章節 8: Harrenhal
281, Crossroads Inn.
Torrhen, Ned and Robert were eating lunch at the Inn after a long morning of riding, Torrhen ordered blood sausages, Ned just bread and fish, while Robert has a large variety on his side, along with the Innkeeper's daughter in his lap.
Ned was giving a stern look at Robert but the latter paid him no mind. Bored out of his mind, Torrhen decided to ask Ned about the recent news of their family, "Northmen marrying a Southern woman, I guess the North has entered the Southern people's game in politics. I didn't know that your Father has that kind of ambition, Ned. He also had your sister, Lyanna, to be betrothed to our oaf friend here." Robert grunted but didn't argue.
Ned gave one last stern look at Robert before boring his eyes at Torrhen, replying, "Father has no choice, Hoster Tully would increase the food bought by the North if he did accept the proposal." He sighed and continued, "Brandon was not happy. He's having a... relationship with Barbrey Ryswell of Barrowton. Knowing Brandon, he probably took Lady Barbrey's maidenhood."
"Aha, that's the difference about you and Brandon, Ned. He's the wild one and you're the quiet one." Robert exclaimed. His hands wandering at legs of the lady in his lap.
Ned had a serious face, "Taking a Ladies maidenhood before marriage is dishonorable, Robert."
Torrhen had a small laughed, "If Lord Arryn can't do anything about Robert, then both us also can't, Ned. But, it's true, you're the quiet one and Brandon's the wild one. Lyanna, on the other hand, is another wild wolf, isn't she? A She-wolf."
"Aye, she has wolf's blood." Ned nodded, admitting Torrhen's word.
Robert laughed, "Lighten up, Ned! We'll find someone for you."
Torrhen nodded, grinning, "We'll have someone for you at Harrenhal. I'm told that Princess Elia and her handmaiden, Ashara Dayne, are the best example of dornish beauty."
Ned smiled, "You mean, their Valyrian features mixed with dornish? Aye, in Robert's words, they are an exotic beauty."
Robert let the lady in his lap go, before smacking his hips, "See, we can be beat the honorable fool, named Eddard Stark! Let's drink to that." He raises his cup, Torrhen and Ned, reluctantly, raised theirs.
"When's Brandon wedding?" Torrhen asked.
Ned sipped at the cheap ale, "After the tourney. Lyanna's coming at the tourney too, along with my younger brother Benjen."
Torrhen nodded, "Then, will the two of you compete at the tourney? It's 50,000 gold dragons for the melee and jousting, 40,000 for archery. It's pretty big reward for the greatest tourney in history."
Ned shook his head, indicating no, while Robert exclaims, "Bah, that's just pompous people poking each other with stick! That's not a real fight!"
"Big reward, though" torrhen said, shaking his head. "I think... I'll compete."
Ned and Robert look at Torrhen with confused look, Ned asked, "Why?"
Torrhen sighed, "You know I cannot inherit Karhold, right? I may be born into a great House, but I have no land nor titles to inherit. At the least, Ned here can have an abandoned Keep of Holdfast in the big North, his elder brother can repair them, he's got the gold." He drank the whole cup, "I want to compete for the reward money, buy a small land or an abandoned castle anywhere in Westeros." He looked at the packed chest on his side, "Why do you think I carried this heavy chest on our ride?"
Ned nodded in understanding, while Robert exclaims, "I am the Lord of Storm's End, Torrhen. I can kick someone from a big castle for you! So stop crying and enjoy knights beat each other with sticks."
Torrhen smiled sadly, "You know you cannot do that." He sighed and looked at Robert, "Sure, Summerhall is in ruins, melted stones and ruined walls, but it can be repaired for an another loyal bannerman of your House. You cannot give it to an outsider."
Robert exclaimed, "F*ck them, you are my friend, a brother, Seven hells, you are more of my brother than my real brothers. You can have any keep in my land. I'm the Lord of Stormlands, Torrhen, and that title means something."
Torrhen was stunned by Robert's words, a smile dawned at his face, "I am grateful, Robert. Do not worry, I'll take the tourney rewards to repair my castle in the Stormland. Maybe, I'll win all of them."
He continued, "Prince Rhaegar is rumored to be competing at jousting, isn't he? Then, I'll win the melee and archery one. I can't offend a Royal family."
Ned smiled, sipping to his ale, Robert harrumphed, "I hate that lady prince, all he does is play his golden harp and look good with his tailored clothes and silver hair."
Ned laughed at that, "Is that jealousy, I hear?"
"Aye, so jealous, the quiet wolf could not contain his jape." Torrhen laughed.
"Careful, Torrhen, I am the Lord of Stormland, I will not give you, your castle." Robert gave a victorious smile.
"It was a mistake, my Lord. It would not happen again." Torrhen laughed, standing up and gave a sarcastic bow. He continued."We should rest in the Inn. We'll ride on the morrow.'
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281 AC, Harrenhal.
Torrhen smiled at the big festivities hosted by Lord Whent. The latter is evidently tired from greeting Lords and Ladies all over Westeros. Torrhen looked at the black ruined castle.
Harren the Black challenged the dragons, now this castle will always be a reminder not to offend the Royal family. It was to show strength, that the Targaryens didn't permit the Lord of Harrenhal to repair their castle. Thankfully, Harrenhal is huge enough to host the Lords and Ladies, along with their guards and retinues.
Torrhen look at his back, the chest containing his armor, his great sword and his great shield, along with Rickard's long sword.
The Northern party hasn't arrived yet, along with the Royal Family.
Looking at the surrounding, all the people are happy because of the biggest festivities happening, blacksmiths and apprentice blacksmiths are busy working on Knights armor or weapons. Merchants are busy tricking their fool customers. Children playing at the side, noble or lowborn. But what he noticed the most was a Night's Watch Recruiter. The latter is trying his best to promote the once honorable and noble constitution the Night's Watch was.
Being brother of the Night's Watch is a gruesome commitment, as deserting will cost your head. Lord Commander Qorgyle is an honorable man, leading rapers and thieves, especially murderers.
Torrhen then turned to another thing, Frey men. These weasel of a man is bad as their faces, greedy and opportunist House of Westeros. Taking pride by building their bridge.
He sighed, this will be a good tourney, better if those Frey men aren't there.
A,N: The Rebellion Volume is here. Thank you for reading this chapter.
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