Kestrel passed a Greencloak member of her father's retinue outside the stables, Dareon making pointed eye contact with her, causing her to slow down to speak to him.
Dareon was in his 40's and still well built, with shaggy black hair and wearing his highly polished armour. He was the first in command of the Oldtown Cavalry and along with Vanis probably one of the closest people to Baelor, and Kestrel knew that he had her best interests at heart.
Dareon's voice was quiet 'Cersei Lannister has already begun talking to your parents about Balon Swann, it looks like this marriage is probably happening. I know it's none of my business Kestrel, but Sandor Clegane has been roaming the Keep with a face like thunder, I think maybe you should make sure that you are certain of your decision against Clegane, before the decision is made for you'.
She looked at Dareon for a second, not sure of what to say before he gave her a quick bow and turned away 'M'Lady'.
A stable boy saddled Mikkera for her and she rode back out to Balon, who quickly mounted his own horse and they trotted their horses slowly through the main gates and down alongside the river, which now had a few people walking and working beside it.
They spoke about nothing in particular, mostly about their childhoods etcetera, though of course Kestrel neglected to mention several things. Since she was five years old Kestrel had been given weekly lessons on sword fighting, archery, cavalry fighting from horseback, and how to use a shield.
Balon didn't seem to pick up on Kestrel's slightly off mood, filling in any pauses with excitable chatter about his family and life, which Kestrel listened to but felt her mind wandering slightly.
They didn't stay out together for long and eventually returned towards the Keep, their horses walking side by side until they stopped, Balon jumping down off his horse swiftly, held out his hand and Kestrel took it, dismounting swiftly from the horse before she tripped slightly over the hem of her dress, not used to the longer hemlines Margaery had.
She stumbled only a little but fell into Balon's arms, which caught her easily.
'My Lady, perhaps you should rest, I shall escort you to your rooms?'.
As much as she pretended not to, Kestrel was keenly aware of the KingsGuard white cloaks standing at the archway near them, assuming that Joffrey had recently passed through and she could feel a burning feeling on her back where Sandor was evidently amongst them, staring at her.
Kestrel caught Sandor's dark gaze eyeing them closely and nodded with a smile back at Swann 'why, thank you Ser'.
Balon kissed her hand gently and they moved off into the castle, having to brush past Sandor in the process.
Balon looked around her rooms 'I was expecting Lady Stark to be here?'. She shook her head 'she is at dinner with the Tyrell's'.
'To discuss Joffrey no doubt'. His voice lowered slightly 'poor girl'.
'Which one?'.
'Margarey... I... I have seen the depths of the King's mind Kestrel, and I do not like what I see there'.
'You realise what you are saying to me is treason?'.
He nodded with a slight shrug 'Yes, but I can see in your eyes that you agree'
She shrugged in response 'I won't deny it no. I fear the day the Bolton's switch fealties, they will rip his enemies apart… Literally'.
'They are aligned with Robb Stark are they not?'. She nodded and he looked thoughtful 'they are only as loyal as the money they are paid. It won't be long. When that time comes Kestrel, leave. Leave and don't look back'.
She looked shocked and Balon shook his head
'I've seen the way your eyes go cold when you look at the King, that's not something you can hide Kestrel. Robert was a good man, to a point, I don't understand how he can create something as evil and twisted as Joffrey... Perhaps what they say about Cersei and Jaime has some truth in it'.
Balon looked shocked at what he had said 'I- I spoke out of turn my Lady, please forget what I said'.
Kestrel waved a hand, admonishing his comments 'I won't say anything Balon, you can be sure of that'.
He looked at her intently and nodded formally with a slight bow to her 'very well, I should leave to find your father, no doubt he would like to speak to me'.
Kestrel said nothing and Balon left quickly, looking worried and uncomfortable.
Bronn was sitting in a chair in Tyrion's study, watching the younger man pacing around the otherwise empty room, looking thoughtful.
'Am I just gonna sit here in silence whilst you walk around?'.
'I am not just 'walking' Bronn, I am thinking, and you can leave if you so wish'.
Bronn grunted, remaining in his seat 'and what about the girl?'.
'Kestrel?'.
Bronn nodded and Tyrion sighed
'And what of her? Joffrey is losing his already slack grip upon the Kingdoms, it is only a matter of time before he loses the throne completely. My sister has found the same fatal flaw as her son has so far- she does not realise that she needs to have the people behind her, for all the riches and money you might have, the people are the masses, and if they turn, you are lost. After what they have done to me, I feel no love and no loyalty to either of them, my father has turned his back on me, what do I have left here? Kestrel has too many people behind her for even the King's army to hold back. The Hightower's would call upon the Tyrell's and if both of them called upon all of their available men… there would be no chance of anyone standing in her way. I want to keep my head, and I won't if I am pitted against the Tyrell's and the Hightower's'.
'So, you're basically keeping her a secret then?'.
Tyrion nodded 'she might just be the last hope we have to save our heads, and the Kingdom'.
Tellen was waiting for Kestrel when she headed back to her rooms, hurrying to catch up with her 'Kess, we need to talk'.
She looked confused but nodded, letting him follow her into her rooms, closing the door behind her.
'What's happened?'.
'When you were out I was sat with your father whilst he talked to Cersei about a wedding proposal. Lord Gulian Swann will agree in a heartbeat if Cersei asks… your father is not willing to ask him though'.
'Why? What do you mean?'.
Tellen sighed, running a hand through his hair 'he's adamant that you are to marry Sandor Clegane, and he's going over your head to ask Clegane again. Ultimately Kess, you don't have a choice in this anymore, because I think we both know that Sandor is going to agree with your father'.