WARS TO COME, game of thrones

𝐗. boar

Ned was quickly back on his feet and the argument with Robert forgotten. He was hand again, but the mood at court was in no way improved. The only one who didn't seem to notice was Robert.

"Come with me."

"Rob..." groaned Anrir, who had refused more than once before.

"You're the best hunter at court, not a dullard. You don't have to sit like a dog by Ned's bed anymore, he's back on his feet, by the gods. Show me the same loyalty you show him."

"My loyalty belongs to both of you equally. But I don't want to go into the forest, it's too warm for decent prey anyway."

"Do you hate the Crownlands that much? Ned wants his girls to leave here at all costs. Do you all want to be away from me?"

"Don't be so dramatic," Anrir snorted, at that moment Robert was in a good mood, so he could allow himself to talk to him like when they still were boys.

"To hear that from you. The most sensitive person in the seven kingdoms."

Anrir laughed, which was drowned out by Robert's booming laughter.

"Come with me. You can bring your cranky old knight too."

"Lark is not old," Anrir snorted immediately, but inclined his head in agreement. Ned had hardly been able to rest since he was back on his feet anyway. And he didn't share his thoughts with Anrir, much to Anrir's frustration. So why not spend some time with his king? A sigh escaped his lips. "All right."

Robert grinned, slapping him on the back so hard that Anrir gasped loudly. "Good man. Get ready, I want to leave soon."

Obediently, Anrir left his king's chambers and made his way back to his own. This return journey took him far away from Robert's chambers, away from the main events of the palace. On the one hand, this made him feel a little unimportant, but on the other, he appreciated the distance from Robert's court.

But when he arrived at his door, he frowned. It was open, a light breeze was blowing towards him and playing gently with his hair. He pulled Beast and walked in quietly. One of the armchairs had fallen over and boots had left dusty marks.

With a furrowed brow, he carefully made his way through the mess to his bedroom.

"Shit, Lark," he said, "don't scare me like that."

His knight stood on the narrow balcony, staring down at the other parts of the red keep that stretched out below them and to their right and left. Lark's gray-blond hair was messy and sweat beaded down his forehead. Anrir joined him and followed his gaze. "Am I missing something?"

"There was someone in here. I was waiting outside the door and then I heard noises. I went in and whoever was here escaped."

"Out the window?" Anrir asked critically, but made an effort to take his knight's concerns seriously.

"I don't know." Lark looked into Anrir's chambers as if expecting the worst.

"Don't worry. I'm armed and so are you. Whoever broke in - we'll show them what we're capable of."

"But what if someone somehow gets to you and attacks you while I'm on guard outside? You're asleep too. Even if you have Beast by your side, it won't do any good."

"Lark, you're being paranoid."

"Am I, my lord? Your father died here. This city devours everything and everyone. You must return to the Vale eventually. You can't be buried here. You belong in the Vale, with the Valemen."

"Do I?" Anrir replied, "Lark, Lysa will relieve me of all my possessions there. I'm grateful for your loyalty, but it won't get you far. I am a nobody, an upstart."