The news of travelling to Kings Landing was one which had filled Gwen with dread. She had been brought before Lady Stark who had told her of the news. She thought that the Lady Stark would simply want her to help her daughter's pack for she knew how hopeless Arya was when it came to folding clothes. But that had not been the only thing which had been asked from Gwen. She had been asked if it would be a problem for her to go with them.
Gwen had blinked profusely, hoping that her emotions did not betray her as she studied Lady Stark and forced herself to nod in agreement. She doubted she really had a say. Catelyn had put her faith in the maid to tend to the girls. She knew that the Septa would drive the girls crazy. Catelyn knew she was firm and strict, everything needed in tutor. But she also knew that the girls relied on Gwen more than she cared to admit. They saw her as a friend and Lady Stark had no issue with that for the girl looked after her daughters.
"Septa said that I need to repack everything because it is creased," Arya complained as soon as she saw Gwen enter her room. The maid had packed her small trunk, dropping in the few gowns which she owned along with her brush and hairpins. She did not own much and she was well aware that would not change. She had pulled her cloak over her shoulders before going to check up on the girls, making sure they were almost ready to depart.
Dread had come over Gwen as she made her way to Arya. She knew that the Lannister's would be travelling with them and she had no desire to see them. She had no desire to be so close to Jaime and she had hoped his departure would have been imminent without her.
"But it is going to be creased anyway," Arya snapped Gwen from her thoughts as she took to sitting on the bed beside Arya. She took the gowns from the girl's hands and folded them herself.
"Don't tell the Septa that I helped and you will be fine." Gwen merely assured her and Arya smiled softly. Gwen's smiling face found Arya's again and she saw something lurking behind the younger girl's gaze. She placed the gown into the trunk and looked at Arya one more time.
"Is something the matter?" she wondered from her and Arya shrugged. She looked down at the bed and thought of all that she was leaving behind. She didn't truly want to leave Winterfell. She wanted to stay and she wanted everything to stay the same. She didn't want her brother to leave for Night's Watch.
"I'm just a bit nervous about change," she whispered to Gwen who nodded in agreement with her. She supposed it was only right that she was nervous about what was to happen. They were going South and to unknown territory.
"Everything shall turn out just fine, my Lady," Gwen promised her, folding another item and resting it on top of the previously folded gown. "Things have to change."
"But this is a big change," Arya complained. "Father is going to be the Hand of the King...and Jon is leaving...and then Sansa is marrying Prince Joffrey...and...and Bran is still asleep..."
"Come here," Gwen said and Arya stood up before Gwen. The elder blonde took hold of Arya's hand and looked her in the eye, her smile never faltering for she wanted the girl to see that she wasn't alone during this. "Your brother will be fine. Lord Bran is strong and he will pull through this. The maester has said so. Your sister will be married but it is her duty. It is the duty of women to find a husband-"
"-You haven't," Arya pointed out and Gwen shrugged ruefully at her.
"I am here to serve you and your family," Gwen decided to reply. "One day I may find someone. And as for your half brother...he will come back to you, Arya. Your family will not be split up; you need not worry about that. You shall all see each other...it just may not be as often as you are used to."
"And what about when Sansa marries the Prince?" Arya wondered. "Will you stay with her or will you stay with me? You're a good friend, Gwen. I don't want you to stay with Sansa."
Gwen faltered again for a moment. She truly had not thought about what would happen to her considering that the girls would be split up. She shrugged at Arya and ran a hand down her cheek before standing up.
"We shall have to wait and see," she said, her voice light and optimistic for the girl. "Now, we should be getting this trunk down to the congregation."
"No need."
Gwen turned around along with Arya as the new voice entered the room and she saw Jon Snow stood before them. He wore his thick cloak over his shoulders, his eyes gazing at the two women as Arya frowned. She knew he was going and the thought was hurting Arya terribly.
"My Lord," Gwen curtseyed politely and Jon shook his head at her, a familiar smile on his face.
