Hope you all enjoy this chapter! I worked hard to try to edit this as fast as possible. Chapter 5 (the final chapter) is completely written and just needs to udnergo revision! Hopefully chapter 5 should be uploaded in the next two weeks. If you enjoy this chapter, please leave a review!

291.

"More whispers come every day," Varys informs the King, "Whoever the White Prince is, he does not keep his interest in Her Grace secret."

"Maybe he's a fool," supplies Petyr Baelish.

"Or maybe he isn't a fool at all," Tyrion Lannister replies, "Maybe he wants us to know he's interested. Maybe he wants herto know he's interested."

It makes Rhaegar sick to hear that. "What is the nature of the information that he knows?" he demands, "Why is he so interested in my wife?"

Jaime Lannister and Jon Arryn share a pitying look before Jon says, "Your Grace, you know why."

He does know, but he won't admit what looks him in the eye. He won't admit it because it infuriates him so much that the dragon is more alive now than it ever has been before. His wife is nothing short of a heavenly creature. Beautiful does not do her stunning looks justice. Ashara Dayne was said to be the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms, surpassing both Lyanna Stark and Cersei Lannister and none of them compared to his wife. She was not the type that troubadours wrote poems about, but the kind that would make a King send a thousand ships to set his eyes upon her face. Queen Selenity was said to be so fair that it felt wrong for a man to look upon her visage, and Serenity is even more beautiful than her Queen mother.

The minstrels do sing songs about her, he knows. The smallfolk sing of finely spun threads of silver hair, wide eyes that shine as bright as the moon, red lips, and a crescent moon upon her brow. They whisper of the radiant light that shines from her very presence, the truly inhuman white glow that makes a halo around her. And they sing of how she heals and loves as brightly as she shines.

Aye, he knows why this White Prince seeks to know his wife. And he still can't believe he did what he did.

"They've never even seen her!" he growls out, "They don't know her."

"That is true, Your Grace," Jon speaks, "But men, women, and children have come from far and wide to view her during the Long Sleep and be healed. Something must have gotten back to him."

"And we know nothing about him?" Princess Venus demands, "Nothing at all?"

Varys hesitates, "My friend in Pentos has heard he has the look of old Valyria. He has the white hair and the violet eyes."

"That's impossible," Rhaegar grinds out, "My good-mother has complete control over Valyria. There is naught but Lunarians there and none of them would ever seek to dishonor my lady wife in this way."

"Maybe he's a Velaryon?" wonders Jaime.

"What would a Velaryon be doing across the Narrow Sea?" replies Petyr, "Only three houses escaped the doom. And they're all here in Westeros."

"It's not the Celtigars either," Tyrion says, "They're as unwaveringly loyal as the Velaryons. The bannerman of the crownlands hold no ill will towards our family."

"So then he is not Valyrian," Rhaegar summarizes, "But has the look of old Valyria? Ho-" He snapped his mouth shut and spun towards Princess Venus, "That man!"

Venus looks at him blankly, "Which man?"

Rhaegar starts to pace in the chamber, "Serenity once told me that before her mother signed the betrothal to me that there was another-"

"Oh my Goddess!"cries Princess Mars, "How could we be so stupid?"

Venus shares the look of horror, "How could he have gotten here? It's not possible! We saw Nemesis just days ago. It's following its normal path of orbit!"

"Who cares if it's in orbit!" Princess Mercury near shouts, "They have shown time and time again that they think ahead!"

"What are you talking about?" Jaime demands on behalf of the Westerosi on the Council, "Who is this man and what is Nemesis?"

Princess Venus sags into her chair, "There is another planet in the Solar System," she reveals, "It is called Nemesis – the Dark Moon. Long ago the Lunarians went too far. They colonized a New Moon, a Black Moon. It was a planet of death," Venus says ominously, "There is no life, no resources, no happiness, and no peace. Those on Pluto tried to rescue them, bring them back, but all that enters never leaves. It's a black hole of eternal death. They are not part of the Silver Millennium, because they have their own leaders, who can wield a destructive force called the Black Crystal. It is poison, as poison as the land they live on. They are cursed!"

Mars continues, "They are led by a man. His name is Prince Diamond. We have seen him only twice, first during peace talks and again during negotiation for Serenity's hand. He is deathly pale, with pure white hair, lavender eyes, and…"

"And what?" demands Rhaegar hotly.

"He has a third eye," Serenity whispers from the doorway.

They all turn in her direction, and Rhaegar is particularly surprised by her appearance. It's not that his wife does not value affairs of the state, but that his wife usually concerns herself with overseeing ways to improve the life of the smallfolk rather than with military strategy and intelligence. She abhors violence, and can barely sit through a tourney without staring at the melee in abject horror.

"A third eye?" asks Jon in disgust, "How-"

"It is not what you think," Serenity says as she glides towards the table. Rhaegar dutifully pulls out a chair and she thanks him before sitting where her husband sat before he had begun pacing, "He is not truly Lunarian anymore. His people have taken on new traits, and become something more, just as those who settled the other planets. But where we were connected by love, the Nemesi have shunned the light. They have a mark," she says as she points to her forehead, "An inverted black crescent which turns into a cursed eye when he wills it."

The way she speaks chills them all to the bone.

"The third eye is not to see," says Princess Mars, "It controls. Anyone who looks into his eye will do his bidding."

"And your mother was going to betroth you to this man?" Rhaegar demands angrily, "Why?"

Serenity looks at him with mourning in her eyes, "Before you and my good-mother contacted us it was our only option. Nemesis has the ability to move out of orbit. Their planet would have been safe for my people if Venus became unstable. It's possible that we could have moved Nemesis to rotate around another star. I wanted to do what was best for them and it was the only option I had." Her eyes well up with tears but she says nothing as she clutches her dress, "Even if I would have had to live with him."

She says it so viciously that half the occupants of the room are taken aback. Her guardians are unsurprised, but Rhaegar, who has seen her spitting mad before is amazed at how bitter his wife is when mentioning this Prince Diamond. Petyr looks impassive, and Tyrion looks concerned by Rhaegar can see that behind his mismatched eyes, Tyrion is more than a bit worried about his good-sister.

"He is not a good man," Serenity whispers, "And he would have brought us all nothing more than absolute pain."

No one wants to respond to that, so Varys tries to move the conversation away from what is clearly making the Queen so unhappy she cannot look anyone in the eye.

"We can find him. I will ask my friend in Pentos to keep a look out."

"They must be careful," Princess Jupiter says, "The Black Moon Clan is formidable. If he is there then they are all there. The rest of the royal family is dangerous and even their smallfolk wield dark powers. We need to figure out if somehow he's brought all of Nemesi to Essos."

"He couldn't possibly hide that many people," Jaime says. It's not an unreasonable belief. How could a Prince hide an entire planet of men, women, and children on another planet without being noticed? It's unfathomable. Truthfully, Jaime looks fearful, and he has every reason to be.

"They are a small population. Less than a hundred thousand in total." Princess Mercury says, "It would be easy to hide them all here. We just have to figure out where they could hide, if they are here."

Rhaegar straightens his back, his hand upon Serenity's shoulder as she sits in front of him, "Ser Jaime, we will move up our campaign to take Essos. The faster we take the continent the sooner my Queen will be safe and we can comb the continent for this White Prince. You are all dismissed." He says it with such finality that even the Queesguard don't think twice before filing out of the chamber neatly. Venus gives Serenity a small kiss on the cheek and pats her hand before leaving. She gives Rhaegar a look, and that's when he knows that whatever reason that the Soldiers have for distrusting and hating the White Prince is a good one.

When they leave, Rhaegar moves to sit beside Serenity. She looks miserable, almost as sad as before Rhaena was born and Rhaegar's heart is near frozen, "What did he do, my love, that has made you this unhappy?"

To his horror she is openly crying now, and Rhaegar becomes truly afraid. He moves his chair closer and pulls her into his lap where she weeps into his chest with her arms around his neck. She is wrapped entirely around him and in that moment his wife seems young and afraid.

"What did he do?" Rheagar repeats. He tries to say it patiently, but he is becoming angrier and angrier because something is seriously wrong and he needs to know if he has to turn the world to ash to protect her.

"He's awful," Serenity croaks, "He's – the way he looked at me I thought there was a snake on my skin. We only met twice but the second time he said such odd things and he told me that I looked beautiful with my hair undone."

Rhaegar's eye twitches because he knows now that this Prince Diamond has done something indecent. His wife undoes her hair before she sleeps and no earlier and only wears it down while sleeping and in the bath. It's long, and difficult to manage and out of a need to keep it untangled she keeps it styled until the moment she sleeps.

"Did he… touch you in some way?" He doesn't want to ask this, because truly he doesn't want to know the answer but Serenity fervently shakes her head. Some of the weight lifts, but truly Rhaegar cannot be without worries until he knows exactly what happened.

"Maena and I think… he watched us when we went swimming. We used to sneak off to the Sea of Serenity just she and I and she thinks he followed us because we went the first time he visited for peace talks between our planets," Serenity turns bright red, "Meana and I used to practice kissing there, sometimes."

