DISCLAIMER: Chapter one.
Chapter rating: T
10868letsgo: Well, let's see if they all don't inherit their father's greed (but we all know they did). Please enjoy!
NicoleR85: Me too, sadly never realized how much you use a laptop and relied on it until it died. I almost cried, lol. I hope you like my upcoming chapters.
Youngthundercat67: Please enjoy my next chapter! Happy you're enjoying it :)
recey2010: Glad you liked it. Please enjoy what's next!
Chapter Sixteen: Death of a Lord
(East)
Dany could not stop reading the letter her twin gave her, she looked at the shells that resembled her stoned eggs. Her sister said she had three live dragons, Rhaella, Rhaenys, and Alysanne. Despite the outlandish rumor from this Northern man, Dany believed her twin. The shell is what surprised and confirmed her theory once she read through the letter. But she said they were going to war with her dragons going as well, Rhaenyra told her how their ancestors went wrong in confining the dragons. Food and freedom were what they needed, or they ceased growing. It gave Daenerys some hope for her stone eggs, but she must learn how. Though Rhaenyra swore to send her another letter with some attachments. The elder worried someone would get the letter.
"Khalessi," Irri started as she entered while Daenerys put the letters and egg shards away.
"Yes?" Dany asked while going to her.
"We have ridden through to the goatherd," Irri spoke. It meant that they conquered the Shepherd people. Daenerys, heavily pregnant, was helped onto her Silver, before following her guards and Ser Jorah after the Dothrak girl. Irri greeted Rakharo softly before Daenerys followed, and she has spent time talking with Nymeria, expressing her conflicts about the slaves the Dothrak defeated.
"I feel horrible for these women and children, even the elder men. I understand that it is a part of their culture but I still wish I could do something," Dany told Nymeria who hummed in sympathy.
"Well, they have been doing this for centuries, just as your own did a thousand years ago in Old Valyria. But while it is banned in Westeros, here it is still allowed, how I wish it were not. Though what you can do is give them a good Khalessi to follow," Nymeria told her as Dany frowned. "Maybe one day it could be different, but for now it must be this," she finished. The Targaryen girl nodded, she knew her ancestors in Valyria used slaves while those in Westeros were free before the Usurper family took over. So that's what she'll do, be a Khalessi and abide by the Dothraki way to grow, her unborn son would need a strong mother to ensure his survival.
So Dany walked by all the captured people, Irri led her to Khal Drogo who sat at the head with a pile of decapitated heads of the villagers who fought back.
"Moon of My Life," Drogo called as she approached him. "You carry my son strong!" he praised as Dany smiled proudly. Her belly was quite large, soon her son would be there in her arms.
"You and your Ko fought bravely and won many for your Khalassar," Dany spoke as she came to her husband who had specks of blood on him. It made her happy to know he remained unharmed.
"We have trampled the goat people, tearing down their gods," he said as Dany nodded. "We will soon leave to continue," he said as Dany agreed, understanding when Ser Jorah suggested they go eat. Dany usually craved her horse and goat meat about now, it made Drogo proud of what she craved most of all. Dany planned to send another letter to her sister to find out more, she was worried about her now.
XVI
(Riverlands)
Rhaenyra sighed as she sat among the ladies of camp and sewed. She did not want to stay inside as she could hear the dragons, for over a fortnight, she has been stuck with all of her handmaids and Catelyn's with the Tully woman going in and out. But as a result, she was stuck with Roslin Frey, who try as she might, felt out of place in the group of women.
"Is everything alright, Lady Rhaenyra?" One of Catelyn's ladies asked as the white-haired Dragon Mother put her stitching down. She's been pondering Dany's last letter, it was about Drogo returning to his march and was going to teach Robb with his help through the letters. But as time grew closer, Rhaenyra feared for Dany when her time came to give birth. Their mother died giving birth to them, Rhaenyra felt like they would face the same fate.
"Yes, I am fine. But I will be walking outside for a bit," Rhaenyra decided, she felt claustrophobic in here.
"You have barely worked your stitching," Valaena commented as Rhaenyra stood with Raynor joining.
"I cannot sit still any longer," Rhaenyra said as she walked to see the men in the war tent. Oberyn and his daughters were among them, many of the lords were against this, though when the girls offered good advice the men agreed to it. Oberyn was proud of them as he watched them talk. Shrieks caught her attention as Rhaella landed, she saw her other two fly ahead and play with a burned deer carcass.
"Come here, Rhaella," Rhaenyra called as the red-black she-dragon came. Trilling as she accepted her mother's attention before crooning with affection encouraging the petting with soft nudges.
