Oh, seven hells, I am later than Arya! Maya picked up her skirts so that her legs could take her to the courtyard where the king and his family were riding in. She was sure that her once nicely placed hair was now wild as her long curls cascaded down her back. It wasn't entirely her fault. She was riding Knox, her black horse into the depths of the woods and basking in the wilderness, trying to find her thoughts about their arrival to Winterfell. She still had that bad feeling in the pit of her belly; it was a real pain in her ass right now. She figured that maybe it was just her paranoia causing her to be nervous.
She was practically out of breath when she saw one of the knights of the Kingsguard riding in front of the prince while the Hound was in the back. She bumped into the knight right after he dismounted. She didn't bother to say 'pardon me' or mumble an apology, no she just went forward and next to her father since it was down the line of eldest to youngest. Arya snorted, Robb sucked in his lips as he held in his laughter, and she heard the snickers of Theon and Jon behind her. Her mother had on a disapprovingly glare.
Note to self: stay out of mother's path for the rest of the day. She avoided her mother's glare and her father leaned in and whispered, "We'll talk about this later." Which meant that she was now not allowed to ride anymore for a month.
She felt a hand on her hair and glared at Robb, who took out a leaf from her hair and smirked at her as he let it fall to the ground. He was being smug right now because usually he was the one that got into trouble while she was the perfect twin. The King rode in after the carriage where the rest the children and the queen were. Everyone, including her, kneeled before the king. King Robert dismounted and came striding forward to her father. He gestured for them to rise and they all obeyed. The King was chubby and fat with rosy cheeks and a black beard with white whiskers in them. He seemed like a true Baratheon because he had one of those faces where you could tell that when he got angry…it would be best not to be in his present.
Maya was sure that someone would tell the king of her whereabouts to get some money or in the king's good graces. Damn snitches... She straightened herself up and felt everyone's eyes on her. Her eyes looked at everyone who was looking at her, a small smirk on her face when they averted their eyes. She looked at the knight who she had bumped into when she was rushing to get to her family and he looked back at her with cold and distant eyes. The bastard was trying to scare her so that she would be the first to turn away. She wanted to scoff, but after her little stunt today, she figured that that was enough to cause her mother and father to have a heart attack.
He was tall and lean, dressed in gold and white from head to toe, literally. Even his hair was golden. She could not deny that he was indeed handsome though it didn't really interest her. He was in his customary Kingsguard uniform which looked heavy with a lot of amour. The white and gold cloak that he wore was very clean and cut just like his face. His eyes were a pool of emerald and his cheeks were shallow causing less attention his cheekbones. He had a strong jaw, prefect even that sort of intimated her somehow. Was he born prefect or something? Explains why he's so arrogant…all knights like him always are. They bore into hers for a moment and she saw his lips twitch into an amused and smug smile. She rolled her eyes as her face molted into one of annoyance.
"You've got fat." The king said as he eyed her father.
A worried look appeared on of their faces until her father raised an eyebrow and gestured with his head to the king's large belly. King Robert roared with laughter and so did her father as they hugged like brothers. The worried expression disappeared in an instant. King Robert then hugged her mother greeting happily, "Cat!"
She smiled up at him as he ruffled the little boy's hair. He went back to her father saying, "Nine years…Why haven't I seen you? Where the hell have you been?"
"Guarding the North for you, Your Grace. Winterfell is yours." He answered as the queen and her children came out of the carriage.
Maya noticed the distaste on the queen's face when she surveyed the castle and Maya felt his protectiveness wash over her over her home. She would not let this woman, queen or not, insult her like this and she didn't even have the courtesy nor the decency to hide her annoyance and dislike of Winterfell. Now, she knew why the Starks and everyone else hated the Lannisters so much.
The king went down the family and inquired, "Who have we here?"
The king smiled as he took out another piece of leaf that was hidden in her curls and then laughed, shaking his head, "I don't even want to know. You must be Maya, the wild twin."
She nodded. "And proud of it, Your Grace?"
