The Ivy Inn

Elenei approached the table where her latest customers had taken a seat. During winters, the traffic in the area became peculiar—while there were fewer travelers out and about, those who did venture out made it a point to stop at every inn they could find if only to warm up for a while.

At the Ivy Inn, the waves of occupancy were entirely unpredictable during the winter months. Tired travelers from all walks of life, from the humblest poor fellows and farmers to hedge knights and the occasional lowly knight, sought refuge within its welcoming walls. The nobles, however, usually preferred to visit keeps and estates rather than inns.

As Elenei approached the table, she observed the three men lowering the hoods of their travelers' cloaks. To her surprise, their appearance was rather striking. Despite their well-worn cloaks, they all looked surprisingly clean, and at least two of them had striking features—high chins and chiseled jaws. One of them, in particular, had a mesmerizing blend of blue and green eyes that caught her attention.

The two noble-looking men had lustrous brown hair, with the one possessing striking eyes having a shade slightly darker than his companion's. In contrast, the last member of the group boasted a mop of dirty blonde hair that complemented his glinting brown eyes. Despite being obviously the youngest of the three, he was not much younger than Elenei, who was ten and eight. All three of them were younger than her.

"Welcome, sers. My name is Elenei, and I am the innkeeper," she said with a welcoming smile, taking a moment to nod to each of them before continuing, "What can I help you with today?"

The man with the mesmerizing blend of blue and green eyes returned her smile graciously. "I am afraid we are in no way anointed, and may the gods strike us down if we were to pretend otherwise," he explained smoothly, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. It was evident from his refined manner of speaking that he was no ordinary traveler. Only knights and nobles talked like that and if they weren't knights.

"My apologies, my lords. It is not often that-" Elenei began, but the man with the captivating eyes raised his hand, signaling for her to stop.

"And neither are we lords," Tristifer Mudd clarified, nodding toward his two companions who seemed content to let him take the lead. "My name is Tristifer Mudd," he introduced himself with a courteous demeanor. Gesturing to his right at the other brown-haired man, he continued, "This is Addam Waters." Finally, he pointed to the companion with dirty-blonde hair, stating, "And this is Robin of Sow's Horn."

She couldn't help but deflate, thoroughly confused by the curious trio. "Then what are you? Sellswords? Merchants?" she inquired, trying to make sense of their enigmatic presence at her inn.

The trio chuckled warmly before Tristifer replied, a glint of mystery in his eyes. "Let us just call ourselves... travelers and leave it at that," he said, evading a direct answer.

Elenei couldn't help but press further, intrigued by their peculiar demeanor. "But you have a family name. Only nobles and sellswords possess those, and you are not nearly crude enough to be a sellsword," she remarked with genuine curiosity.

Tristifer raised a curious eyebrow, intrigued by her insight. "And you know a lot about sellswords?" he inquired, genuinely interested. After all, sellswords typically sought their fortunes in distant lands like Essos during times of peace in the Seven Kingdoms.

She reddened slightly, realizing she had only met one sellsword before, and he had indeed been crude enough to leave a lasting impression. If her father had still been with them at that time, she was sure he would have chased the man halfway across Westeros for merely speaking to her. But those days were now memories, and she quickly composed herself as a cough interrupted her reminiscing thoughts. Her cheeks flamed up, embarrassed by the brief lapse in her composure, and she met three amused faces. Determined not to let her emotions get the better of her, she swiftly regained her poise.

"W-what can I get you, travelers?" she quickly interjected before they could comment on her momentary distraction.

Tristifer stayed silent for a moment before gesturing to his companions. They quickly ordered a couple of beers and whatever they were serving for the day. "And I would like the same as my companions, but I was wondering if you knew of any opportunities in the area for three healthy fellows such as ourselves to get some work and also if you had any rooms for us as well." Tristifer suddenly asked.

"Well, I do have a couple of rooms available," Elenei replied, contemplating the situation. "As for work, I suppose I could use your help with a few tasks around here," she added, considering their capabilities. "And if there's nothing specific you'd like to assist with, you could always inquire with some of my patrons if they are in need of anything," she suggested after a moment of thought, trying to find a suitable way for them to contribute or make themselves useful during their stay.

