Hello, my lovely readers, I am so so so sorry that this chapter took so long for me to get finished. Things have been rather hectic the past few months, my boyfriend visited from Scotland, plans are being made and arranged for him to be moving over, hopefully within the next year, I started a new job, and the list could go on. But, thank you all for reviewing and favoriting, it really means a lot to me~ It really encourages me to continue Faolan's story, which I am not giving up on. Thank you all!

I DO NOT OWN GAME OF THRONES. I AM NOT GEORGE RR MARTIN. I ONLY OWN FAOLAN & A FEW CHARACTERS I CREATE HERE AND THERE! PLEASE ENJOY!~ AND DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!


Chapter 8: The Kingsroad (Part II)

"H-How could you..."Faolan questioned, sobbing, her gaze moving from her father's pain filled eyes to the dead direwolf that lay at his feet, the bloodied blade still in her father's shaking hand. The strong smell of blood, mixing into the earth beneath her, stole her breath away, she felt her stomach churning violently within her, a wave of nausea pulling her under the fierce waters; Faolan fought back the urge to vomit, forcing the burning, bile like liquid that had risen in the back of her throat back down, swallowing hard.

"Faolan,"Ned said softly, her father's voice trembling, his dark gray eyes full of unshed tears, fear, and shame for the deed he had just done, he hung his head down, closing his eyes, hating that Faolan, had seen him killing Lady, killing a direwolf. "I-It had to be done, the Queen...commanded it,"He replied in a hushed tone, slowly staggering over towards his daughter, "better it be me, then that butcher Ilyn Payne."Ned said, picking his daughter up from the ground.

She stared up at her father, through her tear-stained eyes she could see how troubled her father was, but a sharp cut of hurt and betrayal seemed to slice through her as Lady's screaming voice replayed in Faolan's mind. I am a good girl, my Sansa tells me... The direwolf had screamed over and over again and Faolan had heard her, she had heard Lady, her howls and yelps had formed words in Faolan's mind and she had failed to save her. Faolan's brow furrowed as she pulled herself from her father's grasp, Ned stared down at her, a hurtful gaze formed on his face, "How could you kill her...?"She asked, her voice trembling, "Killing her, is the same as killing me!"Faolan screamed, as more tears streaked down her cheeks, "I am part direwolf, father! I-I heard her screaming...Lady, she did nothing wrong!"She shouted angrily, her clenched fists shaking,

Eddard slowly stepped towards his daughter, tenderly he wrapped his arms around her, embracing her, he could feel her frame trembling with rage and hurt as she cried. "Shhh, I know, I know."He whispered, gently stroking her dark hair in an attempt to soothe her, "Faolan, I did not want this...but, the Queen commanded it, I-I had to obey,"Ned replied, shame spilling from his lips, "but know this child, I love you, never doubt that."He said, planting a kiss atop her head.

Faolan sniffled, burying her face into her father's chest, "I-I never doubt that, father, and I know that this was not your wish, but...that does not change the fact that you killed an innocent."She said, staring up at him, her brow furrowed. "I never smelled Lady's scent by the river, she was never there, Arya and Sansa were speaking the truth!"She ranted, she lowered her gaze, glowering at the ground beneath her feet, she could feel an anger burning inside her like a roaring fire,"That prince...I don't trust him, there's something dark about him."Faolan spat.

"Hush now."Ned warned, his gray eyes frantically searching for any nearby eavesdroppers, "Whatever you have seen or felt about Prince Joffery, you must keep it to yourself, if anyone were to overhear, they could mistake it for treason."Her father said, his voice low and rough.

She gazed up at her father from underneath her long lashes, her face twisted in rage, "I do not care, father! That boy...he is a monster."Faolan growled.

"Hush."Eddard silenced her, his eyes locking onto something that lay behind her. The smell of blood, sweat, and the unforgiving scent of the Hound, Ser Sandor Clegane burned her nostrils, she could smell the dirtiness of his horse, but another scent mixed into the mixture of the numerous aromas; Faolan caught a whiff of the butcher's boy, Mycah, who had ran off playing with Arya earlier that day. All color drained from her face and her heart sank, Faolan quickly turned around, her eyes widening as she watched the Hound leading his horse, the body of a boy slung over the stallion's back as if he were merely slaughtered game during a hunt. A gasp escaped her lips, her startled expression quickly changed to one of anger, she glowered at the Hound as he slowly made his way towards them. Faolan could sense the anger and sorrow which was boiling within her father as he watched Ser Sandor Clegane pass them, "The butcher's boy,"Eddard said, now realizing who the dead child on the back of the Hound's horse was, "you rode him down?"He questioned, his voice low and sad.

"He ran."The Hound replied, "Not very fast."

Faolan's glare deepened, "And so you killed him? A poor defenseless child!"She shouted, rage and anger bubbling up within her.

"Faolan, hush."'Ned alerted.

