This Is Just The Start Of The Storm :: 5/7, Morning, Tancen, Elanor

[Tancen Alinar]

Jon Fitzwulf's death was a reminder that all men were fated to die. Some just died earlier than others. Tancen wanted to keep out of the mess that was the debacle of inheritance now that Jon Fitzwulf's sister was going to take hold of Arbrecht. Personally he had no problems with a woman ruling. The other lords did. So long as the Fitzwulfs left Ernsaw alone he was fine. But he was not going to rally for the Fitzwulf woman nor was he against her. He stood neutral in that stance. Perhaps that was why she had sought an audience with him.

The Lord of Ernsaw was dressed in all black as he usually was, a hint of red gracing his belt and in his tunic. Alinar colors. Still the black matched his hair but his eyes were always a contrast against him. Pale blue just like his pale skin. He looked every bit a Blanchard. “You sent for me, my lady.” He was curt, to the point. He had not time to waste with a child. Elanor Fitzwulf was just that, a child. But he had been in her position once. But Ernsaw had been ruled by a woman. He still had yet to gain it back from her completely. They were within her sitting room. The girl had suffered much but he didn't offer his condolences. The north made for hard people. There was no use crying over already spilled blood. Plenty more people were going to be on her throat soon. The wolves would have their way with her soon enough, or well what was left of them.

[Elanor Fitzwulf]

"Thank you for coming." Lord Alinar reminded Elanor of nothing so much as a great black raven, and seeing him up close did nothing to distort the image. He was tall and dark and cold, with the same tense impatience seen in the birds, and he was making her stomach knot. But the Lady rose from her seat to greet him, determined to do this properly anyway...at least, as properly as she could manage considering how cold and sick she felt. She'd made herself beautiful, in terms of dress and hair and ornaments, but now that this lord had arrived Elanor felt it had been a waste of time. Ravens cared nothing for diamonds when they could have meat instead. "I..."

She paused. The girl had prepared a speech, a fairly convincing one, but the words felt wrong to deliver. Maybe it was because of nerves, maybe because this man did not seem given to speeches, but either way it died in her mouth. Now for the hard part. "I wish to ask you to marry me."

[Tancen Alinar]

Tancen stared at the would be girl leader of Arbrecht with much scrutiny. How could a girl hold together a land full of cutthroats and liars? He bowed to the wolf before so his people would not get killed. Was he willing to bow to a she wolf? That depended if she had bite. He gave her only a stiff nod. “Lady Fitzwulf.” He didn't notice anything out of the ordinary with her. A girl child claiming to rule. Any man could crown himself a king and he'd be a fool. She'd be eaten alive by the lords of Arbrecht soon enough, a precious little flower like her.

He made no expression in response to her question, caught off guard. Tancen stared at her, blankly before he responded. “Marriage?” He had not taken a wife since Syrena nor did he want to. He had the scratch marks to prove it. “Would not a better question be if Ernsaw is pledging its loyalty to you? I do not have time for silly games girl.”

[Elanor Fitzwulf]

Oh, he was going to make this difficult. Elanor's eyes narrowed at the informal address, one eyebrow lifting at Alinar's declaration that he had no time for silly games. "Nor have I, my lord. Which is why I marvel that you choose to neglect my proper title, wasting our time so I can remind you that I am Lady Fitzwulf." Now, with biting sarcasm, "I suppose it would be more fun to have a tea party with my dolls, and someone was kind enough to send me one recently that looks just like me. Only it's missing it's head."

She whirled away from him, pacing briskly with her back ramrod-straight and her chin high. "This isn't about games, Lord Alinar. This is about Arbrecht, and leading it to the peace it deserves. I need a husband who is capable and loyal to his province, one who can help mend the rifts between the Fitzwulfs and the Blanchards and their allies. So I am asking you."

[Tancen Alinar]

He stood in the same spot, still as stone. His jaw set as he looked at her, the would be ruler of Westerland and Arbrecht. She was just a girl. What right did she have to command him? “You are not Lady Fitzwulf. You are a girl who plays grown up with others and does not know how to rule. You want to know the first rule, Lady Fitzwulf then? Do not turn your back for a second on the lords of Arbrecht. They will destroy you.” He eyed her, his jaw set.

She was asking him to wed her? Although the prospect was....well he couldn't very well do that. “Do you think if I wed you Ernsaw will back your claim to Arbrecht? My cousin was married to your brother. Her child will be the heir of Arbrecht. You inherit nothing girl.” He growled. “Would not a more prudent question be if you have my allegiance? I do not have an heir Lady Fitzwulf.” He spoke her title with disdain. “What will happen to Ernsaw if I wed you?”

