A/N: Hi, all! Been busy, but I am still updating as usual.
Baela was slowly awaking while she, her siblings, her mother, and her grandmother had endured a series of trying nights for them all. Upon arriving at the Red Keep, she ran into Maegor's Holdfast and up to where the Queen's chambers were. She found her father, the one they called the Rogue Prince, the one she looked up to, and the strongest man she ever knew, lying in the bed with his eyes closed. He was breathing, but he had difficulty doing so and he was sweating profusely. Her mother was lying next to him, her head on his shoulder and clinging onto him, Rhaena was holding onto his hand with Shiera rubbing her back gently, her little brother Aegon sitting next to Jaehaera and never looking more scared in his life, and her grandmother Rhaenys was were eerily still as she watched her goodson barely clinging onto his life. His previous lover Mysaria sat with her hands clasped, still feeling affection for the father of her daughter but having the good sense to let family be the closest to him. Lastly, Cregan Stark was there, as he was the man who helped pull Daemon out of the waters of the Gods Eye and brought him back to King's Landing with all possible haste after they triumphed against Aemond.
Her mother the Queen saw Baela enter and gestured for her to join them. She didn't hesitate as she laid atop of her father's chest and kept her face buried there while crying. Father, why are you like this? Why are you here?
It became more difficult for her to bear when Rhaena told her what their father's first words were: "Nyra? Nyra? Why can't I feel my legs? Where are they?" To see their father in that position, a brutal reminder of the cruelty of mortality… Why? she could only manage.
Maester Gerardys regularly checked their father's condition. "You will live, Your Grace. But you cannot walk again. I am very sorry." His reaction to the news just added to the torment that they were all going through. They expected him to grab his tunic and demand he do something to fix it, as he would have no intention of being bedridden while he could still ride a dragon and swing Dark Sister. But in this case, Caraxes was dead, her corpse pulled from the water by several oxen and horses, and put under heavy guard by Benjen Stark to wave away any who tried to cut trophies from her body. Her father had ridden Caraxes for much of his life and she was there when he went on his campaign in the Stepstones and many trembled at the mention of his name. But without his dragon, it was as if the important parts of his heart and soul were ripped out and the only thing tying him to the world of the living was that he had a woman who loved him, children who adored him, and people who still admired him.
Baela saw Cregan asked her grandmother, "Where's Princess Helaena, Your Grace?"
"She just bonded with Silverwing, but she'll be back from Dragonstone soon after she get used to her," she whispered to the Lord of Winterfell. "If you're going to be part of the family, you should say her name more often. You can say it in my presence."
Cregan smiled at Rhaenys' kindness. "Thank you."
Baela had to take in the fact that Helaena, her cousin and the one who suffered so much under Aegon the Usurper, had managed to bond with Silverwing, the mount of Alysanne Targaryen. It showed her that she indeed possessed an underlying strength and was worthy of a dragon such as her silver mount. She was also thinking of what would await Cregan Stark, as his lady companion was now a dragonrider. Hope he is up to the task, even though he is the best man to be with Helaena after the pig.
After three days of staying at his bedside, with their meals brought to them, Rhaenys had all of them clear out of the room save for Rhaenyra, who insisted on staying by his side. There was still a realm to govern and they needed to stay alert even though the core armies fighting for the "green" cause had been decimated.
As they were all going back to their separate chambers in Maegor's Holdfast, Baela could hear Silverwing's roar and her wing flaps. Rhaenys guided Cregan to where she would land and thus be reunited with her. It's almost nighttime, so they will have much to do then, she mused.
Upon returning to their chambers, Baela was surprised when Rhaena and Shiera closed the door behind them. She gave them a look of confusion. "What are you doing?"
"Baela, what's going on?" Rhaena asked her.
"What are you talking about?"
"How long has it been going on?" she pressed.
"Rhaena, you are not being very clear. Tell me what you are talking about," Baela told her.
"Can you please stand straight?" Shiera asked in her Lysene lilt. Baela did so and Shiera went to her and squeezed her breast hard.
