The day was bright and pleasant as Rhaenys made her way to the tourney grounds with her children. She had been against the idea of bringing her children to the tournament but Robert had been adamant that the children attend, seeing as the whole ordeal was to celebrate them. Rhaenys had no other choice but to comply with the king's wishes. Ser Edric is not with her as he was getting ready to ride in the tourney. She could not deny that she felt strange without the man's presence that had been a constant for the last couple of moons. Ser Arys Oakheart was guarding her for the time being, Rhaenys was indifferent towards the man but he was a good knight and so she could not complain. Though she would rather have her knight back.
Rhaenys held Cassian's hands firmly as he toddled unsteadily. Meanwhile Elia strode ahead on her own, Lana and Talya close behind her, ready to catch her if she fell. There were already crowds of people standing on the other side of the barriers. A large dais had been erected to house the royal family with large yellow tapestries with the Baratheon sigil being draped over the wooden ledge. Robert was already seated in the center, Ned Stark sat next to him. She could see Lord Stark's children sitting just beneath them, excitement clearly showing in their faces. Elia had caught sight of her father and darted to him, nearly tripping on her own feet but luckily, Robert had caught her before she fell completely on her face. A hearty laughter emanated from him as he lifted Elia and settled her comfortably onto his lap. Her daughter was amusing herself by playing with her fathers hands as Robert continued talking with his friend. Rhaenys carefully climbed the stairs to make her way to the unoccupied chair next to Robert and placed a fussing Cassian on her lap before giving Ned Stark a charming smile who returned it with one of his own. They all eagerly anticipated the beginning of the tourney, the red haired children all but bounced in their seats.
The announcer of the tourney was a lord from the Stormlands, she can't recall his name. Only that he is a minor lord that thinks himself lucky to be in the presence of the King of the Seven Kingdoms.
"Today we are gathered to celebrate the first nameday of Prince Cassian and Princess Elia." the man said, prompting the lords and ladies and common folk alike to cheer for her children. Rhaenys smiles in contentment. "Let the tourney commence!" The announcer shouts, his voice thundering across the field. His declaration causes the crowd to roar even louder. It had been many years since a tourney of such magnitude had graced the realm, and everyone was eager to see the finest knights compete in a display of chivalry and skill.
"Lord Bracken from the Riverlands and Lord Caswell of the Reach." The man says. He is once again met with loud cheers from all sides.
Lord Bracken is a man of ten and nine though he looks more like ten and four. He was small compared to Lord Caswell who appeared to be a tall man. Rhaenys didn't think the little Lord stood a chance against the likes of Lord Caswell. As they both ready their horses their squires fetched their lances and off the horses went. Despite his size Lord Bracken managed to throw Lord Caswell off his house in just one strike. Rhaenys felt quite embarrassed for Lord Caswell, knocked off his horse by a boy younger and smaller than him. The crowd erupts into thunderous applause at the incredible feat displayed by Lord Bracken
As the tourney progressed, the customary sight of lords being unseated from their horses and crashing to the ground was met with raucous cheers from the crowd. Her children, young as they are, were particularly pleased with the proceedings. Elia clapped giddily much to the delight of Robert while Cassian erupted into excited giggles and beamed up at his mother in happiness, making Rhaenys smile fondly down at him. However, Rhaenys did not particularly enjoy tourneys, finding little pleasure in witnessing violence for entertainment.
She perked up when she heard the announcer introduce Gerold Dayne. Dorne. She watched as a young boy with silver hair helped a tall man in armor mount a black horse. She could not see the knight's face well since his face was hidden away in his helm. His opponent happened to be the precious Knight of Flowers. The pretty knight had won every round he was in, though Rhaenys knew that it had more to do with his mare being in heat than the boy's skill. She looked forward to seeing the two of them ride against each other. Rhaenys watched intently as they took off, both of their lances out, Loras Tyrell had very nearly knocked Ser Gerold off his horse but the dornish man was able to stay on the horse. The blow had broken Loras' lance, his squire quickly handed him a new one as Loras rode back around. With a new lance in hand, Loras met harshly with Ser Gerolds shield, only this time, the dornish man had struck his lance into the chest of the young knight. They had both hit each other at the same time but only the Highgarden knight hit the ground.
There were audible shouts of protest emanating from some members of the crowd as they witnessed their beloved Knight of Flowers being forcefully knocked off his horse. However, these voices of discontent were soon overpowered by a wave of excited cheers and claps from the rest of the spectators who were in favor of the victorious knight from High Hermitage. Rhaenys could not help but smile at the Knight of Flowers humiliating defeat at the hands of a dornish man. She watched as the Knight of High Hermitage rode laps around the tourney grounds until he finally stopped in front of the dais she and her family occupied. Rhaenys watches as the man bows his head towards Robert before riding off. Her smile wavers slightly before she plants an unwavering smile back on her face. He didn't even acknowledge me. She thought bitterly. She had decided then that she would no longer cheer for the dornish knight. Instead all her focus turned to her sworn shield who had just been announced.
