Prologue: The Handmaiden

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There was little that Eloise didn’t know about of the happenings in Storm’s End. With the wind forever wailing and assaulting the stones there came the gossips and while Eloise blocked and ignored most of them she couldn’t banish the one whisper of unfairness from her mind. A man had been locked up in their dungeons for punching a soldier square in the face. Much deserved, Eloise would later on judge, for the comment he had made at the man’s younger sister was much disgusting, but none where the lady had any jurisdiction over, unfortunately. Not that her intervention would ever help the poor family. It rarely solved anything at all. The soldiers were entitled, feeling themselves elevated in their position as their guards and soldiers and the problems would persist for those outside.

The female knew exactly how to solve that, however. In her own little way, and though it wasn’t the most formal of routes she knew she would be able to get her way around it eventually, proper or not.

“Inform my brother that he will be dining alone,” Eloise casually threw at the guard, descending down the stairs in the flurry as was her fashion. She enjoyed the dumbfounded and panicked look of the soldier as the realisation slowly descended that he was to inform her brother that he was to enjoy his meal alone. It was a fun dilemma to pose in front of the less experienced soldiers and one that always caused much bickering amongst the older ones. To let her go, warn her brother the lord, or? Everyone knew that Eloise never got in trouble, but she had a nose when it came down to looking for trouble, especially if it meant that she cancelled out on her precious time with the lord.

“Lady Baratheon…” one of them stammered after a silence. Eloise froze in her steps and turned halfway around over her shoulder. Her eyes confused over their confusion as she pretended this to be the everyday business of the castle, which in a way it was.

“I have matters to attend, isn’t it obvious? Now, go inform my brother before his bread becomes hard,” she chipped and continued her merry road once more.

She knew that her brother would lament her missing lunch with him, but there truly were important matters to attend! The wind had brought her the whispers and Eloise had to act fast. It was her obligation as the lady of the house. Besides, she had pulled another away from her lunch.

Throwing the doors open towards her quarters Eloise’s eyes lit up when she saw the unfamiliar figure of topic of today. The maiden Alvia, the mute sister to the young man locked in the dungeons. Delighted the female strode over to the redhead, her arms spreading open for a hug.

“Welcome, Alvia!” she embraced the female, a wide smile plastered on her face as she continued to drag the girl over to the table that was set in the room. “No need to be afraid, I have invited you for lunch,” she continued in a breath, setting the girl down at the side of the table as she herself sat down at the head. “Unless, of course, you rather just get down to the heart of the matter,” Eloise continued, knowing that the redhead wouldn’t answer and aware that she could hear. Falling silent for a bit the Baratheon quieted down, her cheeks flushed in excitement as she waved the servants out of the room.

“Now, I have heard of your predicament, or rather your brother’s.” The noble broke the bread and served the girl some, figuring that the other was probably still too uncomfortable with sharing a table with an overexcitable noble. Who knew what Alvia was thinking! Probably that she was to be thrown into the dungeons as well with the sudden urgent summoning, but Eloise was here to set it all right.

“I’m unable to be of any meaning to your brother, but I can be to you and indirectly it will help your brother,” Eloise explained as she picked some cheeses for the girl and put it on her plate. Finally seating herself down Eloise’s blue eyes locked with Alvia’s, the bubbly girl turning stern as she was getting to the serious part. “Become my handmaiden.”

And there it was out. The actual reason why Eloise had summoned Alvia in a rush and for lunch. “You don’t have to do anything if you don’t wish to, but it will get you out of the village and elevate your status along with that of your family,” the young stag continued to explain. “You will be able to protect yourself and your family.”

Relaxing the female picked up her goblet, sipping from her water as she started to enjoy her meal. “Think it over as you wish,” the girl spoke as she picked up a grape. “I had planned to speak to my brother no matter your answer, but it will certainly help me convince him all the more if you say yes.”

With that she was finally done. As cheerful and child-like Eloise liked to act there was a mind of her own underneath it all. One that knew how to negotiate, knew how to plan, and one that wished to stand up against the inflated heads of the people they hired.

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There had been a panic of activity at the wine merchant's house. Their son had been thrown to the dungeons for defending his sister's honor. It did not matter what the knight had said, or done, the fact was that a commoner had punched one of Baratheon's knights. While Alfred the Merchant was preparing for intervention on behalf of his son, thinking of all possible contacts that could save his son from a serious punishment, his youngest was requested immediately at the request of Lady Eloise Baratheon. It had barely been a day since the incident and everybody was still tense as they knew the knight had pleaded for a punishment severe enough so that the boy would serve as an example of what happens to those who dare rise against the knights and soldiers of Lord Baratheon.

Alvia had been escorted by a soldier, indifferent and possibly oblivious of the family's predicament, from her house where she could hear her mother's wails to the private quarters of the young lady. The mute girl had barely been able to hold her tears of fear on the way there and once left alone she didn't dare move from the spot the guard had left her in. She was looking around with eyes large from fear, shock and wonder as she took in her surroundings.

