After too few hours of fitful sleep and bathed in sweat, Rhaenys Targaryen, last surviving child of crow prince Rhaegar Targaryen, awoke with a loud gasp. Nightmares had plagued her during her rest. Nightmares of the day her family died, the day the Targaryens lost their throne and the Seven Kingdoms became a hostile place to those with the blood of the dragons in their veins. Nightmares so vivid, as if she was still there, in her father's bedroom, her would be murderer standing above her, a blade in his hand, poised to end her life. But all she heard were the desperate screams of her mother... her brother's wailing had long since stopped... In her dream no one came to save her... and her killer stabbed her... again and again, dozens of times...
But it was a nightmare. A bad dream, nothing more. She had not died that night, she got lucky. Someone had come for her. Her knight, her savior. The man who had risked loosing everything to keep her safe. Ser Jaime Lannister, a member of her grandfathers Kingsguard. The one who had broken his oath to the king, but not to the royal family...
She stood up from her bed and allowed her gaze to wander around the dimly lit tent. She wasn't alone. Joanna and Nymeria always stayed with her in this tent, the former for support, the latter for safety. Rhaenys knew that she needed both desperately, but she couldn't bring herself to wake either of them. Instead she walked over to a water basin, as silently as her feet would carry her, and washed her face with a handful of the cool, clear liquid. Her breathing had already returned to normal, but deep down she knew that her nightmares would haunt her again, should she try to rest any more this night.
So she just stood there, over the basin, and watched her own reflection in the water. People called her pretty, beautiful even. Like her mother. Her mother's face, her father's eyes. That is what most people saw when they looked at her. Her father's daughter, a Targaryen in the guise of a Martell... Yet she had grown up as a Martell. She was a daughter of Dorne, not the Targaryen most people expected her to be.
Truth and expectation diverged when it came to her... but those who knew her, her family, the Martells and her Lannisters, they did not expect her to be anyone but the woman she had grown up to be. But the Seven Kingdoms are an entirely different case. All others either thought of her as Mad Aerys granddaughter, a lunatic like her grandfather, or the vicious warrior in the making, like her ancestress, the first Rhaenys Targaryen. As if she would suddenly mount a dragon and burn whole armies in the blink of an eye. She was nothing like the famous woman whose name she shared.
After some time she decided to get some air, to clear her head from the thoughts of death and carnage. She was glad that she had not undressed the day before, as she had been too tired to do so and now she would be able to take a walk without the need to wake Joanna and Nymeria to help her dress. One more look revealed that both girls were still sleeping soundly, so Rhaenys left the tent for her walk.
It was still so early that the sun had barely risen above the horizon. A dim twilight, that was only interrupted by the fires that burned brightly all around her. Her protectors always lit more fires than necessary, to get rid of the shadows that might shield the assassins of the fat king.
And there were already many people rushing around. The first group of servants had already been woken up, so they could prepare everything for their noble masters, and guards were patrolling restlessly all around their encampment. She knew that most of them now followed her with their eyes. Both out of curiosity and out of sense of duty. To these guards she was a member of House Martell and they would fight to death to protect her. They would fight for Rhaenys, daughter of Elia Martell, not Rhaenys, daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen.
Then Rhaenys saw her knight. Ser Jaime was already awake, sitting near a fire, together with the red-headed man in Lannister armor, who had come with him after the melee. Ser Addam Marbrand, the heir to the Lordship of Ashmark, that was how Jaime had introduced him. Both were talking animatedly and Rhaenys could see that there was an ease in their interactions, that only came with being friends for many years.
"You know, Jaime, you have not answered me one question yet. Why did you kill Aerys, only to save his granddaughter moments later?" Ser Addam asked curiously and despite knowing that it was disrespectful to eavesdrop, Rhaenys attention was peaked.
And Jaime sighed at first, in annoyance, Rhaenys recognized. She had learned to read her knight's moods over the many years they had spent together. "That is the one question all of you ask me these days. First father, then Cersei, now you. And the answer is always the same. I had sworn an oath to protect the royal family. Even if it means protecting them from other family members."
"You mean Mad Aerys? He was part of the royal family as well. He was the king you had sworn to protect."
"No. No he was not. He was an insane man and never a king. My father has ruled in his name. Aerys was no king, he was a monster." Jaime said scathingly. There was anger in his voice, a deep rooted resentment that Rhaenys had rarely encountered in her knight.