Edric would be riding against Beric Dondarrion, a young lord of the Storm Lands. Rhaenys watched intently as they rode off, Edric was atop his magnificent white horse while Lord Beric rode an ordinary brown mare. Rhaenys had known that the Lord of Blackhaven would be no challenge for her knight. She was filled with unknowing pride as she watched the red-gold haired knight fall to the ground. Loud shouts from Robert conveyed his pride in his son, her little Elia clapped her hands together excitedly, the cheers from the audience grew unimaginably loud. Rhaenys covered her son's ears as best she could until the crowd finally grew a bit quieter.
The tourney went on but Rhaenys found herself losing interest at the joust happening before her. She waited eagerly until Edric returned to the tourney grounds but she was met with disappointment whenever they announced a knight she had never heard of. Knights from all around the kingdom competed in the tourney in hope for some glory. She wondered morbidly how long some of these knights would last when it came to actual battle, will they fight in the war to come or will they hide in their keeps.
She is pulled out of her thoughts as she hears an eruption of loud cheers. Rhaenys slightly jolts at the sudden burst of energy in the crowd and looks around to find the source of such reactions. There were two knights already atop their horses but Rhaenys could only make one of them out; she recognized one of the knights as Ser Gerold Dayne who stood proud on his black stallion. As she observed the dornish knight's opponent, she caught sight of the direwolf of House Stark painted on the shield of the other knight. Robb Stark. Truthfully, she had forgotten all about the northern boy's participation in the tourney. But she found herself rooting for the auburn haired boy, especially against the likes of Gerold Dayne.
Rhaenys observed as the two men were handed their lances. They took off immediately and Rhaenys watched with astonishment at the speed the northern boy rode, the blue-eyed boy was able to strike Gerold with his lance but the dornish man did not pummel to the ground much to her irritation. They prepared for the second round for just a moment before they were off again, and this time it was Ser Gerold who struck but like him, the boy did not fall off his gray mount. It seemed like an eternity before either of the men finally succumbed to a blow and fell off their horse onto the muddy ground. And to her annoyance, it was the Stark who fell off and met with the tourney ground. She could distinctly hear the sounds of annoyance and shouts the other Stark siblings let out at their brother's defeat.
"He cheated." She heard little Arya yell. Bran and Sansa nodded in agreement. Their protest fell on deaf ears as the crowd of people continued to cheer for Darkstar. Rhaenys sat silently in protest of the knights win. Rhaenys saw as the Stark boy stood up with the help of his young squire, without his helmet on Rhaenys could see how flustered the boy was. Robb quickly left the tourney grounds as Gerold made numerous laps around and boosted his defeat of the Stark boy.
Luckily for her, the defeat of Robb Stark meant that the end of the tourney will be coming soon. Rhaenys had already grown tired of the repeated activity.
In the end the two final knights that would be competing for victory were the arrogant Gerold Dayne and her sword shield Edric. Rhaenys was at the edge of her seat as the men readied themselves. They were both good and strong knights, it would be hard to say which one would win but she hoped that her knight would be victorious. She wishfully prayed to the Gods to let Edric be victorious.
Rhaenys began to think that perhaps the Gods had truly blessed the bastard from the Stormlands. As he and Gerold Dayne took off and struck each other with their lances, Rhaenys noticed that the dornish man looked tired. Ser Gerold Dayne appeared to be a good warrior but one that tires easily. The purple eyed man struggled staying on his horse and it wasn't long until Edric was able to knock him off his horse.
The crowd was silent for a moment, they too did not expect the dornish knight to be knocked off his horse. Once the shock was gone the common folk began cheering for the king's bastard. The lords and ladies sat silently before they began clapping for the champion.
He did a couple of laps around with his horse. A young boy, some Lords quire, handed Edric the crown. Rhaenys had not seen the crown beforehand and was not at all shocked when she saw that purple roses adorned the crown. Edric Storm made his way towards the dais her family occupied. He set the crown of roses on her lap. He took his helmet off for the first time since he started the tourney. Rhaenys had always thought Edric was a handsome man but as she looked at him in the sunlight, she thought that Edric Storm was beautiful in a way only he could be, he looked so much like his father and yet— Rhaenys found that her heart only skipped a beat when she looked at Edric. Edric gives Rhaenys a smile, like the one he so often gives her when it's just the two of them. Rhaenys gives him a smile in return. He bows his head towards the King and rides off.
Her sweet Cassian clapped his hands together, imitating his sister who now stood on Robert's lap. Her children seemed to be happy that their bastard brother won. Rhaenys tried not to notice the piercing eyes of her husband.
Rhaenys is beyond tired by the time the feast had begun and as the night progressed, she wanted nothing more than to lay in her bed but as Robert's queen she knew that her duty was to entertain her guests. All night long she had laughed at the japes her lords made, she gossiped with her ladies at the expense of others but she knew that before the night was even over those same ladies would gossip about her. Whether it be about what happened at the tourney or the way her husband had been fondling Lord Blackwood's daughter, it did not matter; they would gossip about her regardless. The music flowed throughout the great hall prompting Rhaenys to dance with some of the lords, some of which she enjoyed their company such as the Lord Manderly who exudes charm despite his overbearing ways. As tradition, her husband humored her by dancing with her to a few songs together but soon abandoned her for Martha Blackwood. Rhaenys rolled her eyes as she watched the pair exchange words, much too closely if Rhaenys were to say.
