Hey guys! I am sorry for being sporadic again, things just keep piling up and up. Thanks for the PM's etc. It is really encouraging! I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please drop me a PM, review, even a favourite, I would love to hear from you all!
Slightlynerdy.
The horses' hooves clattered against the cobbled courtyard as they were led out towards their riders. She stood in front of Renly, her maidservants flanking her on either side, her hands were clasped together whilst they said their goodbyes.
"I'll be back soon, a day, maybe two at most." His blue eyes shone in the sunlight, "Then after that we will leave for Storm's End. To your new home." He stooped to kiss her lightly on the lips, "Keep safe my love."
"And you my darling."
He turned and strode towards his horse, from where she was standing she could see her father politely conversing with the King. After the revelation that her father had revealed to her during the night she had wanted him to bring his findings to the King immediately, to question Cersei over the legitimacy of her children, but her father had wanted to wait until the most opportune moment.
She watched as Loras helped her husband onto his horse, his touch lingering on Renly's leg a fraction too long to be normal, she would have to tell him to be more careful for if she could see it then someone else could as well.
"Bronte." She turned her head ever so slightly to address the timid girl.
"Yes my Lady."
"Find my sisters, we ought to all pray together and ask for the God's blessing on the king's and my husband's hunt."
"Of course Lady Baratheon."
She returned to staring at the departing men, Robert led the procession, Renly flanking him. Her husband turned around once, raised his hand in another goodbye to her, before settling back down on his steed.
"You will have fine children." Tilana's voice floated towards her.
"Yes, I have no doubt we will."
"If you stop taking the tonic you will have a better chance."
She glanced at her most trusted friend, "I will not fall pregnant whilst I am still in King's Landing."
"And why not? We will be leaving for your husband's hold the day after next, they will not know," She gestured to the servants and guards milling around, "Not even you will know."
"That is not the point Tilly, what if we are delayed hmm? What if we are forced to stay in this wretched place for a few more months? I do not want to have my children here. Not in this accursed city."
"There is more to it. You are hiding something from me."
"I have nothing worth hiding Tilana. Trust me. Now please, leave me to my thoughts."
Tilly hitched her skirts up, muttering in Myrish, "I will get this secret out of you," Before moving towards the general direction of the keep.
Tarynn sighed, her gaze still on the road that leads out of the keep and down towards the city. She wished she could escape this confining place, with the sweltering heat and the freak showers of rain. She missed the cold, unblemished landscape of the north. The thick pine woods, the streams of melted snow, the blissful peace and quiet. She pushed her hair of her forehead, cursing the fact that she hadn't braided it back.
"Pondering when your husband will return? Or perhaps you wish to go with him, I have heard that you are quite the rider." She tore her eyes off of the last of the horses, directing her gaze at Littlefinger who stood with a slight smirk on his bearded face, his grey eyes gleaming. "Every time I look at you I am constantly reminded of your mother, what a shame that you had to marry Renly Baratheon, I could have made use of a wife."
"There are plenty other eligible young ladies that you can choose from Lord Baelish. But then again I didn't think you liked eligible."
He narrowed his eyes, "You are your mother through and through. I wonder. When will you be providing Renly with an heir?"
"And I wonder whether or not that's your business."
She went to move past him but he caught her by the arm, his breath tickled her neck as he whispered into her ear, "My business is to know everything Lady Baratheon. Everything."
A shiver went down the length of her spine as Littlefinger drew away and headed in the general direction of the gardens.
He knows something.
"Arya sit still, stop squirming."
"But I have my dance lessons."
"I'm sure your teacher won't mind you missing a few minutes so that you can pray."
"Why are we praying anyway? Normally father takes us when something important has happened."
"We are praying for Renly so that he may return safely."
"And the king?"
"Yes and the king."
"Can I pray for Joffrey?"
"If you want to Sansa."
"Why would you want to pray for him?"
"Because he is to be my husband and I want the Gods to bless me so that I may bear him many children."
"Sansa…"
"What that's what the Queen says I should pray for… Speaking of children are you with child yet?"
