Naerys 7
Naerys had been taking a simple stroll when she heard the undeniable whimper of Sansa alarms flaring within her veins as she felt the compulsive need to protect the girl and heard Joffrey speaking to her "Ser my Lady is overdressed unburden her."
Walking in Naerys eyes widened as she saw Ser Meryn rip at Sansa's clothing the poor girl whimpering as Joffrey didn't seem to want to stop "If we want Robb Stark to hear us we're going to have to speak louder!"
"Please your grace may I ask what is all of this" Naerys said moving in front of Sansa without question her eyes kind and calm as she looked at Joffrey "Has the girl done something to displease you?"
"It's all of her brother's fault" Joffrey exclaimed in anger as behind her Naerys could feel Sansa quiver in fear "I'm trying to send a message to her brother!"
Ser Meryn raised his sword and Naerys without question moved in front of her to take the hit closing her eyes as she waited for the impact and felt Sansa squeeze one of her hands in her own when she heard the voice of her savior "What is the meaning of this?!"
Opening her eyes Naerys watched as Tyrion approached them his eyes wide with anger and concern as his eyes met the scene in front of him watching at how Sansa was practically clinging to Naerys back in fear while Ser Meryn almost loomed over them.
"What kind of Knight beats a helpless girl" Tyrion asked in incredulity as Ser Meryn practically snarled at him "The kind who serves his King imp!"
"Careful now, we don't want to get blood all over your pretty white cloak" Bronn spoke in retaliation amused at how reckless the Knight was being as he watched Naerys nurse Sansa secretly without the King seeing as her hand ran itself over the young girls wounds on her back gently brushing them while Tyrion spoke "Someone get the girl something to cover herself with. She's to be your Queen. Have you no regard for her honor?!"
Naerys helped Sansa place the cloak over herself that the Hound gave her making sure she was covered not caring what was going on around her as right now her only concern was making sure the little wolf was alright while Joffrey exclaimed " I'm punishing her!"
" For what crimes?! She did not fight her brother's battle, you halfwit" Tyrion said speaking to Joffrey in disbelief as the King countered "You can't talk to me like that! The king can do as he likes!"
"The Mad King did as he liked. Has your uncle Jaime ever told you what happened to him" Tyrion said trying to get through to Joffrey knowing the comment might effect Naerys but it didn't seem as though she heard it as Ser Meryn spoke aiming for his sword "No one threatens His Grace in the presence of the Kingsguard!"
"I'm not threatening the king, ser. I'm educating my nephew. Bronn, the next time Ser Meryn speaks, kill him"Tyrion said as Bronn looked over at the Knight smirking "That was a threat. See the difference?!"
Joffrey rose from his throne angrily while Tyrion walked over to the two women and held his hand out for Sansa to take helping her up first before his hand went over to Naerys and she gratefully took it before walking behind the two as Tyrion spoke to Sansa "I apologize for my nephew's behavior. Tell me the truth: do you want an end to this engagement?"
"I am loyal to King Joffrey, my one true love" Sansa said in a flat tone before leaving with some of the ladies as Tyrion looked after her in surprise "...Lady Stark. You may survive us yet. Are you alright my Lady?"
"Yes I was unharmed thanks to you" Naerys said rather flushed at having been saved by him "I'm afraid I need to leave for the moment…may I see you later?"
"Yes of course" Tyrion said understanding what she needed to attend to "I shall arrange for us to share evening meal in my chambers." "Sounds lovely my love" Naerys said kneeling down and gave him a small kiss on the cheek before she walked off "I shall see you then!"
Returning to her chambers Naerys was not surprised to see Sansa curled up in a ball on her bed and sat next to her gently running her fingers thru the girls hair in an attempt to soothe her while Sansa wept softly beside her.
