Thwip.

Shit, an eight?!

Thwip.

A nine... Damn it all, Rhaenys was right... I needed broader playing field.

Elaena sighed to herself as she pulled the reigns of her silver mare. The horse slowed to a walk, and Elaena caught her breath as she eyed the speckled targets further down the Kingswood.

She'd been practicing in the vast trees for a week, and she still hadn't scratched the surface of them. Aemond had ensured she'd have more targets than she knew what to do with.

Some were so high she wondered if she would ever reach them, and at the sight of green tufts peaking through the dead wood, she knew she was running out of time to try.

She heard a nearing trot behind her and turned to see Aemond slowing down on his own steed. She pulled her mare to a complete stop before sliding off her back.

"You've been at it for hours today," Aemond said with a soft pant, a smirk forming on his lips as he looked down to her, "Finally tired out?"

"Disgruntled, more like." She admitted with a half smile, watching him dismount his horse to stand next to her, "Who did you employ to install these boards? Giants?"

His expression softened, "You need some of them drawn down?"

"No," She said quickly, a blush overtaking her cheeks as that competitive desire spread through her again, "I was just curious."

His lips curled again, and his eye raked up the trees to gaze at her conquered boards.

For a moment, she found herself dazed by the sight of him in the winter forest. Since the first day he'd brought her to the Kingswood, she hadn't been able to shake the belief that he fit perfectly in the scene.

His hair, his leathers, his gloves... He may very well be Winter in human skin—Stop staring at him. Don't be strange.

Her gaze flickered away just as he looked back down to her.

"Quite impressive how high you've gotten already." He said, and she sighed at the clear line of her mastery.

"Tis about as high as I'm used to."

"You mean to say the woods of Driftmark do not tower so?"

"Not nearly as much," She shook her head, feeling her expression falter as she secured her bow to her torso, "I tremble to wonder if my aim can get up—"

"It can," He cut her off, stealing her attention from the trees, "I can get the head bowman to assist, his aim stretches quite far... He'd be more than willing to coach you."

Her eyes widened at his certainty, her blush flaring more as he looked at her solidly.

... Why? Why? Why is he doing this?

The training yard would have been enough. The mare is incredibly beautiful, and I want to keep her forever. The Kingswood... Unbelievable.

And now—This is too much. Breathe.

Talk.

"Why?" She asked with a threatening grimace. Between his steady gaze and unwavering desire to give her things, she was beginning to feel unnerved.

Aemond tilted his head at her clear apprehension, "Why not?"

. . . Well, damn, that's not the answer I was looking for. That isn't even an answer. Can he please tell me what he's thinking? I don't want to say the wrong thing—

She sighed at her nervous thoughts, dropping her gaze from him to eye the trees again.

"Well, I'm not sure," Her voice lowered in uncertainty, "Winter is leaving us, soon I won't even be able to see those targets anyway..."

No need in wasting anyone's time—

"Then I'll have them repositioned in the spring." He said easily, and she turned back to see his steady gaze unchanged. Her heart stuttered as he watched her expression falter.

"Aemond, I don't know..." Her voice trailed off and her nerves unsettled.

So much work, so much effort, so many layers...

Just for me? So much fun—No, it's not that serious. It's just a pastime—

"Do you like to shoot, Elaena?" His voice snapped her out of her conflicting thoughts. His expression remained, and she felt her heart race.

"... Yes—"

"No, you love it." He said in full confidence, and she felt her eyebrows furrow in defense, "You lose track of time out here... You turn into a completely different person when you shoot, did you know that?"

Her gaze dropped in abashment.

Am I truly so obvious that he notices such things whilst trailing behind me on horseback?

Gods, Elaena, how embarrassing—

She swallowed dryly as his attention didn't relent, and she heard him sigh through his nose.

"I don't have to call on our bowman," He said lowly, pulling the reigns of his horse to follow behind him down their path, "Just a thought."

She felt her heart stutter as he moved past her, and her eyes widened in concern. He took on a stroll, and she watched after him before looking back up to the high targets.

