DISCLAIMER: Chapter one.
Chapter rating: T
10868letsgo: I didn't want to kill him either! But I felt one of them and Drogo's death would strengthen her. And don't worry. She won't be alone soon! And we'll be seeing her soon!
NicoleR85: Happy to get the pair out! Hope to be able to do so again~ And Rhaenyra will need to figure out what to do with the Ironborn.
Ladyespeon164:If what I have planned for her goes accurate in the story she should! With my luck writer's block my get in my way a few times, but I'll get around it~ And my AO3 name is SupernaturalBabyGirl96 .
Chapter Twenty-Eight: XXVIII- Plans for Battle and the Passing of the Trout
(King's Landing)
Tyrion sighed as he entered the council chambers the nearing of the Baratheon army was terrifying not only the people but the nobles as the army was large. But it was reported Renly would stay behind, Stannis would be using Blackwater Bay. He noticed the strange assembly around the table, confused as he approached, a guard bowing his head at spotting him.
"What is going on?" Tyrion asked as he noticed a box with a note attached.
"A Lannister guard appeared with this note on a box," Varys spoke quickly when no one else did. "He looked quite spooked," he noted when Tyrion frowned.
"From Oberyn Martell," Grandmaester Pycelle read. As Cersei took the note the box fell apart as they jumped back with disgust as a burned rotted head fell out.
"'Congratulations, you were able to sneak some men in but none made it out'," she froze while reading. "'Many more will be returned like this murderer's stead should you continue to try and steal our pet lion'," she snarled as Tyrion froze. This was one of his four he sent and he was deeply alarmed at realizing a dragon took this man's life. "'Others feared when he screamed as they recoiled from the blue flames…'" she trailed off at that frown on her face that was followed by the others.
"Blue flames?" The Grandmaester chuckled. "It seems that Prince Oberyn is war riddled. Must be losing his wit," he smirked as Varys frowned.
"I read somewhere that dragonflames used to vary in color, usually matching their scales," he spoke sharply.
"Balerion the Dread's fire was black," Tyrion commented as he watched Cersei scream and knock the box and head off the table in rage.
"Jaime is still caged! They called him their 'pet lion'," she snarled as they froze. "Your little men couldn't do what you hired them for and now Jaime could be blamed for what happened," she snarled over Tyrion who looked up in slight shock at her speed.
"What guard returned?" He asked suddenly, sidestepping his sister who glared.
"Some youngster who looked like he saw a ghost," the guard who must've brought the box in spoke softly. "Said one of the Sand Snakes picked him," he commented as another led the shaking guard in.
"Ah, please sit. Has Maester Pycelle taken care of you?" Tyrion asks softly as the younger nodded softly.
"Yes, Milord," he answered.
"Do you know what was in that box? The one you delivered?" Tyrion asked softer, seeing the young man jump and flinch when he looked at the box that released its item when it fell from the table.
"It was… one of the men who tried to free the Kingslayer," he claimed before seeing the frown on Tyrion's face.
"Tried? He was unsuccessful?" Tyrion questioned, fearing for Jaime.
"Your brother refused to leave his daughter," the soldier commented softly, not seeing the look Cersei threw at him, hearing the words.
"His daughter?" Tyrion asked, eyes widening.
"Baela Snow," he answered as Tyrion sighed softly. "Someone claimed that they have been talking since his capture," he added as Tyrion nodded. "Baela had been down there with him when the murderer attacked and wounded Baela. Ser Jaime must have found her help because a guard said she was recovering after the queen returned to Riverrun," he pales at mentioning the Targaryen woman.
"What about the queen?" Tyrion asked as the others came closer. "Did she do this? The others too?" He motioned to the man's head.
"She flew in on her red dragon, burning through a good portion of our men who were fighting. But it was only when a lord had told them who attacked the girl, is when the queen burned him. The others were hung," he claimed as Tyrion breathed sharply.
"How big were these dragons?" Grandmaester Pycelle asked cautiously but also disbelieving.
"Obviously big enough for her to fly on one," Varys commented sarcastically.
"The size of longships may be bigger, I couldn't tell they were fast, they fed on the men, some as they still burned, even the direwolf fed from the burned corpses," the young man claimed. Horror in his tone. "They say the dragons are getting bolder. Attacking the men with no hesitation," he added as the small council realized they were screwed as far as getting Jaime out from the northern clutches.
