Alysanne Lefford

The Queen and her entourage had been at the Golden Tooth for several days, much to Alysanne's annoyance. This meant she had to play a good hostess for the Royal Party, which meant being around the royal pain in the arse, Queen Cersei Baratheon all the time. The Queen was as beautiful as she was arrogant, which was considerable considering Lady Weiss was one of Alysanne's closest friends. Every Lannister had an air of arrogance, and her dear friend was no different. Yet, at the same time, Lady Weiss showed a more gentle side at times. The Queen, on the other hand, did not. Cersei Lannister sat comfortable on the long chair that had been prepared, looking as beautiful as any Queen out of song. Prince Joffrey sat closest to his Mother, followed by Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella.

Alysanne sat across from them, wearing one of her finest dresses that was suited to entertaining guests. It still paled in comparison to the clothing worn by the Royal Family, but that wasn't saying much, almost anyone would look like a smallfolk in comparison compared to her royal highness. Queen Cersei wore a deep red, form fitting dress that left her shoulders exposed, yet covered her throat. Prince Joffrey and Prince Tommen wore similar doublets, decorated with the Lannister Lion and Baratheon stags, with a gold trim decorating the red silk. Princess Myrcella wore a modest red gown, decorated with golden lace that seemed to shine like the yellow curls that sat upon her head. All four looked beautiful, their skin soft and smooth, and their eyes, the most vibrant green Alysanne had ever seen.

Yet, only Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella were as sweet as they looked. Alysanne silently lifted an expensive cup of Myrish tea to her lips, one of the many gifts she had received from Lady Weiss. Prince Joffrey had a similar cup in front of him, from the same set Alysanne had been gifted. Yet that remained mostly untouched, unlike hers.

"This tastes like dirty water, Lady Alysanne." Prince Joffrey's voice sounded more like a snake than a lion. He had been polite the first few days after their arrival, charming even, yet that did little to stop the cracks in his personality from forming. His gorgeous, green eyes did not agree with any smile he faked. "You dare serve this to your future King?!"

"Myrish Tea is more expensive than many wines, my Prince." Alysanne bowed her head as the Queen turned to give her a look. The Lefford refused to meet their eyes, she was not going to risk offending her future sovereign if she could help it. "My deepest apologies if it's not to your taste, my Prince. Should I call the servants to bring a pitcher of Arbor Red?"

"That will not be necessary." Queen Cersei said with the smallest of smiles. Like her son, it didn't reach her eyes, even if she was a bit better at concealing it, unlike her son. Gods, that little shit was going to be her king one day? Hopefully this would be the first and last time she had to endure him. The Golden Tooth was far from King's Landing, much to Alysanne's relief. The Queen held a goblet of Lannisport wine, which was rising in popularity in the Westerlands. "We shall be departing on the morrow, and I'm sure my son would prefer to have Arbor Red once he is of age." In short, the Queen did not want the Arbor Red diluted, as was custom when someone of Prince Joffrey's age wished for a drink.

"As you say, your Grace." Alysanne bowed her head deeply once more. Prince Tommen looked particularly uncomfortable, leaning towards his sister, who mirrored his expressions. It was a pity they were related to such unpleasant individuals. If Prince Tommen was in line for the throne, she'd be happy to serve. Instead, she was stuck with King Joffrey in her future, odds are.

Ser Mandon Moore and Ser Preston Greenfield guarded the door, dressed in their full armor and the white cloaks of the Kingsguard. A sharp knock suddenly came from the wooden door, with Ser Mandon's hand immediately reaching for his longsword. Ser Greenfield turned to look at the door, his armored bulk clinking as he did so.

"My Lady Lefford, a visitor, has arrived and requested an audience." Ser Briden's voice was muffled by the door. The Queen immediately shot her a glare, but did not say a word. Even if she was the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, the Golden Tooth was ruled by House Lefford, not Lannister or Baratheon. Technically she could grant an audience at this moment, but at the same time, it would risk offending the Queen. And departing on the morrow or not, she did not need to make unnecessary enemies of the Royal family.