She ignored her father and marched towards the Hound who had stopped, turning back to face her. The Hound was tall, perhaps a few inches taller than Hodor who was a slow but loyal servant to the Starks back in Winterfell, he had long stringy dark brown hair and dark eyes which were narrowed at her; he had a short shaggy dark beard and the left side of his face had been burned, she guessed from some sort of accident years ago. "And what does it matter to you, She-Wolf?"The Hound barked.

"You really are nothing more than an obedient dog."Faolan snapped, glowering up at the Hound. "Following your Master's commands, no matter what they are, no matter how cruel. That boy did nothing wrong, he was innocent!"

The Hound's glare intensified as he stared down at the She-Wolf, "You have a sharp tongue for a woman."He snarled.

Faolan scowled up at him, she could feel the rage flowing from the Hound, mixing into the fires of her own anger; her clenched fists shook and her entire being trembled, as Faolan struggled to keep her emotions in order, fighting against her direwolf self that desired to rip Sandor Clegane into, getting revenge for that poor boy. "Faolan, silence yourself."Her father's voice warned,

"I will not be silent!"She snapped, glaring over at her father, fixing her narrowed eyes back onto the Hound, "I know, you know just how cruel that boy can be, and yet you still obey his orders without a single thought? That boy you ran down was innocent!"

"So you keep saying,"The Hound snapped, "and yet the fat fuck is still dead, that won't be changing. And aye, I killed the boy, I ran him down and he squealed like the little piggy he was."He snarled, Faolan glared at him, "And you, She-Wolf, should learn to hold that tongue of yours, especially in the midst of those serving that prince you were going on about."The Hound growled, placing a large hand on the hilt of the sword that was attached to his side.

"Is that a threat, because I believe I can handle a Hound, even without my sword."Faolan retorted, her narrowed eyes meeting the Hound's harsh gaze. The anger and rage boiling within her was growing stronger and getting harder to control, she could feel her entire being trembling, as she continued to fight against her wolf-self; her eyes began to change to that golden-amber shade, burning into the Hound's dark eyes,

"I'd like to see you try, She-Wolf."The Hound hissed, his hand pulling his sword from its scabbard.

Faolan's glare intensified, her entire being began to shake uncomfortably, the anger was now overwhelming and she was drowning in it's harsh tides, her wolf-self was taking over and she could no longer fight against it. Eddard could see that his daughter's sapphire blue eyes had changed to that golden-amber hue, he could see her body trembling with rage and knew that in a matter of minutes, Faolan would transform into her direwolf form and rip the Hound limb from limb. "Faolan, that is enough!"Ned roared, his heart was hammering within him, as worry and fear surrounded him.

His daughter looked over at him, the angered expression on her face began to fade away, her golden-amber eyes slowly shifted back to the sapphire blue shade; Faolan's brow furrowed as she gazed at her father, "But father—"

"I said enough!"Ned snapped,

Faolan lowered her head, "Y-Yes, father."She said, softly. The anger began to melt away and was replaced with guilt and shame. The Hound scoffed under his breath, she looked back up at him, her eyes narrowed as she watched him shake his head, his dark eyes glaring at her.

"You are nothing but a hypocrite, She-Wolf," He snapped, "you tell me that I am an obedient dog for following the commands given to me, when you are doing the same; obeying whatever your father says, your nothing but a tamed direwolf pup."The Hound spat, before turning away, leading his horse carrying the dead body of that poor boy away.

Faolan stood stunned for a brief moment, feeling a stab of clarity piercing into her chest as the Hound's words echoed within her mind; her brow furrowed as her hands formed into fists, Faolan turned towards her father, her sapphire eyes narrowed at him, "Father, how could you? D-Did you not see what he had done to that poor boy?"She snarled.

"I did,"Ned said softly, "and it was wrong, but you have got to learn to hold your tongue!"He warned, his voice sounding more firm, "Faolan, we are traveling to a dangerous place, King's Landing is a villainous shit hole, "He ran."The Hound replied, "Not very fast."

Faolan's glare deepened, "And so you killed him? A poor defenseless child!"She shouted, rage and anger bubbling up within her.

"Faolan, hush."'Ned alerted.

She ignored her father and marched towards the Hound who had stopped, turning back to face her. The Hound was tall, perhaps a few inches taller than Hodor who was a slow but loyal servant to the Starks back in Winterfell, he had long stringy dark brown hair and dark eyes which were narrowed at her; he had a short shaggy dark beard and the left side of his face had been burned, she guessed from some sort of accident years ago. "And what does it matter to you, She-Wolf?"The Hound barked.

"You really are nothing more than an obedient dog."Faolan snapped, glowering up at the Hound. "Following your Master's commands, no matter what they are, no matter how cruel. That boy did nothing wrong, he was innocent!"

The Hound's glare intensified as he stared down at the She-Wolf, "You have a sharp tongue for a woman."He snarled.