He roared with laughter and said to her father, "She's becomes like Lyanna every day."
He went to her younger brother, shaking his hand hard saying, "You must the other one. Robb."
"My, you're a pretty one," she heard the king say to Sansa. The king went Arya, who was eyeing the king with a raised eyebrow as he said, "Your name is?"
"Arya." She answered.
"Show us your muscles," he said to Bran, who flexed his clothed arm and Maya chuckled lowly at the boy. "You'll be a soldier."
The queen held out her hand to her father and he bowed, kissing her hand, saying, "My queen."
Her mother curtsied saying, "My queen."
"Take me to your crypt. I want to pay my respects." King Robert ordered.
An immediate annoyance and coldness came onto Queen Cersei's face and everyone knew why. "We've been riding for a month, my love. Surely the dead can wait."
He ignored her and said, "Ned."
The king and her father walked away to the crypt. She heard Arya whispered to Sansa, "Where's the Imp?"
The Queen looked sharply at Arya and then went to her twin brother commanding, "Where is our brother? Go and find the little beast."
Everyone seemed to disperse in different directions of the courtyard. Maya turned and groaned, "Ugh! Theon, get out of my way before I hit you."
He smiled. "You couldn't even if you could."
"Why is that now?"
"Because you're a woman," he said simply.
Her fist tightened and she raised it, but a hand wrapped around her wrist, stopping her. She turned her head and glared at Ser Jaime. He gave her a cut smile and said, "I think that it would be wise to not cause more attention to yourself, my lady."
"Don't you have a womanizing little brother to go and find, Ser Jaime," she taunted.
He smirked at her and pulled her with him when he started to walk in the direction of the town. She seethed, "What in the seven hells are you doing?! Let me go."
"You intrigue me," he said.
"How is that even possible? I barely- no, not barely, I do not even know you."
"But I know you."
She froze. "I'm scared to ask 'how'?"
He gave her a taunting smile. "You'll see, Rose."
"Rose?" she questioned with a glare.
"Yes, it's short for your nickname, 'Rose in the North'."
"Aren't you charming?" she said as she wrenched her wrist from his grasp, yet followed him.
He smirked at her, "Why, thank you? I think the same thing."
"That wasn't a compliment," she said in a sing-song voice.
"I know," replied and they looked at each other curiously.
"You know, it frightens me when you smile," she informed him. "What is it that you're smug about?"
He stopped in front of her and she realized that they were now in the woods. "You and I are getting married."
She widened her eyes. "Please, tell me that you're joking because I really don't want to marry you."
"I as well, my lady. We have no choice though." He said with a sigh.
She opened her mouth to reply and then looked at him more closely. She raised an elegant eyebrow. "You're lying to me."
The amusement left his face and he scoffed, "I am not. Why in the name of the Gods would I lie to you?"
She put her finger on her chin and replied, "Well, I am a Stark for one. I didn't apologize to you when I bumped into you. I was late to the king's arrival. And I think it gives you great amusement to see me squirm in the terror of a marriage."
That same charming smile from before reappeared back onto his face and he shrugged. "Alright, I give up, my lady. You've caught me."
"I know when people are lying to me. Besides, you're not a very good liar, Ser Jaime." With that she turned and walked out of the woods with a satisfied smirk on her face. Rose: 1, Ser Jaime: 0
I do like winning.
King Robert walked into the feast with her mother. Her father walked in with the queen after. They all had to loop arms with each other when it was clear that they did not want to. Robb walked in with Princess Myrcella, who would not stop blushing because of Robb, who kept on giving her a polite smile. Sansa with Prince Joffrey, Arya with Prince Tommen and Maya judged by the look on her face that she did not want to be near him. Prince Tommen was the one talking to her nonstop and Maya thought it was adorable because each of the Baratheon children had a little crush with one of the Stark children. I guess it must run in the family that Baratheons will always have a thing for Starks. Her father's friendship with the king, who is madly in love with her dead Aunt Lyanna.
