It had been strange times, these last few moons, Davos Seaworth had realized. Never in ten lifetimes had he thought to find himself in the middle of this mess of a war in the way it happened. And yet, he had landed smack dab there, with very little effort. He was not a man to seek to get involved in the affair of others, especially when they were at war. He was just happy to get in, get out and not be discovered.
It had worked for him, in a fashion. Well, the getting in part mainly. For once, though, he had gotten to Dragonstone with the most benevolent of intentions. He had planned to do his usual run, Braavos to King's Landing, but word had reached him that the city was in a panic. Seems the Mad King had continued to earn his reputation and continued killing his people, this time a High Lord and his son. Davos had heard from his contact that banners had been called and a full-on revolt had erupted. He was just happy his wife and young son were safe at Duskendale. He hadn't seen her in four moons and feared the war would sweep into the little village they had taken up residence in after they had married and he'd made enough coin to get them out of Flea Bottom.
But, with King Aerys losing whatever grip on sanity he still had, Davos did not want to try his luck at getting his goods ashore anywhere near the capital. Then the weather had turned bad near Dragonstone. He figured it was a decent place to lay low for a short time. It wasn't inhabited year-round, and whatever folks lived there, well, if he had no quarrel with them, they usually had no quarrel with him.
So it was there he dropped anchor in one of the deep water ports and sat to decide the next move. Until one night when he heard the watch yelling about soldiers spotted on the cliffs and making their way in the direction of his ship.
He grumbled later as to how difficult it was to make ready a ship, especially one in port. But before they could make an escape, a ship bearing the sails of House Targaryen cut off their way to safety,
Davos was no fighter, and neither were his men. He communicated that to the other ship, hoping to be able to be given the chance to talk his way out of the situation. It wasn't until he was ordered off his ship and marched up to the keep itself that he realized the trouble he was in.
He took a moment to pause in his recollection when he heard a distinct, feminine voice call for him. He walked towards the woman, regal with hair that looked to be thin silver and smiled. "Yes, your Grace?" he asked.
Rhaella Targaryen, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, gave him a smile. "If I may ask, Captain, when do you think we will be able to make port?"
He knew his esteemed passenger was unwell and the sea surely was not helping matters. "Well, the further into Blackwater Bay we can get without being spotted, the better a position I will be in to see you safely off," he said as he bowed. "My hope is we can make Duskendale, at least."
The brightness in her eyes dimmed momentarily and it was then he remembered hearing of King Aerys' capture and rescue from the town during the Defiance. But she said nothing of it, only commenting, "Well, it would give me a chance to meet this lovely wife you talk so much of."
He chuckled at the thought. His Marya was the daughter of a carpenter, a humble station and the thought of she entertaining the queen of the realm may have her chase him back to the sea, her mortification so great. "I do not think that would be wise of me to do so. Marya...well, as honored as she would be, I am sure, I don't think she'll take too kindly to the idea of me bringing you home. Especially in your, er, condition."
The queen placed her hand on her stomach, a tear running down her cheek. "I pray that my son is safe and can shelter us until...the king has been seen to. Then my child can grow up in safety."
Davos looked at the deck, shame coming to him. It had only been from her master-at-arms, Ser Willem Darry that he knew how she had come to be pregnant. It still amazed him how someone who was both her brother and husband could do such things to this kind woman. "I can't say why, but I do believe your wish shall be granted," he told her. Then he looked around. "And where is the young prince this fine morning?"
"He has not had any good night's since we left King's Landing. I had hoped that bringing him with me would go a ways to bringing back the mischievous boy he was but I think it will take more than a mother's love. I did my best to shield him from the worst of his father's actions," Rhaella said. "If Rhaegar is alive and well, he can help soothe Viserys, I pray."
Davos noticed his first mate signaling him from the bridge. "If you will excuse me, Your Grace, but I seem to be needed to do my job."
Her lip quirked up, the hint of a smirk on her face. "As the best smuggler in the Seven Kingdoms, Captain Davos?"
He laughed along with her. "If I pull this off and we survive, I think I shall have earned the title, don't you think, my lady?" Then he tipped his head and left her at the railing. The report he received heartened him enough that he was soon able to return to tell her, "It seems we are closer to the coast than I first thought," he informed her. "In fact, we may be at Duskendale by tomorrow night."
He could easily see the relief on her face. "Thank the Seven," she said, her eyes pointed skyward.
"This has me thinking that when we reach there, I'll have the lay of the land surveyed before we disembark, for your safety, of course," he suggested. She nodded in agreement.
"I think I can help with that. Lord Rykker owes his seat to my husband and I believe he has taken the loyalist side. If it will help, you can deliver a message to him from me, stating what you have already done for me. He could aid us in reaching the Targaryen forces," Rhaella suggested.
"I think that would work out quite nicely. However, if you can forgive me, I think it best I see to Marya before appearing before Lord Rykker," Davos amended, which she quickly saw the rightness of.
As predicted, they reached the harbor at Duskendale before sunset the following day. Like was agreed, Davos left the royal party on the ship and headed home. When he opened the door to the kitchen, it was Marya's back to him. She must have heard him because before he could greet her, she turned around, showing him her full profile.
