Welcome :)
Hi and thanks for reading this. This is the first time I have written in a very long time so be nice please. Any tips and constructive criticism is welcome. Okay so this is going to have quite a few OC's in this so be warned. There is a reason for that. I apologise for the first couple of chapters but hopefully it should get better as the story kicks in. There will be updates on my profile if you want to go there and you can request or ask questions and I promise to get back to you all. If you see any mistakes just let me know.
Chapter One
Lannister's and Stark's
The early morning sun shone in through the window creating a glare. The sleeping girl groaned, rolling over, as the sun hit her face. Her black hair was stretched out behind her across the white pillow. Briar sighed and flopped onto her back. A slow smile started to stretch across her face. She was fifteen today. She squealed in excitement and hopped out of her bed. Her maids helped her get washed, dried and dressed.
She thanked her parents for the gifts over breakfast and found herself sat in the parlour with her older sister, by one year, Natalia. They looked nothing alike when it came to colouring. Briar took after their father and Natalia their mother. Briar had black hair and brown eyes whereas her sister had dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes. However you could tell they were sisters by how they acted and their face structure was exactly alike. They both had the same cheekbones, lips, and nose and eye/face shape.
The only other difference was that Natalia was a little bit more on the curvy side. "Happy name day sister." Natalia said. She could see the excitement upon her baby sister's face. It was in her eyes. "What are your plans for the event?" This made Briar frown. "Mother and father are sorry to not be able to spend the day with you. They promised to make it up to you tomorrow. Apparently you get to choose what we do tomorrow. Whatever you wish for."
"Really?" Briar was now excited again. The two girls spent a lot of time with their mother but their father was always busy so it was strange, and a little bit disappointing, she wasn't going to be spending her name day with her mother. The day after was better than nothing so she would take it and leave it with no complaints. Natalia nodded her head before looking back at her book. "I think I will go see Robb today then."
The eldest girl smirked. "Oh."
"What? Why did you say 'oh' like that?" she demanded. Her sister ignored her making her scowl. She was quick to anger; one of her many flaws. "Natalia! Answer me?"
"You sound like a spoilt brat. Did you know that?"
"Ugh, fine. Will you please answer me… and I'm sorry for yelling at you." Briar said sincerely.
"I just meant that it is obvious you have a thing for Ned Stark's eldest that is all." Briar flushed an unattractive shade of red. She sputtered. "That's deeply unattractive." She remarked, once again going back to the book.
"Just… that's not… I mean… I do not!"
"Wow." Natalia laughed finally putting the heavy book down. "You should see your face right now B." Briar looked at her lap and a silence filled the room.
"You like the bastard." Briar suddenly said with a smirk but Natalia wasn't smiling.
"Do not call him that. Ever." She said in a deadly voice wiping the smirk off of her face. Briar paled. She knew that Jon Snow was a soft subject for her sister. Her sister had made friends with him when they were very little. She had fallen over and scraped her knee resulting in some tears. She was five at the time and Jon six. Jon then found her and managed to stop her crying before helping her to his father who got her healed and patched up in no time.
From that moment on they had become best of friends and done everything together. Training, learning, playing… everything. They had a very close relationship and even though Jon was close to his half-brother Robb, he was closest to Natalia. She hated the way Lady Stark treated him because he was considered a bastard. Well, it wasn't truly the reason why she hated him. It was more due to the fact that he was a constant reminder of the betrayal of her husband.
"I'm sorry." Briar whispered with her head hung low.
"It's alright. But never call him that again." Natalie responded calmly. "He may be defined as a bastard but he most certainly is not one." Briar simply nodded her head. She felt terrible. "Now smile. It is your name day you should be happy. Now run along and go find Robb." Briar suddenly smiled and stood.
"Thank you for my gift." Briar said before practically sprinting off to find Robb. Natalia sighed – her sister was right. She did like Jon but she knew that it was never going to go anywhere. She knew he didn't return those feelings for her. Briar spent around ten minutes trying to find Robb. She finally spotted him near the training area. He was helping Bran, along with Jon, with his archery. Sansa and Arya, his little sisters, were probably off at their sewing class.
