A/N: Hi! Sorry I couldn't update sooner. I hope you are all not too disappointed but it was my birthday last week and in a party-mood!
As always: thank you for the new favorites and followers! And a big shout-out to my reviewers Dark Alana, RHatch89, ujemaima, I.C.2014, fallondyson, 0netflixme0 and Treasure12345. Your reviews brought a smile on my face
Before I start I want to say again that you should check out my new fanfic co-written with DarylDixon'sLover called A Storm of Fire. Check it out!
Enjoy
…
Eleonor
"M'lady!" Eleonor shouted as she saw Lady Alyssa in the distance riding Snow.
They were riding for days now. They have reached Maidenpool some days ago but Alyssa insisted that they should be moving on, not wanting a day's rest.
Eleonor understood why. Although Alyssa never told her in person, she could see that Alyssa loved Jon Snow. And knowing she would see him soon enough, there was no way they could calm her down and rest.
"M'lady! Not so fast!" Eleonor tried again but Alyssa didn't turn around.
"Leave her be." Ser Bronn laughed as he watched the golden hair of Alyssa dancing in the air.
"It is too dangerous! She was safe, yes, but until now. We will reach the Trident soon enough and even though the Frey's rule there now, there are still some people who want revenge for King Robb!" Eleonor worried.
"Ah, don't worry, Eleonor. She's just a cub who escaped from her lion father's claws. She is free." Ser Bronn shrugged.
"They will recognize her. Everyone knows she has golden hair and green eyes and the word will be spread by now that Alyssa Lannister has left King's Landing with her maid and her brother's sellsword! Ser Jaime told her to put her cloak on and hide her face.." She tried but she knew she could not win from the witty Ser Bronn and the headstrong Alyssa.
"Are you truly a maid, Eleonor?" Bronn smirked at her.
Eleonor started to blush. Yes, she was, but she was too shy to tell a strong man like Ser Bronn that. If Alyssa would have heard, she would have told him straight away so Eleonor was happy now that she was out of sight. She turned her face from Ser Bronn and started to search for Alyssa again.
Ser Bronn shrugged. "Whatever. We are here to take the lady to the man who took her maidenhood, aye? A pity you won't answer though, I would have liked myself a pretty maid like you."
Eleonor blushed even more at his remark. They were both silence until they saw Alyssa coming from behind a tree. She looked slightly angry.
"What took you so long?" She said impatiently. "Or do you want to have a bit of time on your own? You should have said so, then I wouldn't be waiting up here."
Bronn laughed again but Eleonor took this all more serious.
"M'lady. Your brother commanded you to put your cloak back on!"
Alyssa sighed annoyed. "It's too warm. And I cannot see that well with a cloak on my head."
"M'lady, they will recognize you!" Eleonor insisted.
"So?" Alyssa dared her. "We are still in an area where cities swore true to my nephew. Plus, words would have spread by now that I have left King's Landing with you and Bronn."
Bronn gave her a look that said 'Told you so.' But Eleonor continued.
"We will reach the Trident. And then we will travel into the Riverlands! The lands King Robb claimed, m'lady! There will be people who want you dead!"
Alyssa sighed and wanted to speak again, but closed her mouth when she heard some people in a distance.
Bronn nodded towards some high bushes and they silently took their horses towards them to hide behind it. Alyssa, thankfully, took her cloak back on.
"Really? I meself heard that that ol'man is dead!" A farmer said to a man who was walking next to him.
"He is. The Queen-mother thinks that the Imp himself did it! She rewards the man with a lordship if they return him back to her, dead or alive!" The man answered.
"Seven hells, do I feel bad for all the dwarfs in the Realm now." The farmer said as he shook his head.
"And Lady Alyssa is gone too! With her handmaid'n and Ser Bronn of the Blackwater. She was already gone before Lord Tywin was killed by the Imp but the Queen wants her back as well to take her place as heir of Casterly Rock."
"Lord Tywin named his daughter as his heir?"
"No, of course not you ol'git. He wanted his son Jaime back at the Rock. The Queen-mother wants Ser Jaime to guard her son King Tommen. And now with Lord Tyrion on the run… Lady Alyssa is the best option."
"And where do they think Lady Alyssa went to?"
They would never know if Alyssa had already been spotted or where they thought she was, because the two men were out of sight by now and they couldn't hear their answer.
