Chapter 5 - Lone Wolf in Dragons Den

Karlyn

They had been at sea for 6 weeks now. They had sailed past the Fingers, and Dragonstone, and Karlyn had been eager to see that. It had not disappointed her, but now the Blackwater Bay took them closer to the glittering city of Kings Landing. Standing at the railing of the ship, dressed in a grey wool dress with her black and silver cloak depicting her house sigil was pulled tight around her. Her long black hair was being whipped from it's braid by the wind.

She considered Dragonstone and wished privately in the deepest corners of her heart, that the last dragons had not died back in 153AC, surely they would look magnificent soaring over Dragonstone and Kings Landing. Her gaze landed on the city fast approaching them as the wind and waves took them to the docks. She bit her lip and narrowed her gaze. Sure, it glittered, but was it a real fairy tale? Or was it something that hid its true face?

She remembered Nan's words "Be on your guard Karlyn, watch the watchers." And she had a bad feeling about Wolves being south of the Neck. Karlyn knew it in her bones, something bad would happen, ill thoughts, and ill deeds. She could not, would not let it happen. A lone wolf would have to be strong until she could be reunited with her pack. She would have to be careful, be clever like a wolf stalking prey. She was not bold like Brandon, wild like Lyanna or solid like Ned, but she had her own way of doing things. She would make things work. Karlyn swore it to herself as they moved passed ships leaving the harbour. She noted the sigils on sails, the pennants that were snapping in the breeze.

Silently she named the houses she recognised as they went passed. Footsteps behind her, had Karlyn turning. "Lord Kevan" She greeted him with a curtsey, pushing her hair back with a hand.

"Karlyn." he said with a smile. She made him wish for a child. Dorna and he had only been married a short time, so there was still time for children. Maybe now they were back in King's Landing, he would convince Tywin to agree for him and Dorna to return to Casterly Rock. There they could, set about making a family. He would have to remember to get some time with his brother. He pulled his own cloak, which was the deep crimson with gold edging and held with the Lannister lion clasp, closer. "The wind is cold today. Seems Winter has come to King's landing."

"In more ways than one." Karlyn gave a smile with an impish slant. "We are not far from the docks are we?"

"No, before noon we shall arrive. The ride to the Red Keep will take just under an hour."

"By horseback?" Karlyn asked curiously.

"For me, yes, unfortunately now we are here you will need to ride in the carriage."

She wrinkled her nose but nodded. "Of course."

Karlyn turned and faced the approaching harbour. "It's.. pretty." she said softly.

"It can be" Kevan noted as he stood beside her at the rail.

Kevan noted this but chose to say nothing. He instead turned and looked back towards the cabins. "Come in side. You should be getting ready to disembark." He held out his arm and she placed her fingers on his sleeve. As they walked back, past the sailors, Karlyn considered her next conversational step. "Lord Kevan, what is Jaime like?"

Keven had wondered how long to would take her to ask. "He is 11 name days old and is looking forward to being a knight. He trains every day."

Karlyn listened. And nodded. "So he is serious then?"

"Yes but he is not very studious."

"Oh." Karlyn said softly. "So is he good at fighting?" Her brothers were both very good. But she knew that it was not always the case with noble sons.

"He is. He has the ability to be among the best in Westeros." What Kevan didn't say was that Tywin often lamented that Jaime had no drive to be the next Lord Lannister. Maybe, Kevan considered the small girl beside him, this Wolf of the North, might spur his nephew to do more. Or make him run for the wall, in fright.

The cabin they entered was lot by swinging lanterns. Lady Dorna was sitting in a chair, the dazed look of a women drugged was slowly receding from her face. She had spent the past 6 weeks mostly sleeping, eating only little.

