Tornedalians

"You could feed the entire town with all of this food…"

Rhaenys opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by one of her maids at the door. "My lady, the Lady Ashara Karstark is here to see you." she said, before stepping out of the way to let Ashara come in.

"I didn't realise your father had elevated you to Lady, Asha." Rhaenys laughed quietly, before gesturing to Ashara and introducing her. "My Lord, this is Ashara, the bastard daughter of Lord Stark." she said with a smile.

"He hasn't, it's just maid pleasantries." Ashara laughed. "I'm still a seamstress and - "At seeing Vladomir, she dipped her head. "My lord," she said quietly. "The saddle blankets and winter coats for the horses you ordered have just been delivered to your home."

Vladomir just gave a small nod in response, taking the last sip of his drink before replying with a simple, "Very well,"

"One of them has been taken back to be adjusted since the destrier is bigger than I imagined him to be, it will be delivered on the morrow."

"So you two know eachother then?" Rhaenys smiled.

"Mm, my horses need to be kept warm by quality work and Ashara is the only half decent seamstress in town. I never wish to go over the valleys to find others, too much effort is required for that."

"She's fabulous, isn't she." Rhaenys beamed. "What is it you came for anyway, Asha?"

"To let your father know that your wedding gown has been finished and is ready for fitting as soon as he finds a groom."

Rhaenys wrinkled her nose at that. "I hadn't realised he'd had one made."

"Your father is having you prepared to that extent? A shame, really, as soon as he has a suitor I can no longer be seen trying to flatter you Rhaenys."

"He said he doesn't wish for the groom to have a chance to back out, which is why he ordered the dress made so early." Ashara said quietly. "I'll take my leave now, my lord and lady, I have saddle blankets and coats to alter." she then left.

Rhaenys just sighed and turned to face the fire, watching it flicker quietly.

Vladomir frowned deeply and got to his feet, walking to her side and watching the fire silently himself for a few moments. "I bet whatever gown has been created for you is beautiful, though as I was saying before you do not need to be in a posh gown to look that. Perhaps the next suitor your father has found you will share my way of seeing you instead of hurting the way you look at yourself."

"Maybe so, but like as not he will be just like the rest. Wanting only sons and a bigger dowry." Rhaenys pointed out. "I've oft thought of taking my mare and riding over the mountains, as far away as I can..." she confessed.

"I am worried about you, currently." Sence whispered, "But I'm fine, you needn't worry about me at all,"

---

Vladomir let out a soft sigh and answered, "But if you did that those little urchins you feed every year probably wouldn't make it, m'lady. Prove to your father how strong you can be and don't appear phased by the stupid boys he chooses for you harsh and untrue words."

---

Dragomir just frowned and shook his head, "People die of malnutrition and you have all of this, just here…"

"What does my happiness matter to you, my lord? You seem keen to preserve it."

"How is it hard? I manage to feed people and I have nothing, nothing at all," Dragomir mumbled, "Don't lie."

---

"I just do not think bad, insulting words should be said to a women of your warm heart and class. I do not have many morals in the caring and good aspects but that is one of the few. Dignity and pride in oneself is to be cherished, not to be torn down by those who are too blind to see a beautiful woman when one is stood directly in front of them."

"My mother taught me that being prideful was a bad thing. That it makes us appear vain, and vanity is not a virtue." Rhaenys said, sounding as if she were reciting something.

"When pride is deserved there is nothing wrong with it, and you have certainly earned the right to be prideful."

---

"You could save them. You could give them all - us all - decent meals and a warm place to stay. You have the nerve to come to our gatherings at night and laugh along and don't offer any help. You come and be seen with us and then come back here to your posh, warm home with plenty of food thinking you have done a good deed?"

"I've never really worked a day in my life, I have my every need and deed attended to. I have not contributed anything of note. I have no reason to be prideful."

"Because you've just lost your father, because you're so concerned of me because of what just happened." Sence replied with a small shrug.

---

He shook his head, "You are like the rest of the other posh bastards. Acting as if you care about us and just sitting back and watching us all starve to death while you sit surrounded by food."

---

"You are warm of heart, you help those less fortunate, you are strong in a mental state and don't appear to let many things bother you. You keep allowing your father to search for these 'suitors' for you that aren't up to the standard you should have."

"He is my father, he is a man. I cannot stop him trying to find me a husband, it is his duty." Rhaenys pointed out. "And me helping others doesn't really count when I have everything. It would mean more if I had nothing and yet I still gave."