Chapter Twenty-Five

Sorry for the lateness of this chapter. I was very unhappy with what I had written last night, and wanted a fresh look at it this morning. I like the results now! Also, I have fixed the poll for this story and it is now available on my profile. So far, Tyrion and Loras are in the lead. Well, thank you once again for all of the support during this story.

Enjoy!

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Melara was tired of men and lies and being taken from one place to the next and, to sum it up, everything. She shifted her arm a bit and heard the clank that the shackled made. The men were not nice, but not necessarily horrible to her either as they traveled through the woods to the camp. It could always be worse. She sat shackled in a small tent with her knees pulled into her chest, resting her head on her bent knees. She had been waiting for the tears to start but they never did. Her mind would not let her cry anymore. The door to the tent rustled, signaling that someone had entered. She did not change her position, too tired to lift her head, but waited for whoever joined her to speak first. She did not wait long.

"Do you know where you are?" From his voice, she could tell that he was young, with a confidence that almost sounded arrogant. There is no one more arrogant than Jaime. She turned her head, resting it back on her knees in a way that she could look at her new companion. He was young, just a few years older than her if she had to guess. His hair was red, not the deep Tully red that Catelyn had but a light golden red.

"In a tent, My Lord." Melara had lost the fight in her that had been going strong just hours ago. After she had discovered the truth, some of it from Jaime's own mouth no less, her anger had truly overtaken her. But now that she was faced with a potentially dangerous situation her anger had deflated. She wanted nothing more than to be strong and brave like Brienne, but instead she was weak and defeated. The man across the tent from her laughed, and it was the first time in months that she had heard a man laugh without it being laced with the taint of bitterness.

"Yes. You are in a tent, in the woods. I should have been more clear then, my Lady?" She shrugged her shoulders in response. "You have been taken captive by the Knights of Hollow Hill. We've also been known as the Brotherhood Without Banners." He paused to let it sink in, but saw no reaction on her face to prove that she knew who they were. "And I, your lovely host, am Beric Dondarrion of Blackhaven." She again made no sign to show that she was familiar with him. He lifted a jug of wine towards her. "Wine?"

"No." Melara remembered the first and last time she had wine. She ended up straddling Jaime, throwing herself at him like a pathetic girl, and waking with a pounding ache in her head. He was probably thinking of his sister then. Gods, I am a fool. Melara pulled her head up and waited for Beric to speak again. She knew that he would, he was a man after all, and men were arrogant creatures that loved the sound of their own voice. And men love to bring me pain, either through the rape of my body or my mind or my heart. She was surprisingly calm despite her situation. Beric walked over to her, his cup of wine in hand, and crouched in front of her.

"Aren't you frightened?"

"Not of death, but of the journey that you will take me on to get me there." She did not flinch away from the stare he gave her at her words. She didn't realize how lucky she was to have been found by Beric and his Botherhood. Any other man would have had her beaten for her defiance and smart mouth. But Beric would be kind to her, at least until he discovered who she was and why his men thought that capturing her was a good idea.

"We aren't going to kill you unless you give us a reason to kill you. Just answer a few questions and you can be on your way. I'll even escort you myself back to the place where you had been taken from." She nodded her understanding and he gave her a smile that most girls thought was charming. "Who do your allegiances lie with?"

"Who do you want me to be aligned with?" Melara became cautious, knowing that in each corner was a King and each King had men to serve them. And kill stupid girls that no one will miss. Any of the families that were at war would gladly hold her hostage and try and ransom her off to someone else. But no one will have me. Beric was not amused by the girl any longer. He had precious little time to discover who she was and figure out someone to ransom her to. He needed food and supplies for his camp, and for that he needed money. Or to steal it. But he liked money. Beric thought that she looked like a Baratheon, with her black hair and piercing blue eyes, but she was much too docile to be one.

"Answer my question."

