GOOOOOOOOD MOOOOOORNING WESTEROOOOSSS! Hey, you know what time it is? It's time for another chapter of The Revenant! YAAAAY! SO, let's see how many of you have read this stor-715+ views! JEEEEESUS! Ok. Ok not bad. Not bad at all. BUT LET"S SEE IF WE CAN'T DO BETTER, SHALL WE?! So as y'all are probably aware the OTP is Rhaegar/Ashara. I personally have never read any of the books, but I do know that she dies by throwing herself off the Palestone Sword tower. (Ooof say THAT ten times fast.) But since this an AU, I decided to say, F*** It! (...I swear to God if you don't stop censoring my s***, I will-...sigh) If any of you DON'T know who Morena Baccarin is, (AKA the actress I chose as my model for Ashara) one. You're killin' me Smalls. Two. She play Inara in the cult classic T.V. show Firefly and she also played Dr. Leslie Thompkins in Gotham, and Vanessa in Deadpool. That's only a third of what she played. Seriously this chick has been in a lot of stuff. Look her up in IMDb, if you got the time.
Anyway, This is Chapter Three: Revenge is Gonna be Mine.
P.S. I own nothiiiiiiiiiing…
P.P.S. Because it's been so long since my last update, I'm just gonna give you a long one...I MEAN A LONG CHAPTER, NOT A- aahh screw it...
"My Lady, you summoned me?" Ashara looked up from the book she was reading to see Maester Yolkin, Starfall's resident Maester, approach her with a frown. "Yes Maester Yolkin. How is Rhaegar? Is he..?" Yolkin sighed, "I passed by his room and by the deafening silence we can assume he has either run out of things to smash and break or he has committed suicide. Though," he added quickly, seeing Ashara's eye's tear up, "the former seems more likely." Ashara sniffed, brushed the tears away from her eyes saying, "Thank you, Maester Yolkin."
Ashara stood up and walked over to the door, asking Yolkin, "Do you think he's up for visitors?" "Well my Lady, having not SEEN the Prince I wouldn't know. But due to the fact that any food left at his door was eaten and that he has been in his room for two days now, one can safely assume that you can enter without risking his ire." Ashara looked at Yolkin, blankly, to which he dryly reiterated his answer to "Yes. I believe you can see him now." "Thank you." She began to open the door, when Maester Yolkin stopped her by asking, "Are you..sure you want to help him, milady? I mean, I know Princess Elia was your friend, and you want to see justice done to the coward who…*ahem*...kil-."
"The Mountain didn't JUST kill Elia, Yolkin." Ashara interrupted. "He raped her, killed her children in front of her, and crushed her skull in with his bare HANDS. And Elia wasn't just my friend. She was my sister. In all but blood, Elia was the sister I never had. And her husband is a dear friend of my dead brother, Arthur. Who is, by extension, MY friend also. So yes. I AM going to help him. And where there are things he CAN'T do ..?" Ashara opened the door and walked through, pausing at the hallway, "I'll do myself."
She closed the door and walked over to the former Prince's room, stopping at the door. Alright Ashara, you can do this. Just walk in. Walk into the room of the Prince you were infatuated with for some time. Even after he married your best friend. And who married to your First Love's sister. Who both died. Horribly. And he also has been demolishing his room for the past two days- Oh gods what AM I doing? Finally, she mustered up enough the courage and knocked on his door. A minute goes by, before she hears Rhaegar say, "Enter." Ashara gulps and opens the door and sees the aftermath of the Young Dragon's rage and grief.
The table that was in the center of the room was now on it's side, the vase and its other occupants scattered across the room. The mirror was shattered, pieces of it were in the wash-bowl, chairs were destroyed, the bed was upturned with the pillows and sheets were ALSO scattered about the room in a chaotic fashion. And there, with his head in his hands, sat the grieving prince himself. His left hand bloody, presumably from punching the mirror, his torso bare save for the bandage across his chest, covering the wound Robert's warhammer made.
"Hello Rhae." Ashara said, trying to ease the tension in the destroyed room. Rhaegar didn't even look up when he replied, "My Lady. What news do you bring me?" Ashara sighed in relief. At least he's not ignoring me. Even so, she hesitated before answering the sullen prince. Don't get her wrong, she's not easily scared by anyone. Ever since Robert "attacked" her, she has long since learned how to use a rapier, and also how to better defend herself. But she also learned how to better read body language and to gauge a person's emotions as well. And right now, Rhaegar was tightly coiled like a viper, just waiting to strike at the right moment.
