Chapter Twenty Two: Bound by Blood
Rhaenys lifts the dragon egg into her hands, crooning to it in High Valyrian. She tenderly tests it in the crook of her arm as if holding a babe, and strokes the shell of the egg with long slender fingers. The air is hot and dry in the volcano, perfect conditions for dragons to thrive and eggs to hatch. All around her lay eggs in the hatchery, arranged neatly by Lyanna and Rhaegar in order of when they're due to hatch. All the children spend time in the hatchery, but today Rhaenys is alone. Slowly she sits on a carving of stone and collects several more eggs to arrange on her lap, she looks over each one and talks to them as if they're old friends. In High Valyrian she sings songs of the sky, of flight, fire and love. Closing her eyes she holds all of them and sings an old Valyrian song, nurturing them with her energy and love. Periodically there is shifting and sounds of hissing as the larger dragons shift and move in their caves high above. The interior of the volcano is in constant movement, and the hissing is the sound of the lava pool far below bubbling and releasing hot air. Rhaenys hears footsteps approaching and sees the slender form of her younger sister Rhaena who comes to join her on the carved stone bench. Silently she sits and selects a collection of eggs for herself and sits alongside her sister, with their heads resting against one another. After some time Rhaena joins her sister in singing Valyrian songs to the eggs, and holding them one by one and feeding them with the energy produced by their voices. Each egg contains life, and needs nurturing to bring it forth into the world. The songs die away and the sisters cradle the eggs on their laps and come to hold hands, sitting silently in the moment together.
"One day we have to leave our home, the thought of going out into the world scares me" spoke Rhaena suddenly.
"This place is all we have ever really known, it makes sense to feel that way" replied Rhaenys in a soft whisper. She turned her head to look at her sister.
"But we are needed out there, it's not natural for our people to remain confined. Father knows that, so does Mother. I can tell they're both itching to get out of here"
Rhaena traced her fingers along the dragons eggs in her hands, "Aegon seems perfectly happy here"
Rhaenys chuckled, "That's only because he is fucking all the young Naathi girls, I swear the Maester has a full time job just preparing moon tea!"
The sisters giggle and Rhaena almost loses the clutch of eggs she's grasping, "I'm glad we won't be separated Rhaenys. I don't know how I'd cope without you"
The smile on Rhaenys lips faltered, her expression became serious. Slowly she leaned forward and kissed Rhaena, "We won't ever part. And when we finally have our brother then we will be complete. Just as it's meant to be"
Rhaena nodded but seemed absentminded, Rhaenys leaned forward and tucked a lock of Rhaena's hair behind her ear.
"What worries you sister?"
"Everything," smiled Rhaena nervously, "I have terrible dreams about our brother..."
"As do I," replied Rhaenys in a low voice, "Mother isn't eating from worry, she hasn't left her chambers in days. Even Father is worried which is saying something"
Rhaena lifted her gaze to look up to Rhaenys still with dragons eggs sitting across her lap, "What can we do? Surely we can do something"
Rhaenys looked down at the eggs in her lap, and lifted the biggest one.
"All we can do is remain strong, for our brother and our parents"
She switched to High Valyrian and sung a moving love song while stroking the egg and then putting it down and wrapping an arm around her sister. Singing to both groups of eggs and Rhaena, at the crescendo of the song her voice carried high into the recesses of the cavern. The adult dragons stirred and crooned with her, creating a charge in the air which sent chills through Rhaena and Rhaenys. As the song came to an end Rhaenys swung her arm overhead in a wide arc and sent a shower of golden light up in the air creating a shower of golden light to rain down upon all the eggs and the sisters. Rhaena laughed and held her hands out feeling her sisters magic before turning to her and throwing her arms around her neck and kissing her fully on the lips.
Jon hovered in the darkness observing the two girls with the dragons eggs. His heart was moved as he listened to the song which he fully understood and didn't understand how. Something stirred within him when he saw them, a love he couldn't explain. As the light faded the scene in the volcano got smaller and smaller as he was pulled away, he tried to struggle though because there was a part of him that never wanted to leave these girls whose names he didn't know. Yet he was pulled away all the same, his hand outstretched in the darkness trying to reach them.
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Rhaena pulled away and averted her gaze, she was usually guarded with her actions but the song had been so moving and she'd lost herself in the moment. Bending down to scoop up an egg, she continued to croon in High Valyrian. Rhaenys watched her with a smile on her lips, she also scooped up an egg.
"Let me show you something sister,"
Rhaena looked at her sister over her shoulder as Rhaenys began to circle her hand around the egg chanting low and quiet in High Valyrian. Each verse grew in intensity, Rhaenys chanted louder and as she moved her fingers sparks of golden energy flew in all directions. The dragons above them all stirred and craned their necks to watch, thousands of unblinking eyes on the two small figures. Rhaenys held the egg out in front of her and chanted the High Valyrian verses loudly and deliberately, her gaze focused only on the egg. She finished and blew a gust of breath on the egg and the egg shattered into several large pieces in her hand, and a small red dragon lifted its head from the shattered shell and chittered to her. Rhaena laughed in disbelief, she had never seen an egg hatched like that before and didn't know Rhaenys or anyone could do that. She looked at her sister in awe as she crooned to the small dragon in High Valyrian and it crawled up her arm inquisitively.