She assumed that her younger brothers would be walking in together and she moved to walk in with them, not minding the fact that she had to be behind her father and the queen since she was the eldest. An arm pulled her from doing so. Ser Jaime forced their arms to loop and kept her from going to her brothers.
"You look very beautiful, Lady Maya," he commented with a half smile.
She was looking lovely tonight. The sides of her hair was pulled in the Northern hairstyle for women though her long chocolate curls made it more elegant. She wore a blood red dress that was a bit too tight which defined the curves her body more clearly and sadly pushed up her breasts a little, making them more noticeable. The sleeves of her dress were long and went all the way down to her wrists. She didn't wear any jewelry seeing as how could it fit in well with her attire. Her cheeks were somewhat rosy and her lips were a soft pink as her skin was a little tanned which was unnatural for a Northerner. Even Maya was surprised at her mother and how she had fixed her up nicely. Even though she did agree with him on her appearance tonight, she would never admit it aloud because she did not want to hear the man gloat all night.
"Why are you here?" she asked not so politely.
"I am a knight of the Kingsguard," he replied.
"No, you know what I meant. Why are you here with me? Have you not satisfied your amusement yet," she asked lowly.
He didn't reply to her which furthered brighten the irritation inside of her. They started to go their separate way; the Starks on one side and the royal family on the other. It was divided as her parents sat at the table on the dais that over looked the entire hall. She moved to go to her seat when her hand was pulled back and Ser Jaime leaned down, never taking his eyes off hers as he kissed her hand specifically on her knuckles.
He bowed, "My lady."
She turned quickly away from him once he let go of her hand and then went to her seat. And yet again all eyes were on her which made her nervous. Maya gulped down her goblet of wine nervously. She was worried and yet angry at herself because she felt this tingle flash through her body when he kissed her hand. She forced herself to not think about it anymore since it probably didn't mean anything to either of them. He's a Lannister and I'm a Stark…it would never work nor could it be. Lady, Kingsguard. Stark, Lannister. Nice, arrogant. Wild, calm. We are as different as light and darkness.
Maya was pulled out of the her thoughts when Robb asked surprised, "What was that with the Kingslayer?"
She shook her head and scoffed, "Oh, please, little brother, I'm not interested."
"Why not?" Theon asked. "He's handsome, rich, and powerful. He's every woman's dream."
"Not mine. He's arrogant, dishonest, narcissistic, and he's a donkey's ass," she said simply. "But if you think he's such a dreamboat, then please be my guest and go ask him for a dance, Theon."
The boys laughed as Maya pickled at her food, not feeling so hungry anymore. Her face scrunched up in disgust as she saw her twin devouring his food. He stopped when he saw that she was staring at him with a disgust expression. His Tully blue eyes glanced down at her still full plate and pointed at it as he gulped down the food in his mouth.
"Are you gonna eat that?"
In response, she pushed her plate to him. She stood up and went outside for some fresh air. Brothers. She knitted her eyebrows in confusion as she saw Jon practicing hitting a dummy with his sword.
"Jon, what are you doing out here?" She asked as she walked to him.
He stopped practicing and said, "Your mother thought that it would be an insult to the royal family if a bastard were to eat with them."
She scoffed. "I'm pretty sure that at least ten of the king's bastards are in there right now serving him more wine."
Jon laughed while she chuckled. Jon looked like he wanted to say something, but judging by his cold expression, there was someone behind her. She turned her head and mentally sighed in slight irritation at the sight of Tyrion Lannister. Tyrion smiled amusingly at them.
"The bastard and the Rose," he drawled.
I hope he's nothing like his brother or sister.
"Dwarf," Jon countered as a defense.
Maya elbowed Jon in the ribs, who grunted lowly in pain, Tyrion looked at her curiously just as Ser Jaime had. It seems I'm surprising may Lannisters today.
"Little brother," she shrugged. "What a pain."
"I don't know the feeling, my lady," he mused. "My brother, Jaime seems…well, he told me that you know when people are lying."
"I'm not sure what you're talking about, my lord." She replied with fake innocence.
He raised his eyebrows. "Oh, really?"
