About Time

Ellyn sighed and pressed her stamp to the parchment. Another letter done. Her eyes were weary and she wished another day’s rest, but something told her it wouldn’t come. She had an important meeting today – one she had been putting off for some time. Not that anyone would really blame her. After the evening of the feast Ellyn had been exhausted, and not just from events there. Alleras had come to her and she had had to deal with Lord Payne as well. Her third son’s excursion out into the city for the night was a pinprick in her side, and Stafford had been beat by Lord Payne. There were a dozen different things to think of and do. To support Jaehaera or not. To fulfill a promise. They made her gut wrench. During her visit to Oldtown, she had done many things, seen many things. All the same she had much more to do before it was done. Promises on promises, she reminded herself. What do I do when it’s time to collect on this promises?

Truth was that she didn’t know. The question swirled idly in her mind as she went about her business, wrapping herself in a thick gown of Lannister gold and crimson, embroidered with the sigil of Lannister upon her breast. Slashes of darker shades of red made their way down to the hem of her gown, until the red had nearly turned burgundy. She wore a serpent ring about her fingers, accompanied by a ruby and jade one. Her necklace was the emerald that Alleras had given her the other day, though she dared not wear the tiara in public. The tiara looked oddly too much like a crown, and anyone could suspect that she might have ambitions. After all, after what Jaehaera had said…

She sighed again. Loudly. The servants worked at her hair while she worked at her letters. With the last one done she placed it in a small container underneath the desk and leaned back, content for the time. That would go to Lord Tyrell. An apology, of sorts, and an invitation. Dinner for the two and some time to speak.

Alone.

Both of them had wished for it. Ellyn couldn’t deny that she was perhaps more eager than the Lord Paramount of the Reach himself, as he had made no attempts to contact her over the brief period of time since she had met Lord Renly. Perhaps he had forgotten, or worse, he didn’t care. Renly had assured her something, though: He wished only for peace. Jaehaera wished to protect her own. Ellyn wished to secure her rule. In doing so and fulfilling Jaehaera’s wish she could secure the two most powerful regions in Westeros and should Aegor come to the throne prevent him the support of both Houses Tyrell and Lannister.

That wasn’t the foremost of her thoughts, though. What was foremost was what Victor wanted. The question mixed with her promises. Martesse? Perhaps, and in doing so she would eliminate Lord Payne from any support in the future. Meredyth? The girl would rather scream at her then once abide her. Myrcella? She would not give her daughter away so quickly. Not after only reconnecting with her after some five years. And as for Tybolt…

This came down to her children. How she used them would be a thorn in her side. She had always emphasized the choice of it all. Perhaps if she could make it seem like a choice…

“We’re done,” murmured one of the servants, who held a mirror in front of her. Ellyn was quite surprised to see what she saw. Woven through her locks were strands of her own hair, worked masterfully over one another until a long braid worked its way down her back. Tied at the bottom was a ball of hair of sorts, but was had surprised her was how good it looked on her. It was different. She couldn’t recall having worn a braid for some time, and it nearly made her smile.

“We’re done, then,” Ellyn said. “And take this-“ She pulled out the piece of paper “-to Lord Victor Tyrell, please. I will be forever grateful.”

“Yes, my lady,” murmured one of them, quickly snatching the parchment from her hands. “At once.”

The letter spoke,

Lord Victor Tyrell,

It is a shame we have not yet met. I would have wished to do so the eve after the feast but I was kept from being able to do so. Please, accept my sincerest apologies, and an invitation to sup this eve. If you accept, I will host it in the gardens with a dozen loud singers to accompany us. No doubt you have much to discuss. No doubt we have much to discuss.

Lady Ellyn Lannister,

Lord Paramount of the Westerlands, Lady of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport, Warden of the West.