AN UPDATE! Season 7 IS COMING PEOPLE! WINTER IS HERE!

Tales of Westeros; The Fox and the Hound.

Season 1, episode 7

Floren felt so cowardly. Ryden had all but ordered her to stay away from Cersei when Ned went to expose her. Ned did not question the old man, or beg for the woman's presence. He went alone and Flowers felt the fool, the coward. She wrung her hands worriedly, missing the bracelet Duncan had thrown out her window. She hadn't seen Sandor either in this time, not since Robert left, Cersei wanted her no where near Joffrey. Flowers was increasingly distraught.

She hated this feeling she wasn't used to. She stood and paced the room, Arriatny was talking to the remaining girls present, Helen had gone off to stalk Ned and Cersei. Trinnia and Heather were with Sansa and Arya in their chambers with Clement with them. Duncan was outside their chambers with Keaton. Ryden watched Flowers as she paced.

Not many nights prior to this day, she and Ned came to the same conclusions; that Cerie's children were not Robert's. She had wanted to accompany him when he exposed Cersei, but Ryden had insisted that she not, for appearance sake. Ever since Ned and Jaime fought outside the brothel, Stark had denounce his and Flowers alliance. Though now it was reformed in an unbinding way. Flowers wrung her hands again, Ryden noticed.

"I will get you another bracelet Florentine," Ryden said suddenly.

She stopped pacing, the others did not stop their lessons, but they listened.

The bastard raised an eyebrow. "That one was unique. It cannot be so easily replaced."

"You are not married to Sandor Clegane."

She scoffed and sat back in her chair. She missed him, yes she would admit it now she missed him. For the first time Flowers could not act as the spy she had been for years, bound by her skirts and wandering eyes to remain in her apartments like a lady of the court. She looked outside, her lavender eyes brightened by the sunlight. With a sigh she wondered about Tyrion, she missed him as well.

It was such a still day, such a quiet day. Suddenly the doors were opened and all eyes darted to see the new comer...It was Helen. She had been running, dressed in the servant clothing of King's Landing fashion, she was hardly recognizable to Florentine's eyes. She went straight to Flowers and curtsied. Flowers never did understand why Arriatny and Ryden instructed that the girls curtsy before their Bastard leader.

She nodded, the youngest of her Pommingham girls, she was hardly a year or so older than Sansa.

"It is done. The Meeting of Wolf and Lion came and went and words were exchanged. The Lioness is fierce my lady."

Flowers grinned. "So it would seem she is. But we knew that. You did well my dear, you always do."

They smiled at each other, Flowers was unspokenly quite fond of Helen. Ryden, knowing that his ward harbored unusual desires for young girls, thought that her age is what drew Flowers to her. Yet as far as he knew, Floren had never acted her desires on any of the girls. He knew she loved them yes, but not in a way that would lead to anything unbecoming of the Lady Flowers. For that alone he could breath easy. He and Arriatny had spoken of this long ago.

"She will not be moved, or swayed," Helen said. This was unnerving news. "She instead warned the Wolf that when you play the game of thrones, you win or you die."

Flowers shivered because it was true. The Rebellion had proved that long ago when so many had died for the sake of one woman. Those were indeed Cersei's words and Florentine had no doubt that this was not a good sign. However she maintained a straight face and dismissed the young girl to remove her King's Landing servant disguise.

The bastard House went about their day after that, Trinnia and Heather returned shortly with Clement after Ned Stark returned to his chambers and his daughter's sides. Arriatny continued teaching the girls about life and court and hidden secrets and Houses of the land. As Florentine was a learned lady, so would the Pommingham girls, all cousins. Aella was the eldest, just turned ten and seven, from there they were all one year apart in ages with the exception being the twins Heather and Trinnia at five and ten. Ryden had warned Flowers that taking them to foster on their parent's requests was not as wise an idea as it appeared.

He had warned that Flowers' life was not an easy one. These girls would join her games and battles, but she did not believe so. Yet it had come to be as Ryden said and they were all spies for Flowers. Florentine argued that soon Aella and Siggy would be married to men of the Reach, not long after so would Trinnia and Heather, then he would have no more cause for worry. Ryden always worried.