"I didn't know you could do that," she breathed in wonder as she leaned closer and held out her hand for the dragon. It climbed over to Rhaena's hand and looked her over with a curious gaze, she also began to speak to it in High Valyrian.
"I tried to find a reason why the Houses in Old Valyria had so many dragons, if a dragon bonds to one rider then why have so many? Then I found a text that explains the Valyrians bonded many dragons to them, just like having a large circle of friends they had sometimes dozens of dragons that they could work with. Their primary ride was one dragon, but if they needed to they could communicate, ride and work with another. Some Houses had huge numbers at their command"
"I thought the dragon riders only bound to one dragon?" asked Rhaena uncertainly.
"They have their main ride that's correct, but if the need calls for it they can ride another or call on another to come to them if they need aid"
The dragon scampered down Rhaena's body and came to rest between the two sisters, it rested its body so it was touching both girls. They smiled and looked down at her as she settled amongst them.
"You never explained to me exactly how dragon magic works," said Rhaena as she examined the remnants of the dragons egg shell. "And the texts we use with the maesters don't seem to be able to explain it either"
"When the first dragon was made by Arrax they were an untamed wild energy, we were made to balance that wildness. But Arrax and the Gods didn't count on the fact we would be just as wild. That balance became unstable again, so the Doom happened"
"But not all dragons were gone? There were still some living on DragonStone"
"That's true," admitted Rhaenys, "but the knowledge of why the bond was important and how to grow it properly was lost. The people left over were so focused on seizing power they forgot what it meant to be Valyrian. We share the same power as the dragons, we are just in a different form, we speak, we walk on two legs, we build societies"
"I understand we are different, but how do we build the bonds with them?"
"When we learnt our history of House Targaryen did you notice how the dragons got smaller until they were the size of dogs? They feed off us, and we off them energetically. Our strength was lost, we weren't Valyrian anymore, we were just men, nothing special and so the dragons suffered too. We forgot who we were, we lost the ability to do what we were made for and so our dragons withered away as did we. For the dragons though they deteriorated physically in size, and we no longer possessed anything which separated us from mere men"
Rhaena nodded slowly and looked around thoughtfully, "The dragons deteriorated physically and our ancestors slowly deteriorated mentally"
"Maybe. It would explain a lot," said Rhaenys as she looked over the dragon.
Rhaenys continued, "I think that's why Father chose your Mother. She comes from a line of Old Magic and to resurrect the magic from Old Valyria he needed something of equal and great power to grow his own. And of course it helps they love each other" at the end Rhaenys finished her words awkwardly.
Rhaena felt awkward at the mention of her mother being chosen by their Father, she knew how badly her mother felt about Rhaenys mother, Elia. Rhaena leant forward and put her hand on her sisters, "I know how hard it's been for you through the years without her"
Rhaenys looked down at her sisters hand, on top of hers. She turned her own hand over and grasped her sisters hand and squeezed it in thanks. The girls hovered face to face, Rhaenys smiled and leant forward kissing Rhaena on the cheek which made her smile.
"I understand why my mother did what she did. It was to protect us from being found, and give us the space to create this"
She swept out her hand and Rhaena followed with her gaze, Rhaenys indicated the dragons cave. The largest dragons dwelled higher up giving the younger ones the warmth and connection they needed to grow strong in the levels below. Rhaegar and Lyanna's dragons were mates, their cave was in the highest recesses of the cave but Rhaena could see them looking down upon them. For the first time Rhaena understood that without Elia's sacrifice none of this could've happened. Still holding hands she returned the squeeze on Rhaenys' hand and wrapped her sisters free arm around her shoulder.
"I am grateful to her also, I didn't consider what her actions meant for us until now when you mentioned it."
Rhaenys pulled her sister close and looked up as well, thinking of her mother and spent a few moments in thought. She hadn't realised how far reaching her mothers actions were until this moment as well. Then she remembered something she had been working on and sat up excitedly.
"I want to show you something," she said smiling at her sister, Rhaena looked at her seductively unsure what she meant.
Rhaenys just laughed and tore herself away and tickled the baby dragon which lay between the sisters under her chin, she chittered happily in return. Rhaenys picked her up and put her on the stone floor a short distance away and indicated the dragon should remain there, she patiently followed Rhaenys directions and stayed. Rhaena sat forward, entranced by Rhaenys' enthusiasm and enigmatic actions.
"Watch this Rhaena, I've been trying something I stumbled across in an Old Valyrian text on dragon magic" explained Rhaenys, "and I came upon something..."
Rhaenys stepped back and twirled her hands, chanting again but something different, something softer, more nurturing and energy built along her arms which she transferred to the dragon in streams of golden energy showering the dragon. The tiny red dragon screeched and lifted her wings as the energy engulfed her, before their eyes the dragon tripled in size and continued to grow until she stood the same height as Rhaenys. Rhaena laughed and clapped her hands together as the dragon grew fast before her eyes.
"That's enough for today," said Rhaenys in High Valyrian to the dragon, who scampered towards her and she ran her hand along its face and down its neck. The dragon affectionately nuzzled Rhaenys now it stood as tall her, and followed her back to the seat. Where she now circled in front of the sisters feet and rested her head on Rhaenys lap. Rhaenys stroked her long red snout and smiled down at her lovingly.
