𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐎𝐍𝐄 | The Imp and the Amber wolf

{ Lyra }

✧✦✧

𝕬rah was straightening out the train of Lyra's dress, as she tied the final braid into her hair, when a knock came at the door.

"It's the king, My Lady," Arah smiled knowingly at Lyra, who huffed.

"Let him in, Tylar," Tylar opened the door, also smirking, as Arah walked out and Joffrey went in. The blond man looked like he was on a mission, but stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of her. "Good morning."

Her betrothed was dressed in his customary dark robes, though a sash of Baratheon gold was slung over his shoulders. His crown gleamed in between his blond locks, twinkling as the sun hit it through the open window of Lyra's room.

"Lyra, you look-you look stunning," He stumbled over his own words, as Lyra blushed, pressing a kiss to his cheeks. Even when wearing heeled shoes, she still had to stand on the tips of her toes to reach his height. 

"Thank you, Joff. You look handsome as well," He shot her a half-smile, before he seemed to remember what he was actually there for. 

"I overheard something whilst I was waiting to talk to my grandfather," He murmured, looking around the room cautiously as Elia padded over. "My grandfather was talking with Littlefinger and it had something to do with Roose Bolton and a wedding. Does that mean anything to you?"

Lyra thought back to the latest letter that she had received from Robb's wife, Eliza, before something clicked in her head.

"Gods," She placed a hand over her mouth, before looking back at her betrothed. "They are to attend a wedding between Edmure Tully and one of Walder Frey's daughters."

"Then write and warn them," Joffrey urged, as Lyra sat down at the table and hastily scribbled out a note. She signed it quickly, as Joffrey leant over her shoulder to read it through. "That should work."

Lyra nodded, throwing open her door to look at Tylar, who was watching her with a raised eyebrow now.

"It must go to the Citadel now, before the wedding!" She hissed, as the man grew serious and nodded, storming off towards the tower that housed the ravens, as Lyra fanned her cheeks and took a deep breath. "Let us hope it gets there in time."

"It will," Joffrey squeezed her shoulder gently, before offering his arm out for the girl. "Let me walk you to the Sept."

"Of course," Lyra was thankful for Joffrey's arm, which was steady as they walked. She took a deep breath, fanning her face to keep cool in the midday sun, as Joffrey glared at all those around them.

"Will you tell Sansa?" He murmured, the Sept of Baelor coming into view ahead of them. Tylar had appeared, a smirk on his face, as he glared at the various Kings Guard members.

"She's already nervous about the wedding, and this will not ease her nerves," Lyra replied, waving at those around them, who were cheering for the pair as they walked. "After the wedding is over, I shall tell her."

✧✦✧

Lyra left Joffrey at the entrance to the Sept, brushing her lips to his cheek, much to the crowd's delight. Entering, she surveyed the room full of courtiers to try and find any familiar faces. But to her dismay, she seemed to know no one in the room beneath her.

"You look every bit the queen you are sure to become," Lyra turned, smiling at Margaery, who was also dressed in pale blue, a small homage to the Stark family colours. "It's a wonder that our king can keep his eyes off of you."

"You look radiant as well," The pair grinned at one and other, courtiers stepping aside for the two high born ladies to sweep through to the stairs on the opposite side of the Sept. 

"You're nervous," Lyra glanced over at the older woman, who's eyes had narrowed. "I thought that something was wrong when we last spoke, but now, I know that my suspicions are true. What is the matter?"

Lyra leant closer, smiling gently at the other nobles around them, so as not to make them think they were discussing anything out of the ordinary.

"Tywin Lannister created this entire marriage to punish Joff," She murmured, watching Margaery's face carefully, but the woman gave nothing away, simply humming in agreement. "The other option was that I should marry Tyrion, and Joff marry you, but then there was no guarantee that Sansa would be safe."

"Tyrion's a good man and Sansa will be safe," Shaking her head once more, Margaery continued to talk as they ascended the steps. "I can't believe that Tywin would do that, but it does not surprise me. Cersei's just threatened to have me killed."

It was Lyra's turn to be surprised as she ran her tongue over her teeth in annoyance at the elders in the Lannister family.

"I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree,"

Moments later, the doors to the Sept opened to reveal Sansa. She was dressed in a dress made of the finest gold, her auburn hair pulled up into an intricate Southern braid. Lyra could only wish that her father was here to see how beautiful Sansa looked.

Joffrey appeared moments later, to hold his arm out towards the younger Stark girl. They seemed to be exchanging words, before Sansa took Joffrey's arm as the doors began to close. He lead her down the steps, though his eyes remained fixed on Lyra. Margaery was holding back a smirk, as Lyra shot her a glare.

He released her hand, as Lyra shot Sansa an encouraging grin, watching as she walked the final steps by herself. As she reached the top, the Septon began to speak, though Lyra tuned the most of it out.

"You may now cloak the bride under your protection," There was a pause after the High Septon's words, as Sansa turned her back to Tyrion. The man tried to cloak Sansa, but Sansa had grown over their time in King's Landing and Tyrion was unable to reach her shoulders.

A snicker broke out in the audience and Lyra could see Sansa's hands beginning to tremble. Glaring in the audience's direction, Lyra and Margaery began to motion for Sansa to bend down, as the young girl looked at them for guidance.

She fought a blush, before reluctantly kneeling for Tyrion to place the cloak on her shoulders. Lyra smiled up at her, though her hands shook.

