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A Song of Ice and Fire	By : Dancinginthedarkkk Category: Pokemon > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 601 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, I do not own the Pokemon Company nor do I own the locations referenced in GRRM's A Song of Ice and Fire. This is purely for hobby and not for profit.

Chapter List
- 1-Ash : I
- 1
The carriage came to a halt once inside the outer courtyard and Prince Ash stood inside to stretch before he sat back down and waited for his father Prince Sebastian, and his mother Lady Cordelia of Volantis to exit the carriage first. Once his mother's handmaidens had secured her gowns onto her wheeled palanquin and were sure it would not touch the dirt of the courtyard, Ash stepped down and into his seat next to her. Ash opened the blinds and looked out of the latticed window of the palanquin and admired the view of the castle. The white stone of Highgarden's high walls were delicately patterned with high ivy and painted with golden roses. From where he sat, he could see the deep red of the shingles on the towers.
His father took a deep breath before he spoke, "Ash, I would like to remind you that while we are here for the wedding of Lady Oak and Lord Saltzman, we are also here to secure our own alliance with House Oak. Lord Oak has a son, Garrett, who is at an age with you and unwed. Please do your best to impress your future Prince." Ash sighed as he turned to look across to his father.
"Yes, father, I will do my best." Sebastian nodded his head as he sat up. "I will do my best to woo my intended with promises of a palace, which I assume he will no doubt be pleased with." Even pretending to be pleased with his father's plan for their trip to the Reach did little to hide the malice in his voice. Ash was anything but. "How do you expect me to just lie back as you make arrangements with a House that has repeatedly tried to conquer us? I will be just giving a flower a desert to wither in, if an Oak could not rule in Dorne a hundred years ago, an Oak will not rule again. That is why we are called Dorne and not simply 'The South' as every other stupid region on this damned-"
"Enough." His father's voice filled the carriage, and Ash bit his tongue. "Ashton, you are a prince, some would say that in fact, you were born for this."
"You should have had a daughter then. You could have secured an alliance with her instead. Why do I have to be sold off like an aurochs?" Ash pleaded with him, turning to his mother. "You met mama in Volantis, there is no reason I cannot do the same! Mother please, tell him to see reason."
"You are not cargo Ash, please." His father rolled his eyes, "You are not being sold, you are a prince, and you will do your duty for the cause of our house and Dorne. Need I remind you that we are on the brink of war with The Reach? Your marriage to Garrett Oak will put out this fire along the Red Mountains."
"But-"
"You have made many a claim over the years about your dedication to our House and our people and now you sneer in my face when the time comes to make good on your promises? I will not hear of this any further."
Cordelia pulled Ash into her with a warm arm and hugged him, and gave a pointed look to her husband before she sighed. "Ash dear, you know why it has to be the Reach, political allies are important." She kissed his cheek. "I promise we will find you a paramour later."
Sebastian nodded with her. "Until then, you will do as you're commanded, you will do your duty to this family."
Ash could only groan and sit back forcefully against the pillows in the palanquin. "Fine."
They had been on the road for near two months and a fortnight, the red waste that was the Dornish Desert had not been kind, and he had rejoiced the moment the Prince's Pass through the Red Mountains turned into lush, green fields that stretched between Horn Hill and Highgarden. Once they were in the Reach, it had only taken them ten days ride to reach Highgarden on the river. The castle was large, Ash could see it in the distance when he had taken Moon Dancer, his white Andalusian mare for rides alongside his family's double-tiered wheelhouse. Though, now that he was inside of the castle, he could see that it was moderate, it certainly wasn't the palace of Sunspear, where he had grown up but it was a beautiful castle nonetheless.
The palanquin ride to the entrance of the Great Hall was but a two-minute ride, though Ash himself was sure he could have gotten there in less time. His mother Cordelia had kept most of her Volantene customs, including one that irritated Ash the most. In Volantis, across the Narrow Sea to the east, it was felt that "people of quality", as his mother had explained, should not travel afoot when outside of the living quarters, but rather by palanquin or hathays. His father, however, had refused to buy the dwarf elephants needed to pull the ornate carts, palanquins he could work with. Ash hated them though, he preferred to walk among his people, to dance and drink and sing with the smallfolk that lived outside of the palace in the city.
