There were plenty of pros and cons when it came to being a Lannister, in Weiss' humble opinion. The Lannisters of Casterly Rock were one of the greatest houses in all of the Seven Kingdoms, just being a member of a cadet branch allowed Weiss plenty of privileges, especially since her family ruled as Lords of Lannisport. Weiss' new last name would ensure that other lords and ladies show her due respect, even if their own power rivaled that of the Lannisters of Lannisport. The Queen was Lord Tywin's daughter, and Prince Joffrey would soon rule the Seven Kingdoms after King Robert passed away.

And the Gold Keep was a fine place to live in, complete with all the luxuries that Weiss was used to as a Schnee, except in a much archaic style. She missed having a scroll to watch television on, and electricity. Yet, she was a prisoner in her own lands, with all of her rights and decision making being in the hands of her parents, more specifically, her Father. So a simple trip down into the city proper, would be no simple matter, not with a Lannister and their ego in charge. Not that Weiss had any reason to complain, she knew that people here and in her past life would consider her arrogant, but that would just be scratching the surface of her personality, which she kept well hidden. Still, it could've been a lot worse. She could've been born to a smallfolk family, and from what she'd heard her parents talking about, well, that would not have ended well for her.

"Are you excited my lady?" Alysanne Lefford asked, turning her dark green eyes away from the opening in their carriage. Weiss' companion, or handmaid, was the heiress to the Gold Tooth, and was older by two name days. She arrived a year ago, to become friends or something. Weiss found the concept charming, and somewhat clever; get kids of the same social strata interacting with one another from a young age, and it would smooth relationships down the line.

"Of course." Weiss gave her a small smile, she was long used to hiding her actual emotions. Still, Alysanne was nice, friendly even. "I was hoping we would be able to pass by a bakery, and see what treats we could find."

"I hear that the apples from the Reach are the sweetest this season." Alis Peckledon added, she was Weiss' other lady-in-waiting. She came from a minor, knightly family from the lands near Crakehall, and was sent to Lannisport shortly after her brother was born, probably to eventually gain the attention of a Lannister from the Rock. "I can smell the apple cakes already." She sighed at that, her eyes turning foggy. Whether from homesickness, or something else, was uncertain.

"Apple cakes do sound delicious." Weiss giggled. It was hard work, pretending to be a little girl, and hiding the fact that she was actually a battle hardened warrior. Though on the other hand, getting a chance at relaxing somewhat was appealing. Weiss had been through a lot in her short previous life, after all, watching all of her friends die before she followed them.

The white haired Lannister looked out the window, pulling back the curtain that hid them from the world. One of her Father's knights was riding alongside in shining red and gold armor without a helmet, Ser Tylan Lannett, if Weiss remembered correctly. He was an older man, the blonde hair on his side whiskers now turning a strange shade of gray.

"My Lady." Ser Tylan gave her a curt nod. He kept his gaze aimed forward, but that didn't stop him from forming a kind smile, hidden from the dozens of mounted men-at-arms that rode behind the wheelhouse. Weiss felt the numbers were a bit excessive, but to be honest, an overprotective father wasn't as bad as a neglectful one by far.

"Ser Tylan." Weiss returned the smile. "Could you please ask my Father if we could get some apple cakes before we return to the castle?" That would be hours from now, considering they weren't even halfway to the docks, but asking now to prepare for later wouldn't hurt. Plus, after a day in the hot sun around the docks, some apple cakes would be what a 'normal' kid her age would order. Also what she would've ordered back home, she had a sweet tooth.

"Your wish is my command, my Lady Lannister." Ser Tylan winked, and urged his horse onward, his spot being taken by a red cloak wearing a half-helm in the style of the Westerlands. Weiss returned the curtains to their original place and turned her attention back to her friends.

"The weather is so lovely today, a perfect time to visit the docks." Alysanne continued speaking, her small hands in her lap. She wore a light green dress decorated with a yellow sun and a golden necklace.

"I agree." Alis said. Thankfully, both of Weiss' companions seemed to get along well, at least in her presence. Having to deal with two prepubescent preteens that hated each other would've been annoying to deal with. "The water must look like sapphires." The brown haired girl wore a yellow dress, which didn't contrast well with her hair color or complexion.

