Until We Meet Again❄ (Sandor Clegane) Game Of Thrones (Wattys2019 Nominated)

12 - Traitors

            

King Robert was dying. Himself, his brother Renly and Ser Barristan were out hunting and him being the pissed-up king that he is, was too drunk to notice a wild boar charging straight at him and impaling his stomach.

Alia had seen his injuries as she went with Ned after Renly had rushed to give him the news and it was no pretty sight. Stunk too.

Everyone was asked to leave, including his wife to leave Ned and Robert alone together. Although Robert was a drunken King, he was noble in her eyes and the people of Winterfell's eyes. Robert and Ned had grown up together, being fathered by Jon Arryn and found great solace in each other. Robert had loved Lyanna Stark, Neds sister, unconditionally and was heartbroken when she died. Rhaegar Targaryen had kidnapped her and by the sounds of it, killed her. This led to the rebellion of the Baratheon's hating the Targaryen's and war broke out which soon led to the Mad Kings death, stabbed in the back by Jamie Lannister, the Kingslayer.

Later that day, Alia was stood in Ned's chambers, watching him skim read a large book that he was given to from Pycelle after learning that Jon Arryn was interested in it.

As Alia was pouring wine into a cup to give to Ned, he smiled at her gratefully although his eyes showed deep sadness at the thought of his best friend dying but he had been given the title Protector of the Realm which was very honourable.

"I heard you received a scroll from your brother, Archie, the other day. Arya had told me you had her read it to you." He chuckles lightly making Alia roll her eyes playfully, taking a seat opposite his desk.

"Yes... I am still learning don't get me wrong, but I didn't want to misread it accidentally, so I thought I would ask the very smart Arya." Alia says, looking around his room from where she sat, taking in all the books, plants, aroma etc.

"That is fair. Is he okay?"

"Yes. He said it has been challenging and Jon is also getting on well. He is apparently one of the best fighters up there!" Alia stated, making Ned look up to her when his bastard's son name was mentioned.

He stayed silent before nodding his head lightly as a form of 'good' but Alia is soon asked to leave when Baelish knocks on his door, letting himself in.

Her eyes land on him as his eyes also met hers, giving a light smirk as a greeting.

"You said you wanted to see me, Lord Protector of the Realm."

Alia looked back at Ned for a brief second as she headed to the large wooden door, walking past Petyr and giving him a knowing look that Petyr was acting suspicious.

As she leaves, she sees Septa Mordane and Sansa walk past and so she tags along behind them, her light armour making it easy to catch up.

Alia that day was equipped with her sword rather than her bow, not for any reason or anything but she did want to become slightly better at her sword fighting and took to practicing that morning and kept it on her person. She was also wearing her armour rather than her leather corseted tunic because she had awoken, having a slightly sick feeling in her stomach that the day was going to be unusual. After hearing the news of Robert dying, she always knew to trust her gut.

The three women were roaming around the castle gardens, Septa Mordane was teaching Sansa different flowers and where they grow and what they eat and blah blah blah. Alia had not have many interests in flowers or girly things. The only thing she liked to do that was girly was to style her hair that was usually braided to keep out of her face when fighting.

Hours seemed to have passed and as they were walking down a corridor, Sansa was bitching about Arya and how she always comes back with 'scrapes and bruises' because she was clumsy at her dancing lessons, but Alia freezes in her spot hearing screaming and yelling from the distance. She stuck her hand out so Sansa and the Septa didn't walk further and slowly drew out her sword.