Kingmaker

A Feast #1

5 days had passed since the battle at Tewkesbury. Lancaster had won, but their battle was far from over. Though they had been victorious, many of their surviving men had fallen ill, succumb to their injuries, or passed in the night from bloodloss. Thousands remained, but the loss had been great. In total, Lancaster had lost 4000 men that day. York only lost 500 more.
The remaining Lancaster forces had camped just outside of Warwick for 4 days, the men needing to recover for much longer before they had been able to march again. On the 5th day, they had marched through the mud once more. Rain battering them as they did so. The days and nights had been cold, but they'd had no choice but to remain until it became apparent that they needed to move onwards to Warwick Castle. They had arrived late on the 5th day. The men staggering straight through the grounds to their quarters for well earned rest and food.  The King was there to greet them once more, having ridden ahead 4 days earlier with his remaining soldiers. He had prepared a feast for the following night for the soldiers and the knights. They needed the food, the rest and just the chance to relax as much as they could. York wouldn't be attacking again any time soon. They needed time to recuperate their losses. But as did Lancaster. Many of the soldiers had received life changing injuries and would have to be dismissed from the army. Either that, or take up a different role within the Lancastrian forces.
The day after they had arrived back at the castle, the soldiers marched into the great hall. Or more, limped or dragged themselves tiredly. They all took their seats in silence as the King gave them no words to remain standing. Some could barely manage that. Sir Richard, Sir George and the generals had joined the King at the head of the great hall. Ava had not yet arrived. As this was a feast, many of the soldiers wore nice, decorative clothing suited for balls and such. Sir Richard wore clothing very similar to his normal wear, except he held a cloak over his left shoulder with gold trim. Sir George wore the same, but of his own respective colours and the same cloak as Sir Richard. The King allowed the men to talk amongst themselves as he moved out of the great hall to find Ava. And sure enough, he found her outside the great hall. Looking nervous, shifting her weight between her legs to ease the pressure on her thigh. "M'lady, Sir Richard waits inside for you" he stated softly, knowing she was nervous to be wearing the dress that had been a gift from the King himself. He owed his life to her, and saw it fit that he gave her something nice to wear to the feast. It was also to please Sir Richard. He had mentioned how he thought she would look beautiful in red and gold. And he was about to see her in those colours. "I know, Sire. I just feel rather unsettled without my sword" murmured Ava quietly. The King chuckled softly, gently taking her hand. "I would be surprised if you would need a sword today. Sir Richard, Sir George, our generals and the soldiers are waiting inside. There is a seat saved for you next to myself and Sir Richard. Come, the men will be happy to see you up and walking around after what has happened"
With a nervous nod, she held her head high as she entered beside the King. "My Lords. I give you, Lady Ava Neville of Lancaster" King Henry had merely said that to draw attention to her, giving a soft chuckle as her cheeks grew pink. The men had stared in silence as she had walked in alongside the King. The dress drew attention away from the slight limp she had. The dress drew attention away from the cuts and stitches in her face and on the side of her head. She bowed to the King as he left her, Sir Richard taking his place at her side as he gazed over the dress. It fitted her perfectly, and it did indeed make her look beautiful. In his eyes, she was always beautiful.
The dress itself was full length, dragging the ground ever so slightly. It was a beautiful mix of red and gold, with delicate red lace on the torso. A red hood that hung lightly near the back of the head. Long red sleeves that turned gold at the elbow before flaring out delicatly. She definitely matched Sir Richard as he too wore red and hints of gold. With a smile, the knight gently took her hand in his, pressing a soft kiss to her lips, before he led her to their seats beside the King and Sir George.
Once she was seated, the King smiled, looking over the soldiers before them. "Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight! We celebrate a victory over York! But not only that! We celebrate our generals. Our knights! For their leadership and passion! Our battle with York may not be over, but take tonight for yourselves! Eat, drink, dance! Tonight is a night for yourselves! You deserve it all!" With that, he raised his hands into the air slightly. "Feast, my friends" he smiled, taking his seat once more as the feast began. Servants rushing back and forth with food and drink. 4 servants stood behind King Henry, his wife Elizabeth, Ava, Sir Richard and Sir George. Though Ava scowled inwardly. She didn't like the idea of being above her soldiers. They had each served just as she had. Why did a title define her above them? But she chose not to speak on it. Not tonight.

As the night wore on, they all smiled, laughed and drank. Some of the men dancing with their wives as gentle music played off to the side of the great hall. Ava had sat and watched, her head resting upon her palm until Sir Richard stood to her side. "Shall we?" he smiled, offering his hand to her. She smiled, standing to place her hand gently in his. The knight leading her out to the space on the dancefloor. They bowed to one another, before the knight drew her close. Gently swaying and moving to the music as it played behind them. It was hard to believe that they could go from armour and swords to elegant clothing and dancing so gracefully. Even with Ava's slight limp, she managed to keep up with Sir Richard; the knight smiling down at her. "You look beautiful" he murmured softly, bowing his head near to hers. "I was nervous to wear this" replied Ava in a soft chuckle. "Fearful other men will look at you?"asked Sir Richard softly, shifting one arm around her waist as the other held onto her hand gently. "That, and the fact that I couldn't have my sword on me"replied Ava, bowing her head to his shoulder. He merely rested his head against hers gently. "Let them look. You look beautiful. Myself and Sir George have our swords, as do the guards on the doors. You don't need it, Ava" he murmured softly, pressing another soft kiss to the side of her head.
They continued to dance slowly to the music well into the night. Ava had danced with King Henry, Sir George, and several of her soldiers that had asked. She'd allow them that much. After all, she had a different view on her soldiers than most. And Sir Richard hadn't minded it. In fact, he liked that she treated her men this way. He knew how she felt about 'having power' over them, and he'd noticed how her men smiled at the difference in leadership. But overall, she'd danced the most with Sir Richard. The knight truly adored her, and even with all the scars. He loved her just like he had done when they first met. He smiled as they danced once again, the last dance of the feast before they would head back to their quarters for sleep.
During the final dance, Ava rested her head once more against his shoulder. His arm once more around her waist, holding her close as his other held her hand gently. Her own free arm wrapped around his torso. It was nights like this that they both loved. Of course, the conflict gave them both an adrenaline rush. But sometimes it was nice to just slow down.

[Authors Note: Okay, that was adorable. They had to dance. And they had to smile and be close like this. And I also really like Ava's dress. Like, I really like it. It's quite pretty indeed]