I feel like I offer everyone an explanations but to sum it up - My grandfather, great-grandmother, and a close friend all died in these last few months and it has not warmed me up to the idea of writing or doing anything really. So while I understand the stalemate you all felt I won't apologize for not writing.

Hopefully this chapter, although incredibly short, will hopefully make up for it though.

Winter Is Coming

Chapter Eight

Walls of Stone

Great buildings that move the spirit have always been rare. In every case they are unique, poetic, products of the heart.

-Arthur Erickson

She thinks the dress is long and soft beneath her palms as she smooths the sides. The thread and detail are intricate and rough under them. She wonders for a moment if that's really her and if she's really marrying. The see through fabric hangs from her wrist and a hood meant for the cold and snow hangs off her head. King's Landing is hot and the air is heavy. The necklace, an heirloom, is twisting and silver on her neck and a band wraps around her head.

- Three Days Before-

The castle was large and seemed to be supported by the longest columns Susanna had ever seen. They were almost there and the road that they walked had been ridden more often then not as they met wagon upon wagon on the roads. Children eagerly pointed at them although many were skinny and paler then ever her.

Susanna wrapped her arms tighter around herself as she walked, ignoring the crunch of snow beneath her feet and the wetness of the water as it melted into the lining of her boots.

Her horse pushed against her back, as if to urge her on as they fell behind, she heard the King's boastful laugh as he chortled with a young man.

The blade attached to her waist dragged in the ground as she walked creating a perfect line beside her.

"Anna?", William murmured riding up beside her.

Susanna searched around herself before she caught Jon's eyes.

His face was drawn into the familiar mask of pain that all of the Stark children wore now. The shedding of blood - even that of a favored pet - had revealed the viciousness of the queen and the court as a whole.

Arya and Jon had readily avoided Sansa for days now and they kept their companions close, frantic panic on their faces when their wolves took too long to respond to their calls or commands.

She and William had fallen far behind the others now, her father's eyes only catching her's once before he pressed on.

You'll be fine, Jon seemed to say, bidding Tila to follow.

Her maid cast her a weary glance before she rode ahead with Jon.

"You can't keep on like this", William said, "Your family is worried about you and whining about Rory's death isn't going to change anything"

She didn't even realized she had the short sword in her hand until it narrowly missed William's head. He caught her wrist and placed the point against her own throat.

"You're not as good as you think you are Anna", he mocked, almost smiling as she tried to get out of his hold.

"You're a real bastard, William McCord!", she hissed.

William smiled wider, "Wrong guy"

She finally pulled herself free from him and began to walk again, ignoring the neighing of her horse.

The damn thing was laughing at her.

"Besides I'm not whining", Susanna replied, stomping forward, "I'm grieving there's a difference, or didn't you know?"

"Yes I do", he replied.

William's tone made her turn back to him. It had been years since the death of August McCord but the wound of his death was still fresh for his young son.

She sighed before she responded.

"I'm sorry William", she replied, "I didn't mean it like that"

William brushed past her.

"You should start thinking about your family Susan, believe it or not they are all you really have and court is a dangerous place"

His words made Susanna stop. She knew the rough and tumble of her own father's court. The place was filled with gossip and turmoil, it was a shark's den according to her mother.

How bad was King's Landing if William was warning her of it?

The continued along the path and reached a tall and majestic bridge. Waves crashed against the stone in a fit of vengeance and even though she could not see the children from this height she heard their loud shrieks of pleasure as they ran into and out of the sea.

William held out his arm for her to take as they came upon soldiers.

They were almost as fat as their king, their eyes cold and beetle like and they gazed at the Queen, Susanna and Sansa in lust.

The Queen seemed to revel in their gazes.

"Are you afraid?", William asked.

"Are you?", Susanna replied, silently groaning when she failed to keep the tremor of fear out of her voice.

"Absolutely"

They continued to walk and her eyes widened as the height of the castle truly came into view and shuddered as the walls of stone encased them.

The next chapter will be longer and will - maybe - be posted on Saturday.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas or have just enjoyed the crazy weather.

Thank you for reading.

Review & Follow.