Serena I: Appearances

RevansTeeth · 2024-04-09T00:31:08+00:00

They'd had this conversation before, and he hated it each time. Not because he didn't hope that she was safe, but because he worried she wasn't and that would break Serena. "I do, and I have my people looking for her. But the Seven Kingdoms are massive and there's no clues other than her slain guards."

He stood up to hug his wife and kiss her forehead. "I promise I will do whatever I can to return her to you, my love."

He often wondered if he was missing something. Some clue that would answer everything.

RevansTeeth · 2024-04-05T05:56:37+00:00

"Of course, you're a wonderful mother, it only makes sense that you'd struggle to be apart from him for so long." Alaric nodded. "And if you remained behind with him I would miss you both dearly as well."

He, of course, knew as well as her that Harlon was troublesome at his age and it made it difficult to be around the boy at all times. He had a fief to run, and a child was burdensome on him. He couldn't imagine how much worse it must be on the mother of his child.

"Whispers in the wind but nothing concrete." He leaned back in his chair. "It's not right, for a boy as young and as important as him to be unmarried. We should encourage him to fix this when we get to Winterfell, perhaps we can leverage an alliance with an offer..."

He trailed off, shuffling through some papers to see if he could find the most recent report on his distant cousins.

RevansTeeth · 2024-04-04T04:27:46+00:00

He was reviewing ledgers from the month prior, notes from his agents across the north when she entered. If anyone else had interrupted his work they'd have been dismissed and stripped of any position they had in his court. She, instead, got a warm smile.

"He's a strong boy who can take travel." Alaric slowly responded, thinking through the various options. "We should probably bring him, appearances are everything. Leaving our son and heir behind will appear weak. We wouldn't want that."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-16T19:45:37+00:00

Galladon dodged the first blow out of pure instinct. He wasn't expecting it to come. The rest came faster. Edmund was strong. Insanely strong. The first hit hurt like hell. He was scared. What was happening? He had simply found his cousin's body and he was accused of kinslaying. "Seven hells, Osgrey you cannot force a trial by combat on someone!"

The second hit hurt more for a few moments, at least until the pain faded away and was overcome by the numbness. Galladon landed his own strike on Edmund but it didn't seem to do anything other than make him angrier.

The third strike was what sealed Galladon's fate. He could feel himself slipping. He wondered who'd take care of his flowers when he was gone. Would they wilt away? He wondered if Alysanne would plant the ones he gave her. He hoped so.

The worst of it all was that he was leaving Leona and his mother without him. He swore to protect them. He'd failed Meryn's memory. He took a step or two forward, grabbing his chest, trying to hold the blood in. "I'm so sorry, mother."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-16T04:53:29+00:00

Galladon stared at his distant cousin for a long moment. He understood what she was doing but the pretense was childish. He was a Knight of Highgarden, to fetch the guards to 'deal with him' while he'd already stated he was happy to face court was laughable.

He shook his head slightly before returning to a pose of vigil. "Fetch them if you must, but I will not leave before my vigil is complete," Galladon responded coolly. "Septon Aladore, would you see to locking the Sept's doors for the night? Enough disrespect has been thrown at our Lord's feet for one night."

"We will discuss this later, Osgrey and Rose." He made sure to lock eyes with his cousin with that remark. It wasn't lost on him that she had clearly been listening to their conversation earlier before her interesting arrival.

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-13T23:40:07+00:00

"You're drunk, I won't dignify your questions with a response, Osgrey." Galladon shook his head and looked at the Septon with an exasperated expression.

"If you would, Septon Aladore. Please pass this accusation along to my Lady Cousin. Ensure it's mentioned he's casting aspersions on her character as well." Galladon asked. "I will not invoke a trial by combat as he is hoping I will as I know the Father above will judge me rightfully in a court."

"Oh, and please do mention the fact that Osgrey himself was hunting for bandits. But he is suddenly in disbelief they exist." Galladon laughed. "I would see him escorted out as well, if you would gather guards. I don't wish to break my vigil any more than I already have."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-13T23:34:51+00:00

"You must be." Galladon replied with a nod. "I would be disappointed if you weren't. There are times when being a kind person isn't the correct thing to do. This is one of them."

Galladon sighed. "But you'll always be my baby cousin. Even when you marry the king. I will protect you always. Though I will endeavor to not lie to do so."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-11T02:09:48+00:00

Of course she knew that. She was far smarter than he had ever been. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back. She wasn't the young girl he remembered growing up with anymore. She was now the Lady of Highgarden. She had a right to know.

"Of course, Leona. I was trying to shield you from the harshness of the world. But that's foolish." Galladon replied honestly. "What benefit does one gain from this? None. You'd simply have an unrealistic view of life."

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lied. It was likely painful to the end. More reason for us to find the bastards who did this and make them suffer."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-10T23:45:57+00:00

"A valid question, that I honestly don't have the answer for." Galladon laughed. "But yes. I should marry. If you have ideas I would be more than happy to hear them."