The palanquin jostled slightly as his father got out of the left side, followed by his mother who stepped onto the stone steps of the entrance from over a mat held by her ladies. Finally, Ash stepped down and hurried to follow his parents in, his guards flanking around them.
Inside the Great Hall, there were already tables filled with families of nobility, but the family that stood to greet them were most obviously their hosts. Lord Samuel Oak of Highgarden stood proudly in decorated greens, yellows, and silvers, he was short but still strong for a man of his age. The green of his robes brought out the soft brown of his eyes, and the silvers made his white hair stand out. To his left stood his only issue, Lord Silvanus with his Ladywife Amara of Storm's End, the pair were both red of hair and she almost as tall as her husband in her golden heels. Lastly were their issues, Lady May, a beautiful maiden with long, straight auburn hair and large forest green eyes, and while Ash bent to kiss her hand, he couldn't help but stare at the full breasts that were on proud display from the top of her dress. Finally came Lord Garrett, Ash's intended, he didn't look to be much older than Ash himself, but he was certainly a head or so taller, a near-perfect image of his father, the only difference was his copper hair. He too, like his family, was dressed in his house colors. Unimpressed, Ash simply extended a hand to him and waited for Garrett to kiss it before he continued on with his parents to give his greetings to the other nobles present.
Nearly every house had announced their arrival, Ash counted around the hall and saw that the only house that had not yet arrived was the bridegrooms. House Saltzman of the Dreadfort, one of the great houses in the North. Though Ash assumed it was only right, the North was nearly as big as the other six kingdoms combined and if Ash remembered his maps correctly, the Dreadfort was almost near the Wall. After a short luncheon, they were shown to their living quarters and left to recuperate from their long journey, after helping him undress and bathe, Ash dismissed his serving boy and made a run for the bed that awaited him in the corner of the room.
It was dark, far past dark when Ash awoke in a cold sweat. His candles burned low and he sat up, groggy. There, waiting for him near the fireplace, nibbling at a piece of cheese stood Tobias, one of his two personal guards. "My Prince, Lord Garrett has come to escort you down to the Great Hall." He hurried out of bed and dressed before he made his way to his solar, his man following behind him.
Outside of the door, Garrett stood up straight before he gave Ash a warm smile. "My Lord, I've come to escort you down to sup."
"You will refer to me as Your Grace, I am a prince." Ash blushed as Garrett's eyes moved from his face to the slit in his tunic, showing his bare chest.
"I assumed you would have been woken, I do apologize, we are finding it a bit hard to keep good servants here in Highgarden." Gary only shook his head gently and held out his hand. "Come, the Feast will begin soon and as I have been told, you and I are to be wed so now we must get to know one another." Ash grimaced at that, looking at Garrett before a shiver ran up his spine.
Ash sat at the table just below the raised platform where his parents and Lord Saltzman were being hosted by Lord and Lady Oak. He himself was now in company with Lady May and her intended groom. "Lord Saltzman," Ash started, feeling heat rise in his cheeks as the man turned his bright blue eyes to Ash. "I apologize for not being in the hall to greet you when you and your Lord Father arrived. I am-"
"Prince Ashton! Please, call me Regulus, it's an honor to be in your highness' presence." The man's smile was kind and dazzling, "Your Grace, there is no need to apologize. To be true, I too was very weary from my trip and demanded that I be shown to my quarters as soon as we arrived. You would not have met me until after." He sat up, and lifted his cup to drink. "And now I must be the one to give my apologies, for I will now spend the rest of the night looking upon the face of my betrothed." Lady May blushed very prettily and shyly met his eyes. Ash quickly stole a glance to his left, where Garrett sat next to him.
