Son of Hope

Chapter Four - Arguments

Ned and Harry were at odds now more than ever. Everyone assumed that Harry would take the title as the Prince of Wales but King Henry had declared otherwise and now it was official and in writing that Ned was the new Prince of Wales and after the death of his father would become King of England. Nothing had gone the way they had thought.

"I am the true Prince of Wales."

"The Prince of Wales is the eldest son, Arthur was the eldest son. Upon his death mother was supposed to declare who out of the two of us was born first. She didn't, it fell to father to name his heir out of the two of us and he named me, in the eyes of law and God I am the Prince of Wales whether you like it or not." The two argued and Harry rounded on his brother. "I don't know why you're even fighting this, you've never wanted to be King, you've never shown a interest in it until Catherine came along." he stopped

"Oh...oh how remiss of me. You don't actually want the crown. You just want the Princess. All these years and I've ignored that fact." Edward shook his head "Now you have nothing. Father plans to make her our step mother and had declared me his heir. Suddenly you're not the most important person in the world."

"Me wanting to be King, what about you."

"It was never the plan for either of us to wear the crown, you moron. You were to be a man of the cloth and I was to be a leader of an army. That was what was set out for us. This is the course we are set on, now are you going to accept it or are you going to be a baby about it and send us into another war of the roses?" Ned bit back silencing his brother. Neither of them wanted separate houses which their parents and united under their marriage. "Didn't think so." he grabbed his cloak and left his brothers chambers.

Ned headed to a council meeting with his father as the new Prince of Wales. Listening to business that one day he would have to deal with. Only for Harry to follow and cause a scene. Which was taken outside. Ned watched as his father and brother argued.

"How dare you challenge me? It was your mother dying wish. Does that mean nothing to you?" Henry argued at his son.

"She was dying! She was in agony!" Harry retorted

"And you would put yourself ahead of the Queen's command?" Henry rebuffed. Ned winced daring not to get in between the two unless necessary.

"No I think that you asked this from her, encouraged by my traitorous brother and his fanciful dreams." Harry pointed to him. "Why would her final wish be to take away my happiness?"

"You always think everything is happening to you."

"I think, father, that you're jealous. Jealous of my confidence and my courage. And I think you seek to take away the one thing that I desire." Ned couldn't help but scoff and roll his eyes.

"Desire, you only desired her in the first place because you couldn't have her and you coveted our brother. I've heard enough of this, come find me when you've grown up Harry." Ned left passing his grandmother and went out for a ride.

-----------

After a brief conversation with his mother and watching Harry storm off. King Henry dined with his betrothed in the council chambers. It was awkward and quiet for the two for many time. Neither was fully committed to the proposal. But both sat there in silence showing to God that they were willing servants of his. Henry smiled a little as a thought crossed his mind.

"Why do you smile your grace?" Catherine questioned making Henry chuckle.

"I smile because we're both clearly having such a splendid time of it." he jested in sarcasm . Catherine smiled as well "When one is King, one dines for many reasons with many guests. For politics, to gain intelligence, to push a truce, to pursue a bride." he stopped on the last.

"I'm not unfamiliar with the sensation of this table growing longer nor the food growing more tasteless upon the plate." he pushed his food away

"I am sorry. I do not wish to take away your appetite." she apologised "Did you and the Queen take all your meals in here."

"Goodness, no. Hope felt this room extremely foreboding, look at it." Henry scoffed slightly as Catherine took the question to make more conversation with the King.

"Arthur liked to eat under the trees. He would have taken all of his meals outside, come wind or rain." Catherine voiced about her late husband.

"His mother was similar given the chance. When we were first wed, I arranged picnics throughout the grounds. I tried everything to warm her heart." Henry drifted off remembering her in the early years of their union.

"She was cold to you?" Catherine questioned

"Mm."

"But you were so in love. A blind man could see it." she countered taking a sip of her wine and then resting her hand back on her lap.

"The battle for her heart was hard won. Winning the throne of England was less arduous." he gave a sorrowful hint of a smile.

"When did you know that she loved you?" Catherine wondered

"I could not tell you the hour but a memory comes to mind that makes me think fondly the the tides had begin to turn. It was after her sister Elizabeths wedding. She was so happy at the fact that she had managed to quell unrest within the family she beamed at me and took my hand as we talked she invited me to spar with her."

"The Queen was a fighter?"

"Yes, in more ways than one, we sparred the next day and when she bested me she had this look in her eyes. Something I will never forget, that look she gave me, peace fell over my heart and a sense that when I was with her i was home." Catherine warmed a little to the sentiment. "You know you have the look of her in your eyes." the moment was gone. He chuckled

"You both had parents who not so much raised too but smelted you." Catherine laughed slightly

"I am a lump of steel." Catherine attempted to joke

"Did you know that Hope's father raised her to be Queen?" he wondered

"I did not."

"Yes, King Edward the fourth. He and Elizabeth and Hope and Lizzie first. I was told that he himself name Hope and over the years he had dreams of her being Queen. It lit a fire in him that was not quenched with the arrival of his sons. He taught her everything he knew, she would be taken from her nursery and spend hours with him as he went about a Kings business. When she was older he taught her how to fight, how to rule. But it was through her own volition that she took her sister out onto the streets of London to connect with the people. She was made of fire in a lot of ways."