idea how close they were and Edward thanked the lord that the thick fog gave them such efficient fog. Mere feet away, the enemy would fire arrows miles out. The Lancastrian army, in the confusion, mistook its own men for the Yorkist forces. They attacked themselves and their fate was sealed.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI07Aw7LBF5
Warwick's face was a picture of discontent. It was falling apart before his eyes; everywhere he looked Lancastrian men were being struck down by Yorkist arrows and Yorkist blades.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJCoONgu6B
He saw George in the midst of the battle, the red rose on his jacket had been torn off and replaced hastily with a white one.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9lOudcY7q
"Turncoat, you filthy turncoat!" He shouted, knowing that without George's forces and his loyalty there was no chance that the battle could be won in favour of Lancaster.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuP3xLTunf
George grimaced at Warwick from across the field. The handsome York brother was loyal to his house once more, and Warwick had fallen far from grace.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOmg2gtTH4
In his moment of distraction, Warwick himself was struck down in the midst of the battle. He fell from his horse and from across the field, Edward and George made brief eye contact. Warwick was like a father, and though they would not mourn the death of Warwick, the turn coat and rebel, they would mourn the death of Warwick, the kingmaker and their kinsman.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LAp6cs5tm
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Edward returned to the loving arms of his wife, to his children, to his crown and to his court in London.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaxAOt06OJ
"Warwick is dead." Edward said to Elizabeth when they were alone. Her eyes held no remorse.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJai3b3zHA
"I know you wish me to feel pity for him Edward but I cannot. He killed my father. He had my mother accused of witchcraft. I cannot mourn his death for I still see the heartbreak her eyes."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZFhMoxBdg
Edward rested his forehead in his hands, leaning forwards on the table.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXaxAvnfEW
"I beg you not to trust George." She whispered.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkjUEJNgqg
"Elizabeth, let us not argue. I cannot bear it. It has been a long few weeks and an even longer few months. Let us give my brother the benefit of the doubt."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd2Mehbinc
She nodded silently, biting her tongue, and rested a slender hand on his shoulder. He covered it with his own.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMZg1RETYu
"I never want to leave this country again. I promise you that I will never leave you again, and I swear I shall be there for the birth of our next child."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZNnpk2dBT
Elizabeth smiled.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj1KgW3shy
"I have a feeling we shall have another boy."2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxmVLdCYow
"And he shall be named Richard." He said.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTOM5DpSNd
"And shall we have one named George too?" She asked, laughing and raising one eyebrow.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzWTvLtoFT
"Of course." Edward said casually. "There must always be three sons of York, and they must always be named Edward, Richard and George." He took her hand and led her to the large four poster bed in the centre of the bedchamber.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSzZu6wnZa
They slept like children that night. For at least for the moment, their kingdom was secure. Their children were safe. Their marriage was solid and their family was loyal. The king that married the widow by the roadside for love slept soundly with her beside him, with their children in the nursery and the crown of England resting on their foreheads.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3UyAEjjIJ
At least for the moment, it seemed that the house of York was indestructible. Whilst the embers in the fire died away, and whilst the royal couple slept in their bed peacefully, it seemed that nothing in the world could end the house of York. Nothing in this world could crush the power of the White rose.2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SQKRF04ov
For the house of York was built on love, and what, Edward asked himself in his dreams, was more powerful than that?
Author's Note: Sorry for the long AN but some things need clearing up: this was incredibly difficult to write because so much happened in the 1460's/1470's/1480's and it was no easy task figuring out which events to include and which to not. As it was supposed to be a romance story, I attempted to focus more on Warwick as he was the main objector to the marriage of Edward and Elizabeth and so felt that his last rebellion in 1470 was more relevant. However, not all of this is 100% accurate and I feel that I must state so here: for a start, Warwick and George probably did not see much of each other at the battle of Barnet, and so this was purely my imagination. Also, when Edward and Elizabeth first meet, it is possible that he may have recognised her, but part of me doubts this. I am also not 100% sure that Edward would have had his brothers with him, as Richard was only 12 and living at Warwick's estate under his tutelage at the time (1464).2173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjPYqPcpwn
In short, I think much more exciting things could have been included but with the word limit it was not possible. For example, I would have much loved to include George's final rebellion and (spoiler!) his execution, and the love story between Richard and Warwick's daughter Anne. If you get a chance to research this period, I strongly advise you to, this just doesn't do it justice!
and then Add to home screen.