Chapter Text
Jenna walked quickly towards the goddesses chambers, which were formerly Lord Willas’ chambers. Since surviving her initial encounters with the powerful god and showing enough spine to seemingly please her Holiness Quake, Jenna and Ahelis had been promoted to full time personal servants to Her Holiness. It was a dubious honor. Hildeth and Stella, the other two servants who had been serving the god on and off, were seemingly relieved to be returned to their duties dealing with the demanding Lady Olenna and the rest of the Tyrell family. Certainly the god was odd, frightening to be sure, but on the whole Jenna had not minded the work once she got over her initial terror. Her Holiness seemed to make an effort to not scare servants and was always polite to herself and Ahelis…not something that can be said for most other nobility.
The little bump in pay and prestige isn’t anything Jenna will turn her nose up at either. Even when Her Holiness leaves, Jenna will likely remain a highly sought after servant now, perhaps even becoming a personal maid to a Tyrell Lady with all the marriages on the horizon. There will likely be competition for who can secure the service of servants like herself and Ahelis who served a god. Mere proximity and boasting rights alone will make them prizes for any Southern Houses to have in service.
The added benefit of pay, prestige and the odd extra clinking of silver stags for whispering harmless pieces of information to Lady Olenna has been marred only by the delicate and perhaps dangerous position being in such close proximity to a god creates. Afterall, many believe proximity and familiarity breeds influence, and any influence, even something terribly small is considered worth its weight in gold when that influence is with a god.
That is where the problems have arisen. Ahelis is…unwise? Naive? Yes, naive. The younger girl had been paired with Jenna to train her as a proper servant and perhaps one day handmaiden. Jenna having uncommon patience and a protective instinct borne of being the eldest of 7, 6 girls and 1 boy, has meant that where others were cruel and blunt with Ahelis….well Jenna had tried her very best to protect her. Perhaps that had not been the kindness she intended, and by protecting Ahelis’ innocence and naivety from the cruelties and vulgarity of serving in such a grand noble House and place like High Garden where politics and intrigue are served daily alongside wine…well Jenna may have done Ahelis a disservice and made her vulnerable.
That could have been correctable…until they were assigned to the god. The god who…somehow Ahelis had managed to gain the protection of.
When Ahelis had so naively and innocently explained how Her Holiness had come to her defense against the overly forward stableboy and offered to protect her again in the future if Ahelis had any further issues, well, Jenna had nearly fainted on the spot.
Jenna could tell Lady Olenna and Lord Willas had been calculating what such a gesture had meant. Wondering if idiot innocent Ahelis had lain with the god to gain such favor and stolen it from one of the noble Tyrells. But, like her, they had seemingly come to the conclusion that the gods’ prerogative to protect a lowly servant was some whim rather than caused by anything bright eyed and artless Ahelis had done.
Jenna had breathed a sigh of relief while simultaneously wanting to strangle Ahelis. Telling the cut throat old crone Lady Olenna that she had any kind of interaction beyond professional with Her Holiness was the height of stupidity. The Tyrells would devour Ahelis if they thought she could be used as a pawn against the god to win favor.
Yet, Ahelis seems continually, blissfully ignorant of the greater politics at play no matter what Jenna says to her. How anyone could be so ignorant of the cutthroat snake pit that was noble life and the merciless power plays of nobles….Jenna has no clue.
Hearing that Daisy had returned to her chambers to read and rest before the afternoon meal had caused Jenna to hot foot it back to her chambers as quickly as possible just in case there was anything the god needed. Her fires restocked, more candles to read by, a fresh pot of tea and some sweet desserts perhaps to snack on before the evening meal. A hot bath mayhap.
As Jenna approached the god’s suite of rooms she reached to knock politely but hesitated as she heard murmuring voices from within. It would not do to interrupt the god if she was entertaining or in a meeting with a noble of HighGarden, or Prince Jon.
Jenna strained her ears to hear the voices through the thick wooden door. Her breath catching as she recognised the faint giggle that can only belong to Ahelis, accompanied by the strange murmuring accent which can only be Her Holiness.
She knocks in restrained panic and at the soft “Come,” called out in the raspy voice of Her Holiness, Jenna slips into the room.
What she sees makes her almost stumble in shock as she freezes inside the door.
Ahelis is seated on one of the golden chairs with soft padding which circles a low table used to serve snacks and beverages when Lord Willas had been informally socializing with his most trusted allies and family in his personal solar. The god sits opposite Ahelis, boneless in her casualness, one leg indecently laid over the arm of the chair as she sprawls with an amused smile and delighted eyes which are riveted on Ahelis.
Ahelis who is drinking tea with Her Holiness. Ahelis…a servant, is seated in the god’s presence, drinking the very expensive tea and chattering away like they are in a low born sewing circle of old hens exchanging the gossip of the smallfolk villages.
To make the scene even worse, the god laughs at something Ahelis says and without missing a beat sits forward for a moment to lift the gilded teapot and top up Ahelis’ dwindling teacup. The god…served Ahelis tea.
Jenna’s brain feels like it is frozen inside her skull as she tries to make sense of the unnatural and surreal scene before her. A servant, seated and being served by a god. Jenna would have been better served making sense of the issue if one of the Keeps cats had stood on hind legs and started talking…it would have been less shocking.
Jenna feels her lungs contract and a pressure on her chest build. This situation is so fucked. What the Seven Hells is Ahelis doing?! What punishment will Ahelis endure if it is heard she was so uncouth and so negligent in her duties as to sit and yammer at the god while she was served expensive teas? Shit! What punishment will Jenna receive as the senior servant responsible for Jenna who has allowed this breakdown in duties and social order to occur.
Jenna feels like she can hear her own blood rushing in her ears but is brought back to herself by Her Holiness calling her name.
“Jenna? Jenna are you well?” Her Holiness asks. Her smiling expression has dipped slightly and her teacup is poised halfway to her amused lips.
Jenna shakes herself and sketches a shaky half bow, “Forgive me Holiness, I was caught in my own thoughts. Is there anything you require this afternoon before the evening meal? A bath, fresh clothes, or perhaps more tea?”
