DISCLAIMER: Chapter one.
Chapter rating: T
NicoleR85: I feel like he would be bonded with his owner's wife. Hope you enjoy what I write.
Ladyespeon164: Sadly, I feel that is what makes her stronger after losing Drogo too. But we'll see how it goes. Please enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Five- XXV: First Life Taken
(Stormlands)
Catelyn helped her lady pack up her belongings as she gushed over the dragons' sizes.
"I cannot believe how big the queen's dragons grew. And she rode one!" The girl beamed, Catelyn smiled at her lady's words.
"Yes, I do remember when they were but the size of kittens," Catelyn commented as her lady hummed curiously. "But their sizes amaze me," Catelyn spoke.
"My brother says it is quite possibly the fact that they are not chained or locked up? I believe the original dragons were, yes, m'lady?" the lady asked as Catelyn paused.
"The Dragonpit. Now ruins but they were what housed the ruling Targaryen dragons, those that were unridden flew back to the Dragonmount on Dragonstone. But those that were claimed and bonded to a Targaryen, lived there. Chained and trained by dragonkeepers," Catelyn recalled the stories.
"Such horrid ways," the maid spoke softly. "The dragons obviously are better free as the King's wolf, I even hear whispers of Princess Sansa's direwolf! Lady, they say she is so big, My Lady!" the maid cooed, holding her lady's hand tight in comfort.
"Cat," a familiar voice made her whip around. Her maid gasped fearfully and bolted to get the guards as Petyr attempted to stop her.
"You worm! Don't touch her," she hissed out hatefully. "You betrayed Ned!" she snarled as Petyr Baelish flinched.
"I tried to help him! I wanted him to rule as regent," he growled out as she scoffed. "I'm bringing a peace offering," he offered as Catelyn laughed with hate.
"Why in all the Gods-" she cut herself off when she saw two Silent Sisters brought in a box. She knew what that was. "What is this?" she asked sharply.
"Lord Tyrion Lannister sent it," he offered as that grated the woman's nerves. "He deserves to rest alongside his kin," he urged as Catelyn knelt down. "All he wants is Jaime. He'll trade for your girls," he spoke as Catelyn froze. She's heard the rumors and reading the letter from Sansa confirmed that her daughter Arya was not in King's Landing.
"You have Arya too?" she asked with a doubtful tone.
"Yes," he agreed, watching her with a frown. "Cat, I swear. They are safe within our Keep-"
"Robb will never agree to those terms," Catelyn spoke. "Nor will Rhaenyra," she spat knowing that if Robb would not agree, his wife would no doubt support him.
"I'm not bringing this to them. I'm bringing it to you," he urged as Catelyn thought, while trailing her hands over her husband's box.
"Get out. Now," she ordered in a whisper as he bowed. Knowing when not to push a subject too much.
"Lord Baelish," Renly's voice was hard and to the point as he entered. "I believe I allowed you to stay and speak your piece but you were to remain away from Lady Stark," he said as his guard entered with the maid who ran to her lady. Catelyn took her hand as the younger glared at Petyr, knowing he was what made her lady upset.
"I am leaving," he revealed, with Renly agreeing, ordering that he will follow him out. As he left, she opened the box and nearly fainted, closing it with a defeated sigh as she realized he could go back. Her lady-in-waiting sat beside her as she prayed for her lady's husband. Both crying, one for her loving husband and one for her generous and caring lord. Renly, the next day, offered to have some of his men join in returning Ned's bones back to Winterfell. Catelyn took the offer as Margaery offered her condolences and appologizies on her husband's death. Catelyn did not want to leave his bones and wished to bring them to Robb so he may grieve and pray for his father, but Renly claimed it was better for the lord's bones to be returned as quickly as possible so they may not be destroyed or used in a way against the Northern army. Margaery's brother and father both agreed, knowing the Lannisters were evil and dishonorable, they would do anything to hurt Robb. So Catelyn watched as a small handful of the men who left her side guided Renly's men to Winterfell, ensuring they were protected.
