CHAPTER 2 | THE MISSION

LAILA had nightmares of what happened in the Stormlands. Watching Renly Baratheon's murder was a nightmare in itself, but to be haunted in your dreams was something she didn't wish for. He had died at the hands of some ... shadow, she guessed. It wasn't real; the act seemed fake. But Renly Baratheon was still dead, and he had died by a sort of magic, if Laila really believed in it.

Laila tended not to get involved with things like Kings. Of course, she supported her lady's son as the King in the North, but the battle of which other King would get the Iron Throne seemed exhausting. Still, she thought Renly Baratheon to be nice. He would've been a fair King. From what she'd been hearing of their current King Joffrey, anyone would be a better King, at this time.

She was sitting in the tent of handmaidens, listening to them herd together in a circle and gossip. Laila stayed in her spot in the corner, staring at her chipped nails. She pursed her lips, feeling that they were chapped. Slowly, the chatter inside the tent seemed to cease. Laila looked up, realizing the rest of the handmaidens were doing the same. Their eyes all connected as shouts were heard from outside.

Before one could ask, the chants became clearer: "KILL THE KINGSLAYER! JUSTICE FOR THE KARSTARKS!"

The handmaidens squirmed with fright as they hurried out of the tent. They stood just outside of it, watching the sight. Laila slowly stepped out of the tent, eyes squinting while they adjusted to the light. She cupped a hand over her vision as she tried to see, but still couldn't. "JUSTICE FOR THE KARSTARKS!" The chants continued, and Laila pushed forth into the bustling crowd to get a better look.

In all his bloodied glory, Jaime Lannister was being paraded through the camp by his shackles. They pulled on his chained-collar like a leash, and Laila's eyes widened in horror. His face went right into the mud as Lord Karstark and his men marched forward. Their swords out cold and ready to strike. "Get back! I want his head!" He ordered. "Any man who stands between a father and his vengeance asks for death!"

Laila was shoved backwards into the crowd as Queen Freya Greyjoy stepped forward into the circle. Lady Catelyn and Brienne of Tarth stood behind her, and Laila struggled to get closer to them, but couldn't.

"LORD KARSTARK!" Freya snarled, silencing the rioting crowd. "What the fuck is the meaning of this?!"

"The Kingslayer killed Torrhen!" He argued back, pointing his sword at the muddied Lannister. "If you have any ounce of pride that I know you to have, Your Grace, you will allow me to strike him down."

Catelyn pushed herself forward, hand out. "Lord Karstark, this man is our prisoner."

"This monster killed my son."

"And crippled mine," Catelyn added. "He will answer for his crimes. I promise you, but now here."

Laila breathed heavily, beginning to bite down on her nail. If she could just get to Catelyn, she could help ... somehow. (Truly, who was she kidding? What could she do?) She looked back down to Jaime. He was smirking as his face collided with the mud again. Laila wanted to scoff in disgust.

Lord Karstark's face turned red from anger. "I will have his head, and you lot try to stop me –"

"YOU WILL WHAT?!" Freya shouted, stepping closer to the lord. "Will you kill us?! Have you forgotten, Ser?" She pointed to Laila's lady beside her. "This is the widow of your liege, Lord Eddard Stark. She is the mother of your king. And I ..." She paused, lifting her head higher. "I am your Queen, Lord Karstark. And if you as much lay a finger on me, or Lady Catelyn, I will pull out my sword myself and strike you down. Don't you dare try to threaten me, my Lord."

Lord Karstark laughed slightly. "Where is our King now?!"

"You know very well!" Lady Stark replied. "He has gone to the Crag to accept the surrender!"

"Aye, gone to the Crag, but not to negotiate. He brought that foreign bitch with him."

Laila watched Freya's eyes go wide. "HOW DARE YOU –"

Brienne grabbed the hilt of her sword. "Threatening my Lady and Queen Freya is an act of treason!"

"Treason!" Lord Karstark spat. "How can it be treason to kill Lannisters?"

