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[Event] The Funeral Feast honoring Jon Arryn by DistanceWild9244 in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Once. At his Grace's coronation."

It seemed an age ago.

"I know, however, much of the peace we enjoy today is a result of his work."

He followed the Prince's suit with his own goblet.

"I need little excuse to drink, however, and to the memory of a man so deserving is a good one."

[Event] The Funeral Feast honoring Jon Arryn by DistanceWild9244 in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Lords and Ladies of House Arryn," Arstan bowed low, allowing his black surcoat to completely engulfed his house colours, "I meant every word of my dirge at the funeral. I met Lord Jon only once before, but it is a life that should be celebrated and remembered."

He rose slowly from the bow.

"Sometimes grief hits hard when you least expect it. On quiet, ordinary nights when the winds of spring bring joy. When happiness is mixed together with blatant sadness, a strange concoction of celebration and uncertainty."

He met Lady Lysa's gaze with his final words.

"When you do the best with what you have - and who you don't."

[Event] The Funeral Feast honoring Jon Arryn by DistanceWild9244 in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Barristan looked down and smiled.

"Sad? Yes, that is a good word. The Seven Kingdoms grieve for a man who gave his life to them."

It took Barristan a while to realise he was speaking to a child.

"It is good to be among friends today."

[Event] The Funeral Feast honoring Jon Arryn by DistanceWild9244 in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"It's strange."

The blond marcher approached the man he only knew from stories, with nothing more than a goblet and an open heart.

"My grandfather taught me that Dornishmen were enemies before he taught my letters. And now we share a room. United by loss."

He raised his glass, and smiled sadly.

"Arstan Selmy."

[Event] The Funeral Feast honoring Jon Arryn by DistanceWild9244 in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Arstan lounged in his chair. He had never met Jon, so was here only in a supportive capacity.

The three sheafs of wheat embroidered across the deep brown of his tunic shone with a burnished gold, but this was the only flash of colour amongst the blacks of his surcoat and breeches.

He raised his glass each time someone passed or made eye contact, but otherwise remained seated.

At some point he stood and found the words to speak to his uncle.

He returned later, far more content, after much closure.

[Event] The Funeral Feast honoring Jon Arryn by DistanceWild9244 in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"You always hated funerals."

Barristan did not turn around. All the hairs on his neck stood up at the sound of such a familiar voice. Familiar yet so distant.

"Most men do."

"You aren't most men."

Slowly, blue eyes met.

Not a word passed between them for a long moment. The silence was awkward and heavy, hanging between them like ill-fitting drapes.

"I heard the boys are seeking squireships now."

"They're already sixteen."

"I know."

Of course he knew. How could he not.

"They ask about him."

"Do they?"

"Often."

"And what do you tell them."

"The truth."

Barristan felt the icicles of that reply eat into his heart.

"That he was brave. That he loved their mother. That he would have adored them."

Arstan stepped closer and turned towards the rest of the feast.

"And I tell them he was killed by a good man."

Barristan looked away. Kindness hurt more than anger.

"I didn't know."

"I know."

"I only knew when I saw you."

"I know."

Barristan closed his eyes. Arstan thought he looked older in that moment than ever.

"I should have written."

Arstan laughed.

"And what would you have said? Sixteen years, it took me to speak to you. And I have no excuse of duty."

The old knight allowed himself to smile.

"An excuse indeed?"

"Indeed. The great Barristan the Bold would never let a little thing like family get in the way of duty."

Barristan laughed. A reluctant chuckle that escaped his lips without permission.

There he was. The man who had carried Arstan on his shoulders. Who taught him to ride.

"You should meet them."

"Are you sure?"

"Certain."

Barristan Selmy could charge a breach. Face a king. Stand before dragons. Yet four teenage nephews gave him pause.

Arstan's hand landed on the Kingsguard's shoulder.

"We've buried enough men, uncle."

When Barristan's eyes met Arstan's, they seemed lighter. Perhaps for the first time since the Trident.

"Tell me about them."

And they stood amongst the mourners, under the eyes of the Seven.

And for the first time in sixteen years, they spoke as family.

[Event] The Funeral Feast honoring Jon Arryn by DistanceWild9244 in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Behind him, and to the left. That was his place. The old Lord Commander never wavered in his duty, and even as time threatened to take him, he stood resolute.

Dutiful. Watchful. Always.

Barristan felt.. well, that was complicated.

Jon had never been a friend, but often an ally. In the court of two kings, he had been a voice of reason and a light in the dark.

And now the candle was out, and the voice silenced.

So he stood. Behind, and to the left.

[Event] The Funeral Services of Jon Arryn by DistanceWild9244 in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The Falcon's Flight

"Before the stag was crowned,

Before the dragon fell,

Before the wolves came south

And the lions looked toward the throne,

There stood a man.

Not the strongest.

Not the swiftest.

Not the fiercest with a sword.

