Hey everyone! Support as per usual has been crazy. Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement. We are very near the end, in fact, there is only one more chapter left to this part of the story! It's going to be extremely long so prepare yourself for it! I am adding a few finishing touches to it so it should be up and ready to read extremely soon. Again thank you so much for all the support etc. Also if you are willing to read another story about Tarynn and so one, drop me a PM or a review. It would be nice to know how many people would be willing to read it :)
Just one more chapter to go guys! Hang in there.
(Also just want to reiterate my disclaimer, I own absolutely nothing to do with Game of Thrones or A Song Of Ice And Fire, nothing whatsoever. Except Tarynn. Yeah. I own her.)
Slightlynerdy.
Wolves and Hounds.
Chapter 33.
"I am not leaving with you."
"Don't be ridiculous Tarynn." Renly, pulled her towards the door, "We are wasting precious time. Time that we could be using to get out of this place."
She yanked her arm away from him,"I said no Renly. I am not going with you."
Renly turned on her, his eyes narrowing, "I think you forget who your loyalties are supposed to lie with. You are a Baratheon not a Stark."
"I will not leave my sisters here alone." She spoke through gritted teeth. "Those two girls need me Renly. They haven't a mother here and so I am the next best thing. If you take me with you, you are leaving two young girls in this corrupt city alone without any love or care."
"They will have your father."
"My father is not enough. He will be busy with the affairs of the Kingdom."
"Tarynn…"
"Please." She clasped her hands together, begging. "I beg you. Let me stay here with them."
Renly's face hardened, his eyes steeling, "I need you with me. You're supposed to give me an heir how can that happen if you are here and I am in the Stormlands."
"How do you know that I am not pregnant already? We wouldn't know until much later."
"No, I don't want you to go through pregnancy without me. I will not be swayed…"
She placed her hands on either side of her husband's face, kissing him gently, "I will follow you. As soon as I am able. Just allow me to make sure that my sisters will be safe. Please I beg you Renly, let me do this."
He groaned, walking away from her. "You. You will be the death of me." He turned back to face her, "Fine I consent but you must leave King's Landing by tomorrow at the absolute latest."
"I promise."
He pulled her close to him, kissing her hard, "If you don't follow me I will send guards to King's Landing to escort you to the Stormlands."
She felt her heart drop slightly as she stretched up to kiss her husband goodbye. "We will see one another again soon, it is just one day."
Renly nodded, "I have left you a retinue of six guards. They will be loyal to you and will ride with you when you leave." He touched her hair lightly, "Your hair has red in it."
"Stay safe Renly."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
They kissed one last time before Renly and his loyal guards prepared to flee the city.
She didn't cry as she watched Renly's receding figure, but her emotions were extremely confused, she didn't know whether to be happy or to be sad. Renly was her husband, they were tied together by the binds of marriage, and they had been wedded under the eyes of the Gods. Part of her wished that she had gone with him, he had offered her a way out of this hated city, and yet she had decided to delay her escape for the sake of her sisters, her father, but mostly so that she could say good bye to Sandor properly.
She exited the secluded courtyard, dismissing the guards that had been assigned to her. Telling two of them to go to her chambers to guard the door, the rest were to patrol the Keep and report to her anything going on that they thought was of importance. She would find her father, ask him of his plan, if Robert was dying then they would have to act quickly. A child, borne of incest, should not be allowed to sit the Iron Throne.
The cloisters were deserted as she made her way towards the main courtyard, or so she had thought, out of nowhere someone grabbed her by the arm pulling her between the marble pillars. She prepared to scream.
"Hush." They clamped their hand over her mouth and she looked up at the person who had grabbed her with wide eyes. Her heart beat slowed when she realised that it was Sandor. He removed his hand.
"Sandor. What, what are you doing?"
"You stayed." He smiled hesitantly, his grey eyes searching hers intensely, she hoped he had forgiven her for her attitude towards him yesterday.
"Just for one more day. I wanted to say good bye to you." She moved her hips into his suggestively, a light smile gracing her lips.
He bent his head down, capturing her lips in a kiss, his hands going to her hips pulling her even closer. His lips moved to her neck and she gasped at the feeling, but then she heard to sound of voices. She froze, tapping Sandor lightly, alerting him to the fact that someone was coming. He moved her around the corner. Pressing her up against the pillar as he leaned heavily into her attempting to obscure them completely from view.