Still she carried on and said, "Robert has been named King. He married Cersei Lannister to keep the alliance between him and Tywin." Rhaegar didn't say or react to anything Ashara said. At first she thought he fell asleep, until he asked, "What of my She-Wolf, Lyanna? Did the Drunk cart her body to some undisclosed location so he can leer at her even after death?" "Don't be an idiot, Rhae. Ned took her body back to Winterfell, where she belongs." Ashara scolded. "She belonged in King's Landing. With me and Elia and our children." Rhaegar intoned dully. "We could have ruled over the Seven Kingdoms. It only took a betrayal and a lie to end us and our dreams." Ashara nudged him gently, "At least you still live." "Yes, the Prince of a broken dynasty, still lives." Rhaegar spat out. "Responsible for the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands. Rapist, kidnapper, and abandoner of wives and children. I feel so lucky."
SLAP! Rhaegar's head reeled back from the slap Ashara gave him. "There will be no more of that kind of talk, Rhaegar Targaryen. What would Elia say to the way you're behaving? Or Lyanna? They would be ashamed of you." Rhaegar blinked his eyes for a moment, before looking at Ashara. She stood, tall and proud, her posture showing her fury and anger at Rhaegar's admit to defeat. Rhaegar stood up saying, "What would you have me do? Hmm? Raise an army? Call the banners? How about bringing the dragon's back, do you think that will work? Or bring forth fire from my hands to burn the Red Keep to the grou-?" SLAP! Rhaegar reeled back from being slapped in the face, again, by Ashara. "Ok, stop that!" Rhaegar insisted. Ashara cocked her left eyebrow replying, "Make me." before slapping him again. Rhaegar grimaced. "Ash. I'm warning yo-!" SLAP! "Oh. You're WARNING me?" Ashara mocked. "That's not the Rhaegar I knew. The Rhaegar I knew COMMANDED his wishes to be carried out! He never begged or asked. His word was LAW!" Ashara finished, rearing her hand back to deliver another strong slap to his face. Only to have it stopped, when Rhaegar grabbed her by the wrist. "ENOUGH!" Rhaegar roared. "YOU'VE MADE YOUR POINT!" Ashara leaned back, examining Rhaegar's face with a small smile. "There he is. There's the Rhaegar I've known and loved."
Rhaegar scoffed, releasing Ashara's wrist. "Was that your grand plan? Get me riled up so I could get out my state of self-loathing and bitterness? Replace my sense of hopelessness with righteous anger and a desire for revenge?" Rhaegar asked in false bravado. Ashara shrugged, "Is it working?" Rhaegar, rubbing the soreness away from his injured cheek, thought for a moment before answering, "Maybe a tad. I'll get back to you on that in a few minutes."
Ashara groaned in irritation. "Well, what are you going to do? You can't stay here, hiding in your room, as much as you'd like to. You have more important business to deal with. First and foremost, taking a bath and getting those wrappings changed. Then we can see about getting some food in you." Rhaegar gave her a searching glance, and then sighed "After nearly demolishing this room, a shower and food sound good right about now." Ashara beamed triumphantly."Excellent! I just head on down to the kitchen and have the servants whip you up something."
As she turned to leave, Rhaegar stopped her. "Ashara. Forgive me for not asking this sooner, but are you doing alright?" Ashara turned and faced the Young Dragon, replying "And by that, do you mean am I fine that my childhood friend was cruelly raped and murdered by the same man who killed her children in front of her? Am I fine with the man I called my beloved slayed my only brother for merely doing his duty? Am I fine that the man who nearly raped me sits on the Iron Throne?" Ashara doesn't say anything further, she merely looks down partly in shame and partly in sorrow. Rhaegar gently placed his hands on her shoulders, saying "Ashara. Look at me." A few moments pass before Ashara complies with the request, looking at Rhaegar, violet eyes meeting indigo. "I know you've probably heard this before, but what Robert did...It wasn't your fault. No." Rhaegar insisted, when Ashara opened her mouth. "It wasn't your fault. It was Robert's, when he choose to attack you. And I swear to you, he will pay in full."
