Becoming Porcelain

Chapter 13- Harp

I walked down the empty corridors and arrived alone at the great hall of Harrenhal. This place was so different to home, Harrenhal had a cold feeling to it. Not warming and calm like Winterfell.

As I stood looking at the wooden door I could hear the chatter of men already. Their laughter sounded like an army marching across a sea of ice.

I pushed the door a jar and squeezed through it. No one had realised that I had entered and I stood there looking over the sea of tables and dancing areas to try and spot my Brothers, but my eyes caught something far more different than my brothers. The King.

He sat there on a huge wooden table that stood on a higher level than everyone else. His bruised hands clutched to the chair and his long finger nails cut markings into it as well. I analysed the King quickly and saw that his once silver hair had turned to a grey colour with only glimmers of silver present. His old face was withered and his smile held shiny white teeth, ones which were fit for a King. When I looked at his eyes only then did I realise he was looking at me. His indigo eyes were looking straight into mine and the grin on his face was entirely meant for me. Immediately I did a little curtsey and looked to the floor. All I could think about was that everything that I imagined the King would be like is all fake. I expected him to be handsome like his son, but no. He is a feeble old man with a face like a worn out statue.

Finally I rose up from my curtsey but quickly walked into the sea of people dancing and full tables. I didn't want the King looking upon me any longer, it was as if I was in a trap under his gaze. I pushed my way through the crowd of dancers but couldn't help get disorientated and I fell back slightly but was caught by a pair of strong hands. Suddenly it came to my mind that Rhaegar had to be here and I spun round in excitement. Rhaegar is with me.

But my face quickly dropped as I saw that it was Robert Baratheon that stood before me with his hands on my hips. Though I didn't move, I just stared at him. His brown eyes looked into mine with so much delight that I couldn't help but stay where I was. If I pulled away it would be extremely rude.

"Can I have this dance Lady Lyanna?" He asked in his deep husky voice.

I gave Robert a small nod and he took me by the hand and pulled me towards him. I gulped in nervousness as his hands snacked around my waist. The feeling was not a nice one, it wasn't like when Rhaegar did it. This was a feeling of regret and guilt. I didn't like doing this at all.

The song that was being performed was a slow one that needed only three violins. Yet everyone managed to find a small beat and move gracefully to it. Whereas I couldn't at all and let Robert control my body entirely, though I better get use to it. When we are married he will always have control of me and my body. It will be mine no longer.

As we danced I looked around the room and my eyes saw the back of a silver haired man; Rhaegar. My heart immediately quickened and butterflies appeared like a storm in my stomach.I had waited weeks to see him again. He wore all black like me and I couldn't help but smile, but my smile quickly diminished as my eyes saw what was going on. He had his arms securely wrapped around a small framed woman who had long black hair and tanned skin.She wore a long yellow dress that stood out from all the other women in the hall. I couldn't see them perfectly from here but I knew who she was. She was the woman that I wished to be, the woman that took the only thing that I wanted in the world away from me. Elia Martell. Wife to the Prince of Dragonstone.

Finally I stopped dancing and pulled myself away from Robert's grip. I didn't even care to look at Robert, I just simply walked off into the crowd. I wanted to scream and cry at seeing them together, but I had no right too.

I somehow managed to find my Brothers table and they were all sat down drinking and laughing. Acting like they had no problems in their life. I sat beside Benjen on the end of the table and looked down at my hands. I didn't dare look up as I could burst out into tears at any second. I wanted to run to my tent, pack up my things and leave for home at once.

I gave a small glance back up and there they were again. Laughing together as they danced and whispering in each others ears like secret lovers. I looked away and a single tear slipped from my eye and ran down my pale cheek, but I quickly wiped it away, making sure no one saw.

"Son!" A loud voice boomed across the room. My head shot up and I saw the King was now stood to his feet and giving a horrible grin towards Rhaegar, whose face I still hadn't fully seen. The room was now silent as everyone stared at the King and some lowered their heads and bowed toward him.

"Yes Father." Rhaegar replied in his soft voice, causing a shiver to run through my body.

"A gift my Son," The King said and pointed to a group of servants that scattered in all holding a golden harp. My mouth slowly parted as I looked at the beautiful instrument and then back at Rhaegar. Was he going to play this?

"Now play for us." The King shouted and everyone clapped. I saw how Rhaegar's shoulders tensed up and he didn't do anything for a second. he just stood there.

Then finally he gave a nod to his Father and made his way toward the harp that sat in the centre of the room. He pulled a chair up and brought it and himself close to the instrument.

Only then did I see his face as he looked up and our eyes immediately met. I froze under his gaze and looked deeply into his lilac eyes. Then did he quickly look away.

He plucked his fingers against the strings and the most beautiful sound entered the room. Then he began to play.

It was the most nicest sound that I had ever heard and I watched him play with such desire. He closed his eyes as he played the beautiful tune and suddenly so did I. The sound flowed through my body like a drug and I couldn't help but smile.

Then the sound of singing filtered through the room and my eyes fluttered open. Rhaegar sat there with his eyes glued on me as he sang a melody which could only be described as heaven. He sang of lovers that both lost their lives to be with the person they loved and his voice sounded like an angel sent down from the heavens to bring joy to our miserable lives. I couldn't hold the tears back any longer and they began to slide down my cheeks like the rain that would fall from the sky on grey mornings.

There was no sound except the sound of his voice and harp to be heard in the room and everyone was looking at just him. He was the one that had everyone's attention, the one that deserved all that attention.

When the song had stopped everyone sat there and just stared at him. Most of them in shock by his hidden talent and then they began to clap. I reached for the cloth that was on the table and wiped away the tears from my cheek.

"Are you crying?" Benjen said loudly and began to laugh. I quickly snapped my eyes towards him and he was looking at Brandon and Ned. They gave him a weary look but he just couldn't help but laugh. I stood to my feet and grabbed hold of my glass of wine and poured it over Benjen's head. He quickly stood up and moved away from me and I glared at him.

"Remember who's the oldest out of us two Benjen." I snapped and walked away. Only then did I notice that Howland Reed was sat on our table with Ned with a look of shock on his face, whilst Brandon was laughing and Ned shaking his head.