DISCLAIMER: Chapter prologue.
Chapter rating: T
XXI
Rhaenyra held onto the side of the boat as she stared up at Dragonstone, her dragons flying around her as they would continue to fish. Going through the Saltpans to Gulltown proved to be a longer trek then they expected. Avoiding Lannister men was hard, they knew Rhaenyra had left the army, which no one knew how, someone most likely saw the dragons and knew. They had been driven off course twice and she knew the enemy soldiers were driving her dragons crazy. They were used to being able to attack when they wished, she was trying to prevent that. She knew that they've been away from the camp for three full weeks, Rhaenyra mostly worried for her dragons flying that long, they occasionally settled in the boats but resumed their flying, they were quite long and many stepped over them to move around the ship. Tyene enjoyed catching fish and offering it to the dragons, there was nothing for her to do on the ship so fishing kept her busy and Ser Barristan occasionally joined, his friendship with the dragons growing. Edrick had retracted into a shell that Valaena worked so hard to keep from closing up completely, Lynara and Rhaenyra did their best to join but he still sulked. The maids claimed it was losing Rudy, he had been a big brother to Edrick and once of his caretakers. But now as they sailed to Dragonstone, Rhaenyra felt a bit nauseous, placing a hand on the rail she felt Tyene softly place a hand on her back.
"You okay?" she asked worried as the queen nodded, face still blank. Long had the girl gone back to her Dornish clothing as the climate changed, the Northerners were fine but felt uncomfortable just a bit. The dragons though were snappier and more edgier, Ser Barristan surmised they missed their cooler home, the girls were born in the north, they must dislike the heat, ironically, he joked.
"Yes, just… never thought I would step foot onto Dragonstone," Rhaenyra admitted while Tyene smiled softly. As Rhaenyra stared at the large castle she saw dragon statues everywhere along the castle walls.
"It is your birthplace, your right to see it," she encouraged as Rhaenyra chuckled lightly. They all watched the dragons fly overhead, an older man was seen standing on the deck was turning as he watched the wolf-sized dragons fly and shriek.
"That is Ser Davos Seaworth. Hand of Stannis Baratheon," Ser Barristan spoke softly as Rhaenyra looked back to signal she heard before looking back at the man who looked to the woman responsible for them and saw the Targaryen woman who he and his king smuggled out for her safety. The dragons were bigger than he anticipated as he watched them fish and scorch their food. Breathing in softly he cleared his throat before exhaling while watching them dock, Ser Barristan disembarked first with two Dornish men before offering his hand to their leader as three others followed, the third being the Dornish woman that spoke quickly to her men and motioned them to stay with the ship.
"Your Grace, I guess welcome back to Dragonstone," he smiled as she grinned softly.
"Thank you, Ser Davos. I am happy to be here," she came closer as he now saw her resemblance to her late mother.
"King Stannis has sent me to escort you," he spoke quickly as Valaena shifted. "The dragons will not be harmed, his orders. They're guests as well, so long as they don't attack the men," he shifted his gaze worryingly to the queen who calmed him.
"My dragons grew up around soldiers when this war started, they will not do harm to your men, so long as no one attacks," she cautioned as he nodded.
"Right," he agreed, giving the feasting dragons another once over before resuming his march up the stone steps with Rhaenyra and her group in step. Rhaenyra's eyes bounced all over, setting her eyes on the guards and the new banners that were completely different than Robert's. "I will be honest I was quite surprised when we heard of your accension Your Grace," he spoke as she focused her eyes on him.
"How so?" she asked as he paused.
"Well, you are going after King Joffrey, yes?" he asked cautiously. Ser Barristan realized that Ser Davos was trying to get information for Stannis.
"We call her Queen of the North for a reason Ser Davos," Valaena spoke as he paused once more.
"Ah, so you have no rush for the throne?" he pushed.
"I'd rather see it burn," Rhaenyra spoke softly walking past him as her people continued with her as he watched her, hearing the shrieks of the dragons before continuing after her.
'She might survive this yet,' he thought as she waited before the door was opened when he joined them. He ushered her to follow through as Stannis was seen over the painted table her ancestor created when his dragons roamed Westeros' skies for the first time. Her eyes naturally drifted over it simply for the beauty of it.
