This is mostly a filler chapter. The plot is setting in and we are finally approaching the good bit that everyone has been waiting for haha. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint. By the way I didn't draw any of this, I merely borrowed the images and hope that the author doesn't mind, after all imitation is the highest form of flattery is it not? Okay I'm done now, enjoy!
Chapter 3 Seeing Is Believing
They did not take a proper rest until long after they passed the turn off for the twins. He had no desire to see Lord Frey and his ever expanding house, Rhaegar would wake to find himself wed to some daughter or grand daughter with no memory of the event. They reached the Neck and found that the terrain changed so drastically it was no little guess that they were in the North now. Gone were the open meadows of the river lands. Instead dense forest had begun to spring up around them and Rhaegar knew they were approaching a place he had heard much about, and yet never seen. He had never been this far north before, having never been pass the Trident previously.
"Might we be approaching the Greywater Watch soon?" he asked his companions as they took a break to rest in the warm spring air.
"We are your grace, it is here somewhere hidden among the swamps we find ourselves in as we have long since left the kings road," Jon replied. Yes the had long since stopped traveling on main path to avoid being recognized or even burglarized. Arthur and Ser Oswell had not ridden out in their typical kings guard armor hoping to help be inconspicuous, and Rhaegar had donned a hooded cloak the entire time. His hair was far to recognizable, but with just the eyes he and Arthur could pass for brothers and often did.
"I think we should go and see this place, the mystical greywater watch. I have read many scrolls on the green dreams of old the people of this watch use to have," Rhaegar said absentmindedly his thoughts moving faster than he could keep pace with.
"Part of old wives tales to pacify children those are," Jon said with a derisive snort. No Jon had never been a man to place stock in magics and other oddities that were in the tales of old Westeros. Jon was a man of steel and strategy, he was a tactical honor bound man in and out of politics, he had no time for grumpkins and snarks.
"I suppose the scrolls of the citadel are old wives tales too?" Rhaegar quipped back with amusement.
"Tales from old men who know not what real life is like, only what the read of life to be like in those old dusty scrolls the read. Imagining fantasy instead of reality," Jon said back gruffly. Arthur cracked a smile and Rhaegar merely shook his head. There would be no swaying Jon with anything less than physical proof.
"Well then your grace, I think you should prepare yourself cause I daresay we are good and surrounded here in this swamp," Ser Oswell said cutting through their comradery like a steel blade. All traces of humor were gone and everyone was once again on high alert.
"Arthur," Jon said softly motioning towards Rhaegar. Arthur however had no need to be told, he closed in on Rhaegar before Jon had even noticed the tone in Oswell's voice that had set them on alert, such was the job of the white cloaks. Rhaegar felt Arthur take up his normal position at his back as he unsheathed Dawn. Oswell and Jon had also unsheathed their swords and were scanning the trees waiting for their opponent to show themselves.
"Show yourself," Oswell growled out. There was silence for a moment following his demands, until a shadow came out of the brush, a small man dressed in drab browns that blended into that scenery. This was of course how they had blended in and surrounded them so seamlessly, interesting.
"We mean you no harm, we are the outermost guards of Greywater watch. Our lord informed us that you may be coming, we have been awaiting you," the small man said his gaze glued to Rhaegar, but this was to be expected of course, his typical Targaryen features were hard to hide and very rare in this part of the realm. He knew he would be recognized as they approached the keep but for them to be expecting them... Rhaegar wondered for a moment if he had been betrayed in his quest so early but he was quite sure the raven could not have made it from Harenhall to Greywater watch so fast.
"Awaiting us? We have not made our travel plans known, so how is it that your lord knows?" Jon demanded gruffly, his agitation growing. The crannogman ignored his outburst and continued to hold Rhaegars gaze.
"He wishes to speak with you your grace, if you will allow it. We will not hinder your progress and will show you safely through they grey water if you decline but his lordship Howard Reed would very much like to speak with you. He says it is of the utmost importance," the small man said. And with a wave of his hand all the other came out of their hiding spaces form beneath the brushes and marshes and some even came down from the trees, it was truly amazing the dexterity of these small people.
"Be calm," Rhaegar said moving forward to place a hand on Jon's shoulder asking him to stand down. "I find that I have longed to see the famed Greywater Watch, and even more so to meet Lord Reed so if you would please lead the way. I'm sure all questions will be answered upon our arrival."
"Your horses can not follow, they are much to heavy and will never make it to the greywater. We will keep them for you at our outpost and they will be returned to you upon your leave from the neck," the small man said as he motioned for a few of his fellow guards to come to take their horses. Rhaegar sighed and nodded his head, his curiosity was peaked and he knew he could not continue the journey north without seeing what was so willingly being offered. And so with much grumbling from his companions they delved deeper into the swamps and followed the group of crannogmen into the woods.
Rhaegar knew at once when they had finally gotten closer to the grey water watch, the lands were thick with mud and there was water all around and yet their guides seemed to know exactly where to step. He lead them along the twist waters and swamps and through the dried mud huts that had been built into the land and the bases of the trees. He had envisioned the region in his mind before on many occasionsAnd when the finally reached the keep Rhaegar was at a loss for words, it was floating!
Rhaegar found he could not keep the smirk off his face as he noted the look of disbelief on Jon Connington's face as he was faced with the proof that some old wives tales had truths to them. He was most eager to meet with Lord Howard Reed and see what it was he wanted with him, his venture to the north was proving most interesting already.