"Aemon's eyes scanned the room. The feast was in full swing. He watched the Prince of Dorne talking loudly about his latest hunting trip with Arthur. Ashara looked thoroughly bored by the discussion and poured herself another glass of wine. She caught him looking at her and smiled. He returned the smile and looked at the rest of the hall.

Aemon had a unique perch behind the head table. His uncle was in front of him to his left. Doran was to his right. When Doran had arrived, Aemon had mocked him roundly.

"It's not my fault I have to wear this stupid getup!" Doran pleaded as he tugged at the gilded tunic he was wearing. "I'd much rather be with you then sitting and having to listen to our stupid uncle's stories!"

Aemon laughed to himself as their uncle leaned in to Doran and spilled some wine as he did so. "God how is he already drunk. It's barely been an hour." Aemon thought.

Further down the tables in the great hall, Aemon noticed the young Baratheon boy getting drunk and rowdy with some of the Prince's retinue./p

Aemon moved to the other side of his uncle and bent down to speak with the Lord of Tarth. "My lord, the Baratheon boy seems to be enjoying himself." Lord Tarth looked toward the boy.

"That damned fool. I told him to behave himself." The lord hissed.

"Would you like me to handle it my lord?"

"If he gets out of hand, please do. I promised his father I would protect him, but the boy needs to taught a lesson from time to time."

"Aye my lord, I'll watch him."

As Aemon leaned back, the lord grasped his hand. "Ser Aemon, if I might have a word."

"Certainly my lord. Uncle with your leave." Aemon turned to his uncle. Lord Wyl nodded his approval.

Aemon motioned to one of his men who took up his position behind his uncle and stepped back from Lord Tarth's chair. "My lord we can step into the council chambers to speak if you would like."

Aemon motioned to a door behind the table. Lord Tarth nodded and stood to walk to the door.

"Wine my lord?" Aemon asked once the door shut behind them.

"Thank you. I do love my Dornish wine." Aemon filled up a cup and handed it to Lord Tarth.

"What did you want to discuss my lord?"

"First, please call me Eren, any man who saved me the aggravation of listening to my wife complain about her missing jewelry deserves to be treated as a friend." Eren laughed to himself and took another sip of wine.

"Second, I would like to ask you a question."

"Anything Lord….Eren."

"What do you want from life?"

The question stopped Aemon in his tracks. No one had asked him that in a long time. "Well, I would like to bring honor to my family, and ensure that it outlives me."

"Spoken like a true knight. Now someone told me that you and the Lady Ashara were previously acquainted."

"Yes ser, she travelled her when my grandfather died with her father for the funeral. They ended up staying for a few months. We became good friends.

"And now she's betrothed to that soft Dayne boy."

"Her father thought it would be a good match. And it is. I hear the boy is quite good with a sword." Aemon hoped he didn't sound as hurt as he thought he did.

"Aemon, be honest with me. Do you still love her?"

For the first time since they entered the room, Aemon met the lord's eyes. They were a steely grey that showed his age and wisdom, though he was only fifteen years older than Aemon.

"Ser, she's betrothed to another."

"I did not ask that. I asked if you love her still."

"Yes…" Aemon trailed off and looked down at his feet.

"Could you love another?"

Aemon raised his eyes again perplexed. "Ser, I don't know. I've never known anyone else."

"I have a daughter. I fear that Lord Baratheon means to offer his nitwit son as her betrothed."

"My lord, that is a great honor! We should toast to their union." Aemon grabbed himself a glass and poured some water into it.

"Aemon, you know it's tempting the gods to toast with water." Eren chided. "Besides, I think he's a poor match."

"He seems capable, but pardon me Eren, what does this have to do with me?"

"I would like to betroth you to her." Eren said casually as he sipped more wine.

Aemon sat back in surprise."While you're thinking this over, I'm going to need more wine." Eren quipped holding out his cup.

"Of course my lord," Aemon said as he poured more wine into Eren's cup. "But… why me lord? Surely House Baratheon's heir is a better match than some bastard from Dorne."

"Because I made a promise to a dying man once." Aemon looked at Eren confused as he tried to decipher the meaning. "I was with your father at Sunspear. He knew of your impending birth and he wanted you protected. His aim was to bring you and your mother to Winterfell with him after the war. He had a vision of three realms united by marriage. Him and your mother, and you and my daughter; should I have any." Eren pulled out a sealed letter. "This letter contains my plans. I expect there are those amongst us who will not be happy with my choice, but it is mine to make."

Eren put his cup on the table and leaned forward. "I'm not asking you to love my daughter right away, sight unseen. I'm asking if you believe you could love another as you do Lady Ashara."

Aemon took a moment to gather his thoughts. "My lord, you do me a great honor. I do not know, but I swear on my honor as a knight that I will try."

"That's all I can ask of any man." The men clasped hands. "Now, I am not so naive to expect you to end your friendship with Lady Ashara, but I must ask that you not betray my daughter."

"Never my lord."

"Good. I will speak with your uncle later after the feast. I hope you will be there as well."

"Yes my lord."

"And Aemon," Eren met his gaze again "I know that Lady Ashara is dear to you. Protect her because that love will never leave, but she has to make her own choices, as you do."

Aemon sat back in his chair again. He was still trying to absorb the information when there was a knock at the door. "Come in" he called out.

"My lord," his man said as he opened the door, "Lord Baratheon is getting agitated. He just struck several of the Prince's retinue."

"I beg your leave Eren." Aemon stood "I must address this."

"Of course Aemon. Go do your duty." Both men stood and headed towards the door.