"Keep your eyes girl!" a man snarled before her purple ones pierced his faster.
"I am no girl!" she snarled, eyes burning with her hidden fire. "And you will do well to remember that," the moment she shifted her body an angry shriek came from nowhere as Rhaella flew into the open map room. Roaring at the man angrily as they fell back, Stannis himself stared at the dragon with a stunned expression, his red priestess breathed heavily at seeing the creature that's been extinct for quite some time.
"So they are true," he whispered softly. He stood as Rhaenyra watched him with sharp eyes, she looked not like her mother but her brother, the fierce look in her eyes that only a warrior is born with. "The last time I saw you, you were a babe," he smirked which stunned his people as she narrowed her eyes softly, not threatening.
"That was a long time ago," she shot back, tone much lighter, as he nodded, eyes trailing to the growling creature who continued to hiss but moved to her mother as Davos moved backwards in a frantic pace.
"Indeed. Welcome Queen Rhaenyra, to Dragonstone. Your birthplace," he greeted the young woman to his people's shock as she gave a smile back.
"I thank you for the welcome, King Stannis," she responded as he nodded.
"I overheard that you had trouble on the road, I am sorry for your loss," he spoke, knowing the guard had been close to the queen. "You must be tired from the trip. My daughter, Shireen, has asked to show you to your chambers, I hope that is alright," he spoke softly as a young girl entered as a small gasp left Tyene, Rhaenyra looked and understood the noise. Shireen Baratheon, now a princess, stood there and to the queen she was beautiful even with her greyscale that Rhaenyra knew was on her face.
"I would not mind at all, hello Princess," Rhaenyra bowed her head respectfully to Shireen who smiled to her, curtsying correctly, before leaping softly when Rhaella hissed lightly. "Don't mind Rhaella, she always does that," the Targaryen woman reassured the girl who stared at the flyer with shock. "You may call me Rhaenyra, may I call you Shireen?" she asked the girl looked back to her and nodded brightly.
"Please follow me," the young girl led her guests through the halls of Dragonstone. "Is it true you have three dragons?" Shireen asked curious as Rhaenyra smiled, knowing the child's curiosity would break eventually.
"Yes I do; Rhaella, Rhaenys and Alysanne," she told as Shireen beamed.
"All queens," she looked to the queen who smiled softly.
"Yes, they are. Do you have a maester here by chance?" Rhaenyra asked as her two maids tensed, Davos had taken Tyene and her captain to where her people would reside, she had demanded not far from her Targaryen charge.
"Maester Cressen, he's the Maester of Dragonstone. Are you wounded Your Grace?" Shireen asked worried as she opened the door to her chambers as Ser Barristan checked the perimeter from instinct.
"No, I just haven't been feeling well. I assumed it was the boat ride, but it still remains," Rhaenyra smiled as she sat on a chair and instructed the girl to do the same while her bags were brought in as Valaena opened the balcony doors quickly ducking out of the way when the three flew in shrieking at their mother. Shireen, gasped softly and shrunk in her seat somewhat when Rhaenys sniffed her face suddenly, Rhaella shoved her larger head into her mother's lap as Alysanne laid in front of the fire going in the chambers as everyone froze. Realizing that the Baratheon princess was in danger with the dragons surrounding her. Rhaenys just stared her down, occasionally turning her head to the side but eventually lowered her head enough to sniff the girl's hand. Casting a terrified look to the peaceful dragon queen who just sat back in her chair with Rhaella's upper body in her lap, a peaceful look on her face. "It is alright," Rhaenyra reassured the young girl who hesitantly lifted one hand and timidly reached out before lightly touching Rhaenys' nose as the female panted while staring at the nervous girl. Slowly, she pet the dragon with small pats before exploring and running a hand down the female's neck, smiling softly as the female calmed down and laid her head across the girl's small lap.
"She must like you, they do not let others pet them but those close to me," Rhaenyra commented as Shireen beamed.
"They're so pretty," she breathed, while she continued to pet the glowing female, the fire danced across her scales beautifully. "Rhaenys especially, golden with emerald eyes," she beamed. "I don't think I've read anything among the dragons having green eyes!" she spoke excitedly as she paused in the petting while Rhaenys nudged her bringing a giggle from them.
