Thank you for reviews and story alerts that have been popping up constantly in my inbox. Means a lot. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to update regularly but things have gotten very busy. However this chapter is quite long, over five thousand words, so enjoy and drop a review. It would be greatly appreciated.
Slightlynerdy.
Wolves and Hounds.
Chapter 11.
She pushed through the line of guards, her borrowed horse was a kind temperate creature but she had no issue in snapping her teeth at the grey stallion beside her. Tarynn tugged lightly on the reins and ran her fingers through the coarse white hair of her steed. She looked to the guard next to her, about to shoot an apologetic look on behalf of her mount but she froze up as she turned to the man.
He must have been only a few short years older then her, he had a fine bone structure, deep green eyes the colour of the darkest leaves and bright blonde hair which flowed unkempt to his cheeks. One side of his hair was pushed back behind his ear, the other dangled, lifting up every so often by a particularly strong breeze. She didn't believe in fairy tales, or the concept of beautiful princesses and princes. But if she did, she would have imagined the Prince to have looked like the guard sat astride his horse beside her. He grinned, care free and lazy. She shook her head and the spell that had caused her to freeze broke. She wasn't going to be as easily swayed by looks like Sansa was. If she had been like that then she would have agreed to Theon marrying her years ago. She politely smiled in return and patted her horses' neck, an apologetic gesture that was supposed to have been conveyed a good few minutes ago. She went to move on, gripping the reins again tightly when he spoke to her.
"It's quite alright; she seems quite feisty, which isn't a bad thing by any means. They won't balk from a battle field if they have a little spirit." He reached over, stroking the same spot that Tarynn had just patted. "I've seen you around, Lady Stark."
She was at a disadvantage; the boy with the forest green eyes looked sideways at her, one of his lazy grins parting his lips, daring her to ignore him. There was something about him that intrigued her, but at the same time reminded her of Theon, and just the thought of that repulsed her.
"No doubt you have, but I feel that I am at a disadvantage, you know me but I don't know who you are." She scrutinized him, she had seen his face before but she couldn't quite place it.
"Everyone knows the great Lady Tarynn Stark who rode down a wilding." He righted himself again in his saddle, brushing his hair back behind his ear. She clenched her fists and then unclenched them.
He is just a mere guard; he should not be addressing me in such a manner... Oh Tarynn listen to you! I am turning into the very person I have always hated, speak to the guards there is no harm in it; I speak to the Hound freely enough.
There was a niggling thought in the back of her head though, the Hound was still part of the nobility, and he had a house and lands. True he did guard Prince Joffrey but he was still heir to an estate should his brute of a brother ever unfortunately die.
"I see... May I ask your name?"
"Seems only fair," He had a cocky edge to his voice and his eyes glinted in the pale sunlight, the easy smile was still on his face. "Hill. Tobias Hill. But most people call me Toby. I would be honoured Lady Tarynn if you would also fall into that category."
Hill? Hill. He's a bastard of the Westerlands.
"Tobias Hill, that's an interesting name."
"As is Tarynn Stark, am I allowed to call you Tarynn? I feel we have reached that stage of our relationship already."
He is quite forward, almost too confident for a bastard and a guard.
"I'm afraid that I cannot allow it."
The grin faltered slightly, "Shame, I was hoping we could be friends."
"We can still be friends; you would just have to address me as Lady Tarynn... Where are you from Toby?"
"Me? I was born at Casterly Rock, the seat of the mighty Lannisters." He laughed, his hand falling onto the pommel of his sword, "I guess you've worked it out by now?"
"I surmised, I didn't know if it was true or not."
"Well it is. I am a bastard of Casterly Rock, with golden hair like a lion's mane eyes the colour of the greenest emerald."
"So your sire..."
