Chapter Text
Rhaenys could feel herself growing disinterested in the discussion that was being had in front of her. The men of the realm were talkative, she desired nothing more but to have their tongues cut out but that would be cruel and unwise. So instead she feigned interest in Lord Baelish's new tax policy. As the man continued talking, Rhaenys could not help but question her sanity. Why did I decide to join the small counsel today? She could have been spending time with her Elia and Cassian but instead she is here. Listening to Petyr Baelish voice was torture. Rhaenys let out a sigh. She noticed that her husband looked just as bored as she did.
Her husband only recently started joining the small council meetings. Ever since her twins were born, the man started making an effort to actually rule. Rhaenys had found out that the reason that Robert had not been with her during the start of her labor was because of an urgent council meeting. Apparently the Warden of the North had sent a letter to the king. The letter contained delicate information and Jon Arryn pleaded for Robert to be present during the meeting. The letter claimed that Rhaegar Targaryen had asked Eddard Stark to join him in taking back his throne.
Apparently the Targaryen prince was of the mind that his good brother would rally up his men and join him in waging war for the Iron Throne. Rhaegar Targaryen must have been so disappointed to know that instead of answering his call Ned Stark had informed his dear friend Robert of the treachery. Lord Stark's actions left no doubt in Rhaenys' mind that the northern man would remain loyal to King Robert, and in turn her children. She could not help but pray to the gods for Ned Stark's health. If any harm should come to him, I am not certain that his son will continue to honor his fathers wishes. Ned Stark could not die, in truth he was the only Lord that Rhaenys trusted. His honor and self righteousness will protect her and her children. It mattered not if Rhaenys liked the man.
She was still deep in thought when the master of coins finally stopped talking. Rhaneys quickly turned her attention to the Hand of the King, secretly hoping that there would be some news regarding the dragon prince. Last she heard he was sailing West but that has been two days ago and still no word of their whereabouts. Varys' little birds have mysteriously not been able to get much information on the Targaryen forces. Rhaenys had tried to voice her concerns about the master of whisperers' allegiance to her husband but he would laugh it off. If the spider is working with Rhaegar, that would be the end of you, you brainless idiot, she had wanted to say but she thought that unwise. Robert had been growing ever more angry and impatient ever since he heard the news of Rhaegar coming back for his crown. He was growing to be much more short tempered and Rhaenys had no desire to make the man lose his temper.
Robert had never been violent towards her but she knew that he was capable of being aggressive if she angered him enough. Rhaenys had seen it many times when he was still wed to Cersei Lannister. The previous queen regent had a peculiar habit of making the king angry. There were times when Robert would leave nasty bruises on the queen's face. Rhaenys would pity the queen but all sense of compassion towards the woman would leave her body when the golden haired beauty would say the cruelest things to her. No, Cersei Lannister did not deserve pity, much less mine. No after what she said about my mother .
"Has there been any news of Prince Rhaegar?" Rhaenys could not help but ask. The curiosity had been keeping her up at night. Sometimes she imagined that the Targaryens were already here, just outside the city gates. She grew more and more anxious at the lack of news.
"No, Your Grace. Last we heard was that they had sailed from the Bay of Pentos. But they are expected to make a stop in the Step Stones." Varys' slimy voice said sweetly. Rhaenys found herself nodding at his statement.
"The king's brother, Stannis Baratheon, has already started to reinforce Dragonstone's defenses." Maester Pycelle shared. "The North and the Riverlands are already rallying up their forces. As is the Vale." Rhaenys had already heard about the reinforcements coming from further north but the news of Stannis Baratheon was new.
"Why would Stannis reinforce Dragonstones defenses? Should he not be joining Renly in Storm's End?" She questioned. For a brief moment there was silence. Roberts booming voice cut through the silence.
"Rhaegar will seek to claim Dragonstone before he does anything else." Robert spoke to her as if she were a child. With a slight blush of embarrassment Rhaenys nodded her head in understanding. Of course he would want his Dragonstone back, you idiot. Rhaenys felt like a fool for not realizing that the dragon prince would want to lay claim to his ancestral home instead of marching head first into Kings Landing.
