Land of the King
Chapter 31: Duty's Yoke
Time flies. Even to one of the Dúnedain, if they were not careful, the years could run away from them.
Araphant stood in the platform overlooking the training yard of Winterfell. Below him, his close friends, Boromir and Elladan, duelled the twin princes of the North, Brandon and Bennard.
It was perhaps to be expected that the twins would lose the duel, as they had hundreds of times before in the five years since they had come to Winterfell, but Araphant again found himself impressed by how skilled the twin princes had become since they had started training them.
Those five years had been fruitful in many ways. Araphant had given his services to King Brandon, not only as an emissary but as an adviser as well. He had found himself impressed the by the king's astuteness and was very pleased indeed when he had eagerly agreed to closer ties with Arnor.
Though their official relationship was short of an actual military alliance, they had strengthened their ties with non-aggression pacts and trade deals.
As per his father's orders, with Winterfell friendly to Arnor, it was now in their interests to help develop their northern neighbour.
With financial aid from Arnor, the North had developed its infrastructure incredibly in the past few years. A vast road system had been built, interlinking all the various settlements in the North, with Winterfell at the heart of the network. A causeway had been built across the Neck to help facilitate land trade with Arnor.
The northern mountains were prospected, with various minerals and metals, precious and otherwise being discovered in them. Mines and quarries were being constructed to exploit these resources.
The harbours and ports of the west coast were expanded further, with lumber plantations and fur trapping becoming increasingly important. Trade with Arnor was at an all time, and wealth poured into the coffers of both Arnor and Formenor.
Araphant however knew that House Stark's hold of the North was not fully secure. Though Brandon had defeated House Bolton six years prior, the Starks' rule was not yet unquestioned the way the House of Elendil was unquestioned in Arnor.
To that end, Araphant had advised Brandon on a number of various actions that could be taken to strengthen Winterfell's control. The Wolf's Den had been constructed on the mouth of the White Knife to defend the region from Sistermen pirates, giving House Stark ports on both coasts of the North.
Brandon's twin sons, had been betrothed to ladies hailing from House Dustin and Ryder. With Brandon's mother being an Umber and his wife a Fisher, four of the most powerful houses in the North were now attached to Winterfell.
Plans were also underway for the betrothal of Princess Lyarra, Brandon's daughter. The young princess had begun maturing into a lovely young woman, one that Araphant had grown fond of in the past few years. He would never admit it, but the idea of betrothing her for political purposes unsettled him, but he held his tongue. It was not his place to say that. That he had so much trust and say in the North was already concerning to many of the northern lords.
Araphant had heard their murmurs at times, questioning their king's wisdom in placing so much trust in a foreign prince. Araphant himself wondered at it at times, why did the Starks place so much trust in him? He had mastered their language, learned their histories and customs, and had been nothing but polite and respectful for his whole stay. Yet such things were expected of all emissaries were they not? What exactly had made him so trusted?
As the years had dragged, Araphant had begun to realise that he was slowly overstaying his welcome in Winterfell. As welcoming as Winterfell was, it was not his true home. And his eyes had turned south more than once, longing to return. He had not seen his family for many years now, and his leaving would alleviate the worries of Brandon's lords and allow the Starks to thrive without his guidance. It would be for the best for him to leave, for all parties involved.
"You're leaving."
The words were almost like a slap. As he looked at the Princess, her eyes were welling up with tears.
Araphant sighed, "It is rude to eavesdrop on others' conversations, Princess."
"Why? Why do you have to go? Why can you not stay with us?"
"You always knew that my stay here was temporary. I have duties and a family of my own in Arnor to attend to. It would alleviate your lords' concerns as well, they are rightfully worried that I have far too much say in Winterfell. I have already told your father all my reasons. He was very understanding. Elladan will be staying to serve as emissary in my stead," Araphant explained calmly.
To his surprise however, the young princess shook her head and rushed into his arms, making Araphant reluctantly wrap his arms around her to console her. The fifteen-year old princess was barely five and a half feet and Araphant had to almost kneel to properly embrace her.
Though they had become close friends in the past five years, Araphant had always been very careful around Lyarra. From the very moment they had met, he had been painfully aware of her growing infatuation for him. It was highly inappropriate for him, someone ten times her age and neither her betrothed or family member to embrace him, but at the same time he could not stop himself from doing so. She was hurt and needed comfort, it was only natural.
"Please don't go, I want you to stay. I… I love you." Lyarra whispered.
Araphant flinched. He had been a coward, never wanting to confront her about her feelings because he knew that he would have no choice but to break her heart. He broke their embrace and wiped her tears away.
