Shona slept for two nights longer in her King's Landing bed chamber beside Margaery's before her departure was made known to the Queen Regent, Cersei, whom was incredibly flustered about the entire turn of events. The torture of her son's death was still evident in her eyes as they sat picking through a platter of honey cakes and molasses coated dates. Cersei chewed slowly as she stared Shona down for a long moment. In her grasp was a jewel encrusted goblet filled to the brim with red wine straight from the Arbor.
"I do not quite understand," Cersei spoke abruptly, "I thought you were happy to be here. Why leave Margaery in her time of need?"
"My grandfather is very sickly, Your Grace, and I fear he has not much longer on this Earth. By the time we even get there it could be too late." Shona spoke softly letting false tears cloud her vision. She had always been a good actress, and could regularly cry on command. It was something she had learned as a child. Baelor Brightsmile had a weakness for his daughter's tears. It was how she often got the things she desired back home. Here in King's Landing, though, it didn't seem like the queen was falling for her act.
Cersei scoffed into her wine with an annoyed glance at the teary eyed girl before her, "Then what is the point? To see a dead man lying on a stone table? You can do that here in King's Landing when we put Tyrion's body on display for everyone to see. Sansa's, too, when I find her. Mark my words: I do not appreciate lies. If you know something about Sansa Stark I demand you tell me now."
"I know nothing, and have no clue, as to Sansa's whereabouts. We were friends here, yes, but she never once mentioned her plans of treason to me. I would have told you if I had any idea this tragedy were to occur. I am still distraught over King Joffrey's passing. He was a good king, and I admired him so." She sugar coated her words just enough to please the narrow eyed blonde woman sitting before her.
"Very well. I assume you will be making leave when your family does? I will send an escort alongside your caravan for safety."
"That is very kind of you, Your Majesty, but unnecessary for my father and brothers may offer all the protection we need. I would hate to take along any protection Tommen may potentially need. I want him to remain safe. I love your son very much and want him to remain safe in my absence. It saddens me greatly to leave him behind for I have found a true friend in Tommen."
"He is sad to see you go as well, my sweet. We both are." Cersei shot a look at the younger blond girl before her, "I had planned to make you his queen."
Shona gulped and her mouth grew dry. Cersei was blunt with her words. She was slightly shocked by how upfront she was regarding the issue. "I would make a poor queen. I am flattered, though, Your Grace. It is a compliment to myself as well as my family."
"You could always have a long engagement." Cersei spoke glancing at her polished nails. Her eyes flickered up to meet Shona's with an arched brow, "Tommen is a special boy. You know this, and you know the love I have for my children. I strongly approve of the match of yourself and he. I truly think you would make him happy. If I can give at least one of my children happiness in life I will do all in my power to achieve that. Do you understand, my sweet Shona? You do not quite know the love a mother has for her children, but soon you will."
"Your Grace," Shona started licking her lips gently, "I do love Tommen, but I love him like a brother. I do not think I could love him like a woman should love her husband. I do not believe I could… lie with Tommen the way a wife lies with her husband."
Cersei laughed almost coldly chilling Shona to the bone. The queen regent sneered as she leaned forward slightly in her plush chair. Shona immediately regretted her words for she would see the anger in Cersei's flashing emerald orbs, "We women never get much choice, do we? There was a time when I was overjoyed to be Robert Baratheon's wife. That time was short lived, but I still did my duty. I lied under him as he had his drunken way with me for years. I gave him three beautiful children. Do you think I loved Robert Baratheon? The answer is no, but we do what we need to do as women. It is our duty."
"I do not have much say in this matter, do I?" Shona whispered with her eyes downcast to her clenched hands. Her knuckles were white on her lap. She was surprised when Cersei left her chair to kneel beside the girl whose shoulders slumped in despair.
"You remind me of myself when I was young. I was so carefree, and loyal, and loving. I loved my father and my family with all my being. That did not refrain him from selling me off like cattle to the highest bidder. When I see you I fear that same future, and that is why I see you with my son. You are not being forced into a marriage with Tommen, but I hope you strongly consider the offer. Men are truly horrid creatures. Tommen will never treat you with anything but respect. You will be loved, and adored, and cherished. You will be a queen."
Cersei got to her feet once more only swaying slightly in her pointed golden flat shoes with laces that criss crossed around her ankles. The older women chugged the rest of her goblet and sat the cup down on the table. She eyed Shona with softened eyes and smiled slightly. She smoothed back the Hightower girl's hair, "Think over my offer, Shona. I would love for you to be my daughter through marriage. Do not let anyone make decisions for you, though. That is where my mistakes occurred in life."
"Do you have any regrets about your life, your grace?"
Cersei looked out over the balcony wall studying the city around her. A breeze whipped through the drapery sending her hair into disarray, but her eyes closed as if enjoying the salty air on her skin. Shona knew the feeling well and stood to stand beside the queen with her own eyes closed. To any onlooker they might have been sisters, or even cousins, standing together enjoying the soft breeze rustling the golden waves of their hair. When Shona's eyes reopened Cersei was staring at her sadly, "Yes, but I live on."
