Sarah had no other option but to wear the dress which had already been placed in her wardrobe. It was tight fitting, she could not deny that. A maid had been in to dress her, telling her that the Queen herself had chosen the gown for Sarah. The colour was a deep blue, hanging off her frame in thick waves of material. The gowns she normally wore were straight; they didn't tend to puff out.
She only began to worry about how she would walk in it when she moved through her room to her dressing table. She seemed to have a never ending supply of maids in King's Landing. It almost made her want to tell her father that she didn't need any of them. She had only had two maids on Dragonstone, and even then she never used them for anything.
But she knew it would be ungrateful to tell them to leave her alone. It would be foolish to do so. She sat at her dressing table, a golden necklace being hung around her neck before one maid allowed her father to enter the room.
Sarah caught his gaze in the mirror, her lips moving into a small smile. Stannis caught her reflection, never before thinking he had seen his daughter look so radiant. She tended to stick with her old dull gowns on Dragonstone. But this was King's Landing. It called for more extravagance.
"The King says the feast is in honour of your arrival tonight," Stannis informed his daughter. He continued to stiffly stand by her door, waiting for her maids to finish readying her. "Robert always has been one for foolish notions."
"If the King commands it then we have no other option but to agree and go along," Sarah reminded her father.
Stannis nodded curtly at her as a maid began to pile her hair on top of her head.
"No," Sarah interrupted. "I would have my hair left down."
"Southern women rarely have their hair down," Stannis reminded his daughter of the fashion. He looked at her sternly as her orbs widened and she pulled at her dark locks, pulling them over her shoulder to fall down her chest.
"Southern women do not have the unfortunate trait of Florent ears," she reminded her father.
Stannis couldn't help a small tug of his lips at hearing his daughter. He nodded in agreement with that observation.
"Aye," he said. "I suppose that is true."
Sarah stood up then, tucking the stool to the dressing table underneath it again. She finally turned around to face her father, her hands smoothing out the dress which she wore. Stannis's brows furrowed at seeing the extravagant material.
"I've never seen you in that gown," he told her whilst the maids placed her old clothes away and unpacked the rest of her belongings.
"The Queen sent it to me," Sarah spoke. "I thought that it would be best not to insult her and refuse to wear it."
"Good girl," Stannis told her. "Come along. I would prefer to get this feast out of the way with."
He held his arm out to his daughter and escorted her through the corridors. Sarah did her best to keep her head held high and not trip over the dress which she wore. She had to admit that it was a difficult feat to achieve. She only hoped that she managed with some grace.
Walking into the feast was one of the most never wracking things she had done. She could see Robert sat at the royal table, his blonde queen by his side and his younger brother on his other side. There were rows of other tables lining the hall, people slowly filling them as Stannis led his daughter straight through the middle of them.
"You look more radiant than before," Renly spoke, standing up and pulling out the chair next to him for the girl.
"Thank you, uncle," she nodded to him, her smile thin as Stannis took the empty seat next to her and at the end of the table.
"Welcome to King's Landing, Lady Sarah." The Queen spoke to the girl, leaning slightly around her brute of a husband. Her smile seemed forced as her eyes fell onto the dress which the girl wore. "You look lovely in that dress. I did think that the blue would be the colour for you; that is if you were to have the look of a true Baratheon."
Sarah racked her brain to say something back to the woman.
"Thank you, your Grace. The dress is lovely. I've never worn something so exquisite."
"I should think not," Robert's voice boomed and Cersei sat back in her seat, doing her best not to roll her eyes and groan out loud. She often wondered how she had become stuck with a man like Robert. "Dragonstone isn't known for its wealth, is it, Stannis?"
Stannis's frown seemed to grow further as Sarah looked back to her father. She knew how he had been wronged many years ago.
"Not as rich as Storm's End, Robert," Stannis said and Robert laughed.
The sound boomed around the room and caused many people to look up to the royal table as food began to be served.
"Are you still unhappy about that, Stannis?" Robert wondered. "It was many years ago now."
"Besides," Renly drawled, "Storm's End suits me a lot better than you. Dragonstone fits you perfect. The castle is as dark and as miserable as your personality."
"Don't you dare talk to me like that, Renly," Stannis warned his brother. "You know nothing of any of this. You never fought in any battle. You're still a green boy."
"Dear Gods," Robert's voice boomed. "I swear that if my cup isn't refilled in the next few seconds then I will go as mad as the Mad King."
A small squire moved with haste then, doing his best to fill up Robert's goblet without overflowing or spilling any liquid.
Sarah turned her stare to her father, her eyes wide as Stannis peered down at the food which had been placed in front of him. Sarah picked up her goblet and slowly drank the liquid. She almost gagged when she realised it was wine in her cup. She coughed lightly and Stannis looked over to her. He doubted she'd ever had wine before, especially nothing as rich as Dornish wine.
"What's the matter, girl?" Robert's voice echoed. "Can't hold your alcohol?"
"I have never drunk it before, your Grace," Sarah admitted to him.
