“If she were a man she might, might give Robert Baratheon a run for his money on sleeping around.” Bronn wasn’t going to say one way or another if he really supported or not the girls decision to sleep around, honestly he could care less but the facts were that Amerei had a reputation and that he knew would not be good for House Frey’s already poor reputation and harder to find a Lord who would marry her.
“No marriage? Really? Are you going to outlive old Waldar Frey and not be married off and having babes of your own?” He asked, not suprised at all by her answer. The time he’d known Meryll he hadn’t pegged her for being a marrying kind of woman and his eyes focused on her finger as it trailed down his chest and they briefly glanced at her face before back on the hand.
“Lollys. Not after Cersei promised her Ser Bracken or whatever his name is, broke the agreement she did. So, Jaime promised me a better wife and castle and here I am.” his arms outstretched, gesturing to the tavern “Here in this shithole” as he put his hands down, one hand came down to gently rest on Meryll’s thigh “Besides, i’m not pure as a fresh babe in any aspect of my life, lady Frey”
Meryll started a bit when Bronn’s hand fell to her leg. She should not have been surprised – this wasn’t like the times that she sassed the stable boy back at the Twins. While the boy had been happy to exchange some suggestive and flirty banter, he would have never dreamed to lay a hand on his liege lord’s granddaughter. Bronn had no such qualms. And he was no boy.
It was a dangerous game she played, toying with a man such as Bronn – former sellsword, newly knighted, ambitious as heck and he made no effort to conceal it. And it was possible, just possible, that Meryll talked a bigger game than she played. But the thrill of sneaking past the redcloaks and city watch had left her feeling brave and reckless, and the ale was pushing brave over the line to stupid.
“I think there are enough Freys in the realm that my House should somehow survive without me adding any babes of my own,” she said with a wry smile.
There had been a time she had wanted such things – to be the Lady of a great keep and to bear sons for her Lord husband. But somehow the events of the past few months had put a damper on those dreams. She and her sisters and cousins had served as spoils of war between House Frey, House Bolton and House Lannister. Meryll should have been pleased to be marrying into a house such as House Lannister, even if it was one of the lesser branches, but part of her wondered if Lord Grandfather had just chosen names out of a hat when he decided which girl should married off to which little lordling.
Her trailing finger had ended up somewhere just above the sellsword’s belt. Meryll had learned a few things from Amerei, afterall. She knew what things to say or do if she wanted to end up in a man’s bed. She knew, but she had never actually done them before.
Meryll stood up so fast she nearly knocked the stool over. “How about a game of darts? Loser buys the next round.”
Bronn gave a smile as he felt Meryll’s finger stop at his belt and he was having a hard time keeping his mind focused on what Meryll was saying and he felt himself leaning closer into her, his body reacting to the anticipation of what could happen between them. He did after all find her attractive. She was not only one of the few beautiful Frey girls but in general a fine beauty and woman all around, she could drink and fight just as well as a man and yet she knew when to behave and act like a lady.
Maybe he had too much to drink, maybe it was the air of excitement around him but Bronn realized that in this moment he wanted Meryll and he was going to do his best to have her as soon as he could, screw her betrothed or what the Lannisters and her Grandfather wanted for her. Fuck the consequences. He’d have her all to himself if he was able to. But than suddenly, she was gone from his view and he nearly collided with the bar stool and he grumbled as he watched her walk towards the dart board.
“No fair” He called, stumbling over there himself “You’re at an advantage.” Bronn swayed just a bit as he picked up a set of darts and readied himself to throw one, the dart flew in the dartboard but not where it should have landed. Instead of the circles it had manged to get into the actual wood itself and he glared at Meryll.
Goldnwulf 