Barriston sat on the bench near the wall, grateful for the shade of heavy stone. The lower courtyard was a bustle of activity, as usual, and most people didn't even notice him. He eyed the staircase across from him warily. Every day it seemed they were harder to come down, and harder still to go back up. He'd begun to avoid it, if he could. Which was no good, of course. The longer the time between passages, the harder they were. How much longer before his old bones refused to cooperate?

He turned when he was joined suddenly on the bench. "Lady Baratheon," he said politely.

"Fancy meeting you here," she smiled warmly. "How are you today, Ser Barriston?"

"Well, thank you, and you?"

"Fine," she smiled. "I just came from some shopping in the city. I was able to find a dress that I think is appropriate for tonight. Ser Barriston," she said, turning to face him slightly. "I do wish you'd join us this evening."

"I'm afraid I'm unable," he replied smoothly. "And as the nobles here are not as fond of me as they are the King, I'm sure my presence would make for a most uncomfortable meal." As you well know.

Margeary sighed softly. "I'd hoped," she started, then stopped. "Well, perhaps we can share a meal soon?"

"That would be delightful, as always," he said. He'd do his best to avoid it. She was a pleasant girl and he enjoyed talking of home, but he increasingly had too much to do to spend time entertaining. Just as he began to rise, she spoke again.

"Do you ever miss the Seven Kingdoms?" she asked wistfully, looking around the courtyard. "Things are so different here."

"Occasionally," he admitted. "But my work keeps me so occupied that I have little time for frivolous thoughts." He made to rise again.

"I sent a letter asking if I could return," she confided with a sad smile.

He studied her for a moment. "I'm sure it's much too soon," he said gently.

"I know," she said sadly. "But, I miss my parents and my brothers. I miss Highgarden."

"I do know the feeling," he sighed. They sat in silence for a long moment, before she forced a smile and rose.

"Well, I won't keep you," she said. "I suppose I should get ready for my guests. Have a pleasant afternoon, Ser."

"And you, my lady." He watched as she walked away, followed by five guards and the unsmiling septa. She was a curious girl, he thought. Not as innocent as she seemed, yet so …..sad. Of course, she'd buried three husbands before she'd reached ten and seven, that would make anyone sad. She'd thought she would be Queen but instead she was here, grateful to be alive. He hoped that she would move on soon, perhaps go to Pentos or Lys. Anywhere but Meereen.

Finally, he pushed himself to his feet, his eyes still on Lady Baratheon's retreating figure. As he took the first steps across the courtyard, Grey Worm fell in beside him.

"That one," he said, gesturing to Lady Baratheon's back. "She is not what she seems."

"Oh? How so?"

"She speaks like flowers," Grey Worm said solemnly. "Her words are beautiful, but hide the prickles. She is dangerous, speaking of our Queen and that she will not return. The King and the nobles, they believe her words and act as if it were so."

Barriston nodded slowly as he began mounting the stairs. He'd gotten much the same feeling. She is a Baratheon, after all, married to the sons of Cercei Lannister. And if Cercei approved of her, she cannot possibly be all that innocent. And with as close as she's gotten to the King, it's possible that she's trying to seek a crown here. He obviously has developed feelings for the girl. He sighed. This was a problem he did not need.

"Grey Worm has heard that the armies of the Yunkani'i still seek to wage war against the Queen of Meereen," Grey Worm continued. "Even after their defeat by her dragons, the slave masters seek to infiltrate the city and cause disruptions. Especially as the Queen and her dragons are gone. They think that without the Queen's presence, they will win."

"Keep your men on alert," Ser Barriston ordered. "We'll have to be extra vigilant, especially after nightfall." The Yukani'i and the murders in the name of the Harpy, plus the Baratheon girl, and the King's continued resistance to anything he said, were all wearing on him. This was not the responsibility he wanted, but he'd sworn to assist his Queen in whatever way she needed and he would do his best, despite his own reluctance and all of the difficulties.

