Chapter 7
Earlier in the Wolfswood
After their discovery about the Lannisters, Catelyn Tully Stark prepared to leave for King's Landing with a silent fury. With his mother leaving, Robb was left with the responsibilities as Lord of Winterfell. While Ser Lucius was teaching Bran how to hold a Braavosi sword, Jon and Robb were hunting in the Wolfswood. As they walked along a nearby creek, Jon heard a soft whimpering.
"Do you hear something Robb?" Jon asked
"No" Robb replied
"There it goes again, did you hear it?" Jon asked
"Yes, look over there by the bushes. Something moved." Robb noted
Jon went closer and found a silvery blonde direwolf with big red eyes that reminded him of Dany so he took it and went back to Robb, who was waiting on him with Ser Lucius and Bran when they met a rider from Winterfell.
"What news from Winterfell, Tristram?" Robb asked
"My lords, your presence are requested back at the castle. The Targaryen lady has gone into labour. " Tristram replied hurriedly
"We will be with you shortly. However; Tristram, there is something I require" Jon replied
"I am at your disposal, milord." Tristram replied
"Take this direwolf to the stables alongside my own wolf, please." Jon asked politely then the rider left with the wolf in tow and Ghost trailing behind.
"Mount up! We ride for Winterfell." Robb said
At present, in Winterfell
"Congratulations on birthing a healthy babe, Lady Armea. I know your husband will be pleased." Jon commended
"Thank you, Jon." Armea panted
Robb laid eyes on Armea, who was clearly exhausted after the birth of her daughter, the silver-blonde haired babe she held in her embrace. He observed as the child had her father's colouring, not the exotic dark of her mother's hair but her eyes favoured the Dornish coloring and had a striking similarity to Daenerys.
"The babe looks a lot like her mother, doesn't she?"Jon urged Robb to come forward.
"Indeed, she does. Congratulations, Armea. Annalysse takes her looks from you." Robb complimented
"Thank you, Robb" Armea said as she handed the babe to Ser Lucius who silently congratulated his charge and laid the child in the crib beside the bed and went out.
"You must be exhausted" Dany said
"I am" Armea replied
"Then we will leave you, so that you can rest; Robb?" Jon said
"I will be along" Robb replied then Jon and Dany left the chamber.
At Dorne
Dorne had remained loyal to the Targaryens. The Dornish had no love of the Lannisters since the murder of Princess Elia. When House Martell learned that the Crown Prince Rhaegar, his children, and Viserys had escaped, they protected the surviving Targaryens, secretly sided with them and aided them. Learning that they could not save Daenerys from being a hostage of the North and the Baratheons, they patiently waited for word from Braavos. Arianne Martell had a deep hatred for the Baratheons and the Lannisters that did not only stem from the murder of her beloved aunt. She grew up with Raemond Rivers of House Blackfyre when Queen Rhaella, who was fond of Raemond despite being a son of her husband with another. She had him sent to Dorne knowing how bastards are treated with kindness there. Arianne was five when her hand was promised to him and didn't mind that he was ten years her senior. Years later, she dreamed of a future with Raemond by her side but little did she know that it was not to be. When he rode to King's Landing to aide in the escape of his half-siblings, he died in the dragon armour of his brother with Arianne's name on his lips. When she had learned of his demise, she was devastated. Following the brutal death of the man she loved, Raemond Rivers in the hands of Robert Baratheon, she swore to not marry until the usurper dies and had begged her father to help Prince Rhaegar. A knock brought Arianne back from her thoughts.
"Enter" Arianne said with authority
"A letter from Braavos, my lady" A page answered
"Well don't just stand there. Hand it over" Arianne commanded
After a long wait of three moons, a letter finally arrived from her good uncle Rhaegar Targaryen. She dismissed the boy when he gave her the letter. She broke the bronze tiger seal.
Good Niece,
The true game begins. The dragons are not alone. The wolves will be ours when my sister weds the usurper's son. The lions will pay dearly but first the secret must go out before the next moon comes and the usurper's reign will end. All will learn that Westeros will never be at peace until the blood of the dragon once again sits in the Iron Throne.
I Remain,
The Silver Prince
Satisfied with the news, Arianne folded the letter and sealed it in her desk. Suddenly aware that she is not alone, she turns and throws a knife to find Lord Darklyn catching it in midflight.
"Jaerys" Arianne acknowledges
"Your skills at the knife are as sharp as ever but your beauty is a far more deadly weapon, princess" Jaerys said
"And yet, all I see is the knight of masks and a shameless flatterer; how is my darling niece?" Arianne asked.
