Disclaimer: I don't own the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Author's Note: I sincerely apologise for the delay. I really didn't mean to leave this story for so long. Please enjoy, and feel free to review.

Chapter Six: Aftermath

"What happened?" Lady Lysa's shrill voice broke through Alyssa's thoughts. She was sitting by Robert's bedside, holding his little hand in hers as he slept. The fit had passed, and now, her brother looked peaceful, which was a startling contrast to how he'd looked only an hour before. Alyssa was relieved, of course she was, but Lysa's arrival sparked a twinge of worry inside her.

"He had another fit," Alyssa explained, keeping her voice low so as not to wake her brother. "The maester saw to him though, and he's sleeping now."

"Yes, I know he was ill again," Lysa snapped, her voice too high in the quiet bedchamber. "But what caused it, Alyssa? Did you upset my son? Is that what happened?"

"No, lady Lysa," Alyssa was indignant, how could the woman blame her for this? She would never harm her little brother, not ever. "I did nothing, I assure you."

"Will someone did!" Lysa shrieked, and Alyssa winced at the sheer volume of her voice. "I will have the truth, Alyssa! Now! I know that you know what happened, it's written all over you!"

"Lysa, calm down," Her father's voice interrupted, and Alyssa sighed with relief. "You'll wake Robert if you keep shouting like that."

Lysa glared at her husband, fury in those cold, Tully eyes of hers. "I will have the truth, Jon," She repeated, only a little softer.

"Yes, and you will have it, but let us discuss this over supper. The boy needs his rest."

Lysa sighed reluctantly, but finally, she nodded. "Yes, he does. I'll stay with him." She turned to Alyssa, her eyes cold. "You can go now, Alyssa."

"Lysa," Her father was angry now, Alyssa could tell, despite the fact that he hadn't raised his voice. Lysa had never been kind to her, or to Artys, but such a blatant show of that was more than her father would tolerate. "Alyssa has every right to stay. Robert is her brother."

"He is my son," Lysa retorted. "And I want her to go."

Alyssa gently let go of Robert's hand and got to her feet, schooling her expression into a careful blankness. "It's quite all right, father," Alyssa said, moving towards the door. "I'll go and leave lady Lysa with Robert."

"Alyssa, you don't have to-" But she was already passing him.

She hurried down the corridor and then down the steps of the tower. She couldn't be here right now, she decided, she needed some fresh air.

A few minutes later, Alyssa found herself walking through the gardens. She kept her eyes ahead of her, not wanting to catch anyone's eyes.

"Lady Alyssa?" A voice said from behind her. Sighing inwardly, Alyssa turned, doing her best to paint a polite smile onto her face when she saw the two people standing there.

"Ser Loras, lord Renly," She said, giving them a curtsy. "What can I do for you?" If it had been anyone else, she wouldn't have tried so hard with her courtesies, but Renly was the king's brother, and she did not want to offend him. That, she thought, was the last thing she needed.

"Oh, we simply wanted to ask how your brother is. Ser Loras told me what happened earlier today in the training yard."

"Oh," Alyssa had to admit, she was surprised. "Well, he is sleeping now, the fit of shaking sickness has passed. I thank you both for your concern."

"There is no need for that, my lady," Ser Loras told her. "I know how it is to worry about your siblings. Oh, and my lady, I apologise for my role in causing your brother's anxiety. If I'd known what would come of it, I would have acted differently."

Alyssa nodded, and gave them both a smile that was more genuine than her previous one had been. "Nonetheless, I thank you," She said. "It was kind of you both to ask after my brother. And Ser Loras, I thank you for saying that, but truly, what happened was not your doing. My brother will recover, and that is what matters."

"That is true," Lord Renly gave her a charming smile. "Your brother's health is of course, the important thing. Now, can we escort you anywhere, my lady?" He asked her.

"No, my lord, truly there is no need. I am simply enjoying the sights in the gardens."

"All right, as you wish," Lord Renly replied, giving her another smile. "Have a good night then, my lady, and give your brother our regards."

"I will, my lord, thank you."

She turned and walked away, and her smile faded a little. She supposed that her brother had been right, lord Renly it seemed was a decent enough man. It was clear enough to her that the two of them approaching her had been Renly's idea. He was known for having many friends at court, whereas Loras it was said could be reckless and hotheaded. Still, she supposed that she was grateful for Renly's, and Loras's, kindness. After all it was nice to be reminded that not all nobles in this city were completely awful.

