In Lady Jeyne's solar in the Eyrie... Jessamyn Redfort could be seen polishing up the mess that her lady's blue dress had been in.
Of course, as that was done, she also propered the impropriety that her own red dress is at.
Whilst she did so, Jessamyn asked. "The Order of Bronze had truly ended what they themselves began. Many ravens from the Fingers sent joyous words, while the Royce's message-bearing hawks more than assured it... but how come you are still restless this early in the morning, My Lady?
"Were last night's celebratory acts not enough?" She then continued as she moved on to fix her red hair.
Looking seductive despite the qualms she was voicing. Implying that she was actually looking forward to another round.
However, a tryst wasn't what was on Jeyne's mind, her countenance solemn. Her gaze towards Jessamyn conflicted.
The Redfort lass was now worried, dropping the formality, she asked. "What really troubles you, Jeyne?"
"Many things." Jeyne said, so Jessamyn uttered. "What things?"
"The consequences of Ronan's victory. Or victories, in this case." The Arryn said as she looked to her dear companion.
"With the savages gone and with the Vale heading towards peace that it's never had, I would say there is nothing to be troubled about any longer. The consequences only being good, great even." Jessamyn reasoned. "And as much as I have ill feelings towards that pretty boy in bronze, he very well deserves the accolades and the praise coming his way."
"But the more the bronze shines, the more the falcon will have to mistake it for the moon." Jeyne muttered in crypticness, which just led Jessamyn into confusion.
Still, Jeyne continued. "The Young Bronze taking only the Stone Crows in to face justice would have sufficed. Especially after my aunt's death, with such a timely giving me some relief and respite. Enforcing upon my detractors that I have a great bannerman that serves me."
"But he just had to go beyond that, as he does." She sighed. "With the whole capture of the clans and the tribes actually serving to make him undeniable."
"Is that not good?" Jessamyn interjected. "A great bronze shield with runes and whatnot... loyal protectors of you Arryns."
"The problem there is that he is too good." Jeyne complained. "Too good to be true. Yet true as can be."
"And?" The exasperated Jessamyn ensued. "Can't you just be straight and forward for once, Jeyne? Why confound me with all this eloquence that is quite hard to comprehend?"
"I was straight… but I bent for you, did I not?" Jeyne asked back but that was beside the point. "The fact of the matter is that with Ronan being as great as he is... I may have to overturn it all to him."
And that literally stalled the Redfort lass in place... thoughts and all.
Only coming back to her senses later to blurt out. "What?!"
This was her fear manifested, as she rambled. "You are giving yourself up to that man... that boy of all people... even when you've always appeasingly told me that you'd rather rule as some Maiden of the Vale to many."
"I did tell you that, but duty may have me do otherwise." Jeyne reasoned. "For as nonchalant and easygoing as he might seem in person, there is no denying his great ambition and his potential to attain all of it. A legend in the making… and someone like me can't afford to let him grow his grandness without purview."
"For the Arryns of the future and the Vale will not be at rest if I don't at least try to tie his cause to mine." The Lady Arryn cautioned, to herself.
For one didn't need to be some rumored seer of futures to know what might happen if Runestone grew its strength further than it already has.
They could be unstoppable, and Jeyne didn't want to just take her chances with only their honorable loyalty. "I need a stronger assurance, Jessamyn. Assurance through an alliance. Through marriage and blood. Before the Bronze Kings could possibly take back what was theirs... especially after they've absorbed their former partners."
But, as of current, the Redfort's face was already formed with hate. "Then why not just end that Bronze boy's life... you have the gold for it. You even had the gold you lent to them, why not control him with it?"
"The Young Bronze is formidable for many reasons… and the debt that I and Ronan have with each other seems to be something you fundamentally misunderstand." Jeyne then added. "With the methods you uttered being far from honorable. Just deplorable."
"You Arryns and your words of being as High as Honor." Jessamyn mocked. "What honor do you even have in this proposal you are planning. Maiden you may seem to many, but I have already sullied you... with mine fingers and tongue."
"Not to mention all the oyster licking we just did." She intoned. "Mayhaps the last dalliances you selfishly savored before blindsiding me with this."
Jeyne with guilt, could only whisper. "That... I shall handle when the time comes."
To which, Jessamyn just laughed... with bitterness mixed into it.
"The unfortunate timing, uncertainty, and competition you thrust yourself into, oh Lady Arryn." She then mocked. "Has your cousin's persistent presence these past few weeks inspired you to think like this?"
"Her dragon's roars have been a product of rumors in your kingdom already... with said beast actually perching on Runestone lands, after you yourself told her which way it was." Jessamyn tauntingly enunciated. "There, she acts as envoy, hoping to convince the Lady Rhea with every visit. Perhaps convince her of the very duty you belatedly tasked upon yourself..."
"I still must try..." Jeyne said, but she actually wasn't that deterred. For she knows of Lady Rhea's dislike of the current Heir.
Though the Defender of the Vale actually feared the possibility that her slighted paramour was shaping from nothing.
If Ronan became King Consort or King of Westeros himself... Runestone's ascension is secured, with the Eyrie's continuance at his mercy. Or at the mercy of his descendants.
Admittedly, Jeyne herself might just be thinking too much... but she must, for the threat she's envisioning is truly there.
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Accordingly, in Runestone itself... Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen was munching on the special cakes that the castle's cooks prepared.
Crab cakes that were so worth these secretive travels. Travels that she disguised as dragon-riding sessions… to get away from the now-restrictive atmosphere of the Keep.
The excuse she's made to not be as grounded during that disastrous first try that had her disappear until the most ungodly of hours.
Salvaged only by that timely owl...
So, she really strived to learn... with cousin Jeyne giving aid at the second try when she actually found the conspicuous Eyrie.
And from then on, Rhaenyra mostly knew her route in the sky... and knew what to dig into when she landed.
Though not as sweet as fruitcakes, crab cakes were still unique... as they are much more tasteful than the cod cakes she's tried.
It even made her wonder why a certain age-old crabber family hadn't come up with this much earlier.
Fortunately, Ronan didn't need that long... and apparently just developed it alongside the many sea foods that their local smallfolk had become enthusiastic about.
With Rhaenyra's internal praise of the delicacy pretty much echoed by how she outwardly savored it.
Much to the headache of Lady Rhea, who sat opposite of her at this long table.
Perhaps worried about the fact that Runestone had no Dragonkeepers and that Syrax could run amok.
Or maybe the Lady Royce just had her thoughts turning... due to the bold idea that Rhaenyra herself has been proposing all this while.