"I don't know." And it was true. Melara didn't know if she should pledge herself to her father, or Robb Stark or the Lannisters. She would prefer to just ride back to Winterfell and stay there until the war was done. Then she could try and sort the mess which was her life in place that was comforting. A place where she would be safe and away from any Lannisters.

"How can you not know?" The man before her stood from his crouching position, and she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes. She questioned herself about why she didn't know who to align with, but could only think of the truths that she had pulled from Jaime. If only I hadn't started asking questions. No. I deserved to be told the truth. How could Jaime keep such secrets from me? Melara did not see the harm in telling Beric just why she did not know who she belonged with. But Melara was still not wise to the ways of war and men.

"By blood I am Melara of house Baratheon, daughter of Stannis Baratheon, who has laid claim to a throne but who also sent me away and I haven't seen for nine years. I was raised by the Starks in Winterfell, beloved of Robb Stark, who now is King in the North. But the Starks have all turned their backs on me. Because by name I am now a Lannister. Not by choice, it's never by my choice. And of course the Lannisters need no explanation. So you answer me, my Lord, who do my allegiances lie with?" He thought for a few moments in silence after hearing just who he had in his possession. Melara may not have known it, but she was quickly becoming one of the most sought after woman in Westeros. People either wanted to find her to kill her, or to bring her in for a reward, depending on the family.

"Whoever benefits you the most."

"And who would benefit me the most right now?" Beric smirked but did not speak. He would have to carefully plan out what to do with this very interesting blessing that landed in his lap.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Jaime woke up to Brienne's boot connecting with his side. It was a much less pleasant awaking than the one before, when Melara had been in his arms. Thinking of the feel of having her next to him made his heart hurt. He didn't know how they would be able to get past the new obstacles in their relationship. He didn't know when they would find her and what kind of situation she would be in. For all he knew, news of their marriage could have gotten out, making the price on her head very high. The horses had been prepared to depart and all that Jaime needed to do was mount his chestnut horse. He tied Sia to his horse and called for Lady. She was their only chance of finding Melara. He waved a piece of clothing in front of the direwolf and told her to "find Melara". He assumed that the wolf had understood him, as he watched the path she was making through the forest. Brienne followed him on her own horse, with her hand resting on the pommel of her sword. Jaime had no weapons beside his fists to defend himself until he had spotted the dagger. He had gotten it for Cersei years before, but when he had tried to give it to her, she wouldn't accept it. He tried to get her to take it, saying that it was a man's duty to protect the woman he loved, even if he could not be near her. She responded by saying that the man truly didn't love the woman if he allowed someone will ill intentions to get close enough to harm her.

And he had done that many times with Melara. I've hurt her myself. I didn't expect to care for her. How could I have known what would come of us? How can I be so fucking stupid. We could die in this war at any moment and I haven't told her what she wants to hear. She knows it, that I love her, but I am too stubborn to say the simple phrase. I tried and she slapped me. Fuck. Why did I ruin it? The best thing that the Gods have ever presented me with. He clenched his fists around the reins, angry at himself and at the brute who rode beside him. If there was one thing a Lannister was good at, it was deflecting blame. And he now blamed Brienne for the situation they were in.

"You had no right to tell her the things you did last night."

"You had no right to lie." Jaime took a calming breath but when he spoke his voice was still pinched.

"I didn't lie."

"But you didn't tell her the truth. That's considered lying where I come from."

"And where you come from, are all the women like you?" He let out a chuckle at the image of an army of Briennes. It would be a sight to see. He guessed from the size of her that she could be handy in a fight, at least he hoped so. He knew that having no sword meant that he would have to rely on Brienne for the upcoming confrontation with whoever took Melara. "Must have given the boys a challenge when you were younger. Did you let any of them take you?" She rode in silence next to him, trying to drown out his words. But Jaime continued with his taunts. "No, you would never let anyone take you. That would admit a weakness and we Knights have no weaknesses."

