We are heading into Part Two everyone! But first a few things; Elizabeth of York is NOT going to be having a sexual relationship with Richard, that is just gross all things considering. Also I am sorry for going back and forth with the spelling for Elizabeth and her daughter Elisabeth. I continuously get mixed up and even in editing I can miss it. Finally, what do YOU think will happen?

Chapter Nineteen~

November 1483, Palace of Westminster, City of Westminster

When Richard returned safe from battle and the traitors captured in the Tower, Richard and myself looked everywhere in the Tower for the boys but I knew they were dead. But where they bodies where was anyone's guess. Buckingham was executed for treason and the rest of the traitors dealt with including Lady Margaret who was put under house arrest, as seen by her husband. Now however Richard and I stand outside the Church to speak to Elizabeth. I think the only reason she lets Richard in at all is because I am here with him.

"Tell me, please, do you have your son Edward and his brother somewhere safe?" He asks making me look sharply at Elizabeth with the secret between us. I had not even told Richard of our daughter's nightmare.

"There not in the Tower?" Elizabeth asks so that I tell her,

"Richard and I searched the whole Tower, every room and stairwell and could not find them. Please Elizabeth tell us they are safe." After Elizabeth shakes her head several times in disbelief Richard tells her while walking away,

"Everyone is saying they are dead and that I did it."

"And did you?" Elizabeth asks making Richard turn sharply and tell her honestly,

"Think Elizabeth. When we killed King Henry we had the body shown to the people. The whole point was to tell the world that his line had ended. If I had killed your sons, I would have done the same." I see him sigh and move to take one of Elizabeth's hands as Richard tells her,

"I am sorry for your loss. You have nothing to gain now by staying in sanctuary now. I'll make an agreement and promise your safety and that of your girls, if you promise to come out."

"I shall go home." Elizabeth asks hopefully but he continues,

"But under house arrest. I cannot trust you to come against me. I cannot trust anyone, anywhere."

"Think of it Lizzie, we can start to be a family again. It can be a fresh start for all of us." Taking both her hands in mine and praying she sees sense in it, we all jump when Richard pulls out his dagger only to see Lizzie and Cecily sneaking up on us. Elizabeth sends them away but Richard stops them with,

"People are saying that I killed your brothers, but I want you to know that I am innocent. You have my word."

"Whoever killed my sons I will curse them." Lizzie says behind us so that I move to take Richards hand into both of mine and look sharply at Elisabeth seeing the shock on her face. She did not believe her Mother would curse someone, but I did, and I was just proven right. However she shocked me with,

"We will both curse them, down the years, until all their sons die out."

"Take care. Your curses last too long and may turn on someone you love." Richard says and I add,

"And may kill someone you love just as well." Then we take our leave and that night as Richard sleeps I feel the steady pull of Magick and so stand from the bed and look out the window instantly to have my eyes drawn to the river. Playing with my necklace, I go to my desk and taking a piece of parchment with ink and quill to draw out the symbols and write out the words before I go take a candle and opening the window I say,

"On this night a Curse spoken aloud and I come to you Lady Mother, and put into your depths this spell of protect for my family line. From my first born child, you will protect their first born child, and their first born child too and all the first born children down the line. And we will know the truth by the workings of our spell." Then I take the parchment and fold it enough to burn without the rest of the palace catching fire. Then with the ashes blowing away into the wind, I watch the smoke and ashes blow in the direction of the river and watch for several long, long moments before finding a sense of inner peace. It is only in that moment, feeling as if my Mother has touched me, that I am able to put my things away and return to an uneasy sleep. Months went by after that night before Richard could make good on his promise to my sister. He had to finalize the agreement that she would be under house arrest in Grafton Manor and that her two eldest daughters, Elisabeth and Cecily, would come to Court. Of course there were those that disagreed and outright opposed this.

