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thefreelancehistorywriter · 2 years

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Evangelicals, Politics and Obedience in Tudor England

Vintage engraving of Bishop Latimer presenting the Bible to King Henry VIII “..of all things the most difficult is to settle religious differences, especially at this advanced age of the world when everyone thinks he had found truth.” – John Frederick, Duke of Saxony Politics and the reformation of the church were intertwined in Tudor England. Religious discontent and civil disobedience went…

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folklauerate · 2 years

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Modern AU Oneshot

Tom Dorset is a doctor--and Anthony's friend. He just wishes Anthony realized that he doesn't have chest pains because he's dying--he has chest pains because he's in love (a oneshot) https://archiveofourown.org/works/43213158

#Kathony #Bridgerton #Kate Sharma #Anthony Bridgerton #Tom Dorset #Doctor Dorset #and!#Lord Fife

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quotergirl19 · 2 years

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Just before Kate makes Anthony hear the Kill Bill sirens out of jealousy from seeing her with Mr. Dorset (before Anthony falls in the water), there’s a very quick moment where Lord Lumley approaches Edwina to just tell her that he wishes her every happiness (with regard to her engagement). Blink & you’ll miss so here’s a pic of it:

I especially loved this because it made me hopeful that Kate was right in the beginning of season 2 when Anthony came calling for Edwina and tried to get around the long line of callers but Edwina was busy with Lord Lumley and Kate said Edwina was busy but might be free in December unless she was on her honeymoon by then.

Keep in mind the front runner of suitors before Anthony pursued Edwina was Lord Lumley.

Kate mentioned that Edwina was enraptured in conversation with him and we saw how beautifully he recited Byron’s poetry to her. Had Anthony not crashed the poetry party, Edwina & Lumley might have become serious that night because she was definitely into him.

I’m hoping that Lumley’s invitation for tea at Bridgerton house was foreshadowing & that Edwina & Lord Lumley will reconnect when Kate invites him & his mother to tea as the new Viscountess Bridgerton. Lumley seemed sweet and it would be nice if there were still something between him & Edwina. I’m also hoping to find out that Lord Lumley’s actual last name is Bagwell (like how Simon is the Duke of Hastings but his last name is actually Basset).

I want Lord Lumley & his mama invited to tea.

In an attempt to make things better between him & his new sister in law, Anthony can encourage Lumley to renew his pursuit of Edwina.

For drama’s sake Edwina’s lack of a dowry should be the only thing preventing their marriage because perhaps Lumley’s one of those titled gentlemen who truly needs to marry for money. Then Anthony can provide a dowry to make amends for Edwina’s dowry being withdrawn by her grandparents after Anthony threw them out of Lady Danbury’s house.

#quotergirl random thoughts #the show didn’t leave philipa Featherington’s marital status up in the air with cheeseman #I doubt Edwina’s love story will be left unresolved #poor sweet puppy Lumley did nothing wrong and he deserves love #I even wish we could see mr Dorset make his own love match but that’s probably unlikely #kate sharma #bridgerton #anthony bridgerton #kate bridgerton #edwina sharma #lord lumley #Mr Bagwell #bridgerton speculation #bridgerton season 3 #louis gaunt #charithra chandran #jonathon bailey #simone ashley

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blackboar · 6 months

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Did Thomas Gray ever say something like "We don't need the king's uncle …"? Did Edward IV of England really ask Thomas Gray and William Hastings to reconcile before he died?

According to one chronicle, he did say that. That shouldn't be unbelievable, considering it was the Woodville plan to reduce Gloucester's power as much as possible. The same goes for Edward IV trying to reconcile his entourage.

#Edward IV #Marquess of Dorset #Lord Hastings

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asmilinghopelessromantic · 1 month

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Kate: go on now

Anthony, whining: why me?? 😫😩

Literally every single Bridgerton in unison: because you literally made every wrong decision last season by some grace Kate still married you so this is the *least* you can do

Anthony: fine 😐😒 *mumbles* i hate this family

Later--

Anthony: hey, Colin, little brother, I have some advice

Colin, staring daggers and cracking knuckles at seeing Lord Debling with Penelope: what

Anthony: hey, um, maybe don't do what you are doing right now

Colin, still glaring: why not? You did the same thing when Kate was on that boat ride with Mr. Dorset

Anthony, sputtering: what do you mean- not the point. Alternatively you could just tell Penelope how you feel.

Colin, still in Full Denial™️ Mode: what no, I'm just helping Pen with finding a husband

Anthony, sighing: it's your funeral

Anthony, mumbling: did you learn anything from me last season. No one can say I didn't try

Later--

Anthony, thinking out loud: was I really that blind to how in denial I was??

Literally every single Bridgerton in unison: YES

Daphne from Hastings House: YES, YOU WERE. I TRIED TELLING YOU

#anthony is never living that down #i guarantee kate brings it up while bickering or during labor #i want to see a fully unhinged colin and anthony shaking his head in the background #polin #colin bridgerton #penelope featherington #anthony bridgerton #kate bridgerton #bridgerton

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world-of-wales · 5 months

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─ •✧ WILLIAM'S YEAR IN REVIEW : JUNE ✧• ─