Robb Stark approached her, his boyish face flushed with the embarrassment of asking the queen for a dance. Rhaenys smiled gently, touched by his earnestness and decided to humor the boy, at least for the night. As they moved to the rhythm of the music, Robb proved to be a fairly competent dancer, his steps sure and confident. Despite Robb Stark's refusal to look at her face, Rhaenys found herself relaxing slightly, a well-needed respite from the cutthroat politicking present at the feast. But the song soon ended and Rhaenys felt the illusion shatter when the pretty face of Ser Loras came into her view. She grimaced slightly wanting nothing more but to run away from the pretty knight. He asked for a dance and she had no choice but to indulge him, fully aware of the watchful eyes; beckoning her to do something unseemly.
After finishing dancing with Ser Loras, she made her way back to her seat on the high table. The exertion of dancing left her beyond exhausted and all she could think of was retiring for the night. However, before she could take her leave, a handsome man with dark hair approached her way. She recognize him— Ser Gerold Dayne who hailed from her mother's birthplace. He bowed his head slightly as he greeted her. "My Lady, I am pleased to meet you." He says.
"As am I, Ser Gerold, and I must say that you fought most gallantly in the tourney." She says politely. The man offers her a tight smile. "Thank you My Lady, I only wished that I had won, if only to crown you my Queen of Love and Beauty. But I am glad that Ser Edric named you his queen." He says. Rhaenys' eyes flicker to Edric, who stood at the end of the table, keeping watch over her. Rhaenys lets out a shy smile.
"Would you care to join me for a dance, My Lady?" He asked, Rhaenys was taken aback by the man's request, Gerold Dayne did not appear to be a man who enjoyed dancing. Rhaenys watched as his eyes glazed over the hall, he is looking for someone. The knight's strange behavior unnerved her and her eyes involuntarily glanced towards Edric. The Baratheon bastard must have felt her eyes on him, as he met her worried eyes with mutual concern.
"I would be most happy to join you in a dance." She smiles sweetly at the dornish man. As Rhaenys rounds the table, she reaches for Edric's hand. "Something is wrong, watch Ser Gerold." She whispers softly, the knight nods and Rhaenys could feel Baratheon's eyes as she and Gerold made their way to the center of the hall. The pair began dancing, for a while they said nothing, until Rhaenys spoke up.
"What brings you to Harrenhal, Ser?" She questions the dark haired man. His reply is immediate.
"I wished to celebrate the prince and princess' nameday, My Lady." He says. Rhaenys looks up at the man and stares into his purple eyes. "You came all this way for a child's nameday?" She raised an eyebrow. Gerold looked around the room. "Aren't we all here to celebrate your children's nameday?" He questions her. Rhaenys scoffs.
"No one came here for my children, they came to see the King, they came to see me. They came to see if the rumors of the upcoming war were true. The people around you came to get into the King's good graces in hopes that if war does indeed come, they would have his protection. That is why they are here." The man was silent. "So I shall ask you again Ser, why are you here?" She says harshly.
"My duty." He says. Rhaenys is confused at the man's words. But before she could voice her confusion, the man interrupted her. "I am here to do my duty to My Prince." His words did nothing to clear her confusion, instead she was left with more questions.
"I am here on Prince Oberyn's request, he will be waiting for you in the Godswood. If you have any questions, meet him there, he will explain it all. Make sure no one follows you." And suddenly, he leaves before she could ask him any more questions. Rhaenys felt as if she could not breathe, her heart was racing and her hands were shaking. She tried to keep herself composed; as she was aware of all the watchful eyes, but that proved to be difficult as the words Ser Gerold had said rang in her head.
Prince Oberyn, here. No it cannot be. He must be lying, but why– why would he lie?
It is all too much for her to bear and she could feel herself being torn apart. No, I can't, not here. Not in front of them . Before she could do anything else a pair of familiar hands grabbed her by the shoulder. Rhaenys turns her body and is met with a worried Edric. Without saying anything to him, he ushers her out of the hall through one of the doors at the end of hall. From there they go through countless doors and stairs before they are finally met with fresh air.
"What's wrong?" Edric asked her hurriedly. "Do you need a maester?" His concern for her seems to grow at Rhaenys' lack of response. Rhaenys could feel his eyes as she paced back and forth in one of the empty courtyard Harrenhal offered. The moon shined in all its glory and Rhaenys was thankful that the night sky was able to conceal the tears that streamed down her face.
Calm down, why are you so scared? Rhaenys tried to understand her hypersensitivity, why do I feel this way? Why does it feel as if I am going to die? Nothing has happened. I am fine. She repeated those last words in her head and soon enough her own self reassurance was able to calm her down. She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes from any tears, though she was sure her eyes were red from the crying but she hoped the moonlight covered the redness from her eyes. Rhaenys turns towards Edric, he comes closer towards her as he sees that she has settled down.
