Son of Hope

Chapter Thirty Seven - Uproar

-Edward-

Our arrival back in England was a sickly sight to behold. Not only were people rioting in the streets. But neighbour turned against neighbour, the average man fighting against my men. I know in recent times I had to make harsher decisions for the benefit of the country, and that also recently the materials and merchandise that we received from trading were of better quality but this was utter carnage of choices.

"How are we to get through?" I call then turn back to Stafford "Stafford Protect the Queen and my children!" I rode ahead trying to find a safer way through when Charlie stopped me

"Your Majesty!" I turned "The Prince and Princess, they're missing." my heart dropped and i jumped down from my horse and went back the way i came

"Hope! Sebastian!" I shouted shoving my way past people "Hope! Sebastian! Hope! Sebastian !" I stop seeing Catherine but she runs off.

"Sebastian! Hope!"

"I found them!" Stafford called

"Catherine! Catherine! Stafford's found them! He's found them" she ran back to me and We ran to the children picking them up in our arms. "I held Sebastian and Catherine had Hope. We made our way back to the horses and took them personally back to the castle. Sebastian clung to me as i met with Oviedo and Henry Pole. Our court from our trip trickled in slowly as i was made aware of everything else I had missed.

"This also came from your sister." I was handed a letter and adjusted my petrified son before opening it. I red it over and shook my head.

Dear brother,

I write to you in desperation. I have learned my husband James IV, did not die at Flodden but escaped and lives! This means my marriage to the Earl of Angus is unlawful. I have checked this in law books. Please appeal to the Pope on my behalf. He must annul my marriage.

"Edward." Catherine called I turn to her as she holds onto Hope who hides in her mothers neck. "I'm afraid for our children."

"So am I. But what we saw is only the tip of the chaos ensuing in our land. Treason, murder, theft, rioting and then this." I hand her the letter "Meg whining again and trying to shame me to all of Christendom. She's even trying to resurrect the dead Scots King. Come we must take the children inside, they will stay with us this evening." I pulled her in.

My dearest sister Meg,

I bid you please desist your letters and this blasphemous assault on marriage. I have supported you and your regency in every way I can. But you must accept your marriage has been made in God's eyes and the laws. You shame yourself in trying to revoke it. Make your peace with Angus and be a good wife to him...

I read over Catherines shoulder as she tried to quell the temper of my sister. I kissed her head and then went to speak with Thomas More and my sister in law Eleanor. He read out a list longer than my arm of charges that barely covered the entirety of London.

"Edward, about our children." Catherine entered and I gestured for her to hold off for now.

"They rebelled against you, surely they must be punished." Eleanor voiced

"Edward, you must show them mercy." Catherine INSISTED

"Mercy? You saw the chaos in the streets. What made the twins run from us, what they saw. The bloodshed." she nodded

"I know and they are disturbed by it. Please." she came to stand in front of me "Spare them from further pain. Save their innocence." I stroked her cheek and glanced away.

"For minor infringements such as theft and rioting, all those arrested will be conscripted to the army. Then after training will take up posts away from London, they're minim pay must be marked down to their next of kin and as punishment will not personally see anything they make. Those of murder and treason will be hanged or beheaded. the placed upon the thames as a stark reminder that we do not tolerate such means of airing grievances.

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When morning light came the handful of men that committed treason and murder were brought forward to be hanged as I watched. Catherine and Lina eventually joined me.

"Edward, I beg you to reconsider."

"I made my decision last night." I replied resting my arms in front of me Thomas More addressed them loudly for all of us to hear.

"The condemned have been found guilty of murder, and attacks on foreign persons and treason. Do you have any final words?" Thomas asked 

"Mercy please." then others called for mercy.

"Where was the mercy when you murdered and committed treason?" I question "When you played God with peoples lives. What mercy did you have then?" i shook my head

"Continue." i order and Catherine grabbed my hand

"Please Edward, not for me but for our child." she rested my hand against her stomach "Do not let them witness it." she pleaded and I stared at her shocked for a moment

"please."

"Wait." I called and the press stoped "Let them loose and take them to the depths of the tower. They will not die today but nor will be free of their crimes.

"God save the King!" Stafford called and others followed