Rewrite the Stars
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Chapter 3: The Invitation
Elain's POV
Age 15
I seriously don't know how I got dragged into this. Or even got an invitation. When the letter arrived, my parents were baffled as well. Then again, the connections with Lord Renly have greatly improved, much to my father's disdain. Already, he was getting marriage proposals from the Crownlands and the Stormlands. My mother was ecstatic, yet my father was grumbling up a storm.
"Don't be such a dud," My mother said. "This is good."
My father shook his head, "Never."
Mother saw his expression, "Gareth, you will not lock our daughter in a tower. Not like the once Princess Alysanne."
"Now there's an idea," Father muttered with a smirk.
"Gareth," Mother scolded.
There have been rumors that the Mad King locked his daughter in the tower of Maegor's Holdfast. A girl whose feet never touched the earth or seen the light of day. That must have been the worst fate until she, with her brother and mother, escaped to Dragonstone. From what has been told, Queen Rhaella gave birth to another daughter, Daenerys Stormborn, and died on the birthing bed. The last remaining Targaryen Supporters took hold of the three children and fled to Essos, never to be seen again. Some say they died, slaughtered by King Robert's hired assassins. Others say they are roaming the lands of Essos one day to return or settle into a new life. No one knows for sure.
Father sighed, "Very well. Eighteen."
I couldn't help but snicker.
"Or I could make it twenty," Father suggested. "How about thirty?"
"Gareth!" Mother smacked the back of his head.
My father laughed, shaking his head yet gave me a smile. I know why Father is trying to prevent an early marriage. He was preventing a possible death. Young maidens who marry young tend to die on the birthing bed. Eighteen is a typical age for maidens to wed. Even though a girl is considered a woman when she bleeds.
I remember when I first bled, I was twelve. I thought I was getting sick or constipated. My belly felt tight, and I tried to trudge through it. Until I went to bed. I felt a sharp pain and a gush between my legs. When I removed the blankets, I saw the blood on the sheets. I examined to see if I got injured by something, maybe stabbed by a needle or a rat. Until more blood started seeping out of my sacred place. Grabbing the sheets, I tried to stop the bleeding. Crying, as it would not stop.
Somehow, Mother had heard me as she came into my room.
"Elain, whatever is the matter?" Mother asked, then stopped seeing my position and the blood.
"Am I dying?" I cried.
My mother chuckled, shaking her head. She came over, sitting beside me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. "Of course not. You simply flowered, my dear."
"What?" I asked.
"It's your body's way of preparing to be with child," she answered.
And thus, I learned about menstruation. As my mother tried to explain, a woman is blessed to give birth to a child and creates a lot of blood. However, the blood is shed without a seed from the husband. How does a wife get a seed from her husband? And thus, I learned about sex. Although my mother was more focused on how animals populate than humans.
When Mother told Father that I had become a woman, he frowned and said, "My fawn has become a doe."
Gods, how embarrassing that was. Followed by Lord Renly parading me about this past year. For some reason, the thoughts of marriage are unappealing at the moment. And father sees that as well. I was only fifteen years old. A daughter of a Lord and Knight of a cadet branch. Yes, I'm a distant cousin to the king. But there's nothing special about me.
When I was invited to the Reach, it was astonishing. An invitation from House Tyrell. Addressed to me by Lady Margaery. The daughter of Lord Mace Tyrell had invited me to attend a masquerade. A harvest masquerades.
Apparently, in the Reach, they have a yearly harvest during the harvest moon of the equinox. I've attended events at the border between the Reach and the Stormlands. However, the Reach was an entirely different culture. A mere paradise versus the hard struggle of constant storms. The Reach is considered the home of chivalry.
Although, I have never met Lady Margaery. Only heard about her through the three sons of House Tyrell and Lord Renly. So why would she send me an invitation?
"Elain should attend," Mother insisted.
Father had a debatable expression.
"Gareth, please, we should all go," Mother continued.
Father set the letter down, "You know I can't. I'm Renly's Proxy."
Lord Renly had been appointed as Master of Law. In other words, he could not fulfill his duty as Warden of the Stormlands while living in King's Landing. Therefore, Lord Renly appointed Ser Gareth Wensington as Regent and Proxy to the Stormlands. If there was a dispute or conflict, Ser Gareth Wensington would tend to it and solve it. On occasion, he would be summoned to perform the King's Justice.
One time, a man killed his mother out of spite. Robt told me he had to witness Father to give the sentencing and executed the man. Apparently, the man was not a coward, refusing to run away to Castle Black to join the Night's Watch. He accepted death while Father decapitated him.
