(Ellion's POV)
[A Few Days Later]
I had been out for a few days, spending my time in the Capital streets, learning the layout of the city. Afterwards, I returned to the Red Keep, a bit annoyed and tired at the King's constant approaches; he wanted me to bed many women.
I almost regret the fact that I came all over here, with the pretense of being his Knight. He was being more annoying than anything and when I showed any signs of refusing, he simply scowled and didn't push things further.
It was starting frustrate me.
Nevertheless, I was heading back to my chambers, pretty late at night already. I reached the door and immediately noticed a presence inside, which alarmed me. Over the past few days, I had my Observation Haki constantly activated due to being in Fleabottom; it was quite dangerous if I didn't pay attention. It didn't matter if I had the physical power to cut down anyone that I confronted, I couldn't let anyone sneak up on me.
I placed my hand on the handle of Gloriosa, reaching for the door and opening it slowly. As I walked in, I noticed the familiar flash of white.
Queen Rhaella was sitting down on my chair, looking down with a saddened expression. She looked up and was rather surprised at my tense posture and the hand on my sword.
"Ser Ellion." She said softly, "Did I alarm you?"
"Your Grace...." I said, closing the door behind me, "What are you doing here?"
As I walked up to her, I noticed another fresh bruise on her wrist. Almost immediately, I reached for her hand and gently picked it up, inspecting the bruise.
"I...." She said, "I was searching for you. I had not seen you for days, I had gotten concerned."
"I was doing some work in the city." I said, "I had informed His Grace of it."
She pulled away, "I see.' She said as she stood up, "I am sorry for worrying then."
I shook my head, "It is fine, Your Grace." I said, "Why did he do this?"
I was referring to her bruise; it genuinely angered me to see the other bruises on her body.
"Oh, we had another argument." She said
"About me?" I asked, "I hope no-"
"Rhaegar." She cut me off, "We need to find a suitor for him. He says he will find a wife for him in Essos, but I have urged him to consider appropriate suitors from the Seven Kingdoms, to solidify alliances. Aerys views the Lords of the Realm as lower than House Targaryen. Anyone that is not Targaryen or Valyrian is nothing but a servant. He thinks that if he finds a pure-blooded Valyrian in Essos, he will create a powerful bloodline for House Targaryen."
I blinked, "I see...."
She sighed, "It's getting frustrating." She said, "I.....not even Viserys's birth has softened that husband of mine."
"Forgive me for speaking out of line, Your Grace." I said, "But King Aerys, he is...well, how can I put it?"
"Not right in the head?" She asked, raising her eyebrow
"Yes." I said, nodding, "I am not surprised that Old Lyonel departed from the Crown."
"Hm...." She said, "I see."
"I admit that I am no different than him, in a way at least." I said, "But his....well, his mentality, it really kills the mood for me when it comes that....you know. So I have done quite a bit of thinking about it."
"What is it?" She asked
I ensured that there was no living being nearby. I didn't want anything or anyone to be close while I had this conversation. I am sure that Her Grace was more than willing to allow me to speak my mind.
"I don't know." I said, stepping to the side, "I don't know what to think about the situation. Aerys is quite....well, he's perverse. There's something wrong with him in that head of his; it is hard to even think straight when he shows clear.....excitement for my actions."
"I see...." She said, looking down
"But now...." I said, looking at her, "I see you, in your state. I see your sad eyes, Your Grace. I see your beautiful face marked, it.....it angers me so."
"Why?" she asked me, her voice was but a whisper
I reached for her cheek, "Such a beautiful soul, even I know that." I said, "You do not deserve to be treated that way. It is wrong, Your Grace."
"Do you not know what you're doing, boy?" She asked, "You are putting your hands on the Queen."
"I know." I said, stepping closer, "But if you really want me to stop, you would pull away."
"...I cannot." She whispered
"And neither can I...." I said as I placed my hand on her waist, "My Queen, I need you to understand one thing; what he is doing is not something I agree. If you require me to do something, say the word. I will do it."
"What are you insinuating?" She asked, "Do not tell me that-"
"Nothing of that manner." I said, "Unless absolutely necessary. But something else, I swear I will do it."
She was silent for a few seconds, her eyes filling with more and more sorrow. There was something about this woman's eyes that was pulling me towards her. It was the same sorrow that I saw in Lady Joanna, albeit a bit more deeper than that. Joanna was not being beat by Tywin, simply being neglected and pushed apart.
Rhaella needed more, she needed something deeper than physical comfort.
"Can you...." She whispered, "For once.....can you take my mind off things?"
"Yes." I said, wrapping my arm around her waist, "You allow me to do so?"
She nodded, "As Your Queen....." Her voice was shaky, "I command you to take my mind off everything, Ser Ellion."
I leaned down and kissed her on the lips, feeling her body jump up slightly as her hand was on my chest. I embraced her gently while kissing her, feeling her kiss me back slowly and gently. Her body's warmth felt so nice against my body.
She was so small compared to me, so she was so easy to embrace, to wrap my arms around her. It felt like I was shielding her from everything while I was embracing her, kissing her deeply and passionately.
After a few more seconds of kissing, she pulled away, a bit of saliva dripping from our mouths. She was looking at me, with her eyes in a daze. I then saw something amazing; there was a glint in her eyes. It was as if her light was returning, being kissed like this.
"Ser Ellion...." She said softly, "Is this wrong? Mayhaps it is wrong of me...."
"I...." I said, still holding her, "It is the greatest crime, is it not?"
"Yes...." She gulped, "Both of us could lose our lives."
"Normally, yes." I said with a nod, "I am but a Bastard that was turned a Knight. If I was caught kissing the Queen this late at night with her in my arms, I would be executed. No. I would not be punished so leniently; I would be tormented and tortured. And you? Who knows what kind of fate Aerys would give you."
She didn't show any signs of fear of stress, the light in her eyes was slowly returning.
"Yes....." She said again, her hand rubbing my chest slowly
"But this is not normal circumstances." I leaned back in and kissed her lips briefly, my hands running down to her rear, "I promise you, My Queen, Rhaella..."
"I will keep you safe from him."