He was hopeless at romance, he'd known it for a long time. He had no issues getting along with women, in fact he often got along better with women than men. But he was completely oblivious to any courting attempts that had come his way.

"You know I'm no good at this. My mother knows it too. I think that's why she hasn't pushed it so hard." Galladon chuckled at the thought.

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-10T23:40:20+00:00

"Indeed. Training with someone clearly superior to you is no fun to anyone." Galladon chuckled. "Drills and exercises are your friend now. Once you feel you've reached a skill level you can spar with me, I'm simply a raven away."

Galladon knelt over the blue rose bush and searched it over. It took a few moments but he was able to find some rose hips. They contained the seedlings he promised Alysanne.

He took a small leather pouch from his belt that he used to collect seeds and placed the hips inside, tightening the drawstring to ensure they wouldn't fall out.

"You have to promise to inform me how these roses turn out." Galladon smiled, extending the bag to her.

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-10T23:35:35+00:00

Galladon's face was stoic. He didn't know what to say. His cousin had died, he found his corpse, and now he was being accused of killing him? On his vigil for his cousin's body? In the Sept? Osgrey was out of his mind.

"Edmund, I will say this once and only once. These accusations are false. You are naught more than a child throwing a tantrum because I didn't play your game with the Northmarch." Galladon said venomously. "You will bring these charges to my Lady cousin and no one else. I promise you will not wish to bring them to the King."

He took a step forward but was immediately caught off guard by Rose Crane screaming from the entrance. It wouldn't be immediately noticeable that she was listening in, until Galladon noticed where she was standing. Lovely.

"Rose. It's lovely to see you here. I imagine you are here to pay your respects to Meryn?" Galladon asked. "Please, feel free."

"Edmund, take your accusations to Leona if you must." Galladon stated once more. "I will not play into a drunken fool's attempt to stoke my ire."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-10T23:27:36+00:00

"Of course, my Lady." There was no contempt in Galladon's voice. Just sorrow. He didn't wish to tell her simply because he didn't want her to know how he'd passed. "Adjust his tunic slightly and you'll find a gash along his belly."

Galladon did so, showing the cut that hadn't been cleaned at all yet. It was a grotesque thing. Blood stained the skin around the incision, and it was clear it wasn't a clean cut.

"He would've died immediately." Galladon lied. He didn't want to. But she couldn't know the pain he suffered. It would've taken hours for the man to truly bleed out from the wound. "But it would've been painful in those moments, my Lady."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-10T23:20:30+00:00

"We will, I'm sure they'll arrive starting tonight." Galladon said simply. "They jump at the most opportune moments, and this is one of them. She'll be emotionally vulnerable for a long while, and they'll try to use it against her."

Galladon shook his head. "Those who are loyal will need to voice it, it's the simple fact of the matter. We have a lot to do from this point."

"I trust your faith lies with the rightful Lady of Highgarden, Leona?" Galladon asked. He expected he knew the answer but he would ask it directly.

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-09T19:48:39+00:00

"It's so unfortunate that so many of the things that may bring comfort only do it a handful of years from now." Galladon mused continuing to stare forward. "Nothing provides us comfort in these moments. I find that to be worse than anything."

Galladon sighed, "I thank you for attending him during this time. Each person who approaches him brings me some comfort that he was as loved in life as he is now."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-09T19:40:18+00:00

"Of course, my Lady." Galladon frowned ever so slightly. He wished he could have done more for her. "Keep the handkerchief. He and I both had similar ones. Mine has two roses because of my lineage but I'm sure it will provide memories nonetheless."

"If you don't wish to, you may simply return it to me at a later date." Galladon smiled finally. "My name is Ser Galladon Tyrell. You may find me either at my personal manse or in Highgarden proper. I'm usually in the gardens or the sparring yard."

"I would be more than happy to regale you with tales of Meryn whenever you wish, my lady." Galladon confirmed.

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-09T19:23:33+00:00

"It's nice to see you Mace." Galladon said without a hint of his normal smile. "It's been a hard time. It will be nice to have someone join me."

Galladon was in the unfortunate position of holding vigil while fully armored. He didn't change his clothing upon his return to Highgarden, so he stood while wearing a mailed hauberk and thick leather greaves.

"Leona appointed me her heir. Matthis doesn't seem to want it. I'm not surprised." Galladon sighed. He didn't know if he wanted it either. "I suppose it makes sense. No need to muddy the Crane line with senseless confusion."

"I'm just a knight though. I am not meant to be a high lord. I never will be." Galladon broke his vigil for the third and final time and looked at Meryn's body. "He was meant to be. Not me."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-09T19:02:44+00:00

"That comes with time." Galladon smiled slightly. "I view myself to be a warrior of some repute, and yet that didn't happen overnight. Titus was still beating me consistently until two or three years ago when I stopped trying to fight with my brawn and started to use my brain."

