Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Disney/Dreamworks/Game of Thrones characters, locations, and/or terms. I am just a humble weaver unraveling cloths of stories to thread together and create a new pattern. If you would like to read the info and details of this fic, or if you are confused about some characters' names, you may go to the Preface section. Thank you!

TIANA

The city was larger than she expected. Just disembarking on the docks made Tiana dizzy. The ports of Atlantis were busy, yes, but the only port she had ever visited was the south port where only locals made trade. Porthaven was just as it was named: a line of ports snaking the shores extending from one end to the other, constantly filled with the smells of fish and leather and newly woven textiles mingling with the shouts of traders and captains and passengers. Each quay held a different ship, from scanty rowboats to galleys, slick swan ships to warships that towered over all. Rey's boat was dwarfed by the one next to it, a trader's boat unloading caskets of wine from the Southern Isles.

Louis whistled low, tucking his flute into a satchel around his waist. "I was expecting the likes of this, but not as huge."

Nodding in agreement, Tiana turned one way, then the other. The buildings looked similar, the noises pounded in her ears. "We have to stock ourselves with provisions first." With only a rowboat, the journey from Atlantica to Porthaven lasted a little over three weeks, though it was also further delayed by a storm that thankfully passed them by. They were down to only a quarter of bread and a few pieces of boiled greens. "Perhaps we could find an inn to stay for the night before continuing to the Woodlands."

"Can't we stay for a week?" Louis complained as he stood beside Tiana, slouching. "I think I've broken my back from sitting so long on that boat."

"We gain nothing without a little pain," Rey said. He tied his boat tightly and joined the two at the edge of the quay. "So, chere, lead the way."

Tiana opened her mouth, but found nothing to say. She did not know the place. None of them did, she realized in horror. She reached into her satchel and pulled out the map Mama Odie had given her. The wind blew strong, and almost lifted the paper out of her grasp. Clasping it tightly to her chest, Tia whispered to her companions, "Yes, perhaps we must find an inn first."

Sliding the map back in its place in the satchel, Tia pulled the drawstrings shut and swung the satchel over her shoulder. She coaxed Louis and Ray to follow her. "Don't wander away now. We have to stay together, or we may get lost."

Just getting past the quay was hard work. When a line of fishermen carrying fresh oysters passed them, a dozen men with rolls of shaven wool followed. It was like a never-ending outpouring of people, with no space to pass in between. Tiana stood back, bumping into Louis, who caught her. "Careful there, cousin. So, how do you propose we are to get from here to there?"

She shook her head. "We charge our way through?"

"That be an excellent idea," Rey pushed his sleeves up his wiry arms. "Ready yourselves."

Louis snorted and pushed both Rey and Tia aside. "No offense meant, Rey, but I doubt you could do the charging with that body of yours. Allow me." He stepped forward, right in front of a merchant with his nose in a list. "Excuse me!" Louis boomed. The merchant, startled, jumped back. Taking Tiana by the hand, Louis strode through the crowds like a boar through grass fields.

"Amazing work, Louis," Tiana remarked. The air was less suffocating at the other end of the docks, at the edge of cobblestoned road leading to the main plaza of Porthaven.

"I believe I could have done better," Rey muttered, slumping. "But we best be getting some food in our tummies if we wish to continue on."

The three of them continued on down the road. Shop signs bearing simple illustrations of bread or swords hung from wooden beams jutting out of the stonework, the aroma of baked pastries or the noise of the beating of metal from within. As they neared the plaza square, the first inn they came across was the largest in the area, and was already full. There were still in the city participants from the recently concluded name day celebration of the prince. They were turned out almost immediately upon stepping foot inside. A group of rowdy knights stumbled out, the stink of wine on their mouths, and blocked their entry.

"Ser Fishel is thrice the knight these ruffians are," Tia whispered, watching the men stampede down the road to the docks.

"Careful they do not hear you, sweet lady. The drunk have many to say and less to think."

The speaker was a young man with an easy smile, plucking at the lute in his hands. He winked at her and entered the inn, music and laughter filtering out before the door closed behind him. Tiana frowned and turned to Louis and Rey, but a short plump man pushed past them without as much as an apology and rushed into the inn.