"Careful, now that they know you'll pet them, they will 'encourage' you to continue," Rhaenyra warned the young girl who giggled when Rhaenys stretched across her lap, a wing covering her feet. "Is she too heavy?" the Queen asked worried as she felt Rhaella lay more on her, she was gaining more and more weight and soon would not be able to lay her upper chest on her any longer, she worried for the girl's legs being harmed.
"No, she's fine," Shireen beamed and continued to pet the dragon happily, it brought a fond smile to the woman's face, unaware of Melissandre watching them from the doorway, Alysanne gave a warning growl that was too low for her mother to listen as she talked with Shireen.
XXI
"Your Grace," Ser Barristan called as he opened the door. A withered man behind him as he opened to see his queen resting in a chair beside the fire, eyes closed.
"Yes, Ser Barristan?" she asked softly, he had almost closed the door, both men assuming the queen had fallen asleep.
"I have Maester Cressen here for you," he reminded as she opened her eyes and nodded softly. Opening the door more he allowed the man inside before closing as Lynara looked up from the book she had picked from the small text that have been left for Rhaenyra by the Princess herself, feeling the girl would like to read more. When Maester Cressen came in, worry covered his face when he noticed the exhaustion in her eyes.
"Maester Cressen," Rhaenyra greeted softly as he bowed his own head.
"Your Grace," he greeted. "I overheard that you have not been feeling well?" he asked as she nodded, gently standing as Lynara did the same.
"I have been feeling sick but originally I had assumed it was being on the boat, I am not a big fan of them," she smiled as he laughed softly, patting her shoulder as they approached her bed, Lynara already pulled everything down so her queen could lie on them before the Maester softly had her sit first. He lightly palmed her knee, stomach and kept a hand to her back while Lynara watched with sharp eyes, she trusted the Maester, but still watched liked a mother wolf.
"Have you felt ill since you got on the boat or before?" he asked wanting to be sure as she thought. Rhaenyra paused thinking, she had almost said since the boat before thinking further.
"I think it was before actually," she spoke softly as he frowned.
"Might I?" he asked as she nodded and allowed Lynara to help her up before going to the divider and undressed to her slip. When they came back around, Rhaenyra gently laid down to allow Lynara to pull the blanket so they'd cover her waist down and the queen pulled her shift to right below her rib cage. Ever so gentle he felt her belly, and noticed instantly the tense flesh and muscle. "If I might ask, when was your last blood, Your Grace?" he asked, not wanting to upset the woman who frowned as she thought. Looking to Lynara who sighed softly.
"I think it's been… little to two months," Rhaenyra revealed. Realizing that she did not bleed until before Robb had gone for his battles during their stay at Riverrun. She couldn't believe it, not only missing her moonsblood but also that she might be pregnant. But Robb is not here.
"I do not wish to give you false hope, Your Grace," he warned as she looked to him. "But I believe you could be with child," he smiled as Lynara breathed in shock.
"By the Gods, Rhae," she breathed as the girl continued to stare as Lynara places the slip down while Maester Cressen left to leave them on their own, giving them his blessings and congratulations.
"You should tell Robb-"
"No," Rhaenyra ordered to her maid's shock. "I will not allow any chance of someone getting my letter and learning before he does," Rhaenyra claimed as Lynara offered for her to redress as Rhaenyra nodded.
"But he should know," the woman didn't like the father of a child she will know to not know, especially her leaders.
"Unless you are willing to carry the message yourself back to my husband, he will not know until I see him again," Rhaenyra ordered as she turned to a startled Lynara. "Alright?" she asked softer as the woman nodded.
"Of course, Your Grace," she agreed as her queen walked out, Ser Barristan joining instantly, having said farewell to the Maester who left.
"Is everything alright Your Grace?" he asked worried as they left the castle, the guards watching her closely, though the Dornish quickly surrounded her as they walked off the stone and through the rocks and grass.
"Yes," she answered before hearing her dragons as she stopped. Rhaella landed first and shrieked happily at her smiling mother.
"They seem to like Dragonstone, Your Grace," one of the guards commented as Rhaenys landed with a charred deer in her claws. Alysanne quickly stole it bringing chuckles from the small group as the soldiers watched the dragons.