Faolan scowled up at him, she could feel the rage flowing from the Hound, mixing into the fires of her own anger; her clenched fists shook and her entire being trembled, as Faolan struggled to keep her emotions in order, fighting against her direwolf self that desired to rip Sandor Clegane into, getting revenge for that poor boy. "Faolan, silence yourself."Her father's voice warned,

"I will not be silent!"She snapped, glaring over at her father, fixing her narrowed eyes back onto the Hound, "I know, you know just how cruel that boy can be, and yet you still obey his orders without a single thought? That boy you ran down was innocent!"

"So you keep saying,"The Hound snapped, "and yet the fat fuck is still dead, that won't be changing. And aye, I killed the boy, I ran him down and he squealed like the little piggy he was."He snarled, Faolan glared at him, "And you, She-Wolf, should learn to hold that tongue of yours, especially in the midst of those serving that prince you were going on about."The Hound growled, placing a large hand on the hilt of the sword that was attached to his side.

"Is that a threat, because I believe I can handle a Hound, even without my sword."Faolan retorted, her narrowed eyes meeting the Hound's harsh gaze. The anger and rage boiling within her was growing stronger and getting harder to control, she could feel her entire being trembling, as she continued to fight against her wolf-self; her eyes began to change to that golden-amber shade, burning into the Hound's dark eyes,

"I'd like to see you try, She-Wolf."The Hound hissed, his hand pulling his sword from its scabbard.

Faolan's glare intensified, her entire being began to shake uncomfortably, the anger was now overwhelming and she was drowning in it's harsh tides, her wolf-self was taking over and she could no longer fight against it. Eddard could see that his daughter's sapphire blue eyes had changed to that golden-amber hue, he could see her body trembling with rage and knew that in a matter of minutes, Faolan would transform into her direwolf form and rip the Hound limb from limb. "Faolan, that is enough!"Ned roared, his heart was hammering within him, as worry and fear surrounded him.

His daughter looked over at him, the angered expression on her face began to fade away, her golden-amber eyes slowly shifted back to the sapphire blue shade; Faolan's brow furrowed as she gazed at her father, "But father—"

"I said enough!"Ned snapped,

Faolan lowered her head, "Y-Yes, father."She said, softly. The anger began to melt away and was replaced with guilt, shame, and sorrow. The Hound scoffed under his breath, she looked back up at him, her eyes narrowed as she watched him shake his head, his dark eyes glaring at her.

"You are nothing but a hypocrite, She-Wolf," He snapped, "you tell me that I am an obedient dog for following the commands given to me, when you are doing the same; obeying whatever your father says, your nothing but a tamed pup."The Hound spat, before turning away, leading his horse carrying the dead body of that poor boy away.

Faolan stood stunned for a brief moment, feeling a stab of clarity piercing into her chest as the Hound's words echoed within her mind; her brow furrowed as her hands formed into fists, Faolan turned towards her father, her sapphire eyes narrowed at him, "Father, how could you? D-Did you not see what he had done to that poor boy?"She snarled.

"I did,"Ned said softly, "and it was wrong, but you have got to learn to hold your tongue!"He warned, his voice sounding more firm, "Faolan, we are traveling to a dangerous place, King's Landing is a villainous shit hole, crawling with people with listening ears and...and if anyone were to hear you speaking this way there, they'd have your head on a pike on the morrow."Her father said, grimly. His tone had shifted to one of seriousness and worry, which had a twinge of fear mixed into it, which caused his words to come out in a rather harsh way.

"And as I said before father, I am not afraid of them." She replied, her voice sounding coarse, "Father, you have instilled within me honor and what happened to that boy was not honorable! What are we to tell his family, hm? What are we to say to Arya, you know she will ask, that boy was her friend, and I will not lie to her!" Faolan barked.

"I am not asking you to lie,"Ned said in a hushed tone, "I am begging you to choose your words wisely, and to learn how to hold your tongue, please, Faolan."He pleaded, tenderly gripping her shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze.

Faolan huffed a sigh, looking up at her father, she could see the worry, fear, and solemn gleam that was burning his gray eyes. She could feel how tense Ned had become, her brow furrowed as a surge of guilt rushed through her; her lips parted, ready for her to speak when she noticed Ned's expression had changed, his eyes were narrowed and now held a burning anger within them, the cold breeze blew, carrying the sweet smell of summertime. Her eyes rounded in surprise and her heart began to pound, Faolan turned to see Jaime Lannister making his way towards them; she noted that he had made himself proper and was once again completely dressed, she could feel her cheeks growing warm at the thought of him half naked, kissing her up and down her neck. Faolan lowered her gaze and pushed the thought away as he approached closer, and finally the Lion had reached the Wolves, closing the distance between them; Jaime forced a smile as he met Ned's harsh gaze, "Evening, Lord Stark, my lady."He replied,

"Ser Jaime...I assumed you would be readying yourself for the night."Faolan remarked, as the tension and hatred began to swarm around her as the Lion and the Wolf continued to glare at one another.

