Thanks for the reads, reviews, follows, and favorites.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All things recognizable are property of G.R.R. Martin, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, & company, & the asoiaf wiki.

A/n: Sorry for the long overdue update, but, between my new job and other personal matters, I just haven't had the opportunity until recently to write. Hope readers enjoy.


Chapter 12

Elia asks, "Is it not to your liking?"

Stannis Baratheon frowns at her. "What?"

She gestures to his plate. "Is there something wrong with the dish?"

He bites out, "It is fine."

She presses her lips together. "I fear I still do not know your preferences well. I apologize if that is the matter."

His face stiffens. "The dish is fine. Princess, more attention to my preferences is not necessary on your part."

So he had noticed for all the good it seemed to be doing. Hoping he had not seen the worries on her face, she tries to smoothen out her own expression. But, then, he looks back down, his expression hardening further.

"Then, what is the matter, Lord Stannis?" What is the matter now?

Why was it always that look of shock when she asked him a question? There were considerations, decidedly not the food, when it came to Stannis Baratheon's discontent, which concerned her. Perhaps she might not manage to make him content, but, she had to try. She always thought she managed to offend him in some way. Predictably, his tone is clipped. "There is a cat underneath the table."

Her confusion quickly turns into embarrassment. "Ah, that would be Balerion. I apologize, I should have warned you."

Again, that disbelief. She grimaces thinking of how she probably sounds like a fool. This was nothing she needed. She elaborates, "My daughter's cat, Balerion."

Her explanation is met with more incredulity. "Your daughter named her cat after the Black Dread." And to think she actually welcomed his knowledge of Targaryen history. Idly, she thinks Ser Jaime would probably laugh at her now.

"Prince Viserys named it, but, they both are fond of the cat. I suppose it is the way with children to enjoy the company of animals."

He frowns as he does often. "Neither child is here." No. She rarely had the children with her when she was with Lord Stannis and this evening required privacy.

"Excitable pets make for excitable children. I thought it best to keep it with me."

The man has a younger brother, he should understand that. And yet, looking at the severe face in front of her she questions her choice to have kept the cat with her. But, then, this is not the first time. It made a mess of things with Arthur. He looked so excited when he gave her the damnable laurel he won at the tourney celebrating Oberyn's wedding, when part of her hoped he would have given it to Cersei or anyone else. She had not wanted it, yet, could not find a good reason to refuse it. Then Balerion attacked it. On one hand she had been glad she did not have to keep the laurel because it reminded her of the one she never received, but, Arthur looked as though he was grieving anew…

She nearly shook her head. She was not going to discuss that with Stannis Baratheon, who, of course, was looking at her oddly.

To her surprise, he volunteers, "I saw him earlier. Prince Viserys, I mean."

"Yes?" Perhaps it happened during one of those moments her good-brother was with Lord Arryn. It was no shortage of relief Arryn had taken well to his new charge, but, this…

"He called me 'Cousin'."

She took a sip of wine to stall having to give a response. He looks uncomfortable. Elia understands. It was not an entirely incorrect term of address, but, under the circumstances it was probably best to get Viserys to stop. The last thing she needed was Robert to get wind of it and think it to be some sort of joke at his expense. "It would be no difficulty to instruct him to use a more formal address, if you like."

Again, an awkward look. "Why does he do it?"

Lord Stannis looks as though he hopes to never have to face that possibility again. He likely will not. Lord Royce would be escorting Viserys to the Vale on the same day Lord Arryn leaves for Storm's End; the same day this man does, and the Starks.

For now, however, she has to give Lord Stannis an answer.

"I suppose it was the Queen Dowager's influence." Dear Rhaella spoke of her cousins to her sometimes. No doubt she would speak to them to her son. Aerys would not have bothered with something like this; not this past year, at least. The only time Aerys took interest in his second son was shortly before sending him to Dragonstone with Rhaella.

Baratheon nods slowly. After a while, despite a frown, he asks, "How is she? Is she still…" She tries not to laugh at how he cannot bring himself to finish the sentence, but, then, even that slight humor stifles when it seems as though he looks regretful he asked.

