The Tourney at Ashford

Arwyn woke up early, feeling surprisingly energized despite the dank weather. Last night had been an exceptional one on all counts. There was a little bit of excitement in her moments as she got ready for her day. After getting dressed and making the rest of her preparations, she sat down in one of the tents, tying off a lock of hair, braiding it to the bottom, then tying off the other end. It wasn't a long section of hair, only part of the length of one of her pieces, but she'd never cut her hair beyond trimming before. She takes the hair firmly between her fingers and cuts the short, slender braid off, placing it in a pouch and tying that closed while she got breakfast sorted out and waited for her brother.

Sure enough it wasn't long before her tallest, most handsome older brother made his entrance. This morning he was gingerly holding his jaw and trying not to wince. He muttered something under his breath that would have made a Septa blush as he snapped something into place.

"Crackin' fight last night sis. You should have seen wee Gwen punching some guy in the junk. Classic brawler move!"

He moved closer and took a deep breath in through his nose before exhaling happily.

"Ah! Whatever you're making smells grand. How's you?"

She chuckles a little. "Kevan Dunn told me a little about it last evening," she said with a smile. "He left out Gwen's bit, though. I should congratulate her on that move." Oddly, she felt less uptight today, more relaxed. "It's nothing too elaborate, but have to have fuel for the day, right?"

"I'm... feeling pretty good about things right now." Her cheeks turn a little pink, and she hides it by facing toward breakfast. "How about you?"

"Oh yeah?" He couldn't help but grin. "Hanging out with my mate Kevan were you? Good lad, he's a scrapper."

Moving closer he sensed something was going on. "Definitely need the fuel today sis. Feels like I was kicked in the head by a mule, but it was actually a knee to the face by someone who's woken up missing some teeth. I see you've caught the sun. Only on your cheeks though..."

She looked at him with concern. "Go see one of the Maesters after this, all right? I don't want to find out it's more than a headache..."

She nodded with a smile, looking down shyly, genuinely so rather than the usual affectation of submissiveness that she'd taken on since his absence. "I wanted to visit the woods. They don't have a godswood, but there's a clearing out there that's something, at least. He offered to escort me." She dishes up some of the food, handing it over to Marqus, then getting some for herself. "Nothing untoward happened, but... well, if I end up having a choice about who I marry, I'd prefer it be him."

"Met with Cedric Kellington, too. Bloody... He keeps good men at his side and I don't know how he does it," she was falling into the accent they shared just talking about him as she sat back in the chair. A deep breath. "I mean... it's not like he's a truly horrible individual or anything, but... He lacks some social graces."

"Anyway, tell me about the last couple of days."

He stood there with his mouth open a moment.

"Oooooooooooooh, get you!" Then he gave her a hug. "Of course nothing untoward happened. You're the smartest person I know, and he wants to be a proper Knight. Good. Let me know if you need me to put in a word with father."

He smiled warmly and then switched topics. "Cedric Kellington? Can't say as I've met him but I think Ser Davelyn said something about supporting him. What did he say to you? Anyway, last couple of days? Showed off my lance skills and gained some glory for the house, as you do. Did some sparring with Ser Ulrich Reyne and beat him. Pleased with that. Got caught up in that brawl last night, with Kevan, Gwen, and Ser Warryn on our side. That's about it."

She returns the hug with a grin. "You know what the best part is? He genuinely wants me to be myself... bull-headedness and all. Isn't that something? Mother's a Reachwoman... I think if we can get the politics tentatively sorted, I don't think Father would have too many objections, though I'm sure your word would help."

"It sounds like you had a productive day. I know you did well in the squire's joust. I watched, of course, with Ser Warryn."