A/N: Hi, guys! How have you been? Still been busy, but things have become a little easier to handle.
Anyways, let's get right into it.
Helaena cut her serving of beef steak into thinner slices before putting them in her mouth. Swirling her goblet of Dornish red in her hands, she took a sip, enjoying the mixing of tastes and feeling that came when good wine and well-cooked meat came together. She then ripped apart a piece from her loaf of bread, freshly baked from the ovens, and savored the softness of it. The bread helped absorb whatever moistures were left from her intake of Dornish red and any remainders from her steak.
Although Rhaenyra eventually removed the guards from outside her quarters and allowed her to have one lady attend to her, Lady Rosey Rosby, daughter of the Lord Rosby who was executed for remaining loyal to Rhaenyra, Helaena still chose to take her meals in her quarters. I don't want to see Rhaenyra or Daemon as I eat, because they have yet to earn my trust. And if she thinks that good food will make me come to her side, she better think again.
It had been several weeks since she remained in Maegor's Holdfast, although it was now in the hans of the supports of Rhaenyra instead of her full-blooded brothers. Even though the pain of Jaehaerys' death was still present in her, she could take comfort in the fact that her daughter Jaehaera was alive and well and that Maelor was somewhere safe with his grandmother or his uncles. If she had to choose who would be his guardian, it would be Daeron. Aemond is cruel and Aegon is a pig. But Daeron has always been good to me.
She chose not to think too much on how the war was going on, as that brought back memories to when she had to deal with the affairs of the Seven Kingdoms while her brother-husband spent half of the time whoring with the many maids and women in court and all over King's Landing. She didn't think much on it at first, since her mother Alicent told her that it was a man's world and that such things were natural if a marriage had a chance to last for many years. How does a marriage last long if a husband can play with another woman while I have to be devoted to him when he does?
But the line was crossed when Helaena came from praying in the sept, where she walked back to her chambers and heard moaning and sheets rustling behind the door. Walking through the door, she found Aegon humping one of the servant girls in the Red Keep, a woman who worked in the kitchens if she remembered correctly.
"Get out," Helaena was not letting the girl apologize, as she wanted her out of her sight before she got angrier. She scurried out of the room while Helaena felt a strange fire emerge from her insides as she stared at Aegon's nude and plump form. What made it worse was that he didn't even try to cover his cock, showing how little he really cared about what happened next. He was everything that their father wasn't, in that their father was jolly and full of love for everyone. But Aegon was not only vindictive, but he was insecure. Worse, he tried to make up for his inadequacies with sleeping with as many women as possible to prove his manhood.
"You do this? In my chambers?" Helaena was incensed when she saw Aegon humiliate her for the first time, but this was one step too far in her mind.
"She was here to give you your serving of dates and lemon cakes," Aegon pointed to the table, which had two empty plates save for the crumbs on them. "I just thought we could pass the time while you were praying in the sept."
"So, you fooled around in my chambers and then you ate my food?" Helaena was exhaling loudly, trying to control her rage.
"Come now. You need to lose some weight. You might still have a good figure, but your belly is not as flat and thin as it was once after Maelor was born," Aegon brushed aside her words while having the gall to comment on her body.
"The same could be said of you, Aegon, considering that you hide in your quarters to eat alone and try to avoid your studies with cakes and wine," Helaena shot back.
Aegon stood up from the bed and put on his robes as he walked menacingly towards his sister-wife. "What did you say?"
"You hardly look like a proper prince yourself." I'm not going to take this anymore, she thought. "You don't train in the yard as Aemond and Daeron do and you don't ride Sunfyre as much as before. You are fat, Aegon."
"And who the fuck are you to tell me what I am and am not? I have known you since we were children, so don't think that your anger isn't something that I have seen before."
"Oh, and is that supposed to make me worried?" Helaena scoffed. "I've known you since you were a boy, Aegon, and I knew you when you were crying and pissing in the bed when our mother couldn't cuddle you like you always wanted."
"Be careful what you say to me, Helaena. I am your husband and you will show me respect."
"Why should I? You might have given me three children, but they don't know that their father is a whoremonger and an overeater."
"And they don't know that their mother doesn't have the beauty that we dragons are known for."