1 JUNE - William and Catherine attended the Marriage of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan with Miss Rajwa Al Saif at the Zahran Palace. Afterwards, they attended the State Banquet in Hussein and Rajwa's honour. 2 JUNE - William held a Meeting with Jack Beeton, a crash survivor he helped save while he was with the air ambulance. 3 JUNE - William attended the Men's FA Cup Final between Manchester City & Manchester United. 6 JUNE - William held a Meeting to mark Pride Month. 7 JUNE - He received the Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP (Leader of Opposition). 8 JUNE - William was received the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London as he opened the Oak Cancer Centre at the Royal Marsden. 10 JUNE - He took the salute at the Colonel's Review of The King's Birthday Parade. 13 JUNE - William was received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London as he opened Centrepoint's Reuben House housing development. Afterwards, he held a Meeting with Dr. Jayne Brady (Head of Civil Service, Northern Ireland) via telephone. Subsequently, he was joined by The Duchess of Edinburgh for the Screening of "Rhino Man". 14 JUNE - William held a Meeting with the Rt. Hon. Humza Yousaf MSP (First Minister of Scotland) via telephone. Later, he had a telephonic Meeting with the Rt. Hon. Mark Drakeford MS (First Minister of Wales). 16 JUNE - William and Catherine attended the Senior Colonels' Conference and Dinner at Clarence House. 17 JUNE - William took part in The King's Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade. Later, he appeared on the Balcony along with Catherine and their children for the RAF fly-past. 18 JUNE - William appeared in Father's Day Portraits released by Kensington Palace with George, Charlotte and Louis. 19 JUNE - William and Catherine attended a Chapter of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in the Throne Room at Windsor Castle. Afterwards, they were present at the Luncheon Party for the Companions of the Garter. Subsequently, they attended the Order of the Garter Installation Service at St George's Chapel. 20 JUNE - William visited St George's Park and was received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire. He wrote a letter to Oscar Burrow congratulating him for his fundraising efforts. 21 JUNE - William celebrated his 41st Birthday. To mark the day, Buckingham Palace released a Birthday Portrait featuring William and The King. He visited Eton College with Catherine and George. 22 JUNE - William received Ms Hannah Jones (Chief Executive, the Earthshot Prize). Afterwards, he held a Meeting at Windsor Castle. He appeared in a video message marking Windrush Day. A special documentary - 'Pride of Britain: A Windrush Special' with an appearance from Willliam was announced. 23 JUNE - William and Catherine attended the Ascot Races. Later, they were spotted at KOKO. 25 JUNE - William launched 'Homewards' and held a Meeting with Homewards Advocates. 26 JUNE - William appeared in a video for Homewards. He embarked on a 2-Day Homewards Launch Tour and visited Mosaic Clubhouse in London, where he was received by the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London. Afterwards, he was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset at St John's Church Hall in Poole. Subsequently, William visited Maindee Primary School & Hill Street Housing Development and was received by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent. 27 JUNE - William visited East Belfast Mission in Belfast and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast. Afterwards, he was received by the Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Aberdeen at the Tillydrone Community Campus. Finally, he visited Verdon Recreation Centre in Sheffield and was received by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire. 28 JUNE - William held an Investiture at Windsor Castle. 29 JUNE - He was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk at the Royal Norfolk Show. 30 JUNE - William appeared in a video for Pride Month along with Michael Lister, Alexis Caught and Sharvari Patil discussing mental health in the LGBTQ+ community. He also appeared in a video message for the 2023 Diana Award.

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thekatebridgerton · 2 months

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Dear Gentle Reader

Choose your fighter for the battle of rejected love triangle men

#joining in the discourse #Bridgerton s1 #Bridgerton s2 #Bridgerton s3 #place your bets

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kingwilliamv · 9 months

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Court Circular || 07 September 2023

The Prince of Wales, Joint Patron, the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, today undertook the following engagements connected to the “Homewards” programme:

His Royal Highness this afternoon visited Pret a Manger, 14 Commercial Road, Bournemouth, Dorset.

The Prince of Wales later visited AFC Bournemouth, Vitality Stadium, Kings Park Drive, Bournemouth, and was received on arrival by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset (Mr Angus Campbell).

#cc:sep2023

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aimeedaisies · 4 months

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Court Circular | 14th February 2024

St James’s Palace

The Princess Royal, Royal Patron, National Coastwatch Institution, this morning visited Hengistbury Head Station, Warren Hill, Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth, and was received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset (Mr Angus Campbell).

Her Royal Highness, Colonel-in-Chief, Intelligence Corps, this afternoon visited I Company, Hamworthy Barracks, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset.

#princess anne #princess royal #court circular

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stairnaheireann · 4 months

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#OTD in Irish History | 18 January:

1667 – Cattle exports to England are prohibited. 1671 – Catholic gentry present petition to Charles II. 1688 – Birth of Lionel Cranfield Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset, PC. He was an English political leader and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Dorset served twice as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, from 1731 to 1737 and again from 1751 to 1755. In 1739, at the foundation of the Foundling Hospital, he was…

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#irelandinspires #irishhistory #OTD #18 January #Ashford Castle #Co. Mayo #Daniel O&039;Connell #History #History of Ireland #Ireland #Irish Civil War #Irish History #Liam Deasy #Today in Irish History

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richmond-rex · 11 months

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We know that Henry VII spent a lot of money on jewelry, (a few thousand pounds at a time?), and that Elizabeth was also fond of jewelry. Is there any example of him gifting Elizabeth some jewels? Or some example of Elizabeth spending huge sums of money to buy jewelry?

Hi! It's true that Henry VII spent a lot of money on jewellery and plate, apparently even more than his predecessor, Edward IV. When he bought vast sums of jewellery, though, those items were intended for more than just himself. For one, they were also intended for his family — we know that the plate Henry VII purchased, branded with the king and queen's H&E monogram, also supplied the queen's household. But Henry's expenses were most of all institutional purchases. Those jewels the king acquired were also given to selected courtiers and even foreign ambassadors and rulers.

For example, Henry VII once gifted the queen's half-brother, Thomas Grey Marquess of Dorset, a ruby ring. In 1500 Henry VII paid £14,000 ‘for diverse & many Juells brought oute of Fraunce agenst the marage of my lorde prince [Arthur]’. We know that Catherine of Aragon and her ladies received part of those jewels during the festivities, as did other Spanish officials. Likewise, on the occasion of his daughter Margaret's marriage to the King of Scotland, ‘sertain juells, plate, and other stuff’ were bought for Margaret, her entourage and James IV at a cost of £16,000. Not only were the jewels and plate Henry VII bought meant to be gifted to multiple people and displayed in multiple palaces but they were also used as prizes and rewards at tournaments.

Those costly purchases are not very detailed, though smaller purchases usually were. We don't know for example how much a single ring cost Henry in those big purchases of 1500 and 1502 for the occasion of his children's marriages, but we know that in 1505 he paid Bartholomew Rede £8 for gold ‘made in Ryng[es] for the Just[es] at Riche[mount]’ (£5,327 in today's money). We also know for example that Henry VII spent £66 (£44,209 in today's money) buying gold for his wife in 1495, and on another occasion, in 1497, he deployed £31 (£20,764) ‘for juels’ for Elizabeth of York's use. These are rarer instances though, because usually what was written down was costly but undetailed purchases that he ordered in regular batches.

In contrast with the king's bigger purchases, Elizabeth of York's were intended for a more selected audience such as herself and her sons. Still, Nicola Tallis has noted that Elizabeth's sums spent on jewels in 1502-1503, at a total of £166 (£110,548 in today's money), were 'still lightly higher than those of Margaret of Anjou', and more than the evidence that we have for her mother's surviving expenses with jewels. Elizabeth of York employed several goldsmiths, including a gentleman named Lybart, a certain Henry Wurley, John Vandelf and Alexander Hove. Tallis noted that 'the employment of numerous goldsmiths by [Elizabeth of York] indicates that they played an integral role in their lives, thereby confirming that queens employed the services of goldsmiths on a regular basis. In a further sign of great favour, on one occasion Elizabeth of York made a gift of a buck to two of her goldsmiths, John Vandelf and Lybart'.

