Chapter 5
One North, One East

Clarke was following the twins through the gardens. She wished Lexa could have come with them, but she'd been busy with providing for everyone's safe return home. She'd promised to join them once she was done. Aegon was walking ahead of her, determination set on his face as if he'd been looking for something in particular. Lyanna was walking beside her, her pretty crimson dress slightly too long for her.

"I think the Princess is almost done with the dragons." the little girl declared excitedly.

"How do you know?" Clarke asked.

Lyanna smiled brightly at her.

"Egg and I spied on her. We hid behind the banisters and watched."

"And what did you see?"

"She was working really hard. Also, Anya came to give her her lunch, and made her sit until she was done eating."

"Well, Anya is making sure she doesn't work too much."

"Like you do with Lexa?"

"Exactly."

They looked up when they heard Aegon shouting ahead of them.

"Aunt Sansa!"

As they rounded the corner, they found Lady Sansa seating on a stone bench, near a bush of roses, and Lady Margaery seating beside her. Clarke was quick enough to notice how Margaery had been holding Sansa's hand before the red-haired woman had to pull it free to take Aegon in her arms. Lyanna left Clarke's side instantly, running to hug not just her aunt, but both women. It seemed lady Margaery was equally appreciated by the twins.

"Where's aunt Arya?" Aegon asked excitedly.

"I'm sure she'll show herself eventually."

Clarke dared to take a step closer. She'd never imagined she'll ever be in the presence of both women, especially at the same time. People used to say they were the two most beautiful women in the realm, at least before Daenerys had arrived. She didn't have a hard time believing it. Lady Sansa was still as beautiful, with her long red hair and shining gray eyes. She was smiling at her nephew and niece – thought Clarke was pretty sure they were actually cousins twice removed. She wore a dark green dress with a direwolf engraved on the chest. Lady Margaery still had some of her beauty, it wasn't hard to see, and the burned scar on her face looked even more out of place. It was on the right side of her face, covering both her cheek and forehead, barely avoiding her eye, and continuing along her hairline, or what used to be her hairline. The skin was in such a shape that hair had not been able to grow back. The brunette had made due, however, her hair still stylized with both small braids and flowers. Her brown eyes were the first to land on Clarke.

"Your Grace, congratulation. Our Queen is quite the catch."

"Hum... Thank you, my Lady."

Sansa looked at her as well with a gentle smile.

"Don't let her bother you, she's just jealous."

The twins giggled and Margaery feigned being offended.

"Jealous? Me? Fine, I see I'm not wanted here."

She stood up, her beautiful blue and gold dress pooling slightly at her feet.

"I'll leave you to deal with the little dragons, then. I'm sure her Grace and I have many things to chat about."

Clarke was stunned and before she could protest or try to run away from the situation, Margaery looped her arm around Clarke's and dragged her away. Once they were far enough, Margaery slowed down a bit, but never once let go of Clarke.

"I hope you don't mind, but I've been meaning to talk with you since the wedding. You're very hard to find, I suppose the Queen wants to keep you all for herself."

Margaery smiled brightly like she was having the time of her life. Clarke managed a nod.

"I wouldn't put it past her." she joked.

Margaery laughed. It was a light laugh, not loud by any means, barely more than a chuckle.

"Though I'm sure it's just because she loves you so much."

Clarke nodded.

"Love is not something we all have a chance to get." Margaery declared. "And when we do it's so hard to keep."

"It seems to me you have love as well." Clarke dared.

Margaery sighed.

"I envy her sometimes, you know. Alexandria, she's always had such a clear picture of everything she wanted. It's like she always knew."

Clarke listened attentively.

"I thought I knew what I wanted, a long time ago. I wanted to be the Queen, and see where it got me. Three dead husbands, a House in shamble, the title of Curse bride and a lover I see once a year, who lives on the other side of the continent."

Margaery let sadness wash over her before she quickly regained her composure, and declared:

"What I'm trying to say is, you should enjoy it. After all, you might just be the luckiest of us all."


Lexa left her office far later than she would have wished. She assumed by then Clarke and the twins would be back from the gardens, but a quick walk to check wouldn't hurt. She walked down the stairs and through the nearest courtyard to get to the gardens. Though the sun did not pass over the walls anymore, she didn't have any difficulty seeing around her or feeling when she was being followed. Her hand came to rest on the pommel of her dagger, but when the person following her fell into steps and quickly caught up with her, her hands relaxed slightly.

