The Last York Prince [AU]

Wales Part 2

(Richard returns to Wales and confides in to William. Lizzie gets worried)

Under the tutor's watch, Prince Arthur began to write on his own. His newest appointed guardians, Sir Richard Pole and Richard, the prince's older half brother, watched close by.

"How are you?", Pole asked as he read some of the correspondences.

"I'm fine", Richard mumbled as he wrote letters.

"It's alright to be sad. I understand how close you are to Lord Jasper. His death is deeply mourned by many", said Pole.

"He was murdered", said Richard, eyes glued to his parchment paper.

"You couldn't have known that", said Pole.

"I found him with a pillow on his face. What else could explain that? He suffocated himself?", Richard said, angrily, but quietly.

"Is everything alright?", Arthur wondered what his brother and Pole were arguing about.

"Nothing, brother", Richard smiled.

"A small matter, Your Grace", said Pole.

Richard sat at the stables while William and Drew stacked the hays nearby. William sat next to Richard and sighed.

"What now?", he asked.

"I don't know", said Richard.

"How do you plan on telling the king?", asked Drew.

"I have written a letter. I didn't sign it; to make it look like it's the real deal", said Richard.

"You just want me to place it on his throne in the middle of the night? You think the guards won't see me?", said William.

"I know you know how to find secret passages. The king has to know, but it cannot come from me", said Richard.

"Come from you about what?", Arthur startled the trio.

Richard grabbed his jacket and wrapped his little brother. "What are you doing out here? It's too cold without a jacket", said Richard.

"I don't want to take my lunch alone", said Arthur.

"Right, come on", said Richard, taking his brother in.

As the two brothers ate lunch silently, Richard's sudden change of behaviour worried Arthur and their mother. He promised his Lady Mother he'd make sure Richard returned his normal cheerful self.

"Did you have other siblings? Besides us?", asked Arthur.

"Why are you asking that?", Richard looked up.

"I asked Lady Salisbury, but she seemed sad to talk about it", said Arthur.

"I do. Three others. Ned died a few years before I was born; Maggie said he was always sick. Kathryn was married off to a small lord. John was made Captain of Calais..., until your father the king ascended to the throne. I don't know where he is", said Richard.

"I'm sorry about that", said Arthur.

"It's alright, Arthur. It's not your fault", said Richard.

That night, Richard sat outside with Drew and William. The sky was clear and they can see the stars too.

"What if you get caught?", asked Drew.

"Then, you, Sarah and your father must go to somewhere safe. Start a new life..., away from the Tudors", said Richard.

"I can't leave you, Richard", said William.

"You have to, it's the safest option you have", said Richard.

"What about your cousin, Margaret?", asked Drew.

"So as long as she remained loyal to Tudors, she will be safe. She has children and I will not ask her to be an accomplice more than Burgundy had asked her", said Richard.

Everything went back to normal. Richard continued to help Sir Richard Pole to watch over his half brother, who was destined to be a great king, in Richard's opinion.

LONDON

Lizzie's hands were shaking as she sew. Henry placed the letter in his hands down and placed them over Lizzie's.

"He'll be alright", said Henry, knowing who Lizzie was worried of.

"He's a child, Henry. To be burdened with great responsibilities after Lord Jasper's death is too much for him", said Lizzie.

"I know, but he is strong. Pole wrote to me saying he's doing his duty as how my uncle had done", said Henry.

Lizzie nodded and smiled, despite her the sadness in her heart. That night, before taking the children to bed, Little Harry and Margaret asked her about Richard.

"Richie stops writing to us", Little Harry pouted.

"Your brother is quite busy now that he has taken over Lord Jasper's duty", said Lizzie.

"But he always writes! If I get married soon, will he still write to me?", asked Margaret.

"Of course he will! He's your brother and he loves you both dearly. Why don't I write to him and you two can sign the letter?", Lizzie smiled.

"Will he write back?", asked Little Harry.

"I'm absolutely sure he will", said Lizzie.

When Lizzie slept that night, she dreamed the floor was pooled with blood. She felt uneasy and walked to find the source.

She spotted who she thought was her brother Richard and her own son by the same name. Out of nowhere, her brother pulled out a sword and stabbed her son with it.

Lizzie screamed, but there was no sound coming from her mouth. She turned to see her husband's head on a spike.

Her brother sat on the throne, smiling. Her son was dead, like his father and she felt as if the air was restricting her breath.

Lizzie woke up to find Henry hovering above her, looking worried. Lizzie rose from her pillow to hug him.

"What's the matter?", he asked.

Lizzie shook his head. "It's just a nightmare", she mumbled.

"You're worrying too much. Everything is fine, Lizzie. I love you so much", said Henry.

Henry held Lizzie as she slept in his arms. He shared her worries, but he didn't show it, being the king and all.

What worries him even further was what Spain will answer when they head over there to discuss the wedding between Arthur and the Infanta of Spain, Catalina de Aragon. He hasn't stopped praying for everything to run smoothly and in favour with England.