Hello everyone! I do hope all of you are having a great time! Because I am genuinely enjoying these past weeks!
The schedule remains the same!
Two chapters of The White Wolf of Winterfell are coming up now!
Then, two chapters of Harriet Potter: The Demon Empress and finishing this cycle!
Two chapters of Boku No Overlord!
See you all later!
Also, like always!
Also, if you wish to support me with anything, please check out my other pages, where you can see future updates or works.
(paulythide . tumblr . com)
!This chapter is edited! 24/August/23!
Chapter 7
The bell sounds surrounded the Red Keep as the body of Jon Arryn lay on top of the crip. The Sisters were doing their job, just as usual, doing the only thing they could do to offer a peaceful passing to the soul of an old servant of the crown. However, Robert could only stare at Jon's body and reminisce about his past. About the many things they used to do. The youth does miss very often.
"Father?"
Robert turned around and saw Galadriel, his oldest daughter. The Princess of the Seven Kingdoms approached him slowly, mournfully. Kind of.
"I'm sorry about Jon, father. I know he meant a lot to you," Galadriel said softly. "He was a good man."
"Aye, he was a great man, a father to Ned and me," Robert replied with sadness lingering in his voice. "Yet, I wasn't there when he needed me most." Robert's reaction was quite gripping, and Galadriel felt strange to see him like that. But maybe it was her own inexperience in that area that didn't allow her to understand what it was to lose a father figure. Galadriel hated her father more than anyone else in her life. The coward who made her life miserable from the day her mother died to the day he decided to end his own life and blame her for it. Robert wasn't like him, thankfully. But that doesn't mean Galadriel saw him as such.
Problematic wasn't a word Galadriel would use to interpret her relationship with the King. It was more complicated. There were days when Robert would be the most infuriating person. Stubborn, easy to anger, greedy, and licentious. Then, he would be one of the funniest, kind, and gentler people Galadriel has met. It was annoying for Galadriel since she couldn't make up her mind about Robert's behaviour and what she thought of him. But now that she thought about it. Both of them do share some frightful similarities, maybe, if things were different. If Galadriel wasn't what she was, and Robert wasn't who he was. Perhaps, then, they could have had a good relationship. A decent one. But that was not the case now.
"I was never a good student," Robert said, confounding Galadriel. "I was loud, stubborn like a mule. All I wanted to do was to fight and fuck. Yet, he was patient with me. He taught me how to behave."
"Did he?" Galadriel asked him with a sarcastic voice. That, however, made Robert chuckle.
"I did say I was not a good student."
Galadriel rolled her eyes but smiled.
"I loved the man."
Galadriel saw pure honesty in her father's eye. It's a rare sight, no doubt. But one she could admit was pleasing to see. She has many spies around King's Landing. Nothing goes around without her knowing. But Galadriel's father was incredibly annoying to deal with in that regard. Robert was spontaneous and hard to anticipate. He would just do a thing without speaking to anyone.
"Who would be the new Hand of the King?" Galadriel asked as she could see Robert's determined face. He had already made up his mind a while ago.
"I know who. The last person I can trust in this world."
"Ned Stark, is it?" Galadriel said, and Robert nodded gently.
"An honourable man. A better man than me. Sometimes I wonder how we even became friends," Robert chuckled.
"You don't often talk about him. I only know about Ned Stark because of Jon Arryn."
"Mm, yeah. The last time we saw each other was during the Greyjoy Rebellions. But before that, we had a falling out," Robert muttered, remembering Ned's anger about the death of Elia and her children. Truthfully, there were days when he did regret saying those awful words. But Robert was too prideful ever to admit it. He believes that the birth of Galadriel changed his mind about certain things. Especially Targaryen related to it. Yet, the anger would always come back when thinking about them.
"If you trust him. I'll trust him," Galadriel said.
"You'll like him. Ned's going to make things easier here. You'll see. Now, you better get ready. It's going to be a long way North."
"I am not the one who needs to get ready, Father. Have you seen your belly? The poor horse will break down!" Galadriel joked, and Robert's laugh echoed in the throne room.
