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Disclaimer: I own nothing. All things recognizable are property of G.R.R. Martin, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, & company, & the asoiaf wiki.
A/N: The Conquest of Dorne was a book mentioned in a Davos chapter in A Storm of Swords. Signs and Portents is a book mentioned in the Asha chapter of A Feast of Crows.
A/N 2:According to the asoiaf wikiDaeron I, the Young Dragon wrote the Conquest of Dorne; he died after the conquest ultimately failed. Baelor I, Baelor the Blessed, was his brother and successor. Viserys II was their uncle and Baelor's successor and was rumored to have poised Baelor. Also according to the wiki Jon Arryn was born in 225 AL, & Hoster Tully in 235 AL.
Chapter 15
"Lord Arryn?"
"Lord Arryn!"
The older man blinked and then once again before he turned towards Rhaegar. His expression clouded slightly before turning apologetic. He began, "I do beg your pardon, Your Grace, were you saying something?"
Rhaegar frowned as he watched the other man look about the otherwise empty room before the man sighed. It was not like his usually conscientious Hand to be this distracted.
Now, he was well and truly worried. "The other lords left after the meeting finished ago and you have not stirred for some time."
"Oh, I apologize, Your Grace. I had not known you were waiting upon me to leave. I hope I have not kept you from anything."
Rhaegar shook his head, "No, Lord Arryn. I was only going to oversee some of Prince Viserys' lessons, but, they do not start for some time yet."
"Then please, do not let me keep you. There is no need to trouble yourself on my account, especially because of my woolgathering. I will take your leave. There is much work to be done."
Rhaegar thought other man's behavior was quite curious. He had noticed recently the man would keep working well until late. "Is there something which troubles you, my lord?"
The older man ran a hand over his face. "Not troubles me exactly, however, there is something which has been weighing on my mind."
Rhaegar was surprised. "Such as? There is no trouble in the Eyrie, I hope?"
"No there is no trouble exactly and certainly not there. Thank you for asking, but, it is nothing Your Grace needs to be worried about."
"Lord Arryn, Jon, you are my Hand. I should know what causes you to be distracted like this. As you say it is not exactly a 'trouble', however it is something. Please let me know." Rhaegar does not want to force the older man to tell him, but, the other man's demeanor is cause for concern.
His earnestness must have showed, because the older man sighed again, before looking at him, "My wife is with child."
Rhaegar smiled. A child would lead a man to distraction.
"Congratulations, Lord Arryn!" But, seeing as the other man did not seem particularly enthused, it caused his elation to fade rather quickly.
"Jon, what is the matter? For a man who just admitted he is to be a father you do not look too pleased."
Rhaegar could not understand why the other man seemed almost morose at the prospect of having a child. He flushed slightly. He remembered being enthusiastic when he learned he was to be a father, he also remembered he had not been particularly animated with joy after the birth of his children. The birth of his daughter was marred by his father's disappointment in his not having a grandson he could call an heir. The jubilation of the birth of his son was tempered by the worry about Elia's weakened condition after the birth. He had not been present for the birth of his third child for and much to his shame now he was more disappointed in the sex of the child and surprised at Lyanna's death.
But, Jon Arryn was a different sort of man and Rhaegar knew the other man had not been very fortunate in that regard with respect to his other two marriages; having one stillborn girl by his first wife. Rhaegar tempered his reaction slightly; remembering that, it was no wonder the man was slightly subdued.
"Did you not want the child?" Rhaegar was sure the other man did. Any other man of their station knew the responsibility and duty which required them to have heirs; however, he felt he ought to ask if that was the point of concern.
Jon looked at him with the most fervent expression he had ever seen on the man's face, "I have always wanted to be a father." Rhaegar believed him; still, there was something odd in the way the other man said it.
Rhaegar tried again, "Did the Maester fear something possibly ailing the child?" Perhaps that was it; that was always a concern.
The other man shook his head. "No; nothing as such. It is still early, but, the Maester believes the child is healthy."
Rhaegar was nonplussed as to what else the issue could be. He could not think of anything else which could trouble the man so.
"I see." He did not, but, what else could he say? He continues, "That is good, but, my Lord Arryn, Jon, if there is nothing wrong with the child then what plagues you so?"
