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Post by Gandalf on Jun 20, 2020 15:00:59 GMT -5
Nymeria came looking for the Princess Myrcella, some time after the events at the Red Keep had transpired. She also hoped to find Rosamund Lannister with her, the handmaid that had returned with her from Dorne.
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Post by pontifex on Jun 20, 2020 15:02:00 GMT -5
Myrcella was in her bed chamber, Ser Strong stood guard outside and barred her entry. Myrcella looked up "Who is it?"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 20, 2020 15:07:24 GMT -5
"Nymeria, Your Grace. Don't worry, I have come alone."
She called through the doorway, keeping her eyes fixed on the towering knight.
"I wonder, Ser Strong, if you have anything beneath that helmet."
Sand smiled sweetly, waiting for the door to be opened to her.
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Post by pontifex on Jun 20, 2020 15:13:11 GMT -5
Something burned in Ser Strong's eyes, a twinkling amidst the bloodshot irises. A low, soft rumble could be heard - possibly laughter, but it was dark. Putrid breath followed with it, the stink of death.
"Ser Strong, step aside." Myrcella called. She was initially scared of the towering Ser Strong, and to some extent still was - but he seemed to follow her every command. And he was a good listener. "Lady Nymeria, I hope you have been well?" She asked, never forgetting her courtesies. She never forgot her courtesies.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 20, 2020 15:24:08 GMT -5
"Well enough, Your Grace. I would rest better knowing that you were safe."
Nymeria stepped past Ser Strong and took a seat within the Princess' rooms. She smiled, and pulled a piece of parchment from her blouse.
"Trystane has asked after you. A letter arrived from him this very morning, attached to a missive from Sunspear."
Sand passed it delicately to the Princess. It was sweetly written. The young Prince showed a genuine concern for his betrothed's health, and was clearly upset at not being allowed to see her in King's Landing.
"It is a shame that the Lord Hand is so insistent on keeping you in his cage."
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Post by pontifex on Jun 20, 2020 16:02:16 GMT -5
Myrcella seemed to flush at the mention of Trystane. "My Prince is too kind." She reached for the letter, but recoiled at Nymeria's words. "I am a Princess of the Realm, if I want to go to Sunspear, Mace Tyrell cannot stop me." She said indignantly. "My mother is gone, my uncles are gone, and my brother is gone!" She exclaimed. Tears began to well in the corner of her eyes, even though she tried to keep the tears at bay. "I watched my brother die at his own wedding, in the Red Keep. I watched my mother and brother be taken from me, in the Red Keep. I will not stay here. I was safe in Dorne until...until..." Her hand went to her face, to her deformity. "Will Trystane still love me? I am so ugly now, so...mis-shapen." She thought of her other uncle, the one who had always been so kind to her.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 20, 2020 16:08:21 GMT -5
"In Sunspear we will keep you safe. You can be married to Trystane, who misses you greatly. My cousin is kind and sweet, and will treat you well."
Nymeria edged closer and put an arm around the crying Princess. She smiled gently, with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"Come, you are a Princess of the realm, rightful lady of the Rock. You are strong, with beauty many women would kill for."
Though scarred, the Princess was still fair to look upon; Darkstar had much to answer for, maiming one so innocent.
"You are right. None can keep you here. Not even Mace Tyrell. I will take you to Dorne, if you would trust me."
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Post by pontifex on Jun 20, 2020 16:18:11 GMT -5
Her body shook, small, yet quickly taking on the shape of a woman grown, but she soon stopped. She had considered what might happen if Tommen and mother were dead. She knew she would be in the greatest danger in King's Landing, and the danger seemed greater the further away she was from her betrothed. Myrcella had enough lessons from the maesters and her septa to know what might happen to her. She looked up at Nymeria, a single tear streaming from her crystal blue eyes. "I will go to Dorne, and nobody will stand in my way." She stood and called to her maids. "Pack it all - pack it all up and make ready. Send everything to Sunspear!" Soon she would be a woman flowered. She thought of her own mother, the strongest of women, and of her grandfather, whom nobody questioned. She was of their same blood. She turned to Nymeria. "We will go now."
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 20, 2020 17:23:02 GMT -5
Nymeria rose along with the Princess, a determined look across her face.
"As you say, my lady. We shall go at once. I have my things prepared."
A few of her ladies were outside the door. One was sent into the night to find Ser Manwoody, with all due haste.
"We must hurry. Horses will await us, and with haste we can be on the Roseroad by tomorrow."
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Post by pontifex on Jun 20, 2020 17:28:17 GMT -5
Myrcella rose. "Good." She replied, ensuring that her shroud covered her face. "Ser Strong, come."
The enormous knight in his white cloak fell behind her. They proceeded to the gates.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 20, 2020 19:53:49 GMT -5
They made their way from the Red Keep, praying that none would question the towering Ser Strong as to his business at this time of the evening. Nymeria's gaggle of Dornishwomen had for now stayed in the castle, to forestall any fear that she had left. They proceeded through King's Landing's soiled streets towards the Gate of the Gods, where if the Gods were good Ser Manwoody waited with a few Dornishmen and some swift Sand Steeds for the journey.
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Post by pontifex on Jun 23, 2020 14:05:46 GMT -5
Following the trials of the day, Aegon retired to his bedchambers, shared with Arianne. His head was spinning, he could barely believe where he was. "Wine." he ordered "and some figs and honey" He wanted to savor the moment. "Ariann?" he called to the next room "Come and join me"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 23, 2020 14:22:17 GMT -5
Arianne entered, standing before the king as a handmaiden helped remove her shoes and unbuckle her cloak. At last, she was warm and inside, and the business of the day concluded.
"You did well, husband. Taking the loyalty of Lannister or even Tarly for granted would be a mistake."
The Princess lounged on their new marital bed, cradling a cup of wine. Dornish Red, thank the gods.
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Post by pontifex on Jun 23, 2020 15:59:23 GMT -5
"Lannister proved as useless as I feared. This lion is a cub, and of little use. And we still do not know the whereabouts of the Kingslayer." He said exasperated. "I would have expected him to at least bring that up." He cupped her chin and leaned in for a chaste kiss. "I think you were right, my love." It had all come so easily to Aegon. He was in love, or in lust, but it did not matter. Arianne was fire, frenzy. She found her attractive from the start. "This Lannister is a runt, but he may still prove useful. What would you have me do with the Kingslayer if he was found? I will not suffer him on my Kingsguard, yet divesting him would mean...he is Tywin's heir."
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 23, 2020 16:18:38 GMT -5
"Then have him killed, my love. He broke his vows twice over in killing his king and fucking his sister."
She leaned in to whisper in his ear, her warm breath on his neck. Her fingers danced over his slender chest before resting on the King's thigh.
"Put Myrcella in Casterly Rock with my brother, and the Westerlands shall be ever loyal. You won't have to worry about this lion cub ever again."
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