"My dear little wolf it is alright" Naerys said placing a kiss upon the girl's forehead as Sansa looked up at her with tears still seen in her eyes "Joffrey is young and he doesn't know how to react properly to certain things, it is simply within his nature to act out. However I will not condone that when the brunt of his blows are focused on you, shall he do this again my dear I do not want you to hesitate with coming to me about it."
"But what if Joffrey then turns his anger on you" Sansa asked fearfully as Naerys shook her head "I do not want you to be hurt either Naerys you're the only true friend I have left here in King's Landing, perhaps the only one left in all of Westeros."
"You forget my dear I am a dragon" Naerys stated watching as Sansa's eyes widened "I do not fear death or fire for neither can truly take me down, if the little King wishes to truly kill me I would dare to see what challenge he prepares for me for nothing will make me break…You understand I would gladly endure the grimmest of torture if it meant that you and my betrothed were kept safe from harm?"
"…Yes I recognize this" Sansa said her as she gave Naerys a small smile while Naerys pulled a handkerchief from the pocket in her dress and used it to wipe the tears from the girl's eyes as Sansa managed to stutter out "Naerys if I may ask, how is it that you place such devotion to not only me but the imp?"
"I once made a promise to the most honorable of men who had housed me, raised me and kept me safe since I was but two name days old that I would protect, cherish and love his children as though they were my own family. It wasn't hard to make this promise for you see I had already considered this man, his wife and his family as though they were members of my own" Naerys said making Sansa gasp before she clung to her smiling gratefully into the older dragons chest as Naerys continued "For my betrothed I will admit to you at first I was resentful when I found out that I was to be matched with a dwarf, I was terribly distraught and spiteful for quite some time not able to comprehend why it was I that had to be with someone so different. It was when I was older however that I realized he and I are one and the same, we both had enemies who certainly pray to the gods for our demise and we both have been through terrible hardships. My dear Sansa I see him not for petty looks or for appearance alone but for what lies underneath and admire his true nature, he may be clever with a silver tongue and he may be what they the half man. To me however he is a man incapable of harming women who is full of honor despite his reputation and knows in spite of the ways of his family how to do good deeds for others, even if they do not know this in return."
"You are truly a woman I wish I could become Naerys" Sansa said shaking her head as she cried a bit more "I want to be beautiful and strong like you and Queen Cersei, but I'm just a stupid girl with stupid dreams who never listens!"
"Hush I will not have that kind of talk Sansa" Naerys said giving her a stern look as she again wiped away the girl's tears "You are a Stark and a wolf never forget that! You are young my dear one and still have years to learn and grow so do not consider yourself as someone who will never learn because you will always be learning from your mistakes."
Naerys sighed and pulled up her sleeve to reveal to Sansa the scar she had received when the men had attacked her causing Sansa to gasp and trace it over with her finger "I am still learning from my own."
"Who did this to you" Sansa asked gasping fearfully as she eyed the mark "Naerys who did such a thing to you?"
"A group of men who believed that after your father was dead that I should be as well" Naerys said as she stood going to retrieve her box of medical supplies "I did tell you there are people who want me dead did I not?...Now my dear if you wouldn't mind lowering that cloak so we can return it to Ser Sandor Clegane I would like to clean those wounds of yours." Sansa nodded moving the cloak down as her shoulders and upper back were exposed allowing Naerys to clean her wounds while the young wolf and dragon spent time together in silence grateful of each other's presence despite what had happened previously as Sansa realized Naerys was truly like the older sister she had always wanted.
Naerys walked down the hall a small smile on her face as she hummed being escorted to this place by Bronn who gazed at her with a curious expression "I see the Lady is in good spirits despite the circumstances."
"Why yes I feel there is no need to be so resentful and sad" Naerys said shaking her head as she gave Bronn an amused look "The young wolf left my quarters with a smile and her spirits soaring high so I believe that the previous incident can be put behind us, though that one will stay with that girl for quite some time I fear…Ser Bronn I didn't have a chance to thank you for before, so thank you for your assistance earlier."
