Hey guys, I'm sorry it took me so long to upload! Here's an extra long chapter for you :) I hope you enjoy it! xoxo
The next day, the Spider showed up in the gardens. „My dear lady, I have a message for you. Your brother Lord Dewan is on his way to King's Landing. He shall arrive the next days." He announced, smiling slyly. „He should be happy to see you safe and sound here. Especially when you are putting yourself at risk even at night."
Rebekah frowned, getting steps away from the other Ladies. „What exactly are you referring to, Lord Varys?" she asked carefully.
-„Oh don't worry, your secrets are safe with me. We are friends after all, my lady, aren't we?" he touched her arm softly. „Little birds tell me rumors about a certain Lady of the Red Keep named Valla. They say she is soft-hearted, a benefactor of the poor and a friend to Vipers. Good thing the Hand of the King was already informed about the Viper." Rebekah kept her face blank.
-„I suppose you have no idea who she is. I hope she finds the courage to ask me for help. What a lovely girl she must be if she risks so much to help the weakest." He said, his eyes sparkling. Rebekah smiled sweetly. „My Lord, I am sure she is."
With that, she left him standing alone, her mind trying to figure out his words. Was he warning her? Or did he truly want to help her sneak out the castle? What did he knew about Oberyn and her?
Either way, she had someone else to care about now.
OoOoO
„Are you sure it was Oberyn Martell? The Viper?!" Tyrion asked for the third time now.
Rebekah nodded again. Varys stroke his chin and said worriedly. „I fear he might plans to revenge Princess Elia's murder in secrecy. No one can ever predict the Viper's next move."
Rebekah frowned. „He may be hiding, but he's not hiding very well... it's not like he was really trying."
Varys and Tyrion exchanged a look before nodding. „What do you make of his fascination of you?" Varys asked, and Rebekah suspected it was some kind of test, like Varys was the teacher and Rebekah was the child only beginning to learn the rules of the game.
-„He acted like I slayed the Mountain with my bare hands. It appeared like he wanted to flatter me but also question my loyalties to House Lannister. When I assured him I am truthful to our allegiance, Oberyn proved he was well informed about many things going on in the capital. He is preparing something, he's collecting information and making friends. Or at least I believe it was an attempt to make me his ally." Rebekah shrugged and continued.
„Yet the fact he is not hiding very well shows he only wants us to believe that. Oberyn would not strike in the open at the moment but he counts on having his revenge soon."
Varys smiled like she had given the right answer. „Do you think he is in league with Stannis Baratheon?"
-„No." Rebekah answered immediately. „But he doesn't care that Stannis is not far away from our gates. Oberyn wants to scare us with his presence in the city." She finished, proud she had managed to see through the Viper's intentions.
-„A war is approaching. King's Landing is not a good place for snakes right now." Bronn intervened unmoved by Rebekah's realizations.
-„The Viper will be gone as soon as it gets too dangerous. Until then, he will make us remember every day that House Lannister has more enemies than it can count." Tyrion explained with a tired voice. „And I don't have no other choice than to invite him to stay as long as he likes."
OoOoO
Bronn admitted he was highly curious of Rebekah's younger brother. If he had half the temper and skills of his sister, Dewan could be a respectable men. At least in Bronn's eyes.
„Lord Waldorf, it's a pleasure to meet you again." Tyrion said fluently, but a flash of red hair and white skin rushed in front of him.
„Dewan. I missed you so much." Rebekah and Dewan hugged tightly, both of them grinning happily. He was way taller than her but still smaller than most men, and he raised her a few feet from the bottom. After a while they let go of each other, the smiles still on their faces.
Lord Dewan had auburn, more brownish tousled hair and would most likely be considered very handsome by women. His eyes were the darker version of Rebekah's, but the sparkle in it was unmistakably the same. Dimples in the corner of his mouth and on his chin intensified his first impression: The young man was shrewd and slightly arrogant.
-„Dewan, may I present you Bronn, the commander of the city watch? He saved my life more than once now."
-„Which is not very easy with your sister's adventures, m'lord " Bronn answered lightly. Dewan's look on the mercenary was piercing but he said friendly: „I believe that. Waldorfs are not easy to tame. You shall receive your reward for protecting my sister."
