Queen Rhaella's Tent

"I am concerned it might not be as direct as father would like," she said, with a half frown, but then chrugged, "the worst he can do is say no."

A rider arrived, carrying a scroll in his hand. He wore Baelon's sigil, hastily sewn on to the simple clothes of a sailor. He waited politely outside for the conversation between his betters to finish.

"If you think it is worthy to put before him," she said, looking round at the tent entrance where people waited, but she would not be rushed, " now the bulk of the war is over has there been much thought to how the iron bank is to be repaid,"

Rhaena smiled and nodded, "I may have some ideas on that too, in baby stages, nothing I can put forward to anyone yet," she said and then looked round again, "it seems daughters can no longer have conversations with their mothers in peace," Rhaena said, loud enough to everyone hounding the door to hear, "so it appears our time is over, mother, it was good to see you." She said and stood again.

"Too busy to look after me," she said with a grin and walked to the tent entrance, "oh, and mother... I am deeply sorry."

With that she left, not even bothering to look at those outside.

"Daenya." Rhaella embraced her daughter, though she took care not to hurt her daughter's injured arm, and beckoned to the rider with one hand. "Leave it on the table and wait outside."

She hugged Daenya for a bit longer before releasing her daughter. "Thank the gods you're safe! I hope your wound is not troubling you?"

"Not as well as I had hoped. Your uncle Baelon's dragon was injured and Lord Velaryon was killed, poor man. But your brother has gone to negotiate a peace with Lord Redwyne now Oldtown is ours. I have high hopes he will triumph," Rhaella answered.

"No, no." Rhaella patted Daenya's shoulder. "I am hoping he will have the sense to accept our terms. It is past time this war was ended. Will you be well enough to fly home soon, my love, or will you need to seek proper lodgings here?"

Rhaella frowned in disapproval but said only "It's pretty enough, I suppose. Why did you do it?"

Rhaella sighed. "You are still half a child, my love, so I will say nothing of the matter for now. But when you are older, you will realise that doing things to vex your mother is not the most sensible thing to do. Just remember, please, that your hair is a beacon now. You will not be able to hide from anything."

"Yes, but so many of our relations have silver hair, it's not so remarkable as pink," Rhaella sighed. "Please, Daenya, be careful. For my sake. Remember, you are blood of the dragon and my daughter. Your actions reflect upon me, and upon your father too."

"Did you?" Rhaella winced. "I did not wish you to go, not truly, but I longed to go to war when I was your age and was not allowed to do very much. That is why you were allowed to go. But tell me, was it the Dragonbane who wounded you?"