ASHARA
"Isn't it a lovely gown?" she asked, astonished by the way the silks looked in the sunlight.
"More lovely than any other at court, my lady," Wylla stood with her hands on her hips, a woman with breast and hips ample enough to make her waist seem small. When Wylla laughed, she filled a room with warmth. "It's all silk and Myrish lace, and the colours! You will be the jewel of King's Landing."
Ashara smiled. "You're a flatterer of the highest sort!"
Her old friend swatted her affectionately. "I merely speak the truth, flattering or unflattering as it is. I'll tell you an earful of nasty stories about Lady Toland and the half of Yronwood's mob that have infected the court if you like."
"Oh come now," Ashara rolled her eyes. "Those old feuds need to be put to rest now."
The bad blood between Yronwood and Martell had gone back centuries to the time of Nymeria's landing and had gotten worse in recent years when Oberyn Martell had killed Edgar Yronwood and caused a minor dispute among the lords of Dorne. House Dayne sided with Martell and earned the scorn of Yronwood and all those with close ties to them. The only thing that had stopped the madness was when Doran Martell sent his oldest son to foster with his enemies. But that has not stopped the enmity…
Wylla just shook her head. "I cannot for the life of me understand why Queen Elia allows them among these halls."
Ashara frowned. Yronwood may not like us, but they at least have a firm grip on their sanity. She had heard a rumour that Rhaegar had taken to visiting the Queen again, gallant and devoted as any husband ought to be, but also continued to make his plans with Tywin Lannister. There was even talk amongst the more gossipy members of court that he planned on naming the old lion as the Master of Coin.
"You should forget about them," Ashara finally said. "They're not worth your time and energy my friend, now help me do up these laces, I mean to speak with the Queen."
As Wylla's deft fingers did their work she began humming a low tune, something that Ashara had heard her singing back at Starfall. "How fares Ser Arthur?" the former wetnurse asked mildly.
"As boring as usual," Her brother had been spending more and more of his time with the King and had not been able to see Ashara beyond formal occasions. "What have you heard?"
"Well only what the gossips say-" Wylla paused and frowned. "I'm sorry, my lady. It's all probably nonsense anyway."
"Now you have me going…what do you mean?"
Wylla's hands ceased their efforts. "It's been said that the King has gotten into one of his moods again, confiding in only Ser Arthur and Ser Gerold. People talk, my lady….and they wonder if this is so different from last time."
Ashara turned around to face the other woman. "Whoexactly is saying this?"
"Well," Wylla looked hesitant. "Lady Yronwood…"
That gave Ashara pause, but she dismissed the concerns anyway. "Well then you have your answer, clearly it is just Lady Yronwood trying to stir the pot and make Elia look bad." She forced a smile. "Now come you gossip-hound, I have to see the Queen."
"Her grace is busy at the moment," one of Elia's ladies in waiting told her as she approached the Queen's solar.
Ashara did not even bother to hide her displeasure. "Busy with what exactly?"
The young slip of a girl looked down submissively. "Her Grace is holding a meeting with the Grand Maester; I was told that she wasn't to be disturbed."
She would want me there! Ashara almost screamed at the girl, but then her moment passed and she simply pursed her lips and walked away. She had walked no more than ten paces when she heard a smaller set of feet hurrying after her. With a smile she saw Princess Rhaenys at her side.
"Lady Ashara," greeted the young princess. "Are you looking for mother?"
The young girl was the perfect amalgam of her parents' best features, a true marriage of Rhoynar and Valyria. Her colouring was that of Elia and her kin, yet her face held the unnatural beauty of her father. There was wisdom in her sharp eyes, the fierceness of a dragon tempered by the radiance of the sun. All of Rhaegar's intelligence but none of his temperament.
Ashara beamed at the girl. "I was, but it seems she's in with the Maester."
Rhaenys nodded. "I needed to see her as well," a smile crossed her face. "Would you like to wait with me until she's ready?"
"I'd be delighted."
The princess took Ashara's hand a led her into what appeared to be Rhaenys own little library of sorts, with selves of books lining the walls and a large writing desk sitting straight in the middle of the tiny room. Ashara felt overwhelmed by it all and felt her breath hitch as she looked at the titles of books the princess had chosen to read from. Histories and lore that went back hundreds, and in some cases thousands of years sat opened on the girl's desk, alongside a dozen crumpled leafs of paper.
"Mother said I couldn't get a proper solar until I'm older," she explained. Her face turned into a frown as she examined the whole room and all its books. "When I am queen I shall have my own library built."
Ashara laughed. "You'll get lost in all those books."
Rhaenys mouth pressed into a line. "That's what mother says. She says I'll turn into uncle Doran if I keep reading so much."
"Well," Ashara replied, smoothing out the girl's brown hair. "You're much prettier than Doran."
The princess hummed in agreement and then padded over to her desk. She dipped a quill into a nearby inkwell and began slowly writing something out, pausing every now to ponder something before scratching out another word. Ashara could see the focus on the girl's face as she went about with whatever task it was that she was doing. It reminded her of Oberyn in a way. Though Oberyn was never as innocent as Rhaenys, even as a child…
"What are you doing sweetling?"
