Welcome to my new AAR! It's kind of a revival of my first AAR, which I unfortunately discontinued after I was stomped in by my liege. I hope to continue this one longer. It has quite a bit of text and is supposed to be more of a novel lke AAR, most of the time atleast. Lurkers unlurk! Comments keep me going!
Prologue
The throne room under the tower of the sun was almost empty. Only a handful of souls, including the steward and the prince of Dorne, Doran Martell, were gathered there. In the middle of the room. Right at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the twin thrones, a young woman stood. Her face was a mixture between nervousness and anticipation. The steward announced her: „Lady Ashara Droughtwell“ he exclaimed „Lady of -“ he looked at the scroll in his hands „nothing“ The prince of Dorne then continued „Ashara, come forth“ The woman took a step forward „Your granduncle, Oberyn told me about your wish to be granted a fief. The lord of Lemonwood recently died childless and the castle and it's surroundings fell to Sunspear. It is your luck that there is such a situation.“ The steward looked at his scroll again „The prince of Dorne wishes that his dear niece Ashara is granted the lordship of Lemonwood, including castle Lemonwood and it's surrounding towns and other holds. This title shall be hold by her children, her grandchildren and so forth till the end of time” As the steward spoke, Ashara tried to make a serous and emotionless face but everyone could see the subtle smile on her face.
Chapter One: The Lady of Lemonwood
“Mylady, look. That is the castle of Lemonwood” One of Asharas followers said and pointed to an almost invisible spot on the horizon. “How long until we arrive there?”, the lady asked. “Probably another hour or two, but we'll arrive before sunset”
The castle itself was nothing compared to Sunspear, but it was still large enough to dominate the landscape. It was nothing special, a stone keep surrounded by a wall with a few towers at the key defensive positions. In the court of the castle, there were the stables and a blacksmith. The keep itself had few rooms, apart from the great hall which also served as the court room and meeting place for the council. There were a kitchen, with a storage room next to it, 2 rooms for maids and other servants, the castle owners bedroom and even a very small library, only recently estabelished because in his old age, the former lord became quite fond of reading. After touring the castle and meeting some of the inhabitants, she called for a meeting of the council.
Ashara was sitting on her throne in the great hall, below her at a table, sat 7 other people. She only knew 3 of them, since she talked to them while touring the castle. Her master-at-arms Ser Bedyr, the maester Timoth and the castles Grace, Willam. These 3 liked her, she could see it but the faces of the other 4 council members were dark and grim. She wasn't so sure about Daeron, the castellan. He seemed to be unsure about what to think of her. “Well, the realm is in a state of rebellion. How many men can we raise to aid my dear granduncle Doran?” Ser Bedyr scratched his neck “Well, mylady...I think we could send an army of roughly 1500 men to Dornes main host, maybe 20 knights” Ashara thought abut that for a moment and then said “Yes, if Doran calls us to arms, raise the army and march to Sunspear. And Perros, my dear master of coin. How is the state of our treasury?” Perros pulled out a small scroll and read for a moment “Well, when I lasted counted yesterday, we had 39 gold dragons” Good, keep saving the coins. Everyone except Castos can leave now” The council left, only Castos, the master of whisperers stayed. “Well, Castos. I do see the need for me to have more than one child, especially if the one child was not born by a married woman...” Castos got curious “Mylady, excuse me but may I ask what you did across the narrow sea?” Ashara smiled “Sure, why not. I'll keep it short since I have to give you an important task but well. I started my journey with 18. I took a ship to Pentos and from there I travelled for a whole year until finally, without any coin left, I arrived in New Ghis. A local noble believed my story and invited me to stay at his home. He taught me the customs of Ghis and it's people, the religion, which I found to be the only true one and it's history. I stayed there for four years, until his death and I have to admit that my daughter was born in the first year of my stay there. After his death I took a ship to the seven kingdoms to return to Dorne and my family. I was a foreigner here, but I accustomed myself again. But I did not accept the faith of the seven and will never do that again. Is your curiosity satisfied, dear Castos?” He nodded slightly “Well, I will marry one of my friends from Ghis. He is a dornish man too. Bedwyck is his name. You are to make preparations for the marriage”
A few days later, Ashar – now a married woman- received a letter from prince Doran. He called upon his lords to send their men to Sunspear, were a great host was to be assembled before marching north. Like the council discussed, the army was raised and then joined the main host in Sunspear.
The following months were rather uneventful. In the early days of November, she granted Castos and Ser Dagos, her only vassals,honorary titles to make them more favorable of her.
In late December, the prince of Dorne sent another letter. This time concerning Ashara herself. He wanted her as his master of whisperers and she gladly accepted the honor. It was prestigious to serve in the council and she needed prestige to even achieve anything.
A year later, the Targaryens lost the war. Robert was made king and sent letters to all castles in the realm. Ashara did not concern this, she was just sad that the rightful king has lost the war against the usurper Robert Baratheon. But there was nothing she could do about it as of now.
Only a week later, another letter from Sunspear arrived. Doran Martell urged his vassals to stay neutral in the current conflict between the reach and gulltown and the throne. Ashara agreed to stay neutral.
A few weeks later, Ashara could no longer ignore her growing belly. She was pregant for sure, this time it would be no bastard and she hoped that it would be a boy.
In mid September, word reached Lemonwood that the second civil war was over. The westerlands, the Reach and even the Frey lands were independent now. This made Ashara partially happy since a weakened realm meant that it would be easier for the mightier loyal lords to restore Targaryen rule.
