Weeping Thorns

Chapter 16: Tense Matters

~Kasondra~

I was nearly out of breath by the time Princess Myrcella had lead me out to the throne room. Her childish energy would be the death of me. I panted heavily and erected my spine. Her playful blue eyes gleamed up at me in joy.

"That's the entire castle! At least what father allows me to see anyway." Myrcella murmured with furrowed eyebrows. I laughed and bowed to the little princess.

"It was amazing, my lady. We should do it again sometime." I forced a smile and winked at the blonde. Her face lit up and she squealed, causing my ears to ring a little. Loud footsteps echoed across the hard floor. I lifted my head to see Jory walking towards me in a hurried pace.

Myrcella cocked her head at the approaching knight. I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder to silently tell her everything was fine. Joey stopped a few inches away from Myrcella and bowed.

"Princess Myrcella, Lady Kasondra." The Princess curtseyed and turned to me with a sad smile. I patted her blonde curls and laughed when she shared her own giggle.

"I should be returning to my room. Mother will be mad if she finds out I haven't been in my room." The little girl took off down one of the long halls. I rubbed the back of my head and sighed. I turned to Jory with a raised eyebrow.

"What's wrong?" I whispered lowly. Joey grabbed my shoulders and looked over my shoulder before leading me outside, into the garden. The area was strangely vacant. Joey grabbed my hand softly and pulled me close enough so I could hear his heartbeat.

"What has you worried?" I whispered and pressed my hands against his shoulders, pulling myself into the embrace.

"Your sisters are fighting again. Lord Eddard is already on edge about Jon Arryn's death Kasondra. I think it is best if you comfort your family." He murmured and buried his nose into my blood red locks. I scoffed in disbelief. Isn't that what I came here for in the first place?!

"Don't you think that's what I'm trying to do?!" I snapped and buried my fingers into the fabric of my gown. Joey stood wide eyed, confused at my anger.

Men were so dense.

"Did you think I followed the princess around all day on my own initiative? No, this is a dangerous place Jory. I would face the Hound in combat if it meant keeping my family safe." My teeth grounded in anger. I jerked myself from Jory and picked up the edge of dress. "Now if you'll excuse me, I believe it's time for dinner." My shoulder collided with Jory before I paused with a deep breath.

"We are being watched."

~~~~~~~~~~
*3rd POV*

Kasondra leaned back in her chair, watching her youngest sister stab at the table with her knife. Septa Mordane was becoming more agitated by the second, much to Kasondra's amusement. Kassy had barely touched her food. Her siblings were experiencing the same feeling of anger, grief and sadness running through their veins.

"Arya, stop that nonsense right now!" Septa snapped, causing the young girl to shoot a icy glare to the old woman. Arya slammed her silverware down onto the table. Kasondra stood on the edge of her seat, ready to grab Arya if she were to explode.

"What is going on here?" Eddard entered the room with a stern face. Arya turned to her father, the glare on her face dropping immediately. Ned softened his gaze as he watched Arya stand from the table, hurt flashing through her dark orbs.

"Where do you think your going?" This old hag never knew when enough was enough. "You haven't even touched your supper!" Arya clenched her fists.

"May I please be excused?" Arya stated with false sincerity. Mordane shook her head with a firm frown.

"No you may not. Not until you eat-"

"Why don't you eat it?!"

"Arya!" Edward shouted at his youngest daughter. A line of tears formed in those dark eyes. Arya turned on her heel and raced out of the dining hall. Kasondra looked down onto her plate with a sad gaze. Edward sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. Raising three daughters was enough to bring the strongest man to his knees.

"I'll go take care of her. Eat Father." Kasondra stood from her seat with a polite bow and raced to find out what in the 7 hells possessed Arya to act in such a manner. Kasondra arrived at the door a few moments later. She didn't even bother knocking, knowing Arya would probably just ignore her.

The room was dimly lit with a candle near the small desk. Arya sat in the window, feet dangling over the edge. Kasondra softly closed the door behind her, gaining the younger female's attention.

"What?" Arya hissed and wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her head upon them. Kasondra sighed and walked towards her sister. She climbed into the remaining free area and laid a hand on Arya's head. The young girl looked at her elder sister with fat tears rolling down her cheeks.

"C'mere, pup." Arya dove face first into Kasondra and began to release her emotion into the redhead. Kasondra just sat there with a small smile and stroked the long brown locks. Arya buried her fingers into Kasondra's dress. "Hush Arya, You don't want father to see you crying."

Arya sniffled and calmed her ragged breaths. Kasondra cupped her cheeks and wiped her face clean of any tears. Arya straightened when a knock bounced from her bedroom door.

"Come in." Kassy answered for her distressed sister. Eddard opened the door to find his daughters resting in the window like a pair of birds. He closed the door with a loud bang and walked towards the females.

"Father." Kasondra bowed her head and ruffled Arya's hair. The small girl gave a small smile. Kasondra brushed past her father and decided to return to her room for the night. The room was quite large compared to Kasondra's room back in Winterfell. Her handmaidens flocked around like pigeons and began to undress her.

Once the layers of the dress were shed, Kasondra slipped into a cream night gown and sat in front of the mirror while a young handmaiden brushed through her locks. Her fierce eyes glared at the image staring back at her.

Would things ever be the same?

~Chapter End~

*Long Authors Note*

So I received a comment on one of my later chapters about how I made Kasondra only for the sake of her being with Jory. I am not upset in the slightest because I enjoy feedback from my readers. Kasondra was created out of my idea that has nothing to do with Jory in the beginning. As for the age difference, it is no worse than Sansa and Littlefinger. I just wanted that to be clear. Thank you for your feedback and I will take it into consideration.

Kisses💋