The Heart of a Bastard Fox
Chapter 1: Enter Reynard Snow
Near the end of Roberts Rebellion on a clear and beautiful summer night a cloaked figure stalked the castle commonly referred to as Highgarden. The home of the great family known as the Tyrells, Wardens of the South. Whoever this person was moved as quickly as possible but was being slowed down by something large he or she was carrying. Once the castle was in throwing distance the light of the half moon shown clearly on this mysterious figure. With the light of the moon shining down a clear picture of who this person was could be made out. She was a middle-aged woman with grey hair fighting for dominance over the brunette. Her skin was a darker shade you rarely saw except for the distant kingdom of Dorne. The heavy object in her hand turned out to be a basket with a beautiful sleeping baby boy inside.
Not to long after the older women finally approached the gates of Highgarden. She was stopped by two guards wearing green cloaks with the symbol of a rose surrounded by thorns. Known throughout the seven kingdoms as the sigil of house tyrell. "Woman, what are you doing skulking about at this time of night," one of the guards barked.
The obviously startled woman croaked out "I'm sorry but I have something that lady Hightower…..again apologies I guess she's Lady Tyrell now."
It was late and the guards were clearly not in the mood to entertain the idea of escorting such a suspicious commoner to their lady. "Look we don't have time for this get out of here before we throw you and your baby in the dungeons."
Frantically she reached in her pocket and pulled out a letter with the symbol of House Hightower on it. She handed it to the closest guard and announced in the most authoritative voice she could muster, "No you most certainly will not touch me or this baby. I have a message from the lord commander of the king's guard himself sir Gerold Hightower. This letter holds his seal and I will personally hand it to Lady Tyrell herself for it is for her eyes only."
The larger of the two men sighed before taking his helm off and running his hand through his natty red hair. "And we thought this was going to be a quiet shift tonight Bernard."
Benard gave a short laugh before responding, "well what can we do now but take her to our lady's steward? Then it can be his problem and we can go get are self some arbor red in our bellies before heading back out Red."
Red rubbed his belly, "Alright you make a fine point there! Let's get this over quick, I can already taste the wine on my lips." Taking a second to readjust himself Red the guard called out to the lady, "Alright will take you to her steward I he can decide if what you say is true or not but before I take you up there I need your name so I can announce you."
Pulling her hood back to the guards could get a better look at her face. She was an attractive woman for her age and the dornish coloring of her skin only enhanced that fact. " Very well my name is Myriah servant of Gerold Hightower."
Red was slightly taken aback by the beauty of this Myriah but recovered quickly. "alright well we better be off then. Come on Bernard lets get this over with quickly." Beckoning to his partner and Myriah to follow him red began there trek towards the waiting room of Highgarden where the steward would receive guests before introducing them to his lord.
No one made a noise during their 20-minute walk except for the baby boy who burped before going back to sleep. They entered large double doors that lead them to a beautifully decorated waiting room. There were gold suits of armor with roses etched into them, paintings of famous hero's and battles, silver vines wrapping around pillars, and extremely extravagant furniture and chairs. Myriah could see that the Tyrells really were one of the richest families in all of westeros. Red gave her the signal to stay put while he disappeared hopefully to get the steward. He left her with the shorter guard named Bernard, she was hoping he returned soon because she didn't like the look she was giving him.
Myriah didn't have to wait long before a tall thin well-dressed gentleman entered the waiting room. He was wearing glasses and had brown hair and the beginning of a receding hairline. His brow was clenched together causing a small crease. As he got closer he got closer to the dornish woman and the baby in her hands. The thin man looked down at the child frowning causing the crease to increase in size before returning his attention to the woman in front of him. "Hello Miss," the distaste in his tone was easy to discern from everyone in the room. "I am Mors of house Blackcrown the steward of house Tyrell. I am a very busy man and do not take kindly to being disturbed in the middle of the night. So to put plainly this better not be some folly to get in the castle or you will be severely punished."
Pulling the letter out of her hood once again, presenting it to the agitated steward, "this letter has the seal of house Hightower on it and I am duty bound to deliver it to Alerie lady of house tyrell."