Try as she might, she couldn't ignore the desire to strike them. She could almost feel the success of it despite the targets' thick distance from her quota.

"... You said he would be more than willing?" She said aloud, and she saw Aemond stop in her peripheral, "Do you truly think so?"

"I know so," He said, turning to look at her over his shoulder, "He's only seen you in the training yard, when he sees this..."

She clenched her teeth as his words itched up her spine. She saw so many flaws in the higher targets she'd struck, could he not? Would the head bowman ignore them? Would he happily train a lady?

"I suppose..." She mumbled, and he fully turned back to approach her again.

"Believe me, Elaena," He said, and she met his gaze, "At the very least, he'll see great potential in these woods."

Her heart stuttered as her blush deepened. She prayed Aemond mistook her flushed face as a reaction to the cold. Fortunately, he continued his stroll back the way they'd come, pulling his gaze away from her to look ahead.

"You're truly skilled," He continued as she followed beside him, "Very controlled on horseback, and quite agile on foot..."

She hummed, not knowing what to say in response to his compliments. She wasn't used to it, especially from someone as capable as him.

"You almost move in these woods like a cat," He said thoughtfully, and his lips curled as he looked to her, "Iā kēlītsos."
(A little cat)

Elaena's heart stopped as she registered his High Valyrian.

She met his gaze then, seeing his eye glimmer in a conviction that restarted her heart. His voice was far smoother than it had been when they were children...

Her lips quirked back to him.

"... Iksā mēre naejot ȳdragon," She said lowly, noticing how his expression softened further, "Yn iksā daor kēlītsos."
(You're one to talk... But you are no little cat)

His eye flickered over her form, and she sensed the challenge in his disposition as he pursed his lips.

"Skoros iksin nyke pār?" He asked, and her smile grew at the fluidity of his words.
(What am I then?)

She tore her gaze away as he rose an eyebrow in anticipation, and a humorous air fluttered between them.

"Iā zaldrīzes," She said through her smirk, "Lo eman mirre ūndegīon mēre."
(A dragon, if I have ever seen one)

He stayed quiet as they walked with their horses, and she thought of him training at the Keep, moving in grace and agility that could easily rival hers. And she didn't mind it. He was a sight to see.

"Se ñuhoso ao sōves nūmāzma," She said in a marvelous tone, "Se pryjagon kostōba."
(The way you fly about, and strike strong)

"Mm, daor hae daor ūndegīda hae iā keli." He said, shaking his head while pursing his lips.
(Mm, not as inconspicuous as a cat)

"Kostā sagon kreni..." She said in the breath of a chuckle, an uncontrollable grin etching on to her face.
(You may be surprised...)

Elaena trailed off at the sight of a tuft of snow floating from his silver hair, having gotten thrown off from him shaking his head.

It landed on the black leather of his shoulder, and without thinking, she reached to brush it off.

Aemond's gaze snapped to her touch just before she withdrew it. His eye widened slightly, and her grin lingered at him. His expression softened, and he hummed to himself as she looked ahead.

She could feel his eye remain on her as they walked back to the forest entrance.

• • •

"What a wonderful thing!" Saera cheesed, settling on Samantha's couch next to Elaena, "Tis no surprise he wants to call on the King's bowman to coach you, you're an exquisite shot."

Elaena hummed to herself, and Samantha clapped from her cushioned spot on the floor.

"Indeed, what I wouldn't give to go back in time and see those snobs buckle at the sight of you." The Tarly girl jested, "'Twas a priceless sight—"

"We know, Sam, you've spoken of nothing else since." Elaena said flatly with a soft smile, and Saera chuckled while Samantha wrinkled her nose.

"And I was going to say if you need any more encouragement to excel, there you have it, Velaryon." She shot back, but Elaena snorted, "They've been on edge ever since—I love it. Just imagine what they would do if they found out the prince was tasking the head bowman to coach you."

Elaena sighed at the truth of the idea. Helaena's other ladies had become more watchful of her in every meeting. She'd been happy for Samantha and Saera redirecting their attentions, as she'd always remained silent in the gatherings.