Jenna asks the last with a quickly shot look to Ahelis who suddenly shifts in her seat a little uncomfortably. Ahelis has been in charge of bringing the goddess the varieties of tea to sample which have been shipped with all due haste to High Garden since it was discovered the goddess enjoyed them. Although, despite the more expensive and rarer blends arriving, Her Holiness seems to prefer the varieties she tasted on her first morning here, all with an obscene amount of sugar.
Her Holiness’ head cocks a little to the side as she watches Jenna in much the fashion that Jenna associates with a great eagle assessing the worthiness of a mouse to be a snack. The god’s sigil was well chosen it seems.
Her Holiness reclines back in her seat and offers an indolent shrug as she sips her tea and replies, “No thanks Jenna. I didn’t spar too vigorously so have no need of a bath or new clothes, and Ahelis has seen to the tea. I am content to relax until the evening meal requires me to sit in on more political posturing.”
Jenna nods hesitantly. How small they all must seem that the god sees the history making alliances and game of thrones being played out at the Highgarden dinner table with a Dragon Queen of legend and representatives of some of their lands greatest Houses as nought more than childish peacocking.
Before Jenna can think of a way to excuse herself and to politely drag Ahelis with her for a thorough dressing down about appropriate behavior of servants, the goddess sweeps her arm in a casual getsure and says,”Join us for tea Jenna. Sit down and relax for a few moments, Ahelis was just telling me about her dog: Furst.”
Jenna blinks dumbly at the goddess before darting a disbelieving look at Ahelis who seems to have recovered from her discomfort since the goddess seems inclined to invite Jenna to join her in breaking all social rules and expectations.
“Her dog?” Jenna repeats uncomprehendingly with a slow blink. She subtly pinches the thin skin of her wrist where her hands are professionally clasped…a sharp pain informs her that this really is reality and she isn’t having a horrible fever dream.
Ahelis, damn her, beams a vacant and happy smile in response to the goddess and nods vigorously like a small child who has been asked if she wants honey, “Oh yes, my dog. I am sure I mentioned him to you Jenna. My uncle gave her to me. I called her Furst because she was the first of her litter but also, she was very fluffy and…furry? You know?”
Jenna viciously strangles the hysteric laughter she feels bubbling in her throat at this pronouncement. Ahelis is genuinely talking to the god…the god of destruction, the god who reduced Varys to bloody mulch that needed to be destroyed by dragon fire, the god who flew past the Wall and destroyed an old god’s tree and returned with the mutilated ancient remains of a man from myth…that god…she is talking to her about her fucking pet dog that she used a juvenile pun to name.
Jenna clears her throat and nods vaguely at Ahelis, “Yes, I-I think I mind you mentioning her.”
The goddess smiles at her like Jenna has just done something miraculous and pleased her in some unknowable way with her anemic answer.
Her Holiness waves again at the spare seat and the tea, “Great, then you must have heard that Furst is pregnant and due to birth a litter of puppies soon. We were brainstorming name ideas. Sit down, have some tea and help us think of some more names.”
Jenna tries desperately not to hyperventilate as she squeaks, “Dog names…you are discussing names for Ahelis’ puppies?”
The god nods as though this is entirely normal and sane while Ahelis grins and sips the expensive tea she is meant to be serving to the god.
Ahelis chirps “I like the traditional names like Spot and Bark -ley but Daisy has suggested Hunter, Fury and Padfoot. What do you think?”
Jenna thinks very little other than “WHAT THE FUCK!?” because Ahelis has just casually used the god’s first name as though they are social equals or friends….and yet the god seems totally at ease. Did she give Ahelis leave to use her name? When? Why? Why did Ahelis agree? Why does Ahelis not see what a massive thorny bush this whole situation is?
Her Holiness seems to read some of Jenna’s panic but rather than address the topic she merely smiles benally and continues as though the social order hasn’t been turned tits up.
“Come, come, how do you take your tea? My mother despaired at my sweet tooth but I swear this roasted holly blend is delicious with two of these cone thingies of sugar.” The god presses.
Ahelis sips her tea to reinforce the point, “It really is.”
Jenna, almost as though sleep walking and resigned to how crazy this moment is, numbly replies, “I-uh-I don’t know…I have never had tea before….”
Jenna’s brows are furrowed as her brain screams at her as though not believing her own words have left her mouth.
The goddess if anything only seems more enthused by this response, “Oh this is great, I get to introduce someone else to the joys of tea. Trust me, you’ll love it…or at least you will when you find the right blend. I know it took me a long time to develop a taste for it between my mother, Fitzsimmons and May…but it’ll be an experience. Let me pour you a cup.”
Jenna’s brain tries to reboot and she makes one last attempt to salvage this whole mess of a situation, “Your Holiness! As grateful as I am for the offer…I can’t…it wouldn’t be right for you to serve us. I am a servant and the tea is a luxury intended for you and it would be unprofessional and uncouth of me to-”
The goddess rises from her seat, a soft expression on her face. Jenna tries her best not to flinch, even as her words abruptly cut off and she gasps for breath. Fuck…she had just denied a god…fuck!
Her Holiness gives a lopsided grin which fails to detract from the sigh and furrowed brows as she asks, “Jenna, I am…a god, and you are my servant correct?”
Jenna hesitates, trying to see the trick in the question but she nods and replies, ”Yes Holiness.”
Her Holiness nods too and her smile becomes a little larger as though pleased by her answer which makes Jenna relax a little.
“Great, so…the tea is mine to do with as I please right? The Tyrells have been pretty insistent on giving me stuff no matter how much I try to refuse. Right?”
Jenna nods again, “Of course Holiness.” The orders of Lady Olenna ring in Jenna’s ears. They are to give Her Holiness anything she wants.
“Okay, so if I want to share the joy of tea with you and ask you about dog names in this world, you don't mind indulging me do you?”
