Long time no see! I have this to say about why I have not updated in so long. As stated before my grandmothers health had been declining. Sadly she had passed away and around the same time we found out a very close family member has cancer. Needless to say I fell into a very deep depression and writing was the last thing on my mind. This chapter was the last thing I had written before I stopped writing. However I had slowly began writing again on and off and have a few chapters to update everyone with. So dear, dear readers—welcome back!

Chapter Twenty~

April 9th 1485, Palace of Westminster, Westminster

The day started out perfectly normal, almost too perfect. Richard held meetings about the number of soldiers in the North, I stayed with Lizzie and Cecily while Kate and Eddie worked with their tutors. By supper time however our peace was shattered as we were all heading to dine and Kate ran shouting for us.

"Eddie said he was hot but we were outside and then I fell asleep." She said and ice filled my heart as I shouted for Richard and ran following Kate with Richard right behind me. Seeing my son so frail and pale on the bed had me collapse next to him as I grasped his hand while Richard asked him if there was pain. But he was unresponsive as he commanded him to breathe. That he was King and Edward would listen to him. Only Edward was limp in his Father's arms as Richard sobbed and I grabbed the sheets with white knuckles and began sobbing. Collapsing in on myself, I did not feel Kate wrap her arms around me, or hear Lizzie and Cecily enter the room behind me and close the door for privacy. The room was full of sobbing and it was not until Richard could not breathe between his sobs that he laid Eddie down gently to make it appear that he was merely sleeping. Looking up at me, Richard's face was red from crying as I held out one hand to him needing to touch him. Taking my hand in his, I placed my forehead on Eddie's and then kissed his cheek.

"Elizabeth, could you go and tell them—" But my voice cracked at the end as I heard her whisper a faint understanding as the door open and then close. For the next several hours I could not bring myself to leave Edward's room, it was trying to bring myself to leave my soul from my body. It was only when Richard returned saying we would have to prepare him for the funeral that my tears started anew. Two days later dressed in black, I held onto Kate's hand as I followed behind my son, my Edward's casket carried by Richard and his men into the chapel. With the Court behind us and the priest saying prayers, I fell to my knees in front of the casket sobbing openly before Richard held out his hand to me. Looking to him, Kate helped me to my feet as I collapsed into his arms and sobbed. Kate wrapped her arms around the both of us as Lizzie as Cecily stood on the opposite side of the casket. It feels like forever until we have to leave the chapel, and my heart is broken all the more because of it. I find no sleep that night or the next. One day I receive a letter from my sister sending her deepest condolences for me and Richard. However the next day Francis tells both Richard and I he has to hurry home because Anne and her son are both sick. Apparently the night of the dance Anne had taken her son, niece and nephew home. Now she and her own son were sick. I could only hope it was not Elizabeth seeking out vengeance for my own poor Eddie.

Richard and I know it is important to have another son, and to disprove any rumors that Henry Tudor is betrothed to my niece. So the two of us one night 'by accident' mention how we had selected a betrothal offer from someone. The next day the rumor is running wild in the Court. Of course Lizzie comes into my chambers demanding to know who it is.

"No one, we have not selected anyone Lizzie. But you're Uncle and I cannot have all of England siding with Henry Tudor because they believe he is going to marry you if your Uncle dies. Especially now that my son is dead." I tell her simply so that she shakes her head telling me,

"So you would make up a lie to save yourself?"

"I would make up a lie to save England! My son has not been dead a whole month and already Henry Tudor is raising an army against my husband and your uncle. I need to play any card I can to make sure those I love are safe. That includes you! Answer me this, do you really want to marry Henry Tudor? Or if we find you a suitable match that you can agree to would you rather that?" When she does not reply I nod telling her,

"Help me here Lizzie, help me and your Uncle and your niece! Your Mother was the one who agreed to the marriage not you! She agreed to marry you to someone who was plotting and is still plotting to overthrow your uncle and me! What if Henry Tudor wins? What do you think will happen to me then?"

