Hello! I have uploaded a similar story with the same character. This one is almost identical up to chapter 23. Then I took a different path. Thank you for reading.

Lady Aliena Swann (*282AC, so 16 in AGOT) is the daughter of King Robert's elder sister, Lady Alyssa Baratheon (*261 AC - 289AC) and Lord Clifford Swann, deceased elder brother of current head, Lord Gulian Swann. (I put his date of birth around 250AC, so that his brother Gulian, who is well past 40 (under 50) in 300AC, fits in well.) He died in Robert's rebellion. Aliena never met her father, he died before she was born. Her mother had married Lord Clifford for love rather than position and her husband's death left her power- and penniless, depending on her brothers' generosity. Lady Alyssa was most beloved by her brothers and so is their niece who takes after her mother in appearance and character.

298AC, King's Landing

Sandor

Aliena and Joffrey wandered through the queen's gardens. Only the royal family and their companions were allowed in these gardens and it was a peaceful morning. Sandor walked a few steps behind them but this duty of his was a waste of time. The gardens were secluded and surrounded by high walls. Joffrey told his cousin everything about the stag he had killed himself at the last hunt, he had severed the beast's head and put the huge antlers on the wall of his chamber. It had been a true beast, Sandor knew, with antlers wider than any stag he had seen before. But the boy had not killed the beast. His arrows had missed the creature by 5 feet and he had almost killed one of his father's cupbearers.

"The beast already laid on its side, wounded fatally by my arrows when I pulled my hunting knife and slit its throat. The blood came rushing out in a red stream and I saw death in its eyes." Sandor had almost snorted.

"It must have been very satisfying. And I heard everyone talk about the great antlers that now decorate your chambers. Everyone whispers that you are on the brink of surpassing your father in the hunt." What an outrageous lie.

Lying was something she truly excelled in, the prince's fine little cousin, and Sandor felt a stab of contempt whenever he saw her, singing her sweet little songs and whispering into the king's and the queen's ears. She deserves that brat, truly. He had heard the gossip as well, the king wanted Joffrey to marry some daughter of Lord Stark, the queen had insisted that he wanted only his cousin. The king had won and Sandor guessed the little liar would score Tommen, the plump duckling.

"I am sure I will, soon. My master at arms said that my sword art eclipses everything he has ever seen."

Another liar. But that one was not as good. He had seen the despair on the poor man's face when Joffrey had split a doll of straw by accident. The boy had later claimed it had been on purpose, of course.

They had walked over to the fountains, a dozen pools with differently coloured tiles that shone in the sunlight.

"This is such a beautiful place, my prince. I am sure no other castle has such a beautiful garden."

She stood by the waterfall that had been built into the wall, water rushed out of the stone softly. Sandor could not deny that she had turned out well. She had the Baratheon colouring, far more so than her cousins, with dark hair and light eyes. She was very tall and did not have the girlish slender built of her aunt. She looked almost a woman now and she would soon celebrate her sixteenth nameday, the king had planned a feast for her special day. The white gown she wore rippled in a soft breeze and her curls tumbled over her back. The Stark girl has to be far prettier than her mother if she wants to compete. Joffrey seemed to like her look as well. He sat down on the stone bench in the sun, his hair like gold.

"Sing for me." He commanded.

"Which song would my prince like to hear?" She smiled graciously but Sandor thought he noticed a sharpness in her tone.

"Your favourite song. I don't know the songs of women."

"The Seasons of my Love, a myrish song, my prince?"

The lad nodded and leant back. She sang and her voice was rich and soft. She sang not in the Myrish Valyrian but in the Common Tongue.

"I loved a maid as fair as summer, with sunlight in her hair

I loved a maid as red as autumn, with sunset in her hair

I loved a maid as dark as winter, with nightsky in her hair

I loved a maid as bright as spring, with dawning in her hair

As the land changes masks, so changes my heart

from light to shadows to ice

but time, oh, it flies

and when the thaw comes

my heart spreads its wings like a dove

Each and every lass that conquered my soul

they are the seasons of my love."

Joffrey interrupted her and Sandor felt a stab of annoyance.

"Very beautiful, Mylady. Why is that your favourite song, sweet cousin?"

His manners were usually sickeningly friendly when with her.

"It just shows the fickleness of men and that we women should better not trust in sweet words and promises." Aliena laughed the seriousness off and Joffrey joined.

"Some promises are made to be kept though." He said, his expression had changed, he was no longer playful and jovial. He took her wrist in his hand and Sandor saw the pressure he put in. "

I am the Prince, I am a Lannister. I always keep my word." It's A Lannister always pays his debts, fucker.

"The words of Princes and Kings are not to be questioned, of course. It is a song of the common folk and what do you think, how many drunkards promise a woman the stars and the sun for a night...and how many common women believe them?"

Joffrey nodded. He released the grip on his cousin's arm, where it had left a dark red mark. Sandor felt anger rise in him but the girl just shook her sleeve over her wrist subtly.