There are no gifts of jewels bought by Elizabeth to her husband in the entries from her only surviving financial accounts (1502-1503), but we know she bought gold to embroider the king's garter mantle in that same year, and we know that in 1497 Elizabeth of York garnished her husband's helmet with jewels, probably intending him to display them during his campaign in Scotland. Since her expenses from that year did not survive, we only know that Elizabeth garnished his helmet because Henry VII felt grateful enough to compensate her partially for her expenses. It is a true pity that her accounts from other years have not survived.

#henry vii #elizabeth of york #ask #anon #historian: nicola tallis

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ohmightydevviepuu · 9 months

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the part of a swan / chapter eleven (and ten, ICYMI)

[ art by @snowbellewells ]

It should be clear that Emma did not, by any means, regret her ruination. She did not miss the person she had been before that night; the eager, naive girl, brought up always to behave a certain way, to speak softly, to do as she was bidden, to be what she was told.

Emma no longer believed in allowing people to tell her who she could be.

But Killian Jones is not concerned with who she was–he’s interested in who she is. And he might be the only one smart enough to uncover the truth.

The crowds outside the front entrance to The Swan seemed determined to overcome the steel doors with their double locks, heedless of the two additional door-men—smaller than Anton, but visibly armed. The streets echoed with the shouts of the men filling St. James Street for the chance at five thousand pounds.

With a shove that was anything but gentle, Anton nudged Killian to follow Scarlet over the street and through an unmarked door to approach the casino from a back entrance, avoiding the crowds in every way except for the ringing in Killian’s ears. Anton knocked heavily on the door in a rat-a-tat pattern that must have been a code; the door opened quickly and they were ushered in through a well-appointed tea room. Another shove had him moving past the tables of what was obviously the women’s side salon and into a well-lit hallway with another door at its end.

Scarlet jumped ahead to pull the door open and Killian found himself amidst the hazard fields and gaming tables of the main floor of the hell. In the middle of the morning, the tables stood empty and silent.

The room was neither.

“Ah. You’re here.” Locksley spoke loudly over the din. “The waiting was becoming a bit much.” In spite of the early hour, Lord Locksley already sipped from a drink. So too did the Duke of Dorset, standing beside him.

What was he doing here?

“Your giant and your errand boy dragged me nearly from my bed this morning,” Killian said, struggling to keep his voice even. It was not an exaggeration; upon opening the front door of his personal residence, Killian had found himself swept—almost—off his feet. It was a nearer thing than he wanted to admit as he had scrambled for purchase under the unmoving arm of Swan’s giant. Scarlet’s cheerful greeting has he brandished the morning’s paper—as if Killian had not written it himself—had done nothing to improve his mood.

“Consider it an incentive,” Locksley said.

“Tearing my shirt collar is meant to be taken as an incentive?”

“It could have been your arm,” Locksley said. “Limb from limb, you know. Anton’s quite capable.”

“Wouldn’t have minded,” the giant muttered.

“We gave it serious consideration, did we not, Dorset?” Locksley gestured with the half-full tumbler, sloshing the amber liquid in the glass, but the duke’s eyes fastened on Killian.

Killian growled. He had not slept—not the night before, not in days. His mind was chasing itself in circles that kept him awake and dancing on the edge of a precipice and every time he closed his eyes all he saw was her. “So instead you decided to parade me about town?”

“The Swan prides itself on the quality of its entertainment.” The duke spoke for the first time. “But if you prefer, we can return you to the crowds outside. It is the least you deserve for your idiocy. This is your idea of a plan?”

““’I have set my life upon a cast, / And I will stand the hazard of the die,’” Killian said.

Scarlet piped up. “See, that’s Shakespeare. Even I know that. Thought you were smarter than that, Jones.”

“Richard III,” Anton said. “Only I don’t think that story ended so well for him.”

continue reading on AO3

@cshistfic @spartanguard @kmomof4 @tiganasummertree @motherkatereloyshipper @snowbellewells @lfh1226-linda

#cs fic #cshistfic #regency au

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wonder-worker · 8 months

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“Women's efforts to provide for their younger sons and daughters often brought them into conflict with their oldest sons. As heirs, eldest sons frequently resented provisions for their siblings that reduced or burdened their inheritances. Mothers' efforts to provide for their younger children were particularly threatening to their eldest sons when they were heiresses and had power to dispose of their own property, but men's provisions for their widows also caused trouble between women and their sons. Indeed, husbands' provisions for their widows usually represented a much heavier burden on the family's estates than their bequests to their younger children. Furthermore, widows' dowers and jointures often interfered with the heir's power over his inheritance for years... Disputes about the provision for widows and women's efforts to secure the welfare of their daughters and younger sons often became intertwined when women served as their husbands' executors.

All of these factors played a part in the bitter quarrel between Cecily, dowager marchioness of Dorset, and her eldest son Thomas, the second marquess. In 1504, Lady Cecily, who was her father, William Lord Bonville's, sole heir and the executor of her husband's estate, announced her intention of marrying Lord Henry Stafford, the duke of Buckingham's younger brother. Stafford, who paid 2,000 to Henry VII for permission to marry her, obviously expected the match to be a profitable one. The young marquess was understandably concerned about the effect the marriage would have on his inheritance, given the legal rights his mother's new husband would acquire over her and her property. The dispute escalated until Henry VII intervened. The settlement they signed after appearing before the king's council permitted Cecily to continue as her first husband's executor despite her remarriage. Under the terms of his will, she would receive the income from the estates he wanted set aside to pay his debts. However, she would not receive her dower until the debts were paid and she had turned the property over to her son. In addition, the council severely limited Cecily's power to dispose of her own inheritance: after her death, she had to bequeath all of it to Thomas; until then she could grant only lands worth up to 1,000 marks a year, and then only for a limited period of years. The obvious intention was to prevent the marchioness from permanently endowing her new husband at the expense of her eldest son. Her rights as an heiress were severely limited in his favor and, in a larger sense, in favor of the institution of primogeniture.

By 1522, Lady Cecily and her son were openly feuding once again, this time about provision for her younger children. As a result of Cardinal Wolsey's mediation, they signed another elaborate agreement. Each of them promised to contribute to the dowries of the marquess's four sisters, while in addition Cecily agreed to create annuities from her estates for three of her younger sons.”

- Barbara J. Harris, “Property, Power, and Personal Relations: Elite Mothers and Sons in Yorkist and Early Tudor England"

#historicwomendaily #cecily bonville #i was looking for something on Cecily!#16th century #english history #tudors #kinda #gender tag #my post #queue

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blackboar · 10 months

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What exactly was William Hastings killed for? He did not receive a public trial, did he really cooperate with the Woodville family? Was he killed at the banquet or a week later?