Jenna feels her tenseness return as she sees how she has been led into the trap. Her eyes flicker to Ahelis. Is this how Ahelis ended up having tea and talking to the goddess? Jenna wants to snort, she doubts it. Ahelis probably sat at the first invitation, all too happy to talk about her dog.
Jenna nods, her shoulders slumping, “Yes Holiness.”
Her Holiness smiles and her arm sweeps in the universal gesture of direction towards the empty seat. Jenna walks swiftly and sits herself hesitantly on the very edge of the seat, as though afraid it will burn her or perhaps subconsciously aware it will be easier to jump to her feet should someone else enter the rooms and catch her in such a position.
Her Holiness pours a cup of tea, fixes it with sugar and slides it to Jenna who uses all of her threadbare control to lift it without shaking…at least not so much as to make the delicate china clink.
Her Holiness sprawls once more into her chair, smiles at Jenna sipping the tea and then turns her attention back to Ahelis, “If the sire is a muscled dog then what about Cerberus, or Mack for any puppies that look like they might take after their sire? “
Ahelis hums and dares ask for the reason behind the names Mack and Cerberus. The goddess is unaffected by Ahelis daring to question her. She shrugs with a smile that speaks of a hidden joke and airily says she just liked the name Mack since she had a muscled friend with a protective streak called that once. Then she begins telling the story of a fierce three headed dog who guards one of the entrances to the afterlife in her realm…Jenna sips her tea robotically. The details of the afterlife known as the Underworld and ruled by Hades drown her brain. No mortal should so casually know these great mysteries of gods. She can’t even tell what the tea tastes like since she feels so disconnected from the moment. The whole experience and conversation is too absurd for words.
“What do you think Jenna? Have you ever had to name a puppy?” Jenna startles a little at Ahelis abruptly addressing her, her cup clinking. She clears her dry throat and once she sees the goddess’ curious gaze she dredges up the words and fortitude to answer.
“Uh, um, one of my brothers brought home a puppy he found once. A quiet thing, unless someone came close to our home. Then he made more noise than ten dogs combined to warn everyone someone was nearby, so we called him Yeller.”
The goddess smiles happily, “That’s a good name. Maybe if you have one of the litter that is particularly loud you could call it Yeller, Ahelis. It would make a good guard dog for a family or for someone with livestock.”
Ahelis hums and nods happily, “Oh yes, I like the idea of naming the puppies to suit their personalities.”
Jenna sighed and allowed the conversation to continue meandering as she sipped the warm tea. The absurdity of the moment made it all feel like an out of body experience, so much so that Jenna offers further contribution to the conversation which has drifted to Ahelis discussing potty training and puppy socialization hints and tips with the goddess who seems genuinely pleased and interested in the conversation. Even answering Ahelis daring questions about whether Her Holiness had ever had a pet.
Jenna feels like a passenger in her body as over the next half hour she finishes her tea and she seemingly partakes in the conversation with a half dozen other contributions which further please the goddess. Afterwards, Jenna will be pushed to remember what the hell she said.
Her mind was caught on the absurdity of the situation and trying to puzzle out what the goddess could possibly want from her or Ahelis that she would lower herself to converse with them, to serve them tea like they were her equals or she their lesser. It was mind boggling.
Jenna did notice that despite Ahelis using the goddess’ name once more, Her Holiness did not comment on it or give Jenna leave to do the same. What was special about Ahelis that she had been given such leave? Was it part of an elaborate plot to seduce Ahelis, to make her the god’s plaything? Or had Ahelis broken all sense of decorum and just used the name and the god was allowing it on a whim, as an adult allows the mistakes of very young children?
Jenna settles her now empty teacup down and waits for a natural lull between Ahelis and the god who are now discussing the correct time to separate puppies from their mother to give them away to new homes of all things.
Striking the right balance between humble gratitude while making it clear that they must leave without it appearing rude is a tricky business. Jenna chooses her words carefully as she says, “Uh-hum…My apologies, Your Holiness, but Ahelis and I must be returning to our other duties. We must pitch in with the preparations for the evening meal and a few other duties. I thank you
for your most generous sharing of your time and tea, but if there is nothing else we can do for you…might we be excused?”
Ahelis utters a low, “Oh,” And a mild blush colors her cheeks as she darts a look at the dimming light coming through the windows, as though she has only now realized the lateness of the hour and the duties that she has been neglecting by indulging in tea like some ornamental noble woman.
The god, if anything, looks a mix of amused and somewhat pleased that Jenna has spoken up. She offers Jenna an understanding smile with a hint of pride as though Jenna is a performing dog that has done something unexpected and delightful. It is a disconcerting feeling for Jenna.
“That’s fine Jenna. I had planned to read a little more before dinner anyway. My thanks for indulging my…unusual requests. I hope you enjoyed the tea and will perhaps join me again sometime for another cup?” The god politely responds.
Ahelis immediately smiles and nods even as she stands and begins gathering the used teacups onto the tray for return to the kitchen, “Oh yes, I’d love to Daisy!”
Jenna restrains a flinch at Ahelis using the god’s name again, but her calm servant’s mask must let something slip to the god because she seems to smile even more widely and her eyes dance with mirth. Jenna just wants to leave. Her shoulders feel tight at the invitation to join the god for tea again, something she does not want to do but which she knows it would be rude to outright deny.
Jenna stands and bows respectfully, “The tea was…an experience, your Holiness. A lil’sweet for me. Thank you again for your generosity. Come along Ahelis.”
If the god notices that Jenna does not mention accepting tea with her again, she lets it pass, merely humming, “Perhaps no sugar and a smokier blend of tea next time then. Don’t work too hard anyway and I’ll see you at the evening meal I am sure.”
Ahelis lifts the tray of tea accouterments and steps beside Jenna to leave the room. Ahelis smiling all the while and nodding, “Of course Daisy. I will return to let you know when the evening meal is ready to be served. Enjoy your reading.”
Daisy nods and turns towards the desk in the corner of the room where a stack of books from the Tyrell library rest.The god absently waves a hand, “See you later Ahelis, and think on the puppy names. I really have a good feeling about Mack or Cerberus.”
