Alys
The next few days after the tourney Alys stays sequestered away in her room. Curled upon her bed, a mountain of pillows and blankets coddling her form as she reads a light hearted book she'd asked Aleah for the morning after the feast.
For the most part she wants to forget what had happened at the feast. She wants to forget the smell, the sound, the green sickly glow that filled hall. So she does what Jaime had told her to. She ignores the thoughts of it and focuses on other, happier and trivial things. She reads the book from front to back, she daydreams about Winterfell and even takes a little paper and quill to sketch the weirwood when she runs out of book and needs something to easily fill her mind.
It is both easy and hard to keep her mind away from the madness of the feast.
Jaime isn't her guard for a few days, instead Ser Darry stands quietly outside her door. He was the quietest of the Kingsguard, she'd found. Never speaking a word to her, just holding silent vigil outside her room.
It made her miss Jaime.
A fact that surprised her slightly. She figures she shouldn't like him, shouldn't trust him. She has plenty of reasons not to. She has plenty of reasons to hate every person in Kings Landing who stood by as her family was killed and who did nothing about the mad king sat cackling upon the iron throne. But after the feast she found it hard to blame any of them, for now she was one of them.
He's also been cold to her. Namely the night he'd yelled at her. She'd supposed it was stupid of her, asking a man who's only duty was to make sure she didn't run off or kill herself to sit and chat. But she was— is — so lonely. And she'd enjoyed the brief lapses where he would interact with her. She'd liked the bluntness of his humor and the honesty he presented her with.
She should have hated him after that night. Ignored and hated him. Or, at the very least, been angry. Lyanna would have hated him, would have been furious with him if she'd been the one spoken to that way.
But Alys was not Lyanna.
Lyanna had always teased that she could never hate anyone in her life, she was always too forgiving and gentle. Perhaps she was, but perhaps if she were to survive this with any shred of happiness she needed to be forgiving, she needed to not hate where she could.
And besides, Jaime was easy to like. Easy to speak with and easy to walk beside in quiet harmony. She'd enjoyed the day out at the tourney primarily because of him, because of his humor and stories and company. She'd been a bit sad when he had to step away at the feast and she was left alone with the chattering ladies of the Reach.
She looked unbearably forward to his next shift as her guard.
Four days after the Kings Tourney Aleah arrived with a pretty southern style dress and an invitation to lunch with the Tyrell girls in the gardens.
The dress, made primarily with thin lace and sheer fabric, made Alys feel frighteningly exposed. Up until this dress all the ones within her wardrobe were of more conservative fashion, high necklines and of thicker fabrics. As close to northern style as Aleah could find here in the south.
But this dress was entirely southern, the sort of dress she'd seen ladies wear around Kings Landing and at Harrenhal. A dress she'd never honestly imagined wearing, she liked the northern style, and as Aleah braids her hair she stares in the looking glass while pulling at the fabric.
"It won't fall lower," Aleah assures her, "it's very finely made, fits you well, and is quite beautiful upon you."
"I feel naked." Alys laments, curling her arms around her waist "you can see my stomach through the lace."
"Well," Aleah draws Alys up to stand before her, "I suppose you could wear something else, but that could be taken as a slight. Alerie had it made for you quite quickly."
Alys bites her lips, looking down at the dress. It was lovely, despite its ability to make her feel utterly uncomfortable. She pauses, considering. "Perhaps, something to go around the waist?" She asks, "I've seen some of the ladies of court wear similar fashions."
Aleah nods with a gentle sigh before heading out to find something to help Alys's nerves.
Glancing back in the mirror Alys smoothed down the front of the dress.
The skirt was loose and swung easily about her feet, the fabric soft to the touch but light as silk to help with the heat of Kings Landing. The skirt didn't bother her, just the bodice. It was lace throughout, save some intricate embroidery over her chest, the neckline plunging down between her breasts and her arms covered only by more of the thin lace. She did like the color though, dark almost black-blue was the base with the lacing a pale grey color detailing swirling designs that remind her of snow and ice. She is pulling once more at the neckline when the door opens and she swirls around to see Jaime stood, a small smirk on his face as she blushes fiercely.
