Chapter 8
Updated as of 12/28/2018
Once more thank you to Shrine Keeper of Rei Ayanami who has Beta this chapter. Your great thank you
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- Dorne morning after the meeting 296AC-
Arianne was pissed, no she was beyond pissed. How dare he, how dare her father promise her to the North like some cheap whore. She was his fucking heir for crying out loud, and he just ups and says, "Hey want to marry my daughter so we can have an alliance." Oh no not her, she would not play this game. She would stay here no matter if the Stark boy wanted to marry her or not.
Seeing her beloved cousin angry brings no joy to Shirley who moves to cheer her cousin up a bit. "Come now cousin stop looking so angry. You are scaring the guards."
"Not now Shirley. I am in no mood for your teasing." Arianne warns her with some heat in her voice.
Sighing Shirley shanks her head at her cousin. "Come now Arianne, don't be like that. We both knew that this could have happened the moment the Stark boys showed up."
"That maybe so Shirley but I didn't think he would really go through with it. I mean he hates the king just as much as your father. So, excuse me for thinking that he would not ally us with one of the king's closest supporters." Arianne barks out a Shirly.
"I thought so as well Arianne, but the fact remains that uncle Doran has and that is the end of it. Now stop being a child and stand up straight. Walk like the lady you are and show the power of the one-day heir of our House." Shirley bites back at her making Arianne jump a bit since it's not often that she sees Shirley get mad at anyone none the less her.
Doing as told she stops throwing her tantrum and straights up. "Sorry, Shirley it's just that I don't want to go to the North. It has always been my dream to rule our house and to think that my future is now in the hands of another is a lot to take in."
Smiling at her cousin with love Shirley makes up her mind to toss in a jab that she knows will cheer up Arianne. "Now Arianne I am sure you have nothing to worry about. After all, it was not just your hand, but mine as well that was offered, and we both know that I am the greater beauty of the two of us." She starts to give a playfully yet arrogant laugh.
Feeling her eye twitch at her cousin's joke Arianne says. "Yes, truly you are, the greater beauty my lovely cousin, but unlike your tits, you have little in the in the way of brains and seeing as Lord Lelouch is a man of intelligence I would guess he would like a bride who can match him."
"Yes, they are quite big," Shirly says as she ignores Arianne insult on her intelligence and pushes her tits out which makes more than one guard look at her in lust. Even Arianne can't help but look at them with some desire.
Shaking her head to get any unwanted thoughts out her head Arianne yells at Shirley. "Will you stop doing that!"
"Doing what?" Shirly gives her an innocently confused look.
"Showing off your tits like that!" Arianne yells at her.
"Why it's fun to show off. You should do it too. They may not be as big as mine, but they are still very lovely." Shirly says as she gives her cousin a creeping smile.
Knowing that smile all too well Arianne starts to back up slowly. "Don't even think about it Shirly." She says as her cousin's smile gets wider and wider. "No, no get back you pervert," Arianne yells out as she turns around and runs away with Shirly right behind her giving chase.
-Sunspear Training Yard-
Robb's mind was filled with thoughts as he did his morning workout with Theon. The meeting with Prince Doran was not what he had expected. He had thought they were here to talk trade not war. Sure, he knew that conflict with the Lannisters was inevitable, but he didn't think it would come to open civil war. Seven hells he was sure that even his father didn't think it would come to that. His brother on the other hand did, and Robb knew that his brother was rarely ever wrong. He hopes Lelouch is wrong; just this once let him be wrong about something. It's funny that less than two years ago, he had dreams of going to war. To fight in great battles, win glory and have his name known throughout the land, but like in all things Lelouch put a stop to such foolish dreams.
-Flashback 1 year ago-
Having been riding for about two hours away from Winterfell, Robb was wondering where they were going. At first, he thought they were going hunting or something seeing as Jon and Theon were here as well, but then Sansa was told she was going as well. Now he had no idea where they were going and so ask his brother. "Lelouch where are we going? We have been riding for hours."
Looking over his shoulder Lelouch tells him. "We are going to a village that has just been attacked by bandits."
"We are going to go fight bandits?" Robb asks of him.
"Brother if we are going to do something like that, I insist we send Sansa home right now. It's not safe for her to go with us." Jon voices out with worry in his eyes.
Lelouch starts to laugh at the sound of Jon's worried voice. "Oh, baby brother you're too funny. The bandits have already been taken care of and do you think I would ever knowingly put my beloved sister in danger? You, Robb and Theon sure, but not my lovely sister." He starts to laugh in a mocking tone.
Everyone even the guards can't help but think what a horrible brother he is.
"Brother that is a bit mean," Sansa says with a disapproving look on her face with looks a lot like his mother's.
Looking over to his little sister Lelouch says, "Come now sister don't look so upset it was a joke. I would never do anything to put my brothers in danger." He does not sound like he means what he says at all.
Theon does not miss the fact that Lelouch left him out of that last part but then seeing as he does not sound like he means it he does not say anything. "Well, at least I don't have to suffer alone." He thinks to himself.
"Moving on brother why are we going to this village if not to fight?" Robb asked not wishing to get caught in his brother's word games.
Turning back around Lelouch says. "We are going so you four can get a taste of what war is like."
It is Theon who speaks up now. "How can a bandit attack show us what it's like to go to war Lelouch."
"You will see." Lelouch's voice turns cold and chilling giving off how serious he finds this.
Another hour passes by before they start to come up to the village. When they get there, they are not ready for what they see. The homes are burnt down, and the air is filled with the smell of death. Everywhere they look there are dead bodies. Some corpse on the carts and others still laying on the ground. The look of fear still on their lifeless faces is too much to look at, and everyone, but the guards and Lelouch turn to look away.