"Beauty? According to you?" She wasn't going to deny that Rhaenyra and other women of House Targaryen were more beautiful than her, but her brother-husband never did possess the best judgement in looks, which complemented his inability to control where his dick pointed very well. "I guess I should give my regards to Lady Agnes then," she said sarcastically.
"What was that?" Aegon became more pissed.
"I had seen to her and I saw the rips in her gowns. The only reason why I didn't tell father was because I didn't want my children to know that their father forced himself on another woman, which would damage their minds forever. That's what a mother would do, but you don't even know how to be a fucking father!"
With that, Aegon backhanded her face, making her collide to the wall and fall down while her forehead bled.
"You bitch! You don't know what the fuck you are on about. And in case you don't know, the way she sounded… she begged for it!" Aegon sneered.
Helaena was surprisingly calm, considering her forehead was bleeding. "I thank the gods that I bore two sons and a daughter. I will love them forever, but I can also take comfort in the fact that I did my duty and never have to feel your cock in me again."
"You fucking…" Aegon threatened to step towards her and hit her again before stopping. "You know what? I agree. I never liked your cunt anyway."
"Makes two of us them," Helaena bit back.
"Perhaps, I will see another of your ladies tonight," Aegon flashed a sick grin before walking out of the chambers, leaving Helaena in shock at how much of a raping monster her brother-husband really was.
Helaena willed herself from thinking such a horrible memory. But her disgust soon turned to sorrow, wrapping her arms around herself in comfort. Seeing Daemon and Nyra together, much as she resented them, Helaena couldn't deny their love for one another. Why am I condemned to never know the loving touch of a good man? She sighed. As a mother and a Queen, or a former Queen, she had not time for such recriminations.
Wiping her mouth with her handkerchief and calling a servant over to collect her plate and empty goblet, she exited her chambers, followed by Lady Rosby, who she judged as amicable despite what her brother-husband and Aemond had done to her father.
Walking into the hallways, she walked up one of the guards that stood at attention. From the merman sigil on his surcoat, he originated from House Manderly, pointing to how the original household guards that supplemented the kingsguard had been purged and replaced by men from houses that had declared for Rhaenyra.
"You," Helaena moved up to the guard. "Do you happen to know where my daughter is? The Princess Jaehaera?" It had been too long since she felt her in his arms and as a mother, she needed her child close to her.
"She's currently with the Princesses Baela and Rhaena, the Prince Aegon, and the Lady Shiera," the guard answered.
Helaena knew who Baela and Rhaena were. The Rogue Prince's brats. And she was still uncomfortable at Rhaenyra giving her firstborn son the same name as her brother-husband. But Shiera was a mystery to her. Who is she?
"Where are they?"
"They are in the gardens at this moment, Your Grace."
"Thank you," and Helaena and Lady Rosby set off towards the gardens.
Like the godswood, the gardens of the Red Keep were among the few places where one could find some tranquility in the midst of the all of the plotting that took place just nearby in the throne room. Helaena herself found comfort in the gardens, as it was one of the few places where she could move about freely and get respite from her brother's "affections."
Life continued on even as a war raged, since the gardens still had a few highborn walking around. And the men dipped their heads while the women curtseyed to her, but not as enthusiastically as before. Aegon is not here and I am but a captive.
Soon enough, Helaena found Jaehaera sitting on a stone bench with Baela, Rhaena, little Aegon, and a Valyrian woman who looked much older than the rest. Another of Daemon's likely bastards?
But to her surprise, Jaehaera sat very closely with little Aegon and they seemed to hold each other's arms. Rhaena and the Valyrian woman where holding two ends of a book, with Baela next to the youngsters, and they were all immersed in whatever they were reading.
Rhaena and Baela did indeed inherit Laena Velaryon's beauty, as seen from slim forms and hair and eyes that really fit them. Little Aegon seemed to be the perfect balance between Daemon and Rhaenyra, as he had his chin and forehead but had her cheeks and eye shape. Maybe in a few years, all the maids in the realm will come to crawl their fingers in him.
As if sensing her, Jaehaera looked up from the book and jumped down from the bench to run towards Helaena. "Muña!"
She bent her knees, opened her arms, and embraced her daughter tightly. Kissing her forehead and running her hands along her back, she almost cried at feeling her child ever since Aegon and whatever remained of his council left them there. They did leave us here, only caring about Maelor.
Not that she cared much about Aegon at this point. All that mattered was her daughter.