Margeary studied the room critically. It was her first dinner party and she wanted it to go smoothly. The Meereenese help were invaluable, and she was grateful they'd been assigned to her. She didn't know if they reported her comings and goings to Ser Barriston, but if they did that was fine too. She didn't do anything he couldn't know about.

The evening went smoothly. King Hazdahr kept her close to his side and acted as host, which was always a help, as she was still learning the customs and practices. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food, the wine was plentiful, and the conversation was light. The night was beautiful, and several people lounged on the terrace enjoying the balmy night air, and Margeary enjoyed the conversation about Lys and Pentos, places she told them she also hoped to visit. She also spoke at length of the beauty of Westeros, and how much Queen Danerys had wanted to travel to see more of the country. "The Seven Kingdoms are all so different," she said. "Each has a beauty unique to itself."

It almost dawn when the guests finally began to leave. Margeary yawned tiredly. It hadn't occurred to her that most of the nobles would stay the entire night, but it made sense given the unrest that occurred after nightfall. They were safest inside the Great Pyramid.

"A successful night," King Hizdahr smiled.

"Yes, successful." She yawned again.

"It is time for you to seek your bed," he said softly, pulling her into his arms.

She smiled up at him, relieved that he was leaving so that she could go to sleep. "Yes, I believe it is."

He leaned to kiss her lightly on the lips, and then again, more firmly. She didn't resist, although she didn't encourage him, either. His hands roamed down her back and then lower, and she stiffened. "Come now," he smiled sensuously, raising his head from her mouth. "Surely a woman such as you is not afraid of physical love?"

"Such as me?" Margeary asked, hearing the iciness of her tone. "What do you mean?"

"A woman who has buried three husbands," he said. "You are no inexperienced girl, let us not pretend."

"Two of those husbands died before the marriages could be consummated," she reminded him. "And the third was a boy of ten." She intended to step back, away from him, but he held her tightly.

"Then it is high time you learned the ways of love," he smiled again. "At your age, you should have born a child or two by now. Perhaps you will bear one for me, eh?" He nuzzled the side of her neck with his lips.

Where is that damn Septa when she's needed, Margeary thought frantically. "Your Radiance, have you forgotten that I am a friend to your Queen? A relationship between us is hardly appropriate."

"As you have reminded us, my Queen has gone home," he murmured against her cheek. "Who is to say if she will return? But a man has needs." He kissed her again, then stepped back, to her relief. "But I can see that you are hesitant. Consider carefully, Lady Margeary. Perhaps everything you thought you wanted is here after all, hmmm?"

Margeary waited until the door was closed before sighing in relief and looking towards her guards. "Where is that Septa?" she asked Captain Swyft.

"Gone to bed hours ago," he grunted.

"What good is she," Margeary said disgustedly.

"None that I can see," the Captain said, as he placed a hand on her back and led her towards her bedroom. "Do you think he was implying you could become Queen here?" he asked in a low voice.

Margeary hesitated. "I don't know," she said honestly. "But it did sound that way. But perhaps he just meant love and affection," she said uncertainly.

"He doesn't strike me as a man who places a high value on love and affection," the Captain said. "He values wealth and power, and assumes everyone else does as well. And that you've been married to three kings, well, he would assume that's what you're looking for in a husband. He may even assume that's why you're here, to convince him to put Queen Danerys aside and take you as his Queen. You're nobility, from a powerful house. Your father is an important man, and you've proven yourself so valuable that the King who overthrew your husband chose not to kill you, or even exile you."

Margeary was silent, as she couldn't refute anything he said. How would the King expect her to act, if she really was here to convince him to take her as his Queen? Would she be expected to fall into bed with him before the marriage? Saying goodnight to her Captain, she yawned again as the eunuch rose sleepily from his place at the foot of her bed to help her undress. But for all that she was exhaustedly tired, she couldn't manage to sleep, wondering what would be the next right move to make.