The Last York Prince [AU]

A Brother's Love

(Mary and Charlie arrive in York. The siblings sit down and here's the standoff between the Tudor king and our York prince.

A/N: I know that Angus began to use Meg's dower lands in later years, somewhat around 1516/1517, but let's just wing it)

Meg couldn't sleep. She tried, but she was worried. The castle was loud and then went silent. She was preparing for the worse..., until the door opened.

She couldn't move much, in fear of endangering her child. Sarah helped her to sit up and adjusted the pillow so she could lean on the headboard.

Richard opened the door. Meg smiled seeing him, despite his pale nature, which was profound thanks to his clothes' colour. Richard stepped aside and Henry, Charlie and Mary entered.

Mary had arrived the day prior. When words arrived in Suffolk, she and Charlie headed off to York. She was much relieved when she saw Richard himself greeting her at the front door.

Mary sat with Meg. Charlie cornered himself into the corner behind Henry. Drew and Robyn had moved a table and some chairs into the room before they and Sarah left the room. Freja and Catherine entered and shut the door behind them.

Henry sat at one end of the table, facing Meg. On his right was Catherine and on his left was Freja while Richard was leaning by the only window in the room.

Henry let out a long sigh. "I gave you girls one specific instruction", he said.

"We have our reasons", said Mary.

"Don't say love", said Henry.

"You can. Richie can, why can't we?", Meg argued.

"We brought great connection to our country", said Henry.

"How much is the fine again?", Richard spoke.

"£24,000", said Catherine.

Richard turned to Henry, wide eyed. "You've lost mind?!".

"I think it's a small sum compared to executions", Henry said, nonchalantly.

Richard turned to Charlie, who shook his head, refusing to argue. "You children are the reason why I'm ill".

"Me?! I'm not the one who married without the king's consent!", Henry argued.

"Technically, we already know these two have feelings and yet, you send your idiot friend to fetch her!", Richard pointed to Charlie and Mary.

"But they married without my consent!", Henry slammed his fist to the table.

Richard rolled his eyes. "Henry, my king, this is not how you solve problems. All the times I took you to council meetings, have you learned nothing?".

"I learned that in the end, it is my decision to make".

Richard raised his hands, giving up in his arguments. Henry turned back to Meg, tapping his fingers down the table.

"Who is this Angus?".

"A young lord with quite the temper", Richard chimed in.

"I love him!", Meg stood her ground.

"I heard he was living in your dower lands with his whore", said Henry.

That crushed Meg. She turned to Richard, who was very quiet at first.

"Richie..., tell me that's not true".

"I wish it is not true, but it is. We dragged him out, hiding in Newark and in bed with..., I can't remember her name, but there was a woman".