Chapter 33

The celebrations had ended, the Queen had retired, not before giving Arianne a sweet kiss on the cheek. "I'm sorry for not making time to spend time with you. I promise we'll see each other much more soon." Rhaella smiled, toying with Arianne's hair.

Arianne smiled back at her. "There are bigger things that a Queen must see to, your grace."

"Hush, I'll plan something just for the two of us soon. Keep your days free."

Arianne raised her brows and huffed. "Oh, don't worry, my days are very free." She told her, the Queen let out a small laugh and said goodbye once more leaving Arianne to search the crowds from Nymella and Penelope to go back to her chambers. Rhaegar took her hand in his and pulled her along behind the curtains. "What're you doing?" She exclaimed, almost tripping on her own dress.

"I suddenly don't care for what others think of us," he told her.

Arianne rolled her eyes as he led her through a path she'd never seen before, and assuming from the freshly planted small trees and flowers, it was new. "Rhaegar, I can walk you know," she said to him, wriggling her hand free. "Are you suddenly ready to promote me from maiden to mistress?"

Rhaegar turned back to her and sighed, ignoring her crude question. "Sorry, I'm excited." He pushed her forward and put a cloth over her eyes. "Now be quiet and allow me this one chance to be romantic." Arianne couldn't help but let out a laugh but went along with it as he took her hand once more and walked her carefully. Though she couldn't see him, she knew he was watching her as he spoke. "I always think about you, our future, our children." He said silently. The walk was short and it seemed that they had arrived because they had stopped walking.

Arianne, not wanting to seem foolish and try to find his voice, looked towards the ground. "I forgot how poetic you were," she smiled.

Rhaegar smiled, though she couldn't see it. "Not poetry," he whispered behind her. "Prophecy."

Arianne bit her lip in anticipation, ignoring his words. She usually did so when he began to talk about prophecies, ice and fire, the dead coming for them, it bore her to no avail and more importantly, made her worry about exactly what was happening in his mind. "Okay?" She said, feeling his cool touch behind her.

Rhaegar turned her around to the left. "I think the Keep is impractical. I think you shouldn't have to share a garden with others, I think you deserve everything. So..." he untied the cloth around her eyes. Arianne looked at the guest house in front of her. She'd never seen such thing. She knew that the castle was large, but she hadn't imagined to was large enough to hold another house within it. Unlike the dusty bricks of the Keep, the guest house was made of white bricks and in substitute of doors, had white curtains and drapes.

"For me?" She asked him, turning to look at him.

Rhaegar nodded his head and held her waist from behind. "Four chambers to house whomever you please, a private pool, a lounge and a dining hall. And of course, a garden is being made behind it for your own use. I've arranged for my own guards to take care of you if you choose to stay here."

Arianne turned back around to the guest house, touching his arms that were still on her and letting out an unattractive laugh. "I love it!" She smiled, containing the excitement she held and wrapping her arms around his neck.

Rhaegar instantly regrated those who had invited to the guest house, knowing that they would be waiting for them by now inside. He knew neither of them wanted to leave the embrace, it had been the first time they had even come close to such affection, most of the time it was small touches and hands being held but he'd never thought she'd initiate a hug. As foolish as it sounded to him. As she let go of him to gaze at the house one more time, he couldn't help but sneak a small kiss on her cheek. One she didn't respond to, still admiring the house.

"Come here," he said pulling her back to kiss her properly. Arianne didn't resist it, wanting to savour a moment she knew well and truly that they wouldn't have again soon. She'd only kissed a few boys in her time, Roose Bolton, who had followed her to her chambers after a feast her father had held, Brandon, when they were very little, Lord Umber's youngest son; who had cried because Arianne had thought him too small for her to kiss during her name day, Julian and now Rhaegar. Pulling him closer by the back of her neck, Arianne smiled into the kiss as the height difference made it difficult for them to be comfortable. Pulling away, Rhaegar nudged her inside.

"My clothes are still in the Keep," she reminded him, resisting his push.

"I have another surprise," Rhaegar smiled, nudging her once more.

The moment, however, was ruined by a stumbling Julian, who had come in search for the two. "Finally!" He slurred. In his left hand, he held a glass of wine and in his other a sword. "We've started without you." He said, returning into the guest house.

Arianne snapped her head to Rhaegar and crossed her arms over her chest. "If this is some sort of joke Rhaegar I-."

Rhaegar rolled his eyes at her and mentioned for her to follow him. "You'll like it. I promise you." How could she say no to those eyes that were begging her to follow him? Those lips that had just been on hers? Those hands that would one day hold their children? Arianne gave him a smirk, picked up her dress and followed him inside.

