A Chance Meeting

Posted on Wed Mar 3rd, 2021 @ 10:59pm by Queen Joanna Velaryon

Mission: The Great Council
Location: Royal Gardens, King's Landing
Timeline: Current

A cool breeze billowed in from Blackwater Bay carrying the aromas of the water with it. The gardens were always a peaceful place from the nobility in King's Landing to walk and converse in private, and they were a beautiful testament to the innovations of modern gardening. Edric wasn't here to sniff flowers as much as he had come mapping the place. He wanted to take in the best places in King's Landing for himself and to get the lay of the land before too many people crowded in and rendered its domestic beauty foreign like a high-priced tourist trap. He walked the stone walkways, passing several young people as he went, all of whom stared at him intently, the boys in amazement, and the girls with giggles.

He came out into a sunlit courtyard surrounded by a white stone balcony. Between the wide clearing in the trees he could see the bay and the sun which shone on it, bright and clear. Several others shared the space, but Edric's brown eyes were fixated on the scene before him. The Seven had made wondrous things in this world, chief among them was women, followed closely by nature itself. He wore a robe-like garment the color of burnished bronze inlaid with gold and brown stitching and decorations. Around his waste was a sash which held it together, exposing only his muscular chest in a deep V that ended only just above his waist. He was extremely handsome and unusual large, both in height and build, not to mention he was darker than everyone else there; he stuck out like a lion among cubs, or a stallion among mares, if the rumors were to be believed.

Joanna was sitting on a bench looking out at the sun. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap and she wore a well-fitted grey dress. Cerulean blue eyes looked up suddenly as the man passed before. "Sir, you're...." she began before she got a closer look at the man. It had been quite a long time since she'd seen him, although he had been magnificent in all of those tournaments. "Prince Edric?"

Edric heard the voice behind him and turned around out of a natural reflex. There sat a woman he had the pleasure of speaking with on several occasions before. He gave a charmed expression, his brown eyes meeting her blue ones.

“Lady Joanna,” he said, bending his Herculean frame at the waist with graceful motions. He gave her a friendly smile, warm and dark. He spoke in his thick Dornish accent, his syllables flowing out like honey. “It’s good to see you again. Soaking in the northern sunshine, are you?”

She returned his bow with a curtsey and her smile was light and summery. "It is not so much further north than Oldtown, really. Not enough that the climate feels unusual. A much longer journey from Dorne."

“To be honest, my Lady, it’s difficult for me to avoid shivering right now. I miss the hot Dornish sun, but there are certainly some benefits to coming north.” He said, giving a subtle wink and crossing his hands in front of him.

"Perhaps you might have adopted a more northern style of dress?" she suggested, her eyes moving ever so briefly to his bare chest.

Edric smiled, shaking his head back and forth. He knew she made sense, but he had his reasons.

“Ah, but then I would be missing an opportunity to show everyone the work of Dornish tailors.” He said, beginning to laugh slightly at his own joke. “Without seeing me close to naked, they may never know that so much body can be covered by so little cloth, as it can in the Kingdom down south.”

Joanna cracked an amused smile. "I suppose so, at that," she said.

Edric regarded her with some unspoken interest. She was a rather tall woman, but next to him, she was practically tiny.

“I must admit, my lady, I have always wondered about you; about what really goes on in that golden-haired head of yours. I can only imagine those thoughts have matured with age and authority. I trust affairs at the Hightower have been manageable for you?”

"That have so far, yes," she said, straightening slightly, almost indignantly. She didn't like the implication she might struggle with them.

Edric saw immediately that he had upset her. He wondered why she was so short with him; he wasn’t accustomed to feeling unwelcome in the presence of women as most hung off his every word and were almost desperate for his attention. Maybe he was taking time she had set aside to be alone.

“I meant no offense, of course. I know you to be capable. I was merely curious.” He said in a conciliatory fashion, presenting a white tooth smile that was both charming and calm. “ please, lady Joanna, don’t let me take up too much of your time.”

"It is quite all right," she allowed. "I was merely reflecting. This is a sad time for the Six Kingdoms, Ser Edric. I have been reading a great deal. Not enough Maesters, I believe have taken up the fundamental study of governance."

Edric had not bee as interested in books as he was swords, armor, and social gatherings. He knew that one day he would be called to govern all of Dorne, but the only interest he really had were the duties entrusted to the Lord Marshall. He offered an inquisitive expression to Joanna, however, curious to a point about what she meant, and interested in conversing with her for the time about any topic.

"Oh, is that so?" he asked confidently, knowing he might sound rather oblivious. His maesters had always known for more than he did. "How so, my Lady? Is it possible those scholars in grey gowns left something out?"

"Oh, there are writings, but there is always a hesitance to be too critical. It was rarely needed before the last century or so, but now that we are considering these matters in a more deliberative manner, I wish to be informed by learned opinion."

“Studious as ever, Lady Joanna. I admire your keen mind as I admire your beauty.” He bowed slightly to the much smaller woman, offering an exceedingly handsome smile. “Now, I really should get back to my tasks. Perhaps we shall see each other again soon.”

"I certainly hope so," she said as she curtseyed.