"You little shit is that how you speak to your king?!" Robert's enormous smile was still visible on his face, and Galadriel couldn't help herself but laugh.
"Pretty much, yeah," Galadriel teased back.
"I'll lock you in that tower of yours for years!"
"You'll have to catch me first and between us. I could outrun you easily enough."
Robert wheezed loudly as if he was having problems breathing between laughs, and for a few minutes, both daughter and father shared a strange bond between them.
"Go back and get your stuff ready," Robert exclaimed, but a bright smile was still visible on his face—a tender smile.
"Of course... your grace," Galadriel replied as Robert stared at her before departing.
"I am... I am your father first, before you, King."
Robert then slowly walked away, leaving behind a very perplexed Galadriel.
"Well, these moments between us are rare enough."
Galadriel only hummed as she noticed her mother and uncle speaking with each other on the other side of the temple. Undoubtedly, both of them were relieved about Jon's sudden death.
Well, I guess it is time to see what unfolds.
Galadriel thought as she stared at the light entering from the throne room.
At Winterfell, Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, took his time cleaning his Valyrian sword and at the same time. He ponders about the words of the deserter of the Night Watch and the sudden appearance of Direwolves south of the Wall. Everything just didn't sit well with him. The peace and quiet of the Godswood of Winterfell would generally allow him to rest his troublesome mind. But today was different. Eddard felt like something was wrong, a sensation of dread he couldn't run away from.
"What could this mean?" Ned whispered, staring at the reflection of the small pond of water before him.
"All these years, I still feel like an outsider when I come here."
Ned smiled at the voice of his wife. "You have five northern children. You're not an outsider."
"I wonder if the Old Gods agree," Catelyn replied softly, and Ned chuckled.
"It's your gods with all the rules."
Catelyn's expression changed from joy to mourning as she gently sat down on a rock near her husband. Ned knew right away that someone was wrong. And the eerie silence only added more to the anxiety Ned was already feeling before. Catelyn then glanced at her husband, sighing deeply and trying to come up with the words, but she was having a troublesome time.
"I am so sorry, my love," Catelyn whispered gently. Ned's heart stopped at the sound of his wife's voice. He knew right then and there. Whatever news Catelyn brought to him weren't good ones.
"Tell me," he muttered.
"There was a raven from King's Landing. Jon Arryn is dead. It says that his heart failed. He died on his desk."
Ned just stood there, letting those words sink in. He looked at the pond before him. Hoping, Jon's death was painless. Yet, Ned felt the pain of losing a person he once considered a second father. He took a deep breath, letting the cold air of the North calm his thoughts.
"I know he was like a father to you," Catelyn said, seeing the pain on Ned's face.
"Your sister? The boy?" Ned asked.
"They both have their health gods be good."
Ned nodded slowly, yet he couldn't believe Jon Arryn was gone.
"The raven brought more news. The King rides for Winterfell with the Queen and the rest of them."
Ned closed his eyes and sighed. "If he rides this far North. There's only one thing he's after."
Catelyn clenched her chest, not liking the possibility of such a thing.
"You can always say no, Ned," Catelyn hissed pleadingly.
Those words reached deaf ears since, Ned knew, nothing would change Robert's mind. The only thing he could do now was to hope nothing wrong would happen to his family. Since he knew that Stark riding south has never ended on a positive note. Yet, both would have to be prepared for the King's arrival and his family—a task Catelyn took seriously.
Winterfell was an old castle with dying walls and ancient towers. Yet, there was an aura of mysticism surrounding the castle. And one could say that it reflected the North as a whole. The biggest kingdom of Westeros was the place where ancient whispers of the First Man and the Old Gods could be heard still. Echos of a world long forgotten for many. But not the people of the cold mountains and winter.
Nevertheless, Catelyn did her utmost best to ensure Winterfell looked its best for the upcoming visit. And that's why currently, an annoyed Jon Snow looked at his half-brother, Robb, getting shaved in the most agonizing way possible.
"What is your mother, so dead set on us getting pretty for the king?" Jon muttered while Robb only hissed at the sturdy hands of the royal hairdresser.
"It's for the Queen, I bet. I heard she is quite elegant and sleeps with golden jewellery. A true royal cunt."
