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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 29, 2020 16:16:24 GMT -5
Harrold finds Melisandre in the Great Hall, with an audience of minor lords and ladies. She had been conversing with Mya Stone, of Lord Royce's household, the girl looking rather sheepish and intimidated by the almost otherworldly presence of the new arrival. A hearth burns behind them, warming them from the chill of the winter snows. "Ser Harrold."Stone curtly bows and leaves. The Red Priestess turns to look at Hardyng directly, eyes dancing in the light. "I have seen your coming to me in the flames. I know what you want."A smile crept across her lips, her gaze gesturing to the vacant lord's seat at the centre of the great hall. "The Lord of Light grants his power to a chosen few. Those blessed by his touch become his champions, and serve our king, the Prince that was Promised, Azor Ahai reborn."She closed the distance between them, and lay a marble hand on his doublet. "His fire is in you. It is in us all. Yet the Northerners cling stubbornly to their trees, even when the power is right in front of them. I brought a man back from death. I have seen our King's victory in the fires."So it was true, this Red Priestess had revived Jon Snow. Harrold had heard the rumors at court, of how the Red God could give life to dead bodies and give them a second chance. The power of her god was certainly something to not mess with. His eyes casually scan the minor nobles and ladies gathered. All too familiar to him given his time in the Vale. What attracted them to the Lord of Light? Guess there is little to say then.The young Valeman remarks as he looks back at Melisendre. For now, his desires to appease the Red God and gain his favor for selfish. However, given his youth, it could turn into something else. As you know what I want, can the Red God provide? Can he grant me favor?Harrold inquires. A nervous feeling rising within his gut. What does he desire in return?
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 29, 2020 17:07:20 GMT -5
"Service, in the wars to come. The war against his enemy, the Lord of Darkness. Faith in the warmth of his light."
The Red Priestess smiles.
"In your heart, you doubt. But your Seven Gods never have aided you a day in your life. Nor have the Northmen's trees. The Lord of Light has power, power for those who are faithful and believe."
She touches his face.
"I can marry you and your Lady Stark, and you can be reborn anew as a servant of R'hllor, the Lord of Light, and his champion King Stannis Baratheon."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 29, 2020 17:21:49 GMT -5
"Service, in the wars to come. The war against his enemy, the Lord of Darkness. Faith in the warmth of his light."The Red Priestess smiles. "In your heart, you doubt. But your Seven Gods never have aided you a day in your life. Nor have the Northmen's trees. The Lord of Light has power, power for those who are faithful and believe."She touches his face. "I can marry you and your Lady Stark, and you can be reborn anew as a servant of R'hllor, the Lord of Light, and his champion King Stannis Baratheon." Those words cut deep into his mind. It was true that money ruled the Vale, but were the Seven still with them? If they were, they would have ensured his rise without question. The Septons and Septas would have worked hard to ensure that the last of the Arryns became their Lord Paramount. Yet, they were silent. Their heads bowed. The paranoia grew within Harrold as he thought of just how extensive Baelish's influence could be. Was it right to do? His great ancestor, through his grandmother, Artys Arryn had fought as the champion of the Seven. He crushed the Old Gods and their followers within the mountains at the Battle of Seven Stars. To look away from the Seven and to this Red God would likely be betraying them. Yet, like Artys, the Vale needed to be turned away from Darkness. Perhaps this Lord of Light was the answer. His power was obvious and this priestess had immense abilities if the stories were as true as they say. Harrold desired to gain further support. This should help if he sought to be a follower of the Light, like His Grace. Desperate times called for desperate measures. The confusion in his mind ceased when she touched his face. Slowly, Harry took one step back. A servant of the Lord of Light... a servant of his champion...Harrold was still a young man, whose mind was not as steeled as Baratheon. Why is the Lord of Light so generous compared to the Seven? My ancestor, Artys, fought for them and rose to be a High King.The young Valeman inquires. Why is his power so great while the Seven stand silent, Melisendre?
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 29, 2020 18:01:28 GMT -5
”Your Seven are just statues, sent to misguide the world. The Lord of Light’s flame shall burn them away and reveal them for their priests as liars and charlatans.”
The Red Priestess smiled enigmatically.
”You would be the first of the King’s chosen warriors, the Knights of the Flaming Heart.”
An invention of the Princess Shireen, truth be told, who enjoyed such stories of virtuous knights and holy warriors. Melisandre had seen fit that the King would make it a reality.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 29, 2020 18:16:46 GMT -5
Harrold felt a pride rise within him. Knights of the Flaming Heart, the chosen warriors of the King. He could finally gain recognition, gain reputation.. he would no longer have to sit, content, in the shadows and wait for the right moment. The temptation was far too strong for the young man who desired greatly to prove himself.
Slowly, Harry would kneel before Melisendre. There was a moment of silence before he spoke.
I... I accept the Lord of Light as my god.
Before the minor lords and ladies, Hardyng spoke.
House Arryn shall serve the Light as I will. I wish to serve the Red God and his chosen prince.
More than ever, Harry felt this was right. The temptation had taken hold of his heart.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 30, 2020 9:51:02 GMT -5
"Arise, Ser Harrold Arryn, and be welcomed into the Light."
Said the Priestess, who then turned to all present.
"The Lord of Light welcomes all who would take Him into their hearts. As does his chosen Prince."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 30, 2020 9:57:40 GMT -5
Harrold took a moment to take in that name. None, save Lady Waynwood and Yohn Royce, had truly called him Harrold Arryn. Slowly, the knight rose from his knelt position.
I... thank the Lord of Light and his chosen Prince.
He wasn't aware of how to give thanks, given the unknown customs, but he figured it was best for him to at least say it.
