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Rivers
Harren the Black had it coming to him. Edmyn had thought grimly as he had watched the burning of Harrenhal. Most of the Riverlanders had rejoiced as the Ironborn tyrant perished, though he supposed that his entire line needed not to die with him. It was unfortunate to be involved in a father's folly. But Aegon the Conqueror did kept his word and so House Hoare was no more. Soon enough, as in the other conquered Kingdoms the Riverlands was in need of a Lord Paramout, not a King. For the Conqueror was to be King of them all... from the Wall to Dorne if the dragons can bear it. And so Edmyn Tully swore an oath to his new King as he was the first lord to join his cause, then the other riverlords promising him their fealty as bannermen. Would my forebears be proud? He had wondered as the Tullys were never royalty long before the dragons came.
Years passed after Aegon's Conquest, much had to be done in strengthening ties throughout the realm. One of Edmyn's daughters had been wedded to Lord Qoherys, the new Lord of Harrenhal. The dragons were yet to conquer the elusive Dornish. After the First War, the Lord Hand Orys Baratheon had resigned. King Aegon had another duty to ask of Lord Tully, he was proven to be capable and loyal to serve the Crown. He had been reluctant to leave his wife and children, but duty and honor did call. In the capitol, he counseled the Dragon as best as he could from disputes to the royal treasury to the uncertainty of the seasons. But soon, his family would call him back. "I believe I did my duty, Your Grace, I will continue to serve you but family comes first as you know from our words." His children needed him as their mother had passed.
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Duty
As Lord of Riverrun and Master of Laws, Prentys had several duties. There were also more personal matters such as that of being husband and father. Would that other people can also commit to their duties... he had thought with a sigh when he watched Maegor ascend the Throne that was never meant to be his. The rightful King was to be one of Aenys' sons. The eldest, Aegon, had perished at the Gods' Eye at his own homeland. The rivers had flowed in blood... and soon the Faith Militant retaliated. This King was rightfully called the Cruel... he was a kinslayer and a blasphemer against the Faith.
It was his wife, Lucinda, who had called his attention to support Jaehaerys, the youngest son of Aenys and Queen Alyssa. The boy was young but rallying lords to support his cause. Lucinda had also bade him to support ser Joffrey Doggett of the Warrior's Sons. And so Prentys had, for these young men were doing their rightful duties against a bloody tyrant in all but name. They had managed to succeed as Jaehaerys succeeded his uncle.
Prentys had retained his post as Lord Justiciar by the Queen Dowager's leave. His wife also held a post for the Princess Alysanne, hoping to instruct her in duties and the Faith. Both of them had hoped for Jaehaerys to wed Ella, Lucinda's younger sister, but the boy King and his sister were willful. Lucinda had been scandalized, he just hoped that they knew the consequences of such rashness.
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Honor
"With all due respect, lord grandsire, you swore oaths to the late King Viserys. And now you refuse to honor his chosen Heir?" Elmo had asked Lord Grover incredulously. The old man wanted to support the Greens. "You do not understand, women should not sit on the Iron Throne... its why I supported her sire in the first place." coughed his grandsire feebly.
He was stubborn, but so was Elmo. What can he do? Lord Grover needed to stay abed to rest, most of Riverrun counted on his heir now. He kept their banners in the meantime. But soon enough did the dragonseed arrived on Seasmoke. His sons, Kermit and Oscar, had been excited at their prospects for battle. Greenboys, but I ought to train them. He resigned grimly.
Elmo led his Riverlanders to Tumbleton soon enough with ser Addam and his dragon, they were to face battle.
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Blood
Kermit had been alarmed on Lord Stark's host of northmen on their way to King's Landing. At that point, the Queen they declared for was dead. And so Aegon, Second of His Name, was King. He and the lads had been tired from the wars... blood had flown throughout the realm and not just the Trident.
Lord Cregan was a formidable man with a strong sense of justice. They had learned that Aegon had died, with only a short victory. His Heir was to be Rhaenyra's boy, also called Aegon. Still, there was much dispute on what followed the Dance. Kermit wanted peace, the Green cause was as dead as their King. Lady Arryn supported him as the grim Northron served justice to the traitors.
He would return to home, to Riverrun soon enough. He was no longer a greenlad as his father called him. Both Kermit and his brother had been changed much from the battles. Oscar left for the Free Cities, as he slowly rebuilt the Riverlands.
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Trout
Celia had learned of her betrothal to Prince Jaehaerys first from her lady mother then Queen Betha herself. The Queen was a Blackwood, sworn bannermen of House Tully, she had said that it would be good for one of her children to grow in her homeland. And Celia was to be a worthy bride, being the only daughter of the Lord Paramount of the Trident.
She had tried to write letters to the Prince, they had also met once in Raventree Hall when he was visiting his mother's kin. King Aegon and Queen Betha had praised her courtesy to which Celia blushed red as her hair. Jaehaerys looked at her coldly. "Dragons do not wed trouts. How can a fish withstand the fire?" The Prince had said to her. She wept that night for she had done her best... for her duty.
News of Prince Duncan running off with Jenny of Oldstones had soon reached Riverrun. "They say the King has disowned him, Celia you can be Queen!" Father had beamed. But soon after... more news had come. The Queen had visited them again. "Forgive me, my lord. Oh Lady Celia..." she looked at her sadly. Jaehaerys had wedded his sister Shaera.
Celia had been afraid of her lord father's wroth. Would he blame me? But to her relief, he did not. "If not for my respect of House Blackwood... why those dragons..." Lord Tully had muttered frustratedly. Her brother was also angry. For her part, she agreed that Jaehaerys was a fool. For trouts were tougher than dragons made them out to be.
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Family
Hoster had prattled on again about his betrothal to the Redwyne girl. Brynden rolled his eyes time and again. "You're to be Lord of Riverrun and wed Lady Minisa. Its not like you need me to further our line." he had scoffed. His brother insisted on alliances. Well if war was to come... Brynden had been training well.
He did not know what to feel about marriage. His parents had gotten along well enough borne out of duty as any Tullys had been. Hoster was fortunate that he was smitten by Minisa Whent, and she by him. When he was a boy, he had been close to his aunt Celia. She taught him all manners of things. "Its true, lad, we trouts do have to commit to our words. But mayhaps marriage is not always the sure path to honor our family." She had been a spinster who assisted his lord father in managing the household. The servants had whispered that she had been betrothed once to the King until he broke it.
Brynden had not been impressed at that. Hoster may resent him for not accepting Lady Redwyne, but at the very least he spared them the dishonor of breaking it as it had not been begun. He would soon prove himself to his lord brother in the Narrow Sea, as the Blackfyres had returned.
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Trident
Childbirth was difficult enough, moreso during wars. As the men were raging on at the rivers, Catelyn was giving birth to her first child. It has been said that the birthing bed was a woman's battlefield, Cat had to give a morose laugh at that. Robb was a precious boy who had her coloring, but she can make out a few of Lord Eddard in him. Her husband had went south to Dorne in hopes of recovering his sister, Lady Lyanna.
She wondered how Lysa had been doing, Lord Arryn had bade her to the Vale as it was safer. Edmure had stayed by her side for he was too young to join in the Trident. Much as he did complain. "Come, meet your nephew Robb." Catelyn held out the babe to her brother who looked in awe. "Was I small like that when I was a babe? We will protect him, Cat."
Catelyn prayed to the gods for Robb's health and the men fighting at the Trident. She also prayed for her lord husband to return safely. "Gentle Mother... let them know a better day."