Ashara was silent for a few moments, absorbing his comforting words. Then she suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his neck, and burying her face in his chest. "They ALL will pay. In fire and blood." Rhaegar smiled at her use of his House' words, returning her abrupt hug. Suddenly she got herself loose of his grasp, and placing one hand on his chest she said, "Now that that's over, get yourself over to Maester Yolkin to have your wrappings changed. Can't have you getting an infection now. Elia would roll over in her grave if I was a bad hostess to her husband." Rhaegar chuckled, watching her walk over to the door, "No. Can't have that indeed."
A few moments later, Maester Yolkin was in his study, reading a scroll from the Citadel, when there was a knock on his door. "Enter!" Yolkin called out. The door opened and Rhaegar poked his head through saying, "Maester Yolkin, I assume?" "Who else would be in the Maester's study, with the Maester's chain wrapped his neck, waiting for foolish princes, pardon me, EX-princes to walk through his door?" Yolkin muttered. "Perhaps you assumed I was Old Man Yolkin who merely stays around this empty castle for my own amusement? Or perhaps the blow you took from that Baratheon boy's warhammer addled your brain. Of course, he would have to actually HIT your head for that to occur, but since you don't recognize me as a Maester I could be wrong." Rhaegar frowned at the Maester's strange tirade, thinking All right then. I do not care for you either, old man. "My apologies, Maester Yolkin. It has been a tiring month for me. I meant no offense." Yolkin harrumphed. "I should hope not, young Dragon. Now, come in and let's see about your wounds, shall we?" Rhaegar stepped into the Maester's study, making sure to close the door as he did. He turned to face the older man, who was carefully scrutinizing the fallen prince, watching the way Rhaegar moved his body. "Well, you seem to have full motor control of your limbs. And the knife wound in your back seems to have healed greatly. My only concern is the wound to your chest." Yolkin summeried to Rhaegar. Rhaegar raised his eyebrow questioningly. "What do you mean?" Maester Yolkin curled his fingers at Rhaegar, mointioning him forward, saying, "Come forward and I'll show you." Rhaegar stepped closer to the Maester, waiting for him to explain.
Maester Yolkin circled Rhaegar, carefully unwrapping the linen's surrounding the prince's torso. "Now, before I tell you my findings, will you allow me to ask you a question?" Rhaegar nodded. "I assume, what with you being a capable warrior, you know what a warhammer does when it connects to a man's head or skull?" Rhaegar nodded again slowly. "Yes, it normally demolishes it. Why so you ask?" "Because, young man, in your particular case, that is not what happened. Now, either Robert is not as an experienced warrior everyone makes him out to be or your armour was too strong for the hammer to pierce through, it didn't break any of your ribs nor did it even bruise the flesh surrounding the point of impact. Rather all it left you is...well...have a look!"
He finally finished unwrapping the prince's torso and motioned him to a mirror, encouraging him to look. Rhaegar turned to look at his reflection and was surprised at what he saw. He couldn't see the wound in his room due to the fact he broke the only mirror in there and even if he didn't he couldn't see it through the linen's. The Maester was correct: there was no evidence of the flesh having ever been pierced or even been bruised, for god's sake. The only indication the bloody hammer had hit him was a scar, shaped like a lightning bolt, on his chest. "It's the strangest thing. I nor has any of my fellow Maester's have seen this before. I had sent a raven some time ago, after you were brought here by Lady Ashara, inquiring to them about my findings. You're sure Robert struck you with his warhammer directly on the chest? It wasn't a passing blow, or you redirecting it with your blade?" "No." Rhaegar answered in dazed confusion. "It was direct blow. I was on the ground, lying on my back. And Robert swung downwards on my chest."
"Well, you're either the luckiest man in the world, or one of the Seven must favor you very much." Yolkin surmised. Rhaegar scoffed. "I highly doubt that very much. If the Seven favored me at all, why did I lose to a drunken whore-mongering twat like Robert Baratheon?" Yolkin paused putting away the used wrappings as if to consider Rhaegar's bitter words. Then he looked at Rhaegar and replied, "If you're looking for words of wisdom or some clever insight to your current predicament, talk to a septon. I'm just a bloody Maester who cures ills and stitches wounds and who taught to a couple of annoying and ignorant children who-" Yolkin sighed, looking away from Rhaegar and throwing his hands in the air in defeat. "Became the best this world sought to destroy." Rhaegar raised an eyebrow at that. "Yolkin? Are you alright?" Yolkin jerked back around, staring directly at the Prince. He sighed and answered "Not really. Not when you hear that the little girl, who kept coming into my chambers to play with the potions and tools and pretended to be the first female Maester, was nearly raped by a drunken Lord who was best friend's with her 'True Love'. Not when…*sigh*...you learn that the little boy, who became my best student, was killed by said 'True Love'. You know, when he, Arthur, told me that he was going to be in the King's Guard, I thought him mad. I even asked him 'How could you leave your duty to your family, to your House?' I scolded him, like he was a misbehaving child, about his lack of sense, to protect a paranoid king would play with fire and who suspected enemies everywhere. He told me, in the most confident voice he could muster, 'Worry not Yolkin. I'll be serving a true King soon enough.' He was referring to YOU, I presume?" Yolkin asked, accusingly. Rhaegar nodded, jerkily. "Ye-yes. It's difficult to explain." Yolkin's eyes narrowed. "TRY."