"How have you been, muña? They said that you needed to rest," Jaehaera looked into her eyes.
"It's been a long few weeks, tala," Helaena ran her hand down her cheek. "But I'm here now."
Jaehaera flashed a smile before pulling her hand. "Come on, muña! Shiera is telling us a story about how the dragons defeated Princess Nymeria. And guess what? She got her book all the way from Lys!"
"Is that so?" Helaena raised her eyebrow at Shiera.
"We were just about to read the good part," Jaehaera kept pulling on her.
Deciding to indulge her daughter, Helaena mustered the best smile she could and followed her.
Respecting her status, Rhaena and Baela stood up to make room for Helaena to sit next to Jaehaera, with her taking Rhaena's place.
"Descending from the sky were three hundred dragons, who burned the Rhoynish to a crisp and making Nymeria flee in terror while the rest of her people were captured and put to better use," Shiera continued. "The Rhoynish wrought great pain on the Valyrians, which they repaid tenfold by destroying all traces of the water wizards making sure that the light of the Rhoyne would never outshine the one from Valyria ever again."
That is not how I learned it. Maester Orwyle was quite neutral when he talked about the Rhoynish Wars, emphasizing only on the destructive aspects of them instead of what was gained. Whatever book Shiera held in her hand was very much in favor of the Valyrians, since it showed the wars as a consequence of Rhoynish actions.
"The dragons came onto the watermen and burned them," Jaehaera said with a little too much excitement. "Someday, I want to ride my own dragon and burn whoever I want."
Helaena patted her head. "I'd like to see that also, tala. But… be careful of who you wish to hurt. And dragons can't just be used however you want."
"Why not?" Jaehaera asked.
Helaena sighed. "A dragon will be connected with its rider for life and he or she will feel the same feelings you have. If you're happy, the dragon will be happy. If you're sad, the dragon will be sad. And if you're angry—"
"The dragon will be angry?"
Helaena nodded. "So be careful when you do have a dragon. And the children who might have hurt you might just need time to grow up before they can change."
"Like kepa?" Helaena's eyes darkened. "I hear you and kepa scream at each other sometimes. But I am not mad at you, since I did see other women enter his room."
Baela and Rhaena glanced at each other while Shiera listened with curiosity. Even little Aegon was surprised at this revelation.
"Be careful of who you talk to about that," Helaena warned Jaehaera. "It is something that I still have to take care of, and I don't need other people being involved."
"With respect," Baela stepped in. "She already told us everything. But please don't be mistaken in thinking that such occurrences will negatively affect our perception of you."
"And how so?" Helaena narrowed her eyes at Baela.
"Well… you're not like Aegon or Aemond," Baela began with. "And given what Jaehaera said about how Aegon treated you, it only confirms for us that not everyone of your mother's blood is evil."
"Careful," Helaena pointed her finger at Baela. "That's my mother you speak of."
"But where is she?" Shiera asked from behind her. "Where is your husband? Where are the rest of the councilors that sided with him? If they really did care about you, they would have done everything in their power to get you out. But they didn't."
Helaena gave her a mean look. "I'm sorry. Who are you?"
"I'm Shiera, daughter of Daemon Targaryen and Lady Mysaria."
The Lysene dancer? "Now that I see it, I can recognize a little of Daemon's blood in you."
"Of course," Shiera shrugged. "But going back on point, the people who left you here might come up with as many excuses as they could, but the truth of the matter is that they didn't see you as important enough. Otherwise, why are you still here?"
Helaena flared her nostrils, but she couldn't deny the logic behind her words. Alicent always did prefer her brothers to her, and she only supported her marriage to Aegon because it kept Hightower blood among her brood, an attitude that the rest of the green council had.
"To add on her words," Rhaena joined in. "Our mother treated you with decency. Many others would not have done so and she didn't have to, but she did it anyway. Do you know why?"
"Enlighten me," Helaena wanted to know where this was going.
"You have our blood, so that makes you family. And this war is tearing us apart, when in fact, we're stronger together," Rhaena answered. "Just like Jaehaera here is our family."
Helaena blinked, not expecting an answer like that. Family? Is that why Baela and Rhaena took to her so well after Laena died, because Rhaenyra treated them as her own?
"Something to think about," Baela finished. "And with your permission, we would like to bring Jaehaera to the kitchens to give her some lemoncakes."
