Stagsrest

[Deleted]

"Behave yourself," Aranya said sternly, kissing him on the head. "I don't know how Rhodri is going to manage you, wild one."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"The handless father? He can't handle me now, no time for him to start," Yohn says. "Too bad Petra or Rhae couldn't come hunting."

[Deleted]

"They're still too young. Especially Rhae, she's only seven," Aranya snorted. "That child is nothing like you or Petra. Always mooning after knights and songs of gallantry and being pretty. Still, she's a good girl. She'll make Brynden a good wife."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Yohn chuckles.

[Deleted]

Aranya cocked her head at him, but then shrugged. That was when she realized that the meat was burning. She rushed back to the hearth and tried to save it, but saw to her dismay that much of the meat was charred black.

She looked evilly at the Vale knights. Perhaps one of them liked it burned.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

The dog looks up at her, hoping for some of the meat.

Ser Dortmund Grafton says "We have plenty more boar, mi'lady".

[Deleted]

"True," Aranya sighed, taking the charred meat off the skewer and feeding it to the dog, who wolfed the pieces down. "My poor boar died to be badly cooked." She grinned and went to cut the boar.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

A group of knights burst out into loud laughter, and when Aranya turns, she sees that Ser Vance is telling another of his tales. Unsurprisingly, he notices her glance and tosses her a smile before going on with the story.

[Deleted]

Aranya smiled invitingly.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

The story is abruptly cut short, to murmuring disappointment. Vance steps over towards Aranya. "Mi'lady, I hear you speared a boar today. Spearhunting is my favorite sport."

[Deleted]

"I thought your favorite sport lay elsewhere. As for the boar, yes, I killed one. Incredibly satisfying," Aranya glanced at the boar carcass, pleased. "I will take you boar hunting in the woods near Duskendale, if you wish. The game is not so good, but the sport is still as difficult and exciting."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Mi'lady, it would be pleasure to lie with you in the woods for some hours. Awaiting boars," Vance says. "I believe you still owe me a kiss from the night we first met. Wasn't that a promise?"

[Deleted]

"I merely said I thought you deserve a kiss for sheer effort," Aranya said. "But none of us get what we deserve. It's so sad."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Why must it be sad, when such a thing is in your very power? To award me with what is deserved? Do I get a kiss for unhorsing Barret Tyrell? Does that win your favor better?" Vance asks.

[Deleted]

Aranya appeared to hesitate. She gazed at him for a long moment. "True," she said softly. "You did unhorse that craven murderer."