Old Town - 123 AC

I looked around my hometown in sadness. The tal white tower that gave my family it's name was in pieces, burn marks everywhere. The Citadel, which has stood centuries, was a wreckage, only half of it standing. The city itself was safe and the commonfolk unhurt, not that I had expected anything less from Nyra. Our queen is a gentle and kind woman… even if sometimes stupid men bring out the dragon in her.

"How are you holding out?" Elmo asked me gently, sitting next to me in the carriage.

"As good as expected," I replied with a tired smiled. "I am glad we cut ties with them all those years ago."

"So, do I," Elmo snorted. "Not that we would ever raise a sword against a Targaryen, they were the ones to give us Riverrun and the seat as a Great House to begin with. Still, it was smart to keep our distance."

"It was… I just wish things had gone differently," I sighed. "Why were they so greedy? Why could they not be satisfied with what they had? Compared to most Small Houses, we were incredibly well-off. Compared to the commonfolk, we lived like royalty. Yet they wanted more…"

"Greed, power, people get addicted to them," Elmo answered with a sigh. "The Hightowers and Old Town were the center of the realm, until the Targaryens came. The Citadel the center of knowledge, until Queen Rhaenyra decided to allow everyone to have Access. Unfortunately, people hold onto grudges and do not let them go."

"It rottens you from within," I seethed. "Blackens your soul and twists your heart. They preach about being pious and followers of the Seven, but they are… were hypocrites."

"But you are not like that, which is why you thrived while they fell," Elmo reassured me. The carriage finally came to a stop. "Let's get going, we can't keep the queen waiting any longer."

"Of course, husband," I smiled and followed him through the camp that has been set up for the meantime. The tower being too unstable. "Your Majesty," I bowed as I was allowed inside the royal tent. My husband had to stay outside, as the queen wanted to meet with me alone.

"How many times do I need to say that when it's only the two of us, we are Ali and Nyra," she smiled at me, with a tired but satisfied tint. "I'm sorry for how things had to end."

"What are you apologizing for?" I asked her incredously. "I should be the one begging for forgiveness. What they did… I am speechless. Beyond words, appaled by al lof it. I am so sorry!"

"You were not involved," Nyra took my hands into hers, reassuring him. I held tight into them, letting out a sob of relief, knowing that my horrible family did not take this away from me. That I still had my best friend. "We do not get to choose who is family, but we can raise above it. Which you did!"

"I am grateful to have your confidence and trust," I lowered my head, feeling awed by her words.

"Now chin up! I have a special duty for you!" She commanded, cheerfuly.

"Whatever you need, I am at your service," I replied at once, believing every single word.

"The Hightower House has come to an end, but Old Town will live on," she announced. I felt a pang in my heart, but realized that there was no other way. My house name will die with me. "You know the place and it's people more than anyone left alive, as such I would like to leave you in charge of it's reconstruction." My eyes widened at the task she had place in my hands, at the confidence she must have in me to entrust it to me. "I know that as a futuure Lady Paramount you are busy, but your husband has not taken the title from his grandfather yet. You could both see this as a practice round, for when you take on the Riverlands and Riverrun." Her smile turned sly, just as when we were kids and she was planning mischief. "After all, this will be the future seat of little Oscar."

"Y-your Majesty?" I stuttered, falling back into the respectful term. "I.. I d-don't understand…"

"Your blood has ruled these lands for a long time and they will continue to do so," Rhaenyra began explaining with a gentle smile. "As a second son, Oscar would have not inherited a keep. This way, you can secure the future of your two sons. The only condition, is that the keep won't be another tower, the name Oscar will take cannot be Hightower, and his house's colors won't be green." Her beautiful face twisted in a grimace at the mention of the color green. But I could understand it, the tower's is lit up in green when the Hightowers call their banners for war. "Other than that, you have free reign!"

"Thank you," I bowed, once more overwhelmed by the kindness and giving heart of my childhood friend… of my queen.

