Bellatrix
The Queen and her handmaids spent their morning at the veranda overlooking the open sea. Below them dragonstone glistened under the heat of the sun. But while heat beat down upon them, the coolness of the wind kissed their skin.
"Bella," The Queen began with a gentle hand on Bellatrix's arm. Bella turned to look at her from gazing at the view.
"What?" Bella practically snapped, before calming herself. Rhaella turned to Jennie who was seated a ways from them.
"Jennie, kindly fetch us some fruit. I feel a little lack for sweet."
Jennie nodded and left without a word.
"I'm sorry, your Grace," Bellatrix began, "I was… I just- I-"
"You were far away," Rhaella said with a light smile.
"Yes," Bellatrix admitted, chuckling at her clumsiness. "If my tone has offended you…"
"Nonsense." Rhaella laughed. "Customs from the North are rather different, I understand."
Bellatrix gaped at the Queen, speechless. Rhaella gave her a knowing look. "Rhaegar told me."
Unable to find anything to say, Bellatrix sat in silence. Rhaella gestured for her assistance to stand which Bellatrix responded to quickly.
"Let's go for a walk, sweetling." Rhaella instructed.
They followed the path around the veranda that led to a shaded veranda with stone-formed seats to view the lower grounds. Bellatrix found that it overlooked the fighting pit, and sparring just below were Rhaegar's men with Rhaegar observing.
"The prince has always been a gentle one," Rhaella said breaking the silence, "too gentle, if possible, for his father.
"When he was a young boy, he was not fond of the sword. He loved music, loved his books, and loved to learn. But as the crowned prince, the sword was inevitable. Even in that, he excelled. I found that whatever Rhaegar thought would please us, he would set his heart to it. That was always how he has been."
Bellatrix listened intently while they both watched the spar. However, Bellatrix had her eyes fixed on Rhaegar.
"On his betrothal, I know he does it to please us. But deep down I know he wishes he could find true love."
Bellatrix's breath began to quicken. The concept of love and Rhaegar sent a wave of unease through her.
"Have you ever been in love, Bella?" Rhaella asked.
"Me, your grace?" Bellatrix laughed nervously, "never even thought about it."
"Not one to love, are you?" Rhaella joked. They both laughed. "I hope you do, dear. It is a gift to find it and find it true."
"Yes, well, maybe it isn't for me. It isn't for everyone." Bellatrix said, solemnly this time.
"You don't truly believe that?" Rhaella asked putting a hand on Bella's arm. Bellatrix looked at her and shrugged.
"Oh, dear. Maybe Rhaegar could change your mind." The look of disbelief and fear Bellatrix gave the Queen, caused Bellatrix to look away for fear of her life.
"What I mean," Rhaella said in above a whisper as she drew closer to Bellatrix, "is that Rhaegar might want to enlighten you with his thoughts on the matter."
"Oh," Bellatrix sighed aloud. "That may be unlikely, your grace. Rhaegar should make his time more meaningful elsewhere than with a Northern girl."
Rhaella laughed. "He is rather fond of you, Bella. He trusts you."
"Does he…" Bellatrix muttered, watching Rhaegar again.
"Which is why I need to trust you as well." Rhaella took both of Bellatrix's arms to face her.
"My son is about to marry a girl I've never met. As a mother, all I ask is that she deserves him. Will you look out for him? For me? Do me this favor."
Bellatrix felt the worry in the Queen's words. How could she deny a request from the only woman she felt was a mother to her. Finally, Bellatrix nodded and Rhaella gave her a hug with the only strength she had.
As they turned to look back at the fighting pit, Rhaegar was looking up at them. Bellatrix gave him a light smile to which he returned, knowing it was for his mother. Bellatrix looked to the queen, only to find she was already walking a ways off. Surprised, Bellatrix turned back to Rhaegar whose eyes were fixed on her.