Prologue

Cersei Lannister screamed in pain as she pushed, ignoring the useless Grand Maester and countless midwives in the birthing chamber as she tried to push the babe out of her body. Cersei felt a comforting hand on top of her own and looked towards her brother, her other half, Jaime. Unlike her husband who was off hunting or whoring her brother was with her in the birthing chamber, having challenged anyone who dared to try to remove him when the maester and birthing maids objected to his presence.

Feeling a renewed sense of vigour at her brother's presence Cersei continued pushing until finally she let out a gasp of relief as the babe finally left her body, the sound of crying filling the birthing chamber, as the midwives cleaned up the baby while Cersei laid there panting in relief.

"Congratulations your grace." Pycelle told her, huis long white beard twitching. "You have given birth to a healthy baby girl." He spoke as he handed her the blanket covered baby, the girl's wails easing in her mother's presence.

Cersei had never truly understood what everyone meant when they said that babies were beautiful, the only baby she had seen was Tyrion and that monster was the opposite of beauty. But looking at this baby, her daughter with stunning green eyes staring into her own, with an adorable tuff of black hair on her head, Cersei understood what they meant.

"Six and ten for him, three for you and one of both." Cersei shook her head of those thoughts, now was not the time to be thinking about what that old crone had said.

"Cersei are you okay?" Jaime asked in concern, noticing his sister's change in mood.

"I'm fine Jaime." She replied with a smile that was more than slightly forced as she looked at her daughter. No that wretched old woman was wrong, what she had foretold would not come to pass, that Cersei promised herself.

"My Queen, the King and the Lord Hand are here." A servant informed her as the door opened revealing her husband, Robert Baratheon with Jon Arryn entering right behind him.

Cersei couldn't deny that Robert was indeed handsome. It wasn't the same unnatural beauty of Rhaegar, or the perfect visage Jaime possessed, instead it was more of a rugged type of attractiveness that caught women's attraction. When they had married in the Sept of Baelor Cersei would openly admit it was probably the happiest moment of her life, Robert had been the very image of the perfect warrior king. Her elation had ended as soon as the bedding ceremony when Robert stinking of wine had called her Lyanna during sex. She Cersei Lannister, one of the most beautiful and desired women in the seven kingdoms and yet she was second to a dead northern harlot. First Rhaegar and now Robert. But she hoped, perhaps foolishly that the birth of their first child, their daughter would be enough to make Robert forget about the Stark girl.

Cersei glanced at the man who had arrived with Robert, Jon Arryn the Hand of the King. Jon Arryn by contrast to Robert was an old man, with balding grey hair and missing half his teeth, perhaps he might have been a handsome man in his youth, but those days were long gone. Cersei most certainly did not envy Lysa Arryn for who her husband was. Why Robert chose that old man who was unlikely to live another decade to be his Hand she didn't know, if the man had any sense, he would have given the post to her father.

"Your daughter your grace." Cersei spoke as she handed him the bundle of cloth that their daughter was wrapped up in, the usually oafish man uncharacteristically gentle with the baby, his eyes bearing a softness within them that honestly took Cersei by surprise. 'Maybe there is hope for us.'

"Congratulations Robert, your grace." Jon Arryn spoke to them a genuine smile on his face as he took in the sight of a man he viewed as his son holding his daughter. "So what are you planning on naming her?"

At first it looked like Robert did not hear what Jon had asked so caught up in his daughter but after a few moments before he answered. "Selene. Selene Baratheon, after the ancient Durrandon Storm Queen of old." Robert announced proudly.

Selene Baratheon. The name did sound fitting Cersei reflected especially if her namesake was a powerful queen of old, though she wouldn't have minded a Lannister name for her daughter though maybe for the rest of her children she might have.

Robert handed her the newly named Selene back to her and the fondness in his eyes almost immediately left as his eyes looked towards her, his gaze almost quizzical like he was looking for something. 'Or someone,' she thought bitterly realising that despite what affection Robert may have for his daughter it did not extend to her.

She would always be second. Second to a dead Stark.

Line Break

Princess Selene Baratheon sat in the library of the Red Keep, a large book in front of the nine-year-old princess, 'Ten Loves of Queen Nymeria,' a book given to her by her uncle Tyrion for her name day celebration. It was one of her favourite books, reading was one of the few pleasant things she was allowed to do due to her health.