Theon Greyjoy replied with his usual jesting style. Yet, Jon only scoffed at him.
"I heard the prince is a royal prick," Robb muttered.
"Think about all the girls he gets to stab with his royal prick."
Robb hissed as the hairdresser pushed him out of the chair, letting Jon take his place.
"Go on, Tommy, shave him good. He's never met a girl he likes better than his own hair."
Robb teased while Jon scoffed. "Amusing," Jon muttered while he hissed at the way Tommy, the barber, started to prepare his jaw for the shaving knife.
"I also heard the princess is coming," Theon said, smirting on his face.
"The so-called White Lion?" Robb asked.
"Why do they call her the White Lion?" Jon asked.
"She is a Targaryen," Theon whispered as if it was a secret. "Can you imagine the King's reaction when his daughter was born like one of them after killing all the Targaryen? I can only wonder what stopped him from throwing her out of the windows of the Red Keep."
Theon said as if it was the funniest joke in the world. Robb and Jon only ignored the last part. Yet, they couldn't help themselves but feel intrigued about the White Lion. Even so far in the North, she was known for being quite the genius mind. Some even called her the true monarch of the Seven Kingdoms. Was that true? Who knew? Yet, that bred tales of who she was.
"They say she is the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms. More than her mother, the Queen was in her youth. And more than Shiera Seastar herself."
Robb wondered if that would be true. And so does Jon. Yet, they would wait until then. A title such as the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms was quite big. So, as young men, Jon and Robb would have to first see the princess before agreeing with it.
"I wonder if her cunt hair would be of colour silver," Theon added with a disgusting smile, as Jon and Robb only sneered at him. They would never get used to his way of saying things.
"If you speak like that when the royal family is here. You'll make us look bad," Robb warned.
"What? Already protecting the princess? Are you planning on bedding her or something?" Theon joked back, but Robb wasn't joking at all.
"It's common sense. Father has told me how overprotective the King is with his eldest daughter. Especially after the Crownlands Rebellion," Robb said. "If you're caught speaking like that to the princess, I doubt Father would help you."
Theon mocked. "Whatever."
"Let's just get ready."
Robb said while trying to push whatever thought of the White Lion out of his mind. There was no need to think of such a thing yet. And while he was rather intrigued by her. Robb also knew when to stop and don't let his curiosity disgrace his family. Yet, Theon didn't seem to think like him. But then again, Theon was a Greyjoy. And they weren't known for their intelligence.
Brandon Stark smiled at the sight before him. He could see it far away—the King's entourage. The banners of the Golden Lions and Stags march towards Winterfell. Brandon smiled cheerfully as he soon started to jump out of the roof he was standing on. Brandon hopped from tower to tower like he had done a hundred times before. Each foot carefully lands at the right spot and at the right time. He slowly climbed down a sturdy wall while hearing his pet, the Direwolf he saved not a month ago, bark at him. But, of course, it wasn't the only yelling at him.
"Brandon!"
"I saw the King! He has hundreds of people!" Brandon said while landing on the ground.
"How many times have I told you! Not climbing!"
"But he's coming right now!" Brandon replied, ignoring Catelyn, who just sighed exasperatedly. Yet, she walked toward Brandon and looked at him directly in his eyes.
"I want you to promise me. No more climbing."
Brandon looked at his feet, feeling the seriousness of the situation.
"I promise."
Catelyn, however, knew her son far too well. "You know what?" She asked as Brandon stared at her, confused.
"What?" He asked.
"You always look at your feet before you lie."
Brandon then giggled as Catelyn was currently too busy to give yet another reprimand to her son. "Run and find your father. Tell him the King is close."
Brandon ran as fast as he could, and it took not long before the sound of the cavalry and the many bannermen leading the King's convoy made their way inside Winterfell. The Stark family, all of them, were in the Winterfell's courtyard, ready to receive the King and his family. Ned looked around, and he could feel the tension rising. It's been a long time since he has seen Robert. And he could only wonder how much Robert has changed throughout the years. Ned would find out soon enough.
"Where is Arya?" Catelyn hissed urgently. "Sansa, where is your sister?"