"A Lannister yes, not telling you which though, that would spoil things." He laughed again, and Tarynn was perturbed at how easily he accepted this, Jon had moped around days on end if anyone had mentioned his lineage. Perhaps accepting your bastard status got better with age, she hoped so for Jon's sake. She smiled despite herself. There was something liberating about the man, he reminded her of a small child. Never took anything to heart, took it all in stride. For days now she had surrounded herself with gloomy and depressed people, the Hound wasn't the exactly the most jovial of characters. Even she had felt unbearable sadness pushing down on her heart. Perhaps Toby was what she needed, a little bit of light in an impenetrable darkness. "Do you know what," He twisted his body around to look at her full on, "When you're thinking of something you're brow furrows with concentration. You get this line," He gestured to his own forehead, his fingertip sliding down the gap between his eyes, "Right here."
She nodded, "My mother tells me not to do it, says that I'll get wrinkles prematurely, but it's just a habit I suppose… Please excuse me Toby I have some important business that I need to attend to."
His tone was filled with friendly mocking, "You're excused Lady Tarynn. I'll save you a spot at dinner." He winked and she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. She wasn't a complete stranger to attention from men but she had never met a man so forward, especially one who was below her in hierarchy. She snapped her reins, spurring her steed on and away from the grinning fool with his glowing mane of golden hair and sparkling green eyes.
When she reached the front of the entourage, the first thing she noticed was Arya, sitting atop a small pony. She had a wooden sword in her grip and was swinging it without aim beside her, hacking the top of any bushes that may stray into the swords path. Tarynn had not spoken to Arya since they had left Winterfell, and she felt that she was neglecting her sisterly duties.
"Arya!"
The small, skinny girl twisted round to see who called her name, when her eyes settled on Tarynn she waved the sword that was still in her grip. Tarynn rode over to her, reaching out between them and squeezing her baby sister's arm, "Are you alright Arya? How has the journey been for you so far?"
Arya took a deep breath, and Tarynn knew that there would be a something on how much she hated… "Joffrey and Sansa, I HATE them."
"Arya please, you do not hate your sister and the future King."
"Yes I do. What do you know? You weren't made to sit in that Wheelhouse with them for two days. I had to beg father practically everyday to let me ride."
Tarynn smiled knowingly, "What did he make you give up?"
Arya hung her head, "Nymeria, she is to ride in one of the wagons with Lady."
Tarynn's mind flashed with panic.
"Arya have you seen Tome?"
The little girl looked up, a puzzled look upon her face, "Tome? No. The last time I saw him he was stalking that Hound. You know the scary man with the messed up face? Joffrey's guard dog. I say let Tome eat the hideous…"
"Arya enough." Tarynn's word sliced through the air, and Arya spat back.
"Just because mother isn't here doesn't mean you can act like her."
Arya dug her heels into the pony and it started off in a slow trot. Tarynn made no move to follow her or apologise, Arya had spoken out of turn about a man who had never touched her or even affected her. Tarynn gazed after her littlest sister, she began to worry about the fragile relationship they had. Surprisingly Tarynn was much closer to Sansa; perhaps it was because even though they had different illusions in life they had the same mannerisms. Both were capable of bold acts and speaking out but at the same time they had a kind and docile temperament.
Arya also acted like a boy most of the time, thanks to Jon Snow's influence, and Tarynn had never quite gotten the concept of womanhood through to Arya. Sure Tarynn wasn't the most girly of people but she still wore dresses and certainly did not fight like Arya did. She had tried archery before, in fact Ser Jory Cassel and Theon, not that Theon's opinion matter much, had both said that she had potential. Perhaps she should take it up again.
Her mind, on its epic journey of jumping from one subject matter to another turned to what had originally caused her to make the tedious journey to the front of the train. Her father and her chastisement that was inevitable. She shuddered at the thought of being humiliated in front of the King and his Kingsguard, also in front of that brat Joffrey who would no doubt tease her endlessly over it.
She took in a deep lungful of air and pushed her steed into a hard canter, the sooner she got there, the quicker the telling off would be done and dusted. She heard the King before she saw him, which was quite a feat on his part because he was so large. His deep laughter resonated through the air, bouncing through the atmosphere on invisible waves. Or so Maester Luwin had said, something about sound waves, which Tarynn was hard pressed to believe.
Oh Maester Luwin how I miss you, and Gerta.
