DISCLAIMER: Chapter one.
Chapter rating: M
NicoleR85: I'm glad you liked them! I hope to get the next chapter out faster!
aussieKayz: He'll be revealed and I do like Jaime in the books rather than the TV series.
Shadow Wolf 15846: Glad you're enjoying it!
Chapter Twelve: Learning the Truth
(Winterfell)
Rhaenyra was looking over some papers as she inventoried their supplies, she knew winter was approaching, disrespectful and from what Old Nan said 'it was going to be a heavy one.' Normally, that meant a long winter, Old Nan could almost predict them from how her 'bones felt.'
"My Lady," a guard called as she turned from Mester Luwin who was aiding her, a man approached with a scroll.
"Thank you," she thanked the guard before reading it. It was from Doran, they had been talking more and more, he and Oberyn agreed that Tywin would kill Catelyn just to prove a point it was a slight against his family. Oberyn said he was sending one of his daughters to the Eyrie to protect Catelyn just in case. Robb worried it would cause a bigger rift between Dorne and King's Landing. Oberyn reassured Robb, so long as a Baratheon man ruled King's Landing, Dorne would not be allies. And there was nothing they could do as even Aegon the Conqueror couldn't win and he had three larger dragons. One of whom died in Dorne.
"My dear sister, I hear your sister has reason to celebrate. For she is to be a mother. My niece writes she has caught up with the flying trout this season. She claims to have seen a small lion on her journey. May we have more news on our missing trout. Doran,"
Rhaenyra read the letter through before folding it up and hiding it in her sleeves. She continued her counting and started to pick certain portions to stash for their storage that they would give out when other stores run empty.
"My Lady, Lord Cerwyn is requesting once winter hits to reside in Winterfell and his people," a guard spoke.
"So long as he contributes to our stores then aye," Rhaenyra decided. "Everyone must pull their own, if some wish to reside here, they must help in our survival," she finished as a guard nodded. He left to go tell the advisor from Cerwyn to retell the same thing.
"My Lady," Maester Luwin softly spoke. "Lady Dustin of Borrowton has sent barely the minimum for our winter stores," he told her as Rhaenyra sighed quietly in irritation.
"The few times I need Catelyn," she growled. "Then when they need extra, we give the amount they gave. And pray her grudge does not starve her people." Rhaenyra was tired of this old hate the Lady of Borrowton held for Ned Stark because he did not bring back her husband's bones and yet had his sister's body, Lyanna Stark, but brought back Lord Dustin's valued horse that was from Lady Dustin's father's herd. Very few were returned after the rebellion. So Rhaenyra would give her the same she offers. Barely enough to survive a long winter.
Many of the other houses sent extra portions to Winterfell all year, who naturally gave it back after winter was over or they kept it in case of another snowfall. Lady Dustin would send a small portion right before autumn or winter Rhaenyra refused to give a little on her anger towards the disrespectful Northerner.
"Very well, My Lady," Maester Luwin nodded, he agreed with his lady.
"Rhae," Bran called as he and Rickon approached, Rickon had started to follow his brother, helping him walk or keeping him company during his daily walk to get used to the use of a cane. Summer and Shaggydog were always behind them, the wolves, like the dragons, grew rapidly.
"Bran, how are you?" Rhaenyra asked worriedly as the boy smiled.
"I'm fine, Rhae. Just a bit sore," he admitted, from being asleep so long his body still felt a bit weary. Maester Luwin reassured him it would take some time for the soreness to go away. Bran was eager to be able to walk more, Robb preferred his brother was allowed to walk when he wanted so long as he had a guard with him.
"Well, you have your lessons to do, why not out here? Fresh air is good for you," Maester Luwin suggested as he nodded and went over to a table covered with a map, the dragons were sleeping nearby as Theon practiced his archery.
"I will finish this, go work with Bran," Rhaenyra suggested as Rickon glued to her side as Shaggydog approached the dragons. Rhaenys tiredly lifted her head and nudged the male wolf as they were nose-to-nose. Rhaella yawned before sniffing around while Alysanne lifted her head to Bran as he stroked the dragon's head, he was among the few able to pet the dragons with ease.
"Bran," Maester Luwin used his stick to point to the map, tapping onto the Iron Islands
"The Iron Islands. Sigil: a Kraken, Words: 'We do not sow,'" the young Lord recited as Maester Luwin nodded before giving more questions.