"Sansa!" Tarynn glanced over her shoulder at her sister, "I am not discussing anything of that nature in the Godswood or in front of Arya."
"Hey, I'm old enough."
"No Arya, you're really not." Sansa glared at her younger sister, "You're still a baby."
"No I'm not." Arya launched herself at Sansa.
"Arya! Arya stop…" Tarynn stood up and plucked her baby sister off of Sansa, Arya began to cry, burying her face in Tarynn's bodice, "Hush, hush." She stroked her sister's hair before kneeling on the ground still holding her sister. Sansa sat opposite them, her blue eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"I… I miss mother. I miss Robb, Bran and Rickon. I miss Jon Snow and Nymeria."
"I miss mother too, and Lady." Tarynn opened her arms a little wider so as to embrace Sansa as well.
"And now you're going to leave us," Arya's voice was muffled, "You're going to move far away and we will never see you again."
"Yes. I don't want you to leave either Tarynn."
"If I could I would take both of you with me. But unfortunately I am married now and must do whatever Ren… My husband… requests of me."
"Please take me with you. I hate this city."
Tarynn kissed the top of Arya's head, "I think father would be dreadfully upset if you left as well as me… Plus, even though she won't admit it, I know Sansa will be awfully lonely without you."
The three sisters sat huddled together beneath the branches of the old oak tree each one praying their private prayers and hoping that the Gods would answer them.
The smell was rich and sweet, leaping forward, running towards the target. Lunging, growling, and ripping. The taste was sour and tangy, warmth squirted from it with every bite. Looking up, the humans' rock structures loomed above the treeline, she was in there and when she came out he would greet her.
There was a sound, a groaning, long and traumatic. He followed the noise, ducking under branches, brushing through bushes. He recognised the scent. Creeping up to the edge of the treeline he peered into a clearing and settled on his haunches. A large human swung his metal stick at a pig. The pig roared and squealed and charged, crashing into the man who tumbled down to the floor grunting with pain. He brought up his stick and slashed at the pig's head, hacking it off. He sniffed the air, it was mixed with the deep heady smell of pig's blood and the sweeter smell of human blood. The fat human laid squirming on the ground, a ghostly light began to seep out of him, ascending towards the heavens. He turned away and faded once more into the shade.
She gasped awake, her heart beating fast and her breath rattling in her chest, something was wrong. She stumbled out of her bed, almost tripping over her night shoes and ripped her dressing gown from off her bed post. She went to the door and threw it open, shocking the guards that Renly had requested to be posted outside of their chambers whilst he was gone.
"Take me to my father, now."
She walked briskly along the corridors, her lips pressed into a hard line as she followed the Baratheon guard in front of her, the other guard shadowed her movements. When she reached her father's chambers she paused before rapping her knuckles hard against the wood door. She waited, trying desperately to remember the details of her dream;
It had been so vivid, so real, as if I had been there. What does this mean?
The door creaked open slightly and in the crack she could see her father's face.
"Tarynn?"
"Father, I must speak with you, its urgent."
He opened the door further admitting her into his quarters. It had been a long time since she had been last in there. The desk was piled high with letters, the fated book that he had shown her the night before was tucked away underneath various ledgers and papers, she took a seat on the chaise and folded her hands in her lap.
The sky was turning pink, the first rays of sunlight sneaking out from behind the clouds, her father tucked his bed shirt into his trousers before turning his attentions to her. "What has happened? What is wrong?"
"I… I have had a dream."
"A dream?" Ned Stark's forehead furrowed, "Have you not been taking your medicines?"
"I am… But this, this is unlike the others, it was as if I was another creature and not myself." She bit her lip, her mind struggling to piece together the small fragments of her… vision. "I was in the woods…"
"Tarynn…" Her father gave her a sceptical look, she grabbed his arm.
"Father, please, hear me out." He resigned and sat down beside her. "I was in the woods, I remember distinctly the taste of raw meat. I heard something in the distance, the sound of something grunted. I went towards it and I saw the king…" She looked up at her father, "King Robert has been hurt, badly, father we have to send guard to his…"
There was a loud bang on the door before it was thrown open.
