Kingmaker

Silence of York #2

1 Week Later...

Unaware what had been said a week before. Ava, Sir Richard and Sir George raced around the courtyard on 3 new horses. All well trained stallions bred for speed and agility. Ava had completely forgotten about the wound in her thigh as it hadn't caused any pain for some time, so she went about her normal duties and had fun doing so. Her back had also stopped aching, so she was twice as happy about that. As the trio of knights raced around, they laughed and smiled; each trying to beat one another to certain points. They were definitely well rested now, and that was proven by how they were now bursting with energy.
"Can we joust?" called Ava over the hoofbeats, dropping her reins as they continued to canter around the courtyard. "You want to? I mean, we can" called Sir Richard in return. "Do you have armour, or do you need to borrow some?" asked Sir George as they slowed to a trot before dropping into a walk. "Can I borrow some? Mine took a beating when that soldier pretty much crushed me, and when Sir Henry Stafford decided I needed a few extra dents" "Wait. Sir Henry Stafford? Ava...." started Sir Richard. He had yet to hear of her encounter with Sir Henry Stafford. "What? The battle at Tewkesbury was hectic. I couldn't see anyone from our side. King Edward gave Sir Henry Stafford orders to attack me once I'd killed several of his personal guard. He took me down easily. And I'd lost my sword. I couldn't defend myself against him. If I tried punching him myself, he'd have probably grabbed my fist and crushed it"
The knight merely sighed. He wished she'd mentioned it sooner, but it hadn't seemed to bother her, and she hadn't complained about any pain where she'd been hit. So he chose not to further the topic, and neither did she. Simply went on to the jousting again. "You can borrow my armour" commented Sir George from the side as he returned with it. He'd left to collect it whilst Sir Richard and Ava had been talking. He'd purposely left them alone to talk, knowing that if he had heard what she'd said. He'd have ended up commenting on it and found himself at the end of Ava's sword. She'd never strike a friend. But she would threaten if she felt she was being victimised.
"On second thoughts... I'd rather watch you two first, if that's alright?" murmured Ava, backing her stallion up a little. She was actually afraid of hurting Sir Richard or Sir George. She knew how to joust. But she'd only ever ridden towards men she disliked. She loved Sir Richard, and liked Sir George. She'd never forgive herself if she hurt either of them with a lance. The knights merely nodded, both pulling on armour as they moved to the list. Squires handed them lances, before they charged towards one another.
Ava had turned away before they'd hit though. One of her soldiers calling to her from the camps off to the side. She rode to the soldier, 3 others joining him. "Evening gentlemen" she smiled softly, speaking lowly now. "What did you wish to speak of?" she asked, gazing down at the men. One stepped forwards. "We thought. That maybe...If yourself and Sir Richard had another child. That you could.. We.. We made something, Ava. We originally made it for Llane when he was old enough..." They stepped to the side to show a wooden carved rocking horse. Upon seeing it, Ava instantly covered her mouth. Tears forming in her eyes as she dismounted from her stallion to hug each of the soldiers carefully. "Thank you, gentlemen. How was I so honoured to have men like you on my side" The soldiers offered kind smiles. "How is it that we were honoured to be in your army" commented one of them, earning a smile from Ava. "Again, thank you gentlemen. It means a lot that you would do this for my child. Not a day goes by where I don't think of Llane. So young, and taken so soon. From me to you, I would like to try for another child. Maybe I'm trying to fill the void left when Llane died. I just miss having a baby in my arms. We had so much planned for him. His first horse. His first riding lesson. When he was old enough, his first sword. All of that got taken away by York. Do the men that say I'm York still say it? Now that my son has died by their blades?"
The eldest soldier shook his head. "No, not anymore. They stopped speaking about it a few weeks ago. If they even mentioned it, many of us Lancastrians quickly hushed them. It's not the kind of thing we like to hear either, Ava. We know your allegiance to Lancaster is true and we know Lancaster runs through your blood, almost. Don't worry about them, Ava. About York, I mean. Take each day as it comes, and live in the moment. We as an army are here to fight for Lancaster. For the crown. To protect King Henry. But we're also here for you. For Sir Richard and for Sir George. And for any children of course"
Sir Richard and Sir George had continued to joust. Listening in silence to the coversation between Ava and her soldiers. "Did you know she wanted another child, Richard?" asked Sir George softly as he came to a stop beide Sir Richard at the middle of the list. "I didn't ask her. Why?" questioned Sir Richard as he gazed behind Sir George to Ava. "She's speaking with her soldiers. They've made something for your next child. It was originally for Llane..." replied Sir George, watching as Sir Richard gazed at Ava. "How do I tell her that I feel the same?" he asked absent-mindedly. Sir George only chuckled. "You'll figure that out. Just hug her, do whatever it is you two do and see where it goes"
Sir Richard had cleared his throat in slight embarassment. Watching now as Sir George departed to wash his horse, and Ava returned to him with her horse at her side. She was smiling as two of her soldiers walked past carrying the rocking horse. "They made it. It's lovely, isn't it?" she smiled to Sir Richard, watching his gaze go to it briefly before returning to her.
"We overheard"

[Authors Note: Still debating whether they will actually have another child yet or not. Ava is allowed to want, as is Sir Richard. What do you think? Should Ava fall pregnant again? After the two year gap of silence from York. The child will be turning 2 years old. So. What do you think? Remember! This is just an idea. And might not even happen]