Sorry for taking such a long time to update, but I said before. I had this fanfic on a low-quo priority or something like that. I haven't abandoned it. I am more like taking my time with it. Nevertheless, expect more chapters soon!

And then, the following updates will be as follow!

The Overlord Geass! (One Chapter, sorry about it. But I had to change some things in the other Chapter)

The White Lion of The Red Keep (2 Chapters!)

The White Wolf of Winterfell (2 Chapters!)

Harriet Potter: The Demon Empress (2 Chapters, possibly!)

Boku No Overlord (2 Chapters!)

So, yeah, next week will be filled with extraordinary things!

Also, if you wish to support me and help me continue working on this, please donate to my Pay Pal! it will help me greatly! It allows me to focus on this work and update faster! And get me a better computer! But remember always! Fanfics should remain free and open to everyone!

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Chapter 10

The view was rather bizarre before Queen Elia and the king's mother, Rhaella. Elia's daughter and Rhaella's son were playing with the Dragon Lady as if there was the most normal thing in the world. Both kids were filled with joy, playing Knights and Dragons. While, the Lady Dragon Amell was just playing around with them, moving her tail from one side to the next, entirely in love with the kids. Rhaella still wondered if it was all an illusion of sorts. A dream, and she would wake up soon. Yet, from the sensations surrounding her. It was clear that no vision was currently playing before her.

Hawke, or as she was known there, Lady Amell, was enjoying her time around those cute children. She seemed to forget the current situation. Hawke looked at those ladies standing at the edge of the room, awkwardly sitting at a table, while some guards were just there, wondering what was going on in their lives currently. Those poor Dornish soldiers were just baffled by everything. A rather amusing sight, for Hawke, if she could say so herself.

"A rather entertaining view?" Hawke asked teasingly while Elia coughed awkwardly.

"I apologize for staring, lady Amell. But, if you were in our shoes. You'll understand how odd everything is right now."

"I understand, your grace. I doubt my current form is any better," Hawke chuckled as Viserys was trying to catch Hawke's long tail. And Rhaenys was playing Hawke's red hair, making braids and giggling.

"Is that your real skin?" Rhaella asked softly but intrigued.

"Yes, it is."

"Don't you feel...?"

"Naked?" Hawke asked, looking at Rhaella's blushing face. "Not at all. I, however, can control it."

Hawke then focused on her body, like many times before. And everyone then saw how the scales around her shifted and moved around strangely. Then, they could see more of her naked skin. Hawke didn't want to reveal all of her lady's bits. So, she only moved her scale-like armor around, so only her back, legs, and chest were more exposed. Rhaella and Elia stared dumbfounded at the way the body Hawke morphed.

"By the gods," both women muttered.

"Whoah!" Rhaenys started to poke Hawke's back, amazed by the dragon lady's ability.

"Your skin is so soft!" The girl replied happily, making Hawke chuckle.

"I thank you, little princess," Hawke said, focusing on more in her body. So, the dragon scale could return to its armor-like characteristic.

"Now, it's an armor," Hawke said childishly while making faces at Rhaenys.

"Do you shower, lady Amell?" Viserys asked, baffled.

"I do take care of my hygiene, little prince," Hawke replied, a bit offended.

"Do you?" Rhaenys asked.

"Of course I do! Why? Don't you believe me?"

"I hear father saying, dragons don't like water!" Rhaenys said with a condescending tone.

"They drink water, but they don't like water," Viserys said, earning a scoff from Rhaenys.

"Nu-uh! They don't like water! Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to breathe fire!" Rhaenys exclaimed, and now Viserys got angry.

"O-other-other...?"

"Otherwise! It's a grow-ups word, like father! And he tells the truth! Dragons don't like water!"

"They do!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

Elia and Rhaella sighed, while Hawke just stared at the kids with amusement on her face. Ah, I do love kids! She thought. It took both mother's stern words to end the rather funny discussion. Yet, it came the time when both children got tired, finally, after a few hours. And both kids simply rested on their mother's lap. Tired and sleepy. Hawke smiled at the scene but couldn't hide her sadness about not having her own. Yet, she didn't show it.

"They are beautiful children, truly. Both of you should be proud of them."

