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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~Lord of the North~
October 1472....
"Well, Henry, it certainly seems you have a fine army here!" Catherine remarked as she looked over the painted wooden soldiers her four year old son had lined up for his Father's later inspection. Rob and Francis had spent hours whittling the forces for him before they left for their respective estates and Henry treasured each one!
Richard showed him how to place them as real ranks would stand and he listened attentively, staring in awe at his Father whom he knew led men into battle and won! Again and again he wished Richard would win another soon so he could tell him an epic tale but (little did he know) that was the very last thing Catherine wanted!
A battle meant war and there was no reason on this earth why she would want her husband to wander willingly into another! It was a pity sometimes that he was so devoted to Edward, for if he commanded Richard to wage a war across the world he would do it! If Catherine did not care for Edward she was sure it would be more than enough to make her resent him.
"Ah ah" She chided gently when four month old Joan reached from her little bundle of blankets lying on the nursery rug to grasp at one of the soldiers "They are your brother's dearest" Looking about, she claimed the nearby soft rabbit Margery had made, created from cloth and stuffed with feathers. Joan took the toy with eager fingers, rubbing her little cheek against the bunny's ears with a smile.
She gurgled her happiness and Catherine laughed, leaning down to nuzzle into the softness of her little neck. Immediately little hands grasped onto her hair (Joan and Henry were both the same in that), gently tugging and stroking "My sweet little girl" She cooed when she pulled away and Joan took to sucking on her rabbit's ear.
"Mother!" Henry called "Mother look!" Catherine did so and smiled as he began to move his soldiers back and forth, some on foot some on horseback. "Ah! A true army!" A merry voice called and Henry shrieked in delight as Richard walked into the nursery, a letter in his hand.
"Just what I said!" Catherine laughed, gathering Joan in her little swaddling shawls and rising to her feet.
Richard grinned at their daughter and swept her into his arms, kissing and cuddling her until she giggled and began to grab onto his hair "Something has put you in a jovial mood, my love!" Catherine remarked, brushing a kiss to his cheek and leading him to the window seat while Henry began to line up his soldiers again, one by one; eager to show his Father he remembered his words.
"Indeed I have!" Richard exclaimed, sitting happily on the cushions and bobbing Joan in his arms, continuing to smile down into her little face "We all do, ma belle, for Ned has bestowed upon us an honour we will never forget!"
