p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn tightly strapped her sword to her saddle and made sure that it wouldn't get in the way of her horse's movements. She had learnt from her father that even if one was just going hunting, it never hurt to come prepared. She had a bow strapped to her back with a quiver of arrows on the other side of her saddle. Her hunting knife was in her belt and a spare dagger in her boot./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn usually felt more at ease when she went hunting with her family because it meant she didn't have to wear a dress but with the way that Cersei was giving her disgusted looks and Joffrey was ogling at her, she felt like she wanted run in and ask Sansa for a spare riding dress./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She was just about to lose her cool when Myrcella and Tommen approached. Tommen wore a simple outfit of dark brown leather while Myrcella wore a deep green riding dress./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Is hunting here different than in Kings Landing?" Myrcella inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn smiled, "I wouldn't know. I have never been to Kings Landing… but we have slightly larger animals."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Tommen's eyes widened, "Bears?"br /Evelyn nodded, "and cougars, panthers, mountain lions…. Boars…."br /Myrcella had begun to grow pale while Tommen was listening with rapt attention. Evelyn chuckled and ruffled Tommen's hair playfully before turning to Myrcella./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So, who are you riding today?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Myrcella's face lit up at this, "The stable man gave me a black horse. Said he was the gentlest."br /Evelyn looked over at the black horse that stood behind Myrcella and smiled, "That is Ruse. My siblings and I all learnt to ride on him. He won't let you fall I can guarantee that."br /"Myrcella doesn't really fall off," Tommen remarked, mounting his horse, "She just gets lost."br /Myrcella stuck her tongue out at her brother, "Says the guy who never manages to hit anything!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Alright you two," Evelyn chuckled, bending down next to Myrcella's horse, "No more bickering."br /Myrcella looked down at the girl who held her palms out for Myrcella to climb on. the girl looked slightly hesitant and Evelyn knew that the girl was puzzled as to why Evelyn was doing it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""My father taught me that a noble who sees himself or herself above his people isn't a noble at all," she replied with a smile./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Myrcella smiled and was about to use Evelyn's hand as a boost when she paused, "Could you teach me to mount like Tommen does then?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn smiled and rose to her feet before nodding, "Grab onto the back of the saddle while holding the reins and the horn in your other. Put your left foot in the stirrup and pull up."br /Myrcella tried but got tangled in her skirt the first time. Soon she managed to mount with a little help from Evelyn./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I did it!" Myrcella cried happily, "Uncle Jaime!"br /Evelyn felt her face slightly pale when Myrcella called over her uncle. She hadn't spoken to Ser Jaime since she had agreed to the engagement and had barely seen him either./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime approached, leading his white horse by the reins and looked up at his young niece, "What's going on Myrcella?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I mounted Ruse like Tommen!" the girl cried, smiling from ear to ear./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime raised his eyebrows in amusement and flashed his famous cocky smirk, "Indeed? Whatever for?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Evelyn said that the noble who sees herself as greater than her people isn't a noble at all," Myrcella remarked, not realizing that she was putting Evelyn at the center of attention which was the one place Evelyn didn't want to be./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime glanced over at his future wife with an intrigued look, his smirk fading into a more of a soft grin. "Is that so?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn turned away from Ser Jaime and approached her horse. Jaime watched her as she finished tightening the cinch on her saddle. He had to admit that the outfit she wore really suited her and accented her petite, slender form but he realized that unlike most teenagers her age, her body was more matured and womanlier with defined hips and finely built chest. Of course, the calf length leather skirt of her outfit hid her legs from view, but Jaime guessed that they weren't skinny either. He had to remind himself that even though Evelyn was young, she was still a woman. Not a child./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime approached the girl when he saw her prepare to mount. He reached out and placed his hands on her hips, preparing to lift her up but Evelyn stiffened under his grip and he paused. He saw her turn her head just enough so he could see the corner of her eye…. The amber color disappearing to a bright blue fire and her face had darkened in warning./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime quickly retracted his hands and held them up in surrender, suddenly finding the look on the girl's face rather frightening and he found few things frightening./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn turned away from him and pulled herself into the saddle with ease before gripping the reins in on hand. Jaime noticed that she didn't sit side-saddled but astride which he found amusing./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He was going to say something when Evelyn turned and gave the man a pointed look, "I think your horse has discovered the true meaning of freedom Ser Jaime."br /Jaime turned to see what the girl was referring to and saw that his horse had indeed wandered off. Walking over, he grabbed the horse's reins and could almost fell Evelyn's smirk on the back of his head. He mounted up and was about to say