Jaime glanced down at her, a genuine smile tugged at his lips, replacing the scowl, "Well, I wanted to make sure that you were all right, Lady Faolan, knowing the order my sister had instructed...I wanted to see how you were doing."He said.

She could hear the regret and concern that filled his voice, a faint smile formed on her lips, "That's very kind of you, Ser Jaime, but I am all right."Faolan replied, softly.

"Are you sure, my lady,"He inquired, "because from the looks of things, there is a dead direwolf bleeding out on the ground and a bloodied dagger attach to your father's side. You look pale, if I may be honest, my lady."Jaime said, tenderly brushing his finger tips against her cheek.

Faolan trembled at his touch, she could feel her face growing hotter as she held his gaze, "I-"She was at a loss for words, as she stood reeling in the whirlwind of emotions that was surrounding her—she could still feel the hurt and betrayal cutting into her like the dagger that had ended Lady's life, she could taste the anger and hatred that was bubbling within her father and Jaime as they shared another hate filled look—her head was spinning and spinning and began to pound, "-I am fine."Faolan said, inattentively.

A warm smile tugged at Jaime's lips as he brushed his thumb against the smooth silken skin of her cheek, abruptly, Ned forced Jaime's hand away, taken aback for a moment, Faolan regained her composure and stared up at her father, harshly. The Lion glared at the Father Wolf, who returned the expression, "Do not touch her."Ned barked, "I warned you once before, to show my daughter respect, and today you brought shame upon her by entering that inn lewdly! You may not care that your reputation gets soiled any further, but I will not have my daughter's drug through mud."

"Father!"Faolan snapped, glaring up at him, but he refused to meet her gaze, his eyes were fixed upon Jaime Lannister. She bit down on her bottom lip, her hands forming into fists, she then lifted her eyes towards Jaime to see that his jaw was clenched and his green eyes were narrowed as he held her father's gaze.

"You deem yourself as honorable, tell me, was it honorable to kill your young daughter's direwolf?"Jaime asked, a smirk forming on his face, "The very sigil of your house, the very thing that Lady Faolan can transform into? Is that honorable? I can see the hurt and betrayal in her eyes, you might as well have drove that dagger into her heart."

Faolan froze, a gasp escaping from her lips, Jaime had spoken true, that was exactly how she had felt and those feelings lingered on within her. She looked up to see that all color had drained from her father's face, regaining his composure, a scowl surrounded his countenance; Faolan head began to spin once more as she felt her father's anger raging within him like wildfire. "It was a direct order from the Queen, regardless of how much I did not want to act it out, I-I had to."He spat, glowering at Jaime, "I follow the commands given to me, every vow I have made I have sworn to keep it, unlike you, Kingslayer!"

The Lion's glare intensified, as the She-Wolf lowered her gaze, squeezing her eyes shut, her nostrils flared and her breathing labored, fighting against her wolf-self that so wanted to come out; Ned and Jaime's emotions were running rampant, and since the two men were standing so close to her, their emotions were more forceful and were taking a stronger toll on Faolan. Jaime scoffed, "Really, Lord Stark, you haven't broken one single vow? Because that dark haired bastard of your's tells me otherwise."Jaime narrowed his eyes as he spoke these words, a smirk formed on his lips.

The Wolf glowered at the Lion who wore a satisfied grin, "How dare you!"Ned bellowed angrily, his nostrils flaring. The tension between her father and her betrothed was now unbearable, she could feel her wolf-self taking control as she glared up at the two men with their hands gripping the swords at their sides.

Faolan knew that her sapphire eyes had changed to that glowing shade of amber-gold, she was on the brink of transforming when she shoved the two apart, glowering up at them. "Enough!"She growled, her eyes moving between her father and Jaime, "Hasn't there been enough fighting today." The Wolf and Lion both gawked at her, taken aback by her strength and a glimmer of fear twinkling in their eyes, as the golden-amber eyes of a direwolf stared back at them. Faolan squeezed her eyes shut, slowing her ragged breath until it came out in a calm manner, "Please, just stop."She begged softly, when her eyes fluttered open they had returned to the dark sapphire shade.

Jaime released the tightened grip on his sword, lowering his eyes, he huffed out an irritated sigh to freeing the anger which had grow within him, his emerald eyes then wandered back to Faolan. "You are right, Lady Faolan,"He replied, "please forgive me for my...rash behavior."Jaime said, Faolan nodded, approving of his apology while Ned remained still and continued to stare harshly at the Lion. Jaime ignored the Wolf's disapproving eyes and approached Faolan, "I suppose I should be calling it a night, we do have a long journey tomorrow. Good night, Lady Faolan, I wish you pleasant dreams."He grinned, tendering taking her hand in his and planting a gentle kiss atop her hand, as he bowed.