"Dragon magic is not about war, or ego," explained Rhaenys to Rhaena, "Every element has masculine and feminine within it, so does the human and animal form as well as the magic we use. Dragon magic is not the masculine side of fire magic like you might think, it is a feminine but volatile magic. You must control your emotions or they will come back to bite you, so it is with dragon magic. They need love and nurturing to grow, they need strength and affection, just like a human, in order to flourish. Mankind completely shunned this part of themselves, Valyrians forgot this internal balance between feminine and masculine and the world is fractured now because of it. That's what Father must fix in Valyria to restore the balance needed across the whole world."
"I don't understand though Rhaenys, how did you do that?" said Rhaena as she pointed to the shattered dragon egg shell.
Rhaenys smiled and tried to think of the right words, "Everything has an energy and a power of it's own, the words we speak, the energy behind our touch, we can project our magic in so many ways, and dragon magic is bringing all of that together. That's why you didn't know about it yet, I'm still working it out but I have started accelerating the hatching of the eggs with help from Mother and Father. I've only just gotten what I did there under control"
Rhaena was in awe of her sister, "How did you discover this?"
Rhaenys leaned behind them and pulled a large tome from behind their carved seat, she placed it in Rhaena's lap.
"I found this from what Father brought from DragonStone, I pieced it together with Meleys"
At mention of their younger sister Rhaena looked up, "Meleys is a future seer, how did she help you?"
"That's how she discovered she's more accurate with the future," laughed Rhaenys, "We took what we saw to Mother and she cleared up the pieces for us and helped put them together"
"How did I not know of this?" questioned Rhaena unable to hide feeling hurt she hadn't been taught this yet.
"Because water is your gift, sister. And our brother's too from what Mother has mentioned of him"
At the mention of her twin Rhaena got very quiet, she had always felt him. His joys, his pain they were hers as well. Rhaenys reached forward and stroked the side of Rhaena's face reassuringly, the red dragon also raised her head and nuzzled Rhaena. She smiled and put her hand over Rhaenys' and another one on the red dragon.
"Do you want to learn some dragon magic?" whispered Rhaenys to which Rhaena smiled and nodded. Rhaenys indicated she should pick up an egg, which she did eagerly.
"Sometimes it takes some practice," warned Rhaenys, "but you have magic of your own and a dragon bonded to you too"
Rhaenys began to instruct Rhaena how to hatch an egg, explaining the chant and how to speak it properly as well as how to direct her thoughts and energy into the egg. Rhaena and Rhaenys practiced under the watchful eyes of the dragons above them and the hatchling who remained standing before them.
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Two small children, a girl and a boy play hide and seek amongst the crops in the field. Giggling they chase each other, one stops to count while the other tip toes to a large plant and crouches behind it. His sister finishes counting and starts searching for him, he's hidden well this time. But she finds him without much effort and laughing he takes off at a run through the sun dappled fields. On and on they run, past the crops of vegetables and herbs, dodging the field workers picking and transporting the produce. Flowers wave to them on the wind as they run by, the flowers dance wildly in their wake. Their laughter echoes all around the fields, birds fly around and over their path singing beautiful songs. The land is vibrant, happy and thriving. Workers shout jokes to each other, and laugh at the kids running by them as the wagons transporting produce to the rest of the regions slowly roll away. The two kids stop as a wagon rolls by and as the horse slowly trudges past them they take off at a run behind it. They increase their pace as they didn't see a wagon coming in the other direction, a returning wagon laden with gold heading back to Highgarden. The kids laugh and wave to the driver as he passes who smiles and returns their greetings. The little brother tags his sister, and she chases him again laughing breathlessly. Suddenly a person steps in front of their path and they bowl into her, she exclaims loudly and looks down. They look up at her apologetically and step back when they see who she is. Her long red hair is braided and decorated with flowers and greenery, she looks like a plant herself except for her bright shining eyes and beautiful porcelain face. Sansa laughs and smiles at the pair, "Not again you two! Here," she turns and picks up lemon cakes then hands them a cake each, "Go in the fields and have these treats. I heard your mother shouting for you just a moment ago, best be off home after these"
She indicates to the morsels of cake in their little dirt smeared hands and they smile and run off as they bite down onto the delicious lemon cakes given to them. Sansa smiles as she watches them leave, her green eyes shining from satisfaction of working with the earth and of their endearing innocence. Still smiling Sansa turns back to the gardens she's working on, and laughs in shock when Lady bursts from the gardens with a rat in her mouth. Trotting away to feast on her catch Sansa watches as the wolf disappears and the workers begin to come in from the fields for the day. Everything feels calm and peaceful, the people are happy and the harvests are bountiful. Deep inside though, Sansa knows the peace won't last. She carefully plants the plot of vegetation and feeds the soil with her power to make them grow, slowly the tendrils curl from the ground and quickly reach adulthood. Beans explode from the plant and hang heavily on the plant, workers scurry in to pick them at their best before they keep growing and Sansa steps away. She steps back and runs into someone, smiling she apologises turning to see whose path she entered. Looking up she sees Willas Tyrell, and blushes.
