Not long after Jaime left to be knighted, Lord Tywin came back to Casterly Rock in a massive rage, and while she held tiny Tyrion, she heard the rumors around the castle that Jaime had joined the Kingsguard and was officially no longer heir to House Lannister and this news left Laenna pale with shock as she heard Lord Tywin had quit as Hand of the King as a result. She felt fear at the potential consequences and trembled as she gripped Tyrion tighter till he cried and she loosened her grip.

That night fourteen year old Laenna felt like a small child again, and could not sleep in her bed, wanted company desperately, saw monsters in the dark, and her heart beat so fast as she sobbed softly into her pillow out of sheer frustration and terror.

The last words her mother said to her in person, repeated in her head over and over again, "A Lannsiter always pays their debts, my dear," and these words haunted her as she thought of what could go wrong now that the hand had been smacked by the crown.

"Jaime," she whispered to the darkness, "Jaime, why did you do this."

To add more salt to the bloody wound, King Aerys had decided for the first time in years to host a huge Tourney at the haunted Harrenhal and Jaime was to participate as a tourney knight. Lord Tywin in his anger decided to send Leanna in his stead when he got the ominous and threatening invitation. She did not understand why he was sending her at all since she was to represent House Lannister along with several other family members and was supposed to make only good impressions, preferably according to Lord Lannister by being "the very image of a lady."

That meant he was going to put her into a tight fancy dress to cover her curves, with an added complicated hairstyle and jewelry to make up for her lack of looks, and she was to be silent except when spoken to or when defending House Lannister and making sure she "earned what I had done for you by taking you in."

Then she understood. This was a test of her loyalty and she was essentially supposed to spy on the events and inform Lord Tywin afterwards.

This was her first debt to pay and it was beyond terrifying when weeks later her little Tyrion was dragged from her as she was forced into a carriage once again behind lady Genna Lannister to make her world even bigger once again.

"It's okay, Tyrion!" She cried to the snotty teary eyed child as she was driven away and he raced after her, "I'll be back! I promise I will!"

But it wasn't okay, she was scared Tywin would hit Tyrion or worse. She was just scared of all of this.

She had a really bad feeling about all of this.

"Don't worry, dear. I know Twyin seems terrifying, but Tyrion is safe." The Lady Genna Lannister commented. Staring at me for my response.

I instantly froze over, "It's not that, my Lady. I'm just sad at the thought of being away from him, I've been with him since he was born."

Lady Genna seemed unsatisfied with the answer but continued to make small talk with me as she taught me how to make a flower crown to be used as a favor if a knight asked us. I hoped beyond hope that Jaime would ask me, it would be a fairytale.

Once she arrived, the tourneys had already started and once they had found the other Lannisters, she ran past roaring crowds to screams of Genna Lannister shouting loudly, "My lady, don't run," to take a glimpse at Ser Jaime being knighted into the Kingsguard. How was it possible he'd grown even more handsome? Looked even more like a shining golden lion as he took his his oath before the realm.

Next thing Laenna knew there's a bang - Jaime had knocked off another opponent of his horse.

All around though, people were gossiping as the games continued and bets were made.

"Come on, Lannister!"

"Poor boy, he has no idea what he's gotten himself into."

"Can you see the king, he really does seem quite restless"

"Mommy, why are they killing each other?"

"When is the feast by the way?"

Laenna's stomach growled as she thought the same. But she spoke cordially with the other Lannisters, till she felt a presence near her.

"My lady, I would have your favor."

Laenna turned her head and finally noticed Jaime standing there with his lance stretched out. She did not understand, Jaime barely even spoke to her or ever looked at her. But here he was now with his green eyes staring at her, but she realized she needed to act quick as people were now staring.

"Jaime, for your old aunty Genna, truly." Jaime's aunt spoke from next to me and I thanked all the gods I had not said anything.

Jaime said nothing at first but then smiled and snorted, "Of course, aunt."

"Then I do grant you the honor of my favor, Ser knight." Genna took off her flower crown she had made on the way here in the carriage and dropped it on his lance.

"I thank you again, my ladies," was all Jaime said before he turned his horse around and ran off.

Lady Genna then glanced over at me, "You were just running here to see him, he was here for you, why didn't you say anything, my dear?"

Laenna then glanced over at her in resignation and replied with tears in my eyes, "Nobody's here for me, lady Genna."

This seemed to at last stop her speaking on the matter more.

Laenna held onto the flower crown she had made tightly, like it was her heart she was clutching to stop the bleeding and the pounding.

Later she was escorted with the other Lannisters and had to pretend she's fine at the Hall of a Hundred Hearths. Though it did better her mood for a moment at the brilliant light from warm fires lit, the Targaryen sigils and bright red and black decorations everywhere to be seen, and the sheer hugeness of the place. She so badly wanted to go exploring, but she stayed put out of fear of upsetting the Lannisters again with her unlady likeness.

So she did what she always did, she watched Jaime, got some pork and desert, had her first sip of wine, and fiddled with her flower crown watching all the beautiful men and women of the realm.

Gods, she wished she was beautiful.

Later, as she was soon walking around from dizziness from the wine, some boys found her and mockingly asked her if she wanted to dance.

"No, thank you my Lords," She said with tears in her eyes, " Just leave me be."

One of the boys actually looked insulted and came close to her, " I heard you were stupid, but I didn't think you were that stupid. Just look at you." There were roars of laughter as she picked up her gowns and walked quickly off. She accidentally ran into one of the Stark men, she could not remember his name, "Apologies, my lord," but left before his shocked face and mouth could even reply to seeing her teary snotty face. Then she found a dark corner and wept terribly.

It felt like she had been crying forever when she felt a shadow over her, "my lady," and she gasped looking up.

Laenna attempted to wipe her tears and say they were nothing as Stark handed her a handkerchief. But even more shocked was she when he said, "I also hate big festivities, its not in my nature."

She looked at him with and asked "Truly?"

"Truly," he replied and then to her shock he said, "I can imagine those lords were also saying horrible things to you, I heard them after, I'm sorry, my lady, I will defend your honor."

This got her to splutter, "Oh no, please! That will only make things worse!"

He looked at her very serious still and then asked, "Will you dance with me then."

Laenna knew it was a pity dance, but she wanted comfort so she took his offered hand and glided with him till her tears turned to laughter as he swung her around the room. This also got him to laugh.

Later, she finally properly greeted him, "I forgot to tell you, my name is Laenna Kyndall. What is yours, my lord."

"Eddard Stark, my lady."

Laenna had no idea that one day, this man she named serious face in her head, would become one of her closest companions and tragedies.

- Thank you so much for everyone reading, next chapter will be more tourneys, Laenna encounters the laughing knight and has something extraordinary happen to her and we finally get to see the event that sets Robert's Rebellion in motion.