Longtable, Seat of House Merryweather

[Lord Dread]

WiP, in hope I won't forget it like in the past.

[Oznerol]

Maester Loras, a rather young maester but long-time friend of Mern (they were related through an illegitimate line) arrives to Longtable, with a small company of riders, requesting an audience with Lord Merryweather.

[Pinkerton]

A small company of riders arrive to Longtable. They carry Rowan's banner and Lord Addam leads them.

[Lord Dread]

Maester Loras, a rather young maester but long-time friend of Mern (they were related through an illegitimate line) arrives to Longtable, with a small company of riders, requesting an audience with Lord Merryweather.

A small company of riders arrive to Longtable. They carry Rowan's banner and Lord Addam leads them.

(I leave it to you, if you arrive around the same time or not, just a general introduction post.)

They were lead by the guardsmen immidiately towards Lord Meryn, once the horses were brought to the stables and the first greetings were exchanged along with an information towards the Lord of Longtable himself.
Haveing expected parties to come to his household already, the young man resided in a solar, cups of wine along with a caraffee already spread around the table with various fruits, laying in smaller baskets surrounding them. The air was in particular smelling well due to the nearby flowers and in general this place was slightly atmospheric - the current Merryweather was indeed a friend of aestetics.

(For Vernon)
Showing his respect, Meryn offered his hand already to Lord Rowan.
"Welcome to my halls, Lord Rowan", he said in a clam voice, "I hope the journey wasn't too long, as I am aware of the distances between our family seats. Small on a map, but reality is sometimes more than a mere human being would think."

(Oz)

Waiting for the maester to approach the table, Lord Meryn smiled benefitting towards the man, as if he even expected a lower-ranked man upon this round.
"Welcome to Longtable", he responded pretty much neutral, unsure with whom he would be talking as the man was accompanied by riders, "I hope it is not rude to say that I do not recognize a Maester from Oldtown, since I lived over several years there, but your face is sadly unfamiliar. Nontheless I hope for apologize, as a man of the Citadel is a well-seen guest upon my court - what news do you bring to my halls, my friend?"

[Pinkerton]

They were lead by the guardsmen immidiately towards Lord Meryn, once the horses were brought to the stables and the first greetings were exchanged along with an information towards the Lord of Longtable himself.
Haveing expected parties to come to his household already, the young man resided in a solar, cups of wine along with a caraffee already spread around the table with various fruits, laying in smaller baskets surrounding them. The air was in particular smelling well due to the nearby flowers and in general this place was slightly atmospheric - the current Merryweather was indeed a friend of aestetics.

(For Vernon)
Showing his respect, Meryn offered his hand already to Lord Rowan.
"Welcome to my halls, Lord Rowan", he said in a clam voice, "I hope the journey wasn't too long, as I am aware of the distances between our family seats. Small on a map, but reality is sometimes more than a mere human being would think."

So this is young Meryn.

"Greetings, Lord Merryweather. I am sure the journey to Longtable would've been pleasant if the cirmcunstances were other."

Empty Roads. Abandoned farms and burnt down fields. Awful sights. War sights.

[Lord Dread]

The maester bows respectfully.

"My Lord Merryweather, I am afraid I wasn't the best applicant for the chain, so your Lordship might not have met me back then, for I have but modest gifts. I thank you for this warn welcome, my Lord"

He had, however, a valyrian steel link. He was blonde and rather short. The maester studied the room and it's owner carefully, clearly this man could simpathize with his cousin Mern.

"I am Loras and I serve as Mern Gardener's personal maester. I come on his behalf: my master wants to know if your Lordship will be prone to support his claim to the throne of his forefathers. Of course, he doesn't demand your help without offering something in return"

Noticeing the chain, but not trying to point it out further, Meryn listened towards the man, as he continiued with his words.
"Something", he replied with an interested-sounding tone in his voice, as he chuckled, "It is interesting to hear your introduction being vague as the Gardeners are by jure my overlord - am I this fearful looking as a minor High Lord, that King Mern might consider me illoyal towards his cause? To be fair, we did not withstand the Dornishmen raiding our villages and fields - how are we expected to be in any position where our aid would be required?"
He kinda feared that at least one of the pretenders upon Highgarden's throne would arrive sooner or later - at least Lord Merryweather knew now, who was the first.

So this is young Meryn.

"Greetings, Lord Merryweather. I am sure the journey to Longtable would've been pleasant if the cirmcunstances were other."

Empty Roads. Abandoned farms and burnt down fields. Awful sights. War sights.

The Lord of Longtable sighed, his mood slightly being less joyful, as if hinting the last conflicts with the Dornishmen was nearly an insult.
"If speaking honest, mylord, said circumstances along my roads are a main reason, why this recent conflict between three certain Houses is quite unwelcomeing upon the doorsteps of my court", he replied with a frown in his face, as he looked outside, "The crops fairly begin to spread, my administration and good contacts to certain contacts, which I know from my time in Oldtown will at least avoid half of my people from starveing during the winter - yet another war will not really improve the current situation."

