A/N: I find it extremely hilarious that some of you predicted this chapter coming about, just based on the content of your requests. Anyways, I'm very sorry for being gone for so long, after my midterms I got extremely sick and was basically bedridden for a greater part of the month. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and please please read and review and let me know what you think. Constructive criticism is always welcomed.
Ser Gerold Hightower, prior to Helaena's ascension to the throne, was the Lord Commander of Aerys' Kingsguard. It was an esteemed position that Ser Gerold had taken great pride in. The lost of it, was a great blow; however, Ser Gerold was also happy to still be serving the House Targaryen/the Crown, and thus did not object when he was made just a regular Knight of the Queensguard—it was still a position of esteem.
It wouldn't be a lie though to say that Ser Gerold was waiting for the Queen to repay him for his loyalty, and she did. Ser Gerold Hightower, although still a part of the Queensguard, was named Master of War, his task: to train the Crown's army and to handle strategy during times of war, thus giving him also command over the Master of Ships, the City's Watch, and the Crown's navy.
The Crowned Army, as it had been coined ever since its assembly after the orphanage burned down, was a large standing army that was strictly loyal to the Queen. The men that were in it were not initially soldiers, just men from all around the Crownlands. But Helaena had brought all who were interested in for training, compensating the families for the loss of income with jobs for the wives, lessons for the daughters at make-shift schools she had set up which had multiple septas run it, and squireships for the sons. Ser Jonothor Darry had aided Gerold in much of the training, less able to follow the Queen around much because of his injuries and taking great joy in training the next generation of soldiers who would protect the royal family.
Walking through the training grounds, Ser Gerold watched as all the men ran through the drills that he had ordered them to do, their wooden swords clashing together as they practiced the movements that would become necessary for them to become competent soldiers in battle.
"They're starting to look good," the voice startled Ser Gerold momentarily, but the Queensguard Knight and new Master of War turned around to see Ser Oswell Whent approaching him.
Nodding his head in acceptance of the complement, Ser Gerold grasped Ser Oswell's shoulder, "Thank you—but they'd be even better if they were to also have some advice from the great Oswell Whent,"
Oswell rolled his eyes, "I'll leave the training to you Gerold—but when you find someone good enough, have them come and spar me,"
"I don't think any of them will ever get nearly close to you, but there are some with potential," Ser Gerold admitted, his eyes sweeping over the grounds again in order to make sure that everyone was doing what they were supposed to.
"Master of War, interesting title don't you think?" swinging his eyes over to Gerold's face, Oswell watched the expression of one of his oldest friends.
Ser Gerold smiled and shook his head, "It is just a title, like any other Oswell,"
"It is though? I don't ever recall having a Master of War or needing one, words have meaning Gerold," Oswell warned, although happy for his friend, the Knight of House Whent could feel something wrong with this situation.
"Speak plainly Oswell, what is it that you think is going on?" Ser Gerold snapped impatiently, never one to play the same word games that everyone in the Capital seem to love to do.
"I think the Queen is planning something. The assembly of a well trained army, a navy, and your appointment are just the tipping point," Oswell admitted, lowering his voice that no one would overhear the conversation between the two Knights.
"There are Houses that have yet to bend the knee, which means they are actively committing treason. I believe the Queen is just trying to project an image of strength with her own army and navy," the Hightower knight reasoned, not believing that the Queen would be planning anything particularly nefarious.
Oswell leaned in further in order to tell Gerold the next tidbit, "The Queen has dragons, live dragons. She's made an army, expanded the navy, grew the number of the Crown's ships, and has dragons. Doesn't this sound mildly suspicious to you?"
"Oswell, the Queen isn't going to do anything that isn't within the interest of the Seven Kingdoms. How long have we known her?" starting to walk through the grounds again, Ser Gerold could feel Oswell trotting after him.
"Exactly, we know her. We know Queen Helaena's personality, how ambitious she is. We are also some of the few privy to the fact that her temper and moments of insanity, although few and far in-between, have exceeded in intensity to Aerys sometimes," there was genuine worry in Oswell's voice, causing Ser Gerold to stop and look directly into the eyes of one of his oldest friends.
"Queen Helaena is ambitious," Ser Gerold admitted, "But all she has ever spoken of is peace in the Seven Kingdoms, and a return to the Golden Age of Targaryen rule,"
"And do you remember what was the defining characteristic of the Targaryen's Golden Age?"
Ser Oswell's question was left hanging in the air, as both Knights knew the answer. However, instead of answering, Ser Gerold went back to training the men, dragging Ser Oswell with him to distract the Knight from his borderline treasonous thoughts.
….
Tywin Lannister stared stonily at Grand Maester Pycelle. The two were in the Hand of the Tower, after having received an urgent message from Pycelle, Tywin had waited a couple days because usually the messages he received weren't all that urgent. However, this news, this could be terrible.
"Why was I not informed of this sooner?" although his voice was quiet, there was a storm brewing in Tywin, anger filling him to the brim.
"I wanted to make sure that this was an actual problem, and not just a one time occurrence," Pycelle responded calmly, knowing that he had to tread lightly now that Tywin knew what was going on.
Tywin rubbed the temples of his forehead, "And? How many people have been afflicted up until today?"
"A little over a dozen men, mostly around the ports," Pycelle sat down in front of the Hand, "The problem can be contained, it hasn't spread into the rest of the Capital which means we can keep it in the ports if we act quickly,"
"It would have stayed at just one person if I was informed of this earlier!" the Hand thundered, beyond displeased with what he was hearing and how everything was carried out. "And you're sure, that this came from one of the mercenaries from Tyrosh?"
