Disclaimer: I do not own Games of Thrones. I only own my OC.

A/N: Okay so I am honestly surprised I was able to finish this chapter as fast as I did because I was out most of the day yesterday and today. I went to Anime Expo Chibi which was fun. This was actually the first Anime Expo I've ever been to.

But now I am happy to say I've been to E3, Comic Con, Wonder Con, and Anime Expo Chibi. Bad news, I'm broke from all the stuff I've bought xD

Anyways, here's a new chapter! I hope you guys enjoy it! Now I am going to be busy these next few days so I won't be able to focus on this story as much. I think the next story I will be able to update is my Outer Banks story Summertime Sadness only because the next chapter is almost done.

Also I've been rewatching Outer Banks again and it made me realize how much I miss writing my OC Maribel. She's like the least angsty OC I have.

But to keep you guys excited, we finally head to Winterfell in the next chapter. So have patience my friends.

Also Butter Week is something that exists in Shadow and Bone but I wanted to include in this story. It does sound like an event Maeve would love to be a part of because it's giving back to the people. And Maeve, as we know, is naturally a compassionate person.

Meredyth Crane is a character from the books but her sister Nadine Crane is an OC of mine. I wanted to include her because I wanted to show their relationship, which is a very good one. I also chose the name Nadine because I am not over a certain character's death from a different TV show (hello to any Chucky fans out there). So this is my attempt to honor her.

Don't worry, Maeve will find a similar friendship with her new handmaiden once in Winterfell, yet another OC. I'm gonna have fun writing her character :)

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."― Leo Buscaglia

Chapter 6: Your Compassion Is A Gift

"What do you think, my lady?"

Maeve looked away from the trunk where she was carefully packing her books. She was quick to smile when seeing the extraordinary design by needlepoint her handmaiden Nadine presented her with.

"That's breathtaking work, Nadine. The peacock looks realistic."

Maeve's grandmother would've relished that it was different from the rose designs other ladies at Highgarden stitched. As much as Maeve found roses to be beautiful, seeing them everywhere was exhausting at times. Who liked having a rose design on their chamber pot? Seemed unnecessary to Maeve.

Her blonde haired handmaiden beamed at her compliment. "Thank you. I included as many details as I could." She didn't mention taking inspiration from the masquerade mask Maeve wore for last year's Harvest Moon. It had been a very striking mask, matching Maeve's dress of gold, turquoise, and purple. The brunette looked so stunning in it.

Nadine's delight dimmed when Maeve returned back to her book packing. "My lady, are you sure you don't want my help?"

Maeve, being so kind, had assured her (a few times now) she didn't need the extra hands. The youngest rose of Highgarden told her to continue needlepoint as she packed her own books.

Reluctantly, Nadine agreed. To her it didn't feel right sitting and stitching while Maeve packed. That was what Nadine was supposed to do, not Maeve. The brunette spared her a look.

"No need to keep asking." Maeve gently declined her assistance, again. "You've already been helping me pack my other belongings." She blew a piece of hair that fell into her face. "Leave the packing of my books to me. There are way too many, and I have a system in the way I'm packing them."

Maeve packed a few more books before finally closing the trunk once there was no more space. She looked at the remaining books that needed to be packed with a sheepish smile. "Uh, I am going to need another trunk."

Nadine laughed, after all these years with Maeve she felt comfortable enough to express amusement. Maeve was never discouraging when it came to opening up. In fact, she preferred it. That's why Nadine considered her a true friend. Although Nadine was her handmaiden she would at times speak to Maeve as if she were her own sister. "This will be the third trunk that's only filled with books."

Maeve replied gleefully. "Then I will need three more trunks."

"You are the only lady I know who owns more books than dresses and jewelry." Nadine continued in good humor

Maeve looked pleased upon hearing that. "Does it mean I am one of a kind?" She joked.

"You are unique, my lady." Nadine spoke earnestly, her honey brown eyes shining.

"And you are extremely talented, Nadine." Maeve gestured to the design she stitched. Nadine blushed, her eyelashes fluttering.

The two of them continued to speak energetically with one another. Aside from Maeve's family, her handmaiden Nadine was frequently by her side. So it was a good thing Maeve enjoyed her company.

Nadine had been tending to Maeve since the age of ten, with Nadine being two years older than her. Nadine was also the younger sister of Meredyth, who was Margaery's own handmaiden. The two blonde sisters came from House Crane, a noble house of the Reach.

It didn't take long for a friendship to develop between Maeve and Nadine due to their closeness of age. Over the years Nadine had seen Maeve in all sorts of ways. She was familiar with Maeve's laughter as well as her more emotional side, and vice versa.

