A/N: Thank you all for you kind words. I will try to update fairly regularly, but no promises on a timetable. There may be some minor edits to this chapter, but I didn't want to make you all wait any longer for the next chapter.
For those wondering about Jory's role it won't be for a few chapters. Without further ado, chapter 2.
Chapter II
Early one morning Mryilla heard light rapping at the door, but made no move to see who was there as her hand maiden could handle answering the door. She had given up caring who came and went. It had been two months since she had been outside the tower. Lysa put a guard on her door much to Myrilla's annoyance. Jon was unsuccessful in persuading Lysa to allow Myrilla to visit even the gardens in the Red Keep. Myrilla was also starting to believe maybe Lysa was right about Jamie Lannister. Nothing came of the promises he made to her. She wrote daily to her father begging him to allow her to come home. Myrilla told him she was never allowed out of her room much less the tower. There was no way she would be able to make a good match locked away like she was.
"Lady Myrilla, Ser Jamie is here to see you."
Myrilla nearly fell off the chaise lounge she was resting on in her rush to stand up. "Thank you Brigit." Myrilla watched Jamie warily as she waited for the other girl to leave the room before speaking again. "What are you doing here Ser Jamie?" She turned her back on him and walked away to the edge of her balcony. She knew she was behaving rudely, but she didn't care.
"I promised to arrange a visit to the city and introduction to my sister. Both have taken longer than I intended because of duties on the King's Guard, but I am here to fulfill my promises to you. A Lannister always pays his debts."
"You owe me no debt." She spoke more bitterly than she intended too.
"You're annoyed with me. My apologies for not sending word that I was working on fulfilling my promises to you and a promise is a debt little fish. Contrary to what people say about me I do try to honor my promises. I know people say I have no honor and therefore can't be trusted, but in truth that's not the way I try to live my life. I made a promise to a lady and I am here to keep it. Now then, are you ready to leave now or do you need a few moments?"
Turning back to him Myrilla contemplated him before commenting, "I need a few minutes I don't have my shoes on."
Jamie smiled as she revealed her bare feet to him. Turning he walked to the door calling for Brigit to come back and fetch her lady's shoes. After which he took a seat on her bed and waited.
"What in the names of all the gods are you doing?"
"I thought it was rather obvious, I'm waiting for you to put your shoes on."
"I realize that, but why are you sitting on my bed?"
Shrugging Jamie said, "It's the most comfortable place in the room."
Shaking her head Myrilla turned her attention to Brigit, who entered the room, and instructed her to retrieve her boots from the wardrobe. Without thinking Myrilla seated herself and hiked her dress up to her knees to allow Brigit to put on her stockings and the boots she selected. Jamie felt himself involuntarily react to Myrilla's bare legs. He smiled at her innocence, she had no idea such a simple thing could have such an effect on him or really any man. Suddenly she looked up and found him watching her. Quirking one eyebrow up and smiling Jamie refrained from commenting. She blushed a deep crimson before dropping her eyes realizing her mistake. He chuckled at her discomfort, but waited until the maid finished and left before saying anything.
"You've never spent much time in the company of a man who you aren't related to have you?"
Myrilla simply shook her head no in response. She heard the rustle of fabric as Jamie rose from her bed and walked towards her. Holding his hand out to her he assisted her up from the chair. Once she was on her feet he tipped her head up. "You have a lot to learn then about the ways of men little fish. Especially if you plan to catch one to be your lord husband." He turned and headed for the door before saying over his shoulder, "You have very shapely legs by the way."
Myrilla stood rooted to the ground until she heard Jamie call from the hallway, "Are you coming or have you changed your mind?" That had the effect Jamie was looking for as Myrilla emerged from her room and took the arm he offered her. They were halfway to the front courtyard before either of them spoke.
"How old are you Myrilla?"
"Sixteen on my last name day."
"And what precisely do you seek in an ideal husband?"
