ASHARA
The invitation was a casual occurrence, one that hardly needed to be voiced, but one that Ashara Dayne had been excited by nonetheless. A night of quiet enjoyment away from the court is just what I need. It seems like it's been so long since me and Elia have had a moment of peace to just be friends without all the courtesy and prying eyes.
Despite the years in advance she had to get used to the idea of Elia as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, it was an adjustment that Ashara struggled with often. She had never been one for formality, and more than once had nearly driven her Septa mad with outrage, but even those accustomed to her nature were stunned by how casual she was with the Queen, something which got people talking. And people talking about you is not something you want in King's Landing; If there was one thing that years had court had taught Ashara, it was that attention was often a bad thing.
Compared to many others Ashara did not have it so bad, her friendship to the Queen and her brother's role within the Kingsguard affording her a level of security from the more unseemly schemes that were hatched within the walls of the Red Keep. But even then, there was only so much Arthur could do for her and when it came to matter regarding the King himself Arthur always had to cede to the man he had sworn an oath to.
When the appointed night arrived, another member of the Kingsguard came for her. The sight of Ser Jaime Lannister standing at her threshold made Ashara's breath catch ever so slightly. In his dazzling white armour, golden hair falling down by his finely carved face, he looked a vision of some knight of old come to greet her into the afterlife. How closely does he hold to his vows? She wondered silently as she regarded him. "Ser Jaime," she said finally, "So good of you to come."
There was a twitch of a smile on the young knight's face. "It's always a pleasure my lady. Shall we?"
"Lead on."
He took her arm and led her towards the steps. Ashara found a warmth spread through her as they walked together, his hand gentle on her arm. She wondered what she could get him to do with that hand.
"What's news among the Kingsguard?" she asked casually, pressing up against the young knight slightly. "Have you killed any brutal bandits lately?"
"Afraid not," Ser Jaime laughed. "And besides, your brother would probably have them all slain before the rest of us even unsheathed our swords."
He still worships Arthur, Ashara realized. It was something that she had seen many times before when suitors came to Starfall; men of all shape, size and age practically grovelled at the feet of the Sword of the Morning. Ser Jaime was little better, or rather, he was, having been knighted by Arthur himself and striving to be just as great as her beloved brother.
"I have heard rumour that there is to be a tourney soon, Ser." She told him, leaning over to whisper in his ear. "Will you compete?"
Instead of answering her he just stared into her eyes, his face only inches away, his breath warm against her face. Then a smile broke out and he continued walking. "I suppose I shall, my lady. I should very much like to impress someone."
Is that a suggestion you are giving, Ser? Ashara smiled to herself and they ascended the serpentine steps to the Queen's chambers in silence.
A fire was crackling in the hearth, and sweet-swelling rushes had been scattered on the floor. At the long trestle table, the Queen was sitting demurely.
Elia did not rise to greet, and nor did Ashara expect her to. Instead she went over, knelt down beside the Queen's chair and planted a peck on her fellow Dornishwoman's cheek. Elia gave her a smile that was bright like the Sun of her family's sigil and gave Ashara's hands a pleasant squeeze. "It's so good that you came."
"As if I wouldn't," she laughed before looking around. "Where are the children?"
As if to answer her question two young boys came squealing into the room, laughing and shouting at each other in play. Toy swords were in their arms, waving about in mock battle, both boys jumping and howling pretending to slash and guard against invisible attack. The silver-gold hair of Prince Aegon looked a bird's nest, his purple eyes wide with excitement. The other boy….
Robb. Every single time Ashara looked at the little Stark she felt as though someone had struck her with all their might. Ned's boy, she thought as she watched the auburn haired child laugh with the crown prince. It was hard to look at the child, and even harder to look away. Ned has been taken from me, and now his son is all that remains. Ashara rarely spoke of the Quiet Wolf, and when she did it was only ever to Elia whom she trusted above all else. We should have been married; she thought soberly, If it wasn't for Rhaegar we would have been free to wed. Robb should have been my son…
Most men called Rhaegar merciful for sparring Ned's life and allowing the Starks to retain their status, but Ashara found it unspeakably cruel how he had taken the newborn Robb as his hostage while the child's mother languished in Riverrun. How long did she get to hold her boy before they snatched the babe away? Ashara remembered her own child, the empty cradle. The grief had almost been overwhelming; in truth she would have likely killed herself if not for Elia.
Despite his life as a hostage, something almost all the nobles at court were quick to remind the child, Robb had managed to form a friendship with Aegon. There was rarely a moment where the prince could be found without his little northern shadow following. Ashara looked from the children to Elia who was frowning slightly. The daughter of the Sun hardly raised her voice. "Aegon, that's quite enough."
The children quieted instantly, and Aegon looked over sheepishly at his mother. "But Mama, we want to play!"
