It was a strange thing, being here as the primary representative of his house. Lord Gaven Selmy (26) sat with his family, looking up at the dais and the high table, and the men and women who sat there. Of course his attention wasn't kept long, as the happy blabbering of his infant daughter Helaena was impossible to ignore. She sat on the lap of her aunt Cyrenna Selmy (22), who smiled with more joy than Gaven had seen her wear in years.

"Why did you keep this little wonder from me for so long, dear brother?" She asked, holding little Helaena in both arms as she tickled the child's side. "She looks so much like her mother."

"We've had difficult times lately, but we're here now."

The brunette rolled her eyes as his rather blunt statement. Cyrenna had long been accustomed to his demeanor, however, and enjoyed teasing him for it. "Yes, of course, two wars in succession, how valiant of you to defend the realm. Never keep me from my niece again or I'll have you fed to wild dogs."

Derrick and Byron (8 and 7, respectively) did little to hide their amusement at their aunt's jesting, bursting into laughter as she encouraged them with a wink. Roger Selmy (20), meanwhile, responded with a solemn grin, having always been better at keeping his thoughts hidden than the rest of his family. Ryon and Lyman (17 and 15, respectively) weren't present, instead off finding their fellow squires and young knights to enjoy the evening with.

Gaven Selmy hadn't been alive when his father came to deliver his oath to Borros Baratheon. Uncle Harmon, however, had been at Lord Howard's back that day, and was able to offer advice even if he wouldn't be present. With his family in their place among the other Stormlords, he watched and listened as his peers gave their oaths in turn. Finally, it was his own.

"Lord Baratheon," he stated as he stepped forward, dropping to a knee to show his respect for the house that ruled over his own. It was strange giving an oath to a child who couldn't speak, let alone understand rulership, but this was the way things were. "I am Lord Gaven of House Selmy. My father once swore this oath of fealty to yours, and I now swear it to you. House Selmy shall now as always stand loyal to House Baratheon. We shall act as your sword when called upon and your shield when needed. Upon my honor, I swear this to you."

"And the same for you, I know raising sons and daughters is quite different. Should you ever need advice, or even simply support, I am always open to you. Admittedly you have more help within your own keep, though the offer stands."

Gaven raised his goblet to her in a silent toast, taking a brief sip. He appreciated that she was so open in discussing such matters with him, someone who even now remained almost a stranger despite similar circumstances. But she had a way of getting him to open up.

It was strange, he thought. Derrick and Byron were only a year apart, and yet Derrick seemed to understand, at least to some small amount, why Gaven had been away. Perhaps it was his place as heir, and the lessons that Gaven and his father had imparted as the boys grew up. "He's still very young, he doesn't fully understand yet how these things work. Only that I wasn't there. I pray you are correct, my Lady."

Gaven gave her his best assurance with a smile, as he added, "And thank you for the kind words. You're a good mother, your boys are lucky to have you.

His eyes dropped to the floor for a moment, a slight wince forming as he quickly put a normal, unaffected expression on before meeting her gaze once more. Perhaps not quick enough to go unseen. Even so, if anyone could understand, it would be her.

"Helaena only knows her mother from a portrait drawn up years ago. I'm lucky that I have the support of my uncle, but it will be difficult explaining to her what happened. Why she doesn't have a mother."

A quick glance back to his table brought a tinge of sadness to his eyes, something he had tried his best to hide. "Byron resents me, I think, for not being there when it happened. He's been difficult since I've returned home. I pray one day he can understand as his brother does, but that day may be far off."

"A common practice, I think. I squired for my father until I received my knighthood, and I'll have Derrick do the same once he's old enough. For now, I'm content to let him enjoy his youth for as long as he can, and pick up on what he will in his own time before he has to learn."

Gaven let out a sigh, looking over to where his sons giggled along at some jest their aunt made. It was good for them to see her again. Cyrenna had always adored his children, and they likewise adored their aunt. "And how are you faring with it all, my Lady? As one parent to another."

Her smile was something he hadn't seen on her, making it easier for Gaven to notice. It was a rather pleasant one, the kind only a parent could wear. Something he knew all too well.

"Helaena is too young to truly enjoy it, but Derrick and Byron have seen fit to make the most of their curiosity. I saw them just before we departed for Storm's End fashioning some into a hunting hound. Or perhaps a small horse. It was difficult to discern which, but they seemed to enjoy themselves."

"You have no cause to apologize, please," he said with a smile instinctively reaching out to take her hand in sympathy without truly thinking of what she might take it to mean. "My father did his duty, as the men of your family have done."