He arched a brow and turned red with laughter. "Stannis really has kept you in cage for years on end, hasn't he?"
"It is as we said," Renly drawled, "Dragonstone really is a dark pit."
Sarah knew that her father had almost lost his temper. His anger seemed to rise inside of him and go to his jaw, making it jut out and tick.
"I did not come here to be insulted," Stannis hissed, moving to stand up. "I shall be in my chambers working."
"Father-"
"-No," Stannis cut Sarah off. "You stay here and enjoy your feast. I will not be mocked by my own brothers."
"No one was mocking you," Robert snapped at Stannis. It was too late, for his brother had begun to storm off back down the great hall.
"Fine!" Robert yelled after him. "Your company wasn't wanted here."
Sarah shifted around uncomfortable in her seat, picking up her glass again and finishing the wine off.
"The girl's goblet is empty!" Robert snapped to his squire. "Refill it."
"Robert," Cersei began slowly. "The girl is young. Do not get her-"
"-Damn it, woman," he growled, "I will do as I like. I am King, am I not? It is my right as King."
It was then when Sarah saw the authority which rose in Robert. She winced at the way she spoke to the Queen, wondering if her own husband would be as loud and rude. She sincerely hoped not. Renly looked to the side, his eyes glancing over her as he noted the nerves in her shaking and sweating hands.
He moved his own hand under the table, taking hold of her fingers into his and gave them a reassuring squeeze.
"Worry not, dear child," he told her. "You won't be alone whilst you're here. I know it must feel that way. I felt it myself with dear Stannis as a brother and Robert as the King."
She looked back to her uncle and smiled gently before he stood up and placed a soft kiss on top of her head.
"Now, if you will excuse me, I have spotted Ser Loras and need to speak with him about the upcoming tourney."
Renly excused himself and Sarah had never felt so alone then. She sat on her seat, keeping quiet and dutifully eating and drinking whenever Robert told her to. Cersei said nothing more after her husband had rudely brushed her off. She most certainly kept quiet when she saw Robert move off into the throngs of people.
She stood up, well and truly leaving Sarah on her own at the royal table.
"Be careful when you stand up, sweetling," Cersei urged the girl as she stood up and held her hands in front of her. "The alcohol shall go straight to your head and you'll feel ill. Your reddening cheeks and vacant expression tell me as much."
Sarah pressed her fingertips to her cheeks, feeling them warm on her cold skin whilst Cersei gave a knowing smirk.
"I have children to attend to. Allow me to impart some advice," Cersei said, her eyes catching the sight of Robert and some serving girl he had his hands all over. "Never forget how important your children are when you have them. Sometimes they are the only ones who keep you sane."
Cersei stormed off after that, her exit going unnoticed by most of the drunkards in the room.
Sarah knew that it was time for her to take her leave after what she had seen that evening. It was only when she stood when she realised how right Cersei had been. She looked around the grand room and her vision blurred in front of her. She needed to get outside and into private before she embarrassed herself.
She moved down the steps of the raised level, almost tripping on her skirts as she went. She moved slowly, swaying from side to side as her head pounded.
She tried to remember who she was. Sarah Baratheon, daughter to Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone and the King's brother. She was nobility, not some silly girl who couldn't handle expensive wine.
But that was how she felt at that moment in time. She felt foolish; like a child.
"She's the one that Lord Stannis has kept locked away."
Sarah looked to the side, trying to determine where the whispers came from. She kept walking. It was only then when the whispers continued. Everyone spoke of her. Everyone seemed to be interested in her business and her goings.
"They say his wife kept her with him. Poor woman is deranged. The girl was her only source of comfort."
"It's thought that she was barren. Why else would he keep her till the age of eighteen? Women normally bear children as soon as possible."
"I thought she was deformed. People told tales of how Lord Stannis kept her hidden for her own good. He didn't want people to know that she wasn't normal."
Sarah did her best to ignore the people. She didn't want to listen to their mindless gossip, but she couldn't help it. Her ears wouldn't shut and her mind wouldn't stop processing their words.
"She certainly doesn't have the looks of her uncles, does she? I suppose she takes after her father."
"Her mother wasn't much of a bride. Very bland. The poor girl has her ears and nose. Thankfully she has nice eyes. I suppose that is one redeeming quality."
Sarah finally made it outside, her mind still in a whirl as she came to a courtyard. Thankfully it was empty as she doubled over and rested a hand on her hip, taking deep breaths. A sickening feeling came over her. She assumed it was combined with the alcohol and the whispers she had heard.
"Lady Sarah."
She stood up and tossed her head over her shoulder, groaning audibly as she saw him stood there. Had he followed her from the hall? She didn't remember seeing him at the feast.
"I trust you're ill," he spoke, moving closer to her as she rested her back against the wall, closing her eyes and trying to shut everything out. "I hope you are. If not then you should have a formidable excuse for ignoring the King as he shouted you. The drunken fool will be worse than you by the end of the night."
Her eyes opened wide then. "I ignored him?"
