THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REVIEWS, FAVORITES, AND FOLLOWS! Here is the next installment. Hope you all like it.
Marianna's look for Winterfell and now is now on my profile if you guys want an image of it. Elsa's coronation dress from Frozen. (I know, but it was the only outfit I could think of right then)
They were going to Winterfell today…and she was stepping out into the world for the first time in nineteen years or so they thought. New handmaidens had been brought to her, but she that they were spies for the Lannisters so she was careful and cautious with them. They dressed her in an elegant way that made her frown when she looked in the mirror. They wanted to make her look presentable.
They tied her blonde hair up and pinned it in a sophisticated bun. They put her in a dark teal corset gown and a black velvet long sleeve tucked into her corset and covered the skin of her body including her breasts, all of her arms except her hands of course. They draped her with a purple cloak that was buttoned at her neck and pulled back. They handed her blue gloves and she frowned ever more.
"It's already hot today. Do I need to wear this?" Mari complained to the handmaiden.
"Yes, the Queen commanded it."
"Did she command the gloves or for every part of my body to be covered except my face?" She challenged.
The handmaiden froze in shock at her brutal honesty. "I don't know, m'lady."
"Right," Mari replied. She sighed and then rolled her eyes as she grabbed the gloves. She slipped them on her delicate hands and stood tall as one of the Kingsguard strode in. She smiled politely at Ser Barristan.
He bowed and returned her smile. "Lady Marianna, you are…you have grown into a beautiful proper lady. Your father and mother would've been proud."
She tried to smile, but failed at it. "You think so."
"I know so, my lady." He replied confidently.
"Leave us," she commanded the handmaidens.
They hesitated before leaving. Mari didn't think that they would've been proud as he said they would. To her at least. Ser Barristan was always so kind to her like an uncle, he never once disrespected her family…only told her the truth which was what she wanted. He was a true and honorable knight and man.
Mari walked a little closer and asked, "I want to know about Ser Jaime, the man who is now the guard protecting me. You're the only one who has ever been honest with me."
He shifted on his feet a little as if he was uncomfortable and she said, "I know what I'm asking you is probably disrespectful towards your sworn brothers, but I only know what I am told by Lord Tyrion."
"What is that, my lady?"
"That he killed my father, he's a Lannister, charming, handsome, one of the best fighters in Westeros, and that he's an arrogant ass."
Ser Barristan laughed and nodded. "Those are all true things, my lady. Ser Jaime will protect you, he is sworn to by his Grace." He came closer and whispered in her ear, "But be cautious towards him and care for what you say. He may be sworn to be protecting you, but I have little doubt that he will go against it."
"I understand, ser. Thank you."
"Take my advice to you, my lady. You already know not to trust anyone so don't start with Jaime Lannister or any other Lannister for that matter. I care for you as if you were my own." He told her honestly.
She smiled and took his arm as he led her to the Throne Room to be announced and greeted. Her heart started to beat faster and faster, the palms of her hand started to sweat so she flexed them a little. She bit her bottom lip as they approached the large double doors. She let go of Ser Barristan, who gave her a questioning look.
"I do not want to cower before them and give the satisfaction. I am a Targaryen and a dragon, which means something to them." She said with confidence and Ser Barristan smiled in approval.
"Tyrion Lannister has taught you well." He said right before the doors opened and he stood behind her.
She felt intimidate as they opened and revealed the court, who all had their eyes directed towards her. She wondered what King Robert told them…she held her head up high as she confidently walked forward into the room. As she went down the steps, people strained their necks to see her and some sat up a little. She walked forward to the same Iron Throne that her father and his grandfather and his father before him all sat upon and ruled the Seven Kingdoms. She was always made that the throne was big, but as the king sat on it, it only made it seem smaller which made her relax a little.
She stopped in front of him and noticed that his sons and daughters and the queen were at his side, all looking at her with curious eyes. She gracefully curtsied all the way to the ground, remembering what Queen Cersei at taught her when she a little girl and bowed her head, "Your Grace, My Queen."
After a long moment of her still on the ground with her head bent, the king said, "You may stand."
She stood up and laced her fingers in front of her, standing up straight. He eyed at from up and down and the whole time she kept on calming herself down. Mari glanced around with her eyes and wondered if Ser Jaime was here, watching her with also curious eyes…maybe even angry eyes. Tyrion wasn't here so she was even more nervous now.
Cersei decided to speak up since the king was still quite, "Marianna, my darling. How lovely it is to see you again. You've gotten tall and you look like a real proper lady."
"Thank you, Your Grace," she said politely although she didn't mean it. "I am very gracious that I am out of my tower."
"I imagine that seeing this room might bring back memories."
