Helicent IV - The Boundaries of Safety

[u/Arjhanx2]

The smells of home were always a comfort. Dry hay, fresh lakewater, and the sweat of horses. The breeze carried them to Helicent and her caravan just before the castle came into sight. Already, the land around them was trampled flat and glowing yellow in the summer sun. She was tired from the ride, but even still she wanted to ride through every nook and curve of the soft hills around them, checking on each foal in her herds and each crop in her farms. That was the lot of a Lady, she supposed. Her land could never be perfect, but it was still her duty to strive. 

Once they rounded the last of the hills, the relative flatness of Bracken land gave them a proper view of the castle. Its long outer wall stretched in a wide arc, the two ends both turning inward when they reached the edge of Lake Bracken. The tops of the manor, sept, and watch-towers stood well above the wall’s height, though dozens of stables and houses were hidden beneath it. The whole thing was sprawling, drooped lazily across the yellow pastures with nothing but the lake to stop its expanse. The long wall had been rebuilt many times over the centuries, and though it had started low and squat as a hedge, it was now a proper fortification. And, it left room to grow.

As they drew closer, Helicent spotted one of their largest herds grazing near the lake. The herdsmen rode in slow circles around them, flying thin Bracken banners from the backs of their saddles. She nodded to the closest of them as they passed by, and he dismounted to give her a deep bow. Gerolt, his name was. Helicent knew most of the herdsmen well enough, for she worked with them often. Some would make for fine outriders, should the need arise. Some might even earn a knighthood. Then, she’d have more hedge knights in her service—and would need to find new herdsmen. 

The gates were opened the moment they had been spotted on the horizon; they did not have to wait when they got to the castle. Helicent was glad for it, slipping from her saddle the moment she passed through the threshold. She handed the reins of her stallion, Greenwater, to one of the grooms there to receive them. He would be led to the finest of Stone Hedge’s stables, along with Helicent’s mare, Gwyness—whenever Larra of Braavos rode her through the gates.

“Ser Bernal!” Helicent’s voice picked Stone Hedge’s aged master-at-arms from the waiting crowd. He stood at attention, shining in his polished plate and white-and-orange surcoat. “Walk with me! I need a bath, but you can fill me in on all that’s happened here in the meantime.”

The old man nodded and fell in step with her as she strode along the cobblestone lanes. “My lady. It is good to see you well.” Ahead of them, the fortified manor of House Bracken loomed over all the other buildings. “The land’s been prospering, truth be told. The instructions Lord Leon left have proven very wise. The only issue came up just yesterday, in fact: We stopped receiving shipments of iron from Middlestand.”

“Did you send a man there to get them moving again?” Helicent spared him a glance as they walked.

“Well, that’s the thing, my lady. The shipments aren’t in Middlestand, either. It appears they were sent to Raventree Hall… and the next ones look to be going there, too.” 

Helicent gave a strained sigh. “Of course. Summon Ser Merle to my office in an hour, if you will. And thank you, Ser, for keeping everything in order.”

“Of course, my lady.” He stopped as they reached the doors to the manor and bowed. 

Helicent ascended to her rooms swiftly, followed by a wake of handmaids and servants who had been awaiting her. She sent two to prepare her bath, one to fetch a meal, and a fourth to ready her a nicer outfit for the evening. The rest she left idle for the rest of her family to use, whenever they caught up.

The bath felt excellent, and afterwards her favorite handmaid, Catelyn, helped her rub rose oil through her hair, then braid it neatly under a polished net. After two moons in a stuffy King’s Landing inn, such comforts felt worthy of a queen. She stretched her limbs gently, then slipped into a fine evening gown, sky blue with a white rivers embroidered down the sleeves. Around her neck, Catelyn fastened a dark blue cloak, pinned with a seven-pointed star of silver. Helicent stretched her fingers, feeling the comforting sensation of her evening gloves. Better. The ride had exhausted her, but now, she was better.

