The Last York Prince [AU]

Christening

(Richard's son is baptised. Freja recovers and senses danger ahead. Richard meets the ghosts of the past. Richard and Herbert come to a pact

Italics = Swedish)

EARLY 1501:

Richard woke up in Bedford as he heard his son crying. He got up and peaked outside; the sun was barely up.

Richard put on his robe and walked out to his son's nursery. The maid he took in to help care for his son, Celia, was about to enter to soothe the baby when she spotted Richard.

"My Lord, I was about to-", Celia curtsied to him.

"No need, Celia. It's too early. Go back to bed, I will take him".

Celia curtsied once more before returning to her room. Richard entered the room and picked his son up. He wasn't dirty nor hungry, but he simply needed attention.

"Good morning, Teddy. Shall we go for a walk? Let's get you bundled up", Richard kissed his son's hair that resembled the colour of the sun.

He wrapped Teddy in his thick fur blanket before he himself slipped into his boots and thick jacket. Both walked out and greeted William, who was always up early to feed the horses.

"Is he up already?", William chuckled.

"An early riser, that he is", Richard carried Teddy to William.

William wiped his hands clean and cradled the baby in his arms. "He's beautiful, Richard. I can't believe that he's here with us".

William handed Teddy back to Richard and the young duke resumed his morning walk. He walked towards the pond and sat by it.

He could hear the water swirling. He turned to see the figure he had not seen in years.

"Congratulation is in order, it seems, Your Grace", Lady Mother Melusina smiled to him.

"I'm worried, Lady Mother. Freja, she..., she's worried about our son. It's not just her. Maggie, Aunt Margaret in Burgundy, my mother...; a lot are worried for him".

"Well of course, he carries the very bloodline that could threaten Tudor in their seats".

"Will you protect him, Lady Mother?".

Melusina waved her hand, tiny sparkles flew and dropped to Teddy, blessing him. "He is well protected, my son. He has you. He has them to protect him", she gave a sad smile.

"Why are you sad then?".

Melusina shook her head. "Take care", she said before dissolving into water, which turned to snowflakes that blew away with the wind.

Richard sighed and looked at Teddy, who was asleep again with a smile on his face. "Come, let's get you inside before we both catch a cold".

Richard brought Teddy to Freja, who just woke up. Teddy woke up once again in his mother's arms and crying for milk.

"Hush now, mama is here", she said, pushing down her shift to feed her son.

Teddy fed eagerly and Freja leaned herself in Richard's arms. Richard stroked his son's rosy cheeks and Teddy caught his fingers.

"Must you go to Spain?", she asked.

"I won't be long. I will leave Ralph, William and Herbert to care for you", he answered.

"I feel uneasy, Richard. Ever since the birth of our son and his christening, I feel so uneasy. Mother said it's normal, but I know something is not right".