She nodded. "Yes, really."
Jon went running off somewhere when someone came riding in. She looked at Tyrion and said lowly, "It's my leverage. A secret one if you don't mind."
Understanding appeared on his face as he nodded. "Ah," he drawled with a small smirk. "I see now. You're very clever and not that stupid I suppose."
"I read a lot."
"So do I."
"Explains why we get along so well."
"Not with my brother though."
"Nope."
"Strange."
"How so?"
"Women are charmed by my brother so easily."
"That's because those women are idiots. Appearances can be deceiving."
"Agreed, my lady."
"I'm impressed. You can call me by my birth name."
"You can call me, 'Tyrion', 'May'."
"'May' and 'Rose'?" she shook her head. "My, my, you Lannisters sure do like your nicknames."
He smirked. "For a girl of seventeen, you sound a lot smarter than you're leading on. The rumors I hear of you are true."
"Good." With that she walked past him and went back inside the hall and to the feast. She saw that people began to dance on the floor. A bright smile appeared on her face when she exclaimed happily, "Uncle Benny!"
Benjen turned around and embraced her tightly as she ran into his arms. He picked her up and swung her around. They laughed and eventually he set her down back on her feet when she started to say that she was feeling dizzy.
"You grow more and more beautiful every time I see you," he said. "How is it you don't have suitors knocking on the gates of Winterfell?"
"Well, when they come knockin', I just knock em' dead."
Her father and uncle laughed while shaking their heads. "Ah, Ned," her uncle drawled out. "She grows more like Lyanna with each passing day."
"I know," her father replied, deep in thought about Lyanna. Though when she looked into his eyes, she could tell that she was hoping that wouldn't grow up to be like her which was dead in a dangerous love triangle between two powerful men. Yeah, right, she thought amusingly, like I have powerful men lining up for me.
"So, father, I heard that you are taking the position as Hand of the King," she said, changing the subject.
He gave a weak chuckle. "Yes, I am and the king has decided that Prince Joffrey and Sansa become husband and wife when they are old enough."
"What?! You can't possibly be agreeing to this betrothal." She asked lowly so that no one would hear her outburst.
"I have to. I already denied him of you marrying his son and besides your sister wants to marry him."
Maya rolled her eyes. "Oh, yes, I'm sure she's very pleased. I don't want anything to do with them, father and by 'them' I mean the Lannisters. I can hardly stand Ser Jaime and I tolerate Tyrion and don't even get me started on the queen."
Her uncle laughed. "See? What did I tell you? Iron in her veins, Lyanna has been reborn into your daughter now. I'll pray for you, Ned. You know how difficult she was with father and authority."
She scowled at him. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Her father sighed and crossed his arms over her chest as he slightly bent forward, keeping his voice low, "You must watch what you say right now, my girl. They are…just watch what you say around them and about them."
"Fine," she groaned. "I'll try, but if we're talking about Ser Jaime then I can't promise you anything."
"Surely, I'm not that bad," a voice said from behind. Maya rolled her eyes and turned around, giving him a fake sweet smile. "You make me want to jump off a cliff."
Ser Jaime smirked. "Is there any way I can change your mind, Rose?"
"You can get down on your knees and beg," she suggested.
He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Never. Not even for you."
"Never say never, my lord," she whispered back with a taunting smile.
"Dance with me," he said, but it wasn't a question, but a command.
Maya had forgotten that her father and uncle were right behind them, observing them closely. Ser Jaime took her hand and led her to the dance floor. If she had been listening closely to her father and uncle's conversation, she would've heard them say…
"Ned,"
"I know…" her father said softly. "I know."
"Obviously you don't. If there is something there then our sister's life will repeat itself in the form of your daughter."
Ned sighed and rubbed his eyes as he watched his daughter dance with the Kingslayer, praying to the Old Gods that his daughter would not suffer the same fate as his sister once did.
Maya smiled amusingly at Jaime and teased, "Can you even dance?"