Oh it was a coup and murder. He still likely received a hasty and rigged trial before.

I'm not very interested and versed in the debate concerning the exact timing of his execution; however, the why is very clear.

Richard decided to usurp the throne and depose his nephews. He had supporters: Lord Howard, the northern Peerage and gentry and more amazingly the only other duke besides himself: Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. Henry Stafford's support despite his seeming lack of relationship with Gloucester and his marriage link to the Woodville allowed the effect of surprise needed to capture Edward V and become the most powerful faction. The Woodville were a spent force by June 1483: Anthony Woodville and Richard Grey were in jail, Thomas was in exile, Edward Woodville failed to attract the royal fleet's support and the queen was secluded in Westminster Abbey.

Hence why the accusation from Richard that Hastings was plotting with the queen was a bit ludicrous: What is there to plot with? They're all in exile or in jail. They can't raise levies in the short term or do a strike attack. Hastings had serious squabbles with both the queen and Dorset, and there was no reason for him to support them over Gloucester, with whom he had a cordial relationship. I get people who say that he was afraid of either Gloucester's rise or Buckingham gaining importance but this isn't enough for him to do a speedy 180° turn back to a family he hurt and with whom he has some serious land feud.

The most probable conclusion was that he was killed because Gloucester wanted to overthrow his liege's heirs. Hastings couldn't accept that alongside the probable civil war it would trigger, which would destroy Edward IV's legacy. There is the theory that Hastings was plotting to block Gloucester's usurpation but I don't believe it considering he was utterly caught by surprise at the Council.

But why kill him by surprise and so quickly?

Richard knows Hastings' role in the Edwardian regime. He is the figurehead of the Household and most non-Woodville-related supporters. He is also a big source of manpower that was instrumental in Edward IV's triumph in 1471. From his lands and his personal retinue in the Midlands, Michael Hicks calculated he could raise thousands of men (I do not have his book with me so from my recollection it's either 3,000 or 8,000 men). Hastings is the king's friend, well-connected, popular and with a good military record and great control as Chamberlain over the Royal Household. In other words: he is a key player and a dangerous one on top of that.

But his fatal flaw is that he wields institutional power more than feudal power. He's powerful because he's the king's friend, his chamberlain and well-connected to his household and various official of the council. His son doesn't have the same connections. That's why Hastings disappearing is so attractive to Richard: he does not have an heir with enough might to avenge him as Edward IV did for his father.

Hence why I don't think that Richard even asked whether he would be open to Edward V's deposition. He couldn't afford a no and lost the effect of surprise. So he just went for it, struck before Hastings realized his intentions and executed him before his friends and servants could react.

Afterward he made his peace with Hastings' son by not attaining the father and seizing his lands. Edward Hastings was simply too young and not connected and experienced enough to pose a genuine threat to Richard.

So to sum up: I don't think he was cooperating with the Woodvilles and he was clearly killed because he could become an opponent to the usurpation that would happen soon after his death.

Thanks for the question!

#William Hastings #war of the roses #Richard III #Edward V #It was a coup #Him conspiring with the Woodvilles is merely some pretext

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headcanonsandmore · 1 year

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Rivers In The Light

Summary: The Fifth Doctor, with Adric, Tegan and Nyssa in tow, arrive in Tudor England for a dance at a local squire's house. However, as Tegan is soon to discover, the local ale (mostly non-alcoholic to humans) has a much more obvious effect on Trakenites...

(Trigger warnings for drinking and drunkenness)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read on FFN. Read on AO3.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tegan grumbled, stepping into the shoes.

‘I still don’t see why we couldn’t go to the sixties,’ she muttered, irritably. ‘At least the dresses there weren’t so heavy.’

‘I think you look very pretty,’ Nyssa giggled, smiling over at her. The Trakenite was dressed in a similar style of dress, used for Tudor dances. She looked very beautiful.

Tegan felt her cheeks flush slightly.

‘Oh, stop it, Nys.’

Oh, how she wished she hadn’t developed such embarrassingly intense feelings for Nyssa. At first, she’d assumed it was just a little crush, like the sort she’d had on friends when was at boarding school in France, but as the months had steadily widened the gap between their first meeting and the present, Tegan had become more and more aware as to the sheer extent of her feelings.

Of course, she was in love. And it pained her to know that Nyssa probably didn’t even notice. It pained her even more to know that -surely- Nyssa would never see her in the same way.

The Trakenite crossed the floor. She intertwined their fingers, grinning at Tegan.

‘Well, you might think otherwise, but I think you look beautiful,’ she said, cheeks dimpling as her eyes shone. ‘Truly beautiful, Tegan.’

Tegan felt her cheeks flush.

‘Oh, stop making fun, Nys-’

‘I assure you, I’m not making fun,’ Nyssa interjected, giving Tegan’s hand a tender squeeze. ‘Why must you be so harsh on yourself, Tegan?’

‘Thanks,’ Tegan mumbled. ‘I don’t deserve you, Nyssa.’

‘Yes, you do-’

‘Are you two going to be any longer?’

The two young women jumped at the sound of Adric’s voice.

‘J-just a minute!’ Tegan exclaimed, feeling her face burning now. She could hear the sounds of the young boy’s footsteps as he headed back towards the console room.

Nyssa giggled, smiling, squeezed Tegan’s hand again, and led her through the door of their shared room and through the gleaming white corridors of the TARDIS.

As they reached the console room, they found Adric stood by the controls, wearing Tudor period clothing; a pair of stockings with short britches, with a tunic. A slightly-large hat was placed on his moptop of black hair.

He looked even more irritated than normal.

‘I see the Doc forced you into this get-up too,’ Tegan said, in commiseration.

Adric nodded.

‘I suppose it could be worse,’ he said. ‘At least the TARDIS had this in my size.’

At that moment, the Doctor walked in through the main doors. To Tegan’s irritation, he was wearing his normal clothing. Well, if your definition of normal included a beige cricket suit and matching hat, anyway.

‘Ah, lovely!’ the timelord said, clapping his hands together and rubbing them cheerfully. ‘I see you all found clothing in the TARDIS wardrobe.’

‘I see you didn’t,’ Adric said, crossing his arms. ‘Doctor, what was it you said about “fitting into the time period”?’

‘Oh, timelords never worry about that,’ the Doctor said, with an airy wave of his hand. ‘Besides, my clothing fits in anywhere.’

Tegan and Adric shared a look, before sighing. Nyssa giggled, squeezing Tegan’s hand, and led her out of the TARDIS doors after the time lord. Adric followed a couple of paces later.

‘Now, we’ve landed in a lovely part of Dorset,’ said the Doctor, as the four of them walked along the road. ‘The squire of the manor is someone I met while you three were all getting changed, so he knows we’re on our way.’

