Tower Of London
No one POV
Matilda was walking around the cells, Matilda kept walking up the stairs and she looked through all the doors.
Elizabeth walked up and said "Matilda? What are you doing?" and Matilda turned around and looked nervous.
Elizabeth walked up and said "You do not need to worry about Mad King Henry, He can't get out of there."
Matilda looked down and kept looking down and Elizabeth bent down in front of her and said "Your not looking for him, are you."
Matilda said "I thought my mother would be here" and Elizabeth sighed and said "I know it's complicated, and she's your mother, but your father, Edward" and Matilda said "My step father turned against him, not my mother."
Richard walked up and said "Matilda."
Matilda turned around and said "Where are we going?" and Richard said "The Talbots have offered to support us, and we have to come, Because of what your step father did, You need to come with me. Come on."
Matilda said "Will he release my mother" and Richard said "That is up to the King, your Father."
Matilda looked over at Elizabeth and Richard.
Matilda looked down and said "Please, Uncle Richard, could you help me?".
Warwick Castle
Edward slammed his hand on the table and said ""Advise me", Warwick? Not lock me up or take away my throne, but, no, you would "advise me"?!".
Warwick said "Edward, the council feels..."and Edward said "No, it doesn't! The council feels nothing but what you tell it, and you will turn them against me".
Warwick said "Edward, all we ask is that you take back your old advisors and dismiss the Rivers family."
Edward said "Which you know I will never do! So, the game is that you make demands on me you know I cannot agree to, and use that as your excuse to keep me here while George rules in my place! But really, you rule through him".
Warwick said "Edward! The loyalty that we had to..." and Edward said "No! I am "Your Grace" to you, cousin! The Lord's anointed king and ruler of this kingdom!" and Warwick said "And Your Grace needs to understand that this is a betrayal and that the Queen's family...".
Edward said "Are loyal to me! Which is more than can be said for you and George. Now, where is the Queen because if you have harmed a single hair upon her head..." and Warwick said " She would have likely sent the Devil down upon me! But she is barricaded in the Tower. Along with Lady Matilda."
Edward said "Now that, dear cousin, is treason! As is this. But, if I must hold court at Warwick Castle," and he sat down on the chair and put his feet on the table and said "then you may bring me some venison and some small ale so I may eat at your expense as I run my kingdom! Is that clear to you? Yes, and bring me brother George as I have words to say to him."
Isabel and Anne went to go in to get the dog out and Edward looked over and got up and said " Brother George's new wife, Isabel, married without my consent. I do hope you're not expecting loyalty from him!".
Warwick said "Will you get them in there! Go, go!" and Isabel and Anne walked out.
Outside of the Room
Warwick and Countess Anne walked up to Isabel and Anne. Warwick said "She's not bled yet?" and Countess Anne said " She's with child."
Warwick said "A wedding night child shows we have God's blessing. Is it a boy?" and Isabel said "I... How would I know, Father?".
Warwick said "I have called a Parliament at York where we will proclaim George the king and Isabel his queen."
Isabel said "But, Father! I cannot! " and Countess Anne said "Be quiet, Isabel! It may as well be over with. He knows full well what we're doing. You cannot turn back now. You must stay your course come hell or glory."
Isabel said "But Parliament will never agree!" and Countess Anne said "They must! The Rivers woman is so hated. She has pushed aside your father and every other noble advisor England ever had. And in their place, put scum. "
Warwick said "You will not question me. Now get out!" and Anne and Isabel walked out.
At Parliament
Matilda was sitting next to Richard, Matilda looked over, and George walked up with Warwick and George said "Why is there a bastard here?".
Matilda looked up and Richard said "Lady Matilda, the King's legitimise child is here on behalf of Talbot family, who has joined us..They are rich in status."
George said "..I shall be a strong leader. The whole country behind me..." and Richard said "..To turn against your own brother. "
George went to speak again, One of the men in the parliament, said "The throne has the rightful king."
Richard looked over at George and smirked.
Matilda kept fiddling with her fingers.
Warwick Castle
Edward looked over at Warwick and George and said "No crown, George? You clearly couldn't command Parliament. So, you must let me go, or you must kill me. Because there is no other end to this."
George ran over and grabbed a sword and went to attack Edward but Edward held him back.
Edward walked away.
At the Tower of London
Matilda was eating, Richard held up his cup and Anthony said "Welcome home. King Edward!".
