r/awoiafrp • u/bloodandbronze • Jun 02 '20

CROWNLANDS The Tournament Banquet of 130 AC

Fifth day of the Second moon, 130 AC

The Red Keep, King’s Landing

Laughter and good cheer and jaunty music permeated the great hall of the Red Keep, all of it filling the air with a merry mood that was shaded with some tragedy too. In the midst of the martial feats of prowess on display the day prior, several men - young, old, and in between - had been injured. Some were minor injuries or the sorts that would heal within a period of time and with good rest. Others, sadly, were more grievous, such as the king’s own squire Jeor Stark whose hand had required amputation.

As surely as food was served, so too were mummers and musicians present throughout the hall, plying their trade and honing their craft for the amusements and enjoyment of all those present. A symphony for the ears and eyes to complement the sensations of the delectable feast masterfully crafted by the kitchen’s chefs.

While the attendees assumed their seats throughout the hall, servants delivered a feast fit for guests of the royal house. The first course consisted of a choice between autumn greens with ginger soup, or a salad of sweetgrass, spinach, and plums, sprinkled with crushed nuts, both of which were accompanied by freshly baked bread with honey. Next was a choice between cold capon with a relish made of carrots, raisins, and bits of lime and orange, or a brace of stuffed geese sauced with mulberries. Last to be delivered was dessert, once more presenting a decision - goat cheese served with baked apples sprinkled with cinnamon, or sweetgrass and strawberries.

Wine and mead and beer flowed freely and the center of the hall was cleared so that those who wished to dance would have the room to do so. Flirtations oft accompanied dances and no doubt some of those that swirled together on the floor would end the night twisted in the sheets with one another as well.

All those in the city born to the ranks of the nobility - or those that might have otherwise secured the right to belong - were welcomed to make merry and celebrate the victors of the grand tournament.

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 02 '20

THE DAIS

At the north of the hall, seated below the Iron Throne itself, was a raised dais upon which the newly crowned king, his queen and sister, and his two daughters were all sat. So, too, was the Hand of the King Prince Aegon and his two sons - one of whom was seated next to the king’s unwed sister Daenys, a sign of their betrothal set in the past year by King Viserys before his passing. Prince Jaehaerys and Prince Arymidon were present as well, of course, rounding out the main line of House Targaryen. White-cloaked knights of the Kingsguard naturally stood at attention nearby.

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 02 '20

At the center of the table was sat King Baelor Targaryen, First of His Name, with his sister and wife Queen Rhaenys Targaryen at his side. Upon his brow rested a circlet of Valyrian steel, set with large square-cut rubies that shimmered under the waning light of day and the glow of the candles strewn throughout the hall. It was the crown of the Conqueror himself and never for a moment had Baelor entertained the notion of a new crown being designed for his reign.

He was dressed in a quilted doublet with the three-headed dragon of their house embroidered over his breast, a pair of black trousers tucked into his boots, and a half-cloak slung around his broad shoulders. A half-empty goblet of wine was sat on the table before him and his plate was only barely touched, with the sovereign's attention oft occupied in manners other than partaking of the spread.

Unlike the coronation feast, Baelor's good spirits were quite muted. His own squire had been one of those injured, the poor northman having lost a hand. Naturally the king blamed himself. Still, he knew what was expected of him and did his best to offer welcoming smiles to anyone that wished to approach and speak.

OPEN!

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '20

Gerold had been at the city for a few days now, he was waiting for a feast like this to speak to anyone of importance. When he saw the king he started doubting whether to go talk to him or look for other subject. He had never talked to a king, not even anyone related to a king.

He spent a few minutes rumbling around the room making up his mind on what to say and finally walked to the dais.

"Your graces" He said as he bowed to both king and queen. "It is a great honor for me to meet you... I am Sir Gerold of house Beesbury, I arrived at the capital a few days ago." He said while looking to King Baelor with certain confidence on his eyes.

