Serena sat in her chambers Sansa right beside her as the played with and trained her new puppy. They had little pieces of meat they used as treats to use as a reward for doing a trick. So far they were only able to get Lady to sit as of now but hopefully they'd get her to do more with time.
When Sansa first saw the small puppy her eyes widened with excitement. For a time she didn't even ask where the dog from but when she finally did Serena had to lie and say she found her on the streets and adopted it. Tears almost formed in the young Stark's eyes when she heard Serena had named it Lady after her own direwolf.
Sansa eventually sat on the floor and let the dog come sit on her lap and just sat there petting her. Serena just sat there watching her sister finally seeming to happy for the first time in months. It was a moment to forget about everything from the war to Ned's brush with potential execution. Everything didn't exist or happen to her in that moment.
Serena then stood up and walked over to the window and looked out onto the city. It was then she realized it was nearly midday and let out a 'seven hells!' Sansa immediately sat up.
"What is it?"
"We are supposed to be by the beach for Princess Myrcella's departing ceremony."
Sansa stood up and gently placed Lady on the ground who then looked up at the girls in curiosity. Sansa then brushed off her dress and Serena took a glance at her sword leaning beside the door. Her gut told her to grab it and she did strapping the belt around her waist before leaving the room.
Quickly the pair ran through the keep not wanting to be late to the ceremony. They ran trough halls their shoes echoing off the walls the only sound heard along with heavy breathing. Ned raised both to be punctual and now they were on the verge of being late.
They ran until they came upon the door to the keep still shut and crowded with people. They made it. In the middle of the crowd was Cersei crouched down to be eye level with her daughter both with tears in their eyes not wanting to leave each other. Tyrion and the rest of the council stood and watched from a distance as the mother and daughter said farewell. A few soldiers surrounded then as well as the Kingsguard to protect the royal family and King's councilors.
Cersei stood up fixing Myrcella's hair and patting her shoulders. She then turned to look at Tyrion anger and resentment painted all over it. It was understandable why she was mad. No one wanted to be separated from their child especially at such a young age. Of course there was the bad blood between the Lannisters and Martell's stemming from the sack of Kings Landing and the death of Elia and her children.
However Doran was not one to hold such a grudge to the extent of hurting a little girl. Serena had heard much about the Dornish Prince and from what she heard he was gentle and kind as was his brother Prince Oberyn who was a warrior of great renown who had traveled the world. Myrcella would be safe in Dorne. Far safer than she would be here in the capital if Stannis attacks. If Stannis should defeat the Lannister forces who knows what would be done to the girl. Stannis was gentle enough despite his tough façade from all reports but war easily changed people and it was not a risk worth taken.
The Queen then turned and saw Serena and hid a smile seeing the girl there. Luckily no one seemed to notice the look. Tommen ran over wrapping his arms around his sister not wanting to let go. The sight of the siblings holding onto each other made Serena almost get as tear in her eye also being separated from her own sibling she knew what the young Prince was feeling in that moment. Tyrion took a few steps forward and informed everyone it was time to leave.
The doors were pushed open by Lannister soldiers. When they were fully open Tommen and Myrcella were still in a tight embrace. Tyrion wanted to interject but feared the wrath of Cersei. He gave his sister a look and she moved in informing her son it was time to go. Joffrey looked on scoffing at the sight and angrily urging his brother to "hurry up and get this over with" not caring about all the sentimental farewells.
Tommen broke up the hug and Cersei took her daughter's hand holding it tight. The party left the castle and took to the streets surrounded by Goldcloaks,soldiers,and Kingsguard. They couldn't be safer with the skilled warriors surrounding them. Many looked on as the group passed some mumbling prayers for the Princesses safety and others spitting on the ground hating all the golden haired royals. Besides their opinions being paired on their faces those opinions were kept to themselves.
Serena could feel the tension in the air. The people were starving and suffering from thirst and poverty all stemming from the war and some negligence from the king. All can only hope that this war will soon come to an end and the people can once again live in peace and happiness.
The soon got to the beach where a small boat was to take Myrcella to the ship out in the bay. On the beach the family took another moment to say a final farewell. Cersei and Tommen were in tears taking turns hugging the young blonde. It went for a while until Tyrion came forward.
"It's time."
Cersei wanted to scream and fight and throw her brother into the bay and keep her daughter close to get side but decided against it with all the soldiers and guards standing nearby to pull her off of him and Myrcella would still be put on the boat and shipped off anyway. With a final hug and an "I love you" Myrcella was put on the small boat as the High Septon said a prayer over the princess to bless her journey to Dorne.
Cersei's face was not covered in tears but anger. Her mind most likely flooding with ideas for how to hurt Tyrion for sending her off. Tommen stood beside her sniffling and crying earning the attention from his brother who thought the sight disgusting.
