DISCLAIMER: I don't own HP or ASOIAF
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. They really motivate me to write more and continue with the story. Hope you like this chapter and do give me your feedback on how i can improve the experience for you.
Across the Smoking Sea
Cross the Sea on your wings,
Hear my song and remember,
Soon you'll be, home with me,
And then we'll be together.
A smile crawled up Regel's face as he heard the Braavosi courtesan sing to the men aboard the ship. The translucent purple sails of the ship seemed to have blend in with the midnight blue skies, with stars scattered across the horizon.
They had been at the sea for four weeks now, taking passage from one Braavosi ship to another. The Captains of the ships were always warm and accommodating especially when their sight fell on Lady Minerva Dragatto. That is how she had introduced herself to the Captain of the ship that Regel had taken passage on from King's Landing to Dragonstone.
The man hadn't doubted her for a minute and had slunk in a low bow before the aging Sorceress. Over the next two weeks Regel had observed how Minerva had flung her maiden name albeit subtly in the faces of magisters, nobles and captains. What surprised him more was that how a woman who had stayed for most of her life on an island castle, teaching students managing to secure for them not only safe passage but also lodging, money, protection and information. It baffled him to no end.
What ate at his insides even more was the fact that she and the little prince had become inseparable. The day that she held the Prince on Dragonstone was the last day Regel held him.
He wasn't sure whether it was envy or a sense of insecurity stemming out of the envy that was bothering him.
He was happy that the child had found a mother figure and was also convinced of the fact that the Prince's protection was Lady Minerva's top priority as well. Her eyes seemed to brighten and burn with fire when it came to the Prince. He knew she would do anything to protect him and of that he was confident.
"You should pay more attention to your surroundings Ser Regel" said a sprightly voice from behind him.
Regel recognised the voice immediately. He had even caught on to the person sneaking upon him a few seconds back.
"The fragrance of peppermint betrays you, Lady Minerva." He said, turning to face her and a smile tugging at his mouth.
If Minerva was impressed she didn't show it. She'd just have to buy more fragrances from now on.
"I'm glad you are using one of your senses. There are others that you should employ as well." She said walking to him and taking a seat on the higher deck to observe the revelry below.
Regel stood silently beside her as she looked down at the sailors making merry with the women who had accompanied them from Lys and would be travelling with them to Tyria.
"Why do you journey with us Regel?" Minerva asked out of the blue, confounding the white knight standing behind her.
He was surprised. He had thought that she understood why he accompanied them.
"What reason do you have to walk beside us when you could return to your brother, the King?" She said, not hiding the venom in her voice.
Regel sighed. It was before they set sail from Lys did the news of his brother's coronation reached his ears. Till now, Minerva had said nothing and Regel had said mute on the topic as well but it seemed to him that not all things remained silent for long.
"I'm a Black by birth" Regel began, "And you keep your Oaths." Minerva completed the sentence for him, rising from her seat and turning to look him in the eye.
Silence fell between them and it was Minerva who broke it again, "If it's a vow that keeps you tethered to us and away from your family then I assure you that if you wish to leave I'd not hold it against you." She said looking him in the eye. Regel opened his mouth to protest but she continued, "You'll not be an Oath breaker, trust me." She said, turning her back to him and walking away to her chambers.
Regel stood there for a moment, transfixed by what Lady Minerva had said but the feeling didn't last for long. His mind was made.
It took them another week to sail across the Summer Sea and finally enter the waters of the Valyrian Freehold. From then they spent three nights on the ship when on the fourth day the Braavosi ship laid anchor at Tyria.
Regel for once was out of his element completely. Anxiety gripped at him with its claws sunk deep into his skin.
If the Free Cities unnerved him, Valyria was out rightly scary. He hated the sun shining bright in the sky, cooking him in his armour. The dust in the air irritated his eyes and spoiled the taste of his mouth. The air also seemed to carry the distinct smell of sulphur which was in sharp contrast with the smell of the salt that he had gotten used to on the sea.
He liked the relatively darker skinned, angular featured and sharp-eyed people even less or maybe it was because they stared at him in wonder. Valyria was everything that he had never seen before nor imagined of seeing.
If Regel felt that the harbour had been overcrowded he was in for a panic attack when he rode into the city with Lady Dragatto and the Prince.
He lowered his cowl on the advice of the elder woman to avoid being stared at. It didn't help settle his anxiety much but it did considerably lower the amount of staring from those around him.
"When we reach the palace it'd be better if you remained silent." She whispered in Regel's ear.
Regel wasn't surprised, by now he had gotten used to the fact that he'd have to do as Lady Dragatto instructed him to.
He shifted his attention from her urgent whispers to the Prince who was sitting comfortably in his guardian's lap and staring at him with smiling, emerald-green eyes. The boy seldom cried for one who had been away from his parents for a long time. Regel hardly remembered the young boy crying or throwing a fuss, or at least he didn't throw one when he was being held by Regel.
