5
Joffrey's name day was in full swing and Naerys watched slightly disturbed as the Knight's fought each other the young King somehow over the course of the last few weeks since Eddard's death had taken pleasure in keeping Sansa by his side so she could see him do terrible things, Naerys as his Aunt to be was told to watch. Seeing the young King take such joy and watching men fight to entertain him wasn't surprising to Naerys who had managed to keep a neutral look on her face as she saw the men drag away the loser the pool of blood making drag marks as he was dragged away.
The next round was amusing if Naerys could be honest with herself and watching the fat drunk Knight make a fool out of himself as he came down the stairs struggling to put on his helmet "Um here I am! Sorry Your Grace my deepest apologies!"
"Are you drunk" Joffrey questioned a familiar glint in his eye allowed Naerys to gage that he as usual was up to no good as Ser Dontos stuttered in reply "N-no your grace I had two cups of wine."
"Two cups that's not much at all" Joffrey said with a fake thoughtful look upon his face "Please have another cup."
"Are you sure your grace" Ser Dontos asked seeming wary as Joffrey nodded "Yes to celebrate my name day have two have as much as you like."
"I'd be honored your grace" Ser Dontos said falling right into the trap Joffrey had set for him as the King smirked "Ser Meryn help Ser Dontos celebrate my name day see that he drinks his fill."
Watching the Knight being dragged over to be tortured and having wine poured down his throat Naerys had to look away despite being the closest to all the action having being sat on Sansa's left.
"You can't" Sansa blurted out in disgust and shock as Joffrey looked at her with a hateful glare "What did you say? Did you say I can't?"
"I only meant it would be bad luck to kill a man on your name day" Sansa said as Joffrey scoffed "What kind of peasant superstition?"
"The girl is right when a man serves on his name day he reaps all year" the Hound replied repeating an old saying as Naerys nodded in agreement "Doing such a thing could have unforeseen consequences your grace, it may be a superstitious thing but the gods always have a way of making themselves known if you break tradition."
"Take him away" Joffrey said sighing in annoyance "I'll have him killed tomorrow the fool."
Naerys looked away as Ser Dontos vomited and she heard Sansa speak the clever girl having come up with a usual idea trying her best to wind her way past Joffrey's cruelty "He is a fool you're so clever to see it, he'll make a much better fool than a knight he doesn't deserve the mercy of a quick death."
"Did you hear my lady Ser Dontos" Joffrey spoke his eyes lighting up with amusement "From this day you'll be my new fool." "Thank you your grace and you my lady thank you" Ser Dontos said bowing to them in gratitude before he was carried off by Ser Meryn and a couple other Knights.
"Beloved nephew! We looked for you on the battlefield, but you were nowhere to be found" a voice was soon heard and Naerys smiled with glee as she saw Tyrion coming towards them in full armor Joffrey slightly caught off guard "I...I've been here, ruling the kingdoms!"
"And what a fine job you've done" Tyrion said obviously not impressed before he turned to give his niece and nephew some complements glad to see them " Look at you, more beautiful than ever! And you! You're going to be bigger than the Hound...but much better looking! This one doesn't like me."
The man who Naerys believed may be a knight or a sellsword smiled obviously amused "I Can't imagine why."
"We heard you were dead" Joffrey said as Naerys stiffened in her chair beside Sansa watching as Myrcella smiled "I'm glad you're not dead."
" Me too, dear. Death is so boring, especially now with so much excitement in the world" he gave Naerys a wink as he stepped over towards them his expression becoming somber as he looked at Sansa "My lady, I'm sorry for your loss."
"Her loss?! Her father was a confessed traitor" Joffrey said outraged and Naerys sensing Sansa's true sadness gently clasped one of the girls hands in her own squeezing it to help anchor the young wolf as Tyrion looked at his nephew irritated "But still her father. Surely having so recently lost your own beloved father, you can sympathize!"
"My father was a traitor" Sansa said speaking in monotone with Joffrey's eyes on her "My mother and brother are traitors too, I am loyal to my beloved Joffrey.
" "Of course you are" Tyrion said sipping at his wine his gaze flickering over to Naerys for a moment noting how her eyes seemed to glimmer with relief at the sight of him before he sighed "well enjoy your name day your grace I wish I could stay and celebrate but there is work to be done!"