Just as soon as she thought Selene had a coughing fit, her breathing becoming laboured as she struggled to intake air and her eyes watered. As soon as her coughing dyed down she took a sip from the goblet of water in front of her.

"Princess would you like me to take you the Grand Mae—" A servant began before she interrupted her.

"I'm fine." She snapped angrily. "I don't need to visit Pycelle." It was true, a coughing fit was far from an unusual occurrence for her and Pycelle would suggest was some rest and maybe some useless potion that would do no good. She hated having to visit Pycelle, she was the daughter of Cersei Lannister the lioness of Casterly Rock and Robert Baratheon the Demon of the Trident, not some weak willed lamb who needed to see a maester every time she sneezed and coughed.

Not bothering to even look at the servant she turned back towards her book, it was one of her favourites, focusing heavily on Dorne and the Rhoynar and of course the conqueror herself Nymeria, though she didn't understand why the book referred to Nymeria as a queen when her actual title was princess.

After finishing the chapter, she closed the book and left it to the servants to but it back in its place in the library as she headed towards the gardens of the Red Keep. The smell from the city was particularly unpleasant this morning and was giving her a headache so she headed towards gardens for some fresh air and to see her friend.

Skipping to the gardens once she arrived, she immediately crouched down onto a patch on the grass, unbothered by the dirt getting on her dress. "Hello Argella." Selene unknowingly hissed at the snake that appeared in the garden.

"Hello hatchling." The newly named Argella answered her. "Did you catch any pray?"

Selene giggled at the snake's question. Her friend was certainly a gluttonous little thing. Selene didn't know how or why she could talk to snakes, why she was a speaker as Argella called it but she was grateful for it as it gave her a friend. Most noble children were sent by their parents to gain royal favour and were generally more interested in her brother Joffrey then her and her mother had forbid her from playing with the children of the servants and the guards after she had caught her playing with some, calling it unbecoming of a princess to mix with commoners to the point that Lannister guards now ensured that no children of the servants were ever present in the same part of the Red Keep as her.

As such Selene was honestly a very lonely child with her closest friend being a snake. But nonetheless she would rather have Argella then any of those other children who were only interested in her because of her title and rank.

Talking to a snake was a strange thing Selene had long since found out. For starters snakes lived different lives to people and had different ways of viewing the world. As such many of things that Argella spoke of completely went over her head and likewise many of things she told her the snake didn't comprehend, calling it useless two-legged nonsense. Maybe not the ideal friendship but a friendship, nonetheless.

Selene was laughing at something Argella said when the whipping like sound pierced the air and the next thing, she knew Selene felt something splatter on her face and hands that was a red colour. "Argella?" She whispered as she looked at her friend, an arrow sticking out of her body as it twitched uncontrollably, blood pooling around the snake.

The sound of maniacal laughter forced her attention towards to wretched younger brother Joffrey who was holding a crossbow in his arms.

"AGHHHH." A scream of pure rage and anger tore out of her throat as she felt a pressure building within her as her hatred towards her brother exploded, a backlash knocking her brother several meters backwards.

If Selene had looked around her she would have noticed shattered glass, knocked over furniture and damaged pushed and scattered leaves and twigs around the garden, but so consumed with anger she didn't notice any of it or even stop to think how she had somehow managed to send her brother flying without even touching him.

All Selene could see was red as she rushed over towards her downed brother, a first knocking him down as he tried to get back up. She didn't stop, she continued punching him until she felt powerful arms grab her own and drag her off her unconscious brother.

"Let me go." She snarled as she struggled to break free out of her uncle's grip in order to continue beating up her brother.

"Calm down girl." Jaime snapped struggling to contain his niece as she tried to break free from his grip. For a nine-year-old girl she had an impressive amount of strength he had to admit.

It was after Jaime released her Selene looked away from her bloody and sobbing brother that she realised the three of them were not alone in the gardens of the Red Keep. They were surrounded by servants, knights including of course her uncle Jaime in the Kingsguard and even some visiting nobles. All of whom had just witnessed her beating the crap out of her brother.

But it wasn't the nobles who immediately caught her attention it was her mother, whose face was turning a fascinating shade of red in her anger, anger that was directed at her. Her mother had enough composure not to yell at her in public but looking at her furious emerald eyes, the same shade as her own made Selene realise that she had gone too far.