"You sound like a cat mewling for its mother." Joffery taunted." "Princes don't cry."
"I saw you cry" Sansa said.
Joffrey's head quickly swiveled over to look at the red head.
"What?"
Sansa stopped realizing what she had let slip out and had to find a way to deflect.
"My brother cried when I left Winterfell."
"Well is he a Prince?" Joffery asked.
"Uhh..." Sansa completely shut down.
"He is." Serena chimed in saving her sister from the conversation.
Joffrey seemed even angrier and took a few steps towards the girl.
"He's not a real Prince...he's just the brother of a treacherous worm."
"Of course your Grace. Tommen is a true Prince." Serena said bowing her head. "The only Prince of import stands right behind you."
Sansa was stunned at her sister and her response to Joffrey. Sure she had promised to protect the young Stark but her acting was so good it truly seemed real to the naked eye. Even Cersei seemed pleased at the response cracking the only smile she'd shown all day.
"Good. You may be a peasant but you are a peasant who knows your place."
Sansa was going to speak up to say something but a hand brushing against her own stopped her. She was going to defend her sister. Serena didn't care. He was not too far off. She was of low birth born of two farmers. She did have the pleasure of being raised in Winterfell. It never bothered her though. Being of noble birth was too tiring and stressful.
Joffrey then decided to take his leave followed by his Kingsguard. That was the cue for everyone else to leave. Cersei followed in close behind and Tyrion behind her. Serena and Sansa walked a few paces behind the imp. The walk back seemed quick until they reached Fleabottom. Hundreds and hundreds of pairs of eyes gazed upon the group many with hatred in their eyes. Some called out in mockery screaming "hail King Joffrey!" along with mumbles of "bastard" that weren't as loud.
Joffrey didn't seem to understand the threat that was looming. Serena could see it. The crowd that had gathered around the King's caravan. Serena kept her head on a swivel eyes darting around the large crowd moving her hand to grip the blade strapped to her hip. Something wasn't right here. Tyrion seemed to realize this and sent Tommen off with some guards.
It was the something came flying from the crowd and hit Joffrey in the face. It was after it hit him and left a big brown spot on his face she realized it was a pile of feces. Joffrey instantly turning to the crowd angrily asking who threw the shit. Several soldiers as well as Kingsguard drew their swords. Joffrey continued to scream and shout eventually screaming to kill everyone.
Serena took a few steps back staying close to Sansa who's hand she could feel brushing against her own trying to grab it in fear. Eventually members of the crowd pushed in attacked the soldiers in an attempt to reach the king. Serena pushed Sansa back getting her out of the way. Her handmaiden was standing right there. Serena grabbed her dagger giving it to the handmaiden who had the look like she knew how to use one.
The handmaiden took the blade and Serena ordered her to get Sansa out of there and that she would remain close behind. A man broke through the line. Serena drew her blade from the sheath and slashed it at the man cutting him down. She watched the blood pour from his chest as he hit the floor. The girl had killed before and felt nothing but that was against Kingsguard and soldiers. This was a man who was just trying to feed his family. However he attacked her and there was no other choice.
She spun around and another person was coming at her and was swiftly cut down. Her blue eyes scanned for Sansa unable to find her only finding pandemonium. Hopefully we handmaiden managed to get her to a safe place. She charged through the crowd pushing closer to the king swinging her sword and anyone who threatened her. The sounds of screams caused the girl to stop and look to find the High Speton being shoved to the ground screams growing louder until an arm was raised in the air. The sight completely shocked her. It was one thing to protest starvation but this...this was savagery.
She turned to look for Cersei unable to find the Queen Mother. It wasn't long before she found the Queen being chased by two men. They trapped her against a wall and began tearing at her gown throwing the pieces wherever. Serena knew what was about to happen. That can not be allowed to happen.
She jumped into action running over shoving and swinging through rioters trying to get to Cersei. She saw the fear on her lovers face and it fueled her to keep pushing forward and getting to her. Eventually she did ramming her sword right through the mans ass. The man fell to the ground as the blade was removed from him. His friend was completely stunned watching the man bleeding out and dying on the cobblestones. Serena took this moment to lift up her blade and strike the man down.
When he hit the ground Serena turned to Cersei who had a look of shock and relief on her face. Shocked at the sight of Serena's brutality much different to that of her typically soft demeanor and relief that she was saved. If there weren't thousands of witnesses she would have kissed her savior.
"J...Joffrey."
Serena looked for the King in all be chaos and found him amongst his Kingsguard.
"He's fine. He's surrounded by Knights. We need to go."
She took Cersei by the arm and took her following the gap made by Joffrey's Kingsguard. The King was taken to a small side entrance to the Red Keep. Guards stood guard preventing any rioter from getting into the castle. Joffrey entered the door and Serena and Cersei not too far after. Joffrey took a seat against a pole and Cersei leaned back against the wall breathing heavily. Serena took the Queen's hand for a moment letting her know it would be on before anyone looked.
