Lady of the West
Chapter Four
It was colder than Genna had expected this afternoon, she had needed to dress in a gown of thick crimson velvet trimmed in ermine but even then the chill was still keenly felt and Genna had kept a close eye on her niece and she had already sent her maid to go and get her another shawl, they could not risk Cersei falling ill, not now and not ever. If she did, it would signal the end of their house.
"They're late," Tygett said, his frown almost comforting in how stalwart it was, he was dressed simpler than Tywin would have been when it came to greeting guests but then Tywin would more than likely have not bothered to greet their guests, it had been Joanna who had been pushing for a Dornish match due to her old friendship with the Princess of Dorne, Loreza Martell.
But now beggars could not be choosers, and a match with the ruling house of Dorne was not something that could be so easily dismissed, with Tywin dead they needed to ensure that Cersei had strong allies that she could call upon and luckily enough Loreza Martell's youngest child was a son who was currently travelling with his mother and sister to visit the realm to find a husband for said sister.
That morning an outrider had ridden towards the Rock and informed them that Princess Loreza's escort had been seen and would be upon them by midday, midday had come and gone and there was still no sign of them and if Tygett had one thing in common with Tywin it was that he certainly lacked for patience, but in Tygett's case it was born of his temper rather than Tywin not wanting to bear the disrespect of being kept waiting.
But it seemed that it did matter who held the rule in Casterly Rock as Princess Loreza did not seem to be in any hurry to reach them, a scout had ridden out again an hour ago and returned with the news that her procession had barely moved from where it had last been seen, it was not all to surprising to Genna. Before the Princess of Dorne had been trying to win Lord Tywin to her side and Joanna had been her only ally to the match, the gentle and respectful way had been the most likely way that she could take with him, no doubt Joanna had advised her as such.
But now Tywin was dead and it seemed that everyone thought that they could take advantage of their new found weakness, even those that had wanted to join with them in the past now wanted to do so.
And all they could do was grin and bear it, at least for now
"They'll be here," Genna said as she adjusted her shawl before she placed her hands on Cersei's shoulders. "Stop fidgeting."
"It's cold," the lady of the Rock complained, a frown forming on her face that sent an ache into Genna's heart at how much it happened to look like Tywin's when he had been a boy and he had to deal with all their father's foolishness.
"Do you think we feel it any less than you?" the words came out sharper than Genna had intended them too and she could see Tygett frowning at her in the corner of her eye and Genna sighed and spoke more gently. "I know it is cold, but just try and bear it for a little bit longer. As soon as they arrive I shall send to the kitchens from some hot apple cider and honey cakes, would you like that?"
The promise of two of her favourite treats seemed to placate the girl, though there was still a pout on her face.
Thankfully they did not have to wait too much longer as the wheelhouse of the Martells trundled through the gates of Casterly Rock and came to a stop in the middle of the yard, the door opened and a tall women with dark brown skin dressed in a gown of bright yellow silk stepped down from it and while Genna had never met the Princess of Dorne before Joanna had described her before and she was a perfect match for what her goodsister had told her.
And even if she did not have that to work with, the sheer boldness of the other woman could only speak to one who had known power and privilege her entire life, Genna knew the look well.
A girl who could only be the Princess Elia stepped out after her mother, the girl was a delicate looking thing and Genna was certain that Joanna had told her once that Princess Loreza had written to her about how worried she was for her daughter's health, the girl often had to be kept inside and away from the other children in order to ensure that she would not fall ill lest she not survive.
She had to wonder if part of the reason Tywin had not truly considered the match was because he was worried that the sickness that the girl carried could pass through the blood to any children she would have had with any son of his, or her brother with any daughter of his, it hurt her to know that she could not ask him anything anymore, he was gone and she was lost.
Right behind the girl was a boy who could only be Prince Oberyn, younger than his sister by a year and yet already taller than her and, oddly enough, there was something in the boy that reminded her of Tywin, not in demeanour or bearing but the quality that her brother had that made you pay attention even if you did not want to.
Tywin had always used it to great effect, the young prince she was not sure of yet and considering that he could one day be the future husband of her niece and the man that most would assume to be the real power in the realm, she needed to know if Cersei would be able to control him not just for her own sake but for the sake of House Lannister as well.
