Gifts Fel and Fey
Tenth Day of the Eleventh Month 293 AC
You sigh, there is really only one answer you can give in all conscience. Any plan you might conceive to get Jon to Sorcerer's Deep either with Lord Eddard's consent or without risks not only your plans for the North but Jon's own safety, something you suspect Dany had realized given how carefully she had coached her request as not to push you. Yet you can no more keep from being disappointed that you must deny the request than she could keep from making it. "We'll spend time with Jon in the Dreamlands tonight. The chances are high that a disappearance could spark rumors of suspicion that would trail him like a heavy cloak, which is hardly something I wish him to endure when he already must suffer and endure in silence all the other small indignities."
With one last melancholy shake of the head you add, perhaps to convince yourself as much as her for the heart is a stubborn thing, "It doesn't make sense to take any unnecessary risks when we're so close to being done with it all."
"Alright," she nods solemnly, deliberately. Then a small wistful smile sneaks its way onto her expression. "Then I'll have to see that his first nameday after the matter of the Iron Throne is settled will be a day to remember."
"Of course," you reply at once. Though your mother looks a touch wary at the almost martial gleam in Dany's eye she follows suite. Given all the changes you intend to impose upon the Seven Kingdoms, an impressive nameday celebration for a bastard would hardly be of note.
***
Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month 293 AC
The day dawns clear and bright, but with swift thermals already rising off the surface of the sea, Zathir's gift you would guess for the first you see of Dany it is on the wing, a silvered streak against the cresting waves in some sort of new-made game in which she had enlisted Ysandrix, Waymar, and Tyene on their snow-white Griffons and even Maelor held aloft by wings of shadow. He would not be able to stay long so you imagine Dany wished to spend that time together doing something as far removed from sulking in the shadows of the City of Brass as possible.
Your mother makes no comment beyond wishing a happy nameday when Dany flies directly into the dining hall and very nearly into her plate before transforming in midair and landing in her seat with a thump. It does not take her long to begin chattering cheerfully about all the gifts she had gotten, from Waymar a book of Yi Tish legends, from Tyene a True Silver knight's shield in the black and crimson of House Targaryen, 'in case she ever felt like jousting now that she had the armor for it', something your sister finds entertaining enough that she would likely try at least once if given the chance. Hopefully she would not try it for a few more years yet. You do not think very many knights could have their pride survive being unhorsed by a girl child.
"Oh, and Maelor got me something with the profits from the shop," she adds, proffering what seems at first to be a common stick of charcoal about a handspan long. Looking very closely at the object reveals faint lines of light upon it like ghostly embers ready to burst into flame. There is nothing faint about it's aura when one looks upon it with the eyes of power. The work of an archmage this, though one meant for a single urgent use, to
summon magic where there is none.
When you raise your gaze to meet Dany's eyes you are not surprised to have it returned a solemn expression. A useful gift for certain this, but knowing the Efreeti one wrought by dark means, yet whatever sacrifice had been made could not be undone, you both knew. She would bear it and you for one are glad for the added safety that it assures her of.
So the day goes, with well wishes and gifts. Vee had crafted a tree with black bark and leaves as red as a weirwood tree, not possessed of any magic, but its leaves when seeped into a tea alleviated aches and pains better than willow bark. Lya had wrought more pieces for Dany's game of 'Living Cyvasse', Griffons and Manticores, Dothraki riders and Legion soldiers, until one could enact whole battles with it, specifically the battles of Ysilla's war game, of which the girl hands Dany a leather bound copy of the rules. Kyla adds to the gift with a collection of hand-drawn battlefield maps.
Malarys' gift is also a book, though one of a far more ancient pedigree, an annotated genealogy of House Targaryen going all the way back to Syrax herself. "The very oldest entries are somewhat speculative I am afraid," the magelord admits a touch uncomfortably.
"I
love it," Dany proclaims gingerly, taking the book and beaming up at him, drawing a rare smile untouched by sarcasm or wryness from Malarys.
Rina for her part proves even more hesitant as she hands Dany a slender book of verses, though not only from never having given her a gift before. "You can tell me how good they are, Your Highness, and I'll know if they're worth publishing," she adds.
From how gingerly your sister takes the book it is clear she knows how great a show of trust this is. She makes no trite reply to the tone of being sure she will love it, but replies solemnly instead: "I will read every word with utmost care."
Around noon, before all the guests had arrived, Moonsong catches up with you near the harbor. "So this nameday... would it be a good time to unveil the Moonchaser? It would make the day really memorable, right?"
What do you reply?
[] Have a public unveiling of the Moonchaser over Sorcerer's Deep
[] Have a private first flight of the Monchaser just for Dany and her guests
[] Write in
OOC: Viserys' gifts as well as those of Rhaella, Xor, and Ser Richard will be in the next update as will be Aemon and Bloodraven. I hope this is not dragging things out too much.
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