Author's Note: Sorry it's been a minute, y'all, I've been rather wrapped up in my story about House of the Dragon. I can hardly take my mind off of the show... and by the show I mean Daemon, lol. But as promised, I will keep updating this story in between, and promise not to let it die out. So I hope you enjoy, happy reading!

THE THRONE OF ICE - CHAPTER TWO: "THE OLD GODS & THE NEW"

It had been a week since Bran's fall, and he still hadn't woken up. While Elyanna would normally spend her days filled with chores and other activities, every day of the past week she woke up and immediately went to the Godswood. She wouldn't return home until just before dusk for supper, speaking to no one each day. She felt a certain responsability for what happened to him, for his fall. She was the eldest daughter, it was her job to help her parents reign in the little ones and watch over them. So all she felt able to do was pray. Everything else lacked all importance to her. She couldn't even hardly eat or sleep.

The only thing she could do other than go to the Godswood was check on her mother, who was even worse than her in her grief and guilt. All her mother could do was make prayer wreaths for Bran, sitting by his side day in and out.

The cold wind blew harshly around Elyanna as she sat in front of one of the weirwood trees, her hand resting on the soft bark. She had been in this position for hours with her eyes closed, silently praying to the old gods and the new for them to return Bran to them. She was to leave the next day for King's Landing and wanting nothing more than for him to wake up alright before she left. She couldn't bear the thought of leaving him behind with getting to see that he was alright.

I ask the Father to judge Bran's soul with forgiveness and justice, for he's only a boy of 10.

I ask the Mother to look over my own, to understand a mother should never outlive her children.

I ask the Warrior to give the rest of us all strength until Bran has been returned to us.

I ask the Stranger to be merciful, to not take Bran so soon from this world.

Elyanna pleaded with prayers like these to all of the Seven, as well as the Old Gods. She left no stone unturned, repeating them all over and over until the words became pattern that echoed in her mind. She sat for so long with her eyes closed, too afraid to move or stop, that she didn't realize it had grown completely dark, the stars falling around her in the night sky as she prayed. Burdened with mental and emotional exhaustion, she fell quietly asleep against the tree, the prayers on loop in her head as she dreamed. And as she dreamed those words, new ones came to her, responding to her prayers. It wasn't an accident.

But it felt like just as soon as those four words came to her, she was awoken again by the distant calling of her name over and over.

"My Lady?" a voice called out from afar, accompanied by the quickening sound of footsteps crunching in the leaves.

Her eyes slowly lifted open, seeing a round orb of warm orange light moving towards her. She sat up and adjusted her eyes, only to see Ser Jaime standing before her with a torch in hand.

"She's here!" He bellowed into the darkness, alerting the rest of the search party that she had been found.

"What happened?" she asked, half-asleep and confused.

"You've been missing all night. How long were you wandering before you collapsed?" he asked softly. Elyanna could hear others running closer in the wood, and could see the light from their torches growing larger.

"Wandering?" she asked, "I've only been in Godswood."

"You don't think that's the first place we looked? We only found your shoes and cloak there," he disclosed quiety, cocking his head to the side as he looked down at her bare feet. She lifted her skirt a little to see, and he was right. Her feet were bare and cold as ice, covered in blood, bruises, and mud. "Your trail ended just outside of the gates of Winterfell, we've been looking for you all night since then trying to find you."

She slowly looked up and around her, seeing that she indeed wasn't in the Godswood, but in the Wolfwood. She started to stand, wobbling a little on her sore feet before he lunged forward and caught her.

"Dont try and walk, you're not steady," he said quickly, holding her up steadily as she looked around in a daze. "When was the last time you've eaten?"

"I'm not sure, I had some bread yesterday morning, I think. I haven't been able to eat," she mumbled, suddenly feeling even more dizzy.

"Elyanna!" Robb and Jon both shouted in unison, running towards her. They moved past Jaime, each of them holding one of her arms to keep her up.

"What were you thinking?" Jon asked angrily, panting from exhaustion, "You had us all worried sick for you."

"You could have died from exposure with no shoes or cloak-" Robb said, seeming a bit disoriented himself as he took off his cloak to wrap around her.

"I'm sorry," she muttered, leaning onto her twin for support.

"What happened out there?" Jon asked, his anger subsiding into pure concern.

"She said she didn't know," Jaime said, clearing his throat a little. "I found her passed out under this tree and when she woke up she still thought she was in the Godswood."

