Courtyard

[Marie]

Cassie held the baby with exagerrated care.

"Is it fun having a baby?" She asked Anni.

Joanna sighed yet aagain.

"Jon was not much interested in the girls when they were as small as your children and Daemon, well, I don't expect him to take a great interest in Selwyn until he's old enough to ride a dragon. I envy you, in a way, but you must not fear to bring the children for visits if you miss them dreadfully."

[Helyn Caron]

'It is yes.' anni laughed. She missed Vaen and Saella, but it was a breath of fresh air seeing these two. 'Are you both happy to be here girls?'

[Viea Greyjoy]

"You make that sound that I will be here for quite a while Joanna." Mari said with a small smile. "I dont want the children here, I dont want them to be worried about the little things that have to be guarded to be safe. They should grow up with no worrys. Like proper children."

[Marie]

"Oh yes," Cassie said. "I missed Mother."

"We both did," Eleyna agreed. "I have enjoyed visiting Aunt Mari and Uncle Tybolt and Adelene is old enough to play with but my place is with Mother and I am almost a woman grown. I will have to be a court lady soon enough."

"Well, I am sure something could be done if we tried hard enough," Joanna murmured. "Still, Selwyn must grow up at court. That cannot be avoided and I will do my best to see that he grows up well."

[Helyn Caron]

'That you are my dear and a pretty one at that, and it wont be long before you are as well Cassie. You will be the prettiest girls at court.' She smiled at them

[Viea Greyjoy]

Marianne shrugged. "Im sure that Selwyn will be great. What about Morgan? How is she?"

[Marie]

"WIll we?" Cassie asked excitedly. "That will be fun!"

"There are better things than being the prettiest girls," Eleyna said. "I would hate to be pretty but stupid. I will marry a man who loves me for myself not my face and figure."

"Daemon still keeps Morgan confined. I have not spoken to her in a little while. It seemed best to keep away now I have my son, give her time to adjust," Joanna said.

[Helyn Caron]

'You didnt give me chance to finish my sweet, you will be the prettiest and the smartest girls at court, i can tell.' anni smiled. 'So, what do you think to having a new brother and a cousin?'

[Viea Greyjoy]

Mari looked away.

"You are not being fair to her Jo. Neither of you are. What of her children?"

[Marie]

"We have lots of cousins so it's not strange having another one," Cassie said. "But we have not have a brother before. Maybe that will be fun but Selwyn is too young to play with us, especially Eleyna. She will be a proper lady in two or three years."

"Maybe sooner," Eleyna said. "I am Lady of Runestone now, I must grow up fast. It's good to have another cousin, though, Aunt Anni, because Sebastian will grow up in the Vale and be my friend when he is a man."

"You should ask Daemon that, not me," Joanna told her sister. "I have done my best to tell him that he is not being fair to his sons but he no longer loves them. Unfortunately I tried to serve as their advocate but it seems the poor things are stuck in limbo. I don;t know what can be done for them."

[Helyn Caron]

'I am sure he will my dear. Enjoy them whilst they are young though girls.' Anni smiled. 'Dont wish them to grow to quickly will you. Yes, when he is old enough to return with your uncle to the eyrie, He will grow up there.'

[Viea Greyjoy]

She shrugged. "Well we all know what Daemon is like. Tybolt is loyal to him and do whatever it takes to be his man, but I dont want anything to do with our brother."

She glanced at the girls talking to Anni. "They are good girls, I never had to say a bad word to them, and they both were so good with Adelene while I was occupied with Oscar."

[Marie]

"That will be good," Eleyna said. "Perhaps Sebastian could squire at Runestone, then he will be like a little brother to me when I am a woman for true and have my own household?"

"I'm glad," Joanna murmured. "I've done my best with them though I lack your innate talent for motherhood. They are sweeter girls than I deserve, I know. Morgan's boys are sweet too, I wish we could do something for them but, as you say, we all know what Daemon is like."

She thought sadly of her little Silvana, stuck at Lannisport under the care of the Sages. It was past time she'd had a letter. Perhaps she would visit soon.

[Helyn Caron]

'Why dont we wait until nearer the time my dear, he's only a few weeks old it will be some time yet before he can do anything like that.'

[Marie]

"I know that," Eleyna said. I meant when he's twelve or so. It was just an idea, to promote good relations between our families. The high lords and ladies of the Vale should be friends, don't you agree?"