The Last York Prince [AU]

Wales

LATE AUGUST 1494:

William quietly rolled the paper and slid it into a small metal box just behind the barns. Since living in Wales, it was harder to communicate with Burgundy. Perhaps Jasper Tudor had sensed an enemy, hence the move to Wales.

William took a break from his task to see Richard and his son, Drew in training. Arthur and Jasper were watching by the sidelines, next to the Poles.

Richard was quicker than Drew. The master at arms complemented Richard on his feet.

Maggie was worried, despite Richard was excellent at sword fighting at a young age. Her husband grasped her hand.

"He's doing just great, Margaret. Don't worry too much", said Sir Richard.

Maggie often prayed for Richard's safety and health. She was worried - Richard and Teddy were the last two York prince alive.

Richard toppled Drew down and earned applause from everyone. Despite the whispers of the courtiers, Richard had learned to ignore the gossips.

"May I practice?", asked Arthur.

"Your Grace, His Majesty specifically said not now", said the master at arms.

Arthur began to sulk, but Richard quickly made him smiled again. "It's alright, Your Grace. In due times, you will learn. I'm sure of it and I'll teach you myself", he said.

"How many times must I tell you? Don't call me that", said Arthur.

"Of course, brother", said Richard with a smile that reminded Maggie of her dear late uncle.

Jasper smiled, seeing how Richard and Arthur grew close, just as how Arthur and Gruffydd were close. Richard was very protective of his brother.

Arthur was the one who allowed Richard to address him as his brother. Even when his lady grandmother told him not to, Arthur was not having it.

Bastard or not, Richard was his brother and now, a royal duke. His proper title was 'His Grace', not bastard anymore.

That night, as Richard was preparing for bed, Jasper came in and wished to speak to him. Both sat by the fire.

"I'm glad Henry is kind to you, giving you your father's title", said Jasper.

"I'm glad too, my lord", said Richard.

"The king wishes for me to go to Burgundy, to negotiate with your York family to give up on this pretender. He also wants you to come along", said Jasper.

Richard wondered what it is like to meet his other family members, besides his mother, Maggie and Teddy. Will they know him?

"I've told the king it's dangerous to bring you to Burgundy. God knows how they'll react when they see you", said Jasper.

Richard studied the older man in front of him. Was he worried about Richard? Why would he be worried anyway?

"If the king wishes for me to go, then I'll go. I'll stay close to you, my lord", said Richard.

"You will do well to do so. Now, get some rest. You'll have plenty of lessons tomorrow", said Jasper before he left the room.

THE NEXT DAY

Richard pulled the bowstring, taking aim. He took deep breaths before releasing the arrow, which travelled straight to the center of the target.

The master at arms congratulated him. "Not many people can hit the target at their first try", he said.

It took Richard a couple weeks for him to understand the Welsh accent. He had quite the difficulty to understand what they were telling him.

Richard continued his archery lesson until noon. After lunch, he sat down to learn Latin.

Richard's mind flew elsewhere. He wondered how his other family members would look like. Would they look like his mother or like Maggie and Teddy?

Latin was finally over and Richard snuck away to the stables. Jasper has given him a horse of his own and Richard had loved it.

The horse, Pepper, was a speckled of black and white Palfrey. She, too, took a liking to Richard.

Richard fed Pepper with carrots and hays. Pepper neighed as she ate the carrots. Richard sat down next to Pepper, gently stroking her hair.

"We're going to Burgundy, Pepper. I can finally meet my other family members. What do you think they look like?", said Richard.

Pepper neighed, nudging Richard's face, causing the young lord to laugh. Unbeknownst to them, William was watching them.

He wondered what Jasper had told the boy about his father. He wondered what did Richard think of him.

Richard stayed with Pepper till late at night. Arthur looked at the table as he sat down for dinner and saw the empty spot.

"Where is my brother?", asked the Prince of Wales.

"The duke is in the stables, Your Grace", said one of his servants.

"Why? He'll catch a cold. Fetch him inside", said Arthur with the tone of authority.

When the servants came to find the young duke, they found him asleep next to his horse, who was sleeping too. They were unsure if they should wake him.

William told them to tell the Prince of Wales that the duke was asleep. William carried Richard back to his room.

After dinner, Arthur went into Richard's room. He climbed on the bed next to his brother and hugged him as he slowly drifted into slumber.

Jasper went to look for Arthur and found him asleep next to Richard. His mind thought about the poor Princes in The Tower, wondering what had happened to them.

Had Edward V lived, would Jasper and Henry be pardoned? But that wasn't the main thing.

Jasper often pondered about Richard's wellbeing. He had to admit that he had come to care for the bastard son of the old king.

He wondered..., would Richard III love him as he had loved Anne Neville and their son? Would the young duke in Jasper's care be treated with the same treatment as the previous Prince of Wales, Edward of Middleham?

He sighed as he sat down. He pulled a piece of parchment and his writing tools. With that, he began to write down his will and a letter to his nephew, the king.