The month was coming to an end and Briar was looking more like her mother with each passing day. She'd taken to wearing the rose pin Alannon had gifted her, a blue rose. It caused a slight wince in Yarrow whenever they saw it.
Recent new from Highgarden said Lady Alerie Tyrell was pregnant - with Loras, if Yarrow remembered correctly. Soon, in a year or two it would be Margaery.
How time passed. To think that they would be older than the children they read about. It was even strange to think of them as children. They'd first read to books when they were, what, thirteen? Fourteen? Memories were fuzzy. They were now younger and older at once.
They sighed. On the windowsill they had placed an assortment of bread crumbs. Another attempt at skinchanging. A sparrow came by fast, stole a crumb and flew off.
It wasn't working.
The cats liked them and they liked the cats, but they never dreamt of them. Instead it was green flames and blue roses they saw. Sometimes the girl in the tower looked like they imagined an older Briar.
Aspen bounced around the corner, a smile on his lips, pulling them out of their dark thoughts.
"What are you doing?"
"I am trying to befriend the birds.", answered Yarrow. His eyes were alight with curiosity. "Is it working?"
"No. I don't think so." They sighed. "The crumbs are gone, but the birds are scared."
"Oh, well - Briar says to come down to the lake."
"Why?"
"She found something – but she refused to tell me what." The boy pouted. "She'll only show it to both of us."
The 'something' proved to be a place. Briar grabbed their hands and dragged them inside.
Birch and willow formed a small alcove, too low for a grown man to be comfortable in and lakeside the shallow water was filled with reeds and lily pads, a few flat stones confining it, creating the illusion of a pond separate from the lake. Tiny tadpoles moved inside the water, dancing black spots.
It was a lovely place, a hidden place – far from the eyes of adults.
"It's the perfect frog catching place", she declared, gesturing wildly with her arms.
Ah, frogs. Frogs were Briar's favourite animal, for all of three days now, which was a new record. Before them, it had been bumblebees, magpies, cranes and butterflies, all in the span of a week. Only her favourite colours stayed consistent, blue and red.
She was already standing in the water, holding up the skirt of her dress.
"Mother is going to kill us", hissed Yarrow, "We are wearing the good clothes!" The pale blue tunics and dress with golden birds, leaves and flowers was partial Elowyn's and Eldana's handiwork, a fact their sibling/cousin seemingly had forgotten or just not cared about.
The two looked at Yarrow and shrugged.
"But frogs!", declared Briar. To show her point, she gestured at the rather big frog that was sitting on a flat stone, perfect in reach for grabby children.
"Not in those clothes!" Yarrow paused. "Mother made them. For us. You would not like it if someone got your gift all muddy and dirty, would you?"
Briar audibly sighed. "If we go change, you'll catch five frogs! For each of us!"
Yarrow could see their future before them, spending the next week living in the lake just to get enough frogs. "No way. Two for each." Were they truly negotiating with a seven year old? What was she, the next Tywin? They had to repress laughter. She was far better, in all ways.
"I want three frogs", declared Aspen, in a grave voice, "Three, no more, no less." He was quoting Uncle Meryn, thought Yarrow, down to the voice. "Me too!"
"Alright, three frogs for each of you." Yarrow could scarcely believe their own words.
They changed clothing with each others help, switching to the least expensive looking clothing they owned. Avoiding the adults was easy as well. The children had much free time as they had taken to spending much time whispering with each other. Yarrow had a few ideas about what.
"I want my due. In frogs. Three frogs. One. Two. Three." She held up three fingers. "Three." Aspen nodded along.
Yarrow resigned themselves to their fate and walked towards the water. It was cold. Something slimy brushed against their ankle. They shuddered.
They had no idea how long it took to catch the three frogs they got, but they were shivering.
Briar sat her first frog down next to her. "Stay here", she told the frog, pointing her finger like a rebuking mother. The frog seemed to listen as it did not move at all, even with Briar leaning over it to take a second frog from Yarrow. Strange.
A sudden delight was visible on Briar's face. She grabbed the biggest of her frogs and placed it on her head. Yarrow expected it to hop away to moment her hands left it, yet it stayed still.
"I am the Queen of Frogs!"
Yarrow was staring at her, their eyes wide. Could it be - "All hail the Frog Queen Briar, first of her name,", joked Aspen.
"Here, a frog for you." Yarrow gave Aspen one of his demanded frogs.
Aspen held up the frog close to his face, a look of great concentration on his face and looking very much like he was a merchant checking the quality of his new goods. The frog jumped at his face and hit him with a loud sound. He let out a strangled scream.
Briar fell over laughing. They joined in. That look – they'll never forget it!
"Frogs are evil." muttered Aspen. Yarrow sneezed. They looked at the sky. "I don't you will get more frogs."
As if called by their words, Footsteps neared. "Briar?" It was Eldana. "Come inside!" The three children shared a look and moved out. "Well, aren't you troublemakers.", she laughed, "Let's get you all inside and dry."
Lord Crane, Alannon and Elowyn were standing all together at the entrance of the castle. Yarrow mentally prepared themselves for a long lecture. They sneezed again.
"Don't think you are getting out of punishment just because you get sick." said Elowyn, "You did not tell any of us nor your caretakers where you went."
"Will you tell them or do I have to?" Lord Crane's voice was cold.
"Father!" protested Alannon. "They are too young -"
Lord Crane held up a hand. "They are old enough to make trouble, they are old enough to know."
"If you say so." Alannon kneeled in front of his children. "The banners have been called. Do you understand what this means?"
No. They did not want to think about what - who -
"You'll leave?"
"Yes. I'll leave in a day for Highgarden. Do not worry, my boys, and know I will always love you." He ruffled their hair. "I'll be back before you know it."
Lord Crane opened his mouth, then closed it. He shook his head. "You shelter them too much."
"Will you be leaving, too?", asked Yarrow. Lord Crane agreed. "I'll miss you. You need to come back. All of you."
Lord Crane stared at Yarrow, an unreadable emotion in his eyes, then he smiled. "We will try."