"Another inn, then?" Tia said, and her companions nodded.

They finally found an available inn at the end of the street. They rented a room on the first floor, and took their lunch in the common room. Tiana sat at a table in the corner, her back to the rest of the room, spreading out the map in front of her. Louis and Rey arrived with a platter of smoked ham and cheese, seasoned fruits, and three flagons of freshly squeezed orange juice sweetened with honey.

"I would have preferred wine," Rey grumbled as he sat down. "Yet this one wanted a sweeter variety."

"Wine doesn't agree with me," Louis explained, picking a grape off the stems and plopping it in his mouth. "Besides, it will make you heavy-headed."

"So we are here," Tiana ignored them. She tapped the handle of the fork on the Porthaven spot on the map. "Mama Odie said we should take a cart to Thornwood. Some merchants will allow passengers for free. At first light we should find one in the market at the other end. This day will be spent purchasing provisions."

"Can't we stay just one more day?" Louis pleaded. "I swear if I spend another moon just sitting in something moving my back will detach itself from my body in protest."

Tia pat Louis on the hand. "I'm sorry, dear cousin. But this matter cannot wait. Who will be joining me at the market?"

Rey and Louis avoided her gaze, the former finding interest in a spot on the table and the latter deep in the flagon. Tia sighed and pierced a slice of ham with the fork and ate it.

After lunch, it was only Tiana who departed for the market. She left the two in the rooms, sleeping soundly. The market was no less busy than the docks, and Tiana found herself struggling to reach each stall. She had only just purchased a handful of greens when singing reached her ears.

"Oh, my lady," a man pulled off his cap and bowed low. "Were you not the one at the inn earlier today?"

Baffled, Tiana shook her head. "I don't believe I remember."

"My lady, you wound me," the man strummed a lute, and Tia was starting to recall. He leaned close to whisper in her ear, "You were the one with the sharp tongue who insulted the knights, were you not?"

"I did not insult them." Tia said. She walked away, but he stopped her.

"You are from Maldonia," it wasn't a question. He was so sure of himself.

"How do you know?"

The young man smirked. "I recognize a Maldonian accent in Common Tongue."

"I am sorry to disappoint you but I am not from Maldonia," Tia answered, stepping around him. "Good day to you."

"Where would the sweet lady be off to in such a hurry?" he followed her to the meat stall, and he struck up his lute, singing a song in what Tiana assumed was Maldonian tongue.

"Please, leave me be," Tiana hissed. "I am not-"

She bumped into a tall, thin man in black robes, the hood pulled over his head. "Apologies," she mumbled. The man turned his head to her, revealing a thin face and moustache to match his body. He looked at her strangely, with brows furrowed and lips slightly apart.

"A friend, sweet lady?" her chaser appeared over her shoulder, still strumming his lute.

The thin man's expression changed into something unreadable upon seeing the person behind her. He dipped his head and dashed away, the top of his hood bobbing up and down in the crowd. Just when Tiana thought that surprises were done for the day, the short plump man who had barreled into her, Louis, and Rey at the inn was waddling towards them.

"M'lord!" he came to a halt in wheezing breaths. "M'lord, where have you been going?"

"Lawrence!" the young man clapped the latter on the back. "I was just having a bit of fun. You should learn to keep up!"

Tiana edged away from the two men. "You are a lord?"

"Perhaps," he smiled his easy smile.

With an uneasy feeling creeping up on her, Tiana spun on her heel and walked briskly away. She glanced back. Thankfully the lord stayed where he was, his attendant fussing over him. She prayed to the shooting star that there would be no more instances of such during the whole trip, and went to bed feeling somewhat in high spirits.

The next day she found Rey and Louis already at the common room, breaking their fast. She joined them, and judging by the looks directed at her she knew what it was they were thinking.

"All right, a week more in Porthaven," she said, and her two companions cheered. "Perhaps this message can wait a little longer."

A/N: Reviews would be lovely :) Thanks!