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Post by Amelia Royce on Apr 22, 2015 10:03:20 GMT -5
"I have," Benjen said, a deep sigh escaping him. "I don't know what we have done to deserve such a life as that we are given." He shook his head. "Poor Ellaria."
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Post by Queen Joanna Lannister on Apr 22, 2015 10:36:41 GMT -5
Admittedly, sending Ellaria back to her sadistic father and her new bastard of a husband, while unfortunate, was not among Joanna's top concerns at the moment. She didn't really have anything further to add, but seemed content to sit there in silence. After a while, she gave up and threw the whole book into the flames.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Apr 22, 2015 11:32:37 GMT -5
Benjen held Joanna closely for a long time, staring as the book burned into cinders. When it was done he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Come, let us get some fresh air and something to eat. Then you should sleep."
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Post by Queen Joanna Lannister on Apr 22, 2015 11:46:05 GMT -5
Joanna endured whatever that had tried to be at first, but then leaned in with a defeated sigh and let him hold her. "Thank you. Really. But I am not hungry. I think I might just turn in for the night," she said, probably unaware that it was only the afternoon. She rose and squeezed Benjen's hand. "We can talk more on the morrow, before you leave." She didn't actually know whether he was going to leave again tomorrow, but assumed that was as good a guess as any.
With that, she retreated to her bedchamber and closed the door behind her.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Apr 22, 2015 11:53:02 GMT -5
//////
Benjen returned the next day, hoping his wife was feeling better by now.
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Post by Queen Joanna Lannister on Apr 23, 2015 1:30:44 GMT -5
Joanna had - or knowing her, had servants - remove the curtains from the windows to finally let in some light. The room had most likely been aired, too.
She was sitting at a breakfast table, and looked about done, although her plate was relatively clean. She gave him a weak smile. "Morning, dear. Care for some breakfast?" she offered.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Apr 23, 2015 6:46:18 GMT -5
Benjen was glad that the room looked a little more liveable now and nodded. "Gods yes, I was hoping you'd say that," He said with a grin and sat, helping himself to some peppered eggs, thick black bread and some steamed tea.
"You look better, Joanna. Almost as glowing as on our wedding night." He grinned.
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Post by Queen Joanna Lannister on Apr 23, 2015 11:25:19 GMT -5
Joanna's smile faded slowly as there was nothing to be smiling about now that it was official that her husband had been dropped on the head as a child. "What an odd thing to say to someone who is mourning," she commented, disapproving of his constant grinning. "Perhaps it is better if we break our fast in silence."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Apr 23, 2015 11:27:42 GMT -5
Benjen realized yet again that nothing could penetrate the icy coldness of his wife, it seemed. "I simply came to tell you that a few of use are coming west with you. We're ransoming the prisoners before honouring your brother." He quickly finished his meal and left.
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Post by Queen Joanna Lannister on Apr 23, 2015 11:30:36 GMT -5
Joanna placed her hand on his to stop him from leaving too soon. "A few of 'us'? Who?" she asked a little tiredly.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Apr 23, 2015 11:33:09 GMT -5
"Myself, Arania Stark and my sister Meera," Benjen responded. "Your brother was family and thus we must honour him. We'll not get in your way."
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Post by Queen Joanna Lannister on Apr 23, 2015 11:39:26 GMT -5
She took a deep breath, trying to remain patient. "You really don't have to. Do you not have these raiders in the Neck to fight?" she wondered.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Apr 23, 2015 11:50:35 GMT -5
"Lord Coldwater has dealt with them," Benjen informed her. "Lord Jaymes was a friend, after what we went through. I want to pay my respects. After that I will be taking some men into the marches to deal with the Vulture King."
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Post by Queen Joanna Lannister on Apr 23, 2015 12:25:24 GMT -5
Joanna nodded, and frowned at the mention of the vulture king. "I feel like this one is all my fault," she said, and sipped some lemonwater. It tasted like ashes, much like everything else lately. "Jaymes once said that all the decent men were either long dead or about to be, locked in an endless battle with the rotten vermin of this realm," she said, smiling just a little. "I know you weren't friends, but I think you would have gotten along well in.. in the end."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Apr 23, 2015 12:38:30 GMT -5
"It was as close to friendship as is possible these days," Benjen said, before shaking his head. "No one could've known how the Vulture King would act. Everywhere is ripe with betrayal so don't blame yourself. But I disagree with your brother; good men are all around us, but more often than not we are blind to them due to our own ambition."
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