The Queen's Lounge Room

[The Stranger]

"I can pass that along your grace. I will do my best to make it appeal to her, but she is very depressed," Becca shrugged, "it's not an easy situation for anyone."

[Marie]

"I know. Please tell Morgan that I never wanted to hurt her. Truth be told, it was Daemon who swore she would accept the situation. What could I do but trust him? He is the king."

She sighed.

"Would you tell her that usurping her position is the last thing on my mind?"

[The Stranger]

"I will surely mention it your grace, although if I may say so, Queen Morgan is more moved by her emotion then courtly position..." Becca shrugged, "or so it seems to me."

[Marie]

"That is...honourable of her. She loves Daemon dearly, I can see. Actually, that is all to the good. If Morgan loves Daemon as much as she appears to, then I would think she will like my proposal."

[The Stranger]

Becca raised her eyebrow but otherwise constrained her amusement at the statement.

"Well Morgan is more traditional than you or I. I think she came into her marriage expecting a bard's tale. But then the bard's tell alot of tales, not all of them romantic."

[Marie]

"True enough. Being my mother's daughter, I well know that romantic songs are nothng like real life. Daemon's no bardic hero either."

Joanna winked at Becca.

"Please let me speak to her. It's the only way I can think of to even begin to mend matters between us. I may fail but at least I would have tried. One of us has to."

[The Stranger]

Becca frowned, "alright, but if she asks, you had me manhandled out of the way." She stepped aside.


Morgan is in her sitting room, reading a small book. Ser Aerion and Ser Aidan stand behind her.

Morgan looked up and glared at Joanna poisonously.

[Marie]

"Morgan," Joanna said simply. "I'm sorry to disturb you but I have something I'd like to say to you. I hope it may do some good but I'm afraid it's for your ears only. Would you be good enough to dismiss your men so that we may speak without fear of eavesdropping?"

[The Stranger]

"I'm sorry your grace," Ser Aerion says before Morgan can speak, "but we have orders from the King," indicating they were not going to move.

Morgan sighed.

[Marie]

"Leave the King to me," Joanna said to Aerion. "His Grace most earnestly desires there to be peace between myself and the Queen. I am sure he would understand the necessity of removing yourself in pursuit of that particular goal."

[The Stranger]

Aerion shook his head, "explicit orders," the Far Reacher replied.

"Just say whatever you are here to say. They are here to constrain me, not you," Morgan said, looking over her shoulder.

[Marie]

"Daemon would not constrain you if he did not love you," Joanna said firmly.

She looked thoughtfully at the two knights.

"Pray retire to the far side of the room. This is a woman's matter."

[The Stranger]

Varner and Sand shared a look, and stepped back.

[Marie]

"Do you mind if I sit?" Joanna asked. "It seems foolish for me to tower over you so."

[The Stranger]

"You couldn't tower over me from atop the Wall," Morgan replied. "Just say your peace."