"Yes they do," Rhaenyra agreed as she giggled when Rhaella joined as she had snatched it from her sister and flew off as they squealed in irritation.
"Food aplenty. But they still steal each other's food," a guard commented with a small bark of laughter as he blocked the sun to watch them fly. Compared to the stone dragons they loved to fly around they were still hatchlings but Rhaenyra knew they were already possibly past that stage now. But as she looked to the stones themselves she slowly approached one. Ser Barristan joined her as the Dornish continued watching her dragons play and tag one another. She stared at the large stone beast with an odd look. Sighing heavily, she rubbed her temple.
"Your Grace?" he asked worried, being her main protector now, Barristan Selmy has actually seen the normalcy in his queen and what wasn't her usual nature. He's been noticing her lack of eating and the bags under her eyes become deeper, it worried him as she had talked to a maester today.
"Do you promise to keep a secret for me Ser Barristan?" she asked as he froze before nodding and spoke verbally. "I'm pregnant," Rhaenyra claimed, turning to him as she leaned against the pillar softly while her dragons flew, exploring the island and its inhabitants. Shireen had told her where the village was as she might go there to look around.
"Pregnant?" He asked stunned, she nodded with an odd look.
"Their Maester confirmed it, I show the signs. I just… did not pay attention like I should have," she surmised as he frowned.
"When Cersei first fell pregnant shortly after Robert became queen she never realized, she had mixed feeling herself when Maester Pycelle told her. Jaime said she and the king hadn't gotten along still by then, I saw them both try but…"
"Ned always said that his friend's heart belonged to Lyanna Stark," Rhaenyra claimed as the old man nodded.
"She, though, gave up quicker than Robert did. I think he was trying to give her children because he knew she wanted them. He once commented that she always looked so lonely and nothing he did helped," Rhaenyra now felt pity for the former king. Not only having Cersei for his wife but also that despite loving his best friend's sister possibly until his end, tried to do that for his wife. "It was sad the babe did not live long. So strong and healthy when we returned from the hunt, black haired with his grey eyes peering up at us," he remembered with a smile before Rhaenyra's head turned to him.
"Black hair?" she asked unaware the queen had another child. All the ones she saw were of golden hair.
"Yes," he nodded. "Cersei's first born son had looked just like his father already," he claimed as she scoffed.
"As her three take after their own father," she snapped as he sighed but with a smaller nod. "What happened to the babe?" she asked as he looked down.
"He caught a fever," he admitted as Rhaenyra sighed, knowing when young children caught fevers it was terrifying because they might lose them but babes… "He was gone by the next morning. So adorable, Jaime and I both loved watching over him, it's so odd. The prospect of protecting your future leader when they're babes," he smiled softly as she mirrored it, seeing the fondness in his eyes. "I never held that for Joffrey, I will admit. But his older brother, I had hoped would turn out better than his father," Ser Barristan claimed.
"How did everyone else take it?" she asked, wanting to know. Having lost her pregnancy before this one which scared her.
"Very few knew him, but the ones who did, they mourned. He was always a happy babe when I watched over him. His father beat his fists bloody, after holding the queen so the prince could be removed," he spoke sadly as Rhaenyra looked down. "Jaime was… I don't know. I know he did not love Robert,"
"But he loved his twin," Rhaenyra commented. "He would mourn for her," like she did for Daenerys' loss of her husband and child.
"He did not mourn long. He did, but not like the others," he revealed as Rhaenyra frowned softly.
"I assume people grieve in different ways," she commented as he nodded.
"Something else ways on your mind," Ser Barristan claimed, seeing the conflict in her eyes as she smiled.
"Soon I will not be able to hide anything from you," she chuckled as he laughed, taking the compliment as it was meant from his queen. "I was pregnant before this," she revealed as his froze. Not having heard about this before. "But I lost it, everyone thought it was when Bran fell and the stress of becoming Lady of Winterfell. But Robb assumed it was also when the assassination attempts happened, the dragons had been born," she spoke as he listened. It felt odd, being able to talk about this with him, he always listened to her with no problem and would even help decide problems.