"But..."
"You were not there, Addam. You have not seen what Aerys has done. Seeing it was worse than anything that you have heard in the stories. I can still hear them scream, the wolf lords, as Aerys had them killed. I can still hear him laugh... and the Queens desperate screams when he visited her after another burning... all we could do to survive this madness with our own sanity intact, was to go away inside."
"Yet you still serve the Targaryens, despite what they have done." Addam questioned, as it was clear that he was not really understanding the son of his lord.
"Running away with the Stark girl was Rhaegar's decision. Killing the girls brother and father was Aerys'. Offending my father to the point when he would side with the rebels was Aerys' fault. The Queen did none of that. Neither did her son or her at that time unborn daughter. Neither was it Princess Elia's fault, nor that of her son and daughter. They were innocents, caught in the fire that Aerys and Rhaegar had started." Jaime said passionately. "I don't regret my decision. I only regret that I wasn't fast enough. Not strong enough. Else I could have saved Princess Elia and Prince Aegon as well. That is my greatest regret. I could only save Princess Rhaenys and I will protect her to my dieing breath if necessary. That is my new oath and nothing my father says will change that, Addam." Rhaenys vision blurred slightly, as she wiped away some tears. She had not known that Jaime was still so beat up over the death of her mother and brother.
"And you should know how much your loyalty and dedication mean to your princess," Rhaenys said, as she finally approached the two men.
"Princess Rhaenys, why are you up this early? The day won't begin for some more hours." Jaime asked her, his face showing a mixture of surprise and concern.
Rhaenys smiled weakly at him, before she sat down next to him, careful to keep her distance from the servant of Tywin Lannister. Ser Addam realized that and gave her a friendly smile, not that it would have done anything to reassure her.
"Fear me not, Princess Rhaenys. I mean you no harm." Addam said calmly.
A mirthless laugh escaped Rhaenys lips, as she looked at the man. "Do not feel offended, but I have good reason to distrust the servants of Tywin Lannister."
"Yet you trust Lord Tywin's son with your life," Ser Addam retorted with a smirk.
"Trust gained in countless years of loyal and close service. All Lannister bannermen I have met so far have tried to see me and my family dead, most of them have at least partly succeeded."
Addam's smirk faded away and he adopted a more rueful look. "I cannot deny that, princess. But as I said, I mean you no harm. My duty is to guard Ser Jaime's family with my life."
Rhaenys wanted to rebuke, but Jaime interfered, "Are you alright, princess. You seem a bit... antsy." She wouldn't look at him, as he asked, instead she looked at the fire.
"It is just... a bad dream... I had the misfortune to meet my mother's murderers. Both the man who ordered her death and the one who did the deed." Rhaenys answered almost inaudibly.
"You met my father yesterday? Why did you not tell me? And the other... please, never go anywhere near Gregor Clegane again. That dog is dangerous."
"Nah, Sandor Clegane is the dog or the Hound, as he is often called. The one you mean is the Mountain that rides." Addam corrected.
"Neither Clegane is good company, especially not for a princess." Jaime retorted, without taking his eyes off his princess. "But don't worry, even a mountain can be defeated. He won't be able to harm you. And my father knows better than to allow Clegane to do anything that would damage the reputation of House Lannister more than what he has already done."
He sounded so sure of his words, that Rhaenys wanted to believe him. She trusted him with everything she had, but deep down there was still her fear. Fear that one day she would face death... and then, no one would come to help her. By then, everyone would already be gone.
"Try to rest some more, princess. We can never know what the day might bring." Jaime said calmly. Rhaenys nodded, agreeing with her knight on this. Everything or nothing could happen. But she still doubted that she would get any more sleep. She stood up to return to her tent none the less.
But as she slowly walked away, she heard another statement from Ser Addam that actually made her smile, "You know, Jaime, I can understand why you prefer to serve this princess. She seems much more likeable than the Usurper." Maybe she would give this knight a chance, a chance to prove himself. But until then she wouldn't stop her cousins from keeping a close eye on this man.
It was several hours later, when the entire city of tents around Highgarden had already returned to the lively daily schedules, that Rhaenys got an unexpected visitor. She had just returned to the main tent of her encampment, to discuss the best course of action with her uncle, when one of the guards stepped inside and announced loudly,
"Ser Loras Tyrell, here to speak to the princess."