"Don't turn your eyes from this." Lelouch's hard cold voice calls out to them. He will not have them look away, and if he has to make the guards force them to look, he would do it.
Sansa gives out a whimper as her eyes fall on a young boy and girl no older than Arya, Bran or Rickon. "Lulu please."
"Quiet Sansa. Even now you still have dreams of knights going to war for the women they love and hoping that women will one day be you. Robb, Jon, Theon you three dream of going to war to win both glory and fame. Well, this is a small taste of what happens in war. Do you all still want to go to war or do you finally see there is no such thing as glory in war?" Lelouch's voice does not lose any of its sharp edge.
When none of them answer, Lelouch speaks up once more. "Remember this the only ones who should kill, are those who are prepared to be killed. Now get off the horse and go help bury the dead."
They didn't want to argue with him for they know it will do no good. Getting off their steeds they start to help with sad and painful looks on their faces.
-Flashback ends-
After they got back home, Robb went to his father to talk about what had happened. He did not complain about it since he knows that Lelouch took them there as a lesson, but still he told his father that at the slightest Sansa should have not been allowed to go. He was not surprised that his father just said it was something they all need to see. He was surprised, however when his mother agreed with his father even though he could see that she didn't want to.
"Robb hey Robb wake up," Theon calls out to him.
"What, what is it?" Robb asks wholly lost at what is going on.
"Shit, you must have been really lost in thought there. What were you thinking about so hard?" Theon asks him.
Looking at Theon, Robb makes up his mind to not tell him. "It's nothing, did you need something?"
After giving Robb a long look, Theon shrugs his shoulder and lets it go. "I was just saying it looks like we have some admirers." Theon points to a group of ladies who are standing there watching them.
Looking over Robb sees the daughters of Prince Oberyn and a handful of what he can only guess are their friends. They are just standing there staring at Theon and him. He was feeling like a piece of meat that was about to be eaten by a pack of wolves from the looks many of them were giving him. Well, maybe a mouse eaten by a snake would fit better for this place. "Um, can we help you milady's?" Robb asks as he wishes he had a shirt on right now.
Walking up to the young men Tyene Sand says. "We were just wondering what you two were doing."
Looking at the lovely young women, Robb answers her. "We are just getting in our morning training milady."
"Training? I have never seen people train like that. It looks like to me that you two were running back and forward, touching the ground to me." Obara says to them with a mocking smile on her face.
Having built up a thick skin from all the times, his brother has mocked him over the years Robb answers her. "It is a type of training my brother came up with. He calls them suicides and they help a person build up both their speed and endurance."
Laughing at what she hears Obara say. "Such a strong name for something that looks so easy a child could do it. Maybe you men of the North call them that becomes you are not that strong, to begin with."
Robb is about to answer her with gentle words till Theon beats him to it. Even after all this time of living at Winterfell with Lelouch, he has still not built a resistance to being mocked. "If it looks like such an easy thing, milady why don't you show us, north men, what a pampered southern lady can do. Unless you don't feel up for it, in that case, I beg your pardon." He gives a mocking bow to her.
Obara does not like to be made fun of and she sure as hell will not take it for some Iron Born whore's son. So, she walks up to him and looks him in the eyes. "Show me how this is done iron bitch."
"Happily, sand slut," Theon says back as Robb stands back rubbing his nose like his father does when he feels a headache coming on.
As this goes on Lelouch watches from the top of the walkway without anyone the wiser. It is here that Shirley finds him after giving up the case of her cousin. Seeing he is alone with no one around, she makes up her mind to talk to him. "Has something caught your eye, Lord Stark?"
Without turning around Lelouch answers her. "Nothing of any real consequence Princess Shirley."
Walking over to the balcony and seeing what is going on she says. "It looks like my sisters are getting along with your brother and his friend."
"Yes, indeed it does look like that. Why just now Theon just gave you sister Obara a friendly challenged." Lelouch says with a smile on his face that makes her heart beat speed up.
"Oh, and what it the challenge he has put to her?" Question Shirly.
"Why to do the same type of training they were doing just a moment ago." He says with a smile still on his face.
With a confident look on her face, Shirley says "I am sure whatever it is Obara can do it. She is the strongest of my father's children for a reason."
"We shall see milady." His voice is also full of confidence. It makes her feel weak in the knees to hear it.
Once she sees her sister start Shirley at once recognize the type of exercise she is doing from her memories. "Correct me if I'm wrong but is this exercise not called suicides."
Looking over at her he is not surprised she knows of this exercise, "That is correct Princess, it would seem you can remember quite a bit from your old life."
"Not as much as you would think Lord Stark." She says with an uneasy smile.
Back down in the yard, Obara had started her exercise. At first, she didn't think them very hard at all, but once she hit her ten laps, she could feel the burning in her legs starting to come, and by the fifteenth, they were feeling like hell. When she hit the last twentieth lap mark, Robb told her to stop. "Ok, you can stop now."
Breathing hard Obara looks over at Theon and gives him a cocky smile, "See that was not so hard."
Her heavy breathing is not very convincing, and Theon can see how much that took out of her. "Oh no, milady you're not done yet. Lord Lelouch makes us do four sets of twenty laps with a small break in between. If you wish to impress us, you have to do the same." The look of shock on her face is all it takes for Theon to know he has won this little game.
Looking over at Lelouch once more Shirley says to him. "Do you really make your brother and Lord Theon do that many a day?"
