"I'm terribly sorry about tonight," John apologized for the dozenth time. He and Aurora were back at his flat and he made her hot tea.
"For the dozenth time, John, it's alright. Trust me, I've endured worse." John set the tea in front of Aurora and she thanked him for it.
"I didn't know Ella was like that. I...I suppose I judged a book by its cover too quickly."
"What do you mean?"
"Well...she looks harmless and...and kind," John said choosing his words carefully to not offend Aurora by complimenting Ella too much.
"She's not as bad as you think," Aurora answered sipping on her tea. "She's the kindest of the Lannisters."
"You think that was kind?"
"Oh John," Aurora said shaking her head. "You don't know about our worlds."
"I've heard that before," John scoffed lightly.
"Because it's true. You see our world from one point of view : the news. The news waters down what actually happens because they don't take part in the game. They're bystanders. But the world becomes different once you partake in the game."
"You think the whole feud is a game?"
"Of course it is. My family even gave it a name : the Game of Thrones."
"Game of Thrones?"
"For the past 2 centuries, my family ruled the thrones of the British government. But we lost power, and the Baratheons now have the reins. But the Baratheons are foolish. They'll ruin our country as fast as the stock market plummeted during the Great Depression."
"Did you...ever kill anyone?"
"No, I haven't," Aurora answered honestly.
"But...you know people who have...people who work for your family."
"It's as common as a lion or a wolf hunting for its prey. When you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die." John was quiet, trying to understand this new world he became involved with against his will. "So don't be too hard on Ella Lannister. She did what she had to do to protect her family. I would've done the same."
"Would you have? Do you play with people's lives as if they're just pawns?"
"Welcome to a whole new world, John Watson."
Tywin and Ella Lannister were in a tiny unpopulated cafe. They vacated everyone so that they could have their meeting. And there came Daenerys Targaryen with her son, Rhaego Targaryen. The Lannisters didn't get up, watching the Targaryens take their seat in front of them. "Good afternoon, Sir Tywin Lannister," Daenerys spoke up trying to be polite.
"What is it that you want in exchange?" Tywin asked getting to the point.
"A simple apology." Tywin and Ella Lannister's eyebrows raised. "I want you to apologize to my daughter, Aurora. She was treated without respect at your birthday party, and we demand an apology. In exchange, we will hand you Jorah Mormont."
"You'll hand over one of your most trusted advisers for a simple apology?" Ella Lannister asked not trusting Daenerys.
"Was my most trusted adviser. I'm sure you would do worse if you found out a trusted friend stabbed your family in the back." Daenerys eyed Ella, but Ella didn't falter.
"I expect Jorah Mormont to be dropped off at the Lannister home by 6 pm tonight," Tywin answered. "Ella will speak to your daughter once we have him." Tywin paid for the coffee for both parties, and he and Ella left.
"So that's it?" Ella asked. "We'll have Mormont, and all I have to do is apologize?"
"You will not apologize. You will speak to Aurora Targaryen."
"But-"
"Do not weaken our family name with your empathy, Ella," Tywin spoke firmly.
Ella arrived at the Stark house alone. She rang the doorbell and Bran answered it. "Ella!" He shouted with glee and pounced on Ella, giving her a tight hug. She hugged Bran back, and Rickon came running to the door when he heard his brother call out Ella's name. Ella hugged the two children tightly, and Arya and Sansa came out next.
Ella hugged all 4 children, and she stepped into the house. "Mother! Father! Ella's here!" Rickon shouted with joy. Catelyn Stark stepped out from the kitchen and weakly smiled at Ella. Ella gave a light bow to Catelyn Stark, and she saw Eddard walking down the stairs from his study to see what all the commotion was about.
"Ella," he spoke with a smile.
"Good afternoon, Sir Stark, Lady Stark. May I...have a word with you, Sir Stark?" He nodded and led Ella up to his study. He closed the door so that they could have some privacy.
"Something's bothering you."
"Yes," Ella sighed and sat on a chair. "Have you ever wondered how life would be like if all 4 houses could get along?"
"Spending time with Targaryens, I see."
"No," Ella chuckled lightly. "Peace isn't just what Targaryens want. I want it, too."
"Peace is what everyone wants, but it's not what reality provides."
"But we can move towards peace one step at a time." Ella opened her mouth to say something, but she was hesitant.
"Whatever you speak of in my study will not leave. I give you my word, Ella."
"...grandfather and I met with Daenerys Targaryen today. She offered to give us Jorah Mormont in exchange for my apology to her daughter. I...suppose I mistreated her at my grandfather's birthday party."
"You suppose?"
"Besides the point, my grandfather told me later to not apologize when I speak to Aurora Targaryen. He says it will make our House weaker if I do."
"Expected from Tywin Lannister."
"But I don't see what the big deal is. It's just an apology. I mean, I do understand his point but...but I don't believe in it."
"You know just as well how hard your grandfather worked to build up the Lannister name. Your great-grandfather wasted the name away, making it seem as if it were a joke. But your grandfather did immeasurable things so that every person in the United Kingdom tremble when they hear the name Lannister. He's set in a certain mindset, one that only he is accustomed to, one that is your choice to follow or not to follow."
