Kaela watched Prince Joffrey from afar, his face pinched in aggravation as he tried to better his opponent, a squire some years younger than him. They sparred with wooden swords; Joffrey clad in so much padding Kaela was surprised the blond didn't topple over. The sun was setting above them, as the King's party made camp for that eve, the Highborns not having to lift a finger. Kaela noticed the Queen observing her son from the other end of the camp, a goblet of wine clutched in her hand, her elegant fingers tapping against the gold. The King was nowhere to be seen, likely already having passed out from the amount of wine had had drunk that day. He had little care to watch Prince Joffrey sparring. Her attention was brought back to the boy in question, as the squire hit out at him, catching his fingers with his wooden sword, and causing Joffrey to lose grip of his own weapon. The squire tapped Joffrey on the chest with his wooden sword, showing in a true fight he would have killed the Prince. Joffrey seethed as this gesture, calling for a sword of steel to be brought toward him. Cersei took a few steps forward, watching intently as a Lannister guard gifted his own sword to the Prince, but she did not intervene. The squire cowered away as he realised what Joffrey had in store for him.
"Best not to look" A voice murmured from beside her, as Kaela twisted around to find Jory Cassel standing beside her, a grim look on his face.
"He's going to kill that boy for doing only as he was told. And none here will do anything to stop him" Kaela replied, in a hushed voice.
"None would be foolish enough" Jory pointed out, as Kaela's eyes flickered behind Joffrey as gold caught her eye.
Jaime Lannister stood close by, donning his full armour, his hand reaching for his own sword. Kaela watched with interest as his fingers tapped against the hilt, realising it was a tell of his. One he would do when he was angry. She wanted to shout at him to do something. That his son was his responsibility.
"His uncle should intervene" Kaela muttered.
"Which one? The uncle who has sworn to protect the King and his children or the imp half the prince's height?" Jory huffed, as Kaela let out a sigh.
"If they don't stop this behaviour whilst he's a child, what do they hope to do once he reaches adulthood?" Kaela reasoned, as Jory found he had no answer.
Kaela felt a strange chill a moment later, the feeling of eyes upon her following soon after. She cast her gaze past the Prince, who had struck his sword forward, breaking the squire's wooden weapon, and found Jaime's green eyes on her. He straightened his back when their eyes connected, as she cocked her head to the side, a challenge clear on her face. Without words, Jaime was somehow able to understand that she was daring him to act. She quirked an eyebrow in his direction when she saw how he had reached for his sword once again. A pained scream had her turning back to the squire, who was now clutching at his bloody arm, a deep cut visible beneath his fingers. Joffrey then placed his sword to the squire's neck, a callous smirk growing on his face. He was going to enjoy killing the boy.
"Perhaps a different sort of justice is necessary, my Prince" Jaime's voice called out, as all eyes turned to the Kingsguard.
"Take his hand. The one he used to strike you with" Jaime exclaimed, as a dangerous glint grew in Joffrey's eyes.
"Hound!" Joffrey screeched, as a tall man strode forward, the ground almost seeming to shake from his footfall.
Kaela's eyes were instantly drawn one side of his face which was a burned ruin of scars. Slick black flesh, pocked with craters and deep cracks that covered what used to be his cheek. His ear was only a hole with a stump, burnt away many years ago. Anger burnt behind the man's eyes as he marched over to the squire, grabbing his arm with one hand, and in a matter of seconds, the young boy's hand was lying in the grass, his wrist left with a bloody stump. The Prince's grin grew wider at the sight, seeming enthralled by the way the squire screamed. But still, he was alive. Kaela watched as Jaime stormed away from the sight, his jaw tense, gaze cast to the ground. It took Kaela a few moments to realise he seemed to be heading toward her. She held her breath as he approached her, a stony expression on his handsome features.
"The squire would have been better off dead. A boy with only one hand will not last long" Jaime muttered, before breezing past her.
"Perhaps he will surprise you" Kaela called after him, but Jaime did not turn around.
With a shake of her head, she noted the odd look Jory sent her way, clearly wondering why a Lannister would speak to her. Her cheeks flushed as she refused to look at him, not wanting to answer his question. She was quick to realise that was a mistake, as sharp green eyes found her from across the crowd. A chill went down her spine when she saw they belonged to none other than the Queen.