He responded to her by taking her hand just as the violins started to play and twirled her around. He then pulled her back to him and slowly dipped her. She couldn't help, but giggle. Damn him and his dance. Maya was a sucker for dancing and she always loved to dance no matter the partner. He smiled down at her in victory. "Lannisters know everything."
Jaime brought her back up and twirled her around again, her skirt swinging around in a circle of blood. When the song ended, every one clapped and Maya made a move to leave, but Jaime wouldn't hear of it. No, instead the bastard and pulled her against his chest as he led their dance. Her hand was on his firm shoulder while his was lightly gripping her hip. The couples twirled and spun around the dance floor in a circle around them while Maya and Jaime were stuck in the middle of it, but neither one of them said anything about it.
"I would ask how are you liking the North, but after seeing your face when you first came in here, I'm guessing you hate it here."
He shrugged. "It's a grey wasteland. I don't know how you are able to stand it here."
"It's home to me."
"You call living in nothing, 'home'."
"Yes, I do," she snapped, feeling protective over her home yet again. "I would rather go to the Wall and then go to the South."
"Then I guess the next couple of months will be hell for you." He responded amusingly.
She widened her eyes and was dumbfounded as she flabbergasted, "W-What?! No, I am NOT going to the place where heat was practically created and birthed in."
He shrugged. "You have no choice."
"I always have a choice. I can choose not to go."
"No, you can't, Rose, because the King wanted it just like he wanted the betrothal and your father as his Hand. He always gets what he wants."
She pulled away from Jaime and shook her head. "No, I am not going. I am not leaving my life behind for something as useless as this. Why am I even going to the South when there is nothing there for me?"
She turned around and stormed out of the hall and back to her chambers. She heard booted footsteps come up behind her and she knew that it was Jaime. He kept up with her stride easily since she was smaller than him. He groaned, "Are you angry?"
"No, I'm furious. I'm being forced to do something that I don't want to do nor do I even need to."
"You're being dramatic."
"Why must you always be cynical? Do you find me amusing? Do you like mocking me?" she snapped angrily.
They were at her door and just as her hand was on the doorknob, Jaime grabbed her wrist and pulled her against his chest. "Do not blame me for the actions of others."
She scoffed. "Oh, please, get over yourself, Lannister. I hardly think of you. Right now for example."
He stared down at her, a very brief emotion passed through his face and it was fast enough that she couldn't guess which emotion that it was. His eyes were so intense and pools of emeralds that just pulled you in. They were slightly wide and yet they held no emotion in them. They were cold and distant. Dear Gods… She felt her body tense as she felt his hand s tightened around her wrists. She lightly winced and said softly, "Y-You're hurting me."
Jaime shook his head and let go her immediately, pushing himself away from her. Without another word, he turned and strode away. She rubbed her wrist and went inside of her chambers.
Maya watched her father and the king ride away from Winterfell. She had an impassive expression on her face though in her eyes, you could see the anger hidden within. She turned away and started to walk in the direction of the deep woods. Maya went to her father and had asked him if what Ser Jaime had said was true. Her father did not deny it. Maya was now very suspicious of the king's intentions. For one, he-they both told her that she WAS going to the South and she really wanted to know why this seemed so important. She had an idea that it had something to do with the fact that since she was ready for children and marriage that they would try to marry her off to someone she didn't even know nor did she even-
Maya screamed so loudly that it echoed as she saw Bran fall from the Broken Tower.
I knew it… The bad feeling in the pit of her stomach was now gone.
TBC…
A/N: Well, there you have it, the next chapter. Sorry, it took me so long to update, been so tired lately and I had this all written out and I was lazy to type it. OH DEAR GODS! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS, FOLLOWS, AND FAVORITES. My phone kept buzzing because of you guys and at first I was wary that nobody would like it, but it seems I was wrong so YAY!
I can't wait until Maya meets more of the little shits in King's Landing. So next chapter, I'm thinking a little more of Maya/Jaime. Yup, sound good to you guys. Well, thank you all again.
REVIEW. FOLLOW. FAVORITE. Until next time…