(Ellion's POV)
"Ser Ellion!" I heard someone call out for me
I was leaning on the balcony when I turned to see Ashara Dayne walking up to me with a concerned look on her face.
"Lady Ashara." I said, "How could I help you with?"
She reached me, "I was concerned about you." She said, "I spoke to my brother, he said you fought off a hundred men and killed most of them. All of that.....it was hard to believe!"
I nodded, "Well, it happened." I said as she eyed me up and down, "I understand how it would be difficult to comprehend. But it's the truth, My Lady."
"You're not hurt." She stated, "That is surprising."
"It is, isn't it?" I said, "Well, I was bathed mostly in their blood. Well, not mostly. I was bathed in their blood. You see, when you kill the 5th or so man, it gets really ugly and bloody. You have to be careful not to slip on his blood or guts and-"
"You speak to me as if I were ever to end up in a battle against that many men." She said with a chuckle, "Why would I ever consider slipping on the blood and guts of men?"
I shrugged, "I don't know." I said, "Maybe you will be in a position. Just so you know, if you have someone cutting down plenty men whilst trying to escape somewhere.....after the fifth men, watch your feet."
She stood next to me, placing her hands on the railing, "Who would be mighty enough to cut down that many men while protecting a Lady like myself?" She said, "I mean, House Dayne's men are formidable, but nothing compared to what you've done."
I shrugged again, "You tell me." I said, "Who could ever be formidable enough for that?"
She looked at me, her beautiful purple eyes staring right at me, "Mayhaps it would be you." She said with a slight smile, "After all, you have already proved yourself to be capable of that."
"Mayhaps." I said
"How did Lady Malora take it?" She asked, "I figured she would be all over you after what happened."
"She's angry that I insinuated that her father would betray the Crown." I said, "It is an entire scandal at the moment. Rightfully so, though."
"Yes, I heard of that." She said, "But we cannot ignore the possibilities."
"That's what I said." I said, "But Malora still isn't happy."
"She's obsessed with you." She told me, "She's more than likely upset that you would even consider that. She's hurt, mayhaps."
"What do you suggest?" I asked, looking at her, "Do you intend for me to make it up to her?"
"Mayhaps that is for the best." She said with a smile, "To satisfy her, you must do something."
"What do you suggest, Lady Ashara?" I asked, "Should I go and bed her? I mean, I suppose that is what might make her happy."
She blushed slightly, "If you bed her or not, that is no business of mine." She said, "But at the very least, keep her happy. Lady Malora is a strong-willed woman, after all. I would not want to be on her bad side."
"Hm...." I said, "I'll let her cool off."
"Are the two of you actually lovers?" She asked me
I looked up at the sky, "Lovers imply that we share love equally." I said, "I honestly don't know how I feel about Malora. She's a good woman at heart, but she's a bit...not there in the head. She's willing to risk it all for a chance for a strong man like me to plant her seed in her. She wouldn't care about anything; she wants to marry me. She would do whatever I want; she is that devoted."
"Are you certain you would ever find another woman like that?" She asked, "A passionate woman like Malora Hightower?"
"Hm...." I said, "Well, even if I don't, I am a bastard. I-"
"You let that hold you back?" She asked, "Don't. It will not be healthy."
"Hm...." I said, "In Dorne, are bastards respected?"
"In Dorne, you would be treated fairly, considering that you are the man who dismounted my brother." She said, "And if you wanted to become the paramour of a Lady, nobody would care. Even if the husband of said Lady is a legitimate Lord or Knight, they would consider you her one true love and the one who would give her children."
"Hm....." I said, looking at her, "Is that so? You mean to say that I could make Sands and nobody would care? A Rivers?"
She nodded, "They won't care." She said, "The people of Dorne."
"Ah, that's quite nice." I said, "But what Lady would ever look at me? Hm?"
She blushed and looked ahead, "I don't know." she said, "That is a good question."
"Heh." I said, "Then why bring it up?"
"I might know of one." She looked at me, "Someone of high status."
"Oh?" I said, facing her, "A beautiful Dornish Lady? Who might that be?"
She eyed me up and down, her eyes examining my body as a glint of desire was in her eyes. The way she smiled, signs of restrained lust were visible.
"She is...." Ashara said, "She is someone you might have already met."
"I've only met two Dornish beauties that are close to my age." I said with a chuckle, "One of them is a Princess who knows not of my reputation. And the other...."
I stepped closer to her, reaching for her waist and gently grabbing it. Ashara showed no resistance to this, leaning towards my touch as she looked at me with desire and need.
"Mayhaps it is that other one..." Her voice was soft and inviting, "That other one is the one who might not care about anything in the world, so long as she feels your arms around her."
I wrapped my arms around her waist, "Like this?" I asked her, "To feel my embrace, is that what she would want?"
Ashara bit her lip, "...Yes."
I leaned down to her, "What else does she want?"
"She would want this fool of a Knight to kiss her." She said, pulling me down for a kiss
I felt our lips meet as I embraced her completely, feeling her warmth. As we kissed, Ashara grabbed the back of my head as our tongues intertwined with pure passion and desire.
She ran her other hand to my shoulder, rubbing it and feeling how sturdy I was, or so I assumed.
I then pulled away, seeing her face full of bliss, "Are you certain of this?"
She nodded, "I have not been more certain of anything." She said,
"I want you."