𝑴. 𝑩𝑨𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑶𝑵

Love is... Love

STARTER: @thecleverestorm

If anything, just a lot worried her mind, life, the court, just everything. As Maris sat against the window of her bed chambers, Elaena laid on her lap. In habit, her hands went through her friend's hair... as she bit her lip worrying. Maris worried, but it wasn't much that she could do, as she looked down at her... Elaena looked up at her with those loving eyes as usual. The Baratheon girl looked down, as she knew that Elaena was going to figure everything out in her head. "I'm worried, yes, but if we just keep ourselves close... and we can make it work..." She said positively...

(A part of @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood )

Starter with @thecleverestorm & @ellynbaratheon-ofstormsend

Floris had never been close to her sister Ellyn. Their interests were too different, their personalities polar opposites, and Floris’ resentment of the attention her parents spent on her sisters had always drove a wedge into her relationships with them…

So when she found that she had an invite to Ellyn’s room for tea this afternoon, she was puzzled as to why. Why would she want to spend time with me?

The two sisters had both been living in Kings Landing for quite some time now, yet none of them had made any move to spend time together until this very moment. Perhaps Ellyn wanted something out of her? Floris held the invitation in her hands, staring at it until she decided she was just go. What would be the harm in afternoon tea with my elder sister?

Despite her new wardrobe of color, Floris decided to wear her usual black dress and headpiece that covered much of her hair. A simple necklace and black rings matched the outfit, and she felt ready to face whatever this meeting would bring.

It took her a while to find Ellyn’s room, as she had never been there in all her time in Kings Landing. How stupid of me… Floris thought, the pessimism of her mind and darkness of her outfit making her feel as if she was back on Storms End, her most miserable days feeling as if they were now.

Once she had found the correct door, she knocked softly before opening. “Sister… I am a little bit late, I apologize.” Her eyes shifted to Maris, who Floris had not expected to see there. She was confused.

Ellyn had planned this as perfectly as she could. She had arranged the meal with her sisters in mind. There was a teapot of fragrant black tea, flavored with orange peels and cloves, sweet and spicy. There were ginger cookies, a plate of cheeses, fruit and honey, small hand pies filled with chicken and leeks, and little egg tarts. It was not a full meal, but she did want it to be welcoming.

Maris had been easier to convince, but it was Floris that Ellyn had worried wouldn't have come. They had never been very close.

She'd chosen a simple grayish-blue dress and left off a headpiece or veil, opting to wear her hair in braid, the curls around her face held back with a wide ribbon. Again, she was going for an atmosphere for comfort and welcome. When Maris arrived, Ellyn had relaxed slightly, taking that as a good sign. She was just filling Maris's teacup, offering her cream and sugar to her own taste, when Floris came into her sitting room. Ellyn jumps right to her feet, a wide grin splitting her face. "No no, don't apologize, please." She insists, sitting back down as Floris settled at their small table. "I am so pleased you accepted and came, sister."

She sits back down and looks at her two sisters, biting her lip for a moment. She had thought of this moment since she invited her sisters to tea, had worried over it, fussed to Daeron until he'd fallen asleep on one of her settees listening to her. Now sitting across from them both, she hesitated.

There was so much to say. So much of their childhood, with their parents so worried over their futures, over the marriages each Baratheon daughter would need to secure... Borros and Elenda did love their daughters, but the worry, the drive to provide for their girls had created so much competition between them that it drove the sisters further and further apart.

Ellyn took a slow breath, to steady herself. Now that the moment was here. she was nervous. What if Maris thought she was being a fool? What if Floris just got up and walked out..? Honestly, She didn't know which one was worse.

She pours Floris a cup of tea, now that she was seated and settled, and smiles a little, trying to swallow down her nerve.

These are your sisters, Gods, not the royal torturer. Get a hold on yourself.

She clears her throat and nods. "The truth then, is rather hard to speak on." She admits. "As it concerns our mother and father."

She let that statement sink in for a moment, stirring her tea slowly. She looks at them both. "I have done a great deal of thinking since becoming engaged, and I am beginning to realize that while we are all very different people... there may have been more keeping us at odds. Mother and Father, I think, wanted the best for us all. Five daughters cannot be easier for any Lord and Lady, but I believe that they may have gone overboard." She says.

She sits back. "I never understood why we all hated each other, until I was living here, rather than at home. There was so much competition at home. We always had to outdo each other, and all of us had to compare to Cassandra...."

Floris sat down, not saying anything back to her sister’s greetings or other words. There was a tension in the room that she could not place, and it made her want to run and go hide in her room. But she stayed.

She almost smiled when Maris’ cat came over to her. She immediately began to pet the cat, feeling its soft fur and hearing it purring. She felt somewhat more relaxed.

