A Song of Fairies

Part 1: A Game of Thrones

Wendy

Petyr smoothed some of the wrinkles from his satin shirt as he looked in the mirror that rested on the wall in his solar.

"What are the great houses of Westeros?" He asked as he straightened his collar.

Wendy squinted her eyes, straining her memory, "Stark… Lannister… Baratheon… um… Tyrell… Martell… and… and…" She sighed and shook her head.

Petyr turned around when he heard her defeated sigh, "Well you cannot simply give up that easily. They are only names. And you need to learn them." He pointed out firmly, "Come on now. There are several more. You can do it."

Wendy nodded and pursed her lips, "Arryn?"

Petyr nodded, "Very good. A much more obscure one, but a great house nonetheless. Now, there is another."

Wendy gulped. She wracked her memory. Days upon days of reading the interesting history of Westeros came rushing back to her mind. She recalled all of the interesting people she had read about. Lords of the North who build massive structures. Knights from the Westerlands who fought for honor and justice. And kings who rode-

"Dragons." Wendy mumbled, "House Targaryen!"

Petyr whipped around, "Careful now!" He hissed, "That is not a name you should blurt out."

Wendy paled, "Wh-why?" She asked.

Petyr bowed his head then turned back to the mirror, smoothing out one last wrinkle with a brush of his hand.

"A story for another time. And one that will no doubt sicken you." Once he was satisfied with his appearance he turned to Wendy, "The last one is Greyjoy, Wendy. The smallest of the great houses. Although an argument can be made, that house Tully of Riverrun is now a great house. But for now, they are relegated to just governing their little corner of Westeros. They don't have nearly the influence that families such as the Starks, Arryns, or-"

"Or Lannisters!"

"Yes," Petyr smiled, "Or Lannisters have." He let his hands fall to his sides, "Are you ready to go?"

Wendy looked at her own mirror now. The dress Petyr gave her was absolutely stunning. A beautiful garment made of shimmering blue fabric. She felt like she was wearing the sky itself. She smiled brightly then looked back at him.

"I think so."

"Good. The King is expecting me soon, and I can't leave you here today."

Wendy nodded, grabbed her crutch and followed Petyr towards the stairs. Once there, Petyr lowered himself so Wendy could easily wrap one of her small arms over his shoulder. As they both hobbled down the steps, Wendy glanced at him.

"Why can't I stay today?"

"Because, I have no one to keep an eye on you. All of the girls are going to be very busy today. So, you will come with me to the Red Keep."

Wendy's eyes lit up with excitement. The first time she had entered the Red Keep was a fascinating experience. The only blemish on that memory being her harsh interaction with the Queen.

"But before we get to the Red Keep, I need to stop at the Apothecary's."

Wendy quirked an eyebrow at the unfamiliar term.

"A potion maker." Petyr explained, "The one I'm going to specializes in the healing arts. I trust him to do a much better job than any maester, and most certainly that oaf Pycelle."

"Who's Pycelle?" Wendy asked as the pair descended the steps from Petyr's solar down towards the main hall of the building.

"Did you notice the rather old man shuffling alongside Lord Varys." Wendy gave him a puzzled look, "He had a very bushy white beard."

"Oh!" Wendy exclaimed, "Yeah I saw him. He had that really long chain around his shoulders."

"That would be him." Petyr nodded as he pushed the door open and held it so Wendy could exit first. Already she was wrinkling her nose as the rotten stench of King's Landing filled her senses. It was a horrid mixture of sewage, sweat, and obnoxious perfume. Petyr quickly hopped into the small carriage that was awaiting the pair. Then it rattled down the cobblestone roads, downhill, away from the Red Keep.

"This is why I insisted on an early start to the day." Petyr glanced out the window as shops began to open their shuttered windows, "Because once we get there, it is going to take a long time to make our way back up the hill to the keep." He shook his head, "Sometimes I believe there are far too many people in this city.

"Have you ever considered moving?" Wendy asked innocently.

Petyr smirked, "And miss out on all of the fun at the Red Keep. No…" He shook his head, "I can deal with the crowded roads and the stench just as long as I can also keep doing what I enjoy."

"What would that be?" Wendy saw his lips twitch a little, "Is it running your um…" She cleared her throat, "Business."

He glanced at her with a small smirk across his lips, "I suppose you could say that."

….

