[King's Landing - Red Keep, Aelinor's Cell]
Aelinor was resting, trying to quell her nausea from the stench of nearby cells.
In an effort to distract herself, she began singing a song she had written.
I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will nevr measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low
Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know
Ooh-oh
You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And you say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe
Oh, I believe
What You say of me
I believe
The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity
Ooh-oh
You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And you say I am held when I am falling short
When I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe
Oh, I believe
What You say of me
Oh, I believe
Taking all I have, and now I'm laying it at Your feet
You have every failure, God, You have every victory
Ooh-oh
You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe
Oh, I believe
What You say of me
I believe
Oh, I believe
Yes, I believe
What You say of me
I believe
She had written it for Eleanor as a nameday gift. But, as she thought about it, it could refer to multiple people in her life.
The door to her cell opened and a woman entered.
"That was beautiful."
After a moment, Aelinor realized she had seen this woman.
"Wait, I know you. You were on the same ship as my sister."
"Aye, I was."
"Don't tell me. You've come to help me see the error of my ways?"
"That was the original intent. I brought the Holy text." She held up a copy of the Seven Pointed Star.
"No, thank you. I don't worship the Seven."
"Ah, so I've heard."
Things fell silent.
"Is that all?" Aelinor asked.
"It doesn't have to be. We can just sit and talk."
"Talk? So you can run back to religious zealot and tell him what I've said."
"But, you haven't said anything."
"Exactly. I'm not stupid. King's Landing is where I was born. I know how it works. You tell the wrong person something and it's over. Maybe you're exiled, stripped of your titles and lands, or maybe you wind up beheaded."
"Yes, I have heard of Lord Stark."
"Hasn't everyone?"
"Yes. It was such a tragedy."
"Many would say a preventable one."
"Yes, Princess."
"Unfortunately for Lord Stark, my brother was King."
"King Joffrey."
"Yes, now we have King Tommen. Both failing in vastly different ways."
"The King has turned to the Faith for guidance."
"At the behest of his wife, who was imprisoned by the very people she now shares devout faith with."
"The Faith is growing rapidly in the Seven Kingdoms."
"But is it truly for the better?"
The Septa hesitated. "Are you hungry? Any discomfort?"
Aelinor shook her head. "Discomfort? No. Hungry? Yes. My appetite does not seem to stop."
"All signs of a healthy babe." She returned to the entrance of the cell. Before she exited, she said, "A parent's love for their children knows no bounds. We would kill for them, die for them, but first we must live for them."
Aelinor's eyes widened as the Septa took her leave.
Those were the exact words Oberyn had spoken to her in the brothel following Joffrey's death.
But, what connection did this woman have to him?
And what did she want with her.
[Great Sept Of Baelor]
After leaving the Princess' cell and fetching her meal, Tyene journeyed to the sept where she was greeted by the High Sparrow.
"Your Holiness," she curtsied.
"No need to curtsy. I am but a humble servant of the Gods."
"I am sorry. Force of habit. My parents taught me to respect all."
"Tell me about your parents."
"My mother was a Septa. She met my father, a knight and fell in love, but when he died in one of the many wars, my mother was lost in grief. She turned to the Faith and became a Septa."
It was a half truth. Tyene figured it easier to keep track of her story if she sprinkled in bits of truth.
"Ah, so it seems it runs in your blood."
"I suppose it does."
"I heard you visited the young Princess."
"I did. I thought perhaps speaking with someone close to her age could help her see the error of her ways, and bring her closer to atonement."
"Ah, a noble pursuit. And, how does she fare?"
"Unfortunately the Princess is still resistant to the Gods of the Seven. She does not recognize them."
"A pity. I have heard many good things of her and her work with the smallfolk."
"As have I."
"Of course, there were other rumours as well."
"Other rumours?"
"About her son's parentage."
"Prince Aegar looks like Ser Loras, does he not?"
"I have only caught a glimpse of him. I fear his mother was rather weary of me."
She was right to be, Tyene thought to herself.
He had imprisoned her.
"But, from what I hear, he does resemble Ser Loras."
"Then how could these rumours warrant her arrest?"
"If the Princess is anything like her mother, we cannot give her any leeway to escape justice." Tyenne nodded. "Don't tell me you are a sympathizer. If that was the case, I believe a new Septa would be in order."
"No, that is not it. It's just, I've seen what false rumours can do. They cost lives." She said. "Lives are like candle flames that can be snuffed out by an errant puff of wind. Death is nevr far in this world, and seven hells await sinners who do not repent their sins."
"Ah, so you do know the text. I am glad. Perhaps after a few more visits, the Princess might prove more receptive."
"All I can do is try," Tyenne answered.
"Yes. Try."
She bowed her head before exiting.
However, as she made her way out into the streets, she couldn't help but overhear a conversation between two ladies.
"The Queen Mother believes she is fooling everyone with her new guard, Robert Strong." One of the women tittered.
"I know. It is so blatantly obvious that he is Gregor Clegane."
Tyene's eyes perked at this, as she tried to remain inconspicuous.
"Yes. I wonder how Dorne would feel if they knew. I mean, it's a miracle Prince Oberyn's daughter hasn't seen him. An eight foot tall man is not easy to conceal."
"No he is not. But, what about the skull that was sent to Dorne?"
"Clearly a fake. I heard it was stripped to the bone."
"Yes. Apparently it now rests on display in Dorne. Too bad 'tis a fake."
Tyene walked past them, making her way back to the Keep.
She knew her sister would want to hear about this. She had been right.
Where Tyene was trusting of the fact their father managed to kill his sister and nephew's killer, her older sister was less so.
Obviously, she had been right to be skeptical.
Her assumptions proved correct.
But, how did Cersei expect to keep his ressurection a secret?
Surely there weren't dozens of eight feet tall men wandering about Westeros.
Nonetheless, at least they would be aware he was still alive, and needed to be properly dealt with.
A/N: Song is You Say by Lauren Daigle