[Pinkerton]

The Lord of Longtable sighed, his mood slightly being less joyful, as if hinting the last conflicts with the Dornishmen was nearly an insult.
"If speaking honest, mylord, said circumstances along my roads are a main reason, why this recent conflict between three certain Houses is quite unwelcomeing upon the doorsteps of my court", he replied with a frown in his face, as he looked outside, "The crops fairly begin to spread, my administration and good contacts to certain contacts, which I know from my time in Oldtown will at least avoid half of my people from starveing during the winter - yet another war will not really improve the current situation."

"A good Lord takes care of his people. Wise moves."

There had been attempted raids in his lands too. The westermen were growing bold.

"But a good Lord knows that staying idle in such a critical time as this would be foolish. I've just visited Lord Roxton at the Ring..."

He deliverately made a pause to catch Meryn's attention.

[Oznerol]

Noticeing the chain, but not trying to point it out further, Meryn listened towards the man, as he continiued with his words.
"Something", he replied with an interested-sounding tone in his voice, as he chuckled, "It is interesting to hear your introduction being vague as the Gardeners are by jure my overlord - am I this fearful looking as a minor High Lord, that King Mern might consider me illoyal towards his cause? To be fair, we did not withstand the Dornishmen raiding our villages and fields - how are we expected to be in any position where our aid would be required?"
He kinda feared that at least one of the pretenders upon Highgarden's throne would arrive sooner or later - at least Lord Merryweather knew now, who was the first.

"We do not fear your loyalty, Lord Merryweather. However, ties of allegiance and friendship must be strenghtened ofted to be preserved"

He smiled at Merryweather.

"Mern Gardener only wishes to rule with Justice and Wisdom, collaborating with his vassals, unlike some who are just led by wanton ambitions, and only wish to spill more blood on this blessed soil"

He looked at Merryweather's eyes.

"Mern Gardener proposes a marriage between your House and his"

A marriage with the ancient lineage of Greenhand, an honor bestowed upon a few in the past.

[Oznerol]

The maester bows respectfully.

"My Lord Merryweather, I am afraid I wasn't the best applicant for the chain, so your Lordship might not have met me back then, for I have but modest gifts. I thank you for this warn welcome, my Lord"

He had, however, a valyrian steel link. He was blonde and rather short. The maester studied the room and it's owner carefully, clearly this man could simpathize with his cousin Mern.

"I am Loras and I serve as Mern Gardener's personal maester. I come on his behalf: my master wants to know if your Lordship will be prone to support his claim to the throne of his forefathers. Of course, he doesn't demand your help without offering something in return"

[Lord Dread]

"Oh, my northern neighbours", Meryn replied, nodding upon these words, while placeing himself down at his seat, eyeing an apple as if he considered whether he wanted to eat it or not before looking back towards Lord Rowan, "My family had with them in the past no problems, if I remember - you make it sound as if I should worry about them, mylord. Is there anything I need to know?"

[Pinkerton]

"Oh, my northern neighbours", Meryn replied, nodding upon these words, while placeing himself down at his seat, eyeing an apple as if he considered whether he wanted to eat it or not before looking back towards Lord Rowan, "My family had with them in the past no problems, if I remember - you make it sound as if I should worry about them, mylord. Is there anything I need to know?"

"Not at all. Lord Jaime and I talked for a good while and came to the conclusion that the best for us Northern Lords is to be united against any threat. It is us after all that are the first line of defense against the westermen"

[Lord Dread]

It was now on Lord Meryn's turn to be actually surprised, when hearing those news.
"A marriage, you said?", the young Merryweather asked curious, while leaning himself a little bit back, "I assume there are conditions, as this offer surprises me. House Merryweather is an old, established House, but I hope King Mern does not confuse us with the Tarlys, Osgreys or Hightowers. If he intends to marry a woman, why in all Seven Hells one of my kin?"
He could only assume that Mern himself would do the marriage act - unless it was just mere bait to test his patience and loyality towards his overlord. Mern felt that there was a trap behind this offer, he would mayhaps overlook.

[Oznerol]

The maester chuckled.

"We know, Lord Merryweather. My master and King wishes to marry your sister, Lady Meredith Merryweather, and make her his Queen"

He waited the answer quietly, carefully studying Merryweather's face and reactions.

[Lord Dread]

"Not at all. Lord Jaime and I talked for a good while and came to the conclusion that the best for us Northern Lords is to be united against any threat. It is us after all that are the first line of defense against the westermen"

"I agree upon this statement as a union within neighboured lordships is appreciated, especially when serveing the protection of the Reach", Lord Mern replied friendly, while thinking, "But three claimants upon the Throne of Thorns might endanger this potential union. To be fair, so far I am undecesive to come back to your previous statement - indeed, for the moment I am an idle lord, when it comes to the civil war."

The maester chuckled.

