Roaring again (Halaevia/Open)

[Torin Lannister]

Torin Lannister

It was mid day, Torin's arms ached as he continued to row. The Red Keep had been in view behind him for hours now. Hours. He had stopped keeping track of time, it did nothing to stave off hunger or the Blackwater's rains. He was cold and hungry and wet and he stank. Halaevia was obviously no better off. But she was quiet now. When Dragonstone stopped being a part of the horizon and was just a memory to them both he had tried to explain that his actions were merely to aide in his escape and she was never in true harm. It hadn't stopped her from bawling and striking his chest with balled fists. He allowed her that. Her back to Dragonstone and being between him the coast they left protected him from the possibility of Stannis using archers to stop him once they left. An arrow through her back would have served no purpose.

When the boat finally came upon to land, Goldcloaks were waiting. It wasn't exactly typical that such a small boat would arrive with just two people within. They must have looked like ragged peasants. When the largest Lion of Lannister climbed out of the boat, his legs half failed him. It was completely unceremonious. One of the Goldcloaks snickered before stepping up. 'Alright, what's the meaning of - " he was cut off when Torin's iron grip took a hold of his jaw as swiftly as he had claimed the sword from one of guards back in Dragonstone. Ser Torin was practically a shade of what he used to be, but he could have still ended these two in half a heart beat.

"I am Ser Torin Lannister, Warden of the East." ragged like a peasant or not, he still towered above the Goldcloak. "You will run to the Red Keep and alert my sister of my return at once. You will tell her personally and immediately or I shall know why." with half a push he released his grip on the Goldcloak before he took his leave with a great swiftness. 'Apologies my Lord, we did not recognise you. We only meant to perform our duty to the Crown.' the one that spoke now had not laughed at him tumble. Ser Torin ignored him as he reached a hand to aide Lady Halaevia Baratheon out of the boat. If he was feeling weak, he could only imagine how she felt.

[Deleted]

The message hadn't gotten to Cersei. Instead, it had reached a knowing Tywin Lannister. The ransom letter he'd received was a foresight for what was to come. Torin Lannister hadn't spoken or written to his father in such a way for many years. Something that Tywin had gotten all too used to. Nothing he would shed a tear over. Then again, the Old Lion hadn't shed a tear over anything for quite a while.

The Hand of the King made his way towards his son's location, his golden Lannister armor shining brightly. The red sash across his shoulder made his symbol of office shine all the brighter. There was almost a hint of Tywin being pleased at seeing his son again. Only a skilled eye would be able to catch it. It was probably because of who he had in his custody, more so than anything else.

A Baratheon.

"You took longer than I'd expected.", Tywin said, his eyes narrowing on the largest lion who was still but a cub in his eyes either way. There were no men in the land that intimidated Tywin, especially his own offspring.

"I was prepared to send your brother to extract you, but it seems you've made it in time. We prepare to put Dragonstone to siege..."

[Halaevia Baratheon]

Halaevia's composure didn't break until they were actually in the little boat, actually sailing away from Dragonstone. Until then - she only realized it after the fact, but until then she'd held out faint hope that he'd do the decent thing: leave her on the shore and sail away alone. Torin didn't. Halaevia looked back towards her home and reality struck; in all likelihood she'd never see it again. Never see her children again, and that wasn't even the worst of it. She'd heard the stories about how the Lannisters dealt with their captives. They'd all heard the stories, on Dragonstone, they were common enough in wartime.

She sobbed then, and cursed Torin, and hit out at him wildly, and when he made no move to stop her she knew that he knew he deserved it, for what he had done to her. He said he hadn't meant her any harm - how could he say that? How could he still be saying that? Halaevia couldn't believe a word that he said, but eventually she had no more words of reproach for him, no more tears, no strength left, and she sat down heavily in the boat, knees tucked up to her chest. She was cold and exhausted, the rain already soaked through to her shift.

She didn't know how long it took them to reach King's Landing. She knew that at one point she'd half-decided to throw herself over the side, put an end to it, but she couldn't do it. She had imagined the waters closing over her head, impossibly frozen and dark. Her Alyon had died at sea. He never would have let any of this happen to her. She wouldn't do it. Not now. The hours stretched on forever.

They reached land, eventually, and she watched as Torin stumbled out of the boat, addressed the soldiers waiting there. No wonder they didn't recognize him, he looked terrible, but she supposed she was no better, in a dress ruined by blood and water both, tangled wet hair plastered to her face. Torin held out a hand to her. She could have refused him, but she suspected he'd only have the other man drag her out of the boat if she did. She took Torin's hand, stepped out of the boat as if she were an honored lady being helped from a carriage and not a bedraggled prisoner. Once on dry land, she didn't let go of him but linked her arm in his. There, they could hold each other upright. She was shivering with cold - or perhaps shaking with fear, she wasn't sure of the difference any longer. She might have pleaded with Torin not to let his people mistreat her, but she was too weary even for that, and in any case she'd have no reason to trust his answer.

It wasn't Torin's sister who came to meet him, but Lord Tywin himself. He wore a red sash, and for a moment that confused her, her eyes flickering to the sodden crimson silk tied about her own waist, until she realized that here it was Lannister color and nothing more. He wanted - he was going to attack Dragonstone? Besiege it? Halaevia shook her head. 'I wouldn't do that if I were you,' she said dully, her own words sounding distant to her. She didn't bother to say any more. She was in no fit state to argue with Tywin Lannister, of all people, and instead she leaned a little more heavily on Torin's arm.

[Torin Lannister]

It was not Cersei that arrived on the scene, sided with someone from the Kingsguard and hidden from the commonfolk in that stupid little carrier she and Joffrey were so fond of. But his Lord Father Tywin. Before Ser Torin replied it was Halaevia that spoke up. It was barely above the whimper of a kicked pup with her lack of strength, all the more evident as she clung to his arm as if for dear life. "Greetings Father, I present Lady Halaevia Baratheon, formerly of Driftmark. A hostage in only name." She would be under guard at all times, but she would never sit in a cell nor would she go hungry or be abused. "It was Lady Halaevia that tended to my wounds and aided in my escape. Torin owed her his life and a Lannister always paid his debts.

"I have had my fill of Dragonstone, how goes the Riverlands? What word from Clegane and Creyon?" None he would wager, and thus he would handle it. He had business in King's Landing and then in the Vale, but in the end he would move on the Riverlands. With Torin taking care of the Riverlands, his Lord Father was free to deal with Stannis without risk of Robb Stark and Edmure Tully coming down from the rear. But that was not a matter for today. Torin needed food and proper rest, as did Lady Halaevia.

It was at this point that Ser Torin started to walk forward, supporting Lady Halaevia as he did. The Red Keep was an encouraging sight and whatever rush had given him the strength to continue was quickly fading as the pains of hunger made themselves known in his gut.