"I don't want to go," Joy said sulkily. The girl was still sitting in her night clothes on the edge of the bed with her arms folded. Allyria had done everything she could to persuade the girl to pack, to do something to help and not just sit there but nothing worked. Truth be told I don't really want to leave either, not like this and where will we go? Back to the Rock, only this time alone. It was just the two of them up here, after breaking their fast early in the morning all the man went to work organizing the horses and other things that needed to be done for travel. Meiri and Allyria had been packing Allyria and Jaime's things when news came that Joy was throwing a bit of a fit. Allyria had a hard time believing it but then again she never had much experience with children, the only person born in her family after her was Edric and he had been a very quiet and obedient boy. So now Meiri was doing the brunt of the work back in the larger room while Allyria ignored Joy's protests and packed for her.

"You can't stay here Joy, I know you don't want to go but we often do not get what we desire. Ser Jaime will be displeased if someone is sent to fetch you." That was a bit of a low blow as the girl began to cry a bit. Being bad probably came with a few threats of the years by the various maids and Septas sent to raise Joy. Still it worked; even though she was sobbing mostly to herself Joy got up and moved to the door.

Allyria took the small trunk and heaved it along with her. There is no possible way I can carry this all the way. She put the trunk down in the hall already feeling the exhaustion in her upper arms. The little hairs on the back of her neck clung to the small gathering of sweat there. Her palm was wet after she ran a hand through her hair. It was pulled back very simply in a long single braid that went half way down her back. It had been a long time since she had cut her hair and when loose it grazed against her lower back.

Everything had been done in haste this morning, her stomach felt uncomfortable as she had eaten to fast. Even her dress felt as if it was on wrong, the seams rubbed her skin in strange places. She twisted straightened and rearranged it but nothing seemed to make it better. She took a moment to breathe and think what all was left to do; she hoped her mind coming up blank meant there was nothing.

She heard footsteps coming rapidly up the stairs up popped Jaime's squire. He was a red haired boy from Kayce the furthest point west in the Rock, almost due west from Casterly. He was a little shy around her, probably because they rarely met. Jaime was good to him, though for the most point he seemed to be very eager and intent to be the best squire he could. His name was Jonathon and he gave an awkward bow when he mounted the steps and saw Allyria.

"My lady your husband bids you hurry," he said quietly. She felt bad for the boy not a very lofty mission to be sent on and perhaps a bit nerve-wracking.

"Can you carry that trunk?" she pointed to it. "If you can then you can bring me triumphantly to my husband as that is the last of the baggage. Though I wouldn't expect much of a thank you for your good deed he was just too scared to do it himself, as he should be." She said it with a smile, she meant it but she took a perverse happiness at the idea that Jaime wouldn't want to upset her.

"Oh no my lady, you husband is very busy he sent me as a kindness."

"Yes Jonathon, you must always defend Ser Jaime, even from me." The boy's company was beginning to lift her spirits perhaps all might turn out better then expected, certainly being in the rock alone was preferable to being with Tywin. Besides Tyrion was back and as far as Allyria was concerned no one had died. The boy did his best with his burden and, like any true knight would, refused her help.

The yard was a flurry of activity, men and horses shuffled nervously kicking up dust. Allyria coughed as the cloud hit her nose, it stung her eyes as well. Jonathon left her and went to the baggage horse; she shook off the dust from her face and her dress.

"Finally, took you long enough," Jaime sat astride his black stallion the beast pranced proudly showing off his muscles below the shiny fur coat. Jaime held out his hand towards her, Allyria was confused by his actions and took it. He pulled her bodily up and over the horse settling her against him.

"What are you doing?" she struggled against him trying to get off. "I am not sitting up here like some bed warmer or whore you can order around and fondle in front of your men." She pushed against his chest with her right arm leaning far to the left and almost falling over.

"I didn't know fondling was on the menu." She hit him as hard as she could in the odd position she was in, just under the collar bone, Jaime winced. "There aren't enough horses. Someone has to share," he paused righting her. "Or walk, would you rather share with someone else? Or would you like to walk My Lady?"

Allyria was not ready to give up, "I will ride with Joy, and surely your horse can not bare both our weights. We are too heavy but Joy and I our light we will not slow the journey."

