Hello everyone! First I want to thank you guys so, so much for your reviews. They really are the reason why I keep writing. I love seeing the guesses and theories (and most of you are spot on!) I needed to get through the next few chapters quickly as my muse has been working me hard the past few days. So while they aren't proofread 600 times like I normally do, they're getting the plot where it needs to be. Thanks always for your guys' encouragement and the fact that you keep coming back for more. XOXO Lady F
Merilyn looked at Willas uncomprehendingly, "The King is requesting my presence in Landing?"
"That's what he said, Milady." Willas' face was solemn.
"Why?" She demanded. Rubbing her temples, she felt a wave of nausea roll over her. Her mother had told her the first child always brought the worst sickness. She had several moons left until the child arrived and she was already desperate for the pregnancy to over with.
"He gave no reason."
"It's not like he has to," she bit out angrily. She was tired and sick. She didn't want to travel and she knew in King's Landing there would be no escape from the rest of the Lannisters, mainly her Good Father and the Queen.
Willas looked at her sympathetically, "You can claim you are too ill to travel, but…"
"He'd demand my presence next, instead of requesting." She sighed and stood up, "I'll have Leila begin packing. I don't want a large party. I'll tell Culwin he's in charge. Unless you'd rather stay?"
"No, Milady," Willas said quickly, "Someone will have to escort you."
"Petyr is capable. You have been training him well." She smoothed her skirts and fought back a yawn.
"Petyr is a boy," he scoffed.
Merilyn laughed, "And you aren't? How many namedays have you had, Willas?"
Willas straightened up, "18 and I have been in service much longer than Petyr. Milady, you'll need allies there."
She dropped her smile immediately and looked at him sharply, "What does that mean?"
He shuffled his feet, "I spoke out of turn, Lady. Please, forget it."
"I would have you tell me if you suspected something," she softened her tone, "Willas, your input is of great value to me."
"I only meant that you would need someone to watch over you, someone who already knows the Court and how it works. It really is a pit of snakes, Milady. I know I make light of it in the stories I tell. But in that city, everyone is an enemy and no one will think twice about stepping on you to get ahead. Power is intoxicating, even to those who think they have no taste for it." His tone sent a chill down her spine. But then he smiled, "But think of it, you'll get to see Blackwater Bay and the Red Keep."
She rolled her eyes at his forced cheeriness, "We'll leave on the morrow.
Willas hadn't overreached the truth about the beauty of King's Landing. The buildings were etched with beautiful symbols and every street had a sort of tree or plant, mixing nature and man eloquently. The sun shone brightly as they made their way inside the gates. She had stubbornly refused to take a carriage, instead riding the most docile mare Willas could find. He'd argued at first, but gave it up for a lost cause soon after. Leila followed unsteadily beside her. The girl was definitely unused to horses.
They reached the entrance of the castle, ending their trip through the city. At the entrance, she recognized Tyrion and smiled happily. If Tyrion was there, it meant she wouldn't have to face Cersei yet. They were never in each other's company long.
Tyrion smiled back and greeted her as she dismounted her horse with the help of a worrying Willas.
"My dear sister! I hope you have no objection to me calling you that. For I know you have many brothers, but I have but one sister and always wished for more." Tyrion's good mood was infectious and she found herself laughing at his jest.
"I have no objection, brother, and would be happy to be your sister in more than formality." She followed him as he led them further into the Castle.
"I trust the journey was well?"
She nodded, "Would you know exactly why my presence was requested?"
Tyrion laughed, "The King felt badly about separating newlyweds, especially newlyweds that he had brought together. He's always been a bit of a romantic at heart, in my thinking."
Merilyn stopped walking and looked at him in surprise, "Does Ser Jaime know that I have come?"
"It was to be his surprise, the King wished. Why do you think I have met you instead of your loving husband?"
She didn't know what to say to that. Her last interaction with Jaime before he left Castlerly Rock was a heated embrace that she still hadn't sorted out. He hadn't touched her in bed for a week, and then kissed her – no, mauled her – out of nowhere. And then he just up and left. She knew that part wasn't his own doing, but he had seemed eager to set out. She sighed and straightened her shoulders.
"Well, then we shall surprise him, shan't we?"