"I will be able to grant an audience on the morrow, Ser Briden." Alysanne answered neutrally, raising her voice just enough to be heard. Even as the future Lady of the Golden Tooth, she could not afford to offend the Queen and her future king. Especially not for someone who, for all she knows, was from some minor house. Even if she would love for an excuse to leave the Queen and her brood.

"I'm afraid, she refuses to leave until she has been granted an audience." Ser Briden continued, his voice nervous and filled with anxiety.

She? Alysanne's heart skipped a beat as she bit the inside of her cheek softly. Who could that be? Who would be so brazen to make such a demand? It wasn't the Queen, and the fact that Ser Briden hadn't given a name to this stranger was telling.

Prince Joffrey's nostrils widened in anger with several deep breaths. He was about to give an order, when Alysanne went ahead of them and continued speaking. She needed more information before she could make a decision. The last thing she needed was to be caught in the middle between, say, the Queen and the daughter of a Lord Paramount.

"May you please identify my guest?" Alysanne raised her voice. Strange, why hadn't any of her servants come to inform her that another guest had arrived? Had the Queen suborned them, or were they just avoiding this part of the castle? The Queen took a long drawl from her goblet of Lannisport wine.

"Lady Weiss Lannister of Lannisport, my Lady."

Alysanne's heart immediately started to pound, and her hands started to feel sweaty. Lady Weiss had finally returned! She had taken longer than Alysanne would have expected to arrive, yet it was better late than never. And such a perfect distraction, no less.

"Please allow her in, Ser Briden. I am sure that Her Grace and her children would love to see their kin." Alysanne said with a relieved smile. She ignored the Queen's glare as Prince Joffrey rolled his eyes. His two younger siblings remained silent, snacking on the lemon cakes and apple cakes that had been baked just for their visit.

The two knights of the Kingsguard gave each other a glance for the briefest of seconds before turning to look upon their Queen. Queen Cersei dismissed them with a wave as Ser Preston opened the door, revealing a girl with Valyrian hair standing there.

Weiss was still as beautiful as she was several weeks past when they left King's Landing. She wore a blue and white dress that flowed like the wind, and had her snow-white hair tied into what she called a 'pony-tail', due to its similarities with a horse's tail. Her sapphire blue eyes seemed to shine, despite their primary source of light coming from the candles and torches that lit the room.

She took several steps into the room and bowed deeply at the waist with a curtsy. The Queen stared at her for a moment, a flicker of what she thought was envy in those green eyes appearing, before it was gone.

"Pardon me for the intrusion, your Grace, Lady Lefford." Weiss slowly straightened her back, keeping a smile on her pale face. Yet, unlike the Queen or Joffrey's, her smile reached her pale blue eyes. "I took a minor detour through the Riverlands, and longed to stay in a familiar place."

"You're the White Witch from the tourney." Prince Joffrey spoke before his Mother could. He stared at her with wide eyes. Alysanne returned her dear friend's smile, but remained silent to avoid further insulting the Royal Family… Weiss could arguably get away with it, being their kin and Lord Tywin's favorite, but Alysanne could not, alas. Of course, once they left, she could laugh with Weiss at their foolishness.

"I am no witch, my Prince." Weiss answered simply. "A witch's magic comes from the unnatural, my power comes from the Seven Above Who Are One." A polite answer and a way to dodge any accusations. And given how rapidly she had trotted it out, likely a practiced answer.

"I forgive you for your intrusion, Lady Weiss, yet I forbid any more talk of your sorcery." Queen Cersei narrowed her eyes in response to Weiss's words. Someone was a bit offended, or something else, perhaps?

"I speak of no sorcery, your Grace." Weiss formed the sign of the Seven-Pointed Star over her chest with her hands. "Only of the blessings that the Seven gift to House Lannister." Yet another practiced answer. Weiss really had gone above and beyond to prepare for this.

