~Elena~
It was to noisy here. I couldn't focus. Babies were crying, women whimpering or gossiping. The noise died only a bit as the queen walked in, followed by her young son and a cold pale man who's look sent chills down my spine.
"I don't know why she wants me here." Sansa spoke as she settled on a bed, hands clasped in her lap. "She's always saying how stupid I am. She hates me."
"More than she hates everyone else? I doubt that very much. Perhaps she's jealous." I mused quietly as I leaned in so as not to be overheard as the queen glared out at all of us.
"Why would she be jealous?" Sansa asked. Why indeed? I thought as the queen called for the red-haired Stark girl. Sansa flashed me a worried look, before standing and walking over with small hurried steps. They spoke softly to each other, the cries of children drowning their words as I watched them. The queen was looking at Sansa thoughtfully, before instructing her cup bearer to pour Sansa a cup of wine. That's not smart. I thought as the queen continued to drown her worries. One must have a clear mind to survive strife and turmoil. It was something my uncle had taught me as we practiced with swords. A clouded mind will get you killed. A guard rushed in then with news of people trying to run with horses and gold cups.
"Send Sir Ilyn Payne after them. Put their heads on stakes and put them above the stables as a warning." She's just as cruel as her son. I thought curiously as the guard bowed and rushed off followed by the bald man, who cast one more cold look out at us before leaving. Something doesn't feel right. I thought as someone bumped into me.
"I'm sorry." She sniffled as she looked at me with wide green eyes. Her blonde hair tucked under a beaded cap.
"What's your name?" I asked, making sure to keep Sansa in my line of sight. The girl looked a bit younger than I, her skin still smooth with youth.
"Elizabeth. What's yours?" It was the first time anyone of higher rank, beside's Tyrion, had asked my name. Most people just called me 'girl'.
"Elena. I'm Sansa's handmaiden." I replied with a soft smile as she rubbed the tears from her cheeks. I could tell she was not used to violence, the softness around her middle a sign that she was used to the comforts of life.
"Are you not afraid Elena? I've never been in a war before. What if we lose?" She fretted as she rubbed her hands on her pale pink gown. I took her hands firmly in mine to keep them from moving.
"You must not worry about what has not come to past. Think of something happy. What makes you happy?" I asked as shouts echoed outside the small window. She titled her head, forehead wrinkled in thought.
"I love our cook's cakes. She makes the best cakes." She spoke softly, heat flooding her cheeks as she looked up at me sheepishly. No doubt she had been teased about her fondness of sweets before.
"What's your favorite? Tell me about it." I instructed with a reassuring smile. Her eyes lit up with memories of the sweet delicacies.
"She uses chocolates in one, with sweet frosting that simply melts against the tongue. The sugar crystals burst with each bite. Mother doesn't like it when I eat to much. She says I'll never find a suitable husband if I get to round, but I simply can't help it." She admitted with another sheepish smile before something exploded in the distance.
"What was that?" She squeaked as the ladies in the room yelped with surprise, a couple fainting to land in the floor, while Sansa dropped in the corner, head titled in prayer.
"It's alright ladies. No doubt our plan was successful." The queen announced with a drunken smile as she sipped at her wine. Elizabeth looked at me, tears once again trickling down her cheeks.
"It's alright. We're safe here. Come, tell me more about your cook and her sweets." I instructed as I tried to drown out the screams.
"Um.. Sometimes, she makes jam tarts. Mother says she shouldn't feed me more than one, else I'll turn into a pig, but she sneaks me extras to hide in my room. My favorite are blueberry tarts, though they turn my mouth blue if I eat to many." She explained as she focused on me, and the fact that I was rubbing small soothing circles on the palms of her hands.
"Come here little dove." The queen spoke with a drunken smile as she motioned for Sansa to stand as more shouts echoed through the window. Elizabeth stopped talking to look at the queen, a frown playing on her mouth.
"Mother says a lady shouldn't drink." She whispered softly as Sansa went to stand before the queen.
