Queen of Wolves // Jaime Lannister [GAME OF THRONES] (ON HOLD)

4. FLOWERS & RAVENS

Months flew by quickly in King's Landing, as quick as the summer days grew long. The feasts never seemed to end, much like the fun. His Grace enjoyed the festivities of each day as if the last never happened. Alynna supposed it was the wine, whether it be the plum red dornish or the fine arbour gold, flagons of it would pour into enough goblets to drown the thirst of all the poor in Flea Bottom, probably the whole of the crownlands too if she calculated correctly, so it wasn't hard to see how King Robert failed to remember anything, the court fools and jesters could play the same joke every day for a week and he would guffaw like it was the first time he'd heard them and Alynna knew they weren't very funny to begin with.

That led her to see the cracks in whatever charade the court was playing, more daunting than humorous. While King Robert's face flushed deeper with every slurp of wine and new serving wench, the Queen's mask was undeniably blank and stony as if she was someplace else like Alynna, who found herself imagining the hall in Winterfell, eating with her family every night, the stern faces of Northern men illuminated by the burning candles and Robb trying to sneak some ale from his father's flagon. The memories became bittersweet, enough to take her away from the stupid enjoyment and hot air of the Capital but nonetheless, memories of the past she was forced to hold on to if she didn't want to fall under the illusion most appeared to be under here.

Yet, not everything was ungenuine, Tobias certainly wasn't. Shortly after her arrival, Tobias had made it clear that friendship should blossom between the two betrothed and Alynna couldn't help but welcome his kindness or not deny his humour and began to enjoy his company immensely.