AN: Hey everybody thank you for the reviews as always. If I didn't get back to a specific question, I either missed it (which I apologize for) or it will be answered sometime in the future.
Alucard: At this time Varys is still a spymaster in Pentos, he doesn't come to Westeros until later in the Mad King' reign
coldblue: For all of these questions, you're just going to have to wait and see :)
Dartboard: Lily and Reynard don't hate Tywin, though they don't like him either. Reynard largely blames his brother and sister. Plus, he is far more concerned with keeping his family safe than any sort of vengeance.
Disclaimer: I own neither Harry Potter nor A Song of Ice and Fire, they are the property of J.K Rowling and George R.R. Martin respectively. No profit is being made from this work.
Lily looked down upon the fighting yard from atop the Palestone Sword; she need only walk to the other side of the room to view the vast expanse of the sea around Starfall. She found it hard to believe seven years had passed since she and her family were forced to leave their home for fear of what might happen should their survival have been discovered. They had only been in Dorne for six months and their road to the southernmost kingdom hadn't been an easy one.
They had been forced to find their way out of the Westerlands without use of any of the main roads. There were few in the kingdom that wouldn't recognize Reynard's face and immediately jump at the opportunity to win favor with Tywin. So they made their way through the hills of the West, almost entirely on foot to keep from notice among the small folk. The only purchase they made was when Lily went into a small town and paid three stags for a hunting bow and quiver full of arrows. The acquisition would prove to be invaluable to their well-being over the years.
They took refuge in the ruins of Tarbeck Hall for nearly three months, as game in the forest just south of there was plentiful enough to survive on easily. They avoided anyone headed to Lannisport to the north and the Crakehall men to the south. Reynard searched the ruins of the broken down castle stone by stone until he found the body of his younger sister, her two daughters and her son.
Lily would always remember the way he looked at her that day. There was a sorrow in his eyes, born not of grief for the woman Ellyn became, but for the little girl she once was as he told her, "I have no love lost for my sister but she was my blood… she deserves a proper burial," He had looked to his nieces' and nephew's crushed and bloodied bodies, "They fell victim to their mother's machinations, just as we nearly did to my brother's. I will not allow their bodies to rot in this place." She had helped him dig their graves that night while the other tended to Harry.
They were forced to leave Tarbeck when three men from Crakehall came to search the ruins. They heard Harry as Lily was playing with him and came to investigate. Lily wasn't the average southern lady and carried a knife on her person at all times. She stabbed one of the men in the throat before another knocked her to the ground. Her pained yell caused Harry to begin crying. They were fortunate enough that Reynard was nearby and arrived to dispense the other two Crakehall men. There was something strange in that though. I'll never understand why the one who struck me seemed to stumble back against nothing.
They left Tarbeck the next morning so they would be well away before the Crakehall's sent other's to search out their missing men.
From Tarbeck they made their way further south into the Reach. They stayed for a time at a tavern near Old Oak, making use of the gold Reynard had to stay there comfortable for over two months. Reynard had never had any acquaintance with the Oakhearts so hadn't been concerned with the prospect of being discovered there.
It was while in Old Oak that they learned of Tywin's appointment as Hand of the King to the recently ascended King Aerys II. It was that news that caused them to argue persistently for nearly two months over where they ought to go from Old Oak. They didn't have the coin to remain in Old Oak indefinitely and neither of the pair was comfortable being so close to the Westerlands for long. Lily wanted to go to Highgarden so they might speak with Olenna Tyrell.
Lily met the older woman at one of the Tourney's held at Lannisport prior to the Reyne Rebellion. The two had developed a friendship, something Lily was unable to do with many of the other noblewoman as they looked down upon her low birth. Olenna while haughty at times and highly opinionated, had no qualms about talking with Lily at the tourney or the feast that followed. And it was in those conversations that the daughter of a blacksmith came to impress the Lady of Highgarden.
While Lily wanted to go to Highgarden and at the very least gain her highly intelligent friend's opinion on the matter, Reynard thought it best to travel to Oldtown and find a boat headed to Essos. It hadn't been a pleasant time in their marriage. She could still remember the worst of the arguments vividly.
"You are the daughter of a blacksmith Lily!" Reynard screamed at her in their small room of the Golden Acorn Inn just outside of Old Oak, forgetting their sleeping son nearby, "And as such you clearly don't understand how our arrival in Highgarden would be received. She will see our presence as nothing more than opportunity to benefit House Tyrell."
Lily scowled at her husband, "I may be the daughter of a blacksmith," she spat back, "but I am far from naïve." She kept her voice far quieter than her husband's but that didn't take away from the anger behind the words. "I don't trust easily, but the woman is shrewd and someone whose counsel I think would benefit us greatly."
"Exactly," Reynard gesticulated with his hands violently, "She is an extremely shrewd woman and she is far more likely to sell us out to Tywin than to help a family bereft of influence, lands or anything of any discernable value." His voice quieted significantly, "What would she have to gain from helping us instead of running to Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King and future Warden of the West?"
Lily shook her head, "Olenna has no love for the Lannisters, Rey. She as much as told me so at the Tourney when I met her. Nor does she care for the Targaryens for that matter; she did do everything in her power to insure her wedding to Daeron Targaryen didn't happen after all."
"I still believe she would sell us to the Lannisters in a heartbeat if it meant her family would prosper." He sighed, "And I refuse to put our son in that sort of danger."
Lily stared at him blankly for a long moment, "Then don't, I will go into Highgarden disguised to the best of my abilities and speak with Olenna myself. You can hide with Harry inside the city."
"I don't want you in that sort of danger either," The exasperation was clear in his tone, "The Seven help me woman, has all sense left your head!?"
Lily glared at him, "As you said Reynard," The last time she had addressed him with such disdain was upon their first meeting, "I am only the daughter of a blacksmith, of no real importance to Olenna and certainly of no importance to Tywin."
"You refuse to see reason in this don't you?" His own anger started to bubble to the surface again.
"I am being perfectly reasonable. This plan will put neither you nor Harry in danger." She turned away from him thinking the conversation over but his next statement pulled her back.
"Perhaps I ought to take Harry and go to Essos while you attend to this fool's errand. Should Olenna prove remotely trustworthy as you believe, you can join us there when you have found her unable to provide you with anything but false promises." His voice held a small threat in it.
As she turned, Lily's emerald eyes held no warmth and her lips were a thin line, "You will do no such thing." Her voice was firm and hard, "He is my son Lord Reyne," his title dripped with venom, "just as he is yours, and he will not be taken from me." Reynard seemed to realize just how much what he said had hurt her and his face fell. He averted his eyes from her hard gaze and nodded his head sheepishly. He didn't sleep in her bed that night, nor the night after. They barely spoke in the three days before they departed for Highgarden still upon foot for the time being, not wanting to waste coin on horses at the time.