Her belly was obviously swollen with child.
"The great Captain Seaworth returned at last," she announced to no one in particular.
His jaw dropped at the sight, though he knew he should not be surprised as he remembered his last night home. "My lady…" was all he managed to get out.
"And with what whore have you been spending time with?" He supposed any wife would think such a thing especially since he had taken longer than usual to return from the sea. He could also see the fire in her eyes, rather more like a dragon than his passenger had been.
"Marya, I know that must be what you are thinking…" he began, trying to stave off the argument. Now he was regretting leaving the queen on his ship, even though it would have been near impossible to move such exotic-looking of a woman through the streets of any city. "While we were at sea, the traveling looked rough so we docked for safety. Only, it was not as such when I saw the Targaryen sails cut us off."
"The Targaryen sails?" she asked, clearly not believing him.
"Dragonstone," he clarified. "I was ordered to the keep there and was confronted by the queen herself, as a matter of fact."
"Do you really think I believe this horseshit, Davos?" Her tone gave him his answer.
Thinking quickly, he said instead, "Where is Dale? I think it best if you both come with me. And the lad should get used to the sea, as I hope he will travel with me." He held up his hands, a plea for leeway.
Their young son had risen from a nap and after being welcomed back by him with open arms and a smile, the little family made their way to the docks. But Marya's silence the whole way there did not bode well for him, if he were lying. That was a thought he put out of his mind when they finally walked up the gangplank.
Davos' crew bowed and greeted their captain's wife, as normal while he went looking for Ser Willem and the Queen. When he explained the situation, all she did was give him a knowing look. She then headed topside after he lightly protested it would have been better if Marya came to her. "I am the Lady of Dragonstone in my son's absence, you should have been brought to me. But here, she is the lady to answer to, so I should come before her," Rhaella reasoned.
Dale was running about with some of the cabin boys when they returned, with Marya staring out towards the mouth of the bay. He could tell she had caught sight of him making his way to her, but she ignored him until she saw the woman behind him. His wife's face went more white than the Queen's hair and he feared she would faint right there. But then she seemed to recover, falling into a curtsey, odd with the weight she was carrying.
"My wife, may I present to you, Rhaella, daughter of Jaehaerys, Second of his Name, wife of Aerys, Second of his Name, mother of Rhaegar, Prince of Dragonstone," he introduced. He made sure not to give his wife any tells to communicate he had not been lying. Then he turned to the Queen. "Your Grace, may I present Marya Seaworth, my beloved wife, and mother to my son, and another child on the way it seems."
His wife just stood there, dumbstruck, for a few minutes. It was the Queen who eventually broke the ice. "Captain Seaworth has spoken of you with barely a breath," she said as she extended her hand in friendship. "It is an honor to meet you."
The swords clashed, but Arthur saw Rhaegar's mind was elsewhere. "Careful, Your Grace. A wandering mind can be a deadly thing in a fight," he told his friend.
But Rhaegar's next move showed that his focus was back where it should be. "Quite right, my friend. Perhaps this wasn't the best activity to be doing when so many troubles ail me."
The Sword of the Morning knew exactly what the prince meant. "I know of the many burdens your shoulder, but you must remain strong. So many people are counting on you."
That was truly an understatement, the knight realized. Arthur could think of many things that were on Rhaegar's mind at the moment and any of them would crush most men. There was a siege that had been ongoing outside the walls of the capital. There was the brutal murder of a mother and her children that had only wished for safety back in her homeland. There were a parent and sibling that had not been heard from in many moons. There was a young wife, pregnant, that had truly become the very heartbeat of the prince.
But Rhaegar Targaryen had a strength about him, a calmness of spirit that would see him through all these trials. He also had friends and family to support him if he should collapse from his burdens. Most importantly, he had the love of his people.
"I just wish it could have begun so differently," Arthur's friend said. "If I had been at the Red Keep when Brandon got there, been able to confront him, assuage his worries about his sister...instead, he confronted a monster that killed him and his father."
"Do you believe that Lyanna finds fault with you about the fate of her father and Lord Rickard?"
"No," Rhaegar replied with an ironic chuckle. "I think she blames herself for what happened to them, what has happened to the Seven Kingdoms."
Arthur thought about that. He was not surprised by the belief. He remembered the Princess' conversation when they were met by Lady Tyrell before reaching the Riverlands.
"We were both wrong in the way we went about all of it," his friend admitted. "And I should have seen to Elia's safe passage to Dorne. But the timing, it was too perfect. In our haste to be together, the blood of Westeros ran."
Now he was falling back into his melancholia, Arthur could see. It was an all too common state for him to be in, but it had lessened over the time that they had been encamped outside King's Landing. The Kingsguard attributed that all to Lyanna. It had seemed that, at last, Rhaegar had found true happiness.
They were about to continue with their sparring when Lord Eddard Stark approached them. "Your Grace, a raven just arrived."
Now the prince's focus coalesced. "From King's Landing?" he asked.
Ned shook his head but didn't appear that upset about where it came from. "No, actually, from the Dun Fort."
"House Rykker?" Arthur asked, just as confused as Rhaegar seemed.
