Hey all. I thought I'd already told you guys before, but the list of every accepted character is on my profile. If your character isn't on there, it's because I haven't accepted them yet – I do get around to viewing all of the applications though.

So, I could use some more knights – they'll either be put into the Kingsguard, City Watch or an army. They can come any house but Stark, Targaryen, Baratheon and Greyjoy.

I know you guys want to see what's going on in Essos, and you will, but I'm not writing the chapter until I get these characters at the very least. Feel free to throw in other characters – like, courtesans, cut-purses, cutthroats, sellswords, Unsullied deserters, nobles, merchants…

If you're sending an application for one of the following characters, you must include their opinion on Westerosi, Dothraki, Courtesans, Thieves, Sellswords, Bravos, The Iron Bank, The Rich and The Poor.

Dothraki Screamer

Water Dancer (older man)

Water Dancer (younger woman)

A little heads-up, I've got a hunk of coursework due in within the month, so updates will be sparse until February.

Ashriel Tyrell – King's Landing, The Red Keep

I had woken at the break of day to dress myself in a pale green dress. Modest, with a high collar, just like my Princess. It was often hard to navigate what to wear – Laena had a mercurial temperament, and was as likely to criticize me for wearing something too similar to her as she was for wearing something too different.

I went to the kitchens, and collected Laena's breakfast: soft-boiled pheasant eggs, fried oatbread (baked with dates, apple and orange) and candied nuts and plums. It took a moment to check she would be satisfied, and another moment to eat my own breakfast, which was the first attempt at boiling the phaesant eggs and frying the oatbread. It wasn't bad, not by any means. It was simply just not what Laena would want.

I took Laena's breakfast up to her room, and after a knock on the door, I entered her chambers, placing the silver tray of food on her table. As Laena began to slowly come to, I busied myself with talking about her various appointments during the day, while opening the shutters and doors to her balcony, pulling back the drapes and letting in that beautifully warming Spring-time sun.

"Viserys and Aeron are going to travel to Rhaenys' Hill today."

"Why?" Laena groggily inquired as she sat up.

"Your Grace, Visenya is said to be returning from Dragonstone today."

"Visenya?" Laena asked, a hand brushing over her burnt skin as she eyed me walking towards her, and pulling back the sheets. "Why is she back?"

"I suppose, Your Grace, it is because of His Grace's impending wedding."

"Oh, yes, Viserys…" Laena nodded, rising to get out of bed, "well, that will be an affair." I walked towards Laena's armoire, and removed a suitable purple dress. "You're aware Visenya was betrothed to Viserys?"

I felt my stomach clench as we spoke about Viserys being with another woman. Especially someone as reputably beautiful like Haylise, or adventurous and popular as Visenya. I was just a meagre handmaiden.

"Yes, Your Grace, I'd heard it was expected."

"It was more than expected. Father announced it at birth. He said they were one soul cloven in two and that they would be woven together through marriage at a suitable age. No, next." Laena waved a hand, and so I returned the dress to her armoire, and removed a dark scarlet one next.

"If you don't mind my asking, Your Grace…"

"Of course not, Ashriel. This one is fine." Laena gestured towards the dress I held.

"Why was this betrothal abandoned?"

"Well, because of Rylon, of course." Laena chuckled, "I will be Queen when Draegor and I marry. Viserys will secure the Stormlands' loyalty through Haylise the Ruined, Visenya will secure another kingdom, perhaps the Vale or the Riverlands, and Aeron will take the Reach." I didn't know how to respond to this. It was common knowledge that since I had been sent away from Highgarden by father, I had a lesser claim on my inheritance. A punishment, I suppose, for refusing to marry the decrepit old Folan Swann. But, when father passed, Delyth would inherit Highgarden, and Aeron through her. "How did Delyth respond to that little bit of news?"

"She was very excited and honoured, Your Grace-"

"Oh, spare me..." Laena removed her nightdress, and allowed me to begin dressing her. I tried to ignore her arms instinctively move upwards to cover herself – not her breasts or any other intimate part of her body. No, she simply flinched to cover the burns on her shoulder and neck. That corroded skin that twisted and contracted together on her otherwise unblemished body. "She'll be a Princess of Westeros. And after Dorne falls, she'll be Princess of the Seven."