Seeing as there was nothing more to discuss, Jon Arryn concluded the meeting. As Rhaenys was walking out, she heard Robert call out to her. She is taken aback from his sudden acknowledgment of her. The king had not paid much attention towards her since the birth of the twins but Rhaenys found that she did not care about her husbands lack of attention towards her.
"I need to discuss a delicate matter with you." He tells her. A sudden rush of emotions takes over. She immediately thinks back and wonders if she had done anything to upset the man, but she could not think of one thing that could have caused the man to be upset with her. With a nod of her head she heads back to where she was previously seated and waits with growing impatience as she waits for everyone to trickle out. She watches as Lord Arryn appears to linger on, the king and the man share a look. And Rhaenys could not help but anticipate the discussion that her husband seemed reluctant to have.
"What is the matter that you wish to discuss, husband?" She asks the man as she observes his hesitation. Robert clears his throat before speaking.
"My son, Edric, will be coming to Kings Landing." Rhaenys is silent. Her husband continues. "The city watch needs good men and with the upcoming threat drawing closer, I have offered him a place in the city watch. It is safer here in Kings Landing, than in Dragonstone." He concludes, his voice drew softer as he said the final words. Rhaenys ponders for a moment. He wants his bastard close to him. Rhaenys grew more and more apprehensive of this as she let the news sink in. But as she thinks back to Robert's words she realizes something. He wants his son safe. Kings Landing is the safest place for his son. As Rhaenys comes to this revelation, she cannot find it in herself to be too upset.
"And when will he be here?" She finally says, emotionless. Robert answers quickly. "He will be here before night falls."
"So soon?" Robert says nothing to this and they fall in silence once more. Rhaenys could see that the conversation was at an end and rose from her seat.
"The children should be waking up soon, I will need to attend to them soon." She says. Rhaenys does not linger for a dismissal and walks out. Ser Balon Swann quickly shadows her as she heads to the nursery where her children were resting. Her childrens nursery was close to her own chambers. But more often than not her children would be with her in her own chambers. They slept in her rooms during the night, Rhaenys knew that it was unwise but sometimes she would put her twins in bed with her and just watched as they slept, there were times where she fell asleep watching their chest rise and fall steadily. As she grew nearer to the nursery, she could already make out the precious babbles that her children were making.
They're awake, good, I will be able to take them out into the gardens. The day was beautifully warm and sunny, a perfect day for a stroll in the garden. She spent a lot of time in the garden, some called Rhaella's garden. Her grandmother had a deep love for flowers and so when she was a young girl her grandfather, King Aegon, had a garden made just for her. After she wed her brother, Aerys, she seldom spent time in her garden. But as her husband grew cruel, she would escape to her abundances of flowers and take solace in her treasures.
"Your Grace, the children are awake." The nursemaid, Lana, tells her as soon as she enters the nursery.
"Yes, I will be taking them out to the garden after they are fed." Rhaenys says. The middle-aged woman nods her head and brings her Elia. Rhaenys sits down on the chair near the cradle and with the help of Talya, her handmaid, she unlaces her gown. She brings Elia into her arms and begins to feed her. Initially the nursemaids had tried to deter her from feeding her children herself but Rhaenys would have none of that. I will feed my children my own milk, just as my mother did.
After she finishes feeding both her children they head out to the gardens of the Red Keep. She cradles Cassian in her arms and Talya carries Elia as they stroll the colorful garden. Rhaenys has faint memories of being in the garden with her mother. But her most vivid memory, which remains etched on her mind, of the garden was that of the day she died. Elia had been desperate to keep Rhaneys happy and occupied and so she decided to take her daughter to the gardens for a picnic. Rhaenys remembers her mother telling her that it was Aegon's nameday and that they should be celebrating his name day. Rhaenys remembers asking her mother why they should be celebrating Aegon's name day if he wasn't even here with them. Her mother had only laughed at her. Now it dawned on her that her mother had just wanted to make her happy and her intentions stemmed from pure love. When was it not? The Red Keep was a lonely place for Rhaenys, and her mother simply wanted to alleviate her sadness in any way she could. Rhaenys could feel tears start to well up in her eyes. In her self-centered child's mind, she never saw the tired and sad eyes her mother had while they unknowingly spent their last moments together. It takes only one look at her sweet Cassian to stop the tears from falling. She could not help but smile at her son. It had been six moons since she gave birth to her twins and they had grown so quickly. Cassian's silver hair grew longer as the days went by, his blue eyes shone in the radiance of the sunlight. Her son was beautiful, as was his sister. Her Elia shared the same features as her younger brother , only she had a brown complexion, akin to that of her namesake. They truly were beautiful babes, in the way only the blood of the dragon can be.