Someone had to hold the responsibility in the Stormlands, and the burden fell onto my father ever since Robert Baratheon become king. Usually, the second-born son would take the position of Warden and Lord of Storm's End. However, King Robert made his brother, Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone. Leaving Renly as Lord and Warden of the Stormlands. Except, with Renly now Master of Law, my father has become Proxy. Doing all the responsibilities in all but name.
"Then Elain and I shall attend," Mother announced. "A nice bonding experience."
Father shook his head with a scoff, "Yes, dear."
Mother was ecstatic as she took my hand and led the way to the storage room kept in our family wing. She scavenges through crates and chests in search of something.
"My dear, since this is short notice, we won't be able to make you a new dress." Mother explained. "I'm sure one of my gowns will suffice, and we will make alterations."
I nodded, going along with this. I'm still baffled that we were going to the Reach to attend a Mask Ball.
"Now, Mask Balls, you have to dress up for." She continued. "The last time I attended one, people tend to dress like the gods or historical figures."
"Are we going to dress like that?" I asked.
Mother shook her head, "That is too predictable. I'm sure I have my masks here."
She scavenged through her old chests, trying to find what she sought. I examined the old clothes that define House Estermont. The colors are green, white, and brown. The accents of turtles and the embroidery in the design. I smiled, finding a small jewelry box made from a shell.
Mask balls were rare in the Stormlands. We have festivals and celebrations, but we don't divulge in luscious finery. We are of the land and sea, where the storms join us together. Then again, the Stormlands are divided between the northern part, where the storms are harsh, to the southern where the storms are light, and the inland, where it is mainly dry due Dorne Desert..
Mother was from the island of Estermont, and the weather permitted the luxuries of festivities. Then again, Estermont is part of the peninsula known as the Cape Wrath. Though it lightly rains, it is fertile versus the northern region. Mother told tales of events she used to attend. Especially an Estermont village festival and sailing tournaments.
She hummed as she pulled out a box, "When I was young, there was a festival in Estermont with many traders and Houses for a sailing tournament. One stall was from Bravos, and he sold masks. I bought a few for their beauty and dress up. Hopefully, they are in good condition."
She opens the case to reveal the masks she had collected in her youth. There were three. The first one mom raised was a solid face in a porcelain white, yet there were swirling shades of gold with a scale-like pattern, while lips were painted gold. The second mask was that of a cat. It was utterly worn out, as the materials were cracked and chipping. It must have been my mother's favorite to wear.
And then Mother gave a sincere smile, lifting up a thin mask of metalwork entwined in lace. Yet it seemed so delicate, with pearls and a crystal attached.
"Never got a chance to wear this," she explained, holding it against her face. "Was afraid of how delicate it was."
She placed it against my face, "But on you, it shall suffice."
I nodded, then sneezed from the dust.
Mother chuckled as she set the mask in my hand, then stood up, entering her old chest. She searched through until she pulled out a package. She examined the flap, lifted it up, and nodded. She led the way back to my room. I followed her, wondering what was inside.
Once in my room, she unraveled the package and pulled out two gowns. The first was pristine white, an underdress with tier sleeves that appeared off the shoulders. Next was an overdress that was strapless. The dress was a soft blue with silver trim and a slit in the front and center.
"My mother and I made this dress," She explained. "But we never got to finish it. I couldn't muster the strength to finish it when she passed away."
I stared at the gown and then at my mother. Her mother died around my age, and her parents died in a storm. A storm drenched the earth beneath their feet on a cliff, and they fell to their deaths. Lord Estermont took my mother and siblings in until they came of age.
"What am I going to dress as?" I asked.
Mother looked at me with a smile, "A water fae."
.o0o.
Willas's POV
Willas sighed as he reviewed the numbers for this year's harvest ball. Money wasn't an issue, but Lord Mace has been splurging more than necessary since his mother's passing. He took it upon himself to lead Highgarden while his family was mourning. Lady Alerie was in perfect health until she caught lung fever. He assumed it was consumption. Since his mother went to Old Town, and just as she left, there was an epidemic.
Willas took a deep breath, missing his mother like anyone else. Even took charge so his father could grieve. With the help of his grandmother, he managed to maintain the finances and the law if the King's Justice was required. Then again, the Reach doesn't kill criminals but puts them in prison farms.
Shaking his head, he pulled up the list of people invited to this year's mask ball. The majority have been Reach's citizens, followed by those in the Crownlands. Especially Lord Renly, and…. wait, what this. House Wensington, more precisely… Lady Elain. Not as a plus one for Lord Renly, but an actual invite to her. And a last-minute addition, it seems.