"You seemed in too much of a rush to get out of the hall," he commented. "Not that I can blame you on that front. The antics of drunkards are hardly appealing. Although I do believe your are intoxicated beyond belief. I saw you drinking a lot."
Sarah nervously laughed; her hand on her stomach as it churned. "I've never been one for drink. Father wouldn't...well...he doesn't drink a lot..."
"Stannis Baratheon?" Jaime checked. "It would seem he is the only Baratheon who doesn't then."
"Why are you out here?" Sarah asked, amazed she could still speak coherently. "Isn't your job to guard the King?"
"My job is to serve the King. He told me to follow you. Believe me; I have no interest in your welfare."
She looked at him with narrowed eyes, amazed he dared to speak to her in such a manner. She didn't know why she should be in shock. She'd seen his arrogance first hand. She could only imagine how Shireen would swoon over the sight of him. That would be until he opened his mouth.
"Charming," Sarah scoffed. "I am fine, thank you very much. I intend to go back to my father now."
Jaime arched a brow, an amused look on his face as he watched the girl push herself from the wall. The only issue was she pushed herself straight to the floor. He refrained from laughing as he saw her on the ground, crawling slowly before he shook his head.
"You won't make it five paces," Jaime informed her. "Can you stand?"
"I'm fine," she snapped, remaining knelt on the floor.
It was then when she felt it. She felt it at the same moment two others came out into the courtyard, laughing and giggling as they went. Jaime turned to look at the frisky couple as they struggled to keep their hands off each other. He was about to say something when he heard Sarah gurgle loudly. She wretched violently before emptying the contents of her stomach onto the floor, the stench inflicting Jaime's nostrils with disgust.
"Seven Hells," he complained.
The loving couple's mood changed in that instance as they saw the girl on the floor, constantly throwing up.
"Do you not have somewhere else to be?" Jaime wondered, trying to make out the figures in the darkness.
They took the hint and scurried off, no doubt to spread the gossip of Lady Sarah and her terrible manners.
He looked down at her before kneeling by her side, his hand on her back as he patted it and she continued to be ill. He wrinkled his nose as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, too intoxicated to realise that the act was disgusting. The ends of her hair had dirtied with her own sickness and she looked as though she was ready to collapse on the floor.
"Sarah?"
Jaime was the one to turn his head at the sound of the stern voice.
Sarah heard the tone but didn't dare turn around. She knew that trouble awaited her in the morning. She was fairly certain of that.
"Ah, Lord Stannis," Jaime spoke, standing up and taking a few steps back from the girl. "I believe your daughter is going to be court gossip by morning, if not by midnight."
"And what are you doing with her, Kingslayer?" Stannis wondered from Jaime.
"The King told me to follow her," Jaime said as Stannis knelt by his daughter.
She rested her derrière on her heels as she began to sway from side to side, finally collapsing against her father's front. The smell of sick infuriated Stannis as he allowed her to keep her head on his chest. She murmured something about Shireen and returning home, telling her father that she didn't want to be here.
He ignored her and turned to look at Jaime.
"And how did she become so drunk that she resembles her uncle?" Stannis hissed.
"I do believe her uncle is the one to blame. He made the girl enjoy her wine. Apparently Dragonstone lacks simple things like wine. Perhaps you should hire a new master of coin to help import some reasonable cuisine?" Jaime taunted, unable to do anything else.
"Watch your tongue, Lannister," Stannis warned him. "And where is my brother?"
"Inside; drinking and whoring himself to his grave," Jaime drawled, failing to care about what Stannis Baratheon said to him. Jaime knew that Stannis was not Robert's favourite brother. The two of them had no love lost between them.
"I would speak to him," Stannis said as Sarah's eyes fluttered shut. "My daughter's foolish, but she is naive."
"That she is," Jaime agreed. "I would wait until morning to speak with his Grace. He wouldn't pay any attention to you tonight."
Stannis cursed lightly but didn't disagree with the Kingslayer. He began to stand, picking Sarah up from under her arms and resting her against him again as he looked at her, wanting to do nothing more than shame her for what she had done. His brother already embarrassed the Baratheon name. He didn't need his daughter doing the same; especially in the company of the Kingslayer.
"I'd appreciate it if you stayed away from my daughter," Stannis informed Jaime as he took hold of Sarah's legs and tipped her over his shoulder. "I don't want her near you. It's bad enough Robert decided to allow you to keep the white cloak."
"Oh, I think the white cloak suits me rather well," Jaime said, taking a moment to look at the material in questions. "Next time I will be sure to leave your daughter to choke in her own sick."
Stannis frowned at him then, his eyes narrowed and Jaime knew that he was infuriated. It didn't take a lot to get to a man like Stannis Baratheon.
"I'm warning you, Kingslayer," Stannis snapped before he began to move off. "Do not make an enemy out of me."
Jaime remained stood where he was as Stannis walked away from him, Sarah still over his shoulder. He watched the young girl with a smirk. She really wouldn't survive in King's Landing.
...
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed and those who are following! Do let me know what you think so far, please!