"No need to thank me I am the Knight Commander after all despite not having the cloak" Bronn said surprised by her appreciation "What is it exactly you are thanking me for my Lady?"
"For intervening with Ser Meryn, had you not come when you did I may be with a scar now gracing my face" Naerys said as Bronn looked at her with an amused expression "I also thought your comment about getting blood on his cloak was certainly warranted, that man has his head too high these days it's only a matter of time before he does something truly stupid and ill-advised under the King's command."
"It was nothing really my Lady" Bronn said giving her a wink as she chuckled "You are my Lord's intended and the girl is a friend of yours if I'm not mistaken, so I thought stepping in before any more harm was done was needed."
"Yes well I know who to call on when I need protection" Naerys said giving him a sly smile "How much exactly would you take?"
"Perhaps we could discuss that some other time my Lady" Bronn said truly enjoying his conversation but knew they had reached where she was needed "However my Lady I do believe we have reached your destination."
"So it may seem" Naerys said giving Bronn a small nod "well then Ser Bronn I shall be off and I thank you for escorting me." "Any time my Lady" Bronn said watching as she entered the room the door shutting behind her as he shook his head "That girl…is something different."
"Hello Princess Myrcella and Prince Tommen" Naerys said bowing to the two as the two children giggled at her manners "You both called upon me, so what is it you two wish of me?"
"No need for formalities you are to be our Aunt someday after all" Myrcella said giving Naerys a smile as she stepped towards her and hugged Naerys throwing the older girl in shock for a moment before Naerys hugged back "I just thought you might enjoy spending some time with us, Joffrey gets you for a lot of the time so why can't we?"
"I see no reason for me not to spend time with my future niece and nephew" Naerys admitted giving them both an amused look as she messed with Tommen's hair before giving the boy a small hug which he happily accepted "Now what have you two planned for the day?"
"Well she wants" Tommen said gazing at Myrcella with an annoyed expression "To look at wedding gowns for you from the royal tailor."
"That sounds like a lovely idea" Naerys said looking at Tommen with an expectant look "After we do that what shall we do after my young prince?"
"Why don't we take you for a walk down to the beach" Tommen said perking up as Naerys practically beamed at the boy's shy nature "You haven't been down to the beach yet have you?"
"No I'm afraid I have yet to venture down there" Naerys admitted biting her lip with a chuckle "No one has been willing to give me a tour yet either."
"Oh we can do both" Myrcella said smiling with glee "There is so much to see here Lady Naerys you will be amazed!"
"Now please Myrcella no need for formalities with family" Naerys said giving her a small wink "We are going to be family after all." The two children happily walked away with Naerys as a small entourage of Knight's followed them to keep them safe all the while Naerys wondered why it was that these two were so different from their brother but decided she didn't much care as she was just happy that the two even wanted to spend time with her and saw her as family.
"Well what style were you looking for my Lady" the tailor asked as Naerys looked at the dresses he had displayed that were hanging up when Myrcella perked up "Well she is to be a lion after all so maybe include something with gold and red embroidering, but keep it white she is to be a bride after all."
"These are all boring" Tommen muttered as Naerys chuckled and looked the dresses over pointing to one with a pleased look "Is it possible to get help in trying that one on?"
"That one" the tailor said glancing over at it with a nod "Yes of course my Lady if you step behind the barrier over there I shall help you change into it."
Naerys nodded and stepped behind it as two ladies who assisted the tailor came behind her and helped unlace her dress and get it off of her before putting the wedding gown onto her and lacing it up as Naerys smiled thanking them for their assistance and stepped out. "Do you think you want the design to look something like this Myrcella" Naerys asked as she modeled the white gown where the top of it acted like one of Cersei's and had a wide open neck exposing her shoulders as a few of the Queen's gowns did such a thing "This is similar to your mother's gowns is it not?"
"Oh yes that is perfect" Myrcella clapping her hands together as her eyes widened at the perfection at how the gown looked "Something very similar to that with red and gold embroidered onto it, what do you think Tommen?"
