HoMChronCorr2

Between Book One & Book Two

From Lord Beric Dondarrion, to House Graben

To the Lord of Marrowmont, Lord Emeryk Graben,
I send Greetings.

We have not had the opportunity to correspond yet, I fear. Your father and I, the late Lord Waltyr, were friends and compatriots of the battlefield, and he is missed. I refrained from contacting you to give time to mourn - it seemed inappropriate otherwise.

In the years past, the tradition between myself and your lord father was that I sent a representative once a year or so to Marrowmont. This knight's duty was to convey my friendship as well as assess the readiness of your holding to defend the Stormlands from any dangers approaching along the Boneway.

As you know, though I am not your liege lord, I have been named the Warden of the Dornish Marches (as your own liege is Warden of the Marchwater), and so it falls to me to ensure that the strength of the Stormlords who defend the Stormlands is sufficient to do what is required of us. Since you and I have met only briefly at your lord uncle's wedding tourney, I thought that I ought to come to Marrowmont myself to see to your defenses personally.

I had the opportunity to meet several members of your House as well. Indeed, at the wedding feast, I quite enjoyed my opportunity to dance with both your mother and sister. I should like the opportunity to see them again - I fear I am a private man, and prefer less crowded situations for my socializing. I would ask that you commend me to their thoughts.

As such, I should ask permission to call upon Marrowmont, with myself and a small troop of my knights and armsmen, at some time in the next several months. I will try not to tax your hospitality unduly, and shall complete my observations quickly and go. I have been asked to King's Landing in a few months time, and feel I should leave things in order before I depart.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Penned by my own Hand,
Beric Dondarrion
Lord of Blackhaven
Warden of the Dornish Marches

From Lord Gulian Swann, to Lady Isalaine

House Graben Response

We will affectionately thank Lord Swann for informing us of the impending trip through our territory, and request that he let us know when it will happen so that a proper (and fast) escort can be arranged. All the proper regards and such will be sent back.

Lainey,
I hope you are well.

I wanted to pen this quick message to you, as it involves not merely the outcome of that ugly affair instigated by that wretched hag Dimesa Velt, but also pertains to a visitor to Marrowmont.

The Citadel has requested that they be permitted to exact their own justice. Though I would like to make an example of him, the old crows at the Citadel feel he'd better serve the other maesters there as an example. They assure me that they intend to execute him, and have bidden me to keep his maester's chain to hang on the spike I'd intended for his damned head. Well, so be it.

They're sending a knight of House Hightower to fetch him. He's apparently nearby and will be arriving by ship, but from there wishes to take the land route back to Oldtown. In his message, he says that he can get two riders back faster than he can by ship, which I believe. Of course, this means that he's going to be coming through Marrowmont, with Grance as his prisoner. He won't be staying for long, of course - probably just long enough to rest for an evening before setting out again the next day.

I thought I should inform you, though. The knight's name is Ser Garth Hightower, also called "Greysteel" for his blade and his eyes. He's the second son of Lord Leyton Hightower. I'd ask you to treat him well - as you know, the Hightowers are as rich as the Lannisters, and the only reason they aren't the Lords Paramount of the Reach is because they couldn't be bothered with it. The only reason the Tyrells rule Highgarden is because of Hightower support.

I love you and miss you already. It was wonderful to see you again, and I hope you'll visit often. Beony sends her love, to both you and to Branna.

I remain,
Your Loving Brother,
Lord Gulian Swann,
Warden of the Marchwater Vale,
Lord of House Swann

Writ by my own damned hand, for which I beg your forgiveness. You know penmanship was never my strong suit.

From Lord Garland Kraedmyr, to Lady Isalaine

House Graben Response

This letter will express our interest in travelling to visit house Krademyr. We will mention having guests that we have to see to, but once we know when those obligations we will contact them about a when a visit would work well for them.

To the Lady Isalaine of House Graben,
Greetings.

It was a distinct pleasure to spend those hours at Lord Swann's tourney getting to know you and your family. If I may be so bold as to take you into my confidences, my family so often finds such gatherings to be difficult at best. Though it was less than two decades ago since the rule of the Targaryens ended, it has already become a mark of some stigma among the Houses to bear the blood of Old Valyria. To have had such good folk there as yourselves was a balm to the experience.

My daughter Orya, in her discussions with your ward Brice Willum, extended to him an invitation to visit Gryphmont. As impetuous as she was, her inclination was right. We should be very delighted to host any of your House who should like to visit our domains. It seems a shame to wait until the next tourney or wedding to see such good folk again - folk whom I should very like to call friends.

Again, thank you for your noble companionship in what was - I most sincerely hope - was the beginning of a fine friendship.

