Chapter 79

Daisy was panting slightly, her back pressed against the closed door to Sansa's public solar. She grinned up at Sansa. "I missed you too."

"I.." Sansa let out a long breath, leaning her forehead against Daisy's. Her eyes closed. "I'm glad you're back."

Daisy reached up, trailing her fingers over Sansa's cheekbone before brushing her long red hair behind her ear. "So am I." She gently shifted, kissing Sansa softly, far more softly than Sansa had just been kissing her the second the door had closed behind them. Daisy hummed, enjoying the closeness. Gently nudging Sansa's nose with hers. "You're kinda awesome, you know that?"

Sansa huffed, but Daisy could feel her smile against her cheek. "Thank you." Her voice had a dry humor to it. "I assume whatever tidings you bring are good and completely ridiculous?"

"Pretty much." Daisy agreed, she didn't say more. "Anything more exciting than some stubborn Lords?"

"Quite a lot actually." Sansa's shoulders shook with repressed laughter. "Do you mind if we wait to bring the rest of the world in?"

Daisy pressed a kiss against Sansa's cheek. "Please." She knew they didn't have long, Sansa's council would arrive soon, and then it would be all business and politics till well after the sun set. "I'm tired just thinking about it."

"We're being ridiculous of course." Sansa pointed out.

She shifted enough to actually be able to look Sansa in the eye. "And who's going to stop us?"

"No one, though if they were smart they…well they still wouldn't." Sansa had one of her rare smiles on her face. "Arya is going to be insufferable if she realizes I dragged you in here and then did nothing productive."

"I'm sure you'll survive." Daisy smiled. "I'm glad she's back."

Sansa had a lightness to her that seemed to grow after every family member that was returned to her. "I did not think I would get her back."

"I'm beginning to think you Starks should have a cockroach instead of a wolf on your flags." Daisy kissed away the undoubtedly vaguely insulted protest that Sansa was about to make to that.

Sana lightly whacked her shoulder as their mouths parted, more of a pat than anything else. "You're terrible."

"But right, and you know it." Daisy grinned. "Wouldn't look half as cool though."

Sansa huffed, actually rolling her eyes. "You're insufferable sometimes."

"And you have me pinned to a door still, so I think you don't mind." She teased back.

Sansa's cheeks flushed a bright red and started to pull back. "Sorry, I-"

Daisy dragged her back in and smugly kissed the apology away. "I didn't say I minded."

"We don't have time." Sansa was still pleased, though flushed as she spoke. "And I'd like to be able to look my Council in the eye when they get here this time."

Daisy snickered slightly at the mention of last time. "Got it."

"I mean it." Sansa huffed, though the curl of her lips gave away that she wasn't actually upset. "We were barely decent in time last time."

She loosely wrapped her arms over Sansa's shoulders. "You're the one who keeps looking at this dress like you'd very much like to rip it off me."

"That's…" Somehow Sansa's cheeks turned redder. "It's not proper."

Daisy raised a brow, amused to watch Sansa squirm slightly at the topic. "The dress or sex in your solar?"

Sansa shot her a truly dirty look. "It's in Tyrell colors, with Tyrell roses over the whole thing. How are you not cold? It doesn't even have sleeves!"

"Well, I had to borrow it from a Tyrell after I got blood on my own clothes." Daisy was positively smug at the way Sansa's eyes were very valiantly trying not to dip toward her cleavage. She leaned forward and lowered her voice as she half-whispered in Sansa's ear. "Besides, I think you're fond of the neckline."

Sansa just dropped her head onto Daisy's shoulder. "You really are insufferable sometimes."

"Do you want me to stop?" Daisy asked amused at the exasperation Sansa could so easily express sometimes.

She faintly shook her head against her. "No. Which is ridiculous. I used to care about propriety."

"You still do." Daisy kissed her again because she could. "Your society just has dumb rules."

Sansa settled, her humor fading. She looked at her curiously. "What would you call us if we were in your world?"

She blinked. "Dating, it's called dating." Daisy considered it, this wasn't Lincoln who could be teased with relationship progress. It mattered here, and Sansa liked boxes and understanding things. It distressed her to not understand. "You'd be my girlfriend, and I'd be yours."

"Girl friend?" Sansa said slowly.