Raising an eyebrow at her Lelouch answers her. "A day milady? No this is just their morning warm up the real training does not start till midafternoon."
Shirley can't help but give a pause at what he just said. "I can't say I recall you caring much about training in my past life."
"In the past, I did not need it. In this world not only is it needed but it is essential to my family's survival." He says as a matter of fact.
"What else is essential for your family survival?" Shirley asks of him but somewhat wishes not to hear the answer.
"Whatever I feel needs to be done." His cold voice gives way to her fear.
Taking a deep breath before she asks her next question, she steels herself for what she may hear. "And how far are you willing to go to do what you feel must be done for their safety."
Looking at her with a mix of caring and sad eyes he raises his hand to her face. "If you truly do have a recollection of your old life then you already know the answer to that question."
She leans her head into his hand loving the way it makes her feel but the fact is she does know all too well how far he will go. There is no crime he would not commit; no evil he would not do to keep the ones he loves safe and unlike all the others who would do the same as him she knew that not only could he get away with it but do it in such a way that no one would know it was him. Well, that was unless he wished for them to that is.
-Moat Cailin-
A sense of pride could be felt in the heart of Harrion Karstark as he looks over at the army he was tasked with building. Already 5000 strong, well equip and highly trained they were a beast to be reckoned with. He felt sorry for the fools who would dare to go to war with the North now. If things kept going like this, the North would see an additional 15,000 in a little under two years. He honestly felt honored to be their commander.
It was not an easy thing for him to get this position for there were many who wished to be the commander of this new army. Every lord wanted one of their sons to take the job and every noble as well. To make it fair his cousin Lelouch came up with a test to pick who would be best for this post. The person had to be brave without being reckless, honorable but willing to toss it aside to do what must be done, strong of both mind and body. Last, he needs to be loyal to no one house but to the North and only the North. Sure, the Starks where the rules of the North but Lelouch said that was just for as long as House Stark did not prove to be a danger themselves to it. He had always known his cousins love for their home was strong but to be so strong as to say something like that was very comforting to him for he felt the same way. He loved his family; honestly, he did but if the time came for him to have to pick between his family and the North well he would sadly have to choose the North.
Maybe that was why he won in the end. Because unlike all the others he believed in that more than anyone else. Still, it was hard going for him. When it came down to the last two people, who were left out of over 50 that took the test it came down to him and Smalljon Umber. Jon Umber was a bit ahead of him after the dueling part of the test, but it was the final test that put him over. It was a game of strategy on a thing Lelouch called a tabletop wargame. At first both Jon and he thought it was a foolish thing but after all the other lords back Lelouch it mattered little what they thought. They both were given a set of pieces that represented a large army and told to set them up on the map that showed the landscape of a battlefield. After that, they were to take turns moving the pieces like they would their men on the battlefield until there was a clear winner. At the start, it was Lord Umber who was ahead with his quick-thinking movements, but after the use of clever tricks, he was able to set a trap that saw Smalljon bested.
At the end of the match, Smalljon was not very happy, but the winner had been decided so there was nothing to be done about it. Not wishing to make an enemy of the man Harrion had offered the position of lieutenant commander and second in command of the overall army. Smalljon was somewhat content to take the post but quickly became ecstatic when he found out he would be working with the men and not doing paperwork. Something Harrion had to do most of the time much to his distaste.
Watching the men march in perfect sync with each other, their rectangle shields held up in place, spears by their side and sword strap at the hip. The armor they had on was a mix of different patterns with helmets that took the shape of a wolf, bear or shadowcat's head. These men where the first of the heavy infantry but the word heavy had a very loose meaning for these men. Everything they had on them was made of boiled leather, chainmail and the new steel Lelouch had made years back. This made the armor surprisingly light and easy to move in. Even the shields were made from a mix of boiled leather over a thin piece of steel. When an attacker came charging the shield wall these men formed, well it was like a naked man running at a stone wall hoping to knock it down.
Walking up behind Harrion, Smalljon made himself know. "Commander Harrion you called for me."
"Yes, Jon I wish to know how the training of the men is going in your eyes," Harrion asks as he takes in the giant of a man that is Jon Umber. He is loud, violent and arrogant from what Harrion could tell. If someone were to ask if he trusted Jon Umber, then his answer would be a big no, but then he knew Smalljon wouldn't do anything for fear of Lelouch coming after him. A fear felt by many of the lords of the North after the downfall of House Bolton. Some more so than others.
Looking at his commander, Jon Umber answers him in a hard voice. "They are still green but ready to be put to the test."
"Are you sure Jon? Once you take them beyond the wall, there is no coming back for over a month." Harrion says to him to make it clear that they will be on their own.
"I am sure. They are fine men and more than ready to show what they can do." Smalljon says back. He knows they are ready and itching for a fight. Most of his men are smallfolk and bastards, so they feel the need to prove themselves to the rest of the North and what better way than going beyond the wall and killing some fucking wildlings.
Harrion knows how Jon feels about the wildlings but is sure he will not risk his men doing anything stupid when Smalljon takes them there. "Remember Jon you are to go there for training and subjugation. All wildlings are to be shown mercy. They are to be given a choice of becoming subjects of the North, joining the army or death. Not just the ladder is that understood."
The complete look of disgust on Smalljoe face is all that needs be said on how he feels about this, but he knows that now that he is a part of this army its do as your told or face the consequences. "Yes, commander."
"Don't look so down my friend in the coming years we may need those barbarians. Be it in manpower or front-line soldiers." Harrion knows how he sounds and does not like it. He has no love for the wildlings, but neither does he hate them. For now, however, he must keep his second in command in line and if that means looking like he agrees with his hated for the freefolk then so be it.