"Until the Seven bless you and Draegor with children."

"Yes," Laena replied, sounding somewhat bored at the idea, "though I doubt my brother would be happy with that."

"Every man is happy with a son, Your Grace." I began to tie her bodice.

"Draegor hasn't been happy with anything since he lost his sight…" Laena stated, "he used to be respected – a better swordsman than Viserys. And now he can't even cut his own meat." Laena scoffed. "It's pathetic… he's a Dragon. Dragons do not lament over the past."

"Of course not, Your Grace." I finish dressing Laena, and walked towards her trunk to dig out appropriate shoes.

"Still… I suppose it should be amusing… watching her lay eyes on the harlot." Laena giggled. "She'll scurry back to Dragonstone."

"Why was she on Dragonstone, Your Grace?" I lifted up Laena's leg to fit on one of her shoes.

"Rylon made arrangements when she was sixteen." Laena shook her head, "Only the Gods can divine that man's mind…" She stood up after I finished putting her shoes on. "I expect our escort shall arrive any-" A knock on the door interrupted her. I made my way towards the door, opening it to see Ser Mikal Drake of the Kingsguard there, his red hair flowing beneath his golden helm. So tall and looming, like the giants I heard to have lived beyond the realm.

"The Lord Hand has requested for Princess Laena to join the Princes' Aeron and Viserys on Rhaenys' Hill."

"Aeron?" Laena wrinkled her nose, "Where is Draegor?"

"The Prince Draegor has taken to his chambers."

Laena's face contorted into a stone, void of any expression or care. She simply marched right past Ser Mikal with a dark mutter and began walking down the halls, shaking her head. "Your Grace?" I called. "Your Grace?" I jogged after her, past Ser Mikal, who simply marched. Laena opened the door to Draegor's chambers and strode inside.

I had only been in Draegor's chambers twice before, when accompanying Laena. Now, however, the drapes were shut, and the air smelled stale and damp. Mountains of volumes were strewn across the floor, and at the foot of his four-post bed, sat a long sword, with a ruby imbedded at the top of the hilt. The ruby had become dull, blanketed in dust; Clearly, Draegor had not held the sword in a time.

"Dreagor!" Laena stood at the foot of the bed. "What are you doing, get out of bed."

Draegor was a shadow of his former self. His warm silver hair was knotted and tangled, and those pale eyes sullenly glanced up to where Laena stood, his face frowning in recognition. "Laena?"

"Draegor, Visenya is returning. You've not seen her in over a year. Do you not want to?"

"Visenya would not recognize me." Draegor mumbled, turning back to his pillows.

"Draegor," Laena sat on the bed, "when was the last time you rode Broxagon?"

"I can't ride…" Draegor sighed, "not without my eyes."

Laena stood up and tore the sheets away, revealing Draegor in his nightshirt. "You are the first-born son of Rhaegon Targaryen, King of the Seven Kingdoms. You do not have the luxury to fall back into bed and die like some dog!" Draegor remained motionless. "Draegor, we are to be wed someday. And I will not be wed to a shell of a man like you."

Draegor sat up. "I can't rule. Let Viserys. Or Aeron-"

Laena cut Draegor off with a smack to his face. "Viserys is more a boy than a man. He still dreams of glorious battles like he did as a child. And Aeron is not a Dragon. Aeron is a bastard from the Vale."

"Laena…"

"Only you can rule."

Viserys Targaryen – King's Landing, Rhaenys' Hill

The townsfolk had gathered to witness the return of their Princess, my sister Visenya. I trudged up the hill, often glancing to check that Draegor had a firm grip on the reigns. Draegor looked better than he had on his nameday, his hair now glimmering in the sunlight. He wore a dark black cloth tied around his eyes, and was wrapped in a long light scarlet robe. I suppose it was better than donning his armour, and pretending he was still a soldier. Draegor may not have been able to wield a sword anymore, but he was still a knight. To me, if not to anyone else.

I dismounted my horse once I was at the top of the hill, waving a hand at the smallfolk. Aeron soon came out of the carriage, with Laena and Ashriel. Beautiful Ashriel. Hair as soft as silk, falling down in spirals of dark midnight black. Intriguing, enchanting gold eyes that set something alight inside of me.

