Feeling Displaced(Larynne)

[Larynne Baratheon]

The weather had broken with the rain stopping and the sun deciding to make a rare show of itself. Larynne was tired of being inside the walls of the keep and needed a break from the daily routine that had been thrust upon her by the Lady Baratheon, Stannis' wife. It wasn't as if Larynne could protest, though, she almost did. No, being the second Baratheon female in the house that was old enough to maintain discipline and a sense of calm within the castle, Larynne had been making sure the kitchen staff, cleaning staff and the servants were kept in check.

She didn't like it, but it did pass the time to evening when she had her dinner with the children if only because she hated eating alone when Stannis and her Knight guard, Ser Densmore was busy.She'd then spend the time keeping them occupied until their bedtime. They seemed to rather be with Larynne than their handmaid, who could hardly keep up with them in a game of chase or hide and seek. Whereas their Aunt Larynne did quite well with it.

But, with the change in weather for the good, even with knowing it wouldn't last, a nice ride to the docks was in order so she could fill and refresh her lungs with the fresh, salty air.

"For the love of...is it really necessary to bring all of you, Ser Densmore? I'm not going on a journey back across the sea to home." Larynne frowned with annoyance in her voice as her Knight rode up with six of her own soldiers from Storm's End.

"I'd feel safer, Milady. Besides, these arent' your Father's docks where you got along with most of them that would protect you as their sister or mother and you could wander down there alone..." Austyn's words were cut short by the sudden raising of Larynne's hand.

"I see your point, but, I still don't need a squadron to take me down. Send back all but two. And, if anything happens to me, Stannis would have their heads on the bows of his ships..." She winced at her words, realizing he didn't have very many ships left since the battle of Blackwater. But, her point was still made by the expression on Austyn.

"Carey and Niles, you stay the rest back to your training." Austyn barked with a wave of his leather gloved hand at his men over his shoulder. He then turned back around to look at Larynne. "Better?"

"Much. Not to mention I am carrying my husband's short sword with me and you did teach me how to use it." Larynne flashed her charming smirk at him causing Austyn to roll his eyes.

"That scares me more than the thought of one of those bafoons down there doing you harm." He grunted.

After a short ride, they group led by Larynne upon her insistence, arrived at the lower landing where the dockworkers were busy loading and unloading ships of all sizes though there weren't that many present. The booming voice of the dockmaster carried over the salty breeze with order after order. The big, shirtless man looked up at the armored group's approach and stiffened with curiosity. "Leaving already, Milady?"

"Not at all, Jenner. Just taking a ride. How goes it?" Larynne had remembered the man's name upon her arrival.

"Seems to be less ships arriving for the threat of being attacked for bringing in supplies and being accused of siding with Lord Stannis." Jenner continued with his duties as he talked, but it was apparent he didn't want to be bothered.

"You should be seeing ship's from Storm's End by week's end with their bellies filled with supplies and food." Larynne shouted back reassuringly.

"I'm hoping you're right, Milady...put your backs into it, lads!" Jenner turned his attention to his workers with a subtle dismissal.

"They'll get through with the cargo and stop for no one, Milady. Captain Rolesh is a tough seabird. Had a few choice words and a barrage of cannon balls for the ships sent by the Lannisters to stop him." Austyn continued to guide his group down the well trodden path closer to where Larynne's own ship was docked and being cared for.

Larynne maneuvered her stallion along the dock, then dismounted, handing her reins to a waiting crewman of the Sea Sprite who greeted her with utter pleasure at seeing her as did many of the crew that looked up. "I'd like to go aboard and check on things, Austyn. I haven't been down to see her since I landed. If that's alright with you?" She asked in her 'I'm going to anyway' voice.

"Of course, Milady. But, I'm going with you." Densmore replied as he also dismounted and gave as silent nod of command to the other two soldiers to stand by and keep their eyes and ears open. "No one is to come aboard without her Lady's permission." He growled.

"She's a beautiful ship, Austyn." Larynne stepped down the plank onto the decking of the large warship and was nearly swarmed upon by the ship's Captain, Ragnar. She smiled warmly at him. "Any problems, Captain?"