The older man shook his head once more. Lord Arryn looks at him, "My lady wife, Your Grace."
His brow furrows because of his incomprehension. As far as Rhaegar could tell, not that he could admit to knowing too much on that score, Lady Lysa seemed to be in perfect health.
Still, he asks, "Is it her health that worries you?"
The other man smiles, but, the smile held a tinge of sadness, "Not her health, or at least not much of her health." The man breathes out, and looks at him, considering, "She has become withdrawn and unhappy; especially after her sister, Lady Catelyn left for Winterfell and now that Lord Hoster departed. But I worry it is not just that; her lady mother passed away some time ago, but, after childbirth herself. I fear it weighs on her mind and I worry it may affect the child as well."
That Rhaegar understood; those were reasonable fears. While he could not speak as to what it was like for expectant mothers he remembers how anxious Elia used to be; although in retrospect being heavy with child with having not only his father's attention but the kingdom's directed at one's womb was likely to cause anxiousness, at the very least. Still he remembers he remembers Elia had his mother about to help her and as close as she could get in a sister with Ashara in addition to her other ladies. He closes his eyes and slumps back in his chair slightly, remembering Lyanna had given birth during a war, with a midwife and three members of the Kingsguard with her, only to die from the birth.
He shakes his head and sits back up. He thinks this was not the time to wallow in his own memories. Those might be valid concerns, but, Rhaegar, judging by Jon's demeanor did not think that was the whole of the matter. Eventually, he says, "If you wish, I can have Her Grace speak to Lady Lysa. She would know more about these things than I would."
Jon nodded; looking tentative but hopeful. "Yes, I think, if Her Grace is amenable, I would be grateful. My lady wife would probably be more receptive to speaking to someone who had experience in these matters."
Satisfied with that, he nodded. "Good, I will speak to Her Grace tonight."
Rhaegar asked Elia to dine with him alone, but, not only because he felt the concerns of his Hand and Lady Lysa should best be handled discreetly.
On formal occasions they dinned together, but, in the Great Hall with many others. Depending on the time of the meal some member of the council or some courtier would join them for the purposes of some business or other. More often than not Rhaenys or Viserys would dine with them as well.
He was also certain this required a certain level of secrecy and delicacy. He almost snorted. He had no doubt Elia was capable of delicacy, but, there was no such thing as secrecy in King's Landing. It was rare enough that he and Elia had the opportunity to dine together alone; much less to speak on certain topics outside of their regular duties, the state of King's Landing and the realm, or the children. Much to his distaste, those in King's Landing were far too eager to learn of the sordid details of the personal secrets of others.
Even if there was no information requiring the utmost tact and secrecy he wished to speak about, alone was a relative term for them, particularly on this night, even with one or more member of the Kingsguard opting to remain at a post outside the chambers. Though they did stay at a respectful distance, what with servants who brought in the food and stayed to take away the cutlery anything more than superficial information disclosed could be used for the purposes of others and this particular conversation was one which had to do with his Hand, not him.
Only they spoke about other subjects first and he found that it was more than merely pleasant and far too infrequent and he found himself unwilling to breach such a serious subject immediately.
"Viserys tells me he asked to attend the next meeting of the Small Council." Elia spoke, after she dabbed at her face with a napkin after finishing the last of her meal.
Rhaegar nodded, and took the last bite of the roast on his plate. If none of the children were present they were a frequently discussed topic between them. Aegon, Jon, and Daenerys were still too young and though they were growing and healthy, their antics and actions were far fewer than Rhaenys' and certainly Viserys'.
He gestured for the servants to start clearing the table, which they do swiftly under Elia's vigilant eye.
He replied, standing up, "He seems to take well to attending. He likes to be involved." Even it was not but sitting in a corner listening to other lords, it was something. It was better than his brother's having no interest in statecraft at all.
She smiled a bit; also standing up as the last of the dishes were cleared away and the servants left the room silently.
She moved to link her arm with his and he led them to a divan in the room. "Has he begun to offer opinions of policies or how to solve grievances, as of yet?"
He returned her smile, "Not particularly. Can you imagine how that would be received by the other council members, especially if his were worthy suggestions or in opposition of their personal aims?"