"The Lannisters of Lannisport are little more than merchants." Queen Cersei's smile was hidden by her goblet of wine. She turned to Alysanne, clearly thinking Alysanne would support her claims. Before she had met Weiss, that would've been true. Now, however, was another story. "Wouldn't you agree, Lady Lefford?"

Alysanne bowed her head to avoid the Queen's gaze while buying herself a moment to think. "During our lessons, Septa Loria said that the Lannisters of Casterly Rock and of Lannisport often intermarried, your Grace, and that both descended from Lann the Clever. Lord Dramen's Grandmother was a Lannister of the Rock."

An answer that didn't directly state her stance, and would, hopefully, not offend either the Queen or Lady Weiss. A delicate balancing act, but one she could perform. She had to. For her sake and Weiss's.

"Lady Alysanne diligently enjoys reading the history of all of the Houses from the Westerlands, your Grace." Weiss affirmed with a nod. She did not approach the gathering, since the Queen still hadn't given her permission.

"A Lady's duty." Queen Cersei said, her voice sounding more like a hiss. She adjusted her smile and leaned back in her seat casually. "It is a wonder to see you again, Lady Weiss, in a dress at that, and not in that dirty armor when you decided to try and be a man."

A strange insult, since Weiss wore a beautiful gown to every feast, including the one where she was held as the guest of honor for winning the melee. Was the Queen jealous, perhaps?

Weiss giggled, politely covering her mouth with one of her small hands. "You are a gracious Queen, your Grace. I would never try to be a man, I am far too beautiful to be considered one. Hence, my battle armor was designed to look like a dress, with Lord Tywin's approval."

"You are an arrogant one." The Queen declared. Prince Joffrey somehow managed to stay quiet, merely watching the verbal spar. It was probably the wisest move the Prince had made since he had darkened her step.

"Thank you, your Grace." Weiss' smile never disappeared from her lovely face. "It is the Lannister way, is it not, your Grace. House Lannister is the greatest House in all Seven Kingdoms, aside from House Baratheon of course."

The Queen's eyes looked like that of a lion's as she remained silent, allowing Lady Weiss to continue speaking. "Prince Joffrey, with his Lannister and Baratheon blood will be a great king." Alysanne and Weiss both knew that wouldn't be true. Only a fool would assume Prince Joffrey, in his current state, would be a good king. A mediocre king's reign would be beyond his abilities, odds are.

Prince Joffrey smirked as he crossed his legs and grabbed a lemon cake, one that Princess Myrcella was reaching for. "You know your place well, Lady Weiss." Apparently, he had grown bored with the verbal sparring match, between his mother and his cuz.

He motioned towards the empty seat beside Alysanne, across from Prince Tommen. "Please, come and join us. Lady Lefford has been an excellent host."

The Queen swung her head to shoot him a glare. Yet, the future King, for once, did not quail at the fear of his mother's ire, it seemed. "Joff-"

"You honor me, my Prince." Weiss bowed with a curtsy once more and moved to sit beside Alysanne. The Lefford girl did her best to keep her cheeks from heating up. Being in such proximity to Weiss again was the real miracle here, not Weiss's Blessings.

"Tell me more about the Seven, my Lady." Prince Joffrey's emerald eyes met Weiss' sapphires. To her, though, it was no contest which was more impressive a spectacle. "As the future king, I must know more about these blessings "

Another smile danced upon Weiss' lips. "As you command, my Prince." Queen Cersei shot the two a glare, but remained silent. She sipped her wine to disguise her displeasure, and Alysanne breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Alysanne gave her friend a glance out of the corner of her eyes. Her heart never stopped pounding, even as Weiss preached about the Seven Who Are One.

Those past few weeks felt like an eternity.

A/N

This chapter definitely came out faster than I expected considering our situations. And as usual, Night and I hope that it was entertaining and fun. This arc shall soon be over, which I'm sure most of you are excited for. After all,

Winter is Coming.