It took them six weeks to reach Highgarden, during which time she and Reynard started working past their disagreement; though, he still wasn't fully comfortable with what she wished to do. There were no major towns between Old Oak and Highgarden along the Ocean Road. As a result, they spent many nights sleeping in the hedges.
In one of the small villages along the road they learned there was a small group of bandits harassing travelers along the road. Reynard convinced her it would be worth his time to dispatch 'the bastards'. The group was comprised of only five men, none of which were particularly impressive in regards to fighting, preying only on the unsuspecting. They holed themselves in a cave along the coast near the Ocean Road. Reynard killed them all, gathered the coin they acquired in their unlawful endeavors and most importantly took two of their horses so they might travel faster.
When they arrived in Highgarden, they paid for a room in the city. It was owned by a kind old woman named Lynore, who gave them a good rate because they were a young couple with a baby. It was at that point that Lily's plan went into play. She knew that it would be unwise to simply try and walk into Highgarden, and try to get a meeting with Olenna. Not that it would have been particularly easy to get an audience with her to begin with, but still.
Instead Lily took up a position as a serving wench in Highgarden. It was fortuitous that there was a position open at the time. She felt dirty when she used her womanly wiles to convince the maester of the castle she was the best candidate for the position. It didn't require her to do anything of a particularly unsavory nature, but I did give the man quite the view down my dress by leaning just a little bit more than was perfectly necessary when speaking with him. She told Reynard expecting him to be upset with her but he had merely laughed and said quite happily, "I imagine it was one of the best moments of the man's life." She was happy to know their disagreement was entirely behind them at that point and that he trusted her to do the right thing. As well he should, I would never do anything to dishonor him or myself for that matter.
It took over a month before an opportunity to approach Olenna provided itself. Over that time, Lily consciously did what she could to ensure she wasn't noticed by the men of Highgarden. She knew she was a beautiful young woman; otherwise, she wouldn't have caught the eye of a young lord. Of course there is much more to me than my looks, something that Reynard came to appreciate rather quickly. She made herself look as plain as she possibly could in order to avoid any advances from the nobleman, particularly Garth 'the Gross' Tyrell who the other serving girls warned her would likely try to take advantage of his position given the opportunity.
When it finally happened Lily was instructed to deliver an afternoon meal to Olenna's private quarters. Bethany, a plump woman of sixty years, with grey hair and lines upon her face oversaw the many serving girls of Highgarden. She had turned to Lily and instructed her sternly, "The Lady Olenna requested her afternoon meal be brought to her in her solar. She isn't particularly fond of any bumbling about, so do your best not to irritate her."
Lily just nodded and collected a tray with sweet meats, various fruits, lemon cakes, and honeyed wine. While she had never been to Olenna's personal quarters before that moment, she knew where they were and quickly found the door. She knocked firmly and was answered with the call of 'Enter' on the other side.
She did so quickly to find Olenna sitting in the room with three of her attendants nearby. Olenna was a pretty woman, though small in stature. Her hair was a light brown, and she had deep brown eyes. She was neither thin nor plump an achievement considering she had given birth to three children in just six years.
The room itself smelled of flowers most distinct of which was a rose, a common occurrence in Highgarden. Well I suppose it was better that it smelled of flowers when they say the capital smells almost constantly of shit. As Lily entered said room the ladies talk carried over to her, "It amazes me that Garth hasn't fathered a dozen bastards by now. The man might be the image of corpulence but he has certainly stuck his cock in enough unfortunate common girls."
Her attendants tittered as they knit in what Lilly considered a truly obnoxious manner; if the slight scowl that crossed her face was any indication, Olenna agreed. It was at this point Lily stepped forward and placed the meal upon the table. The older woman looked at her absently at first but her head snapped up to regard her more carefully as she reached for a strawberry, "What is your name girl?" Olenna asked calmly though with a spark of recognition in her gaze.
"Lily, milady." She responded with a quick look into Olenna's eyes. If she was surprised she didn't show it. Instead she looked to the other women in the room.
"I would like to dine alone," Olenna said firmly. The other women quickly stood, collected the various things they were knitting, and left the room. The entire time Olenna regarded Lily through suspicious eyes, "Tell me are these strawberries freshly picked?"
Lily nodded just as the door closed behind the last woman, "Yes milady, they were picked just this morning as far as I know."
"You can stop pretending now dear," Olenna gestured to the chair across from her, "we both know you are far from a common serving girl and speaking as such must offend your tongue."
Lily smirked at the woman's candor, "Very well Lady Olenna, it is good to see you once again."
"I would say the same," Olenna offered her a lemon cake, which she took with a small nod, "but it is rare that one sees someone come back from the dead. I would have thought you but a pale imitation of the woman I once knew but there is no one on this earth I have yet met with eyes such as yours."
"My survival and that of my family was… unexpected. We should have died with everyone else in Castemere but by some miracle we managed to survive." Lily was reluctant to speak of the exact circumstances of their escape.
"Miracle you say?" Lily nodded, "And you won't divulge any more than that to me?" She shook her head slowly.
"It was quite a trying experience and something that I don't remotely understand. Were I to tell you, you would likely think me mad." There was a finality in her tone that Olenna clearly picked up on.
"I shan't press you then," she took a sip of the honeyed wine in front of her, her elegant fingers playing across the rim of the goblet as she eyed Lily, "I must wonder why you are working as a serving girl in Highgarden though?"
"I wished to discuss my current situation, and that of my family, with you. It seemed the safest way to get the opportunity." Lily admitted readily.
Olenna sighed, "I like you Lily, respect you even considering your intelligence, despite your low birth," Unlike many nobles, Olenna did not say it disdainfully but as a simple fact, "but I am saddened to tell you that I can not help you. Tywin Lannister is a powerful and feared man; should House Tyrell help you and he learn of it, it could very well spell doom for us." She gave Lily a sympathetic look, "I will not hand you over to the man, but I am far from willing to risk men of the Reach in the name of House Reyne."
Lily raised her hand, "You misunderstand me Olenna. I don't expect House Tyrell to openly offer us sanctuary nor side with us against Tywin. I love Reynard but what House Reyne did was foolish and they suffered accordingly." Olenna gestured for her to continue, "You are one of the most intelligent women I know, I simply hoped you might offer some advice about how we might best live our lives without constantly needing to look over our shoulders for a threat."
"I appreciate the complement Lily, yet I have met few noblewomen half so wise for their years as you. I would think you perfectly capable of thinking up some way for your family to remain safe."
