A Meeting at Goldengrove

[Poach]

[OOC: Forces won't arrive mechanically for some time yet, but I'll post the RP anyway since they're the first to arrive.]

The journey to Goldengrove was undertaken swiftly, with Mace commanding the regiments of Thorn Guard and the Order of the Rose in person. These men, numbering over two thousand in total, were professional soldiers armed with the best Highgarden could outfit them with: all wore plate armour and carried well crafted steel weapons, while the knights of the Order all had prime stallions and armoured coverings for their mounts.

They were resplendent and intimidating, looking far more warlike and professional than any levy or militia force, and they had arrived at Goldengrove to meet with House Rowan.

As the army made camp outside the castle, Mace approached the keep with only his Household Knights. A herald announced the arrival of the Lord Paramount, requesting entry and guest rights. Mace himself was wearing his own armour, highly polished but utterly untested in battle.

[Lord Azazel]

Larence Rowan allowed the Lord Paramount to enter and gave him guest rights as well. Larence was in his finest clothing that he wore for these occasions and only these Occasions. He looked at the lord Paramount and stood up from the throne that his father had put in the Large hall for some reason. He bowed before the Lord Paramount and sat back down on the throne. To his left and right were the Master of Arms Jorah and his Justicar Jarrad. He stood up once more to Address the Lord Paramount.

" Greetings Lord Paramount Mace of the Reach, Welcome to Goldengrove and to the home of house Rowan. I will say that I am sorry for the actions of my father and for what he had done. But please understand that my father right now is going though a hard time. He had lost his love of his life who was my mother who he had been with since they were teenagers. They grew up together from the stories that he told me when i was a child. He loved her so much and one could tell that they were in love. My Father is not a bad man.. He just made a poor decision because he was not thinking clearly. " He said in a soft voice as he turned his head when he heard a small cry come from the youngest of the Rowan Children Jon. Larence Rowan( looked at jon and nodded his head so he could speak

" My Lord Paramount, please have clemency on my father. He is a good man who made a bad decision, We all have made bad decisions in our life time and now he has made one. He was only acting out of grief for the loss of his wife. He was only acting out of anger for who he believed killed her. Please understand.. My Mother was his true love and he loved her with all his heart. His heart was shattered when she died during childbirth. His heart was thrown into a million pieces. He was blinded by grief.. I could tell at the funeral he was not himself. He was at a loss because his world was shattered. Please have clemency on my father.. I do not want to lose him too.. its bad enough i do not have a mother now " jon said in a soft voice. Larance nodded his head at his brother before speaking again.

" At the Funeral of my mother, my father mentioned that he blamed the holy League for the death of Mother. The Holy league in which we all know are still a threat. I do not believe my father was thinking clearly when he marched towards Byford. I honestly do not think he was because that does not sound like him at all. It sounds like his grief had overtaken his emotions. That and anger but mostly grief. In fact just prior to the funeral.. We were worried father would kill himself to join my mother. But we stopped it.. But still I am worried for him Lord Paramount.. He is in a dark place no. But please do not kill him I do not want to lose a father. " He said softly as he looked at the lord Paramount and waited for his response.

[Poach]

Mace sighed, meeting the gaze of each Rowan in turn.

"The Hand of the King has demanded his arrest," said Mace, "Your father murders hundreds of people, including a sworn Lord of the Crownlands. His crimes are heinous, and carry the death penalty."

He paused a moment, letting that news sink in.

"I will petition the King to allow him to take the Black instead," he said sympathetically, "but there is no way for your father to remain in his position as Lord of Goldengrove, not after what he's done. Who among you is his heir?"

[Lord Azazel]

Larence Rowan nodded as he listened to the Lord Paramount. He stood up when the Lord Paramount asked who was heir " I am Heir to Goldengrove and the Highlordship of NorthMarch My Lord Paramount. " He said as he first bowed before the Lord Paramount and then kneeled before the Lord Paramount soon after. He then stood up as he listened to the rest of what the Lord Paramount had to say.

" I do not know what my father was thinking when he attacked ByFord My Lord Paramount. But my Guess he believed the Lord to be a Holy Lord and that he had to be dealt with. At the Funeral he mentioned that he was doing this for the better of the realm and that he wanted to purge the holy Lords and holy League from it. So if I had to guess he attacked Byford because he believed they were still part of the Holy League. I believe that would be the best for him and the family.. That he take the black and that I become Lord Of Goldengrove and I become Highlord of the NorthMarch " Larence Rowan said in a soft voice as he looked at his siblings and sighed. Today was a black day for House Rowan.. But atleast his father would still be alive even if that meant he would be exiled to the NightWatch for the Rest of his life or until he could be redeemed

" My Lord Paramount what if my father had a reason to attack Byford.. What if Byford lord was a Holy Lord and part of the holy League, I do not think my father would attack a lord of the realm without a good reason even if he was griving over the loss of my mother. But then again he has not been the same lately so maybe he did. But I would hate for him to be punish for something he did not do. Do you think it is possible for him to ever Redeem himself or will he be forever away from us because he took the black and joined NightWatch on the wall ? " Jon asked in a soft voice.. He was curious about if his father could be Redeemed They all were and what if they could prove his father did something good for the realm.. Would there father be Redeemed or forever be gone from the family.