She had no idea how much time she spent there, frozen and her mind racing with the horrible fate that her brother and possibly herself would be met with should the knight have it his way. The door opened and as Alvia turned to look who it was, she was shocked and flinched as the young Lady hugged her and greeted her with a large, warm smile. This confused her greatly and she found herself opening and closing her mouth at a loss. She found herself excitedly dragged over to the table where servants had indeed prepared lunch and was seated next to the young Lady. She could barely stop herself from shaking as she sat on the chair, unmoving and with her eyes facing the table. Alvia had registered the reassurance that she was in no danger, she had also understood the servants were dismissed and that her plate was being filled by Eloise Baratheon herself. Yet she couldn't quite stop herself from worrying. From being scared.

“Become my handmaiden.” That sentence hit her like lightning. She snapped her head up to find her gaze locked with the blue eyes of Eloise. The Baratheon girl was barely, if at all, older than she was but at that precise moment she had such maturity and authority that Alvia found herself unable to avert her gaze. There were several feelings that passed through her face as she listened to the last of the explanations. Shock, relief, a hint of excitement and it then settled into an expression of major confusion. She had so many questions that she wanted to ask the Lady but she had all but dragged out of the house and she had left her little board at home. She doubted that Eloise would be able to understand her hand gestures. However she had to try.

Ignoring the food that was laid out for her, she raised trembling arms and touched her throat, making a cutting motion immediately after. She hoped that the Lady would understand that it meant Alvia was mute. Then, a few seconds later, she opened her left palm and laid it flat, her right fist holding an invisible quil or pencil that flew over it in a writing manner. If only she was allowed something to write on. She gave Eloise a brief, hopeful look and then immediately lowered her gaze in respect and submission.
 

Regardless of several servants and the handmaiden being present in a large dining room, nobody spoke out, and the complete and deafening silence was only avoided by the echoing sound of rhythmic taps against the rich wood of a heavy dark chair. Relying on sounds like those for the bigger portion of his life, Arley Baratheon had a distinctive feel of rhythm and consistency, each tap laid down with same force and at the same speed as the last, creating a stagnant, never ending sound of continuous taps, much like that of a water against the ground, albeit louder.
He could only imagine the way all of the servants and the frizzy-haired handmaiden glared at each other, barely daring to breathe, but he was convinced he could hear the restless breath in their throats and the fidgeting of maids in their dresses.

Lord Baratheon sat at the head of the table, leaned gracefully against the back of the comfortable chair, his posture as stiff and as unyielding as always. The utensils and the dishes in front of him remained untouched as none yet dared to approach and as the time passed by, they were less and less likely to do so on their own accord.

She was late.

Five. Ten. Fifteen. Thirty minutes late. He knew. He counted. Taps on the armrest were not a child's play yet only a petty way to pass the time. That was alright. He will wait. After all, with mother and father away and running their errands, Eloise was the only reason he was still to organize their lunch in the main dining room, and that afternoon quality time together was something he always looked forward to sincerely.

Not many more moments passed before he heard the footsteps and the first hopeful whispers sprawled across the room. But even so, the tapping did not stop. They were oblivious to something so obvious that it pained him. If only they would pay more attention that what is simply served to them, they would know that it was not Eloise that had such heaviness and insecurity in her step. Never Eloise.

And just like that, the whisper died out when the soldier stepped into the room, looking around at obviously disappointed servants and quickly faced by the impatient maiden.

"What... What do you mean?!", he heard just before the girl realized the tone of her voice was too loud so she quickly went quiet again, giving the soldier a scolding look that, thank the Seven, lord Baratheon was not able to see. The man mumbled something Arley paid no attention to, and the young woman treated it with an upset scoff and a nudge of her head in Arley's direction, before walking away from the man and back to her position next to the blind stag, remaining at the respectful distance and a rather imposing stance, silently expressing her disapproval of the news the soldier was bringing to the lord.

"My lord...", the man finally dared to speak after clearing his throat. And just like that, the tapping stopped with one final tap, louder and more demanding than all the previous.

"Yes?" Arley responded calmly, hardly moving an inch from his sitting position, with neutral expression on his face and his empty glare aimed at the opposite end of the table. Picking his words carefully, the man spoke up again straightening up. "I was instructed by lady Baratheon to bring to your knowledge that she will not be joining you for today's feast."

Murmur died down when Arley lifted his hand and asked again. "And why is that?"

Expecting the question that followed, the soldier responded almost immediately. "Unspecified matters to attend to, my lord. On the castle grounds, however", he added quickly as to ease the situation.

"I see", Arley nodded processing the information served to him before sighing and closing his eyes briefly. "Very well. Make sure she is safe while doing it. You may leave". And he did not have to repeat himself. As soon as heavier frown of disappointment descended upon stag's face, the man eagerly waited for the moment when he will be allowed to leave. Quickly excusing himself, he walked out of the room, picking up the pace once he was out, just in case the lord change his mind.

Uncomfortable by the silence that fell on the room once again, the usually cheerful and vibrant handmaiden cleared her throat and turned to Arley. "My lord, if you wish I can-"

"You can request the cook to serve his dishes for one", he interrupted her, leaning with his elbow against the armrest. If anything, lord Baratheon could not stand dining alone there in the large dining room. Unorthodox request confused the young woman briefly and worried her just as much, but in her position, all she was able to do was to agree.

