You decided to sit somewhere different for lunch. It was a beautiful day, and the only thing that could be heard was the soft breeze caressing the trees. Sitting alone under the sun was pleasant, as it was not too hot nor too cold. With your bread and cheese in hand, and a tankard of water by your side, you enjoyed the calming atmosphere and time to yourself. Your thoughts brought you back to your encounter with Ser Royland earlier that morning. He'd never taken interest in what you did outside of training till now. Perhaps he wanted to become more acquainted, and this was his way of doing so? Trying not to get your hopes up too high, you looked up at the sky. One of the clouds looked like Royland's sword, which brought an absentminded smile to your face.
Hearing heavy footsteps across the ground brought your attention to the 5'10" stature of your instructor. "That's the second time you've crept up on me today, Royland."
"Not very successfully, if you noticed me before I got to scare you." Royland approached at an even pace, stopping in front of you. "May I?" He asked, gesturing to the space beside you on the old bench.
"Of course." You nodded, and self-consciously moved further to the edge to make space for him. "There's no need for that, (Y/N). There was already plenty of space." Little did he know that you more anxious at the prospect of him sitting next to you, rather than how much space he had.
What if your legs touched? It was unlikely as ever, but the idea still nerved you. You'd never been this close to him before, apart from combat; and that was completely different. You didn't have time to ponder things such as closeness when your main aim was to hit your target, whether they were stationary or not - handsome, or not.
"Bread and cheese?! You can't possibly expect to get enough energy from bread and cheese!" cried Royland when he saw your lunch. You shrugged dismissively. "I get by."
"Wait here." He stood up, heading towards the food hall. You sighed as you were alone again, cursing at yourself for being so awkward around him. Sad, but also glad he'd left, you finished up your bread and cheese, and started to finish off your water. It may not have seemed like much, but it was all you could afford, and it was still more than some other members of the garrison got, so you didn't complain. Royland had told you to wait, but where had he gone? There was a latrine in the food hall, so perhaps there? You didn't want to ask though, for obvious reasons.
There was still thirty minutes of the lunch break left, and you didn't know what to do. The wind had gotten more chilly in the past fifteen minutes or so, and the sun did not beam down upon you as strongly. Despite your heavy plated armour, you began to shiver unceremoniously. Once again, you were glad to be alone. If any of the other guards were to see you like this now, you had no doubt that at least one of them would make a cutting remark. None of them thought highly of you because you were a woman. Any skill or other quality that would usually be seen as redeeming for a man was overlooked, because the slightest thing you did was judged harshly.
For example, whenever you did better than the other troops in training - which was exceedingly often - rumours would spread about you and the commander, other trainee knights spouting things like "she received extra training in the night because he felt sorry for her", and that was one of the more savoury fabrications.
This was another reason why, despite your small flame for the sentinel of House Forrester, you felt uneasy when he approached you as an individual. This would only add more fuel to the scandalous fire, and despite your stoically hidden joy, you were afraid of the commander singling you out, and getting closer to you - even if it was in the name of combat. More lies of his favouritism towards you were bound to spring up, and you knew that they were untrue - just needless chatter created by jealous little boys.
Flinching as you felt a tap on your shoulder, you were pulled from your spaced out world, only to be greeted with the worried expression of Ser Royland. "Are you alright?" He asked, clearly concerned. "Yes, thank you." was your robotic reply. Deciding not to press any further, Royland offered you his hand. This was a shocking gesture, until you noticed the even more surprising fact that he had something in his hand. Multiple things, in fact.
A plate carried an onion tart and freshly cooked rabbit leg. As the aroma filled your nostrils, you fought back the urge to drool. "Here," Royland gestured for you to hold out your hands, and placed the warm plate on top of your steel and leather-clad hands. "Is this for me?" You asked, dumbstruck. Royland nodded awkwardly, nervously itching the back of his neck. "Well, yes."
Your eyes widened. No one besides your parents had gone so out of their way for you before - and you hadn't seen them since you left Winterfell. "I - Thank you, Ser-"
"Royland." he corrected.
"Royland - sorry - I am extremely grateful for the gesture, however, I am well aware that meals are only catered for each individual soldier, and assuming that this is your portion, I cannot accept." He scrunched up his nose at that. "But you must. I am your knight commander, and I am giving you an order. Eat."
Refusing to back down, you still argued. "Can we at least share?" Taking a few moments to ponder the action, Royland shook his head. "I have a heavy breakfast every morning, so I do not require it."
Noticing his eyes shift, you sigh. "You don't have to lie to me, Royland. I've already eaten, and as our commander, it would cause problems if you were to collapse or become ill from skipping meals." Shaking his head in irritation, the master-at-arms' eyes darkened with anger.
"You underestimate me, girl. I've never known someone to decline a gift of goodwill so strongly." A cold shiver traveled up your spine and you broke out in a cold sweat. You were as stubborn as an ox, but it had never been your intention to upset him.
Seeing the expression of fear clear upon your face, Royland was forced to give up the rouse, and burst out into amused laughter. Confused, you raised an eyebrow at him. "You should really see your expression right now! I got you!" Clenching his stomach, he continued to giggle. You never would've guessed your commander had this side to him. "I won't comment on how you thought I'd get angry over your concern, but I will say this; thank you. You figured me out. I'm impressed, if not a little disappointed in myself for giving up so early."
Casually sitting beside you, Royland tore off a part of the onion tart's crust. "I will gratefully accept your offer. But I'll be making sure you eat at least half of it." Nodding, you did the same, resisting the urge to shove him for teasing you.