"My Lady, are you alright?" He asked sincerely. Rhaenys feels a small smile form on her face, she nods her head slightly. "I will be fine, you need not worry about me." Her words are heavy. Edric does not seem to believe her words but nods his head nonetheless. "Would you like me to escort you to your rooms?" He asked softly. Rhaenys thinks for a moment.
"No, I must go to the Godswood." She says firmly. The knight gives her a puzzled look.
"My Lady, it is much too late for you to go to the Godswood. Perhaps it would be better if you go tomorrow morning." He suggested. Rhaenys shakes her head.
"No, I must go there tonight." She hesitates before speaking again. "There is someone I must meet there." Her sworn shields eyes widened before he clears his throat. "I do not think it would be wise to go out so late at night, My Lady, if anyone were to see, they may assume—"
"It is my uncle Oberyn." She interrupts. She clears her throat before continuing. "Ser Gerold told me that Prince Oberyn is waiting for me in the Godswood." The man looked at her, she was unsure what he was thinking, after a few moments of silence he decided to speak up.
"Ser Gerold, told you that your uncle waits for you in the Godswood?" She nods her head at his question.
"My Lady, are you sure that he speaks the truth?" Rhaenys did not know how to answer his question. "I would say that Gerold Dayne is an untrustworthy man, he could just be speaking lies to you." He continues. She ponders his words in silence but she comes to the same conclusion as before.
"What reason would he have for lying to me?" Edric sighs. "I do not know, Rhaenys." He admits.
"Either way I must go." She tells him.
"No, it may be a trap. Let me go." He says. Rhaenys shakes her head adamantly. "No, I must go." She says stubbornly. Knowing that he could not change his queen's mind, he relents. "Very well, but let me come with you." Rhaenys nods her head in agreement. If this is a trap, he is the only person I trust to protect me . And then suddenly Rhaenys is hit with a wave of guilt as she realizes that she is perhaps leading them both into a trap. I am being selfish, letting him risk his life for me, just so that I can feel safe. A voice emerges from the back of her mind, but isn't that his job, to make you feel safe. She pushed the thought back as soon as it surfaced.
They walk in silence towards the Godswood. Rhaenys feels numb as she walks, her mind, for the first time in years, had gone completely still. A blank mind was all she had wanted for years,
years of overthinking had made her miss the lull quite that her mind was once capable of. But now that she had it, she would give everything to have her mind full of thoughts. Being able to feel and think is better than not feeling and thinking at all , she thought distantly.
Near the heart tree she sees two faint figures, Edric notices them as well. He grabs a hold of her wrist and pushes her behind him.
"Stay here, I will go see who it is." He tells her. Rhaenys protested immediately. "No, I will go with you." She says firmly, he has no other choice but to listen to his queen. "Fine, but stay behind me." She nods her head. They walk carefully towards the two figures, Edric has his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to use it if the mysterious figures prove to be any threat to them. As they grow nearer she hears two distinctly male voices, one of which she recognizes as Gerold Daynes. The other male voice is completely unfamiliar to her, her heart starts to beat fast. Is it really him, is he really here? The voices stop suddenly, they know we are here. She does not have a clear view of the men, as Ser Edric stands in front of her, his large form conceals the men from her.
"Who goes there?" Ser Gerold calls out. She could hear him unsheathe his sword. "It is Ser Edric Storm, who is the man with you?" Edric asked, his voice stern and unyielding.
"Is she with you?" The unfamiliar voice calls out to the wind. Rhaenys feels her breathing hitch. "I asked you who you are, do not make me ask again." Edric says and this time he unsheathed his sword as well.
"And I asked you if she's with you, I do not like repeating myself." The hidden figure says, arrogance clear in his voice. Rhaenys could feel the tension between the men, if I don't do anything, they'll all kill themselves. She knows that she must do something, make her presence known but her feet are stubbornly planted on the ground and her words won't leave her mouth. Do something, she keeps screaming at herself. Rhaenys takes a deep breath, mother give me strength. She steps up from behind Edric.
"I am here, now tell me, who are you?" She says confidently, but she is scared, so very scared. Without Edric to obscure her view, she can see the two men clearly now. She was right about hearing Gerolds voice, but the man who stands next to him is a stranger to her. At her appearance the man walks closer towards them, he is tall and lean, he wears a simple cloak and does not appear to have any weapons on him. Rhaenys, takes several steps back, not wanting to be too close to the man. "Do not come any closer or I shall have Ser Edric cut you both down." She says. That makes the man stop.
"Rhaenys, is that truly you?" Gone was the man's arrogance. "Yes, now tell me who you are, you will find that I, too, do not like repeating myself."
"It really is you, you look just like her." His words struck a nerve in her, and she marches her way to the man, she hears Edric call out to her and tells her to stay away from the stranger, she hears him curse as she ignores his warnings, he has no other choice but to follow his queen. Rhaenys stands face to face with the man. "Who are you?" She growls out. She could see the man's features better now, he had black hair with few silver hairs but it was his eyes that told her everything she needed to know. Mother, mother, why does this stranger have your eyes?
