Sarah had spent the previous night sat on her bed, her arm around her mother as she comforted her. She couldn't help but find the situation ironic. She did think that it was supposed to be her mother who comforted her, but her family had never been normal. Sarah knew that, and she grown to accept it.
Selyse had finally left her daughter to sleep. She had dismissed her maids from the room, insisting that she would be the one to help her daughter pack. She had told her all about marriage and the responsibilities which came with it. She had warned her that her father was not the wisest when it came to picking suitors.
Selyse had told Sarah never to follow her heart. It was not her duty to do so.
Sarah had nodded in agreement to whatever her mother had said, doing her best not to break down in front of the woman who had birthed her eighteen name days ago. She knew that saying goodbye to Shireen would be the most difficult moment for her. She had snuck into her room in the dead of the night, telling her what would happen.
Shireen had been saddened; of course she had been. Her sister was sometimes her only source of comfort. But, Shireen was a sweet girl. She saw the best out of any situation. She had forced herself to smile and tell Sarah that she was going to find her knight.
It was then when Sarah felt the tears prick in her eyes, but not one fell onto her cheek.
"You will stay strong," Selyse said as she stood in the harbour of Dragonstone.
Stannis had allowed his wife to journey with him to the harbour to see her daughter leave the port. Shireen had also been granted permission to step outdoors. Many men had stared at her as they went about their usual business. Sarah had done her best to keep her from their harsh glares.
She detested the way they stared at her. It was as if she was not normal. Shireen was a girl, like everyone else. She did not deserve to be looked at with such wondering eyes.
"Yes, mother," Sarah agreed as Selyse wrapped her arms around her taller daughter.
She held her tightly, looking over her shoulder to where Stannis stood. His gaze was one of disinterest. She glowered at her husband for a moment, resenting him for taking away the little girl who had gotten her through all of her miscarriages. She couldn't stand him for doing that to her.
"I'll miss you, Sarah," Shireen said once Selyse had released her.
Shireen wrapped her arms around Sarah's waist, burying her head in her sister's stomach. Sarah patted down her dark hair before Selyse stepped in. She held her chin high as she allowed the tips of her fingers to touch Shireen's shoulder.
"Your sister must go, Shireen," she said, her voice sterner than normal.
Shireen released Sarah, standing back and besides her mother. Sarah ruffled the hair of her sister quickly before she turned on her heel, her cloak flowing behind her. Stannis watched as his daughter approached him before he offered her his arm.
Sarah took hold of her father's arm, her hand resting just by his wrist as he walked with her towards the ship which was to take them to King's Landing via Blackwater Bay. Stannis had commissioned some of the finest sailors to return him to his home. He knew that he was in trouble should anything happen to his daughter.
"You did well," Stannis told her. "I had expected tears from you."
Sarah looked straight ahead of her as she finally came to the end of the harbour. The stone ended abruptly, a plank of wood the only think moving over to the ship which had docked in the deep waters.
"It is my duty to go to King's Landing. There is no use in shedding tears over my future."
Stannis brusquely nodded, moving his arm out and allowing his daughter to board the ship first. She kept hold of the wood at either side of the plank, trying not to trip over the long red dress which she wore. Stannis followed closely behind her, turning back to look at his wife and youngest daughter.
Selyse had been glaring at him with her narrowed sharp eyes ever since he told her what he intended to do. She was the one who was fighting back the tears. Shireen was stood a few paces from her, her eyes wide as she waved over to her father.
Stannis did nothing so extravagant to reply to his daughter. He inclined his head before he saw Selyse snap at her daughter. Shireen's smile instantly fell from her face and Stannis felt annoyance radiate through him.
"We should make King's Landing by evening."
Stannis finally stopped climbing the plank of wood as he stepped on the deck of the ship. He nodded in agreement with the captain who had just spoken.
"You should go inside," Stannis's gruff voice informed his daughter. "The wind and rain can be quite nasty."
"I would like to see Dragonstone until it is no longer in view," Sarah replied to her father, her orbs wide before he nodded in agreement with her request. He supposed it wasn't so unreasonable that he couldn't let her do that.
He moved around the deck by himself, deciding to leave Sarah to her thoughts. It didn't take long for Dragonstone to leave view and Sarah moved into the cabin. Stannis left her alone for a while, braving the howling winds and the forceful rains on deck.
It wasn't until they reached King's Landing when he decided to go and collect his daughter. He could hear her muffled sobs from behind the door. He should have known that she wasn't as strong as she let on. She never had been.
...
