DISCLAIMER: Chapter prologue.

Chapter rating: T

XVII

Rhaenyra shifted softly as Rhaella lifted her head, she had been sitting out among the muddy bank once again, avoiding everyone. Nudging her arm once again the female purred and rubbed against her mother's shoulder. Rhaenys and Alysanne quickly joined, they seemed to realize something was wrong with their mother and tried to comfort her.

"Shh," she shushed, laying against Rhaella's front. The female purred in content at aiding her mother and softly closed her eyes, Alysanne tensed and started to growl with warning. Understanding that she was in proximity danger to her daughters, quickly rolled away from Rhaella who turned to face her enemy with Rhaenys somewhat covering her hide. Rhaenyra stayed knelt behind the dragons, she was more valuable as a hostage now and knew her best shot was to remain hidden. Rhaella shrieked loudly and drew herself up a bit high, enough to block her mother with her sisters aide.

"Your Grace," a man called out as the dragons snarled and spat out their warnings. "Please calm them down. I bring you no ill will girl," he spoke softly. Who came out surprised her. It was Ser Barristan Selmy, a man who used to serve her father and then Robert Baratheon, why was he here?

"Tell me why you are here," she ordered as he nodded. Understanding that her distrust was for her own safety.

"When King Robert died, King Joffrey dismissed me from his service," he started as her eyes widened. "So I left, I decided that if I would not serve a just ruler. I will protect my former King's only living blood," he decided before producing something for the girl to gasp in shock. It was Ice, the Valyrian steel greatsword of House Stark.

"Kelītīs," she demanded. Used to the word as she effortlessly pushed through her growling children, softly using both hands to pull the blade from its scabbard before nearly vomiting as she saw bloodstains over the steel. "They-"

"Yes," he spoke, solemnly, knowing the dishonor they put on this family blade. Carefully she put it back before looking into the man's eyes as she looked back to the castle she stayed in.

"Come," she urged before shoving through her dragons, beckoning the knight to follow. He did so with some caution as the dragons' heads were nearing his hips, he heard rumors and assumed they were smaller. The red one growled if he walked too close to Rhaenyra, hissing softly if he stared too long. "Do not mind them, they do that to intimidate others," Rhaenyra soothed as he smirked.

"It does well. They are small now but will grow to become bigger," he remembered going with Rhaegar down to see the dragon skulls, from smallest to largest. He even did it with young Rhaenys who sat on her father's arm.

"The noisy one is Rhaella, Alysanne my blue girl and Rhaenys is the golden one," she informed as he nearly faltered. The names, two of the three were her direct blood.

"Good names, Your Grace," he praised as she smirked softly.

"Everyone tells me that. Our ancestors named them after our gods. I will admit that I do not remember their names as well as I should," Rhaenyra claimed as he smirked. "So I chose family names, I do not know why I chose Alysanne, but Rhaella was mother and Rhaenys was my niece," she told as they entered through the bridge as the dragons flew above the gate, keeping pace and visual on their mother. Robb, who had woken to his wife missing and no flying dragons, was looking for her. He froze at seeing her with Ser Barristan. "Robb," she greeted as he approached her with caution.

"Rhaenyra, what's going on?" he asked using her full name which wasn't usual. He was agitated with her.

"Ser Barristan had been dismissed from the Kingsguard. It appears that fool of a King has no mind for the oaths, obviously no one taught him that," she growled as he tensed. Grey Wind who reached Robb's waist came up to the knight, sniffing his hand and stared at him for the moment. "But he also has delivered something My Love," she spoke softly as he narrowed his eyes confused at her words. Turning to the knight she nodded as he gave a single nod before producing the covered sword for Robb to look in shock at seeing his father's sword.

"I am sorry I could retrieve your sisters, Your Grace. I would have fought to bring them with me too," Barristan spoke as he carefully offered the sword to the Northern King. Robb still dazed carefully took the blade and closed his eyes, gripping it tightly as many looked down in sorrow.

"What do you want?" he asked as the old man shook his head.

"Nothing. But to serve the right ruler," he spoke, eyes going to Rhaenyra who stood straighter in tense waiting for a response.

