Six years had passed since King Robert's Rebellion had ended. Myrilla spent those years living quietly at her childhood home. Upon her sixteenth name day her father announced that she would be sent south to Kings Landing to live with her sister and her sister's husband in order to find a suitable husband. Myrilla was less than pleased at the prospect of being sent away from the quiet peaceful country life she had always known. Her father, Lord Holster Tully, knew that Myrilla stood a better chance of finding a suitable match in the capital under the watchful gaze of the Hand of the King. Both of his elder daughters had been married for several years and now it was time to look to his youngest child's welfare. Though Lysa and Catelyn were happy enough in their marriages he wanted to give Myrilla the chance to find a love match. She was so young and carefree. Myrilla had been young enough during the wars that it had not affected her as deeply as it had others.
Holster watched as Myrilla took her leave of the staff at Riverrun. She was their darling sweet girl, the last to leave home. For the last several years Myrilla acted as the lady of the house. She learned all of the things a well-bred noblewoman should know upon entering into marriage. She was so like her mother calm and steady, yet fierce and defiant when angry or cornered. The gods help the man she marries. Holster smiled as Myrilla turned and walked towards him and her brother. Edmure would be escorting Myrilla to the capital before returning to Riverrun to continue his training to be the lord of the castle someday.
"Father, Edmure, must I go? I would rather stay here with you both. Please, don't make me go to King's Landing."
"Myrilla, my sweet daughter, you will be fine. There are so many things to see and experience in the capital. I'm sure you will enjoy it once you are settled. Your sister, Lysa is so looking forward to having you with her."
Myrilla wrinkled her nose at the thought of Lysa looking forward to anything. She and Lysa never really saw eye to eye on anything and the idea of Lysa being charged with guiding Myrilla through the intricacies of court life was almost laughable. "Myrilla." Her father's tone caused Myrilla to drop the face and look appropriately chastised. "I'm sorry Father." Edmure snorted. He knew what Myrilla was thinking and though he never expressed his concern out loud he knew Myrilla wasn't wrong in being apprehensive of Lysa's help.
Two weeks had passed since Myrilla came to live in the Red Keep and she was bored to tears. Lysa never wanted to do anything beyond sit on the balcony of her rooms in the Tower of the Hand. Myrilla had barely seen anything of the Red Keep outside of the Tower of the Hand much less of the city. She managed one day to find her way to the top of one of the taller towers and see the city markets below her. Myrilla longed to be allowed to explore those very markets, but Lysa wouldn't even entertain the idea of Myrilla going out into the "filthy city" as she called it.
On this particular day Myrilla succeeded in escaping the watchful eye of Lysa and her household guards. Heading in the direction she thought led to the drawbridge out of the castle she was stopped just short of escaping by a strong hand on her upper arm.
"And where do you think you might be going?" A sardonic male voice asked her.
Turning to face the speaker Myrilla attempted to wrench her arm free. "That ser is none of your concern. Now release me this instant. Do you know who I am and who my good brother is?"
"Oh I know full well who your good brother is and who you are and if you think I'm letting you walk out into the city alone and unguarded you, Myrilla Tully, are sadly mistaken."
Confusion washed over her face, "How do you know who I am? Who are you?" She was looking directly at the man who was holding her arm in a firm, yet gentle grip. He was quite handsome and looked vaguely familiar, but Myrilla couldn't place him.
"HA! You have no idea who I am then?" When Myrilla shook her head the man laughed even harder. "You wound me. I thought everyone knew who I was. My sister is the Queen after all."
"You're the Kingslayer?" Myrilla whispered in awe.
"I prefer to be called Jamie, but yes I am commonly called the Kingslayer, but usually only behind my back. Now, little fish, where might you be swimming off to?"
Myrilla regained her composure and in her most haughty voice replied, "That Ser Jamie is none of your business."
"Ah, well, that is where you are wrong? Your good brother saw me earlier and asked me to assist him in locating you. It seems your sister is rather worried about you."
Myrilla turned to look out the gate knowing her one chance of escape for the day was lost. "I just want to see the city. I've been stuck inside these walls for too long. Please, couldn't you just say you were unable to find me." Myrilla smiled as sweetly as she could as she begged him to let her go free.
"No, I can't. But, I'll make you a deal, if you will come with me without a fuss I'll arrange for a visit to the city to see the sights you seem to be so desperate to see."
"Why would you do that? You don't even know me." Myrilla looked at him suspiciously. He was a good foot taller than she, with the most beautiful green eyes she ever saw.
"You amuse me."
Jamie knew instantly that his words angered her. The sweet look of pleading was gone and fury suffused her face. "AMUSE YOU?! I'm not some form of entertainment Ser Jamie. I'm a noble lady of a good house." She yanked hard trying to free her arm from his grasp. "Now let me go!"
