[D1 LA] A Face in the Crowd (Closed)

[Garret Snow]

Garret's eyes wandered over the crowd that had come to welcome to the Princess and her royal entourage. Highborn nobles and the common people alike had come to see House Targaryen, and for many they would never see the like again. Garret could not help himself but smile.

As he scanned the crowd, Garret caught sight of a flash of blue silk. Adjusting his position for a better view, Garret spied a young maid clutching a bouquet of pink and yellow flowers. She seemed to be searching for something, and was paying little attention to the royal procession. Garret's smile became wider and he clapped Daveth on the shoulder, "
See you at dinner, little brother."


Slipping into the crowd, Garret made his way towards the young woman in blue. The crowd surged forward as the onlookers in the back desperately sought a more clear view of Princess Rhaenyra, and fighting through them felt like swimming upstream. At last he managed to weave his way through the cheering crowd, finally reaching the young woman. She was highborn, her bearing and her rich clothing left little doubt about that. Garret was immediately reminded that while he had worn his best to see the Princess' arrival, they were the simple wool and fur of a Northern house.

Never falter, he reminded himself.

Taking a moment to clear his throat, Garret stepped next to her.

"
Looking for dragons, my lady? I can't blame you, I'm a bit disappointed myself"
He offered with an inviting smile.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth looked around, not recognizing the voice that accosted her. She didn't recognize the face either. By dress he was one of the Northmen, and not bad-off for that lot. A knight of Coldbrook, maybe? She was fairly sure they were the only House of the North attending in any number.

She smiled at him and looked back out at the procession for a moment before replying.

"
Dragons are all anyone can talk about when Targaryens are around,"
she said with a chuckle, "
For all that one rarely sees them, they certainly still fill the air. I can't help but wonder if the truth of them would be the real disappointment. What could possibly live up to all that gossip?"


Her eyes flicked down to Garrett's boots, then back up to his eyes, assessing him. "
Gwyneth Marsten. Well met, ser."

[Garret Snow]

Gwynth Marsten? Seven hells, Garret. Try not to make an ass of yourself.

Garret met her eyes and for a moment the energy and excitement of the crowd faded to a distant, faraway hum. Shaking himself free from that moment, Garret returned her smile and leaned close enough to be heard clearly over the crowd.

"
I spent much of my childhood in the kitchens of Karhold. My mother used to tell me stories of the Targaryens and their dragons. I think she always dreamed of seeing one with her own eyes. So once for her name day, I baked her one. A burnt, misshapen little dragon made of bread dough. She told me it was the most glorious dragon in the Seven Kingdoms,"
he laughed at the memory, though the smile faded from his lips. "
Though I think she still wished she could see a true dragon, just once. Somethings are so wondrous I think they be seen in person, wouldn't you agree?"
He cocked his head slightly, pausing slightly as the question seemed to hang between them.

"
But forgive me, my lady, you did not ask for a story"
He offered a bow, remembering some of his courtesies at last, "
I am Garret Snow, natural born son of Lord Tomas Coldbrook"


As he rose from his bow, his smile returned "
How are you enjoying Riverrun, Lady Gwyn? Is it to your liking?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn used the opportunity for a polite curtsy to rack her brains. Natural born son, but with a bastard name...she'd heard something about a succession crisis in the North, was this it? Best to avoid talk of family then, she supposed, until she sussed the situation out more completely.

"
Riverrun is simply gorgeous,"
she said honestly, indicating the countryside with a wave of her arm. "
Though I admit I'm not impartial in the matter. I find travel agrees with me, and not just because a fortress is a cold and dark place no matter how many lights are hung. New people, new vistas..."
She breathed in deeply, closing her eyes for a moment, then opened them as she let the breath out.

"
Even the air is new and exciting. I can hardly wait until nightfall so I can see if the stars are different too."


Favoring Garrett with a smile, Gwyn turned the question back on him. "
What of your own home? What is it like there?"

[Garret Snow]

Don't say cold. Don't say cold. Don't say cold.

"
It's cold,"
Garret quipped playfully. "
Though if you want to see stars, they get brighter the farther north you travel. On a clear night my brother Daveth can pick out all the constellations;
the Ice Dragon, the King's Crown, the Crone's Lantern."
Garret glancing over a shoulder as if he were telling a dire secret, "
But I'll confess I never thought they looked anything like their names."


"
My home is Castle Grenward, the seat of my father, just south of the Neck. We are the most southern of the Northern Houses, I believe, so a bit of an oddity. I've not had much opportunity to travel. I've lived my life in the North and I must admit that a castle as grand as Riverrun can feel...overwhelming. Not many in the south keep to the old ways of the North, though I understand that House Tully still keeps its Godswood. Have you ever visited a Godswood, lady Gwyn?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Hmm, the Coldbrook's land is cold,"
mused Gwyneth mischievously, "
An oddity indeed. Still, it doesn't sound so different from my own home. You've never seen stars until you've seen them from up high. But then again, I've heard the North has wonders of its own. Have you seen the sky catch flame? Or the Wall?"


She sighed and focused past Garrett for a moment, but only for a moment.

"
Even the weirwoods...no, I'm sure if there was ever such a grove within sight of the axes of Marsten, they're long kindling by now. Everything is done in the sight of the Seven for us."


Her eyes cut back to Garrett quickly as she remembered something. Something of interest. "
Castle Grenward, you say. Is it true there's a curse?"

[Garret Snow]

"
I've never been far enough north to see the Wall, though my father has threatened to send me there more than once,"
Garret quipped. He found Gwyneth's wit to be utterly refreshing. He could not recall a conversation he had enjoyed more than this chance meeting.

His mood darkened when she mentioned the curse. That thrice-damned curse.

"
Castle Grenward is...old, my lady. My brother Daveth insists that the curse is just creaking stones, cold winds, and shadows in the dark. As for myself...I am no maester but I have seen things I cannot explain. And things I would not wish to have explained. They say that ghosts walk its halls, that the castle itself drinks the life from all those that call it home. All I know for sure is that Castle Grenward has given my family much. And it has taken much in return"


Garret smiled sadly at Gwyneth. She was lovely. And she seemed kind. She deserved better than talk about grumpkins and snarks.

"
Forgive me, my lady. You'll think we Northmen are all the sullen and gloomy. We're really quite a cheerful bunch, particularly when songs and ale are involved."


Considering for a moment, Garret softened his gaze, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "
But enough about castles and curses, my lady. I would be quite interested to learn more about you. Castle Grenward lacks a godswood so I had hoped to visit Riverrun's while I are here. Perhaps you would be interested in joining me? This evening perhaps?"


OOC: A simple intrigue to convince her, or would she be daring enough to join him without convincing?

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth broke into a giggle at the idea, realizing only a moment later that the Coldbrook was being serious.

"
So you'd like me to come see you,"
she asked, not mentioning or needing to mention the shadow cast by his birth, "
After dark, in a pagan grove? And set all these tongues to wagging with the scandal of it all?"


She couldn't help but grin then.

"
That sounds delightful, actually. The godswood then."

[Garret Snow]

"
Meeting in the sight of the old gods, with a son of the north at your side? There's no safer place in the Seven Kingdoms, I assure you,"
Garret gave a playful bow. "
You have my word, Lady Gwyn, no one will lay an unwanted hand on you"


The words had come almost unbidden, but Garret could not help himself. "
I'll count the hours until then, Lady Gwyn. Until I will take my leave."


Giving her a final smile, the afternoon sun flashing in his eyes, Garret turned back to the other Coldbrooks.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

(and.... /scene )

[Sponsored content]