Elia laughs, "Perhaps you should encourage him in that. It might cause inspiration for the rest of them."
He scoffs, remembering the bickering and the nearly consistent self-serving suggestions. "I assure you, it takes very little to inspire some of their ideas."
She makes a noncommittal sound before speaking again. "I hear you have also started dictating some of the reading Maester Pycelle requires of him."
Rhaegar looks down for a moment; thinking he should have expected that his brother would have told Elia that. "Yes, I have. I thought it best to be more proactive in his education." It was true enough. Viserys and Daenerys were just as much as his responsibility as his own children. Though he could not entirely relate to Viserys, it was far easier with him than it was Rhaenys, and the three, even younger children.
"He tells me that the Maester had told him more about Signs and Portents. You are familiar that one; the book of visions written by Daenys Targaryen." Though she gave the appearance of having said this casually that was not just a comment or just a question. He also heard the shift in the tone of her voice.
A flush crept up his neck. Elia had make her opinions about prophesies rather plain; or rather putting too much effort into trying to fulfill them. To say that his own effort to interpret prophesies proved rather costly would be understating the matter greatly. He should have expected she would be less than receptive of his encouraging his much younger brother to take an interest in similar subjects. He had not intended on cultivating Viserys' interest in that direction, or at least he had not thought he was.
"The Maester was teaching him about the Doom of Valyria when I had been present. I mentioned it; though it was written some years before, there are connections to the material. Viserys seemed to be more interested in knowing a Targaryen penned it and that it was lost more than the supposed contents of Signs and Portents." It was the truth. His brother had not cared much for speculations of what was in a tome which was said to be missing; his interest was minimal at best. Rhaegar certainly had not thought to mention the book as anything more than a point of interest. He certainly had no intention of dredging that unpleasantness up again. The correlations between his blood and trying to dictate circumstances of fate proved to be both great and tragic.
He continued, "Viserys is more interested in such topics as contained in Conquest of Dorne."
At the apparent change of subject, she narrowed her eyes, but, in the next moment her lips twitched in humor, "Oh?"
Rhaegar nodded, "Yes, the events of it would resonate with him, then Baelor, or more rather then what came after."
She nodded, now visibly more at ease. "His namesake; or at least the second one." If the subject which they were speaking on had less conflicting implications, he would have been amused that his wife is no less of a student of history.
He shakes his head, "Yes him; salacious stories and gossip is of an interest to many; my brother is no different. Of course my brother shows no less favor to tales of war and particularly our forebearers, doing the fantastic. Such things are more of an interest to a child with a healthy curiosity."
It should be expected; Viserys' interests were greatly influenced by their father's euphoria when describing the greatness of their family, the knights of the Kingsguard, and even the likes of Oberyn Martell. Of course Viserys was young enough to where what his brother would have recalled most about him was that he decided to be a warrior, but, Viserys would not particularly be bothered with the reasons for it. Viserys cared more for hearing stories and sword-play for enjoyment than fulfilling prophesies.
She nods; apparently accepting his answers. Rhaegar was rather relieved the matter was done with; for now at least. He could understand her hesitancy and with his own experience, he did not have the same fervor for such things as he once did, though he does know there are certain things that are unavoidable, particularly where the Targaryen family history is concerned. For now it was best to leave that alone. It caused far too much trouble.
"There is something I wished to speak to you about."
She looked at him curiously, "Oh, about what?"
"Lord Arryn informs me that Lady Arryn is with child."
"Is she? How wonderful. Lord Arryn informed you this morning?"
"Yes. It was this morning."
"How lovely. They both must be very happy." Rhaegar did not want to disabuse his wife of the notion, but, he did promise Jon would speak to her about the truth of it.
"That is what I wanted to speak to you about."
She looked at him curiously. "Oh, there is something else?"
"Lord Arryn informed me, albeit reluctantly I should say, that Lady Arryn seemed rather unhappy and withdrawn of late."
"Lady Catelyn has long since gone and Lord Hoster returned to the Riverlands. She could just miss her family. She has only married Lord Jon this past year and this would be her first child."
"No, no; I am sure it is no just that. At any rate her uncle, Ser Brynden is here."