Faolan smiled down at him, her cheeks burning red, as his touch sent jolts of desire and pleasure throughout her body once more. "G-Good night, Ser Jaime."She replied, watching as he raised from his bow and walked away. She continued staring after him until he disappeared into the inn; Faolan shook her head, breaking her trance like state and glanced over at her father whose eyes were still harden in a glare. She sighed, "Really, father, nothing happened at the river, it was just as Ser Jaime said. We were going swimming and nothing more."To her surprise, the lie spewed out from her lips easily, "Don't you trust me?"She asked, looking up at him.

"Of course, I trust you, Faolan, it's him I don't trust."Ned spat.

Her brow furrowed, "If you do not trust him, then why did you agree to this arranged marriage?"Faolan inquired, her eyes searching for answers.

Eddard released a ragged sigh, "Faolan, remember what I told you, about Lord Tywin?"He asked, to which she nodded, "He is a hard man, a dangerous man, and one would be wise not to cross him. If I had disagreed, who knows what the man would have done."Her father spoke softly, his voice low and sad. "I know you are strong and that you can protect yourself, that is why I agreed,"He said, "but, I have watched you and I fear you are getting dangerously close to him."

"Father, he is to be my husband."Faolan scoffed, "I do not wish to marry a stranger, so yes, I have spent time with him."She stated.

"That is not what I mean, Faolan."Ned sighed, "I mean, it appears you are growing fond of him, I can see it in your eyes; I do not know what he has said or done, but please be careful, I do not wish for you to get hurt...that man is a charmer and a sweet talker, his words are just beautiful lies."Her father's voice sounded sad and melancholy, "Do not fall so easily."

Her heart ached a bit, her mouth formed into a purse line and her forehead puckered, "Father, I trust him."Faolan admitted. "He has shared with me things he has told no one, Ser Jaime told me what truly happened on that day."She spoke in a hushed voice.

Ned stared down at his daughter, his gray eyes widening, "I have told you what happened that day! I spoke the truth, whatever that...Kingslayer told you is lies, do not let him fill your head with his false truths!"

Faolan glared up at her father, Kingslayer, Ned had hissed. Her nostrils flared at the cursed title, to which Jaime Lannister did not deserve, everyone one in the realm had uttered this horrible name when they were referring to the knight, and it made her stomach churn. "If you knew what truly took place, if you knew what the Mad King had planned, then you would not call him that!"She growled.

"I was there, Faolan!"Ned barked, narrowing his eyes at his daughter, "I saw Jaime Lannister with the bloodied sword in his hands and the King he swore to protect, slain on the floor before him, in a puddle of blood! And he sat there, perched on the Iron Throne, gawking at his King's body!"

"You only saw what you wanted to see!"Faolan retorted, "Did you even question him as to what happened?"She asked, Ned's eyes rounded in shock at her words and then quickly narrowed once again, "Of course you did not, you are the honorable Ned Stark, your noble eyes only saw what you deemed wrong."

"You do not know him!"Eddard snapped.

"I know him more than you do, father!"Faolan spat.

"Enough, Faolan!"The Wolf howled, angrily, glaring down at his pup, who returned the expression. Ned closed his eyes, shaking his head slowly, "I do not know what he has told you but you are smarter than this, Faolan! Do not fall for his lies."

Faolan glowered at her father, "I believe Ser Jaime, father."She snapped, turning her back towards Eddard.

She could hear her father releasing a frustrated breath, she could feel how angered and hurt and worried he had become; Faolan's head began to pound again, every event that had taken place today was taking a toll on her, she had almost lost control numerous times, she had felt so many different emotions, that not only came from herself but the hundreds around her. She wanted to lay down in her bed, wanted to be with her sisters who needed her more than ever, she wanted Jaime Lannister. She began to walk away when suddenly her father's booming voice stopped her, "Jamie Lannister does not love you, Faolan, and he never will! Do not let his charming talk fool you into thinking he does!"

Faolan froze and slowly turned back to face her father. She knew the truth, Jaime had proclaimed his love for her and she had admitted her feelings to him; and yet here her father stood, preaching that the Lion would never love the She-Wolf, claiming to know the true feelings of a man he hated and a man he did not truly know. "Why not? Why could he never come to love me?"She questioned, acting oblivious.

"Because of what you are, Faolan!"Ned shouted, angrily. Faolan's eyes rounded in hurt, a gasp escaping her lips, her father's words were like a sword slicing her entire body in half. "My sweet girl, people are cruel and hurtful, you know that more than anyone. Are you forgetting just days ago how he mocked you? How he toyed with you emotions just to see a glimpse of your direwolf form? How can a man change in such a short amount of time? He is playing with your heart, Faolan, do not let him!"His voice was now on the verge of breaking as he stared into his daughter's hurt filled eyes, "He will not love you, Faolan."

A rugged, pain filled breath escaped from Faolan's lips, she could feel the tears stinging the backs of her eyes but refused to let them fall; she looked up at her father, her eyes glimmering with hurt, "Y-You think no one will ever love me."She said, as realization covered her, "That is why you never have arranged a match for me."Faolan whispered, her voice sounding broken as she remembered over the years that there had been two suitors seeking for the She-Wolf's hand, in order to gain ties to the North, but her father had refused them.