"Shiera, what are you doing?" Baela recoiled.
"Baela," Rhaena crossed her arms. "We all know the signs of pregnancy, and you have them."
Now that they were talking about it, Baela did suspect something was off about her. It didn't become evident until she was flying on Moondancer with Benjen Stark's riverlander army and once she had an idea, she was hesitant on telling anyone.
"You know that I love Daeron, right?" she asked her sisters.
"I assumed you were infatuated with him, but I didn't know it was love," Rhaena answered.
"Well… I was able to see how much he loved me and how we're meant to be together."
"Explain," Rhaena said.
Baela talked about the duel over the Red Mountains, how Daeron saved her life from Ulf, how they made love over two days, and that they promised to each other to stay alive and see each other again.
Shiera and Rhaena glanced at each other, beyond shocked at what their sister revealed. As the latter said, she assumed that Baela was merely smitten by the attractiveness of their cousin, but she never thought that it was anything serious. As for Shiera, she had only arrived recently and didn't know about Daeron besides the fact that he was fighting against her father, which decreased the chances of her accepting an enemy commander not only loving her sister but also impregnating her.
Baela became mad. "I am carrying your future niece or nephew. I would have thought you two would be happy for me."
"How can you be happy about this? You even know what this means?" Rhaena threw her arms up. Despite their differing responses, they both knew of the consequences should her condition be brought to life.
"What? I tumbled with the enemy, is that it?" Baela asked pointedly.
"Not only that, Daeron is the youngest of your uncle Viserys' sons and therefore can threaten Rhaenyra based on that fact alone," Shiera illuminated. "If you carry his child, it might give the forces of the Usurper cause to prolong this war."
Baela wanted her relationship with Daeron to be consummated, but neither of them considered the political implications of their bond. "Daeron would never try to act against me for his advantage."
"It doesn't matter what he thinks or does," Shiera said sharply. "If you carry his child, he or she could endanger our house, the ones who sided with the rightful queen of the Seven Kingdoms."
Baela clutched her belly protectively. "I will not let anyone harm my babe. Also, how could you be thinking this? Jaehaera loves you two, and you are courteous with Helaena. If you hated Daeron that much, would you have treated them as family?"
Seeing the point in her words. Rhaena relaxed and cleared her throat. "All right, I think we're letting ourselves be misunderstood here. We don't want to hurt you, Baela. We want to protect you and our words were only given because we are trying to do exactly that as best as we can. You really think that I'm going to let anyone hurt my nephew or niece?"
Baela sighed in relief. "I just couldn't help it. I love Daeron and I only wanted one man to start a family with. There's been so much pain in our family, so I wanted to have something that could mend it."
"And we understand completely," Rhaena rubbed her shoulders in assurance. "We will do what we can to protect you and your babe, but you have to understand that you cannot hide this forever. You are going to have tell someone."
"We will be with you when that happens. Present a united front if we must," Shiera declared.
Touched by their words and promises, Baela brought them closer to a tight hug. "Thank you."
"You're our sister. It's the least we could do," Rhaena whispered against her neck.
They spent the night sleeping in each other's arms, enjoying a rare moment of tenderness and peace when the most of this year and the last was filled with torment, suffering, and pain amongst the family.
The next morning, when they were able to break their fast, all of them heard a dragon wings flapping and a roar that they didn't expect to hear this close. Baela dropped her spoon as she realized which dragon it was. Tessarion…
Seeing her reaction, Rhaena and Shiera followed her out into the yard, where many of the guards and more of the family had also shown up and looked upwards at the sky, to see the Blue Queen herself flying in circles with Meleys, Syrax, Silverwing, and Moondancer. The first three were understandably hostile, given that their riders had fought against him. For Moondancer, they had spent enough time in each other's company to not fight and flew close to her, which confused the other three dragons and those watching. They will know what's going on soon, those who have a brain, Baela thought.
Upon seeing that Tessarion had no intention to fight, the three largest dragons with the "black" cause allowed her to land at the yard. However, she didn't fly back into the sky, as the guards surrounded her and Daeron. She snarled at the ones who threatened to harm her rider, but Daeron told her to calm down.
