Willem Samelson

It was rather impressive riding into King's Landing. The colors, the castle looming large and magnificent, but the discomfort in my stomach overpowered most of my awe.

"You have never been here before." It was as much of a statement as a question from Lord Eddard Stark.

I had felt more at ease since he met us a day outside of the city. Although no one likely would have understood my meandering path well enough for an ambush, I felt safer to have him with me.

"No, like my father, I was never much for leaving Plenair," I replied. "Unless I have to."

Lord Eddard nodded with a sad sort of smile, "Let's hope you can stay there then. I had no idea Ana missed it so much, visiting you…"

"Well, she never had a proper farewell. We had to see her off right." I had rehearsed that line so often that I almost believed it now; coupled with the effortless shrug, I sounded convincing.

Eddard nodded, allowing the topic pass. "Rest for a while. We'll save the official welcome for supper."

"Of course, I look forward to it."

The lie stuck on my tongue, leaving a sour taste. There was nothing I wanted less than to be in this place. My brother did not need to pretend to be Lord of Plenair. My mother did not need to be scared for me, and my little sister did not need to question if she should also come running to King's Landing. And, I was significantly too young to have this sense of paranoia all around me.

Rest seemed unlikely to come, so I instead went exploring. Roaming the halls as though I owned the castle, I was never stopped by anyone until a soft voice called my name. Turning around, I smiled upon seeing a little, brown-haired girl.

"Arya Stark," I stated, grinning at her.

I had not grown particularly close to her in Winterfell. In fact, I thought she found me irritating, but her tone was so warm, so excited, that she must of forgotten all of that.

"Ana said you would come!" Arya exclaimed, rushing towards me.

I bent down to hug her, furrowing my eyebrows. I couldn't imagine why the sudden friendliness except that she must need a friendly face, so i provided it for her, hugging her as though she were my little sister.

"What else did Ana say?" I teased.

"That I need to watch your back because you don't like to watch your own."

I scoffed, "Yes, that sounds like her. Well, come on, then." I lifted her up, tossing her over my shoulder.

"Put me down!" Arya cried. She tried to sound threatening, but it came off as a squeal.

"You can watch my back."

"Put me down!" Arya continued to cry. I found it hilarious, particularly since it so obviously irritated her.

"Arya, please! You are disturbing the entire cas—tle."

Sansa Stark stared at me for a long moment before venturing, "Will." She reddened before adding, "I mean, my Lord Samelson. I did not realize you were already here."

"Your father was kind enough to sneak me into the city. I can meet the royal family at supper. Not one for scenes, you see," I added with an easy smile.

Sansa giggled before Arya kicked her legs again, exclaiming, "Set me down."

"Fine, little monster," I sighed, putting her down.

She tried to stare daggers at me, which was incredibly amusing. Hardly reaching my hip, I curious what she expected to be able to do.

"I came to find Arya to get her ready for supper," Sansa spoke up. "We will eat soon."

"Well, I shall see you there then," I gave her a warm smile, causing Sansa to blush before turning back to my chamber.

Supper did come sooner than I would like. King Robert was extremely pleasant as were his younger children; however, the queen regarded me coolly as we were introduced. Her eldest son seemed to sneer and match her displeasure. Favor with 3 of the 5 was not terrible, but I hated the feeling of suspicion at every moment.

I waited to drink my wine until after the others at the table drank from the same servant's pitcher. I played my part well, laughed with ease, smiled, and was as charming as usual. I had King Robert in hysterics for much of the night, speaking of misadventures and the social mistakes I had made in my first few months of lordship.

"You aren't a true lord if you haven't offended most people at some point or another," the king joked with a booming laugh. "Kings even more so."

I laughed along with him, stealing a glance at Lord Eddard. He feigned a smile but there was no humor in his eyes.

"Well, your father's friends must have forgiven you. You brought quite a scene of lords and ladies when you sister visited." Cersei's voice was sweet but there was no kindness in her eyes.

I shrugged, "I am sure your father had quite the farewell feast in honor of your marriage."

"Not quite the same show of power," she returned with a sly smile.

I laughed this time, "No? My father was never much for small festivals."

Robert chuckled, "No, never!"

I added, "He would have had a massive feast for Analysa, but prior to the wedding, we could not give that to her. Besides, you should have seen Ana and Robb together…I guess when a Stark gets its claws in you, you have no chance." I challenged her with a smile, looking deep in her eyes.

"Is that an appropriate metaphor, Lord Eddard?" I asked in my typical flippant tone. "For a direwolf, I mean."

Ned looked somewhat uneasy, "Claws, paws? Whichever."

"Well, you understand the point," I said with a confident look at Cersei. She did not seem amused, but with an easy smile and another shrug, I added to the rest of the company, "I just wanted to celebrate as my father would have wanted."

"Celebrations are something Arthyr did well. It's something I am trying to instill in my Hand, starting with a tourney tomorrow," the king added.

"A tourney? I suppose I should not be surprised with all the pomp outside, but no one dared mention it to me…." I shook my head at those around the table. "Not even my friend Sansa."

Sansa blushed, replying, "I thought you knew, my lord."

"I hope it isn't too late to enter, or I shall have to find someone to injure tonight and take his place."

"Of course you can enter!" the king returned, enthusiastically. "We would love to have you compete."

Eddard was less pleased as we left the hall that evening. "You realize this is an easy opening for you to be injured or worse."

"I won't be injured," I returned.

"A metal tip concealed. There are many things that can happen in a tourney."

"I have to compete."

"You do not. You have every chance and every reason to stay out of this."

"Does that sound like the Willem Samelson you've heard of?"

Eddard shook his head, sighing in exasperation, "Is this all for your image?" It was the tone a frustrated father took with his son.

"Yes, all of this is for my image!" I returned. Lowering my voice, I added, "I have carefully cultivated the appearance of being flippant and carefree. Maintaining that image is the only way it is believeable that I threw a feast with such a number of lords for my sister and not for more serious reasons. There is no other lord who could get away with that, save for me."

Eddard's eyes brightened slightly, his eyebrows raised as he appeared somewhat surprised and impressed with my response.

"I'm far more clever than you all have given me credit for. Let's just hope no else realizes it," I added before turning down the hall.