Karlyn watched as Kevan moved to his wife's side solicitously. She looked away as her eyes stung in memory of her own parents. Her father and mother had been a love match. And she knew her father was hurting, which was probably why he had thought to bring in a Septa for Lyanna. And probably the reason for Karlyn's fostering. Joanna Lannister was said to be one of the paramount women of Westeros, not just because who she was married to, but because of her own power and friendship with the Queen. A friendship which was strained years ago, but was said to be still strong despite the fact that Joanna lived mainly in Casterly Rock. Joanna Lannister was said to be more than a pretty ornament, a lady of strength and a lady of what her mother had termed intelligence.

The whispered words Kevan and Dorna shared made Karlyn smile and then they all felt the harsh bump as the ship fitted itself up against the wharf.

Kevan turned and smiled. "We have arrived." Above them, sailor shouted and called out and through the porthole Windows , a scent of sea, brine and ... something Karlyn did not want to identify flitted in via fitful breeze.

Their disembarking took a while, but Karlyn watched with interested eyes. Soon enough however, Lady Dorna, Karlyn and their maids were seated in a carriage bedecked in Lannister colours. Karlyn's own household guard fell into line with those of Lord Kevans and with a jerk they were off trundling up the cobblestone streets towards the Red Keep through the River Gate.

Karlyn looked out the window, peaking through the curtains. She saw people, lots of people. More than, who lived beyond the walls of Winterfell in Winters Town. Then she saw it. The Red Keep. And the memory of her mother's lessons filled her as she watched the huge monolithic building came into view. She thought it over as the carriage rumbled over the cobblestones.

The Red Keep was made of pale red stone and overlooks the mouth of the Blackwater Rush. The Red Keep had seven massive drum-towers crowned with iron ramparts. The castle is smaller than Winterfell and is patrolled by gold cloaks. Much of the Red Keep is connected underground.

Massive curtain walls surround the castle, with nests and crenulations for archers. Thick stone parapets, some four feet high, protect the outer edge of the wall ramparts, where the heads of traitors are traditionally placed on iron spikes between the crenels at the gatehouse. The walls have great bronze gates and portcullises, with narrow postern doors nearby. The castle also has great corner-forts. The immense barbican has a cobbled square in front of it. Behind the walls are small inner yards, vaulted halls, covered bridges, barracks of the City Watch of King's Landing, dungeons, granaries, kennels, and stables. The Red Keep has serpentine steps which can be strenuous to climb. Maegor's Holdfast, the small council chambers, the Tower of the Hand, the lower bailey, a small sunken courtyard, and the black cells are located below the steps.

The Great Hall with the throne room is found above the steps, and the outer yard or ward is found near the main gate. Also above the steps are the godswood, the river walk, the small kitchen, and the pig yard. The royal sept and the Maidenvault are located above the serpentine steps as well. Doors are made of oak banded with black iron.

She knew their destination was the Tower of the Hand. Lord Tywin was Hand of the King. For now. Karlyn remembered Lord Kevan's words early in their sail that Tywin and the King were growing apart. And that she would have be aware that things at Court were not peaceful between Hand and King.

Through the tall gates of the Red Keep their Carriage went, and Karlyn got her first look at the castle up close. Impressive. But Winterfell was bigger. She leaned back on the seat and Lady Dorna reached out and squeezed Karlyn's hand. "Breath Karlyn. Everything is going to be fine."

"Thank you My lady" she said softly.

Kevan helped Dorna down from the carriage first then, he helped Karlyn down.

Karlyn stayed behind them as she settled her skirts. Keven moved towards the steps towards a tall aristocratic man with blond hair and well trimmed beard. He was in his early thirties, Karlyn noted, and well built. She recognised him from the descriptions. Lord Tywin Lannister. She let her gaze sweep the area behind him.

There, was a beautiful woman, with golden hair and blue eyes. The Lady wore red, with golden accents. Beside her, were two children aged around 11 and a third, small behind his mothers skirts. The eldest boy, had green eyes and hair the colour of gold. Even at 11, he was showing signs of the man he would become. Karlyn, half hidden behind Lady Dorna, studied him carefully. He was very nice to look at. The girl beside him, however, despite her beauty, and Karlyn had to admit the girl was beautiful, wearing a dark pink gown, her long blond hair down and a golden necklace of a lion around her neck, the girl's face told a different story. It was set into hard lines. And the green eyes were hard as agates and focused on Karlyn. Oh this was going to be trouble.