Lily chuckled, "I have plenty of ideas Olenna, but no inclination which would be the best. Reynard wishes to board a ship and sail to Essos but I am reluctant to leave my homeland."
Olenna shrugged, "Your husband's plan is not a bad one; he never did strike me as particularly oafish… so that really doesn't surprise me." They shared a brief smile before she continued, "You may be reluctant to cross the Narrow Sea but you are already far from your home. Reynard could easily find work as a sellsword and allow you to live comfortably as such." She paused a moment, "Still I see your point, I am quite far from the Arbor yet I would still much rather remain in the Kingdoms than flee to the Free Cities were I in your situation."
"Then what would you recommend?" Lily took a sip of wine herself and leaned forward in her seat.
"Do you have any issue with your current situation?" She prompted.
"None at all," Lily popped a grape into her mouth as Olenna continued to think. While Lily might not care for being a serving wench, it made her enough money to ensure that their family remained safe with a roof over their heads and Highgarden was a pleasant enough place to live.
"And Reynard has he found any sort of work in the city?" At this Lily responded with a negative. Reynard had spent the month since their arrival attending to Harry most days. He was restless being cooped up in their small home all day. "Hmmm, we will fix that straight away then. Right after we do something to change his appearance."
"You think we ought to remain in Highgarden then?" Lily asked quickly.
"For a time at least, yes," Olenna started, "It would be unwise for you to stay here too long lest Tywin learn of it but there is no reason as of now to leave here. And as it shall be only me that is involved, House Tyrell shall not be put at risk." She seemed pleased with this turn of events.
Olenna set her goblet down, "My good-brother, Moryn, is currently serving as commander of Highgarden's City Watch; I will arrange for Reynard to take up a position among their ranks." She graced Lily with a small smile, "He will do so at nights of course so someone can remain with your young Harrion during the day."
Lily smiled graciously before it fell from her face, "How long do you think we might remain here before having to move on?"
"Lily, while you should have a plan for such an eventuality you cannot worry yourself about such things or you will go mad. It could be a month, a year, or a decade." Olenna stood and Lily did the same, "I must admit I shall be glad for your company however long it happens to be," she snorted in a very unladylike fashion, "Did you hear the way those women tittered at what was merely a simple fact." They ate the afternoon meal together speaking of their lives since last they met before Lily left to attend to her duties.
Lily surprised Reynard that night with the news. She forced herself to resist the urge to point out just how wrong he had been about Olenna. They celebrated accordingly that night, and the next morning Reynard dyed his hair light blond which served to lighten his eye color further to the point of looking almost grey. While anyone who knew him well might still recognize him, no one in Highgarden was likely to.
So it was by that way that they came to spend the next four years in Highgarden, Lily as serving wench in the castle and Reynard as a member of the City Watch. Lily benefitted from her friendship with Olenna as she was allowed to peruse the library of Highgarden when she had the opportunity, something she very much enjoyed. Meanwhile, Reynard enjoyed getting to actually use his sword on occasion when something unseemly would happen in the city.
Lily watched as Olenna's children grew in the castle, while Harry grew in their little home. Mace, Olenna's oldest seemed quite a self-important young man. At the age of ten he was sent to squire with the Hightowers in Oldtown. Olenna admitted to Lily she would much prefer he remain at Highgarden so she might have the opportunity to slap some of the pomposity from his young head. Olenna's two daughters, Janna and Mina, were both sweet young things who always commented how much they loved Lily's vivid red hair when they saw her.
While the Tyrell children were doted upon hand and foot, Harry remained at home most days either with Reynard or with the old woman who owned their home. She adored children and would watch them for her tenants should something else require their attention.
From everything Lily observed of her son, he was a perfectly happy child who got along well with the other small children near their home. Though, during this time there was more than one story provided to her by Lynore of strange occurrences taking place. There was one instance when Harry was three when he wished to play with a small carved horse that one of the other children had with them. The old woman turned her back for but a moment when suddenly it was in Harry's tiny grip on the other side of the room. It appeared as though he had never moved a muscle. Then there was the event when he was four when a tray of tarts Lynore bought from the baker for the children went missing. When the children were questioned about this they claimed that Harry had somehow obtained them and given them to each of the children. The only problem was it should have been impossible for him to reach the treats.
For a time, Reynard and Lilly thought they would be adding to their family as she fell pregnant after their first six months in the city… but Lily lost the child. The thought of it still turned her stomach. All that blood. For months afterward Lily cried herself to sleep, holding Harry close to her chest to remind her how blessed she still was not only to be alive but have her son. Reynard would stay up with her through her tears and her sobs, and the whole ordeal served to bring them closer together in the end. When Olenna had her maester examine her after the loss, he feared the miscarriage damaged her body and that she may not be able to carry another child safely again.
Still they pushed through and came to be contented with their life in Highgarden as they loved one another deeply. When finally they were forced to depart Highgarden it wasn't for fear of Tywin's shadow, it was instead the actions of Garth Tyrell. The castellan of the castle took a keen interest in Lily six months before their departure. He would corner her in the halls whenever the opportunity presented itself and she was forced to weather his advances while firmly informing him she was happily married and had no intention of betraying her husband. She expected the odious, and oft times flatulent, man to leave her and her family alone, but her expectations proved incorrect.
He instead found out about Reynard and where he worked through his brother Moryn. He somehow coerced his younger brother to give Reynard a particularly dangerous assignment. He was to root a gang of notorious cutpurses in the city. This usually wouldn't be overly difficult had the entire watch been put to the task, but he was to do this by himself.
Her husband embraced the challenge and three months later many of the people who were a part of the gang were in the dungeons of Highgarden. Then one night Reynard didn't come home leaving her terribly worried. I didn't sleep a single moment that night.
Apparently the group learned that it was one particular guard jailing their members and did their damnedest to see him removed as an obstacle. They stabbed him three times: once in the leg, another in the shoulder, and the last in the back dangerously close to his spine. Lily barely slept for a month because of the worry his condition caused her; the only thing that gave her any relief was Olenna commanding the maester to tend to his injuries.
With Reynard's injuries came even more unwelcome advances from Garth. He tried to convince her to leave Reynard in favor of him, for he could give her a life of wealth and luxury. She refused his advances firmly and frequently at which point he threatened her position within the castle. Lily refused to be brow beaten and immediately went to Olenna with the issue. The Lady of Highgarden ensured her that she would look into the situation and do what she could to deal with her good-brother's behavior.
What came of her looking into Garth's actions wasn't what Lily hoped. It was two months after the attack when the pair was once more sitting in Olenna's solar. The look on Olenna's face was grim and certainly didn't inspire any sort of confidence in Lily. As well it shouldn't have considering what followed.
