King's Landing
Naelahrys Blackfyre
Lord Stark looked sickly and pale, and anger rose in her, he looked less of the man she had seen before he had left for King's Landing, every ounce of peace and happiness had been drained from him, and he looked saddened and in agony. He looked thin and his face was growing gaunt, as if they were not feeding him and it made her wonder how long he was kept like this, and felt guilty for not getting to King's Landing sooner, and noticed the bloodied wound on his leg that was inflicted by the Kingslayer festering, and he struggled to stand on his leg, which was still wounded. Although she was covered head to foot in dirt and looked broken, she was not nearly as broken as Eddard Stark.
The Lannisters have broken him. Naelahrys looked on mournfully at Lord Stark, as she saw no hope present in his eyes, just a vacant look, and watched from far away as he trembled where he stood, and looked upon the crowd. Lord Stark never gave, and should not give, not like this. He never gave up in his search for his sister, he never gave up when he became the Warden of the North and the hardened Lord of Winterfell, and never gave up when both the stag, the lion and the mountain had tried to kill her. He never gave up. He can't, if he gives up, Naelahrys knew that all hope would be lost for her.
Then various men gathered around Lord Stark, and she hissed in annoyance. Most were Knights and High Lords, and there was soldiers posted everywhere. The most prominent man was the High Septon; a fat, little man with a withered face and white hair, dressed in the normal garb of the Sept, and with a crown of Baelor the Blessed, and she glared at him. Bastard. She saw them all standing in a row, and began to worry for Arya, as she had not seen her. Sansa, although was dressed in pretty Southern dresses with her hair curled up in the Southern style like that of Cersei Lannister, looked on at her father, happily and had a bright smile, and Naelahrys frowned, shaking her head, and glared at the Queen, as she looked on at Lord Stark, smugly. The most prominent figure on the steps, that had been adorned to look like that of a stage, was Joffrey Baratheon, dressed in fine silks of red and gold, and held little of House Baratheon, except the golden crown of antlers on his head, this is his show, to show his true intentions and tyranny. She knew that the Small Council were present, and only recognised Lord Varys, and the Hound, from when he was at Winterfell. Her heart was aching and beating fast against her chest, as she saw a man sharpening a sword, and she knew then the sword was Lord Stark's, the sword was Ice.
She winced as the crowd shouted and threw things at Lord Stark, and intently stared at Joffrey who then held his hand in the air, and all became silent. Joffrey then motioned towards the guards near Lord Stark, and he was then pushed forward.
"Lord Eddard Stark has something he wants to say." Joffrey announced, snidely. A smirk adorned on his face.
As Lord Stark was brought forward, Naelahrys pulled her hood down, to get a better look at the Sansa and Lord Stark. She could hear the words of 'liar' and 'traitor' being uttered and shouted towards him from the crowd, and she could see that muck and stones were being thrown at him, and she yelled out, gripping the leg of the statue tighter, as she heard the untrue words.
"Liar!"
"Traitor!"
"Treason!"
"Monster!"
"My name is Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King." Lord Stark stated, as silence fell. "I come before you to confess my treason in the sight of Gods and men."
What treason? Naelahrys knew that they had forced his hand, he was not a traitor, she was more of a traitor than he. He was good, he was justice and he was lying to the people of King's Landing, and to himself, he was not a liar nor a traitor. From the statue she could hear the crowd begin to react angrily at her Lord's confession, screaming and shouting. And let out another screech, as a stone that was throne hit him in the face, which caused blood to seep from the gash and down the side of his face. Eddard Stark was looking around and then his grey eyes met her purple eyes, and his eyes widened in shock and horror. His face that was stone, became saddened as they stared at each other, and he then spoke with firmness.
"I betrayed the faith of my King and the trust of my friend, Robert. I swore to defend and protect his children, yet before his blood was cold, I plotted to dispose and murder his son and seize the throne for the unknowing Naelahrys Targaryen. Let the High Septon, Baelor the Blessed, and the Seven bear witness to the truth of what I say; Joffrey Baratheon is the one true heir to the Iron Throne, and by the grace of all the Gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."
Naelahrys stifled sobs, and continued staring into the eyes of Lord Stark, and winced as the crowd became wild and animalistic with rage, yet again. Lord Stark had no choice, it was either the lives herself and Lord Stark, or the lives of his daughters, when it came to the Lannisters, and she knew that he would chose himself every time, and she knew that she would do the same. She muttered his name, and he looked up at her again, like he could hear her, but she knew he could not. How can I save you? Naelahrys thought, as she looked into the eyes of Lord Stark, and as if he heard her thoughts, he shook his head, just slightly.