"I understand your grief, my Lord. Better than most, I understand it." Catelyn said calmly. "But in the name of my son, the King in the North, stand down."

Laila held her breath as she stared in between groups. Lord Karstark's paused, allowing his eyes to narrow. "When your son returns, I will demand this murderer's head."

"Wise men do not make demands of Kings," Freya advised with a frown. Laila suddenly admired this Queen's bravery. She was something Laila had never seen before.

"Fathers who love their love their sons do." Karstark looked to Queen Freya. He nodded his head curtly in her direction. "I do not take orders from women. I will have his head."

Freya Greyjoy looked to be furious. Her nostrils flared; her teeth clenched. Laila didn't see a sword on her, but then the Queen pulled out a small blade from her cloak. She quickly struck her hand out that held the blade. "No," she thundered back, "but you will take them from your Queen."

The two continued to stare at each other for another long moment, but finally, Lord Karstark and his men marched off. He let out an angry groan, kicking the dirt as he walked away, which landed right in Laila's direction. The crowd began to disperse, and Laila tried to move her way through it.

"Thank you for fighting on my behalf, Lady Stark and Queen Freya." Jaime Lannister jested, holding up his shackles. "I would have come to your defense, but –"

Catelyn spun around and ordered, "Take him to the stockades! Bind him with every chain you can find!"

Jaime chuckled loudly as he was pulled up from the ground by Stark banner men. "You've become a real she-wolf in your later years, Lady Stark. There's not much fish left in you."

Freya added, "And gag him!"

Laila watched Jaime get carried away, all the while smirking towards the Starks. She felt bad for him, in an odd way. Although, she wasn't sure if it was sadness she felt, or pity. Probably the latter.

She was finally able to find Lady Catelyn, who gestured for her to come over. "Are you hurt, my Lady?" Laila asked confidently, holding Catelyn's arms to check for stains. "I can run you a bath to help you calm down, yes?"

Catelyn watched Queen Freya walk away with frown before resting her eyes on the handmaiden. "I'm fine, Laila. Nothing is the matter." She turned, laying a hand on Brienne's arm, to which the female knight viewed up. "I need you both in my tent this instant. We have important matters to discuss."

•••

The three women sat together at a table. Catelyn's tent was warmed from the candles she had Laila place around it. Brienne was a bit too large for her seat, and watching her sit down on the stool was gleeful. Laila sat next to the knight, blowing out the match of fire she used to light the candles. Catelyn looked outside her tent before closing the flaps and approaching them.

"I think I might have a special mission for you two," she said in a low voice.

Laila and Brienne's eyes met in confusion. The handmaiden looked back to her lady, pointing a finger towards herself.

"Yes, you, Laila." Catelyn played with her finger anxiously. "I'm afraid this is a decision my son will scold me for, but I believe it is the only option left. I need my girls back."

Laila understood her lady's reasoning. She was very terrified for what the Lannisters must be doing with her daughters. Laila hoped Sansa and Arya were not harmed, but with the Lannisters, none knew for sure. You couldn't trust that Twyin Lannister, and neither his daughter, Cersei. Sometimes, she listened to Catelyn go on at night about how she worried for her daughters, so Laila was willing to help in anyway she could.

She placed her hand over her lady's. "We will do everything in our power to help you."

"But she can only do so much," Brienne muttered, causing Laila to roll her eyes.

Catelyn's teeth chattered. She looked between the two women before replying, "I need you both to escort Jaime Lannister back to King's Landing."

Laila's mouth dropped. Brienne sat up straight, pausing for an answer. The handmaiden pointed back to Brienne. "She's right," Laila gawked, "I can only do so much, and that's not it."

•••

A/N: The whole argument scene between Lord Karstark and Freya is taken exactly from "Howling," so it's basically like rereading it over again. I did this for people who, perhaps, haven't read "Howling" and read this first. It isn't needed to read "Howling" before this story, but it is advised if someone wanted to know more about Freya Greyjoy and who she is. Plus, putting that scene in was necessary to the story. Just thought I'd clear that up!