"…It's beautiful" Tommen finally squeaked out with a smile as Naerys spun a bit to show them how the back showed a bit of her open upper back "Myrcella is right though, it needs red and gold embroidering."
"Well that is a splendid style" the tailor agreed as Naerys went to go get changed back into her dress listening to the man "I shall have your gown prepared by the time you are to be wed then my Lady, I promise that it will be most splendid."
"I have no doubt in your work royal tailor" Naerys said gesturing to the gold colored gown she was currently wearing Naerys having grown used to the thin brightly colored gowns "This is one of your works is it not?"
"Yes it is my Lady" the tailor said admiring his work on her "Glad to see you are becoming accustomed to wearing them." "Now then shall we be off" Myrcella said grabbing one of Naerys hands while Tommen took the other "Let's go see the beach!" Naerys allowed the two to drag her away feeling very pleased at the moment to be spending time with people of whom she didn't have to constantly flatter who just wanted her company.
"Mmm this feels amazing" Naerys said sitting on a rock as she dipped her feet into the water and watched as Tommen who had been more adventurous once they had reached the beach had stripped himself down before running in while Myrcella had stayed closer to Naerys dipping her feet in. "He always does this" Myrcella said watching Tommen with a huff "He makes a show of how he can swim while I cannot even get myself all that wet, mother will have a fit if I do."
"You are going to be in Dorne soon though Myrcella" Naerys said watching as Myrcella looked at her with a saddened gaze "Do not fret my dear for I hear there are water gardens and many places to swim in the beautiful hot sun down there, you must write to me about it and I hope to come visit you down there to join you."
"Really there are places to swim down there" Myrcella said her eyes widening with glee "But wouldn't I have to continue to be a lady?"
"Doesn't matter you will be their Queen someday" Naerys said waving off her concern with a smile "If your mother is anything to go by the Queen is a beautiful and strong woman who doesn't let other's opinions ruin her mood as she goes by her instinct and does as she feels is right."
"Hmm you're right" Myrcella said standing tall "I will go to Dorne and I will swim and get wet maybe even while I'm wearing a gown and I will not care, for I am to be a Queen!"
"Tommen do not swim out too far" Naerys said watching the boy with an affectionate gaze "You would not want me to come in after you, would you?"
Tommen made a squeal of glee before he dipped his head in again and Naerys chuckled glad to see that the two children felt good enough to be themselves around her.
"When I am Queen I will command that you and Uncle Tyrion come visit me" Myrcella said as Naerys nodded "Since I am the Queen then you will do well not to deny it."
"I would never think of such things" Naerys said running a finger through the girl's hair affectionately "I will always come when the Queen calls for me." Myrcella smiled as Naerys wondered what the future truly held for her and what she would be doing with herself once she and Tyrion were wed and wondered if maybe they could leave King's Landing and travel, that would be nice would it not?
"My love" Naerys said opening the door and smiled as Tyrion bowed at her taking one of her hands and kissing it softly "My Lady I am glad you are here, how are you faring?"
"Since that incident early this morn I am doing fairly well actually" Naerys said allowing him to guide her over to the table full of a delicious meal and happily got into the chair Tyrion pushed out for her "I actually was able to spend some time among your younger nephew and niece, they are both very lovely children but I have to wonder how am I not having repercussions from your sister for even looking at them?"
"Cersei has been distracted ever since Joffrey took the throne" Tyrion said as he took a seat and had a sip of wine "She dotes on that child more than she will admit but it is part of the reason that Joffrey is the way he is."
"You mean the reason why he is so centered on this belief that the world revolves around him and that as King he has ultimate power" Naerys surmised as she took a sip of her wine to wash down her pork "How pigheaded that is, no wonder today I was surrounded by Knights as we walked the streets to go to the beach and the people were crying at us in anger. Joffrey has made the people angry and thus he has placed a target amongst his family's heads, it is a proper thing you did my love deciding to have Myrcella given to Dorne she'll be much safer down there."