"You are sure that the Gold Cloaks are mine? Mine and not Lord Stark's?"
"They will follow the orders of the king, Joffrey, so yes ultimately they are yours to control."
"And what of my husband?"
"Dead, my queen."
"Most excellent… The daughter. Tarynn. Lady Baratheon. What of her."
"Do you really believe that Lord Stark entrusted any of his private affairs to her."
"It is not that I fear. It is her intelligence and her ability to coerce people onto her side."
The footsteps began to get quieter as the queen and Petyr Baelish continued walking down the length of the cloisters. She cursed under her breath.
Once they had disappeared from view, Sandor let Tarynn go, she began to walk briskly towards the great hall. "Sandor please, find my guards, all of them are retainers in the service of Baratheon. They will have the stag emblazoned on their uniforms. There is little time to spare."
Sandor grabbed her arm, halting her, "What is going on? What was that conversation about?"
"I asked you to…"
"Tell me god damn it. What is your father planning to do?"
Tarynn looked up at Sandor, her eyes lingering on his scar, "Joffrey is a child born of incest. Between the queen and her brother. He cannot sit the Iron Throne and my father wants to make sure that that never happens. But if Cersei has the Gold Cloaks under her thumb then my father will be outnumbered severely. He will not be able to remove Joffrey from the throne by force which means he will be imprisoned, I need to warn him." She looked down at his hand around her arm, "Now let me go."
He reluctantly released her
"Father... Father."
Her father was coming towards her, a group of guards surrounding him, the majority of them were northern except one.
Max.
"Tarynn. What are you doing here? Why are you not in your chambers or with your sisters?" He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I am a married woman father, I can go wherever I wish to now."
"Speaking of which where is…"
He was talking of Renly but she cut him off, "Father there is something that you must know…"
"Lord Stark." A messenger called out to her father, a Winterfell guard stepped in front, keeping the man from approaching them. Her father turned around to address him.
"It's alright let him through."
"Lord Stark, king Joffrey and the queen regent request your presence in the throne room."
"King Joffrey?" Her father glanced at her briefly, his expression a mixture of confusion and sadness.
"King Robert is gone. The Gods give him rest."
"Father…"
Ned Stark bowed his head before sucking in a deep breath, "Tarynn go to your chambers."
"No. No, I am coming with you."
"Tarynn…"
"Father I am not a child anymore."
He looked up at at her, his grey eyes scrutinising her own, whatever he found there seemed to make him give in.
"Fine. You," He pointed at Max, "Stay by my daughter's side and ensure that no harm comes to her."
Max nodded before moving closer to her.
"Right. Let us go and see what they want."
The bells were tolling when they emerged into the small courtyard situated in front of the throne room, Varys and Petyr Baelish moved forward to greet them. She eyed Littlefinger unkindly, she was about to speak but Lord Baelish beat her to it.
"All is accomplished the City Watch is yours."
She was surprised. Perhaps Littlefinger had been playing the queen. Maybe he had been trying to throw her off her father's scent.
"Good. Is Lord Renly joining us?"
Littlefinger looked pointedly at her before switching his gaze to Varys who too looked at Tarynn when he spoke. "I fear Lord Renly has left the city. He rode through the Old Gate in the early morn with Ser Loras Tyrell and some fifty retainers, last seen galloping south in some haste. But he left his beloved wife behind, interesting."
Her father looked at her, "Why did you not tell me this? And why are you not with him?"
She bit her lip, "I did not want to leave Sansa and Arya alone in this city. They need me more than Renly does."
Littlefinger smirked slightly, his eyes knowing, "Surely that is not the only reason why you stayed behind."
She ignored his comment, "I am to follow him tomorrow, once I have said proper good byes to you and my sisters. I did not wish to leave like a thief in the night."
Ned Stark nodded, his voice slightly shaking, "I will ensure that you depart from King's Landing tomorrow morning." He shared a look with Littlefinger before brushing past the master of coin and the master of whispers. They fell into step with him, as did she, Littlefinger to her right.