Floris watched Ellyn pour her a cup of tea. She knew the proper thing to do was thank her, though Floris had been always one to forget such manners. But, things were different now, and she supposed it would not help to be rude, but to be kind to her sisters would perhaps make them happy, and in return she could feel some of that happiness.

“Thank you, Ellyn.” How long had it been since she ever directly addressed Ellyn? Floris could not remember.

“As it concerns our mother and father.” Floris heard these words from Ellyn and felt a cold rush of anxiety through her body. Was something wrong with them? She swallowed hard, not wanting to think the worst yet. She could finally admit to herself that she cared somewhat for her father… only somewhat. Whether that speaks negatively of her, she could not say. But she had more love for her mother, who was a woman who tried her best in Floris’ eyes.

But once Ellyn began speaking of other things, Floris felt her stomach turn. Emotions… too many emotions that Floris had buried deep were coming up, and she wasn’t sure she had the strength for this yet. But she listened to Ellyn, not daring to say a word until she was finished. Even when the bitter pauses came, Floris still stayed silent.

The mention of Cassandra made her eye twitch. But Ellyn’s sadness she spoke of made Floris’ heart hurt. She had no idea her sister felt this way… all this time, she had believed they were too different, destined to never know each other. Floris was the disappointment, the sister no one wanted to know. But perhaps that wasn’t true.

“Ellyn…” She whispered, not sure how to speak the feelings she wanted to express. She was not even sure how she felt herself. Floris looked over to Maris, wondering what she was thinking of all of this.

Taking a deep breath, she spoke on, still quiet. “Father has many flaws. Cassandra would most likely disagree, as he favors her clearly.” She knew speaking of Cassandra negatively was wrong, especially that she wasn’t here, but Floris had little reason to care. Cassandra and her’s relationship was worse than ever at the moment.

“But, yes, our parents as whole could have done a better job of raising us. I’ve always had that opinion, though it may be mean… I was never close to our parents until recently, and I never even liked them, as wrong as that may sound. But if we are admitting things here, I’ll admit that.” It felt wrong to be admitting this all to her sisters, yet, it felt a weight was lifting off her shoulders all the same… She thought of Lady Sam and Garmund, and how they would praise her for being brave, so she spoke on.

“You both had bright futures, and I never did, especially in our parent’s eyes, so I supposes that’s why I didn’t always get along with you… perhaps that may be the fault of our parents or not, I do not know…” She was looking at Ellyn now, speaking mostly to her.

Her eyes widened, thinking about the future now. Friends? She thought. Blunt and forthright, she spoke. “What would we do as… friends?”

(A part of @asongofgoldenfireandblackblood )

Starter with @thecleverestorm & @ellynbaratheon-ofstormsend

Floris had never been close to her sister Ellyn. Their interests were too different, their personalities polar opposites, and Floris’ resentment of the attention her parents spent on her sisters had always drove a wedge into her relationships with them…

So when she found that she had an invite to Ellyn’s room for tea this afternoon, she was puzzled as to why. Why would she want to spend time with me?

The two sisters had both been living in Kings Landing for quite some time now, yet none of them had made any move to spend time together until this very moment. Perhaps Ellyn wanted something out of her? Floris held the invitation in her hands, staring at it until she decided she was just go. What would be the harm in afternoon tea with my elder sister?

Despite her new wardrobe of color, Floris decided to wear her usual black dress and headpiece that covered much of her hair. A simple necklace and black rings matched the outfit, and she felt ready to face whatever this meeting would bring.

It took her a while to find Ellyn’s room, as she had never been there in all her time in Kings Landing. How stupid of me… Floris thought, the pessimism of her mind and darkness of her outfit making her feel as if she was back on Storms End, her most miserable days feeling as if they were now.

Once she had found the correct door, she knocked softly before opening. “Sister… I am a little bit late, I apologize.” Her eyes shifted to Maris, who Floris had not expected to see there. She was confused.

Ellyn had planned this as perfectly as she could. She had arranged the meal with her sisters in mind. There was a teapot of fragrant black tea, flavored with orange peels and cloves, sweet and spicy. There were ginger cookies, a plate of cheeses, fruit and honey, small hand pies filled with chicken and leeks, and little egg tarts. It was not a full meal, but she did want it to be welcoming.

Maris had been easier to convince, but it was Floris that Ellyn had worried wouldn't have come. They had never been very close.

She'd chosen a simple grayish-blue dress and left off a headpiece or veil, opting to wear her hair in braid, the curls around her face held back with a wide ribbon. Again, she was going for an atmosphere for comfort and welcome. When Maris arrived, Ellyn had relaxed slightly, taking that as a good sign. She was just filling Maris's teacup, offering her cream and sugar to her own taste, when Floris came into her sitting room. Ellyn jumps right to her feet, a wide grin splitting her face. "No no, don't apologize, please." She insists, sitting back down as Floris settled at their small table. "I am so pleased you accepted and came, sister."