Pycelle nodded reluctantly, "Yes, but if we act quickly, with the help of Lannister resources, surely we can get this done without worrying the Queen,"
"The Queen must never find out this happened!" Tywin interrupted, "If she were to know that mercenaries and assassins from Tyrosh were within her lands, she would have the heads of every member of my family,"
"Yes, the Queen does have a particular dislike for Tyrosh and their people. Especially after the incidents with her Grandmother and when she visited the Summer Isles," Pycelle agreed entirely with Tywin's assessment, which was why he had been reluctant to bring it up in this first place. "Knowing all that, you still hired them?"
Tywin stared down Pycelle, "It was a different time Grand Maester. The Targaryen Dynasty seemed to be on its last thread. The concerns of the Princess were not going to stop me,"
"But now that she is Queen?" Pycelle prompted, wanting to hear more of Tywin's explanation, though he knew where this was headed.
"Now that she is Queen? We must all tread lightly," Tywin sighed, "I'll have some of my bannermen gathered, discreetly. We cannot let the greater populous know this is even occurring either. The fear that was gather amongst the people would surely sent them into a riot,"
"Against your House," Pycelle corrected, "The Queen would be absolved from it surely,"
"An attack against my House is also an attack against the Crown—I am the Hand after all,"
…
Helaena sighed and looked back into the ocean, feeling Jaime's eyes on her, she turned toward the eldest Lannister lion.
"Next time, refrain from bringing people with you when you come to guard me Jaime," rolling her head back and yawning in fatigue. "And eventually, you'll have to tell me what your issue with Bronn is," Not that I don't already know that answer…
Jaime started but quickly calmed himself, "Of course Helaena,"
"He is an essential part to my plan—to have him leave now, when the rebels aren't even fully rounded up. It is risky,"
"I understand,"
"Do you?" a distracted look graced Helaena's face. "I wonder how much it is that you think you understand and how much you actually do,"
"I wonder that about everyone that isn't us,"
"Us?"
"I mean all of us-the Queensguard, you, the Small Council. The other Lords and Ladies could only hope to play the game at the level that you all do," Jaime stuttered, face flushing a bit.
"I see," Helaena hummed.
"Us, is it?" tasting the word on her tongue, Helaena found that she didn't really have an objection to it.
"Perhaps we should return to your chambers Helaena, you look exhausted," the assertion made Helaena laugh breathlessly, brokenly, softly until it faded into nothing.
"I've been exhausted for years, or couldn't you tell Kingslayer," the hated moniker was said deliberately, slowly—as if Helaena was savoring each syllable and watching with a certain glee as Jaime flinched.
"What would you have me do then? To help," Jaime clarified.
"Ah the Kingslayer wants to help—what a kind, benevolent act—there should be a round of applause for the sheer magnanimity of it all," as if speaking to an invisible crowd, Helaena's eyes looked passed Jaime and as fixated off into the distance.
"It is not an empty offer, my Queen," the assertion caused Helaena to look up and lock eyes with Jaime.
"It is not? How strange, and here I am having gotten used to empty offers and broken promises—but if your offer is true than will you do something for me Kingslayer?" Helaena's eyes met Jaime's defiantly.
Jaime nodded, never breaking eye contact with Helaena "What is it that you require?"
"Tell me the truth. Do you truly want to go with your sister to Storm's End? Don't be afraid of angering me, I have my temper controlled today," Helaena smiled sardonically, her eyes burning into Jaime's.
Hesitating for a moment, Jaime wasn't sure how to phrase his answer in a way that would express how he felt without laying out all his cards at once.
"She is my sister, my twin. I have been by her side for all our lives and now she is going to start another chapter in her life, without me," Jaime paused, weighing the words that he was going to say next, "I'm sad, yes, but I'm not going to wallow over no longer having Cersei here. There is more to my life than just making sure my sister is safe and happy,"
"Oh?" Helaena cocked her head to the side, an inquisitive look on her face, "And what is it that you want for your life, Jaime Lannister?"
Standing up, Helaena looked down upon Jaime, waiting for his answer. Jaime, for his part, wasn't intimidated but slightly apprehensive at what the Queen's actions could be next.
"I don't know yet, but I figured King's Landing is a good of a place as any to find out. I know, for now, that I want to stay a Knight in the Queensguard," Jaime affirmed, knowing that the only way he could possibly stay by Helaena was to be in her Queensguard.
As an heir, he had been a disappointment to his father. Too preoccupied with hunting and fighting and not at all paying attention to the lesson that would have taught him how to manage an estate or lands as large as the Westerlands. It was Tyrion who had paid attention and Tyrion who was now heir, rightfully so in Jaime's opinion.
Helaena lifted a hand and caressed the side of Jaime's cheek, startling him momentarily as he watched her warily for the Queen's next move.
"For now? Or forever?" the question caused Jaime to raise his eyebrows, but what happened next shocked the Kingslayer more.
Moving forward, Helaena sat herself on Jaime's lap, jostling a little as she tried to find a comfortable position and causing Jaime to wrap his arms around her waist. Helaena delighted in the unsettled and startled look on Jaime's face, no doubt unused to this kind of attention from her.
"My Queen?" Jaime cleared his throat, unused to being so very close to Helaena and having her attention solely focused on him in such an intimate position.
"Will you hold me? For just a moment?" Helaena seemed to deflate as she whispered so quietly and brokenly that Jaime thought he had misheard.
"Helaena?"
"For once, just do as I say without any questions Jaime Lannister," the sad frown on Helaena's face and the way her body was leaning limply him made Jaime swell with a wave of protectiveness.
Tightening his arms around Jaime, he felt more than saw as the Queen rested her head against his shoulder, her crown brushing slightly against his chin. Helaena rubbed a tired hand down her face before placing it on top of Jaime's shoulder.