Ned's brow furrowed, realizing the harshness of his tone, the cruelness of his words, "N-No, Faolan, t-that is not what I meant...I—"He reached out to touch her but she smacked his hand away, glaring up at him, Ned's words falling flat.

"If you did not mean it...you wouldn't have said it, father."Faolan barked before she turned and walked away. She closed her eyes, a frown formed on her lips, feeling Ned being engulfed in his jumbled emotions, his words had hurt her, had cut her deeper than any mortal wound and so she left him there, to drown in his own making.


Faolan entered the inn, ignoring the gawking eyes, and strolled past the throng of drunken Kingsguard and bannerman and over to the plump inn-keep who was adding more wood to the fire in the hearth. He seemed startled to see her, she could see the fear swirling in his brown eyes, "C-Can I help you, L-Lady Stark?"He stammered.

The name fell strangely on her ears, Lady Stark was what everyone called her mother, M-Mother..., Faolan thought, wishing to be in her mother's embrace for at the moment she felt broken and sad, she felt like a small child again, wanting to run to her mother for comfort. She brushed the thought away, as the inn-keep stared up at her confused, "Yes...I'd like a glass of ale, please, and make it a large glass."Faolan replied. The stout inn-keep nodded his head and briskly wandered into the kitchens, while waiting for his return, Faolan exhaled a sigh as she ran a hand through out the stray hairs which had fallen in her face. Guilt began to consume her, while hurt continue to slither around her being like an invisible serpent, and anger still lingered deep within her gut like the dying flames of a fire. She squeezed her eyes shut, Ned's words still ringing in her ears, He will not love you...because of what you are...what you are...

What I am..., Faolan thought, sorrowfully, You are the She-Wolf and nothing...will ever change that.

"Lady S-Stark...y-your drink."

Her eyes fluttered open and she found that the inn-keep had returned, he stood before her, his arm outstretched, holding a large mug of ale in his trembling hand. A faint smile tugged at her lips, "Thank you, ser."She said softly, taking the drink from his hand and taking a gold dragon piece from her pocket and placing it into his hand.

The inn-keep's face lit up, "T-Thank you, m'lady."He grinned, baring crooked and yellowed teeth.

"You are most welcome."Faolan said, he nodded his head towards her before he trotted off. She lowered her eyes to the mug filled to the brim with ale, she did not drink much, only very little at feasts, and that was normally red wine; Faolan had only drunken ale a few times in her life, she didn't quite like the taste of the strong drink but she needed it. She wanted to drown her feelings away, to forget the pain and the events that had taken place since they had arrived at the Crossroads Inn. The only occurrence she wanted to remember were those lovely moments with Jaime Lannister. Lifting the glass to her lips, she began to chug the brown, foamy liquid, ignoring the slight burning it left in her mouth, Faolan continued to drink, I am the She-Wolf...I do not wish to change that, it has made me strong, it has made me who I am, She thought, proudly, with each glup, until mug was emptied in one, long swig. Some liquid had spilled around the brim and had stained her lips but she quickly wiped the residue away with the back of her hand; she placed the glass on a nearby table that was littered with dirtied bowls and plates and strolled up the wooden stairs towards the rooms of the inn.

Faolan quickly spotted Jory, standing guard in front of a wood door to one of the rooms, she knew it was where she and her sisters would be resting for the night. She walked down the hallway and towards Jory, "How are my sisters, Jory?"She questioned in a hushed tone, not wanting to disturb any of the guests in the nearby rooms.

"Not well, my lady."He replied, softly, "Lady Sansa was a sobbing mess, cried herself to sleep, and Arya, she's a feisty one. Three times I had to pack her into that room, until she finally realized I was not letting her leave, she kept wanting to wander off in search of that butcher's boy...Mycah?"Jory informed.

The boy's name seemed to stab into Faolan, as she remembered seeing the poor boy's bloodied body, slung over the Hound's horse, "I-I see..."She mumbled, "are they asleep?"She inquired, shaking the image away.

"I believe so, my lady, I haven't heard a peep from them in a while."Jory stated,

"Thank you for guarding them, Jory."Faolan replied, "I believe I will retired now myself, we have a long journey on the morrow."

"Aye, we do."Jory said, "Good night, my lady."He said, bowing his head before disappearing down the hallway and to his own chambers.

Faolan stood before the door that lead to her room for the night, she caught a whiff of her Sansa and Arya's scents mixed into the variety of aromas that filled the inn; she lowered her head and closed her eyes, H-How...how am I going to tell them? She asked herself. She wanted to save Lady but failed, Sansa will be heart-broken. And telling Arya that her friend was run down like some kind of animal, she knew Arya would blame herself and want to get revenge for her playmate. She sighed,

"I was not aware of how much you could drink."

