★☆  

CHAPTER FIVE; THE ROAD TO HIGHGARDEN

"Your legs are looking a lot better, M'lady," Elise hummed as she inspected the chaffing wounds on Rey's thighs. Having ridden for days in a nightgown wasn't pleasant, particularly in the summer heat. The leather of the saddle had rubbed against her skin enough to make her bleed, which meant she wasn't comfortable in any sense on the journey to what she now knew was Highgarden. "They seem to have healed a lot quicker with the ointment and bandages each morning and night."

"How much farther to Highgarden?" Rey asked softly, grimacing a little as she moved further back onto her bed. Renly and his supporters had stopped for a few days at an inn a while away from the Reach. They had already been travelling for two weeks, which was quite good time considering who could be after them. 

"About five more days, M'lady," Elise assured her, smiling hopefully. It turned out that she was also in on the ploy to rescue Rey, as she had met them that night on her own horse alongside a few other maids. "That's what I've been told Lord Renly says."

"I thought we were supposed to call him King Renly now," Rey tilted her head a little, her eyebrows furrowed. She had been called in to speak with him numerous times, and she couldn't deny her gratitude. He had continued to be ever so kind, always making sure she was comfortable and not too upset. 

"Yes, I suppose," Elise nodded, standing up from where she was kneeling and stepping to Rey's bedside table, where the freshly made ointment sat. It wasn't approved by Maesters, but there were many men in Renly's armada that knew a thing or two about surviving through hardships. They were all quite kind themselves, which was a nice change from the scum that wandered King's Landing and the Red Keep. "It might just take some getting used to."

"Any news from my father?" Rey continued, and Elise pursed her lips. The auburn girl sighed softly and stared down at her feet, her heart sinking. "Renly said they haven't received any ravens since the news of Ned Stark's death. I don't know if Arya and Sansa are alive and safe, or if they're being tortured by Joffrey."

"Another king," Elise responded, to which Rey chuckled and rolled her eyes.

"He'll never be my king," she announced proudly, to which Elise grinned. Rey then silenced and looked around the small room. She was lucky to get anything, she knew how low on supplies the group were. She couldn't wait to get to Highgarden, she knew it would be safe travels from then on. "Renly is going to propose an alliance with House Tyrell. He's going to marry Margaery and make her his queen."

"So I've heard," Elise hummed in agreement. "I also heard she's very beautiful. Ser Loras is quite lovely too."

Ser Loras Tyrell had been travelling alongside the new Baratheon king, and Rey had to admit, he was quite good-looking. He had shoulder length blond hair that curled at the ends and a handsome smile that seemed to capture every room he walked into. He was the one who initially suggested Renly marry his sister, which assured the support of the wealthy house.

Loras had been ever so kind to Rey as well. They had known each other for quite a few years since he had been living in the Red Keep. As they had both been born and raised in the Reach, they had something in common and often found themselves in conversation about agriculture and the entertainment in King's Landing. He wasn't the brightest, but he certainly made up for that in heart.

"What do you think will happen upon my return to Dewacreage?" Rey inquired, her fingers flickering back down again to her ring. Gendry. Oh, how she missed him. 

"Well, seeing as your brother Irvin is the Lord of the estate, he will help you with whatever you need," Elise began to explain. "It is likely that you will be married to a respectable suitor. You are of age, need I remind you?"

"I was hoping I'd have a little more time for myself before I'd have to wed," Rey sighed, and Elise smiled softly towards her. The young girl had definitely appeared more down during the grueling journey, particularly due to concern over her father and the Starks. There was something else bothering her, though the handmaiden didn't know what. 

"You must do your duty for your house, little bumblebee," Elise paused and rested her hand on the girl's knee. "You are so lucky to be safe and almost home to your loving family. Your father made a brave decision, and it was out of love for you."

Rey bit her tongue. She knew Elise was right, but at the same time, there was a sinking feeling in her gut that maybe her father didn't do it out of love. He had been raised by the cowards in House Marigot, same as those before him. When danger surfaced, survival was the most important thing. He only cared about his grandchildren and heirs to his house, rather than loving what he already had. Rey knew that wasn't an uncommon outlook in society, but it didn't mean it hurt any less. 

Not having responded to Elise's words, the young girl fell into bed and stared at the ceiling. The sound of livestock, fire and people filled the air, yet it didn't feel right. She was in the middle of the Red Keep and Dewacreage, somewhere she didn't know and didn't want to be. Every step she took in the foreign place reminded her of why she was there and what was happening. 

She had no idea if she was going to be seeing her friends from King's Landing again, and that frightened her. She had no idea why her father had sent her away, and it saddened her. She had no idea what to expect upon arriving at Highgarden and then Dewacreage, and it worried her. 

She had never been fond of change, yet she knew deep down that she would be experiencing it for a while to come.

  ★☆  

"Are you looking forward to going home, Aurelia?" Renly asked as his horse fell into step with Rey's. The pair were towards the front of the group, alongside Ser Loras and Hogarth. Rey looked over at him and forced a smile.

"I suppose so, yes," she responded, and her King chuckled softly. Raising an eyebrow, Rey watched him in confusion. "What's so funny?"

"You are, my dear," the man said easily. "You aren't like any other members of your family I've met. You're different."

"I highly doubt that," Rey felt heat rise in her cheeks as she continued to steadily ride her horse up the Kingsroad. They were now but a day away from Highgarden, and the only thing she was truly excited for was a nice, warm bath. "My family seem to share the same traits. They're passed down through the generations, like the colour of one's hair and eyes."

"There's one good example already," Renly beamed. "Your father wouldn't dare oppose a Baratheon in anything. He is a good man, but not a brave man."

Rey lowered her head. As much as she wanted to object, she couldn't help but agree. "That's the Marigot way, I'm afraid. We're all too frightened of those in higher power that we hide our tails when we dare disagree. I've always hated that."

"You don't have to be like the rest of your house," Renly now spoke a little softer, having understood the sensitive topic he had crossed. "You are perfectly capable of taking charge of your future. No matter whom you marry or what status you hold, you are more incredible than you think. House Marigot holds a bumblebee as their sigil, yes? Bumblebees are beautiful, graceful and non-confrontational. But, when truly threatened, they can deliver a deadly sting that can result in pain and sometimes death. You may not be a Targaryen dragon, a Stark wolf or a Lannister lion, but you have the potential to become one of the most important and influential beings in Westeros. Remember that, little one."

Rey was speechless. She didn't know how Renly was so good at making her feel better about herself, but she was truly appreciative. She felt her heart swell a little at his words, and she glanced back at him with her dark eyes. "I'm flattered my King. I don't know how to thank you."

"Well, I'd like it if you still called me 'my King'," the man grinned, lightening the mood a little. "Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Rey couldn't but allow her lips to twitch in response. "Definitely. A well suited title to a well-deserving man."

  ★☆

jinkies!! 

dedicated to gayandaesthetic for their lovely comments!!! thank you so much my good dude ily x