Chapter 8: Shaena 2
Eighteenth Day of the Month of the Falcon, King's Landing
Shaena Targaryen's night at Lord Buckwell's keep was not pleasant as she can't sleep thanks to the constant shouting of Rhaegar and Daenys. This constant shouting can be attributed to Rhaegar's crowning of Lyanna and her mysterious disappearance in which there were already suspicions by her betrothed, Ser Robert, that Rhaegar abducted her. Though if that were true, Shaena would have detected Lyanna's presence among them since she is said to have a talent of memorizing people's faces as remarked by the court.
"Can I just ride a horse father, I am really uncomfortable in the carriage." Shaena asked as she approach him on the camp a mile outside King's Landing. Aerys Targaryen then looked at her, and said "No, you may not." "May I ask why?" Aerys then sighed, and looked at his daughter. "Arthur, find Shaena a horse and also clothes suitable for riding one." "Yes your grace." Arthur then left. "Thanks father." Shaena said smiling as she proceeds to hug him. Aerys then returned the hug.
After a few handful minutes, Arthur returned with a horse and some clothing similar to what she sees young squires wear. "Here are the clothing your grace." Arthur handed over the clothing. Shaena then went to the tent and began to undress. Shaena's body resembles that of her sister, Daenys in many ways with the exception of what she would call her fatness. Though as she gets rid of her dress, and began to wear the trousers and the shirt, she noticed that the shirt was too short for her as a small mound were clearly visible on her chest and her tummy is clearly visible.
She then adjusted the trousers and the shirt which easily solves the problem. She went out of the tent and saw Myrielle. "Oh no! Your grace does not fit you. Come, I have some clothes fit for riding that fits you." "Ok then." Shaena then followed Myrielle and went to the tent in which she and her sister sleeps.
"Here, you can change in my tent." Shaena then went inside, undressed and began to wear the garment. Afterwards she left the tent. "You look really nice your grace. Come, the rest are awaiting." Cerenna and Myrielle walked to the horses. As they left, the servants then took the stuff out of the tent and began to pack up the camp. As they reached the carriages, Ser Arthur Dayne came bringing a horse. "Here you go, your grace. One of the guards said, the horse is called sunny." Arthur said as he handed over the horse to Shaena.
"Do you know how to ride a horse, Shaena?" Aerys asked. "Yes I do, father. I had Baelon taught me how to do it." As Shaena said that, she began to step on the stirrup on Sunny. Sunny then began to react as it is not familiar on it's would be rider. "Calm down, calm down." Shaena said smoothly, as she successfully rode Sunny. "It seems Baelon taught you well, Shaena. Though I suggest you come down. We are still waiting for your brother and sister." Aerys said as he sits on the chair beside him.
Shaena then placed her foot outside of the stirrup and lift it above the horse to the other side. Then she stepped on the ground and removed her other foot from the stirrup. As she did that, Myrielle left and a servant prepared another chair in which Shaena sat a moment later. "You do know that many houses have offered their sons for your hand in marriage. I have rejected a lot of them and I am considering of accepting one of their requests. " Shaena thought that selling her to the Whents are bad enough, it seems that her father wants to sell her again to another house. It is pretty normal for princesses and ladies to be sold to other houses for gain. But, it seems that what drives her father for doing so is a matter of rumor the spider said and the fear of war.
"Why can't I just pick my own husband and marry for love?" She asks. "Alright Shaena, who do you want to be your husband?" Aerys asked. For Shaena, that question is hard to answer. Men her age who she knows were not of noble blood. Despite that she likes Ser Richard Lonmouth and Ser Myles Mooton, though she did not view either as her potential husband. Ser Jaime Lannister would be make a fine husband for her, but her father appointed him to the Kingsguard since her father used that as a punishment for his father for not paying the right taxes. Another option would be any of her brothers. Aegon seems to love Naerys, Daeron is already betrothed, and both Rhaegar and Baelon are already married. This left her with Jaehaerys and Viserys. She was fond of both her youngest brothers, but Viserys seems to be the naughtier of the two. Thus it seems she had her answer.
"My brother Jaehaerys." "It took you too long to answer, Shaena. But I am afraid we are going. And, no. I have something else planned for your brother." Aerys said as he went to his carriage. Shaena then rode Sunny. Sunny then began to run. "Stay Sunny!" Sunny still did not listen and rushed. "Halt!" Ser Arthur said and Sunny stopped as it grinds down on the grass which Ser Arthur holds. As Sunny is eating, Shaena saw Rhaegar and Daenys entering the carriage holding their sons. "Ah, they arrived. Ok Sunny you're good to go." Ser Arthur said as he left. After a few minutes, Shaena saw Rhaegar riding a horse as well. "How's the twins?" she asked. "Well, they just woke up from sleeping a few minutes ago. It is really a wonder that babies can sleep for so long." Rhaegar said.
"Oh, though, I wonder, why are you here riding a horse instead of spending time with your children?" She asks. "Why are you here riding a horse instead of being in the carriage with Larra?" Rhaegar asks. When Shaena heard that, she wanted to answer saying that she want to feel the outside and not spend time with Larra. Though as she opened her mouth, Rhaegar seems to be distracted on his thoughts that he didn't see that she's about to say something. "Rhaegar! Wake up! The carriage is about to move." Shaena shouted. The two and the royal caravan began to ride to Kings Landing.
