Although not entirely lovers, Rhaena and Robb would often vent their desires and frustrations upon one another. There was a mutual benefit to their arrangement, and for now it was enough for Robb. Each day he would be the Lord and King at once, dealing with matters of the castle as well as the entire North until his head was fit to burst, but then each night he would make the climb to the Lord's bedchamber, open the door and find Rhaena waiting for him with a cocky smirk and in various states of undress. His stresses would melt away under her touches and whispers until each morning, he would feel like a man born anew. It was not only administrative matters which concerned him, but also the urgent need for the material known as dragonglass, otherwise called obsidian. Jon had insisted upon its importance and ability to kill White Walkers, and so under order, every northern maester was required to search for any record of the material and where it might be found. Even Rhaena took to the library of Winterfell to read every book upon every shelf, searching for anything that might be useful. It was all she could do until word reached her of her sister's movements, suspecting that it would not be long now before she began to make preparations to sail across the Narrow Sea, though she could not imagine where Daenerys would find all the ships she needed after those in the harbour had burned down. Perhaps she would demand them in tribute from the other cities in Slaver's Bay, as compensation for the trouble they caused with the Sons of the Harpy.
Thinking of them made her thoughts then turn to Ser Barristan, and that ache of mourning would return as Rhaena then thought of all those she had loved and lost. It seemed unfair, but perhaps it was in some small way a mercy, for now they would not have to face the Long Night which came for them. Sighing softly, Rhaena closed the book she had been reading as it had yielded no useful information and instead rubbed her face wearily. The maesters were searching for mention of dragonglass, Tormund was preparing to take his wildlings back up North at Jon's request to defend the Wall against the White Walkers and the Night King, and Maester Wolkan, who had been maester to Ramsay, had received a raven from King's Landing announcing Cersei as the new Queen of the Seven Kingdoms following the death of her son, Tommen. Poor Tommen. A sweet boy such as he did not deserve to die so young. Rhaena did not even know how he had died. Now all that remained of Cersei's blood was Myrcella, and she too might have died if Rhaena had not taken her from Dorne when she had. How strange it was, that she would rescue the daughter of a woman who had tried to see her dead many times, and when failed allowed her to be beaten and starved. Perhaps it was another amusement for the gods they had arranged. Of course, there had been one small happiness amongst everything that had happened. The arrival of Lady Brienne of Tarth, returned fruitlessly from a mission given to her by Robb Stark, whom she had taken sides with after his mother's death and her failure to find Sansa and Arya to protect them, had also brought none other than Podrick Payne, once the squire of Tyrion Lannister.
Upon learning that he had arrived in Winterfell, Rhaena had rushed to see him and greeted him with a kiss upon his cheek which had caused him to blush and stutter until Rhaena laughed, noting how Podrick had not changed at all. Lady Brienne, who was an impressive height and build for a woman, upon discovering that Sansa had also returned to Winterfell, had immediately offered her sword and sworn her fealty, promising to be her shield and protect her as her mother, Lady Catelyn, had ordered. Her last order. Brienne insisted that she would continue to follow her lady's order until her dying breath, and although flustered, Sansa had accepted Brienne's sword and service. Glad to see Podrick alive and well, Rhaena had invited him to sup with her and shared wine as they exchanged their stories and talked, the wine loosening Podrick's lips so that he did not stutter so greatly, growing more accustomed to Rhaena's presence. She in turn told him about Tyrion, assuring him that he was doing well and was now in the service of her sister, Queen Daenerys. This had made Podrick smile, and Rhaena admired the young man's loyalty and good heart. With Brienne now settled in Winterfell, Rhaena took it upon herself to ask her to spar with her, wanting to test her blade against that of Brienne's whom had defeated the Hound in single combat. At first Brienne had been hesitant, looking Rhaena over carefully to her slight and willowy frame. "My lady forgive me, but I am not in the habit of going lightly against my opponents. I am afraid I might hurt you."