"You are right, dear Lady. The commoners have little sense. They seem to me like animals sometimes. But of course you go into the city often to talk to them and give them bread and coin they did not work for."

The Prince's tone was sharp. Caution, little swan. Better sing another one of your sweet, false songs.

"They have little sense, my prince is right. And yet, they see what a golden prince and future king they have in you. They know all the gifts I bring come from you and they sing songs and prayers for your health and reign every night. Common they are, and simple. But they are your people and you will be the father of the realm. They work for you, the fight for you and they die for you. And you show them true greatness. All the great warrior kings were well beloved by the smallfolk. And you will be a great warrior king, won't you? I am sure many battles are to come and the people in King's Landing will only sleep calmly at night because they know no harm will come to them under your rule. You will be the Protector of the Realm, it is a king's duty."

Oh what a sweet liar you are.

"Those people should work for me because I am their king, not because I protect them. I want nothing from them, they are dirty simpletons, all of them."

The little swan had a hard time trying to instruct him, Sandor noticed with a touch of malice.

"But when they are all dead, who will you rule over? No, I fear, my prince, those common simpletons are important, more important than many of your lords."

"Maybe you are right. There are quite a few useless lords here. That summerlander, the beggar, he should go. All of the Northern lords, my mother said. They are all far too proud and stiff and they do not like a Lannister on the throne."

"Half a Lannister, half a Baratheon." Aliena smiled. Is he, little swan?

"Their overlord is Ned Stark, your father's friend. They will bend the knee. And winter is coming, isn't it? The cold will teach them humbleness I am sure."

Joffrey was angry again. "If winter doesn't, I will. My father should but he has grown soft. But I will ride against the Northmen like my father once rode against the Mad King."

Aye, we might have a Mad King again then.

"I think we will ride North very soon, my prince, aren't we? After my nameday."

"Yes. I am to take one of Ned Stark's girl for my betrothed. I am sure she will be absolutely plain, my mother said as much about his sister, the one who died."

"Lyanna?" Aliena asked.

"I cannot remember, the Starks are all nothing to me. I do not want to marry that girl. Mother says I should try and pretend though. I will, maybe she can have Tommen. I have set my eyes on another girl…"

Aye, and we all know, which. Aliena said nothing for a moment, apparently lost in the swirls of the water and Joffrey seemed to lose his courage.

"Will there be a tourney for your nameday, like it has been for mine?"

"Of course not, it would be unseemly, my prince. You are the heir to the throne and a warrior. I am only a Lord's daughter and a woman."

"True. You might not extraordinary but to me you are very special. I have a nameday gift crafted for you, I am sure you will be impressed." Twat. Your mother commissioned it for her.

"I am sure of that, my prince."

A few days later

Aliena

"Please, nuncle, I don't want to marry yet. I am not quite six and ten, it can wait. The queen, my aunt, she was eight and ten when she married you! She said so herself, I am too young, I still need her to teach me how to keep a household, and she said I should not just marry any lord but someone I really want. She was a woman grown but I am still half a child, can't you see-"

And you really don't want to be alone under lions, do you uncle?

"Enough. You are a woman grown and you know you are. It is your sixteenth nameday in a fortnight. You are old enough to marry and there are many young men who would want to make you their wife."

"There will always be men, uncle, old and young, what does it matter? Oh do you not understand? I lost my father before I was even born, my mother when I was not more than a child. You are the only family I have, uncle. Is it wrong that I want to stay with my family for only a few years?"

Or forever, if I can manage.

"No, sweetling, I - you...You have a duty to your family. You will hold a keep with your husband and rule over lands and make sure they keep their fealty to the king."

"These are the Septa Elaine's words, aren't they? She said that to me at supper a few nights ago. Oh uncle, had I known that I bother you so much...but of course, you have trueborn children...I will look into the list of suitors. You are right, I am a woman grown. After all my mother was not much older than me when she married and surely you were all very happy to see her off as the lady of her own castle…" That will suffice.

"Oh, Aliena, my sweet." Here we go. Uncle has always been the easiest.

"It is just that I could never talk to my mother about this. I wonder whether she would approve…"

"You know what, bugger my lords, bugger your Septa Elaine. You are still young and why should I lock you away, sent you as a gift to some lord who is not going to treat you as well I do?"

Aliena knew she had won. In a small voice she asked "Does that mean you won't send me away this year?"

The king looked at her grimly. "Yes, not this year and not the next year either. Not for a few years. Cersei is right for once, you are not ready and why should we marry you off just because you are old enough? We can give you more than just a little lord's squire son, I think. Aye, for once my wife and I agree so it must be right. Go to bed now, Aliena, it is late. And no more prowling around, the Kingsguard will be patrolling in the corridor of your rooms. And when you meet my son out of bed, tell him the same, your rooms are close enough together."

It was not me who decided that and I have a hard time keeping him off my door. Aliena murmured a "Yes, uncle." And kissed him goodnight.