Jenna rests a hand on Ahelis back and hustles her out the door before she can devolve into more chatter with the god.
Jenna frog marches Ahelis down the corridor, the teacups upon the tray rattling slightly with their speed. Ahelis’ smile slips a little and she darts a look from the side of her eye at Jenna. Between her senior servant's strained look and the firm hand on her lower back propelling her down the hallway, Ahelis seems to have finally caught on that not all is well with Jenna.
They make it down a flight of stairs but instead of continuing directly for the Kitchens, Jenna hauls Ahelis to the side and into what appears to be a spare guest suite that is not currently in use. Ahelis ‘eeps’ a little at the rough manhandling and almost topples the tray with the delicate teapot and teacups before she catches her balance. Jenna slams the door, snatches the tray and roughly deposits it on a nearby table before swinging back to Ahelis and hissing in a low whisper, “What the hell was that?”
Ahelis blinks owlishly and shrinks back at the aggressive tone. Jenna is usually very patient with her and soft spoken. It’s why Ahelis likes working with her and is glad she was assigned to train under Jenna.
Jenna sees Ahelis shrink back and flinch, a moisture gathering in her eyes at the mere hint of anger.
Jenna sucks in a deep breath and pinches the top of her nose, closing her eyes to settle her nerves and calm down.
Jenna marches back and forth to expel some of her nervous energy.
“Ahelis, what did I say was the first rule when dealing with nobles?”
Ahelis uncurls a little and looks at Jenna curiously but with a little more confidence since she knows the answer to this question, “Um, to not get involved in their business. To know my place and not get caught between them.”
Jenna nods resolutely before holding out her hands like a supplicant before an invisible god, “So…then…you do realize that the god is even beyond a noble right? Any rule for a noble should go double for a god. Right? You get that?”
Ahelis nods hesitantly and sounds equally horrified to Jenna when she replies, “Of course. I would never interfere in Her Holiness’ business.”
Jenna’s eyes beg Ahelis for an explanation, “Then- then why were you having tea with the god? Sitting in her presence like an equal? Calling her by her first name! What the seven hells Ahelis? That isn’t staying below notice and knowing your place!”
Ahelis shuffles nervously from foot to foot and she absently plays with her fingers, no longer meeting Jenna’s eyes, “Um, well, you see, it's…I always bring Her Holiness extra cups when she orders tea you know? Just in case Prince Jon or Missendei were to join her, but um…her Holiness said that tea always tastes better when shared and she asked me to have a cup with her…and …well I couldn’t say ‘no’ to a god! And then she was so nice …and she asked about the stableboy and if he gave me anymore trouble and then…well the next time she just poured me a cup of tea and it would be rude to refuse or let it go to waste…and she was asking me about my family and how I liked working in Highgarden…and she was…she was just nice . Sweet…like a friend”
Jenna has frozen in her marching back and forth to stare at Ahelis in blatant shock, “Friend?!” She squeaks in a high strangled voice.” You mean to say, you have been having tea…regularly with Her Holiness?”
Ahelis looks a mix of guilty and defiant as she whispers, “Sort of…but like, um, only for maybe three weeks.”
Jenna feels herself choke on air. She…she doesn’t know where to start with that revelation.
She rakes her hands through her hair, “And calling the god by her name, what brought that on? How did you earn such a boon? How is it possible that the god of ruin and destruction who saved us all from the Lannister army single handedly…has given you, a servant, leave to use her name?”
Ahelis perks up and smiles innocently, totally missing Jenna’s implication that there must be some exchange between Ahelis and the god for this level of familiarity. Ahelis offers a shrug as though her explanation is not earth shatteringly surprising, “Oh, well we were sharing tea and Her Holiness said she got tired of all the titles all the time. She said it was a bit of a mouthful having to say ”your holiness” every second sentence and she didn’t feel very holy at the best of times anyway. And then she said that since we were “tea buddies” that I should call her Daisy when we are in private.”
Jenna groans. Tea buddies. Fucking tea buddies.
Jenna stares at Ahelis uncomprehendingly.
Ahelis looks at Jenna from under long eyelashes, her gaze hesitant and imploring, “Um, if you want to call her Daisy too I am sure Her Holiness wouldn’t mind.You joined us for tea today and Her Holiness doesn’t get mad if we ask questions.”
Jenna shakes her head furiously at the implication she might be jealous that Ahelis gets to use the god’s name while also making a huge effort to ignore Ahelis’s implication that she has been casually asking the god questions! “No! NO! I do not want to call her by her name…Ahelis! Don’t you see how dangerous this is!”
Ahelis gets a stubborn and mulish look, “Dangerous?…Her Holiness has been nothing but kind. I think she is actually just a bit lonely here-”
Jenna groans more loudly now, interrupting any further speculation about the mindset of the god, “No Ahelis, No! This is not our place. We are servants, we do not speculate on the moods of nobles, never mind gods…and when nobles or gods befriend people like us, it is for a reason! It is because they want something! Gods are pernicious and their minds don't work like ours. For the Seven’s sake Ahelis, you heard what Her Holiness did to Varys, to the septon who pissed her off. You saw what she did to the Lannister army. Surely you can’t be so naive as to think she doesn’t have some ulterior motive in …in befriending you? You are a servant…we are servants, we only have one use to the people of her station beyond our mundane service!”
Ahelis flushed dark red in a mix of embarrassment and anger, “Her Holiness isn’t like that! She cares about humans. She only hurts to protect! She…she talked to me about Furst and when the new puppies are coming, about different kinds of tea from her home…there, there was no expectation of anything more! She- she was just being nice!”
Ahelis actually stamps her foot a little as she insists upon the god’s nice character.
Jenna feels a hysterical laugh build in her throat. Fuck, Ahelis has made up her mind. For all of her naivety, she is remarkably stubborn once she has formed an opinion on someone.