"There is no true cause of a loss, Your Grace," he spoke softly. Understanding her hesitance of the pregnancy, he had seen how her mother took it and worse how her father handled it. But to Ser Barristan he could see the devotion Robb held for his wife when he looked at her, he held her values more than Robert ever did for Cersei or Aerys for Rhaella. And he could see the same look in Rhaenyra's eyes, having heard the stories from others, mostly from Rudy when they'd share similar shifts. "But it is still a good thing, Your Grace," he reminded as she looked to him confused.
"How, may I ask, Ser Barristan?" she asked not sure what he means.
"When we return to camp it will brighten their spirits. Your husband immensely. It will give them something to fight for," he encouraged as she smiled softly, forgetting the small bit. She just thought if she lost it, she couldn't handle it.
"But I am still hiding it until I return to Robb, unless I can not anymore," she decided and added the end with a small chuckle.
"A fine choice, Your Grace," he smiled as she nodded, both watching her dragons fly as other men started to stop and watch with wonder as some pointed. "A fine choice indeed," he whispered, continuing to watch the men instead.
XXI
Rhaenyra slowly found herself enjoying Dragonstone, she would stroll through the grass with Shireen and her fool; Patchface. He surprised everyone with his fearless attitude of the dragons, just like with Hodor. The dragons seemed to like him well enough, never bothered with him, they'd watch him before losing interest as they would watch their mother walk with Shireen. Shireen seemed to have figured out the queen was pregnant and kept it secret for her, enjoying knowing it.
"Do you wish for a boy or girl?" Shireen asked as they walked hand-in-hand.
"Either, I suppose," Rhaenyra did not understand why Stannis has not called a meeting with her about an alliance with Robb. "I do not demand for a boy, a girl would be just as strong," she claimed as Shireen beamed.
"You would make a great mother," Shireen spoke as Rhaenyra chuckled softly.
"I hope so," Rhaenyra prayed as a scout ran up to them.
"Queen Rhaenyra!" he called out before leaping when Alysanne flashed her wide wings, hissing and growling he carefully approached.
"What is it?" she asked softly stroking her dragon's head to calm her.
"King Stannis has requested an audience with you," he asked as she nodded and gently guided the princess with her as the fool followed the dragons having decided to resume hunting.
"They are hunting again," Shireen giggled. "Soon they will grow bigger!" she encouraged as Rhaenyra nodded, hoping it will be soon. For her future depended on it.
XXI
Rhaenyra sat across from Stannis as Ser Davos sat on his right, Maester Cressen on his left, his assorted lords sat around them while Ser Barristan sat on her right and Valaena on her left. Lynara kept to Tyene today and to entertain Shireen at her queen's request, something she all too happily did while dragging Edrick along to help the boy open up. He has been hiding in the rocks until Rhaella discovered him and pushed him back to her mother who introduced the princess to the boy who nearly ran off from meeting the girl. Shireen enjoyed him as he was another child who did not care about the greyscale.
"Queen Rhaenyra, how are you finding Dragonstone?" Stannis asked as she paused.
"It's quite pleasant, Your Grace," Rhaenyra spoke as he nodded.
"I have thought about the proposal you have brought me," he commented as she nodded. "It says that you and Robb are to remain the King and Queen of the North but he claims his mother's lands as well," he noted as she smiled softly.
"The River Lords are among those who helped crown my husband, his grandfather made those of their steel, they've already claimed to follow only my husband, the north follow me as well but I understand the riverlands of their reasons," Rhaenyra revealed as Ser Barristan looked to her. "But the South is to remain yours, everything my husband wants is from his family," she reassured as he nodded.
"What about the dragons?" a man asked before Valaena snapped.
"What about them?" her voice was hard as a man buffed up.
"They should remain here," he nodded as Stannis looked to him.
"And who would control them? You? Lord Velaryon?" he asked as Valaena's face morph into one of hatred. Rhaenyra understood instantly, this man was once her betrothed, he must have married one of her cousins.
"Him?" she sneered. "The man who does not have a drop of Valyrian blood?" she asked, her voice becoming stronger like it used to, she was a true Valeryon, Ned once called her. The only one to have Targaryen blood present, her daughter carried as well when she was born.
"And you? A disgraced maid who fathered a child by Jaime Lannister himself?" he snarled back as Rhaenyra and Ser Barristan glared at him sharply.