"She writes she is well, but, it will still be some months before she can return I think." She blinks to stop her eyes from beginning to burn. While she promised her son to a house whose loyalty had been half-hearted and her daughter to the house whose daughter was party to her humiliation, she made promises on Rhaella's behalf. Now, when Rhaella returns Viserys will be gone. What could she say to a woman who suffered the loss of one son and her other will be taken from her? Despite Rhaella's apparent understanding and approval, it would be her fault.

The voice inside of her which says such sacrifices were necessary is not one she enjoys hearing, but, she tells herself she has to believe it.

He speaks again. "Lord Arryn remarked about the way Prince Viserys does not speak of the King much, only that he loved him."

She takes a breath. It is something of an effort to get Lord Stannis to speak to her during these meals on his own accord and so she was startled by this. While it was very interesting that that Lord Arryn would want to mentor this Baratheon as well, she worries about what else Viserys would have said. Perhaps Lord Stannis' mother and father used to speak of happier times with her good-mother before they died, but, what Stannis Baratheon knows of the king would be much different.

"The Queen Dowager was responsible for much of Prince Viserys education."

Lord Stannis frowns again. "There are matters..." Pure distaste. This one does not like rumors or rumormongers, but, neither were completely inescapable in King's Landing and she knew he wanted information. He always did and there are rumors which she hopes which never come to exist.

"About what specifically?"

"That the King was cruel her, his queen." It was not a question.

Bile rises in her throat remembering the bruises, the scratches, the tears, and more. She looks into those sharp, blue eyes. The both of them know the man made his own inquiries. There would not be one washerwoman who had not heard one ugly story or another; one handmaiden who used to see unspeakable things; guards who used to hear the unthinkable.

"There are many who remain ignorant of the worst of the King's excesses."

"Is that why you still do not think of him fondly?"

Stannis Baratheon speaking of fondness? She nearly laughed. To cover it she grabbed her goblet of wine again. May the gods forgive her for speaking on such things. "It pains me to say this about the dead even now and about a man who was my good-father, no less, but, it is a part of it."

"Why?" She takes another sip. Of course, Stannis Baratheon would be the type to ask such a question.

While this one knew of the deaths Aerys ordered, she saw them and what came before and after. Rhaella might remember the man who Aerys was in his youth, but, Elia has no issue with disavowing him and often. Why should she think of Aerys fondly? He hated her. He terrified her. He meant to kill her.

"My mother used to say King Aerys had been charming in his youth. By the time I arrived in King's Landing, it was rare he made the effort to be. Do not mistake me, if the mood struck him he could be warm to my children, yet, towards the end, those moments were few in between; even on his better days. That was before I learned of the wildfire."

He frowns again, but, as far as she could gather, he does not seem angrier than usual. A small mercy. "I see. So you have not forgiven him."

Before, Aerys used to sneer at her "dirtied blood" and her lack of Targaryen features. Then he used to mock her for Rhaegar's leaving. She had seen her good-mother on the day of hers and Viserys' departure. She remembers the way he used to look at her with cruel, suspicious eyes and how he would demand to hold Rhaenys and Aegon with those callous, bloodied hands. Was she supposed to forget all that simply because she saw him die in a cruel manner? "Some things are very difficult to forgive; even if one tries."

"You act as though you do, but, now your words with me say different."

She fights a smile. One of the earliest lessons she learned when she arrived here was that the luxury of speaking too plainly is not hers but, this one welcomes it, up to a point.

"One can try, whether or not one is successful is another matter entirely."

"Is that why you wished to speak to me about Lord Connington."

Elia takes a deep breath, only slightly relieved the man no longer desires to speak about Aerys Targaryen. But, this subject is just as precarious, perhaps more. The wedding would not be free from scandal, and this delay had not helped. Still, she wanted to know Jon's and Ashara's presence would not cause more of disaster. Perhaps it might, but, she had to try. "I could not approach anyone with this."