"Maybe they could be of use, but that does not mean I will like having to deal with those fuckers. Anyways how many am I to take?" Smalljoe asks knowing that he will not be allowed to take the full 5000. After all, some will need to stay to help with the rebuilding of the castle and training of new men.
"We have permission from Lord Stark to take 3000 of the 5000 we have. The ones you think need more training then the others are to stay here," Harrion tells him.
"Understood, I will start making things ready for the journey," Smalljoe says and bows to his commander and goes to make things ready.
Sighing, Harrion looks back at the men hoping that the ones that go, have success in their journey and that Smalljoe obeys orders.
- Highgarden-
Setting down with her granddaughters, grandson and their new friend one would find Olenna Tyrell drinking some tea as she listens to Diana talk with her grandson. In truth, Olenna Tyrell didn't know what to make of her granddaughter's new friend Diana Andre. She knows she is a merchant from the North who works for her brother and by all accounts is a good one at that. She also knew her older brother John had close ties with the black wolf or at the very least his trust. It was the only way one could trade the North's steel after all. If young Lelouch didn't give you his approval, then you couldn't get your hands on it. It was what made her think at first that the girl could be a bird looking to get close to her family, but that thought passed when the girl never asked anything out of the ordinary or even showed any care about what they talked about. Well unless it was about things to buy, then you had Diana's full attention.
"I am telling you, Lord Loras, I think you would look so good in this wonderfully made cloak, tunic, and trousers set. You would no doubt be the talk of the Reach if not all the Kingdom." Diana says with a big smile on her face.
"I don't know Diana I don't think it's me. The colors don't seem me at all." Loras Tyrell says back to her.
"I disagree, milord, I think you would look quite fetching. Maybe you could even catch the eye of someone special." Diana smile gets even more prominent as she sees him thinking it over.
"Do you really think people will like it?" Loras asks looking to see if she means it.
"Of course, have I ever sold you anything that was not useful to you?" Diana says back to him.
"Yes, many times." Olenna, Euphie, and Margaery think at the same time.
Going for the kill Diana says. "I tell you what buy it and I will toss in some matching shoes to go with it."
Smiling like a fool Loras bites. "You have a deal, Diana." He pulls out his coin purse and pays her more then what the real cost of the outfits cost. "I think I will go try it on now." He gets up and leaves the room.
"Diana, I have to say I don't know how I feel with you cheating my brother whenever you get a chance," Euphie says to her new somewhat friend. She likes Diana she really did, but the girl had too much passion for the making of money sometimes for her taste.
"You wound me milady. I would never do such a thing to Lord Loras." Diana says in an innocent voice that fools no one.
"You'd forgive us if we don't believe you, Diana. What with you counting the money he just gave you as you say that." Margaery says with a deadpan voice.
Olenna can't help up rub her head at what has happened. Indeed, this young woman is a dangerous person, well when it comes to people's purse, she is. "Come now girls you can't blame a merchant for taking advantage of a fool who is too loose with his money."
"Grandmother, that is not a very nice to say about your grandson," Euphie says but can't keep the smile off her face. Margaery is downright laughing at this.
"Please my dear, he is as much as a fool as the oaf of a son I have. I do hope however you don't take you little tricks to far Lady Diana." Olenna says that last part as a warning. With Diana does not miss but the smile on her face does not go away.
"Of course, Lady Olenna I will let up on my little tricks, but as you said, I could hardly be blamed for making a bit of money off your handsome grandson. Oh, that reminds me, I have something new to show you and your granddaughters." Diana says way too happily for someone who has just been threatened by the Queen of Thorns.
For Olenna it is no surprise that the girl has no fear of her. After all, she has been very forthcoming about her family's and her past. According to her, her family was originally from Braavos were her great-grandfather made a name for himself as a famed water dancer. It was her grandfather however that got the Andre family into trade. From what Diana told her granddaughters her grandfather made quite the fortune before her father moved them to Westeros. It was there that they met their misfortune at the hands of the Lannisters starting with her almost getting raped by their men, forcing them to flee to the North for safety. It was there that her family's luck would change once more with her brother getting permission along with a handful of others to trade the North's new goods. It was one of the reasons why Olenna thought this girl could be a spy for House Stark.
Olenna long ago realized there was a new player in the great game from all the new faces around Highgarden, but for a good amount of time, she didn't know who was behind them. After years of futile searching in the hopes of weeding out this shadow player, Olenna had finally come to realize that it was the North that was behind them. Who in the North was it, now that was the question. She was sure it was the Stark heir Lelouch that was the primary person behind the new birds for Lord Stark would never play these types of games but even though she suspects he was the mastermind the question that remained was who was running the day-to-day operations. She had sent spy after spy to find the answer and even went so far as to torture some of the birds she caught, but it did no good for in the end, no one could tell her what she wished to know. Whoever it was that was running the spies for the North they knew their craft and made even that spider in King's Landing look like an amateur.
Then there was Diana herself. At first, Olenna believed she was another one of these spies, but that thought got tossed out as soon as she met her. Sure, Diana was smart, crafty and had more tricks up her dress than most, but she was also loose-lipped. When asked by her granddaughters to tell them all she knows about young Lelouch she would say all she knew which was little but told them in detail what she did know. It was because Diana's blabbing that Olenna was able to put together that the main base of the Northern army was going to be at the Moat Cailin after Diana said she had less steel to trade lately because it was all going to the Southernmost part of the North. Where she had no clue, but Olenna could put two and two together. That was something none of the other houses knew and most likely something that the Starks didn't wish anyone to know just yet. Yes, this girl was no spy, she was just an overambitious trader from the North who had luck out and made friends with her grandchildren. Still, a loose-lipped girl like her had her uses and would prove a great source of information down the line even if she never knew it.