Everyone said "King Edward!" and Edward said "They lost their nerve. George said he would behead me, but of course, he would not dare. Not even Warwick has the stomach for that! He thought I was still that boy that he could control. He tried to make me give you up but I told him that I would happily stay in his house for ever, but never would I give up my wife nor who I am. They are fools to think it."
Jacquetta said "So, he just released you?" and Anthony said "Parliament wouldn't declare for George and make him king, so if Edward wouldn't abdicate and they wouldn't kill him..." and Edward said "Warwick let me out for exercise, so he could save his pride."
Richard said "But really, he just let him go."
Elizabeth said "And now he will be sorry. You know about my brother John, and Father? So, they will pay for it."
Edward said "You won't like it, but they won't. We must have peace, Elizabeth. And I was a fool not to see that I had shut Lord Warwick out. But he knows that he has lost and he will beg for my forgiveness as will George."
Elizabeth said "You must not give it! " and Edward said "I will. They are my brother and my cousin. And this country cannot stand another war, especially one within this family. And I will make Warwick's nephew Duke of Bedford."
Jacquetta said "My first husband's title?" and Edward said "He's Warwick's heir and I must give him some stake in staying loyal."
Jacquetta said "He is a traitor."
Elizabeth said "I don't care what his nephew gets, as long as you execute Warwick!"
Edward said "I can't, my love. And I won't. And what is more, We must not give him all and so I will give Matilda to young Bedford in marriage to make that alliance firm."
Matilda said "What?" and Elizabeth said "Over my dead body"and Matilda looked up.
Edward said "We must. It does not give him all he wants, He does need to learn his place, and this will teach him, and even then, Warwick will have a chance of his blood being on the throne one day and he will not come against me again."
Matilda said "I don't want to" and Edward looked over and said "It is your duty" and Matilda said "Will my mother be released if I do."
Edward said "No, your mother is a traitor, and must pay the prize" and Matilda said "It was my step father, and Warwick and George aren't paying the prize."
Edward said "Enough" and Elizabeth said "I swear to you that she will never marry Warwick's nephew."
Edward said "Then forgive me for being worried out of my wits about you and trying to keep you safe! But they would have murdered YOU. So while I am King of England, I shall give my daughter in marriage to anybody I please, and no-one, including you, shall stop me! Is that understood?".
He looked at Matilda and Matilda said "So how long is she supposed to be in prison" and Edward sighed and said "For the time being. And you will do this, it is not up to you."
Matilda said "Yes, Your Grace."
Matilda curtised and walked away.
December, 1469. Westminister Palace
Matilda looked out the window as she kept tapping on it, as she saw George and Warwick riding in, with the carriage.
Edward walked inside her room, the maids bowed and said "Your Grace."
Edward said "Matilda, come with me, Let's see your Uncle George,and your future Uncle by law."
Matilda looked up at him and said "So, Uncle George is allowed to come to Christmas, and so is Warwick, even though they betrayed you."
Edward said "They have offered their forgiveness, and now we must have peace" and he bent down in front of her and said "And you will help that peace."
Matilda looked at him and said "So, if someone betrays you, You can forgive them" and Edward said "But of course."
Matilda said "So, they who actually betrayed you, tried to take your throne, and kept you prisoner, are allowed to be free and come for Christmas, but my mother who didn't actually betrayed you stays in a cell."
Edward said "Matilda."
Matilda said "I just don't understand how that's fair" and Edward said "I am the King, and your Step father has betrayed me forever and I have forgive him, This was his second chance and he turned against me, I cannot risk the same happening once again."
Matilda said "He betrayed you not my mother" and Edward said "And how do you know this, sweetheart, Because you want to believe that your mother would not do such a thing."
Matilda looked away, Edward moved her chin over so she would be looking at him, Edward said "I understand it's difficult, but now your here with me, We must accept what has to happen. Alright, now come along, Let's go see your uncle."
He grabbed her hand and lead her away.
Outisde, Edward stood by the stairs, with his arm around Matilda, Matilda looked up at Richard.
Warwick and George looked over as Isabel, Anne and Countess Anne got out of the carriage, Anne looked at Matilda who waved.
Edward said "Welcome to court. Warwick. George. "
Edward walked down and said "The prodigals return."
Edward hugged Warwick and then he hugged George, George looked at Matilda who simply just glared at him.
Richard said "Matilda."
Matilda said "I didn't say anything" and Edward said "Matilda, come say helllo" and Matilda said "Hello."
