Title: Richard's Heart.
Author: Angalas Damon
Summary: Oneshot. Set just after Richard hears that Warwick has married Anne to Edward of Lancaster. R/A
"Anne Neville is to marry Edward of Lancaster" Jacquetta Woodville's words burned through his mind as he washed his face, his heart searing in indescribable pain as he thought of his Anne in the arms of that monster. Edward of Lancaster wouldn't know or even care that he would need to be extremely gentle with Anne, that despite the strength she had Anne was one of the most beautifully delicate girls he'd ever have the blessing to know.
How could Warwick do this to her, to his own daughter whom Richard knew loved him dearly and would whatever he wanted her to in order to obtain his favor. His anger at Warwick grew steadily until he was gripping the hilt of his sword so tightly that he could feel the steel cutting into his palm. How could Warwick go to her to the woman who tore England apart! How could he go to the house of Lancaster after all they had done, after the bloodshed? After they were responsible for his father and Edmund's death! Richard knew Warwick was angry that Edward had chosen to marry Elizabeth Woodville instead of the Princess Bona of France, a match he'd worked tirelessly for but to turn to Margaret of Anjou? The woman had tried to kill Warwick with a roasting spear and now he was giving his youngest daughter, the jewel of his daughters, to Edward of Lancaster?
His heart seared so painfully Richard was convinced it had to have broken apart in his chest and almost doubled over as images of Anne crossed his mind and the sounds of her laughter and voice rang in his ears. Reading to her the tales of Camelot, speaking to her of the knights code. The way she looked like an angel at the Queen's coronation dinner and how she was terribly nervous about being at her first court banquet. How her blonde hair shone in the summer sun, and how her blue eyes would sparkle whenever she was considering doing something mischievous. Everyone said that Isabel was the beauty of the Neville family with her long, dark wave, light blue eyes and full lips and though Richard would never say she wasn't beautiful he'd always been more drawn to Anne's fairness than Isabel's darkness. He found Isabel vain, shallow and spiteful, though he'd never say this to anyone, including Anne whom he know worshiped her older sister. He remembered her face when they were told they would not be married and how, though she was as good as he in covering her emotions, there was that flicker of dashed hope and it had made his heart swell to think she'd wanted to marry him, perhaps as much as he'd wanted to marry her. It was the first time he'd cried since his father and brother had been killed.
Anne made him feel safe, wanted and happy. He wondered if he could convince Brackenberry and Lovell to accompany him to France so that he could rescue her but he knew Edward needed him here. There was nothing he could do for her now, but he would wait for the moment when he could.
Anne he thought silently my sweet, gracious, most beautiful Anne I vow that I save you, I will bring you home and I will make you my wife and my duchess.he made a symbol across his heart, a pagan symbol but he cared little about which religion it came from as he stood. Crossed to the mirror that stood on the opposite wall and dried his face of the tears that had fallen. He schooled his face, hardening it so that none knew the pain he was feeling and left his chambers to make his way to dinner.