Melelna
"My lady, you surely must see how this is not proper," Septa Clarysse scolded, giving a disapproving glance toward Elyse.
Melelna sighed. "It's warm outside, septa. I do admire your ability to walk about covered in so many layers in this heat but I wouldn't expect the same from Elyse."
"B-but, my lady, s-she…I can see her…" The septa looked at Elyse again, looking horrified.
"You are exaggerating. You cannot see her anything. Her bosom is perfectly covered and so are her legs. Please, can we go now?" Elyse wore a two piece sea-green dress, her long legs fully covered by flowing skirts, but her middle was left exposed, courtesy of the small blouse that only concealed her breasts. Melelna thought her friend and handmaid looked beautiful, no matter what the septa said.
Ashara giggled beside Elyse. "I fear this is a battle you cannot hope to win, my sweet septa. And besides, we are only going to the gardens. Lady Melelna and I both dressed by your instructions, what does it matter what a handmaiden wears?"
Septa Clarysse's shoulders sagged in resignation but she quickly straightened and masked her face with cold grace, giving a hesitant nod. It took all of Melelna's willpower to swallow the laughter climbing up her throat.
Rhaegar suggested that a septa educates her while they wait for their wedding and Melelna looked forward to the lessons but the septa's small outrages about Elyse's attire or language was what she really loved about having the pious woman around.
Melelna did feel some remorse from time to time about finding the good septa's constant distress amusing, but Elyse's tenancies to ignore the woman completely and yawn through her instructions as if she wasn't even there, didn't help make the situation any less humorous.
She wondered what the septa would do if she became aware of the prince's nightly visits. Swoon most likely. A small chuckle escaped her this time but she hastily composed herself and turned for the door.
Ser Jaime fell into step with Amir behind her small flock of ladies as they strode their way through the Red Keep. She was going to meet Prince Viserys today, after almost two moons' turns since residing in King's Landing. Melelna had asked Rhaegar about his little brother many times since coming to the city but he kept putting it off. She suspected that his father had something to do with it due to talk she heard around the keep, about how the King was overly protective of his youngest son to the extent of not even allowing the Queen unescorted in the child's presence.
When they entered the Queen's private gardens, she was welcomed by the lovely aroma of the blossoming roses that they grew here. The flowers appeared to be enjoying the warm weather as much as she did.
She spotted the Queen sitting on a marble bench by a small pond, a little boy seated on her lap and giggling up at Prince Lewyn who was dutifully standing on Queen Rhaella's side.
As soon as the boy noticed them approaching, he abruptly pushed off his mother's lap and quickly patted his little feet on the unpaved path in her direction.
"Are you the Lady Melelna?" he asked with obvious enthusiasm when he halted in front of her. "Mother says that you are to be my new sister."
Melelna crouched and shuffled the little prince's hair. "I am indeed Lady Melelna, your grace. It is a great honour to finally meet you. Does the prospect of me becoming your new sister please you?"
Prince Viserys considered that for a moment. "My mother is my father's sister. You are very pretty, like her. I shall marry you when I come of age," the boy announced, tone as regal as that of a six year old prince could get.
Queen Rhaella, who had trailed after her son, gracefully laughed behind him. "Viserys, I also explained that Lady Melelna will become your new sister because she will wed your brother. She can't marry you and Rhaegar both."
The boy didn't seem too pleased by that piece of information, but nodded. "Oh," was all he said before turning back to Melelna. "Come sit with us, mother's sent for blueberry cakes. They should be here soon and I'll wager you never ate anything as sweet in Volantis."
"It is very kind of you to share your blueberry cakes with me, my prince." She curtsied at him and then at the Queen. "Your Grace, you look especially beautiful this morn." And she truly did. Her crimson gown had stripes of black velvet about the bodice and dark myrish lace fell gracefully over the puffed skirts.
Queen Rhaella gave her a warm smile. "So do you, my child. My son has the right of it I ought to admit. My personal cook bakes the sweetest blueberry cakes in all of the Seven Kingdoms. I have no doubt you will develop a taste for them." She smiled at Ashara. "Lady Dayne, always a pleasure to see you dear."