She assumed the Apothecary's shop would be like Porlyusica's house back in the Earthland. The old woman back home was the formal doctor of Fairy Tail. Always ready to assistance (most of the time begrudgingly so) when a member of the guild suffered a severe injury. Her home was always impeccably clean, yet at the same time filled with all manners of potted plants that she used to make her incredible healing potions. Wendy would often ask her what each plant did for which potion. And although Porlyusica vehemently declared that she hated humans, she was more than happy to answer her questions (With a good deal of venomous sass thrown in with her answer as well).

This apothecary Petyr took her to, was the opposite of that. Wendy felt like she walked into a cloud of dust and dirt as soon as she entered the small shack that lined the western wall of King's Landing. They didn't even bother trying to disguise the horrid stench coming from the rest of the city. There was no perfume in the air here. Only a smell so nauseating that it nearly made Wendy's head spin off of her shoulders.

And while Porlyusica's plants were always neatly groomed and green, the ones in this shop were wild, overgrown, some even lined with a peculiar white fuzz. She almost touched a leaf lined with the stuff when the shop owner jumped up from behind a doorway and warned her not to. Bad things would happen, he said. And judging from the serious glance he gave her, she had reason to believe he meant it. That and the pile of dead flies that she noticed beside the strange leaf.

This is a healer's place? She thought with disgust. In the background she could make out Petyr making small talk with the apothecary as the two slowly walked to a back room.

Wendy crept along the walls of the shop. Careful not to touch any of the plants while at the same time, looking at each with a profound fascination. Healing was in her blood. Her mother Grandine was the Sky Dragon, and a Sky Dragon's specialty was healing. Maybe she could learn a thing or two here. And so, she hobbled along on her crutch. One foot keeping her balanced while her broken leg sat rigid in plaster beside it.

Eventually, the rows of potted plants ended and gave way to jars filled with many things that either made Wendy's curiosity rise, or bile rise up her throat. One jar was filled with millions of live ants. Another with monarch butterfly wings. And she swore she saw one filled with a nebulous green liquid with a finger floating in it. She had quickly backed away from that one and tried to push it out of her mind.

Her eyes darted over to a small jar filled with an opaque white liquid. She pursed her lips and tilted her head.

I wonder what this one is.

"You did what I asked?" She heard Petyr say from the room over. Little did he know, she could hear him. He never asked about her heigtened senses, and she never told him about them. Mostly because she didn't find it important to tell him. It was just her senses after all. It wasn't like it was her actual magic.

"I did, milord." The apothecary replied in a hushed tone, "Lady Lysa was given the tears, as requested."

"Very good." Petyr replied before Wendy heard the clink clank of gold clattering into someone's hands, "For your troubles. And for the milk of the poppy. Little Wendy's cast must come off soon. And it will hurt when it does."

"Of course!" The apothecary replied in a much louder voice, "The last thing I want is a little girl in pain." The pair emerged from the back room, with Petyr cradling a small vial of white liquid, "Give my regards to Lord Arryn at the Red Keep." The apothecary continued, "I do hope he grows well."

"As do I." Petyr nodded with a smile before shaking the man's hand and waving to Wendy for her to follow him out, "An interesting little place." Petyr noted as they exited and walked back to the carriage.

"I'll say!" Wendy remarked, "How do you make potions out of that… stuff!" She shuddered in revulsion.

"Sometimes it is not potions a man seeks, but poisons." Wendy felt her breath get caught in her throat, "After all," Petyr continued, "A poison certainly helps a hunter take down a stag much more easily."

Wendy gulped, "And 'The Tears'?" She asked, suddenly feeling a pit of concern growing in her chest. She noticed Petyr's eyes widened ever so slightly, "Is that a potion, or a poison?"

As quickly as his surprise appeared, Petyr banished it away. And he chuckled, "You overheard all of that?" Wendy hesitantly nodded, "Well… no need to worry yourself, Wendy. The Tears are a potion. Lady Lysa Arryn's son, Robert, is a sickly little boy. The Tears help with his chills that he often contracts. Although a side effect is that the eyes grow a tad runny for several hours, hence the name." The carriage clattered loudly on the road, forcing Petyr to raise his voice over the clacking of wooden wheels and the hocking of merchants from their shops along the street, "In fact, you may be meeting young Robert today." He nodded, "And the other children. Yes! Actually, that is perfect! I will make sure you spend the day with the children. They have Kingsguard around them, so you will be safe."

"And," Wendy started before smiling proudly at Petyr, "They don't ask dangerous questions."

Petyr looked at her with genuine surprise before his lips spread into a wide grin, "Indeed they don't, Wendy. Indeed, they don't."