"When I was younger, my father used to carry me on his shoulders all the time. Do you remember? We would go throughout the whole of the Keep and he would tell me all about the history of House Targaryen," Helaena confessed, her voice in a hushed whisper.
"My mother had little love for me, and I did my best to please her but no matter what I did she always loved Rhaegar and Viserys more. She wouldn't have spent any time with me, no matter how much I asked," Helaena grasped one of Jaime's biceps in her hand, needing to hold onto something, her other arm wrapped firmly against her chest.
"The Queen Mother Rhaella had a hard life. But a mother always loves her daughter, when it comes down to it, at the end of the line, a mother will always protect her children," Jaime whispered against Helaena's head, his nose buried in her hair.
Helaena snorted delicately, "I'd pay to see the day that my mother would make the sacrifices for me that she would for Viserys. He and Rhaegar was spared from the brunt of my father's madness because my mother saved him. She never thought me worthy,"
"You know that isn't true Helaena. You are just as worthy as Rhaegar, some would say even more so than Aerys or Viserys," Jaime insisted, tightening his arms around Helaena.
The Kingslayer marveled at their closeness. This was the longest that Helaena had ever allowed Jaime to touch her and he was reveling in it. Jaime could tell just how much all the events since the Rebellion had sapped the life out of Helaena.
Oh, she was putting on a good show, she even had enough energy to lose herself to her anger a few times. But after months of unrest and dealing with men who wanted her dead, Jaime could clearly see Helaena begin to tire.
Helaena didn't answer, content to just stay where she was. Looking out into the sea, she could just imagine the lands of Essos and all that awaited there. Securing the Seven Kingdoms was paramount but after, when peace was established and heirs had been produced, perhaps her and her dragons could reach as far as the Shadowlands.
He wasn't sure how long they stayed there, Helaena in his arms—dozing every now and then before waking up suddenly and gazing out at the endless ocean. Jaime didn't say anything, didn't even complain as his legs began to lose feeling, only tightened his arms around Helaena further and rest his chin against the top of her head.
"What are you doing to me?" Jaime whispered more to himself than anyone else, not noticing that Helaena's eyes had cracked open and she had heard what he said.
…
Walder Frey had always wanted more for his House, for his family. In this point in time, they were just another House in the line of bannermen for the Tullys, even if they did hold a large portion of land in the Riverlands. But the Lord of House Frey had always wanted more. And it seemed the Seven had finally decided to answer his prayers.
Walder Frey briefly glanced through the letter from King's Landing, reading what instruction awaited him next. Opening the chest before him, Walder inspected the pile of Gold Dragons, satisfied with the amount.
"Stevron!" Walder called, his voice bellowing and echoing throughout the highest tower at the Twins and making it so that most people within the large structure/building could also hear him as well.
Thunderous footsteps could be heard and the door to Walder's chambers opened, with Stevron Frey, his eldest son, standing at attention. This was the news that they had been waiting for. Stevron had seen the Raven arrive and knew that in a matter of time, his father would be calling him and they would go into action. The next steps of the plan were coming into play.
"You called, Father?" Stevron puffed out a slight breath, trying to catch himself after running up the stairs and to his Father's chambers in the tower of the Twins.
"Ready the horses and the carriages, we're going to the Trident," Walder announced, scanning the letter before him once again.
Stevron noticed his father's attention on the piece of parchment in his hand and a thrill of excitement went through the eldest son's spine. "What news, from King's Landing father?"
"The orphanage in Flea Bottom, it has unfortunately met a fiery end and the word 'usurper' was painted across the walls in blood. The Queen is supposedly furious and is starting a man hunt for the arsonists," Walder explained, scanning the letter before him.
"How unfortunate," Stevron smiled conspiratorially, approaching his father in order to look at the letter he was holding. "Is that all Father?"
"No, that is not all. The Queen has also decided that all the Lords that have yet to bend the knee have but a fortnight to do so or be declared traitors to the Crown, which will prompt retaliation,"
"Am I correct in assuming that House Tully is one of those houses that have yet to bend the knee?"
Walder nodded, "You are Stevron, you are indeed,"
"And the agreement Father, it still stands?"
"Yes, I believe it's time to have a word with Hoster Tully," a cruel smiled stretched across Walder's face.
Stevron nodded, "I'll have the horses and carriages prepared as quickly as possible. We'll ride for the Trident by the end of today,"
Turning on his heel, without even waiting for a dismissal from his Lord Father, Stevron made his way quickly down the stairs—eager to get to the Trident a fulfill their part.
Looking down one last time at the letter in his hand, Walder walked over to the fireplace that had been lit in the morning. Throwing the letter in, Walder watched as the paper began to crinkle and burn, the seal of House Targaryen melting into the wood.
…
Mikhail was tired. Having been running around the Keep the whole day in order to aide the kitchens, the servant boy had nearly no time to rest. There was always some Lord or Lady or another that needed food or drink, mostly wine. And they were always roomed at opposite ends of the Keep whenever it was his turn to deliver the pitchers and trays.
The hardest job was definitely serving the Queen. She was not known to be in the same location frequently, her schedule incredibly erratic. Thus when it was time to find her, to bring the Queen her meal, it would take quite a bit more time than it would any other Lord or Lady.
It had taken Mikhail approximately 30 minutes before he happened upon the Queen in the gardens. She was in the furthest area east, nearby the section of the gardens that overlooked Blackwater Bay from the cliffs above. But she wasn't alone.
The servant boy's eyes widened at the scene before him. He had come in order to supply his
Queen with refreshments, but instead found a rather touching and peaceful scene.
The Queen, wrapped in the arms of none other than Jaime Lannister, sat in a chair with the Kingslayer as they looked out to the ocean together.