Sarah surfaced back to the deck and she couldn't help but think how much difference a few hours journey made. The sight in King's Landing was like something which Sarah had never seen. Buildings stretched tall in the distance. There were people everywhere, and there were so many different colours. Sarah dutifully followed her father as she sat side saddle on her horse and was led up to the castle of King's Landing. She tried not to let her mouth gape as she saw the sight in front of her. All she wanted to do was speak with her father of the difference between the capital and her home.
Yet Stannis seemed bored by it all. He said nothing as he rode besides his daughter into the main gates. They were greeted by a member of the Kingsguard. Sarah only knew him because of his glistening white cloak. She allowed her father to help her from the horse before he spoke to the man.
"Sarah, this is Ser Barristan Selmy. He is an honoured member of the Kingsguard. Ser Barristan, this is my eldest daughter, Sarah Baratheon."
He bowed at the waist in front of her before his gaze looked over her. She had the Baratheon look about her, he supposed. She was, however, also half Florent.
"My lady," Barristan spoke. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is also mine, Ser," she smiled softly, doing her best not to look too worried at the prospect of moving into the walls of the castle.
"I trust my brother is in the Throne Room."
"Aye, that he is," Selmy nodded. "He's requested your presence as soon as you arrived."
"I see," Stannis said. He began to walk, turning his head as he noted his daughter was still staring at her surroundings. "Sarah. Come along, daughter."
She heard him call her and moved with haste, deciding it would be for the best not to anger her father. She kept a few paces behind him, her eyes still roaming around her as she went. She noted people who passed, most of them bowing as Stannis swept by. He did nothing to acknowledge their existence, his mind too intent on getting the meeting with his brothers out of the way with.
He stood before two grand wooden doors before they were pushed open by two men in cloaks. Both of them wore helmets which covered their heads. One did not look at her as she entered the room behind her father, yet the other did. His bright green eyes looked at her as she heard a booming noise from inside the room.
"Stannis! What has kept you for so long?"
Sarah looked over her father's shoulder as he stood before some steps which led up to the Iron Throne. Sarah had only read about the throne, never before did she think she would ever see it. Her gaze then found the man who sat on top of it.
He was plump, there was no denying that. His black hair was knotted and a golden crown sat on top of his head. His beard was out of control and his face was as red as if he had just run to the room. A man stood beside him, this one tall and thin. His black hair and beard was neatly trimmed and his eyes were the same as her father's. Yet he seemed to look kinder towards her.
"I wasn't in a rush to return," Stannis nonchalantly said, turning to look at Sarah. He nodded at her and she moved to stand next to her father, her hands sweating as she placed them in her skirts.
"This must be your daughter, Stannis," the man to the King's side said.
Sarah could only imagine him to be Renly, her father's younger brother.
"Sarah, is it not?" Renly asked as he took the steps down to the floor. He held his hands out to her, taking hold of them and stepping back, his gaze looking over her. A small smirk played on his face before he turned to look at his brother.
"Tell me, Stannis, how did you manage to produce such a fine little lady?" Renly wondered.
"Watch it, Renly," Stannis snarled. "You forget your place."
"Enough," Robert laughed loudly as Renly decided to kiss his niece on the cheek. "Although our little brother has a point, Stannis. Why have you been hiding her on Dragonstone for so long?"
"You know why," Stannis replied. "Selyse was adamant that she stayed there."
"She could have been wed years ago," Robert declared. "Renly, step back and stop crowding the girl. I wish to see her properly."
Stannis moved back from his daughter as Renly did the same, the persistent grin still on his face as he did so. Sarah took a deep breath before holding her head high. Robert's eyes looked over his niece as he observed her.
"She has your eyes, Stannis. Not to mention your stubborn set chin. I see you have the Florent nose and ears. Unfortunate, isn't that? They're not the best looking of families!" he laughed loudly.
No one else seemed to join in with his taunts as Stannis pursed his lips and looked to the floor. Renly shook his head, beaming widely before he moved to stand next to his niece.
"Come now, brother. You do not mean that, do you?" he checked with him. "Our dear niece is a fine lady. Do not knock her confidence."
"I meant no offence to my niece," Robert assured them. "Your father tells me that he thinks it is time for you to marry, girl. What do you say?"
Sarah took a deep breath as Renly rested his hand on her shoulder.
"I should think that the decision has been made," Sarah nodded. "If my father thinks it is time then I agree with him."
"I wonder where she gets the sense of duty from?" Renly taunted Stannis again.
"You could do well to learn it."