The little boy, known as Tyrion, she knew, was shyly peeking from behind Joanna's skirts and Karlyn gave him a smile. Having her own little brother, she could understand shy little boys.

Kevan finished his greeting to his brother, and Lady Dorna curtseied in greeting. Then she moved to greet the Lady behind Lord Tywin, leaving Karlyn in full view.

-You are a wolf of Winterfell. You are a STARK- Karlyn thought to herself as she straightened her shoulders, stepped forward, and dropped a curtsey to the correct degree as Kevan, stated.

"Brother, this is Lady Karlyn Stark, of Winterfell."

"Lady Karlyn."

"Lord Lannister." She greeted him back with a polite smile.

"Welcome to Kings Landing"

"Thank you My Lord."

The girl scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Pretty words a wolf has been taught." She sneered.

Her father turned a cold icy look on his daughter and the girl drew back. Her mother did not jump to protect her either.

Karlyn however ignored the comment. She drew a folded parchment from her cloak and held it out to the Hand of the King. "My Lord, from my father, Lord Rickard Stark, Lord Paramount of the North, to Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord Paramount of the Westerlands and Hand of the King." She said formally, blue eyes calm.

"Thank you Lady Karlyn." Tywin's lips curved slightly as he took the parchment. "Come, let me introduce you."

He waved Karlyn up the steps. "Lady Joanna, my wife."

Karlyn repeated her polite curtsey, "My Lady."

"Karlyn, welcome to our family." Joanna said with a warm smile. She studied the slight raven haired, blue eyed girl with her mind considering the fact that this child was matched to her eldest son.

"My Son and heir, Jaime."

"Lady Karlyn." Jaime stated, his green eyes cool and, Karlyn noted, distant. But then he was an 11 year old boy, she was nothing to him, but some female his father and her's had bound him to.

"Lord Jaime." Karlyn replied.

"My daughter, Cersei." Tywin waved carelessly to his daughter who's cheeks were pink from the earlier reprimand look.

"Lady Cersei" Karlyn's voice was polite, with a tinge of frost.

Cersei sniffed and raised her nose as she stated "Karlyn."

Her mother turned and raised an eyebrow at Cersei.

"Lady Karlyn" Cersei self-corrected. She was not impressed by this slight girl in Stark Colours. In fact she was very upset about the whole thing. Her brother, her beloved Jaime was going to have to marry this … female. It was not, at all fair nor what she wanted!

"Our other son, Tyrion." Tywin ignored Cersei's manner, believing correctly that his wife would handle the matter.

Karlyn gave Tyrion an honest smile. "Hello Lord Tyrion." She said warmly.

He gave her a smile in return but didn't speak just bowed his head shyly.

Tywin was satisfied with this, and calmly directed them all up the stairs to the Tower of the Hand.

Joanna set her pace by Karlyn, bringing the girl along side. "Tomorrow, you will be presented to the King at Court, then in 3 days' time, we, Jaime, Cersei, Tyrion, you and Myself will depart for Casterly Rock." She informed Karlyn as they climbed the stairs.

Karlyn nodded and listened. "My father sent a letter for the King as well. Will I be able to present it then?" she asked softly.

Cersei sniffed. "As if!" she hissed over her shoulder.

"Cersei!" Her mother reprimanded her daughter with a harsh tone and look.

Then Joanna looked at Karlyn. "I am sure the king will be happy to receive Lord Ricard's words."

Karlyn gave her a smile. This was not looking like an easy time at all. She walked in silence beside Lady Lannister, ignoring the pointed looks from Cersei over her shoulder. And the fact that Cersei was all but hugging Jaime to her as they walked.

The group moved into the Tower of the Hand, and all Karlyn could think, was that, she was never going to leave it.