The journey to King's Landing had been fun at first. The carriage that her father insisted on was comfortable enough - for the first three days.

After that Celene was almost consumed with the want to ride her horse the rest of the way. Being cooped up in the carriage became insufferable as the days wore on, plus it slowed the entire party down considerably.

But Tywin had made it very clear that no daughter of his would ride into King's Landing without the proper ceremony his House name demanded. And for a woman that ceremony included being conveyed in a carriage tinted with real gold and decorated with all manner of gems and other expensive materials. This also meant the accompanying guard was rather large. It seemed she had her own small army to protect both her and the carriage though Celene knew which of them her father would rather have back in tact.

She grimaced at the thought and continued to gaze out the window. The only thing that had kept her from going mad was Tyrion. He had of course brought as many books as he could covertly take from their home library and he entertained her with stories from the books and his thoughts on things in general. He would often mention the dragon skulls that were kept in the Red Keep; he was dragon obsessed.

"I heard that King Robert didn't destroy the skulls. He just moved them down to one of the lower levels."

Tyrion scratched his chin in thought.

"I wonder. If he hated the Targaryen's so much, why didn't he crush the bones of their dragons out of existence as well?"

He trailed off, muttering to himself as he paged through the giant tome in his lap.

Celene sighed. The subject of the great creatures and their masters had been coming up more and more during the journey. She knew her twin had been dreaming about dragons more often as they got closer to the capital. It was eerie, the amount of detail he could recall from those dreams. Celene always slept soundly and if she did dream she never remembered anything about it in the morning.

It was strange that one of them dreamt in such vivid detail while the other had only a black void at night.

One of the guards rode up beside the carriage window.

"We're almost there my lady. You can see the city in the distance now. I'd wager we'll be there before noon. I'll send a messenger on ahead."

News had never sounded so sweet. Celene had to restrain herself from attempting to hang out of the window to get a glimpse of the city. Knowing her luck, she would end up falling out and injuring herself, further delaying their arrival. Instead she looked at her brother and they both grinned. It was exciting, knowing they would shortly be somewhere brand new. Only one thing could, and most likely would, ruin it for them.

"Ugh. Cersei."

Celene said the name in a tone full of disgust, as if she had just stepped in a fresh pile of horse dung.

Tyrion laughed, making her smile despite herself.

"Now now. It's Queen Cersei now. Perhaps the title and the power and status that goes with it has remedied our sisters disposition for the better?"

Several memories popped into his mind of the treatment he had experienced at his older sister's hands.

He shrugged and said,"Well, maybe she will be so overjoyed by the reunion with her sister that she will completely overlook me in the process. Or perhaps I should sneak into the city through the sewers so our dear Queen doesn't have to even attempt to pretend that I'm not there. Would that please her do you think?"

Celene shoved Tyrion playfully and grinned.

"Oh, I don't know. Now I think about it, I'm rather looking forward to seeing her face when she sees I'm not alone. For the way she's plagued you over the years it'll be a welcome change to see her discomfort in your presence instead of the other way around. We shall have to see how far we can push her before she cracks. And she won't be able to shout and rage at you like she used to. She's a proper lady now. Tantrums just aren't allowed."

The twins spent the rest of the ride musing over what the city would be like and the people but when they entered the gates of King's Landing they both fell silent.

Celene grew nervous. She had no idea what to expect. Would there be a big welcome party or would there be no one there to greet them? Though now she thought about it, and knowing a bit about her sister's prideful character, she had a feeling there would be a formal 'receiving' in the Great Hall. She hoped she would have a chance to change into a fresh gown; the one she currently wore was creased all over from prolonged sitting and she was sure her hair could do with fixing as well. Fussing over her appearance distracted her long enough, until the carriage stopped. The door opened and a guard helped her down. Celene took a moment to adjust her skirts before moving away to allow Tyrion to jump down beside her.

They both looked around before their eyes rested on the entrance to the Red Keep.

Celene frowned.

"I thought it would be bigger," she said in an undertone to her brother.

He chuckled.

"Do me a favour and say that to your husband on your wedding night."

She laughed. Tyrion's crude sense of humour never ceased to amuse her. It was thanks to him that she knew a lot more about life in general than other ladies her age.