She knew Arya, who was eleven, hated it. She much preferred to be out fighting and causing mayhem. Sometimes Briar joined her. "Robb!" she called as she neared them. Robb turned to her with a smile. He wrapped his arms around her when she was close.
"Happy name day. Fifteen!" he exclaimed as he picked her up so her feet were a few inches above the ground. She laughed.
"Yes, thank you."
"Your gift is still in my chambers. I didn't know when it would be that I would get to see you." She shook her head.
"You didn't need to get me anything." He smiled softly and brushed her hair back.
"I know that but I wanted to." They smiled at each other and Jon rolled his eyes at the way they were looking at each other. Why they didn't just tell each other how they felt was a mystery to him. Everybody could see that they liked each other but they were, or seemed to be, too scared to telling each other. They went back to helping Bran who seemed to be struggling.
After a few more tries Bran started to get more and more frustrated. Jon grabbed hold of his shoulder and bent down to his level. "Go on, father's watching." Everyone turned to see Lord and Lady Stark who were stood watching from above. "And your mother." Bran notched another arrow and took aim. Briar felt rather bad for him – he was trying his best. Bran let go of the arrow and it completely missed going over the target and into the trees.
The boys started to laugh making her frown. She was sure that if Natalia were here she would have scolded the boys for laughing at Bran. She was very fond of Bran and she was like his older sister. He always asked her to sing him songs, tell him stories and play with him. She was very protective of him especially considering Bran could be quite sensitive at times. Natalia had a way to make Jon and Robb listen to her; sometimes even Theon Greyjoy and he was unpredictable and a rebel.
She just had a way to make anybody listen to her. "And which one of you was a marksman at ten?" Lord Stark called down to them making the boys shut up and stop laughing. "Keep practicing Bran, go on." It was nice to see him encouraging Bran rather than being put out that he couldn't do it. It was a lot of pressure for Bran.
"Don't think too much Bran." Jon said, helping now.
"Relax your bow arm." Robb instructed. He was stood casually with his arms folded across his chest. She suddenly realised that they were stood rather close. She flushed. Bran notched his arrow and aimed. He held it there for a few seconds and just as he was about to let go an arrow whizzed past his ear and hit the target dead on the centre. All their heads snapped to the right to see where it had come from and Briar grinned seeing that it was Arya who was the culprit.
The small brunette grinned and curtsied just before Bran chased her and the boys started to laugh. "Quick Bran! Faster!" Robb and Jon were shouting towards Bran who was chasing his older sister. Briar decided to help Robb and Rickon with collecting the arrows back. As she turned around she couldn't help but think 'I'm glad Natalia is not here right now'. Lady Stark was glaring down at Jon for no reason what-so-ever. There was a limit to how much Natalia could be pushed when it came to Jon and she was very much closing in on her limit.
Sansa sighed quietly as she sat down in front of her mirror that was placed on her dresser. She tilted her head as she looked upon her reflection. She looked to the door, through the mirror, as she heard it open. It was Lillian – her personal handmaid. Sansa couldn't help but be extremely jealous of Lillian due to her beauty. She had pure white blonde hair that reached the middle of her back in soft waves (yet she always had it in a bun so it wouldn't get in the way when she was working), pale skin but darker than most girls due to working outside sometimes and bright blue eyes – the same as the sky on a clear day. Or even the ocean.
She was only fourteen years old but had a woman's body. Well sort of. She still had growing to do in the chest area but she was definitely bigger than Sansa who was a year younger than her. Despite the envy she felt she didn't hate her; she couldn't they were too close for that to happen. She had known Lillian since they were little – way before she became her handmaid.
Lillian gave her best friend a wide smile as she walked in the room. Sansa smiled back. Despite Sansa thinking Lillian was more beautiful than her, Lillian felt the opposite. She felt she paled in comparison to Sansa who had fiery red. That was something she loved about her friend. Her red hair was beautiful and soft to the touch. And even though they were only a year apart Lillian had already bled. Sansa had not.
