A Match made in the Heavens(closed)

[Benedict Marsten]

Damn it! Ellie knew better. This match was doomed from her elaborate conception of it. She had brought the two together. Why hadn't she just set her up with boy's younger cousin. He was handsome and she had seen they way his eyes lingered on her friend. No. She had to push the limits as she had done with her brother and good-sister. She was furious at herself. The bright red on her face nearly blots out the freckles. The tiny nose flares with each deep breath. Her soft booted feet clatter loudly under her deep green dress, as she approaches Pudgy in the stables.

Paul works by torch light to saddle, Ben's rounsey, Rose and his own horse. "Lady Ellien, why is it we are about in the dark?" He addressed her with his usual blush.

"Damn it Pudgy, don't call me that. There is no one around to act all uppity for." She accentuates her words and frustration with a punch to his shoulder. The tight muscles there cause her hand to ache. At this she takes note that his childhood nickname may no longer be fitting. "Just saddle up. Or don't you want to go for a midnight ride with me." She gives him a sad look before she turns to attempt to mount the large horse.

The still blushing Paul steps behind to assist her into the saddle, his hands upon her waist. He lifts her easily up. She turns in protest to chide him for being so Damn handsie, but instead she leans forward to kiss his cheek. "Thank you, ...Paul. You have been a great friend to me."

Awestruck the young squire quickly mounts his horse and pulls up next to Ellie. "Where to, my ... Ellie? I dont mean ... mine... I mean..."

She quiets him with a hand upon his shoulder and the two ride off.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[Eeeee!]

[Reader]

It was a clear night, and theirs were not the only torches that fought against the darkness that night.

Willum Royce, heir to one of the Vale's most storied houses, stood below an old oak tree, receiting poetry with heartfelt feeling and conviction. His gaze never wavered from the object of his affection, Gillian Kriegar, daughter of one of House Marsten's bannermen. She say in the low branches of the oak, just over the edge of a meandering stream, the torch's reflection playing across it as she listened to Willum recount the Winged Knight's Seven holy deeds to win his bride's love.

A maester would have told you that such a tale must be apocryphal, a folk legend, for the Andal faith did not come to the vale until long after the legend of the Winged Knight was born. But what does a maester with his chain and oaths know of love? Any man or woman who heard Willum that night, or felt Gillian's longing for the squire, could not doubt the truth of the tale, of that moment.

[Benedict Marsten]

Pudgy's face screwed up in confusion as the torch light and words of his fellow squire Willum can be made out. Ellie can not help but smile at Paul's innocence. It was endearing. She halted their progress, to assess her next actions. This midnight soirée could still be harmless, but was pushing the limits of what was acceptable. Though Ellie cared little for most noble customs and rules, she knew a misstep here could bring a mountain of trouble down on all three houses involved. Marstens the greatest, as they sat in the middle and due to Ellie helping to facilitate any miss doings.

They waited till Willum had finished his ballad before actively making themselves known to the couple. Ellie hoped that a healthy dose of fear, at being caught may, squash any unadvised ideas or plans they may have had. Moving into the clearing Ellie feigns surprise, fortunately for her Pudgy does not have to act. "Why it appears someone has already taken our rendezvous place, Paul." She smiles playfully at the hopefully embarrassed couple. She gestures for Pudgy to help her from her horse.

[Reader]

Willum's hand went to his sword belt, the bold young squire smiling when he saw it was just Pudgy and Ellie.

"Ah, our conspiracy undone!" he shouts in mock horror, trying to conceal his consternation. To his credit, his voice does not quaver and betray him, but his cheeks do, growing redder in the torchlight.

Gillian, freed from her father's gaze, is less restrained, the words tumbling out like Maiden's Veil waterfall itself.

"Oh Ellie, isn't it magical? Willum and are are meant to be together, I know it."

"We should steal away and be married by some country Septon this very night - you'll cover for us Ellie, won't you? Won't you?"

[Benedict Marsten]

Still confused Pudgy lays his hand upon his hilt, but is stayed by Ellie's hand, lingering on his hand. He blushes to match Willum. Ellie smiles warmly to Willum's response and quickly saddens at hearing her dear friend Gillian. She masks this despair behind her usual smile.

"Love, if I could I would marry you myself right here and now." She looks to Willum, for support in what would come next, hoping her brother had taught the boy of how things worked, in this twisted world of blood and titles. "Love, if we were to do this we would hurt many we all love. Possibly endangering ourselves and them. Wars have started over less."

[Reader]

Talk of war broke Gillian free from her fantasy. Despite her tender years she had lost much and more to conflict.

Willum nods in agreement with ellie but placed a hand reassuringly on Gillian's shoulder, keen to offer support without acting in an over-familiar manner in front of witnesses.

"Surely not Ellie, please let it not be so? I want us to be together, ," she implored.

"And I too," said Willum reassuringly, aware as Gillian was of the chasm in status between the ancient House Royce and the smaller Marsten banner House of Kriegar.

At that, the fantasy was rekindled for Gillian, who had been cruelly denied much safety and joy as a young woman.

"And that is why you must help us elope Ellie! We can cross the narrow Sea and disappear together, and none need come to blows."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie hated to press her dear friend further. The girl had suffered and she did not wish to see her hurt. Her brother came first though, as he always would. So she put on her best wounded look, even wetting her eyes. "You would have me aid you and then leave me and" Her next words were directed to Willum with a stark gaze. "my brother to suffer from these actions? Even if I did not aid you now it will be house Marsten who takes the blame for fostering you both. Not to mention the hurt to your own families."

If Pudgy had been lost earlier he was now deep in the Wolfswood. So, he trusted in his Ellie and stood quietly holding the reins of their horses. Moving to the monster/couple she had created she goes to her knees. She despised this type of actions, but the alternative could well cost her, her friends. Not that she would not use them if forced. She now had a niece and nephews to think of. "I will implore my good-sister to aid you in the proper channels. I will do what I can in the unseen channels. I beg you to not be rash or impertinent."

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