Title: Peace
Author: Ree
Theme: AU - Famous Figure - Elizabeth of York, Henry VII (Henry Tudor)
Genre: general
Version: AU - late 1485- early 1486 England War of the Roses (end)
Rating: G

Takeuchi Naoko created them. I'm just following a different branch on their universal tree.

Peace

An: Williamina Venus (Mina)


Darien paced the walls of the outer curtain worried about the change that was occurring in England. It could be for the good, or it could break the peace that had held for since the Yorks had taken the throne. 'There had been a minor the scuffle when Edward IV had died, but Richard handled it well.' He felt Serena step up next to him. The look on her face told him her thoughts. She was still upset about the Titulus Regius.

"He shouldn't have done that. How could he make all those children illegitimate? I can understand him wanting to be king, but..." She sighed deeply. "I hope that the boys will be okay in the Tower."

Darien laid his hand on her shoulder. He understood her deep rooted distrust of the current English king, Richard III. She trusted him and the other Hawks, but she was wary of the other Yorks. Smiling to take the sting out of his words, he picked on her gently. "They are Yorks, too."

Serena crossed her arms and glared at him. "They are children! Children should not be treated like pawns."

He knew that was the crux of the matter, she and the others Swans were raised as pawns, and she was very sensitive to that. Wrapping her up in his arms, he snuggled her close. "At least they have left us alone."

Serena nodded against his chest. They were in a precarious position, he was a York and she was a Lancaster, members of opposite factions for the throne. Snuggling deeper into his chest, she felt contentment fill her. "Yes, they have ignored us."

Looking out over the wall, Darien worried about the newest piece of news. Henry Tudor had landed in England to make a claim for the throne. He promised to unite the two families by marrying Elizabeth of York, one of the children of Edward IV that Richard III had illegitimized. Rough times were loaming once again.

--

Serena slit the wax seal, and stared at the invitation. After being shunned so long by polite society, it was a shock to be invited to the royal wedding. 'Maybe Elizabeth wants people around that have made the union between the two families work.' Dashing off a response, she headed off to tell Darien and prepare for the trip to London.

--

Henry VII looked about him, surveying all the people that had come to celebrate his wedding. He knew that a lot were disgruntled about him connecting the two families, but there were an equal number that were glad. He knew with the two branches of the royal family brought back together peace should reign in the kingdom. Part of the plan to reconnect the families was to null the Titulus Regius, he could not have his future queen be considered illegitimate. Turning about, he strode into the Abby, passing the symbol that was to show the union of the families, the Tudor Rose.

--

Serena examined the standards that were waving about looking of her cousins in the press of people thronging their way into the city.
Darien smile contently as he watched the excitement in her searching gaze. "They'll meet us at the inn. There is no way you can find them in this crowd."

Falling back against the squabs, she grinned at him. "I know, but I couldn't help but to look."

A few minutes later, they pulled into the inn. They were glad they had made reservations earlier, and for the private room they slipped into once they arrived. Serena paced about, waiting impatiently for the others to arrive.

Darien leaned back in his chair. "You saw them two months ago."

Spinning about, she placed her hands on her hips. "So... that was two months ago, and Williamina couldn't come because it was during her lay-in. This is the first time she is allowed to travel, and she can finally go back into the church."

Looking back out the window, she clutched the window sill. She was scared, tomorrow she was going to break church law. She was going into the church while she was pregnant. When she finally announced it, she would tell everybody she didn't know. She really wanted to go to the royal wedding. But it would depend on the cousins. If one of them guessed, she would have to tell. Spotting them out in the courtyard, she spun about, fighting her nervousness.

Darien knew something was going on, but he figured it was the excitement of visiting the city for the first time.

Williamina was the first to enter, carrying her baby carefully. The other girls were clustered around her, smiling and cooing at the little bundle. Serena joined them.

Serena stepped into the church, sure that something was going to happen that would bar her entrance. Nothing did. Hiding her relief, she made her way to their area.

As Elizabeth of York walked up the the aisle, Serena could tell she was uncertain. Clasping Darien's hand, she sent her prayer heaven ward. 'May they be as happy as us.'