Rhaegar & Bellatrix
"You're not from here, are you?
"Me, my lord?"
"You are the only one here." Rhaegar said almost sarcastically as he looked around. "Yes, you're not from here. You don't look it, and you don't sound like it."
"I'm from the Stormlands, my lord." Bellatrix said firmly.
"Baratheon."
"What?" Bellatrix avoided his gaze even as she turned to pay attention to him.
"You must know my cousin then. Heir to the seat of Storm's End."
Bellatrix gulped as she tried to remain composed under his investigation. She leaned against the parlor with pursed lips.
"You're right." She exhaled, "you're right I'm not from the Stormlands, my lord."
"You're not." Rhaegar lifted a brow, taken aback by the admission. Bellatrix dropped her gaze to the floor.
"I'm from north." She said mindlessly. Unaware that the North was rather specific.
"The North?" Rhaegar almost laughed. "That makes more sense then." He referred more to her features, resembling the northern beauty. "Though I am unfamiliar with House Black."
"We aren't very prominent, but we are pure." Bellatrix stated proudly. While she had meant pureblood and wore it like a seal on her heart, to Rhaegar it meant her in being.
"Pure. That's honorable. Good for you. I pray good fortune perseveres for House Black."
Bellatrix blushed, unaccustomed to compliments or blessings. She remained glued to her place even as Rhaegar found himself comfortably sat on a silk settee.
"That comforts me then, I must admit, that you serve my mother with such prestige morals. Her last handmaidens were as good as they were cunning. So it was not hard to leave them in the Red Keep while we sailed here for my brother's birth."
"Why here? Shouldn't she be with the king?" Bellatrix asked, unaware of how rude it sounded and carried on with her chin up. Rhaegar managed to smile, admiring her boldness.
"She should, but he is not well. It is in her best interest that she recovers here for the time being. No matter, we will be sailing back to the capital soon. There you will see how it is preferable that they had been apart."
"She's right, you know." Bellatrix began, "she isn't strong yet. The travel will tire her. She will need the best assistance, and the best–"
"Our maesters are the best." Rhaegar interjected hotly. "They will not let anything happen to her. Not under my watch. Whatever the case, she goes where I go."
"You love her very much." Bellatrix said gently and it appeased temper. She was looking at him now, and he returned her look of kindred sentiment.
"She is fortunate to have you. I will do everything in my power to protect her, my lord. You have my word." She meant this the most. There weren't many people in her life that she esteemed, but somehow the effect Rhaella had on her was different. Almost more a mother than the mother knew. She almost felt wanted; she felt she belonged; she felt liked.
"Then she is fortunate to have you as well." Rhaegar said with a smile. "Thank you, Bellatrix."
Bellatrix blushed again this time to sound of her name in his voice, responding only with a timid smile.
The doors swung open gently. Rhaella entered with both Alyssa and Jennie behind her.
"Rhaegar, you're still here." She said with mild surprise and then shifter her gaze to Bellatrix who still had a smile on her face. "Bella, I hope my son did not unnerve you with his time. He is one fond of his own stories."
Rhaegar stifled a laugh as he stood to help her onto her bed.
"Ah, mother, you know me well."
Bellatrix did not move until Alyssa startled her with a nudge motioning to the queen, then Bellatrix sprang into action. She was by the queen's side when Rhaegar kissed his mother's head this time.
"Rest well, mother. You are in good hands." He glanced at Bellatrix and then excused himself leaving Bellatrix to arrange the sheets without realizing how Rhaella's eyes glistened in intrigue at the quiet exchange that unknowingly left a smile on Bellatrix' lips.