XXV
(Riverlands)
Baela smiled as she listened to Jaime's story about a prank he and Tyrion did. It was about putting some rats and snakes in Cersei and her ladies' chambers. To this day she still did not know who did it. She assumed Tyrion had something to do with it but Jaime deflected it everytime.
"I could only imagine how she would react, he ruined four of her favorite dresses with that prank," Jaime claimed while Baela chuckled.
"Makes me think of Arya's prank on Sansa. Same end result ruined some of her favorite dresses but also a stitch she had been working on for weeks. Oh, she was so mad," Baela laughed. "She somehow snuck pigs past the guards, though I suspected someone helped her. There was no way an 8-year-old could sneak four pigs into her sister's chambers without someone spotting her or, as I suggested, helping her," Baela commented as Jaime laughed.
"I truly did grow fond of Arya in the small time I got to know her, I was so sorry to hear about the buisness with the wolf. It's why I spoke in Lady's defense. Nymeria had already run off so, same as everyone asked. Why punish an innocent creature who was not a part of her sister's crime?" Jaime asked as his daughter frowned.
"I feel as though there is a double-meaning behind your words," Baela commented while Jaime smiled sadly.
"Whether there are double meanings or not, it is still the same. You should not linger too much, I do not wish for you to get in trouble with your King or his council," Jaime ordered as Baela shrugged.
"They cannot do anything to me, being the Queen's cousin and the fact that the dragons and direwolf would defend me gives me some security. Definitely keeps the annoying hounds away," Baela grumbled to her father's amusement.
"But still, they will think I am trying to convince you to help me escape if they do not trust the Lannister blood in you," he urged. She smiled at him softly.
"Please worry not, for me to be allowed to talk with you, I agreed to have guards at the end of the hallways, far for privacy but close to stop you should you… escape. Somehow," she chuckled as he hummed curiously as he eyed the bars to her curiosity.
"You know I might be able to bend these soon," he surmised as she laughed. She understood why her mother liked Jaime, he had a good sense of humor. Unaware of Theon listening and went to Robb.
"Are you sure this is wise?" he asked softly.
"It's fine. I am hoping she can get some information from Jaime that will help us," Robb said. He hated using his friend's bonding time with her father but he needed to know whatever it is that Jaime knows. And especially what happened with Bran.
"Your Grace!" A man called. "A scout spy's your men returning from King's Landing. It is the treaty terms," the knight called as Robb nodded.
"How far?" he questioned.
"My man says a fortnight, that is if they do not stop and take extended breaks," the man said. "Though it is alarming at the number of his guards that returned," the man offered too.
"Keep watch, do not falter. If they pose a threat, we will deal with it," Robb ordered as Theon ran to give orders.
XXV
(Gull Town)
Rhaenyra winced as she climbed down. "I will truly never complain about riding a horse," Rhaenyra groaned as a guard chuckled, offering the queen a drink as his wife gave her a wet cloth. "Thank you," she thanked the pair. "I do not suppose you know if my knights and ladies have docked?" Rhaenyra asked.
"My son spotted them only moments away, Your Grace," the man spoke as a boy around.
"They are landing!" he smiled.
"I thank you, once again," Rhaenyra smiled before following them as they led her to her party.
"Ah, Your Grace. There you are," Valaena beamed. "Your dragon decided to fly off in a different direction," the woman chuckled as she came to her queen.
"Rhaella grew tired and landed the moment she could," Rhaenyra spoke, worry in her tone as she gazed at her dragon.
"She will recover. Her wings are not used to the flight with an added person," Lynara explained while Rhaella spied deer and aided her sisters in hunting to refill their energy having flown non-stop over the water and would stay near the boat, Ser Barristan noted that the dragons did not seem to like straying from their allies.
"Do you know of any information on the Northern Army?" Lynara questioned.
"Only that the King still resides in Riverrun, his men are doing their best to defend the lands, but it's hard, m'lady," the woman spoke as her husband nodded.