Daisy shook her head slightly with a smile. "No, one word 'girlfriend'. Usually, it implies a committed, romantic relationship." She laughed. "I already know you're family, but you'd need to meet mine. Not that I have more than my team, but they'd like you." She considered the fact it felt…kind of silly to think of Sansa as something as juvenile as anyone's girlfriend. "I think your term is better."

"Girlfriend does sound rather silly." Sansa allowed, but she had a soft look on her face. "Why 'dating'?"

"Because we'd be expected to go on dates. Or romantic outings. Which is a bit hard to do when you're in a castle and running a kingdom." Daisy actually slipped her hand into one of the several lovely pockets in the dress. She was a fan of medieval dress, so many fucking pockets, glorious huge ass pockets. "Which, I'd meant to give this to you ages ago, but I don't know…it felt silly and I kept forgetting."

Sansa looked down, a curious light in her eyes and a surprised, pleased smile on her face. Her hands came up to catch the small silver pendant. As she saw it her heart sped for a few precious beats, her eyes widened. She looked up. "It's your sigil?"

"Is that ok?" Daisy asked, that wasn't the reaction she'd have expected.

Sansa seemed to shake herself out of her thoughts. She closed the space between them hugging her tightly. "It's beautiful, thank you."

/

Jon felt uncomfortable as he escorted Leonette Tyrell around the gardens. He shifted as yet another Tyrell cousin gave him a look as they passed them. It made him want to flee for the gods' wood.

"They're intimidated by you." Leonette sounded amused.

He looked at her, his face scrunched slightly. "I would never hurt a woman." Jon paused. "Outside of combat."

Leonette laughed, clear and bright. "Oh, you poor man, not you. Her Holiness is quite protective of you. They are unsure of how to speak with you without raising her ire. Short of slapping a sigil or sign of hers on you, she's quite thoroughly marked you out as hers."

"It's not like that." He protested, he missed the Wildlings. They understood the concept of friendship, although typically with more stabbing.

She had a rather impish smile. "While Loras's letter was rather clear on which Stark has her Holiness's eye, the majority of our household and family have not read it. And you are very pretty, your Highness, and she clearly holds you in great esteem."

He looked away from her then. "I don't know about me being pretty, but Daisy is a good friend."

"You have come a long way in the world, your Highness. They are intrigued and intimidated." Leonette clearly picked up that discussing Daisy further was not wise.

Jon's frown faded as he sighed. "You mean I've gone from bastard to legitimized prince and Hand of the Queen?"

"It is quite the rise in fortune, you must admit." Her voice was kind but he disliked how they could not just speak plainly here.

He knew she wasn't wrong. "I am grateful to my sister. She did not have to, I would have protected her without being named Stark."

"Family is the most important thing we have in this world." Leonette looped her arm through his. "My marriage has been a joy, surely you have a betrothed you are eager to return to?"

Jon held back his surprise at how forward she was being. "I do not."

"What, not even some pretty girl in your sister's court?" The light airy teasing in her tone made him want to run.

Jon noted the various Reach ladies diligently working on bandages and various bits of sewing in the bright sunlight. He cleared his throat. "No, with the Dead coming there hasn't been time."

"Well, that's a shame. At the very least while you are with us you'll have to dance. If you're unfamiliar with the steps I know cousin Helen will help you." Leonette smiled, pleased as if she'd just solved a mystery.

Jon's instincts said flee but…oh gods he'd asked to court Daenerys, and she was only a few days out. He might actually be expected to dance. His voice came out as a croak. "If it wouldn't be an inconvenience."

"None at all." Leonette looked at him. "By the gods, you look sick. It's just a few dances, I assure you the ladies here won't bite."

He winced. "It's not that, what if I step on Daenerys's toes?" That would be terrible, he hadn't gotten an answer on the courting thing yet.

Leonette's brow rose in curiosity. "Why are you smitten with our Queen, your Highness?"

"An alliance could save both of our people." He shifted at the look on her face. "And she is a very admirable woman."

Leonette raised a brow as she looked at him, more than just a spark of humor on her face. "Admirable?"

His cheeks felt hot. "She is an impressive woman, her men love her, and she has accomplished a great deal against terrible odds. I understand why so many are willing to bend the knee. She could be a great Queen." His hand twitched. "Certainly better than any southern ruler in my lifetime."

Her brow rose higher. "I'm sure her qualities as a leader are all that have attracted your attention?"

