Son of Hope

Chapter Twenty - I shall do it myself

My family and I stood on the balcony addressing the court. Now that De la Pole was dead, I was to ride of to war and hopefully to victory.

"My loyal subjects. I leave you now in the care and protection of your beloved. The most loyal, faithful and fiercely protective woman here. I make her now in my absence, Captain of the forces and regent of England." they cheered and clapped as kissed her head.

"I...humbly thank your grace. I swear I shall fulfil your trust in me, for your sake and for the sake of my unborn son. The future King." the radiated their chow in applause "Come home soon." With one finally kiss I left and Harry joined my side.

"Are you sure you want to ride with me? Your wife has just given birth to your daughter."

"Trust me it is better for both of us if I have time to reconcile with the fact." I stop him

"Son or daughter, you are a father. They will give you a love you realise that you can't live without. Are you sure your willing to risk that so soon after meeting her." he paused "Stay here. Be with Eleanor and Isabella. Enjoy your family and keep an eye on mine."

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My dearest spouse, my darling man, my king.

I hear that you have made camp at Therouanne and that you have besieged the town. This will be the first of many great victories for you, Edward. For myself I must deal with these troublesome Scottish raids. General Howard and Prince Harry rally stout Englishmen to assist our depleted army. I believe that many fine Englishmen will heed the call for your glory and repel the Scots. But these are matters that need not trouble you, my King.

I am well, and your son grows each day. I was told that war finds men and childbirth finds women. We endure what is given to us, each his own. perhaps this is the way of things.

Your ever loving wife,

Queen Catherine, regent of England.

I smiled at my wife words and tucked away her letter with the others that she had sent. Then I went to speak with Oviedo. We were making slow progress, but progress all the same. I was a King who rode and fought with his men while happy that my vision was not lost as my Catherine carried our child once more.

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We won, we were victorious and we rode back into London as heroes Not only that but Catherine had sent me the present of King James colours. defeated in battle and stained with blood. Which made our return ever more sweet.

"God save King Edward!" I jumped down and laid down the tunic out Catherine gift and knelt before her.

"Thank you for sending me King James' hide. my Queen." I gave her a beaming smile and she returned it in kind.

"A modest victory over a foolish border raid. Trifling in the shadow of your French triumph." I stood once more

"No victory is foolish, ones like ours make it into the book of history a story to be read. This tunic made the last battle more sweet and a startling reminder that we English are not to be trifled with. Now my gift to you, the Duke of Longueville in chains." I gestured to then entrapped man.

"What does one do with a French Duke?" Catherine jestingly wondered

"Put him in the tower." Charlie called "There he can contemplate his rotten french soul." we laughed and i turned my attention to Oviedo

"What are you doing just standing there?" I asked him "For the love of God go to her already." he took his cue and ran over to his wife.

"We shall feast tonight in celebration of our victories and give thank to almighty god." I declare "I'll be glad to be back in my own bed."

"in mine, please, my King." she requested and I cupped her face

"Not this time my love. Wolsey has advised me that it is not safe for the babe or for us until you have given birth and have been churched. now for a much needed bath." I headed inside to do just that.

"Later on I walked through from my room to Catherine's she was talking with one of her ladies. About listening to my stories instead of telling her own."

"Here's one then." I catch their attention and walked in."When the French felt the tide turning, they ran so fast from the field they left their spurs behind. I'm surprised we even saw them the smoke they left behind almost hid their cowardice. Stafford is calling it the battle of the spurs." she chuckled

"Bessie leave us." she curtsied and did

"I apologise for earlier, being so dismissive. I wish nothing more than to hold you and keep the two of you close. It's just that lately it feels as if what I have seen is out of reach and I dare not let it go."

"You have been through a trying time."

"We both have. Riding north, keeping my loose cannon of a brother and Howard in check."

"Your brother and Howard are loyal soldiers. But your sister Meg is grieving." she took my hand in hers

"Yes, she is. But from what Harry tells me, she tried to warn him, to stop what happened. She rode out and told him he shouldn't. He did not listen, he did not heed the gift that is in our bloodline. That is his folly. Now she is Queen and Regent I trust that once my sister has grieved she will done what her husband refused to and that is keep the peace between us. That is a small happiness." I smile but it loses a little of its lift "Though i must say it displeases me that you yourself would ride out in your condition, I could not have bared it if something were to have happened to either of you. You could have trusted Harry and Howard to do your bidding." I sigh

"But that is a conversation for another time. Come, my love." I escorted her out and to the celebrations.

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"For services to King and country and for helping me chase down those table French cowards..." there was laugh and small applause as I tapped the shoulders of Charlie and Henry Pole "I bid you now both rise. Sir Charles Brandon and Sir Henry Pole." I laughed a little embracing my friends and then turned to converse with Harry and Betty

"And for Thomas Howard, a commendation perhaps?" Catherine wondered making me turn to her.

"I think most titles have been used on you Sir Thomas." I chuckled "What do you give a man with so many humm? Will you allow my thanks to serve you till I can muster something worthy?"

"Your thanks is all I need my lord." he bowed his head

I was laughing and joking with my brother, Charlie and Henry when i felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and a pit in my stomach form. Stopping my conversation I looked around the room for Catherine but could not see her.

"Lady Blount, where is your mistress, the Queen? I cannot see her." she looked around but could serve me no answer. But looking at the exit. i left the festivities and ran outside. There she was in the middle of the gardens curled up. "Catherine!" I ran over

"No, I cannot, i cannot look." In the dimly lit world i saw stains on her dress. Then in front of her my still, un-breathing, not crying baby. "I can't look." A part of me broke once more knowing what was going on.

"Fetch a nurse! Now!" i held onto Catherine who wept and apologised at the same time.