Suddenly the man reaches his hand out and places it on the side of her face. He caresses her cheek gently, Rhaenys closes her eyes. She could hear Edric call her name out, "Rhaenys…" His voice is soft.
"It's alright Edric, you can put your sword away." She turns to face her sworn shield, she watches as he reluctantly sheaths his sword. Her attention immediately turns back to the man before her. He stares at her for a long moment, neither of them say anything as he pulls her into a tight hug. And she surprisingly, returns the hug. They embrace each other for a long moment before finally pulling themselves apart.
"Uncle, what are you doing here?" She asked. Rhaenys truly had no idea why her uncle would be here, in Harrenhal.
"There is some news that you must know." He tells her. Rhaenys instantly becomes intrigued, wondering what sort of news would have caused the man to seek her after not seeing her for years. But she stays quiet, and waits for him to continue. "Tywin Lannister has been taken prisoner by your father."
Rhaenys' eyes widened in shock, no, that can not be. "Arthur Dayne apprehended the man, on orders from your father." He continued. At the sudden mention of those two men, Rhaenys finally voices her disbelief.
"Tywin Lannister is at Casterly Rock." Her heart drops. "No, do not tell me that they are already here." She says. Could it be that her father was already in Westeros? No, that's impossible, he couldn't have made it all the way here without us knowing.
"No, your father is not in Westeros yet." He begins to explain. "Tywin went to Tyrosh, to try and join your father." Rhaenys could not believe it, Tywin Lannister was more of a fool then she had thought. "Your father had him imprisoned for the murder of Elia." He said softly.
Rhaenys had dreamed of the day her sweet mother would finally get the justice she deserved but now that the person who had ordered her death was imprisoned, made to pay for the crimes he committed. She did not feel as if her mother had been avenged. It should have been me who avenged you, mother. My father is just as guilty in your death as the Lannister man, justice at the hands of Rhaegar Targaryen, is not justice at all.
But a sudden question begins to consume her mind. "How do you know about the imprisonment of Tywin Lannister?" She asked her uncle. Oberyn hesitated before answering her question.
"Your father sent me a raven shortly after I had arrived in Dorne."
"And where were you, were you not already in Dorne?" She beckons her uncle. Rhaenys sees him hesitate again. "I was in Pentos." He answers shortly. Immediately Rhaenys becomes cold and begins to distance herself from her uncle.
"And why were you in Pentos?" She asked though she already knew the answer but a small part of her heart wished for him to not tell her, do not tell me that you have joined him. Prince Oberyn takes her hands into his, locking his eyes with hers as he tells her the truth. "Dorne has pledged their allegiance to your father." She yanks her hands from the man, harshly.
"Then you are a traitor." She firmly says.
"Rhaenys, please you must understand. We can not let Robert Baratheon sit on the Iron Throne, he is a usurper. We can not support his claim, not when Aegon still lives."
"Not even for me." She says. "You would rather support the man who humiliated your sister than support her daughter."
"Rhaenys, this is much more complicated than you make it seem. Dorne has not shown support to the Targaryens because of your father, no the person we are supporting is Aegon. Aegon is Rhaegar's heir, we are supporting the heir not the king."
"Then what about me? What will you plan to do with me?" She asked.
"Come with me, I have a ship that can take us to Dorne, you and your children. We will remain in Dorne until the war is over." He tells her hopefully. Rhaenys lets out a bitter laugh. Her uncle only stares at her, eyes filled with confusion. "And why would I do that?" She asked him suddenly.
"My son, Cassian will be king. Why would I give up my child's throne to place a man who abandoned me on it?" Her uncle stood silent, unaware of how to respond. She steps closer to him and stares him down. "Do you truly believe I would step aside and let him take the Iron Throne after all he has done?" She gives him a look of pity.
"Do you love him?" He asked. "Your king, is it him that you love?" He clarifies. Rhaenys scoffs at her uncle. "No, I do not love him." She responds.
"Then why– why stay here with him, is the hate you bear your father deeper than your desire to be freed from the Baratheon bastard?"
"I stay with him for the love I bear his children, our children." She says angrily. The Prince of Dorne shakes his head in disbelief.
"Rhaenys, if you stay with Robert, you will be in danger. Once your father lands in Westeros, a war is inevitable and you will be in the middle of it. Come with me, I promise that I will protect you." He says, desperation seeping into his voice.
"Protect me?" Rhaenys let out a bitter laugh. "Do you believe I am unaware of the dangers I've faced? My childhood was spent within the very walls housing those who despised me. I weathered every torment and cruelty inflicted upon me by Cersei Lannister. Everyday, I relive the pain of my sweet mother while Aegon thrives, basking in the adoration of his family"
Tears were streaming down her cheeks, but Rhaenys only realized this when she saw her uncle's eyes softening. Angered by her display of emotions, she wiped the tears harshly away from her face and tried her best to harden her face. Her uncle tried to wipe away some of the tears she had missed but she slapped his hand away.
