I own nothing but my characters in this story.

For the one reviewer who asked who was the main character, in the spirit of not giving out any spoilers, expect to focus on some of the oc characters since there are more to be introduced.

Enjoy.

It was a hot day as the sun brought its heat on a caravan of Dothraki who traveled through the Dothraki Sea. Areon was riding on his horse beside Viserys as they were riding with the caravan while their sister, Dany, watched the Khalasar ride across the planes. Soon, the caravan decided to make camp as they stopped and set up their tents until the next morning to travel again since they were nomadic people, as Illyrio Mopatis said, never staying in one place for too long. As the people made their camp, Viserys and Areon got off their horses.

"Keep a tight hold on the horses so they won't run off," Viserys orders him.

Areon nods as he grabs the horse's reins, following his brother to where his tent would be. As they walked, they saw Dany getting off her horse, with the help of Ser Jorah Mormont and nearly fell to the ground as she was exhausted and sore from the long horse ride. Her maids quickly came to help her and take her to the tent to give her treatment as Viserys and Areon were soon passing by Jorah.

"We're still not far from Pentos, Your Grace. Magister Illyrio has extended his hospitality," Ser Jorah offers to the Targaryen brothers, "You'd be more comfortable there."

Removing his riding gloves, Viserys said, "I have no interest in hospitality or comfort. Areon and I will stay with Drogo until he fulfills his end of the bargain, and I have my crown."

"As you wish, Your Grace," Ser Jorah replied.

"Well, Mormont, as brutish as this life is, I suppose it is preferable to beheading," Viserys remarked. "What did Ned Stark want you for? Buying from a slaver?"

"Selling to one," Ser Jorah grudgingly admits, "Some poachers I caught on my land."

Viserys then laughs it off as if it was nothing, "Under my reign, you won't be punished for such nonsense. You can rest assured of that."

Areon watches Viserys walk away before looking at Jorah momentarily until leaving the disgraced knight.

"Illyrio was keen on having us stay in Pentos," Areon said carefully as Viserys looked at him, "It might have been easier for us to stay there when he was offering."

"He was keen on having you stay in Pentos because he was afraid you're too weak to go on this travel," Viserys explains, "And I must ensure that the Khal honors our agreement."

"But as our brother-by-law, should that not be a question," Areon asked.

"One would think," Viserys said, "but he's savage. You can never be too careful."

Areon nods, hoping that the Dothraki would understand him calling their Khal a savage, although he was still thinking about Illyrio, who seemed insistent on having him stay in Pentos. Not Viserys, but Areon, which he found strange considering that Viserys was the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms, while Areon was just a squire and his heir. The two brothers came to where their tent was, but it was all undone as if no one had put it together.

Viserys looks to Areon, "Well. Put it together."

Areon obeys, sighing in annoyance, but making sure Viserys didn't see it, "I need to keep a firm grip on the horses," hoping that Viserys would help him at least. Except Viserys arched his brow as if he didn't need to do anything. Seeing that Areon was getting help, he kept his grip on the horse's reins while setting up the tent. It took hours, nor was it easy as Areon had to ensure the horses wouldn't run off, but it was done.

Viserys look inside the tent, see it is exceptional, and go in, leaving Areon outside.

Areon asks, "Where do I sleep?"

Viserys retorts, "You were able to make this tent. I'm sure you can do it again."

Viserys gets in his tent without another word as Areon sighs with anger. He spent hours making this tent for Viserys, who doesn't care where he sleeps. At times like this, Areon wished he could run away but was in the middle of the Dothraki Sea. Where can he go?

0000000000

Cass and Jarred were with her brother Joffrey and his sworn shield, Sandor Clegane, as they were in the stables of Winterfell, seeing their uncle Tyrion sleeping with the dogs. Tyrion woke up from his daze, struggling to get up.

"Better looking bitches than you're used to, uncle," Joffrey commented.

As Tyrion finally got up, Cass smiled cheekily at him, "No doubt our dear uncle got himself drunk to a stupor. Again."

Joffrey chuckles before telling Tyrion, "Our mother's been looking for you. We ride for King's Landing today."

