AN:
So, this chapter has a bit of music which you can skip if you're not into that ngl this won't be the last time I do this cause as previously stated I am a huge music lover, but I would highly recommend turning it on if you want to get a bit more out of the scene, I know it's a lot of fun in my head, I hope it comes across well.
On a lower note, TW for SA.
Lots of love,
Shattered Light x
Chapter 4: Lute
The rumble of the drums filled our souls as we entered the main square outside the Red Keep. Fire and music lit the cobbles as we strolled through, our fine dresses and tunics blending in remarkably with the array of colour and sound that vibrated through the streets. There was a performing troupe in town taking up most of the square, swallowing fire and performing acrobatics much to the delight of the crowd gathered around them. Both noble and commoner alike had pulled over, gasping at the flips and tricks pulled off, not a care for their station or background. Mark pulled me over into a chair outside a nearby tavern while Malina went to go and get us a round with some gold dragons that Orwyle had leant us.
The heart of Westeros beat with the rhythm of its inhabitants. I saw men and women chatting and laughing, easing away the stress of the day with a swig of ale and fine company. I saw beggars and lepers lying on the stone asking for scraps of food or gold, desperate for a means of survival. I saw pickpockets, lining their bags with the riches of others while the rich were oblivious, being pulled into pleasure houses by the whores who flashed their breasts and fondled their crotches.
It was life. Plain and simple. This place was the life of King's Landing perfectly captured. Joy, pain, love, lust, ease, and hardship. It was all here in this large square, and I was here, enjoying a sweet, honeyed mead with my friends while I watched the acrobat in the centre double backflip over the Strongman's head. It was exhilarating, the unknown. I knew very little about the Westerosi commoners. But here my heart filled with the familiarity of home. There were still the claps on the back, the jokes that were known by few, the wonder and wide-eyed air around the performers.
"So, who reckons they'd make the best acrobat?" Josh questioned, drawing my attention back to my friends, sitting in a circle of mismatched wooden chairs.
"Well, I can't do a handstand or a cartwheel, so I think I'm out," Husnan replied sipping his drink with a slight grimace, "Ya know, mead is nice but its nothing like a good cocktail back home."
The drums cut out and we all wheeled round just in time to see one daring acrobat released her grip on the trapeze, flipping into a backwards somersault. Colourful ribbons billowing behind her as she landed gracefully in the welcoming arms of the Strongman. Cheers rippled through the crowd as she bounced onto her feet.
"Yeah, I don't think I'd go as far as trying that, but a cartwheel is probably just about manageable," I smiled.
"Well, that won't do," Chloe said climbing to her feet, "Time for a little lesson. Can't have you lot not even managing a handstand!" She grinned round at us.
"Eh, what?" the height of Josh's eyebrows suggested a huge lack of confidence in Chloe's acrobatic abilities.
"Hey, don't look at me like that, I almost made junior gymnastics champion once!"
Gasps and chuckles circled our group and Mark almost choked on his drink before spluttering, "You? You are a gymnastics champion? Since when?!"
"Well, I didn't say champion, but I'll have you know I was excellent."
"Yes, was being the key word here," I chipped in.
"Go on, show us your moves then," Malina pushed Chloe into the space between the tables. "Are we thinking cartwheel, handstand or backflip first guys?"
"Well, if I must lead by example, then so I shall. Watch and learn!" Chloe raised her hands preparing for launch.
"Oi! You lot, get out 'uh here! Next time break your own tables!" The owner, thoroughly irate when Josh launch himself into a table, was brandishing a withered axe in our faces as we bolted away, laughing, and clinging to each other. The mead was definitely stronger than anything in our world and we were all feeling its effect by now. The whirring in my head had grown and I clung to Josh as we sauntered through the streets trying to find another bar which was as void of prostitutes as we could make it.
Eventually we found a cosy inn with a gaggle of faces, some cleaner than others, most drowning ales by the gallon. Shouts and banter could be heard from across the street. The warmth of the fire hit us as we entered, and we huddled towards a shady corner close to the hearth it spewed from. Husnan got us a round of drink and we drank and listened to the minstrel play. His floppy pink hat and overgrown teeth reminded me of something from Alice in Wonderland, but he sang beautifully of fair maids and dashing soldiers. We settled in comfortably and joined in with the throng of voices and cheer.
Not long after, it was my turn to get the next round so I grabbed our empty flagons and made for the barkeep. As I set the cups down and waved to get his attention, the minstrel sauntered up to me waving his lute frantically.
"Barkeep! Another ale for me and my beautiful friend here!" He proclaimed slapping me on the back. His eyes had a far-off look, clearly, he'd had one too many.
"Thank you, Sir but I have friends to buy me drinks tonight." I gestured over to them. He squinted at them for a moment before setting his sights back on me.
"My Lady, you wouldn't happen to be the fantastical World Walkers we have heard so much about," Once again the lack of secrets in Westeros never astounded me. I rolled my eyes and nodded. He giggled loudly, jumping out of his chair, and bowing gracefully to my complete bewilderment. A few other patrons had noticed his flamboyant reaction and were now listening intently to our conversation.
"Oh, my stars! My Lady since hearing of your arrival I have been yearning to hear the melodies of your world. Tell me what music is like where you are from? I beg you."
"Oh!" I said, "Well, we have all kinds of music. There is too much variety to put into words, I'm afraid." This got him even more excited. He grabbed his lute and handed it to me.
"Oh, do play us something then," he said, his smile as sweet as honey. The people around us nodded their heads and some even yelled, 'Spin us a tale' or 'Go on, Sing!'. Josh seeing my distress rushed to my side prying the lute from his hands.