"My Queen, it appears little Elia here has wet herself," Talya giggled while she rocked the crying Elia. Rhaenys smiled down at her daughter and gave her a kiss on her little forehead. "Very well, take her back inside, Talya," Rhaenys told the woman. "Cassian and I will continue with our stroll."
"As you wish, your Grace,"
With Cassian nestled in her arms, she hummed gently into his ears as he cooed sweetly in response. It was a tranquil moment which was shattered when a burly man appeared in front of them. Although he wore the attire of the palace guards, Rhaenys was perplexed to see him not bow to her as tradition dictated. Instead, he snarled like an untamed beast and unsheathed a long dagger made with sharp Valyrian steel. Rhaenys breath hitched, and she felt her knees almost give out.
No. She felt just as frightened as she was when she was only a girl of three when that piggish monster came to murder her. Ser Jaime rescued her then but the once shiny white knight was no more. Ser Jaime will not save her. A wail broke out and Rhaenys was shaken out of her thoughts as she realized that her sweet Cassian was with her. He must have felt her fear too.
Her attacker grew wroth at this and lunged forward with the sharp blade glistening in the sunlight. No. Rhaenys dashed hurriedly forward with her infant held tightly against her bosom. She wasn't a girl of three, she is a woman grown with two children who had no one else but her for protection. She had to be strong. Elia Martell protected Rhaenys until the bitter end. Mother, lend me your strength.
"You bitch" He barked out, laughing callously. "Get back here and I might spare your screaming whelp." His vile threats fueled Rhaenys to hasten her pace. Fear consumed her like wildfire as she glanced over her shoulder at him, causing her to stumble over a protruding tree root. Falling on her back, she refused to let any harm befall her little one. While attempting to rise to her feet, a searing pain shot through her ankle, causing Rhaenys' legs to give out. Tears of frustration and anger welled up in her eyes for succumbing so easily as she tried to gaze back at her assailant defiantly.
He was an ugly man with black teeth and wispy hair. She could not believe that her life, which had only just started to become so beautiful, was being ended by such a worthless being.
Rhaenys stared at him fiercely and said "Kill me," in a voice so calm and clear. "You came here to kill me so be done with it but leave my son out of this. He's only a babe."
Blood splattered on her face, making her face twist with disgust. The horrid man merely glanced down at the blood oozing from his throat and crumpled to the floor like a ragdoll, with a look of disbelief. The man plummeted gracelessly onto the ground, unveiling her saviour.
"Your Grace, are you alright?" The man's deep voice had caught her off guard, so much so that she forgot to nod yes. He helped her up and she pressed her sniffing son's face into her neck, protectively, rubbing her hand over his small back soothingly. Rhaenys turned her head to the man. He looked surprisingly young, compared to the low octave of his voice and seemed to be around her age as indicated by his clean shaven face. He was immensely tall and lean, with broad shoulders and muscled arms. To her embarrassment, she found him exceedingly handsome, his beauty even surpassing that of Renly's, who Rhaenys had a slight girl crush on when she was younger. With his long, sleek hair as black as the feathers on a raven, and piercing eyes resembling that of a stormy sea, the man was truly an enigmatic presence.
"Thank you," she said gratefully. "Your name, Ser?"
"Edric Storm" he said, looking down as though he was ashamed of his name. Rhaenys was shocked that the man standing before him was her husband's son. In truth she anticipated a sniveling brat with the same entitlement that Joffrey held but the man standing before her had kind eyes and a sheepish expression. He looks like Robert, how come I didn't realize it before he told me his name. The sudden yells of Ser Balon Swann spared her from any further discussion with the bastard.