Upon entering the throne room she walked by her father's side. Guards lined the walls, more followed behind them, all of them wore gold. She narrowed her eyes at the line of kingsguard standing in front of the bastard. Joffrey sat on the Iron Throne, his mother sat beside him, even from here she could see the calculating green eyes.
"All hail his grace, Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister, first of his name. King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and protector of the realm."
A shiver went up Tarynn's spine. She needed to warn her father her suspicions but it was too late, they were standing in front of Joffrey, the armour of Ser Selmy glinting in the sunlight. Cersei glared at her.
But that was not what caught her attention. What caught her attention was Sandor. Kitted out in his fall armour with his hound helm, standing on the right hand side of the bastard king. Her stomach sank, betrayal seeping in through her bones, he had supposed to have helped her, not stand against her
"I command that my council make all the necessary arrangements for my coronation. I wish to be crowned within the fortnight. Today I shall accept oaths of fealty from my loyal councillors."
Silence drifted through the throne room, Joffrey glanced at her briefly, confusion marring his face but her father spoke before Joffrey could question her presence.
"Ser Barristan, I believe no man here could ever question your honour." Her father held out a piece of parchment. The leader of the kingsguard stepped forward in order to receive it.
Barristan glanced at it, "King Robert's seal, unbroken." He unfurled it and read its contents in a clear voice, "Lord Eddard Stark is here in named as Lord Protector of the Realm, to rule as regent, until the heir come of age."
The queen stood, "May I see that letter Ser Barristan." She took the paper from the old knight, "Protector of the realm," She looked up at Ned, "Is this meant to be your shield Lord Stark?" She ripped the parchment in half before ripping it up into quarters, "A piece of paper." She threw them on the floor.
"Those were the king's words."
"We have a new king now." Tarynn took a step forward but her father stopped her, "Lord Eddard when we last spoke you offered me some council. Allow me to return the courtesy. Bend the knee my Lord, bend the knee and swear loyalty to my son," Her father looked at her, "And we shall allow you to live out your days in the grey waste, you call home."
"Your son has no claim to the throne."
"Liar." Joffrey was indignant.
"You condemn yourself with your own mouth. Ser Barristan seize this man."
Selmy moved forward, drawing his blade she put herself in front of him and her father, "No."
Two more guards moved forward, also drawing their blades, "Ser Barristan is a good man, a loyal man, do him no harm."
Cersei piped up again, "You think he stands alone?" The Hound, her Sandor drew his sword threateningly, she moved in front of her father even more. If Sandor wanted to kill her father he would have to cut her down first.
"Kill him. Kill all of them I command it."
Eddard drew Tarynn closer to him, "Commander, take the queen and her children into custody, escort them back to their royal apartments and keep them there under guard."
"Men of the watch."
"I want no bloodshed. Tell your men to lay down your swords, no one needs to die."
Cersei looked at Ned, "Now."
There were grunts of pain, the sound of swords being drawn, of metal being run through soft flesh. She was pulled back. "No. No get off me." Max came to her aid, distracting whoever it was who held her so that she could break free from his grasp. She picked up a dagger that had been on the floor next to a dead man only to be grabbed by behind again. She plunged the dagger into the space between the man's armour at the elbow but it didn't get very deep and all her attacker did was grunt. He held her tightly.
"Stay still." He lifted his sword and placed it at her neck.
Hot tears rolled down her face, "Sandor. Please. Don't do this. Don't do this to me."
"I had no choice."
"If you resist Lord Stark my Hound will slit your daughter's throat."
Her father looked at here, his expression pained.
"I… I submit."
Sandor escorted her to her chambers, the guards that she had posted there were removed and told to change their loyalties or die, he pushed her into the room that she used to share with Renly and took his helmet off letting it fall with a thud to the floor.
She moved away from him, putting as much space as she could between them, "What have they done to my father?"
"He has been taken to the cells, he will be tried for treason."
"And what about me?"
"You? You're valuable. Too valuable to kill. They will just keep you alive, maybe ransom you off to Renly, if he wants you badly enough."
"My sisters…"
"The bird has been caught, she is in her cage, they are still trying to find your other one."