Myrilla went pink and looked away. "I've never given it any thought. I assumed my father and brother would arrange a match for me as was done for my sisters."
"You should probably start thinking about it. If we are going to find you a suitable match you should have some idea of what you find suitable."
"Ser Jamie, why would a knight of the King's Guard take an interest in a young girl's search for a husband?"
"First, I've told before to just call me Jamie. I don't know it will give me something interesting to do and as I said the day we meet the fact you didn't know who I was amused me and so I've taken a liking to you and I don't like many people." Jamie grinned arrogantly at Myrilla. Continuing he said, "Cersei has asked that I bring you to meet her after your visit to the city. Depending on how your audience with her goes she might be willing to be your sponsor here at court which would aid in your search for a husband."
"Thank you. I still think it strange you would take an interest in me, but I do appreciate your help. Without it I might still be trapped in my room."
"What do you mean? Have you not been out since the day we meet?"
"No. I'm allowed to have meals with Lysa and Jon, but otherwise I'm kept in my room."
"It's been over two months since you tried to get into the city. You're telling me you haven't left the tower at all since the first day we met? Not even to walk in the Red Keep's gardens?" Jamie's voice indicated how incredulous he found it that she had been trapped for so long.
"Not even to walk the gardens. Lysa refuses to allow me out."
"For that I am truly sorry. Had I known I would have asked Her Grace to exert some influence to have you brought to her sooner."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. It was my sister's decision that has kept me locked away. I highly doubt anything you could have done would have"
"Why has Jon not overridden Lady Arryn's decision?"
Myrilla looked up at him as if she thought he was lacking sense. "Jon likes peace in his house and opposing Lysa in any decision she feels strongly about leads to more discord than he is willing to put up with. I unfortunately am the one left to suffer. Every day for the last two months I have written to my father begging him to bring me home and arrange a marriage for me. Or in the alternative allow me to travel to Winterfell to live with Catelyn and Ned. Anything would be better than my current situation."
"I should think it is a good sign that you have been allowed out with me today. Maybe Jon will be able to exert enough power over your sister to allow you to go on similar outings on a more regular basis. Let's return to the question of what you think you might be looking for in a suitor."
Myrilla fell silent for so long that Jamie began to think she was ignoring him. Nudging her he said, "Little fish?"
"Hmm?"
"The question of your ideal suitor?"
"Oh, I was contemplating question. I'm sorry if it seemed I was refusing to answer. I suppose the first quality I would look for in an ideal suitor would be trustworthiness."
"Why trustworthiness?"
"Without trust there can't be anything else."
"Alright then we will attempt to find a few trustworthy men here in King's Landing. Of course that might be easier said than done."
Myrilla frowned at his comment. "Why?"
Jamie's bark of laughter startled Myrilla. "Oh you sweet innocent little thing. There are very few trustworthy individuals in King's Landing."
"I should never have come here. I would rather go home or to Winterfell. Why did Father insist I come here?"
"Myrilla don't get me wrong there are good men here, they are just not plentiful. Don't fret we will have you married by this time next year."
"We need not rush matters. I would rather not rush things than end up marrying someone I might not really know and would be unable to love."
The pair fell silent again as they continued to walk through the streets of the city. Jamie had chosen one of the closer markets for Myrilla's first outing knowing it would be safter and closer to the Red Keep should anything go amiss. They were also being followed by six Lannister guards as an extra precaution.
"Ah here we are. This area is where most of the fabric in King's Landing can be found. I thought this might be a good area to start as women always enjoy having new gowns made."
Laughing Myrilla smiled as she released his arm and started down the street. Periodically she stopped to inspect a particular piece of fabric. Jamie followed her with his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He felt relatively safe where they were, but it was always wise to remain vigilant. The last thing he wanted was for Myrilla to be accosted as Lady Arryn would never allow her out again and that could not be allowed to happen. He felt bad enough that she had been trapped for the last two months. He knew it wasn't his fault, but he still felt responsible for some reason. He was watching her as he contemplated everything and as if she felt his eyes on her Myrilla turned and smiled warmly at him. Jamie found himself smiling back. There was something about this girl that he couldn't quite put his finger on and it was maddening because what ever it was it drew him to her like a moth to a flame.