Faolan's eyes shot open, she turned her head to see Jaime Lannister leaning against the wall near her; she had been so caught up in her thoughts she had not sensed him approaching, "Ser Jaime...I-I thought you had retired for the evening."She muttered, her cheeks growing red as he closed the distance between them.

"I wanted to see you one more time,"He grinned, "did I startled the She-Wolf?"The Lion asked, his smile widening.

"I apologize, I was lost in thought."Faolan replied, lowering her eyes.

Jaime gently placed a hand under her chin, tenderly lifting her face so she would face him, "Did something else happen?"Jaime asked, his voice dripping with concern.

She opened her mouth to speak but words seemed to fail her, as she lost herself within Jaime Lannister's beautiful emerald eyes, finally Faolan regained her composure and answered him, "Y-Yes, but...I do not wish to speak about it."

"Then we won't."Jaime replied, capturing her lips in a kiss.

Faolan was taken aback for a brief moment, but then lost herself in his kiss, her heart fluttered within her as she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. They broke apart to recapture their breath, she glanced up at him, "W-What if someone sees us?"She said, her eyes searching the halls for any nearby onlookers.

"We are to be wed, Lady Faolan, who cares who sees."Jaime said, lowering his lips towards hers to kiss them once again, but Faolan turned her head.

"And what if that someone is your sister?"She stated, arching a brow at him.

The Lion's brow furrowed, "Fuck."He cursed under his breath.

"Ser Jaime, it's quite all right."Faolan replied, a smile on her lips, "As you said before, I would like for both of us to reach King's Landing with our heads in tack."She said, slowly tracing his jawline with her fingertips. She felt him shiver at her touch, a grin on his lips and love and desire burning within his green orbs.

"You are right, my lady, we should be careful."Jaime replied, softly, "And it is getting late, we should probably get some rest at least, we will be heading out early."

"Yes, that would be best."Faolan responded faintly.

The Lion closed what little distance was between, he and the She-Wolf, Jaime raised a hand and tenderly stroked her cheek. "If I might be so bold, as to ask for one last kiss, before we depart for the night?"The Lion inquired, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Faolan blushed, glancing up at him from underneath her long, dark lashes, "If you must."She smiled, her voice coming out in a kittenish tone.

"I must."Jaime grinned, before seizing her lips in a passionate kiss.

Faolan once again lost herself in the kiss, she was drowning in an ocean of bliss, waves of pleasure were crushing upon her as if she were made of the a rocky shore; a sudden thought crossed her mind and Jory's words echoed in her ears, Sansa was a sobbing mess, cried herself to sleep...and Arya, she wanted to wander off to find the butcher's boy..., Faolan's eyes shot open, and she pulled herself away from Jaime Lannister's kiss, away from his embrace. She could see the offended look which washed across his face and it pained her, "I-I'm sorry...but...my sisters need me."She whispered, sadly.

Jaime studied her for a moment, he could see how concerned she was for her siblings, and in her sapphire blue eyes, he could see the mixture of worry and desire swirling about in her beautiful orbs, causing her such confliction. A twinge of guilt hit him, "You are right, Lady Faolan, forgive me, I know that they have endured a very...trying day."The Lion replied, the She-Wolf glanced up at him and nodded. Her look of confliction, hurt, and concern, upset him, his mind wondered back to the direwolf's dead body and Ned Stark holding that bloodied dagger in his hands; Jaime's brow furrowed, his hands formed into fists at image of the noble and honorable, Lord Eddard Stark, standing before that dead wolf, while his daughter, the She-Wolf, stood there, with trauma burning in her eyes. "Lady Faolan, please know that if there was something that I could have done, i-if I could have stopped this from happening...I would have."

She looked up at him, a faint smile formed on her lips, "I know, Ser Jaime, i-it is all right."Faolan said, in a hushed tone, "I do not blame you...this, was bound to happen."She said, gently taking a hold of his hands and giving them a tender squeeze.

"Still, I wish there was something that I could have done."He said, faintly, his fingertips softly brushing against the back of her hands.

"I know, but it really is all right, Ser Jaime."Faolan replied, reassuringly.

"All right,"Jaime said, with a nod, "well, good night, Lady Faolan."He said.

The Lion and the She-Wolf, both reluctantly released each others' hands, "Good night, Ser Jaime."She muttered, watching as he slowly turned away and began making his way down the hallway towards his own room for the night. Faolan turned on her heels and faced the door behind her once more, a mixture of guilt and sorrow surge throughout her being as she pictured the pain filled looks of her sisters and how the tears would fall when she delivered the news to them. Faolan closed her eyes and released a sigh, finally she gripped the doorknob and quietly, forced the door open. Silently, Faolan crept inside, the only source of light came from a dimly lit candle and the moon shining it's light in the window, the rest of the room was painted in shadows; even so, Faolan could see Sansa curled up in her bed, fast asleep, her breath coming out in soft, little puffs. Her brow furrowed, as sadness washed over her, as an image of Lady's motionless body flashed in her mind, the feeling of nausea plagued her and she shook the memory away; she scanned the rest of the room and jumped startled as she saw a figure sitting up in the bed adjacent from Sansa's nest. Faolan sighed, regaining her composure and quietly wandered over to the bed, "Arya, what are you still doing up?"She whispered.

