chapter 13

Brienne held her head high as she rode through Kings Landing toward the Red Keep. Lord Renly had personally asked for her to serve as a sworn shield for the Royal Family! The very idea made her head spin, for so long she had been mocked and taunted for her 'mannish' desires and now she was finally getting recognition for her abilities. She didn't do it for that purpose and yet it filled her with satisfaction.

Renly's letter had not been specific as to who she would be protecting but he had made it clear that it would be one of King Robert's children. She didn't have a particular preference. Evenfall Hall was not a place where gossip reached first or quickly but even so she had heard rumors of the royal children. Tommen was considered sweet and shy of a mild temperament. Myrcella was oft called the perfect princess, even at a young age she was immaculate in bearing, dress, and courtesies.

As she made her way through the crowded city there was a celebratory air. The Tourney of the Hand would be here shortly and the city's population had swelled in anticipation. The press of people slowed her progress, even with most moving out of the way. Her armor was not filled with finery but it was still plate which meant importance and power, two things that made the small folk make way for her.

She identified herself as Brienne of Tarth to the guards of the Red Keep. They were wearing the crimson cloaks of House Lannister.

One of the guards looked at her and stated, "You are Lady Tarth? Why are you wearing armor?"

Brienne felt color rise to her cheeks. "That is not your concern, where can I stable my mount and where can I find Renly Baratheon, the Master of Laws? I am expected."

The guard gave directions and as she rode on toward the stables, she could hear laughter from behind her. They weren't important. Renly knew her worth; she could take the japes of thousands if Renly respected her.

After stabling her horse, she found Renly's rooms and a servant showed her in. There he was, Renly Baratheon, the Lord of Storm's End. Renly was one of the few men who matched her height. His clean-shaven face bore the Baratheon strong jaw and his dark hair fell to his shoulders. He was wearing dark green velvet that stretched across his broad chest. Just the sight of him took Brienne's breath away.

Seated next to him was Ser Loras Tyrell. Brienne knew him to be an exceptional tourney knight and one time squire to Renly. His success in the lists at such a young age was a credit to Lord Renly's tutelage.

Brienne knelt to one knee, heavy armor and all, and lowered her head. "My Lord, as you requested, I have come."

He smiled and stood up. "Lady Brienne, please stand, I am pleased you have arrived so swiftly. Have you had the opportunity to meet Ser Loras?"

Brienne stood up and shook her head. "I have not." She looked at the knight. "Ser Loras, I have heard of your victories with the lance." The youngest child of Mace Tyrell looked at her up and down. He was too polite to let much show on his features, which made him a step above most knights, but Brienne could tell he viewed her as unnatural.

"Lady Tarth, a pleasure." He gave a slight nod in greeting.

Renly touched his former squire on the shoulder. "Loras, I have a few things to go over with Brienne. I'll come find you afterwards." The young knight smiled and left the room, leaving Brienne alone with the Lord of Storm's End.

"You've made good time, I am pleased. We'll need to wait a couple of days until Guyard Morrigan arrives but as soon as he does, we'll make it all official. I trust your father had no objections to you being a sworn shield?"

"My father has supported me in my desires to wield sword and lance. It is a great honor to serve the Royal Family my Lord."

Renly smiled again. "A good man, other fathers would have disallowed it."

Brienne was uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation and could only nod.

"You will be tasked with guarding Myrcella Baratheon, Robert's only daughter. As a sworn shield you will put her life before yours and guard her against all threats." He paused for a moment. "And you will also make sure I stay informed of all that takes place around her. There are many threats in Kings Landing and the only way I can help protect Robert and his family is if I know what is transpiring."

Brienne felt something inside her twist. He was asking her to be his spy.

"My Lord, I…" she began, not knowing what to say she trailed off.

"You have concerns?"

"I had thought I was to be of use as a diligent defender to the Royal Family, not as your eyes and ears."

"You are to be both."

