Game of Thrones: Crossroads
Chapter 24 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
Reviews
Boris Yeltsin; Thanks.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks.
Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks, glad you like them, well, they do their best to be good people :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Chapter 24
Rickon smiled to himself as he stepped out of his room and began heading downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs he found Bran; who was wheeling his way towards the kitchen. Bran looked up and smirked when he saw Rickon; who noticed.
"What?"
Bran laughed. "You and Shireen going anywhere special tonight?"
Rickon started. "What, how do you I'm going to see Shireen?"
"You've brushed your hair Rickon." Bran explained with a grin.
Rickon groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Okay, you got me, I'm gonna go see her; we've not decided anything yet."
Bran nodded and continued on to the kitchen; Rickon followed him.
"What about you, what are you doing this evening?" He asked; curious.
Bran smiled and then explained. "I was gonna go with Jojen and Meera down to the arcade."
Rickon shook his head. "You're really gonna subject Meera to the two of you playing video games for a whole evening."
"You'd be surprised." Bran stated. "She plays them too, in fact, I don't know how, but I think she's better than both of us."
Rickon laughed at that. "Well, have fun, see you later."
"You too."
Still smiling Rickon left the house and headed to the park to meet Shireen. He couldn't help but smile whenever he thought of her. Most people who saw them tended to do double-takes, as if surprised. That annoyed him, he could see in their eyes they couldn't understand why he was with her. Just because her face was burned didn't mean she wasn't beautiful. Shaking the negative thoughts out of his head he hurried on, looking forward to meeting up with Shireen.
Shireen was sitting on the usual bench, waiting for him. He sped up slightly but then slowed when he noticed her expression. She looked upset about something. He approached her carefully.
"Shireen?" His voice was tentative, worried.
She looked up and relief flooded her face. She stood and immediately embraced him.
"Rickon."
He gently returned the embrace and then spoke. "What's wrong, you look…kinda down."
She sighed. "Oh it's stupid, it was Margaery and her friends again; mocking me, calling me 'grilled face' again. When I showed them I wasn't bothered by it they started bragging about how Arya was now with them and how they had both Stark girls on their side now."
Rickon growled at that. "I still don't get that; even if she has her reasons, they must be pretty extreme for Arya to act the way she is now."
Shireen just sighed and shook her head. "I don't get it either; but I'm hoping, someday maybe…"
"It may not seem like it Shireen, but I think you're right, the question is, how far is Arya going to go, before trying to come back, will we even be able to let her back."
Shireen had no reply to that and so, to stave off any awkwardness, she kissed him.
Finally, after parting, Shireen knew that there was no longer any point in delaying.
"Rickon, we can't keep running from this. I would feel better if I didn't have to lie about why I was leaving the house." She stated. "I think, I think it's time we told my parents."
Rickon gulped but agreed with her; he knew it would only be a matter of time anyway. They couldn't keep it quiet forever after all. So, together they left the park, heading for Shireen's house.
Nervous didn't begin to describe how Shireen felt just now. It was time for Rickon to official meet her parents, time to reveal that he was her boyfriend, time to reveal to them that she actually even had a boyfriend. Her mind kept playing various possible scenarios over and over again, sadly none of them were good, especially regarding her mother. Selyse Baratheon had never forgiven her daughter for rejecting her religion of R'hllor; even though Shireen's faith in the Seven had already waned. Her mother kept telling her that she couldn't stay like this, she had to choose between them, what her mother didn't know was there was another choice for her. One she was already interested in, but likely her mother wouldn't like it. Her father was another story; she just didn't know what he would do, would he be as cold and uncaring as ever, or would he choose now, or all times, to be the protective dad; just the thought of it worried her. She already had to be shielded from her mother during any of what the staff referred to quietly as her 'R'hllor moments'. Stannis was taking no chances after all, following the incident which resulted in Shireen getting burned. Distracted she wondered what her father would think if she told him she was developing an interest in Rickon's Gods, the Old Gods, but pushed the matter aside as they entered the house, it was time.
She entered and called out; it turned out her mother was in the kitchen. Shireen smiled nervously at Rickon who squeezed her hand reassuringly and together they headed through. Selyse was standing in the kitchen, the usual severe expression on her face whenever she spoke to her daughter.
"Hello mum, is dad home yet?" She asked.
Selyse shook her head. "No…Who is this?"
Her eyes narrowed as she regarded Rickon. Shireen spoke, trying to keep her voice level.
"This is Rickon Stark, mum, he…" She never finished because at that moment her mother cut across her.
"Stark; oh I see; yes. I know your family boy, I've heard about you, your sister broke my favourite vase too."
Shireen cringed, having forgotten that; her mother had never been very fond of the Starks, one day, when Arya was around, they had been messing around when the vase fell. Her mother disliked the Starks even more after that.
Rickon smiled politely but Selyse turned to her daughter and glared. "What is he doing here?"
Shireen took a deep breath and then said the words. "He's my boyfriend mum."
Selyse stared in shock and then. "WHAT!? You're dating him, look at him, he's a mess, you know what he's like, not to mention he clearly lacks care in his appearance!"
Shireen knew all too well her mother was regarding Rickon's untucked shirt and his wild hair which was long enough to reach the nape of his neck when she made that remark. Luckily, whatever other faults she had been about to list were cut short when the door opened and Stannis walked in.
Stannis observed them all, Selyse looked like she was about to say something so Shireen spoke up quickly, gesturing to Rickon.
"Dad I…I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Rickon Stark."
Stannis's face was unreadable, when meeting his daughter's boyfriend, and she didn't know what to say to him, how could she convince him he was good to her? But her dad didn't help - he wouldn't ask any questions, and mother just kept mentioning Rickon's hair and shirt and any other faults she could think of.
Finally however he spoke up. "Rickon, is it?" he asked, and Rickon nodded "Would you accompany me to my office, please?"
Rickon followed Shireen's father into the office nervously, and after it's offered to him, he took a seat. They sat in silence for a while, Rickon fidgeted and finally felt the need to say something.
"Sir, I promise you, I really care for your daughter and I don't plan on hurting her in any way."
"I know your father boy, he's a fair and honourable man." Stannis remarked. "A rare thing in today's world. I hope he taught you well."
Rickon nodded. "He did, sir. I would never, never do anything to hurt Shireen."
"Do you care for her boy?"
Rickon nodded again. "Yes, I do, very much."
Stannis regarded Rickon briefly and then nodded. "I hope so." he said, before standing up and holding the door open for them, and it seemed as some kind of acceptance.
Rickon left the office relieved and smiled at Shireen, she smiled back, things had actually gone better than she had thought, it seemed her father had accepted Rickon. Now she no longer had to be private about her relationship with him. Five minutes after, Rickon and Shireen were leaving the house to go to the movies, holding hands, their fingers entwined.
Shireen was curious however so she asked. "What did my father say?"
"Nothing special. Just guy stuff, making sure you're in good hands." Rickon explained with a grin.
Shireen couldn't help but smile back as she replied. "I know I am." before squeezing his hand.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.