"Put your weapon down, traitor!" Ser Torrhen ordered him, as everyone in the Red Keep knew what the youngest brother of the Usurper looked like.
"Good ser, I mean no harm," Daeron answered. "I wish to speak with the Queen."
"Not before you surrender your swords and agree to come with us to the Black Cells," Corlys commanded.
"My lord, if I had any intention of fighting you, do you think I would have landed here and talked with you in the first place?" Daeron asked rhetorically.
"Stand down, men! Stand down!" Ser Lorent Marbrand ordered them. Baela, along with the rest of the family, were surprised to see the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard escort Rhaenyra to the yard. Upon the entrance of the queen, the guards withdrew their weapons and stood at attention.
Rhaenyra approached her youngest brother with a hard stare. Despite having the same father, the events of the war had taken their toll on their relationship, in which they acknowledged each other's existence and meant no ill-will towards each other but her marriage to Daemon and Alicent's interference prevented them from getting close.
The two siblings eyed each other, everyone else in the yard anxious at what would happen next. Then, Daeron drew his sword, causing Ser Lorent and the guards to ready their weapons, but he surprised them all by burying it into the ground and going on one knee. "Your Grace, there are no words that could excuse my conduct from when this war started. But from this day forth, I, Daeron of House Targaryen, pledge my undying loyalty to you, Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protectress of the Realm, as I should have done. My sword and my life are in your hands, and they shall always be at your command and those of your heirs," he declared.
The guards, household, and courtiers whispered amongst each other, not expecting this display to occur after all of the blood that had been spilled.
"Why now, Daeron? You should have declared for me when this war started," Rhaenyra made it very clear that she was not in the mood to absolve him.
"Your Grace, I followed my brothers out of loyalty to them, but it took me too long to see that I was on the wrong side of the war. My brother Aegon is not fit to rule and my other brother Aemond showed no concern for those that serve us and has now paid the price for his callousness with his life. I am no leader and it is only right to join the one who can bring the realm back from the brink," Daeron responded.
"He could be a spy, Your Grace," Ser Lorent eyed him suspiciously. "Sent here to do the usurper's bidding for us."
"Ser Lorent, nothing gives me more displeasure than to continue serving my pig brother, especially after what he called my sister," Daeron spat.
"What did he call her?" Rhaenyra asked.
"He heard about you dissolving the marriage between him and Helaena and he called her a whore among others while daring to question the parentage of my niece and nephews. After that, I couldn't fight for him anymore and that is why I am here," Daeron answered.
Rhaenyra considered his words, clearly tempted to accept them but she wasn't ready to do that. "What proof do you have of your changed loyalty? I assume you heard of Ulf and Hugh, and I don't need any more potential traitors in my ranks."
With that, Daeron unbuckled another sword from his belt and raised it to her. "Your Grace, I present to you the sword of our ancestor Aegon the Conqueror, Blackfyre."
Everyone whispered at each other, since there was no surer way of proving his words as he would have to defy his brother to take his sword and fly all the way to the Red Keep with it.
Rhaenyra grabbed it gently, taking in the sword that by rights should've gone to her regardless of any training that she lacked. Ser Lorent held the sheath as she drew it out. Besides Dark Sister, Baela saw it as the most beautiful and fearsome blade in the world. It was the sword that made cut through many foes and helped Aegon create the Seven Kingdoms under the Iron Throne.
But Baela was worried about her using the sword against Daeron. He had no intention to fight but she didn't seem to be in a forgiving mood.
"This is a great gift, Daeron. Thank you," she put Blackfyre back in its sheath. "But even though you have bent the knee, you should have done it when this war had started. You must face the consequences of your actions, so before I decide what to do with you, you will spend some time where traitors go," she said before gesturing to the guards. "Take him to the Black Cells."
Baela was shocked at her mother's actions, but she wasn't when Daeron didn't try to resist it.
"What about the dragon, Your Grace?" Ser Lorent asked.
