Who: Kaelyn, Open When: Dec 31 Where: Queen's chambers Rating: PG-13 Status: Open
Kaelyn stood at the window ignoring the chill that crept through her velvets and brocades. Winter had come but it was a Southron winter and little to compare with that which chased them yearly from the Eyrie or the storms that would be even now howling around Wintefell. Still, the twins were out there. Her little ones, lost even now perhaps in one of those same blizzards or aboard some slaver's ships... the nightmares would not ease. Every turn of the hallway brought fresh agony, echoes of laughter, the sound of Gwyn's soft voice, Genna's yells. She couldn't go near the council chamber, or the childrens' favorite court yards. Elia Martell had once spoken of ghosts and Kaelyn had not understood how anyone could find memories of this place worth treasuring let alone enough to name it haunted. Kaelyn did not doubt her words now.
And no one was doing anything. William was acting as unconcerned as if they had never even had two beautiful, perfect little girls. He'd sent his men out, had sent Lyanora out, had put out a reward but not one single solitary word of emotion from him. How had she been so wrong? Had she finally deluded herself into holding to her husband... but there it was. Once you did, they left either in their heart or in fact. She had trusted him. She had trusted he would keep their family safe.
Never. Again.
The sound of Brandon in the next room calmed her. She'd had him moved from his own rooms to occupy half of her own suite. She would not let him be taken so easily.
An unfortunate maid entered from the antechamber and Kaelyn turned a cool gaze on the girl. "Yes?"
"A-a visitor, your Grace."
They refused to leave her be, even in her grief. "Show them in." Her voice held all the sweetness of an Eyrie storm.