"What will you do now Tyrion?" Cersei asked, anger clouding her tone and body as she thought about the girl who held her blood but wasn't hers. And that woman was still alive and could get to Jaime freely as the Targaryen whore's maid.
"I don't know," Tyrion said as they looked at each other. Not sure what to do now. A maid had removed the box and head when a guard had cleaned it up for her.
XXVIII
(Riverrun)
"Rhaenyra are you sure?" Robb asked her, he hated what this plan entailed. It was a good one and smart, but he still hated what it meant.
"Yes. But I cannot leave so quickly, I must know the girls know what to do," Rhaenyra said as she stood at her window in her robe watching her dragons laze about the bank, sleeping and recovering from the small training regiments some lords were helping Oberyn produce. Baela was finally off bedrest, to her mother's worry. Roslyn had attached herself to Baela to be her companion and someone to help her if she needed it. But the girl claimed she was fine and even teased the other by playfully teasing her about her body in a flirtatious way while Roslyn blushed. She knew of Baela's preferences. It's why the maester and his male acolytes tended to her, but she flirted with them too it seemed. Some blushed like Roslyn while others rounded back on her with their own. She liked that and became close friends with the healers.
"Not on your own but you will need to go soon. Ironborn are fast and dangerous in our lands. Already, I've been told that men from castles of Deepwood Motte have scouted ships a few months away if the seas remain rough and unforgiving but they can't stay like that for long and all we can pray is summer snows could subdue them-"
"Summer snows are not due for weeks. And those would hinder you too," Robb countered. Like Rhaenyra, Robb knew the weather patterns could shift and worsen, or it could change and not snow at all.
"Seven Hells, I wish we weren't in the middle of this fight. We can't give on the land we've already taken and are stationed on, but we cannot lose Winterfell. It would be like Robert losing Storm's End during his rebellion, losing his house seat would be a blow to his reign as King when he went against my father. But he still kept it and won. You know the northern men would die before allowing the Ironborn to take our land," Rhaenyra claimed as her husband nodded.
"We are conveening with the lords tomorrow to come up with a plan on what we need to do," Robb said as he came up from behind his wife, wrapping his arms around her growing stomach. She has been here for almost a month and her pregnancy was no longer able to be hidden unless dressed in different clothing. Her dragons were growing rapidly and hunting further and further away. But she feared they were not big enough. She knew Robb was against her fighting alone and with a smaller portion of the army and the trio of young dragons. But as she said they no longer had weapons that they used to defeat the dragons, she knew what to do from the histories she poured over with Ser Barristan and Ser Raynor. The two men had tried to dissuade her from doing this as well for the safety of her child before Greatjon and the Blackfish supported her.
"I will be careful and ensure the Ironborn do not remain," she swore as Robb laid his forehead to hers.
"Avy jorrāelan," Robb whispered, kissing her as she mirrored it, linking her arms around him once more he removed her robe, revealing her naked form. Hoisting her up into his arms, Robb laid her back down on the bed before kissing down her body. Rhaenyra gasped feeling Robb suck and nip at her clit, pulling her closer as he pushed his tongue, her husband started to feast on her. Rhaenyra was whimpering as Robb continued. Feeling her release coming quickly, Rhaenyra noticed she was a bit more sensitive during certain times of sex, either her breasts or her gentle button.
"Robb, please!" she pleaded as Robb looked up at her, seeing her red face and feeling her heart beat beneath his own chest.
"And what does my pretty wife desire?" Robb asked, breathless.
"For her husband's cock to be buried in her! If I am to leave you once again then let me have as many strong memories as possible," Rhaenyra whined as his eyes softened.
"Whatever you want," Robb swore as he pushed into her as Rhaenyra moaned.
XXVIII
"Your Grace! We cannot let our Queen fly into battle without an army!" Edmure fought for the queen's safety as she sighed softly. "Her dragons are still not old enough to be considered adults from the histories we learned. As it is we are to fight the Lannisters on the South side," Edmure said as some agreed.
"My Lord Tully, I understand your concern. But we cannot afford to lose any land or seats within our kingdom. If I am able to help subdue this before it becomes too much then that will be a success. The Ironborn will only do more damage if we leave them alone to do what they please," Rhaenyra said as her husband's uncle frowned.
