AN: New chapter guys. Sorry it took longer than the last chapter to put up. When I started this fic I was on a week long break from work, so I had plenty of time to write. Now I'm back at work, so updates will be slow. I will get chapters up as I get them written.
Anyway, here is chapter three. Just in case it was not clear before hand Cersei is OOC during this fic.
And quick disclaimer (which I realised I probably should have put up last chapter as well)= I own nothing except my OCs. GoT and ASoIaF belong to GRRM.
Chapter Three
Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion groaned as he slowly woke up, his head pounding from last night. He had consumed an awful lot of drink; not as much as a few nights ago, but still quite a lot. Just enough, it seemed, that he had no recollection of how he had ended up in the kennels with all of the dogs. He looked around at all the dogs, who seemed to not care that they had a dwarf for company. As he sat up Tyrion noticed that one of his nephews was stood by the fence of the kennel. And with the Hound standing there, he knew exactly which nephew it was.
"Better looking bitches than what you're usually used to waking up next to?" Joffrey teased. Tyrion grunted as he stood up and began to wander to the gate. He waddled out, closing the gate firmly before going to his nephew.
"Enough of your cheek now Joffrey," he said. "We have much to prepare for, and we are short on time if I'm not mistaken. I expect you to have made your thanks to Lady Stark for the hospitality of her family during our stay." At that Joffrey scoffed. Of all of his sister's children Joffrey was the one that Tyrion did not like. Thank the gods that Silas is the firstborn, he thought.
"What good are my thanks?" the brat asked incredulously, as if such a thing were beneath him. Everything is beneath him, Tyrion thought.
"To show your appreciation for the kind lady and her family," Tyrion stated, his voice barely containing his frustration. Joffrey smirked and looked over to the Hound. Sandor Clegane has been Joffrey's sworn shield since the boy was eight, and Tyrion has felt sorry for the man ever since.
"The woman means nothing to me," Joffrey muttered. "Why should I worry about showing my appreciation to someone so far beneath me, especially a Northman's whore?" Tyrion went red with rage at Joffrey's disrespectful attitude. When the brat turned to face him Tyrion slapped his hand across Joffrey's left cheek as hard as he could.
"Any more disrespect and I'll hit you again," Tyrion snapped, his voice raised.
"I'M TELLING MOTHER!" Joffrey shouted, earning himself another slap.
"Then go and tell her," Tyrion said. "But first you will go to Lady Stark, you will bow before her as if she were royalty and not you and you will tell how much you enjoyed her family's hospitality and that you look forward to it again in the future. Do you understand?" Joffrey loomed over Tyrion in a final bid to intimidate him.
"You can't…" Tyrion interrupted him with another slap, this time across his bruised cheek, causing him to whimper.
"Do… you… understand?" he said once more. Joffrey looked at him while nursing his cheek and after a moment he stormed off. Tyrion shook his head in dismay. How my good-brother fathered such an ignorant little shit I'll never know, he thought. He watched as Joffrey stomped away to the main keep of Winterfell.
"The prince will remember that little lord," the Hound said with barely contained amusement. A soft sounding laugh caught Tyrion's attention before he could respond. He turned to face the source of the laugh to find Lady Sansa walking to them, with her Direwolf standing by her side. The wolf came up to Sansa's elbow when stood up on all four legs, and was the prettiest of all the Direwolves. Tyrion believed that the Direwolf's name of Lady was aptly chosen.
Lady Sansa came to a stop just three feet away from Tyrion and the Hound. She did not seem to be put off at being in the company of these two men, one being a scarred man with a reputation for being as fiercely violent as his elder brother, the other with a reputation for his drinking and whoring ways. Instead she gave both of them her brightest smile.
"That was rather enjoyable to watch, my lord," she said in a polite and kind voice. "Normally I would never laugh at anyone's misfortune, especially if said misfortune comes in the form of violence. But in Prince Joffrey's case I can make an exception." Tyrion gave Sansa a small chuckle.
"Well I must say my lady that I do take some pleasure out of giving the brat some discipline here and there," he responded. Sansa nodded her head in understanding.
"Some people require more discipline than others," she said. "I only hope that the prince grows up sooner rather than later, for his own sake at least. Otherwise I fear what my sister will do to him." Her face showed a hint of worry, but Tyrion is very good at reading people, or so he likes to think he is. One look at Sansa's eyes and he knows her worry is false. Tyrion also knows about the little display the day after the royal party arrived, where Joffrey was beaten by Silas and the others over some harsh words he had spoken to Sansa's sister Arya. Deciding not to bring up that topic, Tyrion just continued to smile and take a step closer.
"Anyway, despite our little entertainment this morning I am rather eager to see my lovely niece before we depart. I don't suppose you know where we can find her, do you?" he asked Sansa. The eldest Stark girl nodded her head and took a step closer to him, something that most noble women never did. If anything they usually took a step back from him.
"I believe we will find her in the godswood just now, with my brother Robb," Sansa answered. Tyrion raised an eyebrow at that.
"Converting to the old gods, is she?" he asked light-heartedly, making Sansa chuckle.
"No, at least I don't think that to be the case. I saw them head out early this morning while everyone else was still either asleep or just rising," she said. Before she continued her face turned into a frown. "I would have assumed that they were going to take an early morning swim in the hot springs, but I noticed that my brother was carrying two wooden training swords." Tyrion would have been as startled as Sansa was by this if he did not know his niece very well. Ever since she could walk Cassana has always wanted to do whatever Silas could do, including sword fighting. He remembered once hearing how Robert had found Cassana playing with a wooden sword and beating the other boys who wanted to stop her from doing something that 'a princess should never do' as they were said to have put it. Instead of stopping her altogether Robert had laughed and encouraged Cassana to keep playing, and eventually to actually train, much to Cersei's displeasure.
"I think we should go and interrupt their 'swimming' session then my lady," Tyrion said. "Would you be so kind as to show me where they would likely be?" Sansa gave Tyrion a slightly nervous smile and offered her hand. Tyrion took her hand and followed by her side as they went into the godswood, while the Hound wandered off to find Joffrey.
Tyrion had never been in a Northern godswood before his niece's wedding. It just seemed like any other godswood like those in the south, until he had seen the heart tree. In the south a grand oak served as a heart tree, but in the North a weirwood tree was the heart tree. The weirwood tree has a white trunk with a face carved into it, with blood red sap seemingly oozing out of the carved face. For some reason Tyrion felt at ease when near it, while Robert and Cersei were a bit uncomfortable around it. The tall sentinel trees that surrounded the weirwood were what Tyrion and Sansa have just walked past. Lady was trotting ahead of them, and continued to do so until they got to a rock about ten feet away from the nearest sentinel tree. Lady gave a soft bark, and a moment later was joined by Grey Wind, the Direwolf of Robb Stark. In the distance they could hear the thwacking sound of wooden training swords hitting each other. After a minute of listening they heard a bark of laughter from Robb.
"That's cheating," Tyrion heard Cassana yell out. Tyrion smirked as he tried to picture in his head what Robb could have done to be accused of cheating.