If she could not then Genna would have no choice but to advise her younger brother against the match, Tywin would be pleased at that wherever he was.
Princess Loreza waited until both of her children had stepped out before she strode over to meet with them, holding out her hand for Tygett to take and Genna watched her brother carefully, the rule had never been meant for him and over the past few years he had only truly been dealing with those that were sworn to House Lannister or with those above him such as the King.
He had not yet had to deal with someone who was similar in status to himself, and it was there were some of the hardest traps to avoid could be.
Tygett took the princess's hand and brought it up to his lips to kiss it, a small smile appeared on the older woman's face at the gesture but it seemed more amused than pleased. "Casterly Rock is a glorious sight, it has been years since I have seen it and yet the awe that it inspires never changes."
"The Rock is made brighter by your presence, Princess Loreza," It was a trite old line and Tygett did not make it sound any better. "Our hospitality is yours."
"Thank you," Princess Loreza reclaimed her hand and walked down the line towards Genna and Cersei, coming to a stop in front of them. "My lady," Loreza greeted Cersei and then knelt in front of her to stare into her eyes, Genna could see the sadness in them. "You look like your mother."
"I never knew her." Cersei said and there was no sadness in her words, how could there be when she alone did not know what it was that she had lost?
"She would have loved you, Joanna wanted a daughter more than anything." The princess of Dorne sighed then and rose to her feet and Genna was certain that the woman's eyes were wet.
The princess waved over her own children to introduce them to the young lady of the Rock and once that was done Genna spoke up. "Princess Loreza, I am certain that you must be hungry after such a long journey. If it please you the kitchens have prepared a luncheon for us while the children can get to know one another, Cersei would certainly be delighted to show Prince Oberyn and Princess Elia the Rock."
The prince did not seem delighted at the idea of being stewarded by a girl younger than him but whatever Princess Elia's opinion on the matter she kept it hidden much better than her brother, taking him by the arm and leading him to follow behind Cersei as those older retired to the lord's solar once Genna had sent word down to the kitchens to bring forth what they had prepared.
It was fair to call it more of a small feast than a luncheon but Genna would not allow anyone to say that House Lannister could not set a table, anything could be fuel for the fire of rumours and it was one step from words to blades, Tywin had taught her that.
Princess Loreza tried a bite of everything, from the oxtail soup, the green salad with chopped walnuts and sharp white cheese, the honey roasted ham with olives, the fish baked in clay, the strawberries with cream, the blackberry tarts and the almond and orange cake. Once she had finished she asked them to make sure that her praise be passed on to the cook.
It was when Genna was debating if she should have another blackberry tart that the princess spoke of something that truly mattered, the real reason that any of them were here. "I shall speak plainly," she said after putting her goblet down on the table. "I am not inclined to make a match between Prince Oberyn and Lady Cersei at this time."
Genna kept her emotions well hidden, presenting only a blank face at the other woman's words. Her younger brother did not do as well, he said nothing but it was clear that he was not pleased. Loreza held up her hand and continued. "I am well aware that I was the one pushing for such a match, and if things were different then I would be more than happy to move forward with it."
"But things are not different, we must deal with things as they are and not how we might wish them to be," Loreza said. "It has become quite clear in recent years that the King is not best pleased with House Lannister, it has been years since it happened and still people tell tales of how he took the wardenship of the west away from your house and gave it to House Baratheon and I can assure the tales of why get more absurd with each new telling."
"It is not in the best interests of House Martell, in the best interests of Dorne, to anger the Iron Throne at this time by tying ourselves to you in so close a manner."
"Why did you even come here then?" Tygett asked, more venomous than any dessert viper could ever hope to be.
Loreza raised an eyebrow, but again she seemed more amused than anything else. "To pay respects to a woman that I considered a sister, for the first thing. And for the second, well, I did say that I did not want to tie House Martell to House Lannister by marriage."
"Which means you have an offer of your own to make." Genna spoke, deciding then and there she wanted to great straight to the heart of it.
Princess Loreza of Dorne smiled then, a terrible thing. "Why yes, I do."
End of Chapter Four
So sorry for the wait everyone, next chapter we see Cersei's tour of Casterly Rock and our first POV from the little lady of the Rock herself as well as find out exactly what Loreza's offer is.