"Before you go, you will call on Lord and Lady Stark and offer your sympathies," Tyrion told Joffrey as he got out of the stable.

Joffrey gives a snobbish look, "What good will my sympathies do them?"

Tyrion tells him, "None. But it is expected of you," he then looks to Cass, "My darling niece, have you given your sympathies?"

"Yes, of course," Cass told him. Not long ago, Brandon Stark climbed on an old tower in Winterfell, since he loves to climb, but somehow he slipped and fell very hard on the ground, which caused him to go into a coma. Cass was shocked when she heard this, so of course, she went to Lord and Lady Stark to give her sympathies.

"So, since your sister gave her sympathies, it's only decent you give yours," Tyrion concluded, "Your absence has already been noted."

"The boy means nothing to me," Joffrey dismissed.

"The boy lying on his bed in a comma, Joff," Cass, annoyed at Joffrey, tells him, "It has nothing to do with you but an act of compassion and decency."

"Of course you would think so with your soft heart, sister," Joffrey laughs at her, "Besides, I can't stand the wailing of women."

Joffrey continues to laugh it off until Tyrion slaps him, causing the young prince to whimper in pain and the princess to cover her mouth from laughing. Joffrey looks to his uncle, who says, "One word, and I'll hit you again."

"I'm telling Mother," Joffrey threatened, only for Tyrion to slap again.

"Go, tell her," Tyrion dares him, "But first you will get to Lord and Lady Stark, and you will fall on your knees in front of them and tell them how very sorry you are, that you are at their service, and that all your prayers are with them. Do you understand?"

"You can't," Joffrey tries again as Tyrion slaps him for a third time.

"Do you understand," Tyrion asks again.

Joffrey looks at Tyrion before leaving to sympathize with Lord and Lady Stark while Cass stays with the men, laughing at what she just witnessed, "I never thought I'd see anyone slap him around like a rag doll."

"A mulling pup, more like," Tyrion concurred.

"He's still a prince," Jarred reminds them, although he was smirking at the slapping.

"The prince will remember that, little lord," Sander comments.

"I hope so," Tyrion replies.

Cass, however, said, "No, he won't. He's a spoiled prick who always runs to Mother when something's wrong."

Jarred chuckles, "I remember when we were children, and you were both arguing, which resulted in you throwing him in a pig pen."

"Oh, he cried a lot that day," Cass laughs at the memory.

"Well, if he does forget," Tyrion looks to Sandor, "Be a good dog and remind him." Sandor stares blankly at Tyrion as the little lord walks away with his niece and her sworn shield trailing behind him.

"That big mouth will get you killed one of these days," Cass told Tyrion, "You know that, right?"

"True, but it makes things interesting, does it not," Tyrion challenges his niece, causing her to roll her eyes, "Now, unless you are afraid of bacon, I don't see the need for your sworn shield joining us for breakfast."

Cass apologizes to Jarred, who rolls his eyes at Tyrion's words as he goes in another direction while the uncle and niece make their way to the dining room, where the rest of the royal family are having breakfast.

"Bread. And two of those little fish," Tyrion orders a nearby servant as the two walk up to the table to join their family, "and a mug of dark beer to wash it down. And bacon burned black."

"Little brother," Jaime acknowledges Tyrion.

"Beloved siblings," Tyrion greeted everyone who was at the table. To his right was his brother Jaime and to his left was his nephew Tommen and half-sister Lenora. On the other side of the table was Cersei with her daughter, Cass, sitting on her left and her younger daughter, Myrcella, on the right.

"Where's Joffrey," Lenora asks.

Cass grins at Tyrion, "Giving his sympathies to the Starks."

Cersei eyes at her daughter, "Is that so?"

Cass smiles at her mother, shrugging, "He did get an encouragement."

Myrcella suddenly asked, "Is Bran going to die?"

"Apparently not," Tyrion answers while eating his breakfast.

Cersei stares at Tyrion before asking, "What do you mean?"

"The maesters say the boy may live," Tyrion explains further.

"That good news," Cass sighs in relief, unaware of her mother and older uncle staring at each other.