"As we sin, so do we suffer. This man has confessed his crimes in the sigh of Gods and men, here in this holy place. The Gods are just, yet Baelor the Blessed taught us that they are also merciful. What shall be done with this traitor, Your Grace?" the High Septon spoke, reading from a scroll.
"Mercy!"
"Death!"
That is all she could hear was the screaming voices for what was to be done with Lord Stark, death or mercy. But death is seen as mercy, and all men must die, but not him, not now. Not now! They were the same to her, as her whole life had been seen as a mercy, but not for Lord Stark, it was not his time, his time was when the Gods seen fit, not a pathetic little boy King, that held no honour nor peace. Naelahrys ignored the shouts and then stared intently at Joffrey, and what he would decide, who stepped near Lord Stark and them gave a lecherous smile towards Sansa, which caused Naelahrys to grip her sword.
"My mother bids me to let Lord Eddard take the black, and Lady Sansa has begged mercy for her father." Joffrey remarked, a cruel gleam in his eyes. No, he is to suffer a far worse fate. "But they have the soft hearts of women. So long as I am your King, treason shall never go unpunished. Ser Ilyn, bring me his head!"
Naelahrys nearly lost her balance at the words, and looked upon Lord Stark in horror, and the crowds roars of approval, as well as people pushing and shoving against her. I noticed the High Septon and Varys beg the King to reconsider, and even the Queen was try to talk her son out of this. Joffrey merely ignored them, as he ignored her. Sansa looked around frantically and Naelahrys winced as Sansa caught sight of her, standing upon the statue and began to scream at her, as she struggled to get her father.
"Naelahrys! Naelahrys! Help! Naelahrys, help!" Sansa screams, frantic above the roaring crowd.
Naelahrys closed her eyes and opened them, and jumped from the statue, moving towards the steps, despite seeing Lord Stark shake his head at her, but she ignored him, and listened to Sansa's screams. She quickened her pace, harshly pushing through the crowd, as she was moving towards Lord Stark, and saw Ser Ilyn Payne climb the steps of the platform, holding Ice in both hands, tears blurred her vision, as she walked towards the steps and got closer towards Lord Stark.
People were shouting at her, but she did not care, as she ran towards him, but was held back, she kicked and screamed, and then she screamed for him and Sansa, who returned her screams. Lord Stark looked up at her, out of the crowd of thousands, and immediately spotted her again, as she stood out amongst the crowd with silver hair and purple eyes, and held no tan to her skin. Their eyes met and her heart cried out, as his eyes were filled with sorrow and regret, and nodded towards her.
His grey eyes spoke to her, I am sorry, they said to her. All they exchanged was stares, and she knew the words that she thought would never reach him. Lord Stark gave her a sad smile, and muttered words under his breath. Her eyes once again stung with tears, as her eyes never left his. Naelahrys reached out her arm towards him, and felt as if her hand almost could touch him, and she knew, hauntingly, that her purple eyes were the last thing he would ever see. The sword was raised, and she screamed out.
"Father!"
She saw as the sword went down, and Lord Stark's head fell from his body, falling to the ground, and herself and many in the crowd were splattered with blood, and she fell silent and closed her eyes, breathing heavily as she began to scream, a hand then covered her mouth as she was dragged away into the crowd, her head pressed into their shoulder and screamed as she faintly heard the cheering of the crowd and Joffrey shouting commands.
"Naelahrys Targaryen, I heard you say her name! Is she here? Find her! Bring her to me! Now!"
"My lady, Raelyx wants to know if your alright." Raelyx whispered, dragging her along Flea Bottom.
Naelahrys looked around frantically, and all she could hear was the heavy beating of her heart. She could barely see, and she felt as though she was seeing through water. Everything felt numb. She rarely noticed the stares that she received, and the only thing she heard was the whispers, that belonged to her dragons starting like a constant drum in her ears. The noise amongst the poverty ridden Flea Bottom stopped, as they stared at her. She felt tears fall from her eyes, but no noise escaped her, as she looked on impassively.
"I told you the Targaryen girl would come to lead us!" A man shouted, "The golden age has begun!"
"That's the Dragon Born, Naelahrys Targaryen, if you have an ounce of decency!" An elderly man hissed.
"Raelyx wants to know if your alright." Raelyx whispered, dragging her along Flea Bottom.
"She is a dragon herself!" A woman exclaimed, holding her child close. "She has returned to save us all!"