"Very well, my lord", she agreed reluctantly and disappeared into the kitchen.

Soon after, several servants presented the lord with dishes arranged tastefully at his side of the table in a way he preferred and knew. Main dish in front of him, salad on the right and the dessert on his left, with the freshly baked bread and a glass of wine in the middle. Always without a mistake, he could tell which smell came from where and after a few spills and rather harsh scolds, mainly by the mother herself, they finally did it right every time.

Just before Arley lifted his utensils, handmaiden was quick to gesture all of the service to abandon the room. With lady Baratheon or not, being observed by so many was not what lord Baratheon appreciated. Silently as always, she stood by his side, ready to comply when needed.

"Merry", the stag spoke up once he dipped his spoon into a thick stew, deciding not to taste it just yet. The handmaiden quickly perked up and responded joyfully. "Yes, my lord?"

Turning his head sideways to honour the fact that the woman was present at his side, Arley offered her a rather timid smirk and a nod. "Thank you for your effort. As always."

Being enough for the young girl to blush heavily, she chuckled and quickly tucked the strain of golden hair behind her ear. "At your service, my lord. I am more than happy to do so."

"Wonderful", Arley responded briefly before his face flushed again. "But for now, you are dismissed."

And just like that, the girl's grin turned into a grimace of confusion and disappointment. She was always allowed to be there when they dined, even with lord's late wife present. Always! And she always felt special about having such permission when he tended to shut out everyone else, and now this! Even more than disappointed, she felt reluctant to leave him all alone.

"But... My lord I... Don't understand..."

"Nothing to understand, Merry. I do not need your service as of now. That would be all", he responded calmly again, patiently waiting for the girl to move. Although he made his request more than clear, the girl still chose to maintain the conversation. In any other situation, he was more than happy to have a long conversation with the young woman that always left him feeling refreshed, but now was not the time.

"I do not think it is a good idea, my lord you-", she suddenly jerked with a light whimper when Arley's fist landed sideways against the table, hard enough to make all the dishes rattle and move slightly, and loud enough to give the girl quite the startle.

"I. What?" Regardless of his sudden volatile expression of annoyance, Arley's face remained unfazed and his voice calm.

"Y-you... uh...", she stuttered sustaining herself from bursting into tears that already stubbornly gathered in her eyes, no matter how much she convinced herself to suck it up. The subtle shake in her voice did not escape him, but he gave off no sign that he noticed nor cared.

"You. Are. Dismissed", he repeated once more slowly, as if he is explaining a simple thing to a simple person. He was not ought to lead a feelsy discussion over something that was certainly none of girl's business. Exhaling heavily, the handmaiden quickly straightened up moved dishes to their place and cleared her throat enough to speak properly through the tears that she no longer was able to hold.

"Y-yes my lord. Enjoy your feast", she mumbled quickly, hurrying out of the dining room just before audible sobs escaped her.

Taking a deep breath, Arley paused briefly before he reached towards the table and resumed his meal. It would be a quick one. No longer than needed as it was only for the sake of not being hungry that he was putting the food in himself. As always, the stew was a delight only this time, somewhat bitter. As soon as his plates were empty, lord Baratheon stood up slowly taking a hold of his cane and made his way to his private chambers alone and with a steady pace.


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Watching the female gesture in response confused Eloise at first until the female made a writing motion. Of course, the stag knew that Alvia was a mute and had to communicate differently, but she hardly had asked anything that required more than a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’, which were two gestures that everyone understood.

“Questions will have to wait, I fear,” Eloise responded, but stood up to get some parchment and a quill nonetheless. The lady had a lot to learn, parchment and ink were valuable and while the Baratheon household was rich, the supplies were not endless and Eloise hated to be wasteful. It would be another study she could add into her timetable, something Eloise never minded if it meant getting away from the dull preaching of her septa.

“It is only fair to give you a voice of your own,” the female continued. After all, Alvia’s thoughts and gestures couldn’t be carried by the wind. Both the lady and the maiden had a lot to learn, in terms of communication, but also manners. Reaching for the desk she picked some of the items up, checking the point of the quill before heading back.

“If you don’t feel hungry I suggest we move towards my brother immediately,” the girl continued as she handed Alvia the tools. Another smile crossed her features as she crossed her arms pondering. “How he must be sulking because I had him eat his meal alone,” she giggled before flitting over to the door. Immediately the earlier dismissed servants tumbled in, clearly eavesdropping on what the lady had to say and eager to wait for answers. Eloise gave them an amused look.

“How unbecoming, should I fear for spies in my own hearth?” the girl joked to which the servants paled up as they straightened their posture. The young stag ignored it, dismissing them once more with a simple wave. There hardly could be any important business between a mute commoner and the lady Baratheon, anyone with half a brain knew that. Eavesdropping was listening in all the same and Eloise made sure to take note of it.

“Have two extra plates set in the dining room. Unless my brother has finished his meal I’m intending to join him,” the female ordered with a smile before gesturing at Alvia to follow.

“Questions should be asked at the proper place to the right people. I’m sure most of yours involve your brother and for that we need another brother,” Eloise spoke, lightly as if it was no matter while explaining her actions to Alvia. It was a good lesson taught to teach the importance of place and person. Especially if the maiden intended to accept the offer made.
 
