Chapter Twenty Four: The Cursed Land
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The cold still air hangs with dampness in the dark, somewhere there is a faint sound of dripping. There is no light in this place, but Jon can feel the coldness of stone underneath him. He turns to his side and groans in pain, immediately he knows the sensation of broken ribs. The pain radiates so strongly that his body convulses in retches as he tries to empty his stomach. But there is nothing to empty. He licks his parched lips and groans in pain. Moments pass and Jon begins to slip into fevered sleep once again, he hears the slightest patter of footsteps and despite knowing it's dark he opens his eyes to try and see who approaches. The footsteps are barely audible but due to the damp floor he is able to discern the slightest of footsteps, his senses acutely aware and his heart racing. A very small hand gently caresses his forehead, feeling the feverish temperature burning in his body. He groans helplessly as they push a crude cup to his lips, and listens as a raspy voice chants in a strange tongue. Suddenly a blue light illuminates and Jon squints his eyes painfully as his eyes adjust to the sudden change. Slowly and surely his vision adjusts and his gaze rests on the figure in front of him, a very small and peculiar looking being with greenish skin and large cat like eyes. He can tell she is female from her dress and feminine features, the creature returns his gaze before touching his forehead again.
"Your fever is breaking" she speaks in her raspy voice. Jon simply nods and licks his lips again, they are cracked and dry from the fever.
"Thirsty?" She asks him, he nods and she pushes a small wooden bowl to his lips again, "Drink" she instructs him.
Jon begins to drink thirstily, she withdraws the cup momentarily.
"Slowly," she warns, "you have been so unwell young wolf to drink too fast will make your body reject it"
Obediently Jon sips slower, and lowers his head when he's had enough. He holds his ribs.
"Broken" he croaks, and gently pats his rib area. In response she puts her hands on the area and looks to him.
"I can fix, but it hurt"
Jon grimaces, "Already hurts"
She shook her head, "Will hurt once, then pain is gone. Please, let me"
Jon caught her gaze and nodded slightly, grimacing for the pain. Gently she placed a hand on the area of the broken ribs and focused. Suddenly Jon felt a searing and burning ache that grew in intensity until he threw back his head and howled in pain. Another set of hands rested on his head to brace him, and then he felt several others gently restrain him as he felt he couldn't handle the agony any longer. It felt like fire streaming through his entire being mixed with lightning, stinging, burning but also there was a feeling that he enjoyed. He realised he enjoyed the searing feeling of fire as the aching subsided. The tiny hands still restrained him but he submitted himself to the healing process and as the sensations began to reduce he let out a sigh of relief.
"He is waiting for you young wolf" spoke the tiny creature once she removed her hands.
Jon was confused, "Who is waiting for me?"
"Someone who can answer all of your questions"
At those words the entire cave illuminated with dozens of blue floating lights, it cast a surreal and somewhat eerie glow around the cave. For the first time Jon could see where he lay, cradled amongst weirwood roots in a huge cave. The roots consumed the entire cave and streamed down from a central point in the ceiling. Jon took in his surroundings propped up on one elbow, he looked all around and became shocked when he realised there was a man suspended in the tree roots high above him. His eyes were rolled back in his head and he looked like he was a corpse, his silver hair flowed down wrapping around his legs almost invisible amongst the tangled roots. His face was drawn, almost emaciated as he hung there suspended somehow by the weirwood roots almost encased completely by the tree. Suddenly the man's eyes snapped back and fixed immediately on Jon, who was shocked to see they were a vivid purple close to glowing from the eerie lights which floated all around.
"You have finally woken" spoke the mysterious man in barely above a whisper. Unsure of what to say, Jon merely nodded and winced a little as he sat up. His body was noticeably sore from being unconscious for a period of time.
"You are probably wondering why we intervened and saved you"
Jon was confused, "You saved me? Why?"
The man smiled a little which looked more sad than happy, "Well they saved you with the help of the tree"
Jon looked all around him and was taken aback when he saw as far as his vision could see, a sea of little green beings. The one who tended to him stepped forward and spoke.
"Do you know who we are?"