Edward said "Oh come on, Warwick is to be your family soon" and Edward picked up Matilda and put her down.
Matilda without looking at Warwick just curtised.
Edward said "I apologise for my daughter's manner, She seems to be struggling with her mother's actions. But she must learn to be on her best behaviour, don't you."
Matilda said "My apologies, Your Grace."
In Elizabeth's Chambers
Elizabeth was sitting down, Jacquetta was behind her, Countess Anne walked in with Isabel and Anne and they all curtised.
Countess Anne said "Your Grace... Lady Rivers. I am sorry for your loss."
Elizabeth said "By which you mean the brutal slaying of my father and my brother who were innocent of any crime in all their lives and merely obedient to their Lord and king?".
Countess Anne said "In the fortunes of war... " and Elizabeth said "It was not war. This was no honourable death on a battlefield. It was murder. And it was treason in the eyes of God and man."
Countess Anne said "Your Grace... " and Elizabeth said "Be quiet."
The wind blew a candle out, Isabel and Anne looked at each other, Countess Anne said "Your Grace, I must return to my Lord and husband...".
Elizabeth said "You will go whenever I command it, Countess Warwick. And all of you will dance to whatever tune I sing."
Elizabeth stood up and walked away. They all moved out of her way.
At Court
Matilda was sitting down and was eating food, Isabel sat near her, Matilda said "You should try the vegetables."
Isabel looked over and said "Should I?" and Matilda said "Yes, they're very good, The Queen always eats lots of them when she was carrying my sisters. And my mother always says it's good for the baby."
Isabel said "Thank you. Do you miss her" and Matilda nodded and said "I wish I could see her at least, but I can't, Even with" and Isabel said "George and my father are allowed to be here, but she isn't, when their crimes were larger. I suppose you also hate me."
Matilda said "Why would I? It's not your fault, You didn't choose it" and Isabel said "It's interesting that a child understands that, I suppose from experience, Seems we both are just pawns for our fathers."
Matilda said "I think so" and Isabel said "Does it bother you" and Matilda said "I guess I, it wouldn't bother me as much, if some good came from it, If I could get my mother out of prison, or visit her at the very least."
Isabel said "Your lucky in that way" and Matilda said "In my mother being imprisoned" and Isabel said "No, You are lucky to have a mother that loves you for who you are and not what you can do for them."
Matilda looked up and said "At least people don't call you names behind your back, or to your face."
In Edward's Chambers
Elizabeth walked in and said "More land for the traitors? I wonder that it does not make you sick."
Edward said "For the nobles, my love, and this is what it is to be king. I give out wealth and favours or else they may wish that good old Henry was back on the throne, or his son, Edward, or my brother, George. Or, God forbid, Margaret Beaufort's son, Henry Tudor, "Let's have Lancaster back!"".
Elizabeth said "She surely cannot hope for him? There are too many others in line before him!".
In The Hallway
Warwick walked with Matilda, Matilda kept looking at her nails, Warwick said "We should start your education, Who knows what your step mother has taught you."
Matilda said "Well, as I am often reminded, It is my father who has the last say on anything, I've been educated by my mother, and by many others."
Warwick said "Good, but now you shall be risen high above your station, Your to be a Duchess someday, and as such will have the education befitting one."
Matilda looked over and said "And could that be by anyone else" and Warwick said "You should be more grateful..about where you are going. And what has happened..There's not many who would do what your father has done for you. Of course your mother will be in a prison, Her pressense damages his Queen."
Edward walked up and said "Ah, Warwick! There you are! I have something for you. Matilda, sweetheart."
Matilda curtised, Edward said "So, how are our newlyweds, hmm? Is your daughter mad with love for my troublesome brother George?".
Warwick said "They give thanks that God has blessed them with a child so soon. They have hopes it may be a boy."
Edward said "We all pray for sons. I have to have a son."
Matilda looked over.
Edward said "I have a gift for you, Some company" and Matilda looked over and said "I can visit Mother."
Edward said "No, not now, But Anne Neville will remain with you" and Matilda said "What?".
Edward said "You'll marry into their family, who better to teach you better..and you two are close, aren't you."
Matilda looked over.
In Elizabeth's Room
Anne looked over at the necklaces, Matilda walked up and said "What are you doing?" and Anne turned around and said "Matilda, nothing."
Matilda walked up and said "I know you don't like it, it's demeaning" and Anne said "How do you know that word."
Matilda said "I know a lot of words."