"Arya…"
He moved towards her, his gauntleted hand outstretched, "Tarynn…"
"Don't" She held her hands up, "Don't touch me." She crouched, her hands in her hair as she began to cry. They had captured her father. Her sister was missing and now she was being held ransom. "You betrayed me."
"Wolf, I…"
"You turned on me." She looked up, tears streaming from her eyes, "What have you told them." He didn't say anything she stood and screamed, "What have you told them?!"
"Nothing. I haven't told them anything."
She started sobbing again, Sandor went to her he pulled her close against his armour, he kissed the top of her head, then her face and then finally her lips. He picked her up and deposited her on the bed.
He sat beside her, the bed creaking under his weight, she dragged her knees up and buried he face in them. She felt his hand on her shoulder, "I had to be by the boy's side."
"You were supposed to be on my side." She looked up. "I asked you to find my guards. The guards that Renly left me, did you do that? No, you did not, so tell me Sandor, what did you tell the queen and her… Her abomination?!" He was getting angry but she could not bring herself to care, everything she loved, everyone she cared for was being taken away from her. "Fuck your answer. Fuck them. Fuck you." He caught her ankle, she struggled against him but he gripped it tightly, with his other hand he began to unbuckle his armour. "Sandor. Sandor let me go."
He didn't respond to her, piece by piece various bits of his armour came off. He pulled at his chestpiece revealing the brown leather jerkin he wore underneath. He tugged at it hard and the laces broke before tossing it aside. He let her go only to take off his shirt and she made a break for the door but he caught her, pressing her against his bare chest, his lips going to her neck. He moved her towards the bed, scooping her up before lying her back down on it.
Slowly he began to undress her, peeling the shoulders of her dress off, before leaving her in just her underwear. He dragged his trousers down and her undergarments before climbing on top of her.
She felt him against her leg as he kissed down the length of her body, capturing a nipple in his mouth, she moaned. His fingers found her most private of places before he replaced them with himself.
Together they reached their climaxes. Sandor spilling her seed within her. When he withdrew he cradled her in his arms kissing her softly.
"I would never betray you."
She pulled the bed covers over their naked bodies. "I am sorry to have ever doubted you."
"Joffrey and the queen ordered me to show my loyalties, I could not so brazenly go against them, not without having my head severed from my neck and then where would you be? You'd have no protection at all."
She ran her fingers lightly over his chest, "And how do you plan on protecting me if you cannot go so 'brazenly' against Cersei and Joffrey."
He pulled her up and kissed her, "I can make sure that Joffrey does not touch you. That you have liberties and are not imprisoned in your chambers for the remainder of your life. Men fear me, if I tell them to stop guarding your door then they will with no questions."
"What about my father. What will they do to him?"
He stroked her lower back, his grey eyes troubled, "Now that I do not have the answer to Wolf."
"Sansa!"
She fell to her knees, arms outstretched as her younger sister broke free of the guard that held her by the arm, running into Tarynn's embrace.
"They… They have father."
"I know. I know." She stroked Sansa's long auburn hair, cradling her young sister close to her chest, "Don't let it worry you."
"I am worried. The queen, Joffrey, they say that father is a traitor." She pulled away from her, her blue eyes worried, "He isn't is he? He didn't say the things that Joffrey said he had."
Tarynn looked up at the guards. "Can you leave me and my sister alone for a few minutes." The guard didn't move, "You seriously believe that a young woman and a young girl are going to attempt to escape a heavily fortified keep? I'm good but I'm not that good."
The guard narrowed his eyes before leaving the room, slamming the door shut behind him. She told Sansa to sit in one of the blue covered arm chairs that occupied a corner of her chambers before moving to the small table that held some of Renly's favourite wine, straight from Westerlands, into two small goblets. She handed one to her sister.
"Father says that I'm only to drink wine at meals."
"I think you deserve a small drink Sansa…" She sat in the chair opposite Sansa, brushing back a lock of her brown hair that had fallen into her eyes, "What have they told you San."
The girl sipped at her drink before clearing her throat, "Just that father had been arrested. That Joffrey… That he… He wants to teach father a lesson, and a lesson to all those that try to question his legitimacy or his inheritance."
"I see… The queen has visited you? Are you still to be wedded to Joffrey?"
"Yes. I think I am."
"Do you want to be?"
