Although it was not the same as when she was under the protection of Lord Stark, Rhaena did feel more at ease once Tyrion had asserted himself as the new Hand. It became well known that Rhaena was once more untouchable, though one or two attempts were made they were quickly thwarted. Both times because of Bronn. He seemed to have an impressive ability to simply appear where he was needed, so the first time when an oversized lord of some unimportant backwater place demanded that Rhaena accompany him to his quarters for entertainment and Rhaena resisted, Bronn had appeared and stepped in when the two guards in the employ of the lord who was so large he could barely walk attempted to bring her along by force, a sword suddenly levelled at their throats. Rhaena was quickly released and she dove behind Bronn and hid herself away as best she could as Bronn eyed the two guards and the blubbery barrel of a man who was most likely the cause of the starvation of the masses judging by his size. "You should know, his lordship the Hand of the King has ordered the little lady be left alone. Perhaps I'll tell him I came across someone giving the poor lass a hard time…I wonder what he'll order chopped off first…hands? Heads? Perhaps he'll simply order me to cut your lordship down to a smaller size piece by piece." Bronn spoke lightly and in a carefree manner but there was something about the way he presented his words which carried a heavy threat, a warning that he meant every word of what he said and that he wouldn't necessarily wait for the order to be given. He'd start cutting and slicing right there and then.
The lord chose to retreat rather sensibly, leaving Rhaena with Bronn who then winked at her as she emerged from behind him. "How much will you be charging Lord Tyrion for this rescue?"
"Oh I think I'll swindle him for as much as I can." Bronn announced chirpily as he glanced the girl over. The medicines Tyrion had sent her were working well as the bruising and swelling of her visible injuries had reduced significantly, though he could not tell for the others. According to his lordship, who had heard from the girl he'd sent to help Rhaena with the salves and ointments for her treatment, there were lash marks all the way down her back and legs. They had been careful with her beatings. It was never enough to break bones, they only ever left surface wounds so that there would be no internal injuries and thus, sudden death. If she was dead she was useless, though Bronn couldn't imagine what use a single Targaryen had when the other one was still across the sea and unlikely ever to come back. "You alright?" She smiled at him, soft and genuine, a smile that would melt the heart of most men.
"Because of you, yes. Make certain you pilfer as much as you can from him on my behalf. I rather enjoy the pride of being an expensive charge. I expect you'll drain his coffers dry before long if things continue in this manner." Dipping into a curtsey, Rhaena turned and walked away as if nothing had happened whilst Bronn's eyes followed her. She had spirit, he'd give her that. But spirit alone wasn't enough to keep someone alive. Shaking his head, Bronn sauntered off in order to report to his lordship who was rightly angered by the news. The offending lord soon found himself banished from court and suddenly in a great amount of debt to the crown. Strange how that should happen all of a sudden. Rumours began to spread of what had happened to this now nameless lord who had lost everything all because he had dared to put his hand upon Lady Rhaena Targaryen against the express order of the Hand. Most chalked it up to coincidence, others simply did not see the connection. The second time an incident occurred, however, the message was delivered a little more clearly.
The second incident Rhaena had noticed a rather noisy group of younger lords and ladies, girls and boys only a handful of years older than herself, but Rhaena often found that it was at this age the highborn folk were at their worst. With high riding emotions and changes occurring in their bodies, they often lacked common sense and restraint whilst enjoying a joke at the expense and humiliation of others. Usually those who could not defend themselves from them. When Rhaena happened across such a collection of roughly half a dozen little lords and ladies tormenting a pair of servant girls, pulling at their clothes whilst trapping them within a circle as they pushed them back and forth and striking them with belts, cackling all the while with their laughter. The intelligent action would have been to simply walk away, but Rhaena happened to be in a foul mood that morning and strode directly over to the pig-brained little weasels and forced them aside. "Go on, return to your duties and be quick about it." She dismissed the girls who were both crying but seemingly unhurt save for being a little ruffled and some bruising from the belts. They both rushed past her with a quick word of thanks, leaving Rhaena to now face the incensed little peacocks whom she had just taken away their entertainment.
