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Thank you for your support. I am glad you like the last chapter. I hope you like this chapter.
Ned stood on a balcony of Red Keep. His eyes watching the dragons that danced over the sea. The night was still upon them but he could not sleep. So much had changed in the time he was away. His eldest boy was a man and a father in his own right and now a King. Sansa was ever the lady. She was betrothed to Smalljon Umber. At least it was Northern Lord. They seemed to really be suited for each other. They cared about each other already it clear to see. He still saw as his little girl.
"They are beautiful aren't they," Rae said coming on to the balcony.
Ned turned and looked at his good-daughter. She was dress in night dress still and long robe covering her gown. Her dark hair was down. She did not look like the queen she was but the young scared woman that he met in King's Landing. It reminded him how young she and Robb truly were to have this mantle on their shoulders. Her eyes traveled to where Selaera and Drogon were dancing above the Red Keep. She had grown into a Queen worth following. It was easy to see why all the Lords flocked to her. And she was smart enough to choose a husband that would not use her. She was fitting Queen of Winter. She came forward resting her hands on the cold stone her eyes lingered on the dragons dancing above them.
"Beautiful is not the word I would use, but yes they are," Ned said with a laugh.
"People thought dragons were gone from the world…" Rae's voice trailed off as she watched them.
It was if one or more of them were going to disappear from her view. She was making sure they were still there. Ned could tell Rae was hiding something. He looked at her for a long moment before he placed his hand on her shoulder. Her eyes met his.
"What are their names?" Ned asked.
"Mine are Rhaenys she is the purple and gold one, Visenya is the color of Weirwood tree and finally Selaera she reminds me of the night sky. My half sister, Daeny's are Rhaegal he is the green one, Viserion he the cream one and finally their Drogon the one that is colors of the Targaryen's sigil," Rae said. Her eyes landed on each dragon as she mentioned their names. Ned watched in fascination as she pointed them out. It was like she telling him about his grandchildren. She looked at Ned for a long moment. He looked like he had not slept yet tonight. "Trouble sleeping," Rae questioned.
"Yes, much has changed since I last seen my family. They have grown. I nearly don't recognize them. I could ask you the same thing," Ned commented.
"Many things have changed, most for the best, I hope," Rae said with a tiny smile on her face. She looked out the city again. She knew she had to tell him how she knew but it was still hard. She was afraid what would say if the people knew about her gift. "Dreams and nightmares plague my sleep. That is how I knew about your promise to your sister. The gods showed it to me. They have shown me so much. I cannot explain," Rae revealed.
"Then you know," Ned asked.
"Yes, I know he is my nephew. We found a record of their marriage. Robb already made him Jon Stark and his heir until Torrhen becomes of age. Now he will be known as Jon Targaryen," Rae told Ned.
Rae amethyst eyes met Ned's eyes. He regarded her for a moment. He looked out the city that would need to be rebuilt. He was debating whether to tell her or not.
"Jaehaerys Targaryen. It was what Lyanna named him," Ned revealed.
Rae moved to bench on the balcony. She motioned for Ned to sit near her. She knew she could not do that Jon. To take away his identity that he knew all his life.
"Then I will change his name to Jon," Rae told Ned. Ned looked at her in shock. He would think that she would tell him Jon would be named Jaehaerys here after. But there was something in her eyes that told him that she would reveal more of herself than many had seen. "He grew up as Jon. He lived his life as Jon. He made vows as Jon. He knows himself as Jon. It will be hard enough to accept that he is the legitimate son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. To change everything about who he thinks is would be something I would never do. I cannot take his identity from him. It would be cruel," Rae said with tears in her eyes.
Ned laid a comforting arm around her shoulders. It was clear she was reliving her own reveal of who she was really. He wondered when Jon Arryn told her who she really was.
"How old were you when you learned the truth?" Ned asked.
"Five, I thought I was his. I overheard that I was not even his when Lady Lysa and my father had an argument about me. And at the time was known as Raena or Rae which are shortening forms of my full name, Raenera. Jaehaerys would be changing Jon full name," Rae explained.
