Riverlands
Naelahrys Blackfyre
Naelahrys had stopped crying. She had felt so much, that now she felt numb, she had ran out of tears to shed. Her head still lay on the pillow of the make-shift bed, she found herself unable to move, and even found herself taking no comfort from her dragons, who pawed and nicked at her skin with their mouths and claws. Nissa had entered the tent, sitting close to her, giving her a soft smile, but remained silent. She saw the sad look on the girls face, but couldn't bring herself to comfort the child. Naelahrys looked on, unblinking, as Ser Barristan entered the tent, kneeling by her bedside and bowed his head, respectfully. She gave him a nod, and at that moment, couldn't think of anything other than Bran and Rickon. I should have been there, I should have protected them. I'll kill him. She thought on Theon Greyjoy and let a hiss escape her mouth, startling both Nissa and Ser Selmy.
"Their dead." Robb's voice whispered in her head, mocking her. "Their dead."
"Would you like anything?" Nissa asked, timidly.
"Wine." Naelahrys said. Bran and Rickon.
Nissa walked over to what seemed to be a vanity table, grabbing a cup and bottle of wine, pouring the red liquid into the cup and with two hands, holding the cup, walked towards her and placed it in her hands. The girl gave her a slight smile and then sat back down. Naelahrys sat up and took a long gulp of her wine, swirling the remainders and then finished her cup, was another long swig. Little could be done to console her, as all she felt was pain, not for herself, but for Bran and Rickon. They suffered at the hands of a kraken, I'll destroy him. Her dragons hissed at her, because of her sudden movement, as she swung her legs over the bed and onto the cold dirt floor.
"Where is Robb?" Naelahrys questioned, sucking in a breath. "I need to speak with him, I need...I need to know...h-how it happened."
"Are you sure that is the wisest of choices, milady?" Ser Barristan inquired, frowning.
"Yes, it is." Naelahrys stated, but then looked towards Nissa, who was looking down into her lap. "I-I n-never got thank you, both of you, for everything that you have done for me. I owe you."
"It is an honor, my Lady." Ser Barristan said, bowing. "Do not worry, my Lady. They do not know of me. I have kept myself scarce. I am known to them as Arstan Whitebeard, I have no doubt some will have recognized me..if they have, they haven't said anything."
"That is good." Naelahrys replied, and they fell into a silence once more.
Naelahrys found herself unable to fully care, that worsened the guilt she felt. I should be caring, after all that he had done for me. But found herself, unable to. As they sat in the tent, Naelahrys listened intently, as Nissa rambled on about stories she heard amongst the soldiers, she know knew that they had captured Jaime Lannister, but he had since escaped, due to Lady Catelyn and that Robb was to be married to a Frey girl, but he seemed to hold the love for another, and what had thrown her off was when she mentioned something to do with the people she had freed.
"Fighting?" She asked.
"They are fighting with the soldiers." Nissa said casually, biting into an apple, chewing on it absentmindedly. "King Robb's not happy."
"Why are they fighting?" Naelahrys questioned, raising an eyebrow towards the girl and shared a look with Ser Barristan.
"Many of the men and woman that were captured at Harrenhal and freed by you, they say they hold no loyalties towards Robb, that made them fight against the soldiers, who claim that they are traitors. If they hold no loyalty to him, but they insist, they do hold loyalty in their hearts, but only to you-" Nissa said, in between mouthfuls. "Stark was not happy when the fights broke out amongst them, but I think he was worried about you. Everyone was, the way...the way you screamed. They began to riot against the soldiers."
She is like that of Varys little birds, Naelahrys had remarked to herself, and thought of Nissa with nothing but pride, as the girl told everything but lies and spoke only of truth. And she liked that about Nissa, she was not only kind and truthful, but she was loyal and that was all she could ask for in a friend. But then her heart began to ache as she thought of Bran, he was like that too, that hurt more than anything, making her weeping heart throb gently, knowing with each word she spoke, it broke. I need to speak to Robb, I need to know. I need to be ready. Naelahrys gave Nissa a fond but watery smile and then stood up, walking towards the flaps of the tent.
"Where are you going, Naelahrys?" Nissa exclaimed, standing up sharing a worried look with Ser Selmy.
"I need to speak with Robb." She answered, and exited the tent.
"Why?" Naelahrys demanded, as she reached Robb and his gossiping men, whom at this point, were like that of the Southern woman. "Why?"
