𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑 || 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑻𝑬 𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑬𝑵

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐿𝑋𝑋𝑉𝐼

~We will be Kings~

February 1483, Bamburgh....

Hooves pounded on the earth, digging up wet sand that flew through across the beach. Soft coats of all colours: flaxen, ebony, chestnut, became wet as their owners thundered through the shallows of the sea, sending white waves spurting into the air behind.

Catherine and Richard led the way, grinning at one another before glancing over their shoulders to where their children rode. Their beautiful York children.

Fourteen year old Henry sat on the chestnut Ares, his blonde curls blowing in the wind, his once merry voice now deep like his Father's when he laughed. Joan laughed with him, ten and closer to her older brother than ever! Despite the four years difference between them, they were like two pea in a pod, always together, never apart. They were hand in glove and able to tell what the other was thinking without one word being spoken.

Behind them rode nine year old Dickon and, with him, six year old Edward who giggled and squealed his delight, little arms clasped around his elder brother's waist.

"Faster Dickon!" He cried "Faster! Faster!"
Up ahead his parents grinned, glancing at one another with mischief in their eyes. The same look they'd shared since they were eleven, almost eighteen years ago now.

"Well" Richard called through the wind "If little Ned wants for us to go faster I think we should grant him his wish, don't you?" Catherine's grin only widened and she spurred her horse on, silently challenging him. He could never resist a challenge. Nudging his stallion, they both flew through the shallow waves lapping at their horses legs, spraying their faces; their clothes with salty water.

The children laughed in delight and followed suit, calling out, egging each other across the beach, their home high on the rocks above. Along the sands they raced and raced, the wind flying through their hair, watching their parents smile until an almighty splash made them all pull their steeds to a halt.

"Joaney!" Henry leapt from his saddle and Catherine's head whipped around at the speed of lightening just in time to see her daughter bob upwards from the icy sea, drenched to the skin and her face the picture of shock. Her brother sprinted into the waves, void of all hesitation, kneeling by her side intent on whisking her up into his arms.

Instead, he let out a surprised cry as she lifted her arms and splashed him with the same water she was submerged it. Her parents breathed a sigh of relief, grinning as the two began to splash one another and their little brothers scrambled from their horse, running into the sea without a care in the world.

"There!" Richard laughed, listening to the giggles of the children as they played "All is well!"
"They are going to to ruin their clothes!"

He glanced to Catherine, realising there was no real conviction in her words when he saw how her smile glowed with joy "They have others!" She continued, sliding from her saddle and kicking the shoes from her feet.