Jon cleared his throat, his ears felt hot. "She is very pretty."

Leonette giggled helplessly. "We'll have to see about those dance lessons."

/

Edmund Blackwood was nervous as he stood at the back of the council room. He'd never thought he'd have found himself in a place so vital to his family's interests as the small council of a ruling monarch. Not that he held a seat, or was even expected to speak, but he was there. He felt his heart beating against his chest as he took his place, quietly waiting for things to get settled.

Out of the corner of his eye, he took in the strange god who held dominion here. She was strikingly beautiful, her eyes bright and clear as she laughed easily speaking with Lord Umber. The casual confidence, the easy way she moved, and the instinctive respect every Northerner showed her was terrifying. He swallowed as he saw the last of the named Masters of the Council take their seats.

Queen Stark spoke. "My Lords, Ladies." She gave a tip of her head to Lady Dustin at that. "First shall we get the minor details out of the way? Lady Dustin as you are already managing the office of Lord of Revenue it seems only right the position be yours if you would take your seat."

Edmund's breath caught in his throat, it didn't miss his notice that none of the Northern Lords seemed surprised or spoke against the decision.

"I will serve to the best of my ability, your Grace." Lady Dustin dipped her head, before taking the seat. Her bearing as noble as any southern lady could hope.

Queen Stark moved on. "Lord Mallister, I would name you Master of Commerce if you have no objections?"

"I w-would be honored." Patrek Mallister stumbled slightly over his own words as he stepped forward, hands shaking slightly as he bowed deeply before taking his new seat.

She looked to Lord Royce then. "If you would take a seat so that you might speak on behalf of our allies in the Vale, Lord Royce."

"Your Grace." The man bowed and took a seat as well.

Edmund noted there was only one seat vacant, Master of Whispers. He wasn't sure whom it would go to, but he agreed better no Master of Whispers than a poor one. Not that he had any intention of saying anything. He knew when he didn't belong, likely his summons had only to do with the fact he was but one of two Riverlords in the North. He was a token of acknowledgment, one he knew would mean a great deal to his father and the other Lords of the Riverlands.

Sansa spoke. "Now, you all no doubt know why you've been summoned. There is word from the south." She laid out a stack of letters. "The first ship of dragonglass should reach Whiteharbor in a month's time." She looked to the god, her lover. "If you would?"

"Right." The god who very much had a seat but hadn't taken it stepped from where she'd been leaning against the wall by Lord Umber, till she was standing before the table. She did not bow, not even the faintest lowering of her head. "Daenerys Targaryen is not mad, and she's not unable to be reasoned with. She's agreed to give up her claims on the North and acknowledge your rule."

Lord Manderly spoke from his seat. "Forgive me, your Holiness, but what was exchanged for such a concession."

"Highgarden." She said like it was nothing. "The Lannisters made a gambit that they could take Highgarden while the Targaryen forces were split between Dragonstone and Casterly Rock." She shrugged. "I move faster than even dragons. The men Cersei had she could afford to send to attack are dead. Well, most of them, the ones who surrendered are now Targaryen prisoners."

/

Daisy slipped into Fitz's workshop. "Hey, what up?"

"Daisy!" Fitz dropped what he was working on, quickly getting up and making his way over to her. "How'd you escape the meeting so fast?"

She found she wasn't tensing up. "Well once they realized I killed an army it seemed best to leave them to it." She shrugged.

His eyes widened. "You did what!?"

"It was a siege by an army famous for sacking and pillaging who were going to slaughter a whole ass castle." Daisy rolled her eyes. "And a couple thousand survived and are prisoners anyways."

He spluttered. "Daisy, this is why people are scared of Inhumans! You can't just k-kill armies!"

"Fitz, I'm not going to stand by when I can help these people." She crossed her arms.

He ran a hand through his hair but nodded. "I…I understand wanting to help them, but an army?"

"Army famous for slaughtering civilians, rape, pillaging, and general horrible shit," Daisy replied. Not to mention it'd been Loras's family about to be killed.

Fitz groaned as he breathed out fine. "Fine, it might have been the right call." He scrubbed at his face. "I've been thinking about what we fought about."

"We don't have to talk about that." Daisy did not want to rehash anything about the Fitz who had died or just any of that.

He turned his stupid blue eyes on her. "Please, I… it's important."