She touched the shard of dragonglass and locket that hung around her neck, both pendants were smooth and cool. The jagged end of the dragonglass had been dipped in silver so that it didn't cut the wearer. She stroked them three times, for luck and strength and prayed quickly to the old Gods before allowing the pendants to fall back against the space between her collarbones.
She could hear the King before she could see him, which was quite a feat for someone of his girth. She felt sorry for his horse, which lumbered along with King Robert's heavy mass on its back. Her father was beside him; they were laughing and bantering together like small children apart from the conversation was much more mature, but only just. They had been comparing the amount of men they had killed; searching through the memories of yester years to catalogue the lives they had took when she had rode up beside her father.
"Father I…"
Her father didn't acknowledge her straight away, the conversation and laughing that had been going on a few seconds ago stopped and the King rode off slightly, to allow Ned Stark to deal with his eldest daughter. He sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes, contemplating what he should do as a punishment for his daughter's recklessness.
"I pray to the Gods, thanking them that you're alive." He still had his eyes closed, "What were you thinking, you put your life at risk just so you could jump over a log?" She flinched; her father had never had to tell her off, a couple of 'Don't do that' or 'Tarynn' said in a tone that spoke of warning, but he had never been truly disappointed with her. "Those wildings could have killed you Tarynn; I could've been burying you…" He opened his eyes, staring straight ahead, "I have half a mind to appoint a guard to watch you."
She looked down, reaching out and twiddling with the mane of her horse, she didn't say anything, and there was silence between father and daughter for a while as both thought. Finally, Lord Eddard broke the quiet atmosphere.
"But I won't. I won't because I know you've learnt your lesson. Recklessness must be a Stark trait. Go, we'll discuss the matter further if we must, but for now I must attend to the King…" Tarynn let out a breath she hadn't realised she had been holding, "Oh and by the way Sansa has been asking after you, I suggest you go see her before she starts to throw a fit. She's becoming quite the little madam." Her father dug his heels into his steed slightly and galloped off, leaving her behind with her thoughts.
I expected him to be angrier to be honest. But I'm glad that he didn't feel the need to humiliate me in front of the King and his guards, I'm already looked at as it is for killing a man. I don't want whispers going around about me being chastised publicly by my father.
The wheelhouse rumbled up beside her, the driver was a bored man with a brown moustache, over his shoulders he wore a crimson cloak; he was a Lannister. The wheels creaked as it moved, making the whole contraption slightly on the precarious side. She called out to the driver.
"Is Sansa Stark inside?"
The man yelled back, his tongue was dripping with the accent of the Westerlands, "Whose asking?"
"Lady Tarynn Stark, Sansa's oldest sister."
"Oh my Lady, beg your pardon I…"
"Please, just tell me if my sister is in there, it's no trouble."
"Lady Stark went with Prince Joffrey for a walk."
"With whose consent?"
"Our gracious Queen's."
He spoke slightly louder, making a show of praising Cersei who was no doubt swaddled in furs and cloaks with her babes, Tommen and Myrcella.
Those two children are so sweet; it's a shame that their elder brother and mother aren't.
"Thank you." The man nodded and she rode off to the edge of the road, scanning the surrounding area for any sign of Sansa or Joffrey. She was annoyed with the queen, considering all the trouble with the wildings recently Tarynn thought that Cersei would have more sense.
Seems that her head is filled with straw the same colour as her hair, Joffrey and Sansa are children, they shouldn't be out and about alone.
She stood slightly in her stirrups; the sun was shining brighter as the day neared its noon. She cupped her hand over her eyes and looked out towards the rolling hills; there was a wood, a few leagues away that stretched out along the King's Road the closer they got to the Neck and the Twins. She secretly prayed that Joffrey had half a brain not to go in there with Sansa.
She wheeled her horse around, and rode down towards the end of the train, she wanted to find Bronte and enlist her in helping Tarynn find her missing sister.
I don't trust Joffrey as far as I can throw him, what if he takes advantage of Sansa?
