Varys was already waiting when Rhaena arrived. She trusted that he had secured the area and that they could speak freely, and as always he greeted her courteously. "My dear, as radiant as ever. Glad as I am to share conversation with such a lovely lady, I am a little bewildered that you would insist upon such secrecy. What conspiracy are you planning?"
"Escape." She answered simply, keeping the hood of her cloak pulled low over her face as she murmured. "When the battle begins. I need your help. I know a way out of the keep, but I will need supplies which I cannot gather without being suspected. Food, maps, clothing, weapons…will you help me?" Varys gave no indication that he was at all surprised at Rhaena's request, in fact he rather appeared as if he had expected it sooner or later. Gesturing for her to walk with him, Rhaena stepped to his side where Varys offered her his arm and she took it, placing her hands within the crook of his elbow as he led her through the dungeons, the skulls of dragons long since dead the only witness to their conversation.
"This is a dangerous thing you ask of me my dear."
"One way or another I will die. If that is to be my fate then I would at least die trying to gain my freedom. No matter the result of the battle, no one will want me still living beyond it. Save for a precious few." She looked at Varys then with a notion that he too was one of the few people who wanted her to keep living. "Do you have any news from the North? About Bran and Rickon? Are they still under the Greyjoy's control?"
"I have heard nothing on that count I'm afraid, but I do have something that I think will be of great interest to you." Halting before one of the smaller dragon skulls, Varys stepped around in order to face Rhaena, looking under her hood in order to meet her gaze. "Your sister is alive. She has found her way to a city named Qarth in the far south east, and she is not alone." Merely hearing that her sister was still alive was enough to knock the breath from Rhaena's lungs, so perhaps it was fortunate that she was already unable to breathe when Varys revealed his next secret. "She has three infant dragons."
"Dragons…" The sound was barely audible as Rhaena stared at the spymaster blankly. Something stirred with in her, a fire in her chest like a roar wanting to break free, a recognition of something ancient and magical which had been given life once more in the living world. "Dragons…you are certain?"
"Several sources have confirmed it to be so. Dragons once more exist and your sister has three. Perhaps the House of Targaryen is not yet completely vanquished." Staggering under the weight of the news, Rhaena had to find something to support herself in order to think and breathe for a moment. The wall was her most solid option. She pressed her hands against it and bowed her head to try and clear it as she tried to imagine three little dragons in her sister's arms. Where had they come from? How had she found them? What was happening in the east? The east…suddenly Rhaena recalled a dream she had experienced whilst almost dying from fever, of three dragons rising from the east and flying into the west. Was it perhaps a premonition? Had she known somewhere deep inside that her bloodline was arising from the ashes and preparing to rise higher still? "If you were to make it out of King's Landing, my dear, where is it you would go? East to your sister? North to your friends?"
"North." Murmuring softly, Rhaena drew in a deep breath and pushed aside thoughts of dragons and her sister in order to focus on what was important. "I would go north. With a friend." Being a clever man, Varys immediately knew whom she referred to.
"Ah…so you would require supplies for two, not one." Thinking for a moment, Varys made a great show of expressions as he considered the request, though already his mind had been made before even Rhaena had requested an audience with him. Had she not planned to leave, he would have made the arrangements himself as he also knew that she would not survive beyond the battle one way or another. If Rhaena Targaryen was to live then she needed to flee, and of course she would not go without Sansa Stark at her side. "I shall help you, my dear. I am rather fond of you after all. Children have always been a weakness of mine, so sweet and innocent." Releasing the breath she had been holding, Rhaena moved forwards and flung her arms about Varys who started in surprise and made a soft sound as he stared down at her head, hands still tucked away in his sleeves though he carefully removed one in order to lightly pat the top of her head. "There now child, I have told you before you have more allies than you think, and I should like to believe that you consider me more a friend than an ally."
"Of course I do. You are more a man than almost all of them out there and possess more kindness in one finger than the average man in his entire body. I honour you for it." Satisfied that she had secured the help she needed to escape, Rhaena and Varys began to plot and scheme. She had gold, now she needed the provisions which Varys promised would be waiting for her in a secret location to be gathered before she could escape with Sansa. He attempted to uncover how exactly it was Rhaena intended to leave the keep and King's Landing but Rhaena politely declined to tell him outright, only hinted that there were many tunnels underneath the city and some of them held secret paths to the outside. There was little time to make the arrangements as Stannis was barely a day away. All Rhaena could do was place her faith upon Lord Varys, something she was not accustomed to doing, and pray that their escape would go unhindered.
