Chapter 15 - Lions Revenge Arc
MaegellaSitting on the High Seat of Riverrun, a wooden throne carved with leaping around, painted red and blue, Maegella felt the eyes of the rivermen bore into her. They gathered in Riverrun to voice the complaints that had gathered over the past five moons: land arguments, fishing rights, a poacher, a murderer and a wife-beater. Maegella dealt with them mindlessly, giving most of the rulings to Robyn Fisher and her new Maester, Willas, a man from a minor offshoot of some Reach family. She kept steel about her face and an iron tone in her voice when she spoke, keeping her worry locked away, she had missed her last moon sickness even after drinking the tea she brewed…
Isaraos sat by her side on her throne, snoring its whiney cry. Many of the petitioners used this as an opportunity to look at the new wonder of the Seven Kingdoms, the Snake born to the River Witch. They peered to look at the reptile, its deformed shape and empty eyes. A woman fainted when she set eyes upon it.
"And the last petition of the day, Lord Jason Mallister, and his son and heir, Patrick of Seaguard, the shield of the West", Robyn announced, reading from a large strip of parchment. Maegella reshuffled in her seat, her back had grown sore from the hard wooden chair. The two men, one older and grey, and one a similar age to her, bowed deeply and greeted her.
"Lords Mallister, how may I be of service to you?" Maegella asked bluntly, wishing the audience to be over. Aerea's ceremony would begin soon, it had been postponed due to poor weather, today was the first time the gods had created a clear sky in nearly five days.
"My Lady, as you are aware, the reavers from the Iron Islands have become bold. Women and children are being carried off yet nothing has been done. My fleet of six longships and two galleys are unable to successfully fend off the Ironborn. They are led by a woman by the name of Asha Greyjoy. She is a monster they say, with tentacles hidden in her breeches and the parts of a man and a woman. My people are terrified to leave their homes, to venture into the water to fish, to reap the land in the harvest. Lady Maegella, we ask for support from your men to repel the threat. Your brother, Lord Goldfyre has dispatched his fleet, the old Lannister fleet, to engage but there are too many for him alone", Lord Mallsiter stepped forward and spoke with his hands.
Maegella stifled a laugh, making sure to keep an expressionless facade. Tentacles? Man and woman parts? Sails and fights? By the gods above, Lady Greyjoy sounds fascinating, Maegella thought. She stroked the head of her black and purple child, caressing its large spiralling horns like corkscrews.
"And what would you have me do, my lord of Seaguard?", she asked humourlessly. The older man looked at his son, tall, muscled with a thick beard of brown copper and a large head of hair to match. Patrick walked forward, trying to smile.
"My Lady, I propose…or rather, suggest your hand in marriage to myself. Show the people of the Riverlands you do not mean to abandon them and unite Mallisters and the Iron Throne. We Mallisters go far back in the Riverlands, even further than the Tullys, we were once Kings of the Riverlands, and my great sires have helped your family with Aegon the Dragon and Jaeheryres the Old King. Mallisters are loyal and proud to serve your family, my lady. I see no better consort for you as Lady of Riverrun than myself", Patrick took a deep breath, speaking with his hands much like his father. When Maegella did not reply, he turned as purple as his cloak.
Maester Willas coughed, bringing the attention to himself. He leant over and whispered in her ear,
"My Lady, a marriage to the Mallisters would not be unwise. They are one of the most vital houses to the Riverlands. Patrik was a good friend to your late husband in their youth and a union of your two houses would show the Riverlands you respect the old families of the region. Their fleet and men would surely help your cause against the Ironborn, their family has long experience fighting them". Maegella internalised the words of her Maester, the man had a breath that stunk of onions, and she suppressed the urge to waft the air.
"Lord Patrik you are true in your statement. You Mallisters are a proud people, "Above the Rest", was it? But who soars higher than the eagle on your coat-of-arms, if the not dragon?
"Fire and blood are my words", Lord Mallister. We are dragons, fire made flesh. The blood of the Dragon runs much thicker than you men may realise, we take care of our kin very closely…my brother, Lord Dareon Goldfyre has petitioned my brother, the King, for aid from the Royal Navy and Army, to the best of my knowledge, is that not correct, Maester Willas?", the young man with blonde hair and a large chain nodded, "and my brother, Lord of Dragon Garden has sent his men to aid my stabilisation of the Riverlands. We thank you for your service to the Realm, the Throne and the people of the Riverlands, Lords Patrik and Jason, may the Seven bless you for your work…but I must weigh my options for marriage very heavily. My late husband brought pain and grief not only to the Realm but to my family, he murdered our last child, how could the gods be so cruel?", she pretended to rub her stomach and wipe a tear. Lord Patrik and Jason looked at her with apprehension.