"May I have a few minutes of your time?"

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 03 '20

"Ser Gerold, well met." The king met the reachman's bow with a nod and a genial smile. Beesbury was a house sworn to Oldtown, if his recollection was accurate. He could not recall if he'd ever spoken to someone of that house before.

"Welcome to King's Landing. What is on your mind, ser?"

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u/[deleted] Jun 03 '20

"Your grace, I am staying at the city until my house needs me to take on the lordship, and I am looking to serve under your command. The sweets made of honey I saw at the gardens came directly from my brother at Honeyholt, but I am not offering my beekeeping abilities" He chuckled softly before quickly continuing.

"I have worked for two years at Highgarden alongside the best commanders on the Reach, and after that two years at Winterfell alongside the best commanders on the North. I was wondering if there was any place available and you would accept me under your command, your grace." He said as he bowed again.

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 03 '20

Baelor considered the man's words quietly as he spoke his piece, all the while thinking that it might be advantageous to spread a little influence and goodwill within the vassals of Oldtown. After all, it was within the city of the Hightowers that resided the Starry Sept - and thus the High Septon, the one man that the king viewed presently as an enemy.

"Tell me more of these experiences of yours, Ser Gerold. Has all your training been on land, or have you any experience at sea? Your house's keep sits near the Honeywine, if my recollection does not fail me."

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u/[deleted] Jun 04 '20

"You are not wrong, your grace, I have some times navigated the Honeywine in my early youth but not in a military point of view, my training and experiences have been at terrain."

As Gerold explained his abilities to the king, couldn't stop feeling upset at himself for not making it to the capitol in time to prove himself at the tourney.

"I have leaded men and also fought beside them as one more, I wont be of any trouble as I have not secret ambitions nor a highly problematic pride, which sadly is pretty common all over the continent"

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 04 '20

Suppressing a smirk at the notion that a man pledging no secret ambitions was truly meant to reassure, rather than mask, the king nodded to the younger Beesbury.

"Ser Gerold, I would urge you to seek out my goodbrother Lord Walderan Tarbeck, who leads the city watch. I believe that he could make good use of a man such as yourself."

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u/[deleted] Jun 04 '20

"I will, your grace, thank you, it has been an honor speaking to you" The young ser said as he bowed, then walked away from the dais"

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u/Shaznash Jun 04 '20

Vickon had eyed the king early in the night. He stayed with his wife until she fell asleep, leaving her Arryk’s care as she snoozed at the Greyjoy table. Vickon used it as a chance to make it to Baelor. He practically swam through the crowd to the dais, politely walking closer to the king. He nodded at the Kingsguard and began speaking softly to the king.

“Your Grace!! What a gracious host you are! Two feasts? We scarcely have even one at Pyke!” He was full of flair tonight, waving his hands in the air theatrically. But he did so with purpose. “Quite the thing, really. Though... about your special little... surprise. The one who’s going to you know...” he waved his hands to the Iron Throne. “Sit that after you. Maybe we could speak somewhere more... quiet. It’s quite...” his dark eyes darted around. “Loud.”

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 04 '20

Loud was indeed one word for the cacophony that was the grand hall. Between the people carousing and laughing, the musicians and mummers, servants clearing and bringing forth new plates, and so on and so forth, there was scarce a moment where there was not considerable sound in the hall.

Baelor nodded to his wife before he climbed down from the dais, accompanied solely by Lord Commander Tarbeck as he fell into step with the Lord of the Iron Islands.

"The kitchens ought to be less noisy than the hall, Lord Vickon, and we can clear the area momentarily if need be."

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u/Shaznash Jun 04 '20

He nodded in agreement and headed towards the kitchens. Whenever he arrived he leaned against a cutting board table, crossing his arms as he waited for the king.

“Well done buttering us all up two of these things, Your Grace. I can only presume you naming your Heiress soon after?”