"They grow bigger every day, My Lady," Raynor praised as he watched the other two fly around. Rhaella seemed to be done before turning to rejoin her sisters in flight. Her roars were deeper but still high in tone, Alysanne and Rhaenys voices were softer, but still ran chills down many soldiers' spines. The Dornish have traveled with them for near a month now, and many still jump at their noises. Oberyn says he will never grow used to them, Tyene had already enjoyed sitting in the mornings when the dragons woke and flew around to stretch their wings. She and her sisters would leave their tents to watch the dragons as some started their early pack up. Nymeria enjoyed watching them wake up, their greeting to each other, even many lords enjoyed their 'music' as Catelyn once called it.
"My Lady!" A soldier called when he came to Rhaenyra. Raynor stopped him so he could deliver the message. "Lord Stark requests you to return to your tent," he spoke as Rhaenyra agreed, before walking with Raynor behind her, he was becoming protective over her with all new faces. Just like his lady, he disliked the Freys, he did not trust them, he was constantly watching Roslin in case she was spying for her father. Though Lynara and Valaena claim she was very sweet and terrified of Rhaenyra. The older man found it humorous at her statement, other than her dragons there was no reason to fear their lady. Raynor stopped outside the tent as Rhaenyra greeted her husband who was readying his sword.
"Robb, where are you going?" she questioned as he sighed softly.
"To try and help free the siege on Riverrun and rescue my uncle, Edmure," he said as Grey Wind joined them, he nudged her hand with his cold nose. Softly petting the direwolf who would follow his master into battle. It worried her and she wished the dragons were bigger so she could join to help.
"So you are going now?" she asked while he nodded, pulling her up as he pressed a few kisses to her forehead.
"Yes, but I will return to you," he swore as Rhaenyra kissed him once more before they exited. Many greeted them before Rhaenys and Rhaella landed as he laughed, gently petting them separately while Alysanne flew overhead. The young dragons were close to towering over their mother now. Grey Wind started to shy away when it came to the dragons eating, but Rhanys still shared kills with the cautious direwolf. It seemed to soothe the she-dragon when she wanted away from her sisters.
"Gods be good, they will be giant by our year's end," he laughed as he stroked a purring Rhaella. The dragons left for longer periods but still returned with their kills. Brynden Tully claimed that they will soon start hunting in larger numbers, he worried they'd turn to humans or farm animals. Smalljon and his father both claimed that the dragons grew up eating and hunting deer and the wildlife, also the dragons are growing up among an army of men and horses. So they were used to them, it was until they went into war should they worried if the dragons start to hunt them.
"They're growing at a faster rate than in Winterfell, from what Maester Luwin wrote in his book," Rhaenyra commented as Robb hummed as Rhaenys nudged her, interested in her attention.
"You can't wait," he mused as his men gathered together, the Dornish were already in line, ready to march. The Frey soldiers were still readying themselves, Olyvar was trying to hurry them along from looks by the northern lords who waited, they were all eager for war. They have all been talking and now their blood was starting to rise, many were eager for their first kill.
"I can, I don't want them to get hurt, or Grey Wind," she smiled while Robb grinned when the direwolf came to her. She knelt and pressed a few kisses to his face as he tried to lick her face as she giggled softly. Robb helped her stand as Grey Wind greeted Rhaenys with a lick to her snout, the molten gold she-dragon mirrored his actions.
"But they will be useful for when they do grow up," he spoke as they flew away to go hunt. "They always hunt," Robb commented as Rhaenyra shrugged gently.
"They grow every day, Raynor figures they would soon hunt whole herds," she commented while they came to Robb's horse, Karn. Rhaenyra watched as he mounted and gently took her hand before urging his army off while Baela rejoined her friend, consoling her softly as Rhaenyra prayed her husband returned to her well and unharmed.
XVI
Rhaenyra sat waiting as Robb was still gone, she barely remembered the last war or rebellion, she was a child. And it was when they got Theon. Catelyn had told her it was different because she waited for Ned back within Winterfell, but now they were here, waiting for results on his victory or loss. Rhaenyra prayed for victory as she wished they could go home with Ned and the girls. She could not wait any longer as she sat in the group of women again, though she was in between Valaena and Baela while Catelyn led the sewing of girls. Though hearing her dragons made her quietly get up, Baela looked before seeing Raynor follow, resumed her stitching at her mother's insistence when Catelyn noticed her missing good-daughter.