Both Rhaenys and Oberyn looked slightly surprised by this, but they bid the guard to send Ser Loras in. And within moments the young knight entered the tent with a self assured gait and a friendly expression on his face.
Rhaenys had to admit, when she first saw him, she too felt captivated by the appearance of the handsome youth. His looks and his chivalry were known far and wide. When they first met, she almost lost her composure, when she looked into his golden eyes. So warm, so promising of understanding. Now she knew better, though he was from an allied noble house, his recent association with the Lord of the Stormlands left many questions about his loyalties unanswered.
She was aware of his real interest when it came to Renly Baratheon and felt a tad bit saddened by this turn of events. Not long ago there had been talks, between the Houses Lannister and Tyrell, for a match between Loras and Joanna, to strengthen the ties between the Reach and the loyal lords of the West. But all those negotiations fell through, when Loras orientation became known to the Lannisters and Martells. The possible shame for the daughter of Jamie Lannister was too great, so the negotiations had long since stopped.
Rhaenys attention snapped back to the young knight, when he gave her a small bow and spoke with his silky voice, "Your grace, my grandmother, the Lady Olenna, has asked for you to join her for tea in her gardens. If you permit, I would escort you there."
This at least did not come as a complete surprise. Olenna Redwyne was the highest authority in Highgarden, everyone knew that. Her son, Lord Mace Tyrell, was neither strong willed enough, nor interested in opposing his mother, so Lady Olenna had the final word in every decision of House Tyrell. Especially when it came to the planned betrothal of her oldest grandson, Willas, and the dragon princess. Rhaenys expected this meeting for some days now and was prepared to face the scheming matriarch.
"I graciously accept her invitation. Just give me a moment to gather my ladies and we shall be on our way." She saw the knowing smirk on Ser Loras face, as he heard her reply. The Tyrells knew that except for Joanna, all of her so called ladies were skilled fighters and dangerous foes. But he said nothing and turned to leave the tent, to wait for her outside.
"Be careful now, Rhaenys. It is of paramount importance that you gain the approval of this old shrew. Should she say no, our alliance with the Reach will not be as strong and they might abandon our cause and join the Usurper, should he make a better offer." Oberyn cautioned her sternly. Not that she would have needed that reminder. She knew how much they depended on this marriage, to keep the Tyrells on their side.
Moments later the group was on their way to the gardens. Many curious gazes followed them. The Knight of Flowers, accompanied by the dragon princess and her entourage, which consisted of her ladies, meaning Joanna and Nymeria, and her personal guards, led by Obara Sand. That wasn't a sight the people would get every day.
But what they had not expected, was that they were soon stopped by a group of Baratheon men, all of them proudly displaying the colors of the House they had sworn to defend. Rhaenys guards had already expected the worst and Obara had pushed her princess behind her, a spear ready in her hand. But they would not get a fight this day. Instead one man approached them, leaving the others behind. Renly Baratheon, the current lord of the Stormlands. A handsome young man, with shoulder length black hair and blue eyes, clad in an emerald green armor that would have most likely better suited a Tyrell, than a Baratheon lord.
He stopped in front of Obara, an easy going smirk on his lips, and performed a mock bow, before he said, "Don't be alarmed, princess, I mean you no harm."
"Obara, stand down." Rhaenys said, as she appeared behind the much larger female warrior. "As much as your appearance intrigues me, Lord Renly, I am afraid that we are in a hurry and cannot dawdle."
"Then by all means, please allow me to accompany you, we can talk on the way." He did not even wait for permission, before he walked next to her and sent his guards to follow them a short distance behind them.
Rhaenys could see another knowing smirk on Ser Loras face, but she let Renly proceed, as she continued her trek to meet Lady Olenna. There was little the youngest of the Baratheon brothers could do, not with all the guards around her. Nymeria would cut his throat faster than he would be able to draw his sword.
"I have to admit, princess, that you intrigue me. More than any other person of political importance in the Seven Kingdoms." Renly admitted casually, as they slowly ascended the winding way to the castle.
Rhaenys raised an eyebrow in disbelieve, as she regarded the man, "And pray tell me what intrigues you so much?"
"It's because of the rather conflicting things I have been told about you. According to my brother you are as mad the most infamous members of your dynasty. A second coming of Aerys Targaryen, with the sole intention to weaken the realm and spread chaos to get revenge." Rhaenys smiled in amusement. She knew that Robert Baratheon hated her with a passion, just because of who her father was. But she had no idea that he was so creative to compare her to her grandfather.
