To Dave, for helping me find the momentum.
Linnea first heard the birds chirping outside. They tweeted a merry tune and Linnea rolled slowly to her back reaching for her husband, but the far side of the bed was empty. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw the indent in the mattress where he had been. She grasped his pillow and held it to her face. She inhaled the sweet but manly smell of Tyrion- the smell of cedar and oranges and cinnamon. The pillow was still warm so he hadn't been gone long.
"Tyrion?" She called out sitting up in bed.
But there was no answer.
Linnea slipped out of bed and pulled a silk robe around her body. She looked at the vanity where Tyrion sometimes left her notes on days he was up early but it was also empty.
She felt the slight disappointment since today was a very special day-her twenty second nameday.
There was a sudden knock on the door. "Come in," she called hoping it was the return of her husband.
Wenderly Lannister stepped into the room with Linnea's lady's maids in tow. They all carried boxes tied with colorful ribbons.
"Good morning, your highness," Wenderly bowed his head.
"God morgon!"
"Hallå, Linnea!"
"Grattis på födelsedagen!"
The ladies all skipped in with greetings and exclamations setting the boxes on the chaise and end tables.
"Good morning!" she replied smiling down at all the brightly colored boxes.
Wenderly cleared his throat awkwardly, "Happiest of name days, your highness. Would you like breakfast brought in?"
"Yes please, Wenderly."
"Do you need an extra set of hands?" offered Åsa, a young ladies maid. The rest of the girls giggled and Wenderly flushed a deep red. "I, uh, I think I..." he stammered.
"Go with him, Åsa," Linnea exacted. The girl flitted out behind Wenderly who nearly tripped over the rug on his way out the door. As the door shut, all the ladies peeled with laughter.
It was common knowledge to the group that Åsa was infatuated with Tyrion's squire. "I have told her many times that he would be far too shy to make the first move. I hope she uses this time to her advantage," Linnea confided. "I want you all to have suitors here."
The ladies smiled and all looked at Katarina who had been recently courted by and betrothed to Ser Thomasford, a new knight from the Tident region.
"Tell all your suitors that in lieu of fathers' blessings, they should come to me for your hands," Linnea smiled. "Now...shall I open these gifts?"
The ladies all nodded and Linnea began to open the mountain of name day presents. There were gifts from all six kingdoms of Westeros and something from Queen Sansa in The North. Many of the high houses had sent gifts as well. All the ladies had made gifts and the members of the high council sent treasures as well. Soon the room was full of unwrapped gifts: fine silk from Dorne, a case of Arbor Gold wine, a string of pearls from the Iron Islands, books of the history of Westeros and the Lannister family, down pillows from Acorn Hall and so on. Sometime in the opening Wenderly and Åsa returned with breakfast and the ladies grazed on fruit and cheese while they admired the finery that was bestowed upon Linnea.
Shortly after noon Wenderly reappeared with the ladies who drew Linnea's bath. The ladies maids tidied up the room while Linnea gave instructions where each new bauble should go. They all hugged Linnea, once again wishing her a happy name day.
Left with just the housemaids and Wenderly, Linnea slipped off her robe and sunk into the steaming water of her bath.
Wenderly lurched for the door, blushing at Linnea's immodesty, but she called to him. Linnea sunk deeper into the hot water. "Thank you, Wenderly."
Wenderly gave a small bow and headed for the door again. He turned back in the doorway, "Lord Tyrion will be awaiting you in the castle banquet hall when you're done. But there is no need to hurry."
"Thank you, Wenderly. And if you see Agnetha, please send her up."
Wenderly pulled the door closed behind him and Linnea relaxed in the tub; the steam rose around her smelling of lavender and vanilla. After half an hour Agnetha arrived. Agnetha was her personal maid who helped with dressing and arranging Linnea's hair.
For this afternoon Linnea had requested a dress that had been sent to her from Highgarden. It was a steely blue with sand pearls woven into the bodice in the shapes of peonies. The neckline dropped low between her breasts and below her arms, cutouts dipped to her waist. She had Agnetha dry her hair and massage orange flower water into her scalp. She pulled back half Linnea's hair braiding it with the pale pink Linnea flowers made of silk. Linnea pulled the brand new crystal bracelet that had been a gift from Queen Sansa onto her wrist and slipped on soft slippers that matched the dress.
Linnea left the room and glided down the stone steps of the Tower of the Hand. Wenderly stood at the entrance waiting to escort her to dinner. He offered his arm and Linnea happily took it.
They made their way across the courtyard that separated their home from the castle.
"Wenderly?"
"Yes, M'lady?" He answered, looking ahead and not at Linnea.
"How was your time with Lady Åsa this morning?" she asked innocently.
Wenderly's nearly constant blush grew deeper. "It went very well, your highness."
"Good," Linnea nodded. "Lady Åsa was my lady's maid that has had the most trouble getting used to our new life here. I'm glad she has a friend in you."
"Yes, M'Lady," Wenderly smiled a bit, sneaking a glance up at Linnea who gave him an encouraging smile back. "I hope you'll consider spending more time with her. I know she would like that."
"Yes, M'Lady," Wenderly beamed then caught himself. "I mean, if you think that would help her feel more at home."
"Absolutely it would. Thank you, Wenderly."
They stepped into the front hall of the new palace. The walls were still unadorned awaiting stone masons and fresco painters. They proceeded through the hall past a reflection pool dedicated to those lost in the great war from King's Landing and to the great ancient 20 foot high weirwood doors of the banquet hall.
"Thank you for walking with me, Wenderly," Linnea squeezed his arm.
"My pleasure, your highness. Happy name day."
Lynnea gave him one more smile and pushed the giant door open to reveal the banquet hall.
The massive tables that seated the hundreds of court visitors were moved from the floor and a small table for two sat center. The chandeliers were all dark but the four the hung center above the table putting a spotlight down on the table.