Thoughts like that did not sit well with Tarynn, she urged her horse into a canter; riding down the edge of the King's road away from the foot traffic and wagons that were currently monopolizing the cobblestone track. She got a couple of looks, primarily from the gold cloaks and servants who were guiding the wagons and carts down the bumpy path but she brushed it off. She needed to find Bronte or perhaps Arya again. But after their small spat earlier it was hard to imagine that Arya was going to forgive her anytime soon, Arya could keep up a sulk for an inhumanely long time.
She slowed as she neared the end of the baggage train, Teddy who had given her the white steed was no longer leading his pack of horses, instead another boy sat astride the pony attached to all the other horses. She whirled her horse around, planning in her head to loop around the back of the horses and up the other side of the entourage, towards the front. If she could not find Sansa in the time that it took her to ride to the King and her father then she would tell her father that Sansa cannot be found anywhere. She was just about to put her plan into action when she heard giggling.
"Oh your Grace you are ever so brave."
She approached the boy, "Please, hold my horse for a short while, I have a matter to attend to."
The boy leapt at her command, mumbling "Yes my Lady." Before reaching for her reins and clutching them in his fist as she dismounted her horse.
"Thank you."
She lifted up her skirts before making her way to the side of a wagon, sure enough she found her sister, sitting on the back of the wagon. Joffrey was walking behind it, a rueful grin covering his face.
"This one fiend he tried to come up behind me…"
"I do apologise if I'm interrupting, but I have been looking for you everywhere Sansa."
The two children, for that was what they were, looked at her.
"Tarynn!" Sansa squealed, leaping daintily off the back of the cart and rushed towards her elder sister, "I visited you everyday, and prayed to the Seven that you would be returned to us. I am so glad that you are alright." She wrapped her arms around her older sister and all the anger that Tarynn had towards the fact that the Queen had allowed Sansa to go off alone with Joffrey dissipated as she stroked her little sister's auburn hair.
"I have missed you too San, but I'm much better and we can return to working on our embroidery together soon."
"I have done a few squares while you were asleep but not a…"
There was a cough and the two sisters ended their embrace, their attentions turned towards the Prince. He was a handsome boy, that was not debateable, what were in question were his personality and his unhealthy attachment to his mother.
Joffrey made a gesture with his hand, indicating silently the situation and the fact that he was of royal blood.
Tarynn curtseyed, and Sansa followed suit, "Do forgive us your Grace, I quite forgot my manners."
Joffrey did another little wave of his hand, "As long as you don't forget next time."
Tarynn made a mental note of getting someone to teach her archery as soon as possible. She smiled through gritted teeth and the sound of a series of trumpets filled the air. 1 blast meant that they were to stop for the night, 2 for luncheon or supper and 3 if there was any trouble such as brigands or mercenaries blocking the way forth. It was 2 short blasts and there was a period of utter silence when everyone waited for a third to come. It didn't and there was a tangible aura of relief as wagons stopped in their tracks and guards leapt off their horses, tethering them to whatever cart was nearby. The men and servants in this part of the entourage scattered, searching for cook fires to share and food and ale to pass around.
"Sansa we need to return to father for lunch…"
"Your Grace." A deep, gravelly voice appeared out of nowhere behind Tarynn and Sansa, Sansa was the first to turn and look at the person who had also hunted down the two stray children but Tarynn recognised the voice without the need to look. "Your father wishes you to come for lunch." Sansa pressed further into Tarynn's side, clutching at Tarynn's dress. The Hound moved nearer to them, and Tarynn could have sworn that he looked at her, even for just a brief moment.
"Ah Hound, please permit me to also escort my betrothed, and Lady Tarynn back to my father." Sandor merely grunted, folding his arms over his chest. "Dog, allow me to choose my dear Sansa a horse." He held out his hand to Sansa.
Sansa looked at Tarynn for confirmation, and Tarynn gave a small curt nod, she disliked Joffrey but Sansa would still need a horse and she wanted to talk to Sandor for a moment in privacy.
Sansa accepted Joffrey's hand and the two 'lovebirds' made their way to the boy who kept the horses; Tarynn turned her attentions to Sandor Clegane.
"I thought today was your day off?"
"It was, but the sun is fast heading towards its highest peak. I only got the morning to do what I wanted."
