DISCLAIMER: Chapter one.
Chapter rating: T
Wolfygirlxx: Ohh, good insight and plausible reason if someone were to overhear them! But worry not it was only so her mother would not hear and freak out should Valaena find out what she wants to do and yell at Jaime for encouraging it, but it's also Baela's nerves that make her nervous, she knows of the histories when dragonseeds attempted to mount dragons who did not know or trust them. It has nothing to do with betraying Rhaenyra. If you remember Val even told Rhaenyra she would prefer her daughter remained on the ground and not possibly burnt trying to bond with a dragon. History shows that the dragons choose and even if your full dragonblood it is still a chance of being killed. Please enjoy what I give out.
NicoleR85: Glad you're liking it! Like father like son, loyal to a fault. And also as teased earlier he knows if he cheats (even if it's 'allowed' by men to have a partner) there's a good chance Rhaella will be facing him or the lady he was with ?.
harlequin320: I am happy you like it, please enjoy the next!
Nbh (Guest): I will try and have the next chapter up soon!
Ladyespeon164: I've thought of that too. I'm torn about having Rhaenyra stay in the north and send a rider South but I also want her in the South when Tywin dies. I'll probably figure it out at the end ?
Jctherebel: Glad you liked it!
anja quickert 9: 👍😀
Kelshard21: I am thrilled you are enjoying it!
Chapter Thirty-Six: XXXVI - Another Bond Forged
(The Wall)
"There is no way!" Jon snarled.
"Jon. The knight who has been with my brother since his birth and the marriage of his first wife has confirmed both of their handwriting on the letters. It is true, you know it is," Rhaenyra told her friend who growled at the realization Ned had lied to them all for almost twenty years.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because your lord Uncle knew if Robert Baratheon had known, you would be dead. And his vow to his sister would go unfulfilled," Alliser Thorne said. He felt at odds at realizing Jon was no bastard and now a legitimate Targaryen.
"It also means that you are not Jon Snow," Jeor Mormont spoke, seeing what the queen had been trying to tell her nephew. "Therefore you are also not bound by your vows anymore," Jeor Mormont commented softly as the other leaders looked to their commander before the younger man who frowned.
"I made vows to the Old Gods, vowing my life-"
"The life of Jon Snow," Alliser aided. "You know what we need, if you can help stop the fighting in the south, you can pull the resources we need to stop the wildlings and whatever else is coming," Alliser said as Rhaenyra frowned.
"What do you mean?" she asked cautiously before Rhaella made everyone jump when she roared and dove down on the northern side of the wall. Rhaenyra and the men all ran to the window to see Rhaella bathe men in fire as they fled, she did not go too far before flying back up and over the wall with her sisters who shrieked and roared while perched on parts of the wall.
"Safe to say, Mance will know of your dragons by a fortnight now," Jeor Mormont said as he watched in satisfaction of his queen's dragons causing the wildlings to flee.
"While I am happy they scare them. Tell me, what do you mean is worse than the wildlings?" Rhaenyra demanded as the men all paused and eyed one another.
"The Long Night is coming, child," Aemon spoke loudly. "Since these boys are too scared to tell you. Those stories your Old Nan used to tell you are true," he said as a voice echoed from Rhaenyra.
"Thousands of years ago, there came a night that lasted a generation. Kings froze to death in their castles, same as the shepherds in their huts; and women smothered their babies rather than see them starve. Weeping, feeling the tears freeze on their cheeks. In that darkness the White Walkers came for the first time. They swept through cities and kingdoms, riding their dead horses, hunting with their packs of pale spiders big as hounds." That is what her Old Nan used to tell her in stories. The men nodded at her old story from the former wetnurse.
"My brother was obsessed with prophecies, it was what led to Jon being born," Rhaenyra denied. Prophecies were all over and were what created this world they knew and loved. "He and his wife Elia studied this Prince that was Promised for years before acting on it," Rhaenyra claimed. Anger coiling in her body about how her brother set their whole world upside down for a prophecy.
"The dragon must have three heads," Maester Aemon spoke as Sam stood beside him. "You, Daenerys, and Jon are our last three Targaryens. You have three dragons, Daenerys has three. It is you girls who will help Jon bring an end to our conflict with the Others. Fly South, help your husband fight the Lannisters and win. Return and wait for the coming storm," Maester Aemon continued as she listened with Jon. "The wildlings will come but not soon enough that you cannot help our King. Finish this southern war, bring our northern people home and create your rule child," Aemon ordered as Rhaenyra smirked and nodded despite knowing he did not see it. There was his Targaryen blood.
