Author's Note: I loved the support that the last chapter got. It keeps me coming up with some good ideas while I try to map all this out. I also have an itch to keep writing this story. I am loving the inspiration.
Here's the timeline for this chapter.
1470
A failed rebellion forced Warwick and Clarence to flee to France, where they agreed an allegiance with Margaret of Anjou.
The trio then launched their own invasion, with the support of the French. Warwick's brother, John Neville, changed his allegiance to the Lancastrian army, forcing King Edward IV to temporarily flee.
This created a window for Henry VI to reinstate the Lancastrian reign, and in October 1470 he took back the throne, albeit for a brief period. In December 1470 Prince Edward married Anne Neville, Warwick's daughter.
Only one battle was fought during this year, and that was in March at Losecote Field. This was yet another victory for the Yorkist army.
1471
1471 was another decisive year for the Wars of the Roses.
In March King Edward IV landed in England with his invading army. A month later the battle of Barnet was fought, which saw another victory for the Yorkist army. Warwick was killed during this fight.
King Henry VI's short reign comes to an end as he is imprisoned in the Tower of London. King Edward then goes on to win a decisive battle at Tewkesbury which sees most of the male Lancastrian blood line eliminated.
A month later, King Henry VI's dead body is found at the Tower of London. It has never been proven, but many feel the King was murdered.
Chapter VI: 1470 - 1471
The last few months at court were the happiest of Mary's life. She enjoyed her ever-growing family. Elizabeth gave birth to two more princesses, Cecily and Mary of York.
The three little princesses loved following her around. Lionel grew stronger each day, celebrating his fourth birthday accompanied by Princess Elizabeth. She saw the joy in his eyes when the eldest York princess was around.
Mary knew that soon Elizabeth would be arranging a marriage for little Elizabeth. Perhaps the princess would marry her Lionel. Mary was confident it could be a love match; only time would tell.
Although Mary kept a close eye of Isabel and Anne, even though her eldest stepdaughter was married and with child, Mary watched over her as best she could. Pretty soon, Anne would need a match. Warwick would no doubt try to wed her to Richard.
Richard would refuse, Mary knew that for sure. She knew because Mary was secretly having an affair with Richard for the last few months. After their stolen kiss in the gardens, Mary forsakes her marriage vows for the comfort Richard offered.
Warwick never expected a thing, because he never demanded his conjugal rights. After she threatened to kill him, Warwick kept to his whores' arms, which Mary could care less about. He had Lionel as his heir, so why did he need another child from her?
He left her be, and that suited Mary.
One late August morning, in a secret place, Mary and Richard were buried in a loving embrace. He pressed her into the stone wall, as Mary responded to his kiss feverishly. His hand started pulling at her shirts, when Mary gasped out, "Richard," His hand contacted her bare skin, causing her to moan, sending chills up her spine. "Richard, this is too dangerous."
Richard didn't seem to care, pressing his hand deeper into her flesh. "I don't give a damn." Richard let go of her mouth long enough to speak before kissing her again.
"Richard." Mary protested, "I have to go before anyone comes looking for me." He regrettable withdrew from her.
Mary fixed her hair before kissing him one more time. He pushed her out of the room. Thankfully the hallway was empty. She needed to get away from his tempting hands. No doubt, he would find her again.
Mary rushed to Elizabeth's chambers. The Queen might not need her services as a lady-in-waiting, but Elizabeth liked having Mary for company during the long days Edward was with his brothers. "Your Majesty." Mary curtsied, out of breath.
Isabel and Anne greeted Mary as her sister, the Queen beckoned her. "You look out of breath," Elizabeth said with a smile on her face. The Queen suspected Mary was having an affair with a gentleman. Who could blame her, with her devil of a husband?
"I realized how late it was, no need to worry." Mary sat down as Elizabeth did before both sisters began to play chess. Lionel played with the three princesses off in the corner. Elizabeth cared about her nephew Lionel, but Mary could see the sadness in her eyes, about not having a son yet.
"Have you discovered any new information about Warwick yet?" Elizabeth asked as she shuffled some cards. Mary sighed, taking her cards as Elizabeth dealt them. She didn't know anything because both lived separate lives. Why did Elizabeth ask these things always?
"No. I have heard nothing." Elizabeth asked nothing else as they played their game. In the end, Mary ended up winning a nice small fortune. The Queen wasn't happy but surprisingly kept her opinions to herself.
