Author's note: Once again I haven't produced a long chapter. That's partly because I'm still focused on my completed TBBT stories about Penny and partly because I'm busy writing the next chapter of Drottningville. To get The hand that rocks the Rock going after a delay of three months, here's a Jon as well as a Myrcella POV.
JON
"Have you heard?" Baelish asked as they awaited the arrival of others members of the Small Council.
"Pray tell you've got a gossip for us," Lord Renly said.
"Not as such. Lady Lannister was asked by her giant of a guard to ask Lady Stokeworth if she would be inclined to marry –"
"No!" Renly cried out. Jon briefly looked up from his paperwork but Varys continued to read his documents. He'll know all about it already.
"Lollys! Don't tell me! Capital! Lady Lannister for all your love… Help me Baelish. I need something with an L."
"Lady Lannister's love laboratory!"
Jon repressed a smile. Let them think that Lady Lannister spent her time arranging marriages for her Westerlanders. Stannis entered, looking displeased by the merriment displayed by his brother and Lord Baelish. Varys told him what it was about.
"Isn't Lollys Stokeworth dim witted?" Stannis asked.
"Who cares brother? She'll breed all right."
"Is that what you seek in a wife? A dumb broodmare? You would have had plenty of opportunities to marry in that case."
Renly and Baelish eyed each other and burst out in laughter again. The Grand Maester walked in and inquired why the young lords were so amused.
"We were talking about marriages my lord," Renly said. "None other than the wife of the esteemed Warden of the West offered to find me a spouse. She'd do the same for you Grand Maester if you weren't meant to remain unmarried."
"Have you accepted her offer?" Baelish asked before either Pycelle had a chance to reply or Renly could mention the Mountain.
"A man in my position must marry one day."
Baelish smiled at that.
"Lady Lannister is to have tea with Lady Arryn this afternoon," Varys remarked.
"How delightful!" Renly exclaimed.
"I've heard that she will bring Princess Myrcella and Lady Shireen with her."
Renly grinned. "A devoted match maker, a boy who's not been promised yet and a girl who's not engaged either. Shall we lay a bet?"
Ser Barristan entered, once more followed by the king.
"A bet Renly? Tell me."
"If it pleases you Your Majesty. Your good-mother will take Princess Myrcella and Lady Shireen to meet Lady Arryn, who, devoted mother as she is, no doubt allows Lord Arryn's heir to be present."
"The bet part?"
"Isn't it obvious Robert? She's trying to make a match between our niece and the Hand's son."
The king burst out laughing. "What say you Jon, Stannis? Could you approve of the match? It seems a good one."
It's a good diversion. She could have told us about it though. "During my one encounter with Lady Shireen I did take a liking to her. But Lady Lannister will know this is not up to her."
The king made a throatily sound. "Don't worry. She told me that she and Lord Lannister are thinking of a bride from either the Riverlands or the Storm Lands for Ser Jaime's eldest son. She might want to marry Shireen to Tybalt."
The Grand Maester nodded his approval. He'd also approve of marrying Shireen to a stable boy if his Lady proposed that.
"Anything else to entertain me Renly?" the king asked.
Renly related the story of Ser Gregor seeking a wife. It made Robert whistle. "He'll break her in their wedding night."
"She's hardly delicately build Your Grace," Varys pointed out. "Have you read the report I sent you?"
"Aye. Half of it anyway. What were you trying to do, bore me out of my mind?"
That just might be the case. Ever since Robert had announced Myrcella's marriage, Varys and Baelish as well had increased their paperwork as if to discourage him from involving himself in the ruling of the realm. Jon was impressed that Robert had read part of the report. He's improving himself. I must find a way to make him keep up with it.
"My queen told me that the Rose is on his way here. To do what?"
"I'm sure he comes over to pay his respects Your Grace."
"You can do better Varys."
"Maybe Lord Tyrell lost his memory too?" Lord Renly suggested.
"It's hardly a plague," Lord Stannis muttered.
"Lord Tyrell does have unmarried children…" Baelish said.
