Chapter Eleven

It's a long one. I had toyed of splitting it into two but decided against it. I just hope that I don't disappoint anyone when the next chapters are shorter than this in the future. I hope no one gets bored of me saying it but thank you for reviewing and reading! It's nice to see some new reviewers as well as the ones that have been with this story from chapter one.

I said I loved that last chapter but I REALLY love this chapter. The end of it. Seriously. You just wait and see!

Enjoy!

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Melara's body still had not settled when she made it to Renly's rooms. She followed Ser Loras through the door and continued to follow him out to the balcony. There was small table set up but there was no food or tea upon it. Melara had a feeling that she wasn't really there for tea but Renly had just wanted to speak with her where no one else could hear. By why would he bring Ser Loras? She had seen Renly and Loras together more often than they were apart. Early one morning she could have sworn to the Seven that she saw Loras leaving Renly's rooms half undressed.

"Melara, I don't think you've been properly introduced to Ser Loras." Melara gave her uncle a small nod in agreeance instead of verbally responding. She wasn't sure if her voice would even work yet. "Ser Loras Tyrell of Highgarden this is my niece Melara Baratheon of Dragonstone. Or maybe Winterfell? I suppose you lived more in the North than down here."

Loras gave her a friendly smile that was similar to the ones that Jon would give her. Oh how I miss Jon and those simpler times. With the attention of the men on her, Melara became self-conscious of her appearance. She busied her hands with flattening her hair and straightening her dress as she spoke.

"A pleasure to meet you, Ser Loras. I apologize for my appearance." Melara heard Renly give a chuckle at her expense. Although Renly had been nothing but kind to her since her arrival, she felt that he was not entirely himself around the Knight of the Flowers. She turned her glare onto him as she spoke. "Have I said something amusing, Uncle?"

"You haven't said anything amusing. I was just imagining the look on Robert's face when he hears of what you and Ser Jaime were doing in that hall. I can't imagine what came over you, my dear. You couldn't have picked a worse man to give yourself to." Ser Loras spoke before she had the chance to respond.

"It is dreadfully tragic. But, Renly, I'm sure you're not too old to remember the pull of young love." He gave Renly a strange smile that Melara did not understand. I've seen a smile like that from Jaime. What does it mean? Her thoughts of Jaime made her face heat as if she were still within his embrace. Her mind seemed to catch up with the fact that Loras had used the word 'love'. She cleared her throat to get the attention of the men. Her voice did not come out as confident as she had hoped.

"I don't love him."

Ser Loras did not miss a beat but responded casually with, "Then you are a whore." Melara felt her new found anger building and used that to regain her confidence. I don't know if I should be thanking Jaime for making me angry over the past weeks or not. Because of it I have learned to mostly control my fear but I'm starting to become so angry. Her response came as equally fast and confident as his.

"I am not a whore!"

"Well, if you don't love Ser Jaime and you are not a whore then why were you throwing yourself at him in a deserted hallway?"

"I wasn't throwing myself at him!" She stood from her seat with her fists clenched, not understanding her sudden need to defend her actions. I just don't understand anything at the moment. What made Jaime kiss me? Why did my body react so strongly to one simple kiss from him? Why did Renly bring me here and not in front of the King?

"It's the truth, sweet niece. If we would have been just a few moments later walking by, we might have seen the two of you deeper in a lover's embrace." Renly had witnessed many things in his life that others would have never believed. The sight of his fearful niece clutching to Jaime Lannister as if his very being kept her alive would now be added to those things. Sweet Girl, when will the Gods be good to you? Jaime Lannister is not worthy of your affections, whether you realize you hold them for him or not.

It had been heard of many times before, for a woman to be saved by a man and that woman to become affectionate towards her savior. Renly really couldn't blame the poor girl for her lack of experience with men and her misconceptions about the Kingslayer. Perhaps arranging a marriage for Melara would help focus her attentions to someone worthy of her. I'll speak with Robert on the matter the next time our paths cross.

"Why don't you take Jaime and me before the King and we can give him a repeat performance. We wouldn't want him to miss out on the amusement that you two seem to be having at my expense." Melara wanted nothing more than to shut herself in her rooms for the night and think of everything that had happened in the last hour. She was not accustomed to being the center of anyone's amusement and the men before her seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"Lady Melara, forgive us. Please sit. We will mock you no more." Renly gave Loras a pointed look as if speaking to the Knight of the Flowers as well as Melara. Loras leaned back in his chair and raised his arms in defeat. Melara reluctantly sat back down in her chair. I'll just spend a few more minutes here to be polite and then excuse myself. I really need to just think about what all has happened today.