"Before I wed once more I must receive a blessing from the King, and ensure my husband is beneficial for the Realm. I will converse with King Rhaegar in the Capital in a week, my lords. But please feel free to partake in my nieces' ascension and the feast that shall follow. Perhaps we may speak more freely over wine and bread", she took a moment to weigh her next words, remembering what her father had said, "Keep the Realm stable for your brother, my little Mae".
"But I shall grant your request for assistance. Maester, see that all able-bodied sailors set off with Lord Mallisert upon his departure. Send enough rations for our men, and then another half to support the great defenders of Seaguard and the West. Write to both Dareon and Aegon requesting additional aid for Lord Jason. Lastly, prepare a raven for Pyke, I wish to personally send a letter to Lady Greyjoy, perhaps we may connect, one woman to another", Maegella said cooly. Someone in the crowd said something, but she ignored the words but heard the unmistakable utterance of "monster".
"Why dont you join me later this evening, Lord Patrik? Accompany me while we welcome another of the dragons' blood into this world".
Maegella started at the tall and slender Heart Tree of Riverrun. It was smaller than many she had seen and the weeping face it bore had the unmistakable look of sadness, rather than austere otherworldliness many Weirwoods possessed. She pressed her pale hand to the tree, feeling its power. It was unmistakable, since the birth of the Dragons, her magic of blood and fire had grown stronger, but the Old Magic; that of trees and winds and wild places had grown, too. Plus, something darker, cold and icy drew from beyond the protection of the Wall. She had not Dreamt in many moons, her foresight had abandoned her. Perhaps there was something she could do to restore the flames of her mind…
"Lady Maegella, the ceremony is about to start, shall we enter the Sept?", Patrik's voice broke over the sounds of birds chirping in the late summer evening. He had changed into a fresh shirt and cloak of indigo and black trousers. His hair had been washed and slicked back over his broad shoulders.
Perhaps that is what Edmure would have looked like, had I not poisoned his mind, Maegella thought taking the man's arm and walking to the Sept.
The sept of Riverrun was a seven-sided sandstone building amidst the gardens of the Godswood. Inside, images of the Seven were painted on marble in vivid detail and dazzling colour. A rainbow of light from the summer sun filled the sept with one hundred hues, much like Kepax's scales.
Below the mural of the Father, Viserys and the Septon of Riverrun, an old man called Septon Kermit stood in white robes and a dazzling rainbow headdress that refracted light. The entire household plus people from the local village gathered to watch, and they were all welcome. The dragon must entertain the fish, so it stays fed, she thought the line Rhaegar had told her when she wed Edmure.
Maegella took her place by Viserys' side, he barely offered her a gaze but Maegella knew why. Viserys had always been taken by the Seven in a way none of the other Dragons of the Wise had. He saw a line between the Andal Gods and the Blood of the Dragon. Not only were they of Valyria, blood and fire, but they were incarnations of the Seven themselves on the world. She thought of their conversation the night before after they had fed their dragons and made love.
"Rhaegar is the Father, strong and wise and just. Shaena the Mother, caring and kind, the perfect woman. Dareon the Smith and Aegon the Warrior. Daenerys is the Maiden, innocent and pure, and you, my love, you are the Crone, wise and experienced in the way of the world", Viserys said to her from their bed one night. Maegella narrowed her eyes,
"Does that make you the Stranger? The bringer of death, Viserys?", Maegella asked. Viserys propped himself up on his narrow sticky arms, a fire in his lilac eyes,
"We are taught the Stranger is Death, but what is Death if not another stage of life? The Seven Heavens and Seven Hells are a gift and punishment put who is to say which is which? Fire burns away our sins and delivers us to the Gods, lighter than a feather.
If I am the Stranger, then my gift of death is through the cleansing flame, we shall burn away the sins of hundreds so they may meet the Gods pure and clean", Viserys held Maegellas hands tightly, "the dragons are the gods, too, just as we are. How are they born if not with the blessing of the gods? How was Daeneyres left unscathed? The Madien wrapped her in a shawl made of scales and protected her from harm". Viserys rolled over and grabbed the candle that was burnt by the bedside. He stood, his naked body bare before Maegella. Viserys held the burning wax pillar to his face, letting it drip over his skin and smiling, "The gods gave us fire so that we may burn". For the first time in her life, Maegella understood her brother's obsession with the gods.
The Septon and Viserys called for the bell of the Sept to be rang, to start the ceremony. They shot glares at one another, stepping on each other's toes. Patrik steadied himself by Maegella's side and offered his arm to her, she polarity declined, Maegella looked at Viserys, his gaze transfixed on Aerea as she walked into the Sept, wearing the gown of red and black she had made for her niece.
