OOC: Hello everyone my name is Steven. Since I could lift a pencil with my left hand, I wanted to pursue writing. I've written several AARS for the Total War games, but those were mediocre considering I had written them during my freshman year of highscool. I love A Song of Ice and Fire, and I've been contemplating writing an AAR for the mod for some time now. I spent three hours on my first draft, before I accidentally exited the tab without saving by moving my mouse a little too close to the X and the nice forum thought not to bother me about destroying all my work. So without further ado, here's my second attempt to write it! (Really angry by the way, I worked for a long time on this, expect this draft to be half assed because I lost all my work and I'm sad.) Without further ado, here's my AAR!
OOC: I hope you guys enjoyed the first instalment of my AAR, feedback is greatly appreciated and encouraged!
The mouth of the Wendwater was cool. Steffan Lamlynn rested his feet in the cold waters, he could feel each individual drop between his toes. The hot fiery sun laid siege to the world and beat down
anything that was audacious enough to defy its warm gaze. The water was Steffan's safe haven in the heat. Standing nearby him was the Captain of the Guard, Timmeth Storm, a bastard that proved himself in the lists. He was an average man, not too tall, not too short. His hair was like an army that had declared mutiny, a mess, compared to his lord with his disciplined strands that rested on his head like a helmet. The leather jerkin and chainmail provided the perfect cauldron for him to burn, all that was missing was the cackling of a witch. His sweat rolled by his emerald eyes. He used the emeralds on his face to sweep the area of anything that dared move against his lord. The tall trees and darkness behind them were good spots to hide a sword or two, he swore to himself that the trees spoke, or maybe it was the heat. He kept his hand on the leather hilt of his steel, ready to draw in a split second should the time call for the beast underneath the sheath. Timmeth was uneasy, he wished to bring more guards on this hunting trip, but Lord Lamlynn refused. Timmeth and his small band of guards formed a circle around Lord Lamlynn, the gaps between each man were practically as big as the Trident. "Timmeth," said Steffan, "will you join me in the water? You seem to be burning underneath all that armour."
"I'm sorry m'lord, I must stand watch."
"Timmeth, what am I sitting on?"
Timmeth hesitated before answering, "A large stone m'lord?"
"A stone it is indeed, just a stone. Not the Iron Throne. Do I look like Aerys Targaryen to you?"
"King or not, I am sworn to protect you."
"I am in no danger, people will not know my name, they will not remember it. I am but a petty lord in the Stormlands. Rich blood does not flow through my veins, nor does it flow through my father's, or
his father's. Nobody besides the Lords of the Stormlands and Lord Robert Baratheon could point out Bronzegate on a map. I'm just a commoner that befriended his lord before he passed away, I never asked to be in this position. You tell me honour and your vows are important, everyone should have fun in their lives Timmeth my friend, you're not a knight yet.""And neither are you m'lord," joked Timmeth.
The two men laughed. Timmeth agreed to join his lord in the cold water. He was taking off his boots when he heard the sounds of footsteps and heavy breathing, followed by the sounds of metal. Timmeth
quickly drew his sword and stood between Steffan and the sounds. Other guards rushed to their lord and formed an encirclement around Steffan. Everyone was relieved to see that there was no threat, the opposite in fact. The source of the commotion was Maester Dermot. His head was as smooth as silk and shone like a thousand stars. The large robes that the Maesters all seemed to like wrapped around him and slowed him to almost a halt with every step he took. His neck was surrounded by links of various metals, the clangor of the links spoke the language of war, indeed they were made of iron and steel, metals very familiar in the tongues of combat. The Maester leaned forward and kept his hands on his knees to keep his balance, he tried to catch his breath. Steffan walked over to help the stout man stay standing."Thank you my lord," said Dermot as he caught his breath between every word.
"What is it Maester Dermot? Has Lord Frey responded to my request to marry his bastard?" joked Steffan.
"It's... It's Lord Rhaegar my lord. He has kidnapped Lyanna Stark!"
"Gods, is this true?" asked Timmeth.