She was fast asleep on the bed when Jaime walked into his room. He'd come in from the yard, dripping with sweat and dirt from the exertion of taking on half of the Kingsguard. He stopped mid-step and looked down at his child wife lying peacefully. After the initial shock, he examined her more closely. There were dark circles apparent under her eyes and even now in sleep she seemed restless, as if in constant discomfort. Jaime knew more than a man's fair share about pregnancy and childbirth. He'd been with Cersei throughout all three of hers, and had tucked away pieces of knowledge. He had no idea then that he would actually need that knowledge later. He pushed her red hair back from her brow gently, checking for fever. She felt normal, but moaned so softly at the contact. He broke contact, afraid of waking her and left the room quietly.
As he stepped out into the hall, he nearly ran into Willas, who had looked like he was going to pull his sword out in an instant. Recognition flooded them both and Willas bowed his head.
"My lord," he greeted.
"When did you arrive?" Jaime asked, keeping his temper in check.
"A few hours ago, Ser."
Jaime ran a hand through his hair exasperatedly, "And no one thought to tell me?"
"Lord Tyrion informed my lady that it was to be a surprise for you. She felt tired from the ride and he brought her here to sleep. She was supposed to see you at dinner."
"She looks sick," Jaime said flatly, "Why would she journey out here unnecessarily?"
"She has been sick often and most tired. But the King requested it. She felt it unwise to refuse."
Damn Baratheon. Could he not be content with the pieced together marriage Jaime was in? Instead, the King wanted to flaunt his damn power, probably for his father's benefit.
"I'll be in the yard. Get me when she wakes. Don't let her out of the room." Jaime didn't wait for a response but stormed back outside. He didn't go to the yard, though. He paced in the garden just outside the stairs. He desperately wanted to send the girl back to Castlerly Rock. She would be subject to Cersei's moods here, which would be even worse now that Merilyn carried Jaime's child. He doubted even a headstrong Stark girl could hold her own against a rejected lover.
He didn't want her alone though. That thought had been poking at him since he found out about the babe. He tried telling himself it was no different than his children by Cersei. But it was different.
It was his child. It would bear his name and would be his heir. It wouldn't be a dark secret, but a joy that he could proclaim to anyone. He just didn't want the girl alone at his gloomy house, forced to go through the new changes and fears that even Cersei had felt without some kind of comfort. He had tried to persuade himself that the servants were enough. But he knew the joy women got in sharing their new experiences with the men who had given them the life in their womb. He denied it in his head, but knew he had wanted to be back at Castlerly Rock with his wife.
And now she was here instead, because the meddling King had gotten a laugh out of it.
He groaned aloud and paced more furiously, trying to sort out his rambling thoughts.
Then a soft voice broke in, "My Lord?"
And there she was. Young and innocent, the mother of his child was standing in front of him, looking unsure of what to do. He was unsure himself.
He cleared his throat, "Willas was told to keep you in the room."
"I saw you from the window. Willas said you would be in the yard and left to get you. I figured I might as well just come out. There's no danger between stairs and the garden." She smiled softly.
"The King didn't tell me you were arriving."
She shrugged, "Some joke of his perhaps. I must admit, I am happy to see King's Landing at last after hearing so much about it."
He ignored the attempt at polite conversation, "Willas said you'd been very sick."
"Willas talks a lot." She shot back airily. He looked at her emotionlessly and she continued on, "I'm with child, Ser. Septa Aliane said it is more than expected. My own mother confirmed that she had a horrible sickness while carrying Robb."
"Did you get enough sleep?" He gestured to the window of his room.
She nodded, and walked over to the bench, sitting and looking up at him. The circles were more pronounced when she wasn't sleeping and he saw her touch her stomach lightly.
"If you're not well, we can make an excuse and go back home. The King's had his fun."
She smiled genuinely up at him and he felt guilt harden in his chest.
"I swear I am fine. There's nothing out of sorts at all," she looked at her fingers hesitantly and then back up at him, "Thank you for the concern."
The Seven Gods could kill him now.
She was thanking him for his concern about her vomiting her stomach up every time she moved. Of course he was concerned.
He paced again, forgetting that she was there. When he thought about it, he hadn't really treated her with much concern though. He'd let her get attacked by a Wildling, forced her to help care for his own men, let her face his father without any defense from him, attacked her in her own bed, and then contradicted her in front of servants undermining her authority and sending a girl she cared for away.
He looked back at the girl who was watching him with shuttered eyes. She had no friends, no family. And Jaime had conveniently forgotten that until now. He sighed and sat down next to her, making an important decision then and there.