DISCLAIMER: Chapter one.

Chapter rating: T

Chapter Nineteen: Treaty Offer

(Dragonstone)

Stannis Baratheon stood at the painted table, staring outside at the ocean below. His council sat at the table with Ser Davos entering offering a letter to the confused Baratheon King.

"What is this?" the elder demanded as Davos sighed gently.

"It is from Rhaenyra Targaryen," he explained as the council tensed, some becoming irritated, others interested in what the Targaryen woman wants. Stannis took a breath before unrolling the parchment to read the message from the girl he saved as an infant. Curious as to what she said and her reasoning for calling herself Queen in the North.

"Your Grace?" Maester Cressen questioned as Melisandre attempted to see the letter before Stannis folded it back. "Does the young lady have important information," he asked curiously.

"Some, some that also is what Eddard Stark told us already. But I want a letter sent out all across Westeros." A few hours later they sat as Matthos looked at the finishing results.

"And I declare upon the honor of my house that my brother Robert left no trueborn heirs; the boy Joffrey, the boy Tommen, and the girl Myrcella being born of incest between Cersei Lannister and her brother Jaime Lannister. By right of birth -"

"Ser Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer. Call him what he is," Stannis ordered as he continued to think about everything, Matthos adds in the titles and continues.

"And her brother Ser Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer. By right of birth and blood, I do this day lay claim to the Iron Throne of Westeros. Let all true men declare their loyalty." Stannis nodded and stood once more as he walked to the opening once more to look at the darkened skies and the red comet soaring overhead. He remembered the stories as a child that Renly loved hearing about, even Robert before his darkened personality about Targaryens. They were once kin to the once dragon lords. "Let's see what she has to say about this," Stannis said as Ser Davos realized it depended on how Rhaenyra acted to Stannis' letter if he will treat her or not.

XIX

(Riverlands)

Ellaria walked alongside Rhaenyra had been quickly introduced to linked arms with the paramour of her ally. Ellaria complained softly about the wet mud and damp air, Rhaenyra agreed, preferring the cold, unlike her friend who claimed to miss the heat.

"I can guarantee that you will be reunited with the beloved heat you love, I, on the other hand, will roast," she admitted which brought a howl of laughter from the woman beside her. It brought a smile to many of the servants who had noticed them walking from the castle to walk alongside the river. The dragons flew overhead, shrieking and playing as they fished, they noticed the dragons would always push each other down with their feet as two would twirl with something clutched in their talons.

"They truly are gorgeous," Ellaria spoke as they stopped, Raynor and Tyene had been walking side-by-side behind them a bit, it was no show that Tyene was Ellaria's favored and eldest. Rhaenyra had asked if she could learn more about the Sand Snakes and Dorne, and she has learned quite a bit. "And growing so quickly," she analyzed seeing the size difference since her arrival.

"Yes and very noisy," Rhaenyra joked as she laughed. Alysanne had just landed with an uncooked fish before scorching it as her mother cooed to her softly in Valyrian. "ñuhys zaldrīzes tala," (My dragon daughter.) The blue dragon trilled as she ate her fish whole while crooning to her mother and leaning down to be pet, her face now outgrew her mother's hands. Oberyn had not been lying, they all expected the dragons to be smaller, but they were already nearing a year soon. Maester Luwin surmised that by the time they were a year and a half they could be doubled in size. Which terrified the Targaryen woman.

"Your Grace!" Olyvar Frey called out as Rhaenys landed with a hiss and flashed her golden wings as Ellaria gripped the lady's arm fearfully. The squire froze at the furious green-eyed dragon who growled as her mother lightly tapped her hide with the wound-up whip's cord as Rhaella continued to hunt, not bothered like her younger sisters.

"Kelītīs," (Halt,) she ordered as they did so before answering the squire. "Aye, what is it?" she asked softly, bringing Ellaria with her as the woman eyed the dragons, noting how they would hiss or growl at someone coming too close to her mother.

"A… a raven has been sent. From Lord… King Stannis," he stuttered as Rhaenyra confusedly raised an eyebrow, eyes a tad narrowed before nodding and urged both her younger daughters back to the castle or their sister. As the five marched back into Riverrun, Ellaria quickly went to her lover's side with her oldest daughter as Raynor joined Theon. Robb who had been in the hall reading a letter.

"Have Valaena brought in," Robb ordered as Rhaenyra frowned.

"Alright," she gave a soft agreement before turning to Raynor, he nodded and went off to find her. "What is it?" she asked as she turned back. Robb, instead of answering her, gave her the letter as she read it, eyes almost bulging out.