She sits back down and looks at her two sisters, biting her lip for a moment. She had thought of this moment since she invited her sisters to tea, had worried over it, fussed to Daeron until he'd fallen asleep on one of her settees listening to her. Now sitting across from them both, she hesitated.

There was so much to say. So much of their childhood, with their parents so worried over their futures, over the marriages each Baratheon daughter would need to secure... Borros and Elenda did love their daughters, but the worry, the drive to provide for their girls had created so much competition between them that it drove the sisters further and further apart.

starter for @lord-kermit-of-riverrun

Divider by @saradika

"Wait-!" Kermit called out, reaching for her. His fingers only just brushed the fabric of her dress, but she turned and stopped. Gods, what was he supposed to do now? It really didn't seem like a good time, but he hadn't been able to catch a moment alone with her for weeks now.

"Erm…" he began smoothly. Oh, well done, that's exactly how to start this conversation. "I wanted to - can we talk?"

Maris didn't reply. "It's just that, well, I haven't really had a proper conversation with you for" a month, a week and five days "a while. And I - I miss that. Our talks."

Oh gods, where was his confidence when he needed it? Around Maris, he'd never seemed to need his bluster and a witty, well thought out reply for absolutely everything. But now? Now that sign of comfort was a detriment.

"I…" Oh, this was going so very well. "We don't - if you don't want to, this conversation doesn't - I can just leave, if you like."

divider by @saradika-graphics

"Ellyn?" Kermit repeated, more than a little confused. Why was he being asked about Ellyn? What did she have to do with any of this? But then, as he saw the way Maris's face crumbled, he realised he'd said the wrong thing.

"No - please, no, wait!" he called after her as she stormed off and slammed the door to her chambers. He stopped just outside the door, fingertips grazing the wood.

"I… I'm not sure if you can hear me," he began, after a long while of waiting outside the door. It was likely too thick for his voice to reach Maris, and he probably looked ridiculous, but he couldn't quite bring himself to care about that. "But I don't mean to say that I prefer Ellyn. She's a wonderful person, I'm sure, but she is engaged to Daeron Targaryen." Trying to muster up a laugh, Kermit added "And I'm not sure that I fancy being fed to that dragon of his."

No response. He wasn't even sure that Maris could hear him. And yet, despite the fact that it had gotten him into so much trouble in the past, Kermit continued. "Besides, wonderful as Ellyn may be, I would choose you over her any time, Maris. Because… Because I think I love you. It is but a theory, but I am sure that I am correct. I love the way you light up when talking about a new book you have read and enjoyed. I love the sound of your laugh and the sight of your smile. I love how you always have just the right witty remark for any situation. I love-" he stopped, taking a deep breath. "I could stand here for hours and list every little thing that I love about you. And they are all the things that make you, well, you. So I think a fellow can be forgiven for thinking himself in love with you, no?"

Maris was on the other side of the door, she was afraid to go any further, she loved him too much to be away from him. She couldn't tell him. that. She felt him leaning on the other side of the door, she could still hear him. Maris was overwhelmed and distress from all of this, as she gently sunk onto her knees and she sat down. Her back against the wall. The Baratheon girl waited for him to speak, she slowly heard him starting to speak. She let out a soft sigh hearing his words, just hearing him talk gave her a moment of relaxation. What more to do...? She focused, as decided to listen to him, she was going to give him a better chance. This only realized that it was stupid enough of her to believe those rumors... she was so sucked into the fact that those rumors were true, that she even just forgotten about everything. She felt a small tear welling up in her eyes, she felt bad... she didn't know what she was doing... believing those stupid rumors. She would usually would tell her sisters to not listen to court gossip, but once it involved her, she was believed everything.

Starter with @thecleverestorm

✧══════•❁❀❁•══════✧

Esteemed

Dear Lady Maris Baratheon,

I hope my letter finds you in good health. To be honest, I’m unsure where should I start my letter. I’m partially writing this because my mother has encouraged me to do so, and partially because, even when even though Kermit and I are not as close as I am with Oscar and he’s a bit of a killjoy sometimes, I love my brother and I will always have his best interests in mind. I have never been a social butterfly, I would very much rather to stay in my room reading and writing, or with my dogs, and, honestly, I express myself better with written words than speaking them aloud; but I would like to get to know the lady whom my eldest brother has given his affections to. Kermit speaks highly of you, and I can tell he is completely smitten with you. I can only wonder what kind of woman you might be. I’d really like us to meet, and get to know each other. Maybe I could visit you whenever you have some time? Or you could visit me, I really wouldn’t mind. I shall be patiently waiting for your answer, so there is no need to rush.