"You should contact Robert yourself. Or has Robert refused entirely?" Baratheon thrusts his knife into the piece of fish with more force than he usually does. She should tread carefully, then. She nearly snorts; she always has to tread carefully with any Baratheon she was with.

"Your brother and I are do not know each other well." She does not want to know Robert Baratheon either and she does not have to be at a table with the man's brother to know the feeling is mutual. She coughs, "It would be foolish of me to think that I could convince him of much on my own, no matter how necessary I believe the activity to be. I have not asked him yet, I wanted to have your opinion first."

He presses his lips together before replying, "If you lacked ability to influence Robert of anything or could not find the means to accomplish it, I would not be sitting here now. It is established matters will continue as they had before the war. Why would you need this, as well?"

He would have done well in Dorne, she muses. He always manages to surprise her with his own brand of directness. She presses down the thought. She did not want to meddle in the Stormlands more than necessary, gods know it was not worth the headache, but, for Jon and Ashara she had to try.

"This is a matter of rebuilding relationships which should be mended."

His jaw clenches. "There is more to it than reconciliation. Lord Connington fought against his liege-lord."

She wonders if her mother ever felt the urge to simultaneously to try and box in a man's ears or congratulate them for their approaches to statecraft. "Are you of the belief reconciliation cannot be done or should not be even attempted?"

"Certainly exceptions can be made regarding men who fought against my brother." His mouth presses into a grim line again.

"The war is over." She ignores the look she gets and presses on, "I understand how difficult it is to overcome sentiments so soon in one's past, but, Lord Robert did agree to the agreements made between this council and the Stormlands, particularly where the former king's actions regarding attainders were concerned. Lord Connington himself suffered for the former king's whims."

His jaw twitches. "What King Aerys did, that has no bearing on whether or not Robert would find it easy to forgive Lord Connington's refusing to head his liege-lords call and his taking up arms against other men of the Stormlands."

"House Connington was not the only one. For example, Grandison, Fell, and Cafferen. I take it they will be in attendance." One of Aerys favorite things to do in front of her was rant about false loyalties. The houses of the Stormlands were recurring subjects of conversation.

He grimaces at her. Then, he counters, "I am aware of who swore loyalty and when. Those others remembered their oaths to their liege-lord." His back straightens. "That cannot be said of Lord Connington. Robert is the head of my house and it is his wedding. It is for him to decide who he welcomes in his hall."

The gods know she does not want to discuss this more than necessary, but, to give in so easily would make her seem weak and she cannot afford that. "That is why I am asking for you to intercede, as his brother and a member of that house."

"And yet you say this is a matter of State. If this was, you could easily go to anyone on council. You did not have to come to me." No doubt he has his reasons for not wanting her to come to him with much, but, she would have had to eventually, even if he would not admit it to himself.

"Are you of the thought that mending relations can between the houses of the Stormlands can only be done by men of the Stormlands or that I do not have the responsibility to try?"

"Perhaps, Princess, but, if rectifying the rift between the houses of the Stormlands is all you wanted you could have gone to my Uncle Lomas."

Time for the truth, then. "He advised me to come to you. He intimated Lord Robert would not quite object, but, that you were the one who held Storm's End. No one of any importance could deny your agreement should carry weight where his would perhaps not."

He looks aggrieved when she finishes. She mentally amends, Stannis Baratheon always looks aggrieved. Certainly he could not be surprised she would not come to him first if he was also suggesting it? Perhaps it is how his uncle left this for him. Or was it because she meant this as a compliment and did not believe it to be one? She fights a sigh. Who knows what to expect from Stannis Baratheon?

He begins grinding his teeth together. It is not the first time she wonders what it means. When he does speak, it is with great stiffness; but, at least he does despite the nature of the question. "Why is this so important to you, Princess?"

What good was all that effort and talk of wanting to move forward if people cannot do something as simple as be in the same room? She was Regent for her son, just barely. How could she continue to be one if members of her own son's council refuse her? She will never forget how she became Regent. She never regretted hiding the issue which allowed this, but, she was here, with this man, because of what most consider an acceptable outcome, at best. It is more than her life's worth if others stop believing it, but, she could not confide such truths to this man. There were, however, others she could. "It is important to me because Lord and Lady Connington are important to me."