Tarynn peered into the sky, shielding her eyes from the sun's blinding rays, "So it is…"
He moved closer, his scent almost overpowering her as his calloused hand took her smooth one, "We near King's Landing."
"Yes we do." Her voice possessed hints of breathlessness; she could feel her body begin to grow weak.
The Hound's lips were near her ear, the spicy scent of wine was on his breath, "I made a promise that I would keep you safe, and I intend to keep it. But I can't keep every nasty fucker away from you, so please make sure you take the necessary precautions." He stepped away, the loss of his warmth caused Tarynn to shudder, "We must make our way to the King." Tarynn gently stretched her neck, standing almost on tiptoes to kiss Sandor's cheek. It was rough with stubble as her lips pressed against his hot skin. His voice was husky, "Don't tease me Tarynn, I am a lesser man."
Her voice was a whisper, "I am merely presenting you my gratitude." She moved away, putting a good few metres between her and the Hound, "Sansa and Prince Joffrey are surely waiting for us."
He nodded, his grey eyes shining.
They rode in silence back towards the front of the train; Tarynn pondered the amount of times she had been up and down the train of people. Thankfully the entourage had rolled to a standstill due to the fact that it was noon and the majority of the party were eating. She caught a glimpse of Toby as she rode past, he gave her a wave and she lifted her hand in response, a smile automatically spreading like wildfire across her face. He was so carefree and happy; it was a marked contrast to the Hound's dark and mournful personality. Slowing down to a trot and allowing the others to continue galloping ahead, she watched as Toby lifted up what looked to be a chicken leg, before patting the spot beside him; a gesture that she should go and sit with him. She smiled graciously before shaking her head, mouthing the words 'no, but thank you'. Toby shrugged and mouthed back; 'Another time perhaps'. She snapped her reins and rode fast and hard to catch up with Sansa, Joffrey and the Hound.
Toby seems to forget the difference in our statuses. I am highborn, he is a bastard. We can never become too close, it is simply not allowed.
When they reached the front, a table had been laid out. One of those contraptions that could fold down into a small square of wood with its legs all bunched together. At the end of the table was King Robert, majestic but gravely overweight, he was reaching for a portion of potatoes when they rode up. To the left of him was his Queen, Cersei, a member of House Lannister. To his right, Eddard Stark, Tarynn's father. Further down the table were Myrcella and Tommen, both sitting on the Queen's side, Arya sat opposite Tommen. Tarynn dismounted and handed her steed to a servant boy who stood as still as an iron fence post before sitting down beside her father. Sansa followed suit, occupying the empty seat in-between Tarynn and Arya, whilst Joffrey sat opposite Tarynn. They had effectively sorted themselves out into the two houses presiding over the journey south; tension ran thick in the air.
"So what trouble have you been getting yourself into lad?"
The King's question was directed at Joffrey but before the golden haired boy could answer his mother had interrupted him.
"Well he hasn't ridden over a wilding that's for sure." Her voice was icy cold and filled with contempt, she lifted a fork of green beans to her lips delicately. The anger within Tarynn bristled; Cersei's remark had been aimed at her.
"Quiet woman, I was asking my boy not you."
"I took Sansa sightseeing, to the other parts of the entourage."
"Aye, young love." Robert Baratheon laughed turning to Eddard Stark, "Seems that as soon as Sansa is ready, we can wed these two and our houses will be joined forever more, eh Ned?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"Please, I can't stand it when you refer to me as 'your majesty' we've know each other for a long time you shouldn't have to…"
Queen Cersei interrupted once again, "Please my sweet you are the King it is only proper that everyone, regardless of rank or personal attachment should refer to you as something suitable due to your status."
The King ignored her, and Tarynn watched with rapture as Cersei seemed to sink back into her chair once she realised that she wasn't going to be acknowledge.
"So Ned, what are you going to do about your eldest? Surely she should have been married by now." Robert's eyes were on her, a grin on his podgy face, "She looks very much like Lyanna, don't you think?"
Her father also turned to her, he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "My sister is dead Robert, and Tarynn is whoever she wants to be." He turned back to the King and Tarynn sliced of a piece of venison, bringing the succulent meat to her lips, "We are waiting for the right moment and I suppose the right man with good healthy ties and agreements before we force Tarynn into marriage."