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Alvia swallowed hard as the young Lady explained that questions would have to wait as they probably involved Lord Baratheon himself. All hunger was forgotten at the implications this entire ordeal held for her and her family. Ignoring briefly the interaction with the eavesdropping servants, she made the best possible space management out of the piece of parchment she was given. This wasn't like her blackboard. She couldn't just erase her words on the parchment.

Alvia was quick to nod in understanding and followed Eloise out of the room and at a respectful distance. After a moment's hesitation she passed the young doe the parchment. Three words were written on the upper left corner in nice cursive. "Why a nobody?" There were other things she could've added to explain herself further or to make sure she wasn't demanding or brash. She had learned to make wise use of her space and words however and she was certain that the lady would've understood the meaning of her question. However as soon as Eloise would've been able to take a good look at the parchment, Alvia retreated back to her previous position at the expected distance behind the young Baratheon girl.

She knew that the position of handmaiden to Great families was something very prized and usually was given to smaller noble families or families that were very dear to the Lord or Lady that needed one. So why would a nobody like herself, the daughter of an average wine merchant, would be offered a position better suited for a girl of noble birth.

The more curious part of her was eager to take in her surroundings, to study and soak in the interior of Storm's End. She knew however that that was not something that she ought to be doing right now. Her posture still tight from fear and insecurity, she found herself in the dinning hall along with Eloise.
 

There was at the very least one good thing about not having any company for the lunch that afternoon; he was at least able to be alone when he desired to. Something his lady mother never allowed with her present, and which quite often went on his nerves. Her paranoid, over-protective behavior went on his nerves all the time, but some days were better than the others. Unlike common belief, he cherished her current absence, as ungrateful as it may have sound.

Sorting out his thoughts, he was able too look through his actions more clearly and even though the blind stag rarely ever regretted his words, even those spoken in anger, she knew when his behavior came off as unfair and rightfully so. Merry was a wonderful young girl, and a hard working handmaiden handling a handful he served on her plate since the beginning. Certainly undeserving of the treatment she got, even though he stood by his belief that sometimes she simply involved too much. He liked to believe it was all in the best of the intentions. For that, he plotted his apology as freshed up quickly and took a deep breath turning the page in his mind from disappointment to trying all of that again with a bit of a fix, starting with the lovely girl he never meant to lash out on.

With a firm decision of sorting it all out, Arley stepped out of his private quarters and headed down the hallway in hopes of quickly running into a maid or a servant that would direct his handmaiden to his study for a cup of tea. Alas, his confident step down the hallways was brought to an untimely halt when he heard steps behind him. Ever vigilant of the sounds and shifts around him, Arley stopped in his track and turned on his heels towards the source of the sound, acknowledging the presence of another person even before they seemed to acknowledge his undivided attention.

"Who goes there?"
Arley asked with a clear demand in his voice and a stern frown, his cane lifted and pointed into the direction of the sound and his other hand resting calmly in the pocket of his robe. And just like that, the heavy steps stopped in their track and the man cleared his throat before speaking up with a brief bow. For all of them, just like the table arrangements, bowing to him was a matter of habit that lady Baratheon made sure sticks.

"My lord", the soldier spoke up, and Arley quickly recognized the man from before, the bearer of the news. "My sincere apologies for alerting you like this, but the servants reached out to me again in regards of lady Baratheon, asking me to inform you that..."

"That she finally has some time for her own blood?" Arley finished the man's sentence sounding almost tired or disappointed rather than upset. It briefly threw the young soldier out of the concept he prepared to face the lord, but he quickly finished his thought. "That the lady Baratheon asked for two more plates to be served in the dining room, requesting her to join her, my lord."

"Two?" the stag narrowed his eyes in question, right after soldier's statement.

"I would not know further than that, my lord. I was not told who the other person may be." Allowing a moment of awkward silence after the response was given, lord Baratheon let out a scoff and smirked lowering down his cane.

"Surely you would not. It is not your job to be aware of who walks around my castle after all", Arley replied, his words dripping with sarcasm.

"My apologies, my lord", the man mustered and bowed again, but he was met with a brief wave of a hand.

"Just...", Arley sighed resuming his walk. "You're dismissed."

Approaching the dining room, he was once more greeted by quite a few servant, now clearly more content with the situation at hand than previously. Arley nodded at several greetings before he stepped into the dining room. Upon doing so, he was greeted by an all too familiar voice of his handmaiden, referring to him happily, although the stag was bright enough to understand she was simply doing her job.

"My lord, we've been expecting you. Lady Baratheon brought a young lady as a guest!", she chirped as she followed him in, summoning the closest maid that quickly threw the offer at the lord. "My lord, would you like me to ask for a different dish or a dessert?" she suggested as he approached the table.

"A cup of wine will do, thank you." The maid nodded, and even before he sat down, the wine was served and properly positioned in front of his seat and the seat moved just enough for him to sit properly. Leaving the cane against the side of the table, Arley fixed his garments and nodded to the young women present. At the very least he now knew the one he was about to converse with was a lady as well.