"I'm trying to write a letter," she replied without looking up. "But I'm not sure what I should say."
Ashara couldn't help but smile. "And who are you writing to? Your cousins back in Dorne?"
There princess hesitated for a moment. "Jon."
For a moment Ashara thought that the princess was referring to Lord Connington, but then realization dawned upon her and it was all she could do to contain the shock from her face. As far as Ashara was aware, neither of Elia's children knew much about their sibling, only that he existed and was not a part of their lives. "You're…writing to Jon? What brought this on?"
"I just…." Her voice trembled. "I see Mama and Aegon all the time, and Dany and Viserys too sometimes when they come to visit, but I never see Jon. He's my brother, and I never get to see him, it's not fair!" There was a steely resolve in the child's eyes, an iron determination. "Mama said he's not allowed to come see us and no one will take me to see him, so I've been writing him letters …but I don't always know what to say, and I don't want him to hate me."
Ashara put her arms around the princess and kissed her cheek. "How could he hate you? I'm sure he's grateful, knowing that he has a big sister who cares about him. As long as you keep letting him know that you love him and haven't forgotten him, then he'll love you for it sweetling. "
"You won't tell my father will you?" she asked suddenly, fearfully. "He wouldn't like me talking to Jon."
If he tried to stop you then I would make it my duty to see him suffer for it. She forced a smile. "It'll be our secret."
There was a cough behind them, and when Ashara turned she found Elia leaning against the doorframe, a sad mile on her face. "What are you two scheming about?"
"Nothing," Rhaenys replied quickly. "I was just showing Lady Ashara my desk. Are you feeling better Mama?"
Elia smiled, a beautiful sight, but one that Ashara had come to know as a mask she wore for the sake of others whenever her health was troubling her. "Much better, sweetling, the Grand Maester made it all better."
Ashara wasn't sure if Rhaenys actually believed her mother, the child was much more intelligent than most people thought, but she gave Elia a dazzling smile nonetheless. In a few years she'll be the jewel of the Seven Kingdoms, Ashara just hoped that Rhaenys wouldn't let the praise go to her head. The Seven know I was a vain creature before I met Ned…
"Have you been waiting long, Ashara?" Elia asked mildly as she watched Rhaenys put away her books. "I didn't think it would take so long."
"Its fine, Rhaenys was keeping me more than occupied."
Elia gave a tired nod. "Come into my solar, there's something we need to discuss."
The Queen led the way down the corridor. Ashara could hear the rattle of Grand Maester Pycelle's chain as he shuffled off, no doubt to tell the king all about his lady wife's latest ailment. She had never liked the old man, and more than once wondered if it would not have been wiser if they had brought a Maester from Dorne with them to see to Elia.
They sat down by a window, bathed in the warm light of the afternoon sun. Ashara was the first to speak. "Did you know about the letters?"
"Yes," Elia said with a sigh. "One of the Maesters came to me when he discovered it. I read it, resealed it and then allowed it to be sent. Of course she likes to think that I don't know."
"And you're fine with it?"
Elia shrugged. "It makes her happy and she does not ask for much."
"She wants to meet him," Ashara pointed out. "Will your indulgence go that far?"
The Queen closed her eyes for a moment. "With that boy….I'm not sure what angers me the most; the fact that he wasn't mine, or the fact that Rhaegar caused all that misery only to discard him."
"But surely it's better for Rhaenys and Aegon to know their brother?" Ashara struggled to keep her tone neutral. "When Aegon rules as king, would it not be better that he has a close bond with his brother? The Blackfyre rebellions would not have been half as bad if Aegon the Unworthy's children loved each other. You have to think about the future Elia."
Elia gave a tired nod of agreement. "You're right, I know. In truth I'd not keep Rhaenys away, I don't want her to feel like Doran did when Oberyn and I were growing up." She must have seen the flash of guilt cross Ashara's face at the mention of the Red Viper and leaned forward. "What's that look for Ash?"
Gods, I had hoped that I wouldn't have to tell her. But Elia was no fool, and once she set her mind to something it was near impossible to make her forget it. Ashara let out a breath. "I…may have spoken with your brother…"
"May have?" Elia gave her a sharp look. "What did you do Ash?"
Ashara squired in her seat. "I…asked him to come to court, but I had no choice Elia! We are surrounded by enemies here and they grow every day! I had to do something!"
"Seven Hells Ash!" Elia's nostrils flared with rage. "You know as well as I do that if Oberyn of all people came here that we'd have blood in the streets, and my children….Ashara I will not put them in danger, not when this place is stirred." The Queen shook her head angrily. "I shall have to write to him, and pray that he hasn't left yet."
"Elia please, you don't-"
Before Ashara could get another word out, the chamber door sprung open and in walked Ser Jaime Lannister, face smeared with blood and dirt, his beautiful golden hair soiled with filth. His eyes were wide with panic. "Your Grace, my lady, you had best come with me to collect the children... immediately."
Elia rose from her seat. "What is it Ser Jaime, what has happened?"
The Lannister gave a shiver. "There's been an assault on the King's life."