"My Queen, please. In your condition-"
"Many women fight while pregnant and many of my ancestors fought while pregnant," Rhaenyra defended as Robb sat, refusing to overpower his wife in this fight, she wanted to do it and would gain the support or fly back herself and rally the remaining fighters.
"We would join you, Your Grace," Lady Mormont claimed. "We Mormonts are used to fighting the Ironborn and I can surely summon more fighters to help fight against them from any side we do not surround them with." Dacey agreed with her mother as Maege stood to stand beside the queen as her daughter was already standing there.
"If I would not offend, My King. I would like to join our queen to help fight them and make sure she remains unharmed," Rickard Karstark requested as Robb smiled.
"I would not be offended, Cousin. I honor that oath and those that choose to go with her. Hopefully, with her dragons, we would not need to send more into war before they are ready," Robb urged as many agreed.
"We will send out word to our houses to spare any men they can to be of help," Greatjon spoke as his son stood. "You are joining, my son?" he asked, a proud smile on his face.
"Yes, Father. Your Graces, I would happily join to defend my homeland," Smalljon bowed as Rhaenyra smiled.
"I truly appreciate the aid you are giving me," Rhaenyra spoke as she sighed softly, feeling her husband take her hand gently. Knowing this wsa going to be hard for her to do without his support, but they both needed to truly shed their childhoods to grow into the queen and king they were crowned.
"Then it is settled," Catelyn's voice startled everyone as she came into a sad look in her eyes. "You will fly off, after sending your grandfather-in-law off," Catelyn claimed. Tears in her eyes as Edmure shot up. "You do not have much time, brother. Uncle," Catelyn said while Robb looked down. "You should say goodbye as well, both of you," Catelyn looked to her king and queen who nodded.
"You go first, we'll go after," Robb encouraged his family. Rhaenyra stood with her small group as Dacey quickly helped her mother start a small march plan, knowing the dragons would find areas for them to camp as well. Something she noticed the Queen did on the march back to Riverrun.
"Your Grace, you have a visitor," Lynara whispered quickly to Rhaenyra who looked at her with a frown.
"Alright," Rhaenyra said, getting up. Already she noticed that she needed to shift differently to get up with her small bump. She entered to see a young woman sitting there. By obvious appearance she used to work in a brothel from the somewhat exotic look she carried. "Hello," Rhaenyra greeted as the girl stood and did a clutsy curtsy. Rhaenyra sat and urged the other to do the same and continue on with her reason for being here.
XXVIII
Rhaenyra smirked as she sat across from a young woman who had fled King's Landing after a riot broke out when the Princess had been sent off, Sansa was safe within the castle walls, having gone with Tommen instead of Joffrey. Jasmyn was a young woman, very beautiful with a hint of exotic look in her eyes so Rhaenyra had a positive idea of what she did in King's Landing. "Hello Jasmyn," Rhaenyra greeted softly as the girl smiled softly. "How was your trip?" she asked as the brunette shrugged.
"It was… fine," she looked down in discomfort.
"Were you hurt?" the Dragon mother frowned as her hands rested against her growing stomach.
"No, nothing like that!" the girl spoke as Lynara offered wine for the woman who smiled. "Thank you," she whispered. "A few of us fled the city when the riot hit, we took what jewels we could and fled. Ros had snuck us out the back, she told us to head North, it's the safest," at that the queen frowned.
"I take it they do not know of the Ironborn raiding the shoreline," she thought out loud as Jasmyn's eyes widened.
"No! Gods, no, w-what?"
"Balon Greyjoy decided to take it upon himself to call himself King of the Iron Islands and attack the North while we went South to rescue Sansa," Rhaenyra informed as the woman frowned. "Our Wolf Princess is stubborn and she is smart, Sansa knows how to survive during the end," Rhaenyra hoped she would get both girls back soon and hope Sansa hasn't been harmed by them, praying she still remained a girl.
"I am sure, I overheard from some soldiers that the northern children were quite the handful," that gained a laugh from the northern maid who cleaned up her mess as Rhaenyra smiled.
"That they are," the Queen spoke softly before sighing. "But thank you for bringing the news from King's Landing, you will be compensated and if you wish you could remain within the camp or at Riverrun," she offered as Jasmyn smiled.
"I would not mind staying until I decide," she shrugged as Rhaenyra smiled and nodded.