With All Regard,
Lady Dynia Kraedmyr
Lady of Gryphmont

As writ by the hand of Maester Ambrosine

From Lord Larrus Velt, to Lady Isalaine

House Graben Response

We will mention continued friendship to Houuse Velt, and graciously accept their apologies. We will once again extend welcome to them to visit Marromont (however care will be taken to make sure the date does not correspond to when Hightower will be coming through). We will also express our interest in fostering Marshall.

My Lady Graben

I am sending this missive in the hopes that we might continue our conversation from Stonehelm. I do so in a spirit of trepidation, however - I know that not only are you and your House aware of the treason of my lady mother, but have folk in your House who were themselves injured by her machinations.

In truth, it has taken me many instances of seating myself at my desk, trying to decide what I will write. My dear wife, Aldia, has asked me time and again whether or not I've written you, but still I hesitated. How to address the wrong-doing you and yours have suffered at my House's hands. Certainly, we spoke truthfully to Lord Gulian - none of us had any idea what my mother wrought. But ignorance of harm does not make one any less responsible for it.

My daughter tells me that she and your son had many pleasant conversations, and my wife tells me you and she found good accord as well. Indeed, she speaks to me of an invitation you have extended to our House to visit Marrowmont, and the possibility of fostering our youngest son Marshall.

I shall be forthright: already some of our allies have taken steps to carefully distance themselves from us. Our friendship is new and still in its infancy, so I understand should you wish to retract your invitation. You have but to say it, and we shall regard it as though never issued.

Lord Larrus Velt of Owlkeep
House Velt

From Lady Adia Willum, to Lady Isalaine

House Graben Response

We thank Lady Adia for writing and exchange all of the usual pleasantries. We also say that we would very much love to send Alyssa to Highgarden as a lady in waiting. We will be sure to show the letter to her and include her regards to lady Adia's daughters.

Dearest Lady Graben,

I pray this letter finds you and your House in good spirits and good health.

Let me thank you first and foremost for your generous hospitality, from beginning of our trip to end. We arrived safely in Threeswords, with great thanks for the escort of your Ironhooves and the gallant Ser Dorun. By the end of the trip, I fear my own daughters were half in love with your Hawk Knight! I am writing this having set them back bound for the Boneway once more, with our gratitude.

The issue that plagued our last days in Stonehelm is of course resolved and secure. Speaking of which, we have heard from my son Elyas. He has decided to seek his fortune as a hedge knight for a short time. Though his explanation was frustratingly vague, he seems intent that he wishes to acquire his place in a lord's household through his own merit, rather than any favors his family can provide.

We of course are fearful for him, but my husband has spoken favorably of his decision - I suspect that he is somewhat envious of Elyas' freedom. My husband has always been a knight first and a lord second, and I suspect the desire to win what he has in the world by his strength of arm rather than blood holds a great deal of favor and respect.

My daughters ask that I send their regards to you and to your daughter Alysa and Branna, as well. The three of them seemed to have become quite fast friends. I myself regard Alysa very fondly as well - if you should ever desire to have her spend time as a lady-in-waiting, please do let me know. I know that Renly's court provides so very little opportunity for a young lady (although it is clear your own daughter Minisa has not suffered in that regard!). I could arrange for her to find a position in Highgarden - indeed, I am sending my own girls there in the next year or two, and I know they would love to have a friend already there. Lady Olenna Tyrell provides wonderful education for nobleborn girls, and the possible matches they might make in Highgarden are second to none.

In closing, thank you once again for your hospitality. Though certain stresses did plague this happen event, I feel that it has brought us closer together in the end.

Please do give Brice my love.

Deepest Regards,
Lady Adia Willum of Threeswords

From Lady Ravella Smallwood, to Lady Isalaine

Dear Isalaine

Thank you, dearest, for your hospitality and company at Gulian's wedding. I freely admit that I'd been hungry for contact with my family for a while - it had been much, much too long. It was such a delight to meet your children. It made me sorry that you've never had the chance to meet my own. Theomar flatly refused to allow me to bring my daughter with me. Perhaps one day you might come to Acorn Hall and meet her.

Now that I have discharged my duties with Joyeuse, I can't help but turn my attention to some other worthy young lady. Pity my own Carellen when my little songbird is old enough to be betrothed! Your Minisa is nothing short of a wonder, sister mine. Beautiful, clever and not at all possessed of the fearfulness that so often burdens young noble ladies. Thank the Seven than your dear Waltyr was not the typical Andal in that way.

I really must step outside of any rights I may have and insist something for her: if you settle for anything less than a lord or heir for her husband, I shall come directly to Marrowmont and slap you soundly! Moreover, with her talents, charms and potential, there is no need to see her saddled with some minor lord or another, as we were. She deserves a husband of a major House at the very least. Indeed, really she could easily serve as the lady of one of the Great Houses - though I suspect you already knew this when you sent her to Storm's End. Pity good Lord Renly hadn't the sort of attention another lord might have.