"Ah, yes," Rhaenyra eyed Tessarion. "Daeron, don't have your dragon attack us, or things will become worse for you."
Daeron rubbed her snout, as if reassuring her that everything will be all right. Tessarion grunted, but she did nothing as the guards took him away. He and Baela were able to have one glance before he was led down to the Black Cells. She felt her heart skip a beat when he gave her a small smile, showing that he was also happy to see him. I can't let go like that.
Baela wasn't going to let her love be treated as a prisoner. With Rhaena and Shiera at her side, she went to Rhaenyra's solar. "Come in," they heard after knocking. "What is it?"
"Muña, Daeron surrendered. Isn't it too much to have him thrown to the Black Cells like a common criminal?" Baela asked.
"He might be my brother, but he did betray me and served Aegon until now. I might have accepted his oath of loyalty, but I am not ready to forgive him just yet."
"Please. So much pain has already happened, with kepa not being able to walk again and Caraxes dead. Hasn't there been enough pain already?"
"And who started it? Aegon disrespected my father's wishes and Daeron did nothing. I lost three sons and your brother Viserys is a captive. Will you forgive them if they did the same to you?"
"It's different with Daeron, muña."
Rhaenyra clasped her hands together. "I understand that you might have feelings for him, but he led our enemies in battle and set back our progress. Moreover, Aemond might be dead, but the older Aegon and he are still enough to challenge me. I cannot allow the 'greens' to have any chances to fight me, or we will all suffer. I will not risk that, not after what happened to your father."
Baela understood her position, and if she was being honest with herself, she could see herself having that same rationale. However, Daeron was in the Red Keep and was within her grasp. She wasn't going to allow the love of her life to suffer as a prisoner, not after what was happening.
"You have something more to say, Baela. Tell me what's on your mind," Rhaenyra told her.
Baela took in a few breaths to prepare herself. Staring at Rhaenyra in her eyes, she mustered up her courage. "I'm with child, muña."
That certainly got her attention. "What?"
"You heard me. I am pregnant."
Rhaenyra sank back into her chair, not expecting that. Although she knew that Baela and Daeron were fond of one another, she did not expect them to have taken their relationship to the next stage. Baela could see the conflict in her face, as her mother wanted to support her daughter's chance at happiness but had to balance out her wants with her duties as queen.
Rhaenyra composed herself. "How? Who?"
Baela gulped. "It is Daeron's child, and it happened while we were still in the Red Mountains after we both killed Ulf and Hugh."
"Wait. Daeron was there also?" No one knew that detail, which also included Rhaena and Shiera.
"He saved my life from Silverwing, and it's only because we worked together that we have one more dragon on our side than another on the ground," Baela revealed.
Rhaenyra's breath became shaky with worry, while Baela could see that Rhaena and Shiera looked betrayed that their sister had hid that fact until now. "So, what do you want to do with it?"
"Do what?"
"I can have Maester Gerardys give you moon tea and that will be the end of that. No one will have to know," Rhaenyra said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Baela's eyes widened in horror. "No! I will never, ever do that!"
"Keep your voice down," Rhaenyra hissed. "You want to give birth to a bastard?"
Baela slammed her hands on the table. "My babe is no bastard. It is my child, and your niece or nephew, and grandchild."
To her credit, Rhaenyra kept still. "No matter your feelings, you would condemn your child to a life of bastardry? Is that what you want?"
"That certainly didn't stop you, muña."
"I beg your pardon?" Rhaenyra stood up in anger.
Baela saw the error in her words, while Rhaena and Shiera winced. "Muña… I'm sorry," she tried to take it back.
"No, you have something to say. Say it."
Baela sighed, the words not being able to return behind her lips. "You expect us to believe that Jacky, Luke, and Joffrey came from Uncle Laenor? Whoever the father was, all three of them endured the hardships of being suspected bastards, which is just as bad as being bastards. I don't care who you slept with, because you treated me and Rhaena with love. But you would deny me the chance of sharing joy and love with the father of my child."