"How dare you interrupt us? Who do you think you are?" One of the boys demanded, a flabby cheeked boy with an unfortunately large nose. Bringing herself up, Rhaena allowed her eyes to look the older boy up and down gradually before then looking him directly in the eye.
"I am Rhaena Nightflyer of the House Targaryen. Who are you?" Now had these young nobles had any sense, they would have let matters lie, but sense was not the first lesson to be taught to children of noble houses. All they say was a girl from a fallen house who had insulted them and taken away their fun, so now it was only right they made her pay for it, for what did they know or care for the world of their fathers? All they knew was their own pleasure and as of this moment, Rhaena was to become their new plaything. Before she knew what had happened the boys had swarmed her whilst the girls all sniggered behind their hands at one another. She was restrained by two of the boys who pinned her arms back and drag her forcibly towards the nearest water fountain where she was unceremoniously thrown in. She was drenched through instantaneously, soaked from the water as she scrambled to try and get up quickly but was pushed down by one of the boys. Rhaena slipped as she struggled to find her footing for the weeds and algae in the base of the fountain and her instability caused a riot of laughter at her expense.
Attempting to climb out, Rhaena was shoved back again and again, even when she attempted to run around to the other side the little lords chased her as the girls shrieked, joining in with the game. Rhaena was pushed and shoved so many times that she was soon exhausted as she also had to fight to maintain her balance. Shivering, Rhaena made a dive for an opening but two of the boys quickly closed together but this time when one reached out to thrust her backwards, Rhaena snatched hold of their wrist and dragged them forwards, pulling them directly into the fountain with her though her foot flew out underneath her and she fell backwards also. Plunging back down Rhaena managed to hold her breath as the fish swam for safety, the constant disturbances causing them panic. Beyond the water there was a collective gasp and look of shock, staring as Rhaena kicked and flailed before beginning to pull herself out of the water, grasping onto the stonework in order to haul herself free but before she could do so, the other boy kicked at her fingers which forced her to let go as he then swung the back of his hand across her face. This gave the boy she had pulled enough time to recover, shouting a rather impressive tirade of insults and curses as he caught hold of Rhaena by her hair and dragged her back down into the water and pressed down upon her throat.
The stupid games had suddenly become deadly and Rhaena struggled for her life against the boy who held her down whilst sitting across her waist so that she could not even use her legs to strike at him. He pulled her up just to scream at her as she coughed and spluttered, spitting out a mouthful of water but before she could scarcely take in a fresh breath she was shoved back under again. She clawed at the boy's face with her hands but he merely knocked them away with one hand as he was far stronger than she was. Rhaena writhed and struggled with everything she had, gasping for air each time she was pulled back up only to be slammed down again once more. The boy most likely did not intend to kill her, just frighten her into submission however he had begun to enjoy the feeling of control and power over someone who was meant to be from a Great House. This boy, a fifth son of an inconsequential house, held the life of a Targaryen in his hands, and that sense of power caused his blood to roar. He held her down longer, squeezed her neck a little tighter until even his companions began to grow concerned, telling him to let the girl up. Just a little longer, he wanted to feel this sensation for a little while longer then he would let her go, it was just simply too intoxicating to resist.
Any chance the boy might have had to let go of his own volition, however, ended with the sound of a knife being drawn and something cold being pressed to his neck. Suddenly his throat felt hot and oddly wet. His entire body seized up as he found he could not breathe without choking on something liquid red. Blood. His blood. He bled out before he had truly understood what was happening, the water turning from its clear hue to one of crimson as Bronn shoved the boy aside then reached down to grasp hold of Rhaena and hoist her up. "There you are little lass, easy now you're alright. I've got you." The moment she was upright Rhaena coughed and hurled, expelling a gutful of water as well as a small fish which hit the water and hastily swum away. "Been practicing your fishing I see; you should try for something bigger next time." Sending him an exhausted glare, Rhaena's next words were entirely unladylike.
