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Elia Martell III
Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Year 284 AC
"So she is meant to be in that ship, correct?" The woman who spoke was Lady Felicia Templeton. She was dark brown-haired and grey-eyed, she had a Stark look or rather First Men look as she was meant to be a granddaughter of a Royce and a Stark. She was pretty despite her age and very talkative as Elia remembered her mother telling her years ago upon recalling her lady companions for youth. Lady Felicia had arrived just a day ago, without notice, even if her presence was anticipated, a presence that was noted quickly as if she never left the Red Keep all those years ago to marry Lord Francis Corbray. "Oh, I cannot wait to see Rhaella Sweetooth again...Has your mother told you how she got that nickname?"
Although she had not been expecting the question, Elia immediately remembered the reason. "If I'm not mistaken it was because the Queen always ate sweets when younger to the point she would be found with colorful lips and tongues?" Lady Felicia seemed to be an individual that loved to make Elia remember the tellings of her mother. The woman had said that Elia resembled the late Princess Doriah Martell in look and to some extent in personality but she was also able to recognize differences such as Elia's calmer behavior.
"That is right!" Lady Felicia cackled. "There was that time she munched a big blue-berry pie all by herself...and then Cass and I found her stuffed in a bed with her lips all blue...the trips she made to the privy afterward convinced her to be less greedy with the sweets."
Elia giggled and wondered how the Queen could have been like that as a young woman...it was so weird to hear of Queen Rhaella, the definition of a smart and dutiful woman eat a blueberry cake all by herself when left alone...age did change people. And other things too... "I'm sure the fond memories will improve her mood..."
Lady Felicia's smile faded. "It was ill done of me...I should have stayed with her...I'm the last one of the Gorgeous Quintet of the Red Keep as Cass and I called ourselves...Jo, Cass, Dora...all dead...Back then we thought we would live forever but it was not to be...And Aerys' abuse...when I heard of it, I wanted to come in and slap that fool but I could not...not when you have kids of your own to protect..."
"That in itself is more than a valid reason to not take risks, Lady Felicia," Elia assured. "We mothers go to the bitter end and then some for our children..."
"I want you to call me Licia!" Lady Felicia told her. "If you look like your mother then you must call me as she did!"
"I will try..."
"What is my name?"
"Licia..." Elia replied meekly.
"That is better!" Lady Felicia nodded in approval. "As for the other point you made...it's all true but it still does not hide the fact that I did nothing for my friend when she needed me the most. Not even when my children became strong enough to fend for themselves have I lifted a finger. And then I receive an invitation to return to being a Lady-in-Waiting...Part of me wanted to refuse, part of me thought of it as improper to offer such a position to a woman almost in her forties but I knew it was Sweetooth's idea and this was the least I could do for her, after all...I was not there when she needed me. Besides, my husband insisted I came." Likely because it was too irresistible of an opportunity to have a Lady-in-Waiting in this Regency...
"She will be happy to have a familiar face from her childhood," Elia said with an assuring smile. "I still have two and I do not think I would make it without them."
"I bet on that." The older woman said. "I want to see her daughter too! I saw Rhaegar when he was a babe but not Viserys nor your children I'm afraid, and it makes me sad."
"Well...Aegon is still half a babe." Elia pointed out. "So you also saw him."
"He is what he is, a child-King." Lady Felicia insisted. "It's a good thing he has both a mother and a grandmother to guide him in this period of uncertainty and even then...it will still be hard." That was something Elia knew very well but there was no point on keep thinking the obvious.
They waited a bit more and because of their presence in the docks, peasants started surrounding them, mostly cheering for them but there were a couple of insults directed at them that Elia decided to ignore. The Gold Cloaks under Lord Stannis kept them safely protected from any possible harm.
