Deleted
Posts - 0
Likes -
Joined - January 1970
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 15:58:18 GMT
The chambers of the Queen.
|
|
Deleted
Posts - 0
Likes -
Joined - January 1970
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 15:59:10 GMT
A day after her family had left Alice decided to pay a visit to the queen. She was her lady in waiting now and she knew that the queen would likely have things for her to do - or perhaps she would just wish some company. Alice also had some questions of her own.
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Jun 6, 2016 16:10:16 GMT
The queen was preparing for the day as Alice entered, in robe of Dornish sandsilk, a material worth its weight in gold now that Dorne was separate from the Crown again and relations had soured worse than ever. She studied her reflection in a mirror of Myrish glass, applying a bit of makeup and a few dabs of a Tyroshi perfume that had top notes of citrus with a base of cedar and just a hint of pear that reminded her of home. She offered Alice a comb of white jade from Leng as she entered and a pleasant smile, clearly wishing for the young woman to brush her vibrant blue hair.
"Are your rooms to your liking?" she asked, in her pleasant lilting accent.
|
|
Deleted
Posts - 0
Likes -
Joined - January 1970
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 16:53:34 GMT
Alice curtsied and took the comb, marveling at its richness for a moment before moving to a decent position to comb the queen's hair. "My rooms are incredible your grace, thank you very much," she responded as she began to comb carefully through the queen's hair. "I could not quite believe how large they are... I admit I am used to much smaller rooms back home." She laughed somewhat nervously.
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Jun 6, 2016 17:01:07 GMT
"Yes, it did take me some time to become accustomed to your monstrous keeps here, drafy and cold in the winter, little glass to let in the sunlight. In Tyrosh, we tend to value form over function, but I suppose an island can afford that luxury," she explained wistfully, with a sigh. "I am overjoyed you found them to your liking though, daunting as they can be. Are you aware of the responsibilities of your position as my," she paused, having to remember the title. "Lady in Waiting?"
|
|
Deleted
Posts - 0
Likes -
Joined - January 1970
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 18:11:10 GMT
"Of course, your grace," Alice said as she continued to comb the queen's hair, envying her the colour and thickness of it. "Lady in Waiting, or Handmaiden I supposed... I am unsure myself," she said with a small laugh. "And I am not entirely sure, your grace. I suppose I help you dress and make sure you look beautiful? Though you would need little help with that, if you permit me to say so..."
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Jun 6, 2016 18:21:09 GMT
"Well, it seems we will have to cut through our joint ignorance together," Rohanne chortled. "In Tyrosh we have slaves for such tasks and I've yet to entirely learn the difference between that and a servant. They both fill by bath. They both change my sheets. Clearly it is a matter of semantics."
"You are a sweet thing," she smiled, looking at her reflection again in apparent agreement before pulling out a drawer and removing a folded piece of parchment and handing it to her. "Thankfully, the Grand Maester was kind enough to make a list of your responsibilities to save us both the embarrassment of not knowing them."
It was indeed written in the old man's hand, script smooth and fluid even in his advanced age:
The duties of ladies-in-waiting have varied from court to court and queen to queen, but functions historically discharged by ladies-in-waiting included proficiency in the etiquette, languages, and dances prevalent at court; secretarial tasks; reading correspondence to her mistress and writing on her behalf; embroidery, painting, horse riding, music making and participation in other queenly pastimes; wardrobe care; supervision of servants; keeping her mistress abreast of activities and personages at court, and discreetly relaying messages upon command.
|
|
Deleted
Posts - 0
Likes -
Joined - January 1970
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 20:41:03 GMT
Alice was glad that she could read, though the list of her duties was much longer than she had expected. Some of the things on it seemed very much daunting to her but she decided that she wouldn't give up before she had even started.
"That was very kind of the Grand Maester," Alice said when she was done. "I do enjoy singing so if you would ever like to hear a song then I will be glad to entertain you." She smiled and finished combing her hair before setting the comb down. She was quiet for a moment, mustering the courage for her first question. "Your Grace, may I ask you a question? I... well, I have only ever owned very simple dresses and have brought a few to court but I would so love to be able to wear something befitting my new position. Might her Grace know perhaps where I could get a new dress?"
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Jun 6, 2016 21:02:17 GMT
"Of course, of course, my dear," Rohanne replied, in a gracious tone, as if she should have apologized for not offering sooner. "I will have the royal seamstress stop by this afternoon to take your measurements and bring fabric samples."
"Now that you mention it, I would love to hear a song. I hear so few Westerosi tunes...at least ones that don't involve a Bear taking liberties with a maiden," she made a face, clearly sick of that particular tune.
|
|
Deleted
Posts - 0
Likes -
Joined - January 1970
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 21:17:24 GMT
Alice smiled and nodded. "Of course, your Grace. The Bear and the Maiden Fair... well, it is a very simple song. Um..." She thought for a moment before choosing a song she'd sang many a time before, about a barmaid who worked served simple farmer but imagined them as brave knights, dastardly robbers and all other sorts of people in her imagination. She song ended with her going to bed at the end of a hard day's work, picturing herself wedding a prince.
Singing: 40
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Jun 6, 2016 21:41:41 GMT
A few notes were certainly flat, but the queen seemed to chalk it up to nerves as was humming to herself when the song came to an end.
"Lovely," she clapped politely, "Just lovely, Alice."
"Do you know what your most important responsibility is as my Lady in Waiting? This one isn't on the list."
|
|
Deleted
Posts - 0
Likes -
Joined - January 1970
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 21:55:02 GMT
Alice smiled brightly when the queen praised her and she felt liked she should curtsy again. "Thank you, your Grace. It is one of my favourite songs." She didn't admit of course that she very much used to identify with the girl in the song and that now her dreams were coming true. When she heard about the most important responsibility her ears perked up a little.
"Oh? Please enlighten me, your Grace!" she said eagerly.
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Jun 6, 2016 21:57:31 GMT
"To be my companion and dear friend," she patted the girl's hand. "Do you think you can do that?" she asked, with a pleasant smile.
|
|
Deleted
Posts - 0
Likes -
Joined - January 1970
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 22:08:23 GMT
Alice's smile brightened. "Of course, your Grace! I would very much enjoy being your friend and I hope we get on very well!" She went a little red. "I must admit that I am a little overwhelmed. All my life I have been a simple girl living in a small town and now a Queen wishes my friendship."
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Jun 6, 2016 23:06:21 GMT
"That is good. I have so few real friends here," she said, squeezing Alice's hand. "And you will learn to get used to it in time. Trust someone who has come from another culture with another tongue. You can adapt to anything."
|
|