"Ned," she whispered. "Ned can you hear me?"
It was the voice of his one friend in all of the Capitol. Flowers sat diligently by his bedside, one hand holding his tightly to let him know he was being cared for, her eyes were even more ragged and her smile was of relief. Her sholders fell when he moved his head and looked at her.
"Sansa?" He said. "Arya?"
She patted his hand. "Safe. My people are with them."
He slipped back into sleep with a dip of his head. Voices of her higher command were coming closer, objections and excuses. Angry tones that made her feel flushed. The blood certainly drained from her face as the doors were flung open and the royal duo strode forward.
Cerise was defending Jaime, Robert not caring and only knowing that he injured his best friend and Hand. They both stopped and looked right at the bastard. She stood quickly and dipped into a deep curtsy. Her head remained bowed, her eyes downcast. This was the time for her to know where her lot in life stood and even she knew better than to defend her own honor.
"Leave now," Cersei's clipped command was direct and clear.
Flowers nodded and curtsied again before almost running away. Just before closing the door she looked back at Ned. With a delay she closed the door and was sure Robert could feel her emotions, he always had a way of feeling them.
After disappearing from her loved Sansa's side, Ryden had assumed she would be held until notice. He had Keaton, Clement and the Pommingham girls escort the young Stark to her chambers. Not surprisingly, the Starks had convinced the small party to stay and thus only Ryden and Duncan were left. With no trace to follow on her whereabouts, her vanishing act the best they had ever seen. Duncan had wandered away from the rooms a ways to look for signs, but even he had his doubts on finding her. If she wanted to disappear she knew how, and you wouldn't find her unless she wanted you to.
They weren't left alone for too long before she came back in to gain their attentions. They followed her, and found Robert. She hurriedly reported about a fight she 'received' word of between Eddard and Jaime. With tactfulness, she had remembered that according to everyone there, she hadn't been present. Jaime had saved her once and she knew better than to throw away his risk. She concocted a story about hearing word from a friend in Bealish's brothel that Ned was in dire need of help.
Robert, knowing that she had frequented a brothel or two before, believed her. At the same time, word came from the Watch, Bealish had called them due to a fight outside one of his brothels. Littlefinger was unknowingly helping in the bastard's own story.
He sent help for his Hand and the man was brought back quickly enough to save him. Florentine watched over his healing and recovery with direct commands from the King to do so. She had implanted her people in the Stark household to keep her grip strong. Once again, she felt in control, for now. She had been beside him, waiting patiently for him to come back to his senses, so many days had been lost already. While she had control over the wolf children for now she knew that the Queen had been trying to suggest a governess of her own choice. Robert would not let her.
Flowers knew that this was more than a Guard attacking the Hand, this was his brother in law attacking his most valued friend, a man he could say he loved as a brother. They were brothers, were arranged to be once.
Robert had only trusted his surrogate eldest daughter to watch over his brother in arms' life. When they came to speak to him as he was expected to wake, Flowers knew she was to leave. Her mind wandered to what they would speak of. Ned had a lot to answer for this time and Robert was going to make sure he understood his place and duties of acting Hand. She could pray to all the Gods that he woud do what he was assigned, as she did, as they all did in this sick game.
She was going to go back to Stark chambers, where her people were stationed, watching the wolf girls. She heard the footsteps behind her, and knew who it was. Without a word she quickly led her follower o a servants corridor. It was empty, and dark. When she turned her eyes met the sight of Sandor behind her. He took up the corridor and his stature frightened her. He left no room for escape.
Her hands clasped together and she looked directly at him. Neither moved, he knew she had something to say after the events with Lord Stark. She hadn't seen the Hound since Renly slapped her. Since then, with the incident at the brothel weighing in her mind, she had changed her thoughts. She had grown tired of fighting people, seeing most of the Stark men die, and nearly losing Ned, had jolted her senses and she had done a lot of thinking.
She was about to tell him, but he had things to say first. He was on her so swiftly she was taken aback. He grabbed her and threw her into the bay window, the dip in stone caught her.
He pinned her down and laid his rough hands on her leg, under the skirt. She couldn't scream with risk of getting caught, and then who would care to help her? Truthfully, she could be raped in the capitol square and none of the guards would help her. Besides, everyone thought she was a whore, let him find out and get the blood on his hands.
"You spend much time with Stark when you belong to another man." His voice was hushed and fierce.
All of her plans fell away and she resumed her furious stare. "Stark needs me. He is still Hand and-"
He grabbed her bottom jaw and squeezed, she shut up. "I married you to protect you. "
She jerked her face free. "The Lannisters would never allow a real marriage."