"Go fuck yourself, Bronn." Grinning to her, Bronn helped Rhaena steady herself though she could barely stand up, coughing and wheezing as she rested against his leg for a moment, grasping onto it tightly in order to keep herself upright without straining her own body too greatly whilst she recovered her breath. She looked beyond the fountain and saw two of the boys who had harassed her were bleeding, one from his nose and the other was clutching his left ear which seemed to be bleeding profusely whilst the girls sobbed and trembled as they clustered together in twittering terror and sobs. Rhaena didn't care. Her head was hurting, her lungs were burning, and she was freezing cold. She wanted to get away from that place as soon as possible, but when she tried to stand up her foot slipped on some pondweed, causing her to fall with a splash once more.
"Come here lass, come here." Now speaking in a slightly softer tone, Bronn put Rhaena's arms around his neck then easily lifted her out of the water as it rushed from her with a sloshing sound. Bronn stepped out of the fountain and began to walk away, nonplussed by the body he had left behind. In his mind he had simply followed orders. Besides, who would care if there was one less little shit in the world? Certainly not him. Instead, he just carried Rhaena in his arms to take her back to the Stark girl's room where the other girl should be able to take proper care of her. Even soaked to the bone Rhaena was light to carry. His sword weighed more than her. She nestled neatly into the crook of his neck, still struggling to get her breath back as her small hands rested upon his shoulder.
"I'm sorry I cursed at you Bronn." She finally spoke, her breathing now a little lighter and more even.
"Don't worry lass, I've had worse."
"Thank you for saving me."
"Just think of it as you doing me a favour. I rescue you; I get paid." To this Bronn felt her smile into his neck, too exhausted to so much as look up.
"In that case, you should split the reward with me." Laughing shortly, Bronn reasoned the girl couldn't be too badly affected if she was using that smart mouth of hers. Arriving eventually at the Stark girl's room, Bronn barged inside without bothering to knock, causing her to shriek and leap to her feet in fear until her terrified eyes fell upon Rhaena.
"What did you do to her? What happened?!" This was perhaps the only instance Bronn had ever seen the Stark girl rise in a temper, bristling with fury as she rushed forwards and grasped hold of Rhaena's hands who was mumbling and trying to explain to her friend that Bronn was not to blame.
"See to her, will you? Dry her off, get her some clean clothes and let her rest. I'll tell Lord Tyrion what happened." Sansa sent Bronn a suspicious look as he deposited Rhaena into a lounging chair whereby Sansa swiftly dropped to her side and began to peel back her hair to move it from her face and clutch at her hand. "Now girl, or she'll catch a fever."
"Yes…yes of course." Shaking herself off, Sansa all but chased Bronn out of the room so that she could begin tending to her friend as best she could, shouting for help to summon more servants so that she could get Rhaena out of her wet things more easily. After that second incident, everyone now knew that the Hand's warnings were more than just that. Anyone who touched Rhaena would forfeit their title, their land and possibly even their life. The family of the boy Bronn had killed attempted to claim justice but Tyrion quickly put them in their place and sent them away in dishonour where their house would never again recover. Despite the punishment, it was still Rhaena who suffered. She took a terrible fever and became utterly bedridden, drenched in sweat and rambling in a delirious state until Sansa had no choice but to beg for Grand Maester Pycelle to come and see her. It was not good. When word spread that Lady Rhaena had contracted a severe and infectious disease, the queen instantly demanded that she be removed from Sansa's chambers. "No, please do not take her! I can look after her, I will do everything properly." But Sansa's pleas fell upon deaf ears as the queen looked on silently even as Sansa clutched at her sleeves.
"It is for the best, little dove. For your safety and health. You understand." Not even deigning to spare her a look, Cersei watched with a slight smirk as the Targaryen girl was dragged from the bed by Ser Meryn and forced to walk even though she stumbled and staggered.