Garrett was staring at him with those emerald green eyes, his features soft and almost loving. He knew that it was his duty to find things to love about his intended, and he was finding it very easy. Garrett was comely, pretty for a man. He was tall, and slender but Ash could see that beneath his surcoat he was toned. He had a sharp jaw covered by a down of copper beard. His eyes were soft, and intelligent with long red lashes, separated by a shapely, thin nose. And even though he is a beautiful man.. I feel nothing. I must try and feel something. Doing his best to seem demure, Ash made himself smile very shyly at Garrett and look to his food.
"Lord Regulus," May's soft voice cut through his thoughts, "I hope I am not a disappointment to you." She looked up at her groom and smiled at him sweetly. Ash looked to the Lord, he was comely too, but in a different way than Garrett. Even sitting, Ash could see that he was a tall man. with deep eggplant colored hair and piercing blue eyes. Ash bit his lip as he looked the Lord up and down. Very comely indeed. He could hear his father's voice in his head, speaking of how Lord Regulus would be too old for him, and "Northern Scum." As if all the regions aren't north of Dorne.
"You're a delight to me, My Lady." Ash gulped and shifted as slowly as he could, the man's deep voice sent shivers up his spine and he did his best to think about Garrett next to him. I must not think of Lord Regulus in such a way, he told himself as he looked back up to his intended and gave him another smile. Or else Garrett may see my disappointment, and why would he marry me after knowing that it is his good-brother I fancy. I must do my duty, I must love Garrett.
And though he tried, the love was not coming the way his parents had always said it would. Ash looked away from him then, ashamed as he still reached over to grasp Garrett's hand. Garrett's hands were rough, slightly damp, with just the right amount of warmth in them. One day.. One day this won't be a mummer's farce, I will love him. He very gently squeezed Garrett's hand and went back to eating as he listened to Garrett's ramblings about the intricacies that comes with caring for hawks and doves.
May's high laughter cut Garrett off, and Ash looked up to see that a beautiful white cat had pounced onto the table and knocked Regulus' wine onto his surcoat. Regulus gave her an easy smile and reached out to pet the cat before he excused himself and got up to remove it, revealing a pink tunic. Yes, May had scored herself quite the catch, rather, Lord Silvanus had talked his way into quite the unlikely alliance. House Oak of Highgarden, the Wardens of the Reach marrying House Saltzman, an ancient Northern House despite their reputation, and bannermen to House Hayes of Winterfell the Wardens of the North, but a Great House nonetheless. Ash never liked schooling and had driven off ten Maesters before his father had ordered him to stay four hours in his room a day with his current Maester. And as much as he hated his father for it, it had come in handy when Ash realized that he could look around and recognize the sigils of every single House in the hall.
Ash took choice pieces from the next course that was being brought in by the servants, and while Garrett was choosing his own, he took a chance to steal a glance up to the table above them. His eyes focused on Lord Brandon, May's soon to be good-father, and Regulus' Lord Father. The man was tall, with greying brown hair and pale green eyes. The only way one would have known Regulus was his issue was through his face, and Ash deduced that the young Lord has his mother's coloring. Lord Brandon did not look to be a kind man, his green eyes narrowing when he caught Ash staring.
Ash looked back down at his food and continued eating, far away into his own mind even though he was trying his hardest to at least act interested in what his intended was rambling about. Again, he found his eyes wandering, but this time instead of going up, they went down and Ash looked around over the sea of Lords and Ladies talking and chortling amongst themselves as fools danced, sung and did tricks. It wasn't until he glanced to the very back of the hall that he realized that he was being watched.
There, against the wall, sat a tall man, who bore a striking resemblance to the happy groom to be. His hair appeared to be the same purple as Regulus', though even from his distance Ash could see that his eyes were a paler, colder blue. Like ice. A shiver ran through him, his heart pounding in his ears. It took him a moment to register the warm breath tickling his ear, "That is Lord Brandon's bastard, Paulus." Ash could hear Garrett's grin on his breath. "I heard that Lord Brandon ordered him to sit in the back, he did not want to bring insult to the royal family by seating a bastard at their table." He chuckled and turned back to his plate, but Ash could not take his eyes away from Paulus. He didn't look like a bastard, the man looked exactly like his older brother.
