The rest of that day I spent sat beside the Godswood thinking of poor Sansa. We didn't get along, but at didn't mean I liked to see her suffer. I didn't! It was horrible. I would rather die than hurt my sisters on purpose. That's why I stopped with my needle work.
By being better than Sansa I was unintentionally getting more praise. Whilst doing this I was also causing Arya more stress because she was the only one who couldn't do it. She got more stick because of this to. By not doing anything, I got more stick from mother and Sansa got more praise.
We're all happy, well Sansa and Arya were. I had to live with a constantly disappointed mother and a grovelling father who is still apologizing for something he did ten and five years ago.
But no matter how much I cry, scream and rebel I won't be able to pull out of this one. This marriage has already been set in stone and I will not be able to get out of it.
"Well if it isn't the lovely lady Lyanna." A voice sounded from behind me. I turned to see the queens brother, Tyrion. The dwarf. "My did you make an impact on the King. And the Queen by the looks of it." He said gesturing to my dress.
"Lord Tyrion." I smiled at him, not bothering to get up and curtsy. "What bring you to these parts of the woods. I thought everyone in Kings Landing worshiped the Seven."
"Ah, they do, but there is nothing wrong with some healthy curiosity." He smiled back walking up to the heart tree and taking in every last bit of it magnificence.
"Its beautiful, is it not?" I asked him, standing to join him at the tree. I ran my smooth hand of the rough centuries old bark. Bark white as the snow beyond the wall and leaves red as the clothes in the south.
"It is. But far beyond beautiful. This tree is old and as seen many winters. it is probably far more knowledgeable as any maester or master of coin. And knowledge concurs all my Lady."
"Never has a truer word been spoken, Lord Tyrion. And please call me Anna." I grinned down at him. I've heard stories of the 'Monster' that killed Lady Joanna Lannister. The Halfman brother of the Queen. But what i have seen so far is noting but a plain gentlemanly dwarf who is very knowledgeable.
"Wow, first name basis with the future Queen. I must be doing something right." He glanced up at me and i know he saw me grimace. "Ah, you are not pleased by the news?"
"Far from it, Lord Tyrion. I am hoping to wriggle my way out of it before the day gets here. But I would rather burn at the stake than give my family a bad name outside these walls. Prince Joffrey will have his work cut out for him if he is as annoying and stuck up as I've heard. I am not one to follow the rules or be told what to do" I say, not really caring if I'm in the presence of is uncle.
"That he is Lady Anna. I can't wait to witness it." He chuckled and I smiled. "But look on the bright side, at least he isn't a dwarf."
"A dwarf, My Lord, sounds like a luxury compared to Joffrey." by now we are both sharing a laugh.
"I like you Lady Anna, your not unlike myself. Well in looks that is another matter, but your very knowledgeable. I believe you will make a great Queen, some day."
"Its good to know I have at least one friend up in Kings Landing."
"I thought you were on good terms with the Queen? She did give you the dress, did se not?" He asked, his brow creased in confusion.
"She did, but my gut is telling me she only did is to size me up, Like a piece of meat. Your family truly are Lions Tyrion. I think i would do well to not trust anyone in the south. Can I trust them Lord Tyrion?"
"Can anything trust a Lion? What makes you think you can trust me?" He quizzes.
"My gut. All the stories I have heard about you do you no Justice. It seems as though when describing you the Lannisters have simply looked in a mirror and outed their true ways. You are no monster, Lord Tyrion. It leads me to wonder what type of person would lead the seven kingdoms to believe this." he looked genuinely intrigued at my reason. "So, can I trust you Lord Tyrion, Or are you a lion behind a very convincing mask?"
"My girl, You can trust me if i can trust you!" He smiled. "It seems as though we've been missing years. Would you care to join me on a stroll back to the castle?"
"It would be a Pleasure My Lord." I smirked and took his arm. Being short is finally working as a great trait.
We talked more as we walked back to the castle gates and I started to like Tyrion more and more. He told me all about Kings Landing and all the market stalls. The thing I was most excited about was the Kings Library. scrolls upon scrolls of tales. Even fictions stories.
"I really cant wait, I think I may actually enjoy life in Kings Landing." Tyrion smiled at me and we came up to the Castle.