"Your Grace, are you alright?" The knight asked and Rhaenys nodded her head but suddenly felt a twinge of anger as she realized that the King's Guard member had not been there to protect Cassian. "Where were you Ser Balon?" Her tone was harsh but she did not care. My son could have died, if it hadn't been for Edric. The knight looked abashed and ashamed. "I apologize my lady, I should have been with you." He said honestly but Rhaenys could not care less about the man's guilt.
"Yes, you should have been here, protecting your prince." She told the man. The white knight looked down in shame. She turned to look at Edric Storm. "If it hadn't been for Edric, my son could have been killed." She continued. Balon Swann only apologized again. Rhaenys was growing tired of the man's useless apologies.
"Your sorrys will do us no good now Ser. Why don't you do something useful and bring Edric to the king. I am sure my husband will be delighted to know of his sons valor." Rhaenys said. Ser Balon seemed to have not noticed that the man that had saved his queen and prince was the kings bastard son. He looked taken aback before speaking once more. "Please allow me to escort you to your chambers first Your Grace."
"No, there will be no need for that Ser. I will join you two to talk with the king." She said
"Your Grace, you have been through a lot. Would you not like to go back to your chambers and rest?" A simple glare at the knight gave him the answer to his idiotic question. Rhaenys began walking, and she soon felt the presence of the two men behind her. As she cradled Cassian closer, she planted a gentle kiss on his head. Although his wails have subsided, she could still see the agitation and distress still etched on his face. His wide eyes darted around his surroundings nervously as though the man was lurking somewhere nearby, waiting to strike. His pitiful state broke Rhaenys' heart. Oh my sweet child, I promise no harm will ever come your way.
They swiftly made their way to Maegor's Holdfast. Rhaenys held her son tightly and listened to his small murmurs. She thinks back to the man disguised as a guard and feels herself grow pale. He nearly killed me. Had it not been for Edric, I would have died. Despite her attempts to push away such thoughts, it still lingered. She had never been that scared in her life. She finds that her fear was greater than when the Lannister pig had tried to kill her. Her thoughts shift back to her children. What would have happened to them if I had died, would Robert be a good father to them? With the talk of war Rhaenys could not help but imagine Robert dying, if he were to die in battle, who would care for them? Against her will her gaze drifts back to Edric Storm. The man had saved her son, perhaps he would continue protecting Cassian and her Elia if Rhaenys and Robert were to one day meet their demise.
Rhaenys found her husband in his solar. He was talking to Ser Barristan Selmy when they walked in. Rhaenys did not wait for Arys Oakheart to announce their arrival and strolled in. Edric and Balon both seem to have hesitated coming into the Kings chambers unannounced but Rhaenys heard their heavy footsteps follow her into the room. Robert noticed her at once, she must have still looked frightened because both the king and the knight quickly came to her. They both bombarded her with questions, but Rhaenys could not find her voice. She tried to tell them what had happened but her voice only let out small whimpers and so she stopped trying. Noticing her obvious distress, the Commander of the Kingsguard turned his questions towards his sworn brother.
"What has happened to the queen, Ser Balon?" The older man's voice was firm and fierce. The younger knight hesitated to speak. "The Queen Rhaenys and Prince Casssian were attacked by a man disguised as a guard." He let the words quickly fall out. Immediately, his commander began questioning the knight more. But Rhaenys saw how Ser Balon grimaced every time he was unable to answer his lord commander's questions. Feeling pity for the man, Rhaenys made a decision to shift the focus from the knight's irresponsibility.
"The man appeared out of nowhere. It was Edric who killed the man. The man wore no distinguishing garments."
Rhaenys saw the way Robert eyed his son as she told them that Edric was the one that had saved them. Suddenly she remembered the dagger that the man had tried to use to take her life. "He had a Valyrian dagger." She said, Robert and Barristan looked at one another.
"Are you sure that it was a Valyrian dagger Your Grace? From what you told us, the man that tried to kill you was a measly man. Surely a man like that could not afford a luxury such as Valyrian steel." The man's voice was gentle but Rhaenys felt a sudden surge of anger as they both doubted what she saw.
"My father wielded Dark Sister, I know what Valyrian steel looks like." She tells them coldly. The old man nodded his head in understanding.
