The Queen is dead and her best friend is angry.
Elowen Redfort, Queen Aemma's Lady-in-waiting and closest confidant is in the room when the queen is murdered. Driven by her grief Elowen finds herself in the King's chambers intending to confron...
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Sunlight streamed through the red leaves of the weirwood tree, casting a warm glow on the two royals sitting at the base of the tree. Elowen leaned against the trunk of the tree. Her legs spread out to either side of her, the hem of her skirt bustled up slightly, exposing her ankles. Helaena sat between her mother's legs, relaxing into her touch as Elowen braided strands of her silver locks. A large black insect crawled over Helaena's hand, gifted to her by Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys after one of the Sea Snake's travels across the Narrow Sea.
"This one has sixty rings," Helaena spoke aloud, eyes trained on the millipede slipping between two of her fingers. "And two pairs of legs on each. That's two hundred and forty."
"Yes, it is." Elowen spoke, combing through Helaena's hair with her fingers. She glanced over her daughter's head, watching as Daeron chased after his youngest sister. Viserra squealed as she evaded her brother.
"It has eyes," Helaena added. "Though I don't believe it can see."
"Why do you think that?" Elowen asked, sectioning a part of Helaena's hair into three parts.
"It is beyond our understanding." Helena spoke, tilting into her mother's touch as she lifted the insect closer to her face.
One of Elowen's hands left Helaena's hair, tapping her daughter on the shoulder. "Careful, Butterfly."
Helaena nodded slightly, lowering her hand from her face. She glanced up as Daeron dropped onto the blanket beside her, a wriggling Viserra tightly herald in his arms.
"I captured the beast, mother." Daeron grinned, rocking the toddler side to side in his arms.
"Why thank you, Ser Knight." Elowen played along, poking her youngest daughter's thick stomach. "This beast has been wreaking havoc in these lands."
"I no beast!" Viserra squealed, giggling as her mother's fingers pushed into her sides, tickling her. "I'm a princess!"
"You are?" Elowen faked a gasp. "How do I know you speak the truth?"
Viserra considered for a moment before she pulled at her dress. "My dress."
"Your dress?" Elowen repeated, pretending to ponder over the answer. "That is a very pretty dress that only a princess would have."
"See I princess." Viserra smiled, happy her mother finally understood.
"She is right, Ser Knight." Elowen looked back to Daeron, watching as he tried to hide his grin. "This is no beast you have caught, this is a princess."
The slamming of a door caused Elowen to look up, her face falling as Aemond stormed out into the godswood. Soot stained his face except for streaks where tears had washed the dust away. Elowen gently pushed Helaena forward and tanding to her feet. Aemond ran to his mother's side, crashing into Elowen's arms.