"Where you are concerned it's the only way to get you on your back," Robb said. Tyrion grimaced at the words and noticed Sansa shudder at her brother's words as well. Sansa let go of Tyrion's hand before she walked slightly ahead of him.
"Robb! Cassana!" Sansa called out loudly to alert them of their presence. Tyrion heard Robb and Cassana grumbling at being disturbed. He followed Sansa as she wandered to where Cassana and Robb were, and he nearly laughed at the state of Cassana's hair, which was a right mess. She looked around and started to straighten her hair once she saw Tyrion, doing her best to look innocent. Tyrion took in her overall appearance. She was wearing a pair of woollen breeches and black leather riding boots, and had a dark green shirt under her black coat; the sort of clothing that her mother hated seeing her wear.
"Uncle Tyrion," Cassana said after she finished straightening her hair. "I'm surprised to see you here." She gave him a wide smile which Tyrion returned.
"Oh I didn't want our last conversation to be when I actually left," he said. "Far better to converse with one another before I depart." Cassana walked over to him and knelt down to give him a quick hug.
"Well I'm sure this won't be our last ever conversation," she said. Tyrion gave her a smirk.
"True, but it'll be a long time before we next talk," he responded. The two of them looked over to Robb and Sansa, who were busy talking to each other. Cassana stood up and walked a few feet away to give them a little privacy, with Tyrion close behind. "So, how is married life treating you so far?" he asked. Cassana just smiled as she sat down on the ground.
"It seems agreeable so far," she answered. "I'm enjoying life with Robb, at the moment. He's kind, gentle, sweet, a little too considerate." Tyrion raised his brow at that comment.
"Is he far too nice, or something?" he asked. Cassana gave a little chuckle before she answered him.
"Robb doesn't seem to be the sort to argue at all. I suppose that's good, but you know me uncle," she said to him with a cheeky smile. "Life gets too dull if you don't get the occasional argument." Tyrion hummed his agreement with that statement. They both looked at Robb and Sansa as they talked to each other. Tyrion noticed that Sansa had a worried look on her face as she spoke with her elder brother. Robb just leaned against the tree that he was stood next to and listened to her, talking only every now and then.
"It seems that Robb has taken after his father," Tyrion noted. Cassana murmured in agreement.
"He listens to people when they have something to say," she said just as Robb burst out laughing at something his sister said. "His father told me that he wasn't always this way. Apparently he was a little too hot headed before he went down to King's Landing. Though truth be told, I'm sure I had quite an effect on him." Tyrion noticed the look of longing on his niece's face as she stared at her husband. Tyrion knew that look; it was the look that Cassana's father had whenever he saw a woman whose thighs he wanted to get between. It seems Robert's love of fucking has passed down to his daughter, he thought. He shuddered at the very thought and quickly changed the topic from Robb.
"Well, I'm sure you will miss King's Landing now, won't you?" Tyrion asked. At that Cassana scoffed.
"I'll miss you uncle," she said. "And Silas, Myrcella, Tommen, father. Seven hells, I'll even miss my mother, though only just." Tyrion turned to look at her properly.
"But not Joffrey?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer to that. Cassana shook her head.
"Gods, no," she said. "The farther away that little shit is from me, the better. He may be my brother, but I've no love for him." Tyrion nodded his head in agreement. Before he could say anything he was distracted by the sound of Sansa laughing loudly. It was a very unladylike laugh.
"Must be something good to get her laughing like that," Tyrion said. Cassana shrugged her shoulders. She wandered over to them as Sansa's laughter died down.
"Now then Robb, what jape was it that you shared with Sansa here that made her laugh so?" she asked. Robb looked at her, his face red from laughing. Tyrion looked at Sansa and saw that she was still red faced herself.
"I'll tell you later Cass," he said as he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Tyrion cleared his throat then, drawing their attention.
"Well, I hate to interrupt further than I already have done, but I don't suppose we could start heading back to the great hall and get some breakfast, can we?" he asked. "It's a long trip back to King's Landing, and I'd rather have a full belly when I leave here. No doubt I'll not get much decent food in me once we have left Winterfell." Robb gave him a small laugh as he folded his arms in front of his chest.
"I reckon we could head off just now," he said. As they started to walk back to the main keep Robb turned to look at Tyrion. "Although I wouldn't say anything negative about the quality of food you'll find at Lord Cerwyn's keep once you're there. He might take offence if you do." Tyrion chuckled as they walked out of the godswood.
After having breakfast and a long conversation with Cassana and Robb the next few hours were spent in preparation for the journey. Tyrion did not have much to do, so he spent what little time he had left in Winterfell's library. He was impressed with the size of the library, as well as the collection of books in there. He made a mental note to thank Maester Luwin before he left Winterfell. As he sat reading one hefty tome about the Kings of Winter he noticed Silas wander in, looking smug. Tyrion looked up to his favourite nephew and smiled at him.
"Let me guess," he started, "you punched Joffrey's face in again?" Silas laughed at the question.
"No, but I did hear that you gave him an earful," he answered. "I do hope you realise that he will do nothing but whine for the duration of our trip back home." Tyrion shrugged his shoulders.
"Yes well, he was being very rude about Lady Stark," he said. "Besides, I'm sure his inane whining is something that we're all used to by now." Silas smirked at that. He sat down on the chair across from Tyrion and leaned forward, clasping his hands together and resting them on the table. "So, what's with the smug look you've got?" Tyrion asked. Silas gave Tyrion his usual mischievous grin, the kind he used to give him when he did something he should not have done. These days though that grin was reserved for when he had beaten someone, be it in a sparring session or some other similar contest.
"Jory Cassel, Lord Eddard's guard captain?" he started. Tyrion nodded his head; he knew the nephew of Winterfell's master-at-arms. Long brown hair, thick stubble, a scar on his face near one of his eyes. The young man was going to be traveling with Lord Stark on the trip down to the capitol. "Well, the two of us had a little wager last night," Silas continued. "We placed a bet on whether little Arya could outride me or not in a quick horse race. Jory said that Arya is very much like her Aunt Lyanna, who was said to be a skilled horse rider herself. I told him she didn't stand a chance against me. We bet on twenty gold dragons and a cask of mead that I would emerge victorious." Silas paused to look at Tyrion, to see if his uncle would say anything or not. Tyrion simply raised his eyebrow and inclined his head slightly, silently telling him to continue. "Well, let's just say that Arya took some comfort in knowing that Jory owes me some gold and a cask of mead." Tyrion chuckled. The two of them sat in silence for some time before the Maester walked in.
"Oh, beg pardon my prince, my lord," he said. "The royal party is leaving in the next ten minutes or so, if you'd like to head down to the courtyard." Silas looked at the old man.
"Eager to get rid of me already Maester Luwin?" Silas asked. The old Maester gave a kind smile.
"Of course not, my prince," he said. "But your father was wondering where you could possibly be, and thought that you may be trying to remain here at Winterfell." Silas stood up from the chair, followed quickly by Tyrion. Tyrion closed the book he had been reading and walked to the shelf he got it from before placing it there. When he turned around he saw that Silas was quietly thanking Luwin for something or other, but chose to remain where he was. After a moment Silas turned to him.
