"I pray to any god listening, keep my family safe from those who would mean to hurt them. Do not let my actions lead to consequences for them. And-and forgive me for the things I have done and will do in the future." A knock came at my door and I rose to answer it.
"Loras, dear brother, please come in," I stepped away from the door to allow my brother to enter.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, but after hearing of the arrangement I had to see you. I never wanted this for you. A unification of our two houses is both the safest and most dangerous thing to do. Joffrey is mad. He is sick and he is twisted and the thought of my beloved sister in his hands... It sickens me."
"Brother, do you remember that day four years ago when you were leaving for battle and I had hid myself in the supply cart with nothing but a small sword I had paid the blacksmith's apprentice to make for me? You didn't realize I was there until you saw me on the battlefield." Loras laughed.
"I was so angry with you. As I made my way to you I saw you drive that tiny sword into a man's thigh. You definitely held your own that day." He put an arm around my shoulders.
"Mother was livid. Next battle she tried to keep me in by posting guards surrounding my rooms. Little did she know, I had traded clothes with a squire that I attacked. After that, she learned I was going to defend my people no matter what. I fought 14 battles after that."
I was going to miss my brother greatly. He was the one who taught me to fight. "I'm going to miss you," Loras said, reading my mind. "But you're one of the toughest girls I've ever met. You'll be okay. You're smart. I know you will do whatever it takes to stay alive. You've got the scars to prove it," he gestured to my back. I had been kidnapped during the last battle and beaten severely. I fought my way out before any serious damage could be done.
"Loras," I gasped. "What will Joffrey do if-if he sees the scars? He will see them at some point. What will I say to him?"
"I would rather not think about that monster seeing you like that." He turned away from me with fists clenched.
"You know it's going to happen. It disgusts me too, but it's my duty. Joffrey is not an honorable man. He's hardly even a man. Loras, this marriage scares me more than any battle I've ever fought." A small sob escaped my throat. Loras pulled me into an embrace and let me cry.
"You're going to have to learn how to play his game. All of this is a game to him. Learn how to play and play it better. You're going to have to do things, unspeakable things, to stay alive. I will try and visit you often as I can. Dear sister, I will pray for you." He kissed my forehead and left the room.
_
Before I knew it, my ride to King's Landing was in less than an hour. I was in the stable preparing my horse when my mother walked in. "Isabel," she scolded. "A queen does not ready her own horse. If you're going to be a queen, act like one." She grabbed my elbow and dragged me away.
"Queens also aren't dragged away by their mothers!" I pulled my elbow from her grasp.
"Isabel, I worry about you. You're tough girl and the facade of queen may prove difficult for you." My mother's features wrinkled with worry.
"A queen can be tough. I have no choice. Joffrey's cold and sinister. I have to do everything in my power to keep myself and my family safe, no matter the cost. If I have to order beheadings - or worse - to keep you, Loras, and Margaery safe then so be it."
"Keep your voice down when speaking of the king! You speak of keeping us safe but such talk will have us branded as traitors! Now mount your horse."
I went to put one leg over the saddle when my mother yelled, "Sidesaddle! Ride like a lady!" I groaned and complied.
Someone snickered, "She can ride me like a lady." At that I very calmy sliced his saddle girth in half with my concealed dagger and watched as he slid to the ground.
"Watch how you speak about your queen," I spat and rode off.
"She'll do just fine," Loras smiled and took off after me.