"I meant to protect you, and you steal away with Lord Stark. Trying to beget him more Bastards?"
He sensed what he thought was submission and let go of her wrists, his hands grabbing at her delicious curvy body. She had the sinewy body of a survivor, of a pure bred nobelwoman, of his dreams. She looked away from him and sighed.
"You mistake my sense of duty for lust." Her eye brow went up in skepticism. "It also seems that you'd rather beget your own bastard in my blood." She said.
His grip softened but his face did not. "Your blood?"
"Did you want a whore bride? I am sorry to disappoint. " She took his gauntlet hand and had his fingers lay between her legs. He felt her body tense at his touch and he knew. "If you are so eager when are we to consummate our marriage?" She spit the words at him.
"You're a fucking virgin." He said.
She scoffed in sarcasm. "Of course I'm a virgin you idiot. You have married a virgin bride, not a whore. I apologize."
He leaned in, she closed her eyes from the sting of his alcoholic breath, his armor digging into her womanly body. "Do you know what it's like to be fucked a virgin?"
She opened one eye and peeked out at him, her body appeared in total fear of him. She shook heavily and dared not fight him. Her eyes met his, despite his harsh order to not look. He could see the fear of being broken in her eyes. He could read her entire soul in them.
"If you think they will object to you as my wife, then I'll have you as my whore."
"It would do no good," she smirked, "I'd still be a virgin."
"No one would object."
"Until you bare me a child, and we both know that that is a very unwise decision." She glared at him. "I know you won't hurt me."
"How would you know?"
She scoffed, "You are many things Hound, but not a rapist."
He moved away. She quickly darted past him and stood on her feet, sore between the legs. With the flick of her wrist her skirts fanned out and smoothed themselves. The look on her face was pure indifference, her nose turned up. She gave him a distinctive "hmpf" and raised an eyebrow at him. He tied his trousers shut, locking the monster inside.
"You could marry me legally you know," she suggested, her arms crossed and her eyes gleaming with a scheme. "Instead of this foolish notion that your silly bracelet is a binding marriage. All the wealth I have collected from my journeys and from the King stack up Clegane." She said it all simply a matter-of-factly. "You could have whatever you wanted."
"I'll get what I want from you without the Sept's consent," his tone was gruff and hard.
Her eyes narrowed. "Foolish man. You dare be so bold with your King in the castle? If I were to go to him you could be sorry. I'm trying to tell you-"
He grinned. "Your King cousin is leaving."
Her eyes shot open. "He is? Where is he now?"
"In the eastern courtyard, preparing to hunt." He stood there, body aching. "You won't tell him anything, he wouldn't act upon your words."
She suddenly wrenched the bracelet from her wrists and threw it at him, it hit his forehead and he caught it in his hands. Violet eyes glared at him.
"I was going to accept your marriage. You stupid dog."
Before he could stop her she lifted her skirts and was running away. Her body pivoted on her heel and she swung around . Before he could bother to stop her, not that he tried, she was gone.
He took her offer seriously when she put it that way. Even whores hesitated to approach him. He watched her leave, knowing he would see her again, no one would hurt her with him around. He wouldn't allow it even though he knew she feared for her life at every turn and thought no one would help her. Politically, physically, this would benefit her. Even he knew she would never take her own proposal seriously, it would be socially unacceptable.
He growled in frustration and went to find Joffery. She was going to accept him and he had been a fool! Now she was back to fighting him.
When Flowers emerged to a courtyard, ignoring the glares from Lannister servants. She was never very welcome when it came to the Lion's den, none of them approved. Florentine couldn't be bothered to care, her heart was racing. Ned must have recovered enough for Robert to leave. This frightened her. Without the constant protection of the Baratheon king, she would be open for attack.
She didn't bother asking where he was for no one would tell her. It was easy enough to find him without help, he was by the gates, nearly ready to leave. She smiled in relief and she could breath again. Her heart softened. On the way to him she past a skinny, weevil like Lannister. As he looked up to meet her eyes she sneered at him in distain.
He stopped and was mesmerized by her eyes. "You're a disgusting little Lannister aren't you?" she whispered.
He looked confused as she left. Robert began walking when she reached him and she walked along side him.
"You are leaving sire?" She asked as she slid up beside him.
"Yes my dear one!" He smiled kindly at her. "I am off to hunt. As I told Ned, he is to rule in my stead while I am gone."