"Lynara," her maid bowed her head as she offered her hand in the direction to lead the young woman. "I hope you enjoy your stay, Lady Jasmyn," Rhaenyra hoped as she smiled and nodded, following the maid who talked to her. The moment she left Rhaenyra dropped her smile. "Do you trust her?" she asked her knight who shook his head.
"I cannot be sure, Your Grace," he looked out. "She sounded genuine in her report," he said, having a good judge of character from being in King's Landing.
"So King's Landing is falling to ruin," she muttered thinking how with its two food sources cut off they were not so invincible.
XXVIII
"Riots?" Robb asked, a small smile on his face.
"Aye. Sansa is reported to be safe and well, but she needs to be removed as quickly as possible." Rhaenyra worried for the girl if they were to get any more headway in the battles. On either front now.
"We will get her, My Love. We defend our blood to the last drop," Robb said as she nodded.
Both were unaware of Baela down in the dungeons with Jaime, talking to him. He was aware of Hoster Tully's dying, overhearing the guards talking about it and also what the North was dealing with.
"Rhaenyra is going against them with her dragons and a small portion of the army," Baela revealed to Jaime who froze.
"You cannot go against the Ironborn, Baela." Jaime spoke, a fear in his voice for his daughter who frowned.
"Regardless of my fighting or not, I am going because Rhaenyra is going. She is now able to fly and command her dragons, they follow what Rhaella does," Baela shrugged as Jaime scoffed.
"They will only follow that lead until they grow unruly and wish to fly away from Rhaenyra. She can't command them to come to her like dogs, they need their individual rider for their use to be properly needed," Jaime said as Baela frowned.
"Well, for now they follow their mother's commands and that's all we need." Baela claimed, standing as she brushed her pants off.
"Baela, please. I have fought the Ironborn, they are ruthless and will not care if you are man or woman and if you are a woman they will rape you before brutually killing you," Jaime hated the images he just game himself but needed Baela to know.
"I know. It's also why I am not fighting in the battle part. I'm to sneak into the castles and help smuggle prisoners out if I can. Most of the castles we are going to be protecting, I've been too with the King and Queen. Their children and heirs of those lands showed us the hidden passages in case someone attacked," Baela told her father while sighing. "We are leaving in a week, any longer and there is a chance the dragons will struggle with the summer snows coming and the Ironborn might be there once we actually leave," Baela claimed. "I will try and come see you more before I go," she promised as he nodded. Jaime did not like this, he hated this. His daughter who he was bonding with was going against raiders and rapists who would just see her as another cunt to rape, but with her rare blood they might take her as a prisoner like her queen and Valaena, if she was going. That made Jaime's stomach knot up completely.
"Excuse me," Jaime called as the guard turned, curious as to what his usually quiet prisoner wanted. "May I have an audience with your King?" Jaime knew when to play nice and to help keep his daughter safe, he'd play nice to the Wolf King.
XXVIII
"You want me to send you to Winterfell? Why?" Robb asked, a suspicious look in his face.
"As a prisoner. Why keep a prisoner with you as when Riverrun was attacked, people got in. The further North I'm sent the harder it is to get to me," Jaime claimed with a shrug.
"I understand, Ser Jaime. But my biggest question is why do you want that? I would assume you'd want to be captured to be returned to your father," Robb questioned sharply as Grey Wind sat there behind Robb, eyeing the blonde man who sighed with a growl.
"I know your wife is dragging my daughter to fight the Ironborn," Jaime revealed as Robb frowned.
"How-" Robb stopped with a sigh. "Baela. She told you," the King was going to have to talk with Baela on what she can talk to her father with because Jaime knowing anything and finding his way back to Tywin could be consequential to their army.
"She told me because I'm her father. Whether she carries my name or not," Jaime snarled. "She is my daughter, that is why I am asking. I would assume Rhaenyra would make her way to Winterfell on her march back to fight the Ironborn," Jaime claimed while Robb glared at him.
"Now you know how my mother feels with us fighting for my sisters," Robb growled, leaving as Jaime sighed. He truly detested northern stubbornness.
Robb marched his way to his chambers as Rhaenyra nearly ran into him. He successfully caught her as she yelped softly with Ser Barristan and Ser Raynor coming over faster but stopped when they spotted their King. Bowing they left as the girls left with Baela getting a small glare from her King, confusing her.
"Oi," Rhaenyra snapped, seeing the glare herself and grabbed her husband's face. "What's with that look?" she demanded, not liking the look her cousin was leveled with.