"See the Lady to her rooms, Clegane."

The Hound had stood still as a column by the door. Now he moved. Aliena followed him silently through the dark corridors of the Red Keep.

"You're very clever, huh?" he started rasping. "But do not get your hopes up, when Ned Stark wants you for his son, or Martell or Tyrell or any of the great Lords, they will give you away anyway."

His tone barely hid his contempt. What have I done to you?

"Well, no they won't. Willas Tyrell and Quentin Martell both sent me a letter. They want to marry me. But the king and queen are very gracious to consider my opinion."

The Hound stopped and looked down at her.

"Aye, you got them dancing like puppets aren't you? A few sweet words, a smile or a tear and they do what you want." He sneered at her.

I have worked hard enough for that, Hellhound.

"Forgive me if I have offended you, good Ser." The 'Ser' will make him angry "I do not know what you are talking are my aunt and uncle and I love them dearly and I am very thankful they took me in. What is it to you, anyway?"

The Hound cannot keep his anger to himself very well, it was known. But why does he have such a temper now? He has often seen me manipulating the king, or Joffrey, or the queen. Aliena did not know and neither did Sandor Clegane but he remembered the rage that had built in him when the king had talked about never giving her hand to a little lordling, when he had talked about sending her away.

Sandor

He still remembered the little girl in the woods more than six years ago, the way she had looked at him without fear or repulsion. She still did not. She had switched to calling him Hound in her cousin's presence but she still treated him with a nonchalance and fearlessness that made him wonder whether he did something wrong. Most girls her age almost wetted their smallclothes out of fear when he talked to them.

"I am no Ser. And you're nothing to me. I just don't like your lying."

Somehow that seemed important. He knew he shouldn't have said that and for a second, less than that even, he thought he saw pain in her blue-green eyes but she blinked and whatever it was was gone.

She nodded. "Good. Then you can do your duty and accompany me to my chambers. I will ask for another guard from now on, if that pleases you."

It does not please me. Sandor noticed, with utter dismay. He said nothing and escorted her to her chambers in silence.

The hallway where her rooms lay was heavily decorated with tapestries and rugs and hangings, most of them in the red-gold of the Lannisters. All the royal children's rooms lay here and the king had put his sister's daughter in the same wing. Joffrey's door was ajar and he knew the little shit was just waiting for him to leave so he could go over and talk to his cousin. He had always been infatuated with the girl, or with what she pretended to be for him. Sandor remembered how the boy had asked his mother whether he would marry her one day, and Cersei, to everyone's utter surprise, had not said no. By now, Clegane knew why. It was not hard to come by after a few years so close to the queen and her brother. Aliena would give Joffrey legitimation should someone find out The king was not too pleased, though. He loved his eldest son little and his niece with all his heart. "Too old for you, boy", he had said, but what he meant was "too good for you, boy". In the end, it was Aliena herself who had ruined the notion for Joffrey. It was a hare hunt no more than a year ago and she had done her best to hit fewer hare than her cousin, although that was hard enough. He had then spoken of his plans then and left her in shock.

"My gracious prince, there is nothing I would like more than be your wife but you must know that a prince has duties. I am of your blood already, far too close to marry you, in fact. And wedding me would not give you anything, you would gain no stability, quite the contrary. Your father will find you a bride, beautiful and of a great house."

The boy had objected but in the end, he had accepted the fact after he had grasped the fact that he would have his cousin, if he wanted, once he was king.

"A king can take whomever he likes as his mistress, can't he, dog?" The prince had asked him slyly one morning and the Hound had replied: "Aye, where else is the advantage of being king, if not in that?"

He had laughed and the prince had joined but Sandor could have hit himself when he saw how he talked to his cousin later. He often visits her at night but the sly little swan always ordered a guard to be present, to prevent any rumours, she said but he knew full well what it was. The boy prince never showed any sign of lust of wet dreams or infatuations with any other lady but with her. He was a cruel child and would grow into an even crueller man and more than once had he hurt the swan girl, accidentally, as both claimed. She would not marry him, she was too clever to put herself into that situation. She could manage him quite well now that he was still infatuated with her but that would pass and then she was at his mercy...and he had none. No, the little swan would try to stay unmarried and eligible and somehow, Sandor felt a little ... relieved.

He did not explore that feeling any further, he had a few cups of wine in his favourite tavern and found a brave whore that was willing to share her bed with him for a few extra silvers. She insisted on doing it from behind but Sandor did not feel like looking into her face either. He never got the beautiful ones and there was a different image on his mind anyway...long dark hair and those piercing light eyes whose colour he could not quite make out...Stop. You're drunk and she is a fucking liar and a deceiver and she won't have you in her schemes. But he could not ban her image from his mind when he spilled his seed in the whore. Fuck.

Thank you for reading. The song "Seasons of my Love" is incomplete in ASoIaF and I changed it a bit (the hair colour in the first stanza, I felt brunettes were underepresented^^) and added a refrain. No copyright infringement intended.