𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝑋𝐶𝐼

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          

~Catching Conniving Prey~
Edward had embraced his Uncle with such ferocity in the castle courtyard Constance had thought he would knock him over as he'd almost done her! Richard laughed as he caught his nephew, and when he pulled away, laughed again at how much he'd grown, the affection shining in his eyes so great it was almost as if he were looking upon his own son. 
He'd laughed even louder when he reunited with Rob and Francis, exclaiming his fears (as the latter had done on the beach) that Rob was indeed dead! His friend had given one of his usually sharp-witted replies in return. 
Squeals filled the air and then it was Edward who was almost knocked to the floor as his little sisters launched themselves at him, Aliénor almost climbing up his legs like a monkey in her eagerness to receive his embrace! The greeting they gave Marie was much the same, only she wept at the sight of them, gathering them to her almost as their Mother would!
Constance had almost wept at the blessed sight of her brothers when they dismounted and bowed before she took them into her arms, kissing their cheeks as if they had spent not one day apart. Even so, Charles she'd had seen as an adult but Peter! She barely recognised him apart from the look of their Father he shared with their siblings! 
Instantly, they had both declared their intention to avenge their brother and she'd nodded, crossing herself as they did! 
"Thank you, brother" She'd whispered when she embraced Charles again and Peter offered her a handkerchief to wipe away the tears upon her cheeks for which she then thanked him. 
"We have no need of thanks, sister" He'd replied with a smile "You are our blood and we swore a vow to come to your aid if you ever did need it. We are glad to bring men to your cause and to your son. I was most glad to bring yet more from Queen Charlotte, despite your son's alliance with Brittany!"
She'd gasped. 
"Queen Charlotte has sent men?"
"Indeed, despite our nephew's alliance with Brittany" He confirmed and she embraced him fiercely "We fight for you, your son, our dear brother and in the name of our Father"
'Our Father' She thought. When she could scarce remember his face, how much did they remember, she had been the closest to him. He was more a name than a person now, she supposed and looked at the onyx rosary at her waist before joining her children. 
Richard with an arm around his nephew's shoulders, Marie and Constance behind along with the other new arrivals, they headed into the castle and that night, feasted to their heart's content. Middleham was filled with merry laughter and for a few hours, hardly any thought was given to war and instead to rejoicing.