Chapter 2

"Why the hell are we going to this forsaken shit-hole that you call Capital?!"

"Leana...language."

"But why?!"

"I have my orders."

"From who?"

"From the queen and king."

"Fuck the queen," she murmured.

"OI! Lady Stark! Glass face! Language!" Bronn bellowed.

"I am no lady."

"Oi...I give up," Bronn smacked his palm on his forehead.

"Remember what I told you last night?" Tyrion reminded her.

"Yes."

"It is different there, Leana. You can't behave like how you have been behaving here at Casterly Rock,"

"Fuck the capital."

"LEANA!" Tyrion shouted, "This is serious! Remember what we talked about and what we rehearsed when you meet the king and queen,"

"But why?! Why do we have to stay in the capital and for how long?"

"I don't know how long we have to be there…"

"I hate the queen; I hate Joffrey! They are bullies," and the furious girl walked away.

Tyrion sighed, re-reading the scroll which arrived few days ago from King's Landing. He needed to be ready for his sister; she was a cunning woman and she wanted something from the Stark girl.

"She is right you know...Fuck the capital," Bronn added.

"Don't you dare back her up. You know how dangerous that place is for her."

Bronn just shook his head and made his leave, searching for whores to fuck and ale to drink before the journey.

The capital.

Tyrion Lannister had heard enough by the time he reached the capital. For most of the trip, Leana and Bronn refused to shut up! And, Bronn planned on visiting the brothel as soon as he reached the city gate. Tyrion thought, Why not?

Arses pained from the ride, they walked pass the city gate and were welcomed by the Kingsguards. The Clegane brothers were waiting for them.

"It looks like the whores will have to wait," Bronn signalled Tyrion.

"My lord, the queen expects you in the throne hall," Ser Gregor the Mountain barked his order.

Leana was in a very bad mood and couldn't stand the way he talked to her uncle, "Ser, please excuse my uncle. He needs to visit the brothel first before he sees the queen. It has been a long journey. Especially for these two men."

The Mountain looked at the girl in mask, Is she insane? And who the fuck is she? The Hound's mouth gaped open, recognizing her. She had grown and was bold. She had long black hair tied up at the top of her head, and, un-ladylike, her bow and arrows were strapped to her back. Her dire wolf grew too; it used to be no bigger than a weakling pup. He used to secretly feed and pet the pup when he was at Casterly Rock; it was now full grown handsome dire wolf, as tall as the girl's waist.

Tyrion cleared his throat," This is Lady Stark, my niece."

"Scarred face Stark," she added as she rolled her eyes but she noticed Bronn glaring at her, warning her, and she shut up. She was in a very bad mood and annoyed with the rude welcome. She didn't notice the Hound until he instructed them to follow him. Leana thought he looked surlier than the last she saw him ten years ago.

Leana shivered when she reached the Iron Throne - its presence dark, grim and menacing. She hated it.

"My King, My Queen...nephew," Tyrion greeted. Leana and Bronn stood behind him. The mountain stood aside while the Hound stood behind the king and queen.

Bronn nudged Leana and she followed her uncle's lead. This is hell, she thought.

"Ah Leana, you've grown," The queen smiled at her.

"Thank you my queen," she said, purposely saying my queen instead of auntie.

"You are still wearing that mask?!" Joffrey snidely commented.

"Yes, my lord. I am still ugly," Leana replied, but she couldn't help herself. "Not all of us are as lucky as my lord. I noticed your scar has healed well," she reminded him of the scratch she gave from her arrow which had caused her being beaten and locked in a dungeon.

"Shut up!" Joffrey snapped, and then realized his father was present. Bronn could have sworn the Hound smiled, but because of his melted face it looked like he was sneering instead. Boy, the man is ugly.

King Robert laughed, "You are one hell of a girl! How your uncle Ned would be so proud of you! You sound like the imp! With the Stark's height and spirit of course," The mention of her Uncle Ned's name cut deep into her heart. It has been a long time but she was still hurting.