Tristifer nodded attentively. "Well, what do you need done?"

Elenei didn't need to think for long. "There is quite a lot of snow on the roof, and while it is a sturdy building, I wouldn't want to risk it," she explained, concerned about the weight of the snow possibly causing damage to the inn.

Tristifer looked over to his companions, and they both shrugged in agreement. "Well, let us eat for a bit, and then we can talk about the pay," he suggested, understanding the need to fuel themselves before taking on any tasks.

Elenei blushed slightly, reminding herself that these men were, after all, her customers. It wouldn't be appropriate to interrupt them while they ate. "Of course, just call me over once you are ready," she managed to say politely before retreating to the kitchen to get their order.


The rest of the day passed in relative calm, with familiar faces among the regular patrons and a few septas stopping by on their way to Maidenpool. This was the most interesting occurrence before Robin, the youngest of her newly employed workers, poked his head inside the front door.

"All done, madam," he said, offering a wide grin as he delivered the news of his completed tasks. Elenei rolled her eyes good-naturedly at the formal title, nodding in acknowledgment before replying that she would be right out. She made sure to inform Dorea, her skilled cook, that she could handle any customer inquiries in her absence. Then, she donned a warm coat and stepped out into the ankle-deep snow.

The crisp winter air embraced her as she ventured outside, her breath forming little clouds in front of her face. The sun had already started its descent, casting a warm golden hue over the snowy landscape. Elenei made her way to the side of the inn, where Robin and his companions had been working diligently to clear the snow from the roof.

Elenei scanned the area, still unable to spot the other two companions. "And where would your..." She began to inquire, but her words trailed off when Tristifer suddenly made his way down the roof from the other side.

"Ahh, Elenei! It's a good thing we settled on pay at completion instead of hourly, or we would have been up there all night for a few more silver stags," Tristifer shouted down to her, a playful twinkle in his eyes.

She put on a mock angry face. "You would defraud a humble innkeeper such as myself? Where is your honor, Ser?" she retorted, though her smile betrayed her amusement.

Tristifer simply grinned in response. "Oh, come now, you weren't so innocent when we haggled a couple of hours ago if I recall correctly," he teased. "What say you, Robin?"

Robin, from beside her, joined in, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Certainly not! Elenei is a very stern haggler, I tell you. We had to put up a good fight for our fair share!"

"A little bit of friendly negotiation never hurt anyone," she replied, her amusement evident in her tone, before chuckling and sending a grateful smile to both Tristifer and Robin. "In any case, you all did a splendid job, and I'm truly grateful for your hard work."

As she scanned the surroundings, looking around for Addam, she raised an eyebrow in an unsaid question. Tristifer quickly picked up on her curiosity and chimed in, "Addam is currently taking care of our baggage and horse. We thought we'd handle the last part of the job ourselves, you know, to take all the glory and all that," he finished with a playful wink.

Elenei laughed, genuinely appreciating their good-natured banter. "I will spare an ale for him when he shows up then," she playfully declared.

Robin raised an eyebrow, his expression playful. "Oh? I don't recall ordering another one," he said, glancing over at Tristifer, who shook his head in agreement.

Elenei raised her arms in a placating gesture, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, I thought that after 'swindling' you out of all that money with my haggling, the least I could do for you is to give you a victory ale on the house," she said with a sly grin.

Tristifer chuckled, thoroughly amused by her response. "Well, in that case, we'll happily accept your generous offer," he said with a grin, effortlessly descending from the roof. As he landed in the snow, he sank slightly but managed to maintain his balance with practiced ease. "Ooh, let's hurry inside. I don't have the right boots to stand here in the snow for long," he declared, setting off toward the entrance.

Elenei laughed, following Tristifer's lead as they made their way back to the inviting warmth of the inn. The fire crackled merrily in the hearth, and the air was filled with the comforting scent of hearty meals.