The Golden Tooth and Peckledon lands were far from the coast, so their visit to the docks and the water in general amazed both girls. Yet, even with such light conversations with her friends, Weiss kept her back straight and her posture correct. She was sure she looked every bit a noble lady, Weiss had an image to uphold.

Heh, that Lannister arrogance must've been rubbing off on her. It was either that or her past memories as a Schnee. They could be hard to tell apart sometimes.

Weiss lost track of time, being engrossed in conversations about which of her Father's knights was in love with a kitchen maid, or whether apple cakes were better than lemon cakes. All three unanimously agreed that apple cakes were much tastier, having already eaten a large amount of lemon cakes when they were much younger. The wheelhouse came to a sudden stop.

"Oh, we must have arrived." Weiss said, her mask of a fake smile etched onto her face, like a statue. She was anxious to get some real intelligent conversation, sweet tooth or not, if she had to spend the ride back discussing pastries, someone would die.

"How exciting!" Alis exclaimed with subdued glee, their Septa had been imparting plenty of wisdom on how to be a proper lady. Most of it was misogynistic and archaic by Weiss' standards.

The door that led to the outside opened, revealing Ser Tylan's weathered face. He was old enough to have served as a squire during the War of the Ninepenny Kings, and often told stories whenever Weiss wished for a bit of real violence in her life. Surprisingly, he didn't mind, probably because it was a change in pace from having to talk to squires about much the same stories.

"My Lady." He offered her his hand, to help Weiss safely dismount the wheelhouse. She gracefully took it, and was soon standing on the ground. The mud squelched beneath her shoes, and she was secretly glad to not be wearing her usual clothes. Getting mud stains out of white clothes was its own special torment, one that annoyed the serving girls. "Lord Lannister agreed to pass by the street of bread once his business was done." Ser Tylan whispered.

"Thank you." Weiss chirped, her best attempt at imitating a little girl. Ser Tylan said nothing else, but smiled as he helped Alysanne and Alis down the short stairs, as a true knight would. Truely a model of chivalry everywhere. She had to admit, it felt nice having someone show her proper manners like this and not for some subtle reasons. It reminded her of Jau-

She shifted her mind away from those thoughts. She was a Schnee and a Lannister. She couldn't show emotions, not here. Maybe later, once she was back in her home. Conceal, don't feel, as Ruby used to joke.

She suddenly formed a grimace, as the smell of rotten fish,seawater, and all the usual smells of a city decided to assault her nostrils. It took all of her self control to not start gagging on the spot. Thankfully, Weiss had prepared herself for a situation such as this. She had a handkerchief, a small blue cloth with a snowflake embroidered that she had sprayed with a bit of perfume before she left the Gold Keep. It matched the light blue dress Weiss wore, with long sleeves and a lion beside a snowflake on the bodice, a copy of her glyphs.

Weiss held the handkerchief close to her nose, breathing slowly, allowing the expensive perfumes to cleanse her nostrils of the scent of blood and rotten fish. Among other things. Was this what it was like for Blake and the other faunus? Certainly would explain a few things in hindsight. At least Lannisport was cleaner than Kings Landing, Weiss had heard the rumors about its infamous smell. Someone chuckling pulled Weiss out of her thoughts.

"Prepared I see." Father approached, his horse being tended to by a young squire, a small boy with a head of brown hair. Ser Larys Lantell stood a few paces behind, his thick yellow beard hiding most of his face. Commander Tytos of the City Watch stood beside him, he looked younger than Tylan, but not by much with a hairless head and a clean shaven face.

"Yes Father." Weiss briefly removed the handkerchief to give him a curtsey. Alysanne and Alis followed, dipping a bit lower than she did.. "I hope I haven't embarrassed you, this is my first time visiting the docks, and I wasn't sure what the smell would be like." Alysanne and Alis remained silent, knowing better than to complain

Father eyed the handkerchief for a few seconds before deciding to speak. "I only wish you had prepared one for me." He jested, earning a true smile from Weiss.

"Of course, Father." Weiss bowed her head once more. Pretending to be humble was a skill that these Westerosi noble ladies had mastered, their tongues and mind were their weapons, instead of swords and hammers. It was debatable which was deadlier, she'd heard rumors about the Queen of Thorns, after all.