Lillian brushed out Sansa's hair and let it fall down her back. Sansa sighed pleasantly. She loved her hair being played with. Especially when it was Lily because she managed to get her to a point when she felt she was in total bliss and nothing else mattered in the world. Lily did everything for Sansa. Most of the time impromptu. She would do anything for her friend without question. Mainly because she knew, despite her being a lowly servant, Sansa would do the same for her.
Sansa had her respect and loyalty and it would never waver. After some time of relaxing Sansa she had to leave – she had other work to do.
Jon had left. Not literally but he had gone with his father and brothers (Robb and Bran – also Theon was there who Jon disliked) to witness an execution. Apparently some young man had been on night's watch on the wall and had abandoned his post, but now he had been caught. She hadn't seen Jon all day and the only reason she knew about the execution was because her little sister came back not so long ago and told her. She had been informed by Robb because they had been planning to spend the rest of the day together but now that was cut short.
Natalia laid her book on the table beside her bed and blew out the candle before shifting to lie down on the bed. She closed her eyes yet it was some time before sleep took her. The next morning as she was eating breakfast she heard a knock on the door. She decided to answer it herself. She smiled upon seeing Jon's face. "Oh my god!" she suddenly squealed making Jon smile. "Where did you get it?"
Natalia hesitantly moved forward to take the adorable pure snow white direwolf cub from his arms. She stopped and looked up at him. He nodded his head and allowed her to take him. "He's called Ghost." He told her and launched into the tale of how they came upon the cubs after the execution and how he managed to persuade Lord Stark to allow the Stark children to keep them since they represented their house. His was apparently the runt of the littler which is why Theon suggested that he keep it. Natalia bristled once hearing that but kept her mouth shut.
By this point they were walking side by side with the cub in her arms. "He may be the runt." She said looking up at him. "But he will grow up to be the best. And do you know why?" Jon shook his head. "He has the best master." Jon smiled slightly but said nothing. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed.
"I'm glad I have you." He whispered.
"I'm glad I have you." She parroted before placing her head on his shoulder.
Lillian was just finishing up cleaning Sansa's room when said girl came rushing in with flushed cheeks. She could see that something had gotten her friend all excited and giddy. Lily laughed. "What has gotten into you?"
"The king is coming." Sansa exclaimed lowly before squealing. "Which means the prince will be coming!" Ah, now she knew what had her friend so excited. The prince. Sansa may or may not have had a thing for the prince for quite some time now.
"When will they be here?" Sansa's expression suddenly darkened.
"I think a month. It may be longer than that if they get delayed."
"Well no need to get all down about it." Lily said trying to cheer her friend up. "At least they are coming and you will have your chance to see the prince. I am sure he will love you." It had done the trick.
"Really?" Sansa was rarely insecure about herself but when it came to the prince that security and confidence about herself all went out the window. She could see why. The prince was known for having tantrums for not getting his own way or throwing fits for not liking something. Well, so she heard. She had been told this by the boys – Robb, Jon and Theon.
"Why should he not?" she asked rhetorically. She was being serious though. Sansa was beautiful so why should he be displeased by her? "You are beautiful, talented, smart, well mannered…" Sansa smiled at her in thanks. Lily always knew what to say. She was thankful to have her as her friend. "Not to mention you are incredible." That was one word to sum her up. Lily smirked at that. There were plenty others too. Sansa chucked a pillow at her head as though she knew that she was thinking causing the older girl to start laughing.
Robb tried not to grimace as he was getting shaved. It was absolutely freezing and all three of them (himself, Theon and Jon) were topless so they wouldn't get dirty or any shaving foam on them. "Why is your mother so dead-set on us getting pretty for the king?" Jon asked.
"It's for the queen I reckon. I hear she's a secretive mink." Theon sneered as he leaned upon a wooden pole.
"I hear the prince is a right royal prick." Robb remarked. He remembered telling Lillian about him and his ways but she refused to listen to him which he found quite shocking. She said until she met him she was not going to make a judgement upon him as that would be highly unfair.
