A Reunion of Sorts

Posted on Wed Feb 17th, 2021 @ 3:44pm by King Aethan Velaryon & Queen Joanna Velaryon

Mission: The Great Council
Location: Seasmoke Hold
Timeline: The night before the Funeral

Joanna was reflective as she rode towards Seasmoke Hold in the company of Ser Luthor Mullendore and six of her household guard. She knew the place well and from not so many years ago, though it seemed a lifetime. She also knew the story of Ser Addam Velaryon. It was a heroic tale of a bastard who proved himself a true heir, giving his own life to protect his soldiers and the people of Tumbleton from berserking, riderless dragons even after he had been falsely branded a turncloak. She was also very aware of the awkward fact that House Hightower had fought for the greens during the Dance and she had grown up learning those histories.

She came to a stop at the gate, allowing Ser Luthor to help her from her mount. "Lady Joanna Hightower to see Lord Aethan Velaryon," she said to the guard at the gate.

Unlike the manse's servants who wore Velaryon sea green, the guards wore armour of silver with a sea green seahorse emblazoned on the chest piece. The guard on duty at the manse's gate was a young man from Claw Isle. His red hair flowed in the evening breeze. "And is Lord Aethan expecting you?" He asked, doing his best to sound more authoritative than he actually was.

From behind the redheaded guard another approached, clearly older and much more experienced. "Apologies my Lady, Lord Aethan will meet you in the gardens, If you'll follow me?"

Joanna was already opening her mouth to answer the younger guard when the more experienced spoke up. "There is nothing to apologize for," she said, although her tone showed appreciation that he had offered nonetheless. Only Ser Luthor accompanied her as she followed the guard to the gardens.

The gardens at Seasmoke Hold weren’t the most lush that anyone had ever behold. The sea air made it so only specific trees and plants would grow well. There was a central terrace in the garden, where the bulk of entertaining took place in the estate.

Aethan Velaryon was the picture of Valyrian beauty. His white blonde hair cascaded in ocean waves, framing his slim, angular features. His cerulean eyes shone like the waters of the Narrow Sea. There was no denying his lineage. Nor the attention his looks attracted wherever he went. The lowering sun reflected in his eyes as he stood looking out on the water.

Lord Velaryon was still dressed in the black velvet coat and charcoal coloured trousers he’d worn at dinner with his Grandmother and Uncle as he awaited the anticipated arrival of Joanna Hightower. The sound of his guards footsteps alerted him that someone was coming.

“My Lord, Lady Joanna Hightower.” Said the Middle aged Ser Jarin Driftwood, the captain of the house guard, with a bow.

Aethan smiled. “Welcome My Lady. Or rather, welcome back.” He made his way towards her and leaned into a regal bow.

His striking features were familiar to Joanna as her own golden blond hair and sky blue eyes were to him. She returned his bow with a curtsey. "Lord Aethan, it has been some time." Her smile, perhaps, slightly bittersweet. "I wish it were under better circumstances." She had barely known the king but still it was proper to be in mourning.

Aethan offered a warm smile and then took Joanna’s hands in his, leading her to a where a small table with chairs had been arranged. They overlooked Blackwater Bay. Aethan let go of her and made his way around to his own seat. “It had to be something to pull you away from Oldtown.” His smile remained. “How was the road?” He asked.

Joanna let him take her hand easily enough. It was a familiar gesture. She walked over and settled down, looking out over the bay. "It is not so easy to leave these days," she says, as much from internal politics as anything else but she doesn't say that. "Still, it is nice to see....King's Landing...again. The city never really changes."

Aethan smiled. “My grandmother is here as well.” He said pouring wine for both of them. “And she has every moment planned.” He nearly rolled his eyes as he slid a cup towards Joanna.

The blonde man picked up his cup and took a long sip before setting it aside. “I feel as though I’ve been in mourning for years.” He sighed.

Joanna took her cup and sipped slowly. "I'm sure she does. I remember her well." She gave a small sigh at Aethan's words and started to reach towards him but she made herself lower her hand. "We all have our duties."

Aethan scoffed. "Duty." He shook his head. "Grandmother says the same thing." Taking a deep breath and a leap with his words. "Have you found a match yet?" He picked up his cup and sipped again.

"Not a suitable one. Some in the family are beginning to grow frustrated. Others, however, seem almost relieved." She gives a small, elegant shrug.

Shaking his head, Aethan spoke softly. “We should marry and just be done with it.”

"That would be the scandal of the court for the next several years, wouldn't it?" she says with a grin.

“It’s an advantageous match for both of us, and it save us from loveless marriages with strangers.” He picked up his goblet again. “At least we like each other.”

"We do like each other," she agreed, a little more pensively, as she brought her drink to her lips. "How would you arrange things, given both of our...responsibilities?"

“We could split our time between Dragonstone and Oldtown. Once we have heirs we can figure out who goes where.” Aethan sounded sincere.

"You're serious?" She moved her hand a little, as if she was considering extending it but hesitated..

“You have to admit, it would be ideal for both of us.” Aethan looked into her eyes. “Grandmother is set on finding a match while we’re here. I don’t want to marry some Lord’s daughter that I’ve never met. I’d rather be able to forge my own path with my friend.”

"Your friend?" she probes gently.

Aethan continued peering into Joanna’s eyes. “You are my longest friend, and I have always loved you.”

"Loved...I like that word better than friend." She was still indecisive as she set her hand in his.

The young lord squeezed her hand in his. He smiled. “We could be married at the Starry Sept in Oldtown, take a ship from there to Dragonstone as a marriage tour.”

She hesitated another moment and then breathed in deeply. "Let's."

“I can speak with my Grandmother tomorrow after the feast at the Red Keep, and inform her of our intentions. That is, if you’re serious?” Aethan was hopeful for this match over any other. It was surely be a most ideal arrangement, he hoped their friendship would assist in her understanding of his unnatural disposition.

"I'm serious," Joanna said. "I've always liked you. I was practically besotted for awhile." She laughed slightly.

Aethan looked both excited and relieved. “Perfect. “ He squeezed again and then let go of her hand. “We will have to sit down to put together all of the specific details of the union, but I’m confident I can make a compelling case to the family.”

"I will do the same," Joanna said. Then she smirked slightly. "Of course, now that we are heads of our families..."

“We’ll have more wind in our sails.” Aethan smiled and pulled Joanna into a tight hug. “I should retire, we have a long day ahead of us.”

"I will speak to you soon," Joanna said, rising.

Aethan nodded eagerly as Joanna’s guard approached to gather her. “I will see you tomorrow then.”

"Tomorrow," she said and then paused, turning to lean in and press a kiss to his cheek.

Aethan raised a hand to his cheek as she departed.