The Last York Prince [AU]

Inevitable

(Richard is too late yet again and finally snapped)

Maggie greeted her husband who had returned from London. Pole, however, wasn't happy. He had that apologetic look on his face that worried Maggie.

"I'm so sorry, Margaret".

"Sorry? About what?".

That's when she heard Teddy screaming her name outside. Maggie pushed her husband aside and saw Teddy being dragged into the wagon by Tudor soldiers.

"Teddy!!", she ran towards them, but the soldiers stopped her.

She screamed and struggled until one of them shoved her off, causing her to fall. Pole ran outside to get her away from the soldiers.

"If I were you, I'd stay away from London. At least until it's over", said one of the soldiers before riding off.

"What's happening? Tell me, husband!".

Pole sighed and told her what happened. Maggie, devastated, blacked out.

LONDON

Richard was summoned to see the king. He didn't really think much of it and decided to went in alone.

Henry was seated at the end of the table. Margaret Beaufort was seated on the king's left side while Lizzie was nowhere in sight.

Richard bowed before them. Margaret noticed the tunic he was wearing. He had been wearing a lot of his father's clothes as of late, despite not fitted to his frame.

"Please sit, Your Grace", Henry pointed to the empty chair in front of Richard.

Richard began to feel uneasy. "If it's alright by Your Grace, I rather stand".

"As you wish, Your Grace", Margaret's tone was mocking him.

"I'd like to thank you, Richard. You saved my life and I am forever in your debt", said Henry.

"It's nothing, Your Grace. It's a natural thing for a subject to do in the service of his king".

"I've spoken to the Ambassador of Spain. He has gone to negotiate and if everything is going as planned, Arthur will be betrothed to Princess Catalina of Aragon".

Richard frowned. "Are there new terms to the betrothal?".

Henry looked at Margaret. He stalled for a moment, trying to find the right words.

"He had concluded that you are not a threat, therefore...", Henry stuttered.

"Therefore, you will be spared. Unlike the others", Margaret continued.

"Spared? What is that supposed to mean?", Richard's heart beat fast, anticipating the answer.

The bells of the church rung. Henry had no choice, but to tell him.

"Perkin Warbeck and Edward, Earl of Warwick is to be executed today, in the charge of conspiring against the crown and treason".

The second Henry finished his last word, Richard bolted out of the room, not minding his wounds. Margaret yelled for him to be stopped, but no one could.

Richard headed towards the stable. Ignoring William's inquiries, Richard hopped onto his horse and galloped away. Worried for his safety, William told Drew to look after his sister while he chased after Richard.

Upon arrival, a few soldiers tried to stop Richard, but he fought them off. His wound began to throb, but he ignored it.

Richard ran towards Tower Hill where he saw Teddy and Warbeck being brought to the block. Lizzie was nearby, huddled in a cloak.

"Teddy!!". Richard ran towards the two, but soldiers managed to stop him and pinned him to the ground.

Teddy began to struggle, scared and wanting to be with his cousin. Perkin managed to calm him down.

"Let him go. Let him say goodbye", said Warbeck.

The soldiers reluctantly let Richard go, who immediately went to Teddy. Richard hugged his cousin, sobbing.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry", Richard cried.

"I'm scared, Richie. Will it hurt? I don't want to go", Teddy held him close.

Warbeck gently pulled Teddy away from a tear soaked Richard. He turned and smiled at Richard.

"Death is inevitable, Richard. It's ok. I understand your intention. I'm sorry, I never meant to cause you harm", said Warbeck.

"Please, I'll..., I'll talk to the king. I'm sure I can reason with him!".

Warbeck shook his head. He spotted William who quickly went to them.

"Mr. Barnley, please look after my nephew. Take good care of him", said Warbeck.

"But, I don't want Richie to go", Teddy pleaded.

"It's ok, Teddy. When the time comes, Richie will join us".

William pulled Richard back. Lizzie couldn't bear to look at her son, who was struggling in William's arms.

Warbeck held Teddy's hand as the executioner pushed his head down. Teddy gave a sad smile to Richard before the executioner swung his axe.

The walls of Tower Hill echoed with Richard's agonising scream. William tried to talk some sense into Richard, fearing he might reopen his stitches.

"It's alright, Richard. It's not your fault. Everything will be alright. Be strong and never be afraid", said Warbeck.

He knelt down, eyes locked onto the Queen. Lizzie, however, looked away.

"Don't shut your eyes, sister. I am to die as if I've never existed; a royal execution. Don't look away", he beckoned to Lizzie.

Warbeck spread his arms as the executioner pulled out a sword. "England! Receive my blood!", Warbeck yelled before his head rolled off his body.

William held Richard down, not wanting the boy whom he had cared ever since he was a baby, get into harm's way. It pained him to hear Richard's cries and agonising scream.

"Richard, enough. They're gone now. Let them go", William pleaded.

Lizzie approached her son, but Richard looked at her with utter betrayal. He shrugged William off of him to face his mother.

"What did you do?!".

"I did what it is necessary! You may not understand now, Richard, but someday you will".

Richard shook his head in disbelief. "How could you?! Teddy was innocent! I should've never come back! He would've been alive! I should've let Warbeck stabbed him in the back!".

Richard ran back to his horse, refusing to look at his mother anymore. William got up and ran after Richard.

Lizzie watched her heart broken son rode off. Someday, Richard will understand. Someday, he would forgive her.