"Lord Stark… My brother has been injured." Renly stood shadowed with a contingent of guards, he didn't even seem to realise she was in the room, she stood but her father motioned her to stay put.
"How badly."
"We do not know. Maester Pycelle is attending to him."
She ignored her father, "I want to help, Maester Pycelle will need an assistant when treating his injury." She looked at her husband and her father individually, her blue eyes betraying the fact that she will not be swayed from helping, "If there are no objections?"
"Tarynn… Robert is in a bad way, I do not want it to distress you."
"It takes a lot to distress me Renly." Her mind wandered to the mangled corpse of the man that she had killed on her way to King's Landing, of Toby's limp body dangling off of the end of Sandor's jousting stick, the blood pouring profusely out of his ruined throat, staining her hands. "I have seen things that no woman should ever see, I wish to help my brother-in-law in whatever way I can." She swept past her husband, ignoring his objections, she motioned for a couple of guards to follow her as she pulled her dressing gown more tightly together.
When she reached the king's quarters two Kingsguard stood guarding it. Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Arys Oakheart. She noticed how Ser Oakheart's eyes lingered a fraction too long on her quite revealing bed garments.
"Let us through Ser Selmy," Renly came to stand beside her, his once bright blue eyes dulled, "My wife wishes to help Maester Pycelle in his administrations to my brother."
Selmy glanced over at her, his eyes not unkind but worried, "Are you sure that is wise my Lord? The king is in a grave condition."
"My wife is stubborn," He added her in a quieter tone, "One of the reasons why I married her. So yes, I am sure."
"As you wish."
They opened the door, allowing the stench of infection and medicine to flood into the hallway, she resisted the temptation to cover her nose.
"Robert." Her father hobbled quickly in front of her, "By the Gods."
She moved pass the men but Renly caught her arm, he pulled her close and kissed her on the top of the head, murmuring into her hair, "If it gets too much just tell me, we can go for a walk, to clear our heads."
She pulled back and gently traced his stubbled chin with her thumb, pecking him on the lips, "I will."
She turned her attentions to the large bed covered with red and gold jacquard fabric. The large windows were flung wide open, letting in the cool night breeze but even so the temperature of the room was still thick with heat. She gently placed her hand on her father's shoulder as she swept by him in order to see what sort of state the king was in.
Her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in shock and she failed to keep in the small gasp that emanated from her lips.
"I know. I'm disgusting." The king wheezed and attempted a smile, he reached for her hand with his own bloodied one but she pulled back out of reaction, a glimmer of hurt passed through the king's eyes.
Her eyes were drawn towards the gaping hole in the king's stomach. His intestines had been half pulled out it had seemed and Maester Pycelle was attempting to put them back. Gently she touched the Maester's hands and he looked up at her with filmy eyes.
"You will need a steadier hands then yours to right this Maester. Perhaps mix the king some more milk of the poppy and I will assist you with the intestines."
He nodded and she went to wash her hands in a bowl of hot salty water. Once her hands were properly cleaned and one of the Maester's assistants had put an apron around her she went to work. Carefully pushing back in the king's intestines as Pycelle instructed her.
"I'm going to have to leave. I'm sorry." She heard the door slam shut and then Renly heaving outside.
"You certainly have a knack at all things medicinal Tarynn. If you had been a boy I would have considered putting you in the Citadel." Her father quietly murmured as he watched her work.
She grunted as she removed a piece of tusk that had lodged itself in one of the small intestine before ordering Maester Pycelle to give the king a mixture that would slow the bleeding, only then did she respond to her father, "If I had been a boy I would be heir to Winterfell. You would not have put me in a chain."
Once she had finished correcting the structure of the king's innards she went and washed her hands thoroughly of blood when she felt a hand on her shoulder, Maester Pycelle leaned in close, his voice barely more than a whisper; "Infection is setting in fast. I can only slow it. The old man coughed away from her, "I do not think he has long left."
She nodded slightly, "How well are you with a needle Maester?"
He held up his shaking hands, "Not as good as I used to be."
"I need surgical thread and a large needle. The least we can do is sew the king up so that his guts don't come spilling out on the bed."
