Hearts of Kindness [Daern]

[Victoria Reiviv]

After having sold the majority of her flowers so that she had a few coins to feed herself, Victoria strolled through the town. She wicker basket idly swinging at her side. She watches up at the sky, it was turning darker by the minute but she had to stay out as long as possible before finding somewhere to sleep rough. At least she loved nature and didn't mind having to bath in a waterfall she thought to herself with a small smile.

Ahhh the simple life.

But things were about to get less simple for the runaway lady as she watched a raven messenger fly overhead with admiration for the creature. She followed its trail and saw its untimely descent toward the manor, obviously returning home. And then, she watched as it was ploughed into by a big horse and cart. It rolled to the floor at Victoria's horror, she immediately ran toward it hoping it would be okay. She couldn't just leave the poor thing lying there. She darted around the heavy loaded cart and knelt to the floor, gently reaching out to the raven. It was alive and breathing.

"Thank god!" She expressed with relief, she hated it when animals died and there was nothing she could do about it. But this time she could! She looked around for anyone who could help, but who would in this place? She had learned that the world was unkind. However, it wasn't going to dampen her spirits.

Carefully scooping up the injured bird and holding it tenderly in her hands she had an idea to ask who was the raven keeper in Gulltown. She found her answer at one of the merchant traders packing up their stall for the night.

The commoner points toward the keep and uttered a name. "You're looking for the Maester Daern I believe. He's the Raven Keeper for the Arryns."

Victoria blinks. "Maester Daern?" She registered the information with pensive thought whilst her head had turned to gaze at the keep. Suddenly she felt a little nerve wrecked from her insecurity. How would she fare getting so close to the Arryns home? She peered down at the poor injured Raven, it had trouble moving its wings. He might never fly again! She couldn't bear the thought of its suffering. She had to find this Maester Daern at once. Her own worries being put on the backburner. Nothing else seemed to matter right now.

At that, the sweet natured Lady made her way to the keep on her trusty steed, Snowflake. The horse trots its way to where she needed to go ,asking people along the way of who this Maester looks like and where she would find him at this time of eve. People described a dark haired, fair skinned, slender man with a chiselled chin. One woman described him as having dreamy eyes but Victoria questioned the wenches profession in her silky finery hanging about the street.

Sighing, she looked helpless as she tried to track this person and didn't know who anyone was or looked like in this town being her first time away from Loreshore. Still she persevered. Word had to reach the Maester soon enough that his presence was called for? Or at least...she hoped he would hear from the countless people she had asked. It wasn't at all hard to spot the strange newcomer in town with her white horse, a dog in towe and...selling flowers. Ladies don't do that sort of thing around here, she would undoubtedly be described as odd. It was getting darker and darker now with a reddish hue skyline in the horizon, light quickly getting dimmer. Would she find the man she was looking for before the day was over?

[Maester Daern]

"Lord Luthor and his new bride will undoubtedly want to go for a ride tomorrow." Daern said to the stable hands before turning to the new coming messenger. The boy looked out of breath and a bit heated. Stepping closer Daern placed a hand on the young man's shoulder and asked simply, "What of this news boy?"he smiled warmly at the young lad before the boy said in a low voice. "There is word of a woman at the gates for you Maester." Puzzled Daern gave a glance in the direction before turning to his Arryn guards and nodding his head for them to follow near.

Making his way through the cold ground, Daern's hands were warned inside his sleeves, his robes hitched short, showing his dark brown boots below. His curly brown hair was awry in its normal fashion. A rather confused yet careful look was on his face as he reached the gates of the House, nodding at the doorman to open them. Once they were creaked open, Daern stepped through, surveying the area and looking for the woman that the messenger boy described. It was not hard, she was rather plain and a bit of a swan among-st ducks. Making his way towards her, his two guards stayed not but three feet behind.

"My Lady, I do believe that you are looking for one under the name of Maester Daern? If so, you have found him right here." he said approaching the lady, ending with a small head nod of approval before him. "How may I assist you My Lady?" Daern asked, his arms open wide in a welcoming manner. Looking her over, she was rather drab. She looked as if she had been wandering the on-coming winter months with naught but the clothing on her back. Her hair was a touch disheveled and she had a basket with her. The poor girl looked either a trife lost or a touch mad...

