- 281 AC -
- Harrenhal -
(3rd Person POV)
The feast was in full swing. Everyone was out of their minds because the Crown Prince, Rhaegar Targaryen, had 'graced' them with his presence. Not only that, but he also graced them with his tongue ... he sang them a song. All eyes were on him, and Leman even stopped eating to observe the man who would one day be king. He saw the smile, the perfect hair and clothes, the way he walked and talked, the way he held himself, and the way his teeth seemed to shine whenever he smiled, as if he were 'The Great Leslie' from the movie The Great Race.
Rhaegar looked around the room and then sat on a small pedestal, giving everyone a good view. He was handed his harp and then started to sing a song. For some reason, it was a sad song; at least, that's what the melody told everyone. Leman had to admit that the Crown Prince knew his stuff. The way he could capture the attention of all the Ladies in the room and even impress the Lords was nothing short of impressive. And yet, there was a small frown on Leman's forehead as the song went on.
Lyanna started crying.
"Hehehe, our little babe has started to cry. I'm going to tell Father about this, that the tough She-Wolf cried over a song," Benjen was amused and made fun of Lyanna, but that proved to be a mistake.
"Oh yeah?!"
Lyanna takes a whole jug of wine and pours it over Benjen's head. Seeing this, the entire Northern section of the table bursts into laughter. Benjen knows he made a mistake and now regrets it. Leman, on the other hand, was ignoring all of it and continued to stuff his face full of food. No matter who said anything, he didn't stop. However, something did grab his attention.
On the other side of the long table, a bit further down, Robert Baratheon was drinking wine with Ser Richard Lonmouth and was groping the servant girls, laughing while doing so. He pulled them into his lap and kissed them. That was enough to make Leman stop eating. He looks at the scene and grows angry.
"Oi, Baratheon," he says.
Hearing his name being called, Robert turns around and finds Leman looking at him, with a large piece of meat in his hands.
"Hahaha, what is it? You're Ned's brother, aren't you? Tall for your age. But I can see why, hahahaha."
"You're betrothed to my sister, Lyanna. Stop groping the other girls here," Leman says.
"Huh? Hahahahaha, do you hear that?" Robert only laughs and takes another swing of his wine.
"OI! I'm serious. Get your bloody hands off the servants and control yourself," Leman growls.
"Or what, huh? Haha, you-you don't think your size bothers me, do you? Ha-have you seen me?" Robert slurs.
"Or I'll make you," Leman says.
Robert waves him off and continues laughing and drinking with Lonmouth. They don't bother about Leman and his words, since he's only 'Ned's little brother'. But they couldn't be more wrong. Having heard what Leman said, Lyanna smiles slightly, thankful that he tried. But she doesn't know her brother that well.
*BANG*
.
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(Howland POV)
During the feast, I sit next to Leman Stark. I am confused about this man, and he is a man, no mere boy. Leman doesn't speak with anyone and is instead constantly stuffing his mouth with food. If someone asks him whether he likes it, he declines, saying 'nah' but continues to eat nonetheless. It is, after all, free food, as he said. I, who don't have anyone to talk to besides the Stark children, am observing Leman the entire time. It may seem strange, but he is an interesting young man. So unlike anyone I have met yet. He told me to eat as much as possible since I still needed to 'grow'. While I thought it was a joke initially, I am certain that Leman just eats because he can, as there is free food.
But I have noticed that sometimes, in the smallest of fractions, there is a moment where Leman is looking at the people in the feast hall. Not long, but a mere fraction of a moment. He is not only looking at them but appears to be studying them. I am uncertain why he does this, but I can tell that there is more to the 'brutish' appearance he presents to everyone.
I take the time to do the same when I realise this. I understand that I'm indeed correct, and Leman is not the brutish idiot that he makes everyone believe; he is a very observant and clever individual. He is just masking his interest with disgusting decorum and table manners to throw everyone off and have them look away or look at the wrong thing. For some reason, my opinion of Leman rises, and I think about the small things that Leman shows, which are unlike the persona he represents.
I also noticed that there is one individual who has seemingly gathered Leman's ire: Robert Baratheon. I take the time to observe Robert and think about what I know about the man. His relationship with Eddard Stark and his origins. He is the heir to Storm's End and was fostered together with the young Lord Eddard. He also loves to drink, shout and grope the female servants, something that doesn't sit right with Leman. That's understandable, as he is betrothed to Lady Lyanna. His words are loud and disrespectful to most and boastful. He seems like the brute that Leman appears to be at first.
