When she was a child, Rhaella Targaryen had been told she was named in honor of her parents' sister.

"Rhaelle - so resilient," her father Jaehaerys, then a prince not yet a King, had recounted when he first told her of her aunt. "She has done much for the family." Rhaella would never forget the intense look in her father's eyes when he spoke his next words. "But what we did - it was all necessary, of course. Remember that, sweetling."

When each of her siblings broke betrothals left and right, Rhaelle did the opposite. Prince Duncan broke his betrothal for a girl with flowers in her hair, there was a brief rebellion, and there came Rhaelle to wed the son of a Laughing Storm. With precedent set, the other siblings followed suit - Rhaella's parents Jaehaerys and Shaera wedded and bedded each other before they could be stopped, breaking two betrothals at once. And Daeron... well. That was likely for the best - Olenna Tyrell would have eaten him alive.

All in all, they all followed the whims of their hearts, not duty - though duty was the price of nobility, was it not?

And so it was that Rhaella was told that her naming was meant to acknowledge what her aunt had done to compensate for all of this, such sacrifice.

Even as a child, all Rhaella had thought when she was told that was - why had there been any need for sacrifice in the first place?

Also could my name not have been just a bit more creative than a one-letter difference?

"Aunt," Rhaella moved quickly to welcome their new guest.

"Niece," the older woman greeted her regally as she began walking to her as well, her gown of violet and black swaying with her steps. "It is wonderful to see you. You look much better since the last time we were together. And for that, I am quite glad." The two exchanged a warm embrace as the others looked on.

When it was assured that Robert Baratheon would be coming to King's Landing with Eddard Stark and Jon Arryn, Rhaella had written to her aunt to let her know of his journey to the capital. The letter had also been to apologize for what Rhaegar had done and to assure her aunt that she'd had no knowledge of what her son planned - or if indeed any of it had been planned at all.

What Rhaella had not anticipated was that her aunt would write back saying she might fancy a trip back to King's Landing to greet Robert herself.

A part of the Queen Dowager wondered if she might be in for some kind of chastisement from her aunt due to Rhaegar's actions. But on the other hand, perhaps a little family reunion couldn't hurt.

Could it?

As Rhaella and her aunt withdrew from their embrace, Robert made his presence known once more. "What are you doing here?" he asked incredulously, his blue eyes wide and shocked.

His grandmother looked at him with a raised and questioning eyebrow. "Are you disappointed, my dear grandson?"

"No, but - but - there was no need for you to come, grandmother," he replied, more strained than he probably cared to admit.

"Can I not visit family when I want, Robert?" the older Targaryen, now Baratheon, dared imperiously. "I shall endeavor to not be hurt by your clear lack of desire for my presence."

He let out a weary groan before walking over to her and bending over so that he might embrace the woman who was much shorter than him - though all women were shorter than him, in truth. Despite his initial surprise and tension, it was clear from the young lord's expression as he embraced his grandmother that he was, indeed, glad to see her.

Or at least - somewhat glad.

"That's better," Rhaelle replied, giving Robert a pat on the back as their embrace concluded. When he pulled back, she looked at him fondly, placing a hand on his cheek. And then her hand slipped down to Robert's chin, gripping it so she could turn his face a few times. She inspected him with a slight groan. "Oh Robert, when did you last shave?" she lamented, peering at the shadow of a dark beard that threatened to grow without care.

He stepped back from her with an exasperated huff. "I've had a few things on my mind, grandmother," he replied tightly. It was clear that he was trying to restrain himself - something he did not seem very accustomed to.

She gave him a knowing look as she walked around him then with a careful ease before approaching Elia with a kind expression.

"My Queen," Lady Baratheon said with an elegant curtsy.

Elia was quick to stop her, gently clasping her at her shoulders. "Please, that's not necessary," she told her in a rush. It was odd - if that was even the right word - for Rhaella to watch these two women interact in this setting; these two women whom she loved, that held such seemingly different roles in her life. And yet - and yet - it had started to feel as though there was an odd link, an odd familiarity of what these two women meant to her and to her family.