"I'm not on your list yet, am I?"

Once Arya Stark was walking beside her, Lexa slowed down slightly.

"No, not yet."

"Whose name did the many face god receive today?"

"The one he asked for."

Attempting to get more answers from this lady Stark was futile. In over ten years of knowing her Lexa had never once managed to know who she'd been sent to kill, only that she had.

"I suppose you must be looking for your wife. She's with my sister in the twins' chamber."

Lexa stopped, about to turn around. She should have known the twins would find Sansa in the gardens. It was hers and Margaery's favorite place to be when they came to King's Landing.

"I'm surprised you haven't spoken to my sister yet." Arya declared before Lexa could start walking again.

"About?"

"About sending Lyanna to Winterfell."

Lexa pursed her lips. She had tried to avoid this discussion for a very long time.

"You know she's going to have to go, one day or another. There's no going around it. She's Sansa's heir, after all."

"I know, I just.. I don't have the heart to separate them. I can't let Lyanna go north and expect Aegon to stay here."

"Have you thought about sending him east?"

Lexa crossed her arms.

"To Meereen?"

"Why not? You still have friends there, people who could take care of him, teach him about ruling a city. Weren't you the one who told me ruling a city was much harder than ruling a kingdom?"

Lexa half-smiled.

"Drogon is going to hate me for a while, but I guess it could be done. Give them a clean break."

"They'll see each other again. There's no war to tear them apart, this time."


It took Raven four days to make the dragons. By the end of the fourth day she was so tired she crashed into her bed instantly, leaving Anya to announce, alone, that the Princess had succeeded. Raven was supposed to present the dragons to the court the next morning, but she slept through it as well. Finally, Anya came to wake her up right after midday and got her prepared for the presentation.

It seemed every living soul in the Red Keep had made their way to the throne room this afternoon, forming a large crowd which barely left a passage in the middle of the room. Lexa and Clarke were sitting in the thrones, Missandei and Tyrion standing beside them. Two small seats had been placed on the side to accommodate the twins, who were excitedly fidgeting in their seats. Clarke could see her family standing on the balcony, and Lincoln was funnily hovering near Octavia, probably wondering whether he should join her when her father was so close.

The doors finally opened, and Raven walked out, once again in her red jacket. Anya was walking behind her, and two of their guards were following. Raven stopped at the bottom of the stairs and bowed. Lexa tried to nod back but she was slightly afraid the crown would slip off her head.

"Your Grace, as promised, I present to you the two dragons you asked of me."

The two guards walked forward and presented two mechanical dragons. They were the size of both their hands, with a golden exterior. They were moving their wings and necks in rhythm as if they were looking around. Their eyes were made of rubies. Lexa looked at her siblings who seemed ready to jump out of their seats. Lexa nodded and they dashed down the stairs, picking up their dragons.

"So cool!" Aegon declared.

"Are you satisfied with the dragons?" Lexa asked.

She already knew the answer, but she wanted everyone else to hear it. Lyanna was the one who turned toward Raven with a smile.

"Yes, thank you, Lady Raven."

Aegon nodded after his sister. Raven smiled back at her. The twins returned to their seats, their mechanical dragons still moving in their hands. Raven looked up at Lexa, then.

"So, are you satisfied?"

Lexa smirked.

"You're a hard-working woman. You conquered Dorne on your own, without shading a single drop of blood, something my ancestor never managed to do. You have the respect of your people, and now you have mine as well."

Lexa stood up.

"Have you chosen your words, and sigil?"

"A crowned raven on a crimson field. And for the words, I was thinking 'A will of metal'?"

Lexa smirked.

"Kneel."

Raven sent a look toward Anya, who nodded. With difficulty, Raven placed one knee on the ground.

"For having kept the peace in Dorne and protected her people, I honor you with a House. Rise, Raven of house Reyes, Princess of Dorne."

Raven tried to stand up but she stumbled slightly. Anya flew to her side, helping her up. Once she was back up, with a little smile, she nodded. The crowd behind them began to clap and cheer for her and she turned around and waved at them, a bright smile on her lips.


Lexa was in her office when Lincoln found her. Two Unsullied were keeping the door, as usual, and he nodded at them before entering. Lexa had obviously been waiting for him. She was seated in an armchair, looking out the window, and he came to sit beside her, taking the couch.

"Ready to leave?" she asked him.