"Move! Or I'll drag you by the hair." Shoving her forwards, Rhaena slammed into the table but managed to catch herself upon it as the world span around her. Her body felt like it was one fire and her head throbbed like someone was beating upon it with rocks. She felt herself being pushed forwards again so began to walk as best she could. Her legs felt heavy and moved sluggishly as she walked barefoot over the cold stones of the floor, swaying as her hand traced the wall to help guide her way as she was driven forwards like a carthorse, Ser Meryn pushing and shoving at her repeatedly as Sansa's cries gradually died away the greater the distance was placed between them, or perhaps Rhaena simply could not hear anything anymore. She could not hear Ser Meryn ordering her to continue walking, could not hear him after she had sunk to the floor and he yanked her head back by her hair to bellow in her face, and she did not hear anything when someone came to save her. Rhaena would later think how well Tyrion kept his promises, marching to her rescue with Bronn at his heels. An order must have been given because Rhaena was just about able to distinguish the dark shape of Bronn approaching her before he slung her over his shoulder to carry her away, catching sight of a golden-haired woman and the stunted frame of Tyrion arguing with one another. Rhaena did not care. She only wanted to rest.
Soon her back was placed against a soft bed in a quiet space where the room was filled with light and fresh air. Water found its way down her throat, quenching her thirst as a cold cloth was then pressed to her brow. "You miserable thing. You have the worst luck, it seems." Bronn said to her quietly as he sat by her side. "Just rest now little lass. His lordship will take care of things for you." These words were the only ones Rhaena remembered when she sank back into her quiet world, sleeping deeply despite the dreams that rattled at her mind. Fire and blood, ice and snow, ghostly blue eyes and black wings eclipsing the sun…she saw many strange and terrifying things, and many more which made no sense to her. She saw the sun rising in the east upon a desert waste of reddish sands which burned like crimson fire in the heat, where three dragons rose from the horizon as if they had been birthed by the sun, roaring as they took flight and followed the sun's path west. Mumbling under her breath, Rhaena wondered what it could have meant, calling for someone to come and take her away from this nightmare. She called for Sansa, for her sister, for her mother despite knowing that none of them could save her. The fever almost defeated her. For a few days, the Grand Maester was convinced that Rhaena would not live due to her poor health condition and weakened body which caused very few people to mourn, but those who did mourned keenly and without restraint.
But Rhaena even in the shroud of fever and sickness refused to be defeated. So strong was her desire to live after all she had endured, she fought tooth and nail to survive and denied the God of Death her life, whispering under her breath again and again, "not today" until it was all that she said. Although some came to sit with her to tend to her needs and keep her company, it was when she was alone that Rhaena first awoke completely from her fevered sleep. It was night time and she was surrounded by darkness in a place she did not recognise. Panic began to strike at her nerves, but she felt too drained to even move. Despite having slept for more than a week, she was exhausted and promptly went to sleep once again but, at the very least, her fever had broken. Maester Pycelle called it a miracle from the gods, though he did not claim it was a good thing. He treated her because it was expected of him and most likely would have been negligent in his care were it not for the fact that Lord Tyrion and his brutish sellsword were always present to watch him when treatment was administered. Rhaena recovered, and she was left in peace within this new room of hers. The fever had sapped a great deal of her strength and her lungs were still weak but most days she would sit up in bed and each day she would be visited by Sansa and Tyrion, even sometimes Varys who would also bring her fruits to give her energy. Whenever Tyrion came to see her, he was always armed with new books for her to amuse herself with and each time Rhaena would smile at him. "Little friend, I have barely even begun the last set of books you brought me. At least give me a chance to read the old books before you bring me the new ones."
"But what if you should grow bored of the material I have already brought you and have nothing else to interest you, dear Rhaena? Never fear, if it is one thing you shall not lack, it is excellent reading materials to exercise your mind." Giving him an exasperated shake of her head, Rhaena then glanced to the door which remained slightly ajar and saw a little of Bronn's figure standing there.
"Will Bronn not come inside too?"
"Hm? Well, I suppose he could if that is what you want. Bronn! You have been summoned." Shouting for Bronn, the lately appointed Lord Commander of the City Watch entered and gave a curt nod to Rhaena as he used his foot to kick the door shut behind him.
"You look better little lass."
"I feel it, thank you." Gesturing for both her guests to take seats where they could find them, Tyrion placed himself in the only available chair beside Rhaena's bed. Bronn however brazenly walked over and sat himself down directly beside her, causing her to smile with laughter before continuing. "I understand I am to congratulate you on your promotion, Bronn. How does a position of authority suit you?" Having grown a little more used to the flowery words of the nobility, Bronn had also learned which ones were painted with contempt and mocking and which ones were meant with sincerity. The girl in front of him had only ever spoken with politeness and even a certain degree of respect which was something Bronn was not used to. He liked her for it and because of this, never minded how many times he might have to rescue her from danger.
