Chapter Four: 297 AC, Kings Landing

Six moons later…

As the small council chamber filled in, Varys had to use every ounce of his cunning to not look around in delight. He knew that things would soon come to a head. Ned Stark was an honorable man, but his honor was going to get him killed. He had learned the truth of Cersei and Jamie Lannister and had begun asking questions, questions that were gaining the wrong kind of attention. He knew the Queen was waiting for something to happen. Something to do with Robert Baratheon and then she would attack. Lion's don't do well cornered after all.

To the surprise of everyone on the council, Robert joined them for the first time since his best friend become Hand of the King. They shuffle around to make room at the table and the moment they are all sitting, Robert demanded information on the Targaryen's across the Narrow Sea and the Dothraki alliance. It takes all his self control to stop himself from smiling. He leaned forward making sure all eyes were on him, "While delayed, the alliance did go through. The Khal and Princess Daenerys have married, it was done in a small ceremony with few people present. Ser Jorah has joined their party keeping an eye on them, he says that Viserys has become as mad as his late father. He has begun to call himself King and is doing anything and everything he can to get rid of Visenya Targaryen," he explained quietly.

"Who is Visenya Targaryen?" Ned asked never remembering a Targaryen carrying the legendary name. He wondered if she was a bastard, as none of Queen Rhaella's children had bore that name, even the ones who died. Robert glowered at the table, "We don't know. She just popped out of a hole in the ground after Stannis took Dragonstone," he grumbled. Varys shook his head, pleased he could finally give out this information, "One of my little birds has figured out her identity. Visenya was formerly known as Daella, Princess of Summerhall. According to one of my little birds, Rhaella Targaryen gave her, her true name on her death bed when she named Rhaegar Targaryen's only surviving child as heir to the throne. Daella was given her true name and named Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms until the heir came of age. We have been unable to find out the name or sex of the babe," he said. Visenya had given specific information to Ser Jorah to come back to Westeros, if he had given more than she said, Varys would have alerted her not to trust the northern knight.

Silence struck the room. Everyone had though Daella Targaryen had died at The Battle of the Trident and her body never recovered. Only Ned had known the truth because of Lyanna's last words before her death. Robert himself, gaped like a fish while Ned's right hand automatically fisted. Daella Targaryen had stolen his nephew from his dying sisters arms, had taken him away from his homeland and now he had no idea where he was. But he would never say any of that aloud. Robert on the other hand remembered playing with Daella when they were just children, there had been talk of betrothal before Daella had gone to Dorne. She had come back a different women, Aerys wanted her to marry Rhaegar and when they found out that she was barren, all talk of marriage ended. He was instead betrothed to Lyanna Stark of Winterfell. He had loved her and Rhaegar had taken her from him.

He had sworn revenge against the Targaryen family. He had killed Rhaegar, seen the bodies of his two children and Elia Martell, but no one had had any idea what had happened to Daella. He had mourned her as his friend, no matter the anger he had at her family but there had been relief she wasn't there to fight his claim. To now learn she was alive and had been for these last fourteen years was like a kick to his balls. It would seem though that Varys wasn't done delivering shocking news yet though.

"Visenya was apparently the Khaleesi to the horde they now travel with in 285 till 292 where she vanished off the face of the earth for three years before appearing in Astapor a few moons ago. She left there in a hurry and arrived in Pentos in time to stop Daenerys marriage to the Khal. However, they agreed to travel with them for a time. A moon into their journey, they were wed and Daenerys now carries a babe," he delivered the news with an expressionless face, though part of him wanted to dance at the looks of shock and disbelief on their faces. This was more bad news. The Targaryen family was expanding, which was bad. There would now be multiple heirs if anything happened to Visenya.

"A babe?" Robert demanded in rage.

Varys nodded, "Yes, it would seem that she fell pregnant just weeks after the wedding or they had relations before they wed. Visenya Targaryen supports the union and has more then once killed the assassins sent for her family. It would also seem that two women have joined their party, one is a lady-in-waiting to Daenerys and the other is a lady-in-waiting to Visenya. I have been unable to learn their identity's," everyone looked at each other in shock.

Robert just gaped; he had no idea what to say. He was completely speechless and confused. His family and the Targaryen family were intertwined, it was how Jon Arryn was able to place him on the throne in the first place. Now it felt like he was in a fog, he had been trying to kill a women who had once been a close friend and now the family he swore to see extinct was growing larger. He shook his head as Petyr Baelish began to speak, "Why not have Ser Jorah kill the girl and be done with it. If Viserys is mad, someone will kill him. We all know Visenya Targaryen is barren. If we get rid of her there will be no more Targaryen children."