"It could never be Lyarra, no matter how you much wish it to be."
She smiled, painfully and bitterly, "I know."
Araphant took out a pendant from his chest pocket. The chain was silver, linked to an icon of a blue winter rose, Lyarra's favourite flower.
"What's this?" she asked, wiping away her tears.
"A parting gift from me. I had it made just for you."
"You're the worst, did you really think a pretty necklace would make me forgive you for my broken heart?" she asked, trying to act serious.
"That was not at all my intention. I am curious though, did it work?" Araphant asked.
Lyarra smiled, a true joyful smile this time. "Perhaps."
As Lyarra left his room, she turned back and asked, "Promise you will write to me?"
Araphant answered, "Of course."
Satisfied, the Princess of Winterfell left, leaving Araphant alone with his thoughts.
Deciding not to think on how he had hurt someone he cared for, Araphant turned back to the packing he had been doing before Lyarra had interrupted him.
Five years of living in these quarters meant that he had now had quite a lot of clutter to sort through. Araphant had barely started again when he heard a knock on the door.
"Back again so soon Lyarra?" he asked as he turned around only to be surprised when he saw not Lyarra but someone else altogether.
They called her Old Maggie. She had been a fixture in Winterfell since before King Brandon was born. No one in Winterfell actually had any idea how old she was, though Araphant knew that he at least was definitely older than her. Lyarra and her brothers were fond of her, as she had told them all kinds of stories and fairy tales when they were younger.
The grey-haired and wrinkled old woman spoke to him then, "You are making a mistake, Araphant, son of Araval. I can only hope you realise it before it is too late. A choice lies before you, duty or love? Which will you choose I wonder?"
Then as swiftly as she had come, Maggie departed, leaving Araphant puzzled and concerned.
The next morning, Araphant said his farewells to the Stark family. Half of his friends had chosen to stay behind to keep Elladan company and Araphant said his farewells to them too.
Lyarra was there too, and mindful of their audience, Araphant acted as appropriately as he could. The very same way he had done so five years earlier, Araphant raised her hand to his lips as he bowed, "Farewell Princess, until we meet again."
Unlike last time, Lyarra kept her composure and did not blush, replying gracefully with a curtsey, "Farewell Prince Araphant, may your journey be safe and swift."
Waving as they did so, Araphant and his companions mounted their steeds and rode out from the gates of Wintefell for what was likely to be the last time. The memory of Lyarra proclaiming her love to him remained fresh on Araphant's mind for the whole journey south.
There was much cheering in Annúminas when they moored at the harbour. A great crowd had come to welcome their prince home. Araphant took in the adulations and praises of the people and was surprised to find that he did not enjoy it nearly as much as he once had. There was simply something missing he felt.
Passing through the crowd, Araphant was escorted by his honour guard back to Amon Erain, where his family waited for him.
That night, Araphant had dinner with his family for the first time in five years. His mother and father were there, as were all his siblings.
It was quite enjoyable for him to reacquaint himself with his family members. He conversed quite happily with his younger brothers and sisters and their spouses, telling them of his time in the North and what it was like to live there. Araphant was also becoming uncomfortably aware that all but the youngest of his siblings were already married and that more and more attention would turn to him and wonder why he was not wedding.
At one point of the conversation however, Araphant was reminded of why Winterfell had felt so welcoming.
"I am sure that you are quite pleased to be home in Arnor after such a long stay in the savage lands of lesser men," said Lady Luthiel, the wife of his oldest brother.
Araphant hid his disgust as much as he could. Why oh why did his brother Calimir have to marry perhaps one of the most purist, arrogant and vain ladies he had ever had the displeasure of meeting? Luthiel of Minas Ithil had been one of his potential marriage matches years ago. Araphant had rejected the proposal and had thought he had dodged an arrow. Unfortunately the arrow had then proceeded to fly straight for his little brother's heart.
As diplomatically as possible, Araphant answered her question, "It was indeed a pleasure to be back in Arnor, that is until you opened your mouth Luthiel. If having to hear your voice was the price of my return to Annúminas, well then I must say that savages and lesser men make for far better company."
"Brother!" Calimir protested.
Araphant cared not however. "Your wife should learn better manners Calimir."
His mother and sisters were horrified by his bluntness though he noticed that his father was amused.
Luthiel could do nothing to Araphant and so he cared little if the vapid woman was offended in any way.
After the... eventful dinner, Araphant was summoned to his father's office to give his report on the past five years.