"Precisely why I did it, despite my sister's thought that it is meant as a punishment to torture her I had good intentions when I made the pact" Tyrion said with a nod having chuckled at her use of the word 'pigheaded' as he smiled at her "Tell me my Lady what exactly did you do with my nephew and niece today, they seemed quite joyous when I passed them in the gardens not too long ago."
"Oh nothing too great of interest" Naerys said purposefully trying to be coy as she gave him a wink "I went to look at wedding gowns to choose a design for my own on behalf of Myrcella's request and then I took a stroll with the two of them down to the beach. I believe then we went into the garden's for a nice stroll and then I had to depart with them so I could have some time to rest and prepare for evening meal with you…thus here we are."
"You went to look at wedding gowns" Tyrion said his eyes widening with interest "How exactly does that whole process go again?"
"I believe the first thing is discretion towards the husband to be for he is not to see his bride's gown until the day she is standing before him ready to join their houses, that is tradition is it not" Naerys stated as Tyrion nodded enjoying how her eyes were practically glowing with mischief "I did however pick a design where I will still be in white as is tradition but I will be wearing your houses colors of red and gold, do you need me to go into greater detail?"
"No my Lady that will do for now" Tyrion said gazing at her fondly as she reached across the table and grabbed one of his hands in her own giving it a gentle squeeze as he himself despite their previous encounters was still hesitant about showing her affection as he worried someday she would wake up and hate him like so many others do "I am sure whatever design you have chosen that you will be the most beautiful maiden of all on your wedding day and every man will want you."
"Mmm while that may be true" Naerys said leaning over and gave him a small kiss on the cheek "Only one man can have me and he is more worthy of me than anyone else."
"My Lady if I may inquire to your well-being" Tyrion asked slightly flushed at her affections as he cleared his throat and tried to calm himself still not able to believe her words as he tried to change the subject "I couldn't help but notice Lady Sansa's state when I had entered that terrible scene earlier today so I am curious if you were injured as well?"
"No I am alright I was just a bit frightened is all" Naerys said touched by his concern as he squeezed her hand back the two of them having kept their hands clasped together since she had grabbed onto his "You came into the room just at the right moment however or I might have earned a new scar or two upon my being."
"That is good to hear for I fear that my nephew could have done far worse had I not stepped in" Tyrion said his eyes slightly narrowed in anger "He does these things without thinking and then has no regard for Lady Sansa or whoever else is caught up in the crossfire, when I saw it was you there on the ground about to be hit though I knew I had to act."
"And you did which saved both me and Lady Sansa a lot of trouble" Naerys said her eyes softening as she understood the turmoil his emotions must have been when he had seen her on the ground with a sword looming above her "My love there is no need to fret for soon I will be your wife and I know you will not let any harm come to me. Why don't we instead of dwelling on the past of things that truly distress us we focus more on what brings us joy, like how I am so ever grateful that you are here with me."
"That has me wondering if you are mad my Lady" Tyrion said grinning at her with mischief so she wouldn't pick up on how he was worried beneath it all "Surely you know that a dwarf cannot bring such a rare beauty joy."
"Rare beauty" Naerys said chuckling "I am afraid kind sir that you are wrong for haven't you heard that the markings of a Targaryen are considered hated and disliked throughout all of Westeros? They want me dead and yet here I am still standing."
"Yet here we both are still standing" Tyrion said nodding in agreement with her as they took a sip of wine in cheers to their continued existence "They may want us dead and they may want to see our heads on a spike, yet here we are drinking wine and continue to bring them such distaste with our lives still intact…I wouldn't have it any other way to be honest, I like living." Naerys chuckled giving him a nod as he watched her both amazed and entranced by the way that she looked when she laughed knowing that what he had just said was completely honest, he loved being alive.