If their mother is the same, why would Regulus be recognized and the younger not? That didn't make any sense to Ash at all. He can't be a bastard. Inside, he felt something was wrong as Paulus broke their gaze and looked behind Ash where he assumed Brandon was.
Without thinking he leaned over Garrett and looked up the table where Brandon sat, "Lord Brandon? I have been informed your son is with us, but instead of at the table, he is in the back, why is he sitting over there? Bastards hold high honor in Dorne, it would please me to meet my future good-brother." His heart was pounding as he pointed to where Paulus was, and saw something flash in the man's eyes as he stood. Regulus was silent as he waited for his father's response.
His suspicions had been answered. Not a bastard, trueborn.. Disgraced maybe?
"High honor." Brandon snorted, his face turning an angry red as he shot the man down the hall a look, and Ash watched as the man nodded and left the hall. Disgraced… dishonored.. Or disowned.. "My apologies to your Highness. I did not mean to offend."
"There was no offense my Lord, but again, I must tell you that in Dorne, we do not despise bastards." Garrett's hand got tight around his and Ash knew that he must have shocked the young Lord by speaking up against another, older Lord, and possibly was causing embarrassment to Garrett. Ash looked down at his hand, this felt wrong, his hand burned in Garrett's right up until he wrenched it free. This hand is not kind, and it will not be mine to hold. He looked up at his father, who was watching him with a calm gaze. Please. His father lifted the cup and nodded to Ash, giving his permission and favor.
With that, Ash took a deep breath and looked around the table. ".. And while I am here in Highgarden, all natural children will be treated with respect and honor." Having had enough of Garrett for the night, he stood and swung a leg over the bench, hurrying to get the other leg free. He extended a hand to Lady May and her intended, "A most glorious feast, but I think I have eaten too much for the night." He turned to look back at Tobias, who was waiting silently behind him, and nodded, before making his way down the long hall and out into the dark night. Once outside, he looked around to see where the mysterious broody young Lord had stormed off to.
Ash found him in the Godswood, sitting under a canopy of bloody red leaves that dripped red sap. A heart tree- no, three! Ash realized as he and Tobias continued down the path. He'd only heard of the white carved trees in Illysa's stories. In the moonlight, the Lord's hair glittered beautifully and Ash made his presence known quickly, as he was sharpening his sword with a whetstone and he did not want to find himself at the blade of it. Or rather, to see Tobias behead the man who was making his heart race so fast his chest felt it might burst. "I suggest you take it slow, a man like you needs his fingers for other things I would think." Paulus looked up at him sharply and growled, rolling his eyes, he lifted his hand and Ash could see it was covered in mail, the whetstone secured within it. "Feisty. I like that in my men." Ash bit his tongue and chuckled as soon as it left his tongue, trying to seem as if he was jesting.
"My Prince, forgive me." Ash smiled at Paulus, his blue eyes were lighter than his brothers. Prettier. And his jaw was stronger, higher cheekbones. He looked down at the large hands clutched around the hilt of the sword. "It would please me to be left alone, and if I may speak freely-"
"You may." Ash answered him, immediately.
"Go away."
"Well," Ash remained unphased. "That's no way to talk to a Prince, Lord Saltzman." Paulus blinked at him and went still before he stood and sheathed his blade.
"I am no Lord, your Grace." Ash grinned at him and bowed.
"Yes.. I've heard you're a bastard?" Paulus' jaw clenched, but it disappeared just as soon as it happened, Ash nodded slowly, thoughtfully, "You are trueborn, tell me true."
There was a long pause, behind him he heard the foot of Tobias' longaxe come into contact with the ground. "Your Prince has asked you a question."
Paulus sighed, and said the words as if they meant nothing at all. "I may as well be a bastard in my father's eyes." Confirmed, disowned, disinherited.