Line Break

Robert felt tired. In fact tired was an understatement, he felt bloody exhausted and from the tired eyes of his council members they all felt the same. Normally they would all be asleep at this time but the incident involving his son and daughter had forced him to gather the council together. If the incident had been in private then it wouldn't have been much of a problem but unfortunately a not inconsiderable number of knights, servants and even a few nobles had witnessed his daughter beating the crap out of his son.

A part of Robert was actually a little proud of his daughter, Joffrey was a spoilt little brat and from the reports of the incident Selene had apparently found a snake in the garden and was playing with it, only for Joffrey to shoot the thing with his crossbow. Considering Joffrey was no deadeye and was more than likely to hit Selene then the snake Robert was a little relieved, especially as considering the poor relationship between his children it was possible that Joffrey may have actually been aiming for Selene and missed, justifying her anger. However, that did not justify the extent of her actions, according to Pycelle Joffrey had several missing teeth, a concussion a broken arm and a bruised rip. Justified or not, family or not Selene had openly attacked the heir of the Iron Throne.

Robert looked towards his council members. His brothers Stannis and Renly, the masters of ships and laws respectively, and as different as day and night. Where Renly was easy going, charming and laidback, Stannis was rigid, unyielding and unforgiving. Next was his foster father Jon Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie and Hand of the King. Despite his old age Jon help himself with the strength and determination that he had during the rebellion against the mad dragons. Next were Varys and Grand Maester Pycelle the only remaining small council members of Aerys Targaryen, Jon had suggested removing both of them from court, if not outright executing them but Robert didn't see the point, as long as they did their jobs then their previous loyalties didn't matter. Finally was Petyr Baelish the master of coin and the owner of the best brothels with the best whores in the city, if not all of Westeros and a damn right expert with counting coppers.

"So the question is what must be done to punish Selene?" Stannis with his constant stick up his ass began. There were times when Robert respected his brother's dedication towards justice and upholding the law, even if he would never admit it. This was not one of those times.

"And why must something be done. Joffrey was armed with a crossbow and used it to threaten Selene, if anything he's the one that should be punished!" Robert growled out.

"I imagine his injuries will be punishment enough." Petyr Baelish, his master of coin spoke, his trademark smirk ever present on his face. Of all the council members he was the only one who appeared completely unbothered by what had happened. If anything the brothel owner actually appeared amused.

"I don't like this anymore then you do Robert, believe me." Jon spoke, the voice of conciliatory among the council members. "But the fact is that Selene attacked the heir of the Iron Thrones, in public no less."

"Indeed rumours are already beginning to spread about the brutality of the princess." Varys stated. "If the event had been in private perhaps it could have been swept under the rug, but alas…" The spymaster trailed off. He had no need to add anything else.

"So what is it your all suggesting, that I punish her, whip her perhaps? Maybe even take the hand that beat the crap out of my son?" Robert demanded from them, with their expressions ranged from flushed embarrassment, to amusement to indifference. "Seven damn it, children fight and lets leave the matter at that."

"Where not suggesting anything so extreme Robert." Jon stated with a calming voice. "But nonetheless while the incident was extreme it is unfortunately not the first time the princess has lost her temper."

"'Ours is the fury.'" Renly quoted with amusement causing him to let out a bellowing laugh and even Stannis cracked a small half smile. Yes in many ways his daughter did embody the words of house Baratheon.

"Why not send the princess away to be fostered?" Varys suggested. "A few years away from the capital might do her some good and teach her to reign in her temper."

"A fostering… It has potential." Jon muttered his eyes already working through various noble houses that could foster the princess. Fostering would be a good way to reaffirming ties with the houses that had fought for Robert as well as building ties with the families that had fought for the Targaryens.

Truthfully Robert was not opposed to the idea. On the contrary he was actually very supportive of the idea, some of his happiest memories were in the Eyrie with Ned. If he could give his daughter the same happy childhood that he had then all the best.

"All right how about we send a letter to Ned asking if he'll foster her. His sons are about the same age as her and his daughters are only a few years younger than Selene unless my memories wrong." With the matter settled Robert stood to leave only for his spymaster to object.

"Is that wise your grace? My little birds have informed me of an increasing number of wilding raids in the North, largely a result of the decreasing efficiency of the Night's Watch, which makes the North perhaps not the safest place for a princess to be fostered in. Not to mention with the princess' poor health the climate of the North might not be the best for her."