"I am not discussing this with you as of now, it is not the right time nor the place. Sit." Robb said firmly, gesturing to an empty seat. "Sit, I need to know more of King's Landing, and your escape."
"No, what are you doing just sitting here? You should have men marching to Winterfell, you should have crossed the bridge by this. What are you doing sitting here, gossiping like woman?" Naelahrys snarled. "Excuse me for acting out of place, but I won't sit down without a purpose of doing so."
"We have no choice, the River Lords cannot remain idle, while our lands and fields are being pillaged, their families taken and their soldiers being put to the sword." Lord Edmure stated. "I agree with the Lady Naelahrys, we need to fight back. We cannot sit around while they take our lands."
"We cannot, not yet." Robb stated, sharply. "We have no hostage, my mother saw to that."
"Lady Stark has to be punished accordingly for her crimes." Roose Bolton said, his cold told the same as his eyes and this caused her to stiffen.
"You touch Lady Catelyn and I'll break every bone in your body!" She hissed lowly and their eyes met. "Ser."
"Enough, my mother has been punished enough." Robb stated, silence her. "Jaime Lannister still has to be re-captured."
"We should've killed the blond bastard while we had the chance, tortured him for information, I would have made him sing." Ser Karstark growled, banging his fists against the table.
"Then we are doing the very thing Lord Stark spoke up against." Naelahrys said, firmly. "He would have disapproved of this."
"Lord Stark, you know nothing of him, Targaryen! Your bastard family killed not only his own father, brother and sister but hundreds of thousands of innocent people!" Lord Karstark shouted, then regained his composure. "You Targaryen's were and still are monsters. As are the Lannister's."
"Aye, I suppose. But what of my sister and brother, what of my aunt and uncle, they were children, just like I. We weren't monsters." Naelahrys denied angrily though his words plagued her mind. I'm not a monster, am I?
"No. He did not mean it, Naelahrys." Greatjon spoke gruffly, but kept his voice soft. "Lord Stark is no more, but King Robb is, you ought to show him more respect. House Targaryen is no more and the bitter truth is, you are merely a hostage to House Stark, you serve them, nothing more, nothing less."
"Aye, you don't think I know of that?" Naelahrys snapped. "Sansa is in King's Landing with that tyrannical cunt of a boy, and you are arguing over who to marry! You aren't doing anything, Robb!"
"He's doing more than you ever have!" Lord Karstark snarled, tears in his eyes as he spat at her, before standing up, towering over her. "My sons, they didn't deserve it either and they were murdered! My boys!"
He raised his hand as if he was going to hit her and she closed her eyes, in preparation, but instead he collapsed back into his seat, wheezing heavily. She re-opened her eyes and said nothing. Naelahrys pitied the man greatly, once again she was angered. Baratheon. Greyjoy. Lannister. Lord Karstark wiped the stray tears on his face and beard away and covered his face, she could see him shake from sobs. Greatjon and Lord Edmure patted the man on the back, she remained stunned. They reduced a man who was known as a fierce warrior to tears.
"I cannot ever excuse what they have done, and they will pay for this, they will pay for having wronged you. I am sorry for the loss of your sons, I do know how you feel." She whispered, softly her voice growing darker with each word she spoke. "Lord Stark, my love for him knew no bounds.I loved him, he saved me from being slaughter and for that, I can never repay him, only in the way of serving his children and wife. And, Bran...and Rickon, I loved them as if they were my own brothers, now they are dead, because of him. When my dragons are grown, Lord Karstark, I promise-"
"What are you saying, Naelahrys?" Robb asked, curiously, as the Lords stared at her in anticipation.
"They have made these kingdoms bleed, they have harmed and enslaved and butchered innocent people. I shall not forget that and I shan't forgive that. When my dragons are grown, they will see fire, they will pay for their crimes against the innocent." Naelahrys said, in a hushed voice, as she stared into the lit candles at the center of the table. "Winter is coming, Robb Stark, but an inferno will come with it and will make their rising dynasty fall. No beast, be they from the skies to the seas shall be safe for what they have done."
The room fell into an eerily silence, before long, banging of feet started, and then they started to chant, as if they were riled up by her words, she let out a sigh. Robb held his hand up, and the room fell silent again, he looked at her, pride evident in his eyes, but there was something else in his Tully blue eyes which confused her. She gave him a curt nod, which he returned.
"How did you escape King's Landing? Many say that although you had your dragons, you had people at your side, I want to send them my thanks, personally." Robb inquired, smiling.
