DISCLAIMER: Chapter one.

Chapter rating: T

Chapter Twenty-Seven: XXVII- Frogs nestled among Wolves

(King's Landing)

Sansa felt her heart break at watching Myrcella leave, she was crying and clutching a toy Sansa had given her for comfort. One of the sweetlings was leaving but at least Tommen is still here so they could still bond. Shae softly held Sansa's hand as she smiled at the former whore who returned it while they continued to watch.

"She's out of this dangerous city, My Lady," Shae reminded as Sansa nodded.

"I hear Prince Doran is generous and will not do her harm," she whispered, making sure to avoid angering the royal family.

"When I was in Dorne, I had met a few guards, they always raved about him," she smiled as Sansa nodded a small grin adorning her face. "Come on," she urged when the group started to leave. Tommen came up to Sansa and held her hand, his septa smiled at the young redhead who smiled back. She had tried to come to the Sept with her and Tommen before retreating to the Godswood with Shae standing guard at the opening.

"It will be alright Tommen," she whispered before feeling the guard stop them suddenly.

"Is something wrong?" Shae asked worriedly before the guard shushed them.

"This way," another urged as the girls followed the men before shouting and debris started to fly. The girls screamed as the guard grabbed them, Sansa was pulled to one as Shae held Tommen close and clung to another guard.

"It's a riot," he warned her as she nodded, whimpering when something almost hit them.

"We're almost at the Keep," the leader shouted as the Septa was torn from their side. Tommen cried fearfully when a guard hoisted him up as a hand tore at Sansa who screamed fearfully. The peasant lost his arm the moment The Hound appeared.

"GO!" he marched them up as the guard held Sansa close. Making it inside Sansa was quickly sat down by the guard as Tommen was taken away. "See to the Little Bird's wounds, then put her back in her cage," The Hound ordered as Tyrion watched with shock.

"Well done Clegane," he praised as the man frowned.

"See to it," he requested to Shae who nodded, retrieving a bowl of water and a cloth.

"I say kill them all!" Joffrey's voice wailed as his mother tried to shush him before jumped when he threw the bowl of water off the chair and stormed off. Sansa watched with a passive look as she looked to Shae who shook her head a tad, softly dabbing at her temple and then her lip Sansa sighed through her nose with a wince.

"It will take some time to heal," Shae smiled as Sansa shrugged.

"It's okay," she smiled back. "I am happy to be alive," she spoke as the guard stepped forward.

"I apologize My Lady, I should have had a better grip on you so you would not have been hurt," he frowned as he removed his helm. He was blue eyed and sandy blonde hair, freckled and young, most likely just starting at being a guard.

"You did better than the ones that were meant to protect the King and his party," Tyrion spoke up. "We lost a few of our noble ladies and quite a few gold cloaks," he refused to comment on how many called for the Northern leaders and the Baratheon brothers. "Robb Stark, King in the North," and "Rhaenyra Targaryen, Mother of Dragons," those alarmed him the most. "Guards," he called as the few quickly came to him, kneeling to hear better over the roar of the crowd. "Ensure that the gates remain sealed until further notice," he ordered as they nodded. "We cannot let this get out or to the North." They could not let this reach further out. As it was the North was supported and cared for by the Dornish in trades, Varys claimed his Dornish spies had found northern furs among the noble houses and heavy meats too. So now they were doing good trades that both took in value, they could not do that, but hoped Myrcella would suffice.