"Why?" Was friendship not enough? Looking at that grim expression she thinks perhaps not for some.

Aerys' banishment of Ashara after learning she was with child, Arthur going missing, and the loss of her daughter, knowing Ashara did not marry Jon out of love…Ashara deserves some happiness and some stability. If she goes to Griffin's Roost, perhaps she can move forward. She knows there might not be forward for her. There should be for others.

"Lady Connington came to court after my daughter was born to be my companion and is very dear to me. She should not suffer the discontent of her husband's liege lord when she was not responsible for it. Lord Connington, I knew for years. As you say he fought for the king, but, had it not been for his own sense of duty I doubt he would have."

"What sort of duty would have him fight so fiercely against his liege-lord?" Clipped as his voice was, at least, he asked the right questions.

"The duty which comes from knowing the king's ire was already upon him for his friendship with my husband. The king repaid his loyalty terribly. If we were kept within our homes he was kept away from it. That does not sit well with me."

Jon loved being in King's Landing, or had once. There used to be a vibrancy about him the man who returned from Essos lacked. Though they did not directly speak of it, she knew he blames himself for not being at the Trident with Rhaegar. Arthur was no different. The air around the both of them is so thick with grief she could not look at them at times. Jon, as far as she knew, at least speaks to his kin without the hesitance that Arthur does with Ashara and Alnair. But, for him to go home could help in other ways. Still, she doubts voicing such sentiments will mean something to Stannis Baratheon, possibly less to his brother.

"He was hardly the only one to be affected by King Aerys' ire."

Baratheon's face may as well be made of stone, but, what is stone when one lived with a dragon? "We both know that, my lord, but, if we do not show compassion to those who also suffered for the King's ire, then what good are we?"

His grimace returned. He has not forgotten, then.

"You were in a heavily guarded fortress with a Kingsguard about you. How is that being a prisoner in your home?" 'As I was' he leaves unsaid, but, she hears it.

"The best guards can fail and even the most fortified of fortresses. As it is, what good is a guard, when, if on the orders of a King, you could remain unprotected?"

His eyes narrow. "You do not trust the Kingsguard? Jaime Lannister says he was with you at the time of King Aerys death."

She remembers Ser Jaime standing above Aerys' dead body, all too well. "Vows or not, three members of the Kingsguard helped my husband dishonor me, our children together, and my people by absconding with your brother's betrothed and keeping her in the land of my mother's. As for Ser Jaime, when not guarding the King it is proper for Kingsgaurd to guard the royal family, but, it scarce matters when the king meant to burn the entire city down."

His jaw clenches and his frown deepens. "What do you mean?"

"Recently, we discovered another cache of wildfire".

"I know this."

The Council knew now. She could not prevent Lord Stannis from asking questions, but, she would not waste the tools she does have to ensure he asks questions she could answer. That held true for all of them. "He used to call wildfire his champion. He used it against those who he perceived enemies even where none existed. After the battle at the Trident, how much use do you think he had for me and my children except as sacrifices to his favored champion?"

Disbelief pours off of him. "You were his good-daughter and your children, his grandchildren." Such misaimed propriety, she thinks.

"And you, my lord, and your brothers are children of his cousin." It was a dangerous reminder of how being family did not stop Aerys from demanding Robert's head, but, she needed Lord Stannis to understand how familial relations mattered to Aerys.

"You would have me believe that there was a danger?" She saw the anger and suspicion in the way he shifted back. No matter. Even if he stalked out of the room, he would remember.

"At best, King Aerys was unpredictable and he had had not been at his best." When she cannot sleep, it was not because it was so easy to tell Ser Jaime to burn the body.

Though he only glares, she continues, "Yes, I was his good-daughter, but, it was his own assessment that aside from my brother's spears he had little use for me. 10,000 spears and my uncle's death was not enough to alter his perception. As for my children, even without my son, King Aerys had his own who he sent to safety; one without my "tainted blood" as he used to call it. Dragons may not burn, but, suns do. That wildfire, my lord, tells me that once again, he saw wildfire as his champion."