Finally, the ship, a galley with a black sail and House Targaryen's sigil extended the exit platform, and a procession of soldiers, about twelve Gold Cloaks, exited it followed by Ser Jacaerys Velaryon, then Ser Gerold who walked by the Queen's side. Rhaella held a bunch of towels in her hands which indicated the presence of baby Daenerys. Jasline and Nysah came afterward and they looked tired...I will make sure they rest a few days, they deserve it.
Elia herself was flanked by Ser Oswell and besides Lady Felicia, she also had Lady Elinor there to attend her if needed. The kids remained in the Red Keep with the remaining Ladies-in-Waiting, all excited to meet their kin. Nearly all the members of the Regency and Small Council were present, notable exceptions were Lord Morrigen who was too old, and Lady Cersei who sent her two minions in her stead because she felt unwell or so she said. Elia could not help but noticed that the Lannister woman was unusually bitter, something surprising considering the overall personality of Cersei Lannister. Elia also heard rumors that she was drowning in wine which was worrisome. A drunk Lannister sounded...threatening...
Rhaella walked towards them with a smile while waving her hand at the smallfolk until she saw Lady Felicia waving back at her and stopped for a few seconds to process everything. Lady Felicia stepped forward with a bright smile as she extended her arms to give a hug to her long-term friend she had not seen in years. "Rhaella Sweetooth! It has been a while has it not?" And she hugged the Queen forgetting the protocol but who still cared for the protocol? Aerys had done his deal to destroy it and with all the other affairs in mind, no one tried to reform it as of late. The lords and ladies followed it because they were used to it but some things had been forgotten. Elia still remembered those days where Aerys would roar because someone would not address the Royal Family in the proper order or the number of steps one had to take to address the King when he was seated in the Iron Throne. Yet another thing to think about...
"Licia..." The Queen whispered still surprised with the sight. "It's...good to see you..."
"Likewise my friend. It has been what? Twenty years? Gods be damned!"
"Indeed..."
Elia noticed the mood was getting a little awkward and when she was trying to come up with something to fix it, Lady Felicia proved to be far quicker. "Can I see the little one?" The Queen smiled and showed the baby in the towels and the awe sound came. "Oh! What a cute baby! It's a girl right?"
"Yes, her name is Daenerys." Rhaella explained and then she glanced at Elia. "Do you wish to see her too, Elia?"
"Of course!" Elia replied as she walked towards the two women and the baby. She saw the little violet eyes looking at her and the tuff of silver-blonde hair was there too. The Dornish woman also let out the awe sound. "Hello there, little Daenerys, how are you? Excited to meet your brother and nephews?" The baby simply stared at her but the Dornish Princess was sure that she would love to meet the remaining half of her family.
"How are they? Are they fine?" Rhaella questioned.
"Of course they are. Viserys has been working hard in his studies and sword practicing, Rhaenys has been making dozens of friends and Aegon is happy as ever."
"That is good to hear." Rhaella avowed. "Shall we go? I miss a good night of sleep as sleeping in ships was never my thing..."
"Like that trip we made to Oldtown once?" Lady Felicia pressed forward. "You and Jo were seasick while Cass almost seemed to be the commander of the ship. That damned Estermont blood of hers..."
"And you and Doriah simply spent the time laughing at everything and anything..." Rhaella smiled. "Yes, I do remember."
"Rhaella...Lad...I'm mean Licia please go ahead, I will just have a word with the ladies..." Both older women nodded as they began walking towards the wheelhouses but not before the Regents and Small Council members present gave their welcome to the Targaryens. Meanwhile, Elia approached her friends as she said she would. "Jas, Nysah."
"Elia." Both said in unison with smiles as they bowed to her.
"I assume you are both tired?"
"You assume well," Jasline confessed. "I have never been this tired before and I think I have lost twenty pounds since Harrenhal. This much stress doesn't help much..."
"Twenty pounds is a bit too much, don't you think?" Elia asked.
"Perhaps ten..." Jasline shrugged. "The rest is true, my friend!"
