I don't own Game of Thrones.
Chapter 2
Rhaella Targaryen
'Calm wind is waiting for the storm.'
That was what she recalls her grandmother once told her. Bertha Blackwood was a proud and stubborn woman who strives to keep all seven kingdoms united despite her children's rebellion against their arranged marriages.
Thanks to that prophecy about the prince that was promised, she was forced to marry her brother Aerys.
She simply wished that she has the choice of whom she should marry, but she was forced to be a dutiful daughter, a princess, a wife, and a mother.
'How exhausting this is.' She sighs and rubbed her forehead as her younger children are with her.
Rhaella tried to be a dutiful daughter, an obedient wife, and a good mother.
What is her reward?
Lost of her family members, Aerys being a terrible husband, under pressure for bearing children. He had hoped that she can give birth to more dragons since they lost so many family members during that fire incident.
To even the odds, Aerys had once said to her.
Her body had stressed so much bearing her children in fear of miscarriages and stillborns.
'But' She thoughtfully stops for a moment.
The queen looked at her beloved surviving children.
Baelor, twin girls Jaehaera with Rhaenys and Viserys were all behaving themselves and looked at the outside with such curiosity.
She gently smiled at them.
In the beginning, she blamed the gods for taking away all her other children during her marriage with Aerys.
She would pray and pray to have the answer over why the Gods wished to be cruel to her.
It wasn't until the stranger whom Varys bring to help her. She could tell that this stranger was a northern woman because of her accent. She was dressed in a maid's outfit and became her caretaker.
She thought Varys wanted this poor girl to be the next bedwarmer for her husband. Rhaella saw her beauty and grace.
Almost like a queen.
For days, the young woman observes her daily routines but makes changes a few moons later. From bedding sheets to herbs scents and spices for her to breathe and remain healthy.
She advises her, "Perhaps, we could change your usual routine and food. There is a chance to give healthier children."
Rhealla had noticed that the young lady took care of her such as baths, cooking her food, and rest if she needs one.
She recalled what could have happened to both her and her children during their birth.
Flashback~
Rhaella slept well and was happy for the first time in her life.
It was after Baelor's birth, and he was deemed healthy and strong.
Though, 'It is too quiet.' Rhaella thoughtfully. Where is his hungry cry? Where is his attention needed to cry?
Part of her instinct tells her that something is wrong. Another part is telling her that a nursemaid is tending to the young prince.
Rhealla got up and put on her robes. She started walking and gasped when she noticed guards were standing at the doors of her newborn son.
What happened?
She prays to the gods not to take her son.
'I did everything right! My son cannot be dead!'
Rhealla focused on the room and saw this sight. "My queen! Wait...!" Ser Barristan tries to stop her, but she shouted, "Out of my way!" She shoved him aside, but she saw what she never thought of seeing.
Blood and dead bodies as well standing there are the ladies that Varys brought are interrogating the maid.
In her arms is the Baelor who is whining and fussing a little in her arms.
"So, my eyes do not deceive me. You tried to kill the young prince as you did with the other royal prince and princess when the queen carries them."
'What?' Rhealla gasped that her maids whom she trusted killed her children.
The lady gripped the maid's hair which looked dark but shows signs of silver hair. "How revolting. You tried to dye your hair black. What's wrong with your natural? Aren't you black dragons proud of your heritage?"
The maid whimpers and shifts her body movement.
'Black dragons?' This confused the queen for a moment.
Then it clicked! Her purple eyes widen in realization.
"Blackfyres!?" Rhealla shrieked. How can this be?
They destroy the last Blackfyres, Maelys Blackfyre also known as Maelys the Monstrous, but rumors and birds from Varys whisper only the male lines, but not the females.
She brings the young prince to the queen and asked, "I suggest you bring him with you tonight, my queen."
Rhealla wished to question her but was quietly escorted by Ser Barristan and the last thing she recalls was the scream of a traitor.
She had never forgotten that night nor did she forgive. Turns out the Blackfyres are still out there, eyeing their throne and killing their children.
'They may have been dealt with in Kingslanding, but they will not escape my wrath for killing my children.' Rhealla felt the fire in her heart.
All she could remember was rage. She will get her hands on those murderers with her bare hands soaked in their blood.
Sounds of commotion came from her window as she saw their destination.
Rhaella looked at the sight of Winterfell up on that hill. People are no doubt gathering to see the royals, but in truth, they wished to see their beloved she-wolf back.
"Mother is that Winterfell?" Baelor is a curious little prince. No doubt he will be molded into a fine noble prince like his brother Rhaegar.
"Yes, my love. This was my lady the King's daughter born and live briefly before coming to Kingslanding." She combs her sons' silver curls with her fingers.
Rhaenys looked at the people with shyness or caution. Looks like she will have to talk to her youngest soon.
Rhealla knew that someday she will be living in the North and be with her future husband. She will be saddened, but here her daughter can grow and become someone she can be proud to be.
The carriage stops as they enter the courtyard.
Everyone bows before the king as he gestures for them to rise.
Rhaella came out watching as King Aerys greeted the Starks.
"Winterfell is yours, my king." The young man greeted her husband.