"I have overheard some saying the Mountain is burning farm lands," the knight claimed as Rhaenyra breathed sharply. "Your dragons are small and still young, Your Grace. A good shot is all it takes, this I know," the man urged, seeing the shift in her face. "Yes, we saw you fly her, but too many arrows sent her way could kill you both," the guard claimed as the knights agreed.
"His is right, Your Grace. Rhaella is still too young, she's growing quickly now, yes. But not big enough," Ser Barristan agreed.
"Meraxes and Vhagar were born in the years of their rider's childhood but were still considered small creatures-"
"But they had Balerion as their companion and back up should they fall. And Maraxes did," Valaena emphazied.
"By the Dornish. They were the only ones to fail in falling to the Dragons," Rhaenyra reminded.
"We should consult the King about this," Raynor spoke in finality.
"That we will do," Rhaenyra agreed as she eyed Rhaella as the dragoness perked up. It interested Rhaenyra in the small bond she and Rhaella seemed to create.
"She should be given resting points, Your Grace. She is still learning," Lynara suggested before Rhaella surprised her by coming to her mother and nudged her to her saddle. "I guess she wishes to prove me wrong," Lynara shrugged as Ser Barristan laughed.
"I am slowly learning to not doubt the dragons. They seem to know what their limits are, if they tire, they will land," the knight spoke as Rhaenyra thought about it before agreeing.
"I will be careful," Rhaenyra said before hoisting herself up and petting Rhaella's shoulder in comfort as the female trilled. As the men found horses for the small group, Valaena ensured they had provisions as Rhaenys and Alysanne shrieked, impatient as their sister sat. It amazed Rhaenyra to see the slow shift when with her rider.
Rhaella, her impatient and short-tempered she-dragon, seemed to be calming a bit when caring for a human. But she knew her dragon would still have her snappy moments. It made her happy to know her dragons would do anything to keep their rider's safe when it came to it.
"Your Grace, we are ready," Tyene called as she mounted her horse, she softly pet Rhaenys who had come closer at the bastard's voice. Rhaenys seemed to be drawn to noises more than her sisters, fishing was fun when many would see her dive suddenly and rise with a large fish. Alysanne and Rhaella would usually join her in fishing but preferred hunting over land.
"Sōvētēs," Rhaenyra called as her dragons took off. Rhaella went last, taking a bit extra run to get in the air with her mother safely. Rhaella enjoyed the air around the Riverlands, she didn't like the further south they went. The she-dragons preferred the colder winds and even the snow.
Rhaenys and Alysanne flew carefully, Rhaenyra knew dragonback was faster than horses as she almost flew past the others a few times or she'd land and wait for them for breaks. Ser Barristan did not like how she'd be on land without a guard, though Lynara knew that the dragons were almost better than guards, they could hear people easier than the humans.
XXV
(Riverrun)
Baela was laughing as her father told her some legends he remembered from his childhood and even the one about Casterly Rock's history. She smiled as she listened to him ramble on about their Lannister origin, it intrigued her that she could fall asleep listening to him.
"You are just like Myrcella, she could doze off to stories that Tyrion would tell her," Jaime teased Baela who chuckles.
"No, I actually have not been able to sleep these last few days," Baela admitted softly.
"Why?" Jaime questioned worry in his face. It pained Jaime as to what he thinks might be wrong, he knows Baela fights, he sees the similar shift in her face when she talks about the fighting and how her training was almost not enough.
"I think there is a reason why women do not fight, unless they are trained from birth like the wildlings," Baela started. "I have terrors about the men I killed some nights. Other nights, I just fear if I stepped wrong or-"
"The right blade pierces right," Jaime finished. "I have the same, many nights. Most are when Aerys was king," Jaime told her as she looked at him.
"Was he really as mad as they called him?" Baela asked. "Mother says some things but can't really be heard talking about it," she claimed.
"He was obsessed with wildfire, one of your Targaryen ancestors created it many centuries ago once the dragons died out. How-how did Rhaenyra bring them back?" Jaimed asked his daughter who frowned.
