The Forgotten Rose {COMPLETED}

Part I: Chapter Twenty-One - New War

"We are to go to war with France." King Edward proclaimed as he rose from his throne. There was a spring in his step as he marched towards his two brothers. "We shall take back what is ours. We shall not only have Calais, but Normandy, Anjou and Flanders. And every other French territory."

Richard smiled at his brother Edward as he placed his hand upon his back.

"My brothers shall be at my side?" He asked George as his arm coiled around his shoulder. George nodded. He did not wish to be at court with Edward, never mind go to war with France. He wanted to be at his London home with his wife, his new son and preparing for his own coronation.

There were many in the hall that day. The King was declaring war, everyone wanted to be there.

Lord Stanley, Hasting and Buckingham all stood proudly. They would be there in France, fighting for King and country. Them, and every other man in that room who was of age. Just the thought brought joy to the men who thirsted for blood. They had missed war, raised through the cousins war bloodshed was second nature to them. Another war would suit them well.

The Queen stood to the side with her eldest children. Her daughters Elizabeth, Mary and Cecily who had all grown tall and her younger son Prince Richard. Prince Richard was still a babe in arms but he was immersed in court. Wrapped in furs to keep him from catching a chill he watch as his father talked of war with a wide grin as if he understood his every word. Queen Elizabeth often feared for her sons, they would all be off to war as men. They would all see violence. All men did. Her two sons by John Grey had already seen blood. It had changed them. Forced them into manhood too fast. They were still boys when they had fought at Tewksbury.

Every time war came back into the courts gossip Elizabeth feared, her mother was dead. Almost four years had passed from that tragic day. But no number of days could ease such pain. She did not wish to be alone, not with her husband fighting over seas. If truth be known she wasn't simple scared he was terrified.

"My Prince, shall run court in my absence." Edward proclaimed and people began to mutter. He could not rule, the boy was not yet five and his mother would rule through him. And they did not want a woman ruling the country. Never mind Elizabeth Woodville, the commoner Queen of England. They named her witch and said she cursed the King. She would send the country into dept and chaos.

"Do not fret, we shall not be gone long enough for her to ruin our country." Edward chuckled to his peers. He had every faith in Elizabeth looking after his son. She was more of a king than he was. If anything the country would thrive with her ruling for their boy.

Margaret Beaufort stood beside the Queen and tried not to utter some curse. Although she did snort at the thought of a woman ruling. Women's duty was to have children, a feet Elizabeth seemed to find simple. Men ruled countries. Women did as commanded and mothered children. Unless like Margaret they wished to live a holy life. But either way, a woman could not rule as well as a man.

Elizabeth Woodville would bring only trouble to court in her husbands absence. Most likely have another child too. Another Yorkist baby to over take Margaret's son in the race to the throne. The day she saw York fall would be the greatest day of Margaret's life. Her son would be King. He would return from exile and she would be the Kings mother. He would be King Henry Tudor of England.

Edward looked around his court. "To victory." He called and they all cried his words back to him. He almost laughed at them. Loyal subjects. He knew if he had called those words upon the battle field they would have drawn their swords and held them in support.

"God save the king." Richard shouted as he marched in front of his brother. "God save king Edward."

"God save the king." The crowd cheered. All other than George. Edward saw his lack of enthusiasm as knocked into George's side.