"To serve my wife?" Robb asked, she already had a protector, Rudy who slowly came in with Valaena and Lynara, the Valyrian woman nearly tripped at seeing the old guard.

"I gave my oath to serve the Targaryen family and could not do that. So as Robert had been my King, my vows have now allowed me to come to beg the forgiveness of Queen Rhaenyra, to serve House Stark and House Targaryen," he claimed as Robb stared him down for what felt like forever. But it was only moments as he nodded.

"Who do you pledge to?" he asked as Barristan paused.

"If it would not offend Your Grace, I would pledge my sword to Your Queen," he claimed as Robb smirked, giving a nod as he retrieved his sword from Theon, who quickly offered it.

"I would not be offended, I would be honored that a man of your status would want to defend my wife," he smiled, being honest as Ser Barristan saw it. "Do you remember?" he asked Rhaenyra who paused.

"I think so," she mused as the dragons came from the open windows. Softly taking her husband's sword Ser Barristan knelt in front of her as she turned to him, gripping the metal oddly in her grasp. Facing him she raised it, touching his shoulder.

"In the name of the Warrior I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father I charge you to be just," switching to his right shoulder. "In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent," before returning to his left shoulder. "In the name of the Maid I charge you to protect all women," she finished as he bowed his head to her.

"I offer my services Queen Rhaenyra. I will shield your back and keep your counsel and give my life for yours if need be. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New," Ser Barristan swore as she smiled.

"And I vow that you shall always have a place by my hearth, and meat and mead at my table. And I pledge to ask no service of you that might bring you dishonor. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New. Arise," she ordered as he did so.

"I promise to protect you from all harm, Your Grace, I will shield you and defend your honor. To my last breath," Rhaenyra knew why he added this. She and Robb would be his final rulers.

XVII

"Love?" Rhaenyra called as she came to her praying husband. She had originally had Rudy and Barristan stop at the opening of the Godswood, especially when the dragons flew overhead. The two surprisingly were getting along, Rudy told him everything he should know. But Robb was not praying, he was in fact petting Grey Wind while sitting at the base of the Heart Tree. "Are you okay?" she asked softly sitting at his side.

"It's nothing," he mused as she kissed his cheek while petting Rhaenys who landed and shrieked at them. The dragons were usually flying further from her daily but still stayed nearby, Alysanne most of all, though the other two would always join her when she'd walk around outside.

"Go you stubborn thing," Rhaenyra ordered as Robb smirked while the golden female hissed again, plopping right down beside Grey Wind who nudged her a bit. "What's wrong?" she asked Robb who frowned. "Ro-"

"I have to try and make peace terms and I'm not sure I can do that," Robb told her as she tilted her softly.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"My lords have suggested that I create borderlines for the North and South, so that way if someone comes into the North they'll know where. But I have been thinking of some other things to address though, as I've said, I do not know how," he admitted as she hummed softly.

"Why not ask Prince Oberyn or Ser Barristan. They've both served among leaders. They might know," Rhaenyra would rather her husband be prepared knowing everything he would need to. "Peace terms, aren't in my best area," she claimed as he laughed.

"Better than mine possibly," he trailed off as Rhaella hissed suddenly making both turn and see her snarling at Ice. "I know girl," he whispered sadly.

"I am so sorry Robb," Rhaenyra teared up, knowing her husband would never accept the blade as it took his father's head. No one should be killed with their own sword, it's an insult to them and their family.

"We can't do anything about it," he claimed as she gently took his hand. "But I will talk with them about the terms," he said as she smiled.

"You know won't agree to anything," Rhaenyra frowned Cersei Lannister will not allow her family to lose anymore power than they already have.

"I know," he spoke as she laid her head against his shoulder. "But I'm still supposed to send them," he pressed a kiss to her forehead as she sighed, eyes closing. "You've been more tired," he frowned suddenly as she looked up, her violet eyes piercing his.

"Oh that's a nice thing to say," Rhaenyra joked, grinning as he laughed with a scoff.

"I mean," he emphasized while she giggled, petting Alysanne who trilled softly. "You always have your eyes closed," he mused as she hummed curious.

"I don't know," she shrugged, snuggling more against Robb's side as he nuzzled her hair.

