-„You should simply apolozige, Bronn." Tyrion suggested and took a sip from his cup of wine „Women always like it when men apologize, no matter if they are wrong or not."
-„I don't care about the redhead lady. She should stop whining."
-„She was worried about me." Tyrion explained, raising his eyebrows as if it was the most natural thing that a highborn girl threw herself into battle without standing a slight chance only to save him, Tyrion Lannister. Bronn scoffed in disbelief.
-„Rebekah will forgive you once she regains reason. You saved her after all, and Waldorfs are usually not resentful."
Bronn sighed. He didn't need Tyrion Lannister to tell him how this woman felt or why she was offended. For him, she was overly nice to look at and fun to tease. Since she was out of his reach and he would never have her, she was only interesting to a limited extend.
Lady Rebekah Waldorf was a troublemaker, and a common sellsword like Bronn didn't need a doll-like girl ruining his work. So he kept cleaning his nails while Tyrion tried to make peace between them.
OoOoO
-„I'm glad you're coming to King's Landing." Rebekah said hesitantly, not sure how Shae would react. Shae seemed to prefer to have distance between her and other people, Rebekah had noticed.
-„I am too. And I am glad that you were not send back to Shadow Castle, my lady." Shae answered, bending her head gracefully but showing off an ironic smile.
Tyrion was send to King's Landing as the Hand of the King, while Rebekah conviced Tywin to send her as assistance.
With a stern face, Lord Tywin listened to her as she explained how useful she would be at court. Helping Tyrion with her smart mind. Listening to the Ladies' talk and secrets for House Lannister. Being a Lady-in-Waiting for Queen Cersei. Finding a better suitor than Gregor Clegane for the future of House Waldorf. Avoiding a conflict with Lord Mycah Kenning. Although she had plenty of arguments, Lord Tywin Lannister's face gave nothing away, his green-golden sprenkled eyes as cold as always. At the end of her little speech, he said nothing for a while, just looking into her amber eyes. When he answered, his impressing yet quiet voice sent shivers over Rebekah's spine.
„Lady Rebekah, I did not know your brother Roran as good as Dawen. Still, I am sorry for your loss. Nonetheless, I don't want to know about your grudge with your stepfather until you have proof.
You are allowed to go to King's Landing in my son's service, as you have proven yourself useful today and in your time as my ward."
Rebekah curtsied for Lord Tywin, hiding her relief. As she thanked him and walked away, Lord Tywin added: „Lady Rebekah? Next time you dissobey, I send you directly to Ser Clegane."
Although he showed absolutely no signs of humor, Tyrion laughed. „You certainly know how to scare a girl, father."
OoOoO
Rebekah and Shae walked over the camp, both hidden under their cloaks. There was no need to draw attention, the women had reasoned. First, Rebekah had wanted to go out alone, since she was only searching for Ser Branston Hill with the aim to ask a few questions. Shae had insisted to come.
-„It's me or your favorite sellsword, my lady. Tyrion won't take me to King's Landing when he learns I let his friend go alone."
Rebekah glanced at Tyrion's mistress, wondering about Shae's tone when it came to the word „friend"
-„I can watch out for myself." Rebekah felt like saying this sentence the hundreds time already. She couldn't understand why Shae had any interest in helping her. Deep down, she was actually happy about not being alone. And asking Bronn or Tyrion was out of question.
The large man was putting a blanket over his horse, showing the black shadowcat on green ground of House Waldorf. „My lady." Ser Branston greeted Rebekah as she and Shae approached.
-„Ser Branston. Are you coming to King's Landing?" she asked hopefully, looking into the knights kind eyes.
-„No, my lady, I fear not. I was ordered to return to Shadow Castle to deliver the message from Lord Tywin about your stay in King's Landing. Maybe I will return with guards for you, Lady Rebekah. You can't stay alone in the capital, especially if you're searching for a suitor. " With this words, Branston looked down, clearing his throat awkwardly.