"I think I can manage for you, my dear," Rhaelle said to Elia with a voice softer than Rhaella had heard in some time. "I'm so sorry you have been put through this."

And then their oh-so-brief happy peace was interrupted.

"Why are you apologizing?" Robert yelled in absolute indignation. "You've done nothing wrong! It's her husband that has wronged our house!" Then he turned to Rhaella. "Her son!"

Even if his manner of expression was not proper whatsoever, Rhaella could not but concede that the stormlord was completely correct. House Targaryen had wronged House Baratheon - yet again.

"I heard your opinion on this already, Robert. To be blunt, I could hear you from down the hall. And I cannot say I cared for your tone," his grandmother warned.

It seemed the young lord had the good sense in that moment to look a bit ashamed - though not much. But her words seemed to at least have the effect of finally making him take a seat.

"These women are family, Robert. Or did you forget?" the former Targaryen princess asked, her eyes shifting to Lord Arryn for a moment before moving back to her tall grandson. "The Queen Dowager was your father's cousin. And Queen Elia's great-grandmother was a Targaryen just as my great-grandmother was a Martell. We are blood, Robert. Act like it," she commanded firmly. "Or have you somehow forgotten the worth of family?"

In the back of Rhaella's mind, a voice prodded at her, wondering if her aunt would have similar words for Rhaegar on the value of 'family.'

The Queen Dowager watched then as her aunt's eyes tracked like a hawk to the Vale lord again. "Tell me, Lord Arryn. What precisely have you been teaching my grandson? Because he still seems quite like the impetuous and impatient youth that was sent to you years ago."

Robert rose from his chair quickly. "How can you say that?" he yelled in his own defense.

Rhaelle looked from Lord Arryn then to her grandson, before looking back to the Vale lord with a knowing glance. It was clear she had won that tilt.

Lord Arryn cleared his throat. "Your grandson has learned a great deal while fostering with me, my lady. It's just a...trying time, as you can see."

"Yes. How fortunate for him that he does not have to bear any heavier burden right now or more responsibility," she said darkly.

It was then that Robert took his grandmother's hand in his own. "Lord Arryn has been good to me, grandmother. I have learned much, I swear to you." It was odd to see this large beast of a man become nearly tender in the presence of his grandmother. Rhaella also did not think the young man had truly learned much during his fostership, but she was quite sure he believed he had all the same.

His grandmother turned to look up at him, her violet eyes looking over his face and a hint of sadness notable in her gaze. It occurred to Rhaella then how much Robert looked like his father, Steffon. "Yes, well perhaps you have," his grandmother said, her voice just a bit softer now. "But lowering your voice every now and then would not be unwelcome, my dear."

A sneaking grin played at his lips then. "Speaking quietly is not our way, grandmother." The remark seemed to crack the serious expression upon Rhaelle Baratheon's face, and a full smile spread across Robert's face. "And I know you've missed my voice!" he remarked with a booming laugh before bending down to plant a kiss on her cheek that she falsely protested with a warm huff.

With the mood lightened a bit - miraculously - Rhaella took that moment to gain a reprieve. "You all must be tired from your respective journeys. Perhaps we could take a small break for lunch? Elia and I must see to the children first, but then we could meet once more in the afternoon."

Elia looked to Jon Arryn. "And we will have a guard escort you to your nephew, Lord Arryn. I am sure you must be anxious to see him."

Before he could even respond, Rhaelle turned to Robert. "Excellent. Now you and I can catch up, my dear," she informed him, tenderly smoothing some of his black hair. And then she turned to Lord Arryn. "And later, perhaps we can discuss my grandson's more permanent return to Storm's End, my lord?" Though it was phrased as a question, it was clear - the Lady was not asking.


"I forgot how much I like her."

