York's Hope.

Chapter Thirty Six - Her Sweet Boy

I was cleaned up as was my boy. I was then put back into bed before Arthur was handed to me. I stared down at him stroking his little cheek.

"He's perfect." I whisper. Lizzie and Maggie sit on either side of me my twin strokes his head as he gush over him "He's so tiny."

"But he is strong though, you see?" Maggie smiles ad Arthur grips onto my finger. Cecily left the four of us. "Hope, what did you mean about a curse?"

"Nothing, let's not think of it." I brushed her off not wanting to ruin the moment. We heard heavy footsteps, Lizzie and Maggie moved from the bed. Henry entered breathing heavily

"Henry." I smiled tiredly "Come in and see your son." I encourage as he lingers at the door. He steps in his face with a soft joy.

"There's no mistake?" I shook my head but showed him just to prove it. He chuckles and looks over him.

"He's perfect." touches his cheek "And you are radiant." I look away for a moment then back up at him.

"May I take him?"

"Of course." I slowly transfer my boy over to his father. Arthur softly comes as he is held by his father.

"Hello." he grins "I am a father. Thank you for your efforts, I am in your debt." he tells me and I glance over at Lizzie.

"Will you send my mother to see me now? And have Lizzie as his Godmother?" I ask of him, he looks back at me

"Yes, as you wish. Here." he hands Arthur to his nurse maid "Feed him till he is strong. Why aren't the bells ringing? They should be ringing out the news. And light the bonfires." Henry leaves in excitement.

"And, Teddy, Hope?" Maggie questions sitting back down next to me "Will you ask him to free Teddy from the Tower?"

"Yes, I will. I have held up on my end, now he must give me something in return. His Happiness will help us." Lizzie took my side once more.

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That afternoon, Lizzie sat by my bedside and read out loud  as she had been doing since I began my confinement, only now I held my little Arthur in my arms. The door opened and my Mother finally arrived

"Did they hurt you?" she asked "I tried to come to you."

"Mother." I held out my hand and she took it sitting next to me. I looked back down at my sleeping child. "Look. I have a son." I let her hold him and she sighed happily

"A boy. Gods ways are strange indeed but he answers Lady Margaret;s prayer." she commented

"He answers mine. He is my own sweet boy and he has fathers eyes which makes me adore him even more." I grinned

"He's perfect."

"Did you hear how loudly she screamed ? I thought she would split open." Cecily mentioned

"And just like that sister, you ruin a moment." I retort half heartedly

"Cecily, would you fetch me some wine? My throat is dry. And Hope sounds rather hoarse as well." Mother requested as she handed Arthur back to me. Cecily left us and Lizzie sat next to me on the bed, stroking Arthur head.

"Guard your heart, Hope. The child is not your own. He belongs to the throne. And never forget what the red in that Rose stands for. Your family's blood, your Uncle's blood." she told me

"Richard is gone now mother. And we cannot change the past only wish for a better future. All there is, is my Arthur."  I kissed his little head and he shuffled a bit.

"Arthur. Well, a new royal name at last." Mother stood and kissed my head then Lizzie's before taking her leave.

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The day came for Arthurs christening. I had washed and dressed as Arthur was in his basket, while waiting I played with his such tiny fingers as he gurgled. I noticed the women curtsied meaning that Henry had arrived. I stood up and turned around to face him.

"Why must it be Winchester?" I question "For the christening? It is not fair to be parted from each other for so long."

"I have said that your mother may come with us. She is his grandmother. This time she is really going, Hope." he replied

"And I am not, so many traditions being a royal, so many rules to brake yet you keep this one." I look down at him

"I have commissioned his own badge for him. Everyone left us alone to talk. "The red  and white rose combined. A sign of new unity. I'd hoped for your approval." I touched the drawing of both our roses combined

"It's beautiful. Though our mothers would never approve it. I think they like the war between them." I admitted

"But you do not?" now was my time to try.

"Now that we have a son, will you release Teddy?" i question. He rolled parchment with the drawing

"I cannot while I am away from London."

"When you return? Please, Henry. Is is terrified, he doesn't fully understand the meaning of his words not when he is the age he is and all he has known is my Grandmothers teachings." I plead for my cousin.

"I will consider it."

"Will you? Or are you just saying that to appease me? He is a child and I know you would not wish it on Arthur."

"I said I will consider it and take a view." I nodded as he looked at Arthur

"Can Arthur, at least stay with my sister, she is his Godmother and I would rest easy that he is by your side or hers."

Of course." Henry left with his guard and turned back to have another look at my son.

"Bring the child, we are leaving." Lady Margaret ordered

"If you christened him here in London, I wouldn't have to be away from him. Even you know separation is terrible." I told her

"The priest will come on your 40th day to sanctify you so you can return to court." Arthur was taken away

"Please take care of him." I asked as Arthur started crying and I remained trapped in my room.

-3rd Person-

The nursemaid handed Arthur to Elizabeth (Grandmother) she smiled gently as she held him. That was till Margaret came out and took Arthur off her. Henry came out and saw this.

"Prince Arthur is to be in the care of his Aunt Elizabeth during his journey. At his mothers request" he ordered. Lizzie stepped forward and took her nephew from his Grandmother, smirking at Lady Margaret then took her nephew into the carriage