Part 9
Shireen was more than embarrassed as Jaime Lannister carried her up the hill. She had never been this close to a man before and she felt very uncomfortable. Her stiff body was pressed against his chest and her hands were linked around his neck. She was trying her best to stay calm, but her nervousness made her breath faster than normally.
"I…I apologize, my lord," she finally managed to say. "I must be heavy…"
"No, not at all, my lady," he cut in. "This is my pleasure, I can assure you."
His tone of voice was smooth and she caught a glimpse of his smiling face. Quickly she looked away, his gaze made her even more uncomfortable. She was grateful that Sansa was walking beside them.
"We are both very grateful for your help, Ser Jaime," Sansa said.
"My pleasure, my lady."
Shireen noticed that Sansa's cheeks were flushed and she kept touching her hair. Ser Jaime was a handsome man and Sansa seemed somewhat envious of Shireen right now, but she found the whole situation nothing but embarrassing. She had been riding with Sansa, Bran and two Lord Eddard's solders, but they had got separated. Shireen's and Bran's horses had bolted after seeing a snake and she hadn't been able to calm her horse down. She really hoped that Bran was alright; his horse had galloped to the opposite direction.
The only thing Shireen wanted right now was to get to her chamber as unnoticed as possible. Unfortunately there was no chance for that. There was a carriage in the middle of the courtyard; Lord Eddard and Lady Catelyn were just greeting their guest. Shireen had never met either one of her uncles, but she assumed that the man with them was Renly Baratheon. Lord Eddard's eyes widened when he noticed his daughter, Jaime and Shireen.
"Sansa?"
"Shireen fell off her horse," Sansa explained quickly. "Ser Jaime helped us."
Shireen was too embarrassed to look at anyone, but Ser Jaime seemed to be enjoying this.
"Lord Eddard, Lady Catelyn. It's a pleasure to meet you again."
"Shireen!" Jon's voice said. He and Lord Robb had just arrived at the courtyard, Jon marched towards Ser Jaime.
"Ah, you are the lucky man you will wed this lovely lady," Ser Jaime said smiling.
"Shireen, are you alright, what happened?" Jon asked, ignoring Ser Jaime.
"Yes, I… I fell off my horse. My ankle…"
"Let's get you inside," Jon said firmly. "I will take her."
It was more like an order than a statement. Ser Jaime seemed amused.
"Of course."
Carefully he handed Shireen over to Jon who wrapped his arms possessively around her.
"Bran…" Shireen said. "I need to…"
"I will explain everything to father," Sansa assured.
Shireen nodded and looked at Ser Jaime.
"Thank you for your help, my lord."
"As I said, the pleasure was all mine," he replied smiling.
Shireen felt Jon tensing; he gave Ser Jaime a very unfriendly glare. She felt even more embarrassed for upsetting him.
"Jon?" Lord Eddard said.
"I will take Lady Shireen to her chamber," he replied tensely.
"Alright, I will send Maester Luwin there."
"Thank you."
They were both quiet as he carried her inside; she could feel that he was still tense.
"Jon?" she said quietly.
"Yes?"
"I… I'm sorry."
"What? Why?"
"I can see that you are upset and I'm sorry for bringing you shame."
He tensed even more and stopped.
"Look at me," he said.
Insecurely she obeyed.
"You didn't bring me shame," he said firmly. "I was worried about you."
She smiled.
"You were?"
"Yes."
He didn't say anything else, he continued carrying her. She rested her head against his chest, feeling a little better. Her ankle hurt, but that was the least of her worries right now. Hopefully Bran hadn't hurt himself. She had got to know him a little during the last few days and he was a sweet boy. So was Rickon. Arya was a wild and determined girl, nothing like her sister. She had asked Shireen about her scars, not rudely, but not very tactfully either, only curiously. Shireen hadn't minded answering her questions, unlike many other people, Arya hadn't been mocking.
Sansa had been kind to Shireen and her father had wanted her to spend some time with the older Stark daughter. Unlike Shireen, Sansa was a proper lady. Of course Shireen also knew the basic things, but the world of embroideries, flower arrangements, music, fancy gowns and coiffures was foreign to her, she had been taught very different things. She had always loved reading and her father had made sure that she read all the books he thought were useful. Her mother on the other hand had never taught her anything. Jon pushed the door to her bedchamber open and carried her inside.
"Alright…" he murmured as he carefully laid her down on the bed. "Do you think that your ankle is broken?"
She shook her head.
"No, Ser Jaime examined it and he…"
She didn't finish her sentence as she saw Jon's eyebrows furrowing.
"He…examined it?"
A flush was rising in Shireen's cheeks.
"I… I wouldn't have agreed to that if Sansa wouldn't have been there."
Jon pressed his lips together.
"Did he try…"
"No," she assured quickly. "He didn't do anything inappropriate."
Jon seemed gloomy.
"Alright, good… That's good."
Shireen was about to say something when the door opened and Stannis marched in.
"Shireen, are you alright?"
"Yes, father, I just hurt my ankle."
Stannis observed her with a worried expression.
"Is it broken?"
"No, it's not. Have you heard anything about Bran?"
"Yes, he and Lord Eddard's men just arrived."
"Is he alright?"
"Yes, he seemed to be fine."
Shireen was nothing but relieved until her father continued.
"I intent to demand Lord Eddard to punish those men for failing to protect you…"
"No," Shireen said quickly. "Father, please, that won't be necessary, it wasn't their fault. My horse bolted."
Stannis frowned.
"Shireen…"
"My lord," Jon cut in. "Lady Shireen has have a rough day, perhaps we could continue this later?"
Stannis looked at Jon and crossed his arms.
"Tell me, Lord Jon, what would you do to those men?"
Shireen looked at Jon pleadingly.
"Personally I would want to punish them, but I would respect Lady Shireen's wishes."
Shireen smiled at him gratefully and looked at her father.
"Please, father."
Stannis sighed.
"My daughter has a kind heart, sometimes too kind. Fine, I won't ask them to be punished."
"Thank you, father."
Shireen felt that she was finally able to relax a little.
"Is there anything you need?" Jon asked.
"No, thank you."
Shireen would have wanted to talk to him and make sure that everything was alright, but she couldn't do that in front of her father. Was Jon angry at her? Something seemed to be bothering him, but she wasn't sure what that something was.