"Lady Melara isn't a weakness for you?" Jaime may have known where to hit her, but she knew where to hit him back. Brienne had been around enough men like Jaime Lannister her whole life and was able to not get flustered when he taunted her. She knew that would only make him taunt her more if he saw how his words truly cut. "You could have escaped last night when you went to the river. Your actions say what your words cannot."

Jaime knew she spoke the truth. He had briefly considered leaving, and then he could make it to King's Landing on his own. Before he met Melara, he would have. And then he would have reunited with his sister, fucked her, and been cast aside by her once she was finished. And the next time that she would want to feel him, she would call him to her and Jaime would go to her. But Jaime didn't want to do that now. The only woman he wanted to fuck and be with was the woman who hated him. How tragic love truly is. If he found her, he would tell her. He would fall on his knees in front of her and apologize and beg. No, I won't. My damn pride won't let me. Instead I'll just rely on her feelings for me to bring her back into my arms. I fear that won't be enough.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Melara thought it felt good to laugh after all of the tears she had shed. She had been weary of the charming Beric at first, but he had assured her that she was safe. He was sworn to the house of her name, and since her marriage had not been consummated he still viewed her as a Baratheon. And it seemed he enjoyed viewing her. If she had learned anything over the last months it was that most men were not to be physically feared, but instead she had to fear what went on inside their heads. She did not flinch away from Beric when he took off her shackle, nor when he helped her to stand.

And now the pair sat across from each other at the small table inside the tent while Beric worked his charms on the girl. He had recounted a humorous tale of his first tourney, and from the way she was laughing Beric assumed he had won her favor.

"Well, laugh then. But what would you have done? The great Knight that you are." Melara calmed her laughter enough to speak. She hadn't felt this carefree since the night she had gotten drunk. It was so different from the way that she usually felt, and she was enjoying it. And Beric's company.

"I would have stood up, rather than run between an opponent's legs like a scared little puppy!" She couldn't help herself from her laughter at the image of a Knight acting so cowardly in the middle of a tourney. It was just unheard of for a Knight to be anything but brave. She saw him move his hand across the table and felt his fingers on her wrist, gently caressing the skin that was still red from where the shackles had been too tight. She sobered and pulled her hands slowly from the table, not want to anger the man by outwardly recoiling from his touch. While he had been kind to her so far, that didn't mean that he wouldn't change if she rejected him. She turned her head away trying to force a blush onto her cheeks, hoping to look the part of a shy maiden so as to not upset him. She didn't have to try hard to accomplish the look after he spoke.

"You are one opponent whose legs I wouldn't mind being between, Lady Melara."

Melara was saved from the tense moment when another man burst into the tent, breathing as if he had just run for miles.

"Lord Beric." The man panted for a moment before he could continue. Beric stood from the table and Melara was relieved at the new distance between their bodies. "Another party has returned. They've got another girl."

"What are we, collecting women now?" Beric knew that he could keep Melara from being ravaged by the men, being she was a true Baratheon and that was the family they were trying to avenge, but another woman might not be so lucky.

"Aye, milord. But this new one will bring us a pretty sum of gold if she is who Harwin says she is." Beric thought of the man who had once been one of Lord Eddard Stark's men, but could not put a face with the name. He did know that the man was honest and would have no reason to lie to them about the identity of a girl.

"And? Who does Harwin say she is?"

"Arya Stark, of Winterfell." Melara couldn't believe it, she wouldn't believe it. There was no way that her luck would be that great as to find a friendly man that seemed to want to help her, and then be reunited with Arya so that she could start fixing everything that she had broken. Her thoughts of Jaime seemed to be forgotten momentarily in favor of getting her life back that she had forsaken for him.

Gods hear me now, I won't waste this gift you have given me.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Ha, Ha! I've never scrapped a chapter before, but I did it to the original chapter 25. I am actually much more excited about this version. What do you all think? I haven't received any hate mail, so you must like where I have been taking this story! So…am I being predictable or do I have you all on the edge waiting to see what I will put poor Melara through next?