Daisy's jaw tightened, but she nodded. "Ok."

"I'm not like you or Jemma or Coulson." His fingers twitched as he waved at her. "I joined for the science, to prove myself. I wanted to be a hero because that meant I was better than my father."

She resisted the desire to reach out to him. "Fitz, you chose to risk your life for the world. That's pretty damn heroic."

"But I didn't!" His hand movements were erratic when he was distressed. "I did it for Jemma, and then you and the team, and then Jemma again. It wasn't because it was the right thing."

She reached out and caught his arm. "Fitz, you've saved so many lives."

"For my ego? Because I love Jemma? How can I look her in the face when we get home knowing I'm….this?" He waved at himself.

Daisy dropped her hand looking at him seriously. "What do you want from me then?"

"I want to be better. And I need you to not lie to me and tell me when I'm…when I'm failing." Fitz straightened. "I want to be someone Jemma…I'm not ashamed of."

Daisy hesitated, a part of her wanted to hug him at the flicker of who her friend had been. But most of her couldn't bring herself to. "I'll help, but Jemma has never been ashamed of you. Never."

Fitz was slightly stiff, but he nodded. "Thank you." He softened, his expression turning familiar and strong. "And I'm sorry for hurting you."

She choked slightly, refusing to let herself cry because he so terribly reminded her of the old Fitz. "I wasn't being fair. This you is…"

"The same one who'd been a shit friend for months." Fitz grimaced. "It wasn't that unfair."

Daisy huffed and wiped at her eyes. "Can we just…be friends again maybe?"

"That'd be good." Fitz sniffed. "Yeah, I'd like that."

She hesitated. "I don't know if it'll be the same."

"Nothing stays the same, law of the universe." The corner of his mouth pulled up.

Daisy touched his arm and squeezed. She was being ridiculous. "Come on, I came in here to drag you to dinner."

"Won't that be delayed by meetings?" He rubbed at his short, kinda curly beard.

She actually huffed out a laugh at that. "You think Sansa is going to disturb the schedule for a meeting that isn't immediately pressing?"

"Fair." Fitz rocked on his heels. "I'm working on a medical book, even with a s-schedule we still have time?"

Daisy had been planning on approaching the Order to check in with Hogg…but that could wait till the morning. "You're writing a medical textbook?"

"Well, there was an incident with a birth." He explained leading her to where he'd been writing.

She hummed. "Huh, same here. I'm guessing yours wasn't smooth sailing if they got you involved?"

"No, her pelvis had been broken and fused back together wrong. The only option was-"

Daisy slid her hand into Sansa's under the table and squeezed it gently in greeting. "Sorry, Fitz and I got caught up in his latest project."

"You're hardly late." Sansa had her usual dry expression that was reserved but faint humor in the crinkling around her eyes.

Daisy resisted the desire to do more than smile at her, it was dumb, but Sansa was held to certain standards here. "Was the council fun after I left?"

"That's one way of putting it." Sansa lifted her mug of ale to her lips.

Daisy was sitting on the top of one of the lower tables, listening to Lord Umber and Tormund loudly bragging about various feats in an attempt to one-up each other. It washed over her in a warm sort of…belonging. She'd missed this, the comradery, the acceptance. She didn't startle, but she looked in surprise as she felt fabric being draped over her shoulders. Reaching up she touched the fabric of what she realized was Rickon's cloak. "What's this for kid?"

"You looked cold." His face was properly set like he was facing Lyanna in a sparring ring.

She reached out and yanked him down beside her. Whatever it was about could come later. "Here to listen to these old geezers lie their butts off?"

A pleased little smile curled at the corner of Rickon's mouth as he settled against her side. "They do lie a lot."

"I take offense to that." Tormund waggled his finger in their faces. "I really did fight against that bear for a week. It hunted me till I cut its throat!"

Daisy shared a look with Rickon. "I don't know, you think maybe the bear was a little bit smaller than the massive beast we're hearing about?"

"Don't think I've heard of a twenty foot bear before." He agreed, laughter in the back of his throat, possibly a giggle.

She ruffled his hair. "I think we're calling your bluff."

"I see how it is." He chuckled, widening his eyes as he leaned in, his face twisting theatrically, his voice full of drama. "But have you ever seen an ice spider boy?"

Rickon's nose scrunched. "They don't exist."