I understand, looking to the side, that Lady Lyanna is uncomfortable and disgusted, while Leman is angry at Robert for doing it in front of all to see. I notice the slight growing anger in Leman's demeanour and wonder what would happen. I can only assume at this point, but from what I have seen, Leman is not a man who shies away from doing what he believes in, simply because it wouldn't be 'proper' in the south. I try to eat, as Leman said, but the problem is now in the room and doesn't allow me to get anything down my throat any more. I feel the growing tension despite no one else doing so, since I appear to be the only one paying attention.
"Oi, Baratheon," I hear Leman say.
"Hahaha, what is it? You're Ned's brother, aren't you? Tall for your age. But I can see why, hahahaha."
"You're betrothed to my sister, Lyanna. Stop groping the other girls here," Leman says.
"Huh? Hahahahaha, do you hear that?" Robert only laughs and takes another swing of his wine.
"OI! I'm serious. Get your bloody hands off the servants and control yourself," Leman growls.
"Or what, huh? Haha, you-you don't think your size bothers me, do you? Ha-have you seen me?" Robert slurs.
"Or I'll make you," Leman says.
Lyanna elbows her brother when he says that, but doesn't say anything since she is too embarrassed. Robert shrugs Leman's words off since he doesn't know him, and he just makes a joke to Eddard before getting back to the servant girl, who is as uncomfortable as can be now that she is in the limelight. But then...
*BANG*
.
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(Brandon POV)
I think about the feast and the food. I have never seen so much food and wine being served at the same time. It's also good food, featuring all the things I enjoy. But the food is not the best thing I've seen right now. Looking around the hall, I see all of the beauties giggling and walking around. I feel my urges acting up. That must be the wine. Urgh, that's shit, now I'm thinking about my betrothal.
Catlyn Tully.
Why does it have to be a fucking fish? Why a southerner? Why not a northern beauty, one I love... like Barbrey Ryswell? I want to marry Barbrey, quite desperately, too. We rode in the Rills often, and I was also the one to take her maidenhead. I didn't have any intentions at first, and I'm unsure whether she had some for me or if it was simply infatuation. But our feelings for one another blossomed. I am convinced that I would become happy with her. However, Father's ambition won't allow for such a union. It won't allow me to be happy.
I am anything but happy about the betrothal to Catelyn Tully. However, I have no choice in the matter. I have done everything Father told me to and won't stop doing it now. At least she's supposed to be pretty. If it is best for House Stark, then I'm willing to do it. Maybe I can still be with Barbrey some other way.
The best for House Stark ... I think about Father, Mother and my siblings. I know that as the firstborn, I must do what I can, but I don't understand why it was Eddard who was sent to the Eyrie to be fostered by an Arryn, take on their sense of 'honour' and pretty much become a Southerner, only for me to then have to marry a Fish. I don't see the sense in that, as I am a true Wolf of House Stark and prefer a woman from the North. My gaze moves over to look at Eddard, who is trying to hide his gaze from the young beauty Ashara Dayne. Seeing his 'timidness', for some reason, I feel repulsed.
My gaze wanders to my younger brother, Leman, and I notice him stuffing his face and watching Robert across the table. I smile, seeing the terrible table manners Leman obviously picked up while he was on Bear Island. Haha, I suddenly agree with Leman's words about Eddard becoming a wuss and growing weak while in the Vale under Jon Arryn. I don't like the fact that he has to ignore his happiness and wishes just for Eddard to enjoy someone from the North, at least according to what I know.
My attention is pulled from his thoughts when I hear Leman address Robert Baratheon and Richard Lonmouth.
"Oi, Baratheon," I hear Leman say.
"Hahaha, what is it? You're Ned's brother, aren't you? Tall for your age. But I can see why, hahahaha."
"You're betrothed to my sister, Lyanna. Stop groping the other girls here," Leman says.
"Huh? Hahahahaha, do you hear that?" Robert only laughs and takes another swing of his wine.
"OI! I'm serious. Get your bloody hands off the servants and control yourself," Leman growls.
"Or what, huh? Haha, you-you don't think your size bothers me, do you? Ha-have you seen me?" Robert slurs.
"Or I'll make you," Leman says.
I am confused and then realise what is going on. I didn't even realise it until Leman said so, but Leman's right. Robert is very disrespectful towards Lyanna. I hear Robert's joke about all of it to Eddard and get angry at him. I think about what to do in this situation and review the pros and cons. I can't embarrass Father or House Stark right now. Not when I am about to be betrothed.