Sansa just shrugged, not bothering to look out for her little sister. No, Sansa was currently waiting for the crown prince. That's all Sansa was waiting for, and Ned could already see the expecting smile of his oldest daughter. And Ned groaned internally, thinking that perhaps. He should have spoken to Sansa about men sooner.
However, that would wait as he noticed a certain girl running before him with a helmet on.
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing with that on?" Ned asked Arya, who grumbled as her father took the helmet off her head.
"Go on, back in line."
Arya groaned loudly as she pushed Brandon aside. That smirk of his was bothering her a lot.
"Stop smirking," Arya hissed.
"No," Brandon replied, beaming.
"Both of you, enough!" Catelyn exclaimed angrily.
Gladly they listened to their mother just in time to see the first of King Robert's bannermen entering the courtyard. Arya stared, amazed at the knights, especially at the one with dark armour and a hound-looking helmet. And while Arya was mesmerized by the knights, Sansa was fascinated by Prince Joffrey. Sansa just fell in love completely. And like a child who doesn't know what real love is. She giggled at him. Yet, Robb stared at his sister and didn't like how Joffrey smirked at Sansa. He didn't trust him one bit.
Two carriages entered the courtyard. Both were particularly luxurious and large, needing around six horses each to carry them. The Stark family was quite shocked by the sheer size of those carriages. And it was clear the royal family was there. Still, as knights made their way into the courtyard. The silhouette of the King appeared, showcasing the difference between his youth and now.
Everyone knelt before Robert as the King slowly climbed down his horse. And Robert seeing his old friend, wasted no time approaching Ned. The King stood before him, gesturing Ned to stand up, and when he did, only to meet the cold gaze of Robert, Ned wondered why Robert was so fat. And it seems Robert was thinking the same for some reason.
"Your grace," Ned spoke softly while Robert stared at him.
"You got fat," Robert said, earning a stare of disbelief from Ned, who only pointed at Robert's belly with his eyes.
Then Ned and Robert erupted in laughter. Everyone smiled at the friendly hug between them, and the tension that was there disappeared. Catelyn sighed deeply, feeling as if the worst had gone by. Yet, there was the queen still. And Catelyn could only hope that the Lannister queen won't cause trouble for her family.
"Cat!" Robert exclaimed happily, hugging a very baffled Catelyn, who just replied gently.
"Nine years, why haven't I seen you? Where the hell have you been?" Robert asked cheerfully.
"Guarding the North for you, your grace. Winterfell is yours."
Ned replied, and while the interaction of Robert with Ned's family was going on. Everyone could see how from the luxurious carriage, Queen Cersei appeared. She didn't look at all pleased to be there. However, the focus then shifted to the second carriage. Where two knights of silver armour were standing, they looked different from the rest. No Lion banner or a Stag one. They didn't look to be Lannister soldiers or Kingsguard. Yet, many saw a young man and woman once the helmets were off. A young man who seems to be the spitting image of Robert in his youth. And a girl that had the Baratheon blood in her without a doubt. Arya's eyes were shining brightly at the sight of a woman wearing armour.
"Look! She is a girl!" Arya exclaimed.
"Would you shut up?!" Sansa hissed.
Yet, two ladies soon emerged from the carriage; a Dornish princess, grateful she didn't end up murdering her companion. And a Tyrell flower, wearing a bright smile, clearly enjoying the stares from many men in the courtyard.
"Well, look at that," Theon whispered. "I would like a piece of that ass." Jon and Robb just ignored Theon's words. Yet they couldn't deny how attractive those two girls were.
However, while both were beauties, they paled compared to the oldest princess, who finally climbed down the carriage. It was as if everyone had stopped breathing as if the air had ceased to exist for a few seconds. Galadriel Baratheon, the oldest daughter of King Robert Baratheon, was as gorgeous as people say she was, if not more. The long snowy white hair was captivating enough, but those golden eyes were staring at them like two shiny stars. The softness of her face and the very curvy body-shaped figure do add a lot to the imagination. A perfect hourglass figure. Everyone there could see that the princess's body was as lustful as it was stunning. And that the title of the most beautiful woman in all history truly belongs to the princess. The White Lion of the Red Keep.