"Ready uncle?" he asked. Tyrion smiled as he walked over to them.
"I am indeed," he said. When he was stood next to his nephew Tyrion looked up at Luwin. "Oh, and before I forget, I would like to thank you very much Maester Luwin for allowing me the pleasure of having access to this wonderful library. It was nice to have somewhere to retreat to when I wished to avoid my sweet sister." Luwin gave Tyrion a slight smile.
"Of course Lord Tyrion, I am glad that you enjoyed spending time in here," he said. "It is good to see these old tomes being read. Not since Prince Silas's first visit have I seen anyone come here on a regular basis." Tyrion bowed slightly before he joined his nephew as they left for the courtyard. It took them several minutes to navigate the corridors of Winterfell before they finally found themselves outside. Tyrion walked over to his own horse, and was helped into the saddle by Silas. Once he was secure Tyrion looked over to where Lord Stark was stood. The man was saying a final farewell to his wife and youngest son. Lady Stark quickly wiped her face of any tears before wrapping her arms around her husband in a tight embrace. They stood like that for a minute, sharing a chuckle before they kissed each other. When they were done Lord Stark knelt down to be at eye level with Rickon. He spoke with him briefly before embracing him. He stood up and patted Rickon's Direwolf before walking over to his heir. Robb stood tall and proud, every inch a Northern lord. He had a stony expression until he spoke with his father. The two shared a brief embrace before Lord Stark turned to Cassana. He spoke a few words with her before they also embraced one another. When he was done with his farewells those of his children travelling with him made their farewells. Jon Snow embraced Robb while Sansa and Arya bid their mother and Rickon goodbye. Bran stood back from them, looking a touch nervous before he stepped forward to his mother. Lady Stark pulled him close and embraced him as Robb said goodbye to his sisters. Jon and Lady Stark then said goodbye to each other as well, although theirs was somewhat awkward. Everyone said goodbye to Cassana as well. Once that was all done the Starks going south turned away and walked over to their horses.
As Lord Stark climbed onto his horse Robert strode over to him. Tyrion's good-brother smiled at him as his horse got closer. Tyrion urged his horse forward slightly so he could hear them talk. As he got closer he saw Robb wander over to them. Robert looked down at the man. Tyrion looked at him as well, and saw that he was carrying a greatsword on his back.
"Well lad, I hope you don't have to use that sword too often," Robert said nodding at the weapon. Robb looked over his shoulder to the grip of the sword and nodded his head.
"As do I your grace," he said. "But it is time that I learned to use a greatsword now. Ice is the ancestral weapon of House Stark, and as the new Lord of Winterfell I should be ready to use it." The two of them looked at each other for a short time before Robert looked over to his daughter. Tyrion looked over his shoulder to see Cassana stood with her hands clasped together, a small smile on her face.
"Well, I shouldn't have to say this, but just so it is clear, I expect you to look after Cass," Robert said in a stern voice. "If you mistreat her in anyway…"
"Then I'll die a horrible death," Robb interrupted. "Prince Silas has already warned me so. But I'm pretty sure that Cass would kill me long before either of you got the chance." With that the two of them laughed heartily, with Tyrion and Lord Stark joining them. After they were done laughing Lord Stark looked down to Robb.
"Rule the North well, my son," he said. "Be kind but firm, just but fair, and the North will be kind to you." Robb looked up to his father with what Tyrion thought to be a look of reverence in his eyes.
"I will father," he said. Robb stood back before bowing slightly to Robert. "Your grace," he said before turning to join Cassana and his mother and little brother. As he did Robert urged his horse to turn.
"RIGHT YOU LOT!" he bellowed. "LET'S BE ON OUR WAY!" With that the royal party began the journey back to King's Landing. Tyrion looked behind him one last time to see Cassana wave at him, a slightly sad look in her eyes. Tyrion waved back before he urged his own mount onwards.
Robb Stark
Two weeks have now passed since his father left to go south with the King. Winterfell felt empty to begin with. The old castle just did not feel right without father, Jon, Sansa, Arya and Bran. Even with Jory gone the place felt empty, but after a few days Robb got used to it. He fell into a regular routine with Cassana. Even Rickon got used to the emptiness that seemed to descend on Winterfell. Robb's mother took a bit longer to get used to being without his father, but Cassana had helped out with keeping his mother busy. The two of them got along well, and Cassana followed Robb's mother around to learn more about what she would be doing as Lady of Winterfell. For Robb, every day was more or less the same. He would wake up with Cassana, and sometime make love to her, before getting washed and changed. Then they would both go downstairs to have breakfast before going their separate ways to carry out their duties. For Robb it was usually going around Winterfell, checking on Ser Rodrik as he trained the guardsmen as well as checking the stables, kennels and anywhere else that needed checking before going to the great hall to see to any of the small folk coming with petitions. After that he would go and train for a short time before going to have lunch (or the afternoon meal if it was late for lunch) and then going to deal with any paperwork that he needed to do, sometimes with Maester Luwin's help. Then it would be the evening meal and then retiring for the night, where he and Cassana would make love before falling asleep. Nearly three weeks of marriage and Robb still enjoyed their night time activities. Cassana had amazed Robb with her sexual appetite. She just could not get enough of him at times, but Robb was not complaining.
Today started just as any other day for Robb. He and Cassana woke up and took pleasure from each other before getting cleaned up and going down for breakfast. They ate and talked before going about their duties. Cassana walked with Robb's mother as she went to go over the numbers with Maester Luwin. Robb left the great hall to observe Ser Rodrik as he trained a new batch of guardsmen, shouting at them in a loud voice that made the younger ones wince, much like Robb and Jon once did the first time Ser Rodrik trained them. He watched for some time before he decided to hear any petitions for today. As he entered the great hall Theon wandered over to him.
"Robb," his friend said. "Looks like we have quite a few petitioners today." Robb groaned internally as he made his way over to the lord's chair. Once he sat down the first of the petitioners entered. The first was a farmer who wanted additional hands for working on his farm.
"With me lads going south with yer lord father I've only got meself an' me wife," he said. "Tis hard work ploughing the fields milord, made a lot harder with me sons going south." Robb shifted in his seat as the man spoke. This petition would be easy to deal with as Robb remembered a petitioner from yesterday.
"Well it seems I've already got a solution for you my good man," Robb began. "Yesterday I had two young boys who were recently orphaned brought before me. They have nowhere to go, and no one will take them in. With the promise of food and a roof over their heads I'm sure they would be willing to help you with any work you need doing." The farmer gave Robb a toothy smile.
"That would be good, milord," he said. "Me wife always wanted more children. We'll put them to work an' treat them like our own. Many thanks, milord." The farmer bowed and stepped away to let the next petitioner step forward.