"Brothers," Robert called out. "I do not think it is the time to argue, do you? I have a vast feast prepared for this evening. I wish to speak with you two alone. Your daughter can go to her chambers."
"She does not know where they are," Stannis replied. "I shall escort her."
"We have no time for that," Robert shook his head. "I shall have the Kingslayer show her the way."
"I would prefer to do it myself," Stannis said. "Her rooms are next to mine. I am-"
"Kingslayer!" Robert bellowed, interrupting Stannis from his complaints.
A low groan escaped Stannis as he closed his eyes and his jaw ticked at the annoyance of being cut off by Robert. The wooden doors opened and Sarah turned around, looking to the man who entered the room. He had removed a lion helm from his hands, tucking it under his arm as he arched a brow.
"You yelled?" he said, his voice a tone of amusement and boredom at the same time.
"Show my niece to her chambers." Robert declared. "I have business which needs attending to. It's a simple enough job for you, I suppose. No one to kill on the way."
Sarah looked across to the man who had murdered the Mad King. Of course she had heard the tales of Jaime Lannister. Who hadn't? Her father had been disgusted when Robert had allowed him to remain a member of the Kingsguard. She remembered that he had returned home, cursing and swearing of the shame which Robert brought to the Baratheon name.
"I shall come for you later, daughter," Stannis briskly nodded at the young girl.
She nodded once and swiftly pecked her father on the cheek. She left the room with the Kingslayer behind her. He followed her out the hall, listening as Stannis spoke of his distaste of him to Robert. After years of endless taunts, Jaime had learned to live with the names he was called. He'd had no choice but to wear his armour like a sheet of skin.
"This way, little stag," he mumbled to her.
She followed him down the corridors, doing her best to focus on not tripping over the skirts which she wore.
Jaime slowed his pace and waited for the girl to walk by his side.
"There has been talk of your arrival for the past few days," Jaime declared. "The eldest daughter of Stannis Baratheon. Some said he kept you locked on Dragonstone for your mad mother. Is that true? Others said it was because you are as disfigured as that sister of yours."
Sarah looked up to the blonde man as a smug grin formed on his face. She felt a slight pang of sadness at the mention of Shireen. And then she felt the anger.
"I would suspect that you shouldn't speak of my sister in that manner," Sarah said, her tone tight and her voice stern like her father's. "You do not know of her."
"I know that she is disfigured," Jaime replied to her. "So, do you intend to answer the question?"
"My mother did not want me to leave Dragonstone," Sarah truthfully admitted. "She thinks King's Landing is a snake pit. She does not approve of me being here."
"Your mother is correct," Jaime assured the young woman, turning left as she followed him. "You look like her. I remember her vaguely. I suppose you are fortunate to have not inherited her hairy upper lip. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Stannis when I saw her. She didn't make the most attractive bride."
"Pardon me?" Sarah said, unable to believe the audacity of the man next to her. She stopped moving for a moment, her eyes blinking repeatedly as she heard Jaime speak to her in such a manner.
Jaime arched a brow. "Did you not hear what I just said?"
"I heard it loud and clear," she assured him, a scoff escaping her. "What bothers me is that I don't think you should be speaking in such a manner. My father is the Lord of Dragonstone. He is brother to the King."
"Do you have a point to this?"
"My point is that you are not above us. You are a member of the Kingsguard. You have no right to be so cruel."
Jaime allowed a chuckle to escape his lips as he heard the young girl. How naive she truly was.
Jaime shook his head back and forth for a moment. "You have a lot to learn, little stag."
"I could say the same about you," she promised him. "I think you should take me to my room before you insult my family further."
Jaime couldn't resist the smirk which fell on his lips. This girl really would be eaten up at court.
"Your loyalty to Stannis is quite something. Tell me, has he ever shown you the same loyalty?"
"Of course," she answered without a moment to pause. "He is my father."
"Yet he brings you here to sell you like a piece of meat at market," Jaime told her.
"He intends to wed me." Sarah protested. "It is my duty to do as my father wishes."
The laugh which escaped Jaime this time was bitter. Duty. What did this girl really know of duty?
Jaime paused outside her chambers, pushing the wooden door open for her. She stepped inside and looked around whilst Jaime stood in the doorway.
"Duty and justice. They always were Stannis's favourite things," Jaime observed. "I think he favours them above what his daughter really wants."
"That is not true," Sarah protested, stopping her admiration of the silk drapes.
"We shall see, little stag," Jaime said, closing the door to her room. "We shall see."
...
A/N: So thanks to those who have followed this! No reviews so far, but I do hope you let me know what you think. It would mean a lot.