"I must leave," Mary said to Richard after they went off together to be alone. "My husband has ordered me to Isabel's side for the birth." They were walking side by side when Richard stopped. She could see the pain in his eyes. "I am sorry, but he will take Lionel from me if I don't comply."
Richard sighed. He cared for that little boy yet felt pained that he was the reason Mary had to leave. "I understand. You are a mother protecting your child." He kissed her gently, cupping her cheek.
Her tears fell her face, cursing fate for separating them. If only she had said no to Warwick's proposal. perhaps she could have married Richard on her own… "My love for you is as constant as the sun. It will burn no matter where I am." Mary said to Richard, and he said. I love you to her softly.
Mary held onto Lionel as she walked through her home, greeting each passing servant. She went straight to the nursery, where Lionel would have a nap before joining her later. Once she reached Isabel's chambers, she realized how big she was. "You are defiantly having a baby." She kissed Isabel's cheek while caressing her stomach.
"Thank you," Isabel said while kissing her stepmother's cheek in return. "George has been most impatient for birth. He wants a son the first time."
Mary laughed. Oh, course, the fool wanted a son out of Isabel. If he had an heir, more men would follow him when Elizabeth only gave Edward daughters. "You will have a beautiful child Isabel. Come, eat with me and tell me everything."
In the next few weeks, Mary could feel the energy around the castle. Warwick was planning something. One day, her worst fear had come true, Warwick had planned another rebellion and retreated. She wrote to Elizabeth and Edward in secret once she heard of Warwick's actions. She hoped they could stop him this time.
"We failed!" George yelled, coming into her house, followed by her husband.
"We did not "fail," we retreated! Our error was to trust in Lancaster. The Beaufort boy betrayed us. The rightful king is George of York! And we shall see him anointed on the throne! God save King George! King George!" Now, we'll sail to Calais and raise an army. We are at war with the so-called "King Edward. " Warwick proclaimed.
Mary walked up to him, "Isabel cannot sail. She is in her confinement."
"We need to go now!" Warwick said, ignoring his wife and his child, who was also with child. Isabel had tears in her eyes as Mary took her hands, with tears in her own.
She took a breath and followed Warwick. "Is your pride so lost that you risk everything we have for another boy on the throne?" She said, shutting their chamber door.
"That boy is seduced by your witch of a sister. If we didn't have a son, you would have drowned in a ducking stool by now, Madame." He hissed, changing out of his armor. "You will convince Isabel to come, and you will come as well. If I go anywhere, my heir goes with me."
Mary gasped, is she stayed, her son would be with him no matter what. How could she abandon her son like that? She wouldn't. "I will come with you, with no blessings of victory. I go against my family, and king, because of our child we share. That is all." She rushed out of the chamber, leaving her husband alone.
Mary could feel the magic in the air as she clung to Lionel. Isabel, heavy with child and Anne clinging to her sister, were all terrified. She clutched her sweet child, knowing this was Elizabeth's fault.
"We can't sail." Isabel said, "The weather is too bad."
Warwick came from the ship, "We have to sail now!" He tugged his reluctant wife on board with the three children. "Go into the cabin and stay there." He shut the door before Mary could speak.
Lionel stayed in her arms, crying. "Anne, take Lionel and put him somewhere up high." Her stepdaughter came to take her younger brother somewhere else in the cabin, and Mary helped Isabel to the bed.
The wind moaned as the waves crashed against the ship. Mary watched out the window, closed her eyes, and began to hum. The magic of the storm settled, and Mary tried to keep the rain from intensifying. "We're going to die!" Isabel was screaming frantically. Mary shared her coat before coming to Isabel's side. "Mother! The baby's coming! We must return to port!"
"We will take shelter on the coast. Get linen for her! Quickly!" Mary screamed at Anne, who took off. Lionel was safety nestled inside of a bunk. Mary had given him something to make him fall into a deep sleep. He wouldn't wake for some time.
Sometime pasted by as Mary worked to get the baby out of Isabel. However, it was stuck, and Mary's hands were too big to turn it. The storm rocked the ship back and forth, causing big waves to come over the sides. Mary knew that this ship wouldn't sink today, but it still made her feel ill to be here.
"Lady Mother, what is happening? Why doesn't the baby come?" Anne asked.
