For a number meme.
Anon asked: 5, 22 Elia Martell x Brandon Stark
5. hold my hand
22. books
She'd grown up with tales of the massive size of Harrenhal, but she hadn't fathomed its true eerie grandeur until she entered it. Sunspear's Great Hall could fit twice over in the library alone, which is home to more books than she could read in a lifetime. A passing servant had been gracious enough to direct her to it, and after an hour of searching, she finally settles on a few novels to peruse over the next week. It's as she's distracted reading the introduction of one that she collides with someone, and the books tumble to the ground.
"Oh!" She had expected perhaps a serving boy or a page, but she gets neither, instead faced with the handsome figure of Brandon Stark. She hadn't taken him for a library man; perhaps he got lost. "Forgive me, Lord Brandon, I was not minding my steps."
"I often have that effect," he says. He brings her hand up to his lips and smiles. "I shall not hold it against you, Your Grace."
"Right. Well, if you'll pardon me, I'll just collect my books and be on my way."
Brandon leans down to help her, and hands them all to her except the one she'd been looking at, which he opens and flips through. "You're going to read this?"
"Yes. So may I just—"
Brandon squints at it. "But there aren't any illustrations," he says, confused. "How are you supposed to understand what's happening?"
"Some people use their imagination," she says, trying to keep the incredulity out of her voice.
Now I know why Ash has not made a fuss about being unable to marry him, Elia thinks. He's a pretty face, but wouldn't make for the most intelligent of conversation partners.
"Reading is overrated for women, I've always said," he comments, still holding her book out of her reach. "What's next, politics?"
If he weren't a Lord Paramount's heir, Elia would have brushed him aside long ago, but rude she cannot be. Carefully keeping her tone neutral, she corrects, "Where I am from, my lord, women are oft involved in politics. Mine own mother reigned for twenty years, and it was a woman who brought Dorne into a single kingdom."
Brandon waves his hand dismissively. "Dorne is too attached to the ways of the Rhoynar."
"You know," she says, "Lady Ashara is quite a learned woman herself, and her grandmother ruled Starfall in her own right for more than forty years. Surely you show the women you bed some respect?"
"All told, there isn't much talking between Lady Ashara and myself."
"No, I imagine she prefers it that way." Before he can work out her meaning, she plucks her book from his hand and makes her retreat. "Have yourself a pleasant night, my lord."