"No, your grace, it doesn't. This room means nothing to me," she said honestly and easily. She meant that part…since she couldn't remember her childhood; she didn't care for the throne even though she was supposed to.
The king suddenly laughed and caused most to jump because it was sudden. "The irony. You would think that this room-this throne would mean a great deal to a Targaryen having them made by them." He shook his head in an amused way. "Seven hells, I'm surprised that you haven't escaped yet. If I were you, I would have already attempted at least three times a day."
Only if he knew, she thought mischievously. Mari shrugged. "The only way to escape is through my balcony window and I don't intend to die soon…and young."
He chuckled and then became serious after he eyed her again. He leaned forward in the throne and pointed to her, "The only reason I'm lettin' you go to Winterfell is because I don't trust you or anyone else for that matter to leave you alone for a moment. Do you hear me? You will go to Winterfell and you will not cause any trouble or you'll spend the rest of your life back in that tower."
"What if I do behave then what?" she asked curiously.
He leaned back and said, "Then I'll give you more freedom. Do we have a deal?"
She nodded and bowed. "Yes, Your Grace. Thank you."
He waved her off saying, "Alright, now go pack your things. We leave in a few hours."
She turned to leave, but then he stopped her saying, "Wait! I almost forgot."
She furrowed her eyebrows as he continued, "Ser Jaime Lannister will be your guard. Wherever you go, he goes, do you understand?" She nodded. "Kingslayer! Come."
In the corner of her eye, she saw the people move aside to let him through. She turned her head to him and had to hold in the gasp that came lodged in her throat. It was him…the arrogant asshole of a knight, who followed her and practically terrorized her. She was close to going down on her knees in front of King Robert and begging him to change her guard, but instead her lips stayed shut. He is smirking at her! That little ass was smirking at her. She couldn't believe that he freaking smirking at her right now.
Why in the seven isn't he surprised, she thought, did he already know who I was…was he that good of a guard.
Se couldn't help, but ask, "Are y-you sure this is him?"
Some of the court giggled and chuckled at her question, but she was dead serious. The king seemed surprised by her question, but then quickly shoved it off. "Yes, this is him. Why do you know him?"
She shook her head. "No, of course not. I-I just wanted to be sure that it was him. I'm cautious."
Mari turned her head back to Jaime and practically glared at him until the king spoke again, "This is Ser Jaime. He will be at your side, day and night."
She nodded and turned to walk away. She could hear the clanking of his Kingsguard amour behind her as he followed behind. Mari kept on wondering if he knew who she was already when they met in the market place. She glanced in the corner of her eye at him for a brief moment. He was staring straight ahead, an impassive expression on his face. He actually looked like a glorified bodyguard. He was everything Tyrion and Ser Barristan said he was. He indeed was handsome and looked strong, she didn't need to question his arrogance and charm having already witnessed it. Twice.
It was dead silence between them except for the birds chirping, the Sept's bells ringing the time, the clank of her heels, and Jaime's amour. He had his hand on the hilt of his sword. The sword shined brightly in the sunlight, the golden lion's head that was the hilt, gleamed in her eyes. She rolled her eyes at the Lannister pride. They climbed about three flights of stairs in the tower, everyone regarded them with a curious look.
Mari knew it was because he was the Kingslayer of Aerys, her father and she was Aery's daughter, a Targaryen. She wondered if Jaime would kill her…someday he might if provoked. Once they reached the door, she turned to him saying, "Ser Jaime, stay out here. I don't need protection in my chambers."
"The King asked me to guard you. I don't trust your handmaidens, Anna," he said, smirking.
She pursed her lips at him and said, "I don't need protection."
"Oh, I know that. I've noticed that yesterday when you ran."
"You were following me. What was I supposed to do?"
"They told me that you're never seen anything outside of your tower, but imagine my surprise when I see you, the same girl who gave me a fake name and ran away."
She glared at him and her hands tightened into fists. She studied him for a moment before speaking, "You want something. What is it?"
He only smiled down at her as he leaned over and pushed the door open, gesturing for her to go inside. She reluctantly went inside the chamber. They saw her and curtsied. Mari forced a polite smile on her face. "My lady," they all said in unison.
"Leave." Jaime coldly commanded from beside her.
They all obeyed and left rather quickly-too quickly for Mari's suspicions. Once the door closed, she scoffed and asked, "Do they belong to your family?"
He only gave her a smile again and rolled her mumbling, "Of course."
She immediately unhooked her cloak and threw it on the bed. She gave Jaime a side glance as she poured herself a glass of Dornish wine, "So, Ser Jaime, what do you want for this piece of information you have?"
"I want many things," he said, slowly walking over to her, "most of which you cannot give me, but I can think if a few things."