Warm regards

Yours truly

Sincerely,

-Abigail Tully.

✧══════•❁❀❁•══════✧

Abby couldn’t help but reread the letter she had written for Lady Maris over and over again. She stared at the words and phrases she had crossed out and the small spots of ink on the paper, and felt embarrassment creep up her spine. She reprimanded herself for not being more careful with her writing, but she had no time to write down the final version of the letter in a clean piece of paper, so she folded it as it was, placed it inside the envelope and sealed it with red wax, painting the center of the newly pressed seal subtly with blue paint, like she always did with her letters.

Right after the letter was sealed, the door of her room opened and her mother came inside. Lady Jenny greeted her daughter with a smile and closed the door behind her. Abby smiled at her mother in return, knowing her mother encouraged her to write it with her best interests in mind, as well as Kermit’s.

“Did you finish the letter, my darling?”, she asked and Abby nodded. “That’s a good thing. I know you get nervous while interacting with other people, especially with girls near your age, but I can’t help but wish…”.

“I know, Mother”, Abby gently interrupted her. “You can’t help but wish I had more friends. I know. And I know you mean well, so don’t worry, I won’t hold it against you”.

Her mother smiled and kissed her forehead with her characteristic gentleness. Abby loved her mother more than anything in the world, but she couldn’t help that feeling of being overwhelmed with her mother’s insistence of making more friends and interacting more with the other girls. And it’s not that she didn’t want to make friends, she really wanted to, but she didn’t really know how. The mere thought of having to talk with someone other than a family member made her freeze on spot. But, anyway, Lady Maris Baratheon was going to be Kermit’s wife, so what could possibly go wrong?

“Well, my darling, I must be going. I just came here to check on you”, Lady Jenny said and kissed her daughter’s forehead one last time. “I have some thing to talk about with your father. Make sure to send the letter and don’t let it sit on your desk gathering dust, alright?”.

“Yes, Mother”, she said and nodded slightly.

“That’s my girl. Goodbye, sweetling. See you at supper”. And, that said, Lady jenny Tully left her daughter’s room.

Abby sighed and called in her most trusted handmaid, a girl named Willow, who had come with her to King’s Landing for the Winter Court. The maids sure were gossipy, which was really an advantage, but they sure were efficient. Once she came in, she curtsied and Abby handed her the letter.

“Take this letter to Lady Maris Baratheon”, she said with her usual gentle voice.

The maid curtsied again and took the letter with a quiet “yes, my lady”. Shortly after, she scurried out of the room, heading straight to do her duty.

Abby took her dog, Bread, in her arms and sat on the bed as she held him, caressing his soft orange-yellow and white fur. The dog looked at her with his usual sweet, adoring eyes and tilted his head. She just hoped Lady Maris liked her letter enough to pay an ounce of attention to her, for if she didn’t, she would’ve failed miserably. She could only pray it didn’t end in a catastrophe.

Lady Maris was sitting in her chambers as a knock came from the door. Her eyes traveled up as she looked at the door as she headed for it. She opened it as a servant waited for her, with a letter in hand. "Thank you," Maris responded, her voice slightly hesitant with the way gently took the letter. She hadn't been expecting any letter from anyone, but she saw the small stamp and she looked at had a small symbol of a fish. She looked at the letter, the writing wasn't from Kermit, but more of a feminine writing. Maris opened it curiously wanting to know who had sent her this. Her eyes traveled across the letter, quicker than usual. Her eyes landed on the word, Abigail Tully. It was had been some time since she had been told that Kermit had a sister. But the writing was simple, adorable if she must say. The writing was very much her style of reading.

Words here and there caught her eyes, especially that Kermit had been talking highly about her. Maybe Maris was too harsh on him... she was thinking to herself. There was a feeling coming towards her, realizing that she was believing rumors over him... Maris quickly forgot that thought, realizing she had give a response to the young girl. So she smiled as she made her way towards her desk. Maris sat down, as she got her fanciest piece of parchment and she laid it down. She grabbed her quill and ink, as she started to write.

Dear Lady Abigail Tully, It has been a joy to be receiving this letter from you, as I had the most loveliest time reading it. I hope this response gets to you well. I am glad to know that you are extremely wanting to meet me. As I have read, that you are not a social butterfly, and I certainly can agree with you on that. I myself, might look like I have a strong personality, but I must say that I do not. I am just like you, and I enjoy spending time on my own, with my cats and my books. If you wish to travel to King's Landing, I would adore to have you come visit me. I wish to show some of my favorite books that I have read, and maybe even show you my favorite places I like to read. I hope to see you soon, my dear sister. I am very excited to see what books you have found yourself interested in. Sincerely Maris Baratheon.