‘Doctor, how are we going to explain who we all are?’ Tegan asked. The evening was already drawing in, and the sun looked like it would soon sink over the horizon. The squire’s house was visible a few hundred yards along the road.

‘Oh, I mentioned it earlier,’ said the Doctor, voice suddenly rather airy. ‘No need to worry.’

‘Doctor…’ Tegan replied, very slowly. ‘What did you say-’

‘Ah, Doctor!’

A man was stood in front of the main door, smiling widely. He was a cheerful-looking fellow, with a round face and lots of smile lines. Clearly, he was the squire.

‘Hello,’ said the Doctor, shaking the man’s hand. ‘Thank you again for your kind invitation.’

‘No need, no need,’ replied the squire, grinning. ‘It is lovely to meet you; ah, this is your daughter, I see!’

Tegan heard Adric repress a snicker as the squire turned to Tegan.

‘Er… yes,’ she said, suppressing an urge to elbow the boy in the ribs as she shook the squire’s hand. ‘How do you do?’

‘Lovely accent,’ replied the man, smiling. ‘Where are you from, young lady?’

‘And this is my ward,’ said the Doctor quickly, gesturing to Nyssa before Tegan could answer. ‘May I present Nyssa of Traken.’

‘Traken, eh?’ replied the squire, shaking Nyssa’s hand. ‘Is that anywhere near the Baltic? I used to know a merchant who sailed round those parts.’

‘Er…’ Nyssa said, looking a little baffled. ‘Geography was never my strong suit, sir.’

The squire gave a laugh, not seeming to notice Nyssa’s confused expression.

‘Your son, I take it?’ the man asked, now moving on to shake Adric’s hand. ‘How do you do, young fellow?’

‘How do I what?’ replied Adric, looking politely baffled.

The squire laughed, clearly assuming Adric was making a joke.

‘So… are you and Miss Nyssa engaged?’

‘Engaged to what?’ Adric replied, now looking even more confused.

‘To be married, of course.’ said the squire.

Adric made a face.

‘Definitely not,’ he said.

‘Oh, dear!’ exclaimed the squire, with a chuckle. ‘Rather too young for that sort of thing, anyway!’

‘Indeed,’ the Doctor said, quickly. ‘Now, my dear squire, you must tell me about the history of your delightful residence…’

Adric followed the Doctor and the squire inside, looking over his shoulder to shoot an apologetic grimace at Nyssa, who gave a laugh.

‘I don’t think you’re Adric’s type,’ Tegan said.

Nyssa giggled, slipping her hand into Tegan’s.

‘Don’t worry, Tegan,’ she said, cheeks dimpling as she smiled. ‘Adric isn’t really my type, either.’

‘Er…’ Tegan said, mouth suddenly very dry. ‘Good.’

Nyssa let out another giggle, as the two of them headed through the main doors. Tegan, now feeling distinctly flustered, was only dimly aware of the Doctor and Adric continuing the conversation with the squire. She always got like this whenever Nyssa held her hand; it wasn’t fair. Why was her friend so pretty and lovely?

The squire’s house was rather lovely, Tegan had to admit. It was decorated in the sort of style Tegan had seen in history books about the Tudor period, with some tapestries (mainly of nature scenes) on the walls. The floors were mainly wood, but were clearly well cared for. A modest amount of candles were dotted around. This was especially prevalent when they all entered the main hall of the place; it wasn’t especially big, but still large enough to be used as a function room, presumably for dances of the local gentry.

The squire came to a stop beside a long table, and picked up a jug. He then poured the contents into four different cups (glasses being presumably too expensive) and handed them out.

With an air of seeming reluctance, Nyssa let go of Tegan’s hand and took the cup that was offered to her.

‘Cheers,’ said the squire, raising his own cup.

There was a small chorus in response, and then Tegan took a small sip.

It was a lot less bad than she had been expecting. She had always got the sense from History class in school that drunkenness was more common in the Tudor period, but the Doctor had adamantly chastised her for this. Apparently, the assumption that the people in those drank more alcohol due to a lack of clean drinking water was something of an over-exaggeration.

Come to think of it…

‘Doctor,’ Tegan asked, in a whisper to the blonde man, ‘isn’t Ale alcoholic?’

‘Well, in your time, yes,’ replied the time lord. ‘But, in the Tudor period, it was made using a different amount of hops, meaning it was far less alcoholic. I wouldn’t worry, Tegan; the most you’ll get is a little happy.’

Tegan glowered at the blond man as he walked away to converse with the squire, who had started explaining the story of a nearby tapestry.

‘I’m sure the Doctor means well, Tegan,’ Nyssa said, smiling as she took a small sip of her ale.

‘Can you blame me for getting worried?’ Tegan replied, as the two of them sat down in chairs nearby. ‘Adric’s too young to be drinking and, more to the point, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink alcohol before.’

‘True,’ Nyssa giggled. ‘But maybe you can relax a little and just enjoy being back on Earth without us all being in mortal danger.’

Tegan took a look at Nyssa’s smiling face, and her heart softened, as it always did whenever the Trakenite looked like that in her direction.

‘Fair point,’ she said, taking a small sip from her own cup. ‘It is a bit different from Earth in my time, though; Australia hasn’t even been invented yet.’

‘Yes, you can’t regale anyone with stories about… what was that animal you mentioned the other week? The one with soft hair like you?’

‘Koalas?’ Tegan exclaimed. ‘Pretty sure I never mentioned their hair. Why? Do you think my hair is soft?’

‘Just a scientific observation,’ Nyssa said, quickly as she took another sip. Were Tegan’s eyes deceiving her, or were Nyssa’s cheeks turning slightly pink. ‘Your… your hair is very soft.’

‘Er… thank you,’ Tegan replied, feeling slightly out-of-sorts. ‘Listen, I don’t think this ale is my drink of choice; I’ll be back in a bit.’

Nyssa nodded, and Tegan stood up. She headed across the room, and placed her cup down on the table.

‘Miss Tegan?’

She turned. A boy -presumably, a servant in the house- was stood on the other side of the table.

‘Yes?’

‘Would you like something to eat?’

The boy was about Tegan’s age, and had short brown hair, a rounded nose and a few freckles dotted across his face. Lanky, with clothes that didn’t seem to fit quite right, he definitely looked a tad out of place. But his eyes were cheerful and kind.

‘No, thanks,’ Tegan replied. ‘I’m good at the moment. Nice to meet you, by the way; do you work here?’

‘Yes,’ said the boy, smiling. ‘In the kitchens.’

‘I’m Tegan.’

‘Henry.’

The two shook hands.

‘Have you worked here long, then?’ Tegan asked, pouring some spring water for herself out of another jug.

