Weiss
Blake was in Westeros. Blake Belladonna, one of Weiss' best and closest friends, was stuck in the same world as she was, a feeling which was one part joy, and one part sorrow. Blake had been in the Seven Kingdoms for over a decade, yet Weiss was only just finding out that the faunus was also stranded, literally at the opposite end of Lannisport, in the Crownlands. Weiss was thankful she wore a full helm that hid her eyes and her facial expressions, both literally, and a metaphorical one underneath the steel. After the adrenaline that had been flowing through her body for nearly three hours started to fade away, the Lannister heiress was finally able to get a glimpse of those in the Royal Box, just for her sapphire eyes to meet a pair of amber ones. Her helm did its job well since Weiss had frozen for a few seconds, which gave her enough time to compose herself before revealing her identity.
If she hadn't, then she likely would've burst out sobbing right on the field, and barged into the Royal Box to pull Blake into one of the tightest embraces ever possible, with the help of their Aura. Weiss hadn't expected King Robert to choose her own 'Prince or Princess of Love and Beauty', yet when she caught sight of Blake sitting beside the infamous Stannis Baratheon, she knew that there was only one choice for her to make.
"May I have this honor, my Lady?" Weiss asked softly, shooting the former faunus, it was weird seeing Blake without her cat ears, a subtle smirk that would likely not get picked up by anyone else.
Blake gave her a beautiful, small smile as she stood from her chair, as Lord Stannis formed a frown so severe that Weiss thought he was about to strangle her on the spot, or try to at least. She swore she could hear some grinding from where she was standing, but couldn't place it. The Baratheon girl wore an expensive black dress with gold trimming, and had a low collar that revealed a generous amount of cleavage that was surely being enjoyed by many perverts. A necklace with the Baratheon stag in gold was nestled just below her collarbone, just above her bosom. Weiss ensured her gaze remained modest, enjoying the eye contact that she had so longed for from one of Team RWBY. "You may."
The dark-haired beauty curtsied, holding the sides of her form-fitting dress, bowing her head as she did so. With trembling fingers, Weiss gently lowered the crown made out of purple lilies onto Blake's head. The Schnee's heart felt like it was about to explode when her fingers brushed against the Belladonna's hair, which had been cut short, likely in a public display of defiance against this world. Blake's hair was soft to the touch, and nearly made Weiss cry once more. She never believed she would be able to feel the touch of her friends, hear their voice, or take in their scent. It felt like a dream.
Weiss quickly returned her hands to her side, out of hope that no one would notice her fingers lingering near a Baratheon that she should have never known. Fortunately, she had made enough of a spectacle with her glyphs that everyone was too busy discussing it with those around them. Her powers were well known throughout the Westerlands, yet the origin of a rumor changed the farther away from its source it went. Weiss had already prepared for this, and at this very moment, septons were preaching and spreading the message that she had been blessed by the Seven, and that the snowflakes were the display to prove that Weiss had been chosen by the gods. It was genius, of course, and an excellent strategy to manipulate the masses despite her very public display of 'magic'.
Blake slowly straightened her back and her neck, the purple lilies blending in well with her cream-colored skin and her hair, Baratheon black. She also did her best to hide her emotions with her usual impassive face, yet her amber eyes, the very window to her soul, did little to hide the happiness that was bouncing behind them. If Blake was here, then who else came with her? Yang? Ruby? Where did they wind up? Were they also in this world? Ruby and Blake had fallen at the same time for goodness sake!
"An impressive display of magic." King Robert interrupted, he was staring at the glyph that Weiss was standing upon to be closer to Blake, who was standing at the very edge of the Royal Box, just behind the railing decorated in black and gold cloth. "If I wasn't so fat, I'd challenge you to a duel, right now, Lannister."
"As you command, your Grace." Weiss answered, bowing her head politely. "However, I'm sure your Graces martial prowess has not faltered, despite the size of your belly." King Robert laughed in return.