"All men know me for the trueborn son of Steffon Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, by his lady wife Cassana of House Estermont. And I declare upon the honor of my house that my brother Robert left no trueborn heirs; the boy Joffrey, the boy Tommen, and the girl Myrcella being born of incest between Cersei Lannister and her brother Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer. By right of birth and blood, I do this day lay claim to the Iron Throne of Westeros. Let all true men declare their loyalty. Done in the Light of the Lord, under the sign and seal of Stannis of House Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, and Lord of the Seven Kingdoms." Rhaenyra almost felt… sick? But they were like her, of siblings, but her family has been doing it since even before The Doom, to keep their bloodlines pure, for the dragons. There had been a reason.

"So Joffrey, Myrcella & Tommen are not of the Baratheon bloodline, therefore they have no claim to the Iron Throne," she spoke as Robb nodded. But why was he wanting Valaena brought in.

"Your Grace?" the woman in question called out. Baela was with her too. Robb nodded to her as Rhaenyra swallowed before giving the note to her caregiver as they all watched her reaction. Robb, most of all. As she started to read it, her face fell into a frown before her eyes widened as her mouth slowly fell open, she blinked rapidly before swallowing. "Why did you show me this?" she asked, anger in her tone, fiery blue eyes piercing Robb's calm Tully ones.

"To show you, Val. To show you who he is," Robb spoke as the woman who helped raise him glared sharply.

"I know exactly who this man is, better than you, Your Grace," she spoke sharply, when one of the lords looked ready to speak at her rudeness, Robb shook his head. He knew he was asking for it when he aimed this at Valaena who truly had no idea Jaime had fathered children with his sister. "So, Joffrey Baratheon is no Baratheon, he's a bastard born of incest," she spoke loudly and clearly. Indicating she did not care. "Kill him, solve all our problems," she shrugged, surprising many by her calm demeanor.

"Aye. It means Stannis Baratheon is the true heir," Robb spoke as Valaena bit her lip, he knew that she would claim Rhaenyra the best heir but she would refuse, as always.

"What will we do?" Rhaenyra asked as Robb shrugged, unsure himself.

"I don't know," he spoke as the Lords spoke among themselves.

"How about we finish this tomorrow?" Oberyn suggested, aiding Robb in learning how to rule. Seeing the tiredness in the young man himself, he decided to help in dismissing the meeting with a suggestion as Robb took it.

"Aye," he agreed, the lords all too happily agreed as they leaped up or eagerly spoke about retiring as Rhaenyra stroked Grey Wind's nose while. Baela gently guided her mother from the hall to talk and discuss what they learned, Catelyn had gone to talk with her brother and uncle.

"We still have to go see your Grandfather, My Love," she spoke as they entered their chambers while he sighed softly.

"I know," he claimed as he sat in a chair while Alysanne softly greeted him, purring as he stroked her face and ran his hand down her large but still growing neck. "I was going to ask Mother to see him before supper," he commented as she smiled.

"How about earlier? Come along, My Love," she encouraged as Robb sighed before getting back up. She smiled as she dragged him up by his hand while the dragons shrieked at him happily when he exited to walk along the wall, Robb was certain now, their moods matched up with his wife's as he smiled too.

"Alright, alright. We'll go now," he conceded as she very much wished to meet the elder man who fathered Catelyn Stark and Edmure Tully. Bryden had told her stories when she would sometimes stand alongside him on the battlement watching her dragons, he joked about them preferring fish over deer, they'd spotted Grey Wind eating off a deer carcass while the girls continued to fish. Together they made their way up to see Catelyn and Edmure about to go inside.

"Lady Catelyn, Lord Edmure," Rhaenyra caught them. "Might we join you?" she asked as they nodded with smiles.

"Of course," Catelyn beamed, happy that Robb was getting to meet his grandfather after so long. Carefully, they entered the chambers of Hoster Tully as Rhaenyra hung back with Bryden who had decided to open his brother's windows. The old man was withered and shrunken, she overheard Bryden mumble to her as she stood alongside him, his old Tully eyes were dull and he was pale. But seeing Robb, he smiled and lit up which made Rhaenyra smile as well, he was happy to see his eldest grandchild.

"Robb. My grandson. King in the North," he greeted as the young man sat on the side of his bed, holding his grandfather's hand. A small smile on his face as he looked at him.

"Hello, Grandfather," Robb greeted while the elder man beamed.

"My boy, you are grown. I last saw you as a squalling newborn," he smirked which brought a grin to his grandson's face.

"Aye, how do you feel?" he asked worried as the old man scoffed.

"I will be fine. Just a simple sickness," he coughed while Maester Vyman offered him dream wine. "I hear you finally married the Targaryen girl. Rhaenyra Stormborn?" he asked as Robb gave a soft 'uh' at the old name for the girl for being born during the worst storm in history.

"I am right here, My Lord," Rhaenyra spoke up softly as she slowly joined, the man looked to the young girl his daughter had taken as her own. And Hoster saw a true northern Targaryen; her hair was still its pure white color while braided like a northerner.

"A beautiful girl. A dragon," he whispered as she laughed softly.