"My friend can't play I'm afraid," he said before passing me a wicked grin, "But I can."
The crowd cheered as I gaped at him, "Since when?" I whispered.
He pulled out a chair and sat, tuning the lute, "Ya know people have these quirks. Some read books, some paint. I learned how to play the lute. Now are you going to sing or not?"
"What would I possibly sing?" I cried. He beckoned me down to whispering in my ear. Laughing at the absurdity, I nodded. Gods I can't believe I'm about to do this. But still there was a thrill that came to me as Josh struck his first note. And so, I sang.
Nancy Mulligan by Ed Sheeran
I was twenty-four years old,
When I met the woman I would call my own,
Twenty-two grandkids now growing old,
In that house that your brother bought ya.
The melody of my voice filled the halls as Josh played. I saw the rest of my friends in the corner. Mark had refilled everyone's ale and they were stamping their feet along with us. Suddenly, all the care I had about keeping us safe and returning us home left me. I felt exhilarated at the craziness of my actions and overjoyed to have a night of freedom.
She and I went on the run,
Don't care about religion,
I'm gonna marry the woman I love,
Down by the Wexford border,
She was Nancy Mulligan,
And I was William Sheeran,
She took my name and then we were one,
Down by the Wexford border.
The people around me were getting involved now too, their mugs and fists hitting the wood in time. Some had even got up and began to dance, dresses and cloaks swinging as they spun around. I too raised my hands as the notes flew from me. I grabbed a couple of women in front of me and dragged them up, beginning to spin around and dance as the music filled my heart. Though at the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of silver. I twirled around to glance at the individual, not breaking my song for a moment.
It was Aegon. He had stumbled to the bar and now leaned lazily with a few beefy comrades and stared at the commotion I had created. His limp hair hung low over his eyes which were hooded and gaunt. He gazed at me in fascination while I tried to ignore him.
She was Nancy Mulligan,
And I was William Sheeran,
She took my name and then we were one,
Down by the Wexford border.
By this time, pretty much the whole tavern was on its feet. Some men had their arms slung over each other and were stomping violently. Couples were jigging around the tables la'ing along with the chorus. My friends were all up. Malina and Chloe had jumped on one of the tables, their red and black hair curled around each other as they danced. Husnan sashayed in a circle with a group dressed from brown to gold. Mark had pulled me onto another table, and we spun, laughing in delight. I held my arms wide and threw my head back as I sung of the lovers and the whole tavern held onto my every word.
From the snow-white streak in her jet-black hair,
Over sixty years I've been loving her,
Now we're sat by the fire in our old armchairs,
You know Nancy, I adore ya.
From a farm boy born near Belfast town,
I never worried about the king and crown,
'Cause I found my heart upon the southern ground,
There's no difference, I assure ya.
Aegon's eyes narrowed at this. His face grew to a sneer that stood out against the sea of smiles and laughter. But I wasn't caring. I didn't care about him or the King or anyone other than me, my friends and the people around us, sharing in our joy.
She was Nancy Mulligan,
And I was William Sheeran,
She took my name and then we were one,
Down by the Wexford border.
The crowd erupted, cheering and clapping as I concluded. We received pats on the back and thank yous from many of them as Josh and I returned to the rest. We were all out of breath and flushed but we slammed our mugs together and drank heartily.
After a further round we were all danced out and decided it was high time to make for the castle. The others chatted lazily and wobbled up the steps clinging to each other. I padded behind, my mind in a foggy haze from the thrill of the evening. We entered the long entrance hall, Josh saluting to the Gold Cloaks as we waltzed past. I breathed out a calm air. The night had been perfect and now I get to lie in my nice plush bed and waste away the rest of the evening in my dreams.
My friends were beginning to climb the winding stairs to our chambers when I felt a cold hand seal itself over my mouth, pulling me from them as they disappeared. I tried to yell but the sound was lost as I was dragged with my arms pinned to my side.
My face hit cold stone. My heart pounded against the wall as I felt his wretched breath, poisoned with booze, invade my senses. He sniffed me like a hound savouring its prey. My stomach twisted violently; I might be sick. And then he spoke with a voice like putrid tar, sinking into my gut.
"You sing like a fucking angel." I shuddered as Aegon spewed the words in my ear, "I wonder if you fuck as sweetly as you sing."
My blood ran cold, I slapped his hand away enough to turn to him. His eyes dark and hungry, like a hound set to devour its prey. His greasy hair was slick with sweat and grime, turning it a hideous grey hue. He grabbed my throat and forced me back into the wall.
"You think you can escape, you little whore!" He threw my head against the wall, reopening the wound from my arrival, "You will make a sweet prize to warm my bed tonight."
I spotted stars but my body turned to action. I heaved my foot straight into his crotch and he buckled groaning in agony. I had no thoughts just the urge to be free of him. My body was acting void of my brain. I threw him off me and scarpered for the stairs, desperate to put as much distance between me and the drunken wretch as possible.
I hurtled to my chambers and slammed the door as fast as possible, heaving oxygen back into my lungs. I leaned against the wood, hoping and praying it would keep Aegon out. The slimy worm! He was worse that what I had seen. The sickly eyes entered my vision once more and I pushed my hands into them, forcing it to disappear.
But they didn't. And Aegon never came.
All I did was stand there, leaning all my weight on the door, weeping into the wood.
AN:
I know this was a rough chapter I know it was tough for me to write but I want to thank everyone who has stuck with me so far. I do hope you are enjoying it. I would love to know what you think if you wish to leave a comment.
Lots of love,
Shattered Light x