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A big thank you to my beta, Tofu101 and to all the reviewers, and favorites and followers.
Raenera's name day was finally upon them. Starlight was snuggled up in a chair by a table watching as two maids assisted her mistress in getting ready for the day. After they helped her undress, Raenera slowly lowered herself into a tub that had been brought in and filled to the brim with steaming hot water.
"My lady it is far too hot!" The younger maid exclaimed.
"Evelyne, she does that every time she bathes," the older maid explained calmly.
"Thank you, Luciya," Raenera said as the older maid moved her hair to rest on the top of her head.
Luciya had been Raenera's nurse ever since she was a babe and throughout the years a strong bond formed, similar to that of a mother and child. She let her muscles slowly relax under the heat of water. Ignoring the maids that were bustling busily about the room; preparing her gown and other necessities out for the day, making the bed, cleaning the room and making sure the fire was out in the fireplace. Although, she could hear Evelyne complaining with concern about the water burning Raenera's skin.
After a little while, they helped Raenera out of the tub. Evelyne gasped in shocked, certain that Raenera had burned her skin; there was not a single mark on her skin from the near boiling water. Her skin was as pale as before she had entered the bath. Luciya quickly scolded Evelyne under her breath. Raenera could swear she heard Luciya mutter the words "Fire cannot kill a dragon".
Luciya and Evelyne quickly set to get her dressed for the day. The gown resembled the color of the sunset with a rose bodice decorated with golden leaves and flowers, and embroidered birds. The bodice came to a point then flowed down into a skirt of golden silk and satin, a masterpiece of Southern fashion. They then set to work on her hair, creating a beautiful three stranded interwoven braid pinning tiny pink and orange flowers in her hair as some final touches. Finishing just before a knock echoed through the room.
"Who is it?" Raenera called curiously.
"Lord Varys, my lady," Lord Varys answered.
Raenera ran over to the door with a huge smile on her face, Starlight obediently followed her mistress every step of the way. Varys looked at her in barely concealed shock; she looked every bit as royal as her bloodline. He motioned for a man behind him carrying a medium-sized wooden box, beckoning for it to be brought into the room. She ran over to it, eager to open it, not minding the presence of the maids and the few servants who were still in the room. Lord Varys came closer to her placing his hand gently on her arm in a restrictive manner.
"I would wait to open it when you alone Lady Raena."
"You are right. Perhaps you would like to accompany me in walk in the garden with Starlight and maybe to the hall to break my fast?" Raenera asked Lord Varys politely.
"It would be my pleasure, my dear."
They conversed as he walked with her in the gardens on their way to the hall. Starlight was sniffing all the flowers that seemed to bloom in the garden; however the young direwolf never strayed too far from her mistress' side. Despite only having had her for a few days, Starlight and Raenera had already developed a close bond.
"What is your father getting you for this joyous name day my dear" Varys asked when they paused for a moment choosing to admire the narrow seas.
Raenera looked over to him for a moment then back to the sea, noticing how the sun seemed to dance on the tops of the waves as she replied in a calm voice.
"He has requested to have me legitimize. If he is successful I will be Lady Raena Arryn."
"Do you feel the King is open to the idea?"
"I have no idea if His Grace is or is not open to the idea, but he has heard my father plead."
They stood there for a time in silence, neither knew what to say. Varys looked over to her, watching as the sun's rays enveloped Raenera's petite body, giving her an ethereal glow . Her eyes were locked out across the narrow seas, staring unfocused into the distance. He turned away from the seas and Raenera followed suit.
"My birds whisper of the East and of the two remaining Targaryens."
"What do they say?" the normally calm girl allowed a hint of curiosity to line her voice.
"That they are alive and well in Pentos. There is some talk that Viserys wants to marry Daenerys to some horse lord to gain an army."
Raenera looked at him in confusion; she did not understand why he had informed her of this. She had made up her mind years ago that she did not want her true-father's throne or anything to do with it. She had seen what it did to people and she did not want that for her life, birthright or not. Starlight's growl caught her attention, bringing her back from her thoughts. She looked up to see Queen Cersei approaching before immediately dropping down into a low curtsey. Lord Varys bowed as she stopped in front of them.
"Lady Stone is it not your name day, my dove?" Cersei asked.
"It is, my Queen, I am now ten and seven," Raenera answered politely.
"Come, my child, walk with me," Cersei stated.
"Lord Varys, would you be so kind as to take Starlight back to my chambers?" Raenera asked.
"Of course my dear," Varys accepted.
Lord Varys picked up the young pup that went to follow Raenera, the separation eliciting a quiet whine form Starlight. Cersei and Raenera fell into step with each other.
"I hear you father has request you made Lady Arryn, Lady Stone"
"Yes, it is true, Your Grace. He wishes to have me wed to good man."