"I can reassure you, My Lord. I am not a dragon," she spoke as he smirked. "You can meet the real dragons if you wish," she suggested as everyone looked at her with wonder and slight worry.

"They're here?" he asked. Having thought he heard them.

"Aye," Rhaenyra answered before the dragons flew onto the outer wall of the solar as Hoster looked at them shocked. The Maester hadn't met them yet either and yelped softly while Rhaenys shrieked at him, her head angled a bit to look through the window. "Alysanne," she spoke as the blue dragon looked at her mother from the wall she clung to.

"I have something to give you both," he spoke as they perked up. A servant entered as they looked to see two pillows being covered by a cloth, a small growl emitting from Rhaella as the nervous servant paused.

"Kelītīs," she demanded as the dragon did as she was told. Smiling encouragingly, Rhaenyra waved the servant to approach as Hoster smirked. Seeing the posture of his granddaughter-in-law.

"I had these made fresh," he spoke as they looked at the servants who removed their coverings. The one on the left was an open circlet of hammered bronze incised with the runes of the First Men, surmounted by nine black iron spikes wrought in the shape of longswords. There was a wolf on the front and two on the side faced howling with a spike going through the top but behind the design. The one on the right was more feminine, it too was an open circlet with runes, and to her happiness more simple than Robb's, just a bronze band with the markings but thin enough to be a woman's.

"They're beautiful," Rhaenyra spoke in awe of them as Hoster grinned.

"I wanted to give you both something, personal," he spoke, voice getting weaker. His eyes started to drop as Catelyn held his hand.

"Robb," Rhaenyra whispered and motioned to the crowns.

"Right," he nodded back. "Grandfather, thank you for the gifts," Robb thanked his grandfather who smiled and motioned as Catelyn stood with Edmure, retrieving the crowns resting on the pillows before softly resting them on the King and Queen's heads. Catelyn had crowned Rhaenyra while Edmure put Robb's on, it made Hoster smile, sighing softly as he decided to rest.

"We shall let you rest My Lord, please feel better," Rhaenyra bid as he coughed softly.

"Please… call me Hoster," he urged in-between tired breaths.

"Aye, Hoster," Rhaenyra smiled while Robb beamed to his young wife while his mother and uncle remained beside his grandfather before he urged her out, the dragons slowly left as well as Alysanne was last to leave.

Many bowed when they spotted their leaders leaving, they continued as they smiled at the people before entering their room once more, knowing they'd have to wear these when they go to dinner.

"Are you ready for a lifetime of this, My Love?" Rhaenyra asked as he smirked and nodded. Kissing her as a dragon landed near the outer doors and shrieked, he sighed. It brought a giggle from the girl who opened the doors and softly walked to the balcony, stroking the deep red dragon head that growled softly and even nudged Robb's hand.

"I am," he answered, still thinking about her growing big with his children, he even saw dragons in his future, protecting his home, his wife. Their mother, who adored them as her own.

XIX

Robb marched down to where he kept Jaime Lannister chained. Rhaenyra was sitting with her guards and maidens alongside his mother and her people. So Robb knew this was the best time to do it when he would not be disturbed.

"The King in the North," a sarcastic voice from the cell made Robb's blood boil.

"Kingslayer," Robb greeted. His tone was cold and stone as he eyed the Lannister, whose cell was kept up a bit from the Queen's order. He was a valuable prisoner and if he were to be used as a chip for them, the highborn prisoners would be treated as such. Ser Barristan agreed with it as Tywin would find any reason to have neutral houses to fully side with him. So Robb agreed as well, though many felt like he should not listen to a southern man, despite having served two kings before coming to Rhaenyra's service.

"Is there a reason you came down here, boy? By yourself?" Jaime started, trying to get a rise out of Robb. But it did not work, Robb turned his head as the clicking of toenails echoed in the hallway, it alarmed Jaime who realized the direwolf was not in sight.

"I don't have to worry as I can protect myself. And you would not get very far," Robb reassured. Because just as Grey Wind came into view, a slight shake of the castle made Jaime nervous as he saw wings brush against the windows before a guard opened the doors. Too big to enter the castle, Rhaella pushed her head through, wanting her father's attention. Jaime stared in horror at the sheer size of the dragons now. Robb needed both hands to push the scaled head away so he was not shoved back by the female. "And you insult yourself, Kingslayer. You've been defeated by a boy," Robb started eyeing the dragon as Rhaella suddenly took interest in a captive Jaime with Grey Wind. "You're held captive by a boy. Perhaps you'll be killed by a boy." Rhaella slowly started to open her mouth, drool escaping, Jaime looked very nervous. "Stannis Baratheon sent ravens to all the high lords of Westeros. King Joffrey Baratheon is neither a true king nor a true Baratheon. He's your bastard son." Robb smirked at Jaime's look before it hardened at the young King's revelation.

"If that's true, Stannis is the rightful king. How convenient for him," Jaime snarled, showing the obvious reasoning about it.