At the table where they had been sitting earlier, Elenei spotted Addam, who seemed surprisingly cheery despite his usual reserved expression. Or perhaps it was simply the fatigue of travel that had softened his demeanor. After all, she had only met the three of them today. She found herself somewhat surprised at how quickly she had grown accustomed to their little group dynamic.

As she observed Addam from across the room, Elenei couldn't shake the feeling that these were indeed trustworthy men. Throughout their admittedly brief stay at the inn, they had conducted themselves with an air of authenticity and sincerity, giving her no reason to doubt their intentions.

Elenei, though relatively new to running the inn, understood that welcoming strangers was an integral part of her business. She had taken over the inn from her father two years ago, and while she had grown into the role, she couldn't help but miss his wisdom and intuition. He possessed a remarkable ability to discern his customers' moods, even those who appeared reserved or guarded. It was a skill she greatly admired and had hoped to learn from him, but now he was gone. It was as simple as that, and she had long realized that life sometimes took unexpected turns.

As she saw the trio reunite, sharing small jokes and playful banter, Elenei couldn't help but simply watch them for a few moments. There was a peculiar paradox that came with running an inn; she interacted with so many people daily, engaging in conversations, and offering a listening ear. Yet, amidst the sea of faces, many interactions were fleeting, superficial, or driven by personal agendas.

People sought solace and camaraderie at the inn, and she didn't fault them for it; after all, it was often a place to escape from the burdens of daily life. They came to drown their sorrows in ale or mead, to find fleeting comfort in the company of strangers, or to share their tales of woe with a sympathetic ear.

However, as Elenei leaned against the polished wood of the bar, observing the trio, she couldn't deny the underlying loneliness that sometimes accompanied her role as an innkeeper. She talked with so many, yet deep connections were rare. It was as if she stood at the center of a swirling vortex of lives, but somehow, she remained detached, a mere observer rather than an active participant.

In the midst of laughter and camaraderie, she often felt like a silent presence, a facilitator of stories but not the protagonist in her own. She knew it was the nature of her profession, and she had accepted it with grace, but that didn't make the moments of solitude any less poignant.

She took a deep breath, pushing away the pangs of longing that occasionally surfaced. She had chosen this life, and she cherished the beauty of the inn, the warm ambiance, and the sense of community it provided. She loved the opportunity to create a haven for travelers, offering them respite from the outside world.

Tristifer's gaze held a captivating intensity that surprised Elenei, momentarily pulling her into a world of intrigue and curiosity. His inviting smile and the way he gestured for her to join him was both charming and disarming.

For a brief moment, she hesitated, her eyes briefly glancing over at Dorea, who seemed to have everything under control with the current customers. Dorea's vigilant presence and watchful eye on the inn reassured Elenei that she could spare a moment to sit down and join the conversation. Besides, she didn't necessarily need to drink anything; she simply enjoyed the company.

Taking a seat beside Tristifer, Elenei felt drawn to his enigmatic presence. As their eyes briefly met, she quickly averted her gaze, feeling a flutter of nerves. But his kind smile and attentive nature put her at ease. He was far from 'poor company' that was certain.


The night was certainly no dry affair, and after a while, Elenei couldn't resist indulging in a mug or two of ale herself. Dorea, her capable assistant, seemed to have no trouble running the inn in her absence. Elenei admired Dorea's diligence and orderliness; she was a reliable and pleasant presence, always ensuring everything ran smoothly.

As the night wore on, the atmosphere in the inn became livelier, and with it came the occasional grumble from a patron about the change they received. However, Dorea handled these situations with skill and tact. She would dutifully count the money, even though it was always correct, to defuse any tension that might arise when patrons, under the influence of alcohol, became a bit self-conscious about their finances.

Elenei appreciated Dorea's ability to maintain order and harmony, creating a welcoming environment for all guests. It allowed her to enjoy the night, savoring the camaraderie and laughter that filled the inn.