XXVII

(Riverlands)

Rhaenyra sighed as wished to fly on her dragon again, now understanding the bliss of it and why her ancestors so craved to hatch the eggs that littered Dragonstone and their Dragonpit that were not crushed in the fall of the dome. She bit her lip and approached Rhaella who trilled and lowered her head, nudging her mother and sniffing her belly. Alysanne and Rhaenys came around their mother and crooned to her as well. Ser Bryndan who spotted her would be stunned by how small she was compared to her dragons' heads now. Worried about her thoughts, he was grateful for Prince Oberyn who had been the only one brave enough with his daughters and the Umber father and son duo to approach the dragoness to remove her saddle. But with how the female lowered her shoulders, it was obvious she felt comfortable flying with her rider with no saddle. Though Rhaenyra had asked where her saddle had been placed. Oberyn left it with the saddlemaker before offering to have it retrieved. He remembered how to attach it properly and studied it before removing it while Robb had stroked the dragon's head to soothe her. Robb had requested her to rest before attempting to fly again.

Rhaenyra did not enjoy her husband's protective nature and wished to fly again. She had ordered her men to retrieve the saddle as they agreed. Obara came forward having helped her father unsaddle the dragon and like him, remembered how to do it. Rhaenyra effortlessly had her dragon lower enough to be saddled, Obara carefully balanced on the dragon's leg while placing the seat, and some of her men hooked the straps. Greatjon softly tugged the saddle to ensure it was in place as the dragon growled, irritated softly.

"Sorry, girl," Greatjon appologized. Patting the dragon's shoulder to her trill with Rhaenyra still petting her. Ever so carefully, Rhaenyra stepped up and hoisted herself into the saddle as Rhaella stood up eager to fly again.

"Kelītīs," Rhaenyra demanded as her dragon stilled. Hooking herself with the belt and strapped her legs in. Rhaella perked when her rider picked up the reins and clicked her tongue. The she-dragon rose now to her full height, stunning many about her size change in her absence. Roaring, Rhaella pushed herself into the air as she flew along the outline of Riverrun, shrieking as she flew up and over the battlemounts as men gathered, pointing as many cheered. Edmure who sat with his father overheard the commotion and stood. Once he came to the window he beamed.

"Father!" He gently woke his father who gave a tired 'hmm?' "Do you wish to see Rhaenyra fly on her dragon?" he asked. The elder nodded softly and allowed himself to be helped up, Edmure walked him through the doors held by the guards as one quickly pointed Rhaella out to his lord.

"Oh!" Hoster smiled at seeing them fly. "Look at them," the man whispered. "She truly is beautiful," Hoster spoke weakly.

"She is, Father. I am happy you were able to see this. I hear her sister has three of her own, males from the names Catelyn was given when she read a letter that Baela shared," Edmure told his father who looked surprised as his son and maester led him to his bed.

"Could you imagine if they brought the dragons back?" Hoster mused as his maester gave him a dreamwine.

"More dragons than dragonriders once again," Edmure commented while watching his father doze off.

Rhaenyra smiled as she felt Rhaella fly along the Red Fork, flying around the forests as she shrieked happily. Rhaenyra turned Rhaella into the direction where Rhaenys flew, curious as to why her dragon had flown off. Alysanne flew next to her mother, her blue scales showing off the sapphire shade and the jade coloring. Matching her deep blue eyes. Even her flames were a beautiful blue. It intrigued men to see the flame shades, Rhaella's red flames and Rhaenys' gold flames helped show the difference in all dragons. But Rhaenyra smiled when she saw her guards and ladies heading to the castle as Roslyn pointed with a smile.

"It's the Queen!" she gave a laugh. Lynara and Valaena smiled at seeing them while Rhaenys shrieked happily at seeing her friends. Maester Lyon confirmed rumors he heard how dragons could tell the difference between friend from foe.

"Come on," Ser Barristan urged as they encouraged their tired horses onward, knowing they were reaching their destination soon.

But Rhaenyra frowned when she spied something in the distance but could not tell. Rhaella trilled softly as she hovered, unsure if Rhaenyra wanted to fly in the direction she was facing, but her mother did not, instead she urged her dragon to follow her sisters who had joined in return to Riverrun.

XXVII

(Harrenhal)

Arya was sitting as she watched Gendry practice with weapons he forged. "So how do you know that the dragons are real?" He asks as she ate her apple.