"You two should take a few days off," Elia said in a commanding tone. "We have a few more ladies to cover you for the time being."
"Are they here?" Jasline questioned as she eyed the small courtier entourage.
"The Lady that is speaking with the Queen is one of them, Lady Felicia Templeton. She was one of her original Ladies-in-Waiting."
"Yes, I remember her speak of it before we left," Jasline admitted and Nysah nodded. "Glad the woman came, I'm sure it will improve the Queen's mood further."
"Agreed." Elia nodded. "Over there, the brown-haired woman in the light green dress is Lady Elinor Chelsted, daughter of the deceased Lord Qarlton."
"How is she?" Jasline questioned as she evaluated the woman from up and down.
"She is nice but meek and frightened, somehow worried that she will end up like her father. It will take some time to get her to open to you both, she barely does it to me besides the necessary, only Rhaenys and Aegon seem to make her a bit more at ease but..."
"Don't worry Elia! We are used to Nysah already." Jasline smirked.
"Hey!" Nysah protested as Jasline lolled her tongue at her. "I'm not that bad..."
"The others are Lady Catelyn Tully who is nice, attentive to the children but somewhat distant and absent-minded, Lady Selyse is...troublesome to say the least and of those Reachners that love Dornish people and then we have Lady Lollys who is pleasant, nice, and happy but...dim-witted...Rhaenys takes advantage of her quite often I'm afraid...not intending to be harmful of course."
"The little Princess is showing everyone who is the woman of the place, heh?" Jasline chuckled. "I can't wait to see her again! She must have grown a lot."
"She has and she can't wait either." Elia chuckled too. "She has been working hard to make more friends but older ones surely have a place on her heart. Plus she asked about you two plenty of times."
"Shall we go then?" Jasline asked. "The Queen should be tired as we are."
"Yes." Elia nodded as she eyed the men that had also arrived from Dragonstone, namely Ser Gerold and Ser Jacaerys. "Ser Gerold, Ser Jacaerys."
"My Princess." They politely bowed as they all made their way to the wheelhouses.
The Ladies-in-Waiting rode in one wheelhouse to get to know each other while Elia and Rhaella, as well as baby Daenerys rode in the ornamented one. The little one was sleeping in her mother's arms as the women held an important conversation about their short-term future. "And so we should be having another Council in the same day that Lord Tyrell's Tourney begins," Elia explained. "Early in the morning."
"Which is in less than a week from now, right?" Rhaella murmured as she rubbed her cheeks.
"Yes."
"I'm not looking forward to it." The Queen confessed as she sighed. "The last thing I need is the stress of a tourney so early."
"Me neither but we must fill the Kingsguard back as quick as possible. The current ones are overburdened and I do not think the order has been without its usual numbers for this long." Elia pointed out. "I was also thinking on spreading bread and perhaps some meat or fish to the smallfolk besides the leftovers of the feast, we must not forget House Targaryen's popularity is low. Just now I heard some insults I wish I did not..."
"I think it's a good idea but I'm rather worried about the treasury...can it bear these sudden expenses? Even with a Lannister controlling the finances, I do not wish to take the risk."
"Yes...that is troublesome..." Elia admitted as she bit her lower lip.
"We will propose it in the Council and if Ser Kevan or someone refuses we will find a way to work around it without damaging our finances." The Queen proposed.
"Sounds good with me." How though was a good question...
"Have you nominated a Lady-in-Waiting from every Kingdom already?"
"No, currently we have two from Dorne, two from the Crownlands, one from the Riverlands, one from the Reach, and one from the Vale." Elia recited. "We are missing one from the North, one from the Stormlands, and one from the Westerlands."
"For the Westerlands, I would wish to have Lady Cersei be the Lady-in-Waiting." The Queen said and Elia's mouth opened.
"Lady Cersei? But she is an Advisor and a Lannister...making her our Lady will probably give her access to confidential information that she can transmit to her father who I do not trust at all and certainly do not like either!"