"My father learned the truth. That's why you all had him executed -"

"I was your prisoner when Ned Stark lost his head," Jaime claimed, refusing to be blamed for something he was not around for.

"Your son killed him so the world wouldn't learn who fathered him. And you... you pushed my brother from a window because he saw you with the queen," Robb said as Rhaella growled. Jaime's mouth tightened at the accusation and looked down, Grey Wind snarled at him warningly.

"Do you have proof of that? Of the fall? Or do you want to trade gossip like a couple of fishwives?" Jaime deflected the questioning, not wanting to talk about it.

"I'm sending one of your cousins down to King's Landing with my peace terms," Robb said as Jaime chuckled.

"You think Cersei will agree to any of them?" Jaime asked, knowing the answer.

"No, but your father will also hear of them too," Robb claimed as Jaime scoffed.

"You think my father's going to negotiate with you? You don't know him very well," Jaime smiled, thinking Robb was not good at his reasoning.

"Ser Barristan seems to think he would consider them, considering the consequences should he do anything drastic," Robb threatened, Rhaella snarling as she took a bite at the cell while Grey Wind lunged as well. "He's starting to get to know me. And soon he will know of the dragons," Robb offered as Jaime glared.

"Three victories don't make you a conqueror," Jaime countered as Robb smirked, turning to leave. "And what? Would Rhaenyra burn down King's Landing? And all those who oppose her? She will be regarded as the Mad Queen. Like her father was!" Jaime roared as Grey Wind snarled a response with Rhaella joining.

"It's better than three defeats. And no, my wife will never do what her father did, she knows better," Robb defended as he left with the dragon flying off, roaring as she did so. Her wings caused all the windows and cells to rattle, it startled Jaime to see the power behind the dragon wings.

XIX

(East)

Daenerys smiled as she held a black dragon in her arms, the beautiful creature purring as her other two remained in a large carrier for them. Drogo had been amazed at their sight and now trusted Dany's words when she spoke of what she knew. Dany had been surprised to see a dragon book in a pile of gifts from her sister, it was one that her sister had read many years, leaving a small note in High Valyrian which brought tears to Dany's eyes. Rhaenyra had at least wanted her twin to have something from their family, Drogo listened to words she would read with Irri, Jhiqui, and Doreah carrying for the babies. Jorah and Rakharo would always be guarding and would listen as Dany read, describing things in Dothraki and once the dragons were born she used them as examples. Dany had told Drogo of her ancestor, Aegon the Conqueror, and his three dragons, telling her husband that her ancestor's dragon looked like her own, black dragon. She had told him dragons needed names like their son and daughter had and Drogo agreed, wondering what she would name the trio of hatchlings who would be so intrigued by Rhaego and Rhelli, the twins were held by a nervous Irri and Doreah.

"Do not show fear, Irri, Doreah. Allow my son and daughter to get to know their new brothers," Dany ordered, having adopted her sister's title of Dragon Mother. The trio would screech when away from her and like her twins were comfortable to be held by Dany.

"Yes, Khaleesi," they chorused before jumping when the black hissed at their noises.

"Drogon," Dany smiled to her husband as he hummed before nodding. "In your honor, My Sun and Stars," she praised as Drogo smiled. His love and affection for his wife growing by the day.

"The green one?" Irri asked as she smiled, petting its nose when he sniffed her knee.

"Rhaegal." Dany thought of her dead brother and son. "And Viserion. His dragon will do what he could not and the hatchling will do better," Dany vowed as her husband and guards nodded. Jorah had thought the names just, her sister had similar female names for her dragons, Dany told him the night after the dragons were settled in a small cage. As her red one was named after their mother, and former queen ancestors for the other two. Strong names for the reassurance of Targaryen dragons.

"We will be on the move soon, Khal, Khaleesi," Cohollo spoke as he entered the tent, pausing when the dragon hatchlings hissed. Daenerys effortlessly scolded them with ease as though they were dogs. She understood her sister's comments about rearing stubborn animals. She had to be stronger. Drogo agreed, promising to help train the small beasts for when it is needed and when they grow she knew it would be important. And Drogo had commissioned a twin whip of Rhaenyra's to be made for Dany so she could use it for the dragons.

"Khaleesi!" Jorah called out as a Dothraki guard offered parchment. "It is from the North," he urged, an alarmed look on his face as she took it with a small frown to read it before feeling horror fill her body.

"Lord Stark is dead?" Dany asked with a confused frown, she felt… sorrow. But why? She had never met the man nor truly conversed with him, before realizing it was for her twin, who had been a ward and surrogate daughter to the Stark man.

"Aye," Jorah confirmed. "It says here that King Joffrey has demanded that the lords and ladies come and bend the knee to him, or be called a traitor. But your sister's letter is startling. She and her husband now rule as King and Queen of the North and the Riverlands," he told her as she looked to him alarmed. "They have taken control of the northern continent completely and have the support of Robb Stark's mother's people," Jorah said as she exhaled sharply, falling to her bedding.