"I do not know, she was caught in fire and stoned eggs became live baby dragons," Baela said, using her hand from one side then moving it a bit sideways to emphasize her point. "But we are learning as we go. Gods they grow quickly," Baela commented wide-eyed.
"Quickly?" Jaime asked.
"Not bound. They grow quicker without being bound within the creation that was the Dragonpit, while it was smart for protection, it stunted their growths naturally," Baela claimed, taking a chance that her father might keep this quiet. It wasn't much information, especially if the dragons were already growing faster than their war abilities could counter. "But you mentioned Aerys was obsessed with wildfire? Why, what would he do?" Baela asked as Jaime thought.
"He-he threatened to use it on the city," Jaime claimed as she stared horrified.
"Did anyone else know?" she questioned.
"No. I had other alchemists move them and store them properly before killing them. I dispatched all the others that were there, I wouldn't be surprised if there were others still there, though. "He was obsessed with it. Burned anyone who went against him," Jaime started.
"Yes. Lord Stark's father and brother are prime examples. And then he demanded Lord Stark and Robert from Jon Arryn," Baela told him, knowing that part of the story.
"Yes. Yes, he did. He had his pyromancers place caches of wildfire all over the city. Before I had killed them, I had the remaining pyromancers removed and stored them back before slaughtering them. I made sure to remove everything that resembled them, or so I hoped I did," Jaime said while Baela looked at him. He was no longer staring at her but staring at the cell wall. He obviously felt guilt for something.
"Did you know?" Baela asked him as he froze. "About Mother, did you know?" He did not answer as she nodded. "I guess not," she said, slightly disappointed.
"If I had known I would have tried to be there, I am sorry, Baela. I am sorry that you grew up without a father and a bastard," Jaime appologized to her surprise.
"Being a bastard does not bother me. It gives me strength and an edge over people who doubt what I can do because of my name. I know who I am, where I come from. I am the descendant of two Valyrian families and a powerful Westerosi family," Baela told him as he stared at her, it was her turn to surprise him. But Jaime knew Baela was stronger than Joffrey, smarter than the Bastard King as Jaime overheard the guards when they talked about the news flying around Westeros. But he thought he overheard them mentioning a rider to the dragons. Jaime feared what they meant by that.
"Prisoner returning!" A shout came from the hallway as Baela frowned and gave a confused 'huh?' She produced a knife to Jaime's worry.
"Baela?" he asked, concerned.
"Shh," she shushed her father while calling to the guards. "You boys alright?" she asked.
"Yes, My Lady!" A Stark guard called, he came down the hallway a moment to talk with her. "The cousin we sent is returning and is returning with more Lannister guards apparently," he explained to Baela's anger.
"That wasn't part of the deal!" she roared as the man flinched, Baela and Rhaenyra's tempers were similar, frighteningly similar, according to Theon when he was delivering food to Jaime once and they chatted a few minutes and brought up how similar the cousins were.
"I understand, My Lady. They are to be held as prisoners since they were not meant to rejoin the march back. So far our men look to be unharm-" Fighting suddenly caught their attention as Baela paled.
"Shit," she cursed, undoing her keys. "You're coming with me," she ordered. Undoing her father's cell, pulling him out. Jaime now realized he was free and could run, overpower his daughter and her guard who guided her down to the other who tensed. "We're moving my father, they know where his cell is. He needs to be hidden, they're here for him," Baela told them as they nodded. Jaime followed, he knew he couldn't hurt her. The weeks he spent bonding with a child he could claim, bastard or not. He could not hurt the daughter of the woman he loved, a woman who has never hurt him or even lied to him. Valaena could have lied and claimed Baela not his or even drank moontea, ridding herself of the pregnancy. Jaime decided he'd do what he could to grow closer to his daughter, but he still prayed for his younger children under their brother's brutal reign. He was not prepared when they heard other northern soldiers fighting and dying. Jaime knew dying men when he heard it.
