York's Hope.

Chapter Forty Five - Many Years Later

-Hope-

-A many years later-

I walked through the halls of the palace holding Margaret's hand. Since Arthur I have hand three more children. Margaret who I fondly called Meg, my twin boys Henry and Edward who i referred to as Harry and Ned. My boys ran ahead as we went out into the garden, Henry and I were teaching them the basics of fighting, Henry even agreed to let me teach little Meg the way I was taught.

"Okay, Meg hold you sword like this." I helped her

"Mother girls aren't supposed to fight." Harry commented

"Yes they are, because men aren't always there so women need to learn to protect themselves." I retort to my youngest

"That's why we have guards." he replied. I stood up and scowled folding my arms

"Okay you think you're so smart, answer me this." I start walking around him "There is a threat against us, majority of the men are able to fight so they leave for battle. Yet there is a small fraction who takes the chance that all able men are away leaving the minimally trained ones here to guard. Who would the want to attack first?" I question

"You." Ned stated "You're the Queen and Father is at the battle." he answered

"Very good, Ned. but between me and them there are guards, these men need to be the best of the best of the wish to succeed. What next."

"They would take them out, right?" Arthur asked

"Very good Arthur. But according to your brother they would stop them from getting to me. The've taken out the guards between them and me. What next?" I pace back and forth as Henry watches in slight amusement

"They would come for you Lady Mother." Meg piped up

"They would, now they come for me, I'm all alone, your fathers not here the guard that could help are on the other side of the castle, they may have removed passing servants as to not raise the alarm. I am unaware and unprotected, then what Harry." he didn't say anything

"Never, underestimate a woman my boys, not for one second and never scold them for protecting themselves in anyway they can. Your grandfather taught me and your Aunts so I would have a better chance at survival. now you can't always plan for everything but you can try. So the next time you think a woman shouldn't be able to do something, use this." I tapped his head.

"Father, how well does Lady Mother fight?" Ned asked. Henry chuckled and bent down to him

"She has taught me a few things, Ned. Why don't we show them my love?" Henry smiled back at me

"Maybe another time we have to attend to court matters." I chuckled

"Ah, maybe another time." he stood up straight and came over to me giving me a tender kiss. We took the children back to their rooms then went to attend to court matters. Lizzie and Lord Alexander arrived, they gave their respective greeting and stood to my side of the throne. Henry was handed a letter and he read it. I saw his face scrunch in annoyance.

"What is it?" I wonder

"The Duchess writes on behalf of so-called 'Prince Richard' inviting the Queen and I to be guests at her court." Henry stated

"She is shameless." Lady Margaret commented

"You must refuse." Jasper added

"Why must he?" I questioned

"Here I was thinking what a pleasant trip it might be." Henry sassed

"Prince Richard? The whole world knows that he died in the tower years ago. The Duchess is either mad or a fool." Lady Margret continued as I kept my face remaining passive, I did not look at my sister and I knew she would be thinking the same thing.

"She's neither. Of course she knows the boy is an imposter. Like the last. What does it matter if she is able to convince people otherwise?" I rested my hand on his arm

"The people of England support you, I support you. Never doubt that." I tell him and he takes my hand silently thanking me for my support and comfort. Someone cleared their throat.

"There are rumours, Your Grace, of...nobles in the southern counties planning to flee to Burgundy." Lord Alexander informed us

"We shall close the ports." Lady Margaret suggested, I scoff.

"And stop all trade, all legitimate travel because of a rumour?" I retort to my mother in law "The people would be up in arms."

"I agree. It is too drastic. The world would think I acted out of fear."  he nodded

"How will you respond?" Jasper wondered. Henry thought about it then stood walking out of court. Most followed, I then stood from my seat.

"Come, Lizzie. Let us eave the men to their plans." I held out my hand and she took it

"Your Grace." Lord Alexander bowed and we walked out. None of us spoke a word until we were far enough from the castle and in the gardens

"Do you think it could be true? Could Richard really be back after all this time?" She wondered still keeping her voice down

"No of course not, you know as well as I, mother wrote to half of Europe and then some begging for word, no one had seen him. And she told us that the she wolf had ordered the solders to slaughter anybody they came across." I denied, though the thought did cross my mind for a moment but I did not voce it.

"But why now, after all these years?"

"Better training, you take a boy and train them, change them till they truly believe. It has been years, and I refuse to let her or mother make another attempt to dethrone Henry and I." i stop and turn to her fully.

"We cannot let them win Lizzie, they are going against years worth of visions and prophecies. Mother is going against father and we cannot let that happen."

"I know, I know."