The Caged Lion

Asher Lannister | 22 | House Lannister Beware the caged Lion. Though calm he may seem and beautiful through the bars, approach at your own peril. He's got quite the temper and a fierce bite. A Lannister always pays his debts. Hear Me Roar

[asher-lannister]

The halls are much more peaceful at night...

[alysxarryn]

What do you mean by that?

[asher-lannister]

I mean exactly what I said. You... I suppose "bewitch" would be an appropriate term. You bewitch me. Make me act... not like myself.

[intxrlxde-blog1]

I may or may not have gotten a bit distracted at sea. But I’m back now.

[asher-lannister]

Shame really.

[ladylyastarks]

[she frowns deeply, looking towards the horses and then back at Asher] Right. Of course. 

[asher-lannister]

[holds his hand out to help her onto her horse solemnly]

[alysxarryn]

Doing what’s required all the time is boring. Surprise or not, you were definitely more interesting.

[asher-lannister]

...You seem to have that effect on me.

[asher-lannister]

[opens his eyes to meet her steady gaze, suddenly painfully aware of their closeness.] …I know you are. I… [swallows, not moving away from her]

[ladylyastarks]

[her eyes stay locked with his, searching them when his sentence trails offs] You what?

[asher-lannister]

....Nothing. It's... Nothing. [Clears His throat and turns away] We should ride. The horses are getting restless.

[alysxarryn]

Then I must commend you if you’re able to be formal constantly. However, I must say I prefer the you I saw at the ball. 

[asher-lannister]

Being formal constantly is what's required of me. At the ball I was... I... You took me by surprise.

[ladylyastarks]

[the frown stayed on her lips but she knew that she should stop pushing him. upsetting him even more was not what she wanted to do. nodding slowly] Alright. But if you ever need to share that dangerous burden…I am here.

[asher-lannister]

[opens his eyes to meet her steady gaze, suddenly painfully aware of their closeness.] ...I know you are. I... [swallows, not moving away from her]

[alysxarryn]

Maybe I will if you stop sulking for once.

[asher-lannister]

I prefer to think of it as being formal rather than sulking.

[alysxarryn]

A coincidence, perhaps? 

[asher-lannister]

...You tell me.

[alysxarryn]

And why exactly would I be avoiding you, Lord Lannister?

[asher-lannister]

...You disappeared rather quickly after the ball.

[alysxarryn]

True, but I was just helping my eldest brother with some business, it took a lot longer than I expected. 

[asher-lannister]

Are you certain you weren't just avoiding me?

[alysxarryn]

It’s like crazy quiet here… Where did everyone go?

[asher-lannister]

...The same question could be asked of you m'lady.

[ladylyastarks]

You can tell me anything. [she gives his hand another squeeze to reassure him]

[asher-lannister]

[closes his eyes and shakes his head stubbornly, his mind and heart at war with themselves. He wanted so much to tell her, to tell someone, but he knew he shouldn't take such a risk. Still the urge burned in him and the innate trustworthiness that seemed to roll off the girl in waves didn't help] Lady Stark... I'm telling you that... some secrets are too dangerous to be spoken of.

[ladylyastarks]

You can tell me anything. [she gives his hand another squeeze to reassure him]

[asher-lannister]

Why... why do you care? You don't know me. I'm a Lannister. If... if my father ordered it... I would hurt you.

[asher-lannister]

[Looks down at his hand in hers and then back up at her desperately] …Don’t you see? I have no free will.

[ladylyastarks]

[she smiles softly, warmly and give his hand a squeeze] Everyone has free will. You just have to fight for it, claim it and make it known.

[asher-lannister]

If you knew… You would understand. [Squeezes his eyes shut] But I can’t… I can’t tell you.

[asher-lannister]

[Goes very soft] …You don’t know what I would do. You don’t know why I would do it either. You… You don’t know. And I can’t tell you.

[ladylyastarks]

[she steps forward, taking one of his hands in hers] Ever since I met you, Asher Lannister, you have been nothing but kind to me. I refuse to believe that you would ever hurt me. No matter what happens, you’re stronger than whatever it may be and you are your own person. Strength lies behind our own free will.

[asher-lannister]

[Looks down at his hand in hers and then back up at her desperately] ...Don't you see? I have no free will.