The sword easily cut through the training dummy like it was parchment. Ser Robert stood to one side of the yard and watched as Aemon hacked at the dummy. "My lord, maybe you want to give it a rest. You don't want to break your sword before you have a chance to really use it."

Aemon knew he was right and sheathed his sword. "Sorry for destroying so many of these" Aemon said as he motioned to the pile.

"It's alright my lord. I could tell something was bothering you. I'll have the boys clean this up. What's wrong?"

"Ashara…" Aemon trailed off

"I've never known you to take losing a woman this hard boy"

"She's not just a woman…."

Robert hit him in the chest. Aemon's head snapped up and he met Robert's eyes. "Listen boy, if you want her, fight for her. If you don't, stop whining and find another one."

It had been a long time since anyone had struck him. But Aemon knew that Robert cared for him and was only trying to cheer him up.

"Thank you Ser Robert." Aemon said pulling him in for a hug. "Will you be at the feast later?"

"Aye my lord I will."

Aemon shook his hand and walked back into the castle. He headed to his quarters and asked for a bath to be brought to him. As he climbed into the bath he heard the door open. He stood and turned with his dagger in his hand to see Ashara standing there with the girl who had given him the message that morning.

"Apologies my lady. I should get dressed." Aemon said as he started to climb out of the tub.

"Nonsense ser, please finish your bath." Ashara turned to the girl beside her "please wait outside and make sure we're not disturbed."

Aemon lowered himself back into the tub. "So what did we need to discuss?" he asked as he filled a jug and poured it over his hair.

"Well Aemon, I didn't want you to find out that way. You deserved a better explanation."

Aemon's face changed and his mind started to race. "There's nothing to explain Ash, your husband picked a good match."

"He picked a rich match. And an ass too." Ashara said sitting down in a chair across from him.

"He doesn't make you happy?" Aemon questioned as he looked up. As he met her eyes, he saw her tears starting.

"He's fine. He doesn't hurt me, but he's not….." she said as a tear began to roll down her cheek.

Aemon got out and wrapped something around himself as he crossed the room to her. "He's not what Ash?"

"He's not you."

"We both knew that your father wouldn't allow us to marry."

"I begged him to let me marry you. I pleaded every night for months. He never listened."

He took her hand. "I never stopped loving you, and I never will."

Ashara started crying and put her head on his shoulder. "Aemon I'm sorry" she sobbed.

"Let me get dressed Ash, if someone comes in it will be scandalous."

Ashara let him go and started to wipe her tears. Aemon stepped behind the screen in the corner of the room and got dressed for the feast. As he stepped out he grabbed his sword belt and started buckling it.

"Do you always need to wear a sword?" Ashara said with a smirk

"You know how many people want to kill me. Including your husband to be I'm sure. Wine my lady?" He said offering her a cup

"Yes please, my lord. God I hate that I have to call you that all night." Ashara drained her glass and held it out for another pour.

"You don't have to call me that." Aemon refilled her cup and placed the jug back on the table.

"You're not drinking?"

"I have to be alert tonight. I can't have your husband getting the drop on me."

"He can't touch you. You're the best swordsman in all of Dorne. Even my father says that."

There was a knock on the door. "Come in" Aemon said as he leaned back in his chair.

Arthur walked in. "Ah here you are my lady. Your father and I were looking for you." Aemon watched Arthur scan the room and notice the tub.

"Ser Arthur, sit and join us for a drink, we were talking about our youth." Aemon said trying to diffuse the now obvious tension.

"Alright ser." Arthur crossed and took Aemon's seat as he stood to offer it.

"Please just call me Aemon. I hate being called ser" Aemon said as he filled Arthur's cup.

"Lady Ashara, do you remember the prank we played on my uncle with his boots."

"Yes," Ashara said smiling "I can't believe we found enough honey to fill them."

"And then he didn't wear them for days and when he finally tried them on they were so stiff he couldn't wear them."

"Thank god he didn't hate you like your other uncles." Ashara said fully breaking into laughter.

"Wait you did this to Lord Wyl?" Arthur said cutting across the laughter.

"My uncle knows how to appreciate a joke. Besides I'm his favorite nephew." Aemon smirked.

"Ser...Aemon, would you like some wine?" Arthur asked hesitantly.

"Thank you my lord but no, I'm part of my uncle's bodyguard and I have to keep my wits about me."

Arthur finished his cup and stood up "well Aemon we must let you get ready for the evening's festivities. Come my lady." He said offering his hand to Ashara.

Ashara stood. "Until this evening Aemon" she said offering her hand. Aemon bent and kissed her hand.

Arthur and Ashara turned and left the room. Aemon crossed and pulled out a bottle of fire whiskey from the desk drawer and took a big pull.

"God this is going to be a long night." Aemon said to himself as he put the bottle back in the drawer and turned to finish getting ready.