"In light of what has happened, should you need help with anything please don't hesitate to ask. With how busy you'll be, I don't think we'll get to spend much time learning about each other before our wedding. So helping you would allow us to talk at least."
Lothar grunts as Kyros' blade slashes his flesh. And counter-attacks!
28
Bleeding, Lothar struggles to gain control of the fight, seeking any opportunity to punch, elbow, or headbutt his opponent.
Lothar, stabbed and bruised, himself grins and offers his own hand and arm in friendship.
"You fought well, and I will have to improve my wrestling!"
Darne wore his best and stood there through the ceremony still trying to figure out what he would say. Everything had happened so fast and his rise to Lord of the House had been in a way he had not wished. When the ceremony was done, he stepped forwards in front of the small crowd.
He cleared his throat "We are here to celebrate a joyous occasion, but to me it is a sad one. Since my father had been raised to be the Lord of this land, I knew that one day I would follow in his footsteps. And I will admit that are large despite his stature. But, we weren't born Noble. We were fishermen who raised ourselves to merchants and we were successful at that too. My father was a brilliant man and knew an investment when he saw one. It's why the King raised him to Nobility, and my father saw something in me. It's why he raised me and groomed me to take over one day. I can only say for those who know me, see me working among the small folk. I am always learning what you have to do to survive. And with that knowledge, I swear to bring prosperity to our lands and to share that prosperity with you all to help improve your lives so that we all my grow together and prosper." he said at length.
He looked around at those that gathered at bit nervously. He still wasn't very used to speaking in front of crowds. He smiled at those gathered, hoping that they took his pledge seriously and trusted him with their lands and livelihood.
The night before, Lothar makes sure that his clothing is clean and ready for the big day.
This may surprise others, since Lothar is normally a lot more blase about the exact condition of what he wears - though less so with armour.
On the day, Lothar listens intently to his brother's words.
He pauses, waiting to see how the crowd responds.
Having made all the necessary preparations and provided old Lord Naelareon with medicine to allow him to attend the ceremony with strength and poise, Maester Anders stands in the shadows and prays that all goes well.
As he witnesses the ceremony, he can only hope that Darne and Lady Aaralyn will agree to precipitate their union, as he has advised time and time again... Truth be told, he is worried about the future of this young house.
Nothing is ever simple.
Aaralyn smiles brightly into the crowd upon seeing her friend, but her smile swiftly and noticeably died upon hearing the voice and seeing the face it belonged to. Without even sparing so much as a glace to her betrothed, Aaralyn stepped up into action.
"What a generous offer." Aaralyn spoke out, doing her best to keep her voice calm and even. "It will be remembered. But come! You have yet to be welcomed as a guest. Please please, step into the hall for a taste of bread and salt, some wine to wash it down." Aaralyn encouraged.
"We can speak more there." Aaralyn said before she looked to Darne and gave a small indication for him to lead the way for the Prince.
Then she looked to Lyanna in the crowd, trying to tell her to wait a moment with only a look. As overjoyed as she was to see her friend, the look on her face told Lyanna she was not happy to see them both here at the same time. She had hoped their travels would bring them here on separate occasions. It would have been easier to manage.
Maester Anders pales. Nothing good can come of this! Hearing Lady Aaralyn's invitation to the prince, the Maester eclipses himself and hastily makes his way to the kitchen and then the cellar to make sure that the fare is fine and festive. He orders the kitchen to prepare fresh bread and salt and fine wine, along with local delicacies such as bitter berry compote, dried and salted pork, fresh vegetables, aged cheese, and whatever is good and available!
Darne looked pleased with how his speech seemed to have gone over with his people. However, he suddenly had the breathe stolen from him when the prince stepped into the limelight. Thankfully Aaralyn spoke up and covered his speechlessness till he could restart his brain.
He stepped forwards as Aaralyn gave him the cue to step in. "It's an honor to welcome you to our lands. I hope that you didn't go to the Hall and find us missing. I fear you've robbed me of the chance to give my best impression. But, if you'll come with me, I hope I can show you the hospitality that a guest of our lands should come to expect." he said trying his best to return to proper decorum.
Rhaegar Targaryen walks along beside Darne as they strode towards the kitchens. His easy conversation setting everyone who can be at ease. Unfortunately, this does not include any within the entourage forming around him. Your servants run before you, setting the way and doing all manner of tasks to make certain this visit goes as well as can be hoped for.
Rhaegar seems pleased with the manner in which he is received, insisting whenever asked that he does not wish to put your house to any trouble on his acount. None who have even the slightest experience with the games of nobility have any illusions about the necessity of every single nicety. The house walks on shards of broken glass, with a prize dangling just beyond reach.
Darne was a little tense at the moment as they made their way through the Hall. The servants scrambling to make it prepared for a royal guest. He combed his hair a bit with his hand nervously. "Apologies for the poor welcome. Had I been aware of your arrival, I would have made sure to provide a more proper welcoming. I have already begun making sure that you will have a comfortable stay. The servants are taking care to prepare my own room for you. Anything you need of course, you simply have to ask and I shall make sure it's provided." he said trying to show his house was indeed intent on maintaining their relationship with the Prince's family.
"How was your trip here? I hope that the roads were pleasant and uneventful." he asked after making sure the Prince's comforts would be taken care of properly and to his satisfaction.
"I look forward to it.", says Lothar with genuine pleasure.
****************
Lothar follows close behind his brother and the...prince!?
Damnation!
Pleased to see how Darne was handling this, Aaralyn remained quiet at his side. He was doing well enough at the moment that she didn't feel the need to step in... yet.
After all she needed to know that Darne could handle things like this on his own. Though testing him on this with the Prince... trial by fire was the only thing she could call it. Though she did notice one thing, Darne had forgotten introductions.