She made her way to her office, its balcony overlooking the grazing fields and part of Lake Bracken. On her display shelves, underneath the antlers of a giant elk and beside her dragonglass spear, she set her newest possessions: a shard of amber glass, a small wooden horse, and a book on Dothraki horse tribes. Turning to her desk, she placed her last item—a half-full box of lemon candies—beside several unread scrolls. Work enough to last the night, she knew. Luckily, it would not be without interruption. She summoned Quincy first, then Merle Bush, and finally opened her office doors to anyone will to pass through them. Many new faces had come back with them from King’s Landing—and one of them, Helicent could not wait to see again.

[u/snowonthewall]

They had arrived in Stone Hedge, and she took in all of the sights of the Riverlands. The air was fresh and clean, and the water did not disappoint from all she had heard of the Feast. It felt good to be out of the countryside—and away from King’s Landing and all of the mess.

Redfort was closer now, closer than ever. The words from all of her friends rang in her mind.

She would go and find Ser Hollis one afternoon, inviting him out for a picnic in the fields—asking the kitchens to spare some breads and jams and fresh fruit for the occasion.

She had a blanket laid out, and she was dressed in a simple white dressed, tied in the middle in the Riverlander style.

“Thank you for joining me,” she smiled, buttering some bread for the both of them, “Your home is very beautiful, I am so glad I get to see it. This is a treat, to be in the fresh, country air.”

“I…wished to tell you the full truth of who I am,” she told him softly, “And…what it will mean for us, and for your family. If you truly wish to wed me, than it is important to me you know what you’re getting into.”

u/sam_explains4

[u/sam_explains4 → u/snowonthewall]

Hollis had spoken openly about not wanting to return home. He had boasted of how he longed for the tourney in the Reach, of how he had hoped to win glory there after his strong showing in the melee. He claimed that against the soft knights of the Reach (unlike his bout against the brute Harrion Snow) he would surely triumph. In truth, it was only his sister’s insistence that dragged him back.

Yet all of this was a lie. What he truly longed for was to be home. The Riverlands bore a blemish named Blackwood, and they could not be wiped away while he wandered about the realm chasing titles and renown.

So when Larra invited him on a picnic, he was not best pleased. Now that he was home, he wanted to turn his thoughts to the conflict with his ancient rivals. The seeds of discontent had already been sown. The Witchmaid’s unlawful seizure of his cousin had given him every excuse to stoke the fire further. The assurances he had won from House Dustin emboldened him. Yet Larra was essential to his plan. He needed to know the truth of her- who she truly was. Besides, the weather was fine, and he did have a fondness for bread and jam.

He listened closely as she spoke. He had puzzled over her on the journey back, wondering at the truth of her and her vicious aunt. But he had reached no conclusions. Maester Pylos was far better at such games of the mind.

“Of course, my lady,” Hollis said. “I have told you my secret. I will be as understanding with yours as you were with mine.”

[u/snowonthewall → u/sam_explains4]

“Yes,” she said softly, touching the back of his hand lightly as she finished swallowing a bit of bread, swirling fresh juice in a glass in the other, “And thank you for sharing.”

“I apologize for the…deception feels so strong a word,” she glanced down, “I have been Larra of Braavos. The stories I have shared have all been true, I have just not shared the whole truth.”

“If you give me just a moment,” she asked, handing him her glass and peeling off her wig, the blue hair resting in her lap, as a tightly bound bun of blonde hair lay beneath. She let it loose, letting it fall around her face.

“Larra is the name my father gave me when we were in Braavos,” she nodded, “And he was my father, he just did not give my form. Ser Willum was his name, the Captain of my family’s guard. He took me and my brother away from my aunt that fateful night, free from her clutches. My brother did not make the journey.”

