THE NIGHT | arthur dayne

Chapter 2

The wind whistles as it blew through the leaves of the trees. Jorelle felt the cool breeze on her cheeks as she walked down the dirt path with her friend, Alara Broom. The two saw each other nearly every day since they were children.

Alara was the only person Jorelle felt like she could confide in. She trusted Alara with anything and everything. Laina was a close second. When they were children, they played games together, but now they just talked.

They watched men hoist Lannister banners onto the trees that lined the path, while other men carried things back and forth between the Rock and Lannisport. Jorelle couldn't remember the last time they prepared for a tourney like this one or hosted so many guests.

"I'm excited to see the prince," Alara said. "I'm hoping he's as beautiful as they say he is."

"I assure you, every man is a disappointment. They're never as people say they are," Jorelle responded. Alara frowned and looked down at her feet. Jorelle looked to her friend with regret for her harsh words, but it was too late to take them back. "My sister's betrothal is to be announced at the tourney. Soon after mine will follow, I suppose."

"And you'll have to leave to live with your husband?" Alara asked.

"What a silly question. I would never leave here. My future husband would simply have to live here with me, like my aunt Genna and uncle Emmon," Jorelle replied, tracing her finger over the golden needlework on her dress. "If he refuses then he will not be receiving my hand in marriage."

Jorelle couldn't imagine life anywhere else. She knew she would be miserable. Her aunt Genna, although she traveled often, resided at Casterly Rock even after her marriage. Fortunately so, since it allowed her to be there for the children after Joanna's death. Genna was like their mother since then and Jorelle couldn't imagine where she would be now if her aunt hadn't been there all those years ago.

"I know, I know," Alara groaned. "You want to become the Lady of Casterly Rock after you father dies."

"Only if everything goes according to plan," Jorelle explained. "There are many factors involved, but I have time."

"You deserve it."

Jorelle smirked. She did deserve it, didn't she? She was more a Lannister than Cersei and Jaime combined. Tyrion was a just a child, but they all knew that Tywin would fight death long and hard to prevent Tyrion from ever becoming Lord of Casterly Rock after him. Tywin also had a rough relationship with his brothers, Tygett and Gerion, and would do anything to keep the title from them. Only uncle Kevan would be a real problem.

There was also the fact that Jorelle was a girl.

But all problems had solutions, Jorelle just had to come up with one.

"Will the food at the feast be good?" Alara asked suddenly. Jorelle blinked, surprised by the question.

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?" Jorelle asked. She raised a brow in confusion.

"I've never been to a feast before."

"Oh, you must be joking. You have to have gone to a feast," Jorelle laughed in disbelief. Alara shook her head.

Jorelle often forgot that her friend's social status was far below hers. House Broom was a small house and an unimportant one. Alara only lived at the Rock because her father was the master-at-arms. There were many experiences that Jorelle and Alara didn't share.

"Well, it'll be fun for you then. I'm dreading every second of it," Jorelle replied. She loved tourneys, but hated feasts. She hated the loud music and the small talk. Most of all she hated the dancing, but it needed to be done. It wasn't proper for her to deny an offer to dance and she couldn't have the realm believing that she was a spoiled girl who hated propriety. She had danced with many men against her will in her lifetime.

"What's your brother going to do?"

"Oh, Jaime is going to Crakehall for squiring. I asked father about it," Jorelle replied. Alara nodded. "He's to be a knight one day, as if his ego needs that."

Their conversation came to a halt as someone came running towards them, his armor clanging with each step. It was one of her father's guards. "My lady! Your father sent me for you. The royal family arrived a day early," he said, clearly out of breath.

"Of course they did," Jorelle sighed, just now noticing the commotion at the gates. She looked to Alara, whose eyes glittered with excitement. "Let us go, then."

_________________

"You're a woman now, aren't you?" The king laughed. "You and your sister. Looking more and more like your mother each time I see you." Jorelle could feel his eyes look her up and down making her stomach feel uneasy.

She forced a fake smile towards the man, quickly turning it into a scowl as he turned away.

She hated the king. He behaved like a poorly trained child, speaking his mind and doing what he pleased. As king, people let him get away with it, but Jorelle never would. He consistently insulted her mother, even after her death, and was the only man her father couldn't stand up to.

Perhaps she was jealous. The man could say and do whatever he wanted and would face no repercussions. He was King, his son would be King, and his grandson would be King. Maybe Jorelle just wished she could be like him.

Then Rhaegar walked in, jumping down from his horse and ruffling his silver blonde hair. Cersei gasped and grabbed Jorelle's arm, tugging at the lace sleeve. Jorelle forcefully pulled her sister's hand off.

She's so stupid, Jorelle thought. He's not even good looking. As he got closer she could see his purple eyes. She was greatly disappointed. She heard tales about his eyes, that they were as beautiful as the sky at sunset and could look into any woman's soul and make them fall in love with him. She just didn't get it. Songs and stories always made people better or worse than they really were, it depends on who was telling them. They were never reliable sources of information.

She curtsied as he approached her. "Welcome to Casterly Rock, your grace," she said with a smile. "It's a pleasure to have you."

"The pleasure is mine, my lady," he replied. She still wasn't impressed. She wondered where Alara was.

She also couldn't help but notice that Tyrion wasn't there, probably to save him from the king's mean comments. Jorelle wished she was wherever he was hiding and not here exchanging pleasantries with those she believed were beneath her. These Targaryens weren't worth her time. She wondered how her father put up with them.

They soon left to be shown to their chambers and Jorelle was beyond relieved. She looked for her father, who had apparently also left. Alara came running to Jorelle, a smile plastered across her face as she jumped with excitement.

"Oh, do calm down. I can't be seen with you while you're behaving like this," Jorelle said putting up her hand to stop her friend.

"Did you see him?" Alara asked, ignoring Jaime and Cersei's dirty looks.

"Of course I did-"

"No, not the prince, Ser Arthur Dayne," Alara whispered. "The Sword of the Morning."

"No, why would I care about him?" Jorelle asked.

"He is the most handsome man I've ever seen."

"You haven't seen enough men then. I'm sure he's not that great," Jorelle replied. She looked around the yard to see if she could find him, but it seemed he was already gone. "Come with me, I'm sure I'll be feasting with the king and the prince tonight and I need you to help me get ready."