Lantern - Game of Thrones - Robb Stark - Baratheon

Arstan Lannister remarked how Jocelyn had been offered no choice but to marry. "You are of no use to them whilst unwed, for one stupid reason only."

Jocelyn tensed, but a smile quickly graced her lips at Arstan's choice of word. "A stupid reason indeed, but one I should leverage no?"

"Marriage is a sentence to many, rarely a blessing."

"It wouldn't be so bad, I think, but- it matters not, whether I declare for Robb or stay put as the new King's sister. Blood will be spilled, war has always been between and about men, and I will not matter untill I give birth to a son, and then he shall matter."

"Perhaps that is why your grandfather doesn't desire for you to marry. There's no real challenge, not untill you have a son."

"He's keeping me as a ward so he has some time to consider his options."

"I predict that Joffrey and Sansa will marry soon, and when she is with child you'll marry and they'll betroth your children."

"I'd hate that." Spoke Jocelyn bluntly, crossing her arms. "But it would be Joffrey's best move, eliminate-"

"Do you think he is a bastard?" Spoke Arstan suddenly, walking up to Jocelyn and keeping his voice low, grimacing Jocelyn looked away. She didn't want to say anything out loud. She had been feeling awfull, for hours it felt as if her mind was being kicked around the room, but when she looked into Arstan's green eyes she felt herself come back to the earth again. She thought about riding her horse along the green landscape of the Westerlands. " Yes." Whispered Jocelyn. She bit her cheek. Why was she trusting him? Arstan was a Lannister. He was a man. Why was his speaking ill about marriage? He didn't have sisters, and his mother died young, not in childbirth either.

It seemed as if Arstan had sensed her worry and so he placed a hand atop her shoulder. Any ordinary knight or even lady would earn atleast three strikes for it, but Jocelyn stepped closer to him, almost instinctively. She needed a- friend.

"Do you think the realm will favor him?" He asked her.

"Not for long, not unless a favorable hand intervenes, so- I expect my grandfather to deal with the brewing rebellions, and then, as an answer, we will have to wait and see."

"Do you mean to wait and see?" Asked Arstan her frowning. "I don't know." She confessed, crossing her arms. Jocelyn suddenly didn't like having a friend, because now- she had to share her doubts and worries, if she had no friends, she could pretend for this problem to go away. She pulled her lip up in a sneer, narrowed her eyes and walked up to Arstan with her head held high.

"It is-"

"Jocelyn." He interrupted her and for a moment Jocelyn's anger melted. She let her hands hang at the sides of her body. "Come, you're in your head, we'll take a walk."

She wanted to sob, never but in this moment had she felt so understood, but- protecting herself, trying not to be foolish she shook her head.

"No." You're a guard, not my lady, - she wanted to say. Instead she shook her head, her eyes still soft.

"I just- I- my father." She whispered before turning around and dismissing Arstan Lannister with a wave of her hand. "Take the- take some time off. I'm going to- sit here for a bit." She admitted. Glueing her eyes to the floor before walking up to her bed and covering her face in her hands.

"Jocelyn?" He tried, but Jocelyn ignored him, a sob leaving her throat, Arstan flinched and he hesitated, reaching for the door, but then he walked up the princess, his long red cloak sinking to the floor as he did. It pooled around his armored figure. He held out his hand, and his sword next.