She signed off the parchment after rewriting it multiple times, to make sure she was writing appropriately, for her age group. Maris knew how to look after sisters, she had three herself. She waited until the writing was all dry before she sealed it with a wax stamp, with book symbol on it.

starter for @lord-kermit-of-riverrun

Divider by @saradika

"Wait-!" Kermit called out, reaching for her. His fingers only just brushed the fabric of her dress, but she turned and stopped. Gods, what was he supposed to do now? It really didn't seem like a good time, but he hadn't been able to catch a moment alone with her for weeks now.

"Erm…" he began smoothly. Oh, well done, that's exactly how to start this conversation. "I wanted to - can we talk?"

Maris didn't reply. "It's just that, well, I haven't really had a proper conversation with you for" a month, a week and five days "a while. And I - I miss that. Our talks."

Oh gods, where was his confidence when he needed it? Around Maris, he'd never seemed to need his bluster and a witty, well thought out reply for absolutely everything. But now? Now that sign of comfort was a detriment.

"I…" Oh, this was going so very well. "We don't - if you don't want to, this conversation doesn't - I can just leave, if you like."

🝪 Lady Maris Baratheon 🝪

starter for @lord-kermit-of-riverrun Maris was in her usual spot, the library, a place people would assume to find her in. She had nice smile as she sunk into a nice couch and a book in her hands. The lights were lowering and it was quite the comfortable, she slowly turned to pages as she hummed to herself, as her eyes traveled the pages of her the book. She sighed looking at the classic romance book in her hand, the classic love story, the strong man comes saves the girl. It was repetitive and... stupid she thought. But those kinds of books were her guilty pleasure, she always liked just sitting and giggling reading through the books, just for the fun of it. She thought to herself, maybe one day she could find a man... that comes to save her from... all the books she reads. Maris blushed at the idea.

The library had seemed different. For all that this generation of courtiers had a high number of readers among them, it seemed that they'd all chosen to study their preferred texts elsewhere. Or maybe the early hour, when the light was still golden, had driven them off. Whatever it was, Kermit had expected to be alone.

But no, there was a young lady seated in the corner, book in hand. A Stormlander, by the looks of her. Perhaps even a Baratheon? One of the Four Storms liked reading, Kermit was sure he'd been told that.

Maris marked the book as she got up from the comfortable chair. She dusted off her skirt, as she approached Kermit.

“My Lord,” She gave a small curtsy, as she smiled as she looked at him. He had grown, much older from what she could remember.

She smiled, as she started to talk once more, “I was just reading… you may join me if you wish,”

There was the sweet smile on her voice, that sweetness she always showed when talking to her friends. Her eyes looked at his… as she walked towards the couch once more.

She sat down comfortably again in the chair… bringing the book onto her lap. Maris wasn’t sure what he was going to read. It made her intrigued to know.

The lady was too excited, “Do you need recommendations for books? or… are you here to admire the view of the library…?”

Her cheeks were heating up….as she quickly hid her nose into her book. She wanted to make sure that her blushing was hidden from the lord.

It had been years since they'd last met, closer to a decade than five years now. They had last met at a ball held in honour of the Little Princess's fourth nameday. Their parents had been discussing things they were too young to appreciate, Kermit couldn't recall what. He did remember sneaking off with Maris, to lean against the wall and take a break from the buzz of chatter and the bright lights and everyone being everywhere. They had talked of idle nothings for what felt like hours before splitting up to rejoin their respective family groups.

She'd grown a lot in those seven years, Kermit noted. When they'd last met, Maris had been the slightly shorter one. Now she was probably of equal height with him, if not taller.

Making sure to leave a chaste distance between them, Kermit sat down next to her and sneaked a glance at the pages of her book.

"I cannot make speeches, Aemma:"—he soon resumed; and in a tone of such sincere, decided, intelligible tenderness as was tolerably convincing.—"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am.—You hear nothing but truth from me.—I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in Westeros would have borne it.—Bear with the truths I would tell you now, dearest Aemma, as well as you have borne with them. The manner, perhaps, may have as little to recommend them. The gods know, I have been a very indifferent lover.—But you understand me."

"Aemma, by Lady Jeyne Ambrose?" Kermit asked. He wouldn't have taken Maris for the sort to read those books, but he endeavoured not to let that thought show as he continued "I must confess that I have not read the book in it's entirety. But I have heard good things about Lady Jeyne's writings."

Kermit, was always her favorite. She didn’t grow up with a lot of boys around in her family… but she remembered the day he was knighted at her father’s birthday.

She remembered that so vividly, as she couldn’t stop admiring him for days. Kermit… was Kermit.

Maris had no other way to describe him… in her eyes… he felt… just normal. Just someone who would give her the same amount of respect, in a marriage.

