𝑂𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙....
In a world of bloody war and misgivings that lead to treason, there is only one thing Catherine Percy can be sure of and that is danger.
Her life had not always been thus, f...
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~A Price we all Must Pay~
July 1469, nine months later....
"Ah, come to me, my boy" Catherine cooed, lifting Henry from Margery's arms and into her own. He grinned his happiness, bouncing excitedly in his Mother's embrace while she nuzzled into the softness of his neck that smelt sweeter than sugar to her.
At ten months old, he was a small, merry thing, ever gazing around him when he was not sleeping; eager hands reaching for whatever they could find. He had a particular interest in tugging upon his handler's hair and even then Catherine giggled when she felt one firm fist weave into her braid.
Henry shrieked with delight, gently tugging on the soft strands until his Mother wrapped his chubby fingers around one of her own, pressing a kiss to them. All around, the air was heavy with the scent of summer, the late rainfall unearthing a warmth in their air that smelt pleasantly of dirt; mingling with the flowers that lined the roadside.
Every so often a droplet of water or two would shower down upon them, shaken loose from leaves by a bird taking to the air or a shift in the breeze. When one such droplet landed on Henry's nose, he sneezed in surprise, discarding any interest his sleeve (which he'd been pulling towards his rosy mouth) to frown at the unfamiliar sensation.
"My dearest one" Catherine murmured, running a hand through his soft, wispy tuffs of flaxen hair, so like her own and rocking him gently back and forth. Despite the number of royal soldiers surrounding them, clad in polished armour and carrying swords at their sides, she felt undoubtedly at peace. Perhaps it was because of their presence that she felt so?
To know that her darling boy was safe gave her the greatest comfort on earth.
A rustling from behind made her turn, smile, as she saw the Queen emerge from the royal carriage beside them, carrying her newest babe in her arms.
Princess Cecily.
"Come along girls!" Elizabeth called, cradling the sleeping Princess against her chest, pulling her silk skirts gracefully behind her "We will never get there if we have to stop every five minutes!"
"Where's Father?" Lizzie's curious voice inquired as the little redhead emerged from the damp bushes, tugging Mary along by the hand while a nurse followed.
"I've told you, sweet girl!" Catherine laughed, throwing an indulgent smile her eldest niece "He's travelling his kingdom and we are riding to meet him!" "With Uncle Dickon too?"
The two women laughed, herding the children back into the carriage while Lizzie looked imploringly up at her Aunt. "Yes! Uncle Dickon too!"