"Aye, uncle," she agreed.
"Go with her Jon, to be of use to us, go and help bring more soldiers to defend against the oncoming wars," Maester Aemon ordered as Jon nodded, feeling odd about leaving the Wall and no longer being a member of the Night's Watch.
"If you truly wish to rejoin then simply return with men, that is your objective from us," Alliser said, having seen the struggle in Alliser. All his life he was a Targaryen loyalist and he proved to show he was a hard ass to the two Stark raised Targaryens.
"Stay the night, then travel back, Your Grace," the Lord Commander said as she agreed. Knowing night would fall earlier and earlier. Her dragons had already bedded down. Ghost had seemed content to lay down there with them to slowly grow used to the large creatures who cared for other wolves from their rearing with Grey Wind. Even strange wolves they have never met, but Rhaenyra wondered if they knew this was Grey Wind, Summer, and Shaggydog's brother. So Rhaenyra went to stay in the same room as Gilly, for both of their protection since Ed sat out their door to keep the queen safe. He and Jon's other friends all greeted the queen nervously and found how she and the Stark/Targaryen boy got along, she was like one of them, it was easy to treat her like a common person and not the royal child she was born to be. And many were happy to bend the knee if they ever had to choose.
XXXVI
Rhaenyra flew Rhaella along the Wall, Rhaenys and Alysanne were flying in different directions but still along the Wall. Rhaenyra would occasionally pull her dragon along the forests to see if she could find Bran.
"Jorarghugon," Seek them. Rhaenyra ordered as Rhaella trilled and dove lower, smacking against the trees to loosen the snow but to also try and smell Summer or Bran. Crying out, Rhaella suddenly turned and flew straight to the Wall. Rhaenyra was confused before looking back and realized the path led back to Winterfell. Rhaella flew at the Wall before flying parallel to it as some men on patrol jumped when her large body brought some pieces of ice along with her. The female shrieked before diving down as she flew a bit past the Wall before banking as she flew differently. As though she was attempting to evade something chasing her, a sharp snarl left her before Rhaenys and Alysanne joined, bathing fire on the ground behind their sister as Rhaenyra whipped around to see what they were attacking but saw nothing, her younger dragons turned and followed their sister as well past the Wall as they shrieked and roared to one another. Ghost seemed to be one edge about something as he howled. Giving off a mournful howl as Rhaenys shrieked to him a mimic of his howl.
Rhaenyra felt uncomfortable now, something was north of the Wall, true to their words, and it tried to mess with her dragons, to upset them. Rhaenyra refused to allow it and prayed that her dragons did not travel too far north if they decided to fly around. She dismounted near the elevator gate as a guard held it open for her.
"Is everything alright, Your Grace?" the man asked softly, he was Grenn, a close friend to Jon.
"Yes, Grenn. The dragons sense what is past the Wall. They wish to fight it, so we will see how helpful my dragons are," she said.
"Fire kills wights, dragons breathe fire," Grenn told her as she smiled. "They will come, Your Grace. That we know, just pray it does not come sooner than we are prepared for," the redhead spoke as she nodded.
"That I do, Grenn, that I do," she claimed as they stared off into the vast waste of the north as they reached the top.
XXXVI
(King's Landing)
Ros kneels at a hidden compartment in the floor. She hands Podrick a series of ledgers. He admires her breasts as she noticed with a smile.
"A surprising place to keep the royal ledgers," Tyrion commented as he realized no one would be yanking floors up to look for the ledgers like these.
"I'm surprised you're surprised. This is the safest place in the city," Petyr claimed while Tyrion hummed.
"Not for bastards," he recalled what goes through his brothels.
"That's all of them, my lord," Ros smiled as Tyrion smiled and sent her off.
"Thank you, my dear," Tyrion bid. "Pod. Pod. Take them outside. I'll be there in a moment," the master of coin ordered as his servant nodded.
"Yes, my lord." Podrick wheels the ledges away in a cart, Ros exited as well.
"I hear you owe that boy a significant debt," Petyr teased as Tyrion smirked.
"Only my life. Not all that significant, I'm afraid," he surmised as Petyr grinned.
"You should have him knighted," the brothel owner suggested as Tyrion looked at him.