"Gwen, what have I told you before?" he wondered from the maid. "I am no more a Lord than you are a Lady."
Gwen smiled at the boy and she saw he held something behind his hands. He coughed awkwardly and looked to Arya, motioning to her with his head.
"Would you mind if I have a moment with my sister?" he wondered and Gwen shook her head, not minding one little bit. "I will bring her trunk down when we are finished."
"Thank you, my Lord," Gwen smiled at him, ruffling Arya's hair before moving to the door. She stopped when she felt Jon's hand wrap around her wrist, preventing her from moving anywhere as he looked at her with a knowing expression. She relaxed a moment and smiled at him.
"Gwen," he urged her one more time and she smirked.
"Thank you, Jon," she said and he nodded contently at hearing her. She was well aware that this could be the last time she saw the young man and she quickly pecked him on the cheek, knowing that he would be leaving as they travelled to Kings Landing and she would have no chance to see him. "Be careful, won't you?"
"You don't need to worry about me, Gwen," Jon promised her, running a hand down her hair and smiling at her. He had to admit that she had been one of the only maids who paid him attention. She didn't look at him as others did. She looked at him as if he were an equal to Rob. She looked at him as if she genuinely cared. It also helped that she was close to the Stark girls and Jon considered himself close to Arya, placing himself in Gwen's vision and he had seen the kind nature in her.
"Well, I shall," Gwen promised him. "Can you bring your sister down when you're finished here?" Gwen checked with him. "I doubt she would come willingly for she seems to be against this trip."
"Of course," Jon said before Arya could protest. The young girl simply huffed loudly and Gwen smirked at her and then took her leave. She moved down to the courtyard where others had begun to congregate. Of course the nobles would not be there for they would wait in the warmth until the last moment. Gwen pulled her cloak tightly around her body before feeling a hand wrap around her elbow. She startled herself and turned around to see the face of Jaime Lannister before her.
His grip on her was tight yet his eyes remained fixed over her shoulder until he decided to speak, the green glare moving down to hers.
"I heard you were coming with us," Jaime spoke softly as people bustled around. The Kingsguard didn't listen to them as they checked that there horses were prepared for the long journey. Gwen tried to force her arm from his fingers, wanting nothing to do with the man behind her.
"I serve the Lady Sansa and Lady Arya," Gwen hissed through clenched teeth and Jaime heard the spite in her tone. How he found her odd. She was always changing. One moment he had her cornered and begging for mercy and the next she spoke to him with such resentment. He supposed he couldn't blame her for he had threatened her life.
"Yes," Jaime whispered again. "And if Prince Joffrey is to wed the Lady Sansa then who knows what will happen to you? Perhaps you shall be living with the royal family. At least I can keep my eye on you then."
Gwen retaliated, pulling her arm from him and glaring back at him.
"I want no part of you on me," she said, grateful that his harsh grip had been removed from her. Jaime arched a brow, a smirk on his face as he twirled his helmet in his hand slowly and lazily looked at her.
"Oh, I can assure you that would not be true if you knew me intimately," he said slyly and Gwen spoke without thinking one more time.
"I would hate to deprive the Queen," she hissed and Jaime moved his hand subtly again, grabbing her elbow and drawing her back into the shadows of the castle wall. She fought against him as members of the Kingsguard ignored what was happening. It was clear that Jaime was the one in charge. He was the one who held the most power.
He released her from his hand, her body bouncing against the wall as he motioned towards his sword, her gaze following his and she instantly knew what he was suggesting.
"I could kill you here and now for that," he warned her, knowing that he had begun to scare her again. But Gwen was not allowing it to happen. He had threatened her once, allowing her to crumble at his feet and beg him for her life. But she had agreed to his promise.
"I would scream," she assured him and the grin on his face seemed to grow at the mere suggestion.
"I would make it so quick that you would have no chance to scream," Jaime promised her. "And maybe I will wait. Wait until you are alone and where I can hear you scream."