You and I know the Stormlords fairly well. Most of them are unworthy of her. Of the Estermonts, I had the chance to meet and mingle with Ser Alyn, the grandson of old Lord Eldon. The young man himself is a bit plain looking, and not the cleverest - which could be to Minisa's benefit, though, as I suspect she'd had no problem pinning him neatly to her lapel. Still, he's also third in line, with his father the actual heir of Estermont at current.

Your only other real options are among the Marcher Lords. I hear there is a son of House Trant that they are seeking for marriage, but he's young yet, and not a first-born. Hardly worth her. House Caron is worthy, but they have no marriageable sons. This leaves House Dondarrion, of course. Now, of the major Marcher Lords, the Dondarrions do stand head-and-shoulders above the others, holding the title of Warden of the Dornish Marches among the Stormlords. Moreover, the handsome Lord Beric Dondarrion is a bachelor still. He isn't quite the gallant storytale knight one might wish him to be, but then Marcher Lords tend to have a reputation for a certain grimness. Still, he is polite and well-spoken - an excellent catch, perhaps.

But unless any of these leap out at you, sister-mine, you shall perhaps have to seek outside of the Stormlands. And this is where I, as your dear sister, can help. I would be very happy to arrange introductions to some of the worthy Houses here in the Riverlands. There are likely to be a handful of tourneys over the next year or so - a bit of a pilgrimage for your House, understandably, but at such events we could arrange introductions to the likes of Lucas Blackwood, the heir of Raventree, a very handsome young man with a mysterious air about him that has any number of local ladies positively swooning.

Moreover, there are three young heirs locally - Ser Patrek Mallister, Ser Marq Piper and Ser Ronald Vance - who are all the unwed heir of their important Houses. Any one of them could make a fine match for our Minisa. Better still, though, all are good friends of Edmure Tully, the heir of House Tully, so meeting them could lead to introductions to him - and Edmure himself is a handsome and available bachelor, as well.

Do give it some thought. I'd love to host you at Acorn Hall, and am positively giddy with the thought of helping to arrange a proper marriage for sweet, clever Minisa.

I love and miss you dearly already sister.

~Ravella of Acorn Hall

From Ser Courtnay Penrose, to Lady Isalaine Graben

To the Lady Isalaine Graben of Marrowmont,
I send Greetings.

Allow me first to send you my greetings, Lady Graben. We have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, I fear, for my duties keep me busy where other knights have the luxury of travel and social pleasures. As I'm sure your own castellan is aware, a castellan's duties are most at their call when Lord and Lady are away from their seat, and we do not enjoy the same luxuries others do.

I am saddened to have missed your brother and liege's wedding, to say nothing of the tourney held to celebrate it! I hear your master-at-arms made quite a showing against Ser Balon Swann, with a mighty clash to settle the joust. Several of the knights in Lord Renly's retinue were still speaking of it as the clash to remember of the tourney. I always enjoy catching up on such stories when my lord returns home.

This return tinged me with some melancholy, though, I must admit, for when Lord Renly returned to Storm's End, your daughter Minisa was not with him. I have arranged for the servants to pack her belongings well, and have seen to their transport by ship and then barge.

With Minisa gone, it seems to me that Storm's End is a little more bleak. As you may know, my own House greatly favors education and erudition, which Minisa had in aplenty, and I shall miss our dinner-time discussions about the books we were reading at the time. Please tell her that I have put two of the favorite books she borrowed from my library in with her trunks; they are my gift to her in hoping she will remember me fondly.

Indeed, it is with such hopes that I write this letter. Though my own House is not as exalted as some, we do hold the regard and affection of House Baratheon, so much so that Lord Renly made me the castellan of Storm's End, on the recommendation of his brothers Lord Stannis and King Robert. Ours is an old lineage as well, and if we do not hold the lofty position of some, it is only because we have never been a House of great military force.

I know that Minisa is of an age, and that the time is coming when I will be expected to return home as Lord Penrose. As such, I would like to open a discussion with you, my Lady, about the possibility of marriage to your daughter. She has fondly spoken to me of you and your lord husband's decisions to allow your children to make their own decisions when it comes to such things, so I have no expectations of your acquiescence being hers. I simply crave from you your blessing to undertake the possibility of turning my friendship with Minisa into something possibly more.

I once told Minisa that I should dearly love to show her the library at our seat, Parchments. With her gone, I have realized that I should like to do one better: I would like to make her Lady Penrose one day, and to make our ancient library her very own on that day.

Thank you, and may the Seven keep you and yours.

Your servant eternal,
Ser Courtnay Penrose,
Castellan of Storm's End,
Heir of House Penrose