Ashara blushed and gave a deep curtsy.
"I see that my son has found a good septa for you," the Queen continued, noting septa Clarysse. She then glanced at Elyse. "And who is this?"
"Elyse." Prince Lewyn blurted out before Melelna could so much as open her mouth, making every head jerk to his direction.
Elyse's eyes turned into two especially large balls and an awkward short silence followed. Everybody seemed to be waiting for someone else to talk.
"You know the lady?" The Queen asked her Kingsguard, who stood stiff and shocked, glancing with wide eyes between Elyse and Melelna.
"I am no lady, your grace," Elyse clarified. "Only lady Melelna's faithful servant. I have met your Kingsguard when I first came to the city, at the docks. I must have not mentioned that I belong to lady Melelna's household. I apologise for that, ser," She said as to explain the startled expression on Prince Lewyn's face. She is lying, Melelna realized. She is lying to the queen's face.
"The docks, you say?" The Queen looked uncertain.
To Melelna's utter astonishment, it was Prince Lewyn who spoke, taking Elyse's lie even further. "Yes, your grace. Some drunken sailors were meddling in her business and I scared them off. Beg your pardon for my reaction, I was just surprised to see her here, is all."
"That was gallant of you, ser," Melelna said, even though she did not believe a single word of their poorly grafted story. If such a thing had occurred, Elyse would've told her of it. It wasn't the time to investigate this, though. She'd have a word with her handmaiden when they were completely alone.
They all followed the Queen to the shaded bench and soon plates filled with tiny blueberry cakes were being placed on the table in front of her. The little prince was eager to tell Melelna of all the great adventures of his ancestors and their dragons, barely stopping to draw breath and holding her full attention for the entire meal. When it was time for Melelna to return to her solar, he stumped his little boots in protest, demanding to go with. That small tantrum was quickly put to an end by the Queen, who quickly picked him up and soothed him with sweet words and promises to see lady Melelna again soon.
Ashara retreated to her chambers and the septa would return later for her evening lessons but Melelna didn't wish to spend the beautiful day inside dull walls. "Elyse, do you still remember how to ride?"
"Of course, my lady. Should I send for someone to ready your horse?"
"Yes, and those of ser Jaime and Amir. Ask Aren to choose a gentle animal for you as well."
"As you say," Elyse shut the door behind her, off to carry her lady's command.
Ser Jaime looked uneasy. "Where are we going, my lady?"
"To the forest, the weather is perfect for a trot through the woods, don't you think? And the day is still young."
"As you wish. I shall call for some knights to escort us then," Jaime said and made a move to turn.
Melelna's hand quickly jerked out and closed around the pale plate on his wrist. The young knight tensed as if she'd burned him through his armour and she quickly released him. "Must we always take them with, ser? I'd rather have some quiet for once."
Ser Jaime looked conflicted. "The prince is not going to like it," he warned.
"I have you and Amir to protect me—we can take Belio and Aren too if you wish—no one would oppose the four of you."
He considered that for a long moment before giving a reluctant nod. "I will see that Belio's and Aren's horses are also saddled then, my lady."
She stared after him as he disappeared behind the door. The young knight was still mostly a mystery to her. At times, she was convinced that she was finally breaking through to him and from time to time she even dared to believe that Jaime enjoyed her company; but other times, like today, his eyes were cold like froze emerald ice. He didn't seem to dislike her but she always felt that there were enormous invisible walls surrounding the young lion, blocking him from accepting any sort of friendship with her.
"Do you miss your home, Ser Jaime?" Melelna found herself asking when their horses ambled under the shade of the tall trees in the Kingswood.
Jaime looked a little surprised at her question. "The Rock? I do sometimes, I suppose," he confessed. "Do you miss Volantis, my lady?"
No, not really, she wanted to say, but that would encourage him to ask questions she did not look forward to answering. "I miss Lys the most," Melelna said instead. "My family spent most of my childhood living at our summer palace. We seldom left Volantis after my father was elected Triarch."