It was perhaps the waiting which was the worst, pacing back and forth with nothing left to do. Rhaena have very few possessions left from what had been given to her by Lord Stark so all of her belongings fit into a small bundle. She had a few jewels which she reasoned would be worth something if they required more funds, some spare ribbon, a handkerchief and a single book she had chosen from the collection Tyrion had gifted to her. She wanted to take them all but their weight would only be a burden and slow her down so she chose a single favourite in order to bring it with her to remind her of him. She had the gold, her blankets and spare clothing. Not much at all and little of it any use other than the gold and jewels. At least it was light and easy to carry. Rhaena only hoped that Sansa had followed her instructions and already prepared her things so that once the battle had begun they would simply take their things and run. Rhaena was still pacing when the bells first began to toil, crying out their warning to signal that the fleet of Stannis Baratheon had arrived. Before there had been silence and stillness. Now everything burst into a flurry of motion. Immediately Rhaena had run to Sansa who was being attended to by Shae. Sansa had insisted that Shae was trustworthy but Rhaena doubted it. She had shown Sansa kindness and tried to help her hide her flowering, but she did not trust the girl. Something about her made Rhaena uneasy so had convinced Sansa not to tell Shae that they were leaving or ask to bring her with them.
With her little bundle of belongings Rhaena slipped into Sansa's room and put them down before Shae could notice them. "It is time. The fleet is here." Announcing it plainly as she walked further inside, Rhaena placed her hand upon Sansa's shoulder and squeezed as she saw the terrified look in her face. "Take heart sweet Sansa. All will be well." Although there was little use in empty words, they seemed to comfort Sansa who nodded her head and began to draw herself upright. Rhaena began to think of an excuse to dismiss Shae, wanting her gone so that Sansa and Rhaena could simply wait alone in her room until a suitable time to run when a servant came and announced that the king had sent for Sansa to see him off into battle and to meet him in the throne room. Rhaena cursed under her breath. "The boy is a fool." Sansa hushed her quickly.
"He is still the king. Come, we should not keep the king waiting." Dutifully rising to her feet, Sansa gracefully walked forwards without another word, leaving both Shae and Rhaena to follow behind her. As they walked a number of men gathering arms raced in every direction to arrive at their posts. Recalling her promise to Tyrion, Rhaena told Sasna not to worry and that she would return soon before rushing ahead. She arrived first at the throne room and glanced around her, reasoning that in order to reach the wall Tyrion would have to pass through here from the direction of his residence. Turning towards the stairs, Rhaena rushed up them and began to make her way down the colonnade until she heard his voice speaking and growing louder as he approached. She paused for a moment, biting on her tongue and swallowing back her nervousness before resuming a more dignified walk, lifting her head as Tyrion appeared with Bronn and his squire, Podrick Payne, an awkwardly shy young squire whom Rhaena was oddly fond of in the brief moments that they met. Sweet Podrick always blushed whenever a girl spoke to him. Listening as Tyrion spoke, she slowed down a little more as he seemed to be in deep discussion with Bronn.
"Remember, wait till the ships…"
"The ships are in the bay." Bronn finished for Tyrion, which meant that apparently Tyrion had had this same conversation with the man dozens of times.
"They must be far enough in…"
"I know what in means." Cutting him off once again, Rhaena remained partially hidden behind one of the pillars as not to interrupt them, waiting patiently as Bronn then nodded towards the axe which Tyrion carried in his hand. "Do you know how to use that?"
"I chopped wood once. No," correcting himself, Tyrion amended his own statement. "I watched my brother chopping wood." Amused, Rhaena stepped a little further forward, keeping her head down as other guards and soldiers continually moved past her as not to draw attention, still waiting to say her own farewells.
"I saw you kill a man with a shield. You'll be unstoppable with an axe." The two clasped hands with one another as Rhaena watched, thinking to herself that Bronn was acting rather friendly today. Perhaps it was the looming doom of possible death baring his feelings a little more freely. "Don't get killed."