"Oh, they exist," Tormund said darkly. "Giant spindly legs with bristly hairs and strange eyes. You can hear them in the freezing cold as their shells crack. They carry off small children that wander too far."

Daisy wrapped an arm around Rickon's shoulders. "See I don't get that, spiders hate the cold. Like is it magic or are they mammals here?"

"Only spiders we get in the True North." Tormund nodded solemnly.

Greatjon Umber frowned. "What's a mammal?"

"You know what, ask Fitz. Half cause he'll explain it better, and half cause I want to see his face if you ask that." Daisy smiled sipping at her ale, which she actually liked. Not to mention amused because she'd read enough to know they knew what mammals were here. Sorta. "And I'm gonna go with magic is how you have giant ice spiders. Cause magic is bullshit like that."

Rickon looked at her. "But you're magic?"

"I'm really not. Think more force of nature, less reality warping." Daisy shifted the conversation. "So what about you Greatjon, have you ever seen one of these giant snow spiders?"

The man pulled himself up. "Oh aye, there's all sorts of strange, dark things by the Last Hearth."

Daisy enjoyed the sound of him launching into a story about the singular giant spider he'd seen in his life. Looking just past Rickon's ear she caught Sansa's eye, where Sansa had been discussing something with those new Riverland Lords of hers. And Daisy just felt warm affection and could see those same emotions reflected back at her. She winked, before turning back to the conversation at hand. There was time for the rest of the world later.

.-.-.

Aedra held court in a side alcove of the corridors leading towards the Kitchens.

She had to be more careful where she gossi- discussed the goings on in Winterfell, ever since Cook had threatened to have her disciplined by Bower, or worse, banished from the Kitchens if she was not more circumspect.

Cook was no fun. Didn't they understand the momentous times they all lived in? The salacious characters they were surrounded by? Everyone else seems happy to sit in quiet awe and say nothing, but the Queen is fucking a god for weirwoods sake! A female and foreign god to boot! Aedra feels jittery just thinking about it…it's all so…epic and dramatic. Who wouldn't want to talk about it?!

Nevermind the added benefits of how much attention she gets from other servants, the odd guard, stableboys and young smith apprentices when she is the one relaying all the juicy details. It's empowering being the one in the know. The attention, free drinks in the tavern and little extras when she shares the latest whispers of Winetrfell while shopping in Wintertown don't hurt either. An extra loaf, the bundle of yarn she purchased being slightly more than she requested and a repair to one of her boots at the cobbler costing a few pennies less because she shared some insights into the goings on in the keep didn't hurt anyone. Cook was just being an old stick in the mud.

Right now she was practically doing Bower a service by telling all the servants she met that the god Daisy had returned from the South. Servants had to be kept informed afterall. She was just relaying to Agatha and Edith, two fellow servants, the latest news.

"Her Holiness dropped from the sky like a bird. The Queen could have been knocked down with a feather of course. But she didn't rush to meet her lover as usual..not this time…"

Aedra drew out the retelling, basking in the attention as Agatha and Edith's eyes rounded and they took a half step forward, "What? Why not? The Queen has always been so dutiful to th' god since acceptin' 'er suit!"

Aedra smirked and shrugged slightly, "Well it may have had to do with the fact the god was wearing a rather scandalous dress. No arms, indecently cut front and just covered in the gold roses of the Tyrells."

The two servants sucked in shocked gasps, "No!" Agatha whisper cried.

Edith's brows furrowed as she frowned at Aedra, "A Tyrell dress…you don't think the god has tired of the Queen do you? Maybe taken another lover in the South. A Tyrell?"

Aedra suppressed her smile as she hummed, "Possible. We all know the stories of the gods. Such power comes with similar powerful appetites. Although, I've never seen the god wear a direwolf so maybe some Tyrell has done a better job of seducing than the Queen since Her Holiness chose to wear such a bold symbol for claiming."

Agatha and Edith exchanged worried looks. Agatha already shaking her head, "It's only a dress though. Her Holiness dedicated her whole Order to our Queen, put the direwolf as part of their sigil. That has to count for more."

Aedra hummed, "Not quite as intimate as accepting a golden dress though is it?"

Edith bit her lip in thought, her work roughened hands smoothing her thick smock dress and apron, "What happened then? What did the Queen say?"