"Rhaenys, I am sorry for all the pain I have unknowingly caused you—-but please you must understand that we tried, we truly did try to save you from the clutches of the usurper." He told her. Rhaenys is shocked to hear this information, you have never tried to save me, I would have known. "We have made countless attempts to save you but those attempts were always futile. Your uncle Doran and I have tried to free you from the Red Keep, we have hired smugglers, befriended lords in the Red Keep in hopes to bring you home." He told her sincerely. Rhaenys could not believe what she was hearing, it made no sense to her. Is he telling the truth , have they really tried to save me? She wanted to believe her uncle but she found it hard to do so.
"Your marriage with Robb Stark was another ploy, a ploy made by your father and uncle, to get you away from Robert Baratheon." He continued but his words left Rhaenys confused.
"What do you mean?" She asked him.
"You were meant to marry Robb Stark, in doing so you would be safe and free from the usurper. Only then, would your father have made his way west." Rhaenys' stomach churned like a ship caught in a storm. She knew not what to make of this revelation. They had tried to protect her from the war that would happen, by marrying her to a Stark. She should be happy. Happy that her father and uncle did care for her or at least didn't want any harm to come to her. But it bothered her that the only way they thought to do that was by marrying her off to the nephew of the woman she hated most.
"And you thought I would happily marry that— you thought I would marry a Stark? I would have died before I was sent off to that wasteland." She spat out the words as though they were poison.
"And look what happened, you were forced to marry Robert Baratheon instead." He told her. His tone implied something that she didn't like.
"Forced? No one forced me to marry him, it was I who came to him." She revealed. "No one held a knife to my throat and dragged me to Baratheon's bed. I went to his chambers of my own accord, if it pleases you to know." Her uncle gaped at her revelation and that pleased her more than it should have. And so she continued.
"I had no one to rely on, uncle. Did you know that the old cunt, Jon Arryn wanted to take me for his wife. A wife to carry his spare." She spat out. An intense outburst of rage and fury took over Oberyn's countenance, causing his facial features to contort in a grimace of disgust.
"Besides, why should I settle to become the mere Lady of Winterfell when I could have had the chance to become the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, something my mother never got the chance to be." Rhaenys said. "I do not regret my actions Uncle and I refuse to apologize for them." She forced herself to say. A part of her did not want her uncle to judge her for her actions.
"Rhaenys, sweetling, Aegon is your brother, your own blood" Oberyn pleaded with her, his eyes beseeching hers. "You both came from the same womb and I know my sister. She would hate for you two to be at odds."
But Rhaenys would not be swayed. "She would also hate for him to be raised by the man and woman who humiliated her and sent her to her death"
"Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, cursed be their names." His face hardened and voice dripped with venom. "They bought nothing but torment and pain upon us because of their foolishness and arrogance" He took a deep breath, trying to quell the rage threatening to consume him. "Make no mistake about it, I have no love for them nor their children, I only remain with them for Aegon," he continued, his voice softening slightly. "I cannot choose between you two, I love you both too much to make such a hideous choice." Rhaenys could not help the bitterness that overtook her. She found herself growing more and more upset towards her brother, even though he has done nothing to her, no he has only taken things from me. My mother, father and now Oberyn. Rhaenys can't help but think that the next thing he would take from her was her crown or perhaps Cassian's. She dreaded thinking about it.
"The hour is late, uncle, begone now." She says coldly. Her uncle opened his mouth to protest but Rhaenys had already turned her back at him. She tried to keep the tears from falling from her eyes but as she caught the look of pity present on Edric's face she let some of them fall.
"Rhaenys." She heard her uncle call out but she did not pay him any attention, instead she made her way to her sworn shield.
"Let us return to the feast, lest someone notice our absence." She told him, the man simply nodded and walked silently beside her. Rhaenys knew not to look back, she feared what she might have done had she looked upon the disheveled face of her uncle. She left the Godswood with a broken heart, but she tried to ignore the pain, as she always did.
Rhaenys was halfway down the courtyard when Edric suddenly grabbed a hold of her. He was gentle as he turned her around to face him. She could see the concern written on his face.
"Perhaps it is best if you retire to your chambers." He suggested with a sincere tone. Rhaenys was looking for an excuse to defy him but could not find any suitable one. If I return to the Great Hall, I do not know if I can keep myself together. It would be better if I go to my chambers, at least there no one will see me fall apart.
She could tell that her gentle nod took Edric by surprise, her sworn shield was clearly expecting some resistance from her. But he, nonetheless, guided her back to her chambers in silence. Rhaenys could not remember getting dressed in her nightgown or getting into bed, one moment she was in the Godswood and the next she was lying in her bed curled up in a ball with heavy tears pouring down her face. She did not know how long she had cried, only that she grew exhausted of her tears and shut her eyes and let her dreams overtake her mind and body.
She is woken up by a gentle shaking. Rhaenys opens her eyes ever so slowly, saddened that she must leave her bed. The memories of the night before come rushing back towards her. The brown haired girl wished for nothing more but to forget what had happened the night before in the Godswood. She could not help the depressing mood that took a hold of her, she only hoped that no one would notice her sadness.
