A big chapter again! When I first posted this story (it's my first) I didn't think that it would get as much attention as it has, over 700 people have looked at it! Thanks for taking the time to read it, it's really nice to see people enjoying something that I've written! After watching Star Trek Into Darkness I've got an urge to write a Star Trek fic so watch this space, it may happen - if I can be bothered ;) - SnowandStark
Chapter 12
9 years earlier
I was sat on one of the ramparts in Camelot watching the people below going about their business. I leaned back and closed my eyes, allowing the light to soak into my bones. I smiled and sighed contentedly. Before I could react I felt a pair of hands on my eyes. I wiggled and heard a chuckle from my captor. I scowled and folded my arms over my chest, tapping my foot on the concrete. They quickly released me and I jumped up, looking very unhappy. I looked at Gwaine and my scowl deepened. "Can't you leave a girl in peace?" Gwaine stepped forward, his sleek, long hair bouncing slightly as he moved. His brown eyes softened as he looked at me and a smile spread across his face. I couldn't help but chirp up, his smile was infectious and I could never stay angry at him. "Ah, you know that you love me Kay." I sighed and tried to stop myself from smiling, but it really wasn't working. "Well, I suppose that know your here, you best get comfy." He smiled even more and moved next to where I had seated myself. He grabbed hold of my waist and started to tickle me. I squealed and trashed about trying to break from his grasp. I shimmied out from his arms and I hit him jokingly on the arm. "Stop it." I said it seriously by my face showed that I wasn't upset. He put his arms back around my waist and I rested my head on his shoulder. I sighed and closed my eyes again. Before I knew it I was falling asleep in Gwaine's arms.
I was shaken form my reverie by a wet tongue on my nose. I scrunched up my nose and giggled as I saw Saphira, Shiala and Thorn sat on the bench next me. I reached over and gave them all a scratch, they hummed in their chests, very happy with the attention. "Come on then you lot, it's time for bed." They all jumped off of the balcony and went inside, I followed them and shut the door behind me, making sure I locked it properly. I got ready for bed, I took out my hair and set to work brushing it thoroughly. When I was done I got into bed and snuggled down. I started to think back to my previous daydream and I fell asleep with a smile on my face and a small tear in my eye.
A week later, the day of the tourney had arrived. Sansa had already set off to get the best seats. She was quite annoying as she was so bubbly and she wouldn't shut up about the idiot Joff. I sighed and went over to my wardrobe. I opened it up and looked through my array of dresses and I managed to pick out a deep blue dress. It had a sequin design on the front that ran down the side of the waist. I shimmied it on and it felt like liquid. I then started on my hair which I braided and put up into an intricate bun. I then placed some deep blue pins into my hair as well. When I felt satisfied with my appearance I said goodbye to my dragons, as I felt it would be unwise to take them to the tourney with me, and set off to the bottom of the tower. Making my way towards the tourney the area beyond the city walls were full of different coloured pavilions. The common folk had all gathered to watch the games. The whole thing took my breath away, every way you looked there was shining armour, snorting chargers, the crowds were shouting already and all of the banners could be heard snapping in the wind. I made my way into the space that Eddard had saved for us, Sansa was already there whispering intently to her friend, Jeyne Poole. Sansa looked very pretty, she was wearing a green gown and she was grinning madly. I could tell that she knew that she looked lovely and it was starting to go to her head. I made my way to my seat excusing myself as I passed people who were already seated. I got several appreciative glances from the Lords sat around. Sansa seemed to notice this and she scowled deeply at me, she always seemed to at me for being pretty and different. I sat next to Eddard and patted his leg, knowing that he wasn't pleased. "Don't worry you don't have to suffer for much longer." He smiled and looked me up and down, he leant over and whispered in my ear "You look so beautiful Kayla." This made me blush and I looked at my hands "Thank you m'lord." He chuckled at that and patted my back. Before I could quip back the 'heroes' rode forth and presented themselves to the King and Queen. The seven knights of the Kingsguard took to the field, all but Jaime in scaled armour the colour of milk, their cloaks as white freshly fallen snow. Jaime too wore a white cloak, but beneath he wore shining gold armour with a lion's head helm and a golden sword. He caught my eye and I scowled deeply, this seemed to amuse Jaime because he started to chuckle to himself, his armour chinking as he moved. I let out a loud huff and looked at the other competitors. Ser Gregor Clegane, The Mountain That Rides, thundered past us like an avalanche. Lord Yohn Royce wore his bronze armour, they say that it is thousands