Ash nodded and looked at him, blushing when he found that a smile had snuck it's way onto his face. "Well, you are lucky that I am not your father. I am Prince Ashton of Dorne, and even if you were a bastard, no matter." At that, Paulus gave a short laugh and took a deep breath. Ash gulped at the flash of white teeth, slightly crooked, but the smile that came with it was dazzling. He looked back to Tobias for a moment before he pulled Garrett's face into mind. Or, he tried to, Garrett's face very quickly began to form into Paulus. Blue, harsh eyes and stone features..
He looked down quickly, "I'm here in Highgarden for my own wedding, we will be family soon enough." A reminder to himself mostly, "It would please me if you would sup with us from now on."
Paulus gave him a surprised look before his face went cold again. "If my father approves."
Ash extended a hand back towards the castle and waited for Paulus to begin walking with him. "I approve it, your father cannot say no to me." Ash laughed as he escorted the man back to the Great Hall, Tobias as his ever silent shadow.
"My Prince," Tobias' voice was soft as he kneeled besides Ash in the courtyard while Illysa tended to a large pyre. "I would think it be wise to not see others outside of your own court under the moon. I have heard from our other guards that the people are saying-"
Ash sighed and lifted his hand as the rest of their court began to gather, and kneel. "Let them say what they will say, nothing happened between Lord Paulus and myself, you were there."
"But I am your man. I am sworn by oath to keep your secrets. To lie for you, to die for you." There was an urgency in his low, gravely voice, "We would not want to upset our hosts. All I ask-"
He held up his hand, "You have made your point." Tobias bowed his head low and then stood once more and hurried to stand with his brothers on duty.
Red skirts billowed in front of him, "Drink child," Ash looked up at Illysa, the Red Priestess and held his mouth open for her when she gently cupped his chin and raised a golden chalice to his lips and he drank deep. Spiced Dornish red spilled into his mouth swallow after swallow until he finished.
The warmth of the wine filled his belly as she set the chalice back down at her makeshift altar and began in her sweet but strong and sultry voice.
"Our Lord of Light has seen our arrival to Highgarden safely! And now we must give our due, and bring celebration to our purpose here."
She looked down at him and he stood when she beckoned him, the fire roaring behind her, setting her alight in orange light.
"R'hllor has shown me in his fires that the time has come for our beloved Prince to marry, and end the war at our great borders. I have seen his great victory in the Lord's flames, may the Sun and the Oak unite and cast down darkness together. For the night is dark, and full of terrors!"
Ash looked around at his court, his mother, his father and all their people and responded with them, the way he'd done every night before. "For the night is dark, and full of terrors."
After nightly prayers, Ash dowsily held onto Tobias as they walked through the white stone hallway that led to their chambers. "Goodnight Toby." Ash smiled up at him as the door to his solar opened, and his second man stepped out.
"The chambers have been swept, I will take it from here." The thick, honey, summer accent was calm and soft as Tobias handed Ash off to his man.
"Kiawe." Tobias bowed, before he left.
Ash grinned up at the man as they made their way into Ash's solar. "Did you sleep well?" He sat down across from Kiawe, his back to the stone hearth.
"Your Grace is kind to ask, I did." Kiawe nodded, before taking a slice of cured meat between his fingers and looking at it before he hesitantly bit into it. He looked to Ash, who shrugged at him. "Why is their meat so bland? It's meat?"
"I know, there is no.. kick! Good thing we have brought our own spices with us," Ash shook his head, "No, these Reachers simply have no taste." He could feel a grin on his lips as he raised a glass of wine.
"Well then, I must insist you invite this.. Suitor of yours to break fast with you.. Or else he will come to Sunspear and your lily white suitor will perish!" Kiawe laughed as he threw the slice of meat back down. "Or be stuck to the privy!" At that, Ash nearly choked and felt his nose flare with pain as he laughed so hard wine poured down his face. Oh, how he loved his friend, who always knew how to make him laugh.
