NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WASN'T A SURPRISE when Cynthia and Livia finally came down the stairwell and entered the Great Hall of Stillwater, all be it they did so with caution, upon entering the room that was put to the wind. They'd expected something of this nature, but not this soon nor this heartlessly done. Their mother, as they'd learnt over the years and over the most recent weeks, was cold-hearted in all natures of her bitter life, and now she'd put the icing on the cake, so to speak. Livia, which Cynthia could tell from standing beside her, was doing her utmost best not to fall to the floor in floods of tears, or burst into fits of screaming that would do no one any good. She was tense, biting hard enough on her lip to draw blood, and her eyes had already begun to gloss over. She was on the edge, and their mother's bitter sweet smile was doing nothing to aid that.
Stood between their mother and their new company, was Alec, who seemed equally as uncomfortable and irritable in their mother's presence, and, given the circumstances, he didn't come across as being in one of his better moods. His best friend had been killed, Alec had almost been killed as well, but no doubt he blamed himself for letting the King fall, as he was charged with protecting him and he had failed. He would know what both Livia and Cynthia would say against that, but what use was it - the guilt was his to bare alone, and no words would amend that. However, it was clear he was sympathetic more so to his sister, in the current situation, than anything else. Neither Livia or Cynthia had seen their brother since he rode off to join Robb on the battlefield, and had only barely received news of his survival after The Red Wedding, so what a reunion this was to be, all thanks to their mother's wicked ways.
"Livia, my dear, and Cynthia; this is Lord Randyll Tarly, and his son Dickon." Frea Iris, their mother, announced with a voice so laced with false pride that it made Cynthia feel momentarily sick. Frea's intentions, straight from the outset, were obnoxiously clear, and no doubt Livia was about ready to spin on her heals and bolt without so much as a care for reputation - it was unfair, cruel and plainly insulting of their mother do to this to Livia, not even a month since she'd lost the love of her life and her betrothed. But then they had expected no less from her. "May I introduce the two eldest of my girls," Frea carried on, not batting an eyelid at the thought of her daughter being distressed or saddened by this encounter.
Cynthia didn't curtsy, nor did Livia much past a vague nod; if Frea would not see that she was being heartless, the least Cynthia could do for her sister was act as though she had not been raised at all like a lady, and perhaps cast the impression that Livia had not either. Which, in all fairness, was not so much as a large leap where Cynthia was concerned, given she'd been taught archery and hand-to-hand combat instead of the average activities for young girls of Westeros.
"Alec!" Livia blurted out, just before their mother could continue the introductions and/or plotting of selling off her daughters. "It's good to see you home," She smiled a little more than she had in weeks - Cynthia had been afraid she'd never see her sister smile again, but it would appear a reunion with her favoured brother would do the trick, somewhat.
"It is good to be home," Alec replied with a similar expression, which, in itself, was enough to brighten Cynthia's mood substantially. "Though I owe that to Lord Tarly, without whom I could not have made it back here alive."
"What do you mean?" Livia finally spoke, her voice sounded feeble and not nearly as enthusiastic as it usually was. That Cynthia could understand, as no doubt this whole scenario was reminding her too much of everything she'd lost just over 2 weeks back.
"He and his son found me on the side of the King's Road, it is because of them I stand before you, today." Alec seemed to be entirely grateful to his company, and despite being able to see why he would be, Cynthia couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit betrayed at her brother's new found appreciation of the Tarlys. True, she'd never met them before now nor did she know a great deal about their family, but in the same instance she knew too well what their intentions here were, involving Livia, and she was hurt to think Alec might have had even the slightest bit involvement in organising this meeting.
"Well, you have our gratitude, certainly." Frea pitched in, her eager voice curdling Cynthia's stomach instantaneously. And here Cynthia was believing Catelyn Stark to have been a horrible mother - at least she had loved those of her children that were her's by blood, the same could not be said about Frea Iris. "Children, why don't you go and assist your brother in settling back in." Frea gave a small, sharp smile and turned back to the Tarlys; "Perhaps a tour of Stillwater?"
The 3 Iris children present needed no more encouragement to vacate the room with haste, even Alec, whom had seemed to be enjoying the company of the Tarlys, left as quickly as his sisters, who were already making for the stairs without so much as looking back. Livia was ahead of the trio, her legs carrying her swiftly up to the landing and down the nearby corridor too fast for the others to catch her. Alec tried though, probably not understanding his sister's heartbreak in as much depth as Cynthia.
"Give her some space," Cynthia sighed, pausing half way up the stairwell to look at her brother. She hadn't noticed him in the Great Hall upon entering, and now, looking at him in better lighting, he looked as though he had been through the wars, literally. "She is yet to recover from the news."
Alec nodded, seemingly understanding of the circumstances. "I am sorry to have not delivered the news myself, perhaps it would have softened the blow a bit."
"I do not think anything could have made it any less painful for her." Cynthia stated with a saddened tone. She believed her words, the distraught wreck of a sister she'd seen in the past weeks was like nothing she'd ever seen before, and hoped to never see again in her lifetime.
"And how are you, Cyn?" Alec inquired a moment later, after a dim silence had settled among the pair, who remained stood in the middle of the stairwell.
"The news of Robb was disheartening to us all - well, those of us with a heart, at least." She obviously meant her mother by that statement; but even Alyssa and Asher had been sad to hear of Robb's demise. "I just worry for the rest of the family, with Catelyn and the eldest Stark also gone, who knows what will happen to the Stark name."
"And Jon, of course." Alec said with all seriousness, even though there was a small trace of a smile painted beneath his reddish beard.
"Yes," Cynthia sighed, the air feeling heavy as it filled her lungs. "And Jon."
YOU ARE READING
WE MIGHT FALL (J.SNOW 2)
Fanfiction(THINKING OF SNOW 2) "Now that we are older, I remember you. Reaching out to show me all the things that I must do. Now that we are older, I remember youth. Now that were are close to death and close to finding truth, we might fall." Continuing with...
