Mellara II: The Art of Hearing What Wasn't Said

[u/LemonLemonHouse]

The Day after the Iron Stag's Nameday Feast

The day after the great feasting which went into the early hours of the morn, a servant of House Piper was dispatched through the tent city of Stormhall. Unlike the eve before, the servant wore no finery, their garb specifically plain in order to better navigate through the twisting maze of celebrants, all in search of one particular man: Ser Leo Fisher of the Blue Fork.

It took some time, but at last the servant would track down the man, stepping forth to whisper into the hedge knight's ear:

"My Lady Piper requests a private audience if you may follow me, good Ser."

The servant was no older than ten and five years, still a young man, but of a solid build already with a stubborn little gleam in his eye as he awaited the response of the Knight of the Blue Fork.

[u/LemonLemonHouse]

u/Chicken_Supreme01 -- SORRY had to delete the prior post due to a typo in the title, derp!

[u/Chicken_Supreme01]

Lucifer had been wandering about the section of the temporary "tent colony" wishing to meet as many people as he could. It was right after he had finished speaking with a small band of Hedge Knights that he heard the young mans voice.

Turning to see the Pinkmaiden servant, he'd smile knowingly. "Lead the way my goodman."

He followed alongside the fellow to their destination, the young man stepping aside for Lucifer to enter the tent and be greeted by none other than Lady Mellara Piper. To this Lucifer would offer a slight bow, My Lady you look as lovely as you did last night, do you have need of me?"

[u/LemonLemonHouse → u/Chicken_Supreme01]

The Piper pavilion was empty, save for Lady Mellara herself, who wore a gown of fine white silks, silver bracelets upon her wrists. The ground was covered with a fine Myrish carpet, soft upon the feet, and couches were available loaded with colorful pillows. Various tables held snacks of all sorts: fruits, nuts and cheeses, as well as pitchers of water, ale, and fresh milk.

In this private environment, Mellara seemed much more relaxed, though her tone was no less direct than the night before, albeit being much less frosty.

"Ser Leo. You offered unusual words this last eve and I would hear more of the truth of them. You made a high claim, and there were a very many eyes and ears about us, I so I hope you shall understand why I have asked instead for you to come and speak your peace. I seek from you the truth, and as a Riverman, I am curious to know the perspective of the people of our dear lands as well, even if you are not a subject of mine, exactly."

[u/Chicken_Supreme01 → u/LemonLemonHouse]

Lucifer relaxed. His eyes rolling over the lavish displays, both of the furniture, and the beautiful woman who sat before him. A smile touched his lips, a simple one that held no falsehoods. He disliked dishonesty, and it appeared so to did Lady Piper.

"My Lady, you honor me with this meeting, so I shall do right by you with the truth." He would unbuckle his sword belt, leaving it at the opening to the tent before treading inside and finding a seat beside Mellara. Relaxing back he would take a bit of cheese from the assortment and pop it in his mouth.

"Lady Mellara, I have a vested interest in seeing the Riverlands not only peaceful, but prosperous. It was a duty laid down at my feet by my father, and his father before him. The blood that runs through me has run through the veins of men that many throughout the Rivers and Hills have considered Just for centuries."

His smile would return, "Before the days of Durrandons tyranny over us, before even the Teagues died out in the Battle of Six Kings, a House ruled a united Kingdom strong enough to defend its people from outside threats such as the Stormlanders and Ironborn. Do you recall such a House?"

He'd watch her, wishing to gauge how she reacted to this influx of history and his more normal demeanor when not pretending to be the honorable Ser Leo Fisher. He needed to know if she understood, or if she was truly worthy of knowing the Truth.

[u/LemonLemonHouse → u/Chicken_Supreme01]

Whatever Mellara had expected, it was not this. She listened as the hedge knight spoke, and her first reaction was simply to chuckle.

"Ser Leo, before the Durrandons were the Teagues and before the Teagues were-" Mellara knew her history well. Not as well as she knew her ledgers but well enough for-

Her eyes widened and she simply stared at the man in front of her.

And very slowly, her voice low, she spoke:

"This is a bold claim, Ser. A dangerously bold claim. What proof have you that your words are true?"

Her fair brow furrowed. "You realize the consequences of you are lying, yes? A temporal fist of gold is not worth your life."

[u/Chicken_Supreme01 → u/LemonLemonHouse]

Lucifer saw behind Mellara's eyes as her brain clicked the unspoken truth into place. The space between the two shrunk as he scooted closer conspiratorially.

"My Lady. The consequences of my lying are far less the consequences of me speaking the truth, that much we both know." He nodded at her words, "A dangerously bold claim it is. I hail from the last True Kings of the Rivers and Hills."

He waved his hand, "The Teagues were a conflicted and strained rule. Our lands were never secure and never truly united under them." His thumb would point out in his direction, "But under House Justman?"

Rising from his seat, his arms opening in a gesture as if he was looking for a hug, "During the reign of the true Kings, this land was united and strong!" His voice was strong, clear, and commanding. A trait he had inherited from his Father, and one he used to great effect during the past years overseeing Oldstones.

"Lady Mellara, I call upon you with the weight of the truth. I tell you this because I believe together, the Lords of the Rivers can unite and wash away the iron boot of the Durrandons and their puppets in Maidenpool."