"Yes," said Jon with some difficulty, "you are Children of the Forest."
"Do you know why we saved you?" queried another.
Jon met his gaze and shook his head, "No idea"
"You are needed for the Great War which is to come"
"War? What war?"
"Between the living and the dead," spoke the man amongst the roots.
Jon turned to the man again, "If Westeros faces a war with those things we don't stand a a chance," he said bitterly, "they destroyed my comrades in moments. Surely the wall will keep them out?"
"The Wall will fall, and without you and the help of others Westeros is doomed" the man's voice echoed around the cave.
"How can you know this?" demanded Jon, "Can you see the future?"
"I can see future possibilities, and in all of them one thing is constant. The wall will fall"
Jon swallowed thickly, "But I'm just one man, and I've taken an oath to the Nights Watch. I don't see how I can be of help"
"Jon, I can answer any question you have about yourself. All I ask if you bring someone to me, a person who can help you and all of Westeros. They're already in the North, bring them to me and then all will become clear"
Jon looked around him and at the man amongst the branches, "Who are you? You look familiar"
"All you need to know is what I'm called now. I am the Three Eyed Raven, any other questions will be answered but first bring this person to me"
For several moments Jon wrestled with his options in his mind before looking back up to the Three Eyed Raven.
"Who do you seek?"
"He calls himself the King-beyond-the-Wall. Find him and bring him here, he must be alive"
"If he's a King he won't be easy to convince. And he'll be heavily guarded"
The Three Eyed Raven smiled, "Tell him your story, he will listen to you"
Suddenly the floating blue lights extinguished and once again Jon's world went dark.
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The snow fell in thick sheets across the barren white landscape. Here and there rocks poked out from underneath the snow, contrasting against the harsh landscape. A small lone figure moved through the snow, hooded and concealed however not camouflaged. In the sky above, an Eagle soared occasionally cawing as if speaking to this figure. The figure reached a copse of trees laden with snow and drooping heavily, almost touching the ground. They lifted their foot to take a step and stopped, looking around. A sound had alerted them, on high alert they froze and very slowly removed a long cruelly pointed spear from across their back. Standing very still for a long time they looked almost like a frozen statue when suddenly they dropped down and looked under the drooping branches. Using their heavily gloved hands they scraped the snow aside to reveal a man laying concealed in the snow, he groaned and tried to turn. The person startled and directed the cruelly pointed spear at the man's throat, it pierced the side of his neck and he startled a little. His eyes opened and widely looked around, meeting the person standing over him he raised his hands in surrender. The figure holding the spear remained fixed for a moment, before lifting a gloved hand to pull down the coverings on their face. A slender, feminine face with piercing but fierce grey eyes was revealed. A small lock of hair tumbled from inside their hood showing bright fiery red hair concealed under the cloak. She stepped forward and harshly spoke, but the man looked confused.
She repeated her words but he simply said in response, "I don't understand"
Momentarily a look of shock crossed her face, "Who are you?" She spoke harshly, without warmth or welcome and the man realised he was in a dangerous situation.
"My name is Jon," he answered simply, "Jon Snow"
"You are a crow," she spat with disdain and disgust at him, he looked down and realised his cloak gave him away. Disappointed he was given away so easily he grimaced in anticipation of his broken ribs but was surprised to find he was able to sit up easier than he realised. The woman stepped forward and pushed the point of her spear closer to his throat.
"Where you going crow?"
"Just trying to sit up is all" said Jon with his hands raised, "I don't plan on dying today, will you lower that spear?"
He looked up to her face, and the spear raised directly and trained to his neck. She made no indication she was moving.
"Mm I suppose that's a no"
"Why would I ever trust a crow? As soon as I drop this you'll kill me"
Jon chuckled a little, "I'm not here to kill you"
"Then what are you here for?"
Jon looked up and straight into her eyes, "I want to meet the King beyond the Wall"
The woman laughed a harsh mocking laugh, "The only way he will want to meet you is when I drag your lifeless corpse into camp"
Jon blanched in frustration, he hadn't considered how unwelcoming the wildlings would be. He wasn't surprised though, as he had heard how difficult they were from other rangers. Fierce and uncompromising, a fact he was quickly learning for himself.