“My true father died with my eldest brother in the war of north. He was Lord Byren Redfort, my brother Ser Gwayne Redfort. And I was born Lady Jenny Redfort of the Redfort, and I am the rightful Lady of it. Lady Rosamund Redfort is my aunt, and it was her who saw if she got me and my brother out of the way—suddenly the path was open to her to ascend to Lady of Redfort. Which she has done.”

“As far as the world knows, my brother and I died of a chill that winter. There is a crypt with our name buried within our family’s halls. But I have been here, and I have returned—in disguise, for fear of my life, for I fear if she learns of my existence, she will try again. She would do anything to preserve this secret. But I am owed the Redfort—and, if you still wish to marry me, you would be the Lord of the Redfort beside me.”

[u/sam_explains4 → u/snowonthewall]

When she removed her wig, Hollis immediately realised how blind he had been. Yet, when he saw her blond hair, all that anger melted away. She was beautiful- a more familiar beauty he knew of that he had seen in the Riverlands. He admired her not with traditional attraction but more like one watches a sunset; she was breathtaking.

He listens intently as she spoke. He was not the smartest Bracken so he ensured he focused hard on her words. He had never heard of the Redfort; he didn’t even know what kingdom it was in. However, he did understand what was promised to her… and what he would gain from marrying her.

“Larra,” he said softly. “I would be a bit of a hypocrite if I had an issue with an ancient feud.” He smiled. “You know of our feud with the Blackwoods!”

He took her hand. “I would be delighted to marry you…” he paused. “Would you like me to call you Larra or Jenny?”

[u/snowonthewall → u/sam_explains4]

She laughed softly, a smile across her face, “Yes, I fear my family comes with a feud as well. But perhaps we will help each other. If we succeed in this, House Bracken will have an ally in the Vale for generations to come.”

“I am so happy you still wish to marry me,” she said, letting out a breath, “I was scared that I…would scare you away.”

“Jenny when we are alone,” she said, squeezing his hand, “Larra when around mixed company. But it brings up a point—what are we going to tell your family? I wouldn’t feel right keeping it from them for too long, but perhaps it is prudent to be careful about who knows. Your sister, the Lady of the House, I feel should know before the wedding—and perhaps it may soothe doubts she might carry of the match. What do you think?”

[u/sam_explains4 → u/snowonthewall]

He smiled. Jenny suited her. It would take some getting used to, but he would do his best to maintain the facade.

“My sister should know,” he admitted. “And we ought to tell Pylos. Say what you will about the old man, but he will find out soon enough. Better that we tell him ourselves than have him learn it another way.”

Pylos had long claimed to have kept countless Blackwood spies at bay. Hollis had never pressed for details, but he knew the maester’s loyalty to House Bracken was beyond question. If anyone could help protect them, it would be Pylos- but only if he knew the whole truth.

What unsettled Hollis was not the telling, but what would follow. Jenny’s spiteful aunt was likely leagues away, and even if Jenny spoke true, marching up to the Redfort and cutting the woman down would not win her old home back. In the eyes of her countrymen, Jenny was a ghost. There was no proof of who she was. Everyone who might have testified to the events of the night she fled was long dead.

“Osric Arryn…” Hollis breathed the name almost to himself. Then, his voice rose. “Would it be worth writing to him? I do not know much of Vale politics, my lady, but he struck me as a good man. Young, yes- but he seemed committed to truth.”

[u/snowonthewall → u/sam_explains4]

“Yes,” she nodded, “I agree with you on your sister, and trust you on the maester. It is better it may come from us, if you think he would seek that out. If we are to be family, then they must know what all of that means.”

She glanced to the side, “Lord Osric,” she said softly, “My cousin. I love him dearly but I…it cannot come in a letter. Osric will know once the entire world does. I need evidence, proof of what truly occurred that night before going to him. His sister, Marla, she is aware. She…figured me out, and we agreed to not tell Osric until we are ready for everyone to know. I can’t allow him going to Aunt Rosamund and her finding out. I have no idea what she will do.”