Weiss
After the awkwardness that was called supper, Weiss was escorted back to her guest room for the night. Lady Marianne had initially planned for one of her maids to show her the way back, but her older bastard sister had volunteered to do so. Cedric and Pod were taken to the barracks, where the rest of the Harlton men-at-arms stayed, leaving Weiss alone. It didn't bother the white haired girl one bit, being left alone for the night. She was protected by both the guest right and any fear of retribution due to her family name. And if something did happen, If some fool did try their luck, well, Weiss knew how to kill a man with her bare hands, or with a summon. This world wasn't Remnant, where laws, police, and governments could lock away criminals and keep them locked away. In Westeros, the law was administered by the nobility of the land, or the King if need be. Self-defense would either end with Weiss or her attacker dead, as most would rather die than spend the rest of their lives manning the Wall. Well, it was like that south of the Neck, Weiss didn't know much about Northern culture aside from their Weirwoods being sacred to them.
"You dislike Lannisters." Weiss said simply, following Jasmine up stone stairs. She held a small lamp in her hands, their only source of light outside the few torches that lined the walls every couple steps or so. As they walked through the hallways, Weiss began to see the shift in decorations, from well maintained and clean, to a rougher appearance, with the walls appearing to have not seen a maid in years.
"I dislike many people." Jasmine answered dryly. "Stags, wolves, lions, trouts and falcons just to name a few."
Ah, that explained plenty, then. If the late Lord Harlton died during Robert's Rebellion, it must've been during one of the many battles, and for the older girl to hate the Houses that led that Rebellion plus the Lannisters, they must've sided with the Crown.
"Your family sided with King Aerys during the war." Weiss' eyes seemed to burn into the back of the Harlton bastard's head. Was this a trap? Was this bastard about to lure her into a room with some of their men-at-arms? In that case, they would be in for a surprise.
Jasmine remained silent for a few steps when she finally answered. "Aye, and for that Lord Tully had him hanged. My Father answered his King's call, and died for a prince he had never even seen."
Hm, it was strange that they would give Weiss the guest right then, especially if they held such a grudge. Lord Tywin's betrayal of the Mad King and the Sack of King's Landing had ended the war, and earned House Lannister much enmity from the Houses that had been loyal to the Targaryens. On the other hand, they had signed on with a madman who had gone paranoid and insane even before the Rebellion, so really, they didn't have the moral high ground.
"Your Lord butchered children, and was rewarded with his daughter as Queen." Jasmine paused at the steps that led to a wooden door. "While my Father was executed without the choice for exile upon the Wall, for serving his King."
Weiss tilted her head, her face impassive. It was a rather twisted look at the events, but it wasn't too wrong. "With such grudges, why did your sister offer my household and I the guest right?"
They were well within their rights to refuse. Jasmine's face was half hidden by the shadows, the light from the candle only illuminating her grimace. She must've been a child during Robert Rebellion, likely Weiss' age when Lannisport had been sacked all those years ago. And with the execution of their Lord, Weiss was sure that some of their lands had been taken by Lord Hoster Tully and gifted to other Houses that had supported King Robert.
"My Father never saw King Aerys, nor did he ever catch a glimpse of Prince Rhaegar, even with his constant trips to King's Landing." Jasmine raised the candle ever so slightly until her light blue eyes were revealed. The small fire from the candle looked like it was dancing in the reflection of her eyes. "My Lady sister and I, wished to see a Valyrian up close, even if you're more Lannister than Targaryen or Velaryon."
Weiss laughed softly, earning herself a sharp glare, which did little to soften the smirk she had formed on her pretty face. Weiss grabbed a lock of her white hair and threw it over her shoulder. That was the first time she heard anyone call her more Lannister than Velaryon. Her white hair that looked silver at times depending on the sunlight instead of blonde ensured that.
That was the dumbest reason Weiss had ever heard. And given she spent a lot of time around Cedric, she had heard plenty of dumb reasoning in the past. The less one said about his attempts to cook, or attempt to woo girls, the better.
"You're bold." Was all that Weiss said in return as she was led to her room. She suppressed a yawn, as she crossed the threshold, ignoring any retorts the bastard girl may have had. As Weiss undressed, changed into a nightgown, and laid down to sleep, one thought was in the forefront of her mind.
Jasmine Rivers would not survive in King's Landing.
