The Provenance || Jon Snow | Game of Thrones

2.09

It is closer to two hours later when Lancel returns, this time bearing a wound to his side that Gabrielle thinks he's playing up a bit too much. Blood drips on the floor from between the fingers that grasp at his hip, some of the other women gasping in horror and scurrying away from the mess he's left. The Mock Queen rolls her eyes at them, for surely women see more blood than men.

Lancel stops in front of Cersei, now alone given she'd pressed Gabrielle and Sansa away once Joffrey's danger had been proclaimed for all. Her hand, wrapped in Sansa's for the small comforts they both needed, is squeezed tighter than before, Gabrielle's eyes wavering to hers as Sansa continues staring at Cersei, realizing it was a minute reaction on Sansa's part, a revelation of her inner feelings with a mask to hide behind.

"The battle is lost, Your Grace. Stannis's troops are at the gates. When the gold cloaks saw the king leaving, they lost all heart," Lancel informs the Queen Regent and even more girls shriek in fear, as if that'd help anything.

But the Queen Regent could care less for the safety of King's Landing, instead pressing her cousin with, "Where is my son?"

Gabrielle does not hear Lancel's response, not that she particularly cares, given the girl that randomly decides to start sobbing behind her, setting off a rash reaction of similar emotions. All she can hear in either ear is heavy breathing, sobs, and high-pitched voices, like a persistent buzz though providing a far more dramatic response from her. She flinches away from the girls, feeling no relief from the noise even a few feet away as the panic ensues and Sansa stands to her feet, moving towards Gabrielle. The Mock Queen finds her heart beating with irritation at all this noise, even as she tries to talk herself through it: not everyone is as strong as her.

But it is Sansa this time who has the composure to contain the squirming females, her body turning towards them and their eyes are instinctively drawn to their future queen, quieting softly as she addresses them, "Now listen to me. Don't be afraid. The Queen has raised the drawbridge. This is the safest place we can be. Joffrey's not hurt. He's fighting bravely. His knights have rallied behind him. They will save the city. Shall we sing a hymn?"

The women nod rapidly in response, prompting Sansa to begin the hymn with her sweet voice, quickly overcome by the others. As if singing will keep the rapists away. But Gabrielle shoves the blatant opinion to the side, pulling Sansa's arm and leading her away from the singers, Shae following after them. Once they're far enough to avoid eavesdroppers, Gabrielle addresses the redhead, "We must go. Stannis won't hurt you. Cersei will."

Sansa nods rapidly at that, agreeing entirely, and following after Gabrielle as they head towards the door, only to notice Shae's not coming. Stopping and retracing her steps, Sansa grabs Shae's hands, pleading, "Come with us."

But Shae shakes her head, denying the plea as she smiles kindly at Sansa, "I need to say goodbye to someone."

"The queen said they'd rape everyone," Sansa reminds her.

"No one is raping me." Shae pulls up her dress to reveal a dagger strapped to her leg, and both Gabrielle and Sansa smile at the sight. What a team they make. But Shae pushes Sansa's shoulder, "Go."

Gabrielle tugs Sansa and the girl catches up, slipping silently through the doors and rushing down the hallways, trying to make as little sound as possible. The moon and fire casts a strange light through the archways, as the two girls rush through them--a flashes of ruby and platinum to any witness. The first few corridors prove to be empty, but as soon as Gabrielle hears voices or armor, she has them ducking into the shadows and shimmying around corners. And so, the quest proves to be a slightly endless endeavor, and both females are silently grateful to see Sansa's chamber door at the end of the next corridor.