They sipped on tea, something which Lily personally preferred over wine, when Olenna spoke, "Garth somehow convinced Moryn to give Reynard his last assignment with the express purpose of seeing him injured. From what I can tell, he even relayed the information of who was capturing their number to the gang so they might deal with the situation."
Lily face scrunched in revulsion at such a heinous act, "Surely I might explore some form of recourse."
"You could, but he is the castellan of Highgarden and has my husband's ear," Olenna gave a pained look, "I am highly fond of you Lily but I think it might best for you to leave the city with as much haste as you can manage once Reynard has fully healed. Garth will only continue to press the issue until you are either a pauper on the streets or until there is nothing left for you to do but give into his demands." She paused and said more as an afterthought, "Or you could attempt to remove him as an issue."
Lily didn't immediately dismiss the idea. After all, she was a serving girl perfectly capable of slipping some deadly concoction into Garth's drink should it so please her.
Olenna seemingly read her thoughts, "Should you manage to kill him, I wouldn't speak a word of your possible guilt. But there are others who know of his fascination with you and would turn their gazes upon you as the culprit. Moryn in particular would seek you out first and foremost. "
Lily sat in silent contemplation for what seemed an eternity, staring into nothing as she realized there was only one path to be taken, "I suppose I shall be leaving Highgarden then, though for where I cannot say."
"I shall provide you with some dragons regardless of where you decide to venture." She popped a fig into her mouth and hummed to herself, "In his current state, Reynard would be no use as a sellsword, so I would advise against journeying to Essos for the time being."
Lily nodded absently, "I was thinking perhaps Oldtown for a time," the truth was she had a desire to read some of the books held in the Citadel in hopes she might learn something with regards to her ever growing suspicions about Harry.
Olenna furrowed her brow, "I do not recall Reynard being well liked by the Hightowers, but I suppose you might be able to hide well in such a highly populous city."
"I hoped to read a few books in the library at the Citadel if I could," began Lily but she was cut off abruptly by Olenna.
"Pompous pricks they are, the maesters of the Citadel allow only men to peruse their many volumes." A disgruntled look crossed Lily's face that brought a small smile to Olenna's face. "Though a woman such as yourself might find a way to secret yourself in for a time."
"I shall consider it at the least." Lily returned the small commiserating smile.
Olenna popped another fig into her mouth, "If I recall correctly, your husband has at least one friend among the Dornish whom he might turn to."
"We considered that but Reynard decided against it given the Dayne's former association with the crown, and the crown's recent relation with the Lannisters." Lily explained.
Olenna scoffed, "Maekar might have married Dyanna Dayne but she is very much a distant relation to the current lord." She tapped her chin lightly, "Lord Ulric is good friends with your husband and fought beside him during the War of the Ninepenny Kings The man is honorable and wouldn't easily abandon the bond of friendship."
Lily nodded slowly, "You would be correct Olenna, which is much of the reason Reynard decided against traveling to Starfall. He did not wish to put his friend or his friend's family at risk."
"I notice you didn't have the same concern when thinking of me," Olenna teased though she seemed to understand the sentiment, "It is food for thought if nothing else. Though the Dornish have closer ties to the rest of the kingdom now than they ever did, they are still far enough removed from most things that you might well be safe there."
"We will survive well enough whatever path we decide to take." Lily said resolutely.
Olenna smiled reassuringly, "Of that I have no doubt."
A month later, Reynard healed sufficiently enough of his injuries that they could travel. He informed the city guard while Lily informed the maester of their departure. The older man gave her a sympathetic nod that day, clearly knowing more than most of the situation with Garth. They left the city early the next morning, the chill that sat in the air had made Lily glad they were heading south. I was never particularly fond of winter and it didn't bite quite as deep in the Reach.
They had with them two horses and every gold and silver they could muster, including a small bag of dragons provided by Olenna as promised. Lily and the Lady of Highgarden shared a fond farewell her last day working in the castle. Lily very much doubted she would see her friend again anytime in the near future.
It was only once they were days from Highgarden that Lily told Reynard the full story of why she decided they should leave the city. When he heard of Garth's continued advances toward her and that he deliberately tried to see Reynard dead, he made to turn his horse around, ride back to the castle, and challenge the 'flatulent bastard' to an honor duel.
Lily calmed him by pointing out that in order to demand such a thing he would need to reveal his noble lineage thereby putting himself, Lily, Harrion and even Olenna at risk. He relented under her emerald gaze and even chuckled when she told him of one instance where she went so far as kneeing the man in the bollocks when he was drunk and tried groping her. I imagine he didn't remember that particular encounter otherwise I would have faced some sort of reprisal.
Their journey down the Roseroad to Oldtown was blessedly quiet in nature. The path from Highgarden to Oldtown was well frequented and as a result, often left alone by bandits. Oldtown was beautiful in an entirely different way than Highgarden. The Hightower with its flaming top could be seen from miles off.
Upon entering the city, one was inundated with the sounds of people plying their trades along the cobbled stone roads, which were crisscrossed by rivers and canals. There were shops and taverns along every ally and winding path. The port was filled with ships from every major city of both Essos and Westeros. Music was performed by traveling bards on one side of the city square while mummers performed on the opposite side. Great stone mansions were a common sight as they trotted their horses through the city in search of somewhere they might find some sort of accommodations.
Their new landlord as it were was far less pleasant then Lynore. The room was smaller and poorly kept yet they were paying a copper a week more. The man, Clement, leered at Lily in an exceptionally unpleasant manner and only stopped when Reynard's hand went to his sword. When they were finally settled within their room, Reynard broached a subject she had feared for the three weeks it took them to reach the city.
"So… why exactly Oldtown?" He asked almost hesitantly, understandable considering how they had argued over their destination in the past, "I will admit at first I hoped you had changed your mind and decided journeying to Essos would be best but given you have paid up through three months already I can only assume I was wrong."
Lily smiled slyly, "Yes you would be wrong Rey," she gave him a light kiss, "I have no intention of journeying to Essos unless all other options are exhausted."
"Understood…" He let the word hang in the air as he awaited her explanation.
"I chose Oldtown because it is a large city and easy to keep a low profile in," she paused before mumbling, "I also would like to enter the Citadel."
Reynard stared at her incredulously for a long moment before he burst out in laughter, "Are you telling me you decided we ought to come to Oldtown, a city where I actually might be recognized should I come across one of the Hightowers, all because of your fascination with books?"
Lily slapped him as she guffawed, "I actually have a purpose behind the desire, not just simply because I love books." Her tone held no jest.
"And what purpose would that be?" Reynard asked with a raised eyebrow, no longer laughing and instead clearly concerned.