Robert is an heir to a powerful House, and as such, he can theoretically do what he wants. He is also kind of my friend, and I liked him initially, but... Sigh... if only there was someone who wasn't so concerned about decorum.
Wait!
*BANG*
.
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(Elia POV)
I am pensive and hold my arms close to me, looking at the table in front of me. I haven't thought about the food yet as I don't feel comfortable at all. The people, the songs, the food and drink... and my husband.
I see Rhaegar walk around the room, speak flowery words to the ladies and make them swoon, while trying to make friends with the male Lords of Westeros. It is too much for me. I was born prematurely and have had a rather feeble constitution my entire life. I can't stand the pretences and the effect the wine has on the men and women.
My good friend Ashara, who was at my side initially, has been asked to dance far too often for her to find her place next to me again. But I don't blame my friend. She is still so young. And with looks like hers, I would be very surprised if she didn't land in bed with multiple Lords tonight.
Lord Jon Connington, my brother Oberyn, and so many others Ashara has already danced with. I smile, seeing Ser Barristan's face. The stoic and honourable knight has obvious feelings but can't voice them. Such is the curse of a Gold Cloak. I wonder whether he is the only true knight I know, apart from my family. My brothers, who adore me, especially Oberyn, are an exception to this. Although I wouldn't call either of them knights. Especially not Oberyn.
After a while, I see something incredible. Ashara Dayne, the one whom all the men in the room adore, moves towards a tall young man with blonde hair. The man in question is unknown to me, but I know a Northern man when I see one. While I find his eating manners terribly lacking, I still noticed him earlier when the newest addition to the Gold Cloaks, Ser Jaime Lannister, tried to talk to him. I see him eat and ignore everyone around him. How funny. I like the Northeners quite a bit. After Dorne, which is my home, I enjoy the Northerners, as they are so different from us, but also share many qualities. Usually, a Northerner tells you what he thinks to your face. There are some Lords and Ladies who still have some manners, but not one of them is like we are in the South.
I watch Ashara approach the blonde Northerner and say something to him. He responds with a shrug without looking up from his food. Both Ashara and I are more than confused. Thinking him to be shy, Ashara tries to sit down next to him and looks at the man sitting next to the Northerner. The man meekly bows his head and wants to stand up to make space when the blonde's large hand catches the smaller man's shoulder and pulls him back down.
"If you have something to say, do it now; we're eating. And Howland still needs more food," I hear his voice over the crowd.
Ashara is flabbergasted and confused, as am I. I see Eddard Stark reprimanding his brother loudly, but he just ignores it.
"Since you stalked her the entire evening, why don't you give her some of your time? It doesn't seem to be worth much anyway."
After that, he goes back to eating. My jaw almost dropped hearing him say such words. I notice Ser Barristan narrow his eyes and reach for his sword. He seems to be utterly lost.
Finally, Ashara slips back next to me and sits down. I can't help but laugh at my friend's situation. She was rejected for the very first time and probably also the last time in her life.
"What are you laughing at?" she asks.
"Don't take it to heart, Ashara. The Northerners are special. But you seem to have an effect on the rest of them. So that's still a lot. Ignore that one. If you want a Northerner, then do as he said and ask Eddard Stark. He seems to be free right now," I say.
I get interested in the young Stark, who doesn't dance or talk much and only eats his food like a barbarian. However, there is a change in his demeanour as he addresses Robert Baratheon and the knight at his side, who are having a drinking game.
"Oi, Baratheon," I hear the northman say.
"Hahaha, what is it? You're Ned's brother, aren't you? Tall for your age. But I can see why, hahahaha."
"You're betrothed to my sister, Lyanna. Stop groping the other girls here."
"Huh? Hahahahaha, do you hear that?" Robert only laughs and takes another swing of his wine.
"OI! I'm serious. Get your bloody hands off the servants and control yourself," the Northerner growls.
"Or what, huh? Haha, you-you don't think your size bothers me, do you? Ha-have you seen me?" Robert slurs.
"Or I'll make you."
As the Stark snarls at the Heir of House Baratheon, I can't help but be entranced by him and grow more interested in the young but very clear man of House Stark. What is he doing?
*BANG*
I watch him punch the table in half. The people shout in surprise, and a lot of the food and tableware fall down. The Stark stands up and moves through the gap he created by breaking the large table stops in front of Robert and the knight.
"You will stop that," he says to Robert.
"Or what? Who the bloody heck do you think you are?" the knight asks and stands up.
"The Sandman," the Stark says.
He grabs the knight's face and smashes him into the table, breaking it and sending the poor man into dreamland.
Oh, my. I did not see that coming.
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