Tallulah had heard word on the road that the Northern armies were in-between The Twins and Riverrun. It had been a fortnight since she had left Sandor in the night. At the time she thought leaving him would be the worst part of it all, but it was the loneliness which got to her most. She had not even heard her own voice in three days and she started to wonder whether a sad and at times scared existence with Sandor was better than cutting it out alone.
After another day of trekking through the river lands, soaked from the bogged ground and covered in dried mud, Tallulah saw her first person in days.
"Where do you travel?" a man called out in a guards uniform as he and his fellow three men stared at Tallulah with susicipon.
"North" Tallulah called back.
"And who do you follow?" the other guard asked.
"No one, I am just a simple bastard girl. The politics of the seven kingdoms makes no difference to me. I can tell you though, I certainty have no love for those who currently sit upon the throne".
The four men turned to each other and quickly began to speak in hussed tones. Finally they seemed to agree on something, as their leader turned back to Tallulah and informed her that they would be taking her back to their camp, there the King in the North could decide what to do with her.
"Get your fucking hands off me. I told you, I ain't no damned Lannister spy!" Tallulah cursed after an hours trek and then being dragged into the royal tent of the Northern armies.
"What is going on here?" a younger man asked sternly as he turned around to the chaos at the entrance of his tent.
"My grace, apologies for the trouble, we found her 3 miles east of the camp, she could be a Lannister spy".
"Tallulah?"
Suddenly another woman moved out from the shadows of the back of the tent and stared at Tallulah with surprised eyes.
"Lady Stark" Tallulah sighed in relief as she shoved the guards off her.
"Can someone explain what is happening here?" the northern king ordered.
"Robb, this is Tallulah Waters... I met her during my time at Kings Landing" Lady Catelyn explained with a calm tone.
"And why did my men find you alone 3 miles east of my camp?" Robb turned to look at Tallulah with a cool expression.
"I...I... I escaped Kings Landing... during the battle at Blackwater Bay. I was in the Red Keep, working as a handmaiden for you daughter, Sansa, they hired me after I saved her during a riot in the city... I... I was hoping I find you, perhaps find work or service. I'm a healer and a bloody good one" Tallulah stuttered as she felt her body heat up under Robbs stare.
"Sansa... she's still..." Cateyln gulped heavily.
"Yes... during the battle it seemed as though the Stannis forces were going to take the city, I was certain of it. I told Sansa to stay in her private bed chambers, lock herself in, that the Stannis forces would not harm her".
"Stannis and his men here defeated, badly" Robb informed her.
Tallulah was lost for words, unable to believe it. The city was overrun when she had left, when she had left Sansa. Still speechless, Lady Catelyn took a step towards and glared at the common girl."Lord Tywin saved the city with help from House Tyrell and you left my daughter alone in there".
"I..." Tallulah stuttered.
"You - you - you. Why should we allow you into our forces when you leave the Kings sister surrounded by our enemies" catelyn went on to his until finally Robb put an end to it.
"Mother that's enough, the girl thought she was doing right by Sansa, I will not judge harshly on those actions, even if they were mistaken. Leave us, all of you, I wish to speak with Miss Waters alone".
Gradually everyone left the tent, each one sending Tallulah a suspicious glance before leaving. When it was only the two of them left, Robb took a seat at his war table and sighed heavily.
"You must be either very lucky or extremely strong to manage it this far".
"I had some help along the way" she shrugged back.
"And you are a healer?"
"Yes... your grace".
"I will be fighting in many battles soon. I will lose men among the way. I will grant you a place in my service, help me not lose too many and I will ensure your safety".
"That is very kind of you and I gratefully accept, but rest assure I am no easily frightened maid, I can also fight for my own safety".
Finally Robb broke a smile as he looked up to the strange woman. "Aye, I'm sure you can".
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Secret Flames (Sandor Clegane)
FanfictionTallulah Waters was the daughter of Anicia Waters, the most desired and well known whore in all of Kings Landing. Tallulah did not know who her father was though. All she had knew whas that she witnessed growing up in Little fingers pleasure house...