"I was praying," she whispered, feeling tears slip from her eyes, "I was just praying for Bran."

"It's alright," Robb said quickly, lifting her off the ground and into his arms. She immediately rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, finding immediate comfort. But she could feel the tension from his anxiety in his arms as much as she felt the biting cold on her bare feet, she felt awful having caused so much panic. Sometimes it felt as if her and Robb shared the same heart and soul, the two of them fed off of each other's energy more than anything else in the world. She hated causing him to feel her own grief.

"Let's get back to the castle," Jon exhaled, to which Elyanna felt Robb start to move. She could tell he was trying not to jostle her around as much as was possible, his arms tense as he carried her through the Wolfswood.

"Is she asleep?" she heard Jon ask quietly. She didn't hear Robb's response, but assumed that he had nodded because the two of their voices as well as Jaime's continued on their walk back to Winterfell. "I'm worried about her, Robb."

"Do you think I'm not?" Robb asked defensively. Elyanna kept her eyes closed, trying to regulate her breathing in a calm way as she listened closely. She didn't want them to know she was listening, but she also didn't have the energy to even open her eyes and alert them that she was.

"Of course I know you're worried, she's our sister," Jon whispered, "I only meant that I don't know if it's wise for her to go to King's Landing tomorrow, not in this condition. It wouldn't be safe."

"She only has a few cuts on her feet-"

"I meant in this condition of mind," Jon retorted, "She looked as if she had seen a ghost."

"Unfortunately I don't think it's up to either of you to decide whether or not she goes to King's Landing, not even your father can stop it," Jaime interjected, the sound of his armor clinking together as they all walked. "I'm afraid the King has made it very clear to everyone that Elyanna is to marry, sooner rather than later, so Joffrey can marry your younger sister. He wants to unite your houses-"

"I don't care," Robb said bitterly, "You lot won't be taking her away when she's like this, she needs to be with her family right now."

"I didn't mean offense, Lord Stark," Jaime said coolly, "But maybe being away from Winterfell, away from what happened to her brother is what's best-"

"How would you know what's best for my sister?" Robb asked, his voice a bit louder now.

Jaime said nothing in return, and neither did Jon. They walked in silence for a moment, the tension high between the three of them. Even through closed eyes Elyanna could see the lights growing brighter as they approached the North Gate, and then she heard someone from the ramparts call out that she was back.

"Elyanna!" she heard her father shout from afar, then the trudging of his boots in the mud towards her.

"Careful, father, she's asleep," Robb said quietly, slowly transfering her from his arms to their father's.

"She slept walk from the Godswood all the way into the Wolfswood. We don't know how she got past the gate keepers," Jon continued.

"She's cold as ice," Eddard muttered, then turned to Jon, "Wake the maester, quickly now... where was she?"

"Ser Jaime found her without a cloak or shoes, asleep on the forest floor," Robb responded, but his voice sounded bitter towards the man. There was a moment of stillness as Elyanna listened, where neither three of the men spoke, until finally her father cleared his throat.

"Thank you, Ser Jaime," Eddard said graciously, his voice shaky, "I don't know what I would have done if anything happened to her. I don't know if our family could stand it right now."

"I'm only glad she's back and safe, Lord Stark," Jaime said slowly, "I hope she's well enough by morning to still be riding with us to King's Landing."

"You can't father," Robb said, his voice heated, "She belongs here with mother, and Bran, and Sansa-"

"We will discuss it in the morning," Eddard said strongly, shutting Robb down before he could continue. "Call the rest of the search party back in and go get your mother... I'm taking my daughter inside before she freezes to death."

The gentle swaying back and forth and the protective fatherly embrace around her lulled her further into calmness as he climbed the stairs, making this whole ordeal feel less traumatizing than it actually was. Heat soothed her skin of ice once they were inside her bedchamber, and she felt him gently set her down on the bed of furs. She thought this would be the best time to pretend to wake up, to pretend that she hadn't heard everything they had all been saying this whole time. She slowly fluttered her eyes open, looking up to see her father seated at her bedside with a tear-stricken face.

"Father?" she mumbled, reaching for his hand.

He immediately smiled and exhaled in relief, taking her hand into both of his with a firm squeeze, "You gave us quite the fright, you know?"