Tyrion rushed in a few scratches covering his face. He looked around and found Joffrey immediately beginning to scream at him.
"You blind and bloody fool!"
"You can't insult me!" Joffrey screamed back.
"We've had vicious kings and we've had idiot kings. But I don't think ever ever had a vicious idiot King!
Serena looked down at her blade watching the blood dripping off of it. The blood of innocent men who just wanted food. Yes it was either defend herself or die but it did not feel right to Serena. She watched he blood flow to the tip of the blade and hitting the floor. Drip. Drip. Drip. Cersei saw Serena in her trance and placed a soft hand on her back rubbing it slightly.
"They were just people." Serena said.
"It's ok. You were doing what needed to be done. If you hadn't killed them they would have killed you."
She was right and she understood that but it hurt none the less. She was taken from her thoughts by the voice of Tyrion.
"Where's the Stark girl?"
Serena leapt up hearing the mention of Sansa.
"Anyone? Gods where's Sansa?"
She hadn't made it? She could have sworn she sent Sansa ahead. He then went to Ser Meryn who just shrugged the acting Hand off. Serena without a word ran out of the keep back into the riot. She saw the chaos. Bodies on the ground and Goldcloaks cutting down citizens. Blood flowed through the streets like a river. It was hard to bare.
She looked around for the unmistakable red hair of Sansa not finding it. She looked and looked and found a girl with red hair. Upon turning her around it was an older woman and clearly not Sansa. She kept moving looking. Fear filled her stomach. If any harm came to Sansa she would never be able to live with herself. How would Ned feel if she had failed the mission she was given?
Then she hears it. A scream. It sounded a lot like Sansa. She ran finding a doorway that led off the street and into a building. She followed the screams to find a group of men surrounding a girl on the ground. One moved just enough to give Serena a clear view of the girl. It was Sansa.
She jumped into action charging the men and jamming her sword into ones back before they noticed she was there. The sword left him and he hit the floor. The others saw her and tried to run but the girl was too quick for them. She cut one down and quickly spun around grabbing the other slamming him against the wall thrusting the blade into his stomach and watching the light leave his eyes.
Once he was dead she took he sword from him and ran over to Sansa who was stunned at the sight of her soft and kind sister killing three men. Yes they were trying to harm her but Serena seemed ruthless. It scared her. Serena extended her hand and Sansa took it being helped up. The pair left the building. By now much of the riot had been quelled. Many who took part fled and many lay dead on the ground. They went back to the same door Serena came from. Several handmaidens including Sansa's own came over and tended to a scrape on her cheek.
"Good work Lady Serena." Tyrion applauded.
"She's my sister I need no applause." Serena said walking away to take a moment to reflect on what had just happened and to clean her blade.
The Northern army made their way back to the Riverlands encampment to reform their army before Tywin could move on them. Either way they were outnumbered but it would be best to have all their forces assembled together to push back. Most of these men could do with a break. They marched all the way down to Oxcross then engaged in battle just to turn back around and march back north. Many were still wounded from battle with cloths wrapping their wounds from their arms to their heads.
They fought well and bravely and deserves every song that will be sung about them. However one battle did not mean the war was over. As long as Joffrey sat on the Iron Throne the war could never be over. He was a tyrant an an illegitimate ruler and the people would not rest until he was removed.
Torrhen rode beside Robb the pair talking and telling jokes to pass the time. It was definitely working as they could tell they had entered the Riverlands. They truly were brothers now having fought in battle together. Nothing formed a bond like bleeding together on the field. Blood relation did not matter.
"All I know is I cannot wait until this was is over and we can go home." Robb said.
"Me too." Torrhen tarred with his brother.
"How do you think the girls are doing in the capital?"
"I'm sure they're fine." Torrhen said.
Knowing the girls they were tough as nails...well Serena was anyway.
"Serena will keep Sansa safe."
A few moments of silence covered the brothers.
"Why couldn't Serena get Sansa out of the capital?" She was able to get you and father out."
"It wasn't really planned out. There wasn't much time to make the plan. We almost got caught on the way out."
It was a fair point. The capital has pretty much been on lockdown since Joffrey took the throne and they battled in the throne room. Getting out of the capital was hard enough especially when one has a severe leg injury and there were hundreds of soldiers out looking for you.
Torrhen then laid eyes on the beautiful maiden he met at Oxcross. He could see her looking around at all the nature. As he saw her he wondered. What brought the young woman so far from her home to join an army hacking off limbs of soldiers? He kicked his horse to move faster and catch up to her earning an audible groan from Robb. Sadly for him he had made that commitment to Walder Frey.