Now, he replies gruffly. "Princess, I cannot and will not intercede in the matter of Lord and Lady Connington."

Stannis Baratheon's steadfastness is as problematic as it is refreshing, but, she needed him to be not an enemy or think of her as one. "I thank you for your candor, Lord Stannis, I will abide by your wishes and I will not speak of this with you further. Please." She gestures for him to continue eating.

Thankfully, he returns to look down at his plate and she wonders how offended he is by what she said. It was a wonder how much time she thinks worrying over that.

They shared no more words that night until Oberyn arrives and he leaves with a curt, "Princess Elia, Prince Oberyn".

When they were alone, Oberyn plopped down on a chair with his feet propped up on another. She thought about telling him to not lounge around like that, but, she would rather save her breath. Her brother clearly means to say something.

"I do not like you dining alone with him."

She barely stops herself from sighing at this again. "Why? It is hardly the first time."

Oberyn rolled his eyes. "Yes, I know, you dine with various members of the council often, so much so that you rarely have time for me, but why him? Hot only is he a Baratheon-" He grimaces momentarily and hastily continues, "He is not particularly amusing." She nearly laughs at the face her brother makes. She knows full well how bewildering Stannis Baratheon is.

"You mean Doran has not said for you to be friendly as possible with our northern neighbors?"

Her brother does like rolling his eyes at her. "Gods, are you closer to my age or our brother's?"

With as prim a tone she can manage, she argues, "I suppose it is times like these which shows that I was the one born earlier, even if it is only that one year."

At his look, she laughs again. Oberyn replies, "Laugh all you want but do answer question."

His words only make her laugh harder. "I do not need for my dining companions to be amusing. I need them to be intelligent. He is that. Besides, what else do you think I could do with him? Ask him to join me in the gardens or some such?" Even when the picture is amusing, she could not imagine such a farce. Tonight had been enough of one.

"Why dine alone with him?"

"He is the type to prefer privacy." The items discussed for much of the evening also required it.

"You could not keep a Kingsguard with you?"

Despite the distaste in his voice, she smiles at her brother's concern. "Brother, if Lord Stannis was the type to attack a woman, which we both know he is not, he was not going to do it when more than one person knows where he is and with the Kingsguard outside. And anyone here can tell you his words cut more than any fork could."

His arms cross at his chest. "I am glad to see you take humor in it."

There was nothing humorous about what she discussed with Lord Stannis, but, she did not wish for anyone to overhear. "We discussed his plans for changing some of vendors of the ships' materials and then we discussed some more personal items."

"You have not taken him into your confidences." Oberyn looks at her with something akin to horror. It's not a particularly good look on him, she decides.

"No. Just some things that best are left without many others knowing about aside from the few that already know. He had some questions that are best left secret."

Amusement now gone, Oberyn sits up. "Such as?"

"Aerys, of course. Stannis Baratheon does not need me to speak ill of him, but, he can be rather persistent about certain things."

Frowning, Oberyn considers that, "I suppose so. But certainly that is not it? It is not as though anyone would sing Aerys' praises."

"I wanted was to see what he would say about Ashara and Jon."

His eyebrows nearly reach his hair. "And what did our dour Master of Ships say?" Oberyn does not sound so optimistic no matter if he does control the surprise.

She shook her head. "He told me to go to Robert directly. He feels it beyond the scope of respectability to interfere in such matters."

Then, Oberyn grouses, "Of course, the wedding which finally comes close. I still cannot believe you would have me go."

She leans back in her chair. "One of us should go and I know the last face Robert Baratheon would want to see in his hall is mine." The man was the least of all reasons she should not go. "At least I know, dear brother of mine, you would enjoy yourself thoroughly."

He smirks. "I think I should be offended that my sister is so eager to get rid of me."

She snorts. "It would be remiss of me not to send someone. Who better to send than my other most dear of brothers?"