-„Yes, Bronn is a honorable man." Tyrion intervened, the sarcasm in the voice couldn't be missed. „There's a feast to your honor, Lord Dewan, with a few Lannister men invited. Tomorrow we can plan your sister's tourney."
Dewan grimaced „I can't wait, my lord hand." He was followed by at least twenty men, carrying the Waldorf Banner: A green field with a black shadowcat. Rebekah was glooming, hooking her arm into her brother's. „Do you mind giving me and my sister a moment together, my lord hand?" he asked Tyrion.
-„Of course, my lord. Let's go, Bronn." Tyrion winked towards his bodyguard.
Dewan and Rebekah made their way to the gardens, two men in green cloaks following a few steps behind.
„So did that sellsword of yours really save you? Shame on you, sister, I thought you were not the one playing damsel in distress." He smirked, and Rebekah punched him playfully against the arm.
-„Oh, I am sorry that I could not defend myself alone against the knights of the Vale and the angry riot. He helped me in doing so and I think he deserves knighthood for it." Rebekah suggested and Dewan raised an eyebrow „Please, do tell what your knight in shining armour has done for you and maybe your generous brother will think about it."
„Thank you." She smiled, thinking Bronn would be pleased. After all, saving her life three times and Tyrion's as well which made him worth a knight.
Dewan took a deep breath. „This city is smelling awfully, don't you think, sister?"
Rebekah laughed softly. „I miss the scent of the woods at home."
„Home is not the same anymore. Not without Roran." Dewan stopped to look at her. The grief was still in Rebekah's eyes, and her expression saddened. „You have to tell me everything Rebekah. From the beginning. We need to avenge his death." Rebekah noticed he was implying Roran was murdered, so Dewan had made the same conclusion than her.
She told her brother everything since she left the Castle to search Roran and for the first time, she had the courage of telling him what Mycah had try to do to her. It wasn't just Roran she needed to find. She was also fleeing from their stepfather and from a betrothal with Clegane. Dewan listened silently, although she could see the shock in his eyes.
Rebekah didn't leave out her suspicions or Ser Branston's description about Roran being attacked by bandits. She depicted her stay in King's Landing: The lessons with Joffrey, the fight with the Hound, the riot in the city and the encounter with Oberyn Martell. Rebekah imagined it sounded bloodcurdling to him, but at the end it came off more dramatic than it was.
-„The Tourney is the perfect opportunity to get me a husband as quick as possible. You are the one true Lord of Shadow Castle, but Mycah will insist on his role as Lord Protector because you are still young and I am a women. If I marry, you can either immediately rule as Lord or wait until you are ready, with my husband as Lord Protector." She concluded, and Dewan nodded slowly.
-„Mycah can not act against the King, and you say it was Joffreys idea. We have to be careful, Rebekah."
-„How can we prove that he is the snake who murdered Roran?"
Dewan looked around as if he feared someone listened. „Mycah will make his move before you marry. Probably against the both of us."
The Waldorf siblings walked to the balcony, looking over the narrow sea. After a while, a thought crossed Rebekah's mind. „Mycah is at Shadow Castle, but there must be someone here to do his bidding so that no one suspects him. We have to find out who it is."
Dewan scratched his chin. „I hope we succeed, sister. I want this bastard out of our home for good. He will pay for what he did."
OoOoO
„My lady Rebekah, I introduce you to Prince Oberyn Martell, who has arrived from Sunspear recently." Tyrion emphazised the word 'recently' so that everyone could be sure he was well informed about the truth.
„Prince Oberyn, this is Lady Rebekah of House Waldorf, a trusted friend of the royal family."
Rebekah still felt uncomfortable under the Prince's shameless gaze.
-„Pleasure to meet you." he said with a grin. „The pleasure is mine." Rebekah sneered.
-„And who are you? His hired killer?" Oberyn gestured towards Bronn.
-„Aye, so was I. Now I'm a knight" Bronn replied lightly.
-„How did that come to pass?" the Viper asked with a frown.
-„Killed the right people I suppose."
Rebekah saw Tyrion's worried look but Oberyn began to laugh. Hesitantly, Tyrion joined in and Rebekah simply rolled her eyes. Bronn and Oberyn would either be the best friends or hate each others guts.
Dewan approached to welcome Oberyn, and Rebekah asked herself what her brother would think of him.