"They're getting closer," Jaime called as Baela froze.
"Get in the cell, before any other of our army see you free," Baela requested, closing it but not locking it. "I need you two to protect the opening. I, of course, was not allowed to carry my sword," she growled as the men nodded.
"Be safe, Lady Baela," the man requested, a small bow as another stared Jaime down.
"Keep watch over her for us," the other requested of Jaime who nodded.
"I will," he agreed. Surprising himself at wanting to protect Baela.
"See how good you truly are, Father. With no weapons," Baela playfully teased as he grinned.
"Weapon or no. I'm sure I could disarm you, as well as a few other men," he claimed while Baela had an all-knowing look.
"We will have to test that," she spoke before standing at attention, waiting for the oncoming attackers that might break through.
XXV
Rhaenyra could tell her dragons were getting antsy and wanted to fly all the way back to the castle.
"Your Grace, just fly ahead. We will meet up with you," Ser Barristan requested.
"Aye, child. We will see you at Riverrun," Lynara ordered as they packed up their horses. They'd race back to Riverrun if they had too.
"Very well, please stay safe," Rhaenyra requested as she mounted Rhaella who trilled before shrieking, taking off. Her wings pushed trees down and knocked some over completely. The whipping of air flying around them as Alysanne and Rhaenys joined.
Rhaenyra held on as Rhaella flew quickly, it amazed her to see the true speed in the dragon's wings. Rhaella twisted and turned in the currents as Rhaenyra felt the air whipping her face and hair in every direction. She did not know how long they were flying, it was hard to keep track of the time but by the moon shifting she knew it must've been a few hours. But Rhaenyra spotted Riverrun as Rhaenys shrieked in happiness before horror filled the Targaryen woman's veins. She saw fire and men fighting. Alysanne and Rhaenys were going on instinct and started to burn men with their blue and golden flames. Rhaenyra feared who they were attacking but knew this would happen; she pulled Rhaella's reins to aim for men fleeing Riverrun. The two sisters worked together to protect each other and Rhaenyra was using Rhaella to help the other men.
"Drakarys!" Rhaenyra snarled as Rhaella set her red flames onto the riverbanks. The Lannister men fleeing were burned as northern men and rivermen cheered as they saw their queen as the Dornish fighters stared with stunned horrified fascination. Rhaella turned as she spotted more Lannisters fleeing, many of her men fled back into the castle, those who did not fear burning to death fighting continued on, avoiding when they could but fought on. Such as Greatjon and his son who cheered their queen on. Rhaenyra forced her dragon down when she saw Jaime out of the castle, but not fleeing. Landing and dismounting her dragon, she marched up to the man as Rhaella eyed the Lannister prisoner, growling as Rhaenyra cautioned going too close before Jaime said three simple words.
"Baela is hurt," he said as she looked fearful.
"Take me," she ordered. "Jikagon," Rhaenyra demanded as Rhaella hissed to her mother once more before flying off as she rejoined burning men. Jaime took the knife he had snagged from his daughter and held Rhaenyra close, she walked calmly and held in her bile when the smell of the prisons reached her. He obviously had not bathed in a few days and it seems the smell was making her sensitive stomach roll. Prince Oberyn who spotted Jaime raced over to them in defense of Rhaenyra before she called out to stop him and his daughters. "Baela's hurt, he's taking me to her. You have medical help, yes?" Rhaenyra asked as Jaime backed up, ensuring his blade was away from her skin.
"Minimun, yes," Oberyn confirmed.
"Please help me save my cousin, can one of your girls go and retrieve the maester?" Rhaenyra requested as Oberyn nodded and sent Nymeria off. The girl was the second nimble runner behind Tyene. The small group made their way into the castle and into the dungeons where Baela was gasping softly and holding her wounded side after ripping the knife from the guy's gut as he dropped. Groaning in agony she collapsed before Rhaenyra and Jaim caught her together.
