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Post by Eddard Storm on Jul 2, 2009 17:05:34 GMT -5
Walking along clearing, Ser Eddard Storm passed by a number of tents displaying an equal number of arms. Silently looking around, he felt near-naked without any badge displaying a house. He gave a grim smile and looked ahead. Eying the largest of the tents, Ned pushed his way through the gathered soldiers to the opening.
"I would speak to the Queen, ser." He said to a man at the opening who appeared to be guarding it.
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Post by Marie on Jul 2, 2009 17:20:16 GMT -5
"WHo are you?" The knight asked.
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Post by Eddard Storm on Jul 2, 2009 17:24:27 GMT -5
Ned frowned. This was the difficult part.
"I am Ser Eddard Storm, the son of the late Lord Hand Breck Dondarrion." Looking intently, he added. "If you would tell the Queen of me, I believe she would see me."
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Post by Marie on Jul 2, 2009 17:41:39 GMT -5
"I'll tell Her Grace, but I don't know as she'll see you."
"Won't see who?"
An attractive woman with silver-gold hair stepped out of the tent. She was clothed like a man in black leathers embossed with the three headed dragon in red. A gold circlet sat on her head. She looked at the stranger.
"Who are you?"
"He said he's the former Hand's bastard, Your Grace," the knight said. "Ser Eddard Storm."
The queen looked Ned over.
"And what would you have of me, Ser Eddard?"
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Post by Eddard Storm on Jul 2, 2009 17:49:37 GMT -5
Ned's eyes lingered on her for a second before he bowed. He felt somewhat grungy in his mud-splattered leathers.
"Your Grace... As your man so eloquently put it, I am Breck Dondarrion's bastard. I have been away from Westeros, serving on the Eastern Continent. What I would ask of you is if I could serve Your Grace if possible, and return some honour to the Dondarrion name."
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Post by Marie on Jul 2, 2009 17:55:55 GMT -5
A smile hovered at the corners of her lips but didn't quite form.
"Forgive my bluntness, Ser Eddard, but how can you restore honour to the Dondarrion name when you are a Storm?"
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Post by Eddard Storm on Jul 2, 2009 18:02:50 GMT -5
Ned hesitated slightly, taking a breath.
"Well, Your Grace... I had though perhaps if I served you well... You might legitimize me, in the future. Even if not, I would still wish to serve you."
There, it was out. This had been the thing Ned had been worrying about.
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Post by Marie on Jul 2, 2009 18:25:33 GMT -5
"I can consider it, certainly," she said. "Yours is not the first such request. It's likely that I will legitimise another man soon so I will be able to keep your request in mind when I know you better. Tell me though, who holds Blackhaven now?"
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Post by Eddard Storm on Jul 2, 2009 18:31:21 GMT -5
A dark look came over his face.
"House Wylde holds the castle currently, your grace. I was made to believe they hold both Blackhaven and the Rain House."
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Post by Marie on Jul 3, 2009 1:27:17 GMT -5
"I see. I don't know all the lords yet, I'm afraid, being a newcomer. However, I cannot just take Blackhaven away from House Wylde, not unless they give me reason to do so."
Rhaenys paused, thinking.
"Are you at all acquainted with Lord Baratheon, who is brother to my betrothed, Lord Selwyn?"
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Post by Eddard Storm on Jul 3, 2009 15:59:36 GMT -5
"I've not met him personally, Your Grace. I suppose you could also call me a newcomer, as I've been away for some thirteen years."
Ned garnered a thoughtful look.
"Although, Your Grace, I'm not certain that Lord Baratheon would be pleased to see me. It was his father who had mine executed."
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Post by Marie on Jul 3, 2009 16:35:27 GMT -5
Rhaenys seized on that latter statement since the implications were troublesome. If Ser Eddard wanted his father's lands, he'd need to hold them under Eustace, the son of his father's killer. A difficult situation for them both. I don't know that I want to go there and yet...the man has a claim. A bastard's claim, to be sure, with no legal entitlement, but a blood claim nonetheless. I have some sympathy with his postion...
"Upon what charge was your father executed?" She asked.
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Post by Eddard Storm on Jul 3, 2009 16:52:08 GMT -5
With a frown, Ned put his hands behind his back and stood up straighter.
"My father was executed for treason and rebellion, Your Grace. Against a rather bad King, if I may have leave to say so. But I am sure you don't have to worry about that, Your Grace."
Turning the frown into a slight smile, he added.
"I have heard it said you are a good Queen, Your Grace. This was why I came to you and not some other."
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Post by Marie on Jul 3, 2009 17:08:25 GMT -5
Her expression was solemn, troubled.
"That is good to know, but I would like you to tell me what other you might have gone to? I rule now, no other. The former king fights under my banner now and serves as my Hand. No-one else claims the rule, ser."
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Post by Eddard Storm on Jul 3, 2009 17:13:18 GMT -5
Ned arched an eyebrow quizzically.
"A poor choice of words. I meant nothing by it, Your Grace. I had simply meant going to one of the other Lords and solving it through diplomacy. I am not my father, I have no interest in rebelling."
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Hope you all are well and happy.