"It's stuck inside her. She needs a midwife to turn it. Go ask your father how long before we reach Calais!" Mary yelled over the waves, causing Anne to run back to where her father was. Isabel groaned as she tried to get the baby to come out. Mary moved the hair from Isabel's face as she heard an explosion.
It was a cannon. "Lady Mother, they are firing at us!" Anne said as she returned to the room.
Mary turned from Isabel to Anne, taking hold of her hands. "You will have to turn it. You have the smallest hands." Anne started to protest as Isabel cried out Anne's name. "You have to put them inside her and try and turn the baby."
"No, Mother, please! I cannot!"
"The child is stuck. If you love your sister, you will do it!"
"Annie. Please, Lady Mother! I don't want to die! Annie!" Isabel cried as Anne lifted her skirt to try and turn the baby.
The child was born dead. The entire bed was covered with blood as Mary carried the little bundle away from Isabel. "It was a boy," Mary said, before setting the child down. "A baby boy," Mary whispered, before turning to her stepdaughter. "Rest, child, we have a long road ahead."
Annie held onto Lionel, her baby boy, who didn't understand what was happening. He asked why Izzy was crying, but Annie hushed him before taking him into another room. Isabel sat up, looking at her stepmother. "Was it a witch's storm?" She asked quietly.
Mary looked up, not startled at all. She knew Isabel suspected her family of witchcraft, yet, she opened her heart to Mary. "No," Mary said, coming over to the bed. She soothed a hair strand from Isabel's face. "I would never allow that." She whispered. "This was a normal storm, which even I couldn't protect you from." Isabel nodded before bursting into tears. Mary wrapped her arms around Isabel, hugging her child close.
Isabel and Mary recently both lost a child and, at that moment, shared their grief.
After the storm, Mary carried Lionel into their temporary apartments, followed by her stepdaughters. Isabel lifted her gowns from the trunk. "Ruined. Everything's ruined!" She tossed her dresses onto the floor.
"No, it looks worse than it is. We can manage until we return home." Little Annie said, putting the gowns over the side of the trunk.
Mary scuffed, and turned around, setting Lionel on the floor. "We will not be able to return home, Anne." She shut the trunk lid. "Because of your father, we are all exiles now, as the old Lancaster Queen. We may never see England again."
"We are not like her. We are NOTHING like her." Annie replied to her mother, "Edward can just forgive them again, like last time."
"Edward could forgive them or could not. We may never know." Mary said, looking out the window. She needed to find out a way of opening a wave of communication to Edward and Elizabeth. She would find a way home to England, for herself and the children. They would not suffer anymore because of Warwick's and George's selfish pride. "I promise you girls, that I will find us a way back to England."
Isabel and Anne listened to their stepmother. They both knew that Mary hated their father, but could they betray him for her? They weren't so sure anymore. Mary loved them, but the girls loved their father too. Could they betray him in the worst possible way?
The next day, Warwick called his wife and daughters into his study. Mary curtsied while George glared at her in disdain. "What's this about, Warwick? Where have you been?" He asked, turning his attention to her husband.
"Making arrangements." He said.
"What arrangements?" Mary asked.
" Are we going home, Father?"
"Yes. But not just yet. You are to be married first, Anne." Her husband said, and Mary went quiet. In her mind, she saw Anne in a chapel, next to the outcast prince, Edward of Lancaster! Mary's face went pale at the thought. Anne married to that monster?! He chose how his prisoners were to die at a young child's age. He was a monster!
"I was not consulted," Mary said. but Warwick silenced her. "There wasn't enough time." He said.
"To whom?" Anne asked.
"Prince Edward of Lancaster." He said, making his daughter gasp in fright. Mary took hold of Anne's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"Margaret of Anjou is our enemy. Our greatest enemy. She hates us." Anne mumbled.
"If this goes according to plan, she will be your mother-in-law.
"I don't understand what you're trying to do."
Mary watched George, and her husband argues before George stormed out, rejected. Was it all worth it, George? To lose your country and a brother's love over a crown. Will it all be worth it in the end?
"Mother, you must speak to him! What does this mean, Mother? How could he do this? Edward of Lancaster is a monster! I will not marry him!" Anne was frantic, but Mary tried to keep her calm.
"Anne, do not worry. Whatever happens, I am here with you." Mary hugged her stepdaughter tight. "We will get home to England, with all those who love us, and we will be happy again. I promise."
