The Lion & The Lord (Emre)

[targaryen]

He turned his head to face her, and for a moment almost forgot why they were standing there - "Do you remember when the fish-seller boy in Gulltown thought it funny to steal my mask when I was but a child?" he laughed, "I remember it well, but I remember better how you knocked the boy to the floor and bludgeoned him in my defence". Silence fell for a moment as he considered his warrior sister. He knew the Lannisters would do all they could to maintain the realm while Joffrey sat the throne, so his dream of a pre-conquest Westeros would require a war between the Vale and Casterly Rock that he was not sure the Vale could win. So if one cannot break the kingdom, then one ought to rule it, he thought. "We must put your son on the Iron Throne sister" he said carefully, watching Lena's face for a reaction. "Torin may remove young Joffrey when your baby is born, so that the Arryn Lannister line may rule - so that his son may rule". He lay his hand on her hand and nodded slowly, "Yes, if the Kingdom must persist then it must persist under an Falcon with the roar of a lion".

[Lena Arryn]

Lena thought back to watching Torin leave the room, his hips swaying as he walked, his heavy frame gliding across the marble floor. She could only imagine the pain it might cause her to take his seed.
"I will see that a son of the Arryn sits on the iron throne." She said, her face resolved.
She wasn't sure why she was worried, she'd had arrows sailing towards her and swords that cut her flesh, but the idea of laying with a man tied a knot in her stomach the idea of giving birth scared her even more.

"Brother..." She said softly after moment. "What if I am unable to conceive?" She didn't know from experience having not been around maidens or pregnant women in some time, but she had heard whispers that infants often died young- or women who worked to long in the field- or to strenuous in the house could not bare children easier, often having half whit children. What Ser Torin do if she gave birth to a cripple or a half whit? What would Lord Tywin do?

[targaryen]

The question needed consideration - for once his sister sounded doubtful. He stepped away from the ledge and sat himself slowly on the ground. He spread his flowing robes out over the gold marble and gestured for his sister to join him - "Maester Silven says you are the right shape and health for baring children, and Septa Denam has prayed for the health of your baby ever since you first flowered. Have faith sister" he said in a soothing tone. He paused and hung his head, "And if all the strengths of the flesh and blessings of the Seven fail to help you bare a lion cub, then we shall take it as a sign. You can leave the Lannister and return to the Vale to find and marry a man you love, and from love a child is certain, sister".

[Lena Arryn]

Lena smiled at her brother as she sat beside him on the floor, her always knew what to say to cheer her up. Even if it some times also reminded her of the burden of her station.
"You are wise Emre, even in these times of great uncertainty." She placed her head on his shoulder. "The Vale is truly blessed to have you as her Lord, as I am blessed to have you as my brother."

She leaned her head back on his shoulder and looked up at the painted sky above them, it ended half way out on the balcony and rivaled the beauty of the true sky that filled the other half of Lena's vision. She would truly miss this view, the Vale was her home, and the Eyrie her comfort. She'd return for visits as often as possible, but with Winter coming that may not be an easy task.

[targaryen]

Emre put his arm around his sister as she gazed upwards while resting her head on his shoulder. The brother and sister who ruled the Vale as one in the absence of their father would now be separated, and Emre knew that while they both accepted their fate, neither looked forward to the road ahead.

Emre let Lena gaze in silence for a time, undisturbed. Plans he had set in motion the day the raven arrived from Tywin Lannister, he decided, would need to gather pace quickly given the events of this night. "The vale must be ready to march in a few days time" he thought to himself. "I will go conclude the banquet with the Lannisters, if you would like to retire for the night sister; I imagine this has been quite draining?" he whispered to Lena, so as to not startle her after the long and peaceful quiet.

[Lena Arryn]

Lena nodded and stood slowly, looking down at her brother.
"Thank you Emre, for caring for me so long, your love for me will never be forgotten." The sword of the Vale turned from her brother and walked slowly out of the Solar, her long curls wafting behind her as she walked carefully around the giant hole in the center, she'd been around it her whole life, but still she feared falling in one day.

(Lena exits thread)

[targaryen]

Emre rose from the floor, though even at a full standing height the ends of his robes still lay messily on the ground. He walked slowly through the solar, listening as Lena's footsteps became too distant. The four knights who escorted Torin back to the feast had returned, and formed up around their Lord as he entered the Solar again. "We will go bid the lion goodnight, sers, and we'll pray for dreamless sleep afterwards" he said in a cold voice - when not in the company of his sister Emre would always be the icy Lord. They walked swiftly.