"Ah, here it is," Diana says as she places a box on the table and opens it to show a most strange musical instrument. For that is all it could be from the strings on it. "As I told you all before Lord Lelouch had made a new musical instrument he calls a piano. Well, this thing here it's called a violin and is another one that from what my brother has told me Lord Lelouch was working on around the same time."
All three women look at it with different thoughts going through their heads. For Margaery, it is on how beautiful the craftsmanship is. Olenna thinks it's another thing Diana is looking to push on them so that she can make a profit. For Euphie, it's something different altogether.
"You know it's the first one of its kind ever made so if you wish to buy it, I will give you a fair price," Diana says as she sees that the two sisters are somewhat interested in the instrument.
Before the young girls can speak up, it is Olenna who answers her. "And what price would that be my dear?"
Smiling Diana says "50 gold dragons."
Olenna laughs at the price. "Surely you jest girl. It's just a musical instrument and can't be worth more than five gold dragons at most."
Seeing a challenge when she sees it Diana answers "That may be true for most musical instruments milady, but this one is the first of its kind and years from now when it becomes popular it will be worth far more than the price I am asking."
"Perhaps but that is only if it becomes popular. For now, it's just a hunk of wood with strings on it and nothing more." Olenna says back.
When Diana is about to say something, back Euphie moves and picks up the violin from the box looking at it carefully lost in thought. When she first heard of the piano from Diana, she felt like she had heard about it before but quickly put it out of her mind. This, however, was different. It felt like she knew this instrument well and could even play it if she wished. Reaching into the box and pulling out what is called a bow. How she knows what it is called she had no clue but placing the violin the way it should be placed when one is about to play it she starts to play. (Song Beethoven violin romance no. 2)
What the others hear is the most beautiful music they have ever heard. How she could play something that she has never seen before was not even on their minds. They just listen to the beautiful music she plays.
As for Euphie, she gets lost in the playing the instrument. So many memories of a life not her own came to her as she kept playing. One such memory was of a tall, beautiful woman with dark pink hair and a loving smile on her face as she watched Euphie played for her. In her mind, she could see them play with each other when they were kids and how she made Euphie a flower crown just, so she could see her smile. Such beautiful and sad memories she thinks to herself as tears come to her eyes.
When the song is over, and Euphie stops playing she looks at Diana and ask. "Now much did you want for it, Diana." Ready to pay any amount the girl asks of her.
Still lost in the music she has just heard and in the beauty of her friend Diana says. "Nothing, you can have it Euphie." For she could not even think of making her pay for it now.
Giving her a friend a loving smile she walks up to Diana and hugs her. "Thank you, Diana." She then let's go of her friend and walks out of the room as the others watch on.
-Back a Dorne-
It was a bit over a week now sense Lelouch, Robb, and Theon had come to Sunspear. Things had gone better then Lelouch had hoped they would. The meeting went well, the letter from his father telling him that the glass workers were packing up and getting ready for the move to Dorne. The only downside was that after the day above the yard Shirley had not said more than two words to him. He could understand why, what with the knowledge from her memories that most likely told her he was most likely using her family for his own ends and would think nothing of it if they were to all die. It was mostly the same with Princess Arianne the only difference being she had no clue who he was or now he was thinking. No, she just didn't wish to marry him.
"Lelouch. Lelouch it's your turn." Robb says to his brother.
"Hmm, my apologies brother," Lelouch says as he moves a piece on the cyvasse board.
Looking at his older brother, Robb asks, "What on your mind Lelouch. It's unlike you to not have kept moving your pieces as you think of other things." It still pisses Robb off that after all this time Lelouch still does not need to pay any mind to him when they play cyvasse but had accepted long ago that most likely that would never change.
"If you most know brother it is the two princesses," Lelouch says to him.
"Oh, I didn't know the two of them would capture your attention so much, but I guess even you would find their beauty hard to ignore," Robb says in a joking way.
"Of course, they have my attention baby brother. If I don't marry one of them, then the alliance with Dorne will be fragile, to say the least." Lelouch says in a bored way.
Robb sighs and thinks that is just like his brother to only see the political part of the marriage agreement. "That is true. It will not take them long to learn how to make the glass without our men and once they have all the steel, they need to arm their men with they will not need the alliance anymore."
"That is correct Robb, and without them, the war will take even longer than needed," Lelouch says in the Japanese language. His signal that he does not wish anyone to hear or understand what he is saying.
At his brother's words, Robb face becomes grim but says back in Japanese. "Brother, are you even sure there has to be war?"
"Yes, sadly Robb I am sure. Our house has become too rich and powerful over the years for Tywin Lannister to not see us as a threat to his legacy. He showed that much when he conspired with the ex-House Bolton. Then there is the queen and her son. From what Andre has told me day by day her dislike of us grows, and the boy becomes stupider. When the king dies, I have no doubt they will make a move against us. Winter is coming brother, and I have every intention of being ready for it." Lelouch's words are hard and cold as ice.
"What does father think of all this brother?" Robb asks with some worry in his voice.
"Father agrees with me. He does not like it and will do all he can to stop the war from starting, but I have no doubt he will do what must be done to keep his family and the North safe." Lelouch says and sees his brother relax a bit at knowing his father is on his side. "By the way brother, you seem to have lost once more."
Robb looks down at the board and sees he has lost. "Damn it, Lelouch, no fair you distracted me."