It was even more beautiful inside than it was outside. The hundreds of candles inside lit the house up, the breeze from outside brought in cool air, and the chatter than came from one of the rooms intrigued Arianne. Servants and guards lined the house, cleaning, walking around with treats and drinks and holding swords, respectively.

Rhaegar led them to a room, passing the steps that led upstairs, and the closed doors of many other rooms. He showed her to what Arianne guessed to be the dining hall adjoined with the lounge room, that had courtiers that Arianne knew to be close to Rhaegar spotted around. "It was supposed to be a feast," he said sighing and pointing to the ravaged dining tables, "but I think they had other plans." They looked back at the courtiers, who had been dancing, laughing and lazing on the plush couches.

Arianne smiled at Rhaegar and gave his hand a squeeze. "It's the thought that counts." She said, noticing Jaime and Arthur standing by the doors along with Targaryen guards.

"Shall we go and introduce you?"

...

Arianne huffed and sat on one of the circular tables, she had snuck away from Rhaegar who had insisted on introducing her to every single person in the room. From Stannis Baratheon of Storms End, who had told her it was his last day in Kingslanding and discussed the marriage between his younger brother and her older sister, to Dornish courtiers, who had been very open with her. Much to Rhaegar's dismay.

She had even talked to Ashara, who had told her that Elia had chosen to stay in Kingslanding and Rhaegar had promised to keep their marriage intact rather than annulling it. "I was so excited to go home, but then he convinced Elia to stay." Ashara said, rolling her lilac eyes. Arianne frowned, wondering why he had changed his mind. Almost as if Ashara had read her mind, she said to her, "he said, you convinced him to think about the children."

Arianne let out a small "oh," remembering the small argument they'd had. She didn't think it would make him change his mind.

"I hope we can talk more," Ashara said, touching Arianne's arm.

Arianne nodded her head. "I agree. We should arrange a tea soon."

Ashara let out a laugh, "you and your proper ways. Come to my room whenever you please," she said, nudging her.

Arianne blushed. "Sorry, I'm not sure when I'm supposed to be proper anymore," she said truthfully.

"I'll teach you," Ashara smiled flashing her teeth as she did so. "Congratulate Brandon for me would you, I think it would be improper for a random girl he danced with to." She said, touching her own stomach lightly as she did so and left Arianne.

Arianne picked up a plate that had been left untouched and began eating. It was much better than the measly meals that were prepared for Jaime's celebration. "Congratulations." It seemed that one only needed to think of a person to have them speak.

Looking up at the newly appointed Kingsguard and she covered her mouth. "Thank you," she said, her words coming out muffled.

Jaime let out a chuckle. "I'd assume that we're going to see a lot more of each other."

Arianne nodded her head and swallowed her food. "Yes, I'd assume so. Congratulations to you too."

Jaime rolled his eyes, shifting uncomfortably in his new armour. "I'm wondering if a death sentence is something to be congratulated." Arianne stared at him, her eyes wide. "Relax. We're all friends here." He said, indicating to those behind them. Arianne raised her brows at him. "I mean, it's not like you've been here long. I've known these people since I was six and ten."

Their conversation was cut short by his own sister, who had sat down next to Arianne and smiled at both. "Hello," she drawled, holding a clear glass of wine in her hand. Jaime rolled his eyes, bowed his head to Arianne and returned to his post next to Arthur. Arianne stood to leave the table, uncomfortable with the silence and awkwardness that Cersei had brought along with her. Her hand, however, was pulled back down by Cersei. "Stay away from my brother," she seethed, looking at the younger girl.

Arianne rolled her eyes. So, this was the infamous Cersei Lannister. She thought to herself as she took her hand from Cersei's. "I could care less about your brother. I thought I showed that at the Tourney."

"Oh, you showed many things at the Tourney alright," Cersei smirked, taking a sip of her wine. Arianne gave her a confused look. "Oh please. Your slimy little hands will sink into any man who looks her way."

Arianne laughed and turned away from Cersei, standing up once more. "I don't need any other man, I have Rhaegar."

Cersei clenched her jaw, standing from her seat. "Go home." She said, her voice turning deeper.

Arianne crossed her arms over her chest. "Unlike you, the King tells me when to leave. I am actually wanted here."

Cersei, keeping her composure, tugged at her finger and put a ring on the table. "Tell Rhaegar I can't be put in the middle anymore. First Elia, and now you," she said, her voice cracking as she did so. Arianne looked down at the ring on the table. It was indeed Rhaegar's, she recognised its fashion. A small red jewel that sat comfortably on a black bed of small jewels.

Arianne looked down at the ring for a moment too long, for Cersei had left her standing there alone.