If it were any other moment, Rhaegar would have let out a deep belly aching laugh at the fact that his wife used to practice kissing with her cousin, but the atmosphere is somber, and what had happened was too serious. It was no time to laugh. He's also furious that Prince Diamond has seen his wife nude or perhaps in smallclothes and that causes his fury to raise his body temperature to rise to a scolding bathwater. And he knows that this man has hurt her by the sheer agony upon her face and he never wishes to see it again. He promises in that moment that Prince Diamond of Nemesis will burn.

They make love well into the night and Serenity's soft giggles as his fresh beard nuzzles her side are enough to make him smile. His sweet wife, so kind and radiant and as beautiful as the night sky.

His sweet wife who constantly wakes him up with the most ridiculous requests. He is sleeping, the deepest sleep he has had in many moons when he feels a soft patting on his cheeks. He opens a blurry eye and sees Serenity blinking innocently from in his arms. He knows what's coming, because although her eyes are wide she looks a little guilty. It's the same look his daughters give when they are being scolded.

"My love?" he questions, struggling to keep his eye open.

Serenity smiles softly and then hugs him hard, "Please, I would like some lemon cake,"

He wants to groan, "You had some after supper," he points out with a raspy voice.

"I know," Serenity whimpers, "But I would like some now too, please."

She says it so sweetly that Rhaegar mumbles his compliance, detangles their limbs and doesn't bother to cover his nudity as he stumbles towards their door. She's still in bed, and she's pulled his pillow close and has bundled herself in their satin sheets. He sticks his head out of the door and sees Ser Arthur to his left.

"Your Grace?" the knight questions knowingly, "Is there anything the matter?"

Rhaegar just sighs, "Can you send for a slice of lemon cake?" he asks and although this happens at least once a week, Rhaegar still feels embarrassed asking because truly can she not wait until morning?

"Two, please!" Serenity calls from their bed and then with an even deeper sigh he corrects himself.

"Two slices of lemon cake, Arthur."

Ser Arthur smiles knowingly, "I will go now, Your Grace," he says and the other knight outside of their door turns his attention both left and right as his companion leaves towards the kitchens. He returns only a few minutes later with two slices of cake on a small plate with a single silver fork and knife and Rhaegar thanks him (now wide awake) as he shuts the heavy door to their solar and places the cake beside their bed affectionately.

Serenity is snoozing, but his wife is nothing if not a lover of sweets and her eyes open as soon as she smells her favorite lemony treat. She sits up happily in bed and as Rhaegar climbs back in and lays on his side to watch her eat her cake he cannot help but be amused by her evening escapades. She eats every little crumb and then, plate abandoned, she snuggles back into bed and grips him tightly. She's out like a light, belly full of sweet and tart lemons.

He traces the skin of her back as they lie in their marriage bed. Tonight is their last night in King's Landing before their duties will pull them across the Known World. She is asleep again, and she clings to him as tightly as she did the first night of their marriage.

He loves her more now than he had loved her then, and that is nothing but the truth. She is more mature now, her eyes more expressive. She's grown taller (still quite smaller than him) and although she has borne him five children her body is still as lovely as it was many moons ago, even with the faint stretch marks that are fading on her belly. Her breasts are larger, and her hips flare out more than they did before, but she is still slender, and warmer than the summer breeze. She is a wonderful Queen and an even better mother to their children.

They have recently begun arranging matches for Daenerys and Rhaegon. His little sister will marry Robb Stark of Winterfell, the future Warden of the North. It will cement Northern loyalty, and it will make Daenerys happy. She'd met the boy on their trip to Winterfell and wouldn't stop talking about him. She'd blushed in his presence, and so Serenity had suggested that her good-sister's dream come true.

Most importantly, they had secured a bride for Rhaegon. Elaena Velaryon would marry their son when he was a man grown and she was a lady flowered. She was a pretty girl, with classic Valyrian looks and a bell-like voice. Rhaegar and Serenity thought Rhaegon might have been smitten, even though the girl was a few years from flowering.

Serenity had been genuinely happy that her children would be starting their own families and had suggested that they marry Rhaenna to the heir of the Stormlands.

"I adore Lya," Serenity spoke warmly, "And hopefully she has taught her son not to be like his father." Serenity pauses and considers it for a moment, "Robert used to be handsome, even if he liked his drinks and women a bit too much. I suppose that is what killed him." She says it mournfully, and Rhaegar knows she is thinking about Ned's sadness when he heard of his friend's death earlier in the year, "Rhaena would be very happy there. You know she loves to visit Laetys there."

"No," Rhaegar says with such finality that Serenity is taken aback. They do not always agree, but Rhaegar is never this aggressive or assertive with her. As long as they have been married he has always treated her tenderly, if not emotionally distant at times.

"Why not?" asks Serenity in confusion, "Jon is squiring with Ser Jaime. He is a nice boy. Very polite, and courteous."

"I do not want to marry our daughter to a Baratheon."

Serenity crinkles her face in confusion, "But he's your cousin," then she pauses, "Did they do something? I thought Laetys was keeping Stannis in check." An expression of understanding comes to her face, "Rhaegar, just because Lord Renly is a lover of men doesn't mean that Jon is also a lover of men."

Rhaegar wants to explode. It's not that, he thinks, I don't care about anything like that.He needs to make something up fast or Serenity will suspect.

"No," Rhaegar repeats, "It's nothing like that. It just might seem we are giving too much favor to the Starks, since Lyanna Baratheon is a Stark by birth."

At this Serenity nods, "Yes, you're right. Then perhaps we could consider Harold Hardyng," she offers, "Lord Arryn has spoken positively of his nephew, and he squires for Ned."

Rhaegar agrees immediately for he has no desire to talk about the Baratheons or Jon Baratheon. Serenity cannot know the true reason that Rheagar will not match their middle daughter to the boy. For Serenity would never forgive him for more reasons than one if she knew that he had wed their daughter to his son.

They arrive in Valyria in hours by way of dragon with the Velaryon and Neptunian fleet behind them. They receive a royal welcome when they arrive at the White Palace.

Queen Selenity has rebuilt the Lunarian palace and the Holy Prayer Stone that it was built around brick by brick by bringing each piece from the Moon. The roses smell as sweet as they did at home, and the white stone of her family's palace glows in the dry heat of Valyria. It had been a sad moment when Queen Selenity had severed the last tether that bound them to their homeland. But it had to be done to survive, and this place was going to be their new home. It would belong to Viserys, when the time was right, and any children he had with Margaery would eventually marry into the main branch of the royal family, ensuring that the Targaryens would keep control over Valyria.

Selenity kisses her daughter on her cheeks and tells her that the Queen's suite is ready for her. Serenity wants to decline because her mother is Queen, her mother is Selene. Selenity smiles and kisses her daughter softly.

"You," her mother whispers, "Are now Selene. I wield the Crystal no more. Amaera and Mychelle are with child, my darling. The new Princess will be here in haste."

Serenity knows this, and has known since Trysta bore the next Princess Pluto. Her mother's reign is over, and her guardians will eventually lose the ability to transform. There can be only two Sailor Soldiers from each planet at a time – the leader and the heir. Selenity's queensguard are still young, far too young for the end of their lives. Queen Selenity's guardians, Serenity's aunts, are only a few years older than her mother, just as her own guardians are only a few years older than her.

If Selenity's guardians have begun to lose their ability to transform it could only mean that their time to guard the Queen had ended. They have passed their mantel on, and their daughters will train the next generation of Sailor Soldiers. Queen Selenity has reigned over the Moon for five hundred years, and now she her time was waning. It meant that in a few years, Serenity will birth the next Selene, and their line, the daughters of Selene, will remain unbroken.

They barely have time to settle into their quarters when Rhaegar calls together the War Council. The Small Council has stayed in Westeros with their Crown Prince acting as ruler under the Hand's watchful gaze. It is good practice for Rhaegon, who has helped his father hold court, and has been present for countless Small Council meets to prepare for the time when he will be king. This is an opportunity for him to make decisions without Rhaegar, and so they leave him under the care of the Hand. Rhaegon will run the Seven Kingdoms while Rhaegar leads his men into battle.

Under Varys' advise, Rhaegar has taken in the eunuch's friend, Illyrio Mopatis, who will eventually be the Master of Whispers for Viserys in Valyria. His Velaryon cousin, Stannis Baratheon, Ned Stark, Jaime Lannister, Prince Oberyn, and Sers Arthur Dayne and Barristan Selmy make up the men who will make the decision about who goes to war. Tyrion had elected to stay in King's Landing, as his strengths were more suited to political destruction rather than war. Along with his wife's guardians, they will take Essos by force.

"We should take the Summer Islands first," says Jaime, "It is close enough to Westeros and Valyria that if an enemy takes it they could ruin our supply lines, and invade Westeros."

"Aye," Princess Jupiter says, "And we take Volantis next. They are too dangerous to let go. They sent an assassin for our Queen."

"What of the Free Cities?" questions Arthur, "Should we not take them immediately?"

"We should," Princess Venus says, "But we have to do it quickly and in one fell swoop. If we wait too long the cities of Slaver's bay will start preparing for a siege. They are behind stone walls, and they will use it to their advantage."