[Victoria Reiviv]

Victoria watched the man approach her carefully. He had guards with him. Could word have reached him? Even though he was most welcoming, she was overcome with shyness at his handsome features. A small glance to the bird reminded her of her mission. Albeit a minor mission of mercy, but important non the less, and hopefully noe of true importance to the raven keeper himself.

She greeted him with a bright smile that transformed her drab looking nature into one of beauty. Her pretty blue eyes light up like stars at hearing the name Measter Dearn, she had found him at last!

"Oh! Maester thank the heavens I have found you just in time." She declares with a sweet voice, one of kindness as she hopped down from her steed, her plain cloak that was hiding her fine garments opened slightly to reveal a purple velvet beautiful dress. A Lady of elegance and modesty. She gently takes the injured raven bird and presents it to the man. "I found an injured Raven. I heard you were the Raven Keeper." She expressed with some heartfelt sorrow of the bird's condition.

As she walked neared the master without any hint of aggression or suspicious activity that would alert the guards to her being any sort of threat. She looks into the Maester's eyes with worry. It was clear she greatly cared for animals just as he.

[Maester Daern]

Daern's head cocked slightly as the woman approached him with the injured raven. She was an odd swan indeed it would seem. As she presented the bird to Daern he let his eyes wander to the unfortunate animal. Reaching his hands out he let his fingers brushed the scared animal. It's heart was beating faster then normal for a bird. It's wing was mangled beyond repair. Giving a small sigh Daern took the raven and looked up at the woman again. Some regalia was showing through her rough appearance. There was no denying that the woman was rather pretty, just a little lost it seemed.

"I apologize My Lady, I seem to be at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I do not know yours. What may I call such a kind hearted lady?" Daern asked with a smile over at the dark haired woman before him as he carefully cradled the bird. He did not have the heart to tell the woman that the bird was going to die. It may live through its injuries but a lame raven was a useless raven in the land of Westeros.

Smiling up at the woman he gave another bow towards her. "I am Maester Daern, of House Arryn. Counsel to Lord Luthor and his cousin Lady Lena, as well as all the House Arryn." he said with a wide stance. It was then that Daern noticed that the raven was bare. "My Lady, was there a message on this raven?" Daern asked expectantly. There was a lot of time sensitive news floating about the land and Daern's only way of getting it was to rely upon the ravens.

[Victoria Reiviv]

Victoria's heart came slightly aflutter with shyness as his hands neared hers, as she wasnt very used to being around men who were not her family, but he seemed trustworthy enough. Then watching Daern inspect the bird over, she wondered what his verdict was, could it be saved? She had hoped so in her heart of hearts. At his line of questioning she realised she was so rude as to not introduce herself straight away but she really wondered what reaction she got when she uttered her last name. But his compliment caused her to blush at being called kind hearted.

"Forgive me, I am Victoria Reiviv. Of House Reiviv." She immediately bows respectfully toward the kind Maester. "Hailing from Loreshore. Pleased to make your acquaintance Maester Daern!" She expressed with delight at meeting the gentleman. It had been a long day and it was certainly refreshing to meet a friendly face. A small bark came from behind her from Jasper the red border collie, all fluffy and adorable with a wagging tail. He too seemed to take a shine to the Maester. "Oh! This is Jasper." Victoria chuckles lightly as she introduced her pet. Then pointing at her horse. "And this is Snowflake." She patted her head and the horse nods its head in a friendly manner, well trained.


She then realised there might have been amessage. Looking around she didn't notice anything on the bird and she couldn't recall if there was a message on the bird from whence she found it. Overcame now with uncertainty she turned back to Daern. "Not that I noticed. Maybe I should go back and look where I found him?" She pondered as she brought a delicate slender finger to her rosy lips. Her hands were dainty and clean with long nails, she was well kept despite looking a tad worn. Behind her wrist and just above the clasp of her cloak would catch the eye of any with the glint of her pendant. A shiny silver moon with a pretty gem in the center. She had an air of mystery about her. What was the pretty young Lady doing here without an escort and only the company of her pets?