"I suppose. Unless you want me to bring something to Meereen, we're packed and ready for a few months."

"There is that. But you want to bring someone with you as well. My sister-in-law, I believe."

Lincoln chuckled nervously.

"Nothing gets past you, I guess."

Lexa shrugged.

"Octavia told Clarke and my wife doesn't keep anything from me, especially the good stuff."

Lincoln chuckled.

"She wants to go train in Essos." he declared.

"I know. I suggested it to her when I first met Clarke. She has potential."

Lincoln looked out the window and sighed.

"She's something else, you know? Her determination shines through every word she speaks."

Lexa smiled.

"She wants to be more than what other thinks she can be. She's a lot like you in that regard."

He smiled knowingly as if he already knew it.

"You've asked her father, of course?"

Lincoln grimaced slightly.

"She told me she would take care of it."

"You're taking Lord Kane's daughter to another continent. He doesn't know you, he doesn't know where she's going. I think you should at least ask."

Lincoln groaned. He knew this moment was coming but he'd hoped to push it as far back as possible.

"Come to dinner tonight. Clarke's entire family will be there. That way you can meet her father and her brother, make sure they know you're not kidnapping their other girl."

"Good idea."

"And, hey, that way you'll already have good bases for the next time you come over. It's better to know a man a bit before you ask for his daughter's hand."

Lincoln almost strangled himself with his own spit. Lexa laughed at the look on her friend's face. Lincoln sighed.

"How did we get here?"

"Here?"

"Courting Westerosi women, seating in the Queen's courters, talking about weddings and family."

Lexa sighed as well.

"I don't know. Do you remember the first time you met my mom? I thought you were going to faint."

"I thought so too."

Lexa looked out the window, reclining slightly in her armchair before she declared:

"I need you to take Aegon with you. I'm sending Lyanna to Winterfell and I don't want him to stay here like a ghost wandering the halls."

Lincoln looked at her and saw the sadness in her eyes.

"You want me to take him to Meereen?"

"Make him your ward, teach him how to rule a city. He's going to be King of the Seven Kingdoms one day he's going to need all the education he can get."

Lincoln leaned forward.

"You are asking me to repay my debt. I will do it."

Lexa still didn't look at her friend.

"Lexa?"

He placed a hand on her arm and she finally dared to look at Lincoln.

"I'll take good care of him, I promise."

"I know you will."


Lexa had asked the twins to meet her in her office, before dinner. As usual, the twins arrived together, dressed in matching black and crimson. Lexa looked at them longly. They were so small, so young – Lexa had to remind herself they were taller than she was at this age and much much older than she was when she started to travel.

"Do you know why I asked you to come see me?"

They exchanged a look, but both shook their heads.

"You both know lady Sansa is going to leave soon to return to Winterfell."

This time they nodded.

"And Lyanna, you know you're her heir. Should she die, you'll be the one to become Lady of Winterfell and Warden of the North."

Lyanna nodded. She'd been explained this whole mess in detail a long time ago.

"And that means Aegon is my heir. If I die, you'll be the one who becomes King."

"Unless you have children," Aegon replied as if that fact was still important.

Lexa smiled sadly.

"You two are almost eleven now. I wanted to keep you with me for as long as possible, but now you're old enough."

They exchanged a look, confused.

"When Sansa leaves, you'll go with her, Lyanna. You need to learn how to be the Lady of Winterfell."

Lyanna didn't reply, just stared at her feet.

"Do I go with her?" Aegon asked, unsure.

Lexa shook her head.

"You'll go with Lincoln to Meereen. He'll teach you how to rule there, and in a few years when you're older I'll give you a seat on the small council."

"So we can't stay together?" Aegon asked, heartbroken. Lyanna hadn't said anything yet.

"I wish it could be otherwise, but you need to prepare yourself, so you'll be ready when the time comes. I was not ready when mother died and I was lucky Tyrion was there to help me. You may not be so lucky. You need to be ready."

Before Aegon could complain, Lyanna threw herself in Lexa's arms, hugging her fiercely. Lexa almost stumbled back, surprised, but she hugged her sister back.

"I'll come to see you as often as I can." the little girl promised.

"I know you will," Lexa replied, barely containing her tears.

Feeling left out, Aegon hugged both of his sisters too, and soon the three of them were hugging like it was the last time they would ever see each other. Lexa hoped with all her heart it wasn't.