"If only the Master of Coin had such power," Tyrion claimed to the other's agreement.
"If only," Petyr said while following Tyrion out.
"So, any advice for me on my new position?" Tyrion asked.
"Keep a low profile," the former Master of Coin suggested, the dry look Tyrion gave him caused Petyr to crack a smile.
"If I had a gold dragon for every time I heard that joke, I'd be richer than you are," Tyrion spoke, used to his siblings and father making the jokes about his height.
"Well, you are richer than I am," Littlefinger commented with a shrug.
"Good point," Tyrion agreed.
"They're only numbers. Numbers on paper. Once you understand that, it's easy to make them behave. Trivial even. You want a real challenge? Try whores," the brothel owner suggested as Tyrion grinned with a laugh.
"I've tried quite a few. Well, lots of work to do. Enjoy the Eyrie," Tyrion bid as Baelish smirked and said have fun being the new Coin Master as the other groaned.
XXXVI
"Looks like dull reading," Bronn commented as he followed Tyrion down the hallway with Podrick following.
"You think all reading is dull reading," Tyrion claimed.
"It's an opinion I share with some of the finest men I know,"
"The secret history of the Seven Kingdoms is written in these pages," Tyrion said as some whores walked by as they all smiled at Pod's innocent face.
"Unless Lord Twatbeard made up a bunch of numbers to hide what he's really up to," Bronn claimed, smiling at a girl who beamed at him.
"Unless he made it all up, yes. Podrick, do keep up," Tyrion called, ensuring his servant did not fall behind.
"Yes, my lord," Podrick, the loyal squire, sped up to be a few steps behind his lord.
"Podrick," Tyrion called again.
"Yes, my lord?" the squire asked, coming closer to lean to his lord.
"After a long consultation with my colleague Ser Bronn, I finally found a suitable reward for the services you've provided over and above what might be considered reasonable. Tell me, Pod, have you ever been with a woman?" Tyrion asked as they opened a door and entered a chamber filled with beds, covered with drawn curtains.
"No, my lord," Podrick spoke in confusion.
"Wonderful," Tyrion beamed at his squire as a woman appeared from the curtains, naked and smiling to Podrick. "Genna specializes in first-timers." She crawled forward as Podrick stuttered and walked backwards as she walked over to Podrick. Smiling, and places her hands on him as he looks at her in true awe.
"She's not bad with second-timers, either," Bronn teased.
"Uh, my lord," Podrick allowed himself to be guided backwards.
"A fair enough repayment for putting your spear through my would-be killer's face, wouldn't you say?" Tyrion walks further into the chamber, and pushes aside a curtain, revealing the naked Marei.
"Now, as it happens, Marei is quite the spear handler herself. She's here to thank you for staying by my side as the battle raged all around me," Tyrion said. Marei walks over to Podrick, and begins to help Kayla to undress him.
"He's handsome. You didn't tell me he was handsome," Marei coos as she frees his belt with a giggle.
"Kayla is famous from here to Volantis in certain circles. One of four women in the world who can perform a proper Meereenese Knot." Tyrion reveals the acrobatic Kayla, who crawls to join the others.
"My lord, I don't even-" Podrick trailed off as he stared, enraptured by the acrobatic whore.
"She's here to thank you for being a thoroughly respectful fellow who's never once failed to address me as 'my lord'," he reassured as Kayla sat before him, performs an impressive and seductive back bend for Podrick, legs stretching out and showing off her cunt that was barely covered by her outfit, the girls encouraged him closer to her. Marei playfully ran a hand up Kayla's leg as Genna pulled his tunic off with a triumphant smile. "Be back in time for my supper," Tyrion leaves a small purse. Bronn wheels out the cart as he and Tyrion exit.
"Pace yourself, lad" the sellsword called with a grin.
XXXVI
"For years I've heard that Littlefinger is a magician," Tyrion started as he read through another tome of their numbers. "Whenever the Crown needs money, he rubs his hands together and poof! Mountains of gold," Tyrion said, flipping through the pages.
"Let me guess; he's not a magician?" Bronn asked, looking at everything in Tyrion's office.
"No." Tyrion said sadly.
"He's stealing it?" the sellsword questioned sniffing in a jug before putting it back.
"Worse; he's borrowing it," Tyrion claimed, barely looking away to add the numbers up.
"What's wrong with that?" Bronn thought that was how things were.