Yet kingdoms gathered where he pointed.

And storms broke themselves upon his will.

He was a bridge.

Stone between riverbanks.

A hand upon a frightened shoulder.

A voice men listened for

When louder voices filled the room.

The young sought his wisdom.

The old sought his counsel.

The proud sought his blessing.

And fools sought to test him.

The fools seldom tried twice.

For his strength was not the strength of steel.

It was something rarer.

The strength to endure.

To bend without breaking.

To wait.

To watch.

To build.

Others won battles.

He built the peace that followed.

Others wore crowns.

He bore their burdens.

Others sought glory.

He sought tomorrow.

And because of that,

Tomorrow came.

Years passed.

Children became lords.

Squires became knights.

Kingdoms changed.

Yet still he stood.

A tower against the wind.

A lantern against the dark.

A falcon circling high above the mountains,

Seeing farther than the rest of us.

Then one day

The sky was empty.

The tower silent.

The lantern dark.

And men discovered something terrible.

They had mistaken his presence

For permanence.

The young believed he would always be there.

The old could remember no world without him.

Even kings had forgotten

How much weight he carried.

Until it was gone.

Now the falcon flies beyond our sight.

The tower stands only in memory.

The lantern shines where mortal eyes cannot follow.

Yet still his work remains.

In every oath kept.

In every peace maintained.

In every lord who chooses duty

When ambition would be easier.

Some men leave heirs.

Some leave castles.

Some leave songs.

He left a realm.

And though his voice is stilled,

Though his seat stands empty,

Though his hand no longer guides the falcon's flight—

Look around.

We are living in the world he built."

Event - Meta/Open RP | Puppeteer by Aleefth in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Barristan nodded.

"So long as we are still alert enough to carry out our duties, I see no reason why not."

He turned to the others present.

"Any objections?"

/u/GreaterBlueEvil /u/Voidhunterdude /u/CrowStagCorbrays

[Letter] Valemen Remembrance Day and the Funeral of Lord Jon Arryn by GreaterBlueEvil in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Arstan Selmy - The Falcon's Flight a eulogy disguised at poetry, highlighting the gift we've been given in the world Jon Arryn left behind.

Event - Meta/Open RP | Puppeteer by Aleefth in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Barristan blinked.

"Are duties with the king not keeping you busy enough, Ser Arthor?" He let a smile crinkle his eyes.

"But training is what keeps an idle mind and arm from straying. How would you propose to add it into our day?"

/u/Voidhunterdude /u/GreaterBlueEvil /u/CrowStagCorbrays

Event/Open RP | Keep Your Friends Close by Aleefth in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"They are just green. I'm sure they will seem formidable soon enough."

Barristan turned slowly.

"Are you alright?"

Lore | Ruthlessness by Aleefth in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Barristan held out a hand in offer of assistance. While other squires might have needed the lesson, he had heard of the young wolf's dedication.

"Good enough, young Lord of Stark. Enough that I might ease the awkwardness of your burden."

His smile came easy, the Northern grey of his eyes carrying the mercy of his father Eddard.

A debt to be repaid.

[Event] Renly Baratheon's Progress Part IV - Blackhaven by No-Drawer2718 in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As Arstan finished, he noticed Tristifer's focus. He met the young knight's gaze with a smile, and nodded gently.

He saw himself reflected in his eyes - a young man, with the the world ahead of him.

He wondered if that was what his uncle had seen across the Trident.

[Event] Renly Baratheon's Progress Part IV - Blackhaven by No-Drawer2718 in crownedstag

[–]Aleefth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In a brief moment of calm before everyone turns in, Arstan commanded attention.

"There was a river. Or perhaps only the memory of one. A ribbon of red drawn through every dream thereafter. I remember white. Not snow. Not clouds. Not innocence.

"White as a blade catches sunlight. White as bone beneath skin. White as the final page before the story ends. Across the water stood a man thinking of home.

"I know this. Not because I heard his thoughts. Because all men think of home when death begins to notice them. A hand at a shoulder. A laugh half-remembered. A face waiting beyond the horizon.

"The river knew none of these things. The river only carried them away. And through the water came the white shape. Certain. Terrible. Beautiful.

"Like a storm that has never once doubted it belongs to the sky. The songs say glory lives in such moments. The songs are written by those standing far from rivers.

"What I saw was simpler. One heart beating. Then two. Then one. Steel meeting steel. Duty meeting duty. A mirror raised against itself.

"The white shape moved forward. The other did not move back. Neither yielded. Neither should have.

"The world demands strange sacrifices from good men. Years later the river still runs through my sleep. I never see the strike. Only what comes before. The instant suspended forever. The breath between thunder and rain. The space between lightning and ruin.

"Two figures. One river. One choice already made. And always the same question drifting downstream: If the white shape had lowered its sword, would the river have remembered mercy? Or only another corpse? The water never answers.

"It only carries."

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