"Ladies. Lovely of you to find some time for an old man", he greeted with jest and a charming smirk before he calmly took his place at the dining table with his handmaiden once more humbly standing by his side. "I hope you are hungry. The dishes prepared are wonderful."



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Nervous as ever the female remained distant with Eloise, walking with a fair space between the two and keeping her face low despite the want to look around. The female supposed that it will take a while before Alvia would allow herself to let go. At least the lady was patient and willing to wait out the awkwardness, but the girl also knew that the female had to learn quickly if she didn’t want to be picked on by the rest.

“Nobody would suggest I invited air into the castle,” Eloise spoke, a smile playing around her lips as she skipped her way down the hall. “And of that I have more than enough blowing around,” she joked as she gave the servants a meaningful look. She knew that many of them questioned her decision to bring Alvia in and the ones that had eavesdropped on her probably overheard the offer made towards the mute. However, Eloise was known for her seemingly spontaneous decisions and those that worked the closest around the Baratheon siblings would be able to understand and to tell that Eloise would tolerate no form of discrimination or malice towards the people she took in.

Turning more serious the female turned around towards Alvia, her legs still marching on into the same direction with the same nimble speed she was so known for. “I already told you why.” The female looked the other in the eye. “I know of your predicament. Both your brother and of your condition,” she explained. “I’m taking you in, not out of pity, but to offer you power,” she continued, her chin slightly elevating as they passed a Baratheon banner.

“The power to stand up for yourself and to protect,” Eloise breathed as she skipped off the stairs, enjoying the way it twisted on and on. Within her mind Eloise knew how dangerous it was to throw around her authority like that. If Alvia came to abuse it Eloise would be the one taking the fall. However, the female trusted the mute to be incapable of such betrayal. Besides, the aforementioned air have never failed her in averting a tragedy before.

“No one will take you for a fool again!” she exclaimed, taking a jump off the last few stairs.

Cheeks flushed from leaping down the stairs Eloise took a pause for Alvia to catch up, her eyes bright in excitement. “Of course my main reason would be to have a friend, it gets dull around here without anyone willing to participate in my jests,” the girl giggled before she entered the dining room, seating herself quickly she motioned for Alvia to take place at her right, the plates already served up in front of them.

Not a beat later her brother entered, same as ever with the typical Baratheon charm as he took his seat at the head of the table.

“Have you been sulking, brother?” Eloise teased, unable to help herself. Arley’s handmaiden paled up at her claim, which only confirmed her suspicions. Smiling growing even brighter the female picked up her spoon, enjoying a bite of the stew before returning to the conversation, however her partner was not her brother.

“How can I enjoy such a lovely plate all alone, Alvia eat up!” turning towards the other Eloise mentally applauded herself at the bulging eyes of her brother’s handmaiden in the back, though her main target was her brother. As a little sister she felt obligated to loosen him up once in a while.

“Ah! I never got a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ from you. That will be important for the introductions,” Eloise gasped, continuing the little act of forgetting her brother at the table. A little more and she could swear Merry would faint on the spot.

"So, how about it?" Eloise leaned towards Alvia, hand laying on her shoulder as the lady waited for her answer.
 
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Alvia was surprised and still a little confused, but it was in a good way now at least. Eloise Baratheon, though a highborn, acted much like a young lady Alvia's own age would. It helped put her mind at ease and she smiled shyly. Though Alvia loved her parents and brother for their attention, love and care, sometimes she felt trapped in a golden cage. Well.... as golden as an average wine merchant could make it. This was an opportunity for her to escape such.

She quickly took the instructed seat and looked around at the dinning hall in poorly concealed wonder. She had never thought she would be able to set foot in Storm's End and here she was, in the dinning hall, seating next to the young Lady. Alvia had no delusions of equality but she couldn't help but feel extremely.... proud? Enthusiastic? She couldn't really put it into words.

When Lord Baratheon walked in, imposing and charming, yet with what came off to stern air at Alvia, the mute girl found herself at a loss for behavior. She knew she had to bow at her Lord, but she was already seated and he had already sat down. She found herself staring at the ease with which he sat down despite his glazed gaze. The gaze of a blind man. He couldn't see it if she bowed and she didn't have enough time to do anything but turn her gaze away as if stung. It wasn't polite to stare.

Thankfully, Eloise came to her rescue by addressing her brother. With her hands wrought on her lap, Alvia bowed her head in respect and paled slightly as the Lord was clearly teased. Then the conversation was moved back to her. The young Baratheon still expected an answer from her. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, the only sound she had ever made from the moment she had arrived at Storm's End and one of the few audible sounds anyone would ever hear from her, Alvia made up her mind.

She didn't know if it was going to be for better or worse. She had no idea what she might get herself into by being brought in a world whose inner workings she didn't fully understand, but she knew she wanted to try. She wanted to count on her own self for once. To see how far she could make it without her mother teaching her at home, her father bringing her small gifts from his trips and her brother defending and making her laugh with his antics.

She nodded in a 'Yes' gesture and awaited for whatever was in store by the Seven for her next.
 