Viserys welcomed Aerea in, speaking in High Valyrain. Septon Kermit repeated what he said in the Common Tounge to the men. Aerea walked down the narrow pathway between the many gathered peasants, looking dead ahead at the mural of the Father. The eyes of the paintings stared into Maegella, judging her as Rhaegar had.
Viserys held out his hand towards the young girl and pushed her into a kneeling posture. The Sept was scarcely silent, the sound of Maegella's heartbeat thundered in her ears.
"Aerea Flowerfyre, bastard daughter of Aegon Targaryen, today on this holy day, the gods have deemed you blessed", Viserys said in his mother tongue. The Septon repeated what he said in Common.
"King Rhaegar has seen it fit to raise you to the True Dragons Blood. No longer shall you be Aerea Flowerfyre, but Aerea Targayern, true-born daughter of Dragon Hall and ward of Maegella of Riverrun. Let no man question your heritage nor status, a slight against you is a slight against King, gods and men.
I anoint you in the Light of the Seven, before Dragons, gods and men and ask for them to watch and protect you for all days to come. May your life be long and may your life have prosperity as a daughter of Valyria", Viserys recited the names of the Seven gods as he drew a seven-pointed star on Aerea's forehead with Holy Oil.
Maegella noticed the small alterations Kermit made to Viserys speech, like the order when he said "gods, king and men" and "the daughter of Valyria", instead styling her a "daughter of the Realm". She remembered that not all viewed the Targyaren as more than men and that many saw it as blasphemy instead…
Aerea rose and bowed once to each of the murals of the gods, then once to each of the Septons. Viserys eyes wavered and his face twisted with disgust when she bowed to Kermit. He shot a side-eyed glare at his fellow brother of the Faith.
"Now, Aerea Targayern, let us celebrate your ascension to pure dragon blood with a feast, dancing and praise to our Father Above, King Rhaegar", Viserys added.
"Now, Aerea Targaryen, let us celebrate the Seven with a feast, dancing and praise to our Father Above, with the blessing of King Rhaegar", Kermit said.
The feasting was held in the Great Hall with a little over one hundred attendees, running from household members to local lords.
Three travelling singers on their way to New Kings Landing entertained the meal of Aereas favourite dishes: river trout baked in lemon, and grainy brown bread smothered in duck fat and goat's cheese.
Maegella sat beside Aerea, she had given her the Lord's Seat as a way to honour her. Bedies Mae sat Lord Patrik who tried to converse with the Targaryernling, though struggled, he spoke little to no Valyrain, and Aerea could still not form the words of Common.
Viserys and Septon Kermit conversed with party-goers, offering advice from the Seven and hearing people's confessions in a booth set up in the Gods Wood. Their two dragons had flown off into the night after the ceremony, to feed and nest.
Maegella sipped her red wine from a goblet, a brew she had been working on since the Golden Festival. A mixture of magic and liquor from an Old Valyrain scroll. Wyrm Water, the drink was called Common. It was supposed to give beauty, youth and immunity to common poisons to the drinker. One could never be too careful, she thought as she sipped, no one would strike down a Dragon now.
The party dragged on into the late night as people feasted and drank. Maegella had opened the private liquor stores and brought seven casks of beer from the Reach to mark the occasion, Stout of Roses it was called, a brew from the Tyrell grains. Laughs and merriness consumed the Hall for the first time since they left for the Golden Festival. Aerea danced with some of the young squire boys. Dragons amongst fish. She would have to think of a groom for Aerea to tame, soon. Perhaps one of her cousins, Aerea would marry a dragon, she decided then, no man. She was a perfect Daughter of Valyria, she could not be soiled. Drowsiness became heavy behind Mae's eyes, she yawned behind a pale hand, covered in purple rings.
"The hour grows late, Ser Patrik and I doubt Aerea has finished her party going for the evening. Would you mind watching her as I retire?", Maegella took another sip of Wyrm Water and yawned again.
"Of course, my Lady. Your wish is my command. Nothing will happen to Lady Aerea while I watch her, I swear it by all the Gods", Ser Patrik said, staring at her with large brown eyes. Mae made herself smile and thanked him. She rose quietly from her seat and moved silently as night towards the staircase to her rooms.
Mae dismissed her handmaiden and prepared herself for bed, she wanted to be alone. She went about her nightly routine: undressing, removing her jewellery, unpinning her long snow-white hair and washing the scented oils off her face with a scrub to ward off wrinkles.
Why she dressed up so much for the lesser beings gave her mixed feelings. She was a Dragon, Blood of Old Valyria, like Viserys and Rhaegar had said, they were closer to Gods than men, why should she have to dress to impress them, to show her status? Shouldn't they know their place? Could they not see her purple eyes? Her silver hair? Even her lashes were different to men, long and pale like icicles. They marked her differently.
