The second chapter for the second Tully story, this chapter will focus on Tristan Tully than everyone like in the first chapter of the story.

And now, without further adieu, let us begin the journey!


Chapter 2: The Prophecies of Two Trouts


Tristan

To say that the last few days was hard, it would be an understatement.

He feels for everyone involved over what happened with Brandon and Petyr. The boy most of all, he has been bitter ever since he was conscious and well enough to walk about the castle.

As for him, he, Axel and Edmure decided to go out on a hunt, they began tracking some deer to bring home before the journey to Harrenhal.

His little brothers, this wasn't their first hunt, he thought they should know how to handle death, even if it comes from animals. Petyr Baelish would be out here too but he has given up on such things, feeling more concerned with books and court intrigue rather than having fun.

Things are changing and he doesn't know if he likes it or hates it, but, his father says that no matter what, the plan is to expand their family to higher positions, making allies and alliances.

"Brother, this is odd." He heard Axel say as they walked over a fallen tree, he turned around and loosened the hold on his bow for a moment.

"What do you mean?" Axel sighed and stopped.

"Father's plan, to marry into Houses outside of our lands? It doesn't make sense," It might not but they aren't the Lords of Riverrun, their father is.

"What would you suggest, Axel?" He asked his little brother, Edmure huffed and walked on with his friend, Marq Piper.

"The other Houses, our own countrymen here, in the Riverlands. House Blackwood, Bracken, and Mallister. We could unite the Riverlands under us." He smiled, it soon turned into a chuckle then a burst of hearty laughter as he put a hand on Axel's shoulder.

His brother was smart, smarter than them it seems to be.

Marrying into the Riverlands, he believed in his father's plan but this way, it cements control all across their territory. He thought in wonderment why his father hasn't thought of this rather than what he wants them to do at Harrenhal.

"That is a wonderful idea, little brother, why don't we talk to father about back at home." He suggested and Axel smiled in agreement, they continued trekking along the woods until they caught up with Edmure and the others.

They tracked the deer to one of the few places they weren't supposed to go, High Heart.

"Let's turn back, we can find game elsewhere." He called out and Axel reluctantly listened but Edmure felt very differently.

"What're you afraid of, the Ghost of High Heart? Come on." Of course, he is afraid. It's because he knows that the Ghost of High Heart is very real.

He's seen it, and so has Emyn.

Edmure wasn't listening and continued walking up the hill, the stumps of the many Weirwoods that were cut down would be a death trap for any approaching enemy. They are just hunting, though, and the deer isn't a soldier in some army.

It must have heard the crack of a branch, turned its head and ran right into the abandoned and ruined fort that used to be there to hold an army, there was no need of it anymore considering the Seven Kingdoms were united into one Realm.

Edmure would have followed until he grabbed the younger brother's arm and brought him around, he was angry but he'll thank him later.

"We go back home, right now." He ordered and his brothers and their friends were scared... But not because of him, there was someone behind him and she exited from the fort.

"Lord Tristan, I assume you are here for a reason?" He slowly turned around and stared the red-eyed witch in the face.

The Ghost of High Heart. The woman he and Edmyn came upon as they were coming home as small boys, she didn't look like she's aged well over the last eight years.

"... Nothing that concerns you, my Lady." He whispered and turned back to the group and turn them back around, the Ghost of High Heart had to speak as he did so.

"Make sure to always take your healing poultice, Lord Tristan. Your life still depends on it." Was all she said before going back inside the fort, he grunted and felt a headache was coming on but that didn't stop him from turning his brothers and their friends around.

A half an hour later, Edmure had to open his mouth.

"What did she mean by that, that your life depends on it?" He stopped and heard the wind drown the silence, it was a hard topic to discuss at this time, he is too shaken over it all.

He and Edmyn, when they came upon this place, they were brave and wanted to see if all the stories were true, that the Ghost of High Heart was real... She was.

The Woods Witch found them in her home, they were scared out of there wits and he was afraid they would be turned into toads or tadpoles. She didn't do such things and instead invited them for supper, they were too scared to say no and stayed for a while longer than they needed to.

He should have left before that, should have taken Edmyn away and went home. The Ghost of High Heart spoke to them and offered to tell them there future, he said no but his brother said yes so ignorantly.

She foretold that Edmyn will be remembered as a fierce warrior, proud and strong... But he would beget a great cost for the love of family. Edmyn, he doesn't know which of the family will make him pay such a cost, but he will find out before that happens.

The Woods Witch then told him his future while making a poultice, she said he would not live to see his first child, that he with that poultice can he prolong his life but should he miss his chance to take it he will die. She felt sorry for him and shed tears for his future.

As payment for telling them their future, she requested a song to be played. He didn't sing but Edmyn did, she asked for Jenny's Song to be played.

He can't tell them, no more than Edmyn can tell anyone else about his future. "No, now keep going." He told Edmure and Axell, they reluctantly turned and started heading back home where the guards were waiting, so was Brandon who asked where this great feast was, Axell said to look up his arse before he and Edmure ran inside.