"Try and get some sleep. I'll have the terms by tomorrow," he decided as she nodded and pressed a kiss to his lips. Grey Wind gave off a soft growl when the air shifted, Rhaella confused lifted her head and sniffed the air, not sure at what, she shuffled closer to Grey Wind and laid her growing head across his back. Watching the darkness with her amber eyes, the direwolf watched his master and his mate, both seemed to want to rest for the moment and their animals would allow it. Alysanne calmly settled herself on one side while Rhaenys coiled around the tree.

XVII

Rhaenyra sat upright in her spot on the bed, petting Rhaenys who laid her head across her lap, staring at Robb with shock. He was standing braced against the chair at his desk.

"You want to do what?" she asked agitated.

"I want to ask him everything," Robb claimed as she sighed. Softly shoving Rhaenys' head off her lap she stood, still dressed in her slip as she had been sleeping before he stormed in, alarming Rhaella who had laid across the bed, napping with her mother. Recognizing the male as her mother's mate she left the room before her golden sister joined, Ser Barristan had taken to guarding her door while she slept. Rudy had gone to eat and rest, Robb was grateful his wife had two guards who seemed to co-exist with one another with ease. Theon had suggested his guard of the lord's sons or in Mormont's case daughter, who was as strong as Smalljon and could beat Theon's ass with ease, they were his own guard and he had lost a few during the battles he'd been in.

"Fine," she agreed with ease to his shock. "But I am joining," he instantly started to shake his head. "He killed my father, your family is the closest thing to family I have had since I was a young girl. And you are my family," she spoke as he sighed with a growl. "The dragons will be joining us, you know that," she spoke as Robb smirked with a chuckle.

"It is a good thing our guards have been leaving the windows open a bit for the fresh air," he mused as she agreed with a giggle before retrieving a dress that was a simple one. Carefully they made their way down to the dungeons and came across Baela standing nearby with a frown on her face. "Baela?" Robb asked worried as she looked to him with a glare.

"Are you going to ask him?" she asked softly as Robb nodded with a frown of his own.

"I'm so sorry but-"

"Don't worry Robb," she spoke softly with a lighter look in her eyes. "I don't even want to be here," she held her hands up as she walked off. Rhaenyra sighed softly.

"Do the lords not trust her?" she asked irritated now.

"Some are till a bit touchy about Jaime killing some of their people and sons," Robb explained as she glared. "But I know. She's a Northern raised child, you figured they'd trust her too," he growled not understanding the new distrust in his childhood friend. But as they approached, they saw how Jaime was kept. Robb had made sure someone changed his straw and to give comfort to Valaena made sure a female servant gave him food and water. Some of his lord's weren't happy with him giving Jaime resources. But as Ser Barristan had hinted and made sure Robb knew, as King, he did make a choice but always made sure to take into account this advisor's suggestions. So that did indeed quite many of the men when Robb ordered that he was doing so to make sure he could trade a perfectly healthy hostage for another.

"King in the North," Jaime drawled out before freezing at seeing Rhaenyra step out from around her husband. "And the Queen," he spoke softer and from what Robb heard, not as sarcastic as his was. "Robb and his mother I have seen but you, you rarely ever come down here," Jaime claimed as Robb glared.

"We are not here to give you idly chat Lannister," his voice cold as Rhaenyra kept her emotionless eyes on Jaime who turned from it.

"You haven't even left for battle, you stay here in Riverrun," the man continued, ignoring Robb's glare. "Have you gotten your fill already? Ready to return to the life where you and your wife pretended to rule Winterfell?" Jaime was desperate. Rhaenyra could see that. He knows what lives here in Riverrun.

"Oh don't you worry," Robb reassured his prisoner. "I won't be staying here long," he claimed as Rhaenyra looked to him confused for the moment. "Did you know that Stannis Baratheon had sent out a letter to all the lords and ladies of the Seven Kingdoms," Robb claimed as Rhaenyra produced the letter.

"It contains sensitive information that could be deadly in the right hands," she spoke out while Jaime looked to her.