They sat their silence for a long moment. There were many things he long to ask but at the same time, he did not want to disturb the silence. They were taking comfort in each other. He had to agree with her.
"So, what are you going to do?" Ned asked finally breaking the silence.
"Offer him the throne. It's his by birthright," Rae said.
"The people rallied for you. You and Robb won the Seven Kingdoms back. They will want you on the throne, not someone that just has a better birthright who has never left the North. You have seen much of the kingdoms that you now rule. You belong on the throne. I hate to admit it you always had it in you. I could see it in you, you will be a better ruler than Robert ever dreamed of being," Ned told her.
"You are wise Lord Stark, perhaps you can help me. I have a problem," Rae said.
"What the problem," Ned asked.
"You know the crown is in debt. You know how much perhaps more now that they went to war against us. The remaining Lannister's have agreed to pay off half of what the crown owes to Iron Bank in exchange for complete pardons. Originally I planned to melt down the Iron Throne to pay off the rest. But now I cannot do it. Robb and I have tossed around ideas, from asking Tyrells or Martells for the rest of the money. But as you know they will want something in return. A seat on our small council seems too little of a prize at least to Tyrells. And the Martells has always done as they pleased," Rae said.
"The Tyrells are the second richest family. How about a marriage alliance? You have three children already. I hear Lady Margaery has a son, Garth if I am right. You could promise one of your daughters to him along with a seat on the Small Council," Ned counseled.
"But the question is to which one?" Rae said coming already to the terms that she would have to betroth one of her children to get the money they needed.
"Which one of your daughters is oldest?" Ned asked.
"Lilliyan," Rae answered.
"There your answer, my queen," Ned said.
"Everything alright," Robb asked coming on to the balcony.
"Fine," Ned and Rae said at the same time.
Robb took one look on Rae's face. He could tell that she had seen something else. He shook his head. He came over to where she was sitting kneeling down in front of her. He took her hands in his gently rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.
"Sweetheart what did you see," Robb asked.
"Dragons falling from the sky…winter …death… haunting blue eyes, not like yours. They are a darker blue and something I will never forget as long as I live," Rae revealed her voice trailed off after each statement of what she saw. As if she was remembering each detail in haunting memory.
Ned looked at Rae in horror. That would explain her eyes lingering on dragons that flew around them. If she was them fall from the sky. He turned his eyes to Robb who looked at him debating what to say to make it right. They nodded in understanding of one another. Before, they both looked back at Rae.
"It was horrid dream, sweetheart, nothing more," Robb reassured.
"They still fly in the sky, my queen. It was nightmare likely brought on by the coming trial by combat tomorrow. Speaking of which I think would be wise if we all get some rest," Ned said.
Rae was preparing for the day. Clarysse was tying the back of gown closed. It was Targaryen red in color with silver dragons, direwolves and flower sewn onto sleeves and bodice. The sleeves she belled out at her elbows and had bands of dragons chasing direwolves around them in silver. A similar trim was around the v-neckline of the gown. The gown was made from satin and silks. Clarysse moved away allowing Rae to sit down. Evalyne moved forward starting brush out Rae's hair. Her hands trembled with each stroke. Rae placed her hand over Evalyne's hand causing Evalyne to stop brushing Rae's hair. Their eyes met Evalyne hazel eyes met Rae amethyst eyes.
"Go, be with your children and husband. It will be trying day for both of us," Rae said understanding what Evalyne was feeling.
"Thank you, your grace," Evalyne said with a bow.
Clarysse came forward to take up Evalyne task. She looked at Clarysse through the mirror.
"Leave me," Rae ordered.
"Yes, your grace," Clarysse said bowing leaving the room.