"Grandfather would be disappointed."
"And he must learn to give the torch to his next succeeder, trusting in them that they will make the right decisions for the House."
"I don't know if it will be me to succeed him."
"So who do you think it would be? Joffrey?"
Ella scoffed at the idea of Joffrey taking over Tywin Lannister. "It could be Belle."
"She has more Baratheon blood in her than Lannister. You can't deny the fact your grandfather wants you to succeed him."
"But he and father tried to keep me away from the family business. I always thought they wanted me to live my own life."
"You have proven yourself more than capable, and it is a talent that cannot be wasted into anything else."
"So it's destiny, fate that I continue on the Lannister name?"
"I do not speak for destiny or fate, and they do not speak for you. You speak for yourself, and you make choices for yourself." Ella sighed and nodded, knowing what Eddard was trying to tell her. She stood up and was about to leave when she remembered what else she wanted to talk about.
"I also have one more question, Sir Stark. How...how did you and Lady Catelyn...work out? I mean...you were always in the political business but...how did she..." Ella didn't quite know how to phrase her question because she didn't really know what she wanted to ask specifically.
"When two people love each other, nothing can stand in their way. Not a job, not a family, not a war. If their love is true, they will prevail."
Ella smiled and nodded, trying to put that in her head. "Thank you, Sir Stark. I'm so glad I can still talk to you like this."
"You are always welcome, Ella. I hope I've been of help to you."
"Very much." Ella walked herself out and saw Robb walking down the hall. He was shocked to see Ella in his home, and she walked down the stairs. He ran after her and stopped her before she could've grabbed a cab.
"You and that man are together now?" Robb asked. "That man from the ballet night and at your grandfather's party."
"Sherlock Holmes. Not official, but yes I suppose."
"Are you sure it would be a good idea to have a non-affiliate involved?"
"He doesn't have to be involved."
"But he will be. You know just as well as I do that once you date a Lannister, your name will forever be a target to the other Houses."
"And he will be under my protection if it comes down to it. Just the way Talisa is under your protection. You don't need to worry for Sherlock."
"It's not him I'm worried about. It's you." Ella looked at Robb and she could see he was genuine. "People will always be after you, Ella. And they'll do it by hurting the people you love."
"Sherlock can protect himself. You don't know him the way I do."
"But he doesn't know what he's getting himself into. I did. I knew exactly what I was heading into when I fell in love with you, but does he?"
"He says he understands what-"
"He doesn't understand because he doesn't know what he's getting himself into."
"You act as if everyone I love around me is going to die," Ella growled angrily at the way Robb was talking to her. "My grandfather is alive, Belle is alive, you're alive." Both Ella and Robb were caught off guard at Ella's implication that she was still loved Robb. She looked away from Robb, but he put his hand to her cheek making her turn to face him once more. The two looked in each other's eyes, and no matter how much Ella wanted to look away she couldn't. All the memories of their love flooded her mind, the warm feeling she could get when she would kiss his lips and feel his beard tickling her face, his large hands holding her petite body, his wolf instincts satiating her lion hunger.
Robb and Ella felt the same pain and love looking into each other's eyes, and Robb leaned in closer slowly. When Ella felt his uneven breath overpowering hers, she looked away seeing Sherlock in her head. "I really like him, Robb," Ella whispered sadly. "Support me." She walked away and quickly grabbed a taxi, leaving Robb standing there feeling an emptiness take over his whole body like a shadow in the night.
Sherlock read Ella's text saying that she couldn't hang out with him because she was busy taking care of family business. He understood, and he just sighed loudly playing his violin in his home. John came in with groceries in both hands. "A little help?" John asked.
"I'm busy," Sherlock responded continuing to play his violin. John rolled his eyes and put down the groceries. "How was your night with Briar Rose, or should I say Aurora Targaryen?"
"It was good," John said clearing his throat, trying not to get Sherlock's comment get to him. "We cleared a few things up, but things are going well between us. You and Ella?"
"Great, lovely," he responded without emotion. "She's still a little troubled, but I can help her with that."
"Troubled with what?"
"The fact that I'm inevitably going to be involved in the whole family business/feud. And so are you."
"No, no, I'm going to stay out of it as much as I can."
"It's out of your hands, John. Involving yourself with a Targaryen girl is as dangerous a play as me involving myself with a Lannister girl. But we face up to dangers when they're thrown at our face, don't we, John?"
"I suppose."
"Our friendship won't be affected by this, will it, John?" John looked at Sherlock but Sherlock had his back to John, holding his violin in his hands now.
"I hope not, Sherlock." Sherlock laughed to himself as if he was a fool. It had been a while since he wished everyone could just get along. "Don't you just wish they could all get along?" Sherlock looked to John, a bit surprised that John spoke what Sherlock was thinking. "The whole family feud thing...it all seems like bull to me. Maybe...maybe we can help, Sherlock."
"Help...yes, yes maybe we can. But how?"
"I don't know," John shrugged gulping down milk. "Maybe...maybe we can try talking with the ladies, try to make them put their differences aside."
"We'll see about that," Sherlock scoffed remembering Ella's words about how Lannisters don't compromise.