"Please do not laugh at me," She groans walking over to retrieve her night robe and quickly covering herself.
"Why would I laugh?" He inquires though he begins to laugh further before asking, "why are you covering yourself? You're perfectly dressed."
"I am not," She sits with a huff upon her chaise, "I'm terribly exposed."
"Let me shield my eyes then," he quips, a hand raising before his face rather theatrically. She lets out another little groan, burying her own head in her hands.
"Stop," she says, "do I look as ridiculous as I feel?"
"Well," he starts, "you look about as comfortable as a giant forced into a small room." His voice is laced with laughter which only gets her to groan more.
"I think my brothers would faint if they saw me wearing this, my father and mother too." She lifts her head and looks at him, "I don't think I'm made for southern fashion."
"Nonsense," he waves a hand, "you look as fine as the other ladies, save of course for the look of pure discomfort upon your face." She sighs, glancing down once more. "Truly, Alys, the dress is fine upon you and you have no reason to be nervous about it."
"It's odd." She plays a bit with her sleeve, "I do like the dress, just… I hate the feeling. So bare. The neckline is so low, the fabric so thin… I don't know how to feel comfortable in it."
"Fake it?" he suggests and she looks to him, eyes narrowed upon him. "Pretend you're as easily comfortable in the dress as any of those southern ladies until it becomes as easily comfortable, or at least until you can throw the dress away for one more to your liking."
"Alright," she muses, "but I have to wear it today, for the courtesy, and then…"
"We could use it as tinder?" Jaime suggests, motioning to the fire.
"No! Jaime…" Alys exclaims as Jaime starts laughing, "it's a perfectly fine dress, it just… it's not me."
"Fine no fire, but perhaps ask for all future dresses to be made how you like them."
"I didn't request this," She states pointedly, "Alerie Hightower had it made for me."
"Ah," he nods, "hence why you feel you must wear it. I heard you were invited to their luncheon."
"I assume you're my guard for it?" She inquires, trying to keep the eagerness from her voice.
"No, I came here in full armor because it is what I like to do when I am off duty."
"No need to be rude," She scolds before standing, gently setting her night robe back upon her chaise and looking back in the mirror. "I'll survive for the day with it… Thank you." She moves and shuffles things about on her vanity for lack of something to do while waiting for Aleah before they can leave.
When Aleah returns she glances fleetingly towards Jaime before nodding slightly in greeting. She brings with her a simple belt that she laces around Alys's waist, providing a slightly more covered stomach for the look. "Better?" she inquires.
"Yes," Alys feels her face flush slightly more, "sorry for making you run around for it."
"Stop, don't apologize. Now come along we don't want to be late."
Upon their arrival in the gardens they find the ladies of the Reach sat about each other on a canopied balcony overlooking the Blackwater. In truth they hear them before they see them, laughter and music and voices intermingling in a symphony that makes Alys smile gently as Alerie spots her and stands immediately, her own wide and welcoming smile upon her face as she moves towards her taking her arm in her own and dragging her along towards the others.
Alys is introduced quickly to several ladies, a smattering of names that she makes a point to try and remember before she is sat down between Alerie and Mina. Mina leans quickly over towards her offering a little cake decorated with a rose. "Our cooks are quite the best, brought along with us from Highgarden. Alerie's insistence."
"Yes, I know how high maintenance." Alerie laughs, "but truthfully they make the most wonderful food, I would be sick eating only what the Red Keep cooks prepare." Alys laughs and takes a bite from the little cake, enjoying the sweet confectionary and listening as Alerie and Mina speak back and forth.
"Alys, the dress is lovely upon you." One of the other girls comments, Valerie her name if Alys recalls. "The blue is stunning."
"Alerie gifted it to me," Alys remarks, "It took me by surprise if I'm honest."