Robert stood completely still as he stared at the Eunuch. "Are you questioning the ability of my friend, the best man that I know to be able to protect my daughter Varys?" he asked slowly, with his fury increasing with every word.

"Calm yourself Robert, I'm sure Lord Varys doesn't mean to doubt Ned's ability to protect the princess and he is not wrong about the increase in wilding raids, Ned himself has informed us that since the end of winter there has been a notable increase in wilding raids. Not to mention that he is already fostering Balon Greyjoy's son and heir." Jon stated and as usual made a good point.

Robert frowned; Ned had been chosen to foster the Greyjoy brat due to lack of great enmity in the aftermath of the Rebellion. The Lannisters had been targeted by the Ironborn and Tywin had retaliated in equal measure during the war by unleashing Clegane. Jason Mallister had killed the boy's brother Rodrik and the Riverlords had long memories about how their lands had once been ruled by the Ironborn. And it was a Reach knight who had slain Maron Greyjoy during the fall of Pyke. Ned had been the best choice to foster Theon Greyjoy but if his daughter was sent to Winterfell would she be safe with Balon Greyjoy's son in the same castle? It was not a thought that he wanted to consider.

"Fine." He muttered reluctantly as he sat back down. "So who do you all suggest?"

After that came a long list of suggestions for where she could be fostered. He immediately shot suggestions for Casterly Rock and Highgarden, proposed by Pycelle and his brother Renly respectively. If Selene was fostered in the Rock then by the time she left she would have an ego as big as the Wall, Robert doubted there was a single family in Westeros that was more arrogant then the Lannisters. And if Selene was sent to Highgarden no doubt would the oaf of Highgarden and the Crone of Thorns would find some reason to marry his daughter into their family as soon as she bled.

He'd suggested the Eyrie only for Jon himself to shoot down that idea, apparently in the absence of its lord the Eyrie wasn't as welcoming as it once was. Dragonstone, Riverrun, Seaguard, Crakehall, Horn Hill, Bronzegate were all suggested along with a number of castles and keeps throughout Westeros.

"Why not with our grandmother in Storm's End?" Stannis finally proposed, his brother had clearly lost his patience with the meeting and had suggested the ideal keep which was also the Baratheon ancestral home. And which had not been suggested due to a certain inhabitant of the castle, namely the grandmother of the three Baratheon brothers, Rhaelle Targaryen.

In the small council chambers the members all exchanged looks between Robert and Stannis, each one of them dreading what they feared would be a thunderous argument. Even Baelish momentarily lost his smirk at the master of ships suggestion. To their surprise there was no explosive argument emerging between the two, no yells of defiance that a dragonspawn would never raise his daughter, instead the king actually appeared to be contemplating it.

Robert and his grandmother hadn't seen each other since the end of the Rebellion and while most people, even those closest to him thought that it was because of his hatred for the Targaryens extended even to his own grandmother but that was not the case. Truth be told it was honestly easy to forget that Rhaelle despite her silver hair and purple eyes had once been a Targaryen, to him she'd simply been his grandmother and to the rest of the Stormlands she was Lady Rhaelle Baratheon, widow of Lord Ormund Baratheon and mother to Lord Steffon Baratheon, not Princess Rhaelle Targaryen daughter of King Aegon V. No it was not hatred that kept him from visiting his grandmother all these years. It was shame.

When he had first returned to Storm's End nearly half a year after the war had ended, Robert had felt every inch the conquering hero as returned to his home castle amidst the cheers of his people. His pride and joy had not lasted after meeting his grandmother. She had not cared about either Aerys or Rhaegar's death, referring to the former as a mad dog who long needed to be put down and the latter as a dreamy fool who earned his fate. It was the rest of his actions she had found despicable.

His grandmother had judged his actions since he had become king and found him lacking. She called him a coward and a hypocrite for refusing to punish Tywin for sacking King's Landing, pointlessly killing tens of thousands of people, for refusing to execute the murderers of Elia and her children, for hunting down her niece Rhaella and forcing her children to flee to exile in Essos or be at risk of execution.

Throughout Rhaelle's tirade Robert had been increasingly shamed and also growing in fury. Since becoming king, no one not Jon, not Stannis, not even Ned had spoken to him in such a way and he had not enjoyed the experience. It was when his grandmother had turned her tirade towards Lyanna Stark, calling her a "whore who spat on the Baratheon name," that his temper had finally snapped.