Naelahrys looked around the streets, and saw a small crowd slowly gathering, as they stared at her in awe. They stared at her as if she were an exhibit, but she did not care, not anymore. She had watched her liege Lord Eddard Stark, die, and had watched as the remains of justice and peace fell with his head. I watched the downfall of honour and justice, the most honourable man I know died in front of me, and he received no mercy. Only monsters survived, only monsters reached the top and for her to destroy Joffrey, darkness she must become. She noticed a woman dressed head to foot in deep crimson red clothing, standing on a rock, address the crowd near her about the coming of the dragons, which caused her to wince.
Raelyx dragged her through an archway, and they hid in the shadows. She caressed her dragon eggs in the satchel and felt an unusual heat coming off of them, and looked around. Naelahrys and Raelyx, stared intently as they saw members of the King's Guard, questioning citizens and searching their homes. They are looking for me, that bastard knows I'm here!
"Naelahrys!"
Naelahrys turned her head towards the voice, and turned to see a young girl, seemingly ages with Arya, and the dark skinned girl looked towards her with large, amber eyes that were almost glowing in the darkness of the alleyway, and jerked her head back. Raelyx gripped her waist, and pulled her forward to the child.
"It is not safe here, you should not be here, Naelahrys! They want you!" The girl whispered, in a scared tone. "You must come!"
Naelahrys nodded her head, and the girl came towards her and grabbed her hand, and pulled her from Raelyx' grip, and pulled her further into the shadows.
"You must come! You'll be safe!" The girl insisted, looking at her with pleading eyes. "I promise you!"
The girl dragged her along, as they hurriedly twisted left and right, and into a series of small alleyways, some of which she struggled to move through, until they reached a series of houses, if she could call them that, as they were made with very little stone and mostly of mud, and the houses were mostly ruined. Naelahrys looked back and saw that Raelyx was trailing close behind, and she felt trapped, she did not know if she could trust the child or not, as the boy King was looking for her, there would be a hefty reward, she knew of it. Cautiously, she entered the ruins of the child's home, and saw an elderly woman, cradling a babe in her arms, and three younger children sitting next to her, on rugged and worn furs. Naelahrys looked around and saw that they had little belongings, but what struck as odd to her, was that they had various foods, too costly for them and briefly wondered if they had stolen due to hunger, but shrugged it off, as she did not care whether they stole or not, as she knew in their position, she would do the exact same. Then she noticed tucked between the woman's feet, was the bag that she had, which used to contain her gold coins, before she gave them to the people of Flea Bottom, and noticed one or two gold coins.
"Naelahrys Targaryen!" The elderly woman exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with happiness.
Naelahrys watched as the woman set the babe down, and reached towards her, but recoiled away in fear, as Raelyx pointed his sword at her. Naelahrys shot him a warning look, and shook her head. He looked at her sheepishly and shrugged, putting his sword away.
"Who are you?" Naelahrys pried, still cautious of the woman.
"I am no one, just a simple peasant woman that lives within Flea Bottom with her children." The woman shrugged.
"I asked of your name, you know of mine, it is only right that I know yours." Naelahrys inquired blankly.
"I am Jocelyn, and this is my eldest daughter, Nissa." The woman, Jocelyn, replied, and brought the girl who led her to this place, into a warm embrace.
Naelahrys froze upon hearing the name, and gazed at the child, Nissa. The child bore the same name as the woman whom rescued her from certain death as a child, and died for her. The young girl, was small in height and the way her eyes were wide with hunger and thirst, and she could see that she usually had very little to eat, as her clothes hung from her. The same went for all of the children, and this angered her, no child should starve. It is not right. Naelahrys was protected by a girl by the name of Nissa, and now she shall return the favour.
"And these are my other children; Lyra, Antorn, Marleigh and Kaelys." Jocelyn said, gesturing towards her children. "You must be hungry, let us eat."
Naelahrys stood their impassively, as Raelyx walked towards the worn rug, and sat down beside the children, and started to eat along with him. This woman is risking the lives of herself and her children, for me? Naelahrys was in awe of the woman, and gaped as the woman handed her a piece of bread and grapes, and led her beside the seated children and Raelyx.
"Thank you." Naelahrys murmured quietly, and placed her satchel at her side, as she sat down on the ground.
Antorn, a young boy, who was about two years of age, crawled closer towards her, and extended his hand out and started to touch her hair. Naelahrys gave him a small watery smile, being instantly reminded of Rickon, before sorrow filled her once more, as tears fell from her eyes. Lord Stark is dead, and I could not save him. I'm sorry Robb, I failed you. Naelahrys opened her satchel slightly and stroked her dragon eggs, and was given comfort by their presence. As she did so, she found her attention brought back to the woman.