The look Oberyn gives her says he knows her thoughts all too well. Then, his lips twitch. "Your brother without a realm of his own to govern who also happens to be the least diplomatic among us?"

When she finally is able to suppress her laughter she replies, "I would send my brother who I love and who loves me in return."

As she hoped, Oberyn snickers. "I take it my wife being the daughter of the Hand of the King, who also will not attend, has nothing to do with it?"

She frowns slightly. "Is that a refusal, then? Will you not go? Would Cersei object?"

Oberyn smirks. "Now, now, Sister, calm yourself. I knew I was going to have to attend. As for Cersei, she does not object to going. She seemed rather eager when my good-father mentioned it was important for a 'Lannister to attend'."

She nearly sighs in relief. "Speaking of Cersei, where is she? Or are you away from your new wife because she tires of you already?"

He smiles. "My wife is with her brother."

She nods. "And?"

Oberyn shakes his head. "I have seen men dying in greater cheer than Jaime Lannister seems to be capable of these days."

She suspected aside from his sister's leaving, the knight's disposition was also affected by the woman who was no longer Jaime Lannister's lover. She was unsure, but, Ser Jaime had not offered more than that and she asked for none.

She wondered if Cersei knew, not that she would ask. She could do nothing about it if Cersei did and told Oberyn what the matter with her brother was, but, she certainly was not going to violate something Ser Jaime said to her in drunken confidence. This place ought to have some secrets which remained buried. "Is there a reason he should be cheerful?"

"That his beloved sister is married to me is not enough?"

Elia cannot help but quip, "And yet you still wonder why he would be morose?"

Oberyn snorts. "You know full well he tried to threaten me when he learned I was going to marry Cersei."

"Well, you did hold your own, did you not?"

His lips twitch. "I did." Then, his face sobers.

"Speaking of Ser Jaime I heard him talking to the Master-at-Arms." Ah, yes, that, she thinks.

Elia grinned. "Did you?"

She tries not to grin harder at the annoyed look Oberyn gives her. "Yes, he said something about practicing discretely."

"It could not have been that discreet if you know what it's about."

Again, that nearly annoyed expression. "Don't change the subject, Elia. Why would he need somewhere to practice where no one could see him? He rather thrives in martial settings."

"As do you." Then, she relents. "My stance needs work, apparently."

"Your stance? What about it? It is fine." If anything Oberyn's look of disbelief intensifies. "Jaime Lannister is trying to take my sister."

She nearly chokes on her own laughter.

"Are you quite done?" At the disgruntled look she begins to laugh even harder.

When Elia is calm enough, she asks, "Truly, Oberyn? 'Take my sister' indeed." She waves her hand about the room, "Where could I possibly go?"

Oberyn harrumphed. "Well, if you recall, he did not want me to marry his sister. Now that it happened, he suddenly decides to give you lessons when he knows I was the one to give you that knife. Why else would he do that?"

A stray snicker escapes her. "I am sure it is nothing quite as nefarious."

"Oh, really?" Idly, she thinks that dubious look does not fit on her brother's face.

"I imagine because he's bored."

He snorts. "Being Kingsguard is not good enough for him?"

"Don't act as though you think highly of the Kingsguard." She wonders if she should have added some censure in her tone, not that Oberyn Martell was a man who could be cowed.

He crosses his arms across his chest. "It is not the institution which bothers me and that's not the point."

Deciding to leave it alone, she shrugs. "He came across me by accident and I surprised him with the blade. Perhaps it is a novelty for him. It was just a nice gesture."

She gets a disbelieving snort in return. "I am sure it was."

She coughs. "At any rate, all of King's Landing lauds both yours and his markedly improved swordsmanship. Why should I not try to improve my own version of it?"

"You are quite amusing, Sister." Despite his words, his lips twitch.

"I am so honored you think so." She deliberately ignores the roll of his eyes, to ask, "Your competition with her brother aside, how is Cersei?"