‘Couple of years,’ Henry replied, cheerfully. ‘My sister works here as well; well, when she isn’t giggling with her best friend, that is.’

‘Close, are they? Sounds like me and Nyssa.’

‘Yes, they seem to be in love, so I suppose Miss Nyssa and yourself are very close.’

Tegan choked on her water. Henry gave a laugh, handing her a napkin to wipe her face.

‘Y-yeah,’ Tegan said, feeling rather embarrassed. Oh, god, was she blushing? She probably was. ‘We’re friends.’

‘Yes… very close friends,’ Henry replied, grinning. ‘Are you feeling warm, Miss Tegan? Your face has turned pink.’

‘Oh, stop it!’ Tegan moaned, fanning herself. ‘It’s just that ale!’

‘The… non-alcoholic ale?’ Henry cheeked. ‘If you say so.’

Tegan glared at him for a second, before giving up and letting out a laugh. She then finished off her cup of water.

‘Do they pay you well here?’

‘About right for the area,’ Henry replied. ‘Enough to live on; I still live with my family. Bit of a nightmare when my sister brings her best friend home overnight; I get no sleep at all, with the racket they make.’

Tegan snorted with laughter.

‘My brothers used to get loud with their girlfriends, so I know the feeling. Good to speak to you.’

‘Same here,’ the boy said, smiling. Tegan gave him a quick wave and headed back across the floor. The Doctor was still in the middle of his lengthily conversation with the squire about the history of the house. Knowing the time lord, he probably already knew the place inside-and-out.

Tegan sat down next to Nyssa, who hadn’t moved from where she had sat down earlier. The young woman was still nursing a glass of the ale.

‘Who were you talking to?’ Nyssa asked, her voice slightly slurred. Her frow seemed to furrow in suspicion as she stared over the room at Henry.

‘Boy from the kitchens. Hang on, are you still drinking that ale?’ Tegan asked, bemused. ‘I didn’t think much of it, myself.’

Nyssa let out a little burp, before giggling.

‘Oh, yes,’ she said, slightly slurred. ‘This drink is rather wonderful. I feel all… tingly and merry.’

The Trakenite swayed slightly where she sat, leaning against Tegan’s shoulder.

‘Nyssa?’ Tegan asked, slowly. ‘Are you… alright?’

‘Never better,’ Nyssa said, smiling sweetly at her. ‘Oh, you look wonderful in the candlelight, Tegan.’

Tegan felt her heart beat faster. Why was Nyssa looking at her like that? And… wait, something was definitely wrong. Nyssa was not in the habit of being so carefree in the way she moved.

‘Er… shall we get you some water?’ Tegan said, quickly. ‘There’s some over that; come on…’

She stood up, and Nyssa awkwardly followed. However, as she rose to her feet, the Trakenite stumbled, landing against Tegan. The young woman looked upwards into Tegan’s face through her eyelashes, face flushed pink.

‘Oh…’ Nyssa breathed, very softly. ‘Pretty…’

Tegan swallowed. Something was definitely wrong.

‘Nyssa, c’mon, you’re being very…’

‘What?’ Nyssa whispered. ‘What am I being, Tegan?’

‘I… that is…’

Nyssa giggled again, and awkwardly leaned away from Tegan, who took the opportunity to grab the younger woman by the hand.

‘Doctor!’ Tegan exclaimed, half-dragging Nyssa along behind her. ‘Something’s wrong with Nyssa!’

The time lord turned away from the tapestry he had been examining (the squire had presumably been called away for something), and bent down slightly to the level of the two women.

He then snapped his fingers in front of Nyssa’s face. The young woman blinked sleepily.

‘What has she been drinking?’

‘The same as me,’ Tegan said, worried. ‘That ale stuff; but you said it wasn’t alcoholic.’

‘Oh, that would explain it,’ the Doctor said, sighing as he stood back up to his full height. ‘The ale brewed around this time isn’t alcoholic to humans, but it seems that it’s affecting Nyssa’s biology differently.’

‘You… you mean she’s drunk?’

‘Afraid so, yes,’ the Doctor replied. ‘I think perhaps you ought to get her back to the TARDIS and put her to bed.’

‘You… you’re sure there won’t be any other adverse effects?’ Tegan asked. ‘It won’t be poisonous to her or anything?’

‘None more so than alcohol normally is to humans, since it seems to be effecting her the same way. Don’t you worry, Tegan; Nyssa will be fine after a good nights’ sleep and a couple glasses of water.’

The Doctor handed Tegan his TARDIS key.

‘She’ll be fine, Tegan,’ he said, encouragingly. ‘Besides, she’s not going to run into any trouble when she has you with her, is she?’

‘Not bloody likely,’ Tegan said, gripping Nyssa’s hand tightly.

‘Good,’ replied the Doctor. ‘See you later, then.’

Tegan swallowed, and nodded. Nyssa giggled as Tegan turned her around and headed towards the door of the hall, hurrying the younger woman along, with a protective arm around her waist to stop her wobbling too much. Adric gave them a quizzical look as they passed him, but seemed to ascertain Nyssa’s certain and nodded in apparent understanding at Tegan. Somewhat surprisingly, he didn’t even laugh as the two women excited the hall. Maybe he was turning over a new leaf?

‘Miss Tegan?’

It was Henry, the servant boy. He had poked his head out of another doorway.

‘Oh, hi,’ replied Tegan. ‘Sorry, Nyssa’s not feeling very well.’

‘Is she ill?’ asked Henry, looking concerned. ‘Sorry, Miss Nyssa; would you like a cup of water?’

Nyssa stared at him in apparent confusion, as if not quite sure what he was asking.

‘She definitely needs some water,’ Tegan said, steering the younger woman through the door.

It was a kitchen of sorts, albeit one very much different to the kitchens Tegan was used to. No shiny cabinets and running water, that was for sure. Tegan guided Nyssa towards a chair next to the wall, and helped the Trakenite into it. Nyssa wobbled slightly as she sat down, brow still quizzically looking around. Henry was already heading towards another door, presumably the room where the jugs of water were kept in cold storage.

‘I’ll help you, Henry,’ she said, before turning to Nyssa. ‘I’m just going with Henry to…’

Tegan went to move, but found Nyssa’s arm suddenly wrapped around her own waist.

‘Er… Nys?’ she said, looking at the younger woman in bafflement. Nyssa was glaring at Henry with undisguised animosity.

‘Tegan’s mine!’ Nyssa exclaimed, pouting and pulling Tegan closer to her. ‘You can’t have her!’

‘Er… okay,’ said Henry, looking a tad confused as Tegan felt her face flush crimson. ‘I’ll just grab that cup of water…’

The boy hurried into the next room.

