Marienne's Game Of Thrones- Robb Stark

The Lannisters and the Starks

Before the kiss could continue any further, a deep voice clears itself behind us. The cold wind whipping my auburn hair across my face, I jump away from the Stark boy, and turn to see one of my Queen's guards staring suspiciously at us both.

"Don't worry my lady, I do not come with bad news. Cersei has summoned you to her room, she feels the assistance of Stark staff is useless, and needs your help with matters before the Feast." I sigh quietly, and look to see Robb walking away, carrying on deeper into the forest, footsteps hard against the ground.

I feel myself frown as I watch him walk away, and nod to the guard, following his lead.

I stay at the same pace as the guard as he leads me back to Cersei's room, with no attempt of small talk between us to ease the silence as we walk back across the courtyard.

I had only been at Winterfell for an hour or so, yet I felt like I belonged here. As much as I am honoured to work for the Lannister's, Jaime always made sure to remind me of my position, and that I could easily be replaced. And Tyrion, as civil as he may be to me, I fear is more like Jaime than he seems. They aren't as welcoming as the Starks, and definitely not as humble.

As soon as we reached Cersei's room, the guard resumed his spot of guarding the door. Although there was no need for this, Cersei felt you could never be too careful.

"Marienne! I am sorry for summoning you back, but these women seem to not be able to dress me. Shoo!" Cersei flicks her wrist with a sense of arrogance, and the three young ladies with frightened expressions scurry out of her quarters, not looking back. It was moments like these that remind me it is not a shock that Joffrey has turned out to be as condescending as he is.

As soon as the door shut, Cersei rolls her eyes and perches on the edge of her dresser.

"These Stark's can't even hire good staff, you should of seen what they were trying to make me wear for the feast!" She scrunches her face and glares at an interesting green dress strewed across her bed. When I say interesting.. the colour was not one to be desired.

"Don't worry my grace, I have brought some of your finest clothes from Kings Landing." I walk over to one of the old brown boxes sitting on the bedside table holding her clothes, untie the lace holding it together and begin to sort through it.

"And all I will like, no doubt." She smiles assuringly, making her way over to the window panes, running a finger across a mark on one of the panels.

"Is Winterfell to your taste?" She asks me, watching Bran shoot arrows at a target, below the window. He looks up to find her scowling at him and smiles, but it is not returned by Cersei.

"Yes it is, I feel I will miss Winterfell when we depart."

"I'm not surprised. You Fortitudo's always seemed to favour extraordinary and undesirable things."

Taking no offence from her remark, I lift a dark purple and blue dress out of the box, running the silk between my fingers. the dress had a v-line, stooping low across the chest. It was laced with silver sequins, pearls if I'm not mistaken.

"Yes. This dress is perfect. I can always rely on my loyal handmaiden." Cersei takes the dress from me, holding it against her with a cheerful smile on her lips. She places it neatly onto her bed, and scans the remaining dresses in the box.

"Now. Something to show my appreciation for you help." Cersei taps a finger against her chin as she looks at the contents, and as if a light bulb flashed above her head, she pulls out a violet dress identical to the one I had chosen for her. She holds the sleeves against my arms, and hums.

"Perfect. We will be the best dressed ladies, there is hardly any competition."

"I couldn't possible wear this Cersei, this is yours!" Her kindness towards me always shocks, as I knew there would be a catch.

"Don't be daft, I guarantee it will look better with your frame. And you want the Stark boy to notice you, do you not?" Cersei gives me a knowing smirk, taking in my bewildered look.

"Marienne, you cannot pull the wool over my eyes. A strange pairing, yet I feel we will both benefit from this relationship you seem to be kindling. It is possible that Eddard has confided in Robb with sensitive information, information I wish to know."

"Are you asking me to eavesdrop, your grace?"

"Not in the slightest Marienne. I am just asking my most trusted handmaiden that if Robb just so happens to tell you any of Eddard's future plans, if he is planning a rebellion or if a war is on the horizon, that you relay this information back to me. It is vital that you do so, Eddard Stark is a dangerous man and the consequences could be dire." Cersei whispers to me, as we are nearly nose to nose. Her gaze was burning into me, challenging me to refuse.

I could not believe what Cersei was asking of me. Eddard is a kind man loyal to the crown, he would never plan to do any such thing. The Starks would never plan a rebellion.

Although, this is not what Cersei wants to hear.

Cersei is what I like to call the binary opposite of the Starks. While the Lannisters feel ruling with fear is the only way and being one step ahead of any potential enemies, the Starks understand how to truly rule, and with positive effect. They are a true, honest house. I do not just say this because they are allies with my house, but my father used to tell me stories of how without the help of the Starks, house Fortitudo would of gone out of existence centuries ago.

"My loyalty for you will never quaver my grace. If the Starks are practicing anything that could be a threat to the house of Lannisters, I will inform you as soon as possible."

"Good. I expected as much from you Marienne, you are one of my only true friends, if not my only one still living. I fear the Starks have blinded my pig of a husband Robert into a false sense of security, loyalty and friendship, but I will not be as lenient as he; I have you."

Without any more words, Cersei sits on the fine chair in front of her dresser admiring her complexion in the mirror, as I begin to pin up her hair.

Did I not say there would be a catch?

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