AN: Sorry for the delay, my lovelies - it has been stressful here. BUT: this is a long one. Also, I've added some mor content at the end - this is the second version of this chapter. I hope you'll enjoy!
They left the Water Gardens the next day, travelling to Sunspear first. To Samaya's overall confusion added the addition of Ellaria Sand to their travel group. She did not know what the kiss between Oberyn and her had meant, but she realised her heart was longing for a connection with him. The thought of having to share him made her slightly uneasy, so she kept her distance the rest of the way.
After she had made her big confession, Bayard and Willam had arrived at her chambers, so she was spared of having to explain the details to Oberyn. She knew that he would hound her about them one of these days, but for now, he's kept surprisingly quiet. Maybe she had scared him off. Maybe he did not want anything to do with her. Only time would tell.
It was a completely different kind of travel than the one she had to Dorne. Several noblemen had joined them, and they were riding with open banners. When they rested for the night, Samaya stayed in her assigned quarters, whereas Oberyn was off to the gods knew where with his paramour. Her mood worsened by the day.
The night before they were supposed to arrive in King's Landing marked the peak of her frustration, when Oberyn visited her after dinner. He strolled into her chambers casually, not bothering to knock, and lay down on her bed. Samaya, who was sitting at a desk reading, arched her brows in discontent.
"You have been distant as of late, and you never finished telling me the whole story," he said and stared openly at her. Sam let out a sigh and turned back to her book.
"I do not know what you are referring to. I am simply nervous to meet my new brother-in-law. Many stories proceed his…. peculiar character," she answered in what she hoped was a bored tone.
"He is a cruel, arrogant boy. Say it as it is, we both know it. And do not try to fool me, you are angry with me," the prince gave back.
"A lady is never angry, Prince Oberyn. If she feels any grievance towards a man, she questions what she has done wrong to elicit such discontent," her mother would be so proud of her.
"Please, Samaya, spare me that nonsense. You are angry because I took Ellaria with me, but you have to understand one thing," she looked at him, curiosity evident in her expression.
"And what would that be?" He stood up from the bed and walked over, kneeling in front of her while tilting her chin up with his finger.
"Ellaria is the mother of some of my strongest daughters, and has been my companion for a long, long time. You have only scratched the surface of what life in Dorne is like, but monogamy is not a fashionable thing there," he said quietly while searching her face for clues about her feelings.
"And why would you think that I want to know all that? We are neither engaged, nor even lovers, so I really do not need to know what intentions you have with me or other women," she huffed and turned her head away from him. She heard him sigh and get back up.
"One more thing. A raven found us some time ago. Robb Stark and his mother are dead," he announced and she looked at him in shock.
"What? How?" she breathed out.
"I do not know the details, but it seems the Boltons have allied with the Lannisters and set them a trap at the Twins. They already have a name for it. 'The Red Wedding'. Everyone was slaughtered, including the young wolf's wife, who was pregnant," he explained. Sam clutched her throat with a shaking hand. Baelyx had been sent to meet with Robb Stark, and last she heard, was fighting with them. He was probably dead as well. Tears started to build in her eyes.
"What has this realm come to? In which world do men slaughter pregnant women?" she said angrily, looking up at Oberyn.
"In the world we live in. Get some sleep, Lady Samaya. I'll be riding ahead with Ellaria, the next time we see each other will be in the Red Keep, I fear," he said quietly and turned to walk away. Already, he was abandoning her again. With her shock rose her anger, and after he had closed the door behind him, she picked up the book she was reading and threw it across the room with a cry of agony. And then, not for the first time since she had left Highgarden, she wondered what she was even doing.
Meanwhile, in King's Landing:
Olenna Tyrell had arrived quietly in the early morning hours and was sitting in the gardens, waiting for her younger granddaughter. Already, this town was making her sick. The stench, the people, the boring gardens. She hated it. Even more did she hate that her granddaughter was to marry a tyrant, if any of the rumours were true. But then, one could always handle tyrants. Margaery arrived with her handmaidens, giggling as they went. Olenna raised both eyebrows at the girls.
"If you took any longer, you'd have found a skeleton my dear," she announced as Margaery bowed and kissed her hand.
"Oh, grandmother, there are many more years left on the pages of your life, I am sure of it," the girl said as she sat down and picked at some of the food laid out between the two of them. Olenna took a long, hard look at her. Margaery had always been cheerful and happy, traits she had mistaken as stupidity for a long time, but underneath her flimsy appearance, the girl possessed a sharp wit. The two sisters could not be more different, and even though she had a soft spot for Samaya, she loved Margaery with all her heart as well. There was little she would not do for her family, and that went for all of them.