She knew she was getting ahead of herself, thinking about marriage. But she knew Kermit, she just felt like she did.

Her fingers lingered on the page of the book, as she looked at him again. This time her brown eyes meeting his.

“Yes… Aemma, by Lady Jeyne Ambrose,” she said softly repeating his words back. “It unusually caught my eye today… while I strolled the library,”

There was hesitation in her voice as she smiled as he had brought up the conversation. Books.

He had knew.

She smiled, “Aemma, It took me a long time to pick it back up again. I started it… at the young Princess Visenya’s birthday… and never got around to finishing it… until now,”

Maris’ tone of voice was calming, it was peacefully even to herself. She looked at the book again before shifting her body to face him completely.

She knew she was about to start rambling, she had a habit of doing that since she was a young girl. “Her writing… it’s unique! Her characters feel real, just it’s so freely written, if I could explain it…”

Maris hoped she hadn’t confused him too much. She took a deep breath… “I apologize… for speaking too much…”

starter for @lord-kermit-of-riverrun Maris was in her usual spot, the library, a place people would assume to find her in. She had nice smile as she sunk into a nice couch and a book in her hands. The lights were lowering and it was quite the comfortable, she slowly turned to pages as she hummed to herself, as her eyes traveled the pages of her the book. She sighed looking at the classic romance book in her hand, the classic love story, the strong man comes saves the girl. It was repetitive and... stupid she thought. But those kinds of books were her guilty pleasure, she always liked just sitting and giggling reading through the books, just for the fun of it. She thought to herself, maybe one day she could find a man... that comes to save her from... all the books she reads. Maris blushed at the idea.

The library had seemed different. For all that this generation of courtiers had a high number of readers among them, it seemed that they'd all chosen to study their preferred texts elsewhere. Or maybe the early hour, when the light was still golden, had driven them off. Whatever it was, Kermit had expected to be alone.

But no, there was a young lady seated in the corner, book in hand. A Stormlander, by the looks of her. Perhaps even a Baratheon? One of the Four Storms liked reading, Kermit was sure he'd been told that.

Maris marked the book as she got up from the comfortable chair. She dusted off her skirt, as she approached Kermit.

“My Lord,” She gave a small curtsy, as she smiled as she looked at him. He had grown, much older from what she could remember.

She smiled, as she started to talk once more, “I was just reading… you may join me if you wish,”

There was the sweet smile on her voice, that sweetness she always showed when talking to her friends. Her eyes looked at his… as she walked towards the couch once more.

She sat down comfortably again in the chair… bringing the book onto her lap. Maris wasn’t sure what he was going to read. It made her intrigued to know.

The lady was too excited, “Do you need recommendations for books? or… are you here to admire the view of the library…?”

Her cheeks were heating up….as she quickly hid her nose into her book. She wanted to make sure that her blushing was hidden from the lord.

anne boleyn’s blue dress in the spanish princess 2x05

a starter for @thefourthstormfloris

Maris had been on the seas and waves back to her home. It had been a bit since she had last seen her parents and her youngest sister Floris.

Something about not being able to see her baby sister hurt her soul and she was nevertheless excited.

She waited for her arrival looking up at the gloomy sky, alongside the large castle that approached them.

Her hair was neatly tied back where she was able to get hair out of the way, and she was in a pretty purplish grey dress. She was very ready to be returning back home.

Maris had arrived as she got out of the carriage and she went into her castle. Guards greeted her as she gave them a small smile. She entered the castle, the smell of sea… just like her name.

She went to greet her parents, and quickly ran to her room afterwards. She loved the view of her room, the balcony alongside with the large she shelves of books she had.

Her hands traveled down the bookshelf in her room before she opened the balcony to feed the breeze, Against her face, it felt nice to be able to be home again.

The lady unpacked her bags quickly to gather her gifts for her sister Floris, all the different things she brought back. Things included, dresses, books, journals, perfumes, jewelry. She got all for her sister.

Maris put it into a nice basket, so it would be easier to carry, she neatly placed everything. Then she took her way to her sister’s chambers.

She was waiting patiently for her sister to arrive, knowing she would hear a knock on her door soon. While not close with many members of her family, Floris had a soft spot for her sister Maris. After all, they shared many common interests, and Floris found her witty personality to be intriguing.

When that said knock came, Floris was broken out of her stillness and stood up. She almost rolled her eyes at her sister’s words, who called out “sweet sister”, as if Floris could be considered sweet. Did Maris really believe that? She wondered to herself before deciding to let her in.

“Come in.” She spoke plainly and softly, as she always did. She smoothed out her black dress, feeling the flower patterns woven into the fabric. Hearing the door creak open, she watched as Maris came into view. Her sister looked the same as Floris could remember, always so elegant and put together. There was a fierceness to her, yet at the same time, kindness there. At least, that was how Floris saw things.