"Surely you have noticed as well as I have that strange things happen around Harry?" Reynard nodded minutely, "Well I would very much like to see if I might learn if there is anything behind it. I want proof it isn't mere paranoia on my part; the Citadel is my best hope of learning of such things."
"Lily they don't allow nonmembers, let alone women, into the Citadel library. They have always kept their secrets well." He rubbed his temples with a sigh, "How do you intend to make your way into their library?"
"I shall secret myself in during the night. I would ask you to do it but their second sons from multiple houses you have met over the years among the order; I would not risk them discovering you." Lily knew he wouldn't be happy with her decision.
Sure enough he sighed tiredly, "Lily, you really need to think of yourself as much as you do me."
"I do Rey, really I do," she gently caressed his cheek, "but I must also think of Harry." It was at that moment that their six year old son burst through the door with a pail of water in his hands.
"Mum, Dad, I met some other kids while I was getting the water." Both Reynard and Lily smiled at him.
"That is wonderful dear." The pair listened as he rambled on about the three boys and two girls he met. While Harry had friends in Highgarden, he couldn't tell them who he really was, or who his parents really were. As a result, he wasn't particularly attached to any of them the way he was his parents. There had been no teary goodbyes for him when he left the place, just a surprising level of maturity in the situation. Neither had any doubt it would be much the same with the children of Oldtown.
Over the next fifteen months winter set in and the family made do the best they could in Oldtown. Lily took a job as a washerwoman near the Citadel so she might learn the best way to enter the complex. Meanwhile, Reynard couldn't join the city guard as he had in Highgarden as the Hightowers were better acquainted with his appearance than the Tyrells. Instead, he worked as a dock hand. Admittedly his upbringing didn't lend itself to being particularly good at the task and he was reamed near constantly for the first month but he grew to be adequate at the very least. Harry spent a great deal of his time outside the house, sometimes going with his mother, but oft times playing with the other children. He seemed supremely uncomfortable in the confined space of their residence. He even woke up whimpering or even screaming in a cold sweat on occasion, after which Lily was always quick to comfort him. Neither Reynard nor Lily understood what caused these nightmares and Harry refused to speak of it.
It was three months after their arrival there that Lily first entered the Citadel. She wore a cloak over her shoulders with the hood up. In her observations, she learned there was an entrance along the western side of the complex that was all but hidden and used only as a means by acolytes and novices to have a fun night in the city.
Once inside, she found the library easily enough as it was the largest building and that night she removed three books on the subject of various types of magic. She read them over the course of a week and then returned them from whence they came. This trend continued for a year, over which time she read books pertaining to alchemy, necromancy, shadowbinding, the elemental control of the red priests, and even speculations on the nature of blood magic performed by the Valyrians. Yet despite all that knowledge, none of it seemed to pertain to what I think Harry is capable of.
And over that time strange occurrences continued around Harry, the most prominent of which being when he saved one of the other young children from being trampled by a horse. At face value this seemed innocuous enough as Harry was prone to helping others given the chance but, the other children claimed Harry pushed the girl, Alyse, out of the way but he did so from nearly twenty feet away. By all rights the girl should have been dead but something forced her out of the way rather violently. When Lily asked Harry about it, he insisted he didn't understand what happened and given her son's demeanor she believed him.
Unlike their departure from Highgarden, their exit from Oldtown was far from planned out. She had burst through the door at a run late into the night, awakening both Reynard and Harry who looked to her concerned.
"We need to leave… now." She said between heaves of breath. Reynard stood quickly, at her side in an instant.
"What happened?"
Lily stopped her bustling and looked down sheepishly, "I may have been caught while leaving the Citadel by one of the maesters, who then called one of the city guards. They found three books on my person, which I promptly used to knock them both out." Reynard looked at her stunned, "Of course, this was only after they saw my face." Oldtown did not take well to those who attempted to steal from the Citadel.
Reynard stared at her dumbfounded for a long moment, "Right, we should go… quickly… very quickly." Harry nodded from beside his father seriously, which only caused Lily to laugh and some of the tension to leave her body.
"Where do you think we should go Reynard?" Lily asked quietly as they quickly packed their few things.
Reynard stopped and looked at her for a long moment before turning back to the work at hand, "We will go to Starfall, I will request aid from Ulric and should he give it we might remain there for a time." He looked at her again, "But should he refuse we will go to Essos." Her face pinched up slightly to which he merely shook his head, "I am more than healthy since my ordeal in Highgarden, I could make a fine living for us as a sellsword and you might be able to find work that actually befits your intelligence and talents."
"And you might die as a sellsword, leaving me alone in this world save Harry with no hope of returning to my home." A tear fell down her pale cheek. Reynard quickly reached up and wiped it with the pad of his thumb.
"You said we would exhaust all options before venturing to Essos," Reynard soothed, "I have agreed with that much, but the Daynes are our last option. We both tire of hiding, at least in Essos we wouldn't have to do that any longer." She nodded her understanding as they made their way out of the tiny room. Lily noticed a look of relief cross Harry's face as they exited the small room for the last time. She knew he disliked the place but not so much to actually be gladdened at leaving it.
They hurried to the city gates on horseback, all the while Lily regretted she didn't have the opportunity to tell the woman for whom she worked of her departure. As they drew closer they could only hope that the maester and guard had yet to waken and warn others of her appearance and possible escape. They had some small bit of luck that night as the guards had yet to be alerted of any possible trouble and they cantered through the gates without a second glance.
There was no great road from Oldtown to Starfall, instead they made their way along muddy paths and through the rocky terrain of Dorne's western side before reaching Starfall. Even as far south as they were, the winter nights were still cold. More than once they huddled together as a family to keep warm. Game was less numerous in that area of the Reach and Dorne, so oft times they would have to make due on one kill for weeks. I still thank the gods I thought to hold onto that bow even after our stay in Highgarden.
Starfall sat along the Torrentine, it dominated the landscape from its place upon a hill. The sea could be seen to the south and the river to the north. There was a small town along the slope of the hill along the bank of the river.
The castle itself had pure white walls. Its towers were capped with golden conical spires upon which the sigil of House Dayne blew softly in the breeze. The windows were stained a vivid purple, and there was a cobbled road that led up to the castle's gates. The gates themselves were massive blackwood doors stripped with iron that stayed open to the small folk of the area should they have a grievance to discuss with Lord Dayne.
They entered to find that Lord Ulric was currently hearing said grievances, his eldest son Arlan sat at his side. The Lord of Starfall was a tall, thin man of some fifty years, with dark hair that had begun to grey and indigo eyes. His face was cleanly shaven and he had a scar across his left brow that he received on the Stepstones during the War of the Ninepenny Kings; though, it did nothing to detract from his still handsome features.