Eleonor turned around to face Alyssa. She was shocked when she saw her lady's face: it never had been that pale before and Eleonor knew that she was shocked by the news.
"M'lady, are you alright?" She whispered to Alyssa but she didn't answer.
"Let's get back on our horses. We need to get moving. Lady Alyssa is right." Bronn nodded and helped the women back on their horses.
They travelled all in silence. Eleonor tried to speak with Alyssa from time to time, but she still didn't answer.
When the evening fell and darkness closed around them, Eleonor could hear Alyssa from behind her.
"There's an inn over there. I am tired and I want a good night's rest." Alyssa told Eleonor and Bronn with a hoarse voice.
"Are you sure it's wise.." Bronn asked but couldn't finish his question.
"That's a command." Alyssa told them with a stern face and for a moment Eleonor could see the resemblance with Lord Tywin.
"Alrigh', but don't speak and don't put your cloak off." Bronn shrugged.
The three of them stopped at the Inn as Bronn helped the women off their horses. Alyssa was silent again and still pale, and they followed Bronn inside.
The Inn was crowded and Eleonor felt Alyssa move uncomfortably next to her. They walked over to the bar where the Innkeeper stood.
"How can I help you?" He asked them uninterested.
"Two rooms, lad. One for two and one for me." Bronn spoke.
"Don' have 'em." The Innkeeper answered, still not looking at them.
A man bumped into Eleonor and Alyssa and threw his beer over them. Alyssa growled annoyed and the man tried to look at her face. Before he could recognize her, she turned her face away.
Eleonor nodded towards Bronn that he needed to hurry because they were getting too much attention. Bronn saw her gesture and tried again.
"Just one then, for one night. Me wife's with child, you see." He nodded towards Eleonor. "She needs to rest."
The Innkeeper looked at them and Eleonor held her hands on her belly. She stretched her back so it would look like her belly was swollen.
"Alrigh' then." The Innkeeper sighed. "But for one nigh', no meals included."
"We'll pay. Thanks lad. The horses are outside." Bronn took the keys from the Innkeeper and wanted to walk away.
"Do I look like your handmaiden or somethin'? Do it yourself!" The man barked.
Bronn sighed and whispered in Eleonor's ear. "Take her to our chamber. Don't leave. I'll do the horses, get us somethin' to eat and hear if there's more news concerning.." He looked at Alyssa who listened to what they were talking about. "See ya." He straddled off.
Eleonor dragged Alyssa towards their chamber and closed the door behind them. She ran a bath for Alyssa, who was sitting silently on the bed. Eleonor gave up talking to her, but after a few moments Alyssa spoke.
"He always called me his little cub…" She started.
Eleonor knew she was talking about her father. She may not like the things he had done over the past few years, but she did love her father.
"I know, m'lady!" Eleonor sat down next to Alyssa and put an arm around her. "He loved you so much!"
"I didn't even say goodbye to him." Alyssa said quietly as a few tears ran down her cheeks. "The last time I saw him, I was fighting him."
"Are you mad at your brother Tyrion, m'lady?"
Alyssa thought for a moment. "No." She finally said. "Somehow I can understand why he did it. My father never loved Tyrion, he always tortured him. I just wish I was there to settle things between them, even though that was impossible."
She walked over to the bath and started to undress herself. She stepped into the slightly cold water which stiffen her nipples but Alyssa didn't seem to realize. Eleonor walked over to her and started to wash her hair.
There was a knock on the door which made Alyssa step out of the bath and covered herself with a towel and Eleonor walked over to the door to see who it was.
It was Bronn with three bowls of stew, a bottle of wine and three cups on a tray.
"Could you wait a moment? Lady.. someone is undressed right now." She whispered.
"If it ain't you then I am not interested." Bronn winked but patiently waited outside.
Eleonor helped Alyssa to dress and then opened the door for Bronn to come inside.
"Any news?" She asked him.
"Not anythin' we don' know just yet." Bronn answered as he handed them their bowls of stew. Alyssa was not a difficult eater, Eleonor knew, so she ate her bowl without complaining.
"Lord Tywin is indeed dead and Cersei named you as the heir to Casterly Rock." Bronn continued.
"And where's Tyrion?" Alyssa asked him.
"No one knows. But your sister will reward the man indeed with a lordship." Bronn stated.
"Do they know where the Lady Alyssa is?" Eleonor asked.