The ride was fast as Sunny proves to be a faster horse than the one currently used by Rhaegar. Though unlike horses she rode either at home or at Duskendale, this one is far more unruly, though not as unruly as Sunfyre was. After a few minutes, Shaena then looked at Rhaegar who looks like thinking something. Despite that Shaena can still see that Rhaegar maintains control of his horse. "Would you answer my question earlier, or would just ride there thinking whatever it is you are thinking of?" Shaena asks.
"Alright fine! Daenys is still angry with me after what I did during the tourney. She says she doesn't want to ride with me in the carriage." Rhaegar said. After hearing that, it finally makes sense to the shouting she heard last night. Although, she knew Daenys' rage can be too overwhelming, it seems too late she unleashed her anger last night. Whereas usually, Shaena knew that if Daenys is angry she would express it right away. But thankfully she didn't do that since it would cause a commotion at Harrenhal.
"I think it's your turn to answer my question." "During the ride from Harrenhal to the Antlers, Larra was coughing every few minutes that I have to cover my mouth and nose during the ride. The maester in Antlers said that Larra have a disease. Larra knew about the disease but she didn't tell her father, but Lady Whent have given her enough remedy to make her appear healthy until we reached a few miles from the Antlers. " "So did the maester able to make the same remedy to the one given by Lady Whent?" "No, but he did make a remedy which was not quite effective, and he warned me the disease could be transferrable. Which is why I wanted to leave the carriage and ride out here instead." "So, the curse of Harrenhal is true." Rhaegar then remarked.
Shaena knew of the curse of Harrenhal from what maester pycelle taught her three years ago. Though the curse involves the death of the houses that occupies Harrenhal, it seems unlikely that it will affect the Whents since Lord Walter and his sons seems to be healthy. The possibility of the disease spreading among the whents is high, though she didn't know enough about diseases whether this would be deadly or not. Nevertheless, she rides and hope to see King's Landing soon.
After several minutes of riding, they reached Kings Landing and the royal caravan began to stop as the city watch opened the gates of Kings Landing. Kings Landing is the largest, most populous and richest city in Westeros. The only two cities that could match the size of Kings Landing are Oldtown and Lannisport. Though, Duskendale and Gulltown are increasingly catching up to their sizes. As they enter the city, the people on the street began to form a crowd which welcomed the arrival of the Royal family.
The crowd began to cheer as Rhaegar waves his hand and the people began throwing flowers to them and one flower began to stick at her hair. They begin to ride through as applauses and cheering for the winner of the recent tourney begin to grow louder. It is as if Rhaegar is the hero of the war that had recently passed. As she rode through, people begin to recognize her and greeted her as well. Though once they reached the Red Keep, Shaena saw her mother, Daeron, Visenya, Naerys, Aegon, Jaehaerys and Viserys as well as members of the small council and the rest of the court arranged just to meet the ones who went to the tourney.
Rhaegar and Shaena dismounts and their horses were taken away by the servants. "Hello Shaena, its good to see you." Her mother said, as she approached her and hugged her daughter. "Did you win?" Aegon asked. "Oh yes, I did." Rhaegar replied. "That's great!" Naerys shouted. "Congratulations, Rhaegar." Visenya said. "Thank you, sister." Rhaegar replied. After Rhaegar said that, Shaena can see Ser Willem Darry running to greet the royal family.
"Sorry I am late, your grace." Ser Willem said. "It's alright Ser Willem. I am pretty sure the other Kingsguard can do the job without your presence." Aerys had said as he departed the carriage with Larra, Daenys and the twins. "Don't be like that, youre being too hard on Ser Willem." Rhaella said. "Fine fine, you can stay with the others." Aerys said. As that conversation is going, Viserys and Jaehaerys began to run towards Daenys and looked at the twins. "Look our nephews are asleep." Viserys said.
Naerys come towards them and said. "Aww aren't they cute." "Yes they are cute, Naerys. But I am afraid you'll wake them up." Daenys said that as she passed Aegon to be carried by Cerenna who just exited the carriages with Myrielle. "Come let's go inside" Rhaegar said as he entered the Red Keep. Shaena and the rest of the royal family began to walk inside the keep and began to walk to the main living room. Once they reached the living room, most of her siblings began to approach Rhaegar to ask him about the tourney, though both Shaena and Daenys stayed close and a far from the others.
"I see that you have chosen to ride instead of staying in the carriage. May I ask why?" Daenys said. "Yes, Shaena, why are you dressed like a stableboy and not like a proper princess?" Visenya asked. Shaena began to explain Larra's sickness and the reasoning she explained to Rhaegar earlier. After explaining that, Aerys seemed to have heard and began to approach them. "Are you telling the truth?" "Yes father." "Maester Pycelle, Shaena, Jaehaerys, Daeron and Larra come, we have something to talk about." Aerys said as he begins to walk to leave the room.