But she was certain if the ladies knew of Aemond's intentions, the pressure would exacerbate. And it was already enough pressure placed on her from the thought of Aemond going through with it.

"I don't know, ladies..." She mumbled.

"What do you mean?" Saera asked softly, and Elaena slumped further into the couch, "Oh, don't tell me you're averse to such a gift."

"Lady Elaena, the prince is doting on you." Sam said in a slight whine, "Tis a good thing."

"But is it not strange to you both?" Elaena asked, sitting up quickly in confusion, "Tis quite an order to have an esteemed man of the King's employ to coach a lady."

"Believe me, darling, if the prince commands it, there isn't a man at court who can say no," The Tarly girl assured, "And with the way he looked at you in the yard, he wishes to be at your command."

Elaena choked on air as her eyes widened, and Sam wiggled her eyebrows at her. Saera let out a cackle before quickly stifling it, and Elaena shook her head at both of them.

"Don't shake your head," Samantha laughed, "Help me out, Lady Saera, he wants a piece of that pie!"

"Aemond is not thinking like that," Elaena said with a deep flush, "He merely has an interest in above average skillsets."

"You don't say..." Samantha said in a sultry voice, and Elaena rolled her eyes before thoughtlessly grabbing a pillow and throwing it at the Tarly girl.

"Wait a moment—" Saera sat up as Samantha snorted and evaded Elaena's attack, "Aemond... Aemond? The two of you are on a first name basis?"

Elaena blinked as her cheeks flared further. Samantha gasped in delight.

"Oh, they are! You know they are!" She chirped, "Is he courting you?"

"He is not!" Elaena said quickly, and the ladies pursed their lips at her, "He isn't! What has possessed the two of you to believe as much from me simply saying his name?"

"You misunderstand how pivotal this is—Lily!" Samantha called for her handmaiden as though the girl was leagues away... But she was just at the parlor desk, listening to the ladies' gossip.

She stiffened at Sam's acknowledgment, and her lip quirked at the lady's excited disposition.

"Please, tell the lady what you have heard—Lily has learned quite a lot of dirt living within these walls." Samantha said quickly, waving Lily over.

Elaena furrowed her eyebrows in apprehension, and the maid approached to grasp Samantha's waving hand playfully.

"Indeed, my lady," Lily said calmly, "The maids of the Keep have informed me quite a bit... I can say the prince is very serious about his position. The staff and court acknowledge him in reverence, much to his own expectation."

"So the fact he allows you to converse so casually with him..." Samantha pressed, her eyes wide in desperation, "He is trying to court you."

"He is not!" She exasperated, "He would never, not after what happened."

"The very fact the two of you have a childhood history is pivotal enough," Saera contested, "You knew him before he became this force of nature."

Elaena sighed, but couldn't ignore the thought of the young boy. Sweet memories in the atheneum, the sky, the dragonpit. . .

She clenched her teeth, glad she had omitted his kiss from her tellings to Sam and Saera—she was sure they wouldn't relent this girlish belief otherwise.

"And that is the only reason he allows me to speak his name," She nodded, "He is not looking to court me... But he does see potential in my archery, and apparently so does the head bowman."

Saera made a straight face, "Well, then his enlistment is a proper compliment, why not accept it?"

"Because it's just so... extravagant," Elaena sighed, "I believe I'm good, but I don't see the need for such luxury."

Nor do I deserve it.

"I also won't be in King's Landing forever," She continued, "Why should I take time away from the regularities here when I'm going to d-Driftmark... When I'm going back to Driftmark..."

You imbecile, you nearly let it slip—This is why you shouldn't talk so much.

Samantha snorted as Elaena swallowed uneasily, "You're not going back now. I'd say it's a great method to pass the time."

"Or..." Saera trailed off, leaning into Elaena's flustered form, "You could attempt to find a match here—"

"The prince is not trying to court me." Elaena stated, sensing an innuendo in the Stark girl's words, but Saera shook her head.