Backing away slowly, Mikhail knew this would certainly be something intriguing to report to Lord Varys.
…
"Jaime Lannister," Olenna Tyrell spat the name.
"He is rather dashing," Willas admitted reluctantly to his grandmother.
"Dashing, you're dashing Willas. Jaime Lannister is certainly a specimen all on his own," the Queen of Thorns scoffed.
"A proper knight, one little girls' would dream of rescuing them in the fairy tales we would be told as children," the eldest Tyrell son conceded.
The servant boy, Mikhail, before reporting to Varys, had stopped by the Tyrell encampment in the western edge of the gardens and told the Queen of Thorns what he had saw. Lady Tyrell, displeased but thankful for the information, handed the boy two gold dragons and sent him on his way.
"Yes, too bad about his relationship with his sister though. That would be a nasty surprise for the Queen to find out," humming in contemplation, Olenna picked at the scones in front of her.
A look of bewilderment crosses Willas's face, "What do you mean grandmother? What about Jaime and his sister?"
"Surely you've heard of the rumors Willas? You've been in the cesspool longer than I have. You cannot be oblivious to it," Olenna shook her hand and smirked.
"Even without that little bit of information, Jaime Lannister is entirely inappropriate. A member of her Queensguard, sworn in an oath of celibacy, and no longer heir to anything—nothing of notoriety, no lands, no gold,"
"Perhaps she loves him?" the idea didn't seem preposterous to Willas, why couldn't the Queen find love and marry for it?
"Love?" Olenna laughed at the notion.
"She is the Queen of all the Seven Kingdoms—there is no time for love. Only advantageous alliances that will strengthen her rule." Olenna shook her head in disappointment. "The Seven be good, hopefully the destiny of her brother does not become her own—even if Helaena is his twin,"
"Grandmother, it is known that Queen Helaena has always been close to her father's Kingsguard. Perhaps what the servant boy saw was just a moment between friends, if anything Helaena must feel something fraternal for Jaime," Willas reasoned, knowing that if his grandmother thought to negatively she would do something drastic…like have Jaime Lannister killed. And that would send not only the Queen in rage, at having one of her sworn swords killed, but it would also mean Tywin Lannister would be on the hunt.
"I very much doubt it," Olenna snorted. "But the information does need more investigating. Perhaps the Queen and I should have a conversation soon,"
The menacing and conspiratorial tone that his grandmother's voice had taken caused a shiver to go down Willas's back. Hopefully, this would turn out all right or else another battle would be on their hands before the Kingdoms even had a proper time to recover.
…
Doran Martell eventually made his way to King's Landing and bent the knee, much to Helaena's dismay. The man had finally decided to set aside his ego and come retrieve the ashes of his brother's body in order to pay respects to it. She was hoping to have another body to sacrifice soon. Meleys and Sunfyre were getting much bigger and unless she hatched the last egg sometime in the near future, the third dragon would not be able to catch up to its siblings any time soon.
Having one baby dragon while the rest were more fully grown was not a risk that Helaena wanted to take. Luckily, the Dragon pit was almost fully reconstructed and the dragons would have a safe place to rest soon.
Sunfyre was easily the size of a horse now and Helaena had taken to having members of her inner circle bring up full sized cattle every day to feed him. Meleys was still growing but Helaena knew in a matter of time she would be catching up to her brother. As no one had entered her room ever, not even her handmaidens, everyone was still very oblivious to the fact that the dragons were even there.
Both had started breathing fire, a call of Dracarys made them breathe fire at Helaena's command but the two dragons would also do it in order to cook their meat. She had taken to speaking them in High Valyrian, as it was the only language in which they responded. Reading through the books in her father's former vault, Helaena set out to train her dragons so that they would not go wild or try to disobey her.
The training was going well and it preoccupied most of Helaena's time, until Tywin Lannister informed her that Lord Hoster Tully had declared war against her.
"What shall we do my Queen?" Tywin, along with the rest of the Small Council, were assembled in the meeting room—all of them looking to the Queen.
"We'll march our armies and send our ships to the Riverlands and make Hoster Tully bend the knee. The rebels have already been gathered up, before we send them to Flea Bottom to be punished, we can make them confess at Hoster's trial,"
"That is under the assumption that we can capture Lord Tully," Varys counseled, unsure of the Queen's plan.
"Do you really plan to make the Lord of a Great House stand trial? Who would take his place should he be found guilty by the gods?"
"I can always have him killed outright if you would prefer something cleaner, Mace," Helaena sneered, causing Lord Tyrell to shrink back in his chair.
"You cannot end a Great House without consequence—there must be someone to take Hoster Tully's place," Olenna advised, for once agreeing with her son about a topic.
"And there will be. House Tully has a number of vassal houses, all of whom were more than willing to bend the knee before, and who will be more than willing to bend the knee again, should it mean they be named the next Great House," Helaena was confident in her assertion, and she glanced around at her Small Council who were all looking nervously back at her.
"The Crown's army and navy have not trained long enough, the Riverlands will easily overtake us should we attempt to fight them," in an attempt to reason with Helaena, Jon stood up and stared directly into her eyes, trying to make his point clear.
Helaena started to laugh, an unsettlingly beautiful laugh that startled everyone around her. Even the members of her Queensguard, who were all present for this meeting and knew the Queen's moods well, looked amongst each other as they were unaware what the Queen could possibly be laughing about.
"Then call forth the men from the other Six Kingdoms. Is this not what was part of your oaths? To protect me and obey me when the time arrives?" Helaena spread her arms out before her.
"Well the time has arrived my Lords, for me to call on your oaths. Raise your armies, ready your ships, we'll all be storming the Riverlands so that Hoster Tully can see just exactly who rules these Seven Kingdoms,"
"But my Queen—" a stern glance from his mother causes Mace Tyrell to quickly shut his mouth, bowing his head instead to his Queen.
