Weeping Thorns

Chapter 8: Little Fox

~Kasondra~

The whole castle erupted in a fit of laughter. King Robert was having the time of his life, smooching on women and drinking all the ale he could manage. I stood off to side and silently sipped my wine. Robb was to my right by father who sent worried glances towards my mother.

I was also worried about Catelyn being so close to a lioness. The hairs on my neck stood on end as I sensed Cersei looking towards me. Ever since our close encounter I haven't felt comfortable.

Arya looked positively bored as she played with her charred meat. Sansa was whispering with a friend, most likely over Joffery who was seated a few tables away.

He looked up every so often and gave my sister a smirk. She would squeal and turn to her friend. I rolled my eyes at her childish behavior. She might as well enjoy it now.

Girls.

"Kasondra!" My mother called across the hall. The festivities continued as I approached mother and the Queen. I picked up the ends of my dress and curtseyed to the older women. Cersei held her wine close to her chest and took a small drink.

"Queen Cersei would like to ask you some questions." I saw the pleading look in mothers eyes. Don't screw this up. I put on my kindest smile and bowed to the queen, my whole body taunt and coiled like a snake.

"My queen." I whispered and tried my best not to narrow my eyes. The blonde woman scanned me over with quick eyes. She hummed to herself and took another drink.

"How old are you, my sweet fox?" I swallowed thickly and tried to advert my attention elsewhere.

"15, your highness. Barely." I mutter and grin. She returns the gesture and sits down her empty glass on the small table to her left. A young man quickly refills it with wine and disappears back into the shadows where he came from.

"You have bled, I presume."

"Yes."

Mother cleared her throat and gave me a look that told me things were about to get too personal for her liking. The queen pursued on anyway with her deep questions.

"Lady Catelyn, have you found a suitable husband for your daughter? I imagine it would not be hard." A faint blush rose to my cheeks. I might have been called pretty before, but it was much different coming from a queen as beautiful as Cersei Lannister. No matter how conniving.

"No, your grace. Her father is quite reluctant to let go of his eldest daughter." My mother laughed lightly and watched the queen for a reaction.

"Yes I'm sure," the queen nodded but then smirked into her half empty wine glass. "-but a fox hunted, is surely a fox dead." Cersei rose her chin in a defensive gesture, as if daring me to talk back. I bit the tip of my tongue and held back any words that drug in my mouth.

"I'm a bit confused-" Mother began but was cut off like a wood against a hatchet.

"What I mean is that men are surely perusing Kasondra. It is only a matter of time before a handsome man sweeps her off her feet. Isn't that right, my dear?"

"Absolutely." I lied and forced the same grin back on my face. Two could play in a falseness war. Only one would win.

"Please inform Sansa I would like to speak with her next." I bowed once again and practically sighed in relief. It was Sansa's turn to face down this beast. I hurriedly walked to Sansa and whispered my orders into her ear.

"The queen wishes to see you, princess." I teased but I figured she took me to seriously. Her face split with a wide grin and she all but ran to the Queen. I rolled my eyes and felt a light tap on my shoulder. Ser Jory held out his hand with an expecting smile.

"May I have this dance?" I giggled and took his hand as he lead me to an open spot on the floor. The music started up once again and we tripped and tumbled on each other's feet like it was part of a dance routine.

Ser Jory was quite a handsome man. Father always spoke highly of him every chance he got. Father might have been dropping hints as well. Between soft brown hair and a perfect smile, he was a complete package.

A Knight wasn't the best a Lady could do, but I never wanted to marry a sleazy old man and have dozens of kids for a man who held no love for me.

"I hear the queen is about as bitchy as they come. I hope she didn't harm my precious wolf." Ser Jory whispered into my ear. His close proximity to my body sends cold chills down my spine. Our movements slow and before long we are just holding one another, staring into different pairs of eyes.

He leans in and I feel his hot breath on my lips. Just as our mouths connect a sharp squeal sent us turning towards Sansa.

Arya held a spoon and was laughing her ass off. I huffed at my sister and her poor sense of humor. As I approached Arya, Robb held up his hand and scooped the girl off of her seat. I saw the displeased look on her features and couldn't help but smile.

That brat needed a nap.

I felt a warm hand encase my own. Jory was leaning over me with a chuckle rumbling in his firm chest. A firm blush rose to my cheeks as I saw father turn the corner to approach me. I jerked away from the Knight and tried to wipe the color from my cheeks. Ser Jory seemed to disappear into thin air, as if nothing had ever happened.

Father came closer and that's when I noticed, it wasn't Father at all. This man was too hairy to be father. He looked worn down and tired. No, not father......

Uncle Benjen!

"Uncle!" I shouted and ran into his open arms. He smelled of the wilds, along with a bit of a musky scent. He wrapped his heavy arms around me and shook with a deep laughter. I hadn't seen Benjen since I was 7, he hadn't changed much since then

"Oi lass, quite a grip you have there." I chuckled and released my hold on his neck. I stood back to take in a man of the Knights watch. He was indeed a bit rough looking, but what else did I expect.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned. A wench near King Robert bellowed in happiness as he began to attack her neck in drunken kisses. No wonder Cersei was in such a foul mood, she had to deal with a whore as a husband.

"I've come to gather men for The Wall. Jon has insisted I take him back with me." Our Jon? It didn't surprise me that our half-brother would want to take the Black. All of his life he had been in exile from our mother. Never once did he feel like part of the Stark family.

Just Ned Stark's bastard.

"I must see your father before I head off. One more thing, Kassy." He leaned in close so I could hear him over the commotion around us. His rough beard scraped my face in a way that caused a giggle to rise in my throat.

"Watch out, little fox. Lions are a dangerous creature."

~Chapter End~

I am on a roll! I have to finish some summer work for honors math. A 300 word paragraph for each freaking question. I feel like I might kill-over. But please enjoy!!🔪🔫