✓ | POOR JUDGMENT (A.FORRESTER)

Little Lord. Chapter Nine.

The sun cast a golden glow across the grove, the pleasant light shimmering on lone droplets left behind by a previous storm, coating the trees like hundreds of tiny candles. It looked beautiful, a miniature sanctuary for the Forrester eyes only. However, such a paradise was a mere, dull, reminder of distant memories that had once taken place in this sparkling grove. All of the times once spent with young Ethan, held within the branches of Ironwood trees, haunting the children as they strolled through their once favourite place, that was now just a shadow of what used to be. Talia's small head hung low, her tiny hand trembling in Cynthia's grasp as they walked on. She'd barely said two words since they began on their walk from Ironrath, her mourning for her twin consistent since the day it had happened. Even now with her older brother home, the loss of her twin still darkened her mood substantially. Cynthia did not blame herself for what happened to the little lord, she knew that it was the Bolton bastard that was to blame for the murder of her brother, but she could not help but feel guilty for not being there at that time. At least to comfort the others, if nothing else. Talia needed her in the week she was away, and she blamed herself for not being with her, and leaving her little sister alone in a time of need and grief. And she would never forgive herself for it.

"Will you tell me a story - from when you were a children?" Talia's quiet voice emerged, distracting her from her guilty thoughts. "Of course," Cynthia replied with a small smile, leading Talia to a small clearly in the grove, where they would sit and reminis. "What kind of story would you like to hear?" She asked, once Talia had settled into her lap. "Something about Mira...And Asher!" She beamed quietly, turning her head to look up at Cynthia with boring grey eyes that looked so much like Ethan's it almost stung. "Alright...How about the time Rodrik and I were practicing, right here, in the grove, and Asher decided to be my knight in shining armour." Talia's little face brightened and her eyes grew with excitement.

"It was a spring afternoon, and Rodrik had promised to teach me some more moves with the sword. I was no older than 10 at the time, and your father persisted that I was not older enough to learn, so Rodrik and Asher taught me secretly, out here, away from your parents. This was one of those times, Rodrik had snatched two of the practise blades when Ser Royland was not looking, and had brought them to the grove so that we could use them. We parried, for what felt like years; Rodrik was being very particular about my stance, my hold, everything. He taught me a few new moves, but I insisted we had a real fight. Rodrik was a lot better fighter, and a lot stronger than me so he was easily winning. He blocked all of my attacks, dodged all of my attempts, and had me on the floor within mere moments of fighting. And then, out of no where, my saviour arrived. Asher sprung from the bushes with his own sword poised towards his brother. He knocked Rodrik away and stood in front of me. "I will protect you, Cyn." Asher yelled, parrying with his brother. Asher has always been far stronger than Rodrik, even if Rodrik was the better fighter, he couldn't best Asher's strength. And then, all of a sudden, Asher turned back to me, outstretching his free hand - which I took in an instant. He pulled me to my feet and stood at my guard as he continued with Rodrik. When tired of their endless parry, Asher turned back to me. He hoisted me over his shoulder so quickly I hardly knew what was happening. With one arm securing me, Asher held his sword and ran, all the way back to Ironrath, with Rodrik following behind. Asher ran through the gates, through the courtyard; up the stairs and inside - somehow holding me safely over his shoulder all the way."

"He ran down corridors and around corners, laughing all the way, until we reached Mira's room. Asher barged in and was quick to drop me on the bed beside a thoroughly amused sister. Rodrik quickly appeared in the doorway not long after, laughing so hard he could barely hold his sword up straight. Mira and I climbed off of the bed, squealing as the boys jumped onto it, continuing with their fight, they flayed widely at each other, swinging their blades aimlessly in each other's directions as they attempted to keep their balance on the unstable bed. It was only when two small children ran in that the pair stopped for a moment, looking at each other and then at the twins. A cheeky grin grew on the boys' faces as they each grabbed one of you, flinging you both around in their arms. I believe Rodrik held you, and Asher had Ethan, sat atop his shoulders. After dropping you both on the bed, Asher dragged Mira and I over as well, so that we all crammed onto the bed, laughing. Asher had me on top of him, with you in his arms; he looked at you with so much love and care I thought he'd never want to let you go. That was one of the last times I ever saw that side of him before Gwyn."