Although Melara tried to resist the charm of the two men at her table she found she could not. They spent the next hours talking, eating and drinking. Renly and Loras had chosen wine as their drink while Melara had chosen water. When the sun was nearing setting she had excused herself, feigning that she was tired. Ser Loras, slightly intoxicated, had offered to escort her to her rooms. She had tried to decline but he would have none of it claiming that "the Kingslayer'll getcha".

The only times she had been around men under the influence of wine had ended very badly but with her rooms mere feet from Renly's she didn't think much could go wrong. Just as she had hoped, the pair made it to Melara's rooms without incident. They could still hear Renly laughing gaily though his open door.

"Thank you for the escort Ser Loras. I much enjoyed meeting you today." Instead of leaving, Loras leaned against the wall near her door. His body now stood between Melara and her rooms. I knew this was a bad idea. She wondered if Renly would come if she screamed. But Loras just simply looked at her.

"You remind me of my sister, Margaery. She's a lovely girl. Smart just like you. The two of you would like each other." Loras closed his eyes thinking of his sister and how he would have felt if Margaery had been attacked as Melara was. He felt a surge of rage go through him as the thought of his baby sister being attacked. No little girl deserves to be attacked. Being fueled by wine, Loras vowed to himself to protect Melara from any harm. Unbeknownst to him, another knight had made that same vow. He opened his eyes and held Melara's stare as he spoke. "I'm going to protect you while you are here in King's Landing. Even if that means keeping Jaime Lannister himself from coming near you, I'll do it."

She had heard from Sansa that when a Knight takes a vow of protection he follows it through to the end of his life. While Ser Loras did not look as strong as Jaime, nor did he have the same years of experience, Melara thought that he could protect her. But why? After a few hours together he wants to swear his life to mine?

"Thank you, Ser Loras. May I ask why you'd protect me?"

"Because I love your Uncle Renly. And he seems to love you." He left her then to return to the man he loved. Melara just dumbly made her back into her rooms and shut the door behind her. She slid her back along the door until she sat on the floor with her knees drawn into her chest. She thought of all of the things that happened to her in one day. First I find out it was Jaime who saved me when I was a little girl, then he kisses me and now Ser Loras confessed his love for my uncle. This place really is different from the North. Her mind was overwhelmed with questions and emotions. She closed her eyes and held her head in her hands to try and relax her mind.

It's times like these that I truly miss Winterfell. The only this I had to worry about there was the fact that Winter is coming.

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The one thing she was enjoying in the Capitol was the sunshine of the South. It made everything seem much livelier and brighter, almost happier. The atmosphere sunk into Melara and her attitude was reflecting her surroundings. She didn't think that anything could take the smile off her face.

When Petyr Baelish had told her to meet him in the private Royal Gardens she thought it was going to be about her dresses that she had still not received. I'd think that the seamstresses would want to fill the order from the King first. She couldn't be sure if the King had actually signed her dress order since she had not spoken to him since her arrival. Renly had told her how upset the King had been when he arrived back home. 'Fucking pissed' I believe were the exact words Renly used. She didn't release that she had said something so offensive to him that day. Or maybe he just had too many kingly duties to attend to.

"Lady Melara, you look a vision in this sunshine. The Seven meant you to be here and not stuck in the North. A shame how many women are the same." Melara gave Petyr a rare smile. Catelyn had told her of her childhood with Littlefinger. She had also mentioned that he had been in love with her and even challenged Ned's older brother for her hand. Melara thought of what it would be like to have a man fighting for your hand. Gods be Good I'm starting to sound as dreamy as Sansa.

"Thank you, My Lord. I must admit that the scenery is much…brighter than it is in Winterfell." He extended a hand to her and she gingerly placed her hand in his. As she did, he placed a courteous kiss on her knuckles. It didn't send a pleasurable feeling through her like Jaime's kisses did. What does this all mean? His eyes seemed to pierce her very being as he looked at her.

"There are many things that you find in the North that would thrive and be more beautiful in the South." He straightened his body and released her hand. "But I've not called you hear to discuss the décor. I have two letters for you, each from a different woman. Imagine my disappointment when each of these Ladies gave me a note, only to be told to give them to you. And here I thought I was becoming a desirable man." He bowed his head slightly and turned to leave her after he gave her the notes, both with their seals unbroken.

She unrolled the first and it was just a summons from the Queen to have tea. It said that she must report to the Queen as soon as Littlefinger gave her the message. She unrolled the second note and quickly recognized Lady Catelyn's elegant handwriting.

