14th October 1485: Westminster Palace, England
"Richard!" Edward smiled, rising to his feet and embracing Richard before he could bow "Please. Sit,"
Richatd took his seat and marvelled at the amount of food on the table, he could see why their father had become so fat in his later years. His chair was next to Edward's - which was at the top of the table. On Edward's other side, opposite Richard, was their half-brother, Richard Grey, aged 27. Next to him, was his brother, Thomas Grey, the Marquess of Dorset, aged 30, with his wife, Cecily Bonville, next to him.
At the other end of the table, opposite Edward, was the Dowager Queen of England, Elizabeth Woodville. Dotted along the table, in birth order, were the rest of the Princesses - with their husbands - if they were married - next to them. The only exception to this, was the Princess Elizabeth Plantagenet, who, due to the favouritism that Edward had given her, was sat next to her mother, the Dowager Queen.
As everyone dug in, Richard reached for a chicken leg. He looked up to Edward - sat in the top chair - who momentarily caught his eye and made a small gesture for him to begin eating. Richard picked up the chicken leg and took a bite.
"Is it good to have your second son back, mother?" Elizabeth asked, leaning over slightly, so that Anne, sat next to her, could not hear. The Dowager Queen smiled "It is good, Elizabeth. I have both my darling boys where I know that they are safe,"
"Are you sure that they are safe?" Elizabeth asked, making sure that no-one could hear for a moment. The Dowager Queen smiled, thinly "Why wouldn't they be?"
At the other end of the table, Cecily - being the next eldest daughter, after Elizabeth - and the nearest to Richard, leaned over to him "So, what adventures did you get up to in Turkey?"
Richard stopped for a moment, blinking. However, before he could speak, Edward interrupted "Yes," Edward began, swallowing the bite of his chicken leg "I would like to know that too. I need to know what my baby brother had been up to while he was gone,"
Richard looked around, to make sure that no-one else was listening. "I spent my time, in Turkey under cover. I set up a completely new life. I assumed, since I had not heard from you, Edward, that you were dead and that whoever Elizabeth had married had become King - as Elizabeth is the next eldest, and the heir after me, until such time as I have a child. Then I got the news that you had been on the throne for over a year and a half. I came back to England, by a trade boat. I was found by Thomas Howard, and brought to the tower, and interrogated. Then you realised that it was me, and you restored me to my former position,"
Catherine and Cecily both looked excited and Richard continued to tell them what had happened.
The following morning, the two Plantagenet brothers were preparing to go and fence with their companions.
Edward held out his hand for the light chain mail shirt and his body servant pulled it over the young King's head, before fitting his helmet on to his head.
Twelve year old Richard, already changed, for, after all those years on the run, he'd stopped needing a servant to do every little thing for him, bounced impatiently on the balls of his feet.
Though he didn't say anything, Edward sensed his impatience, and chuckled. "All right, Richard, I'm coming."
He led the way to the pile of swords in the next room and picked up his favourite blade, while Richard, not used to the amount of swords that were at his disposal, tried out a number one after the other, just to see how they felt in his hand.
At length, he chose a light sword with a finely balanced blade and a short handle. Then he nodded at Edward and the two brothers fell into step beside one another.
They walked out to the practice fields, where John Bourchier, Edward Stafford, Thomas Howard, George Talbot and their cousin Edmund de la Pole were waiting for them.
"Back to Back, brother?" Richard asked and Edward nodded. Shutting their visors, Edward and Richard stood back to back and waited for the other boys to rush them, which they did, again and again, trying to catch their King and Prince unawares. It was no good.
While neither of the Plantagenet boys knew instinctively where the other was, the way they used to, they were both capable swordsmen in their own right. One would step forward, battle their opponent and then call out to the other, stepping back to join them again.
When the others finally gave up, they were drenched in sweat, but the Plantagenet brothers weren't. The tutor, Anthony Woodville, still had some words for them, however.
"Though I commend your stamina, Your Majesty, and yours, Prince Richard, you both need to know where the other is instinctively. Calling out, besides being useless in the clamour of battle, will get you both killed. Work on it."
Two silver helmets edged with gold nodded and then Anthony dismissed the boys. Edward and Richard, however, took off their helmets and glanced at one another.
"Shall we try this blindfolded? Just the two of us?" Edward suggested. Richard inclined his flaxen head. "As you wish."
Edward called for two thick pieces of dark velvet and some rope to bind them with.
When they were brought, Edward reached for Richard and blindfolded him, before asking Anthony Woodville to do the same for him. That done, he drew his sword again.
"En Garde, brother, En Garde!"
Following the sound of Edward's voice, Richard swung his sword up so that the blades clashed and with that, they were off again.
Richard, changed and washed, collapsed onto his bed, panting. Even after all those years on the run, he had never had competition as good as Edward. He would have to up his game. But, for now, Richard was ready for bed. Rolling over, he pulled the quilt over himself and let his flaxen head hit the pillow. He was asleep in an instant.
Edward smiled, pushing the door open a little, and spotting Richard in the bed. He moved forward, leaned down and kissed Richard, once, on the forehead. "Sleep well, brother," He turned, and left the chambers, heading to his own, and closing the door behind him, a bright smile on his face. Yes... everything was good.
"Your Majesty? The son of The Duke of Clarence is here,"
"Edward!" The King rose, to greet his ten year old cousin. Edward Plantagenet bowed, stifly at the waist. The King took him by the shoulder and pulled him into a tight embrace, clapping a hand on to his back. "Welcome back to court, cousin,"
Edward Plantagenet gave a small smile "I-It is g-good to be b-back, Y-Your Majesty,"
The King clapped a hand on to Edward's shoulder "I plan to restore you to your father's title, of Duke of Clarence. I think that it is not fair that you cannot succeed to the title becaue of what your father did. It was not your fault that my uncle was a drunk!"
Edward let a smile cross his face. "T-Thank you. Your Majesty,"
The King smiled, returning to his throne, and patting the chair next to it. Richard took his seat and The King gestured for Edward to come forward. "I will restore you to your father's title and I will reverse the attainder on you."
"M-Majesty," Edward bowed, and left the room.
The herald unrolled the scroll and began to speak "It is the pleasure of our Sovereign Majesty, King Edward V, on this day, the Fourteenth day of October in the second year of his reign, anno domini 1485, to create thee, Sir Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Warwick, Earl of Salisbury, Baron Montacute and Duke of Clarence,"."
As the herald finished, Edward heard the King come down off the dais and then felt first, the light weight of the silver Earl's coronet come to rest on his head and then the heavy warmth of his new robes of state being draped around his shoulders, before Edward said "Arise, My Lord Clarence, Salisbury, Warwick and Montacute" and helped him up, kissing him in friendship and and handing him the patent of his newfound nobility. Edward accepted them with gracious thanks, and then the King stepped back.
Edward took the required three steps backwards before turning and leaving the presence of the King. Richard cast a glance to his brother, who made a gesture for Richard to take a seat, which, he did.
So, Edward Plantagenet has been restored to his titles. This chapter is just a chapter between family, really, so, I hope that you enjoy it. Next chapter, things begin to pick up. Review please.