"Welcome to King's Landing, lass,"

"Thank you, your grace,"

"So, do you want to be handmaiden at the court?"

Leana thought there was nothing worse than being a handmaiden. She had rehearsed this moment with her uncle. "Your grace, I am afraid I am too clumsy and ugly for such an honour; with your blessing I would like to stay with my uncle and learn from the council, library and Kingsguard."

Robert leaned and called her closer, Leana kneeled in front of the king. "How bad is it my child?" he was referring to her face. "Worse than the Hound, your grace," she smiled at him, deciding she liked King Robert.

"Your grace, if it pleases you, grant me the freedom to learn from your council and men...I hope one day I can serve you and the seven kingdoms better. I hope I can be more useful that combing hair and emptying chamber pots."

Robert's laughter could be heard outside the Throne hall, "Granted." Right before Robert stood up, he held her masked face and kissed the top of her head with sadness that she couldn't comprehend, then walked pass Tyrion and said, "Well done."

In Tyrion's quarters

"The girl did well," Bronn gulped his wine, what a day.

"She was amazing in front of the king, but I am worried about my sister."

"The king is nice," Leana interjected.

"He is not a cruel man, the king." Tyrion said.

"But still, be really careful with..." then there was a loud knock.

A squire announced, "The queen."

"Hello, sister. King's Landing suits you," Tyrion greeted his sister.

"Leave us," The queen commanded.

Bronn made his way out while Leana hesitated for just a second. Cercei noticed, "You have the masked Stark girl as your guard now?" She mocked them.

"Do as you were bid, girl," The Hound said to Leana. She glanced back at her uncle and walked out as she glared at the Hound. She was curious and wanted to know what was going on. Outside, Leana turned around at the door wanting to listen but she was blocked by a massive figure guarding the door.

"A lady does not eavesdrop."

"I am not a lady," The Hound looked at her with fascination; the little twit had courage- not many people in the Kingdom dared talked to him that way, let alone looked into his eyes. Most of them would avoid looking at his scarred face. Most people turned away and avoided him.

"Are you not scared of me?"

"I am not little anymore; you don't scare me Sandor." She remembered his name. He liked hearing his name from her lips. It had been too long since someone called his name- it was always either "Dog" or "Hound."

"But then again, I was never scared of you...and your scar! You think it's scary? It's not! Mine is worse, and if..." she was interrupted.

"LEANA!" Bronn bellowed. She realized she went too far, "Good day, ser." and she ran toward Bronn.

Sandor Cleagane looked at her as she walked away from him, being told off by Bronn. He was admiring her, her hair, long and luscious and as black as the night, tied in a ponytail at the top of her head; usually ladies in court had their hair braided. Her handsome bow was strapped to her back. Her stride was sure but still very feminine. Her waist was small, and her bottom was perky; he bet he could span her waist with his hands. He felt a discomfort in his breeches.

"Hell," He swore. He was losing his mind; he should visit the brothel where his brother and all the Kingsguard went. He tried to avoid going to the brothel, unlike most of the Kingsguard and knights. They cherished and boasted about their trips. He only went there to satisfy his animal urges once in a while; he would rather drink himself into a stupor.

The following day at the Iron Throne

"What the hell are you arguing about woman?!" Robert had enough of Cercei and her schemes.

"You are too lenient my King," the queen replied.

"She is your niece! She is our niece."

"My King..."

"She is Lady Stark, and also a Lannister! She is Ned's niece! Do you want her to sleep in the stable?!"

"No, your grace; that is not what I meant," the queen smiled.

"So what do you suggest, woman?! Out with it!"

Meanwhile Tyrion and Leana were just waiting for the verdict. They were summoned by the mountain to the Throne Hall.

"Leana does not wish to be a handmaiden like a normal lady in court. Instead she wished to learn from the council, Maester and the Kingsguard. You granted her wishes. I think she should reside in the Kingsguard quarter."

King Robert looked at his wife like she was insane and wondered how the girl was treated when she lived with the Lannisters at Casterly Rock.