However, while being stared at by everyone, Galadriel was currently entirely focused on the castle itself. Since then, she has picked up a hobby of building things, and from the looks of it. Winterfell truly needed a makeover.
Uh, this place needs remoulding. Like truly, why haven't they done anything about it?! Ugh! Such a shame! Galadriel thought annoyed.
"My princess, aren't you cold?" Margaery asked, baffled by how Galadriel seemed unbothered by the climate of the North.
"Uh, not really," Galadriel muttered. She didn't feel any cold at all. But decided to put off a coat so that people wouldn't stare at her like a crazy person.
"Ned, take me to your crypt. I want to pay my respects."
Robert said loud enough for everyone to hear him. Galadriel could see Ned Stark looking uneasy, but it may be because of how Cersei looked at them.
"We've been riding for a month, my love. Surely the dead can wait," Cersei said with a rather annoyed tone. And, of course, Robert was not taking a no for an answer.
"Ned," Robert commanded, and seeing no way out, Ned just gave a slight bow to Cersei and guided Robert away.
Galadriel groaned, not liking how her mother was standing there, humiliated.
"Where's the imp?" Arya asked, and Cercei just sneered. Jaime sighed deeply, already knowing where things would lead.
"Where is our brother?!" Cersei hissed. "Go find that little beat!"
"I could look out for him, Mother," Galadriel asked gently, although the real reason she wanted to look after him wasn't necessary for Tyrion. But she just wanted to explore the ancient castle like a child with a new toy.
"Eh, don't worry yourself with that, my dear niece," Jaime said, already knowing where Tyrion could be.
"You don't want me to help you?" Galadriel asked softly. Cersei smiled at her.
"Don't worry, dear. Help me get Tommen and Myrcella things to sort out."
"Alright," Galadriel replied, but she noticed the angry look on her mother's face. It was then when Galadriel recalled that currently. Robert was perhaps visiting the tomb of his past love—the famous or infamous, depending on who asked, Lyanna Stark. Galadriel was curious about the woman who started a whole rebellion. Maybe, one day, she would ask her father about her. But now, Galadriel was curious about the North and the possible secrets it may lay.
The candles light the way inside the dark crypts. But for Robert and Ned, it only represents the mourning of the passing of a great man who once fought by their side a long time ago. They weren't kids any longer. And time wasn't kind to those who dwell in the past.
"Tell me about Jon Arry," Ned asked.
"One day, he was fine, then, the next, he was dead in his office. A heart failure, they call it. Whatever it was, I loved that man," Robert replied.
"We both did," Ned said, making Robert laugh.
"He never had to teach you anything. But me? Do you remember me at the age of sixteen? All I wanted was to crack skulls and fuck girls. He taught me what was what."
"Aye," Ned chuckled, looking at him in disbelief.
"Don't look at me like that. It's not my fault I didn't listen."
Robert and Ned smiled at each other, remembering the old days. But soon enough, Robert's face changed. Ned knew what was coming. He has been preparing for it, as much as he would like for it not to happen.
"I need you, Ned. Down in King's Landing, not up here, where you are not used to anybody, Lord Eddard Stark, I would name you the Hand of the King."
Ned realized how hard it was actually to face Robert. Ned didn't want to take up the title. But there was no way around it. He begrudgingly knelt before Robert, hoping for a way out.
"I am not worthy of your grace's honour," Ned muttered.
"I am not trying to honour you. I am trying to get you to manage my kingdom while I eat, drink and whore my way to an early grave. Damn you, Ned, stand up!"
Robert told Ned, who sighed deeply as he stood up.
"You help me win the Iron Throne, now help me keep the damn thing. We were meant to rule together. And if... your sister had lived. We would have been bonded by blood. Well, it's not too late. You have a son and daughter. So do I. We'll join our houses."
Ned was now shocked about all the things that could have happened. He didn't expect Robert to give two of his children to the Stark family. Especially when it came down to both eldest. Ned wasn't a brilliant person when it came to court intrigue, nor did he care about it. But, even he could see how much Robert was giving to them.