She truly needed to learn to keep her mouth shut.
"You're going to rip out all my hair!" Arya cried, as Kaela continued to brush her brunette locks, tutting lightly.
"Nonsense. Besides, if you hadn't been rolling in the mud this morning your hair would not be so tangled" Kaela explained, beginning to braid the young girl's hair.
"Mycah said that I—" Arya began, when Sansa interrupted her.
"The butcher's boy? It's not proper or ladylike to spend so much time with a commoner. Especially one as dirty as that boy" Sansa scolded, as Arya twisted around to stick her tongue out at her sister.
"He's my friend. Not that you would understand the term" Arya muttered.
"What does that mean?" Sansa gaped.
"Girls, enough. What will the Queen think if you continue to squabble like this?" Kaela pointed out, causing Sansa's cheeks to redden.
"You must be on your best behaviour this eve, Arya. It is a great honour to break our fast with the Queen and her children" Sansa insisted, as Kaela and Arya shared a knowing look.
"Are you perhaps thinking of one of her children in particular, my Lady?" Kaela teased, as Sansa's flushed deepened.
The young Stark's had been given their summons early that morning, as a squire had handed them an invitation to eat with the Queen in the Wheelhouse. Kaela was thankful there was no mention of Robert joining them, hating the idea of the two children being left alone with the King. After all, she knew he had no issue with the murder of children. Still, it concerned her that the invitation had not been extended to Ned Stark, leaving the girls defenceless against the Queen's careful words. She could only hope that neither would put their foot in their mouths.
"Do you really think the Prince will speak with me?" Sansa asked, in a hopeful tone.
"You are his betrothed. One would hope you might exchange words before the wedding" Kaela huffed.
"He's so wonderful. Brave. Strong—" Sansa started, in a dreaming tone.
"Yes, he appeared very strong when he commanded the Hound to remove the squire's hand. What a lovely sight it was" Kaela mumbled.
"He was only doing as his uncle asked" Sansa told her, defensively.
"If Ser Jaime had not intervened the boy would have his lost his head instead of his hand" Kaela pointed out, realising she sounded just as defensive as Sansa.
"It is not your place to comment on the prince's actions" Sansa snapped, as Kaela lowered her eyes to the ground.
"Yes, my Lady" Kaela nodded, pulling her attention back to braiding Arya's wild hair.
"Kaela's right. Joffrey's horrible. Why would you want to marry someone so...pompous?" Arya questioned, as Sansa gave her a scandalised look.
"A rather big word from you, Little Lady. Who taught you it?" Kaela interjected, not wanting the sisters to descend into another fight.
"Mycah" Arya admitted, as Sansa began to roll her eyes.
"You're only jealous because I will be Queen one day. And Joffrey and I will have beautiful golden-haired babies" Sansa explained.
Kaela instantly paled at the thought, panic coursing through her when she realised the danger Sansa could unknowingly find herself in. If she did marry Joffrey, and bear his children...what would become of them if Robert ever found out the truth? He would surely have Joffrey executed, his little children too, perhaps even Sansa if Ned could not persuade him otherwise.
"What does your father think of the match, Lady Sansa?" Kaela inquired.
"He wants to make the King happy" Sansa shrugged, without a care in the world.
"I'm sure he does" Kaela mumbled, pulling a little tighter on Arya's braid, her mind travelling elsewhere.
Soon enough, the Queen's handmaidens came to fetch them and bring them to the royal Wheelhouse. All of them. Ice ran through Kaela's veins when she heard that Cersei Lannister had requested her presence alongside the Stark girls. Her fear only grew further when they approached the grand carriage, and found Jeyne, Sansa's handmaiden, nowhere to be found. The wheelhouse was a huge windowless, double-decked carriage of oiled oak and gilded metal pulled by forty heavy draft horses. It was far more extravagant than anything Kaela had seen since travelling North. She ascended the wooden stairs into the carriage with wide eyes, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. On one side were small beds piled high with furs and plump pillows, wooden partitions separating them, children's toys littered atop the sheets. On the other side of the carriage was a raised dais, and a far larger bed, fitted with plush red sheets, embroidered with golden thread. A grand table lay in between the beds, already filled with all types of fruit and bread.
