the tree
The journey south had been long and exhausting, but finally, after several weeks of travel, Erin arrived at the gates of the great city. The towering walls of King's Landing loomed before her, a reminder of the fortress that commanded the very heart of the Seven Kingdoms.
From a distance, the sounds of the capital reached her: carts creaking under the weight of goods, merchants calling out their wares, the lively chatter of the market, and the distant laughter of children playing. Unlike Winterfell, where life was mostly calm and steady, King's Landing was a frenetic pulse, a city that hummed with ceaseless energy.
“We've arrived,” Erin murmured, to her horse gazing up at the vast skyline. “Are you ready girl?”
For the first time, Erin felt small. She had spent years training in the North, honing her skills with a bow, sword, and dagger, but nothing had prepared her for the maze-like streets of the capital or what they told her were the elaborate politics of the court. She had always felt more at home on horseback, riding through the forests of Winterfell, or practicing her archery with the distant peaks of her homd looming in the background. But here, with the red stone walls of the city towering above her, she couldn't help but feel like an outsider.
“Be careful there," Jon's voice echoed her, once of the thousand times they spoke about it “The people are different. More subtle. One wrong word, and you could find yourself caught in a web of gossip. And trust me, people talk there.”
Erin nodded, her eyes scanning the faces around her, observing every subtle movement. "I'll remember," she said softly to herself. It felt strange, this sense of unease she couldn't shake. The hustle and bustle of the city was exciting, but also unnerving. Also, the smells outside the Red Keep weren't so charming as it looked.
As she passed through the city gates, the scale of the castle became even more apparent. It loomed over her like a living mountain, its towering spires piercing the sky, its stone walls gleaming in the sunlight. She entered the inner courtyard, where a servant quickly greeted her, guiding her through grand hallways, past lavish tapestries and chandeliers that seemed to shimmer with wealth.
"Welcome to the Red Keep," the servant said with a polite smile. "His Majesty awaits you."
Erin glanced at the place, big, and scary,
Did the king greet every single guest in his castle?
Entering the great throne room, Erin was struck by the sight of the crowd of nobles and courtiers, all standing in respectful silence as King Viserys I addressed them. In the background, seated on a high chair, the regal figure of Queen Aemma looked on, her face warm yet distant, as if this grand spectacle was a mere formality for her.
“Lady Stark," the king said with a gentle smile, bowing his head as Erin walked over his direction, offering a far more distinct bow "I'm pleased to see that you've arrived safely. I trust your journey was without incident. I hope your time here will be both pleasant and productive."
Erin nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn't used to being the center of attention, especially not in a place where every glance, every word, seemed to carry such weight. But she held her composure, which was the most important thing in a world where appearances were everything.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," she replied, her voice steady, though a hint of nerves lingered beneath the surface. "I'm sure it will be... an interesting stay."
Well, that's not a lie.
Queen Aemma smiled warmly at her. "I trust Rhaenyra will be an excellent company for you. She's excited to meet you."
At the mention of Princess Rhaenyra, Erin felt a curious spark of intrigue. What would the king's daughter, the crown princess, be like? While the invitation to the Red Keep was undoubtedly an honor, the thought of spending time with someone so different from herself made Erin feel both excited and apprehensive.
As the queen and king continued their conversation with the Lord Hand and more Lords, Erin scanned the room, absorbing the intricate dance of courtly life. Every gesture, every word, she had to be careful, she couldn’t destroy her entire reputation in one evening.
When the audience finally ended, the king allowed her to retire and refresh themselves in their chambers. Erin took a moment to glance back at the throne room, feeling as though, with each step, she was leaving the North behind. King's Landing, with its promises of secrets and power, loomed ahead, and she had every intention of facing it head-on.
But as she walked to her new quarters and enjoyed a comfortable bath, the weight of what she had accepted settled in. The nagging feeling that she was stepping into a world she didn't fully understand was hard to shake. She had much to learn at court, but what troubled her most were the challenges she would inevitably face-particularly those involving Princess Rhaenyra and the court that revolved around her.
The world of courtiers and nobles was something foreign to her. She was used to the straightforwardness of the North-honor, loyalty, and the strength of one's word mattered most. Of course, people were far more appropriate with her when they first met her, but then, they didn’t last much.
She knew that here everything was different, the formalities, and the reputation of your house were always at risk.
As she pondered the situation, Erin could feel her nerves tightening. She knew she had to make a place for herself here. She couldn't afford to be just ‘the northerner’ - as a fat old lady called her already behind her back- forever. She needed to prove herself, but how? The thought of being involved in the court's intrigue unsettled her. She wasn't sure if she had the patience for it. And yet, here she was, surrounded by it, with no way to turn back.
Well, there was a way back.
Only that it took four weeks long.
After the long and tiring journey, Erin was too fatigued to attend supper. The hall would be filled with lords and influential men, many of whom would undoubtedly look down on her simply because she was a woman. The thought of being scrutinized for something she had no control over made her restless. So instead of joining the crowd, she decided to wander through the Red Keep's halls, exploring the fortress after the court had gone to sleep.
It was risky, yes, but what was life without a little risk? She had always believed that to truly live, one had to step outside the bounds of what was comfortable and safe.
As she meandered through the labyrinthine corridors, her fingers grazing the rich tapestries that adorned the walls, Erin felt a sense of solitude that seemed to belong to the very stone of the keep itself. The intricate artwork told tales of past glories and tragedies, but none of it felt like it was meant for her. She longed for something more familiar, something that would remind her of home.
Her footsteps led her to a secluded garden, tucked away from the prying eyes of the court. It was quiet here, peaceful even, with only the rustling of the wind through the leaves and the distant hum of the city outside. It was a small, serene space filled with fragrant flowers and plants she didn't recognize. Yet, in the center of it all, there was a tree-an ancient oak, its gnarled branches stretching up to the sky as if it had witnessed centuries of secrets.
The tree reminded her of the weirwood in Winterfell. While it wasn't the same, its presence brought a sense of comfort. Erin approached it and, feeling a strange pull, sat beneath its wide canopy. The cool night air wrapped around her like a cloak, and for a moment, she allowed herself to forget the weight of her duties, the politics of the court, and the unfamiliar faces she had yet to learn to navigate.
This tree, like the ones in the North, seemed to offer a sense of quiet strength-a reminder that, no matter how far she was from home, there were places in this world where she could still find peace.
Erin closed her eyes for a moment, letting the quietness of the garden wash over her. It felt like a brief respite from the storm of thoughts that had been swirling in her mind since she arrived in King's Landing. But even in her moment of peace, her thoughts kept drifting back to the court, to the people she would have to face and the rumours she would need to navigate.
As she sat there, lost in her reflections, she heard the soft rustle of footsteps approaching. Instinctively, she tensed, but then she recognized the faint sound of a voice.
"Is this your sanctuary too?"