Minerva had only recently allowed Regel to hold the child when she saw that the child willingly wanted to be held by the Knight.
It was the night that they set sail from Volantis that the Prince's eyes fell on the White Knight. The Child squirmed in Minerva's arms to get to the White Knight.
Minerva had looked at Regel reproachfully but complied with the child's wishes.
Today, however he had asked him to take the child on her own accord. Regel didn't mind one bit. He was more than sufficient to handle the sword with one hand and the child with other. He had grown accustomed to it over the last few days along with tuning out whatever Lady Dragatto had to say to him.
But one could only ignore to a limit and Lady Minerva said something that forced Regel to listen, "What?" he said, when she took the Prince's name.
Minerva scowled and then lowered her voice, "I said that we mustn't let the King know about Prince Arydian's abilities. They'd look at it as a threat." She said in a deadpan voice.
"Arydian" Regel said surprised at the young Prince's name.
Minerva gave him a questioning look, "Yes, it's a name that befits a King of Valyrian lineage." She said, coming closer she further added, "It was also the name of my father's dragon." She said in a reverent voice.
Regel's blood boiled, "No" he seethed, his hold on the child tightening.
"What?" Minerva asked, "What do you mean?" her sense of calm giving way to her anger.
"His name is not Arydian." Regel seethed, looking down at the Prince.
"Really, until now I wasn't even aware that the boy had a name. I don't remember his parents giving him one in the year that they were alive." Minerva scoffed.
Regel sighed, it was true that Lily and James had never officially announced the name of their child but they had given him a name, "His name's Harry." Regel murmured, a smile making its way to his face.
Minerva inhaled sharply, "That's by far the most ridiculous name" she said, cursing under her breath.
Regel glared at her but Minerva seemed unabashed, "We must find a better name for him. If his parents gave him a name then we must honour their wishes but I must say that Harry is not a name befitting a Prince or a King." She ranted but Regel remained silent.
"Hadrian" she said after a long pause, looking at the young knight.
Hadrian, Regel thought and nodded. Lady Dragatto had suggested many names, most of them being the names of dragons of the old. This was by far the best and Regel agreed.
"Prince Hadrian Potter-Dragatto." Minerva mumbled.
Regel didn't argue with her on that. After all it was her family that had come to the child's rescue. Names were important and having the right name was quintessential.
His Grace, Sirius Black, King of the Seven Kingdoms and Lord Protector of the Realm sat in the Small Council chamber, his patience wearing out as the other members of his small council quarrelled with each other.
It reminded him of the family reunions that his father and before him his grand-father used to host at Castle Black when he was young. These family gatherings mostly ended with someone's death or exile but mostly death.
Sirius only hoped that he didn't have to find a new council member at the end of this meeting.
He looked to the members sitting on the oval shaped table.
To his right sat his great-uncle Castor Black, Lord of Blackhaven and his Hand of the King. Castor was one of the greatest men that the Black Family had produced. Alas Castor had never married that didn't necessarily mean he didn't have someone to carry his legacy. He had seen to having his heirs and couldn't give a damn if they weren't trueborn.
Sirius had complete faith in his uncle. He knew that the Kingdom would prosper with him as Hand of the King. Castor would see to bringing prosperity to the kingdom. The same way he was sure that his Great-Aunt Cassiopeia would bring justice to the seven kingdoms.
Cassiopeia Black was one of the few who had retained her seat on the Small council. She had served two Kings on the council for the last fourteen years as the Master of Laws with Sirius being her third King.
Opposite him sat Lord Alastor Dayne, the new Captain of the King's guard and the Lord Commander of the city watch. Alastor Dayne was a renowned warrior and he had proved his mettle several times. If truth be told Sirius would have no other but him as the Captain of his King's Guard.
On his left sat the conniving Lady Varya, the Queen of Shadows. Dressed to perfection in her silken robes, Varya wore a face of indifference and unnatural calm. She was his Mistress of Whispers and he had been told time and again that there was no one better than her at what she did and yet he had been told not to trust her for all shadows disappear in the darkness, even the Queen of Shadows.
She was one to be feared but she wasn't the only one. Bellatrix was as dangerous as Varya if not more. As Master of Coin she was an able choice but it seemed to him that Bellatrix wanted more than what she had been offered.
She was also the reason behind the debate ensuing between Lady Varya and his Aunt Cassiopeia.
Bellatrix had suggested that the Kingdom take a loan from the Iron Bank of Braavos so as to quicken the rebuilding of the Riverlands which had been burned to the ground by the Ironborn. The Ironborn didn't have a concept of money therefore it was useless to ask them to pay for the damages. Bellatrix's suggestion was met with approval by Lady Varya who herself hailed from the island city but Cassiopeia had put her foot down appalled at the thought of taking a loan from the Braavosi. Varya didn't show it but she felt insulted. It wouldn't do to have the Spymistress upset.
"Lady Cassiopeia" Sirius said in a gentle voice, drawing his aunt's attention to himself.
