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An: Just to let you all know the poll will is still up. It will remain up until 4-2-16. You can vote on poll on my page of by review this story. The question is should Raenera get a dragon?
Moments later Robb came storming into her tent with a worried look on his face Greywind was close behind him. He breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed she was not hurt. His eyes caught sight of the paper in her hands.
"Mother what is it?"
Catelyn looked up to meet his eyes. The paper was shaking in her hands. She motioned for him take the seat that Raenera exited maybe a ten minutes before. He quickly complied with her requested.
"It seems we have a problem."
"What?"
"Your father agreed"
"Agreed to what?"
"To you marrying Lady Targaryen…Umber… Arryn…whatever she is to be called. Meaning you were betrothed when the deal with the Frey's were struck."
The meaning of those words sank into Robb's mind. His father wanted him to marry Raenera. She was something he was not expecting in the least. Suddenly it hit him a question, she wanted to cross the Narrow Sea. Why would she want that when she was promised to him? That when it hit him did she know?
"Does she know?"
"No, she doesn't." Catelyn started. She moved over toward Robb placing her hand on Robb's shoulders. Robb looked at his mother face. "In fact no one has to know this can remain between us. You can go on and marry the Frey girl after this war is over. And Lady Raenera can cross the narrow sea like she plans on."
"You are asking me to disregard father's word." Robb said shocked.
"Robb, she is a Targaryen. Have you forgotten what her father did to your grandfather and uncle? What her brother did… what your father did to stop them."
"Mother, she is also an Umber; a loyal bannerman of Stark family. I can't just disregard her because of who her father was. And if the lords find out about father promising me to her they will not accept any other queen but her."
"She is of low birth and you are king" Catelyn tried.
"No, mother; she is a king's daughter. Mad as her father was he was still the king at her birth. She is a princess. You heard as well as I that Aerys II legitimatized her upon her birth. When he was killed she was Princess Raenera Targaryen. I could ask for no high match"
"Robb think about this."
Robb left the tent and head for Raenera's tent. Catelyn looked to the heavens questioning why Ned had to do this. And why she did not throw the letter in the fire.
Raenera was preparing to go the bed. Her hair was completely down and she had robe over her nightdress. This would be the first night since leaving king's landing that she would truly sleep. The few maids that were around camp had light a small fire to warm the tent in fire ring. Starlight sat near the door guarding it.
"We're safe now Starlight." Raenera said.
Starlight raised her eyes to mistress tilting her head in intelligent doggy way of understanding. She moved over to Raenera rest her large head on Raena's lap. She scratched behind Starlight's ears. It caused Starlight to relax back into her lap.
"You seem to quite taken with King Robb's direwolf Greywind"
Starlight barked in return of her comment. Raenera knelt down next to Starlight looking her in the eye. Before, she started to pet her.
"What about me huh? Robb is quite handsome but it will never happen Starlight. I have accepted that fact. In another world I could be happy with him but not now in this one. I know what I am. And I wear it like badge of honor so they cannot hurt me. I only ever like one Lannister, Tyrion. He was only one of them that saw any value in me. He told me to wear me being bastard proudly." Raenera started.
She remembered Tyrion words better than thing. It was five years ago after Joffery had smacked her across her face, calling her a bastard causing the hound to laugh at her face. She ran away to the library in the red keep. Starlight put her paw on Raenera shoulder tearing the switches. It was enough to break Raenera memory. She looked at Starlight rubbing her paw.
"Robb has always been out of my league. King Robert only did it because he thought I was Jon Arryn's daughter. I have a better chance of finding a husband in Umber's soldiers then I do a high lord or now a king, girl." Raenera stated.
"I would not be so sure of that" Robb stated.
Raenera turned and looked at him with wide eyes. She stood up pulling the robe closer. Her hands crossed over her body. She adverted her eyes from his face. Greywind ran into her tent coming over to Starlight. She watched them play for a moment. Robb came over closer to her, taking one of her hands in his.
"Forgive the intrusion Raenera."
"Think nothing of it Robb"
There was a silence that filled the tent for a moment. Her eyes met his once before she looked away biting down on her bottom lip. Robb brought his hand to his chin where a beard had started to grow rubbing his chin trying to decide how to best proceed. Raenera sat down on the bed in room. She brought her eyes back to Robb with smile.
"So Robb what bring here tonight?"
"I'm not so sure you belong across the narrow seas. I mean you are an Umber. Their home has always been in North."
"Oh really" Raenera giggled.
Her laugher hit him in way he never expected. He smiled sit down next to her. He watched her for moment as the firelight dance across her features.
"Really,"
"What makes you so sure?"
"We are betrothed"
Raenera looked at him in shock before she shook her head. She stood up turning away from him shaking her head.
"No. We aren't. You father never agreed." Raenera started
"Oh but he did; it was in letter you carried here."
"How do you know…Never mind that? You can't"
"You will find I can"
"Are you insane? You're a king. It not about what you want anymore. It is about what is best for your people. And trust me, that is not me" Raenera stated turning on Robb.
Greywind and Starlight looked up from their playing. Robb eyes caught her eyes. He could see it then the grace and intelligence in her eyes that just could not be hidden. She shook head no. He could see her hands nearly shaking with fear.
"I'll marry you. It is you or no one. It is what my father wanted." Robb stated standing up
"Robb, this isn't about honoring your father. I respected him. But I cannot do this to you. You have no idea what you are asking me to do. Do you realized how big of target you are right now, with you in open rebellion against Joffery winning or not. You are in danger. But marrying me if word got out…I can't with good conscience do it. Not to Arya or Sansa or your mother." Raenera admitted sinking down into the bed with her eyes close.
Starlight sensing Raenera distress came over rest her head on her lap. She let out a low whine. It was a familiar weight it caused Raenera to scratch behind Starlight ear. Suddenly, the familiar weight seemed to double it was enough to make Raenera open her eyes. She looked down only to find beside Starlight head now was Greywind head. She moved her other hand to scratch behind his ear. His tongue fell out and his wagged his tail as she shower attention on him. Robb laughed. It was that made Raenera look at him.
"If I marry you and word got out. You have a few families that would join you, mostly the ones that still called King Robert usurper. But the threat to you would go will double. They have driven all the rest of the Targaryens from this land other then Maester Aemon who is the Night's Watch. Do you long for that iron chair because that would be what those families would want?"
"No" Robb said sitting down next to her.
Robb really looked at her. He realized she had seen too much in the capital. That it had affected her in ways still. He reached stilling her hand. She met his eyes again.
"I'll make you a deal."
"I'm listening"
"If I haven't changed you mind by the time we reach the coast. I'll marry Walder Frey daughter like I promised I would. But if you change your mind you will marry me. Regardless of the threat you see."
"Robb"
"Raenera, let me worry about it just say yes."
"Okay, but you should know I can be quite stubborn."
"I would expect nothing less from you. I'll leave you to your rest. Good Night Raenera. Come on Greywind." Robb said get up to leave.
"Good Night Robb"
As the tent flap closed leaving Raenera with Starlight. She was in state of shock. She looked to the heavens for a moment. She was trying to understand why Lord Eddard Stark ever agreed to the match. It made no sense to her.
"What do you think girl?"
Starlight barked and wagged her tail. It caused Raenera to shake her head. She took off the robe revealing the nightdress. She placed the robe over the chair in the room.
"Come on let go to bed." Raenera said as she blew out the few candle in the tent leaving only the fire-pit going.