"Nope. And Alyss," He looked over to Alyssa who glanced back at him, "You better color your hair because I want it to stay that way. We leave before sunrise."
The women nodded and ate their stew in silence.
….
Jon
Jon read the letter over and over again. He hoped some words would pop up out of nowhere, to tell him when she was coming and why, but the words didn't change.
'She's coming, but when?' He thought.
He sighed as he walked to the fire where Ghost lay on the ground. He had always hoped she would come to see him, but now that she was coming he was… afraid?
Of course, the circumstances weren't spectacular: King Stannis Baratheon was at the Wall now and Jon knew he held no love for Lannisters. And then there was the Red Priestess. She terrified him most. She inspected him carefully when he was around and Jon had a slight feeling she knew a great deal about him.
Someone opened his door and Jon quickly folded his letter and put it in his cloak. He turned around and saw that Lady Melisandre was standing in his room.
"My lady, does the King has a wish to speak with me?" He asked.
"No, Jon Snow. But I do." She answered mysteriously.
Jon gestured to a chair and Melisandre walked over to it.
"What can I help you with?" Jon asked her.
"She won't arrive between now and a fortnight." She stated and inspected his face to see how he would react.
'How does she know?' He thought but he tried to hide his feelings for the woman in red.
"I don't know what you are talking about." He answered as he didn't look at her.
"Don't you, Jon Snow?" She answered and stood up from her chair to walk towards him. "I have seen her in my flames. The youngest cub of the big lion, brown golden hair and eyes like emeralds riding North on a horse as white as… Snow."
She was so close to Jon right now that he could feel her breath in his face.
"A young woman. Lost in the woods. Left her family to go to the man she truly loves." She continued and stroke his cheek with her hot hands. "Do you still not know who I am talking about?"
'Yes.' Jon wanted to tell her, but he couldn't. He felt that Alyssa wasn't safe in the hands of the Red Priestess.
"She looks like a woman worth fighting for. Will you fight for her, Jon Snow?"
The woman searched for his eyes and Jon couldn't avoid them.
"I am a man of the Night's Watch now, my lady, I have said my vows. I will take no wife."
"Will you be strong enough to resist her, once she's here? You can answer truly, Jon Snow. I am not your sworn Brother."
He laughed. "I hope I am, my lady." He answered truly, like she wanted him to do.
"She will be of great value to King Stannis." Melisandre suggested as she walked back to the door to leave.
"Will she be safe, my lady?" He asked her quickly before she was gone.
The woman turned around and waited for a moment. "For now." She answered and left a confused Jon alone.
He worried for Alyssa. She was safe, but for how long? Would Melisandre burn her like she burnt the Lord of Bones, making everyone believe it was Mance? Or would they keep her as a hostage? Jon would not be happy if it was either of the two of them.
Lost in his own thoughts he didn't hear that the door opened again. King Stannis, Lord Davos, Lady Melisandre and Samwell now entered and Samwell closed the door behind them.
"Jon?" Samwell asked nervously as he saw that Jon didn't hear them entering. "It's the King."
"Your Grace." Jon curtsied and bowed.
King Stannis walked over to the table and sat in a chair. He looked at Jon and waited until he sat as well.
"Lady Melisandre told me we will have a visitor soon." Stannis spoke.
"We will, Your Grace." Jon told him as he knew Lady Melisandre talked to him about Alyssa.
"Alyssa Lannister." Stannis snorted. "Never thought that she would fall for the Bastard of Winterfell. Tywin Lannister's own little cub."
"Forgive me, Your Grace, but she cannot be held responsible for the actions…" Jon started but Stannis interrupted him.
"I know Alyssa Lannister. I have lived in King's Landing with her until Jon Arryn died. She has the Lannister's features, but a heart of her own."
Jon nodded, as he didn't know what else to say.
"Lady Melisandre came with a suggestion." Stannis continued and Jon closed his eyes, fearing of what he might say next.
"When Lady Alyssa reaches the Wall she will swear loyal to me and I will keep her as a hostage. She will give me all of the information she knows about her family. When I have won my war and took back what is rightfully mine, you will be Lord Jon Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. You will marry Alyssa Lannister and she will provide you with heirs."
"And what if she doesn't?" Jon asked but already knew the answer.
"She will burn." Stannis said as his face held the same stern expression.
Jon sighed. "Winterfell belongs to my half-sister Sansa Stark. She is aliveand I have said my vows. I can't leave the Watch."