The small folk's issues were simple things: need for a stonemason to fix a small granary nearby, a missing group of chickens, and a shipwright needed to fix one of the skiffs along the river. Reynard and Lily stood to the side with Harry just in front of them, and stayed for the most part out of sight. When they stepped in front of Lord Ulric, the man looked over Reynard's form for what felt like an eternity before he stood from his chair and looked him squarely in the eye. Arlan seemed concerned by his father's reaction but remained seated.
It was another long moment as Ulric simply stood locked in a staring contest with Reynard before he embraced his old friend fiercely and with a beaming smile, "How in the seven hells are you alive?" Lily only heard the question because she was standing just next her husband.
Reynard hugged his friend just as firmly before pulling away, "It is a very long story, one which you probably won't entirely believe… one I don't entirely believe myself most days." Reynard said the last more to himself than Ulric.
"One I would gladly hear my friend," Ulric gestured to his son, "I believe you remember Arlan." Reynard nodded at the heir of Starfall, who now had a look of recognition upon his face. "I am sure Arthur is in the yard practicing, while Ashara is probably with her mother."
Reynard smiled, "My wife Lily," He gestured to her, "and my son Harrion."
Ulric gave them both kind smiles, "How good to meet you. I remember quite well when Reynard sent me a raven telling me both of his wedding," he kissed Lily's hand, "and his son's birth." He ruffled Harry's hair kindly. He straightened and gestured to the doorman who immediately made to shut them. "Though your descriptions do not do your wife's beauty justice." Ulric laughed cheerfully at the slightly disgruntled look that crossed Reynard's face, "You will join us for dinner, and you might tell me why you have come." He gave Reynard a small smile, "though I think I can guess at it easily enough."
That night the entire Reyne family took clean, warm baths for the first time in over a month. They were given fresh clothes by some of the servants in the castle and Lily was provided a dress personally by Ulric's lady wife, Larra formerly of the House Velaryon. She was younger than her husband by some twenty years. She had violet eyes and hair of spun silver, common of those with Valyrian ancestry. She was tall for a woman, with gentle yet noticeable curves. Most important in Lily's opinion though was her kind smile.
The dress Larra provided was red silk, sleeveless, and showed a modest amount of her cleavage while hugging her hips tightly. Even in her time as a member of the wealthy House Reyne, she rarely wore such extravagant things. "Ulric told me you had beautiful red hair, like fire even." She smiled as she handed Lily the dress, "I thought you might like to wear this as it would suit you well." She accepted graciously though refused the offer of servants to help her dress. Lily had long since been accustomed to doing things for herself.
That night they feasted on roasted duck spiced with Dornish spices far hotter than anything she was accustomed to, she drank more than a little of the Arbor Gold on the table to cool her flaming mouth. There were leaks and potatoes seasoned with garlic and butter that tasted fantastic. For dessert there were apple tarts.
This was also the first time she had the opportunity to meet Ulric and Larra's younger children. Arthur was a boy of two and ten, with his father's eyes and facial structure but his mother's silver blonde hair. He was tall for his age and lean. He was incredibly courteous whenever spoken to, and showed a great deal of modesty when the topic of his skill with a blade came up.
Ashara was a little girl of seven; she had her mother's violet eyes and her father's dark hair. Her cheekbones were that of regal aristocracy while she had slim button nose. She used her pouty lips to her advantage by turning them on her father, who allowed her another sweet. She was shy around the adults being unaccustomed to company in their halls, but she was sure to mind her manners. She sat next to Harry where, over the course of the meal, they talked more readily with one another. More than once she heard them sharing stories of their childhood, and it was in those moments she could see the sort of child that Ashara Dayne really was, a little lady with more than a little mischievousness in her bones.
They had a pleasant meal, the most pleasant since their time in Highgarden and probably since they still lived in Castamere. When it was over Ulric dismissed his younger children who both took Harry to tour the castle. When they left the room Ulric addressed Reynard, "So we have dined on great food and had pleasant conversation, now I would like to hear an interesting story my old friend."
Reynard took a sip of the wine in front of him before turning to Ulric, "You have no doubt heard what became of Castamere in the wake of Tywin Lannister's wroth?"
Ulric snorted, "Everyone in the Kingdoms knows what happened to Castamere, people sing that fucking song often enough it's hard to forget."
"Song?" Questioned Lily suddenly.
"You haven't heard it then?" Both Reynes shook their head, "I suppose you haven't been to any tourneys since departing the Westerlands then."
Larra answered the question for them, "Some bard wrote 'The Rains of Castamere" to commemorate the destruction of your house. I'd say nigh on everyone has heard it at least once in the past… what has it been now, six some odd years."
"It is absolutely fantastic to know the fall of my house has been immortalized in song," Reynard said with a hint of bitterness though not directed at Ulric or Larra, "but I digress. You know of Castamere being flooded then?" Ulric nodded his head in the affirmative, "We were there with all the others as the halls filled to the ceiling with water; some people screamed, others wept but some just accepted their fate." His voice took on a faraway, almost haunted quality as he continued, "I won't ever forget that desperation, that fear… when suddenly there was this terrible squeezing and darkness all around," Lily gripped his hand underneath the table and continued for him.
"We thought it was death taking us, but… when we opened our eyes we were standing on a hill miles away from Castamere." All three Daynes stayed silent in rapt attention, "We didn't… don't… understand how or why we survived when so many others died, but we left that hill promising we would live." Lily smiled at Reynard slightly, "We found a village nearby and bought dry clothes from a family there before heading south on foot."
Together they explained everything: their stay in Tarbeck, the four year stay in Highgarden, why they were forced to leave the southern castle, their journey to Oldtown, they did omit why exactly they were forced to leave the trade city, and finally they told of their arrival in Starfall.
The three Daynes listened intently, only interrupting occasionally for clarification. When everything was done Ulric leaned back in his chair and started chuckling causing both of them to look at him quizzically and with no small amount of irritation. When he brought himself under control he waved his hands, "I meant no offense, it is simply humorous to me as you needn't have risked discovery in Highgarden nor wasted your time in Oldtown." He looked them both in the eye, "You need only have journeyed here and I would have offered you safety, and the gods know nearly no one from the Westerlands steps foot in Dorne, so you would have been under no sort of threat."
Reynard looked relieved and slightly sheepish as well, "Lily said much the same thing, but I was reluctant to put you at risk."
"Yet you had no problem putting Olenna Tyrell at risk," countered Larra with a raised eyebrow.
Lily spoke up before Reynard had the chance to respond, "I had no problem contacting her, as I was quite aware the woman is both cautious and intelligent enough to avoid any unpleasantness should she wish."