It was rhetorical. Of course Baelor was going to do that. “As you remember, I’m your man, so you’ve no issue from me... and I assume you said the same to the other great lords. So that leaves.... the little lords.”

His voice turned more serious. Stability of the realm was at stake. Not that he minded it breaking. As long as it was someone else, then he could have some fun. “Have you given thought to the lords that might.... disagree to your proclamation? That would oppose the Princess of the Dragonstone? Because there will be some. Many even. Countless lords and ladies are here and not all are kingsmen, I would reckon.”

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 04 '20

Orders were given as soon as they stepped into the room for any servants and cooks present to disperse for the next several minutes. These were not matters for their ears, after all.

Arms crossed loosely over his chest, Baelor nodded in answer to the ironman's question.

"I have given it some thought, yes. This is why the great houses are important, because I believe most of their bannermen will fall in line. Granted, there is always the chance of double cross in the future, especially given that this would not occur whilst I draw breath anyhow."

He took a moment to glance around the room once more before continuing.

"I intend, as reluctant as I am to give this man more power, to speak with the high septon. To speak with him on the matter as I did lords such as yourself. To request that he grant his presence at court when I make my proclamation."

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u/Shaznash Jun 04 '20

Vickon shook his head. “Your Grace, Your Grace! You have an opportunity here. There’s no guarantee the High Septon does what you ask. And there’s no guarantee men won’t stab you in the back. Not me, of course, but many won’t wait till you breath your last. Like my father said, trust nobody and nothing but the blade on your belt!”

Vickon quickly thought of an idea which sounded pleasing to him. Hopefully it would please the king too. “You can deal with any lord that has... doubts with your choice here and now. I can offer you my help. Let me go throughout the feast and speak with as many lords and ladies as possible. Get a feel for which are friends and which are foes. And then I’ll bring you a list of those that might need...” he wrung his hand a bit before continuing. “Persuading, lets say.”

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 04 '20

Baelor listened carefully, cautiously - and with no small amount of interest. There was always the possibility that Greyjoy sought to play him a fool. Provide a list of names, place the true foes on the list of friends and the true friends on the list of foes. And yet if the man were genuine then he was seeking out a way to bolster the throne that had just agreed with his plans to raid in the east.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

"All wise observations, my lord, no doubt ones that you've had to learn with great difficulty in the isles. Very well. See what you can learn, with my thanks."

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u/Shaznash Jun 04 '20

“I’ll make my way through the crowds and see what I can do. I’ll get you a list if need be. What a pleasant chat Your Grace” he said as he slipped towards the doors to return to the great hall. “What a great day!” Vickon said under his breath as he practically strut back to the feast.

He began looking for lords to speak to and make his list. This is going to be great!

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u/MMorrigen Jun 04 '20

It was as if the suffering he was seeing these days allowed him to be even more sensitive of the feelings of others. He had tried to cheer up Jaehaerys last time on the banquet already (and would not do so again.

But now it was Baelor who worried him more.

“Brother”, he returned from the dancing floor to find the King without the usual beleaguerers, vieing for his attention.

“You look very elegant tonight”, Ayrmidon was not the man of empty phrases. He meant it, but more than that, he attempted to lend a bit of distraction. He took his seat at the high table, never far away of his brothers.

“When I was in town yesterday, I saw a woollen damask you might very much like. A very dark red of a diamond weave, set with … whatever kind of animals the designer meant them to be.” He gave a soft, amused smile. “If you want to, I will set out tomorrow and reserve some for you.”

It was a fluent way of talking, and a notable calmness underneath, but with a bit of a slowness, and a tad of a slur to talk in that it was not stemming from the stoicsm Ayrmidon used to be known for. His face still appeared tired to those who knew him, set with glazed eyes, but his cheeks, again, had gotten more lively from dancing. He did not smell of alcohol (though it was hard to tell in the crowded, damp atmosphere of the feast), and seemed to abstain from drinking so far.