Kiawe was a tall and handsome Summer Islander from Walano, his father Rango had met Ash's while in port on his way back to Dorne with his mother. And after hearing of Dorne, Rango had brought his wife and their son months after. Being a friend, Ash's father had given Kiawe's family special apartments in the Tower of the Sun. And ever since, Kiawe had been friends with Ash since he was a baby. His thick, curly hair had parts of it dyed red when he was selected by the Captain to be one of Ash's personal guards, and Ash had to admit, it made him even handsomer than before.
Ash sighed at the mention of Garrett, and looked to his friend. "I do not love him Kiawe."
"Is that not the point?" Kiawe looked at him, "That the love comes after?"
He frowned, and got up, making his way for the balcony. "I met someone today too Kiawe." Kiawe stood next to him, longaxe in hand as they looked out across the courtyards and fountains.
"Sounds serious..?" Kiawe gave him a slight grin, "Your first paramour. Do they have a name?"
He felt his face go red at the idea, he leaned against the stone railing of the balcony, "Paulus.. Lord Paulus of House Saltzman."
"Your grace, forgive me. I do not know this name."
"He's from the Dreadfort.."
Kiawe's eyes went wide, "That is quite a name for a fortress."
"It's just a seat Kiawe, we are literally sitting in a high garden." Ash chuckled as he extended a hand towards the seemingly endless flora that filled the air with sweet, his friend nodded at that thoughtfully. " It's in the North." Ash finished, "I've never even seen the North but.. If you saw him, you'd just know." He looked up at Kiawe, "But that's not the problem."
"Then?"
He thought for a moment, trying to collect himself. "My father has never had a paramour, nor my uncle… In fact, there hasn't been a royal paramour in House Marquez for over a century."
"And.. you do not want one.."
"No." His voice was nearly a whisper as he watched the servants go to their quarters. "But.. I.. am betrothed to Lord Garrett. I don't want to do that to him, to promise to love him and spend my time with another man."
"Well, it would not be frowned upon," Kiawe's honeyed baritone played concerned and supportive. "It is Dornish Custom, and this 'Garrett' will be able to choose his own paramour will he not? Give him one son and then the rest may be with this 'Paulus'. Just because there hasn't been a royal paramour for years does not mean you will be flogged through Sunspear."
Silence followed as the words sunk in. "Doesn't mean it feels right. I don't even have an idea if Paulus even likes.."
"Princes?"
"Men."
"Then he is missing half of the world's pleasure." Kiawe grinned, "My prince, I do not think one as beautiful as yourself should be concerned on whether or not he is interested. You're a prince, you can have who you'd like, and any man would feel honored to be your paramour."
"You are not helping."
"You, my friend, just do not want to listen."
"You are my man right?" His eyes caught on the stables, and he imagined Moon Dancer standing there, waiting for him. Flee, follow the Mander to Oldtown. Take ship for Volantis, Lys or Braavos.
"I am your man, your grace." It was immediate, full of pride and fiery passion. The metal foot of his longaxe clinked against the white stone.
"And if I asked you to ready two mounts, and ride with me to Oldtown.. Would you do it?"
Kiawe stood up straight, "Without hesitation." Ash stared longingly at the stables for a moment. No, he thought. I will not run. I will do my duty to my people. I am a servant first, a prince second. Ash shook his head as he looked up at Kiawe.
"No. We will stay."
"A wise choice." A warm hand was placed on his shoulder.
"I don't have a choice.. Dorne will bleed if I leave."
Kiawe said nothing.
"Let the kitchens know that I will be expecting spice when I break my fast on the morrow, and let Lord Garrett's men know I will be expecting him too."
"As it please your grace."
Then the hand was gone, and behind him the door shut. Ash stood outside a few moments longer, enjoying the cool breeze and the smell of fields upon fields of roses. Once again, his eyes wandered down to the stables, and very faintly he could hear laughter. Men's laughter. He waited and watched as two men rode into view on massive stallions, they shared words that caused both of them to nearly fall off their mounts. When the pair passed a torch, he very clearly could see the Saltzman sigil, and just the sight of it made his heart race. The two both dismounted, and handed their mounts off to stable boys before walking off in the direction of the bailey.