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I never meant for this to happen, to make you worry-"

"It's alright, love." He nodded, his smile fading. He paused for a moment, but she could tell that he wanted to say something else, his eyes becoming redder. "Why were you out there, Elyanna? Is it because of what I told you at the feast?"

"No," she shook her head, feeling her own eyes start to well with tears. "I was out there for Bran...praying for him. I can't shake the guilt I feel-"

"It was an accident, Elyanna, nothing more," he assured her. "You have nothing to be guilty for."

But she wasn't so quick to believe him that it was an accident. "Father?"

"Yes?" he asked, smiling sadly.

"When I was in the Godswood, when I fell asleep..." she started, feeling the words stuck in the back of her throat, "I got this feeling...like the Old Gods were speaking to me."

"And what did they say?" he asked, his face and voice full of apprehension.

"They told me that what happened to Bran wasn't an accident," she whispered, squeezing her father's hand tighter. "It felt more real when they told me than it feels talking to you now. I promise it happened...Do you believe me?"

He paused, examining her face for a moment, then responded, "Aye, I believe that that's what you heard, but I don't think it was the Gods who sent that message, Ely. Your chambermaids say your meals have been untouched for days, and your bed hasn't been slept in-"

"I'm not mad," she said slowly, pulling hand and shrinking away from him. Her voice quickly filled with a sort of panic, tears flooding from her eyes as she looked to her father, pleading him to believe her. She was so worked up that she didn't see her mother and the maester come in. "I know what I heard, father, and I know that it's true. The Gods told me it wasn't an accident- I'm not mad-"

"I know you're not mad," he said calmly, placing his hands on her shoulders to try to soothe her. "I know you're not mad. Just breathe."

She nodded fervently, feeling her breathing rack in her chest as her mother watched with wide eyes.

"She's been through quite a lot tonight, Maester Luwin," Eddard said softly, then stood slowly to go speak with him. His voice was so low that Elyanna couldn't hear, even though the was only a few feet from her.

Her mother walked towards her and sat on the bed, resting the back of her hand against Elyanna's forehead. Her face was still as stone as she looked to her daughter, her eyes commanding her to speak quietly as she was about to, "Tell me what the Old Gods said to you, my dear."

Elyanna glanced over to her father, who was speaking in a hushed tone with Maester Luwin, then back to her mother, "They told me that Bran's fall wasn't an accident."

"And you're sure, more than anything in your life that that's what you heard?" Catelyn asked with a tone more serious than Elyanna had ever heard her speak.

"Yes," she whisepred, nodding slightly.

"Maester Luwin is going to give you milk of the poppy and tend to the cuts on your feet," Catelyn whispered, stroking her daughter's hair from her face. "You are going to take it, and when you wake, you are going to tell your father that you were just tired, you don't even remember what you just told me."

"Why do you want me to lie to him?" Elyanna asked, her brows knitted together.

"Because he doesn't understand the Old Gods as you or I do. He won't ever. This is our secret now until I can prove that you're right."

"You believe me?" Elyanna exhaled a little, her tears falling from her eyes.

"I do." Catelyn nodded, cupping her daughter's cheek.

Maester Luwin approached the bed, handing Elyanna a small bowl of milk of the poppy for her to drink. "To help you sleep, My Lady."

Elyanna looked to her mother, who gave one short nod, then took the cup. It tasted sweet on her tongue, then thick and bitter as it ran down the back of her throat. She leaned back in the bed, pulling the furs over her shoulders for warmth as Maester Luwin began to clean the mud and blood from her feet.

"Go to sleep, my love," Catelyn said softly, stroking the hair off of Elyanna's face. "Just rest now."

Elyanna closed her eyes, feeling a wave of calm and exhaustion come over her. She had only had milk of the poppy once before, but it must not have been nearly this much because it had only made her relaxed the time before. This feeling she had was one of complete bliss and weightlessness, pulling her downwards into sleep.

The Next Morning

Elyanna woke with a clouded mind, the effects of the milk of the poppy and the days events yesterday overwhelming her. But she had no time to be overwhelmed, and after the spectacle that she caused last night there was no room for her to be anything other than to act unaffected. She did as her mother said the night prior, telling her father the only thing she remembered was Jaime finding her in the woods. The rest was a blur. He seemed glad to hear her say this, relieved almost. And as she lied to him, looking to her mother who stood behind him, she noticed that she also seemed relieved. It was clear to her that her parents wanted her to move on from what happened, the both of them taking what she said and handling it on their own. Once their conversation was over, and the maester changed her bandages, she walked down to breakfast. Though she still felt sick at the idea of eating, her mother and father agreed that she must.