Anne wanted to know the truth of her secrets. but there were whispers of her family accused of witchcraft. "Mother, do you have magic?" Mary went stiff. "I will never tell a soul, but tell me, will I be happy?"
Mary whipped Anne's eyes. "Yes, my dear. You will be happy. I will see it happen." Anne relaxed by her stepmother's assurance. If her stepmother knew the future, then perhaps she would be happy in the end.
Mary let go of her stepdaughter and reached out for her son. Her little boy. If they were going to war, where would he go that was safe? Mary's mind thought of Edward's sister, Margaret, in Burgundy. Her cousins were also family. Would they care for her son after Warwick left for war? If it came down to it. Lionel would have to be sent away. She would not lose her child to this war.
The next day, Anne wore a dark green gown. Mary made sure to make Anne seem less appealing, so the Prince didn't want to marry her. Mary stood in the center with Isabel and Anne beside her.
She could hear the Queen walking towards them, with Warwick on his knees. "I have always known I would see you on your knees again, Lord Warwick."
"Your Grace, ever since I was a boy, I have felt driven by a need to do what is right by England."
"Seizing my husband's throne and capturing and imprisoning him, as though he were a criminal. Driving me and my son, the future King of England, into hiding? All these things you judged to be right for our country?"
Mary's body went cold, making Anne look at her, worried. She was looking off somewhere far away. Mary saw bloody dead bodies all around her, as a man kneeled in front of her. A rider came on horseback, swinging a sword. The soldier on the ground looked up, and the rider turned his sword, killing him instantly. The fallen soldier, Edward of Lancaster. "You also married a River's girl, didn't you Warwick." Mary came out of her vision as Anne stepped back. "Your Jacquetta's daughter, aren't you?" Queen Margaret asked, standing in front of Mary.
"I am," Mary said.
Margaret turned her head side to side. "You look like her." Mary stared at the old Queen with hatred in her eyes, making Margaret of Anjou smile. "Interesting." She walked away with her son, following her. Mary stared back at her. Smile now, Wolf Queen. Your son will be dead within the fortnight. "Can I offer you a word of advice? To fight an infestation, you must scorch the nest. When you reach England, deal with that impostor queen, Elizabeth. If she has a son, she will be more damaging to my cause than all of Edward's armies."
Mary watched her. Elizabeth wouldn't die; she would live while your son dies.
Within the next fortnight, Warwick was leaving for England. Mary watched as he put on his armor. "Are you going to give me your blessing?" He asked.
Mary stared up at him, "My blessing?"
"Yes, do you wish that our son had a father as he grows?" He asked.
Mary turned away from her husband. "I wish my son had a father who loved him more than war or Kings." She whipped a tear away.
"That's not the world we live in, Mary," Richard said, making her turn around. "We did care for each other in the first years of our marriage. If I fail, pray for me and try to remember me fondly." He asked. "If I win, perhaps we can try to get back to those days. Will you promise me that?"
Mary didn't know if she could believe him. If he did lose, her family, her loved ones, would be reunited in peace. Yet if he won, her family would still be safe under his protection, but her mother, brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces would be hunted down one by one. How could she promise that? Yet as he stared at her, she couldn't lie to him. "If you win my husband, I will be here with our son. I will submit to my fate and strive to be a loving wife to you, as it was God's plan. if you lose, I'll pray for you and remember you as fondly as I can."
He nodded, content. If their world was different, he could have loved her. Yet, here and now was where they were. If he won, they could be happy, but if he lost, she would be free, and he would be dead.
He bowed her to and left. But before he walked out the door, he stared down at his son. True, he never spent time with the boy, but here and now, he regretted it. He bent down and kissed his son on the head before leaving.
That night, after Warwick left, Mary put her plan into action. She would send her son away as she left for England.
"Mama, I don't want to go," Lionel begged as she held onto him tight. Anne stood beside her, sad to see her little brother go, but Mary was right. If Lionel passed away in this war, Anne would never forgive herself.
"You must, my son. Your cousin Margaret is going to take care of you." She was sending off to Burgundy to be with Edward's sister. Both women had been writing secretly for weeks, and she agreed to care for Lionel. "I promise I'll try to get you home as quickly as I can."
She kissed him before giving him to the solider, who put him inside the carriage with his nanny. These men were loyal to Edward and Margaret and would keep her son safe. God forgive her, it was like separating her heart from her chest, but she needed to do this. For his future.