The Queen was sat at the head of the table, dressed already in a beautiful crimson gown, the neckline gilded with metal, emphasising the swell of her breasts. Young Myrcella sat on Cersei's left, appearing half asleep, and Joffrey on her other side, as he brought a goblet to his lips, barely glancing at the girls. The Queen's handmaidens ushered the Stark girls forward, pulling out their chairs for them, placing metal plates in front of them. Needing to do something with her hands, Kaela strode forward to pour a drink for Arya, who gave her a nervous smile, clearly feeling uncomfortable at all the fuss.
"Doesn't Lady Sansa look beautiful this morning?" Cersei exclaimed, the question directed at Joffrey, who did little more than hum in agreement.
"Thank you, Your Grace" Sansa smiled, sweetly.
"Where's Tommen?" Arya asked, more bluntly than Kaela appreciated.
"He is out hunting with the King. Robert wishes for him to get a taste of blood at a tender age" Cersei explained.
"Did you not wish to join him, Your Grace?" Sansa pushed, looking to Joffrey with doe eyes.
"Father is already aware of my skills in hunting. There was no need for me to travel with them" Joffrey responded, sharply.
Kaela found herself doubting the prince's words, knowing the boy preferred others to do his dirty work. She did her best to keep her distaste for Joffrey off her face, taking her place beside the other handmaidens. She noticed how they took a step back from her, their noses turned up in disgust. If she were not in the presence of royalty, she might have scoffed at their reaction. A soft giggle had Kaela turning to find Princess Myrcella laughing, her gaze upon Arya who had leaned forward to grab a chicken leg, tearing into it with her teeth, grease dripping down her chin. Grimacing, Kaela strode forward, picking up a nearby napkin and dabbing at Arya's chin, before placing a knife and fork in her hands. Most of the time she could care less about making sure Arya kept up with her ladylike manners, but in front of the Queen? She had to make sure the young Stark acted appropriately.
"Stop fussing, girl" Cersei exclaimed, as Kaela dropped her hands to her sides, standing up straighter.
"I beg your pardon, your Grace" Kaela replied, bowing her head toward the Queen.
"What a strange accent you have. I can't quite place it" Cersei murmured, as Kaela dared to look into her green eyes.
"I hail from Volantis" Kaela told her.
"Ah, yes. A foreigner. Quite a pretty little thing, aren't you? For a handmaiden" Cersei stated, as Kaela took note of the backhanded compliment.
"You honour me, Your Grace" Kaela said, forcing a smile onto her lips, which didn't meet her eyes.
"I hear you believe in the Red God. A savage religion. I do hope you do not speak of such vile things to the Stark children" Cersei went on, as Kaela bit her inner cheek.
"One cannot help what one believes" Kaela responded.
"Is it true that your Red Priestesses burn commonfolk from dusk till dawn?" Joffrey piped up, curiously.
"They burn away the sins of all who speak out against the Lord of Light" Kaela informed him, causing the prince's eyes to light up.
"And what does that sound like? I've never heard a man burnt alive before. They must scream quite loudly" Joffrey grinned, gleefully.
The King has.
The words were dangerously close to falling from her lips. The Prince was proving to be even more sadistic than Kaela realised. Perhaps it was the result of his incestuous birth. Kaela felt bile rising up in her throat at the thought of her own consummation, wondering if she too would turn out like Joffrey one day. Her madness could have been growing inside her day by day and she would not know until it was too late.
"We should not discuss such horrors this morn" Cersei scolded her eldest child.
"Of course, Your Grace" Kaela nodded, taking a step back, wanting to get as far away from the Queen as possible.
The woman had an uncanny ability at making her skin crawl. Whether it was the knowledge of what power the Queen had or what she did in the dark with her brother—
"Twice now I have seen you speaking to Jaime. Tell me, what does a handmaiden speak with a knight about?" Cersei spoke up, her sharp voice making Kaela flinch.
