Flashback scene - Ser Arstan returns to Starfall

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Random flashback scene.

Ser Arstan: ME (degausser on Fan Forum)
Lady Asheria: Sofia (MovieManiac on Fan Forum)

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Ser Arstan Estermont
Arstan hoped beyond all hope that the level of discomfort he felt by her hospitality did not show on his face. She was extending him a kindness he simply did not deserve, but Arstan knew better than to reject the guest rite once it was offered. “You are most kind, my Lady,” he offered gravely, before bowing as a show of acceptance. Truth be told, he was relieved. In the wake of his dismissal from the Kingsguard Arstan hardly slept. He traveled where his whim took him and his mind spun wildly whenever he found a quiet moment to himself. Even if Starfall was not his home anymore, it was still familiar to him which was a comfort he had not known in six months.

Without another word on the subject Arstan followed silently behind Lady Dayne, and remained silent as she gave instructions to Maester Edmin. Arstan was pleased to see that at least some things stayed the same in Starfall. Maester Edmin had aged just as certain as he himself had, but he was still recognizable. If the Maester had been privy to any of the gossip that followed in the wake of Arstan’s dismissal from King’s Landing he kept it to himself and showed him the same kindness he had when Arstan first came to Starfall as a small child. It was a short walk to the guest chambers and Maester Edmin took his leave, though not before asking if he had every comfort he could desire (he did) and asking if Arstan would like anything brought up to him (he did not.)

Arstan could not be sure how much time had passed before the Maester returned to his room to inform him that dinner would be served shortly. In that time he had a chance to change out of his rust-stained armor and into lighter garments that were more fitting for the Dornish heat. He also had some time to wash the dirt off his face from his travels and gather his thoughts. Arstan was the first to make it down to the dining room and directed towards his seat. He stood sentry next to it, anxiously awaiting Lady Dayne, and the questions she would no doubt have for him.

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Asheria Dayne
When Asheria arrived in her chamber her two handmaidens where already preparing her bath. They asked her their usual polite questions about her archery practice. Once she was in the bathtub and one of them was washing her hair and the other was preparing her dress she noticed a look between the two. They then asked her about the handsome knight she was talking to before in the yard. Asheria saw her handmaidens as good friends but that didn't stop her from telling them that she did not desire to talk about it in a tone that would make them stop pushing the topic. She then added that they would find out at dinner and she didn't feel the need to talk about this topic more than once.

Of course she could guess what they were thinking. Lady Asheria was twenty, a Lady in her own right and still unmarried. She would make a good match considering that her husband would become Lord of Starfall the moment they kiss before they High Septon and her people. And that was her problem. She doubted she'd ever find someone who would truly love her and not just lust after that title. She wanted a husband who loved her as much as her father loved her mother. A man who loved her so much that he couldn't even bear the thought of marrying another if she died before her time. She doubted that she'd ever find a man like that so she did not desire to marry and despite the pleading of her advisers she never agreed to any match they suggested. She could simply name an heir, maybe the son her cousin's wife just bore him. That way Starfall would at least continue to be ruled by someone of the name Dayne. If she married a high Lord and have his children they would have his name. Of course after the Dragon Queen ruled centuries ago she made the law that a child may bear their mothers name if this was the only way to save the family name. Otherwise the name Targaryen would no longer live as well, her husband was no Targaryen. But the husband had to agree with this. And if Asheria married one of the high Lords her advisers wanted for her that had old and proud names she doubted they would. Marrying a noble who was from a less higher house was of no use as well seeing as the reason she needed to marry was to form a strong alliance. Either way there was nothing she could hope to gain from a marriage so she always avoided the topic.

The Lady of Starfall was lost in her thoughts and was pulled out of them when her handmaiden asked her to come out of the bathtub. She was dressed in a simple Dornish looking dress that were in the colors of her House. One of the ones she wore very often. While her long hair was brushed and then made into a braid she and her handmaidens talked about more pleasant topics.

The two hours that passed after that she spent doing her duty as ruling Lady of Starfall. Right now she had to send out some letters. Nothing of major importance. Some congratulations to weddings or name days and some other unimportant messages that needed to be sent. When only two were left she was told that it was time for dinner. She made her way down to the dining room. Ser Arstan was already seated in the middle of the long table, opposite of hers. He was washed up now and looked less miserable than before but still looked highly uncomfortable.

"Ser Arstan. I hope you were able to get some rest from your journey." Asheria said politely when she entered the room.