Robert couldn't recall exactly what he had said to his grandmother in his rage but he knew it was not in any way pleasant. He was thankful that he hadn't physically hurt his grandmother in his rage, though the room they were in didn't survive his temper, destroyed tables, ancient tapestries and painting, he also recalled throwing a chair out a window. When he had finally vented out his rage his grandmother had said one final thing to him and those were the last words she had spoken to him since.

"For the first time in my life I am almost glad Steffon and Cassandra died that day, so they wouldn't have to see what has become of their son."

Though he didn't like to admit it his grandmother was right, Elia Martell and her children didn't need to die, worse they would have been more useful alive. Not only would it have presented an image of a merciful king, the opposite of what Aerys and Rhaegar were but it would also have allowed them to forge a much more stable peace with the Targaryen supporters, especially the Dornish. Oh despite their claims of peace he had no doubt that the Martell brothers were scheming his death in their deserts and planning a new war, probably even during this very council meeting.

But there was little point thinking about the past and the more that he thought about it the more Robert found himself liking the idea of his grandmother raising his daughter. Rhaelle was an intelligent and cunning woman who would teach his daughter how to control her temper as well as encouraging her to become the best she could possibly be.

"Very well, Selene will be fostered in Storm's End." Robert declared.

Line Break

Lady Rhaelle Baratheon stood in the courtyard of Storm's End awaiting the arrival of great-granddaughter Selene who her grandson had decided to foster in the Stormlands. She had to admit she was surprised when Robert's raven arrived requesting that she foster his daughter. Rhaelle had not expected to hear from him for the rest of her life but nonetheless she had. It was surprising and something she was grateful for, regardless of his faults Robert was still her grandson and she would not turn away his daughter.

The trumpet announcing their arrival came and as a host of Baratheon guards came through the gates and into the courtyard Rhaelle got her first look at her grandchild as she rode in on the back of a pony. Flowing black hair, piercing green eyes with pale porcelain like skin, Selene was a cute girl who could potentially grow up to be quite the beauty.

As she girl got off her pony and walked towards her Rhaelle bowed her head slightly. "Welcome to Storm's End Selene." Rhaelle announced, purposely not using any royal title, she was not one for constant plumb and decorum especially among family but she was curious about the girls temperament, was she more like her mother or her father. Robert was not one who cared for constant asskissing and decorum, Cersei however was the opposite and constantly demanded to be referred to by her royal title, even among family, especially among family actually. She had always been a prideful thing, all Lannister pride but none of Joanna's compassion or Tywin's sense of practicality.

"Thank you, Lady Baratheon." Selene replied and as she spoke she realised how scared she was. It was understandable, Selene had been sent away from her home and her family and sent to live in a place she had never been with a family member she had never met before.

"Please call me grandmother or Rhaelle if you wish, we are family after all." Rhaelle told the girl with a reassuring smile.

"Ok grandmother." The child said still clearly nervous but at least somewhat reassured.

"And who might you be?" Rhaelle asked as she turned towards the kingsguard who had accompanied her granddaughter.

"Ser Arys Oakheart, princess." Sending an Oakheart to the heart of the Stormlands, how bold of you Robert. Nevertheless he was likely the ideal choice. Ser Barristan was the Lord Commander and couldn't leave King's Landing, Trant and Blount were cowards and disgraces to white swords, and she would not have tolerated the Kingslayer's presence in Storm's End.

"If you wish to be formal Ser Arys then please call me Lady Rhaelle, I have not been a princess since I was a young girl." One thing that she had noticed after her grandson became king was that a lot more people were referring to her as princess instead of lady and it was not something the enjoyed.

"Of course my lady." Ser Arys bowed.

"Now then Selene, let me give you a tour of Storm's End."

Storm's End as befitting of the capital of one of the kingdoms of Westeros was far larger then most people actually realised or even appeared at first glance. The great tower itself holding an armory, royal and guest quarters, banquet and royal halls, granary, kitchens and many other vital locations. Accommodations for the population of the Stormlands lived within the castle itself due to climate of the Stormlands, living in the underground structures of the castle which was built directly on a small peninsular, the castle itself looking more like it was separate from the land itself then something on built on top of it.

There was also a harbour located at the base of the massive curtain wall on the seaward side though it was practically abandoned. The storms of Shipbreaker Bay had always discouraged trade by sea in the Stormlands and the last person to actually anchor at the harbour was Ser Davos Seaworth during the rebellion where he provided much needed food during the Tyrells siege.

