Work Text:
Prologue
336 A.C. Goldengrove
A castle of white stone sits atop a hill surrounded by a dense forest. The prominent towers of the castle rose high into the sky above the surrounding trees and seemed to originate from the rock face on which the castle was built. The rest of the castle climbs upwards much like the branches of a tree ever expanding towards the sun. A strong river is near the base of the hill providing water to the dense fauna. The trees of the forest shone brightly in the summer sun, slightly concealing the castle and surrounding land from outsiders. The golden leaves stayed vibrant year round as if preserved by some miracle. Inside another miracle has happened for the rulers of this land.
A child of their line is always a great joy to a lord, especially when that child is the first son of the heir. Bells were rung throughout Goldengrove, signaling the successful birth of another child of House Rowan.
Lord Arthur beamed with pride as his first son, Mathis, placed the babe in his arms.
“A boy, Father, the line of House Rowan will continue another generation of Lords,” Mathis smiled broadly.
“Aye it seems we will,” Lord Arthur nodded in agreement, “I pray I get to grow old to see him have a child of his own.”
“As do I Father, as do I.” Mathis said gently, placing his hand on the top of his newborn son's head.
The scene fades before showing a different castle in a warm summer's day though some years later.
343 A.C. Pinkmaiden
A much smaller castle but no less beautiful is seated at the junction of a riverbed. The stone and stairs leading up to it were well weathered by the rising and falling of the water level over hundreds of years. The wide walls of the castle show an intent of great safety and defense for its occupants. The fields in the lands surrounding the castle grow rich with summer crops growing for the fall harvest well hydrated by the ambient rivers nearby. The sigil of a beautiful maiden is carved into grand doors leading into the main castle.
Lord Ethan Piper is sat at his desk in the Lord’s Solar at a rare visit home to Pinkmaiden from his time in Riverrun serving the Lords of Tully as Castellan. However, family has always been important to him, and he knows his Lord Tully will understand these priorities. It had been many years since Ethan saw the last sibling who remained to him, Elona, but as his own children were married and begot children the castle of House Piper became full with family once again.
There is no love greater than holding a babe of your house in your arms. Ethan found love in everyone of his children when they were born and he knew he at least shared that love with his Lady-wife Serena. And now his son was to become a father himself for the first time. Brandon had the Stark look with a Piper name, and a Northern wife to emphasize the longstanding ties between House Piper and the North. While deep in these thoughts of family and love, the younger Piper male entered the room with a small bundle in his arms.
“Father, I have someone I would like you to meet.” Brandon smiled with teary eyes as he stood on the other side of Ethan’s desk.
Ethan wished his feet could carry him faster to his son and heir’s side to look down on the newest member of their family. Peeking through the blanket he could see a soft tuft of dark brown hair and a small sleeping face of a newborn babe.
“Oh how precious is your little one my son,” Ethan smiled softly, pulling the blanket down lightly to show more of the baby’s face.
“As precious as you described Father when you held your first child in your arms.” His son replied.
“Indeed, your sister gave us quite a show when she was born,” laughed Ethan.
“Aye, and now I have a daughter of my own as well. We decided upon naming her Alys, after grandmother.” Brandon hummed stroking the cheek of the babe softly.
“Beautiful. Has she seen her yet?” He smiled.
“No I came straight here after the Maester’s looked her and Anya over.” His heir nodded. “I will after Mother has her time.”
“Excellent, she has not been well since my father died but always was happiest whenever she was able to hold a baby of our kin in her arms.” Ethan replied, watching the baby's eyes flutter open. Blue, like her mothers. A clear summer sky, warm and inviting, almost matching the blue of House Piper and the blanket wrapped around her.
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Next Chapter Chapter 1 Maiden's Day