Song: See You For What You Are by Ramin Djawadi
Fianna
"You stand in the presence of Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, Rightful Heir to the Iron Throne, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms-"
"Five," Robb cut off Missandei's declaration, startling her into silence and causing Fianna's mouth to lift in the slightest of smiles.
"My lord," the foreign girl began again, face twisted in confusion. "Daenerys Targaryen is the heir to the Seven Kingdoms."
"The North and the Riverlands will never again fall under Targaryen rule," he stepped forward until he was by Fianna's side, a furious glint in his eye. "And if that is why you have brought us here, to gloat your titles with false claims, we will be leaving promptly."
"I can assure you, it is not," Daenerys spoke finally, appearing somewhat amused by Robb's defiance. She was told Northerners were the hardest to control, and if it were, Robb Stark was the belligerent head of the family.
"Then why have you invited me?" Fianna demanded, her jaw stiff with how uncomfortable the situation truly was.
The blonde Queen pursed her lips, raising an eyebrow as she stepped down from the small stairs leading to her seat. Immediately, the guards around her tensed, uncomfortable with her proximity to the Stark Lord who so clearly distrusted her. But she waved a hand to qualm them.
"I've heard stories as far as the Land Overseas about you, Fianna Bua," she started, only stopping her stride when she was right in front of her, a mere foot away. "It intrigued me. The stories of a Mad Queen who was undefeated in battle. Never did I question how truly brilliant the mind of that Northern Lady must have been. So, with that, I should hazard a guess that you know exactly why I called upon you."
"Well," Fianna swallowed harshly, formulating a response in her mind that wouldn't give herself away. "I can't imagine a Queen with three dragons and several armies has any interest in what my mind has to offer."
"And what of a familial bond?" She outright asked, exposing the subject they had been dancing around tensely. Fianna couldn't bring herself to answer right away, simply staring in silence.
She had always longed in a family full of boys for a girl to bond with. But that was before she had married Robb, and had gained two sisters with that marriage.
"I wasn't sure at first, I only knew of my mother's love for your grandfather, but now that I see you..." Daenerys broke off, her emotional appearance conflicting Fianna. Surely, a future Usurper, and a Targaryen at that, wouldn't be so affected upon meeting a mere niece?
"Well," Daenerys exhaled with a nod, "now that I see you, I feel certain."
"I..." she broke off, fully aware of her staring husband beside her but feeling completely unable to lift her eyes from Daenerys. "I know."
"So it is true?" She pleaded for reassurance.
"It's true," Fianna whispered, grey eyes meeting blue. Movement caught her peripheral vision, and she looked down to see that Daenerys was offering a hand to her - the only greeting the relatives felt comfortable with, given their estrangement.
Nervously, she lifted her hand and wrapped it around Daenerys forearm.
"I had spent my life with my brother, never knowing anyone else in my family, until now. My brother is gone, but my niece lives on," she smiled wistfully, the statement feeling slightly odd given that Fianna was almost the same age as Daenerys, only but a year younger.
"I have the strangest sensation that I know you from somewhere," Fianna breathed a chuckle, blinking rapidly and looking away from her piercing stare. But she couldn't deny the feeling, surely she had met her before.
Robb had been silent for the duration of the meeting, for Fianna's sake instead of respect. He couldn't deny that his sudden proximity allowed him to see aspects of Daenerys that were present in Fianna. At first glance, they couldn't look more different, with Fianna's unruly dark curls contrasting against Daenerys' neatly fastened blonde locks. But the similarities were there, surely. With the set of their jaw, the curve of their upper lip and the fierceness of their eyes, it was entirely believable that they were related.
But as he watched as Fianna's resolve started to melt upon meeting her, his remained unwavering. Family or not, Daenerys simply couldn't be trusted. She had come to Westeros to conquer the Seven Kingdoms, much like Aegon had. He would not allow Jon to be Torrhen.
They walked side by side along the cliff of Dragonstone, and although Daenerys was eager to converse with her, Fianna was reluctant. It was physically obvious which of the two was more interested in talking, judging by their body contact.
As Daenerys talked more, Fianna got a sense that the girl had nothing other to talk about than her triumphs, from the past to the future. Never once did she speak of a lover, nor even a friend, or a simple anecdote of her life spent overseas that was not followed by someone burning to death.
She wondered if the Queen's mannerisms were traits she had developed across the Narrow Sea, or if it were simply because her main, and only, goal was to conquer Westeros.