"So what do you think of Storm's End?"

"Its amazing." The girl replied almost immediately with childlike enthusiasm as she took in all the sights of the castle with awe. Rhaelle would be lying if she said that she wasn't proud of how much her granddaughter was in awe of her home.

"What's your favourite part?"

"It doesn't smell like the capital." Selene answered immediately causing Rhaelle to let out a loud laugh.

"That was my favourite thing about Storm's End as well when I came to live her as well." And it was true the stench of King's Landing and the complete lack of one in Storm's End had gone a long way towards endearing her towards the Stormlands when she had been first sent to serve as her future goodmother's cupbearer.

"Are you ok?" She asked in concern as she noticed Selene becoming rather pale.

"I'm fine just a little cold." Selene stubbornly replied, shivering slightly. Rhaelle raised an eyebrow, it was true that due to climate the Stormlands was generally colder then the Reach and Crownlands but the castle did a good job of keeping the wind out and it was still a warm summers day.

It was at that moment that Selene promptly collapsed onto the ground.

"MAESTER." She bellowed.

The yelling forced Selene to try to open her eyes and see what was going on around her but all she could was a bird. "Crow." Selene muttered. "Three eyes?"

And that was all she knew.

Line Break

"Lily it's him, take Athena and run."

"Please not my daughter."

"Avada Kedavra."

"There's no such thing as magic."

"Better be GRYFFINDOR."

"There is no good or evil, there is only power and those to weak to seek it."

"The king of snakes, a basilisk."

"Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban to come after you?"

"The Hogwarts champion is…"

"I believe that you didn't put your name in."

"Blood of the enemy…"

"Neither shall live while the other survives."

"You have become a monster worse than Voldemort."

"I am what you made me."

"There's a reason Athena can speak to snakes, there's a reason she can look into Lord Voldemort's mind."

"The Girl Who Lived, come to die."

"You incompetent fools have allowed the rise of another dark lord, well this one isn't my problem."

"Please Athena, we need your help, we're friends."

"Funny how you chose to remember that when you need me."

"Britain has fallen and now Europe is next."

"And now it begins."

"No, now it ends."

Line Break

Rhaelle Baratheon sat in the Godswood of Storm's End. She had always found the Godswood a nice private place, away from the pressures of court and the responsibilities of ruling the Stormlands. Ormund had always thought the same, and though neither of them prayed to the Old Gods they both found solace in the place.

She did not know what Godswoods were like in the North but in the Stormlands where the majority of the population prayed to the Seven it was always peaceful and private. When she had first bean sent to Storm's End as a child, she had been surprised to find a Godswood with a proper Weirwood tree. Both the Baratheons and their Durrandon predecessors had largely prayed to the Seven but according to Ormund it had been part of an agreement between the Storm Kings and the Andal Warlords, the Durrandons would convert to the Seven, but they would not allow the Godswood to be destroyed as they considered it an insult to all that had died fighting against the Andal invaders. And in thousands of years not even the most pious Durrandon or Baratheon had ever considered destroying the Godswood.

But she wasn't in the Godswood for some peace and quiet, she was here because she was expecting someone, someone who had finally arrived. "I've been waiting for you, Bloodraven." She snapped out, her patience tested to its limit, her great granddaughter had only been in Storm's End for barely two days and she had collapsed, so Rhaelle would admit that she was not in the best of moods. She had heard that her granddaughter did not possess the best health but for her to collapse like that was worrisome, and suspicious if one wanted to be paranoid.

"Still so impatient niece." The ghost, apparition whatever he truly was, he never did properly explain what he was exactly, stated. Brynden Rivers, bastard son of Aegon the Unworthy, and her many times great uncle appeared before. The man himself looked ancient, long beard down to his feet, frail body, with an empty eye socket where Aegor Rivers had cut it out in battle. Not looking anything like the strong imposing man her father had sent to join the Night's Watch back when she was a little girl.

"My niece collapsed today but while unconscious she muttered something, a three eyed raven. So what did you do?" she asked each word slowly and quietly, as private as the godswood was it wouldn't do to attract any unnecessary attention but nonetheless there was no mistaking the fury in her voice.

"Saved her life, Selene's poor health wasn't natural she was being poisoned."

"Poisoned?" she gasped before her eyes narrowed. "By who?"