"Are you sure of this idea, my Queen," Tywin interjected—hoping not to incite the Queen's ire but knowing this wasn't the best of plans.
Starting a war when one just ended would do nothing but deplete the Seven Kingdoms of more resources. They were already so far in debt. More gold and food being used to wage war against one errant Lord was going to cripple the Crown.
"Lord Varys, what have your little birds been saying? I'm sure they've heard something haven't they?" Helaena ignored Tywin's inquiry and turned toward her Master of Whispers instead.
Lord Varys bowed his head, "They have heard some…news,"
Smiling, Helaena beckoned for Varys to continue.
"There seems to be a plan by Lord Hoster Tully to start recruiting other Lords in order to form a big enough army to storm King's Landing,"
"See there, right from the lips of Lord Varys which means it might have well been Hoster Tully sitting here and declaring it himself," Helaena affirmed, staring directly at Tywin now.
"We'll send one last raven, to Lord Tully—meanwhile, the Lord Commander can ready all the men with the Commanders from the other Houses," Jon Arryn reasoned, hoping that they could make one last attempt at keeping away from any fighting.
With a nod of assent, the men began filing out. All of them less than eager to do as the Queen bid, as it would mean potentially starting another war. However, even they could not see a way out of this. Not after the lack of communication by House Tully and the retribution that Queen Helaena had Ned Stark lay out. Once everyone was gone, the only people left in the meeting room were Olenna and Helaena, who watched each other from opposite sides of the table.
"Brave of you, to attack one of the Lord Paramounts when you've only just established your rule," Olenna commented imperturbably.
"Well, if I'm going to make these dogs heel, I have to do it affectively don't I?" Helaena quirked an eyebrow, folding her hands in front of her on the table.
"Making an example of House Tully will only serve to show the rest of the Lords that I will not be afraid to come after them as well should they break their oaths and prove themselves disloyal,"
"And what happens if all these men come together and rebel? Decide that you're not good enough of a Queen or just as mad as your father? What then?" the question, to Olenna's surprise, only makes Helaena chuckle.
"You know my House sigil, do you not Lady Olenna?"
"Everyone knows what House Targaryen's sigil is Helaena, what does it have to do with our conversation?" Olenna quipped tartly.
"Amuse me Lady Tyrell, what is my house sigil?"
Olenna sighed, "A three headed dragon,"
Nodding, Helaena motioned for Olenna to continue, "And my house words?"
Looking at Helaena searchingly, Olenna complied, "Fire and Blood,"
"Fire and Blood," Helaena purred, "Three dragons. These men are sheep Lady Tyrell—I remember you telling me so when I was younger. And I am not a sheep, I am a dragon and I am going to be a dragon,"
The news caused Olenna to raise an eyebrow in question. She was surprised that the Queen could remember a conversation they had so long ago in Highgarden, when Helaena had come with the royal party for a tourney. The Queen of Thorns at the time had decided to spend time with her grandchildren and their new companions, especially because their companions consisted of the future heir and the princess, who was the pride and joy of her father the King.
The Queen smirked, "Can you keep a secret Olenna Tyrell?"
The Queen of Thorns watched the Targaryen Queen before her, trying to reason just what exactly the girl before her was trying to say. It was true, so far, Helaena Targaryen has been impressive as Queen. However, she was still a young girl in comparison to Olenna and so the Queen of Thorns was hesitant to put all her faith in Helaena.
Fire and Blood…dragons…there is no possible way…unless?
"Are congratulation in order then?" Olenna inquired good-naturedly, "On becoming a mother?"
Helaena smiled wickedly, "Yes, they are in order Lady Tyrell. And I thank you for them and for the one that will come…for you see, I'm due for a third,"
The Queen of Thorn's eyes widened, but she smiled as well, nodding in acceptance.
"What an interesting turn of events. Perhaps you do actually have what it takes to be a Queen. Nothing like that fanciful brother of yours, Rhaegar," the name was spat by Olenna, a certain distaste in her mouth over the fallen Prince who had started a war because of his idiotic actions.
"No," Helaena murmured, "Nothing like him at all,"
"Tell me something Queen Helaena Targaryen—what is your relationship with your Queensguard? With Jaime Lannister,"
The change in topic and tone nearly gave the young Queen whiplash but Helaena couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the Queen of Thorns' bluntness. The Queen of Thorns was known to have a tart tongue, to be completely and utterly brazen.
She was also known to have a decent spy network and Helaena shouldn't have been very surprised that she knew of Jaime and hers interactions. It made the Queen wonder if Olenna knew of Bronn. Perhaps not, if she wasn't inquiring about the mysterious Lord Umber as well in her interrogations.
"Whatever do you mean, my Lady?"
Olenna rolled her eyes, "Don't be impertinent. The Seven Kingdoms needs a firm, stable ruler. Tell me, is Rhaegar's fate something you are destined to repeat? Will you fall for the same folly?"
Right Question, wrong Targaryen. Helaena thought to herself amusedly.
"My brother was a great man. Kind, generous, and filled with love for his people, for his family, and for his great beloved," Helaena sneered the same part. Lyanna Stark was still someone that Helaena truly wanted to strangle, wishing that the damned woman had never been born.
"You said it yourself, Olenna, I am nothing like my brother,"
Helaena stood and gathered her skirts, before turning to depart, leaving the Queen of Thorns to herself to think on the words that the Queen last spoke.
…
The soldiers of all the armies of the Seven Kingdoms, bar those serving under the Riverlands, made to march toward the home of House Tully.
