Silver Stag

Whispers

[King's Landing - Red Keep, Gardens]

Aelinor and Eleanor were on a stroll through the Red Keep gardens. They walked arm and arm, lords and ladies bowing or curtsying as the princess and her lady passed.

They had seen Lady Olenna, Margaery and Sansa in the garden earlier, and decided to choose another route, in an effort to avoid them.

She had yet to meet the "Queen of Thorns", but seeing as she was engaged to her grandson, it would happen sooner or later.

Though Aelinor would much rather prefer it was later.

The news of her engagement had sunk in, but it also left her scrambling to achieve the promise she made to Eleanor.

She still had yet to find anyone worthy of her lady.

It was one of the reasons they had gone outside. They wanted to be far from prying eyes... and ears.

Though Aelinor knew, no matter how far they went, Varys' little birds were still likely nearby.

However, Aelinor had caught on to some of them. She had began to recognize some of them. Yet as quickly as they were there, they were gone.

Whether they were still under his employ was uncertain, but it only meant Varys knew she was on to him and sent new spies.

Once she believed they were far away enough, hidden in the dense maze-like gardens, Aelinor pulled Eleanor to sit on a nearby bench.

"Why did we come all the way out here?" Eleanor asked.

"Because... we need to talk about something important. Your marriage."

"What about it?"

"I've heard talk. Your father is beginning to get rather impatient. He is close to going to my brother to have a match arranged. But, we can't let that happen. Whoever he chooses would be solely done to torment me, because he knows how much you mean to me." She looked up to see Eleanor looking behind her. "What is it?"

Eleanor pointed behind her. Aelinor turned to see a raven with what appeared to be a scroll attached to it's leg, perched nearby.

They both jumped as the raven flew closer when it realized it had caught their attention.

It landed beside Aelinor, holding out its foot.

"For me?" Of course the bird did not respond. It simply waited for her to retrieve the letter before flying away.

"What does it say?" Eleanor asked as Aelinor unravelled the scroll.

"It's from someone calling themselves the Orchid Mantis. They want me to meet them in a tavern in Flea Bottom."

"You can't go alone!"

"That's the weird thing. They're not asking that I come alone. They insist I bring you and at least one guard I can trust, if need be."

"Ser Fowler."

Willem knew of the lady's relationship and on frequent occasion helped prevent them from being caught.

Aelinor nodded. "Whatever it is, it must be very important."

Eleanor crouched down. "You dropped this."

She handed her a necklace.

It appeared to be Valyrian steel; three loops encompassing a vibrant ruby.

She recognized it from historical texts. It was the same necklace Daemon Targaryen, First Of His Name, gave Rhaenyra Targaryen, First (and only) Of Her Name, the Rightful Queen.