"Have you lost your mind, sister?" Tyrion couldn't help himself. "She is a lady!"

"How dare you speak to me that way! I am your queen!" Cercei shouted at him.

Meanwhile Leana just listened to the banter; she thought it could be worse. She was used to being treated as a slave anyway.

"ENOUGH! All of you! Seven Hells!" the king bellowed and all went quiet.

"Leana..." Robert looked at the girl who stood in front of him, calling her closer.

"Your grace, I am very grateful for your hospitality. The queen is right- I do not wish to be a handmaiden. I want to learn from the council and Kingsguard. I shall live like one." She continued, "If it pleases your grace and my queen, I will reside in the Kingsguard's tower or the Knights' quarter."

"You don't have to, child."

"I want to, Your Grace. The queen is right."

Robert looked at his wife again with hatred and disgust, "Are you happy now?"

"Your Uncle Ned would be horrified, child," Robert wondered what kind of hell Ned Stark's niece went through. The girl stood proud in front of him, no tears, no fear, unmoved by all of it.

Robert sighed, "My decision is final! Lady Stark will reside in the Kingsguard quarter, in her own chamber along with her dire wolf or... dog...may I say child, a dire wolf is no pet."

Robert pointed at Bronn, "She will reside closest to him! And she has the freedom to go anywhere in the castle and anyone who touches her will have his head on a spike." Robert went down from his throne, having had enough of this shit. "Hound, see that she is taken care of," was the last thing he said before he exited.

Sandor Clegane did as the King instructed; he was standing behind Leana and Tyrion when the queen blocked their path. She grabbed Leana's chin, which was covered by her mask, "What a pretty mask...I wonder what horror lies beneath..."

Leana looked at her aunt, she only hoped that her mother was not like that, "Thank you, Your Grace. If it pleases you I would like to move my belongings to my new chamber, as I am expected to be with my uncle; he wants to go whoring."

"How dare you!" Queen Cercei glared at her.

"She speaks the truth sister," Tyrion stepped in

Leana curtsied, "Your Grace." before leaving...mocking Cercei.

Tyrion was not happy but he had no choice; his sister looked like she was about to eat them alive. He let Bronn stay with Leana. "You need to learn how to shut up, girl," Bronn warned her as they exited the hall.

"That crazy wo..." She realised they were not alone; the Hound was with them, leading the way to the Kingsguard quarter. It took less than two hours to find rooms for both of them and to move their belonging. She wanted the brightest hallway and brightest room, never mind its size- who cares as long as it was well lit? She found the room that suited her need, but the bloody Hound said no, kept walking until the end of the passageway and showed her a room.

"Why can't she have the other room?" Bronn asked.

"Because this room has a stronger door and bolt," the Hound looked at the bolt that locked the door safely.

"But...it's dark," Leana peeked into the room, not wanting to go in.

"I agree with the scary guy," Bronn pointed at the Hound.

"You can take the room across from hers," Hound said to Bronn.

"Bronn...it's dark," Leana was unsure.

"You aren't still scared of the dark, are you?" Bronn looked at her.

She wanted to say yes but instead, "No...of course not."

"It'll be alright girl, we will get lots of candles- so many candles that there will be enough smoke to blow the queen's ar..." Bronn shut up as he realised that Hound remained with them, "Do you never smile?" Bronn asked the Hound, a question which was rudely ignored.

"Let's get your things; your uncle is waiting for us," Bronn ushered Leana through the door.

"Thank you, Sandor," Leana thanked the Hound.

"Thank you, dog." Bronn said to the Hound, who already walked away but could still hear them talking.

"Don't call him that!"

"What?! Dog?!"

"Yes, don't call him that; he is not a dog."

"Everybody calls him Dog."

"Are you 'everybody'?"

"No...I am special."

Sandor heard their banter as he walked away. Instead of going back to the king and queen to report, he found himself walking towards the pantry...for candles. She was still afraid of the dark...and he wasn't surprised.

TBC

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