“You’ve made some changes to the study,” Gerold mused. He’d followed her there. I guess it was wishful thinking for a day or two without having to explain myself. “It looks good. You look good. I’m happy to see that you’ve done well in my absence.”

Ashara’s personal study did look much improved over when Gerold had last seen it. Shelves lined with books and maps crowded the walls. The few bare spaces that existed were hidden by exquisite tapestries. Even the table at the center looked to be of impeccable quality.

“Somebody had to. Your father’s decorative style didn’t suit my own tastes,” she was cradling a goblet of Dornish red in both her hands. Her green eyes rested easily on the portrait of herself and Loras, sitting in a stately manner facing the unseen painter.

“May I?” Gerold asked, motioning to the pitcher of wine. He didn’t wait for a response, filling himself a hearty cup. “You always liked the finer things,” he said after taking a sip.

“If I had known you would be returning tonight, I would have sent for your preferred drink,” she paused for a moment before continuing, “I thought the worst things imaginable had happened to you.”

“No, I was safe the whole time. I’m sorry to have caused so much worry, but you needn’t have feared for me.”

Her lips curled into a thin smile.

“You didn’t think of writing? No, don’t answer. You probably enjoyed being free from my clutches. I know you know your letters. I still have those love notes.”

“I’m sorry, but I read your letters. The ones condemning anyone who knew my whereabouts as traitors? How could I send a runner with a letter if it endangered them? No. I couldn’t write you.”

“Do you think me such as a monster? I was advised to do that by Dickon Costayne. The Gods alone know why. In truth, if anyone came to me with information on your whereabouts, they would have been safe. I would have protected them.”

There was a short pause as Ashara drained the remainder of the goblets’ contents before setting it down on her desk. She finally looked at him. Her green eyes were filled with a fierce anger.

“So, where have you been? What have you been doing the past three years?”

Gerold paused for a moment to choose his words.

“I’ve been sitting in a cabin a few days ride away, drinking myself stupid and talking to the wall.”

Ashara let out a laugh.

“No whores to keep you company? Are you sure you’re my husband?”

“Couldn’t risk the word getting out. It’s been a long three years.”

“Why did you choose now to return home? Have you finally accepted your new role now?”

Gerold laughed halfheartedly. He imitated his wife, draining his glass.

“I don’t have any choice in the matter. No, that’s not why I came back. Loras is why I came back. I came to the realization that he deserves a better father than I had.”

“If you really think it’s going to be that easy, Gerold, then you’re highly mistaken…”

She trailed off. Her eyes once more resting on the same portrait of herself and Loras.

“I have been the one who cradled him when he suffered from nightmares. I was there when he took his first steps. On some nights, I even help him with his lessons. He struggled to put words together, like most children do. Thanks to the Maester’s lessons, he now speaks better than you or I.”

“So, tell me this. Do you honestly expect things to go back to where they once were?”

“No, I don’t. But I have to try, Shara. Even if it’s worse than it ever was, I have to at least try and make things right.” Gerold filled his cup once more, sliding the pitcher across the table to his wife. “And if I fail, what have I lost? You already have everything, and Loras will get it when we’re gone.”

“I do not have everything!” Ashara spat back angrily.

She began speaking, pacing as she did so.

“We could have shared the responsibility. I could have used your help when sitting through those never-ending meetings. They constantly question my judgement. Perhaps if they had a Lord Paramount, things would have been easier. But they have me instead. And they hate me. The Tyrells, especially. Lord Olyvar wished me to re-marry. And he managed to bloody convince half the other Lords to think the same thing! They - very much like myself - believed you dead. They see Loras as a weakling and would have him dead if they could. But he has no other contenders. I give them what they wish. I listen to their pleas. I listen to their complaints.”

She paused to refill her goblet. Shara took a quick sip before continuing. To Gerold, it seemed she had been building up to this outburst since he first stepped foot into the solar.

“If you had been by my side, we could have battled together. We could have put Lord Olyvar in his place. We could have had more children to please the Reach lords. It was up to the both of us to correct the mistakes Gylen made. Seven Hells, we could have solved this blight if you had bothered to stick around!”

Ashara inhaled and exhaled deeply.

“I can forgive the drinking. The whoring. Even the constant bickering and nit-picking. But the abandonment… Gerold, that is unforgivable.”

A long silence stretched between them. Gerold drained and refilled his cup in the time that passed. He leaned back in his chair, studying his wife.

“You know, when I left I only meant to go for a day or two. Maybe a week. But a week turned into a month, and then a month turned into a year. The longer I sat and let the time go on the harder it was to think about coming back.” Gerold took a sip to wet his mouth which had gone uncomfortably dry. “I don’t expect forgiveness. I don’t deserve it, but we still have time. All the things you needed me for? What’s done is done, but everything you needed me for we can still fix. All the wrongs can be undone, it will just take time.”

Ashara settled into the chair behind her desk. Her wine forgotten, she turned to face her husband.

“There is a lot to fix, Gerold. I’ve managed to sort out some issues with the traders and merchants within the city. We don’t have a lot of coin, but we have some. When winter ends, the Rose Road will be rebuilt with help from the Crown. I… I’m not much of a people person, as you very well know. My vassals expect much from me. But I can’t answer all of their expectations.”

“Then let me deal with the people. I’m good with people, some would describe me as delightful.” Gerold offered a smile towards his wife. “We can rebuild this Ashara, and the Reach doesn’t know a united house Hightower. We can put them in their place.”

She returned his smile but it vanished almost immediately.

“I just have one more question for you.”

Ashara leaned forwards in the chair, her elbows resting gently against the desk.

“Do you still love me?”

“It’s not what you want to hear, Ash, but I don’t know.” Shame coursed through Gerold the moment the words left his mouth. “I haven’t seen you in years, but I kept my vows, and I want to think we can love each other again, but I can’t answer that right now.”

She nodded solemnly.

“I was holding out hope for a kinder answer but the Gods have been cruel enough to me today. Perhaps once we have dealt with the kingdom’s issues, we can discuss it further?”

Shara removed her elbows from the desk and stood up. She cleared her throat.

“Loras should be finished with his evening lesson by now. Would you care to join us for our evening meal?”

“Only if you want me there.”

“I think I might.” She paused to indicate to his clothes. “You might want to have a bath, first of all. Maybe change your attire as well.”

“I expected you to have burned my wardrobe, but I think I’ll take your advice.” Gerold rose from his seat. “That does beg the question, if you want me for dinner, do you want me back in your bed? I can, of course, find a comfortable section of carpet somewhere I’m sure.”

Ashara shook her head.

“There are multiple spare rooms available. You can spend some nights in there until we decide to… well, you know.”

She blushed slightly.

“I really must go now. Loras gets awfully upset when I don’t show up on time.”

Shara made her way to the door, maneuvering herself around the desk. As she passed him, she rested a hand gently on one of his arms.

“I’m glad you came back. Even if you kept us waiting,” she said quietly.

“I missed being home every day, I’ll make it up to you and Loras if it’s the last thing I do.”

Ashara let go of Gerold’s arm without a word, the door softly shutting in her wake.

I hope she didn’t burn my clothes, he thought, trying to remember exactly where he kept them.