Elia was looking at Rhaenys and Viserys when she spoke as the two young ones ate their lunch together (Viserys more so than Rhaenys who was more concerned with smashing her vegetables). They were eating their meal in the gardens, trying to give the children some fresh air. Aegon cooed in Elia's arms as though he were agreeing with her words, gazing at his mother with sparkling purple eyes.

"Aunt Rhaelle? Yes, she is…" Rhaella thought on it for a moment. "She is one to be admired." Her eyes moved to where Elia's had been, watching Viserys sit with Rhaenys and eventually trying to help his niece eat her food.

Then her thoughts drifted to her aunt's words, then to Aerys and finally...to Rhaegar. Could I have done more for him? How could I have a son who acts like this?

"Good-mother?" Elia called softly, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Is all well?"

Rhaella looked to her, a small but hesitant smile trying to appear though not fully succeeding. She looked down at Elia's hand on her arm and placed her other hand on top. "I was thinking of Aunt Rhaelle's admonishment to Robert earlier, about valuing family. And I...I find myself wondering if I could have done more as a mother, should have done more to make Rhaegar better."

A sad but compassionate expression crossed Elia's face. "You cannot think like that, it is not your fault."

"Isn't it though? Of course, princes grow up with the utmost privilege. But is it not my duty to make him realize the responsibility of that? Is it not my duty to make him humble in the face of such privilege?" Rhaella watched as Elia's eyes went to Aegon who was slowly swaying back to sleep in her arms. "Have I not done him a disservice - and the realm too - by letting him live without challenge, that he can do as he wants without consequence?"

And even while she questioned her own role in Rhaegar's actions, she could not help the small bitterness that crept into her mind. He risked the wrath of two houses and Aerys for some girl - but he could not be bothered to fight for his own mother.

Perhaps it wasn't a fair feeling - but it was one she felt nonetheless.

"It is not your fault that you were limited in how much you could be around him, Rhaella," Elia told her firmly. "Please, I beg you - do not place blame on your shoulders."

Rhaella lips tightened and she looked to Viserys then, her eyes determined. "I vow he will not be like his brother or father. As long as I draw breath, I will make sure he is better than them."

Elia followed her gaze to the children, her eyes focusing on the young silver-blonde-haired child as well. "He is good, Rhaella. And you must know that he thinks the world of you."

She looked to her good-daughter then, thinking of the slightly tumultuous journey they found themselves on. Rhaella was glad that, at the very least, they were together on this path.

"How was your meeting with Brandon Stark?" she asked Elia, hoping to move away from the melancholy that even talking about Rhaegar seemed to summon

"It was …. " Elia's gaze was faraway then, though her hand continued to stroke Aegon's soft hair.

"Elia?" Rhaella prodded gently. It was now her turn to summon the other from the depths of their thoughts.

Her good-daughter shook her head as though waking herself. "It was fine. He...he is very kind, though a bit brash of course. But he was kind," she concluded quietly.

"Poor thing," Rhaella lamented. "I cannot imagine what it was like for him to witness his father's death."

"He is recovering the best he can," Elia confirmed. "But he will want recompense from Rhaegar, that I know," she told Rhaella quietly. "Aerys's death will not be enough, I do not think."

Rhaella let out a weary sigh. "No, I'm sure it will not. But what was he thinking coming here in such a state," she asked, shaking her head at the northerner's folly.

"He was thinking of his sister," Elia stated resolutely, and there was an emotion behind her words Rhaella could not quite place. "There are worse crimes than caring about one's family," Elia continued, her voice now both distant and warm at the same time. "Far worse."

That was something they both knew all too well.

The two women settled into a brief moment of comfortable silence, watching as Viserys joined Rhaenys in trying to mash their vegetables and draw animals with the resulting mush. Their content bubble was only broken by the sound of a clink of armor and a second later, a voice.

"Your eldest son has returned."

Rhaella and Elia both gasped sharply as they turned quickly to see Rhaelle Baratheon and Ser Gerold.