Ryon still hadn't fully processed his father's death, but in truth he hadn't been as close to his father as his other siblings. Gaven and Roger were his favorites, there had been no doubt about that, but he hadn't mistreated Ryon as a cause of it. In fact he hadn't had any expectations of his younger son at all. A blessing and a curse.

Still, Ryon put his feelings on his father aside. No good purpose in sullying the mood further. He looked into her eyes once more as he continued, "In any event, as Lady Elenda and others have said, now is the time for unity. And I for one am eagerly dedicated to the process of unification between us all."

"I suppose we can only pray the rumors are false and the winter will be short," he replied, noting where her attention was truly. It didn't take a genius to understand she was still feeling her loss. "Once we get the crops in and the snows melted, I imagine moods will improve. My children are enjoying it for the moment, at the least."

It was strange how children could find pleasure and amusement in such things. To Gaven, snows were a problem. To the boys, it was a whole new terrain to play in outdoors.

Ryon was unsure if Alanna's behavior was normal, or if he had had more of an effect on her than was typical. Not that he would complain, though he wondered if he shouldn't be concerned. For all his intent to be social, it wouldn't do to upset their hosts.

"I suppose some festivity is what we've needed since the war. A good party, perhaps a tourney, to get our minds and bodies away from the thought of our losses. I know my father would have loved to be here had he survived. He had great respect for Lady Elenda, and both House Caron and House Baratheon."

What he'd said didn't hit him until after Raymont's interjection, but Gaven did his best not to let his embarrassment at a poor word choice show. Before he could respond, Roger replied to Raymont, "As am I, friend. I squired for my father at the Kingsroad and against the Vulture King."

"Roger is the better fighter of us Selmy men," Gaven added, giving his brother a pat on the shoulder. "Our father would be proud. As for my uncle Harmon, he thought it better to stay at Harvest Hall in his new duties as castellan. After everything these past few years he wanted to ensure our defenses were properly up to standard."

It wouldn't be an easy task, Gaven knew. After the conflict with the Vulture King, some of their best men had to be diverted from protecting the family at Harvest Hall and into the field before the Stormlanders made for King's Landing. Now those that were left in permanent service had to be readied for whatever came next. A problem all Stormlords shared.

Gaven Selmy looked a bit differently than he had when he'd last seen Lacey Penrose at King's Landing. For one, he had trimmed his beard. While not clean shaven, he appeared much more presentable before his liege than he had in the capital. In his clothing as well, he had eliminated some of the ample black he'd worn, opting for dark browns and a light trim of gold in his garb for the evening. Additionally, he wore a smile for the first time in quite awhile, though only he knew the reason.

It was as such that he found the Lady Regent of Parchments, offering her that same smile, however unassuming, as he spoke. "Lady Penrose, a pleasure to see you once again. Your journey here must have been much shorter than mine, I trust it was a pleasant trip?"

When the Baratheon men arrived at their table, Ryon and Lyman had absconded, leaving the two remaining adult Baratheons to be greeted by Lord Gaven and his brother Ryon. Still, both had stood by their liege, and stood now to greet the family of the late Lord Borros. Roger had missed out on the Kingsroad, taking an injury during the pacification of King's Landing that kept him out of the fighting, but he had stood for them nonetheless, bowing only in greeting along with his brother.

"Ser Garon, Ser Raymont, it is our honor to be among such good friends and allies," Gaven replied, his eyes going to Garon's missing arm for only a moment before flicking to Raymont. The boy wore a similar expression to Roger's, something that amused even Gaven, however slightly. "Storm's End is in good hands with your knowledge and experience, we shall do our part for the realm as well."

Roger's silent nod affirmed his brother's statement. The younger Selmy stood by, almost as if standing watch even among those they'd bled beside only a few months ago. It was his nature, Gaven knew. Especially after the passing of their father at war.

"Yes, you have," he replied with a laugh, tilting his head slightly with a curious look in his eyes. While Ryon had spoken to women before who were plenty taken by his looks, this seemed different from most. "How are you enjoying the feast, my Lady? It would seem Lady Elenda is quite the host, I'm impressed."

If he recalled his family trees correctly, Alanna was the niece of Lady Meredyth, his brother Gaven's late wife. Ryon got along well enough with her, though admittedly he was far more interested in training and gaining the attention of ladies closer to his age. "As am I impressed with your gown, it is quite befitting of your beauty."

Quick-talking like that of Alanna Caron was familiar to Ryon. He was aware of the effect he had on women. Still, the boy gave her a smile back as he bowed in response. "I am a Selmy. Ryon Selmy, in fact, a pleasure to meet you."

The other boys that he and Roger had been speaking with seemed too entertained by their own discussion to pay much mind. Which was fine as far as he was concerned. "I recall seeing you at King's Landing, with your family, my apologies for not speaking with you any sooner."