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Ser Arstan Estermont
When Lady Asheria returned she looked more the image of what he anticipated he might find upon his initial arrival. Her dress was lavender, and even in the dim lighting of the candles that flitted about in the dining room he could see her House colors brought out the violet in her eyes. In her dress Arstan could see the full shape of her womanly figure which had been previously obscured by her working clothes earlier. The thought was fleeting, and he quickly tucked it away in the back of his head. These thoughts were not appropriate for a Knight of his station, even if he was shamed Knight. She was the daughter of his foster father and deserved the respect of the title she now assumed.

“I was indeed, Lady Dayne,” he nodded, affording her the same courtesy she had given to him. “It is not my old room, yet it was still strangely … familiar. Familiarity breeds comfort.” Even now as he sat in the dining hall opposite where she stood he was overcome by the familiarity of the setting. Starfall had its own smells and sounds. The wind had begun to howl outside an hour ago, and Arstan was amazed by how different it sounded from inside the walls of Starfall as compared to King’s Landing. As a boy the sound of the howling wind scared him at times. Now it actually made him smile as he remembered the timid youth he had been when he first arrived.

It was curious how some things could be in constant change, while other things remained the same . He was different. She was different. Yet Starfall was the same.

Realizing he had gotten caught up in the moment, Ser Arstan turned his gaze back on Lady Asheria and cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I must thank you gain for this kindness you have done for me. It has been years since I have had a meal prepared under this roof. You are a most gracious host.” Ser Arstan’s endless string of compliments might have seemed like lip service, but he was genuine with his words. Her hospitality was more than a man such as himself deserved.

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Asheria Dayne
She simply replied to his compliments with a polite smile and nod. The Lady was curious if these compliments would continue after she'd make him talk about the topic her undoubtedly wanted to avoid. Otherwise he wouldn't have wanted to leave the castle just after he arrived. Asheria took her seat and the servants placed a plate with a leaf of bread and fish on it. They also filled one of her cups with wine that she wouldn't touch until before the dinner was over. Instead she took a sip out of the cups that had water in it.

"Now..." She finally started. "Tell me, Ser. I am surprised you were able to take a leave from your duty to the crown. How is this possible now but wasn't a year and a half ago?" Her question made everyone in the room look at one another in confusion. It was well known that he was dismissed from the Kingsguard after he confessed to bedding a noble woman and thus breaking his oath. But Asheria wanted to hear it from him. She did him the kindness that her personalty and title required from her. But she would not do him the kindness of just nodding along as she repeated what she heard of him.

Thankfully confused looks were all the people in the room shared. They must have understood what she wanted.

[ihateseagulls]

Ser Arstan Estermont
Arstan reached first for the cup of water, only to stop his arm mid fight before he could even get a sip in. Her question started him, not so much because of the content of her question but more the manner in which it had been delivered. Arstan expected that Lady Asheria might have heard of his dismissal from King’s Landing, even all the way out here in Starfall. After all, it was not every day a Knight of the Kingsguard was dismissed from his service. And the Lords and Ladies of Westeros had loose lips. She would have received a raven announcing the dismissal. And yet she played the ignorance card. Her ladies in waiting sat around her looking about as started as he imagined he looked himself.

Clearing his throat, Arstan set the water cup down slowly and reached instead for the cup of wine.

He took a long swig, draining half the liquid in one fell swoop. “Dornish wine,” he observed out loud distractedly, “You have excellent taste, my Lady.” Clearing his throat again, he set the cup of wine down and lifted his heavy gaze to meet hers in full. “I did not take my leave of my duty, Lady Asheria. I was dismissed some time ago for reasons which are not fitting for the ears of our present company.” He was of course referring to her flock of hens, but he was also speaking about the Lady of Starfall herself. Discussing his affair with her would have been terribly distasteful and all together inappropriate. The look on his face said so much.

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Asheria Dayne
The smile on her face was slowly fading and turning into a neutral look that was hopefully not readable. "Dismissed?" She simply repeated and did not bother to sound surprised. For a moment she smiled again. She would not make it it so easy for him to talk himself out of talking about this. "Very well." Asheria sighed. "My dear friends. Would you terribly mind leaving us for a moment to give the knight time to tell me this undoubtedly interesting tale?" There were bows and Yes, my Lady's. She disliked kicking them out but she needed to know if there was any honor left in him. If he would be honest or lie.

The look on his face did not go lost on her at all. But even if it had she knew that he didn't want to talk about this. "Please. Talk freely. I can assure you for my young age I have heard my fair share of unpleasant stories." She said and then started to chew on a bit of bread.