[color=#7FFFD4][center][h2]Ashton II[/h2][/center][/color]
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[b]Fallow Hill[/b], the Riverlands
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Ashton walked out of the war council feeling much better than he had going in. He had fretted non-stop at what his father would do and say when coming face to face with Ashton’s management of the House. As it was, things seemed just fine for the moment and with Edwyn back it meant that Ash could [i]finally[/i] breathe clearly. He made his way to his room, calling for one of his servants to prepare a hot bath for him to actually enjoy this time. He entered his room proper and threw himself onto his bed, breathing in and out over and over again with a wide grin on his face. 

The relaxing bath was very much a gift from the seven and Ashton savored it until the water was ice cold, even with Tristam, Ashton’s servant, refilling it many times. With all good things however, it had to come to and end and Ashton frowned as he stepped from the water, wrapping a cloth around his waist and drying his dripping body slowly. While drying the young Landry couldn’t help but yawn repeatedly and realized he had kept his emotions hidden and beat down for so long. He was exhausted, mentally and physically and he made an important mental note to find some excuse to go and visit with Ariella later that night, perhaps after supper… For now though, a nap would be perfect.

Said nap ended up taking away the entire afternoon and Ash would have would probably slept through lunch, the night, and most of the following day if Tristam didn’t start shaking his shoulder to wake the sleeping teen for supper. “Come on little Lord, and don’t fight me. I’ll toss ya off this bed if I have to.” Ash simply groaned and slammed his head back into the pillow and ever so slowly pushed himself up with his arms. He threw himself sideways and almost fell as his legs protested to being used so soon after waking. Tristam just rolled his eyes and put out a simple yet formal looking tunic and breeches. 

[color=#7FFFD4]“Thank you Trist.”[/color] Came the teen’s voice and Tristam just nodded and closed the door. Ashton dressed himself quickly and after tucking in his tunic he strapped on his sword belt once again and exited his room, his feet taking him unconsciously upon the memorized path to the Great Hall. As he entered he found servants all over preparing for the first time every Landry would sit at the same table. Every Landry but one… He thought with a sad grimace as his mind went to bring up Morgain. 

[color=EBE957]“Ashton,”[/color] Lord Edwyn spoke, abruptly interrupting the thoughts of his youngest son. The riverlord’s strides were long and swift; he had likely just arrived from his study. Despite his demeanour being no less stoic than the norm, he seemed less formal than he had in the meeting room a few hours prior. He was no longer addressing the acting Lord of House Landry; he was addressing his son. [color=EBE957]“Are you well?”[/color] His question was broad and unspecific, but clearly sincere.

Ash pulled himself together in record fast time, forcing the grimace away and replacing it with a blank face. He turned to his father and nodded a few times, of course he was ok.  [color=#7FFFD4]“Father, yes I’m fine. I was just thinking that we’ll still have one empty chair at the High Table tonight, despite so many homecomings.”[/color] He gave a soft shrug and hoped his exhaustion wasn’t so evident, or the fact that he had slept for most of the day.

Edwyn’s eyes fell upon the hall’s interior as he listened. It was larger than the average castle’s. Old and stalwart, it’s mighty beams seemed unbreakable; if there was ever a quake of some kind, this would be the last building to fall. Two parallel rows of tables filled the room, with four on each side. There was space for ten at each table, with the hall having a maximum capacity of eighty, excluding the high table. The front right table was traditionally where the children of the lord would sit, along with any members of the extended household, such as Liliana. Morgain had always sat in the furthest-left forward-facing seat at this table. Ever since he left, it had remained untouched. This was the table the was currently being prepared for supper.

The high table was at the front of the hall; anyone who laid eyes on it would immediately notice the great mahogany seat that’s back stretched triple the length of any chair in the hall. This was Edwyn’s seat. It was the central of five at the high table; with Maester Oylen typically seated to Edwyn’s immediate right, and then Ser Baldric. Lady Priscilla would usually sit to Edwyn’s immediate left, with Ser Tristifer then next to her.