"Your Grace, Your Grace, my Lords, my Ladies, we stand here in the sight of gods and men to witness the union of man and wife. One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever," Sansa and Tyrion turned to face the front once more, neither of them looking happy to be in front of the crowd.

✧✦✧

Lyra sat with Joffrey to her right, talking to him quietly as she ran her fingers over the signet ring on his hand. They were both keeping one eye on the newly married couple, who seemed to be trying to avoid each other as much as possible.

"You should go to your sister," Joffrey murmured, looking around at the festivities with disapproving eyes. The scent of wine was heavy in the air, and Lyra hesitated, knowing how much Joffrey despised the smell.

"Will you be okay?" He glanced down at her, his eyes softening momentarily as he nodded.

"I will survive without you for the moment," She smiled, before squeezing his hand one last time and standing up, sweeping over to her sister. Sansa looked up, a relieved smile falling on her face at the sight of her.

"Will you pardon my sister, My Lord?" Lyra called to the drunken man next to her husband. Tyrion waved them away, still focused on filling his glass to the brim with wine, as Sansa hurried to her sisters side. "You look stunning, little one. If mother and father were here, they would have been incredibly proud."

Sansa blushed, leaning into her sister's arm as Lyra lead her towards the exit of the room.

"Thank you," Lyra shook her head, keeping her head straight as she watched the guards carefully, to make sure that they let them pass.

"Congratulations, Little Dove," Lyra took her hand off of the door knob, turning to face the Queen Mother, who was decidedly drunk. The glass that she held in her hand shook, and it automatically placed Lyra on edge. She had enough experience with drunkards to know that she did not want to deal with one.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Sansa murmured, tightening her grip on Lyra's arm, as the elder girl looked past Cersei's shoulders to see if she could see her own betrothed.

"Well, you've done it. You've married a Lannister. Soon you'll have a Lannister baby. It's a dream come true for you, isn't it?" Sansa's hands were shaking, as Lyra stood tall and tried her best to calm the girl next to it. "What a joyous day!"

"That it is, though all the excitement has worn the both of us out. If you'll excuse us, Your Grace," Lyra smiled politely, wishing that Elia was by her side. She felt a lot safer with the wolf closer to her.

"But, the bedding ceremony has yet to occur," Cersei replied, her eyes narrowed, her drink sloshing around in the glass. Lyra pulled Sansa further behind her, intent on making sure that the girl stayed safe. "You can not leave before this tradition has occurred."

"There will be no bedding ceremony," Lyra hissed, her glare darkening at the thought of men touching her younger sister's body. She shivered in repulsion, staring the Queen Mother down. It only seemed to make the woman angrier.

"You dare...!"

"Mother, I think you've drunk enough tonight," Lyra sighed with relief, as Joffrey appeared and pulled the glass from the elder woman's hands. "Ser Meryn, escort my mother to her chambers."

The knight appeared, not daring to look at Joffrey, as he took Cersei's arm and led her out. The woman was spluttering in protest, glaring at her eldest son who barely flinched, but Lyra noticed the tremor in his hands and the tightening of all of his muscles. The teenager was on edge.

Reaching over, Lyra cautiously placed a hand over the king's, who's head snapped to hers immediately.

"Are you all right?" He nodded, looking back at Sansa, a sad half-smile on his lips.

"My Lady, I know that you wish to be with your sister now and to be able to return to the Stark residence, but that is not feasible anymore," He murmured cautiously, as Sansa tensed up and clung onto Lyra even tighter than before. "You are married, which means that you are to stay with Lord Tyrion."

"Please, I don't want to," Sansa murmured, as Joffrey looked to Lyra for guidance. He was right, but neither of the Stark girls liked the idea.

"Sansa, he will not harm you, or go near you, he is too drunk for that," Lyra murmured. "I will come and find you in the morning, right away, I promise you that. Then, we can spend the entire day together, with Margaery. It will be like nothing has changed."

"But it will have,"

"I know," Lyra brushed Sansa's hair from her face. "At least for tonight, you must. I will see whether I can sneak you back to our rooms after that, but all eyes are on you tonight."

"You promise that you will see me in the morning?"

"I swear to you. It'll be the first thing I do," Sansa nodded, as Lyra pressed a kiss to her forehead. The doors opened once more, as Lyra watched Sansa walk off towards Tyrion's quarters, glancing behind her every so often. Lyra tried her best to send her encouraging smile, until the girl was out of sight.

"She'll be okay," Joffrey murmured, wrapping an arm around Lyra and hugging her to him. She clung to him, taking strength from his sturdy form as she tried not to cry at the thought of her sister all alone, with only Tyrion for company. "She's a strong girl."

"She's still my little sister," Lyra murmured, as Joffrey pressed a light kiss to her head. 

"I know," He hummed. "But, it's like you said to me, when Myrcella left for Dorne, she'll be a lot safer."

Lyra reluctantly nodded, before Joffrey threaded his arm through hers and led her towards the Stark atrium, neither of them wishing to return to the party.

Hiya,

Seriously, wow 10k is amazing. Thank you guys so much and I love everyone who's read and commented and voted and put this book on their reading lists. 

Okay, Arah and Tylar are my second favorite OTP (after Lyrey) so, if you have any ideas for a ship name, I am all ears. Also, Myrcella and Joffrey are a superior brother sister relationship, much like Lyra, Robb and Jon are. Let me know what you think,

Cheers and next chapter will be up soon.

Love Li xxx