Game of Thrones: The Storm

S1E3 - Lord Snow

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The next day, while everyone was packing up the caravan to keep heading south, you heard how the "trial" had gone. It ended exactly as you predicted, Joffrey got out of his lie, no thanks to Sansa who aided in the lie against her sister. It ended up biting her in the ass though, since Arya's dire wolf had run off, Cersei insisted that Sansa's be killed instead.

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As the days ticked down until you would all arrive back in the capitol, you decided to have a word with Lord Stark. You hadn't had a proper conversation with the man since you all left from Winterfell. He would greet you on occasion, but that was the extent of your interactions.

"My Lord," you greeted, pulling your horse to walk next to his.

"Laramie," he looked over at you before back on the trail.

"This journey has not been an easy one on your family," you began, looking around at the world that was cast in a beautiful glow from the early morning.

"No, it hasn't," he agreed, looking back over at you as you spoke. "Can't imagine it's any easier on you, being in service of your father... he told me about the places he sent you, the training you've done. It's no life for a young girl."

You looked over at him with almost a lost expression as he spoke about what your father told him.

"Pycelle and Arryn counseled my father about it for weeks before he finally agreed. I think the only reason he agreed was to keep me safe," you tried your best to defend your father and his choice, even though a part of you wished he never made that choice.

"Keep you safe from what? The last time I saw you, you were just a little girl, in service to the Queen. You were safer in King's Landing with your father... not hundreds of miles away."

You looked over at him before back onto the road again, a small knowing smile blessed your lips.

"King's Landing was just as dangerous for me when I was younger as Astapor, Meerreen, and Yunkai. I think the safest I've ever felt was when I was on Bear Island, and I think the best I've ever been treated was when I was in Dorne," you explained.

"You should have stayed in Dorne then, seeing as you have more family there than you probably have in the capitol," he jested with a small smile. You returned it, but only half-heartedly.

"I beg to differ."

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When you all finally arrived back in the capitol, Lord Stark was immediately called in for a small council meeting. Everything seemed to be at a calm. Joffrey and his mother were away trying to get settled back into their lavish life, meaning you were free from their backhanded comments and constant nagging.

The next day, however, when you were sparring with Ser Barristan, you heard clapping when you finally managed to best him after almost 30 minutes of nonstop swordsmanship. Out of breath, and slightly disheveled, you reached down to help the knight up as he graciously accepted.

When you glanced up at the observation balcony, there stood the smug Joffrey with the Hound following his every step.

"You've gotten better, or maybe I'm just not as bold as I used to be," Ser Barristan said with a small smile.

"You're plenty bold, Ser Barristan," you said as you sheathed your swords on your back. "When I was in the fighting pits, if a single fight lasted any longer than a few minutes, I knew my chances of dying increased every second afterwards."

"You're impatient," Ser Barristan stated with another smile as he sheathed his own sword. "I've seen many great knights get killed for their impatience."