The stewards took hold of the letter and brought to close to one of the many candles in the room to get a better look. It didn't take him long to realize the seal was authentic once he had proper light. Within seconds his whole demeaner changed. The annoyance and distaste was now replaced with a regal attentiveness. "I apologize for my early demeaner one can never be to careful. Undesirables are always trying to take advantage. Anyway I will be back shortly you can wait here. You two may leave."
The two guards looked glad to finally go back and finish the rest of there watch. Benard however gave his beautiful escort one last lecherous look before departing with his fellow guard. No doubt going to find that wine they talked about earlier. Still that look made Myriah shiver in disgust and dread.
The steward was again very quick in returning and beckoning her to follow him. After climbing up quite a few stairs and many twist and turns they finally arrived at there destination. Mors knocked three time in rapid succession before the door was finally opened by a young plump maid. Mors looked back before saying, "this is where I depart, lady Tyrell will see you now. A word of warning miss be careful what you say or do someone's always watching."
After the steward left Myriah walked inside escorted by the maid who opened the door to her. Sitting in a chair near the fire place that was being attended by another maid. The light of the fire only enhanced the beauty of Alarie with her brownish/reddish hair, full lips, ample curves, and tiny waist. However Myraih found her eyes dancing with a certain twinkle of cleverness as she was engrossed in reading some book.
Eventually another burp from the little bundle of a baby caused both of them to snap out of their perspective reverie. Alerie detached her eyes form her book and looked at her guest for the first time. "Well I was told you have a very urgent letter from my brother. What has that stubborn idiot of a man done this time?" A second latter the lady of house Highgarden got an even better look at the baby inside of the basket, "oh who is this gorgeous little thing we have here. He's defiantly going to be a looker." Alerie stood up out of her chair and walked over so she could rub the baby belly with her figure. Causing him to wake up grabbing her finger and laughing his little ass all the while.
Both women smiled down at the baby before Myriah shook her head and got herself back to the reason she traveled so far to deliver this message, "I'm sorry m'lady but this message is urgent." As soon as the lady of house tyrell took the letter out of her hand you could see the weariness of weeks of travel and worry over surviving her duty finally hit her.
Alerie immediately saw all the signs of exhaustion and quickly had her maids pull out a chair and a glass of wine to give to this women messenger, "sit I can see this journey has taken a toll on you." So Myriah put the young boy down and she sat and sighed with joy once the wine touched her lips. "it's good isn't it, its one of my husband's favorite vintage." Ripping open the letter lady Alerie attention was completely entrapped by what was written on it. "Do you know what this says?" She questioned her guess
After taking one more sip from her wine she answered," Yes m'lady I do. I was there when your brother wrote it. He is a great man trying his best to do what's right."
"Even if what's right kills him!" the normally composed nobel yelled. After seeing the shock and tiny bit of fear on the dornish woman's face made Alerie regret letting her emotions to get the best of her and take it out on this woman that had clearly gone through a lot to deliver this message. "I'm sorry you didn't deserve that I'm just worried about him especially after reading this."
"No need to apologize especially to a commoner like myself m'lady. I understand you're distress but we both know your brothers answer to that question." Myriah responded.
A look of resignation took over the beautiful face of the wife of one of the most powerful hoses lord. "Your right of course and forget this commoner and noble nonsense at least for tonight. You may call me Alerie." Taking a breath, she looked at the burning fire before continuing "So I'm to call this young lad here Reynard Snow from what my brother wrote?"
"Yes, Alerie that was his intention, by the way you may call me Myriah if you wish." A Small smile graced her face before she took another sip of wine. " I know it may be difficult but he also wished for him to eventually become the ward of your husband."
A twinkle of mirth crossed Alerie's features, "Don't worry about my husband, he is a simple man with simple needs. It will be easy to convince him. The one to worry about it his mother the queen of thorns Orlenna. She'll be suspicious but I'll tell her that hes my brother bastard who was sired in the north before the rebellion. A believable lie with no evidence that can dissuade against it." Seconds after saying this she threw the letter in the fire.
"Yes I think that's a very smart plan of actions, however he must be trained to fight. As much as I wish his life would be quiet and peaceful I doubt with that blood running through his veins he'll need all the skill he can muster!" a deep look of sadness took over Myriah.