"Rhaenyra is queen now?" Dany asked, she didn't know how she felt. But she did feel pride for her sister at regaining their family's lost title, even if it was in the northern lands and Robb would reign before her.

"Aye, she and her husband rule together. It is known that the northern continent refuses to follow southern leaders," Jorah confirmed as Dany nodded.

"Very well. I will write a letter so that we can send it off. Thank you," she thanked her men who nodded and left as Drogo stood, standing near while Dany coddled her babies and dragons who came to her. "I fear for her, My Sun and Stars," Dany told him, truly scared for Rhaenyra. "I fear for my sister."

"We will help, do not worry, Moon of My Life," Drogo promised, kissing her head as she held her hatchlings close while her babies slept.

XIX

(Winterfell)

Bran sat there finishing a letter from Rhaenyra and his sister, Rhaenyra had learned how to successfully get Sansa's letters to even Bran so the boy knew of his sister. He worried about Arya, knowing she was missing but had escaped King's Landing. He very much disliked that he had to house Frey boys within Winterfell, many would claim Rhaenyra already infected the boys with ill will towards two boys coming from the Freys. But Bran, like many northern people, disliked the dishonorable Freys, Bran though promised to use his small training as a lord to use as his Prince ruling. Septa Unai was always with Maester Luwin and Osha, helping train the boys and watch over them. The Maester received word from his new Queen about wishing to install Septa Unai as the children's septa while he remained as the teacher for the boys. Maester Luwin agreed and had asked Septa Unai if she could help watch over the boys with Osha as they were faster than him half the time. The young Septa had been delighted at the request of her new queen but agreed with happiness, loving the Stark family as though they were her own.

"No! I do not want them here!" Rickon's shouts could be heard as Bran was walking down the corridor with Summer at his heels and his guards walking with him. Leaning on his cane softly, Bran sighed before continuing Summer went ahead of them, successfully stopping an angry Shaggydog from lashing out when the guards carefully opened the door with Septa Unai and Osha behind him.

"Rickon," Bran called out, his tone becoming sharp and a smaller version of Robb's. Despite wishing he could join everyone outside like he used to, Bran understood what Baela once told him.

"Thank the Gods that you are alive and can still walk. Not like you used to but you are not a full cripple. Be grateful from this experience. Do not take anything for granted as some nobles do." It had been right before she left with the army, promising to come back as well. So Bran promised to do just that, to adapt to his new role as the leading Stark within Winterfell. Now instead of just being a 'Little Lordling', he was now a young Prince of Winterfell, something Rickon was taking too far.

"No! I am a prince, and I say they do not come here!" Rickon snarled, throwing a toy as his nursemaid tried to calm him only to be smacked at.

"Nanny, please," Bran requested her absence for a moment as she nodded.

"Aye, Your Highness," she curtsied before leaving with Septa Unai closing the door.

"Your Highness," Septa Unai started as she came into his view. "This is most unbecoming of a Prince, especially one of a new kingdom and a Stark," her calm voice seemed to start its work as Rickon still threw things only half-heartedly now. Maester Luwin watched with a proud look while Osha sighed in relief, Bran smiled as he joined in trying to help.

"Robb and Rhaenyra charged us with being capable of ruling in their stead, brother," Bran offered gently, which made Rickon look to him.

"I know your Father's death still hurts you so," Septa Unai started, slipping to her mothering mode that she saved for orphans or girls starting out with their journey as a Septa of the Faith. "We all miss Lord Stark. But would he not be proud of you for accepting your new role to help Bran host the Frey boys when the Harvest feast comes?" Septa Unai finished as Rickon looked away.

"Aye, he would be," the four-year-old agreed. Knowing his father, even at a young age, would be pleased with his good behavior. "I'm sorry, Bran," he apologized as Bran smiled at him before giving him a small hug.

"It is all right, Rickon," Bran reassured the younger child, knowing he was in pain for missing their family and this war going on. "Come on. Come help set up for the harvest feast. And we can see if there are some sweets still in the kitchen," Bran ordered with a small smile, softly urging the child to follow. Maester Luwin smiled with the Septa who nodded and joined him in walking after their princes, making their notes for the feast and sending off the right servants to do so.

XIX

(King's Landing)

"Shae, have I received any new letters?" Sansa asked softly as she returned from her morning time in the Godswood with Myrcella removing her shawl that Rhee took with a happy smile. The young princess wished to walk through the northern attributes with Sansa and Lady, even ordering her guard to remain with Leo when Sansa asked her own guard for some privacy. Myrcella knew Lady could protect them should something happen, even mentioning it when they left, the blonde holding Sansa's hand.