Sweet Melara,

I wish I could see you, just for a moment but Ned says it is not safe. After you rode for King's Landing, someone tried to kill Bran while he lay crippled in his bed. I have good reason to believe that the Lannisters are behind it. Stay away from them, Melara. Hide from them if you must. I am going to gather more solid proof before making my suspicions known. Burn this letter the moment you've read it. I wouldn't have been able to get this message to you if not for Petyr. Stay close to Ned and Petyr, I fear they are the only men you can trust in the Capitol. Keep my girls safe when I cannot.

Catelyn

Melara felt a sense of dread take over her. She stared after Petyr's retreating form and had an impulse to follow him. Catelyn had said to trust him, and Melara had always done what Catelyn told her. She called to him and he stopped quickly. Almost as if he'd known I was going to call for him. He did not turn to face her but turned his head to look at her over his shoulder.

"Why did Lady Catelyn give this to you? Why didn't she give it to me herself?" He didn't look like her would answer her and he didn't until he was almost out of her hearing.

"The real question you should ask is why I didn't turn you both in for her treasonous words against the Queen's family. She told you to trust me but I only am trustworthy for the Lady Stark."

Melara was stunned at the hooded threat from the man Catelyn had said to trust. He would have turned on me already if not for Lady Stark. Melara's smile had been taken off her face. And the worst had yet to come.

She had to meet with the Queen.

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Melara could have sworn she made all the right turns but she still, somehow, ended up lost on her way to dine with the Queen. She heard Jaime's voice echoing off the walls just ahead of her. She wanted to turn and run as she usually did but decided to face him instead. After Loras left her the other night she had recalled her intimate moment with Jaime. He kissed me. I didn't force him to, he did it by choice. Although Melara was not experienced with men, she was still an intelligent young woman. There was no reason for a man to kiss a woman unless he felt something for her. It was finding out exactly what that something was that Jaime felt towards her. She didn't know Jaime nearly enough to guess what it was. While Catelyn wants to find proof of the Lannister's guilt in conspiring to kill Bran, I sit here wanting proof that one of them feels something for me.

She passed Jory on her way to Jaime and they gave a greeting in passing. Each step towards the Ser made Melara's stomach tighten, from what she thought was nerves. When she saw him standing so poised and confident she stopped denying that she was attracted to him. Catelyn told you it's natural for a man and woman to feel a pull towards each other. It's normal. I'm not a whore for having an attraction. Jaime embodied everything that a man should be. Strong, talented with a blade, calm, confident and powerful. Where Melara lacked in these qualities, Jaime made up the difference. It's like we were meant to fit together. Stop it. Stop stop stop. You are starting to get ridiculous now. He wore a frown on his face but when he saw who was approaching him it changed into a smile. Not a smug look or a smirk or a mocking smile but the first genuine smile Melara had seen from Jaime. It only made her newly admitted attraction to him strengthen.

"Hello, Ser Jaime." When she was within reach he grabbed her hand and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles, as was customer with a Lady. But this time, Jaime let his lips linger just a second longer than necessary before answering.

"Please, Melara, just call me 'Jaime' when it's the two of us. No need to observe courtesies here." Just as he said it a round of giggles could be heard. "Especially here." Melara wasn't going to point out to him that his kiss on her knuckles wasn't necessary either if they were ignoring courtesies. It made her feel special when he did it.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Jaime, but I was actually looking for your sister. She summoned me to her and I've seemed to have gotten lost along the way." A strange look passed through his eyes at the mention of his sister. Melara wasn't even sure if she actually saw something because it had happened so quickly. He huffed out a spiteful chuckle.

"You'll find the King here but you will not find the Queen. Only the King's whores." Jaime nodded toward the door where the sounds of…something were coming from to prove his point.

"When he has someone as beautiful as Queen Cersei, why does he bother with other women?"

Jaime could have laughed outright were he not so guarded. He had been asking himself that question since he first developed an attraction to Melara. He had figured that while Cersei was very beautiful, Melara was able to make him feel like more than a pawn in a game. After years of devoting yourself to Cersei, this girl has swayed you in a matter of months. There must be something special about her.

"King Robert has an insatiable lust for cunt. He doesn't care who is under him, as long as the woman can get him hard, he will get inside her." Jaime saw how uncomfortable the conversation was making Melara. She'd rarely been around men, let alone heard their filthy mouths. Jaime decided that if he were going to get any closer to Melara he would have to switch tactics. Haven't tried to seduce a woman before. Can't be much harder than being victorious in battle. Same basics involved.

Step one: Cut off opponents escape routes.