The table was full, every member of house Baratheon, Lannister, and Stark (save for her mother and Bran) were seated together and eating. Their voices hushed as they saw Elyanna enter the hall. She walked slowly, mostly because her feet ached from wandering barefoot in the woods, but partially to give the flush of red embarassment in her cheeks time to cool. She curtsied for the King and Queen, then took a seat between her brother and Jaime at the table.

"Good heavens, child," Queen Cersei said, examining her with a shocked voice. "You still look pale as ice. Should you not stay in bed and rest? I know that if I had been sleepwalking through a forest I'd want to sleep for days."

"I'm feeling much better now, Your Grace," Elyanna said softly, immediately feeling sick from the smell of food in front of her.

"That's a shame," Tyrion sighed dramatically, the air behind his voice light and humorous. "Because I'm sure we'd all love for you to go so we can talk more about your scandalously barefooted adventure through the woods last night. So I must ask, you're absolutely sure you're feeling up to staying?"

"Yes, I'm sure." She nodded, feeling a smile on her face for the first time in days.

"Fine," he shook his head, "Then I suppose we'll have to continue our gossip about you another day."

Elyanna laughed lightly, her cheeks warming from her smile, but no one else seemed to think it funny. The table resumed awkwardly eating, either not knowing how or not wanting to respond to his joke.

"Tough crowd," he said to her, eyebrows raised. But he didn't seem phased by it one bit, rather, he seemed used to this sort of reacition to his words. She smiled gently at him from across the table and mouthed a quick thank you. He gave her a small nod with a smile in return.

"So, Elyanna," the King said gruffly before taking long and deep drink from his cup of ale. "You're ready to leave today, yes?"

"We haven't had a chance to discuss her leaving yet," Eddard said stiffly, his face solemn. "Not since what happened last night."

"Well we're discussing it now, aren't we?" the King asked, looking to her with the expectation that she would agree.

"Your Grace, I'm not sure it wise for my sister to leave so soon," Robb spoke up, to which Elyanna turned to him with wide eyes. Though her and her brother agreed on this matter, she certainly didn't need him to speak for her.

"She said herself she's feeling well," Robert said, looking around the table for confirmation. "Did she not?"

"Yes, my love," Cersei said slowly, her eyes pinned on the King. "But-"

"Then it's settled," Robert said firmly, stabbing a sausage on his plate with his fork. "She's coming with us."

Elyanna looked to the Queen, who looked less than displeased by this decision. Her father and brother looked even more displeased, their hands white as they gripped their forks.

"I should go say goodbye to Bran and see that my things are all ready," Elyanna said with a sad smile.

"You've barely eaten anything, Elly," Robb said with frustration, the worry in his voice clear to everyone around them.

"I'm not hungry," she said quietly, turning to her father. "May I please be excused?"

He nodded once grimly, excusing her from the table. She stood and left, immediately making her way to Bran's room. The cold air whipped at her cheeks as she walked the open ramparts, she would miss the cold. She would miss the fresh air of the weirwood trees in the wind and she would miss seeing the snow fall from the dark sky. But most of all she would miss her brothers and mother. Winterfell was her home, and she didn't want to leave it. She didn't want to leave behind her family in the search of a new one. But she had no choice, she knew that her responsability to marry had finally come, and there was no way to prolong it anymore. So as much as she wanted to stay she had already accepted what had to happen. She only hoped that the family she could one day have would be as wonderful as the one she already had. When she approached Bran's room, the door was open. Her mother sat by the fire holding Bran's hand, her face in complete agony.

"May I come in, mother?" Elyanna asked, hovering in the doorway. "I want to say goodbye."

Her mother looked up to her, the smallest of smiles gracing her face. She extended her free hand out to her eldest daughter, beckoning her to come. Elyanna sat on the edge of the bed and linked her hands with her mother and Bran, the three of them connected to say goodbye.

"So you're still going then?" Catelyn asked, tears welling in her eyes.

"Yes," Elyanna whispered, nodding gently. "We'll be leaving as soon as everyone's eaten and all of the things are packed for the road."

"I'm proud of you my little Elly," Catelyn said, squeezing her daughter's hand. "I remember how scared I was leaving home to marry your father."

