Jeyne's Rooms

Rhaegar gave a snort of derision at his younger sister's words. "As always, nice to see you too Viseyna. Actually I don't recall asking for your advice. Do not presume to give it, unless I ask you directly."

He gave a warning glance to his youngest sister, as he spoke. "I am no fool, sisters. You would both do well to remember that." 

"Sorry, Mother. I was merely trying to offer advice, as someone who has been around the relevant people more than Rhaegar has. I'm sure the King will be delighted to receive your presence, brother."

She glanced wearily towards Rhaegar, then turned back towards her room;

"I'll come join you presently, Visenya, I need to set down my things, and get this mud out of my hair."

She strode purposefully to her room, locking the door behind her.

Jeyne smiled a little at her elder daughter.

"You are quite right, my love. I am pleased you understand the situation."

She looked to her son. "Rhaegar, my dear, your sisters have the right of it. You must never forget the danger we live in every day. You must show a humble and grateful presence to the king and his close kin, as I do, as your sistesr do, or I fear you may come to the same end as your father. Do not make me watch Prince Aemon cut off your head."

Visenya shrugged. "What you call my ambition may very well save the lives of this family, not to mention smooth over our damaged reputations. Maybe it will even land me where our father intended me to be." Now she looked poisonous. "Pray stay out of my way. Things are going rather well for me at this moment."

Visenya rolled her eyes and stayed near her mother, stroking her long dark hair and no longer watching Rhaegar. He didn't matter, and he never had. That was why Visenya had gone with their father to Dorne, she told herself, because even then people could see her value. Rhaegar was nothing but his father's son, now, and would fail in the same way.

Visenya gave a small smile, turning her head so he could not see. She cared little for her brother's jibes. She carried on stroking her mother's hair, and humming a song she had heard once about someone's mother who was a font of mercy.

Visenya obligingly sat on the ottoman at her mother's knees and pulled the comb from her long locks. "I would love that, mother." She look she gave Rhaegar as he was dismissed so carelessly by their mother was pure venom.

Rhaegar gave a small resigned smile. It was nothing more than he expected. He noted Visenya's look of derision. A brief pang of what once was between him and his younger sister briefly coursed through him, but he shook it off. He, unlike his mother, had recognised how poisonous his sister had become. Nowadays she reminded him of little more than a hissing snake, such as might be found in his mother's land of Dorne, in an odd way quite beautiful to look upon, but ready to sink her poisonous fangs into those she perceived as being in the way of her ambitions. Clearly, that is how she had come to regard him. He had done nothing to deserve her derision, except to have been born his father's eldest son.

He stood and gave his mother a small bow of respect.

"Then I shall keep you no longer mother. You have but to ask if you require anything of me."

"I shall." replied Rhaegar. "Farewell mother."

He turned on his heel and without a glance at Visenya, walked out of the room.

Jeyne opened the door, let out a cry and enfolded Elsey in her arms as she let out a cry of sheer relief! She was impeccably groomed, as always, but her hair was loose and she held a brush in her hand.

"Oh my dear! Thank the gods! Was it terrible?"

"Of course, of course." Jeyne pulled her daughter through the door and closed it behind them. "Tell me about it," she urged.

Jeyne gasped. Though dragons ha been lost before, she had been quite sure she could rely on Nenyan and Vermax to keep her children safe. But now they no longer had their companions and protectors.

"Mother have mercy on us all," she gasped. "Where is your brother now? Has he come home?"