something smart back when he saw that Evelyn had bent down on her saddle./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He saw that she was almost hanging off the saddle, reaching one hand down to her brother Rickon who was reaching up his arms to her. She wrapped her arm around her brother's waist and lifted him onto the horse behind her with ease, earning another intrigued and impressed smile from Jaime./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The man watched as the young Stark wrapped his little arms around his sister's waist before laying his head against her back. Jaime felt a strange stab of jealousy at Rickon's freedom to be close to his sister while Jaime could barely come within five feet of her without her bristling up like an angry cat./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sighing, Jaime rode beside Tommen and Myrcella on the way to the forest but always ensured that Evelyn was in sight. The first half of the hunt went well, and half the hunting party split up. One half stayed behind with the boar and deer that they caught earlier to skin it and get it back to Winterfell while everyone else including the whole royal family, Evelyn, Ned, Rickon, Robb and Bran headed off to catch a few more./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Everyone had pulled their horses for a stop after they had lost sight of a small herd of deer./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""It doesn't seem we will find anything else today," Ned Stark remarked. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""All the more reason to return home," Cersei complained, "My back is killing me."br /Jaime glanced over at Evelyn who had dismounted from her horse and had carried the sleeping Rickon over to her father who lifted his son into his arms. The knight smiled. Even with her brother falling asleep on her, Evelyn never complained./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl was just about to mount back up when she paused, catching Jaime's attention. He saw the girl slightly turn her head towards the trees before slowly removing her bow from her back. She loaded an arrow onto her bow and quickly aimed it at the trees. Jaime saw her exhale softly before releasing the arrow. There was a loud thud and the sound of an animal crying out. Robb was off his horse in a moment and heading over to the deer that his sister had just struck. He quickly put it out of its misery./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Nice shot Eve!" the boy remarked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn smiled before taking her arrow from him and slipping it into her quiver. She was just going to grab her hunting knife when she looked up at Myrcella. The younger girl had gotten pale when the bloody animal had been dragged into the clearing but as she saw the men begin to skin it, she looked ready to faint./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Myrcella, would you like to help me water the horses?" Evelyn asked, hoping to not be out front and embarrass the girl especially in front of Joffrey./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl looked down at Evelyn who had placed a comforting hand on the girl's arm, and she smiled in relief. "Please."br /Myrcella grabbed up her reins and began to urge her horse towards Evelyn's. Evelyn had remounted and was about to lead Myrcella to a nearby spring when a hand touched her shoulder. She turned to see Jaime next to her on his horse./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Mind if I accompany you?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn was about to object but knew that a part of the reason Jaime had offered was because two girls alone in the woods away from their hunting party were a target, so she nodded before turning to ride off./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"They found the spring about a hundred meters from the others and the three dismounted allowing the horses to water. Evelyn filled up her water skin before handing it to Myrcella./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You feeling better?" she asked the girl./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Myrcella nodded and drank the water before giving the girl a grateful smile, "Thank you… for not letting everyone find out."br /Evelyn smiled, "Just because we're women we are expected to not be as strong as men but when we aren't as strong as they are in some cases, they find it amusing. Not really fair huh?"br /Myrcella shook her head and smiled at Evelyn, "I'm glad I met you Evelyn. I've always wanted a sister."br /When Jaime returned from tying the horses to a nearby tree, he found both girls talking together and with joyful smiles on their faces, giggling amongst themselves. He smiled. His future wife and his daughter…. If Cersei wasn't around, he would have wished Evelyn to be Myrcella and Tommen's mother… even with Cersei around he wanted Evelyn to be the mother of his children. Maybe if Evelyn had appeared in Myrcella, Tommen and Joffrey's life sooner some things wouldn't have happened like Joffrey becoming a brat./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Myrcella suddenly whispered something to Evelyn who nodded before Myrcella walked off. Jaime was about to follow but Evelyn touched his arm to get his attention./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""She needs a moment." She explained, "Giving him a pointed look."br /Jaime nodded, understanding the situation before turning to Evelyn. The girl had approached the horses and was stroking her horse's face. Suddenly Jaime's horse butted his head against her arm to get some attention and the moment Evelyn scratched behind his ears, he rubbed his head against her waist causing Evelyn to smile./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl seemed to sense Jaime watching her for she glanced at him with her amber eyes and ducked her head, blushing slightly when she saw him watching her intently with a soft smile./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime walked over and stroked his horse fondly, "May I ask you something?"br /Evelyn suddenly realized how small she was compared to Jaime. She barely reached his shoulder and she had slight heels on her boots, "What is it?