The carriage ride took another half an hour before it finally rolled to a stop in front of the Red Keep's massive doors. Once the carriage door opened, Petyr calmly stepped out and offered his hand to Wendy, who clutched her crutch and carefully stepped down from the carriage. They then silently walked up to the doors. They swung inward, iron hinges groaning, before revealing the main hall and the empty Iron Throne.

Petyr paused beside the first stone column that led to the Iron Throne, "Well… time to find the-"

"SER POUNCE!"

Wendy blinked as the fattest fur ball she had ever seen in her life came skidding along the floor by her feet, hissing and puffing as it streaked along the floor. Not seconds later, a young boy with short blonde hair and bright green eyes came rushing by Wendy, giving chase to the massive house cat.

"Well, there's one." Petyr remarked.

"Tommen!"

Both Petyr and Wendy glanced to their right to see a young girl rushing after the little boy. She paused though when she stumbled on Wendy and Petyr.

"Oh!" The girl smiled brightly before doing an awkward courtesy, "Good Morning, Lord Baelish."

"Good Morning, Princess Myrcella." Petyr smiled cheerfully, "I see it is already a lively one as well."

"It is, Lord Baelish." Myrcella grinned, her bright green eyes sparkling with excitement, "Although Tommen once again let his cat run about the castle. Mother is not going to be very pleased about that."

"Especially if he wanders off to a place he is not supposed to." Petyr noted. Myrcella nodded in agreement. Petyr then glanced at Wendy, "Well… I suppose you could help her?"

"I could?" Wendy replied, casting a quick glance at her leg.

Petyr nodded and smirked. A smirk that made Wendy pause for a moment. She had seen that smirk a few times before. Whenever he was speaking to one of his girl's when he caught them lying to him. He'd play innocent. Like he didn't know what had happened to the missing gold dragons from his coffers. He'd smirk at them, a telling sign that he actually knew far more than he let on. The smart ones noticed this and immediately confessed. The dumb ones… Wendy didn't see them the next day. Petyr said that they had been released from employment at his brothel and gone to seek employment elsewhere. Although that speech always seemed to carry a hint of menace that her ears always picked up on. And now, he was smirking at her that way.

"I'm sure you could." He replied before sighing, "Well, your grace," he bowed to Princess Myrcella, "I must be going to the small council chambers. No doubt Lord Arryn awaits me."

"I heard he has grown more ill." Myrcella replied, "They say a fever has taken hold of him."

Petyr's jaw shifted, "Well… that is most unfortunate. I pray to the seven for his swift recovery. But that doesn't mean I cannot pause in my own duties." He looked at Wendy, "I will come find you when I am finished today."

"Ok." Wendy replied before Petyr quickly left the two girls alone. When he exited behind the Iron Throne, both Wendy and Myrcella heard a loud crash followed by Tommen's distressed cries.

Mycrella rolled her eyes.

"Oh dear." She muttered, "We better hurry."

Wendy hobbled after the young princess.

"Can I ask why?" Wendy said, forgetting the common courtesies that were required when speaking to one of the royal family. Myrcella didn't seem to notice. And if she did, she clearly didn't care.

"Because Ser Pounce ran in the direction of the kitchens." Myrcella cringed, "House cats do not exactly know to not jump on the cutting boards and cupboards."

And so, with Wendy hobbling along as fast as her legs could carry her, the two girls raced to the kitchens. Once arriving, they found a complete mess. The cooks were in a furious uproar over shattered glasses and spilled containers of food. But there was no sign of Tommen or Ser Pounce.

"There's only one other place they could be." Myrcella muttered before picking up the hem of her dress and racing down the halls towards the royal living quarters.

"Wait up!" Wendy called as she attempted to keep up.

She saw Myrcella skid around a corner then disappear from view. Wendy winced as her injured leg began to throb. Eventually she to made it around the corner, and bumped straight into a massive wall of steel.

"Ouch!" She squealed before looking up. As soon as she saw the face of the man she ran into, her breath got stuck in her throat.

He was a hideous looking man. Greasy black hair ran down from the top of his head down to his neck. A mean snarl was etched on his lips while angry eyes stared down at her. But what caught Wendy's attention, was the mass of twisted, scarred flesh that covered half of the man's face, rendering it stiff and nearly immovable.

"Watch where you're fucking going." He growled, before uncorking a bottle in his left hand and greedily sipping it's contents.

"S-sorry."

He grunted and shoved his way past her, "No you're not."

Wendy stared at the man as he strode down the hall and out of sight.