Rhaenyra was very conflicted by her daughter's words. Although she didn't know the truth, she knew enough to suspect that Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey were not fully Valyrian and that didn't stop her from condemning them to hardships because of their birth. And she learned long ago to never behave like a hypocrite, with Baela's revelations being the first serious test of her lessons since then.
"Who else knows this?" Rhaenyra asked after taking a moment.
"Just the two of us," Rhaena gestured to herself and Shiera.
"Good," Rhaenyra nodded. "All right, Baela. You'll have it your way then. For now, I will have Daeron confined to his old chambers instead of the Black Cells. It's the least I can do."
Baela went over and hugged her. "Thank you," she said with gratitude.
Rhaenyra sighed, as she could understand what she was going through. "We'll talk more about this, but I do hope you understand the position you are now in."
"Yes."
Rhaenyra dismissed them, and Baela could feel nothing but relief that her mother hadn't reacted badly. And she hoped to see Daeron in his quarters at long last. I shall make love to him like there is no tomorrow, for he won't leave my side again.
Helaena woke up to the sound of Cregan still snoring, their arms wrapped tightly around each other and her leg on his body. Although they didn't bed each other despite Rhaenyra dissolving her marriage to Aegon, she trusted Cregan's judgement to not tumble with him until after they were wed. They were going to hold that off until after the war was over, as it would be in their best interest to become man and wife when peace began.
However, as Cregan suggested, if they were going to be together, they had to get used to being in each other's embrace. The cold of the north had done wonders to make his body warm, and she could feel the power of his heartbeat. Everything that she had seen and heard showed her that the Lord of Winterfell was a great man, but being so close to him vindicated everything that she had hoped to see in him. He was married twice, so he knew how to make a woman feel loved. He was a father of three, which explained how he knew to treat Jaehaera. Everything that Aegon had lacked, Cregan possessed in abundance.
With all of that in mind, Helaena returned to the Red Keep on the back of Silverwing and only Rhaenys was there to meet her since everyone else was still reeling from Daemon's condition. She needed more time to become accustomed to him even though their relationship had improved considerably, and she did promise to Cregan that they were going to spend the night in each other's company when they got back. And the head of House Stark returned a victor once more, which only added to the things that were missing from Aegon.
Like her, Cregan woke upon feeling the heat of the rays of the dawn. "Good morning," Helaena whispered to him. "Have a good sleep?
"It's only possible with you here," Cregan kissed her forehead. Aegon never did that.
"Mmmm..." Helaena burrowed deeper against his chest. "I do like this."
Cregan chuckled. "Aye... nothing's better than body heat on cold northern nights. Apparently old habits die hard."
She looked up at him, a sly smirk on her face. "Right, 'old habits.' As if you didn't enjoy every moment of it, lecher."
"How do you like my new dragon?"
"It's surreal, to say the least. The last time a Stark looked upon Silverwing was during the time of Alysanne, although to say that Alaric Stark supported the Gift being granted to the Night's Watch would be a lie. I just hope that I can do what he couldn't with your family."
"You mean our family," Helaena corrected. "And don't worry. You're not your ancestor just as I am no longer Aegon's wife. Things will be different for the both of us. You no longer have to worry about your children having no mother to care for them and I don't have to worry about suffering through one more day of being ridiculed and abused by someone who doesn't love me."
Cregan looked at her with surprise. "You would do that for Rickon, Sarra, and Raya?"
"Come now. Your children need someone to help raise them, and you need a new woman to help run Winterfell. And since you talked so much about the North, maybe being there is exactly what I need to begin living for myself. I love Jaehaera and my son and I want them to be raised near their family, but for my own peace of mind, I need a different environment and the Red Keep doesn't have what I need," Helaena explained.
Cregan sighed in understanding. "Well, I am always to show everyone else the beauty of the North, harsh but natural, and you'll be the one I'll be most excited to share with."
Helaena smiled before bringing her head up and kissing him deeply. "I look forward to that. And our children will grow up experiencing the harsh but pure beauty there while being insulated from the facades here."
