I own nothing
The orphans of Flea Bottom all crowd around Raenera as she played and read with , a very young boy maybe at most two years old, was curled snuggled up to Starlight. Starlight allowed it she never once made any move to attack any of the children and as the clamored and petted her. Their caretakers looked on as two twins girls,Camylle and Kaela , played with Raenera hair braiding it into interact mass of twists and braids. She hadMarielyn on her lap the girl was sucking on her small thumb as she slowly fell asleep in Raenera arms listen to stories of brave knights and fair maidens. Cason watched her in a trance with the heroic deeds of the brave knights of the stories. Raenera had lost track of the time as she read to them. She enjoyed spending time with the children. They were free of games and motives they simply were innocent so new to the world. It was one of the only places she ever found freedom and peace. She normally lost track of the time while she was there.
Ser Barristan stood in the doorway after searching everywhere for her. His eyes found her with all the children on her lap. She was animated as she told the children story all the while she was stroking Marielyn blonde hair. In many ways, it remindedSer Barristan of the times he was with Rhaegar when he would sing the people of Flea Bottom. Raenera eyes looked over to the doorway her eyes meeting his eyes.
"But my dear children is a story for another time" Raenera finished softly.
"One more, please" Cason pleaded.
"I fear I have to go, my dears but I will back soon."
"Come now children thank Lady Arryn for taking the time to come and see you" One of the caretakers stated.
A chorus of thank you echoed in the room. The caretaker came over taking Marielyn from her arms and usher the other girls into another room. It was closer to dinner time. The boys followed another caretaker with Timos in arms of another one.
"Ser Barristan"
"Lady Arryn, I came to escort you back to the keep"
"That you good Ser"
They walked back to keep in silence ever so often Raenera would look over to him. She looked down and sideways to Starlight. Starlight tilted her head pressing closer to Raenera legs in reassurance.
"Do you come there often?"
"Not as often as I like; it gives me peace in this troubling world."
"Seeing you interact with them reminds me of Rhaegar. You know he used to come down here and sing."
"No, I didn't"
Ned sat stonily in his study Catelyn walked up to him worried. She came to sit by him. He thought Sansa smiling at Joffery than turning thoughts to Robb. He was weighing what could come from such a match. If Lady Raena was truly Jon Arryn daughter he in a way would want such a match. But he never saw Jon Arryn with any Daynes. Could he really tie his son and heir to a legitimized bastard?
"What is it, my love?" Cat asked.
"He not only wants me as hand but Sansa married to Joffery and he wishes to match Robb to Lady Raena Arryn."
"A bastard"
"If her parentage is what Robert says it is she is of two great houses…Cat it's better than match then most…if she truly isn't…"
"You doubt that she is"
"I don't know what to believe. I never saw Jon Arryn with any Dayne women and the only Lilliyan I ever know him to know was Lord Umber sister."
"Then don't give him an answer on that. Wait to meet her learn about her."
"If I agree to be the hand… I would surely meet her."
"You can always say no."
"Tell Robb I want to speak to him."
"Ned"
"He has the right to at least know what may be transpiring for him."
Catelyn left the room; a moment later Robb came into his father study. He came into the room from the tiltyard where he just bested Joffery.
"You wanted to see me, father"
"Yes please sit"
Robb sat down opposite of Ned.
"Robb, the king purposed a match for you. I'm not sure how I feel on the match. She is a daughter of two great houses."
"Who is she?"
Ned looked down at the small painting of Lady Raena a year ago that Robert had given him. She looked more like a Targaryen to him and Umber than a Dayne and Arryn.
"Her name is Lady Raena Arryn she is the natural born daughter of Jon Arryn and Lilliyan Dayne with Jon Arryn's passing. She is now a ward of the crown." Ned said handing Robb the portrait.
Robb looked down at the small painting. It showed a classical beauty with haunting purple-blue eyes with her wavy dark hair hanging around her face. She had a ghost of a smile on her face. Even in the painting, her eyes looked guarded. He could picture a crown of blue winter roses around her head. He silent wondered what she looked like in person.
"Why isn't she here father?"
"Robb, the king left a day after the funeral for Jon Arryn, his daughter was naturally in mourning it would wrong to ask her to make such a journey in such a state."
"You're right."
Raenera sat in her chamber Luciya brushing her hair out after her bath. Raenera looked into the mirror looking at Luciya brown graying hair was back in a simple braid. She smiled at Raenera as she worked on her hair.
"Do you think he will say yes?" Raena asked.
"He would be a fool not too" Luciya answered working on a knot in Raenera tangled hair.
Starlight padded over to rest her head on Raena lap. She slowly stroked her silken fur. They both know what they were talking about.
"Even though I'm a bastard"
Luciya stopped mid-stroke in Raena hair. She placed the comb down rest her hands on Raena's shoulders. They met eyes in the mirror. Luciya leaned down so she was right next to Raenera's ear.
"You are a princess. You were born a princess; rebellion or not you are royalty. You have the blood of a king. Mad as he was he was still the king. You are much more beautiful than Cersei incest daughter will ever be."
Raenera turned to look at Luciya.
"You cannot say that I do not wish to see your head on a spike."
"Spoke like a queen"
"I will never be queen. Even if I could be I would not want it"
"And that's the reason you deserve it all the more."