She slowly walked over towards it, touching the basket but not yet bringing out the contents inside. “Thank you, sister. I shall wear them with honor. You know exactly the things I like.” She looked to her sister with a small smile, closing her eyes and nodding her head. She hoped her words had sounded sincere, as she felt immense gratitude but was unsure how to express it.

Floris tensed suddenly, the new topic being the reason of her distress. The talk of Kings Landing was a subject she was going to avoid, but it had somehow worked its way into this moment. She sighed. “Worry not, Maris, I am coming to Kings Landing whether I will it or not. Father and Mother have made that clear to me.” She ignored her sister’s words about missing her. In truth, she had missed her sister a lot. But she felt uncomfortable revealing that information with her, not sure how to tell Maris she felt that way too. Not many feelings made sense to Floris, and expressing them was extremely difficult.

She felt her sister’s gentle touch, but did not return the gesture. She rolled her eyes at the little comment about court. When had Floris ever been pleased to be at court? It was full of things she disliked. How could she possibly enjoy it? Was Maris trying to convince her to be happy at court?

Feeling her sister’s genuine eyes staring her down, she decided to ignore the previous annoyance. She even felt a bit of guilt for rolling her eyes, knowing her sister was just being kind and caring. She appreciated it, even she didn’t understand how one could see things in that positive of a light.

She gave her a look back. A softer look than usual, but sadder than it was kind. Floris was tired of Kings Landing already, and the journey there had not even started yet. “I enjoy the weather here. But never mind that, our parents are very adamant on me securing a betrothal. Or at least, they want me to have a better chance at securing one. I am expected to act better, in their words.” She sighed again, feeling somewhat better to tell her sister this information that had been weighing on her, but feeling the heaviness of it nonetheless.

She looked at Floris, there was something so strange about her sister. There wasn’t anything else, but just hidden and patient in her eyes. Maris knew that. She was good at observing people.

Her hand slowly raised from Floris… she thought she had made her sister uncomfortable, it had been sometime she had been home. There was two sides of her that truly showed.

Back… at home… when she said that to herself. Home was King’s Landing now. She was very hands on with everyone, hugs and kisses and holding hands.

When she was in Storm’s End it felt very different. It was dull… she missed Rhaenya’s household already enough. Her focus went back to her dear sister, as she looked at Floris.

She was growing up so quickly in her eyes… as she looked at her sister, “Betrothal, shall take some time, they always come so quick,” she told her. “Mother and Father promised me a beautiful lord, and yet they have succeeded. You are just a girl, Floris,”

There was some sincerity in her words, as she had kept her own secrets from her sister. Elaena… she missed her lover.

Maris looked at Floris, so young, yet so childlike. She kept so much to herself—and she should’ve shared them out.

“Everyone can never get their eyes off a Baratheon sister,” Maris laughed, “The minute you enter court everyone knows…”

It was the truth. One by one each sister will arrive and once again be the talk. It was what happened every time a Baratheon walked in.

“Floris…” Her voice turned serious. There was truth in her voice as she looked at her younger sister once more. “I worry about you, more than anyone. And I need you to open up your feelings to me… anything.”

Maris took a breath looking at her sister, it was saddening to know Floris was like her child self.

“As much as I know you do not like talking or the attention, I need you please tell me anything that has been bothering you while I have been gone. I care about you, sister.” She mumbled as she looked down at the floor. It hurt to know that her sister wasn’t going to share everything out.

Maris felt… hurt.

“I do not want everyone’s eyes on me. But I suppose if it quickens my betrothal, then I can handle it. Once it is over I’m sure they will forget about me.” She rolled her eyes, not at her sister but at the prospect of being examined by others. She had hid the whole time the last time she came to Kings Landing, but things would be different this time around. She couldn’t help but already feel annoyed at others who would watch her as if she was an extraordinary piece of clothing ready to be sold off and worn out.

Floris’s eyes narrowed, taking a hard look at Maris. Defensively, she spoke. “I don’t seem to understand what you mean. Nothing has been bothering me, nothing that is different from the usual, I suppose.” This was not how she envisioned their reunion to go, full of her sister’s sadness and Floris’s unsureness. What in the world was happening?

"I suggest you come to King's Landing first, and you serve under a princess. Either one works, it brings more fun into your life... alongside the idea of creating new friends..." She mumbled, she didn't know how well her sister would listen to her. "I am not saying this for your health... but some princesses... just throw parties... with their ladies... or read together.."

Maris was sure that Rhaenya's household would be too chaotic, but possibly in the household of Princess Helaena might help her sister.

She kept thinking and she slowly felt overwhelmed with her own ideas and thoughts.

