Finally after a long writer's block another chapter.
Thank you for sticking around!

Let me know what you think about the romancy part. More? Less? Just right?

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything.

Brookbridge, 280 A.C.

Maryah

She didn't know what Lord Barnes and Steve had discussed as they had ridden out, but the dark-haired man looked quite smug afterwards while her husband was...flustered? He wouldn't quite look at her, only talking what was strictly necessary, but not in a rude way, more awkward. Or maybe he was just stressed - the keep was still busy. Her feet hurt from running around all day, checking after servants, trying to have everything ready for the arrival of the Tyrell-party. Something in her gut told her that making a good impression on Margaery Tyrell would be important, especially since she had never met her. However, if she was only half as smart as Lady Olenna, they would have to be careful. She was also getting worried about Tony Sand, too, she had only met him briefly and she could already tell that he would clash with Steve and Lord Barnes. She really did not need grown men behaving like children in her own castle, thank you very much.

Dinner was a smaller affair in expectation of the next day and Maryah decided to retire early to be fit and fresh for the next day. Steve sat together with Lord Barnes in his study, talking about the gods knew what, she was not absolutely sure whether she wanted to know. Just as she had unbound her hair and started brushing it, she heard a knock on her door. The woman frowned in confusion. What was going on at that time at night? Had something happened or had someone fallen ill? After quickly throwing on her dressing gown, she opened her door just a little bit, fully expecting to see a guard or a maid outside. Instead, it was her husband outside her door, illuminated in the light of the few torches that had been left in the hallway. The shadows made his face look unnaturally edgy and etherally bright at the same time, still, rather than revelling in the appearance, she frowned.

"What is the matter? Has something happened?"

He actually blushed.

"You suddenly disappeared and I wanted to say goodnight."

The man who commanded armies without a sliver of doubt in his voice sounded very unsure and even a bit confused in this moment, as if this was something he had not really thought through. It was endearing, really. Surprisingly endearing, normally Maryah could not stand indecisiveness. But right now, she was feeling strangely shy herself, a weird fuzzy feeling, and she found herself smiling.

"Oh, uhm, goodnight Steve," she answered.
"Will you stay with me tomorrow?" he suddenly asked and she nodded. Witht the Tyrells arriving tomorrow and Natalia's party soon afterwards, there was no space otherwise. Starshield was not that big.
"I also moved Carol and Bobbi into one room since they are family. I cannot put the now Lady Stark in a room with her brother without risking a scandal."
"You are doing wonderful, I believe in your planning abilities."

She smiled at him again, as soon as she had shut the door, her room felt too big for one person, as if it would be better shared by two. Not for the first time she questioned how it would feel to share the bed with her husband. She had heard very many accounts of it, and all of them differed greatly. Some women claimed it was only a duty to be endured with the men finding their pleasure on the expense of women, but there were whispers that told that there were men who were good lovers, men that made women want to be touched. Well, rationally, there must be something true about this. If not, how else would the Dornish have got their reputation? Well, the next day she would be in bed with her husband for the first time since their wedding night. And even then there had practically been an ocean between the two of them. What would it be like now?These were the thoughts that occupied her mind while she was staring at the ceiling, finally resuming the counting of sheep.

The next day finally brought the arrival of the Tyrell-party and to say it was a shock might have been an understatement.
Firstly, the group of people was enormous, but she had been prepared for that and some of them would camp in front of Brookbridge.
Secondly, there were Margaery Tyrell's close confidants - absolutely not what she had expected. The first man introduced himself as Coulson, a scholar, but not a maester. She would have bet money though that there was more to him than meet the eye. The woman, May, moved with incredible speed and grace - Maryah considered straight away whether it was rude to ask her to teach her the way of moving. And then there was Fury, a man with only one eye. He looked somehow menacing, unforgiving, sharp. Maryah felt drawn to these people, to the mysteriousnes, the boldness, the unconcealed skill. It felt like souls calling out to hers, and by the look in Bobbi's eyes, she was feeling exactly the same way.
Thirdly, Tony Sand seemed to be a pain in the ass. Obnoxious, flirty and just all around annoying.
And fourthly - Margaery Tyrell. Walking in, picture perfect and polite, even after the long ride, and Steve's jaw dropped. Maryah could not even fault him for it, for she certainly was a Rose of Highgarden. Long hair, luscious curls, a curvy, soft body and plump lips. However, Maryah knew she was attractive herself, could apply the same easy charme if she wanted. She had simply decided to let it drop around her husband. For that reason, she could also see straight through that Tyrell-woman: Margaery was smart, potentially dangerous, possibly ruthless and would definitely see through her own act as well. There was no point playing dumb would fool her. Also, she better kept her hands of other women's husbands!

Nevertheless, the expected pleasantries had to be exchanged until Lady Margaery and her company were happy to be excused to repose for a bit before dinner. Maryah decided to go for a walk and get her thoughts into order. Just when she was walking through the kitchen garden, she felt herself being watched. Slowly, she turned around, scanning her surroundings. As she had been expecting she saw the one-eyed man watching her rom his window. A grin started to play around her lips, and she motioned for him to join her. Not surprisingly he met her near the carrots a couple of minutes later, his eye looking at her severely. He had not changed in the meantime and wore a heavy leatehr coat, even though the afternoon sun was fairly warm. It barely concealed the long dagger and the couple of knives at his hip though, apparently he did not feel very safe or was overly cautious.

"I assume you wanted to talk to me Fury?" she asked.
He stayed quiet for a while and Maryah started to wonder whether this was atest or whether he simply wanted to waste her time.
"I have heard certain rumours," he started finally, "things that have been said about you and the two Miss Hills."
"Are there now? And what rumours would there be?"
"They say you are good with a sword, and the bow, and that so are they," he went on.
"As you have mentioned, these are simply rumours," she answered, seemingly unimpressed.
"If you say so. However, if things were different - you should know that there are options for people that think differently. Starting with finding appropriate husbands that foster certain interests. And that is not so easy, is it now?"

He raised an eyebrow before bowing slightly and walking off in the direction of the castle, leaving behind a slightly startled Maryah.