"How many men do we have?" Ned asks, "Do we have enough to divide our forces for a simultaneous attack?"

Princess Jupiter smiles, "After the War Against the Others there are four hundred and seventy thousand Jovians alone. Quite honestly, we could take Essos with just their company. But I do not want to force my Amazons out of their homes. When glory is to be gotten, they will always rise."

"Why can't they leave?" asks Illyrio. Infrequently does he not know the answer to his questions, and he finds he does not like it.

"We Jovians are a hearty folk," Jupiter says, "And our Amazons will go into battle until they are ready for the birth itself."

Rhaegar shouldn't be surprised by this, considering how well they had fought during the War Against the Others but he cannot picture a woman with child wielding a blade. For a moment he considers Serenity in the breastless leathers that the Amazons wore, her hair in the same coarse braids. He abruptly forces the image out of his head.

"The Martians are at the Sacred Flame," Mars says, "They are picking my successor and no virgin may enter or exit the Temple until the task is complete."

"And when will that be?" Ser Arthur asks.

Mars shrugs, "I cannot say. They prayed for six years to choose me."

"Six years?" Rhaegar groans, "We cannot wait that long."

"It won't be that long, Your Grace. They will choose in the next two years but until then you will have to do without our archers."

It's a large setback, Rhaegar knows, because the arrows of the Martians shoot farther, straighter, and far more deadly than any arrow he'd seen a man release before. But they have dragons, and they have riders for those dragons, so they will still have a strong aerial assault. It will be without the cover of the Martian arrows but it will be strong nonetheless.

"We are working with a fighting force of about one million," Jaime says finally, "If we leave some Amazons to protect Westeros, and we take control over the Dothraki tribes."

"You cannot trust them," Ser Barristan points out, "They are dangerous, and they have no loyalty. They are simple savages."

"They have loyalty, Ser," Illyrio corrects with a wane smile, "But it is only to power. If you conquer their khal you take the entire caravan."

"Send Princess Uranus to take the Dothraki," Jupiter says, "The Dothraki do not follow women, but she looks enough a man that they would bend the knee. And she wields the Space Sword. They are no match for her blade."

"Princess Neptune won't like that," Venus points out, "She will have to go with her people to the sea."

Ah yes. Rhaegar has heard that two of the Sailor Soldiers are followers of Sappho. "Princess Neptune will be at the tip of Valyria, to control the seas," he declares, "When the time is right I would like her to envoy with the island countries of Sothoyos. They will bend the knee to her, as she controls the seas and they are nothing without sea trade. Send word to Princess Uranus that she is to take the Dothraki."

"And Astapor?" Ser Barristan asks, "According to our last reports they have about twelve thousand unsullied warriors. They are brutally trained, and they could fell many of our armies before we take the city."

"They are dangerous, but they are for sale," Ser Arthur points out, "No matter how distasteful the practice, these unsullied can be bought. I say we buy the entire force and use it to take Astapor, Yunkai, and Mereen."

"I agree," says Rhaegar, "But we cannot force them to fight. My wife will be most displeased if we involve ourselves with slavery. Venus, youwill buy the unsullied. You speak the language and are trained in diplomacy. When you have taken Astapor, a contingent of men will join you to take Yunkai and Mereen."

"That is agreeable, Your Grace," Venus replies, "I will do my just duty."

"What of the Gold Company, Your Grace?" asks Illyrio, "They are loyal to fault, and they have no love for Targaryens."

Rhaegar nearly sneers. Blackfyres be damned, "We will hire them, just as we plan to take the unsullied. We will send a Celtigar under the guise of taking the Step Stones. He will hire the entire force so they are away from Essos."

"A solid plan, Your Grace," Jaime confirms, "I will have the Maester send word to Lord Celtigar right away."

"What of the far East?" Venus presses expectantly, "Do you think Saturn may be a good choice?"

Rhaegar considers it for a moment and then nods sharply, "They are a land of warlocks and I do believe they would take to her. I want no innocent blood spilt and I would prefer all to bend the knee than to burn," Rhaegar says, "We cannot make them submit out of fear. It must be their choice to become part of the world we are making."

"What would you suggest, then, Your Grace?" Ned asks politely, "We are changing their way of life, and though the smallfolk may benefit, the lords and the slavers will not like the changes we are going to make."

"Perhaps that is for the better," says Ser Arthur, "We will have the support of the smallfolk if we promise to free them from their chains, and they outnumber the highborn infinitely."

"Then you mean to end the practice of slavery completely," Illyrio says knowingly, "It could work. But the masters will never bow if their source of income ends."

"They will bend the knee," Rhaegar says confidently, his crown sitting straight on his head, "Or they will burn."

Serenity has never truly enjoyed reading the way that Princess Mercury does, but she is amazed by the Valyrian library. There are thousands of scrolls, with countless topics. They had come in handy before the War Against the Others. Within the scrolls had been the secrets to Valyrian steel, blood magic, dragon breeding and hundreds of other types of magic that had been lost after the Doom.

Serenity is truly interested in learning more about the Valyrian people from their ancient texts, until she comes across the Wall of Prophecy.

Princess Mars has been going through them, one by one in the back of the library and Serenity is not pleased about it. Prophecies are dangerous, she knows, and she has told Rhaegar this countless times. He had been obsessed with the Prince Who Was Promised, and was near neurotic about the dragon having the three heads he had seen in his dreams. His desire for three children had nearly cost her her life, and it had cost them three precious years of their marriage.

No, Serenity did not trust prophecies in any way, save for the ones made by Princess Mars, who was a true prophet. Belief in prophecies only forced them to come true. The things that should pass shall, she reasoned, and the things that should not will not. Prophecies gave reason for fear or reason for hope, and usually they ended in pain.

Mars had read every prophecy on the wall, and had realized quite early on that they had been separated into fulfilled and unfulfilled prophecies. There were far more unfilled than complete, and Mars went through each with a critical eye before putting some aside that she knew could never occur.

In the center, sealed with gold was a prophecy that seemed almost magnetic until she opened it.

When the orange star bleeds

Then the darkness shall rise

Through salt and smoke

The promised Prince or Princess is bespoke

Azor Ahai will be reborn

In the midst of death and scorn

The last great cold is here

And will kill all who are near

She calls over Serenity who is unhappy to be reading a prophecy but whose eyes grow afraid when she reads it.

"This is the prophecy," she utters, "The one that Rheagar believes was complete when the Others were defeated. But I thought he said it was the red star bleeding? A comet?"

Mars shakes her head, "That's an incorrect translation. Which means that the prophecy is not yet fulfilled."

They look at each other before Serenity gives her sister a hard look, "I will not allow my children to be burdened with prophecies, Rhaeye. If Rhaegar hears of this who knows what he will do? You will tell no one of this."

It is a command, Rhaeye knows, and she very infrequently gets them from her Princess. So she rolls the ancient scroll back up, puts it back into the wall and places a strong repellent curse upon the nook.

If Serenity says that no one will know of the true prophecy, then Rhaeye will make sure no one ever knows. No one will find this prophecy, and no one will ask about the Promised.

292.

Their plan is put into action only a few turns after they finish making it.

Rhaegar knows that slaves outnumber freeborn in the Free Cities three to one, and he will use that to his advantage. Tyrosh, Myr and Braavos will be the hardest cities to conquer, besides Volantis. He sends his wife's handmaidens, Selena, Serena, and Seraphina several turns ahead of their arrival to sow discord. A stable state is harder to take, and so Rhaegar will feed into a slave rebellion. His wife's handmaidens would sow the seeds of rebellion to make sure the slaves understood what freedom meant, and that it would come for them if they did the favors that the handmaidens asked.

They never commanded, only politely asked slaves for help in exchange for food, money, and in the case of a young slave girl who had spied on the magisters of Pentos, her freedom. Freedom is an idea, and it must spread like wildfire to force take the Free States.

Quietly, he buys up the debts of several prominent Essosi families at the Iron Bank of Braavos under several different names. When he demands those debts due all at once, the money in the Free States will be short and the slaves will be more easily convinced to rebel due to a shortage of food and supplies. Hunger is a driving force and so is gold. It would fuel more rioting, and if they are lucky would make the salves more willing to rebel and to side with the Westerosi invaders.

Serenity doesn't like this plan at all. She doesn't like that they are using the slaves as a means to an end but Rhaegar tries to explain to her that they are not using the slaves at all.

"Once the cities are under our control we can completely eradicate slavery, my love. They will be free. Without us they may neverbe free. Think of all the enslaved children," Rhaegar says as he smooths his hand over Jaehaerys' curls, "Your handmaidens have said that they sell the children straight from their mother's breast."