"Perhaps the prince shall one day take a ship to Lys with you, so you may once again visit your childhood home," Jaime said as they took a path through a small field of blossomed wildflowers.
"Perhaps," Melelna allowed. "But there are so many places on this side of the Narrow Sea I'd rather see first. Dragonstone for starters. I've heard so much about the place, I don't know what to believe."
Jaime bestowed her a rare genuine smile. "My little brother is fascinated with Dragonstone as well. To be honest, Tyrion is fascinated with all things 'Dragon'."
"How old is your brother, ser?" Melelna grasped at the opportunity to have a real conversation with her sworn shield.
"Almost nine, my lady."
Melelna hoped that she wasn't overstepping but she had to at least give it a try. "I understand that in Westeros it is common for a noble house to foster the children of another, is that correct?"
Jaime gave her a curious look but nodded. "That is correct, aye."
"Do you think your lady mother and lord father would entrust Rhaegar and I to foster your brother?" She wearily asked.
Jaime's eyes snapped to hers, shadows evident in their emerald depths. "You would foster my brother? Why?"
Melelna shifted uncomfortably on her saddle. "Did I offend somehow? Beg your pardon, ser. I onl—"
"No," Jaime said over her, his expression apologetic. "You gave no offense, my lady. I'm only curious as to why you would wish to foster Tyrion."
"Well, you said that little Tyrion likes 'all things dragon' and my sworn shield is his big brother. If I'm going to foster a child, might as well be one that is likely to enjoy his time in our company, no?"
They neared a small stream cutting through the colourful carpets of wildflowers and ser Jaime pulled rein beside it, sliding off his horse with a graceful jump.
Melelna followed his example and gestured to her four companions who were following behind to give them privacy for a little longer. She secured the reins of her horse on a low limb of a nearby tree and patiently waited for ser Jaime to speak.
The silence seem to stretch on forever and she began considering dropping the matter altogether but the Kingsguard finally turned and faced her. "Well, my mother is not likely to make any objections. She died giving birth to Tyrion, you see."
As someone who had also lost their mother at a tender age, Melelna's heart went out to Jaime. "I'm sorry to hear that, ser. It must've been hard for you losing her so suddenly."
Ser Jaime nodded. "My lady…" he hesitated. "Have you not heard any gossip regarding my little brother during your stay in King's Landing?"
Melelna regarded him curiously. "Gossip? No, I don't believe that I have. But I never really had an ear for gossip, I confess. Why do ask, ser?"
"Well, you see…my brother is… different. I don't know if my father would allow…what I mean to say is... " he unclasped his halfhelm and pulled it off before running a frustrated hand through his golden hair.
Melelna was unsure of what his words meant. Different? She'd seen some 'different' people in her time. It could mean a large number of things.
She put a hand on his shoulder. "Does your brother have a difficulty learning? If so, then I'm certain we could find an appropriate tutor for him."
Jaime didn't flinch at her touch this time, instead he smiled sadly at her. "No, Tyrion has more wits about him than most people I know. It's in height he lacks."
She pulled her hand back and regarded him with confused eyes. "Height? I'm afraid I don't understand your meaning, ser."
"He is a dwarf, my lady," He informed her wearily.
Melelna grimaced. Did he think that she would withdrew her offer to foster the child because he had the unfortunate fate of being born stunted? "I still don't see why we can't foster him," she dryly told him.
"Lady Melelna, perhaps you should consult with the prince about this first. And then of course there is my lord father to consider, not that he is likely to offend His Grace by declining such an offer coming from Rhaegar's own lips." Jaime told her, and she immediately grasped the meaning between his lines. Rhaegar might object to fostering a stunned child and should her prince agree, Lord Tywin should hear of this from him.
"As you say." She inclined her head in agreement. "I hope your father is going to do us the honour of coming to the capital for our wedding. I shall speak with Rhaegar about little Tyrion and if all goes well, Lord Tywin should hear of this then."
