The Emerald Isle

[The Forgotten God]

A nickname coined for the circlular Reach camp now outside Harrentown, double rows of sharpened spikes and eight men guarding the two entrances full time. It is still a place of relative happiness and there is a full size quintain yard in it.

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

Melissa was kept busy for several hours, moving House Gardener's entourage and possessions into the camp, and then setting up her own quarters within it. That evening, having satisfied herself that nothing more could be done in the meantime, she sought out the king. They had found what she hoped would be a secure base for the duration of their time in the Riverlands, but she felt that it was hardly an end to the tension between House Gardener, House Hoare and the people of the Riverlands . She wanted to discuss that, and various other matters, with her father.

She found him in his quarters. "I hope I am not intruding, Father. I came to see if you are well. Or as well as you can be, in the circumstances."

[The Forgotten God]

The king shrugged as people moved in and out. "I expected some nonsense to occur. I did not expect it to take this particular form, but our hosts can only behave themselves so long," he said. "Wearing the mask of civilized men tires them after a time."

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

If the situation weren't so serious, she might have laughed. "I was truly shocked when I heard about the quarrel between Geralt and Prince Theon.  I'd never reproach Geralt for demanding a duel, but I thought Prince Theon had better sense to antagonise his grandsire's guests. "  She sighed.  "I thought he at least was properly civilised.  I suppose I was wrong, but he didn't deserve to be poisoned.  I hope the culprit is found and punished. "

She took a seat close to the king.  "If the poisoner isn't found, will King Harmund insist Geralt is to blame after all?  I know it wasn't him - gods forbid any of our family would do something so dishonourable - but King Harmund will have to blame somebody."

[The Forgotten God]

"He can insist all he wants," Grayson said. "That old bastard can blame Lann the Clever if he chooses. His own son watched Geralt cut his palm before him." He shook his head. "More likely that sickly little..." he narrowly avoided cursing before his only daughter. "...man had a seizure at the sight of his own blood." He patted her hand. "I am sure he was taught to wear a civilized disguise in Oldtown," he said comfortingly, "but that mask has been torn off and his own countrymen should be ashamed at what was revealed. Of course...they're no better," he amended. "So he will fit right in."

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

"I suppose so. And yet he was nothing but pleasant to me. But...are we in real danger if the poisoner isn't found? Could this turn to war?" A chill ran down her spine as she asked the question. Though she had fought in small skirmishes and faced men in single combat on several occasions, Melissa had never been in a proper battle. Having adventures of her own choosing was one thing, war quite another.

[The Forgotten God]

"War with who?" He asked. "If they think they can mobilize troops to fight over this farce they are truly insane. No one will join them in facing the Reach when it is clear we didn't poison their heir." He shook his head. "They are more rational than that. They haven't solidified any support to go to war," he assured her. "Or else we'd be hearing wedding bells ringing."

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

She let out a sigh of relief. "That's good. I was worried that they would disregard the evidence in our favour out of a desire for vengeance." She seemed to perk up a bit, trusting her father's opinion of the matter. "I was so looking forward to the tourney but it's not nearly so exciting now. But Percy's right that we must see this through until the finish."

She stood. "I would like to ask a boon of you, if I may. Princess Serena has invited to visit her at Sunspear. I should like to go. I enjoyed my previous visit to Dorne, and it can only be a good thing to have a friendship between our house and hers."

[The Forgotten God]

He looked at her. "Did she now?" He asked. "She is ever so generous. Let us sort this mess first; poison is a Dornish weapon," he said. "Are you visiting her son?" He asked pointedly.

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

Melissa smiled, but there was no real humour in it. Of course, it always came down to the sons.

"Princess Serena has indicated that she would welcome a closer acquaintance between Prince Samael and myself, and believes that he would like that too.  The prince was not present when I visited his mother, so I was not able to confirm that for myself. But we seemed to get along well enough when we first met.  I shouldn't object to spending more time in his company."

She paused, thinking.  "I can't believe the Martells would stoop to poison. But I don't know about Serena's bannerlords and their families, there are many I've never met."

[The Forgotten God]

Grayson chuckled. "Serena has poisoned plenty of enemies," he said, "her husband is a Tyroshi warlord who delights in it. But..." he tapped his fingers on his cheek, "after this tourney I will consider it. If you act responsibly. The demands of the Reach are beyond our personal desires."

He leaned back and looked up towards the sky. "Two of those female mercenaries have been arrested for the death of Isabella Arron," he said. "I don't think seeing them is a good idea right now." See Damon coughs in agreement.

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

Melissa scowled.  She was sick of hearing how nobody trusted the Steel Mermaids.  "I can't believe that a group of women would murder another woman," she said.  "I won't believe it unless they confess.  Truly, it makes no sense.  What possible reason would they have to kill a princess?  But fine, I won't seek to speak with them.  Not yet.  And, truly, Father, you worry too much.  I wasn't planning to run off and join them.  I swear it by the Seven."

[The Forgotten God]

"As it turns out," the king said, "I agree with you. Something is off about that whole mess. What I don't want is for overly eager vigilantes to get you caught up in it," he added. "I hope this gets sort out quickly," he agreed. "I've hired their services myself, after all."

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

She nodded. She had always wondered why the king had hired the Steel Mermaids when he had at the same time indicated his wish to keep her well away from them.

"I'll stay away until it's been resolved," she promised. "I would like to train with the Mermaids sometime, and to be their friend and ally, but I love my family too much to run off with them." She hugged him, impulsively, to prove her point. Afterwards, releasing him, she asked "Could Princess Isabella's death be part of the attack on Prince Theon? Maybe the same person is trying to cause bad feeling between all the royal houses, and seek to turn us against each other."

[The Forgotten God]

"I hope not," he said, "but I know nothing of why anyone would want to kill the poor girl. The rat is another story." He hugged her back. "Be careful, my dear," he said. "If you go in town Ser Damon stays near you at all times, as always."

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

"Of course.  There's no sense going into town much at the moment anyway.  Father, may I ask you one more question before I leave you to your duties?" 

She looked at him, seemingly troubled.  Then she blurted out "Before we left Highgarden Florys claimed you already had a match in mind for me, but you've never said a word to me.  Is it true?"

[The Forgotten God]

He nodded. "I had one in mind," he said. "But only as a thought. It's not worth discussing now. Sometimes when you get the measure of a situation you Alize itisn't worth pursuing," he said. "So you've no need to worry on that front, so long as you make an effort to help me out."

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

She fidgeted as she thought of the thing that was too embarrassing to discuss with her father.  Lilith knew some part of it, but she dared not speak of it to anyone else.  

"I've always known I must marry to the benefit of House Gardener," she reminded him.  "I can't flirt like Florys does, but I'll do my best to be pleasant to anyone you think worthy of my hand.  I will do my duty as best I can, now and when I'm married."

[The Forgotten God]

"I know," he said, "and I want to find someone who will make doing that duty..not a burden on you," he soothed. "There are not many in the world worthy of a Gardener's daughter. Fewer still are those we'd consider even among that select group."

[Princess Melissa Gardener]

"And yet hundreds of Gardener kings have found men worthy of their daughters," she said. "I suppose all fathers think the same, anyway. I'll leave you now." She stood and left.