Give the rough edge of one's tongue
Daenys only starts to notice after a few days that there is an eerie silence in the Keep. The tension can be cut with a knife, and she wonders what might be the cause of it. Could Aegon? No, she shushes herself, there is no way he could have found out.
When she goes to the throneroom that day and sits down into the throne next to the Iron Throne, she can tell Aegon is in a foul mood. He has always been one of few words, but the vibes he is giving off are almost deadly. His eyes bore into Daenys, but she refuses to acknowledge it. She knows he will come to her in due time if she has done something wrong.
What worries her more, is that Visenya seems to be in a black mood as well. The fury and anger radiate off of her sister, and even the court is scared to say anything. Aegon snaps at anyone who dares ask a question and Visenya is rapping with her fingers on the arm of her throne, the clinking of her rings against the steel making an awful sound. Even Daenys' hair stands up.
She decides to give up after a few hours and leaves. The Hand of the King looks at her as well, and it is the first time he has looked at her with so much anger and fury. So it must be something she has done.
Daenys is quick to go to her quarters, summoning Argella on the way, thoughts going back to that night a few weeks ago.
'My Queen?' a voice interrupts the silence, the sun going under in the distance.'Yes Eleonora?' Daenys responds, looking up from a book she is reading.'I would like to ask you something.' Daenys nods at her lady-in-waiting, noticing she seems nervous.'There is someone I am meeting tonight. My brother is not allowed to know it. If he asks, could you tell him I stayed with you?' Daenys looks at Eleonora for a moment, and than finally nods.'Who are you- It is your secret lover, isn't it?' Eleonora nods, red warming her cheeks.'Why not be open about it?' Argella asks, interest peaked.'He is of a house lower in fortune than mine, Your Grace. My brother would never accept it. That's why we have been meeting in secret. He asked me to marry him, Your Grace. We are going to elope tonight.' Eleonora admits, Argella squealing in joy. Daenys smiles at her new friend, patting her on the shoulder.'You'll need witnesses. I know a septon that will bind you together without asking too much questions.' Daenys murmurs, looking up in thought. 'Your brother will have to accept your marriage if I am your witness. For I am queen and I allow this union to take place.' Eleonora bows, tears in her eyes. 'Thank you, Your Grace!' Daenys shakes her head, motioning for her to get up. 'I always have loved a fairytale. Prepare your belongings, Eleonora. I know where to send you where you can stay until we have found a way to address your marriage to the court and your family. It is a place where no one will find you.' Eleonora nods and runs out of the door, going to prepare herself. 'Where is this place?' Argella smiles. 'It is a cottage, gifted to me by my mother. Not even Orys knows I own it. I will not tell you where it is, only that Eleonora will be safe from her brother's anger when he finds out.'
They don black capes and disappear in the night, Eleonora having her belongings and enough money to survive for a while outside of the court. Their horses gallop into the night, Daenys at the front. A shadow flies over them, and Daenys knows in her heart that Magavin is accompanying them as well.
They stop two hours outside of Aegonfort, before a Sept. A young man steps forward, and even Daenys has to admit he is handsome. He has brown curly hair and some of the bluest eyes Daenys has ever seen. She can tell from his attire that he is from noble blood, though compared to Eleonora, not from such high blood as her. Eleonora is quick to dismount, running into her lover's arms. Daenys dismounts as well, the young man bowing when he sees who it is. 'Your Grace.' he bows. 'Eleonora has told me about your situation. I will be witness to this union so they cannot say it was a secret affair.' Argella coughs. 'Well it will be secret, but they cannot say it was without permission since you were there.' The young man nods and stands up. 'I cannot thank you enough, My Queen.' Daenys hushes him, motioning to the Sept.
They walk inside and see the septon, Daenys nodding at his presence. Eleonora and her lover, Thomas of House Riverworth, are quick to be married, Daenys standing as Eleonora's witness and Argella as Thomas' witness. They cheer to the young couple's wedding, and than Argella brings them to the cottage. Daenys waits at the Sept for hours, Argella eventually coming back. They have to hurry, for the sun is coming up in three hours, and they have a journey of two hours at the least.
They gallop the whole way, their horses tired when they arrive. They are quick to clean the horses, passing by the maids that are starting the early shift, and quickly go back to Daenys' room. Both don their normal clothes, Argella falling asleep in a chair next to Daenys, said queen sleeping before her workdesk. When the maid comes to wake them up in the morning, she sees them sleeping in their chairs, and when Orys asks where Argella was, she answers she helped the Queen late into the night, which seems to be right since she was found sleeping next to Daenys.
'Do you think they know?' Argella whispers, as she sits down next to Daenys who hands her a cup of wine. 'I have a feeling they do. Even Orys seemed to be furious.'
They can only wait, but Daenys has a feeling the peace she has built with her siblings will be quick to crumble if what she fears comes true.