"I don't know." Brynden answered though she could detect a hint of frustration in his voice.

"YOU. DON'T. KNOW?" Her voice snapped, losing all pretences about maintaining secrecy in her fury.

"Contrary to what you may think niece my powers are not infinite, I don't know everything, and even if I did my ability to influence the world is severely limited. Otherwise I would have done something to put a stop to that madman and maybe our family wouldn't be reduced to just you, Aemon and a few children." Brynden snapped back. "As it is inducing a healing coma on the girl took a great deal of my strength and I don't have long to talk."

"So why poison her? Targaryen loyalists?" disgraceful but not unexpected, as it was Rhaelle already had a few suspicions about her granddaughter's Shireen's greyscale. The fact that of an entire island only one person, a Baratheon child, was infected that alone had caught her suspicions. And when she caught the person responsible, well she would show them why angering a Baratheon and a Targaryen was a very bad idea.

"Possibly and that would be the ideal scenario." Upon her questioning look the Bloodraven expanded. "Selene possesses magic."

Rhaelle immediately sat down on the bench, feeling lightheaded. She knew magic was real, she had known since she was little girl, before the man in front of her had been sent to the Wall when she had spied on him and her great aunt Shiera Seastar practicing magic. Rhaelle had been shocked and had asked them to teach her, but according to them she did not possess magic, nor any of her siblings, though her late father Aegon had possessed some skill in magic but not a massive amount as Summerhall proved. As a child full of wonder she had not taken the news that not only was magic real but that she didn't possess it very well. Nonetheless despite her lack of magic she still wished to learn everything she possibly could about magic. And upon her death Shiera had left her everything that she had on magic though her aunt had admitted that the knowledge that she, Brynden and Aegor all had on magic paled in comparison to what the Targaryen dragon riders of old had. In more ways then one house Targaryen was a shadow of their ancestors.

Now that she thought about it Brynden was right, hopefully the girl was targeted because she was a Baratheon, not because they knew that she had magic. Either way they would have to be very careful in the future. "How?" She asks. Rhaelle knew that her grandsons didn't possess magic, nor did her late son Steffon, and Tywin and his Lannister ilk had always been disdainful of the idea of the arcane.

"Her bloodline is filled with magic, the power of the first men, of Durran Godsgrief and his wife, of Lann the Clever, of the dragonlords from you and Orys Baratheon. Power long since forgotten has been awakened. The girl will need protection and help." Brynden advised her.

"What do you suggest, uncle?" Rhalle asked.

"When the girl awakens take her to Dragonstone, there's a hidden chamber in the lowest floor beneath the dungeons. The room is locked with blood magic, you'll have to go with her, I don't know if her trace amounts of Targaryen blood will be enough to enter the chamber."

"Very well." Rhaelle said standing up.

"Good luck niece." Brynden stated as he faded into the tree.

Magic the thought made her giddy but at the same time it also made her cautious, her father had tried to use magic to awaken dragon eggs at Summerhall and that had led to his death. Magic was dangerous. And there was also the other piece of information that her uncle had given her, whether he realised it or not.

"Our family wouldn't be reduced to just you, Aemon and a few children." Not two children, a few children. "Another Targaryen." She whispered so quietly she barely even heard herself. The thought left Rhaelle conflicted, the fate that had befallen her birth family brought her sorrow she wouldn't deny that, but nonetheless Robert was her grandson and though she was disappointed in his actions since becoming king she was hardly disappointed by the fact that her descendants were now a royal dynasty.

"And here I wanted to enjoy my old age in peace and quiet, but I guess the great game never stops." She spoke to the Weirwood tree and after a few minutes left the Godswood of Storm's End feeling a renewed sense of vigour in her old age.

End of Prologue

First chapter of the rewrite is now up. I admit I hadn't initially planned on having Rhaelle Targaryen in this story but I was looking for information on her character and I noticed her death isn't actually confirmed and she might actually still be alive in the books, unlikely but not impossible as there are characters older then her who are still alive, Walder Frey, Jon Arryn, Olenna Tyrell, Aemon Targaryen. I included her because I thought it would be interesting to have a Targaryen who married a Baratheon in this story. Not to mention despite his hatred for Targaryens I don't think Robert is so far gone to the point that he would wish harm onto his own grandmother.

Also before anyone asks I won't be pairing Selene with Jon, because while I like his character he really is overused and honestly overrated as well.