"Work what work" Joffrey asked in bewilderment "Why are you here?!"
Watching him leave Naerys quickly stood squeezing Sansa's hand one last time as she gazed over at Joffrey having become pretty skilled at winning his favor over time since Eddard's murder "Your Grace if I may excused to speak to my betrothed for a moment with your permission."
"Of course my Lady" Joffrey said unaware that Naerys could easily play him with those kind eyes of hers "Do return though or else you'll miss the festivities."
"Wouldn't dream of missing it your grace" Naerys said with a slight bow as she finally released Sansa's hand an idea striking her as she smiled "Perchance later if you will permit it Your Grace in honor of your Name Day I could show you the skill that I hold with flaming arrows."
"You would shoot flaming arrows for me" Joffrey said biting his lip in a cocky smirk no doubt coming up with some terrible scheme and Naerys fully aware of it knew that whatever it was she wouldn't be the victim "Very well I shall have the servants prepare a demonstration for later, I am curious to see how gifted you are with a bow and arrow."
"They say good enough" Naerys said slightly chuckling as she then took her leave walking away fast as she could manage to catch up with Tyrion finally seeing him down a hall "Could I have a moment my Lord!"
Tyrion spun around eyes widening for a moment before a small smile appeared as he saw it was her and waited patiently for her to get close to him while the other man stood behind him watching the two curiously.
"My Lord I was so worried" Naerys said speaking truthfully as she tried to hide the tears that wanted to form from her relief "when I had heard you were captured even if it was by Lady Stark I felt the need to pray for you to the gods every day."
"You prayed for me" Tyrion said taken aback and saw how she just barely holding it together from her stance noting the dark shades under her eyes realizing she had truly been suffering quite some time and instantly felt guilty that while away he had been sleeping around with Shae "…My Lady what happened to you?"
"After Lord Stark was killed he's just been so cruel and so demanding the King all the time… I can barely rest" Naerys confessed bringing a hand up as she rubbed her temples stressed "I've been allowing Sansa to sleep in my bed with me because she doesn't feel safe and I've been trying my best… it's just I'm so grateful you're alive my Lord you were truly missed."
"…You are truly remarkable my lady" Tyrion finally said causing her to glance down at him curiously as he sighed and brought one of her hands up and kissed the back of it softly making her smile "I confess I was concerned with my capture and the threat of the King dying that you might have broken or my sister would have gotten to you and when I returned you wouldn't be the same, yet here you are still strong standing tall as though the world cannot touch you."
"It is all I can do my Lord" Naerys admitted shyly her cheeks slightly colored "I mustn't let anyone get to me for if I die or if I allow them to break me then there will be no one to assist Sansa, but most importantly…I wouldn't be here for you. I've waited so long for you to return and now that you're here I am just so ever grateful to have you back."
"I don't think other people will have that same opinion of me" Tyrion said truthfully as he frowned slightly and gave one of her hands a soft squeeze looking up at her seeing how her eyes were full of happiness "I am thankful though that you are so kind to me Lady Naerys, sometimes I feel as though I don't deserve the faith that you put in me nor your affection. Could I perhaps pay you a visit to your chambers later?"
"We could share dinner together and dine in my quarters if you like" Naerys offered with a small smile as Tyrion nodded "Yes that sounds most agreeable I would like that very much, would be a lot easier than dining with my sister less stressful for certain. Now I must be off then my Lady there is still much that I have to do."
Naerys nodded and bowed to him slightly before trudging off Tyrion sighing a bit as he watched her go feeling shame bubble up for his time with Shae as behind him Bronn spoke "That was your intended wasn't it? She's beautiful my Lord a little on the young side but by the gods is she beautiful almost glowing even."
"I know it still confuses me why I am so blessed to have someone like her" Tyrion admitted as he bit his lip in thought "Originally our betrothal was meant to be a jest to the Martells but as of late I don't think I hate the idea as much as I used to…Now onward we go I shan't keep my sister waiting, I know she must be dying to see me."
Whistling a song Tyrion approached the small council a smug look ever present on his face as approached them "Don't get up!... More ravishing than ever, Big Sister! War agrees with you"
After kissing her on the cheek noting Cersei's disgusted look Tyrion went to sit down "Excuse the interruption. Carry on."