Whoever he was, he's not friendly. Wendy took a calming breath, just now realizing that her heart was racing. Ok, now where are they?

"Wendy!" She heard Myrcella call before the little blonde haired girl peeked her head out from a doorway, "In here!"

Wendy smiled and hobbled over. Myrcella grabbed her hand and pulled her into the room. Inside was Tommen, clutching the enormously fat cat named Ser Pounce. Sitting in the chair across from him was another man with sandy colored hair and dark eyes. He wore a loose fitting shirt and rested with a smile on his face as his hands held a small stringed instrument that looked like a harp to Wendy.

"Oh good! Another guest!" The man grinned before waving his hand, "Please sit, and listen to the great Marillion play his harp." His smile widened, "After all, I do enjoy entertaining royalty." And he began to tune his instrument.

Myrcella beamed at Wendy who also flashed a smile. Meanwhile, Tommen sat cross legged on the floor, Ser Pounce cradled in his arms. Wendy saw the cat give her a grumpy glance before giving up and resting in Tommen's arms.

Marillion plucked several strings then smiled.

"Perfect!" he declared as Wendy took a seat, "Now then! What shall I play for you children today. Perhaps… The Bear and the Maiden Fair?"

Tommen gleefully clapped his hands while Myrcella nodded happily. Wendy just looked confused.

What kind of song is that?

"Excellent choice, your graces." Marillion smiled before strumming his harp, "Well… there once was-"

"Stop." A sharp voice snapped, cutting Marillion off.

Wendy turned around to see that same knight she bumped into quietly walking in. Beside him was a boy with the same blonde hair as Tommen and Myrcella. His green eyes narrowed at Wendy before he turned to look at the singer.

"Such a trivial song in this great keep!" He declared before striding over to stand beside Wendy, he then gestured to her, "And in the presence of an honored guest of Lord Baelish's as well." He frowned, "No, a first song in this keep for her… must be a grand tale. One that she should remember for all time."

The scarred knight slumped into a chair, uncorked his bottle, and drank yet again while the newcomer spoke.

"Perhaps, singer," The boy continued, "A better song would be the Rains of Castamere."

Wendy saw Marillion shift uncomfortably in his seat, "A grim tale, your grace." The boy narrowed his eyes causing Marrilion to gulp, "But!" he recoved, "One that is truly memorable and grand. Yes! I shall perform it."

"Oh come on Joffrey." Myrcella whined, "We've heard that song so often."

"And it would be well for you to hear it again." Joffrey sneered, "After all, for others it is grim. But for us… for our family, it is a triumph."

Wendy cocked an eyebrow, puzzled. How could a song be both a grim tale and a tale of triumph at the same time. She was about to ask when Marillion began.

And who are you, the proud lord said,

that I must bow so low?

Only a cat of a different coat,

that's all the truth I know.

In a coat of gold or a coat of red,

a lion still has claws,

And mine are long and sharp, my lord,

as long and sharp as yours.

And so he spoke, and so he spoke,

that lord of Castamere,

But now the rains weep o'er his hall,

with no one there to hear.

Yes now the rains weep o'er his hall,

and not a soul to hear

As he sang, Wendy could feel the glee of Myrcella and Tommen ebb away. Marillion's voice came out slow and somber. His tenor dropping to a near whisper as he neared the end of the short refrain. As he plucked the last few chords on his harp, he sighed and and sang the last verse. A verse that rang through Wendy's mind.

Not a soul to hear.

And he finished.

Tommen and Myrcella bowed their heads, as if recognizing the mournful tone of Marillion and choosing to imitate it. But Joffrey did not, instead his face twisted into a snarl.

"What was that!?" He demanded, "That was not the Rains of Castamere!"

Marillion glanced up, "Twas that very song your grace. Sung in the way I was instructed so many years ago."

"NO!" Joffrey bellowed, causing everyone but the scarred knight in the background to jump, "The Rains of Castemere are not some funeral song! They are a song of my grandfather's triumph over traitors! It speaks of his mighty victory over treasonous Lords!"

Marillion grimaced, "It does, your grace."

"Then why do you sing it in such a way!?"

"Because it isn't just about the triumph of Lord Tywin, your grace." Wendy saw Joffrey's eyes boring hate filled holes into Marillion, "It is about he complete destruction of a house."

Wendy's eyes widened in shock. The song was about the destruction of an entire family. She looked over at Joffrey.

And he thinks it should be sung cheerfully!?

Joffrey clenched his fists and turned to the drunken knight, "DOG!"

The knight awoke from a small nap and cracked open his eyes to stare lazily at the king.