As Elenei retreated to her chambers after a couple of hours of camaraderie with Tristifer and the others, she looked up at the familiar wooden wall and frowned. Wait, where was her cozy little fireplace? Confused, she turned around and accidentally bumped into something on the bed. Her head snapped to the side, and she found herself face to face with Tristifer. Oh my.

He seemed to wake up at her gaze, and she wasn't sure if she had made any noise. It had been over a year since she had been in such a situation, especicially after the sellsword, he had been quite charming as well. But Tristifer was different; he exuded a certain charm and respect that set him apart.

"Good morning," Tristifer greeted her, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

She blinked, slightly flustered before laying back on her back. "Disappointing?" he asked, playfully.

Quickly, she replied, "No, not disappointing at all." As she remembered the events of the previous night, she blushed slightly but acknowledged that the experience was different from what she had known before. She wasn't particularly experienced, but she had now had three encounters, and each one was unique and incomparable. Despite her initial surprise, she realized that she wasn't disappointed with this new connection either.

"Well, I am always hungry after exercise," Elenei remarked, looking over at Tristifer with a raised eyebrow. He quickly threw up his arms in surrender, playfully admitting, "That was uncalled for, my lady, disgraceful to my family name."

She simply snorted, finding his humor endearing. "So, how old are you? You don't simply have a young face?" she inquired, hoping he was around her age.

Tristifer shook his head, revealing, "Six and ten."

Elenei groaned, realizing that he was younger than she had hoped. "Dorea will never let me hear the end of this," she muttered, knowing her assistant would tease her relentlessly about her romantic involvement with a younger man.

Tristifer chuckled and then gestured toward one of the walls. "Well, the last I saw of her, she was on her way into the neighboring room. Addam is no older than me."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "And who is taking care of the inn?" she asked, concerned about the state of her business.

Tristifer simply shrugged, seeming untroubled by the matter. Elenei couldn't help but jump out of his bed at that moment, only to be greeted by the cool air that hit her most intimate parts. She quickly grabbed a blanket, wrapping it tightly around herself, and then began locating her smallclothes and dress scattered about the place.

Tristifer attempted to make light of the situation. "Nothing I haven't seen-" he began with a teasing grin.

She shot him a half-irritated look. "Don't you dare say it," she interupted him, finishing getting dressed in haste.

Before she rushed toward the door, she stuck her head back into the room. "This was nice, but I have an inn to run. I hope you understand," she said genuinely before disappearing, leaving behind a mirthful "Very" from Tristifer.

As Elenei resumed her duties at the Ivy Inn, her mind couldn't help but drift back to the unexpected encounter with Tristifer. It had been undeniably nice, and she found herself smiling at the memory. But she couldn't ignore the questions swirling in her mind. Did this encounter change anything between them? Would it have any lasting impact? And what about the future? Tristifer was just passing through; he wouldn't stay forever. What would happen then?

As she served bowls of warm porridge to a couple of early risers, she sighed, realizing that some things were beyond her control. She had built a life around running the inn and tending to her guests. Tristifer's presence had stirred something within her, but she had responsibilities to uphold.

She knew that the inn was an unchangeable part of her life, a place she had poured her heart and soul into. Nothing, not even a charming fellow like Tristifer, could alter that. As much as she enjoyed their connection, she also understood the transient nature of their encounter. He was a traveler passing through, and she had a responsibility to tend to the inn and its guests.

Elenei couldn't help but think about her father and how he would have reacted to her unexpected encounter with Tristifer. He had dedicated his life to building and running the Ivy Inn, and she knew he would have been furious if she had ever considered abandoning it for a man, no matter how charming or intriguing.


"How was Lady Lyra, Tris?" Robin asked mischievously as they sat at their customary table. The last moon had been a joy. There had been no repeat performances between Elenei and Tristifer, at least not yet; she had noticed the occasional lingering glances he gave her. Nevertheless, she valued the genuine friendship that had developed between her and the traveling trio. It had been a delightful surprise to find such a strong connection with them.