"Not really, M'lady. A few of these scallywags..." He stopped and sniggered. "Well, nothing you should be bothered about, Milady. I'll make sure you're not to be bothered while you're here."

"I appreciate that, Captain. You're doing a fine job keeping her clean and looking like a ship not to be reckoned with."

"And, I pity any who do." Captain Ragnar replied with a wink then by Larynne's leave, he moved off across the deck.

Once down into the ship and in her personal cabin, Larynne took her riding gloves off as well as her swordbelt and sat heavily, unlady like onto the double sized bed. The lingering scent of her bedding and perfumes pleased her and made her feel at home. The ship boards creaked softly as the small waves bounced and caused the warship to roll ever so slightly. Ser Austyn waited expectantly inside the arch of the door. "You can come in, Austyn. I want to be alone, but, I don't either." She said with her eyes on the older man. "Have a seat."

"What's bothering you, Larynne. And, don't tell me nothing young lady." Austyn's change in address of Larynne wasn't unusual when they were alone. He'd nearly raised her while her Father was away more than not and watched her grow into the beautiful woman she now was. He'd become like her second Father after his death at Blackwater. "You want to go home, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. Austyn. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving being with my niece and nephew and seeing Lord Stannis again. Everyone sees him as uncaring and selfish. I don't. We just seem to go together like honey and biscuits. Always have. No one understands that. I love him so much I'd kill for him and I wish we weren't cousins." She added with an aching to her heart. "And, I know he feels the same way, I think he does. His wife hated the fact he had supper with me the night I arrived, and hadn't dined with her in a good week." She glanced down at her bare hands in her lap of which she wore her newly made riding gear, her voice small as she felt embarrassed at her words. "Since my Father and Brother were killed, Stannis is all I have now. But, I miss Storm's End. That's my home. I don't fit in here, never really felt I did. Lady Baratheon only calls upon me if she needs me to do something. Wish she'd actually like to talk to me for a change."

"And that surprises you?" Austyn grunted. He never cared for Lady Baratheon, or any of them for that matter. The witch woman being at the top of his list. But, he respected the relationship Larynne and Stannis had. And, would protect Stannis as he always had with Larynne.

"No, it doesn't. She's like that with Stannis too. Like to catch her alone and make her see how good a man she has for a husband." Larynne's voice had an icy edge to it. "She needs a good knocking on her ass."

Except for the slight jerking of the corners of his mouth in amusement, Austyn didn't respond to that and let it roll off his armored shoulder as he did so many times during her venting. After a moment he spoke. "Larynne, you can leave at any time. Lord Stannis isn't keeping you here."

"That's the thing, he isn't but, I can't just leave Hallie's children. I've finally got little Eliedt comfortable enough with me to see I'm not trying to replace his Mother. He's less reluctant around me now. I can't just up and leave and have that come apart." She sighed heavily.

"Larynne, why don't you talk with Lord Stannis and introduce some of the ideas you have for his battle strategies. At least that way, you can be with him and he'll still be within his environment and you two can get reacquainted." Austyn suggested with a shrug, his leather and chain mail armor creaking as he did so.

Larynne looked up and wiped the unfallen tears from her eyes. Austyn was really the only one that was left who ever saw her like this.

Just then, the door opened to reveal Captain Ragnar standing there with concern in his voice and eyes "My apologies, Milady. But, another storm's brewing again. Figured you'd want to be back at the keep before its arrival." His gaze darted to the disapproving stare from Austyn at his interruption.

"Of course, yes. Thank you, Captain."

"Will you be alright, Larynne?" Austyn asked after Ragnar shut the door. He hated seeing her upset as it made him feel helpless. Unlike if someone with actual blood and bone made her feel this way and he could do something about it.

"Of course. I always manage to get through it. Come, let's get back before we get drenched. And all of our armor starts to rust.

"I'd have the boys to tend to it." Austyn grinned as he stood and opened the heavy, wooden door.

"You're a slave driver, Austyn." Larynne followed him out.