How To Kill a Flower

Chapter 38

The following days i couldn't stop thinking about Gendry. Did he love me in King's Landing? Did he think about me when he left? Is there a possibility that he still loves me?

Gods what is wrong with me, we're about to fight a great battle against the Night King and i'm worried about some boy. 

I shook my head at myself, hoping to clear it as i was standing in the training yard. I decided to practice my shooting since i hadn't done it in a while and i couldn't find Sandor to practice with my swords.

I had shot about 50 arrows by now, all hitting the center. I was having to stop every ten arrows or so, just to retrieve them and then start again. I was in my own little world. I would draw one arrow and shoot then i would draw my three and shoot them back to back.

After my last arrow i turned when i heard clapping. I saw Daenerys, Jorah, Tyrion, her adviser, and her commander of the unsullied. The usual people that were around her.

"Your Grace," I called to her as i collected the arrows.

"You are very impressive, My Lady." Daenerys replies as i walk towards them.

I sighed, "Well, i grew up practicing with Robb and Jon. Been shooting since i was a little girl."

"I don't think you've been properly introduced," Tyrion spoke up, "This is Missandei, the Queen's most trusted adviser. Jorah Mormont and Greyworm, the commander of the Unsullied."

I nodded to them respectfully, "Cirilla Stark, but call me Ciri." 

"Did your parents not care that you were with the boys?" Jorah asked after a moment.

I looked at the order man, "I was too wild, they couldn't control me," I grinned as i remembered mother always yelling at me when she caught me practicing, "But i made them a deal. If i acted like a lady the rest of the time, i could practice with the boys. It was really father who had to convince mother. He was very proud when he saw how well i could shoot. Just like he was proud of Arya."

"Was he not proud of Sansa?" Daenerys asked.

"He was proud of all his children; boy, girl, bastard." I looked over at Jon who was in the distance talking to Gendry. "He just didn't know how to show it to her before it was too late." I smiled softly, "Mother was overjoyed that at least one of her daughters was a proper lady."

"If i may, my lady." Missandei started, "But why are you not Lady of Winterfell, you are the oldest and a trueborn?" She asked kindly.

I smirked, "As i stated earlier, i am too wild. I was not meant to be the Lady of Winterfell, but Sansa," I paused, "She was born for this. Jon would have been the greatest ruler with her by his side."

I saw Daenerys' eyes harden slightly, "You do not approve of him bending the knee either." She does not ask, she states this.

I stayed silent, looking over face. "I think that we ought hard to be free of the South. Too hard to be brought back just because our King is too honorable," I speak lower to her, "and in love."

Her eyes snap up to mine, "That is not why he bent the knee, he bent the knee because he knew i am the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. He saw how powerful and just i am. I would risk everything to protect my people." She paused to get herself under control, "He saw how i risked my children to save him when the Night King was about to kill him in the North." 

I smiled a small smile, "Im sure he saw all of that, but i also know Jon. He would have been amazing at being King. He came from nothing," I sighed, "our mother treated him like shit. All because he was the symbol that Ned Stark could be dishonorable, because he could lay with someone other than her. Jon never hated her for it, but it made him feel like he was never part of the family. Jon would have done anything to protect his family, he would have never made our father's mistakes. Except when he met you, he did. And if he loses his head because of it," I look into her eyes, "I will make sure you never rule the North."