Serenity is still very upset, and has been since she found out that Essos practices slavery so openly. The first time she had heard of it she had wept and then mourned freedom. Promises of freeing the slaves were the only way that Rhaegar was able to convince Serenity to support his campaign to take Essos. Hearing of the children made her weep for hours and although Rhaegar feels guilty he upset her, he must make sure she understands the reality of the situation. The slaves are the only way to take the Free Cities and Slaver's Bay

Both regions made most of their coin through slavery and the slave trade, and the highborn rulers would not submit to Westerosi rule if they knew that their practice would be abolished. Destroying slavery would absolutely cripple the economies of the Free Cities. If they wanted to conquer Essos they would have to start with the Free Cities because they were between Westeros and Valyria. A good military leader could cut off supply lines and pirates could take their ships if they left the land unconquered. Once the cities of Slaver's Bay heard about the Free Cities falling to Targaryen escapades, they would wall themselves in and then Rhaegar would have to put up an offensive army for a siege against the stone walls of the Bay. They would win, eventually, because there was no match for dragons, but they would lose valuable men, time, and resources to gain very little.

The plan that they had was the best way to take as much of Essos as they could in one fell swoop. The only other way was to take one city at a time. That wasn't an ideal situation in any way, so they had come to the conclusion that their best move was to work in synchrony.

They have plans to usurp all of the Free Cities that will be a problem in one fell swoop. The fleet hides under the cover of Princess Mercury's fog; Princess Uranus runs like the wind towards the Dothraki Sea; and Princess Neptune has controlled the sea to create a storm that will stop any of the ships of Volantis from leaving the port. The pieces are on the board, and Rhaegar is ready to take the western end of Essos in a single move.

Dressed in one of her finest Qarthi dress, Princess Venus arrives at Astapor with a singular goal in mind. She has slits up the sides of her dresses, and her hair is braided upon her head. She is posing as a Braavosi highborn lady who desires to take revenge on the Dothraki for killing her family. Barristan Selmy carries her gold, and Prince Oberyn is posing as her rich husband. She is able to entice the men with her exposed breast, and they agree to sell her the entire contingent of Unsullied. Venus sweetly hands over a bag of Braavosi gold and then turns to her husband, "I have never liked the practice of slavery. Hurt no children, and no innocents!"

She speaks Valyrian so clearly that the masters stumble back but before they can respond she looks the Unsullied in the eye. "By orders of Queen Serenity and King Rhaegar you are free. You are allfree. Kill the masters, kill the slavers, free the slaves, and take the city!"

The ensuing chaos allows Oberyn to put a sword through the Master, retrieve his gold and then watch as his wife sends meteors down on the stone walls of the ruined city of Astapor.

When they are done she gives them the choice of freedom. None leave, and she tells them they will now take Yunkai.

Farther west, Princess Mercury gives the command to dock the ships, and the Jovian soldiers. They are on the beaches of Braavos, and within hours the city has fallen. The Iron Bank supports Rhaegar taking the city, because they believe it will give them a total monopoly on banking in Essos and Westeros. Pentos falls soon after because their army is stunted by Braavos. The Magisters and the Prince are executed, and the slaves are all freed immediately.

Further Souths, Princess Mars has peacefully negotiated with Lys who willingly join New Valyria. She sends a burning arrow for miles to Tyrosh and Myr where Princess Jupiter commands the Jovians with the same instructions as given at every other city. The Tyroshi are notoriously greedy, and have many unsullied in their midst who fight against the Jovian army. They are crushed under the forces of the Amazons. They stood no chance.

In the end, the slaves of the Free States welcome the Dragon King and Summer Queen without hesitation because they want their freedom. Rhaegar gets rid of those who refuse to free their slaves, publicly, and with dragonfire. It scares enough of the wealthy families that they bend the knee without hesitation.

Volantis is the enemy and they are treated differently. Neptune's control over the sea has severely diminished their supply lines. They are starving the city out and it is inciting the rebellion without a problem. Rhaegar controls the other Free Cities already, and Princess Venus has just left Astapor under the control of her trusted councilman, Adonis. Meereen is the only potential ally that Volantis has, and they are more concerned with themselves than with the state of Volantis.

After starving the city for seven days, the slaves slaughter the masters on their own accord, all but the one who sent an assassin after his wife. He is left in chains in the center of the city as Rhaegar's contingent arrives. Rhaegar brings his wife, if only because the slaves that they have freed in every city have wept at her feet.

Serenity shines as brightly as she did the day they were married, and she walks with her young twins besides her. She is swollen again, and her belly is round when the freed men fall at her feet. "Mother," the cry, "Mother!" and they cheer when Rhaegar cuts off the man who threatened his wife's head.

Within a fortnight, every Free State has become part of New Valyria, and Rhaegar is the first Emperor of Valyria.

Serenity worries that her husband has become blood thirsty, that he desires power rather than peace but he assures her this is not the case.

"I did this for you, my love. They are dangerous. They could have killed you. They tried to kill Daenerys."

"I know," Serenity whispers, "I just wish perhaps we could have talked them first, and then asked them to bend the knee instead. Maybe they would have done so. Lys did!"

"Lys is closer to her Valyrian roots," Rhaegar points out, "But if we are to end slavery the way you want, we cannot allow the old leaders to regain power."

It is true, and they both know it. If the old masters regain control over the freed slaves and they take the city back, it will crumble all of their plans, and Rhaegar will not lose control over his empire when it has just begun.

His wife was once the Crowned Princess of the Silver Millennium, a Queen who would rule over an entire Empire. She was Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms next, but not for many years into their marriage. He will give her a true crown when he takes Essos. The Silver Millennium will not die. He will take the entire Known World in her name.

Princess Uranus conquers the Dothraki easier than expected. They laugh and jeer, and the Khals spit in her face because they believe that following a woman is beneath them. They cannot lose to a woman with no hair and no braid.

When Uranus slices the first Khal in half with one move, they no longer laugh. The Khal's blood riders try to seek revenge, and she slices them in half too. She takes their Khalassars, and as she marches across the Dothraki sea she reaches a fighting force with fifteen thousand Dothraki screamers. When she kills the last Khal, the new Princess Uranus in her belly, she marches them south.

They will crush Meereen in cold blood. They have resisted against the Targaryens, and her Queen. Venus has left Yunkai, who had settled much more peacefully under her thumb and they will surround Meereen and cut them off completely. Their supply lines have been dry for at least a turn but they have enough food hoarded within their walls that they could be a danger. Worse, spies have reported that they have built machines that could shoot down a dragon. Their assault must occur entirely on land, and it will be bloody. They are one hundred and fifty miles from Meereen when the dead bodies begin to appear.

Each mile, a child is slaughtered, head on a spike. The Meereenese have no want for Dragons in their midst and they are making it quite clear.

There is great evil there, but they do not know yet, and they do not know how evil it truly is.

The Walls of the city are empty. The slaves are long dead.

"We had no use for them," the white haired man says dismissively, "With only our people here we can last a siege for several years without running out of supplies."

He bites into a fresh, red tomato and watches the streets where his people bit into the flesh of burned slaves.

"Where is she now?" he demands to his right and a dark haired man steps forward.

"Brother, our spies in the Free Cities say she has returned to Westeros."

"Are the whores with her?"

"Just the Princess of Mercury, brother. The others are here, in Essos." The dark haired man pauses and his brother turns to look at him closely.

"And what of the other Queen?"

"She is tucked away – safe. For now," Sapphire says.

"And what of the rest of the whores? That sapphotic seductress Princess Uranus has conquered the Dothraki."

"She is still a ways away, brother. She will arrive here in a fortnight. Princess Venus is closer. Rubeus and I believe they will attack at once."

"They won't best us," Diamond says confidently, "The would not dare risk a dragon to conquer us by air, and the Sisters can match the Guardians in battle."

The princely brothers look out to the center of the city where the dark, black, pit is growing deeper and deeper.

"We will destroy them. I want their heads." Diamond sees his brother's apprehension and turns to him, "What is it, Sapphire? Speak."

Sapphire hesitates before continuing, "Queen Serenity is with child, Diamond, again."

His brother roars in rage, "That bastard has gotten another child on her! Another!" He is so angry he turns and strangles a slave servant before pushing her off his balcony onto the stones below.

"How dare she refute me? For him? For what!"

"Please, brother!" Sapphire pleads, "Give this up. She has been married to him for many years. Emerald has deep love for you, and she is a true Nemesi beauty!"

This focuses his brother's rage on him, and Sapphire steps back as the White Prince begins to spit his rage through his solar. He has him removed from the room and Diamond collapses in front of a portrait at his bed.

He had had the portrait done when they were in negotiations to marry, and although it did not do her justice, he cared for it like it was the true being of the goddess herself. "My Serenity, my love. Why do you hurt me so? You asked me to save you, and I am trying but you make it harder with each moon. Do you not want me to save you? Do you not want me to love you, my love?"

His fingers drag across the portrait and he has the guards call in one of the few Lysene pleasure slaves left in Meereen.

She is a beauty, it is true, but she is not Serenity. Her eyes are not the right color, and her cheekbones are not as high. But her bosom is ample, and her hair is close to the beautiful shade of silver that his love possesses. They play his favorite game that night, where he captures his pretty Princess, they rut like animals, and then he kills her prince lover.

"Soon, my love," he whispers as he strokes the slave's hair, "Soon, we will be together again."