Silence fell before Varys shook his head at Littlefinger's stupidity, "Have you ever seen Daella Targaryen fight Lord Baelish?" he asked with an air of amusement. Baelish nodded, "I was there at the Tourney of Harrenhal when she fought in the Melee," he answered, wondering why that was important. Varys nodded, "That was child play to her. I watched Visenya Targaryen grow up in these very halls. She was taught to fight by Ser Gerald Hightower, Ser Oswell Whent, Ser Barristan Selmy, Ser Jonothor Darry, Prince Lewyn Martell, Ser Arthur Dayne and the Red Viper, Oberyn Martell. She could fight all six of the Kingsguard before the Rebellion and win," he said bluntly, making all the small council swung to face the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan.

He met their eyes for a few seconds tense before forcing himself to relax, "It is true. Daella could fight us all and win, towards the end Arthur was the only one to give her any challenge. She was the one who handled most of Jamie Lannister's training and she was the one who Knighted him. -he nodded his head to his fellow Knight who was standing to the side with a thoughtful look on his face- She would also knock Rhaegar flat on his back with only a few sword swipes. They called her the warrior Visenya reborn, although she was known as Daella then. If Ser Jorah took one step towards Daenerys with ill intent, she would gut him and send us his head," he said lost in his memories of a happier time.

Ser Barristan remembered when he entered the Kingsguard after the War of the Nine Penny Kings and met Prince Rhaegar for the first time. He thought the young Prince would make a good King until he met his younger half-sister Daella. The little Princess was a right menace around the palace and when Rhaella couldn't handle her anymore, she tossed her at them and Ser Gerald had placed that practice sword in her hand. Ser Barristan never forgot how fast she took it up and learned. Within weeks, Ser Barristan had cursed the gods that Daella was a girl and not a boy, because he always thought she would be the type of Monarch to create a dynasty unlike any other.

Ser Jamie nodded his agreement, "She was vicious when she trained me. I know Elia Martell had said on more then one occasion that she would be a perfect match for her brother Oberyn. I also know that when I said something wrong, she called me out to a fight then and there. It wouldn't surprise me if she turned up here demanding a fight between her and the King," he added before falling silence. Before the Rebellion started and Jamie had thrown away his honor, he had been friends with Daella Targaryen. When she had rode to war with Rhaegar, she had made him swear he would protect Elia and her children no matter the cost. He had failed that spectacularly.

He could still remember the horror he had felt when his fathers men had laid Elia and her babes bodies down in front of the Iron Throne, wrapped in Lannister cloaks in order to hide the blood. Three-year-old Rhaenys and eight moon old Aegon, their bodies twisted a broken beneath the fabrics. Jaime never forgot when he looked at Elia. Gregor had practically cut her in half on his fathers orders. Jaime had always known Daella would have demanded justice. As it was, Ned Stark had tried too but was brushed off by his dearest friend and Gregor and Lorch had walked free, while Robert rewarded his father by marrying his daughter Cersei.

When Robert Baratheon returned victorious to the Kings Landing, he had stepped over the bodies of Rhaenys and Aegon Targaryen wrapped in Lannister cloaks with nary a glance at them. He had looked with no regret at the body of Elia Martell. Then he rewarded his father for what he had done. Jamie could never understand why Robert had done that. Then he had send all three bodies to Dorne, only wrapped in the gold and red cloaks and the Dornish had been angry ever since. Jamie knew if he ever saw Daella again, she would punish him. However, the behaviour of Robert had broken something inside Jamie that day and in his anger, he began to sleep with his twin, siring all three of her children. He felt nothing but shame for his actions.

He had forgotten everything there was about being a knight.

Hearing Daella's name for the first time in years and being thrown into memories of the past, made everything come back. Daella had been his friend, teacher and idol, along side Ser Arthur Dayne. He had never wanted to disappoint her and knew if she could see him now, he would be very disappointed in him. He had broken all of his oaths, with nary a care and now it was coming back to bite him. Jaime had no doubt that Visenya would return to Westeros, she was to stubborn to stop. She wouldn't stop trying to claim the Iron Throne until she died and even then, her nephew would probably carry on in her footsteps.

