𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 | Alterwoode

{ Malkym }

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𝕬lterwoode had never been a quiet place.

In all the years that Malkym had lived there, the corridors and stone walls of the castle had never truly been silent. He supposed, in some way, that was what he loved about his childhood home. He liked the joy and the familiarity it provided, the laughter that echoed through its halls. He enjoyed spending time in the library and great hall, or sparring with his brother in the courtyard.

Alterwoode was home, something that Malkym Thorne would not give up if he could so help it. This was the place he was born, the place he would become lord of and most likely, the place that he would die.

But whilst that was what Malkym wanted more than anything, it was not what the gods willed for him.

Malkym was the oldest of three brothers, each one just as unruly and wild as the last, raucous and childish in all aspects of their life. However, despite their attitudes, their reputation was one of calm, unwavering ruthlessness. The Thorne house was renowned for producing fighters, ones who were sworn by loyalty until their dying days through the ancient practice of blood bonds, and the three boys did not stray from their ancestors. 

They would not disappoint the past in that regard, nor stray from their house words. Loyal to blood.

Even with the youngest merely being twelve, it was clear to see that he would follow in his elder brothers footsteps if not for being a warrior, then for not learning when to keep their mouth's shut. Their father believed that the words of their house should be changed, especially with his three sons involved, for he was more worried they'd be loyal to their emotions that their blood.

"If it is wrong to kill others, then why are we trained so?" The middle of the three boys, Calym, cocked an eyebrow at the maester, who seemed to be growing more frustrated with the trio who had not stopped asking questions since he had sat them down. "Is that not hypocritical?"

"No one likes a smart mouth, Calym." Malkym hid a laugh, sharing a conspiratorial look with his brother as the maester spoke. "You are warriors, trained to fight only in battle. In day to day life, it is a grievous crime to kill another, even more so to kill kin or your king."

"Michayl, you'll live to see another day then." Malkym snickered, grinning at his youngest brother, who moved to smack him in return. His hand caught Calym instead, and the three young lords began to bicker amongst themselves, poking at eyes, smacking at arms and kicking at the backs of knees.

"Boys, boys!" The maester was struggling to gain control over the three teenagers, all of whom sort to come our victorious, their competitive spirits flaring up. "Young lords, I command you at once to stop this!"

Malkym turned, kicking his legs out as he brought both Calym and Michayl to the floor in a matter of moments, standing over them and laughing before a hand grabbed onto the back of his shirt.

"Wh-?" The teenager turned, before freezing at the sight of his father. "Hello."

"Malkym Thorne, what I have told you about causing trouble?" Malkym brushed off his doublet as he was finally released, following his father as he rolled his eyes. He ruffled his hair, calming it slightly as Michayl and Calym's cackles started up behind him.

"It was merely a fight with my brothers. Why are you taking this so seriously? It means little." Malkym rolled his eyes once more. 

"You are a man grown, yet you are sitting here, agitating your siblings yet doing nothing to contribute to your house."

"What would you like me to do? I am trying." Malkym turned, standing in front of his father. "I can not be lord whilst you are still alive, what else is there for me to do?"

"You have not yet found a wife."

"There is no one for me to marry."

"You have not looked. There are plenty eligible maidens for you to marry." Malkym's father, Kieren Thorne was a famed fighter in Westeros. Himself and his brother, Rickard Thorne, had both fought in many a war but where Kieren had settled and married, Rickard had joined the Kingsguard of Viserys I. "Malkym, come now, you are ten and six, yet you still sit with your brothers whilst they learn of matters that you have been sure of for years. You are a man now. You should be making something of yourself, marrying well, taking part in tourneys or jousts. Not stuck here."

"I am not stuck, I quite like it here." Malkym shook his head, huffing at the thought of it all. "I do not want a wife, father."

"You are my eldest, it is expected of you to produce heirs to secure the family line." Malkym sighed at the thought and concept, opening his mouth to argue. Yet he was cut off again, Kieren knowing what his son would say before he did. "I think it's best you spend time away from Alterwoode, to grow and mature."

"What? No. You can't!" Kieren sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose as Malkym began to protest, turning to look up at his father with narrowed eyes. "Father, please, that is not necessary. I want to stay here, this is my home. Do not make me leave it."

"And it will still be here when you come back. You need to mature, Malkym, and you cannot do that here." Kieren tried to placate the teenager who was growing more and more angry with all of this, a dark scowl forming on his face. "You are brash, and snarky, and you have not yet calmed to a point that I feel comfortable handing you the lordship. Maybe some time with your uncle will help."

"You are sending me to King's Landing?" Malkym scoffed as his father sighed, knowing that Malkym would despise leaving his family.

"I am doing right by you, Malkym."

"This is not right by me, this is a punishment!"

"This is not a punishment." Kieren set his hand on his son's shoulders, who shrugged it off instantly. "One day you will see that I am doing the best for you but a raven will be sent to your uncle, and I hope that he accepts to having you there."

Malkym stayed silent, bowing his head at his father before turning to walk back into his home, praying that his uncle would refuse.

✧✦✧

Malkym had never truly seen his home quiet. That was until he had to depart, and then the walls were silent.

Michayl was crying silently, his head hanging as he stood by his mother whilst Calym refused to meet his eldest brother's eyes. His mother was truly trying to remain strong, her back straight and lips pursed, but when she hugged him, Malkym could feel how her hands trembled and her body shook. That was the only thing that made him wish to beg his father to stay.

His father had been the only one who truly had spoken, wishing him well and patting his back, before they watched as he mounted his horse with his clothes, sword and a message to hand to his uncle when he arrived. 

Even as he rode out of the courtyard, he had waited for some form of call or shout of acknowledgement that he was leaving his childhood home, but there was nothing. Just silence.

The last Malkym had seen of Alterwoode was its towers disappearing behind the hill as he made his way onto the King's Road to start the journey north to the coastal city of King's Landing that housed the Red Keep and the dragons that the Targaryens rode.

He didn't know what to feel, scorned or excited, happy or sad. 

He had been sent from his home to King's Landing, to mature more, but what did that mean? What did his father expect of him? Or was this another ploy to get Malkym married off to some lady of the court? 

Hiya,

So, we get a little backstory on the Thorne family, who are good fighters but just need to learn to keep their mouth's shut and Malkym's the eldest of three boys. I really like their relationships with each other, I think they're super sweet and I'm very excited for Rhaenyra to meet the dork.

Let me know what you think,

Love Li xx