"It's no mercy, letting a child linger in such pain," Cersei argues.

"What are you expecting them to do," Lenora counters, "Kill him to stop his suffering?"

"We don't know if he's suffering," Cass quickly says, "If he's not going to die, he might recover."

"Only the gods know for certain," Tyrion said, "All the rest of us can do is pray. The charms of the North seem entirely lost on you."

"Not all of us have the bravery to go to the Wall as you do, brother," Lenora tells him.

"I still can't believe you're going." Cersei comments, "It's ridiculous to even for you."

"I would love to see the Wall," Cass said, wishing to go with her uncle.

Cersei, however, dismissed her daughter, "It is dangerous to go and unfitting for a princess."

"Where's your sense of wonder?" Tyrion asked her before Cass made her argument, "The greatest structure ever built, the intrepid men of the Night's Watch, the wintry abode of the White Walkers," he finished in a scary voice, jokingly trying to scare Tommen, who was laughing.

"From how you speak," Lenora inserts herself, "It's as if you intend to join them."

"Tell me you're not thinking of taking the black." Jaime jokingly asked.

"And go celibate," Tyrion plays along, "the whores would be begging from Dorne to Casterly Rock. No, I want to stand on the wall and piss off the world's edge."

Everyone giggles and laughs at Tyrion's words, except for Cersei, who always disapproves of her brother's behavior, scolds him, "The children don't need to hear your filth."

"We've heard much worse from Father, Mother," Cass tells her.

Cersei looks at her eldest daughter, "Yes, hearing your father's words is one matter, but behaving like him is another."

Cass looks at her mother, confused, "What does that mean?"

"You escapade with Robb Stark not long ago," Cersei reminds her, "In the Wolfswood."

"I just wanted to see the forest," Cass defends, "Besides, we weren't alone. My ladies were there, along with Jarred, Theon Greyjoy, and Jon Snow."

"Ah, yes," Jamie hums, "You're a traitor's son and Stark's bastard. Quite the protection."

"We were fine on our own," Cass insisted as Jamie chuckled while drinking his cup.

Cersei was not moved, "You were also seen drinking countless mugs of ale until you were in a drunken stupor. Ser Jarred had to carry back to your bed chambers after that."

Cass argues, "It was a feast. Everyone was drinking."

"But was it appropriate behavior fitting for someone of your status," Cersei lectures.

"Mother," Cass begins to say.

Cersei cuts her off, "You are a princess. Leave your father to his indulgences while presenting yourself appropriately and not like a common wild drunk."

Cass stares at her mother before exiting the table and storming out of the room. It soon got quiet as Lenora decided to speak for her niece.

"Cassana is a willful person," Lenora tells Cersei, "She's always been adventurous."

"It's not becoming of a princess," Cersei argues.

"She's Robert Baratheon's daughter," Lenora argues more, "What do you expect?"

"She's also a Lannister," Cersei replies, "And as her lady-in-waiting, it is your responsibility to ensure she doesn't misbehave."

"My responsibility," Lenora repeats.

Cersei arches her brow, "She is your niece, is she not."

"Yes, my niece," Lenora argues, "Not my daughter. So her behavior is your responsibility."

"And yet you're with her most of the time," Cersei counters, "And as the eldest of her ladies, it is your responsibility to keep her in line."

"Keep her in line," Lenora questions.

"My dear sisters," Tyrion tries to defuse the argument, "We are all aware of our dear Cassana's nature. And we all know that will never change."

"Not if someone is willing to do otherwise. I wonder what father would think of it," Cersei eyes Lenora. She then looked at her children, urging them to follow her, which they did as they all left the room. Lenora stayed in her seat before getting up from her chair and walking out of the room, leaving the two Lannister brothers alone. Lenora and Cersei were half-sisters but never had a warm relationship since Lenora was born only a year after Cersei married Robert Baratheon. Cersei never saw Lenora or her brother, Gerold, as her siblings. Not even half-siblings, but as her father's children from his second wife. Lenora came to court under her father's orders to be a lady-in-waiting for Cassana when she was six and ten, but the years together had not brought any warmth between the sisters.