Cregan ran his hand through her silver hair. "And if they want to come south, we'll let them choose. But all of that is for another time."
"Yes. But after we're married, I do intend to have many children with you. So be prepared to pleasure your wife," Helaena challenged him. Cregan merely grinned, showing that he was ready to do just that.
The door to their chambers knocked, and entered in Rhaenys. She ignored them in bed together, but she was clearly relieved that they weren't intimate with each other yet.
"Get up, you two. Someone's here," she said to them.
"What is it, Your Grace?" Cregan asked.
"Helaena, your brother is here."
She shot up in surprise. "Daeron is here?"
"Yeah, come on. He's in his old chambers, but under guard," Rhaenys gestured them to follow her.
After straightening their clothes, Helaena and Cregan followed Rhaenys down the hallways of the holdfast towards where Daeron previously slept in. Two knights, one with the Royce sigil and the other with the Manderly sigil, stood at attention. They made way for Rhaenys and opened the door, leading the three of them inside. As Rhaenys said, Daeron was there and he was sitting on his bed.
Upon seeing her brother, Helaena pushed through Rhaenys and Cregan. When he saw her sister, he stood up from his bed and collided with his sister in a tight hug. She let out a sigh of relief upon seeing him here and alive, something that he also felt.
"Are you all right? Have they treated you well?" Daeron asked.
"Of course," Helaena answered. "What about you, Daeron?"
"Spent less than an hour in the Black Cells, but it was pretty life-changing. Never going to back there again."
Helaena hugged him again and sat down next to him. Cregan just stood back and allowed brother and sister to enjoy their reuniting.
"I'm happy to see you, brother. But how did you get here? And why?" Daeron explained to her what Aegon said about her, how Aemond and Aegon made him lose confidence in what they were fighting for, and how the "green" council now led by their grandfather were about to push him to take Aemond's place, something that he wasn't able to do.
Helaena was past the point of caring about what Aegon had to say, for she no longer needed him in her life. But she turned around and saw Cregan clenching his fists in anger, which only showed to her the depth of his love. More things that Aegon isn't.
However, Helaena then had to ask the other important question. "Daeron, why didn't you bring Maelor with you? Where is he?"
Daeron hesitated, but Helaena knew that something bad was about to leave his mouth. Then, she saw his lips tremble. "Daeron, why aren't you saying?" When he continued to be silent, Helaena shook him by his shoulders. "Where's Maelor?!" she was getting hysterical.
"He's dead," Daeron said quietly, the tears coming back to him.
Helaena felt as if the world had stopped spinning. The anguish that came when she condemned Jaehaerys to die had returned, and she felt her heart cease to beat. Then, the tears flowed her face and she suddenly wailed at the loss of her only son left and the second of her children. As their mother Alicent did with him, Daeron hugged Helaena tight and they both cried together at the loss of Maelor.
Not going to stand by as Helaena was in pain, Cregan put her hand on her back to let her know that he was here. She reached out with her right arm and pulled him close, surprising him. But as soon as Cregan joined the embrace, Daeron leaned away.
"I am sorry, my lord. I'm afraid that we haven't met," he said.
"Your Grace, I am Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North."
"And soon to be my sister's betrothed," Daeron noted.
"I promise you, Your Grace, I will never mistreat her and I will not make her feel unwanted," Cregan assured him.
"I know. I can tell already," Daeron nodded. Both of them recognized the same demeanor in each other, the type that knew what it was like to lead troops into battle. Daeron could see that despite a few years in difference, the Lord of Winterfell was everything that he had expected in a warrior and a leader and gave him a subtle but approving nod, which Cregan returned.
Suddenly, Helaena left both of their arms and ran outside. Daeron couldn't follow, but Cregan could and they exchanged a nod in respect before the Lord of Winterfell ran after her. He then found his lady love in the same room as little Aegon, where she was hugging Jaehaera and looked as if she was not letting go.
"Are you all right, mother?" Jaehaera asked innocently. Helaena didn't respond, but she kept crying against her only remaining child's shoulder. "I love you, muña."
