~The Yorkist Court~
October 1464....
"I am a true Lady now!" Eleanor exclaimed as she twirled around the bedroom, the hanging sleeves of her green silk gown floating across the floor as she moved. The golden roses shimmered in the morning light, almost as bright as Eleanor's eyes were at the prospect of travelling to court which they were to do that very day!
As she twirled, the dark green silk swayed gracefully from side to side and the girl picked up the train of her gown, smiling as Bella beckoned to her and began to weave golden ribbons through her hair. Gently, she pushed the copper curls back, behind her shoulders, crossing the ribbons over and weaving them into the top of her little sisters head while she left the rest to flow down her back.
"Th court shall love you" she whispered as she finished and Eleanor spun around, winding a lock of red hair around her finger.
"Truly?" She asked with a small frown "do you think they will favour redheads? Not girls with golden hair like you and Lizzie?"
Bella laughed and rose from her bed, picking up her blue velvet cloak as she did so.
"Of course they will" she said as Eleanor followed her from the bedchamber "how could they not, Leena?"
Together the pair made their way outside where their other sisters were already lined up, proud smiles on each of their faces as they stood in their new dresses of silk, satin and velvet.
Bella and Eleanor joined the line and soon their mother appeared in a dark blue gown under a velvet mantle that flowed behind her and jewels in her golden hair that glimmered in the autumn sunlight.
Behind her was Elizabeth, donning a soft white gown adorned with light green patterns that lit up her eyes as she walked. Eleanor could see her sister's chest rising and falling as she walked towards the dapple mare Edward had sent for her, her face betraying excitement and nervousness as she faced the beginning of her destiny.
As she mounted her steed, her sisters were quick to follow, claiming their own horses and petting them fondly, some feeding theirs apples or carrots. Eleanor immediately ran over to her own, reaching out and laughing as her horse gave a neigh in greeting.
"Hello Apollo" she giggled giving him a small kiss on the nose as Apollo whinnied. He had been a gift from Anthony three years ago when he had been just a foal and Eleanor had loved him ever since.
Stroking his chestnut coat and jet black mane, she accepted the hand of a stable lad as she placed her foot in the stirrup and tried to adjust her position to the graceful side saddle Elizabeth had always tried to teach her. Personally Eleanor thought it rather dangerous, she felt it would be far easier to fall off than if she sat astride.
But as the stable lad draped the train of her gown over Apollo's back, she sat up straight and felt herself smile as her horse moved into a walk behind Elizabeth. Glancing back for the final time, she watched as her home drew away and found herself wondering when she would see her wondrous home again with its gardens that were beautiful during summer and the fields in which she and her siblings could play hide and seek with one another.
As soon as it was out of sight Eleanor began to feel homesick, longing for her comfortable bed which she shared with her sister and the ordered life she had lived for twelve years.
But now....she was going to court.
And as the sister of the Queen of England too.
꧁꧂
As the evening drew near, Eleanor could feel her stomach begin to tie itself into knots at the sight of the spires of Westminster place.
The whole court would have turned out to greet the new Queen and while it gave her a little comfort to know that all eyes would be on Elizabeth, she could still not help but fear the piercing, judgemental gaze of Lord Warwick, and the other nobles, upon her.
"Do not fear" Bella whispered as if she could read her little sister's mind "hold your head high just as mother told us. Never let it fall"
Eleanor nodded but felt her nerves rise again as the Woodville party trotted into the courtyard of Westminster Place and was immediately faced with the entirety of the English court who were standing on the steps, eager to see their new Queen and just as ready to criticise.
The only thing that gave her a little comfort was the sight of Edward as he appeared to hop down the steps, a bright smile on his face that made Elizabeth grin at him and Eleanor forget her worries for a moment.
As she gently pulled Apollo to a stop, she found her grip on her reins tighten a little and Eleanor kept her gaze glued to her sister who slid gracefully from her saddle and into the arms of the King. With a gentle hand, Edward cupped Elizabeth's face and gently turned it up to him before he kissed her gently, making his love for her clear to all.
Eleanor could not help but blush a little as she watched the two and averted her eyes, looking to Bella who was simply grinning from ear to ear.
"A little help, my lady?" A voice said beside her and Eleanor turned her head to see a boy a few years older than she, staring up at her with a smile on his face. He was wearing an Orange doublet and his brown eyes shone with mischief as he combed a hand through his light brown hair before he held up his arms to her.
Slowly, Eleanor held out her arms in return, placing them on the boy's shoulders and feeling herself blush once more as he put his hands on her waist and, as if she were but a feather, lifted her down from Apollo's back and onto the cobbles of the courtyard.
"Thank you, my lord" she said, with a small smile, expecting him to move away. But he did not. Instead he took her hand in his and proceeded to follow the King and Elizabeth up the steps of the place a cocky smile playing about his lips.