The last time he saw Elain was at Lady Brienne's nameday celebration. That was a year or so ago. Throughout the years, he has crossed paths with the young maiden, primarily at tournaments when both their Houses competed. They mainly shared a short conversation, and he would tease her about the concussion she had received from being trampled by horses. Fortunately, the concussion was mild, not severe or damaging.
However, he knew Elain before then. Long ago, when she was a little girl in the stand. On the day of his accident against Prince Oberyn. The girl caught his attention as he used her to avoid the pain. A girl without a name whose eyes were blue as the sky and hair black as night. It was a mental mind trick until seeing her again a few years later at the Tournament in Blackhaven, getting the name as well.
Such a curious girl. Ladies from the Stormlands were divided into two groups: The Fair Maiden and the Fierce Maiden. Lord Renly had mentioned that Lady Elain enjoys archery and the hunt, also being talented in needlepoint. In his last conversation with the maiden, she has a precise taste in men. Gods have mercy on her future husband.
A Free Spirit that one, Willas thought with amusement.
Although Willas wondered why Lord Renly was sponsoring the girl. Rumor has it he plans to marry the girl when she comes of age. A frown formed on the once-knight's face. He is aware of Renly's nightly activities and his company of men. Especially his youngest brother, Loras. If the Lord of the Stormland intends to marry Elain out of convenience, it wouldn't be fair for the young maiden.
A marriage in nothing but name.
The doors burst open, in which Garlan entered, "I see you've been busy, dear brother."
Willas rolled his eyes, "By any chance, did you make this last-minute invite to House Wensington?"
Garlan sat across the desk in an ornate chair and set his feet on the desk. "House Wensington…why does that sound familiar?"
"Lady Elain," Willas grumbled, grabbing his cane to smack it on his brother's feet.
Garlan yelped, putting his feet down, "Who?"
"The girl we helped in Blackhaven," he reminded.
It took Garlan a moment and nodded, "Ah, the one who got trampled by horses."
Willas rolled his eyes, deducting that Garlan wasn't the one who invited the maiden. The only other person who has met the girl was Loras. Then again, it's highly possible since Loras is in Lord Renly's company.
"Now that I think about it, our sweet sister was having tea with Lord Renly and Loras," Garlan recalled. "Either of those three could have invited her."
Willas nodded; then again, Margaery had been told about Lady Elain and was curious to meet her. However, after his mother's sickness when he returned and her death, they barely invited anyone over unless it was a scheduled event. Or attended other social events.
"Why are you curious about Ser Gareth's daughter?" Garlan murmured. "Are you interested in the fair maiden?" He paused. "She's a bit young for your taste."
Willas glared at his brother. He was practically a decade older than the girl. He preferred his sexual partners to be older. But most of all, not maidens to respectful houses with reputations. Then again, it has been a while since he last slept with someone. When he visited Dorne to see Prince Oberyn in one of his orgies.
"Don't mock me," Willas grumbled.
Garlan laughed, shaking his head. "Still, I'm surprised you care about her."
"She reminds me of our sister," Willas assured. "Nothing more."
Garlan raised a brow but shrugged it off.
Willas sighed, unsure why this bothered him, especially with the rumors. He doesn't buy this Kingdom Flowers that Lord Renly has started declaring who the fairest beauty is. In fact, it was something like that that started a war. Either way, he will have his Thorns look into it.
The Thorns were a group of men Willas hired to get him resources. Men with specific talents, similar to the Spy Master's little birds. Only these men are capable of doing more than snooping. Willas, unable to perform, usually needed to know what was happening to better his family. So, a Thorn to figure this out would suffice.
Anyway, he needed to get back to work.
.o0o.
Elain's POV
It has been a long journey from Hailstorm to Highgarden. At first, Father escorted Mother and me to the borders of the Reach and acquired us a house carriage with our men. He wished us luck and advised us to be careful. A dagger was strapped to my hip, and another in my boot. Followed by my bow and quiver filled with arrows.
Mother had her dagger as well. She kissed Father on the lips before telling him to take care of Robt and Stefan. Afterward, we made our journey through the Reach. Mother and I worked on the dress during that time, adding embroidery with pearls, mother of pearl, and smooth white sea glass. Maester Caldwell, a creative man, designed a pair of butterfly wings, yet they held a more ethereal design.
Throughout the journey, I would stop and glance out the window, seeing how different the Reach was from the Stormlands. So many trees and fields were filled with wildflowers and vegetation. It was so green. Not the dark green I have seen in the forest near home, but more vibrant. Especially seeing farms and the different smells and tastes.