"My terms, Jon Snow. Alyssa will swear loyalty or she will burn." Stannis stood up.
"Where will you keep her hostage?" Jon said as he stood up as well.
"Here." Stannis said without looking at Jon as the King, Lord Davos and Lady Melisandre left.
Sam and Jon were alone now and Jon kicked against the thick stone wall.
"Sam?" He said angrily.
"Y-yes?" Samwell answered.
"When she arrives, make sure she will have the closest chamber to my own. Look for me when she arrives."
"I-I will, Jon." Sam answered but Jon could tell that he feared for Alyssa's wellbeing as much as he did.
….
Cersei
Cersei was drinking her wine silently as she waited for her brother to come to her. Their father had been buried in the crypts the day before and Cersei wanted to know where she could find Alyssa.
The door opened and Jaime entered the room in his white cloak and golden armor. He looked at her suspiciously as she took another sip of her wine.
"Sit." She demanded him.
Jaime sighed but did as he was told.
"So, here we are. Just the two of us." She said sweetly.
"What do you want, Cersei?" He asked tiredly.
"To tell me where our little sister is." She inspected the face of her twin brother she knew so well.
"I already told you that I don't know." He answered a bit annoyed.
"Don't you now?" Cersei said as she shifted her head and narrowed her eyes.
Cersei thought of everything that happened lately. Oberyn's dead was one of them: Myrcella was still in Dorne and she knew that the Dornish wouldn't be pleased when they found out what happened. She worried for her daughter and wanted her to come back home. And then Alyssa: her sister. She felt like a mother to her but the girl was stupid enough to trust the wrong people and ran off with her half-witted handmaiden to Gods know where. And then her father and Tyrion. She never got the respect she earned from her father. He loved Jaime and Alyssa more but SHE was the one who put their family to the place they were now. Because of her they ruled the Seven Kingdoms. She always told her Jaime and Alyssa not to trust Tyrion and look where they are now: their Lord father dead and that little monster is still somewhere out there enjoying breath.
"No I don't." Jaime told her with a hard tone in his voice.
"Our little sister may know where Tyrion is." Cersei stated.
"I thought you wanted her back so that she can go to the Rock?" Jaime questioned.
Cersei smirked. "Yes. After I have talked to her."
Jaime sighed again. "You know Alyssa has nothing to do with this. This was something between Tyrion and father. Alyssa was long gone before he killed father." He waved his golden hand in the air and accidentally pushed over Cersei's cup of wine.
Cersei carefully watched how the wine left the cup before she spoke again. "How do you know?"
"How do I know what?" Jaime answered annoyed.
"That she left long before Tyrion did what he has done." She whispered. "You always were a terrible liar, Jaime. Now, please tell me where I can find Alyssa."
Jaime thought for a moment. "No." he told her.
Cersei breathed deep and closed her eyes. She was already afraid that Jaime would not help her.
"Please, Jaime, tell me where I can find my beloved sister." She said seductively.
Jaime snorted. "You don't love Alyssa. You love power. And you had power over Alyssa, but not anymore."
Cersei had enough. "I DO love her! She was like a daughter to me! You never cared for her, father didn't. I raised her to the woman she is now." She spat.
Cersei saw that she had crossed a line. Jaime looked angry at her. "Careful, now. You don't want to make me angry, do you?"
She calmed herself. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to. I know you and father loved her as well." She said as she forced herself to cry.
"I cannot tell you where she is because I do not know myself. That is up to her if she wants you to know." Jaime said firmly.
"Fine." Cersei said as she poured herself another glass of wine. "But you will find her and take her back to me. And you will send Ser Arys Oakheart to Dorne to get our daughter back. And that's a command from your Queen." She ended and she knew Jaime wouldn't resist her.
"If that is truly what you wish.." Jaime sighed.
"It is." She ended as she sipped her wine.
'Alyssa may have escaped our father's claws, but she will not escape mine.' She thought bitterly.
…
A/N: Soooo, maybe a little romance between Eleonor and Bronn? Who knows? And what does Cersei have in mind for Alyssa? Will Jon take the offer of Stannis and will Alyssa swear loyal to him so she can be with Jon?
Next chapter: Alyssa and co enter the North, Jaime goes after Alyssa and Jon let Stannis know what he will decide….
Please let me know what you think! I hope to update this Saturday!