A burning heart #WakeUpInWesteros

Greetings! This blog will be an example for the #WakeUpInWesteros Challenge so it doesn't count as an official entry and is just here to give people an impression and ideas for said Challenge. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for reading and hopefully, participating. :)

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Grey clouds were covering the sky and slowly I opened my eyes. The cold wind had made my cheeks turn red and before I fully woke up I realised that I was shivering. I placed one hand on the cold ground beneath me to sit straight. Where was I? This place resembled in no way any other place I knew. The landscape was covered with few trees and the sea was brushing against the cliffs to my left. I stood up and wrapped my arms around my body. I had to find a warmer place or else I was going to freeze but most importantly did I need to find out where I was.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of warhorns. In the distance yellow banners with a flaming red heart was to be seen and riders appeared at the horizon. I knew this sigil and I had no words to express what I was feeling in this very moment. The mounted knights came closer and I had no idea whether to run away or to stay, but If I'd run then they would catch me anyway since they inevitably were nearly at where I was standing. Only a few feet infront of me they sharply stopped their horses. Most of them were wearing helmets casting a shodow over their faces but the man leading the riders didn't and his face looked all too familiar.

It was Stannis Baratheon which could only mean that this place where I suddenly had woken up was Westeros. I just looked at him and when the King asked what a person like me was doing out here no words wanted to leave my throat. I felt like I had been paralyzed and the moments of silence felt like an eternity. Only then I understood that I probably had to think of a good lie to explain what I was doing here. Especially with my clothing that certainly doesn't belong into Westeros I must look just as strange to them as they do to me. They are strangers but I still feel like I know them.

I didn't forget what I've read and seen about Westeros and when after a while one of the knights had helped me onto a horse and we were riding back towards where ever the group had come from, I figured out that I probably could use this knowledge ,but for this I first had to know where and more importantly, to what time I had woken up here.

We were riding through the always similar looking landscape for about half an hour now. I had a watch under the sleeve of my blouse but I didn't dare to have a look at it so I could only guess the time. I already must look strange enough and didn't want to raise any more suspicion. Then and now a small arrangement of trees could be found to each side as well as abandoned cottages but after a while tents could be seen ahead of us. The adjusted Banner of House Baratheon that was serving as Stannis' personal sigil was flying in the wind. This must be his camp and if I looked at what I had found out I could conclude that it was shortly before the death of Renly Baratheon. My eyes wandered around the camp, hoping to spot a familiar face. After the few words I had managed to speak I could not tell if I was a prisoner, hostage or even worse.

When the horses stopped and the riders jumped onto the ground, their armor giving a clirring sound, I got demanded to do the same without any words needed. Here I was. In the battlecamp of Stannis Baratheon with no idea what to do. In my wildest dreams I would probably have helped him to win the Iron Throne for himself but facing the facts, would they even believe me? I wasn't important in any way so what would stop them from just executing me?

Somehow, somehow I needed to proof that I could be of use. Completely in contrast to the situation I nearly started to laugh when I spotted another familiar face amongst the men marching around between the tents, barrels and banners. Davos Seaworth. The onion Knight always had been one of my favourites and if I had any chance to convince someone than probably him but before I had the Chance to say anything he started to speak himself. First to Stannis, then surprisingly to me. "Your grace!", Ser Davos said towards the Baratheon and bowed his head. "And who is that?" His voice wasn't hostile, more interested. This was the moment I had to ask myself a question. Who was I? I certainly needed to explain what I was doing here but I also needed to identify myself. "I am here to talk with King Stannis Baratheon, first of his name." Davos eyed me carefully. He didn't seem to hate me but he was careful, just as he should be. "And what do you want from him My Lady?", the Onion Knight asked and looked to the bigger tent that the Baratheon King had disappeared him. "I can help." I then answered, waging every one of my words.

Since the soldiers in the camp all were seemingly getting ready for a battle I assumed that tommor they expected the great fight between brother and brother to happen. Expected. Unlike them I knew that it never would come so far and perhaps this was my chance. "King Stannis... I assume that he will ride away to meet his brother Renly because of the battle?" I said and Ser Davos nodded. "I have important information for him."