After leaving the dining room, Lenora tries to find Cass, knowing she will go to her room to be alone when upset. She gets to Cass's room, slowly opening the door to see her niece sitting on a windowsill, "Are you ok?"

"Getting scolded by my mother like usual," Cass said sarcastically, "No, I'm fine."

"She just wants what's best for you," Lenora tells her while walking to her, "In her own way."

"She doesn't understand me," Cass said softly.

"Well, I do. So does, Ceryse, Ema, Jocelyn, and Jarred," Lenora said, putting her hand on Cass's shoulder, causing the princess to smile at her.

0000000000

Jarred walks around Winterfell until he comes across the blacksmith shop, seeing Jon Snow and the blacksmith creating a sword. Curious, he goes to him, "Making yourself a new sword?"

Jon turns to see the young knight, "I already have one."

"For someone else," Jarred guessed.

Jon chuckles a bit, "Yes."

Jarred then asked, "How's your brother?"

Jon looks at Jarred briefly before saying, "The maesters are still unsure if he will wake up."

"I'm sorry," Jarred sympathizes, "I can't imagine seeing your little brother that way. Makes me think of my own brother."

"Is he back in the capital," Jon asks.

Jarred shakes his head, "No, he's being fostered in Qarth. A large and powerful port city on the southern coast of Essos."

Jon raises his brow, surprised that Steffon Longwaters would be so far away from his family, "That's far from Westeros."

"Yes, I thought so as well," Jarred agrees, "But our father thought that since he is going to be the new lord of Dawn Isle, he needs to learn the most he can from politicking and trading. Besides, I have an aunt in Qarth who is married to a rich merchant there."

Jon nods, understanding, "You're not taking your father's seat. Are you, not the eldest son?"

Jarred crosses his arms, admitting, "Steffon was always the brains of the family; I'm more of a warrior, so I plan to become a member of the Kingsguard when a spot is available."

"A great honor," Jon acknowledges.

"Yes, just like it would have been a great honor to take the Black," Jarred tells him.

Jon looks at him with confusion, "What do you mean would have been?"

Jarred looks at him cautiously before saying, "For the most time, men who take the Black usually seek to avoid execution or harsher punishments. Meaning men who have committed murder or rape or other crimes that demand execution. The Black has become filled with liars and thieves."

Jon couldn't believe what Jarred said to be true, "Taking the Black is meant to be a place of honor to protect the Wall as we have done for eight thousand years."

"Yes, that's how it's supposed to be," Jarred tells him, "But not all men are willing to take it unless they have no option. Just warning about it and wishing you luck." He pats Jon on the shoulder before leaving the bastard with his thoughts.

0000000000

Cass is in the outer courtyard as she watches Robb and Jon making their farewells. It was time for her and the royal family to return to King's Landing, but she hoped to say goodbye to Robb first as he was very kind during her time here. After Jon gets on his horse and leaves the holdfast, Robb watches him return inside his home, but only after seeing the princess.

"So, he's gone to take the Black," Cass asked Robb, "Jarred told me."

Robb nods at her before looking back to the gate Jon left, then back to her, "I hope to see him in time. And now it is your time to leave Winterfell."

"My father has a throne in the South that needs to be kept, and he needs your father as his Hand to help him rule the Kingdoms," Cass says, "although as he puts it, 'drink and hunt and whore my way to an early grave," causing her and Robb to laugh together, "Can't imagine the trouble they'll cause there."

"I'm sure to make things more interesting," Robb jokes, causing the princess to giggle.

Cass then got serious, wanting to know, "How's Brandon?"

Robb gets tense before saying, "The masters still don't know."

Cass softly says, "I'm so sorry."

"Thank you, princess," Robb thanked her, "Your mother was comforting."

"She was," Cass asked in surprise.

"She told my mother of the time you were ill not long after your birth," Robb explains.

