The Funeral of Selwyn Stone

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Selwyn Stone, Bastard of Runestone and Lord of Duskendale, lies in state for four days, dressed in the full regalia of House Royce, awaiting to be buried in the Royce crypt. All the nobility of the Vale, and many smallfolk, come to pay their respects.

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Aranya stood next to Rhodri at the head of the coffin, wearing the black of a widow. Her face was calm and still, but it showed how taxing the last few days had been on her. It was easy to tell that she had neither slept nor ate since she had come down from the mountains.

Brynden tottered at her feet, gazing at the lords and ladies around him. Aranya had tried to show him his father, just to look, but the one-year old had begun crying.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Rhodri stood still and implacable.

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When Aranya saw the Black Shields arrive, she immediately ordered that they be washed and fed.

[sethgreyjoy]

Fryse and Marq stood in the back, trying to remain unobtrusive, while still respecting the passing of a warrior.

"May the stones of the earth be nurtured by your passing." Marq said quietly. Fryse said nothing.

He watched the two at the head of the group, silently. His eyes boring into them. Finally he whispered. "Loss is a true emotion."

[Horas]

Lord Horas Blackwood rides into Runestone by himself. He gives his horse to the stablemaster and stands respectfully at the back of the service.

[syd]

Lord James Chester attends the funeral, dressed in red and black.

[Deleted]

Aranya paused as she passed by the Crow. "Thank you for coming," she said. "And for coming to our aid. It was an honor, Crow."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

The boy Yohn does not attend.

[Deleted]

Lady Martina stood with the Baelishes, thinking of her own dead husband, Ser Robert. She wished Jon would come home to her.

Alla Hunter sat with her brother after they said their condolences to Aranya and the Hand. Lord Tommen and Lord Redfort stood silently behind Lord Rhodri.

[Deleted]

The septon of Runestone began the prayers. He would say them for four days alternating with two other septons, while everyone had time to ride to Runestone and pay respects.

[sethgreyjoy]

"How goes it, Blackwood?" Fryse asks, giving the man a nod. He keeps his voice low, for the mood.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Several Black Shields enter the chamber to pay their respects to Skag Snow, their onetime captain and commander. In the lead is Urri Hastwyck, the wizened scout, and at the back is Lustrig the Lance, his eyes hallow. Beaumarin joins them.

[Deleted]

Aranya watched them as they paid their respects, and then walked over, Brynden babbling in her arms. "I'm glad you came. Selwyn would have wanted you here. You served him long and faithfully - with more loyalty than I showed him, I think. I'm proud that he had men like you with him when he was your captain.

"With his death, I no longer hold you to any oaths. But before you go, I want to give all of you something. Ask anything of me, and it is yours."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Urri speaks for the group. "We'll be missin' Skag, lady. But we don't need nothin' from him, nothin' you can give. We'll serve as swords for you, miss, if you want, or go our own way."