"You were?" Elyanna asked, tilting her head to the side. "You never told me that before."

"Well I was," Catelyn laughed softly. "I was 18 when I was supposed to marry your father's brother. We were engaged for some time until he was murdered alongside your grandfather. A year later I married your father, leaving me pregnant with you and Robb while he fought in Robert's Rebellion."

"You were still three years older than I am now," Elyanna remarked, her eyes lowering to her hand that remained connected to her mother.

"I know, my love, but times are different. And your sister cannot wed until you do," Catelyn said, her eyebrows raised as she moved her hand to her daughter's cheek. "If I had it my way you'd stay here forever with me, but alas I cannot. Besides, you have your own life to live, Elyanna. I didn't want to leave home either, but if I didn't I wouldn't have the life I do now. I wouldn't have you or your brothers or sisters. You may be happily surprised at what the future could hold for you."

"Do you really think so?" Elyanna asked, a small tear falling from her eye onto her cheek.

"I do." Her mother smiled. "Now say goodbye to your brother and go, you'll see us all again soon enough."

Elyanna stood up and leaned down over her brother, kissing his forehead gently to say goodbye. She brushed his mangy brown hair off his face, looking at him as he rested in what seemed like an endless sleep. "I love you Bran."

Her mother stood as well and envelopped Elyanna into a tight hug, holding her daughter close to her as she combed her fingers through her dark hair. "You're going to be alright, Elly, I promise."

"I know," Elyanna whispered, inhaling her mother's comforting scent one last time. "I love you."

"I love you more." Catelyn smiled sadly, pulling away now before she wouldn't be able to let her go.

Just as Elyanna was going to turn and leave, Jon walked in, his face nervous. "I came to say goodbye to Bran, and Elyanna."

"And you've said it," Catelyn said bitterly, every bit of warmth that she had just given Elyanna disappeared.

"Mother!" Elyanna said softly. She knew her mother spited Jon's existence, she knew it reminded her of the most painful time of her life, but Elyanna didn't think it was fair to act this way. "He's Bran's brother too."

Catelyn sat back down, picking up her prayer hoop that she was stitching without another word. Elyanna looked to Jon with apologetic eyes, but Jon gave a sad smile that said he knew it wasn't her fault. His boots clicked loudly on the stone floors as he walked forward to the other side of Bran's bed. He rested a hand on the boy's shoulder and inhaled a little before speaking.

"I wish I could be here when you wake up," he started, avoiding Catelyn's menacing stare as kneeled down. "I'm going North with Uncle Benjen, to take the Black. I know we always talked about going to see the Wall together, but you'll be able to come visit me at Castle Black once you're better. I'll know my way around by then."

Elyanna stood breathlessly, looking at Jon with wide eyes. She knew he had always wanted this, that going to be a Ranger was his biggest aspiration. She just didn't think the day that he actually went would be already be here. Everything was changing so much, everyone was being torn apart. Elaena saw their father enter the room, his face pained as he watched the three of them around Bran's bed.

"I want you to leave," Catelyn spat, her jaw clenched as she stared at Jon.

Elaena looked back at her father, begging him to stop her from being so cruel. But he didn't say anything to Catelyn, only looking at his daughter grimly, "It's time to leave, Elyanna. You as well Jon."

Jon stood from his kneeling position and walked out of the door without another word.

"Goodbye mother," Elyanna said softly, turning around to follow him. Their father stayed behind and shut the door, leaving the two of them to go down to the gate together. "I'm sorry she said that, Jon."

"Don't be," he said gruffly, but she could see in his eyes that he was just hurt by it.

"You didn't tell me that you were going North," she continued, her feet moving quickly to keep up with him. "You never said anything-"

"You haven't talked to me all week," he responded, shaking his head at her, "You haven't talked to anyone."

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, turning her eyes away from him with guilt. "I haven't known how to, I just couldn't."

"I know," he said as they approached the courtyard before the gate. The whole area was busy with people loading up trunks and preparing the carriages and horses for the travel. Servants bussled through with last minute items, making sure that the journey about to be had was as effortless as possible. As Elyanna looked around, she saw her uncle Benjen approach them, a small smile on his face.

Elyanna turned to him and gave him a tight hug, not knowing the next to time she would get to see him again, if ever. The Wall was a dangerous place, she didn't want any of her family to be up there. She whispered quietly to her uncle, not wanting Jon to hear what she was about to say. "Keep watch over him, Uncle Benjen. He forgets sometimes that he's still just a boy."