Jenna needs to come at this from a new angle. “That may be Ahelis, but think damn you, think!” What happens if any of the Tyrells hear you calling her Holiness by her first name, or if they hear that we had sat down for tea and conversation with the god, even once! Never mind this regular thing you seem to have been indulging in when you were meant to be seeing to your duties!”
Ahelis looks offended at the implication she neglected her duties but she pauses as she finally seems to think, “Um, hmm, Lord Willas might get the wrong impression? He might think we are slacking in our duties or lacking respect?”
Jenna sighs mournfully as the more worrisome possible conclusions which could be drawn seem to fly straight over Ahelis’ empty head. She takes a slow step forward and settles her two hands gently on Ahelis shoulders. Jenna squats a little so she can gaze directly into Ahelis eyes, “Ahelis…if Lady Olenna or Lord Willas heard we were having tea with her Holiness, how long do you think it would be before we were getting orders to direct the conversation to things that are beneficial to them? How long before the god would suspect that, and would she then be offended that we were trying to influence her? We could become stuck between our Lord’s commands and the wrath of a god who would view us as tools of manipulation!”
Ahelis gasps, “I would never…Lord Willas wouldn’t-”
Jenna laughs hollowly and shakes Ahelis a little, “Don’t be a fool. You know the Tyrells are desperate for any influence with the god and you know if Lord Willas or Lady Olenna came to you then you would have no choice but to whisper their words in the god’s ear the next time you had tea with her. We are rabble pieces on the cyvasse board, and rabble pieces are easily sacrificed for the whims of gods and nobles in the game of thrones Ahelis!”
Ahelis looks suddenly pale as though the full ramifications of her innocent tea drinking is only now occurring to her.
Jenna strikes while the iron is hot to ram the point home,” And if Lady Olenna heard you had been given leave to use the god’s name, a boon she herself and the numerous other Tyrell relatives that were thrown in the god’s path did not gain either, then that could stir jealousy. Dangerous jealousy. Or worse.”
“Worse?” Ahelis croaks.
Jenna hardens her jaw and squeezes Ahelis shoulders, “Worse. If Lady Olenna, for even a moment thought that the god was being kind to you, letting you use her name, sharing tea with you, indulging in conversation with you, defending you from stable boys, was a sign of some kind of burgeoning interest. That perhaps the god was trying to woo you since that carnal pleasure is all the use a servant has to one so beyond us on the social ladder after our service is rendered…then how long do you think it would be before Lady Olenna would have you tied to the god’s bed in nothing but a pretty golden ribbon? You heard Lady Olenna that day in the kitchens. House Tyrell will do anything to gain the god’s favor. Pay any price, even compensation for maidenheads. If Lady Olenna thinks for even a moment that the god wants you then she will have you offered to her whether you want to be or not. Your only protection is in being just another servant, in being unknown to the Tyrells as an avenue of potential influence with the god. You have to be careful Ahelis! You have to think!”
If not for Jenna’s hands holding Ahelis by the shoulders, the girl would surely have fainted in shock. As it is, she seems to sway gently in place.
After a moment Ahelis seems to unstick her tongue to whisper, “B-but her Holiness…she is so nice. That’s not what she wants! And…we talk about puppies and my family, and my chores…not-not politics or the realm!”
Jenna looks sadly at Ahelis, “I know that Ahelis, but we can’t afford to draw attention to ourselves right now. Everything is in flux. Everything has political ramifications right now…even tea. Great powers are moving and the only safety for servants like us is in obscurity. You need to be more careful.”
Ahelis nods shakily.
Jenna releases the poor girl, “The tea…and everything. That is a secret I am taking to my grave. I will head down to the kitchens. I am sure there are jobs for setting up the dinner hall to be done. Gather your wits here for a moment and then follow me down when you are ready.”
Ahelis staggers a little and leans on the table that holds her tea tray, she nods, “Aye, yes, I…um- just a minute.”
Jenna smiles sadly and steps to the door. She hesitates, guilt at scaring the poor, naive and innocent girl welling up inside her, but alas it had to be done. Ahelis needs to be more aware of the political snake pit they live in or else she will be eaten alive.
Jenna nods resolutely to herself and breezes through the door.
The early morning Kitchens of Highgarden were usually abuzz with activity, but this morning there were even more noisy with gossiping servants, maids and cooks than usual. Keats encounter with a warg who was an envoy of the Old Gods and capable of puppeting other humans had been the talk of the Keep for two days. Right up until the pissed off form of Her Holiness had landed back in Highgarden toting the remains of the legendary Bloodraven like a sack of potatoes.
The god’s palpable anger and care for Keats had been shocking enough, but for her then to immediately disappear off for two days and return saying she had flown beyond The Wall to reprimand the Old Gods by destroying one of their most sacred and ancient weirwoods…all while fighting off hordes of the dead…it had been too much.
People didn’t know what to think. The power her Holiness commanded, even against other gods was proven to be such that she seemingly felt no concern in showing her displeasure at their abuses of humanity. And all for a servant too. If the Old Gods’ warg had puppeted her Grace or one of the nobles…then perhaps Her Holiness’ anger could have been more easily understood, but it was her rage and apparent genuine concern over Keats…a mere servant who she had not even known which had flummoxed everyone. Daisy was an odd god it was true, but with each new revelation of her actions she became odder. Those of such lofty stature usually did not care for mere servants, never mind lowering themselves to speak gently to them, to show concern, to reassure and check in on them.
It had actually done a lot to calm many of the small folks’ worries about the kind of god that Daisy was. Her titles were frightening but her actions to date had shown her ruinous power was seemingly only brought to bear in order to protect. A curious and confusing revelation for many.
Jenna was still cautious though. For all the god’s power and seemingly kind nature, she was still a god, still a being with wants, desires and passions. In Jenna’s experience anything that had power and desires was dangerous, because while noble Lords may act charitably with that power, she had all too often seen the same men swing into fits of rage or depravity when their desires were not met or when the flight of fancy took them.
The fact Her Holiness seemed to be able to convince so many of her good nature, to engender trust and almost calm acceptance of her presence despite her many threatening titles and ruinously horrifying examples of practical power being displayed, just made Jenna even more cautious.