"Lords?"
"Greyjoys," Bran answered promptly watching Theon.
"Famed for their skills at archery, navigation, and lovemaking," Theon spoke playfully as Rhaella lifted her head to her approaching mother.
"That's nice to say around children, Theon," she scolded lightly as he shrugged with a grin.
"And failed rebellions," Maester Luwin softly spoke to Bran who smiled before the old man tapped another spot.
"Sigil: a stag, a crowned stag now that Robert's King," Bran said before Rhaenyra corrected him.
"It was always a crowned stag because House Durrandon were crowned kings before the arrival of Aegon," she reminded him as Bran smiled with their teacher agreeing.
"Words: 'Ours is the fury,' lords: the Baratheons," Bran continued as the maester nodded once more.
"Mhmm," Maester Luwin tapped another section, the Westerlands.
"The Westerlands. Sigil: a lion, lords: the Lannisters," Bran began, a look of concentration on his face.
"Words?" Maester Luwin questioned.
"A Lannister always pays his debts," Bran guessed as he continued to mark the table with a fish pin his mother had given him.
"No, it's a common saying Bran, but not their official motto," Maester Luwin told him as Bran frowned.
"Lords: the Lannisters," he continued, bypassing the words as Rhaenyra chuckled in the background.
"We're still on their words," Maester Luwin reminded him sternly as Bran frowned.
"I don't know them," Bran sighed as the pair frowned, he abandoned the fish pin before petting one of the dragons who trilled.
"You do know them. Think," Maester Luwin ordered while the boy frowned.
"Unbowed, unbent, unbroken?" he guest as Rhaenyra sighed.
"That's House Martell," she corrected
"Family, duty, honor?" the boy tried again as the maester frowned.
"Those are Tully words, Your mother's. Are we playing a game?" Maester Luwin questioned as Bran paused thoughtfully.
"Family, duty, honor. Is that the right order?" Bran asked as Rhaenyra frowned with confusion.
"You know it is," she confirmed.
"Family comes first?" Bran questioned them both as Rhaenyra sighed gently. He'd been upset about his mother's absence since he woke up.
"Your mother had to leave Winterfell to protect the family."
"How can she protect her family, if she'd not with her family?" Bran asked furiously as the two paused.
"Your mother sat by your bed for a full month while you slept," Rhaenyra defended Catelyn who had refused to leave the boy's side.
"And then she left!" Bran shouted as the dragons looked at him worriedly, Alysanne quickly nudged him again to soothe him while Rhaella went to her mother.
"When you were born, I was the one who pulled you from your mother. I placed you in her arms. From that moment until the moment she dies, she will love you," Maester Luwin spoke as he watched the boy with a leveled look.
"Why did she leave?" Bran scowled as the two adults looked at one another with Theon listening in.
"I still can't tell you, but she will be home soon," Maester Luwin defended his Lady as Bran looked to him.
"Do you know where she is now? Today?" Bran challenged making the old man frown, even Rhaenyra didn't know where her mother by law was.
"No, I don't," he admitted.
"Then how can you promise me she'll be home soon?" Bran demanded as he used his cane to stand.
"Sometimes I worry you are too smart for your good," Maester Luwin smirked as Rhaenyra chuckled.
"Will I ever be able to shoot a bow again?" Bran asked as he watched Theon shoot another arrow.
"Of course you could Bran," Maester Luwin told him as he worried this is what the boy was worried about, Oberyn had sent word to a Tyrell heir that the prince knew was crippled and could shed some light for the boy.
"Bran," Rhaenyra started as she pulled the letter from her sleeves and offered it to the child who took it, seeing the rose emblem.
"The Tyrells?" he asked as Maester Luwin nodded with a smile.
"It is from Willas Tyrell," Rhaenyra explained as she allowed one of the dragons to climb up and brace itself on her shoulders while hanging their tail around her neck. Rhaella sniffed her mother's hair while chirping and rubbing against her cheek. Willas Tyrell had agreed to talk with Bran, knowing from Rhaenyra that the boy had been active and was a climber but now he could not. The Tyrell heir felt he could ease the boy's fears and doubts that he once had, so Robb agreed, feeling like it would help too.