Flowers moved to the terrace and looked out over Blackwater Bay. Helen came up beside her and gave her a small bundle wrapped in cloth. She could feel the circular shape through the fabric and knew what it was; the bracelet. She smiled at Helen, the girl returned it.

"Joffrey will be out in the gardens, walking with Lady Sansa soon. I heard whispers of it as I was walking the castle."

Flowers nodded and the girl went back inside to join her cousins. She had given a lot of thought on whether she should be seen going to the Stark chambers so soon after he spoke with Cersei. She decided against it and instead wanted to glimpse the man. She stood and was about to leave when Clement and Ryden both stood. She waved them down and opened the doors, turning to Keaton.

"Accompany me Keaton will you?" She said loudly. Hiding her hands in her bell sleeves, she was able to slip the bracelet back onto her wrist.

No one objected, she didn't speak to Duncan, still mad at him for throwing the bracelet she now had back. They let her go and she wandered through the halls, thinking about Ned and Cersei and hr children. This made her think of Robert, the father who wasn't her father. Keaton let her brew in silence, understanding of her frustration with the others. He was more relaxed, had more faith in her than Duncan and Ryden. He knew that their Mistress did everything with a reason, small or big.

She listened as they walked, refusing to meet any eyes along the way. Eyes of ladies who mocked her. Eyes of Guards paid with Lannister gold. She was quickly in the gardens, sitting by a pond, Keaton in the shade nearby. The Lady and the Shield had barely be waiting long at all when the Stark and Baratheon came into view.

"Why did we come here?" He suddenly asked.

"I wished to see the pond," she said without turning to him.

"You may fool the other Westrosis, but not me my Lady. I see the Lady Sansa and the Prince walking ahead, and with them the Hound. And who was it that angered Duncan with his gift to you?"

She smirked and faced him then. "Can I at least pretend to be here for no reason?"

"Not when they come this way," he replied.

Looking back she saw that the pair wandered her way. She couldn't help but see the slight annoyance on the Prince's face. He was not entirely joyful at their wanderings.

"The Bastard Prince," she thought silently, and wanted to laugh but did not.

When they came close she approached with a great show of happiness and bowed before the Prince. When she rose she saw the faintest glint of joy in the boy's eyes, if only at her groveling.

"Your highness," she addressed him. "My Lady," she addressed Sansa.

"What is it you want cousin?" Joffrey asked her in a rude manner.

She only smiled at him, "To see you smile this day my dear Prince," her tone made Him squirm ever so slightly. "And to see you two together. Lady Sansa how is your father my dear? And your sister?"

"He is well , thank you Lady Flowers. Arya as well." Sansa smiled at her!

"Where my girls and Shield entertaining enough today?" She asked.

"Yes!" The girl's eyes brightened. "Trinnia is a talented story teller. One of her riddles -"

"Yes yes, riddles are very entertaining." Joffrey interrupted. "However WE were exchanging stories if I recall." He said irritably. "My cousin so rudely likes to invade upon other's conversations. And also, she isn't a lady, she is a bastard. Her name Flowers, for that is the bastard name of those born in the Reach."

Sansa began to stutter at his rudeness in her response. "I-I, of course your Highness. I knew she was a bastard."

"Exactly as I said and you will address her like this," he said. "Bastard cousin of mine, be gone."

"Thank you My Prince," Flowers said through gritted teeth. "It was a pleasure seeing you here this day."

Behind the pair, Flowers was aware that the Hound lurked in the shadows. He was avoiding the heat as was her own Shield. They both heard how the boy spoke to his "cousin".

She stepped aside for them to pass and they did, falling back into conversation. Flowers stood there and she felt her cheeks heat with a blush. Her sight saw Keaton straighten his stance, shifting with his smile remaining. She turned her gaze to find Sandor walking their way and her heart did a funny thing by jumping in her chest. Was this happiness at seeing him? Suddenly, with Joffrey's treatment of her and her belief that Robert would banish his wife and children upon his return, she wondered if she would allow herself to surrender in matrimony to this man. He was a challenge, she liked a challenge.