"We are."

Hawke chuckled but then felt something strange in the room, a weird sensation. And something smelt horrible bad, across the room, incredible so. A smell of rotten flesh and fire. Elia saw the tense body of Hawke and wondered what could have brought such a reaction from the lady dragon.

"Lady Amell, are you alright?" Elia asked.

"Sorry, it's just that, since I have arrived at this castle. I have been smelling rotten flesh. As if someone burned alive within the castle walls."

Elia and Rhaella froze, not knowing what to say. Rhaella looked down at her son resting on her lap, napping soundly, like Rhaenys. It was not the type of talk the king's mother would like to have in front of children.

"I don't smell anything like that," Elia muttered, deflating the conversation. Hawke only tilted her head, confused. She knew Elia was lying, but the reason appeared to elude her.

"When a place has suffered a traumatic event, it leaves traces behind," Hawke said as Elia and Rhaella stared at her.

"Traces?" Elia muttered, confused.

"Buildings capable of holding out for centuries can hold memories of what happened. And spirits would sometimes recreate what transpired during all those years. When I came to this city, I saw a lot of spirit activity in the building nearby. The destroyed sort of coliseum on the hill."

"The Dragonspit? It was where our ancestor held their dragons before it was destroyed in a revolt," Rhaella said. Hawke now understood what those spirits were recreating.

"I see; that place holds an incredible thin veil of both worlds."

"Veil?" Elia asked, perplexed.

"Yes, it is what divides the world of the living and the world of spirits. The thinner the Veil, the easier it is for spirits to cross."

Hawke said, trying to use words that could help her explanation. The Veil and all of that talk wasn't her specialty, and while she knows something. It was not the same as Solas, the bald Elf of the Inquisition.

"Spirits...?" Rhaella whispered, not truly understanding what it meant, but a part of her was scared of something like that.

"Yes, the Dragonpit is filled with pain, and for what I feel. This castle has suffered a lot of traumatic events. You can't feel it, but I can. The moaning of pain, the smell of death."

Elia and Rhaella while having problems understanding everything the dragon lady was saying. They believed her words held some merit. The Red Keep has been the center of many tragedies in the last hundred years. Backstabbing, murder, pain, and madness. So, it wasn't hard to believe that negative vibes could be imprinted on the castle walls. Rhaella glimpsed at her son one more time before taking a deep breath. She then darted at the dragon lady with her purple eyes and sighed.

"My husband. The previous king loved to burn people alive."

"Alive?" Hawke whispered.

"Aerys saw traitors everywhere, in every corner and shadow, and only fire made them disappear."

Elia shivered, remembering the screams of horror. Even when she was in her bedroom, she could still hear those awful yells of pain.

"That explains the smell," Hawke muttered, suddenly not feeling bad about killing the king.

"And why people seem quite relieved of him being gone. Still, sorry," Hawke said, looking at Rhaella, who smiled gently at her.

"Not need to apologize. Aerys was a madman, and people were terrified of him. If he was still alive, no doubt he would have caused more suffering and death. I shed no tears when he died."

Rhaella said, hiding no emotion of joy. If there was a person who was happier with him being gone, it was her. Rhaella could finally breathe, and she now only hoped that the future of the Seven Kingdoms was in better hands.

"I can speak freely about this, lady Amell. But your sudden arrival has truly given Westeros a new chance of survival."

"Were things that bad?" Hawke asked, baffled.

"Worse. The Tourney of Harrenhal was used as a meeting point where Rhaegar would gather allies to overthrow the king. It was one of the reasons why all the high lords of the Seven Kingdoms were there."

Elia said, and now Hawke could admit, that she was cursed with luck, as Varric would often say. Arriving at the best moment, for the worst occasion. Eh, shit. This is genuinely Hawke's luck! The Dragon Lady thought with an exasperated sigh.

"Things were peaceful until recently," Elia added, earning a tired sigh from the king's mother.

"People don't like peace."

Hawke nodded as someone with a lot of experience in that reward.

"Talking about peace. Do you think it is wise for the king to go and face the current problem head-on?" Hawke asked and noticed the sudden worry on Elia's face.

"With any hope, Robert Baratheon would only make a fuss and do nothing more."