"I like it very well. After all, I get paid more." Now Rhaena laughed aloud though in doing so caused her lungs to grow irate until she began to cough, becoming breathless the harsher her coughing became until blood began to spit from her mouth from the effort. Both men looked at her with concern as Tyrion rubbed at her back and pressed a handkerchief to her mouth.
"Shall I send for Pycelle…?" He began but Rhaena immediately shook her head.
"No, it is nothing. He says it is just inflammation of the lungs. It will settle eventually, so long as I rest and recover well." Using the handkerchief to catch the blood and wipe it from her hand and lips, Rhaena then settled back against her pillows in order to rest herself for a moment. "Tell me what is happening out there. I have been stuck in here so long I have no idea what is going on outside these four walls. Is the war still happening?"
"Indeed, though it appears we have more kings to worry about now. Five in total. It seems everyone is deciding they are a king these days." Tyrion mused before explaining to Rhaena about the Wildlings in the North who were gathering in support of a man by the name of Mance Rayder, formerly of the Night's Watch and had proclaimed him their king. Looking between the faces of the two men before her, Rhaena recognised that there was more to tell only they were not willingly giving up the information.
"What else has happened?" A darkness clouded Tyrion's expression and immediately she sat upright. "Is it Sansa? Tell me it is not about Sansa, what is it?!" Her distress caused her to begin coughing again so Tyrion hushed her gently, giving her water and resuming to rub her back again as she coughed into the cloth and stained it with more of her blood.
"Sansa is perfectly alright, I give you my word. It is just…there have been some…rather shocking and horrific…considering your condition, perhaps it is best if…"
"The king ordered the slaughter of all his father's bastard children. Right down to the youngest babe still at the mother's breast and used the City Watch to carry out the order." Bronn announced to her bluntly and her shock was enough to steal the breath from her, silencing Rhaena's coughing for a few moments before she required to breathe once more and coughed further until it settled.
"What?"
"Aye. Nasty business it was. Hence the position of Lord Commander suddenly became vacant after his lordship here shipped off old Slynt to join the Night's Watch." Now Tyrion was glaring sharply at Bronn with an unimpressed curl upon his mouth. "What? The lass would find out one way or another."
"Yes but it could have been delivered a little more delicately." Shaking her head, Rhaena excused Bronn's manner and sighed heavily as she once more sank backwards into her pillows.
"Then Joffrey has truly revealed his nature. He is a monster. I know he is your nephew, little friend, but he really is the foulest little bastard I have ever known." Quirking an eyebrow, Tyrion countered by bringing up Robert, asking whether or not she still considered him to be her greatest hatred. "Robert acted as he did out of grief. His actions I could understand and had a root, inexcusable as they were. Joffrey does what he does because he can and because he likes it." Shaking her head, Rhaena pressed her eyes closed. "The Kingdoms will fall into chaos and ruin if he is left unchecked. I think the only person to actually hold any love for him is his mother, and she is just as vile and ruthless. No offence." Rhaena added quickly to Tyrion who waved his hand dismissively.
"Oh no I agree with you completely." Having rested her eyes a while, Rhaena once more looked at both Tyrion and Bronn before her, managing a weak smile.
"You both look as though you are already standing over my grave. It is bad luck to look so forlorn next to a sick person." She chided them as she reached out and gave Tyrion's hand a squeeze to try and console him. "I am still a child, you are supposed to pretend to be happy and cheerful and bring me more presents and sweet things to eat until I am back to full health…though the Grand Maester hinted that I might carry this weakness for the rest of my life." Her glance brought attention to the medicines at her bedside which were mostly untouched.
"My dear, you should take your medicines. They will help you recover." Tyrion said to her with concern whilst patting her hand.