Cersei left Shona there on the balcony with the wind still whistling through the trees. Shona inhaled deeply looking over Blackwater Bay. The waves were churning licking the shores with their salty, foamed coated tongues. They frothed and roared against the sea wall echoing in her ears. The sound reminded her of Hightower and the love she held for the place of her birth. Did she truly miss it enough to risk her life to help Tyrion Lannister and leave King's Landing? Her heart told her yes, but her mind was urging her to stay. She could be Tommen's queen, and possibly be happy. She snapped herself out of the though. No. She would never be happy with the constant pressure of being a queen, and she was not attracted to Tommen enough to engage in sexual relations with him. She was not like Cersei. She would not be pushed into a marriage she did not desire. Shona would rather grow old and alone like her Aunt Alerie than marry Tommen and force herself into having children with him. Tommen was a child, for gods sake, how could Cersei expect them to wed? Shona was more than three years the boy's elder. How good could they possibly be for each other?
"My lady?" The king's guard who had remained behind in the room voiced as she continued to stand on the balcony overlooking the sea. She wondered briefly if he assumed she was going to jump from its heights to the water and rocks below. She was not that desperate for death. Shona turned on a heel giving him a small smile and headed for the doors.
A servant opened them wide for her exit and she came face to face with the object of her current thoughts. Sweet spirited Tommen who was clutching a bouquet of lilies. Her stomach flopped as she looked into his grinning face. His smile fell as she stood staring, "What is wrong? I brought you flowers!"
She smiled at his innocence. Shone took the flowers from his sweaty palm and put her nose to them and inhaled deeply. She did indeed have a fondness for fresh cut flowers. They would smell lovely in her room if she would be there to enjoy them. Her heart couldn't take the look on his handsome face.
"They are lovely, Tommen, thank you." Shona smiled sadly at the boy walking forward slowly with the lilies still bunched in her hand. She itched to throw them from the wall, but did not want to appear cruel. She could sense Tommen's confusion as he rushed to follow behind her. He trailed after her skirts like a lost puppy until they reached the stairway leading up to her tower chambers.
"Do you not like the flowers? I can pick others. Mother said you would like them-" He was cut off by Shona spinning around with a frown etched onto her pretty face, "Your mother hardly knows me. How would she even begin to know what I like or want?"
Tommen stepped backwards from his friend in surprise, "I was just trying to be nice! What is wrong, Shona?"
"We cannot be friends anymore, Tommen." Shona stated bitterly. She was upset herself hearing the words coming forth from her lips, but it was for his own good. They could not spend time together any longer. It would be cruel to string him along like a puppet for her own enjoyment.
"But why?" He cried out. Shona was startled by the tears in his eyes at her words, "We can still be friends when I am king. I am not like Joffrey! I would not treat you like he treated his girlfriends."
"It is not that, Tom." Shona let out a sigh and touched his cheek with her palm. His skin was as soft as her own. Soft peach fuzz was all that covered his under lip. He was still a child in her eyes, and it hurt her heart to cause him pain, "Your mother wishes for us to marry."
Tommen beamed up at her overjoyed by the statement, "I know! Isn't it fantastic? We could rule together. You would be the kindest queen I have ever known, and I would be a gallant king. We can fix all Joff did. Together. We can get lots of horses, and kittens, and even an elephant if you wished. I could give you anything you wanted. You would be my queen."
"Tommen," she sighed deeply, "We cannot get married. I would not make a good queen for you."
"But why? I love you! You're my best friend." Tommen stammered as he spoke the words. His cheeks flushed bright red when the words left his plump lips. His blue eyes met hers sheepishly.
"That is why we cannot get married! Best friends do not marry."
"They could. Why would it be a bad thing for friends to get married? I'd rather marry you than Lady Margaery, or some girl I do not even know or like. I could be a good husband if you just let me try." Tommen's eyes had begun to cloud once more with unshed tears as he spoke.
"I am not going to marry you, Tommen. I leave tomorrow for Old Town, and I will not be returning." Shona snapped at him in irritation. She was growing impatient with the conversation between herself and the boy before her.
Tommen stared at her with mouth agape in shocked silence, "I thought we were friends, Shona?"
"We are, Tom," Shona reached for his hand, but he jerked away from her grasp.
"Then why are you being so mean?" he hissed, and spun around on his boot heel back down the hall where he had come from. He broke out into a run and disappeared behind the corner leaving Shona heartbroken for him in the stairway entrance. She sighed deeply and turned to climb the flight to her room. Once she was inside the safe confines of her room she sat on the edge of her bed. Shona sat the lilies down gently onto the surface of her end table. A tear rolled down her cheek, and her lips unearthed a sob from deep within her chest.
Shona had just broken Tommen's heart, and it sickened her. She continued sobbing loudly, clutching her pillow. She cried for herself. She cried for Sansa Stark, and Tyrion Lannister, but mostly she cried for the broken hearted boy with hair the same spun gold color as her own. The boy whom she loved like a brother. The boy who was, unknowing to her, in his own chamber at that exact moment crying for the friend he had lost.