"You're welcome," she replied, before turning around and going towards her desk. "Go for your husband, we have a lot to talk about." I nodded and went to get Elmo, who had been as shocked and honoured as I was by the news. Our little boy will be set off for life, we could not be happier. "First of all, Oscar will still come to squire with Qoren when he is old enough and will become little Joffrey's companion." We both smiled pleased at those news, we had been worried that after my family's rebellion that Nyra would have been forced to change that. "The Citadel won't be rebuilt, the place will be divided into three: an orphanage, a healing hall for all, and a learning institute. You can use the money that was hoarded by the Citadel to do so." I nodded in agreement, the commonfolk of Old Town deserved to be part of the changes Nyra has been implementing on the realm. "As for the library, as you realized I kept half the Citadel intact for a reason. I will be opening the largest learning institute of Westeros in King's Landing. This one will be open to all and for them to learn whatever they wish to, no matter birth, gender, or economic background. For that, I will be taking every book the Citadel has in possession."

I was floored by the stagaring vision my friend has for the future of Westeros. I could only feel pride and awe as I looked at my friend.

"That's a wonderful idea!" I exclaimed, as Elmo nodded next to me.

"Now, we will move onto the hard part," I looked at her in concern as she sighed tiredly. None of this was the hard part? "The Faith Milita raised arms against the crown… again." A cold shiver went down my back. I did not like where this was going at all, will we have to put aside our faith and convert? No! That's not Nyra's way! I refuse to believe that! "We cannot allow them to do that a third time. I will not have my son or grandchildren worrying about when the Faith will go after them. We will just have to abolish the institution of the septons and septas," Nyra sighed. "We will not take the religion from those faithful, but we cannot allow them to raise against us again. The septs will stand and they will pray, the book of the seven will be allowed in the learning stablishments and in noble houses, but from now on no septon or septa will exist."

I did not like it, but I also understood her reasoning. They had brought this onto themselves and this was the kindest thing she could do, to keep us happy and protect her family. It was much more than her ancestors would have done.

"Maesters, septons and septas are the ones that teach the young lords and ladies of the realm," Elmo pointed out carefully.

"South the Neck maybe," Nyra agreed. "However, in the North and to a cetrain degree in Dorne, governesses and governors teach. They are men and women who have been instituted into the art of teaching. They know the techniques and best ways to pass on knowledge, something that the maesters, septons and septas do not. Also, if they seek deeper knowledge, there's always my future Tessarion Academy, after our Goddess of Knowledge."

"That could work," Elmo nodded slowly. "It will also be nice not to have religión involved in every lesson we aree taught as kids."

"It will be," Nyra chuckled, while I calmed my racing heart. Religion has always been a touchy subject for me, being too devout myself, I know I can be kind of inflexible at times on the topic. But I could not negate the fact that the Faith are traitors to the crown. As long as the septs stand and I can continue to practice my religion, I am happy. "The issue with this, is that the Riverlands will be placed in a… how do I word it? Delicate situation."

"Why is that?" I startled.

"Because the northern half of the of the Riverlands are followers of the Old Gods, while the southern half are followers of the New Gods," Elmo sighed. "This could instigate a religious war."

"Let's stay possitive and hope it does not," Nyra sighed. "But it does not hrt to be careful and keep an eye out." She turned to look at me hestitantely, before sighing. "I know that your faith is important to you. But as the future Lady Paramount of the Riverlands, you cannot only protect one of the religions of your kingdom."

"I know my faults," I chuckled, selfdeprocatevily. "I can be inflexible at times…"

"At times?!" Nyra and Elmo echoed at the same time.

"Ok! Most of the time!" I laughed. "But I am a Tully now. Family, Duty, Honour, are my words now. I have a duty to the Riverlands and to my family, I will make sure to uphold the honour of the Tully House."

I basked in the looks full of pride and love that Nyra and Elmo sent my way. A look that my own father never gifted me. In that momento I fully realized that I have taken the right choice. As my carriage passed through the fallen tower of Old Town, later that day, I could only think: It's quite a pity that I was the only one.