wicked games | aemond targaryen

𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚗

"I'LL HAVE YOU know I can braid my own hair," Valaena commented as she tried not to fidget in her chair while her lady-in-waiting twisted her long strands of hair behind her.

Elissa had insisted on doing her hair that morning before she went out, much to Valaena's surprise. She wasn't sure if it was some tactic to learn new information or if she was truly trying to help, leaving her curious enough to allow it. Elissa Lannister had been oddly quiet since returning to Kind's Landing, and she wasn't sure what it meant.

"Of course, my lady," Elissa agreed with her one would a child.

"You don't think so?" Valaena questioned, watching the hesitation on Elissa's face as she struggled to respond.

"It's certainly a braid when you do it," she responded slowly, earning a questioning look from Valaena.

"But?" Valaena questioned as she pressed on, wondering what her lady-in-waiting truly wanted to say. "Tell me."

"It's just," she paused, releasing a sigh before blurting out, "Your braids look more like the wild mane of a horse than that of a lady's."

There was a brief moment of silence as Elissa flinched back, expecting to be reprimanded for her words. She was surprised instead when Valaena burst into laughter, leaning back into the chair as her body heaved in joy.

"I suppose I merely braid my hair to get it out of my hair," Valaena responded when she had calmed down, watching as Elissa tied the ends of her hair. "One shouldn't worry about looking pretty when fighting with a sword."

"Are you planning on training today, my lady?" Elissa questioned as she set the brush down, watching the annoyance that flushed her face.

"If only father would let me," Valaena muttered loud enough for her lady-in-waiting to hear. She opened her mouth to continue before seeming to realize whose company she was in and closing it again.

"I see," Elissa didn't need to press further, she already knew what Valaena would say. She had seen Valaena training with a sword back in Dragonstone. It was as mesmerizing as it was terrifying. Never before had she seen a woman fight as well as a man, but it was no wonder with Daemon Targaryen as her teacher.

She figured Daemon didn't want her father knowing how well Valaena could fight. Or rather, the greens knowing. That's where all of Elissa's information ending up going anyways after she told her father.

"I suppose I'll just have to wander about the gardens," Valaena sighed, although Elissa could see the faint smile on her lips. "You're welcome to join me."

"If you wish," Elissa responded as she wandered over to the pile of clothes on the floor, bending down to pick them up. She would have to bring them down to the servants to wash.

"I think I do wish it," Valaena nodded with certainty as she turned around in her chair, resting her arms on the back as she stared at her lady-in-waiting. "I fear I do not have many friends at court. Baela and Rhaena aren't supposed to arrive until tomorrow with their grandmother and the boys are certainly off training without me."

"I would love to join you then," Elissa responded as her hands brushed over the fabric in her arms and she paused.

The skirts of the dress were splattered with dry mud, stains that were certainly not there when they arrived at the Red Keep when it had been bone dry. There had certainly been rain last night though, enough to turn the streets of King's Landing into a slick maze of muddy alleys.

"Were you out last night?" Elissa questioned, watching the panicked look that flashed across Valaena's face before quickly composing herself.

"Of course not," Valaena released a forced laugh as she turned back around in her chair. "You know I'm not supposed to do that anymore."