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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jul 4, 2009 14:46:18 GMT -5
Ariel smiled softly at Rhaenys. "Don't let it, Rhaenys. Don't allow your happiness to be only fleeting, or your misery to be a constant. If opportunities for happiness seem limited, then take each as they come and cherish them always; never go to bed without a happy thought. And just because you can never let your guard down, doesn't mean you constantly need to lose yourself to fear or worry. Understand all the dangers arrayed against yourself, and then fear nothing."
She looked at Rhaenys. "Sorry. It's just that...your face...It's a face that was meant to smile, but whenever I look at it, there's always something haunting it."
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Post by Marie on Jul 4, 2009 16:01:26 GMT -5
"The perils of rank," Rhaenys said. "I must always be thinking ahread and I cannot possibly account for the actions of others. It's what other people do that gives me the most headaches."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jul 4, 2009 16:08:53 GMT -5
Ariel nodded. "I see. I suppose it would look like less of a chore from my rest, but then, I love spinning plots and plans and then making them work. So if you ever need someone to bounce ideas off of, I'll be around somewhere."
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Post by Marie on Jul 4, 2009 16:27:37 GMT -5
"I'll be sure to come to you if the situation warrants," Rhaenys answered. "I don't care for plots much, as it happens, though I begin to see the necessity. Still, given my position, I'm like to be more plotted against than plotting."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jul 4, 2009 16:30:13 GMT -5
Ariel smiled. "Well, not by me, at least." She squeezed Rhaenys' hand. "But you'll learn. The Iron Throne will never be comfortable for you, but I don't think you'll cut yourself either."
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Post by Marie on Jul 4, 2009 16:59:59 GMT -5
"I'll be very careful not to," Rhaenys murmured. "I know some of the kings did. As long as I am a better ruler than Rodrik, or Maegor the Cruel, that won't be so bad."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jul 4, 2009 17:12:14 GMT -5
Ariel chuckled at Rhaenys. "Consider that Rodrick ruled for nearly forty years, cousin. The Realm slowly decayed under his rule, but he only faced a very small civil war and a long-term period of grumbling and collapse. Callen, by contrast, was great. He was determined to enrich and strengthen the realm, to eventually make the Seven Kingdoms into One Kingdom. He faced three civil wars, and lasted four years."
She looked at Rhaenys. "So that becomes the question. Do you seek first safety, or greatness?"
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Post by Marie on Jul 4, 2009 17:35:13 GMT -5
"Safety, of course. I want to secure the realm for my children. It would be pleasant to be considered great, but not if it ended with my violent and hasty death."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jul 5, 2009 16:43:50 GMT -5
"I see," said Ariel, visibly a bit disappointed. "Then you could look to worse than Rodrick as role models, though perhaps to better as well."
She sighed and rubbed her head. "Damn. Being cooped up in a tent has rotted my mind and muscles more than I thought."
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Post by Marie on Jul 5, 2009 17:56:04 GMT -5
Rhaenys was torn between sympathy and knowledge that she had done her duty.
"It had to be done, I'm afraid. Still, it will all be over soon enough. You'll have the freedom of Kings Landing. I don't want to compare myself too much to previous kings, good or bad. I will live in the present, and do what I think is right."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jul 5, 2009 17:56:44 GMT -5
Ariel grinned. "You know me, Rhaenys."
"At any rate, I grow a bit exhausted. May I have your permission to return to my own tent? It's been a while, and I wish to check that my weapons are still sharp, and that my poisons and magical ingredients have not grown sour."
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Post by Marie on Jul 5, 2009 18:06:55 GMT -5
"As you wish," Rhaenys answered. "I've much to be doing anyway."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jul 5, 2009 18:06:14 GMT -5
Ariel smiled and trotted off.
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Hope you all are well and happy.