"Nor you, my friend." Raising his brows, Bronn humorously questioned if they were in fact friends to which Tyrion took mock offence. "Of course we are. Just because I pay you for your services doesn't diminish our friendship." Now Rhaena gave a tiny giggle as she shook her head. Honestly, those two would be better off if they simply admitted that they liked one another without money being involved. Tyrion admired Bronn's forward honesty and Bronn seemed to like Tyrion's wit and tenacity.
"Enhances it, really."
"Oh! Enhances. Fancy word for a sellsword."
"Been spending time with fancy folks." It was at this point Bronn drew away in order to take his up his position in the attack however not before he saw Rhaena standing there, waiting patiently. "Well look who I found." With a smart grin Bronn grasped hold of Rhaena and pulled her into full view with his arm diving around her middle, drawing her securely against his chest as she blinked and stumbled a little on her feet with a delightful little squeak. "Come to see us off lass?"
"Indeed. I had hoped to find you a little earlier but you were nowhere to be found." Speaking plainly, Rhaena gently planted her hand against Bronn in order to open a little space between them though his arm remained loosely wrapped around her waist and did not seem to have any mind to let her go so she gave up trying to wriggle away. "Drinking and soliciting, no doubt." Bronn laughed at her bluntness and teased her for blushing.
"Rhaena, how good of you to come and see us. Do not worry, we shall fight valiantly for your safety. Won't we Pod?" Tyrion questioned the poor boy who stuttered and quickly looked at his feet whilst his cheeks grew red but managed to affirm that they would indeed fight to the very best of their ability.
"Thank you, this is a great comfort to me." Teasing them in turn, Rhaena then looked to Bronn. "You will be careful? All of you?"
"Don't worry little lass. Nothing has killed me yet." He assured her as he pulled her back towards him with a pull of his arm but only to give her a partial embrace, patting at her back. "Have you got nothing for me lass? I'm a man about to go into battle and might not see the next sunrise. Won't you at least see me off with a kiss?"
"I thought you just said that you had no intention of dying." Giving him a sharp glare, Bronn shrugged nonchalantly.
"Well…I might. You never know. Depends how great the temptation is to come back." Sighing softly, Rhaena acquiesced in his demand despite knowing that it was only a jest. She turned so that she could put her arms around his neck more comfortably and embraced him firmly for a few moments before then rising onto the tips of her toes and drawing him down so that she could reach his cheek and kiss it lightly whilst Bronn remained still for her, measuring her every movement until she deftly pulled away and gave him a dignified and challenging look he had come to respect her for. Though this being said, it did not stop him from teasing her further. "Not even a proper kiss?"
"I do not know where else your mouth has been." Now it was Tyrion who barked with laughter and even Podrick sniggered as Bronn made a face at Rhaena before inclining his head acceptingly. He let her go but before dashing away he took her hand and planted a strong kiss of his own upon her face, squeezing her fingers affectionately before then moving past her. Rhaena watched him leave sadly, already sending up prayers for his safety. "You will tell him I said farewell? After?" When she turned back to Tyrion and lowered herself to kneel before her friend, Tyrion nodded his head to her.
"I shall, dear Rhaena." Taking hold of his hands, Rhaena kissed them delicately before then also kissing both his cheeks.
"I will pray every second for your safety, little friend." Speaking with earnest, Rhaena then looked to Podrick who was still staring at his feet. "Take care of him for me, Pod, and I shall pray for you too." Before Podrick could shy away from her, Rhaena caught his arm and pecked his cheek which caused his blush to spread to his entire face though he smiled all the same rather bashfully as Tyrion drawled blithely at her.
"You are very liberal with your kisses, my lady."
"Only to those who deserve them, my lord." Replying to Tyrion's light quip, she gave Podrick a quick wink before walking down with the men to where Sansa and Shae waited for Joffrey, Tyrion moving in order to speak to Sansa with concern though when he addressed both ladies he recalled Shae's name incorrectly which she did not appreciate as she stonily corrected him.
"Shae, yes." Clearing his throat Tyrion then looked to Sansa as Rhaena returned to her side, taking her place and returning into the role of a simple handmaiden of no consequence. "Surely my sister has asked you to join the other highborn ladies in Maegor's holdfast?"
