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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 22:10:33 GMT
Melissa's tent in the Gardener camp.
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 22:21:13 GMT
Geralt paid to a visit to his sister's tent, courteously sending a female servant ahead of him to ensure his sister was proper and accepting company.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 22:24:52 GMT
Fortunately, she was properly dressed since it wasn't too late. She allowed the servant to let Geralt in.
"Brother," she said, welcoming him with a smile. "I was worried you and Alyssa might have already gone home. Are you staying, then?"
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 22:28:35 GMT
"At least for the evening," Geralt replied, the events of the last few days having been trying to say the least. "I figured we were safer in a fortified camp for the evening than the road if there are to be reprisals. Perhaps they will find the criminal by morning. If not, departing may be the wisest course."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 22:31:05 GMT
"Probably," she agreed. "I hope they find him. Or her." She knew what they said about poison being a woman's weapon. "But you're safe for now, and that's what counts."
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 22:33:22 GMT
"I am more concerned for Alyssa than myself," he admitted, with a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood. "The worst danger I was in was when I cut my own hand."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 22:37:21 GMT
"OH, yes. I was really worried that someone had actually poisoned your sword," she said. "I was so relieved when nothing bad happened to you. There's nowhere safer than this right now, anyway. At least we can all sleep peacefully tonight. Did you need me for something?"
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 22:45:07 GMT
"I practically sleep with the thing, so that would have narrowed down the suspects considerably had it been poisoned," Geralt remarked, as of that would have made things easier despite the potential for his death. "Well, with the fresh tensions, father will not doubt seek to wed you and Percy soon for alliances. I know how you value your freedom and can't help feeling guilty and partly responsible for the more urgent need to see you married off."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 22:50:34 GMT
That admission surprised her. She smiled at him. "It's not exactly your fault. Prince Theon isn't the man I first thought him, and I've always known that I have to marry someone. Besides, I'm not going to change just because I'm married. Whichever man Father chooses will have to accept that. Anyone who doesn't clearly won't offer for me."
She didn't like to tell him that his own wife had been the one to tell her that marriage needn't be as restricting as she sometimes feared.
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 23:05:16 GMT
He swallowed at that, allowing an awkward pause as he thought how to phrase a response.
"I think you expect too much, sister," he said, as tactfully as he was able. laying out the reality as he saw it, "If you are married for an alliance, I cannot see any of the foreign princes valuing you for your skill with a blade. They will want to sire a heir to seal the alliance and your proclivities with a sword would likely be less tolerated than they are even in our family. Your royal husband will not have to accept a thing, but you will have to accept his word as law or else risk embarrassing he entirety of the Reach and putting our alliance in jeopardy."
"With that said and with my own guilt that the limiting of your freedoms through marriage will likely happen sooner rather than later now due to today's events, I have an offer for you..." He paused to make sure she was amenable to his words.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 23:09:26 GMT
Melissa was silent for a moment, not trusting herself to speak as the angry words flowed inside her. She knew without a doubt that she could not simply put aside everything she was when she married. But it wasn't Geralt's fault that husbands had legal authority over wives and she would gain nothing to antagonising him, so she made herself sit quietly until she could speak safely.
"I'm listening," she said.
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 23:22:36 GMT
"If anyone in this family can sympathize with having to set aside personal freedom for the sake of duty, he is sitting before you. The same would have been expected from you had you married Alyssa's brother, but I was forced to sacrifice my freedoms instead while you were given another year to gallivant about," he said, taking a gentler tone now that he had finished his lecture. "I had no desire for the responsibilities of Oldtown. I wished to spend my days riding the roads with my brothers in arms, with no desire other than a small keep and eventually dutiful wife. You will have to make the same sacrifice as a royal Gardener."
"But when the time for me to say my marriage vows came, my stag party consisted of Ser Garrett and the knights of the Green Order taking me on one last great quest, one more adventure where I had no concern but to accrue the dust of the road on my armor and saddle," he said, wistfully. "If you agree to be a dutiful wife to whichever husband father chooses and set aside some of your freedoms as I had to, I would be willing to arrange the same sort of adventure for you."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 23:36:49 GMT
She took a moment to reflect. It was different for a man, because they had the law on their side.
"I think, when the time comes, it's for my husband and I to discuss how to proceed in our life together. But I know you mean well, Geralt, and I appreciate you thinking of me. I've told Father I'll do my best to be a dutiful wife. But I can't say more than that, when I don't even know who I'm to marry. But I would like us to have an adventure together, truly, if such a thing is possible."
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 23:39:26 GMT
"I want your word, Melissa, that you will not shame us or your husband in that regard," he said holding up a stern finger. "On your honor. I will be sticking my neck out a great deal with father if I agree to do this for you and I do not make the offer lightly."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 23:44:08 GMT
"I've no intention of shaming either our family or my future husband," she said. "That's the last thing I want. I swear it. Gods, if it were only possible I'd spend my entire life travelling and having adventures, just like you wanted to do. But neither of us can have the life we truly want, can we?"
