Son of Hope

Chapter Two - At Odds

Edward found some guidance in his Aunt, one that he would pay attention to. Now he went to see his mother it was the only place he felt a sense of quiet fall over his thoughts. When he entered the abbey he noticed that his brother was already there and was very close with Catherine. That was until the two of them realised he was there and then they broke apart.

"If you two have quite finished." he huffed dropping down with a jug of wine in one hand and a goblet in the other "Mother and I need to talk." he poured himself a drink and then took a swig.

"I will leave you alone."

"Please do!" Ned called and sunk against his mothers tomb. Harry watched as Catherine left and then went around to speak with his brother. Ned noticed Harry expression "Can you not bother with the whole speech today, I had a terrible night." he grumbled and took another swig.

"Why must you speak to her like that?"

"You know why?"

"Oh your visions. There is no such thing, Ned I've told you that..."

"Fuck off. I told you I don't want to hear it. I trusted you with what was going on, looking to my own twin brother to make me feel sane. Yet all you've done since i told you is tell me how there is no such thing and that I'm going mad. You do know that by calling me mad your calling our mother, our grandparents the same. Those you claim to love and weep over."

"That is unfair and you know it." Harry grunted. Edward pushed himself up and swayed

"What is unfair is that our mother lays cold and dead in the ground mere months after our brother. What is unfair is that I cannot sleep for nightmares thanks to you. What is unfair is that every night I have to be subjected to nightmares of where you ruin this family and everything that mother built for us. That is what is unfair, not your hurt feelings. Now bugger off its my turn to spend time with mother." Harry huffed out a breath and left his brother alone to his thoughts. Edward relaxed and leant his head against the cold marble finally having some peace. During his time there his eyes fluttered closed and Ned for the first time in a month drifted into a restful sleep.

-----------

Now rested Edward felt and saw a little more clearly. Though still not back to full strength he felt much less volatile, yet that feeling was not to last when he heard of Maggie and Richard Pole's returns to the castle after his mothers death. Harry and Ned entered and the Poles gave their respective greetings towards the Princes.

"Aunt Maggie, Pole, I heard you had returned to us." Harry greeted them as Ned had a air of indifference. He moved around to his father how sat hollowly by the fire. Being the helpful son he stoked the fire for his father.

"We are sorry for your loss." Sir Pole voices his sympathies.

"Are you now?" Ned questioned

"Your highness?" Pole wondered

"Well it was our dear Aunt Maggie's actions and previous indiscretions that towered over my mother, made her sick with worry and distrust. Even as she laid sick and dying our Aunt's cruelty knew no bounds why are you even...!" Harry grabbed his brother and moved him away from the two.

"Be of ease brother."

"Let go of me." Ned shrugged off his brother "I defended you, when she called you a traitor like your father, I eased her and in turn your plight and hardness towards her actions cost her, her life." Ned pointed "You're line is nothing but a stain and a curse."

"Enough Edward!" Harry shouted at him "Please excuse him Aunt. The death of our mother had hardened his temperament."

"No it has given me clarity that unlike you I am my mothers son. In more ways that one." Ned rested his hands on the back of his fathers chair "The only one i will apologise to for my sentiment is father here, as he does not need the aggravation. My apologies father." Though Henry was deep in his grief there were glimmers of the man that Hope had come to love. He reached up to tap his sons hand before returning to his stoic look.

"Grief is a strange thing." Maggie breathed looking toward the father and son.

"Yes, we feel it deeply but summer is ahead and I hope my marriage will provide warmth and cheer to England when she so badly needs it." Harry diverted the conversation much to the confusion of the Poles and the annoyance of his brother.

"Marriage?" Sir Richard asked

"I am to marry Catherine, secure our treaty with Queen Isabella, and then produce an heir so we may have succession and stability." Harry laid out his plans as Edward looked to the fire, the nightmares reliving themselves in his mind.

"But...is it agreed?" Maggie voiced concerned

"Why else would I say it?" Harry replied

"Wishful thinking, for one reason." Ned grumbled causing his brother to turn slightly and glare at him.

"Congratulations your grace." 

"The wedding will be set for June." Harry added

"If we can assist with the preparations in anyway. And we will be..uh... sure to congratulate the Princess." Pole spoke between his wife and the Prince. This caused a chuckle to erupt from Ned's direction.

"That will prove difficult. It seems my Lady Grandmother has risen above her nation and sent her from the palace." Harry gave a side eye to his father who seemed unfazed.

"Yes there is great debate amongst the siblings." Ned snorted

"Please do as your Grandmother sees fit and stop antagonising your brother. We have pain enough without having a family war." Henry voiced towards his red head twin son.

"Of course, Father but nothing need prevent you writing for papal dispensation when you see fit." Harry pressed making Ned sigh but jumps slightly back as their father rose to his feet and paused for a second before walking over to Maggie.

"Tend to Meg, Lady Pole. She is soon to leave for Scotland and needs a mothers help before she goes. She has been denied that...so you will have to suffice." Maggie bowed her head and then Henry turned and walked towards Edward leaning into his ear.

"Keep an eye on her." Henry told his son

"Yes, father." Ned agreed and everyone departed from the Kings chambers. For his parents and more to him, his mother he would keep a keen eye on his Aunt.