She looked concerned at the news. "Who shall go with you?"
"My brothers and that sorry Lannister over there." He gestured to the one she had passed earlier. "Lancel. I fucked his mother once."
She blushed. "Oh. . .Ned is to rule in his state?" Her gut told her that something was foul here.
"Yes. He is strong enough and will be stronger soon. You will help advise him under your discretion." He looked at her imploringly. "You are one of the few people I would trust to give that foolish man advice."
She smiled. "I will help how I can my lord."
He shook his head and the gate soon passed them. She saw Stannis and Renly eyeing her off to the side as they came closer to join their brother. Stannis was especially cruel in the way he stared at her. Lancel scurried up to meet them.
"Don't be so formal Florentine. If I could I would give you the kingdom to rule." The King said loudly.
He had said this to her often after her return to Westros. She wishfully imagined that he meant it, but rationally thought he was being affectionate and figurative.
"I will try Robert." She stopped as he did.
Robert faced her and smiled, he gently took her head in his hands and kissed her forehead. She felt a glow of appreciation blossom in her belly. He never showed affection to anyone, not even his children or wife. Yet somehow, he always dared to show her love. She knew this and wished he would be quieter when exclaiming his love for her. She watched him leave in her own silence, waving to him when he disappeared into the trees.
A day or so passed before Ned could stand on his own. As soon as he could he made his way to the throne room, people were waiting to tell him their grievances and he had summoned Flowers to listen beside him. She sat diligently off to the side, behind even Measter Pycell and Lord Littlefinger. Whilst in the presence of bad company she had commanded her people to remain with the Stark girls at all times, even her shields. She sat quietly, not bothering the two men in the room who openly disliked her, waiting for any order she was given or questions or her advice was needed. So far Ned hadn't called for her yet required that she be there. She sat in her chair, fidgeting with her dark brown and blue flowered sleeves, the bracelet hung on her wrist. Somehow it had found its way back to her vanity table in her chambers. She put it back on. She detested how hot and humid King's Landing always was. A place fit for Dragons and Lions maybe, but not a flower.
A man approached and relayed a message from the people about a giant terrorizing the Riverlands. Ned out his face in his palm, and Florentine knew why. Her stomach churned and she felt ill at the mention of the Mountain terrorizing the villagers. Though his name was not spoken, both she and Ned knew exactly who they meant. At the tale of a girl being raped in a tavern by Gregor Flowers had to look away and cough lightly. Rumor she heard had begun to spread were that she was his maiden fair. The man there eyed her suspiciously.
She sat there and listened to Pycell, Littlefinger and Ned go back and forth on the subject of Clegane. Pycell stood for him, Littlefinger whispered poison into Ned's ear, she sat and waited for him to call her. Baelish glanced back at her. Her name hadn't been said once but they knew it didn't have to.
"Saw him take the head off a horse with asingle blow," the sad villager said.
Flower's heart sank, she knew who it was. She knew the man that stalked these poor people. She became angered at herself for not being the male half of her birth so that she would have the power to behead the monster. Bealish told Ned it sounded like the Mountain, he glanced back at Flowers.
"They say he rides for a woman just as much as he rides for his master." He didn't have to explain who that woman was, she knew it was herself.
They turned back and announced the name of the suspected man. Pycell, to no one's surprise and Florentine's disgust, defended the actions of Gregor! She hated the Measter. In boredom and irritation she continued to listen as Pycell and Littlefinger went back and forth in conversation. Ned listened and then came to a decision and called forward Beric Dondarrion to go in search of the man. When he separated from the crowd Flowers smiled and met eyes, she grinned impishly at him and he winked before looking at Ned. He stood and stripped the terror of his lands and titles before the court. Flowers sudden realized what he was doing and made no attempt to stop him.
"In the name of King Robert Baratheon, king of the Andals and the First Men,Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Relm. I charge you to bring the King's justice to the false knight Gregor Clegane and all those who shared in his crimes. I denounce him, and detain him. I strip him of all titles, ranks and lands and holdings. And sentence him to death."
A murmur rushed through the crowd in attendance. Flowers didn't move except to smile discreetly. Pycell stood, her eyes flashed to watch him as he defended the monster! She felt nothing but disgust at the rat of a Maester. She spoke up then, just to say one thing.
"Maester Pycell, there is no need to wait for the King. It was he who gave Lord Stark his duties in his stead."
The Maester looked back at her, flabbergasted. Ned ordered him to send a raven to Casterly Rock. She felt her heart soar as he condemned Lord Tywin should he fail to account for his bannerman's actions. Tywin had never held her in favor, while she respected the mighty lord, she feared him greatly.
