Privan sat on the floor, just next to the door of the Maester's rooms. He ran there as soon as he heard about what happened to Yoren. No, what this woman did to him. He always liked the boy very much, he reminded him of his own son, now long dead. He taught Yoren how to smith the way he would have to his own blood. A strong link was born between this father without chlidren and this fatherless child.
So, when Arya asked him to lead Yoren to his father's home, he worried quite a lot. He saw Lords all his life, petty and spoiled. He didn't want Yoren to grow up with such a father... And he barely imagined what his Lord father's wife could do to him !
What was Arya thinking by the gods old and new ? But he said yes because she was the one who made him discover the true meaning of the word freedom, at New Dawn. She knew what she was doing. And also because she gave him another instruction, just in case.
Privan sighed. He will have to tell Lord Gendry about it as soon possible. He liked the man. A fine smith, a loving father and a devoted lord. But not a happy man, Privan saw it in his eyes. He recognised himself in them.
Yes, he liked Lord Gendry. But he coulnd't help to resent him at the same time. He knew the Lord didn't have an easy life but he won Yoren's affection so easily, while it took years to the boy to open to him. If he had to be honest with himself, he had to admit he was jealous.
He must also tell Blimau. Such a waste. She was a comely gentle soul, he would have loved to spend more time by her side. Three nights ago, she kissed him. He was so shocked he didn't move at all. No woman touched him since his beloved wife died along their children during the War of the Five Kings. He will miss her the most. He would have liked to have the opportunity to tell her all of that.
But Yoren came first, he always did. And when he is old enough, maybe Privan will come back to Storm's End, if Lord Gendry allow it... That would be perfect but will she wait for him ? They were not old but they were not young either... « Mother and Maiden Above, hear my prayer. I was always faithful to my wife and took care of her. Please, allow me to do the same with another woman. » He thought about visiting the Sept after his visit to Lord Gendry, he would light two candles, one for each deity.
Privan was heavy-hearted, but some things needed to be done. The Maester already told him that Yoren will survive even if the boy will need time to recover. He slowly climbed up the stairs that led to Lord Gendry's solar. He took a deep breath before knocking softly to the door. Everything was so silent, he felt he was commiting a sacrilege by making any noise at all.
« -You may enter. »
The first thing Privan thought when his eyes landed on the Lord of Storm's End was that he looked ten years older. Obsiously, he knew what happened to his son. The Lord seemed surprised to see him though.
« -What can I do for you, Privan ? » Even if he looked about to pass out from exhaustion, he still cared. This made Arya's second instruction harder to announce.
«-My Lord, I am here to tell you about Yoren's mohter second command. »
At these words, he saw Lord Gendry flinch. Privan scolded himself for his choice of words. 'Yoren's mother', as if his father did not matter at all. The man was clearly worried. The smith guessed that he learned to expect the worst from a woman who left him and send him their son almost twelve years later.
« -Well, she told me that if Yoren wasn't safe under your roof, I had to lead him to Winterfell, to his aunt Queen Sansa. » Lord Gendry didn't make a sound and looked like Privan just slapped him.
« -My son, will not go to Winterfell. Not now, at least. He will go if he wants to, when he is of age. » Lord Gendry's voice thundered in the silent solar. The smith could see the storm in the Lord's eyes. He opened his mouth to protest, he made a oath after all but Lord Gendry spoke again.
« -I know, Arya told you to do it. But she gave you this command only in the case our son was not safe at Storm's End. But he is and always will be safe here. He is my blood, as much as any of his siblings. I will protect him from anything or anyone. » Privan saw how serious Yoren's father was. But what could be done ? Lady Tasha was his lady wife and gave him four children, so their marriage coul not be broken.
« -I decided to send my lady wife to her home, at Bronzegate. She will stay there, as long as Yoren remains at Storm's End, at least. Her mother will take good care of her. So, my son can stay under my roof. Understood ? » His respect for Lord Gendry increased, the man was ready to exile -even if temporarily- his lady wife to protect his bastard son. He didn't think such a thing was possible. He saw what Arya loved in this man, they were very much alike sometimes. She would have been perfectly able to do the same in the same situation.
He bowed to Lord Gendry and leaved the solar. His lips couln't help to display a giant grin.
Now, Privan had to find a certain Blimau who, he was certain, needed to be comforted... He thought he was just the right person to do so. He will still visit the Sept, just to be sure. It was always better to be in the gods' good books because who knew anything about their will ?