This is one of the happiest days of Serenity's life so far. Rhaegar returned to Westeros several night before, and Serenity has been at Winterfell with Daenerys for over a fortnight to prepare for her wedding. Princess Daenerys will be marrying Robb Stark in only a few hours in front of a heart tree in the Godswood at Winterfell.

Serenity is braiding Daenerys's hair, and she kisses her lightly on the cheek when she starts tearing up. Daenerys looks alarmed by Serenity just hugs her tightly, "I am so proud of you, darling," she places her forehead to Dany's and hugs her even tighter, "Your mother would be so proud to see this."

Even after all these years, the loss of Dowager Queen Rhaella pains Serenity deeply. She will never forget the kindness in Rhaella's eyes, and the way that the woman had treated Serenity so lovingly.

"I know, mama," Daenerys says into Serenity's shoulder, "But in our hearts she is still there and I am sure she is very happy."

Serenity smiles and kisses her good-sister again, and then she takes her hand, "Do you know what to expect tonight?"

Daenerys looks slightly uneasy, "After the bedding?"

"Yes," Serenity says, "After the bedding."

"I heard Aunt Maena say I would see the sun."

Serenity wants to throttle Venus because very few young men of Robb's age make anyone see the sun and then says, "Perhaps. But you are both young. Men and women are different, my darling, and he holds an anatomy that is opposite to yours. Do you understand?"

Daenerys nods because she's changed Jaehaerys' nappies before.

"And it will go where your moonblood comes from. It might hurt the first time, but it will be an… enjoyable experience soon after."

Daenerys looks green but then swallows a glass gulp of hot tea.

Serenity smiles, "I promise it will all be fine. This is how you become a mother, my darling," she says and places her hand to her middle.

That intrigues Daenerys but also terrifies her. Her mother had died in childbirth, and her good-sister had nearly died when she had Rhaenys. Serenity seems to read the fear on Daenerys' face and then holds her cheek.

"You will be fine, Dany. Princess Mercury has given Winterfell a Mercurian healer, and they do not lose women to birthing. It is simply not done. Be at peace. Motherhood is a wonderful experience. It will give you new purpose."

A knock on the door signals the arrival of Daenerys' new good-sister, Sansa. She is a pretty girl, with Tully red hair and cornflower blue eyes. In her arm she holds a dress of deep red, with black embroidery. Targaryen colors.

She is very shy, and holds up the dress, "I know you already have a dress, Your Grace, but I made this one for you also, if it would please you."

Daenerys smiles so widely that Serenity thinks her face may split in two, "Call me Daenerys, Lady Sansa. We are sisters now. And I would love to wear it."

Serenity is very impressed that Sansa made the gown all on her own, and it fits Daenerys perfectly.

Though it is summer, the North still carries a chill, and so as they walk towards the Godswood, Serenity drapes Daenerys' cloak over her shoulders. Rhaenys, Rhaenna, and Jaehaerya are holding the back of Daenerys' dress from the dirt and Rhaegar has his younger sister's arm in his. "I am very proud of you, sister," he says as they get closer to the heart tree. There are soft candles glowing up ahead, and there is quiet singing. "You make sure he takes care of you," Rhaegar says seriously, "You will always have a home with Serenity and I."

"I know, Rhaegar," Daenerys says as she grips her brother tighter. Her nieces are giggling behind her and as they approach the clearing, there are others waiting. Serenity takes her children from behind Daenerys, and they move to stand aside with the rest of their family. Viserys is already there, and he is smiling broadly.

The Starks are all ahead of her. Sansa, Lyarra, Rickon, and Edwyn Stark are all standing with Lady Catelyn Stark, who is wearing a smile that surprises Serenity.

Brandon Stark stands before the heart tree and says in a clear voice, "Who comes before the Old Gods this night?"

Rhaegar takes on a serious face, but still he has a small smile, "Princess Daenerys, of the House Targaryen, comes here to be wed. A maiden flowered, trueborn and noble. She comes to beg the blessings of the Gods. Who comes to claim her?"

Robb steps forward, and Rickon giggles quietly by his stupid expression. He looks very handsome, with his hair combed, and his cloak shone.

"Robert, of House Stark, heir to Winterfell. Who gives her?"

"King Rhaegar the first, of House Targaryen, who is her brother."

Brandon looks at Daenerys, "Princess Daenerys, do you take this man?"

Daenerys smiles so hard her jaw hurts, "I take this man."

Brandon turns to his son, "Lord Robert, do you take this woman?"

"Aye. I take this woman," he says.

Rhaegar gives up his sister's hand to Robb and then Brandon ties their hands together. Everyone in the clearing kneeled before the heart tree, and Rhaegar swears his wife is sniffling from beside him. She's with child and emotional, but also she loves weddings and loves Daenerys so he isn't surprised at all. When they all stand, Catelyn Stark gives Robb a cloak with their sigil and then Daenerys is no longer a Dragon, but a Wolf.

They retire to the hall where they feast, and Daenerys' dragon, Stormbringer screeches into the night. Rhaegar is annoyed that strangers are touching his sister to bring her to the bedding ceremony but he is happy she is happy.

"I'm glad we didn't all die," he says to Brandon abruptly, "And now you've got to tolerate my presence at Winterfell on occasion, since we're brothers now. That means you're forced to like me." He says it playfully, knowing that the Warden of the North for all his gruff demeaner had a good sense of humor.

Brandon grumbled, "Aye. I never truly disliked you," he ground out, "Especially now that I know you weren't purposefully ignoring the letters I sent."

Rhaegar shrugs, "We're all alive, and your son has married my sister," Rhaegar has a look of dread, "I can't believe my baby sister is going to have babies."

Serenity giggles quietly as she hugs her husband, "I was only six months older than Dany when we married, husband. She is a woman grown."

Viserys sighs, "She's so lucky. I wish Margaery were old enough to wed."

Rhaegar snorts, "Vis, you've got to stop gushing about the Rose of Highgarden to anyone who'll listen."

Rhaegon looks genuinely confused by this statement, "Why? That's what you do with mama."

Rhaegar hisses at him, "Rhaegon, you aren't supposed to repeat that stuff."

"It's not even a secret," Viserys says, "Everyone knows."

"Aye, but-"

"What do you mean but?" Serenity questions forcefully.

Brandon cracks a smile. These southern cunts always getting their lasses aflame, "Well brother, I hope you enjoy your night in the stables. It's quite cold and lonely there and the only thing to bed is the horse."

"You'd know," Catelyn says from beside him, "You've slept there a time or ten. Maybe another night there might do you good."

Rhaegar looks at Brandon's horrified face in satisfaction, "Aye, brother. We're in this together. We share the stable andthe horse."

Although Serenity never liked Catelyn very much, the North seems to have quelled her spitefulness and so she shares a look with Catelyn and nods slightly. They both roll their eyes.

Neptune and Uranus have both sent letters that their children are healthy and Serenity knows this means her guardians will all be with child soon. She holds her hand to her belly as she writes a long letter to Princess Mars. The Martians are in prayer, and Serenity knows what this all means. The child in her womb is not the next Selene but she is coming.

When Rhaegar returns from his small council meeting, she sits him down to explain what everything means.

"Then we will have another child after this one?" Rhaegar asks.

Serenity nods, "My mother was born from a man and a woman, so I know I do not have to travel to the cauldron to ask for a child."

"And she will be born after your guardians have their children?" he clarifies.

"Yes," Serenity says, "The princesses are always born in a specific order. Pluto first, Saturn last. It is to allow us time to say our goodbyes."

That is the hardest part of knowing that she will have a new daughter soon.

"What do you mean?" Rhaegar questions.

Serenity sniffles, "The Silver Crystal can only have one mistress, and it is me. My mother cannot use it anymore for anything other than small acts of healing. Her guardians are losing the ability to transform, one by one. It means they are ready to fade."

Rhaegar's heart freezes, because that sounds like something that is worth being afraid of. "Fade?"

"It is like dying," Serenity whispers, "Our kind will live forever until we choose to move on. A Queen moves on when she can no longer rule. My mother will likely only live to see the Crown Princess be born and then she will fade. Her soul will go back into the cauldron, and then eventually in many years she may be Queen again. This is how it has been done for thousands of years."

Rhaegar is horrified because it sounds horrible to know that your own mother will die, and even know when that will happen, but to know that it is something that you must accept and embrace.

"For now, we can love little Aegon when he comes and my sisters will train their daughters to look after our daughter."

Rhaegar is not satisfied. "Why cannot our other daughters take the Crown?"

Serenity frowned, "The Crystal does not do their bidding."

"How do you know?" Rhaegar asks and Serenity laughs quietly.

"Because if it did there would be very odd things happening at all times. When I was young and used to make wishes they always came true. Including my wish that faeries build a forest fort in my room. We would know if they could control the Silver Crystal."

Rhaegar does not truly understand the power of the Silver Crystal, nor how it works. Serenity has told him time and time again but it does not seem to make sense to him. He believes it to just be an object, and doesn't understand how incorrect that assumption is.

"It is sentient," Serenity says, "It has it's own will but it bends to mine if I wish it to."

