Laenor brings the evidence to Lord Strong and it really shocks him. They discuss Rhaenyra's fate.

The King, Queen, Corlys and Rhaenys had been gone from Westeros for six weeks when Laenor flew from Driftmark to King's Landing. Once there, he requested and was granted an audience with Lord Lionel Strong.

"I'm a bit confused by why you wished to meet with me, Ser Laenor," inquired Lord Strong after the initial greetings had been done.

"You were Master of Laws for many years, were you not? Both of my parents have said that you are fair and seek less for your own gain and more for the good of the realm. I am counting on that to be true."

This intrigued the Lord, "I was indeed Master of Laws for many years and do aim to be fair, according to the laws of the land. Is there some concern you wish to address?"

"Years ago, after a long voyage, my father had called our family all home to Driftmark for a family meeting. While abroad, he had been made aware of acts of treason against the crown."

"If its to deal with treason, why did he not bring it before the King?"

"The individual who told my father had tried, once, years before, to tell him and to show the evidence that had been gathered, but the King refused to see any of it."

Lionel wanted to be skeptical of this but he also knew very well that the King hated any form of conflict. "I wish I could defend the King and say that is something he would never do but I do believe it. What are the charges?"

"I believe, my Lord, that it might be better for you to look at the evidence yourself and, since you know the laws, see what charges you find."

"You have the evidence? Of course I will look at it. If there's a chance for treason, it MUST be investigated."

Laenor then picked up the satchel he had brought with him, withdrew the box and opened it, handing it to Lord Strong before returning to his seat and picking up his goblet of wine.

"There is quite a bit of material there, my Lord and none of it is younger than 19 years old, so it is a bit dated but, for the crimes these items contain, no amount of time should be considered too long for them not to be seen to justice."

Lionel had just begun to pull out some of the files as Laenor spoke. Hearing that they were all 19 years or older, he could easily guess who had collected them, a girl, now a woman, who had once charmed the court with her smile and grace but had been banished 19 years before, "Rhaenyra gathered these did she not?" he asked for confirmation.

"She did and she did try to share them with her father. He refused to even take a glance at them, preferring to believe what his new bride and hand were saying about her instead. I will, however, remind you that the last time my cousin stepped foot on these shores, she was only a girl of 12. So please be mindful of that as you read."

So Lionel Strong began to pour through the files, jotting notes on a piece of paper as he read. As he read, Laenor watched his expressions with ammusement as it passed through periods of shock, anger, frustration, sorrow and back. He couldn't wait to share all of it with his family later.

All in all, it took three hours for Lionel to carefully read through everything, and by the time he was done, he was exhausted.

"Ser, your father spoke briefly about your cousin some time ago and claimed that she is happy. Do you truly believe that?"

"I do, my Lord. My cousin was never truly wanted by anyone here. She was a failure to her mother who could not give her a son who lived. A failure to her father who wanted a male heir above everything. A pet, at best, to her Uncle and, for the rest of the family, little more than a doll. As for everyone else, she was, at best, entertainment and at worst, a waste of life, undeserving of air since she was a girl. Even once she was made heir, things didn't change for her. She was not given any power, authority or even extra lessons to prepare her to rule. No, instead, her father quickly decided to remarry, and to her maid at that. Then, our QUEEN began to seize power, even before the wedding and began to set Rhaenyra up to fall.

Now, her husband met her while she was working as a whore at an alehouse in Wessex. Typically, men bed whores, not marry them but he begged his Lord for permission to wed her to which he did after learning about her fate. Apparently Lord Uhtred is a strong believer in Destiny and Fate and, after hearing her story, decided that it was Fate that brought the two together as her husband was a bastard son of a warlord who had sired him on a slave girl. They come from such different worlds and yet, they found one another, in a place that neither had any direct ties to. Hells, she wound up back at the Alehouse, selling herself after he had been absent for a long period and their Lord was exiled and he still wanted HER. Not many men would take a woman back after that but he did. I'm very happy she has found true love and has built a life far from this toxic place. No, it may not be as luxurious but at least she's surrounded by people who love and value her as herself. Plus, she's not in the same danger as her mother was as her husband never actually needed sons though she has given him multiple of them."

"Her father won't be happy with what he finds then, will he?"

"I HIGHLY doubt he will but I look forward to hearing the stories my parents bring back with them."

Lord Strong then laughed, then sighed. "I've long suspected that Ser Otto had malicious motives, but this proves it. Justice is owed to all the lives that have been needlessly lost as well as to Daemon, whom I know has also built a good life in exile and Rhaenyra, despite how she has what is quite likely, a better life now. Ser, believe me, I will not rest until all of those responsible are punished, you have my word and I thank you for entrusting me with this information."

"I am pleased to hear that as my family does believe that justice is owed despite how it will never undo the damage done."

Laenor then stood and the two men shook hands before Laenor took his leave.