They allowed their animals to drink from the stream while the two of them walked to join Amir, Belio, Aren and Elyse on a wide blanket they'd laid on the short grass beneath a shady tree.
"You have a tender heart lady Melelna. One day you shall make a good Queen," she heard Jaime murmur from behind her before they were within earshot of her companions.
She glanced back at him and smiled before taking a seat on the thick fabric next to Elyse. The six of them shared the midday meal that the kitchen servants had packed for them back at the castle and spent most of the next hour trading stories and laughing at Belio's bawdy jests. Ser Jaime was much more willing to indulge in conversation with her and for the first time Melelna had felt that she'd made some real progress with the young knight.
When Melelna returned to her chambers, later that day, she ordered Elyse to draw her a steaming bath and send someone to find where Vinar had disappeared to all day. Her intention was to question Elyse about the incident with Prince Lewyn and the Queen while she laid in her tub but she had to put that conversation off when Elyse returned with the scolding water, conveniently accompanied by lady Ashara. Melelna had no doubts that her handmaiden had somehow influenced Ashara's visit to avoid the unwelcome questioning. You will have to be alone with me eventually, sweet Elyse. Melelna thought and pinned the woman an indignant stare to let her know that she saw right through her little scheme.
"Your brother is…indisposed, my lady," Elyse timidly told her.
Melelna sighed. She wondered how many bastards might be sired by her brother before he finally agreed to wed. Not that she didn't have her doubts about his ability to keep to one bed even then. "I see," was all she said.
Her handmaiden readied her copper bathtub and helped comb her wet hair after Melelna climbed inside. Ashara carried a cushioned stool from the other side of the room and took a seat a few feet away from the tub, chattering excitedly about Melelna's upcoming wedding's preparations.
"Did you know that all the great houses are invited? And the Queen took great care so that your wedding gown is the most lavish and elegant of all the dresses any princess before you has worn," the dornish woman announced, her shining purple eyes so lovely, one could easily get mesmerised if he stared in them long enough.
"I doubt all of them will attend. I heard Rhaegar tell Oswell that the Greyjoys seldom come anywhere near the capital and the Starks' own wedding is hardly a moon's turn after ours. I'm not even sure if we will have enough time to make it to Riverrun for the ceremony, considering we have to remain in King's Landing for a few more days after we are wed to entertain guests," Melelna sweetly told her.
At the mention of the Starks, Ashara's cheeks flushed rosy red. "Am I to come with you for Brandon Stark's wedding, my lady?" she reluctantly asked.
Melelna giggled. "Ashara, I know I promised not to push you on this but…I would like think that by now we've become close friends. That business in Harrenhal, was it one of the Starks? Not the one getting married to Lady Catelyn I hope?"
Ashara's cheeks turned even redder. "N-no, my lady. Not Brandon."
"Well the youngest one is not even a man grown yet, so that only leaves the second son." Melelna paused, trying to bring the man's name to memory.
"Eddard, his name is Eddard," Ashara provided for her as if reading her mind.
Melelna was about to ask for more details about Ashara's little encounter in the stables with this Eddard, but a knock on her door interrupted her train of thought. Elyse quickly helped her out of the tub and fetched a modest crimson bedrobe for her to don. Her hair fell moist and lose down her back but since the sun was almost set, she'd assumed it was either Rhaegar or her brother who had come to visit her so she didn't care much for her appearance.
When the door opened however, the image that greeted her was neither that of her brother nor her lover. Elyse let out a startled gasp and took an involuntary step back at the sight of Prince Lewyn Martell, standing tall and handsome, clad in all pale armour and waiting for an invitation to come within.
"Prince Lewyn," Melelna greeted, a little startled herself. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"May I come in, my lady? I wish to speak with you, if it is not too much trouble," The Kingsguard asked, ever so chivalrous.
"It would be no trouble at all, ser." She beckoned him to enter.
"I shall return later to sup with you, my lady," Ashara politely offered and made for the door.