"I know all of that Elia, but I must do this." The Queen insisted with a resolve. "I have my reasons, I made a promise."
"To whom?"
"Joanna. I met her in a dream when I was between this world and the next because of the fever...a weird dream...The point is that she said her children needed a mother figure and that Lady Cersei was the one that needed more tending so..."
Elia did not know what to make out of that...was the Queen finally succumbing to madness? Like her brother and son? With what she suffered and the near-dead experience she spoke about, it was not that hard to conceive. Still...Lady Cersei was indeed unwell...Ser Jaime seemed fine to Elia but there was a hint of sadness or something in him...perhaps Rhaella was right...The daughter was not the father even if from all the Lannisters she seemed the closest one to him in behavior... "I confess, I do not fully approve such proposal but...we do need a Lady from the West so..."
"I know it sounds like I'm mad Elia but..." The Queen made Elia's fear be known.
"It somewhat does..." Elia confessed. "But I also think it's your mother's instinct speaking and I have come to trust mine. It is not like we cannot exonerate her if things get messy." Just how they will explain this to the Regents, Council members, and Advisors, Elia did not know...
"Agreed. I think it's fair." Rhaella nodded in approval. "Do you have any proposals for the other two remaining ladies?"
"I have." Elia admitted with a smile. She had been thinking of a few interesting names...
"Then I would like to hear them!" Rhaella said. "The sooner we resolve this, the sooner we have one less problem."
Lyanna Stark II
Winterfell, North, Year 284 AC
Ned had gone to deliver the King's Justice to a duo of Wildlings found in the outskirts of the Wolfswood between House Forrester and House Whitehill's lands. He had been hopeful that this trip would help House Stark restore some relations with the mentioned bannermen and hopefully mediate the perpetual conflict that involved both Houses.
For Lyanna and Ashara the time could not be better, however...not only was her sister-in-law's horse arriving that day or in the worst-case scenario, the next, but also the horses from Willam, of which one would be given to Ned on his nameday. His absence simply allowed the surprise to continue as they hoped.
At the moment, as she waited for everything, Lyanna sat in her bed reading a book she found in the Library the other day when for Gods know why she went there for the third time in her life. The whole place smelled of ancient and there were spider webs all over it and some books seemed like they would collapse upon being touched such was their age. And there was so much bat poop in there too...it smelled awful but it helped to maintain the books though she did not quite well how that happened...
Lyanna decided to rehabilitate the place and hire some copyists to copy the ancient books but for the time being only Maester Yolan was in service. The Maester was more than happy with the new work they gave him. In three days he had copied a quarter of a six hundred-page book called The North by an unknown author. Yolan was obsessed with copying those books as everyone noted with a hint of amusement, Ashara was pleased with the Maester being occupied in the Library as she still did not like him at all and she believed it would benefit everyone to have copied books, some of which could help her adapt better to the North though she was doing a great job already in Lyanna's opinion.
Anyway, the book that Lyanna was reading was called Visions and Greensight and was written by a Maester Voldemir who served during the days of King Alaric the Second which if her memory was right, ruled about three or four centuries before Torrhen bent the knee to the Targaryens...she was never that good in history, especially ancient history, so she could not pinpoint her ancestor's reign that well. She chose the book because she remembered Ned's suggestion that she had become a Greenseer which was more than plausible given her weird dreams. Though she hoped not.
People blessed with Greensight have the mysterious ability to dream what the Northerners called Green Dreams. These dreams are different from normal dreams because they can predict the future. Although such blessing comes with its own curse as the blessed person must discern the meaning of the dream which often involves symbols, riddles, images, and metaphors, certainly not an easy task even for the brightest minds.