"Can she not sit in a tent longer than a moment?" Catelyn questioned as she put her stitch away.
"May I go retrieve her, My Lady?" Roslin asked as Baela looked to her, her blue eyes lighting up at the thought though Valaena was quick to subdue the fire in her daughter. A gentle hand laying on her arm, a soft shake of her head.
"Yes, please. You may go," Catelyn dismissed her, wanting Rhaenyra to get to know the Frey family as they eventually will become family when she has a son.
"Yes, My Lady." Roslin stood, curtsying as she left, laying her stitching down. Carefully, Roslin made her way through the depleted war camp. She politely greeted many of the remaining soldiers who were left to protect Rhaenyra and Catelyn along with Ellaria Sand who Roslin noted was always with the Targaryen woman. And it showed when Roslin found Rhaenyra sitting among her dragons with Ellaria beside her. The large red dragon was laying behind her mother, her head resting on the pale's woman's lap. The other two were playing with a charred body.
"Yes, Lady Frey?" Rhaenyra asked as the other gulped when Rhaella's head lifted, Ellaria simply looked to her before returning to her conversation with Rhaenyra.
"Lady Catelyn has requested you return to the tent," Roslin started while her lady sighed.
"I have had enough of sitting in a tent and stitching," Rhaenyra spoke as she stroked her dragon's head when the female trilled. "Go on back, I will remain here," Rhaenyra said as she resumed her conversation. Roslin was unsure as she noticed Ellaria watching with sharp eyes, the Dornish made her nervous as she remembered her father yelling about them waiting for the Northern army, snubbing him of a payment.
"I would like to remain with you, My Lady," Roslin decided as she slowly approached. Though she paused when Rhaella lifted her head, blood-red eyes narrowing as she watched the strange woman come near her resting mother.
"Very well, then sit," Ellaria voiced for Rhaenyra who nodded her agreement. Ellaria poured a glass of wine for the girl who froze when she offered it.
"It is rude to refuse an offer, Lady Frey," Rhaenyra spoke softly as she drank from a cup that Ellaria was using. It brought a playful smile from the Dornish woman as she snagged the Targaryen girl's cup when Roslin took the offered cup. "Sit," Rhaenyra ordered. If the girl was to stay with them for the afternoon then she will try to be civil to the younger girl. Raynor was not too far from his charge as Alysanne greeted him, softly nudging him as he stroked her scales, he was watching Roslin though. It was not an uncommon saying that the Karstarks did not trust the Freys too much, and Raynor reported everything to his uncle who told Robb.
"So, Lady Frey," Ellaria started.
"Roslin, please," the girl urged as the elder smiled softly.
"Very well, Roslin. How are you finding the Northern army? I am from the South so I am still adjusting. As we near Riverrun it is warming at least," Ellaria smiled as Rhaenyra chuckled.
"I am uncomfortable in this muggy weather. As are my girls, they dislike the warming weather, ironically," Rhaenyra commented softly as the elder laughed, softly cooing to Rhaenys when the resting female perked at the noise.
"They will adjust, though when you return home, they will be happy and enjoy the cold winter you Northerners enjoy," Ellaria teased.
"I just wish this war would end before winter. I fear for my people if they are not prepared," Rhaenyra spoke becoming antsy as she stood making Rhaella lift her head. "Jikagon," Rhaenyra ordered as the dragons flew off, leaving their worried mother as she walked back to camp, Ellaria quickly tangled Roslin's attention up to herself so Rhaenyra could flee. She refused to sit in the tent the rest of the day as she walked through her bare camp. Many greeted the Lady with respectful bows or curtsies as a messenger ran up.
"My Lady! It is from your sister," he offered as she took it, seeing the dragon symbol.
"Thank you," Rhaenyra said as she gave him a few dragons in payment as he bowed.
"I am in gratitude, My Lady," he spoke truly honored to be with the Targaryen woman, her beauty and power with her dragons made him loyal as his family once was to her father.
"My sweet sister, I cannot believe what I know. I do believe you. As we share the same dreams and what your knight confirmed, I wish to know as well. As you do not trust these ways of communication, I do understand that, as I do not trust it either. Though my nerves could be from the impending birth, my belly is swollen and I feel uncomfortable during my nights. I envy you northerners of your cool days and nights. My husband has put down an attempt with a small scratch, though I listened to Lady Nymeria's words to trust my husband's people. He has survived many, he will survive the future with our son following in his footsteps. I pray we meet one day, my sweet idaña, with love. Dany." Daenerys' letter made Rhaenyra smile softly, a tear gathering as she sighed before folding the parchment as she hid it in her dress.
