No longer a shadow, but a handmaiden once more
Humming softly as she worked, the maiden soon began to chuckle as the girl sat in front of her wriggled, moving the dirty blonde locks of hair out of the maiden’s wet hands. “Daena! Stop squirming, otherwise I will never wash your hair!” she chided between her laughter, her sky blue eyes twinkling as the little girl flashed her green eyes and her heart-warming smile at the maiden. “But Mara, it tickles!” she insisted as Samara, or Mara as she was called by her intimates, smiled on. “And I am nearly done, so keep still!” she instructed, not harshly but with enough motherly care and so firmness in her tone for Daena to obey as Mara scooped up some water out of the water fountain, that they were sat by near to the Red Keep, before she delicately drizzled the water over Daena’s hair, using her fingers to comb out the dirt so the blonde became more golden in colour. “Why can’t I wash you hair?”
“I washed it early this morn when it t’was still just about night and thus I could come out without melting!” came Mara’s automatic and sharp reply which always ended that topic.
Despite the hot southern sun, Samara’s dress was long and thus hid her form and scarred self from the world; her hair tied back in a northern style braid, seemingly dark brown in colour but if one were to look closely, they would see the odd auburn lock of hair intricately tucked, or in some cases, masked by a paste that made it seem brown. At five and ten, nearing six and ten, Samara had pretty much now lost her girl hood looks and form and was nearly completely grown into her womanly form and sharper facial features, but also her hair colour was subtly shifting to it’s dominant, and in her case significantly recognisable, shade of copper red.
For Mara did not know of her lineage save for a gold locket which depicted a jumping silver trout. But she knew auburn/red hair was rare and so her master gave her a tub of paste which she rubbed onto her hair every day, masking as much of the auburn as possible.
Speaking (or more thinking) of her master.....
“Ahhh, my little shadow maidens allowing themselves some time to grace the sun’s rays.......” came a voice and Mara turned sharply, her hand near the dagger that she always held on her person, but relaxed as she saw who it was, breathing out slowly in relief. “Master...... I-I-I mean, Lord Varys.....” she quickly corrected herself, recalling where they were, as the Spider sat on her left side as Daena moved herself carefully to Mara’s lap as most six year old’s do with those who they see as their mothers or at least carers as Samara’s hand gently combed through Daena’s wet golden locks. “Fret not my dear, we are quite alone out here.....”
“But not completely.......” Mara stated as she peered out of the corner of her eyes and saw, even from the distance between them, the grey eyes of the Hand of the King, Lord Stark, watching them, or perhaps more specifically and significantly her, as Varys sighed. “My dear you need not worry, for Lord Stark wished to observe you...... And perhaps it is a good thing for you to get out of the ‘Master’ habit, for I believe I may have a way for you to be out of this corrupt and most unworthy city for someone with a heart such as your own, dear Samara......”
Mara turned to look at him with a intrigued look in her eye as Varys shifted to be able to whisper to her. “No doubt you have heard what had happened to poor Lady Stark’s hands?” at her slow nod, Varys continued. “Even the proud wolf needs to send his she-wolf an extra hand.....” at his words, Mara looked at him incredulously. “I am to return North?” she whispered softly. “You will be, soon enough..... For your life is only half complete, my dear, and the trials you went through have shown the strength of character which is in your blood… You have kin that can still be with you, but only if you let them see these beautiful changing strands of yours…… There, you may find the truth…..” Varys replied cryptically and Mara furrowed her brows in slight suspicion before looking at Lord Stark from the corner of her eye again before looking back as she continued stroking Daena’s hair. “And what of Daena?”
“It’ll be too many leaving at once, and one significant hair colour is enough to possibly arouse suspicion if they do not leave at the right time or without them being covered up enough.....” was the Spider’s reply as he dug out a small pot from within his sleeves. “A new one, and you may want to touch up before you leave with what’s left of the old pot...... Now come, Lord Stark wishes a word with you..... What happens to your young assistant, you must sort out....” he stated as he stood up.
Mara sighed heavily as she bit her bottom lip, she knew she had no choice but to leave the city do that the Lannisters wouldn’t find her.. And she wanted to be away from this city of filth and deceit.
So, whispering to Daena who got up, collected their things including the small pot Lord Varys gave Samara and then skipped away into the shadows, Samara stood up and walked gracefully beside yet slightly behind Lord Varys as he walked them to the Red Keep where Lord Stark and Lady Stark (from what Mara assumed Lord Varys meant by his cryptic words) were waiting.