II. FAMILIAL MATTERS

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π–₯𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗂𝖺𝗅 π–¬π–Ίπ—π—π–Ύπ—‹π—Œ

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KING'S LANDING WAS BY FAR the most beautiful place lady Celia had seen, altough she hasn't seen much outside Harrenhall and the seat of house Thorne. The mother stepped outside the carriage, holding Meera in her arms, as the journey had upset the girl's stomach.

Meera had her head leaning on her mother's shoulder and her eyes shut when she heard the rather annoying voice of an old man. Celia put her daughter down, grabbing her hand instead.

"There you are!" he said, opening his arms to welcome his girls. Meera considered him unpleasant looking, even if he was the spitting image of her mother. Dark hair, dark eyes and a fair complexion, but the man was small and round of frame and he definitely lacked her mother's poise.

"Father." Celia accepted her father's embrace because in all honesty, she missed him. Throughout the years, the lady Thorne resented her father for marrying her so soon. Her husband was a good man, an attentive and loving father, but Celia could never bring herself to love him. She found herself wondering how her life would have turned out if she stayed more at Harrenhall and if she married for love.

Lyonel Strong then took a good look at his oldest child. He would never admit, but Celia was his favourite daughter. The other two he had sired came to court with him, but ended up as handmaidens to the dragon princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. And Celia became a lady that willΒ  now accompany the queen herself.

"And how is my little granddaughter." he said, bending down to Meera's level. "I don't believe we met." In the eight years Meera Thorne existed, her grandsire had never came to see her, only send presents such as jewlery or fine dresses on her name day.

"My name is Meera." she told him with a tired and bored expression. "Where is uncle Rickard?" the girl questioned, turning to her mother.

"He must be here somewhere." she muttered awkwardly. Celia was sure she had to adress her daughter's lack of courtsey later, now that they will be ladies of the court.

"Harwin was quite eager for your arrival." Lyonel said, ignoring the child's words.

Celia smiled politely, remembering her two brothers. "I must congradulate you on your position as Hand, father dear."

Lyonel thanked his daughter and then had her and Meera escorted to their chambers.





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From what Meera heard her mother and grandsire talking, her uncles Harwin and Rickard were outside, where the oldest prince Aegon was having his training lessons.

The girl sneaked out of her chamber, easly unnoticed and tried to find her way outside. The Castle was much bigger than the home she grew up in, the hallways more confusing and dragon banners made it all look intimidating.

Meera stopped in the middle of the corridor, starring puzzled at the multitude of door. Which one should she choose?Β  People of the Red Keep seemed totally uninterested in her presence and ignored her efortlessly when she tried to ask a question. This bothered Meera, back home she was the centre of attention.

The girl choose to walk straight in the front, while looking closely for an exit. Meera bumped into a person, almost knocking them off. The sound of wood hitting the floor caused her to look up and meet the scrunched expression of a man with long and thin hair. The wood came from the stick he was carrying around to support him walking as his foot was clubbed. The Lord Confessor Larys.

"Are you supposed to be here, Meera?"Β 

"How do you know my name? Who are you?" she enquired, taking a few steps back.

"There are eyes and ears everywhere, lady Thorne." he replied, looking menancely in her eyes. "Haven't Celia spoke about me to you?" and because she shook her head, Larys continued. "Such a shame, my sister didn't mention me. And what are you doing here, a child shouldn't roam alone on the corridors."

"I wanted to see my uncle Rickard." Meera told him, ready to turn around and go back to her chamber. Larys's presence was odd enough for her and she knew better than to surround herself with dubious men. "But I'll return, mother must be looking for me."

Larys stopped his niece, grabbing her shoulder tightly, too tightly. "If you came to see your uncle, then you shall see him."

"No, thank you." Meera gulped. "I don't want to upset mother."

"How could she be upset if you are safe with your uncles?" Larys began walking and dragging her with him, keeping the same tight grip on her shoulder.









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Meera's eyes scanned her surroundings. A lifeless courtyard full of people unknown to the girl who all seemed to be rushing somewhere to do something. Why are they all in a hurry? There is plenty of time for everything.

The dark hair of Rickard caught her attention from the crowd. Rickard Thorne was placed near a table with his hands resting on it, while talked with another man dressed in the same uniform. Meera broke from Lary's grip, running to her uncle.

Β "Uncle Rickard!"

The knight squinted his eyes to see who was calling him and a smiled appeared on his lips as soon as he spotted his beloved niece. Rickard was the one who Meera adored most before he left to join the kingsguard.

He picked her up and hugged her tight. The metal of his armour cooled Meera's skin as she pulled her favourite uncle as close as she could.

"How you've grown, lady bird." Rickard was a tall man who wore the signature Thorne kissed by darkness looks.

"I've missed you so much, uncle." She giggled. "Hold me higher."

And Rickard complied, holding his above his head and smiled delighted at her chuckles. Meera closed her eyes and filled her lungs with the dusted and smoky air surrounding the Red Keep. She opened her eyes, looked at the clear blue sky and she felt free like her hawks.

Rickard put her down and Meera turned to face her uncle's companion with dornish appearance. She raised an eyebrow at him and he spoke.

"And who is the little lady?"Β 

"I'm Meera Thorne. But who are you?" she enquired.

"Ser Criston Cole. " he replied then took the girls hand and kissed it lightly to make Meera smile.

"She was my late brother's only child..." Rickard began to explain but quickly realized the mistake of mentioning the poor girl's father. Meera's heart was hit by a wave of sadness that was reflected in her now teary eyes.

"You didn't come to the funeral." she told her uncle narrowing her eyes. Ser Criston removed himself from the scene when the waters warned to become troubled, leaving the uncle and his niece talk.

"Yes, darling. I had to do my duty here." Rickard explained, bending down to her level. "Duty must come first."

The answer wasn't to Meera's liking so she kept staring at her uncle, until the worried and impatient voice of her mother entered the scene.

"Meera!" Celia said walking fast in their direction, followed by Lyonel. "You, you should have stayed in your room!"

Meera met her mother's eyes in which worry was reigning. "I'm sorry mother, but..."

"It's good to see you, Celia." interrupted Rickard, drawing Meera closer to him. "Meera was here with me. Nothing to worry about." he defended.

" How did you leave your chamber?" Celia continued, but not before shooting a cool glare to her brother in law. "And how did you get here?"

"People here seem to consider me invisible, it wasn't hard." she shrugged, burying her face in her uncle. "Your brother brought me."

"Harwin?" asked Celia puzzled.

Meera shrugged once again. "I don't know."

Celia opened her mouth to scold her daughter but Rickard came to her defence one more time.Β 

"She's just a kid, Celia. Let her be this time. She will learn."

The woman was frustrated, but took a deep breath before adresing her child. "I'm glad you're safe at least. Now you have to rest, tomorrow you are to meet princess Helaena, the lady you are to acommpany. "Β 

Celia stroked Meera's hair and took her inside.



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a/n: So this is more of a filler chapter where we get to see Meera and her family a little bit. The next chapter is where the story truly begins, with the events in episode 6.

Happy reading<3


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