[color=EBE957][h2]Edwyn I[/h2][/color][hr][right][b]Fallow Hill[/b], the Riverlands[/right][hr]
It was a fine summer afternoon, with minimal clouds in the sky.

Edwyn slowed his destrier into a canter as Fallow Hill's formidable shape drew closer into view. It had been three months and nine days since he had last seen it's great grey turrets - too long, for his liking. But home he was, with only a single road that cut through the vast golden fields separating him from the castle's gates. He had missed Fallow Hill. King's Landing stank of piss, and was full of far too many people Edwyn cared not for; and Pinkmaiden... well, Pinkmaiden had a terribly macabre atmosphere following the death of Ser Derrick Piper, and, given recent events, was not a particularly safe place to be with only a handful of men.

Edmund, Edwyn's secondborn son, rode a black destrier to his left, and to his right, Edwyn's squire Axell rode a small brown steed. The three had gone ahead, eager to reach home, confident in their safety on the road. Ser Tristifer, head of Edwyn's personal guard, had stayed behind with the wagon, ten fighting men beside him - two less than the twelve that had left the castle three months ago. It had been a tumultuous time, one that Edwyn had not truly prepared for. He had set out for King's Landing for the Hand's tourney simply to keep up appearances and support his son, but, as was his luck, a funeral and a potential war came thereafter.

Ser Gregor Clegane had been the one to unhorse Edmund from the tourney, but not without a fight, with several lances breaking in the joust. The tourney ended with Ser Gregor furiously slaughtering his own horse, and Ser Loras Tyrell conceding to Sandor Clegane. Entertaining, if nothing else, and Edwyn was proud of his lad for giving the Mountain a fair match; something most men would not even dare attempt. The festivities didn't appeal much to Edwyn outside of that, however, and he had itched to ride back north as soon as he had the chance. But news then came of the death of Ser Derrick, husband to Edwyn's sister, Maya, and plans changed.

The retinue made for Pinkmaiden, and Edwyn sought to console his dear sister. Maya had a boy of only two, named Artos, and Derrick's death came as a sudden, shaking surprise. Illness that led to pneumonia, apparently. The funeral came the week after. The group remained in Pinkmaiden for a short while, and it was there they learned of Tyrion Lannister's capture, which subsequently led to Ser Gregor Clegane's arrival in the Riverlands, where he and his men tore through several settlements.

Edwyn and his men had assisted in repelling the raiders from nearby Pinkmaiden, and it was there they lost two men. Good men. But their lives meant that the invaders were curbed, and Pinkmaiden was safe. By the time the dead were buried, the riverlords had already been called to Riverrun to respond to the raids. Edwyn had been eager for Maya to journey with his retinue, but she was mother to a Piper boy, and her place was in Pinkmaiden, so Lord Edwyn marched up the red fork without her. The stay in Riverrun was brief. More of a passing, really, as it was quickly decided by Lord Hoster that no formal call to war was yet necessary. And so, Edwyn marched east.

As the three horsed men turned the corner to face the southern gate of the castle, another rider converged beside them. Edwyn snapped out of thought. Ariella, Edwyn's eldest child and only daughter, now rode beside them. The riverlord smiled her way as she approached.

[b][color=73c6b6]“The two of you are a welcome sight!”[/color][/b] Ariella greeted her father and brother cheerfully, maneuvering around Axell to match pace and leaning forward on Thunder to get a glimpse of Edmund. Quickly, though, her smile changed to an expression of concern, made all the more apparent by the ghosts of dark circles that seemed ever-present under her eyes. [b][color=73c6b6]“I noticed you were short a few men with the wagon. Did we lose them in the lists?”[/color][/b]

[b][Color=coral]"No, we lost them defending Aunt Maya's home."[/color][/b] Edmund was very blunt in his speech, getting the first taste of war sat bitterly in his gut. He didn't elaborate on why their aunt's home was under attack, just that it was.

Ariella’s hand flew up to her mouth and she gasped; a pit formed in her stomach, first from shock, and then from realization. She [i]knew[/i] Ashton had been hiding something from her! He must have gotten a raven and not told her. [b][color=73c6b6]“Are the two of you alright? Was anyone else lost? Who would attack Pinkmaiden?”[/color][/b] A familiar worry set in, etching into her features.

[color=EBE957][b]”Raiders. Westermen. Sent by Tywin Lannister, it is believed,”[/b][/color] Edwin replied calmly. It was not odd for him to seem so unphased by such a troublesome situation. He was always one to deal with things first, and worry later. [color=EBE957][b]”It’s safe, for now, and Aunt Maya and Artos are well protected.”[/b][/color] 

[b]"Lift the gate!"[/b] had been called by one of the gatesmen, and so it rose before them. Redemption settled into a trot as she passed under the gate, Edwyn guiding her to the stable.

