The Last York Prince [AU]

Negotiations

(It's up to Richard and Lizzie to unify the men into battle [In the series, the fire happened after the battle])

DOVER

Richard was busy spearing for fish, William and Drew were gathering firewoods while Teddy and Sarah played by the shoreline. As William and Drew approached the hut, one of the people from the town came running.

"Barnley! The king is coming!!".

William and Drew dropped the woods and ran back to the hut. Richard saw them and knew. Richard grabbed Sarah and Teddy and make it back to the hut.

William opened the secret hatch and both Sarah and Teddy hid under there. Drew would've stayed out, but William insisted him to stay with his sister.

"Whatever happens, do not ever come out. Look after your sister and Teddy", said William before he shut the hatch.

"Stay in here, William. Let me face him alone", said Richard.

"Are you sure?", William asked.

Richard nodded. He walked out towards the sea and continued to fish as if nothing was going on.

Henry and Pole rode with their men to where Richard was. They found the hut and they spotted Richard by the water.

Henry's men would approach, but Henry stopped them. "I'll go", he said as he dismounted his horse.

Henry walked towards the shoreline. "You're never going to get fishes like that!", Henry called out to the boy in front of him.

Richard had grew his hair, where it used to be under his ear and now it has reached to the nape of his neck. For a 13 year old, he looks taller than any average boy his age.

"Will you not bow to your king?", Henry called out again.

Richard stopped fishing to turn to the Tudor king. His face was the spitting image of his father, as if to mock Henry of who had to die for him to wear that crown.

"I've bowed before him and yet, I now have to run for my life", said Richard.

"I'm sorry, Richard. I truly am", said Henry.

"It doesn't matter", said Richard.

"Will you fight for your king? Or will you be with the pretender?", asked Henry.

"See, that's the problem, Your Grace. If I fight for you, at some point, you will have to kill me to honour Spain's agreement. You have to kill Teddy too and that, I can't allow to happen", said Richard.

"You think the pretender will spare you?", asked Henry again.

Richard shook his head. "I don't trust him. I doubt he would spare me. I'll always be a threat to him and his son".

"I need answers, Richard. Please...", Henry pleaded.

"What do I get in return? Only death awaits me", said Richard.

Henry sighed in defeat. He walked back and ordered his men to return back home.

NORTH OF ENGLAND, A COUPLE DAYS LATER

Richard stared at them, his eyebrows furrowed. "I'm doing what's best for England, my lords".

"By siding Tudor? He can't even hold an army without paying us to fight for him".

"England will want to see a York king, my lord. Like your father and his brother".

"And my mother is on the throne. York is still in power".

"We want a York king, not a York princess married into Tudor".

"You want me to fight a man who had graciously let me live so I can see another man with questionable background to rise to the crown? How credible is he? How can we be sure he is the son of Edward IV? If so, how am I sure he won't kill me or my mother's children just to secure himself on the throne?".

The lords didn't speak. Richard had began to get the hang around men like them.

"My lords, I am trying to avoid as much as bloodshed as I can. I know, I'm nothing but a boy; but if you know my father, then you should know what I want".

SOMEWHERE ELSE

Lizzie rode and spotted the army. She stopped the troops as they marched away from the battlefield.

She gave a speech, hoping to inspire the men to fight for Tudor. Of course, they had minor doubts, not only on Warbeck, but her son as well.

"What about your son, Your Grace? Rumours have it that he will fight with the pretender!".

"I know my son! He will fight by Tudor for the love of me, his mother!".

AT THE BATTLEFIELD

Henry walked out of his camp as his men shouted. He couldn't believe the men that his queen had brought. It may not be enough, but it will do. Until...

"Your Graces! Look!", said one of the soldiers. Henry and Lizzie turned around to see Richard galloping with a mass army following suit.

"It's Lord Richard!!", said the soldiers.

"We'll win, Your Grace, now that Lord Richard is with us", said the other.

Richard descended from his horse, walked towards Henry and Lizzie and knelt down. "Forgive me, Your Graces. I assured you I was merely mustering my army to fight by your side", said Richard, head bowed down.

Henry grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling him up for an embrace. "Thank you, Richard", he whispered.

"I didn't do it for you", said Richard, eyes locked on his mother.

Richard turned to the army in front of him. "Men, today, we fight for our true king, King Henry Tudor! We will fight the pretender and we will defeat him!!", said Richard and the men cheered.

Richard was preparing in his tent when William and Drew came in, already in their armour. In their hands, there's a small coffer.

"Something I managed to salvage before they sack your father's castle", said William.

Richard opened it. A set of armour, a few dark coloured tunics and his father's boar banner. William and Drew helped him into his armour.

When Richard walked out, all eyes were on him. They cleared a path for him towards his horse, Pepper.

Richard unsheathed his sword. "Men, to war!".

Henry watched as the army raised their swords to Richard. Lizzie held his hand, assuring him that victory will be theirs.