"With any hope," Elia muttered, trying to find comfort in Rhaella's words.

Hawke only tilted her head, wondering if she should do something about it or let the flow of things go. Hawke, in her mind, has done enough, and any more involvement could make things harder for her. Or simply forcing her to act in a way would lead to more problems. But knowing her luck, Hawke could swear. She would get involved sooner or later, in some manner or form.

It took not long before King Rhaegar gathered a small force of three hundred soldiers and prepared his journey to the Stormlands. If anything was going according to plan, and the information Varys has accumulated in the last days was real. Robert wasn't capable of gathering forces but his own troops of Storm Ends. And even they were apprehensive of fighting the king. So, Robert has locked himself in his castle, trying to think what could he do. Rhaegar hoped the Stag Lord had calmed down enough to not do something reckless. And perhaps, he has. Yet, it didn't deter the king from marching.

Rhaegar sighed as he looked at Elia, his dear wife.

"I'll come back to you," Rhaegar told Elia softly, and the Queen tried her hardest to look strong not only for him but for her children. Yet, it was clear that Elia was having problems trying to not force Rhaegar to stay with her.

"You better," Elia replied, gently kissing her husband and king. The Queen could feel a gaze upon her. And it came from Lyanna, who held back whatever feelings she may have for Rhaegar. She has already caused enough problems as it was, and it was not wise to add more fuel to the fire.

Regardless, Lyanna still felt melancholy and jealous of Elia's current status. Not as Queen of Westeros but as Rhaegar's wife.

"You be a good girl, alright?" Rhaegar said to her daughter, who looked at him, whimpering. Rhaenys nodded as she sobbed. Rhaegar kissed her forehead and smiled gently at her. Then, he looked at Aegon, resting on the Queen's embrace.

"Has he said something yet?" Rhaegar asked gently, making Elia chuckle.

"Not yet, but he is growing strong and healthy."

"Good."

Rhaegar stared at his son and felt like something was stuck in his throat. He could not speak about the many dreams he has been having lately. A dragon must have three heads. Those were the many whispers he could still hear in his mind. At first, he thought he needed another child. It was the most logical thing to aim for, which Rhaegar believed. Yet, now, he wasn't sure.

Rhaegar walked towards his horse and, before going any further, looked behind him and far away in the courtyard. He saw the Dragon Lady, standing under the shadows of a tree, just looking at him. Both stared at each other for a few seconds before Rhaegar nodded at her. Hawke saw the king riding away and sighed.

"What did I get myself involved in these things?" Hawke whined to no one but herself.

"I think I just love being in the middle of everything."

Yet, Hawke had to admit she was curious to see where would things lead. Truth be told, she considered the whole thing rather annoying. The absolute nuisance of what brought the Lord of the Stormlands, Robert Baratheon, to behave in such a manner annoyed Hawke a lot.

"Well, I can spend time with cute kids, so that's fine."

The next few weeks would be interesting for Hawke. Since she could already feel how many people in the Red Keep had been staring at her. Hawke wasn't naive or stupid. She knew how the game was played. It was not an activity that brought joy to her. But Hawke wasn't helpless. A part of Hawke would like to see what the nobles of Westeros, especially the nobles from the Great Houses, would try to do against her. Maybe, they'll try to turn her against the Royal family somehow. Perhaps, they'll try to gain favors from her with gifts and fake promises of glory and wealth. Nevertheless, it would be amusing for Hawke.

The day went by, and everyone returned to their normal day-to-day activities. Hawke looked around the throne room. She was just looking, trying to find more spots where the Veil was thin, to investigate more about the world. If what the spirit told Hawke was true. About that, she was a door and a key to the Fade. Maybe, she could learn how to use such talent.

Hawke was thankful, the throne room was empty, and no one could bother her. Or so she thought. Since before she could even focus and try to play around with the Fade. Hawke was interrupted by someone behind her.

"Excuse me, Lady Amell?"

Hawke turned around and saw a bald man standing there, looking at her somewhat unnerving smile.

"You're...?"

"Varys, Master of Whispers, although it is a title that sadly brings no respect from the nobles around me."