"Think of all those southern girls he gets to stab with his right royal prick." Theon remarked. Jon rolled his eyes. It was always sex with this guy. That was one of the reason he disliked him. That among many others. Robb stood up when he was finished.
"Go on Tommy, shave him good." He said pushing Jon forward. "He's never met a girl he likes better than his own hair." Jon frowned as Tommy messed with his before starting to cut it. He couldn't help but think that what Robb said wasn't true.
Lillian walked into Sansa's room to see her looking like a headless chicken. It was rather amusing. "There you are!" she exclaimed when she saw the blonde. "The king and queen… and the prince are about to arrive. You need to help me get ready!"
"Come on." Lily said immediately and set to work. She was done in record time and Sansa hugged her tightly before running off to go to her family to greet the king and queen. Lily sighed and plopped down on the edge of the bed. She wouldn't be going. She was just Sansa's handmaid. There were some servants going obviously, but not her. After some time she heard the commotion outside and her curiosity got the best of her. She walked over to Sansa's balcony which looked down directly to where everyone was. She had a great view and it was a perfect spot to watch people. Not in a weird way but she could easily see what was going on right out in the courtyard any time she liked.
She could see the Stark family all stood together however Jon was stood behind them – probably Lady Stark's decision. She didn't understand it. He was still family. She didn't like the way she treated him. Jon was an honourable and decent young man. Not to mention handsome. She could also see the king getting down from his horse before approaching the Stark family who, along with everyone else, were down on their knees.
She spotted a flash of blonde and realised, even from the distance, that it must be Prince Joffrey. He was dismounting his horse. Joffrey sighed before turning away from his horse to face forwards. He was tired and wanted nothing more than to go to sleep for a nap before the feast that was undoubtedly going to be held in honour of their arrival. He ignored the eldest Stark girl for now when he spied something. A girl.
She was leaning on a balcony looking down upon them. He couldn't exactly see what she looked like. All he could see was white blonde hair piled upon her head. Even from this distance he could tell she was quite young and toned. His father's voice echoed in the back of his mind but he paid no attention to him. He was too tired. His mother walked over to his Uncle Jaime.
"Where is our brother?" he faintly heard her say to him. "Go and find the little beast."
Kielie looked up at the ceiling from her bed were she was spread out like a starfish. She felt trapped. Not as trapped as he little sister Daenerys must be feeling but trapped none the less. She needed to stop this wedding. The beast may not have chosen her little sister, more like accepted, yet but still. She knew her sister was scared and did not want this to happen. She wanted to marry for love – not because of her brother forcing her to.
Kielie was the eldest. Surely it should be her duty to do this not Dany's. She sat up and sighed. She had run out of time anyways. He would arrive with some of his men today to say whether or not he agreed for Daenerys. She stood up from the bed and got changed. She slipped on a simple light pink dress before brushing her blonde hair and braiding it and pushing it over one shoulder. Her hair was extremely long – it went to her hips.
She found her siblings and they exited the palace and stood with Illyrios waiting for Khal Drogo to arrive. She could tell her brother Viserys was getting anxious and irritated. "Where is he?" he sniped then sighed.
"The Dothraki are not known for their punctuality." Illyrios told him. A few seconds past before the sound of hooves were heard upon the ground. A host of Dothraki came riding up and stood some feet away directly opposite. Khal Drogo wheeled his horse around so he could stare down the path and look at his, possible, future wife.
Illyrios started speaking but she had no idea what he was saying. It must have been their language. Her guess was he was greeting him and telling him who they were because he pointed them out one at a time. That was a big give away. Viserys voice pierced her mind. "Do you see how long his hair is? When Dothraki are defeated in combat, they cut off their braid so the whole world can see their shame. Khal Drogo has never been defeated." Kielie raised her eyebrows at that. She hated to say it but she was impressed with that.
She froze suddenly when she looked back and locked eyes with the Khal but she could still hear her brother speaking. "He's a savage, of course, but he's one of the finest killers alive. And you will be his queen." That last part was whispered directly into Daenerys ear making her tense up. She didn't want to be his queen. Not now not ever. This wasn't fair!