"Should you cause me pain, Brienne of Tarth, I shall take it as a lesson to be quicker and smarter. Come. I have not sparred against a woman before. The way of the sword is so greatly ruled by men, it seems to me that you just as much as I should want for an opportunity to spar against one of the same gender." Taking a sparring sword into her hand, Rhaena faced against Brienne who had smiled slightly before then taking up her ready stance. Sansa watched them from above, curious to see who would fare better. Although Brienne was strong and precise, Rhaena was quick and nimble. She had learned so many different styles of swordplay that Brienne never knew what would come next, but defended as best she could against the Targaryen princess until she began to find her footing once more. They sparred furiously for several minutes, neither one relenting until even others in the training yard paused to look. Young girls and boys brought in to learn how to fight watched with whispered awe as the two women seemingly fought with such fury that they were certain one of them was going to die. Breathless and beaming, both of them continued to hack and slash at one another until all at once, Rhaena parried a blow which caused Brienne's sword to glance upwards, allowing Rhaena to roll herself forwards and snap her legs around Brienne's, knocking against her knees to fell her to the ground before twisting onto her knees and pressing her sword against her throat. They fell into stillness, looking at one another until finally, Brienne grinned.
"I take back my words, my lady."
"Do not be so hasty, Brienne. I can feel bruises already forming. I have learned well from you." Mutual respect and admiration flowed from one to the other, Rhaena drawing back and offering Brienne her hand in order to help her to her feet, though with the size of the woman and her armour, it was more of a friendly gesture rather than any use to her at all. After their sparring match, Rhaena and Brienne became good friends, often sparring together and Rhaena even partnered against Podrick to help in his training when she was not pouring herself over books or making love to Robb in his bed. For quite some time, Rhaena found herself at ease, settling into Winterfell as if it had been her home all along until finally, a raven came from Dragonstone, bearing two messages. One for Rhaena and the other for Robb Stark, as well as Jon Snow. Tyrion had written the letter to the King in the North and his brother, whereas Daenerys had written to her sister directly, informing her that she had arrived upon Dragonstone and expected her return with Rhaegal immediately. The tone of the letter took Rhaena by surprise. It was curt and formal, with very little sisterly affection evident in the letters, other than being signed your loving sister. Everything else seemed to be more like a command rather than a request, but Rhaena had given her word to Tyrion and she intended to keep it. Since Daenerys was on Dragonstone, that is where she would go. It was her place, but she promised that she would leave with the intention of convincing her sister to turn her army to the North rather than face the South.
The issue at hand, however, was the demand that Robb Stark and Jon Snow present themselves to Daenerys in order to swear their fealty to her and proclaim her the rightful Queen of the Iron Throne. Rhaena almost rolled her eyes after she had read the letter Tyrion had written to them, not quite understanding why Jon had been requested to attend also. The Northmen were gathered in order to discuss what was to be done, because not only were ravens received from Dragonstone, but also from the Citadel in Oldtown, containing information of vital importance. "This message was sent to me by Samwell Tarley." Jon announced as he held up the letter he had received, standing before all. "He was my brother at the Night's Watch. A man I trust as much as anyone in this world. He's discovered proof that Dragonstone sits on a mountain of Dragonglass." Rhaena's head turned quickly and shot to her feet, striding towards Jon who willing passed over the letter for her to read. She took in the words before then staring at Jon, allowing the letter to be taking from her fingers and read by the other lords in attendance. Sharing a look with her, Jon then referred to the letter delivered to both himself and Robb. "We also received this a few days ago from Dragonstone. It was sent to our king by Tyrion Lannister. He's now Hand of the Queen to Daenerys Targaryen. She intends to take the Iron Throne from Cersei Lannister. She has a powerful army at her back and if this message is to be believed, three dragons."
"You do not need to believe the message. I can assure you that my sister has three dragons." Rhaena spoke quietly, still thinking of the dragonglass underneath the keep of Dragonstone. "You have all seen Rhaegal, and he is not even the biggest of his siblings." The lords all murmured with nods of their head, able to accept Rhaena's word that Rhaegal was not the only dragon alive. Rising from his seat, Robb spoke to reveal the contents of the letter though his eyes constantly shifted towards Rhaena.
