HEAR ME ROAR ▹ GAME OF THRONES

four | howls of the wolves

IV. | HOWLS OF THE WOLVES

Castle of House Stark, Winterfell, THE NORTH

ATHENA WOKE UP WITH THE NOW USUAL WOLF'S HOWLS OF GRIEF; it was so loud that she was certain the whole castle and its surroundings had heard the animal's cries. Her handmaidens entered the chambers to prepare a bath for the Cub. While the handmaidens are running to their works, Athena gazed at the dark clouded sky through the small window, the weather had this past sennight changed from normal northern weather to gloomy dark clouds with no sight of the sun.
It was as if the Gods knew that an innocent boy would never walk again. It could have been Tommen falling from the Broken Tower. The thought brought tears in her eyes, she sniffed softly.

Remember my little cub, lions don't weep, they held their heads high in pride and glory, their golden furs cost all the gold in the world and their mighty green eyes roared with power, they were her father's words after she broke down crying for the tenth anniversary of her mother's death. He was right she would not weep; she was a lioness of Casterly Rock after all.

"My Lady, your bath is ready," One of her handmaidens, Donna Brax said, the voice pulled Athena out of her thoughts. They undressed her from her sleep attire and guided her to a surprisingly warm bath. "My Lady, Her Majesty, the Queen invited you to break your fast with her and the rest of the royal family but I do not know if the King will be there, the same can be say for the Crown Prince."

"Is that so?" Anna Crakehall, the head of their Lady's maids, nodded in reply. "Good then, I'll be there."

...

Tyrion Lannister woke up as he heard dogs barking. He realized that he had fallen asleep on hay outside, but that didn't bother him until he heard his nephew's voice, "Better looking bitches than you used to, Uncle?" Joffrey sneered, as his uncle stood up. "My mother's been looking for you. We'll be riding for King's Landing today."

"Before you go, you will go to Lord and Lady Stark and offer your sympathies."

"What good of my sympathies?"

"None, but it is expected of you. Your absence has been noticed already."

"The boy means nothing to me. Besides, I cannot stand the wailing of women," he snickered cruelly, but that soon faded as Tyrion slapped him across the face. "One word and I'll hit you again."

"I'm telling Mother."

"Go. Tell her," he hit him again, "But first you'll go to Lord and Lady Stark and you will fall on your knees before them and tell them how very sorry you are, that you are at their services and that all your prayers are with them. Do you understand?"

"You can't..." Another slap shut the Prince down.