A roar cut off the cheers of the crowd. Their faces quickly turned to ones of terror and fear as they began to scatter. Looking up, I saw four creatures sweep across the sky. Our dragons.

The largest was Draegor's dragon, Broxagon. One of the eldest dragons, born four years before Draegor's birth. Ruby scales and golden horns, Broxagon moved through the skies with a heavy, imposing style. Broxagon was, however, clearly one of the slowest, from how the other dragons flew in circles around him.

Second to Broxagon's size was Helyax, the brute that was almost as slow as Broxagon, due to his old age. Helyax was Laena's mount, and before that, he was Lucaen's, our grandfather. Helyax was large like Broxagon, and just as red, only his horns were tarnished with a glimmering silver.

Then, there was Daenys, Aeron's dragon. A purple she-beast, not nearly as big as Broxagon or Helyax, but one that fell through the skies at a remarkable speed, often twirling and spinning. I smirked at the sight – she was as much a show-off as her rider.

Lastly, there was my own. Moonfyre. She was a dark bronze dragon, faster than Helyax, but larger than Daenys. Moonfyre soared down towards me, landing in front of me with a screech. I grinned, and held out a hand to stroke her snout. "Gida… gida…" I hushed gently, watching her relax under my hands. I looked around Moonfyre to see my siblings with their own dragons.

Draegor bowed to Broxagon, which let out a deep, satisfied rumble. Broxagon crept closer to Dreagor, sniffing the air, and glaring at Draegor's bandaged eyes. Eventually, after he had finished sniffing the air, Broxagon let out a loud growl, and moved his wing to Draegor, allowing him to mount.

Aeron stood beside Daenys, who stood on the hill, her violet eyes moving across the remaining smallfolk with interest, shuddering as Aeron stroked her horns gently. A large shriek came from Helyax, who had begun to growl at Ashriel.

"Helyax!" Laena called. "Keligon!" Helyax resorted to simmer, growling in discontent.

"Hungry again?" Aeron asked Laena with an amused smile.

"A dragon as big as him needs more food." Laena stated, casting a look of distaste over Daenys. "I wouldn't expect you to understand, Stone."

Aeron turned away from her, stroking a hand across Daenys again, his smile gone as his mouth transitioned into something of a frown. "That's not my name…" He murmured.

"Names may change. Blood does not." Laena replied.

"Peace, Laena," I walked towards her, "we shall ride first." Before Laena could respond, another shriek split through the sky, and we looked up to see a fifth dragon circle above. Sunfyre. Upon the birth of Visenya and I, twin dragonlings hatched. My own was the larger, with it's dark scales and golden tinges, as if there was fire coming from the moon in the dead of night. Visenya's dragon, however, was a brilliant emerald colour, with the same gold tinges. Sunfyre, the more rambunctious of the two. As Sunfyre approached, it landed down next to Moonfyre, beating his powerful wings and causing a gust that flapped my own cape behind me. Dismounting from Sunfyre, was my twin sister, Visenya.

Visenya was a head taller than Laena, and looked more so like mother, even when Laena was unburnt: pale gold hair winding in flowing waves towards the small of her back, lilac feline eyes that twinkled knowingly, and a round, delicate face like one of the maidens from the songs. She walked towards me, wearing a long, sinuous blue dress, fastened with a metal brooch of our family sigil. However, I did notice how her dresses had become more… indelicate.

"Viserys." She smiled, wrapping her arms around me. "It's been too long."

"Indeed," I agreed, "how is Dragonstone?"

"Urgh," she waved a hand as she walked towards Draegor, "duller and duller with each passing day. Your wedding is the most eventful thing that's happened. Draegor," She said, suddenly turning quite formal, "are you well?"

"Well enough." Draegor replied stiffly. Visenya paused for a moment, unsure of what to say. The two of them had never enjoyed a close relationship. I had not either, but I had often taken to sparring with him; when silence fell, we could resort to talk about the differences between Dark Sister and Blackfyre, or the counter-riposte we saw in a tourney. I suppose that we couldn't talk about that either now. Draegor couldn't hear anything about a sword without feeling sad.

"Visenya." Laena greeted her curtly.

