Chapter Text
Getting married to Aerion really didn’t change all that much for you. You barely ever saw him, as he had decided that being married to you wouldn’t change that much for him either (is what you thought), so he kept up his usual routine of bothering people and practicing in the yard. You had been out to watch him once or twice, but your closest friend and lady in waiting had politely informed you that the Prince perhaps did not enjoy being watched as much as you believed. It was not something you could believe, why would your own husband not enjoy being watched by his wife? Nevertheless, you had found other company. Maekar had been kind to you while you had been there, you surmised that his own children had not spent much time with him, with Aerion usually training, Daeron being drunk and Egg off doing his own thing, so you believed your company to him to be kind. He treated you as a daughter, bringing you gifts and asking about your day on walks when he could, which you enjoyed. You had also enjoyed the company of Egg, who had told you all about his pet cat (which he had told you had gone missing) and his adventures. You enjoyed his company the most, as he reminded you of your own brother at home, and you were upset when he had disappeared, as well as Daeron (even if you had not talked to him much). Your sadness had to be short lived though, as you were informed the next day by your lady in waiting that you were to attend the tourney in Ashford with your husband and his family. You were excited, for although you were part of the royal family you had not done all that much, so attending a tourney was something to look forward to. The morning of travel came, and you had dressed comfortably for the journey, your dress light and red in colour as your lady in waiting had insisted on due to your husband. You walked out the keep with Maekar, who was delighted to have someone walk with him before he had to ride at the front, and he was courteous enough to help you into your carriage. You waited for everyone to ready, and delighted in waving your husband over, not noticing his clear annoyance.
“Husband, are you coming in the carriage with me?” You ask, voice sweet.
He scoffs, but you assume he was just thinking.
“No, wife, I am riding in front. Why would I sit in a carriage like a lady?”
You don’t notice his tone, and nod in understanding.
“Of course, you go ahead, your father is already there.”
You turn away before you see his eye roll and delight in seeing your lady in waiting, handmaiden and other friends instead. You flag them down with much more ease, and allow them into your carriage. The journey there is lovely, you tell them all about your family and home and delight in hearing about their own families. Eventually, you arrive at Ashford and your friends clamber out first before you, and you look over to see Aerion and his father in a heated conversation before he storms over.
“Wife, why were all those women in the carriage with you?”
Your brow furrows at his question.
“You told me you did not wish to ride with me so I asked my friends to come instead?”
Your friends shift uncomfortably near you at his tone, to your confusion, you were only conversing.
“Can you show me to the tent, husband?” You ask, and he shakes his head vehemently.
You nod, assuming he was just busy, perhaps preparing for the tournament as you knew he was competing. You instead go find Maekar, again, who is conversing with his brother Baelor now. With help from Maekar, you find your tent and freshen up, changing into a dress of your own family colours now instead. With interest you decide to wander around the tourney yards to figure out what was there, wandering around until you find a tent showing a puppet show. The woman puppeteering caught your interest instantly and it was no surprise when you instantly struck up a conversation after the show with your new friend, Tanselle. You were there for nearly an hour, listening to her stories and looking at all the puppets she had, admiring her painting skills and craftsmanship. Eventually, you excused yourself to find your husband, feeling hungry. With the help of a few Kingsguard you found him in his father’s tent, who instantly welcomed and invited you to eat with them.
“Where were you?” Your husband asked, his voice hostile, which made Maekar look over but you only continued to chew until your mouth was empty.
“I found a puppet show, husband, you should have seen it. Tanselle’s work was magnificent.” You reply, happily.
“A puppet show? Do you think me or yourself a child?” He spits.
At this Maekar slaps him on the back of the head, while you, still oblivious, continue to eat and pick at the fruit offered. Eventually, you make the decision to head back to your tent with Aerion following behind huffily before he stops you.
“Why are you not wearing my house colours? How will these people know you’re my wife?” He asks.
“..These are my house colours? Plus, everybody knows we’re married, my lady in waiting said there were ‘rumours’, I think that means people were happy for us.” You reply, confused.
He decides to just let go and walk off, mumbling under his breath as he does. You decide he’s probably just having a bad day and head to your tent to get some much needed sleep after all the travelling.