"What are you two boys doing?" Ask Ellaria Sand asks as she walks with a cup of wine in her hand, her daughter Tyene Sand and her other children by her side.
Both boys look over at her, Robb with a blush on his face by how sexually she is dressed and Lelouch with a look of complete indifference. However, both stand-up and give a small bow of respect and Lelouch says back in the standard language "Lady Ellaria hello and good day to you and to answer your question we were just playing a game of cyvasse to pass the time."
Ellaria is once more taken aback at the show of respect to the two boys before her show her. Her lover Oberyn and her have been all over Westeros and have found that outside of Dorne the prejudice against bastards is the same everywhere, but these boys have shown nothing but the utmost respect for her and her children. She didn't know how to deal with this seeing as she was not used to it from anyone outside her home. "I see but are there not better ways for you two to spend your time. I am sure two handsome boys will have no trouble finding other ways to keep yourselves entertained." She teases them and is happy to see that the youngest Stark is blushing even more.
"I am sure you right milady and I am also sure Robb will go find said entertainment when we are done here, but first he must last more than six minutes against me before he can take part," Lelouch says as he sees Robb get upset at him for knowing exactly what he was going to do after he was done playing Lelouch.
Ellaria can't help but giggle at seeing Lelouch use her words to pick on his brother. "Six minutes does not sound too long of a time to have to play. How long have you two been playing?"
Lelouch takes a bit to think about that then says. "I would say about the better part of 2 hours, but he has yet to last more than 4 minutes sadly."
This surprises Ellaria to think they have been at this for that long and Robb had not yet lasted more than four minutes is unbelievable. It is her oldest daughter Tyene who voices it with a mocking tone. "You have not lasted even four minutes? That is sad don't you think milord."
Robb's eye twitches at the young girl and says. "Well, my little lady my brother is very good at this game."
Tyene does not take kindly to being called little and says. "Or maybe you just suck at it. I bet I could not only last longer than 4 minutes against him but beat him as well."
Now under normal circumstances, Robb wouldn't be baited by Tyene but the last couple of weeks have put him on edge, and he easily fall for her insults. "Oh well, why don't you prove it little girl."
"I will be happy to show you up milord." She says mockingly.
They both turn to face Lelouch to tell him to set the game up but find he is not there, looking around with questioning looks they find Lelouch walking out of the room, "Lelouch, where are you going?" His brother asks.
"Hmm well brother I don't have any children, so I don't feel the need to be a part of two children's little fight." He keeps walking out of the room.
"Oh, what is wrong black wolf? You afraid of losing to a woman or do you have no balls?" Tyene tosses out an insult at him to get him to play her.
Turning and facing her Lelouch looks at her for a bit which unnerves her then looks at her mother. "I am sorry Lady Ellaria I didn't know you wish for a game of cyvasse."
Tyene is pissed at how Lelouch just completely dismissed her as a woman by looking at her mother and not her. Understanding what Lelouch just did, her mother and sisters start to giggle as well which only makes her madder. When she is about to say something, Ellaria stops her and speaks to Lelouch. "It is okay Lord Stark I am not feeling that much up for to a game of cyvasse, but you have a nice day." She then bows to him.
Doing the same Lelouch takes his leave. Once gone Robb and Tyene go back to fighting like little kids till they are at the cyvasse board playing against each other. As they do that Ellaria thinks on Lelouch. She was hoping to get to talk to him some more before Tyene little jab to his brother put a stop to that, but she has learned a bit more about him none the less. A pretty woman does not fluster him, he is not easy to anger and will not be baited into anything. In other words, he is a very dangerous man.
Walking down the halls of Sunspear Lelouch spots Princess Arianne sitting on a couch reading a book. Sighing, Lelouch makes up his mind to talk to her. He already knows the princess has no want or desire to marry him but making a bit of goodwill with the future Lady of Dorne would not be a bad idea. When he is close enough to talk without raising his voice, he says, "Good day Princess Arianne." He gives a small bow to her.
Looking up from her book Arianne answers him without even getting up. "Good day to you as well Lord Stark. Is there something you need from me?"
Most would be insulted by her not getting up to greet them, but if anything, Lelouch is more amused by the way she acts. She does not wish to marry me, and her act says as much. "No, I can't say I do need anything. I simply came over because I hear you like to read."
"Oh, and where did you hear that from if I may ask?" Arianne says as she takes in the handsome boy in front of her. If it were not for the fact that her father had offered her hand in marriage to him, she would have had no trouble getting to know Lelouch better and maybe even have a bit of fun with him. However, she wouldn't take any risk of ending up having to give up her future lordship of Dorne and moving to the North.
"Your father told me." It was a lie, but she didn't need to know how he knows.
Damn father, no doubt he told him in hopes of giving him something to talk to her about and therefore making them get to know each other. Well, she would not let a conversation started. "Well, he spoke the truth. I love to read and am doing so now. So, if you don't need anything from me, then I would kindly ask you to leave me be so that I could continue."
Once more being more amused than anything, Lelouch says. "I will do that, but first I like to give you a little gift."
It is just now that she realizes that he was holding a book in his hand all this time. Taking the book from his outstretched hand, she asks. "What is this?"
Rising an eyebrow, he answers. "I would think it's a book."
Arianne's eyes were narrowing in irritation she says "I know that. What I mean is why are you giving this to me?"
Making up his mind to be blunt Lelouch answers her. "Well it's clear you have no wish to marry me, and I can honestly say I have no interest in marrying you as well, but I see no reason why we can't be somewhat friendly to each other."
