Aurora stood outside the door, the guards wouldn't let her take the cloak when she left. She she felt very vulnerable and exposed. It had been a full moon cycle since she had another dress to wear, and Dornish fabric was not meant to be worn for long periods of time. It was meant to be worn under the sun and heat. One of the unsullied gave her a look, that she translated as pity. When the door opened to the council chambers, she was escorted in, her arms covering her chest.
"What is this?" Tyrion Lannister asked, once he saw her.
"Give her something to cover herself with." Queen Daenerys ordered. "Why hasn't she been given a change of clothes?"
"I instructed them to your Grace." Sansa Stark spoke. One of the Unsullied, brought over a blanket, allowing her to wrap herself in it.
"Thank you." She whispered, her eyes finally rising from the floor. The Queen sat at the far end of the table, with Lord Tyrion on her Right, as the hand of the Queen, and Sansa Stark on her left. Rumors had spread to Dorne, about how the sister of the now Warden of the North had made herself indispensable to the Queen. Jon Targaryen formally Jon Snow, Sat next to Sansa, with her Brother Robb standing behind her. Lord Varys the master of whispers. There was an empty seat where Olenna use to sit before the scandal happened. Aurora bowed to the Queen.
"Thank you, your Grace."
"Aurora Tyrell, I find it hard to believe you were kept a secret even from my whispers." Lord Varys spoke, eyeing the Tyrell flower.
"I wasn't much to whisper about Lord Varys. I was raised as Aurora Flowers by Morgan Martell. A long forgotten prince that had no real place at court, despite his namesake. My Grandmother didn't lie about my sickness. I was prone to colds and fevers as a child, my mother thought the Dornish weather would be good for me."
"Why disguise your name?" Lord Tyrion asked.
"Grandmother wasn't happy I was born a girl. She deemed me unworthy of the name until I grew to prove myself useful to her." Aurora hugged the blanket tighter to herself.
"Four days ago, your sister & brother were sent back to us from Dorne. Along with your Grandmother's body." Varys spoke up. Everyone in the council expected some reaction from her, she knew, but she just couldn't give one. Olenna Tyrell was never felt like family, only a stern figure who didn't see her as anything other than a flower in a garden that wasn't pretty. Tears would not fall for her.
"Lady Margaery was sent back to us blind. It appears she was also tortured but the rest of her remained in one piece. Unfortunately Loras Tyrell's sword hand was cut off." Lord Tyrion took over, explaining what has happened while she was in a cell.
"What has become of them?" Aurora felt her heart race.
"On behalf of my council in light of their circumstances I was urged to send them back to High Garden. But under different circumstances when they had arrived. First both shall never set foot in Kings Landing again unless summon by me. If they do, they will be executed on the grounds of Treason. Secondly, Loras Tyrell will no longer inherit his father's lands or title when his father passes and the title will not go to her or who she marries. They may live in high garden for the rest of their days but they are never welcomed to my court. Instead if you are to have any children, High Garden will fall to them." Daenerys stood up, walking over to Aurora. "Out of all of this mess, your future generation are innocent and I will not deprive them of their home."
"Your mercy is more than what I could have ever asked for your Grace." Aurora bowed once more.
"Though you confessed to a crime you didn't commit, because you feared what your family would do to you. A False confession can not go unpunished."
"I understand your Grace."
"I let what should happen to you up to Lady Sansa, it was her life that was nearly taken, it is her choice." The Queen walked over to the window, looking out at Kings Landing.
"You will become one of my lady in waiting, keeping the status of Lady Tyrell, but you will remain under the Starks service and protection." Sansa Stark, stood up, walking over to Aurora. "I understand what it's like feeling like chess piece in a game you can't win. I do not seek revenge in having you in my service and I only ask for loyalty to the Queen, myself, and my family."
"Thank you my lady." Aurora gave Sansa a small smile.
"Do you blame the Starks for the death of Morgan Martell, the man who raised you?" Daenerys asked, turning to look at her.