Brienne struggled with what to think and what to say.

"Do you think I mean my niece harm?" Renly asked, allowing a hint of disdain to enter his voice.

"Of course not! I don't think that, not at all!" Brienne protested.

"Then why the reluctance? Kings Landing is a dangerous place, and many of the threats are not obvious. I know the court, you do not, at least not yet. Until you have learned of its ways you will need someone to guide you, to take what you learn and distill it." He stood and moved around the table and placed his strong hands on her pauldrons. "Can you not grant me this trust?"

Brienne was helpless before his gaze. Finally, she nodded. "I can, my lord."

Renly's broad smile banished, if only for a time, her doubts. "Excellent, for the next couple of days keep to your rooms. The Queen doesn't yet know our little surprise guardians for her children and it wouldn't do for her to catch wind of it yet."

The Queen didn't know? Brienne was only growing more confused.

"If by some chance someone does see you and ask why you are here, let them know you are here for the Tourney of the Hand."

This was also news to Brienne. She was better with the blade than the lance and there was also the grand melee to consider. Part of her wanted to participate and test herself against the realm's best and another part of her did not. She had bested all in Tarth but Tarth was a small island and Kings Landing had the best, would they prove her to be fool for thinking she could fight as well as a man?

Her concern must have shown on her face as Renly shook his head. "Don't worry I don't expect you to be the best, just prove you are competent. I know you will."

His confidence infused her. She could do this. She could prove to everyone that she deserved her role as sworn shield. If Lord Renly believed in her, she could do anything.

***

Father was surprised when his brother introduced Brienne of Tarth as the one chosen to be my sworn shield.

"Seven Hells, I'd heard the stories but you're a tall one." He rumbled in laughter then looked at Renly. "Cersei doesn't know, does she? I'll have to be there when she's informed just to see the look on her face, I'll pay for it later though."

Lord Stark looked solemn and Renly was smiling. Ser Guyard looked a tad miffed at the attention on Brienne and not on himself. As for Brienne, she was flushed and looked out of place. Hopefully she'd get used to the attention as she would have much of it being a woman and a sworn shield.

Around the throne room was the usual crowd, mother was often here but not today. Ser Barristan and Ser Preston Greenfield were guarding the king today. Barristan looked mildly surprised at Brienne and Ser Preston was frowning. That one was fully loyal to mother over anyone else in the city. Which was useful up until recently.

"All right then, if Ned says you both are fit, I have no objections."

Oaths were sworn and Brienne was now my sworn shield and Ser Guyard was Tommen's. Dinner would be later and of course Robert made it an excuse to make an extravagant feast of it. Couriers quickly left to tell the great and the mighty to prepare to be feasted. Likely some consternation at the short notice but not atypical for father's court.

My handmaids were quite surprised. Rosyn whispered so only the four of us could hear it.

"Why are you stuck with a woman as a guard! This is an insult. What was the Hand thinking?"

I looked at her. "My uncle was the one that chose her. He says she's good and look at how she towers over so many. I think she'll do."

Eleyna complained, "Fighting aside, we missed the opportunity to have handsome Ser Guyard around us! He's unwed too."

Rosamund tittered. "He's nothing compared to Ser Loras."

Rosyn Lannett sniffed. "The flower of Highgarden is off limits to lesser ladies like us. Ser Guyard at least would be plausible."

They were so annoying. I hated being reminded about marriage and that seemed to be half of the conversations. At one level I did understand, who they ended up marrying will decide the course of their entire lives, I truly understood the importance to them. As justified as the focus was, it didn't make it any less annoying.

Ending the conversation I said, "We should freshen up for the feast." Heading to the exit, my new sworn shield hastily joined us. Her footfalls loud upon the stone.

Rosamund asked, "How long have you been a knight?"

"She is not a knight." Rosyn corrected.

"The young lady is correct, I am a sworn shield and trained in horse, sword, bow and lance but I am not a knight."