[color=EBE957][b]”You needn’t worry about it, Ariella,”[/b][/color] the lord said as he dismounted from his steed. His words felt half-true, and it seemed almost as if he deflected the topic out of consideration for his daughter’s worries. [color=EBE957][b]”How is your mother? And Ashton?”[/b][/color]

Ariella’s brow furrowed, but she didn’t press further; she could tell when her father was avoiding something. Making a mental note to speak to him later if she could get him alone, she went along with the change of subject. 

[b][color=73c6b6]“Ashton has taken the mantle of the face of House Landry in great stride,”[/color][/b] she reported, leaving out that the duty he’d taken on - more than he likely needed to, given her mother and Ser Baldric’s work keeping everything running - seemed to be taking a toll on him. [color=73c6b6][b]“And Mother is… Mother.”[/b][/color] She chuckled a little then, eager to get to happier topics, even if she still seemed a little uneasy. [b][color=73c6b6]“How was the tourney? Ed, I heard you did well in the lists.”[/color][/b]

The change in topic was a relief to Edmund, perhaps he just need some rest to get the last few weeks out of his mind. [b][Color=coral]"I did well enough. Won a couple and even knocked Ser Symon Haigh of his horse."[/color][/b] Edmund was a little smug mentioning that. [b][color=coral]"I was defeated by Ser Gregor Clegane, the Mountain.  Broke a few but in the end he was too much."[/color][/b] He left out how bad he was hurting after the match and the death of Ser Hugh of the Vale. 

Ariella couldn't help but smirk at the image of Symon flailing off his horse; he probably threw a fit, too. Her eyebrows shot up, however, at the mention of Ser Gregor. Her first instinct was to scold her brother for taking such a risk, but she reminded herself that such courage was fitting for a young knight. She just wished he wouldn't be foolish with it. 

[b][color=73c6b6]“An accomplishment indeed,”[/color][/b] she conceded, knowing a comment to Edmund about keeping his wits about him would probably be ill-received. [b][color=73c6b6]“To walk away from that match, anyway. I would have liked to see it.”[/color][/b] She offered her brother a coy grin. [b][color=73c6b6]“Of course, I also would have loved to see Ser Symon face-down in the mud.”[/color][/b]

[b][Color=coral] "Knocking him down in person and in front of the king no less made it even sweeter."[/color][/b] Edmund mused a chuckle when he thought of Symon nearly crapping himself in front of half the realm.

Ariella laughed, a genuine, musical sound that had grown a little more rare over the past two years. She followed her father into the stables, dismounting with a few gentle words to Thunder before she let the stablehand take him away. [b][color=73c6b6]“Lord Walker must have been absolutely red in the face,”[/color][/b] she mused, picturing the old fool’s expression watching his son unhorsed by none other than a Landry. [b][color=73c6b6]“I hope the sight sticks in his mind.”[/color][/b]

[b][color=EBE957]”Now, now, you two,”[/color][/b] Edwyn allowed a wry smile to grace his face, but shook his head. [b][color=EBE957]”Lord Walker is a riverlord. Regardless of what we think of him, we still owe him respect; and Ser Symon is a fine knight. It is a testament to Ed’s skill to dehorse him.”[/color][/b] The statement was more a lesson in subtlety than actual fact. Ser Symon was a mediocre knight at best, and Lord Walker, a hateful prick of a man. But Edwyn wished for his family to set a better example than their rivals to the north. [color=EBE957][b]"Anyhow, Ariella, would you alert your mother of our return?"[/b][/color]

Ariella knew her manners well, but she was eager for something uplifting to take her mind off of things, and the image of Symon at the end of a lance was as good as any. At her father’s request, her smile changed a touch, near-invisible to anyone but those who knew her well, looking a little more painted-on than before. [b][color=73c6b6]“Of course, father,”[/color][/b] she replied dutifully, offering a curt dip of the head and a half curtsy as she made her way between the men. [b][color=73c6b6]“Do try to rest a little,”[/color][/b] she added to both of them before leaving, [b][color=73c6b6]“You both have come a long way, surely whatever needs to be done can wait until tomorrow.”[/color][/b]

Edwyn gave his daughter a reassuring nod as she departed, but he would continue regardless. It was not in his nature to rest when there was work to be done. [color=EBE957][b]"Axell, tell Ashton, Maester Oylen and Ser Baldric that I must speak with them in my chambers, there's a good lad,"[/b][/color] Edwyn instructed, as he turned to face his squire, giving the ginger lad a hefty pat on the back. Axell dipped his head affirmatively and scuttled off. Edwyn glanced back to his second son. The lad had grown up a lot in the past year, especially in the months just gone. [color=EBE957][b]"Go and get some rest, Ed. You've earned it."[/b][/color]

[b][Color=coral]"I will be having a drink in the hall if you need me."[/color][/b] Edmund left his conversation with his father at that, knowing full well saying anything else would've been wasted breath. Edwyn simply gave a slight nod and turned, making his way towards his quarters in the keep.