"What are you doing here" Cersei asked not happy with his appearance as Tyrion practically ignoring her poured himself some wine "It's been a... remarkable journey! I pissed off the edge of the Wall. I slept in a sky-cell. I fought with the Hill-tribes! So many adventures…so much to be thankful for!"
"What are you doing here?! This is the Small Council" Cersei said angrily as Tyrion nodded unperturbed by her attitude "Yes… well, I do believe the Hand of the King is welcome at all Small Council meetings."
"Father is the Hand of the King" Cersei said practically snarling as Tyrion nodded pulling out a scroll "Yes but in his absence…"
"Your father has named Lord Tyrion to serve as Hand in his stead… while he fights" Varys said as Cersei stood up having had enough "OUT! All of you, out!...I would like to know how you tricked Father into this!"
" If I were capable of tricking Father, I'd be Emperor of the world by now. You brought this on yourself" Tyrion said as Cersei deflated and took a seat "I have done nothing."
"Quite right, you did nothing… when your son called for Ned Stark's head! Now the entire North has risen up against us" Tyrion said raising his voice near the end as Cersei looked almost meek for a moment "I tried to stop it…"
"Did you? You failed. That bit of theatre will haunt our family for a generation" Tyrion said in disbelief at how unregretful his sister was as Cersei practically scoffed "Robb Stark is a child."
" Who's won every battle he's fought! Do you understand we're losing the war" Tyrion said raising his voice in anger and worry as Cersei simply gave him a look "What do you know about warfare?"
"Nothing, but I know people, and I know that our enemies hate each other almost as much as they hate us" Tyrion explained as Cersei wondered why he was still there "Joffrey is King."
"Joffrey is King" Tyrion repeated in agreement as Cersei gave him a bored look "You are here to advise him." "Only here to advise him. And if the King listens to what I say, the King might just get his uncle Jaime back" Tyrion said as Cersei perked up a bit becoming more interested "How?"
"You love your children. It's your one redeeming quality. That and your cheekbones. The Starks love their children as well, and we have two of them" Tyrion said glancing at Cersei to see that she became rather deflated and gave her a questioning look.
"One" Cersei admitted as Tyrion blinked in disbelief "…One?!"
"Arya that little animal she disappeared" Cersei said while Tyrion narrowed his brows floored at his sister's inadequacy to having lost two members of the Stark family which could've saved them from this war "Disappeared? What, in a puff of smoke?! We had three Starks to trade. You chopped one's head off, and let another escape. Father would be furious. Must be hard for you…to be the disappointing child."
"I can see you take great pleasure in this" Cersei stated as she looked at Tyrion with an odd gaze "However I'm not betrothed to a little dragon who exhibits such odd behaviors, did you know that ever since Eddard Stark's beheading she has allowed little dove to share a bed with her? She exhibits such inappropriate behaviors yet doesn't give me the courtesy of replying to me with anything but short answers, that girl has been deflecting me."
"I must say I am both surprised and thrilled to hear it" Tyrion said as Cersei's eyes narrowed in anger as he chuckled "You may have ones that you like to sink your claws into but believe me that girl has already proven to me that she is more than capable of keeping up with us…She isn't meek nor is she a pushover my dear sister and it's about some someone realized it."
"Varys" Naerys greeted bowing before she smiled and took a seat at the table pouring herself a glass of wine "Have you been to the King's Name Day festivities? I watched a man who was supposed to be a Knight come out drunk, fancy that a drunken knight. Now there's something they should be writing stories about a Knight who has had far too much wine."
"You're becoming better at it" Varys said as the two exchanged a knowing look the two having become rather good friends if they could even call each other that over the last couple of weeks and Naerys did find that she shared Varys unique philosophy at the moment for peace in the realm "Soon everyone will believe you to just be this pretty little thing with words and kindness to spare, never will they know what you truly are capable of."
"We are actors to this game Varys" Naerys said sipping at her wine with a smirk "When they cut off Eddard's head and shattered any hope they had of this not becoming a war I realized it was time for me to stop being someone who stands in the background waiting for things to happen and to start focusing on playing my cards right, I will not be on the other end of this should things make a turn for the worse. You are right there is much the two of us can benefit from keeping things as peaceful as we can; you never know when Joffrey is going to fuck us over with another one of his outbursts. Knowing him that could be at any moment."