Jon raised his hands, "Take me to him alive, and let him decide my fate. Wouldn't a King prefer to make that choice for himself?"
The woman's face remained unchanged, and the spear remained aimed at his face. After some careful thought, she slowly lowered the spear.
"Get up," She demanded harshly, obediently Jon stood. Forcefully she pushed him forward and pointed the spear to his back, "Walk," she demanded. Slowly Jon began to pick his way through the snow, they walked for the rest of the day through knee deep snow. Jon felt like he would never know what it would be like to see the Sun and a blue sky again as he trudged through the white curtains of snow. After hours of walking and aching feet, he felt the sharp prod of the spear in his back. Turning slightly he looked back at his captor, and she indicated to climb the rock.
"This is as far as we walk today, there is a cave there. We camp here tonight"
Jon turned and began to pick his way up the rocky incline until he trudged into a small cave, again the woman prodded him with the spear and demanded, "Sit"
Obediently he sat and raised his arms. She smiled dangerously, "Why you doing that?"
"I'm not armed, I'm showing you I'm not a threat"
"Armed or not, crows can still kill"
Jon's face flushed in frustration but he said nothing.
The woman removed her pack and began to build a fire, Jon watched her with interest.
"Why are you out here? Alone? Isn't it dangerous?"
"I'm not alone," she replied shortly and in a manner that told Jon she didn't want to answer more fully. Jon tried to catch her eyes, "Aren't they out here? The white walkers?"
The woman froze and he saw a flash of fear cross her face. She paused only for a moment before continuing to build the firewood she had pulled from her pack. Frustrated at her lack of response, Jon laid back on the floor of the cave and closed his tired eyes.
He woke later, the sky outside was black but the snow still fell. Jon felt the warmth of a fire and smelled meat roasting on the fire, his stomach grumbled loudly and ferociously. Slowly he sat up and rubbed his eyes, and looked across the cave to the woman who was his captor. She had removed her heavy hooded jacket and her long fiery red hair tumbled down her shoulders and framed her long pretty face. Her piercing eyes met Jon's and she tore savagely at a bone removing the meat unapologetically. She grunted and pointed with the bone, meat juices and blood running down her slender hands indicating the cooked meat to the side. Without hesitation Jon picked two pieces and began to hungrily devour the meat, acutely aware the woman was watching him closely.
"What is your name?" He asked as he devoured the delicious roasted meat.
"You don't need to know that, you'll be dead soon crow. We don't need to know each other"
Jon smiled in amusement, "You're so sure he will kill me. How can you know that?"
Casually she shrugged, "He's killed crows in front of us before"
The smile dropped from Jon's face and he felt sick in his stomach, slowly he chewed his meat thoughtfully. The pair sat and ate silently, eyeing each other the whole time.
"I want to ask one thing," she blurted out from nowhere, Jon looked at her and raised his eyebrows.
"What's that?"
"You don't seem to freeze to death like the other crows I've seen before. They couldn't stand the cold, they'd turn blue before they died. You aren't afraid of it"
"I grew up with the cold and the snow, but not all of Westeros has snow you know. In the south it's very warm, and green."
She continued gnawing on a bone without responding as if she hadn't heard him.
"Let me ask you something," said Jon hoping she wouldn't shut him down.
"Why do you hate crows?"
A look of anger flashed across her face, "You crows come onto our lands, a place where we have always lived and kill our men rape our women and doom our children to die. You have no right to be here!"
Jon let her angry words wash over him, "I do have a right though, the blood of the first men runs in my veins just like it does yours"
"Then why would you come to fight us then?"
"Who said I was here to fight anyone?" challenged Jon with a small smirk, but inside he recognised she had a point. Why did his people try to fight hers?
"Every crow who has set foot this side of the Wall comes with murder in their hearts, when they have no right to decide who lives on these lands!" She continued to become heated as she spoke.
"I don't have murder in my heart" he replied coolly.