He's seen it before, touched it with his own hands, but Serenity cautions him, "You must treat it gently. The Silver Crystal is what gives me my soul."

That has him incredulous. Of course he cannot break it, this thing that had his wife within it for years cannot break. It is the hardest rock they have ever seen.

"It can break," Serenity disagrees, "It has broken before."

Rhaegar is horrified and hands it back carefully, "What happens… when it breaks?"

Serenity smiles sadly, "I will fade."

The fear in Rhaegar's heart has never been so pronounced. He will not break her crystal. But he may break her heart, and somewhere inside Rhaegar thinks that may be the same thing.

293.

When Daenerys runs towards Serenity with a smile of triumph, Serenity knows that her good-sister is finally going to experience motherhood. She's incredibly excited, and she explains that Robb is also excited to start a family.

"He thought I might be safer here," Daenerys explains as she lounges next to the only mother she has ever known, "So he is off back towards Essos with his bannermen."

Serenity smiles broadly and then leans towards her good-sister, "And your little one will have a cousin around the same age."

Daenerys lights up and they hug and Serenity is understanding when Daenerys begins weeping, "I miss mother but I am happy I have you, mama."

Serenity holds her tightly and once again remembers the promise she made to her good-mother. She would raise her like her own, until she could raise her children on her own. She may not be her truth mother, but Serenity is excited about the prospects of being a grandmother. Serenity is the only mother than Daenerys has ever known.

King's Landing is starting to cool down, and Dany tells Serenity that the snow is coming more often to Winterfell. "Winter is coming," she says, "but this time it will not come with the Others."

Serenity smiles as she pulls her sister into her arms, "Are you happy, my love?"

Daenerys nods and the two focus their attention on Rhaenna who is playing with Silverwing.

"Is this what it's like?" Dany asks as they admire the children playing.

"What do you mean?" Serenity asks in response.

"Do they grow this fast? Do… do you miss me as I have missed you?"

Serenity wipes a tear from Daenerys' eye and kisses her on the cheek, "They do grow fast. You grew fast. And a mother will always miss her children. My life is nothing without you all. I am nothing."

Dany snuggles into her side and picks up Jaehaerys who immediately yanks her hair.

"Rhaegon marries tomorrow," she says, "and Rhaenna will marry in only a few turns."

Serenity grins and then mischievously says, "Poor Viserys. All he wants is to marry Margaery but he's still got a while to go yet. She's got time until she flowers."

Dany snickers and then jokes, "Gods help us all when they finally marry. They may be worse than you and my brother. How many nieces and nephews do I have again?"

Serenity scowls playfully, "It happens when you love each other. It's better than being in a marriage without any affection at all."

Dany agrees and then utters, "You don't have to be gross all the time though. You two are too affectionate around us."

Serenity rolls her eyes. "That affection gave you all your playmates as a child."

The two laugh and then groan when Jaehaerya toddles over to tell her mother she has made a mess in the corner. Sure enough there is a child sized turd sitting on the stone of the nursery.

"I sorry."

Serenity sighs as she stands to call for a servant and Daenerys is making quiet jabs about the royal privy.

"Don't laugh, Dany. Soon this will be you."

Having changed many nappies, Daenerys' laughter stops completely.

Pregnancy had always been one of her most favorite times. She felt warm, glowing, and happy at the prospect of loving another child. Her children loved having a new sibling, and she and Rhaegar were always closer when they had an infant. But she found that with her slight stature, the weight of a child impeded her balance when she was nearing the birth. She had gotten better at not stumbling about, but today had nearly tripped on an upturned fold in the rug of her husband's study.

She had been keen on leaving him a present, something small but important. Princess Neptune had sent back a box of succulent dates from Astapor, and having tried several herself, Serenity knew how scrumptious they were. So she put them in a small box with a ribbon and had attached a note she had inked herself, in Lunarian (her husband was close to being fluent!) and left it on his desk.

He had been gone all day and Serenity knew this would be the perfect surprise. She wasn't supposed to be in his study, and when she tripped she knew why. She'd knocked over a vase that looked quite expensive and as she opened her mouth to call for a servant to clean up the bits of sharp porcelain she noticed that there was a worn piece of parchment stuck to the black and white porcelain.

Her husband's name was scribbled on the paper and Serenity knew she should not be looking through her things but she grabbed it anyway.

It wasn't in a hand she knew, and that should have been the first thing to tip her off.

My Dearest Rhaegar,

Our night together still haunts me, and I will-

Her vision goes blurry and she scans the letter. Lyanna Stark. Or, she guesses by this time, Lyanna Baratheon. Her husband set her aside for Lyanna Baratheon. Inside the intact remains of the vase there are dozens of notes, and Serenity's heart leaps into her throat. But she wants more pain so she reads every single letter.

One is recent, that much she knows, because Lyanna mentions her happiness that now that Robert is deceased she can remarry. When she gets to the bottom of the letter, she sees that Lyanna has asked Rhaegar to set the Queen aside for she and their son.

Set the Queen aside.

Rhaegar is going to annul their marriage. The tears don't even fall and she turns to the side and promptly loses the dates she ate on the rug. When she can stand, she has Selena fetch Princess Mars. Mars's temper is as fiery as her planet and Serenity has to beg her to stay silent, and to help her make all evidence that she knows about her husband's bastard disappear. Mars fixes the vase, dutifully but angrily, and they replace all the letters and leave it as it was on his desk. Serenity takes back the dates and the letter she wrote and Selena makes sure that no one sees the Queen rushing from the King's study that night.

Before she hurries out of their solar she leaves a letter, one that is entirely dissimilar to the one that she had wrote only an hour before.

Rhaegar,

I have decided to spend some time with Mama. I am taking the twins.

Serenity VII

No one sees the royal ship leave the harbor of King's Landing that night.

Rheagar does not finish his meeting with the Small Council until late that night, and he is surprised to find that his wife is absent, and on the bed there is a short missive.

His wife has decided to depart for Valyria. He frowns. They have no plans to leave Westeros. His wife has spent months preparing for their daughter's arrival. It's odd, he thinks, but then he remembers that his wife is birthing a child that her mother may help her with. The Silver Millennium is strange, and his wife's people had strange customs.

So, he shrugs it off and vows to visit Serenity soon on Balerion's back and meet his newest child.

Every day Serenity wonders if she will receive word from Rhaegar that he no longer needs her, that her people must leave his planet, and that their marriage is over.

He has not sent anything of the nature. Presents have come for the twins' nameday, and he sent her a letter about the birth of their new nephew. He has said nothing of their annulment, or Lyanna Baratheon.

Until this letter. At the bottom of his most recent letter, Rhaegar says he has important news that he will share as soon as everything is finished. Serenity's heart freezes and she cries into her mother's chest for hours.

"How do you know for sure, my darling?"

"He kept all of those letters!" she sobs.

It does look bad, Selenity thinks, because it means there was an emotional attachment, both to Lyanna and Jon.

"I am such a fool!" Serenity cries, "I believed him when he said he that he was faithful when Rhaenys almost-"

A knock on the door halts the conversation and a servant informs the Queens that King Rhaegar has arrived and is waiting in the solar they have shared on many occasions.

Selenity helps to relieve the puffiness in Serenity's eyes, and sooths her daughter's hair. "My Love, no matter what, a Queen of the Moon needs no man."

Serenity sniffles and hugs her mother again before gathering what little fortitude she has left so she can even put eyes on her husband.

It is both pleasure and pain. He looks the same as he has always looked. His violet eyes are wide, radiant, and he looks genuinely happy to see her. His hair is tied back in a brain and she can smell the oil he uses in the baths even as she enters the room. He is painfully beautiful, and Serenity wonders how she never saw Rhaegar's nose, the same nose on their children on Jon Baratheon. She feels she is the fool.

Rhaegar is smiling until he sees that she is not. He stands up from his chair in concern and he reaches an arm out but Serenity flinches away. This alarms him even more and using the last bit of courage she has she blurts out, "Would you lie to me forever?"

Rhaegar's brows crease together, and Serenity thinks her husband is a good actor for he looks entirely too confused.

He says nothing, and so Serenity elaborates, "Would you have let Rhaena marry Jon Baratheon knowing that they are siblings?"

There is it. It's in the room now. It's between them, and the generous size of the solar suddenly seems too small. This thing that hangs over them is now out in the open, and it can't be taken back.

Serenity sees his guilt before he hears it. His eyes are not shining anymore. He is not as radiant as he was the first night they met. Maybe he never was.

"I have conferred with my ladies and we have come to the conclusion that we could recolonize the Moon. I will sign the annulment papers without argument, but I will not leave my children here."

That is when Rhaegar finally cracks, "What-" he begins, "S-"

"I will not leave my children here," she repeats, far more loudly this time, "They came from me. I raised them. I will not leave them for Lyanna Baratheon to kill to put your bastard on the throne."

He is stunned but finally he begins to speak, "Serenity, I didn't- I made a mistake."

"You did," Serenity agrees, "It can take a single time to have a child but it was not a single time, was it?"

He looks guiltier and guiltier and Serenity wants to die inside.

"No," he said, "It wasn't."

