The Bastard Queen

The Truth

I remember little of the night in Darry. Just that it had been a moment of fun and that I had woken up with a horrible headache the next morning. But that was two weeks ago, and Patrek has been acting weird towards me ever since.

But he is an odd creature, so I let it slide.

I could see King's Landing from here. The walls guarded by the City Watch, The ruins of the Dragonpit on the Hill of Rhaenys, the Great Sept of Baelor with its gleaming white marble, and finally the looming Red Keep. The King's castle looked like a dragon itself, red stone perched on its hill snarling at the people it protects.

We entered the city through the Dragon gate. Our group being guided through Shae's Manse to the Red Keep by gold cloaks. It was a direct route. We stayed close to the city walls, I couldn't help but notice we were being watched by the men on those walls.

King's Landing is said to be the largest city in all of Westeros, but it's castle was smaller than Winterfell. I suppose it made up for its size in height.

It was hard to ignore the stench the city floated in. Some say there are rivers of excrement that flow through Flea Bottom.

As we got closer to the great keep, the air became more perfumed. A King could not live in stench, I suppose.

We were met at the castle gates by the Master of Coin, Tywin Lannister.

"Greetings Lord Eddard, Brynden, the King awaits you in the Great Hall. Rhaegar has sent these fine men to escort your families and belongings to your rooms while we treat. You'll be occupying the Hand's Tower."

At his words, a mixture of gold and two white cloaks emerged from behind the now open castle doors, ready and waiting. In their midst I could see a noteworthy man, the infamous Ser Barristan the Bold. Why a Kingsguard was away from his King, I could not fathom.

"And what of Jon Arryn? The Tower is his home is it not." Eddard inquired about the man who was as much a father as his own.

"I'm afraid he's passed in his sleep during your journey, the fever took him. If you're satisfied, we must be on our way. His Grace does not like to be kept waiting."

Tywin has always been a very serious man, some would call him unemotional. He did in fact feel such trivial things and at the moment disgruntlement came to mind. The King was picking a new Hand, the great lion had presumed his name to be top of the list.

Eddard and Brynden dismounted their horses and followed Tywin into the keep. Both men enlists their own man to watch over us; Brynden: Desmond Grell and Patrek, Ned: Ser Jory and Rodrik Cassel.

I dismount and help Arya and Sansa out of the carriage, offering a hand to Lady Cat as well.

"Why didn't you ride with us?" Arya whined half-heartedly.

"As much as I'm sure your mother would love the help, I don't think I could suffer your warring." I tilted my head towards her older sister.

"Maybe I fight with Sansa because you're not there to entertain me." She huffed in response before following her mother and brothers into the castle.

"Well at least we know you'll be bonnie with children." Patrek mused while approaching.

I scoffed, "I'm not going to have anything to do with children. You know that." I had discussed my disposition towards getting married and having a family life many times before.

"Well, things could always change," Patrek replied before stalking off and leaving me confused.

"Come on, little Ana. We mustn't be keeping these fine men waiting." Desmond pulled me from my thoughts and guided me towards the few knights remaining.