Now I had to wait for the older man's words. As King Stannis' most trusted advisor and friend my fate was in his hands. After a few more words exchanged Davos led me to the tent of the King. I felt like everyone in the camp was eyeing me and I didn't even wonder why. Two guards followed us and inside the red tent several other guards were standing. King Stannis was sitting at a desk, writing something  onto a small piece of paper. When Davos entered together with the girl they had picked up In the wilderness not ling ago he looked up, putting the paper aside. "Yes?", he asked in the voice I already had heard so many times. Instead of speaking himself Davos looked to me.

"Your grace...", I began, ing the formalities I had heard and read about so often already. " You may not belive me and have every right to do so but I might be able to help you. I know that tomorrow a battle will occur." My voice became more silent when I continued. "A battle you don't intend to fight. I know that you will meet with your brother today and I know that, as ridiculous ad it sounds, he will offer a peach to you." With every word I searched Stannis' face for a chance in his expression. Would he believe me? Or would he think I am just one of Renly's spies? Quickly I continued: "I know it might sound ridiculous but I can be of help."

Without answering Stannis dismissed me from his tent and soon after he left as well. Probably riding away to meet with Renly. Before the King had left the battlements I also had been able to spot a bright red cloak in the crowd and hair like red flames. Melisandre, I thought and quickly looked away, not wanting to catch the attention of the Red Priestess.

It was nearly evening when Stannis and his men, including Davos and Melisandre, returned. I had waited, guarded by soldiers, for them to return but when they did it was like they didn't notice me at all. Night followed and one of the knights handed me a blanket. Even though I wasn't a prisoner and had no chains around my hands I still knew that if I wanted to leave I probably couldn't. When the Moon was standing high in the Sky I knew what would happen and at morning the camp already had woken up before I finally could open my eyes. I wanted to stand up but a soldier with a sword attached to his belt walked towards me. "King Stannis wants to see you My Lady." he helped me up and led me towards the tent that the King resided in.

There he was, sitting at the table with his arms crossed. "Take a seat.", he said. I sat down on the wooden chair and waited for what he had to tell me. Trough grinded teeth he began:" You were right... I don't Know how but what I know is that Melisandre is capable of similar things." He didn't bother to explain who she was but I sighed in relief. Did this mean that I would not be executed by dawn?

In the following weeks Stannis and his soldiers returned back to Dragonstone. Everything had happened exactly like I had predicted it. At the castle I hsd been given a small room with a window pointing towards the sea. It was a simple room but I was glad that it wasn't a prison cell. I was about to blow out the burning candle next to my bed when someone knocked on my door. It was a servant as I could tell by the clothes. "Your grace wants to see you."

Confused I followed the servant before I realized. I had told them everything of importance I knew. Trough the hallway that solemnly was lit by torches we walked towards the Hall of the Painted Table. I already had been able to catch a glimpse of the room a while back but to see the Map of Westeros carved into the year old wood with all its details left me stunned. Stannis Baratheon was sitting at the End of the table, his arms crossed. "I assume you already know that we will leave Dragonstone and take King's Landing tomorrow?" The King didn't wait for me to answer. "Is there anything we need to know?"

Standing in the room with all eyes on me made me uncomfortable and I stuttered when speaking the first words. "Tyrion Lannister...", I began. "He has prepared a ship with wildfire that will decimate your fleet if you won't be able to avoid it. The rest of the men..." I made another pause, thinking about how to phrase my sentence. "Tywin Lannister had managed to get the Tyrells for his side, as I already told you, your grace." I slightly bowed my had in respect. "They will outnumber and surprise your forces. The battle will be lost if you don't do something."

When I first had told them about the Tyrells not being willing to their side it already had been to late to convince them otherwise. I could not make this mistake again. I was no battle strategist so I certainly would be of no help discussing how to avoid the defeat. I only could hope that he would win this battle.

Another week had ed and this time I wasn't at Dragonstone anymore. The Battle of Blackwater had been won and I could not help but to feel happy that it was partly due to my help. I had changed the events but who knew what effects it would have. "All Hail King Stannis of House Baratheon, first of his name!"

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Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it.

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