"As they should." King Aerys replies. The King's daughter came forward as her hand is kissed by the young lord.
Brandon Stark introduced his family.
"Sister, your majesties. This is my brother Eddard Stark. We call him Ned. This is our sister Lyanna. And you never met our youngest brother, Benjen."
Rhaella could tell that Lady Stark is trying to process that they are her blood family. She can sympathize with her.
The Gods had been cruel to both women. Young girls were groomed by powerful and ambitious men into tools and weapons for their amusement.
Yet here they are alive while they lived in fear of their retribution.
"Come let us go and rest before the night evening."
Rhaella has been escorted by maids assigned by the Starks.
'For now, we must lay in wait for this alliance can help our survival.'
Agrippina Stark/Wu Zetian
China.
It was a land of opportunities to mold and create a greater nation.
As Wu Zetian kept the tradition as Emperor to expand the borders of China by conquering new lands in Korea and Central Asia. She also helped to improve the lives of the peasants by lowering taxes, building new public works, and improving farming techniques.
However, for families that is a different story.
You can be raised, nurtured, and loved even, but still, they too had their ambitions and greed. They would destroy all your hard work to make life better by destroying you.
'Destroy me and you destroy China.'
She had to crush many enemies and reminded her allies that she is still alive.
She looked at her brother Ned, Lyanna, and Benjen.
She is not sure what to say.
She could say the words, but she does not mean them from her heart.
Either way, she must find a composed common ground between her siblings in order to keep their family safe.
Good thing they will have days before returning to Kingslandings.
For now, she must dress for the feasts.
She dresses in high fashion of southern with fur sleeves and shoulders exposed skin on them. Her jewels are blue with pearls on the pattern of the dress.
"My lady, the King's daughter. It's time." Her trusted lady-in-waiting Jane Tarly voiced out.
"Very well. The North has been waiting for my return." Agrippina stands up from her chair and twirls a little from her mirror. Looking at herself seemed satisfying enough. "I mustn't keep them waiting any longer."
Her Direwolf is at the stable since not everyone is comfortable having a big wolf in their midst.
She walked where others are waiting and being escorted into the halls. Prince Rhaegar Targaryen had the honor of escorting her.
"Hello, my lady the King's daughter." Rhaegar bows his head. Agrippina gave a ghost smile and a nod briefly.
As in was in order, King Aerys Targaryen will escort Lyanna Stark, Brandon Stark will escort Queen Rhealla Targaryen, and Crown prince Rhaegar Targaryen will escort Agrippina Stark. Eddard will escort his future betrothed Rhaenys Targaryen, and Benjen Stark will escort princess Jaehaera Targaryen, and followed behind them will be Baelor and Viserys being followed by their pages.
Everyone in the entire north is in the presence of their halls. All in awe and looking at the royal family.
She could tell that everyone is finding her presence more interesting as they saw her beauty and status showing her power standing among the royal family.
They walked up to the high seats and took their place.
"People of the Northern realms!" King Aerys started as all watched and waited for his speech. "For years, you have been loyal and honorable people who kept their oaths serious as if it was a religion. I wished to thank you all who had served the Targaryen and the seven kingdoms."
The people applaud and bang their cups in gratitude.
"So, since the Dance of the Dragons, the pact was made between two houses of Targaryen and Starks. A pact of fire and Ice. I proposed that young lord Eddard of the house of Stark betrothed to my daughter, princess Rhaenys of the House of Targaryen in matrimony!"
Everyone cheered and some clapped politely.
"Their household will be at Moat Cailin shall be rebuilt as part of the dowry for both our offspring. Cheers for our pact of Fire and Ice!"
Everyone cheered even louder.
Agrippina Stark smiled and nodded to the blushing princess Rhaenys. Brandon is head-locking his brother, Ned in a brotherly manner.
She sipped her cup and eyed the men in the room. She must make her mark on finding a husband. Since two of her brothers and sister are marrying a spouse of the South. It is up to her and Benjen to marry Northern to make appeasement.
Her eyes spotted one particular Northern.
Roger Ryswell is a man who is gruffly and handsome like a man. Making sure to make eye contact with the older man, she smirked when the young heir took the look of a deer caught in a snare, staring back at her with wide, shocked eyes, his face paling. Instead of backing away at his apprehension, Agrippina kept eye contact, her silver-blue eyes locked onto the man's face as it slowly filled back with color, a flush taking over his cheeks at her blatant attention.
She knew she had a bit of a reputation, the wicked wolf, the King's daughter, an accomplished spymaster, poisoner, and Direwolf tamer.
But she was also flowered, and beautiful, and her skin was kissed by the sun, which made her a catch to most power-grasping lords looking to harness the power of the King's daughter.
With him as her backing and family united, her brother Ned a second-born son, eager to step out of his cocksure brother's shadow, a Lord of his household, having a wife from a royal family but still able to access their wealth and connections… that could be very useful in the wars to come.
This is a story of how the wolf met a wild stallion of the North.
Reviews are welcome.
Clive Standen face claimed as Roger Ryswell.
Next Chapter, Rhaenys talks about Agrippina and Rhealla. Lyanna Stark's opinion and plans of Crown Prince Rhaegar's marriage with Dorne.