Chapter 20: Tour
[Summerhall, Stormlands]
(Rhaegon's POV)
"My young lord, Ser Rhaegon...." The Castellan of Summerhall said, "The young lady Joanne Estermont of Greenstone."
I sat on the throne inside the massive hall in Summerhall, leaning on my arm as I boringly looked at the massive crowd of lords and ladies of the Stormlands. I have begun my tour and have been sitting in this damned chair since the morrow.
A young girl approached the steps and bowed slightly, "M-My Lord...." She said nervously, "I....uhm...."
I raised an eyebrow without saying a word. She was short, petite, and looked rather young. Around ten and three or four. She had brown hair that was tied up in a regal knot as she wore a bright green dress.
The Castellan, Lord Trevor Dondarrion, leaned towards me, "Her father has offered a nice and generous dowry." He said, "She has bled and the women of her line are known to be quite beautiful and fertile. She should provide many heirs should she be taken by you."
"Hm..." I said as I looked at her, "Joanne, huh? Wasn't the Lord Hand's wife named Joanne?"
"Joanna, Ser." Lord Trevor said
I looked at the girl, "You." I said, "How old are you?"
"T-Ten and four, milord...." She said as she looked down
I glanced at Lord Trevor, "She's too timid..." I told him, "She's acting like this before me, imagine how she'd act before Morghul."
"It is because of Morghul that every young lady will be nervous, Ser." He said, "But they're also nervous because of your reputation as a mighty warrior and handsome young lord."
I shrugged, "She's too young." I said, "A girl."
"Lord Estermont has been loyal to your Father and his father before him." Lord Trevor said, "Greenstone has provided good resources to the Stormlands."
I nodded and waved the girl off, "Next." I said, "I'll consider you."
She smiled nervously and bowed before scurrying away.
"His Father won't take it well." Lord Trevor whispered, "You didn't even let her speak much."
"I did let her, she didn't speak." I told him as another girl approached
He straightened up and cleared his throat, "And you are?" He asked the new girl
She was blonde with piercing blue eyes, tall and petite, showing a bit of cleavage from her apple-red dress.
She gave me a smile and bowed, "Milords." She said, "I am Lyanna Selmy."
"Selmy?" I raised an eyebrow and looked at Lord Trevor, "Ser Barristan's House?"
He nodded, "I believe he had a niece or nephew who inherited the seat." He said, "Uhm.....I believe that was the case."
I looked at her, "You're related to Ser Barristan?"
"He is my distant cousin." She said with a smile, "That is all. Barristan The Bold is a legend and icon to our House. You've been trained by him, I heard."
I nodded, "Yes." I said, "And Ser Arthur."
"It would be an honor to marry the man who was trained by him." She said with a smile, "Milord. I am ten and seven as well. I would provide you the best of service and will give you many sons to further your line."
Lord Trevor leaned into me, "I don't know if Lord Selmy has provided any good dowry in exchange..." He said, "It would be wise to think about it first rather than accepting her hand."
I nodded, "Yeah, I suppose so." I whispered, "Put her on the list, though. She's pretty."
"If you say so." He said with a slight chuckle, "Ahem, thank you, Lady Lyanna. Ser Rhaegon will consider it."
She bowed slightly and walked away, the outline of her mature body showing through her dress. There are times when I understand Father's...past debauchery.
I then heard as the people let out a slight gasp and some of them began to snicker as the next girl began to walk forth.
She was tall, a bit muscular, and had short blonde hair. Her eyes were pretty, yes, but her face was that of an average woman's. She was wearing a sapphire blue dress as she so awkwardly walked towards the steps to the throne.
She bowed slightly, "M-Milord..." She said softly as she looked down
Lord Trevor leaned towards me, "Lady Brienne of Tarth...." He said, "Daughter of Lord Selwyn.....House Tarth does have a respectable dowry....but...well, the Lady isn't your conventional beauty.....she has a reputation of being what they call.....unlady-like."
"Hm...." I said, "Brienne, was it?"
She looked at me and nodded slowly, "Y-Yes milord." She said
I leaned forward, "I have fought many battles and killed many more men." I said, "I know the eyes of a fighter when I see them. You wield the sword, My Lady?"
She nodded slowly again, "Yes, Ser...." She said before gulping
"Hm...." I said as I leaned towards Lord Trevor, "She's got nice hair."
"Milord?" He said
"Nothing." I said with a chuckle, "I would like to see her skills."
"Her skills?" I heard someone from the crowd say, "What? In bed?"
I heard a couple of people laugh within the crowd, the sudden silence allowing me to hear them clearly.
I pointed at the short man who said that "You." I said seriously
His face went pale and gulped, "Yes?"
"Shut up." I said as I gave him a serious look, "Or would you like to meet my Dragon?"
He nodded frantically and looked down, "O-Okay...."
I stood up and clapped my hands, "My Lords.....My ladies...." I said nodding at Brienne, "I have seen enough of today. I thank you all for coming, I am grateful for all the offerings made today. I will consider them all thoroughly and will discuss them with my Lord Father. Now, I want to say something. It doesn't matter what choice I make, as long as you stay loyal to our House, you will all receive the protection of my blade and Dragon. That is all, Thank you."
"I shall take my leave now."
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"Where to now, Ser?" Lord Trevor said as servants came and poured wine on our cups
We were in a dinner table in one of Summerhall's rooms, eating dinner.
"The Reach...." I said rubbing my temples, "Then the Westerlands....Riverlands and The Vale follow them. I shall only do a day each."
I grabbed a cup of wine and began to chug down, feeling the cool liquid pass down my throat.
"I have several ladies listed down at your request." He said, "I shall send it to your Father in the Morrow."
"Hm...." I said as I set the cup down, "This is all too fucking boring."
"I understand." He said, "But this is for the sake of the Realm."
"Everyone tells me that." I said as I grabbed a bun of bread, "Can you believe that Stannis asked for Summerhall?"
"I did." He said, "A ridiculous demand. King Rhaegar granted me the privilege to be Castellan of Summerhall. Anything regarding this summer castle of House Targaryen is approved by the King himself."
I leaned back, "Have you seen it?"
He raised an eyebrow, "Pardon me?"
"The room." I said as I took a bit off the bun
"No..." He said, "Nobody goes there. It gets too hot to even get near them."
I nodded, "I bet." I said,
"Only a dragon can walk through there."