Should I tell him of Ser Barristan? Or should I hail him as Arstan Whitebeard? She didn't know, and she was reluctant to let them know of Nissa, as well. All eyes were on her, as she gnawed at her lip and then sighed. From birth to her death, she had never been as good a liar as she'd like to be, withholding information, she could do that, but straight up lying, she found difficult and her eyes always gave her away, like they seemed to do with almost everything. My origin. My name. My emotions. Jon always said although her eyes were beautiful, he could read her like a book because of them. Her breath hitched as she made her decision on deciding to tell them the truth.
"I escaped with the help of Nissa of Jocelyn, she helped me escape King's Landing." Naelahrys stated, wincing.
"Where is she? Is she here?" Robb inquired.
"Aye, she has sworn her loyalties to me."
"Where is she?" Robb demanded, firmly.
"She is in my tent with-" Naelahrys paused, his name got caught in her throat, as a lump formed in her throat.
"With who?" Robb asked, confused, but she refused to answer. "Who?"
"Barristan Selmy." Naelahrys answered truthfully. "He is the very reason I am alive."
Naelahrys winced, waiting for a reaction, but she got none. Instead, they broke into whispers, occasionally glancing towards her and then Lord Karstark's face formed into a large grin, as he slammed his fists onto the table, in what seemed to be approval.
"I see that the Gods are favoring us, Your Grace." He boomed. "You'll get your sister back soon enough."
"Aye, Ser Barristan is wanted by Stannis and Renly Baratheon, they want him to join their cause. Though, we could trade him for Sansa, as Cersei Lannister wants his head." Greatjon muttered, causing her eyes to widen significantly. "He is a wanted man, Your Grace."
"No, he is sworn to me. Robb-" Naelahrys pleaded, turning towards him. "He is a skilled swordsman, the best that has ever graced these Kingdoms, please."
"A lot of people seem to be sworn to you nowadays." Lord Karstark spat, and she knew he was referring to the people of Harrenhal. "You are a woman, learn your place. You are a hostage, learn your place. Your Grace, I say all those who oppose you should be put to the blade, we cannot have traitors or cowards among us, not in these dark times."
"You will not touch them! They are innocent people!" Naelahrys seethed. "That makes you no better than the Lannisters."
Naelahrys found that riding herself of guilt, made her feel better and she did not care for when he jumped to his feet, knocking over everything in his path and began to roar in her face, despite Greatjon and another man at the table trying to restrain him. I do not care for the likes of them, not anymore. She looked on impassively as he spat at her feet, snarling and growling like a direwolf that adorned House Stark's banners..
"How dare you! You silver-haired bitch! I'll gut you, comparing me to the likes of them!" Karstark roared, with incoherent curses thrown at her.
"Lord Umber, escort Lord Karstark back to his tent, sober him up will you." Robb ordered, sighing. "Everyone else may take their leave, we'll continue this discussion at dusk."
All the men seated around the table stood up to take their leave, all giving her a heated glare. Besides that of Lord Bolton, whom just stared at her, as he walked passed and as if to mock her or rile her, she wasn't sure which he was hoping for, let a small smirk creep onto the side of his face. Naelahrys listened to the men struggling to restrain Lord Karstark, as they dragged him outside into the cold, bitter air. Until all that was left was herself and Robb, who had a disappointed and angered look on his face.
"You've changed, Naelahrys." Robb noted, bitterness evident in his tone.
"So have you." Naelahrys retorted, gripping the back of a wooden chair. "We both have."
"I do not care, I am disappointed and so would my Lord father, by what you have said." Robb scolded. "This isn't you."
"Yes it is." Naelahrys said, speaking in a hushed, blank voice. "You do not know what has happened-"
"He lost both of his sons!" Robb yelled, speaking over her. "He is grieving-"
"And so am I!" She screamed, knocking the chair to the ground, rage filling her. "It hurts so much, that...that I can barely breath! I loved them, and he took them from us!"
"We will have are reve-"
"No, I will have my vengeance. I'm going to travel to Winterfell and I'll rip that bastard kraken to pieces! I'll tare him apart, because I want to see his eyes, I want to see his eyes, and see the look in them, when he knows it will be over. When he knows that he is dying...I want him to suffer, they were just little boys...and we'll never see them again..." Naelahrys croaked, breaking out into sobs, as she fell to her knees. "We will never see them again..."
