"Do you hear that?" Shireen asked from her sister.
Sarah's time on Dragonstone had been completely uneventful. She had spent most of her days reading and talking with Shireen. Her mother had ordered her to spend some time with her and the Red Woman, the three of them walking through the courtyard.
Sarah was well aware of what her mother was trying to do. She was attempting to make her see the way of the God of Light. Sarah kept quiet, pretending to enjoy listening to her mother. Instead she could always see the Red Woman from the corner of her eye, looking at her as if she knew some type of secret.
"It is the bells," Sarah commented.
She moved from her bed, holding onto one of the four posts that supported it as she looked out of her grimy window. She could see nothing in the distance, but she remained silent for a few seconds. Something grave had to have happened. She only hoped that it was nothing and her imagination was running away from her.
For some unbeknownst reason, her mind turned to Jaime. She didn't know why, but she knew that there had to be a reason for it. She looked to Shireen and ran a hand down her sister's long hair.
"Stay here," she sternly told her sister and moved from her bedroom. She wandered down the stone corridors, looking for any sign of life. She soon found Ser Davos on his way to her chambers. He was rushing with haste, his cloak flowing behind him. His eyes met Sarah's orbs and she knew instantly that this was the news they had been waiting for.
"He's dead, isn't he?" Sarah whispered and Davos nodded.
"Aye, my Lady. The King died and Lord Eddard Stark isn't far behind him. He found out the truth. He wrote to Stannis, supporting his claim to the Iron Throne. He's rotting in a cell in King's Landing. His son has started to march down South and the Lannisters are heading North to meet them" Davos's gruff voice spoke. "Your father does not mourn the news. He is in the room of his council with the Red Woman."
"Why is she there?" Sarah wondered.
"She wants him to take her Fire God," Davos replied and Sarah shook her head, knowing full well that her father shouldn't do that. "She says now is the time to be the champion he was born to be. Stannis seems to believe her. He's thinking of burning the Old Gods this evening."
"And if he does?" Sarah wondered as she and Davos began to walk down the corridor, their footsteps echoing around them. Davos led her in the direction of Stannis's small council and she shook her head.
"Then he risks alienating himself," Davos replied and suddenly stopped, his large hands resting on Sarah's shoulders. "We cannot talk him out of this. He would never believe us if we tried to."
"I have to have a go," Sarah pleaded with Davos. "If he goes into a war then he needs support. I know that I am a girl, but I know more about this than you think I do. I know that when it comes to war than basic arithmetic is always needed."
"You're not dumb," Davos told her and looked to the door of the small council. "Go in there if it pleases you. Just do not do anything foolish."
"He's my father," Sarah replied. "I need to try."
The girl tugged at the plain blue dress she wore and moved into the room, watching as her father stood at the end of the table, the Red Woman next to him with her hand on her shoulder. Stannis's hands gripped at the table as he looked down over all of the Seven Kingdoms sculpted into it.
"Father," Sarah greeted him.
Stannis looked up, his brow furrowing as he saw his daughter stood before him. "Sarah. I trust you've heard the news."
"I have," Sarah replied. "I am sorry for your loss," she added on as an afterthought.
"Hm," Stannis merely grunted. He didn't love Robert. He never had done. The man had always been a fool in his eyes. A fool that didn't deserve to rule. "Why are you here?"
"She wishes to speak to you in private," Melisandre said, patting Stannis's shoulder one more time and standing tall. She looked over to the girl and clasped her hands together. "She has had a wasted trip, I am afraid."
"Then you should leave us," Stannis replied, his voice low as Melisandre turned back to look at him with confusion.
"I know what she is going-"
"-I do not know what she is going to say," Stannis interrupted. "I would like to find out from her, Lady Melisandre. Go and ready the preparations. The ceremony happens at nightfall tonight."
A slim smile passed over Melisandre's face as her eyes landed on Sarah and she nodded gratefully, her voice loud and clear as she moved over to the door and opened it again;
"As you wish, my King."