His bluntness and honestly take Arianne aback. Sure, she was looking to make it clear her feelings on the matter of marriage to him, but it still hurts to hear him say he has no interest in her what so ever. "What is it about?" She asks.
"You have to read it to find out milady. I can tell you my sister and mother seem to enjoy what I have written." Lelouch says to her.
"You wrote this?" Arianne questions him with a wondering look on her face.
"Indeed, I did. Have a good day milady." Lelouch then gives a small bow of his head then turns and walks away.
Looking at the book, she opens it to starts to read it. It takes little time for her to get lost in the tale it tells so much that she does not even notice how much time has passed till Shirley comes looking for her.
"There you are, Arianne. Uncle has been looking for you all over." Shirley gives her an annoyed look at having to look for her.
Looking up at her cousin Arianne smiles and says, "Sorry dear cousin I was just lost in this book Lord Lelouch gave me."
Raising an eyebrow at her, Shirley asks. "Really, what's it about?"
"Well the story is based on a young prince whose mother was killed and sister was crippled in an attack. After that, his father sends him to another country as a political hostage but attacks the country anyways as soon as they let their guard down. Later on, it goes on to tell the story on how he survived and started a rebellion to overthrow his father. Right now, I am at the part where the girl who loved him so much that not even after all the horrible things, he has done dies and told him she forgives him for everything." Arianne says in a dreaming way.
Hearing this last part Shirley's eyes open widely and takes the book from her cousin's hands and starts to read the passage.
"Hey, give that back," Arianne says to her with more than a bit of dislike in her voice.
Not paying any mind to her cousin Shirley reads on till she reads the last part of the passage. "On that day I lost something that mattered more to me then I had ever thought. I was unworthy of her love, and I knew that but still how I wished for that even if it was, but for a moment I could have let her love inside my cold heart." Dropping the book Shirley turns and makes haste out of the room with Arianne wondering what has gotten into her.
Shirley does not know how long she looks for the person she needs to find, but when she does, she finds him standing at balcony looking at the sunset. Walking up behind him she asks, "Is it ok Lulu? Is it ok for me to fall in love with you all over again?"
Turning around and looking at her with those same tired eyes "I don't know Shirley. I truly do not know."
Walking up to him she hugs him and starts to cry, "I am not that girl, but I am her. I love you, but I don't know if those are my feeling or hers. I am so confused Lulu, who am I?"
Looking into her eyes, he gives her a straightforward answer. "You are Princess Shirley Martell, and your feelings are for you to decide and no one else." He cups cheek gently.
Leaning into his hand, she feels so safe and warm. "Then I choose to love you." She leans in closing her eyes and kisses him.
Lelouch returns the kiss and promises himself that he will do all in his power not to lose her again or hurt her in any way.
-The Shivering Sea-
It was a cold day on the sea as Jon Stark looks at the rising sun. He was on his way to Braavos as a representative of House Stark. His goal was to invest money into the Iron Back and open trade with the city itself. It was a great honor to be trusted by his lord father for this task, but a part of him believed there was more to this trip then what he was told. After all, if it's wasn't then Andre wouldn't be here with him.
"Something on your mind this find morning young Lord Stark," Andre says with a smile that would put anyone off guard but not Jon for he knows what he was.
Deciding to confess what was on his mind with his brother's spy for that was what Andre was his brother's loyal spymaster and no one else Jon says. "I was just thinking that I don't feel like I have been told everything about why I am going to Braavos."
Smiling even more like he is proud of Jon Andre says back. "Magnificent young wolf, very good. You are right there is more going on then you know."
Jon waits for Andre to continue, but when he doesn't, he asks, "And are you going to tell me what is going on."
With a relaxed look on his face, Andre answers him. "If you wish to know."
"I would not have asked if I didn't wish to know Andre," Jon says a bit of vexed at the man.
"Very well. As you know your brother has been building a spy network that spans the whole of the kingdom and beyond. What you don't know is the information that I get from the said network has found that someone is stealing from the crown." Andre tells him with a solemn look on his face that Jon has rarely seen.
"Who is it that taking from the crown?" Jon asks sincerely wishing to know who this dishonorable man is.
"The man is known as little fingers, but his true name is Petyr Baelish, the Master of Coin." The look on Andre's face tells Jon all he needs to know about how Andre feels about this man.
"You don't seem to like the man if the look on your face is anything to go by Andre," Jon says.
Looking at the young Lord Stark, Andre's eyes narrow. "You would be right milord I don't like the man. You see me and him are a lot alike. We both will do anything and everything to accomplish the task we set out to do but unlike him I will not betray the man who I own for my family's good fortune, and unlike that spider I don't pretend to be loyal to one man while at the same time plan to stab him in the back."
Jon does not need to ask who the spider is for he knows who it is. His brother Lelouch has made sure that he, Robb and Sansa knew who everyone was that could harm their family. In other words, Lelouch told them who not to trust in case they were ever to meet them. "Does my father know any of this?" Jon asks of him.
"He knows about Lord Baelish, but we don't have any real evidence on him yet to go to the king about it. As for the spider well, we know even less about his crimes then we do little finger but have no doubt your brother had made plans on removing these two if evidence can't be found." Andre says to him back.
"You're talking about assassination." The shock on Jon's face is all telling on how he feels about this subject.
"Don't look so shock young Stark, like I said I would do any and everything to complete the task set out before me by my lord and you should know your brother would go even farther than that to see his family and people protected." No more needed to be said after Andre says this. For both knew how right he is about Lelouch and the funny things was is that Jon was ok with that. After all, how can Jon disagree with Lelouch's ways if he does it all for his family?