For the next hour and a half Robb dealt with many petitioners. Many had petty concerns, while some had genuine reasons to come before him. The last two were both trying in their own way; one was a merchant complaining about a labourer stealing some of his goods, the other was a disgruntled father whose daughter had been left pregnant by some guardsman. The merchant was adamant that a labourer had stolen some bauble that he was selling, despite the fact that the man in question had returned the bauble to his stall. Robb pointed out that as he did not actually see the labourer take said item from his stall then man was not necessarily stealing, and could have been returning the bauble after it was either stolen by another or had been knocked off. The merchant left the hall rather grumpily. The disgruntled father however was angry that a guardsman in Stark colours had taken his daughter's honour and left her belly swelling with child, but his main concern was what to do with an extra mouth to feed. The man and his family lived in a small village thirty odd miles to the north and east of Winterfell, and everyone else in said village could not afford to take in an extra mouth. Robb rubbed his head in frustration, unable to decide on a solution. It was then that Maester Luwin leaned over to whisper in his ear.
"The man has a duty to look after his family, regardless of any financial problems he may face," he said. "But with your lord father going south with a large garrison of men we have plenty of space here in Winterfell." Robb looked back up to him.
"That means bringing the girl to an unfamiliar place where she will not know anyone," he pointed out to him. The older man nodded.
"Very true. But she won't be fit to do any work just yet, and we have an elderly woman in the winter town who could do with someone to help her look after her grandchildren." With that Robb's eyes widened with realisation. It may be an inconvenience for the elderly woman to begin with, but if she agreed then it could help the father a lot.
"Very well Maester," Robb said in a louder voice before looking back at the man. "As it so happens we may have a solution. In the winter town we have a woman in her elderly years who is looking after her grandchildren. With some persuasion I can get her to take in your daughter and grandchild. Would that be helpful?" The father bowed his head slightly.
"I'd have preferred her to have taken moon tea, but I suppose this is preferable. Me thanks milord," he replied before walking off. Robb let out a slow breath as the man left the hall.
"Gods give me strength, how can a man be so uncaring to his daughter's welfare?" he asked quietly. Luwin gave him a humourless chuckle.
"Some men are just that way my lord," he answered. As Robb began to stand up from his chair another petitioner walked in. The man was old, walking with a limp. He had light brown hair going grey and a long beard. His right eye was closed shut, meaning he was probably blind in that eye. Robb sank back down into his chair and leaned over the table in front of him.
"Do you have a serious matter to bring to the attention of Lord Stark?" Luwin asked the man kindly. The man nodded his head.
"I have Maester," he responded. "I apologise for this sudden disturbance milord." Robb kept his face neutral as he regarded the old man. He held himself with an air of confidence as he spoke, as if he has spoken with highborn before. His faced was wrinkled from age, but upon closer inspection Robb realised that he had a scar or two as well. A former soldier perhaps, he thought to himself.
"I have some time to listen to you," he said in his lordly voice. "Who are you, and where are you from?" The old man stood up as straight as he could before responding.
"My name is Gerrik, and I'm from a small village forty miles to the south and east of Winterfell, milord," he said. "I served your father and his father before him as a soldier. I fought in the beginning of Robert's Rebellion before taking a wound to my leg, leaving me with a limp and incapable of fighting."
"You must have something very serious to bring to my attention if you've travelled such a long distance," Robb stated. Gerrik nodded his head.
"Aye milord," he said. "I find myself in need of assistance in seeing to the protection of my village. Over the last year, as the winter we have faced has subsided and let spring come out in full, some band of ne'er do wells have been causing problems for people in other nearby villages. I would think nothing of it, as most bandits would never attack villages for fear of your House. However, three days before I set out to travel here, there was smoke coming from a nearby village." Gerrik stopped to catch his breath before continuing. As he was speaking Robb noticed Cassana and his mother enter the great hall. "I travelled with a dozen others to the village, and we found a horrific scene when we arrived. The village once had eight houses and an inn, as well as a nearby farm. All of the buildings had been burned to the ground. And the inhabitants of the village…" Gerrik trailed off, closing his good eye and calming himself. Robb could see that the man was upset.
"Did anyone survive the attack?" Robb asked him, knowing that the villagers would have been killed. Gerrik opened his good eye and nodded his head.
"There was one survivor, a young girl," he said. "Sadly she succumbed to her ordeal. She had been savagely raped by the attackers, as had every other woman in the village. All of the men were also killed. I have seen much death and bloodshed over my fifty-seven years of life milord, and believe me when I say that this was unlike anything that I have ever seen. Two of the men who travelled with me broke down into tears when we saw what the beasts did to the young children. But the worst thing we found was four bodies at the centre of the village. Two men and two women." Robb felt his heart race faster as Gerrik continued to speak, his description of what happened to the villagers angering him. "Those four had been… flayed." Robb's eyes widened with shock. Flayed, he thought. Flaying has been outlawed in the North for hundreds of years. Ever since the last time House Bolton… Robb's train of thought halted there. House Bolton had once practiced flaying before Robb's ancestors outlawed the brutal practice after their House's last failed rebellion against the Starks many centuries ago. Cassana gasped in horror at Gerrik's words, her own eyes widened with shock. Robb saw his mother reach out and place her hand on Cassana's shoulder. The two women walked over to a nearby bench and sat down. Robb turned to Maester Luwin.
"How long would it take for Lord Bolton to travel from here to the Dreadfort?" he asked. Luwin stood thoughtful for a moment before answering.
"A few days, maybe a week at the most," he responded. That meant that Bolton would have been back at his castle after leaving Winterfell after Robb and Cassana's wedding. Robb thought about sending a raven to the Dreadfort, but hesitated. Just because the victims were flayed doesn't mean that Lord Bolton was responsible for this atrocity, he realised. Robb turned back to Gerrik.
"Did you or the others with you find any evidence of who could've done this?" he asked him. Gerrik nodded his head. He reached into his coat and pulled out a large, torn piece of fabric. He passed it to a guardsman who then walked over to Luwin and handed it over to him. Luwin looked at it before setting it down onto the table. The fabric was dyed cloth, probably from a gambeson, and it was stained with dried blood. On the top right part was what remained of a circle stitched into the dark fabric. The circle's interior was pink in colour, with what looked like a red leg and lower body of a man. Robb knew his Northern sigils; this was part of the flayed man sigil of House Bolton.
"I found that with the girl who survived," Gerrik said. "She told me that after most of the villagers had been killed one of the men pulled her into the nearby woods to kill her. The beast stopped to rape her once more, and as he did she scratched the cur's neck with her fingers. The man drew a knife and stabbed her in the side, but she was able to kill him with his other knife which he had dropped after she scratched him. She said that she was lucky that none of the other beasts thought to look for their missing comrade. She said she tore that piece of cloth there to use to lessen the bleeding from her wound before she went to see what was happening in the village, as she felt too weak to run away. She watched as their leader, a young man, flayed his last victim. They then left, slitting the throats of their final victims. We arrived not long after that." Robb stood up from his seat. A young man was leading them, he thought. Bolton has a bastard son. He turned to look at Luwin.