"We can't afford to pay it back, that's what's wrong with it," Tyrion realized as he counted the number. "The crown owes millions to my father," Tyrion said as he saw the history to his father.
"Seeing as it's his grandson's ass on the throne, I imagine he'll forgive that debt," Bronn shrugged, figuring family helped ease things.
"Forgive a debt, my father? For a man of the world, you're strangely naive," Tyrion teased as his friend smirked.
"I've never borrowed money before. I'm not clear on the rules," Bronn shrugged.
"Well, ahem." He eyed the man who continued to look at something old on his shelf. "The basic principle is I lend you money, and after an agreed upon period of time, you return it with interest," Tyrion explained as Bronn sat down.
"And what if I don't?" the sellsword told him, realizing the problem was his solution.
"Well, you have to," Tyrion frowned, not seeing the problem.
"But what if I don't?" Bronn reminded again firmer.
"This is why I don't lend you money," he smiled as Bronn grinned with a nod seeing the situation. "Anyway, it's not my father I'm worried about. It's the Iron Bank of Braavos. We owe them tens of millions. If we fail to repay these loans, the bank will fund our enemies. One way or another, they always get their gold back," Tyrion said.
"What? Like the Northern Queen? It is her family throne your nephew's occupying. You'd think they fund her army. But she belongs to the same Kingdom as your debt, yes?" Bronn suggested as Tyrion shook his head.
"No, this debt is to the Baratheon-Lannister line, she would not take it up, it'd be erased basically. I have been given reports that many towns and villages in the North and even some Riverlands are going back to the barter and trade system if they do not have money. And the fact that they can create their own mint. I heard White Harbor's mint doors have opened and started up once more," Tyrion claimed as he told the sellsword the truth of the northern's currency situation. "Even then, I am sure Rhaenyra could somehow convince the men not to attack her, somehow," Tyrion claimed. Their conversation was cut off with Podrick entering.
"Ah, the return of the conquering hero. Does he have a little jaunt in his step?" the dwarf teased his squire who blushed.
"The lad's practically skipping," Bronn joined in as the other chuckled.
"You were gone a long time. I trust you got your money's worth. Or should I say my money's worth?" Tyrion claims before Podrick returns the purse to Tyrion. The dwarf frowned in disappointment. "Oh, it was a gift, Podrick. This is more than I give you in a year," Tyrion said, giving the squire the purse back.
"He's a squire. You don't pay him," Bronn reminded.
"Oh, then it's much more than I give you in a year," Tyrion corrected himself.
"They wouldn't take it, my lord," Podrick finally spoke to their confusion.
"They're trying to curry some favor with the new Master of Coin?" Bronn suggested, just as confused now.
"Have you ever known a whore to turn down gold? They were happy enough to take it when I gave it to them," Tyrion said before looking back at the boy "What did you tell them?" he questioned.
"I didn't tell them anything," Podrick said, remembering with red cheeks.
"What did you do to them?" Bronn asked, wondering if he did some new tricks he and Tyrion didn't know about.
"Lots of things," Podrick quickly answered, shrugging.
"And they seemed to like these things?" Tyrion surmised.
"Yes, my lord," Podrick confirmed with a nod.
"Of course they seemed to like it. They're paid to seem to like it," Bronn deflected out of instinct.
"Only they weren't paid." Tyrion motioned to the purse in Podrick's grip.
"These ladies enjoyed him so much, they gave him the time for free?" Bronn asked sarcastically before the realization dawned on them as Podrick looked between them confused a momented before Bronn had pulled him close.
"Sit down, Podrick," Tyrion ordered, grabbing some wine. Bronn clears the table he pulled Podrick to sit at. "We're going to need details," Tyrion ordered, sitting up in front of the nervous young man. "Copious details." Tyrion pours wine for everyone as Bronn looked expectnant.
XXXVI
(Rhaenyra)
Jon held on tightly as he was bound just like Rhaenyra, Jon had worried about Ghost returning on his own but Rhaenyra reassured him the wolf would meet up with them. Without having to stop and make camp with humans, Ghost can continue and make it to Winterfell within days.
Jon had left his cloak behind as she warned him it would cause a drag in the wind and knock them off balance.
"How can you get used to this already?" Jon shouted, as Rhaenyra leaned back a bit to hear him.
