✓ | POOR JUDGMENT (A.FORRESTER)

Untrustworthy. Chapter Eleven.

"We have to push Gryff and his soldiers out of Ironrath. They're the most immediate threat." Rodrik's confident voice resonated through the secret part of the grove, where he had arranged to hold small council meetings, away from glaring Whitehill eyes. "But Rodrik, what about Ryon? If you move against Gryff, who knows what those wretches will do to my son." Elyssa argued, voice calm though it was clear she disagreed with Rodrik entirely. "If we do nothing, we are dead on our feet. Our enemies are not just at our gates, they are within them. We must secure Ironrath, so we have a home to bring Ryon back to." Rodrik stated proudly, persistent that his option was the best. "Don't forget him." Elyssa sighed, looking desperately at her son. "Then it's decided. We take back our home." Duncan spoke up, stood beside Cynthia at the back of the huddle. "We lost most of our men with Gregor at the Twins. We can probably gather another thirty or forty men. But the Whitehills are already fortified inside Ironrath." Royland frowned, gaining Rodrik's attention. "Thankfully, Rodrik secured an alliance with the Glenmores." "But those forces mean nothing, until after the marriage." Duncan and Royland bickered. "That means we have to count on Asher and Mira." "How?" Rodrik asked, turning to Duncan. "Asher means to sail home from Essos with a company of hardened sellswords. But they're not bannermen. We'll need to pay them for it. Which is why Mira's part to play is just as crucial. She can get us the coin we need in King's Landing." Duncan continued, seeming to believe he had the right solution.

"You don't imagine we have the luxury of waiting for them! Asher and Mira are a long way from here." Royland answered back, crossing his arms sternly. "I have faith in my children." Elyssa spoke up, "But there is no guarantee that they will even succeed in time." Cynthia stated, looking towards Rodrik, who nodded at her statement. "We press on. It's no use waiting." "We have a plan, my lord. But we must wait for the pieces to come together." Duncan exclaimed, "The Whitehills aren't ready for war." "It won't be long before you will be able to take action yourself," Maester Ortengryn informed, sat on a rock at Cynthia's side. "Well one way or the other there's a fight brewing. So I've much to prepare. And men to train. My Lord." With that Royland disappeared beyond the trees, leaving the rest of the group to fall apart in time. The Maester and Elyssa followed his exit, leaving Rodrik, Duncan and Cynthia alone.

"My lord, there may be something we can do now. A voice from Highpoint. Gwyn Whitehill." At the mere mention of that harlot's name, Cynthia tensed, shooting daggers towards the man who dare bring her into this. "Ludd Whitehill's daughter?" Rodrik snapped quickly, turning to stare at the man at his side. "The very same." Duncan stated. "After the hells that came from her and Asher?" Rodrik sneered, raising an eyebrow and casting a short glance in Cynthia's direction. She had taken a seat on the rock Ortengryn had been sat upon, but that did not disclose her evident anger at the subject. Rodrik had known all along that Cynthia had an attachment to Asher, and he had also been aware of her reasons behind hating his chosen lover. He was well aware now of the sensitivity of such a subject, even after 4 years. "Despite all that, she is willing to meet with you." Duncan finished, sounding so sure of this arrangement. "Rodrik you can't!" Cynthia yelled quickly, jolting to her feet quickly. She knew that whore's wicked ways, and knew that she was untrustworthy, and not one that was easy to barter with. Especially when regarding her own family. "It would be wise to hear what she has to say." Duncan argued, despite Cynthia's obvious objections to such a proposal. "Arrange a meeting." Rodrik said, "What she has to say may prove useful." "I believe she can be trusted, but best use caution nonetheless." Duncan nodded, sparing a brief look in Cynthia's direction. "Of course." Rodrik replied, not looking at his fuming sister. "And i'll make sure no one else knows. For now, at least." "Good."