He smirked. "Mother and Father despaired of the way marriage had not agreed with me. You chose quite well. "

She worried. Cersei was a Lannister with all the pride that came along with it and her brother was a second son. Then there was the matter of Oberyn's daughters; but, Cersei says she finds them 'quite interesting'. At least, that was something. Still, she asks, "You are happy?"

Oberyn sits closer to her. "Happy enough. Cersei Lannister is quite a wife, but, it does not mean I do not want to leave you here."

Elia swallows thickly. She does not want her brothers to leave either, but, they must. "You have your own life and your children to care for."

Whatever joviality in her brother there had been was gone now. He whispers, "I know. Doran said the same."

She bites her lip. "Doran told me that the preparations to leave are nearly complete." For a moment she is over come with another wave of sadness, and much more to her chagrin, jealousy. Even before the war Aerys refused to let her go home and she would have never left her children behind to go. She might not have the opportunity to see Sunspear for years.

Oberyn nods. "They are, but, we will not leave until after the Starks and the Stormlords do."

She fights a sigh. He meant it as a comfort, but, she could not take it entirely as one. She would like her brothers to remain with her; but, they all know they cannot stay with her indefinitely, no matter how much she wishes it.


Elia is there the day the Starks leave. She is a mess of nerves though many are leaving.

She would have liked for Oberyn and Doran to be here, but, they were busy with their own preparations. To be fair, both the Hand and the Lord Commander were with her along with Rhaenys and Viserys, though Viserys would also be leaving today.

Lord Arryn informed her he would be bringing his wife to King's Landing with him when he did return. She had not argued, not when it had been Lord Arryn's idea to not take Viserys with him to Storm's End.

As expected, Lord Estermont's farewell was warmer than Lord Stannis'. Apparently, it was possible for him to be more severe. Knowing her own part in it, she had not kept him long.

Even that had been easier than the Starks coming across her. Lord Stark approached her first; Lyanna a half a step behind her brother; both of them dressed in black and looking somber and uncomfortable as she felt.

She took a breath to steady herself. Only a few more minutes. "Lord Stark. Lady Stark. I wish you well on your journey." She wanted to keep it brief. She did not think she could handle too much more no matter they had been in her home for weeks.

Grim faced, Ned Stark spoke, "Thank you, Princess."

"Please inform me when you are returned to Winterfell, Lord Stark."

Lord Stark nodded, looking uncomfortable while his sister's face hardened though the younger woman said nothing. "I will."

"Can I write too, Lord Wolf?", came the piping reply from her daughter.

Ned Stark looks down at Rhaenys, stricken at the reminder of how Rhaenys will be his good-daughter one day. Despite how she had thought to offer her daughter's hand to his house, she feels a jolt at the same realization each time. Still, it was reassuring he attempts a smile.

"Yes, Princess, you can."

Rhaenys gives him a bright smile before shuffling next to the Septa who came forward to collect her.

Then, everything about him screaming unease, he looks to her again and nods.

Lyanna remains silent. It is not a comfort knowing they already said what needed to be said.

"I am leaving tomorrow." The dark haired girl, and in that moment that is what she looked like, was seated next to Jon's crib. Her gaze is firmly on the child.

"I know, Lyanna."

"Without my son." From the edge of her vision she could see the nurse frowning, but, she only acknowledges the Stark.

"Jon will be taken care of." Her honor demanded it. While some, no doubt, speculated, it had not been difficult to promise. Her daughter's well-being and good-standing in her future home depended on Jon being raised properly.

The girl's gaze flies upon her. Elia sees the fire in those young eyes. The moment passes and the girl turns back to her sleeping child. Eventually, Lyanna says, "Ned will expect letters." It was not a question and something long since established that regular reports would go to Winterfell, not Storm's End for obvious reasons. Lyanna would write and she would respond to her, but, aside from allowing visits that was to be it; for now, at any rate.

"But, you will write to me if there is a need."

A flare of irritation rose up at being questioned again. She welcomed Lyanna Stark as a guest her home after her trespasses with her husband. She would be the one to see someone else's child in her children's nursery. She agreed to give her husband's son a proper upbringing. A person can have only so much temperance.