Jaehaera beamed before looking up to Helaena. "Can I go, muña? Please?"
Helaena chuckled, amused at how the brood of Daemon had found the way to her daughter's heart. "All right. But only one piece, okay?"
Jaehaera jumped from the stone bench and grabbed Aegon's hand. "Come on!" And the two ran towards the kitchens, while Baela, Rhaena, and Shiera curtseyed to her before following after them.
Seeing how close her daughter was to Rhaenyra's oldest son by Daemon brought back memories to when she still had affections for her brothers. But out of all of them, only Daeron retained her good feelings. And she was worried about the prospect of Jaehaera progressing her relationship with little Aegon forward, given her experience with married life. Will my life be the one also waiting for Jaehaera?
"Your Grace," she heard a man with a deep northern brogue address her. Looking to her left, she saw what appeared to be a northerner with a black beard, long raven black hair, grey eyes, and wearing the sigil of the direwolf.
"Who are you?"
"Cregan of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North," he answered.
Helaena nodded, uneasy at being addressed by one of Rhaenyra's strongest allies, but given how she was treated so far, she didn't have any strong cause to be worried for her safety in Rhaenyra's custody. "My lord," she held out her hand.
Cregan kissed it. "I trust that you continue to be well-treated by Queen Rhaenyra."
"Decent enough," Helaena admitted.
Cregan looked in the direction where Jaehaera and the others went. "It's a strange feeling, isn't it, Your Grace?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Family. They say that blood is thicker than water and that no matter what happens, family will be the only thing left when the others have gone. My wife, Arra, gave me my boy Rickson, while my second wife Alysanne Blackwood birthed Sarra and Raya before passing on," Cregan looked to the ground in sadness.
"I am sorry, my lord," Helaena offered in sympathy, but she was puzzled at Cregan's sudden words on family. "But, I'm not sure why you are saying this."
"This war happened because certain people ignored the value of family, but as I observed Queen Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon, I became more convinced that I chose the right side for my house. They treat their family well, including you and Princess Jaehaera, and that has to say much about where their true priorities are," Cregan replied as he quickly recovered from his brief moment of sorrow.
"Respectfully, Lord Cregan, your words don't carry a lot of weight, considering that you imprisoned your uncle and your cousins no matter how much justification you provide," Helaena pointed out.
"But I didn't kill them, Your Grace," Cregan made clear. "Their actions deserved death, but no matter my feelings, they were family and I didn't want to spill my own blood regardless of what they did. Lesser men would have done so for more trivial reasons."
"And would you say that my husband and brothers are like that? You would speak of my siblings so lowly, my lord?"
"Not all of your brothers," Cregan corrected. "I hear that Daeron is a good boy and has a sense of decency, but his support of his brothers is understandable, because he somehow believes in the same things that I believe in regarding family."
Helaena's eyes widened. She knew that Daeron would follow his family whether they were in the right or the wrong. But how did Lord Cregan know that?
"Aren't you supporting Rhaenyra because of Jacaerys' marriage to your half-sister?" She wasn't yet convinced that Cregan had pure reasons for supporting Rhaenyra.
"Well, I admit that was brought me and my bannermen this far, but I am convinced that a marriage into House Targaryen will not just be politically advantageous. Connecting my family with the brood of Daemon and Rhaenyra might set a good precedent for all to follow, as soon as people see that there is more to them than what others have said," Cregan explained.
Helaena crossed her arms. "You haven't known them as long as I have."
"Which is not much to go on, Your Grace, since you've been confined and then chose to remain in your chambers," Cregan said honestly. "As for myself, I am part of their council and thus possess an understanding of their personalities. If you really wish to see the truth of my words, maybe interact with them."
Helaena wasn't ready to do that yet, but Cregan's words were getting to her.
"Shall I relay to the Queen and the Prince Consort that you wish to speak with them, Your Grace?" Cregan offered.
"Why are you being involved, my lord?" Helaena was confused as to why the Lord of Winterfell was bothering.
"Because I value family and given my own experiences, I understand that family strength comes in unity, not division. And I would not be doing my duty if I didn't help in restoring the bonds between my lieges, Your Grace."
Helaena became more struck at how candid the head of House Stark was being with her.
"If you wish for me to relay your wishes, I can do so soon, because I have more business with Queen Rhaenyra," Cregan suggested.