Ashara peeked in on the Maesters chambers, expecting to see Rhaegar being torn apart by Yolkin's verbal assault, only to find the Maester alone in his study, sitting at his desk deep in thought. "Yolkin? I thought Rhaegar would be in here with you." Ashara asked, concerned. Yolkin nodded his head. "Yes. He was here. I tended to his wounds and found no reason for him to be considered 'in danger'. He'll be fine, physically. Mentally, though, remains to be seen." Frowning, Ashara crossed her arms questioningly. "What do you mean?" Yolkin stood up from his seat and, clasping his hands behind his back, gave Ashara a steely look before explaining: "He told me about his plans he made with the ladies Elia and Lyanna. They were...enlightening to say the least."
Ashara huffed out a laugh. "That's putting it mildly. Though I wonder who's idea it was to murder his father. Elia or Rhaegar?" Yolkin shook his head in wonder and replied, "Neither it would seem. LYANNA made the suggestion, AND to use the Tears of Lys, strangely enough." Ashara sat down in one of the open chairs, stunned at the revelation. "Lyanna?" Ashara whispered. "But, that can't be...Her family revered honor above all else. Assassinations and the like would have been considered…" "Unfavorable, yes I know." Yolkin attested. "But still the fact remains. Lyanna Stark proposed an assassination toward Aerys. Rhaegar adamantly confirms this to be truth. But that is not what concerns me." Ashara raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow at that. "Oh. Talking about Rhaegar committing patricide doesn't concern you? Then pray tell, what does concern you?" Yolkin sighed, "It's what he said AFTER his apparent demise that has me questioning his sanity. For instance," Yolkin asked, straightening himself, "did you know that he apparently has been contacted by an unknown entity with great power and promised him revenge?" Ashara's eyes widened in shock.
She shook her head, "No. No he said nothing about this to me. An Entity? Like a god or something?" Yolkin shrugged, "He didn't know. Or didn't want to know. But I would assume, hopefully assume, that it was this...this Stranger that Kinvara woman told you about. Have you told Rhaegar the name of his saviour?" Ashara shook her head. "No, because he probably didn't need to know that some avid follower of one the most unknown figure of the Seven had saved his life. He would probably have a fit. Speaking of whom, where is he?" Yolkin rolled his eyes, not surprised that it took her this long to ask him. He loved the girl to death but sometimes…"He went to pay his respects to Arthur." He replied wryly. "Oh. of course. You know, he doesn't-" "Yes, he does." Yolkin interrupted. "And it's not just me, he insisted on going."
"Of course he did. Thank you, Yolkin," She began, rising to her feet, "When I bring him back from the crypts, please bring what we had discussed last week to the common room." "Yes, my Lady." Yolkin answered, bowing. "Anything else?" "Nothing for now. But, I'll be sure to let you know." Ashara turned toward the door and made her way to exit Yolkin's chambers. "Ashara." Yolkin called to her, waiting as she turned around. When she did, he continued, "I don't know where this path of vengeance leads for the both of you, but you don't need to follow it all the way to the end. Fight alongside Rhaegar if you must, but know when to turn away. Least lose your soul and become the very thing you swore to destroy."
Ashara pondered his words then looked at the Maester and replied, "I thought insightful words of wisdom were left to septon's and septa's." Yolkin shrugged, "You are the exception to the rule. And besides, now that your brother is dead, who is to keep you out of trouble?" Ashara grinned. "Well certainly not you. You're too old and decrepit, you couldn't even save yourself from a sick, lame, blind alleycat." Yolkin grunted. "I wouldn't need to fight it. I would merely use you as a shield and use the distraction to make my way to safety." Ashara made an indignant squawk. "Use me as a- What happened to keeping me safe? I'm the Lady of Starfell, after all!" "My dear, you may be a Lady, but I am a Maester. Who do you think the people would want alive more?" Yolkin countered dryly.