Jamie noted that they were starting to attract unwanted attention and so he propelled the young woman off to a less conspicuous place than the yard directly in front of the entrance to the Red Keep. "Quiet down. I wasn't trying to insult you. I was only amused that you had no idea who I was. I don't know that I've met anyone in recent memory that didn't know me on sight."
Myrilla felt trapped. Ser Jamie had pulled her into a small alcove and he was blocking the only exit. She managed a whispered, "Oh." Jamie saw the fury replaced by panic on her face and released his grip on her upper arm. As he released her she asked, "What, what are you going to do with me?"
"Do with you? Whatever do you mean?"
"You've brought me into an out of the way alcove with you, alone, and you are blocking the only path out. I think my meaning is rather clear."
Jamie watched the Tully girl as she blushed and looked away from his gaze. It dawned him what she thought he wanted from her and he fought to stifle a laugh. He realized that someone, probably Lysa Arryn, had this girl scared to death of being set upon by random men in the Red Keep. He decided to toy with her before taking her back to the Tower. Leaning down he let his lips brush her ear lightly as he spoke, "You think that I brought you in here to take advantage of your innocence?" He watched her as she tried to shrink back into the wall. He raised a hand to her face and brushed his fingers lightly down her cheek. Jamie felt her shiver at his touch and her eyes fluttered shut. Ah this little beauty has never been touched by a man before. She truly is an innocent. He watched her for a moment before lightly kissing her forehead and saying, "I'm not going to accost you. I just didn't want to cause a scene in the yard. Come, I'm to take you back to the Tower of the Hand."
Myrilla's eyes popped open. Her mouth was slightly open as she looked up at him leaning over her. Jamie had a flash of her with that look on her face, but naked and beneath him as he took her as his own. Shaking his head to clear the image he thought, Where did that image come from? Cersei is more than enough woman for me. This girl is barely older than a child, but gods she is beautiful. No wonder Tully sent her here to find a husband. She would be surrounded by admirers if that crazy sister of hers would ever let her out of the Tower. A strand of her hair had fallen free and Jamie reached up to push it behind her ear.
"Why are you calling me little fish?"
"Because you are the youngest Tully and your house sigil is a fish. Now come with me, I should get you back to your rather small pond."
Myrilla took a deep breath before standing up straight and taking the arm that Jamie Lannister was offering her. As they left the alcove she spoke to him, "Did you really mean it when you said you would help me get out into the city?"
"Yes." Jamie had no idea why he felt the desire to help this girl. She meant nothing to him and he owed her even less.
"Thank you. You are the only person, outside of my sister and good brother, who has spoken to me since I arrived two weeks ago."
Glancing down at her he noted that she seemed sad. "You miss Riverrun don't you?"
"Yes. I miss the open air and my friends. I'm supposed to be here to find a husband, but I'm rarely allowed out of the Tower of the Hand so I'm not sure how well that will work out.
I. . . .I'm sorry you probably don't care that much."
Jamie laughed at how perceptive the girl was. Myrilla glared at him thinking he was laughing at her. Seeing her look Jamie commented, "I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at how perceptive you seem to be. You didn't even know who I was five minutes ago, but yet you seem to know me quite well."
"You seem a lot like my brother and he really never cares much about anything that doesn't directly affect him. So I just assumed you were being polite because it's what is expected of you, when in reality, you don't care. I wish people would just be honest, if you don't care, say so."
Looking down at her he said, "I promise to always do my best to be honest with you." By the gods this girl was getting into his head. Jamie had no idea why he had made her that promise. Reaching the Tower of the Hand Jamie escorted Myrilla to the Hand's solar where both Lord and Lady Arryn awaited her.
"Thank the gods you're safe! I was so worried" Lysa Arryn exclaimed as she saw Jamie and Myrilla come through the doorway.
"Lady Arryn, Lord Arryn. I assure you Lady Myrilla was never in any danger. I found her still within the walls of the Red Keep. She was merely exploring her new home. Though she did express a desire to see more of King's Landing than the views from the towers afford her. I would like to discuss making arrangements to escort her on a tour of the city at your convenience Lord Arryn."
Myrilla glanced up at the man standing beside her when he told her brother and sister that she was just exploring. It was true he found her inside the Red Keep, but she was definitely heading for the gate when he caught her. Jamie caught her eye as she looked at him. He squeezed her hand lightly and winked at her.