"I'm not. I'm just trying to avoid being knocked around," Rhaenyra called back. When Rhaella refused to fly lower, Rhaenyra used her whip to make her dragon obey. The female growled before diving down as her sisters followed. Jon was amazed by seeing Winterfell already at a distance. "I should have told you before I left. But Bran must have made it past the Wall if we have not run into them," Rhaenyra said.
"Bran was at the Wall?! Why did you say anything?" Jon shouted, a bit angry at his aunt. Rhaella grumbled when hearing that tone, tucking and rolling to a side to make Jon quiet down.
"Seven Hells! Rhaella!" Rhaenyra whipped her dragon once more as the female trilled, flying up a bit. "And I was hoping they would have run into your patrols and held at the Wall. But Summer must be the one leading them. We know he knows to avoid humans if at all possible," Rhaenyra said as Jon frowned. None of his brothers had heard Summer or news of a boy making his way through the Wall.
"But how? All other entrances are sealed off aside from the castles in use," Jon called as she shook her head.
"I don't know. I don't even know what to tell Robb," Rhaenyra said as Jon winced. Knowing what she was talking about. It was one thing to handle it in the North if she could find Bran before Robb learns of it but if she goes South with her dragons. She'll have to tell Robb. Rhaella was quick to land as Jon dismounted rapidly and stumbled as Rodrick caught him with a laugh.
"How was your first flight, Jon?" The master-at-arms asked. Rhaenyra dismounted with some struggle as her growing belly prevented her from moving quickly.
"Here, Your Grace," Smalljon spoke as he helped her down. Rhaenyra leaned on him for a moment as she felt an odd twinge.
"Rhae?" Jon asked, coming closer as Rhaenyra groaned softly.
"I'm fine," Rhaenyra told them. Though many looked unbelieving before she quickly made her way back to the Keep as Jon and Smalljon kept pace with her, Dacey was jogging out to meet her.
"Your Grace! You have a letter from your sister," Dacey said quickly as she offered the rolled parchment to her queen. Rhaenyra took it while continuing on to the Keep as Rickon ran to her. She opened it up as Shireen ran to them and immediately was introduced to Jon by Rickon who latched onto Jon, dragging his cousin off to see Shaggydog's size. The large male wolf growled softly at his master's cousin who huffed.
"Ghost is bigger than you, Shaggydog," he teased as Rickon defended his wolf.
"He is stronger, Jon!" The boy snarled before a strong tap to his curly head made Rickon freeze and stare at his queen who lifted a brow.
"Be respectful," Rhaenyra demanded. "You know what that means," she urged as he nodded. Head bowed a little. "You need to remember, Rickon. You are a prince now, you must act like it," she ordered.
"Yes, Rhae," he agreed.
"It must be 'Your Grace' when in public, Your Highness," Septa Unai corrected softly as he nodded.
"Yes, Septa," he agreed quietly.
"Alright, you two. Go play," Rhaenyra ordered as she made her way into the new throne room. Two chairs were situated together, one a little smaller, no doubt the woman's chair. A beautiful wool cloth of blues and grays hung behind the chairs. Using the winter colors the Stark family holds dear, Rhaenyra, though spied stripes of red and black through the cloth to represent her family which warmed her heart.
"Do you like them, Your Grace?" A young woman asked, hesitant about an answer while looking at her, hoping for a good answer.
"I love them, they're beautiful," Rhaenyra smiled as the girl beamed. "Did your family make them?" The queen asked as the girl nodded.
"My father and brothers work as carpenters for the North, so I will be glad to give the praise to my father," the girl claimed with a bright smile.
"Very well," Rhaenyra dismissed the girl with a nod as she left. Rhaenyra carefully made her way up to the chair as Valaena, Lynara, and Roslin all helped fan her dress out when she turned to sit, sitting regal like a queen with her crown as everyone knelt to her. Rhaenyra raised a hand allowing everyone to stand. "We have work to do," Rhaenyra started as many perked up.
XXXVI
(King's Landing)
"So, what do we have?" Tywin asked as Tyrion offered him the paper.
"Unless we figure out a way to start to pay off the Iron Bank, we're going to have to watch the Golden Company closely. They are, afterall, the Bank's defense," Tyrion commented while Tywin nodded as he read through the paper.
"If we pay them off, we lose their protection. So long as we owe them money, they will support us," Twin said as Tyrion eyed him, surprised.
"We are 6 million in debt to the Iron Bank," Tyrion said.
