Chapter 4

The sun started to rise over their camp as Helena lay awake in bed, they had camped a few house ride away from Kings Landing so that they could arrive fresh and rested the following day. Helena had sent a bird to her father to inform him of their impending arrival so he would be expecting them.

Sam sensing the rising sun rolled over and kissed Helena on her shoulder gently "Good morning my love, are you ready for the family reunion?" he flashed his boyish grin.

Helena playfully elbowed him "Behave you, you will need to be on your best behaviour."

"Who for? The king?" Sam asked.

Helena chuckled "No my father, now get up and make yourself look like the dashing young man he remembers from the wedding." With that she gave him a shove and he rolled out of bed laughing.

In no time at all Sam was ready "Hey how come I am fully dressed and you are still in your night gown?"

"Because one of us has to make sure we look good and I can tell it isn't going to be you."

Sam chuckled "Well that's true besides you are far better at it than me, I will go and ensure that everything is on track while you get ready."

As Sam left Lily Helena's handmaid walked in, "Did you decide which dress you wanted to wear my lady?"

"Yes I think we will go with the lilac dress, it's a bit formal for the occasion but it will look good for the king."

Lily helped Helena into the soft flowing lilac dress it was fitted at the top but then flowed from the waist down. The dress was low cut but not too low as to raise eyebrows and a beaded band around the waist pulled the dress in and exenterated Helena's curves. Next Lily brushed out Helena's long brown hair which had been changed by the sun since her marriage and her life in a warmer climate so it was now a much lighter brown with strands of golden brown mixed in. Lily pilled half the air on top of Helena's head in an intricate braid and the rest cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves. Finally perfume and jewellery were added along with a pair of soft grey shoes with a small heel, "There my lady you look like a queen."

"Don't let the queen hear you say that." Helena smiled "Thank you Lily you are a miracle worker."

Just then the sound of horns filled the air, "What's that?" Lily cried.

"It's the king." Helena whispered.

"The king! What is he doing here?"

The noise was getting louder and louder as the horses approached their camp, then the horns stopped.

"Your majesty, for what do we owe this honour?" Helena heard her husband address the king and his party.

"Lord Cavill can a king now ride out to great one of his subjects, now where is your lovely wife."

"That' my cue" Helena whispered to Lily before stepping out of the tent and into the sun.

"Your majesty" Helena curtsied and slowly rose and gave King Robert her most dazzling smile. "What brings you riding this way my king?"

"Why a lady such as yourself deserves an escort. Besides I couldn't wait another hour to set eyes on your face again. You are the image of your aunt, you truly are. Seeing you is like setting eyes on her again after all this time, I was starting to forget her face but now you bring the memories flooding back. I can't believe I have left it this long since seeing you, how long has it been?"

"It must be nearly 5 years sire."

"Well that's too long." King Robert bowed and kissed her hand.

Ned Stark finally came into view behind the king, "Father" Helena beamed at her father, she didn't realise how much she had missed him until now. Ned moved towards his daughter smiling and he embraced her and whispered "I 've missed you so much. You're a women grown, where has that little girl gone ah."

"I'm still here father."

Ned smiled "so you are." turning to sam he embraced him "Thank you for looking after her so well for me."

"Helena's the one who has been looking after me sir."

"Right then shall we stop wasting so much bloody time stood out here and get back on our horses." Robert shouted to the assembled crowd.

"Let's get ready to move out men" Sam shouted to his men who proceeded to pack away the last remaining tents. In no time the whole party were loaded and ready to set off, this time Helena was riding on horseback as they only had a few hours eft of their journey.

As they set off she found herself riding next to her father while Sam rode at the front of the parade beside the king. "So father tell me everything, about Bran, Robert and whatever else is troubling you."

"Nothing is troubling me" Ned replied.

"Don't lie to me father I know you to well, besides you promised never to lie to me."

Ned signed "Very well." Ned proceeded to fill Helena in on the events surround Brans fall, his suspicions about Jon Arryn's death and his thoughts about the Lannister involvement."

The hours passed as if they were minutes and before long Kings Landing came into view, "I have never been to Kings Landing but it's dirtier than I imagined, oh look there is the Great Sept of Baelor." Robert circled round to ride besides her "Welcome my dear to Kings Landing". As they rode through the streets people stopped and stared, Sir Rowan who had been keeping his distance up until now rode close to her. Rowan looked visibly nervous with one hand on his sword, her father also moved one hand to his sword. "The people don't look very happy here." Rowan muttered "Just be careful Helena, remember you are no one to them just another rich woman who will look down on them."

The procession finally made its way through the waves of people to the gates of the Red keep. Cries of "open the gates" were heard up and down the walls and the gates began to lift slowly.

"Come on come on" Robert shouted impatiently "I haven't got all day". A group awaited them in the court yard, instantly Helena saw her two younger sisters, Arya and Sansa waiting beside other members of the Sark household. Also waiting in the courtyard were the Queen and her children alongside the famous Kings slayer.

Helena was helped down off her horse by Rowan, Robert took her hand and led her towards his family. As she was introduced to each she curtsied and smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you Prince Tommen, Princess Marcella how lovely you look". When she got to Joffrey she curtsied and smiled at him "Prince Joffrey what an honour to finally meet you I have heard many things about our future king so it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"What sort of things have you heard my lady" Joffrey asked with an edge of hostilities.

"All good things your highness and I am sure you will live up to them."

Cersei extended her hand for Helena to kiss which she did "Your majesty" Helena said as she curtsied. Cersei gave her with a smile which did not extend to her eyes and said "Welcome lady Cavill you must be tired after your long and arduous journey, one of the maid will show you to your guest quarters."

"Thank you your majesty that is very kind of you." Helena smiled at Cersei and then tuned to Sir Jamie Lannister and gave him a smile. Jamie responded with a quick bow before he straightened up and carried on as if she were not there.

Helena then turned her attention to her family while Sam greeted the royal family. "I have missed you both so much" Helena exclaimed as she hugged both sisters, "you must fill me in on all the news from Winterfell and your journey here." Helena then worked her way up her father's household greeting them all like long lost family, because to Helena they were.

Helena heard Sam giving some orders to his men then he came to join her after thanking the royal family again they were led upstairs to their rooms eagerly followed by Arya and Sansa.