-Back in Dorne the Water Gardens 2 weeks later-
It has been a couple of weeks since Lelouch and Shirley made it known that they had agreed to marry each other. To say many were shocked would be saying the very least. No one in her family had thought she would agree to the arranged marriage or that she would be so happy about it. Robb and Theon were even more shock by this seeing as they were familiar with now Lelouch felt about arranged marriages. In the end, however, everyone was happy for the two of them or at least pretended to be. The only one who was not happy about it was, of course, was Prince Oberyn, but after a few not so veiled threats by the man and a talking down to by his daughter he finally backed off.
Now Lelouch found himself spending time with his bride to be and getting to know this new Shirley. He had found her to be a very carefree and beautiful young woman. Much like the old one but at the same time, he found her disturbing like Milly. The grin she got when she thought of some joke she wished to play or new tease she came up with was spot on, and even her laugh was the same. It both entertained and frightened him at the same time.
"Come on Lulu come join us please," Shirley calls out from the pool as he sits there watching him. It took some time, but she was finally able to get him to come to the Water Gardens with her. It had been nothing but meetings and more meetings between her uncle and him the last two weeks and no time for her. Frankly, it pissed her off, so she made up her mind to make him come to the pools with her to have fun, but no he just sat there watching her and her sisters play without moving. "Please Lulu. If you join us, I am sure I can make it fun for you." She lefts herself out of the pool a bit and squeezes her breast together in hopes it will get him moving.
Like always he smiles at her but does not move to join her and her sisters. "Give it up sister it's clear he does not have any interest in joining such beautiful women for some fun." Nymeria Sand says to her sister.
"It's not that I don't wish to join Lady Nymeria it's more that I don't wish to ruin the image of such beauty. If I were a painter, I would paint this scene to let it live on forever." Lelouch says with a smile that makes all the girls in the pool blush a bit at his words.
"Looking to woo all my daughter are you, Lord Stark," Oberyn says as he walks into the pool area with his lover Ellaria on his arm.
Looking at the man from where he was sitting Lelouch gets up and bows a bit in respect. "Not at all Lord Martell. I was merely pointing out the facts that they are charming to look at, and I am honored to get to see such a sight." Lelouch says with a smile.
Oberyn does not have anything to say to that for his words ring of truth and sincerity, but still, he does not like this man. At first, Oberyn thought Lelouch was nothing more than a boy who was over his head coming here but after spending so time with the boy that thought went right out the window. This was a man and one of the few men who has ever set him on edge. He didn't know what it was, but his instincts told him to be cautious of Lelouch. Lucky for him Ellaria was here to speak for them both. "Well, young man, don't get any funny ideas." She smiles at him in a teasing way.
Before Lelouch can reply to her, it is Shirley who speaks up. "Oh, I don't mind sharing." Her big smile tosses everyone off balance at that.
Looking at his daughter Oberyn can't help but laugh at what she just said, it's just like her to say something like that and the worse thing is he knows she meant it. Lelouch himself raises an eyebrow and chuckles a bit. Her sisters however all look at her and blush. "Sister, don't jest about something like that. Gods you never stop with your jokes." Nymeria says with a bit of a red face.
Looking at her sister with her head tilted to the side and a look of confusion she says to her "What joke Nym? You are all so very beautiful, and if I thought it would make you all happy, I would be more than happy to share Lulu with you."
Nymeria face goes from a shade of red to full on blood red face at her sister's words. Her voice leaves her as she looks for something to say, but once more it is Ellaria who steps in to say something seeing as her lover is just one more push away from falling over in laughter from Shirley's words. "Come now Shirley stops missing with your sisters. Poor girls look like they are going to pass out." She starts to giggle at the sight of the girls as she removes her dress and hops into the pool
Still chuckling at what is going on Lelouch looks up at the sun and sees it's about time to find his wayward brother and his friend. They are going back to the North at the end of the week and need to start getting things ready. Sadly, Shirley would not be going with him seeing as Oberyn more or less said his little girl was not going to the North till she hit her 16-name day. This did not make Shirley happy but none the less she felt like she could wait a bit longer till she could finally be her Lulu. "Well, I must be going and find my brother," Lelouch says as he stands up.
Not looking very happy at this Shirley looks at him "Aw do you have to Lulu. Come on stay a bit longer and come play with us."
Smiling at her Lelouch says "Sorry my love, but I have to get things ready for when I have to go back to the North at the end of the week. Plus, there is still more to talk over with your uncle."
Puffing up her cheeks she does not look happy about that, but when he leans down and kisses her on her lips, she deflates her anger forgotten.
As he takes off from the room, Obara says "Wow little sister, I didn't think there was anyone in the world that could stop you from talking. I must thank him later." Everyone busts out laughing at that.
Giving her sister the evil eye Shirley dives under the water and swims towards her sister, to busy laughing Obara does not see Shirley till she is right up on her and pulls her under and starts to play fright with her. The rest of their day goes by with laughter and joy.
Elsewhere Lelouch has walked back into the room he shares with his brother and Theon he goes to the window and says, "I know someone is there why don't you come on out."
From the dark side of the room out from the shadow walks a tall and lean man whose face is hidden by the hood of his cloak. Lelouch's hand goes to his sword that he keeps on him at all times and gets ready for a fight. That is before the man does something that surprises even Lelouch. The man kneels in front of him and pulls down his hood and looks at Lelouch in the eyes holding up an orange in one hand. "Your majesty Lelouch vi Britannia, your loyal knight has returned."
A smile comes to his face as he looks down at the kneeling man. "Welcome back Jeremiah Gottwald, my knight of Orange."
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