The Queen's Feast and Ball

[The Smith]

The Queen nodded to Emalia with a frosty smile, fitting on her Stark's face, "Princess, it is always a pleasure when you warm our home with your sunny presence."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Emelia smiled, but then a tug on her dress caught her attention. "And I almost forgot to introduce my daughter; a discourtesy she will no doubt remind me of the next time she sees something sweet in my possession." She looked at Nymeria. "My daughter, Nymeria Nymeros Targaryen, the entire reason for my current visit."

[The Smith]

Anya smile remains frozen on her face, "Of course, Callen has already bartered away one of my sons. Which one do you want Emelia, Rodrick or Rickon?"

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

"Rickon," responded Emelia. "Callen and I seek a joining of our dynasties through our heirs." Nymeria looked at Emelia and Anya with a somewhat dismayed expression on her face. "Damnable politics," continued Emelia softly, the word becoming a curse in her mouth for perhaps the first time.

[The Smith]

"Yes, yes.... we must do what is best for the Land. Rickon will make a lovely husband for, what's her name again? I seemed to have forgotten it." Anya smiles quizically.

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Nymeria was about to burst into a tantrum at that, but Emelia smoothly intervened while softly grasping her daughter's wrist...softly, at least in the sense that nothing -broke-. "Nymeria Nymeros Targaryen, the Last Dragon." Nymeria looked at Emelia again at that, but still said nothing...just turned her lip up in a passive-aggressive little-girl's pout.

[The Smith]

"Of course, how could I forget a name like Nymeria. In the north just about every well read woman names her girl child that. I suppose they want them to grow to be fierce, I know that is why I named my hunting bitch Nymeria." Anya smiles at the little girl, "You look fierce, and one day you will be queen of Westeros, and do your duty."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Emelia grinned as Nymeria preened and gave a brief growl, fortunately missing the point of Anya's latest jab. "Indeed, and it's flattering to know that the North-women regard my ancestor so well." She looked at Nymeria. "If Rickon grows up to be anything like his mother, he'll be a perfect husband for you indeed." Nymeria smiled to the queen as Emelia looked back at Anya. "And fortunately, she'll have years enough to learn what is expected of an Andal queen." She looked at Anya. "And I don't envy you that much. Needing to guard your chastity like gold, while your husband is not so bound..." She looked sympathetically at the confused Nymeria, then back to Anya.

[The Smith]

Anya snorts, "I think you have saddled the horse backyards there Emelia. And forunately Callen is not built that way. He cloaks himself in his honor, unlike many of his Baratheon kin."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Emelia looked at Anya. "Indeed, he does," she responded simply, a wider smile curving her lips as she heard Anya's words. Her eyes briefly locked with Anya's, her tone lowering just a shade. "It is good to know that you will support our children's rule as I will. And the legacy that we leave for our grandchildren will be something to behold."

Emelia curtseyed again. "It has been good to see you again, Your Majesty. And I am pleased to know you approve of our children's union." Nymeria followed in her curtsey, and gave Anya her most charming smile, the one she reserved for Shajura when the Princess' paramour carried sweets.