His eyes clashed with Ser Barristan's and both men looked away uncomfortable at the thoughts running through their mind. They had both been knights of the Kingsguard for the Targaryen's and they had both turned their backs on them after the rebellion. Both were filled heavy with regret, but for different reasons.

Lord Baelish looked like he had swallowed a lemon, "She is thirty-four years old. What damage could she do now?" he snapped, thinking there no way Daella was still a warrior. Varys allowed himself to smirk, "She took on ten Dothraki men four moons ago and walked away with only a tiny scratch on her shoulder. Then she went on to fight five assassins the next day and win with only bumps and bruises," he said stunning the council.

Robert rose to his feet not wanting to hear anymore. He stormed out of the chamber and the meeting split up allowing everyone to process the information. Ned was quick to leave the room, mind reeling from the fact, he just realized Robert was trying to kill his nephew, who was heir to the throne. Varys smiled to himself as he left the room, he was stopped in the corridor by Jamie Lannister, who pressed a thick letter into his hand with pleading green eyes before walking away without a word. He knew who it was for without even breaking the seal. He headed down the passageways to where he met with Illyrio to pass it on. He knew things would soon change.

There was about to be another player in the Game of Thrones.

~!~

To Daella/Visenya, Second of Her Name,

Everyone always said that name would suit you better. I can't understand why it was hidden from you. If I had known you were alive I would have written sooner. I write now to confess my sins to the women who treated me like I was worth something so many years ago.

I killed Aerys Targaryen because he threatened to burn Kings Landing to the ground in wildfire. When the sacking of Kings Landing happened, I had barricaded Elia and Aegon in her rooms. I had left to find Rhaenys when my father breeched the city. Grand Maester Prycelle has been my fathers man for many years and convinced Aerys that the Lannister's had come to help. However, Lannister's do not fund losing battles as my father likes to say. The Rebellion was winning, Rhaegar was dead, you were presumed dead and Elia Martell and her children had been abandoned by her husband, my father knew he would get no closer chance at the throne.

Ser Gregor Clegane got into Elia's room, by the time I returned she and Aegon were already dead. I became frantic trying to find Rhaenys when I heard a child screaming. When I reached you room, Rhaenys was spread dead across you bed and Amory Lorch was running away. I gave chase only to come into the Throne room and see my father. I was so angry. A few hours later Robert came into the city and my father had their bodies collected and laid before the Iron Throne. He wrapped them in Lannister colors, an insult to them. Robert sent their bodies to Dorne, even though Elia and her children were part of the Targaryen family. He tried to destroy the treasury and crypt but he could not access either. He assumed Rhaella had the key. I guess you always had it. Rhaegar's body disappeared off the battlefield at the Trident. No one knows what happened to him, but I figured you deserved to know. Lyanna Stark was recovered dead and Robert married my sister Cersei.

That is when I threw away the rest of my honor Visenya. All of Cersei's children are my bastards. Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen. Cersei allows me no contact with them as they think Robert is their father. I write to confess and admit my wrong doings. I broke my vow to protect the Targaryen's and I allowed myself to by swayed by Tywin Lannister's words. Now I find out you are alive and all I feel is shame in my actions. I am deeply sorry for all the wrong I have done your family Visenya.

If you are ever in need of something all you have to do is ask. A debt lies between us now.

Thinking of you,

Ser Jamie Lannister of the Kingsguard

Three weeks later, Varys slipped a letter into his hand and walked away without a word. Hidden inside his room, Jamie looked at sigil and smiled slightly. It was a three headed dragon surrounded by four chains. A mixture of sigils. He opened it and was surprised as he read.

Jamie of House Lannister,

I answer your letter with a heavy heart Jaime. Word from Westeros has reached my ears and I do not like what I am hearing. If you are serious about the debt between us, I want you to PROTECT Lyra, Sansa and Arya Stark. If anything happens to them I will take your head clean off your shoulders. They are important in the times to come. I also warn you that your father will pay for what he has done to my family in Fire and Blood.

Sincerely,

Visenya, of Houses Targaryen, Second of My Name, Princess of Summerhall, Queen Regent of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm and Beloved Mother of the Sand Snakes

Jamie knew she was talking about Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark. The two friends had ended their friendship over a disagreement about what to do with Daenerys Targaryen who was pregnant. Ned had resigned as Hand of the King, not able to bare the thought of murdering children. Jaime privately couldn't stand Ned Stark but even he could admit the man would have made a better King for the realm than Robert, who did nothing but sleep, whore and drink himself into an early grave.