"Baela!" Jaime called worried as Oberyn applied pressure before assessing how much blood was around the area, concerned with the amount he saw. The prince instantly started to put a compress on the wound, to aid in stopping the bloodflow.
"What happened?" Oberyn asked quickly.
"The men who came back with my cousin tried to free me. He seemed surprised that my main concern was my bleeding daughter," Jaime seethed as the Dornish prince eyed the Lannister. Analyzing what he saw and what he had witnessed outside. Rhaella landing was hard to miss and how the female did not attack Jaime outright surprised the Prince.
"Four men," the girl spoke, wincing as Jaime shushed her.
"Hush girl, wait until the maester helps you," he urged. "They came with the men that brought Cleos back," Jaime spoke as Oberyn lightly dabbed at the wound as she whimpered in pain. "Easy girl," he urged softly. "Think of your north, your wide open plains, the snow, the mud," he groaned as they smiled. Rhaenyra laughed as she tried to calm herself, she did not want to freak out and hurt her unborn child. Theon raced in, panting, and almost panicked.
"Baela? Rhae? Wha- Why is he out of his cell?!" the Greyjoy demanded as Rhaenyra sighed.
"Go find Robb, tell him Baela's been hurt. But I'm in here and please do a damage assessment for the dragons," Rhaenyra requested as Theon agreed.
Rhaenyra continued to sit there while Jaime did the same. The maester quickly ran in with Nymeria who told her father of their losses, Robb appeared with his uncles as well, tensing as he spotted Jaime free but frowned when he saw Baela hurt.
"What happened?" he ordered.
"When Cleos Frey returned it appears four men snuck in to help him escape," Edmure growled as Rhaenyra's face went empty. "We've captured them," the moment that left his lips she stood as Valaena and Jaime crowded around their daughter who coughed before the maester came in with another guard.
"Please let me be here until she is stable," Jaime begged as he held Baela's hand tighter. Robb watched her and was torn between throwing him back or racing after his wife.
"The moment her life is stable enough to be moved, you go into a cell," he ordered as the Lannister agreed. Robb tore after his wife as she stormed down, her footsteps loud and determined. "Rhae! Rhae!" he called out, desperate to stop his wife as Obara ran a man through as four men were forced to their knees. Rhaenyra's sharp eyes zeroed in on them.
"Are these them?" she asked.
"Aye, Your Grace," Greatjon spoke, surprised to see his queen alright. Covered in some soot and smoke from the dragon flames. The dragons were seen eating the burned men. Robb could not believe their sizes as Grey Wind approached them cautiously, they were bigger now, he softly huffed and sniffed as Rhealla stopped her gorging to spot him. Many spotted her saddle and how Rhaenyra was dressed, she was not dressed in the traditional women's dresses but had breeches on with a loose skirt and cut on the sides a bit to give her more room to move and manuver in the dragonsaddle.
"Your Grace, we hang our men," Edmure spoke, worried as he watched her too.
"Hang the three. The one who stabbed my cousin will burn," she demanded as her husband got ready to step in before a glare from her made him falter. "She is one of my last living kin Robb," she snarled quietly, he stopped knowing she was angry. Baela had lost a lot of blood by the time a maester got to her and she had been fighting too, losing more as a result.
"Very well," he decided.
"Rob-"
"You will address him as 'King Robb' or 'Your Grace,' Nephew. He is still your king," Robb's great-uncle, the Blackfish, reminded as his voice cut his nephew off who glared softly.
"Who stabbed the white haired maid?" Rhaenyra ordered as Edmure sighed, not liking the way this will turn out. The four men glared before Rhaenys and Alysanne viciously snarled, their faces blood spattered and covered in the remnants of their victims. A couple whimpered as one closed his eyes when Rhaella closed in on him with a deep, soul piercing growl that sent shivers down all four backs of the men.
"We have a murderer, a poisoner, a mummer and a thief," Smalljon spoke as he brought a bloody guard who was quite roughed up.
"Jaime said the murderer attacked," Theon revealed, horrifying the Lannister men that Jaime told them. The man who Rhaella had zeroed on whimpered as the dragons shrieked at him Alysanne started to open her mouth.