"No, My Lady. But I can ask before I leave tonight," Shae offered as she helped Tana fix the girl's bedding where Lady had slept. The woman quickly fell into a protective routine with Sansa, the sweet northern girl who was not meant for King's Landing. But Shae quickly realized, the other women were like her, always watching over their lady and making sure no one got too close. Whenever Shae left to go to Tyrion, Tana and Maeia slept alongside Sansa to care for her, they've been reassuring the young redhead on her lack of bleeding, claiming it was a gift of the Gods. If she did bleed, she'd have to bear children for Joffrey, something that terrified the Stark girl more than anything.

"Please, don't worry. I can receive them tomorrow," Sansa reassured Shae who smiled softly and continued to tidy up the table while petting Lady whose head now reached over the table, eagerly sniffing for meat pieces left in the center. Shae could feed Lady with no fear or hesitation like Sansa, the others didn't fear the direwolf but assumed the wolf would prefer consistent feeders.

"My Lady," Leo called out as he entered with the Hound following. Her new handmaidens became nervous at seeing the large man, despite their multiple abilities, they would not be able to bring him down even with Leo's help.

"The Princess has asked you to join her for lunch in the gardens, bring your maids and wolf. She wishes to get to know everyone," the Hound spoke, his tone cautious as Shae tensed. The girls had just walked through the gardens together that morning, even Sansa looked confused but she nodded.

"Of course, we will be there shortly," Sansa agreed before the guard left as Leo closed it quickly and ordered his brother to guard the door.

"My Lady, why would the Princess request you so suddenly?" Leo asked, nervous as well.

"I am not sure," Sansa answered. But what she feared for was Lady's safety, she did not know why her wolf was invited for lunch and only prayed that it went well. "But we will go," she confirmed as Shae nodded. Tana softly retrieved the lead for Lady who came to her, sitting perfectly. Myrcella loved seeing how well-behaved Sansa's wolf was, claiming she could easily be a Queen's animal companion and protector, though Joffrey claimed he'd put the creature with the hunting pack, where he said the wolf belonged. Sansa feared that every day, a day where she'd come back and Lady was either dead or set with the hounds and a permanent member of the hunting party. But Shae swore to ensure Lady was freed in the woods so she could somehow find Nymeria who Arya claimed was freed in the woods by her and Jory.

"Come, My Lady," Leo requested as he and his brother, Galan, took position around the girls with Shae nodding to the others. It fears Sansa with how well her maids and guards could communicate with no words. Her father once said that it was their duty to make sure their charge was protected at all times and would risk their lives to ensure their escape if it was needed. Sansa hoped it would not come to that, as she had come to care for her companions.

Sansa walked behind her guards as Lady walked alongside her with ease, her movements graceful and agile. Many had complimented her on Lady's name as she is proving to be a positive for the namesake. But Leo knew if it came down to it, Lady would be a savage wolf just like her brother, Grey Wind. Many knew of the other wolves and even Ghost, her bastard brother's wolf who, despite being the runt, was slowly catching up to Grey Wind in size.

"He has red eyes?" Shae asked quietly.

"Blood red, like our Weirwoods. It truly fits Jon. He is truly loyal to the bone for northern blood. It's one of the attributes I do love about my brother," Sansa commented with a whisper. Her mind trailed to her siblings, praying Arya somehow made it home or to safety, she shared her fears every day with her ladies and guards. All of whom share the same. Sansa had told Rhaenyra and Robb that she felt like she could trust her maids and guards, even, oddly enough, Tyrion who helped Varys supply the girls. But Rhaenyra told her to be careful and if she wished to trust them do it with caution. Sansa curtsied with her ladies as Leo and Galan bowed to the Princess and her mother, now Sansa understood. Cersei wished to impose her dominion over a captive Sansa.

"Your Graces," Sansa greeted, respectfully as Lady sat but eyed Cersei who pursed her lips at the wolf being present.

"I do not remember inviting the direwolf," Cersei commented as Sansa froze, her throat clenching as Myrcella frowned.

"I did, Lady Mother. I wished to be with the she-wolf," Myrcella claimed, approaching the wolf and offering her hand before being allowed to pet Lady who licked the young blonde, enjoying her attention.

"Very well," Cersei agreed before urging Sansa to sit with her company surrounding her. Sansa felt tense as she sat there the entire lunch, barely touching anything, not even Lady moved. Myrcella was oblivious to the tension as her mother eyed Sansa the entire time, making the redhead uncomfortable and wishing she was in her chambers right now with Lady either reading or sewing, not here in a tense situation. More than once, she wished she never came to King's Landing but stayed with her mother in Winterfell and her brothers. But she would see her family once more in her life, Sansa was positive in that.

XIX

(Riverrun)

Sitting in the Great Hall of Riverrun, Rhaenyra sat upright and alongside Robb, both wearing their crowns, while Catelyn stood away from them with her brother and uncle. Olyvar Frey offered his King his sword to be bared across his lap, Barristan, Raynor, and Theon stood on either side of their leaders as the prisoner was being led in. Ser Barristan whispered Ser Cleos Frey in Rhaenyra's ear as she nudged Robb, whispering the same thing as he gave a subtle nod.