An older man stood at the top of the few steps in front of them. Celene guessed he was there to welcome her. It only just occurred to her right in that moment that it might be considered rude to have brought Tyrion along without sending a raven ahead with the information.

Too late now, she thought as they moved to greet the lord waiting for them.

Celene curtsied and the men bowed.

"Welcome to KIng's Landing, Lady Celene. It's such an honour to meet the sister of our beloved Queen."

His gaze shifted to Tyrion.

"I can see you didn't travel alone. Lord Tyrion; you are most welcome. I am Lord Jon Arryn, Hand of the King. If you have need of anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

He bowed again. It took most of Celene's self control to not laugh at the over the top formality of the introduction. It was rare to encounter such manners at Casterly Rock. They had hardly ever had guests and if they did she and Tyrion were usually kept out of the way like naughty children.

Lord Arryn gestured toward the entry way.

"I will show you to your chambers my lady. I'm sure you would like to refresh yourself before being received by the King and Queen."

He seemed to realise that Tyrion had no rooms to go to but Celene interjected.

"My brother's things can be put in my chamber until something is made ready for him, my lord. A room close by me would be very much appreciated if it's no trouble."

She flashed a dazzling smile at the old man, hoping he wouldn't think she was being rude by making such a request. The last thing she wanted was to give the impression of being a demanding little snot. It would make them think she was similar to her sister and that was the absolute last thought she wanted others to have of her.

It seemed she was over thinking everything because Lord Arryn didn't hesitate before assuring her he would see to the arrangement straight away. He smiled back at her before leading the way. Celene couldn't detect anything but a good natured and well meaning attitude from the old man and that helped put her at ease.

The corridors of the castle were empty as they followed their guide, making Celene wonder if there was anyone here at all. Compared to the bustle of the city outside the silence was almost deafening and the sounds of their footsteps seemed magnified beyond what they might normally be. They passed many doorways until crossing a bridge into what looked like a miniature castle. She glanced down and saw a dry moat full of spikes.

Maegor's Holdfast. There's no way out now, she thought as they crossed bridge.

It was a well known fact that the only way in and out of this castle-within-a-castle was by way of the bridge. Unless you jumped to your death of course. Or had knowledge of a secret passageway.

The corridor's in this part of the Red Keep looked much the same as in the front of the castle. Celene knew she would have to ask for help in finding her way around until she grew familiar with the layout of the place.

Finally they came to a door with a rose carved on it. She hadn't really been paying much attention to the other doors they had passed so she didn't know if the image meant the chamber beyond was special in any way.

What she saw once she was in the room delighted her beyond words.

The bed chamber was large and airy. A huge bed and dressing table were to the right with a doorway that she supposed led off into a wash room of some kind. To the left was a writing desk near the window and a fireplace with a set of arm chairs and small table placed in front of it. Directly in front of her was a wide set of glass doors that opened out onto a spacious balcony that housed a small garden of roses.

This was what held her gaze. The rest of the room might not have been there at all for all the attention she gave it.

At Casterly Rock there was really no way to have a garden of such a frivolous kind considering the castle was built into the side of a colossal hill. The gardens they did have were purely for functional use only. Celene couldn't remember ever actually seeing a rose in person. She had read about the blue winter roses of the North but the blooms before her were red, yellow, pink and white. Colours of summer and happiness.

Tyrion joined her amongst the flowers as the servants deposited their luggage in her room.

"Be careful sister. These flowers are beautiful but they can wound as well. Just like a beautiful woman I suppose."

Celene had been about to gather one of the dark red roses when she paused at his words. She watched as Tyrion lifted the rose gently by its petals to show her what he meant. Brutal looking thorns covered the stem of the plant.

Tyrion brought out his small knife and began stripping the stem till it was free of the prickly impediment. He presented the rose with a flourish and a bow to his sister.

Celene smiled as she inhaled the delicate scent from the petals.

"Thank you. I shall have to remember that beauty does not always mean innocence."

Tyrion scoffed.

"I would say that beauty never means innocence but then I would be lying. You are beautiful and pure as a lamb. I wish you could remain as you are forever."

A look of sadness fell over his face. He knew that she would be married off in the very near future and that meant she would leave him to live with her new family.

