Lillian POV
I leant against the doorframe "You aren't fucking going!" I stared at Brent as he hissed and spat at me "What if this is some fucking trick Lillian, your going into his castle be fucking Robb all over again" he huffed throwing his hands in the air.
"It won't be" I whispered
"Lillian are you fucking stupid?" he asked staring at me his anger on full display "You're all I have for fuck sakes"
"He wants to discuss a truce and Rodrik asking me to come"
"Sorry he doesn't need us, this isn't our war" Brent spat
"Yes it is" I hissed my anger finally reached a peak "Nadine died for the man she loved her betrothed, the Forresters are family and we protect family Brent…. I'm older than you, stay here train the town folk"
"Fine" he spat bumping my shoulder as he left the room. Jaymie stared at me "Come on boys mommy got to go" she smiled softly at me.
"Love you boys" I smiled kissing their cheeks
"Love you mommy" Derik yelled
"Be Safe"
"Tell Brent I love him" I nodded
"No need" Brent huffed kissing my cheek "I love you, I'm sorry just be fucking safe" he signed
"I promise"
"Okay come on Derik, Ned sleepy" Brent grabbed Derik from Jaymie and walked out.
…
I rode beside Rodrik in silence, no word being muttered, my mind was racing, I was thinking strategically about what to do, about the outcome and what would happen.
When we arrived I spotted Gwyn straight away but I pressed my lips together ignoring her as I looked around the castle. It's weird to think these two houses use to be united.
"Lillian" lifting my head "Great hall" nodding at Rodrik I followed behind him, my hand placed on my sword as I went passed soldiers.
"Milady"
"Give us a moment" Gwyn muttered going over to the tapestry, I heard the story of her family but I already knew it "Come on we mustn't keep my father waiting"
Following behind her I felt instantly like this was a set up, like I was about to be the next red wedding. I counted the soldiers that stood above me "I don't trust this" I muttered to Malcolm.
"Neither do I" he signed looking up at the soldiers
"Why all this if they mean to betray us" Rodrik Asked
"Bread and salt would mean we are protected by guest right"
"Yeah still not letting my guard down" I muttered
The sound of the door creaked open "RODRIK" Lord Ludd yelled "Welcome to high point"
"Lord" Rodrik nodded
"Not nervous are you?" Ludd asked
"Ask you the same thing these soldiers"
"Sounds like your feeling outnumbered…well?" he questioned sitting down; I signed taking a seat next to Rodrik.
I sat glaring at Ludd "WINE…You know your father once called high point a keep for the god, what store work, what craft man ship he wouldn't stop talking about it if you asked me he was envious "
"High point is very impressive" Rodrik nodded
"It is compared to your pile of timber"
"Ludd where Ryon" Lady Forrester hissed, a mother after my own heart.
"Always worried about your own family aren't you, lets toast shall we. Won't you toast with me Rodrik as a symbol of our good will? TO FAMILY"
"TO FAMILY" Rodrik toasted I stared at the wine taking it.
"Now tell us why we're here?" Rodrik asked
"The ironwood business is thriving in fact the Bolton's want weapons faster than we can make them" Ludd admitted "And when Bruce Bolton wants something I like to give it to him"
"So in other words you need our help" Rodrik smirked humour in his voice
"Ha don't be so dam full of yourself…You Forresters are heading for destruction yet you know more about ironwood than any house in the realm, would be a shame for all that knowledge to be lost…Help me craft ironwood for the Bolton's and I'll make sure you Forresters survive" he nodded
"That's absurd" Malcolm hissed beside me
"Do you think you can threaten us?" Lady Forrester asked
"I'm not threatening I'm offering"
"So you proposing an offer of alliance?"
"A alliance" Ludd laughed, "I said nothing of the sort"
I stared at Ludd he was a snake and snakes can't be trusted no matter what
"You'd make them your slave," I questioned voicing my opinion
"Rodrik this could save your house" Gywn signed
"I'd consider an alliance" Rodrik nodded
"See what I have to put up with?" Ludd asked his daughter
"Just give him time" she spat back "I told you-"
"I OFFER YOU PEACE and you spit at it?" he asked his tone changing "I offer opportunity and you demand more, I've seen this coming since you refused to kiss my ring…here how its going to go Rodrik either you agree to my terms or I'll have Gryff turn Ironrath to the ground…you'll put it to the gods"
"This isn't the way" Gywn spoke
""Slaughtering your small folk maybe even make you watch" Gryff was full blown his hand on the table veins popping out of his neck as water spat as he spoke.