The moment Ned gave his orders he began to hobble away and the crowd dispersed. She gracefully rose to her feet and swept across the room to accompany her Lord. She stood close enough to assist him should he ask, but far enough to remain appropriate. Baelish followed the two and began to advise Ned against his actions.
"Is it wise to yank the Lion's tail?" He asked. "Tywin Lannister is the richest man in all the Seven Kingdoms." Ned didn't heed his words. "Gold wins wars, not soldiers."
"Then why is Robert Baratheon king and not Tywin Lannister?" He asked.
Flowers grinned into her sleeves. Baelish watched in angst as the two left. She didn't dare throw a look over her shoulder, she didn't dare say a word to those she would anger most. If word made its way to Cersei about how Flowers threw words around, her fate would be in even more danger.
Flowers led Ned to his chambers in silence, well aware of the eyes that watched them. She didn't touch him though as he made his way, leaning on his cane. Wounded he was, she felt it would damage his honor and image to assist him in walking. She hoped that this sight reached the Hound's ears, oh she would love to see his eyes storm in rage as she walked with another man other than her husband. Yes, as she went along with her overlord in silence, she thought madly about whether to accept the marriage or not. It was to her advantage to let it stand, she would not be forced to marry anyone else if the question arose and if he was to be believed it was binding. Yet it would be gravely complicated at the same time to be married to a Shield whose overlords were also her family and enemies. Cersei would murder her for certain upon learning that she was not only related to her through Baratheons, but through marriage to her first son's own personal Sheild.
When they reached his chambers she opened his doors and as soon as he stepped in she was about to leave him but he gently took her wrist in his hand. "Come with me. I wish to speak with you." He whispered, his handsome eyes look at her imploringly.
She nodded and let him take her in his rooms. She shut the door, and glimpsed a small blonde serving girl watching them. Lannister no doubt. With doors shut she allowed herself to breath deeper and turned to look at him, her fingers laced together. He sat on the edge of his bed with a heavy sigh.
When she got close she took his cane and set it by a chair nearby. He motioned for her to sit beside him on the bed. She did a stiff backbone so as to not o led to inappropriate situations.
"I just proclaimed Tywin Lannister traitor to the Relm."
"Only if he fails to appear for trial. Clegane is his bannerman and he must account for the man's actions."
"But did I do right? In stripping Clegane of his wealth and demanding that the richest man in Westeros appear before the Hand and not the King."
She wanted to say yes! But she had to remain calm and rational. "Robert gave you command to act in his place. You did as you believe he would did you not?"
He suddenly grabbed her in his arms and wrapped them around her womanly frame. She was taken by surprise and couldn't react fast enough. Not wanting to offend a wounded man she let him hold her. Through this sense of touch she could feel the fear coursing through his veins.
"I swear to you Lord Stark," she said. "I made a vow that no harm would befall your daughters. I mean to uphold it."
"Were it only me in the Capitol I wouldn't be afraid. But they are here and I can't simply send them home to Winterfell."
"Are the rest of your kin there?" She asked, trying to comfort him.
He held her tighter. "My sons are there." He pulled away and their eyes looked at each other. "My wife is at the Eyrie, with Tyrion."
Her eyes widened. "Tyrion at the Eyrie? Ned, please tell me what has happened, please I love Tyrion. Truly what has happened?"
"Someone tried to kill my son Bran with a Lannister blade. Cat, she believed it to be Tyrion and took him into custody. She took him to the Eyrie to stand her own trial."
"Can we not simply go and fetch him?" She asked.
"Neither I nor you can leave the Capitol now and most of my men are dead."
"Bringing Tyrion back would clear your innocence. He is a reasonable man, he will tell everyone that she did no harm and was only seeking justice for a crime against your house."
"And if I bring him back who all will believe that it isn't in guilt? If I bring him back the Lannisters will demand that wife stand trial to an unlawful abduction, to which she will accuse them of trying to kill our son. I will betray my wife and bring her shame for having done such a thing. Should he come back he would still stand trial to clear his own name."
She could see that he wasn't one to chastise his wife for her deeds. He lay his head in her lap and she allowed him this reprieve. She wondered if this made him feel like he was with his wife again. One of her hands rested on his head and careful stroked his hair. He was such a twisted man now, so different from when they first met. He couldn't bring Tyrion back to her, it would shame he and his wife and give Lannisters more reason to make wrongful claims against them. Yes there was no way justful way for him to bring peace to this, he would have to let Tyrion stand trial and whatever his fate was would be the end of it. He could only go after the bigger problem of Gregor Clegane, who she fear was coming fro her and condemning her to be the woman he rode for.