"My Lady?" Raynor asked in worry.
"It is nothing, Raynor. I just miss Dany," Rhaenyra said as she continued to her tent. Intending to rest as she was tired, Rhaella flew over the camp and landed near her tent, coiling around the opening where Raynor would station himself to watch over her. Baela and her maids seemed to have a sixth sense as they entered moments later with Roslin following at a slower pace. She mostly just stood back to watch their motions, it was hard to try and find her groove in their routine, but she would try.
XVI
Rhaenyra sat on Gael with Raynor, Ellaria, Catelyn, and Rodrik waiting for the return of Robb. Her dragons were crying out to her as Baela and Valaena joined to be there too, they didn't know who Robb went against, they knew it was either Jaime or Tywin. Valaena worried about either situation.
"We should go in My Ladies," Rodrik urged the women while Raynor remained silent, waiting beside Rhaenyra who watched while petting her dragons.
"No!" Catelyn denied as Rhaenyra took her hand as the woman gripped it tight herself.
"My Lady," Rodrik begged as a few more silent minutes went by Alysanne, worried, pushed her head into Catelyn's lap, feeling her tension and purred when she was pet by the woman. But quickly the men broke through the tree line as the girls smiled, the northern women relieved. But Valaena's slowly dropped as her eyes widened, Ellaria saw it as she looked to the lord before gapping. Rhaenyra cried out softly with a smile as Rhaella trilled, Catelyn sobbed quietly, smiling at the girl and Rodrik who smiled in pride himself. Slowly as they pulled to a stop Jaime Lannister was dropped at his mother and wife's feet.
"By the time they knew it, we were already on them," Robb spoke as they all dismounted when the dragons roared, startling Jaime who jumped backward. Rhaella shrieked the loudest, flashing her large wings at him. He looked to Rhaenyra before spotting Catelyn.
"Ah, Lady Stark," he greeted as the woman glared. "I'd offer you my sword but I seem to have lost it." He smirked as the mother growled.
"It is not your sword I want," she hissed. "My daughters, my husband. I want them back," she demanded as he sighed.
"I don't have them," Jaime spoke before doing a sweep as he froze when he saw blue eyes. "Valaena?" he asked, confused and slightly nervous. The blue-eyed girl beside her looked between them in confusion.
"Mother?" she asked. Jaime looked between them before he exhaled sharply.
"Gods above," he muttered as Rhaenyra scoffed with light shock. Baela had a strange look before marching off as Valaena raced after her. Calling for her child who refused to talk or look at her.
"Take him. Put him in iron," Robb ordered as Rodrik did so with Greatjon.
"Come along, pretty man," Greatjon jeered, dragging Jaime Lannister in the opposite direction of Valaena and Baela.
"l sent 2,000 men to their graves today," Robb spoke as Rhaenyra frowned, seeing the guilt in his eyes.
"The bards will sing songs of their sacrifice," Theon defended his friend, noticing the same thing as his 'sister.'
"Aye. But the dead won't hear them," Rhaenyra spoke softly to her friend who nodded gently.
"One victory does not make us conquerors. Did we free my father? Did we rescue my sisters from the queen? Did we free the North from those who want us on our knees? This war is far from over," Robb spoke as the dragons cried out as they circled his feet, eager for something.
XVI
Rhaenyra was seen walking through the camp the next morning with Roslin and Lynara behind her. The three were walking as she approached the healer's tent.
"My Lady," the maester spoke in greeting while allowing her in, to Roslin's shock.
"How are they? I hear Jaime got a few but he did not kill them?" Rhaenyra asked in confusion.
"No, My Lady. They all must have come upon him at once, it would explain why they are not dead," the Dornish Maester spoke as Rhaenyra nodded. It would make many of her lords happy, their sons remained alive, wounded, but alive. Rickard Karstark had thought his sons were dead before Oberyn administered some light healer tricks to subdue the bleeding and revive the men. His soldiers started to do the same thing. The Karstark was indebted to Oberyn who had made sure they had enough help until the healers arrived.
"Jaime is a great swordsman, maester," Valaena started as he paused. "If the Kingslayer wished for it, they would be dead," she finished. Rhaenyra had noticed the hesitation in using the old nickname that even she detested. Her father had gone mad, Jaime was the only one who could do it.
"And we thank the Gods that they are still with us," Robb said as he entered, happily greeting Torrhen who started to come around. Oberyn instantly appeared to help the boy, softly questioning him with his maester right behind him. It amused Rhaenyra as she watched their maester listen to Oberyn who seemed quite knowledgable about healing.