"Barristan, go and find out everything you can about the dead men. Take as many gold cloaks as you need. And ask Varys and Littlefinger if they have heard of anything. Balon, you go as well." Roberts' voice was commanding.
"At once Your Grace." The duo say and Rhaenys watches as they head off. Cassian's abrupt cries cause all those in the room to look at the young prince. Rhaenys immediately begins to soothe him. The boy calms down a bit and soon his eyes begin to close softly.
"Is he alright?" The king asks. Rhaenys looks up at him. "Yes, he was only a little frightened. Cassian is fine now." She tells her son's father. The man nods.
"Are you alright?" Edric asks her. She is surprised at the sudden question but answers nonetheless. "Yes, I am well." They hold each other's gaze. The loud voice of the king makes her break apart from the man's eyes.
"It's good that you were there." Robert says, but he almost sounds uncertain. "I mean it was good that Edric was there to save you and the child." And then instantaneously his voice becomes angry. "I should have that Balon Swann white cloak torn from his back. That useless fool wasn't even there to protect my son and Queen." Rhaenys found herself agreeing with what her husband said but did not voice her agrement aloud, in fear that Robert would actually dismiss the white knight. While it was true that Ser Balon hadn't been there to protect Cassian and her, she was much too fond of the man to see him stripped of his cloak. Besides, Ser Balon was loyal to Robert and Rhaenys could not think of anyone else she trusted to replace him.
"You boy, do you truly want to join the city watch?" Robert abruptly asked his son. Edric answered his father quickly. "I will do as you ask of me, Your Grace." There is no denying the determination in Edric's voice.
"Hmm good. You will be Rhaenys' sworn shield."
Rhaenys is shocked and left speechless for a few moments before all her senses return. "Your Grace, but he isn't even a knight."
"Yes he is, Stannis knighted him when he turned ten and four. Didn't he boy?" Robert looked at Edric for confirmation and Edric nodded his head in agreement. "See, he saved you and the boy today. He'll be a good sworn shield." He had a hint of pride in his voice as he said those words.
"But–" He's a bastard. Rhaenys wanted to say but stopped herself as she had no desire to offend the man who saved her and her son's life. "He has no armor." She concluded. Robert laughed at her statement.
"The boy has a fine suit of armor. I gifted it to him a few moons ago." He told her. Rhaenys only forced a smile and leaves soon after.
She laid in bed alone. Her children had drifted in a peaceful slumber in their cradle found in the corner of her room and now Rhaenys could finally sleep. However, although her body was tired, her mind was awake, making it difficult for her to doze off. Her slender fingers grasped onto her curls , twirling a soft coil. Sleep has been hard to find ever since the incident at the garden. Rhaenys could not close her eyes without seeing the man's face in her dreams. Most of the time her dreams end right when Edric comes but sometimes he does not show up at all. Sometimes the revolting man manages to grab her by the hair and throw her down. Other times he rips Cassian from her grasp and lets the Valyrian steel cut through her boy. Those nightmares were the worst, she would wake up covered in sweat. And she would frantically check if her babes were still there, still alive. She always felt relief as she saw their chest rise and fall.
Other times her sleepless nights were consumed by the thought of war. Rhaegar Targaryen has begun to sail west to take back the iron throne. She found herself thinking of her father more and more. She thought about the times he would sing her songs on his harp and the times her father would take her on walks by the beach at Dragonstone when her mother was too far along with child. Her mother had been bedridden for a moon before giving birth to Aegon. Rhaenys distinctly recalls feeling deeply upset when she was told that she would have a sibling. The idea of sharing her father and mother with a stranger seemed unjust to her. Rhaenys laughs at that now, if only you knew that you would have to share your father with six other children. Her mood turns bitter as she remembers Rhaegar's other children. Rhaenys could feel herself grow more resentful as she realizes that if Rhaegar takes Dragonstone from Stannis Baratheon, Rhaegar's children would reside there as well. The thought of having them in her childhood home fills her with great vexation.
As Rhaenys falls asleep, a potent mixture of hatred and fear in her heart. She finds herself dreaming of Cassian and Elia running through the halls of Dragonstone, much like she did when she was a little girl.