Aedra shrugged,"I wasn't close enough to hear. The god walked to the Queen though and stopped a step before her. The Queen seemed to remember herself then and hugged the god in greeting. They spoke and then the Queen whisked her off to the public solar…perhaps to reaffirm her favor?"

Aedra and Edith's faces blushed at such a scandalous implication. Their brows were scrunched in thought. Agatha hummed, "I, I am sure the Queen's place is secure with the god. Even if she has to…reaffirm it. Her Majesty is cunning and the god's courtship has been grand. Even if the god has taken a second lover as such beings want to do when amongst mortals, I am sure her Majesty will insure her place above all others for the benefit of the North."

Aedra played with a loose wisp of her hair, "Hmm, perhaps. I am sure the Queen will try. But it doesn't look good, the god gone so long and returning clothed like a Tyrell. And the title of Mistress still eludes Her Majesty so her claim on the god is weak yet."

A sudden deep snort is heard, causing Aedra, Edith and Agatha to startle.

They lean out of their alcove to see Godwin standing in the hallway carrying a tray and what appears to be empty jugs of wine.

He eyes the three women with an amused curl to his lips.

"You startled us!" Edith harshly whispers.

Godwin eyes the two junior servants with a sort of brotherly affection before his eyes shift to narrow on Aedra with a more scathing look, "You should be careful where ya gossip."

Aedra straightens with an offended air, "I weren't gossipin', jus' informin' Edith and Agatha of the god's return." Her accent thickened and cut off letters in her anger compared to her usually more forced and precise storytelling voice used to gossip.

Godwin actually rolls his eyes dismissively at the silly woman, "I'm sure. Informing. More like misinforming. What utter tosh you spout. The Queen's claim weak…huh." Godwin snorts again and his tone sarcastic.

Aedra tenses like a pissed off cat, "It's not tosh. The god is back and she was garbed in another's House symbols. The Queen then dragging the god off out of sight to hide the fact and maybe do something about reaffirming her claim is the only explanation."

Godwin eyes Aedra like she is a particularly silly child but his hard stare softens as he sees the genuine worry in Edith and Agatha's eyes at the idea the god's ties to their Queen and the North may be loosening.

Godwin sighs and casts a hasty look over his shoulder to ensure they are alone in the corridor. He heaves his tray of empty wine jugs up and wiggles it a little to draw the women's eyes to it, "I was cupbearin' in the Council meetin' with the Queen and the god. If'n anythin' the Queen's claim is stronger than ever. The Queen is seein' to duties now and the god seein' her smith touched companion but some of the Lords are havin' a private meetin' to discuss the gods report of the south…and they need more wine. All the wine as Umber said."

Aedra's eyes light with interest at this inside view of what is happening in the Court. "How? How is the Queen's claim stronger…that makes no sense. What was said?"

Godwin shifts uncomfortably at the idea of revealing what was said in the Council meeting. Aedra's almost rabid desire for gossip is off putting like the smell of fresh manure, but the terrible hope he sees in Edith and Agatha's faces makes him slump and decide to share.

"I suppose…it'll be the talk o'the North soon enough…and if'n it stops silly stories and untruths spreadin'..." Godwin hesitates.

He knows whatever he tells Aedra will be spread through Winterfell before nightfall, yet if not the truth then she will spread her own malicious gossip first and the questions about the god's Tyrell garb and her long absence in the South will be like a poisonous tick in the minds of many a Northman. The truth though, the truth would only strengthen the Queen.

Godwin shifts and checks over his shoulder one last time, "The god reported to the Council that the North's independence has been secured. She struck a bargain with the Dragon Queen. Highgarden was besieged by the Lannister army and about to fall. The god offered to save Highgarden for the Dragon if she relinquished all claim to the North. The Queen agreed and so Her Holiness took Prince Jon and flew to Highgarden. Wiped the Lannister army out single handedly, saved Highgarden and was gifted the gold dress by the Tyrells because her Northern clothes were ruined by the blood of the Lannister's she slew."

Aedra seems to choke on her own tongue, while Edith and Agatha's mouths hang open for a stunned moment as they absorb what Godwin has revealed.

