Top of the Hightower

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The top of one of the tallest structures in the realm.

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

Gareth Hightower is often to be found at the top of the Hightower. He had a good head for heights and loved surveying the lands around the Hightower spread out like a map below him.

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Jennalynn stood and looked out across the view that seemed to never end, a feeling of wonder and freight growing in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't have come to Oldtown and never climb the stairs to the top and see what all the world would look like since she was certain that it would be possible to see to the end of the world from up here. She has spent most of her time since arriving in Oldtown alongside her uncle or being guided by Lady Isabel around Oldtown, impressed by the city that her future husband were the heir to, but she knew that he would never rule. She had barely been able to speak to Ser Gareth, but she understood that he would be busy preparing for the tourney as well as being the good host to those that his brother didn't deem worthy enough to give his attention to.

She sighed and let the view take over her once again, looking west, trying to see if she could see all the way to her future home at the Stepstones. That was when she noticed that Ser Gareth seemed to have had the same idea to come up here to find some solitude and enjoy the view. She walked over toward him, curtsing as she came Before him and offered him a small smile.

"Ser Gareth, what a pleasant suprise to meet you here. Are you trying to find a moment to yourself with all the obligations with the tourney and such? I hope that all is well with you?"

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

As he often did, Gareth Hightower had climbed the stairs from his bedchamber which was located close to the top of the Hightower for some much needed solitude. He was startled to see his betrothed already there.

"Jennalynn! I had not expected to see you here." 

He smiled at her question. "I must admit my brother's guests weary me. Some of them in particular."

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Jennalynn smiled at his truthfullness, that wasn't common amongst most men that she met during her time at the court in King's Landing.

"I didn't expect to see you here either, Ser Gareth. I do apologize for spending most of my time with your sister Isabel, but she promised that she'd show me around Oldtown and that took much more time than I thought, I do hope that I have not made you felt ignored, that was not my intention." she said and looked her husband in the eyes. "I was suprised to see the Lord Commander's behaviour toward you when we arrived here, but you showed him who was the bigger man between the two of you, I think most of those gathered there did. And as for the Lannister girl down in the Great Hall, I'm not suprised, most Lannisters are so full of themselves." she said and added a piece of information she rarely shared with others. The man Before him was to become her husband after all, so it was proper to share her thoughts with him.

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

Gareth made a face at Jennalynn's mention of the Lannister girl, before laughing at her quip about the Lannisters being full of themselves. He wholeheartedly agreed.

"You have no fear about making me feel ignored Jennalynn. I understand that you have obligations. As do I. And indeed some may say it would not be seemly to be seen too much together before our wedding."

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Jennalynn relaxed as Gareth laughed wholeheartedly, grinning herself as she let his laughter sweep her with him.

"That may be so, Ser Gareth, but sometimes what is seemly to others is just what is needed, or do you disagree. We are to wed soon, so shouldn't we get to know each other a little before the ceremony, but you are correct, being seen alone together without chaperons might be unseemingly" she said with another smile. "So I see that being back home has been good for you, so won't it be hard for you to leave all of this and move to an island with mostly me as your company or are there others coming with us to your new castle as well?"

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

"I hope to have others come with me." replied Gareth. "Perhaps my cousins Ambrose and Lyonel. Both handy men in their own way and good friends of mine."

He looked at her sideways as he stood on the battlements gazing over Oldtown. "Perhaps you are right. We should get to know one another a little better."

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Jennalynn smiled toward her future husband once more and glanced over at the same view that he was, before she returned to look at him.

"So what would you like to know then, Ser Gareth? So will I be allowed to bring some of my own servants with me to my new home?"

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

"I don't see why not." replied Gareth. "I would want you to feel that you were at home." He looked at her directly smiling. "So what are your interests my lady? Reading, sewing, riding, animals or are there others that I haven't mentioned?"

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Jennalynn returned Ser Gareth's smile.

"You are quite perceptive, Ser Gareth, but then again those are interests that most noble women hold. And to continue down the path of the unexpected, I have to tell you that I am quite fond of dancing as well. There isn't much else for a women to do at court, and I have never been the kind of woman that have longed to be anything like my great-great-great-grandmother, or something like that, Aranya Royce. I am quite content with living a quiet life raising children and caring for my household. I have dreams of course, but one has been answered by coming here." she said and looked out across the view of Oldtown once more. "And you, Ser Gareth, what are your dreams? I have heard many tales of your skill in blade and battle, but there must be more to you than just the knightly title you hold?"

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

"My skills in blade and battle?" replied Gareth with a wry smile. "I fear that is not the case my lady. There are many present who excel at those pursuits. Indeed I do not expect to do that well in the upcoming tourney. Other than to try my mettle against the best knights in the land and perhaps gain some further experience.

He looked out at Oldtown spread out like a map far below them.

"You might be surprised my lady, but I actually enjoy reading and the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge. Although I must confess much of my motivation to engage in such activities are motivated by an interest in war. Hopefully I can carve out a place in the world, not overshadowed by an older brother."

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Jennalynn smiled and shook her head.

"You might not be the finest sword or general in the realm, Ser Gareth, but you are still among the greater ones. Besides, you are still young and from what I understand from my days at court, there is always battles and wars to fight." she said with a sigh at the thought of the future that they'd have to face together. "I am not surprised at all by that knowledge, Ser Gareth, I have never seen you as a man with only muscle and no brain, that was one of the qualities I find most attractive about you." she said and gave him a small smile. "And I am sure that you'll find your own place in the world, especially now that we'll be moving so far away from our families."