They had not traveled particularly far – just from Sow's Horn, right off the Kingsroad, a couple of leagues away, a two-day walk at most. It was a lot closer than she had imagined when they had stumbled into the inn on that early winter morning, she had imagined the Stormlands or something but apparently not.

Elenei also knew that they still possessed some secrets, like why Tristifer was called Mudd and the identity of Addam's lineage. While the fact that he came from Sow's Horn narrowed it down, it wasn't a sure thing regardless.

"Don't call me Tris," Tristifer growled out, thoroughly annoyed. It had taken some time, but they had eventually found something that got under his skin. Well, she had, but she didn't dare use it. Addam and Robin, however, had no such inhibitions, though Tristifer's death glare might change their minds. Elenei couldn't help but giggle at the name, and when his gaze shifted over to her, she quickly coughed to cover it up.

"And who was this Lady Lyra?" she asked, trying to play it off as if that was the reason for her amusement. He didn't look entirely convinced, but eventually, he shook his head. Elenei gained a playful smirk. "Another one of your conquests?"

Addam spits out his drink, and Robin burst into laughter. Tristifer, meanwhile, only gained a smart smirk that Addam quickly noticed. "You wouldn't!" the bastard exclaimed in horror. There was obviously a story there, but Elenei decided not to dig. They were leaving tomorrow, after all. Now was not the time to ask about sensitive matters.

Tristifer seemed to embrace the tension as he hummed non-committedly. When Addam looked ready to scream in frustration at his friend's coy behavior, he finally answered with a shake of his head. "No, though not without admirable self-control, I have to admit-"

"Alright, I do not need to hear that. She may only be my step-sister, but I wouldn't let you touch my great-grand uncle's distant cousin's grandchild! You Mudds are slippery fellows, I tell you, slithering into your life with a charming smile and a hundred bad ideas just out of sight."

"Hey, I would say I have quite good ideas actually. What do you think, Robin? Wasn't this a good idea?" Tristifer gestured around the inn before throwing an arm around her waist. It wasn't often that they hadn't sat beside each other; that was true. There had almost become a permanent seating arrangement with her and Tristifer on one bench and Robin and Addam opposite, respectively.

This didn't stop her blush, and she quickly scanned the closest tables. There weren't many patrons so late, and the ones that were occupied didn't seem terribly interested in their conversation. When she looked over at the bar and saw Dorea, she quickly averted her eyes once the mischievous minx winked at her.

When she looked back at her friends, she saw Robin rolling his eyes with a small smile at the display, while Addam looked dismissive. "Dorea is a lot more... enthusiastic. You've only done it once, besides."

Tristifer simply smirked while adopting a lecturing tone. "Patience is a virtue, young Addam."

"That was horrible, Tris. How many should I expect in your room tomorrow morning?" Addam teased with a playful grin.

Tristifer didn't answer as Addam vacated, but when Robin, who followed Addam, turned around before disappearing upstairs, Tristifer stuck up two fingers jokingly. Robin only shook his head before vanishing upstairs.

"Terribly sure of yourself, Ser Mudd," she said jokingly, meeting his eyes with a playful smile.

"Well, when you have such a beautiful woman, it's hard to let that slip by their fingers," he replied, complimenting her. She blushed at his words, feeling a mix of bashfulness and flattery. She knew she could be considered pretty with her flowing brown hair, dark hazel eyes, and womanly figure even seen through her conservative gown.

She blinked and shook her head, trying to regain her composure. "Stop distracting me; flattery will get you-"

"Everywhere," he finished with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Tristifer, this is the last chance we have for a real conversation," she eventually managed to say.

He sat a little straighter, nodding in acknowledgment. "Very well, what did you want to talk about?"

She hesitated, taken aback by his instant sincerity. It was surprising, though maybe not entirely. Tristifer had always possessed a peculiar way of effortlessly switching between lightheartedness and seriousness, like now, where he could turn completely serious within the blink of an eye. If he was acting, she thought, he would have to be one of the best mummers she had ever seen, but that notion didn't sit well with her. Tristifer was many things, but a mummer was not something she could envision him as.