"I'm sorry," she stammers.
He smiles widely in response and looks to the plants being harvested.
"Seems my mothers gamble on you has been rewarding" he observes as the workers diligently pluck plump beans from the stalks.
Sansa followed his gaze and watches also, "Lady Olenna has been pleased, especially when the gold has been rolling in"
Willas fidgeted trying to think of what to say next, but he got lost worrying for his grandmother his forehead became knitted in worry. Sansa placed a hand on his forearm and internally hoped she wasn't being too forward.
"I pray to my Gods that she returns safely from Kings Landing-"
"So do I," says Willas tightly, "with my Father also"
Sansa clenched her jaw at the mention of Mace Tyrell, and his imprisonment. It had caused a lot of consternation when he was imprisoned which caused the Bannermen of the Reach to demand justice.
"I pray for his return also my Lord" says Sansa as comforting as she can be.
Willas nods as he looks to the ground, but then he rouses himself and stares deeply into Sansa's eyes.
"I came to find you to give you this," he hands her a scroll from Winterfell, "and to invite you to dine with me in my Quarters tonight. My grandmother seems to have kept you so busy since you arrived I've not had the chance to get to know you"
"Thank you my Lord, I'm most grateful" said Sansa courteously as she twirled the scroll in her hands.
Willas smiled happily and began to walk away but turned back abruptly, "Can I ask you something?"
Sansa smiled and nodded slightly putting down the scroll, and then picking up a plant ready for the next plot.
"Were you practicing sword fighting this morning in the yard?"
Sansa smiled, "Yes my Lord, my Father insisted his daughters not be helpless and so both my sister and I have had swords put in our hands. Does it frighten you that I can fight?" She spoke playfully with a mischievous smile on her lips and stepped forward slightly so she is standing closer to him. Willas blushed and laughed raising his hands in obeisance.
"Not at all, I found it...interesting. I can't wait to find out more about you Lady Sansa"
He bowed and walked away, leaving Sansa smiling in his wake and thinking about how radiant his smile was. Blushing slightly at his presence Sansa turned and continued her work in the gardens before the end of the day.
That night Sansa dined with Willas by candlelight in his suites, and the pair laughed during their dinner. Willas toasted to the wild, beautiful women of the North and graciously Sansa toasted to the generosity of the Tyrells and of the alliance between the families. As the hour drew to a close, Sansa excused herself and Willas walked her to her room. He lightly touched her back and she turned to him, her eyes twinkling in the moonlight. Momentarily he was taken aback by her stunning beauty, and seizing the moment he tilted her chin and kissed her softly on her red, pouty lips. A chill of electricity ran down Sansa and Willas spines as they connected, and kissing her deeper Willas cupped Sansa's face tenderly.
"I'd like to spend more time with you my Lady," said Willas with a huskiness and passion in his voice.
"Is that an invitation?" teased Sansa, still under his touch as his hand remained cupped on her face. Willas kissed her again, gently at first.
"Yes," he breathed, "I'd like you to dine with me regularly if my company pleases you"
Looking up into his face she could only see the twinkle in his eyes and the outline of his jaw, she smiled slightly.
"It does please me, I would like to do this again"
Willas slowly moved his hand down her face feeling her soft dewy skin and sighed a little, Sansa turned and opened the door to her chambers.
"Goodnight my Lord" she spoke quietly over her shoulder, and clicking her door shut she smiled in happiness turning her back against the door and feeling the touch of his lips against her own. In the dark hallway Willas smiled in Sansa's wake and made a gesture of victory with his fist before turning and making his way back to his suites.
Sansa quickly undressed and put on a plain set of pants and a loose shirt, still smiling from her encounter, she knew something might develop there. But now she had a different focus, taking a deep breath she bent under her bed and drew out her staff. It was a plain piece of wood with a large wooden knob on top, it was dirty and worn, looking unappealing to anyone who might come across it. It looked more like an old ugly stick, Sansa smiled and ran her fingers over it lovingly. As she caressed it the illusion dropped away and the wooden knob on top changed into a brilliant carved stone and the illusion dropped along the length of the staff revealing a beautifully carved staff. Sansa changed form into a large eagle and grasped the staff in her claws, flying with haste from the open window. She soared around Highgarden taking note of the sentries and the patrols, making sure none had noticed her she flew across the fields. Before long she circled again and landed amongst the white gnarled roots of the Weirwood tree, hopping over the largest roots she fluttered her wings still clasping the staff. Then she returned to her human form as Sansa, kneeling amongst the roots her hands firmly on the ground and her staff between her legs. Sansa needed several breaths to steady herself after changing from bird to human form, it always took a few moments to realign to her original senses even if she had only been in another form a short time. Sitting amongst the roots she pulled a bottle of herbal liquid from the pouch tied to her side and drunk several gulps while looking up at the stars. A movement stirred behind her, she heard the twigs snapping and hurriedly got to her feet, but bent in respect with her staff in one hand. A small figure emerged from the Weirwood tree, and approached Sansa placing a tiny hand on her scalp.
"It's good to see you She-Wolf" spoke the small figure in common tongue.