"Come, I have much work to do." Father said, motioning Ser Tylan and Commander Tytos to follow behind them. No one would dare harm the head of a Lannister, not in the heart of the Westerlands, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Ser Tylan was in charge of defending Weiss and her companions should something happen.

"Yes Father." Weiss responded, the strength in her voice calculated, loud enough to be heard, but low enough to not be considered rude. She'd done this before, so it was child's play.

Father turned on his heel, his boots squelching in the mud until they finally reached the stone sidewalk that would lead them to the docks proper laid. Weiss followed, only a few paces behind him and Ser Larys, who never left her Father's side. Weiss' aura enhanced legs allowed her to keep up with her Father's much longer strides, never straying more than three feet behind him. Alysanne and Alis struggled, they were taller than Weiss, with much longer legs, yet they slowed the pace of Ser Tylan who was trying not to laugh.

It was then that Weiss finally allowed her eyes to wander, the sea breeze playing with her white locks of air, the salty air assaulting Weiss' skin. The smell of rotten fish got worse, but the smell of salt and Weiss' perfumed handkerchief managed to make it bearable. The Lannister fleet was massive, with ships heavily armored and decorated with golden lions. Weiss counted at least thirty large war galleys, with numerous other support ships of various sizes, the banner of the Lannisters of Casterly Rock flying on each of them. There easily could've been more.

"Do you know why we're here, Weiss?" Father spoke up, not turning his head nor slowing his speed. His light cape flowed a few inches off of the ground.

"We are here to check on the progress of the ship you had commissioned for Lord Tywin." Weiss answered after a short pause, a purposeful one. It'd be hard for a girl her age to remember exactly why, especially for a matter that did not concern them. Obviously another test for her, and one she was going to pass.

"Good, you remembered." Father continued. The stone soon turned into a fine wood. Sailors and workers crowded the docks, many scurrying in between the dromonds, repairing or preparing their ship to set sail. Many gave them second glances, and a short bow once they took notice of the entourage. The main duty of the fleet was to defend the Lannister's interest in trade from pirates and ironborn raiders. Even the most desperate pirate wouldn't pass up a ship loaded with gold coming from Lannisport if it was insufficiently escorted, retribution forthcoming or not. "The Lion's Claws should be completed by now. We are to see if it's ready to he presented to Lord Tywin, just in time for his nameday." A fitting gift for the man titled as The Shield of Lannisport.

Weiss' only response was the raising of her handkerchief to her nose, taking a deep breath of the expensive cloth. She was gifted a beautiful golden horse from Dorne for her last nameday, with a dark red coat that reminded Weiss of a certain shade of red whenever she dreamt. She named the filly, Ruby. After a few more seconds, Weiss spoke.

"Yes Father."

Eventually they reached the 'office building', where the harbormaster and the head carpenter conducted their business. After a couple more minutes of walking, Weiss' nose had finally gotten adjusted to the rancid smell, and no longer required the perfumed cloth, instead passing it off to Alysanne, as it was her right as the heiress to the Golden Tooth. While Weiss did hate the social rankings that Westerosi society imprinted on itself, there was nothing she could do but play along for now, at least until she had more influence to make minor changes in her social circles. They paused at the entrance to the building, it was two stories high, and was primarily made out of well weathered wood that stood strong against the wind of the Sunset Sea. The door itself was decorated with carvings of a roaring lion.

Father turned to look at the gathered group of ladies, knights, and men-at-arms. "Only Weiss and Ser Larys will enter with me. Ser Tylan, Ser Tytos, I leave the safety of Lady Lefford and Lady Peckledon to you two."

Ser Tylan placed his armored hand over his chest. "As you command, my Lord."

"No harm shall come to them, my Lord." Commander Tytos puffed his chest. "None shall dare to even lay a finger on them, not with the City Watch present."

That seemed to have pleased Father, who said nothing more and turned back to the door to the harbor building. Ser Larys quickly opened it, his free hand casually sitting on the pommel of his sword, castle forged steel. It took all of Weiss' control to not roll her eyes at the gaudy display of power.

At least her family wasn't as insane in this life.

A/N

If you enjoy these slightly longer chapters feel free to let me know. This was done with the help of Night_Stalker.

Beem really enjoying writing this so far.