The younger duo stopped at a part in the pathway where you could look through the brush and shrubbery and see the ocean beyond. They was not that much further ahead, just out of ear shot. Sandor stopped level with Keaton, and the second guard looked to his mistress. He saw the longing in her eyes and stepped to his left, rounding a hedge corner. He was within shouting distance and near enough should she need him. She slowly approached the Hound as he stood aside stiffly.

When she was level with him she cleared her throat. "You were in a dream of mine recently."

"That is unlady like to say to a man who is not your husband." He said gruffly.

She held up her wrist, as if to admire her jewelry. He looked to the side and saw that it was His bracelet. With a nod of her head she seemed to approve of it and lowered her arm. He looked back at the Prince.

"As much as I hate it, I can't stand losing it."

"Oh, so now you want to keep it?"

"Yes, I do."

"As much as you hate it."

"I hate anything forced upon me. But now I so chose to keep this particular object."

"I see."

"I don't think you do Hound."

He looked back her again and she was staring at him with a serious face.

"Don't make me say it," she whispered. Suddenly she narrowed her eyes at him and then looked to Sansa. "Don't make me say that I want you to look at me like you do her."

He followed the object of her gaze and the fine hairs on the back of his neck prickled for a moment.

"You're drunk, you don't know what you're saying," he said.

"I look at her the same way."

His angry eyes bore into her face, he saw a hint of desire in the way her pupils widened at the sight of the red head, the way she licked her dry lips. She turned her gaze, again, to him.

"You want to know why I've suddenly given up. Why I suddenly agree to this arrangement you've devised. I will accept it, it is time I chose a husband if I so desire one. Perhaps I now do."

They were silent and she called for her shield and left his presence. She smiled as she walked away. He refused to smile no matter if he wanted to.

Ned realized his timing was accurate, but his plans were not. Robert returned from his hunt not long after Lord Stark approached the Queen, but his friend would not be able to accost her. Renly had come to him moment ago, recounting how his brother was dying, mauled on the hunt. He left his daughters and hurried to Robert's side in his last moments.

When he came to the King's chambers he walked inside, and found Joffrey standing up from his bedside, tears on his cheeks. Robert then asked for another. Even Ned was surprised.

"Florentine, where is Florentine?"

"I am here Robert!" She fluttered forward like a distressed bird and knelt at his side, nearly pushing past the Prince. Ned hadn't seen her come in. "I am here, feel my hand." She grabbed his hand, he grabbed hers.

Ned saw the look on the boy's face as he watched his father embrace a bastard girl who was not his own as if she were his kin. It clearly shook the boy as he backed away. Ned also saw the fury in Cersei's eyes. The Stark watched the last moments between Robert and Florentine. He knew that the woman's tears ran deeper than simply his death alone.

"Oh my poor poor child. I wanted so much for you. I wanted to make you mine own." He confessed heavily.

She smiled through her tears. "Oh you've done more for me than I can ever thank you for. You were my father."

"I wish that I was, you are more dear to me than my first bastard daughter." He said, his strength clearly fading.

Flowers sobbed and leaned in to kiss his sweaty, pale cheek. He pressed her hand to the spot her lips had been when she pulled away. She felt the warmth ebbing from him as the blood spread across his belly. He closed his eyes for a moment to rest with her touch and then nodded. She looked over her shoulder and knew Ned was there, waiting.

Mirroring him she nodded, "Father," she whispered.

She held his hand as she stepped back and it was only through his gentle coaxing of "go", did she finally let go and leave the room behind Cersies, Pycell and the others in attendance. It helped that she could not stand a single moment longer in the chamber with him. She was afraid she too would die with him.

She stopped by a corner to breath and put a hand over her mouth to stem her sobs. She had forbid any of her people to come with her, Ryden had inspected Robert upon his arrival but-along with Pycell- knew that there was no hope. The King was dying.

"He should never have loved you." She heard the voice behind her. Felt his presence watching. With a sharp turn she faced him, the boy with red eyes.

Joffrey.

"Come Joffrey, come with me," Cersei was with him. She glared at the bastard but said nothing to her as she took her son by her side.

