They continued this at Middleham and soon enough Eliza began to follow Georgie around like he was a God! She seemed to worship the very ground he walked on and he did not push her away as some might. He treated her like a little sister and her loyalties soon came to lie with him. 
                          
And so the days turned into weeks, the weeks turned into months and the months eventually slipped into years. But no matter how much time seemed to go by, grief and tragedy still followed the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester like the plague. 
                          
First a babe, as delicate as a fallen leaf and named for his Father. Born on the 15th of December 1478 when the first snows fell. Dead in January before they melted; blown swiftly away by death's gentle breeze before he had even truly grasped at his chance of life. 
                          
He was placed in Middleham's chapel and mourned deeply by all who lived there. For Eleanor and Richard he had been a symbol of hope, of new life an happiness after George's death but God had seen fit to take him from them; casting them into darkness.
                          
Nineteen months later (in July of 1480) saw the birth of a little girl with dark brown hair and a wide toothless grin. She was named Eleanor for her mother and was as healthy babe as ever was seen! The Duchess called her her 'little ray of sunshine' and loved to parade her around the castle wrapped in a silken blanket instead of her usual swaddling bands.
                          
But, of course, this happiness was not to last. It was only a month until it was destroyed. 
                          
Eleanor had always told him not to run. 
Had always told him to walk on the stairs. 
Had always told him to look where he was going. 
                          
But of course he did not listen. 
What five year old would? 
                          
It had been a warm September day and the children had all been flooding out into the courtyard to the stables, laughing and joking with one another. That morning they had each begged Richard and Eleanor to take them hunting, all wanting to show the skills they had acquired throughout the years! And, of course, wanting to prove that they were the best out of their peers. 
                          
Georgie led the group of boys, his younger namesake, William and John trailing after him as usual, though now they had Eliza in tow too, while Bess led the girls. 
                          
She had stunned the entire group by appearing in the great hall in a pair of John's breeches and one of his old shirts, the proudest look on her face while her siblings stared at her; mouths agape. Francis and Rob had erupted into peals of astonished laughter and applause, rather impressed by the eight year old's boldness, as was Eleanor whose eyes were shining with pride for she had done the same at that age! 
                          
Richard simply watched as Bess hopped down the steps, sauntering to the door with her head held high in the air; red curls tumbling down her back. A small smile played on his lips and danced in his eyes before Bess looked at him. Richard knew she was expecting a reprimand or a stern order that she change into a gown but he simply called "it suits you, Bessie, perhaps I should knight you?" 
                          
Her smile then had been enough to light up the entire earth with its glow and she ran to him, throwing herself into his arms. 
                          
Now she had a grinning Katheryn and Matilda (who had also found herself a pair of breeches though they hardly fitted her) following in her wake while they found their horses and swung themselves into the saddles. 
                          
With Anais and Marie stood Edward, Cecily and Isabella, the little ones looking rather disgruntled at being left out though they waved merrily enough to their siblings and watched with curiosity as William suddenly rushed past them. He had forgotten his bow!