It's Paulus and Regulus, Ash realized as he watched them talk amongst themselves. Then as if Paulus could feel his eyes, he looked up and Ash's heart nearly stopped when blue caught brown and held. Ash gulped when Paulus continued to stare, he wanted to call down to Paulus but when he lifted his hand, the man broke their gaze and followed after his brother.
He brought his hand to his chest, just above his heart and held it there for a moment, eyes still focused on the spot where the northman had just been. Ash took a deep breath before he turned inside, gave his fire more wood and made his way to his chambers.
He stood at the foot of the ornately carved bed, oak trees and roses carved into the wood, even his bedding was green, silver and gold. It made him miss the fiery crimson silks of back home, of resin incense burning in the corner of his room and the sounds of the ocean.
Lady May and Lord Regulus would be wed tomorrow, and the day after, so would he, and it would not be to the northman. That alone made his chest ache.
As he climbed into bed, Ash became greatly unsettled with how quiet the castle was now, even back when they had been in the company, the sounds of laughter and other nocturnal things hadn't stopped. Here, his room was dark, his bed was cold and he was mercilessly left alone with thoughts of a redhead.. And one of purple.
As R'hllor willed, morning broke through the darkness of night after what only seemed like hours of sleep. In the next room, he could hear the servants bustling around his solar, the clattering of pewter against a wooden table, and then moments later, a soft knock. He sat up and yawned, "Come in."
Servants filled his room, two of his father's men carrying in a tub and a line of servants waiting with steaming pails. Ash nodded to them as they readied the bath and made his way to the privy and soon he sighed as he dipped himself in the hot scented water and bathed.
The servants chattered amongst themselves, about how overnight many of the servants had stayed awake to decorate the sept on the east side of the castle for the ceremony, and that made him begin to think of what plans would be made for him and Garrett. "Do you think they'll have us wed in the sept?" He closed his eyes as water was poured over his head, hands rubbing the soap out of his hair. Ash stood and stepped out into the warm arms of his maid.
A collective gasp then filled the room as he stood on a stool. "Pardon yer grace, we'd n'ver thunk it!" He cracked a smile as one of the maids rubbed oil into his foot, sending shivers up his spine. "Pray R'hllor bless your marriage to m'lord, but I don reckon his lordship would fancy his heir jump through fire!"
The idea of having to be married in a sept had never even occurred to him until now, "Surely I can't be expected to slight the Lord of Light by marrying under the Seven.. Can I?"
The ladies looked amongst each other, "I reckon it'd be for Lady Illysa to answer, or for his grace father." She gave him a very firm pat on his back before helping him into his socks, pants and tunic. "I can find out for ya, if it please yer grace."
Ash nodded, "It would, thank you." She bowed to him as another of his maids laced his boots. After thanking them, he dismissed them for the day and pulled on his own kurta before finally leaving his chambers.
"Did his grace sleep well?" Kiawe pulled out his chair for him and pushed Ash in gently once he sat down.
"It felt too brief, to be true." He frowned up at Kiawe. "Are you ready to meet my intended?" He looked across the table, his stomach rumbling with impatience, and wondered where the young lord was.
"I have no choice to, your grace. But I would much rather meet this north-" Kiawe was cut off as a heavy knock on the wooden door announced the arrival of the heir to Highgarden. Ash nodded to Kiawe and stood to greet his betrothed.
Garrett stood tall in the doorway, a gentle smile on his strong, long face. His surcoat was made of a beautiful golden pattern with green jeweled accents and a large silver brooch of the Oak sigil. An Oak Tree, how original. His pants were a dark green with short calf boots of a supple brown leather. "Your grace." He bowed, "I must say, you look quite striking today." Ash couldn't help but smile as Garrett bent to kiss his ring before taking a seat across from him.