Mari poured another glass and handed it to him. She took a long gulp of hers and sat down in a chair near the balcony, crossing her legs. "Name them."
He took a drink and asked when he wrinkled his nose at it, "Did Tyrion get this for you?"
"Yes, he did. I know it's strong, you'll get used to the taste," she replied.
Jaime inspected her books, picking a green one up, and then chuckling at it. He set his glass down on the table. "You know for a girl of eighteen, you sound very mature."
"I'm nineteen, Ser Jaime. Are you finally getting to that point in your life when you are too old to count," she quipped.
"I'm not that old."
"For a man of thirty-six, you sure know how to still swing a sword."
He chuckled and came closer. "Thirty-four," he corrected.
"My apologies, I mean thirty-four," she corrected with fake politeness.
They didn't take their eyes off each other's as she drank her wine. Jaime eventually sighed and shook his head. "My brother taught you well it seems."
"Some of it was your brother, another from your sister, and a tiny piece from your father and the people of King's Landing." She replied. "It seems the lions have taken an interest in the dargon, It does not surprise me."
"Do you trust my brother?" he asked curiously.
She chuckled. "It would be wise not to."
"But…"
"But he's like a brother to me," she confessed.
Jaime seemed actually surprised by what she had said to him. She thought that maybe it was because of the way he looked and acted. Maybe it was because of her and which family she came from. She didn't ponder much long on the subject, deciding to ignore it. She sighed dramatically which made the amusement reappear onto his face once again.
"Let's just through the trip to Winterfell. In just two months, it'll be all over and we could go back to our lives. You, guarding the king, and I, pretending to be an easily convinced idiot."
"Dear Gods, the Starks," Jaime said with displeasure and a hint of disgust. "How do they ever survive in that grey wasteland they call home?"
She rolled her eyes and shrugged. "I happen to be very interested in the North."
"Why?" he asked distastefully.
"They are the Kings Of Winter for a reason. Besides, from my history lessons, it seems there aren't that many attacks of war over there. Life seems peaceful and simple." She admitted. "Well, the only attacks that have been there are the White Walkers."
Jaime scoffed. "Next you'll be claiming to have seen snarks, grumpkins, and direwolves."
She shook her head. "I believe in many things and snarks and grumpkins aren't one of them."
Mari ushered Jaime out by putting her hands on his golden armored chest, pushing him back. He laughed and walked backwards to the door, "Have I offended you already, my little dragon?"
She stopped pushing him and complained, "Do not call me that."
"Of course, Lady Anna Valamor." He teased.
"Don't call me that either." She complained again.
Jaime's eyes traveled all over body and face before shaking his head saying, "My, you are a firecracker…just like Tyrion said."
She smiled proudly. "I'm a Targaryen. Of course I breathe fire when poked and taunted at."
He smirked. "I'm a Lannister. I roar when being taunted. My teeth and claws come out to play when poked at just as yours do."
She rolled her eyes and pointed to the door behind him. "Go. I hardly need protection from my clothes."
He turned and opened the door, but not before saying, "Be down in the courtyard in an hour or I'll put you over my shoulder and carry you out myself, little dragon."
Mari was so enraged that she grabbed the closest she could find which was a pillow and threw it out the door at him. He laughed and side stepped it by ducking his head thus making it hit the wall.
"Good riddance, Lannister," she shouted at him.
She had about four handmaidens behind her. Two on each side in a line. She saw Jaime with a white horse and a black horse that were getting saddled and brushed. She could already tell that the white horse belonged to Jaime because it was draped in gold and white. The golden scales on its back matched the Kingsguard uniform. He smirked at her which made her unconsciously roll her eyes at him. She stopped abruptly and turned to her shocked handmaidens. They seemed to take a step back in fear as Mari put her hands on her slender hips. It's because they know who my family is; she thought darkly, they know that I am supposed to be a princess…the princess.
"Please leave me be. All of you are suffocating me right now so go away." She commanded.
They hesitated before scurrying away. Mari didn't like handmaidens mostly because she never had them. Tyrion always brought her food whenever she politely asked him to. She briefly wondered what Tyrion had told Jaime about her. As she turned back around, she searched for him, but couldn't find his blonde head.
Jaime spotted her right away having been the only person with almost sliver hair and completely clothed in a mysterious way though she would never notice it. He kept on staring at her, not bothering to listen to the other members of the Kinsguard. Jaime had a surprise for Marianna that he couldn't wait until she saw it; he wanted to see the look on her face. He would never admit it out loud, but he was staring to like teasing her and her teasing him back with her sharp tongue. He had no doubt that it not only her Targaryen fire, but his brother as well… and her friends in poorer parts of The Capital.