Ser Jaime, who stood behind the King, did little to hide a grin that earned him a scowl from Ser Barristan and, oddly enough, his sister. Cousin Tyrion matched him, rubbing his stubby little hands together, likely in anticipation of collecting all the money he won by betting on her. His sister, on the other hand, had shifted her glares to Weiss and Blake, while Prince Joffrey looked around confused. Lord Tywin, much to Weiss' surprise, seemed pleased, though the smirk he had earlier disappeared as if it had never been present. He sent Weiss a signal by rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Congratulations on your victory, Lady Lannister." Renly Baratheon, King Robert and Lord Stannis' youngest brother, said with a slow clap. Stannis followed suit, but his clapping was more measured, and she could feel his eyes on her. Perhaps those rumors of him having a magic-wielding wife and having a Red Witch on Dragonstone had some truth to them?
Great, he wanted to have a word with her now that this was over. Not that she could blame him, she had made quite a spectacle of herself. Weiss hid her frustration by biting the inside of her cheek. She needed to catch up with Blake, to spend time with her long-lost friend. But it seems that would need to be delayed, at least until later tonight.
"The victory belongs not to me, my Lord." Weiss said, her eyes giving the murmuring crowd a brief glance. "The victory belongs to the Seven Who Are One alone, for they have used me to bring them glory and honor."
"A pious girl, I see." Queen Cersei said out loud, in a tone that suggested she would rather use some less than flattering adjectives to describe her. Apparently the Queen was not at all amused at being upstaged, and by some younger girl, no less. Even so, this venom was most unusual to be expressed so publically.
"A faithful girl, your Grace." Weiss added. "The Seven have blessed House Lannister, it is only right that I live up to such a gift." Such an outward declaration of her loyalty to the family would please Lord Tywin, another source of protection. The Faith was powerful, yet Weiss knew better than to leave all of her eggs in a single basket. Especially one as ruthless as Tywin Lannister.
"The High Septon personally blessed Lady Weiss during her morning prayers, your Grace." Lord Tywin was the one to speak up this time. He stood from his seat and held his hands behind his back. "The Most Devout have also confirmed the holiness of her powers. The seven-points that she can form are more than enough proof."
King Robert rubbed one of his many chins in thought. "I should have prayed to the Warrior daily in my youth. Still, a fine melee, perhaps you can fight the Kingslayer or Ser Barristan soon. Gods that would be a sight to see."
Weiss sensed Blake taking a step closer to her, but remained silent and acted as if she didn't notice. There were too many eyes here for her to dare act. "As you command, your Grace." One Kingsguard, two Kingsguard, send all of them, it still wouldn't change the end result. Sure, Ser Jaime or Ser Barristan may force her to work for it, but it would end the same way.
Weiss wouldn't lose.
Not even a half hour later, Weiss was basically forced to enter a large, red tent decorated with golden lions. Not decorated, no, that implied some level of taste. Instead, it was emblazoned with them, almost as bad as how Jacques insisted on snowflakes anywhere he could get away with. Weiss did have to admit that she inherited that snowflake addiction, for a small while at least. Lord Tywin didn't speak as Weiss stood several feet behind him. She had been escorted to the Lannister tourney tent shortly after she changed out of her armor and into a modest, red dress.
"You fought well." Lord Tywin said after a few minutes of waiting, slowly turning around. It was one of his classic strategies when meeting with others, to show off his strength and power over them. Weiss was used to it, having seen Jacques do it to people back in Atlas. It was a bit petty, but also a firm reminder of their position. "Lord Royce and the Red Priest are established warriors, with decades of experience. Defeating them was no simple feat."
"Thank you, my Lord." Weiss answered evenly, her tone well in control. Lord Tywin slowly walked towards a desk that had been set up for him to perform his business. He had likely arranged this meeting to be held in the tent to avoid the spies of the Red Keep. Obviously he knew how infested with tunnels and secret passages the Red Keep was, being a former Hand and all, so he created an arguably more secure location for him to conduct business. Lord Varys, Lord Arryn and others must've had spies and informants everywhere.
"Why did you crown the Baratheon girl?" Lord Tywin's voice was low and hard, reminding those who heard it of his reputation for ruthless actions. He served himself a goblet of wine, the red liquid dripping into the gold.
"I would never bestow such a lowly title upon her Grace, Queen Cersei, my Lord. How could such a lowly girl name her a princess?" Weiss' lie came easily, while also avoiding the subject that she would react badly to such a snub. "And I would never dare to name Prince Joffrey. How could I, my Lord? He is to rule the Seven Kingdoms, every man would laugh and dishonor his name should a lowly girl such as myself name our future king the 'Prince of Beauty and Love.'"