"Quiet," Stannis demanded from his lord who looked him affronted before he swallowed his pride, doing as his king demanded. "The dragons obey only their mother, as you saw when the red dragon's reaction to you last night. And as Valaena is her personal maid, you will respect her as well. As it is, she is the granddaughter of your former Lord," he glared as the man huffed. It was true, Valaena was the granddaughter of the last Lord Velaryon, so she would have married but as she disappeared when Rhaenyra was sent North, her cousin Monford Valeryon took the mantel. But many knew Valaena's mother had married a Targaryen and that made Valaena valuable to some, she was still unwed but not a maid. As it was, that would not matter to some. "Why did your daughter not join?" he questioned curiously.
"She did not want to. Requested to stay with the army," Rhaenyra revealed as they looked to her.
"No doubt to spend time with her father," he hissed before Rhaenyra could snarl back Rhaella flew in and roared. Slamming herself onto the map table, scattering pieces as the red dragon hatefully hissed and spat at the man who knocked his chair over to get away from her.
"I do believe, My Lord, that the queen is tired of hearing you talk badly about her people and kin. The only kin she has left," Ser Barristan spat out as Rhaella growled, smoke slowly coming out but when Stannis looked to Rhaenyra, she calmly whistled a single tone. The growling creature slowly back away but sat at full height, glowing red-orange eyes watching the fearful men as she continued to growl before Alysanne and Rhaenys joined, walking closer to their mother.
"King Stannis is correct as my dragons only listen to me they will stay with me. Should you try anything, I can assure you, despite their size, they are powerful," she warned as she calmly spoke out. "Jikagon," (Go,) she ordered as the dragon gave a final growl before flapping her wings harsh which scattered pawns and papers everywhere. Ser Davos had watched the queen's reaction at all times and realized she never changed her face. Eyes always on her target as her dragon had focused on him. "I made a promise when Stannis Baratheon offered me guest rights on Dragonstone, I will not break that promise," she growled out as Stannis held a hand out.
"Alright, everyone. Let's calm down. You all will respect Rhaenyra Targaryen, as she is a Queen," he ordered as his men looked torn between glaring at the calm queen or obey their king. "Sit down," he demanded as Valaena smirked. They had this deal sealed, and with what Rhaenyra had in mind, she hoped would work. "You also offered a deal of some kind," he reminded as she grinned.
"Yes. My husband's youngest brother, Rickon, has no betrothal and we offer him, if it is to your approval, to the Princess Shireen as a husband," she offered as the Red Priestess tensed. "And if you would like, we can send early on so he can learn your customs better," she finished politely sitting with her legs crossed and hands intertwined.
"We should think deeply about this My King," she warned as Maester Cressen frowned.
"If I may, Your Grace," he interrupted softly. "Prince Rickon Stark, comes from a good bloodline, we would finally have a good mixture of Baratheon and Stark blood. And as the young queen has pointed out we can teach Rickon more our ways but still adapt with his northern heritage," he offered with the queen's nod of thanks.
"His mother is also of the Seven, my husband and his siblings bar his half-brother, support the Old and New Gods," she claimed as Stannis thought. He truly did not see any wrong in it.
"What about the direwolf that follows the Prince?" Ser Davos asked in question.
"He is his protector and companion. Such as Patchface is Shireen's constant friend, he would be quite distraught if he could not bring him," Rhaenyra claimed. "It would be a challenge but he could learn control, he just-"
"-Needs guidance," Stannis finished as she nodded. "I will agree. So we are in agreement," he announced. "Once I am crowned King of the South," he claimed. "You will reign in the North, should either need aide-"
"We will come," Rhaenyra confirmed, swearing to fly her dragons and march her army to aid Stannis should his Kingdom every be attacked.
"As will we," he echoed. The stood and offered their arms to shake, confirming the deal as Matthos, Ser Davos' son, wrote out their new agreement, including the betrothal.
"We've also received word that your husband is treating with Renly Baratheon," Ser Davos questioned as a statement making the men tense.
"My good mother wished to treat with Lord Renly. Not my husband or I, but he sent a letter along that he would give the throne to King Stannis should he aide in destroying King's Landing," she revealed as Stannis sighed.