Tyrion came beside him saying, "My dear brother, I hope you know that it is very rude to stare at a lady especially her."
Jaime kept on staring at her as he said, "She's…she is a strange kind of lady."
Tyrion smirked. "She's not just any lady, you know. She's a Targaryen…do not underestimate her, Jaime. She is after all the Mad King's daughter."
Jaime's jaw tightened at the mention of Aerys…the king he was sworn to protect…the king whom he shoved a sword through his back…and the father of Mariana Targaryen, The Princess In Highest Room In The Tallest Tower and the girl he is now sworn to protect. He thought of the irony in that sentence and chuckled to himself a little. He had heard many songs about the girl who survived Robert's wrath for some reason. He remembered being told that with just one look at the drunken king she was spared her life and not exiled like the rest of them.
Jaime finally turned to his little brother, amusement filling his eyes. "It would be foolish not to."
Tyrion glanced up at him, squinting his eyes to prevent the bright sun from blinding him. This was one of the things that Tyrion really detested about being a dwarf. "Good to know you're not stupid." He smiled mischievously. "This time at least."
The brother laughed as Marianna walked towards them, her hips swaying side to side and her purple cloak slightly flying gracefully in the wind. If anyone hadn't laid eyes on the queen and had seen Marianna instead they would have thought her to be the Queen of The Seven Kingdoms with the way she walked and looked like.
She stopped and groaned at her horse and what had been put on it. She gave Jaime a look and asked, "Did you do this?"
Jaime and Tyrion both looked to the black horse, Jaime pretending to act surprised and Tyrion knitting his eyebrows in dislike. He really had to put that on her horse after he had just told him not to provoke her. "Oh well, I guess one of the stable boys thought it would be best for everyone to know who you are."
The black horse was draped in Targaryen colors, the sigil of the blood red three-headed dragon on the horse's back, black scales across the front reminding her of her house. She subconsciously walked slowly up the horse and trailed her fingers over the scales and the house sigil embroidered on its sides. She immediately let go of the anger she held for Jaime and as she stroked the horse's coat, she turned to him and said softly, "Thank you, Ser Jaime."
Tyrion's eyes kept on looking between the two, trying to figure out what was happening. He was even more confused when Jaime stepped closer to her and she stepped back, but Jaime put his hands on her waist and lifted her up on the side saddle. They held each other's eyes for a moment, but just as it quickly came, it disappeared that quickly.
Mari grabbed the reins of her horse and said, "I'm already staring to hate this dress because I can't ride in it."
She shifted in her seat to get a better and more comfortable position as Jaime mounted his horse. Tyrion looked up at Mari and she smiled at him, "It's so good to see a face I actually like."
Tyrion smiled. "Has my brother already gotten on your nerves?"
Mari smiled and looked to Jaime as she said, "Your brother is worse than you. I'm surprise someone hasn't already punched him in his pretty face."
Jaime chuckled amusingly. "Many have tried, my lady, but none have succeeded."
"When that day comes, I'll kiss them," she said and urged her horse forward to the rest of the party.
"You'll be waiting a long time then," Jaime shouted and Tyrion mounted his horse.
"You're lucky that she liked it," Tyrion warned.
"Why are you so worked up about her, little brother? Does she frighten you?" Jaime teased.
Tyrion shook his head. "I haven't…she's very unpredictable and smarter than the rest of us. I pity the Starks now."
Jaime knitted his eyebrows in confusion. "Why is that?"
"You don't know?" Jaime shook his head. "Robert is planning to give her to Ned Stark's eldest son. He'll be The Hand of The King, his eldest daughter betrothed to our beloved nephew Prince Joffrey, and his eldest son betrothed to our dearest Marianna who happens to be a princess and a Targaryen."
"Would have been a princess. If Robert would have heard you saying that she is a princess then your head would be on a spike outside the gates, Tyrion." Jaime warned him.
"We all know that she is a princess, she even looks like one. A very beautiful one, might I add. Ned Stark's boy is very lucky to have a girl like her to warm his bed. Cersei knows it, our father knows it, the king knows it, you know it, I know it, and the whole bloody kingdoms know it, Jaime." Tyrion told him before he went forward with his horse.
The North. Winterfell. The Starks. Betrothals. Jaime mentally groaned at the thought. He rode his horse forward and in no time rode beside Marianna. He knew he should tell her, but something stopped him. If she knew about it then she would have been already across the Narrow Sea with the rest of her clan.
TBC…
I really hope you guys liked this chapter. Anyways so Marianna is betrothed to Robb right now…her reaction is something else that you do not want to see, trust me. Thank you all for the reviews, favorites, follows!
REVIEW, FAVORITE, AND FOLLOW! Until next time, you guys…
