Disclaimer: I don't own the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who read the last chapter. I'd especially like to thank those who have followed and favourited this story, your support is appreciated. I apologise for the chapter's shortness, but I promise that the next one will be longer. I hope that you all enjoy the chapter, and please feel free to review.

Chapter Ten: The Betrothal Announcement

The day after the tourney, breakfast was quite a cheerful meal for the Arryns. At least, it was for the most part. Both Alyssa and Robert had not lost their smiles that morning, and Artys's pride in his victory was quite evident. Their father too seemed proud, leaving only lady Lysa in a cold, sulky mood.

Privately, Alyssa thought that the woman enjoyed being this way. Even now, she thought that Lysa would not truly be happy without that miserable look on her pale face. Really, Alyssa thought, this was quite ridiculous. Ladies were trained to be courteous and yet Lysa never was, at least not where she and Artys were concerned...

"I will be spending the morning at court with some of the other ladies," Lysa announced coldly to no one in particular. "Sweetrobin, you will be good this morning, won't you? I'll be with you all afternoon, I promise." Lysa gave Robert a sickly sweet smile, but Alyssa's little brother smiled brightly back at her, not seeming to mind her absence at all.

"That's all right mother," Robert said brightly, turning to Alyssa. "Alyssa will play with me, won't you?"

Alyssa smiled gently at her little brother. "Of course I will," She said. "We can play all morning if you like."

Robert beamed at his older sister, and Alyssa tried not to notice Lysa's frigid glare in her direction.

Secretly, Alyssa was glad for the chance to be rid of lady Lysa for the morning. She was aware that Robert's nameday was approaching fast and she had not yet had the chance to get Robert's things ready for their trip to the Eyrie. They would be leaving the day after the celebration, and Alyssa needed everything to go smoothly so as not to create unnecessary problems.

"Artys," Her father's calm voice broke through Alyssa's thoughts, and she looked up to see that he was looking at Artys with a small smile. "I would like to speak with you after breakfast, if you wouldn't mind. I received a message from lord Royce which I think we should talk about."

Artys , taking a sip of the sweet wine in his cup. "Of course father," He said. "I will meet you in your office then."

"Excellent." Their father smiled, and Alyssa wondered what lord Royce could want that would require her twin's input. She hoped that this would be the news Artys wanted, she hoped that finally, he and lady Ysilla would officially be betrothed.

After the meal was over, Artys headed upstairs to join his father in his office. His insides were a jumble of nerves, anticipation, and excitement. He was trying very hard not to let himself become too excited though. After all, lord Royce could want to discuss matters in the Vale, there was no reason to be convinced that this could be the start of his betrothal.

After what felt like far too long, Artys reached the office door and knocked. His father called for him to enter, and he did, trying his best to keep a calm expression on his face.

"Sit down, Artys," His father said, smiling at him calmly. "And let me just say again how proud I am. You showed honour and skill during the tourney, and you did our house proud."

Artys didn't quite know what to say. It really wasn't often that Jon Arryn spoke like this, but when he did, Artys felt a swell of happiness within his chest.

"Father, thank you," He said at last. "I'm glad that I've made you proud."

"Artys, you always make me proud," His father told him. "Now, let's talk about you and lady Ysilla, shall we?"

Artys felt his heart beginning to race in his chest. He tried to force it down, but he couldn't anymore, his excitement was beginning to take over and he knew that his father would be able to see it.

"Ah," His father's blue eyes twinkled as he smiled. "So, you would be interested in marrying her then?"

"What? Oh, yes, I would, but..."

"But what?" His father asked, a slight frown crossing his face. "Lord Royce has written a letter offering Ysilla in marriage to you. Apparently, the young lady is quite taken with your charms."

"He...really?" Artys let himself begin to smile, and his father beamed at him. "When did lord Royce suggest the wedding take place?"