But a poisonous ego in her loved the way they looked when she strode into a room, dripping in jewels they would never afford, wearing silks from Lys and lace from Myr. How even the most beautiful Westerosi women looked like swine in gowns compared to Valyrain Blood. And now she was bonded to Isaros, the Stranger. Once it was fully grown, no man would dare question her again.
She looked at her large bed, four posted and wrought with trouts. A symbol of men, human-men she had once served. She would have to remarry to keep her position…for now. Until the Snake was grown and she could use her true powers, Fire made Flesh. Mae would hold the Riverlands for Rhaegar as she promised, she would never betray her blood but once her next husband has fulfilled his purpose, she would find another way to rid herself of him. Alone was better than the company of men.
The common folk of this world served one purpose: fodder for the Dragons.
Mae climbed into bed and covered herself in the thick sheets made of goose down, her favourite stuffing. It was warm and soft, just like her sheets from when she was a child. The feeling reminded her of a home she longed for. Mae closed her eyes and fell into a light sleep, listening to the sounds of the party below. The sleeping draught in her wine knocked her out completely…
Isaros flew on black wings through the night. Below it was the stone cave made by manhands, a light with small flames. Noises from wooden instruments and laughter from voices echoed into the darkness it soared through. The cold air coursed around its body and kept it airborne. Isaros played on the alternating currents of hot and cold drafts. It could sense the many humans below, the fish and frogs in the river, and Kepax, sleeping off in the woods near a pile of reeds.
Its Pair was asleep below, too. Isaros could feel her heartbeat moving in time with its own. Unease settled in Isaros' mind, it huffed from snake-like nostrils and smoke bellowed into the darkness. It was too far up to see in detail, but the smell of danger filled its nose.
Isaros tucked in its huge wings and dived towards Pair, ripping through the sky like a hawk honing in on prey. At the last moment, it opened up its wings and barrelled through the open mouth of the room where Pair slept. A man stood bearing an object that glinted in the moonlight, a claw in its hand. Isaros heard the man's heartbeat, frantic and erratic. It didn't have time to react before Isaros lunged onto its face, ripping its nose clean off with its teeth. Pair woke up and screamed. Isaros stopped for a moment, while the man screamed. Isaors looked at Pair, its soulmate, and felt her desire. She nodded her head, the human way of approval, and Isaros ripped the man's throat, his lifeblood spilling into its mouth.
It tasted sweet and warm, the best taste Isaros had ever had. Pair said something but Isaros ignored it, it then felt the command, inside its body to stop from Pair, but the hunger consumed it. Bite after bite, rip and small charring breath after another, it chewed through the man's face and chest until it was touched.
Isaros hissed and bore teeth at the hand until it realised it was Pair. She looked frightened, like prey. Her feelings make Isaors stop and its heart ache. More humans wearing metal skin entered the room, followed by Pair's mate, the other Dragon. It hissed at the men and stared at the Dragon while Pair picked it up. It snuggled into her chest, feeling the warmth from the other half of its shared soul. Blood smeared on her chest.
Pair spoke words in the tongue it did not understand, but it knew the sentiment. Dragon nodded his head too. Pairs hand traced down its back, Isaros felt a wheezy purr escape its throat. Pair was safe, it had saved her. It would always save her.
The next morning Mae sat in the Lord's Chair, Viserys and Aerea by her side on the platform. Last night a petitioner who lost their claim to a large swathe of farming land had made an attempt on her life. His face and upper torso had been consumed by Isaros who saved her.
What remained of the body had been returned to the family, and to show goodwill Maegella demanded no reparations from them, only that they swore undying fealty to House Targaryen for all eternity. Under the gaze of the Snake and armed guards, they readily agreed.
The youngest daughter of the farmer offered to stay as a handmaiden to Aerea, Maester Willas suggested it wise for Aerea to familiarise herself with the locals so Maegella accepted, but she would never be left alone with Aerea until she proved true loyalty. Before Maegella dismissed the castle to go about their day, she stood and took a deep breath.
"Given the recent events, now more than ever I realise the Riverlands must always have Rivermen at the helm. For this…I shall bring Lord Patrik with me to New Kings Landing for the approval of marriage, from my brother, King Rhaegar", the words felt like hot lead in Maegellas mouth. She had to secure the Riverlands, the Dragon must rule over Westeros for now and forever, even if it meant she made sacrifices.
Viserys looked at her, lilac eyes wild. He shook his head and uttered something under his breath,
"Traitor", he said in High Valyrian. Maegella looked at him softly and shook her head. She would never lie with a man again, no. She swore against it. Last night had shown her the power of Dragons, no man could touch her while Dragons lived. She would wed Viserys, in the rite of Blood and Love like her ancestors. He would father her children because no man would cross with her blood again. Isaros made her a god. She was a goddess and she would be treated as such…as soon as her Snake was ready.