However Richard and I argued back that this was showing the people we wanted only peace. If Richard was the villain everyone was making him out to be, let us try to see him showing mercy to the Mother of the dead Princes in the Tower. That was the argument that finally won those to the agreement. I had to go back and forth to update Elizabeth on what was happening since I trusted no one with sending letters. Lady Margaret was still under house arrest herself by her husband, and every Lord in Court I could not trust. I had Grafton prepared in the meantime, making sure it was ready for Elizabeth when she returned and in the Palace had two rooms made ready for Elisabeth and Cecily. At the same time for plotting against him, Lady Margaret and her son where disregarded by Richard publicly and Richard made sure to reiterate that our son was Prince of Wales.

Then, finally one night in the year of our Lord 1485 a carriage arrived at the Church where Elizabeth and her children had taken sanctuary all those years ago to take them to Grafton Manor. I stood alongside Elizabeth as she helped them into the carriage happy to see them free. As the younger ones eagerly chatted away I told her how I had Grafton made ready for her and how I had been able to set aside an allowance for her.

"Thank you, for this." She told me taking me up into a tight hug, the first true contact we had had since before all of this began and pulling back to see both of us crying, I told her fiercely,

"Write to me if you need anything, anything at all. Clothes, food, medicine, a doctor, anything you need and I shall get it for you." She laughed and told me,

"Then in return tell me how Elisabeth and Cecily are doing in Court. I want to know everything of how they are doing." Nodding, the coachman told her to hurry and so with another tight hug, I watched her climb into the carriage and stood there until I could no longer see it on the horizon. The next day the Palace was a busy place since Anne had come to visit her husband. She was being seen more frequently around since her sisters children, Margaret and Teddy and her own son Richard, needed their father and father figure. Walking through the Palace I watched her chase Maggie, Teddy and own son Richard who wore merely his inner shirt and pants. Watching her feel her sons face, I came up to the two asking her,

"Are you alright?"

"He is hot, I am sending him to bed." And with that she and her son disappear down the hallway before I can say anything more as Richard calls my name. Walking towards him, Richard leans in towards me saying softly,

"My spies have told me that Henry Tudor's declared himself King of England and announced his betrothal to the Princess Elisabeth. He claims within her he shall unite York and Lancaster and end these wars."

"How dare he do this? If he thinks himself so bold let's see what he thinks if we have Elisabeth publicly denounce his claim to his betrothal. Imagine his wounded ego then!" I tell him making Richard shake his head replying to me,

"If only that would be so easy, the disappearance of the Princes has only made him bolder. Now he will invade the very first moment he can." When he walks away I am left with a heavy heart though know sadly he is right. However later that day I greet Elisabeth and her sister Cecily who despite trying to be formal as Queen once formalities are aside I hug them both tightly, smile and laugh.

"It is so good to see you both! Look how you've grown my Lord! Kathrine and Eddie are going to be so happy to see you both. I have had rooms prepared for you two already and if you need anything from me do not hesitate to ask. You are to be part of my Ladies but we are still family. Come, meet your kin." I say and so I bring them to a courtyard where Kate and Eddie are having a tutoring session. Upon seeing me their tutor stops and I say to Kate and Eddie,

"Children, these are your cousins, Elisabeth and Cecily. They shall be living with us at Court from now on." Kate, who is nearly 15 and Eddie who is 11 both stand and I give them all permission to get reacquainted with their cousins. Later that night after supper which we have just with the family, Lizzie and Cecily included on my insistence, the Great Hall is full as Lizzie plays the Rebec in front of everyone. Once the song is done everyone cheers and claps before a more lively song begins and I watch as Lizzie begins to dance with my daughter. As the dancing continues, Richard dances with Kate and Lizzie before one of Eddie's servants comes over to kneel near me.

"Your Grace, the Prince took ill as he was returning to the Great Hall. We took him to his chambers and—" Yet before he could even finish I was already gone taking off towards my son's chambers and once inside found his forehead hot and sweaty.

"Go find a physician, now!" I shouted before adding,

"And find the King!" Shushing my son who tried to tell me he was just dancing, I brushed back his hair and held him close thinking back that this was his second fever. When the door opened it was the physician who knelt next to my son and as I stood to make room played with my necklace. Not my son, please Lord not my son!