"We'll see," shrugged the woman with a cold tone in her voice, "all crows are liars too"
Recognising he wouldn't be able to penetrate her coldness Jon thoughtfully chewed on the meat she had roasted for them, and moved closer to the fire for warmth. He held out his hands and allowed the flames to warm his stiff cold hands, he closed his eyes and was reminded of the great fires that burned in the hall at Winterfell. He had a deep and prolonged feeling of sadness he was no longer with his family in his home. Aware of her eyes on him Jon gazed into the fire and avoided her gaze.
"You are sad crow, why?"
"I miss my family"
The woman scoffed in disgust, "So do I"
"Where are yours?" asked Jon
"Dead, killed, by crows" her hard, cold eyes pierced him as she glared at him.
"I'm sorry" was all Jon could manage to say in response and he dropped his gaze.
She glared at him unblinkingly, anger seared across her face.
"Crows don't apologise, why did you?"
"I'm not a bad crow" He raised his gaze and returned her glare hoping to diffuse the situation, "No one should lose their family"
Still seemingly seething, the woman threw herself onto her side and turned her back on Jon so her back was to the fire so she avoided his gaze and she could stare out into the dark night with angry tears stinging her eyes. Jon watched her sadly turn her back on him and continued to gaze into the fire, feeling it's warmth dance on his face.
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The wind howled and the cold air blustered in and around the cave, outside snow swirled ferociously. Jon stirred and opened his eyes slowly, the glare of the morning was harsh to his eyes. He closed them tightly again and stretched, with a start he realised he felt someone next to him. He turned his head and saw the woman laying by his side, he was shocked and at the same time surprised. His heart leapt a little at seeing her face up close in daylight. Her skin was smooth and white, her eyelashes as red as her hair and the beauty of her face stirred him in ways he had never experienced before. Unsure what to do he laid as still as possible and closed his eyes just enjoying the warmth of their bodies together. A short time later Jon felt her stir and stretch, he felt the moment she realised they were together and startled quickly rolled away. Keeping his eyes closed Jon heard scraping sounds and then the characteristic crackle of fire, slowly he opened his eyes and stretched rolling onto his side and coming to face her glare.
"Good sleep?" He asked with a small smile looking up at her, she merely grunted in reply and averted her gaze although her cheeks flushed a little in embarrassment which made Jon chuckle a little internally. He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and watched her move around the cave. She had placed things all around and seemed to be familiar with these surroundings.
"You've been here before," he said, to which she didn't reply, so he continued. "I can tell you know, you move in here like it's a house but it's a draughty cave. Do you use it often?"
In anger she wheeled around on him and menaced him with the spear. He looked directly at it with his eyebrows knitted together and sighed.
"Fine, I won't try and make conversation then"
Within minutes she had whipped up breakfast of dried fruit and a thick bread dipped in some strong tasting meaty soup which warmed Jon down to his toes. He groaned in pleasure at the taste and how it warmed him, she ate ignoring him but every now and then would roll her eyes at his behaviour. He enjoyed irking her and tried several times more to raise a reaction from her, but she brusquely ignored him and packed up the camp. Suddenly a large bird flew into the cave and stared at Jon, she whistled to it and it flew to her. She crooned to it before it flew away.
"We must leave, danger is coming" she spoke brusquely still avoiding eye contact, she quickly stamped out the fire.
Then once again the spear was pointed at him and she indicated it was time to leave the cave. With a quick sweep of her hand all her items were swept into her bag and it was thrown on her back. They swiftly made their way down the rock hill and continued on their journey through the deep snow while it fell all around them. After walking for sometime Jon plucked up the courage to ask, "What danger is behind us?"
"You don't want to know"
"I do want to know, maybe I can help"
"Just keep walking crow, the faster we walk the safer we are"
Exasperated Jon trudged on hoping that it wasn't what he thought it was behind them grimacing when he felt the cold hard spear prodding him every now and then. Above them, the clouds darkened quickly and the wind picked up. Jon looked above them and back at his captor whose eyes followed his. Her hardened eyes looked scared for a moment as she saw the weather changing so dramatically. She huffed angrily.
