Owen's Room

[Ser Beric Dayne]

Owen wasn't sure what to say. What young lord would honestly say he didn't wish to marry a princess? But, at the same time, he had a bit of an uneasy feeling towards the realms new rulers. Strange foreign folk. But then again, he'd sworn an oath, regardless of his personal feelings it would be foolish to decline a polite request from the Queen.

"I'd be a fool not to," he said, breathing deep and forcing himself to be calm. "It's an incredible honor that you'd ask me, your Grace," he said, though he knew the Queen had chosen for political reasons.

"I'm sure I can do you both proud," he said, more for his own benefit than hers.

[Marie]

"Thank you," she said. "I am pleased you do not refuse me."

She smiled at him. It would be good to have a close tie to the Lannisters and not only because of their gold and their power.

"I shall arrange for you to meet Kyma shortly. She's not best pleased with my plans but give her time. She's a good woman still."

[Ser Beric Dayne]

"I've no doubt she is. I look forward anxiously to our meeting, be assured. Now, if I may," he said, fingering the socket of his missing pinkie, "you mentioned she was older. You must excuse me, but how old is she?" he asked, a bit embarrassed that he hadn't paid proper attention to the situation. Left to his own devices he probably would have looked to marry a comely daughter of the Riverlands or Reach in an attempt to buy a bit of peace, tenuous as it might be; however, the Queens own sister was certainly a better prospect.

[Marie]

"She's twenty-one, still young enough for you, don't worry about that. She's clever but sharp-tongued but that is all to the good in the long run."

Rhaenys suddenly smiled.

"Having a woman at Kyma by your side will surely keep your lords in order, Ser Owen."

[Ser Beric Dayne]

"Close ties to the crown certainly come with benefits, to say nothing of whatever special talents your sister may posses. Of course, ties to a house such as mine present their own set of benefits, as you're no doubt well aware. Not that you need buy my loyalty, of course, I did swear an oath before Gods and men, after all. But of course your Grace need not take lessons from a cub like myself," he smiled, feeling much better knowing Kyma wasn't too much older than he was.

[Marie]

Rhaenys continued to smile.

"Finally someone who does not seek to tell me how to rule my kingdom! Now there's a miracle! If Kyma does as I wish, I will be very glad to have you in our family, Owen."

[Ser Beric Dayne]

////////////

Owen returned to his room after a long cold day afield. He'd seen many a track, though the deer themselves seemed to stay one step ahead of him. It was a shame, because he had truly been in a mood to shoot something.

He sat down on his bed and began to take off his boots, wondering if he ought to go and speak with the Queen about his encounter with her sister. It would be wrong to let her go on thinking she'd found a good match for her, so he suppose he might as well go tell her. It could wait for the morning, as he was near starving and very tired.

[Marie]

Word of Kyma's behaviour had already reached the queen's ears, and that of her personal household. A beautiful woman arrived at Owen's door. She was dark-haired and dark eyed and her skin was like honey. It was clear that she was of Dornish origin. She was clothed in red silk with a black sash embroidered with red dragons.

"Ser Owen, have you a moment to spare for a lady of the queen's household?"

[Ser Beric Dayne]

"Always," he said, leading her in. "What might the Queen have of me?"

[Marie]

The woman smiled. She was dressed warmly, her gown high-necked, but the tight bodice hugged her figure to show off her curves.

"Your speech, ser. We heard about Princess Kyma's diatribe agaisnt you. By the by, I'm Obara Ladybright. Her Grace would like to know what you think of her sister."

[Ser Beric Dayne]

"Pleasure to meet you, Lady Ladybright," he said, taking a seat with a quite sigh. "Well, I would love to report that she took an instant liking to me, though, I'm a afraid that is in no way true. I'm not so certain that she dislikes me personally, because she at no point attempted to speak kindly towards me, which makes me think that she is perhaps more against the idea of being told whom she should marry than that she holds a personal grudge against me. But, then again, I may be wrong? Perhaps she's seen me about and disliked me, or perhaps she's heard some vile tale somewhere. I can't say."

He sighed. "I'm sorry to disappoint the Queen, but it certainly doesn't look like she's any interest in me."

[Marie]

Obara shrugged.

"Princess Kyma is a contrary creature, truth be told. I can't see why she would dislike you. I find you rather handsome. I would marry you on the instant if you asked me! But Kyma...she ought do her duty as the Queen asks. I wondered if perhapas you might try more subtle means of winning Kyma to your side."

[Ser Beric Dayne]

"You'd likely know better than I, though I wonder if kidnapping her like a wildling might be the only possible solution. Still, perhaps you'd be willing to elaborate a bit?"

[Marie]

Obara grinned and laid a hand on his arm, just above the elbow.

"Make her jealous, ser."

[Ser Beric Dayne]

"Of what? I don't have a great deal to be jealous of here in the north. Tattered clothes and dented armor. I doubt she'd find any of that of much interest. And if you mean jealous of another woman, I can't say I understand why she would ever envy a woman at the arm of a man she dislikes," he shook his head. "I don't think that would work...would it?"