"It's good to be back, it's been so long"
"It takes as long as it takes young one, you have been busy"
Sansa looked at the small figure in front of her, "I'm ready to learn tonight, and I've been practicing what we learnt last time"
"I've been watching," they admitted, "you have done well. The magic runs strong within you"
Sansa relaxed her stance and sat looking directly at the figure who was now illuminated by moonlight. The Child of the Forest had a fierce face which softened as he looked at Sansa.
"Tonight we continue learning to harness your staff, and communicate with it. Which of your siblings possesses one of these?"
"Only my brother, Robb. The others don't have them yet."
"They all possess the talent to receive the messages, but the staff is just a tool to focus what's inside of you. It has a power of its own of course, but that is a lesson for another time"
He smiled warmly at Sansa, "Grasp the staff in both hands and gaze into the depths of the crystal, use your eyes to direct the energy and think of the one with which you wish to speak"
Sansa steadied her breath and did as she was instructed, but when it came to thinking of who she wanted to speak to her mind was a clamour with people. Arya first popped into her mind, as she had been having the most intense dreams lately. Then there was Jon, who she had a distinct feeling was dead. She tore her gaze away from the crystal.
"I can't focus," she said softly, "There are several people with which I need to speak"
The small figure slowly made his way over to Sansa and stood next to her, he put a hand on the staff briefly, then drawing it away as if burned by it.
He looked up to Sansa strangely, "I didn't realise how bonded to you this staff was," he chuckled dryly, "It did not like me touching it. Close your eyes and imagine your mind is a bowl,"
Sansa closed her eyes and breathed deeply, hands still on her staff.
"Now imagine the bowl is empty and the face of your brother Robb appears there. But once it's full no other can take his place. Do you see him?"
Sansa nodded in response.
"Good, now imagine he stands in front of you"
As soon as Sansa followed these instructions she was swirling through visions of her brother, riding a horse through the forest, laying with a Lannister girl and being berated by Tywin. Then the visions changed and he was attending meetings, taking lessons and finally alone in his room.
"Robb?" She said shakily.
He looked up and looked around, "Who said that?"
"Robb it's me, Sansa"
"Where are you?"
Sansa chuckled, "I don't know where I am"
The Child at her feet spoke, "Tell him to look for you, you've projected yourself into an object in his room"
"Robb look for me, I'm speaking to you through an object in your room somewhere"
Robb stood and slowly turned in his room and came face to face with Sansa when he gazed into a mirror. His surprised face turned to a smile.
"I guess a hug is out of the question then," he smiled warmly at her in the mirror, "It's good to see you"
Tears welled up in his eyes as he saw his sister, Sansa smiled warmly in response.
"It's good to see you too"
"How are you doing this?" he asked curiously.
"With my staff. And some help, I've made a friend over here who is helping me understand what I can do"
Robb turned his head on the side, "I'd like to meet that friend, maybe they can help me"
The Child at Sansa's feet whispered to her, "He says if you find a Weirwood to spend time at help will find you there"
"Really," he returned with a hint of skepticism, "how will they know I'm there"
Sansa smiled wryly, "They will know"
Robb nodded and leaned forward speaking quietly, "Have you heard the news? Cersei is Queen"
Sansa nodded an uncomfortable feeling engulfing her, "I know. Lady Olenna is in the capital trying to free Mace, the mood in Highgarden is tense"
"It's the same here, which is strange because I thought Tywin would be happy. But he's really not"
"That is interesting. Tell me, are you safe there Robb? I have the most worrying feelings ever since Cersei took the throne"
"I have them too, like a constant sense of danger" confirmed Robb.
"Be safe, and if you think you need to, go home. I'm surprised Father hasn't called us back yet"
"I think he will soon, if what I'm hearing is true war is coming"
"War? With who?" the worry in Sansa's voice grew.
Robb shrugged, "Im not sure exactly, but men speak. And there is lots of talk here of it"
"Are people happy for that?"
"Some," admitted Robb, "but the smart ones are silent. That's what has me really worried"
Sansa's brow was furrowed in worry, their conversation was deepening her anxiety and what she was already feeling.
"Robb please go home" blurted out Sansa, unable to contain the anxiety she felt.
"What about you?" returned Robb, "If I leave and something happens to you I'll never forgive myself"
"When Lady Olenna returns i will come home too. I can't leave without talking to her, she will feel slighted and trust me it's not hard for her to feel that way right now"
Robbs face looked somber, "I also need to speak with Tywin"
He looked up to Sansa and smiled, "Even though you're in a bloody mirror you look good. Can we speak again?"
"Yes," smiled Sansa, "I am practicing how to speak like this, I will call you again. Will you be ready?"
"For my sister, always"
Abrubtly Sansa was back under the Weirwood tree, and her reflection was gone from the mirror. Both Robb and Sansa felt sad at the others sudden absence. Robb touched the mirror where she just was, and Sansa fell to her knees under the Weirwood and let the Child of the Forest touch her forehead to steady the power thrumming through her.
"Thank you Moss," she smiled as his little hands settled the spinning feeling in her body.