"It doesn't have to be the prince." She said softly, "Just as the lot of us, you can endeavor towards a match from court. At least that way you could stay here."

... It isn't the worst idea—But it doesn't matter. You don't want to be here, there, anywhere...

But do I even wish to see my end in Driftmark? Do I even wish to suffer the journey back?

Elaena grimaced to herself, "... Mm."

"Should you decide to thrust yourself into the lions' den," Samantha chimed in, "I'd be more than happy to assist you. Most men of the realm can't resist Valyrian or Dornish beauty, and you've acquired both."

Elaena clenched her teeth in abashment as Saera nodded in agreement.

"If they so much as smell your interest in courtship, they'll be at you like a pack of hounds."

"How delightful." Elaena said in low sarcasm. The thought unnerved her far more than it enticed her, but it lingered in her mind as she and Saera left Samantha's chambers.

It was a redundant idea, to participate in the mingling of Spring when she knew her time was running out.

Just how many more people would she touch before she left? How many more people would she have to lie to?

But she couldn't help it. She felt nauseous at the idea of going home. She couldn't see herself lasting one minute in Driftmark, or however long it would take for her to find a blade—

She stopped in the middle of the corridor, shutting her eyes and taking a deep breath. Her wrists flared beneath her dress sleeves, and she gritted her teeth to refrain from scratching.

If I never lived to see that island again, it would be too soon.

Bitterness coated her tongue at the thought, and suddenly she felt a wave of pride settle over her shoulders. She didn't wish to live, but she didn't wish to die there either.

She couldn't give Driftmark the satisfaction, seeing her end after pushing her towards it all her life.

... Just a little longer... Try to see it through...

The thought of truly playing a lady in waiting was grueling, but the further she thought over it, the more sense it made.

You cannot simply float about these halls, taking up space. When Spring is at an end, you'll need an excuse to stay... Gather suitors who wish to court you, and Helaena may vouch for your desire for a match.

You need to paint it as such, the people will notice your complacency. They'll also notice your time with Aemond...

He's doing all of these things for you, he's engaging with you... And you have paid little mind to any other man here—

Shit, they'll think you a harlot—Oh, Gods, a paramour—Surely it hasn't been long enough for people to suspect that. . .

But who can say?

Her heart ached at the sudden image of her mother. Ophelia had been gone for nearly twenty years, and people who remembered her still whispered debates on her virtue.

Had she been a savage before Vaemond? A slave? A whore?

It hurt Elaena to consider such styles of her mother, to know that one of them might have been true.

But she knew in her heart Ophelia had had a brighter dream for her. A certain passion bloomed in her chest at the thought, and she made a decision then and there.

When they look at me, they remember you, no matter how much Kepa has tried to throw you away...

I will not taint your memory further, Muña...

Elaena turned on her heel to march back to Sam's quarters. If she were to die, she would leave everyone with better memory of herself. She would destroy any curses to her mother's name.

She would be a lady of the realm.

She had as much in mind to tell Samantha when she turned back to her chambers. She acted in determination as she thrust the lady's doors open again.

"Sam, I've changed my..."

Her voice trailed off as her body froze in Sam's doorway.

The Tarly girl sat in the chair of her parlor, and Lily was nestled on her lap. The maid's hands cupped the lady's face tenderly, and she snatched her lips away from Samantha's at the sound of Elaena's voice.

The two of them sat up in a startled daze.

Elaena's eyes widened at the sight, and the room stilled for a moment. The three of them simply gawked at one another, and she couldn't recall what she'd been about to say in her fit of resolve. 

All she could register was the fear in Samantha's eyes.

It troubled her, and Elaena quickly felt embarrassed by her intrusive behavior. The fact of the matter couldn't settle on her mind, she was so shocked, but her immediate reaction was to blame herself.

She stiffened back into composure.

"Forgive me!" Her voice rang as she stiffly turned away to leave.

"Elaena!" Samantha's voice was so startled, so different from its usual timbre. Elaena turned back immediately, seeing Lily scurry off of the Tarly girl's leg to stand.

