The Bastard Stag

Chapter 6- Five Years Later

Five years later...

I was finally returning to King's Landing, my home, though unlike before I would not be leaving in Flea Bottom but rather the Red Keep. My father had died two years prior, it had been the worst year of my life.

"Gendry." my mind wispered and I sighed. What did he look like? Would I recognise him, better yet would he recognise me? My foolish heart wanted to believe that we would see each other and be best friends again. I remember that he had started becoming muscular, he'd had thick black hair and piercing blue eyes, I took the next few moments to contemplate on whether or not he would be handsome.

"Aloe we are approaching the Keep!" Margarey cried out, breaking me away from my thoughts.

She was very petite with long and curly brown hair falling in waves down her back. After her husband Renly had died all the Tyrells (Margarey, Loras) and the rest of their house hold including me escaped from Stannis' clutches. We had been ridding for 3 moon turns. Thank god we had our litter, or else my legs would be stiff from riding on a horse for so long.

"Gendry." My mind whispered again. Oh I had missed him so. Especially during my first few years at High Garden. I had been lonely and sullen at the beginning, then just as I had finally gotten over him my father had been sent to the grave.

It had been a bad time, but Lady Olena helped get it together just as she always did, with pretty much everyone. She was a kind women, gentle even, but when it came to the pride of her family she became ruthless. She taught Margaery all that she knew, the were both very good at the Game of Thrones.

We had finally reached the Red Keep, and Margaery had composed herself, she was sitting primly with her hands in her lap. Oh what she and Loras had planned for the Red Keep and for Joffrey. They were all in for a big surprise.

Margaery planned on getting married to Joffrey. She wanted to be THE queen, not just a queen. As it turned out marrying Renly had been a mistake, and with Joffrey not married, only bethroed; Margaery still had some high chances.

We were loaded out of the litter and sent into the Red Keep. Loras bent the knee to House Lannister and then began to play the Game of Thrones.

"Your Grace," said Loras, "I beg the honor of service in your Kingsgaurd, to defend you against your enemies."

"Done" proclaimed Joffrey.

"Your Grace," said Loras, "I also have a maiden sister, the joy of our house. She was wed to Renly but the marriage was never consumated as Renly went to war. She has heard of your courage, your greatness and has come to love you from afar. I ask that you take her hand in marriage."

"I have also heard of your sisters great beauty, but sadly I am bethroed to another."

" Your Grace," a soft looking man in silks said, " We have conversed the High Septon, the marriage was made by your fathers hand before he ever knew of his friend Ned's deceit. He begs you to leave your betrothed for another."

The prince stood contemplating for a few moment before smiling.

"I may heed my heart." He said, "I will gladly wed your sweet sister."

Everybody's heads then turned to look towards a girl high up on a balconey. Her hair was as red as mine, she was tall with porclein skin and a delicate complexion. Her face was a stoic mask.

She must be Sansa Stark, that poor girl.

###

For the rest of the day I was free and so I dressed in a wool spun dress, tied my hair back and went out into the city. I wanted to find Gendry, he and my father still talked from what I could understand of my father's letters.

I went out on to the streets of Flea Bottom. I took the path I had taken everyday of my childhood and walked towards the markets exploring the place. There were new traders, new people but it was still almost the same as it had always been. I got swept away in memories and the feeling of home I got here.

It wasn't until it started turning dark that I started walking towards the Street of Steel. I looked for Tobho Mott's, it was still light and I wondered if Gendry was up working. I walked in and didn't see Gendry anywhere, only Tobho sitting counting at the little desk upfront.

He looked up when he heard the door close.

"Now look'e here." He said, "I ain't got nothin for you to steal so scurry along."

"Don't you remember me Tobho?" I asked him, surriely he couldn't have forgotten, I let out my hair. Tobho looked so surprised that he opened his mouth In surprise, I giggled.

"Lady Aloe, I beg pardon..." He began, but I didn't let him finish.

"You know I'm no lady, now do tell me dear Tobho where's Gendry?" I asked.

"Well um he's not here." Tobho said scratching his chin.

"And so when will he be back?" I asked, where would Gendry be at this time?

"Uh well he's, I mean he won't be back." Tobho said, "I've sold'im to the Night's Watch