This is the story component to my SYOC, if you are interested in sending in a character please see my other story for instructions. Thank you. And I ask that you kindly review, as reviews give me motivation :)
Brileigh made her way through Stokeworth Castle. Her brother had called for her after returning from King's Landing, and she was eager to hear the news from the capital. At fifteen Brileigh was a pretty girl, her shiny straight brown hair reached her waist and was worn loosely. Her light brown eyes complimented her hair and she had fair, almost pale skin. The green dress she wore made her already thin stomach appear even smaller and brought out her developing curves. Brileigh's main insecurity was her small breasts, though she was too embarrassed about it to bring it up to anyone. She reached her brother's study and knocked softly before he called for her to enter the room. Brileigh stepped inside and closed the door quietly behind her. The study, which has previously been her father's, was well lit due to candles that lined the room. Although small, bookshelves lined the walls and in the middle there was a large table that served as a desk. Two chairs sat on either side of it. Sitting at the table was her elder brother, Lord Asher. His short brown hair was shaved on the sides and was long and slicked back on the top. He had a well trimmed beard that covered his face as well as a scar that ran across his nose and went diagonally from the corner of his right eye to his cheekbone. He had a lean, muscular body and tan skin from his days travelling.
"Brileigh." He greeted as he stood. He held out his arms and Brileigh ran into them, hugging her twenty four year old brother, who was now Lord of Stokeworth.
"Asher, it is so good to see you!" Brieligh exclaimed. "How was King's Landing?"
"It was a good trip," Asher said as he sat, and motioned for his sister to do the same, which she did. "I have some news for you."
"What is it?" Brileigh asked eagerly.
"I have arranged for you to become a handmaiden of the Queen." Asher replied.
"Me? Really?"
Asher nodded with a smile, "It's about time you learned courtly politics, and it will give you a good opportunity to meet a husband."
"I'm so excited, I'll get to meet the Queen!" Brileigh exclaimed.
"You'll do much more than that, you'll spend a great deal of time with her, I suggest you take this opportunity to learn from her, as well as the other ladies at court."
Brileigh nodded, "I will. Will you be coming with me?"
"I'm afraid not, I'm needed here. But I will come to visit you if there's a tourney or a feast." Asher promised.
"When do I leave?"
"In a fortnight, so you have more than enough time to get ready." Asher replied.
"Thank you." Brileigh said with a big smile.
Asher smiled at his sister, "You're very welcome, dear sister, I just hope you will do our family proud."
"I will, I promise."
"That will be all, run along now, if I remember correctly you have a lesson soon."
Brileigh nodded as she stood, "I'll see you later."
Asher watched as his sister left the room, a smile on his face. He had given much thought into who he could marry her off to, but hadn't quite come to a decision. Then when he heard the news of the Queen needing a new handmaiden he jumped at the chance to get more involved in the politics of court, even if it was through his sister. He had no doubt that she would learn quickly and excel, he just hoped it was enough to raise their family's status.
Queen Nyrissa laid on the large bed, her body slick with sweat. Her straight black hair was coming out of its tidy braid with strands of hair sticking to her face. Her large chambers were filled with handmaidens, servants, and of course the maester. They were all focused on her and helping her through the pains of childbirth. Servants brought buckets of water and clean cloths as well as whatever else was needed for the Queen's comfort. On either side of the Queen were her two favourite handmaidens, one stroked her hair soothingly while the other one rubbed her shoulder and arm. Each told her words of encouragement as she pushed. She gave one final push with a grunt and fell back against the bed, panting in exhaustion. Instead of the high pitched wailing of a newborn crying silence filled her bedchamber.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Nyrissa asked worriedly.
The look on the maester's face was grave. He held the babe who made no movements.
"I'm afraid your child was stillborn, Your Grace." He said solemnly. He wrapped the baby in a blanket and passed it to a servant to get rid of.
"No." Nyrissa breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. Tears filled her dark brown eyes. "Was it a boy or a girl?"
"A son, Your Grace." The maester replied. "I assure you we did all that we could, the poor child was just not strong enough to survive."
"It was a son?" Nyrissa asked, her voice cracking slightly as she sat up, supported by her handmaidens. The long awaited Prince, the son that her husband had been pressuring her for years to provide for him. And he was gone before he even had a chance at life. Nyrissa broke into tears, devastated. Her relationship with her husband was shaky as it was, and this would only further drive the wedge between them.
"Never fear, Your Grace, women at your age are still capable of having more children." The maester said, trying to calm the Queen.
"Out, all of you." Nyrissa ordered.
The room was filled with movement as everyone cleared the room. The Queen's favourite handmaiden, Margaret lingered at the door, but Nyrissa did not invite her to stay so after a moment she left and closed the door silently behind her.
What will Aeryn say? Nyrissa thought as she laid in her bed. She curled up on her side, the pains of childbirth quickly replaced by grief for the son she would never know. Soon enough exhaustion overtook the thirty nine year old woman and her eyes fluttered shut. She fell into a restless sleep.
The small council had gathered to discuss matters of the realm. At the head of the table sat King Aeryn Targaryen, a man of forty two years old. At first sight he was both intimidating and handsome, he stood at six foot with a lean, muscular build. He had short silver hair and violet eyes. His skin was fair and he had a trimmed beard and moustache that connected at his sideburns along with a scar that went through his left eyebrow. The council was discussing the matter of inheritance, so far the only viable heir was Aeryn's younger brother Rhaerion, but that could all change with the birth of a son. All eyes turned to the door when the maester entered the room.
"Your Grace, if I may have a moment?" The maester asked with a bow running a hand nervously through his greying hair.
"Whatever you have to say to me you can say in front of my council." Aeryn said.
Maester Davin cleared his throat, "I'm afraid that Her Grace has given birth to a stillborn son."
"Stillborn?" Aeryn repeated his voice dangerously quiet.
"Yes, Your Grace." Davin replied.
Aeryn stood from his seat and the lords sitting at the table scrambled to stand with him. He approached the maester and grabbed him by the shirt then pulled him closer.
"This is all your fault." Aeryn hissed. "I will have your head for killing my boy." He shoved the maester away and stormed out of the room. He slammed the doors behind them and they shut with a thud. Aeryn went straight to his chambers, which were well lit due to the windows that looked out onto the sea below. With a scream of rage he knocked over his desk and kicked the chair. Guards rushed to his room and he quickly ordered them out as he continued his rampage, taking his anger out on whatever item he could get his hands on. When he was finished the room was completely trashed and he panted, tired from the effort. He sat on his bed and rested his head in his hands. It wasn't the maester's fault, but his wife's. She had one duty, to provide him with a male heir and she had failed at that time and time again. He stood and made his way out of his chambers. He turned to one of the guards.
"Get a servant to clean up the mess." He barked the order. Then he strode down the halls of the Red Keep. He made his way to his wife's room. He didn't bother to knock before he opened the door. Nyrissa sat up in bed and paled at the sight of her husband.
"You killed our son." Aeryn accused. "This is all your fault."
"I assure you, I did everything I could do to ensure his health."
"Don't lie to me!" Aeryn shouted. Nyrissa flinched at his tone. "This is all your fault. All you had to do was give me a son and you couldn't even do that. You're useless." With that he turned and left the room. The door slammed shut behind him and fresh tears filled Nyrissa's eyes. She feared for the safety of her daughters as well as herself. She did not know if she would be able to fall pregnant again, or if Aeryn even had intentions of trying. She laid back in her bed and allowed the tears to fall, silently praying to the gods to grant her a living son.
