still rosy red from the intimate encounter that had taken place that morning. Well, not completely intimate— not when Ashara stood gawking at the two of them. When Arthur had left, his sister was courteous enough to mumble apologies under her breath and cover her up before an aura of a scandalous affair brewed among the noble men.
Elaenya then found herself sitting by her mirror in her lilac dress , staring into herself. She traced her face with her fingertips, her nails dragging across the delicate bumps of her cheekbone, eventually halting at the swell of her lips.
The young girl couldn't understand the strange bubble that had formed in her belly, how she felt the need to twirl around the empty isles of the castle— yet at the same time curl up on her bed smiling aimlessly. She soon realised that it was the same warm feeling she'd felt during her name day. Not the horrid dance with Lord Tyrell but time when Arthur had ignited a flame of foolish bravery within her. The flame that lit on until that day.
She remembered Arthur's eyes. How they locked on hers. She'd heard Elia speak of a man's carnal desires, she remembered her stating that she'd see a spark in his eyes. A spark of adoration and appreciation of her real beauty.
Maybe she'd seen it in Arthur's—
No.
Elaenya shook her head furiously.
It was highly improbable and improper for her to believe that he did. He was a respected knight, and a handsome man who'd been with a significant amount of women before joining the Kingsguard. He'd surely seen a woman in her underclothes before and why wouldn't he? He had a lover. Seven Hells knew what they'd done.
Elaenya consoled her dear heart again and again but why did she feel an ache. Why did she want his gaze to longer a while longer?
She was thinking like a whore. Arthur Dayne was an alley and she didn't want to worsen her growing friendship with him. Even though he'd disappointed her but it was Arthur Dayne whom Elaenya trusted with her life. For he was the one who'd seen her at her weakest times and it was him who'd no judged her for it.
The sun was bright outside her window, on which were perched beautiful songbirds. They sang and Elaenya felt herself sway under the warming gaze of the mighty sun. Her eyes were shut. The princess remembered her previous juvenile dreams trying to forget the knight's wide violet eyes. Her septa had bore the idea of a perfect lord in her head. Perhaps she would find a dutiful husband in Mace Tyrell. There would be instances of disconnection but she knew she would manage. Atleast she thought that she would.
"Elaenya!" Called out Ashara from the door, making the princess turn sharply to face the Dornishwoman. Her long silver hair whipped on her skin, making it sting.
"Gods Ashara! You scared me. Does bringing my clothes tense you so?"
"Damn the clothes Elaenya! Elia, Meena and Ser Gerold were attacked. Come on now, they've all returned" Elaenya's heart nearly stopped at the mention of an attack as memories of the previous day came washing over like high tides.
"Are they alright?" She asked in a small voice, her eyes widened and fixed to the ground.
"Elia and Meena are fine but Ser Gerold was hit with an arrow. Thank the heavens, Arthur had reached before things worsened, but Ser Lewyn told me that Arthur-"
Before she could finish, Ashara was cut off my the princess's trembling voice.
"A-Arthur?" Elaenya croaked out. That's where he'd disappeared to.
"Is he alright? Is he hurt? Oh Ashara! Please tell me he's safe" she pleaded, her eyes watering in the process. Ashara who'd considered herself strong enough was now too falling into the dilemma of her brother being fatally wounded.
"I-I-I don't know"
"We must go!" Elaenya stood up from her seat, grabbed her stoll and began marching out of her room.
The two women rushed through the castle, their glassy violet eyes darting around with anxiousness. Elaenya could almost feel a cold sweat tickle down her forehead.
She was cruel to him. More than she should have been, he was just doing his duty. Like all great men, Elaenya Targaryen was too on her knees— repenting her supposed sins when faced with the Stranger's wrath.
The two women soon reached the Sword Tower to look for Ser Gerold and Arthur. Ashara burst in through the doors only to find Rhaegar, Elia, Mina, Lewyn and Jon standing by the Lord Commander's bed.
Gerold Hightower looked extremely ill, his face was drained of all hue and his lips were of a ghastly shade of purple.
"Is he-?" Ashara asked and Rhaegar nodded knowingly, as he walked towards Ashara and placed a hand of assurance on her shoulder.
"Yes, the arrow was poisoned. Grand Maester Pycelle has looked into it. The fever will soon lessen"
"What of Arthur?" Ashara asked.
He cleared his throat.