The morning came quickly, since Weiss had been exhausted from several days out on the road and had access to a proper bed at last. By the time she finished breaking her fast, her household had already finished packing up and were ready to depart at her command. Weiss changed into black trousers and riding boots, along with a white silk shirt that was covered by a red cloak, with a silver lion and golden snowflake sewn on. Unusual clothes for a departure, and scandalous had she been in a larger town or city. The Harlton's were an unusual house, which made it rather fitting in Weiss' opinion. Now that the highlight of her trip, namely the Inn at the Crossroads had failed to live up to expectations, she was going to be finally returning home via the Riverroad.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Marianne." Weiss said with a flourish as Cedric held the reins to her horse, Chestnut. The rest of her men-at-arms were mounted, and her servants loaded onto the wagons. Her baggage, at least, the little that had been unloaded, was reloaded aboard the carts and was ready to go.
Marianne smiled with a slight bow of her head. She was surrounded by her own servants, at least a dozen, along with her rude knight and Jasmine. The bastard girl wore a dress with the inverse colors of House Harlton, while Lady Marianne wore a plain blue dress. "The honor was ours, Lady Weiss, not every keep can claim that they hosted a Lannister."
Weiss motioned Podrick forward, who was wearing a doublet in the colors of House Payne. He carried a small chest that contained fifty gold dragons, a more than generous sum for her brief stay. It was taken from her budget for her stay in King's Landing, where she didn't spend as much as she thought she would, so Weiss' winnings from the melee remained untouched. And honestly, she had more than enough gold to her name.
"Please accept this gift, as a small token of my appreciation." Weiss said as Podrick held out the chest, which Ser Harold the Rude grabbed for his Lady. If nothing else, his loyalty to her was to be commended.
Normally the host would provide a gift before the guest departed, as a sign that the guest rights were now over, yet what could a minor Riverland house offer the heiress to Lannisport? Especially with no forewarning or anything? Lady Jasmine frowned as Ser Harold returned to her side. "You are too kind, Lady Weiss. With such short notice, we weren't able to prepare a parting gift."
"Your hospitality was more than enough." Weiss' eyes turned to Jasmine, who still had her ever present glare. She was interesting, to say the least. Most bastards, and even some trueborn, would drop to their knees to curry favor with a Lannister, yet she spoke her mind. "If you ever visit Lannisport, I will be sure to return the favor. A Lannister always pays her debts."
Weiss had strange luck, finding hospitality from Targaryen loyalists of all people. "I hope we may be able to see each other again someday."
The Lady of the Golden Hills
Lannisport was a familiar sight, one that Alysanne had long grown used to. Even as the city changed, with shops closing or expanding, smallfolk and merchants moving to and from the great city, she knew it's ebb and flow as well as almost anyone. It was natural, her Father had sent her to curry favor with the Lannisters of Lannisport, with their grand wealth and connections to foreign merchants, all while hoping that Mother would soon give birth to a son, and he would finally have the heir he always dreamed of. That hope had died alongside her Mother in the birthing chamber, as they sliced her belly open to try and save Alysanne's brother, who didn't survive. Father had changed ever since that day. He had grown colder, and yet, at the same time, more desperate to ensure his house's legacy. While he hadn't remarried, he began looking at her with new eyes.
"I assume you will stay within the Gold Keep for the night." Father said as he rode beside her wheelhouse. His balding head kept his gaze aimed forward, not giving her another glance. "We will depart for the Golden Tooth in a fortnight."
"I wish to give Lady Cera my greetings." And see if Weiss had finally arrived from her detour in the Riverlands went unsaid. Her dear friend didn't mention any reasons why she decided to take the longer route back to the Westerlands, departing not even a day after they had left King's Landing.
Father grunted. "I expect you to be on your best behavior. I have business to conduct within Casterly Rock." He was one of Lord Tywin's closest confidants outside of anyone that bore the name Lannister, which explained why he didn't mind her visiting Lannisport with half of their retinue. The connection with Weiss surely played a factor, in his mind. Getting an in with the Lannisport Lannisters was nearly as good as the Casterly Rock Lannisters, in his mind.
"As you command, Father." Alysanne said softly. He likely meant to behave modestly around Ser Robert Brax, Lord Dramen Lannisters former squire, and her betrothed. It was a fine arrangement, House Brax of the Hornvale was one of House Lannisters principal bannermen, alongside the Leffords. "I will do well to bring our family honor."
Robert was Lord Andros second son, and would inherit nothing, but would grant an alliance between the two Houses. Any children she bore to such a marriage would have the Lefford name, not Brax. That had been a source of contention between Father and Lord Brax, though her Father won out in the end, with the promise of taking one of Lord Andros' grandsons as a page. Certainly, there were worse men to be married to, as well. She liked Robert, he was a good man, and would make a fine husband.
