Croque Madame

I saw Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Princess Elia Martell coming towards us with a few other people. I saw Prince Doran and his brother Oberyn Martell. Jon Arryn was the first to speak.

Jon: I am grateful for such a grand welcome banquet you have prepared for us my prince.

Rhaegar: The Prince's wedding has to be a grand affair, Lord Jon. I have prepared an even more lavish ceremony to be held at the Great Sept of Baelor on the day we take our vows.

Rhaegar: I heard your heir was an Intelligent boy who could speak properly since he was a year old.

Jon: aye, He is very intelligent since he was a babe but he is very willful at times. At times you must forgive him for his words my prince.

The prince turns to me and speaks.

Rhaegar: It's good to have you attend my wedding young Altair.

Altair: It was quite a welcome you arranged for us, your grace. I must say you are a very lucky man to have such a beautiful woman as your wife-to-be. I would have duelled with you for her hand if I was older.

Elia giggles at my words. She spoke before Rhaegar could.

Elia: I had heard of a certain young Arryn who was gifted with words as sharp as falcon's talons. However, I feel the rumours have been too unjust to you.

Altair laughs at such remarks, he would not back down in flirting with beautiful women.

Altair: Your smile is like a Dragonfyre princess melting all the sharp swords on my lips.

Elia chuckles at my words while Rhaegar replies to my words.

Rhaegar: I wouldn't sanction any duel for her hand, young Altair.

Altair (laughs): Then, I would have kidnapped her and married her then faced you on the battlefield. You cannot blame me for rebelling against the throne for such a beauty, would you?

Rhaegar: Then your childhood must be God's blessing, sparing the realm from bloodshed.

Altair: Aye your grace, however, I warn you to treat her well. The day you betray Elia the noble houses of Vale will unite and ride against the you and crown.

Jon: You shouldn't say such treacherous words so easily Altair.

Oberyn and Doran joined us from the back as Oberyn spoke.

Oberyn: I didn't know that Elia had such a young suitor hidden in the mountains of Vale.

Altair: I hadn't expected Red Viper of Dorne to be back from his travels so soon.

Oberyn: I wouldn't dare to miss my lovely sister's wedding.

Altair( to Rhaegar): I think you should thank the late Princess Martell for saving you from the red viper's fangs. I heard he has bitten any hand that dared touch the flower of Dorne.

Oberyn: Aye, young Arryn knows the truth Rhaegar. I would have duelled with you before you got my sister's hand.

Rhaegar: I am always grateful to Princess Martell for blessing me with your sister's hand.

I decided to breach some of my interests in the conversation.

Altair: Your grace, I would like to ask you for a favour.

Rhaegar: Ask if you need anything Altair, I will see if I can accommodate your requests.

Altair: I want to tour the Red Keep and look around. I am especially interested in seeing the Iron Throne and the skulls of mighty dragons.

Rhaegar: That can be easily arranged, I will send one of my king's guards to accompany you on the tour after the banquet. Now you must excuse us.

As Rhaegar and Elia left to entertain other guests. I took the opportunity to talk to Doran Martell. After Doran finished exchanging words with my father, I spoke to him.

Altair: Prince Doran Martell, I suppose you must be feeling the weight of the Dornish throne after your mother's death?

Doran: Aye, I have to agree, the loss of our mother has affected us in many ways.

Altair: A man will continue acting like a child until his mother's death, and then he will age in an instant, growing old and weary every day without his mother's love.

Doran: truer words were never spoken. I never knew you had such wisdom at such a young age.

Altair: That is because unlike you my childhood died shortly after I was born. The boy was killed the same day, and a man was born. I am not as lucky as you, a mother's love is a dish I have never tasted.

Doran: Only now I can fathom, what it is like to be without a mother's protection. I pity you young Altair for growing up without your mother's love. Now you must excuse me as I fulfill my lordly duties.

Altair: I wish you good fortune in the wars to come

As the Martell's left I saw some golden blondes coming our way from across the garden.

Jon: Lord Hand, It is a pleasure to see you after such a long time. You have grown from a young knight to a fearsome man running the seven kingdoms.

Tywin: it's indeed been a long time lord Arryn. Last we met you were a fearsome knight with no grey in your hair.

Jon: Aye, I remember those days of fighting on those god-forsaken Islands. Your frivolous father sent you and your uncle Jason to answer the king's call

Tywin: I remember those days, I was a young knight going on my first campaign, following my uncle Jason along with Lannister men. It was a long campaign with several battles.

Jon: Aye, It was a hard-fought war, I remember you had to take your Jason's remains back to Casterly Rock. Let's leave those bitter wars to the past, I heard your son is even more skilled at the sword than you.