Elyse made a move to follow her. Oh, you better think again, my dear. "Elyse," Melelna sterny called, causing the woman to freeze in her tracks. "Stay." She turned to Prince Lewyn. "Would you care for some wine, ser?"
"Wine would be most welcome, my lady. I suspect that I might have a thirst for it soon," he said cryptically, throwing a small glance in Elyse's direction.
"Elyse, fetch a flagon of dornish red and two goblets," She told her handmaiden who was eager to oblige and no wonder escape the room. When Elyse was about to shut the door behind her, Melelna spoke again. "And Elyse, see that you do return." It wouldn't have surprised her if the sly wench convinced some other servant to deliver the wine to them.
Melelna took a pillowed seat by the window and gestured for the Kingsguard to do the same.
"Are you enjoying your time in Westeros, my lady?" Prince Lewyn asked when he settled on the velvet cushion.
"Very much so, ser. But you didn't come all the way here to ask how I like Westeros, did you?"
His lips twitched. "No, my lady. I most certainly did not. But If you would be so kind as to wait until your handmaid returns before we begin that conversation, I would be most grateful. There are things I need to…confirm first."
Melelna's eyes narrowed. "And you require Elyse in order to confirm? How do you really know my handmaid, Prince Lewyn?" she bluntly asked him, not bothering to pretend that she believe that sorry excuse of a story they blurted out in the gardens.
Prince Lewyn's dark eyes turned nostalgic. "Oh, I have met Elyse a very long time ago. Decades have passed since then."
"Then you both lied to the Queen this morn when you said that you met her at the docks?"
"Only half a lie, my lady. I did meet Elyse at the docks, just not those of King's Landing. And it wasn't just her I saved from the drunken sailors, but her mistress as well. It happened more than twenty years ago, to be sure, but you can certainly see how it was not a total deceit?"
Melelna's eyes widened. Her mistress? Does he mean my mother?
Eysse chose that moment to return, making her way to them with small hesitant steps and never meeting Melelna's gaze.
"Elyse," Prince Lewyn called after the maid had put the flagon and goblets on the short table. "Have a seat with us."
The handmaid reluctantly lowered herself on a cushioned armchair. "It is good to see you alive and well after all these years, milord ." Her voice was a little more than a whisper.
Prince Lewyn poured for both of them and brought his own cup to his lips. "I wasn't certain when I saw you at first, you know. The years have been kind to you, that much is plain, but you were little more than a girl the last time I saw you," he said before lifting his chin towards Melelna. "That face however, especially standing next to you…there is no mistaking it. What is she to her?"
Elyse remained silent, eyes low.
"Is he talking about my mother? Elyse why won't you answering him?" Melelna demanded. If the Dornish Prince knew her mother, then she wanted to hear of it.
"She is Lady Minesa's daughter." Her handmaiden clarified for him, looking extremely unhappy to do so.
"Lady Minesa's," Prince Lewyn echoed, dragging out the words. "I was under the impression that her name was Mia."
"It was. Until it was time for her to do her duty," Elyse told him.
Melelna observed the interaction between the two of them with confused eyes. Mia? She'd never heard anyone call her mother by that name. "Did you know my lady mother, ser? When she was a girl?"
Elyse rose from her chair. "My lady, beg your pardon but I do not think this conversation is proper. Your lady mother would be greatly displeased."
Your refusal to let me hear this only makes me want to know more. But why was she so adamant? Elyse has never been one for being bold. Unless... Melelna looked at Prince Lewyn, truly looked at him. The harsh jaw, the dark thick hair, the shape of his plum lips… "Ser, how long ago, exactly, did you know my mother?" She blurted out.
Prince Lewyn considered the question for a heartbeat. "About twenty four years ago. Why?"
Elyse was shaking her head "no" but Melelna ignored her. "And did you…Were you my mother's lover?"
He seemed taken aback by the bluntness of her question, a little amused too. "Why would you wish to know that, my lady?"
"Since you didn't immediately deny it, I'm going to take that as a yes." Melelna glanced at Elyse and found her pleading with her eyes. He doesn't know, she realized. And Elyse doesn't want me to tell him.