[color=EBE957]“Everyone keeps telling me of how well you’ve handled your circumstances,”[/color] Edwyn allowed for a strained smile to grace his mouth as he spoke. Now was not the time to speak about Morgain. But then again, there had [i]never[/i] been a time to speak about Morgain for Edwyn, at least with his sons. He had discussed the disappearance with Ariella a handful of times, and his wife too, but even on those occasions he had held himself back emotionally. Never had he bared his thoughts on the subject to Ashton or Edmund. [color=EBE957]“I must admit, I am impressed you managed to keep this place from falling apart. I’m sure it took its toll.”[/color] Edwyn saw the fatigue in Ash’s face. He knew it too well. It was the same fatigue that he had felt intensely for the first few years of his lordship, and in times like this.

With a small nod Ashton accepted his father’s praise, taking it as such anyway and leaned against the wall as the servants continued to bustle about, all of them bowing when they caught sight of Edwyn. [color=#7FFFD4]“I didn’t do anything special, only what I was taught father.”[/color] He was taken off his guard, not expecting the Lord Landry to express his praise this openly. Then again, they were alone and Ash [i]had[/i] done a good job. It simply made him feel silly for worrying so much about the man's return to the Castle. [color=#7FFFD4]“I’m fine father, no need to worry about me.”[/color] He refused to look weak when he was so close to finishing out this night and decompressing, just had to get through this dinner and it was clear sailing. [color=#7FFFD4]“I just don’t know how you do it all the time.”[/color] The words came quickly, and Ash knew he was exhausted at that point if his usual filter wasn’t working. He had never been very talkative with Edwyn, had never expressed anything other than a loyal son but here he was...

[Color=EBE957]“Just know there may be little time to relax going forward.”[/color] Edwyn's face turned colder. Ashton had been in command of the castle for the past week, so he would understand what his father meant by this. [Color=EBE957]“Enjoy tonight. I need you back out in the yard training tomorrow. I'll not have you underprepared for the ambush,”[/color] [I]and the war that may be to come[/I] he had thought, but not said. Setting his eyes on the table, which was now in the final stages of being prepared, Edwyn spoke curtly. [color=EBE957]“Let's sit.”[/color]

Ashton knew exactly what his father meant and the potential moment between father and son was shattered as Edwyn spoke on preparing for the ambush. Ash felt a small bit of relief as the ship was sent into safer and normal waters and he gave a firm nod of his head to his father.  [color=#7FFFD4]“I’ll be stealing Axell from you for most of the day tomorrow if that’s ok father, we were going to spend the day sparring. He’s getting some volunteers to fight against us, I figure if it’s going to be a battle, best train for one.”[/color] He nodded again as he finished speaking. He followed Edwyn into the hall proper and stared at the table, wondering who would sit where...

[color=EbE957]“Aye, it's better that he's prepared for the skirmish,”[/color] Edwyn glanced to his boy. [Color=ebe957]“That you [I]both[/I] are.”[/color] Edwyn's eyes shifted to the doors of the hall, hearing movement.

Edmund had left Priscilla after they chatted for a time like they often did. Leaving her to take care of a few things which included the savory smell of meat roasting that was calling to him. Nodding to his father.

[color=coral]"Ash I hear you've done good."[/color] Giving him a large pat on the back. [Color=coral]"I did the family well at the tourney. I humbled Ser Symon and did well against Ser Gregor 'The Mountain'.”[/color] Edmund didn't embellish as much as he wanted with his father around. 

[color=73c6b6]“Quite the feat indeed,”[/color] Ariella added, coming into the Great Hall on Edmund’s heels. She had changed out of her riding clothes and into a slightly more regal burgundy gown, bishop sleeves hiding the sharpness of her elbows and wrists. [color=73c6b6]“Though I’m somehow more impressed by the idea of knocking Symon into the mud.”[/color]

She wore something of a mischievous grin, but schooled it into a more polite smile as she curtseyed to her father, remembering his gentle reprimand from earlier. She hoped to lighten the mood, though; as much as she enjoyed getting the family together once in a while, she wasn’t looking forward to the tension that usually followed. Combined with the funny looks and gentle chastising she even for eating so little, dinners like these could sometimes be tiring. 

Spotting her youngest brother, and subsequently the exhaustion on his face, her own expression softened. She’d watched those dark circles forming over the past few months as he acted as the head of household, but he’d done her proud standing strong against the wind. [color=73c6b6]“Ashton, I haven’t seen you all day.”[/color] she gently chided, offering a warm smile, [color=73c6b6]“I do apologize for missing court this morning, I’m afraid it slipped my mind.”[/color]

[color=f6989d] “I saw him.”[/color] Lilliana spoke up as she strolled cheerily over to the few gathered members of the Landry family [color=f6989d]“He wasn’t [i]too[/i] bad…I suppose.”[color=f6989d] She grinned teasingly at Ashton, knowing full well that he had performed very capably but not wanting to give him too much praise. She did still owe him a bit of payback afterall.  
 