Elia frowned, "It is not quite the same thing. Lady Lysa is young and this is hardly her childhood home. The Keep can be lonely to some…" she trailed off.
She shook her head. She continues, "How positive are you what Lord Arryn sees is her being unhappy and withdrawn? It could just be nervousness because she is with child. Nervousness is the least of what I was feeling." She smiled faintly as if in remembrance of those times.
Only it was quickly enough that Rhaegar sees as her smile slips off of her face. He remembers his wife had not had an easy time of it, either time. He had been happy enough at the birth of his daughter, but, he remembers his father's reaction to Rhaenys' birth and how Elia was bed ridden for months after that. He also remembers the looks sent Elia's way from others; because she gave birth to a daughter and not a son. He also remembers how she almost died giving birth to Aegon. His father had not been kind when the Maester determined she would no longer have children without endangering her life further. He even recalls the conversation he had some time after Aegon's birth; he was enthused less about having a healthy living son and more about needing one more child; that though Aegon was the Prince That Was Promised he needed one more.
Thinking of the children asleep, he cannot help but think it is not just Jon was not the only child he was unjust towards.
He tries very much to focus on the issue at hand. "Do you think you can speak to her?"
She nods, "Of course I will speak to her about some things. I dare say having a child is different for every woman and may even vary from child to child. Though, she and I are hardly fast friends, we are civil to one another. Having a child could be wearing on the nerves, particularly the first time." She looks rather sad when she continues, "Or the second for that matter."
Rhaegar had been considering Elia's words. His wife's concerns were valid, but, if there was something which could be done or some solution found. He did not like to think Jon was unhappy or would remain so for very long. Despondency at the birth of a parent is a great disservice to the child. He now knew that better than anyone. He took a breath.
"Perhaps…"
"Perhaps, what?"
"Perhaps, she would be more receptive to woman speaking to her all the same, if it is not just fears about the child."
She frowns at him, her eyes narrow slightly. "Is it not awfully presumptuous to think there might be something more?"
Rhaegar returns her frown, "If it was just nervousness or anxiousness I doubt he would be most distracted. He was almost despondent at the thought."
Elia's jaw twitched curiously, as she mused, "I see."
"I would feel better if you did speak to her, in the off chance that there might be something more."
She nodded, but, she is silent for some time. "That may be so, but, I could not presume to ask her if she was unhappy about having a child without much cause for me to do so. I could not presume the right to require that she tells me anything. I am neither her family nor that good of a friend to her, even if I am her queen." Her tone is very measured and she speaks very carefully.
Rhaegar sighs, "It is just that I hope to reassure Jon. I have come to admire him greatly."
She looks at him knowingly. "I can understand that, but, when I do speak to her I hope you do not mean for me to tell you her inner most thoughts if you will tell her husband about them. She deserves better than that. She would not thank me if I was to divulge such things she does not wish her husband to know."
He frowns, remembering his wife's friendship with Ser Jaime. "You would keep her secrets if she asked you to?" He wonders just how many people's secrets his wife keeps.
Her gaze was even, "If there was something she wished for me to know in absolute confidence that causes no harm to anyone, then, yes I would. I would hope others do the same for me if I unbent enough to tell someone; much less here of all places where secrets can be bought and sold cheaply and used to cut. If she has them, her secrets are hers and I have no right to divulge them, even for her husband to know, unless it is something he needs to know. I do not share the interest of others who spin the tales of other's lives, particularly as they pertain to their marriages." It was a pastime many in King's Landing shared. It was a pastime he knew he, his wife, and his children had been the frequent subject of.
They both sit silently together for some time.
Though that does not concern him much now, he cannot help but ask, "Do you keep secrets from me?" She had before. Admittedly, he had earned her caginess and he never asked her to tell him her secrets, either.
She laughs and he relaxes slightly at her not taking offence to the question. "What is there to know about me, you already know." She smirks, "If I was to ask the same question, what would your answer be?"
"There are very few who do not know of everything I have done."
She snorts, "That does not answer the question."
"I believe it does. There is very little of me that I know that you do not. I have never intended to keep things from you. I do not now." Remembering the arguments they had, he knows regret seeped into his voice. Even if he had not kept much from her, he had done things which she had not been in favor of; things that others would view as unkind. He had been unkind.
