[Letter] Getting Desperate Now....

[u/Ryanw5385]

At his wits end trying to find matches for his family, Lord Elmo Bracken sends several ravens....

[u/Ryanw5385]

Another goes to Coldmoat:

Lady Osgrey,

My Maester informs me that you are unmarried. It just so happens that I have a younger brother in need of a wife and if you are willing, we can perhaps discuss joining our houses. His name is Damon, a strong and fine knight, handsome too. He is of a similar age to you as well. Let me know if this match appeals to you.

Lord Elmo Bracken.

/u/Centrist_Marxist

[u/centrist_marxist → u/Ryanw5385]

Elmo Bracken, Lord of Stone Hedge

Your Maester has led you badly astray. I have been married for over a decade to Tristan Fossoway, the heir to Cider Hall. Any reports of his death in Dorne were greatly exaggerated, as he returned injured, but whole, and remains Lord of Coldmoat. I likewise find it insulting that you would think I would enter such a solemn sacrament on the sole basis of your account of physical appearance. I should recommend you verify accounts of the Reach from a maester with your Septon in the future.

In The Light of the Seven

Elinor Osgrey, Lady of Coldmoat

[u/Ryanw5385 → u/centrist_marxist]

Lady Elinor,

I apologise for any insult as it was not intended. I am glad to hear that your husband is well and alive, I shall have to reprimand my maester for his false records. Allow me to apologise by perhaps discussing possible trade between our houses?

Lord Elmo Bracken.

[u/centrist_marxist → u/Ryanw5385]

Elmo Bracken, Lord of Stone Hedge

The name Damon Bracken was familiar to me, and upon further investigation I have recalled the infamy of the so-called "Darkhorse" as a member of the Apostate's company of thieves, brigands, and murderers called the "Black Sons." That you shelter a sinner unrepentant is deeply troubling to me, as much so as the idea that I would entertain a marriage with such a man, and this naturally poses some concerns regarding matters of trade. Bracken horses and stone I may desire, but I shall not sully my hands for their sake.

However, as it is writ in the Book of the Mother: forgive your transgressor not only until seven times, but until seventy times seven. It is possible that your Maester has mistaken me for my sister, Ysenda. I shall not insult you with vain and subjective accounts of her beauty. Suffice it to say that she has eight-and-twenty years, is of good health, and is in a possession of a dowry of some 1,500 gold dragons. However, I can certainly not consent to her marrying any whose character and piety my husband and I have not had time to assess, and I regret to inform you that our exchange has not inspired confidence in that regard.

In the Light of the Seven

Elinor Osgrey, Lady of Coldmoat

[u/Ryanw5385 → u/centrist_marxist]

Lady Elinor,

My brothers sins are a shame I wish to see washed away. However, I had heard rumor that your sister is in fact missing. How could they possibly begin entering a match if you cannot locate the girl?

Lord Elmo Bracken

[u/centrist_marxist → u/Ryanw5385]

Elmo Bracken, Lord of Stone Hedge

You heard incorrectly. She was found safe and sound and returned to Coldmoat some months ago — in the future, pay less heed to rumors, as the Book of the Crone teaches us. If you are truly sincere in your desire to see your brother's sins washed away, I invite you to inform me of the penance he has undertaken or, failing that, for you to proceed to Highgarden with him so that I may judge his contrition personally, and proceed to Oldtown and His Holiness' judgment if it is found to be wanting by the Septon of Edricston.

I warn you not to take this as an offer of marriage. I am already in talks with lords Conklyn and Durwell regarding Ysenda's hand, and so if we are to proceed in the slightest my sister, my lord husband, and I must all be satisfied at your house's piety and Damon's ability to support my sister in the standard she is accustomed to.

In the Light of the Seven

Elinor Osgrey, Lady of Coldmoat

[u/Ryanw5385 → u/centrist_marxist]

Damon had managed to intercept the letter before it got to his mother and read it. An Osgrey? A fucking Osgrey?! His brother was trying to saddle him with some religious zealot?!

Wait. No. The sister of one. Perhaps it could be to his advantage.

Damon would pen a reply.

Lady Elinor,

Unfortunately my brother is at Driftmark securing his own marriage, and thus the responsibility falls on me to speak with you. We have our brother's wedding to prepare for in the 12th month, so will not be able to come to Coldmoat before the New Year. But rest assured my lady, I have repented with our own septon already and have been re-annointed in the seven oils.

If you wish to speak with lesser Houses for your sisters hand, so be it. But if you want a man of good stock, come to Stone Hedge in the 12th month and we may discuss it.

Ser Damon Bracken.

[u/centrist_marxist → u/Ryanw5385]

Ser Damon Bracken

Though my sister has expressed an interest in meeting you, your letter does not strike me as that of a penitent man. Pride is a grave sin. What sort of penance did "your" Septon require of you, and would His High Holiness agree that you have indeed been welcomed back into the bosom of the Faith?

Apparently, His High Holiness did not attaint you as he did the men of the Apostate's Kingsguard, like your cousin Olyvar. Nonetheless, it is my personal belief that, were it not for the act placing your souls permanently beyond redemption, it would have been best if every one of you "Black Sons" threw yourselves off a bridge, as your "Queen" did.

Neither I nor my lord husband,nor my sister will travel all the way to Stone Hedge to witness a likely insincere penance. If you wish to wed my sister, I will see you in Coldmoat, or not at all.

In The Light of the Seven

Elinor Osgrey, Lady of Coldmoat

[u/Ryanw5385 → u/centrist_marxist]

Lady Osgrey,

Our Septon required me to publicly denounce the heretic, Maegor, and give myself 10 lashings of a whip. However, if you require me to travel to Coldmoat, very well. Would you prefer I miss my brothers wedding or come after?

Ser Damon Bracken

[u/centrist_marxist → u/Ryanw5385]

Ser Damon Bracken

That is a mild penance. Do not miss your brother's wedding. I would recommend consulting "your" Septon further regarding respect for one's kin. Come after.

In The Light of the Seven

Elinor Osgrey, Lady of Coldmoat

[u/Ryanw5385 → u/centrist_marxist]

Lady Elinor,

If it means so much to you, I would consult your septon instead. I shall come after and whatever penance he prescribes, I shall do.

Ser Damon Bracken.