"My Child it is a privilege to work with you. You are a good student, but todays lesson is over. Practice connecting with others but do not engage in conversations without me present. The power could send you into a deep trance which could put you in danger. And with the state of your race right now you must exercise caution"
Sansa nodded in understanding of the seriousness with which he spoke, "I understand"
"Now you have enough energy to get yourself home, go now and rest"
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Doran sat in his chair and listened to his brother speaking, leaning on one arm he was struggling with the words his brother spoke. He questioned more than once if Oberyn had really gone mad on that sea journey.
"Brother," he raised his hand to get him to stop talking, "just stop. I've heard enough"
Doran chuckled and looked to his side to see his men smirking too, Oberyn wasn't impressed.
"You're telling me you've seen our niece, that she lives. Where is she? Why can't you produce proof she's alive?"
"Because brother, as I told you they're in hiding..."
"Hiding?" laughed Doran, "You said there were dragons, why would someone who has dragons be in hiding?"
"They're not hiding, they're waiting" corrected Oberyn.
Doran sighed, his patience with Oberyn was waning.
"Waiting? It's not in a dragons nature to wait and be patient," Oberyn began to protest, but Doran continued speaking, "Brother this has to stop, this incessant obsession with finding those children. You need to accept...they're gone. I accepted this long ago when I saw the broken remains of our sister, you're right the hurt never really leaves you but life moves on and you need to as well"
Doran saw the anger sweep through Oberyn like a furious wave, he even questioned if what his brother was saying could be true. But there was so much that didn't make sense to him.
"Brother-" started Doran, with more gentleness in his tone. Oberyn simply met his gaze, shook his head, turned and stormed from the room. Doran watched him leave with a mixture of pity and worry on his face.
Oberyn spent the rest of the day drinking in the bars where the worst criminals of the city frequented. Downing glass after glass of spirits, literally drowning his anger. Several times he lashed out at those around him, but he was met with none who dared retaliate. His reputation and his anger were both fearsome and not even the worst criminals dared go against him. This only fuelled his anger more, and as the sun died down he tried to find solace in a brothel. No matter how many men and women writhed across his naked body, the anger wouldn't die down. He managed to empty himself of his sexual frustration inside a dark haired woman then rather than laying in her arms and resting his angry mind Oberyn abruptly stood and swaying from the copious amounts of liquor hastily exited the building. His vision was double, and his feet felt like leaden bricks. They did not want to co operate for him, he stumbled drunkenly down an alleyway not caring who could be down there. Singing a bawdy Dornish tune he stumbled in the dark, and turning a corner he continued into the darkness. Two men waited in the darkness and as Oberyn stumbled and almost fell they swooped, grabbing him by both his arms and pushing him roughly inside a nearby building.
Oberyns head ached and when he turned on the hard bed his head felt like it was full of sand. He groaned and put his hands on his head, his mouth felt furry and he tried to open his eyes but the light was too bright. Still groaning he pulled a rough blanket up over his eyes and fell back into sleep. Sometime later Oberyn opened his eyes again, this time his head still felt heavy but with some improvement. He rolled over and opened his eyes, he saw two people in the room. Instantly he was on high alert, slowly he reached for his dagger but found they were gone.
"Looking for these?" spoke a familiar voice, which Oberyn couldn't place. Slowly he opened his eyes and laughed when he saw who the two figures were. Rickard and Edric sat by the bed, their wolves at their feet.
"Oh," he groaned, "Not you fucking two again. Does your mummy know you're here?" he said mockingly through the fog which clouded his mind.
Rickard smirked and Edric produced the daggers Oberyn had carried, they fanned out in his hands their blades looking wickedly sharp in the light.
"You're either very brave or very stupid to be holding those blades," spoke Oberyn with a dangerous edge to his voice.
"Yes, I know," smiled Edric as he juggled the blades in his hands. Tossing them and throwing them, catching them with ease. He held a blade under his nose and sniffed inaudibly, "Nicely laced with poison all of them. Remind me to never spar with you" He smiled cheekily but Oberyn just looked at him unimpressed.
Oberyn opened his eyes wider and blinked to gaze at the boys more fully, "You have a very short amount of time to explain why you kidnapped me..."
Rickard laughed, "Kidnapped? You were so drunk we did you a favour getting you off the streets"
"Oh really? No on would dare touch me in these streets..." spoke Oberyn harshly.
Edric stood, "We didn't come here to argue Oberyn. We want answers. What did you find?"
Oberyn chuckled and rolled onto his side, his back facing the boys.
"I found what I needed"
"Rhaenys is alive then" said Rickard, "otherwise we would have our heads on spikes and Starfall would have been burnt to the ground"
"Oh no my dear boys. If I hadn't found what I needed you would be on spikes watching Starfall burn to the ground while I fucked your pretty mother before I opened her throat in the sand"
Rickard seethed but Edric cautioned him with a glance.
"Is Rhaenys alive?" pressed Edric.
"What do you care?" blurted out Oberyn, "she is not your family"
Oberyn betrayed himself by speaking bitterly, Edric sat back against the wall.
"Doran doesn't believe you," he stated, "He thinks you're crazy"
"Obsessed is the word he actually used" grunted Oberyn, "but why do you care?"
"If Rhaenys is alive so is Lyanna, she is our family"
Oberyn rolled his eyes on the bed, and rolled over angrily to face the boys.