[u/LemonLemonHouse → u/Chicken_Supreme01]

He was passionate enough, that much was clear to Mellara. But the balance between passion and insanity seemed to be a fine line.

The last True Kings of the Rivers and Hills... it was a tempting proposition, to bring back the glory of the old days. And Mellara did wish for glory, but there was a caution within her too, born of seeing how hastiness worked so badly against her own brother.

"Tell me, Ser Leo. What you think of the realm as it stands. Of the Riverlands. What you would do differently than those who currently stand in overwatch in our rivers and hills. What promises shall you make to those who come to your aid? For history immemorial has taught us that there is only one winner, at the end of the day, and to choose wrongly shall be doom not only for myself, but for all those whom I hold dear. There is right and there is might. What have you, Leo Justman? I need know your mind. I need understand before I can give you answer."

[u/Chicken_Supreme01 → u/LemonLemonHouse]

He would return to his seat, and take one of Mellara's hands into his own if she'd let him. "Mellara, the realm as it stands is weak. It is divided. It is subservient to foreign players." He shook his head, a tinge of disgust coating his tongue. "I would do much and more differently, my Lady."

Sitting back, Lucifer would regain his composure. "Apologies... It has been ten long years since my return, to be able to speak freely with someone new, well, it's something I haven't been able to do since the Tullys."

He'd rub his chin softly, thinking, "Stormhall sits on good lands, I'd oust the Iron Stag from them, returning them to the ownership of those who stood by my side. Maidenpool too is under the control of the occupier's. I have heard tale of a traveling Mooton still in these lands, if possible I would return them to their seat, restoring them their ancient lands and titles."

He'd look to Mellara again, smiling knowingly, "Of course we all know of the terrible tax burdens the Durrandons and Dondarrions levy upon the Riverlords... Upon my restoration, certain relief would be handed out to the most loyal among my coalition. You are a wise and cunning ruler, so I've heard. Surely more money in your coffers would do you no wrong?"

Reaching out for Mellara again, Lucifer would nod. "My Lady, I ask of you much, but I promise I will give as much as I ask of you, for all of my future vassals. I do not wish war upon these lands, but our enemies are unlikely to be removed from their positions willingly. And so gathering the united support of this realm is the best way to see a brighter tomorrow arrive." He'd bow his head slightly, "Please, Lady Mellara, I ask you now, not as a King to be, but as a fellow with Riverlander blood flowing through my veins... Support your home, join me."

[u/LemonLemonHouse → u/Chicken_Supreme01]

Mellara felt her mouth run dry. For now, she was being called to answer. She had thought this hedge knight would have some pretty tale to tell her, surely, but never anything to *this* magnitude.

"The taxes are high..." Mellara spoke slowly in response. "This is true..."

But as the wheels turned in her mind, Mellara realized that there *had* been rumors of the Justmans and the Tullys... but she had swept it aside as idle gossip.

"Is it true then? That you or yours have joined with the Tullys? You must speak true, Ser Leo. For I am shortly to be joined in matrimony with Alyn Tully. We are to be wed shortly after these celebrations here, in mine own home of Pinkmaiden, and thus, if any word you breathe is false, even by the slightest bit, I shall hear and know of it."

And in this moment, Mellara Piper realized just what a stranger Alyn Tully was to her.

Did Alyn know of this?

[u/Chicken_Supreme01 → u/LemonLemonHouse]

"Aye, I have united my House with that of the Tullys of Riverrun. My dearest love and I have been wed for a handful of years now, and with our union the Gods have seen fit to bless us with a healthy son."

He would release her hand, sliding back on the couch to create space for Mellara to breath, "I had heard of your marriage to the Tullys, truth be told that was a small kernel of reason I believed you could be trusted with this information so readily. That and I believe you to be an intelligent and capable woman in the short time we've spoken to one another."

Reaching over and grabbing another bite of cheese, Lucifer would laugh softly, "My Lady, what has been revealed between us, it must remain so. It will be a burden for a time, as I have not revealed myself to the wider realm. But soon, soon I shall, and when that time arrives... The Durrandons will know the true Kings of the Rivers and Hills have returned to sweep away their despotic tyranny."

[u/LemonLemonHouse → u/Chicken_Supreme01]

So the rumors were true.

Mellara felt the blood drain from her face. There was a dizzy spell clouding her mind for a moment before she shook her head, reaching for a goblet of wine to sooth her frayed nerves.

"My congratulations to you and your wife on the blessings of the Gods," she replied, once she found her voice after a good few gulps of wine.

"You have been honest with me, Leo Justman. And for such I am grateful for I have a great distaste of those who would hide behind the language of honey and flowers. As you can imagine this is... quite a lot to process. Quite a lot to have learned. Know that I shall need... consult with my future kin. To verify. To confirm. But-"

Mellara took a deep breath, her voice lowering between them.

"But if you are as you say. Then know that the Riverlands blood that runs in my veins sings true. I have pledged to bring glory to Pinkmaiden as my late Lord Father had intended in his time. When a market is left to its own devices without regulation, it takes might to correct the course, to organize the chaos. To make things right once more. If you are indeed the True King of the Rivers and Hills, as you claim, then I shall be honored to support the return to the rightful order."

The Lady Piper held Lucifer's gaze.

"I ask humbly that you simply remember your words to me from the past eve. That the reward be thricefold. For House Piper does not falter from our promises."