âIâve heard of a lady knight somewhere in the South, but Iâve yet to meet her. Iâm told Oberyn Martells daughters are adept at weaponry.â Beyond that, Arya had no answer to Lady Elinor for women adept at swordplay. âWould you like to learn? There are none better than those from Essos, Iâve learnt.â Arya could do it herself, or perhaps find someone if she did not have the time.
Braavosi, that was the best kind of swordsmanship she had ever witnessed, that played to her size, speed, and skinny little blade.  âArenât. Perceptive,â Usually itâs a question of whether she canât or wonât, but Lady Elinor was smart. Most women were, and Arya had no doubts about her. However, the story was right there for anyone who looked close enough, who knew enough.Â
âThat explains why you speak a little like the queen,â The queen, as if Cersei was still the queen. âThe cold isnât for everyone. If you like Iâm sure we can find you some warmer gowns, or cloaks. Iâm sure my mother never grew used to it either,â Her mother hadnât been as tall as Lady Elinor, or so broad though, but a few adjustments and all would be well - Jeyne might like to do it herself, find something to busy her hands. She liked to keep her hands busy, Arya had noticed. Her brows creased then, âI never did ask anyone. When did you arrive here? I do hope all your needs were seen to appropriately.âÂ
âIâm quite well taken care of, I assure you,â Elinor patted the front of her gown. Sheâd done her best to add more layers and pad her wardrobe- such as it was. Her two warmest gowns and a dozen pairs of hosiery left little in the way of choice. But her toes were warm, and her cloak fur-lined. It would simply be something she HAD to get used to. âBut I thank you for the offer. From what Iâve heard of her, your mother took the cold and made it her own... I do hope I donât sound too much like dear Cersei...â Â
It had been years and years since she last was one of the Queenâs ladies, but memories remain. âYou learn skills like that in court, especially in a Lannister court. Being aware can keep you with your head,â a tricky business, in this day and age. âI arrived some time ago, actually. I had heard that my- well a variety of things. But Lord Tywinâs death marked for some changes at Casterly Rock. I took the opportunity and came this way while I could.âÂ
That, certainly. But word of the Houndâs death had reached her as well. Sheâd been struck by such a strange, strangling feeling, and had needed to leave. Reaching Lannisport and booking passage north by sea had been relatively simple. Understanding why she had wanted so badly to get far, far away, was harder. âA lady knight, Iâd never heard such a thing... I donât know that I would be any use at swordplay. But I have picked up a bow from time to time, I think I would greatly enjoy expanding that to something beyond a flimsy target in the courtyard.â