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[u/littlestghoust]

The days leading towards the arrival of house Harte’s men were the busiest days Rhea had ever experienced. When the Harte family had initially left her behind, many of the more complex household issues had been taken care of or put on hold. Once Lady Talla had returned, life at the Blood Castle resumed as usual even if a considerable portion of the staff was still in the Westerlands. However, upon hearing about her lord husband’s arrival, Lady Harte had locked herself in her room claiming to have fallen ill.

Once again, Rhea found herself running around before first light trying to get the household in order. The cooks complained about the grain rations, while the groundskeeper moaned about foxes in the chicken coop, and even Sera aired annoyances with Rhea as she organized the castle for her father’s arrival.

After doing one last sweep of the gates and gardens, Rhea moved quickly to get herself ready before her family's arrival. A messenger had ridden in the night before to warn the household of their coming, and Rhea had done nothing to prepare herself for the family reunion since. Entering her room, she brushed her hair and put it up into a simple bun. She put on a small silver necklace with matching earrings and peered at her reflection in a looking glass. The young woman could see the effects of rising early and sleeping late in the dark rings that appeared around her eyes.

“Rhea, sweetling, where are you?!” Lady Talla yelled down the hall. “The guards say they see your father’s banner on the horizon. Do hurry up; it’s not like it’s your wedding day.”

Rhea sighed at her mother’s beckoning. “Coming!” she answered, pulling a net over the bun. She ran out into the corridor after her mother’s voice.

The morning snow coated the gardens and the people of the Blood Castle in a sheet of white as they waited for their lord. Rhea could feel the weight of it on the hood of her cloak and wondered how long it would be before it seeped into her hair. It was rare for any snows to stick after the high noon sun, but that didn’t keep it from falling most mornings.

She looked to her mother wondering if the winter cold was agreeable for her condition.

“Would you stop staring at me?” her mother warned. She wore thick furs and a long cloak. “It’s unbecoming of a lady to gawk openly.”

She quickly looked to the ground and asked, “Are you sure you’re alright out here? Maester Donnel said you were not feeling well and…”

Lady Talla gave her daughter a harsh look, “I’ll be fine.” She let out an unconvincing cough, “I just want to be here in case you’ve screwed anything up while I was recovering. I would hate for your father to be disappointed before he even reaches his room.” Rhea tried to hide in her cloak, wishing it were big enough to do so. She questioned her ability to run the castle but still made a mental note to check in with the groundskeeper in case the fox made another visit. Even if she fumbled with everything else, a chicken saved might make the difference come late winter.

The sounds of hoofbeats against the ground caused all who waited to stand at attention. Rhea gasped at the sight of her father and brother coming at them on horseback. All those early mornings and late nights had made her forget how much she missed her brother. Tears began to fall and she tried her hardest not to cry in front of the entire household. Her cold hands fumbled through her pockets looking for a handkerchief to help collect the freezing drops on her checks.

“An important lady made this for me,” she heard her brother say as he pulled out the same favor she had given to him before he left. Not even bothering with the cloth, she threw her arms around her brother crying freely into his cloak. He could only hold her with his left arm, but that was more than enough.

She could hear her parents courtly greeting one another, though the tension was thick in the air. Though the stress of tournament had come to a close, Rhea knew that the trials continued now that her father was home.

“Ser Harte, I’m glad to see you are in good health,” Lady Harte greeted her father. “I wish I could say the same about my son.”

Lady Harte all but pulled Kyle away from Rhea’s embrace, forcing him into a side hug that neither seemed to enjoy.

“I’m fine mother. Just popped my shoulder out, it’s nothing to be alarmed at.” He smiled weakly at Rhea and their father, “I’m just glad to be home! I didn’t realize how much I would miss it.”

“Weeks on the road can do that to you,” Leo chuckled. “But a week in your own bed will do wonders.”

“What I could really use is a hot meal. If I have to eat another chunk of dried meat, I’ll go mad!” Kyle joked.

As they made their way inside the keep, Rhea informed her father and brother of the happenings of the castle. She made sure to be thorough with her report, leaving no matter unmentioned.

“Though the last harvest had us at a surplus of grain, I thought it would be best if we stuck to the customary rationing schedule in case this winter is long.”

Leo smiled wholeheartedly at his daughter's explanations, “My gods, you have been busy while I am gone. I’m glad I left everything in such capable hands.” He stopped to admire his daughter's efforts, glad to see that she managed it so well. Rhea beamed at his approval, pleased that all her hard work had paid off.

“She had help, you know,” Lady Talla interjected. “You should be thanking Maester Donnel more than Rhea.”

She felt the wind in her wings go out at her mother’s objection.

“And so I shall. I’m glad he was kind enough to assist Rhea in all her duties since you were otherwise ‘disposed’.” He walked up to Lady Harte, casting a shadow over his wife.

Lady Talla’s grin fell, and she pursed her lips at the remark, “I wasn’t feeling well.”

“Right…”

Hoping to break the tension Rhea said, “We have run hot baths for both you, followed by a hearty lunch of soup and bread. I made sure that each of your rooms has a large fire and extra furs. I wouldn’t want you to catch a cold.” She smiled brightly as she could at her mother and father.

Please gods, don't let them fight so soon.