Who was this boy? Eleanor questioned as she now felt pairs of eyes turn towards her as the rest of her family dismounted from their horses and the little ones tumbled out of the carriage, giggling. He must have been of high rank, she decided, judging by the fine quality of his clothes and the confidence in his walk but she got no time to truly wonder as Edward answered for her.
"Elizabeth" he announced, his voice laced with love and lust as he gazed upon her before gesturing to dark haired boy (around Eleanor's age) and young woman before him that were waiting at the top of the steps "this is my sister Margaret, my brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester"
Richard, clearly the dark haired boy, bowed, a nervous smile on his face as he did so, his mass of her black curls hiding his true expression a little as he straightened his back again and Elizabeth smiled at him while Margaret curtsied gracefully.
"And this" Edward continued as he turned to face Eleanor "is my brother George, Duke of Clarence"
Shock must have registered clearly on Eleanor's face because Edward and George began to grin at each other as she glanced from one to the other before sinking down into a curtsy in front the boy holding her hand, her skirts and sleeves elegantly billowing around her, the golden thread of the roses shimmering as she moved.
"Your grace" she whispered before George quickly raised her to her feet and gave her hand a quick squeeze "it is an honour to meet you"
"The honour is all mine" he replied with a nod before looking to his elder brother again "really, Ned, you never told me your wife had such pretty sisters"
As Edward and Elizabeth moved on, in the background Eleanor could see Richard give a playful shake of his head and it appeared that George immediately noticed it as well; wrapped his arm around her waist again, bringing her forward to face his little brother.
"Why, Dickon?" He exclaimed with a grin as Richard flushed a deep red and Margaret rolled her eyes, clearly used to her brother's bold behaviour "don't you find her pretty?"
Eleanor locked eyes with the young Duke as he stared at her, his dark blue eyes looking her up and down until he nodded.
"Very" he answered quietly and George sighed, clearly not satisfied with the answer but he did not press on. Instead he released Eleanor's waist and kissed her hand, bowing.
"Until next time, my lady" he said with a wink before strolling away with Richard and Margaret.
Once they were gone, Eleanor felt her breathing steady a little, her heart returning to it's normal rate as she stared at the, now closed, door that the three York siblings had walked through. She had expected to be introduced to them but had never expected to interact with them so soon!
Looking to the crowd of brightly dressed nobles that were gathered before her. She could see King Edward towering above them all and so started to push through the group until she found her mother and father (who had now arrived along with her brothers) finding Jacquetta smiled at her as she appeared.
"A success with the Yorks already?" She chuckled before looking over to Elizabeth and the family she was being presented to. The Nevilles.
Lord Warwick, dressed in all his golden finery, stood beside his wife, Anne Beauchamp who appeared to be looking down her nose at Elizabeth, her hands clasped in exasperation as the new Queen was presented to her.
In front of her stood her two daughters who appeared as different as day and night. The dark haired eldest daughter, Isabel Neville whose expression was virtually the same as her mother's in which it showed complete disdain while her little sister Anne gazed on with her bright blue eyes. Her mouth was parted a little as she stared at Elizabeth in complete awe and slowly curled her fist around a lock of her honey coloured hair, as if comparing it to the Queen's.
Eleanor grinned at the little girl who only appeared a little older than her own sister Cat but her heart instantly decided against her elder sister just as it had firmly decided against Lord Warwick and his haughty wife who now swept a small curtsy before bustling away and taking her two daughters with her.
"My royal court!" Edward boomed, gesturing merrily around him "I give you the Queen of England!"
At once, Eleanor's face lit up again as she saw her older sister smile shyly, leaning into Edward's arms as all around her began to clap (some more enthusiastically than others).
"Lord Warwick looks as though he's swallowed poison, Leena" Baron Rivers whispered to his daughter as he laughed, enjoying the disgruntled look on Warwick's face, though as Eleanor followed his gaze she could not laugh, all she could to was see the danger he posed to her sister.
This was a man who had made a King 'the Kingmaker' Anthony called him, and surely, Eleanor thought, if he was able to make a King, surely he could unmake one if he so pleased?
꧁꧂
Walking down the halls of the palace, Eleanor stared at the colourful standards that floated above her head, representing each noble family in the land which was loyal to the crown. The corridors were lit by ornate torches that lined the walls and glorious marble twisted into pillars that connected to the pointed stone arches that came together above their heads.
In front of her was her mother and Elizabeth (who was clutching at the fabric of her gown) and all of her sisters filed behind them in age order so that Eleanor found herself walking beside an excited Catherine who was practically bouncing.
"You must be on your best behaviour, Cat" she whispered, tugging on her sister's velvet puffed sleeve until she slowed her fast pace "we are going to see the Duchess Cecily, Edward's mother....do not put one toe out of line"
Catherine merely giggled and Eleanor sighed, praying that her little sister would do as she was told for once.