As Ned nodded, Rhaegar was handed the scroll, his eyes running along each line of the script. Then a smile broke on his face. "Thank the Seven!" he cried. Then he turned to Arthur. "It's from Mother She has made her way to Duskendale and has been sheltered by Ser Jaremy Rykker!"
The Sword of the Morning allowed his mouth to fall open. He thought he had misheard the prince. "Queen Rhaella is at Duskendale? How?"
"Mother and Viserys, in fact. She writes that the King allowed her to take my brother to Dragonstone and while they were there, they were aided by a captain to try and return to the mainland. He got them into port there and House Rykker has offered their protection as well as forces to accompany them here!"
Arthur Dayne was happy for the news but also happy for his friend. He had had so little good news lately and his mother's state and whereabouts had become another worry on his mind. But the queen, it seemed, had been as clever as he knew her to be.
"They set out a few days ago, so they should be here soon," Rhaegar had concluded, embracing both Arthur and Ned.
While the friends shared the joy, Ned still seemed understated. "And does the queen know of Aerys, Elia and the children and my sister?"
His good-brother went back and reread the scroll. "There is nothing said that indicates she knows of the deaths, but I can assure you, Lord Stark, she has known about Lyanna for a while. I was never able to speak openly, of course, but I spoke enough that my mother understood what was going to happen. She even included a message about awaiting an introduction to her new good-daughter." He put his hand on Ned's shoulder. "Have no fear of my mother, Lord Stark. I suspect they will get on better than we would ever expect."
Arthur laughed at that. "If I know the Queen and the Princess, they may well be more trouble than we could ever handle." Ned relaxed before leaving them.
"I cannot tell you, my friend, how unexpected this news is! When I last saw Mother, she was certain Aerys would not allow her or Viserys to leave the capital," the prince explained. "What she said of my brother, what I saw in the little boy before I left King's Landing and headed north…"
"What are you saying?" Arthur asked.
Rhaegar let out a breath. "When I last saw him, he was emotionless, stiff. You remember when I was near his age. I did not yet have to contemplate what was to be expected of me, I was allowed to be a boy. But the Viserys I saw was treading far too close to our father for my liking. He used a crude term to inquire where I was, and Mother said he had been spending more time with the king, watching him…" He could not continue, leading Arthur to know what he meant.
"I share your concerns for your brother, my prince, but perhaps there has not been too much damage to repair. Your father is dead and he now has a loving mother and brother to guide him. Aerys Targaryen can no longer be an influence over the boy," Arthur replied as he gripped Rhaegar's shoulder.
"I pray you are right, my friend."
It was a short time later when Lord Stannis Baratheon approached the group that now included Oswell, Barristan and the Lord Commander. "Your Grace," he said with his mouth fixed in a straight line. He didn't say anything else, just handed another scroll over.
This time, there was no joy in Rhaegar's expression. "Lord Tywin has been given our message, it seems." He turned to look at the Sword of the Morning. "Ser Arthur, where is my wife?" he asked.
Arthur did not even need to be asked. "I will go and have her brought to you." Then he set out to find the princess, who was standing by a fire next to her brother and conversing with another lord, the one from the Neck. "You Grace, Lord Stark. We have just received a messenger from the city. He brings Robert's reply to the missive sent with Cersei," he explained.
"Tywin's response, you mean?" Lyanna remarked.
Both excused themselves from the conversation with Lord Reed and made their way to the Prince's tent.
Lyanna got right to the point. "So the lion has spoken?" she asked, facetiousness dripping with every word.
"Aye, he has," Barristan answered.
"He wishes for a parlay," Rhaegar said.
All inside knew what that meant, but it was Stannis who said it out loud. "He means to marry Cersei to my brother. And the fool will probably go along with it and happily."
"I say let him," Lyanna remarked. Arthur knew the princess was thinking along the line of 'better Cersei than her'.
"I think we have to accept," Jon Arryn said as he read over the scroll. "But we must be cautious. I do not trust Tywin, especially not after…" He bowed his head silently. "With your permission, your grace, I would like to enter the city and negotiate terms for the parlay, location, when it should be held, things like that."
Rhaegar nodded. "Tomorrow morn, request an audience with him and, if possible, Robert. I would like to have it after my mother and brother arrive for I think it proper that the Queen be able to confront Lannister and Baratheon with us."
As Jon nodded, Arthur caught Lyanna's expression. As if knowing just what she was about to say, he cut in. "Your Grace, I think it best that we of your Kingsguard begin to make plans for the safety of you and the Princess when this takes place."
Gerold smirked, but agreed. "I would suggest we hold it in a place where none would dare spill blood," Lord Commander Hightower said.
"Then, sers, I will leave you to that." That was all the prince said to dismiss them all. Lyanna stayed behind, of course, but as Arthur was about to step outside, Rhaegar stopped him, "Ser Arthur, I thank you for your consideration on behalf of myself and my wife,"
Both Arthur and Lyanna caught the subtle reference he was making. "That is my duty, your grace. And I will ensure that it is done." He didn't allow another word to be said as he left.
He just prayed he would be able to fulfill his promise.