Lord Baratheon remained unfazed by his sibling's question, holding his head propped up against his hand as he stared serenely just a bit ahead of himself. He understood the fact that many found it rather unnerving when he stared at them guided by their voice or their movement, and so he held his glare respectfully at the level he'd assume did not bother as much.

"Sulking is a bit of an overstatement, my dear sister. I was merely slightly disappointed, if you will", he responded with a smirk. With such comment, he half expected to hear a subtle reaction from his handmaiden or to receive yet another witty comeback from his younger sibling, but neither happened. Instead, Eloise turned to her business as usual, starting on her meal, but even then, Arley remained calm and content.

“How can I enjoy such a lovely plate all alone, Alvia eat up!” Eloise referred to their guest and almost right away, Arley narrowed his eyes at the continuous lack of response from the female. So much so, that his index finger tapped slowly at the bottom of his cup of wine before he lifted it up and drank from it. It was a habit of his that tended to unnerve those present solely over the fact that it was often followed by a dismissal or an uncomfortable question.

Still, he remained silent for the time being, regardless of Merry's nervous shifting. She knew very well where the lack of sound from the lord went and at that very moment, the two females did nothing to help it. But perhaps the most unnerving thing in handmaiden's mind, was Stag's unpredictability. Whenever she'd believe he'd burst, he would often remain calm or at the very least subtle and then at other times... Therefore this time, she did not find a will to intervene.

“Ah! I never got a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ from you. That will be important for the introductions,” the apparently one-sided conversation continued and Merry bit the inside of her lip nervously, frowning slightly at the lady, but just as fast avoiding her glare once Eloise looked at her. Even though in her opinion the young lady of the Storm's End was a spoiled brat most of the time, and her brother's overprotectiveness did not help her case, Merry was still aware that her position was that of a glorified servant and she was replaceable, and it was only in lord's mercy that she was around although she was aware that the young lady had something against her, if only in her judgemental gaze. Some days, it sat with her easier than the others.

The female in the presence of two siblings, simply breathed in heavily and fell silent right after, but the small sound was enough for Arley to closely determine where she was seated, and it was awfully close to Eloise. Something he did not appreciate. Slightly set aback by his sister's carelessness, Arley pressed the finger against his temple and closed his eyes briefly with a light frown.

Inviting strangers to dine with them was not an unusual thing with neither Eloise nor Arley, but unlike his sisters, Arley still tended to maintain the distance, not in treatment of their guest, but in the way he made sure their guests understood their place. He did not know of this person, and if he was to judge by his sister's reckless nature, neither did she and therefore, sitting so close next to them unnerved the lord. But as the food was already served and the conversation started, it would have been something he'd discuss with Eloise in private.

"Your friend seems quite nervous", lord Baratheon spoke up finally in flat tone, unamused by female's silence, this time gazing up at her, or at least as close as he could determine her placement. "I would like her to introduce herself instead. Considering she is so close to you, and I take she is not your close friend nor your lover, I would like to know more of her from herself", Arley requested, straightening up in his seat, his right hand reaching for his cup while his other gestured towards the girl as he smirked charmingly, toning down the passive-aggressiveness that seeped from his words.
"Now then, don't be shy. Please."


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Eloise’s smile couldn’t turn any brighter when Alvia nodded, agreeing to her offer and the position. Elated she turned back to her brother whose mood seemed to spiralling down the more time passed. A grin escaped her lips as her eyes turned to Merry, mischief written all over her face once more. Plans her brother wouldn’t be able to read off her face.

“I suppose this means Merry will have to read what’s on the board,” Eloise smiled sweetly to the servant girl. A glint passed in Eloise’s eyes; a quiet warning given to Merry that she should play the objective party.

Turning back to Alvia, Eloise gestured for her to take out the paper and pencil she had gotten for the maid earlier. “Alvia doesn’t speak. Which is one of the reasons for her presence here, but I shall spoil no more. Merry is a capable reader and Alvia writes prettily,” Eloise smiled one more before picking up her utensils and cutting into her meat. Might as well eat as she put her new maid to the test.

Of course Eloise had every intention of interfering should she find Alvia incapable of holding her ground, or should Merry get the tone wrong. After all she was unwilling to lose her maid so soon after convincing her; it would do Eloise’s name and position no good, but would make it harder to sniff out the corruption that Alvia’s brother was facing.
 
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Unconsciously, Alvia found herself grinning back at the Lady, but the sound of silent tapping from Lord Baratheon drew her attention once more. She could feel the tension. The annoyance or perhaps the anger. She was not being introduced, being some kind of surprise game between the siblings. She was fumbling with her dress and stealing looks at everybody present in the room, trying to figure out what she was supposed to do. All the training her mother and father had instilled in her forgotten due to unusual amount of social pressure.

When Lord Baratheon addressed her directly, she turned to look at him and she locked eyes with him. It was unnerving, yet mesmerizing how he had zeroed in on her, his eyes milky yet not appearing to belong to a cripple. Realizing she had stared for longer than was acceptable, her gaze was quickly lowered and her face suddenly burned with embarrassment and horror at the mention of being a lover to the Lady of Storm's End. They were too young and they were both women. Surely Lord Baratheon was joking?