"Now now my lady even though you and I are friends that does not mean I will allow you to speak such language" Varys said jesting with her as Naerys chuckled softly "Now I did just see Lord Tyrion in the council room so he has returned."
"Yes and in a good mood it seems which is odd considering the circumstances" Naerys said her gaze flickering to the man with a suspicious look "Do you know something about his return that I am missing?"
"Nonsense my lady I wouldn't dream of keeping something from you" Varys said his smile faltering after a moment as he gave her a serious look "However this time I do believe it might be something he wishes to tell you himself, therefore I will not interfere."
Naerys picking up on his tone gave him a wink as she knew he was trying to tell her the secret was worth waiting for a sipping at her wine was grateful that Varys knew when to be discrete with her "Well then I shall be waiting for whatever this news is with anticipation, you better hope this doesn't disappoint though."
"My lady the King wishes to see you" one of her handmaiden's spoke and Naerys quickly shoved the chest with the egg in it back beneath her bed having been given short chances when she was completely alone to take it out and examine it. She was only curious about it and had no knowledge of what to do with the thing or even how to hatch it if such a thing was possible, she did however find when she stared at it that she was reminded of who her family really was and she almost felt home when she held the egg to her chest.
"I am coming Marla" Naerys said gathering up her skirts and went to her handmaiden's side letting the short younger woman walk with her "Do you know what this is about exactly?"
"No his grace only requested your prescense I was not informed of anything else" Marla admitted with a small sigh "my lady if I may speak out of terms? I am not sure that you spending so much time with his grace is such a good idea."
"I know Marla but I feel more empowered knowing that there is not much they can do to harm me" Naerys admitted giving Marla a small shrug "I have no family here on the mainland and I am betrothed to his Uncle whom many view with discontent, I have no lands to call my own and I am meant to marry to a Lannister as a jest. I try to look at the better things I have though and being in good spirits is better than being depressed that my situation isn't exactly ideal."
"That is certainly a different way of seeing things" Marla admitted making a meek almost squeaky noise when Ser Meryn approached them looking at Naerys with a look of annoyance "The King summoned for you my Lady."
"Yes would you take me the rest of the way Ser Maryn" Naerys said walking towards him flitting her eyes about almost innocently "I'd feel much safer walking if I had a Knight to protect me."
Ser Meryn said nothing feeling confused about the girl in front of him as he simply allowed her to walk with him as Naerys gave Marla a small smile over her shoulder before leaving with the Knight feeling like she was probably walking into another trap. If she was she would handle it the same way she had been handling most things the past few weeks with patience and cunning.
"Ah see here she is my Lady comes when she is called she is almost as loyal as you are Dog" Joffrey said glancing off to his side at the Hound as he sat in his chair as they were now positioned around a field and Naerys gave Joffrey a polite bow greeting him with a soft Your grace "My Lady you will recall earlier how you spoke of giving me a show of your skills with a bow and flaming arrows, well I arranged for you to give me a demonstration."
"You are most gracious your grace" Naerys said giving Joffrey a small smile "To please you and to show my true appreciation to you and the others here at King's Landing will be a true honor."
"Yes of course my Lady" Joffrey said eager for her to begin and gestured for her to be brought the bow and arrows a fire pit off to the side for her to light her arrows was provided "I thought a test of your skills would be more appropriate so I have created three tasks for you to complete each are a bit more challenging."
"As his grace commands" Naerys said giving him a playful bow before she took one of the arrows and put it into the fire pit letting it catch aflame fire never scaring her as she was more entranced by it then afraid of it.
"First see if you can get a perfect bulls-eye" Joffrey said watching with great interest as Naerys took a deep breath before pulling the arrow back and aimed lining up her shot before she fired and hit the center perfectly setting the target on fire.
"Hmm good well done" Joffrey said nodding his approval as Sansa watched warily worried for Naerys as Joffrey clapped his hands "Now if you could my Lady I'd like you to hit the apple atop of my fools head."
Ser Dontos came into the picture looking very timid and afraid shaking slightly as Naerys gave him a small smile feeling bad for him and knew she'd have to aim ever more carefully "Stay still Ser Dontos…"
Ser Dontos gulped and closed his eyes as Naerys aimed before letting the arrow go watching as it hit the front of the apple only entering it a little bit as the fire began to engulf some of the apple and some of Dontos' hair in the process the man wailing as he ran over and threw himself into a barrel full of liquid sighing in relief when the flame was extinguished.