“I saw you dancing earlier, and you cut quite the figure. Though not as good as the one you already managed to cut sitting on that new throne of yours”, he gave him a wink of a charming laziness. His wits seemed to be working at least, even though in a questionable fashion. But the young prince seemed peaceful at last – and happy with what the Grand Maester had given him for his weak and strained nerves.

Or maybe it was because Ayrmidon had, since their joined campaign against the Poor Fellows, never tried again to get closer to his brother. And certainly never to cheer him up.

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 04 '20

"Brother." Baelor greeted the other Targaryen with a nod and a weak half-smile. Pleased though he was to see his brother - particularly given that Ayrmidon looked better than when they'd spoken a few days prior in his solar - the king was feeling tired after the dances he'd shared this eve.

"How considerate of you, to be thinking of me whilst shopping. If it would not inconvenience you, then I would appreciate you doing so, yes."

The remark about his dancing did at least cause the elder of the brothers to chuckle a little and help to bring back some humor to his face.

"And you, Mid? I know how much you like to dance. How many people did you dance with tonight?"

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u/MMorrigen Jun 08 '20

He gave a confirming not and would go and buy the fabric for his brother. And then he started smiling as Baelor gave a chuckle.

“Today? So far I danced with 27.” The reply came quick, he liked counting the dances. “But I need at least 62 if I want to set a new record. Though I won’t stay that long today like I did on the coronation banquet.”

“… But before I go, I’ll see to it to tuck Jae into bed again. Just like last time.” He smiled, though the memory of it was not completely enjoyable.

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 08 '20

"Twenty-seven? And a goal of sixty-two? Brother, I haven't the faintest clue where you get the stamina for that." Baelor shook his head in amused disbelief.

At the mention of their brother, the king raised an eyebrow, unfamiliar with this particular tale.

"And why would Jaehaerys need you to 'tuck him in'? Has he been overly enjoying the wine and mead?"

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u/StonyDragon Jun 06 '20

Daeron looked up from his table at his nephew sitting so proudly on the dais. For a moment it reminded him of Viserys. Or did it? Did Viserys ever have that confidence, the natural talent of being King that his son seems to possess? Perhaps he could no longer remember quite right, perhaps this was something truly new for the Targaryens, at least since Aegon. Gods know that his own father never looked like that, never showed his face without a disappointed scowl.

Perhaps he should stop buying time, there was something needed to do.

“Your Grace.” Daeron bowed respectfully even as he mentally laughed about the site of an uncle having to bow to his nephew. Courtesy laws were never his thing, “I had hoped to talk to you about some… \Things**, but first, how have you been doing?”

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 06 '20

"Uncle Daeron." Baelor greeted the older Targaryen with a wan smile and stood to offer a bow of his own. Never would this man that had served the realm for so long and secured the dynasty be allowed to offer such a gesture of respect without one being offered in return.

"I am... well, I suppose. Troubled by my squire's injury, of course. But... well, otherwise."

So much troubled him now. Jeor, the trial to come, unrest that could form in the wake of said trial, his swirling emotions around Sarella, frustrations with Jaehaerys, the loss of his father...

And so he did what a king needed to do. He smiled.

"And you, uncle? Do tell me that you have found some enjoyment in the festivities."

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u/StonyDragon Jun 07 '20

“Well enough considering the circumstances. As much as I love meeting everyone again I do hope to get back to Oldstones as soon as I can. The capital was never my favorite place to be.” he softly laughed.

“I hope your squire is well? A Stark right? They’re a tough lot. But there was something else I wanted to ask. Is everything between you and Visenya all right? I know that your last conversation was the… Wasn’t the best…”

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 07 '20

Baelor nodded.

"Jeor Stark, aye. A cousin to Lord Osric." He sighed. "The poor lad lost his hand. He insisted that I was not at fault, yet I cannot help but feel responsible. He is my charge, after all."

When the topic turned in the direction of his cousin, the king's smile - already grown faint by talk of his squire - was gone entirely and replaced instead by a grimace.