"Stay away from me," Gwen warned him, pushing past him. She didn't get far as she felt his hand on her wrist, pulling her back to him and forcing her to look back into his eyes.
"Keep your mouth shut," he warned her. "I do not favour second chances."
He released her after that and she stormed away. She noted Sansa moving on the ground, effortlessly gliding to the seat on the wagon which she would take. Her trunk was being carried by her father who was smiling down at her, willing her to be careful in the Capital and with Joffrey. Sansa was paying him no attention, telling him not to be so paranoid. He frowned before helping her onto the horse and then turned to look at Gwen who had come to stand before him.
"Gwen, I have Jory fitting you a horse. You could ride with the girls but the Septa is much older and adamant that she have the spare seat."
"Oh, I don't mind," Gwen promised him and Lord Eddard nodded sternly before he heard the booming voice of King Robert from behind them.
"Ned!" he called out, walking over to his friend yet his eyes remained fixed on Gwen who had been staring at the man. She knew of the history which they held. Lord Eddard had been destined to be blood relation to the King yet his sister was killed. And now she would not believe he had once been a great warrior. He stood there; plump beyond belief due to his drinking and feasting.
"You never told me you had such a good looking maid coming with us," Robert said, his hands by his side as Eddard shook his head sadly. He knew how Robert had whored around with some of the maids of his house and he had said nothing. He couldn't say anything. They had offered themselves and he was the King.
But he knew of Gwen. He had known her mother. He would make sure that the King knew she was not for him.
"It is a pleasure, my King," Gwen said, holding her skirts to her side and bowing her head as she dropped down into a low curtsey of respect. The King eyed the timid blonde with liking before he spoke again.
"The pleasure is all mine," he whispered softly so only she and Lord Stark could hear him. "And perhaps I can show you my pleasure later on tonight."
"I would not bother, my King."
Lord Stark had opened his mouth, preparing to defend the girl yet it was not his voice that echoed around the group. Gwen turned her blushing face over her shoulder to see the Kingslayer advancing towards her again. Her mouth did drop open as he ran a hand down his blonde hair and she wondered what he was doing. She also wondered how he had heard the conversation. He must have been lurking. It seemed he was good at that.
"And why is that, Kingslayer?" Robert barked out his question to Jaime as he took his stand aside of Gwen, his green gaze fixed on the King.
Jaime didn't want her anywhere near the King. He did not want her to be close enough and in private with him. He did not know what she would say. He truly did not know if he could trust her not to keep her mouth closed.
"Fancy her for yourself, do you?" he wondered and Gwen's blush increased at hearing the King. How she longed to run from the awkwardness. "Or maybe you've had her and you don't want me to have what you've already had?"
"Or maybe there is such a thing as leaving certain maids alone?" Jaime suggested with a deep shrug of his shoulders. He glared at the King, unable to do anything other than that when he was in his company. He hated the way the King lived. What he hated the most was what he did to his own sister.
"I hate to admit Ser Jaime is right," Lord Stark interrupted and a smug look crossed Jaime's face. "Gwen has been in our care since she was little. She is a personal maid to my daughters. She is not a common maid like your normal taste."
"Well, well, well," Robert drawled, his eyes narrowed in slits as he glared at the Lord Stark. "Are you denying me something I want, Ned?"
"I am," Ned agreed with the King, his face smiling as he slapped him on the back, drawing his attention away from Gwen who had Jaime's hand on her elbow once again. "Besides, there are more girls who I am sure are more than acquainted to your perverted ways."
The King laughed loudly as Sansa caught Gwen's eye, her brow arched as she wondered what the conversation had been about. Gwen shook her head once as Jaime moved along with her towards the horses which were being handled by the servants of the Starks, waiting with them until their Lord departed for the Capital.
"Why did you decide to become involved?" Gwen asked him. "How did you even know what the King was talking about?"
"It is not difficult," Jaime told her without a moment of hesitation. "The King had his eyes set upon you and every time he looks at a female he has one thing on his mind. Many have had their virtue ruined by him."
