I woke early to prepare for training. I was anxious to meet the Lady Shireen and I prayed she would not know who I was, though the nobles were quite familiar with the "Runaway Prince" as I was called, I had never seen a Shireen at any of my birthdays. She had written in her letter about protecting the Baratheon name, meaning she was most likely related to Stannis.
I decided to keep my helmet on the entire time that I was at the castle to protect my identity and I would also have to adopt a new name. I had used countless names and disguises while on the run, and this time I wanted to take the name of my horse, Colliff.
I set out before the inn keeper arose. I left his payment on the bar and rode Colliff to the Dragonstone stronghold. There I was greeted by a menacing portcullis and grave looking guards. "Colliff to see the Lady Shireen!" I called out. They stepped aside in unison and the gate was raised. I trotted in cautiously.
I put Colliff in the stables and made my way inside, helmet still in place. Looking like my mother was a blessing as it gave me a reminder of her, but it was also a curse. I had been discovered near the Twins and had to make a quick getaway. Walder Frey would only try to wed me to one of his horrific daughters.
I approached the room where Lady Shireen was to speak with me. The guard in front blocked me with his sword. "Remove your helmet." He demanded.
"I will not, Ser."
The guard grabbed me round the neck and tried to tear the helmet from my head. I kicked back with my leg and collided with his kneecap. I heard a sickening crack as his large firm hit the stone floor.
"That was impressive," came a girlish voice behind my shoulder. I whirled around and immediately went to my knees in front of her.
"Lady Shireen," I breathed.
"And you must be Colliff. The guards told me you had arrived." She offered me her hand. "Do get up."
I took her hand and kissed it as she led me to the council room. When we entered the room I saw her face. Half of her face had been effected by the greyscale, a disease that ran rampant in the years before my birth. But beyond the greyscale, she had a kind face, framed by long brown hair. Shireen was nine years my elder, and I found it incredibly strange that she had not married.
"So tell me, Colliff, why do you refuse to show your face? As you can see, I am comfortable showing mine. You might repay the courtesy."
I shook my head. "My father's looking for me, M'Lady."
She folded her hands on the table and fixed me in a steely glare. "Be grateful you still have a father." There was a long pause before she spoke again. "Now, to the matter of why you want to join my bannermen."
"I wanna make something of myself, M'Lady." I had been using the commoner's tongue for quite some time, but it still bothered me.
"Can you read and write?" She inquired.
I shook my head. A farm boy with knowledge of letters would not be believable.
The Lady Shireen sighed. "I suppose I shall have to teach you. Now please meet me in the training grounds tomorrow morning to show me if you are worthy."