Jenna chewed the last of her morning hunk of bread and cheese, caught Ahelis’ eye across from her and jerked her head towards the side of the kitchen where the fine tea sets are kept. They had work to do.
Over the last few weeks they had fallen into something of a routine with the god. She was not the most demanding of mistresses, in fact she was often all too easy to please. She did not demand elaborate gowns washed in unreasonable time frames, or fresh sheets upon her bed thrice a week, she never scolded them about the room being cold, too dim or demanded hot baths daily which required back breaking effort to fill. In fact, once Her Holiness had settled she had told Jenna and Ahelis that they could fill her tub with cold water and that she didn’t mind bringing it to temperature with her powers. The saved effort was as appreciated as it was disconcerting to see a tub of cold water suddenly begin steaming with the mere flick of the god’s careless wrist.
Other than an almost obsessive desire for tea and a preference for sweet treats, the god had been remarkably easy to be the personal servant of.
Jenna was thankful that she had not been invited to any more impromptu tea drinking with the god. Although she is almost certain that Ahelis has still been indulging since there has been an evening or two where tasks have taken longer or weak excuses that Her Holiness wished for her attendance to buff her leather boots and accessories, had sounded forced at best. So long as Ahelis is discrete and Jenna can cover for her without too many questions being asked, she will let it go.
Jenna rounds the large table and falls into step beside Ahelis on the far side of the Kitchen as they begin loading a tray with loose tea leaves, sugar cones, cups, they scour and warm a teapot, fill it with boiling water and select a small number of left over pastries, a slice of bread and some preserves and fruit for Her Holiness. Jenna and Ahelis had both quickly realized that the god seems to indulge in far more food than any mere mortal, showing no increase of size whether due to divine nature or the sparring and flying she partakes in is beyond Jenna’s mind to know.
The two servants had quickly deduced that Daisy was not a morning person and she enjoyed a pot of strong dark tea first thing in the morning, accompanied by some small snack items even before the more formal breaking of the fast meal in the formal hall. The pot of tea and pre-morning meal in her chambers seems to start the god off in a better mood so that when she encounters everyone in the hall she is of a better temperament and able to focus on conversation more, rather than devouring food and trying to wake up as she inhales her first tea of the day before an amused Dragon Queen and a teasing Prince Jon.
It is as Jenna is placing the cover over the bread and fruits on the now loaded plate that she hears it, a quiet rustling of fabric and barely audible meep.
Ahelis, never one to be confused with a master spy, freezes at the sound. Jenna turns and narrows her eyes at her fellow servant, “What was that?” Jenna hisses in an impatient whisper.
Ahelis’s eyes dart around the room guiltily, avoiding Jenna’s penetrating gaze.
“Nothing.”
As if in defiance of her unconvincing denial, a second small mewl and more rustling sounds, “argh, rrf”
Ahelis blushes and her hands dart to the front of her smock apron where a deep pocket resides.
Jenna narrows her eyes at her fellow servant.
Throwing a cautious look around to ensure no one has noticed their interaction or heard the quiet sounds, Jenna breathes a sigh of relief that everyone is absorbed in their own tasks or the latest gossip about the Bloodraven’s remains being reduced to ash.
Jenna grabs Ahelis by the bicep and unceremoniously drags her into one of the dry pantries off to the side of the large kitchen. Closing the door she whirls on her fellow servant and whisper shouts, “What the hell have you in your smock pocket?!”
Ahelis seems to slump in defeat before both her hands dive into her smock pocket to retrieve a tiny black, wriggling, squash nosed ball of fur.
Ahelis holds him up beneath his front legs in both hands. Little black eyes that look newly opened blink drunkenly at her before the small puppy lets out a mewling little yawn and flops in Ahelis’ hands.
Jenna is dumbfounded.
Ahelis peaks up, and seeing her senior seemingly struck mute she takes the opportunity to explain, “Um, he’s the runt of the litter. Furst had them two weeks ago and Her Holiness has been asking about the puppies. There were four of them in all, and I have named the other three: Mack, Cerberus, and Knight. But this little guy…well I couldn’t figure out a name. I was describing him to her Holiness to try and come up with names but it’s hard to do when you can’t see them and I figured I could show him to her and she might have an idea?”
Jenna gapes like a fish for a moment, “You- you brought your barely two weeks old puppy…smuggled in your apron to show to the god of ruin and destruction….so she would help you name him?”
Ahelis smiles as though the sentence made any logical sense and wasn’t entirely insane.
“Just for the morning, he sort of needs to get back to his mom and can’t be away from her for long at this age, but I figured he needs a name and Dai-” Jenna scowls and Ahelis corrects herself, “-I mean, Her Holiness has been eager to hear about them so it might please her to meet him. It’s easier to name things you have met.”
Jenna takes a slow, deep breath, “Ahelis…no. Just no! You are going to go straight home and leave the puppy back with Furst. I will take the tea up to Her Holiness and make excuses. You cannot have a puppy in your apron! What if it pees on you? Or what if one of the cooks saw you had a puppy in their kitchens! They would drown it and have you whipped! If Steward heard about this you would lose your position!”
Ahelis droops lower and lower with each accusation and possible ramification of her poor choice. Flinching at the idea of the little puppy being discovered by the cooks who were notoriously protective of their domain.
Ahelis looks back at Jenna, a slight pout and shine to her eyes, “I’m sorry…I guess I didn’t really think it through. I just got excited about showing D- Her Holiness, since she has been so excited to hear about the new puppies.”
Jenna wants to giggle hysterically at the idea of the god at the center of all the political madness that surrounds the Kingdoms, seemingly being interested in a lowly servant's puppies. So much so, the idiot servant just tried to smuggle the puppy in for a visit.
Jenna sighs, “Just- just go leave it home. I will cover for you.”
Ahelis gently deposits the puppy back in the depths of her smock pocket and bustles out of the pantry.
Jenna leans against the pantry shelves, slaps a hand over her eyes and whispers to herself, “I need a new job. Seven help me, I am not built for this shit.”
