Author's Note: Oh, my goodness, has it been almost six months since I last updated. To tell you the truth I almost lost interest completely yet I am going to try to sit down and write more. I moved out on my own and its more of a relaxed environment, perfect for writing. I have made a time line for this chapter, so here it is:

Elizabeth of York birth - 11 February 1466

Birth of Mary's son – 13 April 1466

Rumors that Warwick was now sympathetic to the Lancaster cause – October 1467

Edited as of 5/7/18

III: April 1466 – October 1467

On the day of our Lord, 13 April 1466, Lady Mary Woodville: the 17th Countess Warwick sat looking out at the grounds. It was the final month of her pregnancy, and Mary couldn't move around at all. She was glad to retire from the court seven months ago to the countryside with her two stepdaughters. Warwick castle was beautiful, and Mary kept herself busy readying the nursery for her child.

Mary hoped this child was a son who could inherit his father's lands. If she failed, the properties would go to Warwick's nephew. She knew it was a boy, Mary had foreseen it on the night she conceived. Her hands caressed her stomach with tenderness, singing a sweet lullaby. Her baby kicked, letting her know he was there and loving her.

"Lady Mother, are you comfortable enough?" Little Annie was rearranging her stepmother's pillows. Her youngest stepdaughter took to calling her Lady Mother.

Her husband Warwick was away at court. Mary felt at peace when her husband stayed at court. Her senses were clear-headed about the harm he could cause her family. Yet when he was here, her mind fogged at his faults. She desired him with a vengeance.

Mary had to remain cautious of him.

Mary knew he hated her sister Elizabeth and the rest of the Rivers family. Warwick hated that he didn't have control over Edward any longer. He was a King who listened to other advisors.

Messengers poured into her castle with news of the court. Over time, Mary pieced together the events one by one. Her sisters wrote about their new marriages. Her husband wrote of his capture of old king Henry and how the King wouldn't deny him anything now.

The King wrote to Mary about the marriage of his sister Margaret to her cousin in Burgundy. Warwick wouldn't be getting his lands in France because of this marriage, and Mary was glad for it. He needed to remain in England, where Edward watched him.

Her sister, the Queen, wrote of Warwick's failed attempt to marry his daughters to Edward's brothers. Isabelle promised to George while Little Annie to Richard. Mary felt her heart freeze in terror at the thought of her stepdaughter marrying Richard. If she remained Warwick's wife till the end of her days, Anne would never marry Richard. She would find another husband.

Her Richard wrote of the Queen's pregnancy and the birth of a beautiful, healthy baby girl. The new princess was named Elizabeth. He also wrote that the court was less bright without her presence. He also congratulated her on her pregnancy. She could feel the heartbreak and affection within the writing itself. She needed to respond and remind him that her heart would belong to him forever.

She was so nervous about this childbirth. Her mother had birthed 14 babies in her lifetime, yet Mary knew that women died from childbirth. Her Lady Mother promised to come, yet remained at court with Elizabeth, planning their futures. What about the future of her grandchild, this child? Mary understood Elizabeth was the Queen, but Mary needed her mother too. Did she matter as Elizabeth did?

Mary embraced her gifts of Magic while Elizabeth denied them. Mary could hear the wind blowing outside, almost sounding like a lullaby. Mary turned to her stepdaughter, "I am alright, Annie, a little tired. Help me unlace my dress. It seems to grow tired by the hour." Annie began to unlace the front of her dress, and Mary felt better. Something was different about today, but it made her feel anxious. "Have you taken a turn around the gardens yet today?" Annie shook her head no, and Mary laughed. "Spend an hour outside. You spent too much time inside the castle today."

Annie left at her command, and Mary lifted herself off the chair to her secret compartment. There inside was a mirror, a bowl, and some herbs. Mary poured water into the pot, set it in front of the mirror, and went over to a spare candle. She lit a flower on fire. She whistled, calling the Magic of her ancestors forth.

There in the mirror, a fog began to appear. Mary could see herself sitting by a fire, cradling a small baby in her arms. She heard the river nearby whispering a lullaby. Mary came out of the vision with a smile on her face.

She was going to survive childbirth. It was all going to be alright. Sometime later, Mary heard a knock on her door, "My lady," Mary was surprised to see Isabel at her door. "You have a visitor, the Duke of Gloucester." Isabel moved aside as Richard came into the outer chamber, still wearing his riding gear.

Mary was shocked, yet she offered Richard a smile before standing up. "Thank you, Isabel. Go down to the kitchen and tell the cook that we must have dinner prepared for the Duke at once. Also, find your sister and inform her of the news." Isabel curtsied before leaving her stepmother and cousin alone together. "Your Grace, you are welcomed here at Warwick castle."

"Your hospitality is refreshing, Lady Mary," He moved to her side as Mary began to wobble from the weight of her belly. "Sit down, my lady. It must be weary for you to stand so long."

Mary welcomed the thought of her chair before rubbing her large belly with affection. "Yes, the Earl's child keeps me up at all hours of the night. I hope that the child will be born soon." Richard took the chair at the opposite side of the table as a maidservant poured them some ale.

"Do you pray for a boy?"

Mary sighed as she sipped on her ale. "I know the Earl wants an heir to his estate. I pray for a healthy child." She wanted a boy, what mother didn't, yet she could see a daughter with brown curly hair that Warwick sported. "Are you coming from court?"