He rode up beside the woman who turned to see who it was. She smiled at Torrhen and have a courteous 'my lord' and bowed her head.
"I'm no Lord my Lady. Torrhen is enough if it suits you."
"Well then Torrhen what makes you so sure I'm a Lady? Perhaps I'm a fisherman's daughter?"
"Then I'd call you a liar."
"Not very kind to call a Lady a liar now is it?"
The pair broke out in a small fit of laughter as Torrhen agreed with her statement.
"So you admit you are a lady."
Taking a breath and calming down she told Torrhen one day she would talk about her home. For the time being he conceded the argument and would allow her time to get comfortable with him. They chatted a bit along the road Torrhen talking about his story. Being born a twin with a sister and being adopted by Eddard Stark after the death of his parents. How he and Serena grew up taught and trained by the best. He told of Serena's ability with a blade.
"Your parents let her learn the sword? Didn't think that was very lady like."
"Well when you keep picking one up and getting into spars you may as well make sure she used it right."
"And does she?"
Torrhen let out a chuckle.
"She did nearly bested Jaime Lannister."
"Nearly?"
"Well a soldier stabbed our father in the leg interfering with the duel."
"Well it's good that he's ok. He seems like a good man. I hope to be able to meet him one day."
Torrhen looked up and in the distance pillars of smoke rose into the air signaling they were close to the camp.
"Well you might get to soon."
When they arrived at the camp the arrived to cheers from soldiers celebrating the victory. 'Cheer when the war is over.' Both Torrhen and Robb thought at the same time. At the middle of the camp Ned and Cat stood outside the tent clapping and smiling just happy their boys were unharmed. The two rode to the tent and dismounted their steeds Catelyn ran over to Robb hugging him tightly. Ned came over hugging Torrhen before giving one to Robb after giving Cat a moment with him. She then walked over to Torrhen.
"Thank you for keeping Robb safe." She said hugging him tightly.
"I was just doing my duty my Lady."
Robb then asked if there were updates from the war. The looks on both Ned and Catelyn's faces immediately changed. Something happened. They brought the boys into the tent where a map sat in the middle of the table. They surrounded the table and Ned began the explanation.
"Renly Baratheon is dead and his forces are now with Stannis."
"How did Renly die?"
"No one knows. Some say it was one of his Kingaguard others say it was some form of dark magic. Either way Stannis now has a larger army than that garrisoned at Kings Landing. Reports suggest he is preparing to move on the capital."
Torrhen asked if there was a way to reinforce Stannis and get to Kings Landing. Sure Stannis had higher numbers but to have some extra men would never hurt.
"No. To get to the capital we would have to get passed Tywin's forces at Harrenhal. Any movement we make will probably be caught by his spies who are no doubt stationed from here to Kings Landing. I warned Stannis not to attack yet but he seems dead set."
"We cannot defeat Tywin if he has Harrenhal. Even in its current state we could never storm the castle and win."
"It gets worse." Ned said.
The boys wondered how it could get worse for them besides being trapped in the Riverlands and Renly being dead.
"How so?" Robb asked.
Ned laid the parchment on the table.
"The Greyjoys have taken Winterfell..."
"What!" Both Robb and Torrhen asked at the same time.
"Ironborn took the castle with Theon at the helm."
Robb's eyes immediately widened at the mention of his lost friend. Even Torrhen was shocked. It couldn't be Theon. He would never attack Winterfell at the Stark's. Would he? Robb slammed his fists on the table angered by the betrayal of a man he saw as a friend...a brother.
"This can't be."
"It is." Catelyn replied. "Reports came from the Dreadfort,Torrhen's Square,and White Harbor."
"Damn him! Damn him to the deepest of the seven hells! How could he do this?"
"He's a Greyjoy..." Cat started. "I told you not to send him to Pyke. I told you he cannot be trusted. Now our home is gone!"
"It's not gone Cat we will get it back."' Ned said.
Just then Roose Bolton entered the tent finally arriving from the column.
"You called for me my Lord?"
"Yes Lord Bolton."
He then informed the Lord and northern General of the situation with Winterfell. And his plan to take it back.
"I will send Torrhen back North with some men to retake the castle."
Lord Bolton interjected adding his own plan.
"If we march back or send any men back now it will give Tywin even more of an advantage than he already has. Perhaps it would be better if I send word to my bastard in the Dreadfort. He can take what garrison remains and reclaim the castle in your name. If there is only a handful of men holding he castle it should be easy for him to root them out."
Ned contemplated the plan finding it better than the one he devised. From reports only twenty men held Winterfell a few hundred men could take the castle without much hassle.
"Send word to your bastard Lord Bolton. Inform him to take the castle from Theon Greyoy and I want him alive. Ensure he knows Bran and Rickon's safety is paramount."
"Of course my lord...at once."
He bowed and left the tent to send the raven to the Dreadfort.
