The Last York Prince [AU]

Inquiring Part 2

(Richard searches for his other half brother with the help of William. Lizzie and Henry must decide soon)

Richard accompanied Arthur back to London as the king and queen were preparing to leave England to Spain to negotiate a marriage deal for Arthur.

Richard asked Maggie if he could talk to her after lunch. They took a walk to the garden.

"Where's John?", asked Richard.

Maggie sighed. "He's somewhere in The Tower".

"Somewhere?".

"Henry wouldn't tell me", said Maggie.

"Your husband or the king?", Richard asked.

"Does it matter?".

"It does. He's my brother. I have to know".

"If you go and see him, they would think you're plotting something", Maggie whispered.

Richard spotted Margaret Beaufort not far with her ladies. My Lady The King's Mother walked towards them.

"What are you two brewing about?", she asked.

"Nothing, Your Grace", Maggie bowed.

"I was simply asking Maggie to accompany me for a walk. It's a nice weather out here", said Richard with a smile.

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to, bastard. Henry and Jasper may show you favours, but not me", said Margaret Beaufort.

"Good, I'm not expecting anything from you", said Richard, still smiling.

Maggie tugged Richard away and made sure they were far enough from her. She wondered what Richard was planning.

"For my sake..., and your mother, please don't do whatever it is you're planning to do", said Maggie.

"I'll be fine, Maggie. I promise", said Richard.

Richard took a couple days to figure out how to find his way into The Tower. John was nowhere shown in any up to date record, so the logical answer was he was either dead or locked away like Teddy.

Richard finally used the excuse to visit Teddy. His eyes watched all signs of entries and exits as he walked to Teddy's cell.

Teddy was beyond excited to see Richard. He hugged his little cousin for a while before letting Richard go.

"I'm sorry I couldn't visit you any sooner", said Richard.

"Maggie told me that you've become Duke of Gloucester and Bedford. I'm so happy for you", Teddy said gleefully.

Richard played with Teddy until he was summoned by the Privy council for a little meeting. Teddy was a bit sad, but he understood.

"It's alright, I'll come by again. I promise", Richard smiled.

"I know you will", said Teddy.

Before Richard left, he whispered to Teddy. "Do you know where John is?", he asked.

Teddy nodded and pointed his fingers to the floor. "If they know you know...", said Teddy before he mimicked being slit at the neck.

Richard put his finger to his lips and Teddy imitated him. "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul", he whispered.

That night, Richard sat down with William at the stables. His caretaker sighed upon listening to Richard's plan.

"Now, you've gone as mad as your uncle", said William.

"My uncle wanted the crown. I simply want to see my brother", said Richard.

"You think you can slip by her nose?", asked William.

"I have an advantage", said Richard.

"Your mother specifically asks me to stop you whenever you plan on using magic!", William scolded quietly.

"What do you expect me to do? Ask nicely? Surely, she'll laugh at me", said Richard.

"All I ask is to bid time. This is not the right time", William advised.

"When, William? When he's dead?! They've taken my father! My mother was forced to marry him, although I can't deny that they love each other. My sister? God knows where she is.... John is closer than I know. I have to know how is he", said Richard.

"I'll find him and deliver whatever message you want to convey", said William.

"I cannot implicate you even further. You have children to look after. I have nothing, but my name", said Richard.

"You have your cousins. You have your siblings you need to protect", said William.

Richard looked up, wondering if anyone ever protected him besides William. He often prayed to all his deceased family members, even the ones who didn't know who he was.

"I have nothing more to lose, William. I have nothing", said Richard.

"Yes, you do! You have your people! You have your family! Don't be a fool..., not when she's watching", said William.

"Do you know where he is?", asked Richard.

"Not yet".

Over the next few days, Margaret Beaufort watched as Richard accompanied Arthur in every single affair. She even have her ladies to watch wherever Richard, William and his children went.

William had anticipated it when his daughter Sarah complained about the ladies following her everywhere she goes. He must sought another help.

Letters were no longer a viable option since William figures Margaret Beaufort would be filtering all outgoing and incoming messages and letters. He sent his son Drew to town in the guise of buying some supplies.

Drew kept the small scroll carefully as instructed. He was skinny so it was easy to elude the ladies that were following him.

He arrived at the red door and knocked as William had taught him. A man opened the door and smiled.

"You're one of William's rut, eh?", asked the man.

Drew nodded and handed him the message. He quickly took off and the man quickly shut the door.

He unrolled the paper and read it under the light of the candle. He burned the letter and begin to prepare for tonight.

THAT NIGHT

Edward met up with William not far from The Tower. Edward handed William some light and concealable weapons and they both got readied.

"Is this what the prince truly wanted?", asked Edward.

"If this will put him at ease", said William.

"Well, what are we waiting for?", said Edward.

They snuck around, using the bushes as their advantage. Once they found the blind spot, they began to scale the wall.

Up there, they had no choice but the subdue two guards. They took the guards' uniforms and began to find John.

MEANWHILE, IN SPAIN

Henry found Lizzie staring out of the window. He figured whatever the Spanish monarchs had told her, since he didn't speak their language, caused her to feel heavy with guilt.

"What else they asked?", he asked.

Lizzie gulped, didn't know what to say. What they asked of her, to kill the claimants of York, which included her own son, was not something she could do. What kind of mother she will be?

"Lizzie...?".

"Nothing, Henry. I'm fine", Lizzie lied.