of years old and engraved with magical runes to protect him. There was Lord Jason Mallister, he wore indigo chased with silver, the wings of an eagle on his helm. It is said that he cut down three of Rhaegar's bannermen on the Trident. Sansa and Jeyne started to giggle as the warrior priest, Thoros of Myr road up, with his flapping red robes and shaven head. They were soon silenced by the Septa telling them how he once scaled the walls of Pyke with a flaming sword in hand. They were many other riders that I did not know the names of, hedge knights from the Fingers and Highgarden and the mountains of Dorne, unsung freeriders and new made squires, the younger sons of high lords and the heirs of lesser houses. The Hound entered the lists as well, and so too did the King's brother, the handsome Lord Renly of Storm's End. Jory, Alyn and Harwin rode for Winterfell and the north. I cheered when I saw them and I waved, earning a few choice glances from the lords around us. Jory gave a low bow and flicked out his wrist making himself look completely ridiculous, I started to laugh loudly and could see that he too was laughing. Someone behind me made a loud coughing noise and I quickly whispered a sorry and looked over at Jory who was laughing even harder, nearly falling off of his horse. Sansa gave me a withering look and I sank in my seat slightly, suppressing another smile. I could see the Septa and Sansa looking down their noses at Jory, but they were soon put in their places when he managed to unhorse Horas Redwyne in his first joust and one of the Frey's in his second. By his third joust he made three passes at a hedge knight, neither of them losing their seats but the victory was awarded the hedge knight as his lance was steadier and his blows better placed. I made sure I cheered for Jory when he rode off, mainly to just spite Sansa. He waved his helm at me and I blew him a kiss. He started to laugh again and this time he pretty much fell off of his horse, all the while laughing brashly. The jousting went on all day and into dusk. The ground had long been destroyed by the thundering war horses. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Jeyne covering her eyes whenever there was a particularly nasty clash, but Sansa only flinched slightly. To my dismay Jaime rode brilliantly, he unseated several riders as if was the easiest thing he had ever done. Every time he unhorsed a man he made a point to pull his horse in front of me and proceed to make a sarcastic low bow, a smirk plastered to his face. The Clegane's rode ferociously, they unhorsed every man that came into their sight. They were like an unstoppable force, as if they were secretly competing with each other. There was particularly nasty match up when Ser Gregor's lance rode up and struck a young knight from the Vale under the gorget and skimmed the side of his neck, blood gurgling from it. Everyone thought he was killed instantly but I could tell that he was still alive, I could see his ragged breathing. I did something very unlike a lady and I leaped over the barrier and onto the field. A sea of gasps went over the crowd, I ran over to the young man and gently pulled him off of his horse. I then took all of the armour away from his neck and tore some fabric from the end of my dress. I used it to apply pressure to the young man's neck, trying to stem the bleeding. Soon my hands were covered with blood and the piece of material was useless. By this point people had started to come out of their stupor and people started to help me. Someone came over beside me and started to hand me more bandages, I pressed them into his neck and ordered someone to keep pressure on the wound. I then took a needle and thread off a women who stood next to me. I gently removed the wad of cloth from the man's neck and saw that the bleeding had slowed down, I started to stitch his neck closed. Whilst I was sewing my dragons landed on the field, they had obviously sensed that I needed help and they had come to my aid. Emrys stepped forward and the people parted to let him through, he walked over to me and started to lick the blood from my hands. Once they were clean he moved his attention to the man on the floor who had started to go quite pale. He leaned in close and he touched his nose to the injured mans neck. Before I could do anything the colour started to return to the young man's face. Emrys lifted his head and looked at me with golden eyes, tilting his head slightly. "Good boy." He seemed to appreciate this and he came and stood next to me while I was cleaning the stitches to try and prevent infection. A stretcher appeared and took the man away, before I could say anything I was being taken off the field and someone was cleaning my hands. I looked up and saw Jory, a worried yet proud look on his face. "Hey, are you okay princess?" I smiled at him "Yes I'm fine thank you Jory just had a bit of a flashback." He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and continued to clean my hands. "You did very well today Jory." He chuckled "I would have done better if you hadn't been putting me off!" I laughed and feigned innocence "Me? What did I do?" A large smile spread across his face "You know what you did, you tyrant." I giggled and gave Jory a hug.