Tyrion stood standing behind a crowd in the marketplace with Bronn watching as a priest spoke the man making quite a spectacle of himself "Corruption! Yes, we are swollen, bloated, foul! Brother fornicates with sister in the bed of kings, and we're surprised when the fruit of their incest is rotten?! Yes, a rotten king!"
" It's hard to argue with his assessment" Tyrion said having to agree with the priest as he believed that Joffrey did indeed inherit what the sickness that only came from interbreeding that Naerys family had been notoriously cursed with for years while Bronn seemed nonplussed about the situation "Not after what he did to your birthday present."
"The king is a lost cause. It's the rest of us I'm worried about now" Tyrion said honestly having started to believe more in saving others when the Priest spoke again catching his interest "A dancing king, prancing down his bloodstained halls to the tune of a twisted demon monkey!"
"You have to admire his imagination" Tyrion said amused at his words while Bronn gave him a knowing look "He's talking about you."
"What?"Demon monkey"" Tyrion questioned slightly saddened by the proclamation as Bronn gave him more insight "People think you're pulling the King's strings. They blame you for the city's ills."
"Blame me? I'm trying to save them" Tyrion countered clearly upset by the nickname as Bronn shook his head walking off "You don't need to convince me."
Tyrion looked at the priest and the crowd with a deflated expression feeling that no one really knew how hard he tried as he questioned it once more "Demon Monkey."
Seeing Myrcella in the boat made Naerys heart drop as the young girl cried and she gave her future niece a small encouraging smile in return to brighten the girl's spirit when Cersei's words caught her ears sending a shiver of sadness up her spine.
"One day I pray you love someone" Cersei said while Tyrion stood beside her "I pray you love her so much that when you close your eyes you see her face. I want that for you, I want you to know what it's like to love someone to truly love someone before I take her from you."
Tyrion gave her an inquiring look that morphed into a frown before he walked up the steps passing Naerys who caught one of his hands in her own and gave him a reassuring glance as he gazed up at her before sighing and releasing her hand walked up the rest of the stairs. Tommen crying Naerys reached out to him in front of her and gently placed her hand on his shoulder speaking softly to him in hopes to comfort the young boy "We shall visit her someday Tommen the two of us if you like and we will bring your mother back a present from Dorne, would you like that?"
Tommen nodded though still crying as one of the Septa's tried to comfort him while Joffrey snorted in disgust "You sound like a little cat mewling for his mother, princes don't cry."
"I saw you cry" Sansa said and Naerys had to fight the grin that wanted to spring forth as Joffrey turned to Sansa "Did you say something my Lady?"
"My little brother cried when I left Winterfell, it seems a normal thing" Sansa said as Joffrey scoffed acting high and mighty "Is your little brother a prince?"
"No" Sansa replied as Joffrey continued before walking off "Very irrelevant then isn't it…C'mon Dog."
Naerys waited with the rest of them before they started the walk back towards the castle surrounded by Knight's and other servants while they made the small journey.
The crowd sparked worry within Naerys as she could sense something was amiss and looked for Tyrion her eyes narrowed in determination while she continued to have a sense of foreboding as she could hear the crowds fake cheering for Joffrey.
"Take the prince back to the keep now" Tyrion said as the crowd threw something and Naerys knew it had begun as Joffrey look around bewildered "Who threw that? Find who did that and bring him to me! Kill them! Kill them all!"
Cersei looked behind her at Tyrion while Naerys who was standing somewhat behind him looked around in confusion as he yelled "Move! Move!"
"What are you doing, I want these people executed" Joffrey yelled as the Hound held onto the boy "They want the same for you!"
At the sound of people screaming Naerys cried out as she felt an arm yank her back and looked to see a man who was staring at her with lust "If it isn't the little dragon."