"Good."
When he feels her head come to rest on his shoulder he is less startled at the action, but, more about how comfortable it is.
Rhaegar knew if anyone else was in the room they would have thought him a lackwit with the way his mouth hung open, his eyes blinking in confusion, and one hand clutching the harp he, on a whim, had picked up; but, he does not know quite what to say.
He doubted anyone could find fault with that reaction. He was taken aback with the ferocity of the kiss. He had not been expecting it, but, to be fair, Elia had not kissed him like that for some time.
Carefully, putting down the harp, "Why did you do that?"
Before where there was a resolve in her expression, now she tilts her head in exasperation and slight annoyance, "I felt I wished to. If you would rather not, I will desist from now on."
He shakes his head, "There is no need for such hysterics. I was just taken aback. It is not often you kiss me like this."
She huffs out, "Very well, I will give enough prior warning next time."
"You do notice, I was not arguing."
She sighs. "Sometimes I do not know what to say to you."
He cannot help but continue to stare at her. "I am quite familiar with that sentiment. Still, if you are willing, would you unbend as to tell me why exactly is it that you wished to do that?"
"Most other husbands would not complain, nor ask for reasons." Her tone is far too rather pointed for his comfort.
"I am not most others."
She laughs and shakes her head, "No, you certainly are not."
"What truly caused you to do that?"
She sighed again; all the joviality in her seemed to have evaporated. "I have just come from speaking to Lady Arryn." She came to sit next to him, wrapping an arm around his stomach.
"What?" Rhaegar knew he looked as confused as he felt. He could not help but think of the myriad of things which could cause that sort of behavior in his usually composed wife, but, not one comes to him that makes sense.
She shakes her head again, but, this time she looked deeply saddened and troubled. He ventures, "Certainly it cannot be as bad as that?"
"I honestly do not know what to make of it."
If he was confused, he is even more now, "How do you mean?"
"The poor girl was ill prepared for the life she has and Lord Arryn will have to be just as understanding and patient with his lady-wife than he would be with his work, perhaps if not more."
"You speak in riddles, Elia."
"I will not say it is without hope, but, if he wishes to be happy in his marriage, it will take effort on both their parts."
He frowned, deeply concerned. "Then it is not just the child, how much more?"
Rhaegar did not like how she bit her lip and shook her head. "Just enough, too much. It started all wrong. I think."
"They were married in the earlier days of the war, yes?" He asked the question rather hesitatingly. He knew he had to tread carefully here. The war was still a difficult subject to most, and his role in it was not insignificant.
She nodded, "Yes, and that is partly the issue." It was an issue for their marriage, but, other's he had less experience with.
His brow furrowed, "What do you mean?"
Elia thought back to that disturbingly illuminating conversation.
Lady Lysa's face crumbled. "I did not want to marry him. How could I want him when my heart longs for someone else."
She asked; her tone gentle as she could make it, "And your father did not approve of the match?"
The lady shook her head wildly. "I gave my maidenhead to him."
Elia nodded. She could hardly berate the woman and it was not her place nor did it seem as though the woman was a stranger to disparagement because of it. She had heard the rumors and one did question the hasty marriage of a younger daughter to a much older man, especially to someone who wanted troops for a war against the Crown. "I see." In a lower voice, she asked, "Was this man not available to entertain your suit?"
She snorted, but, rather hysterically she continued, "He was the son of a lord, but, not a wealthy or well-landed one, and my father did not approve of it. When he learned of what we had done, he was so livid. Then, as if the gods smiled down upon him, Lord Arryn & Lord Ned came asking for men to fight with him. My sister and I were married shortly after."
Though it seemed unlikely, she could not help asking, "Is Lord Arryn cruel to you?"
The girl lets out a bitter and strangled laugh, "No, as my father would say, it was fortunate Lord Arryn had just cause to marry me."
The situation became clearer to her. "And you are you still unhappy with the marriage?"
Lady Lysa lets out a bitter laugh. "My happiness was and remains of no concern to anyone. I know how little others think of me and my husband is no different. He did not concern himself with my happiness when he married me, just my father's men and not even now that he needs my ability to give him an heir."
"Certainly that is not so."
