Tyrion quickly explained the content of Rebekah's letter, not even bothering if Bronn cared or not. „I guess you being a cold-hearted bastard just made it worse."

Bronn sneered „She should get used to cold-hearted bastards, especially if Gregor Clegane is coming to meet her."

Tyrion sighed in desperation, burying his hands in his hair.

-„She's not a lucky girl." He added, and Bronn just shrugged. „Clegane will kill her within days. Already killed two wives and a sister, didn't he?"

For second, Bronn imagined the girl belonging to the Mountain and being bedded by a man over two times her size. A men who would break her thin bones with a simply touch. Bronn shook his head, avoiding those thoughts. He wanted Rebekah, but he certainly wasn't getting into Clegane's way. Unless...

„There's another way. Her stepfather wants to get her killed, but if she married another man, he would be the truthful Lord Protector of the castle until her brother is old enough to rule alone." Bronn mused, cleaning his fingernails to pretend boredom.

Tyrion looked up, his eyes widened in realization. „Excellent thought." He breathed. „You're smarter than you look, my friend." He raised his cup to the sell sword again, feeling a glimpse of hope for his only true friend.

OoOoO

The next day promised to get hot, the air felt heavy and warm in the morning already. Bronn wasn't on duty and decided to use his spare time to watch young squires practice in the yard.

Yet when he arrived, there weren't much boys fighting. They were all rallied around the shooting rage, other knights and nobles standing on the gallery above it. Bronn pushed himself through to see who was practising and wasn't even surprised when he catched the glimpse of fiery red hair, braided into a long thick braid. Rebekah bend the bow, released and hit the target in the exact middle. She was wearing a dress this time, although it was clearly more practical. The skirt was half open, showing her usual leather pants and boots through.

Rebekah ignored the men around whispering and staring, her face was calm and focused.

Bronn watched her going to the next stand, the target further away than before.

-„Where were you yesterday, my friend?" A tall men with shaggy blond hair appeared next to him, patting Bronn's shoulder. He was one of Bronn's new gold cloaks, knighted just a few months ago which made him an important member in the City Watch. Deryl, Bronn remembered his name. Ser Deryl Gower was a simple man, he loved drinking, women and killing, which made him likable to Bronn.

-„Blowing off some steam." Bronn said with a smug smile. After the dinner with Tyrion, he used his free time to visit one of Littlefinger's famous pleasure houses. After all, he had to celebrate his new position properly and he had done so with a red-haired girl named 's eyes had the wrong color, her lips were to thin, her cheekbones not as distinct. And her hair was more orangey than deep red. Even her figure wasn't to his pleasure, too round and not slender enough. Everything about her had been wrong.

The real problem was that Bronn wasn't usually a picky men, but with Tyrion's friend around looking like the maiden incarnate, it got harder to appreciate the women he could afford.

Fortunately, Deryl's laugh interrupted his thoughts.

-„Oh, I hope you had some fun, my friend. Speaking of it, this pretty Lady down there is getting everyone excited."

-„And every archer ashamed." Bronn added, laughing with the soldier.

-„I'm curious to see who gets this kitten tamed. If rumor is true that they plan to wed her to the Mountain, I should hurry to get a piece of her." Deryl sounded to hopeful to Bronn's taste.

-„Get in line, Gower."

-„Ahh, you think she's going to fall for a mercenary like you? The Ladies want brave, honorable and handsome knights."

Bronn sneered „Well that rules you out as well, doesn't it?"

Deryl and Bronn stopped laughing as voices rose in the yard.

In the mean time, Rebekah had managed to hit moving targets with closed eyes, and the crowd cheered for her. The woman allowed herself to smile, showing her perfect teeth.

-„Your majesty, the King!" Someone shouted, and King Joffrey approached the crowd with his guards.

OoOoO

-„My Lady! You live up to the Waldorf reputation, although I don't think it's wise for a women to play with arms."

Rebekah chuckled lightly after curtsying gracefully. Practising had made her blood run calmer and her head clearer. Suddenly, everything seemed like a task she could achieve, a challenge to win if she only focused on the target.

-„It isn't, your Grace, but then again I'm not known to be wise." She answered. Joffrey smiled tightly. „If I were your husband, I would forbid it." He spat, hoping to hurt Rebekah.

-„Oh I'm sure of it, your Grace. But wouldn't be my talent be wasted?" everyone was silent, watching Rebekah discussing with the King.

-„You will never fight in battle nor will you hunt anymore as a Lady of court. It's already wasted."

Rebekah pouted without seeing the effect it had on various men. She batted with her lashes and said „Your Grace, that would make me sad since it's a family tradition. It's thrilling to have a powerful weapon to use without brute force but with a sharp eye and mind. How about you, your Grace? Which weapon do you prefer?" Rebekah knew she said exactly what Joffrey wanted. It was commonly known he had a preference for Crossbows.

-„My lady, I have received a wonderful crossbow for my nameday." He said proudly. Rebekah tried to smile innocently without showing her triumph.

-„You're certainly talented, your Grace. It would be a shame if that's wasted as well."

-„Why would it be wasted?" the danger in his voice was easy to notice.

-„Even the greatest talent needs a good teacher." Rebekah answered casually.

After a few dreadful seconds, Joffrey clapped his hands. „Well, a legendary Waldorf archer would do the job, don't you think? They're the best in the Kingdom and you have already proven yourself worthy." His tone gave evidence of how generous Joffrey thought he was, and he looked over the crowd as he had done the greatest and noblest of things.

-„Lady Waldorf, I command you to show me your knowledge about crossbows. In return, you can practice in the yard whenever you like, although that certainly doesn't increase your chances of getting a good husband."

The crowd cheered and laughed, clapping for King Joffrey. „See you in an hour, my lady." He said, then smiled to his people again before leaving.

Rebekah smiled as well, being genuinely happy. It didn't matter Joffrey was an evil prick. She was using him for her bow practice and for spying on him for Tyrion. Satisfied with herself, she shouldered her bow and left the yard.

Hi, thanks to veri01 and .7 for their reviews!

Veri01, I'm happy you liked the conversation with Varys, and honestly, I can't think of a better compliment for a writer than to be compared with GRRM. Vielen Dank!

Reviews are awesome! ;)
Liebe Grüße & xoxo