"She told Jaime that you were going back North to fight the Ironborn that are about to land in the North," Robb told her as she winced.
"About that," Rhaenyra started as Robb looked at her before shaking his head.
"No!" Robb shot away from his wife who sighed.
"Robb, I wasn't going to bring this up right now. We need to go see your grandfather, your mother and uncles have already seen him and now it is your turn. We were going to tell him the good news, remember?" Rhaenyra urged her husband, grabbing his hands.
"And you being pregnant is another reason that I will not let Jaime go, even as a prisoner," Robb told her, kissing her forehead as she growled.
"You knew he'd be stubborn," Lynara spoke, having overheard the small argument while waiting for Rhaenyra.
"Don't worry, he'll say yes. I have my ways," Rhaenyra beamed as Lynara winced with a chuckle.
"Oh, years of seeing you two as children is fading quickly," Lynara mourned as the Queen giggled, looping their arms together. "Alright, so your landing positions?" Lynara asked.
"First is Seagard, it's the closest to the Twins and I do plan on staying there," Rhaenyra mumbled as she passed a Frey guard who bowed respectfully. Many who traveled with Rhaenyra and Robb were very respectful and knew when to speak against their Frey kin.
"Then?" Lynara questioned.
"Try and reach Moat Cailin," Rhaenyra told her as she nodded.
"That will be the hardest march as we are attempting to do this in much less days than marching here. We are more against time than anything right now," Lynara claimed, Rhaenyra knew she feared for her brother, Hodor. The sweet giant of a man who could not harm a fly. She protected him as much as she could before Rhaenyra started speaking up and men loyal to her started doing what she said.
"And you can decide whether to stay with Hodor or return to Robb with me," Rhaenyra smiled as Lynara paused. "What is it?" Rhaenyra asked.
"You need to start thinking fully, Rhaenyra," Lynara started. "You are Queen, you are pregnant. Many would not blame you for staying in Winterfell until you give birth and that would give your dragons time to grow, and it would stop any others from attempting to invade the North," Lynara told her. "It would also help you be put into a position of ruling Winterfell like a queen should while her husband is off for battle," Lynara said.
"Depriving Robb of the dragons' usage? No," Rhaenyra said as her handmaid sighed. "I will not. And this will give them their training they need to be of use to me later on, they will not grow rowdy and cause concern among my people, they need to be seen and trained to not burn anything they see," Rhaenyra spoke, her voice sharp and unyielding to her longtime friend who paused, looking at her surprised before smiling.
"Very well, Your Grace. Please forgive me," Lynara smiled, seeing the true queen her charge has become.
"No, I am sorry. I just refuse to be like Cersei and rule from her throne." Rhaenyra hated that, she always used to say any ruler should be willing to spill their blood for their people in battle.
"You will never be like her, Rhaenyra. Ever," Lynara swore to her queen before a whistle made them jump as Robb, smirking ordered them to hurry.
"Treat me like one of our animals one more time, Robb," Rhaenyra threatened as their guards laughed with her ladies doing the same.
XXVIII
"Grandfather, how are you?" Robb asked as Rhaenyra kissed Hoster's head to greet him.
"I am dying, but peaceful," Hoster spoke while Rhaenyra bit her lip. She knew things like this happened but it still pained her to see them withering and dying, but she hoped this put him at ease.
"I hope it pleases you to know that we will be welcoming a pup or dragon hatchling into this world. Hopefully, we bring this war to an end to stop it," Rhaenyra announced as Hoster looked at Robb.
"Truly? Are you to be a father?" Hoster asked as Robb nodded.
"Yes, Grandfather." Robb held his grandfather's hand.
"I am cursed to guard three generations now, brother. You had to go and marry your girl off early and she in turn had him early, so he is to follow his mother's tradition," the Blackfish sarcastically ranted as they all laughed and smiled big while Catelyn sniffed, sitting opposite of her son and daughter by law.
"And Rhaenyra will be flying off to fight soon, as a true Targaryen," Catelyn claimed while Hoster frowned. "The Ironborn have decided to rebel once more and are planning to strike the North. They are to leave their lands in a month's time, we assume," Catelyn lied to ease her father's worries of the king and queen staying here with him.
"Then you must leave," Hoster urged softly. "To catch them off guard with your dragons," he smiled as Rhaenyra mirrored it, eyes tearing up as she nodded.