"I heard the maids tittering about it after I left Robert," she said with a wry smile. "And I thought perhaps I might accompany you when you welcome him home from his...time away." The last words came out in a slightly darker tone.

Gods be good. This will not go well, Rhaella thought to herself as she rose alongside Elia. "Of course, Aunt. Unless you might prefer to rest some before you see him?" she asked with a tentative smile and a hint of a plea.

"I am not tired, niece," the older woman replied. "On the contrary, I find that I have both energy - and questions for our new King."


"Mother, Elia," Rhaegar greeted them as soon as they entered the room. Rhaella looked her firstborn over, noticing that he looked no worse for the wear from wherever he had gone and returned from. Where has he been? He came to her first, embracing her tightly as Ser Arthur and Ser Oswell looked on behind him.

"It is for the best, mother," he whispered into her ear, and she knew he was speaking of Aerys's passing. "But I hope you have begun to find some peace now."

Rhaella could scarcely believe her ears. She pulled back from their embrace quickly and looked at him with indignation. "No, it has not yet been peaceful, my son. Far off, in fact."

She could see his jaw tighten and uncertainty enter his eyes at her words and tone. He moved to his wife next.

Rhaegar embraced Elia, bending his head to place a kiss on her cheek. "Elia, I've missed you," he breathed with a smile. Rhaella was not blind and immediately noticed how tense Elia's body was - as though she were fighting the urge to slap her husband.

And she could not fault her for that.

"Rhaegar," Elia said quietly but strained. The uncertainty deepened in his eyes.

I truly have raised a fool, Rhaella thought to herself. Did he think we would welcome him with open arms?

Rhaegar's eyes then shifted to Rhaelle Baratheon, and it was clear that it took him a few moments to register who she was. It was also clear the exact moment he realized her identity by the slight widening of his eyes.

"Aunt," he greeted, audibly gulping. "It has been too long. I have not seen you since Elia and I were wed."

She peered at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" she asked, drawing out the last word like an ominous tune.

"I -" He gaped at her and then sunk into quick thought before replying. "Why, yes, I do not believe we have seen you since the wedding."

She let out an easy laugh then."Well, how charming you remember. And here I thought you had forgotten that particular event - or that you took vows at all," she remarked dryly.

The room went silent, though Rhaella could have sworn she heard Elia stifle a cough.

"I know you must think I have erred in my ways -" Rhaegar began before his words were cut.

"Do I now?" Lady Baratheon asked, both eyebrows raised at him. "That's what I 'must' think? That you have simply…'erred,' you say?"

Rhaegar visibly sputtered. "I merely want to apologize for any offense or slight taken. But I assure you my actions were done with noble intentions."

The older woman then slowly turned to Rhaella with an incredulous gaze, her eyes asking what in the seven hells he was trying to say. Then she turned back to look at Rhaegar letting out a deep breath that vaguely sounded like a low growl.

She entered into a calm pace in front of Rhaegar then, her cane tapping a slow, syncopated rhythm. "It's odd. Naught but two hours ago I was in this room reminding my grandson - " Rhaelle paused for a moment. "You do know him, my grandson - your cousin?" she asked innocently.

"Indeed, I am of course familiar with cousin Robert, I - "

Rhaelle held up a hand. "Good," she said with a tight smile. "I shall continue then. I was simply not sure what you choose to remember or when. In this very room, I reminded Robert that he must remember the value of family. I wonder if you need such a reminder, as well. Certainly you remember that mine own son traveled across the seas and back in search of a bride for you?"

Rhaegar let out a slow breath, closing his eyes. "I would never forget that, it was horri-"

"And then only to meet his death on that fool's errand when there was already a perfectly wonderful and suitable bride here, right here in Westeros!" Rhaelle continued with a flourish, her hand sweeping over to gesture to Elia. "And yet you seem to have forgotten her - and your two children - just as you forgot your bond of family to House Baratheon when you absconded with Robert's betrothed like a thief in the night!"