Hawke glanced and knew precisely the game the bald man wanted to play. She has been around many spymasters to understand how to operate.

"Mm, people don't seem to like spies at all," Hawke replied, sounding detached from whatever reaction Varys expected her to have. Hawke would play the role of a being who does not understand human nature to throw Varys off.

Varys tilted his head, trying to read the Dragon Lady's gestures. But, Hawke was incredibly good at keeping a stoic face, showing nothing.

"What brought you here, Lady Amell?" Varys asked, hiding his reasoning to be there, which Hawke saw right away. But play along.

"The throne room holds history on its walls. Echoes of the past, and I was trying to see it."

Varys frowned, wondering what do those words mean. "See the past? I don't doubt you'll find the same history in any book in the Red Keep library. Or the many scrolls left in the vaults of the Citadel."

Hawke chuckled. "History is written by those left, by those who won. Some of those history books can be incredibly biased to one side."

Varys hummed but agreed. "Then the world history is perhaps brushed by painters who only see it one way."

"Indeed," Hawke replied. "But buildings tell not lies. And those spirits who remember would always show the truth."

Hawke whispered, focusing on the Veil. She was the door and the key. And like the Inquisitor once told her. Hawke only needs to focus on what her magic touches. Varys took a step aside, not liking whatever the thing was trying to do. However, as soon as he moved away. Varys then saw green lights surrounding him, taking the form of people. He quickly panicked, not liking whatever magic the Dragon Lady was doing.

"Don't be afraid, spymaster. These are but memories held in these halls."

Varys saw those translucent figures taking the forms of knights and people, and sudden echoes were heard. As if people were there.

"Your grace! Please, mercy!"

"Bring the wildfire! Let the flames show me his innocence!"

Varys shivered, hearing the voice of the Mad King. The way the screams of joy from the previous monarch surrounded the room, that voice was something he knew all too well.

"So, he truly enjoyed burning people alive," Hawke muttered.

"His favorite pastime."

"And no one stopped him? Not a single person?"

Varys sighed. "He was the king, protected by members of his Kingsguard who all swore to protect him. And feared by all."

Hawke did not like hearing that. "Yet, king or not. He was just a human. How could people just do nothing?" Hawke asked, irritated. Varys took notice of the strange sense of integrity from the Dragon Lady.

"I didn't know a dragon could value human life that much," Varys said.

Hawke scoffed. "Evil is something I often find myself detesting. But more than none, those who do nothing against it enrages me more."

Varys stared at her eyes, trying to find deception in her words. Hawke then glared at him, and for a few minutes. None said a word.

"What are your intentions with the royal family, if I may ask? You and the king spoke briefly not too long ago. A very private conversation," Varys said, deciding to just ask directly. Not something he'll typically do. But, Varys understood. He was not dealing with a player of the game. The thing before him didn't seem to care at all about the Iron Throne or who sat there. Or so he believes. After all, the Dragon Lady could have taken the throne if she wanted.

"Not so private if you learned about it," Hawke replied, slightly amused.

"Spymaster, remember?" Varys said with delight.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. The king wanted me to protect his family while he was away, among other things he wished to know. There are a lot of people who wish his family harm. Or would try to create even more problems."

Hawke told Varys, who nodded patiently. Yet, Hawke then glared at him.

"Are you on the king's side, spymaster? Or someone else?"

Hawke's voice sounded like a hissing snake. Her eyes glowed with power, and it was then that Varys realized that he had to be careful with what he said.

"I am on the side of peace. Always have, always will be."

Hawke noticed that Varys avoided answering the question, very shrewd.

"Yet, I wonder, why are you so inclined to help the king and his family? What did he promise you?" Varys now asked, looking at Hawke with intrigue. Hawke only shrugged.

"He asked for a favor, and I like the princess and prince. They are both adorable."

Hawke replied with not much to add. Varys believed it was a half-truth, and it was the fact. Hawke had no reason to truly help the royal family more. But, she has learned quite a bit of the supposed magic of the Targaryen family and Valyria. Hawke could feel a bit of magic inside them, just a tiny part, which made her believe that perhaps, magic could be learned in this world. It was a theory of hers, of course. But she wanted to comprehend more and decided to protect them, just for now.