"Yes." Richard took a drink of his ale, watching Mary's red hair shine in the flames of the fire. "Their Majesties send their blessings for a healthy child. The princess Elizabeth is growing under the Queen's care." Mary had never met the little princess but knew she was beautiful. What daughter of Edward and Elizabeth couldn't be beautiful?

"A true York princess." Mary rubbed her belly more before dismissing her maidservant again.

The room was silent until Richard came to her side, clenching her hand. "I have missed your presence at court, my lady."

Mary gazed into Richard's dark eyes before smiling, almost sad. "I have missed you, Your Grace." He kissed her hand. Mary felt the warmth of her love for Richard spread. "Our Lord God works in the most mysterious ways." She loved Richard. How could she not? Yet, did her duty, married Warwick, and would remain faithful to him. She doubted he remained loyal to her. She allowed his mistresses if he didn't humiliate her in public. "We must move past this regret before it consumes us both."

Richard withdrew his hand from hers, standing in front of the fireplace. Mary wiped a single tear from her cheek before a sharp pain exploded from her belly. "Oh no…"

"Mary?" Richard grasps her arm as she clutched her stomach. "Is it time?" Mary doubled over against the table in pain. "Fetch the midwives!" He bellowed at a poor servant who scurried off at all haste. Mary clutched onto Richard's arm for support. This was it…her first child was about to be born into this world. All her fears became naught. Melusia and God would help her. Mary thought as the midwives helped her into her chamber.

...

Never had she experienced such pain. Mary screamed out as a wave of pain erupted through her body. "That's it, push!" Mary wanted to hit the next person who shouted at her. Her attendants scurried around her bed chamber as she squeezed on Isabel's hand. Isabel surprised her by coming into the birthing chamber. She was glad for the support. Little Annie was far too young to witness this. "Breath, it's here, and it's here." Mary bore down with all her might as her body gave way to a little miracle. "It's a boy, my lady!"

Sweet relief flooded over her body as the midwife handed the Countess her child. A son! She had a little boy of her very own! Oh, sweet joy came over Mary as she gazed upon her son's face. Black hair sported atop of his head.

All her family planning, all the heartache of this war-ridden country was gone at once. Here was her darling boy in her arms. Her entire world shifted. Now within her marriage, Mary had the power to forge her destiny.

...

Richard paced outside the chamber in the hallway, listening to Mary's scream for hours. It tore his heart apart. He could not ease her worries, but Mary wasn't his wife. She was Warwick's, and he couldn't go into her chambers to help now. On his way out, Richard stopped his cousin Anne, telling her to give Mary his best wishes. He would write as soon as he got back to his estates.

He left with a heavy heart, knowing Mary wouldn't be his, yet he could feel her joy now. She had a child of her own, and she was happy, that's all he ever wanted for her was to be happy.

...

Tears dripped down her face as she read Richard's letter of farewell. He wouldn't see her again. It was time to put this behind them and move forward. Mary whipped her tears away. She left the letter of the table to tend to her child. It was time to put this behind them, for better or for worse.

...

Almost two years had passed since the birth of her only child, Lionel. Mary wanted to honor her brother Lionel who she saw. He served as Bishop. The Earl pleased with her success but kept himself at court. Mary kept to the country life, raising her son and caring for her two stepdaughters.

Little Annie and Isabel loved their little brother and doted on him with such affection. It warmed Mary's heart to see all three siblings getting along so well. "Where is the Countess?" Mary heard Warwick's loud voice echoing Warwick castle. Lionel started to cry in his mother's arms. "Mary!"

"Annie, take Lionel to the nursery. I will be there soon." Anne took Lionel to his nursery before Warwick could frighten their son even more. "My lord, I am here."

Warwick marched into his wife's bedchamber. She stood in front of her bed, waiting for him. It was terrible luck marrying into the River's family, yet he found his wife pleasing. She was dutiful, obedient and delivered him a healthy son while his dead wife only bore two girls. "Where is our son?"

"In the nursery with Anne. I thought it would be better with him gone, my lord." Mary gasped as the Earl grasped her arm, bringing her flush body into his hard one. "I have missed you, Richard." It was true. She liked her husband well enough and missed their passionate moments. "Come to my bed, darling, and I will deliver you another child."

Warwick responded to his wife's passionate words. He threw her on the bed, pushed her skirts up around her waist, and entered her.

He pleasured his wife until she screamed in passion. He climbed off, lying next to her boneless. "I will be gone for a few days." He said.

Mary opened her eyes before turning towards him, "But you only just returned."

He got up from the bed, straightening his clothing. "I have important issues to see to Mary about the King's business. That sister of yours has messed something up again, and the King has tasked me to fix it, I will be back as soon as I can." He pressed a kiss into her forehead before walking out of the room.

Mary watched as her husband left once again on the king's business. She held onto Lionel as he drifted into the distance. "My lady!" A messenger ran through the house as Mary turned away from the window. "An important message from the Queen." Mary took the letter, offering the messenger shelter for the night. Her sister's handwriting stood out.

'Sister,

News from Court. That devil who is your husband has been rumored to favor the Lancaster cause. He is dismissed from court due to Edward's displeasure of his services. You will find out the truth, dear sister.

The Queen.'

Mary gasped as she turned back to where Warwick vanished with his men-at-arms. Oh, Lord, God. What was her husband up too? She felt a foreboding deep within her soul. Something was about to happen, and Mary knew her husband was at the center of it.