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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 21, 2017 18:00:01 GMT
The Stark camp within the larger Northern camp.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 21, 2017 18:02:27 GMT
A few days after her first visit to the Northern camp, Melissa comes back, this time with Ser Damon as her shadow. She asks to see Prince Torrhen.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 21, 2017 18:06:27 GMT
She is allowed in without the need for an escort, and she sees the prince sitting on a log chair near a fire, sharpening his sword and buffing his armor from the hits he'd taken during the tourney. He turns and stands. "Melissa," he greeted with a smile, "how nice to see you again! Your man did well in the tourney. Shame you weren't out there."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 21, 2017 18:18:37 GMT
She smiled, eyes sparkling with the compliment. "Oh, well, a melee is no place for a princess. Father would have had a fit if I'd entered and I had a lot of fun watching. I'm sure I was much more comfortable than you were, sitting on silk cushions, with a drink to hand whenever I wanted one. You did quite well, though. You'll have a fine tale to tell your children. Do you joust?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 21, 2017 19:02:37 GMT
"The drinks sound good," he agreed. "And the cushion. Damn armor gets hot," he chuckled. "I thought daughters were supposed to give their fathers fits," he said, "though I suppose your time here has had its moments." He set his sword aside. "Less well than I fight with a sword, unfortunately. I can sit a lance for war but I'm no tourney champion. Practicing against men like the Reach offers can only make me better though."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 21, 2017 19:14:15 GMT
"Of cousre it will. Practice makes perfect," she replied. "Don't forget, we have the flower of chivalry in the Reach. I've heard that jousting isn't quite so popular elsewhere. Is it true that you don't have so many knights in the North?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 21, 2017 19:18:33 GMT
"Most of us don't follow the Seven," he said. "The Manderlys do, some of the southern families have members who have sworn the oaths, and now and again some men will pledge so they can find work in the other kingdoms, but we hold to a different way in Winterfell," he said, "an older way, I suppose. Less time spent in a sermon, at least," he winked. "But our lancers go to war on horses all the same."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 21, 2017 19:27:46 GMT
She considered that. "Our gods are different and some of our customs but you don't seem all that different to the men of the Reach. Not to me. You've a Reachman's sense of honour, as far as I can tell. Has my father come to see you yet About our mutual friends?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 21, 2017 19:33:07 GMT
Torrhen chuckled. "Our mutual friends?" He asked. "I talked to your father momentarily," he said, "we are quite different if you come to our home, I suppose," he said. "But it is my favorite place." He looked at her. "This is probably the best result the Starks have ever had coming south," he said. "Usually it just results in blood and tears for our women. This trip has brought friendship and adventure, and no blood. Of ours, anyway." He grinned. "Can't always expect that."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 21, 2017 19:41:17 GMT
"We're not at war and that's good, but so much of the bloodshed I've seen has been unnecessary." She went quiet for a moment, thinking of Geralt's duel with Theon Hoare and of the senseless attacks on the Steel Mermaids. "But I hope no more blood is spilled, at least outside of the tourney field. I'm sure there will be a few injuries in the joust, if nothing else. But I was hoping you could assure me our...friends are safe? I don't want to know where they are - it's for the best that I don't - but I will sleep better if I now they are safe."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 21, 2017 19:47:16 GMT
"They are safe," he said, "and they aren't likely to be found. For the long term no promises of courses but they'll get to their friends before they're found by anyone else." He smiled. "Your sacrifice was not in vain." He grinned. "I imagine your father was furious. I am familiar with the concept myself. I tried to sneak off to Bear Island once," he said, "made it two hundred miles before I got lost in the Liddell's mountains and had to come back home." He shook his head. "The arrogance of youth."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 21, 2017 20:28:57 GMT
She raised an eyebrow. "Arrogance? You judge yourself harshly, Prince Torrhen. I would not call you arrogant, nor would I say it of myself. But it sounds like you had a fine adventure during your quest for Bear Island. I'm sure your father was secretly proud of you. A future king must be brave and confident. AS for my father, he was angry, but he understood that I tried to do a good thing. And Florys is safe, which is the most important thing of all." She sighed. "I'll have questions for her, when she's feeling better. But so will her father and mine. I've thanked you for your help before, I know, but I must thank you again. And it still won't be enough."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 21, 2017 22:19:23 GMT
He waved a hand in dismissal. "What sort of northman turns down an excuse for a perfectly good bar fight?" He asked with a grin. "Besides, our tab was getting quite pricey so it was an easy way out of it!" He laughed a bit. "No thanks necessary." He looked at her a second. "I do hope the troubles between your family and the Hoares is passing," he said.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 22, 2017 7:05:20 GMT
"I'm not sure," she admitted. "I have made my peace with Prince Theon but I know how Geralt and Alyssa feel. Time, I think, will be the healer. But there doesn't appear to be trouble."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 22, 2017 16:56:40 GMT
Torrhen nodded. "That's good," he said. "War isn't good for anyone. Expensive and messy." He regarded her a moment. "The Arryns will be coming after the Mermaids," he said. He slid her a piece of paper. "One of them left you a letter. You can read it later."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 22, 2017 18:10:25 GMT
She smiled and slipped the letter into her pocket. "Thank you. I'll keep it well hidden and I'll be careful as long as I'm here. I wouldn't want your efforts on my behalf to go to waste. Besides, I promised Father I would be careful."
After a moment she asked "Do you have plans after the tourney?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 22, 2017 19:15:53 GMT
Torrhen smiled. "Well, I can't turn a princess down, what sort of prince would that make me?" He asked. "Always be careful, it lets you get away with dumb things," he added. "As for me, well," he arched an eyebrow, "I believe I'll be getting married."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 22, 2017 19:41:29 GMT
Surprise flickered across her face. She had been thinking the prince might have an interest in her and it came as a surprise - and not a particularly welcome one - that he appeared to have other plans.
"Oh? May I ask the name of your betrothed? I would like to offer you both my congratulations."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 22, 2017 19:48:57 GMT
He nodded. "My father sent me down here with some very specific instructions. He has some...business going on that requires our complete attention. As such," he added, "I came here to ensure that House Hoare would be quiet on our shores and borders." He rubbed his jaw, "so Asha Hoare is coming north with me."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 22, 2017 20:06:30 GMT
The name of his bride surprised her even more than the marriage itself. "You work fast, Prince Torrhen. I know little of Lady Asha but my brother speaks most highly of her, and he wouldn't do that without cause. I wish you joy of one another. But I am sure you will be welcome in the Reach if yourself and your wife should care to visit."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 22, 2017 20:17:54 GMT
"I appreciate the invitation," he said, "I actually only met her at the entrance," he said, "when she was with her father greeting us. She is quite beautiful," he agreed, "and by the rumors I've heard, rather too clever, but this is a political match, for political reasons," he said. He nodded appreciation, "but I appreciate your best wishes. If I ever desire to melt, I shall take you up on that offer to visit the Reach one day."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 22, 2017 20:31:26 GMT
She laughed. "Just don't visit Dorne, then. You would surely turn to vapour." She realised how odd it was to be visiting a betrothed man. "I had better take my leave. You must be very busy."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 22, 2017 20:34:03 GMT
Torrhen rose and nodded. "Princess," he said, nodding his head slightly. "I hope you have someone like me at your next bar fight," he said with a grin. "Your gods be with you."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 22, 2017 20:43:50 GMT
"And yours with you. But I hope there won't be any more bar fights. I prefer outdoor battlefields." She stood and gave him a final smile. "Farewell, Prince Torrhen."
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