"Oh, stop flattering me, you know it won't work," she replied and shooed the other girls away. She needed to talk to her granddaughter in private. That is, if you could get any privacy in this place.
"Any news from Sam?" Margaery asked once they had been left alone.
"The Dornish party is said to arrive today, your sister will be among them."
"Will you ever tell me why you sent her to Dorne in the middle of the night without telling anyone?" Margaery tried to pry.
"When it concerns you, I will perhaps. For now, just know that much water has flown down the Mander in that time, and the things that mattered then do not necessarily matter now," Olenna replied. Margaery furrowed her brows.
"You speak in riddles, grandmother, like always," she commented on the woman's behaviour.
"Riddles, stories, fairy-tales. All the same. Now, when your sister gets here, I want you to work very hard to get the Lannisters to like her." Margaery sighed loudly.
"I'm not even sure they like me, and we both know Sam can be quite stubborn and direct. I can pretend much better than she can," she said.
"Oh my dear Margaery, your sister has more talents than you know of. She can pretend just fine," Olenna chuckled and took a big bite of one particularly ripe cheese.
"Very well, if that's what you want, then I will try my best. Any other chores you have for me?" the young girl teased and grinned.
"You are not my slave, but we have to work together to get into the best position possible. I have asked Sansa Stark to join us for breakfast tomorrow. It is important that we are well-liked, dear."
"And why?" Margaery asked. She had no idea why it was so important for her grandmother that everybody loved the Tyrells. As far as she was concerned, they already did, anyways.
"When you are as old as I am, and have lived through as much, then my dear, you are allowed to ask people why. Until then, do as I say. Trust me, it's for the good of the family," Olenna replied in a loud whisper.
Margaery smiled while chewing on a delicious bite of fig. Once she swallowed, she took her cup of wine and raised it in a toast. "To our family. To growing Strong," she said and the two women shared a knowing look before finishing their meal in peaceful silence.
Even though it was a bright, sunny day, Samaya's mood was dark as their party neared King's Landing. The Red Keep rose high above the chaotic arrangement of houses and other buildings that she could make out from the distance. Shadowfoot was restless as well, matching his riders' disposition. Bayard and Willam rode to her flanks, the latter carrying a Tyrell banner. When he unveiled it some days ago, Samaya was surprised and asked him where he'd found it. To which he replied that he had carried it with them the whole time. She thanked him for his loyalty and service once more.
They were passing the last corner before they reached the outskirts of town, and in between the masses of people on the road with them, Sam made out a small party in the distance, carrying the Lannister banners.
"They sent a welcome party," Bayard noted in a dull tone. Sam gave an unladylike snort next to him. Much of a party it was… she was only able to make out 3 men, one of them the size of a child. They stopped a few feet before them and it was that one that spoke first.
"Ah, the Lady Samaya of House Tyrell! On behalf of the King, I welcome you to King's Landing in this joyous of times. My name is Tyrion Lannister, and I am to escort you to your rooms," he spoke in a surprisingly deep voice and bowed.
"Thank you kindly, Lord Tyrion," Samaya said graciously.
"Oh please, I am too short to be a proper Lord, you may call me Tyrion", he said with a cheeky smile which Sam reflected. She gave a short nod and got off Shadowfoot. Her back was feeling a little stiff from all the riding.
"My Lady, it is still a way to the Red Keep, you might want to stay mounted," a shy-looking boy, which Sam assumed must be a squire, spoke up. He had his head bowed and made no eye-contact as he spoke to her. She regarded him with curiosity.
"And you are?" she asked, looking at Tyrion.
"Podrick Payne, my loyal squire. And this is Ser Bronn, of the Blackwater, my…," Tyrion gestured at a rough-looking man dressed in light chainmail, who interrupted him cheerfully.
"His bodyguard. It is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of such a beautiful young Lady," the man said and bowed deep. Sam gave a very manly snort.
"Please, spare me the flattery. It is my sister that is to be wed, not me. Bayard, Willam please ride ahead and make sure everything is set, I shall walk with Lord Tyrion and his… company," she turned to her two knights, who looked sceptically, but followed her command.
When her company was out of sight, Samaya relaxed a little and turned to Tyrion and his two companions. "Shall we? I am sure you can give me a good introduction to this wonderful city."
"You might not think it so wonderful once you've walked the streets of Flea Bottom, my Lady. It turns a little… rough," the tiny man answered and started walking. Samaya followed by his side.