The armies from Dorne, the Reach, and the Stormlands were already marching North and would meet at the border of the Riverlands in less than 5 days. From there, they would march with the armies of the Westerlands and the Crownlands toward Riverrun, where House Tully was currently seated.
The army in the North, after Helaena had sent a letter to Ned Stark, would rendezvous with the Vale and together they would cut off any escape attempt to the North.
The ships had already launched, all of them making port at the Iron Islands before they headed toward the Riverlands and it would take no more than 5 nights before they reached their harbors and barred the people there from escaping by sea.
Lord Commander Barristan Selmy and the Master of War Ser Gerold Hightower were both leading the men, all of them waiting for his direction as he had yet to move. They were rested right on the border of King's Landing and the Crownlands.
Nearly of the Queensguard rode beside Selmy: Gerold Hightower, Gwayne Gaunt, Oswell Whent, Harlan Grandison, and Mandon Moore—the newest addition that Jon Arryn had nominated to the Queen to be Knighted and sworn in.
The only three missing were Arthur Dayne, Jonothor Darry and Jaime Lannister. Darry was commanding all the ships of the Crownlands and would meet them and stay in the harbor, becoming their point of communication should anything go wrong.
The other two, Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Jaime Lannister, were to escort the Queen and meet them all at the Trident. The Queen, being particularly tightlipped, had not said what it is that she needed to do but Barristan had an inkling. And if that inkling proved true, no doubt Lord Hoster Tully was in a world of trouble.
"We best move on, and soon. We're to meet everyone on the Gold's Road in a matter of days. It's no time to wait," Ser Gwayne Gaunt rode up to Lord Commander Barristan, having already taken stock of all the men.
"Aye, I agree," Ser Mandon Moore pulled up next to the two men, "All the men are anxious to go. The Queen said she would meet us on the River Road just a bit off Casterly Rock,"
"Anyone know what it is she's up to?" Ser Harlan Grandison asked, having not yet mounted on his horse and thus was leading it by it's reins over to a rock he could use as a step.
"What it is that Queen Helaena's scheming?" Ser Gerold Hightower answered, "Knowing her it could be anything,"
"Well she'll fulfill her promise, meet us when Queen Helaena's done with whatever tasks she thinks needs to be done. No doubt it's some kind of torture device for Hoster Tully and his family," Gaunt's comments manages to send a laugh through all the men listening.
It wouldn't be out of character for Helaena to delay herself just to retrieve a heavy torture device that must be transported just to give more pain to a traitor like Hoster Tully.
"I can't believe Eddard Stark actually agreed to march his armies South," Ser Mandon Moore observed, disbelief coloring his tone.
"Isn't his Lady wife a Tully?"
"Aye, she is," Ser Oswell confirmed.
"And you better believe Catelyn Stark is not all happy with how the Queen's request. But rumor has it, that Lord Eddard Stark fancied himself in love with Queen Helaena. Still is, matter of fact. There isn't anything he would deny her, not even going to war with his lady wife's family,"
"That's preposterous," Lord Commander Barristan immediately denied
"Ned Stark is doing his duty. He is doing what is required of him, just as all the other Lords are. That's all,"
"Not from what I heard," Ser Oswell countered.
"People have been whispering that before the Rebellion, Ned Stark was going to come down and court Queen Helaena when she was just a Princess. But after Aerys had his family killed, he was forced to marry Catelyn Tully and he's been looking for a way to annul the marriage ever since,"
"This all sounds pretty preposterous Oswell"
"How can you be sure?"
"If he really loved her, he wouldn't have married Catelyn Tully either way,"
"Now you're sounding like Varys, aiming to be the next Master of Whispers Oswell Whent?"
The voices of the Queensguard all started to blend together as they all argued the legitimacy of the rumor.
"Enough," the sound of Ser Gerold Hightower's voice managed to silence all the men.
Gerold Hightower was undoubtedly the Knights with the most seniority amongst the Queensguard, having been the previous Lord Commander for Aerys' Kingsguard. While he was just a regular member now, it did not mean his words and commands held any less weight than before especially since he had been named Master of War.
"We're wasting time, we should all be marching now. Not debating on rumors and whispers that have no foundations or facts to support them,"
The men grumbled their assent, and soon went back to their places at the head of the army.
…
"Queen Helaena, we should be riding out with the rest of the men. Why are we going to your chambers?" Jaime glanced over at Ser Arthur Dayne, looking for support, however the other knight had yet to voice any words to Jaime after the whole Aerys business.
"Just trust me Ser Jaime," Helaena quickly made her way toward her room, a place that all had been barred from recently. Thus Jaime had no idea what it possibly could be that Helaena wanted to retrieve there.
Pushing against the door, Helaena quickly opened it with Arthur and Jaime trailing after her.
"Meleys, Sunfyre, come out my loves," Helaena called.
Her voice was met with a set of screeching, a click of claws, and from behind a curtain that usually led to Helaena's bathing area, two creatures the size of horses stomped out.
It took Jaime a second to realize they were dragons. And when he did, the knight quickly shuffled backwards and slammed his back against the wall. The loud noise, the clattering of Jaime's sword and armor against the wall, caused the two dragons to swivel their heads over and look at him.
Helaena turned around to look at the two knights, "Aren't they beautiful?"
"They have certainly grown Queen Helaena, it is good to see they are not at all sickly like the last of their ancestors hundreds of years ago," Ser Arthur observed calmly, although internally he was quaking as well.
It was one thing to see the dragons when they were no more than the size of a cat, harmless really. But now, they were both the size of full grown horses and could more than likely tear a part any man (armor or no) with their powerful teeth. Not to mention, the fire breathing part.
Helaena moved over to her two dragon children and petted each head with a hand, unperturbed as they curled around her and fought for attention from their mother.