"I agree with you. My son Garlan will start training in a few years, I'll make sure Reynard follows after him. Looks like I'll have to pray to the old gods and the seven to watch over them both now." The future took the energy out of lady Tyrell forcing her to sit back down in the chair she was originally sitting in. "It's getting late you should rest. Ill have my maids make a room ready for you."
Myriah took a deep breath and pushed herself back up out of her chair and put her wine glass on the nearest table before addressing Adelie, "I appreciate your kindness In offering and everything else you have done for me this night, but I must refuse."
Lady Tyrell was flabbergasted "Why must you leave you're exhausted. Rest and leave in the morning if you must!"
"Again, I'm sorry but I must leave. There will be more eyes in the morning and I can't waist anytime if I'm to meet up with your brother. I have no idea how long it will be before this damn war finds him!" Myriah basically pleaded for her new friend to understand.
"I'll allow you to leave immediately on one condition." The noble woman paused for a few seconds before continuing, "Why are you doing all this. Putting yourself all this for my brother even if you are his servant your loyalty is quite remarkable."
A sad smile took residence on our messenger's face, "It's quite simple actually. I love him."
"Okay I understand I'm glad my brother found someone like you to love him. I'll have my maids make you a pack for the road, it's the least I can do. Also, don't worry about little Reynard I'll love him like he was my own." She again stood up and walked over to her new friend before enveloping her in a hug. "Be careful and take care. May the seven watch over you"
Tears started to fall from Myriahs eyes as she returned the hug, " I wish all nobles were as noble as the sibling's Hightower's are. I thank you for being so wonderful I never imagined in my wildest dream's my mission would end like this. May the seven always watch over you Lady Alerie Tyrell!" She soon broke off from the hug to pick up baby Reynard and hug him too. "I hope to one day see the great man I know you will become. No matter what know that you are loved my young star." Tears came a new as she placed the baby back in his basket's. Myriah departed soon after that.
Lady Tyrell picked up the young baby boy and began to softly sing to him. " Gentle Mother, font of mercy,
Save our sons from war, we pray.
Stay the swords and stay the arrows,
Let them know a better day.
Gentle Mother, strength of women,
Help our daughters through this fray.
Soothe the wrath and tame the fury,
Teach us all a kinder way.
Gentle Mother, font of mercy,
Save our sons from war, we pray.
Stay the swords and stay the arrows,
Let them know a better day."
Once the song was over she brushed the wool cap off his head and realized he had reddish/orange hair. The same color as the flames dancing in her fireplace. "I wonder what songs they'll sing about you. The son of sir Arthur Dayne the Sword of the Morning?"
A couple hours later, night was still at it's strongest. A few more hours left ahead before the sun overcame the darkness. An older dornish woman that we know of as Myriah rode down the kings road when all of a sudden her horse gave out and flung her from the saddle. It took her a couple of seconds to recover and orient herself enough to see what happened to her horse. What she saw left her with a feeling of terror and dread. For there was a arrow sticking out of the horses front right leg.
"What luck I was hoping to have the chance to see you again. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you or what I'd do to you if I did see you again." An eerily familiar voice called out from behind her. A few seconds later she saw two men step out of the trees. One she recognized instantly. It was Bernard on of the guards from earlier. " Oh I'm gonna have fun tonight." Myriah tried to run but the other man with Bernard a sickly looking man with white hair and only two teeth shot her in the stomach with his crossbow that also took down her horse.
"You bastards I hope the stranger takes you" Myriah yelled
All Bernard did was laugh at her while he unbuckled hid pants, "The stranger's only taking one person tonight and it's not gonna be me, but before you go with him me and you are gonna have fun!" her stomach wound continued to bleed causing Benard to laugh. "Good thing I don't mind them bloody. You should be happy I'm gonna give you some pleasure before you die!"
As she lay there her life force slowly leaking out of her as Bernard gyrated on top of her all she could think of is Gerold and Reynard. Her last thoughts were I Love You Both I just wish I could of seen you two one last time together before I died. Soon darkness overcame Myriah of dorne.
At the same time in the castle of Highgarden the young wife of Mance Tyrell woke up to the young cries of her newest charge.