"The army, and Tywin didn't deny them when I spoke about the rumors," she shrugged as he paused.

"Yeah, I don't see anyway else to explain that better," he spoke as she chuckled. "You always spoke about dragons," he commented as she threw the core away.

"They're interesting. Targaryens rode dragons for centuries before the last one died. Rhaenyra has three eggs," Arya revealed as Gendry paused.

"Three?" he asked, curious as she nodded.

"Saw them before I left for King's Landing," Arya told him as he huffed. "They were stone," she spoke as he scoffed.

"If they were stone, I doubt anything would've hatched from them," he spoke as she frowned.

"Well then how would you explain her dragons? Those eggs had been turned to stone, or so my uncle, Jon Arryn, had said when he gave them to her," she said as he paused once more.

"I don't know Arry. Dragons did out centuries ago," he shrugged as she thought.

"Not anymore," she added as he paused, nodding with a small smile.

"Right, not anymore," he spoke before helping her down. "Go, Lord Tywin will be calling soon," he ordered as she nodded with a frown. Watching her walk off Gendry sighed and got back to work, making sure no one had overheard their conversation. He and Hot Pie have been calling her Arry to protect her actual name. He knew she'd be in more danger if someone found out who she was. But with the information she gave he kept an ear out for new information, mostly about Arya's brother's movements and if he hears anything about Sansa as well.

XXVII

(King's Landing)

Sansa awoke with a fearful cry as Lady leapt on the bed, snarling softly and pawed the bed. Sansa, suddenly fearful, whimpered as she dug through the sheets. And saw red.

"Oh, no," Sansa whimpered. Getting up she grabbed her knife as Lady hopped off, sniffing the blood on her dress. Sansa tried to cut it before seeing it bled through, carefully she cut it trying to cover it with the stuffing as Shae entered and frowned at seeing her lady.

"Stop! Give me that," Shae quickly took the knife, confused as to why she was doing this.

"It's alright, My Lady-"

"No! It's not alright. If the Queen sees. It means I'll be marrying Joffrey and bearing his children," she cired as Shae froze.

"Help me," she ordered the other women. One pulled a confused Sansa to her clothing. Finding a bunch of cloth she bound it up and instructed Sansa on what to do. Nodding Sansa shed her dress and placed the cloth properly and accepted the red slip, the color surprised her before Shae explained she had one commissioned just in case this happened, and the girl helped her dress in a dark grey dress that would conceal her and be comfortable to her. Shae and her companions worked with rapid movements as the other maid cut up Sansa's blue nightdress. Tana quickly burned the blue cloth while Shae gave her the pieces of the bed. One worked on sewing the bed back together and yanked off the sheet while cutting it up completely to make extra clothes for Sansa so they would not have to retrieve any until she is done.

"What should I do?" Sansa asked as Tana helped her sit to do her hair.

"Try and act normal. Do not do anything different to attract attention," Tana ordered as Sansa nodded, taking a few breaths to soothe herself.

"What am I going to do if she finds out?" Sansa was nothing but a ball of nerves which worried Shae and the other girls.

"I will get some tea. Hide in here until then," Shae ordered as Sansa nodded. Shae sighed as she made her way to the kitchen and asked for some herbs for her mistress' nerves.

"Lady Sansa is feeling nervous?" The cook asked, worried for the sweet girl he made lemoncakes for knowing they were her favorite.

"Yes, everything around her has made her nerves completely take over," Shae smiled as the cook chuckled.

"Well, reassure your mistress. The Hand has a plan for the Baratheon brothers' attack. We will be safe in the Keep," he said to Shae's horror.

"Thank you. She will be pleased by that," Shae spoke before bolting as she almost ran into the Hound who eyed her.

"Be careful girl. You are more useful alive to your masters," he warned as she frowned before Shae respectfully got around him as Lady appeared suddenly and growled when the Hound turned to the direwolf. Shae quickly ran to the female who had followed after her in protection as Shae quickly guided the female back to her lady's chambers.

