AN: Written to the theme of "rivalry" at Valyrian_Forged on LJ.
"Wait a minute, you can't take her!" Ser Harys hollered as the sellsword dragged the girl, only half dressed by the arm. "I found her, she's mine!'
"She's a whore!" the impromptu abductor pointed out. "She'll go to whoever gives her coin."
"Much like yourself," the knight shouted angrily at the sellsword retreating back. He fully expected his words to have no affect on the man but the unkempt creature dragging the barely dressed woman out paused on his way with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Yes, that's true," the man agreed. "Only difference is, I'm openly saying it."
"Really your Grace, she's just a girl. Your good mother needs a woman in her bed, not a shy maiden who won't know how to subdue a lioness in heat."
"What do you mean, Lady Taena. I know you would never presume to call any of my cousins dull."
"Of course not, Your Grace. I merely meant that perhaps the Queen Regent will feel more comfortable with someone closer to her own age. She might even share her personal thoughts and feelings. It would be a shame if Her Grace's innermost thoughts be missed in a fit of childish carelessness."
"Under the sea, little girls are green. I know, I know, I know!" Patchface sang merrily, trying to coax a smile from the young princess. Shireen may have been young but she knew what her fool was trying to do. Ever since Edric had left Dragonstone, smiling was getting harder and harder and somehow, Patchface could never replace the handsome young boy the princess had become so fond of.
"Under the sea, all boys go, I know, I know, I know! The fool continued, making Shireen shudder.
"I don't like this song, Patchface," she said quietly. "Sing something else please."
"It isn't fair, Sansa get's everything!" her youngest daughter screeched and Catelyn tried once again to sooth the child.
"Now Arya, sweetling, Sansa is older than you. And you mustn't think that way about your lady sister."
"But it's true, Jeyne says you even love Sansa more than you love me because she's beautiful and can sing and dance and even sew. Only Jon likes me and that's because I'm like him. Am I a bastard, mother? Is that why no one likes me?"
Catelyn stared at her daughter, speechless.
"Where did you hear such a thing?" she finally asked.
Ghost emitted a low growl in his throat as Gray Wind neared. True Gray Wind looked fiercer but Ghost knew if it came to a fight, he would emerge the victor. He also knew that no joy would come off that kill as nothing was worth losing a pack brother. Still, the two wolves played this game just as their masters played their games of steel in the yard. Gray Wind would get too near Lady whenever she was alone and Ghost would growl at him menacingly. It provided for good entertainment within these man-made walls. And Lady never complained.
End Note: Yes, I did try to be slightly original, not sure if it worked.