"Why did you save me, Jocelyn?" Naelahrys asked, pressing on. "Or are you intending to turn me over to Joffrey?"
"I have no allegiance to that boy King, if we were to bow to a ruler, we would bow to you and only you. And it only seemed right, you saved us from death." Jocelyn stated, firmly.
Jocelyn smiled at her, and shared the same smile, copper skin and yellow eyes that both her and her children seemed to share. Naelahrys was confused, in what way did she save them, she knew it was merely gold she gave them, that is hardly saving them. Jocelyn noticing her confusion, let out a tinkling laugh and spoke warmly. "You gave us gold, while not enough for us to leave the slums, it was a great gift. When my children returned to me with gold coin and a rare bracelet with rubies, this will keep us fed for many years, and will help cloth us. Not only did you give us your gold, you gave us your heart. When they spoke of silver haired woman with purple eyes, I knew the dragons had returned to us, and would grace us with glory, that is why we are helping you." Jocelyn stated, fondly.
"It was simple act of kindness, it should not be taken out of scale." Naelahrys whispered.
"A simple acts turn into larger ones." Nissa stated, looking at her in wonder. "You would make a better Queen, I hear them, they whisper of a true Queen."
Sansa Stark
Naelahrys.
Sansa cursed her stupidity, and began to silently sob. It had not been long since the execution of her father, and Arya remained missing, causing her heart to ache. Sansa wanted to go home, she wanted her mother, she wanted her brothers, she wanted her sister and she wanted Naelahrys to take her home. Joffrey was not her Prince, nor was he her King. Naelahrys was her Prince, she was good, she was kind and when he spoke of burning her alive, Sansa wanted to attack him. Naelahrys is good, Naelahrys is kind. Although she wanted the world to go away and wait in her chambers for Naelahrys to come rescue her, she knew she would, but Joffrey kept requesting her presence. Sansa was on her knees, looking up at Joffrey, from his seat, with a stone cold face and demeanour. I must be brave, like Naelahrys, like Arya, like my Lady mother. I must be strong, they would never weep in front of the likes of him. Sansa knew that she must be see but not heard, and cannot show any remorse for the death of her father nor for her loyalty towards Naelahrys, as Joffrey would punish her.
"My father was a traitor, as is Naelahrys, she has no right to the throne. King Joffrey is the one true King…the King that I love."
Sansa had rehearsed these lines, over and over, until the words poured out of her without her thinking. Whenever someone offered sympathies to have a traitorous father and to have lived with a woman whom was mad, as the Mad King, she especially watched her words and repeated these words in Joffrey and the Queen's presence. Sansa looked up, and licked her lips, tasting the blood on her split lip, and winced. If Naelahrys saw her being treated like this, she would kill them, she would kill them for her. Joffrey had gone mad with rage as he had every soldier known to King's Landing, search for Naelahrys and he spoke of her dragons. How did he find out?
"Your father was a confessed traitor! He was helping that dragon bitch of yours claim the throne!" Joffrey spat at her, sitting back in his chair, with a snarl embedded on his face. "My throne!...Tell me, what are your thoughts on it, my Lady?" Joffrey asked, and she glanced up at him.
"Eddard Stark was a traitor, Naelahrys Targaryen is a traitor. I am loyal to my beloved Joffrey, the one true King." Sansa said, vacantly.
As long as her lies seemed realistic, she did not care. Lying, was something she was never good at, but if her lies were believable, he would not harm her, not as much as would like to. She glared up at him, when his back was turned. When Naelahrys hatches her dragons, and she will, she will destroy you. She will kill you all. Naelahrys will take back her birthright and the Iron Throne, and rule with justice. She will show me your head, just as you showed me my father's.
Naelahrys Blackfyre
"Naelahrys!"
Naelahrys was startled, awake, grabbing her sword, tightly in her hand. Her eyes looked around and then saw the gentle woman, Jocelyn, with tears streaming down her face and wailing. Naelahrys grasped her face in her hands, and the woman continued to wail, as she placed her hands on hers. Naelahrys looked around worriedly, and saw her children, both looking distraught and afraid. But sighed, as she saw Raelyx nowhere in sight.
"What is wrong? Have they found me?" Naelahrys inquired, hushing the woman's wails.
"T-they…they…they took…" Jocelyn sobbed, lacking the ability to form her words, her mouth opened letting out silent screams.
