The Crowned Stag
Why are you not happy?
Lady Hilary
(January 295)
Around and around the two newlyweds spun. Both had huge smiles on their faces and it was good to see that so many were happy. She should be just as happy as the rest, but she just could not work up the energy to be so. For to long now she was nothing but miserable. She had every reason to be happy. Her eldest son was now wed to the beautiful maiden princess of Dorne, Alla the woman her husband had cheated with had been set aside, and Jonella was being allowed to stay in Moonsgrey with her.
All of these things should bring her joy. However, she could only think of Alla. She had slept with her husband, gave him a bastard daughter and yet she pittied her. The woman was cast aside just like she had been. She was certain that she had been cast aside for no other reason then that their son’s marriage reminded Paul of his own vows. He was trying to please her, but in the end it only enraged her more.
He set her aside to ride off for war, he sets her opinion aside because he wants a certain knight to train his family, he found his way into the bed of another woman who he gave a child too, he then dared to name their last child after the very knight she despised and now he thinks he can make it all better by setting aside this woman too? No, they would be married until they died, but they would never be man and wife again.
As the dance came to an end Hilary watched as the young Dornish woman made her way to sit down while her son took up another dance with his sister Jonella. Caleigh was unable to make the trip up from Gulltown because of the weather, but at least Jonella was here to see her brother’s marriage. The two looked so much alike it was scary. The only real difference was the fact that Caleigh and Bryton had taken their father’s dark brown nearly black eyes while Jonella had the same icy blue eyes she had.
Looking back over to the newest member of their family Hilary was surprised to see that the huge smile she had on the dance floor was gone. The poor girl looked even more depressed then she did. Before she knew what she was doing Hilary found herself standing beside the dark skinned woman. “Is everything okay dear? Why are you not happy? Today is your wedding day.”
“I am happy mother. You do not mind if I call you mother do you?” Giving the girl a nod Hilary listened to what she had to say. “Your son is beautiful and smart and kind. He is everything I hoped for in a husband but with this marriage I will now be a Lady of the Vale. With me here I fear that one of my brothers will claim Dorne in my place or that I will never see my father or home ever again. It is so cold up here. It is not what I am used to.”
Gently placing her hand on the young woman’s shoulder Hilary took the seat next to her. “I understand that you are nervous. This is a big thing. It will take some time, but I am certain you will eventually love these lands as much as you love your own. As for seeing your father again you will certainly get the chance to see him whenever you so wish. And do not fear about your brothers taking what is yours. I am not sure if you realize this but my husband and King Robert have been friends since their days in Robert claiming his throne. So long as he sits the throne then you should not fear that you will lose your position as heir of Dorne.”
Brushing back the girl’s hair from her shoulder Hilary smiled at her and was pleased to see a smile returned from the young woman. It was then that the call for the ‘bedding’ began. In a rush of movement Jonella, Zia, Alla, and the other ladies of the court were all pushing and stripping her son out the door. Each lady include her own daughter were making obscene jokes to him all the time the pushed and stripped him out of his clothes.
Feeling her hand now holding nothing but air she sees that the bride was lifted up off her chair with one arm by her monster of a husband.
“To bed, to bed, to bed you must go.
You will kiss and you will touch and in time you will be all aglow.
With a touch and a thrust.
My son will make you feel lust.
Now off to bed.
For the both of you are now wed.”
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