"Well, what happens now? You will not stay," Elenei eventually finished, her words laden with a mix of sadness and resignation. Tristifer's nod in response did not surprise her.

"No, I am leaving tomorrow, and we all knew that this day would come. Not exactly when, but it seems like the jobs in the area are getting fewer and farther between, and we need to move on. We are not here for... pleasure, after all," he explained calmly.

Her heart was in turmoil, and she struggled to find the right words. "So you will just find a new inn? A new..." He immediately shook his head.

"No, this was not something to occupy me with, if that's what you're thinking. This was no simple act of lust, but it was nothing permanent, and I hope you know that as well," he paused. "It was, as they say, not meant to be."

She closed her eyes, the weight of the moment settling in as she awaited Tristifer's response. "Can you at least tell me where you are going, and why?" she asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and a hint of sadness. She opened her eyes, searching his face for any clues.

Tristifer appeared lost in thought for a moment, his gaze distant. "I will be attending a tourney in a couple of moons," he finally replied, breaking the silence. "And for that, we need some coins."

"So what exactly are you? I don't believe a simple group of 'travelers' would participate in a tourney," she asked with a hint of humor.

He seemed to appreciate it as he sent her a small smile. "The name Mudd isn't something I invented, it is my family name," he explained, his expression growing distant. "We were once kings of the Riverlands before and during the Andal invasion, and that ended when my namesake, Tristifer IV 'The Hammer of Justice,' lost his 100th battle after 99 victories." She looked at him dubiously, but he simply shrugged his shoulders.

"Take it as you will, but he at least lost his last battle and died in it, and his son Tristifer V was granted the moniker 'the Last,' so you can imagine what happened next. We faded into obscurity, and our own family members began doubting or simply didn't care. It was, at best, a couple of millennia ago," he clarified, noticing her confused look. "Thousands of years."

She blinked, and he nodded. "It is a long time, and many might wonder why bother at all," he acknowledged. She didn't want to visibly agree, but she had that very thought herself. Plenty of lowborn were related to prominent families, and those family connections did not help if the food got too scarce or the weather too cold. In the end, they were as dead as any other man.

Tristifer's voice held a mix of determination and vulnerability as he shared his ambitious dream. "Maybe it is a foolish dream of a young boy," he began, "but I hope to rebuild my house. I have a grandfather who devoted his entire life to this endeavor. And I can't fault him; why settle for less when one can do so much more? Or at least try to do so much more."

His words hung in the air, and Elenei could feel the weight of his aspirations. It was evident that his dream was no fleeting fancy but a deeply rooted desire to restore his family's once-proud legacy. The sense of duty and responsibility he felt toward his ancestors resonated with her, and she admired his commitment to honoring their past.

At that moment, Tristifer seemed to be seeking her approval, perhaps hoping that she would understand and support his vision. She met his gaze with a reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting her genuine interest in his dream.

"I guess you are right. What do you lose by doing this?" Tristifer pondered for a moment, his expression was thoughtful yet uncertain. "And that is proof—if you cannot think of anything to lose by pursuing your dream, then you didn't have much to lose anyway," Elenei concluded with a reassuring smile.

They were silent for a moment before Tristifer shook his head and stood up. "Let us retire to our chambers," he said with a hint of mock formality.

She couldn't help but laugh as he took her hand and led her towards the stairs. "Oh, well, lead the way, my king," she teased playfully.

She gave him a mock glare as they ascended the stairs. "It seems you have this all planned out," she remarked, feigning offense.

He grinned mischievously. "Well, how could I not when I had no fun for a moon?"

"Is it 'fun' you call it?" She teased in return as they reached his room.

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he responded, "Oh, and what would you call it?"

He didn't give her a chance to answer as he dragged her inside the room, and they both disappeared behind the door.

End of Chapter

The Tourney of Harrenhal starts in the next chapter. I have planned around 3-4 chapters around the tourney but right now I have only written the first so we shall see how it plays out.

I hope you continue to enjoy the story. Just PM or give me a review if you wonder about anything.