"Is this why you needed the Dragon pit restored?" Jaime managed to get the question out, his mind and body still fully in shock.
"They needed a big, outdoor area that would be sizable enough for them to rest in and bring their hunt to," Helaena sighed, "Unfortunately, they are not yet big enough to ride,"
"I find that hard to believe my Queen, they are the sizes of steeds!" Arthur exclaimed, moving toward the dragons but stopping when they snapped their jaws at him.
Laughing lightly, Helaena calmed the growling creatures with a calm hand, "Yes well, trust me when I say they will be considerably larger than this once they are more grown and only then can they be ridden,"
"However, I believe they are ready to help their Mother exact some much needed retaliation,"
"Why now, my Queen? If they are not yet fully grown?"
"Lady Olenna Tyrell said something to me recently, something I found to be particularly poignant," Helaena glanced between the two knights, Arthur who stood calm and Jaime who still looked like he had seen a ghost…or two dragons.
"If I succeed against House Tully, what's to say that the other Houses won't band together against me?" Helaena smiled wickedly and stepped out from the embrace of her dragons. "My ancestors united these lands with Fire and Blood, and I plan to keep these lands united through the same methods,"
"Well, that's certainly an…effective way to go about things," Jaime observed dryly, composing himself and standing up straight.
"Yes," Helaena chuckled lightly, "I thought so too,"
"Then shall we ride to the Gold's Road my Queen?" Ser Arthur Dayne bowed his head, "The men will be more than astonished to see this,"
Helaena shook her head, "No, send a raven. I want this to be a surprise for everyone. We're heading straight to the River Road and for the Riverlands. Tell them we will meet them all at the Trident…I want to see the look on Hoster Tully's face when he finds out what fate awaits him,"
…
Lysa Tully was crying, or crying as much as she could, given the fact that her eyelids were sewn shut so that no one would have to see her in her state. The Queen was a cruel woman, her sister's husband Eddard even more cruel.
Catelyn had begged, pleaded for Eddard not to listen to the Queen's orders. The man, for his part, had looked conflicted for all of a day before having his men take Lysa away and strap her down to a table while the Maester dug out her eyes and sewed her lids shut.
The youngest Tully daughter had been knocked out for days on a very strong concoction of poppy milk in order to give her body time to recover and acclimate to the shock. Catelyn had been by Lysa's side the entire time, holding Robb in one arm, and holding her sister's hand with her free one. The newest Lady Stark was beyond furious with her Lord Husband.
However soon after, another missive had arrived from the Queen, requesting Ned to bring his forces South and bar any attempt to escape North that the people of Riverrun would try to take once the armies had arrived from the South. The request also had the condition of bringing Lysa Tully back to Riverrun and dropping her at the doors to the Trident for her father to see that his daughter was still well and alive…for now. That took Ned even less time to deliberate, having strapped Lysa into a well guarded carriage and leaving Winterfell without even saying goodbye to Catelyn.
Right now, Lysa was crying in her room, as she had been escorted back to the Trident by a few of Ned's bannermen.
"Lysa, please stop, your father knows what he is doing," Minisa Tully consoled her blind daughter, rubbing a hand down the girl's back.
Edmure Tully sneered from his place by the window, as he looked down into the Trident and over into the horizon where he could see the armies approaching.
"She persuaded Ned Stark, your good son, to gauge out Lysa's eyes! Father needs to bend the knee," Edmure could see how this would turn out and the potential fate of his family frightened him.
"The Lords are reasonable people. I'm sure once they hear your father speak, they will turn against the Usurper and dethrone her," Minisa assured, holding her Lysa in her arms now as the girl began to wail harder.
"Mother! If the Lords were against anything the Queen has done, they would have already done something about it. The men in King's Landing have no problem with the way Queen Helaena is ruling, don't you see? He should have just bent the knee!" Edmure pulled at his hair, frustrated now more than ever. His father was being stubborn, stubborner than he had ever been before.
"The Queen will have us all killed!" Lysa wailed at the top of her lungs, the pain coming from her eyes flaring as the milk of poppy wore off.
"She isn't the Queen," Minisa reprimanded, much to the dismay of her daughter who only managed to cry louder because of her mother's anger with her.
"Helaena Targaryen is a Usurper and if only the Lords of the other Great Houses will listen they will see the truth as well!"
"Stop, just stop with your maddening tirades already woman!" Edmure roared, knowing that in just a few short hours, unless his father bent the knee, they would all be dead.
"You'll see the truth Edmure. When all the Lords turn on Helaena Targaryen, she will haven o choice but to submit," Minisa Tully shushed her crying daughter, and watched as her son merely shook his head and left the room they were occupying.
They would all know soon enough what their fate would be.
…
"If you know what's good for you, you'll stop now before it's too late," Jaime turned toward Arthur Dayne, who rode next to him as the two trailed behind Helaena, who was too preoccupied with her dragons to pay them any mind.
While Arthur Dayne had been privy to the existence of the dragons, the Kingslayer had not and Jaime couldn't help but feel a little betrayed. The feelings that he felt for Helaena all conflicting and brewing within him.
"Excuse me?" it was the first time that Ser Arthur Dayne had spoken to Jaime since the incident with Aerys' and Jaime couldn't help but be a little astonished.
"The Queen," Ser Arthur stated, casting a knowing look at Jaime."Whatever it is that you want to say to her, don't. Not right now, not when she is about to head into battle—you should know better than to distract her with your hurt feelings of having not known about her children,"
Jaime shook himself, glad that anger was the emotion Ser Arthur picked up on, and not anything else. Not any of the other emotions that were currently battling inside the Kingslayer.
"If she let you know, why didn't she let all the rest of the Queensguard know?"