"She has, my lord, but King Joffrey sent for me to see him off." Answering him just as Joffrey entered, all eyes turned to him as he called out Sansa's name in that high, petulant voice of his. Rhaena hoped with all her might the idiot would impale himself upon his own sword.
"Always been a great romantic, my nephew." Muttering under his breath, Tyrion and Rhaena shared one final look between one another before he then turned away, facing Joffrey as he swaggered towards them adorned in his expensive and brand new armour bought specifically for the siege. How many mouths could have been fed for the price of that armour, Rhaena wondered? With Joffrey demanding that Sansa go to him, Rhaena fell into step behind her as she began to move forwards but stopped when Sansa then looked back to Tyrion.
"I will pray for your safe return, my lord." Surprised, Tyrion studied the young girl before him, noting how different she appeared compared to before…well. Before the Lannisters became involved in her life, unfortunate as it was to say.
"Will you?"
"Just as I pray for the king's." Yes, very much changed indeed. Sansa turned away and Rhaena followed her, turning her head to look one last time at Tyrion, knowing that this was possibly the last time she might ever see him alive. Biting down upon her tongue, Rhaena forced herself to look away before anyone might have taken notice, instead paying heed to Sansa and Joffrey who was now pompously parading himself about as if he had something to be proud of.
"Your king rides forth to battle. You should see him off with a kiss." Drawing his sword he presented it to Sansa for her to look at as if it was already a legendary blade to be admired and respected despite the fact it was yet to even see battle or taste blood. "My new blade. Hearteater, I've named it." Gazing upon it vainly as he continued to hold his sword aloft, Joffrey then looked at Sansa with a malicious smirk. "Kiss it." Although kissing Joffrey's sword was the last thing Sansa wanted to do, she obeyed his command though she did not hurry herself about it. Lowering her head elegantly, Sansa placed a chaste kiss upon the cold steel where her warm lips left an imprint of her behind. "You'll kiss it again when I return and taste my uncle's blood."
"Will you slay him yourself?" Quickly straightening once more, Rhaena glanced up briefly to observe the exchange between Sansa and Joffrey, noting how the boy-king shifted uncomfortably at the idea of being in any real danger but behaved as if he would be leading the charge himself, speaking as though he himself were a great warrior and swordsman who could do any real harm to a commander such as Stannis Baratheon. The boy truly had no sense in that empty skull of his.
"If Stannis is fool enough to come near me."
"So you'll be outside the gates fighting in the vanguard?" Once again Sansa was swift with her remarks which flustered Joffrey who in truth knew nothing and had no idea how to actually command men in battle.
"A king doesn't discuss battle plans with stupid girls." When her mouth twitched in a beginning of a smile Rhaena lowered her head once again until she had her expression back under control, glancing upwards to find the Hound had also glanced her way. Their eyes met briefly and Rhaena felt like she wanted to say something to him, to wish him safety or at least to die well though she doubted Clegane would appreciate such sentiments. Ultimately all she could do was deliver him a small nod of her head. The Hound considered for a moment, paused a moment longer then slowly nodded in return. With their exchange over, Rhaena returned her attention to Sansa who was in the process of subtly insinuating that Joffrey was a coward but did so in such a backwards way that no one else would notice.
"I'm sorry, Your Grace. You're right, I'm stupid. Of course you'll be in the vanguard. They say my brother Robb always goes where the fighting is thickest and he is only a pretender." Were it not for the fact the king was standing right in front of them, Rhaena would have laughed and praised Sansa for her excellent wit.
"Your brother's turn will come. Then you can lick his blood off Hearteater, too." Clearly now finished with Sansa, Joffrey strode away with the Hound and his other guards behind him as Rhaena swiftly backed away and lowered her head further as not to be seen. Joffrey did not even spare her a glance. Why would he? To him Rhaena was nothing more than a servant and did not even realise who she was. It was a relief when he was gone, the girls all now releasing a deep breath which they had been holding back as their shoulders dropped. Standing beside her, Rhaena linked her arm with Sansa's who naturally took hold of her, standing together as Shae joined them, all of them watching as the men went to their stations.
"Some of those boys will never come back." Shae murmured almost sadly so Rhaena looked at her and wondered if she perhaps had a lover who was now going to fight and worried that he would be one of those boys who would not return.
