[Day 3: Early Night] Comfort in solitude [Closed]

[Athelstan]

Athelstan has a lot to think, and his appointed knight is not much of a talker, but he did shock him when he told him he was going to the sept to spend part of the night there in thought as it was probably the few if not only place he could be without having to hear something or other thing, and it was probably quiet enough for him to gather his thoughts.

Athelstan asks the good man to leave him to his thoughts inside.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Weary from socialising at the feast, and deeply thoughtful herself, Corrine sneaked out of the Marsten pavilion to go to the Sept, as she had been handed a message from Athelstan Pyke on her way to her tent, and quickly hid it from her mother. She hadn't had time to change out of her gown, but she had draped a long, dark woollen cloak around her shoulders. She found Athelstan ensconced in one of the dim alcoves off the main hall.

"
Athelstan,"
she greeted him softly, gliding over to him. "
I received your message. I heard about your judgement too. I'm sorry."

[Athelstan]

"
Don't be sorry my lady, I wasn't trying to worry you, tho I might die tomorrow, I wished to speak with you again"
a simple smile in his face "
I hope your evening ended better than mine. I can't complain how it started it will be one of my best memories I get to with or that I will get to keep if I win."
smiling to no one but himself now "
I hope I did not cause you any trouble."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
You haven't caused me any trouble that I did not make for myself, Athelstan,"
she said kindly, sitting beside him. "
My mother is being quite insufferable, but my capacity to care is growing ever smaller. As for my evening, it has been quite exhausting, and rather confusing, but being here is helpful. It is most peaceful. Much guidance and solace can be gained here."


She shook her head a little when she realised she was starting to ramble.

"
But I digress. Here I am, as requested."


She looked at him with her large, honest eyes;


"
I am rather humbled that you felt compelled to see me again as a potential final action."

[Athelstan]

"
I'm humbled you accepted, I like to think this is not my last night, for I am prepared to die, or was until today"
looking around the sept "
I haven't been quite the same since I left you, I was quite defiant to everyone who basically accused me based on just since I'm a bastard that makes me a liar no matter what I say. Yet the thing that made me change was meeting you"
blushing a bit and trying to hold one of her hands gently "
I have traveled the Free Cities, the North, Iron Islands, the Reach, Westerlands and the Trident by sea or foot, and I have never met someone like you. So I am more humbled you accepted to meet me more then you will ever now, and I will fight and win for you tomorrow, as well as my first joust."
looking to the side "
I know I have nothing to offer but my heart and respect I have for you lady Corrine."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She let him take her hand, her pale, slim fingers settling in his rough palm.

"
I... I don't know what to say,"
she stammered, her cheeks reddening, her eyes falling shyly on her hand in his. "
I was not aware I had made such an impression. I must confess that you are also unlike anyone I have met. I told my family I would keep my distance, for my safety and reputation, but I feel... drawn to your company. I am unaccustomed to one so honest. But it has been more valuable to me than you know. So many here scheme and grasp, yet you seem not to do so. I believe your claim about what happened, and I hope that this will not be your last night. The Gods will spare you if you are righteous of heart."


She caught herself, taking a deep, calming breath, conscious of a familiar tightness in her lungs that she had only felt before in Gareth's presence.

[Athelstan]

Nodding to her "
It is new for me also, and I'm just drawn to you inevitably"
looking towards the seven "
I will worship the seven also and become a knight worthy of you to be proud of to have, when I survive tomorrow and you want me to do so"
with a grin to his face "
That means you need to spend a lot of time with me to teach me to read and understand the 7"
and looking down locking his hand with hers gently "
If I am to fall tomorrow, I will die a happy man knowing someone actually did cared for me"
looking at her with a smile "
Like I said before, I will fancy to try and steal your heart if you let me, but all I have to give you is what you see, a man willing to do anything for your sake and mine. I could swear it by the Old Gods, the Drowned God and the 7 by name if I knew them."


Standing for a moment and walking closer to the seven taking her with with gently "
Will you dance with me to the tune"
as he puts her hand in his chest and he holds waits for her to answer "
I'm not very practiced at this but I won't step on your toes, so don't worry"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Athelstan!"
she exclaimed, though keeping her voice down, glancing around. "
Someone might see!"


Despite her protestation, she indulged his request, letting her hand rest on his chest where he had placed it, and guiding his other hand to her waist, placing her own free hand on his shoulder, and stepping slowly and gently in a loose, idling circle.

"
I would ask that you do not steal my heart, despite your Ironborn nature,"
she jested. "
If someone is to receive it, I would rather give it willingly."


Her expression became more solemn as she looked into his eyes;


"
I worry about that though. I worry how it might be treated. One must never offer their heart to one who eats hearts."