"I was betrothed by the time I was five and ten, to Prince Rhaegar. Instead, I married a King when I was ten and nine. My son is nearly your age, child, and you are great beauty despite your parentage."
"Thank you, my Queen," Raenera said.
Raenera could see through all of Cersei's words and lies, but she never let on; never let her wit show. There were a few members of the King's Guards around them. Raenera eyes locked onto Cersei's twin Jaime's. She played naïve so well she knew that they all believed that she had no clue; she did what she had to survive in their distrustful, turbulent and ever-changing world.
"The pup that Lord Varys took to your chambers, I do not remember ever seeing her before."
"She is name day present my Queen. Nothing more."
"I could help your father find a suitable husband when the time comes."
"I would be deeply honored that you taken such interest in me, after all I am nothing more than a bastard daughter." Raena simply stated folding her hands in her lap.
Cersei fondly twirled the curls that fell from Raena's braid.
"Oh my dove, you are so much more."
"Thank you, But you must forgive me, my Queen, as I need to go and break my fast."
"Of course child"
Later that evening, Raenera was back in her chambers dressed in her silk night dress with her hair was down curling around her body; the drapes were closed, a barrier between the cool night air and the chamber filled with the warmth of the fire. Starlight was curled up on the rug chewing on a bone. She smiled taking the medium-sized wooden chest and brought it down to the rug near Starlight before kneeling down; Starlight forgot her bone and pawed her way into Raenera's lap. She rubbed the pup's ears absently whilst opening the chest, revealing a letter. She gently picked up the letter and placed it aside. She gasped in delight and shock as she looked at the objects that lay inside the box. Inside was a collection of jewelry and letters. She slowly ruffled through the lettersuntil she reached the bottom of the chest where a smaller box rested. She took the box out eagerly opening it, finding a small, tiny even, brooch of the Targaryen sigil with four chains breaking around it in silver. With it was a folded note, so old that it looked near to falling apart. She slowly unfolded the letter.
"My darling child, I know not how long I have left in this world. I feel you move within me everyday. Know that I love you even if I could never love who fathered you. You are the only good thing that has come from that day. I thought many a time to drink moon tea, but I was under constant watch. The King, if his Queen could not produce another living child, he would have her gone and I replace her. I fear everyday that this will come to past.
I want you to know who you are. You are of the North but born with fire in your blood. This world is a turbulent place with how mad the King has become, where I fear a rebellion every day. I wish it was not so, for I will bring you into this world shortly, I fear.
No matter what happens to me I loved you and I wanted you to have this brooch. It's joining of your family sigils…Love always your mother"
A loud banging on her door broke her from her dazed state. Quickly, she snapped the box close and threw the rest of the letters and jewelry back into the chest; grabbing her robe and throwing it on as she made her way to the door before opening it to reveal a servant. A servant of her father's, an expression of immense sadness and pity on his face. She knew instantly something was extremely wrong.
"Forgive me… my lady. Your father… Lord Arryn is dead."
Raenera stood there rooted in her spot watching helplessly as her world slowly closed in around her before finally collapsing. The tears that she had tried to hold back, broke the dam and streamed down her young face causing the purple in her eyes to enshroud the usually dominant blue. She shook her head in denial, muttering a single word word, "no" over and over again like a broken record. Starlight whined as she watched as her mistress sink to her knees, feeling the same antagonizing distress. The servant ran to her as she sank to knees, gently helping her to her chair.
"Thank you," Raenera managed to utter as tears continued to course down her face in a constant stream.
The servant bowed before he left the room, concern evident in his every movement. Once she was sure the door was closed, Raenera allowed herself to completely break down.
"No!" Raenera screamed out.
Her scream seemed to echo throughout the Red Keep, haunting the endless corridors and doorways. Starlight picked up the letter in her mouth brought over to her mistress. She looked down at the pup. She took the letter from the box. Raenera slowly read the letter.
"My dear Raenera, I want what is best for you on this your seven and ten name day. I told you just days ago I have you legitimized and I will. You deserve it and more. I always want you to remember who you are. You are fire and ice. The best of both, I have seen the fire in your eyes but at times you can be cold when you need to be. I could not come out and give you this Rae. I wanted to but world would see it as buying you off. Your mother made me promise that I would give this too you. I added a piece of jewelry for your name day. It is much like you it will always be beautiful. My dear Raena you have filled my world since I first held you in my arms. I know you deserve more but I am only a man my dear. Love Always Lord Jon Arryn, your father."
Raenera broke down nearly completely picking up Starlight taking what little comfort in her direwolf presence. The sun slowly sank into the sea closing the door on only life she knew. After today nothing would ever be the same.