when they were kids they danced on a humongous field of make-belief. this field was filled with giants, ghouls and white walkers, however frightening, it was the biggest obstacle they faced and overcame. now their field was much smaller and bore different terrors, terrors that were moreso dreams and positive figures of the imagination when they were kids …marriage, bearing children, and being in charge of something, anything. and yet these terrors were more challenging and detrimental, near impossible to overcome. lysara figured out not long before that they were not to get the best of them, and that they were not to win, they would have to live with and by them. but, helena … it seemed helena had yet to come to the realization. when lysara’s word in letters began to falter when her hopes and beliefs were lost, helena’s remained strong and unyielding, yet the two women were dealing with problems of their own all the same. one was in a loveless marriage, forced out of the walls of her home, and into someone else’s, she was a toy being played with and smacked against the corner of a table to see if she would break. the other got to stay in the walls of her home, but they were trying to force her out, her own people because she was a girl with hair lighter than theirs. they rebelled, they rioted; her own family too, but they did not prevail. still, the war was not ceased, when they clinked their glasses, they thought it was the end, but it was only a new beginning. lysara was most afraid that would be the case for helena, not because she assumed it, but because she knew it. wars do not end, they only propagate; in their case, that was.
lysara was most afraid of what would come of her friend. she knew now that she had the protection of her brothers, but was that enough? what would that mean for the two kingdoms? helena’s loyalty stood with another not formerly committed to, and now was nothing but betrayal to the one before. and to make matters worst the two women were now plotted against each other, to fight for the other’s demise if it ever came to battle. lysara took a deep breath at the thought alone, her eyes lifting to the skies, or in the case of where they stood, ceilings. “i admire your robust, i do . . ” she let on, curling her bottom lip inward and smacking her tongue against, she wanted to feel and prove to be the most jovial at the unexpected encounter with the only person in the world who understood her and she felt an unforced love for, but the idea of what was right and appropriate for the time impeded. the other’s words and reassurance were calming her in the least, “ and i will continue to support you and stand by your side when all else is lost, you have my trust and my devotion, you do, no matter where you or i stand, no matter how far apart … how could i affront you when you defend your truth?” her eyes dropped to meet her friends in the given time, “you will get through this, tell me if there is any way i can assist you. we will make this better, together.” oh, heavens. the old gods please forgive her, father please do not haunt her.
Helena brought a hand to her friend’s forearm, the tips of her fingertips brushing softly against the material of her gown, giving her forearm a light, gentle squeeze. Helena’s gesture was an attempt at offering Lysara reassurance; reassurance of the troubles that inevitably would come Helena’s way once word of her estrangement breaks loose. Helena spent long nights pondering the whispers that would rapidly spread amongst court like wildfire; individuals questioning Helena’s loyalty to the iron throne. While Myles and his family remained loyal to the Lannisters, Helena’s loyalties shifted the day that her Emeric declared for the independence of the Reach, Helena finding herself no longer trying to establish a balance between her loyalty to the iron throne and to her own blood, but rather carry the burden of remaining secretly loyal to only her family and people. Helena kept these beliefs to herself of course, not daring to be accused of treason, and instead, pretended to remain loyal to her husband and family. Though once Myles makes Helena’s abandonment public, she knew that this facade would no longer be needed. “Thank you, Ly.” she replies, using a nickname she had given to her friend back during the early days of their friendship, “It won’t be long until Myles reveals to everyone what I’ve done. I think it would be wise if we distance ourselves from one another. I do not want your association with me to result in your loyalty to the Iron King to be questioned.
While Helena and Lysara continued to remain in contact with each other through the use of ravens in the past, sharing back and forth their experiences and struggles at their respected homes, Lysara had started to share news of the tensions that were arising in Sea Dragon Point shortly after the untimely death of her father. Helena’s heart broke for her friend when learned that she had missed her father’s passing mere days before she had returned home, heartbroken at the grief and perhaps even guilt her friend might had experienced from not being home to wish her father farewell. Helena also felt a sense of worry and solemnity for what was to come for her friend; the burden that now rests on her friend’s shoulders from inheriting the title of ruling Lady of Sea Dragon Point.
During the last few letters sent by Lysara, Helena learned that her uncle had resigned from his position as master-at-arms, but then soon after this, Lysara’s letter began to become short and vague. At first, Helena wondered if she had done something to offend the new Lady of Sea Dragon Point, though Helena eventually suspected that their letters might have been intercepted. Helena had hoped for the latter; not knowing how she would move forward in this world without the support of her dearest, and perhaps best, friend. Despite her best efforts, Helena made numerous attempts to learn news of the tensions that were growing in the North, desperately trying to hear news of Lysara. Helena often questioned Myles for any information he may have, though he would often look at Helena with open disdain, informing her that a woman did not need to worry about such politics. The Serretts preferred to keep themselves free from the gossip of the many courts within Westeros and insisted on Helena remaining within the safe cage of Silverhill by their side. Soon the letters from Lysara stopped altogether; leaving Helena in the dark and worried for the well-being of her friend. This all changed today though when the pair were unexpected reunited. Ensuring that they pair remained alone and unseen, Helena turned to Lysara and asked, “How are matters at home, my love. Tell me everything.”
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