When they arrived in King's Landing and traveled through the city, Aldarra looked around herself at the squalor and the smell of shit and piss. She says to Tyrion, "You live in this shit hole?" Bronn chuckles.

Tyrion said arrogantly, "I do not live in this 'shithole' as you say, my lady. I have to work here. I prefer to live at Casterly Rock. This is just a passing area threw to the Red Keep."

Aldarra said, "This is what misery looks and smells like."

Tyrion said, "Yes, I suppose it does indeed. Whilst you're here, I am under instructions by my father to get you a handmaiden and get you a full wardrobe made. Shae can be your handmaiden. She can be mine at night." They rode on.

Aldarra said angrily, "I don't want to be here that long. I hate this place and your father for stealing my weapons, my life and my freedom."

Tyrion said condescendingly, "Yes, yes. We have all heard this before, but you have no choice. My father has seen to it. You're going to just love how disturbing my family is. It will give you much shocking entertainment watching what they do to each other and other people. I will drop you off in my rooms with Shae and go greet my family. When I return, I'll have your room cleaned in the Tower of the Hand for you to stay in and eat supper. I will be moving around there tomorrow anyway. You'll have two guards outside your door and go with you at all times for your protection." She groaned. Aldarra had a definite sinking feeling that she wasn't going to be able to get out of here as easily as she got in here.

—--

After the small council meeting stopped, Tyrion had talked with Cersei. He told her of their father's twenty and five number days old ward, Aldarra Blackthorne, found in the woods at High Heart. They had to keep her safe under his protection unharmed until he returned from fighting. He informed her that she will be staying in the Hands Tower. Cersei asked why he was keeping a woman from a dead house. Tyrion said that he had his reasons and to ask him when he returns because he did not tell him. Cersei told him of the second Stark girl, Arya, escaping them. He pointed out how they had three Stark's to trade for Jamie being captured, but she and her son killed one, let one escape and that she is to blame when their father gets back. Cersei frowned.

—--

Aldarra and Shae were bored looking at things in Tyrion's rooms. Aldarra found a dagger and slid it discreetly under the cuff of her sleeve. She was sick of being unarmed.

Tyrion and Bronn walked in the door and he said, "Did you both miss me?" Shae is looking out from the balcony in Tyrion's room.

Shae says to Tyrion, "This city stinks like dead bodies."

Tyrion lifted an eyebrow and said, "A bit corpsey, yes." He filled his cup with wine.

She said, "And like Aldarra said, shit." Shae hops down from the balcony, and walks back into the room.

Tyrion asked, "I thought you wanted to come here."

She replied smiling, "I love it."

Tyrion is surprised at her and asks, "You love the smell of dead bodies and shit?" Aldarra looks at Shae, wondering what she will have come out of her mouth next. She thought she was shockingly funny.

Shae said grinning, "And cum and garlic and rum."

Tyrion was surprised and asked, "You can smell cum from the balcony?"

She said, "I love the stink. I love the noise. Cities make me want to fuck."

Tyrion replied, "And so did the country." Shae lays back on Tyrion's bed.

Aldarra asked, "Can you both hold off until I have somewhere to sleep and food? It would be appreciated."

Bronn said, "I agree."

Shae sighed and said, "This is where I belong."

Tyrion said informing her, "Yes, well, you both need to be careful here. No one can know you're here, Shae. You are to be Aldarra's handmaiden and sleep here with me." He was taking off his doublet and down to his shirt.

She said, sighing again, "No one will know."

Tyrion wagged his finger at both women and said seriously, "Both of you can't trust anyone in King's Landing. They're all liars; good liars, bad liars, one or two great liars."

Shae asked, "What about you?"

Aldarra leaned forward from her chair and said, "Yes, what about you?"

Tyrion balked and said, "Me? I'm not from here. I'm a slave to the truth."

Shae and Aldarra laughed. Shae said, "Truth? You are the biggest little liar I have ever met."

Tyrion asked her, "Why do you think I am so little? I'm being crushed beneath the weight of all that truth." Aldarra rolled her eyes at him.

Tyrion said, pointing to the bed Shae was on, "The bed is one of the many changes we'll have to make around here." There was a knock on the door and Bronn opened it to servants bringing dinner for them all with wine.

—--

A servant boy is seen scrubbing something on the floor, as Baelish walks down a hallway next to a courtyard. Cersei and some kingsguard approach from behind. Cersei said in greetings, "Lord Baelish."

Baelish replied bowing, "Your Grace." he stopped and turned around.

Cersei asked him, "I wonder if I might ask you for a couple favors of you."

Baelish replied subtly smiling, "Of course, Your Grace."

Cersei inquired, "Ned Stark's youngest daughter Arya... we can't seem to locate her." Baelish begins walking with Cersei and her guards.

He said, spreading his hands open, "If she's escaped the capital, Winterfell seems the logical destination."

Cersei said, "And yet my friends in the North report no sign of her."

Baelish replied, "Curious."

