Sharra I
The stories had drifted from the Stormlands across the whole of Westeros. Argilac had denounced two of his own bannermen after it was heard that they had abandoned their King to join the Dragonlord on Dragonstone. Then seven days after the 'betrayal' came what the smallfolk called the 'thousand scrolls.' Thousands of ravens were sent from Dragonstone all the way across Westeros from the Dornish marches to the Wall, everyone who was anyone got a message and they all read the same,
"By the declaration of King Aegon, of House Targaryen, from Dragonstone. I do declare that on this day there will be but one King in Westeros. Those who have the sense to bend the knee to King Aegon will get to keep their lands and a title that suits their position, but should you take up arms against the one true king, you will be thrown down, humbled and destroyed. You have been warned."
Queen Regent Sharra Arryn had received this news alongside everyone in Westeros and still debated what to do. On one hand she asked who this Aegon was to try to take over the lands that she and her son Ronnel ruled over. But, she also thought that if the tales were true, if Aegon did indeed have three dragons with him, then what would happen to her son should they take up arms against him.
In a moment of prayer and solitude she got out a quill and paper from the table where she was sat and hastily scribbled down a formal letter to Aegon.
'"Lord Aegon. As Queen Regent of the Vale of Arryn, I am compelled to write to you to broker peace terms between us. I feel that with negotiation we can come to some sort of agreement. Firstly, I shall assist you by calling the banners in an attempt to remove Harren Hoare from the Riverlands and Iron Islands in return for all the lands east of the Green Fork and have these added to the Vale. Secondly, I offer myself to you. I was known as the 'Flower of the Mountain,' and was said to be a beauty to behold. I enclose a portrait of myself to allow you to judge for yourself. Therefore, I offer myself as a wife to you and only ask that you will name my only son, Ronnel, as your future heir. We do not have to be enemies, Lord Aegon.'"
With that Sharra signed and declared herself the Queen Regent of the Vale of Arryn at the end of the page. She then scrambled up the stairs to find anyone in the building. After the declaration of Aegon's wishes, everyone has been busy preparing for war and ensuring the protection of Ronnel. Sharra had decided to take matters into her own hands as she grew to distrust the Lords and Ladies that served her.
She entered the Maester's room expecting to see him there, but to her surprise only saw little Ronnel sat as is desk.
"What are you doing in here Ronnel, does the maester know you are here?"
"No. I was hiding."
"Hiding from who?"
"From the Dragonman. Lord Royce said that he will try and get to me, because I hold the Vale."
"No-one will get you, I promise."
"Do you think I will see him mother?"
"I hope you will Ronnel, would you like that?"
"I want to fly on one of the dragons."
"We shall see Ronnel, now go to your own chambers and wait there, I will bring you up some food shortly and we can talk more then."
With that Ronnel left the room, and Sharra concerned for her son, was more determined to find the disappearing maester. She then retraced her steps back to the great hall where the throne was and saw Lord Royce himself stood there.
"Lord Royce," Sharra shouted, "watch what you say around my son. Your stories of Aegon have terrified the boy to death."
"My apologies, Your Grace. It was not my wish to scare the lad, but it is good he heard me, it means he will get these stupid ideas of riding a dragon out of his head."
"Lord Royce, may I remind you, you are a sworn bannerman to King Ronnel, and to talk in such a manner about your King is not correct. Now, go and find this wretched maester and tell him to send this immediately. If I find that this was not sent, or you have seen what it contains, then you should hope Aegon gets to you first, because you won't like what I would do to you."
With that Lord Royce, turning pale at the prospect, dashed out of the room and heard him calling for the maester. The rush of adrenaline had made Sharra feel empowered. So what if Aegon refuses, she thought. We are in the Eyrie, and it is impregnable. The Lords of the Vale are more powerful than any of the others and Aegon doesn't stand a chance, dragon or no dragon.
With a spring in her step again, she walked back up the stairs to find her son to talk about dragons and dragonlords and how he will stop them all, as King of the Vale. Before she could however, one of the ladies from the meeting earlier to decide how to reply to Aegon, Lynesse Corbray had called for her attention.
'Do they never stop?' Sharra asked to herself. Then with all the grace and composure she could muster, turned to face her. "How can I help you Lynesse?"
"Well, Your Grace, it was just that I, like you have a young son. And well, I was, well, I was hoping…"
"Spit it out woman, I have places to be and people to attend to." Sharra was growing impatient with the woman, she had no time for this and care even less.
"It's just that the Eyrie is impregnable, it is known to all the people in the land, so I was wondering if I could foster the boy here, until this Dragonlord can be tamed, Your Grace?" Lynesse looked scared, and so she should be Sharra thought. This woman had a lot of cheek to ask her to take her boy in these uncertain times.
"My lady, while I wish I could help you, I wish not to give you false hope. Leave it with me and I shall see what I can do. If the Eyrie is not a possibility, he will be moved to safety I assure you. The Corbrays of the Vale of Arryn are famed, and we can't risk losing this houses in the circumstances." Sharra thought it was more than she deserved, but couldn't risk resentment among her liege lords.
"Your Grace is most humble. Thank you. I shall repay the honour to you, I swear." With a few sloppy curtsies, she practically ran back through the doors and rushed to get to Heart's Home no doubt.
After collecting food from one of the serving girls, she proceeded to go to her son's room, at the top of the tower, for safety. She knocked lightly on the door before entering. Ronnel was sat on his bed with a miniature wooden sword one of the stableboys had made. He was happy and Sharra was glad to see that someone could have a moment of happiness at this time. She lay the food down on the adjacent dresser and bent down in front of him. She lightly took the boys hand and removed the sword before sitting next to him on the bed.
"You wanted to talk about Dragons, did you not Ronnel?"
"Yes I did mother, it's exciting is it not mother. Just like some of the tales that Ysilla used to read?" Ronnel was so excited he could not sit still, yet Sharra must convey the important information.
"Ronnel, before you said you were scared of the Dragonlord, yet now you are excited to see these dragons, why is that?"
"You said they can't hurt me. If they can't hurt me then I can admire them, they are wonderful creatures aren't they?" Ronnel looked genuinely happy that Sharra was reluctant to speak more of Aegon, yet she must.
"Ronnel, it is the Dragonlord's wish to rule over the whole of Westeros, the Vale of Arryn included. Now although that would mean you not being the King of the Vale, I have asked him to marry me, so that would make you the Prince of the whole continent. Does that sound good Ronnel?"
"Yes mother. If you marry him, will I be able to see his dragons?" Ronnel was obsessed with these dragons.
"Yes, but should we not marry, then we must go against him, and the dragons."
"Must we mother?" Ronnel asked, childlike. It was hard for Sharra sometimes, dealing with a King who was only 8.
"It would be for the best. Now eat your food and bed, we have a busy day tomorrow and I want you to be fully rested." With a peck on his forehead, Sharra crept out of the room and slowly closed the door shut.
"I hope Aegon takes this offer." Sharra whispered. She hated to let her son down, but she must do what she considers the best thing to do in these dark times.