[Maester Daern]

"Ah yes, House Reviv, I have read of such a place, though I fear I did not delve into its studies I'm afraid. I do however know that you are far from home? Where is your consort Lady?" Daern asked with a slight cock of his head at the woman before him. Holding the bird he could still feel the fear within it. Not able to fly its wings away. Daern gave an eye to the little mutt and the horse behind the woman. A brow lifted slightly at the animal sounds they made. Daern was never truly an animal empathy type. Taking a slight step back he motioned for the Lady Reviv to follow him.

Turning slightly he nodded his head knowingly. "Well House Arryn can put you up until we get a raven to your house. Pray, forgive me My Lady, who is the head of your House at this moment?" he asked as he made his way towards the castle once more. The sun was already nearly straight overhead, mid-day was almost over and he still had many studies that he needed to accomplish. As well as to check on Lena and her babes condition.

[Victoria Reiviv]

Victoria was hesitant to follow. She tilted her head down low to gaze the floor, unsure if she should follow or not. "My..consort...?" Muttering under her breath, she didn't exactly know how to put that she was alone and not indeed lost as she assumed he might think of her right this moment. "Draegar Reiviv is the head.." She announced to his question.

"House Arryn..?A-Are you..sure?" She asks with a nervousness to her stature, she was surprised at Daern's hospitality. The horse nudges her forward slightly. Victoria could see Snowflake was eager to get some rest. She relented with a sigh, after all how could she refuse a bed for the night. But then tomorrow she would have to find somewhere else.

She picked up the reigns and lead Snowflake with her following the Maester. "Maester Daern...please dont send a Raven out. Truth be told, I came here alone." She reveals, there was no way she could escape not telling the truth.

"I...ran away from home..." She declares with a melancholy demeanour as her long wavy locks furrow in the wind behind her. All this time her smile was hiding a grief and sadness nobody could know. Her eyes turned dim again. On the back of her horse were a few belongings to last her a little while away from home and her father's sword as a keepsake. It may come to it that she may need to sell the fine weapon. She hoped he would listen to her story and take sympathy rather than trying to usher her back to a place she did not wish to go.

[Maester Daern]

"Lord Luthor will appease you for one night, Lady Reviv." Daern assured the dark haired woman as they continued their way towards the gates. Daern couldn't help but notice how pleasant Lady Reviv's animals were towards the woman. Daern was sure that he had read somewhere of a group of people within the Westeros lands that could communicate with animals. Was this Lady Reviv, indeed a warg? If so, Daern may need to keep her around longer, despite how strange she was indeed.

At her next words, Daern was a bit shocked. "My Lady...if I may inquire...what is your age?" He had only ever heard of young children running away from home, never one who looked as old as the Lady Reviv did. As he awaited her answer, his thoughts began running from him. If the Reviv's were in fact on the hunt for their daughter and found her in the Arryn household...a whole new war could be brewing for the Arryn House. Perhaps Luthor would only put her up for the night, rather than keep her awhile. Such a dangerous commodity could hurt the Arryn's more than they cared for.

As they passed through the gates, Daern motioned for them to be closed behind them. He saw a stable hand approach and bow to the Maester and the Lady before asking Daern about her horse. "Take Lady Reviv's mount and make sure it is properly washed and fed, along with her hound as well. Fresh hay and fresh water." he finished before they continued their way to the main hall entrance.

[Victoria Reiviv]

Victoria saw the look of shock on the Maester's face. "I just turned Twenty One." She responded openly and honestly as she walked with him up toward the Keep. "I left because I was going to be forced into a marriage I did not want. I told my Uncle I wanted to find someone I loved, but nobody was ever good enough. Draegar, is rather intimidating..." She sighs unhappily about her circumstance.

"And well...so are my cousins and brother. They wouldn't let just any man come near me and those who were chosen, I despised. Uncle allowed me time but I was too busy with my many studies to think about men. So it was either run away or...take my life...because I don't see much point in living a life of unhappiness. Not when it is so short. I've nought reason to be happy after my father died many a year ago and more recently...my brother too." She lets Daern's stable hand take her horse as she explained. She was indeed lost in her life with little purpose and seeing no other way out than to risk harm, she was truly desperate to even contemplate suicide. But that was the cowardice route, she knew. 
In the end, she feared of being alone and unloved. "So I came to Gulltown, we trade a lot with the port. The only place I could really get to with any ease."

