#i. alicent arryn — with abraxas martell.

[wnterreign]

with abraxas martell / @stxrfclls where: the gardens.

        alicent  had  known  there  was  a chance, likely a high one, that her invitation would go unanswered. were the roles reversed the thought would have crossed her mind. thus a breath she hadn't realized she was holding escaped when she saw the prince approaching. she stood up.   ❝ thank you for joining me, your highness. i'm certain you're busy with the joust. ❞   and given the terms they'd been on last they'd spoken, alicent had to think that she wasn't on the list of people he would want to converse with.

[wnterreign]

with  abraxas  martell     /     @stxrfclls​

        after  her  conduct  during  her  questioning,  alicent  had  thought,  and  hoped,  that  the  martells  would’ve  understood  that  they  were  not  people  she  wanted  to  see  at  this  time.  she  had  enough  on  her  mind,  worrying  about  her  people  and  the  fact  that  she’d  be  giving  birth  in  a  castle  she  felt  entirely  unsafe  in,  which  meant  she  lacked  both  the  time  and  patience  to  comfort  them  for  their  continued  failures.  so  when  there  was a  knock  at  the  door  followed  by  sharra’s  husband  entering,  alicent  couldn’t  barely  hide  her  annoyance.  she  stared  at  him  for  a  long  moment,  dark  eyes  cold  and  piercing,  before  looking  away.        ❝  now  is  not  the  best  time.  ❞        unless  he  finally  had  answers  -  unlikely  given  the  questions  they  were  asking  for  their  investigation.

[wnterreign]

with  abraxas  martell    /    @stxrfclls​ where:   somewhere outdoors in winterfell.

        marriages  for  people  of  their  rank  were rarely based on genuine feelings, politics interfering with that, but she was grateful that wouldn’t be the case for her good sister. based on her quiet observations of the pair, they seemed very much in love, and the marriage tied dorne’s strength to the vale. the only source of sadness was having to say farewell to sharra for half the year.        ❝  prince abraxas, i hope you aren’t exaggerating how cold you are in hopes that sharra will relinquish visits to the eyrie.  ❞        tone was light, but there was a seriousness underneath.        ❝  you will have a very cross sister on your hands if that is so.  ❞

[wnterreign]

alicent  arryn  summoned  to  the  inquisition.

        the  lady  of  the  vale  was  the  very  image  of  composure  as  she  entered  the room  and  took  a  seat  before  the  council.  there  was  no  reason  for  her  to  worry.  if  anything,  it  should  be  the  martells  answering  to  her  why  her  good  sister’s  safety  had  been  failed  now  twice.  however, all  signs  of  the  frusteration  she  had  freely  disclosed  to  her  husband  were  now  locked  tightly  away,  but  the  warmth  with  which  she’d  once  offered  the  dornish  royals,  now  an  extension  of  her  family,  was  muted.

when did you arrive in sunspear ?

❝  a  few  weeks  before  the  other  guests  began  arriving.  ❞       a  fact  they  would  know  seeing  as  sharra’s  second  wedding  had  been  a  small  affair.        ❝  i,  along  with  my  husband,  attended  the  small  ceremony  celebrating  the  union  of  my  good  sister  and  prince  abraxas.  ❞        she  pointedly  didn’t  look  at  the man  when  she  spoke  his  name.

what were you doing the day of the wedding ?

❝  i  remained  in  the  arryn  apartments,  resting  and  then  getting  ready,  until  the  wedding  celebration  began.  there  were  a  few  alterations  that  the  dressmaker  needed  to  make  to  my  dress  that  took  longer  than  anticipated.  ❞

did you leave the festivities at any point during the ceremony or reception ? where did you go ? did you return ?

alicent  hoped  the question  was  posed  only  to  confirm  records  the  guards  had  kept  and  not  because  the  martells  had  neglected  to  keep  track  of  who  came  and  went  during  the  celebration.       ❝  no,  i  didn’t.  ❞

did you see anyone leave ?

❝  many.  it  seemed  people  were  coming  and  going  as  they  pleased,  but  i  didn’t  pay  them  much  mind.  ❞       that  should’ve  also  been  the  responsibility  of  the  martells’  guards,  but  as  these  questions  continued  she  found  her  faith  that  they’d  remembered to  fulfill  any  aspect  of their  job  that  evening  fading.

what were you doing when the fire began ? what did you do in response ?