Ulric laughed again, "You should listen to your wife Reynard; she seems to see things a bit more clearly than you." This caused everyone at the table to chuckle before Ulric continued, "Now, I assume you have come here seeking my hospitality." He took a quick sip of wine, "I shall put your minds at ease and tell you it is granted from this point forward for as long as you wish to stay. But I have certain requests of you."
"Of course, we would not wish to impede upon your hospitality without thought toward paying you back in whatever ways we can." Reynard bowed his head slightly.
"Excellent," Ulric clapped his hands he gestured to Reynard, "Your brother might have been renowned as 'the Red Lion of Castamere" but you were always exceptionally skilled with a sword in hand as well." He smiled, "I find this particularly fortuitous on two levels. First, I am in need of a master at arms for the castle. The second is more personal, Arthur is currently squiring for his brother, and while Alran has some talent for the blade it is not the favorite of his pursuits." Here his smile turned to pride in his younger son, "Arthur has more talent with a blade in hand than any boy or man I have met in my entire life, and that includes Barristan Selmy. He would benefit from your tutelage."
Reynard turned to Arlan who took the opportunity to elaborate, "It is true, my younger brother has more skill with a blade or lance than I could ever hope. Truth be told, I think he is probably already a better swordsman than I could ever hope to be. It is my opinion he would benefit from another hand in his training." He paused, "I fought in the War of the Ninepenny Kings right alongside you and father, I know you are better with a blade than I am and Arthur deserves to benefit from that as much as possible."
Reynard didn't even hesitate in his response, "I will gladly take up the position of master at arms for Starfall. I have missed the feel of a sword in my hand this past year." He stopped a moment in thought, "I would like the opportunity to teach Harry as well if I may?"
"As though you need ask," Ulric patted him on the shoulder, "Harry can train with the blade right alongside Arthur and the other boys and men of the castle."
"And what would you request of me?" Lily spoke up. These people hardly knew her so she couldn't imagine what task they might have divined for her in just a few short hours.
Larra smiled softly at her, "Our septa recently passed away, admittedly the woman wasn't well suited to the task of teaching a young girl of Ashara's temperament and our maester is even worse." She looked away a moment, "I teach her what I can myself, but I know there are areas in which I am lacking." Here she looked to Reynard, "Your husband told Ulric in no uncertain terms that despite being the daughter of a blacksmith, you were one of the single brightest women he ever had the pleasure of meeting."
"I have no problem teaching my daughter sewing, the significance of the Seven, and the formalities of nobility but I would like you to teach her histories and math if you might? I am aware I hardly know you, and that Ashara might not be particularly open to you but I would prefer you over some sour old septa if possible" She clearly didn't care for the women from the religious order if her tone was any indication.
Lily nodded slowly, "Save Harry, I have never taught any children, but I will certainly do the best I can at the endeavor."
Larra smiled widely, "That is all I can ask, and I am sure you will do splendidly at the task." The conversation fell into more mundane things after that, such as where Ashara was in her studies and where Arlan felt Arthur had the most room for improvement.
It seemed such a long journey now as she looked down with a soft smile at the yard of Starfall, where Harry wore padded protective gear and held a blunted blade in his hand; across from him stood Arthur while Reynard instructed them from not far away. Ashara sat on a bench nearby, swinging her legs happily as she watched her brother and friend learn the sword.
They swung at each other; Harry more clumsily than his older opponent. This part of their daily training was often for Harry's benefit instead of Arthur's, though it certainly didn't bother the older boy who had taken to helping Harry whenever he could. Her attention was pulled from the yard by the door opening behind her where Larra's silver head was revealed.
"Hmmm, I expected to find Ashara up here. Has she really already finished her lessons?" Lily nodded and pointed down to the yard. Larra approached the window where she stood and looked out, her ever warm smile crossing her beautiful face.
"Harry and Ashara finished their lessons nearly an hour ago and have been in the yard since," Lily explained. Harry refused to take lessons with the maester over his mother which bothered neither her nor Ashara. "I decided to stay here and read for a while but couldn't help but watch them."
"I must admit I worried, if only slightly, at your initial arrival," Larra began, "but Ulric quickly put any issues I might have had to rest." She placed a hand on Lily's shoulder drawing her emerald gaze to Larra's violet, "You have been nothing but a blessing since your arrival. Both Arthur and Ashara greatly enjoy having Harry around, while Reynard has helped not only Arthur but our guardsman as well. Or at least that is what Arthur and Ulric tell me." She finished with a slight snicker as she didn't really know much about swordplay to say herself.
She nudged Lily's shoulder lightly with her own, "And then there is you. Ashara loves learning from you and I find myself learning a great deal when I sit in on your lessons as well," They shared a brief chuckle, "and I find myself with as good a friend as my children."
"While I don't regret our time in Highgarden," or even Oldtown for that matter, though I learned far less than I hoped, "I feel we might have benefitted from coming here sooner." She looked down to her son, "Harry hasn't been antisocial in our previous homes but he has never become so attached as he has to your children. It makes me smile every time I see Harry and Arthur working in the yard particularly when your son takes him aside and offers some small piece of advice. And then there are those moments when he and Ashara are off in a corner sharing, and sometimes inventing, stories or reading a book together."
"I certainly agree with you. They have been good for one another." The two women stood there for quite some time watching their children talking idly about whatever came to mind.
Underneath his helmet Harrion Reyne's face poured rivulets of sweat that dripped from his nose down to the ground. His legs were aflame with the effort of making another movement and his arms screamed out as he hefted the blunted blade in his hand yet again. He could feel the blisters on his hands forming over the newly made calluses there. But I have felt worse, or remember feeling worse at the very least.
And yet he continued on, lashing out at the silver-haired boy across from him. He stabbed out with the tip of his blade trying to make contact at the chest, only to have it batted away. He dodged the incoming slash with a quick step to the left. He slashed at Arthur's right arm only to feel his own sword arm rattled with the force of his weapon making contact with his opponent's. He pulled back quickly, righting himself to the best of his abilities and made for another attack. He feinted right and made to go left but the older boy dodged and made to strike at his side. Harry tried desperately to pull back and deflect the blow. Too slow always just a little too slow. The pain that erupted in his rib cage despite the protective gear upon his body was more than enough indication that he had failed to maintain his defense while going on the offensive. He heaved a painful breath but stayed on his feet.
"That will be enough for now, I think," Both Harrion and Arthur turned to look at Reynard who stood to the side watching intently. He approached the two boys but addressed only Harry, "You are getting better but you have a tendency to forget about what possible openings you leave when on the attack." His voice was stern but not uncaring.