Rhaenys broke her fast in the morning with a simple meal of freshly cooked bread, smoked bacon and creamy soup. Her two babes had their fill and were resting peacefully in their cots under the careful eye of Balerion. She hears a knock and in comes Edric, holding a note.
"Your grace, a letter from Dorne has arrived." Dorne. Her heart clenched painfully as she thought back to her uncle. She regretted being so harsh. After all, her mother loved him.
"Thank you, Ser Edric, you may go now." She dismissed and tore open the letter. A girlish excitement filled her which increased when she recognised the handwriting to be that of her cousin, Princess Arianne.
"My Dearest Rhaenys,
It is with sincere regret that I express my remorse for not having been in touch with you for a considerable length of time. I trust that Prince Cassian and Princess Elia are in sound health. The purpose of my correspondence is to apprise you of the present situation. My father is engaging in a peculiar game with your own father.
You are already aware that Rhaegar Targaryen and his entourage, including your brother Aegon, have departed from Pentos to Tyrosh with the intention of enthroning himself as King, with his son as his heir. However, this would mean that you would forfeit your Queenship and your children would be left with nothing but a deceased father and a forgotten realm. I am resolute in my determination to prevent this from happening to you. You who was born and brought up in Westeros knows far more than him who grew up pampered with his entire family catering to his every needs in Essos
Let it be known that no matter what my father thinks, Dorne will always be with you, my dear cousin. I pledge to be your ally. The Targaryens are advancing towards you and your kingdom so prepare well.
Never bow, bent or break in front of them
Arianne Nymeros Martell"
The letter had done a fine job at raising her spirits. My sweet cousin Arianne , you will never know how much you mean to me. Rhaenys lets out a sigh. She had made a promise to herself the first time she had received a letter from her cousin, a promise to not get her hopes up. And here she was, mindlessly happy at the letter her cousin had sent her. She knew deep down that she should not grow to rely on her beloved Arianne but she could not help herself. I have always been overly sensitive and foolish when it comes to my family.
As it was the last day of their stay at Harrenhal she had nothing much to do for the day. Rhaenys spent some time with her ladies when she suddenly remembered that she had to have a discussion with Ned Stark. She had foolishly forgotten about her plans to bring both of the Stark girl's down south. I must have a talk with him before I leave.
Talya walks into her chambers as she lays in bed with her dearest Balerion.
"Your Grace, you are meant to have dinner with the king." Talya reminds her. Rhaenys grunts, "Tell him I feel unwell."
"We told him that last time and it is only one dinner. It will be fine." Talya tries to reassure her. Rhaenys gives in and lets her friend drag her out of the bed. They pick out a gown together, a rich crimson velvet gown, adorned in intricate gold embellishments with jewels falling from her waist like stars. Rhaenys opted to let her curls fall freely down her back and only put on a simple ruby circlet.
"You look beautiful, my Queen." Talya compliments her. Rhaenys gives her a shy smile in return. "I shall be going now." Her husband's quarters were located in the same tower as hers only his were located higher up in the tower. The stairs began leaning towards one side the further up they went, she lost her balance at one of the uneven steps. Rhaenys let out a small squeal as she nearly fell backwards down the stairs, luckily Ser Edric had been climbing up the steps behind her and caught her just before she fell over.
"Are you alright?" He says her back was pressed against his firm chest. Rhaenys blushed at her close proximity to the man, she quickly pushed herself away from the man. "I am fine, Ser Edric, I just nearly fell." She replies as she continues to climb the steps.
Ser Barristan stands at the king's door, he greets her and lets her in. To her surprise, the old knight tells Edric that his father wanted him to feast with them as well. Edric begins to protest, Rhaenys stops him.
"Your king has asked to dine with you, will you deny him?" She questions the man. Edric nods his head slowly. They both walk into the kings quarters,
Robert sat at the head of the long wooden table, candles had been placed on the table to light up the room that was remarkably dark, even with the candles that had already been lit around the common area. Rhaenys could tell that her husband had already been drinking wine, his eyes were droopy and his voice was slurred as he greeted them.
"My wife and my son, come sit." He said with eagerness. Rhaenys fought hard to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the man's drunkenness. She hated seeing the man drunk, he looked like a fool. He embarrasses me when he's drunk. Rhaenys never minded the countless girls he bedded, but she grew wroth whenever he would do it in public. And he would say the most crude things drunk. Nothing good even came from Robert's drunkenness and she doubts tonight would bring anything different. But perhaps the man will behave, for his son's sake, at least she hoped he would.
Rhaenys was going to sit at the other end of the table, opposing Robert but he loudly forbade that. "No, come here, sit closer to me." The man pointed at the chair that was right next to his, she gave him a tight smile and made her way to her designated seat. "Edric sit here." Robert tells his son, pointing to the seat opposite of Rhaenys. The three of them took up one side of the large table. There were no servants there to serve their food, and so she silently filled up her plate with her desired food. Edric did the same. They mostly ate in silence, except for Robert's sudden outburst of praises towards the cooks. She was eating a pigeon pie when Robert said something that made her heart drop.