Well as it turned out, the prince knew enough to come to some conclusion in his head, judging from the abrupt widening of his eyes and the accusatory look she threw Elyse's way. "Did she lie to me, Elyse?" When she made no effort to answer he suddenly stood and took a step towards her direction, making her flinch back. " .Lie?" he demanded, loudly and fiercely enough to make even Melelna shiver with fear.
Melelna quickly moved between them and pinned the Dornishman with a harsh look. "Mind your tone, ser. You are scaring her!"
"She only did what was best for her boy!" Elyse snapped, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Prince Lewyn fell back on his chair, resting his elbows on his thighs and buried his face in his hands. He looked so pained and distressed that Melelna didn't dare demand an explanation for his tantrum just yet.
After a long uncomfortable moment, he glanced up at Elyse. "A boy?" his voice was soft now, all traces of his anger gone.
The handmaiden nodded and wiped at the wetness on her face with the back of her hand. "A man now."
The chamber door busted open with a groan and Rhaegar, Arthur and Jaime rushed inside. As soon as the Targaryen Prince noticed that she was garbed in robes, he frowned. He then turned his angry indigo gaze to Prince Lewyn. "What is the meaning of this?" Rhaegar demanded sounding every bit like the Crown Prince he was.
The Martell rose at once, looking remorseful. "Your grace, beg your pardon but this is personal."
"Personal? We are beyond fucking personal. The whole bloody keep heard your screaming." Rhaegar voice had gone alarmingly hostile and Melelna's throat tightened with guilt for causing this in the first place. She still hadn't fully understood why Prince Lewyn was so upset but she regretted not heeding Elyse's warnings.
"Please," Elyse reluctantly said in a quivering voice. "T-this is a delicate matter, y-your grace." She glanced around uneasily. "N-not fit for prying ears, for my lady's sake."
Rhaegar was ominously silent for a couple of thundering heartbeats. "Everybody out." he commanded. "All of you make your way to my solar. Lady Melelna and I will both join you when she wears clothes."
Melelna flinched at his tone but didn't dare object. She'd never before witnessed him this angry. She didn't dare speak or move either.
"If there is a logical explanation for you receiving one of the Kingsguard in your chamber dressed in only your bedrobe, now would be a really good time to enlighten me with it." Rhaegar growled when they were alone.
Her heart clenched at the accusatory coldness of his voice but she swallowed her hurt. "I was still in the bath when Prince Lewyn knocked, I donned the robe thinking it was you or Vinar. Rhaegar, you surely don't think…"
A brief look of regret reflected in his eyes before they hardened again. "Why did he shout at you? I was on my way to invite you for supper and I heard his roar all the way up the street. Ser Jaime should've dragged him out as soon as he'd raised his voice, perhaps I trusted too much in him."
Melelna shook her head. "He didn't shout at me," she hesitated. "He was wroth with Elyse."
"Your handmaid? Why would Prince Lewyn shout at your handmaid?" Rhaegar's anger appeared have been replaced by genuine surprise.
Too late to hold back now, Melelna told herself. "Rhaegar, my love," she began in a pleading tone. She saw his eyes soften at the endearment and it gave her a small confidence to tell him the truth. "You asked me about Amir once, do you recall?"
"Amir? Yes I remember, what does your guard have to do with this?"
She gave him a regretful smile. "Everything I told you that day was true, but for one small detail. But I had good reason, if you would allow me to explain."
Rhaegar took the seat Prince Lewyn had occupied earlier. "By all means," he said and put his arms on the armrests, giving her his undivided attention.
She couldn't decide if he was truly curious, or mocking her or trying to sooth his anger by allowing her to speak first. She crouched by his chair and whispered quietly, afraid that someone might hear, even though they were alone in the chamber. "Elyse is not Amir's mother, my own mother, Lady Minesa Vhassar is. He is my half-brother."
The prince only stared at her, nonplussed. "Your mother had a bastard? This is the first I hear of this."