"...The Mad King" Kaela answered, with a half-truth.
"What a strange conversation that must be. And why do you have such an interest in that monster?" Cersei pushed.
"He was one of the most loyal followers of the Lord of Light. Or so I have heard. I wanted to know the truth of it" Kaela explained.
"Why?" Cersei insisted.
"As you said, your Grace, we should not discuss such things in front of children" Kaela exclaimed, as Cersei quirked an elegant eyebrow.
"I imagine my brother quite likes you, doesn't he?" Cersei mumbled; her lips curled up into a sinister smile.
There was hatred in the Queen's eyes, and something else that took a little longer for Kaela to pick up on. Jealousy. She wondered how it was possible that she was the only one in the Wheelhouse to pick up on Cersei's true emotions. She was sure if the Queen had a knife in her hands, Kaela would find herself bleeding in the blink of an eye.
"In fact, I do. You know me so well, sweet sister" A new voice spoke, as all eyes glanced toward the Wheelhouse doors to see Tyrion sauntering up the stairs.
"And to what do we owe the honour of presence?" Cersei drawled.
"Is it crime to wish to spend time with one's family?" Tyrion argued, as Cersei pursed her lips.
The two quickly descended into a bickering mess, much to Arya's amusement and Kaela's relief. She dreaded to think what else Cersei might have said if her little brother had not interrupted them.
Some days later, they finally made it to the inn at the crossroads, which managed to house a third of the King's party. Kaela stayed in the tents close by with the other handmaidens, thankful to have a day's rest from riding and walking. Her tailbone felt as if it was about crack in half. The servants and handmaidens had been instructed to clean their ladies' gowns and the knights' cloaks in the Ruby Ford. Kaela found her hands shaking as she washed a grey cloak in the waters of the Trident, and not because of the cold. Robert had killed Rhaegar in those very waters. Targaryen blood perhaps still stained the rocks beneath. Her cousin. She imagined her life would have been quite different if the Prince had lived.
"Which dumb cunt thought to take my cloak?" A voice roared, as Jeyne startled beside Kaela.
"We were instructed to wash all the knights—" A servant spoke up, clamping their lips shut as a tall man stormed over to them.
It was the Hound. A very angry Hound. He grabbed the servant by the collar, lifting him up in the air, all but growling at the man who looked close to tears.
"Where is my damn cloak? The one with a tear in the collar?" The Hound pushed, as Kaela looked down at the cloth in her own hands, her eyes growing wide.
"Qogralbar" Kaela whispered, realising it was she who had the Hound's cloak.
"Ser!" Kaela exclaimed, pushing herself to her feet, holding the cloak out to him.
"What the fuck am I supposed to do with this, girl?" The Hound grumbled, coming to loom over her, more than a foot taller than Kaela.
"I can dry it for you, Ser" Kaela mumbled, feeling a slither of fear.
"Hurry up with it then" The Hound insisted, as Kaela gave a curt nod, rushing over to a nearby fire where other handmaidens were drying the clothes.
She hung the cloak above the fire, careful not to let the edges touch the flames. She shook her head in annoyance as she saw how badly the fire had been built and grabbed a few pieces of wood that had been piled up nearby. She knew stacking the wood in the shape of a triangle would help the flames burn hotter and cause the cloak to dry quicker. She placed the first piece of wood in the fire, as the flames licked at her fingers. A strangled noise could be heard from behind her as she saw the Hound had taken a step back, his eyes narrowed as they watched her fingers closely.
"You shouldn't stand so close to the fire" He warned, as Kaela's own eyes flickered to the scars on his face.
"The flames do not frighten me, Ser" Kaela told him.
"Then you're a dumb cunt" The Hound muttered, as she huffed out a laugh.
"A dumb cunt who is capable of drying her own clothes" Kaela responded, as the Hound gave her an unimpressed look.
"You Stark's would do well to watch your words" The Hound stated, causing Kaela's forehead to wrinkle.
"What does that mean?" Kaela questioned.
"The Queen doesn't like Northerners. People that the Queen doesn't like, don't last long in King's Landing" The Hound explained.
"I suppose it's a good thing I'm not Stark then" Kaela retorted.