"It refers to our new 'King'," Robb spat making the Lannister glare. "King Joffrey Baratheon is neither a true king nor a true Baratheon, like his brother and sister. It says here that their your bastard sons and daughter."

"Well then Stannis is the rightful ruler, how convenient," Jaime snarled, chest tightening in fear.

"Ned Stark lost his head because he learned of this," Rhaenyra growled, she heard the telltale of scratching against the stone.

"If you remember I was your prisoner," Jaime deflected as he glared.

"And it was your son who had him murdered," Robb continued as Rhaenyra slowly turned as she heard growling. "So the world wouldn't learn who fathered him. But you... you pushed my brother from a window because he saw you with your sister," Robb growled as Jaime spoke up quickly. Rhaenyra could see he was becoming desperate to keep the topic off that particular subject.

"You have the proof?" he asked as Robb glared.

"I will be sending one of your cousins to Kings Landing with my peace terms," Robb spoke out as Jaime scoffed.

"You don't know my father if you think he will treat with you," Jaime cautioned, sounding like he was talking to a boy as Robb's eye twitched.

"No but he's starting to know me," Robb spoke as Rhaenyra felt a nudge to her back.

"Three victories do not make you a conqueror boy," Jaime growled as Robb's face twitched. "Don't like being called boy?"

"It's better than three defeats. But you insult yourself Kingslayer," Robb began before Grey Wind's growl echoed through the hallway, Rhaella remained in the shadows but nudged her mother who pet her softly. "You've been defeated by boy, captured by boy. By the end of this you might even be killed by a boy," Robb suggested as Jaime looked to Grey Wind, the size of an elkhound at a year old, who advanced slowly with a growl before Rhaella decided to join. Jaime's heart nearly gave out seeing the dragon. Compared to the direwolf she was still considered small, but she'd grow, he knew her glowing eyes terrified him.

"You better hope they agree Ser Jaime," Rhaenyra hoped as she turned and left with Robb who ordered guards back as Grey Wind snarled, advancing on Jaime with Rhaella who growled and hissed, throat lighting up as the man gasped softly in fear. But it was the direwolf who stunned him by snapping its jaws so close Jaime flinched and when he opened his eyes, both were gone. The door was closed as a guard sighed in relief while the other cleared their throat.

XVII

Sitting in the Great Hall of Riverrun, Rhaenyra sat upright and alongside Robb, both wearing their crowns, while Catelyn stood away from them with her brother and uncle. Olyvar Frey offered his King his sword to be bared across his lap, Barristan and Theon stood on either side of their leaders as the prisoner was being led in. Ser Barristan whispered Ser Cleos Frey in Rhaenyra's ear as she nudged Robb, whispering the same thing as he gave a subtle nod.

"Ser Cleos Frey," Robb announced as the man gave a jump that the King of the North knew his name.

"Kneel before the king, Lannister," Rodrick snarled as the man did so fearfully.

"Rise," Robb ordered as the prisoner was hoisted up. But he nearly fell backwards when Rhaenys came out from hiding from her mother and Ser Barristan who smirked at the usually passive dragon roared while Grey Wind's simple appearance made the man fall back. Many made comparisons to the dragon's size to Grey Wind, who came to Robb's waist, the dragon's head herself came to the direwolf's shoulder. The two creatures were imposing as it was, the man was hoisted back to his feet as the dragon coiled herself around her mother, stretching herself across her lap.

"T-thank you, My Lord-"

"Your Grace," Umber growled out as the man jumped. Rhaenyra held in her smirk as she heard Theon chuckle for the moment. Greatjon Umber has actually grown close to his queen and closer to his king, his laughter didn't startle her dragons anymore, something he praised himself for as they used to shriek at loud men. Ser Barristan could see the acceptance in the dragons' eyes of certain people, certain men could be near their mother without them puffing up. But the former Kingsguard member could see the true loyalty in this northern lord whose son was bigger than him, he was rumored to be the one to proclaim his leaders; King and Queen.

"Pardon Your Grace," he spoke shakily as the young man fearfully looked to the animals and people surrounding him.