Before Jon could say a word Lysa stood saying "Absolutely not! She is confined to the Tower unless Jon or I can escort her from now on. How could you run off like that Myrilla. I've been sick with worry for the last few hours. What if some less than honorable. . . "
"Lysa darling that is enough. You can't keep her in the tower all the time. She's young and needs to meet other young people her age. If Ser Jamie is willing to take her out into King's Landing and be her protector on such a trip why wouldn't you allow it?"
"I do not wish to discuss the matter in front of outsiders." Lysa fumed glaring at the man she termed an outsider.
Sighing Jon smiled at the young couple standing in front of him. He noted that Myrilla's hand was resting lightly on Jamie Lannister's forearm and he covered her hand with his. If only he weren't part of the King's Guard they would have made a handsome couple. It would have been an excellent match, but it could never be, Aryes Targaryen had seen to that ten years ago.
"Thank you Ser Jamie for escorting Myrilla back to the Tower. We can speak later about your proposal. Myrilla, it might be best if you go to your room for now."
Nodding Myrilla gently pulled her hand from where it was in Ser Jamie's grasp. Smiling at him she said, "Thank you for walking me back. I appreciate your kindness." Turning she walked slowly to the doorway and disappeared into the hallway beyond. Once she was through the doorway she practically ran down the hallway to her room. As she started to close the door a hand caught the edge of the door and a voice said, "Myrilla, wait." Myrilla looked up to see Jamie Lannister in the doorway of her room. "Please Ser Jamie, I just want to be alone." He could see the tears standing in the corners of her eyes. "It's just Jamie. Let me in, I just want to talk."
Myrilla debated shutting the door in his face, but in the end she stood back and allowed him entrance to her room. "Talk quickly because if Lysa finds you in here she kill us both."
"Listen, I'm fairly certain that Lord Arryn is going to let you come with me into the city. So think about what you would like to see first. Also I'm going to arrange an invitation from the Queen to spend time with her. Would that please you?"
"Why? Why are you doing this for me? You don't even know me."
"Because I agree with your good brother, you need other young people as your friends and if you have the backing of the Queen I'm sure you will be able to accomplish your mission of finding a suitable husband." He grinned cheekily at her as he finished speaking. "Now dry those tears little fish and be patient. We may lose this first battle, but we will win the war." With that he turned on his heel and left.
Myrilla was unsure what just happened. She quickly moved to the balcony and watched for Jamie to exit the Tower. When he did he glanced up at her balcony as if he knew she would be there watching for him. He smiled impertinently and raised a hand in farewell. Myrilla returned the gesture before watching him disappear into the main part of the Red Keep. A slight cough brought her attention back to her surroundings. Turning she saw Lysa standing in the doorway.
"Hello sister." Myrilla greeted her apprehensively.
"Who were you waving at?" Lysa's voice was slightly shrill as she spoke.
"Ser Jamie waved to me as he left the Tower. It would be rude not to return the gesture."
"You must watch yourself sister. Lannisters are not to be trusted. I would hate for you to get hurt. And King's Guards aren't allowed to marry."
"I'm not stupid Lysa. I know they can't marry and what does that matter. Jon asked Ser Jamie to look for me and he did. When he found me he brought me back that it is all."
"Don't play coy with me Myrilla. I saw the way you looked at him and the way he was looking at you. Stay away from him. He will bring you nothing but trouble."
"Lysa, that's enough."
Neither woman noticed the entrance of Jon Arryn to the room. Lysa turned and glared at her husband, but said nothing to contradict him. "I would like to talk to Myrilla alone please."
"She is my sister husband. I should be allowed to stay."
"When we married she became my sister as well and as such I wish to speak to her. Alone."
Lysa left without another word or backwards glance at Myrilla. As the door clicked shut Jon motioned for Myrilla to sit. He spoke quietly to her, "Myrilla my dear, I know I'm old enough to be your father, but as your good brother I wish to speak to you for a few minutes." He waited until Myrilla settled on one of the chairs before sitting down next to her. "I know Lysa has made the last two weeks hard on you. Holster sent you to us hoping that wider social circles would help you find a good man you could marry and grow to love. Being trapped in this tower has not furthered your father's goals for you. I will handle Lysa on that front. If you have no objections, I will allow Ser Jamie to escort you into the city. I will also ask him if he could introduce you to some of his younger Lannister cousins. The Lannister's are a large family and maybe through friendships with their family you will find a suitable match."
"Jon why can't a match just be arranged for me as it was for Catelyn and Lysa?"
"Your father believed that you should be allowed to marry for love."
"Love? I would think this would be the last place one would find love."
Jon smiled wryly at his good sister, "Well, at least try to find someone you like and love will come. It won't be easy Myrilla, but you don't have to rush into anything."
Myrilla nodded as Jon stood saying, "I'll leave you for now. Try not to worry everything will work out in the end."