CHAPTER 1| HOME
"Amara, what is it that you're doing here"
The girl turned to see Elia Martell's worried face, her large brown eyes hinted of fear and her hand extended towards the Amara on the edge of the window. She giggled
"Do not worry Princess, I was just looking at the sights" Elia pulled the girl into the tower.
"You shouldn't do that Amara, for all I know you could have fallen from the highest tower in the Red Keep" Elia scolded Amara who looked at the dornish princess with wide eyes.
Elia's heart melted at sight those naïve eyes. She had tried her best to scold the little girl, but every time she did. She would instantly regret her actions.
"But King's Landing looks so beautiful from here! Look!" She cried and Elia's gaze turned to the horizon where the sun was eventually setting and the light was dimming. Elia's breath was caught in her throat, she had living in the capital for many moons yet she had failed to see it's beauty.
"It's a magnificent sight, Amara. It's almost surreal. It makes me feel like I'm-"
"Home"
Elia looked down at the dornish girl with a wild spirit, who had calmed down at the sight of the sun. Her lips twisted into a smile and she turned to continue gazing beautiful sun.
Home
She was finally home.
King's landing was the same but Amara had surely changed. She was no more an innocent little girl, she had grown to be a diplomatic woman. Who cared only for her and her companion's well being.
War had made Amara change. It had stripped her of her innocence. It had killed her father and had made his brother into a vagabond. War had made her erase her identity and take up a new name.
Willow
That was what she called herself. Berrin Jordayne and his two children were pronounced dead after the rebellion. And Amara intended to keep it that way. Her name could ensure her a lavish life but could threaten her life at the same time. It were only the Martells who knew about her, it was only after she started providing the Tyrells with her services that Olenna was able to recognise her granddaughter, who's mother she had banished for loving a lord from a poorer house.
Olenna Tyrell's secrecy came with a price, and Amara was in King's Landing to pay it.
The last service to the Tyrells and then I'm off.
"Is this where you grew up" Neeve, her travel companion and best friend asked.
"Yes" Amara replied with a broad smile on her face as she looked around.
"It's shite"
Neeve commented, biting into an apple. Amara sighed at her Braavosi friend and straightened herself on her horse.
"Your opinions are duly noted"
"Aye. But to be completely honest,Willow. I had expected it to be cleaner, and where's the fucking castle?"
Amara snorted, the Braavosi looked at her with a confused expression.
"We're in Flea bottom, my dear friend. Wouldn't it be a bit preposterous for a slum to have gilded houses and marbled streets?" Amara said as she looked around to find the house she had attained for Neeve's lodging. Her eyes caught the sight of the massive castle instead.
The Red Keep stood in all it's glory. It was same yet so different. The Targaryean banners were replaced by Lannister ones, it was that moment she realised that she was not in the same place anymore. She was now among the ferocious Lions, and had to be cautious in order to survive.
"There's the Red Keep" Amara pointed at the mighty castle and Neeve's eyes widened. It was bigger than anything she had laid her eyes on.
"Now that's what I'm talking about" Neeve smirked.
"A beauty isn't she?"
"Absolutely" Neeve commented completely taken back by the beauty of the Red Keep.
Amara had soon found the Inn, she had planned for Neeve to stay. She rode towards it.
The Braavosi continued to stare at the castle until she was called upon by Amara.
"Here's your humble abode" Amara said gesturing towards a shabby Inn. Neeve was disappointed at the dilapidated condition of the Inn.
"What a sight for sore eyes! How kind of you to let your companion get her arse chewed on by bed bugs while you surround yourself with royalty" Neeve said, tone on sarcasm evedent in her voice.
"You know you cannot possibly come with me Neeve, I am here just to do my bidding. After I finish I will leave and you will not have to stay here any longer" Amara sighed, she had tried explaining the dire consiquences she could face if she bought Neeve to the castle.
Amara felt her blood run cold at the mere thought of meeting the royal family and also the Lannister, whom she hated more than anything in this world. She knew that in such situations Neeve would turn out to be her liability, hence it was for the Braavosi to stay in Flea Bottom.