"I am surprised that he is doing as well as he is."
Her gaze fell on the king's flickering eyelids, any other man would have surely succumbed to the trauma that had befallen his intestines, but it would appear that king Robert's strength and strong willed nature was playing its part.
"He will need more milk of the poppy."
"Yes, yes. I will give it to him twice more but later in the morning he will need to consolidate his will."
She inclined her head as Maester Pycelle scuttled off to find her needle and some thread. She went back to the king, her father sat as his side, his head in his hands. Other people were in the room, Ser Semly was there, as was a couple of serving men plus the king's own squire Lancel Lannister; Cersei's cousin. She directed her gaze towards the servant nearest to her, a short, stocky man with a bulbous nose and short brown hair.
"Find my husband, tell him that I wish to speak with him in our chambers, I shall be with him shortly." The man nodded, responding with a quick 'yes my Lady' before turning and walking briskly out the room.
She too returned to the task at hand as she prepared to sew up Robert's gored stomach.
When she retired from aiding Maester Pycelle with the king's failing conditions she passed the Queen in the hallway accompanied by her own small retinue of Lannister guards. Her pale green eyes glinting in the candlelight as she swept past Tarynn, cold emanating off of her in waves.
Everything about the woman screamed hatred and deceit and Tarynn could not stand it.
"A servant said that you wished to speak to me, privately, in our chambers."
She closed the door softly behind her and proceeded to take off her thin dressing gown, leaving herself in nothing but her white slip. "Yes."
"How is my brother? What is… what is the verdict?"
Tarynn went to the doors that led out to the balcony, she stood gazing at the city sparking in the new light cast by the sun, she sighed softly, "He is dying Renly."
"What? There's nothing you can do?"
"I am not a miracle worker, Maester Pycelle and I have managed to slow down the infection and the bleeding but he does not have a great deal of time left."
"I must go to him."
She turned around to face her husband, he was half way towards the door, "No. Not yet. There will be time. Robert must sleep off some of the fever, at the moment we have comatose him with milk of the poppy, my father is attending him."
She went to their bed, drawing back the covers before getting in, she pulled the coverlets up to her chest. Renly joined her, lying beside her, his hands clasped over his stomach. Gently she traced his collarbone and he took her hand, kissing it softly. "We must leave for Storm's End. And soon."
She nodded, "Yes."
He propped himself up on his elbow, "Tell me. How did you get so good at medicines and healing?"
She looked at her pale fingers, now free from blood and gore, her mind stretching back to the years before to the first memory of her introduction into the world of science.
They were running through the thick forests, herself, her brother, Jon and Theon. The boys whooping loudly as they jumped over fallen logs. She followed them, laughing, asking for them to slow down but they didn't listen to her.
"Keep up Tarynn." Theon grabbed her hand, pulling her along roughly, a playful tone in his voice, "Otherwise we will leave you behind."
They entered a clearing in the trees, in it was a fox. She remembered Jon nocking an arrow and crippling it with a precise shot. The creature whined and moaned but the boys just left it, moving on to hunt in another section of the wood, leaving the creature to its pain.
Being the young girl that she had been, barely thirteen years old, she had swept the creature up on her cloak saddened by her brothers disregard to its pain. A smooth, clean kill would have been kindest.
She had taken the fox back to Maester Luwin, begging him to help her nurse the poor creature back to health.
Her interest had started small, but it grew large, and in no time at all she begin setting broken limbs, dissecting and learning the secrets of the body and helping the people of Winterfell in whatever way she could.
She recounted this memory to Renly, who watched her with inquisitive eyes, "After that I would help Maester Luwin in whatever way I could. I would help with the injured soldiers, learning the ins and outs of medicinal herbs, the power of poultices and salves…"
"You miss Winterfell."
He didn't ask it as a question, he said it as if it was a statement. She answered in a small voice, "Yes. I miss my mother, my brothers, my friends. I had to give up a lot in order to be here."
Renly shifted, pulling her with him, her head pressed against his chest. Her mind wandered, thinking of Sandor.
"That was partly my fault."
She looked up at him, "How so?"