When we reached the borders of Highgarden, I was utterly amazed... There was a castle surrounded by three rings of white stone whose walls increased in height. Between the outer and middle walls is a famous briar labyrinth. The oldest towers stand tall, while newer buildings are tall and slender. Most importantly, a field of golden roses stretches as far as the eye can see.
"It's beautiful," I hummed.
"Indeed," Mother agreed. "Like an ocean of gold."
I nodded in agreement. Followed by the weather being so much warmer that I shed my light-weight cloak.
A rider went up ahead to inform the host that we were arriving. We enter through the villages surrounding the castle and into each ring, seeing the different architectural designs. The houses back home are the bare minimum and prepared for rain and hail. No, many are made out of cobblestones, covered in plaster of white with shingle design roofs. All so lovely, with designs that signify this was the Reach.
When the wagon house reached the center ring by dusk. One of our guards got off his horse and opened the door. He offered a hand, which I accepted, stepping down. Afterward, he helped my mother down. I glanced around, seeing the white castle stone with towers reaching the sky. The height baffled me since a tower would attract lightning. The only keep with the tallest tower in the Stormlands was Storm's End.
Mother placed a hand on my shoulder, gesturing to me at the main entrance of the stairs. There stood a young woman around my age. She had thick, softly curling brown hair and large brown eyes. She has a slender but womanly figure with smooth and unblemished pale skin. She wore a green dress with a golden brocade bodice. She smiled brightly as she glanced at her brother, Ser Loras, and Lord Renly. Not even a second, she was making her way down the steps to approach us, giving a curtsey.
"Welcome to Highgarden, Lady Syrena and Lady Elain," She greeted, her voice that of a melody. "Thank you for coming under short notice."
Mother and I gave a curtsey in return since she is from one of the seven main houses.
"Thank you for inviting us," I replied.
Lady Margaery smiled. All I could say was she was gorgeous. More fair than anyone I have met in my kingdom. She took my hand, giving me a gentle squeeze.
"I've heard so much about you from my brothers and Lord Renly," she continued.
I glance at Ser Loras and Lord Renly, "I hope they were kind."
She giggled softly, "I assure you, they were. Oh, how I wish we met sooner. But alas, distance has kept us away."
"Indeed," I said, not used to all this attention, and stared at my mother. My mother was smiling, seeing me socializing with a Lady my age. One who is very…bubbly.
"Oh, forgive me," Lady Margaery gasped. "You must be exhausted from your journey. Allow me to escort you to your chambers."
"That would be much appreciated, Lady Margaery," Mother replied.
The servants came collecting our things. Lady Margaery held my hand as she led us up the steps. I barely gave Lord Renly and Ser Loras a proper greeting as Lady Margaery dragged me through the castle. Only heard the two saying:
"I believe your sister has kidnapped our friend."
"I'm afraid so."
Followed by them laughing at this.
Deep into the castle and up the steps until we reached the floor dedicated to guests. The place felt like a white, beige, green, and gold maze. Tyrell banners decorated the walls with paintings and portraits of landscapes and Tyrell's ancestors. A part of me wanted to stop and stare at the details.
It wasn't long before I reached a door that held the room my mother and I would resign during our stay. Inside was a massive room with two canopy beds side by side. The walls were decorated in tapestry while the floor was covered in large mish carpet. Luxury is a way to describe it with all the final details I could not describe.
"This will be your room," Lady Margaery said. "Apologies for sharing a room."
"All is fine," Mother assured. "I'd rather Elain stayed close to me."
Lady Margaery nodded, "Please rest. I'll have servants bring your supper in. Tomorrow, you both shall have tea with me and grandmother."
"Lady Olenna," Mother said. "How is your grandmother doing?"
"She is doing well," Lady Margaery assured.
Mother nodded.
Lady Margaery then retook my hands, giving me a firm squeeze. "I hope you and I become good friends."
Before I could reply, she let go of my hands and danced out of the room. I stood there baffled, watching the servants deliver our trunks and leave. After a moment, I glanced at my mother.
"What just happened?" I asked.
Mother chuckled, "That, my dear, is a dance of excitement and a hopeful friendship."
"Felt like desperation," I grumbled.
"Well, being the only girl with brothers, I wouldn't be surprised." Mother replied. "Especially after the passing of her mother. Be patient and kind."
I sighed but nodded.
I wonder if Lord Willas is here?
Hope you enjoy the chapter.
Elain's dress for the Mask Ball is inspired by Queen Susan Dress in Prince Caspian, at the end when she leaves Narnia.
Thanks for reading and please leave a review!