Taywin the Lioness

Lady and the Tramp

It was the next day when my Father thought it best to leave or it may have been the fact that he no longer wanted to be in the North. I had said my goodbyes but I couldn't say goodbye to him...My friend, and the only one I've grown close to over the time we spent in Winterfell.It was a great thing that I had said goodbye when I had the chance...

It was a month or two when we had stopped at the inn along the Kingsroad. There I stepped out of the carriageways I was forced to ride in. My legs were stiff and my back ached, I wanted to run wild and free. I wanted nothing more than to return to Winterfell though, the people there may not like Lannisters all to well but most were caring folks.

When I started to walk around the soldiers and stable boys and those that worked in the inn I noticed there was one man following me with his gaze. I never did look to him for I knew nothing will replace this new empty hole in my heart.

I walked to the forest and stepped over the undergrowth and went to the Trident, it was seen far and wide at the inn. Nearly a mile wide and longer than any other river. It had many bends and forks and whirlpools and undercurrents, a man could die from setting foot in the blasted thing. But this is the major defense of the North, besides Moat Calin.

The Moat is a swampland, always wet or raining there. If you stepped out of the carriage or swung off your horse you might have been ankle high mud and shit. Which, I didn't want to know but I knew that you could easily lose your way there with how flat the land is. Not to mention that every patch of mud there looks just the same as the last you saw.

I was aware of my follower behind me, if they knew it or not. They were silent enough to be a murder's footsteps, they were a skilled hunter. They place their heel down first to muffle any noise and make a softer impact than tip-toeing or slamming their heel down.

Waiting for the right moment almost seemed impossible, I lost my patience and spun around to see a man of my height stranding not a few feet away from were I was, I looked around and back to him," You've some business, if so speak up or do not waste my time."

They answered softly but I could here the gruffness and low tone, this was no boy but a man," And you are."

I scoffed," Who am I? Why, I'm Taywin Lannister, your princess. Daughter of Queen Cersei. Who are you to speak to me in such a manner." The voice never answered, they had a hood hanging over their eyes but I could see the dark beard and the dark holes for eyes, the evening was growing late and shadows were starting to creep.

I glanced down at their attire, a sword hung at their side and a dagger was at the hip. The trousers were worn and dirty, their vest was lose and hung slightly open to expose their thick chest. He was a fighter, his ready stance suggested it all. I cleared my throat," You're a sellsword, what are you doing in my presence."

The man responded coldly," As if I am lower than you, are you not human as well."

I stalked closer wanting to see his eyes, I hugged my arms to my chest at the growing wind," I could cut off your tongue for such words," I stood under his tower height, he was taller closer up," but I am not without mercy. Say those words again and I will have you whipped through the streets of Kingslanding and the mercy of the choice of your hands or tongue to keep."

The stranger became more tense, he surely had never had a woman tell him something he doesn't want to listen to, I asked him nicely this time but the bitterness still clung to me," Now, tell me your name."

His stared into my eyes, his were a bright blue. Not like his personality at all," Alvor Snow, your Highness." The last part was hissed out as he straightened up and stood taller.

I blinked once," A bastard. Well, let me tell you this bastard, don't ever forget what you are for the world will not. But never let it hurt you, if you continue to argue people will see the weakness, they will feed off it, Alvor Snow." He seemed rather smug about himself but I saw him let some of his anger go when I told him these words, his eyes were less wild and more intense with wonder at my wisdom. I was only fourteen of course.

He stopped before he breathed in," And what age are you? Your height is of a young woman but your tongue is of an elder." I ignored him and stepped around him, the skirt of my dress was being picked up by the wind as was my hair. Why were peasants so inquisitive and rude? I heard his steps behind me before I even saw him standing in front of me," Did I say something?"

I tilted my head at this sellsword," You just said I was a hag. Did you not?"

He laughed and rubbed the back of his neck, it was warm here at the Neck. So close to the South. I heard a small chuckle in his voice," I never said that, I only meant that you are advanced for your age."

I mocked him," Look, a sellsword with a vocabulary. I never did expect you to have one, you being a peasant and all."

His gazed hardened," Now you're being rude."

I giggled and playfully shoved him back," Now you were being rude, I only returned the favor."

I saw his smile, his teeth weren't yellowed or brown with rot but a white. He cared about his well being. But it was his smile that brightened my mood, I had never seen a more gorgeous than his. I had no other choice than to smile with him," A princess smiling to me, a sellsword." He was then teasing and flung a hand over his face," A peasant!"

I placed my hands over my hips and pouted," Don't talk such rot. I was just starting to like you too."

He bowed and held his hand out," I am sorry my lady, may I escort you back to the inn?"

I sighed," I really don't want to back. I would much rather stay away. If you were in a carriage with your Mother and two other siblings and your snooty brother riding a horse next you then you wouldn't want to go back."

His eyebrows raised up," A princess not wanting to return to her castle?" His smile then became mischievous," I could take you away from your droll life."

I didn't return his humor," No teasing please. I want nothing more than to be home but I crave more than being a princess that will have to marry some disgusting lord."

His response was a simple one," Then if you must return it doesn't have to be now, stay and enjoy the countryside," he held his hand out and his expression softened," with me."

I looked to the forest, I could go back and endure the evening with my family, or I could spend the evening with a sellsword and not knowing what will happen but it will be more exciting than talking about marriage or dresses. I might even have fun.

I turned to Alvor Snow and gave the most charming smile I could muster before I took his hand and away from the inn. I gave one last look back to the forest I had came from but turned my attention back to Alvor who was talking excitedly about the land and forest.

Will Mother be angry that I chose a complete stranger over my duty?

***

Anyway, was is good or bad? I really don't know but that's why I'm counting on you, my readers.

XOXO

-Samantha Davis