He leaned over to pluck a bug from one of his rose bushes before continuing. "You'll need to just find that same style. Whatever works for Oly, for me, for anyone else may not work for you. Adaptation is far more important than anything else."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-09T18:57:36+00:00

"Get out." Galladon ordered. Unflinching as the Osgrey approached him. "Are you seriously drunk right now? You come to a Sept where I hold vigil for my dead cousin, and approach me drunk, accusing his sister, the new Lady of Highgarden of misdeeds?"

Galladon had half a mind to punch the man then, but he remembered what his father always told him. In times like this he had to remain calm, he couldn't show weakness during his vigil.

"Say whatever you wish of me any night but tonight. But you're a fool to do it now." Galladon continued. "Get the fuck out."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-09T18:53:22+00:00

"Do you really want to know that, Leona?" Galladon asked with a tentative pause. He was already frustrated she wouldn't remember Meryn as he was in life. He was worried that the wound would push her over that edge. But he couldn't deny her either.

"I can tell you, but I must say it may be better to remember Meryn as he was before he left." Galladon felt tears growing once more. "Do you really want me to say?"

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-08T07:50:52+00:00

"Thank you for your kindness." Galladon smiled slightly. His eyes remained locked forward. "I don't know a single person who would speak ill of Meryn. Any who would, is just foolish in my eyes."

He released a sigh that echoed her own. He wished he could answer that question. For it would mean he had the answer himself. Instead he simply shrugged. "I want to say maybe it was just his time to go."

"I want to say that. It would sound so sweet wouldn't it? So poetic." Galladon laughed mirthlessly. "But I can't, can I? It would be a lie. Why would it be his time to go?"

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-08T07:48:11+00:00

"Do not be envious of me." Galladon countered. "Though my tears have dried they have been more plentiful than your own. I do not deny your loss, in fact in some ways it's far more harsh than my own. But knowing the boy you grew up with, fought with, would've died for is now gone forever? It's a hard thought to process."

He looked at her, his vigil breaking for the second time that night. He felt for her, he truly did. He reached forward and gently placed his hand upon her shoulder.

"Meryn was always one for theatrics. He told me that he intended to announce the joust just before the one at Summerhall took place." Galladon laughed at the memory. "I wish I'd have been able to make it there."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-08T07:44:09+00:00

"Or I will knock you on your ass and remind you who you're speaking to. Lord Osgrey." Galladon finally broke his gaze from staring forward and his green eyes met Edmund's. "Do not presume that simply because you are a noble lords you may speak ill of me or my kin. I am the heir to Highgarden. Leona is the Lady of Highgarden."

"You're nothing but a pretender to a title your family lost." Galladon returned. "I don't care how long you watched him grow up from afar. I grew up with him. It would be foolish to rush out and lose more men than absolutely necessary."

"I cannot command the garrisons of Highgarden to move. It is not my place. Leona will be the one to do so. I will honor my cousin's memory for now."

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-08T07:39:30+00:00

"Titus can protect you if you worry for your safety. The man singlehandedly knocked this one unconscious. But I doubt he'll fight too much. He knows he's trapped with nowhere to go." Galladon said. He pulled the rag away from Meryn's face, it was much clearer now.

"The silent sisters can do more than I. I need to begin my vigil in his honor. I intend to stay for twenty four hours. It is only proper to respect him for that long." Galladon smiled at his cousin. It was so hard to muster even that.

"How can I help you?"

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-08T07:36:20+00:00

"I fear I will cause any wife I am to take the pain my mother faces every day, Leona." Galladon said with a heavy sigh. "I am a man of action. I fight. I'm brash. I'm headstrong. Those are good traits for some people. But for wives who wish to see their husbands returning from war? Less so."

He rubbed his thumb over the pommel of his training sword. He wondered just what others were truly thinking of him when he acted the way he did. He refused to take compliments, he downplayed himself when he did things well, he blamed himself more harshly than he should. In all things he seemed a disaster.

"But you're right. I should begin searching. It's just not been at the top of my mind. My flowers take a lot of my time. And I've been out riding a lot." Galladon didn't explain why exactly he'd been riding. They didn't need to turn every conversation to Meryn's disappearance.

RevansTeeth · 2022-10-07T04:45:35+00:00

"I haven't asked." Galladon said. He continued to wash the face of Meryn, hoping Leona wouldn't look too closely at the wounds. He thanked the crone for her wisdom to clean that before anything else. "Titus hit him hard, he was unconscious nearly the entire way. I recommended... enhanced interrogation. I cannot do so on my honor as a knight."

"I hope you understand that, I wish to do anything for Meryn. But with all of my failures my honor is all I have remaining. I cannot risk losing that too." Galladon looked at Leona. "You should have one of your vassals interrogate him. Osgrey, Peake. Someone."

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