"Why would he send a message to me?" Bran asked as she smiled.
"To talk, read. I will continue my duties," she announced as Theon nodded, he was to keep an eye on the boys while Rhaenyra finished her day as Grey Wind trailed her after Rhaella flew off. Flying around the courtyard as her mother finished her list.
XII
"Tyene says she has met up with your mother and they were attacked on the way by mountain men. The Dornish were able to dispatch them with few casualties on their side," Rhaenyra informed him as Robb helped her undo her ties so she could dress for bed. Rhaella flew into the window, a charred calf in her claws, her sisters quickly followed, trying to snag the carcass from their sister.
"They're bolder," Robb commented as he realized they were flying around more and more. He hoped they would not fly away from Winterfell unless they were much bigger.
"They never stray far, something I have noticed," Rhaenyra agreed as he nodded, kissing her head softly before undressing himself.
"So they are safe within the Eyrie?" he asked as she nodded with vocal confirmation as well. Rhaenyra gently pulled his shirt off as Robb looked at her, the dragons squealing made the couple turn to see Rhaella hissing at her sisters and Grey Wind. The direwolf growled in warning as Rhaenyra moved faster than Robb's seen with the dragons, she surged forward, swatting her dragon's hide before snagging the remains. Unbothered by the burned bones and flesh she threw it out the window as Alysanne went after it. Rhaenyra refused to let them fight over food when there was no need. Rhaella watched her mother with caution before following Rhaenys out, Grey Wind watched before settling on the furs that were once the dragons when they were smaller.
"What was all that about?" Robb asked softly, embracing her from behind as she washed off her hands.
"I need to keep some kind of control over them," she explained as Robb kissed her head. "But Tyene claims that they made it into the Eyrie, though the Arryn were hesitant to let her and the Dornish in unless they wished to insult her father and uncle," Rhaenyra finished with a small smirk. Upsetting the Dornish terrified many as they could sneak assassins in and the defeat of Rhaenys the Targaryen Queen was well known in the stories.
"Everyone is worried about doing that," he countered pulling her closer.
"Because Dorn is powerful and sly, they can kill anyone or anything. If I ever had a son, I would like him to learn from them," she admitted making her husband laugh.
"We could see if they would ward one of our children, then marry them once they reach an age. Prince Doran has always had a fondness for you," he suggested as she nodded with a small smile.
"How often do you imagine our children?" Rhaenyra asked curiously as he smirked.
"Too much, if my mother or father overheard my thoughts," he smirked as he brought her into a heavy kiss. Rhaenyra wrapped her arms around his waist as he slowly undid her slip, allowing it to fall and pool at her feet as she undid his laces. As his hands gripped her waist while his lips went down her neck as she moaned softly, pushing at the leather to push off his hips.
"Enough for me though, I do hope for a child but pray no war comes from the Lannister forces," Rhaenyra spoke as he hummed gently.
"Even if war did come, I would protect you all with everything I have. And with those beasts you have growing, I know you will be safe," he swore as Rhaenyra brought him into a heavier kiss before he picked her up and walked her to the bed. Pinning her to the furs he rutted against her as she moaned heavily, wrapping her legs around his waist she quickly pushed him over. Sitting on top, Rhaenyra quickly felt for her husband's hard cock, positioning it at her opening she slid down, moaning in delight as he filled her. With a heavy look, she leaned down and brought his lips to hers as she moved with his help while he held her hips. Her breasts pressed against his bare chest as sweat started to collect on their skin before Robb turned them back over. Grinding as she broke the kiss, gasping as he latched his lips on her nipple, Rhaenyra moaned as the night continued like that. Later that night as she slept in her husband's strong arms, she dreamed of dragons and ships, fires and cheers of a dragon queen.
XII
(King's Landing)
Sansa was sitting with Jeyne Poole in an alcove as Lady laid at their feet, as Septa Mordane joined them, stitching herself as Jeyne gently brought her into a conversation. Sansa had not wanted to stitch today and wished she could have joined Arya, they were going to go to Ser Barristan, who had offered to take the girls to the dungeons to look at the skulls. The elder knight had found them sneaking around one day a few weeks ago after their first time going to the dungeons. He would accompany them down to the skulls for their protection.
