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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Mar 19, 2008 18:19:32 GMT -5
/////////////////////// October 521
Ser Oliver Bulwer arrives back at Blackcrown. It is the first time he has been back since before Andry's rebellion.
Paying little attention to the familiar surroundings and the welcomes he receives from the castle's inhabitants, he makes a beeline straight for his father's solar. On the way, he meets his brother Antony, who has come out to see him on hearing of his return.
"Brother. it is truly good to see you again. I feared for you when I heard of all this nonsense in King's Landing, I am glad to see you fit and well." Antony says to him.
"It is good to see you also Antony," Oliver replies with a thin smile before cutting to the chase - "How is father?"
Antony's expression changes. "Not well" he replies eventually. "He has been barely conscious for the last week, although he does have brief periods of lucidity now and then. He has called for you once or twice."
Oliver swallows hard, feeling a small lump grow at the back of his throat. "I shall see him now." And with that, he makes his way up to the solar.
Tiptoeing quietly inside, he makes his way to his father's bed. Lord Jackson is sleeping. He softly pulls up a chair and sits at his side for over an hour, quietly praying to the mother as he does so.
The next morning, Oliver is awakened by a knock at the door to his chamber. A letter has arrived summoning him and the men of Blackcrown to Horn Hill. Cursing the state of the realm, Oliver pays one final heavy-hearted visit to his sleeping father's solar before riding off with a hundred or so men to aid Lord Irwyn's army.
As he leaves, he knows that he will likely never see his father again, as one or other of them, possibly both, will not survive the coming weeks.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Mar 25, 2008 11:36:19 GMT -5
//////////////////////////// January 522
3 men wearing the Bull's skull adorned crimson of House Bulwer arrive at the gates. After gaining entrance, it is revealed they have been sent for Tomas Bulwer, the eldest son of Ser Oliver. They have come straight from Horn Hill and are to take the future heir back with them to the home of the Far Reach army, where he is to serve Lord Robb Tarly as squire.
The boy is ushered up to see his bed-ridden grandfather before he goes. The man is asleep, so Tomas simply kisses him on the brow and leaves.
Riding his own palfrey, Tomas waves a tearful goodbye to his mother and two siblings as he rides out of the gates on his way towards becoming a man.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Apr 13, 2008 14:33:54 GMT -5
///////////////////////////////////////////// August 522
Having stood the last vigil for his wife at the sept in Blackcrown all through the night, Oliver walks with the other mourners to the traditional place of burial for the Bulwer family. It is a peaceful cemetary, cut into the side of a small hill a mere mile away from Blackcrown, surrounded by tall and ancient oak trees.
Septon Melson says prayers to the Stranger as they lower Marianne's body into the grave. He asks that her soul be accepted into the afterlife. Oliver maintains a stoic expression throughout, determined to stay strong for those around him, especially his two children present, Ben and Daniella, who stand crying softly throughout. He will have his own outpouring of grief at a later time, somewhere private.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Apr 15, 2008 10:08:52 GMT -5
//////////////////////////////////////////// September 522
Oliver stands at his father's bedside holding his hand as he lies taking long shuddery breaths. Lord Jackson is finally dying. It will be a release for him, Oliver reassures himself. This is no life he leads.
He looks up to Maester Jaehaerys. "How long now?" he asks simply.
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Post by mark on Apr 16, 2008 18:55:00 GMT -5
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
100 men from a ship arrive at Blackcrown's outer walls, among them Ser Tomas Bulwer and Lord Robb Tarly.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Apr 17, 2008 11:08:04 GMT -5
Oliver hears of the arrival of the ship and walks out into the yard to meet the men. He looks a mess. There are massive bags under his eyes, and his beard has become shaggy and unkempt. Clearly the recent deaths of his wife and father have hit him hard.
On seeing his son, he smiles, quite possibly for the first time in weeks. "Tomas," he says warmly.
"Ser Tomas now, father," the boy replies, also smiling.