Maeve wasn't one for foul language but whenever she had a rush from all the sugar she consumed she would utter a word or two that was considered very unladylike. She'd laugh afterwards and Nadine would laugh too because Maeve's laughter was contagious. She still smiled at the randomest times when she thought about Maeve shouting,"Fuck Nadine this is awful!" when she tried figs for the first time and did not like the taste. All the sweets she had before was the cause for such language.

Nadine liked Maeve's lightheartedness but it was her compassion that she was grateful for. Maeve's caring side made her feel safe, loved. It was greatly needed when Nadine's mother passed away two years back.

Her older sister Meredyth had always been more emotionally stronger than her, like their father. Nadine was instead way too sensitive, like their mother had been.

Maeve knew this, and was the reason why she kept Nadine close, becoming an anchor for her. Nadine had cried into her shoulder the day of her mother's funeral, with no objection from Maeve. Afterwards the two girls stayed in Maeve's chambers, away from the crowd of people.

Nadine had fallen asleep crying, her arms wrapped around Maeve. The youngest rose of Highgarden eventually had to pull away, but kept her warm by wrapping her in blankets. That night she slept on her chaise and Nadine on her lavish bed.

When Nadine woke up she was still grieving. Maeve being there with warm tea and plum cake (knowing it was Nadine's favorite) made her feel less empty. Her mother's death left a hole in her heart, a hole that could never be fully healed.

The hole in her heart would've been much worse if it hadn't been for Maeve. In a way Maeve reminded Nadine of her mother. Not enough for the youngest rose to replace her because no one could ever replace her mother. Maeve's presence made the healing process less painful.

Now the day of Maeve's departure was quickly approaching. In exactly five days she'd be heading to Winterfell with her family. Nadine, unfortunately, would not be going with her. It saddened her deeply. As much as she wanted to weep she couldn't, she couldn't let her lady, her friend, see her so heartbroken.

Maeve's marriage was supposed to be a good thing. But even then Nadine couldn't help but make small comments.

"You'll need warmer dresses." Nadine suddenly said, setting aside the work she'd done. There was an air of casualness to take away from her hurt. "I'm afraid the North isn't very forgiving when it comes to the weather."

Maeve hummed. "I believe my mother and Margaery are working on that." She took a seat on the velvet chair next to Nadine. "I suppose that'll be their wedding gifts to me."

Nadine smiled at the mention of the oldest Tyrell daughter. She wasn't her personal handmaiden but her own sister Meredyth certainly liked boasting about her. There was something really exceptional about the Tyrell sisters. Both of their handmaidens liked talking about them to others. "It probably won't be the only gift you'll get from them."

Maeve appeared bashful. "They really shouldn't. They've done enough already."

Her mother and sister had basically planned the whole wedding themselves. Of course with their grandmother watching things over. Maeve was asked her opinion on certain things, and she was involved because not being involved was not an option.

"But it's your wedding, my lady." Nadine sounded a bit astounded. "If there's any day a lady should be spoiled endlessly, aside from their nameday obviously, it's on their wedding day."

Maeve let out a sigh. "I already have enough, more than enough." She quietly answered. "I don't need anything else."

Nadine gazed at her softly. "It still should be a special day." She paused, and then thought of something that'll get her to smile. "Besides, you would deny yourself from acquiring more books?" It worked and soon enough Maeve was smiling.

"Books are different. A person can never have too many books."

Nadine's eyes wandered to the pile of books that remained unpacked. "I do hope there'll be enough space for them in your new chambers."

"I guess I'll just have to wait and see." Maeve feeling nervous rubbed at her nose. This room would no longer be her safe haven. She'd be given a new one in Winterfell, where she no longer would be sleeping alone. She gulped. "Hopefully my….husband won't mind as much."

Nadine knew her lady was nervous. The nose rubbing and the way Maeve looked pale yet rosy at the same time gave it away. Although it was a beautiful look on Maeve, she must have felt the complete opposite.

So rather than sit in silence Nadine said the first thing that came to mind. She thought it was a mistake until she saw the way Maeve perked up in her chair.

"They say Northern men are wild and rugged."

Maeve narrowed her green eyes. "And who are they exactly?"

"Just people." Nadine answered with a small shrug.

"And they say this because Northerners live in the cold?" Maeve scoffed lightly, more out of amusement than annoyance. "I bet you most of those people have never even set foot in Winterfell themselves."

Nadine had thought so as well. Gossip. Just gossip. "That's more than likely, my lady. But I also hear the Starks are very honorable." This seemed more truthful than silly gossip. Even though she didn't like that Maeve was being taken away from her, at least what she heard about the Starks in particular was good and not bad.

"May your husband be a righteous man, my lady." Nadine earnestly told her. "What does it matter if he may be scruffy looking. Just as long as he treats you with a gentle hand."

Maeve let out a loud laugh, her nose scrunching up. "Thank you, Nadine." When her laughing finally settled her vision blurred. She successfully reached for Nadine's hand. "I wish you could be there." Tears began to trail down her rosy cheeks.

