[Day 9, Epilogue] Changing the Leopold's Spots

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

The tents were being packed up, the business had been taken care of, and there was just one loose end left for Gwyneth.

Well, no. That was a lie. There was the Darrys. There was the troubling end to her confrontation with Isobel. And there was Leopold.

She arrived at the Drunken Huntsman and went to where the barkeeper was wiping it down.

"
I'm here to see the Maester Leopold,"
Gwyn reported. "
Is he still in his room?"

[Reader]

Masha Heedle smiled and gestured upstairs, "
Up and about for hours already."


Maester Leopold seemed in better shape than at the beginning of the tourney - to call him a man transformed would be to overstate matters, but even before she approached, it was clear to Gwyn that being put to work had been good for the maester.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn went over to Leopold with a sunny smile, and inwardly she was encouraged by the positive steps she'd seen. It had taken some convincing to Baelon to allow this, and she was putting herself on the line for it, but maybe all Leopold needed was a second chance.

"
Leo,"
she greeted warmly, "
Maester...you're looking well. I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to see you again before now. Who would have thought a tourney would be such busy times for someone like me?"

[Reader]

"
Lady Gwyneth,"
Leopold managed a stiff bow, wincing but keen to greet his guest appropriately.

"
Lady Isobel would have expected you'd been busy getting up to no good."


After his friendly jest, Leopold's tone lowers.

"
I hope proceedings were not too bloody for you child, I can dig out some of the old smelling salts and tinctures that used to help with your dizzy spells."


Competent, busy and kind - it seemed the Maester Leopold of old was restored, at least in some measure. Lady Isobel driving Leopold from Hartshorn in to idleness and the arms of his personal demons was one of the greatest unkindnesses she could have done, albeit form grief rather than malice.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn's smile faltered just a little, but she shook her head.

"
I found ways to fill my time away from the jousts and melee,"
she said, a little too lightly. "
There was plenty to pay attention to. And you needn't worry about Isobel anymore. She's neither of our problems anymore."


Probably not entirely true, but it was such a pleasure to say that she didn't care. Isobel would be managed.

"
It's been so good to see you again,"
Gwyn told him. "
Do you have plans now, for after the tourney?"
She couldn't keep from grinning, couldn't wait for the answer. "
If not, I have news that may be of interest for you."

[Reader]

"
Is that so my lady,"
said Leopold, keen to hear of the sudden advancement in Gwyneth's station and her unlikely escape from Lady Isobel's wrath.

Life would become very interesting if House Drakeson could find the resources to adequately provision him in its new demense...

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