"You will do well to please let go of me" Naerys said calmly as the man chuckled and she let out a yelp as he yanked her harder away from the people "No such luck for you dragon, these people want your blood." Naerys kept a calm and cool demeanor while inside she was screaming her eyes searching for the others and mainly for Tyrion calling out to him once in worry "Tyrion!"
Tyrion stood there surrounded by two other guards looking around when he heard the yelp of a girl and his eyes flared around "Where's Sansa?...Naerys? Has anyone seen Naerys?"
His eyes widened as he realized he did not see either of them and his worry increased as he ran with the others past the crowd. "Traitors I'll have their heads" Joffrey yelled while Tyrion sat with his head down in worry "Oh, you blind, bloody fool!"
"You can't insult me" Joffrey countered as Tyrion looked at him feeling defeated not sure if Naerys or Sansa was safe "We've had vicious kings and we've had idiot kings, but I don't know if we've ever been cursed with a vicious idiot for a king!"
"You can't" Joffrey started as Tyrion got even angrier "I can, I am!"
"They attacked me" Joffrey yelled as Tyrion looked at his nephew as though the boy were stupid "They threw a cow pie at you, so you decided to kill them all?! They're starving, you fool! All because of the war you started!"
"You're talking to a King" Joffrey said surprised when Tyrion slapped him before turning to the Knights "And now I've struck a king! Did my hand fall from my wrist? Where is the Stark girl? Has anyone seen Naerys?"
"Let them have her" Joffrey yelled as Tyrion realized who he was talking about as he didn't know how to get it through the boy's head "If she dies, you'll never get your uncle Jaime back! You owe him quite a bit, you know." "
Take some men and go and find the Stark girl and my intended" Tyrion yelled as Ser Meryn yelled back "I take my orders from the King!" Looking over Tyrion huffed in annoyance as Joffrey stood up and left obviously not caring about anyone else.
Naerys yelled kicking at the men that had come around her remembering the lessons Robb and Jon had taught her about defense this time having the advantage as she wasn't being suddenly attacked in her room and stood her ground as she spit out some blood onto the dirt striking the men with bewilderment at how tough and strong she was refusing to be meek and kneel down to them. As a man dove for her Naerys twisted to the side punching him in the face not caring if it bruised her wrist or her knuckles as she had spoken true before when she had told Sansa she was not afraid of death.
"This one is tough" one of the men said looking at Naerys as though she were a goddess as Naerys grunted in displeasure "No, this one is a dragon!"
Naerys growled in displeasure as a man grabbed onto her wrist and threw her knee into his groin taking great pleasure in hearing his cry of pain as he fell to the ground. It was only when a man pulled out a knife that Naerys felt herself stiffen as she recalled the previous encounter she had with the men who wanted her dead and how she now sported a scar from it knowing if she was to fight this man she would have to avoid the knife at all costs.
"My Lady" a voice called out and Naerys smiled in relief as Bronn approached them his eyes narrowed in annoyance and worry as he saw the men surrounding her "I was told you were in need of rescuing, can't have you dying before you are wed to my Lord."
"No we wouldn't want that" Naerys said nodding in agreement as Bronn pulled out his own sword and started to fight the men killing them off. When she spotted the knife had fallen to the ground the girl sprang into action and looked at Bronn who was fighting one of the men as the other one was coming up behind Bronn and saw her moment jumping onto the man's back despite how he tried to fight her off and snarled as she brought the blade up to his neck"Yes you were right I am tough."
With one jerk of her hand the man was dead and Naerys arm was covered in his blood as she let go of him and watched him fall to the ground as she met Bronn's own bewildered gaze and gave him a small smile as her legs suddenly became shaky "That was certainly an unfortunate situation, thank you for finding me Bronn." Sensing her dizziness Bronn gently picked her up bridal style and carried her through the crowd as she clung to him both out of relief and wariness as she became very tired.
Tyrion felt overwhelmed unsure of what was happening his head hung in sadness when he heard a sound that made him turn his head around and smile with relief when he saw Naerys approach them nestled within the arms of Bronn "Tyrion."