"Come forward my dear." Illyrios told her and she took a deep breath before moving forward. She had barely moved three steps forward before Khal Drogo raised his hand as though to say stop. She did. She didn't understand what was happening. She looked at her sister with uncertainty. Khal Drogo said something and Illyrios frowned. "He doesn't want Daenerys to come forward."
"What?" Viserys spat. "Then what does he want?"
"Kielie." A deadly silence greeted them. "It is that or nothing." The Khal was sat there patiently upon his horse. His gaze not once leaving Kielie's. She took a deep breath before moving forward.
"What are you doing?" both her siblings asked making her stop.
"I'm doing this for both of you." She replied softly before carrying on walking towards the huge man upon the stallion. He stared at her for a few seconds before he rode off with his men. Her brother came rushing forward.
"Where's he going?" he asked with a hint of panic laced into his voice.
"The ceremony is over."
"But he didn't say anything. Did he like her?" Of course he had to, he thought furiously. Kielie was beautiful. Even more so that Daenerys and that was saying something. Everyone always complimented her on her beauty.
"Trust me Your Grace. If he didn't like her, we'd know." Kielie gulped. What did that mean? Viserys wasn't particularly happy though. He didn't want to marry her off, Dany was fine but not her. He frowned. It was wrong but he couldn't deny that she was truly something to look at. He scowled furiously and spun on his heel before walking a few steps away taking a deep calming breath. Right now he couldn't help but feel it was her fault. If she wasn't so god damn beautiful!
A little while later, after he had mentally calmed down some, they found themselves all walking in the gardens. The two girls were walking slightly behind holding onto one another's hands. Daenerys was still thinking about what her sister did for her. How could she ever repay her? How could she show her how grateful she was to her? She would have to show her every day. Then something occurred to her.
Surely she would be going with her sister and brother right? Or would she be left behind here. Panic started to rise within her and slowly started to consume her. She couldn't be left behind. Her sister was like her life-line! She needed her. Kielie squeezed her sister's hand tightly when she saw her eyes become wide and start to glisten with unshed tears. She didn't know what was going on in the girls head but whatever it was she didn't like it.
"When will they be married?" the girls heard their brother ask. They listened carefully.
"Soon. The Dothraki never stay still for long." Illyrios explained. Kielie bit her lip. She didn't even know what she was feeling right now but she had to stay strong for her baby sister. If Dany saw her breaking down she would too. If she was strong Dany would, at least, try to be strong too.
"Is it true they lie with their horses?" Viserys asked with grimace.
"I wouldn't ask Khal Drogo." Was the best answer he got. He looked back at Kielie for a second before looking back. That was a problem – he was always looking at her.
"Do you take me for a fool?" he said sharply. Kielie blocked them out as she walked. She couldn't bear to listen to her brother anymore at this precise moment. Everything was too much right now.
"I don't want her to be his queen!" she heard Dany suddenly say in a pleading voice. She looked so helpless. "I want to go home."
"So do I." Viserys laughed softly as he turned around. His eyes dropped to his sisters' intertwined hands for a quick second. "I want us all to go home. But they took it from us. So tell me, sweet sister, how do we go home?" Kielie hated to admit he was making a very valid point but the case still stood – he was going about the solution in a crude way.
"I don't know." Daenerys breathed softly, almost hopelessly. Kielie tightened her hold on her hand and she felt her squeeze back.
"We go home with an army. Khal Drogo's army." For some reason the anger struck him once more and the feeling of it being Kielie's fault came back. He walked over to her and stroked her cheek almost lovingly. "I would let his whole tribe fuck you, all 40,000 men and their horses too, if that's what it took." Her jaw clenched and he felt a little bit of satisfaction in that. He ran his hand down her arm – it was so soft. He stepped back and clenched his fist. He then kissed them both on the forehead before he walked away leaving both girls staring after him in despair, misery and anger.
