Re: The Green Squire [open!]

by **Gwyneth Drakeson** Sun Dec 04, 2016 4:58 am

Gwyneth nods at that, showing no other reaction to his words, or his visible discomfort.

"You're a man of honor, I can see, and of duty. I do think your time is coming, but that makes me curious about something. If you were to get a letter tomorrow, signed in Ser Harbert's hand, knighting you...and yes, I know that's not how it's done but just bear with me. If you found yourself with spurs this time tomorrow...what would you do? Return to the Stormlands at once? Seek further fame and renown in the Riverlands? Seek a lord's service? Something else entirely?

"What is it you seek?"

by **Aerion Storm** Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:13 am

He laughs a little, blushes a little, shrugs a little.

"Seek? My spurs, and not much else, Lady Drakeson. I think one goal at a time. I am accustomed to a narrow visor and a single opponent, one task at which I throw myself, charging. 'Knock that man from the saddle, and keep yours,' and little else. I am straightforward, I suppose, and not given much to planning ahead."

He sighs, casts a glance around the assembled lords and ladies, and tries to think of an answer that won't make him sound like a bastard and a squire.

"If I was knighted, and no orders came with it, no summons from Storm's End or writ that I serve 'here,' or 'there,' or 'over yonder,' if all I got was the title and the duty of being a knight? I would...seek service, I suppose. Ride from tourney to tourney until I caught the right eye, impressed the right lord. Or, I don't know, I've cousins in House Bartheld -- err, some sort of family, I mean, not first cousins, I'm afraid I've been taught more for breeding horses than for family trees -- and perhaps they might find a use for me."

He smiles, almost shyly. "I'm sorry, m'lady, I feel I've simply no real answer for you. You must think me simple."

by **Gwyneth Drakeson** Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:48 am

"There's no cause for apology in simplicity," Gwyn replied with a warm smile. "No right answer or wrong here. I was simply curious to know what about you caught my husband's eye, and now I think I do. And in truth, overplanning can blind one to unexpected opportunities...so it's no bad thing to keep one's options open."

Her smile widened to a grin. "It's worked out rather well for us so far, after all."

by **Aerion Storm** Sun Dec 04, 2016 6:45 am

Aerion can't help but smile in return, there's something about the Lady Gwyneth's good humor that's infectious.

"Thank you, m'lady. Your lord husband honored me, first by letting me tilt, then with his own compliments, earlier. I thank House Drakeson for your good graces and for your good humor, alike."

Then, as if he'd only just remembered; likely because he had..."And, on the topic of things working out well, my congratulations, of course! On your son, I mean. It must be a great burden lifted, having an heir."

by **Ayleth Bartheld** Thu Dec 08, 2016 6:36 am

Ayleth had arrived to congratulate Gwynth. "I certainly hope it will be" Ayleth said to Aerion, her voice teasing. She herself was clearly late in her own pregnancy. "I wanted to extend my own congratulations on the birth of your son, Lady Gwyneth. Truly, the Seven have blessed you. And my own sympathies for the process"

She smiled at Aerion "I don't believe we have met, young Baratheon." She was wearing the colors of House Bartheld, as she often did.

by **Aerion Storm** Thu Dec 08, 2016 6:48 am

"Lady Bartheld!" Aerion stiffens up a bit, squaring his shoulders, pointedly trying to look...right. She was kin, or married into it. He should know her. His mind races. Think, fool. Lord Davain's wife, it must be. You've heard of her...Adianna? Alanys? Alysane? Bugger.

"I am Aerion, m'lady. Aerion Storm, at your service." His dark blue eyes flicker downwards, just for a second, taking in her obvious condition. "And it would seem you've blessings of your own, with a child on the way! I had heard the Mother smiled on House Bartheld, I am surprised you traveled so. It is a pleasure to meet you."

by **Ayleth Bartheld** Wed Dec 14, 2016 11:39 am

"A pleasure to meet you as well, Ser Aerion. Indeed, the Mother has blessed House Bartheld with an heir, if I can just get through these last months" Ayleth responded, her voice friendly.
"I don't recall you from my youth in the Stormlands. A shame. The way you joust, I'm sure I should have."

by **Aerion Storm** Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:28 pm

Aerion smiles at her praise, cheeks reddening a bit beneath his dark beard. He's not terribly to talking to highborn ladies except his days serving them as a page, and having so many compliment him is clearly taking a greater toll than any of his enemy's lances so far.

"We were on the road as often as not, traveling to and from tournaments, and even in our bouts near home, I was easy to miss. Standing so near to Ser Harbert, any squire is almost invisible. Not many spend time watching the squire-only matches when there are knights to be seen."

by **Ayleth Bartheld** Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:58 am

"Well, I certainly am not used to being invisible. Not since I was a young girl" Ayleth replied. Except when I want to be. It had been a while since she had tried sneaking around as she had when she was young. "But I'm glad I noticed you now, soon to be Ser Aerion."

by **Aerion Storm** Thu Dec 22, 2016 11:26 am

"I am certain you're not often overlooked now, m'lady," he agrees with a small smile. "And I appreciate your confidence. See Harbert says it will, no doubt, be soon."

Always soon, never quite yet.

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