They had been met by a party of soldiers about a quarter of a mile outside the city, the man leading them a lord that Richard knew he should really recognise but at that moment couldn’t place a name to. As both parties halted and the leaders walked their horses up to meet, Richard discreetly pulled his hood up to cover his face, he’d gotten use to doing this whenever they came upon people as Henry deemed it safer for him if people didn’t realise who he was. Richard knew that there would be people who would willingly help him if they knew he was alive, but he now knew deep down that keeping up the war just wasn’t an option. If Henry could keep him safe and alive then he would be happy to stay silent and in the background, he would be quite happy if Henry sent him away to a secluded manor to live out the rest of his life. He had no idea that Henry’s plans included him taking a much more public role.
Deciding it was easier for them to talk on foot Henry waited for Richard to dismount first, the ex King wincing as he slid down from the horse, his knees buckling as his feet hit the ground, a shaft of pain spearing up through him from the ride. Luckily Charles had already dismounted and had come over to aid him down, his arms quickly encircling Richard, keeping him upright and drawing him away from the many interested eyes watching and wanting to know who the stranger riding behind Henry was. The gossip about a mistress riding with the new King had already reached the city and all wanted to see who the lady was. Watching Richard limp away, Henry had to fight down the urge to go to his aid, he could see his physician already making his way to Richard’s side. He silently chastised himself for not thinking about Richard’s comfort on the days ride, he should have realised that sitting astride for too long would be painful for him; he should have insisted on stopping so Richard could change back to a side saddle position. He would make amends once they were safe in the Kings suite at the Tower.
Once the welcoming party had greeted Henry and explained that they would escort him and his party into London, those riders who had dismounted while the meeting took place, now remounted, and one of the squires had removed the saddle pad from behind Henry’s saddle and had placed it on Charles’ horse, the knight remounting before leaning down to clasp Richard’s hand, while the squire gave him a hand boost up to settle side saddle behind him. Once Henry was sure that everyone was ready, they set off, the senior lord in the greeting party riding at his side. The ride into London went without a hitch; although the crowds of people stood on the streets to see their new King enter the city was an unnerving thing for all. Sat on the saddle pad behind Charles, Richard could not help but think back to the last time he’d ridden through the streets with the people cheering him. He didn’t want to feel slightly smug, but the cheers greeting Henry seemed muted to say the least. Privately he wondered if Margaret Beaufort’s rule was already making Henry enemies.
Riding in over the drawbridge at the Tower, Richard couldn’t help but glance up at the tower where his nephews had lived and supposedly met their end at his hands. He knew that they were safe and where they were as did their mother and sisters, but none of them would ever reveal that Edward and Richard were safe in Burgundy with their Aunt. Maybe when they were old enough then they could decide whether they should try and regain the throne, but that would be their decision not his.
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timeasmymeasure
Fill: The Prisoner. Richard III/ Henry VII AU NC-17 Warning non con at first. 8a
Date: 2011-11-24 08:09 pm (UTC)Deciding it was easier for them to talk on foot Henry waited for Richard to dismount first, the ex King wincing as he slid down from the horse, his knees buckling as his feet hit the ground, a shaft of pain spearing up through him from the ride. Luckily Charles had already dismounted and had come over to aid him down, his arms quickly encircling Richard, keeping him upright and drawing him away from the many interested eyes watching and wanting to know who the stranger riding behind Henry was. The gossip about a mistress riding with the new King had already reached the city and all wanted to see who the lady was. Watching Richard limp away, Henry had to fight down the urge to go to his aid, he could see his physician already making his way to Richard’s side. He silently chastised himself for not thinking about Richard’s comfort on the days ride, he should have realised that sitting astride for too long would be painful for him; he should have insisted on stopping so Richard could change back to a side saddle position. He would make amends once they were safe in the Kings suite at the Tower.
Once the welcoming party had greeted Henry and explained that they would escort him and his party into London, those riders who had dismounted while the meeting took place, now remounted, and one of the squires had removed the saddle pad from behind Henry’s saddle and had placed it on Charles’ horse, the knight remounting before leaning down to clasp Richard’s hand, while the squire gave him a hand boost up to settle side saddle behind him. Once Henry was sure that everyone was ready, they set off, the senior lord in the greeting party riding at his side. The ride into London went without a hitch; although the crowds of people stood on the streets to see their new King enter the city was an unnerving thing for all. Sat on the saddle pad behind Charles, Richard could not help but think back to the last time he’d ridden through the streets with the people cheering him. He didn’t want to feel slightly smug, but the cheers greeting Henry seemed muted to say the least. Privately he wondered if Margaret Beaufort’s rule was already making Henry enemies.
Riding in over the drawbridge at the Tower, Richard couldn’t help but glance up at the tower where his nephews had lived and supposedly met their end at his hands. He knew that they were safe and where they were as did their mother and sisters, but none of them would ever reveal that Edward and Richard were safe in Burgundy with their Aunt. Maybe when they were old enough then they could decide whether they should try and regain the throne, but that would be their decision not his.