[Athelstan]

Dancing slowly to the beat of his heart Athelstan guides Corrine as much as he lets her guide when she takes the reins "
We are not doing anything wrong"
he looks around "
I see no heart thieves around, your safe for now"
he winks at her and listens to her words with a serious face "
Aye, good thing I don't eat hearts, the rest"
giggling at his simple joke, and then taking on a more serious note "
I can't take what is not mine Corrine, but I can give you my heart and me"
as he tries to bring her closer gently "
If this is or not my last night, I wanted to spend it with the only person able to steal my heart"
as he comes closer to her hoping she will kiss him.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

His words stun her, and she looks up at him, wide-eyed. It takes her several moments to answer;


"
Athelstan... I didn't know you felt so strongly. It's all very sudden. Are you sure this is not a passing fancy?"


Even as she asks, she feels her face drawing closer to his, barely registering how close he is holding her, doing nothing to stop it.

[Athelstan]

A kiss that seemed to last longer then it actually did, but no less passionate for it Athelstan whispers to her ear "
I'm serious this is no fleeting moment, I don't play around when I have found something that I want, and I want you Corrine, I swear it before the Seven and the Drowned God"
returning to dancing "
I will live tomorrow, and every victory I will dedicate it to you, I will fight your enemies and shield you from harm, I will take your counsel to heart and you can always speak to me and I will listen"
he nods to her "
I would marry you here and now, but I think your mother would have a heart attack"
as he giggles t the joke "
I promise, I will make my best to make this work"
Athelstan stops for a moment and puts his silver ring in her hand "
Give it back to me when you find me worthy to truly give me your heart and want me by your side, the choice will be yours like I said before."
kissing her hand with the ring and putting it on his chest "
It was the best night of my life and thank the gods I wasn't a terrible dancer"
and brings her closer again, but does not try to kiss her he just rest his forehead on hers hoping she would kiss him again before the night is to long and trouble comes finding them.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

His kiss and his sweet words leave her starry-eyed, and she feels warm and yielding in his arms, her caution dissolved in the candlelight. She looks at him with something akin to awe as he kisses her hand, and she looks in stunned silence at the silver ring he has pressed into her hand. She looks back to him again, her face flushed and her breathing tense. When he presses his forehead to hers, she nuzzles his nose with her own for a moment, then kisses him again, tenderly, her heart pounding in her chest, her limbs feeling quivery and useless. She had not expected this at all, but she liked it, wanted it.

"
When you joust tomorrow, I will give you my favour,"
she eventually manages to say, in little more than a whisper. "
And... well... we shall see about the rest. Thank you, Athelstan."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan pulls her back gently before she can go "
It will be my honor Corrine"
taking both her hands and putting them in his face for a last moment "
I don't want you to go, but it is best for you to do so before you are in more trouble than you need to. Not that I wouldn't want to be by your side and take any chastisement or punishment for you"
he let's her go and keeps looking at her for a few moments "
I will earn my place beside you, I am your loyal man and will die and defend your honor to the death, now go while I can still hold myself here, it takes more than you know to not want to be closer to you"
and with a small giggle and a wolfish grin "
Give your mother my regards"
saying it more to see her off for sure, and knowing it was not the best way, but he could not keep her here like this, he would not tarnish her honor or have it questioned for his action, she deserves better than that.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She nodded, stepping back.

"
Of course. But, one last thing, to help you on your journey..."


She walked back to where the seven tall statues stood, some candles still flickering at their feet, and pointed to them each in turn from left to right for him;


"
Father, Mother, Warrior, Smith, Maiden, Crone, Stranger. Those are their names. Introduce yourself,"
she said, with an encouraging smile.

She curtsied to him, then swept away into the night, hurrying back to her tent.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan smiled looking her as she left "
I must win"
turning to the statues and speaking to them from his heart about what is to come and their blessings, Athelstan needs all the help he can get.

[/scene]

[ooc]Unless Corrine has something more[/ooc]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: nope, except that I'm hearing [url=this][/url] over the end of the scene :;
): . :mrgreen: I are ded of romance. ]

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Athelsten wasn't alone with the gods for very long before the door to the sept opened, and closed again. Footsteps came in;
not the heavy booted feet of a man at arms, nor the padded stride of an assassin. The clicking of a woman's shoes. Had Corrine returned?

When he turned around, it wasn't the Marsten heir who stood there glowering at him, it was someone else. Gold-haired and pretty and...he'd seen her before hadn't he? At one of the boring, long-winded nobleman's functions of this tourney. Talking a lot, that's what she'd been doing. Her name was Marsten too though she didn't look much like Corrine.

She was studying him, warily...and rightfully so. She didn't have a guard with her, nor a septa.

"
Of all the places I'd have thought to look for you,"
Gwyn said at last, "
This would be close to the last."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan smiles at the Marsten girl and stretches his hand to tell her to stop, as he turns to finish crossing whispering words with the Stranger, then turning to meet the new arrival with his full attention.

"
It is quite rude to interrupt a man talking to the Gods"
stepping down from the altar and staring at her through the lengthy corridor, beckoning her to come closer and sit with him. "
I wonder if the last one was the Marstens pavilion perhaps, I am curious to know."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
But are these gods your gods?"
she returns, then shakes her head. "
I should apologize. Normally I'd be more than up for banter and wit and games of words, but...not tonight. Not tonight."


