Her brother was busy with his scrolls and books. Aelinor traced the surface of the desk. He didn't want her. He never did. "Give me a son," she asked him over and over again. He never did, lost in his reading. Almost like her words were the wind passing by. "Please." Her knees hurt from kneeling so long. Her mind had grown numb from all those prayer hours. The Gods wouldn't listen to her, wretched woman she was. Nor would her husband. Was she to remain a maid forever?

The King's Hand entered. He bowed to her, his one eye cutting straight through her lovely small face. Aelinor excused herself. She walked out, gently closing the door. Her heart thumped. Her cheeks reddened. Brynden 'Bloodraven' Rivers had seemed to be able to see in the depths of her soul.

It frightened her. That one crimson eye of his could read every single one of her secrets. Queen Aelinor stepped gingerly over the cool marble. The shiver in her bones was washed away by the breeze. Oh, she was afraid of those secrets buried deep inside.