"The Baratheons are attacking King's Landing soon," Shae said as the women started panicking about their safety and Sansa's safety. "Sansa would be protected with her brother being allied with them, but we need to get her to them," Shae explained to Sansa's horror.

"How? Any of the Queen's spies will see me! Lady is impossible to miss and I will not leave her." Sansa feared the Queen's punishment in attempting to flee King's Landing.

"You will not be leaving your wolf. But she will be careful. She's smart, she will know when to be quiet and sneak through. Once she knows you are trying to leave she will be quiet," She told Sansa as her friends nodded and agreed. "You will not stay here, Sansa," Shae told her mistress who took a shaky breath. Despite knowing the man who snuck in here told her that they were going to help her escape but she did not know how. She only hoped they could help her escape. She wanted to be back with her family.

XXVII

(North)

Bran sighed as he heard Rickon yelling at the Frey boys again as they started another fight. "I truly wish Rhaenyra was here, she would know what to do," the Prince admitted Osha who smirked.

"Would you like me to do it? They're the only Freys here. Not like anyone would defend them," she grinned as Bran paused before eyeing.

"You have my permission, just do not send them to the maester," he requested as Osha agreed.

"That sounds like an interesting story to hear at dinner." A voice suddenly spoke, making Bran jump as Summer snarled and barked once. There stood a pair as the girl looked to the wolf with distrust but the boy at her side just entered as Summer stood in front of Robb's desk that Bran had been using.

"Who are you? I am sorry, I have been staring at numbers all day," Bran commented, slightly tired.

"Do you need help?" the girl asked softly, joining her brother in coming to look at his papers.

"I should be able to understand them, it's just this is the fourth set I have looked at. But I am sorry, you are from the Reed family, yes?" Bran questioned.

"Yes. My name is Jojen Reed and this is my sister Meera Reed. We were sent by our father for the Winter feast to give our report and plead any cases from our family," Jojen explained as Bran perked up.

"And do you have any cases? I have not gotten past all our greetings and welcomings," Bran questioned.

"Not that important for right now," Jojen waved them off while his sister read the papers. Bran smiled as he started to talk with the two teens as they helped him while Maester Luwin handled all their guests that came for the Winter feasts that was also a way for the houses to come to Winterfell to complain or request something from the liege lord. But as Robb or Rhaenyra were not here, Bran made a small list of people for Robb to handle when their King and Queen returned. Bran was also preparing for Shireen to be coming to Winterfell and it was hard. He wanted everything to be ready and her chambers to be comfortable for her. Septa Unai watched them with a look of curiosity while sending off the two servants with duties for Princess Shireen's chambers and her routine on what her mother wished for her in the North. Stannis had requested his daughter to learn as much as she could about Winterfell to be knowledgable about her future home. So Bran requested Septa Unai to have control of everything for Shireen as she is a part of the Faith. The septa all too happily took the challenge and ensured the girl would be comfortable here. Rhaenyra had sent a note back so that she could use funds to make the Princess's chambers like how she had it on Dragonstone, certain fabrics that Winterfell held and also to have some tomes bought or found to be in her chambers for her to read.

As Septa Unai rounded the corner, it took all her training to not laugh as the Frey boys ran in fear, screaming and crying as one held his head.

"You little bastards! Come back here!" Osha shouted as she marched down the hall. "Septa," she greeted respectfully. "You do realize most fear me more than the maester, who will you run to?!" She continued to shout as some guards chuckled and asked if she needed help. Osha waved them off with a laugh. "Two little pigs? I got 'em," she reassured the men before marching off faster and shouting once more.

"Poor Princess, she will be startled for a bit," the guard commented to the Septa who chuckled.

"She will learn, especially when all the Starks return and start having children." Septa Unai helped keep the thought of all their Stark royals returning to rule them and that they would not fail. She hoped the North would not fall to the Lannisters. They would destroy everything they hold dear.