"Truth be told, I would have never expected this," Varys said, with honesty in his voice.

"Children are innocent, and they are the future of every generation. Adults should protect them at all cost."

Varys looked at the throne and then back at her. "Truth. Children are blameless, yet they are the first target in many wars."

"The first thing that dies in war is the truth, and second the innocence."

"Wise words, my lady," Varys replies with frankness, no hiding malice or ill intent in his words. He truly believed the same, and while he had his own agenda. Varys couldn't refuse a wise person's words.

"I have lived a long life, spymaster. A very long and painful life."

The spymaster was sure someone playing around with words and adding more layers of falsehoods to whatever interaction he had. Yet, Hawke wondered, what was the end game of the bald man. What could possibly be the thing he aims for?

"What is your goal, spymaster?" Hawke asked him. "You say you're on the side of peace, and I could only wonder, whose peace?"

Varys looked around him, still unnerved by those transparent figures strolling around. Yet, he could only think about his many plots that were reduced to nothing. Or, well, not necessarily nothing, but Varys would have to change his approach.

"I am on the side of the people and nothing more."

"The people?" Hawke tilted his head.

"Yes, the people who thrive under a just king or suffer under a mad one. Everything I have ever done. It's for the good of the people, for the good of the realm. That's the truth."

Hawke hummed while focusing on the magic around her and closing the Veil. All those spirits, those memories vanished.

"Your truth, perhaps. Yet, who are you to decide what is just for the people?" Hawke asked the bald spymaster. "Your truth may be a lie to them. If that was the case, what would you do? What would you do if the king doesn't share your belief?"

Varys stared at Hawke for a few minutes. "An excellent question. But then again, the common folk care too little about their king. Who is he, or how old is he. The people only see the monarch once a year in tourneys and wars. The reality is that they only care about the next meal and if the bread is warm. What difference would it make if they know or do not know the truth about their monarch and why he rules over them? I then work with that most of the time. Doing what most don't, and even if the king is a mad one. Always working in the shadows to protect them, even if they don't know about it."

Hawke chuckled. "Such a view, but what happens when the king does something that you consider not good or you disagree with? Do you choose another one who would take his place based on that? Do you believe, that only you know what is best for the people of the kingdom? Because if that is the case, you're incredibly arrogant."

"Not at all, I do know my limits for I am but a mere mortal," Varys joked.

"Truly, playing that card?" Hawke replied smirking.

"Was my answer a bit ambiguous, perhaps?" Varys replied jokingly.

"You're a spymaster. Ambiguity is your forte."

"I thank you for your kind words."

Hawke now found Varys quite amusing, without a doubt.

"I would like to enjoy our talk, but there is a lot more I wish to learn from this place. Don't worry, spymaster. I truly don't care about the human games."

"Do you?" Varys asked. "You seem to care for the well-being of the princess and prince. That type of commitment will force you to act if there is a plot somewhere involving them."

Varys then saw how different the Dragon Lady faced him.

"Then, I hope that those individuals would think twice before trying to hurt them. And because I don't care about the game you all play. I will not care about breaking the rules."

Varys nodded, taking that threat to heart. Yet, it was something he expected and was also glad to hear.

"Then, we could perhaps, work together."

"Ah, there it is, the real purpose of this sudden meeting. Took you long enough," Hawke taunted.

"I had to make sure you were someone to trust," Varys replied gently.

"Am I someone trustworthy?" The sarcasm dripping from Hawke's voice was noticed by Varys.

"You may not fully believe me. But I spoke the truth when I said that peace is all I ever wanted. And currently, there are a lot of people who wish to not have peace."

Hawke walked towards Varys, and the spymaster had to admit that. He found the Dragon Lady intimidating. The sheer size of the woman towers over him and many others. And the magic she added more to the already extensive list of things, Varys feared of her.

"Truly?"

"Yes, after all. My job is to protect the royal family, just like you."

"Well, we'll see."

Hawke only said while leaving Varys behind.

"Truly, what an interesting... individual."

Varys whispered while staring at the Iron Throne. "Very interesting." He left the throne room, following the Lady Dragon, trying to find more about her. Maybe, in the future. Against all odds, they could become allies. Maybe.