The open sea had not been kind to Queen Rhaella, though her pregnancy had not helped the matter. She had been confined to her cabin for much of the journey, and a bucket was always within reach.

The Queen sat herself at the edge of her bed as the ship rocked around her. Her hands lay over her expanded stomach, while her eyes looked at nothing in particular. However, her mind was heavy in memories.

The ghost of her late husband's face was never far from her thoughts. Nor were the endless times when Aerys raked his uncut nails across her flesh while he had his way with her. She still had the hideous scars on her back and thighs. Rhaella had suffered at the hands of her husband since the day they wed. He forced himself into her nightly, his member tearing at her insides like a crazed beast. She could never tell anyone, not ever, but she had cried tears of joy when she recieved word of the King's death. Now he could only harm her when she dreamt.

Then, in a rush, she was ripped from her thoughts as the cabin door flew open, slamming against the wall. She stood abruptly, her heart pounding. "A- Aerys?" Her voice shook.

But it was not the mad king, only her sweetling son. "Mother," Viserys ran to her, his face bright with joy. "Me and Ser Gerold have been spotting fish and all sorts of things!"

"Oh?" Said Rhaella as she gently swept her son's locks from his angled face. "Well you must be careful, my brave Prince."

Viserys looked concerned. "Why?"

Rhaella did her best to lower herself so that her face was close to her son's. In a whisper she said "Because I hear that merfolk are quite common in these parts. I also hear they like to steal little boys."

Viserys giggled. "That's just a story!"

"Oh? Are you sure?" She did her best to sound as if she knew nothing of the fact.

"Of course!"

"My Queen!" Ser Gerold rushed into the room, half bent over as he breathed heavily. "I- I'm t- terribly sorry for the disturbance. The Prince got away from me."

Rhaella smiled at the poor man. "It's quite alright, good Ser. I am faring far better than before."

"I am glad to hear it, my Queen."

Rhaella felt a tug at her sleeve. "Yes, my sweet?"

"When we get to Vo- Volan- volantic?"

"Volantis," she corrected, trying not to laugh as she watched Viserys make a face that made him look like he had sniffed something terrible.

"Yes, Vololantis. When we get there, could we have a feast? With fools and pies, like at the Red Keep."

Rhaella thought for a moment. "Why not have a feast right here?"

"Here? But there's not any food or even a fool!"

"But there is," Said Rhaelle. "There's a fool now," she pointed to an empty corner. "Don't you see?"

Viserys looked confused. "There's nothing there, Mother."

"Maybe not, but with a little imagination this cabin is a great hall."

"That's Stupid," stated Viserys.

"Ser Gerold, do you not see the fool?" Rhaella winked at the knight.

The older man did not look overly pleased at the prospect of pretending, though with a sigh he went to work.

"Yes, my Queen. He's quite good." The knight's voice kept its normal tone, which had a humorless way about it.

Rhaella ket out a well acted laugh. "Wasn't that a fine jest, Ser?"

The knight stayed silent until Prince Viserys looked to him, his head cocked to the side. "Err, yes, my Queen. Err, Haha."

Rhaella shook her head. At least the man had done his best.

"I... I want to see the the fool!"

She smiled at her son. "Then do so."

Viserys shut his eyes, squeezing so tightly that wrinkles appeared around them. And then they opened to a great feast, with a fool dressed in purple and green. There were rows of tables as well, overflowing with wonderful sweets.

"Look Mother," Said Viserys, pointing at nothing. "Lemmon cakes! And a roasted boar!"

Rhaella nodded. "I see it. And look here," she held her hands as if there was something in them. "Pigeon pie."

Viserys' eyes lit up. "Yes, Mother! Shall he have a slice?"

Rhaella was overjoyed at her son's excitement. He had been different ever since they left Dragonstone. Ever since Aerys was slain.

"I think a few more guests are needed first. "Ser Gerold?"

The knight nodded. "I'll send in Ser Oswell, that is if he's not too busy sun bathing and gambling with the crew men." He grumbled the last part.

