Chapter 27: A Few Simple Steps
* * *
The Tower, June 1466
* * *
The Tower, June 1466
The lock on the chamber door turned and as it swung wide, the stale air wafted past the King’s nose. Taking cautious steps, Richard entered the room lit dimly only by the moonlight from the slight window. It took some few moments for the figure before him to stir, yet when he did the visage that was presented to him was unkind.
“We are not well met, I am afraid,” Henry suggested as he held to his blanket in bed and did not turn to face Richard.
“We have been busy,” Richard replied.
The former King finally rolled in his bed to look upon the new King with a sad eye, “You did make me a promise, cousin.”
Richard slowly closed the chamber door and took a few steps, “I have held to my end of the bargain, sir. I think not that you have.”
“Alight a candle and I may tell you why.”
This Richard did and held it with him as he sat next to Henry on the bed. He looked over the former King’s face and pitied him. Sunken eyes and gaunt cheeks. Henry’s hair was now fully white and long having gone without a shearing. His body remained emaciated and yet, his eyes still showed a spark.
“You would have wisdom for me?” the King questioned.
Henry curled a wrinkled lip, “I have naught but time to think of such. So yes. Should you wish to have it.”
With a sigh, Richard placed the candle to a stand and lifted to pour them both some wine. He returned and held it out for Henry to take, “Why do they not see to your health, sir?”
“You may ask Tiptoft...sir,” Henry replied as he gladly took the offered cup, “Or mayhap yourself.”
Richard stood as tall as he might, “I’ve not harmed you.”
Laughter led to a cough and Henry quickly downed his wine to help before finally answering as he wiped the spill from his lips, “How many times must we say how curious you are in your love, cousin?”
“I have treated you fairly!”
“And yet you come finally to pay some sort of...homage?” Henry questioned as he sat up in the bed and looked to Richard with a skewed brow, “I have asked for it and found it wanting. Found you...wanting.”
Richard heard a rustling upon the rush strewn floor and flinched causing Henry to smile, “Oh...do not mind him. He is my friend. At least I have the one.”
“You know what I want,” the King answered as he pulled the candle to illuminate the corners of the room, “Friend or no...you hold little and less at the now. I may be the only one lest you think that poor creature some brave solace.”
Henry stirred from the bed and carefully stood on wobbly legs. He shuffled to the table and tore off a slight piece of stale bread from a trencher before looking to the corners of the room himself, “That poor creature I call Margaret. And much like her, he is a rat. She is a rat...one of them, at the least. And yet, she is mine...he is mine. It...is mine.”
“If you could but do what is asked, sir...” Richard stood over him with a pity, “...it should not be like this.”
“Like what?” Henry knelt to the corner as he happily fed his bread to the rat, “It is my happenstance and we shall make do. God does provide, cousin.”
Richard narrowed his brow, “I would provide, cousin. Yet you must...”
“I heard that your son did marry,” Henry stood and smiled, “The young Castilian Princess, yes?”
“He did,” Richard offered an irritated nod.
Henry smiled, “That is splendid. I did meet this girl...the Lady. Briefly. I think a fine match.”
“I am so happy that you approve.”
“Do not be so glum, sir,” Henry moved to pour another cup of wine, “It should be a happy day.”
The King snatched the cup from him and sat it down hard upon the table, “A happy day will be when you give to me what is mine!”
“You have taken it already!!” Henry laughed.
Richard was not amused, “And yet you maintain your right!”
“I maintain no thing but the word of God, sir,” Henry stood to his full height and looked down upon his cousin, “You may practice at it, yet it was given to me by the Lord Almighty and I shall not relinquish nor deny His word. Ever.”
Richard began to fume, “Must you make me act?!”
“Do what you must,” Henry ignored him and sat to a brittle chair, “For God will take me home when my time is right. I trust fully in His wisdom. Not yours. Not mine.”
“Would that your fortitude in this had sustained you when you actually held this crown!” Richard shouted, “For we may not be here and I, not challenged to make this choice!”
Henry smiled, “Calm yourself, cousin. I would save that anger for the field of battle as I understand you to be off again. Do you think it wise?”
“I believe it would be wise for you to hand to me what is mine,” Richard tried to temper his emotions, “For we should not be here at the now...and like this. Not then and not now...if only you would do what is right!”
“Poor, misbegotten Dickon...” Henry showed a sad eye, “...who finds trouble round every corner. I shant believe that I once thought you my mentor. What am I to do now?”
Richard did not waste a breath, “Allow me to be your savior!”
“I hold only one, sir!” Henry was quick in reply, “The Lord God Almighty and Christ His son. May you match that?!”
“I would see you be well, cousin,” Richard attempted to remain clam.
Henry offered a slim nod as he lifted gently from his chair and returned to the bed, “I have heard that before. And yet those that love me take my bread. They do not lock me away. You asked for it, Richard. Now you’ve got it. Yet I shall not relinquish what God has provided.”
“You will make me...” Richard hesitated, “...do a thing that I wish not to do.”
“You cannot, cousin,” Henry smiled as he lay his head upon the pillow, “For we have talked of this. Your head and your heart both know it. We both are protected by God...so go and fight your war. Take your glory. Win hearts and minds if you must. Yet I shall always be here. We shall always be here. It is life everlasting, sir, and only God may know.”
Richard stepped to the bed and looked down with great anger. He seethed and spied another pillow. He began to reach out his hand to take it, and Henry followed, “Well done, you. I imagine Edmund is quite happy with his bride. A most fortunate thing and you must be so proud.”
“You are the most irritating thing that I have ever encountered in this life!!”
Henry smiled, “You want to...cousin Richard. So then do.”
Richard realized that he was now holding the pillow and threw it harshly to the floor as he rushed from the chamber with harsh words, “I will have what is mine, by God! I will have it!!!”
“Go and do, poor Richard...” Henry laughed with a great huge grin as he lay back in the bed, “...go and do.”
- 3