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 23:51:35 GMT
"No, we can't, but we can make the most of opportunities that present themselves," he said, with a sympathetic smile. He then began explaining the situation and laying out his offer.
"Ser Garrett has made me aware of a group of raiders and slavers that have been conducting operations along the coastal border between Oldtown and Starfall. I will be riding down with the Green Hand to see justice done and we will be sending ships from Oldtown to cut off their escape. After that, I have agreed to sail to the Stepstones in a joint venture with the Targaryens to secure the shipping lanes from some pirates. I understand you have made it known you wish to visit Sunspear? As our ships would have to pass it on the way to the Stepstones, it would make sense to drop you off on the way, and if you happen to assist our knights in the coastal bandit hunt near Starfall along the way...I suppose that would be in the interest of efficiency."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 13, 2017 23:58:26 GMT
She brightened a little. "I'd like that very much. Thank you, Geralt. Princess Serena has invited me to visit her and Father wouldn't say yes or no when I told him. He wants our difficulties here to be resolved. But if you lend your support, he'll surely say yes. And, well..." She hesitated, weighing up the situation, then decided to confide in him. "I think Serena wants me to marry her son. So Sunspear might be the best place for me to go anyway."
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 14, 2017 0:05:17 GMT
"Then we have an accord. I will speak to father on the matter and do my best to ensure there is not risk of you hanging up your blade without one last adventure."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 14, 2017 0:13:26 GMT
She chose not to point out that she had not actually promised to hang up her blade. There was no sense in making decisions like that until she was actually betrothed and could have a proper discussion with her future husband. And yet she had been sincere about her desire not to embarrass her future husband or her family where possible.
"Thank you. Look after Alyssa. I think she's good for you," she said.
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 14, 2017 0:20:32 GMT
"For the love of the Seven above, don't tell her that," Geralt replied, with a hearty laugh. "I'd never hear the end of it."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 14, 2017 8:06:44 GMT
Melissa laughed as well. "I won't. I'm glad you two are happy. Since getting to know Alyssa a bit better, I'm realising that you suit each other very well."
She knew it would be near impossible for her to find the same kind of happiness, and that made her a little sad, yet she was genuinely happy for Geralt and Alyssa.
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Post by Prince Geralt Gardener on Aug 14, 2017 21:14:31 GMT
""For the love of the Seven above, don't tell me that!" he exclaimed, protesting aloud at the thought perhaps a bit too forcefully.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 14, 2017 21:18:12 GMT
She responded with a smile, amused by the fact that her tough brother had apparently lost his heart to a woman he hadn't particularly wanted to marry. A very small part of her wished it were possible for her own marriage to turn out the same, but she knew it couldn't.
"I wont tease you any more...in public. Go and take care of her, Geralt."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 17, 2017 22:37:32 GMT
//////////
Melissa sat in her tent, fuming, and speaking to nobody.
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 17, 2017 23:44:48 GMT
After some time Perceon poked his head in. "Melissa, so you are still here! Do you know where everyone has gone? I can't find father or Geralt anywhere."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 18, 2017 10:34:28 GMT
She jumped up, eyes blazing. In the time she had been back at camp her temper had not calmed. She had taken off her mail and sword belt but was still in her fighting attire.
"They went to rescue Lilith from some bloody bastard. And sent me back here though I am Lilith's dearest friend and love her best of all of us. As if I were some child!"
She began pacing. "Warrior take them both! As if they did not comprehend that I had a right to see Lilith safe! Gods, it would serve them bloody right if I ran off to join the Steel Mermaids!"
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 18, 2017 12:59:46 GMT
"What?" Perceon looked completely shocked and didn't seem to have followed what was going on through his sister's anger. "Lilith is in danger?" He asked.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 18, 2017 13:07:48 GMT
"Yes, I told you that already," she retorted, still pacing. "A bastard took her prisoner. I hope Geralt brings him back alive - I'll run him through myself! Gods, I hate this place. Nothing but trouble. Bloody Ironborn and bloody Valemen."
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 18, 2017 13:12:28 GMT
Perceon's first thought was he needed to go get men to send them to wherever his father and Geralt had gone. He then realized this thought was stupid, because neither man was the type to leave without the number of men necessary.
Since it seemed there was nothing he could do about Lilith he decided all that was left for him was to calm his sister. "No doubt father and Geralt will deal with this villain if they know where he is. They were just trying to protect you by sending you back - body and reputation. Believe it or not most men don't like scars on their women." He commented, perhaps foolishly.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 18, 2017 13:22:37 GMT
She turned on him. "As if I give a fig for that when Lilith is in danger! I've as much right to fight for my friend and kinswoman as they have. More, maybe! Lilith and I have travelled together half a hundred times, fought together, done most everything together. And to be told I couldn't be there when she needed me more than she had ever needed me before. Could you stand aside when the person you love most in the world is in danger, Percy?""
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