"Thank you." She kindly acknowledged the farm hand's assistance. Then turning back to Daern she held herself with both her arms. "I'd understand if this is a problem for you and the Arryns. I did not come here to be a burden to anyone, that is the last thing I want. I can leave if you'd rather, Maester..." She expressed with some reluctance. She really liked being around this scholarly man, she felt at ease like she hadn't really felt for a while. Safe even. She'd be sad to have to leave his presence so soon after having met him, she wanted to know more of him, but needs must.

"I just...I don't know what to do right now..." Her eyes wandered her surroundings, lost within her own thoughts. She felt as though she could break at any moment, that's how fragile she felt these days. She wasn't sure how much longer she'd cope, let alone put up with a vile man she barely knew just appease her Uncle. He was not her Father however much he tried to replace him in Rhonan's stead. 

[Maester Daern]

A look of confusion quickly washed over Daern's face at Lady Reviv's tale. "Well My Lady, you are a bit past the marrying age it would seem. I do fear that your uncle will come looking for you, and finding you here will put us in a bad light with him. We will however house you for a time. Perhaps send a letter to your uncle, letting him know that you are safe within our walls..." Daern trailed off, continuing into the stone walls. His mind was racing slightly at the prospect of her bringing rage upon House Arryn. There was no doubt however in his mind, that House Arryn could defend themselves quite easily.

As they walked Daern could hear the pain and sadness in Lady Reviv's voice. Turning slightly to her looked at her and immediately felt uncomfortable. He could never handle women crying. Lena never cried and Daern had not often dealt with that. Cradling the bird he continued on his way, the silence growing awkward and a bit long.

Clearing his throat slightly he started, "We will help you Lady Reviv. Do not worry on that account. House Arryn will keep you complacent. Unfortunately you just missed the nuptials of our Lord Luthor to Lady Ana Redwyne. We are hosting Lady Lena's husband as well, Ser Torin Lannister and his cousin. We also have the lovely Lady Halaevia Baratheon, representing R'hllor here in the Vale. Many people to perhaps get your thoughts off of your troubled times." he ventured, looking over at Lady Reviv with a weak and hopeful smile.

[Victoria Reiviv]

Victoria listened intently to the elder male. She would guess at least a good 5 years on top of her age. Although she despaired she did not cry, she remained strong in front of Daern. "Yes I could do that. It should put my family more at ease, though I doubt very much they would do anything untoward against House Arryn and even Lord Lannister himself. And even if I am past the marrying age...it matters not so long as I can find happiness." She watched her footsteps as she continued up the path behind and slightly to the side of him. She noted how much taller her was than her, a few inches or so. She also noticed how he held himself respectably and with a grace of his own.

It was most kind of him to suggest such distractions for the Lady's welfare. She returned his hopeful smile with her own showing, once against lighting up her pretty face. "I'm most grateful for your kindness, Maester Daern. I would not know how to even begin to repay you for the hospitality you have shown me here today. I am certain I shall meet such interesting people here by all accounts. I do believe I have already met one already." Her lips exasperated a light chuckle toward her first new found friend in the Vale. Although her thoughts occasionally flitter back to the small raven he held in his hand. Was there indeed a message? Would the poor mite make it through?

[Maester Daern]

Daern had to give a small laugh at the insolence of the girls words. "Oh no My Lady, Ser Torin Lannister has a tendency to crush anything or anybody that steps in his path. A person, or family, who steps up against him will be removed. He's almost as good as his brother, Ser Jaime Lannister." Daern explained as he headed to the ravenry, up a long set of stairs. "You are too kind Lady Reviv, but no. I am merely a Maester. My life is dedicated to that of studies and books. I think perhaps Lady Matilys would be a good companion for you. She is a proper young lady. I do believe that you two will get along just fine." he finished as they opened the door to the ravenry.

Once inside Daern went to a far table and began looking at the birds wing. Setting it as he talked, he said. "If I may inquire, Lady Reviv, why did you run from your House? It is a rather rare thing for a Lady to abandon her family, her stewards, her lush life. Why would you do it?" He finished, waiting for her answer as he began setting the birds little wing.