"You don't move fast enough! Now we have to hide and hope they don't find us"
Jon looked all around them, they were out in the open with no trees or rocks to help conceal them.
"Where? There's nowhere to go!"
"Just walk, there are trees over there. You can't see them because they're so heavily covered in snow. Just go"
She poked and prodded him more urgently, beginning to break into a run. They ran as best they could in the heavy snow, but just as they ducked under the snow laden branches a shriek echoed around the valley. It was loud and unearthly, making Jon's blood run cold. He looked back to see a White Walker in the clearing across from them, staring straight in their direction. It's hungry eyes were cold and hard, it smiled in anticipation.
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Arya breathed deeply of the salty sea air, it had been weeks since she had escaped Kings Landing but somehow she was still a prisoner. Locked in the vicious cycle of her lost memories. They came in waves, some more forceful than others but they were disjointed all the same. She remembered playing under a white tree with red leaves, waving a crude wooden sword, the laughter of her little brother. What was his name? Bran, the voice in her head boomed. Arya, listen to me. It's Bran, come home we need you.
And although this voice pleaded with her again and again, how could she go home when she didn't know where home was? The only thing she knew was the wolf and her friend Jaqen who had saved her from certain death in the dungeons. Word had reached the crew of Mace Tyrells execution, and of Cersei's declaration of war. At night the sailors all whispered about what this means for them, and the families they left behind. Jaqen merely smirked and said the god of death would feast well on that day and it stirred an uncomfortable feeling in her gut. Meanwhile Nymeria became more and more restless the further they sailed on, and Arya struggled to keep her calm. The sailors kept a wide berth from Arya, many being superstitious about women on the boat let alone a woman with a direwolf by her side.
As the boat sailed further and further away from Kings Landing Arya recognised that she should feel happy to be free from that murderous Queen but something within her still didn't feel safe at all.
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Gendry often woke in the night, unable to sleep due to nightmares. They had begun the night he was taken by Melisandre and continued to grow in intensity the longer he stayed on DragonStone. He felt an undercurrent of malice growing and it became worse by the day. At first he felt relieved to find his Father's family, but underneath the smiles he knew something different lurked. Something sinister, something dangerous.
When Melisandre came to ask his help one day with the leeches he agreed, and let her lay him down and cover him with the gross, slimy creatures. Even though it hurt him he wanted to help his family anyway he could, but they pressured him more and more so when Melisandre straddled him with her pale naked body and asked him to penetrate her he refused. His comfort levels were maxed out and he began to doubt his Uncles intentions. She sauntered from the room unfazed but he knew he had angered her.
Gendry only confided in Davos, the kind man who was his Uncles trusted advisor. And even then he moved cautiously for fear of betrayal. When he disclosed how they had been pressuring him Davos was alarmed, and shaken which endeared Gendry to him further.
"Lad, that woman is dangerous probably the most dangerous person in this castle. Tread carefully, trust no one else with this. I will find out what I can but I must be careful also if she gets a whiff of this it'll be us burning on those pyres on the beach before you know it"
Those words really ignited fear in Gendry, and he realised immediately how dangerous the situation was. It became apparent that no one knew he was here, and he was all alone.
Several nights after, Gendry was shaken awake by Davos. He held his hand over his mouth and bid him be quiet. The two men slipped their way through the castle down to the water. It was risky, and several times they almost walked straight into patrols of soldiers wearing his Uncles sigil of a burning heart with a Baratheon stag. Gendry's heart was hammering rapidly in his chest. Once they reached the shore, Gendry found a boat with two oars, Davos thrust a bag into his hands.
"Get in lad and paddle as fast as you can. There is a boat which goes to Braavos sailing through here in a short while. Get on board that boat" he could hear him pleading.
"Why are you helping me escape?" He stammered.
"You don't deserve to be used in this way lad. Just trust me, you need to leave, now"
Heart still hammering in his chest, and anxiety at all time high Gendry jumped in the boat and pushed away from the shore. He rowed as fast as he could, and waved one last time to Davos who remained on the shore. When he at last disappeared into the darkness Gendry turned and rowed toward the silhouette of the ship to Braavos off in the distance. He didn't want to miss the chance to board the boat and escape this island prison he found himself in.