‘Nyssa!’ Tegan exclaimed, turning around to the younger woman as best she could, given Nyssa’s arm still wrapped tightly around her waist. ‘That was really rude!’

‘Don’t care,’ Nyssa said, pouting further. ‘He can’t have you.’

‘What are you talking-’

‘Here,’ said Henry, walking back into the room. He passed Nyssa a cup of water with a kind smile. ‘Your water, Miss Nyssa.’

Nyssa begrudgingly took the cup with her free hand and took a sip.

The water seemed to have something of an effect. At the very least, Nyssa removed her arm from around Tegan’s waist, and sat still for a moment, her eyes fluttering shut as she drank a few sips.

‘That’s good; just keep sipping that,’ Tegan said, squeezing Nyssa’s shoulder softly. She then looked over at Henry. ‘You wouldn’t happen to have some spare napkins, would you? I’m worried about her spilling stuff down her dress…’

‘Yeah; just through here.’

Tegan followed Henry into another room that jutted off from the kitchen. Nyssa didn’t object this time, although Tegan could feel the younger woman’s gaze on the back of her head.

‘Er, sorry about that,’ Tegan said, standing in the kitchen as the boy began to look through the cupboards for the napkins. ‘Nyssa’s normally a lot more polite than this. Not sure why she’s being so unpleasant.’

‘Really?’ -Henry let out a chuckle- ‘I would have thought it was quite clear why.’

Tegan ignored that as the boy continued to open and close cupboards, tidying up as he went.

‘Neither of you are from round here, are you?’ he continued, cheerfully. ‘You definitely don’t seem like locals.’

‘It’s…’ Tegan said, slowly. ‘Well, it’s a bit difficult to-’

‘No, I think I understand,’ Henry said. ‘Miss Nyssa is an alien and you’re from the future. It’s fairly obvious.’

‘O-oh,’ Tegan replied. ‘And… this doesn’t bother you?’

‘Why should it?’ the boy replied, smiling. ‘Although I think Miss Nyssa feels a tad threatened by my presence.’

‘T-threatened?’ Tegan repeated, feeling her face heat up again. ‘What are you-’

‘I do have eyes, Miss Tegan,’ Henry chuckled, as he finally found the napkins into Tegan’s hands. ‘You and Miss Nyssa look at each other like my sister does with her best friend.’

‘O-oh.’

Had she really been that obvious? She usually tried to keep her feelings under wraps when looking at Nyssa, just in case it became noticeable.

And-

Wait, was Nyssa looking at her like that as well?

Tegan swallowed. Too much to think about. She needed to focus. Especially on the fact that Henry had probably assumed she was flirting with him earlier; she had a habit of coming across like that with men she met, although she had never understood why.

‘Er, sorry if I gave you the wrong idea, Henry.’

‘Oh, no; you didn’t at all,’ Henry said, cheerfully waving away her apology with good grace. ‘I don’t see anyone that way, so no harm done.’

‘Really?’

Henry nodded.

‘Anyway, you best get back to Miss Nyssa; I imagine she’s already worried that I’m “stealing” you away from her-’

‘Oh, stop it!’ Tegan exclaimed, face burning. ‘She’s drunk; she doesn’t know what she’s saying!’

Henry snorted, as if he didn’t believe a word of it.

‘If you say so, Miss Tegan,’ he replied, grinning. ‘But she was holding on pretty tight to you earlier.’

Tegan unlocked the TARDIS doors with the key, and awkwardly helped Nyssa inside. The younger woman was getting even wobblier on her feet, and it was with relief that Tegan finally opened the door to their shared room. The lights inside automatically switched on, as if the time machine itself understood that Tegan would need both her hands free to help Nyssa across the room.

Although, for some strange reason, the TARDIS decided to only turn the lights on halfway, meaning that a soft, delicate light was the one that illuminated the room. It was as if they were wading through rivers in the light as they approached Nyssa’s bed.

It had taken a while to get Nyssa out of the house, although Henry had helped her through the servant entrances, which cut off a good deal of the route. He had also helped them through the now-dark grounds and out onto the road, holding a small lantern aloft.

He had cheerfully offered to walk them the rest of the way, but Tegan had noticed Nyssa bristle again, and quickly declined. Henry had grinned at her in a somewhat knowing way, before bidding them goodbye and heading back towards the house.

Luckily, it was a clear night and the stars in the sky above had been bright enough for Tegan to help Nyssa along the road without too much issue. She hadn’t even had to use the modern battery-powered-torch she had stashed underneath her dress.

‘Feel hot…’ Nyssa mumbled.

‘That’s the alcohol taking effect,’ Tegan said, helping her friend to sit down on the edge of her bed. ‘I’ll grab you some water and your nightie in a mo, but let’s get you out of your gown, okay?’

‘Too hot…’ Nyssa muttered, nodding in agreeing.

Tegan slowly undid the clasps of the dress, and helped Nyssa out of it. The woman sighed as the weight came away from her. Tegan tried not to look much at Nyssa, instead focusing on folding the dress neatly away. She had always tried to avoid looking too much at Nyssa whenever the younger woman was changing clothes; partially out of a sense that Trakenites might have considered it embarrassing to be looked at whilst disrobing, and partially due to the way her heart hammered painfully against her chest at the thought of Nyssa partially clothed.

Tegan then undid the clasps of her own dress, and climbed out of it. She had to admit, she wasn’t a massive fan of these dresses; they were a little too heavy for her taste.

‘Pretty…’ Nyssa said, staring at Tegan. ‘Very pretty…’

‘C’mon,’ Tegan said, ignoring the flush on her cheeks. ‘Let’s get you some water and then you can get changed.’

Tegan stepped quickly into their bathroom, and filled a cup with water from the tap. She then headed back across the room towards Nyssa, and handed the cup to the Trakenite.

Nyssa took a drink of the water, her eyes flickering softly shut as she swallowed.

‘Feel better?’

‘Mmm,’ Nyssa said, nodding softly. ‘Still a bit too hot.

‘Probably because you’re still wearing your shift,’ Tegan replied, sitting down next to Nyssa. ‘Probably time to get undressed.’

Nyssa grinned. Before Tegan knew what was happening, the young woman had leaned forward and put her hands on the straps of Tegan’s shift, dropping them down over her shoulders.

‘Not me!’ Tegan exclaimed, feeling her face burn as she put the straps back up. Nyssa gave a giddy laugh.

‘Now,’ Tegan continued, trying to establish some calm. ‘You really ought to-’

Tegan’s face flushed as she quickly pushed Nyssa’s hands away from her chest.

‘Nyssa!’ she exclaimed, heart racing. ‘Please!’

The young woman giggled.