Celene knew exactly what her twin was thinking and it made her sad as well. The last thing she wanted to do was leave him behind when she eventually got married.

She stooped to kiss his cheek.

"I'll always be myself brother. And I'll endeavour to find myself a husband who will welcome the both of us with open arms. Now, we should stop chattering and get ready to meet with our sister. She never liked to be kept waiting and it would be nice to try and at least keep her in good humour on the first day of our arrival."

OoOo

After a hasty wash and change of clothing, Celene and Tyrion stood before the giant doors that led into the Great Hall.

While Tyrion stood without moving and waited patiently for the doors to open, Celene's nerves expressed themselves in the way she repeatedly smoothed the front of her dress. The gown was simple, made from dark blue cloth. Gold thread had been used to embroider the neckline and hem with small golden flowers that resembled daisies. She carried no shawl as none had been necessary for her journey to King's landing; no doubt they would be made for her now that she had arrived. Her light gold hair was mostly flowing freely down her back with some drawn back at the temples to keep it out of her face, a hair clasp of gold and rubies in place.

She glanced at her brother who returned her look with a raised eyebrow. He mimicked taking a deep breath to aid relaxation.

Celene did so, humouring him. It did absolutely nothing to settle her nerves but she took his cue by settling into a still waiting posture. Her hands were clasped in front of her, knuckles white with the strength of the grasp she had on herself. Tyrion chuckled and was about to say something when the great doors opened.

Beyond was the Great Hall, a cavernous room so big it seemed the ceiling should be lost in the clouds. A blood red carpet lined the path to the Iron Throne and Celene's eyes followed it till her eyes rested on the enormous throne made from spent swords.

All of a sudden a strange feeling came over her and her anxiety fled as she had the odd sensation of having been in this room before.

Her eyes focused on the throne and a transparent image of another king with long silver blonde hair settled over King Robert's form. Both men appeared to be sitting in the same place. Celene blinked in an effort to dispel the ghostly image but it remained. As her gaze flitted around the great chamber other images overlaid the current state of the room. Dragon skulls appeared to hang over the hunting tapestries and red and black house colours battled with the black and gold of House Baratheon. Other icons of the dragon House littered the room and Celene belatedly realised she was seeing the Great Hall as it had been in the time of House Targaryen.

It was bizarre and had to be a product of her imagination but it felt so right in a way she couldn't explain.

The battling images held until she sank into a curtsy in front of the king and queen.

When she rose everything looked as it should. A strange melancholy filled her as if she had lost something precious and it confused her further but she pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind. There was always time later on to dwell on the past.

King Robert's booming voice filled the air as he got up from his seat and strode down the steps of the dais.

"Enough of these pretty courtesies. We are family and family do not bow and curtsy to one another."

He enfolded Celene in a tight hug, her slim frame completely engulfed once his arms closed around her. She felt the blood rush to her face as the contact and scent of man overwhelmed her senses.

She was not what you would call used to close contact; the only person she had ever hugged or been affectionate with was Tyrion. Hence she kept her body rigid and fought the urge to attempt to pull away from this large man.

He is the king. You must not offend him, she repeated over in her head till the embrace was done.

King Robert then turned his attention to Tyrion but Celene heard nothing of their exchange as her attention was captured by the face of their sister.

Cersei looked beautiful as always and looked especially so in her lovely crimson gown and delicate crown. Her hair was all caught up in small braids and small jewelled combs seemed to be doing their best in keeping her golden tresses in place.

Her beauty was only slightly marred by the look of outrage and hatred on her face as her eyes raked over her younger brother. It was a wonder that Tyrion didn't burst into flame where he stood. Celene wondered at the intensity of the look and emotions it expressed.

While she knew that Cersei had a great dislike of her little brother she had mostly taken every opportunity to treat him with disdain and ignore him like their father did. Of course there were the times she punished him physically but always in private where no one could see.

Then it occurred to Celene that her sister wasn't only upset that Tyrion was in her domain but the fact that her husband was treating him just like any other person was what bothered her right now. He was sure to know of her feelings toward Tyrion yet he apparently had no regard for them.

Interesting.

"Well then. It's a pleasure to meet my wife's siblings. Let us have some food and drink, eh? Then tonight, we feast!"