from the ashes - hotd

jēnqa

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Meya Lannister sat in front of her vanity, gently taking out the remaining parts of her braids. Her nimble fingers raked through her own hair, slowly untangling it as soft curls fell down her back. At Casterly Rock, her handmaiden Mary would have done this for her, but there was something about being able to do it herself that Meya appreciated. While, just like at the Lannister homestead, she also had handmaidens here at Sunset Harbor, but Meya had much more free reign at home then she did with her husband.

Once, Meya was excited for her marriage to Jerok Lannister. He was a handsome boy, with soft words and even softer lips. He played his part very well, and once he had won what he believed to be Meya's heart, he showed his true colors. The Lannister heir did not care about his wife, all he cared about was producing children and securing his place as his father's successor. Jerok made no attempt to get to know his wife, however despite that he thought he could still have full control over her body and her words. At first Meya did not fight it, but as she grew older and gave birth to her son, her tolerance for her husband waned down to almost nothing. The couple's fights grew to be more persistent, as did the bruises. However, Jerok grew tired of the constant bickering and henceforth allowed Meya the ability to at least visit her real family.

A snore scared her slightly, and Meya couldn't help but giggle as she looked over at Tobias who was sprawled out across her bed in a deep sleep. Earlier in the day, her father, Gilbar had asked a local group of actors to perform after dinner, to help the declining mood of her mother, who still held a grudge at her husband for allowing two of her children to be sent away. The play was rather boring in Tobias's opinion and he had fallen asleep in his uncle Lawren's arms, who happily held him the whole duration of the play.

A soft knock echoed in the room, and Meya turned as her father poked his head in.

"May I come in?" Gilbar asked, not waiting to wake his grandson up.

"Of course, father." Meya smiled at him, but she did feel a little unsettled about her father visiting her right before she was going to go to bed.

Gilbar entered the room, closing the door softly behind him, and walked towards his daughter who stood to meet him. His mind was in a constant turmoil and his wife's obvious disdain for him was not helping. And the letter in his hand was not going to help the situation, Gilbar hoped that his wife would cool down but Carrden and Raina had only been gone for less than a week. He had not told her the promise Lord Otto had made, and he did not intend to. If only his wife could stop blaming him for situations out of his control.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Meya. However, a raven from King's Landing arrived for you."

Meya's face fell, and she felt her heart clench. She automatically knew what it would say, she was to return to Casterly Rock and await the return of her husband, Jarok. Even if he was miles away from her, he could still control her life as he saw fit.

"Oh," she murmured as she gingerly grabbed the letter from her father's outstretched hand. She broke the lion seal on the front of the letter and unrolled the parchment, and quickly began to read the words. Gilbar watched with cautious eyes as Meya read the letter, watching her expressions, and much to his surprise, he watched Meya start to smile, all signs of disdain vanished from her freckled face.

"Jarok wishes for Tobias and me to stay with him and Lord Jason in King's Landing."

Gilbar smiled, "That is good news, my sweet girl. Raina and Carrden will be very happy to see you."

"Yes, I agree father." Meya grinned, her green eyes sparkling.

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