Rhaenys stares at the cradle beside her bed. The twins laid together, a black blotch of fur is nestled between them. Her dearest Balerion is resting in between Elia and Cassian. Her most loyal friend, Balerion, has taken quite a liking to her children. Besides Rhaenys, the babies are the only people who Balerion does not hiss or scratch at. He knows that they are my blood, he will love them as he loves me. The thought of her black cat being fond of her children made her happy.
She continued to watch her sweet children sleep, a part of her wish that she could join them, to squeeze herself into the cradle and be in the warmth and comfort of her family. It was a ridiculous thought, of course. She was a woman grown now, her womanly body no longer fit in the cradle, but my heart could.
Her Talya had told her that Rhaenys' presence was expected in the tower of the hand, when she asked why, her handmaiden knew nothing. Rhaenys could feel her nerves begin to pick back up as she thought of why her presence was needed. Thousands of questions ran through her mind, Was it her father? Has he finally set foot in Westoroes? Or has someone betrayed us? These unseemly thoughts brewed in her mind and she could not find it in herself to calm down. Rhaenys sets her eyes on her children asleep. Seeing their chest rise up and down has a calming effect on her and soon enough she wills herself to calm down. She rises up from her bed and begins to get ready.
After leaving her babies with Lana, the nursemaid, Rhaenys sets her destination to the Tower of the Hand. Edric Storm shadows her, Rhaenys still felt odd about having Robert's bastard as her sworn shield. But he did save Cassian's life, along with mine. And yet she still felt strange about the whole ordeal. They both arrive at the tower, Jon Arryn's squire allows them inside. She is surprised to see the amount of people inside. Her husband is standing, leaning against the wooden desk, Jon Arryn is sitting on a chair, the spider is also sitting. Ser Barristan is standing at the head of the table, Ser Balon is beside him. Rhaenys almost completely misses the man standing far away from everyone else. It takes a moment for Rhaenys to recognize the man, Lord Larys Whent. What is he doing here? Rhaenys did not know much of the man, only that he was as trustfull as Littlefinger and Varys. His presence unsettled her greatly. He was the current lord of Harrenhall, that cursed castle. After the defeat of Rhaegar at the Trident, House Whent was given to the young lord. There were whispers in the kingdom that Larys had his uncle, Walter Whent, killed so that the monstrous castle would fall into his hands. She knew better than to believe such rumors but she still couldn't help but believe that perhaps there was some truth in the gossip.
"Your Grace, sit please." Jon Arryn pointed at the unoccupied chair beside him. Rhaneys gave him a sweet smile and sits down. She glanced at the men in the room and noticed their various expressions. Robert had a look of anger, Varys seemed entertained with all that was happening. The brothers of the kingsguard looked somewhat worrisome. Lord Whent had a similar look of amusement that Varys had, it unnerved her greatly.
"Why have you called me here my lord?" She questioned the man.
"It's about the attack you suffered." He paused and continued. "Ser Barristan was able to find out more about the man." He gestured for the commander of the kingsguard to speak. The man stepped forward.
"Your Grace, the man who tried to harm you and Prince Cassian was a Lannister man." He said. Rhaenys could feel the color drain from her face, Lannister. She should have known that the old lion wished to harm her. It seemed so obvious and yet, she could not help but doubt the words that Barristan said.
"A Lannister man, are you sure, Ser?" She questioned the man. This time it was Varys who spoke up.
"It is no secret that the Lord of Casterly Rock holds no love for you. He tried to have you killed when you were all but a child. And now you are queen, you have bore the king's children. Something that his dear daughter was never able to do." His voice was honey but Rhaenys still did not believe it.
"Yes but why now? Why would he try to harm me now?" She voices her question aloud. Again, the spider responds. "With the talk of war, perhaps Lord Tywin wished to prove his… loyalty." His words settled their way into Rhaenys and she was confused for a moment until she finally understood.
"You mean that he wants to prove his loyalty to Rhaegar by having his daughter killed." She scoffed. "The old man is clever, surely he knows that Prince Rhaegar would never see that as loyalty. Besides, the man killed Princess Elia, he would be a fool if he tried to join the Targaryens." She said firmly.