In a more sour tone, she countered, "I was told he was an honorable man with a proud lineage, but, what is so honorable about a man when all he sees when he looks at me is a soiled woman only worthy enough for him because at his age he is desperate to beget heirs to replace the ones he lost. He certainly does not speak to me as one would a wife. I am nothing but a womb to him, I know it. More often than not he only notices I exist is when there is a lull in his all important duties."
Elia caught him staring at her."As you, and Lord Arryn, suspect, she is discontented."
Rhaegar frowned, "Yes, however, in what way?"
She sighed, "From the beginning and in many ways."
"Lord Arryn is right to be concerned, then?
"Yes." Elia was usually polite and direct, but, if she was being this blunt, the matter must be more serious than he had suspected.
He saw how Elia bit her lip. Eventually, she just replied, sadly, "Lady Lysa is a pretty thing, but, she was so young when they married. I doubt hers is a life she would have expected for herself."
Rhaegar was certain he was lacking in particular facts. "How do you mean? Was she hoping to forgo marriage and children so that she could enter the service of the Faith of the Seven?" From what he observed from Lady Lysa he doubted it, but, in his experience high-born women either married or they took it upon themselves to join in the service of gods.
Elia let out a laugh, but, there was no humor in it, whatsoever. "No, I do not think a life dedicated to serving the Seven was in her thoughts then or now."
"What is it, then? What other life could she have imagined than that of a wife of a lord?"
Elia took a breath and her words rushed out. "She never thought she would be Lady Arryn and what that entails."
"Lord Arryn is a Lord Paramount and a well-respected man both in the Vale and in the rest of Westeros. He is also a good man. What else could she have possibly imagined or wanted in a husband?"
"To start with, a husband closer to her in age", Elia said flatly, but, not unkindly.
"A difference in age is hardly uncommon."
She nodded, "The difference in age here is considerable."
He inclined his head in acceptance of that fact. That was certainly true. The man was a good ten years older than his wife's father.
Elia smiled at him, "Do not mistake what I mean to say; Lord Arryn is a good man. To most he would be a worthy husband, and he is, but, she would not have chosen him for herself."
Rhaegar considered that. Perhaps that might have been true, but, her father was the one who was the one who decided the match and Jon Arryn was an honorable man and he said so.
Elia's face took on an unusual quality when he mentioned Lord Hoster's rights as a father, but, then Rhaegar reddened. His own marriage to Elia was decided that way, but, he was the one who ignored Lord Rickard's rights as a father, much to the other man's detriment and that of his family.
In that moment he considered himself very fortunate that his wife had not refrained from commented on it. Still, her response was no less telling. "No one could cast aspersions on Lord Tully's rights and adherence to duty in finding his daughter a worthy husband or Lord Arryn's honor or capability in fulfilling the role; certainly not I. However, what she sees is a man who took her for a wife because her father had an army he needed; not a man who wanted her for her mind, her beauty, or capabilities outside of her ability to bear him children."
He could not help think that even if there was no love or no elaborate wedding high-born men have always married women for their ability to bear their children to see their lines go forward; that was hardly new or something to take offence at. "His motives for doing as he had done are hardly any reason for his wife to hold such things against him."
Elia grimaced. "Yes, but, that means very little to a young girl who still held notions of romance and dreams of a marriage based on love before she married."
There was no heat in the plain way she said this, but, Rhaegar could not help but feel a pang remembering another young girl who had notions of romance and how badly that fared. He remembers the way she did not want the marriage made for her. He is fairly certain, had she lived, the marriage he could have given her would not have been one she desired either.
"Did you have such notions?"
She smiled gently. "In my experience there are very few girl children who do not, at one point or another, dream of marrying a handsome, kind, intelligent, gallant, devoted, and absolutely perfect man who loves them. I was no different. However, as one grows one comes to learn that when marriages are beginning to be discussed one is given little more than a finite list of names to choose from. More often than not the list is restricted to appropriate cousins or men of good breeding within the vicinity or from different regions. That is so even in Sunspear, and most definitely elsewhere in Westeros."
Rhaegar knew to be true. High-born marriages are considered very carefully and very rarely are unequal marriages even considered. He knew his father had been particularly exacting in potential brides for him.