Artys did not want to attend supper that evening. He had checked on Robert's condition when he'd arrived at the tower, but other than that he'd stayed well away. He didn't want to face Lysa's wrath, but he knew that he could not hide from it. He couldn't very well let his sister face Lysa alone, so he sighed in defeat and began to ready himself for supper.

When he entered the dining hall, he could have heard a coin drop, that was how quiet his family was. The tension in the air hung like a heavy blanket over the room, and no one was really making any attempt at eating.

Artys sat down beside his sister and tried to catch her eye. Alyssa, however, was looking at her plate and she didn't look up at him.

Artys pulled a plate of food towards him, and began to cut a piece of chicken. His father looked up, and caught his eye, and Artys stopped what he was doing, sensing that his father was going to speak.

"Artys," His father said, breaking the silence in the room. "I assume you know what happened to your brother earlier today?"

"Yes, father," Artys responded. "I do. I saw him earlier."

"Oh? You weren't around when I went to visit him." His father noted. "Artys, do you have any idea what caused this bout of Robert's sickness? You know that it happens when he gets upset or anxious, do you know what could have happened today to cause that?"

"Well..." Artys said, biting his lip. He knew that he couldn't lie, but he didn't relish telling his father that Robert's fit was his fault either.

"Artys?" His father prompted, his voice growing sterner now. "Tell me what you know."

"Well, Robert was watching my training today," Artys began reluctantly. "During the training I-"

"He got himself cut a little while sparring with some other knights, and Robert got upset about it," Alyssa interrupted smoothly. "It was nobody's fault, father. These things happen during training, and we had no idea that Robert would react so badly."

Artys stared at his twin, surprised. He hadn't expected her to interrupt, but in doing so, she'd spared him, at least from the worst of Lysa's wrath.

"You let my son watch your training?" Lysa demanding, speaking up for the first time. "How could you? Of course he'd get scared, he's a child!"

"Lysa, enough." His father said, his voice ringing through the room. "This was no one's fault, and you won't be blaming Artys or Alyssa for it. Robert was simply spending time with his siblings, that's all. What happened was unfortunate, but he'll recover. Now I'll have no more said from you about it, do you understand?"

Lysa glared at him, her pale skin flushing a deep red with rage. She said nothing for a long while, and Artys began to worry that the woman was going to explode. After a few minutes though, she finally spoke. "Very well. I'll say nothing more, lord husband."

The silence returned to the room, and Artys shifted uneasily in his seat. Beside him, Alyssa caught his eye, a spark of worry in her gaze. She was right, he thought, this conflict could go on for quite a while, and Artys did not want to deal with it. Apparently, Alyssa had decided that she couldn't do anything to smooth this over, at least not now. She set down her knife, and looked at their father.

"Father, I'm feeling a little tired. I think I'll go back to my chambers."

"All right then," Their father sighed. "It has been a long day for all of us. Goodnight, Alyssa."

"Good night, father," Alyssa said and she left the room. Artys rose as well, and followed her, after he'd bade his father a good night. He headed upstairs and entered his chambers, hoping that the next day would be at least slightly better for all of them, well except for Lysa perhaps.

Alyssa sighed quietly as she let Elyse brush out her long hair. Things had never been good between Lysa and her father, but tonight, she had not been able to stand the tension between them for another minute.

"My lady, are you all right?" Elyse asked, sounding concerned.

"Yes, I'm all right...I suppose it has been a long day though." She replied, and she saw her handmaiden nod in the mirror.

"I heard what happened to your little brother," Elyse said sympathetically. "How is he now?"

"He's still resting," Alyssa said, letting out another sigh. "The fit took a lot out of him, the maester said."

"The poor little thing," Elyse murmured. "You know, my lady, it really isn't my place to say this, but..." Elyse hesitated, and Alyssa turned her head, so as to better see her friend's face.

"Elyse, please speak freely." She said, and Elyse nodded, her words coming out softly as she spoke again.

"Well...I was thinking that perhaps your brother needs some time away from lady Arryn. I know that children need their mothers but...well, Robert has always been sickly, so perhaps some more time outside and free of such...protectiveness would do him some good."

Alyssa considered her friend's words, and after a moment she nodded. "You know, Elyse, perhaps you're right. I think I will speak to my lord father about it in the morning."

"I think that's an excellent idea." Elyse said, putting down the brush. "Is there anything else you need before bow, my lady?"

"No, Elyse, you've done enough. You should rest now."

Elyse nodded, and Alyssa smiled at her as she left.

When the handmaiden was gone, Alyssa got into bed with yet another sigh. She closed her eyes, trying to forget the events of the day, and she hoped that tomorrow would bring better things for her family. After all, things couldn't go worse than they had today, could they?