The Rogue Stag
Chapter 9- Regrets.
The beauty of the sunset only intensified Aliviah's pain. The defiant sky adorned itself with brilliant reds and oranges, clothed itself in garish splendour. She glared back at the mocking swirls of colour, she seized the warmth of the sun for herself, not caring for the people who stood at the other side of the forest. Aliviah's head pulsated with the thoughts of another. She wished to help ease his pain but the gods were cruel and she was just a pawn in their hands.
"Aliviah! Aliviah! Aliviah!" The roar of her brother broke her out of her dreamings and she sighed in displeasure. Couldn't he wait? Aliviah was sure that her mother tried to teach her brother the art of patience but it must not have made an impact on the second eldest son. It was Robert after all.
Aliviah slowly took small, careful steps towards her brother, her dress still bunched up where she was holding it; there was no shame in her eyes. Aliviah's hands separated the small bush that was constricting her from getting to the other side, she stepped onto the light and saw Robert's eyes catch her's. His furious and her's broken...
"What in the Seven Hells have you done!?" Robert bellowed, his face as red as a tomato, Aliviah flinched but kept her composure.
"I tripped, Robert. I will retire now." With that Aliviah left the brother, her King, and ventured to the small carriage, which was reserved for her.
Aliviah walked into the carriage, changed her dress with the help of Rosa who laughed at her misfortune and wished she could help her lady with her troubles but did not know the details of the occurrence between her mistress and the handsome lion who was always watching her.
Now dressed in a silky blue gown, Aliviah exited her modest but homely carriage, her feet taking her to Robert who devoured a piece of meat which rested in his greasy hand. Aliviah cringed in disgust, her throat closing up as she heavily troded towards him, feeling more unwell with each step she took towards her own brother. Robert devoured the piece of meat like he has never been fed, it was sickly.
"Brother, my King. May I have your permission to ride with the Stark girls, I would be undoubtedly happy if you permit it," Aliviah spoke softly, her eyes glimmering with apprehension and hope.
"What of the beast?" It wasn't a yes but wasn't a no, Robert didn't even spare her a glance as he hungrily feasted on a new piece of meat.
Aliviah breathed through her nose as her eyes narrowed, Nelia was a tough horse. Hence why she was called beast by her brother. "Brother... Nelia will ride beside the carriage. She is known not to stray. I will not allow filth to ride my mare, she is a majestic horse."
"I do not give a damn about your wishes, woman. Cersei wishes to leave after I feast, I agree. The faster we leave this cold land, the faster I can go back to fucking whores and drinking wine in my chamber." Robert spoke harshly, his face once again as red as a tomato, not caring that the greasy juices were trickling from his beard.
"Nelia will trample any man that wishes to ride her!" Aliviah predicted, her eyes wild and feral as she exclaimed at her brother. Aliviah did not want to be held responsible for an innocent man's death.
"Kingslayer!" The mighty roar of Robert seemed to hush the pleasant chatter that was around them as Jaime walked towards him, his eyes clear of any sort of emotions.
"Yes, my King?" The pleasant hum belonging to Jaime Lannister warmed Aliviah's insides as her eyes flickered to him then back to her brother.
"You will ride her beast." Robert's order seemed to faze Jaime as his gaze momentarily widened and his eyes snapped to Aliviah, searching for an answer.
"Are you mad? I will not allow anyone to ride her, Robert! She will kill him!" Aliviah's animalistic hiss striked Robert as he paused with his food and rose, his face looking redder than before. Aliviah cowered and her eyes widened when his hand made contact with her cheek, knocking her down onto her knees where she held the stinging, red cheek.
"Aliviah, he will ride your beast." Robert pronounced his words slowly, as if she did not understand his words and sat back down, not bothering to look at her no more.
"Fine." Aliviah's cold reply did not affect Robert as he waved his hand, dismissing the woman and the Kingslayer who didn't bother helping Aliviah up.
Aliviah clutched her cheek to herself before bringing her hand down, her gaze flickering to Jaime who held it strongly. "You shall show her respect, Nelia is a majestic mare and she will trample you if you don't show her the proper respect." Aliviah stated, her eyes emotionless as she approached her mare who nickered softly and moved her large head towards her in a greeting.
"You speak as if she is a person." Jaime stated himself before bowing to the horse who watched him with cautious eyes, he slowly took steps towards her, not looking at the horse's eyes.