"She has given birth to a beautiful girl" Jaerys revealed
"Wait. Is this made known to Viserys?" Arianne asked
"Yes, my lady" he replied
"Good, What news?" Arianne inquired
"The king and queen have only one trueborn heir." Jaerys revealed
"What of Joffery, Myrcella, and Tommen?" Arianne asked
"All three are Jaime Lannister's inbred bastards." He replied
"Interesting, What of our 'beloved' King Robert? Does he know?" Arianne enquired
"Who knows? Either way, you will get your revenge and mine. That bastard has lived long enough I'd say. Raemond was a good man and he deserves justice." Jaerys said
"I agree; your twin did not deserve his fate, dear uncle Raeiden." Arianne agreed
"I wonder if the usurper does not mind being killed by a boar for being the pig that he is." Jaerys thought out loud
"Do what you will. Just make sure that he is dead."Arianne groaned
"As you wish, Princess" Jaerys said then disappeared
In Winterfell
ROBB
It has been three weeks since Lady Catelyn left for King's Landing. News of the incest between Cersei and Jaime Lannister had reached the North, As well as the arrest of Tyrion Lannister by Lady Catelyn Stark. Robb was finishing his duties as acting Lord of Winterfell with help from his aunt Lady Lyanna. He smiled as Dany passed by the door of his solar with his younger brothers and found himself amused because she was dragging the struggling Stark boys towards the Library Tower. Catching a glimpse of her violet eyes, his thoughts went back to Armea Caspian whom he now knew as Rhaenys Targaryen, the trueborn daughter of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, miraculously cheated certain death. Distracted, he sighed and berated himself for wanting a married woman. Lady Lyanna noticed the changed in her nephew.
"Why the sigh Robb? Am I boring you?" Lady Lyanna asked teasingly
"No, dear aunt, I'm just tired." Robb replied
"Why don't you take a rest?" Lady Lyanna asked
"I am almost through and I do not want to procrastinate" Robb answered politely
Signing the last of the paperwork, he stood and went to the Godswood. Along the way he saw Armea holding Annalysse.
"Good morning, Lady Targaryen. How are you and your daughter?" Robb greeted
"I am well and so is she. Thank you for asking, Lord Stark. Off to the Godswood?" Armea asked
"Aye; milady, that is where I am going. If you'll excuse me" he answered pleasantly
"Robb, Wait." Armea uttered while holding on to Robb's arm.
"Yes, Lady Targaryen?" Robb asked
"I do beg your pardon for not coming to you sooner. Thank you for being so kind to me and for taking care of me and Annalysse while I was recovering from childbirth." Armea thanked him as she settled her baby.
"You did not offend, my lady. You are a guest, it is your right to be accommodated and how can I call myself a man let alone a lord if I do not know how to treat a woman, whether a highborn or not. A woman must be treated with respect." Robb said
"How very gallant of you" Armea complimented
"Hardly, I just do what is right" Robb said
"Thank you Robb."Armea said
"Yes; thank you, Lord Stark for care caring for my family. I am in your debt." Viserys said as he dismounted from his fiery steed five feet above the ground.
Greatly Astounded, Robb finally believed Dany when he saw Viserys' red dragon, Aeneas, hovering above the Northern sky when Armea said something in High Valyrian then the dragon disappeared.
"Welcome to Winterfell, Lord Targaryen. I trust your journey was pleasant." Robb said as he shook hands with the husband of the woman he loved.
"Yes it was; the North is beautiful, Lord Stark." Viserys said
"My love, I present to you, our daughter, Annalysse Targaryen." Armea said
"She is beautiful, my lady" Viserys said as he held Annalysse in his arms.
"If you'll excuse me, I shall leave you alone" Robb said with a resigned tone.
Leaving them alone he went off to the Godswood then threw himself in his duties again.
DANY
After taking Bran and Rickon to Maester Luwin for their lessons, Dany was walking along the corridors when she comes across a piece of paper. She opens it and found that it was written in Jon's hand and it read.
Take fifty paces forward then face the waxing moon.
Take twenty paces to find a gift and from it never part.
She followed the instruction, which took her to the shed where the direwolves are kept. She stood in front of Ghost and found a silvery blonde direwolf beside him. It had another note tied securely around its right front leg. She untied the note and it read.
Make a left turn at the armoury, ten paces soon.
Face the rising sun, turn right and make five paces to my heart.
She took the silver blonde direwolf in her arms and the note leads her to the Glass Gardens. There she saw her betrothed holding bouquet of blue winter roses and violet lilies. As she approached him, he gave her the flowers.
"For you, my lady" Jon said
"How thoughtful, thank you they're beautiful. Oh, thank you for little Snow. I love her" She thanked and accepted the flowers
"I'm glad you like her" he smiled then he leaned towards her and their lips met. They stopped when they heard footsteps.
