"Well... this partnership with Jeyne is good and all, but this back and forth is way too time-consuming." Ronan complained, as he rode on horseback.
Especially because he had just finished a pivotal project of his... and before he could celebrate the W... a letter just had to be downer for the excitement of it.
A letter that requests for his presence... at the considerably distanced Eyrie at that.
Which really wasn't anything unusual ever since Jeyne and his mother became besties through the trials and tribulations.
What made it bad is that he became the ping pong ball that was being pinged and ponged in between them.
Of course, his mother was actually quite hands off and was use to giving him the independence.
That stuck-up and long-necked girl is getting more and more dependent to him, however.
Asking him advice about how to do this and that... and offering a position like adviser or whatever.
Ronan generously gave advice when he can but always no-no'd on that opened job position.
The travel from Runestone to the Eyrie and vice versa would be the biggest pain to such a decision for him.
Especially at times when Jeyne needed him for face to face discussion... when ravens Zooming through the air is not an option.
If only old gramps Yorbert was still alive and kicking... then the girl would have someone else to bother.
Then again, he kind of owed the girl a lot.
Not just in terms of the knighting and debastardization and taking in all the flak from the haters... but also in terms of money.
The liege lady was rich from collecting all the taxes from the Houses of the Vale, Runestone included... and Ronan sort of asked quite a sum already to fund certain expensive projects of his.
And he probably will be shamelessly borrowing some more in the future.
So, as someone who Jeyne knighted herself, he had to to do his duty. Duty as her debtor as well.
Who knows? Maybe he'll get a discount in some of his payments... or maybe lower the interest for future moolah transactions.
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Eventually, Ronan passed through all the checkpoints and counted all the freaking stairs of the Eyrie... and was then led into the Lady Arryn's solar... where Lady Jeyne waited for him
Just before the both of them could talk business... and before he or she could speak any further... a knock came at the chamber door.
Jeyne straightened immediately, her tone always firm, asking. "Who is it?"
A voice answered from beyond the door, saying. "It's Jessamyn, my lady. A raven's come from King's Landing."
"Enter." Jeyne assented.
Lady Jessamyn Redfort stepped inside, her expression schooled but her eyes flickering briefly toward Ronan... the boy knight standing near the lady, his custom bronze armor lettered with runes.
Of course, there was no hiding the hint of wariness that crossed her face before she bowed.
"My lady." Jessamyn said, holding out the parchment sealed with the crown's wax. "It bears the king's hand."
Jeyne accepted it carefully, glancing once more at Ronan as if aware of Jessamyn's unspoken thoughts. "You may speak freely, Jessamyn. We've no secrets here."
That earned her lady-in-waiting's faint frown. "As you say, my lady. The message concerns a royal tourney to celebrate the coming birth of the king's son. His Grace calls upon you... the Warden of the East to attend."
Jeyne studied the seal in silence for a long moment, her eyes unreadable. "So the King Viserys holds festivities once again."
She murmured. "While the realm still counts its losses... of his other babes, that is. The cousins I would have had. The tears that my aunt have shed for them."
Jessamyn hesitated before adding, "There is more, my lady. A second raven... addressed to make you compel Ser Ronan Royce. It seems the king truly wishes to see the Vale's youngest knight himself."
Ronan looked up at that, meeting Jessamyn's pointed gaze. He could almost hear the satisfaction in her tone... and see the weird jealousy in her gaze.
Jeyne turned toward him, brows slightly raised. "You've been summoned, then."
"It would seem so." Ronan said simply, in Common Tongue eloquence. "Though I've heard such summons before... and I have always found ways to decline them."
Jeyne nodded. "Indeed. Your mother and I have long agreed that the Vale's duty lies here, not in courtly spectacle."
She paused, turning the parchment between her fingers. "But the king's words are firmer this time. It says here... by personal request and royal order. And aside from his Kingly request, he's asking me to use my power as your liege lady as well."
Jessamyn's tone held an edge of finality. "Then it cannot be refused."
Ronan let out a sigh at that, saying. "So it would seem."
On the inside, he was complaining again.
This time because of the timing of things. And also... because of all the potential Targaryen drama that he really hopes to not be thrown into.
Canon is coming, after all.