I don't own Game of Thrones or Greek Mythology.
Chapter 3
Jane Whent
Jane placed herself on the floor in her private chambers.
Listening to her favorite musician from Dorne, David Rizzio.
Gentle Mother, font of mercy,
Save our sons from war, we pray.
Stay the swords and stay the arrows,
Let them know a better day.
Gentle Mother, strength of women,
Help our daughters through this fray.
Soothe the wrath and tame the fury,
Teach us all a kinder way.
Gentle Mother, font of mercy,
Save our sons from war, we pray.
Stay the swords and stay the arrows,
Let them know a better day.
David's voice is always a beauty. As it seems to charm everyone even a great voice if he could.
When he finished his song, Jane and her ladies-in-waiting applause to him.
"Rizzio, can you write as well as your singing?" Jane questioned him.
"My hand, my lady?"
Jane began speaking what she wished to say in the letter as Rizzio began to write her words.
"My dear madam, Henrietta of House of Whent and lord consort Jon of House of Stark." Jane paused for a moment.
"We are born from the blood of our family. We should unite our household so that we must do so for harmony. Not to the achievement by the advancement of men."
During the letter overhead, Jane is having her portrait painted to send to her cousin.
"I sincerely hope that we meet together in person. Hold your hand and hear your voice so, I may embrace you."
Henrietta Stark nee Whent
Henrietta looked at the portrait of Jane Whent as she stared at her mirror.
"What do you think, Herri?" She questioned her lady in waiting who is named Henrietta as well. A noblewoman named Henrietta Blackwood.
"Fair if the picture does not lie."
Henrietta Stark looked at the image. "Young, strong, confident." She passed the portrait to Herri.
"She will have no doubt a good match to settle."
"Nor will anyone."
Henrietta stood quietly. "Forgive me, my lady." Herri realized she had overstepped herself.
It can't be helped. For years, some suiters only wanted her father's seat and castle. That is why Henrietta did everything she could to survive.
That is until her visitor told her a surprising visit.
'Years ago…
Henrietta was about to go to bed after an exhausting day.
'Another suiter. He didn't even hide his ambition to use my womb.' She dreaded in thought.
Now she understands how Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen felt when it comes to choosing a consort.
The window was closed as she saw a bright light in her room.
"NGH!" The light blinded her as she was visited by someone divine.
Aphrodite the Goddess of love came to her. She is a beautiful blonde woman with a pink dress with pearls around her.
Henrietta quickly knew who she was. And kneeled before the goddess who is family to her birth mother Demeter the mother of the Old Gods.
"Forgive me for my lack of respect, my lady Aphrodite. I did not expect you to appear before me."
Aphrodite giggles and lowers herself. "Please no need. I just need to talk to you about something."
Henrietta is assisted by the goddess to stand up.
"I have good news. It seemed like Hera wants to marry you off to duty."
Duty. That is what Hera's goddess is. Duty in a marriage where a woman may or may not feel loved by her husband.
"But!" She cheerfully added, "I have managed to convince Demeter to help me to fulfill my role with love. She and I have chosen a perfect husband just for you."
She used her mirror to present her husband-to-be.
Tis a rather handsome if not solemn-looking man. With a long face, black curls, and a growing beard.
"This is your husband-to-be, Jon Snow son of Eddard Stark."
Henrietta is surprised. This was a boy whom she played with as a child.
He seemed to grow well.
"Plus, by order of Zeus, he asked Athena to be his patron goddess for he is quite excellent in holding a sword."
Henrietta thinks back. True, he wouldn't be an ambitious lord, but her protector instead. Though one flaw of the plan.
"What of his status? I would love to marry such an honorable man in a heartbeat, but his last name Snow will give the others a reason to cast me out."
Aphrodite solemnly understands.
"Don't worry, knowing Zeus he is already planning to ensure you will be wed. Just wait for a little patience." The goddess winked at her and kissed her forehead, that is her way of blessing.
Henrietta sighed and looked content that if it wasn't for the interferences with the Gods then her life wouldn't have been miserable.
Herri looked at her mistress and saw no problem in her outfit.
"Alright."
She escorted the lady of Harrenhal to see the lords and gentlemen in her court.
Everyone in the halls of Harrenhal is chattering and waiting for her arrival so that they can get down to business.
They chattered and greeted one another.
"I am telling Jon; the best way to protect you and her is by producing a male heir to cut off Jane Whent." Willaim Cecil is Lord Whent's oldest friend and advisor. He made a promise to keep Harrenhal in his daughter's bloodline no matter what.
Jon disagreed, "She won't do that just because you are afraid of one woman."
Willaim retorted, "One woman is enough to start a war. After all, we both know it, but it seemed like Lady Harrietta prefers doing nothing about it."
"My wife and I are not doing anything unless there is a reason to."
Interrupted both Lord Cecil's and husband's conversation as she came into view. "Good morrow, Lord Cecil." Her voice echoes the halls.
All grew quiet not out of fear, but respect for the arrival lady.
The pretty blonde looked at both men.
"Jon," She softly smiles at him. Jon bowed, "My lady."
He took hold of her hand and escorted his wife to the halls. All men kneel before them as they walk past them and she kindly acknowledges nodding towards them.
They walked through the opening between important men in Harrenhal.
Willaim Cecil followed behind them as the lords brought papers to the couple to hear their cases.
"Please, my lord hear my case."
"I beg of thee present her of my case."
Cecil waved to his pages to gather many cases from the courtiers.
It seemed like another busy day.
Thou, there one man he dislikes more than anything.
"My Lord Cecil." A bald man who has the fit of a knight. He dressed in red and gold.
"My Ser Trent Lannister, I see you made yourself conformable."
This man is arrogant, greedy, and ambitious just because he married Lord Whent's half-sister Mary Whent. Worse off, he is a Lannister.
"I was wondering when I can leave home for Blackbird Castle."
"I am afraid that is up to Lady Henrietta to decide that." Cecil was about to leave then added, "There will be no more discussions of this, Ser."
He left him while he steamed in quiet anger.
His son, Jason Lannister spoke, "You shamed yourself, father."
SLAP!
In response, he slapped his son right on the cheek.
Men witness this but are not surprised since this is their family issue.
Sooner or later, Ser Trent Lannister will find a way to submit his right to Harrenhal someday. He just has to find Henritta's weakness.
'That bastard has no right!' Trent thought about Lady Henrietta. He had hoped that once Lord Whent's death, he could claim the castle, but his former Good brother declared it by the king and House of Tully that Lady Henrietta has its new Lady of Harrenhal.
He will find it.
And guess who will be the key to getting Harrenhal?
Jane Whent.
Reviews are welcome.