"I will. I wished to see you one final time before I go," Rhaenyra spoke. It was a universal agreement between the small group to ease Hoster's worries in his final moments.
"I will pray to the Seven for your victory, Your Grace," Hoster wished as she nodded, kissing his hand and held it with Robb as Edmure, Catelyn and Ser Brynden sat on his other side. Many did not talk as they felt it was not needed while sitting in comfortable silence together.
XXVIII
(Harrenhal)
Arya was following Tywin with a jug of wine as he growled out to one of his lords instantly.
"Can you read?" he asked, irritated.
"My lord?" The man known as Amory Lorch looked confused as Arya paused herself.
"Can you read?" he repeated himself and the one thing Arya learned he hated was having to repeat himself. At the other man's blank response Tywin sighed and produced a letter. "This letter detailing our infantry movements was meant for Lord Damon of House Marbrand. It was sent to Lord Marlyn of House Dormand," Arya knew what house they belonged to. "Girl, fetch me the History of the Greater and the Lesser Houses. It's the one on-" Arya picks up the correct volume right away and brings it to the table before he could finish. Tywin chuckles and stands. "My cupbearer can read better than you," he commented as Arya backed away while Tywin opened the book "To whom does House Dormand owe allegiance?"
"My lord, I-"
"To the Starks of Winterfell, who have 30,000 men, three growing dragons and my son!" His lord interrupted with a roar like his sigil. "I judged you might be good for something more than brutalizing peasants. I see I overestimated you. If you ever put my son's life at risk again, I'll Leave us," he demanded as the man did so, thoroughly embarrassed as Arya watched him. "Put the book away, girl. Maybe you should devise our next battle plan while you're about it," he retorted as she hid a smirk. There is a knock on the door and a kingsguard enters which makes them all look up.
"Lord Petyr Baelish, My Lord," he bowed as Tywin nodded while Arya froze in alarm, none of these men had seen her up close but Baelish had.
"Give us the room," he ordered as the war council did so and left. Arya turned as Tywin gestured. "Clear all this," he ordered as she nodded, doing her job, despite the fear she started to feel about her safety here. As she cleared it, Littlefinger came into view. "What news from the capital?" he asked.
"I traveled here directly from Renly Baratheon's camp before they had moved to Dragonstone," he winced as Tywin sighed.
"So it's true then? That Targaryen girl really did bind them together?" he asked as Littlefinger nodded slowly.
"The Tyrells were not particularly happy, Mace Tyrell had claimed his daughter married a King not a Lord," he spoke before zeroing in on Arya who came to finish clearing the table but Tywin brought him back.
"Why did they agree? Do you know?" he asked as Littlefinger looked at the girl before the lord who waved it off. "She's fine," he claimed as Littlefinger looked hesitant before continuing on.
"Yes, it was reported the Targaryen Queen came with Stannis Baratheon during the parley flying in on one of her dragons, that seemed to end the treaty with him bowing to his brother, named Stannis' heir should no son be born to him. Margaery Tyrell though was reported to back Renly's choice," Petyr spoke as Arya kept her smirk hidden.
"You saw these dragons?" Tywin asked as Littlefinger shook his head. "Then how do you know-"
"I heard them. Sounded like shrieking banshees, I overheard the men who went, including Loras Tyrell, claim they were the size of longships," he emphasized as Tywin smirked.
"So not too big," he shrugged, everyone made it seem like dragons of old were coming back, but ones the sizes of ships are not threatening to him.
"They weren't that size half a year ago, I overhear. A Baratheon soldier let it slip that another guard spoke with a Dornish soldier about their sizes and that they seemed to have random growth spurts. But a year ago they were half the size, many said the size of cats, maybe bigger," he informed the man who frowned as Arya came with a wine jug.
"So you have nothing for me," Tywin growled. Arya kept her back to Baelish as she left to go tidy something up.
"I overheard that Margaery Tyrell is still a maid. We all know the rumors with Renly Baratheon and her brother," Littlefinger hinted as Arya froze.
"House Tyrell is still aligned with the Baratheons who are allied with the Stark forces. Against the Iron Throne, my grandson," the Lord pointed out as Littlefinger paused. "I am sure it would take more than just one side to issue a divorce or even for them to leave their company," he added as Littlefinger commented.
"I can get back to the Tyrells with your proposal if you would hear me out," Littlefinger spoke as Arya tried to listen in.