Admittedly, the brunette Northerner began to zone out mentally from the conversation as Daenerys continued on with the story of her dragons hatching - born upon fire and sacrifice. She imagined it would have been a tale fit for a wondrous child, or a nosy handmaiden - but not Fianna. A former Queen herself, who had more than enough stories of her own.
A screech roared through the skies, as if on cue, as soon as Daenerys finished the recap. The two stopped at the edge of the cliff to simply watch the majestic creatures soar. As mistrustful as she was, Fianna couldn't help but admit what truly beautiful creatures they were. She could only hope their destructive rampage wouldn't be unleashed upon her loved ones.
"I named them after the men in my life," Daenerys began wistfully, staring proudly with her head tilted back. "Drogon after Drogo, Viserion after Viserys and Rhaegon after Rhaegar."
"I must admit," Fianna smiled falsely, "from the stories, neither man sounds honourable enough to deserve a dedication."
The slight smile Daenerys had worn dimmed immediately, followed by a firm set to her lips.
"Not all of us were lucky enough to be blessed with a sane father and a betrothal that was to be desired," she deadpanned.
"I never understood why Targaryens like to fasten themselves as unlucky for their madness," she replied in an equal tone, "as if it hadn't become increasingly obvious over the years the inbreeding played a part."
"You would do well to watch your tongue, Lady Fianna," her voice was tight, full of restraint. "Do not overestimate the kindness I offer to you as a platform to insult my- our family."
"They are not my family," Fianna muttered, neither girl looking at the other. It was silent for a few moments, and Fianna had silently thanked herself for the daggers holstered onto her thighs and ankles - a knack she had learned was useful from the Red Wedding.
"Are you sure?" She smirked suddenly. "You remind me so much of Viserys." Her comment caught Fianna's attention, who's head whipped around to look at her, eyes full of confusion and offence. "Viserys was a fool, it was true, and you may not be. But he knew what he wanted and what his views were, and not a woman alive could have swayed those beliefs or his will."
Fianna never answered her explanation, and after a few more moments, they eventually moved away from their spot to walk again, where conversation was renewed.
"How can you be so sure you can trust a Lannister?" Fianna questioned.
"Worried for my counsel, are you, niece?" Daenerys smiled softly. "Tyrion has proven his loyalty time and time again, he has no reason to honour his family and knows full well the extent of their cruelty."
"I'm merely concerned for how many Lannisters in Westeros will maintain positions of power. He's a Lannister, blood is alway thicker than water," she argued.
"It is indeed, and you have sided with the Starks, over your own blood." This time, the walk stopped so Fianna could whirl around and face her.
"That is enough. We may share blood through Rhaella, but you are not my family. I was born a Bua, and I became a Stark. I was never Fianna Targaryen. Do not think for one second that the the long-running hatred between your family and mine settled the second Aifric burned. I will always choose the Buas and the Starks before the Targaryens, so if you brought me here to gain an ally, you will be disappointed."
By the time Fianna finished her rant, her cheeks were flushed. Daenerys' expression was unreadable, her mouth set in a thin line and eyes dead set on Fianna's.
The brunette made a mental note to stop threatening the Mad King's daughter with no army except her own surrounding her, on an island with three dragons.
The atmosphere was tense, and for a second it was as if Fianna was a Queen again, facing down another, both from equal positions of power.
Movement in the corner of their eyes caught their attention, as well as the heavy thuds of large feet slapping onto the ground. The two women looked over to see Viserion, perched on a clearing at the top of the cliff and letting out a roar through his craned neck.
Compelled by the sheer size and strangeness of the creature, Fianna began to make her way slowly towards him, with Daenerys at her heels. The blonde watched intently - Viserion, like his namesake, was a rather shifty dragon, who's mood could flip any second and take form in the devouring of Fianna Stark.
As she neared, she walked slower and slower until she was a couple of feet from the dragons head, staring transfixed. A couple of moments had passed before anyone spoke again.
"You can try to touch him, Drogon let Jon and he doesn't even have Valyrian blood," she encouraged quietly, eager to see the reaction. It was well known that dragons could only have one rider, a rider that must have the blood of Old Valyria.
Fianna turned to look at Daenerys, visibly debating with herself over her next move. Despite the encouragement, she knew exactly what it meant if Viserion let her touch him. That she was more Targaryen that she thought, or wanted. That thought alone was far scarier to her than the other potential reaction, which was he would simply open his mouth and burn her to a crisp.
The red-tinged dragon fixed his gaze intently on her, low grumbles of warning rumbling through his massive mouth, that could easily swallow her whole. Despite the fierceness in his eyes, and the threat his teeth posed, Fianna couldn't stop the nagging urge within her to reach out nonetheless. Just to see.