XXVII

(Riverrun)

Robb watched his wife fly on her dragon. She rarely spent time off Rhaella. But it was also to train her. Catelyn was meant to be returning soon and Robb wondered how Renly took it. He knew the younger brother wanted to be King and worried it would cause strife among the Baratheon army.

"They seemed amiable to the terms and understanding. As Stannis daughter is now betrothed to your brother, she will be raised among Winterfell to learn its ways and Renly will be Stannis heir until a boy is born to him. Though with how old his wife is becoming, that might be a bit difficult," Lynara told Robb as she leaned against the wall while watching Rhaenyra too. Rhaella enjoyed the flying and dropping down suddenly, it showed she was learning quickly as Robb's great-uncle claimed that was something he knew they'd do during wars that dragons were a part of.

"Once the dragons learn their attacks, they can be helpful away from their mother. But also they should be bonded with others," Ser Bryndan commented.

"If we are to talk about my wife's dragons, she will be a part of this," Robb said, a sharp tone in his voice as his men all quiet down. Roose Bolton had told him Rhaenyra's main choices for two extra riders and both were within the army once more. Valaena and her daughter, Baela. Both with Velaryon blood and Targaryen blood, they had a better shot, especially since they have bonds with the dragons as well like the queen, having been with the dragons all their lives.

"That will be tricky. Not all dragons welcome others as they do their mother." Valaena also refused to risk her daughter for some lord's wish. If Robb and Rhaenyra wished them too, she'd do it, but unless ordered by her Queen or King, than she'd tell them to fuck off.

"But the Queen should also not fly so as to not disrupt her pregnancy," a lord spoke up.

"Targaryens have been flying and fighting dragonback centuries before the creatures died out. Queen Visenya herself flew out while pregnant with the King Maegor, despite his tendencies, that is completely beside the point," Valaena laughed at the end as the men joined her with Robb agreeing.

"Dothraki women leaders ride up until birth and then are moved straight to the carts, still on the move but continue to birth her children and resume her riding days after to prove strength. And Free Women plunder, pillage, and aid destroying things with their husbands north of the Wall. Or so my maid from Winterfell told me of her life North of the Wall with her husband," Robb said remembering what Osha told them all about what women dealt with over the Wall.

"Same with women from my country, we allow them to choose what they wish to do so long as they do their duties as wives or ladies of specific ranks," Oberyn added as Rhaenys flew near the Keep. Her echoing shriek as Robb watched them.

"How soon would she be able to join the war?" Robb asked, to somes horror while others thought about it.

"Your Grace!" "You can't be serious!" "Robb, your mother would throw a fit if she knew," guards, ladies, and Edmure's voice rang around as Ser Bryndan and Ser Barristan thought.

"Maybe a month of training, maybe less. Depending on how fast they learn," Ser Barristan told the King who looked at him.

"She will never have a chance of learning if she doesn't try now, they're big enough, she doesn't need to be in large parts of battle but small ones. She could even be like Queen Rhaenys was and scout out ahead to report what she sees," Oberyn added. "Only then will her dragon be used to war, could you imagine if all it takes is her flying into battle to lead her riderless dragons to fight? The girls know who their allies are, who their enemies," the prince spoke, eager to see the results. "I could only imagine the terror the Lannisters will feel when they see them," he laughed as the others joined with Robb smiling.

"The Bastard King's grandfather is whose reaction I wish to see," Robb said as the men cheered while the girls grinned. Roslyn was the only one a bit nervous around the brash nature the northern women were raised with.

"Come, child," Valaena urged, pulling the young girl along to see the nervous look on her face. "Let us go see Baela," the mother grinned.

"She is still confined to the Maester's chambers!" Greatjon shouted with a smile.

"Thank you!" Valaena shouted back as Robb whistled. It caught Rhaenyra's attention as Rhaella turned back to the castle. She landed on the beaches to which Robb joined her.

"How does it feel?" Robb asked her as she came to his side.