"Perhaps not that much at least." I whispered back with a soft chuckle, deciding I quite liked the plump highborn.
"What are you doing?" The queen asked as she squinted at Sansa.
"Praying." Sansa answered softly. The queen looked at her with a lopsided grin.
"You're perfect, aren't you? Praying. What are you praying for?" The queen asked as Sansa fiddled with her dress, a nervous habit she couldn't seem to break.
"The Gods to have mercy on us all." Sansa answered simply.
"Oh, on all of us?" The queen chuckled as she took another long gulp of wine.
"Yes, your grace." Sansa answered.
"Even me?
"Of course your grace." A sly smile touched the queen's lips then.
"Even Joffery?" Sansa's face went back into default innocent mode.
"Joffery is my-"
"Shut up you little fool." The queen snapped. "Praying for the gods to have mercy on us all." She swayed slightly as she gestured about with her glass.
"The Gods have no mercy, that's why they're Gods. My father taught me that when he caught me praying. My mother had just died you see. I didn't really understand the concept of death, the finality of it. I thought that if I prayed very, very hard, the Gods would return my mother to me. I was a fool." The queen explained, her face stern as Elizabeth quieted to watch the exchange, though she tried to act as if she were working on her stitching that she'd picked up.
"Your father didn't believe in the Gods?" Sansa asked, head tilted.
"He believes in them, he just doesn't like them very much." The queen chuckled taking another sip, before instructing her cup bearer to pour Sansa another glass. What is she playing at? I wondered as that uneasy feeling settled in my gut once more.
"Here. Sit." The queen instructed as she tossed a pillow in the floor. Sansa looked down at it for a moment before obeying. "Drink." The queen ordered, wrinkling her nose as Lady Stark sipped lightly from her cup.
"Not like that." The queen snapped. "Drink girl." Sansa looked confused before taking a large gulp, her eyes watering slightly.
"I should have been born a man. I'd rather face a thousand swords, than be shut inside with a flock of frightened hens." I was slightly offended, though I did not show it. A hen I most certainly was not. The darkness in my mind almost demanded I stand up a say so, but I assumed the queen would not be happy with knowing that I was snooping. Elizabeth sighed beside me, as if accepting the fact that she was, in fact, a scared chick who was kicked from the coop to soon.
"They're your guests, under your protection. You asked them here." Sansa reminded, the wine no doubt emboldening her once more. Watch yourself. I warned silently as the queen leaned forward.
"It was expected of me, as it will be of you if you, if you ever become Joffery's queen." The queen spat looking down on Sansa with something akin to mocking. "If my wretched brother should somehow prevail, these hens will return to their cocks and crow about how my courage inspired them, lifted their spirits."
"And if he should fall?" Sansa asked, the smile that grew on the queen's face was one that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" She sneered, before she sighed and looked about her. "The Red Keep should hold for a time. Long enough for me to go to the walls and yield to Lord Stannis in person. If it were anyone else outside those gates, I might have hoped for a private audience, but this is Stannis Baratheon. I might have a better chance at seducing his horse." Sansa looked at the queen with wide confused eyes.
" I assure to you, little dove, tears aren't a woman's only weapon." The queen chuckled. "The best one is between your legs. Learn how to use it. Drink." What a thing to say to a young girl. I thought disgusted as the queen smiled nastily at the shocked Sansa. Elizabeth took in a sharp intake of breath, scarlet traveling along her neck and cheeks, signaling she had heard the queen's advice as well.
"Do you have any idea what happens when a city is sacked?" The queen asked as I wondered where she was going with these, 'words of wisdom'.
"No, you wouldn't, would you?" She cooed. "If the city falls, these fine women, shall be in for a bit of a rape. Half of them will have bastards in their bellies come the morning. Be glad of your red flower there, when a man's blood is up, anything with tits looks good." Elizabeth squeaked, tremors running along her arms and shaking in her hands as she looked at me with wide eyes. I shook my head at her, offering her a smile as I took her hands once more.