[Elanor Fitzwulf]

Oh, he was insulting. Tancen's words were sharp and hard enough to shape stone, but Elanor had found her lake-self and was as blank and unfeeling as she could manage to be. This was what she was up against? Maybe she ought to be grateful the man had come at her with words instead of a sword. "I am young, and perhaps I don't know how to rule. But I want to do well and I learn quickly, and I have given my life to this. Do you honestly expect better from an infant that isn't even born?"

She rose from her chair, determined to be on the same ground as him even if he was taller. "Lord Alinar, you are being unreasonably hard. I just received a letter from my sister-in-law, informing me that she had suffered a miscarriage. There is no child. There is no longer a bond between our houses, and according to my brother's will I do inherit Arbrecht. I was offering you the chance to help guide this country in the direction you wish it to go, and you are insulting both my intelligence and my honest desire to succeed. So...never mind. I'm very sorry to have wasted your time."

Elanor walked toward the door, not dismissing Tancen quite yet. "But since you wish it, my lord, I will ask: Do I have the allegiance of Ernsaw? Whether yes or no, please be kind enough to tell me what you wish would change in Arbrecht, and how. I know you have valuable insight."

[Tancen Alinar]

His eyes only narrowed at the girl. The she wolf of Westerland. His father submitted to the Fitzwulf rule to protect Ernsaw and its people. He knew that Ernsaw would not survive a war. His mother knew that as well. They did not have the men to shield a Fitzwulf attack if there was one. Still a part of him admired her tenacity, if only a little.

“The child was inheritor by rights of succession. I assumed we were following tradition in Arbrecht.” He scowled. But since she was to leave he would let her. Let the she-wolf leave. Her last question only made him pause. Did she have Ernsaw's allegiance? He should leave her to the shark pit. She deserved it.

He gave her an answer. “If it must come down to it, Ernsaw will always do what its in its best interests. Last time it was to bow to your father or face death. Prove yourself worthy of my allegiance Lady Fitzwulf and perhaps you shall have it. Clean up the mess and we will talk again." He answered her, raising a brow.

"Is that to your satisfaction?"

[Elanor Fitzwulf]

"I was following tradition. Had the child lived he would have succeeded me, but he -- or she -- has never even taken breath. And now I follow my brother's will."

Stars, he was tiresome. But she listened to him impassively, not letting the frustration and weariness rise to show in her eyes. "That is a fair answer, Lord Tancen. However, for me to be fairly proven, you have to fairly let me try. Will you honestly consider my plans and suggestions, without automatically dismissing them for coming from a female mind? If so, I will fight hard to prove myself to you."

[Tancen Alinar]

He continued to look at her. It wasn't the matter that she was a female. “You forget that my city was ruled by a woman for fifteen years until I came to power. I am half Blanchard Lady Fitzwulf. Forgive the imprudence of my blood ties.” He was being sarcastic now. But was he willing to listen to the she-wolf? No. But he'd indulge her.

“Just what exactly are your plans for Arbrecht?.” The gears had already started in his mind. His mother would want to know just what the she-wolf was planning. Perhaps she'd earn Ernsaw's loyalty but she had to be proven a capable leader. “How are you going to sway all of the lords to follow you? Trust me it will not be easy. Your brother had a promising start but I think that mostly had to do with his wife who just so happens to be my cousin. How is my cousin fairing? Mourning the loss of her husband no doubt?” He was sure if Alaine were anything like his mother she would have driven a dagger into Jon Fitzwulfs heart herself but he did not know Alaine. Perhaps he could write her. Pah. He wasn't in the mood for civility.

[Elanor Fitzwulf]

"Ernsaw is the exception, Lord Alinar." Elanor was losing patience with him, but she did not allow her voice to sharpen. "The other lords are not pleased to follow a woman, and you are not acting it, so forgive me for misunderstanding. As for Arbrecht..."

He was probably waiting to find something to disagree with, something to pounce on and rip to shreds. "I would like to focus on our economy. We have many gifted craftsmen and I believe encouraging their work could lead to expanded trade with the other provinces, as well as more hopeful living conditions on our home shores. Many of our citizens are poor, and my hope is that increasing their opportunities will not only bring greater diversity to Arbrecht, but also lessen crime. And, of course, there's the matter of my brother's Watch. I think it was a good idea that deserves to be expanded upon and worked."

Elanor sat back down, looking up at him. "And I don't know how I will sway the lords to follow me. I know it won't be easy...it hasn't been easy. The best I can think of is to ask that they let me try -- give me two, three years to show who I am and what I have in mind. If at the end of that time they think Arbrecht is falling into a bad road, I will abdicate my throne." She was very quiet; steady, but plainly tired. They both knew she didn't have the forces to sway unwilling banners into obedience, and she knew she didn't have the heart for it, so for now compromise was the best she could manage. "I know I have to prove myself to them. But I don't see how I can unless I'm given the chance."

Lady Fitzwulf sighed at the mention of Alaine, combing one white-blonde lock over her shoulder. "Alaine grieves, deeply, and her sister refuses to return to Westerland early to comfort her. I can't understand it at all."