"You both dress and wear your hair like southern ladies," Septa Mordane commented approvingly as Jeyne beamed.
"Her Grace thought we should, she even suggested Arya dress like a southern lady," Jeyne explained as Sansa sniggered, getting a shocked look from her friend and a scolding look from her septa who frowned.
"A lady does not snigger, Sansa," Septa Mordane scolded as Sansa frowned lightly at being admonished by the elder. "You have picked up some undesirable habits from Arya, it would seem," Mordane continued as she folded her hands over her lap and the stitch she was working on.
"Father seemed to be happier that Arya and I are talking with no fighting, we no longer shout," Sansa admitted with a gentle smile, happy that they seem to be figuring out their relationship.
"Yes, but at what cost to your reputation?" Mordane's sharp tone made Sansa sigh lightly with irritation laced within her posture.
"Excuse me, I need some air. Lady," Sansa called as the direwolf leaped from her resting position to follow her mistress.
"Sansa!" Septa Mordane called out, affronted by her student's sudden rudeness. As of late, Sansa had disappeared with Arya and her direwolf and could never be found until late in the night when both girls were found talking with their father. Septa Mordane had seen the change in the girls' behavior together, she had brought this concern to her lord but he just brushed it off with a simple laugh.
"The girls are getting along," Ned had said with a pleased smile. So the Septa left it at that, but now Sansa was slacking off her smaller duties and certain lessons, she always was at the ones the Queen held with her daughter but lately, Sansa had left before the Septa could wake her. It surprised the elder when she saw two Starks out of breath, weeks ago, running hand-in-hand, giggling about something, looking behind them. It made the god-sworn woman nervous that maybe Arya was influencing her sister too much, Mordane had hoped it for the other way around.
"Jeyne," Septa Mordane called out as she slowly stood. Jeyne perked up to the stern woman, she had trained this young girl too but she was ready to do what the septa asked as well. "Keep close to Sansa, encourage her to spend time with the Princess," the elder ordered as the girl nodded. She understood why it was unbecoming of a future queen to run around with wolves and her wild sister if she wished to marry Joffrey.
"Yes, Septa," Jeyne agreed, standing as the two departed to go their separate routes.
Sansa sighed as she marched her way to her chambers and frowned at her appearance, she looked at the doll her father gave her as she smiled softly and settled it against her dolls from home. Immediately, Sansa undid her hair as her handmaiden came in, alarmed at seeing her hair undone.
"Oh, My Lady. Let me fix your hair," she urged about to redo it in the southern style.
"No, I was putting it in the northern braid." Sansa shook the maid's hands away, a frown set on both of their faces.
"But the Queen..."
"I am a Stark and I am from the North, I will wear my hair as I used to," Sansa informed her before starting to do it herself as another maid came forth to help her. The first maid though slipped out from the chambers, not unbeknown to Sansa though, it brought a frown to her lips as the maid finished the northern braid, Sansa also decided to change back into her northern dresses. 'I will need to talk with Father about finding some northern ladies for me,' Sansa thought as she slid the familiar cloth back on. Lady sat at the door, patiently watching her mistress before tensing as a growl came from her. Sansa quickly left out a side door with the wolf as her maid hid her disappearance, Lady's growl indicated it was someone, a southerner. Sansa carefully entered the small dining room that the Starks frequented during their mornings. There she saw her father who's grim expression brightened at seeing his eldest girl.
"I see you are wearing your hair like a Stark again," Ned commented, seeing his daughter wearing her northern clothing.
"I did not like wearing the silks," she replied, not wanting to admit that she felt discomfort at someone comparing her to look like a southern lady.
"Well silks are not common in the North," Ned spoke, Lady came to the lord as he stroked her head. Despite his words, Ned grew to care for the wolves and now he was grateful for Lady's presence. Ned felt Lady helped his daughters grow closer.
"Where is Arya?" Sansa asked as Ned smiled.
"She will be..." Arya raced in, cutting him off as he laughed, making Sansa smile while Lady bounded up to her eagerly from the excitement she felt. "And where did you come from, my Wild Wolf?" Ned asked as his daughters settled at the table, Lady laid under to get scraps. "Girls, I have some news," he announced as the girls went silent at their discussion of the knights and who was going where. He had not realized they knew so much about the court, he knew Sansa had seen a bit but Arya was usually missing.