Father's sour eyes briefly turned to hers, showing a hint of compassion in their depths for a moment. "Very well." He gave her the briefest trace of a smile before riding off to join their household knights as the Rock and Lannisport came into view.
Alysanne was alone once more.
"It is wonderful seeing you again, Alysanne." Lady Ceria said with a soft smile. The two were walking through the gardens of the Gold Keep, as Rosamund and Alis played just a few feet away, under the eye of Ser Robart, the lowborn man-at-arms that had survived the Sack.
"I feel the same, Lady Ceria." Alysanne smiled in return. Weiss was the spitting image of her mother, with hair the color of freshly fallen snow, eyes as blue as the sapphires from the finest mines in the Westerlands, and skin as pale as the moon. Valyrians were truly beautiful, in an exotic sort of manner, with the blood of dragons running through their veins. "Your family has been very kind to me."
Alysanne would never forget that night, nor would anyone else in that room, she imagined. For months after the sack, her nightmares would be scared away by the sight of a white lion eating squids, covered in blood and ink, yet it's white coat and mane remained pristine. Yet, it was comforting, knowing her Lioness had protected her from their ancestral foes.
"You will always be welcome in Lannisport." Lady Ceria giggled as Rosamund, with her blonde Lannister hair, smelled a rose. "You are very precious to Weiss."
That made Alysanne's cheeks redden, and caused a sharp pain in her chest. Weiss would never say such words out loud, she was too prideful, as Alysanne would know having served the Lannister for years. Yet, she knew deep inside that Weiss valued Alis and herself. As friends, she had gotten to see another side of Weiss, few got to. She wasn't some untouchable Lioness on a pedestal. Instead, Alys was proud to know the real Weiss, underneath her mummer's mask.
"You are very kind, Lady Ceria." Alysanne said softly, her dark green eyes briefly looking away to glance upon Weiss' younger sister. Aside from the coloring of their hair and eyes, the two looked like Lady Ceria reborn as a young child.
Lady Ceria's eyes seemed to twinkle, as Alysanne played with the end of her brownish-red hair nervously. "Tell me, how did my daughter perform during the melee? We had heard rumors and whispers, though each seems more exaggerated than the last."
"Not even Lord Royce and the Red Priest could scratch her armor, my Lady." Alyanne said truthfully, and without exaggeration. The entire melee, her eyes had been focused on Weiss, as she literally danced across the battlefield, defeating any who would try to challenge her. And in the end, the white haired Lannister won, and declared some Baratheon girl as the 'Princess of Love and Beauty'. "King Robert and the Lord Hand had been impressed, and she was given a seat of honor during the feast."
The Lefford girl had been disappointed at that, as was much of the attending ladies. A part of her had been hoping that it would have been her that Weiss would have chosen as her Princess of Love and Beauty. She had already imagined, nay, dreamt, the feeling of Weiss' soft, yet strong fingers brushing against her hair as the Lannister girl named Alysanne the 'Princess of Love and Beauty'. That dream had been dashed the moment Weiss placed the crown upon the head of Blake Baratheon, daughter of the Mad Lady of Dragonstone. Why did she choose her, a stranger, over Alysanne, who had known her for over a decade? Those thoughts had plagued the Lefford girl during much of her journey home.
"I thank the Seven for their blessings." Lady Ceria paused after a few small steps, with Alysanne following suit. "Yet, I still wish she had arrived with you, and not taken a detour through the Riverlands."
"Lady Weiss should be at Riverrun by now, my Lady. She will soon return to Lannisport." Alysanne guessed, knowing Weiss's route and making an educated guess. Her friend had been traveling lightly, at least, in comparison to some of the other nobles, with all of her servants mounted on wagons and her guards on horseback. "She missed you dearly in King's Landing."
Lady Ceria was about to respond, when they were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming from behind them. The two ladies turned, to see a young man approaching. Who would be interrupting them?
Robert had grown taller, and had grown his hair longer. Her betrothed wore a fine and expensive doublet, with the unicorn of House Brax sitting on his right breast. It looked new, as did the black leather boots that he wore. He must've commissioned it while she was gone, it looked very nice on him.
"Lady Ceria, Lady Alysanne." Ser Robert said with a slight bow, kissing Lady Ceria's hand chastly before doing the same to Alysanne. Even as his lips pressed against her knuckle, she felt no warmth upon her skin, nor did her heart skip a beat.
It wasn't his fault she would never be able to love him, but she would still do her best to do her duty, and birth House Lefford a son. He was a fine man, and deserved a wife who would love him. Maybe as the years passed, she could grow to do so?
Even if it would break her heart.
A/N
I did warn y'all that chapters would be released at a slower rate, at about one or two a week.