I have found that Northerners seem to be able to experience this ability more often but I have also heard and consulted a few records that show other Houses, specifically from south of the Neck, experience what must the phenomenon in question. Therefore there have been a few cases in House Blackwood which was predictable given their Northern roots but also in House Gardener, House Royce, House Rowan, House Crane, House Lannister, and House Swann among others though the amount of individuals capable of such feats is limited at best when compared with the prevalence shown in the North especially in House Stark or the Crannogmen of the Neck.
Currently, we can only speculate the origin of this ability, even in the North, there is no consensus about it. Given the prevalence of the ability in the North, some individuals speculate that the ability is somehow tied to the belief in the Old Gods. Obviously, these individuals are Northern patriots who abjure any connection with the Faith or are just ignorant for the ability has been found in followers of the religion of the bulk of the continent as mentioned above.
Recently I had a talk with a Lady Mariah Blackmyre, daughter of Lord Harlon Blackmyre, both Crannogmen, and she told me that the ability might have something to do with the Children of the Forest as it is common knowledge that these ancient inhabitants of Westeros had miraculous abilities such as Greensight. But such a notion lifts a question of much concern...how did humans acquire such abilities? Interbreeding with the Children of the Forest? Are the two species even compatible?
The Lady in question, a Greenseer, smiled to me and said that mayhaps it had been magic...such notion is not entirely out of possibility given everything I found in the North but still...I cannot in my conscience accept such a reason. There must be a logic behind it...even magic must be influenced by logic.
I have also found another theory, one that caught my attention and...
"Lord Willam has arrived!" Ashara said as she peeked through the door out of nowhere. "And he has the horses with him!" Lyanna beamed with the prospect of having a new horse. She still mourned Winterstorm who had been present in both the best and worst moment of her life: when she became the Knight of the Laughing Tree and caused one of the biggest messes the whole world had seen...Her poor horse died with a broken leg as far as Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell told her and from the little bits she remembered about that incident in the Inn of the Crossroads, she found it easy to accept. Yet another weight on her shoulders...another being's life on her shoulders...
The Stark woman placed the book on her bedside table to read it later and stood up. She stretched her arms and legs and found Ashara a bit too pale from what she remembered... "I cannot wait to see the horses he brought!" she confessed ignoring her grim thoughts. "House Dustin produces the second-best horses in the North, only House Ryswell exceeds them in many people's opinions. Personally, I think both are great."
"Well...you know me...I prefer Sand Steeds." Ashara confessed with a queasy look. "Luckily my Starlight will be arriving soon...Lord Manderly already sent it northwards so I...cannot wait...I'm so excited to see my good friend."
"Ashara...are you alright?" Lyanna questioned worriedly as both of them moved through the hallways of the Great Keep. "You seem pale and queasy and...weird..." Her sister-in-law remained quiet for a little bit but her expression began turning into a smile and a smirk which Lyanna found weird. "Ashara?"
"I have been trying to keep it quiet especially because the Maester is not fully certain but...I think I'm pregnant again..."
Lyanna grew a big smile of her own as she hugged Ashara. "That is wonderful! Since when did you know?"
"I have been throwing up for the past...three days and the Maester proposed that I might be at the beginning of the throwing up weeks of pregnancy. He told me to not raise my hopes just yet...but honestly, I think and feel that I'm pregnant."
"I did not think you had it in you to bother the man's copying sessions..." Lyanna bickered.
"And I did not want to talk with him but I was not sure and even though I do not like Maesters he still knows more about disease symptoms than me. That and symptoms of pregnancies." Ashara explained. "Is it not weird that a man sworn to celibacy knows more about birthing children than we do?"
Lyanna had to admit the notion was quite stupid but true. "That's quite true..." she said before she thought about something else. "Does Ned know?"
"No, which is why besides me waiting to be absolutely sure about it, I thought that in his nameday I would present him the horse and the news." The Dornishwoman decided. "I think it's a good present."
"It sounds like a beautiful plan. I don't think he ever had such gifts before so he will definitely like it." Lyanna admitted. "Gods...you two work...fast...Ned has been here for what, two months? And you are already pregnant?"