"The smallfolk speak only of these rumours, it may be the truth."
"Lord Stark will not like this," said Steffan.
"Brandon Stark has already been arrested by the King for challenging Rhaegar outside the walls of King's Landing. Lord Rickard Stark is heading there to answer for his son's treason."
"Already? Why have I not been made aware of this?"
"The ravens were slow my lord. We must head back to Bronzegate immediately," urged Dermot.
"Lord Stark and his son won't last long if the rumours of King Aerys being mad are true. Timmeth! Send a man ahead and assemble the council."
Steffan quickly returned back to his seat at Bronzegate. The holdfast was not as impressive as the Red Keep, Storm's End, or even the ruins of Harrenhal, but it provided him with a base to work with as
Lord of the Wendwater. Steffan in his eagerness to prove himself a capable lord, arrived early in the council chamber. He sat patiently in his seat, waiting for the councillors to arrive. His feet tapped against the hard stone floor of the chamber. He tapped his fingers on the hard wood table to the tune of a bard's song that stuck in his head. The orchestra of Lord Lamlynn played a wondrous tune without the sophisticated tools of the simple bard. The door opened, Castellan Meryn peeked his head in and saw his lord sitting at the head of the table. He took a spot next to his lord. Meryn was a tall man, not tall enough to tilt his head to pass a door, but tall enough that men of higher positions looked up at him. His face seemed to be in an indefinite state of anger and disappointment. His lips never curved downward to produce a smile, nor did it tilt upward to produce a frown. "It sounded urgent my lord, what is going on?" he asked.
"I will save what I have to say for the council."
The door opened again, the councillors started to pour in. The Master of Laws, Brus Buckler took small meek steps to his seat next to Steffan opposite to Meryn. Following him was the Master at Arms, Lord
Bryce of Amberly, he sat next to Meryn and rested his hands on the table, the muscular arms underneath his robes desperate to escape. The Master of Coin, a woman by the name of Elanna sat next to Brus. Her lack of manhood was compensated by the fact that men feared her control over the silver stags in Bronzegate, she would starve and impoverish the entire county if it meant asserting her authority. The Master of Whispers, Dale of Bucklerforge silently made his way to the seat, living up to his nickname "Quiet Walker" which was given to him by the locals to mock him for his silent steps and pale complexion. Maester Dermot was the last to enter and took the last vacant seat next to Elanna, his links announcing every single step he made. Steffan sat up straight, hoping to look good in front of his council. "Good, we are gathered. I have some news from King's Landing. Rhaegar Targaryen has kidnapped Lyanna Stark and Brandon Stark is imprisoned by King Aerys," Steffan announced.
Dale broke through the loud murmurs of the council, "Please forgive me my lord for not bringing this to your attention, the ravens are slow and I put our agents towards pursuing the lead on your father."
"Do not worry yourself Dale, if I was a Lord Paramount, I'd be worried. But I am not."
"What is Lord Rickard's response?" asked Brus.
"He is heading to King's Landing as we speak," answered Maester Dermot.
"A disaster in the making," said Bryce, "the Mad King's going to kill them both, Rickard still has his son Eddard to succeed him, he should turn back."
"If I was a father, I'd do everything to protect my children," said Steffan.
"You'll be a father soon, I received a raven from the Twins, Lord Frey has agreed to marriage between you and his bastard daughter Mellara Rivers. He is also sending a handsome dowry." reported Brus.
"No surprise there, Lord Walder's going to amass quite the fortune forcing Rickard's bannermen to pay his toll," scoffed Elanna.
"Lyanna Stark is betrothed to Lord Robert, he will most likely call the banners to take her back from the hands of Rhaegar," said Dale.
"Which is why we must be ready to support Lord Robert should he call the banners. Lord Bryce, I need you to prepare my vassals for the inevitable conflict," commanded Steffan.
"Very good my lord, I will have Maester Dermot prepare his ravens with instructions for the lords."
"That concludes everything that I have for you, if there is anything that needs my attention, please speak now."