What have I got to lose? They treated my daughter with kindness and she's happy, Helaena finally thought after a few minutes. "All right."
Cregan dipped his head to Helaena. "Your Grace."
As the Lord of Winterfell walked in the direction of the throne room, she found herself more conflict on what everyone had said about family. But just as important, she kept staring at Cregan's back, impressed with how a young man was able to conduct him so well at court. It certainly helped that he was strongly built, had a large sword strapped to his side, and carried himself with a strong air of certainty, all of which Aegon had lacked.
Did the gods want me to talk to Lord Cregan? If so, I look forward to more words exchanged with him.
Rhaenys sat in the solar of the Tower of the Hand, across from Rhaenyra, Daemon, Lady Mysaria, Ser Medrick Manderly, and Cregan Stark and also next to her husband Corlys.
To her, it seemed as if a lot of time had passed from the last time that she had stepped foot in the Red Keep. Rhaenyra sat on the Iron Throne, her granddaughters Baela and Rhaena were accorded the honor of being princesses, and she was about to welcome one more grandchild with dragon's blood. Nettles is a good girl and like Nyra promised, her child will be well taken care of.
At the same time, it felt refreshing to enter King's Landing without people whispering "It's the Queen Who Never Was" behind her back. Although she had moved past such low insults regarding her being the only child of Prince Aemon and Lady Jocelyn and how her grandsire so disgracefully put her aside, old habits die hard and she would have been tempted to slap the next person who dared call her by those words. Fortunately, because she was the goodmother of the rightful Queen, no one dared to badmouth her while assuming she couldn't hear.
And besides riding Meleys to King's Landing, Rhaenys never felt more powerful now. Her status as a princess didn't really do much for her during the reign of her grandsire and Viserys, even though she couldn't blame her first love for not doing including in the decision-making processes of the realm. But with her arrival and given that her Velaryon husband was Rhaenyra's Hand of the Queen, she was afforded a position on the small council as an advisor.
At the moment, only the Hand, the mistress of whisperers, and the two other advisors of the council (both being northmen) were present, as they wielded enough trust from her niece and nephew regarding the intimate matter that they were about to discuss.
"Before we begin, I would first like to formally welcome my aunt and goodmother, Princess Rhaenys," Rhaenyra gestured to her. "Even though the war is still raging and there is still much work to be done in stabilizing this city, it's good that you are here."
"Thank you," Rhaenys smiled.
"And as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, I have also decided to accord her the honors associated with a dowager queen, as she is the grandmother of two princesses at the moment," Rhaenyra continued. "Any objections?"
All present shook their heads, especially Corlys as he grinned at the honors laid upon his wife. But knowing her, Rhaenys knew that she would have done it anyway without their approval.
"All right. Let's begin with the first and most important piece of business: the recovery of my son, Prince Viserys," Daemon started.
Rhaenys was very worried about her youngest grandnephew's, and grandson's, safety, as he was held by forces currently hostile to her niece and gooddaughter. The reason why she was able to arrive in King's Landing only now was because there was relative inactivity from the Triarchy's threat on the Blackwater Bay and so only required the presence of the royal fleet to safeguard both Dragonstone and Driftmark. In addition, she had fully healed from her fight with the elder Aegon and was more than happy to be in the presence of her family again.
"Lady Mysaria," Rhaenyra started with the mistress of whisperers. "What songs have you heard regarding my son?"
"Your Grace, the songs I have heard have not been exactly forthcoming on his exact location," Mysaria answered. "But I did have an acquaintance with Bambarro Bazanne, a magister in Lys and the Triarchy's most dynamic leader. If anyone would know about where Prince Viserys is, it'll be him."
"What can you tell us about him, my lady?" Ser Medrick asked the former Lysene dancer.
"Like most men who made their fortune in Lys, Bazanne established his through control over many of its pillow houses and the slave trade. He also has close connections with the Rogare bank, currently the largest bank in the Triarchy and second only to the Iron Bank in terms of influence and financial content," Mysaria explained.
Rhaenys was only vaguely familiar with Magister Bazanne and the Rogares.
"Given that Lys is on an island and surrounded by whatever is left of their fleet, there is a high possibility that Prince Viserys is there and in the custody of either Bazanne or one of his partners, very likely the Rogares," Mysaria added.