"This sounds like Lord Bolton's bastard son," he said. He remembered hearing about the Lord of the Dreadfort's trueborn son dying after meeting with his half-brother. Word was that Bolton's bastard was perhaps responsible for the death of Lord Bolton's son. It was also said that the bastard was an unstable young man with a propensity for violence. Robb even heard rumours that the man played sick games with peasant women who he abducted, although nothing could be proven. Lord Bolton always dismissed those rumours as being baseless mutterings from the small folk of his lands. Robb had found it strange seeing that these 'rumours from the peasants in Bolton lands' had been told to him by men from Karstark lands. It was from conversations with Karstark soldiers during the pirate raid last year that Robb had learned of these rumours in the first place, but as House Bolton has never been totally popular with the other Northern lords Robb had dismissed them. Now he was beginning to wish that he had acted then.
"There have been grumblings from the small folk of the Bolton lands about the Lord's baseborn son," Luwin said. "Nothing like this ever came to our attention in the past. Your father never got any answers from Lord Bolton, but he never had any proof either and so he could not do anything." Robb looked at the Maester thoughtfully for a moment. Before he had dismissed the rumours as just that, rumours. Robb had always been told to never react unless he was certain of what he was doing. That same principal extended to dealing with matters of justice. Rumours were not proof, but a piece of cloth from a Bolton soldier's gambeson with part of the Bolton sigil on it was more than enough proof, especially from a scene of utter devastation.
"Well, we have our proof now," Robb said. He turned to Gerrik and looked at him in the eye. The old man stood as straight as possible. "The destruction of a village and the rape and slaughter of its people cannot go unanswered. Justice will be done, and we have our evidence right here. Maester Luwin," he turned to the old man who has been his teacher ever since he could remember, "send ravens to Karhold, Whiteharbour, Last Hearth and Hornwood ordering them to have their soldiers on standby ready to advance on the lands of the Boltons." Luwin arched an eyebrow before nodding while Robb noticed his mother and Cassana looking at him with worry in their eyes.
"Of course my lord," he responded.
"Once you have done that send a raven to the Dreadfort," Robb continued. "I want Lord Bolton to surrender his bastard son into my custody when I arrive." Robb's mother looked like she was going to jump up and try to stop him there and then. Cassana just looked pale. "If he does not surrender his son, then I'll have no choice but to bring the King's justice upon him for harbouring a dangerous criminal." Luwin bowed his head. Robb saw his mother wander over to him. She stopped right beside him and leaned in closer to him.
"Robb, you can't mean this," she said in a hushed tone. "Roose Bolton is one of your most powerful bannermen. He won't take this command very well. Just send men in to arrest his bastard." Robb looked at his mother and shook his head.
"I can't allow this to go unpunished mother," he said quietly. "The small folk are our responsibility. If I don't punish those who harm them then why should House Stark continue to be the Wardens of the North?" His mother looked at him and opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Cassana walked over then and she stood next to Robb's mother.
"Robb I agree that justice needs to be done, but you don't need to go and do it this way," she began. Robb looked at her, waiting for her to continue. "Send an invitation to Lord Bolton instead. Tell him to bring his son as well, that way we have both of them here in our walls, with our own guards around us ready to arrest them." Robb stood for a moment and considered his wife's words. There was sense to that approach he had to admit. But he could not leave anything to chance. It was smart to have men at the ready, just in case. He looked at Cassana and nodded.
"I will still have the Lords Karstark, Manderly, Umber and Hornwood have their men ready, just in case Lord Bolton leaves me no choice," he said. "But you speak some wisdom there Cass. Maester Luwin, the raven to the Dreadfort will be to invite Lord Bolton to bring his son with him to Winterfell for an important matter. If he does not then I will go to him with an army and bring the King's justice down upon him." Luwin gave him a small smile before he bowed his head.
"It will be done my lord," he said before he left to prepare the letters. Robb then turned to Gerrik, who was still waiting to hear what Robb was to decide.
"Gerrik, I assure you that Lord Bolton's bastard shall be brought to justice for his crimes," he said. "In the mean time I shall have additional guardsmen sent out to your village to help protect you and the others, with orders to arrest or eliminate any bandits who attack your village." Gerrik gave Robb a sad smile.
"My thanks milord," he responded. Gerrik then left the great hall.
The next few hours that passed went by quite fast for Robb. He was still shocked by what Gerrik had told him of the slaughter. The thoughts of death and blood refused to leave Robb's mind, to the point that he did not eat much of his afternoon meal. Theon would normally make a few japes to try and cheer Robb up, but he did not bother this time, obviously deeply affected by what they had been told as well. After seeing to the numbers with Luwin, Robb went outside to the godswood. It was there that he currently was, sat by the edge of one of the hot springs. He just sat there, his anger bubbling away. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he did not hear Cassana call out to him. She wandered over to him and nudged his leg with her foot. He jumped slightly before looking up and calming down.
"Hi Cass," he said as she sat down next to him. Cassana was wearing her woollen trousers beneath her dress. She leaned closer to him and put her arm over his shoulder.
"Are you okay?" she asked. Robb sat there quietly for a long moment before he answered.
"No," he said. "To be brutally honest, I'm angry at myself. I had heard about Bolton's bastard and his vile ways last year and did nothing about it. If I'd done something then…" He trailed off, looking over to the pool of water in front of him. Cassana leant closer and kissed him on the cheek.
"You couldn't have known without proof," she said. "It's all well condemning a man based on rumours, but rumours alone mean nothing." Robb sighed loudly. He looked back to his wife, who sat there with a sombre expression on her face. He placed a hand on Cassana's face and pulled her closer to him. He kissed her softly on her lips. Cassana wrapped her other arm around his back and shifted herself onto his lap. After a moment Robb laid down on his back, pulling Cassana down with him. They continued to kiss each other for a few minutes before they stopped. Cassana rested her head on Robb's chest while he wrapped his arms protectively around her.
"I knew this would not be easy," he said. "I've known for the last couple of years how hard being Lord of Winterfell would be. But I never thought it would be this hard." He felt Cassana move her head. He looked down to see her face looking up at him.
"Such is our lot in life Robb," she said. "All we can do is do our best." Robb gave her a weak smile.
"Do you think this is the best way to deal with Bolton and his son?" he asked. Cassana crawled up so that she could look down into Robb's eyes with ease. She brought her hand up to comb her fingers through his hair. She smiled at him after a moment of playing with his hair before leaning down to kiss him again.
"It's the best way that I can see," she said before she continued to kiss him. After a minute of kissing Robb pulled her body down flush on top of him before rolling them over so that he was on top. Cassana giggled as he started to kiss her neck, his hand trailing up her thigh. "Now hold own Robb," she said as Robb continued to kiss her neck, grazing his teeth lightly against her skin. "I really could do with a swim before you ravish me. And I would love to swim with you this time. It would be a bit better than trying to have fun in a bath tub." Robb chuckled at the suggestive tone that Cassana used. He sat up and shifted off of her, allowing Cassana to get up and begin to undress herself. Grateful for the change of topic, Robb began to undress himself. He was just getting his trousers off when he heard Cassana splashing about in the pool. He turned around to see her swimming naked in the pool. Robb walked into the pool, the warm water refreshing against his skin.
"Come here Cass," he said as she stopped swimming. Cassana looked back to him and grinned.