"My brother wrote to me saying that the eldest Stark daughter, you, was unmarried and eligible. I was intrigued and since I was looking for a wife and one who would give me good ties I wrote in turn to your father, imploring him to take you with him when he rode south."
"Why?"
He traced her lips with the thumb. "The way that Robert described you was the same way he described Lyanna when he first met her. Beautiful, intelligent, gifted at horse riding. I simply had to have you and now I have." Her words got caught in her throat as she looked at Renly, his tousled hair, piercing blue eyes. She hated him for taking away her freedom, from forcing her away from staying true to Sandor and yet she cared about him and the prospect of bearing his children didn't seem so daunting anymore.
What is happening to me?
"Lady Baratheon."
"Hound."
The weather was warm, sweltering, and so she had told Tilly to find the lightest dress she owned. This came at a price however as now the whole of her lower back was on show, showing the world the various blemish scars on her back. Tilly had assured her that no one would notice them but still she felt self-conscious.
She felt Sandor touch her lower back quickly before coming to stand beside her as she gazed out at the glittering blue sea.
"The king has requested you."
Robert was on his deathbed, he had only hours to live, and the whole castle was feeling the toll of the king's imminent death.
"Why does he wish to see me?"
"I do not know, I am simply the messenger wolf."
"Also why did he send you to tell me?"
She turned to face her paramour, the man who had captured her heart, the man who she could not be faithful to.
"I am a Hound. Finding people in the goddamn Keep is what I do best." He leant over the white marble railing, staring down at the cliffs. "You're leaving soon."
"In a few days."
"That's not what I heard your Lord husband say." Bitterness oozed out of his words. She shook her head, biting her lip, "You leave tomorrow."
"Sandor…" She took his hand but he tugged it away.
"Somebody might see us and then your precious reputation will be in ruins. Go, go to your fucking husband, go and fuck him. Go." She didn't move, her hands still half outstretched, he roared, "Go!"
Only then did she turn and flee, tears threatening to spill over, she hated this.
Hated everything that this city had forced her to be.
The king's chambers was filled with the noxious mix of death and infection. The king wheezed, coughing, specks of blood covered the cloth he was using. Her father sat at his side. Parchment in his hands.
"You wanted to see me my king?"
"Come. Come to my side." She brought a chair to his bedside, his eyes never leaving her face. "You know," He looked briefly at her father, "You really do look like Lyanna." His hand shook as he reached up to touch her chin, "The same hair, the same shaped face, and the same shape eyes. The only different is your eyes. The colour of the bluest ice." His hand fell limply from her face. "If I could have married you, if I had known that you would grow up to be so much like your aunt, I would have made you queen." The king closed his eyes. "Go. Stay by my brother's side. He will need you by his side in what's to come."
She glanced at her father, his face tightly drawn, and his lips a thin line. "I will see you shortly."
She nodded before gathering her skirts. She had to find her husband, she had to tell him that Robert had only minutes left in the world.
"What do you mean we are leaving?!"
Renly threw her dresses in one of the chests. Tossing her shoes, parchment and books in after them. A glass of green ink crashed to the floor, shattering upon impact.
"Exactly that." He went to the bathroom, a maid was gathering up all of Tarynn's tonics and lotions, he barked at her to move faster.
"Renly. Renly your brother is dying!"
Renly turned on her, his hands gripping her shoulders, "I suggested to your father that we should have taken the throne but he is waiting until Robert dies. He has told me something of grave importance but I cannot risk my life, or your life, if I wait until Cersei has her grubby little hands latched onto the Gold Cloaks. We will be outnumbered, ten to one, I will be tried for treason against the crown and you," His fingers dug into her shoulder as he shook her lightly, "You they will throw into the streets for any peasant to have his way with you. I will not have the House Baratheon disgraced."
"Do you not think you are overreacting? My father has made his plans."
"How do you know? Are you privy to these plans? You are his daughter not his confidant. He has kept many things from you Tarynn."
"I cannot leave. My sisters… They need me, my father…"
Sandor.
Renly's eyes were wild with determination.
"You are my wife." He gripped her shoulders even tighter, "You are either with me or you are against me."