Princess Joanna's apartments - 598 AC

[Ser Kyle Payne]

Kyle watched the scene unfold quietly, then spoke softly, as not to startle anyone or add more stress to the situation, "Your Grace, shall I leave?"

[Marie]

Joanna smield at Anniand turned back to Kyle.

"Yes. I'm sorry, Ser, this is a bad time for introductions. I'll send word to you in due course."

[Helyn Caron]

Suddenly Anni felt a sudden sharpe pain sear through her. she cried out.

[Marie]

Joanna nudged Kyle out of the room and called to her women to bring hot water, towels and so forth. Then she knelt by Anni and held her hand.

"Is there anything else you need?"

[Helyn Caron]

'No.' She whimpered. 'The one thing i need wont be here is time.'

[Marie]

Joanna squeezed Anni's hand in sympathy.

"Don't worry about it. Men are useless in the birthing chamber anyway, unless they are a maester and trained to deal with these things."

/////////

Eventually. Anni's child was born. Joanna herself washed off the baby whiler her women washed Anni and put her in a clean nightgown in Joanna's own bed. She brought the baby over wrapped in a blanked.

"Congratulations, you have another son," she said, offering the baby to his mother.

[Helyn Caron]

Anni smiled and took her son into her arms. 'He's so small.'

[Marie]

"Probably becasue he was born early. What will you call him?"

[Helyn Caron]

'I have not thought about it.' She said looking at her son in her arms. 'I dont know if i should consult with Maekar, but that could be a while yet. i cant live with out calling him anything. What other names are there in your family?'

[Marie]

"I thought you would have had names all lined up," Joanna said with a little laugh. "Never mind, though, you'll think of something. My uncle on my father's side was Eustace but I mislike Eustace Targaryen as a name. A lot of the Targaryen and Baratheon names have been taken in our own generation though and I doubt you want your son to feel as if he's standing in the footsteps of another man. Let's see, Daeron and Aegon are both ill-omened names of late and Aerion was the name of the prince who died after drinking wildfire. Rhaegar is my cousin. Valarr perhaps? Jaehaerys, Viserys, Baelor? Of course, if you like none of those there is surely something else that would please you?"

[Helyn Caron]

'I shall have to have a think about it.' She said as her son opened his eyes slightly

[Marie]

"Yes, there's time yet," Joanna agreed. "The choice should be yours, not mine. I would hate to think I influenced you into choosing a name you will later regret. My mother told me that my father named me for his dead wife!"

[Helyn Caron]

'Even so, Joanna is a beautiful name.' Anni replied looking at her. 'He is so beautiful. I wish Maekar was here to see him.'

[Marie]

"He will be soon. I'll write him if you like, though whether he will come at my behest I don't know."

[Helyn Caron]

'I would like that if you could.' She looked at her.