"But at the same time my lady wife describes you as the dearest friend and a gentlest soul, who she would love to call her sister one day. So you see, it is quite difficult for me to form an opinion."
"So you have come to see for yourself." Rhaenys concluded. "This is quite odd, considering that you are not just the brother of the man who is responsible for my family's demise, but also the Master of Laws for that same king."
"Robert has never been much of a brother, I'm afraid. He has only one brother and his name is neither Stannis nor Renly. So his opinion is not necessarily my own. And unlike him, I have not forgotten whom we descend from. And I firmly believe that the best fitted heir should sit on the throne, not the one who considers his claim as the strongest."
Rhaenys tried to hide her surprise, when she heard Renly's exclamation. He openly stated his opinion, but not whose side he would support in case of a war. The question was, who was the best fitted heir in his opinion? Robert? She? Viserys? Or maybe he was talking about himself? He had Targaryen blood in his veins, so even he had a claim to the throne. All thanks to his paternal grandmother, Rhaelle Targaryen. But would this young lord be audacious enough to think that he would be able to press his weak claim by force? For now she was at least grateful, that he was not as hostile as his brothers.
The rest of their talk was almost unimportant, in comparison to these first few exchanges. But Rhaenys had to admit that the Storm Lord was rather pleasant company. Easygoing and a delightful conversationalist. A bit frivolous perhaps, but nothing like her uncle Oberyn. Much more than she would have expected at first. But soon they had reached the gardens and Rhaenys could see Margaery waiting for them.
"Ah, I believe you have already reached your destination. I should take my leave now, I wouldn't wish to intrude upon the meeting of our honored ladies." Renly said, his friendly smile on his face, before he repeated his short bow. "Until next time, princess. I hope that we will get another chance to talk like this. It is a refreshing change, compared to the dull meetings of the small council and the old lords at the king's court." Then he left quickly, his guard not far behind him.
Rhaenys did not mind his sudden departure, since his place was quickly filled by his wife, Margaery, who smiled benignly at her friend and her youngest brother. Her warm brown eyes were filled with such delight, as she greeted the princess, that no one who had seen it, would be able to refute the friendship and kinship both girls had come to share in recent years. Though only few would understand what connected these two. The knowledge that they could and would rise above the simple fate that most noble daughters would face. The knowledge that power was not just for the hands of men. They were kindred spirits in that regard.
"How wonderful, I was already in worry that Loras couldn't find you. Come, my dear friend, my grandmother is already awaiting you impatiently." Margaery said, as she took Rhaenys had and pulled the girl along. Her brother merely received a smile, but it was obviously enough for him, as he bid his leave and left the princess in his sister's care.
"Obara, please wait here with the rest of my guard. I have nothing to fear here. We are among friends." Rhaenys told her cousin, as she allowed Margaery to lead her away.
"Of course, princess. We shall wait here." Obara replied dutifully, before she and the rest of the guards positioned them around the entrance to the garden. Only Joanna and Nymeria followed Rhaenys further inside.
And then Rhaenys finally saw her. The Queen of Thorns, Olenna Redwyne. A frail looking woman, white haired and small looking, as she sat at a table, where servants were busy preparing the tea. But the moment Rhaenys looked at her, the old woman looked at her as well and she found herself in a silent staring contest. A test of willpower. One that Rhaenys couldn't afford to loose. And she didn't.
"Come, children. Come closer, so I can hear you, my ears aren't what they used to be anymore." Lady Olenna said with a croaking voice. So the four women approached the table and sat down.
"Ah, so you are that dragon princess that everyone keeps talking about. I have to say I am not impressed. From what I have heard you should be bigger, with blood red eyes and frothing at the mouth." She flashed the girls a toothless smile.
"Grandmother, those were only lies, told by those who would wish her harm because of her family." Margaery interceded quickly.
"Her family. Mad dragons left and right on the family tree. We once had hope for her father, but his was a different madness and it showed when he ran away to get himself a new wolf as a pet." Olenna said with a frown. "And can't she speak up for herself? Or are you her official mouthpiece now, Margaery?"
"I can and will defend myself, if so needed. Don't chide my friend for doing what a friend should do." Rhaenys said calmly. "And my silence was not a sign of demureness, but my way to keep the words inside, that would indubitably displease you."