Lily took a deep breath before knocking on the door. She had been informed that, along with Sansa, she would be Joffrey's personal handmaid during his stay here. Wonderful, she thought. "Enter." She heard Joffrey call. She took one more deep breath before going inside. Joffrey was sat on the bed seemingly doing nothing. There was a tub filled with water in the centre of the room. It must have just been brought before she arrived, she thought looking at the steam that was rising from the water.
Joffrey stood from the bed and walked towards her. He recognised her immediately. She was the girl that was watching from the balcony. He would recognise that hair anywhere and it was in the same style; pinned on the top of her head. She was a grey dress with boots. Basic, he thought. He scrunched his nose up at that. It was horrible and ugly. "Undress me and then help me wash." He ordered.
She slowly walked over before bending down to take his boots off. She then stood and started working on taking his tunic off and she paused before taking off his pants. She didn't dare look at him as he stood there naked not seeming to have a care in the world. She heard the water splashed and sighed in relief to know he was partially covered. Even if it was only by water. It was better than nothing.
She grabbed a jug and dipped it into the water before standing behind him letting the water run over his hair making it stick to his head. She watched as it darkened in colour and he closed his eyes to stop water going in them. When she finished washing his hair she then grabbed a cloth. She froze. She didn't really want to do this. The boys had told her a lot of things about the prince and she didn't really know what was going to happen.
She didn't really want to judge him as she had never met him. She felt it would be wrong of her to judge him simply off stories and rumours. Yet she couldn't deny she was extremely nervous to be alone with him, especially considering the situation they were in. She had only ever worked with Sansa doing the odd job here and there for Lord or Lady Stark. Never a male – not really. She hadn't seen a male naked so this was extremely awkward for her.
She braced herself and walked back over to him bending to her knees. She dipped the cloth into the water before carefully moving forward to wash his face. Once again he closed his eyes so no water could enter. Then she washed his neck and moved to his chest. Joffrey was only fifteen but for a fifteen he was quite lean. Probably from training, she thought. She kept her mind blank as she continued to wash him. Joffrey's eyes closed again but for a completely different reason this time.
When she was done she stood up but a hand grabbed her wrist making her eyes widen as she was tugged back. "Where are you going?" he demanded. She remained silent. She was slightly confused. "You're not done with cleaning me." She frowned becoming more confused. She was, wasn't she? He pulled her back and pulled her back to her knees. He pointed downwards and her eyes widened when she realised what he meant. He wanted her to clean his… well, she didn't know what to do. "Well? Why aren't you getting to work?" He started to scowl so she moved forward and dipped the cloth back into the water.
She kind of hesitated. How was she meant to clean it? Joffrey sighed looking at the expression of confusion, frustration and nervousness on her face. He grabbed the cloth from her hands. "I'll do it myself – this time. Next time you will do it." She slowly nodded her head. "Get towels to dry me." She quickly stood up and ran to grab some towels before running back to him. He was already out and just stood there, naked, waiting for her to return. He couldn't deny the flushed look on her face was amusing.
She tried not to stare as she dried him. She slowly handed him the towel trying to let him know that she wanted him to dry his more private parts himself. Also hoping to not get punished. His eyes narrowed but he grabbed the towel. "Next time you will dry me everywhere too. Now fetch my clothes that I will be wearing to the feast tonight." She quickly went and did as he said before helping him get dressed.
Since he was a boy his hair was a lot easier and quicker to do. For one it dried a lot quicker and there really wasn't much else for her to do it except make it look neat. When he was all ready she was about to leave and find someone to remove to tub of dirty water when her arm was grabbed. She gasped as she was spun around and pulled into Joffrey. Her hand automatically went to his chest in reflex. "Next time let's hope a lot more than cleaning happens hmm?" with that he dropped her arm and left her in his chambers flustered and scared.
A/N: So sorry about the slow chapter (and probably the next one) but it was more just introducing the characters and opening up the story. I hope you liked it and will continue to read it. :) I am sorry for any spelling mistakes. I checked it but my laptop kept messing up and not saving stuff so if there are any just let me know and I will go through it. Thanks :)