"There you are!" I heard an irritating voice from my left. I shuddered and heard Tyrion chuckle from next to me. "I've been looking everywhere for you, My Lovely Lady." I smiled sweetly at Joffrey and turned to Tyrion. I fake gagged.
He chuckled, "Will I be seeing you at the feast Later Anna?" He kissed my hand and winked.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Tyrion." I smiled back falsely.
"Have fun." He smirked and left at a joyous skip almost.
"Oh, I will try." I called after him.
Turning round to face Joffrey I smiled, "Your Grace was looking for me?"
"I was." He smiled offering his hand to me which i begrudgingly took. I notice he was with Sandor Clegane, more commonly known as the hound. His face was even more grotesque than i'd heard, but i am not one to judge before meeting. If he was anything like the stories, I don't even want to set eyes on his brother, The Mountain. "Dog, you may leave us. I doubt this Little Lady could even hurt a fly."
oh dear Joffrey, you are sooo wrong.
After a moment Sandor nodded and left, bowing to both myself and Joffrey.
"So, your well acquainted with My Uncle?" he pried, not bothering to hide his confusion and utter disgust.
"Yes, he was visiting the Godswood and so was I. We introduced ourselves and got chatting. He is a very nice man, his reputation does him no justice." I was not going to lie to joffrey just to get him to like me. I am not Sansa.
"Hmm," He looked as though he was thinking about what I said. "Your kindness to my disfigured uncle intrigues me. I think we may just get along. Especially if your going to be my wife!"
"Well, we have plenty of time to get to know each other. We wont be married for quite a while." I assured him and he laughed. "What?"
"You really don't know?" He asked looking ecstatic that he was going to get to tell me whatever it was I didn't know. A knot formed in my stomach.
"What don't I know?" I stopped suddenly. "What don't I know?" I asked harsher than intended.
This seemed to make Joffrey stop laughing. He gripped my arms tightly and stared into my eyes, his eyes looking sinister. I keep my face void of any emotion. Step one to being intimidating, never show emotion when being confronted. "Do NOT talk to me in that manner. Ever. Are we clear?"
"Crystal." I said in a satin smooth voice, also void of emotion. Step two of intimidation; keep your voice level. Don't raise it or lower it. I was going show Joffrey he couldn't scare me. I was going to show him he'd never own me.
He let go of me and seemed to control himself, He looked down and when he meet my gaze again he was smiling. "We're getting married as soon as we get back to kings landing. No later. No earlier."
I felt my stomach drop, the nerves made me feel physically sick. "Excuse me your grace. I need a moment."
I turned from Joffrey and left for the Castle. I walked slowly and collectedly trying to figure out what to do. When it hit me I picked up my pace. I reached the sitting room of the castle where I knew my father would be. And hopefully the King.
I heard a load belly laugh coming from inside so I barged right in.
"Lyanna, theres my girl." King Robert. "How are you?"
"At this very moment King Robb, I am freaking out." I said giving him a shaky smile.
"Ah, pre-wedding gitters. We all get them my dear." My father said looking at me sympathetically. "Come, sit."
"I feel as though its all happening so soon." I say honestly, I know what I was about to do next goes against all my moral codes, but it was worth trying. I started crying.
"Oh, child. Don't cry." Robert said, flailing as though he didn't know what to do. He gave me a big side hug. He smelt like beer and chicken. Poor Cersei. I could tell he wasn't used to crying girls, especially ones that look like the love of his life. "Why-Why don't we post pone it. A week or so, so you can get used to the south." I sniffled and stop crying. My father was just looking at me strangely. He looked surprised and proud at the same time.
"Thank you Robbert, Its not that i'm ungrateful. Its quite the opposite really. I just need some time to adjust, you know?" I stopped crying and my father gave me his hankie to wipe my tears on.
"Go tell your Lady Mother the news my dear and packing." My father said softly. I knew he saw past my charade. Using my resemblance to Lyanna to my advantage.
"Nonsense, as soon as she gets to Kings Landing she will have a whole new wardrobe. On me, as wedding gift." Robb patted my back.
"You are too kind, Robb."
"My Darling, it is Uncle Robb."
"I will bear that in mind." I smiled and him and made my leave.
I wasn't going to my mother. I had no intention of letting her know. plus it would be inevitable that she would find out so there was no need. I was in search of a maid. One that could direct me straight to lord Tyrions room.
I needed to speak to someone who understands.