"I do not. I do not blame what happened the night on Lady Sansa nor do I blame Jon Targaryen for the act of slaining him." Everyone in the room looked at her puzzled. It was not common knowledge that Jon was the one who stopped the attack. "I blame my family and Margaery. The Starks have been nothing but kind and gracious, most families would have also wanted me to be executed the day of the sentencing.." Daenerys nodded, before leaving the council room, everyone bowing towards her. Tyrion followed, with Jon and Robb following suit. Varys came up stopping in front of both Aurora and Sansa.
"You do have a way about you." Varys turned to Sansa. "I would keep her close, many will want her talent." He left with a smile.
"There much better." Sansa finished tying the laces on the back of her dress. "Do you know how to do laces, your dornish dress didn't have as many."
"If I don't, then, I will learn, My lady."
"I'm afraid we are not destined to stay in King's Landing for long. We were only kept here due to the trail. You've heard of my upcoming wedding to Jon I assume." Sansa gave her a look.
"Yes My lady."
"Jon will be moving to Winterfell, as the Queen's ambassador to the North, while my brother takes his place as Warden. Until he remarries, I am to become Lady of Winterfell in her absence. We must rebuild the North now that Winter has come and gone."
"When will we be leaving?"
"Three days after the wedding. Half a moons time from now." Sansa walked over to an adjoining room. "This will be yours, in case I need you. I don't have any other ladies in waiting, I haven't since I was last in King's Landing. The room needs some dusting, but we won't be here that long. You will have a proper room when we arrive at Winterfell." Aurora walked around the smaller room, her hand grazing the bed. She smiled, her gaze falling on the flowers she could see from her window.
"I don't need much. I've never had much to begin with." Sansa hesitated for a few minutes.
"Aurora, would you like me to call a maester for your back? The scarring doesn't look it healed properly."
"I'm fine my lady, The marks won't go away with a maester's help, only time will work."
"If I may ask, how did you get them?" Aurora looked out once again at the window. Wondering if she should lie, but knew better than do try it with Sansa.
"During one of Grey Wind's visits to the cell, one of the guards had left the door open while...he was trying to take advantaged. It was the first time it had happened, and I don't know if Grey Wind knew something wasn't right, but he bite the guard. He nearly tore the man's leg off. The other guards wanted to beat him, but I told them no. He was protecting me, it was my fault. So once he left for the day, they came and punished me for the attack. I found out later the guard had gotten an infection and passed away. But no guard ever came after me again. Not when Grey Wind shows up unannounced."
"Why would you do that?"
"I was to die soon, what did my flesh matter to me or to them? To the guards I was traitor whose head was going to be up on the wall soon, not an innocent person. I do not blame them for their mistreatment nor anyone else."
"Your very forgiving." Aurora smiled.
"Not to the ones who truly were behind everything. I learned who to place the blame on, not those who also like me. Chess pieces. Something I believe we have in common."
"We do indeed." Sansa walked back to her room, leaving Aurora to settle in.
Aurora found herself in the garden. The flowers blooming brought a smile to her face. Something she did have in common with Margaery, she loved the beauty the small element brang to the world. When Aurora felt something brush past her leg, she turned a smile as big as she ever had graced her lips.
"Grey Wind!" She exclaimed, petting the direwolf. Grey Wind sat down in front of her, his eyes meeting his. "May I hug you?" The direwolf sat still. Aurora slowly round her arms around his neck. Giving him a gentle squeeze. Grey Wind gave a gentle rumble, letting her know to let go. She quickly pulled back smiling at him. "I don't think you'll let me do that again. But I don't know how else to thank you."
"What makes him so docile around you?" Robb Stark asked, staring at the two of them. Aurora quickly stood up, stepping away from Grey Wind. Her eyes wide. She didn't think anyone else was around.
"I'm sorry." Aurora bowed her head, before trying to run off. Robb quickly stopped her, gripping her arm.
"Don't misjudge him. If you do anything to harm my sister or any of my family, he will kill you." Aurora clenched her jaw. Her eyes turning to met his.
"And don't misjudge me, Lord Stark. I know where I stand and why I'm still breathing." She wretched her arm from his grip. "I'm not ungrateful." Quickly making her way away from him.