Helaena spent more time with her before turning around seeing Cregan in the doorway. She ran up to him and pulled him into a kiss, desperate for his touch and for his comfort like in the morning.
Cregan was all too eager to return the affection. It was in the Red Keep where she was abused in marriage, and it was there that she got the promise of a new marriage that would be happier than the last.
Myles Hightower and Seneschal Ryam awaited their guests inside the Hightower. Their plans had become quite complicated and they needed to
"What a fucking mess," the Commander of the Oldtown City Watch muttered. "Our king is still wounded, Prince Daeron has flown to the Red Keep, we have word that Otto Hightower and Queen Mother Alicent are strongly considering peace negotiations. All that my family had sacrificed, with cousin Ormund's life among them, all of it a waste."
"Please watch your words, Ser Myles," Seneschal Ryam reminded him. "You cannot speak like that in front of the Most Devout."
"The Starry Sept is only a few minutes away from here. If they were really interested in what we had to offer, they would have come here sooner than they already had. It's as if they want to string us along."
"Without the Most Devout, we won't be making meaningful progress. With peace coming and much of the Targaryens still alive, at least the ones who can continue on, we have to make alternative plans. Maelor might have perished, but not Daeron, who is young and has been successful among others," the Seneschal replied.
"Incompetent fools… Daeron should've died after the damage he caused to our city," Ser Myles spat.
"We made one mistake, but we shan't make another," Ryam answered. "Today's meeting will ensure that."
A guard entered into the meeting hall. "Ser Myles, Seneschal Ryam, the Most Devout have arrived."
"Have them enter," Myles commanded.
Seven septons entered the hall and sat across the Commander of the Oldtown City Watch and the Seneschal of the Citadel, all of them representing the Most Devout. Members of such a distinguished cadre of the Faith's finest could only be identified by their cloth-of-silver vestments and crystal coronals, and all of them had to have devoted their entire youths to the service of the Faith of the Seven. And what the rest of the realm didn't know, as far as they were concerned, was that the Faith had a strong interest in weakening House Targaryen for their unholy origins and practices. Maegor was the origin of their schemes, while Jaehaerys the Conciliator delayed their plans since they couldn't afford to act against a king who acted strongly on their behalf. They all feared the consequences of Rhaenyra assuming the throne and securing it, as her ascension would put into danger everything that they held dear.
"Your Eminences, thank you very much for taking the time to see us," Seneschal Ryam began. "I assume that you all know the object of our discussion today."
"Your schemes that you have run largely independent of our input have failed," the appointed leader of the Most Devout representatives stated. "While both the male heirs of Aegon the Second of His Name are dead, Helaena and Jaehaera are still alive. What's more, we all know that Daeron Targaryen has flown to the Red Keep to bend the knee to Rhaenyra, which leaves the cause of King Aegon in peril without Aemond Targaryen."
"No matter our failures, Your Eminence, all is not lost," Ser Myles defended himself.
"You do realize that you condemned yourself by your part in Maelor's death. And Daeron is not immune to the temptations of the dragon temper, which he shown by his wanton destruction of parts of Oldtown," the septon pointed out. "Say what you want about the Targaryens, the ones who matter do care about their family and Daeron will not stop until everyone involved in his nephew's death have paid the price."
"Which will also include you," Seneschal Ryam responded. "Don't forget who had the Shepherd and the other stir up riots in King's Landing and Oldtown, which led to the deaths of those with dragonblood."
"And let's not forget which order of men paid for that commoner to kill little Jaehaerys," the septon scoffed at Ryam.
"I think we all agree that we all have something to lose once Aegon finally and inevitably collapses," Ser Myles said. "The purpose of this discussion is to determine our next steps, all of which should ensure our lives and livelihood. Unless we do something, everyone in this hall will suffer fates only inflicted upon traitors, and we have only tried to the best thing for the realm. We can only continue our deeds by staying alive."
"So, what do you suggest we do, good ser?" the septon asked.