"I brought you from your cell to deliver something to your cousin the Queen Regent," Robb spoke, making sure to use Cersei's new title as just the king's mother. "You will travel under a peace banner and thirty of our best men. But once you return with your cousin's reply, you will continue to be a prisoner of mine," Robb ordered as the man nodded.

"Yes I will go to King's Landing and return with a reply from the Queen. Then resume my stay here," he agreed as Edmure stepped forward.

"Everyone here has heard you. Should you run the whole realm will know you forsworn," he warned as the knight jumped.

"I will do I as I have pledged," he swore once again. "What message is it Your Grace?" he asked the King of the North.

"A peace treaty," he spoke as he stood. The hall went quiet besides the sudden hiss from the golden she-dragon watching her father approach the strange man, sword in hand as Grey Wind clung to his side. "Tell the Queen Regent that I will give her peace if she meets my terms. I will sheath my sword and we will return back North," he spoke as he motioned to the weapon as Grey Wind growled. "Olyvar, the paper." The squire received the paper from the seated queen and traded the parchment for the sword from the king he turned to the cousin of Cersei Lannister. Unrolling the parchment he read off;

"First the queen is to release my sisters and provide them with transport by sea from King's Landing to White Harbor. It is to be understood that Sansa's betrothal to Joffrey Baratheon is at an end as well. When I receive word from my castellan that my sisters have returned unharmed to Winterfell, I will release the queen's cousins, the squire Willem Lannister and your brother Tion Frey, and give them safe escort to Casterly Rock or wheresoever she desires them delivered," he started off as Ser Barristan watched the mens' faces, knowing some might not like them. "Second, my lord father's bones will be returned to us, so he may rest beside his brother and sister in the crypts beneath Winterfell, as he would have wished. The remains of the men of his household guard who died in his service at King's Landing must also be returned to their kin," Robb spoke as Rhaenyra closed her eyes feeling tears building up before willing them down. "Thirdly, the queen will command her father Lord Tywin to release those knights and lords bannermen of mine that he took captive in the battle on the Green Fork of the Trident. Once he does so, I shall release my own captives taken in the Whispering Wood and the Battle of the Camps, save Jaime Lannister alone, who will remain my hostage for his father's good behavior. Lastly, King Joffrey and the Queen Regent must renounce all claims to dominion over the north. Henceforth we are no part of their realm, but a free and independent kingdom, as of old. Our domain shall include all the Stark lands north of the Neck, and in addition the lands watered by the River Trident and its vassal streams, bounded by the Golden Tooth to the west and the Mountains of the Moon in the east," Robb finished as Rhaella landed with a deafening shriek at the Lannister man who looked to her fearfully, she looked bigger than Rhaenys who tensed up as chants of King in the North started up.

"How much did you help with that?" Rhaenyra whispered as Ser Barristan chuckled.

"Just a bit, he in fact did most on his own. Claiming his mother's lands were a good choice, Your Grace. A good food source like the Reach," he informed as Rhaenyra nodded listening.

"Lord Tywin must withdraw beyond these borders, and cease his raiding, burning, and pillage. The Queen Regent and her son shall make no claims to taxes, incomes, nor service from my people, and shall free my lords and knights from all oaths of fealty, vows, pledges, debts, and obligations owed to the Iron Throne and the Houses Baratheon and Lannister. If he disregards this command, they shall suffer the same fate as my father, only I don't need a servant to do my beheading for me," Robb growled out as Rhaenyra tensed up.

"I believe there was one more thing we chose My King?" Rhaenyra called out softly, acting like a forgetful queen for the moment. Theon barely contained his laughter as Ser Barristan gave a small smirk. Robb smirked at his wife while the Frey man who thought the queen was just a simple woman sitting there became terrified at her saying there was more.

"Additionally, the Lannisters shall deliver ten highborn hostages, to be mutually agreed upon, as a pledge of peace. These I will treat as honored guests, according to their station. So long as the terms of this pact are abided with faithfully, I shall release two hostages every year, and return them safely to their families." Robb tossed the rolled parchment at the knight's feet. "There are the terms. If she meets them, I'll give her peace. If not," he whistled, and Grey Wind moved forward snarling with Rhaella who spat fire out, startling some but they quickly went out. "I'll give her another Whispering Wood, but this one will have fire."