"Well, this is the exciting part," His father smiled. "He'd like the wedding to happen as soon as possible. If you are happy with it, it will take place in the Eyrie, as soon as you can arrive there and prepare. I don't think I'll be able to join you," His father's eyes clouded with regret at this, but he continued on regardless. "But your uncles will be there, and your siblings of course. So, should I inform lord Royce that you agree?"

Artys hesitated a moment before answering. He was disappointed that his father would not be there on his wedding day, but marrying Ysilla had been what he'd wanted for a long time.

"Yes," He said eventually. "I will marry Ysilla, of course. I'll send word to the Eyrie, I'll have them start the preparations. I just wish that you could be there with me, father."

"Yes, so do I," His father sighed heavily. "I'm sorry that I can't be, Artys. I will visit you though, as soon as I can, I promise."

"All right," Artys , and he stood up, just as a knock came at the door.

"That will be Varys," His father sighed. "I had agreed to meet with him this morning. I will see you at dinner, Artys."

"Yes," Artys said, nodding to his father. "I'll see you at dinner, father."

He left the room, nodding a polite greeting to Varys as he did, before he headed off to find his sister and tell her the good news.

"Will we pack the knights or the dragons first, sweetling?" Alyssa asked her little brother with a smile. She and Robert had been making a game out of packing his things, and her little brother was giggling away madly as he made a green painted wooden dragon fly into a bag.

"The dragons!" He cried, beaming. "Let's pack them first!"

"The dragons it is then," Alyssa smiled, sending another of Robert's dragons swooping into the bag. Robert copied her, and before long, all but a few of his toys were safely packed away.

"Can we still play games like this in the Eyrie?" Robert asked her suddenly.

"What? Yes of course we can, Robert. Why wouldn't we?"

"I don't know," Robert murmured, and before he could continue, a knock sounded on the chamber door.

"Come in," Alyssa called, and was not surprised at all when her twin entered the room.

"Artys!" Robert squealed, getting to his feet. "Have you come to play with us?"

"I will play with you, yes," Artys smiled, and then he turned to Alyssa. "I've just come from father's office," He told her. "I'm going to marry lady Ysilla."

Alyssa beamed, and jumped up, rushing across the room to embrace Artys. "Oh, that's wonderful Artys! I am truly glad for you, when will the wedding take place?"

"As soon as we return to the Vale. Father isn't going to be able to join us, though."

"Oh," Alyssa was a little disappointed by this. "It's such a shame he won't be able to be there." She said softly. "I'm sorry, Artys. We'll make it a good day for you though, I promise."

Artys smiled at her in response. "Thank you," He replied. "Actually, I was wondering if you would help me with some of the wedding preparations? For instance, would you maybe...make the bridal cloak? I know that mother's cloak is still in the Eyrie but, I know you want that for your maiden's cloak."

Alyssa nodded, and smiled at her brother. "Of course," She said. "I'd be honoured to help you, Artys, you know that."

"Can I help too?" Robert asked curiously, looking between his siblings hopefully.

Artys laughed softly, and actually gave Robert a small smile. "I'm sure we'll find something for you to help with, Robert," He said. "Won't we, Alyssa?"

Alyssa grinned at her brothers, pleased to see the positive turn that their relationship had taken. "Of course," She confirmed, ruffling Robert's hair. "You can help me approve the wedding feast dishes, how about that?"

"Oh, yes! Can I really? Will there be lemon cakes?"

Both Alyssa and Artys laughed at that. "Of course really," Alyssa assured him warmly.

"And there most definitely will be lemon cakes." Artys added, smiling.

"Naturally." Alyssa confirmed, and her brothers laughed softly. They had come such a long way since they'd arrived in the capital, and Alyssa could only hope that things would only improve for her family as time went on.

"Can we play now?" Robert asked, tugging on Alyssa's skirts. "We still have the knights, we could play with those."

"Of course we can." Artys responded, sitting himself down on the floor. Alyssa joined him, and the three Arryns began to play, and to prepare for the weeks ahead.