Castle Black

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OOC: Oops, I think we posted at the same time.

"Forgive me, Lord Rhodri," Garrett said, shooting Elane an angry look. "But it was still ill done. We don't need nurses here when we have maesters and soldiers who can sew a few wounds up. Who will protect the women should the barbarians break through to the field hospital?"

"As to that, perhaps we can protect ourselves," Nymeria flared, her blue eyes blazing.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Ser Doyle Swann looks surprised at mention of "that Grey Lady".

"What do you mean by that? Gray Lady? Who is here with you?" he asks Nymeria.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"If the Wildlings break through, my heavy horse shall make short work of them. And if not, the realm will have more to fear than the fate of four brave women who have chosen their risk knowingly."

"It falls to us to ensure the Wildlings do not break through. Have you been working on your swordsmanship? We should spar before the battle, I would like to test your skill."

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"They Grey Lady, ser," Nymeria said, favoring the strange knight with one of her pretty smiles. "That's what everyone called her down south. Lady Cortesse. She was with us..." Nymeria looked around, and then she frowned in a puzzled way. "Where did she go?"

"She was with us just a minute ago," Janna Belmore said, also glancing about as she dismounted.

Elane said nothing and regarded Ser Doyle Swann in silence, observing and taking in the scene with interest.

Garrett wasn't listening; his attention was on Lord Rhodri. "Practicing everyday, my lord," Garrett said. "I will relish the chance to spar with you again. I think you will not find me lacking." He grinned at his own words.

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Horns sounded in the distance, and far away a great host was visible riding up the cold road. Elane recognized the banners at once. "Uncle Robert is here," she said, her calm voice hiding her relief. The Royce troops were the last to arrive.

Her ladies cheered, and Ser Garrett Redfort smiled. By the time the Royce army reached the fields before Castle Black, the entire camp was waiting and watching, clearly relieved. Ser Robert rode forward, accompanied by Lord Redfort and Lord Corbray.

"It seems everyone is here!" Ser Robert Royce roared. He dismounted, kissed Elane's cheek, clapped Garrett's shoulder, and grasped Rhodri's arm. "Good to see familiar faces. I swear, these northerners are as cold as winter itself. Not a wench to warm me properly since I left home, and my piss freezes before it touches the snow."

Elane pretended not to hear. Lord Corbray smiled and kissed her hand, and Lord Redfort bowed to her. "It is good to see you, nuncle," she said.

"As fair as ever, my lady," he replied courteously. He greeted Garrett with a warm smile, and Garrett looked pleased to see his father.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Ser Doyle Swann greets Nymeria's explanation with a clenched smile, "Thank you, miss."

He then turns and walks away, into Castle Black.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Lady Cortesse Horpe emerges, seeing Ser Doyle flee, and pursues him into the buildings.

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"There she is!" Young Lady Jocelyn Baelish pointed out. "The Grey woman - there!"

"And that knight is walking away," said Alla Hunter. "How unfortunate."

Elane smiled at Alla. The girl was Aranya's cousin, and even though they looked nothing alike, sometimes she reminded Elane of Alyssa, Aranya's mother.

"I'll see to my men," Ser Robert said. "And then I'll have to see those roses, and Wendwater of the black brothers. Still, it feels good to be fighting again. If only Breyn knew how I hated being cooped up at Runestone."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Ah, Runestone. I spent my youth doing everything I could to leave it, now that I've been gone for years I can't shake the nagging feeling that I miss it. Runestone, and the Bloody Gate, and the Eyrie for that matter," Lord Rhodri comments to his uncle. "Enjoy the Vale, dear Nuncle, for there you are shielded from so much of the politics that bother the realm."

"Lady Baelish, young Alla, do not concern yourself with Cortesse and Doyle. They have trials to pass through together that you are too young to understand."

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"Are we?" Lady Alla raised an eyebrow at Janna Belmore, who giggled.

"Go find Lady Lilith," Elane told them. "I will join you shortly." Four pairs of bright eyes flashed at her, and then the palfreys wheeled about and dashed towards the tents of the field hospital, their riders laughing to each other.

"They think it's an adventure," Garrett said in an undertone. His heart hammered when he thought of the danger they were in.

"Where is Jon?" Elane asked, changing the subject.

"My son is ill," Ser Robert said shortly. "I hoped he would ride with me to the Wall, but it seems that could not be."

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"You're welcome to Runestone, Rhodri," Ser Robert added, before Elane could voice her concern over Jon. "I've had enough of the bloody place. I'd have left and gone travelling like Jon, but Martina wouldn't hear of it."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Someone must serve as Castellan, and it should be a Royce. Perhaps when Jon has regained his strength, he can adopt the role, and you can retire to your travels," Lord Rhodri replies.

Looking towards the now vanished lovers, Doyle Swann and Cortesse Horpe, he says, aloud but to himself, "I wonder if he shall truly go through with it."

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"Who, Jon?" Ser Robert asked, oblivious. "Go through with what? His illness?"

"No, uncle," Elane said gently. "Jon serving as castellan of Runestone. But I suppose it's hardly the lifestyle he'd enjoy. Some men are simply made to be warriors."

"Which is why we are here," Lord Redfort said. "If you will excuse us, I'd like a ride with my son." Garrett smiled and nodded. The two Redforts mounted up and rode towards the Royce lines, chatting amiably.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Maybe being Castellan is not a good match for Jon now, but perhaps time will mature him. If you'll excuse me, I have some matters to attend to inside."

With that, Lord Rhodri strides towards Castle Black.

[House Lefford]

Lord Rindwynd stands atop the Wall thinking on the coming battle.