Myrilla was thrilled to be outside the walls of the keep. She didn't even mind that they had a small squard of guards following them so long as she wasn't trapped in her room any longer. As they walked in silence Myrilla contemplated the question Ser Jamie had asked her regarding her thoughts on an ideal suitor. She had wanted to tell him she wanted someone good looking, but she hadn't wanted to sound shallow. She had told the truth though, she did want a man she could trust. Smiling to herself she thought, So I'm looking for a handsome trustworthy man that I can at least like and maybe grow to love. She glanced left at Jamie thinking, I should tell him I'm looking for the marriageable version of himself. No that would never do, he'll think I'm a silly girl and won't want to help me anymore. No I'll just not say anything.
When they had arrived at the fabric market Myrilla was astonished at all the colors and textures of the fabrics for sale. She couldn't help, but smile at the beauty of the materials around her. She walked the length of the market before settling on one particular piece of dark blue and silver silk. She returned to the merchant's stall and inquiried as to the price of the fabric.
"Ah for one so beautiful as you m'lady, ten gold dragons."
"Oh. Thank you, but that is more than I can spend." Myrilla turned away only to be stopped by Jamie's hand on her elbow.
"Where are you going? I thought you wanted the fabric." Myrilla could tell from Jamie's tone he was confused by her actions, but she was unsure why.
"I don't have that kind of money Jamie Lannister. Not all of us own a gold mine." She tugged her arm free from his grip. He knew from her tone she was annoyed.
"Calm down Myrilla. That was merely his opening bid. You have to haggle on the price. Let me show you."
"So you want ten gold dragons for the bolt of fabric the lady is interested in?"
"Yes m'lord. Ten gold dragons."
"I'll give you one gold dragon."
"But ser my children they will starve if I don't get at least eight gold dragons." The merchant was wringing his hands and shaking his head as he spoke.
"I'm sorry but two is my best offer." Myrilla watched in awe as Jamie managed to bring the price down to four gold dragons. She protested as he then instisted on purchasing the fabric with his own money.
"Jamie I can't allow you to purchase the fabric for me."
"You're right you can't, however, I can purchase the fabric for myself and then decide it just doesn't work for me and give it to a friend." A wicked smile crossed his handsome face as Myrilla shook her head and walked away aggravated, muttering, "You are impossible!"
"Ah I see you are discovering my hidden charms." Jamie caught her by the elbow again as he leaned down whispering, "You shouldn't walk ahead of your guard as there are unsavory individuals who would do unspeakable things to you if given the chance." Myrilla colored at the thought of such things and nodded her understanding. She took his offered arm and allowed Jamie to lead her back to the Red Keep. As they crossed the drawbridge Jamie dismissed the guard and steered Myrilla towards one of the many gardens.
"I expect to see you wearing your new fabric sometime soon. I'm quite certain it will look much more fetching on your figure than mine. I'll arrange for a seamstress to come and see you."
Myrilla never turned her head as she felt her face flame red again. She mummered, "You are too kind."
"No I'm not. I just like to see beautiful women dressed as they deserve. While I may not be able to induldge in the charms of the fairer sex, I am still a man."
Myrilla had pulled away from Jamie as he spoke. Courtly flirations were new to her and she was unsure of what to say or do. Jamie noted this saying, "If you are to truly succeed in your mission here in King's Landing you must learn to not be embarressed by the things the men of the court say to you. You will be flirted with and," Jamie placed his hands on her hips and pulled her against himslef, "touched by the men who seek to court you. The sooner you accept this the easier your life at court will be."
Myrilla didn't attempt to pull away as she spoke, "I'm not sure I know how to respond to such actions."
"Then we shall have to find a way to teach you."