The young Blackwood had returned to the Great Hall after having stored her new gifts in a hidden spot, taking care to make sure that no-one had spotted her with them. At least not yet. She had, after a brief squabble with Beatrice, also changed from her day clothes. Now she donned a dark blue dress, whose corset tied at the back instead of the front, the sleeves of which were only long enough to cover her shoulders. Her hair also hung loose in casual waves brought about by her braid. having run away before her handmaid could alter it.
 
[color=f6989d] “I’m glad to see you’ve returned safely Lord Edwyn.”[/color] She added to the head of the house, nodding politely as she spoke, having not yet seen him since he and Edmund arrived back at Fallow Hill. 

[color=EBE957]”Thank you, my dear,”[/color] the riverlord spoke softly, leaving it at that. He had always been kind and gracious to Liliana, but ever distant, as with most.

Ashton gave a genuine smile as his family began to trickle into the Great Hall. He gave a final nod to his father and grinned ear to ear as Edmund spoke about the tourney. With a playful punch of his brothers arm Ash stood and nodded to him. [color=#7FFFD4]”Forget about me, you’re going to have to tell me [i]everything[/i].”[/color] He was broken out of his thoughts on King’s Landing and the bright armor by Ariella entering and speaking to him. He knew she could read him like a book so he didn’t bother to try and hide anything and just nodded at her words. [color=#7FFFD4]”I was in meeting most of the day sister, and then spent some time cleaning up. And no worri-”[/color] He cut himself off as Lilianna then made an appearance and he stuck out his tongue playfully as she spoke about his performance with the smallfolk. [color=#7FFFD4]”Great words of praise coming from a Blackwood!”[/color] He chuckled and gave Lili a wink and elbowed his brother in the chest, looking for support.

[Color=coral]"Everything, how about just the best parts."[/color] Giving his little brother a hearty pat on his back as he could only smile at Ashton's excitement.

[Color=coral] "I'm on her side now Ash. So watch out."[/color] Edmund offered a slight grin knowing Ash's reign as the prankster was coming to an end. Ash would know one day when he was to betrothed to a young woman that was to be his match. [Color=coral] "Once we eat I will tell you all about knocking Ser Symon in the mud in front of King Robert no less and taking on Ser Gregor Clegane."[/color] Edmund remembered his father's light scolding earlier but Ashton was his brother and felt like he needed tell him the embellished version of the story. He felt that as a brother he needed to exaggerate some.

Ash just grinned widely and shrugged happily. He was quite more animated than he had been recently, and it showed just how much he still needed his family. All of them had a role to play in Ashton’s life and losing one could throw a wrench in everything. Though, as shown with Morgain’s disappearance all of the Landry’s could be resilient. The talk was cut short as the food arrived, carried in by five different servants and then another five carrying drinks. Boar, venison, and fish were placed upon the table sitting on large platters. Vegetables, and fresh baked bread came after and then a glass of wine (for the elders) or water came last. 

Ashton nodded respectfully to the servants and gave a soft thanks as the last one began to file out before he looked back over his family and to Edwyn who would start the feast when he desired.

[color=EBE957]”Now,”[/color] Edwyn glanced over to the steaming boar. [color=EBE957]”We will sit, and wait for Lady Landry,”[/color] Edwyn gracefully moved towards the table, where an additional seat had been placed at the end - a makeshift ‘head’ for the table fit for the lord. He gestured to his issue and the young Lilliana to sit. He’d had a fine meal in King’s Landing for the tourney, and been fed well in Pinkmaiden and Riverrun, but the best meals he could hope for were cooked in the kitchen of Fallow Hill.

After taking his seat, Edwyn ushered for one of the serving girls to fill the goblet that was laid out for him. Wine, Arbor Gold. The lord glanced over the children. By their age, Ariella, Edmund, and Lilliana were free to make their own decisions when it came to drink; at least in his household. Ashton, however, was still a boy in the eyes of most. [color=EBE957]”I’ll allow for one glass, if you thirst for it,”[/color] he spoke, eyeing his youngest. [color=EBE957]”Any more and your mother would surely object.”[/color]

Watching the food being brought in Edmund eyed the boar especially. Savory aromas would draw him to the meat when they all decided eat. Taking his prospective seat next to Liliana since it would be expected of him to sit next to his betrothed. Offering to help her into her seat before he took his own in turn.