Just a month later, Oberyn was born. Ashara named him in honor of her granduncle, the man who made her current life possible. It was a healthy boy and she couldn't be happier. The lord of Prince's Pass also sent out invitations to his upcoming tourney, which Ashara glady accepted. A bit of relaxing was great after giving birth.
Prologue
The throne room under the tower of the sun was almost empty. Only a handful of souls, including the steward and the prince of Dorne, Doran Martell, were gathered there. In the middle of the room. Right at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the twin thrones, a young woman stood. Her face was a mixture between nervousness and anticipation. The steward announced her: „Lady Ashara Droughtwell“ he exclaimed „Lady of -“ he looked at the scroll in his hands „nothing“ The prince of Dorne then continued „Ashara, come forth“ The woman took a step forward „Your granduncle, Oberyn told me about your wish to be granted a fief. The lord of Lemonwood recently died childless and the castle and it's surroundings fell to Sunspear. It is your luck that there is such a situation.“ The steward looked at his scroll again „The prince of Dorne wishes that his dear niece Ashara is granted the lordship of Lemonwood, including castle Lemonwood and it's surrounding towns and other holds. This title shall be hold by her children, her grandchildren and so forth till the end of time” As the steward spoke, Ashara tried to make a serous and emotionless face but everyone could see the subtle smile on her face.
Chapter One: The Lady of Lemonwood
“Mylady, look. That is the castle of Lemonwood” One of Asharas followers said and pointed to an almost invisible spot on the horizon. “How long until we arrive there?”, the lady asked. “Probably another hour or two, but we'll arrive before sunset”
The castle itself was nothing compared to Sunspear, but it was still large enough to dominate the landscape. It was nothing special, a stone keep surrounded by a wall with a few towers at the key defensive positions. In the court of the castle, there were the stables and a blacksmith. The keep itself had few rooms, apart from the great hall which also served as the court room and meeting place for the council. There were a kitchen, with a storage room next to it, 2 rooms for maids and other servants, the castle owners bedroom and even a very small library, only recently estabelished because in his old age, the former lord became quite fond of reading. After touring the castle and meeting some of the inhabitants, she called for a meeting of the council.
Ashara was sitting on her throne in the great hall, below her at a table, sat 7 other people. She only knew 3 of them, since she talked to them while touring the castle. Her master-at-arms Ser Bedyr, the maester Timoth and the castles Grace, Willam. These 3 liked her, she could see it but the faces of the other 4 council members were dark and grim. She wasn't so sure about Daeron, the castellan. He seemed to be unsure about what to think of her. “Well, the realm is in a state of rebellion. How many men can we raise to aid my dear granduncle Doran?” Ser Bedyr scratched his neck “Well, mylady...I think we could send an army of roughly 1500 men to Dornes main host, maybe 20 knights” Ashara thought abut that for a moment and then said “Yes, if Doran calls us to arms, raise the army and march to Sunspear. And Perros, my dear master of coin. How is the state of our treasury?” Perros pulled out a small scroll and read for a moment “Well, when I lasted counted yesterday, we had 39 gold dragons” Good, keep saving the coins. Everyone except Castos can leave now” The council left, only Castos, the master of whisperers stayed. “Well, Castos. I do see the need for me to have more than one child, especially if the one child was not born by a married woman...” Castos got curious “Mylady, excuse me but may I ask what you did across the narrow sea?” Ashara smiled “Sure, why not. I'll keep it short since I have to give you an important task but well. I started my journey with 18. I took a ship to Pentos and from there I travelled for a whole year until finally, without any coin left, I arrived in New Ghis. A local noble believed my story and invited me to stay at his home. He taught me the customs of Ghis and it's people, the religion, which I found to be the only true one and it's history. I stayed there for four years, until his death and I have to admit that my daughter was born in the first year of my stay there. After his death I took a ship to the seven kingdoms to return to Dorne and my family. I was a foreigner here, but I accustomed myself again. But I did not accept the faith of the seven and will never do that again. Is your curiosity satisfied, dear Castos?” He nodded slightly “Well, I will marry one of my friends from Ghis. He is a dornish man too. Bedwyck is his name. You are to make preparations for the marriage”
A few days later, Ashar – now a married woman- received a letter from prince Doran. He called upon his lords to send their men to Sunspear, were a great host was to be assembled before marching north. Like the council discussed, the army was raised and then joined the main host in Sunspear.
The following months were rather uneventful. In the early days of November, she granted Castos and Ser Dagos, her only vassals,honorary titles to make them more favorable of her.
In late December, the prince of Dorne sent another letter. This time concerning Ashara herself. He wanted her as his master of whisperers and she gladly accepted the honor. It was prestigious to serve in the council and she needed prestige to even achieve anything.
A year later, the Targaryens lost the war. Robert was made king and sent letters to all castles in the realm. Ashara did not concern this, she was just sad that the rightful king has lost the war against the usurper Robert Baratheon. But there was nothing she could do about it as of now.
Only a week later, another letter from Sunspear arrived. Doran Martell urged his vassals to stay neutral in the current conflict between the reach and gulltown and the throne. Ashara agreed to stay neutral.
A few weeks later, Ashara could no longer ignore her growing belly. She was pregant for sure, this time it would be no bastard and she hoped that it would be a boy.
In mid September, word reached Lemonwood that the second civil war was over. The westerlands, the Reach and even the Frey lands were independent now. This made Ashara partially happy since a weakened realm meant that it would be easier for the mightier loyal lords to restore Targaryen rule.
Just a month later, Oberyn was born. Ashara named him in honor of her granduncle, the man who made her current life possible. It was a healthy boy and she couldn't be happier. The lord of Prince's Pass also sent out invitations to his upcoming tourney, which Ashara glady accepted. A bit of relaxing was great after giving birth.
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