"Oh Tyrion, what a mess." She thought to herself.
That night she couldn't sleep. Only succeeding in tossing and turning. That night her dream involved her beloved red headed wolf child.
Flowers was in a brothel, half naked and in the pleasurable company of naked woman. She was no stranger to brothels, while she was virgin to man, she was no virgin to the woman's tongue. She sat in a large room, on a bed full of pillows and blankets. It was warm and sunlight poured into through the windows.
Suddenly, Sansa was there. The Fox stopped and the other woman folded themselves into the blankets, vanishing. Flowers got on her knees, each action slow so as to not frighten the delicate little dove before her. She held a hand out for the Stark and the girl came forward, staring at her with the eyes of a Tully, bright blue. Bluer than a Stark. Gently, she began to unlace the front of her gown and exposed her young body. Sansa reached out and touched her, sending shivers down Florentine's spine.
With a bite of her lip, Flowers brought the Stark onto the bed and gently laid her down. Their eyes were so engrossed with each other that it took Sansa's worried hand tugging at Flower's hair to make her stop. She cooed to her dove and violet eyes hypnotized. She began to show Sansa pleasures the unflowered girl didn't know. . .
And awoke at the moaning sounds. She woke up frustrated and in search of the little girl. When it was clear that she was not there she reached down and had to care for herself in her own cold bed.
Joffery kissed Sansa. He kissed her. Flowers seethed at the image as she went to visit Queen Cersei. She had been sitting with Sansa and her Septa, along with Duncan in the Tower of the Hand. Flowers was reading a book from her personal collection, the Shield gazed out over the lands and sea below them. The Septa had come to tolerate the bastard, only because she offered the Stark girls her protection. And because when Sansa was rude Flowers too had chastice her, gently of course and with more humor than seriousness.
"Now Sansa, you must be kind to your septa," she said with a soft smile. "She came all this way to take care of you, and she is your elder."
They were all quiet until the Prince came in. The other shields were off patrolling the halls and bottom floor to assure their safety when Joffery entered to seek an audience with the girl.
He had apologized for his rude behavior, about time, and had given her a necklace. A Lannister necklace. Flowers hardly paid any attention to Sandor at all, she was furious to see the Lion sigil around her Wolf's neck. It didn't belong there. She was on stiff terms with the Prince and his mother, though she tried to keep Sansa under her wing, the Stark still followed the Queen's rude ways.
Joffery had looked to Flowers, "My mother wishes to see you."
"My Prince," she bowed her head. "Why send the great prince Joffery to summon me instead of a servant as befitting?"
He merely looked at her and then turned to Sansa. Flowers left, Duncan began to follow but when he got close she stopped him and whispered, "Watch them."
He glared at her and nodded. Lately she had distanced herself from her people and above them al, Duncan disapproved the most. But he followed orders and stayed, the Septa didn't mind. No sooner did Flowers leave the room than she saw the Hound standing outside with his arms crossed. She gave him a pleasant smile and received none in return. He heard of her residing in Stark's personal chambers and was furious at her.
"Hello," she said.
He was silent.
She chuckled. "I was hoping you would hear about Lord Stark and I. I can assure you, though you wont believe me, that it was all platonic and-"
"Work from the Dorne ambassador to the Hand?' He said gruffly.
She nodded. "Oh you do know! I am so happy." Her voice was flat. She made a show of looking at her bracelet, holding up the wrist and admiring it. "Yes, from one Council member to the hand, I was giving him council."
He wanted to sweep her off her feet and do as she suggested by consummating their marriage. But she walked away before he could say more. He knew she had been summoned by the Queen, as to why not even he knew. He could only hope it wasn't to sentence her to a fate worse than death. What with the rumors of his brother infatuation with her flying wildly around the entire Kingdom, worry was an increasing figure in his mind.
Instead he silently watched her float away to speak to Cersei. Quietly, she was seething with rage. She hated the prospect of Stark bcoming Lannister. No Baratheon, she corrected herself thinking. She was to be Baratheon, practically her own family by marriage, and Lannister. Getting to the Queen's chambers was quick, and rare. She had never been alone with Cersei, she didn't want her to remain waiting. When she entered the blonde had a particularly nasty grin on her otherwise beautiful face .