He made his way closer to Melara, stalking her as if she was his prey. A lion hunting a doe. When he stood too close for her comfort, she began to back away from him. He kept walking towards her until her back hit the wall. He stayed close to her, and put his right hand on the wall near her head to keep him balanced in his armor. She had no choice but to look up at him. She thought he was going to kiss her again and felt a disappointment when instead he continued to speak.

"It's such a shame, really, that the King goes through women so fast. He doesn't have time to enjoy them." His left hand traveled up the side of her body in one of the light touches he seemed to only give to her. "To feel them." His touch became hard enough for her to feel his hand at her waist. His head leaned down to rest upon his hand. Even if she could have moved, she wouldn't. She remembered what Jaime had said the last time they were this close. Don't think. Just feel. He won't hurt you. His lips brushed her ear as he spoke. "To know their every desire." Melara let out a shaky breath as his left hand traveled higher. His thumb brushed over her breast as he brought his hand up to rest on her collarbone. She let out a gasp at the new sensation of a man touching her breast and holding her so tenderly. She had seen Ned hold Catelyn like this when they thought no one was looking, but had only guessed at what it might feel like. And now she was beginning to experience it. All thanks to Jaime.

Step two: Exploit their weaknesses.

He continued to speak into her ear, enjoying the closeness of their bodies. Cersei is too impatient to let me hold her this way. Jaime was enjoying this…whatever it was. He was going to prolong it for as long as Melara would let him. "It's terrible what happened to you. For so many reasons." He lifted his head from the wall to look down on her. She was effectively trapped. He was sincere in what he said. "Among other things, it poisoned you from feeling the pleasures a man can give a woman. If it wouldn't have happened you would have been married by now, with a highborn Lord worshiping your body each night." His voice was no more than a whisper. Melara didn't want to breathe for read that he would stop speaking. No one had ever spoken to her with such honestly in their voice. No one had made her feel both safe and scared at the same moment. That was exactly what Jaime was doing to her. She felt safe with his arms around her but she was scared for what this moment meant for them. The throbbing between her legs was making itself known and she was sure her heart would beat right out of her chest. Just when she thought she could handle no more from him, Jaime brought both of his hands to her waist. She could feel the pressure of his fingers even through her dress.

"I would've been Lord of Casterly Rock had I not chosen the life of the Kingsguard. Moments like this, with a pretty woman in my arms, I regret that decision. It reminds me of what will never be. I have taken women to my bed, but they will never be my wife." His fingers increased the pressure on her waist in a possessive way. "You will never be my wife."

Step Three: Patience.

Melara felt pity towards the man that held her. She never would have guessed that this man who seemed more confident that any other, would have regrets. She found her voice and spoke as quiet as he had been. "I will have no noble Lord for a husband. I'll be blessed if my future husband doesn't beat me. No respectable Lord would have me for a bride. I've been spoiled, broken. I am no noble virgin."

Jaime shook his head before moving his lips closer to hers. Her chest was heaving from her breath coming so fast. Her hands came up to his chest but she did not push him away, only set her hands on his breast plate. This small action seemed to encourage Jaime. He wanted nothing more than to thrust his erection against her, but he knew that doing so now would ruin everything that had gotten them to this point. "True, your body may not be that of a virgin, but your mind is." He placed a kiss at the corner of her mouth, feeling her lips trembling under his. He pulled away and looked at her straight in her eyes. Melara almost had to turn away from the intensity she saw, but she was transfixed by him. "Melara, you are not broken. Broken things cannot be made new again. You can still be fixed. You are just…bent." Melara would have laughed had it been said by anyone else, in any other way, at any other time. Instead she boldly pushed her body off the wall and closer to Jaime.

Step Four: Strike when the time is right.

"Bent, not broken." Melara tested the phrase out and decided he was right. She had been healing over the years, mentally and physically. Looking into Jaime's eyes she felt a spark of hope that she still had a chance at happiness with a man.

Jaime placed a kiss at the other corner of her mouth, feeling as if this was all a dream. He wasn't sure how to describe what he was feeling. It was as if he had been missing something and wasn't sure what it was, but suddenly found it. He found it in the form of a girl he'd saved from death. He brought his mouth to hover over hers. He kept his eyes on hers as he spoke against her lips. "Let me fix you."

Her response was to close the distance between them and put her lips on his. She tried to remember how he had moved her lips the first time. Her body became excited at the thought that she was making this man that most called a monster lose control. She would think about the consequences of what she had done later but for now she was going to get lost in the feelings a man could give a woman.

Step Five: Victory.

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