Florentine didn't care where they went. She was taken aback by this sudden death and it was overwhelming her to the point of collapse. Her father was dying, the only father she had ever known. Whoever fornicated with her mother, either did not know of her existence or didn't want to. Robert had lent more care and money to her than Rylene ever had, her own mother. Ryden, having been just a little ways ahead was there for her.

He was quickly by her side and had his arms around her, leading her away. "Come, we must be in a meeting."

"With who? Have you no respect for the dead?"

"With Renly."

They quickly found the man waiting not far from Robert's chambers. Ned appeared and Renly asked to speak with him. As Flowers listened to Renly speak, she had to agree with him. She quickly came to understand why Ryden insisted she join Renly and it made sense, succession, even though the Lord Baratheon pressed that it was no longer about succession. It wasn't until Renly said he was fit to be king that she spoke.

"He is right Lord Stark," she said respectfully. "We must act and quickly."

"I heard you in there lamenting about Robert dying moments ago, and here you are with his brother, asking me to make him king."

"For the good of the Throne Lord Stark, we must take action."

Stark looked more surprised than anything. "Stannis is not only Renly's older brother," he looked back to the man across form him. "But he's a commander."

The Lady fell back into sobbing isolation while the men went back and fourth about Stannis's abilities to be a good soldier vs a good king. When Ned touched on frightened children, she began to question her priorities. For though they may be bastards they were children, never before had she questioned herself. She respectfully stood to the side as Ned hobbled away to his chambers. She turned to Renly.

"He was your brother, and Ned's friend. Let him be and when the time comes we will convince him to do as we advised." She began to turned away, Ryden with her.

"You change sides so easily now it seems?" Renly said.

She paused and faced him once again. "I do what I must to protect the realm as a whole. Without it the throne has nothing to rule. I find your position to be beneficial for the safety of Westeros. Do you not agree?"

He simply nodded, she left him without another word.

"No Keaton! No! Don't go! Please don't go!"

Flowers was holding Helen, Clement was holding Siggy and Heather. Arriatny held Trinnia. The girls were crying, Flowers was on her knees, watching Keaton and Aella leave them in the company of Renly and Loras Tyrell. Renly rode on ahead, getting farther by the moment Keaton and Aella were saddled on horses and giving farewell.

"Keaton," Flowers begged him with his own name. "Aella!" She shouted.

"Tell me why Keaton!" Duncan screamed at his friend as he hovered close to Florentine.

"Fare well Flowers!" Keaton said in parting.

"Good bye cousins!" Aella shouted from her horse.

They sped off into the night and no begging or sobbing would stop them.

After speaking to Renly, and Ned had had his say with his friend, she ventured back to see him. Robert allowed her to stay by his side until he fell into slumber. Flowers had not left his side that entire time, not until Duncan came to inform her that Aella and Keaton had left their chambers together, dressed for travel. By the time Flowers found them, she found Renly and his party also preparing to leave.

She understood then, Renly did not wish to wait for Ned to come around, as she suggested. They were leaving, he knew that without the Stark Lord's alliance his plan would not work so he was fleeing to where he would be safe. She found Keaton and Aella and argued with them, pleaded with them, begged them.

Word soon reached the others and the rest of the girls found their way to their companiona, they began crying at Aella's departure. Duncan and Clement were furious with Keaton and threatened him with violence if he did not stay. The pair did not listen, they broke free of their companions and jumped onto their horses. A moment before departing Keaton had turned and given them all a choice, flee now back to the Reach, or back to Dorne, once and for all and be done with King's Landing. Or stay.

Those remaining looked to Flowers, they would go where she went. She shook her head.

"No, I can't leave. I cannot leave the Starks behind." She said, her mind seeing Sansa and Ned.

"We are not Starks," Aella said.

That is when the girls cried hardest and Duncan demanded an explanation, and the two rode into the night after Renly.