"If that's the case, then we can expect to pay a fortune for his return," Ser Medrick assumed. "But it'll be also very unlikely that Bazanne would even let him go, with the hostilities between us and especially what happened with Saera Targaryen."
Everyone in the room knew the notorious tale of Saera Targaryen, the trouble child of Jaehaerys' brood but one who was treated so cruelly by her father and thus entered a pleasure garden in Lys.
"We need as much as coin as we can hold, as we have to pay for the troops and also think about rebuilding the realm once the war is over," Corlys said. "So, we can't pay the ransom for Prince Viserys' return."
Rhaenys raised an eyebrow at her husband. He was not known for being miser or careful with his coin, as he had spent quickly whatever riches he had acquired from his travels.
"I agree with the Lord Hand in that," Cregan joined in. "But I believe that we have an option and it will require some daring on our part."
"What do you mean?" Daemon became interested, as did the rest of those in the solar.
"From the lady mistress' word, Prince Viserys is for sure on Lys. I suggest we open negotiations first for his release."
Rhaenyra blinked. "That's hardly a good option, Lord Cregan, given what we had discussed."
"With respect, Your Grace, I was not finished. And there's a reason why I brought up the negotiations," Cregan replied.
Rhaenyra sighed before gesturing Cregan to continue. "Now, Aemond and the rest of the usurpers will also try to obtain custody of Prince Viserys. Alongside his safe return, our priority is to ensure that we are the only ones with the bargaining chips, namely Princesses Jaehaera and Helaena, while preventing the enemy from gaining their own. If we open our negotiations with the Triarchy in secret, we might be able to prevent the Triarchy from dealing with the usurpers exclusively."
"And where is this 'daring' part of your option?" Daemon, like his love, was getting impatient.
"The purpose of the negotiations is to buy time," Cregan responded. "Meanwhile, we select a few men of our own to enter Lys in disguise, track down Prince Viserys' exact location on the island, and if possible, snatch him from captivity."
Silence fell in the solar, most not expecting the head of House Stark to come up with an audacious plan with so much uncertainty attached to it.
"There are but a few complications with your option, Lord Stark," Mysaria looked at Cregan. "The Lysenes, my people, will be able to recognize Westerosi in an instant. It won't be long before the magister's men will view them with suspicion and imprison them as spies."
"I trust you have someone you can trust on Lys, Lady Mistress?" Cregan inquired.
"I do, but they might be hard pressed to explain the presence of northerners on Lys."
"Will the Lysenes be able to tell the difference between the First Men and Andals?" Cregan pointed out. "Besides, what can they say about traders coming in with fur coats?"
"My lord?" Corlys cocked his head at him.
"I know men from White Harbour who had conducted business in Lys before, men who are here in the capital right now," Ser Medrick clasped his hands together on the table. "They still have connections with the various traders there and I recently heard from a man sworn to my house that people from my home have continued their business on the island."
"Don't the Lysene know that the Starks are with us?" Daemon crossed his arms, still puzzled as to this gap of knowledge from their enemy's part.
"From what I heard from that man, Your Grace, who in turn heard it from his Lysene patron, the damaging of their fleet caused chaos amongst the Triarchy and there is tension brewing the powerful in the Three Daughters," Ser Medrick elaborated. "The good thing about that is that they are so focused securing themselves against each other that there are cracks forming in their general defenses, allowing men from White Harbour of all places to continue trading there."
Rhaenys was surprised at that pieces of news, as was most of the others in the solar, all except Cregan and Mysaria.
"Did you know of this?" Daemon turned to the mistress of whisperers.
Mysaria cleared her throat. "I did hear that Bazanne is having trouble keeping the rest of the Triarchy in line, especially since he has to defend the merits of Admiral Lohar. The Lysene ships were largely spared of the destruction at Driftmark, which quickly inflamed opinion among the other magisters."
"And you decided to tell us this now?" Rhaenyra exclaimed.
"I had to keep track on the man they called the Shepherd, who is as much of a threat to our cause as are the Triarchy and the usurpers. But I apologize for letting that information slip my mind," Mysaria offered remorsefully.
Rhaenys had heard tell about this Shepherd, who was gaining ears from especially the well-off sections of the capital. And it explained why the City Watch was more active than she had seen before. What exactly is this Shepherd planning?
Daemon came in the defense of his former lover. "She had important duties to fulfill, so we'll set aside her error. But Ser Medrick's information does change things."