‘Whyever not? Oh, Tegan, you have ever such lovely br-’

‘We need to get you into bed!’ Tegan said, quickly.

‘Oh, yes,’ Nyssa said, cheeks pinkening prettily. ‘That sounds wonderful.’

Before she quite realised what was happening, Tegan found herself pulled sideways onto the mattress. With a giggle, Nyssa climbed on top of her, straddling her hips.

‘Bedtime…’ Nyssa slurred, hiccupping again and letting out a giggle. ‘Come to bed with me, Tegan…’

Nyssa leaned down and pressed her lips to Tegan’s. The Australian startled, and Nyssa took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, her hands sinking into the curls of Tegan’s hair.

‘N-Nyssa…’ Tegan gasped, against Nyssa’s lips. ‘What are you-’

Nyssa giggled, angling her head to kiss Tegan better.

‘Ssshhh, my darling…’ she whispered, slurred, inbetween kisses. ‘I can’t kiss you properly if you keep talking…’

Tegan was so flustered by the combination of Nyssa’s lips against her own, Nyssa’s delicate whispers against her skin, and the term of affection, that she was unable to do anything for another few seconds, during which Nyssa deepened her kisses. And, oh, Nyssa really was enjoying this, wasn’t she? Her enthusiasm was shocking and yet exciting at the same time.

And, damn it, Tegan was enjoying it too.

Nyssa’s legs finally gave way, and she landed gently against Tegan, the alcohol presumably making her unable to keep kneeling over the Australian any longer. Nyssa gave another giggle, and continued kissing, now taking the opportunity to begin trails along Tegan’s jawline and down her neck. Nyssa’s hands moved to Tegan’s hair, with one slipping down her chest to-

‘Nyssa; stop,’ Tegan said, softly. She hated it, but she knew she couldn’t let this go any further. ‘You’re drunk, okay?’

‘Hmmm?’

‘You… you don’t really mean what I think you do.’

‘But I do…’

Tegan sighed.

‘That’s just the alcohol talking. I know when you’re sober, you’ll be embarrassed about this, so… just leave it, okay.’

Nyssa pouted.

‘But I do mean it,’ she said, looking adorably earnest.

‘Listen,’ Tegan said, sighing again. She pulled herself up on her elbows, and Nyssa sat up in her lap. ‘Once you’re sobered up and you still want to, we can then, okay?’

Nyssa’s face broke into a huge smile.

‘Really?’

‘I promise,’ Tegan replied.

Nyssa smiled, placing another -far softer- kiss against Tegan’s lips. It was far more tender than the hungry kisses earlier, and it almost felt like a promise.

Tegan gently helped Nyssa out of her lap, and the young woman lay on top of the duvet. Her eyes were already fluttering shut.

Smiling softly, Tegan slipped off of the bed, and eased the duvet out from under Nyssa before placing it on top of her. Nyssa sighed, snuggling into the warmth of the material.

‘Goodnight, Nys,’ Tegan said, softly.

‘G’night…’ Nyssa said, sleepily. ‘Tegan… stay…’

Tegan sighed softly, before climbing under the covers to lay beside the Trakenite. The lights around them slowly lowered, until they were in darkness. Nyssa reached forward and wrapped an arm around Tegan, cuddling up next to her. Tegan smiled, feeling herself steadily falling asleep, in line with Nyssa’s soft breathing so close to her.

Tegan dimly opened her eyes. The clock on the bedside cabinet was showing 7.30am. The TARDIS had a weird internal timekeeping, but it did exist on some form of day and night cycle, if purely to put its inhabitants at ease.

Nyssa stirred next to Tegan, rubbing her eyes blearily.

‘Morning, Nyssa,’ Tegan said, softly. ‘How are you feeling?’

Nyssa stared at her for a second, and Tegan saw the signs of recognition in the young woman’s face as the events of the previous night seemed to come back to her.

‘Oh…’ Nyssa murmured. ‘I… I…’

‘It’s okay,’ Tegan said. ‘You were drunk; you don’t need to explain anything.’

‘E-explain?’

‘The alcohol made you react differently,’ Tegan said, playing with a loose strand of the duvet. She suddenly found that she couldn’t quite look Nyssa in the eye. ‘But it’s okay. I know you don’t see me like that. It’s... fine.’

‘Oh… Tegan…’

There was such emotion in the young woman’s voice that Tegan’s eyes snapped up on their own accord. Nyssa was staring at her, eyes wide and…

‘N-Nyssa?’

Before Tegan quite knew what was happening, Nyssa was straddling her hips, their faces barely an inch apart.

‘Don’t you ever think that I don’t love you.’

Nyssa was staring down at Tegan, her face burning with a fierceness Tegan had never seen before.

‘I… y-you do?’

‘Of course, Tegan,’ Nyssa whispered. ‘How could you ever… oh, Tegan; why else do you think I wanted to kiss you so much for?’

‘O-oh.’

‘I mean, I thought I was being fairly obvious,’ Nyssa continued, now stroking Tegan’s cheek with a gentle finger. ‘I… I wanted to show you that I love you as much as you love me.’

‘W-wait, what?’ Tegan spluttered, face now turning a deep crimson. ‘You… you knew?’

It was Nyssa’s turn to blush.

‘It was rather difficult to miss,’ the Trakenite whispered, cheeks dimpling as she smiled. ‘I had to check the TARDIS databanks to make sure you weren’t ill, given how often the pupils of your eyes were dilating.’

Tegan stared at her, utterly flummoxed and mortified.

‘So… you’re fine with it?’

‘Need I repeat that I love you too, Tegan?’ Nyssa giggled, now leaning in even closer. Her other hand began to trace a line down Tegan’s side. ‘Can we please stop talking? The alcohol’s effects have gone so we can…’

‘N-Nyssa!’ Tegan exclaimed, feeling her face burn even further. She could heat sharply rising in some other -more southerly- places too. ‘What are you-’

‘Tegan,’ Nyssa whispered, gentle as a summer breeze. The light of the room seemed to catch on her long eyelashes. ‘You did promise, my love.’

‘Oh,’ Tegan replied, before letting out a laugh. She grinned up at the woman, feeling her heartrate joyously increasing. ‘Fair point. So… speaking of that promise…’

Nyssa giggled, pressing her lips to Tegan’s once again. It was shaping up to be a rather wonderful way to keep a promise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for reading, everyone! Hope you enjoyed this fic!

#doctor who fanfiction #tegan/nyssa #nyssa/tegan #tegan x nyssa #nyssa x tegan #indestructible #heathrow scientific #tyssa #tegan jovanka #nyssa #nyssa of traken #fifth doctor #adric #tw: drunk #tw: drinking #tw: alcohol

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