It was midday on the Kingsroad, Isolt let out a sharp sigh before brushing some deep chestnut hair that had slipped from her braids and now clung to the sweat on her brow. She pursed her lips wiping the back of her hand on the dark boiled leather greaves she wore.
"I need to get off this gods damned horse." She groaned to herself, she released the reins of her speckled mare rubbing the ache in her upper thighs gently. It had been nearly a solid month of riding from the Green Fork to Kings Landing. "How much further?" Being on the road was nothing new for her, but she had never been this far south before. Nothing was familiar and she was beginning to long for a proper bed.
"Your bitchin' won't get us there any faster Isolt." Her elder cousin said gruffly "Sometimes you sound like a whining child again. As if I didn't have to put up with that shite long enough,". Isolt narrowed her eyes at his hardened much larger form, to which he replied with a wolfish grin. She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, pressing them against her dark leather vest.
"Now, now Bronn I happen to share the same sentiment as our dear Isolt." Tyrion said glancing at her from his horse, with a quick smile "What I would give to be in my bed with a belly full of wine and a beautiful woman soothing my aching legs."
"We both know you'd rather her tend to a different ache," Bronn said with raised eyebrows and a grin. Isolt rolled her eyes at his crude comment while Tyrion flashed him a knowing smile. "After being with you ugly fuckers for so long I know I do."
"Disgusting," A quiver of repulsion shot through her at the brief thought of Bronn seeking some female companionship. The two had traveled together for the better part of a decade. She had seen sides to her cousin that no one should ever know about family. "I'll just be glad to be away from the both of you."
"You wound me, my fine lady, I thought we rather enjoyed each others company."
"Fuck off, we both know I ain't no 'fine lady'" Isolt said with a cheeky smirk, "You're decent enough, in small measures." She added.
"Ah, I do so love your jokes. Very clever." Tyrion said, "Fair enough, though I suppose the same could be said for you." Tyrion said glancing over his shoulder for a moment. Isolt rolled her eyes, of course, he was right. Being good company wasn't something she was often praised for. "I'm sure you'll be as relieved as I am, my dear, when you look just over this next hill." Isolt urged her horse beside the Lord Imps. Her jaw dropped slightly at the image of Kings Landing in the hazy distance. Though Isolt had lived and traveled in Westeros most of her life, this was her first time ever seeing the capitol.
It was smaller then she had expected, though by no means could it be considered a trivial city. Though, while taking in the Kings Landing the Red Keep overpowered the capital with its imposing red stone towers dominating the southeastern corner of the city. Though she was thankful to have their destination within sight, a small discomfort began to fill her as they closed the distance between themselves and Kings Landing.
It had been several months since Isolt and Bronn had begun traveling alongside Tyrion Lannister. Initially, the Lord Imp was captive of Lady Catelyn Stark, who hired them as sell swords charged to assist in escorting him to her sister, Lysa Aryn, in the Vale to answer for his alleged crimes against her son and family. Getting to the Vale was simple enough and the Lord Imps company had been surprisingly enjoyable. She almost felt bad that she was helping bring him to certain death in the Vale. It was also no shock when Bronn agreed to champion for Tyrion in a trial by combat. Two things Isolt and Bronn shared a love for were fighting and gold.
Bronn won Lord Tyrions freedom in a less than honorable bout. Tyrion promised Bronn a larger sum of money and recruited the pair of cousins to escort him to Kings Landing where they would both be paid in full. Of course, things hadn't been that simple.
Though she would never admit it, Tyrion had truly been an agreeable traveling companion. More importantly, he had proven to be much hardier and useful than his small stature would indicate. He was smarter then any man she had met before and didn't seem to share the initial doubt most had in her faculties. Tyrion was a charming little Lord and from an entirely different world from what Isolt was comfortable with and yet she felt as though he understood her. Well at least to some degree. The fact the Tyrion did not believe himself to be above Isolt or her cousin the way most would have due to their low-born status improved her initial opinion of him. In fact, the only insults she ever heard him utter were against himself in an act of self-deprecating humor.
Without his quick thinking and sharp tongue, Isolt doubted they would've been able to make it out of the Vale. Though Bronn and Isolt were more than competent fighters there was little chance of them getting out of that situation unharmed. He was even glib enough able to convince Isolt, Bronn and the tribesmen (and women) to join The Lannister forces on the battlefield at the Green Fork. A battle, which she survived, and the Lannisters emerged victorious.
"What are your plans after arriving in King Landing? You said you've never been here before correct?" Tyrion asked, apparently he had been watching her somewhat awestruck observation of the city.
"Well to start off I'd like to get the gold you've promised me," Isolt said sharply, narrowing her eyes down at Tyrion. He let out a small sigh. "No good being in a new place if I don't have the gold to enjoy it."
"Aye, I'd say that's the first order of business as well," Bronn added.
"I've told you both not to worry about the matter of funds, you will both be well compensated for your efforts. A Lannister always pays their debts. This is especially true when it comes to dear friends," Tyrion said with a sincere look, Isolt rolled her eyes at the mention of 'friends'. There weren't many she considered true friends, so far Tyrion was counted among that small number. Despite her past dealings with nobles, Isolt trusted that what he said was true, he respected her which was more than could be said for most. "Perhaps I should have phrased this better. Are you planning on staying in Kings Landing after we arrive? There's no doubt I'll need all the friends I can get." Isolt glanced over towards Bronn quirking an inquisitive brow at him. They hadn't discussed their thoughts on whether or not they'd stick with Tyrion after getting paid. Bronn slicked his greasy black hair back from his face and turned towards Isolt with a roguish grin. It was clear from his response he was much keener on the idea then Isolt was.
"I don't think I'll be well received in the capitol." She stated flatly.
"No, I'm quite certain you will not be, but then again neither am I. I'm already a dwarf why shouldn't I have a male and female sell-sword at my side?" Isolt smirked at his comment; though he said it with jest she knew he was sincere.
"You're certainly a funny little man," Isolt remarked, Tyrion smiled warmly at her.
"Now that I can not deny. Lets hurry, the sooner I can be off this horse and in a bed with a belly full of wine, the better"
(AN: I came up with this idea a few months ago and have been tinkering around with it since then and I'm finally pleased enough with it to share. This chapter is a sort of introduction to give you a small taste of Isolt. For all of you who also read The Hill and the Hound, have no fear I will be completing that one as well. Every story I post I intend to finish and that particular one only has a few chapters left before completion. In any case whether or not you're familiar with my other work welcome, thank you for checking it out. I go through bouts of consistency with posting, but I try my best to work with my work/ college schedule, while still delivering quality work. For this particular story I have written up to about chapter 12 so I have a good bit that's essentially ready to post. Just a heads up next chapter is much longer, I originally had this one and the next written as one single chapter but decided it was best to split them up. As always reviews and messages are greatly appreciated.)