The carriage bounced and rocked as it passed over the bumpy road. They had only been on the road for a day and Elyana was feeling exhausted. She was sat, huddled in the corner of the carriage, shivering. Her lips were turning blue and she felt like she was going to freeze to death as she was still only wearing her slip.
"I heard the women in King's Landing are the best at everything," Duncan chuckled.
"There's only one way to find out," Benedict joked.
Elyana listened to the pair talking, grimacing at the disgusting comments that slid out of their mouths. She was upset that she was left alone with them. Edwin rushed off to the nearest inn, he said he needed to make some arrangements. Elyana still didn't know what her father was planning and at the moment, she didn't care. All she felt was defeat. This was who he was, there was no changing that now.
"Should we check on her?" Duncan asked, slowing down the carriage.
The carriage came to a halt and Elyana heard loud footsteps walking toward the door. She looked away from Duncan's face as he peeked through the small window. He frowned slightly, seeing the scene in front of him. Elyana was hugging her legs up to her chest, her lip trembling from the cold and her hair was a mess.
"What are we going to do with you, girl?" he grumbled while removing his fur coat. He was given strict orders to leave her alone but there was no way she would make it all the way to King's Landing in the cold.
As he placed his coat over Elyana's trembling body, he saw her tense up. Her eyes were cold and she stared at him with a hatred that he had never seen in the petite girl. Even Duncan could see that what Edwin was doing was wrong but to stand up to him was to willing lose your head. After Elyana realised that he only wanted to help her, she nodded then turned away from him; her eyes welling up again. She knew that they wouldn't help her. No one would help her.
Shadow ran through the house, his little legs going as fast as they could as he tried to find Talia. She had just awoken and was heading down to the dining hall. She felt something hit her legs and when she looked down, she saw Shadow panting.
"What is it, boy?" Talia asked, a little annoyed as she never liked dogs. "Go back to Elyana."
The dog whimpered at the mention of her name then pulled at Talia's dress with his teeth. Talia huffed before following him, still unaware that her family were gone. When they entered Elyana's chambers, Talia frowned. Elyana was always the last one to wake up yet there was no sign of her anywhere. She looked over at her wardrobe and saw that it was a mess with some of her gowns missing. Had she ran away?
"Gods, what have you done now, Elyana?" Talia sighed. She pulled her skirts up so she could move easily through the house, searching for Vivian.
Talia wandered through her house, there was no sign of Elyana or Edwin. She was really starting to worry now. Vivian appeared from the kitchens, carrying clothes. Talia grabbed her by the arm, determined that she knew what had happened.
"Where is Elyana?" she spat. Vivian's eyes widened with fear before placing the pile of clothes down.
"I don't know, milady. I haven't seen her this morning. There was a commotion in the courtyard last night, maybe one of the guards saw her?"
"You had better be right about this, Vivian. It would be a shame if we had to replace you."
Vivian bowed her head before rushing away while Talia felt that she would go crazy at any moment. It wasn't long until Mors ran into the room, clearly out of breath.
"My lady, Lord Westwood and Elyana have left Stoneclaw. The carriage is gone and Duncan and Benedict are missing too," Mors announced, his voice thick with worry.
"Thank you, Mors. The gods only know what my husband has planned now."
The carriage came to a halt again, jolting Elyana awake. She had managed to get some sleep as they tried to catch up with Edwin. As she clung to the furs covering her, she imagined what would have happened if she was to marry when she was younger; she knew that she was older than most girls when they marry, she just didn't fully understand why her parents waited.
Sure, she was a bastard but no one knew that unless she told them. She truly was her father's daughter so no one would have questioned it. There was an uneasy feeling in her stomach as she thought about the day she found out.
"My lady, your father is waiting inside. I suggest you hurry, he is not in a good mood," Duncan sighed.
"Thanks," Elyana mumbled as she climbed out of the carriage slowly. She wrapped the coat tighter around her, feeling vulnerable as she entered the inn.
The inn was full, making it harder for Elyana as she scanned the room for her father. She checked the bar first, knowing his love for alcohol but he was no where to be seen. There were several cheers and jeers as she took small steps further into the crowded room.
Elyana felt her cheeks burning up as she blushed at the comments shouted at her. She had found her Hell. Why would her father do this to her? Any normal father would want their daughter properly covered when she was in public.
"Hey girl, there's a seat here for you," one man chuckled, patting his lap. Elyana grimaced as she passed him.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Benedict leading her to the corner of the room where she saw her father with a large woman sat laughing on his lap. She rolled her eyes at his actions, this was not what any respectable man would do while his wife waited back home for him.
Edwin pushed the woman to her feet as he saw his daughter get closer to the table, his eyes dark and determined. The woman scurried off, leaving Edwin and Elyana alone. Elyana didn't look her father in the eye which made him grow more and more frustrated with her.
"What do you want, father?" she said quietly, her eyes glued to a spot on the wall, behind him.
"You need to eat something. King's Landing is a month away and I don't need you getting too skinny. You need to impress."
"Impress who? The last I heard, I was to marry Ramsay!" Elyana exclaimed. Her eyes wild with anger and her fists bound into fists. She didn't want to be here, Edwin could see that.
"I have changed my mind. I have already sent a raven to Roose Bolton to tell him the news."
"Does this mean that you won't be following him around like his little pet?" Elyana spat. Edwin clenched his jaw before raising his hand and slapping her across the face. It was hard enough to leave a red mark.
Elyana sat, stunned as she held her hand to face. She knew he would be angry but she didn't expect that he would hit her. She felt her eyes well up again but refused to cry in front of him. She wouldn't waste her tears.
"How dare you speak that way to me. I am your father and you will do as I say. We will be going to King's Landing and you will be married as soon as we get there. Do you understand?" he yelled. No one seemed to notice as they were singing and cheering while drinking.
"I understand," Elyana whispered, still shocked at the outburst. "May I be excused?"
Roose sat at his study, reading the message that had arrived. He scanned over the small piece of paper in his hand. His fist met the table, making his new wife, Walda jump from the loud noise.
"Get me Ramsay," he ordered and the plump woman left to summon her step-son.
She returned moments later with Ramsay following behind her. He looked annoyed, like a child who was told he couldn't play any more.
"You called for me, father?" he asked.
"Yes. There will be no wedding-"
"No wedding?" he snapped. Walda was stood by the door, ready to leave when Ramsay exploded.
"We will have to find you another to wed since that coward made me legitimise you." The comment made Ramsay visibly upset; his jaw was clenched and his eyes were glazed over. He knew that his father had not done that out of his love for him. There was always an agenda.
"He will pay for this? I mean, look at Robb Stark, he backed out of a pact and look at where that led him!"
"I know, Ramsay but what if it is the girl who put a stop to it? What would you do?"
"No, Elyana wouldn't do that. I had her right where I wanted her and she would have gone along with what her father wanted."
"If that's what you believe then yes, Lord Edwin Westwood will pay," Roose stated. This pleased Ramsay, his eyes lit up and his mouth turned into a smirk.
"And father, I will marry Elyana. Just you wait."
A/N: I apologise that this chapter isn't as good, it is just a filler. You just know that something big is about to happen, Ramsay isn't a happy bunny! Thank you in advance to anyone who is kind enough to leave reviews :)