"
I don't know what your traditions are, as far as duels of honor like this. And I don't know what sort of man you are...if you strike to kill out of spite, or simply out of necessity. It doesn't matter to me now. I've come to ask you...not to kill him."


She swallowed hard, almost losing her composure before slamming the mask back down over her face.

"
The champion you face. If it comes to it, if you've the choice. Don't."

[Athelstan]

Nodding to her words and agreeing to not banter and word play.

"
I believe in the Drowned God, yes, but if I am to adjust to the riverlands I must honor the seven and give them worship"
shrugging his shoulders "
Yet the Drowned God will always be first in my praying, then the seven.

"
I will tell you the relevant parts of our traditions, and you might understand more things"
as he taps next to him for her to sit "
I give you my word, no harm will come to you. It's more likely someone tries to kill me than anything"
standing with hand stretched to help her sit "
I do want to ask you something, and be honest to me"
as a glare that probably sends chills down her spine "
Tell me what you really think of me when I was being judged?"
the glare is more to scare her in to not lying to him than anything, but his stern look did not change.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

To Gwyn's credit, she did not flinch from the ironborn's glare, though she did hesitate a moment before moving towards him. She didn't sit down though, but stayed standing in front of him.

"
I thought you foolish,"
she said, "
and quarrelsome. I thought you and the other one...your brother?...made a bad situation worse for yourselves. I'm here in the hope I was wrong."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan nods "
Thank you, I am sure you left out some demeaning words that I'm accustomed to hear about the ironborn, funny enough I'm half ironborn and half riverlander"
noting she won't seat he takes a sit himself "
Ironborn do not shed blood of another ironborn, it's against the Drowned God and it's a sin. You can kill other ironborn by choking them or drowning them, but that is consider murder in the laws of men still"
looking at her "
If you are practicing with you hits you hard enough and with the intention to harm and draws blood, then you are in your right to fight back according to the laws of the ironborn. I loved Roddric, but no man threads upon me for I am like the sea my lady. I already pay for the sins of my father by being born, like I had a say in it, and judged by my iron blood like we are all the same"
as he laughs more out of anger and drustration as he is more venting to Gwyneth than anything "
So I was in my rights to fight and defend myself, the only things I regret is killing him and breaking the peace in lord's Tully's House. Yet I could have murder both of them when we went hunting just the three of us, no one would have been the wiser, Yoren would struggle to fight of a whore and Roddric, well we know the results of that."
calming himself down and now looking at her and coming closer.

"
I have nothing against Baelon, he has never said anything to my face to insult me because he lacks the balls or he is to polite like the majority of people that are not heirs or lordlings to just throw their weight of high status and men to fight for them, nay I pity him for they are using him for he is also a bastard like my self"
crossing his arms to look more intimidating and standing his full height "
I won't kill him, but mark my words, if I defeat him, those that spoke well of him before will more likely spit his name behind his back or his face, protect him well if he loses I will be his friend win or lose shall he seek my aid"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
He and I both know the consequences of this...either way,"
Gwyn replies. "
The only wound that can't be recovered from in time, is death. That's all I'm worried about right now."


She hesitates, then says, "
I apologize for judging you harshly, Athelsten. I don't know your guilt or innocence, and I likely never will. But I will not call you a murderer now...unless you earn it tomorrow. You say you won't, and I choose to believe you."


Gwyn lets out a tremendous sigh. It's not quite relief, but it's the sound of a burden being put down.

"
For what good it does you, you have my thanks."

[Athelstan]

"
It is naive to think that of wounds. There are worse things than death, a reputation takes a life long commitment to uphold, while it takes moments to destroy it and generations to repair. A woman's reputation can't be repaired once tarnished, a mans face can't be good looking once cut. Some things for some people are worse than death, me beating Baelon in front of his family would be worse than death itself, so don't thank me unless I lose the fight, otherwise he will suffer regardless if he lives or dies tomorrow in defeat"
with certainty in his words as if it were a given that he would win "
I do understand your plight, and I will try not to kill him, but that might still happen even when I don't it to be so, that is the nature of battle."
shrugging his shoulders "
Tell him for me, for what is worth, that I bear him no ill will, and I rather die than yield to the lies of my accusations."
knowing this would only make her worry more, but he knows no other way to fight, he is ironborn and he will fight to defend his honor and for her against any foe.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth bit her tongue inside her mouth. She wanted to argue the point...there were many ways that 'wounds' could be recovered from. Loss of reputation, loss of looks... They could be adapted to, lived with, overcome... Only death was absolute.

But she felt exhaustion creeping in around the edges. The emotional seesaw of Dunstan and Baelon left her hanging onto herself by a swiftly fraying strand of twine.

"
I'll let him know when I see him next,"
she said. "
Good night to you. I would wish you luck but...well...not too much luck, if you understand. Perhaps after the trial, we will speak again."

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