lover's mercy - jaime lannister

TWENTY-ONE

The Stormlands seemed wild with rolling hills. Cliffs overlooked the sea and the clouds were dark and moody above as if it would rain at any moment.

                When they arrived to the camp that Renly had made, she and her mother had to push through a crowd that watched sword dueling games. Although, the crowd soon parted like waves once they saw her face; she had a cloak on with a hood but even that did not hide her.

                Whispers started as she walked as they all stared in awe at her. Though perhaps it wasn't completely her beauty they stared at as she had her three direwolves with her that followed behind.

"Perhaps it was unwise to bring them," her mother advised quietly as she looked at the wolves.

"Danger is around every corner, Mother. It is never unwise to have those that would protect you," Elyanna responded as they reached the edge of the crowd.

The sound of ringing swords reached her ears as she watched the duel. One was dressed in full armor while the other wore barely any with no helmet even. It was between the Knight of Flowers and...Steffon Baratheon.

They called him the lonely stag. He was the youngest of the Baratheon brothers and only a few years older than she was. It was said he never left Storm's End and he hardly talked to anyone. But, still, his own people seemed to adore him as they cheered him on.

He had a dark, long hair that blew in the wind. He had dark eyes that shined in the small cover of sun. His movements were quick and graceful; he was playing with the Knight of Flowers.

Playing with decorated knights gave him a small piece of joy. Angering them was fun but as he caught sight of her face, he froze. Although, she was beautiful, it was her eyes that captured him; how guarded and broken they were.

He knew that look.

And Ser Loras knocked him into the mud in his state of curiosity. A sword was held to his neck and he yielded. People laughed and Renly chuckled, "It is unlike you to lose, brother."

Steffon picked himself up and he held a straight face (he was never really one for smiles) as he joked, "What can I say? I grew bored."

Loras rolled his eyes as he took his helmet off. Steffon placed himself at his brother's side as the final match now took place between Loras and...Brienne of Tarth.

Brienne beat Loras and secured a place as a Kingsguard for Renly. Elyanna fondly spoke to her mother, "Arya would've loved to see this."

Cat smiled shortly, "Yes, she would have."

Elya frowned at the thought of her sister who she believed was still being held captive in King's Landing. She wondered if they truly would be able to get her sisters back.

Then they were taken before Renly as a soldier announced them, "Your Grace, I have the honor to bring you Lady Catelyn Stark and Lady Elyanna Stark, sent as envoys by Robb Stark, Lord of Winterfell."

"Lord of Winterfell and King in the North," she and her mother both said the last phrase at the same time.

"Lady Catelyn," Renly nodded his head before looking at Elyanna and her pack of wolves. "Lady Elyanna, I am glad you made it out of King's Landing in time. All the rumors have been calling you the Wolf Queen and I see the rumors are true."

Elyanna looked at her wolves and Rheina looked up at her, waiting for instruction. She simply reached her hand out, petting her head, before looking back at Renly, "I wouldn't call it that but they are my companions."