Larence Rowan spoke up as he remembered the letter from the hand " My LordParamount.. The Hand letter suggests that he might come here by force.. He said something about Disturbers go unpunished which worries me. My father did Disturbe the Kings peace with his foolish action. I am afraid of what the Hand of the king will do to my family Lord Paramount.. is there anyway you can protect our family. because I do not think the Hand of the king will understand that the actions of my father does not reflect the actions of House Rowan.. Nor will he understand that my father is in grief over the loss of my mother. " He asked in a soft voice as he looked at the Lord Paramount and waited for his response.

[Poach]

[OOC: Taking the Black is a common phrase used to mean joining the Night's Watch. It is often given as an alternative to the death penalty: die or take the black. I'll wait for you to write another reply because the Rowans would definitely know what the Night's Watch is. They would understand what Mace means when he says taking the black.]

[Lord Azazel]

[ OOC - Done I edited Jons Response Now he is asking if his father could ever be Redeemed ( Which he wonders if he could, But he doubts it but there is always hope ) Question How would this Effect me.. Do i play him as a Aux once he takes the black ? }

[Poach]

[OOC: You can keep playing him if you want but no one really does Night's Watch characters. People have tried in the past but it doesn't ever really get far. Best to treat him as just gone completely.]

"I know of no one who has ever returned from the Night's Watch," said Mace sadly, "I believe the Northmen kill anyone from the Wall that tries to leave: becoming a Brother of the Watch is for life."

He listened to Laurence's concerns regarding the Hand.

"Lord Fossoway's army waits in the Crownlands," he said, "As long as I bring him Lord Rowan no armies will besiege your home. The Hand recognises my supremacy in the Reach and would not challenge me by thinking to wage war on my own vassals. Unfortunately Lord Eddward did not share the same understanding and waged war upon the King's vassals."

[Lord Azazel]

Larence Rowan Nodded his head in understanding but he did not trust the hand of the King. The man seemed to be out for blood more than anything, His words clearly stated his intention in the letter. " My Lord Paramount The hand of the King letter clearly states what he wants to do with my father. I do not want my father killed by the Hand of the king even if the King agreed to send him to the wall. The man seems intent on killing my father regardless of what the king says. Although maybe I am wrong and the letter was just written in anger which is rightfully so. My Father currently is not Innocent but he does not deserve death at least not the way the Hand of the king seems to want him dead. Do you think you could request that my father have a trial by combat against the hand of the king. If the king does not agree to send him to the wall ?. yes it would mean my father would be at the mercy of the gods.. But if he had to be killed.. At least be killed that way in somewhat honorable way. But i would prefer him on the wall because it would mean at least he was still alive. " He said softly as he looked at his siblings and sighed.. Either way they were going to lose their father.. Either on the wall or possiblity by dueling the hand of the king. But hopefully the recent armor his father got would do him well.

Asha Rowan.. Daughter of Eddward Rowan finally spoke up " My Father is not a monster.. He is not a Monster !. My Father is a loving man who did everything for his subjects and vassals. Do you know how many times he had them come over so they could speak to him. Do you know how many children he taught personally. He went out of his way for the people of the Reach and the realm.. And then when his beloved wife died my mother... Nobody comes and shows support for him at the Funeral. The man who did everything for the Reach.. He put the Reach first... And nobody shows up to her Funeral.. No ravens were sent by any other house but his vassals and house Hightower.. Nobody showed up.. When you know he shows up for their funerals. My Father felt betrayed by his own kind.. When he needed them most. When his world was shattering nobody was there to help him pick it up " Asha said in a angry tone as she slammed her hand down onto the table she was sitting at. One could see tears in her eyes now.. As she no longer held back the tears or the anger. Larence Rowan looked at his sister and felt her pain. She said what was deep inside of them.. That betrayal. He waited for his lord Paramount to respond.

[Poach]

"I'm afraid it's out of my hands," said Mace, "The Hand represents the King in this matter, and he has ordered Eddward's arrest. I doubt very much that he'll kill your father: he will take him to King's Landing where the King will issue his punishment. As I've said I'll petition he be allowed to take the Black, but that's all I can do."

[OOC: You could have Lord Rowan himself arrive now and we can have Mace and Eddward talk if you want. Mace has nothing more to say to the rest of the family.]