As Naelahrys took in a ragged breath, a strong smelling cloth covered her mouth, her eyes widened, as she struggled against the person, she immediately knew what the smell was, it was essence of nightshade. She began to grow dizzy, as she felt her mind begin to slip away, she turned her head slightly, looking on at the person behind her. She saw a woman of what looked like Free City decent staring down at her, worriedly and she fell fully to the floor, her head hitting the ground hard, as she continued to let out shaky sobs as their voices became muffled, but she shook her head vigorously, fighting against the effects.
"...Ser Barristan...to me." Robb said, as his blurred face appeared in her line, "And...dragons..."
Naelahrys began to struggle but he lifted her into his arms, cradling her softly. Her eyes steadily shut, her lids growing heavy as tears trailed slowly down her face. All she wanted to do was go home, and selfishly wanted everything that she couldn't have. Winterfell. Lord Stark. Bran. Rickon. Jon.
"I...I can't..." Naelahrys slurred, trying to form words.
Robb hushed her and was seemingly muttering words to her, as they slipped through her dazed mind and she forcefully found herself succumbing to darkness.
It was initially the chirping of birds and the constant clatter of weaponry that caused her to stir awake, though she barely could open her eyes and her body felt heavy. What happened? She struggled to remember, what frightened her was that she couldn't move, and that is what made her eyes shoot open. She looked around her surroundings, she knew that she was in her tent, but she was bound in rope, and was no longer wearing the dress she had since leaving King's Landing. She was no longer dirty, as someone had cleaned her and dressed her in a grey gown. She briefly wondered if it was that woman she had seen last night, or at least she thought it was last night, as her memory slowly came back. That woman! Naelahrys struggled against the rope, yelling out, in irritation.
"Lady Catelyn!" She screamed, "Robb!"
An armored arm drew back the flap on the tent, and Ser Barristan entered, he brought back normality to her, as he was dressed in his usual armor and had his sword, attached at his hip. Nissa followed in tow, as she came out from behind Ser Selmy and quickly reached her side, looking down at her with worry.
"Are you feeling well, my Lady?" Ser Barristan questioned.
"Why am I in chains?" Naelahrys inquired, pleadingly. "Am I a prisoner, now?"
"Yesterday, the Lady Catelyn thought it wise to let you rest, but her son, he had other ideas and decided it best to restrain you and sanction you to your tent." Ser Barristan stated. "Ask it of me and I shall release you and we shall leave, leave for Dorne or perhaps, if you so wish, the Narrow Sea."
Naelahrys gave him a nod and he approached her, taking a dagger from his wrist and slicing at the ropes, her arms fell to her sides, but she immediately cradled them as best as she could, as they were raw and burnt from having pulled them, her ankles were just as bad. Both her wrists and ankles were bleeding and she sat up on the make-shift bed, looking pointedly towards Ser Barristan.
"I think it is best if we leave, some are claiming you mad." Ser Selmy answered.
"I am not mad!" Naelahrys denied, as she whimpered. "I'm not."
"Yes, you are." Nissa said, suddenly, and Naelahrys cast her a confused and hurt look. Am I?
"No, not in that way, Naelahrys. You may be mad, but you are not insane. There is a fine line between madness and insanity, madness makes the weakest people brave, madness makes the idiots, wise. While insanity, insanity has made monsters of men. And you, Naelahrys, are the maddest woman I know of." Nissa stated, giggling at the end.
"Aye she speaks wise words, war can change any man." Ser Barristan proclaimed.
"I am no man, Ser Barristan." Naelahrys stated.
"No, that you are not. The war is not out in the battlefield." He said, pressing his finger towards his head. "The real fight, the real war is inside us and it shall never end until are last breath."
"War can bring out the worst inside of us." She agreed. "And I doubt that war shall stop anytime soon."
"It will." Nissa said, eagerly. "The war will end, and when it does, it shall be a better world."
I hope you are right, Naelahrys thought. She looked around the tent, dread settling in her belly when she saw that her dragons weren't anywhere in sight. Her brows furrowed and she looked on with panic towards Ser Selmy and Nissa.
"Where are my dragons?" Naelahrys demanded.
Ser Barristan and Nissa shared a look of uncertainty, causing her immediately to stumble to her feet, not caring for the dizziness she felt or the protests from both Ser Selmy and Nissa. She reached for the entrance of the tent, though all she felt was confusion. There was nothing but the burnt patches on the ground, rage filled her, as she looked on at the spot on the ground furiously and left the tent, looking at the working men and woman of the camp and screamed, as that was all she could do, for the rage she felt.
"Where are my dragons?"