"Oh, yes," Cass understood as she remembered the story of when she was a baby. A few months after she was born, it was said that the princess was afflicted with a terrible disease that nearly killed her. She remembers her Mother saying that she and her father used to stay by her crib night after night, praying to the Mother that her fever would break. It got so bad that the maesters told the king and queen to prepare for their daughter to die. However, the baby princess proved to be strong enough for the fever to break, to which the septas and maids praise that it was the Mother's mercy that the princess was spared. "I'm sure your brother will overcome what happened."

"Thank you, princess," Robb thanked her.

"Well, I should be going," Cass told him, "I had a lovely time in Winterfell. Maybe we can visit again in some time."

"I would like that," Robb says with a smile.

Cass was about to leave, but not before giving a small kiss on the cheek before going, leaving the young lord stunned by what she did. Cass admits that Robb Stark is kind and handsome, but she still isn't sure if she would want to marry him. She thanks the Seven that her father arranged a betrothal between Joffrey and Sansa, not her with any other lord yet.

0000000000

Areon found himself standing in the middle of a vast field, the wind blowing against his face as he looked around. He was completely alone, or so he thought. As he began to walk, he stumbled upon three large stones and knelt to pick one up. Then, he realized it was not a stone but a dragon egg. The egg was black with red swirls, and Areon couldn't help but trace his fingers over the hardened shell. Suddenly, he felt movement within the egg and dropped it in surprise. As he went to pick it up, he saw that all three eggs had disappeared. A low growl sounded from behind him, and he turned to see the same black dragon from his previous dream breathing its smoking breath on him. The dragon's horns and spinal plates were blood red, and its eyes were smoldering red pits staring at him. Areon heard the whisper once again, "Wake the dragon. Wake the dragon." Then the dragon breathed fire at Areon again just as he woke up from his nap in his tent.

Areon looks around and sees his tent, which is small. Smaller than the others in the camp, but good enough to sleep in. Outside his tent, he saw that the sun was still setting as night hadn't fallen yet, so he decided to walk. As he walked, he saw the way the Dothraki were living. The women were in their huts with the children, making the food while all the men gathered together, laughing and joking around. However, they were speaking in Dothraki, so he needed help understanding, which he believes is necessary. His brother-by-law is the Khal of the Khalasar, so he should be learning the language.

"How are you faring, my prince," Ser Jorah Mormont said suddenly as Areon turned to see him.

"I'm doing well," Areon said as Ser Jorah nodded. Areon then had a question as they began to walk together, "Ser Jorah, how did all the dragons die?"

"They all died in the Doom of Valyria," Jorah answered, "When the fourteen flames erupted at once and drowned Valyria into the sea."

"But the Targaryens had dragons afterward," Areon counters, "didn't they?"

"That is what history teaches us," Ser Jorah confirms, "It also teaches us that the last dragon died during the reign of Aegon III Targaryen."

"Why," Areon asks, wanting to know more.

"Well, it was said that a Targaryen king chose his daughter as his heir even though he had three sons from his second wife. It caused a civil war that tore House Targaryen in two, using all their dragons for warfare against one another. After the fighting was over, all the dragons were killed."

Areon thought hard about what Jorah was saying. His family had dragons and lost them while fighting each other. Then a Dothraki rider came to him, saying something in Dothraki. Areon didn't understand him, but he knew what the word, Khaleesi, meant, meaning his sister wanted him. So he follows the rider until they reach the Khaleesi's tent, where Areon finds his sister waiting for him.

"Dany," Areon said, "Are you ok?"

"Yes," Dany replied softly, "I just wanted to see you."

Areon, understanding why she wants him, decides to come into the tent and sit close to her. While Viserys was their eldest, Areon and Dany were always close to each other. Not only because of the suffering they endure from their brother but also because they felt comfortable and felt safe around each other. Areon loves his sister, and she loves him in return, as they truly feel like all they have is each other.

"How is he with you," Areon asks, wanting to know about his sister's new marriage.

"At first, I didn't know since we can't speak the same language," Dany begins to explain, "but as time went on, I think we have gotten better."

"Really," Areon asked in surprise, "Every time I see you with him, you seem terrified."

"I was at first," Dany said, "Until I better understood the Dothraki way and what he would like. Afterward, we are now closer."

"I'm glad," Areon smiled, happy that his sister was doing fine.