It wasn’t until his stomach let loose several grumbles as telltale sign of his hunger. In terms of wine Edmund wasn’t one for a sweet wine like the one Edwyn had chosen but instead opted for a sour Dornish Red instead, the bitter taste would compliment the boar being served in his opinion. Edmund was ready for the food but his father was right, they needed to wait for their mother...Where was she anyways? [color=coral] “Where is mother anyways?”[/color] He’d wait for his mother on the food but the drink was a different story, sipping once from the goblet as everyone was getting situated. 

Ariella sat daintily as the rest did, though she politely refused the servant’s offer of wine, taking water instead. Despite not having eaten much all day, the smells of the feast before her, tantalizing to most, nearly turned her stomach. Eating had been a chore ever since Morgain’s disappearance, and already in her head she was working out an excuse should her father or one of her brothers question her nearly-empty plate. But for now, they would wait for the assuredly joyous arrival of Lady Landry, a blessing only in that it allowed Ariella a little more time before having to force herself to eat something. 

She looked over to Edmund at his question, but could offer little more than a shrug. [color=73c6b6]“I saw her earlier, but I can’t speak to where she went next,”[/color] she replied, before looking to Liliana. 

[color=73c6b6]“But Liliana,”[/color] she began, giving the girl a coy look, [color=73c6b6]“You must be so happy to have Edmund back!”[/color] She laughed a little, giving Ed a teasing look. [color=73c6b6]“Knowing him, he probably brought back a lion cub from King’s Landing as a gift.”[/color]

Liliana turned to Ariella as she addressed her, eyeing her over the small goblet which was now cupped between her hands. [color=f6989d]“I wish! Though he clearly knows me better than to trust me with anything so lethal.”[/color] She cast a sideways glance at Edmund, raising her eyebrows playfully. At least she knew better than to mention his actual gift in front of his entire family... [color=f6989d]“Besides, I prefer ravens...”[/color] Lili commented as she took a small sip of her own wine. [color=f6989d]“..less chance of getting bitten!”[/color] She smiled lightheartedly, her gaze following one of the servants as they placed a dish containing an assortment of vegetables near her, the tables nearly full to the brim with food.

The Master-at-Arms oversaw the dismantling of the archery range. The several bales of hay used as targets were loaded onto wagons and driven back up to the castle. The arrows were gathered back up and returned to where they belonged. Those who borrowed bows from the armory were gathered up by the Master-at-Arms’ apprentice, his son, Mace. The young man then returned them to their proper place.

Once Ser Baldric returned to his quarters at the keep, he changed his attire to include a forest green silk doublet with a white snow shrike over the left breast; the sigil for House Durant. He was permitted to wear the sigil for House Landry and indeed wore the dull yellow otter from time to time, but occasionally, he fashioned himself with the deadly snow shrike of the north men.

Upon entering the great hall, Ser Baldric Durant strode with a purpose towards his seat near Ser Edwyn Landry. Before taking his seat, he greeted the head of the house, [color=00a651]“Lord Landry,”[/color] with a nod of his head, which the lord returned. Then he pulled out the chair and deposited his large frame into the wooden seat. It was understood that he had been working with the archers on hitting targets at long distance. At least that was his excuse for being late to dinner.

“Edwyn,” a voice came from the doorway. Maester Oylen stood, a sullen look on his face. He quickly adapted it into a polite smile. “I am sorry to interrupt, but you are needed. There’s been a raven from the capital. Lady Priscilla opened it, and well…” He peered over. “You are required. Again, I am sorry.”

Edwyn glanced over at the Dornishman. He knew whatever the raven had brought for him, it wasn’t good. He sighed and nodded, rising to his feet. For once he’d felt comfortable and able to let his guard down around his children, but quickly, it fell apart. Predictable. Nonetheless, he had a duty. [color=EBE957]”Very well,”[/color] Edwyn sighed, glancing over to Baldy. [color=EBE957]”Baldric, if you would keep an eye on the children for me? Make sure they do not consume [i]too[/i] much red.”[/color]

Shooting a disappointed look at each of his children, Edwyn gave a slight dip of his head, drowned the last of his wine, and marched out of the hall.