"Kelītīs." Stop. Rhaenyra ordered. As she jerked her head to the side when Greatjon hauled the man to his feet as the other three were tossed to a Tully guard. Smalljon forced the man in front of the growling Alysanne as she slowly pulled herself up to full height as she snarled when the Umber duo moved out of her way. "Alysanne," the Dragon Queen called, eyes watching the murderer who fearfully looked at the dragon. "Drakarys," Rhaenyra ordered as her youngest spat a jet of blue flames which quickly engulfed the screaming man as the others fearfully moved away. The only ones who didn't were northern men or others who adapted to them. Rhaenys and Rhaella shrieked angrily at the remaining who clung to the guards, they barely aided in stopping the dragons from terrorizing the three men. Robb watched his wife's face and noted the blank expression as she looked down, looking to Obara, the Dornish she nodded and looked to the man's burned body and ordered something in Dornish to her men who nodded. Alysanne abandoned her kill and joined in tearing into the already half-eaten men, Rhaenyra walked away as Smalljon joined. Obara and her men snagged the murderer's remains before taking it.
XXV
"How is she?" Rhaenyra asked the Maester who softly dabbed at Baela's head. She had started to sweat a bit which worried her queen.
"A bit of a sweat, Your Grace. But the lady is strong," he promised, positive that she could get better. "She's lost a bit of blood as well, we can only hope she wakes," he hoped as she nodded.
"Stay with her please, Maester Lyon," she begged as he nodded.
"Of course, Your Grace," he agreed with ease. Rhaenyra sighed as she came closer, pressing a soft kiss on her cousin's forehead before leaving.
"And make sure her family knows," she requested as he perked up.
"Father too?" he asked as she nodded.
"No one would have helped her if he had not told me, Oberyn had been able to help until you got there. Please make sure Ser Jaime knows," she nodded before leaving as he smiled softly before returning to his patient. She was almost done to where he could tend to his other patients. Rhaenyra slowly walked as she kept a hand against the wall as she started to cry softly and fell to her knees as she cried. Covering her mouth she quietly stayed down before feeling hands cup her shoulders.
"Come on," Ser Brynden urged as he had gone to tell Robb of Baela's stability. He had been desperate to find out about his wife too. But now the great-uncle was aiding in steadying his queen. She stood there resting her hand against her small belly, breathing calmly a few times before standing with the knight's help. She stayed a bit against the wall while her husband's great-uncle watched with worry, Rhaenyra took a few shaky deep breaths, coughing softly she shook her head, feeling sick to her stomach.
"I'm fine," she promised as he frowned, not believing her.
"Come along, Your Grace," the Blackfish urged, walking alongside the queen before more guards joined as they guided her to her chambers where her husband was pacing.
"Nyra," he breathed, relieved. "Thank you, all of you, for ensuring my wife's return," he joked as the men smiled while his great-uncle gave her a small hug in a familial way. He knew something was wrong and knew the young queen needed family bonds close most of all, her ladies were still days away along with her guards, her closest kin and cousin laid unconscious, a sweat to her brow. They waited for her fever to take root or for it to pass.
"You are all right, child," he promised while Robb took her.
"I have her, Uncle. Thank you," Robb said softly while the man nodded and smiled.
"You both did good," he praised to Robb's small smile. It was Rhaenyra's first fight, despite it not being intentional, possibly she still joined when the Lannisters attacked. "I will gather the numbers we lost and what of our prisoner list, see if we have any new tenants," the Blackfish spoke, eager to head to the cells again. "And I will ensure Jaime has everything he needs. Baela moved him to another cell. We might have to move him again-"
"No one else knows she moved him, anyone who did is either dead or imprisoned. Those dragons ensured no stragglers had survived," Robb told his uncle while having Rhaenyra sit at her vanity to finish his discussion with the Blackfish.
