Torrhen's eyes slowly flittered open the sun beginning to shine trough his tent indicating that the day had come. He sat up rubbing the sleep from his eyes listening to the rustle of a military encampment. The clanging of armor and the clashing of swords as men trained and practiced for battle. He sat up rubbing his face listening to the sounds of the camp waking up. He got up changing into his clothes for the day.
He still couldn't believe they were at war. He had heard stories from Ned and the songs from the bards. He like most young boys in the Seven Kingdoms dreamed and fantasized of war but never actually imagined going to war. Yet here Torrhen was in a war encampment marching to war against the Lannister's. It was both nerve racking and exhilarating at the same time. This would test his metal...was he truly as good a warrior as he claimed he was? Soon he will find out.
He left the tent and walked through the camp passing soldiers and healers who were treating the wounded men. The camp was alive as men did their duties. Torrhen found the command tent and approached it to find his father. Approaching the tent he was able to hear yelling inside of it coming from what sounded like Ned.
"Why would you send Theon away?"
"I sent him to treat with his father for his ships."
Ned placed his hands on the table leaning over taking a deep breath.
"We don't need the Greyjoy ships...and even if we did they would never side with us. They're raiders Robb they will never side with a mainland army."
"Father I...I was trying to win this war and save you. I didn't have many options!"
Ned walked over and touching his son's shoulder.
"I know...lets just hope this doesn't come back to bite us."
It was Torrhen decided to make his appearance. The Stark's turned their attention to him quickly putting the just passed conversation behind them. Torrhen didn't say anything about it and continued on. Shortly after a few other Lords and commanders arrived to listen to Ned's plan for the war. They laid out the map and pieces where they needed to go. Ned began to move the pieces as he laid out the plan.
"We will work our way south hitting the Lannister's hard along the way. We will join with Stannis's forces and take Kings Landing an..."
"You mean to side with Stannis?" Lord Umber asked.
"He's the true heir to the Iron Throne." Ned replied.
"Renly has near a hundred thousand men Stannis has barely five thousand."
"He is still the true heir...we stay with Stannis. We keep the Lannister's occupied up here before sneaking off Kings Landing when Stannis makes his attack. He can hit from the sea and we can hit it from the land. I've already sent a message to Lord Stannis discussing this battle plan."
"The Lannister's are building up a force near Oxcross." Lord Rickard said. "Lead by some Lannister. If they manage to build up a force and meet with Tywin's host they could crush us."
"What would you do?" Ned asked Robb.
"I'd take a force around Tywin's host and take it out. Like Lord Rickard said if he were to meet up with Tywin we may not be able to fend them off."
Ned stroked his chin thinking about the plan.
"You could but if you take a piece of our force it could lead to us being defenseless if Tywin were to attack us."
"Then he doesn't know the force left." Torrhen chimed in. "We could take a spy we have in custody and make them send a raven to Tywin telling him we are matching in the other direction. He marches to meet us and we move to Oxcross."
Ned stroked his chin. It could work.
"It could work. If Tywin were to figure out our deception however he could cut us off from the North." A moment of silence filled the tent as the Warden Of The North thought over the plan. "Robb...you will have the command. Take the men you need. Lord Umber bring me one of our captive spies."
Lord Umber bowed before Ned and left to do his duty. Robb nodded to his father recognizing his command. The spy was dragged into the tent and forced to write the letter.
'My Lord Tywin, The Northmen are currently matching East towards Harrenhall. I have seen them packing up their camp and marching East. They will reach the castle within the next few days.'
The letter was then rolled up and sent off to Tywin and everyone prayed he took the bait. The meeting was dismissed and the Lords and commanders left the tent leaving the Lord and sons alone in the tent.
"Do you think Tywin will take the bait?" Robb asked.
"If he's smart." Torrhen replied.
Robb raised an eyebrow at the comment and Torrhen would go on to elaborate.
"Tywin knows he can't beat us but he can try and hold us north of the Neck. So if he thinks we're are moving east he will march that way to hold us in the North. He'll take it."
There was a silence as Robb took in the information. Torrhen then broke it to ask his father a question.
"Father a question...I was wondering if I could march with Robb."
Ned wanted to keep someone close to him but could see the want in Torrhen's eyes. He didn't want to send both his boys off to battle but they would be there to protect each other and ensure they not got back safe.
"You can go with him." Ned said.
"Thank you father I won't let you down." Torrhen replied with a bow.
Serena awoke feeling happy for the first time a while with the suns rays beating down on her. At the moment she didn't know what was making her feel happy as the sleeps fog still clouded her mind. She moved her hands up to rub the sleep from her eyes and began to look around realizing this wasn't her chamber. She looked around and finally when her eyes fell upon the golden hair of Cersei Lannister the memories of the previous night returned to her. Gods last night was glorious! She had forgotten about all her doubts and other feelings except for the moment. Now a hint of regret crept into her mind but she shockingly didn't feel as bad as she thought she would over it.