Tyrion realized the man had moved on his own when the riots had begun and didn't recalling seeing him after Tyrion had known Sansa and Naerys were missing but seeing her there alive and unharmed brought him such joy which both terrified and confused him at the same time.
"Thank you Bronn" Tyrion said as he helped Naerys down to the ground so she could sit "Are you harmed my Lady?"
"A little flushed and tired but I'm alright" Naerys said as Tyrion looked at her bloodied arm with a worried look as she waved him off "Do not fret my love, that is not mine."
"Not yours" Tyrion said in disbelief "Than who's is it?"
"I wouldn't worry too much about her my Lord" Bronn said giving Naerys a knowing look as she flushed slightly embarrassed "The Lady may have a few bruises and cuts but she is quite alright and those who wished to harm her have been dealt with."
"I doubt all of them have been dealt with" Tyrion murmured as his hands traced over Naerys cheeks with relief as she gazed at him curiously unused to such attention from him as he smiled "However she is here safe and sound so I will not worry over the matter anymore."
The sight of Sansa being brought in made Naerys move quickly as she knelt before the girl searching her face while Tyrion inquired "Are you hurt my lady?"
Barely able to speak Sansa shook her head as Naerys kept her full attention on the girl while she heard Sandor speak "The little bird's bleeding someone take her back to her cage, see to that cut."
"Well done Clegane" Tyrion said truly thankful as Sandor turned to him with an almost bored look "I didn't do it for you."
After their wounds had been mended and Sansa had been able to fall asleep peacefully Naerys had returned to her quarters and after bathing and sending her maids away found herself sitting in a chair with a glass of wine beside her as she found she couldn't sleep and continued to stare at her shaking hands, then a knock came at the door.
"Come in" Naerys said casting Tyrion a tired smile when he came in taking note of her appearance "My Lady I wanted to talk but I can come at another time if you wish me too."
"Nonsense my love" Naerys said motioning to the chair beside her as Tyrion took it glancing at her worriedly "I didn't expect that saying goodbye to Myrcella would turn into such a scene of terror, I say remind me next time I have the urge to not throw a cowpie at your nephew."
"That joke is quite witty my lady however I admit I am not in the mood to be amused" Tyrion admitted admiring how she had tried to lighten the mood as one of his hands reached out and gently grasped hers as he tried to voice his worry for her with the touch "You know when the rioting began my biggest concern was getting you to safety, I admit I did not even care for the others for my only wish was that you reach the castle unharmed."
"Your wish was granted" Naerys said curious when he gave her an imploring look and knew what he wanted to ask her hanging her head shamefully as she spoke "I uh killed a man today with my bare hands."
"You killed a man" Tyrion said as Naerys nodded giving him a small unsure smile "How did this happen?"
"They were all around me when Bronn came and they started to fight him when I saw the knife on the ground" Naerys explained her hands shaking as she recalled the events "He was fighting one man and I saw one approaching him from the back and I guess it was impulse that drove me to do it but next thing I knew I was on his back and I slit his throat as though it were the easiest thing in the world not caring even as his blood sprayed out all over my arm…Do you think me monstrous that I could do such a thing?"
"No I could never see you as anything even close to that" Tyrion admitted as she placed her head on his shoulder and he hesitated for a moment before he softly kissed her forehead "We do what we must to live and if there are people that get in the way of that it is up to us to fight to continue our existence, today it was you who won so you get to keep on living. It is a fare exchange."
"Maybe not in my eyes" Naerys said sadly as her eyes fluttered shut as she tried to close the world around her and only focus on him "However I did come back to you, I hope to always come back to you."
"That is my wish as well" Tyrion said watching as she fell asleep on him unsure if it was a good or bad thing that he felt like his whole world had been shattered when Naerys had been taken from him and wondered if he should tell her he was feeling such things as it probably meant that somehow he was becoming attached to her.