Sarah turned her head to watch the woman leave before she saw Davos stood in the corridor, a look of concern on his face as his gaze caught hers. Melisandre closed the door to leave Sarah in the room with her father. Stannis finally found himself able to move his gaze from the table and to his daughter before his face scrunched up.
"You appear to have lost weight," he said to her, noting her gaunt face. "Are you ill, my daughter?"
"Not at all," Sarah said. "I was fed too much in Winterfell I fear. Now I eat less and walk more."
"So long as you are well," Stannis said and Sarah stood still, reeling from the shock of her father actually noticing her appearance. "What did you wish to speak about?"
"I...the Red Woman," Sarah whispered, daring to move down the three steps and go closer to her father. "Father, I know that it is not my place to question you."
"Aye, it is not," Stannis replied, wondering where this conversation was leading. He said nothing for a few moments as Sarah bit down on her bottom lip and looked to the floor.
"I worry about you," Sarah finally admitted. "I know that the King is dead and Lord Stark has supported your claim. I am well aware of that, father. Yet, I do know that Westeros believes in the Old Gods and the New...not...not the Fire God."
Stannis looked up to her and shook his head. She didn't understand. How could she? Sarah could sense that her father's patience with her was running out, as it often did. She made her move quickly then, moving closer to him and keeping her hands in her skirts to stop them from trembling.
"I know that there are not enough men on Dragonstone to support your claim against the Lannisters. You need other men...men with the same beliefs as you."
"You're a young girl, Sarah," Stannis gruffly informed her and she jutted her chin out at hearing him. "Since when did you grow to become so outspoken?"
"I am trying to help you," Sarah defended herself. "I am trying to stop you from making a mistake, father. You need to believe me about that."
"And how do you know it is a mistake?" Stannis responded, standing tall and in front of his daughter. "I have seen things, Sarah. I have seen things in the flames...I am the rightful King."
"But not by doing this!" Sarah snapped back, infuriation coming naturally to her as she continued to listen to him. "Father, please-"
"-I have fought in battles," Stannis interrupted. "I have been the one to win those battles. Believe me, Sarah, I do not need advice from a girl. You will do well to hold your tongue and learn to respect me."
Grinding her teeth together, Sarah said nothing more on the matter, knowing full well that it would not get her anywhere. He didn't want to know. He didn't care. Shaking her head, she allowed her hair to fall around her as her eyes met her father's again.
"As you wish," she whispered to him.
"Good. Now go to your mother. We have an important evening."
Kissing her father on the cheek, she then turned on her heel and swept from the room, her hands clenched by her sides as she left him alone to brood. She finally found her mother and Selyse ordered for her to wear her dark blue dress for the occasion tonight. Sarah complied and made sure that Shireen did not have to come.
Her mother scoffed at the idea, and for once Sarah was grateful for her mother's lack of compassion.
...
The news of Eddard Stark's death reached Dragonstone before the trip down to the beach was made. Sarah knew that everything was happening quickly now. She knew that it would not be long before war was declared and her father was thrust into the middle of it.
She looked to the comet in the sky above her, the redness of it illuminating the dark as she stood by her mother's side, dutifully keeping silent whilst she waited for the Lady Melisandre to speak.
"Lord of Light, come to us in our darkness," the Red Woman preached. "We offer you these false Gods. Take them and cast your light upon us. For the night is dark and full of terrors."
Sarah could feel her hope diminish as she watched the statues of the Seven Gods being burnt in front of her. The flames rose into the sky, heating the air as they burnt away. Sarah turned her head to the side, watching as her mother and father repeated the words.
For the night is dark and full of terrors.
Sarah mouthed them, knowing that her parents were watching her with anticipation. The sickness she felt at completing the motion made her close her eyes as Lady Melisandre continued to speak, her voice passionate and clear.
"All you men were named in the light of the Seven!" Maester Cressen suddenly yelled, moving to stand at the front of the congregation. "Is this how you treat the God's of your father's? Are you so eager to spit on your ancestors?"