"Don't burn my damn cloak, girl" The Hound mumbled, before turning on his heel and walking away.
Kaela snorted in response, adding a few more pieces of wood to the fire, enjoying the comforting heat the flames gave off. It didn't take long for her gaze to fall back on the Ruby Ford, wondering if there was any chance of her drowning the King in the river. It would seem quite poetic.
"Making friends, commoner?" Jeyne mocked, as she stepped past her.
"Aspo" Kaela muttered, under her breath.
"What did you say?" Jeyne frowned, turning back around to face her.
"Nothing, Jeyne. Perhaps you are hearing things" Kaela replied, with a slight smirk.
"Come on, Nymeria" Kaela sighed, as the direwolf stayed where she was, tilting her head to one side.
"You're a bloody direwolf, why can't you just relieve yourself by the tents like Lady?" Kaela complained, as the wolf whined at her.
"Look, I'll turn around, alright?" Kaela suggested, twisting around to look away from Nymeria.
"I don't hear anything, have you...where are you going?" Kaela exclaimed, looking out of the corner of her eye to see Nymeria sneaking off into the foliage.
"Nymeria! The sun will be rising soon, I want to go back to sleep...wait!" Kaela called out to the direwolf who was walking further into the forest.
Nymeria hated being alone. All the direwolves did. They were pack animals after all. And that meant they expected someone to stay with them when they relieved themselves as they were vulnerable. Unfortunately for Kaela, that often meant she was woken in the night by a course tongue licking her face and bright eyes glaring down at her.
"You're worse than a child" Kaela scolded, finding Nymeria had stopped beside a tree.
She noticed the stiff arch of Nymeria's back, and the soft growl from the direwolf's lips quickly. Something was wrong. She stood beside the large creature, placing her hand on Nymeria's soft fur and peeked past the tree they were standing behind. She frowned when she saw torches in the distance, burning bright in the otherwise pitch-black forest. Who else would be walking around so late? Ushering Nymeria forward, the two crept closer to the torches, careful to stay low to the ground and quiet.
"And the necklace too!" A voice yelled from nearby, causing Kaela to come to a halt.
She hid behind a nearby tree, narrowing her eyes as they just adjusted to the darkness and soon found a man dressed up in furs, a sword in his hand. A rustling sound from nearby had her head snapping up to find another man brandishing a bow and arrow, hidden behind some foliage. It was an ambush she realised.
"In fact, why not the whole dress?" Another voice sneered, as Kaela counted at least three more men.
Crouching down to the ground, she and Nymeria shuffled closer, looking over a bush to see who the men were ambushing. Her mouth went slack as she found the first man holding his sword to the Queen's throat, the back of her dress already open, the strings having been untied. Jaime stood a few feet away, in only an undershirt which was also gaping open, tugging his breeches over his hips. It didn't take Kaela long to realise what they had been doing before they had been found. Now with a better view, she could see eight men all dressed in similar grey furs, far outnumbering the two. She had seen men wearing such clothes before. Wildlings. What in the Red God's name were they doing so far south?
"Leave her be!" Jaime snapped, taking a step forward, as the Wildling closest to him, shoved the handle of his axe into the knight's stomach.
"It's been a while since I had a woman. Especially one with so many pretty teeth" The first Wildling grinned, reaching out to press his dirty hands to Cersei's cheek.
Kaela's mind raced as she debated what to do. She should have hated the Lannister's. They helped to destroy her family. She should let the Wildling's kill them both, relish in their deaths. But as the Wildling tugged at Cersei's dress, Kaela found herself placing her hand on Nymeria's fur, ushering her forward toward the man with the bow hidden in the trees. The direwolf didn't need any more encouragement and began to stalk toward the unsuspecting man. Kaela stood to her feet, pulling her dagger out from under her gown, sucking in a deep breath.
"Mīsagon nyke, Āeksiot Ōño (Protect me, Lord of Light)" She whispered under her breath, before stepping out of the shadows.