Sansa looked down into her wine, her voice small, "No."
Tarynn knelt down in front of her sister, taking her hand in hers, "I will try my hardest to stop this marriage between you and Joffrey. I give you my word… Did the queen speak about me?"
"Only that they are planning on giving you back to Renly. A goodwill gesture the queen said since you are legally the aunt of the king… Renly has already sent three letters demanding to know of your whereabouts."
Tarynn nodded, it had been five days since her father had been taken into custody, four days since she was supposed to have left for Storm End.
"Anything else?"
"Only that they plan on sending you soon. Unless something should happen."
"Something should happen?" Tarynn mulled it over a bit, running through scenarios.
What will happen after they decide the sentence for my father in the next few days? What will the men of the north do? What will Renly do since now he knows of Joffrey's true parentage? And Robert had a third brother. Older than Renly… Stannis? What will happen when he learns that a bastard sits the Iron Throne…
War.
There was a knock at the door. "Enter."
Varys appeared in the doorway, his soft arms folded over his soft stomach, "I beg your pardon Lady Baratheon, Lady Stark," He nodded at Sansa before turning his gaze towards Tarynn, "Might I have a word."
"Sansa go back to your chambers. I will ask for us to dine together in the future. I do not want you to be surrounded solely by the queen and her… Son."
Once Sansa had departed Tarynn turned her attentions to Varys, gesturing for him to sit in the chair that Sansa had just vacated. "What did you wish to talk to me about Varys?"
The eunuch coughed lightly, "I have some news and revelations that you may be interested to hear of."
"Go on."
"Firstly, your husband has been writing enquiring about your whereabouts, each one becoming more and more demanding, you were supposed to follow him after you had made your good byes to your family yes?"
"Yes I was. Why are you telling me this?"
"Ah. I shall come to that soon. The other is that your father has requested your presence. I can take you to him but you must keep this silent. Knowledge of this arrangement must not go any further then these walls. I will also arrange for you to write to your distraught husband, explaining your situation, and that you are well."
"That is extremely generous of you Varys. Risking Cersei's wrath."
"I am not risking anything Lady Baratheon, I am simply repaying a favour, besides we have more in common than you think."
"And this common trait is making you want to help me?"
"What is making me help you is your resolve, your determination and your habit of making even the most scarred man fall to his knees in front of you."
She caught the double meaning in his words.
"I am certain I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Ah come now Lady Baratheon, don't act so coy, I don't quite understand how he captured your beautiful attention but know this I am not the only one with birds watching. If you wish to continue your… affairs, you need to be more subtle."
"Why are you telling me all this?"
Varys let out a soft tut, "My dear, people misperceive me as being calculating and unfriendly, good only for spying and selling secrets. I assure you however, your secret is very much safe with me, I see you more as an investment. I predict great things for you in your future." He stood and so she stood too. "I will return close to midnight, be ready.
In true cloak and dagger style they moved quickly down the corridors. Varys took her through a secret passage, insisting that she closed her eyes and not allowing her to open them until they had reached the dungeons.
Dark, odorous, and simply disgusting, the dungeons beneath the Red Keep were not even fit for a rat to live in. They walked down the spiralling staircases and along rows of cells until they reached the last one. Varys opened the gate swiftly, taking the torch from her as she passed through the barred gate.
"Father?"
There was a cough, then a voice, thick and hoarse, "Tarynn?"
"I'm here." Varys handed her the torch before scuttling off, she slotted it into one of the holders on the wall before crouching down, taking her father's hand. "What have they done to you?"
"Refused me any form of treatment for my leg, gah," He leant back against the wall, his face swallow, "Your sisters…"
"Sansa is fine. I am going to request that her chambers are moved nearer to mine"
"And Arya."
Tarynn looked away, "Arya is missing father. We have not seen her since before your arrest. Some say that her dance teacher, Syrio Forel, aided her in her escape."
"Missing… Gods…"
"What's going to happen? What are they going to do to you?"
Ned coughed again, "Varys says that I should swear fealty. There is a chance that they may send me to the Wall."
"The Wall?"
"Yes."
"Father. They can't do this to you."
"They can do whatever they want to me." He squeezed her hand tightly. "The Game of Thrones is theirs to dictate now."