"Ser Cleos Frey," Robb announced as the man gave a jump that the King of the North knew his name.

"Kneel before the King and Queen, Lannister," Rodrick snarled as the man did so fearfully.

"Rise," Robb ordered as the prisoner was hoisted up. But he nearly fell backward when Rhaenys' shriek came out from above the roof bringing from her mother and Ser Barristan who smirked at the usually passive dragon's noise while Grey Wind's simple appearance made the man fall back. Many had made comparisons to the dragon's size to Grey Wind when they spotted them that morning, the dragons, who towered over their mother now. The two creatures were imposing as it was, the man was hoisted back to his feet as the direwolf sat at their feet.

"T...thank you, My Lord-"

"Your Grace," Umber growled as the man jumped. Rhaenyra held in her smirk as she heard Theon chuckle. Greatjon Umber had grown close to his king and queen, his laughter didn't startle her dragons anymore, something he praised himself for as they used to shriek at loud men. Ser Barristan could see the acceptance in the dragons' eyes of certain people, certain men could be near their mother without them puffing up. But the former Kingsguard member could see the true loyalty in this northern lord whose son was bigger than him, he was rumored to be the one to proclaim his leaders King and Queen.

"Pardon, Your Grace," he spoke shakily as the young man fearfully looked to the direwolf and people surrounding him. He jumped whenever the dragons' wings beat against the castle, rattling windows, and doors. It brought an actual smirk to Rhaenyra as she noticed the fearful look on the Frey's face, looking up as though he expected the creatures to bust through the roof. It did amuse her as she slowly stroked Grey Winds' fluffy ears as he leaned against her hand, enjoying the attention.

"I brought you from your cell to deliver something to your cousin, the Queen Regent," Robb spoke, making sure to use Cersei's new title as just the king's mother. "You will travel under a peace banner and thirty of our best men. But once you return with your cousin's reply, you will continue to be a prisoner," Robb ordered as the man nodded.

"Yes, I will go to King's Landing and return with a reply from the Queen. Then resume my stay here," he repeated as Edmure stepped forward.

"Everyone here has heard you. Should you run the whole realm will know you are forsworn," he warned as the knight jumped. "And you might not even get very far should a beast find you," Edmure revealed the threat of the dragons possibly finding him.

"I will do as I have pledged," he swore once again, sweat starting to come down faster. "What message is it, Your Grace?" he asked the King of the North who set his face in a stone of passive.

"A peace treaty," Robb spoke as he stood. The hall went quiet, Robb approached the strange man, sword in hand as Grey Wind clung to his side. "Tell the Queen Regent that I will give her peace if she meets my terms. I will sheath my sword and we will return North," he spoke as he motioned to the weapon as Grey Wind growled. "Olyvar, the paper." The squire received the paper from the seated queen and traded the parchment for the sword from the king, sheathing it before laying it next to the queen's chair, Robb turned to the cousin of Cersei Lannister. Unrolling the parchment he read off:

"First the queen is to release my sisters and provide them with transport by sea from King's Landing to White Harbor. It is to be understood that Sansa's betrothal to Joffrey Baratheon is at an end as well. When I receive word from my castellan that my sisters have returned unharmed to Winterfell, I will release the queen's cousins, the squire Willem Lannister and your brother Tion Frey, and give them a safe escort to Casterly Rock or wheresoever she desires them delivered," he started as Ser Barristan watched the men's faces, knowing some might not like them. "Second, my lord father's bones will be returned to us, so he may rest beside his brother and sister in the crypts beneath Winterfell, as he would have wished. The remains of the men of his household guard who died in his service at King's Landing must also be returned to their kin," Robb spoke as Rhaenyra closed her eyes feeling tears building up before willing them down. "Thirdly, the queen will command her father Lord Tywin to release those knights and lords bannermen that he took captive in the battle on the Green Fork of the Trident. Once he does so, I shall release my captives taken in the Whispering Wood and the Battle of the Camps, save Jaime Lannister alone, who will remain my hostage for his father's good behavior. Lastly, King Joffrey and the Queen Regent must renounce all claims to dominion over the north and Riverlands. Henceforth we are no part of their realm, but a free and independent kingdom, as of old. Our domain shall include all the Stark lands north of the Neck, and in addition, the lands watered by the River Trident and its vassal streams, bounded by the Golden Tooth to the west and the Mountains of the Moon in the east," Robb finished as Rhaella landed on the roof with a deafening shriek at the Lannister man who looked to her fearfully, she looked bigger than Rhaenys who tensed up as chants of King in the North started up.

"How much did you help with that?" Rhaenyra whispered as Ser Barristan chuckled.