"Trust me, I have seen a lot in the last few weeks, I am sure I can handle it," she said grimly, a dark look flashing across her face. Tyrion studied her curiously.
"So, I hear you are arriving from Dorne? What brings a young noble Lady of House Tyrell down to the Viper's nest? And do you happen to know where Prince Doran is? Was he not supposed to travel with you and the rest of the Dornish lords?" he asked her boldly. Tyrion never was a fan of long speeches, unless they benefitted his own good. This was something his father had ordered him to do, play the gracious host to an unwelcome guest. He had only heard that the bride's sister would be travelling with them shortly before they set out to meet them. Nobody knew why the girl had been sent to Dorne, and his father had implied that he wished Tyrion to find out.
"Prince Doran excuses his absence due to bad health, but his brother, Prince Oberyn came in his stead. We travelled the road together until this morning. He set out with a small party some time before us, and can most likely be found in your most luxurious brothel, especially if they have foreign girls and boys," she answered with ease, letting her eyes wander over the streets they were passing through. Bronn started laughing, and Podrick's ears turned a bright red at her words, and Tyrion smiled at the young girl. He was starting to like her.
A few begging children came up and circled them, and while Tyrion tried to shoo them off, Samaya took their hands and ruffled their hairs playfully. They were probably trying to rob them, but it didn't look like the girl was carrying many possessions in her simple riding dress. To his surprise, she produced a few fireplums from beneath her cloak and handed them out. Happy laughter followed them as they turned a corner.
"I will visit Prince Oberyn soon, then. I think there is only one brothel here in King's Landing that will be to his liking. However, my dear Lady Samaya, you haven't answered my other question. What brought you to Dorne?" he said after a while. She looked down at him for a moment, her brow furrowed, but an easy smile followed.
"My grandmother wishes me to marry before I turn old and barren. I was sent there to meet possible suitors," she answered.
"And how did that go?" She laughed dryly.
"I'd rather marry a donkey than a Dornish lord," she stated and Tyrion laughed as loud as Bronn this time around.
"Well, there are many more Lords coming to the capital these days. I've always heard that weddings are the best occasions to pursue further alliances," he chuckled as she made a miserable face.
"I'm not much for nice dresses and fancy dances. But one has to do what one has to do… for the good of the family", she answered in a stern voice and Tyrion nodded silently.
"Oh, I know that feeling all too well."
By the gods, she was beautiful. He watched from one of the galleries as she arrived in the inner courtyard with Tyrion and his two strange friends. The simple dress she was wearing moved fluidly as she walked. Laughing at something her guide had said, she threw her head back and exposed a long, elegant neck. Everything seemed to be long and elegant, but she did not walk like a lady. Her stride had purpose, her air was fierce, and those eyes shone with a dangerous sparkle. Even from up where he was, he could tell that they were as green as emeralds. Her long, pitch-black hair was slightly tousled up from the journey, but it gave her an exciting look. She looked like fun.
And yet, there was something about her that seemed eerily familiar. Her face did not compare much to her sisters', and he was sure there was little to no trace of Mace Tyrell's features. He narrowed his eyes and observed as she was left to herself. Once Tyrion was out of sight, the smile vanished from her face and she looked troubled. A hand rose to her chest and she clutched something beneath her dress, closing her eyes tightly. When she opened them a few moments later, she was staring straight at him.
The air seemed to escape his lungs, and he felt frozen to the spot. Her gaze was holding him in an iron grip, and before his inner eye, he could see a different face staring at him. A mad face, filled with rage and hatred. Someone touched his arm and he jerked away so brutally that he hit that person in the face.
"What in Seven Hells did you do that for, Ser Jaime?" Bronn cursed as he was holding his nose. He had not noticed the sellsword coming up, much less talking to him. Confused, he turned back to the courtyard, but the girl was gone.
"Apologies, I… I was distracted," he mumbled while craning his neck to see where she had gone.
"She's a beauty, aye. Funny, as well. You thinking about forsaking your vows once and for all?" Bronn teased him while massaging his nose still.
"What? No! She just… she reminded me of someone," he almost whispered. Bronn studied his face carefully.
"You look like you've seen a ghost. Come on, I've got some business for you," he said cheerfully and put his hand around Jaime's shoulder to guide him away. He looked back one more time, but just like the ghost he thought to have seen, she had vanished.
Samaya had ducked under an archway as soon as she had caught sight of Jaime Lannister looking at her. That look had not meant anything good. She snatched a castle guard patrolling past by the shoulder and looked at the young face menacingly.