"Can girls even become knights?" Eleyna asked.

I answered, "That would be a matter for the High Septon, it has never come up in any of the histories. The few warrior women that exist are primarily in the North and in the Iron Islands and neither hold to the Seven by and large. It matters little in regards to being a sworn shield as Sandor Clegane is also not a knight and serves Joffrey in the same capacity."

They reached the rooms and split apart, thankfully. I had made it clear I needed no one to brush my hair or help me dress. When there had been an attempt to object, I had simply asked if they felt I was incompetent or that my previous efforts of dressing and brushing had any flaw they thought to correct, that had silenced them.

Brienne had gone to the guard the door from the outside but I had invited her in.

"I'm sure you have some questions Lady Tarth, or do you prefer Brienne?"

"Brienne is fine Your Grace."

"Then Myrcella will be fine when we are alone or in close company."

"Yes… yes Myrcella."

I waited for her to ask me something. After almost a minute she shook her head and looked down.

"I don't have any questions, Myrcella."

Was she stupid? Was she all brawn and no brain? I hoped not.

"No questions, at all? No concern over my routine? When you should take your rest? When I have need of you to guard my person and when it is unnecessary? Do you know if I have plans to go into the city, and if I did would you make any preparations?"

Brienne's face fell. "No, I, well, no you are right I should be thinking like that. I thought I was to just guard your person at all times."

"You will need to sleep; you will need to continue to train and hone your skills. You will need to eat. Most of your waking hours will be guarding me but it will not be the entire time. You and the other sworn shields help alleviate the need for the Kingsguard who are often stretched thin with their duties but when they are guarding me you would generally not be needed."

Brienne nodded; I could tell she understood.

"Excellent. Being a noble lady, I assume you know your letters and numbers?"

"I do."

Good, at least she knew that.

"I've taken the liberty of creating a baseline schedule for when you will be considered on shift and when your time is your own. This is subject to change of course and if you have a given desire to do something just give me advanced notice."

Brienne looked at the parchment.

"Thank you, I will follow it to the letter."

Well, she seemed dutiful at least.

"You will be my sworn shield for at least a few years, but what do you intend to do afterward? You are the heir to Tarth but your father is in good health from all reports."

Brienne was taken aback by the question. Her body posture moved more closed off and she looked away rather than directly at me.

"I want to serve as well as I am able. I will think of what is next when it comes."

"No, that won't do at all. I need my sworn shield to more forward thinking. I don't just want you to react to threats on my person, I want you to be proactive. You need to look for flaws, look for ways how someone could strike at me. We have plenty of Lannister guardsmen throughout the Royal Apartments, I do not desire just someone skilled in butchery but in one dedicated to my defense utterly."

Brienne's face looked troubled.

"Is… is it because I am a woman? Are you looking for a reason to dismiss me? If so, I would understand but…"

"Stop this Brienne. Were your skilled with the sword when you first picked it up?"

"Well, no."

"You were not, and this is the first day of being my sworn shield, so you being ill prepared was not unforeseen. If I objected to you being my sworn shield, I would have told Uncle Renly when he mentioned your name weeks ago."

"I see." She hesitated. "Should I ask one of the Kingsguard to help me understand how to do well as a sworn shield?"

Now that was good thinking! It wouldn't work here, but being mentored by your senior was an excellent way to learn. It wouldn't work because the Kingsguard didn't think the way I wanted Brienne to think either. They were honestly extremely poor at their job. The Lord Commander was a decent fellow but there was little integration between the Kingsguard and the general palace security. When the King rode in the streets there was no effort made to ensure rooftops didn't have assassins ready with bows. It was all purely reactive, and as good as Barristan's reflexes were, it was short sighted not to take more precautions.

"A good thought, but they are quite busy with their duties and the purpose of having you and Ser Guyard is to take some of the burden from them. While you may have not guarded someone, I have always been guarded and so know best what is necessary. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Brienne said easily. It seems as if she was a worker who did best with supervision. It was good that she wouldn't try to argue with me but eventually she would need to learn how to take her own initiative.