"Just a bit, he did most of it on his own. Claiming his mother's lands were a good choice, Your Grace. A good food source like the Reach," he informed her as Rhaenyra nodded.

"Lord Tywin must withdraw beyond these borders, and cease his raiding, burning, and pillaging. The Queen Regent and her son shall make no claims to taxes, incomes, nor service from my people, and shall free my lords and knights from all oaths of fealty, vows, pledges, debts, and obligations owed to the Iron Throne and the Houses Baratheon and Lannister. If he disregards this command, they shall suffer the same fate as my father, only I don't need a servant to do my beheading for me," Robb growled out as Rhaenyra tensed up.

"I believe there was one more thing we chose My King?" Rhaenyra called out softly, acting like a forgetful queen for the moment. Theon barely contained his laughter as Ser Barristan gave a small smirk. Robb smirked at his wife while the Frey man who thought the queen was just a simple woman sitting there became terrified at her saying there was more.

"Additionally, the Lannisters shall deliver ten highborn hostages, to be mutually agreed upon, as a pledge of peace. These I will treat as honored guests, according to their station. So long as the terms of this pact are abided with faithfully, I shall release two hostages every year, and return them safely to their families." Robb tossed the rolled parchment at the knight's feet. "There are the terms. If she meets them, I'll give her peace. If not." He whistled, and Grey Wind moved forward snarling with Rhaella who spat fire out, startling some but they quickly went out. "I'll give her another Whispering Wood, but this one will have fire as well."

"The queen will hear your message, Your Grace." Ser Cleos bowed and also bowed to Rhaenyra who narrowed her eyes, noting he had paled by the end of the statement.

"Good," Robb spoke when Rhaenyra stood, Robb turned to his wife.

"Go. Make sure he's given a hot meal and fresh clothing. He leaves at first light," she ordered as the men nodded and bowed.

"Aye, My Queen," the knight bowed his head and roughly dragged the man away from them.

"Then we are done, you are all dismissed," Robb called out as the gathered audience bent their knee to the king and queen who left with the wolf on their heels, the dragons having flown off away from the castle, Olyvar practically flew over them all himself, mostly in fear of the direwolf but held the door open for them. What worried Catelyn was Alysanne's lack of appearance before a charred body of a bear dropped in front of them as Rhaenys and Rhaella dove in, tearing into it with Grey Wind who seemed to enjoy it, the blue dragon joining them as Rhaenyra softly pet her smaller dragon who gave off a soft purr-like growl, nonthreatening. Robb smirked at seeing them eat together as Catelyn had also followed.

"Are you sure it is wise to involve the animals?" Catelyn asked as Edmure scoffed, Robb ordered Olyvar to return his sword to his bedchambers as the man nodded.

"Cat. They terrified that man, if the Lannisters feared Grey Wind, just think when the dragons are as big as Balerion the Dread and are joining the fight? Of course, they should be used," Edmure claimed while Rhaenyra thought. She knew it was possibly childish of her and Robb to use the dragons and direwolf, they were deadly animals.

"It will take much time for them to reach that size. Let us talk about this tomorrow. I am tired," Rhaenyra ordered as everyone agreed, bowing or curtsying quietly, and left the couple alone while their animals fed.

"Of course, Your Grace," Edmure spoke, knowing Rhaenyra was possibly tired. She and Robb remained outside while their beasts ate. The dragons returned to flying over the river to hunt while Grey Wind finished the carcass with ease, usually, he ate the insides while they ate the outside meat.

"Are our terms good?" Robb asked as Rhaenyra laid her head on his shoulder. Watching the dragons play and eat, she also saw Brynden fishing over the wall, bored.

"I don't know," she shrugged as he smirked. Knowing that would be her answer because like him she wasn't raised to be queen only lady, many say she would learn quickly and they always said Rhaenyra was more loved than Cersei was as queen. "They're growing so fast," she commented suddenly, realizing that her dragons were growing quicker, it seemed to suddenly just dawn on her that she could now almost barely Rhaenys and Alysanne's chests. Oberyn claimed they were reaching the sizes of the elephants he's seen across the sea.

"Aye, they are," Robb agreed, knowing they might be big enough to ride soon, he feared that though. Rhaella of course had the biggest personality of the dragons, the most aggressive. Rhaenys and Alysanne were softer with small differences, calmer than their blood-red/black sister.

"I know, I worry too," she spoke to his unspoken worries which made him frown. "Robb, like you said. They are the first dragons in 150 years, I know it will take time to teach them but they do know. I've been seeing them share with Grey Wind more and more," she explained as he grinned seeing the direwolf finish the carcass with a yawn, showing his sharp fangs. Alysanne all too happily shared with her wolf brother.

"I know," he mused, kissing her forehead as she smirked, snuggling against him as they watched the dragons interact, either tugging bones or still eating as Grey Wind laid down to nap.

XIX

End of the chapter! I hope you all enjoyed the chapters!

~Rusty14~