"That was most amusing" Joffrey said clapping his hands as he laughed softly still clearly having found the man's panic and pain as he gazed over at Naerys with an almost fond look "Well done my lady I am most glad you decided to show me this, now what shall you do for your last display my lady?"
Naerys eyes trailed the yard figuring out what she should hit next when she caught sight of one of the gifts Joffrey had been given a giant stag made out of old vines finely threaded and was meant to be added to the garden as a tribute to the Baratheon's.
Without even hesitating Naerys let her arrow fly watching as it caught aflame and heard Joffrey's laughter of glee as she turned to the crowd and bowed met with claps from the crowd as Joffrey smirked "My Lady Naerys I am most pleased that was truly how the King should be celebrated you have kept me most entertained."
"Always a pleasure your grace" Naerys said smiling softly at him before she turned to Sansa giving her a knowing look as Sansa gave her a small smile in return "My lady you as well it is always a pleasure to make my King feel gratified." Sensing that now was her chance to take her leave Naerys calmly walked away as Joffrey turned his attention the rest of his name day and took the way back to her quarters deciding she wanted to prepare for dinner with Tyrion looking forward to seeing her betrothed again.
"My Lady" Tyrion greeted as he entered her quarters pleased to see that the meal was placed there and watched as Naerys gave him a huge smile as she poured him a cup of wine before she sat in her chair beside his "Welcome my Lord I suggest we eat now before the food becomes cold, I thought you might enjoy your first night back in King's Landing to feel more of an welcoming than of mute acceptance."
"Thank you my Lady I was not expecting such a pleasant surprise" Tyrion said as he took a bite of his food before downing it with the wine enjoying the taste of it all and gazed over at Naerys finding that she was taking delicate bites of the food her mouth still upturned with her beautiful smile "Not many people would do such a thing for me not even my family."
"My Lord someday we will be family" Naerys said as a matter of fact as she wiped at her mouth "Thus I thought I should show you how much you were missed and how grateful I am of your return, a lot has happened since you were last at King's Landing you see."
"Yes I know now my ugly repugnant Nephew is ruling the Kingdom and making a fine mess of things in the process" Tyrion said causing Naerys to let out a chuckle and cover her mouth as she thought it was rude as Tyrion raised a brow in amusement at her reaction "Do you find that humorous my lady?"
"I do indeed my Lord especially the section there about your nephew's appearance certainly what I wouldn't have picked for myself" Naerys said knowing truthfully she found Joffrey rather repulsive and gave Tyrion a small smirk "I more prefer men of intelligence and clever personality who are more witty and have the ability to be kind than those who are spoiled little babes disguised wearing crowns."
"My Lady…"Tyrion said realizing she said she found him attractive by who he was a complement he was not prepared for and quickly tried to recover himself "I was unaware that you found such things in a man desirable."
"Of course how could I not, I not only admire those who exemplify it but care about them as well" Naerys said reaching over and grabbed his glass pouring more wine into it "I am ever so appreciative to be your intended Lord Tyrion."
"…When did you and Varys become friends Naerys" Tyrion said his cheeks colored as he quickly changed the subject surprised by how much her words had touched him and wanted to know the truth "Varys made some indication that you two speak regularly now and are of some closeness to each other." "
Is not what you think my Lord" Naerys said sipping at her wine again before she set it down and stood up pushing her chair back "Lord Varys saved me from being killed by several men who came to murder me whilst in my quarters here shortly after Lord Stark's murder, we both decided since we both wanted the same thing to forge an alliance of sort and thus he and I have become friends to each other I suppose you could say. I swear to you it is nothing more than that."
"Varys had no idea who sent these men" Tyrion asked suspiciously as Naerys nodded looking at him with a solemn expression "My Lady they didn't…hurt you did they?"
"My maidenhood is still intact my love I have not been tainted" Naerys said and Tyrion felt his heart swell as she finally had spoken her affectionate name for him and watched as she lifted one of her sleeves and revealed to him an ugly looking scar of a purple color the wound having now healed an almost straight line on her upper arm as Naerys sighed "They did however leave me with this."