Ser Myles prepared for that. "Well… my relative Otto Hightower will most likely lead the negotiations between the 'green' and 'black' dragons. Once peace has been settled, he will return to Oldtown and attempt to impose it by self-appointing himself as Lord Regent for Ormund's young sons."
"He's deluded if he thinks that we won't resist," the septon shook his head.
"Which is why until he comes here, we will not do anything and only after what Ser Myles has predicted comes to pass will we respond by force," Seneschal Ryam revealed. "But once we neutralize Otto, that will be a breach of the peace and Rhaenyra will retaliate. To prevent that, we need protection."
"Really? And who do you suggest we ask for protection?"
Ser Myles and Seneschal Ryam glanced at each other, preparing for their protests. "We must send a raven to Qoren Martell and ask for help."
"You would invite the Dornish into the Reach?" the septon exclaimed.
"As of now, the Dornishmen are the only other people who are strong enough to assist us and they also hate the dragons ever since Aegon tried to subjugate them. They are also devoted to the Faith, so they are the best ones who we can work with," the seneschal answered.
The septons murmured to each other, all of them skeptical of inviting the Dornish into the Reach due to the animosity of the Reach houses that border the Dornish borders. "I am no strategic genius, but even if the Dornish are successful in sweeping through Oldtown and the parts around our great city, it only takes a stream of dragonfire to burn many of them and make them withdraw from the campaign. The Dornishmen are not known for winning in open confrontations, so I don't have much confidence that they can protect us for long."
"Which is why we will also ask the Triarchy to continue their alliance with us in the absence of Ser Otto, as we need their ships and their connections to every financial institution in Essos. We already have one portion of the royal treasury in our hands, and we can count on Ser Tyland to not hand over the portion he's responsible for to Rhaenyra. If we can financially cripple the realm under Rhaenyra's rule, not only will we have an assurance that the Targaryens will not attack us, we might damage Rhaenyra's credibility as someone who sits on the Iron Throne. The Triarchy can continue their attack on the eastern shores of Westeros and thus allowing us to bring in the Dornish to this city," Ser Myles outlined.
The septon sighed in thought. "That sounds like a plan with a lot of moving parts. So much can go wrong and we don't have any guarantee that all of them will fall into place at the correct time."
"We also have another thing working in our favor. Little Viserys Targaryen is still their captive. As long as her son is still in their grasp, she would never act drastically against them. With the Dornish and the Triarchy on our side, we will have protection," the seneschal answered.
The septons whispered to each other, as they considered their option. Considering that their situation was too precarious to take any risks, Ser Myles and the seneschal could see that they were becoming more convinced of the viability of their plan. "How soon can you reach out to the Triarchy?" the septon asked.
"I can be on the first ship out of the harbor, Your Eminence," Ser Myles answered. "Seneschal Ryam will act on my behalf until I come back."
The septon nodded. "Once you have the Triarchy's partnership, we will accept your plan." But before they could celebrate, they had one more thing to say. "What about Aegon the Second of His Name? He's a lost cause and we have to cut our losses."
Ser Myles was quick to pick a solution. "Regarding the sorts like the Shepherd, perhaps you can find a way to eliminate him. We know that Sunfyre is at Brightwater Keep, so I'm sure you have people down there who would be more than happy to introduce themselves."
The septon narrowed his eyes before accepting it. "We'll see what we can do."
"And if you see Alicent down there, it might help to kill her also. As a Hightower, I'm ashamed that such a failure came from our family. We don't need another useless woman in our ranks."
"Consider it done," the septon agreed.
The seneschal stood up and smiled. "Then we are agreed. Should Otto Hightower come to impose the illegal peace, that is when we'll strike. May the gods watch over us in our endeavor."
A/N: So Baela is carrying Daeron's child... that was probably the only thing that saved Daeron from being hurt when he came to surrender.
Helaena and Cregan are really getting deep with each other :) Things are looking good for Cregan and Daeron, as well as Jaehaera.
But oh man, the Starry Sept and Myles Hightower are scheming. Who knows what they will come up with and the results of it?