Kingmaker

Coronation #1

Days passed since Ava had last spoken to her men; the soldiers expressing their concerns for her to Sir Richard and King Henry. They spoke of how they were concerned about her mindset and her overall attitude towards York and Lancaster. She had been acting differently ever since York had captured her and beaten her mercilessly when she didn't give them the information they wanted. They knew she still hated York with a passion and seemed to do so more and more each day. So much so that she had almost solidified herself and her emotions to York. But all of that could change in mere minutes.
Now, on the day of the King's Coronation. She had chosen to stand as one of the King's Guard. Waking early to dress, pull on her armour and set her sword neatly at her side. She wore the colours of the King; armour that gave no indication that she was female. Her face hidden under her helm, and her hair tied up so that it couldn't be seen. In silence, she stood before the mirror in her room; just staring at her reflection. Even as Sir Richard walked to her side, she kept her gaze ahead of her. The knight feared for her today. He had wanted her to squire for him, just so he knew she was nearby and that she was safe. He would've seen her more had she squired for him. But she had chosen the option of guarding their King. Maybe she didn't trust the men that already stood with him. Or maybe she knew something that they didn't. Either way, he sighed. Gripping her hand to snap her from her stare at the mirror. "Be careful out there today, love. Remember there are people here who love and need you. Should you wish it. You can leave the King with his men and join me near the lists. I will be jousting today against the men we are at war with. Though it doesn't seem wise, the King has insisted that we have the York knights here today. He is fair and gracious. The knights wouldn't try anything whilst there are so many witnesses" He had to reassure her. Even if it meant repeating things that she already knew.
"You'll be jousting men that want to kill us, Richard. I'm already afraid of what will happen today. I know King Henry wants the York knights here. It seems almost like a kind gesture as though he expects them to halt their attacks on us and to ease off a little. But I doubt they will. Today, if they make any advances towards our King. I'll do my duty. I'll protect the man as I swore I would on the day I came here. And if I die doing my duty. Then so be it. Maybe it'll be one good thing I do in this life" sighed Ava, turning to her husband as she pulled off her helmet before setting it on the small oak table beside the mirror.
"Promise me you'll be careful. Their King will be here to support his knights, and he will be sat opposite King Henry with his own guards. Even if he is not a King to us, he is a King to them. Don't do anything that could put you in danger" As he spoke he could see in her eyes that she had questions. But the one he knew. "Your family will be here. With them being a family linked to knights, they will be here. Don't approach them. You're not as they remember, and they're not as you remember. Everything has changed now, Ava. We need to be more careful, and even if you want to speak to your family. Please, don't risk it. If they approach to talk to you before you reach King Henry. Speak respectfully, keep your helm on. They might not even notice that it's you" He spoke softly to her, watching her eyes as he did so. He could see the doubt, regret and the fear in her eyes. This would be the first time she had seen her family since she had defected. All that had changed about her was that she had aged, had 2 children, and married. And been in several battles, but that was an obvious thing when she led an army.
"I'll be careful, Richard. My family shouldn't be so quick to run to me if they see I have my own soldiers around the place. The men wear the same colour cape as I do to show who they are, and whose army they are in. They will be easily seen, and my men have a significant presence today. I asked for it, and King Henry allowed it. My men will also protect you and Sir George as you joust today. I know that your own men will be here as well. But the extra security is necessary, and this will also put pressure on York to stay their blades today. They won't step out of line when they are so severely outnumbered. I put thought into this today. And don't worry, Richard. My helm won't be leaving my head until York have left these grounds after the banquet" Ava finally smiled as she spoke, and Sir Richard smiled back to her. She knew her role today and knew it well. She knew that she had to be respectful, and she knew that the King was her main priority, but she was also allowed to move around. All as long as she kept the King within her line of sight and didn't stray too far from him unless the King himself had said she could do so.
Sir Richard nodded to her words, moving a hand to her cheek gently. "I have one request, dear. Will you lead me and my horse out to the jousting field?" It was a simple thing to want. And one that would leave a small mark on the York knights. The pair already knew what Ava looked like in armour, so they would know it was her instantly. It would also show them that she was armoured, armed and prepared for anything they could throw at her, her King or her husband. It almost seemed like a provocative technique, but it was far from that as Ava was just doing her duty to the King.
"It would be an honour" smiled Ava as Sir Richard drew her close for a slightly awkward hug with their armour. The pair chuckled at how their armour had made the hug awkward, but it had made them smile and it was something to lighten the mood. "Come. We must get outside and prepare. Everyone should be arriving now, and I need to check my horse, and I'm guessing you need to check that your men are in their places?" commented Sir Richard as they separated now.
Ava nodded. "Indeed, though they should already be in their places. I discussed this with them last night, and they should all know what they are doing. If not, then I will make sure they know before I head to my own place" She smiled once more, kissing Sir Richard quickly before rushing out to speak with her men.
Sir Richard had watched her leave with a smile before rushing off to check his horse and mount up ready for the day's events. He was happy that it was Ava that would be leading him and his horse out to the tournament field. Usually, knights accepted favours from women in the crowd. But Sir Richard wouldn't be accepting any favours out of respect for Ava. That was another reason he had asked her to lead him and his horse. The King would announce them both as well. He had made it a thing now to announce both Sir Richard and Ava as both the Earl and Countess of Warwick. It solidified Ava's role in Lancaster and made it clear that she had significant standing in the house. Just as she did in York. Maybe even more so in Lancaster.

[Authors Note: I've been putting off the Coronation for far too long. And I know what you're thinking. Why would King Henry allow his enemies. Or more, INVITE them to his Coronation? It's simple really. A King's Coronation is an important event. A heavily guarded one. No one would dare attack him when there are so many guards around. And even as Lancaster and York are enemies, this is a very significant event. And having York there is a sign to the people of England that the houses are 'okay'. It's more to ease the minds of the people, as risky as it is. But we'll see how this plays out!]