"3 million. The other half goes to House Lannister," Tywin told his son.
"They will eventually want their money. They, like us, prefer to have a debt repaid," Tyrion said while his father smirked. "I know our gold mines have run dry," Tyrion spoke quietly, he saw how Tywin's eyes flew to him.
"We have other mines that have not been tended to, my miners are searching to ensure we've gone through them all," Tywin waved off his son's concerns as Tyrion frowned.
"Then what do you suggest we do if those prove empty too? If Highgarden, who is the second richest family, had not sided with the Baratheons and Stark armies I would have suggested we bring them into the fold but Lady Olenna rejected the offer. Over making her daughter queen," Tyrion brought up the offer from Tywin to the Tyrell matriarch.
"That woman should have given the offer to her son to decide not herself. But she also is taking a chance of having her descendant marry a Targaryen if they survive long enough." Tywin knew why the other rejected his offer.
"What if we were to target Highgarden? Their ruling lord and leaders are all on Dragonstone," Tyrion suggested as his father looked at him surprised for a moment before nodding.
"A good suggestion. I will think about it," Tywin thought aloud. "It would be quite a great deal to move some troops to try and sack Highgarden, as you know Robb Stark is attacking our lands now," Tywin reminded Tyrion as the dwarf nodded.
"Yes, but this could be a punishment for betraying the crown. And if successful should get a great deal of gold held at Highgarden," Tyrion said before leaving as he bid his father a good night. Tywin eyed his son's retreating form and looked at the map in front of him. The Reach was closer to him than to the Northerners and all the leaders of the Reach were with the Tyrells on Dragonstone and any ally will take time to get to them.
XXXVI
(Winterfell)
Rhaenyra walked through Winterfell as her ladies followed her along with her guards in-step with her. Many would bow or curtsy to their queen as she made her way through the Keep but Rhaenyra kept her pace. She entered to see Baela training against Jaime with Rodrik watching them, occasionally catching a misstep she took and would warn her how Jaime could have disarmed her or killed her. Having found Alys, Lynara was sent off to train the girl in being Arya's companion and basically her warden.
Rhaenyra was actually going to go to the dragon grounds to see them, Baela had told Rhaenyra when she returned and wished to keep it between them and her father as Rhaenyra agreed. Understanding Vaelaena was who most feared to upset, she held her Targaryen fire close and true with her calm Velaryon blood. So, Rhaenyra promised to be of help if Baela wanted it, though the cousin wished to try on her own first.
"Alright, we are done for the day," Jaime conceded seeing the queen enter and make a head motion to Baela than to Valaena who watched her former lover and daughter practicing together, it made her smile at seeing what could have been had Jaime not been a Kingsguard. She felt Tywin would have accepted a marriage between her house and his eldest son, she had dragon blood close to her lineage. Had Rhaegar won instead of Robert, it would be very different, she knew he would have pardoned Ned and all the other lords, having removed Aerys, their Silver Prince would have tried to heal the other regions. But Robert prevented that and it pained Valaena to know her prince's plan never came to fruition. One that would have benefitted the whole kingdom, and their family.
"Valaena, could you go see if I have received any letters from Karhold or my husband?" Rhaenyra asked, knowing it would take her some time to shift through the missives with Maester Luwin.
"Of course, Your Grace," Valaena nodded and left. Baela quickly came to her and both watched Valaena disappear from the hallway before walking off together to the dragongrounds. Many had started to jokingly call a crevice the dragongrounds as her dragons had started nesting there, they were only a bit of a distance from the Keep.
"I have a feeling Val might know what we're trying, so you might want to hurry," Rhaenyra smiled with a wince as they giggled while Ser Barristan smiled.
"Worry not, Your Grace. Once she sees the bond between the dragon and Baela, I am sure Valaena will be fine," he reassured as the girls both smiled at him, hoping for the same thing.
"You have spent time with Valaena as well, Ser. You should know how protective that woman is over her only child," Rickard Karstark commented with a chuckle.
"What am I to do?" Baela asked softly.
"Truly? I have no idea," Rhaenyra smiled.
"Here, child," a shepherd called as he led a herd of sheep to the dragons who perked up. "It would be best to try while the beast is full. Least likely to eat you, I think," he smiled as Baela nodded.
"Thank you," Baela said, Rhaenyra gave the man a coin bag for his animals as he nodded.