"And you are quite handsome today yourself, Lord Garrett." Garrett smiled at him, and Ash felt heat fill his face.. But nowhere else. "On the morrow, we will wed." The words felt dry on his lips as he tried his best to sound excited. "I hoped to be able to speak more with you before then." He gestured to the table, filled with fried eggs, meats, fruits and other spiced delights from Dorne.
"Hoping to find a common chord?" Garrett grinned at him, gesturing for Ash to serve himself first. Ash did, picking out two fried eggs, two handfuls of bacon, chopped potatoes, cubes of sharp cheddar and hominy and lots of green tomatillo and fire pepper sauce for the plate.
"Well, I have heard that happy marriages are built on chords." Ash generously dipped a slice of hardened bread into the yolk of his egg and then into the green sauce, "It wouldn't hurt for us to be able to have a friendship for our love's foundation." Ash chose his words carefully as he chewed, watching as Garrett curiously inspected the tomatillo sauce before dipping his bacon into it.
"How wise of you." And then Garrett coughed, and Ash noticed how green eyes grew wet and fair skin flushed. "What.. your grace, might this poison be?" Garrett's lips puckered.
"In Dorne, we dine on very spicy foods. We prefer it, I happen to love the green sauce. It's not poison." Ash took the bowl and poured the sauce into his mouth and held it there for a moment before he swallowed, watching as Garrett's face grew panicked. "See? I promise, I wouldn't do such a thing." Your father wanted you to have a Dornishman, you shall have it. "You don't like it?"
Garrett was too busy gulping at a tankard of milk at Kiawe's hurried offer, a thin sweat broke across red brows and Ash couldn't help but give a giggle. Garrett gasped when he finished the cup, face red and frantic. "Is all Dornish food this… fiery?"
"Dornish blood runs hot," Ash shrugged, "as does our palate."
"As does their passion." Kiawe echoed, giving Ash a knowing glance. Ash focused his eyes back onto Garrett. Suddenly, he found himself wondering if the northman would be able to tolerate the spice, the very image of Lord Paulus red-faced and panicking like Garrett sent him into a fit of laughter.
Ash tried to contain himself as Garrett cleared his throat and spit into the empty tankard. "My lord, forgive me. I promise, one gets used to such foods, your food last night was delicious, filling, but lacked in heat."
Garrett gave a wary smile as he continued eating, before he looked back up again, watching silently as Ash poured more sauce and finished his plate. "How long until my tongue stops burning?"
"About fifteen minutes, milk helps but I would be careful to not touch your eyes until you have doused them in wine, the oils from the spice like to stay in the hands." Ash lifted his glass of dornish red, and motioned for Kiawe to take his seat and eat before the food was taken. "So tell me.. What is it you enjoy doing?"
Garrett sat back, his fingers in his cup of wine as he thought. Just as he was about to speak however, the door to his solar opened. There stood the Captain of the Guards, his father's most trustworthy man.
"His Majesty, Prince Sebastian Marquez and his Princess Cordelia." He then stepped to the side, Ash stood and bowed to his father, as did Garrett.
"Your grace," Ash came back up, echoed by his betrothed.
His father stood in the middle of his solar, his face cool and collected, but Ash could see in his eyes that something was amiss. "I come bearing news," Ash moved to stand next to Garrett and waited as his father and mother sat down and collected themselves. "The Lady May has awoken to her blood." Ash blinked, and looked up at Garrett, who made a quick face of disgust before his face went blank again. "The ceremony is to be postponed for a fortnight, and since she is the eldest, you and Garrett will not be able to marry before then. I know this will come as a disappointment to you both." His father put extra emphasis on disappointment and both, and Ash caught his meaning and nodded his head.
"I wish her a swift blood and good health." Ash held his hands together, and he genuinely did, many of his maids had complained over the years of the pain their womanly blood put them through. But inside, Ash felt true joy and elation. A fortnight to get to know Garrett before their wedding, a fortnight to build a love foundation. But even as he looked at Garrett with shy eyes and a soft smile, he couldn't help but think of the blue-eyed northman.
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A Song of Ice and Fire