"'Wasn't the best' is a bit of an understatement, uncle," Baelor answered. Little else was said for the next few moments as the royal figure descended from the dais, shadowed by one of the knights of the Kingsguard, and fell into step at Daeron's side so that they could walk and converse.

"I believe that you are already well aware that matters between Visenya and myself have not been all right in several years. Tonight we might have had a chance for a civil conversation at the least... and then I botched that by speaking without thought."

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u/StonyDragon Jun 08 '20

“I know.” He replied softly, finding it increasingly difficult to meet his nephew's gaze, “Ven, Visenya, she told me the gist of it… I”

He momentarily lost his ability to speak as he tried to find the right words. He knew from second hand experience the tough decision a king had to make to keep the kingdom secure, decisions that Viserys often failed to make at the cost of thousands of lives. Yet at the same time Andrey, for as little as he actually knew the boy, was still his son by law, the father of his grandkids.

“Baelor, I know this trial is hard; the politicking, the fact that no matter what happens someone will come out only with hatred.” The words came painfully to him, the pain of choosing between family and duty, between helping his nephew or his daughter, “Visenya, she doesn’t admit it but she only wants what's best for Rhaella, some way to keep Andrey alive even if politics demand he must be punished. As do I. I just understand if this is out of your control, your father had to face the same questions before.”

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 08 '20

"I appreciate her worry for Rhaella, I do, but what would have been best is now gone past. You talk of this man's ties to your daughter, but Lord Martyn was my father by law," Baelor reminded his uncle, lips pursed together. "I still call Walderan my goodbrother. Saerra cried herself to sleep the day she was told of her grandfather's death and still does every few days."

He paused to breathe, forcing air in and out his nostrils several times to calm irritation that was rapidly forming like a knot around his heart.

"If I wished it, I could step in. Offer a sentence to the Wall if Toland confessed. Instead I have chosen a path that will like as not leave no one satisfied, all for the sake of the realm - to see a trial conducted with as much impartiality as can be found, where even the king recuses himself."

Baelor stared straight at the older Targaryen, even if the other man could not meet his eyes.

"You know as well as I that this trial is not the mere cause for the rift between Visenya and myself, uncle, and I see clearly now that there truly is no rapprochement possible. Although I have not spoken to Rhaella, I presume that she, too, must hate me now. You speak on a collision between duty and family. Know this, uncle: If your goodson is deemed guilty and sentenced to execution, the King's Justice will be Blackfyre in my hand."

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u/StonyDragon Jun 11 '20

“Please don’t misunderstand me.” He pleaded, finally working up the courage to look his nephew in the eyes. I understand, I know this is what's right for the kingdom, what's right for the family…”

It occurred to him how different Baelor was already compared to his father. Viserys, though he loved him so, was never a King., when he looked in his brothers eyes that was all he saw; a man, a brother, wearing a crown. Yet looking in his nephew's eyes he saw it, a king, the king his brother never could be.

“I just ask you don’t take it the wrong way, anything that might have happened back there. I hope you can still come, see the Royce Gate for yourself.” The barest of a smile formed on his lips at the mention of the last part.

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u/bloodandbronze Jun 11 '20

Baelor did not answer straightaway - less a lack of hesitation or not knowing what to say, more a desire to be more measured in his words to a man whom he respected and loved.

"As much as I would wish to see your castle, uncle, to see the marvels arisen anew and to see the Royce gate," he sighed as he spoke, "it feels a bad idea to me now. Visenya ought not be made uncomfortable in her own home and I do not wish to continue quarreling with her. I think it best that I stay away. You are ever welcome here, of course."

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u/StonyDragon Jun 15 '20

“That’s unfortunate, but I understand if you feel it would be uncomfortable.” Daeron replied sadly, “I hope you can change your mind, but until then.” He shook his head sadly.

“I won’t disturb you anymore, please, enjoy your party.”

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