"Robert, are you sure? Two of your children?" Ned asked urgently.
"Yes," Robert said without an inch of doubt.
"I would have understood if you wanted my daughter to marry your son. But, the princess and Robb," Ned called as Robert sighed deeply.
"I know, I know, but there's a reason," Robert said with a profoundly uneasy voice. "Galadriel, among all my children. She is the one I care about the most, Ned."
Ned looked at Robert's face. It was not one he had seen before. It was one filled with guilt, dread, and worry. All in one.
"I am not a good father; gods be good. I am a terrible one. But she is the only one I trust besides you. She's kind and smart. Just look at all the things she has done!" Robert exclaimed with a proud smile. "And don't let you be mistaken. She may have some Targaryen blood in her, but she's also a Baratheon. She does have quite a temper."
Robert understood clearly that his daughter was in the middle of everyone's plot. The Queen herself was using Galadriel, and it was something Robert wanted to stop, no matter the cost.
"I want her out of King's Landing, Ned. She's going to die down there if something happens to me. Everyone wants a piece of her, like hounds looking for meat. Your son, if he is anything like you. He will treat her right, won't he?"
Ned just nodded slowly. "He will. He is my son." That was all Robert needed to hear.
"Good, I know she would like him. My daughter has a big heart, even after everything that happened to her during the Crownlands Rebellion. She still smiles. I want her to be happy. I just want her to be the only good thing I left behind."
Ned didn't reply. He has never seen Robert like this, not since Lyanna's death. But it truly helped him see how much the princess meant to him. Yet, he sighed profoundly.
"It should be done," Ned replied with a long sigh.
"Thank you, Ned. Truly. It means a lot to me."
Robert smiled as both of them continued their walk through the crypts.
The night came, and the festivities were just beginning. And while everyone was getting ready for a long night. Catelyn currently feels overwhelmed by everything that has happened in the last few hours. Yet, her daughter didn't realize the implications of the King's orders.
"Do you think Joffrey would like me? What if he thinks I'm ugly?" Sansa asked with her childish tone. Dreaming of knights with flowers and the prince's smile. Catelyn only sighed.
"Then he is the stupidest prince that ever lived."
"He's so handsome," Sansa said, ignoring her mother's words. Catelyn only took a deep breath, realizing her daughter was currently in her own little world.
"When will we be married? Soon or do we have to wait?"
"Hush now, Sansa. It's too soon," Catelyn said.
"But he would say yes, no? He already promised. So, why wait?" Sansa asked, annoyed.
"He would be the second most powerful man in the kingdoms. And Robb... he would marry the princess! She is so pretty and elegant!" Sansa blushed, thinking about the white-haired girl with golden eyes.
"Yes, the princess is lovely," Catelyn whispered, not denying that statement's truth.
"If Robb marries her, and I marry Joffrey, the Stark would become royalty!"
"It's more complicated than that," Catelyn said. "First of all. Your father would have to leave me, and so would you too. The princess and Robb's marriage would have to wait. It seems as if they want you to reach the age and marry both at King's Landing in a year."
"A year," Sansa whispered dreamily.
"Are you that excited to leave?" Catelyn asked.
"You left your home to come here. And I would be Queen someday. Please make Father say yes!" Sansa pleaded.
"Sansa..."
"Please! It's all I ever wanted."
Catelyn didn't reply since she didn't need to ask Ned. It was already done. Yet, Catelyn still felt strange about it. Maybe it was the idea of seeing her children finally leave the nest. Or, perhaps, it was something else.
The party was going on as planned. Robert was doing what he would typically do among alcohol and servant girls. It's a rather disgusting view for some but average for others. Yet, it didn't make things easier to see. Galadriel sat next to her ladies-in-waiting while watching her father groping a fat wench who only smiled at him while pushing her tits to his face. Galadriel, annoyed, decided to just turn away before getting angry.
"Your father seems to be enjoying himself," Arianne said.
"Of course he is," Galadriel only sighed.
"So, Your Highness, what do you think about your betrothed?" Margaery asked. And Galadriel could see in the eyes of not only Margaery but Arianne a sense of alarm. Or perhaps not necessarily alarm, but one of examining the situation. They now understood they didn't have a long time to move if they wanted to sway the princess to their side. A year was not a long time to wait and be patient. Galadriel expected both of them to be more aggressive with their approach.