"I know about you and Edric." He says suddenly. Rhaenys snaps her head towards him, confusion clear in her eyes.
"My Lord, what are you talking about?" She asked. Does he mean the letters? The letters Edric delivers to my cousin. But she is careful not to mention the letters, not until she knows for sure that the letters are indeed what her husband is talking about. Edric looks just as confused as her as their eyes meet.
"You crowned her your Queen of Love and Beauty." He said, as if that explained what he was talking about. "Father, I don't understand what you mean." Edric voices out. They both watch as their king takes a giant sip of his Dornish wine, anticipating his response.
"Do you take me for a fool?" He says sharply. Rhaenys immediately becomes nervous.
"Of course not, husband." She reaches out and touches his hand. "But… it is just that I do not understand what you are saying." She repeats herself. In the corner of her eye, she sees Edric nod his head in agreement.
"The two of you have grown close to each other." Rhaenys is silent, unsure what to say. Surely he is jesting.
"Edric is my sworn shield, we spend much of our time together. That is true." She says as confidently as she can. "Besides, it is you who named him my sworn shield." She adds in.
"I know that." Her husband suddenly snaps. Rhaenys, angered at his outburst, yanks her hand away from him. "Then what is it that has bothered you, Your Grace?" She finally asked. Roberts lets out a sigh. "I am not bothered." He lets out. Frustrated, she leans closer towards him.
"Then what is it that you are saying?" She knew what her husband was implying, she was no fool. But she wished the man to voice his accusations aloud.
"You know what I'm saying, don't play the fool with me girl." Rhaenys sneers at the man. "You are my husband, My Lord. I am your and yours only." She reminds him.
"Being married never stopped you Targaryens from fucking whoever you wanted." He says bitterly. Her anger is no longer able to be quenched.
"Then it appears that you have mistaken me, I am no Targaryen." Robert lets out a bark of laughter at her, a cruel laughter. Her blood boils.
"Not a Targaryen." He laughs. "I don't think so. You may look like your mother but you have his eyes and his fire. I see it clearly now." His words had cut her deep. And her instinct, as always, is to retaliate.
"I know that the last Tourney at Harrenhal must have left a bad taste in your mouth, but I assure you My King, that this time, the Queen of Love and Beauty does not want to fuck the man who crowed her. I am not your precious Lady Lyanna." She says with a sickening sweet smile. Robert lets out a grunt and slams his fist onto the table. Edric speaks up before his father could.
"Father, I only crowned Rhaenys as a way to show my respect for her, as your wife and as queen. I meant no disrespect father, your accusations are unjust. Neither I nor Rhaenys would ever betray you." His words were able to calm Robert down, Rhaenys watches as her husband reluctantly nods his head in understanding. She stays quiet, not wanting to anger the man again.
"I am tired, leave me be." The king says, dismissing them both.
Rhaenys stands up at once and leaves without another word, she hears Edric follow her out of the room. She ignores Ser Barristan as he wishes her a good night. Rhaenys all but storms down the steps, she reaches her chambers quickly and shuts the door behind her, hard. Edric knocks on her door.
"Can we please talk, Your Grace?"
"Not now, I am tired." With that being said she walks to her bed, without even bothering to change into her nightgown and goes to sleep. But her mind did not want to rest.
The fantasy she conjured up in her mind was something more akin to a night terror. Like other dreams she had before, she stood in an empty field. Though this time there was a massive pyre that stood far away from her, she could not see much from where she stood and she had no desire to step further into the empty field. Rhaenys squinted her eyes in an effort to make out the lone shape that stood further down, near the pyre. Suddenly the pyre lit on fire, orange light flickered into the night sky and she could finally make out the shape.
A girl with silver hair stood near the fire, her long hair blew with the wind. Rhaenys only watched as the girl walked closer and closer into the fire. As the flames danced around the young girl, Rhaenys watched silently, not quite sure what to do.
The fire continued to burn and she continued to watch. The burning of the pyre seemed endless and Rhaenys grew more and more impatient as she stared into the orange glow. And then suddenly a sound shook Rhaenys and made her tremble slightly. She looked around the empty field and searched for the source of the sound but found nothing. To her surprise she heard the animalistic sound again and this time she was sure that the sound came from the fire. Hesitantly she walked towards the pyre, every step was slow and calculated. She stood only a couple of feet away from the flames when she felt something fly past her. It was fast and small and so she could not make out what it was. A crow? No, crows don't sound like that.
She watched the small creature fly into the moonlit sky, she could only make out its shadow. Rhaenys could hear similar animalistic sounds coming from the fire but she paid those no mind. The shadowy creature in the sky had her full attention.
Finally the shadow slowed down and Rhaenys was finally able to see the creature. Dark as night with blood red decorating its body, small and delicate. She had never seen such a creature but she knew at once what it was. Before she could do anything, the small dragon let out a shriek and Rhaenys woke up.