Jenna left Her Holiness’ chambers after emptying her tub and seeing her properly settled for the night. What all exactly Jenna had done she couldn’t say, her mind seems hazy on the details as though she moved on instinct born of years of good service. An automaton carrying out her duty. Jenna only knows that she had been trying desperately to become one with the walls as Missendei spoke with Her Holiness. She had tried to melt into the tapestry she was pressed against on the wall as the god revealed great and terrible things about her deeds and her lineage.
Jenna walks the corridors in a sort of daze. She isn’t sure if she speaks to anyone or acknowledges any of the guards and fellow servants as her feet take her down a flight of stairs and towards the unused guest suite that has quickly become her private retreat when the world seems too mad.
Jenna closes the guest suite door with utmost gentleness and carefully withdraws a chair at the table with all the grace and poise she has learned as a servant to the most noble of Highgarden. She settles herself in the seat, straight backed, her eyes blindly staring at the large ornate bed frame devoid of bedding since it is not currently in use.
Jenna sits still as a statue for a minute, two, five, ten…sound slowly comes back to her ears as though she were temporarily deaf. She can hear her own heartbeat hammering in her chest and the distant scuffle of other servants in the corridors.
A high, half crazed hiccup of laughter escapes her lips before Jenna can slap her hand across her mouth. Both hands are firmly clasped over her lips now as she tries to restrain the hysterical laughter that fights its way up her throat from her heaving chest. A lonely tear trickles down her cheek and spreads between the creased seal of her hands over her mouth.
After a few minutes, Jenna finally manages to gather her wits, to stifle the urge to break down into mad laughter.
She lets her posture relax from the rigid control she has kept it under and like a reed in the wind she bends over until her head rests on the cool, smoothly varnished wood of the table.
Jenna sucks in a breath.
What the fuck! What the actual fuck!
Her Holiness had just casually revealed to Missendei that she was not just a god, but potentially a god King, Royalty by matter of conquest over all those gods in her House that had created her, and as heir to her immortal mother and perhaps…evil uncle?
Her Holiness wasn’t just a god, but is a godkiller!
A royal godkiller, last of her pantheon!
An heir to royalty who became a GodKing of Kings and Queens!
What the fuck is Jenna meant to do with that knowledge!
Her Holiness had revealed it to the former slave Missendei, the aid of the Dragon Queen like it was nothing.
Missendei had stood there, unwavering as the god revealed her royal status and how all other gods and demi-gods had fallen before her when they had tried to chain her.
The power, the status which she so casually glossed over.
What the hell is Jenna to do with that kind of knowledge? She is the personal servant of a god King…the head of a pantheon of gods, a godkiller…
Another hysterical half laugh escapes Jenna’s lips as she thinks on Ahelis saying how ‘nice’ Her Holiness was, and remembering the absurd afternoon where she drank tea beside her discussing puppies.
What even is Jenna’s life? She was not trained for this. No one was.
Jenna sucks in a breath and tries to calm herself. Tries to think.
Plan. She needs a plan.
Maybe Tyrion had the right of it: being constantly drunk may be the only remedy to the insanity of the world that now surrounds them. Is everyone else insane that they can supposedly function without being in a constant state of existential horror and fear at the idea of a god of destruction living, breathing and walking around just a few steps away? Everyone else seems to have become…almost blase about it, like Her Holiness is just a bigger Dragon…or a more powerful noble. Mad. They're all mad.
Jenna needs a drink. She needs to drink and to forget that whole conversation that she overheard. She needs to forget it and carry on with her duties like she never learned it.
And a drink. Just this once, just to help her sleep…yes.
Yes, she knows what she has to do. She is a good servant. She will go to Lord Willas. Inform him of what she overheard and leave this whole mess on the nobles’ laps. It is the nobles’ problem, they are the ones trained in politics and twisty thinking and high thought…they can deal with these revelations and Jenna can get paid for her information, go get drunk in the tavern on a very good bottle of wine and sleep. Sleep and forget or at least pretend to forget she had ever overheard that conversation. She is just a servant. This is not a servant’s problem.
Jenna has a plan. She already feels more steady. She rises from her seat and pushes it back into the table neatly. Straightens her dress, squares her shoulders and strides back into the corridors, heading for Lord Willas’ Solar where he usually retreats in the evening to talk politics and dissect the day’s events and reports with Lady Olenna and whoever else suits his needs.
Jenna strides down the corridors, projecting the calm servant mask that has become second nature. She is the personal servant of a god, nothing can phase her.
If she repeats it enough times in her head, then perhaps it will be true.
Jenna’s feet carry her back up the stairs and down the family wing of the Tyrells, not far in fact from Her Holiness’ suite since it used to be Lord Willas’.
Two guards wait outside and watch her with the intensity of men well trained and suspicious of anyone who enters the space they guard.
“Business?” The guard on the right gruffly asks.
It’s a power play, since the man knows exactly who she is. The personal servant of the god is a position of no small renown and no less gossip. The fact she has been seen regularly in the guard’s sphere serving the god as she interacted with Lord Willas and Lady Olenna only makes it doubly so.
Jenna straightens her spine and meets the small watery blue eyes of the guard with steel, “I am Jenna. Personal servant of Her Holiness. I need speak with Lord Willas at his earliest convenience.”
The guard’s cool gaze sweeps over her humble serving smock but any more petty power plays are curtailed as his jaw tenses and he turns to the door. It seems he has orders to ensure she has access to Lord Willas if she ever comes calling. A daunting realization.
The guard gives the heavy wooden door a perfunctory knock before sticking his head around it and exchanging a muttered, low conversation with his Lord.
The guard withdraws his head, his heavy armor clinking as he moves. He grunts at her and barely steps a half pace back, leaving just enough room for her to slip past him and through the door, “Lord Willas will see you.” He grumbles.
Jenna nods and wastes no time in slipping past the guard and into the solar. The door thumping closed almost before she is fully through.
