After a horrible shipwreck that claimed the lives of her parents, Elizabeth Baratheon and her brothers seek refuge in King's Landing. From there, her siblings are sent away to kingdoms around Westeros, but Elizabeth is ordered to stay, after capturi...
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278 AC, Storm's End
Elizabeth clutched her mother's most recent letter to her in her hands, praying for the safe return of he parents. It was late morning, and her parents, Lord Steffon Baratheon and his wife, Cassana, were due to arrive soon. Robert was home from the Eyrie for the next few moons, and Elizabeth was ecstatic to finally have her whole family together again. Elizabeth bounced out of bed early that morning, and rushed through her routines and rituals. She was so excited for her parents' return that she just couldn't sit still. By mid-morning, she and her brothers had climbed to the castle walls to watch their parents' arrival.
The bay seemed to shimmer and the waves seemed to dance in the morning sun. A strong wind from the East blew the salty sea air from the bay into Elizabeth's pale face. Her dark curls were bound in a loose braid, and the fallout blew back out of her face. Her lively brown eyes glowed as she radiated the sheer joy that she felt within her heart.
Their parent's ship came into view, cruising swiftly through Shipbreaker Bay. Elizabeth could hardly contain herself; her joyous smile lit up the parapet where she stood with her brothers, Robert and Stannis. The white sails of the Windproud billowed proudly in the morning air.
Then, the sun was eclipsed by a dark cloud, and there was a sudden shift in the wind. Elizabeth jumped when she saw the ship jerk off its course. The Windproud was headed for the colossal rocks near the mouth of the bay. Her breath caught in her throat. She closed her eyes and prayed, to any gods that would listen, "Please don't take them from me, not yet! Spare them! How greatly I should miss them!My brothers are still children, and I am but a child myself. Please do not forsake us, O gods, hear my prayer." She prayed this rapidly, over and over until the soft touch of her brother's hand against hers brought her back. She opened her eyes, and took Stannis' hand willingly, rubbing it lovingly with her thumb. She knew he would never admit his fear where Robert would hear, but her gut told her that the same thoughts that coursed through her brain were ensnaring his as well.
A whimper escaped Elizabeth's throat as she realized there was no hope of steering the boat from the rocks. She gripped Stannis' hand tightly on her right, and steadied herself on the castle wall with her left. The wind was too fierce, the waves too strong. She looked on in horror while, with another great gust, the wooden ship smashed into the massive slabs of granite that pierced the surface of the water. The splintering was ear-piercing, and as another large wave materialized, the bisected ship began to absorb the water around it.
The Windproud was sinking, with her parents still aboard it!
Elizabeth's breath quickened. Her heart raced and her body shook. Sweat gathered in beads upon her forehead, and she felt herself sinking down against the stone. Her mouth was dry. She couldn't scream. She couldn't cry. She felt numb. Stannis' hand was still in hers. She watched as a single tear streamed down his cheek. Her breaths slowed. Her brothers were her priority now. Robert sunk down beside her. It was the first time she had seen him so defeated. She but her hand on his shoulder, bringing him close. She tugged lightly on Stannis' hand, and he too sunk back against the castle wall. Elizabeth and her siblings stayed that way, together, with tears streaming down the faces of the boys, until the night fell upon them.
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The air had cooled significantly, and the wind was no longer as strong. The clouds had receded back into the heavens, and the stars shown. Elizabeth wondered how the stars could still shine so bright, when such a shadow had been cast upon her house that day. Stannis had long since fallen asleep in her arms, as Robert laid on her shoulder sleeping soundly. Upon gazing at the stars, Elizabeth finally broke the facade of strength that she had held all day. Tears poured down her face as she grieved. She sobbed, and in her anger she shouted at the sky, though she knew nothing she could say would appease the Gods. She repeated this cycle until she herself succumbed to the call of sleep.
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a/n: I hope you all enjoy this!! I hope for each chapter to be between 500 and 1,000 words. Please don't forget to comment what you like and vote!