Ashara threw her hands up in mock anger. "I give up! I'm leaving so I can join someone who actually does enjoy my company." Yolkin's quiet chuckles followed her as she strode over to the family crypts. When she approaches the entryway, Ashara faltered for a minute. The last time she was in there, it was to bury Arthur. And the time before that it was to bury her father and mother. It was difficult enough to bury them, but Arthur? No, that was a million times harder. Arthur wasn't just her brother, he was her confidant, her friend, and he may have been a pest sometimes and a tad overprotective, but he there was no one else she would've trusted more. Other than Elia, of course. So when Ned brought his body and Dawn back to Starfell, she completely broke down. Crying her heart out and pleading to whatever gods that could hear her to bring her brother back. To let all this be some cruel joke Arthur and Ned concocted to reveal that he had come home for good.
But alas, it was not to be. Instead the entire afternoon could be surmised into, Ned trying to comfort her, Ashara rejecting his comfort and slapping him in the face, and it had ended with her cursing Ned and his family. If she remembered correctly, it went something like: "May your daughters feel the pain of losing a brother like I have lost mine. And may the man you call King and Friend and his brothers too, may be the last to be called Baratheon and may they never find peace! In this life or the next!" Or something to that effect. After that mess, all that was left were to enact the final rites for her brother, and for his burial. And even though she thought she had cried her eyes out, seeing the slab of stone close over her brother's face made her shed new ones.
She had contemplated it. Suicide, that is. The towers were high enough to jump and the rocks were sharp enough for her to dash her body against them. What stopped her was the raven. That blessed raven from Kinvara in Volantis, the High Priestess of their fiery Red Lord, R'hollr. And the news she had sent. The news that Rhae was alive. Such hope and happiness filled her heart, that after sending a reply back, she had ordered one of her family fastest ships to carry her to Volantis as quick as they could. It took all of her strength to try and convince Yolkin NOT to override her orders, to let her see for herself if this turns out to be true and damn it all if it was a trap. They went at it for hours till Yolkin finally agreed, provided that she took a contingent of soldiers with her for protection.
She agreed, and set off to Volantis to find the resurrected prince. When she arrived, she had been welcomed by Kinvara herself and was brought to Rhaegar promptly. When she saw him lying on the bed, she knew instantly, there was no trap. No Robert popping out from behind one of the many columns the temple had, leering at the prospect of finishing what he had started years ago. No Ned with that solemn look in his eyes that she knew so well. The look of a man with honor having to do his duty for his King, though he wish he didn't. It was just Rhae. Though she did suspect Kinvara had some trick up her sleeve and expected her to demand some price for Ashara to take him with her. But, surprisingly, all the Red Woman had asked was when they were taking the slumbering prince.
Astonished, Ashara replied that she would be taking him immediately. Kinvara agreed and wished them farewell, but when Asshara asked, "why haven't you asked for a favor or some tribute to allow me to take him?" Kinvara answered, "Because you both have a part to play in the Great War to come. And another has paid the price for your prince. So farewell and take care, Ashara of Starfell. For the night is dark and full of terrors." The events after that day were a blur, the memories fusing together and vanishing into the halls of her mind, like breath on a glass. Until he woke up three days prior, she was nearly coming to the conclusion that the Last Dragon would never awake. All of those events, have led up to this moment. She thought. This time, this place. Now...Now all that was left was for her to tell Rhae something important. Something to show him, to prove to him that he was worthy. So, after squaring her shoulders, and holding head high, Ashara Dayne opened the doors to her family's crypt and strode in.
Well...that was a thing. I was tempted to show you her and Rhaegar's interaction in the crypt, BUUUUT I'm an evil Ba- I'm a cruel person. (There, is that better?) Sooooo, what did you think of the conversation between Yolkin(played by either Sir John Hurt or Sir Ian McKellen. You decide.) and Ashara about Lyanna? Jaw-dropping, I assume? I bloody well hope so. And the curse Ashara uttered against the Stark's, I thought it was a nice touch. Don't get me wrong, I love the Starks and Ned, but You gotta admit...He gives Robert a bit too much grace. Also I thought it would be in character, given that Ned and Robert is the reason her "family" is dead. If not, then Oh Well. My story, b****. (Crap, I forgot about that.) See ya next time! PEACE!