What is honor compared to a woman's love?
What is duty against the feel of a newborn son in your arms . . . or the memory of a brother's smile?
Wind and words. Wind and words.
We are only human, and the gods have fashioned us for love.
That is our g...
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The sound of rapid horse hooves hitting solid ground echoed against the massive trees of the kingswood.
Her silver hair bounced over her shoulder in a braid as she rode fast after the deer, legs gripped her mare's side tightly to keep her in place. She urged her horse to go faster with a quick snap of the reigns before releasing them. In hand her bow raised as she tried to take aim to her prey, a wild look in her eyes.
Close beside her rode Ser Oswell of the Kingsguard along two of her ladies-in-waiting, Ashara Dayne and Elia Martell and slightly behind them, a group of knights from the city watch. A good hunt was something Elaena always looked forward to at the end of each fortnight, and since she had received the presence of the two Dornish women in court, they had become regular attendants.
The branches of trees snapped across her cheeks and forehead as she rode, leaving small gashes and scratches in their wake. She was dressed in a long riding dress, two splits up both her legs toward her thighs with the flesh of her legs covered by riding leathers. It allowed her to fully mount her mare, and not have to sit in a side saddle. Riding always had come as an escape for Elaena, a time she truly felt free.
With each nameday that passed, Elaena found herself having less and less time to do what she enjoyed like hawking, hunting, as well as painting and instead found herself in lessons or accompanying her father and Rhaegar to small council meetings. The chance to escape to the Kingswood for a few hours every fortnight was something Elaena valued. The serenity and peace of the forest was something much needed in a world of madness.
Whipping her head to the side in an effort to clear her vision of her hair, Elaena's violet eyes locked on the deer once more. She then pulled the string back on her bow to her cheek, allowing her mare to continue forward. The deer paused for a brief moment and turned to her, but it was enough. She steadied her aim for a moment, before releasing her hold on the bowstring. Her bow was quickly lowered to her side, wide eyes watching as her arrow soared through the air before implanting itself in the deer's left eye.
A cry of happiness escaped the princess' lips. Ser Oswell let out a low whistle in appreciation of the shot, as both Elia and Ashara applauded for the girl. She ushered her mare toward the fallen deer, before swinging her legs to the right side of the saddle, throwing herself from the seat. She knelt down and pulled her arrow from the deer's eye, wiping it on her hunting dress.
"Amazing shot Elaena!" Ser Oswell gushed, his eyes beaming at her. She smiled at the knight's praises, before standing once more and curtsied dramatically, almost dropping to one knee when she dipped. Her actions only caused Oswell to laugh, shaking his head at her.
"Elaena! That was amazing!" Elia cried, jumping from her own saddle and pulling the girl into a squeeze. Elaena grinned back, her arms wrapping around the frail princess of Dorne and squeezed her back gently.