Lady Eloise came to her rescue however and with a startle, Alvia sprang to action. She started writing, making sure to make the best use out of her paper. "Alvia, daughter of Alfred the wine merchant my Lord. Lady Eloise requested I be her handmaiden to help my brother. He was arrested last night for attacking one of the knights, defending me." She wrote down in surprisingly good and clean handwriting for the speed she had done it in. There should have been no problems for Merry to read it. Alvia had been told before that her handwriting was a lot better than that of the average girls of her status. She gave the paper to Merry as soon as she was done and waited nervously for Lord Baratheon's reaction. She prayed to the Seven that it would not spiral out of control. Her brother depended on her for once. She couldn't let him down.
 
The blond-haired handmaiden's face went quickly from slightly displeased to pretty surprised as she received such request from lady Baratheon without immediately obvious reason, and with the face the young girl pulled out on her, all of the questions she had about it mixed in her mind along with the fear that her actions would once again enrage her lord. After all, ever since she sat down with her guest, his beloved little sister did nothing but mock her lord brother, and his unamused face did not sit well with Merry. His spoiled sister would certainly not be the one he would be lashing out on if his mood was ruined in the end.

"And, mind I ask what would be the purpose of such presentation?" Arley asked in slightly perplexed fashion, and his question caused the handmaiden to once again focus at the situation at hand rather than her own concerns. The stag was now quite intrigued. Even someone as mischievous as Eloise would not simply waste his time for the sake of it in such manner. Eloise was a jester of her own kind, but her brother's stern face at that point in their conversation would be a fine and subtle sign he was not in the mood to beat around the bush.

“Alvia doesn’t speak," Eloise finally responded right after a well familiar sound of paper rustling and being laid on the table. With it, Arley's face softened up quite a bit, still maintaining a light pondering frown. "Is that so..." he mused to himself, rubbing his chin briefly.

"Which is one of the reasons for her presence here, but I shall spoil no more," she explained further with a clear excitement in her voice. It was a kind of thing he believed only Eloise is capable of. Sounding excited about a serious thing without making it lose any of its importance in her cheerful tone. "Merry is a capable reader and Alvia writes prettily.”

"Um well I...suppose..." Merry spoke up insecurely still mostly confuse about the entirety of the situation, instinctively dropping her gaze on Arley. "My lord?"

The stag sat leaned into his chair with his index finger over his mouth as he processed the received information, listening to the erratic scribbling of the mute girl and light clanking of utensils in Eloise's hands. It was quite obvious that the silence in the room was due to everyone present waiting for his response next. With all other servants abandoning the room, the lack of conversation truly echoed against the walls. Regardless, the stag waited patiently until the scribbling stopped. If the girl was unable to speak to him, he could have at least respect the time needed for her to express herself in a way she could. Many disrespectful interruptions he had in the past due to his inability, carved that social rule, one of many, into his mind. The speed in which her task was completed did not escape Arley, even though he gave out no direct acknowledgement to it.

Once the scribbling stopped, Arley adjusted himself in his seat, laying his forearms onto the table, his fingers intertwined and his posture straight.

"Merry," he called out calmly.

"My lord," the woman responded almost instantly, uptight enough for words to race out of her perhaps faster than acceptable.

"Please. If you will,"
he requested in the same tone, gesturing towards the paper, and it was more than a clear order for the handmaiden to get a hold of it and get to reading whatever young girl had to say.

"Certainly, my lord," she acknowledged his request with a smirk and a nod, leaving her usual spot to gracefully walk down the length of the table towards the girl with her parchment ready. "Oh you really do have a wonderful handwriting," Merry chirped at the girl, fake or not, an average onlooker would not be able to tell. She then lifted the parchment off the table with equally enthusiastic "Thank you," and she made her way back to lord Baratheon, taking a quick glance at the written words before she would speak them out loud. The words themselves said nothing much to her, as a handmaiden he truly did not concern herself with the business of the Baratheon's guards, but the request itself seemed rather sensitive in her humble opinion.

"I am listening,"
Arley turned her attention, expecting her to start. Standing back at her spot, the handmaiden cleared her throat lightly and started reading out the words clearly in a medium tone, enough to only concern those present at the table.

"Alvia, daughter of Alfred the wine merchant my Lord. Lady Eloise requested I be her handmaiden to help my brother. He was arrested last night for attacking one of the knights, defending me."

Slowing down slightly at the end, Merry lowered the parchment, briefly glancing at the stag for any reaction, yet in the first few moments there were none. Instead, he now simply stared intensely towards the place where the girl was seated; the girl he now learned was named Alvia. His fingers danced against the table once more as he glared, calmly, thinking.

"I know Alfred. A good man,"
he finally broke the silence after a while. "More good than lucky however," he exhaled as he broke off his glare, leaning back in his chair with another brief moment of silence.

"You have my attention, Alvia," he referred to her as he slowly spun the wine cup in his right hand. "And since you do, as of this moment, you will be communicating with me through the parchment, and my handmaiden shall read it to me. Lady Baratheon is not your spokesperson, and she will not be giving your answers for you," he accentuated, turning his glare towards Eloise's seat. "Lady Baratheon will speak on your case when asked to," he accentuated again and it was now more than clear his notes were turned towards his younger sister. He was aware of her burning desire to be the straw everyone would latch onto when their contact with him did not go as planned, but just as much as he loved her and could not resist her in many other things, he was also capable of ignoring her when she needed to be ignored. Business like that had room for only as much empathy as it was beneficial for both sides, and more often than not, Eloise gave more than she received in return. After his words were left to set, he turned his attention back to Alvia, staying true to his decision to ignore any potential interruptions coming from his younger sibling.