"It suits you more than you seem to think," Alerie states, leant back in her seat and sipping sparingly at her wine. "All the dresses I've seen you in are so covered. And I mean no offense, but very northern for being so south."
"I… yes well I suppose. But I like the northern style, no offense towards the south, I've admired it as well… just not on me." Alys replies, reaching forward for a small bit of bread and meat stacked together.
"That is fair, I imagine all of us would be quite frozen if we wore these even in the northern part of the Riverlands," Mina states kindly, "but regardless, either style suits you beautifully Alys, and not everyone can say that."
"I'll be quite honest I was terrified of this dress when I put it on."
"Yes," Alerie laughed, "you have seemed a bit more flushed in the face than usual."
"It is entirely different for me, but… I do want to say thank you Alerie, it is lovely and has given me thoughts for future dresses." Alerie nods with a smile before turning to one of the other ladies and starting up a chat over a knight from the tourney.
Alys takes the small divergence of attention to stand and walk towards the edge of the balcony, looking out over the water. She watches a small fishing boat float over the crystalline water and enjoys the light breeze and smell of saltwater.
"Careful to not fall over," Jaime remarks, suddenly beside her and leant leisurely against the railing. "I don't imagine I'd be able to jump in to save you."
"No, you'd be more likely to drown than me." She jokes, "Don't worry I have no plans on falling, or jumping for that matter." She looks down along the balcony, even if she planned a jump it would be far from possible to make it to the water and to not hit the rocky cliffside the garden balcony rests upon.
"Have you tired of them so soon?" he inquires, glancing back to the gossiping girls and smirking as one of them looks away from him with a blush burning her face.
"No, not at all." Alys shakes her head, "just a moment of reprieve is always nice, and I've yet to visit the gardens here."
"Ah yes, until now you've been quite restricted to the Godswood and your room." He looks out at the water with her.
She shakes her head at him before smiling, looking over to see another girl looking him over and giggling. "You know… I believe I know why I was invited now." He raises a curious brow before she smiles, "well they've invited me when you were assigned to me, clearly you are quite the popular knight to gaze upon." She motions slightly to the girl who quickly looks away when Jaime glances over.
"Well, I hope that doesn't upset you," he remarks before adding, "I mean I imagine you would like to have friends that want you, not just the man assigned to guard you."
"Alys, come try this, its pumpkin soup." Mina calls out, beckoning her over.
"Oh well, I suppose at this point I'll take anything." She remarks, "otherwise I'll be stuck only with you and Aleah." She smiles and moves back from the balcony, heading back towards the table and smiling nicely at Mina who lifts a small spoon up for her to try.
It has likely been one of the most enjoyable afternoons for Alys in a long while, likely not since her and her siblings were all together around Harrenhal has she enjoyed herself so completely. She laughs along with them all as the midday sun passes over them and leads them well into the afternoon. She sips a glass of arbor gold slowly through the day, savoring the wine that she had tried in fleeting at Harrenhal that was now plentiful in Aleries stock. She adores the sweets that quickly take over the more savory foods of lunch as the girls around her play little games of chance and watch a fool sing jaunty songs.
Alys is leant back in her chair, sticky honeycomb in her fingers as she eats it slowly watching as a few of the other girls, younger ladies of the court, swing around each other laughing and singing along with the music being played. Mina Tyrell leads their swinging and wild dance, she had tried to get Alys to join, but she could only shake her head and lift her glass of wine in support.
Beside her Alerie sits, chatting to her and the few others still sitting about her. She sips her own glass of wine, and picks away at cakes and sweets. She is of talking about her children, Willas a boy of eight who apparently has taken to riding like a future true knight, and Garlan who is only five and a bit plump like his father but has taken interest in watching the knights practice with the sword and lance.
"My newest, Loras, is only six months along." She smiles sweetly speaking of him. "A beautiful baby though, very sweet."
"Is he still at Highgarden as well?" Alys inquires. She wonders how that would feel, to have three children but be so separated from them.
"Yes," Alerie nods, a small bit of solemnness in her eyes but she smiles regardless. "I look forward to when he can come to court, Mace intends to have him brought here once everything in the area is dealt with."