A few days later, Mary helped Isabel pack her things. She had been sent for by her father and husband. As Mary packed a gown into the trunk, Anne walked in. "What are you doing?" Anne asked.
"She has been sent for."
"You are leaving for England?"
"Tonight."
"But my wedding. I need Issy with me."
Mary walked to her youngest step-daughter. "I understand. It will be hard to accept it, but your father wants Isabel close to George. He doesn't trust him.'
"no-"Anne began to protest, but she was caught off. "Anne, I am sorry, but your father will not listen to me anymore. We need to have a plan, and that's getting home to England. Everything will be alright. Now come, we must get her ready."
Word reached fast upon the household, and Warwick had landed in England, and Edward fled. Mary feared for the loss of her sister and family. News reached to her that the royal family was in sanctuary, and Warwick had arrested her mother on witchcraft.
Mary couldn't believe it, yet she remained calm. The song in the river was soft and soothing, which meant everything would be alright in the end.
The army set sail for England after the marriage of Anne, and the Prince took place. She tried to prepare Anne was the worst, yet with the tears on her step-daughters face the next day, Mary feared the worst.
She was to remain in the back of the fleet while Anne was with Margaret of Anjou. Mary felt more alone than ever as they landed on English soil. Was Richard thinking about her at all? She thought of him almost every single second of the day.
The tide rolled in as Mary was carried to the shore on a boat. Just as she stood up, the world began to get hazy around her. Her husband was dead.
Mary took a deep breath, Warwick was gone. Her children were fatherless, but she would still hear his plea. If I fail, pray for me and remember me fondly.
I will try Richard, the Kingmaker. I will pray for you.
She followed Anne and the Queen into a chapel that was filled with Lancastrian men. They eyed her as Anne came to her side.
"Your Graces, I come direct directly from London."
"Your husband, the King."
"Imprisoned, imprisoned in the Tower, I know, and how heavy were our losses at Barnet?"
Mary poured herself a drink, tuning in and out of the conversation until she heard the messenger's words. "He killed his horse to prove that he would not ride-off, leave his men to die."
"What?" Mary asked.
"He fought and fell beside them." He showed honor at the very end of his life. Perhaps he could be redeemed after all. Mary thought to herself. "I am very sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," Mary said, turning away from the wolf Queen and the pup. Anne came over to her step-mother, and Mary stocked her hair. "We need to keep our heads in the coming days. War is here, and we don't know what will happen next.
The days after were hell on earth as they traveled with the army. Mary kept to herself as much as she could until one day, the Queen sought her out. "Don't you miss your husband?" Margaret of Anjou asked.
"Of course, I may not have loved him, but I pray for his soul." She said.
Margaret of Anjou laughed. "Of course. But you are an unmarried woman now. Perhaps when this is all over, we can find you a worthy husband."
Mary laughed, "Perhaps." The caravan stopped as the ladies took refuge in the abbey. The nuns were hospitable, but Mary could sense the fear in their eyes. Anne couldn't look at her. She knew that things were terrible in the end, and her father's wife didn't miss him at all.
Mary did in her way but was free of all the pain he caused. He couldn't bring harm to her family any longer. Mary went to the chapel and lit a candle for her husband's soul. Yet, she heard the screams of the battle ahead. She ran back to the main gateway.
"Get a cape, a blanket, and bread. I'll meet you by the stables." The Queen said to both as the battle cries came closer. "Come, Anne." Mary said, "We need to get somewhere safe before the army gets here."
"I'm tired, Mary. I'm so tired."
Margaret of Anjou stomped up to her daughter and shook her shoulders. "Look at me. Look at me, Anne! They will be here any moment, and men with blood on their hands are no respecters of title or age. We must go. And we must go now."
Mary knew they needed to flee because if they were killed now, all would be lost. She grabbed Anne's hand as they saddled up the horses. Mary got onto hers as the boy who held onto Anne's reign was killed with an arrow.
She screamed as soldiers gathered all around her, pulling her off. "Get off me!" She struggled to her feet. "I am Mary Woodville, Queen Elizabeth's sister." They ignored her, pushing her down to the ground. They pulled at her dress until another solider pulled a man off her.
"Mary." Mary looked up at her savior. It was Richard!
"Richard…" She said before she started to sway.
"Mary…Mary!" She heard voices calling her name, but she passed out into sweet oblivion.