When they couldn't find Nymeria, the Queen had suggested that they punish the other direwolf instead. Sansa's. She had been devastated at the loss of her companion, and barely spoke for the rest of the journey. Keaira couldn't understand why Sansa wasn't angrier at the Prince, but her feelings for him seemed to be clouding her judgement. Arya on the other hand, had no problem taking her anger out on everyone around her. The sisters were so different, yet similar at the same time. She could see the conflict had been taking its toll on Ned, who was already anxious about arriving in King's Landing. She tried to keep the girls in line, but they were stubborn just like their parents. She felt relieved when they finally came to the outskirts of the City, as she hoped that not being on the road would calm the tension between the Starks. Her relief quickly turned to annoyance when she found the City was even hotter than the road had been. She wiped her hand across her forehead, as she walked along the Stark's carriage. She couldn't understand how the nobles coped in their thick gowns all day. Ned was sent off to business the moment they arrived, and asked Keaira to help settle the girls in. The Stark's had a large chamber to their own, with a dining hall, and many bedrooms, as well as a balcony. Keaira was not so lucky. She had been placed in a small bedroom in between the kitchen's and the guard's chambers. It didn't take her long to realise why no one had taken the chambers up, as she noticed the leering stares from the men who were supposed to protect the city. She wasn't scared, but she was wary. She knew to never turn her back on a man.
"I hope your settling in well" A voice boomed from behind her, as she almost rolled her eyes at her last thought.
"As well as can be expected…do you enjoy creeping around the halls, Ser Jaime?" She inquired.
"My chambers are just around the corner. I wasn't following you, Little Dragon" Jaime smirked, as he could tell the nickname annoyed her.
"I don't suppose the Queen had a part to play in me getting these…undesirable chambers?" Keaira suggested.
"Perhaps…my brother's chambers are on the other side of the castle" He pointed out, as they began to walk together.
"I don't understand how you can cope in this heat wearing your amour" She exclaimed, as he let out a small laugh.
"I could say the same to you about the cold of the North" He retorted.
They walked in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, but Keaira could quickly tell that there was something playing on Jaime's mind. Something that had annoyed him. There were only a few things she could think of that could do that.
"Have you spoken to Lord Stark today?" She suggested, thinking it was the most likely.
He looked down at her with a frown, amazed that she was able to guess his inner thoughts so easily. He could almost see the cogs ticking in her head as she tried to gage a reaction. She was much smarter than he had expected.
"Why do you call him Lord Stark? You might as well be his Ward" Jaime explained.
"I'd have to be from a noble family for that to happen…why are you avoiding the question?" She insisted.
"Lord Stark…irritates me" Jaime answered, pondering on the right word for a few seconds.
"Why? He's polite and honourable-" Keaira started, but Jaime cut her off.
"Exactly" Jaime said, raising an eyebrow.
"I suppose because you're oh so dishonourable that being in a room with Ned Stark just makes your skin crawl?" She suggested, sarcastically.
"It's the other way around" Jaime mumbled.
"You look up to him" She realised.
"I did. His hatred for me gets in the way of that now" Jaime went on.
"He doesn't hate you…he just doesn't like you much" Keaira replied, as they both let out a small laugh.
"What did you do? His dislike of you seems personal" She couldn't help but ask a moment later, as they came to what she expected were his chambers.
"…I saved the City" Jaime answered, before entering his room, leaving Keaira confused.
Later that evening, Keaira had been permitted to eat with the Starks, even though she could tell the Septa wasn't pleased about this.
"Enough of that young lady, eat your food" Septa Mordane told Arya, who was stabbing the table with her knife.
"I'm practising" Arya stated.
"For what?" Sansa asked, it being one of the first things she had to Arya in a while.
"The Prince" Arya replied, leaving Sansa shocked.
Even Keaira was surprised by the outburst, knowing how dangerous it could be if someone overheard her.
"Arya Stark!" Mordane gasped.
"You can't say things like that here" Keaira warned her, noticing how the servant in the room had stopped what they were doing for a moment.
"He's a liar, and a coward and he killed my friend" Arya went on, continuing to stab the table.
"The Hound killed your friend" Sansa exclaimed.
"The Hound does whatever the Prince tells him too" Arya pointed out.
"You're an idiot" Sansa shook her head.
"You're a liar. And if you had told the truth Mica would still be alive" Arya argued, slamming the knife down on the table.
"Enough!" Mordane shouted.
Keaira could see the hurt look on Sansa's face at what her sister had just said and realised that Sansa must have felt guilty already for the boy's death.
"Arya, whatever Sansa said it wouldn't have made a difference. The Queen would have made sure that Mica died with her husband's support or without it" Keaira explained, as Arya thought about it for a moment.
"Don't speak to your sister that way" Mordane scolded her, as she stood her up and began to march her away.
"What's happened here?" Ned inquired, seeing the scene in front of him.
"Arya would rather act like a beast than a lady" Mordane informed him, as Arya had the good sense to look guilty.
"Go to your room, we will speak later" Ned ordered her, as she turned and left.
"She's still upset about the butcher boy's death" Keaira told him, as he nodded.
Ned sat down opposite her and placed a cloth package in front of Sansa, who looked at it with mild interest. She frowned when she opened it and found a pretty doll inside.
"The same dollmaker makes all Princess Myrcella's toys…don't you like it?" Ned questioned, when he saw her disappointed look.
"I haven't played with dolls since I was eight" Sansa spat back.
"…Still, it's a very nice doll-" Keaira started, but she was cut off.
"For a child" Sansa mumbled.
"May I be excused?" Sansa asked, as Ned looked down at the table, upset he had been able to cheer at least one of his daughter's up.
"You've barely eaten a thing" Septa Mordane stated.
"It's all right. Go on" Ned allowed, as Sansa quickly stood up and walked away.
"War was easier than daughters" Ned sighed, as Keaira let out a little laugh, and even Septa Mordane looked amused.
"It was a nice thought. Maybe a dress next time" Keaira suggested.
"Do you think they'll ever become less…complicated?" Ned hoped.
"They'll become more…sensible" Keaira offered.
"Speaking of sensible choices. Jory has had words with me. About you and the Lannister's" Ned began, as Keaira rolled her eyes.
"I've always been under the impression that I can speak to whoever I want. Am I wrong?" Keaira inquired, as Septa Mordane quickly left the table.
"Of course not. I just don't trust them, Keaira. Especially the Kingslayer" Ned confessed.
"Why not?" She retorted.
"Is his name not enough?" Ned argued, clearly not wanting to talk about the real reason.
Keaira sighed, knowing she was not going to get anywhere with the conversation. Ned was one of the most stubborn people she knew. But he wasn't her father, and she could make her own choices. Even if they did turn out to be the wrong ones.
Author's Notes: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I've re-edited the first couple chapters of this story so I'm hoping the whole thing will flow better now, so check it out if you want! As you can tell, tensions are rising between the Stark's which I'm sure Jaime is going to enjoy watching. Please leave a review:)
KvotheKylar: Aw, thank you so much for this review:) I'm so glad that you're enjoying this story as not that many people seem to at the moment. I really like the nickname too, haha.