❝  sitting  with  my  husband  in  the  ballroom,  which  is  where  i  was  for  the  entire  reception.  we  had  been  preparing  to  return  to  our  room.  ❞       she couldn’t  help  but  raise  a  brow  at  the  follow-up  question.  she  rested  a  hand  on  her  pregnant  stomach.        ❝  well,  given  my  current  state  i  doubt  i  would’ve  been  much  help  to  anyone.  i,  with  the  help  of  my  husband,  left  the  room  as  quickly  as  possible.  only  once  i  knew  all  my  family  had  made  it  out  did  i  return  to  my  room.  ❞

where do you think the fire started ? do you have any ideas on who might have started it or how they might have gotten in ?

❝  i  didn’t  have  the  chance  to  wander  around  the  ballroom  or  courtyard  much  as  i  was  quite  tired  so  i  cannot  answer  with  any  certainty.  there  were  plenty  of  tapestries  and  flowers.  ❞        and  if  they’d  done  any  investigating  she  didn’t  understand  why  they  wouldn’t  have  at  least  a  general  idea  of  where  the  blaze  had  begun.

do you know any of the victims of the fire personally ? do you suspect any foul play ? would anyone wish to see them harmed ?

the  crack  in  her  composure  grew,  eyes  widening, and  she  bit  her  tongue  so  some  of  the  venom  filling  her  mouth  dissipated  before  she  spoke.       ❝  yes,  my  good  sister,  sharra  martell,  has  now  almost  been  kidnapped  twice.  ❞        alicent  locked  eyes  with  each  member  of  the  council  but  it  was  the  master  of  whispers  that  her  gaze  lingered  on  the  longest.      ❝  clearly  there  is.  and  while  i’m  certain  house  arryn  has  enemies,  sharra’s  life  has  only  been  in  danger  since  she  came  to  sunspear.   ❞

who do you think the targets of the attacks and fire were ? do you think some were used as a smoke screen ?

❝  your  newest  princesses.  ❞       she  answered  without  hesitation,  incredulous  that  they  even  needed  to  ask.  more  words  were  on  the  tip  of  her  tongue,  but  alicent  decided  it  was  best  to  keep  her  answers  brief  before  her  frustrations  grew  too  palpable.

what were you doing yesterday morning ? ( the day of the murder ) did you see or hear anything unusual throughout the day ?

❝  i  remained  in  the  arryn  apartments  all  day  so  no,  i  did  not.  ❞

what do you know about the recent murder ? are you aware of the victim or who might have desired them dead ? do you think the victim is tied to anyone in sunspear ?

❝  the  rumors  say  it’s  one  of  your  bannermen.  ❞        another  person  house  martell  had  failed  to  protect.        ❝  but  that  is  all  i  know.  ❞

are there any houses of people you suspect may have any involvement in these attacks ? are you suspicious of anyone ?

alicent  considered  holding  her  tongue,  a  demure  no  would  hopefully  see  a  quick  end  to  this  line  of  questioning,  but  with  sharra’s  wellbeing  on  the  line,  she  could  not  keep  her  suspicions  to  herself.  she  took  a  deep  breath,  leaning  into  her  courtesies  and  not  letting  any  accusation  slip  into  her  tone.      ❝  i  believe  house  martell  should  look  at  all  with  reasons  to  oppose  your  recent  marriages,  even  if  suspicion  falls  within  your  own  borders.  ❞

have you seen or heard anything that could be of use to the crown at this time ?

❝  unfortunately,  i  have  not.  but  if  i  do  i  will  be  sure  to  share  it  with  your  grace.  ❞       based  on  their  previous  actions,  or  rather  lack  of  any,  alicent  wondered  if  any  information  would  be  put  to  good  use.

do you have anything else you’d like to share ?

her  nails  lightly  pressed  into  her  palms.  you  should  be  the  ones  sharing  how  you  intend  to  keep  my  good  sister  safe  after  your  failures.  she  shook  her  head.        ❝  no,  your  grace.  may  i  return  to  my  apartments  now?  i  fear  all  this  stress  isn’t  good  for  my  baby.  ❞