Samantha stood up right after, keeping in front of Lily as the girl looked on in building tears. Elaena felt her heart clench at the sight of them, and she waited for Sam to say something.

For once, she seemed at a loss for words.

"Don't tell anyone." She finally managed, her voice but a shaky whisper. But her plea rang in Elaena's mind like a bell.

Slowly, she found herself back in her bedchamber in High Tide. Shaken. Scared. Petrified by the sight of Baela. She'd uttered the very same words to her cousin, and she'd never received a response...

"I won't." She said quickly.

The girls didn't relax from her assurance, and the weight of the moment fully settled on her. She swallowed stiffly before turning again and fleeing the room.

• • •

Elaena sat around her parlor for hours, unable to wrap her head around what she'd seen. She hoped Sylvia was not offended by her silence, but she was afraid the moment her lips parted, the truth would flee from them.

Night fell over the castle, and she remained on her couch, thoughtlessly staring into her lit fireplace.

Sylvia sat on the floor before her, doodling in her diary as the silence ticked on. As Elaena looked at her, she could only see a young girl. A quiet friend, a little sister perhaps. . .

She could not imagine Sylvia as anything else—

The two of them winced at the sound of knocking at the door. Elaena's eyebrows furrowed as Sylvia got up to answer it.

"Lady Sam." Sylvia greeted sweetly, and Elaena looked up.

At the sight of Samantha's small smile for the handmaiden, she felt her heart stutter. She sat up as the lady entered the room, and Sam's expression melted away as she met Elaena's gaze.

They looked at one another for a moment, the crackle of fire being the only sound in the parlor. Elaena swallowed stiffly before looking to her handmaiden.

"Sylvia, would you mind hiding out in my bedchamber for a while?" She said softly, and she saw Sam stiffen in her peripheral. Sylvia's kind expression faltered, and Elaena gave her a small smile.

The young maid made a straight face before nodding and quickly making for Elaena's room.

Elaena flitted her gaze back to Sam, seeing the Tarly girl fist her skirts nervously. It worried Elaena to see the girl so beside herself.

"Would you like to sit?" She asked softly, pulling her knees in to make room on her couch. Samantha clenched her teeth before letting out a breath through her nose.

Slowly, she made her way to the open spot beside Elaena. The silence carried on as she sat down, her green eyes glued to the bright fire before them. Elaena sighed to herself, deciding to initiate for the sake of her friend's nerves.

"Sam—"

"I came to ask your forgiveness..." The Tarly girl cut her off, causing her eyes to widen as words spilled from Sam's lips, "I know that was... I know that was shocking, I-I know you must be disgusted by me—by us, completely and utterly—"

"I am not." Elaena said immediately, and Sam's gaze flickered from the fire to meet hers. Elaena's chest tightened at the sight of her glassy eyes, and she spoke with deeper conviction, "I am not."

Sam let out a low breath, her eyes wide in disbelief as Elaena sat closer to her on the couch.

"I suppose this... explains a few things." Elaena said slowly, nodding to herself.

"... Like what?" Samantha asked, her voice small and confused.

"Like... your reluctance to pursue courtship," Elaena said, furrowing her eyebrows in thought, "Your insouciance towards the princes, your aversion to the men of the Keep... To men in general."

Her gaze dropped from Sam's in understanding.

"I should like to ask your forgiveness, I should not have barged in like that... Into your personal space."

Sam remained silent, and Elaena looked back up to see her expression still in shock. Tears continued to build in her eyes, and Elaena sighed in sympathy.

"How is she?" She asked in concern, "Lily?"

"... She wants to go home." Samantha said, her voice thick with coming tears. Elaena's eyebrows quirked sadly, and Sam returned her gaze to the fire, "She's never felt safe here, what with the Queen's piousness, with the things she's heard of happening here, with hiding our... ourselves..."

Elaena looked at her in confusion, "What other things has she heard of?"

Samantha breathed in, grimacing at a thought Elaena was suddenly scared to know.