"A precious thing like you would look very, very good. A slice of cake just waiting to be eaten." Rage glided along my body as Sansa looked afraid of the Queen's words. My hand gripped my thigh, enjoying the feel of my knife just beneath my dress, the darkness begging for blood as I pictured men coming through that door, their blood sticky sweet against my skin. Sansa drank deeply then, quickly emptying the glass and asking for more.
"You don't think we will really lose do you? That what the queen says will really happen?" Elizabeth whispered as she looked to me for comfort.
"You have nothing to fear here." I answered as the door opened and the bald guard came storming back in, whispering in the queen's ear before sitting along the wall. Watching us like a wolf, waiting for the opportunity to strike. He will have to die first. I mused as I wondered at the real reasoning for his presence. He didn't seem like the protector type to me. His eyes were to hungry, his hands inching towards the sword at his side as he stared down all who met his gaze.
"When we were young, Jamie and I looked so much alike that even our father couldn't tell us apart. I couldn't understand why he treated us differently. Jamie was taught to fight with sword, and lance, and mace, and I was taught to smile and sing and please. He was heir to Casterly Rock, and I was sold to some stranger like a horse to be ridden whenever he desired."
"You were Robert's queen." Sansa spoke in confusion. I'd heard of Robert through whispered words. Tale of his death had floated from mouth to gossiping mouth as I flittered about, one of Vary's faithful birds.
"And you will be Joffery's. Enjoy." The queen chuckled as she raised her glass before drinking deeply. Sansa looked down at her hands, mind working to process some hidden bit of information.
"I don't think I know this one." The queen spoke as her eyes finally met mine. Sansa looked at me with wide eyes, wondering at the queen's motives as I stood, head bowed, hand itching to grab my knife as she walked over to me, eyes searching my body.
"Pretty." She sneered. I bowed, as was expected, feeling very vulnerable and exposed as she laughed at me.
"That was the most pitiful excuse for a bow I have ever seen. Here, I'll show you. Straighten your back, and bend." She instructed. I bit back my retort as I copied her, wanting nothing more than to smack that self-righteous look from her face.
"Very good." She chuckled as she waved for me to follow her.
"How long have you been in Sansa's service?" The queen asked as Sansa stood close to my side.
"Almost a month, your grace." I spoke, as I tried to keep a straight face.
"And when did you leave Dorne?" I paused, head tilted to the side as I calculated my answer. The queen smiled at me then.
"I'm quite good with accents. Though, the people I met were quite noble. You're not." She explained. "When did you leave?" I wanted to asked what difference it made, but I could tell she was going to judge whatever came from my mouth next.
"Four years ago your grace. My mother and I came over on a merchant ship. My mother took ill and died leaving me on my own." Sansa cast a sideways glance at me. No doubt wondering why I failed to mention my sister as the queen seemed to stare through my soul.
"From Dorne to the Red Keep, all without learning how to curtsy properly." The queen mused with calculating eyes. "I imagine that's a very interesting story. What's your name?"
"Elena, your grace." I replied softly. This must be how Tyrion feels. I had not known then what he'd meant when he told me of how he was quite uncomfortable in his sister's presence. Like a mouse looking into the eyes of a cat.
"Tell us a story Elena." The queen ordered with a sly smile. She was setting a trap for me. I knew it, could see it, but could not figure a way around it.
"When I was eleven, my mother-" My words were cut off then as a soldier burst into the room, long hair clinging to a sweat splattered face.
"Your grace." He panted loudly as he pushed past us.
"What news?" The queen asked as she stood to meet the still panting soldier.
"The Imp has set the river on fire. Hundreds of ships are burning. Maybe more. Stannis' fleets destroyed, but his troops have landed outside the city walls." This last part was whispered as if he didn't mean for the rest of us to hear. My heart stuttered as I thought of Tyrion. Wondering if he was alright.
"Where is Joffery?" The queen asked, only seeming to care about her demon child.