"Your brother is here, my lady" he whispered
"Enjoying your betrothal to my sister, young prince?" Viserys sniggered
"Just Lord Stark; I've yet to grow used to my other title. Rest assured, I am no son of Cersei Lannister, Lord Viserys" Jon replied
"I despise the Lannisters, just as I hate to the Seven Hells, all Baratheons. I don't care if you have Stark blood in your veins for once a Baratheon always a Baratheon." Viserys expressed
"My love, please do not be rude to our soon to be good brother for he loves my lady aunt with all his heart. He has been very kind to me and our daughter" Armea said
"Let me just make something clear, I failed my mother and sister, four and ten years ago and after that failure, I never knew my sister. If you hurt my sister, I will make sure that you die a million deaths and burn in the Seven Hells for all eternity." Viserys hissed
"Brother, please stop. Thank you for your concern but it is unnecessary. The Starks have been very kind to me." Dany said
"We dragons must protect each other, my sweet sister. Dany, remember our words. 'Fire and Blood' though you are raised by wolves and even if, regrettably you must marry a son of the Usurper, never forget that you are a descendant of Aegon the Conqueror, a pure Targaryen and a true dragon." Viserys reminded her.
"I will never forget, brother."Dany replied
"And I will never let her forget." Jon assured her brother
"Good." Viserys said
"You must be tired, my love. Come, I will take you to your quarters" Armea said leading her husband to the West Wing.
Lady Lyanna was reading a book when Robb had sent for Jon and Dany in the Lord's solar to help him. Suddenly Tristram came in the solar running behind him a Baratheon bannerman carrying a babe.
"Pardon my lords, my ladies. A rider delivered a letter from King's Landing. These are for you, Lord Baratheon." Tristram said
Dany took the crying babe and the babe calmed in Dany's arms. Lady Lyanna indulged herself to cuddling the babe.
"Jon, who is it from?"Robb asked.
"It is from Uncle Stannis."Jon said as he opened the letter.
Nephew,
War is brewing. Your father, King Robert is dead, killed by a boar during a hunting expedition. Thanks to the Starks we learned truth about Cersei and the Kingslayer. For that we have reason to believe that only Stephan is the only trueborn son of Robert and Cersei. Gendry is the only baseborn spared from Cersei's wrath, having been switched at birth, replacing the stillborn twin of Stephan. Your uncle Eddard has seized control over the Lannister bastards with the help of a Braavosi named Daevon Caspian and a reluctant Tyrion Lannister. Unfortunately Cersei Lannister has fled the Capitol and abducted your good aunt Lady Catelyn Stark and your cousin Arya Stark; aided by the Kingslayer. Daevon had apprehended Jaime Lannister but failed in capturing Cersei Lannister and recovering your aunt and cousin. As for your royal "siblings" save, Prince Gendry, and Prince Stephan Baratheon of Storm's End: Joffery will be sent to the Wall, Myrcella will be sent to Winterfell and Tommen will be your ward at Storm's End with your brothers Gendry, Stephan, and Edric. You are to take the Targaryen girl and your youngest sister Barra, who we saved from the genocide of King Robert's bastards, your stepmother's last edict as Queen, to the Storm's End; where the arrangements are being made for your wedding. Eddard and his bannermen, Renly, and the Braavosi as well as your siblings are waiting for you there. Daevon Caspian's allegiance is still unknown but he says that it would be wise not to harm the Targaryen girl because it would anger the girl's brother as well as force his House to raise its banners against us. House Caspian may be small but it is not to be trifled with. They have control over the Dothraki horse lords and the last male Targaryen; they will not hesitate on crossing the Narrow Sea and put another Targaryen in the Iron Throne. You must correct the mistakes my beloved brother made. Start with the Targaryen girl.
Your uncle,
Stannis Baratheon
Lord of Dragonstone
When he finished reading the letter to Dany and his mother, Jon handed it to Robb, whose hand was extended.
"Father is dead, I must go to Storm's End and Dany is coming with me" Jon said
"Then I'll stay here with Bran and Rickon, be careful both of you." Lady Lyanna said
When he was done, Robb in a fit of rage pushed a stack of documents off the table.
"I am calling the banners and do not do anything to stop me. They have my sister and my mother, Jon." Robb said.
"I cannot disagree but think about this carefully." Jon advised
"Before you do anything reckless. Ease your storm, Robb." Lady Lyanna ordered
"My lord, there is another letter." Tristram interrupted handing the letter to Robb
Lord Stark,
Should you raise your banners against the Lannisters, then you will need all the help you can get. Through the union of your cousin and my sister , you will gain the loyalty and banners of House Targaryen and House Caspian. I ask nothing but the safety of my sister, my brother and his wife, which I've no doubt you will ensure. I am eternally indebted to your House especially your father. For doing what I cannot for my sister. I will help you retrieve your mother and sister. Your family will be reunited. Consider this my payment, my men will meet your host at Moat Cailin and will join you until House Lannister has truly paid their debts.
I Remain,
Rhaegar Targaryen/ Daevon Caspian