She took a breath and tried to remind herself that Lyanna was young still and a mother preparing to leave her child to a woman many would see as her rival. She spoke carefully, the same words she spoke many times over. "I swore to you that I would and I meant it."

Now, Lyanna glances at the wheel-house containing the guest gifts. Lyanna Stark would rather have her child than those, but, that cannot be. It is far too late for that.

Saying nothing to one another, they nod at each other. It is almost a jape. Then, the Starks step back and climb atop their horses.

There is no lightness in her when the Starks are finally gone. There cannot be.

Today was the day she firmly separated two children from their mothers. She might not owe Lyanna Stark more than what she promised her, but, she had made promises. She thinks of the letter on her desk intended for Rhaella and wonders if men who foster sons either out or in feel as wretched as she does. In some years, she will lose her daughter to the North too. But, there was nothing for it now. She committed and must see her decisions through.


When she goes to the nursery after, Sers Oswell and Arthur give her wary looks. She wonders if they volunteered. Ser Gerold had frowned at her when she announced she would be come here, but, said nothing. How apt was it that it be these Kingsguard on duty today?

The pair tense as she goes closer to the children. It was as if they could not possibly believe she was there for other reasons than seeing her son and the child under her charge.

She does not know whether to lash out in irritation or laugh in their faces. How stupid or petty do they think she is? Even if she was the type to hurt a child why would she do anything to disrupt the show of good-faith the moment she was granted it?

She reminds herself not to react badly. Instead, she takes a seat next to Aegon's crib, determined not to move until she tires or they say something. She lived long enough to know men will think what they think. If they want to be wary for no reason, she will let them.

Hours later, she was still there when a knock sounded on the door. She ignores the hushed voices until, "Princess?"

She looks up from the two children with matching indigo eyes she was gazing at to look into a pair of green ones. "Ah, Ser Jaime. What can I do for you?"

With a slight bow, he speaks with a formality he usually does not bother with. "I would hope that you allow me to escort you to the Great Hall for the evening meal." He glances at his two 'brothers' and hesitates before speaking again. "I am afraid your absence midday was noted, Princess." At that, she nearly sighs. In her act of belligerence she had skipped the meal.

When the two other Kingsguard in the room begin to look hopeful, she cannot help herself. "Thank you, Ser Jaime, but, I do not believe I am particularly hungry."

Others would leave her be in silence, but, not apparently Jaime Lannnister, who smiles slightly. "At the risk of being impertinent I already promised your brothers and my father I would escort you safely to the Great Hall on my honor as brother to your good-sister and as Kingsguard".

Ser Jaime has become more deliberate with his words of late. Though Oberyn's jovial half-complaints about his wife's brother come back to her, she finds she does not mind it much; definitely not with the way Arthur and Ser Oswell stiffen.

Making her choice, she rises and he extends an arm. "I see. Well, it would not be right for me to cause others to doubt your word of honor." Though she meant the words for the older two knights she kept her gaze fixed on the youngest.

"Thank you. I would greatly appreciate that." Ser Jaime smiles cheerfully. Both Ser Oswell's and Arthur's expressions shift. Perhaps it was because they are relieved she was leaving or because they could not find a way to get her to leave while their 'brother' could. She did not know. Today, she finds she does not much care.

When the door behind them closes the knight speaks again.

"In two days I believe I will be responsible for your person again."

"Yes?"

"I spoke to the Master-at-Arms." Ah! That was what he was after.

She snorted, "So my brother said."

A slow smirk makes its way across his face. "He spoke to you about it. Good."

She raises an eyebrow. "You are determined he knew." Despite his brashness, she knew her brother to be quite perceptive.

"I merely said that I was responsible for your safety, but, it helps if someone can help themselves. Besides, who better placed to teach you than I now that he is to be gone?"

Remembering the scene from mere moments ago, a reluctant smile tugs at her lips. "You dare too much, Ser Jaime."

He laughs, "At times, one must dare too much."

For a moment, it almost feels like benediction.