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Shortly after midnight Arya woke to a commotion happening outside, she stirred in the cabin and creased her face straining to hear. She heard protests and jumbled voices. Nymeria whined and Arya rolled on her side to listen. She heard the voice of a young man, protesting, pleading even. Without a thought she jumped nimbly to her feet and made her way up to the deck followed by Nymeria. The deck was lined with lamps all of which were lit, which was odd because she had never seen the lamps all lit up before. Now the voices could be heard clearly, there was handsome lad in the middle of the ships deck with his arms raised and his belongings strewn in front of him. The sailors menaced him with swords while he desperately tried to placate them. Arya slipped in amongst the sailors lithely and Nymeria wound through their legs until she stepped in front of them coming to face this lad. Her appearance shocked the lad along with the sailors, on the fringes Jaqen watched intrigued.
"Who are you? How did you find us?" questioned Arya commandingly.
"I'm Gendry," he answered simply.
"Where are you from?" Arya pushed further.
"Well, that's hard to answer. I'm from Kings Landing-"
Lithely Arya removed one of the sailors daggers, spinning it dangerously around her fingers and pressed it against Gendry's throat.
"Did Cersei send you to find us?" She spoke savagely.
Visibly taken aback Gendry paused, before carefully continuing, "Im trying to get away from Cersei myself"
Aryas interest was immediately piqued she turned her head to the side slightly, and came close to Gendry's face.
"If you're lying I'll kill you" she whispered dangerously.
"Im not lying, look" his voice trembled a little bit he spoke plainly enough to sway Arya to listen.
Gendry pointed to his bag and it's contents which were strewn across the ground beside them. Arya saw a scroll, spinning the dagger around her fingers again deftly she returned it to the sailers holder and bent down and picked up the scroll. Slowly she unrolled it and read its contents. At the end she looked up to Gendry and held the scroll up, flanked by soldiers with menacing faces and swords.
"Is this true?"
Gendry nodded, "Yes"
"Then why are you out on a boat in the middle of the ocean in the middle of the night?"
"It's a long story," he sighed, "Can you tell these men to lower their swords so I can tell you?"
Arya looked around at the sailors and eyed the captain, she nodded once. The captain spoke, "Lower your weapons men, Lady Stark wishes to spare the lad"
In unison the sailors lowered their swords, but Arya drew hers and stepped forward. Her sword was trained directly to his throat.
"Now, tell me everything and do not lie"
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Ros stands by Littlefingers side, rows of seamstresses work in unison. Bolts of blood red fabric fill the large hall in the converted brothel. Little finger watches with shrewd eyes as the women create dozens and dozens of blood red gowns. In the adjacent rooms, women are being fitted with the gowns and having them altered so they fit perfectly. The collars rise high up their neck, the sleeves are long, overall the dress is severe and inscribed with an elaborate golden Lion symbol with an ornate capital C alongside it. Littlefinger and Ros assemble the women who have been bathed and styled, dressed and trained intensively on their roles in service of the crown. They will be her approved eyes and ears throughout the entire kingdom. A network of known spies who will be there to enact the Queens wishes in every castle and noble born family. With this act, Cersei's grip and control over the noble born under her will be absolute.
The doors to the room open and Cersei saunters in, dressed elaborately in a gold and red gown. Her long blond curled hair cascading elegantly down her back and the lion symbol proudly displayed across her breast. The very same symbol her new servants of the Queens Justice wear on their dresses. The room falls silent as she walks through the assembled women who bow deeply as she passes by. Relishing her power, Cersei comes to stand in front of Littlefinger and Ros who bow deeply. They return to standing and step to her side, Cersei turns to address the women staring adoringly up at her.