No one said anything. A silence came over them as Melisandre spoke in hushed tones to the maester. Cressen seemed to consider her words before he looked to Stannis, waiting for him to do something; waiting for him to defend him. But nothing came. Cressen took to stand at the side as Melisandre spoke again;
"In the ancient books it is written that a warrior will draw a burning sword from the fire; and that sword shall be Lightbringer."
Sarah turned to glance at her father as Melisandre moved closer to him;
"Stannis Baratheon, warrior of light. Your sword awaits you."
Sarah dared to move then, her hand moving to her left to grab her father's wrist. Stannis looked down at his daughter, seeing the pleading in her eyes as she watched him back, silently urging for him not to do this.
Moving to face her, Stannis slowly moved his hand to rest over the one that was on her wrist and he tugged it from him. She sighed with defeat as Selyse stood with a look of annoyance on her features. Stannis moved his free hand to his daughter's head and ran the back of his hand down her hair before he looked at her with a stern gaze.
Sarah took a step back, turning to look at her mother as she glowered at her.
Stannis moved forwards in between the burning statues and Sarah looked back to Ser Davos, both of them silently knowing that this was a dangerous thing to be doing. Stannis drew the sword out of the statue, a loud cheer erupting around as he did so.
Melisandre smirked with glee as Stannis plunged the sword into the sand and everyone knelt on their knees. Sarah waited for a moment, watching as everyone else lowered themselves down. Ser Davos was the only one standing and he slowly bent the knee when Sarah did.
"For the night is dark and full of terrors," Melisandre spoke as she turned her eyes to Stannis.
The Lord of Dragonstone looked back to her before he looked over all the people who knelt before him, declaring their allegiance.
"For the night is dark and full of terror," Stannis repeated and Sarah closed her eyes, knowing that the Red Woman had somehow managed to bring Stannis under her spell. Sarah didn't know what to do about it. She just knew that the Red Woman was trouble.
Stannis looked to the congregation and held his hand out, waiting for Selyse and his daughter to follow him. Selyse took the lead, grasping Sarah's hand as they moved from their kneeling position and walked closely behind Stannis.
"What do you think you were doing?" Selyse suddenly snapped at her daughter once they were near Stannis and away from everyone else. "Your father is the God's Chosen One. Were you trying to stop him from doing his rightful duty?"
"Selyse," Stannis snapped as he slowed to walk the other side of his daughter.
"No," Selyse replied. "I have seen the way she looks at the Lady Melisandre. I have tried to make her see the right way, Stannis. I have done my best to make her see."
"Enough," Stannis interrupted. "Go to your chambers and rest, Selyse. It has been a long day."
"I am-"
"-Go," Stannis ordered her. "I should speak with my daughter alone."
Selyse frowned but did as her husband had told her. Stannis took hold of Sarah's elbow and walked her back towards the burning Gods. He saw Ser Davos move past him. Stannis took a moment to wonder what he was thinking about before he continued to steer his daughter towards the shore.
He released her and looked out to sea, wondering what truly was out there. He wondered what types of men were waiting for him. He wondered if they were skilled in battle. He wondered if they had fought for him before. Stannis didn't know. He didn't doubt that he would find out.
"You tried to stop me," Stannis informed her.
Sarah kept her eyes on the sea in front of her, watching the waves roll onto the sand. It was surprisingly soothing, especially when she knew her father was probably about to yell at her.
"I...I know," Sarah said. "I shocked myself."
"You shocked me," Stannis replied and turned his head to the side to look down at her.
"I thought I was doing the right thing," Sarah replied.
"It is not your place, Sarah," Stannis warned her. "How many times have I told you what you duty is?"
"My duty is to obey you," Sarah replied automatically. "I know that I am your daughter, and I did bend the knee, did I not? I did that, but I had to tell you what I thought, father."
"There was a time when you never would have told me what you thought," Stannis replied in a tight tone. "Spending time away from Dragonstone has changed you, and I do not know if it is for the best."
"And time on Dragonstone has changed you," Sarah whispered back and both of them looked at each other. Stannis's jaw remained hard as he glowered at his daughter.