"No. If you want me, you'll have to catch me," she called out playfully. Grinning wide, Robb swam over to Cassana, chasing after her, all thoughts of earlier forgotten.
Silas Baratheon
Silas stretched his arms as he walked along the bank of the river. He was tired from riding for the last few weeks. Nearly five weeks have passed since the royal party left Winterfell. They were at the most ten days away from King's Landing, assuming that the wheelhouse did not break down again. Twice on the return journey has the wheelhouse broken down, once just south of Lord Cerwyn's castle and the second time just a few miles away from the Twins. When it became clear that they were on Frey lands Sansa had kept Lady and her siblings close, as well as at least three Northern guardsmen. Silas was confused by this but did not ask her any questions. Whatever her reasons were Silas could not blame her lack of trust in old Walder Frey's family. That was a couple of weeks back. Silas was sure that if it was not for all of the people in the royal party as well as his mother's insistence that they seek comfortable accommodations every night then they would have been home by now. Now though Silas was just glad that they were nearly there.
As Silas wandered by the river Ser Lukas appeared a few feet to his right. His sworn shield had been busy dealing with some camp follower that had taken a liking to him, and Silas gave him an hour to spend or be rid of said follower. Lukas had a slight blush to his cheeks, and seemed to be in a very good mood. Silas just rolled his eyes. His father, his Uncle Tyrion, and now it seems Lukas have an insatiable appetite for women. Thank the gods I haven't inherited father's lust for women, he thought.
"A good time, I take it?" he asked as Lukas approached him. Lukas gave him a wide grin.
"Not too bad for a blonde," Lukas answered. "You really should try the girl when you get the chance." Silas chuckled.
"No thank you Lukas," he responded. "I'll wait until my wedding night before I get between a woman's thighs." Lukas shook his head.
"Well, your loss," was all he said. The two of them continued to walk along the river bank in silence. As they walked Silas thought back to earlier that day.
Silas's horse trotted along after his father as they came upon Castle Darry, a House of the Riverlands who remained loyal to the Targaryens during the war. Lord Darry had sent his Castellan to greet the royal party, as the man had no love for anyone whose last name happened to be Baratheon. As the party carried on to the castle the King looked over his shoulder to some officers from the Stormlander soldiers sworn to him.
"We shall set up camp just outside the castle. I shall not sleep under Darry's roof this night." The command given, the officers went off to follow their King's order. As the soldiers carried out their orders Silas came to a stop beside his father and Lord Eddard.
"Your grace, we have ample room within…" the Castellan began, but Robert cut him off.
"Darry has no love for me, and I have no love for him," he said. "Even though I am King I shall not… inconvenience him with my actual presence. Now away with you." With that the Castellan left.
"Lord Darry may take your refusal to rest under his roof as a slight Robert," Eddard said. Silas watched as his father gave a gruff laugh.
"What do I care for him? The shit sided with the dragonspawn during the war. I'll never give him any opportunity to insult me, as I won't be able to stop myself from killing him. Do you see me angering the gods in such a manner, by killing a host under his own roof?" Silas cringed when his father laughed again. After the laughter died down the three of them rode along the road for a bit longer. When ten minutes had passed they stopped their horses and dismounted, except for Silas.
"Not joining us Silas?" Eddard asked. Any other time or place and Eddard would be more formal when addressing him, but when only in the company of close friends and family he had no need to observe formalities. Silas smiled before he answered.
"No thank Eddard," he said. "I shall go for a quick ride before taking a stroll by the river. Gods know I could use the time to stretch my legs." With that Silas took off, followed by Ser Lukas. They rode for an hour before a camp follower called out to Lukas.
"Oh seven hells," he said. Silas laughed.
"Go on Lukas," Silas said to him. "Go and have some fun for a time." Lukas looked at him.
"I would my prince, but as you…"
"I'm sure I can look after myself while you go and either have some fun or scare the girl off," Silas interrupted. "Now go." With that Lukas got off his horse and wandered over to the girl, who seemed to be giddy with excitement.
Silas got off his horse five minutes later and charged a stable hand to look after it. He decided to wander around the camp site for a short time. He saw the wheelhouse nearby, and heard his mother complaining about not getting to sleep in a comfortable bed tonight. Silas smirked at his mother's expense. She never could appreciate the outdoors like Silas did. As he walked off away from his mother and her wheelhouse he saw his little sister walking towards the edge of the woods with Ser Arys and Bran next to her. He rolled his eyes. Those two had been spending a fair bit of time together since Cassana and Robb got married. First the elder of his younger sisters had fallen for a Stark, and now it seemed that his youngest sister had her eyes on a Stark. He decided to approach them. As he got closer he heard a bit more of their conversation.
"I find it quite sad that Baelor Breakspear died the way he did," Myrcella said. "If it were not for that trial by seven then he might have lived to have been a great king." Bran gave her a sad smile.
"True. But if he had lived then Aegon the Unlikely would never have been king himself, and Ser Duncan the Tall's story would have ended before it began," Bran said in an almost sage-like manner. Myrcella smiled at him; her usual bright smile that she only gave to family. That made Silas feel wary. He walked over to them, deliberately stomping on a twig to make it snap and draw their attention to him. The three of them looked over to him, Ser Arys spinning around and reaching for his sword. He stopped once he saw it was only Silas.
"My prince," Ser Arys intoned, bowing his head and removing his hand from the grip of his sword.
"Silas," Bran and Myrcella said in almost perfect unison. Silas smiled at them.
"Ser Arys. How are you today?" he asked the knight.
"I am well my prince," he answered. Silas smiled at him before looking at Bran and Myrcella.
"I trust you two are behaving yourselves now," he stated. Myrcella gave him her best innocent smile.
"Oh I was just talking with Bran about the story of Ser Duncan and Aegon the Unlikely," she said sweetly. Silas nodded his head slightly.
"Yes, I heard you mention Baelor Breakspear," he said.
"I like the tales about Duncan and Aegon," Bran said. "I'm quite glad that Cella like them too." At that Silas's eyes widened.
"Cella?" he repeated. Only family ever addressed Myrcella as 'Cella'. Bran seemed to have realised that he caught Silas off guard. Before anyone could say anything Myrcella spoke up.
"Bran is short for Brandon, and Cella is short for Myrcella," she stated simply. "If I can call Brandon Bran then it is only fair that he can call me Cella." Her reasoning was very simple and straightforward. Silas found he could not argue with his little sister, not that he wanted the headache that would come with doing so.
"Okay then. Just… don't do anything that I wouldn't do you two, okay?" Silas said after a few moments of silence. The two youngsters nodded before they continued on their walk, Ser Arys close behind them.
"You really ought to pay attention to Jon," a voice from a short distance away said, breaking Silas from his train of thought. He was beginning to think if he should be more worried for Bran than for Myrcella after his quick conversation with them earlier. If Silas was very much the near perfect balance of Baratheon and Lannister with his strength and cunning, then Myrcella was the perfect Lannister with her quick mind. Not surprising to Silas, seeing as how Myrcella spends an awful lot of time with Uncle Tyrion, much to their mother's annoyance. First Robb had been captivated by Cassana, whose beauty could capture the heart of any man, and now it seemed that Myrcella was doing the same thing to Bran.
