In the kitchen of Storm's End
Ser Hillin was quite pleased with his surprise and the Gods know this poor lad needed one. The knight had been quite lucky on this to be honest but still, some improvements had to be made for the surprise to actually happen...
The knight's eyes scrutinised the muddy worn-out clothes of the hungry singer who was trying not to stuff his face with the content of his plate. There was no way to present this man to Gendry and his children in such a state ! He asked to Cara -the serving girl assigned to Yoren- when the Maester would be done with his treatment. Well, apparently he still had time to make his surprise look better.
Yoren was a curious boy, clever and with a good memory. He will love hearing about faraway lands and stories from a bygone past. The knight was sure the singer will do wonders.
While another servant was looking for decent clothes and the singer was taking a bath, Ser Hillin was left alone, so his wandering steps led him right to Yoren's chambers where he met this sour fellow, the Maester, who was about to enter. They spoke quickly of the boy's health, which was getting better, especially thanks to Measter Sam's advices since Maester Brumi took good note of them.
This was surprising to be honest. Storm's End Master was known to be as stubborn as a rock. And his dislike of Yoren was quite well-knowed. Seeing atonishment on the knight's face, the Maester explained.
« Hem, I have to admit the whole affair brings back dark memories, memories I would like to forget... You see Ser Hillin, my own lord father was a violent man, he would beat us -my lady mother and my siblings- on a regular basis. One day, hem, my little sister died because of it. I was not able to save her. So you see, I might not have been enthousiast at Yoren's arrival but the one thing that I can't stand is violence against a child. What Lady Tasha did is beyond what I am able to tolerate. »
Not used to expose himself that much, Maester Brumi shyly entered his patient's rooms, leaving Ser Hillin on his own again.
Loneliness was a good thing he decided a long time ago, it left him time to think and analise things.
For example, it seemed Yoren had a new ally on his side and he will need it...
The political situation in the Storm's Lands is quite explosive right now...
Gods, he would have loved that his friend and former mentor was still here... He really loved to have Davos here with him again, it felt like old times, when they were nothing but smugglers with the cleverness and boldness to make a path into the world.
Lady Tasha's dismissal -even if temporary- had created a deafening silence, the kind of silence that could announce a storm. Many lords could demand the lady's return, after all her family had many allies but would they risk the wrath of the Dawn Bringer ?
This was the boy's best chance Ser Hillin decided, betting of his mother's renown. Anyone sane on the known lands knew better than to risk to displease her. And when she will hear about Lady's Tasha behavior, well... The lady had better to run for her life and hide very far away and never come back. And even if she did that, the knight feared it wouldn't be enough.
Deep in his thoughts, he almost missed the sounds of wispered promises and giggles. With a consummated art, Ser Hillin hid himself as much as possible in the recess of the nearest door. Gossips, finally ! The knight was very fond of them for after all knowledge was power !
But, both to his dispappointment and mirth, Blimau and Privan were the ones who emerged for the corridor, blushing, their clothes crumpled and quite undone... Well, it was about time ! He tried to make a bet about those two with some of the servants but they all said it was theft... Finally something good in the middle of all this darkness. May the Maiden and the Mother look after them.
The two lovers quickly parted ways when they heared frantic steps on the stone floor. Worried about Yoren, Ser Hillin quickly found the panic-struck servant who was wandering into the corridors, looking for help. As soon as the poor's woman's eyes fell on the knight, she ran to him and managed to whisper between her laboured breaths : « The children, the heart-tree... »
Ser Hillin felt his blood running cold in his veins. May the Gods be good, Gendry already has already enough on his plate right now... How would he react if anything else happened ? The knight did not wait for the servant to recover from her rush and ran as fast as he could to the heart-tree.
He quickly became breathless, after all, it has been quite a long time since he had to run ! Damn this work as an advisor ! He became fat, that is the truth ! Yet, he kept running, ignoring the pain pulsing into his side.
The knight still had in mind this terrible moment when he had to restrain Lady Tasha in mind, so when he arrived to his destination, he needed a few seconds to disperse those dark and heavy clouds to estimate the violent brawl before his eyes.
The four others children of Gendry were fihgting each other with violence which was unheard of. Ser Hillin had to run to Davos to take him the thick branch he was using to hit his brother Jon who was trying to protect his face with his forearms. The knight couldn't believe this, sweet and quiet Davos, this dreaming bookworm was currently hurting one of his siblings deliberately !
Then, he grabbed Arya's and Robert's collars to separate them. Well, this made more sense. Robert had always been more conservative and could not stand this sister as unruly as a thunderstorm. And Arya felt tyrannised by her older brother who wanted to shape her into a perfect lady. A conflict had always been hatching between those two.
« -All of you. Be quiet. Davos, explain eveything now. » It was only when Ser Hillin's eyes met the young boy's he noted the tears, he gave a quick glance to the others and Arya's eyes were wet too.
The young lord had to collect himself a bit, anger and sadness were squeezing his throat.
