Elseyris visits Visenya

Elsey flopped into the offered seat, setting the crutch against the arm. She ran a hand through her unbound hair.

"I feel terrible, Visenya. I don't know what's wrong, but I feel like all my energy is just draining away. I'm going to see the Grand Maester in a little while, to see if he can help. I hope you are faring well."

Elsey wrinkled her nose at the suggestion of cosmetics, which she didn't like wearing. She didn't want to argue with her sister though.

"It seems everyone has been luckier than I, but I am told that I am to make the best of it nonetheless. I doubt anyone would say the same if it were them."

She tilted her head in confusion;

"What do you mean by 'understanding'?"

"I suppose we don't have to," said Elsey, flatly, wondering why Visenya was suddenly being civil to Trajan. She'd seen her sister glare and snap at him several times before.

"It is good that you have found friendship with your betrothed. Given the King's contempt for us, that is probably the best one could hope for. I hope he will make you happy. I hear Darkheart Keep is a nice place."

Elseyris could feel the tightness of anxiety in her chest, as she searched for words.

"Visenya, I want to apologize to you. From our last meeting, it is clear to me that I have hurt you, I think I know why, and I am very sorry. I have never wanted or intended to do so. I can explain, if you want me to, but what is most important to me is that I make amends. How can I make things right?"

Elsey looked earnestly at her sister, her eyes tearful.

Elsey fought back the tears, and tried to hold herself still, though she fidgeted with her pendants.

"I would like to have the past behind us, though I am afraid for the future. Everything is so overwhelming right now. I have been fraught for so long about seeing you, fearing your wrath. I..."

She trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

"Once I realised that you had cared more than I thought, yes, I did. It did not occur to us at the time that we would be hurting anyone, and we neither could change our hearts besides, but now that I know harm was done, I bear a regret for causing you that harm. I can only ask for your absolution."

She took the mirror, but did not look at her reflection.

"I would rather not have you be jealous of me, for your own sake as well as mine. A grudge is like a stone in the shoe. Besides, I am in one of the least enviable positions of us all at the moment."

Elsey took Visenya's hand gently, looking up at her with eyes full of sadness and apology.

"I had thought it ambition rather than feeling, but, as always, I got it wrong," said Elsey, softly, Visenya's frown making her feel more anxious. "None of us may choose with whom we fall in love, and as much as it has pained me to know we hurt you, we cannot change our hearts."

At Visenya's handwave, Elsey bowed her head. "Thank you. Your forgiveness means a lot to me."

She finally looked at her reflection, as Visenya held the mirror up. She did look significantly better, though she still felt awful inside.

"You are very good at that, Visenya. I look less like a ghost now."

She squeezed her hand in return, her eyes sad but loving.

"I didn't mean any accusation," Elseyris said hurriedly, realising she had spoken incorrectly again. "I should stop trying to explain myself, before I make more of a mess. I just misunderstood, that's all I meant."

She held the jar tightly between her hands, turning it slightly, watching the powder sift to one side.

"I hope he is not the last man like that, this world needs more of them. Truly, Visenya, he is the best man that I know, and we love eachother so much. While I do not feel terribly lucky right now, given my new confines, I live in hope that both of us will see happier futures soon. I do not know Lord Maekar well, but he seems like a decent enough man. I'm sure he'll treat you well."

"I do not think you are driven only by ambition," said Elseyris, softly. "I try to tell him that you two need not quarrel so, but he has been so cold for so long. I tried to talk him into making amends with you, but he seems unconvinced of the merit of that. I wish we could all be friends."

Elsey watched the way Visenya played with her hair, and smiled.

"What does Mother think of your match?"

Elsey let out a heavy sigh;

"I am sorry he insulted you. I won't push the issue, and I won't take sides, but if you two ever wish to try again at working things out, I would like to help. As for Mother, well, she doesn't think we should trust anyone, so I am not surprised. Perhaps she will come around if she sees you safe and happy though."

"Perhaps it will. I find that looking for the good in others brings out the good in me too," said Elsey, with a warm smile, despite suspecting that it would be difficult to find much good in Trajan.

"Ah, so you have met him too. He heard I was confined to bed rest, and brought me an enormous poetry book to read. It was very thoughtful of him," Elsey smiled. "A nice man, though no match for me at cyvasse."

"I am not sure if he himself is a lover of poetry, but he seemed to know that I was. I have long hoped that Mother would find someone to make her happy again, though I did not know that she was involved with him."

Elseyris shrugged and smiled.

"As long as she is happy, that is what matters. I just hope he doesn't break her heart."