We discussed the schedule and where I wanted her when she was to be guarding me. Outside of my door would do most of the time, I valued my privacy. It was one of the luxuries I enjoyed in this life that I rarely got in my second life out on the front lines.

Perhaps thirty minutes went by discussing Brienne's duties when a loud knock interrupted us. Brienne went to her blade immediately and I had to stop from rolling my eyes. I suppose diligence wasn't a bad thing but we were in the Royal Apartments and what kind of would-be assassin knocked?

"Myrcella," I heard Uncle Jaime's voice, "Your mother requires your presence."

I nodded to Brienne and she opened the door. Jaime looked a bit disheveled, maybe he had just come form the practice yard? He looked at Brienne in surprise.

"What are you?"

Brienne's jaw clenched. "Your niece's sword shield."

"For now." He looked to me. "Come quickly child, she is wroth and will only grow more so if you wait."

I stood up and gave my uncle a smile. "Of course," I turned to Brienne, "This shan't take long. You can remain here until I return."

"Shouldn't I be with you?"

"Uncle can look after me, if you want to stay busy there is more parchment in my desk and you can make a copy of the schedule so we each have one."

Jaime snorted but didn't make further comment on Brienne as we left.

"What is this, Myrcella? That's not a knight, that's a she beast spawned from the hells. Her face is more gruesome than the Hound's.

"She's as tall as you uncle. I'm sure she will be a fine guardian."

"I don't really care about that, but what is this about you conspiring with Renly and Eddard?"

"Conspiring?" That must be the word mother used. "Renly is as much my uncle as you are. An extra pair of vigilant swords can't be harmful."

Jaime shook his head, frustration on his face. "I don't care about your reasoning; I care about my sister's temper. This conflict between the two of you needs to stop."

"Oh, what has mother been telling you? I just saw an opportunity to be better protected, Uncle Renly was quite kind to indulge me."

Jaime sighed. "You'll be the one who must deal with Cersei, don't come weeping to me later."

It wasn't a long walk and we passed two Lannister guardsmen; I saw one was Lum. He had been useful recently. He had reported that Tobho Mott was the only armorer in Kings Landing that could work Valyrian Steel. I was still mulling over if I should arrange a visit to him in person.

We were announced and Jaime said, "Good luck." And closed the door. Inside mother's chambers there were a few people. Mother, Ser Meryn Trant, Pate and Rosamond Lannister. Oh, it was to be like that then.

Pate was Joffrey's whipping boy. A rather curious sort of position. When a young prince was needing punitive correction the whipping boy would be struck in his stead. The idea was that this would correct the behavior since the whipping boy and prince were companions, while still making sure the prince served no injury. This didn't quite work with Joffrey who would likely delight in seeing Pate harmed but Joffrey rarely got in any sort of trouble with mother. Pate had never been used for any transgressions I had made, though in fairness I rarely made them. It also wasn't something traditionally done with women, though I guess the Maesters may just not have bothered recording it.

"Hello mother, Ser Meryn, Lady Rosamond, Pate."

Mother had been drinking and the heated glare she sent me would send most running. Rosamond and Pate both looked terrified and Meryn was as unreadable as ever.

"Don't 'hello mother' me Myrcella! What were you thinking? Did you even bother to think? Does your idiocy know no bounds?"

I paused waiting for her to finish.

"WELL?" She practically screamed the last and I saw Rosamond flinch.

"I do not understand what all the fuss is over. We now have two additional sworn shields making Tommen and I safer. They are proud warriors from father's lands and…"

She threw the wine glass at the wall. Not at me but near me. What was wrong with her? Where was my poised and calculating mother? And what was the issue with having sworn shields? I really was missing something; this did not make sense.

"No, we'll discuss this later. Before we do that, you need to witness the consequences of your actions."