Cersei told him, "If we choose to negotiate with the Starks, the girl has some value. Whoever finds her, well, you know what they say about Lannisters and debts. The other thing is a woman named Aldarra Blackthorne was found in the woods by my father and is being placed under his protection for some reason. I want you to find out as much as you can about her."

Baelish replied smiling smugly, "Well, you could ask Varys where Arya Stark is and if he knows anything about this Blackthorne lady. He'll have an answer for you. Whether you believe it… Myself, I have always had a hard time trusting eunuchs. Who knows what they want?

Cersei points to a pin on Baelish's shirt and says, "A mockingbird, hmm? You created your own sigil, didn't you?"

Baelish smiled and said, "Yes."

Cersei said, "Appropriate for a self-made man with so many songs to sing."

Baelish was full of himself being complimented and told her, "I'm glad you like it. Some people are fortunate enough to be born into the right family. Others have to find their own way."

Cersei said snidely, "I heard a song once about a boy of modest means who found his way into the home of a very prominent family. He even loved the eldest daughter. Sadly, she had eyes for another."

Baelish replied with his masked smile on, "When boys and girls live in the same home, awkward situations can arise. Sometimes, I've heard, even brothers and sisters develop certain affections. And when these affections become common knowledge, well, that is an awkward situation, indeed. Especially in a prominent family. But prominent families often forget a simple truth, I've found."

Cersei was curious about his answer and asked, "And which truth is that?"

He said smugly, "Knowledge is power."

Cersei shouted, "Seize him." Her guards seize Baelish. She said, "Cut his throat." A guard holds a knife to Baelish's neck.

Cersei said, "Stop. Wait. I've changed my mind. Let him go." The guards let Baelish go and her is nervous. She commanded, "Step back three paces. Turn around. Close your eyes." The guards do as Cersei says. She said arrogantly to Baelish. "And power is power. Do see if you can take some time away from your coins and your whores to locate the Stark girl and get me the information on Aldarra Blackthorne for me. I would very much appreciate it." Cersei walks away from Baelish, her guards following close behind. The servant boy scrubbing the floor looks up at Baelish for a moment and continues his scrubbing.

—--

After a couple of days, Aldarra had been poked and prodded by the dress makers for dresses and small clothes measurements. Shae would come to her room and they would talk. They were both sitting on her bed.

Shae asked her, "You ever sleep with a man?"

Aldarra said, "No, I don't like people at all. People mean trouble. I keep myself most of the time. I have had to avoid men most of the time in the forests. I was a traveler living off the land and staying in an inn from time to time or camping. I can fight pretty well with a sword, knife and bow."

Shae said frowning, "That sounds lonely."

Aldarra smiled and said, "No, I have animals all around me and a horse for company. I like everything quiet since my family died."

Shae sighed, "You teach me how to use a knife?"

Aldarra said, "You need to find yourself a dagger first. I will show you how to defend yourself. I will be right back." Shae nodded. Aldarra wanted a book to read whilst being bored.

Aldarra went out of her room to get a book and caught a large bald man coming out of Tyrion's quarters. He said smiling, "And who do we have here? I am Lord Varys." Aldarra fake curtseyed and smiled at him being she was still in her black men's clothes.

Aldarra said, "Lady Aldarra Blackthorne, my Lord."

Varys smiled his masked smile and wondered what she was doing here. If he recalled all Blackthorne members were killed by Aerys II. Odd for her to be here but there was a daughter and she seemed the right age now. He knew that Tywin took over the keep and all property of the Blackthornes. Though she is a very pretty woman with mesmerizing eyes. Hmmm… interesting.

Varys asked her, "What are you doing here, my dear Lady. I didn't think any of the Blackthornes survived and it is a dead house now?"

Aldarra said, "I am not here of my own free will if I can ever get my sword, Darkstar, from Tywin Lannister. He stole it and is calling me a ward, but I'm a prisoner until I can get it back and leave."

Varys said frowning, "A sad tale. But are you now safer under someone's protection, are you not?"

Aldarra said angrily, "I was fine without his protection and on my own for eight years living off the land and traveling. I am weapons proficient. I avoid people when I can. They are nothing but warmongers full of violence."

Varys nodded, "They are indeed, my lady. Only trust yourself whilst you are here. The people are all corrupt or craven." She nodded, agreeing.

She said, "I will take that advice. Thank you kindly, my Lord Varys." Aldarra curtsied fakely to him again. He smiled because he liked something about her.

He bowed and smiled saying, "Wonderful to meet you and have a nice day, Lady Blackthorne." She smiled at him as he left out the door. She went and got a book, taking it back to her room.

She asked Shae, "Do you know how to read and write, Shae?"

Shae said, "A little bit."

She said, "I'll teach you some more if you like?" Shae smiled at her and nodded.

Shae said smiling, "And I'll teach you about men." Aldarra nodded.

An hour later, Tyrion was walking by her door and heard laughing and giggling. He shook his head and smiled but went to his small council meeting.