"Now that everyone is done trying to find a loophole in everything Queen Rhaenyra, we are all to pack enough for a ride on the morrow to Storm's End to treat with Renly. Should he bend the knee and name me King, I'll name him my heir until a son is born to me," Stannis revealed. Rhaenyra nodded and stood with her people as they all either bowed or curtsied their farewell to pack as Stannis and the others repeated the action to Rhaenyra.
"Will you tell Lady Catelyn, Your Grace?" Ser Barristan asked as Rhaenyra shook head no.
"The next one I will tell is Robb, no one else," she ordered as they nodded.
XXI
Rhaenyra sighed softly as she relaxed in her tub as Valaena rubbed lavender oil in her queen's skin as a knock came. Lynara who had finished packing the small bag for her queen walked to the door and opened it barely before nodding. "It the Lady Melisandre, Your Grace," Lynara spoke as Rhaenyra shrugged, bringing her knees up a bit. The northern maid walked back to the door and opened it enough for the priestess to slide in as she seemed surprised that Rhaenyra was in a bath.
"Forgive me, Your Grace," she spoke as Rhaenyra shrugged.
"We are women, I see no problem in that. Does this make you uncomfortable?" Rhaenyra asked curious as the woman laughed softly.
"No, I can assure you it does not bother me," she reassured the young queen who hummed softly and looked back into the night sky through her open balcony doors. "Should you have these open?" she asked before jumping back when Rhaenys flew through shrieking at her harshly and flapped to her mother who held her hands up to aid her in stopping at command. The female hovered over her mother's form, inhaling heavily and crooning, accepting the pets from her mother while Valaena continued to wash her and then soaked her hair to braid it while wet. Rhaenys continued to purr as she watched her mother.
"Why are you here, My Lady?" Rhaenyra asked as the woman paused.
"I have come to ask that you relinquish your reign to Stannis as the King of Westeros, not King of the South," Melisandre claimed as they northern women froze.
"Who do you think you are to ask that of our queen?" Lynara asked sharply as the woman frowned.
"It is Stannis Baratheon that will become King of all, he should as it is is right," she defend as Valaena stood while Rhaenyra continued to pet Rhaenys who growled suddenly feeling the soothing presence shift.
"Rhaenyra Targaryen is the last surviving Targaryen so this 'true ruler' you speak of is her. She is the Mother of Dragons, Queen of the North and the Riverlands," Valaena snarled as Melisandre watched her with a sudden strange look, before looking to a passive Rhaenyra as Rhaenys settled herself across the tub, glaring at Melisandre.
"Leave," Rhaenyra ordered as the dragon hissed, the two maids quickly cut off the priestess' sight of the queen who nudged her dragon away.
"Of course Your Grace, forgive me," Melisandre requested as the women glared but the queen looked away. As she left the maids aided in helping the queen dress while Rhaenys watched her mother after leaving the tub alone.
"Are you well, Your Grace?" Lynara asked as her queen nodded.
"Yes, just wish I was back with Robb already," she wished as they smiled.
"After this summit with Renly, we will ask Stannis if we can leave back to Robb soon after," Valaena smiled as she saw the tiredness in her queen. "Go sleep," she requested softly cupping her queen's cheeks as she nodded and walked away in a slip to bed as Rhaenys flew out to hunt more.
XXI
End, how was that? I'm sorry it took so long as it's almost midnight and I have work at 9 am! I would have had this out sooner but I had to put my boxer to sleep Saturday and I took it harder than I thought, I'm going to miss her.
nbj (Guest): I'm glad you are liking it! Please enjoy!
RHatch89: Thanks, please enjoy this one too~
Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967: Thank you!
LunaDoesArt: Man do I wish I could go back T-T, I sometimes do miss school but gosh it's a workload when I do both that and work. I hope to do better next time. But I hope you enjoy the shopping and school starting soon! I love them too especially Season 7's and I haven't read it yet but so want too! Enjoy work!
NicoleR85: Glad your enjoying. Hope you like this!
ej101: I know I liked him too. I'll try to make them longer, but glad your still enjoying the story.
RogueAngel82: Glad your enjoying it! Hope you enjoy the rest~
~Rusty14~