"What about you and Viserys," Dany asked, "I hear you've been sleeping in a smaller tent than everyone else."

"It's fine," Areon waves off, "It's nothing I can't handle."

"But it's not right to have Viserys and I live in a lavish tent and you in a hut," Dany argues.

"Well, what can we do," Areon asks with his head down, "I am his squire."

Dany gave a moment of thought until having an idea, "Maybe not anymore, not if you stay close to Drogo and me."

"Do you think Viserys would allow that," Areon asks skeptically.

Dany paused momentarily, then said, "It is not a consequence of what he thinks."

Areon looks at Dany with surprise, never seeing this side of her. So forceful and strong. He gives her a thankful smile until, from the corner of his eye, he spots the dragon eggs in the chest nearby. "Out of curiosity, is anything happening to the eggs?"

Confused, Dany said, "No, why?"

"Just curious," Areon said.

"Do you think they'll hatch," Dany then asked.

Areon looks at her, "Illyrio said they have been turned to stone. It's been a hundred years since dragons were alive."

"My maidens said that the brave men killed them all," Dany said.

Areon looks at her, "Really, Ser Jorah said differently. He says the dragons died when house Targaryen fought each other to control the Seven Kingdoms. That the last dragon died long ago." He then turns to the dragon eggs, thinking about his dream. About the Black Dragon that breathed fire all over him and the whisper of wake the dragon, wake the dragon. He stared at the eggs as those words rang in his head repeatedly.

0000000000

It has been a few weeks since the royal entourage ventured down the King's Road on their way back to King's Landing. They all decided to make camp at Castle Darry, the seat of House Darry, to rest for the long journey that awaited them. Cassana and her ladies sat on the grass near the double-decker carriage, talking the afternoon away as they rested from the trip.

"This morning, I heard some guards talking with a few maids," Jocelyn started as Ema braided her hair behind her.

"Getting them to their beds, I assume," Cass jokes.

"And they were talking about the Targaryens from the East," Jocelyn finished her sentence.

"The Targaryens," Ema gasped.

"The sister married a savage warlord for his army," Jocelyn continues.

"Ah, yes, I've heard about them," Lenora said, "I believe they're called horselords."

"That's what they're called here, but in Essos, they're called Dothraki," Ceryse answered, "Nomadic warriors who travel vast grassland area called the Dothraki Sea. They destroyed many cities during the Century of Blood and took people in for slavery as a means of buying and purchasing."

"And a Targaryen is married to one of them," Ema asked skeptically.

Lenora said fearfully, "Looks like they're planning on invading the country to get back the Iron Throne."

"Yes, except the Dothraki are afraid of the sea and never cross open waters," Ceryse said, surprising everyone, "According to their beliefs, any water their horses don't drink is poison, causing them to avoid it."

"Then how are they supposed to cross the Narrow Sea," Cass asked.

Ceryse shrugs her shoulders, "I don't think they will."

"In other words, they're never coming to Westeros," Jocelyn sums.

"It appears so," Ceryse concluded.

Cass scoffs, "A marriage pact for nothing."

"At least we have no reason to worry," Ema said while finishing braiding Jocelyn's hair before sitting down with her friends.

Cass rolls her eyes, "We haven't been worried about them for years, so why should we now?"

"Well, you never know," Lenora said, "There are still two Targaryen brothers that could marry powerful families with gold and armies. Or the means to get them."

"If that were true, they would have invaded long ago," Cass waves off.

Lenora argues, "All it takes is one rich man to give their support. And let's not forget that some people in the Kingdoms still call your father usurper."

Cass looks to Lenora as she listens to her words, admitting they are true. Robert Baratheon overthrew Aerys II Targaryen, a tyrannical mad king who enjoyed burning people alive, but some remained loyal to the Targaryens long after the Rebellion.

"Do you think your father would do something about it," Jocelyn asked Cass.

The princess shrugs her shoulders, "I wouldn't be surprised. He always hated the Targaryens since Rhaegar took his betrothed, Lyanna Stark."

"Why did Prince Rhaegar kidnap Lyanna Stark anyways," Jocelyn asked.