"Well, Ser Oswell is more than welcome. However, I meant Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaenys. I've barely seen my grandchildren since we've escaped."

Ser Gerold bowed. I shall fetch them, my Queen."

"Oh, Ser Gerold," she called as he was nearly out the door. "If baby Jaeharys is up, bring him as well. I wish to hold him."

"Must the bastard come?"

Rhaenys could barely believe her ears. "Viserys!" She Shouted, her body heating as if there was a fire within her.

The boy withdrew from her. "Tha- that's what Lord Jon calls him."

Her anger was quickly doused, And she suddenly felt ill. Viserys looked so hurt. What had she done? How could she have screamed at her own child. She wasn't like Aerys. She couldn't be like Aerys.

"I- I'm sorry, my sweet. Mother is just unwell today."

"Mayhaps I should take the Prince with me to gather the children, my Queen?"

She smiled at the old knight. "Yes, Thank you, Lord commander."

Rhaella shuddered. I shall never be cruel, she thought. And then she thought of her grandson.

Aegon would be a good King. Not wicked and perverse. Not violent and angry. He would be as just as Aerys was mad.

She placed a hand on her belly and walked to small table in the cabin, which was nailed to the far wall. Sitting on Its surface was a square chest made of dark wood with iron fastening. Carved into its lid was the image of her blood, the three headed dragon of the house Targaryen.

Rhaella removed a chained key that had been hidden between her bosoms. Using the key, the chest opened with a click. Her hands quickly lifted the lid. Within was a great treasure, the crown of King Maekar I. It was a thick band of red gold, and great sharp points of black iron jutted up from it, resembling arrowheads.

The night of their escape was still fresh in her mind. She had been in her chambers, Viserys asleep in her bed.

What was to become of them? She had wondered. Were they to become heads on spikes? Would Viserys be spared?

And then Ser Derry came to her. "We must go, my Queen." His usually kind eyes had been filled with worry.

She stood from where she sat. "What is happening, good Ser?"

"The garrison plots to sell you to the Baratheon in hopes of pardons."

The world spun around her then. How could her own men betray her so?

"My Queen," Said Ser Darry. "My Queen!"

Rhaella snapped from her gaze. She saw that the knight had already hefted Viserys into his tree trunk arms.

"W- what are we to do?"

Ser Darry placed a cloak on her shoulders, before raising her hood. "I have twenty-five swords loyal to you." He dawned his own hood.

Once again she felt dizzy. "Only twenty-five... Out of seventy..."

"There's more. We received a raven. Prince Aegon lives."

She felt as if someone had suddenly embraced her. "Aegon..."

"Mother...? Wha- what is happening? Ser Darry?"

Viserys had woken, though he was still groggy. "My sweet," She said.

"Don't worry, Prince Viserys," Said the knight, giving the boy a bounce. "We're going on an adventure."

The knight then looked to her. "Are you ready, my Queen?"

She began to nod, but stopped suddenly. "Wait."

As quickly as she could, Rhaella crossed the room to an old trunk. From its inside she removed a square chest, the Targaryen dragon carved into its top. "Ready."

Under the cover of darkness, the three snuck through the castle and out onto the shore. The beach was lit by a field of men bearing torches. Rhaella could name most of them by what of their faces she could make out. Ser Derry placed the nearly sleeping prince into one of the several row boats that sat just out of the water. He then helped Rhaella into the same boat. She sat down carefully before wrapping her arms around her son.

A knock at the door drew her from her thoughts. "Enter."

The latch lifted and in came Viserys. After him came Ser Arthur Dayne, and holding his hand was little Rhaenys, waddling with a great smile on her pretty face. While in his other arm, Ser Arthur carried Aegon, whose purple eyes seemed to examine each and every thing in the cabin. After Ser Arthur was Ser Oswell, who cradled Jaeharys.

I know this chapter was a bit short and not very exciting. Honestly, this chapter was really only to introduce Rhaella and Viserys. I hope everyone's enjoying so far.