"My lord, I propose I head to Storm's End and help curry favour with Lord Robert. If he does go to war, he might be more generous towards your house upon his victory," suggested Brus.
"An excellent initiative Brus, you shall leave in the next morning. Also look into befriending Renly and Stannis Baratheon, Robert could fall to the Dragon's blade," said Steffan.
Brus nodded. The council chamber was silent. Everyone looked at each other waiting for anyone to say something, they all spoke only silence. Steffan concluded the meeting and wished his councillors well.
The six councillors left the chamber to conduct their business. Lord Lamlynn remained in his seat proud, he believed he made a great impression to his council. He felt like a real lord in command of talented and prominent individuals and relished every moment of the council meeting. At supper, Steffan stuffed his face with foods he couldn't even dream of. Many that were present at the dinner noticed the slob sitting at the very end, but tolerated it, they knew that this lord was as smart as he was gluttonous. After the supper, Steffan headed back to his room followed by Timmeth. He opened the door to his chamber while rubbing his belly with the other hand. Steffan nodded at Timmeth one last time before walking in and closing the door. Steffan dropped himself on the large bed with sheets of fine silk. The cold silk gave him bumps on his arms, they did not bother him as the lord drifted off to sleep.The next week, Mellara Rivers arrived at Bronzegate. Steffan had anxiously awaited her arrival. He was disappointed that letters he received from Lord Frey claiming she was as beautiful as Cersei Lannister
were false. But nevertheless, he still wanted to meet her. The lady's wagon was followed by a small unit of guards and Freys who were well armed, Steffan noticed the dull blades they were carrying, clearly the bandits attacked in full force. Accompanying the lady were several large sacks of silver and gold, the handsome dowry was indeed a Jaime Lannister of dowries. The guards helped Mellara off the wagon and she stepped forward to Steffan.She was beautiful, but Steffan expected a woman with long golden hair and lions embroidered on her robes, but that was his fault for trusting a Frey. "My name is Mellara Rivers, bastard of Walder Frey," introduced Mellara.
Steffan took hold of her hand kissed it gently. "I am Lord Steffan Lamlynn of Wendwater. You introduced yourself as a bastard like you were proud of it."
"I must come to terms with what I am, a bastard, a bastard woman in fact. I will not let my title as a bastard hinder me."
"Such pride is commendable my lady."
"It is not pride my lord, I just think very realistic," said Mellara, while winking at Steffan.
Steffan had barely known the woman and he was already truly impressed with her. Septon Lorys was finishing his preparations of the wedding. Steffan did not pay for an extravagant wedding, but it still
was a lovely affair with lively entertainment and dancing. The councillors and vassals were all enjoying the Dornish Red imported from Dorne. The children and sisters danced on the floor, their moves displayed their innocence and grace. Steffan and Mellara were engaging in a very heated debate about dragons when Septon Lorys came over and told them that it was time to for the vows. The two followed him to the altar at the front of the hall and stood prominently in front of everyone witnessing the events of the day. The room was silent and Septon Lorys smiled at the two."In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity. Look upon one another and say the words," Septon Lorys said.
"Father. Smith. Warrior. Mother. Maiden. Crone. Stranger. I am his/hers, and she/he is mine, from this day, until the end of my days," Steffan and Mellara said in unison to each other.
The two finally sealed their marriage in front of the large crowd with a kiss. The two kept their faces to one another for some time and kept the momentum of their passion moving. The crowd roared a
thunderous cheer and the sound of claps and the clangor of cups filled the hall. The feasting ended, and the bedding ceremony had begun. The men picked up Mellara and carried her out the hall and to the chambers, ripping off each piece of her clothing along the way. The women dragged Steffan to his bedchamber, he did not struggle. When the women arrived with Lord Lamlynn, they found Mellara lying on his bed naked, and waiting for her husband to join her. The women giggled and left Steffan and Mellara alone. The two, following Westerosi custom, finally consummated their marriage.OOC: I hope you guys enjoyed the first instalment of my AAR, feedback is greatly appreciated and encouraged!
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