"Like riding a horse almost, just have to sit differently. And be strapped in," she chuckled as he smiled.

"My men wish for you to join the war efforts as soon as possible," Robb frowned at her while Rhaenyra gave a gentle hum.

"I knew that would be a possibility when I returned on her back with a saddle of all things. Have we had word about Stannis and Renly-"

"Your Grace," Roslyn ran up with Valaena and Lynara. "They have just a letter," she panted, taking a few breaths while Rhaenyra opened the letter with shaky hands.

"They are planning an attack on King's Landing," Rhaenyra revealed as Robb took the letter to read himself. "They plan on sending men in to find Sansa and Lady," Rhaenyra said as Lynara smiled in relief.

"Thank the Gods," she breathed.

"No relief yet," Rhaenrya demanded. "Not until we have her with us," she refused to celebrate until they had the girls. "But we pray that they can and will win," Rhaenyra hoped as Robb agreed.

"Robb," Theon surprised everyone by approaching with a frown.

"Theon? Wha-"

"We have a message from Winterfell," he held it up. "The Ironborn have been raiding the borders of the north," Theon claimed, a sad look knowing what it means.

"We will try to come to an understanding about this." He shook his head with a frown.

"He won't listen, Rhae. My father thinks he should rule the seas since your family is no longer in power." Theon had thought about it, but Robb and Rhae were his family, his siblings, more so than his own when he was a boy. He missed Jon, the girls, the boys. He wanted to go back to Winterfell, to go back home. He missed everyone and everything about it.

"So long as you are here, that is all that matters Theon," she smiled softly, holding his hand tighter. "You are my brother, Theon. Not Rhaegar or Viserys, you. I grew up aiding you in terrorizing people along with our King and Jon," she grinned as they all chuckled. Tyene smiled softly at seeing the bond, many had said their king and queen were close with Theon and Robb's bastard brother, Jon. Catelyn had told a few stories to Ellaria before the redhead had left for Storm's End. And many of them were about how the four terrorized the castle as children, and then five when Arya was old enough to know, despite her young age difference with them.

"He's rebelling against the North, my home," Theon claimed as Ser Barristan continued to watch. For a long while he had been a bit uncomfortable around Theon as he was a Greyjoy and was rumored to boast as a young boy he'd rule. But now all he saw was a young man who fought for his King and Queen, not his brother and sister. Rhaenyra held true love for Theon and when she spoke about the younger Starks she held the same for them. It pained him he could not bring the girls when he left, it surprised him he had gotten Ice but only because of a note left.

"Come, we will discuss this with everyone else," Robb said as she nodded and whistled for Rhaella to leave.

XXVII

"We must return North to protect our own!" Lord Umber called out as Robb and Rhaenyra sat among their army with their own worries. Edmure and his lords also listened in as the Ironborn raided them as well and they might be next.

"We still have my sisters to go after," Robb reminded as many silenced as they remembered about the Princesses. "My mother has not even returned, we have a deal with Stannis. I can't just fall back when we've made it this far," he explained as the men started to talk.

"If I may, Your Grace," Oberyn called out as Robb looked up in interest. "I can write to Doran to see if he could send more men to your home, if you could see if your people could relocate to Winterfell until the Ironborn are defeated, have all of your people bring their supplies to the heart of their realm. There the soldiers would all be in one place and all the children of the houses could be protected within the walls of Winterfell," Oberyn explained.

"That would take quite a bit of time as it is the Ironborn are already raiding our shores," Lord Karstark spoke, he liked the idea. He knew the Dornish did this in time of need, Doran was a kind ruler as a Prince of Dorne. Rhaenyra did not know what to do, so she decided to have an alternative.

"My Lords, may we please discuss this tomorrow. Some sleep might do us good and think of ways to get rid of them," she suggested as many agreed with confirments. Most thought it was good to get drunk and think of ideas, but Rhaenyra grabbed her husband's hand and took him away as Ser Barristan watched.

