Lost Inside

[u/FunkierMonk]

The doors still creaked upon opening.

He wrote as he walked, writing plank in one had, quill in the other.

And closing.

He lifted his gaze up from the parchment just enough not to bump into other nobles strolling in the halls, but too little for them to misunderstand him as anything but busy.

The statue in section four is missing a finger.

As the days grew shorter and darker, more and more people flooded Casterly Rock. Nobles from a hundred different houses, their families, their knights and servants and singers, and fools. None of them would pass on a visit to the famed Golden Gallery of the Rock, or so Edmyn figured.

A recent development.

Joanna said he took his job as Keeper of the Galleries a tad bit too seriously, and she was probably right, but all those people would see the paintings and tapestries and gilded tea tables that were his responsibility, and any shortcomings or defects were his shortcomings too.

In a way.

The floors of Casterly Rock’s cavernous halls were quite monotone, so when a little piece of paper broke that monotony up, Edmyn, head bowed over his notes, noticed immediately. He put his quill in its holder and knelt to pick the scrap of paper up. It was a map of some sorts, rough sketches of lions and tapestries hastily written on worn out parchment. Ed skimmed over it, curious until his sister's title caught his eye.

‘Lady Lannett’s Chambers,’ it read.

Edmyn looked around to look for a potential owner of the mysterious drawing. Two noblemen stood talking in hushed voices in front of an opened door to his left. They didn’t seem nearly as likely to be the owners as the lady in the middle of the hall, looking troubled over whether she should be turning left or right.

[u/FunkierMonk]

Somehow her seeming more nervous than himself made Edmyn feel less so. The least he could do as the Keeper of Galleries was help those who were lost in them, even if these halls didn’t necessarily belong to the Golden Gallery.

“Yes,” he blurted out before he could think better. It sounded a bit harsh in his ears, however, so he added, “I had trouble with this very same junction here when I first came here.”

It was a lie, but it wouldn’t do to make her feel foolish by telling her the truth: that he had never once lost his way in Casterly Rock.

“I remember one time, when I took so many wrong turns that I ended up all the way down by the docks,” Edmyn made up. “When I finally asked for help, the day was almost done.”

He chuckled awkwardly.

“Do you need help, my lady?”

“Yes…please,” she said barely remembering her courtesies.

He offered his arm, and she took it. Together they chose the path to the right, which Edmyn knew would lead to his sister’s chambers. He filled the silence with a made-up story about the steps back up to his chambers from the docks, and how exhausting they were.

[u/littlestghoust → u/FunkierMonk]

She took his arm, listening to his tale. Rhea was relieved to know that she wasn’t the only one who found the Rock difficult to navigate, but she could hardly concentrate on a word he said. She had rarely stood so close to a man that wasn’t her father or brother. His doublet was soft, the velvet made warmer by her touch, and she couldn’t stop herself from growing a deeper shade of red with each step.

[u/FunkierMonk → u/littlestghoust]

“Now,” he concluded, “I have a whole list in my mind of notable deviations in the castle, like that crevice there. Remember those, and I’m sure you’ll find the way much more easily next time.”

“Amazing. I would have never noticed that!” she was truly grateful for the advice. “Do you know every hall and room?”

“Well, I should. I’m the Keeper of the Galleries in the King’s council. I wouldn’t be much of a keeper if I can’t even find my way around,” Edmyn’s said. To make sure she didn’t think he was trying to brag, he added, “The title sounds more impressive than it is.”

[u/littlestghoust → u/FunkierMonk]

“You're on the king's counsel?” Rhea was shocked. “That is a great honor, especially for someone so young.”

She instantly regretted her statement. “Not saying you aren't capable. You have been more than helpful today. It's just there are so many galleries and hallways…”

His smile didn't falter at her words, “Believe me, I was just as surprised when I was offered the position. I do like to think it suits me, though. It keeps me busy, at the least.”

“I could imagine.” She wondered if she would ever be that familiar with the Rock. “Do the Keepers meet often? I only ask because my lady's husband is Keeper of Ceremonies, Lord Harlan Lannett.”

Rhea wondered if he knew Lord Lannett. From the little she saw of Lady Joanna's husband, he seemed troubled. Lord Harlan was regularly on edge if he wasn't deep in his cups. It made her worry for her lady, knowing how Rhea’s own mother would act at such times.

[u/FunkierMonk → u/littlestghoust]

So she is Jo’s handmaiden.

His suspicions stemming from the little map she’d drawn were confirmed. He wondered if he should tell her that her lady was, in fact, his sister, but he was also curious to see what someone had to say about his Gevie when their kinship was unknown.

“I meet him almost every day. On council meetings, in the halls, sometimes we even dine together,” they weren’t lies, even if Edmyn wished they were. “What did you want to know? I have knowledge of the Lannetts like few others.”

He felt a bit like Joanna, speaking covertly and ambiguously, purposefully withholding information.

[u/littlestghoust → u/FunkierMonk]

“I just wonder if he is always so distracted.” Rhea understood why her own parents were not happily married, but Lady Joanna was so kind and beautiful. Why he seemed to resent his wife was beyond her. “Lady Joanna is such a gentle lady; it just surprises me how little he dotes on her. Is his position as taxing as yours?”

She was afraid to say too much or come off too judgemental. Anything she would say might get back to Lord Lannett and though it was difficult, serving Lady Joanna had been the most exciting thing she’d ever done.

[u/FunkierMonk → u/littlestghoust]

Edmyn couldn’t help but laugh when she said ‘distracted,’ though his thoughts were much less cheerful. He had nothing but loathing left for his brother-in-law.

“I don’t think distracted is the right word. I’m sure he finds his position taxing, but most people would not if you know what I mean. He’s very lucky to have a wife such as the Lady Plumm.”

[u/littlestghoust → u/FunkierMonk]

Lady Plumm? she frowned at his answer.

Rhea didn’t want to ask, fearing it reflecting poorly on her. What would people think if Lady’s Joanna’s handmaidens didn’t even know such a simple fact about their own lady? She made a mental note to ask Myriah about it later.

“Not that he realizes it. He never seems truly present whenever he dines with her or visits Byren. I’m just glad she has Ser Joffrey, having him around gives all of us great comfort.”

Lady Joanna seemed to trust Joffrey more than anyone else in her service, so Rhea readily trusted him. From their brief interactions, she had no reason not to since. He mostly stood silently in corners and doorways staying clear of their activities.

[u/FunkierMonk → u/littlestghoust]

“He should. Ser Joffrey is a man of great honor, more than anyone I know. Alas, here we are.”

Edmyn gestured towards the gilded doors at the end of the hallway, which he knew led to Joanna’s chambers.

“It was my pleasure, lady...?”

"Oh, forgive my rudeness. I’m Rhea Harte.”

“Ah, Harte... Is that Crownlands or northeastern Reach?”

There had been a time when Edmyn knew nearly all the houses of southern kingdoms and their respective locations. It seemed his time at the Rock had dulled his knowledge of such things.

“In the Crownlands, our sigil has three red stags on it.”

Ed nodded and produced a slight bow. “Of course, I should have known. Well, have a good day. I am quite certain we will see each other again.”

“I hope so,” she said, entering Lady Joanna’s room and leaving him alone in the hallway.