The Hunting Lodge Trip

[The Smith]

Rodrick shook his head, "I am going down to get food, and I was seeing if she wanted any. If she is asleep I will eat alone." He turned and walked away.

[Deleted]

The red cloaks remained in their positions, yawning. Presently they were relieved by another pair of red cloaks. Time wore on until morning.

In the morning, the maids brought up hot water and bathed the queen, and another pair of maids brought up hot water for Rodrick, giggling and smiling. The queen's guardsmen and Ser Galwyn ate a quick breakfast while the royals got ready.

[The Smith]

Rodrick stumbled into his bath groggy from the late night and just a bit hungover. Moving downstairs he grabbed a plate and filled it to over flowing sitting down he began to eat.

[Deleted]

The dining room had been cleared of all the guests, who were being made to dine in the kitchens so that the queen and the prince could have full use of the dining room in privacy. Queen Jeyne presently came downstairs, immaculate and elegant in an ivory gown, on the arm of Ser Galwyn Fell, who matched her in his white knight's uniform.

The staff of the inn - the innkeeper, his wife, and the two kitchenboys and the maids - had scrubbed themselves clean and dressed in their best clothes, and stood at the bottom of the stairwell as Jeyne and Ser Galwyn came down.

"Good morning, Rodrick," she smiled, taking the seat opposite him. Ser Galwyn stood by the wall. The innkeeper and his wife bowed to them both and began to serve them personally. The breakfast was massive. Rashers of bacon, hard boiled eggs, fried tomatoes and mushrooms, blood sausages, two baskets of fresh bread rolls along with two crocks of freshly churned butter, a wheel of white cheese, pink ham, and freshly squeezed fruit juices and milk.

[The Smith]

Rodrick nodded to her as he shoveled mushrooms, sausage and eggs into his mouth at the same time. "Good morning."

[Deleted]

Jeyne winced a little at his table manners, and delicately nibbled on lightly buttered bread and everything else that the innkeeper's wife served her. They were both tripping over themselves to make sure Rodrick and Jeyne were comfortable, and Jeyne reassured them smilingly that she was.

"It's not often that we get such distinguished company, Your Grace," the innkeeper gushed, going all red. "Were your rooms comfortable? I'm sorry we could not provide better..."

"They were very comfortable indeed," Jeyne assured him. "Weren't they, Prince Rodrick?"

[The Smith]

Rodrick looked at the man and nodded, "I slept like a babe." He smiled at the Inn keeper, and when the man had rushed off to get more bacon he murmured to Jeyne, "Thanks to his daughter letting me suckle like a baby."

[Deleted]

Jeyne looked stunned. "Are you serious?" she narrowed her eyes, her voice low and quiet.

[The Smith]

Rodrick laughed, "Well you were sleeping, and I was thirsty."

[Deleted]

Jeyne's eyes flashed with anger. "I do believe you are lying to irritate me again. Please keep your thoughts to yourself from now on." She finished her breakfast in silence, and as she rose, she thanked the innkeeper, and gave them both purses of money.

[The Smith]

Rodrick chuckled, and ate in silence. He followed her out, and mounted his horse. "I am sorry, but I did lie to annoy you. For some reason I really wanted to see your reaction."

[Deleted]

Jeyne looked at him like an exasperated older sister. "I don't understand why you seem to enjoy provoking me," she said, as they rode out. "You can be charming, Rodrick, but then you can also be...well, crass. You are a prince of the realm. You should set an example."

[The Smith]

"I am wondering about it myself." Rodrick replied, "I think about you almost as much as I think about Selyse."

[Deleted]

"Well then, stop," she said, irritated, and spurred Valiant into a canter, putting distance between herself and Rodrick. She felt a mix of emotions, especially anger. Selyse was her friend, Rodrick was so handsome and stupid about women, and...why couldn't Rickon talk to her like this?

[The Smith]

Rodrick ignored her for awhile, riding along in silence. Then he kicked forward his mount closing in on her. "What exactly do you want me to stop, Jeyne?"