"We know, Lord Merryweather. My master and King wishes to marry your sister, Lady Meredith Merryweather, and make her his Queen"

He waited the answer quietly, carefully studying Merryweather's face and reactions.

A titular queen as long as Mern's firstborn live.
Mern remained silent for a moment, probably long enough for the Maester to realize that the offer did not please him all too much. Kinda curiously he eyed a few violet grapes, before takeing them.

[Pinkerton]

"I agree upon this statement as a union within neighboured lordships is appreciated, especially when serveing the protection of the Reach", Lord Mern replied friendly, while thinking, "But three claimants upon the Throne of Thorns might endanger this potential union. To be fair, so far I am undecesive to come back to your previous statement - indeed, for the moment I am an idle lord, when it comes to the civil war."

"We stand to gain more from these pretenders to the Oakenseat if we ally. One Lord and his men are not a threat but three Lords and their levies can decide this war."

[Lord Dread]

"We stand to gain more from these pretenders to the Oakenseat if we ally. One Lord and his men are not a threat but three Lords and their levies can decide this war."

For a moment Lord Meryn thought, leaning himself back, as he tended to do from time to time, when he thought upon stuff. An old habit, which some people would call daydreaming, but in his case it had always proven well for himself.
"IF these lords stand together as one host", the young Merryweather gave to think, "I like the logic behind this proposal and am willing to consider it - yet who does speak for us? Do we go with a common plan or who will decide, whom we support. Without Lord Roxton's consult I will not fell a decision, since I have only your word and trust yours, but can not trust into unheard ones! The idea is good, but the concept needs to convince me - else I might make myself dependent on a decision, I would mayhaps regret when already accepting it."

The Maester frowned. But he smiled again inmediately.

"Don't you like the honor bestowed upon your house, my Lord Merryweather? To marry the head of House Gardener and King of the Reach? False claimants pretend to be the rightful rulers of this land, but that isn't true. Men have and always will inherit before women"

"It depends on the man and the woman, but in core I can agree", Merryweather replied polite, "I will have to consider it, nontheless, though I do not despite the honour, but fear for my sister. Honestly, I'm not Lord Merryweather of Longtable, because the birth right demanded it - the Dornishmen slaughtered my father and uncle, killed off all male claimants of the first branch and Meredith... well, about what they attempted to do to Meredith I do not want to talk about..."
He made a long pause before looking up into the direction of the Maester.
"I've witnessed the scene within the Sept, my good Maester, though I did not hear everything", Meryn said then with a stern look, "Manderly and Peake will kill for this throne, we all know that - but I, for certain, do not know, where they will put the line, if I declare openly for King Mern and the conditions of our agreement would become known..."

[Pinkerton]

For a moment Lord Meryn thought, leaning himself back, as he tended to do from time to time, when he thought upon stuff. An old habit, which some people would call daydreaming, but in his case it had always proven well for himself.
"IF these lords stand together as one host", the young Merryweather gave to think, "I like the logic behind this proposal and am willing to consider it - yet who does speak for us? Do we go with a common plan or who will decide, whom we support. Without Lord Roxton's consult I will not fell a decision, since I have only your word and trust yours, but can not trust into unheard ones! The idea is good, but the concept needs to convince me - else I might make myself dependent on a decision, I would mayhaps regret when already accepting it."

"We would decide together our course of action, of course. There won't be such a thing as a leader, only peers."

Smart kid.

"I came here only to present you the idea, Lord Merryweather. I plan to invite you and Lord Roxton to Goldengrove in order to smooth the details and formalize it."

[Oznerol]

The Maester frowned. But he smiled again inmediately.

"Don't you like the honor bestowed upon your house, my Lord Merryweather? To marry the head of House Gardener and King of the Reach? False claimants pretend to be the rightful rulers of this land, but that isn't true. Men have and always will inherit before women"

[Oznerol]

"You are afraid, and it's understandable. However, certain risks have to be assumed, Lord Merryweather, we cannot lose the righteousness of our path for fear. You open declaration for King Mern might atract more lords to his cause. Also, remember he might have supporters even among your vassals, for his first wife was Lyona Caswell, sister to your vassal Lord Caswell"

[Lord Dread]

"You are afraid, and it's understandable. However, certain risks have to be assumed, Lord Merryweather, we cannot lose the righteousness of our path for fear. You open declaration for King Mern might atract more lords to his cause. Also, remember he might have supporters even among your vassals, for his first wife was Lyona Caswell, sister to your vassal Lord Caswell"

"Lord Caswell is a respected lord, who can speak on his own side, though I will consider his advice, if I wish", was the mere response of the Lord upon this topic, not being fond of possible gamble-play among his vassals, "Nontheless, I would like to hear about King Mern in exchange, if he wishes to be my brother-in-law. What kind of a man is he? Meredith surely wants to know, if I suggest her the possibility of marrying into a royal House."
The weight of the word 'if' sounded heavy in contrast to the light atmosphere of the solar.