Aedra recovers first of course, a flood of interrogative questions racing to sit behind her teeth, "What?! How?! The god just…just bought our independence with blood price? Why? What has she to gain? Her Majesty has already accepted her suit! Why would the god give her more?! She killed the Lannister army..the most barbarous army in the land…by herself! "

Godwin smirks at the almost hysteric stream of questions and shrugs, "Pretty much. She is a god after all. A god of destruction. Killed thousands of the Lannister bastards by the sounds o'it. Said it t'the Council like it was nuthin'. Like handin' the god handin' the Queen the recognised independence of our land and her reign wasn't the kind of boon Northern armies were prepared to die for and tales of myth and legend were written of."

Edith and Agatha's slack jawed expressions morph into face splitting grins. Edith whispers, "Her Holiness…she just gave the Queen the Kingdom. That is so romantic, but so extravagant…giving it like it was a rose or a pouch of sweet nuts?"

Godwin's lips pull in a self deprecating smile at the comparison which seems oddly accurate, "Sort of, she was downplaying it I think. Made wiping out the Lannister force as blood price to have the Dragon Queen's recognition sound like she had bargained for a loaf of sweet bread at Wintertown market rather than the gift of eons to our Queen that it is."

Aedra just blinks stupidly, "The dress…was because she was dirty?"

There is a hysterical edge in Aedra's voice.

Godwin nodded, "Her Holiness said it was a fine gown, that the Tyrell's were sort of caught off guard by having a god save them and they were kind of panicked at not having anything prepared to give her to change from her blood splattered clothes, so they had just been giving her the finest gowns they had each day. Thus, one covered in gold roses. It was probably a gown of some high Tyrell Lady. Her holiness seemed more amused than anything, especially at how the Queen obviously disliked it."

Edith laughed playfully before adding conspiratorially, "I bet. The Queen's eyes follow the god at the best of times, bet that dress won't make it to laundry tonight. Fire for it and good Northern clothes for the god tomorrow I bet."

Aedra seems stuck on the realization that the god holds the Queen in such high esteem that she casually secured her rule with a literal lake of blood and the sacrifice of an entire army.

"What…what the hell kind of hold does the Queen have that the god would just…just give her a kingdom and bargain with the Dragon Queen…what…how?"

Agatha shrugs, "I told you the Queen wouldn't be beaten. Cunning she is, to get the grandest courtship of ages, and yet more gifts even after the suit is accepted. That shows how high her regard with the god is. Felling the Dreadfort, dedicating the god's Order to her, aid in defeating our enemies, a fortune in glass, a rose crown and now securing the Kingdom's independence...huh, whatever the Queen does for the god, she does her duty well and earns high reward as any Queen of the North is due."

Aedra stung at having her gossip so quickly overturned and Godwin made the center of attention grumbles, "Aye we all know exactly what she does for the rewards and favor, and must be doing very well since the god is still giving gifts even when she has already secured the prize. The Queen's duties haven't gotten her the title of mistress yet though."

Edith, Agatha and Godwin frown at Aedra's less than complimentary implications. They all know the bed duties the Queen performs must be spectacular to have earned such favor from a god but to imply it so openly is not proper.

Aedra huffs while Godwin straightens and remembers his duties. He hefts the tray, "I best get to the Kitchens and get these jugs refilled. The Lords will be picking apart the implications of all of this for hours and toasting the god and the Queen too I bet. Not every day a god smites an army to win favor for her lover after all."

Godwin scurries off. Edith and Agatha follow in his footsteps, "Aye, we best be off too. Duties to see to."

Aedra stands alone for a moment in the alcove. Her moment as center of attention had passed and been well and truly upset by Godwin and his revelations.

Aedra turns over the revelations in her mind before a small smile curls her lips. She has the real inside scoop now. She is ahead of the game.

She straightens as her mind begins formulating how to slip in these newest revelations to conversation and how to inform others of the latest goings on between the god and the Queen.

Everyone will want to know the truth about the god's return…and if she embellishes a bit, who is to know?

She will be popular in the tavern tonight when she relates these events, free drinks aplenty. She had wanted to buy some material to stitch some new undergarments too, so If she finishes her duties quickly enough to slip out to Wintertown then she could purchase the material from old man Weaver at the market. Him and his wife would surely give her a discount or maybe an extra yard or two of fabric if she spun the tale of the god's return and her securing the North for the Queen just right.

Aedra pushes off the alcove wall and walks down the hall towards her duties with a newfound spring in her step.

If she swings past the stables to 'inform' the stable boys of the most recent happenings, well, she is practically doing a service for the court.