HEAR ME ROAR ▹ GAME OF THRONES

one | wolf's den pt. i

I. | WOLF'S DEN, PT I

QUEEN CERSEI LANNISTER OF HOUSE BARATHEON WAS ANGRY, NO FURIOUS. Her rage could match the fury of her drunken fool of a husband during the time when he was a mighty warrior and not a whoring man with drinking problems.

First, King Robert decided — without consulting her — that he would named his — too honourable for her liking — dear friend, Lord Eddard Stark as Hand of the King.

Second, where Ned lived wasn't in the warm southern side of Westeros, no it was in the ugliest, creepiest, darkest and coldest side of the land: the North.

Third, her younger siblings were coming too, and she hated with a burning passion her little brother, Tyrion. It was his fault that she no longer had her beloved mother. With her little sister, Athena, it was slightly different. Jealousy. Envy. She was jealous of Athena, she envied her. Athena could have all men that she wanted and she was clearly favoured by their father.  While Cersei must be only satisfied with her fool of a husband and the affection of her twin brother.

...

King's Road, Winterfell, THE NORTH

It was freezing cold up in the North. Athena started to shiver when a sudden gust of wind entered the carriage. Her half-sister, Cersei looked up at her. "Little Cub, lions are never cold," Athena hated it when she called her that. Tywin Lannister was the only one who was allowed to call her the Cub of Casterly Rock.

Her brother, Jaime mocked her with it, her other brother, Tyrion, showed off with her nickname. He had thought of another little nickname for her himself: the Queen of Cubs and Beauty, for Athena the name was witty and clever, perfect for her. She was aware of the rumours that the commoners and nobles in the Seven Kingdoms simply called her the Queen of Beauty, to the dislikes of the actual Queen, her sister.

"Oh forgive me, Your Grace, it seems that the cold matches your personality," Athena responded back to Cersei, giving her the infamous Lannister smirk. The Queen just glared at her with her cat-like green eyes.

"Tommen, sweetling, that's not a position for a prince," scolded Cersei, she now noticed him after pampering Joffrey before his exit to his – not so used – brown horse. Tommen let a few tears flowed down his chubby cheeks that quickly were whipped away by Athena. She told Myrcella to seat next to her, and this action was quickly accomplished as the Princess looked up to her aunt as a role model and she didn't want to disappoint her. And then the little princess and prince were embraced by their aunt. Cersei looked the whole scene with the obvious feelings plastered on her now hard face — JEALOUSY & ENVY.

...

Castle of House Stark, Winterfell, THE NORTH

The King's party entered the gates of the castle with first House Lannister's and House Baratheon's banners with the heir to the Iron Throne, Prince Joffrey Baratheon, followed by his bodyguard, Sandor Clegane or most commonly knew as the Hound. Second, the Queen's twin brother Jaime Lannister also known as the Kingslayer, third was the big red carriage with the Queen's inner circle and finally the King, Robert Baratheon.

"You've got fat." The King exclaimed while he was walking towards the Starks.

The entire yard was silent; the Stark household anticipated what was going to follow. For answer, Ned arched an eyebrow and looked at the King's large belly with a 'what about you' look. Then they burst out laughing and hugged kind-heartedly like brothers would. Robert embraced Catelyn Stark like she was a long lost sister and she respectfully responded with a "Your Grace." And in the meantime he ruffled gently the light auburn hair of the youngest Stark, Rickon.

"I remember you, Robb isn't it? You've grown into a fine man." The eldest Stark just nod, too occupied with glaring daggers at Joffrey as the King went down the line to greet the rest of the Stark children.

"My, you're a pretty one."

"Thank you, Your Grace," said excitedly the oldest daughter of Eddard Stark, Sansa. She was extremely happy that there were possibilities that she will be Queen one day.

While the King finished his little conversation with the two middle children, Arya and Bran, Athena downed the two stairs of the carriage with the help of Jaime. The Northerners gasped at her breathtaking beauty; everyone could say that she was more beautiful than the Queen herself. Athena just smiled at the whispering comments she heard from men and women around the courtyard. Jon and Robb couldn't take their eyes from the beauty while Sansa gazed at Joffrey with admiration and he stared at his aunt with hidden desire.

"Take me to your crypt, Ned. I want to pay my respects," said Robert with grief laced in his voice. "We ride over a month, love, surely the dead can wait," Cersei rebelled with concealed anger in her voice. Robert completely ignored her and authoritatively said, "Ned!" Lord Stark threw a look at the Queen and quickly departed with Robert to pay his respects to his sister Lyanna.

"If you will follow me, my Queen, I shall show you and your children to your quarters," said politely but awkwardly Lady Stark. The Queen just nodded and followed Catelyn, with her cubs trailing after her, still angered that her husband didn't listen to her one more time. In the meantime Robb approached Athena. "My Lady, I will show you to your chambers."

"Of course, thank you, my Lord."

As they were walking in the corridor of the Guest House, distantly followed by two guards in her service, Athena watched in awe at the many beautiful tapestries and paintings that hang on the walls. She always held a profound love for history and the arts.
Robb chuckled softly at her childlike awestruck. "Something amuses you, my Lord?"

"Honestly? Yes, there is indeed something that amuses me."

"Can I know the cause of your amusement, my Lord?"

"Only if you call me be my name and not by 'My Lord'."

"It is a fair demand, Robb," she said as she observed the younger man.

"The cause of my amusement is that you looked quite adorable as you gazed at the paintings, my Lady."

"So you think that I'm adorable?" Asked the little Cub as she try not to blush too much, and he concluded truthfully, "yes and many more."

As they arrived in front of the chamber's door, they looked at each other for quite a long time until both downed their heads to hide their warm cheeks. Robb nervously asked her if he can escorted her at the feast this evening. "Yes, I will be honoured, only if you call me by my name, Athena and not 'My Lady'," she requested like him minutes ago.

"It is indeed a fair demand, Athena." He blushed redder than the crimson field of the Lannister's flag and his cheeks were warmer than the sun at its highest peak in Dorne.