It seemed Rhaelle was not always opposed to raising one's voice - and that Robert's penchant for loud expressions was not from his Baratheon side alone.

"Aunt, please," Rhaegar said, his voice strained. He raised his hands up in feigned surrender. "It is not as it seems. I do not wish to offend, but you are wrong."

"I think not," Rhaelle replied, brusque and sharp. "Though I suppose I would not know," she conceded. "I confess I am simply not familiar with the sensation of being wrong. Though surely you must be?"

Well, almost conceded.

Then she took a few steps towards him, turning her head to the side as though she were solving a puzzle. Rhaegar leaned back slightly from his waist, his chin dipping into his chest. He watched her with a wary eye, clearly unnerved by her study of him.

"Do you know," Rhaelle said slowly, tilting her head up, "You quite remind me of my brother - your grandfather," she pondered.

"Oh," Rhaegar perked up, clearly eager for what seemed like a more positive shift in their interaction. Then his expression turned puzzled. "I was always under the impression you did not have the most favorable impression of him."

Her own expression did not change. "Exactly," she drawled.

It was then that they heard some kind of scuffle outside and raised voices. And one voice was louder than the rest.

Robert.

The two Kingsguard moved hesitantly towards Rhaegar and then in a flash, the doors burst open and Robert Baratheon stood before them. His eyes - wild and furious - went all over the room until they quickly arrived on Rhaegar.

After everything she had seen in her life, Rhaella now wondered if she had ever seen so much fury in one man's eyes.

"WHERE IS SHE?" Robert bellowed, breathing hard, more beast than stag. As he made a quick move towards his target, Elia and Rhaella both let out sounds of alarm. Rhaegar's eyes went wide as he scrambled backwards and behind the table, and Arthur and Oswell moved in front of him quickly.

Ser Jaime and Ser Gerold moved to restrain Robert, and when it was clear they were still struggling as two against one, Ser Oswell moved to push the stormlord back as well. Jon Arryn was vaguely behind Robert, pulling on his shoulder and telling him to calm down.

"If you laid one hand on her, you filthy dragon cunt, we will meet on the battlefield!" Robert roared, his face red and wild. "Can't even fight me like a man, protected by your knights like a little girl!"

Rhaella knew her aunt would surely call for Robert to stop and behave himself. Except that when she looked at the silver-and-grey haired woman, she found that she was watching Rhaegar with an amused and placid expression.

"Aunt!" she whispered urgently. Rhaelle looked to her and acknowledged her plea with a mild eye roll and exasperated sigh.

"Robert," his grandmother called blandly. "Please comport yourself." Her words came out with all the emotion of asking for a slice of bread - or perhaps less. No, certainly less.

Rhaegar, Jon Arryn, Elia and even Ser Arthur's heads all whipped to the old woman with disbelieving eyes, and she seemed to give in then with a small huff. "Robert!" Rhaelle finally yelled with one jab of her cane to the floor. "I do not wish to see these knights toss you into the black cells or worse!" That command came out with force and even a hint of grandmotherly emotion.

That broke through to him finally and he began to slacken his resistance then, catching his breath from the strain of fighting against the hold of the other men.

Rhaegar cleared his throat as he walked forward then, smoothing his silver hair and pulling down on his black doublet to straighten it. "Cousin Rob-"

"Do not dare to call me cousin!" Robert hissed and the Kingsguard pushed him back once more. "You are no family of mine!" His eyes went to his grandmother then, holding her gaze with a wild finality. And it was clear she had no objection to that statement.

Rhaegar let out a slow breath. "As you wish. Lord Baratheon ...I know you seek answers. I would like to assure you that Lady Lyanna is perfectly well and safe, here in the Keep."

"Lyanna? She's here?" Robert asked desperately, almost as though a daze had come over him. As quick as it came, it vanished and his expression turned fearsome.

"Take me to her. NOW."