Rae stared at herself in the mirror. Her mind was on the coming battle with Robb and Jaime. She would hate to see anything happen to either one of them. Yes, it would be until one of them yielded but it was still live steel they would be fighting with. Any one wrong move could result in one or both of them being hurt or killed. She did not know how long she sat there contemplating what could happen. When a knocked sounded at the door, Rae turned and looked toward the door. Her eyes went wide at the sight of distraught Jaime Lannister. He looked like he had not slept at all last night. He was not clean shaven and had tear tracks down his face. His shirt was not clean or neatly tucked into his trousers like normal. He looked like he had been lying in the dirt for hours.
"Your Grace, I need to speak with you," Jaime said.
Rae motioned him into the room with the maids that were cleaning up the room. Ser Markas stood by the door ever the watchful guard. He eyed Jaime for a moment. Jaime's eyes eyed everyone in the room before settling on Rae's face.
"Alone," Jaime said.
Rae nodded her head. She rose from her chair Starlight her constant companion followed beside her. Rae offered Jaime her arm as she reached him.
Jaime and Rae made their way to where the Dragon skulls were located. He looked around the chamber with a concerned look. Rae looked around the room. It was the one place that very few people knew about. And the ones that did were preparing for the trial by combat.
"What is it that you need to speak with me about Lord Jaime," Rae questioned.
Jaime did not say anything for a time. He came forward dropping to his knees in front of Rae. He took her hand bowing his head.
"Your Grace, I need your pardon. I have done something. That many will call for my head for. I did what I thought was best for my children, my wife and you," Jaime rambled on.
"What have you done?" Rae asked cupping his chin in her one hand.
"I killed her," Jaime confessed.
Rae had a questioning look on her face. The tears started to fall again down Jaime's face. He knew this would likely lead to his own death. In a way, Cersei was right that when her heart stopped he was living on borrowed time.
"Cersei. I could not risk hurting, His Grace. Then my mind went to if I won. Cersei would never stop until Evalyne and my daughters were dead and out of the way. You were right she longs for power. She always has. She would kill any that stands in her way to get it. I thought all rulers were like that. Until you, you did not want power. You wanted to help people but power was given to you. I knew in that moment if Cersei would live she would not stop until she killed you as well. You who took all she cared about from her and protected them even from her. I once thought that dragons were the only story told children to make them behave. But I know now that a dragon is not only beast brought to life by magic. But it also is person destined to great things. I lay my life in your hands, Your Grace. And beg you to forgive me for the crime I have committed in your name," Jaime confessed.
Rae was silent for a long moment as she contemplated what his confession meant. There would be those that would call for murderer hunt if it was found that Cersei was murder. Her mind was spinning she was trying to figure out a way that Jaime would not lose his life in the process.
"You are forgiven. I, Raenera Stark first of her name, Queen in the North, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady Regnant of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the realm, hereby pardon Lord Jaime Lannister of all crimes he has committed in my name. Including the murder of my father, the murder of his sister Cersei Lannister," Rae started. Jaime looked at in shock. He was sure she would sentence him to die. He bowed his head and mutter thank you over and over again. "Don't thank me yet, you have to tell your son and wife what happened," Rae ordered.
Rae sat on the Iron Throne when Tyrion, Robb, Ned, and Catelyn came into the Throne room. Robb came up to Rae kissing her softly. She smiled at him as he was dressed in his full armor. Tyrion was shocked to see Rae so at ease when the trial with husband was about to take place. Ned bowed them hold Catelyn close to him. It was nice to see his son so happy with his wife.
"My King, My Lords, and Lady there will be no trial today. Cersei Lannister was found dead in the early dawn hours this morning. The New and Old gods saw her as guilty of the crimes that she was to be tried for and took her," Rae revealed.
"How did she die?" Tyrion asked.
"Her heart stopped, her body will burn after the nooning meal. After such event, her ashes will be given to Lord Jaime to lay her to rest with the rest of her family at Casterly Rock." Rae lied as she explained what was to happen.
Tyrion nodded his mind was reeling from the information. He did not catch Rae's lie. But Catelyn and Robb caught the lie and even Ned had a hint that was not the full truth. Tyrion bowed his head and head off to dress for a funeral. Once he was out of ear shot. Catelyn and Robb turned and looked at Rae in shock.