He rose to his feet and stepped over to the balcony in his chambers, which overlooked the Narrow Sea and the Gardens of the Red Keep. Down below, he could just make out the two eldest daughters of Ned Stark. Lyra Stark was the second born, twin of Robb Stark the heir and Sansa, the middle Stark girl. They were as different as night and day. Lyra was a copy of her father with Stark black hair and grey eyes, while Sansa was the image of her Tully mother. They were walking arm in arm through the gardens, the youngest girl Arya nowhere to be seen.

Jaime didn't understand why Visenya wanted him to watch them but after what happened to Elia and her children, Jaime promised he would protect them as best as he could. He wouldn't break his word to Visenya ever again, not after she was giving him a chance to redeem himself and his honor. He also knew that if Daella had survived the Rebellion, Ser Gerald Hightower, Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Arthur Dayne were probably with her. He promised he would do better, so when he greeted his brothers once again, he would hopefully be welcomed back among them and not killed for his dishonor, though he had a little doubt. He would take this chance Visenya offered him and told it tightly.

~!~

297 AC, The Dothraki Sea, Essos

Visenya watched Drogo with Daenerys and couldn't help her smile. He was so gentle with her and so excited about the babe that was to come. Visenya still couldn't believe it had happened. The babe was a surprise as Daenerys had conceived before they married. It hadn't surprised Visenya given how fast Daenerys had become comfortable with Drago. It had helped that she was learning their language and were able to communicate better. They were happy and she was thankful. Daenerys had started to come into her own since becoming the Khaleesi of the horde and Visenya was so proud of her.

However, she was not pleased with the other Targaryen of their party. Viserys had sold their younger sister to the Dothraki with little thought of her happiness and had been nothing but a nightmare to be around since they began they journey towards Vaes Dothrak the ancestral home of the Dothraki. She had had to stop a few of the Stormcrows from killing him over the journey and Daenerys had to save him from her khas Rakharo when he had raised his hand to her. Her belly had swelled these last few weeks and Visenya hoped for a healthy child for her sister. Daenerys deserved that after everything she had been through over the years.

Jacaerys and Roslin had become close as they traveled. He had kept her close to his side if she wasn't with Daenerys and her handmaidens, ever since Viserys had tried to rape her. Jacaerys had all but claimed her as his since then, he was unsure of how Roslin felt though and he wouldn't ask his aunt to arrange anything against her will, so vowed to spend time with her. He was sure he loved her though, he wanted to be with her and around her all the time. He liked the happiness he saw on his Aunt Daeny's face when she was with her husband and he wanted that for himself. He also knew that some of his aunts plans would soon be put in motion as rumors circled from Westeros of the split between the usurper and his uncle Ned.

Ser Jorah had joined them from Pentos and Visenya and her knights were keeping a very close eye on him. Visenya was leery about him, given everything Illyrio had gathered about him. He had been a sellsword, apart of the Golden Company, that was created to aide the Blackfyre's, and that only made her not want to trust him. She also knew he could be useful in the future, as a knight from Westeros. There were pathetically few of them this far South and Visenya knew they would need to spruce up the Kingsguard before meeting the Lannister's in battle. She had also received a letter from her daughters, which had made her day.

Naneth,

It's about time we can write to you. It is Obara, Nymeria and Tyene writing you, Sarella is in Oldtown undercover in the Citadel doing something for ada. We received you gifts; the chokers are beautiful. The younger four of our sisters adore them too, much to their mothers disgust. I don't know if your aware or not naneth but ada has had a paramour since 284. We don't like her much, she's all about ada and doesn't care for their daughters or even us. She also makes sure ada doesn't spend much time with us. I miss you so much.

The writing soon changed.

It's Nym, Obara said we should run away and come find you. However, you had gone to Valyria since she suggested that and we had no idea how to get there. Uncle Doran was surprised you actually found the ruins. Everyone said Valyria sank into the sea. We are writing to let you know that we miss you. You know we'll sometimes be doing something together and then I hear you voice in my head. I always have that song you sang us stuck in my head. I tend to drive ada mad humming it because I can never make it go away. I miss you naneth.

The writing changed again.