And truthfully. Galadriel wasn't alarmed by the prospect of marriage. Not really. In fact, she was pretty glad of it, as strange as it sounds. Galadriel's betrothal with Stark's oldest son would surely push everyone to act fast. It would be entertaining to see what the Great Houses did when they heard about it. Galadriel was sure even her grandfather, Tywin Lannister, would try to kill the union in its crypt. But how would he do it was left unsaid?
Also, Varys and Littlefinger would indeed move their pieces too. So, all in all. Galadriel was just going to sit down and enjoy the ride. There would be carnage of that, Galadriel was sure of. And she was already excited to see what type of chaos would ensue.
Also, a part of her wasn't really bothered by it.
Me marrying? That's already weird as it is. I just don't see myself as a wife. I wonder what married life would be like. I haven't seen a healthy married couple in either life. Uwa, that's sad.
Galadriel thought amusingly. Still, Galadriel just decided to wave it off; there was no point thinking about that. If things do burst into conflict in the future, she doubts any wedding would even occur. Yet, Galadriel let her mind ponder about it. She has nothing better to do.
"I don't know," Galadriel replied.
"Well, he looks quite handsome, I won't lie," Arianne scoffed. And Margaery hummed, agreeing with the Martell princess for once.
"Should I do something?" Galadriel asked anxiously.
"No," Arianne and Margaery replied simultaneously, entertaining Galadriel.
"He must be the one approaching you, your highness."
"Yes, if you go to him, it would be like accepting defeat!"
"Defeat?" Galadriel asked, now confused about what those two were talking about.
"Yes, you're a princess, and he is just the son of a lord. Suppose he wishes to present himself. He must do it properly!" Arianne said, earning a nod from Margaery.
"Indeed, Your Highness. You can't give in. Men would take you for an easy woman. You must make sure to make him work for your affection, even if you're meant to be married. First impressions are everything."
What the fuck are these two talking about? Now they act like best of friends. What?
"I... I see," Galadriel only muttered, baffled.
"Now, let me tell you about how men like women!" Arianne whispered. "You need to listen to this carefully, my princess. Men are not to be trusted!"
"What...?"
"Yes, trust us, my princess. We'll tell you all you want to know," Margaery added, as Galadriel was lost. These two are fucking weird!
On the other side of the party, Cersei was looking at her daughter, hiding her fury behind a pleasant smile. However, the Queen was beyond enraged about what had just taken place. Now, she would have to find her daughter a husband. Cersei has a year to kill the Union. And she would do whatever it takes to keep her daughter in King's Landing. Yet, it wasn't all. She saw the Stark girl and scoffed.
"I hear we may share a grandchild in the future," Catelyn spoke gently.
"Yes... I have heard the same," Cersei replied. "Your son looks like a good man."
Catelyn allowed herself to smile proudly. "He is an honourable person. Robb would care and cherish the princess."
"I see," Cersei only replied.
Catelyn felt the tension in the air, and the more the King's horrendous attitude kept on going, the more the Queen got angry. Catelyn then glared at both Sansa and Robb so that they could present themselves to the Queen and future mother-in-law. Sansa was the first one to arrive, wearing an innocent smile.
"Hello, little dove," Cersei said. "You sure are a beauty."
"Thank you, your grace," Sansa replied shyly.
"How old are you?" Cersei asked, hiding her condensing tone with pleasantry.
"Thirteen, your grace."
"You're tall, more than any girl I have seen before. Tell me, have you bled yet?"
Robb arrived just in time to hear the question. And like Catelyn and Sansa, he was uncomfortable with the inquiry.
"Not yet," Sansa said, mortified.
"Don't worry. You'll get it in no time."
"Uh... ah," Sansa muttered, not knowing what to say.
Cersei wanted to humiliate the girl more. But her gaze then turned to Robb.
"You're Ned Stark's son."
Robb wasn't sure of how to reply to such an obvious question. He nodded slowly, wondering why he felt so much hate from the Queen.