"More wine for Lord Baelish," Tywin spoke, interested in what this man had to say. Arya turning to answer almost gave her away as the extra man focused on her as well. When she came and was to pour some in she spilled some wine, and tried to mop it up in a panic.
"Pardon, my lord," she apologized, trying to keep her head down.
"It's only wine," Littlefinger reassured before doing a closer doubletake when she came closer, trying to look at the girl's face, but Tywin pulled his attention away.
"You would ride there yourself?" he wanted to know.
"Tonight, with your leave," he said looking back as Arya quickly hid on the other side of the door.
"No, I hear that wolves are nearby," Tywin spoke softly. "I've been hearing the howls all night." At that she disappeared down the hall when Tywin saw her and he silently dismissed her.
XXVIII
(Riverrun)
Rhaenyra woke to her husband nudging her softly, she had been resting a few days with her family and friends as company, her maids have been a more comforting factor as Valaena applied personal ointments she created or oils that aided in healing or calming her when she got too excited or became stressed. Today was the day they lay Hoster Tully to rest, or his body burns while it goes down the river.
"Come along, Love," Robb muttered softly, trailing his fingers down her temple and cheek. The Maesters had checked her over and claimed she was doing good and her pregnancy was progressing well. Robb had told the girls he'd help her dress, ever since his return he'd been attached to her belly as their day goes on. As they slept Robb would have her close, hand always resting against the growing bulge.
"Is it time?" she asked softly as he nodded. Slowly she got up and he helped her dress in her slip, then her dress and she did a loose braid before he slid her crown on, the band holding her hair down and resting against her forehead. She was dressed in a beautiful red and black dress with a steel crown resting on her forehead. Sighing softly she took her husband's arm as he aided her in walking out to be greeted by the small line, Ser Barristan, Theon and her maids who'd follow.
"Let us go," Robb decided as they walked in line, their small group merged with the others marching to the dock to see Hoster Tully off. A few others aided in helping Rhaenyra down, wanting their queen safe as Rhaella surprised many by flying overhead. Rhaenyra breathed softly as she saw her dragons flying overhead, curious about the congregation of the army. The northern lords stood behind as the riverlords stood alongside them but closer to their ruling family. But her dragons did not stop nor attack; they just flew overhead, crying out and singing as they sent Hoster Tully's body down the river; Robb, Bryden, and Edmure. When they returned to their original spots, Edmure retrieved the bow and arrow to light and attempted to fire at his father's body. Robb looked down as Rhaenyra bit her lip when the third arrow hit the water, they watched as Black Fish tore the bow and arrow away, lighting. He looked to a flag as shrieks filled his ears, he aimed as the wind shifted and fired as it flew before striking above the head, it caused the boat to slowly alight itself as the dragons followed, roaring as they watched it burn. Catelyn sniffed as Robb embraced her while Rhaenyra watched her dragons, they returned shrieking and singing once more. But a sudden snarl from a direwolf made her turn around as Ser Barristan pulled his sword out at a man approaching her with Grey Wind alongside him, puffed out and teeth bared.
"State your business with the Queen," he demanded as Robb pulled his wife closer, a much deeper growl came from above as Rhaella hovered over the man. A bone-rattling growl escaped as she huffed and hissed at the man who shivered in the presence of a dragon. The other two continued to fly above with their own agitation.
"I have a message," he started shakily. "From Dragonstone," Rhaenyra frowned and tensed when he didn't say a royal. "It's specifically for Queen Rhaenyra," he emphasised as Ser Barristan took it. He opened it for the queen, refusing to allow her to touch it for fear it might have a poison on it, he wore gloves at least.
"It is from Renly," Rhaenyra revealed, seeing the High Valyrian written in Melissandre's hand. "King Stannis has died from his wounds from the Blackwater," Rhaenyra announced with a frown as Robb joined.
"His brother and army?" Greatjon asked.
"Many wounded but all retained on Dragonstone for their protection. And he has received word Shireen has arrived in Winterfell," Rhaenyra told everyone who sighed in relief about her arrival.
"So who will lead the Southern Army?" Oberyn questioned.
"I am not sure," Rhaenyra said as Robb frowned, thinking of their situation now.
XXVIII
End of the chapter. And there's a surprise in the next chapter. Hope ya'll enjoy it.
~Rusty14~