"What about a Tyrell?" Robert leant forward, creating a steeple out of his fat fingers.
"As I said we are going to discuss it more in depth once we reach King's Landing."
"I hear the eldest Tyrell isn't married yet… Or perhaps you could… Yes!" The King brought his fist down hard on the table, causing everyone to jump apart from Ned. "Marry her to Renly!"
Why can't they just leave well enough alone?
She looked up, catching the Hound's eye. He didn't move, nor did the expression on his face change. He continued staring at her, his burnt side a gruesome contrast to his other.
"A perfect arrangement and Renly is only a few years older than Tarynn… What are you my girl, eighteen?"
"I am your Grace."
"Well then there you have it Ned, marry her to Renly and strengthen our ties even more!"
Tarynn looked up at her father panicked; she had never met Renly before, and had only heard whisperings of him. The latest one was that he didn't really fight on the same side so to speak. Ned's voice was cool when he responded to Robert's suggestion.
"I hope you will allow me to play matchmaker for my daughter. Robert I will consider your suggestion but Cat and I have already discussed the decision should ultimately be Tarynn's." Her father turned to look at her again, "Obviously that decision has to be within reason. And after the trouble we had with the suggested betrothal of Theon Greyjoy and Tarynn, we don't really want to cause our daughter anymore unhappiness. But like I said, I will write to Catelyn and discuss the prospect with Tarynn about Renly."
"Good man! Renly is in King's Landing as we speak so you will have plenty of time to get to know him Tarynn, although he hardly ever seems to be own his own. That Loras Tyrell chap forever seems to be shadowing him. Ah well that's a case of loyalty to the extremes."
A silence ensued as Robert proceeded to rip of the flesh of a chicken bone with his teeth in an animalistic way. Sansa whispered to Tarynn.
"I've heard tales about Renly, he's supposed to be very handsome."
"I am not interested in looks little sister, only personality."
"Yes. Otherwise you would have married Theon."
"Sansa…"
"All I'm saying is that you didn't really think it through, you would have been married to the man who is heir to the Iron Islands."
"Sansa you are thirteen, please allow me to make my own judgements and mistakes."
"But what if you end up like that Brienne of Tarth?" Ah so that's what that woman fighter's name was. "She is unmarried, and no man will ever look at her. Or so that's what Ser Jory tells me."
"I will marry Sansa, I'll have to, but for now I will enjoy not having to wait around on an obnoxious husband." Tarynn sighed and took a sip of the deep red wine that she had been served. Another servant came along and laid down a platter piled high with soft yellow cakes. "Sansa look, lemon cakes."
The girl squealed and clapped her hands before reaching for one of the rich morsels, "I do so love lemon cakes." The sisters laughed whilst Arya looked on, a stony expression painted on her face, Tarynn noticed this.
"Arya, care for one?"
She held out a cake on a small dish, a sort of peace offering to her younger sulky sister.
"No thank you."
Arya stood, threw down her napkin in the most dramatic way possible and stormed off, Tarynn turned to Sansa. "I don't understand what's wrong with her."
"I think she's upset about leaving Winterfell."
"But she wanted to come along. I'm pretty sure she could have stayed at home if she truly wanted to."
Maybe she misses Jon Snow; she always had a sort of attachment to him.
The conversation about Arya ended however when Sansa turned to talk to Joffrey and Tarynn was forced to make conversation with the Queen.
"So how do you like the south, sweetling?"
The Queen's voice was laced with forced kindness, her brother Jaime loomed over her protectively; Tarynn hadn't noticed him before now.
"Well we can't really say it's the south quite yet, we are only just passing through the Neck now," Queen Cersei's eyes narrowed in a hostile manner, "However the weather is a welcomed relief from the North."
The Queen took a sip from her silver chalice, her words speaking a thousand different meanings, "Just wait until you reach King's Landing, you'll be begging for a reprieve from the heat. I have noticed that when faced with extreme hot weather, people from the north seem to just melt…" Her voice held threatening hints, "Let's see if that's true."