"Sit," she ordered. Flowers obeyed. The queen was pleased that she had come alone. "Drink."
Flowers did so, though the thought of poison crossed her mind. She poured two glasses and walked over to offer one to a fellow drunk. "Not before my Queen of course."
Cersei took it and drank first. "It has come to my attention that you are five and twenty years Flowers and have yet to be married. Even for a Bastard that is unusual."
"You honor me, but it is because of my status as a lowly bastard that I am unwed. Who would want to marry a Florent bastard with no father? At least my cousin Edric is fathered by Robert himself." She paled. "I meant no disrespect My Queen." She curtsied deeply.
Cersei smiled. "It is truth, no use hiding it in flattery. Bastard you may be, you merely have riches, no land, no title. These are changing times and a woman should have a man to call husband." Her eyes held danger. "You are aging and though you are young now your youth and beauty wont last forever. Your riches will pass to no one, unless you have any of your own little bastards running around."
"My Queen," she continued to use the most respect she could manage. "I am flattered that you take my personal safety into account, and my virginity. It is true that my flower is in question, but my visits to the brothels were solely to meet the women. I have a delicate taste for both men and women, why should one get to have me when I wish to share my love with many?"
Her adversary did not looked amused. "You paint yourself to be a whore. How can I marry you when you present your true nature to the world instead of hiding it?"
Flowers had no answer.
"I have a suitor in mind for you though Flowers." She said. "Someone who I know is quite taken with you and holds you and your whorish nature in the most loving of regards."
The bastard sat down and smiled all the while. "Oh?" She sipped her wine. "And who would this man be?"
"Ser Gregor Clegane," she announced.
The woman across from her choked into her wine goblet. "But he has been stripped of his lands and titles. Lord Stark has-"
"Lord Eddard Stark has changed nothing. He merely created more trouble for himself. Is there any reason you should object? A big strong man such as Clegane would make a fine match. He rides for you, you know. Tales spread like dragon fire how he rode in the Tourney for you as his Lady love."
"My Queen, I could not possibly. . ."
"Could to accept?" She reigned surprise. "Why ever not? Are you otherwise engaged or married?"
There was no answer.
"Then there is no reason for you not to. When Robert arrives I shall tell him of the marriage arrangement and it we shall proceed a fortnight from today. You are dismissed."
Florentine left just as quickly as she came. When she left the room there was only one man she wanted to speak to, she hoped he would pass her by in the halls. She saw no sign of the Hound though as she went back to Sansa's side. When she entered the room she was all smiles as she placed a loving kiss atop Sansa's southern hairstyle and collected her shield. She excused herself and departed to her chambers where Ryden and Arriatny waited. There was no sign of Sandor as she went.
No sooner where they seated than she burst into fanatics. "She is marrying me to the Mountian! I will surely die! Die!" She waved her arms around wildly and threw herself into a chair.
Ryden was shocked, Arriatny collected. She went to her ward and put her hands on her shoulders.
"She can not do so. You are not a Lannister servant or house member, she can't order you to marry anyone." Duncan said.
Arriatny turned to him. "She is the Queen! She does as she wills. When Robert returns-"
"He will not allow it," Ryden interjected. "This you know."
"He mentioned it once before, I heard of this."
"He would never truly allow it. He loves her like a daughter and would never force her to marry one she does not love!"
"No," she suddenly said. "He wont allow it."
Her words silenced the others arguing.
"Mostly due to the fact that I am already married."
They looked at her as if she were mad. Blue eyes staring, mouth unmoving. She stared back with the strength of an unknown family. . .
"To who!?" Ryden demanded to know.
"Why Sandor Clegane of course." She admitted their unknown deed and held up the bracelet. "But I-"
"For how fucking long as this been in affect!?" Duncan screamed.
She shied away from him in surprise. "Since the Tourney of the Hand. He came to me and placed this on my arm after dueling with Gregor."
"What in Seven Hells are you talking about?" Ryden asked.
"According to Sandor, a long time ago peasants who couldn't afford marriage would make bracelets for those they desired to wed. They were used in place of rings and ceremonies and were perfectly binding in the Laws of Westeros."
"And what makes you think Cersei would honor this? She would rather have you murdered than wed to someone that close to her first born son!" Duncan said. "She will absolve that proposal and convince Robert that Gregor is the better man."
"Not when he comes back to find Ned has stripped him of everything." She retorted.
"It is a peasant's notion and you are not a peasant!"
"I am a bastard! It's close enough!"