Flowers was roused by Duncan who quickly rounded their company together and took them back to their chambers. Florentine didn't know what to do, never had everything fallen apart so quickly. Robert was dying, Renly was gone, two of her "House" had deserted them, Ned had refused their offer, and she had remained in King's Landing for the House Stark. As Ryden and Arriatny scrambled to calm the four remaining girls, Clement attempted to quenched Duncan's fury. Flowers was left alone and she wandered to the balcony, to look out at the moonlight covered bay.

What would become of her people once Robert died? Surely Cersei would marry her to Gregor, and they would all die. She should have sent them away, sent them all away. They have no real part in this like she did. Her fingers curled around the bracelet and shed a tear for her traitorous companions.

The next day Ned was called to the Throne room. Joffrey was king. Flowers was sobbing in the arms of Ryden, her Measter as they watched. They were the only ones of her company present. She had sent her own Septa, Arriatny, to visit Sansa that day, he knew that too. When he looked to the throne he was astonished, there sat Joffrey, crown on his head.

Ryden watched them, watched Barristan Selmy throw down his cloak and walk away from the insolent boy king. This was not good and he dearly wished they had departed in the night. He watched Varys most of all because Ryden above all knew that no one could ever be trusted. Not even their closest ally. Ryden knew that the Stark had trusted Lord Baelish above them, he was too trusting of his wife's opinions on the subject of Littlefinger. His grip on Flowers tightened but she did not notice.

Robert was dead and she was in grieving. She sobbed more than Cersei, more than Joffrey. She alone seemed truly distressed by his passing and openly expressed it. Not that he thought she would be able to hide it.

Ned revealed a piece of paper, she was shocked he hadn't shown her. He gave it to Selmy, and for a moment-as he read- she was hopeful that this would place Stark on the throne, and take Cersei away from it. But that was not to be, Cersei took the paper from Selmy, and ripped it. That is when Ryden knew they were in trouble.

Stark sudden called for the Guard to arrest Cersei! The Maester's eyes widened and he moved them back quickly to avoid the guards who suddenly rushed forth . Flowers gasped and shook her head in disbelief as the guard arrested, not the Queen or her Son the King, but Lord Stark instead. They began slaughtering his guards and many of the women screamed.

Flowers looked passed the dying Stark men, past Lord Stark, and saw the hound shaped helm of her betrothed fighting in the fray. She felt betrayed int hat moment, and more so when Littlefinger placed a blade to Ned's throat. She didn't know who she wanted to kill more; Baelish or Sandor.

Ryden began hurrying her away as Lord Stark was taken into custody. He hoped they were quick, but thhey were not. Joffrey called out from his ill gotten throne, his call made Ryden feel sick.

"Stop them! Gaurds! Stop the Flowers bastard!"

They did as instructed and the two were stopped at the doors. Flowers was wrenched from Ryden's grasp and he was forced to stand aside while she was dragged before the king. She faced him before the entire court.

"Cousin, you must be held for the rumors of your alliance with this man who would betray me."

"My King," she said formally. Suddenly it struck her, news of their dissolved pact had been covered up by Jaime when he attacked Ned in the streets. To cover up that she was a part of the fight, Lannister gold silenced that image.

"Silence!" Joffrey shouted. "I order the raid of the Stark apartments, and of the Flowers chambers. Kill any who oppose you! Throw the traitor in the dungeons!" He stared down at Flowers. "As for you, cousin, I cannot simply do away with you."

"I suggest a house arrest. A purge of her apartments and, like the Stark girls taken into custody." It was Varys that spoke, coming forward from his place in the crowd. "You were right my king to believe we cannot do away with her. A Dornish ambassador is hard to replace."

Joffrey seemed to think about it, he hadn't considered Arya and Sansa, now he did. "Very well, house arrest it will be. Hold her here with that Maester of hers."

He sat back on his throne smiling as the purge was carried out and Ned was taken away.

Ryden was released, Ned arrested, and Flowers detained in the Throne room, he went to his ward.

Tear streaked down her face and she clung to him, "The girls, the girls are with Duncan in our chambers, Clement is with Sansa and Arriatny. Gods Ryden, they're going to die!"

There was nothing they could do. Sandor refused to look at Flowers as she cowered on the floor. He had to find Sansa before the others did.