"Watch yourself, Sarah," Stannis warned her.
Sarah didn't apologise. She looked back to the sea and Stannis sighed, wondering when she had become so stubborn.
"The Red Woman told me what happened," Stannis told her. "She told me what she saw about you."
"And you believe her?"
"I don't want to," Stannis spoke. "I know that I will keep you on Dragonstone for as long as I can now, Sarah. I refuse to let you leave here."
"And I do not intend to go," Sarah quickly said to him. "Just promise me that you will be careful around the Lady Melisandre."
Stannis chuckled and offered his arm to his daughter. Sarah hesitantly took it, pulling her cloak tighter around her body as she did so.
"You do not need to worry about me, Sarah. You have no need at all."
...
Jaime was still struggling to believe that he had been captured. How long had he spent sat in a pen being Robb Stark's prisoner? It was becoming increasingly annoying and tedious. He could barely feel any of his limbs for failure to move anywhere. He was forced to sit against a wooden pole, chained to it with nowhere to go.
It was only one night when Robb Stark came to see him, the King in the North standing tall in front of him.
"I received a raven this evening," Robb informed the prisoner. "A raven from Dragonstone and Stannis Baratheon. King Joffrey Baratheon is neither a true king, nor a true Baratheon. He's your bastard son."
"If that's true then Stannis is the rightful King. How convenient for him."
"My father discovered the truth," Robb replied. "And that's why you had him executed."
"Your son killed him so the world wouldn't learn the truth," Robb replied to Jaime. "Stannis Baratheon also knew all along. Is that why the Lady Sarah fled? Had you threatened her life?"
Jaime's mind turned back to Sarah Baratheon for a moment. He hated to admit that he often found himself thinking of her when his mind had nothing else to think about. He wondered how she had escaped and what would have happened if Cersei had been able to have her way with the girl.
"Sarah didn't know anything," Jaime lied. "I would never threaten her."
"No," Robb said, his voice gruff. "I saw the two of you in Winterfell. You spent all your time around her. Why is that?"
Sighing, Jaime shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Sarah was excellent company, do you not think so? Such a charming young woman, and indeed, very beautiful. Why would any man want to leave her side?"
"You insult her," Robb replied. "She isn't the one chained in a cage."
"No, how fortunate for her," Jaime responded.
"I know that she ran because she knew."
"And how do you know that?"
"She told me plenty of times that she would do her duty and marry me. And then the wedding was called off and she was declared barren...forced to go back to King's Landing...where you could keep her a hostage and stop Stannis from saying anything that he knew. And then she ran. Why would the Queen have been so angry? Why would she offer such a handsome reward for her return? Only my father found out anyway."
Jaime kept quiet. How intelligent of Robb Stark to deduce that himself. Jaime could hardly believe it.
"She was not barren, was she?" Robb replied.
"Are you feeling robbed, Stark?" Jaime asked him. "Did you truly have a little fancy on the girl?"
"She is safe in Dragonstone now," Robb replied. "That is all that matters. You and your sister tried to take her back and-"
"-I did not try to do anything," Jaime interrupted. "If you must know, I was quite fond of the girl. She was interesting company towards the end. I didn't want to harm her. I didn't want her to go back to Dragonstone. I knew that she would find the truth out when she returned. I wanted her to marry you and stay in Winterfell. It would have been the best place for her."
Robb ground his teeth together and ran a hand over his beard, thinking of the Frey girls. Well, one of them would be his wife. Would everything have been better if he had simply married Sarah? He didn't know.
"All that comes out of your mouth are lies," Robb replied. "It seems that you've had years of practice."
"And here's to many more years," Jaime replied, his smug face causing Robb to storm from the pen.
Slowly, Jaime's smirk disappeared from his face and he leant his head back against the post, unable to control his thoughts from moving to Sarah Baratheon again.
...
A/N: Another quick update! Anyway, thanks to everyone who has reviewed and for anyone who is now following this. Please do let me know what you think! Sarah and Jaime shall soon be thrust together again, I promise!