"It has come to my attention that there are people amongst our nobility who question the right of a woman to rule," she smiled as she speaks with authority. "I as Queen refuse to live in a land so afraid of a woman's power that my ability to rule or my right to rule comes into question. So I decided to look to the women of this country to stand by my side and assist me in making a great change. A change that will empower the women in Westeros to be seen not just as child bearing servants to our men. That we can hold positions of power competently and be treated as equals to men. You have been gathered here today as part of a new system I'm introducing in every major and minor house in the seven kingdoms. As part of the Queens Justice you will form an integral and vocal part of ensuring my values and decrees are upheld to the letter. You will have knights to protect you and you will report transgressions in your assigned posts directly to me. I will not allow weak minded nobility degrade the country I'm sworn to protect any further. You have been instructed on how to conduct yourselves and any failure to do so will result in severe and immediate punishment." Her tone finished with a hardness to it, but then she smiled again and continued. "I am entrusting you with powerful voices and the ability to enact on my orders directly. The Lannister forces are amassing and preparing to accompany you to show the nobility that the Queens word is not to be ignored"
Again the hundreds of women dressed in red all bowed deeply to Cersei as they filed out from the room ready to leave for their intended posts. Cersei followed flanked by Littlefinger and Ros, coming to watch from a balcony overlooking a flowering courtyard. Cersei smiled as she watched the women riding out one by one and waved to several of them making them gush with honour.
"This is a bold move Your Grace, one that some Houses may take offence to" smirked Littlefinger.
"Good," said Cersei not taking her eyes from the women below, "This is meant to weed the trouble makers out. And get some control over the kingdom. For too long these Houses have been able to do what they like. But with me as Queen, that will end"
"I'm sure it will succeed," spoke Ros confidently.
Cersei ignored her, "Lord Baelish, prepare the other establishments to receive our other guests. Ensure the rooms are bare of any embellishment, I do not want them to feel at home there" she spoke with a hardness as her face was plastered with smiles for the members of her Queens Justice as they rode out waving to her. Ros noted how well Cersei acted like she cared.
"Very well Your Grace. Might I suggest you spare your allies though? This might create more enemies than the Crown wishes to deal with" spoke Littlefinger attempting to provide council to her gently.
Cersei turned her face to his, "If they are my enemy I will destroy them, their House will cease to exist. But if they appease me I will reward them and be kind to them. For now everyone gets the same treatment, ally or not"
"Very well Your Grace, when will we send out the Catchers?"
"Send them tonight, I want the first group of noble born children removed before their parents are aware they're gone. Bring them here and keep them quiet"
Ros listened carefully trying to conceal her emotions, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. The Queen had sanctioned the kidnap of all noble born children to be imprisoned by the Crown until she deemed otherwise. Somehow she had to warn the North, luckily they were the furthest away and hardest to reach.
The sound of horses hooves trotting off in unison matched the thrumming of Ros' heart, she watched as a sea of red women marched out into the world to enact the Queens Justice.
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Rhaegar stood solemnly on the dais, Lyanna by his side flanked by the Naathi royalty. Both husband and wife wore ornate golden crowns made from Naathi gold. The sacrificial cow lay at the front of the dais, it's blood drained into a deep bowl and carried by Naathi priests held up for their Queen to anoint Rhaegar. She dipped two of her golden brown coloured fingers into the blood, it was warm, thick and heavy sticking to her fingers and dripping back into the vessel as she slowly lifted her hand and wiped blood on Rhaegar's face. Her face was draped in a golden chain mask supported by a tall multi tiered golden crown which was twice as tall as Rhaegar's symbolising the Naathi's true ownership of the land.
This was the highest honour for Rhaegar to be anointed in the Naathi way preparing him for his journey to the cursed lands of Valyria. He was nervous what would be waiting for him there but he knew if his family were to ever rise to power again and keep that power, Valyria cannot remain broken. Rhaegar closed his eyes and submitted to the blood being smeared in ritualistic patterns across his face. When she was finished with his face she anointed Lyanna, who also submitted bravely to the ritualistic patterns drawn across her face. The Naathi Queen stood in front of them and chanted in her tongue, bestowing blessings and well wishes on their allies and protectors with hand gestures, smoking plants and colourful powders.