« -Well, Arya had in mind that we -her and I- could share a meal under the heart-tree and pray for Yoren's recovery. And when we arrived here, Robert and Jon were there already. And they were hurting the tree with daggers ! And Robert even said he hoped the Old Gods would leave the place because if the tree died, so would Yoren because that would be what is best for everyone because Mother would come back ! They do not have the right to do and say that ! They had to be stopped ! » At the end of his speech, Davos was screaming top of his lungs, fists clenched.
A heavy weight fell on the knight's shoulders, will the circle of violence ever stop ? Gendry thought he solved eveything by sending his wife away, but he only managed to diminish the danger Yoren was facing.
Ser Hillin tried his very best to bring peace between the two camps, but with little success he feared. Gods be good, what must he do to improve the situation ? Was it even possible at this stage ? The knight felt faint guilt grazing his soul. Was it because he had no children he failed ?
Strong metallic sounds came to the knight's ears, which was quite strange since there was no big work to do in the smithy this week. In the forge, he found his liege Lord, unleashing his rage and powerlesness on some poor defenless iron bar.
Usually, when Gendry forged, the metal sang but not this time. Ser Hillin thought the metal was prostesting at the obvious lack of respect it was enduring.
When he was done destroying his victim, Gendry turned to the entrance of the forge and saw his advisor and friend. Well, if he had to completely honest with himself, the knight had to admit he was pretty hard to miss because of his beloved colorful silks of Lys...
As soon as he saw his friend, the lord's face lost all trace of anger and looked drown in guilt.
« -What are you doing here my Lord ? I mean, you were not working on something right now. Why are you not spending time with your children ? I think it could be very benficial for all of you. »
Gendry's blue eyes spoke before his mouth did.
« -How could I ? I failed all of my children. I have not been able to keep peace under my own roof, in my own family. Because of that failure -my failure- my eldest son is bedridden for Gods konw how long and I had to send my wife away, depriving my other children of their mother. Tell me, friend, how could I even look at them in the eye ? »
The knight felt his heart tighten, Gendry always tried his best for his family, him who never had one before...
« -I tell you what. You go see Robert and Jon first. They really need it, I caught them having a brawl with Arya and Davos because the boys damaged the heart tree. They need you to explain what is going on, it will calm them down. Then, speak to Arya and Davos, they need reassurance, hugs would be perfect I think. And finally, go to Yoren. He needs you more now than ever. This boy lost his mother almost a year ago, I misses her still. » Ser Hillin put his hands on his friend's shoulders, which was not that easy considering Gendry's height.
« -They really did that to the heart tree ? I wish I had spend more time with Robert and Jon, they were my first-borns and back then I had so much to learn to be a true lord and so much work to do. I was rarely with them and I never took the time to really know them. I took for granted their trust because they were of my blood. I was wrong. I mean, even Robert's name is the proof of that. I gave him my father's name because I knew that it was what was expected of me. I did not think about virtues or qualities I wished to give him. »
It is said the eyes are the windows of the soul, if so, Gendry's mind was in a terrible storm, full of murderous waves and striking lightning bolts.
« -You did that, that is true. Can you change the past ? No, you cannot ! No one can ! The only thing you can do is to shape the present. That is why you must go to your children and do what you can. You once told me that Yoren's mother, Arya Stark, was wise. What would she tell you right now ? »
At these words, Gendry's face finally lighted up with a knowing smile.
« -She would tell I am being even more stupid than usual, if it is humanely possible. Then, she would roll her eyes and kick me a few times for good mesure. » Ser Hillin could not help but to laugh and approve of this Stark wisdom.
The lord's face lightened even more when his advisor told him about the singer he found in Rain House. Ser Hillin happily answered the questions Gendry was asking him about the newcomer. When he leaved the forge, his lord seemed in a lighter mood, mumbling something about calling on the cabinetmaker...
Ser Hillin was feeling great like when you do when you fulfil your duty. Today, he tried to bring peace between siblings, he witnessed a blooming love and he helped his dear friend and lord. This was really one on those days that made you realise the Gods really have a plan for all of us, that each one of us has a part to play in their great plan.
The knight went back to the kitchen where the singer was waiting for him, washed and fed and dressed. Judging by the color of his skin and his accent, the man came from Dorne. What was he doing in the Stormlands ? At this question, the singer answered.
« -My name as Adas. I am indeed from Dorne even if I lived in King's Landing for several years. The Dragon Queen burned my wife and children. Ever since, I wander through Westeros, unable to settle down because of the ghosts of my past. »
The advisor had a sad smile, even now, after everything this poor soul went through, you could still hear honey and flowers on his words.
Ser Hillin guided Adas to Yoren's room, introducing this traveling singer to this once travelling boy who was living there, currently bedridden to his great despair.
The knight had a good feeling about this as he made his way to the Sept, determined to burn a candle and pray to each deity, yes even the Stranger ! Human life is always so short and you never know when he will come to fetch you...