Ser Arthur shook his head, "How long have you known the Queen, Kingslayer? Because I can tell you, I was there the night she was born. The moon was full and bright, not a cloud in the sky, and the only sound within the Keep was Queen Rhaella's screams. I was there when the Princess took her first steps, toddled her way straight into the King's arms while he was reprimanding another Lord. It had Aerys laughing in joy, while Rhaegar pouted and sat in his mother's arms still unable to walk."
"What's your point?" Jaime countered, shifting within his saddle, agitated at the conversation.
"My point is that I have years upon years of loyalty toward House Targaryen. What do you have to your name? Besides the slaying of her father," Arthur Dayne halted his horse and Jaime did similarly, allowing Helaena to ride further ahead of them.
"Queen Helaena trusts me," Jaime asserted, though the confidence was a little shakey in his voice, a niggle of doubt itching in the back of his mind.
After all, Helaena had never explicitly said that she trusted him fully, only ever in the moment or with certain matters. But surely this would mean an extension of a greater overall trust? Especially since Jaime was still a Knight in her Queensguard?
"Queen Helaena trusts anyone as far as…Varys can throw them—I would say herself but the Queen has been known to have a good arm," Arthur jested a bit, though his face was still solemn. "Just remember what your place is, boy, it's not up to you to air your grievances to the Queen, only to do as she bid,"
With that, Arthur rode his horse away in order to catch up to the Queen. Jaime stayed still for a moment longer, stewing in the words that Arthur had parted him with. He knew his place, Jaime was certain of that, and his place was right by the Queen's side. But the Kingslayer also knew now, that he wanted more, wanted to be the on that Helaena confided in and spoke to first—not that one that knew her secrets last—and it was a thought that unsettled him completely.
…
Almost every Lord Paramount stood at the entrance of the Trident, Lord Balon Greyjoy occupying the Harbor while Lord Arryn and Stark lay in the North. They were waiting for the command from Lord Tywin Lannister to proceed forward. However, the Great Lion was waiting, as ordered by the raven his Queen had sent.
The men were all confused, when a raven had arrived days prior, from Ser Arthur Dayne ordering them to continue forward without them. As they continued to march along the River Road, they all wondered what the Queen's party could possibly be doing to delay them. No one dared voice the thought that the Queen had abandon them to fight on their own.
But even if they were thinking it, that lack of faith was quickly remedied.
"My Lords! The Queen! She approaches!" one of the sentries hollered, as he rode up to the line of Lords at the front of the armies.
And he was right, atop her completely black steed, Helaena was riding toward the front flanked by Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Jaime. Men cheered and called her name as she rode by and Helaena gracefully waved at them, not breaking her canter at all. As she approached them, Helaena slowed down to a walk, and a small smile graced her face.
"I hope you didn't miss me all too terribly, my Lords,"
"Just wondering what could have possibly delayed you, Queen Helaena," Tywin's response was quick and a bit impertinent but Helaena did not seem disturbed at all by it.
"I simply brought a surprise," was the Queen's vague answer.
"What surprise?" Lord Mace Tyrell looked around.
Loud screeches were heard, off in the distance at the back of the army. A large, sinister smile stretched across Helaena's face as the screeches became louder and all the Lords looked behind their Queen to see 2 large masses approaching them from the air.
It took a second, maybe two, but eventually the masses were near enough for the Lords and all the men in the various armies to identify just what was coming for them.
Dragons.
Two large dragons, one blue and the other gold, flying at a rapid speed toward all of them. There were loud screams, as all the men ducked when the dragons began to fly lower and just overhead them—almost managing to scrape off a few heads.
With a final loud and unearthly screech, the gold dragon landed first, right next to Helaena and roared at the Lords in front of her before curling around the Queen. The blue dragon landed similarly, but on the other side of Queen Helaena, whose steed looked about ready to bolt from the situation, if it weren't for Helaena's firm hand on her reins.
"Dragons," Lord Doran Martell breathed reverently, moving toward the Queen and her two dragons but was stopped abruptly when the gold dragon swung its head over and roared at Doran, snapping its jaws viciously.
"Like I was saying," Helaena continued laughingly, staring at all the shocked faces of the Lords and soldiers before her, "A surprise,"
Leaving the stunned men behind, Helaena proceeded forward, with her two dragons jetting themselves back in the air but flying overhead their mother. Jaime and Arthur followed after her obediently, and once they composed themselves once again, so did the other knights of her Queensguard.
"Did I just see what I think I just saw?" Robert Baratheon manage to gasp out from on top his own horse, his brothers Stannis and Renly beside him looking equally dazed.
"I don't even know what I think I just saw," Lord Tywin retorted, though his eyes were still wide and his jaw was still hanging a bit.
"Lord Hoster is fucked" all the men turned toward Renly Baratheon, who although young was very skilled with a sword, and who at the moment looked seconds away from bursting out into laughter.
"By the gods, he really is," Lord Mace Tyrell laughed boisterously, slapping his knee as he guffawed.
The other men began to laugh too, all of them hysterical from what they had just seen. The soldiers stood by, all of them frightened and perplexed at what was happening of their Lords. Everyone was laughing when they should still be cowering.
Eventually the laughter stopped and all the Lords exchanged glances between each other.
None of them were somber until Lord Marbrand, from his place in the back of the front line decided to speak, "Shit, that means we're fucked too,"
It took a second, but when the words settled in all the men realized the implication of Helaena Targaryen owning and controlling two fire-breathing dragons that were yet to be fully grown.
It seemed the young Queen was far cleverer and powerful than any of them gave credit for.
The ultimate conclusion was simple, the Targaryen Dynasty was about to reach yet another Golden Age, and this time, it was going to be led by a Queen.