Tyrion hopped down from his chair and padded over to her reaching up Naerys smiling when she realized he couldn't quite reach it and obliged kneeling down so he could run his fingers over it and feel the wound watching as Tyrion appeared to be memorizing it before his gaze moved up to hers a determined look on his face. "I want you to move your things and come stay with me in my new quarters" Tyrion said noticing her confused look "My father has made me Hand of the King in his stead, so I am living in the tower there and I believe you will safer with quarters there."
"What about Lady Sansa" Naerys said and Tyrion gave her a small smile at her concern for the young wolf "What will happen to her?"
"I won't be opposed to her sneaking into your chambers if it makes her feel safe for now" Tyrion said as Naerys gave a noise of happiness and placed a soft kiss on his cheek catching Tyrion off guard as he felt himself flush and tried to recover "…All I want my Lady is your safety do you understand?"
"I do my love" Naerys said nodding before gesturing back to the table full of food "Now shall we continue to eat? I would hate for such a delicious meal to get cold."
"As would I my Lady" Tyrion said getting back in his chair and took another sip of wine before he chuckled and held out his cup "Could you perchance pour me some more my lady?"
"Oh of course" Naerys said chuckling softly in response before she took his cup from him and poured some more wine into it "You may drink as much as you want my love." The two continued their meal in a light mood glad to be able to talk without fear of any repercussions as Tyrion knew without a doubt that he had made the right decision and as much as it would be difficult he would try to remain faithful to Naerys as she had waited a long time to be beside him but had already decided she was his. Now he had to break the news to Shae something he knew would be more difficult said than done.
Tyrion entered the room surprised to see Varys sitting there beside Shae as Varys greeted him with a polite 'My Lord' as Shae smiled at him "You make me wait a long time but your friend here keeps me company."
"We were just speaking of your bravery in the Stark auxiliary forces" Varys said as Tyrion seemed nonplussed at his prescense "Was quite a battle."
"I heard you suffered a terrible head wound the Northerners are such fearsome warriors" Varys said as Shae smiled "And I tell him the story of how we meet."
"To find such a lovely creature working in your father's kitchen" Varys said as he already knew it was a lie "It almost baggers belief."
"Stranger things have happened" Tyrion said while pouring himself a cup of wine "You should taste her fish pie."
"I don't think Lord Varys likes fish pie" Shae said as Varys looked at her curiously "How can you tell?"
"I can always tell" Shae said as Tyrion took a seat sighing "Lord Varys and I can't let our disadvantages get the best of us. We'll make a fisherman out of him yet."
"I am glad your new friend was able to accompany you to the capital friends are such an important part of life" Varys said as Tyrion could detect something beneath his words "Unfortunate your father didn't want her to come, rest easy my lord I am very good at keeping secrets for my good friends."
"Your discretion is legendary where your friends are concerned" Tyrion said playing along as Varys stood up and placed a kiss on Shae's hand "How unspeakable for me to go on when all you want to do is rest welcome to King's Landing my dear the city has been brightened by your prescense. We have a council meeting my Lord."
"I don't like threats" Tyrion whispered low as they went towards the door to leave as Varys gave him a bewildered look "Who threatened you?"
"I'm not Ned Stark I understand the way this game is played" Tyrion said as Varys agreed "Ned Stark was a man of honor…"
"And I am not, threaten me again and I will have you thrown into the sea" Tyrion said watching to see Varys' reaction "You might be disappointed in the results the storms come and go the bigger fish eat the little fish and I keep on paddling, come my Lord we shouldn't keep the Queen waiting."
"Why choose her as an ally" Tyrion said when they were out of earshot from Shae Tyrion having wanted to visit her to tell her he didn't wish to continue sleeping with her but seeing Varys reminded him of what Naerys had said the night before "I understand that she is my betrothed and as such is an obvious target for those who might wish to see her bloodline extinguished but why go to all this trouble in keeping her as an ally?"
"It might surprise you what young Lady Naerys is capable of" Varys replied amused that Tyrion seemed to hold such doubt in Varys need to have her alive "I kept her alive because I have eyes and ears all around me and I hear things, keeping a dragon alive and as an ally seems to be a way of keeping the realm out of danger for now. In exchange the lovely girl has wonderful assets of her own that she has been putting to good use and has managed to keep the Young King from entering another fit of madness with her skillful words and has somewhat of a newfound influence upon his grace."