"Let us step back a bit, shall we?"
He suggested with a polite smirk. "Let us make it clear that in order for you to become lady Baratheon's handmaiden, I will not take into consideration what happened to your brother, nor will I take into consideration that you are a candidate for lady Baratheon's handmaiden in order to help your brother. They are two separate requests and one will not help the other. If you are willing to discuss either only in connection to the other, you are free to leave my home right this moment." Young lord spoke calmly but strictly, pausing to take a sip of wine before proceeding.

"But if you are willing to discuss both matters individually, then I am all ears. Sort out your priorities and let me know what would you wish to discuss first. Yourself? Or your brother."

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Alvia's gaze sifted uncomfortably when Stag's milky eyes pinpointed her exact location and height unnervingly close. If it was any other person, she would have held their gaze briefly before redirecting her attention out of politeness. In Arley Baratheon's case however, Alvia was very selfconscious. Even though the Stag could not see it, she didn't wish to come off as oggling or staring back in defiance or even curiosity. She just didn't know how to behave around him. She knew her place, but when was being respectfull coming off as pretentious and meaningless flatery or subservience? She didn't know and to everyone watching her it was painfully obvious.

She had straightened up and nodded in focus as her Lord began speaking again. He posed to her a very difficult question. Herself or her brother? At first it seemed like an easy question. Who wouldn't hesitate to defend family? But then again..... Who wouldn't hesitate to defend themselves? Her hand paused over the parchment for a few seconds, but then she shook her head, berating herself and started writing once more. Lord Baratheon had not asked her to choose between being a handmaiden and helping her brother. He had asked her what her priorities were. She wasn't sure if this was a test but with all the respect and appreciation for the opportunity given, she did not know Lady Baratheon. Her family had been there for her always.

"With all due respect, my family comes first my Lord." She wrote down and handed the parchment once more to Merry. She turned briefly to look at Lady Baratheon with a slightly apologetic look before focusing back on Lord Baratheon and his handmaiden. She wasn't sure how she would be able to help her brother by doing nothing more than recounting the events of last night as honestly as she remembered them but she would sure try her very best to do so. Telling the truth on the spot hadn't helped much when they arrested him, but Alvia would like to think that Lord Baratheon could tell when people where being honest and he held no prejudice when it came to smallfolk.
 
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Calmly sipping out of his chalice, lord Baratheon patiently waited for movements around the table run their course as Merry once again made her way from his side to Alvia, this time remaining there throughout the entire process of writing and later on as she lifted the parchment to read it out loud. She had assumed that the Lord would most likely get really fed up really soon with her pacing back and forth. Even though able to handle himself, Arley's patience tended to be challenged on some of those very small things anyone else would hardly even pay attention to and yet, things that seemed to have a great potential in annoying him rarely ever did so.

The handmaiden nodded lightly, taking the parchment from the girl, perhaps a little too eagerly, which made her freeze up for a second. But upon realizing Arley did nothing to acknowledge it whatsoever, she cleared her throat lightly and read the words on the paper as they went.
"Young lady says: 'With all due respect, my family comes first, my Lord.',"

"Hm", Arley mused briefly, nodding at the answer and yet his face remained indifferent to the answer. "Very well, Alvia. If that truly is the case, then it is a great but noble burden to bear on your own. Your brother is a fortunate young man, and your father I believe is to be proud of you. No doubt about it." Allowing himself a brief smirk towards the girl, he directed his words towards his handmaiden. "Merry, be so kind to let them know we are now ready to eat. I would certainly love some more of that stew." The final part of his request came out in a less formal tone, surprising to the young woman, but animating enough for her to quickly bow and immediately rush towards the kitchen as if on a highly important mission.

"And while I do admire your bravery", he proceeded right after Merry's steps receded, "I am not here to fight your battle for you. But I will listen. For that, you have my word". Seemingly in a slightly better mood all of a sudden, the Stag's expression eased and lightened up to be more comfortable to face for the mute girl.

"Now, I usually do not allow much else to be done at the table when food is served, and I would imagine lady Baratheon would love to have you for herself after our little meeting", he proceeded, preparing for his plate to be served once multiple steps filled the large dining hall again, "but I would like to give you as much time as you may need by the end of the day to lay down your case in favor of your brother on that parchment of yours. I believe it won't be an issue?" he asked rhetorically, noticeably amused by the situation. "Your brother's faith may mostly depend on it but... No pressure, yes?" He once again smiled charmingly, lifting his utensils, once the smell of his favorite dish tickled his nostrils.

"Rabbit stew. Guaranteed, it always brightens my day. Please, don't be shy. Treat yourself with whatever you'd like", he offered as he hovered his arm over the long table filling with diverse meals and desserts. "Surely, there is something here of your liking."

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