Jenna takes in the room, Lord Willas sits at a small meeting table on the right, haphazardly a pushed in chair sits just before him where he had likely been resting his injured leg before she entered. Lord Willas hated showing weakness.
Opposite him, seated on another plush chair, scanning over heavy parchment is Lady Olenna. She does not even deign to raise her eyes to acknowledge Jenna’s arrival.
Jenna dips into a low courtesy, “My Lord, My Lady…thank you for seeing me.”
Willas nods and his lips almost pull into the ghost of a smile, “When I hear the personal servant of Her Holiness is at my door, I would be a fool to turn you away. If this was a mundane matter I am sure you would have passed word through the Steward as you did before. Why did you call upon me, Jenna?”
There is an implied threat there, an implication that while she is known and valued, she should not impose directly upon her Lord’s time unless there is good reason. Jenna gulps, the fact her Lord knows her name personally is a little intimidating but she rallies. As intimidating as Lord Willas is, he has nothing on the god. In fact, if Jenna is not mistaken she thinks she detects the slightest tremble of concern in Lord Willas’ voice as he addresses her. Perhaps he is worried that she is coming to report some problem or issue that has annoyed the resident god?
Jenna gulps silently and ducks her head, “Of course my Lord…I believe I have just been witness to a conversation Her Holiness had with Missendei which would interest you…and which it would be better was brought directly to your attention rather than through numerous other intermediaries.”
Lord Willas hums and his posture straightens a little as his eyes narrow on her in consideration. Lady Olenna is much less restrained, she drops the parchment she was examining and twists to pin Jenna with her hawk like stare, “Missendei…Her Grace’s former slave advisor? What were she and the god discussing? Out with it girl.”
Jenna ignores the reproachful look Lord Willas shoots at Lady Olenna from the side of his eye as she tries to find the words to explain.
“Missendei wished to clarify her Holiness’ empathy with Keats experience of being controlled, specifically to insure that what was once able to control her Holiness was no longer a future threat. Her Holiness assured Missendei that the one known as Hive, the one who controlled her for a short time, was indeed dead. Yet, it was what followed that was of most interest and…illuminated her Holiness’ origins.”
Willas raised a curious brow and made a winding getsure with his hand to prompt Jenna to continue.
“Her Holiness expanded upon her origins...how her people were initially created by their gods to be weapons, the power to kill other gods but with human life spans…yet it seems it was not so clear cut. She spoke of her mother as an immortal who was old enough to remember the creation of their people and the creation of Hive who was their King and ruler…who..well, my Lord, she implied that there may have been some familial connection there.”
Willas watched Jenna now with a look of avarice, “What made you draw such a...conclusion?”
Jenna licked her lips cautiously, “Well, m-m’Lord, her description of Hive was that he could rule their people with his power like they were a controlled rabble…yet she admitted Hive used her more like a War General, a trusted Knight at his side. He spent time talking with her, having meals and promenading. It-it sounded as though she was dancing around the fact he was likely her Uncle.”
Olenna sat back in her seat, “So she is royalty afterall. It makes sense. Explains her confidence at least.”
Willas hums, “Indeed, and yet, Her Holiness assured us that he was dead?”
Jenna nods, “Yes m’lord, she stated she was present when he died…and when her mother was killed.”
Willas nods, “It explains her ease with issuing commands and with making strategic decisions. She may have been separated from her birth family but she was born to rule. The qualities of leadership are innate. What else Jenna?” Willas reached across the table and poured himself some wine as he sat back with furrowed brows to sip from a plain goblet while he listened to her words.
Jenna shuffled in place as she prepared to convey this next shocking revelation, “Her Holiness then…shared more about her history after Hive was destroyed. She shared that the gods responsible for her people’s creation, House Kasius…she said that…that she hunted them down and wiped them out. Purged them root and branch for their attempts to leash her, so much so that she admitted herself that she was “the oldest living person of their bloodline.”
Willas’ wine goblet froze at his lips as he gazed at Jenna, the whites of his eyes standing out in his paling face.
Olenna’s hand had tightened on the arm of her chair, “Are you saying the girl wiped out the gods who made her? Her entire House?”
Jenna nodded hesitantly.
Willas set his goblet down with the faintest tremble, “She wiped out a pantheon? That- that makes her a godkiller many times over…a-”
“-A God-King!” Olenna spat in a wheezing whisper.
Jenna would ordinarily be amused at seeing the usually unshakable old crone lose her cool, but Jenna shares her shock too closely to be pleased. She takes comfort at least that even the nobles she serves don’t seem to know how to handle this revelation with any more grace than she did.
Willas groaned, “By conquest and by bloodline she is Royalty twice over, even if she doesn’t want to acknowledge it.”
Olenna reached shakily for the wine and Willas obliged her by pushing his own goblet towards her. Olenna slurped the wine greedily.
The three occupants of the room sat in mute horror for a moment before Willas murmured as though to himself, “How many gods did she kill to wipe out the entire House? How powerful has she become that she could threaten even her own progenitors?”
Jenna and Olenna in a moment of mutual understanding across the social divide, shuddered minutely.
Willas seemed to come back to himself and shared a look with Lady Olenna. To Jenna it seemed a look of quiet grief and restrained panic, yet her Lord would not let her see him outwardly shaken.
Willas cleared his throat and straightened in his seat, “I trust that is all you have to share?”
Jenna nodded, “Yes m’lord.” She couldn’t help the urge to laugh at how Willas made the information she had shared sound so mundane and small.
Willas reached to a small pouch at his waist and withdrew a gold dragon, he eyed the coin before meeting Jenna’s eyes, “For your discretion and loyalty girl.”
He flicked the coin in her direction and Jenna was oddly proud of how she managed to catch it in her closed fist.
Jenna bowed, “Thank you m’lord.”
Jenna stepped backwards towards the door, the haunted looks on Lord Willas and Lady Olenna’s faces imprinted in her mind, and making her feel a little less stupid for her earlier hysteria.
She passes the grumpy guard and strides down the hall towards the entrance hall. She has a date with a fine bottle of wine in a tavern.
The End.