Kingmaker

King Henry #1

King Henry, a man of 36 years sat upon the throne-like chair at the head of the long oak dining table. Many said he was fairly young for a King, but the King himself had to disagree sometimes; and often said that he was old. But he laughed at the matter. In his years as King, he had witnessed many men rise to, and fall from power. He had seen murder, and bloodshed. Some of it by his own hand had the need arose. When it had came to the Houses of York and Lancaster, it brought much conflict to his mind, and to those around him. Richard Neville had seen his anger at the conflict firsthand, being victim to one of the King's angry outburts that left him with one or two bruises. When the King heard of what had happened with the House of York and one it's members; it once again brought about the conflict. And in the days running up to Ava arriving at the castle, Neville had once more talked the King into hearing what the girl had to say. Despite the conflict in his mind, the King had agreed. He saw the light in Neville's eyes when he spoke of Ava. And he saw how the man acted now that she was in the castle. There was an odd air above the pair. But King Henry already knew, Plantagenet as well. Neville, like Stafford, had some draw to the young Ava Woodville. Maybe it was her rebeliousness. Or maybe just her courage and bravery in fleeing the House of York. No doubt she had information. And she would more than likely give up said information without a fight. She wouldn't even need to be bribed for it like many others would.
He cast aside the thought of what the men thought of Ava. His mind drifting back to the Houses in question. If Ava did have information for the House of Lancaster, what kind of information would she share? There were many things that would be of some use to Lancaster, but what things would she share? Information regarding the number of soldiers, the number of armed men guarding the royals at one time, the guard shifts, the number of horses, the current health status of the elder Yorks. It would all be of some use in some way or another. And he was sure that she would have information on Sir John Howard and Sir Henry Stafford. He knew that she had some connections to the pair, one slightly more intimate than the other. But she despised the pair enough to get angry when they were even mentioned near her; so speaking of the Yorkist knights probably wasn't in their best interests right now. Maybe Neville would keep her calmer if they were mentioned, but even so, her hatred for them was as deep as ever.
King Henry was rattled from his thoughts as Sir George Plantagenet entered the great hall, followed by Ava, and Sir Richard Neville. Ava had since returned Neville's cape to him, and now wore nothing but the clothes on her back, and the tattered remains of the York flag around her waist. The knights took their seats; Plantagenet on the left, and Ava beside Neville on the right. "Sire, I believe you know Ava Woodville, daughter of Evette and Thomas Woodville. Sister to one of the great York knights, Eric Woodville" announced Neville, motioning to Ava at his side as she bowed to the King, the man nodding to her with a smile before motioning for her to take a seat. "Miss Woodville. It has been a while since our paths crossed. It is my understanding that you have fled the House of York, and now wish to ally yourself with the House of Lancaster. I see that Sir George and Sir Neville have already made you quite welcome. I am quite shocked really. It has been a while since a York has defected households. But it seems that you have made quite the impact on the House of York in your actions. The knights are in such a kerfuffle that they are unsure as to what to do now. I have never seen them so up in arms over one person" he gave a hearty laugh at the thought of it all. "I have heard much about you, Ava" continued the King once he had calmed his laughter. "And I must say that the House of Lancaster would be wise to accept you. So it is in my duty that I give you, by permission of the crown, to ally with the House of Lancaster.  We will find you a sword, new clothes, and... A Lancastrian flag to replace that York one. Ava, stand, if you will" It wasn't really an order, but Ava wasn't going to be disobeying any time soon.
Once she was standing, the King motioned for Neville to stand aswell. "Sir Richard. Strip that flag from her waist, and tear it with your sword. Burn the remains, and find Miss Woodville a Lancastrian flag to replace it. She will also require a Lancastrian knight outfit" Without hesitation, Neville stood from his seat, drawing his sword from its sheath before cutting the flag carefully from Ava's waist; offering a smile to her as he did so. He proceeded to cut it into several strips, before tossing it onto the fireplace that sat on the south wall. "I will find a flag and some clothes for her once we are done here, Sire" commented Neville as he returned his sword to its sheath.
King Henry nodded with a broad smile. He truly believed that Ava was perfect for the House of Lancaster. "Very well Neville. The three of you return to me once you are done. I would like to see how Miss Woodville looks in Lancastrian colours" He chuckled once more as he noticed Ava's cheeks turn pale pink in a blush. The action also earning a soft chuckle from Neville and Plantagenet.  The blushing was ever so adorable. As the trio now walked from the great hall, Ava glanced at Neville's sword at his waist. He caught her eye, and offered a smile. "The King will give you a sword when we return to him. First, we must find you some clothes and a flag"
This was happening. Her allegiance with the House of Lancaster had been confirmed. News would soon reach the House of York. Be it via a spy, or by Ava being seen by Sir Henry Stafford or Sir John Howard. Things were about to change. A lot.

[Authors Note: Success! She's now in the House of Lancaster. To add to all of this, I have a little secret. But you'll have to read on to find that out!]