"On the battlements with Lord Tyrion." The guard answered as if it were obvious. The queen licked her lips, brain working over time as she looked the soldier in the eyes.
"Bring him back inside, at once." She commanded, much to my surprise. A king should be outside rallying his troops.
"But your grace-"
"What?" She snapped, a fire in her eyes.
"The king's presence is good for moral."
"Bring him back to his chambers, now." Her voice was cold, demanding obedience. This soldier obviously noticed this as well, because his eyes cast towards the floor once more.
"Not here?" He asked softly.
"With the women and children? Do you want him to be mocked as a coward for the rest of his life?" She sneered. If she only knew what the people already thought of him. I thought with a hidden smile, wondering if the child king has pissed himself yet or not.
"No. But I-"
"Now." They stared at each other for a moment, before the soldier dropped his gaze and sped from the room.
"When I told you about Sir Ilyn Payne, I lied." The queen sighed as she sat back down, meeting Sansa's gaze, as she held her glass out for another drink. "Do you want to hear the truth? Do you want to know why he's really here?" If Sansa didn't, I most defiantly did. There was something not right with the pale man.
"He's here for us. Stannis may take the city, he make take the throne, but he will not take us alive." She's lost her mind. I raged inwardly as a smirk pulled at the man's lips. She'd rather her servant kill us then give us a chance to fight back. A plan formulated in my mind as I wondered at our chances of overpowering him, but looking out at the women who were huddling together, I knew we didn't really stand a chance, and I believe the queen knew it too. I have to get Sansa to safety, nothing else matters now but keeping my vow. I thought, though how exactly I was supposed to do that was beyond me. The only way out of here was through that door, and I had no doubt the guard would get to us, before I could get her out without some sort of distraction.
"They're going to take the city, aren't they?" Sansa asked as she stood close to me, while the queen seemed lost in thought.
"It's possible. I will not spend time and energy on lies." I answered as screams and shouts echoed outside, the fire bright along the river in the distance. I should be out there. I thought miserably. I should be out there by his side.
"What will we do?" Sansa asked as she looked to me for guidance, her eyes searching my face for answers. I took a deep breath, searching my mind for some sort of plan.
"I will not let you die in here." I promised, gnawing on my lip as I looked at the women who seemed to understand what was happening outside as a soldier, once again, bust into the room.
"The battle is lost your grace." He spoke as he bowed before the queen who continued to sip wine.
"Stannis' troops are at the gates. When the gold cloaks saw the king leaving, they lost all heart." He explained. I cursed the queen then, and her coward son. Tyrion was out there alone now, no doubt trying to lead men who would not want to follow one they considered lesser. I should be out there with him.
"Where is my son?" The queen asked. I wanted to smack her then. Curse her for being so selfish.
"I want to escort him back to the battle." The soldier suggest.
"Why do I care what you want?" The queen asked haughtily as she wrinkled her nose at him.
"Now listen to me-" The queen struck then, like a viper, knocking the soldier to the floor. Women jumped and yelped in surprise as they looked on the scene with wide eyes, before she stormed from the room. The women looked at each other, panicking as they searched for answers.
"Now would be the perfect time to step up. Take your place as their queen." I suggested. Sansa nodded her understanding, pleading with the women to not be afraid, trying to ease their panic as my mind went to getting Sansa to safety. Now that the queen gone, there was nothing to keep her here, where the guard was already sizing up his prey.
"Shall we sing a hymn?" She suggested, before she began singing. It was not long before the women joined in with shaking voices.
"It's time for you to go now." I whispered as I grabbed her hand, spinning her so she was looking at me. "Go to your chamber and bar your door. Don't let anyone in, until I come to get you." I ordered as I pushed her towards the door while the guard was preoccupied with testing the sharpness of his sword.
"Come with me." She plead as she looked to me with wide eyes.
"I can't. I don't have time to explain. Please, go." I urged as I pushed her out of the door. Watching as she rushed down the hall and out of sight.