The Last York Prince [AU]

Farewell William

(The entourage returns to a sad news. Richard must find out who is responsible before another attempt is made on his family's life, but will he know before it's too late?)

The journey back home seems so long and so far off. Once they reached England, Stafford remained in London while the rest traveled back to Bedford.

Drew rode ahead to Bedford. Richard watched many in Bedford sent him their condolences and Richard already knew.

They headed home to find the manor gloomy and dark. Harald walked out, upon hearing the hooves of horses, looking very much defeated and ashamed.

Erik noticed Harald had cut off his braid - in a way how Vikings would show their sign of defeat. Drew ran past him, calling out to his father.

"Harald, what happened?", Erik asked.

"We were ambushed a few nights ago", Harald sighed, defeated.

"What..., happened?", Richard tried his best to compose himself.

"We were talking..., like usual. Then, we heard a glass break, but we didn't think anything much of it until we heard a scream".

"Is everyone alright? My son? Anne?", Richard was about to break down.

"William..., he died to protect Teddy".

Richard ran inside and found Freja and Hilda trying to console Sarah while Astrid sat nearby, cradling Teddy in her arms. Drew was on the ground, breaking down in tears.

Freja saw her husband and ran to hug him. "I'm so sorry, Richard. William, he...", Freja too broke down in his arms.

Astrid passed the baby to his parents and Richard held both of his wife and son close. Who would've done such a thing?

Freja brought the men to the grave. "I'm sorry, Drew, that it could not wait".

"Thank you..., Your Grace", Drew spoke in between his sobbing.

Richard held Drew and Sarah. William had been there for them, loving and guiding them and now, he has left them forever.

"We shall pray for his soul to be delivered into heaven. A wise man, kind, loyal and loving; we will miss him, our father. May God rest his soul and may he rests in peace in the other life", Richard spoke, hugging two of the closest people in his life.

Rain poured onto them and Richard felt as if God heard him. He had to be strong for everyone now, more than ever.

That night, once everyone had calmed down, they gathered in the study. Richard refused to leave Teddy and Anne, so he had them close with him since he got back from the grave.

"I need to know what happen", Richard said, gently.

"We were talking outside. It was another night. Freja walked out and bid us good night and went in", said Harald.

"I asked Hilda and Sarah to be with our son that night. I went back to our room. Mother and I talked about Teddy before I heard the glass breaking and the scream", said Freja.

"Hilda and I were by his side. We were talking about things and we heard the glass. I thought it was nothing at first, but Hilda sensed something was amiss. Next thing I knew, the door broke down and two men in masks attacked us", Sarah sobbed.

"What did they want?", Erik asked.

"They want your son. I fought one of them", said Hilda, holding her wrapped arm.

"I want to grab Teddy, but one of them kept pulling me away. The next thing I knew, I was knocked out for a moment and I woke up to find my father in his own blood!", Sarah broke down once again.

"I know this is hard, Sarah. Did William say anything?".

"He told me to look after Teddy. He told me to tell you and Drew..., and Robyn too, how much he loves all of you..., and that he was sorry he couldn't be here anymore".

Drew hugged his sister, who cried once more. William's death hit her the hardest.

"How do they sleep at night? Attempting to kill an innocent child!", Christian pondered by the window.

"What happened after that?", Richard had to be strong.

"We suspected, after they stabbed him, they fled", said Ralph.

"We saw them jumping out of, what we presumed, the same window they came into", said Herbert.

"And Anne?", Richard asked.

"Celia had her that night, taking her to the servant quarters to wake the wet nurse up", said Herbert.

"Is there anything missing?", Richard asked.

Sarah stopped crying when she realised something. "Father's rings...".

"What?", Drew frowned.

"Father wears his and mother's rings around his neck, but it wasn't there that night", said Sarah.

"Father would never take it off. He told me he made it himself", said Drew.

"When I pulled Sarah away, I noticed red markings on his neck", said Hilda, also realising something.

"Why steal something worth less?", Drew wondered.

"And why took it when you meant to kill someone else?", Erik began to pace.

"To make it look like a robbery?", Robyn spoke.

"To rob a stable master's ring made out of steel? What use can they get out of it?", Richard scratched his head.

"They didn't need to kill him", Freja cradled Teddy close.

"No, my love. He was my bishop and the closest to me. Killing him is expected", said Richard.

"They want to break you, make you submit to their will", Ralph theorised.

"Have I not done enough for this land? Have I not shed enough blood, nearly dying in the process? Must they kill my innocent boy?", Richard stood up, resting his hands upon the desk as he looked up to his father's portrait.

"They took everything from me, but it's not enough, is it?", Richard shook his head.

"You are and will always be a threat to them, Your Grace. You, your son and Anne", said Ralph.

"This is war, Richard. This is what they have to do to survive and we must do the same", said Herbert.

"Question is, who did it?", Christian asked the most important question.

"Ralph, you will return to court on my behalf. Take Robyn with you. Find out what you can, but keep it to yourself. If they ask, you will not say what we have discussed. Robyn, be as discreet as you can. Do you remember all the secret passageways?".

"It's at the back of my hand", Robyn chuckled.

"Good, eyes and ears wide open. We cannot make one wrong move or this will be the end of us. Trust no one", said Richard.

"Shall I inform Lady Pole?", Ralph asked.

"Yes, please. Be very discreet".

"What about your mother?", Robyn asked.

"Don't! I don't want her to worry. She'll make a fuss out of it. Not a word to her or my siblings".

Richard turned to Drew. "Go to Burgundy and inform my aunt. We have to warn them".

Then, he turned to Herbert. "Brother, I would very much like if you stay here. It's too dangerous if you leave for Pembroke now".

Herbert nodded, sighing as he watched his only child. Anne may be a girl, but she's just as much a threat as Teddy was.

"I will return to Stockholm and inform my father. I'll take Harald with me. Christian, you stay with our sister", said Erik.

"May God rest the souls of those who dared to harm my family because there will be blood", Richard gritted through his teeth.