The Last York Prince [AU]

Horseback Ride

(Richard takes his siblings and Margaret Beaufort to a horseback ride. John receives the message)

He looked up to see the guards. He frowned, what are they doing?

One of them slipped a folded paper through the hole. "We can't be long. The prince worries for your safety", said the guard before leaving with his partner.

The man reached for the paper and read it. He didn't know what had happened after his father was slain in battle.

"Dearest John,

You may not know me. I am Richard. We share the same father, though you must've heard the rumour of him and his niece, my mother, then that is who I am. Although, my mother had claimed me a bastard.

I lived with Maggie up till I was two before Lord Jasper Tudor took me in after she was wed to Sir Richard Pole. I have lived with him until his death not long ago.

The Tudor king has awarded me with father's Gloucester title and I've inherited Lord Jasper's title, Duke of Bedford. I am trying to gain their trust, perhaps one day, I can get you out safely.

Burn this letter. They can't know we're communicating.

Yours truly,

Richard".

John read the letter over and over. He has another brother? Apparently the rumour was true, but Richard wrote that he's a bastard.

He was relieved that his newfound brother was well cared for. He extended his hand to the candle and burned the letter. He felt hopeful for once.

MEANWHILE

Richard could feel a pair of eyes staring at him, as if trying to burn a hole on his head. He peered from the stained glass to see Margaret Beaufort's hateful stare at him.

After the church service, Arthur wanted to ride around the palace. Richard and Pole agreed and decided to ride with him.

"Wait!", a voice stopped them before they could begin.

Harry ran to his half-brother. "Richie, could you please take me with you?", he asked, batting his lashes to plead to his beloved brother.

"No, mother said you're too young! I should go", said Princess Margaret.

"What about me?", Little Mary toddled next to her nursemaid.

"I'm sorry, Your Graces, but all of you are too young", said Pole.

Richard watched as his three younger siblings looked disappointed. "Do we have a wagon, William? Perhaps, we can latch Pepper to it and I can take them with us", he suggested.

"I think we have. Besides, the weather is good for everyone today", said William.

Richard laid a clean cloth and loaded his younger siblings on it. Just as he walked to his horse, Margaret Beaufort walked out.

"And where are you taking the royal children, bastard?", she asked.

At this point, Richard silently rolled his eyes, wishing he could just kill her now. He turned to her and smiled sweetly.

"They asked to join Arthur on his ride. Since they're too young for horseback, I suggested the wagon", said Richard.

"Without any adult supervision? You may not", claimed Margaret Beaufort.

"I'll be riding with them, my lady", said Pole.

"I disagree. Children, come inside at once", said Margaret Beaufort.

"No!", Harry shouted.

"Harry, it's rude to shout to your lady grandmother", said Richard, gently.

"She always tells us we're not to mingle with you. I don't care if you're a bastard. You're my brother! I want to spend time with my brothers", said Harry.

Arthur tossed a gold coin to Harry, a reward for standing up what's right. Richard then have an idea to end the dispute.

"Perhaps My Lady The King's Mother would like to join us?", he suggested.

"I think that would be a great idea", said Princess Margaret.

Margaret Beaufort knew she's outnumbered. She sighed and relented.

Richard offered her his hand, to assist her to the wagon. She glared at him, but took his hand nonetheless.

They rode through the palace. Margaret Beaufort watched as the bastard conversed with his half siblings.

"Richie, if you could do anything in the world, what would you do?", asked Princess Margaret.

"I'd like to travel, see the world", said Richard, smiling lovingly to her.

"Can I come?", asked Harry.

"No, you're destined to be the pope. Popes don't go gallivanting around", said Margaret Beaufort.

Harry groaned as Richard patted his head. "That's not fair", Harry mumbled.

"Where would you go?", asked Little Mary.

"I don't know yet. Perhaps everywhere. Perhaps, maybe I'll never get to see the world", said Richard.

"You can, brother. No one's stopping you", said Arthur.

"I wish I could go with you", said Princess Margaret.

Richard knew about the betrothal. He sighed and turned to his sister.

"Sometimes, there are things we want but can never have. Sometimes, what we don't want, is what we have to do. When you're older, Margaret, you'll understand your responsibility to this family. It's not what I like, but it's what you have to do", said Richard.

William smiled at Richard's wise words. Margaret Beaufort stared at Richard, surprised at his words.

"Jasper seemed to have taught you a lot", said Margaret Beaufort.

Richard didn't say anything, merely keeping his head forward. He wanted to scoff, but refrained himself.

At the end of the day, after the ride, Richard would spend time at the library alone. He looked around and when the coast was cleared, he began to write another message to John.

That night, as Richard laid in his bed, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He got up to see the full moon high up in the sky.

He laid back down, trying to sleep. He eventually did, only to find himself knee deep in the river.

He looked down to see Teddy's head and two others with him. He felt pain in his chest, was Teddy going to die soon?

He looked up to see Lady Mother, looking at him as if she's mourning him. She approached Richard.

"Am I to die soon, Lady Mother?", he asked.

Lady Mother nodded. "You must run, Richard. Run before they catch you", she said.

"I can't leave Teddy behind!", said Richard.

"Either you leave him or die with him", and Richard woke up.