“I’ve heard of a lady knight somewhere in the South, but I’ve yet to meet her. I’m told Oberyn Martells daughters are adept at weaponry.” Beyond that, Arya had no answer to Lady Elinor for women adept at swordplay. “Would you like to learn? There are none better than those from Essos, I’ve learnt.” Arya could do it herself, or perhaps find someone if she did not have the time.
Braavosi, that was the best kind of swordsmanship she had ever witnessed, that played to her size, speed, and skinny little blade. “Aren’t. Perceptive,” Usually it’s a question of whether she can’t or won’t, but Lady Elinor was smart. Most women were, and Arya had no doubts about her. However, the story was right there for anyone who looked close enough, who knew enough.
“That explains why you speak a little like the queen,” The queen, as if Cersei was still the queen. “The cold isn’t for everyone. If you like I’m sure we can find you some warmer gowns, or cloaks. I’m sure my mother never grew used to it either,” Her mother hadn’t been as tall as Lady Elinor, or so broad though, but a few adjustments and all would be well - Jeyne might like to do it herself, find something to busy her hands. She liked to keep her hands busy, Arya had noticed. Her brows creased then, “I never did ask anyone. When did you arrive here? I do hope all your needs were seen to appropriately.”
“I’m quite well taken care of, I assure you,” Elinor patted the front of her gown. She’d done her best to add more layers and pad her wardrobe- such as it was. Her two warmest gowns and a dozen pairs of hosiery left little in the way of choice. But her toes were warm, and her cloak fur-lined. It would simply be something she HAD to get used to. “But I thank you for the offer. From what I’ve heard of her, your mother took the cold and made it her own... I do hope I don’t sound too much like dear Cersei...”
It had been years and years since she last was one of the Queen’s ladies, but memories remain. “You learn skills like that in court, especially in a Lannister court. Being aware can keep you with your head,” a tricky business, in this day and age. “I arrived some time ago, actually. I had heard that my- well a variety of things. But Lord Tywin’s death marked for some changes at Casterly Rock. I took the opportunity and came this way while I could.”
That, certainly. But word of the Hound’s death had reached her as well. She’d been struck by such a strange, strangling feeling, and had needed to leave. Reaching Lannisport and booking passage north by sea had been relatively simple. Understanding why she had wanted so badly to get far, far away, was harder. “A lady knight, I’d never heard such a thing... I don’t know that I would be any use at swordplay. But I have picked up a bow from time to time, I think I would greatly enjoy expanding that to something beyond a flimsy target in the courtyard.”