At least he is being honest. "How many?" Serenity asks, "How many women did you have in our bed?" She only knows about Lyanna, but are there more? Does her husband have a dozen bastards? Or just the one?

"Just Lyanna," Rhaegar says quietly, "I swear it."

Her name hurts but not as much as others could have. Somewhere in the back of her mind she thinks that she is glad he has never touched her good-sister.

"Well," Serenity says, "Your promises don't mean much do they?"

"Please," he pleads, "Let me explains. I- Serenity, I don't love her! I love only you."

Against her wishes the tears well up on her cheeks, "If you loved me you would not have done this. You would not have made a mockery of me. I- I looked her in the eye and let her into my home. She was my friend and I- you brought my friend into our bed." When she starts sobbing Rhaegar looks more ashamed than he has ever looked.

"We- I know," he says, "I know I made a mistake. It was one night," he says desperately, "A moment of weakness and I felt so guilty I vowed I would never do it again, no matter what. I did not know you then like I do now."

It's true, and they both know it. Rhaegar had been romantic from the start of their marriage, but he lacked sincerity. He hadn't learned anything about his wife's people, or their culture. In the beginning, though they had shared moments of intimacy, they had been strangers. Love had grown for them. He is not the man he used to be, and Serenity knows it just as Rhaegar knows it. But that does not excuse his adultery.

"You shouldn't have done it in the first place," Serenity shrieks, "I never strayed from you! Not once! Never! I gave up everything for you! For our children! For what?!"

Rhaegar is crying now, and she can't feel it in her heart to pity him. She is dead inside, and feels as hollow as the crown upon her head. "You dishonored our marriage," Serenity whispers, "When it had barely begun."

Rhaegar is more than desperate now, "It was the only one time, my love. When you were ill, after Rhaena. I never did it again," he repeats, "Not even during the Sleep. I couldn't hurt you like that again."

"I was dying inside, and-" Serenity takes a calming breath. "Tell me honestly, Rhaegar. Would you have told me that Lyanna Baratheon bore your son?"

Rhaegar looks so pained that Serenity knows the answer, "No. You were so unhappy, I couldn't tell you what I had done. You knew I had strayed but I- I couldn't tell you when you had started to get better and then we were finally happy again and then after Rhaenys I- I promised the Gods I would never look at another woman if you were given back to me and I swear I have been true. I swear it. I have never looked again. Not at Lyanna, not at anyone but you."

"Then why?" Serenity cries, "Why did you keep her letters? Why is she asking you to set me aside?"

"I would never!" Rhaegar vows loudly, "I kept those letters because I was so guilty about what I had done that I needed to remind myself that I deserved to remember what I did. I would never do that to you, never. I would never embarrass you that way, insult you that way, demean you that way-" The way his father had demeaned his mother. He sobs then, truly, because he knows what he did was wrong. He fathered a bastard on Lyanna Baratheon, and he had lied about it. Lied for years. He is no better than his father.

The silence is so daunting that Serenity thinks it may never leave them.

"I love you," he whispers, "I have asked too much of you, for many years. I'm sorry. I know that the words mean nothing, but I have been sorry since the night I allowed her to seduce me. I ruined the most precious thing we have. But – please. If you have it in your heart to forgive me, I – I love you. I need you with me forever. We promised forever."

There is a pause and then Serenity responds, "Yes. We promised forever."

Rhaegar's hopes climb, and his heart begins to thump and blood is rushing at his ears.

"And I keep my promises. This I promised you, Rhaegar Targaryen 'Thee I shall love, honor, and obey as we should both live.' I did those things. And I will do this thing as well. You will never share my bed again. We are married in name, but you are no husband of mine."

Serenity leaves Rhaegar in their solar, and she shuts the door on her heart.

The wind is blowing fierce as Serenity dreams. Truly she does not dream, but falls into a pit of night terrors. She is alone in her sleep, and snow is covering the floor of their solar. She stands up from their bed and approaches the window.

Outside it is summer but in her rooms, it is winter. The cherry blossom tree is in full bloom, but it is rotting, dying, decaying like it was never alive in the first place. Outside the Moon is low in the sky and as Serenity thinks about her home she is there, floating in the Sea of Serenity as she watches her mother at the shore. She reaches out to touch her and her mother turns to her, solemn in voice, "It is time."

She blinks, and they are somewhere else, somewhere she does not know. It is dark, and warm, but the heat seems to freeze her skin. She opens her eyes and there is nothing but the stars in the sky and a great cauldron in the sky. She knows where they are now, somewhere she has never been except for the day she was born. This is the place where all life begins and all life ends. This is the place where the start is also the end. When she turns, her mother is lifting a babe.

But there is a shadow that follows, one that is waiting for a new host. It cannot join with the babe, but it clings to the mother and daughter as though it is the only hope that it has. It needs life. It needs the light. The shadow takes form, but it is not man nor woman. It just is. It just exists. And Serenity's fear is growing. How does her mother not see the evil that is on her shoulder, that is waiting to take her daughter the moment she closes her eyes? She wants to yell, wants to scream but this is a void. There is nothing but light and dark and there is no room for her here.

But it is no longer her mother. This woman is different, with whiter hair and sad eyes. Perhaps she is the future, or maybe she is the past but all Serenity feels from her is a warmth that radiates so brightly that Serenity is blinded by her light. Blinded by the beauty she sees between her smiling lips. She reaches her hand out and places it upon Serenity's cheek.

"You, my darling are Selene," the shining woman says as she moves closer and places her lips upon Serenity's. "It is inevitable," the woman whispers, "Only death can pay for life." And then she can't breathe. She is choking on air and then the world is dark and she is surrounded by blood as red as it could be. And the sound reverberates around her. It is not one voice, but many. It's voice is oppressive, as hard as ice and as black as the sunless night. It drowns her, buries her, terrifies her. It is all she can hear and it is so heavy that her chest feels as though it will explode, as though it is strangling her from the inside out.

I am Chaos.

It takes longer than expected to rally their forces at Meereen. The city is deathly quiet, and although they are surrounded, there has been no sign of life from within the city. Their supply lines hadn't needed to be cut off, simply because they had not existed at all. It made Venus think that they had a stockpile of food, water, and necessities somewhere within the walls of the city.

On the eighty-second day of the siege against Meereen, the Unsullied finally break the door down. What they see is not what they expected.

Meereen is a ghost town. Or more accurately, it is a graveyard. There is no one but the dead on the ground. All the children slaughtered, the men, women and children eviscerated. The bodies are decayed, and the smell is so putrid that Venus is unsure how it didn't stink from outside of the walls. These bodies have been here for a while, over a fortnight, judging by the worms and flies eating the flesh on the ground.

And in the center of the city lies a large black crystal releasing so much fear, anger, and hate that Venus and Uranus have no doubt who has been here, but is clearly now gone.

Prince Diamond has poisoned Meereen and he has left his people to die.

She's angry he doesn't write her back. She knows he gets her letters. Robert is gone know. Doesn't he want her? Doesn't he want everything that she is?

Poor little Princess Serenity, all dressed and white and doesn't know that her husband has made a fool out of her.

It doesn't matter, Lyanna thinks, what the Moon Princess thinks. She is nothing, nothing to Lyanna for what she has done. She's taken everything she holds dear, everything she has ever wanted. She and her mother.

Why live at Storm's End with all of her husband's bastards when she could be so much more. She could be Queen. She is Queen. She is the fairest, the most beautiful, the true Queen and if the Westerosi King won't listen to her letters, then she'll just have to make him.

The children are terribly confused by the sudden distance between their parents, until Margaery informs Viserys of what has happened. The maids, she says, overheard the argument between the King and Queen.

Viserys storms into his brother's study and punches him in the face in an act that counts as treason. "How dare you?" he fumes, "How dare you do this to Serenity?"

Rhaegar doesn't even fight back. He just stares at his brother with hollow eyes.

"I have spent my whole life trying to strive to be as good of a man as you, to be as honorable as you. I would become you or I would become our father and after the terrible things he did, I looked to you as the example of how to be a true man. And this is what you have done. Aye, it's true," Viserys says, "Men have whores, and Kings have as many whores and ladies as they can fit in the Keep. It's expected, encouraged even. But, brother. You have dishonored your wife like none but our father have done unto her before."

Rhaegar cringes then, remembering the tourney where his father had molested his wife in the stands. He remembered her cries that night, the shame, the deep depression she had sunk into.

Viserys sucks in a deep breath, "I won't tell my nieces and nephews, or Daenerys what you've done. No," he says, "You must apologize to your family for adultery against a woman who has given you the Moon and more. You count your blessings, Rhaegar," Viserys says, "And think about what you've lost."

And doesn't Viserys know that Rhaegar knows? Doesn't he know that Rheagar knows he destroyed everything? His marriage? His family?

He knew how his people saw him, how his children viewed him. Rheagar was the Good King, with a wife that was the Mother of the Seven Kingdoms. His people loved him because he was a man of honor. But it was built on nothing but a bed of lies.

They do not speak for four turns. He sends letter after letter to Valyria, and flies Balerion countless times to speak to his wife but her door is locked. She will not speak to him. It frustrates Rhaegar so much that he risks his good-mother's ire to try to fix the rift between them.

