Snow had began to fall and set upon the ground. I walked over to Maggie who was playing with little Henry. She curtsied.
"The boy will have a chance to see his wife this evening. This is no trick, you wanted me to act so I am acting. But there is something I ask of you first." i tell her
"What is it?" she wondered cautiously
"Go see him ask him to tell you something only Richard would know then tell me. If he speaks the truth, he can see his wife." I hand her the key.
"How will you know he speaks the truth?" she asked
"I know my brother, I have seen things people would not expect and heard them too. I will know." I turn on my heal and leave.
Later on I am sitting alone by the fire in my room when the doors open and in enters Maggie. She curtsies and comes to sit next to me.
"He told me to give you this." she handed me a slip of parchment. I opened it up.
A clip of fathers hair is in your locket.
I look back up at my cousin. Trying my hardest to hide the shock that runs through me at the simple note I am holding
"He wrote this?" I ask. She nodded
"He told me not to open it, that it was for your eyes only. What does it say Hope?" she questions as i throw the slip of paper into the fire.
"You may go, Maggie. And take the whore with you." I tell her, she does not question it further and takes her leave.
That night I watch from the shadows as Maggie helps him out of the Royal Wardrobe. Once I know they are away, I take a torch, walk in throw it in the room of fabric. I watched as it quickly spread. I then ran to Cathy Gordon's room.
"Quickly, there is a fire." i tell them "It started in the royal wardrobe. If you go now, everyone will believe you burnt to death."
"You...you cannot bring yourself to say my name. Even now."
"And I will never call you it." i retort
"This is why you let him come to me? So we could leave?" Cathy questioned
"You must disappear forever, renounce your claim. From this evening on you are never to be seen again because you die here in the fire. If you go against what I tell you, I will show no mercy." I breath
"Where are we supposed to go?" Cathy asked
"I don't care, as long as it is not at any court or nobility housing. Just as long as it is far away from me and my family. Take him and never come back." I reply
"With no name or rank." she protested as she cradled him in her arms.
"It is better than being dead, if you force my hand, if you do not leave into obscurity I will kill you and I will not blink because you threaten my rule. Now you leave in this moment where there is panic. I am giving you a chance, just one." I shake my head
"What about our son? He is a York Prince. He cannot grow up herding cows and burning peat." she refused
"He will grow up, he is safe with a family who will love and care for him, but he cannot go with you. I am offering you a chance to live." I say crouching down
"You would not go against your husband for a boat builders son but you would to save your brother. You believe I am Richard." I back away
"Please just go! Leave me and my family alone! If you show you will stay true to your promise I will have your son returned. Now Catherine, you must come with me, cry and mourn his death then tomorrow you may join him."
"It is your choice, Richard. You must decide." I ran out side to he stop the fire I created
"Give it to me!" I ordered and was handed a bucket of water "Did everyone get out?" I threw the water handed it back to the boy to get some more. Word quickly spread about the boy and I stumbled back
"He started it himself." Lady Margaret stated "It is God's work."
"He is dead." i say
"Hope!" Lizzie yells running over to me tacking me into her embrace "Thank God you are safe." she whispered in my ear. But i barely heard it because from out of the smoke a figure appeared stumbling out of the flaming building. The boy dropped to the ground the raised himself up.
"I am the son of King Edward the IV and Queen Elizabeth Woodville! I live through battle, walk through fire, and I will have the throne of England!" he declares. It in that moment everything changed
YOU ARE READING
York's Hope.
FanfictionEveryone seemed to know my destiny before I did. I am their Hope, I am His Hope. Hope is what I was names and Hope is what I shall bring. To my father, to my family, to my King.
