2nd Battle | VIDEO

[robb]

[ he may as well use this damn network for research. ]

If you were to take loyalties to a king, what kind of king would you want them to be? Would you think better if they were harsh or if they were wise? What sort of person would you lend your allegiances too?

[ It's a general topic. he's curious to hear the opinions of people around him. he seems less rigid than when he first arrived. the break from all the battles has done well on him. he's not uneasy and robb speaks with a warm confidence. ]

Comments

[robb]

[ Queendoms are quite rare in concept. Kings Landing however may as well have been a queendom (it was Cersei's in truth, with the possibility of being won by Maergery Tyrell - he had heard news of that engagement). It's interesting to hear of an active Queensguard as well. ]

Your Queen's husband does not wish to take his wife's place?

[ A little bit of misogyny that comes with the time period. ]

[sparkling_eyes]

Well... actually, our current Queen doesn't have a husband. She assumed the throne only very recently following the death of both of her parents. The country I come from has been at war recently. But even if they were both still alive, I don't think Commander Ferid would want to be king anyway - to say nothing of the problems that would have caused among the nobles.

WOW RANDOM ICON WHY DO YOU KEEP PICKING MY SMUT ICONS

[robb]

Tell me more about your Queendom. It sounds quite interesting, Milady. I should very much like to hear more of it. Where I am from, war is upon it.

[ he bites a laugh. ]

Nobility is a difficult thing.

[sparkling_eyes]

It's called the Queendom of Falena. There's a legend that the first Queen descended from the heavens bearing a powerful magical force called the Sun Rune. So ever since its founding, it's always had a Queen as the absolute ruler. The Queen's husband is chosen by way of a martial tournament called the Sacred Games - all are welcome to compete, and whoever wins is awarded the title of Commander of the Queen's Knights and the right to marry into the royal family. Male heirs are generally less important and get married off to royalty from other nations, and the royal line is traced down through the female members of the family.

[robb]

But if the title of Queen's husband is won in such a way does that not mean, it is possible for the Queen to harbor no love for her husband?

It is strange that women are placed so highly in your world.

[ Have some Westerosi Misogyny ]

[sparkling_eyes]

That's true. A situation like that is definitely possible under those rules. And the competitors in the Games don't always play fair, either. That's actually what caused the civil war that just ended at home - a power play by the head of one of Falena's noble houses. But that war has just ended, and the new Queen is awaiting her official coronation. She's also decided to abolish the Games and choose her own husband. There's a lot of change on the way for Falena.

[robb]

[ For Robb it is of some comfort to know that it is not just Westeros that was facing some form of war. It made him feel more at ease, oddly. Not because of the conflicts, but because in comparison these matters were something else. ]

And what role did you play there Milady?

[ He's mostly curious. He wants to assume she's more than a woman of courts if women were given so much power in her world. ]

[sparkling_eyes]

I'm a member of the Queen's Knights, a special group of knights assigned to protect the royal family directly. I also serve as our Prince's bodyguard.

[robb]

You are part of the Queensguard? Does that mean you are a fighter?

[sparkling_eyes]

Yes, that's right. I was an apprentice until just recently, when I was promoted to a full member of the Knights.

[robb]

A knight? [ it's a weird notion, but he remembers Brienne of Tarth who served his mother. ]

May, I ask milady - why you opt yourself for knighthood instead of taking - sweeter pursuits. You have a good face.

[sparkling_eyes]

Excuse me?

[She definitely seems a little offended at that, but is holding back out of politeness. He is a king, after all.]

What do you mean by 'sweeter pursuits?'

[robb]

[ Robb doesn't understand why - westerosi misogyny - Yay. ]

I do not mean to give offense, milady. Only that, I wonder why you find yourself a lady with sword instead of a lady of courts?

[sparkling_eyes]

[Well, that's a little better than the 'why don't you just find a husband' or 'why are you not a prostitute' explanations for what his original meaning was, which is definitely good.]

I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the Prince's father. That's why I joined the Knights. But female members of the Queen's Knights aren't really that strange in Falena - there were two others besides me before the war started.

[robb]

[ He really means it as, the only other chick he knows aside from his sister, isn't good looking. You're pretty, why are you doing a man's job. SOB. ]

Female Knights in Westeros are very rare. Very few women take up sword or learn to fight at all. It is considered to be quite unseemly. Which is why it is surprising to me that in your realm women are allowed so much privileges.

[ He doesn't quite actually get how chauvinistic he sounds. ]

[sparkling_eyes]

Miakis and I are just as skilled as any of the male knights. I don't understand what's so unseemly about it. I'm honored to serve Falena's royal family with my sword, and the Queen's Knights are respected throughout the country regardless of whether they're male or female. Even the Dragon Horse Cavalry is accepting women into its ranks now.

[robb]

I apologize, I did not mean to come off as rude. Only that is rare. Where I am from, to see a woman assist during the tides of war is a strange enough act. I do not wish to demean the honor you find in your duties.

[sparkling_eyes]

[All this back and forth boomeranging between unintentional rudeness and sincere apologies!]

...Well, I accept your apology, then.

[robb]

[ Robb's a nice guy okay! Unless your last name is Lannister or something. ]

I did not mean to sully your honour.

[ HE'S WORRIED NOW. :C ]

[sparkling_eyes]

It's all right. You did apologize, after all.

[robb]

I felt, as if I have disregarded your honor. Let me make it up to you, milady.

[sparkling_eyes]

Oh, um... well, if you insist.

[She's not about to rob him of the chance to make it right. This is part of honor too, after all.]

[robb]

Aye, I do. I would never live it down. [ a beat. ]

Is there anything you need assistance with?

[sparkling_eyes]

Actually, I've been thinking of trying to practice my power more often lately. What House are you from?

[robb]

Heimdall, Milady. I have not yet managed to work out the powers these gods have graced me. What power do you hold and which house do you serve?