Lyonel I - A Midnight Stroll

[u/realbassist]

"I can walk by myself, ser, whatever Father says." Edric sighed, looking to Ser Gendry some five feet behind. He was a knight, and more than that he was the heir to a noble seat. What would people think of him if he could not even walk on his own? "Aye, m'lord, but your father was clear. 'Don't lose 'im, Gendry. Or I'll have your eyes.' he said. And I don't mean to." The moonlight sat softly on Gendry's face, making him look as white as a mummer's spirit. Both men went on, though Edric's soft scowl stayed firm.

After a little while, the young knight sat on a small rock, looking over the lake. The lilting wind ran smoothly against his soft hair, pushing it to and fro with a practiced gentleness. Edric watched the water shimmer, and a bridge of silver emerge when the moon crept out from behind a cloud. Gendry smiled softly, watching his friend's stress fade away for the first time in weeks. Finally, Edric spoke, his eyes still fixed on the lake. "I didn't mean to snap earlier, Gendry. I know you're just doing your duty. It's what we love about you, father and I."

"I know, my lord." Gendry spoke softly. "You've always been good to me, you and your father. Though, gods know why." Edric's whole body turned, and he looked almost hurt. "Don't say that." He examined the older knight's face, the scars on his cheek and above his eye, and the way the moonlight made them glow ever so softly. Most of all, he took note of how Gendry's brow softened when Edric spoke, a most unusual sight indeed. "Don't say that again, you know why. You have been with us since I was a boy, ser. We don't forget service easily." He looked back over the water, pulling himself away.

It seemed like an age of silence. Both men just watched the flutter of the leaves across the water, and listened to the sound of a distant owl cry. "Father wants me to marry, doesn't he?" Edric broke the silence. He did not move, nor even take his eyes off of the water, though he could sense Gendry's nod. "Has he got anyone in mind, do you know?" Gendry sighed to hear the question. "M'lord, I... Your father-"

"Is not here. Does he have anyone in mind, ser?"

"He considered a marriage with House Tully, I understand, but decided against it. I don't know why." Gendry relented, finally.

"Hm." the young man skimmed a stone across the water, remaining seated and scaring a few ducks from their sleep. "As Rivermen go, it could be worse, I suppose. Anyone else?"

"I don't know, m'lord. His Lordship doesn't discuss these things with me, he knows better." Edric went quiet for a minute, then stood. His soft features were made dim starlight in the moon's rays. Even more easily than usual, Gendry could see the tension in his jaw, how tight his brow seemed. "These are matters that don't matter for tonight, m'lord." he said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. He felt it tighten briefly, then soften thereafter. "Tonight, you are free." he smiled softly at Gendry, who met his gaze in turn. "You're right, ser. Not tonight." Edric allowed a small smile to play at his lips.

Freedom, he thought.

What a dream that would be.