"No one knows," Ceryse said, "All that's certain is that after the Great Tourney at Harrenhal, he disappeared with her for a year until the last months of the Rebellion."

Jocelyn, still curious, asked again, "Wasn't already married before then?"

"To Elia Martell," Ema answered, "He left her, which the Martells didn't take kindly."

"Neither did my father," Cass said, "That's why he fought the Rebellion. For Lyanna. Sometimes when he's drunk enough, he would go in a daze on something about dreaming himself killing Rhaegar again and again."

"So, your father will kill the last Targaryens," Jocelyn asked Cass.

"Politically, he has to," Lenora said grimly, "As long as the Targaryens live, King Robert's throne is in danger."

"But personally," Ema questioned.

Cass thought, "I suppose the answer is the same."

The girls talk about other things until Ema spots Lady Sansa Stark walking her pet direwolf while speaking with Joffrey, "Looks like Lady Sansa and your brother are getting along."

Cass turns to see Joffrey being pleasant with Sansa, "They're to be married. Of course, he would approach her."

"From how she looks at him," Ema said as she saw Sansa's wide smile, "I'd say she's smitten."

"Well, then she is in for a rude awakening," Lenora sighs, "Sure, there are knights, feasts, and tourneys, but that is only half of it."

"Yes, the other half is filled with plots, gossip, and backstabbing every day in court life," Ceryse sarcastically said, "also, she doesn't know all about Joffrey."

"Do you think we should tell her," Cass asked her friends.

Lenora arches her brow, "Tell her what? That her future husband is a spoiled prick with a bad temper."

"Bad temper," Jocelyn jokes, "He's stupid, cruel, and insane."

"We can't speak like that in the open," Ema whispered, knowing they couldn't speak so blatantly about the prince.

"But it's the truth," Jocelyn turns to Ema, "Don't you remember that one time when he cut open a pregnant cat just to see the unborn kitten's inside?"

"I remember and that he presented them to the King," Ceryse said, "Smacked him so hard a few teeth came out."

"He was a child at the time," Cass reasoned, "He didn't know any better."

"He doesn't know any better now," Jocelyn argues, "and it's no better having his mother spoil him rotten."

"I'm sorry, Cass, but Jocelyn is right," Lenora told Cass, "you can't deny that your mother is responsible for his upbringing."

Cass sighs, looking at her younger brother walking away with Sansa, unable to say that Lenora and Jocelyn were wrong. Her mother has treated Joffrey differently than her. Cersei has always been on top of her to act a certain way. To act like a princess, dress like a princess, and talk like a princess. With Joffrey, however, she always coddles him, saying he can do whatever he wants since he is a boy, and she is not. She would feel jealous towards him but sympathy for him as he always seeks their father's attention. She loves her father, but he isn't truly present in their lives. He was always off drinking, hunting, and whoring, his days away. The only time Cass and Robert have time together is hunting in the Kingswood; otherwise, she barely sees him. With Joffrey, Robert never fails to show his disappointment with him, never being the father he needed. Cass does have issues with her brother and admits that he has a little sense of right and wrong, but she also believes that their parents aren't making things better but worse with their father's absence and their mother coddling him.

A short while later, Joffrey came back all bloodied in his arm from what seemed to be a wolf bite from Arya Stark's direwolf, both of whom disappeared. It was hectic as night fell when the royal guards found Arya. Soon the whole court was in Castle Darry as Ned Stark entered the room and went straight for his daughter.

"Are you hurt," Ned asked worryingly before Arya said no. He then turns to the court, "What does this mean? Why was my daughter not brought to me at once?"

"How dare you speak to your king in that manner?" Cersei retorted.

"Quiet, woman," Robert orders her before looking to his friend, "sorry, Ned. I never meant to frighten the girl, but we must finish this business quickly."

"Your girl and that butcher's boy attacked my son." Cersei reported, "That animal of hers nearly tore his arm off."

"That's not true! She just," Arya started to defend before realizing how bad the truth sounds, "bit him a little." Seeing everyone looking at her suspiciously, she said, "He was hurting Mycah."