Neeve laughed.
"I do understand Willow. I do understand that you fear for the worst, but do not let this fear get the best of you. Do not let those lions know if your weaknesses" she assured the dornish woman and hugged her tightly.
"Take care of yourself. And don't drink too much" Amara whispered.
"You know, I cannot promise you that" The Braavosi chuckled.
"Do try atleast"
Amara nodded with a smile and rode through the slum and reached the castle gates which was not very far from the Inn.
To her surprise she found Margaery Tyrell standing at the gates. Margaery wore a sea blue gown that made her thin stature prominent. She smiled at Amara who returned the curtsey.
Amara got off her horse and straightened her dress as Margaery came rushing to her aid.
"Willow, it is so good to have you here. Grandmother would be esctasic to know of your arrival" Margaery hugged the dornish woman.
"It it my pleasure to be present at your wedding my lady" Amara curtsied.
"Oh, you are too kind" she said, escorting Amara into the Castle.
"What of my luggage?" She asked faking her confusion. Margaery let out a small laugh.
"You have never been to King's Landing before have you Willow?" Amara shook her head.
I've lived here even before you were born, girl.
"Here we take care of our guests, even if it means to take their luggage to their rooms"
"Thank you for your hospitality my lady" Amara said.
Margaery turned to Amara and held her hands tightly.
"No need to thank me Willow. You have been such a help to this family, your presence at the wedding means a lot to me" she smiled and the pair continued to walk through the gardens of the Red Keep.
Amara couldn't help but see the difference in the gardens. This was the place where she would spend most of her time as a child. But now, the spirit of the gardens seemed to have washed away. It looked rather bland to Amara.
"I believe you are enjoying the gardens" Margaery asked
"Of course. It's absolutely beautiful" Amara lied through her teeth but on the brighter side, Margaery Tyrell seemed impressed.
"I have so much I need to tell you!" She giggled like a child.
"Also we have to get you a dress for the wedding"
"It is of no need my lady" Amara interjected.
"I will hear no refusals Willow. A seamstress will be send to you by tomorrow and I will personally see to it that your dress is stitched by next week" Margaery smiled.
Amara and Margaery walked for quite some time before they reached Olenna Tyrell who was sitting on a white chair, under a shade in the middle of the gardens.
"I'll leave you and grandmother to talk" Amara nodded and walked towards Olenna Tyrell.
"Ah! Willow. Must have been a tiresome journey"
"Yes my lady" Amara smiled.
"You can stop pretending girl, I know how you hate to address this old woman with curtsies" Olenna sipped her wine and smirked Amara.
"You know me well, grandmother"
"All these years in this damned world, I'll eventually understand what people are made of don't you think?"
Amara smiled. Olenna Tyrell was truly the Queen of thorns, the only one successful in tying her tongues.
Amara cleared her throat. She had to know what the woman was upto.
"Why am I here?"
Olenna laughed
"Stupid girl, you're here because of the wedding"
"Oh-"
"Well, that was before I had made certain arrangements" Olenna said
Amara smirked, she knew Olenna Tyrell always had a motive.
"What arrangements exactly?" Amara asked, her brown eyes filled with sincerity.
"Oh I had lots of plans actually until Tywin Lannister decided to march in, but let's not dwell on the past. I want you to make something for me" She smiled and Amara knew exactly what the queen of thorns was talking about and it wasn't something she was keen on doing.
"What is it?" Amara asked looking away into the gardens.
"Your specialty. You know exactly what I mean"
Amara felt her breath stop. Olenna Tyrell was asking for a dangerous favour.
"Whom do you want it for?" Amara dared to ask.
"Why of course, Margaery's betrothed !" Olenna Tyrell smiled at the dornish girl, who's face drained of all colours.
Amara was transfixed on her seat, she looked at Olenna with disbelief for the task she was given was a dangerous one and if caught she could be killed.
Olenna Tyrell had asked her prepare a poison for the King.