The Throne's Last Flame

Chapter 154: Black Tidings VI

Gawen Crabb smiled and gave a small nod.Margaery Tyrell, usually quick with words, kept her rosy lips closed, walking on in silence.

Gawen stayed by her side quietly. He wondered—should he speak to comfort her, or would that only wound her pride? Then again, perhaps what the little rose needed most was not words but silent company.

Alliances, after all, required reassurance. For noble ladies, nothing was more comforting than the silent presence of a knight devoted to them.

A mild headache… but nothing Lord Crabb could not manage.

When he blinked, his eyes carried a look of concern, tenderness, and—though restrained—admiration.

…

Margaery noticed his gaze lingering now and then. The corners of her lips curved faintly.

She turned her face slightly toward him. Their eyes met. For once the ever-composed Gawen froze. Quickly, he reined in his emotions and looked away, coughing lightly.

Margaery read his glance well. Her soft laugh escaped, and her steps grew lighter, almost buoyant.

"Lord Crabb, will you tell me something of the Red Keep?"

Her wide eyes flicked around, then back to him. "I often wonder what truly happens within those walls. Surely it is unlike anything I know."

Gawen's eyes shifted. "It would be my honor, Lady Margaery."

So, this was why the little rose had sought him out. Of course—duchesses' daughters were busy women; they did not approach a minor baron without cause.

It was plain enough: she sought distraction. The Red Keep had been in turmoil—Lord Eddard Stark had suddenly cast the Master of Coin into the black cells. Of those who knew the truth behind it, only Eddard, Gawen, and Varys remained.

Yet none suspected Gawen knew so much—or that he had played a hand himself.

To Margaery, he was a man of keen senses, close to House Stark, rumored even to be a regular in the Hand's Tower.

Thus she guessed rightly: Lord Crabb held more secrets than most, and perhaps even the reasons behind such a shocking arrest.

And rumors spread like wildfire when the Hand of the King jailed one of the Small Council.

…

Gawen chose instead to share a few comical tales from the Red Keep, drawing laughter from Margaery until her face lit once more.

At last, her curiosity broke through her sorrow.

"Lord Crabb, I heard… is it true Lord Stark and Lord Baelish were rivals in love?"

She flushed slightly, though her eyes gleamed with girlish intrigue.

Gawen thought wryly. Girls did love gossip.

With patient tact, he resolved to satisfy her curiosity—while at the same time, little by little, revealing the shameful truths of the Vale's ruling house.

Step by step.

…

Gawen let hesitation show.

Margaery's eyes softened. "My lord, what troubles you?"

Her tone carried genuine concern.

He shook his head. "It is not true. In fact…"

He sighed. "Lord Stark faces a dilemma. After all, Lady Lysa is Lady Catelyn's own sister."

Margaery's pupils widened. She understood at once.

Gawen went on quietly: "Lady Margaery, we are allies. I would not see you misled by false whispers."

He leaned closer. "I speak plainly because I trust you. But this must remain between us."he greatest king ever—brave as a wolf, proud as a lion."

Arya's eyes flashed. "You can't have a lion cub with Joffrey. He's no lion. He's a stag."

"He is not a stag!" Sansa shrieked. "He's nothing like that drunken king!"

The words struck Ned like a hammer.

His grey eyes narrowed. His pupils shrank.

.

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