Godswood

Plucking the petals from a nearby rose, she waited for her brother. Taking her seat on a nearby bench Arenya was nervous. Nervous pertaining to the subject she was about to present to the King.

Standing she addressed him formally,"Your Grace, thank you for meeting with me."

"I have a request to place before you that you may not be accustomed to hearing from a.... Woman." Her eyes were not staring at his but in the general direction.

Grinning in relief to hear him say that, she hated the formalities especially between them.

"Boon?", she smiled then sighed. "Brother, I wish to be on your Kingsguard..." Arenya looked at him proudly.

"Before you laugh me out of the Seven Kingdoms hear me out first."

She nodded,"I have bled for you Maegor, I will continue to bleed for you and our family as long as the need arises." Rubbing her temple,"I am not getting married, I'm too old to bear children.. Frankly I do not wish to have a husband, if they are not kings then they are children."

"I want my duty to you to be more than a.. Wager or an alliance. I... I want to serve you. I want to protect you with my life if need be." Arenya closed her eyes,"You are the only man I would wish to do that for, not just as my king but as my kin."

"Please consider it.."

She shook her head in disagreeance but did not voice it. "There are plenty of younger....", she stopped, Arenya knew better than to argue with her brother, she took in a deep sigh,"As you wish..", she curtsied, her expression of disappointment did not change. "..Your Grace."

"Is there anything you wish of me to compensate for wasting your time with such frivilous notions?" Her anger was growing slowly but he was her King and she did not want to give the satisfaction of knowing that she was upset at his decision.

"I know. I understand where this put you. I look forward to your decision."

She then grinned,"For this opportunity, I will tame my feminine wiles for it. I will not be a distraction."

"There is no higher honor brother, thank you..."

" I do appreciate the compliments, brother", she nodded. "but I do understand."

"And I realize it is a serious position. I will do whatever it takes for this, cut my hair, wear men's clothes.. Whatever it takes. "

She felt as if she had won her race until Maegor mentioned hey speaking to Brandon, the seed of their father. Arenya sighed, "Fine. I shall speak with him. And you're decision rests on his impression of having me around?"

"I understand that, but the man does not know me", she frowned. "He knows of me as your sister, nothing more."

Arenya shook her head, then looked at her brother with a grin, "I will talk to him and make you proud on the process."

"I understand. I've never met a challenge I didn't like."

"If I may, I would like to leave now to speak with the Lord Commander. I will tell you what he has to say or if he split his stomach laughing at my request."

Nodding with a smile,"I shall see you as soon as I can." She kissed his cheek softly, "It is good to see you smile brother even in these times."

Arenya curtsied goofily and started towards the white tower.

Waxley, on some errand at the Keep once again spotted the princess that he had seen several days before. He would be more careful this time in following her, more at a distance. She had gone into the Godswood, a perfect place that was public enough that any chance encounter he could pass off as having come to visit the dreadful place. In any case he would find a tree to hide behind at first. He noted the good concealment of the bushes as well. He was a small man, so hiding was easy it seemed. He would use what was there and take advantage of it as best he could. The girl's hair was perfect, he would definitely need a sample of it. He would have to figure out a way. But for now, watching was just good enough.