She caught her husband’s stare from the corners of her eyes and the Dragon Queen felt like an icy chill had settled in her bones. That look never meant anything good. But she kept her smile up as she looked back at Sansa. “Oh no, my child,” she chuckled. “If we would have to wait for the sun to fall behind the horizon, we would all starve to death in the Keep.”
When they entered the Red Keep through the enormous, wooden, double doors, Rhaella drew Robb to the side, so he could walk shoulder to shoulder with his sister, and she could more easily talk to the auburn haired maiden herself. “I do believe that the sun sets much later in the North, but here we eat when the bells ring,” she told them both kindly, even though the boy seemed to try his very hardest to ignore her.
When the four of them entered the Great Hall, handmaidens hurried towards them, the King and Queen untangling themselves from their guests. “Shall I show our visitors the way to their bed chambers?” She asked in a soft voice, averting her eyes and looking down at the floor. Aerys growled something in return, which she took as a yes, turning back to the two Stark children. “If you’d both be so kind as to follow me,” she said with a small motion of her arm.
She went ahead of the two children, striding through the hallways of the Red Keep and up the stairs of Maegor’s Holdfast. “Normally, we do not let visitors stay this close to the Royal Chambers, but seeing as Lady Sansa will be my Lady-in-Waiting, we made an exception. I do hope you will enjoy your stay here.”
:: 〖 ❣ 〗――— ::
Sansa did not see the change in Aerys for which she was grateful for she would have been intimidated beyond comprehension. As it was, the girl barely ten and three could feel the iciness that seemed to envelope her from her left. Funny, they were dragons and yet– they seemed to be colder than even the harshest of the Northern winters.
Ice dragons, mayhaps. The last one in Westeros.
“Pardon me, Your Grace. I was not aware– time flows a little differently here.” She is embarrassed and wholly sincere in seeking forgiveness. She could not afford to stumble, to trip and fall– Robb and her are at the mercy of fire and ice would melt in unbearable heat. They had to survive this, survive here.
It was a relief to be parted from the king. Sansa curtsied to him ever so politely, her gaze focused on the hem of her skirts as she backed away and tried not to aggravate him. Even the Queen was demure, cautious– it made Sansa worry for her brother, having to be in the servitude of one of the princes. Hopefully, they would not be as bad. Slender fingers stretched to brush against his as they walked.
The doors to their chambers were open, revealing a well furnished solar, with a tray of drinks and fruits set out. Sansa could spot a few desserts but she remembered her lady mother chastising her about them. “Your Grace, this is more than adequate, we’re pleased to be given such grand accommodations. Thank you. We will be ready when the bell toils for dinner, I promise you, your grace.”
A sweet smile to go with her sweet words. She curtsied and ducked her head and entered the room trying to think of all the positives. If nothing, at least the room had a lot to entertain her with. Sansa needed a bath.