The Feast for Sara and Allard's Wedding

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"I am Elane Royce, Lord Breyn's cousin," Elane curtseyed and glanced at his surcoat. A worm and lion on a brown field. "Am I speaking to the famed Ser Steffen, Lord Baldwin's nephew?"

Seeing a server approach, she gently took the goblet out of Sara's hand before the servant could refill it, and passed it to Selwyn before taking Sara's hand again. It looked Sara was not looking forward to the bedding that would happen later tonight. Let's hope Allard isn't drinking as much, or there won't be a bedding.

She turned back to the Lannister knight and eyed him speculatively. Was this the Worm himself, whom Jon so disliked? She would be careful with this one. They said the Royces loved the falcons and the Lannisters loved their gold, but the Worm loved the Worm.

[Axell Lannister]

Steffen smiled.
"That would be me." He helped himself to some more wine, before nodding in the direction of Baldwin.

"Have you had the pleasure of meeting my uncle?"

[Deleted]

"Not yet," Elane replied. "But I would be honored to. I see my cousin is talking to him now. Sara, shall we go meet your good father?" She smiled back at Ser Steffen. "If you would be so good as to introduce us, ser."

[Axell Lannister]

"But of course." taking both ladies gently by the arm, he strode towards Baldwin, a smile still playing about his lips.

"Uncle. May I introduce Lady Elane, of House Royce, and of course your lovely new daughter." The worm laughed inside, relishing the oppurtunity to annoy his uncle.

[Bunny-Rabbit]

Ser Piers bowed to Lilith and replied, "I will be your shepherd milady, just let me get a crook." Looking about the Targaryen's Piers continued, "Which one do you want me to flirt with?"

[Bunny-Rabbit]

Lord Baldwin turned to the Worm and two Royce girls, "It is a pleasure, Lady Elane. Sara did I tell you how beautiful you look today. After seeing you this morning Allard did not complain once of being forced to marry."

[Deleted]

"Thank you, my lord. Doesn't Sara look lovely indeed? I was just asking Ser Piers to tell me where I might find some of Lannisport's best goldsmiths, so that I may gift my cousin with gold that does her beauty justice. Are there any you might recommend?"

[Bunny-Rabbit]

"I know several, I met with their council once a month. I will let you know that they all have specialties. Not that they will admit that. Some are experts at rings, while others can gild like artists." Looking at the younger woman he purses his lips. "What do wish crafted?"

[Deleted]

Elane glanced at Sara. "What would you like, sweetling?"

Sara shrugged.

"My cousin has always been the kind to decide with her eyes. Perhaps it would be best, my lord, to meet several of your best goldsmiths and see their displays, so that Sara might pick out what she likes for herself. Would my lord of Lannister be so kind as to arrange that for us?"

[Bunny-Rabbit]

"Of course, once I tell them it is for the future Lady Lannister I would not be surprised if they all gave her a piece of their wares." Lord Baldwin looked at Sara for a moment. "They have done the same for my Lady wife."

[Deleted]

"I noticed Lady Serena's magnificent gold and emerald belt. Isn't it gorgeous, Sara? Thank you, Lord Baldwin. Your wife is a lucky lady. You must commission things from those goldsmiths all the time."

[Deleted]

Elane lightly touched Lord Breyn on the shoulder as Lord Baldwin turned to take a honeycake from a passing tray. When Breyn lifted an eyebrow inquiringly, she passed him a hankerchief.

"Lemonsalt is so good for the health, Auntie Lilith told me," she said sweetly. "I always find it detoxifies me after a draught of wine. Sara, you've had the most Arbor gold, you must need one too." She passed one to the bride.

[Lilith Royce]

Lady Lilith and Ser Piers glided towards the Valyrians.

"Lady Annanicola would find you just her type," said Lilith, discretely gesturing towards a toothless old harridan in florid black and red. "I hear her lack of teeth makes her bite remarkably stimulating."

Allard re-entered the room and a bawdy song started playing. The bedding at last was beginning. She glanced at Elane, who nodded in return, and who in turn whispered something to her Royce companions.

Lilith had seen the looks exchanged by Piers and Baldwin and dreaded what had been planned. She began to discretely stroke Piers arm, running her fingers along the tender inside of his elbow. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, she thought as they started greeting the Valyrians and she began explaining Westeros bedding customs.

[Deleted]

"Let the bedding begin!" Elane declared. She began to walk towards where Auntie Lilith, the Bettley knight, and young Allard stood with the Targaryens. Lord Breyn fell into step beside her, glancing curiously at his hankerchief. Sara had gone ashen, while Ser Steffen and Lord Baldwin followed sedately.

When they reached the others, Elane and Lilith took Allard by the arms, laughing. "Let's see this young lion cub! Princesses, join us!" The silver-haired princesses began to help the Royce women drag young Allard towards the stairs, smiling. Princess Daena looked especially wicked, her violet eyes sparkling. She threw Lord Breyn a coy look. Allard was blushing.

As the women took Allard up one set of stairs, dragging his velvet and silks off, Elane saw the men gently take Sara and carry her upstairs, Ser Steffen laughing and making some jest.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

sara said:

Elane, Selwyn, how nice to see you here. You haven't seen Rhodri have you, I could see no sign of him at the wedding? And Jon, is there any news of Jon, last I heard he was still pillaging in the Reach."

"Rhodri just stormed Horn Hill with Kid Death. I suppose they are now choosing between taking Highgarden or sacking Oldtown. While we are here in silks and velvets celebrating a wedding, he's waging our war for us. I know I'd rather have blood on my sword than wine in my glass. We should be done with this and get back to the bloody work."

Selwyn is looking distinctly uncomfortable in a fine doublet. He has always preferred leather and steel.