The Game of Thrones

Living Among Lions

However, it was nearly a week into our stay that I woke to find myself alone as the sunlight began to filter into the room through the sheer curtains. Sighing to myself, I stretched my arms above my head and contemplated remaining in bed when I heard the door open. Pushing myself up into a sitting position, I watched the door open to reveal Taria dressed in her usual pinkish-orange gown carrying another vase of Winter Roses as I said, "morning Taria," only to watch her blink with a near jump. "My lady, you're," nodding that I was awake. I pushed the blankets covering me aside and climbed out of bed while she continued to stare at me while she held the vase. Reaching out, I took the jar from her, walked across the room, and set them on the small table in my room before turning to look at her to find her making my bed as I asked, "is Lehna not with you?" With another blink, she quickly said, "she was detained, my Lady." Curious, I asked, "detained," as Taria stopped remaking the bed to glance at me before going back to what she was doing as I asked, "who detained her Taria" only to hear "who detained whom, my Lady?" Turning my head, I sighed upon seeing Lehna standing in the doorway of my chambers as I said, "no one" before walking over to my vanity and sitting down as Lehna followed me only to pick up my hairbrush before running it through my hair. As I had done since our arrival, I dressed in one of my simple gowns from home, today's gown was a lovely shade of green, as they swiftly braid the front of my hair into a crown braid that they pinned behind my ear.

As the three of us left my chambers to join my sisters of our first meal, I was surprised to find a guard bearing four scrolls waiting for me. With a quick bow, he held the scriptures out to me while saying, "Maester Pycelle asked that I deliver these to the hand but," nodding my thanks, I took them from the man while saying, "thank you, I will give them to him," only to watch him walk away. Taking a deep breath, I continued down to the common area to find Father sitting with a silent Arya and Sansa as he reviewed a piece of parchment. Motioning for Taria and Lehna away, I entered the room while saying, "morning," before stopping and kissing the side of Father's head before placing the scrolls before him. "What are these," turning my head I offered him a smile as I sat down before saying, "a guard was asked to deliver them to you by Maester Pycelle," with a nod from Father, I quickly said, "I think he got lost, so I offered to take them from him." With another nod, I moved to eat while Father opened the scrolls. Reaching for a piece of fruit near his elbow, I swiftly recognized the Baratheon Stag stamped on one of the manuscripts with the words union of the family at the top. I stared at the paper for a moment only to jump upon hearing a clunk followed by Septa saying, "Ilyanna!"

Turning my head toward her, I blinked upon realizing that I knocked something over as Father asked, "Ilyanna, did you see," as I turned my head to look at him, I slowly nodded yes as he sighed. Forcing myself to remain calm, I asked, "who are they from?" He gently said, "Lord Baelish, Ser Loras Tyrell, and Renly Baratheon all ask to be considered for your husband," while someone huffed. Slowly turning my head, I blinked upon seeing a look of disgust on Arya's face while Sansa snippily asked, "why would Ser Loras wish to marry you?" Septa quickly chirped, "Sansa, that was rude!" She turned her head toward Septa, I promptly said, "you may be betrothed to wed Prince Joffrey little sister, but I never expected you to turn into a spoiled brat because of it" only to hear her gasp in surprise while Arya quietly giggled to herself. Breathing deeply, I stared at Sansa for a moment before glancing at Father while saying, "if you believe one of them is a worthy match, I will agree to it." With a nod, I kissed his cheek, stood and said, "please excuse me, but I am no longer hungry," before walking out of the room.

For most of the day, I kept away from the hand's Tower and my younger sisters by traversing the gardens of the Red Keep. As I turned to continue down another path when I heard "my Lady," as I turned my head to find the Spider standing behind me. With a deep breath, I quickly said, "Lord Varys," only to continue walking as he said, "I hear that you have received some prominent requests today," as I glanced to my left to find him walking beside me. "I was not aware of who I may or may not marry was a topic of discussion for the King's Small Council." He offered a smirk of a smile before saying, "considering one of the three men requesting your hand is the brother of the King I was surprised that the King was not present to ask your father, the Lord hand, on whether another Stark Lady would be joining his family." I huffed to myself while we walked. "My Father has another matter to think on then who I shall marry at present, my Lord." Varys nodded as we turned a corner to find Lord Renly walking with Father as Varys said, "perhaps you are right, but I still wonder what they could be discussing if it is not his request." I felt my chest tighten as I watched them for a moment before spinning on my heels to walk back the way I came only to hear "Lady Stark, what a pleasant surprise." Breathing deeply, I slowly turned my head to find Renly and Father coming toward us as Renly offered a bright smile before saying, "your father and I were just discussing the betrothal request I." I quickly said, "Lord Baelish and Ser Loras Tyrell sent to him asking for my hand in marriage this morning," as he blinked suddenly. Smiling to myself, I clasped my hands before me as I slowly glanced at my Father and asked, "the last scroll you received this morning was it another," only to have him shake his head no before saying, "it was actually a letter from Robb for you." Surprised, I opened my mouth to speak when he said, "I asked Jory to place it in your chambers so you may read it once you returned from your walk." I unclasped my hands and quickly hugged him as I whispered, "thank you, Papa." He gently held me until he whispered, "you are welcome, my darling girl." Pulling back from his hug, I offered him a bright smile before saying, "please excuse me." Gathering the skirts of my gown as I all but ran back to the Tower to read Robb's letter while hearing Renly say, "she is truly a lovely girl that will certainly make her husband, whoever he is, a smiling fool for the rest of his days."