Tourney Grounds

[Lorraine Lannister]

She moved closer, and Aymery forced himself to stand his ground instead of retreating a few steps back to the safety of his personal bubble. "Yes! Well, I am sure my father is. I haven't met too many of them, other than at my nameday, which I sure don't remember."

---

"You will be entering only the joust then, Ser Cedric? I am sure you will ride well." When she heard what Podrick had to say, she laughed. He was very persistent! "I am sure you will do well either way, after all, you beat Tarly here." She was sure Aelinor could handle herself. The girl was very smart, and what she lacked in experience she could make up for in knowledge. She was firm, but she was kind. "I am interested to hear your choice, also, Aelinor. But I trust you will leave us in suspence until the tourney?"

[Ser Podrick Baelish]

"And I can tell you, my princess, that I'm the one who they call me The Maester, and it isn't for nothing...." He smiled

[Princess Aelinor Targaryen]

"The Maester... I see Ser Baelish." Aelinor smiled at him and then nodded at Lorraine's comment,"As of this moment, "Aelinor smiled,"Yes, I intend to.. There are many that I have not been introduced to besides these fine Sers, sooo the decision is still out.."

[Ser Lewyn Corbray]

Lavinia giggled and lightly pressed herself against Aymery. "Well I am sure you will be a very loyal and honourable knight one day." She winked at him.

[Ser Cedric Tarly]

Cedric smiled and bowed when he heard the Princess say his name. "I am honored that you have heard of me, my lady."

To Lady Lorraine, he answered, "Yes, I feel like my talents are best saved for the jousts. I thank you for the best wishes." His smile dropped for a second when the Lannister mentioned that Pod had beat him, but he quickly tried to cover it up.

[Princess Aelinor Targaryen]

Grinning,"Yes I have, and of all of the great houses present here. I wish to meet all who represent their lands." Aelinor again looked at the Sigil flags,"But where is the direwolf of House Stark?"

[Lorraine Lannister]

Aymery felt her rolls of fat against him and this time, he did step away. "Yes, I guess I hope to be a knight some day. All my brothers are and some of them not much older than me."

----

Lorraine was intrigued by Aelinor's choice. She was excited that her friend would be leaving the library and coming out to the public...although she still respected and encouraged the girl's studies, she did think that Aelinor should mingle more. "I am sure you will make the right choice, Aelinor." It seemed Podrick had similar interests to the Targaryen, but something seemed a bit off about him, "Maester" or no. "I beleive Stark left after the wedding. I think the excitement was a bit much for him. His face was so pale and sad. I hear he has lost his wife and his family's sword."
She noticed the disappointment in Tarly's face, though it was only present for a moment. "The joust is my favorite event in a tourney. The melee is like chaos, but the joust is just two men and two horses...and if something went wrong..." she sighed. "Terribly exciting."

[Princess Aelinor Targaryen]

Turning to Lorraine,"Oh yes that is correct...."

"I do not fault him", she said shaking her head,"It seems like he has a lot of work to do with rebuilding his home. I do hope he took aid, if it was offered by my father."

[Lorraine Lannister]

"I am sure your father would do his utmost to help poor Lord Stark. He has always been loyal. The north and the east still have a lot of rebuilding to do. My brother is doing his best to repair the shattered walls of Riverrun. And Ser Cedric tells me the flowers of Highgarden have been scorched." She looked down. "War is a terrible thing."

[Ser Cedric Tarly]

"I agree, Lady Lorraine. The melee is fun for the ferociousness, but it lacks the refined touch that the joust has. Usually, the only injuries are a hurt ego, but yes, accidents do happen and there is usually one maiming per tourney. Though, sometimes even a death."

[Princess Aelinor Targaryen]

Aelinor nodded,"Yes father has spoke of his loyalty. I believe that he favors the man so what." At the mention of Highgarden, she nodded,"War is a terrible thing. It leaves people to mourn many things from family to their own lands."

[Lorraine Lannister]

"Yes, Aelinor." She thought of the bodies, laid out in the yard of Riverrun, the highborn wrapped in the banner of their house, the lowborn just laid out in the sun. She remembered the smell...she tried not to remember that smell. "I hope war does not come again, and our fighting men have naught but tourneys with which to hone their skills. Ser Cedric, I wish you the best in your event, and Ser Podrick, I wish you the best in yours." She inclined her head to all present. "I am afraid I must go, though. I hope to see you all in the near future. Good bye."

With that, she began to walk back to the Lannister Manse.

[Ser Cedric Tarly]

The mention of Highgarden distracted Cedric, and pulled him away from his conversation for a moment. Finally, all he said was, "Yes, let us be thankful for peace."

[Princess Aelinor Targaryen]

Aelinor at Lorraine as she departed. She felt a sense of nervousness as she watched Lorraine head towards her manse. She then commented to Ser Tarly,"Yes and I hope it lasts. This kingdom can not afford to be at odds amongst ourselves."

[Ser Cedric Tarly]

"Of course, Princess. I have seen enough of war, to be truthful, and if I never saw another until my death, it would still be too soon."

Trying to steer the conversation to a much lighter topic, he asked, "My lady, how did you enjoy the wedding? It must have been a joyous day for your family."