"Which makes my option more viable," Cregan stated. "The magisters are too focused on each other, so we use that to our advantage. With the combination of House Manderly's connections to Lys and Lady Mysaria's little birds on that island, the chances of a select group of fighters going in under concealment to find and snatch Prince Viserys have increased."
Daemon and Rhaenyra slowly grinned at the boldness of Cregan's plan, as did Rhaenys. Here was a man who was about half the age of Daemon, but he already had a growing list of accolades to his name. Starting from asserting his rule over Winterfell at the expense of his uncle and cousins, he led the northmen southwards on an advance faster than anyone expected and helped secure both the riverlands and King's Landing from the usurpers. And now, he was doing what no Stark so far had ever done in the Seven Kingdoms and had come with a daring proposal for the rescue of Viserys that also had a good chance of success. Where was this man all my life?
But suspiciously, Corlys merely listened. When Daemon went on his conquest of the Stepstones, Corlys was very happy to support him since his goodson was a man after his own heart. But whether he held some prejudices against the northmen or didn't see Cregan's plan as bold enough for his taste, his present behavior was very unbecoming of him. What in the hells is going on with him? she thought.
"Lady Mysaria," Rhaenyra looked at her mistress of whisperers. "Work with Ser Medrick on developing a plan to infiltrate Lys and rescue my son. Meanwhile, continue your efforts against the Shepherd."
"It will be done, Your Grace," she dipped her head, as did Ser Medrick.
"Corlys, continue to receive updates from the fleet at Driftmark. Tell them not to commit any offensive actions, as we need the magisters to continue focusing on each other rather than us," Daemon turned to his goodfather.
"Of course," Corlys nodded lightly.
"And Lord Stark, can you stay for a few moments? I feel that our previous discussion must be continued," Rhaenyra said to Cregan.
"Of course."
What discussion? Rhaenys sensed something odd about her words.
As Ser Medrick and Lady Mysaria exited the solar of the Hand, only Rhaenyra, Daemon, Corlys, and Rhaenys remained, the latter two because this was their residence in the capital as long as Lord Velaryon was the Hand.
"You impress me, Lord Cregan," Daemon drank his wine goblet. "Never thought a Stark would be capable of subterfuge."
"Perhaps you should read more of your history, Your Grace," Cregan stared back at him. "We Starks haven't ruled the north just on honor alone, as King Theon showed."
"Right. The Hungry Wolf," Daemon chuckled. "Crushing the Andals and crossing the ocean to their homelands. But he was the loud type, not someone you would expect to be sneaky."
"Who said that he was always rowdy when he did what he did? After all, the secret deeds are not ones that are usually written in the books," Cregan shrugged.
"You have a point over there," Daemon grunted in affirmation.
"And in addition, if the Lysenes have the same beliefs regarding my people as I have heard in this room, then the plan will work, as they wouldn't expect honorable to accomplish it," Cregan added.
Daemon chuckled, amused at how Cregan addressed the usual southern prejudice against the northmen without getting overly offended.
Why do I keep liking this Lord Stark more? Rhaenys found her amazement with the Lord of Winterfell growing, as he was able to trade wits with the one people still called the Rogue Prince.
"Regarding our last conversation," Rhaenyra stepped in. "Daemon and I have discussed it in length. Given your merits so far and especially the daring that you have displayed even now, we have decided to accept your request."
"Which request are you talking about?" Rhaenys had to know.
"Part of the reason why Cregan came with his northmen was the pact made between my son Jacky and Sara Snow," Rhaenyra explained to her goodmother. "The pact will continue through his daughter Sarra Stark and my son Viserys."
Rhaenys' eyes widened, as did Corlys. But for Cregan, he smiled in gratitude.
"Why haven't you discussed this with me before?" Corlys seemed frantic, surprising the Targaryens in the solar.
"Because it was a private matter as much as it was a political one," Daemon answered for Rhaenyra. "And given how much the northmen have done for us, we have an obligation to fulfill our vows with some of our strongest supporters."
"My gods, man!" Corlys ran his hand through his hair. "Do you even realize how the lords will react? They will object to a royal betrothal between Viserys and a northern girl."
"Careful, Lord Hand," Cregan growled through his teeth. "That's my daughter you speak of."