The rebellion, she means, though it was still never acknowledged as such around court. "Three boys then? Very lucky there." She comments, shifting the subject away from it.
"Yes," Alerie laughs, "so my good-mother says as well." She sips from her wine before stating, "I'm hoping very much that the next is a girl, boys are good especially for the first few but a girl would be quite a nice change."
Alys nods, reaching forward for some new treat as Alerie moves onto a different topic with one of the other girls. She's chatting away when one of her guards comes up with a sealed letter. Alys glimpses the sigil of a rose and watches as she opens it and reads quietly.
"Mina, dear, from Mace." She calls out to her good sister. The other ladies around them get up and move away, something Alys follows in, though she only moves a few steps away to the edge of the balcony, keeping close enough so that she can hear Alerie's quiet and quick voice reading to Mina.
It's not entirely easy to make out, but Alys hears enough bits and pieces to know that battles were fought in the Stormlands. Summerhall, or somewhere near there. But she also could just make out that Mace Tyrell was leading his own army towards Robert Baratheon's.
More fighting. War in the Seven Kingdoms. Something easy to forget here, secluded away with music and laughter and drink. Alys looks out at a few lazily floating ships and wonders how large it will all get. How long it will go on. She feels a sharp pang of worry for her brothers. Would they both be south, fighting in this war? No, a Stark must always be at Winterfell, Benjen would have stayed behind.
Safe.
She waits several minutes, sipping the last of her wine and watching the ships float along the water, before she excuses herself. Thanking Alerie completely for her company and invitation, and thanking her again for the dress. Alerie and Mina both give her tight hugs and smiles, informing her that she is welcome to call upon either of them at any time, and that she is welcome to their lunches whenever she wished.
Alys nods politely before turning and catching Jaime's eyes, nodding for him to escort her out of the garden.
"Enjoy your afternoon?" he inquires, though his voice is only half-interested. "Gossiped away the day?"
"It was pleasant," she replies, though she feels quite floaty now, disconnected from her words. "I would like to go to the Godswood, if that is alright with you?" She glances over at him to see him nod. He knows the way around better than her and leads them along until she recognizes the familiar paths and scenery about them.
"I assume then; you've heard the news from the Stormlands?" He inquires as they approach the heart tree. She pauses before it, and glances back to see him studying her. "I assume you will be asking me questions about it?"
"I… do you mind answering them?" She sits upon a nearby bench and he walks over to join her. "What happened?"
"Robert Baratheon called his banners, and like Gulltown and the Vale I suppose not every lord there was willing to put their necks on the line against a king who isn't considered the most…" his voice trails as he considers his words.
"Sound of mind?" she finishes.
"Yes, well three supposedly prominent lords, not that I remember who. Were going to all meet and march against him." Alys looks towards the tree, spotting a bird hopping about its branches, "I suppose that failed, because Baratheon fought three battles according to what I'd heard when I broke my fast this morning. And he won each one." She can feel his eyes on her, studying for her reaction but she just watches the bird move through the branches.
"So he can march north now? To meet with Jon Arryn and my brother?" She inquires softly, following as the bird lands gently on the ground, it's head dipping to peck at the dirt.
"Yes. He's doing just that."
"But Mace Tyrell is going to meet his army."
"That would make sense, he's well positioned to cut Robert off before he could reach them."
Alys hums to that before standing quietly and going to kneel lightly before the tree.
Jaime seems to take the hint, standing himself and moving over to his usual spot of choice. She doesn't know quite what she wants to pray for at the start. She still has little news of what her brothers are doing. But still, she prays for their safety and health. She knows even less of her sister, and prays that she is well and safe and returns from wherever she is soon. She prays that Robert Baratheon makes it past the Tyrell army and joins her brother with ease.
She prays that her brothers know she is safe for now.
She prays that her days go by easily.
She prays that she doesn't see another person burn, and instead can live in a small world of denial where her biggest worry is about a southern dress.