"The queen will hear your message, Your Grace," Ser Cleos bowed and also bowed to Rhaenyra who narrowed her eyes, noting he had paled by the end of the statement.

"Good," Robb spoke wen Rhaenyra stood causing Rhaenys to walk in front of her mother as Robb turned to his wife.

"Go. Make sure he's given a hot meal and fresh clothing. He leaves at first light," she ordered as the men nodded and bowed.

"Yes, My Queen," the knight bowed his head and roughly dragged the man away from them.

"Then we are done, you are all dismissed," Robb called out as the gathered audience bent their knee as the king and queen left with the animals on their heels, Olyvar practically flew over them all himself, mostly in fear of the dragons but held the door open for them. What worried Catelyn was Alysanne's lack of appearance before a charred body of a fawn dropped in front of them as Rhaenys and Rhaella dove in, tearing into it with Grey Wind who seemed to enjoy it, the blue dragon joining them as Rhaenyra softly pet her small dragon who growled softly, nonthreatening. Robb smirked at seeing them eat together as Catelyn had also followed.

"Are you sure it is wise to involve the animals?" Catelyn asked as Edmure scoffed softly, Robb ordered Olyvar to return his sword to his bedchambers as the man nodded.

"Cat. They terrified that man, if the Lannisters feared Grey Wind, just think when the dragons are bigger and are joining the fight? Of course they should be used," Edmure claimed while Rhaenyra thought. She knew it was possibly childlish of her and Robb to use the dragons and direwolf, they were deadly animals.

"Let us talk of this tomorrow," Rhaenyra ordered as Catelyn looked ready to interrupt before pausing when Ser Barristan gave her a look. 'You are no longer in control,' and his job was to defend the queen's choice.

"Of course Your Grace," Edmure spoke, knowing Rhaenyra was possibly tired. She and Robb remained outside while their beasts ate. The dragons returned to flying over the river to hunt while Grey Wind finished the carcass with ease, usually he ate the insides while they ate the outside meat.

"Are our terms good?" Robb asked as Rhaenyra laid her head on his shoulder. Watching the dragons play and eat, she also saw Brynden fishing over the wall, bored.

"I don't know," she shrugged as he smirked. Knowing that would be her answer because like him she wasn't raised to be queen only lady, many say she would learn quickly and they always said Rhaenyra was more loved than Cersei was as queen. "They're growing so fast," she commented suddenly, realizing that her dragons were in fact growing quicker, it seemed to suddenly just dawn on her as Rhaenys and Alysanne could reach her chest if they stood on their hind legs clinging to her.

"Yes they are," Robb agreed, knowing they might reach Grey Wind's size soon, he feared that though. Rhaella of course had the biggest personality of the dragons, Rhaenys and Alysanne were softer, more calmer than their blood-red/black sister.

"I know, I worry too," she spoke to his unspoken worries which made him frown. "Robb, like you said. They are the first dragons in 150 years, I know it will take time to teach them but they do know. I've been seeing them share with Grey Wind more and more," she told as he grinned seeing the direwolf finish the carcass with a yawn, showing his sharp fangs. Alysanne all too happily shared with her wolf brother.

"I know," he mused, kissing her forehead as she smirked, snuggling against him as they watched the dragons.

XVII

End of chapter! How was it? Is it too slow? Because yes they will be going somewhere soon. Tell me what you guys think and suggest!

LunaDoesArt: I've been watching Fantastic Beasts recently and the Harry Potter series. Man those are long! But yes when you want the chapters out it gets very important as I did that last night -.-' But yeah they're among my favorite.

Patriot-112: I didn't know how to do Hoster and hoped to do it right. But may I ask why you dislike him? I know what he did to Lysa and along with marrying her to a man what, twice her age? But I'm glad your enjoying the chapter!

celestelyralestrange: I'm thrilled that your enjoying the story, I was thinking hard about the crowns. I couldn't describe those or think of a thing :-P

Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967: Glad you liked it and hope you enjoy this!

NicoleR85: Happy you enjoyed it, I hope it's good!

Vcy: Well I putting it down as fast as possible, this will have to do. But I'm happy you like it!

~Rusty14~