He does not understand the expression on her face. She is stoney, and unreadable. "She is mourning," Selenity says, "For the husband she had."

"But I am here! I want to fix this more than anything. I swear it!"

"I know," Selenity says, but there is not happiness in her eyes, "And she knows as well. But she needs time. Eventually she will speak to you again."

"Will she forgive me?"

"I cannot answer that," Selenity says, "And if I could, I still would not answer. I would not break my daughter's confidence for you, Rhaegar Targaryen."

Ser Arthur advises Rhaegar that he must sit outside his wife's door and not leave until she opens the door. Little Aegon is with her. He has yet to even meet his son. At first he thought it spiteful, but then he realized that Aegon was perhaps the only child she had who would not ask about him, and about their distance. He is probably the only light in her day.

So he sits outside of her door for hours, and pushes letter after letter of love and adoration under her door. He sings songs he wrote her, and begs for her forgiveness. He cries one day. It's been a full week, and Serenity still has not left her rooms and he has not left the hard floor outside of her door. They have had longer apart than this but it was different before. After Rhaena's birth his wife had been sick but Princess Mercury had assured him she would get better, and during the Long Sleep he had no idea if she would ever wake but he had said goodbye, had told her he loved her. They had parted ways with a kiss, while she was dying in his arms. This distance, this separation, is not like anything before. It is true pain because it could have been avoided had he not ruined everything all those years ago.

On the tenth day, he hears a creak and shoots up to his feet.

Serenity has opened the door.

He doesn't want to say anything because he doesn't want to scare her away. He is hyper aware that this is the first time he has seen her face since they talked about Lyanna and Jon. She is beautiful, as beautiful as she has always been. But she looks awful.

Her face is swollen and her eyes are puffy and lined red. She looks frail, thin, and her skin is greying. Her hair is tangled, and she isn't wearing anything but a dressing gown. She doesn't shine, isn't glowing. The halo of light that had always surrounded her but had become brighter after the Sleep is nowhere to be seen.

"Come in," she whispers, and opens the door.

Selena, Serena, and Seraphina all scurry out the door with a quick curtsey and they are alone except for his new son in Serenity's arms. "May I?" he asks and Serenity looks hesitant for a moment before she nods and hands over the small bundle that is Prince Aegon of the Step Stones. He looks just like Rhaegar. The rest of their children had their mother's cool coloring, and his violet eyes. Aegon has Rhaegar's warm coloring, his platinum hair, and his lavender eyes. He has a better understanding of why Serenity couldn't look at him. She spent all day looking at a child that reminds her so much of him.

The silence is uncomfortable now. And they are both in pain. Serenity because she has to live with her husband's infidelity until they die, and Rhaegar because he wants to move on from his mistakes. They are angry, and hurting, and they are both tired of being upset.

"I've said I'm sorry a million times, and I would say it a million more. But I think words are worthless now."

"They are," Serenity says, "I know you're sorry. I know you regret it, and I know you are ashamed of what you did."

They're the best words he can hear, because he thinks this means she will forgive him, that maybe they can move on. That they can go back to where they were before.

"Can… can you forgive me? Can we move forward? Can we be together again?"

It comes out like a jumbled mess, but it's there. The words are said. He's laid himself bare and he hates it. Because she could say no. Sheshouldsay no.

"Things can never be like they were before, Rhaegar," Serenity says and Rhaegar's heart falls. Everything hurts, and the only thing stopping him from dropping to the floor in agony is their son in his arms, "But we can try to move on. But I do not trust you anymore. I trusted you not to hurt me, and for all the things I have forgiven this was one thing I never thought I would have to forgive. We argued, yes, and we were at odds for many things. But I never once in my heart thought you would stray from our bed," her voice hitches and to his horror she is starting to tear up.

He hates himself every time he makes her cry and in this moment, he is miserable.

"But I am tired of this. I am tired of not trusting you, of being angry, and of our children asking why you are not here. I cannot do it anymore. I cannot hurt like this, ever again. Do you understand, Rhaegar? If you do this to me again I will ruin you, I swear it."

She says it with such honesty, and clarity that he doesn't doubt her at all. His wife has never been vindictive, but she has proven time and time again she will do anything for those she loves, especially for their children.

"If you break our vows again, if you do this to me again, I will take our children, my people, and everything else that I brought into this marriage and I will leave."

It chills him to hear these words. Somewhere inside, it angers him, that she would just leave him like that, that she would seek to ruin him so thoroughly but another voice reminds him that that is exactly what he had done to her over the years. So he buries that anger and then he kneels at her feet.

"Never," he whispers, "I cannot promise that I will never hurt you again, but I promise that I will never stray again. I promise it on all that I have. I love you," he says.

Serenity is crying again.

"I adoreyou. There is no other woman in this world for me. You are everything I need, and everything I want and everything that I know is true. I made a mistake. I know now what it is like to not have you and I will never allow that to happen again."

That night they make love and as Rhaegar worships her, the past becomes the past.

Princess Mars has just come from negotiating a marriage between her middle niece, Rheanys and Willem Lannister. They need to keep pressure on the Lannisters, and what better way to keep the loyalty of Tywin and Kevan than to wed in both of their lines? Mars has seen that their union would be a successfully one, happy, as well.

She has been looking into the fire more and more every day for guidance. The war has only just begun, and yet she already wants it to be over. Most importantly, she seeks answers about the evil that is lurking on this planet.

Prince Diamond is hiding somewhere, and Mars has reason to believe he is hiding in the Red Waste. It could be colonized by the Nemesi, who are used to far worse conditions, and it is secluded enough that they could stay hidden from all.

So she prays before the flames, becoming one with the fire and she enters a trance-like state that happens only when the Goddess must speak to her directly, when they have words she must hear, and images she must see.

She is brought back to her childhood, when Queen Serenity was just a newborn babe. She is brought back to meeting her sisters for the first time.

"Do you, Rhaeye, take on the mantle of Princess Mars, Sailor Mars, and the High Priestess of the Silver Millennium?" Queen Selenity asks, her moon wand in front of her.

Rhaeye bows as deeply as her three year old legs are able and then kneels before the Queen and newborn Princess. "I do, Your Grace."

"Then you are Rhaeye of Phobos-Deimos, the Twenty-Seventh Princess Mars, Sailor Mars, and the High Priestess of the Silver Millennium; Guardian of Serenity zi Lunaryon, Seventh of her Name, Thirty-First Crown Princess of the Silver Millennium.

Rhaeye rises as she receives her transformation wand and a bow and quiver from the older Princess Mars, who is older, and wiser, with red hair and bright green eyes.

The Queen is finally giving Princess Maena her title, and Rhaeye watches on as the Princess becomes the leader of Princess Serenity's guard, and takes an oath to be her bodyguard. Princess Venus receives a glowing chain, identical to the one that the older woman before her, with the same golden blonde hair and deep blue eyes carries. The older Princess Venus vows to give the new Princess Venus the Holy Blade, and then shows it before her. She takes young Princess Venus' hand and pricks her thumb with a needle and allows the blood to seep onto the blade.

The Queen begins again, "You are Maena of Megellan, the Twenty-Seventh Princess Venus, Sailor Venus, and the Leader of the Sailor Soldiers; Guardian of Serenity zi Lunaryon, Seventh of her Name, Thirty-First Crown Princess of the Silver Millennium."

Princess Venus smiles broadly and looks to her mother in pride and Rhaeye can't help but feel jealous. She doesn't know the Princess Mars who stands before her. She is a stranger. But the woman's green eyes show empathy, and Rhaeye realizes that five hundred years ago, older Princess Mars stood where she stands and had no one to guide her either. The other planets had a royal house, with woman who always gave their firstborn daughter to become a Sailor Soldier. It was an honor. Her planet had no royalty, and had no men. They all sprung from virgins, and then they offered up the child who had been blessed by the Sacred Flame to become their Princess.

Why is the goddess showing me this? Princess Mars wonders. What has this got to do with anything?

As Queen Selenity holds her babe in the air to present her to the nobles, a cold wind flares through with a dark haired woman at the end of it. As she, the uninvited guest, is forced back into the Dark Side of the Moon, her eyes flash. She begins to shriek almost inhumanly and then it becomes deep, dark, dying.

"My Queen Selenity of the White Moon here is my final gift to you.

Three Curses I Lay Upon Your Throne

As true as the words of the wise crone

One to die before your heir is grown

To kiss and cry before she is shown

Two to lose all that you have known

In Fire and Ice when Venus is blown

Three to turn your Kingdom into stone

To die too young, in fear and alone."

She cackles as she is sealed away and Rhaeye cannot hear anything but the baby Princess's agonized screams and the can see naught but the great white light of the Silver Crystal, blinding them all to the wickedness of the uninvited guest.

The mirror breaks as Rhaeye's eyes open.

How many of you guys saw the several plot twists in this chapter coming? What does Rhaeye's vision mean? Why is Lyanna so persistent? What abou Serenity's dream? Where is Prince Diamond? Everything will be answered in the next and final chapter!