"Joffrey will. The worst ones always live." Daring to speak her mind, Sansa glared with hatred after where Joffrey had vanished as Shae hushed her quietly before entreating her to come away.
"You may go now, Shae. I shall look after our lady. Find somewhere safe to hide until the battle is over. It will be safer for you if you are far away from us." Rhaena excused, giving Shae a look before leading Sansa back to her room. Cersei had indeed invited Sansa to join her in Maegor's holdfast with the other women and children but neither Sansa nor Rhaena had any intention of going. The moment they were back inside Sansa's chambers, Rhaena secured the door then helped Sansa to change into a darker coloured gown with fewer layers in the skirt so that it was not so cumbersome to walk as well as secure her loose hair in a long braid before twisting it up at the base of her neck. They had no time to dye it a different colour like Rhaena's, perhaps they would do so once they were away from King's Landing as Sansa's hair was far too distinguishable. Rhaena then had Sansa put on a sturdy pair of boots and quickly laced them up before then throwing a dark cloak around her shoulders. "You must be as quiet as possible when we leave. We will keep your hood down until we are in the dungeons. Wearing it up whilst inside the keep will only draw attention. Once we are outside, we will hide until the battle is over then leave by ship to go up the northern coast and depart at Maidenpool. From there we will track Robb's movements and hopefully, catch up to him quickly."
"You are certain we can do this? What if they catch us? What if…?"
"Sansa, we cannot allow ourselves to exist only as pawns for people more powerful than us. Especially when they are ruthless." Gripping her arm tightly, Rhaena gave her friend an unmoving glare. "Even if we are captured, they will still not kill you as you are still useful. So long as you breathe, you are alive. If you are alive, then you can resist, you can fight, you can struggle and you can refuse to be broken by the likes of them." Loosening her grip, Rhaena let her hand slide down to hold Sansa's, allowing her face to soften. "You are Lady of Sansa of House Stark, your crest is the great direwolf. It is time you bared your fangs, sweet Sansa. Show them you are not so easily tamed." With a final squeeze Rhaena then let go, turning in order to see to the things Sansa had packed together in order to take with them. Some were sensible such as light jewellery, things of value to trade or sell, as well as her needle and threads with ointments, salves and strips of linen she had made by tearing her own bedsheets for injuries in case one of them was hurt in the escape, which was a truthful possibility. Other things Rhaena removed, such as several silk slippers and shoes, expensive but large dresses and several other fanciful things which would serve them no use.
"Wait, not that. If nothing else I must bring that with me." Seeing that Rhaena was about to set a doll aside, Sansa swiftly snatched it away and clutched it to her, embracing it protectively to her chest.
"Sansa we cannot afford to waste space…whatever we bring we must carry and everything needs to have a purpose if we are to make it."
"Please Rhae…this was the last gift my father gave to me." Now Rhaena softened, looking at the doll mournfully before nodding her head and extending her hand for it. Carefully Sansa handed it over and watched as Rhaena tucked it beside the rolls of linens, folding it neatly into the blanket to be kept safe. "Thank you."
"You have more than I do, and we still have to get the supplies my friend has left for us. I cannot carry it all so you will have to do your share, Sansa. Can you do that? At least until we arrive at Maidenpool and we can purchase horses." Nodding her head, Rhaena gave her an affectionate smile before sitting her down so that they could discuss their backstory should anyone ask them. "After all, two pretty maidens travelling alone is going to draw attention. We will have to use false names and lie about who we are. If you can alter your accent and forget your manners then all the better. No one will care as much about a pair of lowborn commoners compared to two highborn ladies who have a large amount of gold with them." Discussing in low voices, both Rhaena and Sansa decided their names and the story they would tell if ever they were asked questions. "Go on, tell it to me and remember, speak like a commoner." Nodding her head, Sansa proceeded to do her best to abandon her teachings and speak with a common drawl, trying to copy those she had heard growing up in Winterfell whenever she had spoken with the children of the servants. Sometimes her natural voice came through and each time it did, Rhaena would tell her so that she could change the way she presented her words. It was here the sounds of battle began to be heard, the shouts of men rising across the keep and when an explosion shook the very walls and rattled the windows, Sansa had leaped at Rhaena to hide in her arms with a fearful sob. Hushing her gently, Rhaena waited until the quaking had settled before finally, stood Sansa up and announced it was time to go.