Intertwining their fingers, Nadine couldn't withhold her emotions. She began to shed tears of her own. "Me too, my lady."

Oh, she wished she could be by Maeve's side. See her married, even to another. Her father however was adamant more than ever about her and her sister on finally finding husbands of their own. Nadine would have to remain in the Reach as the search continued. All while Maeve would be far, far away. She was going to be greatly missed.

Nadine thought the whole thing to be bittersweet.

Maeve was to gain a husband but Highgarden was to lose one of its kindest souls.

"Father, you missed this document."

Maeve stood up, said document in hand. She approached where her father sat behind his desk. Like her eldest brother Willas, the youngest rose of Highgarden would spend time in her father's solar.

From the age of six Maeve would visit her father in his solar. At such a young age she would only be there to keep him company while she sat and read a book of her choice. As she got older though she got more involved and soon enough she began doing what Willas would do. Which was helping her father by reading letters and sorting them out into the correct piles. And with his permission she'd also respond to some of them using his name.

Numbers were a bit of an issue with Mace and even at times Willas, but never to Maeve. What would take Willas a few minutes to figure out would take Maeve a few seconds. Her skills in mathematics became the main reason why Mace ended up giving her as much responsibility as Willas.

Mace looked at his daughter, appearing puzzled. His mustache moved with his small frown. "And which document is it?"

"The document with the information about the upcoming Masquerade for the Harvest Moon." Maeve answered with a smile.

Maeve liked celebrating the Masquerade Highgarden held for the Harvest Moon. The Masquerade was celebrated with extravagant costumes, merry dancing, and a large feast inside the castle.

However it wasn't Maeve's favorite celebration. Instead it was Butter Week, an event held a week before the beginning of Spring. Butter Week was when noble men and women would drive around with carts filled with sweets, cheeses, and freshly baked bread for the common people. There would be parades, singing, and a small carnival for the children, making it a joyful day overall.

Maeve loved Butter Week because it made people, especially the children, so happy. She always looked forward to waking up in the early hours, getting everything ready by personally making the sweets and breads. All that work was worth it once she saw the smiles on peoples faces.

That's why reading about the Masquerade made Maeve sad. Not only would she not be at Highgarden for the upcoming Masquerade but she wouldn't be able to participate in Butter Week once Spring time came. She'd be living in Winterfell by then. Missing Butter Week made her heart ache since she hadn't a clue when she'd be returning to Highgarden.

Mace blinked several times, as if coming out of a daze. He then grinned. It was comical to Maeve the way his mustache moved upwards when doing so. "Oh, that is important." He added into the pile in the middle.

Maeve quickly put it in the correct pile, which was on the left. "It actually goes in this one."

Mace grinned again. "You read all of it?"

"I did." Maeve confirmed. "I checked the numbers that were spent for all the costumes and food and none of them raised concerns. We stayed within the appropriate amount of spending."

Mace didn't need to do his own look over, or even have Willas read the document. He trusted his daughter, especially when it came to numbers.

"Thank you, Maeve." He spoke with a loud, proud voice. "Your sharpness with numbers sometimes still amazes me. I can't say I have the same sharpness."

"You do your best." Maeve kindly told him. Which was the truth. Her father did his best.

"Ah, yes but I can not visualize the numbers in my head the way you say you do. That's why you're able to go over these documents faster than me and discover any errors on the first read." Mace became sober, his natural brightness fading. "Makes me worry what will happen when you're gone."

Him not being able to get work done without her help wasn't the issue. No, what Mace really meant was how dulleverything would become once his youngest daughter left Highgarden. The natural light she brought with her would be leaving with her to Winterfell.

Like his eldest son Willas, Maeve would assist him in his solar. So it was going to be odd not having her by his side anymore.

"Well…." Maeve let out a relieved, dramatic sounding sigh. "There's always Willas."

Mace's face lit up. He let out a booming laugh. "Thank the Gods for him!"

Maeve smiled, nodding her head in agreement. She trusted her father would be able to manage just fine, but having Willas there to provide assistance made her feel better. Truly, thank the Gods for him.

"Is there anything else you want me to look over?"

Mace grew quiet. There were actually no more documents that needed to be looked over. However this might be the last time father and daughter were able to work together in his solar.

The Tyrell family was soon to leave for Winterfell and with each passing day Maeve spent more time with her grandmother, mother, and older sister discussing her wedding. Mace and her rarely got to spend time together anymore.

It was unnecessary but he wasn't ready to end the special connection Maeve and him had built just yet.

That's why he handed her a pile of documents that had already been read. Judging by his daughter's smile she knew this as well. Maeve still took the pile with a smile and sat right back down.

Mace smiled too. Although his smile had a hint of the blues. These moments with just him and his daughter were rare now, becoming nonexistent. So Mace was going to enjoy them while he could.