The Funeral of Felryn Harlaw

[Deleted]

At a secluded alcove of the Arsenal, a little away from the busy docks, Aranya Royce brings Felryn Harlaw's body, to return him to the sea.

[The Stranger]

Three bravos stand on either side of Aranya and the corpse of her lover. A small handful of servants are gathering rocks and rope, piling it besides the woman wordlessly.

"Make it quick." says the lead bravo quietly.

[Deleted]

Aranya didn't seem to even hear him. Her face was composed, withdrawn; she showed nothing. She laid Felryn gently on the shore, at a distance from the others, and returned to get the rocks and rope from the servants, waving her hand dismissively when they made to follow her.

She knelt by Felryn for a long moment, feeling a tightness and heaviness in her chest, and then began to tie the large, heavy rocks to him. She was numb, but her fingers were strong and deft and knew what to do, even if her mind felt dead. She had the rocks securely fastened in minutes.

Aranya leaned down and kissed Felryn's forehead gently. "Go in peace now," she whispered to him. "And I swear that before I die, Vikary, Clegane, the Sealord and all his pet swordsmen will pay dearly for this day. I swear it by the Drowned God and the old gods. I swear it by my love for you. I swear it by my sword."

She somehow lifted him, breathing hard, and carried him down to the sea. The cold waves splashed, seeping icily into her boots, lapping around her knees.

[The Stranger]

The Bravo watched the body slip beneath the water.

"Catch your breath, and we will return."

[Deleted]

As she lowered him into the waves, Aranya remained silent. He slipped out of her grasp, and sunk beneath the dark blue salty waters, lost under the foam. She was seized by a horrible feeling of loss, a grief that was bitter and all too familiar.

Aranya straightened and stood in the waves for a moment, imagining Felryn in watery halls deep beneath sea, dueling the Drowned God over a piece of squid, and she couldn't help but smile a little.

The tightness in her chest eased momentarily. Finally, she turned and walked back onto the land. There were loud squelching sounds as she walked, from the water in her boots, and her clothes were soaked waist down, but she didn't seem to care. She walked up to them without speaking and then paused, doubling over and clutching her stomach.

[The Stranger]

The bravos stand around her, suspicious of this latest act. None approaches.

"What is this nonsense?"

[Deleted]

Aranya shuddered, gagged, and then retched all over the ground.

[The Stranger]

"Take her," said the Bravo. Two of the men took the woman by the arm, and held her up. One of the servants held her hair as she vomited.

[Deleted]

Aranya felt sickened by her display of weakness. Was she really so disturbed as that? Aranya knew she couldn't be. She pulled away to wash her mouth in the water, and then came back, feeling a bit dizzy and weak.

They walked to the Palace.

[The Stranger]

The servants hover close to Aranya in concern, while the Bravos walk apart ever watchful.