I just stared at her, if she thought harming Pate was going to bother me… well I suppose I did make efforts to be kind to the small folk in interactions. Still, if I allowed this tactic to be persuasive it would be used again.

"Ser Meryn, strike Pate about the back until he bleeds."

Pate removed his shirt and hunched over the table. Meryn struck with a birch, an instrument designed to sting and occasionally lacerate. Pate cried out after the second blow; Meryn did not stint with the force. Rosamond gave a wince and a whimper while I calmly watched the scene.

Cersei stared me down and I just looked at her with a bored expression on my face. I'd seen soldiers with their guts hanging out begging to be put out of their misery, this was nothing. On it went as Cersei poured another glass and drank from the cup.

I believe it was up to 47 blows before Cersei called a halt to it.

"Get out," she snarled at the whipping boy. Pate fled, tears in his eye and blood dripping from his back.

I looked at Rosamond. "Is she supposed to be next, mother? Will you have Lannister blood flow? I know her family aren't 'true' Lannisters in your eyes but that might be a bit much. And I still don't know what I did that has so offended you."

Mother closed the distance to me in a few short strides and grabbed my hair and forced my face toward Rosamond.

"Ser Meryn, put your hand about the girl's throat, and make sure my daughter's view is unobstructed."

"Mother, this is," I began and she yanked on my hair painfully.

"You will be silent."

Meryn grabbed the now terrified girl.

"Apply pressure, not all at once, slowly." Cersei commanded and Ser Meryn began to squeeze the girl's throat.

"You put on a brave face, but I know how soft you are Myrcella. You think her father would do a damn thing even if he knew his daughter was killed by Ser Meryn by my command? Not that he would know, who would believe the Queen ordered her own kin to be strangled?" She paused as Ser Meryn's grip tightened.

"She doesn't have to die Myrcella; you can save her. All you must do is tell Robert that Ser Guyard makes you feel uncomfortable and that he has tried to be in the room with you when you changed clothes despite you not being his charge and that Brienne did not gainsay him. I'll handle the rest; we will rid ourselves of these enemies and if it is so incredibly important to you to have a sworn shield, I'll find one from the Westerlands."

As schemes go this was quite the perverse one. I could probably sell it but it would be difficult given the completely unlikelihood of the behavior. I was also still resolved to prove to make myself immune to Cersei's threats of this nature.

"I won't be doing that. I've known Rosamond for less than a month and while she is sweet, she means nothing to me. Though, if you do have her killed, I will be honor bound to explain to father what happened."

She shook me by the hair and rag dolled me a bit. I did my best to go with the motion to avoid any neck injuries.

"Honor bound!? You think I'm ignorant of your plan to get betrothed to the Stark boy? You are even starting to talk like them. Disgusting, remember what you are! You are my daughter and your loyalty must be to your family not to these northern barbarians!"

Meanwhile Meryn was still choking Rosamond who was clawing at his gauntlet futilely.

I allowed my eyes to widen a fraction. "How did you know?" I asked with faux surprise.

"That doesn't matter child. Now will you be dutiful or will you watch your friend die?"

I looked at Rosamond's pleading eyes and shrugged my shoulders.

"Do as you will mother but you will not compel me to lie on your behalf."

Long moments went by and then Cersei dragged me by the hair and flung me to the floor.

"Release her you fool!" She yelled at Ser Meryn as Rosamond's face began turning an unhealthy shade. He did and she took a rasping breath.

"Not a word to anyone or I will have Ser Meryn finish the job, and wear something about your neck to avoid questions. Now go!"

Rosamond scrambled out the door weeping. I got to my feet, not much worse for wear but my hair was disheveled and I would need to brush it before the feast.

"Leave Ser Meryn." Cersei commanded. As he did so she picked up the birch and looked at me before stepping forward.

I laughed. I probably shouldn't but this was ridiculous. The idea that she would physically harm me and leave evidence of it was impossibly absurd.