Almost involuntarily, her hand rose from her side, and that was when she noticed her fingers had the slightest shake. They stretched out towards his nose ever so carefully, mindful that quick movements may set him off. As she neared, Viserion's grumbling lowered, and he even leaned his head toward her hand. As if he were waiting to be touched.
But alas, the fear of the unknown became too great.
Fianna dropped her hand back down to her side, her gaze falling to look at the ground as she swiftly turned away to head back inside.
Robb
The cool sea winds whipped through his reddened curls fiercely, but his eyes did not wade from the scene happening below.
Stood next to Jon, the half-brothers watched the exchange silently. Despite being far from the setting, they still felt the tension build as Fianna's hand reached up, prepared to stroke the dragon. Jon had taken note of his brothers clenched fist and the worrying crease between his brows, and decided not to mention he himself had faced off with the biggest of the three beasts.
"I've never seen you like this," he remarked, taking Robb's focus away.
"Like what?" Robb asked, turning his head to look back again.
"Fretting over a girl," Jon smirked, "back in Winterfell you never chased anyone, it was always the girls chasing you."
"You'll understand when you fall in love with a woman, Jon," Robb visibly deflated with relief when Fianna's hand dropped and her body turned to walk away. The implications of what a dragon bond would mean for her were implicit enough, but he was far more worried about the fact she was in close proximity to a winged monster.
"I already understand, Robb," he admitted, a reminiscent smile curling up the corners of his lips.
"Eh?" He gave him his full attention, beaming with amusement. "Who is the poor girl then? Or is it poor man? You did spend a good bit of time in Castle Black."
"I think you mean who was the poor girl," Jon corrected, his tone thick with underlying emotion. Robb's grin faltered immediately, falling into a sympathetic one as he clapped his hand on Jon's shoulder reassuringly.
"I'm sorry, brother."
"Not that much of it matters anyway," Jon scrunched his nose, playing it off, "when the Army of the Dead come we'll all be a little too dead to love anyone, anyway."
"How will you convince her to help?" Robb dared to question.
"She already has been convinced," he raised his eyebrows, catching Robb's surprise, "if I bend the knee."
"Well that's settled then," Robb announced, elaborating when Jon raised an eyebrow questioningly, "we're all going to die."
"We may all die anyway," Jon shook his head. "Before you arrived, Daenerys took a single dragon and wiped out Jaime Lannister's fleet."
"Well, what do you know. I may like her after all."
"You don't think it was a cruel, merciless and unfair act of war?" Jon bristled.
"No less cruel, merciless or unfair than orchestrating an attack on unarmed men and woman at a wedding," Robb fired back, his eyes unforgiving.
It was silent then, until a shape on the water below the causeway they stood upon caught their sight.
"Who is that?" Robb asked curiously, trailing down the steep hill to get a closer look near the beach. It was small, a mere rowboat with several men inside, having come from a larger ship in the middle of the water. Jon followed after him, the two men heading towards the beach where the boat was heading to dock.
As the boat neared closer, the sails became increasingly obvious as Robb became increasingly quiet.
"Is that a Greyjoy ship?" Jon tensed, eyes narrowing.
"Yes," Robb answered drily, picking up the pace as he, Jon, a few Dothraki soldiers and Missandei headed toward the beach to 'greet' the boat.
Robb barely blinked upon reaching the sand, his eyes scanning each individual as they dragged the boat inland, waiting for the slightest indication that his childhood friend was one of them.
In what felt like hours, but was probably only a couple of minutes, the boat was dragged onto land and firmly set. Immediately thereafter, Jon froze at the sight of the man at the front, who had just turned around.
Robb grit his teeth so hard he was sure one would crack, memories running through his mind like the hooves of a sprinting horses feet. Flashes of a time he had preferred to shut out.
Theon hadn't changed much, except for the fearful gaze on his face. If there was one thing Theon never showed Jon and Robb during their youth - it was what he looked like when he was scared. His face was paler than the sky, posture as tense as wound string.
"Robb?" He forced out after neither Robb nor Jon said anything. "I didn't... I didn't know you escaped."
Those words broke through the ice encasing Robb's body, propelling him forward in a speed walk and heading straight for Theon's collar, his hands wrapping around it fiercely and dragging him forward for closeness.
"Give me one good reason I don't kill you wear you stand, you traitor," his voice spoke lowly, but deadly.
Theon's mouth gaped like a fish, trying to formulate words. He was a mere shadow of the man he used to be, perhaps that was why his next words convinced Robb to drop his grip.