"What? What did they take?" Naelahrys demanded.
"Ni…Nissa…Nissa!" Jocelyn wailed, crying and shaking her head.
"Why?"
"T-they took her! Out…outside! They know you're here, in Flea Bottom!" Jocelyn screamed. "Someone told the guards that it was m-my daughter that s-saved you!"
Naelahrys pulled the woman into her arms, and hushed her. She looked upon the frightened children, and noticed that they were sobbing as well, and huddling together. Naelahrys saw that Antorn had a cut on
the side of his face, and her anger grew. No more. Naelahrys gently let go of Jocelyn, and sat her down beside her children, and walked out of the house, and stopped to turn towards Marleigh, noticing the young girl was following her, she quickly walked towards her, and gripped her arm, tightly.
"Where you going? You can't go!" She exclaimed, tears springing in her eyes. "You'll die."
"I am going to hand myself and my dragons in." Naelahrys whispered, "I have no choice."
"You can't! He cannot have the dragons you speak of!"
"I must." Naelahrys stated, simply. "I cannot allow for your sister to die, I am meant to protect you."
"Please, be careful." Marleigh whispered, letting go of her arm and hugging her waist, before quickly letting go.
"No, you be careful. If you got hurt, it would pain me. Look after your mother and siblings."
Naelahrys entered the crowded streets, after running down the sand sodden and rock path, which was crowded with people. All of the folk from Flea Bottom, were gathering round several gold cloaks of the King's Guard. Most were shouting and hissing at them, and some you could hear crying out in rage. The folk parted as they stared at her; some in wonder, some in fear and others in hope. Hope. They looked at her in hope and hope she has to give them. Without hope, we only have fear and I'll be damned if I let these monsters make them frightened. Naelahrys watched in anger as one Lannister soldier held the squirming child in his arms, and another, if she remembered correctly, was known as Ser Janos Slynt, whom smacked Nissa across the face. Nissa looked towards the crowd, and her eyes became fixed on the girl, due to the parting crowd, and the crowd began to whisper, and all of the hissed words were directed towards her, as some shoved her.
"Do not let the child die!"
"They'll kill her!"
"Kill them for harming her!"
"Naelahrys Targaryen, if you do not stand before us and offer yourself. We shall kill the child!" Ser Janos announced, leering towards the crowd of people.
Naelahrys looked on defiantly as she walked closer towards them, and nodded to the sobbing girl, and looked towards the crowd, as they were angered, and began shouting and throwing stones at the men. The woman that she had seen earlier dressed in red, stepped in front of her.
"Dragon Born." The woman stated, surprising her as she spoke to her in Low Valyrian. "Do not turn yourself in, it shall not end well."
"I must." Naelahrys whispered to her in Valyrian, before continuing to shove her way through the crowd, carefully caressing the egg in her hand. It did not take long for the men to spot her, and she hastily stroked her dragon eggs in her satchel, and held her hands up in the air, to show that she meant peace and had no means to attack. Ser Janos ordered the soldiers to retrieve her, she stood still, despite the shouts and protests of the people, and she watched with a sick satisfaction as the guards approached her in fear, and held each arm, before binding her in chains. The two soldiers marched and pulled her towards Ser Janos, who was wearing a slimy grin on his face. Naelahrys struggled and then turned to the crowd.
"I am not your enemy. Your enemy is snakes in lions clothing. Your enemy has stolen and murdered your people. Your enemy has brought you nothing but suffering and hunger, and commands. Your enemy has made you fear for your brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. I have not arrived to take back the throne, nor did I come to bring you commands or strike fear into your hearts. I bring you what you deserve, a choice!" Naelahrys cried out.
Naelahrys started struggling against the men, and demanded that they release Nissa, they did it without question, and Ser Janos threw the child towards the people of Flea Bottom, they caught her with ease but continued to look at her in awe or some form of disbelief. The crowd stood silent, and she was dragged away, before she yelled frantically.
"Fight for your freedom! Fight for the injustice given to you! Fight for the golden era you so desire! Fight!"
Naelahrys watched impassively as the folk riled themselves up and started pushing against each other to get to the guards, and began to fight, just as she was pulled harshly away in chains. She stared at the crowd frantically, searching for the girl, until she saw Nissa give her a bow, before walking into the shadows of an alleyway. Nissa and her family were safe, she and her dragons however, were not. Naelahrys was dragged into the halls, not before hearing the crowd calling out for her.
"Dragon Born!"
"Dragon Born!"
"Dragon Born!"