Anne looked over and Anne said "Why don't we play a game, I do like spending time with you" and Matilda said "I don't think I want to play a game."
Anne said "I'm sorry about your mother, She deserves better than that " and Matilda said "I wish I could get her out."
Anne said "Well, it could work out, the King could change his mind" and Matilda said "He won't, I think I'm starting to understand, He did it so he could hide from it, From what happened, Because..I know what they call her, what they call me."
Anne looked over at her and Matilda said "Why does he focus on me so much, I'm not even a boy..Sometimes I wish he didn't, then I could be with my mother."
Anne looked over and said "I think it's because he sees your different, your smart and sweet, And my cousin, He's very" and Matilda looked up and Anne said "you don't want to speak about that do you."
Matilda nodded.
Anne said "And you could be happy, things can change" and Matilda said "Do you ever think that things would be different."
Anne said "How?" and Matilda said"If you were a boy, I think if I was a boy, Father wouldn't focus on me so much sometimes."
Anne grabbed her hands and said "Does it feel overwhelming sometimes, That it makes you nervous."
Matilda said "Sometimes" and Anne said "I feel like that too sometimes, but you want to know what I do."
Matilda looked up, Elizabeth walked in with Edward, Elizabeth said "Come to bed, my love."
Edward said "Mmm, something's made you very hungry!" and Matilda looked over and said "Come on."
She grabbed Anne's hand and went to lead her out, as Edward and Elizabeth kissed, Elizabeth said "You will wait."
Matilda turned around and said "But, I wanted Anne to come with me" and Elizabeth said "You can go with another maid."
Matilda said "But" and Edward said "Matilda, go on."
A maid grabbed Matilda's hand and lead her away.
Matilda looked back at Anne as she was lead out, Elizabeth said "Unlace my dress" and Anne walked up.
Few Weeks Later, In Another Room
Elizabeth was talking to Edward and said "What do you mean, "another uprising"?".
Edward said "In favour of witless old Henry. With a leader who will not announce his name."
Elizabeth said "A leader with no name? I do not see. "
Edward began putting things in a bag and said "He may be a herald to Margaret of Anjou, testing how much support she can raise before she lands her troops to free her husband, so I will make quick work of him."
Elizabeth said "Can someone else not lead the army?" and Edward said "No, it is my crown. I must defend it. I must put my neck on the line with the men who love me."
Elizabeth said "Edward, please, don't go. I'm with child again. And this time I'm sure it's a boy."
Edward smiled and kissed her and said "Oh, I knew it! That's the best news you could give me! How are you so sure it's a boy?".
Elizabeth said "Would you pry into a woman's mysteries?" and Edward said "No, I would not."
Elizabeth said "Then, please, stay. This time, to protect us both?" and Edward said "It is all the more reason I must defend my crown for my son to inherit. My prince... we will call Edward."
Elizabeth smiled and said "Edward. What about your faithful cousin Warwick and loyal George? Will they ride with you?".
Edward said "Hah! My little queen of mistrust, Warwick is in the north raising men for me as we speak. I also have the Talbots, And George will be by my side. In body perhaps, but not in spirit. They have promised me their loyalty, Elizabeth. Truly you must trust me. I will be home with you by May Day morning with peaches and salt cod, for you and my prince, Edward."
Elizabeth said "And where is Matilda? I haven't seen her lately"and Edward said "Oh, she's with my sister Anne for the next few months."
Exeter
Matilda was lighting a candle and she turned around as Anne walked in and Matilda said "Aunt Anne. What is it?".
Anne said "I just received a letter from the King and Richard, about the battle."
Matilda said "I know, I was about to pray" and Anne said "We're adding more guards, My brother is an idiotic ambitious fool, To turn against his own brother once again. To plot to murder him with that coniving traitorous Warwick. After my brother forgave him as well."
Matilda said "Aunt Anne, I'm confused, what do you mean" and Anne said "They plotted to murder him, Luckily he was warned by a Lancaster of all people, But he was warned. He's in.." and Matilda grabbed her hand and said "Do you want to pray?".
Anne said "I think that might help, You won't marry Warwick's nephew, Especially not after what happened when they tried to escape to Calais."
Matilda said "What happened?".
Anne said "I'll explain later, but your father wants you to remain here for the time being."
Matilda said "What about my sisters, are they okay" and Anne said "They're with their mother, they're okay."
Anne said "Come on, let us pray, It will help both of us."