She got out of her thoughts, realizing how she might be harming Floris. She was already stressing herself out with all this as she just sighed.

"I just... I have a lot of things happening... but I am just worried for you... I am scared that my father will sell you off to some old lord. I just... am anxious over stuff. I just never realized how returning home would make me feel..." She mumbled, coming home wasn't her safe spot anymore, she was wanting to go back to King's Landing.

The lively experience, her new home. The ladies, the singing, the partying... coming here... felt depressing...

“How could you even suggest such I thing? I am not you or Ellyn, nor Cassandra. I do not want any part of the life in Kings Landing.” She did not want to befriend a Princess, or marry a Prince, or be the Lady to some castle. It was hard enough for her to want to leave her bed every morning, and thinking of having to wait on a Princess, doing endless duties for her, made her frown deeply. She let out a huff of air through her nose, a sad laugh.

Floris did not want to fight with Maris. It was one of the last things she wanted to do. Her energy was low, and she just wanted to see her sister smile. Her favorite sister, secretly, she thought to herself. She would have changed the subject if it Maris had not continued to speak of it.

Floris quickly looked up at Maris, another shocked expression making its way to her features. “Your father? He is mine as well, though he surely doesn’t act like it.” Floris held her skirts suddenly, walking towards her window. She looked at the sky with sad eyes. Looking back at her sister, she spoke.

“You do not understand. I cannot thrive in the loud and chaotic life like you do. I want to be at peace, I want to play my music and be far away from any courtly gathering.” Her skin crawled just thinking of the large crowds she would have to endure at the royal wedding. Feeling agitated, she walked back towards Maris. She looked back down towards the basket of beautiful gifts she had brought for her. Her heart felt heavy, and she had no idea how to relieve this feeling.

“A party would be the last thing I would ever want here. But if that is what you desire, I’m sure father will allow it.” She now tried to meet her sister’s eyes, both blue, the epitome of the Baratheon look. She could hear the sadness in her sister’s voice, and hated that she was possibly the cause of it. Floris ruined everything, she believed. How could she make this right?

“You speak of Rhaenya and… Elaena, her name was? Tell me about them, please.” Desperately trying to change the subject, and wanting her sister to feel better, she brought up those she knew Maris loved.

Encountering Floris in the library had made Rhaenys realise that her Baratheon cousins were all at The Red Keep. It had been embarrassing not being able to recognize Floris, but it had been years since she had seen her cousin, formative years for the young woman.

Recognizing Maris was somehow easier. The clever storm, wasn’t that how her own mother referred to Maris? It had not been easy to realise just how close her own mother was with her younger cousins when their own relationship was still strained.

“Maris?” Rhaenys called out as she spotted her cousin near the dining hall. “Sorry,” she added as she finally caught up to Maris, now slightly out of breath and rubbing her side. These last few days she had begun to get stitches at the slightest of movement. Calm little hippocamp, please. Muña will remember to move slower, promise.

“I heard Floris and Lady Jocelyn arrived. And that you arrived with Princess Rhaenya. It took me an embarrassing amount of time, to realise that I would have a chance to catch up with all my Baratheon cousins during this royal wedding.” She said with an easy smile. “Though, Floris didn’t seem too pleased to run into me,” she added with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

“Mother – Lady Jocelyn – tells me you’re quite studious? Which languages are you capable of reading? If you don’t mind my curiosity?” Rhaenys asked, she had always loved languages, especially High Valyrian and had been fortunate enough to find a husband who shared her love of languages, though he had never quite mastered High Valyrian. “And I was wondering whether you might share Princess Rhaenya’s fondness of lemon cakes?”

Maris was reading herself in the quiet place of The Red Keep, she enjoyed her idea of being able to read throughout and she found herself reading a corner of the dining hall. It was silent with multiple candles shining through the room. The door was opened as she saw a figure walk by and she looked at the figure. Princess Rhaenys... her cousin... from her father's side. Maris put her book down as she had some respect for the people of royalty, as she got up and curtsied.

"Princess Rhaenys," as she gave a deep curtsy as she looked at her cousin with a slight smile. It was peaceful knowing that Maris was relaxed nothing really seemed to bother me as much. There was a slight silence and awkwardness between her and her cousin. She nods her head, "Yes I had arrived with Princess Rhaenya, as I am the upmost grateful to be serving her." She smiled as she looked at her. When she had heard Floris' name she gave a small giggle. "Floris takes time to open up to people, sometimes she is even cold to her own sister," Maris tilted her head with a smile as she looked at her elder cousin. She smiled as she looked back at the book that laid on the floor. "As much as I wish to learn High Valyrian, I only can read our common tongue," She response, "Though I do not mind not knowing a second language, I think it is perfectly fine to know one,"