I stared up looking around they were armed and ready, I didn't like this one bit one false word and it's the red wedding the last thing I need.
"Gryff no longer in charge of Ironrath" Rodrik nodded sitting back in his seat
"What you talking about?" Ludd asked
"His locked in our darkest cellar a long with your entire fucking garrison" Rodrik Spat
"You didn't" Gywn hissed
"You've imprisoned my son" Ludd asked standing to his full height, his belly bouncing as he did "He was there by order of the warden of the north"
"Only one true warden and you betrayed him," I hissed,
"Lillian you are protected but-"
"But tell Bolton go fuck themselves" I spat angrily matching his frown
"How could you Rodrik?" Gywn sign sadness in her tone, I understood it was her brother I'd stand with mine even if they made stupid choice blood is thicker.
"Now its my turn to propose a deal" Rodrik nodded "Your son Gryff for my brother Ryon" Rodrik ordered standing to his full height.
"We want Ryon back and we want him today" Lady Forrester barked
Ludd huffed falling into his seat, his eyes went from mine to Rodrik, to his daughter "Bring the boy" he yelled his head lowered deep in thought.
We all stood looking at the guard who held Ryon shoulder a little aggressively for my likings "Ryon" Lady Forrester yelled out.
"Mother, Rodrik" he smiled with hope in his eyes "I-I thought you'd forgotten about me" he stuttered hurt in his tone.
Ludd stood up "NO" I yelled as I watched a knife get placed to Ryon cheek
"What are you doing?" Rodrik yelled angrily
"You've imprisoned my flesh and blood? Mine?" his anger busted, his guard gripping at their weapons waiting for the call to be made, I swallowed the dry lump in my throat. My hand on the handle of my sword, waiting calculating moves.
"Let him GO" Lady Forrester Pleaded
"He's not going anywhere" Ludd spat venom in his voice
"Listen to her, don't do this!" Gywn yelled looking at her father with desperate eyes.
"I swear by the gods, if you hurt him" Lady Forrester yelled as any mother would.
"My Lady Get Down" Malcolm yelled worried for her.
"You're a fucking Animal," I hissed angrily as I stared at Ludd.
"And your in my Den" Ludd hissed his eyes turning to me
"This is not what we agreed," Gwyn gasped her hands up in surrender.
"Blame him, Not ME!" Ludd hissed,
"If you want to see Gryff alive again-"
"You think I give two shits about Gryff?" Ludd asked "About my fucking fourth born"
I watched Ryon eyes flicker and before I knew Ludd screamed in pain as Ryon dug his teeth into him, stepping forward it was short lived as he was pulled back by his forehead "I ought to kill you right now" Ludd hissed in Ryon ear loudly and angrily "Because you Forresters never learn"
"I'm not afraid of you" Ryon yelled mustering up any courage he could.
"Say the word, My Lord" Malcolm nodded
"Kiss me and we all die" Ludd hissed
"Ryon" Lady Forrester muttered,
"Let him go"
"Please father stop"
"Rodrik help him"
Everyone yelled at once but I couldn't bring myself to speak out of term as I analysed the situation "Fine I'll take your ironwood deal…. If you make the trade" Rodrik signed feeling a little beaten I know he want Gryff in the ground.
I signed raising my hand in surrender "Come on Ludd things don't have to end this way"
"You're lucky I know mercy" Ludd signed throwing Ryon to his feet
"Ryon come here" I whispered kneeling
"NO we'll make the sound on Neutral soil Gryff for Ryon a son for a son" I stood up as a soldier pulled Ryon to his feet, placing a stern grip back on his shoulder.
"Fine" Rodrik muttered
"NOW GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOME and may the gods have mercy on us both when the Bolton come for their ironwood" Ludd hissed "Now go" he signed a little defeated
"Wont be long and when they come I hope that bastard flays you alive" I spat angrily
Ludd nodded Ryon going back behind the cellar "Iron from ICE" he yelled strongly.
Taking a deep breath I waited until Rodrik had left the Den after his mother so I could have his back. I didn't feel safe here my hairs were still up and the tension in the air was thick as black smoke.
Hi Guys,
I've missed you. Sorry it took so long to update been a tad busy but I hope you liked it, leave me a review please tell me your thoughts. Positive or Negative please drop a review. Also if I get 5 reviews I will happily update the next chapter tonight.
Jeanette x.