She couldn't believe she did what she did last night but it did feel good and definitely did a good job loosening that knot in her stomach as it was no longer really there. It was still there but not as prevalent as it used to be. Serena just laid there staring at the back of Cersei's head and shoulders. It was a few moments later that Cersei began to stir and rolled over looking at her new lover smiling at the sight of the younger woman in her bed. She could see the conflict in the girls eyes but knew she would figure it out.
"You sleep well?" The Queen asked.
"I did your grace." Serena replied.
"Cersei...call me Cersei."
"Ok...Cersei."
Serena's breath was shaky as she stared into the green eyes of Cersei Lannister. They were so intoxicating to anyone who looked into them. Her fingers stroked the girls cheek before leaning in planting a soft kiss on her lips before getting out of the bed wrapping her body in a robe. Serena couldn't help but stare at the Queen's beautiful body for every moment until it was hidden behind the robe. Despite her age her body was still perfect and it was all hers...or was hers all Cersei's?
She then got out of the bed and gathered up all her clothes putting them back on. She then walked over to a mirror pulling her hair back into a knot.
"I didn't see you as someone who really cared for their hair." Cersei said with a chuckle.
"I don't." Serena replied. "But I'm not walking out of the door looking looking like this."
Cersei just smiled at watched the girl do her thing. Serena had to leave before the castle began to stir and she was seen leaving the Queen's chamber. Once everything was set she turned to take a last look at the Queen.
"I must be going." Serena said.
"Yes you must." Cersei said approaching the girl. "Will you return tonight?"
Serena took a moment to think about that. Would she return? It was bad enough she stayed tonight in a act that may as well be considered treason against her family. She couldn't very well come back...this was just a slip trough the cracks.
"I...I don't know." She replied turning towards the door.
Cersei didn't say anything and just watched the girl open the door and exit knowing that she would be back. Regardless of what Serena Stark said she enjoyed what happened last night and there was no way she could hide it from the blonde. She couldn't hide it from herself either. The events of the previous night played over and over again in her head. Every kiss,the feeling of their flesh against each other. It was heaven on earth and she couldn't lie and deny it.
She decided to get her mind off it by going to see Sansa. She walked through the keep and too the red heads chamber only to find it empty. Sansa must be at court. Serena decided to check back later as court was not for her. She learned about that when her father was Hand of the King and would probably dislike it more now with Joffrey on the throne.
She entered her chamber and walked to the window placing her hands on the sill letting the breeze hit her face. She pulled her hair out of the tie and let it fall over her shoulders as she bent over thinking of everything that's happened the last few months. Bran's fall,leaving Winterfell,the fight outside Littlefinger's brothel,and now fucking her families enemy. What had happened to her to cause her to make that decision? It gutted her but it was an amazing experience and wanted to experience again but with Cersei?
That thought would have to wait as Sansa entered the room a look of sadness on her face.
"What's wrong?" Serena asked.
She then saw a small cut on her lip.
"What happened?"
Sansa looked like she didn't want to talk about it but she would get it out of her if someone harmed her. Sansa knew she couldn't hide it so decided to tell her sister.
"Joffeey had me struck..."
"What? By who?"
"Serena it's not..."
"Nothing?" Serena asked in a raised voice. "Sansa he struck you! Tell me who he had do it."
Sansa looked to her feet and back up again.
"Meryn Trant."
Serena then went to walk out of the room but Sansa stopped her.
"What are you going to do?"
"Have a chat with Ser Meryn."
"Serena no!" Sansa called but Serena ignored it.
She stormed through the halls of the Red Keep looking for the Prince as that was where Meryn would be. Anger filled her...how dare he lay a hand on her sister! He would pay for it. Finally she heard the voice of Joffrey and followed it trough the halls until laying eyes on him flanked by his loyal protectors. She stormed over to the anger painted on her face.
"How dare you you little worm!"
The Kingsguard gripped at their swords as Serena approached.
"You dare have my sister struck! What kind of King are you?"
"Back away from the King now." Ser Meryn said.
"And you!" Serena started. "What kind of Knight strikes a little girl?"
"One who obeys his King."
Serena got up in his face hand tight around the hilt of her sword.
"You ever touch Sansa again it'll be the last time you have hands. Kingsgaurd or no I don't care."
"You dare threaten a Kingsguard?"
"I do dare...you're a false knight."
Joffrey then decided to intervene before swords came to clash.
"You're right Lady Serena. A man should always be good to his woman...a King most of all. I shall never ask Ser Meryn to strike your sister again and shall personally apologize to her."
Serena knew he was trying to compromise with her and get her to calm down. It really didn't but she would accept it and hope he kept good on his promise. With that she just walked away not wanting to spend another minute around them and hoped her message was received.