In the blink of an eye, she had rushed forward, and sliced into the neck of the nearest Wildling, her dagger cutting through his skin like knife to butter. Blood spurted out of his neck, drenching her hands, his choked gasp causing all eyes to turn to her. Another scream came from the bushes a moment later, as the Wildling with the bow fell forward, as Nymeria ripped out the side of his throat with her razor-sharp teeth. Using the distraction to his advantage, Jaime headbutted the Wildling that had hit him, before sending his elbow into the man's face, causing him to stumble backwards. He wrestled with the Wildling for a few seconds, before getting the upper hand and using the axe to cut into the man's abdomen, his guts spilling out onto the floor.
"Don't any of you fucking move!" A cry called out, as Kaela watched the Wildling near Cersei press his sword against the Queen's neck.
Kaela then realised it was in fact Jaime's own sword that was nicking his sister's throat, a thin line of blood running down her collarbone. Kaela's hands were moving before she had time to think, as she raised her dagger up before sending it hurtling through the air. She had been aiming for the Wildling's face, but instead the knife lodged itself into his throat, cutting in deep. The man instantly dropped the sword, flopping to his knees as he desperately gasped for breath.
"Run, Cersei! Bring the guards!" Jaime insisted.
With a sob, Cersei was jumping over the Wildling's bleeding body and racing off into the dark forest without another word. Jaime instantly threw his axe forward, slicing another Wildling's face open, seeming far less panicked than he had moments ago. Now he knew his sister was safe.
Three Wildling's remained...and two of them were creeping toward her, while she held no weapons in her hands. She backed up a step, her eyes drifted to Jaime, finding he was duelling with the other man, axe hitting against axe.
"Kaela, behind you!" Jaime's sharp warning came only seconds before she felt something sharp against her throat.
With a scream she realised a Wildling she hadn't spotted had snuck up on her, their knife pressed against her throat. She reached up to grip the blade in her hands, crying out as the knife cut into her palms. Hurling her arm backward, she managed to elbow the man in the stomach, her leg kicking out against his knee seconds after. The man stumbled back a pace, the knife being drawn away from her neck. Just as he was steadying himself, Kaela spat in his face, blinding him for a moment, meaning she could grab the knife in his hand. She wrenched it free from his hand, and a moment later, planted it in the Wildling's eye, cutting off his scream just as it left his lips. Turning back to the other two Wildlings, her hands bleeding and only a small knife to defend herself, it didn't look good.
"Come on, then. What are you fucking waiting for?" Kaela goaded, backing up a few steps, bringing herself close to the body of man she had killed with her dagger.
"I'm gonna' enjoy killing you" The Wildling muttered, as Kaela reached down to retrieve her knife.
"My thoughts exactly" Kaela muttered, causing the men to laugh, her eyes flickering to the flaming torch one of them still held in their hands.
"You really think you can kill us with those little knives?" The nearest Wildling grinned.
"No..." Kaela trailed off, opening the jewel on her dagger, the last remanent of red substance dropping onto her palm.
"Death by fire is the purest death of all" Kaela mumbled, before sending her hand flying out, the red substance hurtling through the air and toward the open flames.
Jaime's eyes widened in horror as he watched as the flames burst into life, exploding outwards and engulfing both men's heads. Their blood-curdling screams didn't last long as the fire soon burnt through their skin quicker than anything Jaime had seen in years. Both men fell to the knees as the flames burnt through their clothes and bodies alike, until there was nothing left of them but a scorched corpse. He hobbled forward toward Kaela, black smoke having coated her cheeks but somehow being otherwise unharmed. She had been so close to flames. She should have been burnt too.
"Put that dagger away before the King arrives" Jaime warned her, as she looked down to jewel encrusted knife.
"Why?" She questioned.
"Because I imagine even a drunkard like Robert Baratheon will recognise the dagger that has been passed down the Targaryen line" Jaime scoffed, as Kaela's eyes doubled in size.
"I...It is only a...double...the real thing was lost long ago. Was it not?" Kaela stuttered, as Jaime reached down to grab her hand, bringing the knife up close to both their faces.
"You really think I of all people wouldn't recognise Valyrian steel?" Jaime muttered, watching as Kaela's mouth went slack.
"Or Princess Elaena's bastard daughter?" Jaime exclaimed.