"I will, love," Benjen smiled, "Don't you worry about us. Perhaps once you're married you and your husband can visit the wall, you'll be missing the North enough by then."

"Of course," Elyanna smiled, trying to fight her tears as she turned to Jon. She then hugged him, closing her eyes as they embraced. "Promise me you won't do anything stupid up there. Don't be reckless with your life."

"I'll try," Jon smiled, squeezing her tightly. "But I won't make any promises I can't keep."

Elyanna swatted at his chest a little, shaking her head. But the two of them only laughed together, knowing they were going to miss this simple banter together. "Now go. The Night's Watch is waiting for you."

"Goodbye, Elly," he said, turning over his shoulder reluctantly to get on his horse. She watched as he and her uncle rode forward together, her heart heavy in her chest. She had already said goodbye to nearly half of her family, only the person she dreaded being parted from the most was left to say goodbye to: Robb. Her twin and her shared one soul, split into two bodies, and they had never been further than arm's reach from each other their whole lives. She didn't know how she was going to live in King's Landing without him. He was the one person in the world who knew every dark corner of her mind, who didn't need her to explain herself in order for him to understand. She was losing her best friend and closest confident, the other half of herself.

She watched as he came out from under the ramparts with her other two sisters, a tortured look on his face. Sansa and Arya bickered as they walked past her to their carriage, unable to keep themselves from fighting even on a day like this. Elyanna and Robb laughed a little as Arya shoved Sansa, their faces sharing one last smile before they were forced to say goodbye.

"I'm going to miss you," Robb said softly, pulling her attention. "It won't be the same here without you."

"I know, but everything's already changed," Elyanna said, fighting the urge to cry. She didn't want their last moments to be had in sadness. "If I wasn't leaving today it would be the day after, or a fortnight after that. I'm nearly 17, we can't stop the inevitable. It won't be long before you have to marry as well, you know?"

"I know," he grumbled, kicking at a stone in front of him. "I just wish we could go back in time."

"So do I, but we can't," she exhaled, looking up at him with a small smile. "It's going to be alright, Robb. I'm not leaving forever."

He nodded, returning a sad smile and hugging her. She inhaled deeply, holding her brother tightly and not wanting to let go. She would miss the familiar comfort of knowing he was there so much. They stood together, two energies wrapped into one, until they heard their father approach.

"It's time," he said, standing beside them.

Elyanna pulled back, sniffling to keep from crying. Robb looked to their father one last time, begging him not to go, but his mind had been made up. And by that, they all knew that it was the King's mind behind this all. And they knew that they had no power to change it.

"I'll see you soon, Robb," Elyanna said quickly, avoiding his eyes as she picked up her skirt to walk to the carriage. She breathed in and out in as a controlled manner as she could, feeling her heart crack inside her chest. She looked up at Winterfell one last time, taking in the home that she had always known. To any outsider it was a grey and gloomy castle, dull in every way. But to her this was her happiest place, each hall and room filled with every memory that she had ever had. With each flit of her eyes she saw Bran climbing up one of the towers, Arya stealing time to practice her archery, Sansa showing off the dress she had just made. She saw Rickon playing with Shaggydog, Jon sharpening his sword for his training, and Robb by her side to watch all of it happen. This was where she had always belonged, where she had become the person she was.

As she ripped her red and teary eyes from the castle, she saw Jaime Lannister watching her, a strange look on his face. It was as if he couldn't understand why she was so sad in this moment, so broken hearted. She could see on his face that he had never felt a connection to his home or family like the way she did. She stood still as he examined her for a moment, watching as he tried to understand. But she couldn't take it any longer, his stare only making her even sadder. She walked towards her carriage and climbed inside, unable to look back. For if she did, she would never be able to leave.

Author's Note: So obviously we have to set up and establish Elyanna as a character before we can move into the real action in King's Landing. The past two chapters have been dedicated to showing who she is: a devoted sister who cares very much for her family. She is easily affected emotionally as you can see in this chapter, and has very strong bonds to those she loves. But she's also smart enough to know that she doesn't exist above duty, she's willing to do what she needs to do even if she doesn't want to. In the following chapter, we'll finally be in King's Landing where this foundation can be built upon... stick along for the next chapter coming soon! -J❤️