"Arthur is alright. He saved us, he was there at the right moment" piped up Mina. The Dornishwoman sighed in relief and so did Elaenya.
A weight seemed to have descended down her chest.
Elaenya's eyes fell on Elia who was traumatised with the incident as she sat curled up by the window, staring out. She couldn't help but feel awful for her good sister. She too would have been in the same position. Mina on the other hand had handled herself quite well, she sat up straight by the Lord Commander's bed while the latter took heaving breaths of pain. Rhaegar was pacing around the room, his hand folded behind him. His silver hair had become greasy with sweat and his sockets had darkened significantly. He wasn't sleeping well.
Elaenya wanted to help them, but princesses could only help so much. Did she have any purpose at all? Apart from being paraded like a trophy.
"Arthur" Rhaegar breathed, snapping Elaenya out of her usual self remorse. The girl turned slowly, to see the sword of the morning standing with his eyes fixed on her brother and his hand by his side— wrapped around Dawn.
"What news do you bring us?" The Prince asked.
His eyes were hardened and the girl swore she'd never seen him look so stern. If Arthur Dayne's kind eyes had been replaced by such cold gazes, then the Kingswood Brotherhood were truly a menace.
"My prince, we suspect that the attack was lead by Simon Toyne" he stated. "It was an attempt to kidnap princess Elia, but I suppose they hadn't expected a Kingsguard member to be with her along her journey. The supposed kidnap was planned very strategically, he'd studied her every move and struck at the unlikeliest of times, when we'd be caught up with the arrow situation"
"You're telling me that the attack on Elaenya was a distraction?"
"Yes. He knew we'd increase the security of the castle, and remove our men from the outskirts of the forest. Where Princess Elia takes her walks" Arthur nodded. Making Elia snap her head to his side, breaking from her state of trance.
"And not a soul knew about it? If they were indeed watching us from afar then they must have camped outside the castle. I am sure they wouldn't be able to do so if it weren't for help" Elia said, her brows furrowed in disappointed as she looked at Rhaegar,"I could have died, Mina could have died or worse-"
"Yet you didn't. We were lucky to have Arthur and Lewyn there at the right moment" Rhaegar walked towards his wife and slowly rubbed her shoulders, trying to soothe the nerves.
"Terrible misfortunes have befallen us Rhaegar. I am not sure how long these good graces of the gods shall last" Elia sighed, "Your sister was showered with arrows yesterday, a gallant man could have lost his life today and our good father sits as if the kingdom is in it's days of prosperity. Wake your father, wake him before it's too late. Speak with Lord Tywin if necessary, I am sure he's rational enough to understand" she added, sorrowfully.
"A golden truth you've spoken Elia, and yes I have spoken with Lord Tywin and I suppose Arthur has spoken with father. Haven't you, old friend?" Rhaegar turned to the elder Knight, who shifted in his position.
Elaenya who'd been watching the things unfold, engulfed all the information she could. She saw how Arthur's cold gaze dropped her for a brief moment. The girl saw something she'd never expected to see. She saw concern in those frigid violet eyes. She saw concern.
"Aye, his grace wishes for me to lead the dispatchment of men to the Kingswood as soon as possible. He knows that it will take some time since they're shielded by the villagers—"
"You cannot possibly go! It is too dangerous" Mina cried, her hand cupping the sobs that escaped her mouth. Ashara stepped forward to comfort her fried.
"Oh Mina, he has to. It is the nature of his duty. You must come to terms with it" she whispered, but the young Tyrell wouldn't listen.
Elaenya's eyes were still on the Dornish knight. She saw him stiffen at the woman's cries. She knew she'd be lying if she said that she wanted him to go and deal with the problem at hand. Elaenya hated the thought of. Her heart ached at the idea of Arthur being wounded or worse dead. But at the same time she had fate in him, he was the the deadliest member of her father's Kingsguard. He could take care of himself, but the doubt still lied on her mind.
"When do you begin then?" This time it was Elaenya who asked, looking down at the floor.
"A week or so later. At the time when they expect it the least"
"Very well then" Rhaegar said. "I am grateful for your efforts Arthur. Now, I must go face my father, I shall come to see how Gerold is faring, soon" the crown prince said, as he acknowledged the people in the room and walked out.
There was an ominous silence in the room. Elia had returned to her state of trance, staring at the green pastures outside while Ashara whispered soothing words to a hysterical Mina.