It Tyene. We got your letter and were happy to hear from you. You should have seen ada's face when he got your gift. I thought for sure he was going to faint. Basilisk venom! I couldn't believe it when he told us. Uncle Doran just shook his head like he was expecting that. He's walking again by the way. He said your magical remedy was amazing. Arianne has gone to Riverrun and has been betrothed to Edmure Tully. We heard that Hoster Tully has fallen ill though and uncle worry's for the alliance between Dorne, the Targaryen's and the Tully's because of it.

The writing shifted back to Obara.

Anyways, we wrote just to write. To make this real. It's been hard receiving a message from you and never being able to write back. We miss you naneth and hope to see you soon. Ada misses you too, things haven't been the same since the Rebellion. We send you our love naneth and hope to hear from you again soon.

Obara, Nymeria and Tyene Sand

The Sand Snakes

Tears had filled her eyes as well as longing to hug her daughters. She had been well aware that Oberyn had a paramour and while it hurt her, she had become lovers with Bharbo so she couldn't really be angry with him. Not to mention, she had told him not to wait for her and find the happiness she couldn't give him. However, learning about Hoster Tully made her sad and she wanted to laugh at Doran's worry. Not many were aware of Hoster's loyalty to her family but they were all idiots. Her family had made the Tully's into a Great House, they wouldn't be where they were without them, so he would always be loyal.

She had written back to her daughters, delighted to be able to communicate with them.

My Sand Snakes,

I was so very happy to hear from you my little snakes. It has been to many years since we last saw each other and I miss you all just as much. I had heard your ada had a paramour, but I had no idea she was cruel to you. All the rumors says she's a nice women. I'll challenge her to a duel if she keeps at it. You are my daughters and no one treats you like that, not even your fathers paramour.

It will hopefully be only a few years longer before we return and I can't wait to hold you in my arms again. Do not tell anyone as the timeline is only tentative. The plans I made at the end of the Rebellion are falling into place and I expect will kick off soon. I can't wait to see you. I have to go, but I send you all my love.

Love always,

Naneth

~!~

It had been short but things were slowly coming together. If the flashes of the future she had seen were true they would be returning with an army a hundred thousand strong. Then with the support of Dorne's fifty thousand soldiers, the North with twenty thousand, Riverlands with forty-five thousand, Highgarden with eighty thousand men and the ships that would carry them across the Narrow Sea, she would have the biggest army ever summoned in Westeros history. Visenya didn't think it would take very long for her to reconquer her homeland, especially if the other lords of the Great Houses were smart.

What Visenya was unaware of was the host of another twenty-thousand men loyal to the Targaryen family, were at Summerhall and were waiting for her to arrive under the command of Prince Lewyn Martell who had survived the sword he had taken to his back and had gone to Summerhall to heal and await his Queen. Jacaerys may have been heir to the throne but it was Visenya who had made allies and was working to bring them home.

She was well named after all.

~!~

Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun, Lord Paramount of the Trident,

I write to congratulate you on the betrothal between your son Lord Edmure and Princess Arianne Martell. I think it will be an amazing match. Rumors have reached us across the sea that you are ill, this has made Doran uneasy as he was unaware that you are loyal to my family. Dorne is with us always. Things are looking up and I expect things to begin falling into place within the next few moons. Tell your son Edmure to truth, because in the war that is coming, it's going to be one of the greatest ever seen and I will not have any traitors in my court.

Visenya of House Targaryen, Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm

~!~

Weeks after the small council meeting when Westeros learned that Daella Targaryen still lived, but under the name of Visenya, Lord Varys received a missive from Illyrio. It held nine words, straight and to the point.

Track down Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch. Watch them

He grinned to himself before nodding and walking away to find a few of his little birds. It would take a bit to find the two men who hadn't been seen much since the sacking of Kings Landing. Tywin Lannister kept his attack dog on a short leash and Lorch didn't leave the Westernlands often given many Targaryen loyalists were hunting for his head. He knew exactly why his Queen wanted them too. It was time for debts to be paid and the Targaryen's to come home.

~!~

Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne

I think a betrothal between our houses is a grand idea. I have spoken with my mother Olenna Tyrell and she wants to know if a marriage will be offered to the heir of the Iron Throne. I would like to say I agree with the proposal and Ryanne has expressed desire to travel to Dorne to meet Trystane before they marry. If you are in agreement, send a raven back and Ryanne will leave for Dorne immediately, arriving in two weeks time in Sunspear.

Mace Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Reach and Warden of the South