Sun and Fire ~ Aemond Targaryen

10. A bad idea

Harwin Strong walked with long strides through the hallways, his eyes lost in the sorrow of having to part from the princess and her children in such a manner, but he had no choice. His savage beating of Ser Criston Cole had cost him his position as Commander of the City Watch. Now, he had the duty to take charge of the inheritance at Harrenhal, and he was beginning to prepare himself for it.

He was so engrossed in these thoughts that he didn't hear the quick footsteps rushing towards him. Only the sound of a small voice calling him was able to snap him out of his trance, and at that moment, he halted his steps to turn around. Both girls, Daemma and Meria, stood before him, both trying to catch their breath after running so much, and Harwin looked at them puzzled. For a moment, he didn't know what to say and remained silent for a while until he gently tilted his head.

"My ladies... were you looking for me?"

"You walk very fast... are you in such a hurry?" the younger one asked with a slightly breathless voice. The man with brown hair flashed a sympathetic smile and replied calmly.

"I must leave for Harrenhal as soon as possible, my father and my retinue are waiting for me."

"We won't take much of your time, Ser... we just wanted to say goodbye," Daemma responded with soft eyes fixed on Harwin's.

"We... are saddened by what happened, personally, I think that idiot deserved that beating for being a terrible trainer," Meria added.

"Meria!" Her older sister warned, frowning.

"It's the truth! He deserved it," the girl retorted, and Ser couldn't help but laugh amusedly, although his eyes still looked sad.

"My behavior was inappropriate... I accept the consequences of my actions, I appreciate you coming to say goodbye, my ladies, whenever you like, you are welcome to Harrenhal."

The gratitude sounded genuine, the man once again bowed his head to turn around and continue on his way until Meria, who seemed to want to say something more but didn't know how, raised her voice somewhat nervously.

"Jace and Luke... still can't ride their dragons, but they will soon... I can teach them myself, and when they do, they can come to visit you at Harrenhal whenever they like... Ser Harwin, this isn't a goodbye... it's a see you soon."

Daemma smiled proudly and supported the idea.

"Of course, we'll all go... I can bring Joffrey with me, it'll be so much fun."

For a brief moment, Harwin turned to give an incredibly happy look to the girls, his eyes seemed moist but his teeth showed in a charming and warm smile.

"I'll be waiting for you... thank you, my ladies..."

His steps continued forward with a new countenance, the eyes that seemed lost now looked as if they had found some light, hope... the man walked until the girls lost sight of him with a sense of satisfaction. Daemma touched Meria's shoulder to return to their quarters, and as they walked, they imagined flying to Harrenhal. They had never been there, but the idea of ​​reuniting with their cousins ​​and Ser Harwin, all enjoying a pleasant encounter, seemed fun to them. But those ideas remained just that... ideas... dreams... a nice longing for what could have been.

Because that was the last time they would see Ser Harwin Strong and his father, the amiable man who served as Hand of the King, Lyonel Strong

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The next day, during the afternoon, a new emergency meeting of the Small Council was called. The seven members took their respective seats in front of the large table, and wine was served. Queen Alicent, Princess Rhaenyra, King Viserys, Lord Tyland Lannister, Lord Beesbury, Lord Jasper Wylde, and Grand Maester Orwyle were present, while Ser Harrold Westerling and the cupbearer stood behind the King. Only the seat of Lord Lyonel Strong was empty due to his journey to Harrenhal.