"It is a long story, one I do not dare speak here where the wrong ears could be listening in. But I will tell you this," she shifted closer to him and lowered her voice. "My mother was never unfaithful to my father. She never shamed him, not once. Amir was born before her marriage and her only crime was that she wished to have her son close. Prince Lewyn…" she swallowed. "I suspect that he might be Amir's father. I never knew until just before you came. He recognized Elyse today and at first I thought he was just someone who knew the maid and my mother when they were girls so I pressed him for information, but Elyse became really upset and then he was demanding that she tells him the truth about something…I don't know Rhaegar, but it was my fault. Please forgive me. I shouldn't have pushed him, I only…I wanted to know—for Amir."
Rhaegar remained silent for a very long moment. She could almost see his brain working the information through the reflection of his deep lilac eyes. "I-I…I truly don't know what to say to that, my lady. It does explain a lot about your relationship with Amir, I suppose." He made a move to stand. "However, Prince Lewyn is a knight of the Kingsguard. I must speak with him about this. Dress Melelna, we need to go to my solar."
Melelna shrugged out of the bedrobe, hastily picked a simple gown from her wardrobe and threw it over her head. She tamed her almost dry hair with a gilded comb and fastened a cloth-of-silver cloak about her shoulders.
On her way to Maegor's Holdfast, she thanked the gods that Amir was with Vinar and didn't witness the confrontation. It would have been a horrid way to find out who had sired him—and coming to swords with him over the way he had talked to Elyse would make it an even worse one.
Three knights garbed in white armour awaited inside Rhaegar's solar, along with her blanch-faced handmaid. Melelna had a sudden urge to comfort Elyse and apologize for getting her tangled in this mess but she knew that it wasn't the time.
"Your Grace." Prince Lewyn stood taut and proud as he addressed Rhaegar. "I overstepped, I admit. My shock and anger took control over my wits, and I beg your pardon for any discomfort I might have caused to lady Melelna."
Rhaegar was still glaring at him. "It's her you should apologize to, not me. But first, tell me what it was that angered you so."
The Martell nervously looked at Melelna, then the handmaid. "A little more than two decades ago, I visited Lys with my uncle. I was barely a boy of six and ten then, and stayed in the city for about three turns. A few days after we arrived, I came upon two women at the docks, a young lysene lady and her maid." He pinned his gaze on Elyse. "I assisted them with some trouble they were having and soon I was spending most of my evenings visiting one place or another on the Island with them. I…" Prince Lewyn paused and uncomfortably cleared his throat. "I grew very fond of the lady but I had to of course return to Dorne with my uncle and… a few days before I was to leave, she told me that she was with child. I offered to take her with me to Dorne as my paramour but she knew that her family wouldn't have it. She was very beautiful you see, so much so that even though her birth name didn't mean much in Lys, foreign lords and rich merchants from the free cities had already been asking for her hand. Her family would never forgive her if she committed such an act when they saw how much prospect they had for a match above their station.
"So then I offered to return for the child. I knew that a bastard would have no place in any palace she might end up at when her father found her a match, but in Sunspear he could grow amidst family. The next day, she came to me and confessed to drinking a Lysene potion, much alike moon tea. I wasn't too pleased with her but accepted her choice not to threaten any potential alliances her family could access through a good marriage by birthing a bastard. As it turns out, she lied."
"And what is the name of this lady, Prince Lewyn?" Rhaegar asked even though he knew the answer to that question.
"Then, it was Mia. Now…" the prince of Dorne glanced at Melelna, looking a little ashamed.
"Minesa," Melelna provided for him. "Her name is Minesa, or was."
"Lady Vhassar, I know how uncomfortable this must be for you. You surely wonder why I didn't offer marriage to her and—"
"Prince Lewyn," she spoke over him. "My mother seldom spoke of you, and never addressed you by name, to be sure. But those scarce times that she did mention you was only to tell her son that he shall one day grow strong and fierce like his father. She never displayed any ill feelings toward you, and if she did not judge your choices, then nor shall I."
The Martell tensed when the word "son" left her mouth. "Her son…where is this son?"