As Silas continued to walk the sounds of wood hitting wood drifted closer to him. Driven by a sense of curiosity, Silas and Lukas wandered over to the source of the sound. They navigated around the trees, walking in the direction of the noise. Once they got to the edge of a clearing they saw Sansa sat on a log with Lady lying down in front of her, with Ghost and Nymeria on either side of Lady. Sansa was watching Arya and Jon spar with wooden swords. Silas chuckled quietly as Arya threw herself into Jon, trying to knock him off balance.
"Come on Jon, stop being defensive," she snapped as she swung her wooden sword at him. Jon just stepped out of the way, clearly trying not to laugh. Silas walked over then, keeping quiet so as not to alert Arya, who had her back to him. Sansa and Jon saw him, but he brought his finger to his lips to signal to them to keep quiet. They made no sound as Silas snuck closer to them. As Arya brought her wooden sword behind her head, Silas reached out and grabbed it, pulling it towards himself. Arya gave out a loud surprised yelp as she tumbled to the grass beneath her. Silas, Jon and Sansa burst out laughing at the sound that came from Arya. After they stopped laughing Arya stood up, stomping her feet in indignation. "That's not funny," she snapped, which only made Silas laugh even more.
"No, it's bloody hilarious," Lukas said then. Arya picked up a stone and threw it at him. The small stone hit Lukas in the shoulder, but he just looked at the stone as it dropped to the ground and shrugged his shoulders. "Really?" was all he said before he too burst out laughing.
"If we weren't all friends I'd kill you all for laughing at me," Arya said, visibly trying hard not to burst out laughing herself.
"Oh come now Arya," Sansa said when she regained control of herself. "You love it when we wind you up. Admit it." Arya looked at her elder sister and glared at her. Or rather tried to. After a brief attempt at a glare Arya lost all control and laughed herself. Silas was dumbfounded for a moment before he too laughed again. He can still remember the time when Sansa could hardly stand Arya and her unladylike behaviour. She would go mad whenever Arya did anything that was not appropriate for a lady to do. Now it seemed that Sansa was more caring towards Arya and cared not for her behaviour.
After they all stopped laughing Arya and Jon resumed their sparring session. Silas watched from the side, sitting next to Sansa while Lukas sat next to Ghost, petting him occasionally. Every now and then Silas would throw some advice to Arya, who listened and got slightly better at fighting. They sparred for an hour before they slumped down onto their haunches, sweat glistening from their brows. Arya panted as she lay on her back. Jon looked over to her and smirked.
"You're getting better Arya," he said encouragingly. Arya lifted her head and smiled at her brother. The sound of hands clapping drew everyone's attention. Silas looked over his shoulder and saw Joffrey standing there, the Hound behind him.
"Yes, not bad for some silly little girl," he said. "I suppose though that that is the best that you can do?" Silas shifted himself to better see his brother, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Lukas stood up, his hand coming to his own sword.
"Oh go and bugger off Joffrey," Silas said. "We've got better things to do than entertain you." Joffrey ignored him though, and took a step closer to the group, pointing his finger at Jon.
"But you, bastard," he said venomously. Jon stood up, still clutching onto his training sword. "Call yourself a man, do you? You only fight girls? You're pathetic." Jon glared at Joffrey, his grip visibly tightening around his training sword. Silas stood up now, stepping slightly forward.
"Well I'm sure you must know about that Joffrey," Silas said, his face stern as he glared at his younger brother. "You whimpered like a little girl yourself after your beating a few weeks ago. Or have you forgotten?" Joffrey now glared at Silas.
"Well you know nothing about being a man if it took you, Tommen, Robb, Rickon and that bastard there to subdue me," he spat. Silas looked out the corner of his eye at Sansa, who gave his brother a hateful glare.
"Well my prince," she began, "a true man would never be brought low by three grown men and two little boys. So you can't be a true man. You're more of a girl than my sister is." Joffrey stared at Sansa, who kept her expression as neutral as possible. After a couple of tense moments Silas heard Arya giggle. Joffrey then looked at her and glared.
"You shut up you stupid child," he snarled at Arya, who only laughed instead. "Dog, teach this stupid slut a lesson," he said to Clegane, pointing at Sansa. The Hound however just stood his ground.
"I don't strike ladies," he said gruffly. Joffrey glared at his sworn shield.
"You will do as I command Dog," he barked. Clegane just folded his arms and shook his head. Joffrey looked back at Sansa and glared at her. "Fine, I shall deal with you myself. After..." As he paused talking he began to draw his longsword. When it was fully out of the scabbard he pointed it at Jon. "Ready your blade bastard," he said in an almost quiet voice.
"Go bugger a tree Joffrey," Jon said. Silas smirked at Jon's remark, but kept his hand on the grip of his sword. Joffrey smirked at Jon before taking a step closer to him.
"You'll wish you had not…" Silas cut Joffrey off when he drew his own sword. In the same motion that he drew his sword he slashed at Joffrey's hand, slicing the back of the hand open and making him drop his sword. Joffrey screamed out in pain, wailing like a child. Silas saw the tears forming in his brother's eyes. Silas shook his head.
"Fifteen namedays you've seen, and you still cry at a minor cut," he growled out. Silas sheathed his own sword before he walked over to pick up Joffrey's sword. "Sandor, drag my brother before my father, will you?" The Hound stepped forward at once, nodding his head as he walked over. He hauled Joffrey to his feet and began to drag him away. Silas looked to the others. "Come on, let's go," he said to them.
It took them half an hour to find Silas's father at his tent, and a further ten minutes to get everyone organised. Silas stood in the tent before his father, who sat on a chair next to his mother, both looking stern. Eddard stood beside Robert, his hands clasped in front of him, wearing his signature neutral expression on his face. Stood beside their mother was Joffrey, his eyes red from crying it seems. Jon, Sansa and Arya stood next to Silas, all calm and quiet, even though Arya was fidgeting a little. Tyrion had decided to stay out of this and instead entertain the younger royals and Bran. After a minute of silence Robert spoke.
"Now then, what's this nonsense that I've heard about?" he asked. Silas stepped forward, ready to speak, when Joffrey started to mutter about being assaulted by all of them. "When I want your version I'll ask for it, until then, shut it." Joffrey fell silent then, and Robert looked back at Silas, urging him to begin.
"I was out walking by the river with my sworn shield, Ser Lukas, when we came across Ladies Sansa and Arya with their half-brother Jon," Silas began. He had recited the tale in his head, and what he and the others agreed to say in front of his father, and what to leave out (specifically Jon and Arya's sparring). They had agreed on what to say as they walked back to the camp. Silas cleared his throat before he continued. "We were enjoying the afternoon spring sun when Joffrey and Sandor Clegane arrived and disturbed our peace. Joffrey decided to try and start a fight with Jon over our previous sparring match back in Winterfell. When Lady Sansa spoke to him he glared at her, and then he told her sister to shut up when she started laughing at him."
"That little girl should know better than to laugh at a prince of the Seven Kingdoms," Silas's mother said. He stared at his mother and shook his head.