The feast was in one of the smaller halls, and the many invited were squeezed on the banks. Rebekah, Dewan, Tyrion and Oberyn occupied the places of honor, looking upon the mixture of Waldorf men, tribe members, Lannister soldiers, gold cloaks, Ladies of the court and even kitchen maids, called due to the lack of women to dance with.
Rebekah enjoyed the evening, especially with her brother's humor and wit, causing everyone around to laugh. Soon, Tyrion and Dewan were competing with pointy remarks. Oberyn was gone from her view.
Suddenly, Rebekah saw a women in a light blue dress entering, looking around shyly.
-„Lady Kenna?" Rebekah shouted, but it was to loud.
-„Oh, Lady Kenna Rykker, isn't it?" Ser Branston remarked curiously. „Yes, do you know her?" Rebekah frowned, trying to wave at her friend. „Aye, m'lady. Her uncle Ser Rykker married Lord Kenning's sister Lady Harriet. Their holdings are in the Crownlands, I think. I met Lady Harriet on a tourney, can't even remember when... maybe ten years ago? Maybe more... Her name was still Kenning." he said, chewing on his chicken. Although it was very warm in the hall, Rebekah felt a cold sensation in her stomach.
-„So Lord Mycah's sister is Kenna's aunt by marriage." She mused and Ser Branston nodded again. „Aye, m'lady, they are very close."
Rebekah watched Kenna approaching her table, but Rebekah had no ideo how to use this information about her friend. She doubted Kenna was aware of that connection, yet it left a bitter taste in her mouth. For now, she had to greet the younger Lady.
„Lady Kenna!" Rebekah left her chair to greet her friend. „You did not tell me you where coming." She had been visiting her every day, but Kenna rarely spoke-
-„I can't stay in bed forever." The girl muttered, and Rebekah hooked into her arm. „You are right, this evening will be a welcome distraction." She said lightly, trying to find her good mood again. „You look beautiful." She complimented Kenna, who smiled thankfully. The women took their places at the table and Rebekah intruced Lady Kenna and Dewan. He smiled his winning, mischievous smile that used to make women melt for him, and Kenna's cheeks immediately turned pink.
-„It's an honor to meet you, Lord Dewan. Your sister is very dear to me. I can go as far to say she saved my life." Dewan kissed her hand, and kept his eyes locked in hers.
Later, Rebekah found them dancing while Dewan whispered something in Kenna's ear. Her friend was laughing at Dewan's words.
Rebekah rolled her eyes turned around only to face a man of the city watch with sand colored hair. She remembered him from a hunting trip. „Ser Daryl." She said and nodded gracefully. „Would you offer me a dance?" he asked with a smirk-
OoOoO
The ale and company were certainly good. The Waldorf knights and soldiers weren't so stiff compared to the Lannister ones, making jokes all the time. In the middle of the hall, pairs were swirling around in an agitated dance, and Bronn could see Rebekah with Ser Daryl Gower. Although she smiled politely, Bronn saw she was not overly comfortable. Daryl had a smug grin on his face, obviously enjoying himself.
„Ser Daryl, do you mind letting me dance with m'lady?" Bronn asked, tipping Daryl on the shoulder.
-„Yes, I do." The latter didn't even stopped to dance, so Bronn just ripped him away from Rebekah. The mercenary smirked at her surprised expression and rested one hand on Rebekah's hip and took her hand with the other.
„Bronn, you are incredibly rude." Rebekah scolded but chuckled when Daryl rolled his eyes at Bronn. „The next round of ale goes on you, my friend." he blinked at Rebekah and left to find another Lady.
-„You should be more polite, Bronn. Fancy folks here." She imitated his tone, smiling widely. Oddly how the presence of a family member could make the young woman so happy.
-„Aye, I hardly remembered that you belong to the fancy folks as well. The kitten who wanders around at night to play the hero and fools around with snakes and sellswords doesn't seem that fancy to me."
-„Shh!" Rebekah hissed, pressing his hand. „It is supposed to be a secret! I am trying to blend in." She joked and Bronn laughed „You're doing perfectly fine, kitten. Maybe even to well, you look outstanding."
Indeed, she wore one of her most beautiful dresses. The dark green, almost black gown fitted perfectly and left the top of her shoulders free. Golden flower embroideries spread from the corner of her corsage and her hair was in her favorite do, with additional gold threats braided into the hairband.