Oliver turns to Lord Tarly. "Ah, I take it this was your doing. It's good to see you again Robb."
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Post by mark on Apr 17, 2008 11:20:12 GMT -5
Robb is a little taken aback by Oliver's appearance, although he was expecting his friend to be in awful shape. "Not mine, ser. The doing of your son. The bravery, courage, and skill he exhibited was his alone and is nobody's else to claim." He smiled to show how proud he was of Ser Oliver's son. His smile faded as he said, "It is good to see you again, friend. Oliver, I am truly sorry about your wife. If there is anything I or House Tarly can do... please let me know."
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Apr 17, 2008 11:31:33 GMT -5
Oliver gave a sad smile at hearing his son's achievements. His eyes began to look a little watery. "Thanks Robb. I appreciate that greatly."
He sighed. "Robb, can I have a word away a second?" He leads the man away from Tomas. "Did either you or Tom hear word of my father?"
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Post by mark on Apr 17, 2008 11:33:34 GMT -5
"Your father?" Robb said, with a confused smile. He begins to ask Oliver what he is referring to when he suddenly understands. His face draws back in shock. No... not his father, too. This is too much. He looks at Oliver in the eyes. "No, we did not, ser."
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Apr 17, 2008 11:43:29 GMT -5
Oliver just nods slowly. He wanders off to Tomas, who is sharing a joke with one of Tarly's men. Drawing him aside, he is seen informing Tomas of the bad news. The newly knighted man tries remaining strong for his father, but is clearly devastated. Oliver dismisses him, and he leaves into the keep, searching out his siblings.
Oliver returns to Tarly. "I'm not sure I can take much more of this," he says wearily.
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Post by mark on Apr 17, 2008 11:47:50 GMT -5
Robb looks at his friend with pity and genuine sympathy. "I.. I am sorry, Oliver. Perhaps yourself and your men would like to visit Horn Hill for a while? We have plenty of food stocked up from when the army moved out early. We could have some feasts and dances, and maybe even a small tourney for the nearby Houses. I think it could do yourself and Tomas good." Robb was really trying to help his friend, but did not know if he would accept.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Apr 17, 2008 11:57:07 GMT -5
Oliver didn't look all that enthused but smiled and nodded anyway. "Thanks Robb. Perhaps it would do me good to get away from Blackcrown for a while. I must admit, it doesn't seem to have treated me all that well since I arrived back last month." He grinned weakly.
"Come now, come drink with me in my study. There are lots of things I want to ask you about. It's been a long time since we last spoke, and it seems the world has changed immeasurably in that time." He beckons for the Lord of Horn Hill to follow him up the steps into the Keep.
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Post by mark on Apr 17, 2008 12:24:11 GMT -5
Robb follows Lord Bulwer up to his solar. I must remember the 'Lord' part of it now, Robb reminded himself. He shook his head at this friend's luck. The Seven are rarely kind to the truly good men of the realm, it seems.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Apr 17, 2008 14:39:34 GMT -5
On reaching the study, Oliver offers his friend a seat at one side of a desk. He himself takes a seat opposite after pouring out two glasses of a standard Arbor Red.
"I've found myself getting through a fair amount of this stuff lately," he chuckles, a shade manically.
"So... Robb, how fared the butchery in Dorne after I left? I have heard little."
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Post by mark on Apr 17, 2008 16:25:41 GMT -5
Robb pitied his friend's losses but knew they were at odds on this issue. "Lord Bulwer, you know I disagree with you on the issue. There was butchery in Dorne; but what more can you expect from our men? They were killed in battle, poisoned, assassinated, their wives and children assassinated, all the while chasing a craven army through the desert. I did what I could after Hellholt to pass out provisions and supplies to the smallfolk; but you must remember many of those male smallfolk are the same men who were trying to kill us in the war." He took a sip of wine. "If it makes you feel any better towards me, I approached the Lord Regent during my stay in King's Landing about sending men and provisions to Dorne to help rebuild and feed the people. I am sorry, but I got turned down."
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