"Lord Tyrion has invited myself and my brother Jon to Dragonstone to meet with the Dragon Queen. She demands that we bend the knee." As expected there was a dissonant outcry of objection, many voices calling for their king to refuse the outrageous demand. "However, considering the information received from Jon's brother Samwell Tarly, then there is a cache of dragonlass lying unused underneath Dragonstone. We will need it in our fight against the White Walkers. All of it." Looking to Jon, Robb nodded his head to indicate that he could continue, the brothers working together in order to convince the lord of the necessity of what needed to be done.
"But more importantly, we need allies. The Night King's army grows larger by the day. We can't defeat them on our own. We don't have the numbers. Daenerys has her own army and she has dragon fire," Jon reasoned, and as he did so Rhaena felt numerous eyes look upon her. "I need to try and persuade her to fight with us. Ser Davos and I will ride for White Harbour tomorrow, then sail for Dragonstone." Silence followed for a few moments, until one of the northern lords stood and questioned how they were to know if this was not a trap, that the Dragon Queen would not turn out like her father and simply burn Jon alive with her dragons as her father, the Mad King had done. In her sister's defence, Rhaena flared with anger.
"My sister would do no harm to a guest of her own invitation. I can give you my word, my lords, that Jon and Ser Davos will return to you just as you see them now." Turning herself slowly in order to look upon the faces of the northern men, Rhaena lifted her chin proudly. "I know that my father was mad. Mad and cruel. However, look at me. Do I seem mad to you? Am I not one of reason? Have I not fought beside you and sworn my allegiance to your king?" At her words some of the lords nodded in acknowledgement, releasing a little of their uncertainty as they looked upon Rhaena Targaryen, who was known to them. "I understand your suspicion. You do not know my sister. She has lived her life in the east, and until now has never set foot upon Westerossi soil, but this does not make her any less of this land. I will go with Jon and Ser Davos, I will fly ahead upon Rhaegal to bring the news to my sister, and I will begin the petition to have her bring her armies and her two other dragons North, to aid in the fight against those who would slaughter us. If I cannot persuade her…then I give my word. I will fly back alone, and I shall fight alongside you, and with Rhaegal I shall burn your enemies into ash to protect your homes, your loved ones and your people. The North has my heart, and I will defend it even if it means defying my own sister!" With her passionate words, the lords all stood and cheered for her, hammering their fists against tables and slapping their sides.
Thus, it was decided. Jon and Ser Davos would go, and Robb would remain in the North as the king should. Rhaena offered to take Sansa and Rickon with her, to take them further south away from the threat of the White Walkers, but both refused. Sooner or later the White Walkers would come, and they would rather live or die in their home with their brothers and people than run like cowards. Their determination drew the respect and admiration of the lords once more, who all murmured in approval as Rhaena nodded her head and instead, placed a kiss upon Sansa and Rickon's brow. They did not leave immediately, some provisions needed to be arranged and the horses prepared, so Rhaena and Robb had time enough for one last secret tryst together, where Robb held Rhaena in his arms and whispered into her ear, telling her how beautiful she was, how spirited and lovely, that he wanted her to stay with him, even daring to ask her not to go. Turning her sad smile upon him, Rhaena had kissed Robb tenderly, and it was the only response he needed to know that it would never be as he wanted. It pained him, but years spent in battle had hardened Robb to certain things, and so he bore it with the face of a king and simply returned her kiss with an equal measure of farewell. Then she was gone. Flown away on the back of her dragon, leaving a hollowness in Robb, a part of him that would always belong to Rhaena Targaryen no matter how long he lived. A day. A year. Ten years. The part of him that ached and mourned, it would always be for her. But he would never show it, and perhaps in time that ache would lesson to a dull but sweet throb, and only tender memories would remain. Robb Stark, the King in the North, turned away from watching the skies and returned to his duties, burying Rhaena Targaryen deep in his heart.