Lord Tywin turned to approach Weiss, his face unreadable. He did not drink from the goblet of Arbor Gold he held in his hand. Taking the silence as a prompt, Weiss chose to continue defending her position.
"Had Princess Myrcella attended, I would have chosen her." Weiss continued speaking, her voice growing more confident as she did so. Lord Tywin would have interrupted her by now if he didn't like her reasoning. "Lady Baratheon is her cousin, and the only reasonable choice left." And naming any single lord or knight would make it seem like she was trying to arrange her marriage, on top of arguably insulting them by claiming they were princesses. Add in the fates of her last would be husbands, and she might have to knock someone out to crown them the Princess of Love and Beauty. Truly, it would be novel, admittedly, but it would not end well. It would be inappropriate to do so by Westerosi standards, as Father, Mother and Rosamund were in Lannisport.
"Clever girl." Lord Tywin extended the goblet, which she carefully took with both hands. "You made the Lannister name proud. No woman has ever been the champion of a melee, not even Alysanne Blackwood or Sabitha Frey." To name another man would've been an insult, and have their names laughed at by any drunk who was deep in their cups.
"Thank you, my Lord." Weiss narrowed her eyes when Lord Tywin turned to serve himself a goblet of wine from the same pitcher. She quickly raised the goblet to her nose without making a sound and took a breath. Weiss didn't smell any poison, though it could have been hidden by the wine. But at the same time, would he bother to poison her like that? She'd just managed to elevate the Lannister name somewhat, and positively at that.
Lord Tywin returned and took a sip from his goblet, with Weiss following suit. "As champion, you will be given a seat at the high table during the feast tonight, alongside Lady Baratheon. I trust that you know how to behave?"
"Yes, my Lord." Weiss bowed her head curtly. A subtle jab at her using her glyphs in such a public display, most like, yet he also knew that it was a symbol of strength. This was likely him reminding her that, no matter her power, he was still her liege lord, and she wasn't. Also making sure she didn't cause any scenes at the table.
"Wear your finest dress and any jewels you may have. Even though you are a woman, his Grace has decided to allow you to escort Lady Baratheon to the Great Hall. An insult to his brother, no doubt." Lord Tywin said with a scoff, dismissing her. Lord Stannis was not happy when Weiss had crowned Blake, and kept glaring at her after the reveal of her glyphs. He didn't have to worry his balding head, Weiss would never harm her old friend.
"As you command, my Lord." Weiss bowed, doing well enough to not spill the wine all over the ground. It didn't matter what the Old Lion wanted, or whatever plays he was now scheming in his mind.
Weiss had found one of her friends!
The Great Hall was one of the most massive rooms Weiss had ever seen, in this world at least. At least a hundred tables filled the room, ranging from some small tables that could seat a dozen at the smallest, to some giant masses of wood capable of seating at the longest. The Royal Table was at the far end, a massive chunk of wood, ornately carved and covered with a gorgeous tablecloth, stood in front of the stairs that led to the Iron Throne itself. The Iron Throne certainly lived up to its name, being an asymmetrical monstrosity of tangled and melted iron that was said to have been made out of a thousand blades and forged with dragonfire from Balerion the Dread. Weiss had been impressed the first time she caught sight of the Throne, during one of the feasts thrown throughout the tournament. She had never been up close, of course, seated in the middle of a thousand guests.
King Robert entered arm in arm with the Queen, who wore a beautiful red gown that left her shoulders exposed, with a new stunning array of jewelry covering her body. After them were their children, escorted by high ranking members of the nobility. The Lord Hand followed after, with his unhappy looking wife, Lord Tywin and his sister Genna Frey entering after them, and Lord Stannis Baratheon entered last, escorting his youngest daughter, a scarred girl named Shireen. Weiss and Blake were the last at the table to be seated, with the white haired Lannister being seated at the very end with the dark haired Baratheon to her right, and the rest of the Royal Family to Blake's right.
Weiss, as per her 'request' wore her finest dress that she had packed, a brownish-gold dress that left her arms bare. Golden snowflakes with seven-points decorated the fabric, with a broach of a silver lion holding the silk on her bosom in place. A necklace of gold hung from her neck, just below her collarbone. She would've preferred ditching the necklace, yet without it, she would've looked under dressed. She had worn one suit of armor today, now it was time for another suit to be donned. At least this one looked nicer and was easier to wear.