"Rhae, what are you doing?" he asked, grateful she had called a stop to the meeting but knew they needed to get this planned.

"I don't know, we need to send word to Maester Luwin to find out the safety of the boys," she worried as he nodded.

"I already had Maester Lyon one out. It will be there soon," he reassured her as she sighed before biting her lip.

"Robb there is something else I need to tell you, but will you promise to not yell?" she requested as he frowned, not understanding.

"I'm worried," he spoke as she groaned before yanking him into their chambers.

"Promise me this, Robb," Rhaenyra was desperate for him to agree, not feeling like she could take his anger.

"Okay," he nodded. Seeing the need in her eyes.

"I have been getting these letters ever since I was a young girl, that I kept hidden," she started as he listened to her story while her dragons soared, shrieking as they hunted.

XXVII

(North)

"Do we have word of the Princess' landing?" Maester Luwin worried for Shireen's safety.

"Her ship has landed, Maester Luwin. Her guards are bringing her by back roads and through small villages," Ser Rodrik explained to the maester's slight relief, though he'd be more relieved once she was safe within their walls.

"Maester Luwin, you have a message from the King," an acolyte called, running to the maester.

"What is it?" the man demanded. He read the message before frowning. "Ser Rodrik," he called.

"Yes?" The knight approached.

"How much food reserves do we have?" Maester Luwin asked.

"Enough for us to survive three years, maybe four. Why?" Ser Rodrik asked with a frown.

"It would appear that the King is ordering all to fall back to Winterfell for safety. The raiding is already forcing some to head this way. They are bringing their reserves here too to aid in supplying Winterfell," Maester Luwin told him as Ser Rodrik scoffed.

"We will turn this place into a frozen King's Landing," he smirked. "But better," he reasoned before sending men off to start the round up of supplies to start temporary housing before more would arrive to aid in strengthening the walls and homes that others would be using.

"We should have a new drawing of our castle made up," Bran spoke to his maester's confusion. Though Maester Luwin noticed how Bran was never without the Reed siblings now, they were always with him as Mera hovered beside Bran while Jojen walked alongside the boy, helping him sometimes when needed.

"A new map? May I ask why?" Maester Luwin asked.

"So that we can create new walls and ensure we have everything mapped out and no one can sneak in. We can't hold all of the North here in the castle, so we will have to do small housing as you said but we also need to ensure they are protected from the harsh weather and potential raiders if our inner walls are shut to defend the noble and royal blood," Bran explained, showing he had been listening to Maester Luwin.

"I did not mean to decide something for you, My Prince," Maester Luwin forgot that sometimes he would need his prince's words as well.

"You know what Winterfell needs before I do, Maester Luwin, you and Robb are the first two to usually send things off if Father was not here. Or should we be calling you Grandmaester as well? You are the royal maester to the North and Riverlands," Bran smiled as the siblings grinned.

"Gods, please no. I prefer just Maester Luwin. Very well, I will do my best to answer in your stead. But I will find you if I need your permission with certain things," Maester Luwin told his prince who agreed. "Are you to take another walk around the grounds, My Prince?" Maester Luwin asked curiously.

"Yes. Mera and Jojen have both commented that I spend almost no time outside with Summer as I should. Have you seen Rickon? I was going to walk with him and Shaggydog too," Bran questioned as the two siblings gave guilty smiles from the amused look the maester gave them.

"He has taken to the crypts again. I am not sure as to why he enjoys it so," Maester Luwin spoke as Jojen frowned.

"Maybe we can bring him out," he suggested as Mera agreed.

"He has been moody since learning of his engagement to Princess Shireen," Bran explained while the two agreed.

"At five? Oh, I'd be feral," Mera shivered as Bran laughed softly. Encouraging the two to help him pull Rickon out.

XXVII

End of the chapter! I hope ya'll enjoyed it. Pease read and review! What do you think Rhaenyra will do with the Ironborn?

~Rusty14~