"Please tell you did not order her death," Catelyn said.
"No," Rae said.
"It was a lie that her heart stopped Rae. I can tell when you lie sweetheart. You cannot look me in eye when you lie," Robb revealed.
"You are right," Rae said.
"Then how did she die," Ned asked.
"She was murder by Lord Jaime. He strangled her to death. He did it out of no one order but for his wife and children. He could not risk hurting you either," Rae told them.
"He has to be punished for crimes," Catelyn urged.
"He has punished himself enough. I understand the reasons he did it. And yes, it is wrong. I ask you this if you were in his shoes would you be able to do the same. He must live the guilt for the rest of his life that he killed his sister. His first love," Rae said.
"There not a man alive out their Robb that would risk hurting you, now that you're King. As much as I may hate it Rae is right. Lord Jaime will punish himself enough," Ned explained.
"Nothing has changed I am still capable of defending myself," Robb argued.
"But you are the King," Ned and Rae said at the same time.
Later, everyone stood on the platform with funeral pyre was built. Rae held Daeny's hand if she knew what was going through Daeny's mind. The last Funeral pyre she was at Khal Drogo. Daeny looked over to Rae with the ghost of a smile on her face. It was nice to have a family that truly cared about one another. She had been accepted into Stark family. Jaime stood near his wife with tears in his eyes. Evalyne laid a comforting hand on his arm. Tommen had tears in his eyes as he watched as guards placed his mother body on the pyre.
"Here in sights of New and Old Gods, we lay Cersei of House Lannister to rest. The trail that was to take place today had already been decided by the Gods. Now we return her body to the gods," Robb spoke like a true king.
Robb took the torch from the guard hand light the pyre. The flames consumed the pyre. They all watched as flames licked the gown Cersei dead body wore. Rae eyes suddenly went glassy gray. She went limp in Daeny's arms.
Rae was at The Wall. She could see her herself dress all in black her belly extended. It was clear she was with child again. She was watching a scene play out belong her. She was not in her own body. It was an early night. Snow was falling as Drogon, Selaera, Rhaenys, Rhaegal, Visenya, and Viserion circled over head. There were men of the Nightwatch and Wildling alike stand along with Stark soldiers. Robb stood by Rae's side with tears running down his face. The sun was setting. There were a group of men, in chains, they were men of the Nightwatch. One looked at her with fire in his eyes. There was a young boy that looked at her with hatred. A small ice white and icy blue baby dragon climbed up her gown coming from the snow covered ground as she walked over to different pyre. On the pyre was the body of the man she did not know around his body was three dragon eggs. One was the dragon egg that Torrhen had found. The other two she did not know where they came from. One was blue and pale green accents and other was amethyst colored with emerald green accents.
"Dracarys," Rae voiced said.
There inside the Weirwood tree in the center of it entangled in roots was three eyed raven. A child of the forest led Hodor, Meera Reed, and Bran Stark to him. She ran around touching the roots. A raven cawed. A man in the roots turned and looked at Bran and people that came into his cave. His eyes went from glassed over gray like to his natural eye color. Hodor placed Bran down near the roots. He looked unsure. Bran slowly crawled forward only using his arms. Meera held back near the entrance to the room.
"You're the three-eyed raven?" Bran asked.
"I've been many things. Now I am what you see," Brynden Rivers answered.
"My brother, he lead us to you… now he is…" Meera told him near tears.
"He knew what would happen. From the moment he left, he knew and went anyway," Brynden Rivers answered in an uncaring way.
"How do you know?" Meera demanded.
"I've been watching you all of you, all of your lives with 1,000 eyes and one. Now you've come to me at last, Brandon Stark. Though the hour is late," Brynden Rivers said.
"I didn't want anyone to die for me," Bran said.
"He died so you could find what you have lost," Brynden Rivers answered.
"You're going to help me walk again," Bran asked in wonder.
"You will never walk again. But you will fly," Brynden Rivers told him.