Iron From Ice

Chapter 3

Esther Waters ~ Ironrath ~ Great Hall

Ethan walked with Royland as he explained the situation to him. Esther followed quietly behind them. She is on edge as she sees the presence of the Whitehills. Royland pushed the double doors open that lead into the Great Hall. Several of the Whitehill soldier are standing or sitting around the Great Hall.

Near the end of the hall, Duncan is stressed as he rubs his face. He stands near the Lords Seat and the table used for council meetings. Ethan glances around him as he sees multiple soldiers and guards. Most are from the Whitehills. Esther has her own qualms with the family, mainly directed at the current Lord of Highpoint, Ludd Whitehill.

As the group nears Duncan, he turns to face them. "They showed up unannounced. Lord Whitehill is in a lather. I assume you explained to Lord Ethan why they're here?" Duncan asks. As Duncan talks, Esther moves to the background. Still visible and still able to spring into action, but more discreet and out of the way.

"The business with Gared. I told him," Royland answers. "Lord Whitehill knows Gared is a squire to this House. Or was, I suppose," Duncan continues to explain the situation. "Is. Was. It makes no difference! The Whitehills were clearly in the wrong, so don't give them any satisfaction. Out there, you were decisive and firm. Now do it again with these bastards!" Royland urges Ethan.

Esther doubts how much will be gained through such a tactic. This House is weakened by the war of Robb Stark. It cannot afford to look weak, but a war with the Whitehills will put this House in danger.

Ethan looks determined and as he looks at his close advisors. "I can handle Lord Whitehill," Ethan assured Royland. A pleased smiled adorns Raynold. "Well said, my Lord," he says. "Now is not the time to anger Lord Whitehill any more than he already is. He's got five times as many men and the backing of House Bolton," Duncan counters.

"Anger him? Lord Fathill hates this House as much as the Lannisters hate the Starks. Unless you plan to give your Ironwood forest to Fathill, he won't calm down," Esther says. Duncan sighs as he briefly looks at her. "You don't know that. We can't afford to seek the confrontation," Duncan says.

Royland shakes his head. "Even the girl has more wisdom than you. We need to stand up for ourselves. Only cowards and dead men roll over!"

The double doors open once again. A blond haired and clean-shaven man that is on the heavier side walks in. Belly visible as the steel armor has been adjusted to it. Around his neck is a blue scarf-like item made of wool attached to the armor. The color of House Whitehill.

The man called Ludd Whitehill looks with a cold look at the assembled people. Still the same, even after the many years Esther last saw him. As Ludd stops in front of Ethan and looks a bit up. Ethan's stand a bit higher as he stands on the raised platform.

"Lord Ethan, is it?" Ludd starts to say to Ethan as he holds out a hand, "My condolences for your father and brother. The late Lord Forrester was no friend to me or my House. But to his family it's still a loss," he says. Ethan ignore his hand as he looks at Ludd.

Ludd's anger that was hidden before stars to show. He spits on the floor in front of Ethan, as he looks with an angry and irritated look at Ethan. "My only regret is I wasn't there to drive the dagger into his heart myself. I've been waiting for this day all my life," he says with a voice of arrogance and anger.

"How dare you!" Ethan interjects. Ludd scoffs. "I dare, and I'll do as I damn well please. And no bread and salt?! What kind of fucking House receives a Lord with no fucking bread and salt, you bloody AMATAEUR," Ludd says as he walks around, gesturing around the Great Hall. His men laugh at the supposed 'pathetic' House. "No courtesies. I should have expected as much," Ludd says while he paces around the Hall.