Harrenhal

The travel had been, fortunately, mostly uneventful. Probably, the clansmen were hands full with their raids elsewhere or preocupied for the massing of troops near the Bloody Gate itself under a sea of knightly banners. Baelish had lost a score of men, but not much only a few, to small-scale ambushes and daring attacks, but the savages were repelled and the force arrived intact to the God's Eye, galloping fast using the old road. The castle towered over the surrounding lands like a hunched giant, a small mountain in the middle of a plain. The lake was shimmering like a mirror, reflecting the five towers like five blackened fingers trying to reach the distant morning sky. The field of mockingbirds was enough for ser Bonifer to raise the portcullis and open the gates, letting the Lord of the castle enter his property. Pleasantries were exchanged between the castellan and Baelish, who handed Hasty a bag of dragons and stags to fund the repair of seven septs all over the land.

The Lord Protector of the Vale and Lord of the Trident claimed the lordly chambers at the Kingspyre Tower, the largest of all five, and settled his men within the Widow's Tower, which could house them all comfortably. Banners were raised with the new lord's heraldry, dancing in the wind, for all to see. Also, carpenters and workers from around the God's Eye were brought to the castle, where they were instructed to make the inhospitable castle more comfortable, parts of it being cleaned and new furniture made to refurbish the solar and a few other chambers. The castle was so large that it would take years and a fortune to bring the five towers to semblance of a home, so Baelish just focused on two of them, the Widow's Tower and the Kingspyre, which were connected and formed the molten and twisted heart of the fortress.

In the following days, lords upon lords, scores of ladies and a host of knights reached Harrenhal, where they were hosted by Baelish and entertained at his expense, during a whole week of feasting. In due turn, every one of them offered their fealty to Petyr, who welcomed them eagerly into his service. The Mallisters were assured Baelish would look into the matter of their captured lord. Piper receives equal promise, with Baelish promising that he would send word to Queen Cersei to speed the return of Pinkmaiden's heir. All lords and ladies were offered gentle words, a carriage-worth of simpathetic smiles and nods and friendly conversation. He brokered marriages between his new vassals and whatever retainers he had brought from the Vale, trying to form some new ties between both kingdoms. Baelish also employed a number of younger sons and minor relatives to serve him as sworn swords. He tried to get a number of wards and asked for handmaidens for his daughter Alayne, who was said to act as the Lady of Harrenhal in absence of any wife for the widowed Baelish. The patient Lord of the Trident hears any petition, complain or proposal uttered by his new vassals. All in all, the Valesman offered his best face: liberal, pleasant, amicable, capable and diligent.

They were led through the bridge into the upper half of the Kingspyre Tower, where the lordly solar was. Baelish welcomed the envoy all on his own, alone save the presence of a couple servants and a page.

"You are here on behalf of Ser Daven, I've heard. Come, come hither, Ser Parren"

Said Baelish, standing next to an immense window on the other side of the colossal chamber, big as many lords' great halls. Petyr was wearing a long gown, in green, embroidered in gold. From his belt hung a dagger with a jewelled hilt.

"What does the Warden of the West want?"

"Darry"

Said Petyr, bowing his head, pensive.

"How old is your lord? The Riverlords could complain if I handled the honor of Darry to a kid. But, I guess he's old enough to use what's inside his breeches, is he not?"

He turns his back to the window and walks to the large oaken desk that laid closeby.

"Lancel's wife, Lady Amerei, is certainly half a Darry, but I fear his reputation isn't too much, ser. Even the smallfolk is beginning to talk tall tales of her"

Baelish takes a seat.

"However, she has a younger sister, Marissa Frey, who is four-and-ten years of age. She came with her mother, Lady Mariya, to swear fealty to me. Bring this Martyn to Harrenhal and I shall have him married to Marissa, who's all-around a better match. I will take his sister, Amerei, to the Vale, where she shall be properly wed and were her... stories, are not common gossip. Thus, you will save reputation and gain Darry"

Baelish takes them all into his entourage with liberality: the boys with age of serving as squires are handed arms and weapons of their own, while the pages are given the livery of Petyr, with the mockingbird sewn over their hearts, silver on green. He tries to pair the squires with knights according to their rank, so the Riverlords would feel flattered and taken care of. The youngest among them, he assured, would be companions of Lord Robert Arryn. The Lord Protector reminds, casually, of his condition as widowed to a Tully and warden to a relation of their former lords and subtly places himself as some sort of benign continuation to the fallen lords of Riverrun. He offers simpathy to those who lost kindred to the Frey and promises to returns lords and knights to their homes. His prodigal liberality is a stark contrast with the wanton greed of the Freys. Plus, he, a man on his prime, rather handsome and nimble, all smiles, is quite a different lord that the weasel-faced and lame folks of the Twins, like Emmon Frey, that poor excuse of a lord.

Ser Parren had not heard of this before. Gossip? Stories? There were such things that surrounded Amerei Frey? If that had come to light, certainly, Ser Devan would be furious that his cousin married a woman of ill-repute. Still, the offer of an alternative seemed suitable. Marissa would grant the same privilege to Martyn Lannister and allow him to gain Darry as a fiefdom in the Riverlands.

Young Martyn is of the same age as Marissa, I believe this is suitable. Let us have a formal betrothal be made now and arrange for a marriage to take place soon.

The knight recalls something that Devan requested, well two things.

The Warden of the West requests that he allows me to inspect Darry and bring a report back. He wishes to ensure that Martyn has the right people to aid him in ruling. He will send further representation once he has considered this offer fully. And... another topic, in fact, but of a similar nature.

Parren continues to speak.

It was the wish of the late Tywin to see Ser Devan marry a Frey. However, he is willing to take other considerations, within the Riverlands, if you have any in mind, Lord Baelish.

Harwyn Plumm... everyone knew that name in the Westerlands. An unforgiving man, hard-eyed, and dangerous with his choice weapon, a warhammer. Ser Parren would have to report this to Ser Devan who, likely, wasn't aware of this news. Tywin had liked him and, apparently, trusted Harwyn as he and his brothers had been the ones who searched for Jaime Lannister in the Riverlands before. Still, be a hard issue if Harwyn proved stubborn. Yet, bringing the warrior back to the Westerlands would add a new arm to Ser Devan's roster of knights.

Thank you for this news, my Lord. We will see to it that Harwyn handled with care. I suspect Ser Devan will likely see to it himself, personally.

On the matter of the Freys and marriage, Ser Parren shrugs his shoulders.

I do not know if Ser Devan plans to betray the betrothal. Perhaps he believes that, due to Tywin's death, the arrangement may not happen. He still wishes to know his options, in case nothing comes of it. He seems rather keen to not only ensure himself a bride, but that spouses are arranged for the rest of his kin. House Lannister has lost plenty as of recent.