"What is it, Father? Is it your leg?" Arya questioned him anxiously as Sansa shushed her not wishing to hear that.
"No, no my sweet wolves," Ned soothed. He urged them to a large lounge to sit better. "I must send both of you back home to Winterfell," he continued as the girls both froze.
"Sending us home?" Sansa questioned confusedly. "I don't understand, Father. I am still engaged to the Prince, I cannot leave." She knew the king would not let their engagement break. Robert still wished for a Stark and Baratheon union.
"Aye, you are going, I've already sent word to your brother and told your maids to ready everything," Ned said firmly as Arya stuttered to complain. "It is for your safety. The King goes hunting, doing nothing after my men were butchered like dogs," he snarled as the girls froze.
"But Father, the King will not let me leave. I am engaged to Prince Joffrey, soon I will have to marry him. I only pray my babies have my Stark or Tully features, and nothing of his blonde," Sansa sighed, Ned thought it a bit funny how she once strived to marry high, now she did not look so happy. "They will look more like lions than wolves."
"The Princes and Princess look nothing like their father, just an image of their mother," Arya commented as Ned froze. "I overheard a maid talking about another bastard the King had, dark features just like him," Arya told Sansa who groaned.
"I pray no husband of mine bears a bastard, especially if they are to be King," Sansa said sharply.
"At least they are not like the Targaryen bastards, no madness there, their blood is distant from the dragon blood that created this castle," Arya defended as she remembered the stories of the Blackfyre rebellions that claimed thousands of lives.
"Ser Barristan stopped the last of the Blackfyre bastards," Sansa finished as Ned came back to himself, the girls' conversation had triggered something in his thoughts of the Princes and Princess.
"Go and pack, now," he demanded as Sansa stood, urging Arya to follow.
"Do you think Father will let us bring Syrio Forel back to Winterfell?" Arya asked hopefully as Lady followed.
"I do not know, Arya. But come, if Father says we are to pack, we will pack," Sansa spoke softly as she felt a bit nervous. She had been watching Cersei and knew the lioness would not let them go, not with the rumors she heard about her mother.
"Did you hear Mother has kidnapped the Imp?" Arya whispered as they entered her destroyed bed-chamber. Sansa resisted the urge to scold her sister for a messy room, it was not her place as she now noticed the maids cleaning as they packed for her.
"Aye, but we must pray that it will not affect us," Sansa prayed as Arya paused before nodding as Lady settled at the door, settling herself on guard.
XII
(Winterfell)
Rhaenyra walked through the Godswood as her dragons flew around, Gael and Karn peacefully foraged with Grey Wind nearby, Robb was sitting beside the pool. His thoughts have been plaguing his sleep which worried his wife, so she thought a trip to the Godswood would help ease him.
"Sansa has sent me letters, saying she is worried now that Jaime has left King's Landing. Others have sent me similar, saying he was seen heading towards his father's war camp," Rhaenyra spoke as Robb sighed. "What can we do?" she questioned with exhaustion in her posture.
"Nothing, but keep sending word," Robb answered as the dragon mother growled softly, one of her dragons landed at her feet before reaching up, bracing themself on her legs. Trilling and crooning to their mother.
"Soon, Father should be on his way home. He has sent word that he is no longer the Hand, Father claims that he has found something that worries him," Robb claimed as Alysanne trilled to him softly, nudging his shoulder as she felt like something was wrong. Alysanne seemed to sense the emotions of others they gave off. Rhaella and Rhaenys on the other hand, react to anger and aggression faster, Rhaella more than Rhaenys at times.
"Sansa worries for Lady's safety. She's heard rumors of Princess Myrcella and Prince Tommen's pets that have vanished before they're found dead. Everyone claims it's Joffrey but of course, no one will say anything," Rhaenyra claimed as Robb frowned, petting the blue dragon. "Ned has told me the girls seem to be getting closer," Rhaenrya smiled as Robb grinned.
"How is that? They are like fire and oil," Robb claimed as she chuckled softly. It was quite a description of the girls.
"Anything is possible with you Starks." Rhaenyra kissed his cheek as Alysanne quickly flew away as her sisters followed while the two watched wondering what would happen next.
XII
End of the chapter! I hope you enjoyed it
~Rusty14~
