Lioness in the Snakes' Den - a Game of Thrones RP (private)

[AJbestpony]

Ellaria Sand, bastard daughter of Lord Harmen Uller of Hellholt, stood in the courtyard of Sunspear. Her lover, Prince Oberyn Martell was away at this time. He and his entourage had traveled to King's Landing to acknowledge the rule of King Renly Baratheon, attend the execution of Joffrey Hill by the Northern King Robb Stark, and acquire custody of Lord Tywin Lannister, his daughter Cerseri, and Lord Gregor Clegane.

In the last few months, the Lannisters had fallen from grace. Every last one of them, with the exception of Lord Tyrion Lannister, had been punished in some way or other. Joffrey's brother Tommen had been poisoned by his own mother when King's Landing was seized by the Northmen, the Reachmen, and the Stormlords. At this moment, the only other person of Lannister blood who was still alive and free was Myrcella, who was a bastard, as well.

Myrcella used to be a princess before the truth of her heritage became known. She had been betrothed to Prince Doran's son, Trystane. However, Trystane was still taken with her. Right now, the two of them were talking in the courtyard. Ellaria observed them, wondering how the blond girl was coping with everything.

[Jacie Sparkles]

Myrcella likewise was taken with Trystane and enjoyed his company. At the moment, though, her heart was heavy. From what she'd heard recently, she wasn't even a princess... her father had not been King Robert but rather her uncle Jaime! And now, both of her brothers were dead. Her mother, grandfather Tywin, and Jaime were all in the custody of Robert's brother Renly, who was now king. Her family's name and fortune were all stripped away.

Excusing herself from her conversation with Prince Trystane, Myrcella approached a woman who was baseborn like herself, and from whom her might find a friendly ear.

"Ell... Ellaria?" she said softly, shyly. "Is... is it true what I've heard about my family? And about me?"

[AJbestpony]

The Dornishwoman approached the young girl, sat on the other side of her, and stated gently "Yes, it is true, my dear. Your uncle is your father, not Robert Baratheon. You are no longer part of the Baratheon royal family. You never were.

"Be that as it may..." she continued after a pause, placing a hand on Myrcella's shoulder, "Dorne is still willing to shelter you. Think of it as your new haven. Other than their place in the line of succession, bastards are treated no differently from regular children here. Even the ones born of incest are loved and cared for. In fact, you could still marry Trystane someday."

Trystane smiled at that and wrapped his arm around Myrcella, saying "Auntie Ellaria has the right of it. My father would be willing to give his consent to our union once we are both old enough."

[Jacie Sparkles]

Myrcella managed to smile forlornly at both Trystane and Ellaria. "Th... Thank you," she said, before bursting into tears and letting both the prince and the older woman hold and console her. Myrcella cried for some time. The pain of her loss and confusion welled up, and she could only let it all out. Eventually she leaned on Ellaria, burying her face in the Dornish woman's shoulder. She felt Ellaria draw her close into a consoling, nurturing hug, and cried even harder.

[AJbestpony]

Ellaria's heart ached when the poor girl wept. "There, there, my dear," she whispered softly, rubbing the blond girl's back. "Everything will work out somehow."

The bastard woman had an idea for how she might help Myrcella cope with her situation. What she needed was to be and feel loved. As a mother of four, she knew exactly how she could accomplish such a task.

"Trystane, might I borrow your fiancee for a while?" she asked.

"Of course, Auntie," the young prince answered, smiling at her.

Ellaria smiled back, and then she wiped Myrcella's tears, took her hand, and told her "Come with me, darling."

[Jacie Sparkles]

Gradually Myrcella's sobs lessened, and the young girl settled her breath. She got up with Ellaria, as the older woman gently led her by the hand. She looked over her shoulder and gave Trystane a fond smile and wave, and then accompanied Ellaria from the courtyard... heading in the direction of Ellaria's own quarters, it seemed.

[AJbestpony]

Ellaria was very delicate with Myrcella. She did not pull her roughly or force her to follow. She smiled softly, as she was certain what she was about to do would help the former princess in more than one way.

When they reached Ellaria's bedroom, she led Myrcella inside and then she shut the door. She guided the blond girl over to the bed and had her sit down. She then reached under the bed. As she did, she said "You see, Myrcella, as a mother of four, I like to think of myself as someone well-versed in comforting those younger and less fortunate than myself. I have always been there for my daughters. I assume your mother cannot say the same for you?"

[Jacie Sparkles]

"My mother loves me," Myrcella replied. "She was always very protective of me, and very affectionate. She was very, very upset when Uncle Tyrion arranged for me to come to Dorne. And yet..." the young girl reflected, "she so often seemed like such an angry and fierce person. Like a lioness protecting her cub, you know? I-I don't know. I love my mother, and I miss her... but with everything that's happened, I am not sure I would want to see her just now. She... she must be so angry about it all, you know?"

[AJbestpony]

"I am glad she made you feel loved," Ellaria commented, as she retrieved a box from underneath her bed, "Whatever Cersei Lannister's other flaws may have been, at least she loved her children. But she may have loved Joffrey TOO much. That could be the reason he became such a monster."

Ellaria then opened the box and said "What you need, however, is a way to feel loved, in the event that your mother is unable to do so." She then pulled out a certain object from the box. It was pink, crinkly, and made of plastic.

[Jacie Sparkles]

Myrcella sat on the bed and looked curiously at the girly diapers Ellaria showed her. "Hmm? Nappies?" she asked softly. "They... they are very cute, but... but don't you think I'm a little old to wear them, Ellaria? I have been out of nappies since I was two years old."

Despite her words, Myrcella was quite curious. Distraught as she was, the comfort and affection she was receiving from the Dornish woman was truly wonderful... to the point where Myrcella found the thought of Ellaria diapering her as if she were still a baby far less embarassing or ridiculous than she normally would have.