"You can play tomorrow," she told him, not ungently. "But for now it is time for bed."
Aegon opened his mouth to answer, but caught the sharp look his mother was giving him and quickly shut it. He frowned for a moment before hurrying over to Elia and planting a quick peck on her cheek and uttered a goodnight. Behind him, Robb was looking as if he wanted to fade into the furniture.
The Queen looked over to the white knight standing at the door. "Ser Jaime, could you escort the boys back to their rooms?" Jaime gave a single, bored, nod before shooing the children out of the chamber. The laughter echoed out in the hallway before slowly fading. Elia gave a tired sigh and then turned back to Ashara. "He's like a little Oberyn with all that energy and the Stark boy doesn't help. It's hard to keep up."
"How are you feeling?"
Elia's smile was faint. "Tired, more often than not."
Ashara felt a swell of alarm, terrible warmth of the nape of her neck that just kept growing. "What can I do?" she asked hopefully, holding onto her friend's hand as though it were an anchor for her happiness. She is the best person I know, what would I do if she was gone?
"Dearest Ash, you needed worry so much." Her attention turned to the table, and Ashara rose from beside her and moved to sit across on the chair opposite. Servants brought out a broth of leeks and mushrooms, which seemed perfect as Elia had but the smallest of appetite at the best of times. They ate in silence for a time, the only noise the clinking of the utensils against each other.
Ashara could only take so much before the words came tumbling out. "Is it true Rhaegar seeks to host a tourney?"
Elia took a final, sad sip of her broth before setting her spoon down. Her dark eyes suddenly seemed haunted. "Yes, I believe he has been writing to Tywin Lannister about it for the last week."
By all the Gods in Westeros and the thousand in the east, suddenly Ashara lost all thought for food and could only stare questioningly at her friend. What is this man thinking! Tywin Lannister's enmity with Aerys Targaryen was well known by all, and when the Dragons faced their biggest threat he remained with his armies in the safety of Casterly Rock as the realm burned. Because he had not taken direct action against the royal family and because he was too powerful an enemy for the crown to face, the Old Lion remained untouched by the Rebellion. But for Rhaegar to be in correspondence with such a brutal man… Ashara dare not consider the reason.
The Queen seemed to have picked up on her distress and leaned forward, her eyes full of desperation. Her slender hand reached out and grasped Ashara's. "Ash, if….if Arthur ever told you anything about Rhaegar, anything at all…..you would tell me, wouldn't you?"
"Of course," she replied. "But by the Gods Elia, what do you think he plans on doing?"
Elia leaned back in her seat, looking every bit as frail as the court gossips claimed her to be. Ashara had never thought her best friend as anything other than a pillar of strength, but as she sat there, she feared that her queen might crumble. "I can't trust him," she confessed softly, in a voice that was little more than a breath. "After the Rebellion…after the Stark girl, things got better between us. He was attentive and he sat with me, doted on the children. He hurt me, shamed me….but I can't help it, I can't hate him." tears rolled down her olive cheeks, and the Queen of Westeros began to silently weep. "Why can't I hate? What's wrong with me?"
Ashara rose from her chair silently and once again knelt before her queen, her pillar of strength. She felt humbled in a way most did when at prayer. And why not? She asked herself. Elia saved me when the Gods turned their back. She took the queen's hands, small and thin. "He is the father of your children. Whatever else he has done, he also gave you them. There is nothing wrong with you." She pulled free a handkerchief and gave it over to Elia. "Now dry your eyes, think of your children, and then you too should rest."
If Elia wanted to protest she gave no voice to it, and with Ashara's help made it back to her bed. It may have been hard for the Princess of Dorne to allow others to see her in such a state, but Ashara was beyond that and with little enough fuss had her friend into her nightgown and in bed. They whispered sweet words of kindness before Ashara took her leave.
She walked back to her own chambers in a daze. It was an odd sensation, as if she was watching herself from above. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of anger and desperation. Why am I acting like this? All I know is that Rhaegar has been speaking with Tywin Lannister, that does not mean he is guilty of some crime, even if Elia is worried. But despite her reasoning, Ashara couldn't shake the bad feeling that was brewing in the pit of her stomach.
Somewhere along her travels she found herself in the nursery. Ser Jaime gave her a single nod from his post at the doorway as she entered. It was dark, yet somehow she knew her way. She had been there before, more times than she dared to admit.
The boy was curled up, cradling a pillow to his chest. His tiny features were peaceful in sleep in a way he would never know whilst awake. Would that I had been the one to birth, she thought sadly, biting down on her bottom lip to stifle her tears. Then I could take you away from all this, from the madness of Kings…
It was Robb she thought of as she sat down later that night, writing a letter to the Red Viper. Put an end to it, before we all die…