"I do not trust anything that old man gives me. How do I know it is not poisoned? Or concocted in such a manner as to keep me ill and weak purposefully? I would rather lay here and suffer to recover my own strength than take anything he hands to me. The man is a snake." To this Tyrion could not disagree as he was himself already preparing a trap to see which of the Small Council he could trust with sensitive information and suspected that it would be Pycelle who would go running first to his beloved sister to tell her all of his plans. First he had to make sure. Tired from her little spike of irritation, Rhaena took a deep breath to calm herself before looking to Bronn who had not spoken in a while. "You saved my life again Bronn. I would say that I owe you, but as it has already been established that Lord Tyrion is paying my debts for me with his gold then it stands to reason I owe you nothing. I hope you are well paid to put up with me each time I require your heroics." She teased him and Bronn gave her a rather fond smirk, speaking cheekily as he did so.
"I'll never say no to extra payment lass, so don't mind being in my debt. I'll be sure to collect one day." With a roll of her eyes, Rhaena slowly sat herself up and leaned towards Bronn, shifting in her bed in order to support her weight so that she could reach forwards and turn her face into his cheek and plant a soft kiss there, lingering for a moment before then settling back once again looking even more drained than before as her eyes sank in tiredness.
"There. It is all I have of value, my saviour. I hope for now it suffices." A little surprised but rather pleased all the same, Bronn gave a careless shrug and delivered a show of nonchalant indifference.
"I suppose. For now." Now Tyrion gave a sharp cry of hurt, clamping his hand over his heart as if he were in pain.
"And for all my efforts and expenditures I receive nothing! How you wound me, my lady." Chuckling at his dramatics, Rhaena summoned the last of her energy in order to lean forwards and peck Tyrion upon the cheek as well which caused him to blush warmly with a glow of happiness. Rhaena was always happy to have company, however now she was too tired to properly focus as she settled into a comfortable position and breathed deeply as Bronn and Tyrion began to argue with one another over which was more important, the rescuer or the one who pays for the rescuer to do his job. Meanwhile Rhaena fell asleep to the sound of their voices surrounding her, lips curled into a smile in amusement for their petty squabbling until Bronn noticed that the girl was asleep and slapped the back of his hand against Tyrion's chest to silence him and gesture to her. "Ah, well I suppose entertaining guests is rather exhausting. Come, we shall leave her be." Getting up from his chair, Tyrion carefully drew up the coverings so that they draped over Rhaena's shoulder to keep her warm and delicately removed her hair which had fallen across her face, lingering only a moment to touch her hand before drawing away.
Bronn did much the same, brushing the girl's cheek briefly before following his employer from the room where two City Watch guards stood outside with strict instructions not to allow anyone to enter without Lord Tyrion's permission. Not even the king. "You care about the little lass." Bronn noted bluntly as they left though Tyrion fired him a warning look to watch his tongue, concerned that someone might be listening. Bronn held his silence until they were squared away in the Hand's study where he once more repeated his statement though he phrased it in such a way which indicated a suggestive meaning to it, making Tyrion snort and roll his eyes as he poured himself a cup of wine.
"If you are insinuating that I am in love with Lady Rhaena then you are greatly mistaken." Bronn's expression expressed that he did not believe a word of it. "Alright, yes I care a great deal for her." Tyrion finally acknowledge, taking a large gulp of wine before continuing. "But I only think of her as the sister I have always wanted since the one I have is such a great disappointment. I have known her since she was even smaller than myself and watched her grow ever since. I taught her to read, to write and how to use that pretty little head of hers to survive this wretched place." Having poured another cup, Tyrion brought it to Bronn and offered it to him however as the sellsword's hand grasped it, Tyrion held on. "She is alone in this world, Bronn. She has no family to protect her and is a weak, fragile thing. Most people want her dead. She is too good and too precious to be lost in this wretched game of power and riches. If I do not protect her then who will?"
"Understood, milord." Bronn acknowledged, drawing the cup away from Tyrion's grasp and drained it away in one. Sighing with satisfaction as the rich liquid ran down his throat and settled with a pleasant warmth in his belly, Bronn then turned back to his little lord. "But you're wrong about her you know." Frowning to him, Bronn gave a slight grin to Tyrion as he saluted his now empty cup. "That little lass is anything but weak and fragile."