"Stop it: no more wedding nonsense," the king ordered. "What I came here for: several weeks ago the master of ships informed me that sailors spread word that the late beggar's sister hatched three dragons. I told him to tell you so you could confirm it."
"And so Lord Stannis has."
"Well?"
"My birds are flying Your Grace."
"Seven Hells Varys, how long will it take? Do you still think that Daenerys is a harmless girl who doesn't deserve to be killed Jon?"
Jon sat up a little straighter. "If I may Your Grace, you were glad that Princess Daenera had no surviving children."
"I wouldn't have liked to start my reign in a pool of children's blood no. If something's necessary it's necessary though. There was a war and children die in wars, smallfolk and royalty alike."
"There is no war now, Your Majesty," Varys said.
"People get killed every day and that dragon girl would be dead too if your assassin hadn't failed. Have you sent another one already?"
"I tried Your Grace, I did: I enlarged the reward but with the way the assassin was taken care of by the Dothraki I doubt there will be more murderers brave enough to try," the eunuch said.
"The Khal is dead, Dothraki won't follow a woman and there aren't any dragons," Renly said. "Some merchant saw some huge lizards near the girl and when he mentioned that in a harbour tavern a dragon tale was created."
"I bloody well hope so. The Starks having five dire-wolfs is wonderful but a Targaryen with three dragons is not to my liking. What of your spy?"
"My birds – "
"Are flying, yes, yes. The next time I expect something better Varys!" Robert rose, holding up a hand to indicate that the others could remain seated. "Now my lords, I'm off to spar with my sons."
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry for delaying you," Varys said, "but would Lady Lannister have mentioned dragons to you?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"She's not interested in the topic either?"
Robert shrugged. "What would she know of dragons? Living dragons that is."
"Ah. There you say a true thing Your Majesty. You see… I happened to overhear the lady talk to the princes. Prince Tommen said that he'd love to fly on a dragon. The imagination of children is delightful. If only we could all –"
"The point?"
"Ah yes. Well… Lady Lannister pointed out that dragons do not exist anymore but I happen to have information, rumours if you like, but rumours must be checked, as you so deftly feel regarding Daenerys's so called dragons, that the lady showed a keen interest in the Mad King's surviving children. That she provided them help."
Baelish's lips formed a thin line but his eyes sparkled with amusement. Renly's expression showed surprise. Ser Barristan frowned and the Grand Maester looked alarmed. Stannis could have been made of stone.
"What do you mean?" Robert asked.
Yes, what do you want to accomplish Varys?
Varys sighed sadly.
"Do you mean that she aided Willem Darry?" Baelish said, sounding disgusted. Jon wondered whether he was listening to rehearsed lines.
"Her husband would have disapproved," Renly remarked.
"A lady may have secrets even for her lord husband… And let's not forget that Queen Rhaella was her friend for many years. Women of course are sentimental when it comes to friendship."
Jon eyed Ser Barristan and Pycelle. Both men had been in the Red Keep when Rhaella had sent Joanna Lannister away but to counter Varys's accusation of Lady Lannister being a Dragon's friend they'd had to refer to gossip that showed the lady in an unfavourable light. Rumours of the dismissal had even reached the Eyrie at the time. Jon wasn't surprised when the two Councilmembers remained silent, though Pycelle was clearly struggling to come up with a defence for the lady.
"I'll question her about it," Robert angrily said. "Good-mother or not, I won't tolerate Targaryen supporters near me."
"Well spoken Your Grace," Varys said. "One can never be too cautious."
MYRCELLA
That she and her new friend were allowed to accompany her grandmother to visit the Hand's wife had pleased her in advance but being in Lady Arryn's apartment Myrcella couldn't wait to leave. If only Lady Arryn had agreed to grandmother's request to have tea in the gardens, for it was stifling warm in here and smelly too. Grandmother had suggested that some fresh air would benefit young Robert Arryn. "No it won't," Lady Arryn had said and she'd seated herself on a sofa, gesturing her visitors to take a seat opposite her. Their sofa was, as Myrcella found out, not very comfortable and lower than the one occupied by their host. Grandmother however, thanks to her length, still sat higher than the Hand's Lady. Myrcella liked that, but she kept her face neutral, even when young Robert stuck out his tongue at her and Shireen. Behind him and his mother stood a nurse and two ladies of Lady Arryn's household.
