The Last York Prince [AU]

Aftermath Part 2

(Freja loses someone close to the very same thing that took her first born son and receives a surprise from home)

LATE 1517 - EARLY 1518

Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months and it has been almost a year since Richard hadn't seen his family. Ragnar probably will not recognise him and Astrid Katheryn might forget him.

The Sweat came and went, a few times. He prayed that today, since the last of the sick people had been buried, The Sweat will not come again. He wanted to go home, to see his wife and children.

His plan was to stay in Westminster a while before. He will burn all the clothes he had used during the plague and will wear the newer ones he had ordered.

Then, a letter from home arrived, dated back several weeks. It's hard to get news, since a lot were scared to enter London.

Richard dropped the letter as his hands shook from the news. Freja had arrived in York, only for Christian to send her off to Bedford, along with Meg and the rest of Richard's household.

"My mother had caught The Sweat", she wrote.

He wanted to go there, but there would be a risk. The Sweat was slowly dying down, but he couldn't risk his family.

He wrote back, telling his wife to be strong. He wished to be there and hoped once The Sweat is gone, he will be by her side at once.

He had returned from chapel to find a soldier informing him that an emissary from Sweden was waiting for him. He went to the throne room and was surprised to see Harald, dressed as fine as any prince would.

"It's really hard to enter London nowadays", Harald smiled.

"You're risking yourself, brother".

"I have no choice. This is important and it involves not only my sister, but you as well".

Richard sat on the throne. "How can I help you, my lord?".

Harald chuckled. "It seems I have outranked you, brother. I am to be styled as Your Highness now".

"Why?", Richard looked confused.

Harald handed him a scroll. Richard broke the seal and read it. It shocked him when he got to that very particular line of the proclamation.

"Erik Svensson had raised an army and dethroned the current monarch. Erik Svensson was made Erik XIV of Sweden".

Richard looked at the proclamation, then at a smug looking Harald and repeating it several times. "Wha-? Why?", Richard was lost.

"Simple, we think the soon to be Christian of House Bjelbo is not fit to be a ruler. So, we decided to raise an army and take the throne", Harald was keeping that smug.

"Richard, what's going on?", Maggie entered with her sons and Ursula.

"Ah, Lady Pole. It's a pleasure to see you again", Harald bowed to her.

"Lord Harald, what a surprise", Maggie smiled.

"I no longer style myself as Lord Harald Svensson, Lady Pole", Harald chuckled.

"Oh?", Maggie frowned.

"He is now styled as Prince Harald of Sweden", Richard passed the proclamation to Maggie.

"Oh, this is for my sister. It seems she has outranked you as well", Harald handed another scroll to Richard.

Maggie peered to see the proclamation from the new king that he has legitimised his sister, Duchess of Gloucester. Richard looked at Harald, who were the very few people who knew of his legitimate status.

"Is there some plan you have?", Richard spoke in Swedish.

"Oh, not much", Harald shrugged, looking all innocent.

Richard nodded and sighed. "Will you be staying? Though I wish you will not, it's still not safe".

"I see your men are helping to rebuild the city. You could've left with the whole court", said Harald.

"And leave the people to die? How could I?".

Harald was satisfied by that answer. He nodded and bowed to Richard.

"Please convey the messages to my sister, Her Royal Highness, Princess Freja of Sweden", said Harald before he left.

Once it was safe to return, Richard burned all the clothes he had used during The Sweat and donned his newer ones, including the rich velvet jacket that was sent by the new Swedish King Erik. Richard rode out fast and headed to Bedford.

Upon hearing the hooves, Henri ran out and was excited to see his father home. He yelled for his mother and family to come out.

Freja grabbed Ragnar and Astrid Katheryn. She went out to see Richard jumping off his horse and picking up Henri in his arms.

"I miss you, papa!", Henri hugged his father tight.

Richard kissed his cheeks and hair. "God, I miss you more!", he smiled, happily.

Richard gathered his wife and two children, so happy to be home. Astrid Katheryn took a moment before remembering.

"Don't leave no more, papa", said Astrid Katheryn.

"I will try not to, my sweet daisy", Richard smiled.

"Papa?", Ragnar tilted his head.

Richard's heart swell, hearing Ragnar's voice for the first time. He kissed his young son's forehead.

"I am your papa, Ragnar. I'm sorry I wasn't here before, but I am now. I know you don't know me, but it's ok. I am home and we can be a family".

Ragnar hugged him. "My papa", he said.

Richard hugged back, sobbing. "My Ragnar".

Richard rose up to properly kiss his wife. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there".

Freja shook her head. "It's ok. You have a duty to England. Our children will be proud to have you as their papa".

"Come, there's so much I need to tell".

MEANWHILE

Words spread very fast and it had reached Henry's ears in Hampton. Henry realised that Sweden would back up Richard since he's married to the newly legitimised Freja, now a royal princess of Sweden.

"They could plot, Your Grace...", Wolsey approached to move a chess piece,

"...Lady Gloucester is now a royal princess and it does not help that your half brother has the support of Burgundy and now, Sweden. Adding to that, majority of court and Parliament are on his side. Of course they would, he's a Plantagenet from the House of York, descended from two kings and not to mention he's half-Neville through his father. Plus, his sons could..., potentially rule since you don't have a son of your own".

Henry glared at Wolsey. "My brother? Whose motto is "Loyalty Above All Else"?".

"His father had the same motto, yet he dethroned his own nephew and crowned himself king. What's stopping his son from doing the same?".

Henry chuckled, but only a fleeting moment. Wolsey had a point. Dark thoughts grew and Henry sensed a threat.

"Keep a close eye on my brother", Henry moved his chess piece to check.

(PS: I was watching A Knight's Tale and Count Adhemar's squire was wearing a grey jacket with a white boar and a crown on it and I got a little excited)