"I assure you I have been more than loyal to my Ned," Ashara said slightly defensively. "All of my children are his and his alone."
"I never said you were not." Lyanna dismissed any notion that could even barely spark on her mind of Ashara betraying Ned. "Honestly with the whole screaming I hear at night...one would never think you would betray him nor he you."
"Screaming?" Ashara questioned with a raised eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing." Lyanna smirked.
"Tell me!" The Dornishwoman insisted. "Do I make that much noise?"
"You are quite loud...but not excessively..." Lyanna lied.
"But if you hear me then it means I'm bloody loud!" Ashara said as she led her hands to her cheeks. "Oh Gods..."
Lyanna wrapped her arm around her sister-in-law. "Don't worry about it! It's not that big of a deal!"
"It is!"
"Miladies." Both women turned behind to see Ros holding hands with Jon to help him walk better. She was dressed in a white dress, her hair neatly arranged, probably by Ashara since the style was not Northerner and her usual bright smile was there. Definitely much better dressed when compared to the first time they saw her. "Here's Jon as ya requested."
"As you requested." Ashara corrected. They had been teaching her the proper way of speaking and addressing someone but Ros still had speech ticks. "Thank you very much, Ros, my dear."
"You're welcome." Ros had been hard-working ever since she arrived despite being only six. She was not a quitter and she was a fast learner, truly something special. The progress she made in such a short time was amazing and no doubt there would be more.
They found Willam by the stables with some men wearing his House's sigil and with the horses being fed by Winterfell's servants. "Willam!" Lyanna called.
The big man smiled as he approached her first and hugged her tightly just like her brothers would do. "Lyanna! I'm glad to see you alive and well after everything I heard and saw during the war." Then he noticed Ashara, walked to her, and planted a kiss on her hand. "And it's good to see you too, My Lady. After all the talk about you that Ned made during the war, I'm happy to be able to witness your beauty and kindness once more."
"Truly, My Lord? Did I make such an impression on him that he talked about me so often?" Ashara questioned with a big smile, knowing the answer fully well.
"It's hard not to...and he turned down that crazy trout's imposition for you," Willam said which reminded Lyanna about the whole Riverrun affair. How could someone get so greed to the point of dumbness? Seriously, imposing a second marriage to a married man...dumbness. "I talked just as much of my wife with him. All of us did of our wives." Then he laughed loudly before seeing the kids which made his eyes bulge. "Bloody hell...has Ned been turned into a kid again?"
"This is Jon Stark, Lord Willam. Ned's son." Ashara proclaimed as she called Jon to her side and he walked towards with weary eyes set on Willam. "Greet Lord Willam, sweetheart."
"Nice...to...meet...you...Lord...Willam..." Jon stammered, still eyeing the giant man.
"Nice to meet you too, lad!" Willam said with a big smile but it was not enough to ease the youngest Stark. "Gods! Doesn't he look so much like Ned that it's unnerving?"
"Looks and acts like him." Lyanna pointed out. "I smile every time upon thinking that my brother was like this when he was his age. I wish I could have seen it."
"Though Nan says Ned's hair was wavy but as My Lord can see, Jon's is curly," Ashara said. "I think my brother Arthur and my sister were like that..."
"How old is he?" Willam asked.
"He is nearly one. He was born in the month after Ned's nameday." Ashara explained.
"He looks good." Willam smiled. "I'm happy for all of you. To think House Stark was this close to extinction and now there is a kid here. I'm sure more will come soon." Sooner than everyone expected...
"What about Barbrey?" Lyanna questioned remembering the Ryswell woman. They were never that intimate, most girls found her way too wild and tomboyish, even if she was the daughter of the Lord Paramount of the North. Plus the Ryswell stock were too proud of themselves and Barbrey from everything she heard of her was especially proud. "How is she?"
