King's Tower

[Marie]

"No," she said. "Why should I? I grew up in Sothorys and I learned very little of the events of this land save ancient history taught me by my mother. I am having to learn it all now."

[The Smith]

Selwyn replied, "He has fought with the army since before your mother arrived. Some wanted to string him up when he was recognized, but he avoided the mob's justice." He paused and fingered the nubs on his left hand, "He is a good soldier though, and a good commander."

[Marie]

She nodded, guessing that Thatcher was the other man's son..

"i would not have a man suffer for the crimes of his kin. I prefer to judge men for who they are and I will accept your judgement of Thatcher until I know him too. What do you plan to do with the part of the army that remains here? Move to Queenscrown and then to Winterfell via the Kingsroad?"

[The Smith]

Selwyn nodded, "Not until I hear back from my scouts though."

[Marie]

"Fair enough. You will have the battle command, of course, but I still intend to do my part when the time comes to fight. Have you made any arrangements to that effect?"

[The Smith]

Selwyn looked at her confused, "I am not sure I understand you."

[Marie]

"I will not stand by while you fight for the kingdom, yet I know you have the best ability to command."

[The Smith]

Selwyn raised an eyebrow, "You plan on fighting then? I thought you a queen. You are not a true queen. You are a spoiled little girl playing at queen." The tone of his voice did not change, but his face hardened, "Do you think I do not desire to cross blades with our foe. But I will stand back unless battle comes to me. Because I am a general, and a man. I know my duty, learn yours, little girl." He leaned back in his seat studying her, his head shaking slowly.

[Marie]

She slapped him, finally losing control after all the stress of the recent days.

"You will not speak to me like that again, Selwyn. If I am your queen, I must be in all ways, not only when you think I should."

[The Smith]

Selwyn reached up and rubbed at the spot she had struck him. It was only a slap but she had the arm of a warrior. "I will try." He replied dryly, "Yet I think you only hit me because my words scored a blow."

[Marie]

"They did," she said grudgingly. "I was trained for war as if I'd been a man. I've learned some of the arts with regard to leading men, such as scouting and ambushing, but I was always a better fighter than I was a military leader. Oh, I can make fine speeches but I lack the vision to be a commander, yet I don't know what I am to do if I should not fight."

[The Smith]

Selwyn shrugged and lowered his hand, "You will learn. You are young still."

[Marie]

"I will. I meant what I said, though. You must remember that our situations are reversed . In public and in private. I'm sorry if that's hard for you but it's the way it is."

[The Smith]

Selwyn's mouth twitched into the smallest of smiles, "Of course, my Queen."

[Marie]

Does he think to mock me or is that a genuine smile? Rhaenys couldn't tell. She knew so little about her betrothed.

"Call me Rhaenys when we are in private," she said. "I don't want to make this more difficult than it is. I would have you for my friend as well as my battle commander, Selwyn. I don't want us to enter marriage as near strangers. You can't want that either."