"Thank you, Your Grace," he bowed before leaving. Dacey worked with Baela on guiding some sheep to the blue winter dragoness who trilled in interest.
"Pet her while she eats," Rhaenyra encouraged as her cousin nodded. Gently approaching the dragon who allowed the familiar female close while she ate her burned sheep. Baela smiled as she noticed how Alysanne enjoyed playing with burned bones but would focus on bones with meat still attached quickly like Rickon when given new sweets he enjoys. While Rhaenyra kept Rhaella's attention on her, Baela decided to try. Carefully, the young woman mapped out her step path on Alysanne's back with her spikes and ridges. Taking a breath, Baela started to climb on the unprepared female's back, Alysanne froze when she felt pressure from someone climbing up her back. Gently, the growing she-dragon felt her hackles raise before Baela's voice reached her ears.
"Lykirī, Alysanne. Dohaeris," Baela spoke, her Valyrian causing Alysanne to coil in and ready herself as she abandoned her bones and burned kills. Keeping calm and remaining still at the woman's order despite her wish to remove the new weight. Rhaenys eyed Baela, coming from behind the human to understand, a sharp whistle from Rhaenyra made the golden dragon abandon the girl now sitting on Alysanne's back. Baela, successful in mounting the she-dragon, realized the pin-points to hold on.
"Say it, Baela!" Rhaenyra ordered as Ser Barristan watched with the others looking on in shock.
"Sōvēs!" Baela braced herself as Alysanne shook her head a moment. "Sōvēs, Alysanne!" Rhaenyra worried Baela would be rejected before the blue she-dragon opened her wings before charging forward as she launched into the air, twisting her body to gain a better momentum. Rhaenyra smiled as she watched Baela hold on as the girl yelped softly, clinging to the scales as Alysanne shrieked loudly. Grinning, Rhaenyra climbed up into the dragon's saddle before flying up as Rhaella joined her sister with Rhaenys following, the three shrieking and calling out. Baela carefully had Alysanne follow Rhaenyra who guided her cousin around at low altitudes so it would not bother her cousin who was dressed in skirts. Rhaenys flew behind to ensure nothing happened to them as Alysanne shrieked, gaining people's attention as she roared, breathing fire before flying through it. It confused and intrigued the girls who wondered why they did that, but it made Baela giggle as Rhaenyra grinned before encouraging her dragon to land. Rhaenyra has decided to return to Robb, she will help him and if Robb truly wished to fight Tywin completely she would return North, but might leave Baela with him. Rhaenyra had already decided to have two more saddles made for her dragons and would need just adjustments for the riders' and the dragons' new sizes. But Rhaenyra hoped they would take to the saddles as Rhaella had.
Many had assumed Jon might be able to mount Rhaenys but she had hissed at him when he eyed her too long, Jon immediately stayed away until she learned he would not try, but Rhaenys would not keep her shoulders down long enough for Jon to plan.
It confused Rhaenyra and her small group who would assume the dragon would find trust in the young man but Jon reassured her that it meant he was not to bond with this dragon, regardless of his heritage to Rhaegar before Jaime realized there were other dragons and mused in his mind about the possibility of him bonding with one of Daenerys' dragons. It would make sense if Rhaenys, one of their queen's last dragons, would refuse and he might still have a chance to bond with another dragon, one of the males in the East, where Rhaenyra had planned to send her nephew. So, Jaime decided to think of all possible things Jon could say to win Daenerys' favor or at least show he was not a threat to her reign. As they knew, his parents' marriage made him legitimate and above the girls, unless they could do what Rhaenyra hoped for later on, and wed them together. It was the only thing she could think that would bind their claims and help bring Daenerys West, but it was also the same offer the fake dragon prince offered when she was in Qarth. They could only hope that Jon would eventually grow on the young queen or at least use him as she sees fit. But Jaime decided not to think too hard on that for now as he smiled watching Baela fly on Alysanne, the silver-blue dragon now starting to blend in more with her snow-covered surroundings.
"Beautiful," Sigtryggr's voice spoke as he appeared with Wolland who watched Baela, interested as he hummed at seeing her. Jaime didn't notice the attention as he resumed looking at Baela as well, proud she was able to bond with one of the dragons, he hoped they found another rider for the third soon.
XXXVI
End of the chapter! How was it? Who do you think would be the third rider and it will, hopefully, surprise people. Please tell me what ya'll think!
~Rusty14~