"You dare talk back to me, a boy who never even seen the outside of your frozen wasteland?" Corlys shot daggers at Cregan through his eyes, but the Lord of Winterfell stood his ground.
"You're one to talk, Lord Corlys, given you never been north of the Neck before," Cregan scoffed.
"The hells did you say to me, boy?" Corlys walked closer to Cregan, their foreheads almost colliding.
"Enough!" Rhaenyra shrilled. "This bickering is getting us nowhere. But goodfather, you're in the wrong here."
"What?" Corlys was shocked to hear those words from his gooddaughter.
"You might be the grandfather of Joffrey and you did show me kindness, but you forget one thing. I am the Queen and regarding matters of the family, I will make my own decisions. Viserys is my son and therefore, I have control over who he can marry," Rhaenyra put her foot down.
"Marriages especially between princes are matter of the realm, something that you can't decide on your own!" Corlys cried out.
"Corlys, be mindful of your place!" Daemon shouted. "And you're overreacting. To the rest of the lords, Viserys is the spare to little Aegon, so there won't be as much protests as you might expect. Plus, it is a good match, as we'll finally have northerners tied to the realm, something that is long overdue."
"But—"
"And that's all we'll hear on the matter," Rhaenyra cut him off. "On another note, I have decided to accept your request to include the boys Addam and Alyn in the succession for Driftmark should there be no more eligible claimants."
That quieted Corlys, as the death of Laenor and two of his grandsons left the successor of the Tides lordship in question.
"Thank you… Your Grace," Corlys said quietly.
"Now, I'm afraid I have some personal business with my daughter Visenya. I will see you all on the morrow," Rhaenyra stood up, had Daemon take her by the arm, and they both exited the solar.
As Cregan was about to also leave, Rhaenys stood up. "I'll walk you out, Lord Cregan." Before she did, she kissed Corlys on the cheek. "I'll be back, love."
Corlys smiled at her. "Don't make me wait."
Rhaenys nodded before both she and Cregan left the solar, but the Lord of Winterfell and the Hand exchanged one more glare. "I must apologize for my husband's words. He only has his family's interests at heart."
"Just as I have mine to worry about, Your Grace," Cregan answered.
"I must say that I am intrigued. You have three children to care for, and yet you're here down in the south and have proved your loyalty to my niece. What drove such actions on your part?" she inquired.
"Besides the Stark honor, I just needed some time, Your Grace."
"From what?"
"From dealing with my wife's death," Cregan admitted.
Rhaenys looked at the young Warden of the North empathetically. "I'm not going to say that I'm sorry, because those words are inadequate when describing loss. I have lost both of my children before my time, and no words could describe my sorrow when they both passed."
Cregan smiled sadly. "Thank you, Your Grace. Especially for sharing that with me."
"And I must say, not many men could persuade Daemon as you have done, but you did. What's more, you got a royal betrothal, which is more than what the lords sworn to my niece could hope to obtain at this point," Rhaenys showed how impressed she was.
"I merely wanted what was owed to my family when Prince Jacaerys, the old gods rest his soul, married my sister and took her maidenhead. Betrothals are not decisions to take lightly and I am aware about any potential protests the rest of the south might have," Cregan answered.
"Well, if it means anything, you have my support, Lord Cregan. Just bring Viserys back," Rhaenys told him as they had reached the exit of the Tower of the Hand.
"You have my word, Your Grace," he dipped his head before leaving towards another area of the Red Keep.
As for Rhaenys, she moved back up the steps of the Tower, looking forward to what time she had with Corlys but also keeping the young Warden of the North on her mind. Will have to watch out for him. Proves that youth is no factor concerning experience.
A/N: Helaena's flashback with Aegon was quite difficult for me, especially with the one in the last chapter. But her daughter Jaehaera is fitting in very well with the rest of the family, and Cregan is showing her the respect that she didn't get from Aegon.
And Rhaenys is showing herself as a valuable member of the Targaryens. However, it can be said that this chapter focused much on Cregan Stark based on his interactions with the dragons, giving important advice and getting along with all of them. Well, all except Corlys, who sees the Stark as a threat to his influence. That could only spell dark days for the Starks and Velaryons, both of whom have interests in ensuring that Rhaenyra wins but have different views of the future, with the Pact going against Corlys' ambitions. Consequently, we might have a seen a glimpse into what will happen years down the line in this universe.
Till next time.