Fourth day of the sixth moon, morning

My dearest Cersei,

I hope this letter finds you well, and that the Lions are treating you as befits a Tully of Riverrun. I know your Lord Husband hates to put his nose out of his den, but I so wished that you had come to the capital, my dear.

*I find myself especially weary, these days, exhausted by the long ride and the climate of the Capital. I will certainly make use of our good old wheelhouse, the next time I get down here. If there will ever be a next time. *

I do so hate that the children came down here without you, Cersei, and I promise that I'll make sure to pay them a visit and look after them after the feast and the tourney - I also have a gift for Myranda - I hope you will not mind if I spoil her a little.

I am looking forward to hear news from the Rock, my beloved child. In the meantime, I pray for you and yours.

With love,

Your mother

Lady Agnes folded the piece of parchment and stamped it with her sigil. And so it was done.

Lying back on her chair, Agnes looked around the garden, pleased. It was just as it had been the last time, right after the war. A peaceful oasis in the bustling city.

She breathed in the fresh air of the gardens... and coughed it out.

"The smell!" She exclaimed to no-one in particular, with her old grin. "Not even the King's Peonies can keep it out, it seems." Slowly, she rose from her chair, grabbed a glass of water, sipped from it... and spat it out.

"Mhm, I suppose I'll have Wine, then." She croaked to one of her ladies, returning to her soft chair. "See if you can find some Trident vintage."

As she waited for her wine, she looked at other letters - letters she had received and others that were still to be sent, summons, accounts and other things she had neglected during her travels.

Lady Tully wore practical clothes, but of wonderful make. Blue, with a touch of red, the velvet was cut in a modest, elegant shape, and her hair was contained in a silver hairnet. It was the best a woman her age could do, she reckoned, but the result was pleasing enough.

There was always a great deal of business to do in the capital. Things to settle and people to meet. She would start from there.

When the girl brought her wine, she took it and tasted it, mildly satisfied.

"Very well, darling. You can go now."

The trout's first guest was about to arrive.

[note: this post has been re-dated to the 4th day of the 6th.]