"Take me to Olenna Tyrell. Now," she barked. The guard shrugged her off and gave her a once-over.
"Why would I take a servant girl to see the old Tyrell woman? Go on, get down to the kitchen, or wherever you belong to," he snarled and Sam's eyebrows shot up.
"You dare defy the sister of your future Queen? Oh, I am sure the King would love to hear all about that," she threatened and showed him the sigil ring of her house that was still fastened to the simple leather necklace she wore. His eyes widened.
"Oh, I'm sorry, my Lady, right away. If you follow me this way please," he stuttered, clearly ashamed, and led the way. Sam followed him with a small sense of satisfaction. Maybe it would be easy staying here after all.
Lady Olenna had just finished her afternoon nap and taken a seat on the small balcony adjacent to her chambers, when one of her servants announced Samaya. The young girl stormed in with an angry look on her face.
"We have a problem, grandmamma," she said as she kissed her cheek and started pacing the small space.
"Indeed we do. Have you forgotten how to dress like a noble Lady on your travels? You look like you're supposed to bring me my dinner," the old lady remarked dryly. Samaya stopped her pacing and gave her grandmother a curious look. Only then did she seem to realise the simply dress she was wearing.
"It's comfortable. I haven't had a chance to change into something more appropriate since my arrival here," she explained and gestured for the servants to leave them. After getting a nod from Olenna, they did. Finally, the young girl sat down at the table and took her grandmother's hands.
"It is good to see you again. I was not sure how long I would have to stay in the far South. This wedding came at the right time," she said quietly and smiled.
"Did you enjoy yourself, my dear?" the old woman asked with a mischievous look on her face.
"A little. Not too much. They are very different down there, you were right," the girl answered, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. Olenna observed for a few moments, realising that there was something Samaya was not telling her.
"So, what is this problem you speak of, child?" Samaya was shaken out of her momentary reverie and appeared stern and serious.
"Jaime Lannister just looked at me like he had seen a ghost. I am afraid he knows, grandmamma," she whispered, still afraid someone might overhear.
"Damn that fool of a man, I had forgotten about him. He just had to return, didn't he?" she said with spite, and Sam looked curiously.
"Where had he been?" she asked.
"Did they not tell you anything in the South? Taken captive by the Starks, ran into a little trouble with some Bolton men, lost a hand, returned with that giant of a woman just in time to run into you, of course," Olenna ranted.
"I am confused, grandmamma," the girl answered simply and Olenna could not help but smile at Sam's honesty. She had always liked that about her. Even though she was not her own flesh and blood, when Alerie had confessed who the girl's father really was, she had vowed to protect and love her like she was her own granddaughter. After all, she was not as innocent in the whole story as she let Alerie believe.
"Do not worry too much, child. He has gone through a nightmare of times lately, and I am quite sure he must be questioning his own sanity at this point. Just act normal. Make the Lannisters like you. I am sure he will forget all about it," she answered and smiled.
"What about his father, Lord Tywin? He will remember the face of the man he served as a hand for," Samaya added. Olenna thought about it for a few moments. She had completely ignored the fact that there are still people alive who remember the Mad King. Looking at the girl's face, she had the perfect answer.
"Wear a lot of colour on your face, my dear. On your lips especially. And on your eyelids. That should do it. I am sure Lord Tywin has more pressing matters at this time than to look at the face of the Queen's sister. Just to be safe, though, try to avoid him as best you can," she finally said and Samaya nodded solemnly.
"I do not like what you are suggesting, but I can see it working," she sighed and reached for some food at last. She looked too thin for Olenna's liking.
"Good. Now, tell me all about Dorne. I have never been, you know? It must be fascinating," she said with eagerness in her voice. The girl looked out onto the sea, chewing silently.
"I have one more question for you, grandmamma," she started and finally looked back at the old woman. Her face seemed sad as she uttered just one word. "Baelyx?"
Olenna sighed and took Samaya's hands. She had dreaded this question, she knew that they were close. "Slaughtered with the rest of the Starks. I am sorry, my dear."
She watched in awe as a solitary tear ran down the young girl's face, which had hardened more than she had ever seen. Sam squeezed her hand one more time before she got up to leave.
"One of these days, the Lannisters will pay for what they've done," she said in a dark tone and walked away from Olenna. After the door had closed behind her, the old woman looked out onto the sea and smiled to herself.
"Do not worry, child. The Lannisters always pay their debts."
AN: So, this is not the first version of this chapter - I've added some more to it, so we have a clear break of Sam's arrival in King's Landing. I'd be over the moon to get your feedback! Please REVIEW :)