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime thought a moment before speaking up, "Why did you choose to become a healer?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"A bright smile flashed on Evelyn's face which caught Jaime off guard, "That's easy!" the girl chirped. "Rickon got terribly sick one time because he got bit by a squirrel that was diseased. I was so afraid that we were going to lose him, and I had no idea what to do…. I felt so helpless not knowing what was happening. I didn't really care before if I didn't know something… but not knowing what was happening to my brother was painful…. So, I decided to remove the pain."br /The girl looked up to see that Jaime was smiling down at her softly, adoration shining in his eyes, "Do you hate me Lady Evelyn?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn cocked her head at this, some black hair flopping into her eyes at the movement but she ignored it, "I don't believe I particularly hate you…."br /Jaime raised his eyebrows in amusement, "That wasn't entirely denial."br /"Fine. I do not hate you…. I just…." Evelyn remarked, "I find it a little aggravating when you're…"br /"When I'm what?" Jaime inquired, flashing her a cocky smirk./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""When you're cocky," Evelyn replied, her face a deadpan./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime let out a loud chuckle, trying to not be too loud, "Fair enough Lady Evelyn."br /Evelyn found herself smiling when suddenly Myrcella returned slightly rushed, "Evelyn! Come quick!"br /Evelyn and Jaime quickly followed until Myrcella came upon one tree where there was a small pile of leaves and sticks at the bottom. Evelyn dropped to her knees, recognizing it as a squirrel nest. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""It must have fallen from the tree," Evelyn said, looking up into the tree, "I see where it was before."br /Reaching down, she carefully parted the hole of the nest and sure enough, there were two baby squirrels asleep inside./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Aw!" Myrcella cooed, "What do we do Evelyn?"br /"I'll put them back up so their mom can find them later," Evelyn replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""It's too high," Jaime pointed out./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You know how to climb trees?" Myrcella asked in shock./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn smiled and lifting the nest up, handed it to Jaime, "When I get to the first branch, hand it up to me."br /Before he could object, Evelyn had climbed up to the first branch and was holding her free hand down for the nest. Jaime handed it to her, and the girl scaled the tree like a monkey before placing it in the fork of the tree where it belonged. She climbed down swiftly, a huge smile on her face./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Come on!" she chirped, "Let's head back to the others."br /Myrcella nodded and the two girls headed off to where the horses were tied up. Jaime watched Evelyn mount and shook his head, completely amazed. He paused just as he was about to mount. Why did he have a pain of guilt in his gut just then? Suddenly he remembered what was going to happen the next day…. It was the day before his wedding…. Great./p
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p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn usually felt more at ease when she went hunting with her family because it meant she didn't have to wear a dress but with the way that Cersei was giving her disgusted looks and Joffrey was ogling at her, she felt like she wanted run in and ask Sansa for a spare riding dress./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She was just about to lose her cool when Myrcella and Tommen approached. Tommen wore a simple outfit of dark brown leather while Myrcella wore a deep green riding dress./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Is hunting here different than in Kings Landing?" Myrcella inquired./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn smiled, "I wouldn't know. I have never been to Kings Landing… but we have slightly larger animals."/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Tommen's eyes widened, "Bears?"br /Evelyn nodded, "and cougars, panthers, mountain lions…. Boars…."br /Myrcella had begun to grow pale while Tommen was listening with rapt attention. Evelyn chuckled and ruffled Tommen's hair playfully before turning to Myrcella./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""So, who are you riding today?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Myrcella's face lit up at this, "The stable man gave me a black horse. Said he was the gentlest."br /Evelyn looked over at the black horse that stood behind Myrcella and smiled, "That is Ruse. My siblings and I all learnt to ride on him. He won't let you fall I can guarantee that."br /"Myrcella doesn't really fall off," Tommen remarked, mounting his horse, "She just gets lost."br /Myrcella stuck her tongue out at her brother, "Says the guy who never manages to hit anything!"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Alright you two," Evelyn chuckled, bending down next to Myrcella's horse, "No more bickering."br /Myrcella looked down at the girl who held her palms out for Myrcella to climb on. the girl looked slightly hesitant and Evelyn knew that the girl was puzzled as to why Evelyn was doing it./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""My father taught me that a noble who sees himself or herself above his people isn't a noble at all," she replied with a smile./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Myrcella smiled and was about to use Evelyn's hand as a boost when she paused, "Could you teach me to mount like Tommen does then?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn smiled and rose to her feet before nodding, "Grab onto the back of the saddle while holding the reins and the horn in your other. Put your left foot in the stirrup and pull up."br /Myrcella tried but got tangled in her skirt the first time. Soon she managed to mount with a little help from Evelyn./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I did it!" Myrcella cried happily, "Uncle Jaime!"br /Evelyn felt her face slightly pale when Myrcella called over her uncle. She hadn't spoken to Ser Jaime since she had agreed to the engagement and had barely seen him either./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime approached, leading his white horse by the reins and looked up at his young niece, "What's going on Myrcella?