A mocking laugh escaped the old woman, as she regarded Rhaenys with a different expression now. "Of course you would say that. All just to please me. Everyone only says the things I want to hear in order to please me. My grandchildren, my oaf and a son, his bint of a wife. Even every lord and lady of the Reach. After all of this I should be the most pleased old lady in the realm, but in the end I'm just old, nothing more."
"Grandmother, you..."
"No, Margaery, it is true. I am old." Olenna said with a weary sigh. "But I remember the past, as if it had just happened yesterday. I have seen the madness of the dragons. More than once. Long in the past I was intended to wed one of them, but gods be praised I managed to avert that."
"Maegor the Cruel, most likely," Joanna whispered to Rhaenys, hoping that the old woman wouldn't hear it.
"What was that, young lady?" Olenna looked daringly at Joanna and despite Rhaenys admonishing look to prevent her from speaking her mind. But Joanna rose to the challenge.
"With a tongue as sharp as yours and the will to hurt others through words, the only person of royal birth who would have been interested in you must have been a cruel man himself or a downright fool." Joanna replied challengingly.
"Words are weapons, girl, and you would do well to use them better than this. Being blunt is one thing, but being too blunt will only dull the effect of your weapons." Olenna said, as she regarded the young Lannister girl.
"Then your weapons are as dull as you are old, Lady Olenna, for all you did so far was trying to hurt my princess for the actions of her ancestors."
"We don't need to look at all her ancestors, it is enough to look at her father and grandfather, to see the disturbing pattern repeat again and again." Olenna stated matter of factly.
"We are not our parents, we are what we choose to be. My uncle Tyrion told me that years ago."
"Ah yes. The imp. Half the height, but twice the lust of a normal man. He had an even sharper wit than you, but his world revolved solely around two things. Whoring and mocking. But you, child, your words are bordering on insolence."
"Most claim insolence, when they feel insulted, without knowing what was insulting about the statement." Joanna said with a smirk. All others at the table had watched the exchange silently. They seemed tense, until Olenna chuckled darkly in amusement.
"Clever girl, that uncle of yours must have left some impression on you." Lady Olenna said in amusement, before she returned her attention to Rhaenys. "I can see that you choose your companions not just for the names of their fathers, but also for their skills. A girl with wit and another with more hidden daggers on her person than a normal man would ever be able to find."
"How did you..." Nymeria said, as stumped look on her face.
"You may think of the Tyrells as petty fools and you would be partly right when it comes to my oaf of a son, but some of us are very good at showing that every priced rose also has thorns. We know it, when a dangerous snake enters our garden." The old woman gave Nymeria a pointed look, before her attention returned to Rhaenys. "But we are not here to discuss your companions or are we? No, I believe not. We are here to discuss the proposal for your marriage to my oldest grandson, Willas. A very dangerous alliance for House Tyrell."
"And a very beneficial, if we play our cards right." Rhaenys replied evenly, as she watched Lady Olenna's reaction.
"Beneficial you say. Please elaborate on this so called benefits, for I can only see the possible ruination of my family. Serving the Targaryens rarely benefits anyone but the dragons on the Iron Throne."
"Once the Throne is back in the hands of my family, all those who served the true rulers of the Seven Kingdoms would be rewarded generously. I value loyalty and I will not forget those who helped me get justice for all that has happened in the past."
"Yet your values are of no importance in this. For it will not be you, but your uncle, who will claim the crown and rule the realm. A man you have not seen in nearly fourteen years. How can you be so sure that he will not follow his father's example and try to burn the entire realm with his wildfire?" Rhaenys knew that this was a warranted question. The last reports about her uncle's mental stability had not been good, but that was also why they had sent Tyrion to guide and educate the royal heir. Hopefully Viserys would listen to the imp and turn out to be a better man than his father.
"You are correct, I have not seen my uncle for many years. But I know that we do everything we can to ensure that Uncle Viserys will not become the bane of the Seven Kingdoms."
"And what will happen, when all your attempts fail?" Olenna pressed on.
Rhaenys looked unsure. She knew what would happen then... but she almost dared not say it out loud. Her family had already suffered so much, but she knew the inevitable outcome, should her uncle be mad. "Then... then there will still be two more Targaryens who can inherit. My aunt Daenerys and myself."
The old lady nodded, a satisfied look on her face. It was obvious that she had waited for this answer. Rhaenys didn't even want to imagine, what would have happened, had she insisted on keeping her uncle as heir no matter what.