"Well...we hardly had time to make children before the war began but we have been trying and hopefully some point soon she will bring a little Dustin to the world," Willam admitted. "Preferably with either his mother or his aunts' behavior. Mine isn't that good."
"You sell yourself too short Willam." Lyanna pressed forward.
"Sometimes I do..." he admitted sadly. "Anyway...I brought four beasts, one for each adult Stark...but if you wish I can find one for little Jon too..."
"I would prefer you do not," Ashara said sternly. "Maybe when he is older but not now."
"I was just joking, My Lady." he smiled. "But it's good you take the role of a mother wolf. Sharley talked so much about you when she arrived...she wanted to come but decided against because she would not be able to leave if she did and apologized for it."
"She has nothing to apologize for, I understand and support her choice fully," Ashara assured. "Maybe when we organize the next harvest feast she could come..."
"A harvest feast at Winterfell?" Willam asked. "It's been a while since the last one...Count me in! Especially if there is food!" he began laughing after that.
"There will be plenty of food for you to get fat Willam," Lyanna said, her arms crossed. "Why do you men enjoy eating so much?"
"Why how else would be seducing females with meek bodies? It's the fatness that attracts females, that way they can slap the shit out of us when we misbehave."
"We have two children with us, you idiot!" Lyanna warned.
"Ah sh...I mean...buggers..." Willam scratched his head nervously. "I'm sorry. It's been so long since I have been around children..."
"It's okay, it was said so fast that I'm sure Jon did not pick it." Ashara said as she looked at her son. It was not like he would be shouting curse words anyway, Ned didn't and his son wouldn't either. "But buggers seems better than the alternative..."
"Will keep that in mind." Willam smiled as he scratched his head once more but Lyanna noticed his eyes narrowing. "Who is the girl?"
"I'm Ros, Milord." The red-haired replied with a polite nod.
"She is an apprentice servant of sorts." Lyanna explained.
Willam kept glancing and both women saw how uncomfortable Ros was getting. "Is something wrong, Lord Willam?" Ashara asked with a concerned look.
"Do I...anger Milord?" The little frightened girl questioned.
"No," Willam assured with a smile. "Say girl...let me tell you a joke...a horse enters an inn and the innkeeper who was a bit annoyed about life that day immediately says: Hey; and the horse replied: yes please!"
It did not take too long for Ros to start grinning and then chuckling, easing the tension and fear. Lyanna had to confess the joke was decently good, a small smile formed on her lips. Little Jon eyed them all confused because his mother was having the same reaction. "What was the point of that?" Lyanna questioned.
"I think she looks familiar so I looked at her to see if I could pick up why and then I realized she was getting scared so...one joke to ease the tensions!" Willam explained.
"And did you find why she looks familiar, My Lord?" Ashara questioned.
"Maybe...where did you found her?"
"We found her in the...local brothel..." Ashara said.
"Brothel huh? Interesting..." Willam replied pensively, definitely not caring about the reputation of the place the girl was born in. "If she is what I think she is...she might...she has those eyes and laugh..."
"What are you talking about, Willam?" Lyanna asked, her arms crossed. "Are you talking to yourself?"
"You two said she is an apprentice right? That means she is taken care of right?"
"Of course but what does that have to do with this?" Lyanna insisted.
"Nothing." Willam dismissed. "Let me just show you the horses, My Ladies..."
"Don't change the subject!" Lyanna hissed.
"Did I told you that your horse is the fastest?" The man said as he walked towards the horses.
"Don't try to bribe me with horses!"
"I tested him myself." he avowed as he entered the stable and increased his pitch to be heard. "He's a mixture of Dustin and Ryswell's herds, best of the best, like his brothers but he is the fastest and I took the chance to choose it for you."
"Why me and not Brandon or Ned?" she asked as both Ashara and her began following him while Ros was ordered to take Jon for a walk by Ashara.