"I will be off, Your Grace. The Queen seems-"
"The Queen is fine, she is just tired," Rhaenyra called, a smile on the mens' faces at her words.
"Very well. Feel better, My Queen," Ser Brynden wished before leaving as Robb frowned.
"What is going on with you? You've been off since returning. I understand if it is about the deaths you took with Rhaella it is not uncommon to feel regret," Robb told her as he knelt in front of her, taking her hands when he removed her gloves.
"Is it horrible that I do not feel guilt? I do for our men that got caught within the flames, but I do not feel bad for the Lannister men," Rhaenyra stopped him softly, tears in her eyes. "Gods, if that is true then I am turning into my father," she cried as Robb frowned.
"No, it does not. You feel guilt for others, your enemies who were attacking your men, your people, do not deserve your guilt. You do as every Targaryen that rode a dragon did, you used her for war. Which is what we need," Robb knew she would doubt the use of them against people. Her raising of knowing her mad father who burned people alive, her ancestors burning people or themselves, and her great-grandfather who burned Summerhall as her brother was being born with wildfire in an attempt to bring dragons back. But what amazed Robb was his grandson's twins could and did bring them back, whatever magic gave them the ability to do so. "You will learn what is acceptable and what is not. It is the consequence of wielding dragonfire. But do you realize, that if they grow bigger than what they are now, eventually we will not need to send the men first, a few blasts of dragonfire would hopefully stop any fighting unless they truly wished to fight. For now, your dragons could be used for scouting, as Queen Rhaenys did for Orys Baratheon, alerting him to the Storm King's army. That is what you can do for me, until they are big enough to truly do harm without damage to them or you," Robb told her as she embraced him.
Rhaenyra was grateful for her husband's words and comfort, she knew that she would never be comfortable with burning people no matter how much she loved her dragons. It scared her how her first reaction was to burn the man who harmed her cousin. But that was all she wished was to cause him harm and do as she did, give the rest of the men to Edmure. "I do not think I will ever grow used to it," she whispered as Robb helped her undo her boots. Pulling her to stand he embraced her, noticing the shift in her scent that almost resembled the dragons.
"You do not have to be comfortable or used to it, as I am not when I execute someone or kill someone in battle. So just see it as your duty to protect your people, bring Sansa and Lady home, find Arya if she is not at King's Landing, and so that we can return home to Bran and Rickon. Start our family and rule as King and Queen of the North together," Robb spoke up as Rhaenyra looked up at him suddenly. "What?"
"There is something that I must let you know, Ñuha Raqan," My Love. Rhaenyra spoke. Just as it used to be a love language between Targaryen lovers, it was one for her as well as her husband who enjoyed the language.
"Skoros?" Robb asked, undoing her laces as she smiled before taking his hands against her belly, the swell already there and small.
"I am pregnant, husband," Rhaenyra revealed, laying their foreheads together as he stared at her stunned. He laughed softly before pulling her into a kiss as Rhaenyra wrapped her arms around him.
"When did you learn?" he asked curious as she was stripped down to her smallclothes.
"A week ago. I wanted to send word, but-"
"No. It is better than someone finding the letter." Robb knew her fear of the Lannisters finding out. "I am happy, Rhae," he smiled, holding her close and kissing her head. "Do you wish to go to bed or bathe first?" Robb asked as she hummed softly.
"Bed. I am too tired to continue to stand," Rhaenyra complained gently as he smiled.
"Alright, come on, you. You are going to have to be more careful," Robb said, knowing his northern dragon wife would still continue to fight and be a part of the war.
"If you fall, I'll die anyway. If you fall and I die in battle at least I die trying," Rhaenyra told him once when he asked if she ever was a part of the battling, on dragonback was his only option for her, would she still do so even pregnant? Her answer, yes, my idiotic husband.
"Come, to bed, wife," Robb ordered, guiding her as they went to the bed, listening to the dragons as Grey Wind sat out there with them, eyeing the flying beasts with his golden eyes.
XXV
End of the chapter! How was that?
Please, read and review!
~Rusty14~