Nickering, Nelia reared up, her front hooves going to trample Jaime before Aliviah clenched onto the reins and pulled her down as a warning. "Don't step towards her! Patience!"
Jaime's eyes wide, he growled under his breath and glared at the laughing woman at the side of the mare who's expression was of caution. How did a mare look so frightening? Jaime thought to himself before bowing and waiting for the horse's reaction- he reminded himself not to look into her eyes but gaze at her hooves.
Slowly with traces of hesitation, the mare bowed low as to greet him and give him her respect. Aliviah could see Jaime grin and could not help but let out a laugh herself.
"Magnificent! I cannot believe she bowed to you!" Aliviah exclaimed beside the horse before taking soft steps towards the man, her eyes filled with mirth and a certain softness.
"I am Jaime Lannister, the grandest horse tamer there could ever be." Jaime seemed to jest, his eyes reflecting the happiness she felt. It seemed that Jaime knew what kind of horse Nelia was, Aliviah could not help but appreciate that.
"Well then, Jaime Lannister. Ride her." Aliviah commanded, giving him the reins and then without another worrisome thought in her head, she left him. Knowing and trusting her horse not to do harm to the Kingslayer. She did not wish to bear any man's blood on her hands. Even if she did dislike Jaime.
Knocking on the carriage door, Aliviah was not surprised to see the girls' Septa. She inclined her head and smiles sweetly at the old woman, knowing she was going to let her in anyway.
"Septa, I wish to stay with the girls as of tonight. The King and their father has permitted me to do so. You will not be needed for tonight." Aliviah dismissed the woman, with clear eyes, her head clear of thoughts as she had one goal; seeing the girls.
"Sansa! Prince Joffrey is the most wretched boy in the whole kingdom!" An angry voice filled from the carriage and Aliviah saw the Septa's eyes widen, she waved her hand with a smile and gave a small glare to the Septa. They were children after all.
"Please, Septa. I will speak to them. You mustn't worry." Aliviah spoke softly, her body now stepping inside of the carriage, seeing the Septa nod, she left with a small bow to Aliviah.
Aliviah sighed, shutting her eyes, she massaged her temples. Thank the Gods that it was only her. What if the Queen's Guard demanded Sansa's attention? Something could go out of hand, Aliviah couldn't afford that. Feeling the carriage start moving with a jolt, Aliviah walked further into it, seeing the girls nearly at each other's throats.
Stepping in between them, Aliviah frowned. "Now girls, stop that. You shall stand united. You mustn't say such things, Arya. It is dangerous for both yourself and your sister. I need you, girls, to know that King's Landing is not the same as Winterfell. There are spies, thieves, liars and frauds everywhere. There is no such thing as trust, in King's Landing each person is their own enemy."
"Yes. I'm sorry, Aliviah." Arya muttered before hugging her sister around the neck which she scoffed at but slowly sunk into the embrace. Aliviah could not help but giggle at the sisters.
"Now. You shall retire." Aliviah ordered them both to do so and not a while later, both girls were laying beside her, snoozing gently.
Feeling the carriage slowly smooth into a stop, Aliviah braced herself from falling but was not surprised when a dull thud and a squeal filled the grand carriage. She also was not surprised when a loud, gruff laugh was heard. Aliviah prettily giggled to herself before looking at Sansa who was now as red as a rose and sporting a bruise on her head.
"Sansa, are you alright?" Aliviah asked as she reached out a hand to pull the small girl up, her facial features still laced with sleep. Hearing Arya laugh again, Sansa scowled at her sister, Arya stuck out her tongue and laughed harder.
Shaking her head, Aliviah sighed and smacked the back of Arya's head gently making the younger sister stop laughing. "Sleep. You're both still tired. I will see why we've stopped." Aliviah spoke gently rubbing the back of Arya's head to apologize, not missing the triumphant look in Sansa's eyes at the punishment Arya received.
"Sleep." Aliviah commanded once more before leaving the both, her dress rumpled a little as she stepped into the early sun. She squinted and looked at the driver who's eyes were laced with tiredness.
"We're making stop here?" Aliviah asked and the driver nodded, his face dirty but his features quite sharp.
"For two days, m'lady." The driver spoke with a harsh accent and Aliviah nodded, dismissing him with a hand wave, her thoughts wondering why on Earth they would be stopping for two was Robert planning?