"Laena." Visenya bowed her head. "Lady Ashriel-"

"You look older," Laena wove her eyes over Visenya's body, nodding towards her bust "and bigger."

"I've not been to court for a while. I have to admit, the subtleties are lost on me."

"Subtleties were never your strong suit, Visenya." Aeron smiled, walking over to her and giving her a warm hug. Out of all of my siblings, Visenya treated Aeron differently. True, Draegor was closest to him, but Visenya was genuinely warm to him.

"Aeron is lecturing me on subtlety? In those clothes, moreover?" She pointed to his ruby-encrusted surcoat and golden rings. Aeron shook his head with a laugh. Draegor mounted Broxagon, who beat his powerful wings before soaring up into the sky, leaving us down on the ground. "I think we've been issued a challenge." Visenya grinned, turning back to Sunfyre, who had been nestling against his sister, Moonfyre. However, before she could mount, Visenya's eyes fell on the figures behind me. Turning around, I saw Haylise, accompanied by Lady Lyra.

"Viserys." She smiled, as she came closer.

"My Lady," I bowed my head. What was she doing here? I had thought she would've stayed in the Keep, far away from the dragons. "excuse me, I hadn't expected to see you here."

"My Dragon," she smiled, brushed her Baratheon-black hair behind her ear, "I am to be yours. I wish to know everything there is to know about you." Beside Laena, Ashriel visibly scoffed, which turned into a loud cough. Lyra narrowed her jade eyes, while Ashriel moved closer towards me, seemingly unaware of Ashriel's coughing.

"My Lady," I suddenly realised Visenya was standing beside me, "this is my twin sister, Visenya…"

"My Lady." Visenya curtsied, as did Ashriel.

"Your Grace."

"Visenya, this is my betrothed, Lady Haylise of the House Baratheon."

"Ah, Rylon's daughter." Visenya recognized Haylise. "You look like your father. With less of a beard." She laughed, as did Haylise.

"Thank the Gods. I've been told I take after my mother." I looked between the two of them; Visenya narrowing her eyes at Haylise. It was no secret that Visenya had always looked forward to our union. Truths be told, I didn't shy from the idea. She was lovely, kind-hearted and we had always been close. I could have a wife a great deal worse than Visenya. Haylise bowed her head.

"Well, I'm sure she's a great beauty." Visenya plastered on a smile. I nodded my thanks to her – it seemed like a blessing that she bestowed upon Haylise and me in that short smile. "Now, I fear Draegor's unchallenged at present." Visenya mounted Sunfyre, who moved away from Moonfyre and shook his wings, taking flight. Laena followed quickly, on Helyax, who she had pestered into taking flight.

"Your sister seems lovely."

"She is… when people deserve it." I smiled. Haylise glanced her icy blue eyes down to the floor, almost like she was shy.

"So," she moved closer, "this is your Dragon?" I looked back to see Moonfyre looking up at Haylise, standing up and tilting her head in interest. Haylise took a step backwards, clutching my hand. I looked down at her hand, and couldn't stop myself chuckling. Moonfyre had always been well-behaved, and never hurt anyone. Which was more than could be said for the others.

"It's okay," I assured her, "this is Moonfyre. She's more gentle than she looks."

"She?" Haylise asked, eyes locked on Moonfyre, wide in shock.

"Yes, Sunfyre's her twin. Sunfyre is Visenya's mount." I explained. It was only when Haylise looked at me, that I realised how close we were to each other. She stood mere inches from me, her hand still touching mine. "Do you want to touch her?" I asked, clearing my throat.

"You're sure it's safe?" She asked, looking at Moonfyre's large teeth, digging crookedly into the scales under her snout.

"Here," I took held her wrist and softly walked her forwards to Moonfyre, moving my hand with hers towards the snout. I felt her hand flinch away when Moonfyre would breathe, and she moved closer to me, so there was no space between our bodies. I could feel the curve in the small of her back, her hips fitting against mine, how my shoulders seem to roll around hers. The smell of honeycomb carried by the breeze. "it's okay." Haylise's hand tensed as she touched the scales, her eyes still wide as she began to smile, watching Moonfyre's eyes flicker between myself and her. "Don't be scared."