"Joffrey had put himself in a stupid situation mother," he said. He looked back to his father before he continued. "After telling Arya to shut up he then commended Clegane to and I quote 'teach this stupid slut a lesson'. To his credit Clegane refused to do as commanded by Joffrey." Silas watched as Eddard and Robert shot looks of disgust at Joffrey. Even Cersei, who doted on him was disgusted with her second son.
"You dare?" she hissed. "Have you no respect for others?" Joffrey looked down at the floor, his face now red with embarrassment.
"After that Joffrey drew his sword and pointed it at Jon," Silas said as he held up the longsword Lion's Tooth for his mother and father to see. Robert glared at Joffrey, his eyes brimming with fury. "Knowing what he intended to do I drew my sword and disarmed him, hence the cut on his right hand." When he was finished Silas stepped back to let the others stand forward to say their piece. One by one Silas's father called them forward to confirm his story. Sansa, Arya and Jon told them the same story as Silas, the only variation being the words that each of them used. After they were done it was Joffrey's turn to explain himself.
"I was simply walking along the river bank when I happened upon them," he began, looking anywhere but at his father. He can't lie to a man's face so he looks elsewhere, Silas thought with disgust. "All of them just simply… they just… they began to taunt me, picking on me for what I foolishly said at Winterfell to the Lady Arya. I never drew my sword, Silas just drew his and sliced my hand open. I thought he was going to kill me when he took Lion's Tooth from me." Joffrey stuttered as he tried to give his lie to them. Fed up with his attempt to give his testimony, Robert told Joffrey to be silent as he called Lukas and Clegane up to testify. Lukas gave the same story that Silas had already given, and the Hound gave a very simple answer.
"Prince Joffrey is not telling you the truth about what happened by the river, your grace. But the Crown Prince has told it true." Joffrey stared open mouthed at Sandor, furious at his betrayal. Silas had to mentally restrain himself from smirking. Although he is Joffrey's sworn shield, Sandor Clegane is Silas's man. The Hound does as Silas tells him when it comes to doing as Joffrey orders. Satisfied with everyone's testimony, Silas's father turns to glare at Joffrey.
"You dare threaten one of Ned's family?" he growled out. Joffrey looked up at Robert then.
"He's only a bastard," was all Joffrey could say. Robert huffed with anger at the remark.
"Jon Snow is still Ned's son," he barked. "You stand there and behave like a spoiled shit every time you get into trouble. I grow weary of your bloody nonsense son. I raised you better." Joffrey looked up at him, his eyes wide with his own fury.
"You never raised me father," he snapped at Robert. "Mother raised me while all you did was shower my siblings with love and attention and practically ignored me my whole fucking life!" Robert stood up faster than anyone could blink. In an instant Joffrey was falling to the floor just before the sound of the slap reached anyone's ears. Joffrey hit the floor with a dull thud, and then looked up at his father. Silas raised an eyebrow as he watched the scene unfold in front of him.
"Never, ever, speak to me like that again you little shit," Robert snarled. Everyone took a step back at his tone, even Eddard stepped back. Silas stood still, but he flinched at his father's voice. "I raised you since you were born. It's only your attitude that I grew tired of. It's your behaviour that made me look to my other children. You have no right to claim that I ignored you during your childhood. If it were not for your mother then you would not have kept the name Baratheon after your coming-of-age hunt." As he continued to speak to Joffrey, Silas saw their mother stand and place a hand on their father's arm.
"Come now Robert," she said in a quiet, soothing voice. "Joffrey has learned his lesson, haven't you?" she said glaring down at Joffrey, using a tone that made Joffrey know that he was in trouble and could not get out of it. Joffrey simply nodded his head and struggled up to his feet. "We'll keep him under a close eye as we return to King's Landing. Now let us retire for the night," Cersei said to her husband in a voice that had a hint of a seductive tone to it. Silas watched as his mother stroked her hand down his father's chest. He felt the urge to vomit at his mother and father as they looked longingly at each other. Silas knows that when his father gets angry it takes a lot to calm him down, usually a long hunt or an evening in bed with a woman. It was not often that Cersei gave herself to Robert, but when she did Silas knew that they would get some peace and quiet from both of them for the night. After a few awkward moments of silence Eddard spoke.
"If that is all your grace, I think it best for us all to get a good night's rest," he said. Silas's father looked back to his lifelong friend and nodded his head.
"Aye Ned, you're right," he said quietly. Robert looked at everyone in the tent. "Well, what are you all gawking at? Bugger off, all of you!" Everyone gathered began to leave the tent. "YOU AS WELL BOY!" Robert snapped at Joffrey who seemed to not know what to do.
As everyone left Silas followed Jon and his siblings, watching them as walked back with their father to their tents. Jon hung back to thank Silas for earlier. The two of them conversed as they walked back to the tents. When they were at Eddard's tent Jory walked up to them.
"Everything okay my lord?" he asked.
"Everything is alright Jory," Eddard said. "The situation was resolved. Let's hope we have no more drama on the rest of our journey." Jory looked at Silas and bowed his head to him.
"My prince," he said, averting his eyes. Silas chuckled.
"Evening Jory," Silas said. "I trust you haven't forgotten the mead and gold you owe me?" Jon chuckled as Jory shook his head before he walked away.
"You're terrible you know," Jon stated. Silas shrugged.
"You know me so well Jon," he answered. The two followed the girls to their tent and made sure they got settled in. Lady and Nymeria stood beside the tent's entrance as Silas and Jon walked off, heading in the direction of Jon's tent. When they were there they bid one another good night before Jon retired for the night. Ghost came out and sniffed Silas's hand. Silas scratched Ghost behind his ears before the white-furred Direwolf followed his master into his tent. Silas looked up to the star filled night sky. Has the time really gone by so quickly? It didn't feel like early evening when Joffrey showed up and caused us trouble, he thought as he began to walk back to his tent. As he approached his tent he heard sounds coming from the tent where his mother and father were. He approached quietly, wondering what was going on, until he was a few feet away. There was panting and moaning coming from within the tent, as well as the creaking of a bed.
"Harder Robert," Silas heard his mother's voice faintly through the tent. His eyes went wide as his cheeks burned with embarrassment. Catching his parents at it was the last thing he expected this night. Normally they are quieter than this. Silas knows that his mother and father do not love each other, but they are fond of one another regardless. They must be if they still take pleasure from each other.
"Gods you two are shameless," Silas muttered to himself as he walked back to his own tent, the sounds of his parents love making following him as he left. Once in his own tent he settled on the cot that he had a servant set up for him. He lay down and drifted off to sleep.
As he slept he dreamed of a pack of wolves running through a snow swept field, with a small group of stags running with them. On the back of the largest stag was a small lizard-like creature, with small wings that were clipped and torn, clutching onto its back. When Silas woke up the next morning he remembered that dream. It was a dream that he had been having for some months now, but it made no sense what so ever to him. Silas felt that the dream had some significance to him, but for now it made no sense to him at all. The only thing he knew was that the lizard with broken wings could only be one thing; a dragon.