So sorry my lovelies... for some reason I thought I had posted this one already... but well - here we go. Not terribly exciting, but I think it gives more insight into Sam's reservations about current developments. Enjoy!
Samaya Tyrell stood on her tiny balcony overlooking the Red Keep, observing the sun as it was gently sinking into the ocean, surrounded by a deep red halo. She had spent most of her day locked in this room. Neither did she touch the food they brought nor did she pick up a book to read. A soft meow distracted her and she walked over to her bed, stroking Ser Pounce's fluffy head. After her encounter with Oberyn the night before, she had found the tiny animal hiding in a dark corner of the castle. She tried to return him, but the kitten always found its way back to her.
A hesitant knock on the door startled her. Shortly after, it was opened just an inch, revealing golden locks and curious, green eyes. Samaya smiled.
"Please come in, Prince Tommen," she said and the small child entered. He was tall for his age, but still very clumsy and a little chubby in the cheeks. He smiled and sat down on the cat's other side.
"He likes you more than me," he said, pouting. Sam gave him a warm look.
"I do not think so. He just senses that I am sad, so he does not wanna leave," she explained.
"Why are you sad? I heard you were going to marry a handsome prince soon!" Tommen asked her.
"You see, that is exactly why I am sad."
"Do you not like him?" the child enquired.
"Oh, I do like him, he is… different than other men I have met. But you see, I always wanted to go away from home, to explore the world. And now that I will, I have realised how much I'm gonna miss it," Samaya said softly.
"I think I know what you mean. I want to go on adventures, and become a famous knight, but I know I will miss my mother if I do. And Ser Pounce, I would miss him too. Can you take kittens to tournaments?" the little boy asked and Samaya had to chuckle.
"A tournament is no place for a kitten, I'm afraid. But there are loads of horses and jugglers, and other exciting things," she told him. He smiled at that and looked down at the floor for a moment before speaking again.
"I miss my sister too. She always played with me. Joffrey never has time to anymore. And I did not like playing with him in the first place. He pushed me a lot," he confessed. Samaya put a hand on his shoulder softly.
"Your sister misses you too. But one day, you will see her again," she said, trying to console him. His eyes were wide as he looked at her.
"You know my sister?" he asked excitedly.
"Yes, I have met her on my travels in Dorne. She is very well, but misses her family terribly," Samaya answered him.
"Will you go there again soon? If so, can you bring her a letter from me? And maybe a small gift… I will have to think of something," he spoke hastily.
"I do not know when, but yes, Dorne will be my new home soon. I will bring her anything you want me to," she said. Tommen looked at her and cocked his head.
"You are going to live there, too? With Myrcella? Do you think I can come too? I am sure you can look after me fine. Joffrey is King now, they won't need me anymore," he suggested. Sam smiled at the little boy and wanted to answer just as a voice came from the open door.
"We will always need you in King's Landing, Tommen. As long as I live, you will not be sent to a hot, disgusting desert," Cersei said coolly. Neither one of them had heard her enter the room, and when Samaya looked at her expression, she could tell the older woman was angry.
"Forgive me, your Grace. I would have explained," she said just as Cersei waved at her son.
"Go to your room, Tommen. The guards were not happy you ran away again," she told him.
"I just wanted to get Ser Pounce. He likes Samaya a lot," the boy explained.
"Yes, well, go along now. With the cat," she added in a sharp voice. Tommen knew better than to contradict his mother when she was this angry, so he picked up the small animal, smiled at his new friend and left with the two guards waiting outside the room.
Cersei closed the door behind him and turned to give Samaya a scolding glare. Slowly, she walked over, hands in her lap and tension on her face. The smile she gave the girl was anything but sincere.
"I hear congratulations are in order. I wish you and your future husband all the best," she said with gritted teeth. Samaya stood up from the bed and gave her an equally fake smile.
"Your Grace is too kind, thank you," she replied. Cersei looked her over from head to toe and slowly walked to the big window.
"It seems House Tyrell is faring well these days. Your crops are plenty, your people adore you, and now, you are forging alliance with two great houses in Westeros," she commented in a sharp tone.
"Yes, it seems my father's hard work has paid off," Samaya said. Cersei turned and gave her a look over her shoulder.
"Oh, do not try to fool me, child. We all know it is your grandmother that really rules this House. Now, the question is: do you girls take after her?" she said and turned fully around, studying Samaya, who had to hold back a chuckle. If only she knew how little of her grandmother she did carry in her bones…
"My sister and I are very different from her. She has seen too many wars and battles. Margaery and I.. the Gods have blessed us with a peaceful upbringing," Samaya started to explain as Cersei cut in.
"Until now. I am sure you are aware that this realm is half prosperity, half chaos. Tell me, what good does it do House Tyrell to marry their eldest daughter to Dorne? What do you expect to find in this wasteland?" she asked her sharply.
"As I am sure your Grace is aware, the people of Dorne work hard to make their land prosperous. One can find many valuable things in the desert, if one only knows how to look," Samaya said, getting a little nervous under the older woman's investigation.
"You mean like an army? The only valuable thing in Dorne is its military. And we both know that you are quite the trained warrior yourself. It is, beyond a doubt, the worst-guarded secret of your family," Cersei said defiantly. Samaya sighed and looked at her with a tired expression.
"It is no secret that I trained when I was a child. Alas, that has stopped many moons ago. My parents already raised two soldiers and one knight, they did not need a shield maiden as well," she explained.
"And you expect me to believe that it is a coincidence you are going to marry one of the most renowned warriors in the seven kingdoms?"
"I have grown very fond of Prince Oberyn, and I still believe that marriages are about love. Luckily enough, my family agrees," Samaya said in a stricter tone. She did not like all the accusations being thrown her way. Cersei just snorted.
"No sane woman would ever marry that man. I thought you more intelligent than your sister, but maybe I was wrong," she concluded and walked to the door. Samaya was exhausted and defeated. She had no strength to argue with such a vile woman. Before Cersei reached the door, she turned around one last time and narrowed her gaze on the young girl.
"The Crown has blessed this union, but do not make the mistake of thinking we will forget about you down there. I will personally make sure there is always a close eye on you," she said with a smirk and left.
Dumbfounded, Sam stared at the door after it closed. She could not decide whether she should be annoyed or afraid. Probably both.
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