Cersei then said, "Joff told us what happened. You and that boy beat him with clubs while you set your wolf on him."

Arya exclaimed, "That's not what happened!"

"Yes, it is!" Joffrey whined like a small boy, "They all attacked me, and she threw my sword in the river."

"Liar!" Arya yelled.

Joffrey yelled back, "Shut up!"

"Enough!" Robert bellows, "He tells me one thing; she tells me another. Seven Hells, what am I to make of this? Where's your other daughter, Ned?"

"In bed asleep," Ned tells him.

"She's not," Cersei said, "Sansa, come here, darling."

All begin to murmur as they see the young Sansa Stark walking through the crowd, terrified of being called on by the King and Queen.

"Now, child… tell me what happened," Robert asks her sternly as she stands before him, "tell it all and tell it true. It's a great crime to lie to a king."

Sansa looks to her lord father, then to Cersei and Joffrey before quietly and fearfully saying, "I don't know. I don't remember. Everything happened so fast. I didn't see."

"Liar!" Arya shouted, grabbing her by the hair as their father got between them to stop it while all looked at each other with surprise at the young lady's outburst and behavior.

"She's as wild as that animal of hers." Cersei remarked before demanding, "I want her punished."

"What would you have me do, whip her through the streets," Robert questioned loudly, "Children fight. It's over."

"Joffrey will bear these scars for the rest of his life," Cersei argues.

Robert glares at Joffrey, "You let that little girl disarm you?"

Seeing Joffrey humiliated and embarrassed, Cass decided to come to his defense, "In his defense, father, he was getting mauled by a wolf, left bleeding. What was he supposed to do?"

Hearing his daughter, Robert sighs tiredly, "Ned, see to it that your daughter is disciplined. I'll do the same with my son."

"Gladly, Your Grace." Lord Stark agrees as he begins to take his daughters away.

"And what of the direwolf?" Cersei asks, "What of the beast that savaged your son?"

"I'd forget the damned wolf," Roberts mumbles as he looks to a guard for a report.

"We found no trace of the direwolf, Your Grace." The guard tells his king.

Robert waves it off. "So be it."

"We have another wolf," Cersei suggested.

Her words cause Robert to look blankly at her before saying, "As you will."

Lord Stark stares at his friend with disbelief, "You can't mean it."

"A Direwolf's no pet." Robert said before walking away, "Get her a dog. She'll be happier for it."

"He doesn't mean Lady, does he?" Sansa stutters as her eyes begin to shed tears, "No, not Lady! Lady didn't bite anyone! She's good!"

"Lady wasn't there!" Arya exclaims, "You leave her alone!"

Cass grabs her mother's arm, "Mother don't you think this is too extreme?"

"A savage wolf bit your brother, the prince," Cersei scolds her, "A savage animal must be put down."

"But it wasn't Lady, it was another," Cass urges her, "What would be the point in this?"

"You said yourself. He was mauled and left bleeding," Cersei ends the conversation, "So, a message must be sent."

Cass froze, realizing that was exactly what she said, as Sansa begged her father, "Stop them. Don't let them do it! Please, it wasn't Lady!"

Lord Stark asks his old friend, "Is this your Command, You Grace?"

Robert gives Ned one last look before leaving in a hurry, making his decision known.

Cersei looks to the guard, "Where is the beast?"

"Chained up outside, Your Grace." The guard answers.

"Ser Ilyn, do me the honor," Cersei orders the man who acted as the King's Justice who was about to do the dead.

"No," Lord Stark stopped him, "Jory, take the girls to their rooms. If it must be done, then I'll do it myself. "

"Is this some trick?" Cersei arches her brow.

"The wolf is of the North. She deserves better than a butcher." Lord Stark tells him as she nods in satisfaction.

Ned Stark then slowly leaves the room with his daughter; Sansa begins to cry from what her father is about to do. Cass could only watch as the Stark girls could stand helplessly as their father carried out her mother's demand. She disagrees with this, but her mother was the queen; only her father, the king, could stop it, and he decided not to. And now an innocent animal was going to die for it.

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