The Journal of Ashara Dayne- everything she didn’t say

The dismay on Friday was satisfying, and I will not pretend otherwise. It has since soured into something more pointed, which I find far less satisfying. Ser Jamie Lannister has appointed himself the guardian of my beauty, and has been sharing his concerns with anyone who will listen. I have not sought him out to discuss it, I find I am not losing sleep over Ser Jamie’s opinion of my choices. 

Arthur had reservations, which I had not expected from him of all people. He delivered them with the particular reasonableness that has always made him so difficult to argue with. His concerns were practical, that the lords entering would not take kindly to loosing to two women, or that we would find no willing opponents. He is not wrong, some men are exactly that small. I agreed to sit out the melee, as I had made no commitments there yet, and it cost me nothing. He did not push the matter of the lists further. He had always known when my mind was set and took my stubbornness as graciously as ever. Whatever distance has settled between us these past years, that much has not changed.

Arthur did not need to have worried about willing opponents. Lady Morment and I faced Ser Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr. Ser Dondarrion has never required convincing on the subject of Dornish customs, and Thoros simply did not care, which I find equally respectable. I am proud of the team that Madge and I made, and would be honored to fight alongside her again. To the relief of my brother, and likely Ser Jamie, we did not progress forward in the lists. 

Ser Dondarrion asked afterwards if he might carry my favour forward through the remainder of the tourney. I accepted, it felt like the right end to it. Two people who had fought well acknowledged as much. I am proud to see him carry it forward.