"How was your day?" He asked Brandon, he shrugged and looked out to the river.

"I apologized to your sister, she accepted and it seems like we're on good terms once more." That was good to hear, he is glad that Catelyn chose the life made for her rather than that of the girl she was just three days ago.

It doesn't change the fact he is disapproving of Lord Brandon's behavior, the man surely gives the impression of the Savage Northerner. It makes him worry for his sister, of what life is awaiting her and the selfish side of him wishes that she was given to Ned rather than Brandon.

He remembered what his brother suggested on their hunt, he smiled and found hope in changing things for his brothers and Lysa since he couldn't do the same for Cat. Glancing towards the river then back to the castle entrance, he patted Brandon on the shoulder.

"Be the man she deserves, Lord Brandon, we are going to be family. Now if you excuse me, I need to see my Lord father." He walked inside and saw servants moving about the castle, guards changing their usual patrols, other Lordly dignitaries visiting them whether they are bannermen of his House or that of other minor-great Houses.

His home has become more lively than before, with the upcoming tourney at Harrenhal.

The entire thing will bring Lords from all over the Realm, anyone who is anyone will be there to either compete, or try to fetch a bride or groom for their families.

He smiled as he climbed the steps, passing a serving girl carrying some bedding to one of the many rooms in the castle. Reaching the higher level, he began walking down a corridor which led to one of the towers, his father would be in his study than anywhere else.

His feet stopped when he made it and knocked twice, his father said to come in and he opened the door and found his father sitting down and writing a letter.

"Writing love letters, father?" His father barked in laughter and beckoned him over.

Even as a child of five, he respected his father a great deal, the entire family and everyone in the castle did. He'll always be loyal to him, following his footsteps as the heir to Riverrun.

He has to be the future his Kingdom expects, not one he wants to be.

"Father, can we talk?" He asked and his father nodded with a brightened smile, he sat down and cleared his throat, "When Axell, Edmure and I were on our hunt, Axell told me something that, frankly, is very brilliant." His father was slightly confused and it made him feel the tinge of anger.

Axell and Edmure, their father loves them both dearly but apart from him and Edmy, they never stand out to the Lord of Riverrun.

"What does Axell say, son." He took a deep breath and looked at his father in the eyes.

"He questioned your tasks for us, that instead of marrying out of our territory that we bind the greatest of our vassals to us for eternity." He stopped so it all can sink into his father, "Barbara Bracken is the firstborn daughter to Lord Jonos Bracken. Bellena Hawick, daughter, and heir to House Hawick. Lord Arwood's niece, Marianne Harlton since he is without children. Then there is our cousin, Lord Walter Whent's daughter, she is a maid and quite a beautiful young woman." His father didn't seem to like what he was getting at.

"I assume you want to marry one of these daughters, instead of who might come from the other Houses around the Seven Kingdoms?" He nodded, his father's smile became a frown, "The allegiance of the Riverlands are ours already, we can make a lasting alliance with one of the other great or lesser great families." A sigh escaped his mouth, his father won't even consider it.

"I must say that we can have those allies, or, in the case that another Blackfyre rebellion or other insurgencies occur, we can evade that by keeping the Houses we control within our domain than to another Kingdom." He tried to get through to him, this is the best course of action, and it was the youngest son who thought of it.

"... " His father was silent, looking at him with the same eyes as him, inherited from the man who sired him, "Tristan, we will try. But, you must obtain a good match." And which Riverlord's daughter will be the next Lady of House Tully.

"Who will be my bride?" He asked and his father smiled and quickly wrote a letter, handing it to him.

"Beat every competitor in the joust and keep Lady Alora Whent as the Queen of Love and Beauty, at the victory feast you will put forth this letter to make the match."


AN: A single Point of View for this chapter, I hope that is fine with all of you.

So a 'prophecy' of sorts have revealed itself. Edmyn and Tristan's fates are set but Prophecies are dangerous and unable to truly analyze. That does NOT mean Tristan is destined to die from his frailness.

Bloodraven46, Axell/Roslin now Tristan/Alora Whent. I have since reconsidered Riverland pairings, politcal towards House Tully and the Riverlands.

Shrednector15, No we don't but Axell and Tristan will have Riverland women, Edmyn I have plans for but not for Cersei/Ashara/Lyanna. Not a family from the Doom, but I do have plans to restart my Blackfyre story.

Silver Crow, Edmyn will have quite the journey, he'll have his pairing later on. Tristan and Axell are set to be with Riverland ladies. Edmure and Axell will be looking up to their big brother, they'll be very supportive. Lysa's story is a bit tricky, it won't go down as it did with canon.

Iyalode, I have reconsidered and have decided that Axell, Tristan, and Edmure will be with Riverland women. Hoster is just a little too ambitious, he's seen the truth of it now.