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I mounted Ruse like Tommen!" the girl cried, smiling from ear to ear./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime raised his eyebrows in amusement and flashed his famous cocky smirk, "Indeed? Whatever for?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Evelyn said that the noble who sees herself as greater than her people isn't a noble at all," Myrcella remarked, not realizing that she was putting Evelyn at the center of attention which was the one place Evelyn didn't want to be./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime glanced over at his future wife with an intrigued look, his smirk fading into a more of a soft grin. "Is that so?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn turned away from Ser Jaime and approached her horse. Jaime watched her as she finished tightening the cinch on her saddle. He had to admit that the outfit she wore really suited her and accented her petite, slender form but he realized that unlike most teenagers her age, her body was more matured and womanlier with defined hips and finely built chest. Of course, the calf length leather skirt of her outfit hid her legs from view, but Jaime guessed that they weren't skinny either. He had to remind himself that even though Evelyn was young, she was still a woman. Not a child./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime approached the girl when he saw her prepare to mount. He reached out and placed his hands on her hips, preparing to lift her up but Evelyn stiffened under his grip and he paused. He saw her turn her head just enough so he could see the corner of her eye…. The amber color disappearing to a bright blue fire and her face had darkened in warning./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime quickly retracted his hands and held them up in surrender, suddenly finding the look on the girl's face rather frightening and he found few things frightening./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn turned away from him and pulled herself into the saddle with ease before gripping the reins in on hand. Jaime noticed that she didn't sit side-saddled but astride which he found amusing./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He was going to say something when Evelyn turned and gave the man a pointed look, "I think your horse has discovered the true meaning of freedom Ser Jaime."br /Jaime turned to see what the girl was referring to and saw that his horse had indeed wandered off. Walking over, he grabbed the horse's reins and could almost fell Evelyn's smirk on the back of his head. He mounted up and was about to say something smart back when he saw that Evelyn had bent down on her saddle./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He saw that she was almost hanging off the saddle, reaching one hand down to her brother Rickon who was reaching up his arms to her. She wrapped her arm around her brother's waist and lifted him onto the horse behind her with ease, earning another intrigued and impressed smile from Jaime./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The man watched as the young Stark wrapped his little arms around his sister's waist before laying his head against her back. Jaime felt a strange stab of jealousy at Rickon's freedom to be close to his sister while Jaime could barely come within five feet of her without her bristling up like an angry cat./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Sighing, Jaime rode beside Tommen and Myrcella on the way to the forest but always ensured that Evelyn was in sight. The first half of the hunt went well, and half the hunting party split up. One half stayed behind with the boar and deer that they caught earlier to skin it and get it back to Winterfell while everyone else including the whole royal family, Evelyn, Ned, Rickon, Robb and Bran headed off to catch a few more./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Everyone had pulled their horses for a stop after they had lost sight of a small herd of deer./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""It doesn't seem we will find anything else today," Ned Stark remarked. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""All the more reason to return home," Cersei complained, "My back is killing me."br /Jaime glanced over at Evelyn who had dismounted from her horse and had carried the sleeping Rickon over to her father who lifted his son into his arms. The knight smiled. Even with her brother falling asleep on her, Evelyn never complained./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl was just about to mount back up when she paused, catching Jaime's attention. He saw the girl slightly turn her head towards the trees before slowly removing her bow from her back. She loaded an arrow onto her bow and quickly aimed it at the trees. Jaime saw her exhale softly before releasing the arrow. There was a loud thud and the sound of an animal crying out. Robb was off his horse in a moment and heading over to the deer that his sister had just struck. He quickly put it out of its misery./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Nice shot Eve!" the boy remarked./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn smiled before taking her arrow from him and slipping it into her quiver. She was just going to grab her hunting knife when she looked up at Myrcella. The younger girl had gotten pale when the bloody animal had been dragged into the clearing but as she saw the men begin to skin it, she looked ready to faint./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Myrcella, would you like to help me water the horses?" Evelyn asked, hoping to not be out front and embarrass the girl especially in front of Joffrey./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl looked down at Evelyn who had placed a comforting hand on the girl's arm, and she smiled in relief. "Please."br /Myrcella grabbed up her reins and began to urge her horse towards Evelyn's. Evelyn had remounted and was about to lead Myrcella to a nearby spring when a hand touched her shoulder. She turned to see Jaime next to her on his horse./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Mind if I accompany you?