"Oh, mother please, give it a rest. This is beneath you. Why don't you take a seat and we can discuss your concerns like reasonable and logical people."

Cersei took a calming breath and threw the birch down.

"Very well Myrcella, I suppose you have proven your fortitude. I forget sometimes in your stupidity that you are still my daughter and stand fearless as a lioness."

She was changing tactics, but still trying to undermine my confidence. Still, one should encourage steps in the right direction.

"Thank you, mother, now will you please explain your thoughts."

Cersei looked at me closely. "Child, you must understand your father's brother does not wish us well. Did you know that your uncle Renly is conspiring with Highgarden? He wants to bring that whore Margery Tyrell to court and try to replace me."

There may have been a plot to do that but I doubt it would be successful. The Westerlands were too powerful to blatantly disrespect. The only way that could work is if they somehow framed Cersei for some sort of crime like treason and even then, that would be dicey because she would pick Uncle Jaime as her champion.

"Even if this is true, I see no chance of success. And having two sworn shields loyal to Renly doesn't change it. My uncle would not kidnap us or hold us hostage, we are kin."

"You are too trusting Myrcella; life is not a story."

"I am well aware. Most stories don't involve your mother forcing you to watch a handmaiden get strangled near to death." I smiled hopefully conveying that I was jesting.

Cersei tilted her head. "You really would have let her die rather than yield."

I nodded.

She took another swallow of wine. "You have erred and put your trust in the wrong people. Renly is our enemy. Stark is our enemy. Tyrell is our enemy." She gave me an appraising look. "You have steel in your spine and I will not waste any more effort in convincing you. In the future I expect my daughter to come to me first before running off to Renly."

I smile at her and ignore the fact I did go to her first about the desire for a sworn shield.

"I can agree to that much, if in exchange you make it clear to the girls that I do not need to be followed all day."

She smiled. "Are we negotiating now? Fine then. No more efforts to try to woo Robb Stark. One match with those cretins is enough."

I frowned. I didn't care about that; she was right the match was silly. That said, if this was a negotiation… why stop here?

"I've agreed to check with you before going to others and you've agreed to have my ladies in waiting give me more space. Now you ask me to give up on being the Lady of Winterfell, that means I'm owed something from you."

Mother's early rage seemed to be forgotten. "Go on then what is it you want?"

"I want agency over my eventual betrothal. I know I cannot just select who I will marry but I want a conversation with you and father and when it is time for a match to be considered I be given multiple, valid choices and then be allowed to choose from them."

"It isn't always so simple but I can promise we will hear your opinion before fully going through with a match."

I shook my head. "No mother, not good enough. I want a discussion with you and father on my demands and you will back me on this. If not, I will go to father and beg and plead about how my one true love is Robb Stark." She began to speak and I raised a hand. "I know the match makes little sense with my brother marrying Sansa but can you say father has always made the best political choices?"

She scowled at that. "Fine Myrcella, you will have the conversation with your father and I. I will back you having some flexibility and being allowed a choice. I've never been opposed to you having some freedom in this regard. I know what it is like to be sold as a broodmare."

"Agreed then! Mutual agreement where both parties gain something form a transaction is the foundation of the world, we should do this more often, mother." I cheerfully reply.

The Queen looked bemused. "Child you have the strangest notions. You have much to learn about the ways of the world but you have impressed me tonight. Now go."

Mother had been quite mercurial in our conversation. How much was an act? I felt a growing sense of unease with what was going on with Cersei. She wasn't acting rational. I could understand when it was over Joffrey, as history is replete with parents being more emotional and less rational when it comes to their children. But this paranoia about Uncle Renly and Lord Stark was unhealthy and diminished her in my eyes. Was I missing some critical piece of the puzzle? Or was my mother jumping at shadows and proving not to be the keen calculating Machiavellian power behind the throne that I thought she was?

I wasn't sure which scenario worried me more.