"You are not married to the Hound!" He went to her and grabbed the bracelet, he forced it off of her wrists, against the protest of her and Arriatny. He turned to the open terrace and threw it out into the great beyond.
"You fool!" She shouted as she ran to look over the banister. "That was going to protect me! He told me he did it to protect me!" She flew to him and stood face to face, nose to nose. "Being married to that ugly man is better than being married to his damned brother! When Robert returned I would have told him that I can not marry Gregor because I was married to Sandor! Cersei may have fought it, and so would Tywin, in the end I would have to marry no one and my marriage to Sandor would be annulled per royal request!"
They were silent at her logic.
"And now there is nothing stopping any of them! Once I marry Gregor none of you will safe, he will slaughter you all." She pointed at Duncan. "You leave me be! I will have Keaton by my side!" She left the room in a storm. "Do not follow me! I am going to assure all our safety."
Once again Florentine was standing by Ned's side. She had fled to him, and begged him. With too many lives at stake, he knew what had to be done. They had spoken to one another and come to an arrangement to prevent harm on anyone.
"I'm sending you back to Winterfell," he announced. "Flowers and her people will go with you."
The second part went unheard. As she suspected Sansa was more than adamant on staying. Arya was as well. She stood there and listened to her overlord try to calm them. When Sansa mentioned Joffery she had to interject.
"Sansa my love," she cooed and sat next to her on the bed. "Please, listen to your father. He only wants what's best for you and your sister."
"And you're letting him?" She turned to her mentor. "You're supposed to be on my side!"
"And I am! Both of you, but there is more than you understand and it's for the best that you return North." At least Flowers could agree with Arya that Joffery was 'Seven Hells'. "Your father will find you a handsome man Sansa," she smiled in encouragement.
Ned agreed. "Listen to your tutor."
"She's not my tutor," Arya chimed.
Ned was beginning to form a headache from their bickering. Flowers too could feel a pain coming on. She knew Arya would never listen to her, she could only hope Sansa would.
"When you're ready I'll make you a match. Someone who is brave and gentle and strong."
"I don't want someone brave and gentle and strong! I want Joffery!"
Flowers winced, Arya laughed. Sansa kept going, despite wanting a man less than what they were offering.
"He'll be the greatest king that ever lived! A Golden Lion and I'll give him sons with beautiful blonde hair!"
A boy with black hair, stags born gold when all others were black. What had she said? Flowers looked at her intently.
"The Lions not his sigil, idiot. He's a stag like his father." Arya said.
At this knowledge Florentine stood up and looked deep into Ned's eyes, they both knew what that meant. It made sense to Flowers then, why Robert had no black haired children. How the first child between him and Cersei had been black of hair, and then died. Three more to replace him had been. . .golden haired.
"Go get your Septa and start packing you things," he said and turned around.
"Florentine please! I don't want to go!" Sansa whined, Arya started pulling her along. "But it's not fair!"
Once the girls were gone Flowers looked at the books on his table. Among them was the same tome he had once brought to her room. She recognized the cover to the book of Great Houses. The answer to Jon Arryn's death was in there, right before all their eyes.
"Ned," she said. "In my searching I have found than all of Robert's bastards are black of hair." He turned to look at her. "Every single one, I've seen it just as you have.'
"Is that why you were at the brothel?" He asked.
She nodded. "I must apologize for following you Lord Stark, but like you I had to know what Arryn died for. He was a good man, too good for this Court."
He sat and opened the book.
"All of his bastards, and there are many, are black of hair. Even you know this. Arryn knew it. You know that his and Cersei's first born child died and he was black of hair. Lannisters, however, are all born with gold of hair. In both houses there has never been a deviation, until now."
"You knew all along?" He whispered.
"I had my suspicions but I could never dare go to the Throne with this. I am only a bastard to everyone except Robert and I could not go to him without undeniable proof. But if you believe what I do then we may go together." Her tone was wary of the thought.
She was putting herself in equal rank with the Lord and while she cared for his children, she didn't know if he would accompany her. She loved Robert and this injustice had gone on for far too long. With Ned by her side she believed that she had a better chance of finding the truth and exposing the liars amongst them. Eyes of blue and violet looked at each other.
Florentine was an unusual person. Her dreams were sometimes prophetic. She had foreseen the birth of golden haired Baratheon children as golden stags. As a child she had dreamt of a dragon and a wolf walking away to a solitary tower that rained blood. She had seen the Capitol on fire and Lions surrounding the Iron throne. She had even foreseen a dead snake wrapped around a crumbling rock giant of a man. It had always vexed her how she could never tell the identity of the man, a brute somewhere between true giant and larger than life man. He frightened her and she felt that she knew him, what that vision meant she did not yet know. Now she was having a deep dream, one of hard meaning that would, again, shape the course of history.