"But then there is still the little problem with the throne. Currently it is in the possession of another man. How do you plan to win it back, from the man who has crushed your father's armies?"
"That is not something that I am willing to share with you, as long as I cannot be sure whether you are an ally or an enemy." Her resolute reply was rewarded with another satisfied smile.
"Clever girl. Never trust easily, everyone will use your secrets against you. But you have yet to give me a reason to allow you to marry my grandson."
"I am the best eligible choice for Willas. The daughters of most great Houses are either too young or otherwise less desirable. The oldest daughter of House Stark is to be married to the Greyjoy boy, once the Usurper deems him ready to take back what his father had lost with his dumb rebellion. The other daughter of the wolfs is still far too young to be a suitable match. The Houses Arryn and Tully do not have any daughters in a marriageable age. In fact they do not have any unwed daughters at all right now. The Baratheons have two girls, one being the king's daughter, whom is rumored to be betrothed to Lord Stark's oldest son, on the king's behest. The other is the daughter of Stannis Baratheon, who suffers from Greyscale, a sad fate that makes her highly unattractive to any suitor." Rhaenys was glad that she remembered all these facts and rumors that her uncle had told her, to prepare her for the inevitable meeting. Their talk had been just in time as it seemed.
"Which leaves us with Dorne and the Westerlands. Prince Doran has a daughter, who just happens to be around the same age as my grandson. But the fact that you omitted her so far can only mean that you have different plans for her. Your uncle, I presume." Rhaenys nodded ever so slightly. This wasn't much of a secret and everyone already knew that Dorne protected and supported the Targaryens. The Usurper merely tolerated their actions to prevent a premature war. But that would not last forever.
"And the Westerlands now also have a daughter, though still a bit young, she will be old enough for a marriage in a few short years." At that Lady Olenna once more looked at Joanna with a daring look, but this time the girl held her tongue, much to the obvious disappointment of the old lady.
"Ser Jaime is a firm supporter of my family, so it wouldn't make much of a difference for your House. In fact the only difference is that you would have to negotiate with my knight for such a match, which would displease Lord Tywin, who holds his granddaughter in high regard and would not allow for anyone but himself to pick her future husband." Rhaenys said calmly. She had heard before, that the Lady Olenna was not particularly fond of Tywin Lannister. And the Lord of the Westerlands could be a big problem, if he felt slighted by anyone.
"So now we have established that you are supposedly the only choice for Willas, unless we consider a lesser noble family. But this argument is not very good and only hideous girls and wrinkled old maidens argue like this. I trust you are neither, unless my eyesight has finally left me."
"Grandmother, Rhaenys is a good friend and a kindred spirit to us. She is strong willed and would be a good wife for Willas, once he succeeds our father." Margaery said, as everyone else had begun to quiet down.
"As much as I usually value your input, my dear, now is not one of those times. So sit still and be silent. You are not the one I want answers from." Lady Olenna chided her granddaughter sternly, before she fixed Rhaenys with another stare. "And you, princess, I am still waiting. Give me a reason. Tell me what you are for House Tyrell."
Rhaenys remained silent for some moments, a she pondered the question. What was she? Rhaenys of House Targaryen, daughter of the prince who caused a war, granddaughter of the Mad King. A princess of the Iron Throne. Heiress of a bloodline that dated back to the days of ancient Valyria. But all of that was in the past.
"I... I am a possible future, both for the Reach and for the Seven Kingdoms. And with your grandson as my husband, House Tyrell gets the chance to help shape this future in the way you would prefer it. That is more than you will ever get from the Usurper." When Rhaenys finished, she could see an almost proud look on the old womans face, but that look was quickly replaced by the sly smirk that the Queen of Thorns had obviously perfected.
"Then we will see what future you can provide for the Reach, dragon princess. But for now I must ask you to leave. You have given me much to think about." Rhaenys nodded, not at all offended by this blatant dismissal. In fact she was rather glad to get away from this old woman. Never before had she met anyone as shrewd as her. Not even her uncle Doran or Tyrion Lannister. But now they would have to wait for the final verdict of the Queen of Thorns. Her word would decide the future. This old woman had the chance to strengthen or destroy the alliance between Dorne and the Reach. But all that Rhaenys could do now, was pray. Sadly she wasn't really a religious person. The next few days would be truly taxing her patience.