The arrival of the Targaryens had been a major turning point for the survival of the Naathi and the protection against nefarious influences who sought to carry their women and children away into slavery. The dragons brought prosperity and protection and their cultures were forever bonded because of it. At the end of the chanting Rhaegar dipped his head in acquiescence causing the crowd of Westerosi and Naathi to cheer wildly. The Targaryen children stood in front of their parents and clapping and smiling however they harboured anxiety for the well-being of their father. The feast that followed was sumptuous and decadent, the Westerosi had taken this part seriously and created tables of lavishly presented foods of Naathi and Westerosi delicacies. The entire island was welcome to join the festivities, Rhaegar and Lyanna had places of honour with the Naathi royalty who by now were like old friends. Despite the wonderful blessings and abundant feasting, Lyanna was still highly anxious.
During the night Rhaegar pulled his wife into the shadows of the party and pressed his body up against hers, he kissed her long and deep which she returned with passion. They breathed in each others space for a moment before kissing passionately again. Lyanna ran her fingers down his bloodstained face and breathed out raggedly.
"Is this the last night we will ever spend together?" She said in an anxious whisper.
Rhaegar touched his forehead with hers and smiled, "We have been apart before and we found each other again"
"This time is different Rhaegar, we don't know what awaits you in Valyria"
Rhaegar lifted her chin with his finger and kissed her fully on the lips, "If anything happens to me you are strong enough to carry on. The magic is strong within you. I know you'll be able to push on"
"What if I don't want to?" she whispered, her eyes wet with tears.
Rhaegar simply smiled sadly and replied, "You are born of the wolf and have the blood of the dragon now. You'll never give up on me or our son"
She looked down at her hands and fidgeted, "He's North of the Wall now, soon he'll have the answers and know who he is"
"Does that worry you? I thought you wanted that"
"I do want him to know, I just wish I was the one who got to tell him. To explain everything-"
Rhaegar kissed ger gently on the lips and smoothed her hair, "We will have the chance to explain, but first Valyria"
At that moment Gerion Lannister burst into the shadows, singing loud and bawdy songs with two cups of wine in his hands. He thrust them into the hands of Rhaegar and Lyanna saying crudely, "Your Highnesses stop fooling around with each other in the shadows, it's time to drink!"
Before whisking them both off into the thick of the celebrations which continued deep into the night.
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The sky was clear and the wind blew lightly, the sun was warm against all of their skin. The Naathi all lined the coast of the island, every man, woman and child stood at attention for this monumental day. In the ships were the Westerosi, their faces illuminated by the sun squinting while their gazes were aimed to the skies. High above the island flew a formation of dragons, headed by Lyanna and flanked by their children led by Aegon and Rhaenys. Each wore their hair in elaborate braids, Lyanna had her golden crown placed delicately amongst her braids, her face was steely and determined. They all waited for their beloved Rhaegar to appear, in the meantime the only sound they could hear was the gently blowing breeze. Suddenly a deafening screech and leathery flap of wings echoed across the bay as Rhaegar emerges from the volcano atop Baeron. The black dragon had grown enormous, bigger than Balerion, his Father, and increasingly difficult to conceal now his wing span was almost double that of his mate, Lyannas dragon Aesha. The enormous black dragon blew fire and screeched again triumphantly as he flew in circles around the island. The Naathi and Westerosi cheered and chanted Rhaegar's name, waving to him as he flew around, and he returned their waves. Lastly he flew around his family, coming close to Lyanna, Baeron hovered as Rhaegar leant over grasped Lyanna by the side of the face and passionately kissed her. The beating of dragons wings sounded like the beat of a heart to Lyanna as Rhaegar's warm lips lovingly kissed her.
"Come back to me my love," she spoke in Valyrian, to which he kissed her hand passionately.
"Always," was all he said before Baeron screeched once more and twisted away taking flight back to the birthplace of dragons, the birthplace of Targaryens and the most ominous smoking ruins of the once great and powerful Old Valyria.
Lyanna watched as Baeron's powerful wings beat in flight taking her husband away from her once more. She closed her eyes and thought of the fiercely protective dragon.
"Protect him," she said in Valyrian in her mind to Baeron. The dragon screeched loudly to reply and blew a huge plume of fire before they disappeared into the horizon.