Elia had been a woman when they married and long since become accustomed to what was to be expected from her. He remembers approaching marriage as a duty, nor did he take much of an active role in choosing a wife, not that his father would have welcomed such a thing. He also remembers the reasons why they married and how it had nothing to do with what Elia or he truly wanted.
"Then why would Lady Lysa be so despondent even now. Ours…" He trails off for a moment to gather his thoughts. "Ours has not failed to see its troubles." That does not quite encapsulate what happened between them, but, for now it will serve.
She smiles knowingly. "That is so. Though it was not love or our desires taken into account when we first married, ours is not new and was not built upon your urgency and nor was it with my unwillingness. As for them, no matter how good a match is, and one could hardly argue that they would have wanted it, even if there is nothing particularly untoward, if one allows their disappointment to fester, it will."
Rhaegar frowned. He wonders if that is what caused Elia to be receptive to him again, but, instead he asks, "Do you believe it can be salvaged? I know Jon wishes it."
"I believe so, but, it will take more than wishes for it to be salvaged." They looked at one another. They both knew the truth in that.
"That much is obvious, but, do you have some remedy for it? Is there a remedy for it?"
She seemed rather sad, when she replied, "I think they do not understand one another."
Thinking furiously, he said, "Do they even have the same interests?"
She sighed, "I do not know. To me it seems they rarely speak to one another unless necessary. Perhaps…"
"Perhaps?"
"Perhaps, if there is no important responsibility, some of Lord Arryn's duties could be reduced to 'give him some time to spend with his lady wife in her state' or I could find some way to arrange for them to see one another, which would require them to speak." She shrugged her shoulders.
He nodded. "Yes, there is not to be a council meeting until next week. I think that would be fine. As it is he puts too much of himself into work, perhaps a convenient outing inviting both of them. But, what is to say Lady Lysa would be receptive to it at all?"
Elia's expression saddened slightly. Rhaegar could not help but wonder if Elia had given him a more polite version of what Lady Lysa spoke to her about. He could hardly claim to know Lady Arryn well or at all.
He spent some time thinking of what he did know. After a few moments, it came to him. "Perhaps, her uncle, Ser Brynden, could be of help. He would certainly know his niece better than anyone else here and he does get on with Lord Arryn."
Elia laughed; it was a laugh of delight and relief, "Of course, how could we forget? He would want to see the both of them happy."
"I suppose that is settled then."
Elia laughed again, but, it was far less carefree than the last one, "We would have to speak to them first."
He nodded; it would not serve to be too optimistic. "For now, we can let the matter rest." He was cognizant of both what they just spoke of and it reminded him that was a matter left unattended to. "I have a matter that is slightly more pressing."
She looked surprised, "Oh, what sort of matter is that?"
He stood and made his way to kneel in front of his wife, "There is the matter of the –"
"Come in!"
Rhaegar went to rise. He almost sighed because of Ser Oswell's reaction upon his entry into the room. The man looked vaguely surprised, and most definitely unrepentant. While any of his Kingsguard would usually be welcome, this current instance was most definitely not one of those times. Elia, on the other hand, seemed disappointed for a moment, but, the emotion cleared from her face rather quickly.
The man looked between them, "Ah, Your Graces I do apologize…" Rhaegar was convinced the other man was not apologetic about much of anything, let alone because he interrupted them. When the knight turned his gaze to Elia, he replied easily, "Princess Rhaenys has been asking for you."
Elia smiled, "Thank you, Ser Oswell. I will go to her then." As she stood to leave, she turned back to him, rather furtively, "I will leave you to think of what we spoke about, then."
Rhaegar nodded, saying, "You would dine with me tonight?"
Her smile widened. "Yes, of course."
Ser Oswell spoke up again, "Please, Your Grace, let me escort you."
Elia, for her part, said to the knight, "Thank you, but, I do not wish to keep you from your duties."
Grinning wildly, the knight replied, "Not at all, Your Grace, it will be my pleasure."
With the overenthusiastic way by which Ser Oswell took her arm and smiled calculatingly in his direction before they left, Rhaegar was fairly certain he would not have to be concerned about others' at the Red Keep's focus being directed at the Arryn's marriage, he would have to be concerned at the focus being directed at his own.
Chapter 16: Best laid plans