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn was about to object but knew that a part of the reason Jaime had offered was because two girls alone in the woods away from their hunting party were a target, so she nodded before turning to ride off./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"They found the spring about a hundred meters from the others and the three dismounted allowing the horses to water. Evelyn filled up her water skin before handing it to Myrcella./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You feeling better?" she asked the girl./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Myrcella nodded and drank the water before giving the girl a grateful smile, "Thank you… for not letting everyone find out."br /Evelyn smiled, "Just because we're women we are expected to not be as strong as men but when we aren't as strong as they are in some cases, they find it amusing. Not really fair huh?"br /Myrcella shook her head and smiled at Evelyn, "I'm glad I met you Evelyn. I've always wanted a sister."br /When Jaime returned from tying the horses to a nearby tree, he found both girls talking together and with joyful smiles on their faces, giggling amongst themselves. He smiled. His future wife and his daughter…. If Cersei wasn't around, he would have wished Evelyn to be Myrcella and Tommen's mother… even with Cersei around he wanted Evelyn to be the mother of his children. Maybe if Evelyn had appeared in Myrcella, Tommen and Joffrey's life sooner some things wouldn't have happened like Joffrey becoming a brat./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Myrcella suddenly whispered something to Evelyn who nodded before Myrcella walked off. Jaime was about to follow but Evelyn touched his arm to get his attention./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""She needs a moment." She explained, "Giving him a pointed look."br /Jaime nodded, understanding the situation before turning to Evelyn. The girl had approached the horses and was stroking her horse's face. Suddenly Jaime's horse butted his head against her arm to get some attention and the moment Evelyn scratched behind his ears, he rubbed his head against her waist causing Evelyn to smile./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"The girl seemed to sense Jaime watching her for she glanced at him with her amber eyes and ducked her head, blushing slightly when she saw him watching her intently with a soft smile./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime walked over and stroked his horse fondly, "May I ask you something?"br /Evelyn suddenly realized how small she was compared to Jaime. She barely reached his shoulder and she had slight heels on her boots, "What is it?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime thought a moment before speaking up, "Why did you choose to become a healer?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"A bright smile flashed on Evelyn's face which caught Jaime off guard, "That's easy!" the girl chirped. "Rickon got terribly sick one time because he got bit by a squirrel that was diseased. I was so afraid that we were going to lose him, and I had no idea what to do…. I felt so helpless not knowing what was happening. I didn't really care before if I didn't know something… but not knowing what was happening to my brother was painful…. So, I decided to remove the pain."br /The girl looked up to see that Jaime was smiling down at her softly, adoration shining in his eyes, "Do you hate me Lady Evelyn?"/p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn cocked her head at this, some black hair flopping into her eyes at the movement but she ignored it, "I don't believe I particularly hate you…."br /Jaime raised his eyebrows in amusement, "That wasn't entirely denial."br /"Fine. I do not hate you…. I just…." Evelyn remarked, "I find it a little aggravating when you're…"br /"When I'm what?" Jaime inquired, flashing her a cocky smirk./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""When you're cocky," Evelyn replied, her face a deadpan./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Jaime let out a loud chuckle, trying to not be too loud, "Fair enough Lady Evelyn."br /Evelyn found herself smiling when suddenly Myrcella returned slightly rushed, "Evelyn! Come quick!"br /Evelyn and Jaime quickly followed until Myrcella came upon one tree where there was a small pile of leaves and sticks at the bottom. Evelyn dropped to her knees, recognizing it as a squirrel nest. /p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""It must have fallen from the tree," Evelyn said, looking up into the tree, "I see where it was before."br /Reaching down, she carefully parted the hole of the nest and sure enough, there were two baby squirrels asleep inside./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Aw!" Myrcella cooed, "What do we do Evelyn?"br /"I'll put them back up so their mom can find them later," Evelyn replied./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""It's too high," Jaime pointed out./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""You know how to climb trees?" Myrcella asked in shock./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Evelyn smiled and lifting the nest up, handed it to Jaime, "When I get to the first branch, hand it up to me."br /Before he could object, Evelyn had climbed up to the first branch and was holding her free hand down for the nest. Jaime handed it to her, and the girl scaled the tree like a monkey before placing it in the fork of the tree where it belonged. She climbed down swiftly, a huge smile on her face./p
p style="margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Come on!" she chirped, "Let's head back to the others."br /Myrcella nodded and the two girls headed off to where the horses were tied up. Jaime watched Evelyn mount and shook his head, completely amazed. He paused just as he was about to mount. Why did he have a pain of guilt in his gut just then? Suddenly he remembered what was going to happen the next day…. It was the day before his wedding…. Great./p
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