May he protect the King and his followers for all their lives.
=======================
The ravens, sent by Ser Morton, had done their work as supporters of Robert's heir made their way to the Gate of the Moon. Some days after Harrold converted to the Red God, and was thus recognized, by Melisendre, as Harrold Arryn, Ser Morton was present to represent his absent mother, Yohn's son, Andar, represented his father, followed up by Lord Redfort and Belmore who represented the prominent families of the Vale that desired to see Harrold's claim be affirmed. With them, scores of a dozen or so minor lords and knights, both vassals of these greater houses or general vassals of the Vale, came forth. They gathered, at the behest of Harrold, and sought to make their support be known.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 30, 2020 10:20:19 GMT -5
They would gather in the main hall. Stannis, his Red Woman, Nestor Royce, Baelish, Lady Sansa, and many others had all convened at the Gates as the supporters of Harrold came once again to make their support for their rightful liege known. The King was seated on Lord Royce's throne, crowned head resting on his fist as he prepared himself to cut through the Arryn knot once and for all.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 30, 2020 10:25:08 GMT -5
Baelish arrived by Sansa's arm. Both were dressed as befitting their statuses. Jon attended as well, but he remained in a corner, out the spotlight. Davos stood by his king's side.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 30, 2020 10:26:26 GMT -5
Harrold Arryn, as named by Melisendre, stood nearby the King. His conversion to the Red God had become known at court and was starting to spread news across the Vale. In truth, he did not feel... different. The Seven had not sought to smite him and only the clergy sought to nail him with words. Perhaps the Red Woman was right. What if the Seven were just statue. Still, he was glad to see that the ravens had worked and his supporters had come again.
Ser Morton Waynwood, Ser Anbar Royce, Lord Benedar Belmore, and Ser Jasper Redfort, as the four prominent supporters, all stepped forth and knelt before the King, Stannis Baratheon. Morton spoke first.
Your Grace, we have come forth to see the issue of Robert Arryn's succession resolved. The word of Lord Baelish stated that this would all happen soon, yet his silence has worn thin our patience. Prior, we had gathered, paid homage to Harrold, and mourned the loss of Robert, yet we anticipated a quick succession as the Vale needed an Arryn. None of which happened. The promise was never fulfilled.
Benedar Belmore spoke next.
We have been as patient as we could, Your Grace. Now, with a true king in our midst, we put forth the claim of Harrold Hardyng, great-nephew of Jon Arryn, for you to decide. Please, Sire, give your blessing and raise Harrold as an Arryn and name him the Lord of the Vale. Let the man become your vassal and rule the Vale in your name.
Ser Royce and Redfort did not say anything for the other two covered what needed to be said.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 30, 2020 10:37:34 GMT -5
Stannis raised his head and sat up straight. The King was tall even when seated.
"Lord Baelish, you may speak. These are the bannermen of House Arryn, and would see Ser Harrold raised to the seat of the Vale. Do you or any other speak against his claim, or know of any other that could contest this succession in the laws of Gods and Men?"
Melisandre interjected before Baelish could answer.
"If I may, Your Grace, Ser Harrold has taken the Lord of Light into his heart and accepted the One True God. The Lord of Light deems him a worthy servant of His will and yours, my King."
She and the King now looked to Peytr.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 30, 2020 10:45:39 GMT -5
"Never I spoke against ser Hardying's claim, neither I have presumed to dither in my loyalties to the Lord of the Vale"
Said Petyr sweet-tongued.
"To vouch for my unwavering loyalty you have the word of Templeton, Grafton, Corbray and many more"
He smiled slightly. Hinting that not all the Vale stood firmly behind Harrold.
"I just served as Lord Protector of this land in troubled times. Sadly, Harrold is the last with Arryn blood in generations, there's none other"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 30, 2020 11:28:51 GMT -5
"So be it. The boy is a man grown now, and can rule in his own right. He will lead the men of the Vale into war as my warden of the East."
Stannis concluded, with a firm nod.
"As for the Lady Stark's betrothal, I do not recognise the authority of whatever up-jumped prelate sits in King's Landing and bends his neck to the Pretender. You will be married by the Lady Melisandre."
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Post by oznerol on Jun 30, 2020 11:38:14 GMT -5
"So be it. The boy is a man grown now, and can rule in his own right. He will lead the men of the Vale into war as my warden of the East."Stannis concluded, with a firm nod. "As for the Lady Stark's betrothal, I do not recognise the authority of whatever up-jumped prelate sits in King's Landing and bends his neck to the Pretender. You will be married by the Lady Melisandre." Said Baelish, pleasant. What he thought could not be glanced behind the mask of courtesy. "I'm grateful, your Grace, the Septon wanted to have me scrutinized in public by a court of septas and septons. I will be wed in the light of the Lord, if that's what my husband-to-be desires"
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 30, 2020 12:07:47 GMT -5
Harrold then steps forward, pleased with the judgment of Stannis Baratheon. However...
Sire, there is one more thing that I must make note of.
He gestures to Lord Baelish.
The former Lord Protector is a native vassal of the Vale, holding lands at Midlor Point, yet his territory of Harrenhal, in the Riverlands, was confirmed by you and by Tommen.
The Arryn looks at his liege.
Is he to be a vassal of the Rivers or the Vale, Sire? I do not believe he can be both. Otherwise, things may get messy and we should spare such a mess to either region.
The Valeman turns to Edmure.
I believe his talents are better suited in helping the Riverlands be rebuilt as the Vale is stable already. However, if the issue is to be set aside until the war is over, I will see to it that Lord Baelish is confirmed as Lord of Midlor Point as it is his right.
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