Grandview

[Teirney Lannister]

Aerie pursed her lips and stared blankly at the man, her façade betraying no expression on the feeling searing in her stomach. “I am in no need of shelter,” she said shortly, but her features softened to buffer the blow. She did not know to go about this with anyone but Grandison myself, and she once again found herself groping for words. "Lord Grandison is nearly always at Storms End. He is not on this isolated crag of rock. Perhaps your house holds more sway than you realize. Regardless of your strength, you must have a position on the situation. Why do you feel of a kinslayer on the Iron Throne? Grandison may be loyal to Redroyce, but which king is he loyal to?” She paused uncertainly, forcing herself to continue. “There are rumors of Callen Baratheon roaming the Stormlands or Reach. House Grandison stood behind him in the war, did it not?”

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"I am not privy to the Redroyce's thoughts, but all men know he was Lord Michael Dondarrion's Captain of the Guard, and a hero in the War of Stag and Dragon. He made his name fighting for the Targaryens, taking Horn Hill and Highgarden in King Aegon's name, and his famed cavalry charge at the Battle of Casterly Rock. You know where he stands. He was gifted Storm's End by the Targaryen Lords for they knew he was a man they could trust."

"I say all this to empasize one thing: Lord Grandison is sworn to the Redroyce, and will do his bidding. As for this man called Callen, surely a pretender. They say he's in Summerhall, then they say he's burning Oldtown and the Reach. It is a farce. There isn't one Callen, there must be ten, and we all know the true Callen was slain by Maerys at the Red Keep."

"Lord Grandison's elder son and brother both fought for King Rodrick Baratheon, it is true, but they died in the war, and Lord Valwert made his allegiance to Lord Rhodri known. That is where things stand. If Lord Rhodri takes issue with the new King, Lord Valwert will ready the men to stand with him. If Lord Rhodri swears fealty, I am sure the Castellan will as well."

[Teirney Lannister]

This man would not budge. If Aerie knew that he was actually aware of the Callen issue and was merely building walls around himself, Aerie would have began working to wear them down, but was it truly worth the time and effort to probe a man who might know nothing? She was not sure, and her agitation was mounting by the minute. Why had Grandison decided this moment to leave for Storm’s End? Things had changed, and Aerie no longer knew if it was in her best interests to ride all the way down there. “Yes, you must be right,” she lied earnestly, bobbing her head in assent.

“It is becoming rather chilly. A pity, for this is such a beautiful place. It is regretful you are not visited often. Lady Fenra seems to lament the fact. She said you have not had guests for quite a while. It must become lonely, I should think. Lord Valwert did not entertain anybody before he left? Surely he would want to discuss pressing issues here before he left for Storm’s End once more? Truly a pity Lady Fenra must brave your cold nights alone. Poor woman, perhaps you would not mind if I spent some time with her?” She knew she was being despairingly indiscreet, but she had been blunt for the majority of her time in Granview, so what harm could come from further indiscretion?

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"It is only appropriate that as our guest you dine with the Lady of the House. Should I send for her now, so you can sit down to tea and biscuits?" Yarrow has a very subtle sneer to his voice.

[Teirney Lannister]

Aerie stared back at him benignly, her eyes soft and innocent in their green gaze. He had not answered her question, damn the man. “Ah, I fear I am not so hungry at the moment, but perhaps a chat with the lady would be befitting? I rather enjoy her tales of Ser Giles,” she added dryly, hoping the insane woman wouldn’t have her married before dawn broke.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Ser Yarrick steps out to find a page. It is then he hears of this second visitor, currently being entertained by the Lady of the House, who was here to see Aerie. Yarrick steps back in the receiving room.

"Mi'lady, it seems a Ser Krags rode here to find you. Is this a man you want to see, or a man we should rid you of?"

[Teirney Lannister]

Aerie’s expression was neutral, her eyes—typically seething with emotion—betraying nothing of their mistress’ thoughts. Ser Krag? That was no one she was familiar with, but she could not have him bodily ousted from the manor without knowing his intentions first. Caution suffused her with its hypersensitive weight, and she turned to Ser Yarrick, her tormentor, calmly. “I will see him,” she replied with feigned blandness, stepping closer to the doorway to catch a glimpse of what lurked outside, her hand deceiving her when it darted to her sword hilt. She made herself let go, looking up to ensure the Castellan had not seen her moment’s uncertainty. This place is secure. Layla, Edgar, and Alyssa are in here. I’m being foolish.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"I'll send the page for him. I believe Lady Fenra decided to entertain him while he awaited your attention. I am sure he is ready to see you by now."