"Very logical," Allyria had stopped fighting him and Jaime whispered in her ear. He turned the horse to face back into the yard. "She already has a riding partner. We have more baggage and more people then the first time sacrifices must be made." He turned her face and she begrudgingly let him, "you are nothing to heavy metal plates this beast is used to packing." He was smiling and was quite closer to her, he knew he had her. He does so enjoy winning. She was pouting a little herself now. "I would much rather have you here," his voice turned into a hoarse whisper, "I would rather you here, between my legs, then some lifeless metal." Jaime often took to whispering dirty things to her in crowded places where she couldn't respond. He clicked his tongue and the horse began to move.

They were moving slower then Allyria expected but the horse were loaded down and weary. They had been through a lot; from the midnight trip through the Vale, the rushed trip up and down the Giant's Fist and now this, all within four days. She was surprised some of them weren't about to pass over dead, it was a testament to not believing appearances. Jaime even kept most of his opinions and thoughts to himself. Feeling more secure in his arms Allyria fell asleep to the gentle sway of the animal.

She woke as they passed beneath the bloody gate, all the soldiers of the Eyrie staring silently as they passed beneath them. It was the only part of the day that was very tense. Both parties were silent and straight faced but they couldn't seem to look anywhere but at each other. Prior to that the party had been lively, moments before they had been singing and Allyria even joined in. She had over heard Tyrion and the stranger Bronn swapping inappropriate stories for which she had a bit of a heart attack on the.

"Say all the things you want but not in the presence of Joy." The girl tried to argue, she had been enjoying her cousins stories that she thankfully didn't understand. Then Allyria pulled out her trump card and Jaime didn't stop her, "your father won't be thanking you if hears of this Tyrion, and you might find the flow of your gold stymied Bronn. Lord Tywin holds the purse strings after all." She knew how little Tywin loved his second son and how much that affected Tyrion even if he refused to admit it, and it was cruel to bring it up. Jaime pulled the reins and they slowed to the back of the group. "I know, Jaime I know." She sighed and he said nothing, the silence was companionable and she leaned into it and him leaning her head against his chest. She took deep breaths; the cool breeze tickled her neck and ears.

The hours passed by and the sun began to set, they stopped and set up camp. Once all the tents where up Allyria began to cook, as they had been travelling a scout had shot a deer and someone skinned and cleaned it. It was ironic, at least to her, that as the only women she was left to the cooking when she likely had the least experience. Still when all was said and done everyone ate and none complained.

Jaime had sat and talked with the men, she loved him in these moments. This is who always was with her, friendly and open, or at least an act that appeared like openness. No one else seemed to believe it though, whispering behind his back Kingslayer or stepping away in fear, bowing in starched politeness. Some men needed a stiff drink to loosen up; Jaime just needed freedom from responsibilities or at least freedom from his name.

It was much later and Jaime stood up, "Thomas and Jonathon you have first watch, Addam and Thomas will relieve you at two so on." He stretched and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, Jaime gave her an easy smile and Allyria felt a little weak in the knees. She hated that he brought such a weakness out in her, that she was careful around him and forgave far too easily, not to mention apologizing more then she liked.

She took his hand and led the way to the tent, there was catcalling behind her but she ignored it. She wanted her husband and she was unashamed of it. Besides today was the first day she hadn't experienced the knots in her stomach and she was very grateful for it. Afterwards she slept so good she didn't even hear him wake and leave for his own turn at the watch. When she woke in the morning he was already dressed. That was only the start of the weirdness, he helped her dress and brought her breakfast and all through the day he spoke but rarely to her or to anyone. They were not uncomfortable just quiet, it seemed to effect everyone even the youngest members. Everyone knew that early the next day they would arrive at Tywin's camp and everything would change.

When they climbed over the hill the next day in the lower Westerlands at the border to the Riverlands it was a red canvas sea as far as the eye could see.

Author's note

Someone else reviewed that Allyria was a weak person, it was a review for one of the first chapters and she definitely was weaker then but I want to know if you guys still feel that way. I don't think of her that way and I really need to know if I am accurately portraying her. No matter what I really appreciate all the reviews thanks for sticking with me. Also, no Tyrion is not taking the mountain clans to the capital, sorry.