Rebekah nodded slowly in understanding. Sadly, she needed every ally in King's Landing, and Ser Branston would have been a good choice. He was belonged to those she trusted, one of her father's men, not her stepfather's.
-„Could you at least send a few of our own men with me? I would feel safer, especially after what happened to Roran." Rebekah said carefully.
-„My Lady!" Branston explained, suddenly seeming on edge. „Ser Roran arrived here with his men, wanting to join the Lannister army. The first thing he did was sending a raven to Shadow Castle, but it must have gotten lost. However, he was assigned to scout the area down the green fork. It was an easy task for someone like Ser Roran..."
Rebekah took a deep breath, feeling her suspicion more and more confirmed. „Go on, please. What happened to Roran's group?"
-„They were attacked by bandits. Lots of them! My lady, I do not want to see snarls and grumpkins everywhere, but something about this attack was not right. So many, so skilled..." the man answered agitatedly.
Looking down to her hands, she tried to find the right words. „It hurts me to know Roran's life ended like this. They must be dangerous bandits, outnumbering the troop."
To Rebekah, it was clear what really happened, so she quickly took Ser Branston's hand. „Thank you for telling me. May you travel safely and send me a raven if you come to join me in King's Landing." The women said softly, then left with Shae.
OoOoO
-„Did Lord Mycah love your mother?" Shae asked with her thick accent. Both women sat in a litter, organized by Tyrion Lannister. He wanted to smuggle the whore against his father's will into the Red Keep, and the plan was to make her Rebekah's handmaiden.
It would do until King's Landing at least, and Rebekah was happy about the company.
-„I thought so. But I guess he prefers being Lord of Shadow Castle even more. That's the only reason he would pay bandits to kill my brother."
Rebekah heard the bitterness in her own words. Lord Mycah had proven to be capable of more than she tought.
-„If only I found a way to prove he's guilty, I could secure my younger brother's inheritance."
Shae looked at her scornfully from the side. „You would only put him in danger even more, my lady."
-„Skip the lady, please." Rebekah sighed, knowing Shae had a point. For a whore without much education, the woman was cunning and helpful. Even when she was helping because she had the intention to please Tyrion.
-„Lady Waldorf, I won't forget what you are." Shae smiled now, the dark eyes sparkling. „The sellsword, he maybe will..."
Rebekah sat up straight „What do you mean by that?"
-„I know men, Lady Rebekah. I know how they look at you when they want you." The women chuckled, but Rebekah's cheeks turned pink. She had never considered Bronn being interested. There was no possibility anyway. „Shae!" she exclaimed still laughing. „I'm mad at him for tying me up during the war. And I certainly not like the way he calls me „kitten". She imitated his way of speaking, causing them to laugh even more.
OoOoO
Shae didn't mind the girl around, even though considered her as competition. The way Tyrion cared for her was obvious for Shae, a man would only do that to get her in bed. Lady Rebekah Waldorf was stronger than most noble women she met, not as whiny and power hungry, but she was surprisingly naïve. They way she blushed or chuckled, it pointed to innocence, which probably made her even more attractive to men. The mixture of stubbornness and softness matched to the warm golden eyes and the bright red hair. Finding out her relationship with Tyrion was platonic made Shae more relaxed around her.
It seemed like everyone except Lady Rebekah realized how dangerous the world was for girls like her. Highborn enough to make every high Lord crave for her but still not that noble that her status would keep common people and lower Lords away. Had she been born a Lannister, no men would dare hurting her. House Waldorf didn't put her in a good position.
Tyrion's sellsword, Bronn, had an eye on her, Shae was sure of it. She didn't blame him, and somehow he looked more decent than most of the men she knew.
In the end, Shae found herself protective of Rebekah Waldorf, because the girl certainly had no idea how to protect herself
Hi guys, it would be great if you'd let me know how you like it. I'm glad for everything that helps me to improve the story! I know my writing skills are not that good since English is not my native language and I'm sorry if the phrases seem a bit repetitive or clumsy. If you find any mistakes or have any ideas for the story, feel free to tell me ;)
Thank you, liebe Grüße & xoxo