"You can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved"
Audelia Stark of Winterfell, the beauty of the seven kingdoms, daughter of the honourable Lord Eddard Stark. Her life was perfect, she had everything she ever wanted. A family that she loved and...
"A sword for the wall?", I asked cockily as I walked down the street towards Audelia and her bastard brother. It was after my morning adventure with Cercei and I knew that I needed to show my face as to not look guilty or at least not to raise any suspicion.
"Already have one", replied the bastard, turning to me but my attention was on his little sister. She was wearing a delightful light blue winter cloak that complimented her small figure. I never thought that a 16 year old woman of North heritage could be so short and thin. It made me a little concerned.
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"Good man. Have you swung it yet?", I asked, trying to get Audelia out of my head.
"Of course I have", said Jon a little offended but I chuckled.
"At someone I mean. It's a strange thing, the first time you cut a man. You realize we're nothing but sacks of meat and blood and some bone to keep it all standing. Let me thank you ahead of time for guarding us all from the perils beyond the Wall... Wildlings and White Walkers and whatnot. We're grateful to have good, strong men like you protecting us.", I continued and Audelia turned to me sharply.
"Well someone has to", she said with a cold tone. I clenched my jaw and hands, not enjoying the cold look she gave me. Why did she despise me this much? Did her father have something to do with her behavior?
"We've guarded the kingdoms for 8,000 years", said Jon, trying to ease the obvious tension.
"Is it 'we' already?", I asked, relaxing.
"Soon enough", replied Jon, not moving but just looking at me. He stood a little in front of Audelia in a somewhat protective way and I couldn't help but feel jealous. It was ridiculous, I know, it's just that I see her and her bastard brother so close, meanwhile she is so hostile towards me. But then again, I am a stranger that she had only met yesterday.
"Give my regards to the Night's Watch. I'm sure it will be thrilling to serve in such an elite force. And if not ? It's only for life.", I continue and walk away.
Why was I so drawn to this Stark woman. She was hardly anyone of importance to me, I had only met her yesterday but somehow, she had captured my attention and she doesn't seem to let it go.
In the evening, after I had spend the whole day walking around this boring North on eggshells as everyone was freaking out about Brandon Stark, the King finally arrived back to Winterfell. Their hunt was cut a little short since the news of Lord Stark's son's fall reached them and they immediately rode back.
"Your grace", I bowed as the King walked past me quickly followed by Lord Stark and the guards. They all ignored me and continued walking, so I joined them in the back. We walked the halls and I couldn't help but think what Audelia must be feeling right now. She must be devastated about her brother's possible death. If I thought I had any chance with her, now that disappeared. But if the fate was on my side, just as I thought of her, she appeared.
Her face was lighter than usual, and somehow she looked smaller than I last saw her. It was my fault. She was suffering because of me.
"Your grace", she curtsied quietly.
"How is your brother?", asked the King, concern evident on his face.
"Alive, not awake, but thank the gods, he is still alive", she replied in her sweet voice.
"I've send my personal maestar to see if he can do anything", replied the King.
"Thank you, your grace", she replied and bowed again. The King continued walking, and so did I. But before Audelia past me, I looked at her and she did the same.
"Ser Jaime", she greeted me.
"Lady Audelia", I greeted her back. I looked after her as I walked, my armour making quiet clicking noise. She looked back at me at the end of the hall but quickly turned and disappeared from my sight. I sighed heavily, I was wrong, fate was not on my side. Fate was spitting at me in the face.
Next morning, at breakfast, it was quiet. The only people who were talking were Joffrey, Cercei, and Tyrion. My little brother never liked to eat in the quiet, it bothered him so I understood why he was trying to make small talk. Cercei and Joffrey on the other hand seemed to not care about the grief of the Starks. Even though I caused it, I still made sure to act respectful.
I couldn't help but look over at the eldest Stark daughter. She seemed better but it may be just her act.
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Audelia had barely eaten anything and was already standing up from the table, excusing herself. The bastard son also excused himself a moment later, and my curiosity took advantage. After a moment, I also excused myself, and with the King's permission left the hall, followed by Tyrion's questioning glance. I never left the table before Cercei, since I took every chance to look at her or speak with her or our children but not anymore. I still wanted to spend as much time with the children as possible but I knew it was near impossible, and Cercei made me push a ten year old child out of a window. I doubt I could ever look at her the same way.
Following the two Starks, suspicion grew in me. After my relationship with Cercei started, no other relationship surprised me anymore and I knew that incest was also committed in other houses. It wouldn't surprise me if Audelia and Jon were together although I doubted it but it would explain their closeness. They spend every moment I see her together, that's bound to raise suspicion from other people but they seemed to not care as the two walked to godswoods.
They sat down under the weirwood tree and talked, letting their two puppies play together.
"So this is where the Beauty of the North and the bastard run off to", I say loudly as I come closer. They both whip their heads towards me, and the two direwolf pups stop playing, staring me down.
"Ser", greeted Jon but Audelia ignored me completely. "What are you doing here?".
"Just thought I would take a walk around the North. Such a beautiful place", I lie through my teeth as I look around, noticing that it was indeed beautiful. "Please accept my deep condolences about your brother".
"Thank you Ser", replied Audelia, looking at me stiffly. She had tired eyes and pale skin but she was still as gorgeous as ever.
"I hope you are ready for travel, we will be leaving for King's Landing earlier than expected. Tomorrow morning if I remember correctly", I continue and she looked at her brother questioningly. He whispered something to her and she looked back at me.
"Yes I am ready Ser. I hope King's Landing is just as nice as I remember", she replied, no emotion on her face. Her eyes and mine meet, and I stare at her for a moment before realizing that she was waiting for me to say or do something.
"I should be off", I say awkwardly and turn around. Why was I so awkward around her? I never had this problem before. I turn around quickly back to her. "By the way, you look lovely today, my lady", I compliment her and she rolled her eyes as I walked away.
One thing was for certain.
Audelia Stark of Winterfell, made me nervous. And I did not like it.