Rebekah raised an eyebrow „Oh what an unexpected nice flattery coming from you. So nice it almost makes you the fancy one here." She whispered, pulling her head a bit closer to him.
OoOoO
The sellsword was shamelessly flirting with his sister, Dewan could see it from the end of the hall. His mood was crushed, the fault of that being with Lady Kenna. They had kissed, hiding in a corner and simply enjoying the party. The knight remembered Kenna had been abused not long ago, so he was careful and not demanding, but the girl threw herself at him in a way he could not really understand. She dragged him along the Keep, finding new hiding places and trailing kisses on his face, when suddenly, she changed completely. The woman who seemed so eager to have him suddenly began to cry and sob. Although her confusing behavior was certainly dued to the incident from the riot, Dewan was quite nerved about it.
His sister on the other hand had recovered quickly from the wound on her leg, now she was smiling happily in the arms of the commoner. Dewan would have to change that.
„Rebekah, please attend to Prince Oberyn. You should be a polite host. Rebekah gave an apologetical look towards Bronn and followed Dewan to greet the Prince.
She curtsied and tried not to look intimidated by the Viper's black eyes. „The defeater of the Mountain. How curious such a delicate appearance can hide such a strong will." Oberyn said, fixing her with his dark eyes.
Dewan laughed and the sound made Oberyn look back to him like if he just acknowledged his presence. „Lord Dewan, please give me a moment with your lovely sister."
-„Prince Oberyn. Do you enjoy the city?" Rebekah asked politely. „Oh yes, love, it did. So many wonderful things to see in King's Landing." They danced among the other guests, but Rebekah could smell heat and spices on him like the first time they met.
- „How unfortunate your paramour is not in your company... Ellaria Sand, I recall?" Rebekah asked, hopefully reminding him of more interesting women than her.
Oberyn was dressed in orange and yellow, colors who stood out against his skin and his dark hair. Rebekah noticed he was the exact opposite of her.
-„Ellaria would love to meet you. She's fascinated of pale skin and red hair. We don't have many redheads in our bed." He said with a smug grin.
Rebekah resisted the urge to roll her eyes. „Are women and your revenge all you care about?"
-„You would be very surprised which other talents and interests I have." Oberyn watched around in the hall and then said in a confidential tone. „The other men don't like you dancing with a dornish. Especially the imp's hired killer. Do you favor him?"
-„I only favor the one who wins my hand in the tourney." The sentence sounded more learned by heart than honest, and Oberyn cocked his brow in a gesture of disbelief.
-„Ahh, yes of course. How boring." He said with disappointment, but his face lit up instantly.
-„Maybe I should take part in it?"
Rebekah put on a played sad face. „Poor Ellaria, she wouldn't have a lover anymore. And the poor whores of Westeros, they will have no Prince to make them happy." She teased but Oberyn remained unimpressed and shrugged „Ellaria would gladly share." Before Rebekah could think of a feisty remark. Dewan's voice interrupted them.
„My dear guests. I thank you for attending this great feast in my honor, and I thank the Hand of the King, Lord Tyrion, for his kind invitation." He said loudly, drawing the attention of everyone. They clapped politely and Tyrion smiled.
„But this feast is also for my lovely sister Lady Rebekah, who becomes more beautiful and sweet everytime I see her. In seven days, the Hand and I will host a tourney where the best bowman will win the hand of Lady Rebekah." the crowd cheered, some men even whistled.
"Lady Rebekah and I have suffered from a terrible lost, the lost of our beloved brother Ser Roran, the rightful heir to Shadow Castle. Please raise a cup for him." Everyone did as he told, and Dewan continued his speech.
-„With that, it is even more important to remind ourselves how important family and friends are. Everyone who helps me protecting those precious things deserves a reward. Tonight I want to honor the men who won the trial for Lord Tyrion and freed my sister; who brought her back here in safety and who saved her from the riot in King's Landing. Bronn, may you kneel before me."
Rebekah smiled proudly at him and Bronn slowly walked in front of Ser Dewan and bent the knee. She could not say if he was happy about it or not, but she genuinely hoped he was.
„For your loyal services towards House Waldorf, I name you Ser Bronn. May you protect the weak and serve your King and Lord."