"Nothing, he could not do anything to an anointed Queen." She says only I tell her,

"There cannot be two York Queens Elisabeth. Not if Henry Tudor want's to rule England and marry you." The next time I see her is when she returns from seeing my sister who, of course, is furious at the thought of her marrying anyone else but Henry Tudor. Lizzie tells me as much as we walk through the gardens with Kate who had turned to Lizzie as the older sister she never had. Much like the sisterhood I had with Elizabeth, now Lizzie and Kate are attached at the hip. It makes my heart both hurt and fill with joy. However Henry Tudor continues to rally troops as Richard comes to me one day telling me,

"The French have sided with Tudor, they have given him an army. It is not over, I must make ready. Tudor will invade this spring. I must cut the York and Rivers affinity away from him."

"We have to be careful Richard. We have to play our cards right and not lose our heads in this." I tell him and taking both his hands in mine he nods and kisses my hands before putting his forehead to mine. Days go by as Elisabeth manages to charm her way through the Court, winning over those remaining York's who would not agree to Richard as King. Now anyone in Court who had not seen Richard as King have turn to his side. It is only the outliers who are against him, those now at Court with lands to spare men are on his side. Watching her dance from our thrones, Richard tells me,

"I've won, the York affinity are all with us so the Tudor must call on Lancastrian alone to swell on his convict army."

"My niece is a charmer that is for sure, just like her Mother before her." Sharing a smile between us, Lizzie bows to the both of us and I nod to her and smile. A week later Francis comes into the library where me and Richard are and clearing his throat says,

"Your Graces, I must as your indulgence to leave the Court." Frowning, Richard asks,

"Whatever is the matter?"

"You know that my wife Anne and son has been sick these past few weeks, but I have learned that they have both—died. I now must make arrangements for her family Margaret and Teddy." Standing from my seat, I embrace the man who stands stiffly and pulling back tell him,

"If you need anything at all write and we shall help you, you know this." He only nods and as Richard stands to shake his hand, we watch him leave as I feel a swelling in my chest of pain. Taking one of Richards hands into my own, I turn to him saying,

"Oh poor Maggie and Teddy, they lost both parents and now Anne. Dear Lord." Putting my head against Richards shoulder, I felt him put a hand on my head and shush me. That night I am awoken by Kate who once we leave Richard to sleep, tells me shaking all over,

"I had another vision, of the sun going dark in the sky and a dragon bringing a new king. Mother, I think Father is going to die!" Shushing her, I bring her back to her room and stay with her until she is asleep. Once she is finally asleep, I light a candle and in front of a mirror waft the smoke until the room melts away. There, in the smoke, I see the sun going dark and the crown falling onto the ground. The vision is lost and I snap back into my body so fiercely I nearly fall backwards into my seat. In that moment I know I have to write my sister. Only I do not have the luxury as the very next day everyone including myself and Kate watch as the sun in the sky is blocked out for what seems like forever before returning to its natural state. Kate clings to me as I can only look at the sky and shake my head. Two days later the wind changes and as it blows through the trees I smell salt water and realize Henry Tudor has sailed for England.

"Richard, I want to see my sister, at least once before the battle is to come." I say to him one day as he plans making him look up at me and frown asking,

"Whatever for?"

"She is my sister, and if anything should happen to her after all of this I want to know I saw her with my own eyes." I tell him taking his shoulders in my arms and for a moment I do not think he will agree and when he does the moment I can leave I do so. Arriving in Grafton Manor, Elizabeth greets me and once off my horse I tell her,

"He has sailed, Tudor has sailed."

"I know." She says hugging me as we head inside as I continue,

"Anne Neville and her son died leaving those loyal to her to turn against Richard, they all sided with Tudor. Only Francis, her husband, and his men remain loyal. Kate and your daughter are as close as we were when we were young and so that brings up why I am here." Turning to me, Elizabeth and I realize we were in the garden where once Edward, Elizabeth and I had been so many, many years ago.

"I know you saw the sun go out Lizzie. I know you must understand the significance of it. I plan to send my daughter to you before the fight and I want you to look after her." Raising both eyebrows Lizzie asks me,

"What of yourself? Where will you go?"

"There cannot be two York Queens if Tudor is to win you know that. Lady Margaret will make sure we suffer some twisted Holy then thou fate. As it is your Elisabeth being betrothed to her son makes her think she is above everyone else. As it is his claim to the throne is small at best. But I want you to promise me that you will take care of my Kathrine if the battle goes against my husband." When she says nothing I take both her hands into mine and squeezing them plead with her,

"Elizabeth I am begging you, look after my daughter as she will look after yours." Finally she embraces me and says to me,

"I will do everything I can for her."