The Prince and the Falcon | Aegon II Targaryen

05

Leysa wore the prettiest gown she owned for her betrothal banquet. Of course, this wasn't her decision to make. It was a gift from Lady Arryn on her eleventh name day and she haven't gotten the opportunity to wear it. If she knew she would be for such a dire event, she would've used it as a morning gown. It was white that showed off her neck, hemmed with golden Myrish lace. The bodice was also embroidered with golden flowers and birds that disappeared into thin lines down the skirts. Her hair was also curled with heated rods and piled on top of her head with golden ribbons.

"You look pretty," Alys had told her when her handmaiden, Mya, was done with her hair. Mya had pinned a small silver falcon on one sleeve, the only part of her reminded of her house. And upon the request of Alys, she also rubbed a thin layer of rose salve on Leysa's lips.

She didn't feel pretty, she felt like a child playing dress-up. Even when she looked in the mirror, she couldn't see the trace of herself. She felt stupid in the white gown and it was only her betrothal banquet. Leysa dreaded the day of her wedding.

"Do not," Alys lifted her chin up. "No, do not frown. You knew you are going to be betrothed one day, and soon you will be married."

"Not to the prince," she confessed. "And not this early. I haven't even had my thirteenth nameday, Alys. Or bled."

"Many ladies have been betrothed far younger than you are," Alys countered, fixing the hem of her gown. "And you should consider yourself lucky. You'll be wed to a prince and a dragonrider. And he's not an old man thrice married with a potbelly."

Leysa knew that Alys was trying to make her feel better but it wasn't what she wanted to hear. After they were done getting her ready, Alys accompanied her to the High Hall where the feast would be held. 

Lady Arryn was already seated behind the banquet table at the very end of the hall. Everyone stood up to greet her when she walked in. Leysa sat next to Lady Arryn and she noticed the Targaryens hadn't arrived yet. She held herself back from asking.

"Will you continue to sulk?" Lady Arryn asked her when she had settled down. Music was already playing and Leysa hoped that it would drown out her aunt's question but when Lady Arryn didn't turn away, she was forced to answer.

"I'm not sulking, my lady."

Lady Arryn shook her head in exasperation. She wore the Arryn colors and her hair was weaved with blue ribbons. "Oh, Leysa, do not do this here."

"Is there any appropriate time or place for me to do it then? It should seem I don't have any say in any matter than concerns me."

Lady Arryn didn't ask her anything after that. 

To her other side sat her cousin Joffrey Arryn. He was further down in relation but she had grown up with him and she considered him to be her friend. He shared the same blue eyes as Leysa but his hair was lighter than hers. It wasn't as light as Lady Arryn's but still significantly more so, most probably from his more western ancestry. Joffrey was even younger than Leysa when he came to the Eyrie so Alys also took great care of him. He was also shorter than both Alys and Leysa, making him look like their younger brother.

"Are you nervous?" Joffrey asked her. 

"No," she answered. "Why would I be?"

Joff gave her a meaningful look, then sneaked a glance at Lady Arryn. Leysa responded by reaching for her goblet and drinking the watered down wine inside. She grimaced at the taste still. 

"You know that a betrothal doesn't mean you get to marry immediately," he offered, taking a piece of veal from his plate to hers. The servants had began to serve food even without the king still. Leysa should have known that Joffrey would be first to sample the food. "You are still young, you don't really think Lady Arryn would marry you off to him on the morrow."