There was a bright gold lion, it was stalking a creature in the woods and she was watching like she was riding its back. It crept along the brush, its blue eyes watching, when she looked up and followed its gaze, she saw three stags. A young buck with shorter horns, an ageing stag, and a sickly looking brother to the right. The oldest one stood proudly where it did, and lowered its head to eat the grass beneath it. The set of horns on his head were to be the last true crown of the stag.
The lion waited. . .and waited. She could hear the pounding of both creature's hearts. Could feel each thud vibrate through the air.
The lion leap tout! Fangs reaching out it soared through the air towards the stag, the other two darted! The cat's iron teeth clamped down on its neck. They rolled on the ground with the momentum and the stag broke free. Flowers witnessed a feeble last stand as he didn't go down without a fight. His horns were sharp and true and wounded the great feline. It left the stag to lay down in the soft grass and bleed, creeping away to the shadows to take care of its wound before going in to feast.
She left them and continued walking through the forest. The greenery was all around and stretched everywhere, this was her beloved Westeros, where life was free. In her sleep she wondered what it was like for the First Men to make land here. How they came through and created villages. She cursed them for creating laws that led her to who she was in waking life. She even passed by the body of a wolf with an arrow in its side. This was a sign to her of the destruction of the First Men, dead wolf or not she moved on.
Suddenly the air became acrid. The sun turned a deep orange and ash drifted through the air. They landed on her like grey snowflakes. She began wheezing and coughing, terrified of flames she ran forward. The woman wasn't sure where the smoke was coming from but she ran where she could. When she burst out of the trees she came upon a rocky plain on the edge of a cliff. This cliff overlooked the sea.
On it was a funeral pyer and within it was a white dragon. This dragon was small and weak compared to many, bony and scared. It was burning and screaming as it did. Numerous faces in her waking life stood witness but were frozen in their bodies. There were the Starks and Baratheons, Florents and Lannisters, Cleganes and Moramounts. Martells, Tyrells, Fowlers and Pomminghams, Olflowers and even the dead Daynes. Every house name she had ever met. Bastards of plenty, from Sands to Snows. They watched the dragon burn and its scales fall away, revealing a sick, vile, creature that did not resemble a dragon. It was screetching and its skin peeled away by the licking of flames to its pink flesh.
No one showed emotion as it fell into the ashes of the pyer, nothing but charred bone. The smoke stopped and the flames began to die. There was silence, and the people were still. Flowers walked forward and watched, near the front of the crowd she found her beloved Tyrion, a smile bloomed across her face for an instant when she saw him. Next to him was a young girl with silver blonde hair and eyes like her own who she suspected to be Danaerys Targaryen, Lastly, of all the people in her life there was Ned's bastard, Jon Snow, she could tell him by the eyes. Those Stark eyes and Stark hair, unlike the Tully traits of his half siblings...It gave her an odd feeling to see the three of them together.
She stopped at the sound. It came from the ashes, and a dragon snout rose up. It was joined by another head, and one more. Each face of this new dragon was more beautiful that the next. The first was a silver scaled beast, mighty and beautiful. The second was a sleek beast of gold, it eyed Flowers in particular. The third seemed younger than the others, red in color, a dark red. They fanned their wings to full spread and all three took to the skies.
The blue eyes of Cersei, the face of Ned, the look of Arthur Dayne, the noble gaze of Rheagar Targaryen all looked towards the new dragons that flew over Westeros. Twyin's steel heart watched, Oberyn's soft features turned upwards, Sansa and her ghost of an aunt Lyanna, they watched the three headed animal soar above. Flowers was watching too, until she looked in front of her and saw a scarred hound staring into her like an exposed target. She froze and heard the retch of the dragon overhead, while she could only stand and stare at a beast in front of her.
Flowers jolted awake and all but sprang out of her bed. She realized that she had been screaming because it echoed in her chambers.
A not but half an hour later, all the girls were lined in the small hall that connected their chambers to Flowers. Clement with them. Ryden was being led by Duncan, and found Arrianty and Keaton holding her on her bed. They moved away when Ryden entered and let him look into her eyes. They were blank and didn't see him
What did you see?" He asked, he knew of her vision dreams. He could recognize the signs of when she had had one.
"A lion killing a stag. A dragon dying by fire. I saw the future."