Cassiopeia stopped midsentence and turned her head to look at Sirius, her dark grey eyes piercing his own stormy grey.
"I believe that there is nothing wrong in taking a minor loan from the Iron Bank." Sirius said in a low voice, looking the Black matriarch in the eye as he made his opinion known.
Cassiopeia was livid within but she didn't show it but her silence spoke volumes.
If Sirius picked up on Cassiopeia's silent outrage he also caught the smugness that Bellatrix wasn't quite hiding, "However" he added, looking straight at Bellatrix, "I personally believe that the rebuilding of the Riverlands should be taken care of the Lestranges." Sirius said in a placid voice.
As expected Bellatrix spoke before her turn, "I beg your pardon." She said with an arched eyebrow. Sirius also noticed that the hand that she had kept on the table was now balled into a fist but it wasn't Sirius who answered.
"Now, now Bellatrix" Lord Castor said in his ever-so patronizing voice, leaning forward to make his voice heard, "We all know that James asked the Riverlords to break the sieges on your castles, namely Hornvale, Golden tooth, Oxcross and Ashemark because your armies were busy defending Lannisport and Casterly Rock."
"They did what their King asked them to do." Bellatrix cut in.
"Yes, but do you not want those Castles back?" Castor asked nonplussed by the way Bellatrix had cut him mid speech.
If Cassiopeia was angry then Bellatrix was turning white with anger but Lord Castor Black wasn't done yet, "I personally believe that House LeStrange should pay a tribute to the Riverlords as a mark of respect for the pains they took to break the sieges on castles not their own and in turn suffering heavy losses." Castor looked squarely at Bellatrix and the continued, "If the LeStranges don't wish to part with their gold then I believe the Riverlords can be given ownership of Hornvale and the Golden Tooth. That's a decision that lies in the hands of the crown." Castor said, looking at Sirius who pretended to think on the matter.
"I agree with Lord Castor." Cassiopeia piped in, "The efforts of the Riverlords should not go unacknowledged. The Riverlands along with the Reach are the granaries of Britainnos. We must honour them." She said, staring pointedly at her niece.
Sirius was trying hard to fight back a smile.
It seemed all the Blood had been drained from Bellatrix but he had to give it to her, she was yet to lose her composure.
"I believe you are right" she said in a barely audible voice, "I'll speak to Lord LeStrange and I'm sure we'll come to a settlement with the Riverlords." She said, the tone of her voice only slightly rising.
Bellatrix had been silenced today but Sirius knew she'd find a way to get back at her Great Uncle and Aunt. Sirius couldn't have been more pleased, for now the game was going as he wanted it too.
Regel was having an out of body experience or maybe it was just his state of mind. He would have even believed that Minerva had cast some sort of spell on him that forced him to walk behind her into the Grand Throne Hall of the Emperor of Valyria.
Regel was in two minds. The throne hall for some reason seemed welcoming to him. He found several similarities between the Throne hall of the Red Keep in Britainnos and the Grand Throne Hall of the Valyrian Royal Palace but while the hall seemed familiar and thus welcoming, the people did not.
Hundreds of Lords, Ladies and Warriors stared down at him as he walked down the aisle from the open iron doors to the throne at the head of the chamber under a skylight. The light fell on the man sitting on the plain throne which seemed to be made of stone. It wasn't elegant in any way but nor was it foreboding like the Iron Throne.
It was simple.
The man who sat on the Stone throne drew Regel's curiosity as well. The King like James was young and had the same sharp features and hazel eyes that James had. A simple crown of iron and white metal adorned his head. His smile like James' reached his eyes. The man was honest and that put the White Knight at ease.
When they reached the end of the aisle, Minerva and Regel made a move to bow to the King but to their immense surprise the King rose from his throne and before Minerva could curtsey to him he bowed to the lady.
Minerva was surprised and she couldn't hide it.
Regel smirked at the fact that even she could be taken by surprise.
It was no surprise that when King Aragon, Lord Protector of the Valyrian Freehold bowed to Minerva that the others followed suit and fell into deep bows and curtsies.
When the King rose from his bow he spoke in a voice so that all could hear, "Lords and Ladies of Valyria, join me in welcoming the daughter of Emperor Drake Dragatto, Conqueror of the Western Continent and the Eleventh emperor of the Valyrian Freehold."
Lords and Ladies across the Grand Hall cheered for Lady Minerva Dragatto, Archmage of Dragonstone but she was no longer the Arch mage. She was the Dragon Sorceress, and as she took the offered hand of the Valyrian King she climbed the steps to the Stone Throne and too her rightful place on his left as Lady of Dragonstone with Dragon Prince sitting in her lap, patiently observing those around him.
Regel's anxiety had subsided but he was still not at ease.
It was a new land for him, new people, a new King but he knew that the Game would remain the same, the rules however might change.
A/N: Well that ended on that note. I really like writing about the Politics in the Black Family. I find that really, really interesting.
Review, Criticism, Flames... all are appreciated.