Queen Rhaella's Chambers

Rhaella considered. "I see. Lord Velaryon commands our fleet. I will instruct him to set aside one ship to transport the wildfire . Have it delivered to him at the harbor and make sure your own men oversee the packing. I wish to be certain it is made safe. And when it is done, be sure that the crew of the chosen vessel are made aware of the dangers and given the proper instruction in handling the subjstance.."

"Good. That is most suitable. We shall speak after this war is concluded. His Grace will be pleased if all goes as we hope. I am sure you will apply to the Master of Coin if there is a need for funds."

Rhaella's servants allowed the pair to enter. The queen sat within, clothed in a red silk gown. Rhaella's smile did not reach her eyes. She had no love for Aenar's children, nor was she fond of Trajan, especially as she aware of the unfortunate circumstances regarding Aemy.

"What can I do for the two of you?" She asked.

Rhaella showed no surprise at the situation. She nodded.

"Indeed. Please take a seat. My dear girl, you must understand that it is not proper for you to go about without a guard. I regret it, but your father sealed your fate. And Trajan is so very good at guarding those who need guarding. May I ask what you are hoping to gain from meeting with me?"

Rhaella sipped wine while she listened. She sat very straight, frowning.

"You and my son are lovers, is that not the case? Why then would you expect myself and the king to grant you permission to see my son when he is to marry his sister? Many men have mistresses, Elseyris, but it is impolite for a man to flaunt his mistress before his wife or betrothed. I will not have my daughter dishonoured. So what possible reason other than your own will can you possibly have for justifying your liaison with the prince to continue? It is clear to me that Prince Aegon needs some time apart from you, in order to learn his duties as a husband."

Rahella sighed and sipped her wine. "I love my son, but I am not blind to his faults. His belief in the false gods must be stopped. Furthermore, even if this liaison with yourself is allowed to continue some day, you can never be anything other than his mistress. It may be that the rules can be relaxed, once Aegon and Rhaena are married. But not before."

She looked Elsey over from head to foot. "Pour yourself a cup of wine."

"It seems you are the best possible leverage against any misdemeanor. It is unfortunate, because I have no great desire to see you harmed, regardless of your circumstances. I regret that I cannot extend my protection. I think it will be best to monitor the behaviour of all concerned. Good behaviour might, in time, be rewarded. However, I will urge His Grace that you not be harmed without good cause. I am not my mother, after all. Now, it will be best of you to speak of this to nobody. Do not let the court hear you complaining about your separation from the prince, nor about Trajan. But you may tell me if he does you harm or offers you insult."

"Tell them it is for your own protection, by the king's own command. It is the kind of answer that discourages further questions. Only a fool would dare ask more. "

"Perhaps the one simply precedes the other," Rhaella remarked. "The marriage has not taken place, yet it is clear that you require guarding, so why shouldn't your betrothed do the job? It seems rather simpler than giving you both a guard and a husband." She sighed, sipped her wine. "There was a time when I spoke to the King of marrying you off to some minor lord or landed knight, someone without the power to threaten the crown. But that would require you to live far away from court, out of sight of both the King and Prince Aegon. Is that any better, I wonder? Either way you would be married to a man not of your choosing. You cannot be allowed to remain as the prince's mistress, nor can you be permitted to marry a man of rank, in order that he may use you to threaten the crown when you produce children. Trajan is many things, but he is neither disloyal nor ambitious. His Grace is well aware that any children you bear Trajan will never be permitted to challenge the crown."

And yet Rhaella found she could not quite imagine Trajan and Elseyris conceiving a child, though she could not have said why.

"If Trajan mutilates you for mere sport, he shall answer to me for it," Rhaella said, very firmly. "I cannot grant your desire, Elseyris, but I am not your enemy, and I have some sympathy for a woman about to begin married life. Sad though it may be, you must live with the consequences of your father's treason, but it is not my intention to see you suffer more than you must."

She sipped her wine and looked hard at Elsey.

"The King and I wish only to protect the realm. Your liaison with the prince may be perceived as a threat. It is for your own good, and Prince Aegon's, that it has been ended. I fear one of you may have come to harm if it were allowed to continue. I regret that you are unhappy with the husband you have been given, but I question what you expect me to do about it - compel the king to change his mind? How would that benefit me, or more importantly, how would it benefit my children? I have to think about the future of their marriage, for the good of the realm. That is my primary concern."

"What use will that be?" Rhaella asked. "It will change nothing, and upset you both. I pity you, child. Your tender heart has doomed you to a marriage which is likely to bring you little joy. But as I have said, I cannot show weakness here. So I will allow you to write a letter. If I think it suitable, I will give it to my son. I will also give you some advice. Be humble and obedient and do nothing to draw the king's attention to you. That is the only chance you have of being given a degree of freedom."

"It was my intention that you should write the letter now," Rhaella said. "That will be easier, I think. And you would be wise to go lie down afterwards. You look pale."