"B-because I was taken by them, too."
Robb took a step back, a sneer on his face as he did so.
"You were taken after you abandoned us and tried to take over the North. Tried to take over my home. Tried to kill my brothers."
"I know," he gulped nervously, eyes flicking down to face the ground, "I deserved to die for it."
"I would rather you did die than go through torture at the Boltons hands," Robb admitted, a moment of weakness shining. With that, he turned to leave, hearing him ask Jon about Sansa in his wake.
Daenerys had called for a meeting, but Robb and Fianna didn't care to make haste. They were seated on a large boulder, overlooking the sea and the cold, grey sky ahead.
"I'm shocked you didn't kill him on sight," Fianna commented after he relayed the tale of his encounter with Theon.
"Nothing I could do to Theon Greyjoy would be worse than what he's already been through," he replied, posture stiff and expression troubled. His old friend had served as a reminder of his own time with the Boltons, and it was clearly affecting him.
Fianna had began to notice that some days were worse than others for Robb. There were days he would appear strong, full of conversation. Others, he was withdrawn, only replying when spoken to directly. He had told her his days sometimes depended on the dreams he had the night before, other times, he simply couldn't control his emotions.
All she could do was listen to him and be there, and hope it was enough. She wrapped her arm around his and rested her cheek against his armour-clad shoulder, something he refused to remove since arriving.
"What does Daenerys want from you?" He questioned suddenly, eyebrows furrowed as he stared into the distance.
"I'm not sure of her exact intentions," she admitted. "Although from what we've discussed so far... it almost seems like she just wants family. I suppose if you think about it, even without you and the children I have Tiernan and my grandfather. Daenerys has no one other than followers and advisors."
"I'd imagine she wants you to move down here, ride a second dragon and be the Visenya to her Rhaenys?" He smirked playfully, looking down at her.
"Perhaps you can be Aegon and we can share you," she joked, smiling back at him. "You need not fear, my love. Any bond forged with Daenerys will never encompass my allegiance nor my loyalty."
He couldn't help the genuine smile that lifted his lips, and prayed a silent thanks to the Old Gods and the New for delivering him a wife as perfect as she.
"I know Northerners are rather stubborn, but I didn't take them for tardy as well," Tyrion Lannister's voice broke their moment just as Robb planted a kiss upon Fianna's forehead. "The Queen summoned you quite a while ago."
"She's not my Queen, Lannister," Robb fired back, his tone dropping from doting to defensive.
"And there comes the stubborn part," he remarked smartly. The couple reluctantly stood from the rock, turning around to follow after the imp towards the council room. "I believe your brother will have news you'd be interested in."
PHEW! Another chapter and there's only about three left until hiatus, which is kind of scary, but I'm also really excited to write them!
Lots of scene building in this chapter rather than major events, but it's a necessity with what's to come. Fianna quite obviously doesn't want to bend to her Targaryen side, as much as Daenerys wants her too. I hope everyone was okay with Daenery's characterisation, she'll have her own POV soon but this chapter was mainly focused on what Robb and Fianna think of her. And Robb and Theon will have another chance to talk too, try to remember if you're wondering why Robb didn't lay him flat that Robb and Theon were both tortured, and although Robb's was harsh Theon's was way worse.
Anyone have any theories about what direction Robb and Fianna will go? Will she become a second dragonrider? Will she burn like Aifric? Will Robb stop hating Daenerys?
Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing, it means the world 3
starevolution - Thanks so much as always for your support! Plenty more Dany and Fianna to come, she's just being a little prickly at the beginning ;) Till next time!
Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967 - Thank youuuuu! Hope you enjoyed this one too x
Scoob96 - I'm so glad you're starting to like my direction! I told you to wait and see ;) I'm also glad you don't think focusing on Robb will undermine her. I think he's made a lot of sacrifices for her, so her moving to Winterfell instead of staying in Baelfort isn't that big of a deal. You're very right, Robb is a little taken aback by Jon's leadership by showing up at Dragonstone, and it will surely cause problems between them as Jon and Dany grow closer. I've filled this chapter with so many incest insinuations I think Fianna will need to step back soon enough ahah, hope you liked this chapter x
angelicedg - Thanks! Dany likes Fianna, but Fianna doesn't trust her because she was raised on the belief that the Targaryens were terrible, just like Robb was. They'll have the chance to grow closer, not to worry x
Guest - Awww thank you! I hope you like what's to come! x
Scribbled Truth - This was a pleasure to read! It made my day the first time I read your comment! Thank you so so much, it means the world to me 3