There seemed to be not a person in the country who had not heard of the formidable Cecily Neville, nicknamed 'Proud Cis' for her unmatched pride in herself and in her family name.
Across the land she was well known for her wit and keenness of mind and also for her station as the Duchess of York, a position she had held for most of her life until her husband had died, leaving her a widow but more determined than ever to protect her family.
Now she resided over the Yorkist court, ruling with an iron first while her son spent his days fighting to keep his crown and, judging by the looks Elizabeth and Jacquetta were sending one another under hooded eyes, they knew that Cecily would not be one to easily relinquish her power to the Queen of England.
As they approached the doors of the Duchess's apartments, two guards pulled them open and bowed low as Elizabeth and the rest of the Woodvilles filed into the grand room where they were to meet one of the most important women in the land.
Eleanor peered over her sister, Martha's, shoulder as they all came to a halt, gasping a little as she saw Cecily for the first time.
She was seated on an oak throne, her bejewelled hands gripping the sides firmly as her blue eyes narrowed, sweeping over each of the Woodville girls with plain disapproval as they all sank down into curtsies. She shook her head a little, though her tall emerald headdress did not once move and inch; held still and steady.
Elizabeth appeared not to notice however as she approached the Duchess, smiling one of her most enchanting smiles.
"Duchess Cecily" she began "it is an honour to...."
Slowly, the Duchess shook her head again, putting a hand to her golden necklace which was adorned with a diamond Rose.
"I am not happy about this marriage" she stated coldly and Eleanor saw Elizabeth's smile fall as she looked to her mother for support.
"That's a shame" Jacquetta remarked with her usual effortless grace, stepping forward and smiling "we're all delighted"
At once Cecily turned her head towards her, sniffing a little as she looked the other woman up and down.
"I would remind, the Lady Rivers, that the wedding was a secret one which...."
"Private" Jacquetta cut in "it was private, not secret....I was there as were other witnesses such as my daughter"
"Your daughter?" Cecily scoffed and her stormy eyes returned to the Woodville sisters "which one, may I ask?"
Eleanor gulped and hesitated to step forward until she felt Bella give her a sharp poke in the back and at last walked out from among her sisters to where her sister stood, sinking down into another deep curtsy, feeling her heart beginning to pound.
Slowly straightening her back, she clutched the delicate silk of her gown with her fists as she felt the Duchess of York's gaze pierce her very soul.
"And you are?" She asked, her voice colder than ice.
"Eleanor, your grace" Eleanor answered as confidently as she could muster "Eleanor Woodville"
"And how old are you, child?"
"I am twelve, your grace"
As she spoke, Cecily began to laugh and her eyes returned to Jacquetta while a malicious smile came over her face.
"A twelve year old?" She scoffed "and you think that she adds merit to your case, Lady Rivers? Your eldest daughter is a widow and years older than my son!"
"I know!" Jacquetta replied sunnily "that is such and advantage isn't it"
Looking behind her while the battle of words and wit continued, Eleanor saw Bella give her an encouraging smile, though it was one that looked rather unsure and she had to suppress the urge to giggle at her sister's comical expression.
"I could put his brother George upon the throne"
At once all of Eleanor's amusement disappeared as her head whipped around to face the duchess once more, wondering if she had heard her correctly "how would you like that as the outcome to your private wedding, Lady Rivers?"
A triumphant smile now appeared on the face of Duchess Cecily as she stood from her throne and all looked to Jacquetta, expecting a rage but finding nothing other than a calm smile.
"Yes....I did hear some talk when Edward was born" she said at last and Eleanor felt her eyes widen as she looked between her sister, her mother and the Duchess, who's face was quickly turning as red as the young girls hair "hmm, it was an archer wasn't it, by the name of.... Blaynorne? Yes....that's it. People said that you made a cuckold of your husband....but in fact I was one of the few who swore a lady of your standing would never stoop so low....but in fact you did, if that is what you are saying, Duchess? That you declare yourself a common whore and your son, the King a bastard!"
"Enough" Cecily hissed, holding up her hand as if to shield herself from an invisible blow. She fell silent at last and Eleanor watched with baited breath as the Duchess sank down into her throne again, for one of the first times in her life, defeated.
She looked to her sister and saw a look of determination come over Elizabeth's face and somehow let herself relax enough to let go of the bunched up fabric in her hands.
"So then your words against the King shall go no further" the Queen said before a sweet smile overcame her face "and now that we are all friends I believe you do know the proper custom when presented to the Queen of England is to curtsy?"
Slowly, Cecily rose from her throne and gestured for her ladies to do the same before she swept down into a graceful curtsy, though she did not bow her head, not once breaking eye contact with Elizabeth who stared straight back.
"It is an honour to meet you, Duchess Cecily" she said, taking Eleanor's hand "and I would have you know that my sister's presence adds as much merit to me as you would had you have been at the wedding....she is invaluable to me"