"She is able to manipulate Joffrey" Tyrion said disbelief radiating from him as his eyes widened before a small smile formed on his face "Well done my Lady well done that will keep you from harm for now."
"You act as though you didn't know she could be capable of such a thing" Varys said thoroughly pleased that Tyrion now knew that Naerys wasn't just a little girl "On the contrary Lord Tyrion you might find that she almost rivals you with that silver tongue of hers, the way she speaks it is moving to know she is learning to play the game in her own way…Someday she may rival us in her skill at being cunning."
Tyrion felt himself greatly comforted now with the knowledge that Naerys had been able to handle herself all this time and wondered why it made him feel so content in knowing besides Sansa it was him as well that she had chosen to be so completely genuine.
"Thank you that will be all" Naerys said as she ushered the men out of her room beaming with glee as she saw the true size of her new quarters finding that they were indeed larger than her previous ones and felt that she was truly blessed to have people that would look out for her. Feeling the time was right Naerys knelt down to her bed and slowly pulled out the chest with the egg in it taking it out and pressed the beautiful precious thing to her breast holding it carefully as she stepped out onto her balcony and felt the warmth of the sun of her skin.
"Look at this we get a wonderful view of the city and the sea from here how wonderful" Naerys commented as she gazed around her as she noticed the egg almost as if listening to her shone brighter in color"I love this heat it is truly splendid and quite different from the weather that was always present in Winterfell, I wonder if I could ever be allowed to go and dip my feet in the water the last time I was allowed to swim was when I was very young."
After sitting in a chair on the balcony gazing down at the city for nearly half of an hour Naerys placed the egg back inside and put the chest back in place before she wandered around her room a bit when a small knock caught her off guard and she cleared her throat with a smile "Come in."
"My Lady" a new voice said opening the door and Naerys recognized him as the man from before who had been beside Tyrion "I was asked to bring your noon meal in since my Lord still is making arrangements for your servants to be placed in their new quarters."
"Thank you kind Ser you can set it down right here on the table" Naerys said looking him over surprised by how comforted she was by his prescense "I'm afraid I do not know your name Ser would you mind gracing me with this knowledge? I am certain both you and I are fond of my Lord otherwise you wouldn't have traveled for so long with him, unless it is only the coin that binds you to him."
"My Lady my name is Ser Bronn but I'm afraid I am no knight I am a Sellsword" Bronn admitted looking at the girl in fascination after he had placed down her food "I will also admit to you that my first meeting of my Lord was actually quite different then what you think, I fought for him in a trial by combat so he wouldn't be thrown into the moon door by the Lord of the Vale when no one else volunteered to do so for him."
"No doubt Lady Lysa was seeking to use her son's love of having people thrown through the moon door when Catelyn had captured My Lord in hopes that the young Arryn would have easily disposed of Tyrion" Naerys said shaking her head knowing what had probably occurred "He saved his hide by using the old trial by combat gambit that no doubt Lysa sought to ruin, thank the gods you were there to answer for him Ser Bronn or he might not very well be alive and I might have been the next head on a spike that the King wanted to see. It was a brave thing you did Ser fighting in Tyrion's name as no doubt he was outnumbered in favor by the people of the Vale and Lady Lysa despite being Lady Stark's sister is unhinged so there is no doubt in my mind that had he continued to be their prisoner that he would have not made it back here in one piece."
"You have no need to thank me my Lady it was actually quite entertaining traveling with My Lord and I got to see more action than I've had in quite some time" Bronn said his eyes flashing with amusement but also kindness at how Naerys had spoken to him so politely "I must say I am quite pleased though to have gotten to speak with you what my Lord had said about you doesn't do you enough justice, I look forward to serving you as well."
"Yes I can see we shall get along splendidly" Naerys said nodding as Bronn went to the door no doubt to give her privacy to eat and she perked up right as he reached the knob "Do tell me before you leave Ser Bronn…When you won for Tyrion did Lysa whine and pout? I always imagined that woman to be a bit too childish for her age."
"She did indeed my Lady" Bronn said practically chuckling as he gave her a small nod "Told me I didn't fight with honor too, yet here I stand not dead and not at all thrown through the moon door." With that Naerys was left to eat her food alone in enjoyable silence as she decided that things would now be falling into place and with that in mind felt a lot more comforted and safe than she had in a long time.