Elaenya was playing with her nails, still unable to look at the knight who stood behind her like a pole. The air was that of sheer awkwardness.
Why wasn't he saying anything?
"Princess" Elaenya sighed, he wasn't an insensitive brute after all. She never understood how his coarse voice became much softer when he was with her.
Maybe he didn't want her to believe that he was unkind to her in any aspect.
"Yes, Ser Arthur?" She said, turning to him, a reassuring smile plastered on her face. She tried to pretend that they didn't have that embarrassing encounter in the morning.
I can't look him in the eye.
A blush crept to her cheeks and to her surprise she saw the knight flustered as well.
"I am afraid-"
"It is alright if you no longer wish to be my guard. I can completely under the nature of your situation" Elaenya said. As much as she was ashamed to admit, she had come to terms with the fact that he'd be by her side, but most of all he'd help her wield a blade. But it all seemed highly unlikely.
"Not at all. I just wanted to let you know that our little sparring session must be postpone to tomorrow"
Oh Arthur Dayne, I wish there were more men like you.
"Oh. If-If it is of any problem to you, if it interferes with your responsibility then I don't think I'll be able to forgive myself" Elaenya said, still unbelieving of the fact that he would juggle two things at once. For her sake.
"You are my responsibility"
"I-I" Elaenya was out of words. She didn't know how to respond to that, her cheeks were red and her stomach held that same warm feeling.
"I promised you princess. I gave you my word, and I shall abide by it even in these hard times"
"But Ser Arthur-"
"I shall see you tomorrow morning then, at the armory" he smiled.
Before she could express her gratitude Arthur had already bid her farewell, stating that he had a important issue to investigate. Elaenya was smiling like a fool when the knight left her. She was glad that there was finally an opportunity for her to do something worthwhile in such a monotonous castle, and she was glad that it involved Ser Arthur.
Elaenya could never understand how she felt so loosened when she was with Arthur Dayne. Perhaps it was the warm look at formed on his face when he looked at her, perhaps it was his unquestionable loyalty or maybe it was him. His aura that made her feel brave, like she had to prove herself to him, to earn his respect.
"Best if we leave poor Ser Gerold alone" Ashara stated and the two women agreed.
"Elia?" Elaenya called.
"You go, dear. I'll stay here for a while" she said in a sad tone. The girl nodded and left the room.
The princess and the two handmaidens walked through the corridor silently. Elaenya was quick to sense the tension in around them, with both Ashara and Mina worried sick about the terrible things that could occur if the outlaws continued with their amusements.
"Maybe what they say is true" Mina stifled. "Our dear princess is cursed after all" the girl spat.
Elaenya's eyes widened as she suddenly halted. She shivered at the cruel words spoken.
"Mina! Don't talk like that! You're extremely tired. Let's go to your room" Ashara tried to pull her away but Mina broke free and walked towards Elaenya with long strides. The Princess could find herself sinking into the ground as the intimidation grew.
"You came back and now look at us. All that was peaceful is now a mess! I should've forbade Mace from the betrothal but he's too foolish to see this vicious omen. You were never welcome here. You should have stayed in Dragonstone for the rest of your pathetic life" Mina didn't shout, but the venom in her voice was strong enough to make Elaenya burst into tears.
Mina Tyrell had hit the most sensitive wound the girl bore and it hurt like a thousands daggers.
"Do you think I chose to be this way? Do you think I ever had a say in this? I -I just-"
"Of course you didn't choose it! Oh you would never. Poor sweet Elaenya. You don't have the strength to make your own decisions, let alone chose a life for yourself. Just like you didn't choose Arthur as your guard" Mina snarled out the knight's name. It seemed like it was impossible for the young Tyrell to believe that a great knight like Arthur would even take a second look at someone as plain as the princess.
"Mina Tyrell! Come back here this instant, you forget she is the crown princess" Ashara said, putting her foot down.
"Is she though? She doesn't behave like one. A princess this weak-"
"That's it. I am dragging you back to your room" Ashara pulled the girl with all her strength even though she tried to struggle. Elaenya stood still like a statue as a stream of tears rolled down her face. She never let out a sob. It was too late for her to brawl like a child.
Mina leaned in on her for the last time,"If you think you can woo Arthur with that act of vulnerability then you're wrong, he is protecting you because he pities your state and if you dare disrespect my brother's affections, I shall remember to make your days darker than the deepest pits of hell"
Ashara had successfully pulled Mina away from Elaenya who had shut her eyes, trying to wake from that terrible nightmare.