Arya crawled to the edge of the bed, the moonlight washing over her face which was twisted in concern, "I wanted to wait up for you, I need to know what happened to Mycah, did he get in trouble because of me? And Lady...d-did Father really...slay her?"Her words came out in rushed jumbles, but Faolan understood each one, "Jory wouldn't let me leave, Faolan, what happened, please tell me."Arya demanded, her voice growing louder.

"Shh, Arya."Faolan warned,

"Please tell me, Faolan!"Arya cried, clinging to her sister as she sobbed.

A gasp caught in Faolan's throat, her heart felt as if it were breaking seeing how distraught her little sister was, "F-Faolan?"A sleepy voice sang out, her eyes darted over to see Sansa rising from her slumber, she could see that her sister's eyes were still red from crying. Sansa rubbed the sleep from her eyes and once she had rose from the comforts of her bed, she became more alert and dashed over towards Faolan and Arya. "Oh Faolan, is Lady okay? Father, really didn't kill her, did he? Oh, please tell me you stopped him."She wept.

The She-Wolf's breathe became ragged, her brow puckered as her eyes rounded in distress, taking in the sorrowful faces of her younger sisters; Faolan could taste their pain, she could feel their sadness, her body stiffened as a strong wave of guilt crushed her. For a moment, words seemed useless to her, the emotions were overwhelming and taking a toll on her, finally she regained her composure and tenderly took her sisters' hands within her own. "Girls...,"Her voice came out more like a croak, "let's sit down first, okay?"She whispered.

Arya and Sansa exchanged a tear filled look, the sisters then scuttled over to the untouched bed that was positioned by the window, the bed that would act as Faolan's for the night; Arya crawled upon the mattress, sitting on her knees, while Sansa perched herself gracefully on the edge of the bed. Faolan followed after her siblings and sat down beside Sansa and Arya, she glanced up at them and sighed, "Faolan, y-you are scaring me...is Lady all right? Please, this is torture just...tell us what's happened!"Sansa sobbed.

Faolan closed her eyes, her lips formed a purse line as she felt the tears stinging the backs of her eyes, she hated seeing her sisters so upset, so hurt, and it had been her fault for she had failed them. "Lady is...dead."The words finally dripped from her lips like posion. Sansa gasped and shook her head, muttering 'no' over and over, Arya wrapped an arm around her sister as she broke down. "Sansa...I-I tried to stop it, please know that I tried, but...I-I was too late."Faolan cried, "You must understand...Father...he, had to do it, it was commanded by the Queen herself."She forced the words out of her as she sobbed.

Sansa continued to weep, through her tear stained eyes, Faolan saw Arya look up at her, "And Mycah...i-is he in trouble?"Arya inquired.

Faolan choked down another sob and wiped at her wet cheeks, "Arya...your friend, Mycah, w-was...he was killed."She informed.

Arya's eyes rounded in fright, tears quickly spilling down her cheeks, "What! Why? It wasn't his fault!"She yelled.

"The Hound ran him down..."Faolan whispered, her sisters were sobbing messes and the sight of them in this state was breaking her heart. "I tried...I tried, please know I tried...please...do not hate me."She wept.

"Hate you?"Sansa wheezed, dabbing at her eyes, "We could never hate you, you are our sister!"She cried wrapping her arms around Faolan's neck.

"We do not hate you."Arya sniffled, embracing her sisters.

In that moment, being entangled in her sisters' arms, Faolan broke down and hugged her sisters tightly, "I-I am so glad to hear so, I was so afraid that you would hate me, and I could not handle that."She sobbed. The sisters stayed like that for a long moment, once their eyes hurt and were red from crying, they released one another, tiredness was now wrapping it's long arms around the girls. "We need to get some sleep."Faolan said softly.

"Faolan...c-can we sleep with you?"Arya asked, with a yawn.

The She-Wolf smiled faintly at her litter mates, "Of course."She replied. Arya sluggishly scurried to the left side of the bed, claiming it as her own as she crawled underneath the blanket; Sansa gathered the pillows from the now empty beds, she handed Arya one and took the other one for herself. Faolan saw no use in changing for the night, since the morning light would be approaching soon, she decided she would raise early and bathe, and merely change into fresh riding clothes then. With that, the She-Wolf got into bed, in between her sisters, once she was settled, Sansa and Arya both turned facing her, wrapping their arms about her as they snuggled close to their elder sister. Faolan smiled faintly, placing an arm around Sansa and her other around Arya; they fell asleep quite instantly, and Faolan lay there, listening to their soft breathing, her eyelids began to droop as tiredness embraced her. A slight smile played on her lips as she sank into slumber, the image of Jaime Lannister, kissing her by the river, replayed within her mind, as she dreamed.