When they started this training, Reynard made it abundantly clear he would not treat Harry any differently from anyone else when in the yard, "You cannot see me as your father, and I can't see you as my son. It would be an injustice to both you and the others should I favor you." Harry merely nodded resolutely and there had been no issues regarding their relationship since he started learning the sword six months prior. When in the yard they were entirely business and when without they were father and son.
As such, Harry looked his father in the eye and spoke evenly, "I will work to do better in the future."
Reynard smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I know you will Harry." He pushed him slightly toward the training dummies, "Spend some time on our wooden men, and then you will be done for the day." With that Reynard turned to the others in the yard.
In his place Arthur stepped up and clapped him on the shoulder. Harry had come to idolize the older boy slightly, as a younger brother might look to his elder and Arthur seemed willing enough to fill that role, "Your father is right, you get better every day." He lifted his sword and made the same movement that resulted in Harry's heaving breaths, "Just remember that if you overreach you must know it before your opponent. Obviously the best way to avoid such a thing is to avoid overreaching, but should it be the only way to exploit an advantage you must be aware of where you are leaving yourself open so you might recover."
Harry gave a small smile and nod of his head, "I will remember that in future." Arthur returned the gesture and then went to join Harry's father for his own, more advanced training. As he turned, he noticed Ashara firing arrows into a target. Her young arms were unable to pull the bow back particularly far but she still managed to hit land each arrow in the straw. He laughed to himself lightly. She is definitely the only person willing to come into the yard wearing a dress. Ashara could be a contradiction in that way, as she had no problem being a noble little lady while other times she enjoyed getting grimy with Harry.
Harry stood before the wooden dummy and started beating at it with tired arms. The repetitiveness of the action allowed him to slip into his own thoughts.
He loved it at Starfall, as while he didn't show it, he detested their stay in Oldtown. The tiny room, in which both he and his parents were forced to sleep in seriously confined spaces, brought back memories… memories of a life that wasn't his, or that at least wasn't Harrion Reyne's. Every night in his sleep while in the trade city, he dreamed of a cupboard under a staircase and a little boy who looked eerily like him, save for a scar on his head and some sort of glasses upon his young eyes.
It was these dreams… these memories that woke him screaming or whimpering in the middle of the night covered in a cold sweat, only to find his mother or father there to comfort him… something which his twin in the dream never received. Over time he became accustomed to them enough that he only awoke when they were particularly gruesome.
When 'his' body was broken and bleeding, he was forced to sit in the darkness with none for company but the spiders of the cupboard. When his hands were cut and blistered, burned and bruised, there was no one there to heal them, tend to them. Instead a vile woman with blonde hair… though not the beautiful silver blonde of Larra it is more of a dull blonde… or her rotund husband… far fatter than any man I have met in my young life… would add to his injury with a slap to the back of the head, sometimes with a frying pan. These memories made him wise beyond his year, and while most times he could be the average child, happy and playful, other times he would be quiet and contemplative.
It wasn't just when he slept that these memories would spring up. There were events that would force them to the fore in the waking world as well.
He never told his parents the full story behind Alyse and how he came to save her life. She didn't just incidentally end up in the middle of the cobblestone path, she was chased there. The girl was ostracized among the other children because she had pale white skin, equally white hair, and shocking red eyes. Albino mother called it. They would chase her through the streets, ridiculing her as they went.
Their little chase brought back a memory of a grotesquely overweight boy and his various cronies chasing 'him' through the paved streets of a truly dull looking town. They would corner him and beat him till nearly bloody , though they were smart enough not to allow it to be visible on his body. When Harry saw the children of Oldtown doing the same to Alyse something bubbled up inside of him. The day they nearly killed the girl by first chasing and then pushing her into a busy street, he unleashed that feeling only for something unexpected to happen. He pushed her… with something… ten yards clear across the way, where she landed with a surprising gentleness considering the speed with which she traveled. That was the first time he actively used whatever was inside of him. Though, I do have some vague memories of taking a tray of sweets when we were still in Highgarden.
At that point Harry walked straight up to her offenders and told them to leave her alone in no uncertain terms. The leader of the group, a boy twice Harry's size tried to intimidate him. The attempt failed miserably. Harry had felt pain, plenty of it in his dreams, so he felt no fear in that regard. But unlike his counterpart, he knew he could fight back because he had a mother and father willing to help him in all things.
To say the least, this didn't endear him to the other children and while he often wandered in solitude after that, he preferred it over being stuck in their tiny home. He and Alyse became friends of a sort, but she feared him in her own way… and her eyes brought a terrible face to the fore of his mind. One with slit red eyes, a snakelike nose and cruel smile.
In his solitude, he would try to once again get that feeling to bubble up inside of him. Sometimes he would succeed, but never to the scale that he had with Alyse. The emotion of the moment seemed to be important. Still the longer he practiced and the older he became, the easier it seemed to be to get results. I can move things easily enough now if I focus and I haven't had any accidental bursts since that moment with Alyse.
He hadn't told his parents of this ability mainly because he didn't know what or how to tell them. Mum, dad I can move things with my mind if I try hard enough… and I think I could do more if I try hard enough. There was no magic his mother had taught him of that's description matched his capabilities; so to his young mind, it just sounded so absurd he couldn't bring himself to tell them.
He continued to swing absently at the dummy, focusing on his footwork all while thinking over his own oddities. He didn't realize how much time passed when he felt a poke on his shoulder. He turned to see Ashara waiting behind him rocking back and forth on her heels and staring at him with her beautiful violet eyes, "Everyone else has taken their afternoon meal Harry, maybe you should as well." There was a distinct note of teasing in her voice.
Harry looked around the yard and realized he was, in fact, alone save Ashara, "Of course Ash, I should just go and wash up, otherwise my mother will box my ears when I arrive to eat." The image caused the little girl to laugh giddily and pull on his arm. He went along willingly, once again glad to be at Starfall.
AN: I considered writing things as they happened instead of skipping ahead the way I did. But if you've read my other works you know I tend to go into detail and I had no interest in writing another chapter with Harry as an infant, and half a dozen more after that on the things I covered in this chapter. I wrote the scenes I wanted in detail and I hope everyone liked the end result.
The chapters after this will have much more of Harry's perspective, though there will be others as well. I hope the brief look into his mind helped answer any questions whether he will have the memories of a life as Harry Potter. Not only does he have them but he feels the pain of them when he relives them.
A note on the Daynes. There is no definitive information regarding Ashara or Arthur's ages nor is there any information on their parents or older brother. I always felt that Arthur was probably a year or two older than Rhaegar and Ashara was the same age as Robert. Allyria has not yet been born.
Thank you for reading. Until next time.