"Do not tell me that you were trying to protect my virtue?" Gwen asked; her face shocked in disbelief only for Jaime to snort loudly, taking the reins of a brown horse, looking at the creature which had been granted to Gwen.
"Of course I wasn't," he said and saw how she rolled her eyes causing his brows to knitt together as he ground his teeth. "Don't roll your eyes at me. Are you forgetting yourself again?"
"No, Ser Jaime," Gwen said pleasantly for emphasis and he smirked cockily at her one more time.
"Good," he said. "Besides, if the King bedded you then the Gods only know how bad you would have been. You do not need him ruining your honour..." he drawled and trailed off, looking her up and down. "If you even have any."
Gwen's hands balled into fists as she refused to retaliate in front of him.
"No," he shook his head, "I don't want you anywhere near the King."
Gwen nodded in understanding, folding her arms and removing his hand from her arm, snatching it back hastily as she looked at him with suspicion.
"You do not trust me, my Lord?" she checked with him, her voice light as Jaime met her gaze once more.
"No," he said honestly. "I do not trust anything which you say. Especially after your smart remark earlier. I am beginning to wonder if I should just rid myself of you now."
Gwen said nothing in response to him. She kept silent as she saw the Queen emerge by her husband's side, her eye catching the maid who was once again conversing with her brother.
"I told you that I would say nothing." Gwen hissed, placing her foot into the saddle of the horse. She struggled to gain a good grip on the creature as Jaime continued to stare at her. The Knight said nothing as he placed his helmet under his arm and placed his hands onto her waist, aiding her onto the creature. She took to sitting side saddle, looking weary on top of the creature.
"I have my eye on you," Jaime assured her as she grabbed the reins and he left her in peace, moving to his own white stallion.
Gwen growled lowly, cursing under her breath before she saw Arya at her feet, her hand stroking the horses mane as her eyes looked up to Gwen.
"What did the Kingslayer want?" she wondered and Gwen smiled softly at Arya.
"Nothing of importance," she promised the young girl. "Why are you not with your sister? She is waiting for you."
"I came to see why you had a horse but I'm not allowed one," Arya complained and Gwen smirked. "Father says it is not proper for a Lady to ride on a horse when there are seats."
"That is true," Gwen agreed with the girl. "Yet there are no spare seats and I am not a Lady, so here I am."
"But I don't want to be a Lady," Arya complained before she heard her father call her name;
"Arya! You're holding up everyone else."
"Go on," Gwen urged her. "I'll ride by your side to save you from the Septa's boring lectures."
Arya smiled softly at Gwen before turning on her heel and rushing to her sister. Gwen remained behind the girls who rode on the wagon in front of the Kingsguard who travelled with them. She pulled her blonde hair over one shoulder as she pulled the reins and the horse began to move. She kept quiet, refusing to look on as Jaime Lannister caught her eye and grinned cockily. He moved his horse beside hers, his orbs never leaving her as she focused her attention straight ahead.
"You have no need to ride alongside me, Ser Jaime," Gwen assured him. She looked behind her once again to see Eddard riding alongside Jon, the two of them conversing in hushed tones.
"The King has ordered me to," he said simply. "It seems you are the only female on horseback and Lord Stark wants it to be made sure that no harm can come to you."
"And what harm would this be?" Gwen enquired from him.
"Have you ever left the kingdom of Winterfell?"
"No."
"Then you do not know of the dangers which lurk outside of them," he concluded. "Besides, this way I can keep you in my sights and make sure you do not break your word."
Gwen said nothing back to him as she ran a hand over the coat of her horse. She remained silent as they continued to travel, wishing nothing more than ridding herself of Jaime Lannister's presence.
...
A/N: so another chapter for the day! Thank you to Lottie du Bois, Jofrench22, meri, moonlight1fly and smilin step for reviewing chapter 3!
Do let me know what you think, please!