"... Tis a dangerous job for any maid to work under righteous men." She said, "Let alone the home of high lords and sovereigns of the realm... She thought it would be as much here, it's quite a similar scenario in Horn Hill..."

Elaena blinked in understanding, and she flinched at the thought of Morgrym.

It's a similar scenario anywhere...

"But still," Sam continued, breaking Elaena out of her thoughts, "She has family there, she prefers to stay close to them rather than stay here with me—"

Her voice broke off as her tears slipped her eyes. Her expression broke, and a shiver went through her as she caved in slightly. Elaena's eyes widened as she crumbled, wrapping her arms around herself in devastation.

Elaena thoughtlessly placed a hand on her back, feeling her tremble, "I'm so sorry..."

It was all she could say. She hadn't the slightest idea what Samantha was going through, and it was mind boggling how a girl so bright and witty could harvest such sorrow.

But Elaena knew her way around sorrow, and she wouldn't leave anyone to feel it alone.

"Tis probably for the best..." Sam sniffled, wiping her tears with a discomforted expression, "My father sent me away on account of the subtlest rumor."

Oh... Oh, no...

"Should anyone find out about us here, it would shame my house to no end... They'd send me to the Silent Sisters, and Lily... Who knows what would happen to her—"

"I will not tell anyone." Elaena stated firmly, and Samantha's gaze dulled as she took in her words.

"... But?" She inquired, turning her gaze to Elaena in cynical wait. Elaena's heart stuttered at her skepticism.

"There is no but..." She said softly, shaking her head in assurance, "I promise."

Sam blinked at Elaena's conviction, and her gaze brightened again. She swallowed down her remaining tears before hesitantly nodding to Elaena.

"Thank you..."

"No, no," Elaena shook her head further, "I only expected to have Helaena when I came here... You and Saera have been very kind to me, you've pledged open ears and minds... Tis only fair if I do the same."

More tears brewed in the Tarly girl's eyes, but Elaena could tell they were of a different emotion to the fear she'd shown before.

"I only wish to caution you," Elaena continued, "This could have been quite a mess."

Samantha nodded and her new tears slipped her eyes at the thought, "Don't I know..."

Elaena rubbed her back in comfort, feeling a strange assurance at the sight of Samantha's trust.

"I knew I was smart to befriend you." She said, and Elaena felt her own eyes prick up with tears, "As unnerving as this is, I must say... I am relieved, I feel I can breathe a bit easier..."

... What a wonderful feeling that must be.

Elaena smiled genuinely to the girl, feeling a wave of pride in herself that she could be trusted. That she'd done something right.

"I know what it is like to feel trapped..." She whispered, and Samantha's eyebrows furrowed, "To want so desperately to tell someone, and you can't..."

She felt her wrists itch beneath her dress sleeves, and she breathed in to keep her tears at bay.

"I swear to you, your secret is safe with me."

Sam looked to her in a new understanding. Clearly, there was more to the other lady than they'd both anticipated. It was silent for a moment as they gazed into the fire, both of them settling into the couch.

And then Sam furrowed her eyebrows.

"What was it you wished to say?" She asked, gaining Elaena's attention, "When you came back?"

The mood of the room lightened further as Elaena smiled nervously to her. Sam squinted playfully, and Elaena sat up with a sigh.

"I'd like to take you up on your offer of advice..." She said, "Courtship has become an intriguing idea."

———

Whewwwweeeeeeeeee this was a tough chapter to write. Between the Aemond scene at the start and the Samantha scene at the end, ya girl was losing ideas for words.

What are your thoughts? Questions, comments, concerns?

Ima be real, I'm stuck on that new music video Ewan was in 💀 What tf was actually going on? What is EVER going on in a Ewan Mitchell project? Whatever, he ate 🤗

Aemond's on his spoiling shit already, I love that for Elaena. Samantha hath officially come outeth the closet. Who peeped it, if anyone?

Alrighty more cute shit next chapter! WE'RE AT 25 😍😍😍