Lord Rhaegar Targaryen's rooms

Rhaegar raised a sceptical eyebrow. "He knows one our father's friends in passing?" he said somewhat incredulously. "And help us? Help us to do what?"

"Very well mother." said Rhaegar his voice chilling. "I will respect your wishes, as long as it does not negatively effect myself. Unfortunately as my mother, your business concerns me and my sisters. If you make the wrong decision in this matter, then it could well cost us our lives, or set back the slow progress I am making to redeem our names."

"I know." said Rhaegar. "I hear they are using their own particular......talents to do so."

He rose. "Well mother. Our conversation has been enlightening, but I must go. I shall call on you again soon. The Gods willing I have some good news to share with you then"

Rhaegar followed her shortly after, closing the door firmly behind him and locking it. There were people he needed to see.

OOC: I know.

Rhaegar crossed to the door and opened it. If he was surprised at his sister's appearance he didn't show it, although his eyes briefly ran up and down the wooden crutch she was leaning on.

"Sister, come in and take a seat. Get off that foot."

Once she was seated and wine served, he too took a seat and studied her for a brief moment. He noted she looked tired.

"So to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?" he asked gently.,

Rhaegar shrugged his shoulders in reply.

"I didn't expect to be able to marry for love, so it is neither here or there to me."

A rueful smile broke over Rhaegar's usually impassive features. He chose his words carefully knowing that the Knight Inquisitor was listening.

"I saw no reason to petition His Grace. I already knew the answer he would give if I did."

Rhaegar's first instinct was to snatch his hand away. His very core had been largely ice since their father's death and the subsequent humiliations heaped upon him and his immediate family by their cousins. The initial rage he had felt, had since been beaten out of him and what was left had turned to ice. As a result he had trained himself not to feel anything, a habit that was now ingrained, even with members of his own family. To do anything different might have meant the difference between life and death.

Nevertheless Elseyris' seemingly heartfelt gesture and words may have melted a little of the ice surrounding Rhaegar's heart. His eyes briefly glistened with tears, but they did not fall. Hastily he blinked them away, his expression still inscrutable. His hand remained where it was.

"I thank you Elsey." he said using the nickname he had called her when they were smaller, but one he used rarely these days. "I will remember."

Rhaegar nodded wordlessly in response.

He slowly poured himself some wine, watering it as was his usual custom, taking a sip, before setting it down on the table. Only then could he trust himself to speak.

"I know that sister." he finally said, reverting back to his customary formality. "Would that Visenya felt the same."

Rhaegar shook his head.

"We have spoken. To no avail. She thinks I am insufferable. Yet for all her accusations that I am supposedly controlling and overbearing, she resents anyone but herself speaking to our mother. In truth my fault is that I am the firstborn child of our father and she is not. I can do nothing to satisfy her desire to fulfil that role, other than to die."

He took another sip and gave a rare wan smile. "And that Elsey, I will be aiming not to do."

Rhaegar spread his hands in exasperation.

"I know that. But what else could it be? I have done nothing to warrant her dislike. She likes her own way certainly, but I have done little to hinder her desires, since our father died. I have not sought her enmity."

"That will be up to Visenya." said Rhaegar firmly. "It will be difficult to forgive her two-three years of disdain and insults."