Elaenya wanted to speak up, she wanted to tell her that her notions were wrong. But all she could do was wrap her stoll tightly around her and watch her joy ebbing away in the darkness.
"Let go of me!" She said, pushing the Dornishwoman away and heading towards the stairway. When she'd disappear from their sight, the princess too wordlessly walked away despite the handmaidens calls.
She felt nauseous, just like the time she wasn't able to breathe. She folded her arm around her belly to stop the churning.
She wanted to fly, grow a pair of wings and soar to the sky. Away from the pain and humiliation.
Perhaps someday she'd find a place where she was loved. Perhaps she'd find it in someone, but that seemed quite unlikely now.
Pity
How she hated that word. If what Mina said was indeed true then, she'd never meet Arthur's gaze. Of course he pitied her, men loved vulnerable damsels. It always gave them a sense of purpose.
Perhaps it gave Arthur a purpose as well.
"Your grace, I didn't see you there" Elaenya turned to be greeted by a rather jubilant Adarian Thorne.
"Princess, were you crying?"
Elaenya quickly wiped her tears and gave him a tight smile.
"A speck of dust, Lord Adarian. A rather windy day it is after all" she said, trying to fix her broken voice.
"I am sure a speck of dust doesn't result in a stream of tears. I daresay that you were indeed crying" he chuckled, pulling the books his in his hands closer to his chest.
"Would it be utterly embarrassing for me to admit so?"
"Of course not but it would break my heart to not know the reason behind your tears" he said, extending his elbow for the princess to take.
Elaenya hastily held the young lord as they walked towards a verandah that faced the secluded back gardens of the castle.
"You're kind, Lord Adarian. You're kind to be keeping a weeping girl company. I can imagine how irritating it must be for you" she let out a half hearted laugh, but the young Thorne smiled with his sincere eyes boring into hers.
"I have always had a knack for knowing a person's pain. Call it curiosity or just being plain rude" he smirked, his arm resting on the railings as he leaned back facing the Princess.
"It'd take you hours to know mine"
"Ah ha!Then I suppose it is about a man then, your betrothed perhaps?" He joked making Elaenya smile.
"It would have been much easier if it was just about Lord Tyrell. He seems like a uh— simple man"
"Oh that he is. Too simple, especially in matters of intellect"
The truth in Adarian's words were unquestionable, making Elaenya hide the giggle that came out of her mouth.
He is a good man.
She thought. He wanted to listen to her and she knew how good listeners were rare in that part of the world.
"Speaking of Lord Tyrell. I saw you with him at the council yesterday" she said, trying to divert the topic to a lighter tone.
"Ah yes. As strange as it may sound, a master of ships is supposed to intervene in the matters of the court"
"Must be —enjoyable to travel so much"
"Not quite" he laughed, "A man always misses his land. I may travel to the daintiest places on the map but believe me, my princess. Home is where my mind resides, I hope you'd understand that. Since it is Dragonstone you've called your home all these moons" he added.
"Of course. I hated Dragonstone when I lived there, but now it seems like it would have been better if I'd just stayed" Elaenya smiled sadly.
"Nonsense. I know that place is like your first sweetheart but believe me, Kingslanding will grow on you. It grows on everyone. There's just something about this place that attracted your ancestors. Targaryens can never leave this place and be content, mark my words" he laughed.
"I will have to agree with you on Dragonstone being my first love, but I suppose growing an attachment with Kingslanding will be a difficult task, but then again I wouldn't be here forever" she whispered the last part to herself.
Adarian's gaze fell on the garden below as he smirked to himself, making Elaenya confused.
"What is Lord Adarian?"
"Young love, my princess. Such a beautiful thing, especially if it is of a forbidden kind" he said with a weak smile.
Elaenya was ever so perplexed. She didn't know what Adarian Thorne meant so without another word, she slowly walked to the railings and peeked down to the gardens.
The girl gasped under her breath. Her natural instincts compelling her to look away and not pry. But little did she expected to feel all too broken by it.
"What is an oath compared to a woman's love?" Adarian mused.
Elaenya had expected to see many things when she peeked down the railings.
But she didn't expect to find Mina Tyrell in Arthur Dayne's embrace as their lips connected with each other.