A page scurries away to lead Ser Krags to the chamber.

[Teirney Lannister]

Aerie smiled ruefully. She was beginning to pity the man if he had been facing Lady Fenra’s entertainment for the while she had been speaking with Ser Yarrick. “He will be ready to see the inside of a lion’s mouth if it will get him away from her,” she muttered scathingly, wondering which of her kin Fenra would have paired this Ser Krags to.

[Bunny-Rabbit]

Following the page Ser Krags entered the chamber seeing Aerie he immediately altered his course and walked to her. Dropping to one knee he bowed to her. "Lady Blackwood I bear a personal message from your father." Still on one knee he hands Aerie a letter sealed with House Blackwood's sigil.

Aeire,

My dear girl. Have you heard the news of the new King. While this coup is tragic news, there appears to be a silver lining. Aedon is still a bachelor, and since Blackwood has been such a loyal house he has decided that he will consider all of my daughters. So it is required that you travel immediately to King's Landing to met the new King.

I am excited to see you again. And it seems Aedon likes women with a little spice to them; he also values a youthful appearance. So I think there is a good chance he will select you. To think a Blackwood Queen.

I have entrusted this message to Ser Jasper Krags. He can answer any further questions for you. I have told him to travel with and protect you from all harm. He is new to my service, but has already proven himself greatly.

Please come as fast as you can. A brave new future awaits you.

Love your father.

p.s.-The King may not be in King's Landing when you come north, so come to Raventree Hall, or any to the location I may travel to.

[Teirney Lannister]

A bubble of humor rose in Aerie’s stomach as Ser “Krags” came within view and dropped to a knee before her, but her face remained smooth, untouched by familiarity. “Is that so,” she said, taking the letter from his hands. Her eyes skimmed the page and she found herself caught between amusement and apprehension. Her eyes flicked to the man crouched before her and darted back to the letter, her brow twitching in its yearning to rise but kept firmly in place with all of Aerie’s restraint. “Ser Yarrick, would you mind terribly if I spoke to Ser Krags privately for a moment?” She beckoned the messenger far into the empty hallway, and, casting a wary glance to ensure no one was within earshot, looked at him earnestly. “What is this, an amusing joke?” she demanded, tightening her grip on the letter to show what she meant, taking care to keep her voice low. "Ser Krags are you now?"

[Bunny-Rabbit]

"It occurred to me." Replies Ser Krags rising to his feet, "That if you received that letter you would do everything in your power to bring down King Aedon. That you could show that letter to people, and they would understand why you were betraying your family. Is that funny?"

Krags rubbed his freshly shaven head, "I don't think it is funny at all."

[Teirney Lannister]

Aerie stared at him for a while, uncertain of what to say or do or think, for that matter. The reality of the situation was crashing down upon her head, and she felt like a wolf with a limb caught in a trap: ensnared and confused, with little else to do but chew off her leg to escape. Finally, she found her voice and, with it, the strength to use it. “So you forged this and rode all the way to Grandview…why? To help me?” Her brow furrowed; she wasn’t sure what to make of it.

[Bunny-Rabbit]

Looking around idly Krags continues, "The situation changed in King's Landing. The situation was bloody lit on fire. With the war and chaos I was no longer needed there."

"It was decided Callen must be contacted. A plan was formed, and here I am. The Lion has returned to his den and no longer serves the dragon." Krags grunts, "I could have returned to the Rock. But I will be more useful here."

"You are going to be angry we didn't consult you first before changing your mission." Krags squints, "It wasn't really an option to just mail a raven to every house on our list and hope one of them reached you."

[Teirney Lannister]

Aerie’s jaw set. Yes, angry, that was a word she was well-adjusted to. Her eyes narrowed, the ghost of a frown tugging at the corners of her mouth as she appraised him coolly. “Yes, I am forever grateful for you and your precious Bettley’s sudden change of plans,” she snapped brusquely, her voice a thin growl. “I especially liked it when chaos erupted and I had no clue what I should be doing and what the view on Callen had suddenly become. My favorite part, however, was when I had to sit here and listen to an insane lady prattle on for hours about how I would make the perfect match with her son Giles if I only just dressed a bit more extravagantly!” Her face remained dispassionate, but her eyes blazed like field of green fire. “Well, would you mind informing me what the great plan of the day is now, or would you rather see me throttle Lady Fenra if she brings up marriage arrangements again?”