The Last Velaryon - Robb Stark

6 - Revealing Letters

Two months ago

Strolling through the long and winding hallways I paused in my tracks outside the great library. The library of Kings Landing was the largest one except for the great one near the Wall. Entering the room I scanned over the books searching for my house name. "Don't bother looking. I already found it, my lady."

"Who's there? Show yourself!" I raised my voice reaching underneath the skirt of my dress, wrapping my fingers around the handle of the short sword Jaime had gifted me.

Footsteps came around the corner of the tall bookshelves and the shadow in the light appeared to be much shorter before I saw who it was. "You would draw your sword on a dwarf. How rude of you."

"Tyrion...forgive me. I am unfamiliar with this place so I am quite jumpy." I apologize to the dwarf.

He bent his head down coming over to me. "It's alright. I'm perplexed as to why your lady in waiting is not at your side like normal."

"She is forced to attend a new lady in waiting lessons at the Queen's command. Even though I am fairly certain that it is just to see if she is trustworthy." I shrugged my shoulders not knowing much about Queen Cersei except that most didn't wish to cross her.

Tyrion glanced over to two empty seats at a table, untucking the book he was carrying underneath his arm. "Would you care to sit and read this book with me, Lady Haelesa?"

"Uh sure. What are you reading?" I question the younger Lannister after pulling out the seat across from him and sitting down.

Tyrion held up the book with the cover facing me. "The History of House Velaryon, of course."

"Why would you wish to learn about my family history?" I asked him after he flipped to the first page of the dusty book.

The young lion shifted his green eyes to meet mine. "We are to be a family in a fortnight. Plus I always desire to learn new things."

"Maybe then you can teach me about your family history." I offered and he agreed, bringing us to the point of being friends from that day on.

Slipping inside the large door of my best friend's chamber door. Jaime was still running around the city as if he was a Kingsguard or just doing anything to avoid talking with me. "Haelesa, do you have the letter you want to send out?"

"I do. Do you have one for me?" Chezney rose from her vanity chair holding up a new one that she had been meaning to give me. "Who's the letter from?"

Handing her the scroll she passed me the one she had. Unrolling it out after breaking the house seal not bothering to see who it was from. Scanning my eyes over the paper I began reading it aloud. "Dear Haelesa. Chezney, it has been awhile since I have written my last letter to you two. I know that you wished that I was never married off but I actually was lucky enough to like my lord husband. I am curious to hear if anything has changed your opinions recently - write back soon Joella."

"Is that what you wrote in your next letter to her?" Chezney asked me with a cheeky smirk.

Avoiding her gaze I whispered under my breath. "Maybe."

"About Jaime Lannister?" She questions.

Shaking my head no, I corrected with what direction her head was going. "Not in the way that you are thinking."

"Can I read it?"

"No!" I snapped.

"Why not. You've let me read every other one you have written. How is this one any different?"

"You may be my best friend but it doesn't mean you have the right to go through my messages." Putting my hands on my hips I scowled at her. I had my hair up in a bun wearing a blue tunic over a white dress skirt that wasn't too tight on me.

Chezney glared at me, scoring a red Lannister lady in waiting outfit compared to my former colors. "How else would your messages get sent? A normal messenger has been instructed by the Queen to read them before they ever leave Kings Landing."

"Yes but - you may have a point yet I'm still not giving you permission to read it."

Chezney rose from her chair, still holding onto the letter before she bolted towards the door. "That's unfortunate cause I'm totally reading it without your permission."

"Chezney Ally, don't you dare!" I warned her whipping my head around in her direction.

She unfolds the paper as quickly as she can, reading it aloud just to spite me. "Dear Joella, I am not sure how to write this out in a formal letter but I shall try my best. I have been betrothed off to Jaime Lannister yet I despise the entire thought of it-"

"Chezney, give me it back now!" I chased after her, nearly catching up with her heels.

She cackled, returning to her reading. "My reasoning for despising the arrangement has changed from what it originally was. I was given the chance to meet the young wolf of Winterfell, Robb Stark. He may just be the one that I wished I could marry - You like him."

"I didn't say that." I halted in my tracks, snatching the scroll from her hand when she turned to face me.

She jumped up lightly into the air. "But you hinted at the possibility. You said you wished you had been betrothed to him. You can't deny your own handwriting."

"Ssssh keep your voice down, Chez. If anyone hears us talking they might send us back home and my house could be ruined." Holding a finger up to my lips I warned her.

She nodded in understanding. "I know, Hael. But is there a possibility you could be wed to Robb if Jaime never takes your maiden hood?"

"I doubt it. One way or another people will find out that we lied in the months to come when I don't start showing signs of being pregnant." Tucking hair behind my ear someone knocked on the locked door making us both jump. I scampered off to hide behind the bed when she cracked open the door.

"Can I help you, my lord?" Chezney asked, holding the door closed enough where you could only see her head.

I recognized Jaime's voice on the other side of the door. "I'm looking for my wife. You are her lady in waiting so I am hoping you can tell me where she has gone."

"I must say I haven't seen her recently."

Jaime clearly didn't believe her. "I'd suggest not lying to me. I've spoken with my brother before our wedding and he says you two are basically attracted at the hip. Now where is she?"

"I don't have to tell you her whereabouts." Chezney raised her tone toward the lord.

Coming out of my hiding spot I rounded the bed, coming up behind my friend and tugging her away from the door. "What do you want with me, Jaime?"

"I'm here to inform you that the North has declared war against the South. The young wolf rides North to dethrone Joffrey." Jaime informed me.

Chezney stands behind me when I crossed my arms over my chest confused at where he was going with this. This had nothing to do with me regardless of me being married to a Lannister now. "How does this have anything to do with us?"

"My father has declared that we need to face off against him. I am to lead his army against the wolf boy. So I am coming to have you accompany me."

I knitted my brows still not following him. "From what I have been taught a battlefield is no place for a lady."

"You've already proven you aren't a typical lady. But if you wish to stay here and gossip about nonsense rather than be on the front that really matters. By all means you and your friend enjoy yourselves." Jaime turned on his heels about to leave.

Biting my lip I didn't waste another second not wanting to be caged in another castle. "I'll go with you - We'll go with you." Chezney takes my hand in his and he glanced over his shoulder back at us simply giving a nod and walking away without another word.

Comments really appreciated ❤️ Melvia-ito