~A Game of Hounds and Foxes~ (GOT Fanfiction)

~FIVE~

~Sandor~

(Kingslanding)

Walking down the halls of the palace I keep my head low. My eyes scan the aisles only catching the attention of a maid or two only for them to squeak in fear and run into the next broom closet. I grunt adjusting the tight strap of my sword and sheath around my waist. Still, at the feel of the hilt, I can't get the butcher boy's face out of my head. Sniveling little runt. He should have just run. I would have let him run and live had he not stood his ground to fight. 

The bells sound and I stop just feet from the balcony of the westward side of the castle. At their sound, I feel the bitter taste again rising in my mouth. Swallowing the dreaded sensation I step out under the cover of the rooftops into the sun where I peer down to the entrance gates below.

"Open the gates!"

Looking down I see more horses and carriages coming into to the city. One holds the crescent of house Serrett. He must have come in the name of those indebted lions the Lannister's. I await until I see the second carriage pull into the city. When I see the dark green carriage with its golden trim and blazing red fox sigil on the side I know exactly who it is.

"Haygar."

~Malina~

Kingslanding is unlike anything I've heard of or seen. When people say it's like the palace walls are made of gold, they're not far from the truth. The palace stands just above the edge of the vast sea leading to the unknown Esos lands to the far east. My eyes had widened at the majesty and power of the palace as our carriages rode in, now I bow in trembling and exhilarated wonder before the infamous Iron throne. 

"Lord Willis of house Hayagar..." the bellman calls in the vast hall "And his eldest daughter, Lady Malina Haygar."

On the Iron throne sits King Robert Baratheon, to his left Queen Cerci, her father Tywin Lannister hand of the King, and Prince Joffery. To the far right stands the Noble and honored Ned Stark, Lord of Winterfell. My eyes from my bowed position scan most of the room. Aside from the Royal family, council, and my mother seated to the far left with Serrett and my sister, the rest of the throne room is quiet.

"Rise, Lord Haygar and little Lady Haygar." he commands as my father and I rise to face Robert and the rest of those seated above us. 

He glares down at us both as I nervously fidget under my dark green dress. As my eyes wander to Cersi she wears a scowl looking in my direction for a moment until it turns to a smile. Truthfully I believe it was sincere for a moment, but my mother taught me better. I nod smiling back as the King bursts into a clamor.

"AH! Willis you old goat get over here!" as he stands from the iron throne waddling down the stairs to greet my father.

They embrace one another as they both laugh happily. Robert hangs his arm over my father's shoulder and calls on Lord Stark "Ned! Get over here and greet our old friend!"

Lord Stark descends the stairs smiling brightly greeting my father just the same as King Robert. I smile happily for the trio catching odd and unapproving glares from Cerci and the other councilmen. No matter the lack of formalities, when you are friends of the King you act as such. 

As the three of them embrace and greet each other they pull apart as I catch the King's eyes on me. He smiles eyeing me "My-my, is it really you Lady Malina?"

I courtesy with a smile "Yes your majesty."

He scoffs waving me off approaching me "Come now girl, no need to sound so nervous. Do you not remember the dozens of piggyback rides from me when you were but five?"