"I am… alive?" Torrhen questioned, confused.
"You are, Cousin," Raynor spoke with happiness. Grasping his younger cousin's shoulder in happiness as the younger soldier smiled. "Harrion and Eddard are over there," he motioned to his bandaged cousins.
"Thank the Gods," Torrhen sighed as he laid back in bed, resting.
"Rest now," Robb ordered while the man nodded, laying closed his eyes to rest.
XVI
"Are you well, Robb?" Rhaenyra questioned as she helped him pull his tunic off. He was exhausted from his victory against Jaime's faction, but seeing Rhaenyra made him happy. Robb had felt so guilty about sending those men to their deaths and was grateful that the men who fought with him came back alive, hurt but alive.
"Yes, I am just tired," he reassured as she nodded before giving him a small kiss.
"Then let's go to bed," Rhaenyra urged with a small smile. She gave her husband a strong hug, knowing he needed comfort from the battle. Eddard had once told her that it was the guilt of killing others and condemning allies or his soldiers to death that would weigh on the consciousness of the man. Rhaenyra now understood what her father-by-law meant, feeling the tense muscles in Robb's body as he held her gently, keeping his face against her shoulder. "I do not know this feeling you have, My Love. But I can tell you it will leave, not now, but it will. Your father has even once told me so when he told me of his former battles. He claimed he still felt the guilt," Rhaenyra told him while Robb listened. He understood what his wife was saying, and hoped that he too would feel his guilt ease up.
XVI
~Dream~
All Rhaenyra could hear was cheers and shouts as she was in a crowd, she was confused and hot. Where was she? As she moved a bit she now could see the Red Keep, they were at the Sept of Baelor. Why was she here? Suddenly she could hear Joffrey's voice, she looked different to see Sansa standing up there, dressed in her northern dresses and her hair styled in the northern style. She was in-between Cersei and Varys, Rhaenyra could spot the red-eyes from her Tully-haired sister. Shouts made her look to see Ned dragged up to the steps of Baelor. Sansa gave him an encouraging look. As her father by law talked, she watched as he looked into the crowd looking with horror as she thought he saw her. It was what Joffrey demanded from Ser Illyn that made her fire-filled blood fill with the dreaded ice of the northern snow.
"Bring me his head!" the mad boy cried out, glee in his eyes as a confused Ned was forced to his knees once more as Sansa cried out. Saying Joffrey lied and was crying out for her father who looked to her, but he swallowed and gave her a nod. Rhaenyra saw his lips move but could not hear what he said, Sansa cried harder as the Hound restrained her, trying to stop her from looking as well. Cersei and the counsel were desperately trying to stop the mad imposter from killing the Northern lord. For it would add the oil to an already growing fire. But the 'King' just smiled as he watched the noble lord bow his head, resigning himself to his death. Rhaenyra felt tears in her eyes as she watched in horror as Ice was used, they were forever staining the Stark family Valyrian sword, by taking its owner's head. Bringing dishonor to the once honorable family heirloom.
Rhaenyra woke with a fearful gasp and cry as Robb was startled awake as she started to cry softly. To his alarm, she was soaked in sweat and shivering out of terror.
"Rhae?" he questioned, worried. He sat up and pulled her closer but she quickly detangled herself from him and their furs as Grey Wind stopped her from leaving. The direwolf had woken to hear his mistress's distress and wanted her to stay in the protected tent. Though a worried Lynara made her way inside, having heard from her tent nearby. She had been comforting Baela and Valaena separately as both were having troubles of their own.
"What's happened?" Lynara questioned with Rodrik following. Rhaenyra was sitting in the chair, trying to calm her breathing without success to her maid's sudden fear.
"I do not know. She woke up, drenched in terror sweat," Robb spoke softly to Rodrik who frowned.
"A nightmare?" The guard wondered before pausing. "Or a vision?" He countered as Robb sighed.
"I do not know," he answered before approaching his wife with Lynara backing away. Allowing her lord to comfort his wife. "Rhae?" he called as she shook her head. "Rhaenyra, please tell me what you saw?" he asked as she lifted her tear-filled gaze.
"I saw Ned's death," she spoke in fear before crying as her husband looked on with horror. He felt the same ice fill his own blood as he thought of her words. Lynara gasped, a hand covering her mouth while Rodrik sighed silently, knowing what it meant.
XVI
End of the chapter, sorry for it being short, but I hope you all enjoy it!
~Rusty14~