"Lord Tywin is a clever man, this ploy to kill Queen Rhaenys seems… bizarre, if what he wants is to prove his loyalty." Jon Arryn spoke in agreement with her.
"You speak the truth my lord." Lord Whent spoke for the first time. His voice was quiet. "Unless, it was not the queen that he wished to harm." His words sent a chill down Rhaenys. All this time she had thought the man in the garden wished to only harm her. But to think that she wasn't even the target but Cassian. Rhaenys felt sick.
"But the assassin said that he only wished to harm me." She refuted.
"The man could have lied, My Queen." The hand of the king said gently.
"What shall we do now?" She hears herself say. The men in the room all turn to Robert, awaiting his response.
"What can I do? I could demand Tywin come to King's Landing and answer for his crimes but we all know that he would not answer to that demand. I could send men to get him but he still has his dog, The Mountain, with him. Any men I send will be slaughtered." He said bitterly.
"Send us, Your Grace." Ser Barristan faced his King. "It is time for that rabid dog, Gregor Clegane, to be put down. I shall bring Lord Tywin to you." Robert seemed ready to accept the offer.
"No Ser Barristan, you must remain here at Kings Landing with the King." Lord Arryn reminded the man.
"Then perhaps we can send gold cloaks to apprehend Lord Tywin." Rhaenys said hopefully. Jon Arrryn gave her a look of pity. "No, that will not work. As the king has said, The mountain is sure to be with Lord Tywin. He would have no problem killing the men we send. Besides, we need the gold cloaks to remain here in the city should anything happen."
"So we are to do nothing." She says bitterly. " He tried to kill our son and you will do nothing." She says angrily to her husband. Robert looks conflicted but Jon's voice cuts through once more.
"There is not much we can do now but be certain that Tywin Lannister will answer for his crimes." The old man tries to reassure her. Rhaenys gave him a look of disgust and her stormy eyes reached her husband's who turned away from her hateful gaze.
"It appears I misjudged you as a king, for even your bastard son showed more courage than you" She sneered cruelly at the man who looked up at her sharply. Ser Barristan looked mortified at her words. "He should have answered for his crimes against my mother, maybe if you had brought him to justice then, he would be rotting in the seven hells but instead he continues to torment us."
With those final words said, she leaves the room without waiting for the King's dismissal. Edric follows her quietly.
The swirl of emotions threatened to take hold of her but Rhaenys quickly reminded herself that there were people watching her. She walked as fast as she could to the safety of her bed chambers but it seemed to take an eternity for her to actually reach her solace. When the doors of her chambers come into view, she feels herself relax a little, her shoulders slumped down slightly and her footsteps become a bit more sluggish. Her hand is shaking slightly as she goes to open the door to her chambers.
A warm hand envelopes her shaking ones, she looks up and is met with a worried Edric. She was about to reprimand the man for touching her but he interrupts her.
"Are you alright, Your Grace?" He asks, eyes filled with worry. Rhaenys shoots a glare at him which prompts him to remove his hand from her's and take several steps back, trying to get enough distance between the two of them.
"Of course I am not fine." She says grievously. The man winced at her harsh tone. "I apologize for upsetting you, My Lady." He says earnestly.
Rhaenys only rolls her eyes, she opens the door to her chambers and this time, Edric does nothing. In the safety of her chambers she allows herself to break down. Salty tears stream down her face as she collapses onto her bed, after a few short moments she feels something soft tickle her legs and soon enough her Balerion curls himself up in her arms. They both lay together in silence safe for the occasional wails Rhaenys would let out.
Will you ever get any justice, mother? Have I failed you?
As Rhaenys tries to conjure up memories of her sweet mother, she is met with a hazy recollection of her smile and her laughter. Her soft hands and curly hair, the radiant gowns she wore and the sweet perfume she doused herself in, but Rhaenys found it more and more difficult summing up memories of her mother. Sometimes she would recall that her mother's favorite color was blue and other days she was sure that her mothers favorite color was purple. Each passing day, she found it more and more difficult to be sure if she was remembering her mother correctly or if she was corrupting the precious few memories she had of her mother.