With that Duncan walked off, obviously proud of his achievement in setting up such a reunion. "Rodrik, you can't be serious!" Cynthia argued, stepping closer to her brother. "We might need some inside help, Cyn." Rodrik sighed, his eyes softening as he looked down at her small frame. "But what if this is all a trick? What if this is a rouse her father has created in order to discover our secrets. Rodrik you know we cannot trust a Whitehill, especially her, after the business with Asher." Rodrik smiled sadly at her, placing a firm hand upon her shoulder, and looking into her eyes. "I promise I will not tell her anything. If it is a trick, I'll know." Rodrik smirked confidently, sure of his decision. Sighing in defeat, Cynthia wrapped her arms around his torso, hugging him tightly and enjoying the feel of his familiar embrace. "If it is, I'll be sure to hurt her afterwards." Rodrik's body shook with laughter at his little sister's violent attitude, even knowing what her reasoning was, he could not help but be amused by her enthusiasm to stand up to any Whitehill. Especially Gwyn.

After storming back from the grove, Cynthia found herself comforted by the company she found in the Great Hall. Stood beside the fire, with Talia, was Lady Elaena, a once dear friend of Cynthia's before the war. They had bonded quite a lot when her and Rodrik had been engaged, finding that it was nice to have some female company once in awhile. Approaching them slowly, Cynthia embraced her younger sister and smiled up at her friend, who returned the same gesture. After a brief moment, Talia excused herself and left the other two alone to talk. "It's been awhile." Elaena smiled, turning away from the glowing embers to look at the still trembling young girl. "Aye, it has. How have you been Elaena?" Cynthia smiled, grateful for the off-topic discussion that served as a decent distraction from what had previously occurred outside with Rodrik. "I am well, thank you.I was sorry to hear of Ethan...I hope you know that I am here, if you ever need anything." Elaena's loving gaze reflected the firelight, warming Cynthia slightly at the familiar presence of a friend. "Thank you. It has been tough, I suppose, but we've managed." Cynthia sighed, fiddling with her shirt in a desperate attempt to think of anything else. "How is Quiver?" She asked quickly, pulling away from the previous subject in order to brighten the mood a bit. "He is well. You still call him that?" She laughed at the nickname his father gave him when he was young. "It is all I ever knew him by as a child, seems wrong to abandon that now." Cynthia giggled, remembering all of the times Arthur had attempted to teach her archery.

"I remember one of his name day feasts, that time it began to rain in the evening but we stayed out nonetheless." Cynthia smiled faintly, staring off into the roaring flames as she recalled the day. "As do I. It was a magical night," Elaena sighed in content, remembering the event as though it had occurred only days before. "You and Rodrik danced all night, as I recall." Cynthia grinned, beaming at the memory of the two twirling and waltzing around the decorated gardens until the sun came up. "As did you and Asher." She smiled, stepping closer to the shorter girl, whom was suddenly saddened by that thought. "Not all night." She sniffed, dragging her gaze elsewhere. "I thought-" "We danced into the night, soaked and by no means as gracefully as yourself and my brother, but it was the best night of my life. He might not wish to admit it, but Asher was a great dancer, even when under some influence of the wine, and he insisted I dance with him. That was until, he left." Cynthia reminisced, feeling her stomach sink and a lump rise in her throat. "Why did he-" "Gwyn. Wasn't it always?" Cynthia laughed ironically, feeling her eyes sting with a familiar liquid that felt like poison escaping down her cheeks. "He had arranged to meet her that evening, and had to dash off when his parents were distracted and wouldn't notice his disappearance. He left me standing alone on the dance floor...The next day, low and behold, Ludd Whitehill drags him in by the scruff of his neck, demanding his head on a spike." Cynthia's voice faltered, leaving her thinking the day over with such pain it left her heartbroken. "That was the last weeks I spent with Rodrik. I know it hurts, to have the one you love so far away, but I am sure you shall see him again." Elaena stated confidently, placing a loving hand upon Cynthia's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. "I hope that is true."