Araphant felt rather nostalgic as he entered the room. The last time he had been here, his father had told him that he was being sent north. What a lifetime ago that now felt. Five years ago, Araphant had still subscribed in some way to the Purist ideology, yet five years in Winterfell had shattered those beliefs entirely. Those they called lesser were often better in many ways than several Dúnedain Araphant knew, Luthiel amongst them.
"Take a seat, Araphant," his father commanded.
Araphant obeyed. His father knew everything that he was reporting but his father believed as he did that nothing beat firsthand accounts.
When he had finished speaking of everything that had transpired in the North for the past five years, his father remained silent for a while.
"You have done well my son. You have made the North and House Stark into our friends and allies. I am most pleased by this. Yet I am also concerned by what you have not mentioned in your report." Araval said.
Araphant was confused, what did his father mean? His confusion must have showed on his face because his father continued then.
"I am speaking of your relationship with King Brandon's daughter, Lyarra."
Araphant was outraged, "There was nothing going on between us!"
"Yet that is not what I hear. According to certain trustworthy sources, the Princess was infatuated with you and you made no attempt to dissuade her feelings, becoming inappropriately close to her."
Araphant's anger was brewing. One of his trusted companions had betrayed him. Even though they had betrayed to his father, Araphant could not accept it. But he would handle his traitorous friend later.
"I am telling you Father, there was nothing between me and the Princess. It is true she became infatuated with me, but it was nought but a childish fancy, one that will pass in time. I chose not to hurt her feelings in the interest of being diplomatic."
That was a lie. Araphant knew full well that Lyarra's feelings had long since grown beyond a childhood fancy.
His father it seemed, saw right through him. "Is that so? Then you will not mind finding a wife here in Arnor then."
Araphant was shocked, he made to protest but was interrupted by his father.
"No I have let this nonsense of yours go on for too long now. You must marry Araphant, and soon. I care not who it is, so long as they fulfil the requirements of the Act of Succession."
"Father! I have told you before have I not? I wish to-"
"I can no longer afford to care what you wish for Araphant. Tell me, you have made it clear that you despise Luthiel, if you continue refusing to marry, she will become queen when your brother ascends after you. Do you want that?" Araval asked.
Araphant gritted his teeth, "No."
"I'm glad you understand then. Who is the first person that comes to your mind as your potential wife?"
Unbidden, the memory of a grey-eyed brunette with winter roses in her hair came to mind. Lyarra.
Yet Araphant could not tell his father that. It would only dig him deeper into the hole.
"Perhaps a Princess of Dol Amroth? Or mayhaps a daughter of the Lords of Minas Anor or Hyarmenna?"
"I'm glad that your thoughts went straight to some of our most powerful vassals. Yes, that would be best, marrying within the Line of Elendil as your brothers have would be a wise decision."
His father's expression softened then. "I am not so cruel as to force you before you are ready Araphant. Yet you are already two hundred and twenty one. It is far past time for you to wed. You have one year to make your decision. Think carefully."
An hour after his meeting with his father, Araphant tracked down the traitor. He had interrogated each of his companions and discovered that one had been sending reports of his doings to his father for the past five years.
There are few things in the world more wrathful than a man betrayed, Araphant thought as he threw Boromir against the wall.
"You betrayed me. I thought we were friends."
Bruised and winded, Boromir struggled to get up. "We are friends. That is why I helped your father. He asked me to keep an eye on you and keep you out of trouble."
But Araphant was not sated yet, "Friends don't go behind each other's backs to report on them to their fathers!"
"Is this about Lyarra?" Boromir choked out, "I… I've never seen you angrier. To think that you of all people would have finally fallen in love."
Araphant froze then. Why had Lyarra been the first person to come to mind when his father had asked him who he thought could be his wife? Was it possible that he had indeed fallen in love with her? For years the age gap had kept Araphant from thinking of her as anything more than a friend, a little sister even.
Why did he care so much? Araphant had never fallen in love before, but if he had fallen in love with Lyarra unknowingly, it would explain why his heart hurt whenever he thought of marrying anyone but her. Yet whether he had fallen or not, he knew that Lyarra was someone very precious to him.
"I... I don't know. Yet it matters not. You broke my trust Boromir. We're done. Don't let me see your face ever again," Araphant said, before he walked away, leaving his former friend in the corridor of the castle.
Author's Note: I miscalculated some ages. Lyarra's year birth was supposed to be in 2956 but I accidentally wrote that as the year that Araphant came to Winterfell. So the year that he went to Winterfell has been changed to 2966 and his age to 216. Everything else remained the same.
On to chapter 31, what do you all think of this juicy drama?