"Why are you here? What could you two boys possibly have in mind"
Edric shrugged, "We don't know, we wanted answers why our guests were suddenly gone one morning. We wanted to know if you still considered us dangerous enemies and I guess most of all we were intrigued what the outcome was in your search. Seeing as we went to so much trouble to get you the information you needed"
After a moment of careful thinking Oberyn sat up in the bed, and spoke "My niece is alive, I saw her, I touched her. And she has a dragon, who I also saw and touched. I'm not crazy!" he emphasised the last word while pointing to his head, "Well, not anymore than before that is" he finished with a dangerous smirk.
Rickard looked to Edric and looked relieved, "They're alive!"
Edric's expression remained unchanged, "What can we do?"
"You? Nothing," said Oberyn harshly, "You're boys! Go home to your mother"
He dismissed them with a rough hand in the air but Rickard stood angrily.
"No! We helped you discover they're alive. We aren't done here"
"You are done because I say you're done," smiled Oberyn, "now go home and be thankful I don't open your throats for helping me find a bed for the night"
Edric shook his head, "No Oberyn, we can be of help. They're planning to come back here, right? At some stage surely. We can help rally support for them"
Rickard nodded in agreement and Oberyn shook his head and braced his hand above his eyes as if his head ached.
"You two are...annoyingly persistent" he groaned.
"Let's start with Dornes allies, surely there could be some common ground there? That would be a good place to start?"
"Dorne doesn't need allies, we are strong without anyone's help"
"Everyone has allies," scoffed Edric.
Oberyn sighed and spoke with annoyance, "Dorne has some allies. The Tyrells and the Starks are our closest Westerosi allies-"
"Is that all?" said Rickard in amazement.
"They're two very strong Houses!" exclaimed Oberyn.
"What about the Lannisters?" queried Edric.
Oberyn made a face like he had eaten something sour and looked away making a sound of disgust. Edric regretted asking the question.
"The Lannisters have allied with the Starks, but Dorne did not join them. After what happened to Elia-" he looked across to Edric and stopped talking.
"You," he said as if he had just gotten a great idea, "You can tell me happened, what really happened"
Edric looked uncomfortable, he didn't like where this was going.
"I'd rather not-" he started.
"Are you with me or against me?" raged Oberyn passionately.
Rickard stood between them, "Oberyn stop insinuating we are your enemies when we have proven not to be. We won't be doing anything else until we have been assured we are allies and not enemies" he spoke firmly and calmly, Oberyn still looked incensed but brusquely nodded his head.
"You've shown nothing but loyalty. I apologise for being suspicious" spoke Oberyn with difficulty.
"You have a right to be suspicious, but we are not the enemy" said Edric quietly.
Rickard cut in, "What are you going to do now? Your brother refuses to listen, so what now?"
Oberyn shrugged, "I was just going to drink and fuck my way through the city until a plan came to mind"
Rickard and Edric laughed, Oberyn looked at them mischievously. He slowly stood and got to his feet from the bed, his hand was out in front of Edric.
"My blades"
Edric slapped them in his hand but held onto them.
"Let's gather support for the dragons, it's going to be chaos in Westeros with Cersei on the Throne"
Oberyn looked angered at the mention of Cersei.
"What could you possibly know of Cersei?" spoke Oberyn angrily.
"I know enough," said Edric.
What did your mother say when she found out?"
"She was worried, not for our House but for others. And for Dorne too"
Oberyn smirked, "You know of your mothers feelings for a certain House?"
Edric shrugged, "How could I not know? I'm the product of it"
"Where do you suggest we start?" questioned Oberyn, interested to hear what they had to say.
"Let's start with the North" said Rickard decisively. Oberyn laughed, "You want to go North? Meet your family". He shook his head, "You're using this as a way to meet Daddy, I should've known"
"Well, it's time. And our interests are aligned. Your niece is with our aunt-"
"You don't know that," said Oberyn with a hard edge to his voice, "For all you know Lyanna could be long dead"
"Yes, you're right. But all the same, she might very well be alive. And she will need our support if she returns"
Oberyn looked at the two young men in front of him and sighed in defeat pulling his daggers from Edric's joined grip.
"Don't get in my fucking way," said Oberyn with a glint in his eye as he snatched his daggers back.
BTWBTWBTWBTWBTWBTWBTWBTWBTWBTW
Ned knelt under the Godswood, finished with his prayers he tried to contact Arya. He knew they were connected, he felt her presence as if she was next to him. He had seen her form as a swarm of butterflies just several days prior, and since then he had not been able to stop thinking of her. News has reached the North of a disturbance in the prison of the Red Keep, and accusations of the Norths involvement had stirred severe feelings in Ned. War is coming, and he knew it. Yet Ned was loathe to contact his allies, Mace Tyrell was imprisoned for treason, the Lannisters were the instigators of this mess and Dorne weren't exactly known for getting involved in Westeros dramas. All of this whirred through Ned's mind every day as he tried and failed to think of a strategy here that would be the wisest path to take. Ned heard Theon's approach and turned to watch the boy approach. He had grown into a young man and if it wasn't for his sullen expression he would have a handsome face. Since Brans accident and the other children leaving Winterfell he had grown bored here, and became a handful for Ned. Ned tapped his hand on the ground next to him, but Theon refused to join him.