"My lord husband told me that you've lost your memory," Lady Arryn opened the pleasantries.
"Indeed. Fortunately I haven't lost it entirely."
"A quarter of a century gone lost isn't what I'd call fortunate. You didn't even know you had grandchildren I imagine?" Without waiting for a reply Lady Arryn caressed her son's head. "I would never ever forget about you my Sweetrobin!" she said in a voice that had lost its previous sharpness. "A loving mother ought not do that."
Myrcella glanced at her grandmother, who didn't seem disturbed in the least. It made her relax.
"You came here to get reacquainted with your children and grandchildren? Speaking of the latter: how's your itch?"
The ladies who stood behind Lady Arryn looked alarmed.
"I travelled here in hopes that seeing Her Majesty, Ser Jaime, my nephews and the royal highnesses would make me regain my memory."
"Lord Baelish told me that the last visit you must recall was that of 272 after the Conquest. The Mad King was rude toward you, wasn't he?" Lady Arryn giggled a bit. One of her companions asked her lady whether she'd like some cake.
"No!" Lady Arryn cried out. The rage on her face was replaced by glee. "He said that your bosom had suffered after weening your children." The lady giggled and her son, taking his thumb out of his mouth, followed suit. "Tits, tits, tits," he chanted.
Myrcella tensed, as did Shireen and the three women behind Lady Arryn. "That cake looks delicious," Grandmother kindly told the youngest of the ladies. Myrcella shared a glance with her friend when Lady Arryn had the lady serve the first slice to her son. They both looked at Grandmother, who was studying a wall carpet as if she was unaware of the slight. When Robert started throwing crumbs at Myrcella and Shireen, Grandmother casually asked: "Is that a custom in the Eyrie?"
Lady Arryn frowned but she did entreat her son to stop. "This is your favourite Sweetrobin. It's a waste to throw it at them."
At least the cake tasted good. Myrcella felt it was a nice distraction.
"Dragonstone must be the most unattractive part of Westeros," Lady Arryn spat, looking straight at Shireen. Myrcella shewed harder so she might help her friend though she did not know what to say in her defence.
"It is a vital stronghold," Grandmother replied. "I've seen it once and I found it impressive."
While Shireen looked grateful Lady Arryn made a disapproving sound.
"Have you travelled at lot Lady Arryn? Have you visited Winterfell?"
"No I haven't," the lady said. "We might go there one day, won't we Sweetrobin?" She then looked at Myrcella, who found strength in her grandmother's presence.
"You'll find it primitive compared to King's Landing. No singers, no musicians. And it's cold. People and weather both."
What would Grandmother say? "I look forward to living there."
Myrcella felt warm all over when her grandmother smiled at her approvingly. Robert nagged for more cake and his mother obliged.
"You're young and inexperienced. You'll learn. It's a good match though. That's something you won't have," Lady Arryn said, addressing Shireen. Her hand caressed her own puffy yet smooth cheek and her eyes gleamed with glee.
"Lady Shireen may not be a princess, she is niece to the king and cousin to the next king. She'll make a fine match. Especially since she's intelligent and kind."
Had it been proper Myrcella would have hugged her grandmother for her reply.
"Men don't seek intelligence in their wives."
"I agree that some men don't. But I think yours does."
This brought a small smile to Lady Arryn's lips.
Does Grandmother think that Lady Arryn is intelligent?
"There are more men in the Small Council who appreciate a woman's skills Lady Lannister."
"I think so too. We can't be too strict for the men in the Red Keep."
Lady Arryn smiled at Lady Lannister, who then asked her opinion on various craftsmen. With Robert having fallen asleep, his head on his mother's lap, and with the Hand's wife only paying attention to Lady Lannister the afternoon tea became bearable.