"A handsome young man you are, my dear. Any girl would have liked you as a husband. Tell me, have you bed a woman before?" Cersei asked, and if Sansa and Catelyn were ashamed before, now they were unsettled by the Queen's difficult questions. Yet, Robb, while embarrassed, remains stoic.
"No, your grace," Robb replied with a calm voice. Cersei only smiled, but it was clearly a sneer.
"I see. Perhaps it's a good thing," Cersei said. "Have you heard about the Crownlands Rebellion?"
"We have, your grace," Robb said, wondering where the Queen was going with it.
"My daughter was taken captive for over a year. The rebels did horrible things to her to break her. If you're expecting a maiden in bed, you will not have it, for it was taken from her by force. You understand?"
The Starks were appalled by those words. Cersei was clearly trying to sell her own daughter as broken goods to make Robb feel disgusted by her, in Cersei's twisted mind. No one would like a woman who has lost her virginity by force. The Queen truly believed that a broken and used woman was no good. So, Cersei hoped that by saying those words, Robb and the Stark would forget about marrying her daughter because she was not pure.
A vile and twisted mind, the Queen has no doubt. Yet, Robb kept his composure intact.
"She's not broken, your grace," Robb said, surprising the Queen and her mother and sister. "I may not know what took place. But I see no used woman or a damaged person, for she is the most beautiful woman my eyes have ever seen. And if, even after all that has happened to her, she can still smile. Then, the princess is, without a doubt, the strongest person I have known."
Cersei wasn't expecting those words at all. She was taken aback by the response and had to take a few seconds to react appropriately. It was a mixed bag of feelings. A part of her was joyful to hear a person saying her daughter was strong and beautiful. But another part was angry that Ned Stark's son didn't react the way she wanted it. So, Cersei did the only thing she could and forced a smile.
"Thank you for your kind words. I now know my daughter would be happy with you."
Robb and Sansa sighed deeply as they returned to their places. It was becoming a very long night, without a doubt.
Galadriel was now getting irritated by the sounds of the party and the many jokes going around. But more importantly. She was getting annoyed that she couldn't eat anything the way she wanted. All that food and no way for her to taste it. No, she has to behave like a princess. Eating small bites here and there. She moves her hands slowly and gently while picking food.
Galadriel was used to just eating like a sailor after a hunger strike in the privacy of her room. But she couldn't do that here, in front of everyone.
I could eat that roasted chicken in one bite! Uh, and that blueberry pie! Ah! I want to eat! Galadriel sighed deeply, looking around, trying to find something that would take her mind out of the hunger she was feeling. But the party was not going anywhere. Arianne looked like she wanted to die of boredom. And even Margaery was getting tired of keeping her bright smile on.
So, seen like that. Galadriel decided to craft a master plan. She would use the excuse of the journey to fake sickness, when in reality. Galadriel would just use an invisibility item to sneak in and grab some food for herself. Yes, a true master plan. So with that in mind, Galadriel then started to moan, holding her head. All are very worthy of attention.
"I don't feel good," Galadriel moaned dramatically.
"Your Highness?"
Gendry and Mya had been with Galadriel all that time behind her, standing there, guarding her like always. So, when they heard Galadriel speak, they grew concerned.
"I feel exhausted, and my head hurts," Galadriel whispered, using years of acting practice. She slowly stood up but then, in a flamboyant fashion, fell down, well, almost. Mya quickly held her, and it took not a long time before even the Queen saw the state of her oldest daughter.
"Galadriel?" Cersei approached her immediately.
"It seems the journey has finally caught on to her," Jaime added as he, too, arrived at the scene.
"I'll get the maester, and you will rest."
"I'm fine, just tired," Galadriel muttered dramatically and even coughed.
"You don't look fine," Mya replied.
"Take her to her room."
Cersei ordered immediately while Galadriel was being carried away like a damsel in distress. No one saw the look the white-haired princess gave to the big roasted pork.
I'm coming for you! You and that chicken wing!
Indeed, a dangerous player, the princess was, no doubt. Besides, Galadriel has just arrived there. There was a lot for her to discover about the Stark family and the North. She just needs time.