"I want this fool of a singer removed from the castle!"

The knight frowned. Wendy could see he was deciding whether or not even moving was worth his time.

"I command it Dog!"

The knight let out a long breath and rose to his feet, "As you wish, your grace." he grumbled before marching over to Marillion and roughly grabbing him by the neck, causing the slight singer to yelp in pain.

"No! He's nice!" Tommen began to blubber, "I like him."

"Shut up!" Joffrey barked causing Tommen to start crying.

"Does he have to be removed from the castle?" Wendy asked the knight as he dragged Marillion to the door.

"He does. Prince's orders." The Knight grunted back before leaving.

Once the doors shut, Wendy wheeled around to face Joffrey.

"He didn't deserve that!" She snapped.

Joffrey paused and turned to look at her, shock on his face. It seemed no one had ever confronted him about his behavior before.

"Yes." he scowled, "He did. He did not do as I commanded."

Wendy frowned, "Yes he did. He sang the song you wanted. Just because he didn't like it doesn't mean you-"

*SMACK*

Wendy fell back as Joffrey's slapped her hard across the face.

"Joffrey!" Myrcella cried.

"SHUT UP BEFORE I DO THE SAME TO YOU!" Joffrey screamed, jabbing his finger at her, he then bent over Wendy, "Now, whoever you are," He reached down and wrapped his hand around her jaw, "Never. Question. Your. Crown. Prince." He growled before shoving her back down to the floor. He then smoothed out some wrinkles in his shirt before stepping over a shaken Wendy and leaving the room.

As soon as the door shut behind him, Myrcella hurried over to Wendy.

"Wendy!" She cried as the blue haired girl slowly sat herself up, the back of her hand rubbing against her now bruised cheek, "Are you alright."

Wendy nodded, "I've had worse." She then nodded at her leg, "I'll be fine."

"He's a big meanie!" Tommen cried, clenching the squirming Ser Pounce even tighter against his breast.

Myrcella nodded in agreement, "He is. But he is our brother, Tommen. He is family." She sighed, "Unfortunately." She held out a hand to Wendy, "Do you need help."

Wendy nodded and took Myrcella's hand. The young princess heaved with all of her might and yanked Wendy up to her feet.

"I apologize for Joffrey." Myrcella bowed her head, "He can be a tad violent at times."

Wendy rubbed her cheek again. That was the first time anyone had ever hit her for such a menial thing before. She had been attacked in her life. It came with being a wizard in a wizard guild. She could still recall the injuries she received during her mission with Fairy Tail and the other guilds as they battled the Oracion Seis. Those were some of the worst wounds she ever had. A slap didn't hurt too badly anymore.

Before joining her new family, she would've started crying at being slapped like that. And Carla would've told her to be strong and not show weakness over being slapped. To strike back and teach the bully a lesson. To confidently stand up to her attacker. But now, she didn't need to be persuaded to do that. Now, she had examples to look up to. The prime one being Erza and how she never backed down from an enemy. Wendy greatly admired her for that. She hoped to one day be as strong and brave as Erza, or even Natsu. And that started with not allowing Joffrey to slap her ever again.

"He does that to me again," Wendy said, her voice quivering a little as she continued to rub her cheek, "I'll hit him back. And he won't get up as easily I did."

Myrcella paled. Then she nodded.

"Hopefully it never comes to that." She then looked over at Tommen, "Come on Tommen. We should get Wendy back to Lord Baelish."

Tommen nodded and scooped up Ser Pounce before following his sister and Wendy out the door.

And chapter. So this chapter introduced Wendy to the royal children a little bit. Including Joffrey (GOD I HATE HIM!). We also got to see her and Littlefinger together a little more, which I absolutely love writing.

I also want to say something really quick. In my opinion, a great story must involve having characters change in some form or fashion. That includes this one. Our favorite characters will certainly not be the same ones we know when this story comes to a close. Westeros is too traumatic for that. However, unlike the original of this story, it won't be such a jarring change (A prime example being Wendy's arc in the original story which I reread now and cringe a little at how badly I screwed up her character). My goal is to make the character progression more believable and slow. Let it all build up over time instead of exploding all at once. Wendy slowly learning how to read situations from Littlefinger is a perfect example of that. (Although he's still able to manipulate her it seems).

Anyways, the next chapter will most likely be an Erza or Gray chapter. So stay tuned. I'll try to update sometime this week, but with work that won't be easy. I'll do my best for you guys! Anyways, let me know what you guys think! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!