[Tancen Alinar]

Tancen raised a brow at the she-wolf. “You forget who raised me Lady Fitzwulf. My mother is a Blanchard. I suppose you can say some of the Blanchard sentiments towards the Fitzwulfs have penetrated into Ernsaw.” He continued to watch her movements and even listen to her words to see if there was any change in her voice. “You do know the Blanchard-Fitzwulf relations have not been well at all in Arbrecht? Surely your history has taught you that. I do believe the rumor goes that your little...well what is she now, Caelish? Yes your Caelish aunt brought about the demise of my Uncle, or really that was nothing more than an accident at a wedding feast. And now my cousin was wed to your brother who is now dead. Perhaps the hero was right to not wish for a Blanchard-Fitzwulf union.”

He listened carefully to her plans for Arbrecht. Three years and she would be gone? It was reasonable... “No matter what they will look for a way to point you that you have failed Lady Fitzwulf. I do not mind the rule of a woman. I only have an issue with your family.” He furrowed his brow. “But your...logic is sound enough. I still think you are a fool heading into shark infested waters however, perhaps your passion has moved me.”

He did not have the time for this. “I will give you your time then Lady Fitzwulf. And perhaps if I am feeling charitable enough give a good word to my cousins to do the same for you. It is sad that my cousin is all alone. If Ernsaw were a more...accommodating place I would ask her to stay with my family but I doubt she would find much cheer in Ernsaw. My mother is not the particularly loving kind.” He wandered how his other cousin was handling all this. “Convince her sister to see her then. Is she not after all your ward? If you cannot control your household how ever can other lords think you can govern a province?”

[Elanor Fitzwulf]

"Yes, I'm aware of both your ancestry and the bad history between our families." Elanor remained calm, imitating the dark lake that she loved so well. "I can't speak for my aunt at all, I hardly know her." It was more accurate to say that she didn't know Elizabeth in any fashion, for sharing one conversation hardly made them bosom friends, but Lady Fitzwulf knew there was no need to delve into that here. "But I am not my father, and you are not your mother. A marriage alliance might not make sense, or work, but I don't believe that will prevent us from forming other ties. I have no quarrel with the Blanchards that remain, and I don't think I have given them any cause to quarrel with me. Unfortunately it isn't in my power to alter the past, or undo the harm that has been done, but I trust that I at least have been honorable and fair and I expect to remain that way."

Elanor crossed her legs, straightening her skirts over her knees as Tancen called her a fool. "Perhaps I am a fool, Lord Alinar. But what else can I do? My other option is to abdicate in favor of my uncle, and I know no one will follow him as lord. Unlike me, he has direct involvement in the ugly past that plagues us all. Please believe me, I'm not looking forward to attempting to weather this storm. I'm caught in a strait and there's nothing to do but make the best decisions I can given the difficult circumstances."

Truly it felt like she had a whirlpool on one side and cliffs on the other, but she knew there was nothing to do other than keep pressing forward. "Thank you, Lord Alinar. Your good opinion would mean much to me...but I have to correct something; it's not that I can't control my ward but that I will not. I have no desire to be a tyrant and force either my household or my banners into action until it is absolutely necessary, and quite frankly I have a feeling that if I'd forced Madeleine home early she would sulk about and be no use to Lady Alaine at all. I've not given up on persuading her yet, but I'm not going to forcibly pick her up and set her on a ship homeward bound. Neither sister would thank me."

[Tancen Alinar]

Tancen was well aware something fishy had happened in the past between the Blanchards and Fitzwulsfs. Why then for one of their daughters to depart so quickly to Caelain after her marriage only to wind up married to a lord of a wealthy port? Caelain was probably much more cushy than a marriage in Arbrecht would have given her. Women. But it was true. Neither of them were the other's parents but that still didn't give reason for him to trust the she wolf. “You do have some bite Lady Fitzwulf, I will give you that.” Tancen smirked in amusement.

He laughed at her last statement. “You know so little Lady Fitzwulf.” She was young. “If you do not exert some force they will never respect you. If you let them walk all over you they will not follow you. You do not have to be a tyrant but you must not also cradle them at your bosom. You must be firm and make sure they know to listen to you and take you seriously. Do you think I am taking you seriously?” He certainly wasn't at that point.

He bowed. “At your leave I will go. I will send a word to my cousin, Lord Vulferam in your favor, if that helps you any.”

[Elanor Fitzwulf]

That did it. Elanor stood up, looking to Tancen with a new sternness in her eyes. "No, Lord Alinar, I don't believe you are taking me seriously at all." She smiled, but the expression was grim. "No matter. Ernsaw has some five hundred soldiers; I have closer to three thousand. I'm certain I can persuade you if you will not listen to reason."

The girl nodded to the door, her pale gaze never leaving Tancen's face. "You have my leave. Thank you for meeting with me."