"Lord Naelareon is a thoughtful man when it comes to others." Aaralyn spoke up. "A goods trait in a future husband. Though one thing has been overlooked your Grace, this is Lord Naelareon's younger brother Lothar Naelareon."
Having taken care to direct the kitchen to serve a feast worthy of their guest, Maester Anders turns his attention to the guards, doubling the watch and, inasmuch as possible, trying to keep the gossip and murmurs to a minimum. He knows better than to imagine that the news will not spread like wildfire, but if the house guards and servants at least can conserve a modicum of decorum, ridiculous rumors and conjectures may be avoided...
"Yes, I do have need of thoughtful men." Rhaegar smiles as the family tries its best to wheel this change of fortunes in their favor. "And men of strong arm as well. Do I not remember you from the tourney good Ser Lothar?"
Aaralyn smiled a bit, Rhaeger was easy to get along with she had to admit. But either way it seemed the boys where off on the right foot. "I have a matter to attend to, so I'll leave you gentlemen to your talks." Aaralyn said with a respectful tone. "Hopefully we will get a chance to speak later your Grace."
With that Aaralyn excused herself to swiftly go and find Lyanna. The stress of hosting one of the royal family was easily offset by the fact she'd have a good friend there as well.
"Aye, your Grace. I am Lothar Naelareon, and I am proud of my axe-work in the tourney. Your own skill was something to behold."
Lothar means every word. He is not one for bowing and scraping, but the Prince does have a fine sword-arm.
Darne smiled at his brother as he spoke up and nodded slightly at Lady Aaralyn as she left. He turned to the Prince "My brother did a fine job representing himself and our family at our first major tournament. It was a shame we did not get a better chance to speak at the tourney. I must say that am deeply humbled that you would make it out to our humble Hall to attend my wedding. Your presence is a great blessing. he said as they walked.
"Tell me, was there anything you were hoping to do in our domain? You have arrived rather early so if there was anything you wished to experience or visit, myself and my family will make sure to help provide with the opportunity or means if possible by our hand." he said trying to show their support and confirm his family's allegiance and commitment to being good hosts.
Earlier since I was only aiding, the destiny point I attempted to use would not have been able to be used...use it now?
Darne catches himself as he implies the prince might arrive at something other than as he chooses. Thankfully, it seems the prince has either ignored or missed the implications of the statement.
"A good tourney to be sure. Though not as I had hoped it would have been. I am glad to stay for your impending nuptials, mayhaps my presence will bring good fortunes to your marriage? As to what I wish, does a Heir need any reason to visit his future banners? I do have things to discuss with you, but those can wait until we have had a meal and I have been given a proper chance to know you and your future wife."
"Aye, a meal is in order!"
Nothing wrong with agreeing with food, surely?
Darne smiled broadly "Aye, indeed we will have a fine meal. The Riverlands is a wonderful place to fine fresh ingredients and meat of all kinds. If you have any favorites or perhaps you would even enjoy the company of myself and my brother on a hunt we would happy to begin arrangements. And, of course, I can see no better blessing of our marriage than your presence. But, as you have said, first let us eat and we can get to know each other better." he said smiling back.
"A hunt would be most welcomed. Let us see what your servants have prepared for us, then we will discuss what is and what could be."
Returning to the hall, Maester Anders is pleased to hear the brothers and the prince discussing a hunt. Anything to distract the prince from the object of his attention!
Thinking upon the situation, he cannot but suspect that this – Prince Rhaegar and Lady Lyanna both being here – is no mere coincidence. And if his suspicions are true, then this chance meeting was arranged by messengers or Maesters...
Darne nodded and looked back towards his brother. He had noted that Lady Karstark had taken a backseat in this jaunt but he hadn't expected her to leave given the circumstances and their plans.
When one of the servants moved to go past him, he quickly grabbed their arm to get their attention. He whispered quietly to them "Please find two of the pages, send one through the hall to find Lady Karstark, send the other back to where we had the House announcement and around the area to any place she might have gone. Her attendance at the Hall tables is requested...by the Prince" he said quickly before letting go and turning his attention back to the Prince.
He smiled and beckoned the Prince into the dining room, hoping the Maester had managed to get everything in order in time.
Lothar beams with genuine enthusiasm.
"I am certain that we can find some decent game to pursue, your Grace!"
Having prepared the household and the guards to the best of his ability, Maester Anders returns to the hall and stands behind Lord Naelareon...
The prince gestures towards the seats. "It is your hall my friends, be you seated. I am glad we might find entertainment and the chance to strengthen our bonds. I am sorely in need of trustworthy companions."
Darne smiled "You have been with me the entire time this Hall has been mine." he said jokingly. He gave a small laugh before waiting till everyone was by their seats before sitting.
He looked at the prince "It worries me that you find yourself in need of such people. You are our Prince after all. But, I can assure you, a Naelareon's word is his law. There is no bigger mistake or disgrace than for a merchant to reneg on their word and that has been beaten into our blood by my father." he said with deadly seriousness.
His tone then changed "If you find us of pleasant company and capability, my Prince, then I would be honored to earn that title of trusted companion as would my brother and I am sure my soon to be wife."
"It is as my brother says, Your Grace. You are our honoured guest."
"Good, then it is agreed. I will be a gracious guest, and you my gracious host, and together we shall see how well we can propel your good house to greatness." The prince places a hand on Lothar's shoulder. "And get you a proper knighthood. The way you fight I could see a place on the King's Guard for you when it is my time to sit the Iron throne."
A chill goes through Lothar's spine.
Of excitement?
I could be in the King's Guard!
Of fear?
I would be in the King's Guard - not with Darne!
"You honour me, Your Grace. That is for the future though, and we have a hunt to arrange.", he offers with a grin, if not as wide as before.
Weighted with thought.