"Come lad, join me" spoke Ned warmly.
Theon stood and silently refused, Ned sighed and turned to face the boy, sitting amongst the Weirwood roots like he sat on a throne.
"You've lived here almost your whole life and yet you still act like you're a visitor" said Ned plainly, "What's troubling you Theon?"
Theon looked down at his hands which he started fidgeting, "I want to go home. I want to know my family, I have siblings of my own"
Ned sighed, "Do you understand why you're here?"
Theon nodded, "The rebellion uprising of my people"
"You are not my hostage Theon, we might not be bound by blood but we are still family. You've lived under my roof since you were just on three years old. I've come to love you like my own, but there are consequences to your actions. Are you ready to face those?"
Theon looked unsure and Ned beckoned him closer, which caused Theon to edge closer.
"Lad come sit," spoke Ned with a more commanding tone. Theon complied but didn't look pleased, Ned draped an arm around Theon and pulled him closer. He spoke very quietly to Theon.
"Son times are changing, there are events swirling around us which bring uncertainty, even danger. There might come a time when I ask you to return home to rally your people and fight with us. Would you do that?"
Theon looked briefly to Ned, "I don't think the Iron born would fight with you"
Ned's gaze was fixed on Theons downcast face, and he knew the boy spoke the truth. He sighed slightly as he looked around the garden.
"Well if I ask you to put it to them and they refuse there's not much I can do about that can I? I would hope though that your years under my roof would convince them to participate"
Theon shrugged, "What do I really know of my people? I know more of the North than of them"
There was a hint of bitterness in Theon's voice, which Ned picked up on. He knew there was nothing more he could say to the boy. He tapped him on the shoulder.
"Run along lad, you have lessons in the yard. They're waiting for you"
Theon just nodded and rushed away, with Ned watching him. When Theon was gone Ned hung his head and sent out his mind using the power of the Weirwood and what was within him.
"Lyanna," he thought, "please answer me. I need you"
Ned felt the world roll away under him, and he hung in the darkness. Ahead of him a light was burning, slowly he edged towards it. A flame burned in the darkness, Ned approached it with hesitation. He felt warm stone beneath his feet, the air was warm and thick with the scent of sulphur. He tried to see into the darkness all around him. There was a sound of movement, stones scattering causing Ned to look up. A growling and clicking noise welled up in a creature above him and Ned's heart dropped as a dragons head materialised out of the darkness towards him. His face dropped, and it glared at him and sniffed him. Ned almost dropped to his knees in fear, but he did his best to remain strong. Suddenly a white hand materialised and ran along the dragons face and along its neck. Lyanna emerged from the darkness, and stood by the dragon dressed in riding leathers. Her hair was braided intricately and around her neck was a wolf with a stylised dragon behind it. It glistened brightly in the darkness, shining as if made from diamond.
"Brother," smiled Lyanna.
"Is this real?" breathed Ned.
In response Lyanna smiled and hugged him fiercely, and he returned the hug. He held her tightly, tears in his eyes.
"You have no idea how good it is to see you" said Ned as he smelled her familiar scent.
"Why have you not answered me like this before?" asked Ned as he looked down at her. Her face remained unchanged except for some fine lines around her eyes.
"It wasn't the right time," said Lyanna.
"And it is now? What's changed?"
"Robert is no longer King and my boy is in the North. Everything is changing" shrugged Lyanna calmly.
Ned looked down feeling a heaviness on his shoulders, Lyanna put a hand on the side of his face tenderly.
"Brother, you are strong. You knew this was coming, we have had all these years to know what is coming"
"I don't know what to do though Lyanna. I can't see the future, and when I try all I see is destruction and death"
"Because that is what's coming brother, no matter what that is what we face"
"What do I do? I feel closed in on all sides. Forced to go to a war I didn't start, a war I don't want part in"
"If war comes to you then you have to respond with a war of your own,"
Ned looked at his sister, dressed in riding leathers. She looked more dragon than wolf now, and she spoke like a dragon.
"Who am i fighting?"
Lyanna laid a hand on his arm, "Anyone who would threaten the North, even if they are from within the North. Don't forget your strength, call on your allies. Don't be afraid to make new ones, no one wins a war on their own"
Ned looked up and the dragon locked eyes with him, it moved its head lower to come beside Lyanna's. She wrapped an arm under the dragons neck and pulled it closer to her, Ned thought he heard it purring.
"Is this real?" he asked again. "You can ride it?"
Lyanna smiled, "You'll see one day brother. I'm not the same as before, just like you, I've changed. The only difference is I've embraced the changes, and I've grown in ways I never imagined. I can sense you're afraid of what's inside you"
"I've done things I'm not proud of-" admitted Ned.
"You need to let that go Ned. Because if you don't you might just lose this war, and the lives of everyone we both hold close. I need you to be strong, stop being afraid"
She spoke with a commanding tone, and Ned realised she was right. He had become afraid, despite everything he had within him he had grown fearful.
"So we go to war," he said definitively. Lyanna smiled and nodded standing confidently in front of him.
"We will come when the time is right and you need us the most"
Ned smiled, "I need you now"
Lyanna shook her head, "No you don't. Go, be a wolf. Make them remember, winter is coming"