"I'm not scared." She murmured softly, and right then, I believed it. Her eyes weren't wide with shock or terror. Instead, she was staring not at Moonfyre's teeth, but at her eyes. "Does she like me?"

"Well, she hasn't bitten you yet." I smiled at her. "Moonfyre's just cautious. She can sense that you aren't a Targaryen."

"Not yet." Haylise, removing her hand from Moonfyre, and placing it in my hand. "Thank you, Your Grace." Those upturned azure eyes of a cat peered up from the floor, and straight into my own. Her other hand softly slid up my jerkin, and tangled itself in my silver hair. Her full red lips moved closer, half-open as her teeth gnawed at the lip, her eyes drawn to my own. And over her shoulder, I saw Ashriel.

"I'm…" I pulled away from her, "Moonfyre, he's…" I bowed my head and mounted my dragon to fly.

Aeron Targaryen – King's Landing, Rhaenys' Hill

It was all so easy to notice. Well, it was for me, anyway. One look at beautiful, noble Viserys panicking with Haylise in his arms, and another look at Ashriel glaring. Well, after being in the background for so long, you learn to pay attention to the details.

Viserys clambered onto Moonfyre and soared off to join Laena, Visenya and Draegor. All four of them together – the trueborn Targaryens. They'd always looked down on me… The Dragon's Bastard from the Vale. The Stone Dragon. What an ironic name – they saw me as a Stone, but not as a Dragon. Laena, most of all. Viserys and Visenya… well, they saw me as some distant cousin. And Draegor? We had been close, on occasion.

I walked towards Ashriel, who was trying to act like she wasn't scowling at Haylise returning to Lady Lyra. "My Lady." I nodded, hands clasped behind my back.

"Your Grace." She huffed.

"What's the matter? Feeling a tad left out?"

"Your Grace?" She looked at me, brows furrowed together. She reminded me of her sister, Delyth, from what I saw of her at Court. A pretty young thing to be sure, though there was something more to Ashriel. A sort of… intrigue.

"Viserys the Brave." I chuckled at the name. Not a mocking chuckle, mind you. No, I just found it all so… quaint. Young Viserys with his little sword, like one of the heroes from the songs. He would always be the little boy with a wooden sword to me. "And his betrothed."

Haylise's eyes widened for a moment, as she shook her head. "I have no idea what you're insinuating." I let out another chuckle, hanging my head for a moment.

"You have no-"

"No, I don't." She said firmly, eyes directed straight ahead, looking away from me. Like a liar.

"You should be offended." I informed her. "And you would have an idea of what I was insinuating if it wasn't true."

"Your Grace-"

"Do you think I'm as dumb as the rest of them?" I laughed, nodding my head towards the guards behind us. "You need to get better at lying," I looked around casually, making sure no-one else was within earshot, "especially if this is to continue through his marriage to Haylise."

"It won't. I mean, I don't-"

"Never admit to the lie." I instructed her. "No matter what they do or say, they can't prove anything unless you admit to it."

Ashriel looked up at me, confused. "You sound like an experienced liar."

"This is King's Landing." I stated.

"Why are you trying to help me?" I looked at those large golden eyes, that midnight black hair like silk, little lithe body… she was a true Tyrell rose: Beautiful, but with many thorns.

"I'm partial to ruined maids." I grinned. Ashriel shook her head.

"You may have the hair, you may have the eyes, you may have the name, but you'll never have the blood of the Dragon." She leant in close. "Draegor may want you to stay and advise him, but Laena will be the true ruler. How many nights do you think she'll let you sleep?"

Ashriel returned to her carriage as Haylise and Lyra walked back to their own. I turned back to Daenys, mounting her. This was the way it had always been – the four trueborns in the sky, and the bastard on the ground, where he belonged. I would always be naturalborn around them. I'd been a fool to dare to believe anything else. I knew that now.

There we go – a whopping 4,000 words (roughly). This isn't the standard length of chapters, I just started writing and wanted to put in more to make the story flow better. So, I hope you guys enjoyed. Please remember to drop a review detailing what you thought.

Next chapter we're going to spend some time in the North, and see how Rickard's enjoying his little vacay-cay at the Dreadfort. Then, we'll stop by back at Winterfell.