"Bring out the food! Your king is starving!" King Robert shouted with a laugh, earning himself a displeased glare from Lord Stannis. Ah, jokes about starvation would be offensive to a man who starved himself to the bones holding Storm's End, in his brother's name at that. Servants dressed in gold with a crowned stag immediately started to serve the first course, with the best plates starting at the Royal Table.
Weiss' arm brushed against Blake's, who smiled and chatted with her sister, who, it seemed, was quite a chatterbox and surprisingly intelligent for her age. They had come to a mutual understanding without speaking a single word, it would be safer for the both of them if they didn't act so familiar around each other, for now at least.
"Did you enjoy the tourney, Shireen?" Blake asked, she brushed a lock of hair out of her sister's face. Her skirt covered leg briefly touched Weiss's, before it was withdrawn. Probably an accident on Blake's part.
"I did! Ser Waymar and Ser Davos gave me sweets. The merchant said they were a Pentoshi recipe." Shireen smiled, reminding Weiss of Rosamund. She missed her sister, who was so far away, but she didn't blame her parents. At that age, moving her across the Kingdoms for something she wouldn't even understand would be too risky.
"I hope you didn't eat too many, Mother would be cross if you spoiled your appetite." Blake continued speaking. It was strange, not seeing a set of cat ears at the top of her friend's head. She was curious how Blake had to adjust, knowing she didn't have her amazing hearing here.
Shireen rapidly shook her head, which made Blake giggle at the sight. The eldest Baratheon daughter turned to Weiss with a knowing smile. "My apologies if I have been ignoring you, Lady Weiss."
"There's no need for such words, Lady Baratheon." Weiss answered, in a tone as sweet as Ruby's preferred coffee flavor. Blake's left eye twitched when Weiss emphasized her new last name. Ah, still a bit sensitive, was she? "I know what it's like to be the older sister."
A servant placed a generous slice of pigeon pie in front of them, their second course. Neither of them were paying attention to the food nor the loud music about a bear and a Maiden. They had larger concerns to worry about, not yet another multicourse meal of strange foods.
"Nonsense, you named me your 'Princess of Love and Beauty', it is only fair that I spend my evening with you." Blake's smirk appeared for only a second, but Weiss caught it. Yang would have killed Weiss if she witnessed the crowning. Weiss knew very well how close their Little Dragon had been with their resident faunus. Nora had started a betting pool about how long it would take for the two to date, shortly before the fall of Atlas. Nobody had chosen to comment on the hypocrisy, given her and Ren, well, hadn't said anything to one another.
"Very well, Lady Baratheon." Weiss rolled her eyes just as the sound of a plate shattering and the shriek of a woman filled the air. She, along with everyone else filled at the table, swung their heads to get a better look. A massive black tomcat with golden eyes and a chewed up ear, was running away, having just jumped off the Royal Table, with a roasted quail in its mouth. Lord Tywin's expensive doublet was covered in wine, and the plate before him was broken as he clenched his jaw.
"Mother! Did you see that!" Prince Joffrey laughed as he tugged on the Queen's arm. "That cat stole Grandfather's meal!" Said cat turned its head around once to shoot the Lord of Casterly Rock a dirty glare before escaping into a group of dancers, while Lord Tywin looked at the animal confused, and what she thought was a moment of familiarity.
King Robert and several nobles also burst into laughter at Lord Tywin's expense. Blake took the opportunity to lean in closely to Weiss' ear while everyone was distracted.
"I'll meet you in your room, during the hour of the wolf." Blake whispered softly while Shireen stared at the spectacle. Weiss said nothing, but acknowledged her by shifting her right leg to bump against Blake's.
They had a lot to catch up on.
A/N
We never expected the last chapter to blow up as much as it did. So thank you to everyone who's been supporting A Song Of Weiss and Fire! Night and I enjoy reading all of the comments and discussions.
Art for Blake and Weiss can be found on AO3, or the Space Battles forum!
One last thing that I'd like to mention since this is a RWBY crossover. No ships are set in stone as of this moment, friendships and relationships can and will change/evolve.