[Lord Azazel]

Eddward Rowan Arrived home on his horse with the remainder of his army. They had made good timing on the way back luckily with few people questioning why they were in such a rush. But he needed to get home and get out of there fast for a lot of reasons. one of which was that he knew some of those ravens were going to be read by people in the realm and he needed to prepare himself for that. But what he did not expect was the force of his Liege Paramount in front of his castle. He frowned as he was taken off his horse and put onto his portable bed. Since he could not walk on his leg he needed it to get around and was lead into the hall. He saw his children and his Lord Paramount and let out a sign. Things did not look good to him as his guards made there way towards the throne and put his small portable bed down on the ground near it. His guards then helped him get up and place him in his chair.. The leg wound hurting him as he did. He did noticed that his eldest son was sitting on it but soon got up when he gestured to him that he wanted to sit.

"Well it seems you got my Raven Lord Paramount Mace. I told you what happened and what I was doing. I was going to kings landing to meet the King when I was attacked by Gaunt of byford. He attacked me and I dueled him and I of course won but not before he injured my leg. But before he died he confessed he was a holy Lord and part of the holy League. So in a way I did the Realm a favor by killing him in a duel " He said softly just as his guards bought the Byford children into the chamber.. The children were fighting with his guards the whole time. He let out a sigh as he watched and ordered the guards to take the children away.. He would deal with them later.

" After the duel I found out those children were in danger.. I had to save them my Lord Paramount. So I did.. I saved those children from corruption of the holy League.. Saved them from a father that would of turned them against the realm.. But anyway.. Why are your troops outside of my castle my Lord Paramount..Is something going on ?. Did i miss something " He asked softly as he looked at his children wondering what he had missed and why the Lord Paramount was in his Halls. Not that he did not mind.. But something told him he was here for another reason a important reason at that.

[Poach]

[OOC: Mace would meet Eddward's army arrayed for battle, just in case he refused to surrender. He wouldn't be allowed into Goldengrove at all, in case he shut the gates and wouldn't come back out.]

Lord Rowan's force was met in the field by the forces from Highgarden. The Thorn Guard formed a solid line, with the Order of the Rose formed up in two large cavalry units to the left and right. Though Lord Rowan's force outnumbered Mace's man to man, the troops under the Rowan flag were absolutely no match for those under the Rose of Highgarden.

The two men met in an open field in between the two armies, Goldengrove just visible in the background, far beyond Mace's army.

"I know you're lying, Lord Rowan." said Mace matter-of-factly, "There is an army under the command of the Hand of the King waiting on our borders, poised to invade and sweep down upon Goldengrove if I don't deliver you to them to stand trial before the King. Order your army to lay down their arms, Eddward."

[Lord Azazel]

Lord Eddward Rowan listened to his Lord Paramount Words carefully. Who could of told His Lord Paramount what really happened ?. It did not matter at this time because he could do nothing against the troops in front of him. all of those troops were the elite of the realm or so he heard and his men would be slaughtered and he did not want them to die like that.. Not to another reachman. He looked at his men and then at his Lord Paramount.

" I am Not lying Mace, I am not lying about what happened at Byford not at the slightest. We did Duel and he got lucky and wounded my leg which is preventing me from walking..Lucky I can still ride. I do not know what has been told to you Mace.. But I would hope my own Lord Paramount would believe me about what happened. Do you think I would do anything to bring shame upon the reach and its people ?. My House has learned from our mistakes of the past. What happened is what I told you mace in the raven. Although I left out the part about the men that went with me. We were going to Kings landing because i had hopes of lending some of them to the King. But we never got a chance too because the Lord of Byford attacked us and during the battle me and him dueled and I won. How do you think he injured my leg Mace. The reason i never told you that before because no lord has ever done that in recent times.. But i wanted too i wanted to boost the forces of my King so he could secure the realm" He said with a wince of pain from his leg. He could not bear to tell the truth to his Lord Paramount.. He could not tell the man that he slaughtered a bunch of people in Byford Keep because of his grief over the loss of his wife and love of his wife. He frowned when he heard the hand oft he king was waiting on the boarders.

" I would like to speak to the hand of the king alone with just me and him. If he wants to bring me before the King, Than let him come here alone with only his personal guard and I will surrender myself to him personally.As long as he keep his army out of the reach and out of Goldengrove. If all he wants is me.. Than he will have me but I do not want anybody else hurt or killed because of what he believes happened. Can you do that for mace.. Just that one favor.. I just want to speak to the hand of the King alone with only our guards around and that is it. That is all I ask " He said softly as he asked his men to lay down there arms. There was no point in fighting any longer. He was in a bad place but hopefully his Lord Paramount grants his request and he gets to face the hand of the king alone.. Then hopefully he will ask for a duel but that will come later if his request is granted.

[Lord Azazel]

Eddward Rowan and the rest of the Rowan Family commit Suicide. The reason for it..So they can join there mother with the Stranger.. And Eddward could join his wife with the stranger. Eddwrd would stab himself though his chest and his family will do the same likewise in there keep. The guilt and the grief overwelming them all

( This will allow someone else to take over the Rowan family with a new thread and new characters. Sorry Poach but i explained why in crossroads thread )