"Because I found one exactly like Ned's previous one that fits him more and Brandon gets way too cocky so...this way he has to work hard to get cocky if you get my meaning." he said as they finally saw the horses properly. There were four huge Chargers, one white, one black, one copper brown, and one grey and white. "Black one is for Brandon, the white one for you, the grey and white for little Ben and the brown one is for Ned. What do you think?"
"I think the one for Ned looks exactly like Brooding," Ashara said as she extended her hand to pat the horse which seemed to enjoy it. "What beautiful beasts..."
"Barbrey raised them while the war raged," Willam explained as he clapped the black one. "I'm very proud of how they came out."
"But wouldn't Lady Barbrey wish to keep them for herself?" Ashara questioned.
"Not really...we Dustins and the Ryswells prefer to have foals because then we can raise them. Adult horses are cool but to us...it's not the same thing."
"I guess I see your point," Ashara said. "Be sure to thank her on my behalf and tell her I'm very much interested in meeting her if it is okay with her."
"That can be arranged but..." Willam said pensively.
"But what?" Lyanna questioned.
"Hum...nothing really, she will have to get around that sometime..."
Lyanna leaned forward annoyed. "Since when are you secretive Willam? You were boisterous as Bran!"
"War changes people." he said grimly. "Life experiences also do to. And I have learned that sometimes...being boisterous is not the way, sometimes being quiet like Ned is the best way. That's why I admire him. He can be around without the need to talk and for a person like me that is complicated but I have made progress in that regard for my sake and for other people's sake. I'm not someone to ask things but I would appreciate it if you could respect that."
"Willam, I'm sorry I did not think you'd get this upset..." Lyanna said worried that she angered him. "I have just found you weird and all with all these secrets and half-finished sentences but if you wish for me to stop being troublesome about it, I will. I don't want more harm coming from me, I already have a lot of weight on my shoulders..."
Willam smiled. "I probably sound more annoyed than what I am...I have also done the opposite of what I just said I was trying to do..."
"Come on guys, let's be cheerful!" Ashara intervened in the conversation. "Let us think on the face Ned, Brandon and Benjen will do when they receive these beautiful animals!" Lyanna wondered why and how could Ashara's words be so effective in their objective...both of them were already smiling...the Dornishwoman had a way with people... "I also must insist that we go inside and have a nice meal. I'm more than sure that Ned will arrive before the end of the day."
"Is it that pinky-finger thing of yours that tells you things?" Lyanna asked amused.
"Maybe..."
"Well...my men and I do need something to eat for the return trip...and it's been a while since I have seen that serious face so, I guess I will take your offer. I just hope you two can keep this a secret." he said as he pointed at the horses.
"Don't worry, Willam, we have this covered," Lyanna said with a smirk and Ashara nodded to that as they began making their way to the Great Hall. "We are like the statues in the crypts, our mouths are closed."
Jebest4781: Thank you for the kind comment, I do have a lot of things planned, I just have to write them down.
free man writer: Thank you for the kind comment. I have been delving into other fandoms and things to hopefully get different outtakes of dialogues and whatnot to improve this one too.
Radomir's Renegades: Brandon is Ros' father, they have no way to prove it however because they can't do a DNA test, her mother was a whore so...she slept with other individuals. Besides speculation, there isn't much they can do. She's with family though.
There is plenty of time to have a couple of drunken Lannisters to irritate Tywin. Also what Cersei doesn't know, doesn't hurt her nor anyone else...
Hoster Tully is at a different castle, Benjen's life is already harsh, imagine if he had a vengeful trout on top of him. An encounter will be inevitable at some point.
I have just noticed that the last Chapter I posted was four months ago...I must apologize for it, inspiration has been lacking recently and I have been a bit tired of ASOIAF in these past few months not only that but I have also been unhappy with how this Chapter and the next one of Scars have been turning out. I'm still not 100% happy with this one but given the time that passed, I think it's good.
I would also appreciate feedback on this Chapter. Anyway, thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day.