"Dè bha thu a'smaoineachadh, a bhràthair?" (What were you thinking, brother?)

Brandon spoke once they were back at the Targaryen manse, Rhaegar and his sister all but ordering him to remain away from everything after what had happened. Only a couple of hours had passed since the fight, and to say his head was still spinning was an understatement. But he answered his brothers question all the same.

"Bha e a'maoidheadh oirnn, chan eil duine a'bagairt a'phacaid." (He threatened us, no one threatens the pack.)

"Chan eil sin a'ciallachadh gu bheil thu a'bagairt air ais, tha iad nan daoine pròiseil, bidh cuimhne aca air seo." (That does not mean you threaten back, they are proud people, they will remember this.)

At hearing these words, he turned to Brandon and raised an eyebrow. Curious such words were coming from him considering out of them both he was the more argumentative. There was a reason Brandon Stark was called the Wild Wolf and he the Quiet Wolf. Well, not so quiet wolf anymore after what had happened. He could still see his daughters face as that Caeniar cunt held Nymeria down. If anything, he should've been bowing at Nymeria's paws for if she had not sniffed the poison in those cups he would've lost his daughter alongside his grandson. Granted, he did feel bad for the man, for losing a family member was a difficult thing.

"Us Stark's never do well in the south, do we?"

Now, he smiled. Shaking his head fondly.

"Apart from Lyanna, she thrives here. Here, she can be herself and is not constrained by anywhere near the same expectations in the North."

"Be honest, Ned, you'd let Lya get away with anything even in the North."

He had no reply to that, for that statement did ring true in his ears. It went quiet for a few moments afterwards as the servant confirmed they had packed much of their belongings. They were supposed to remain for longer but after the fight it was agreed they would travel back home the following day. Something Ned was glad for. Whilst Dragonstone was nowhere near as stifling as the southern Kingdom's, it was stifling in its own way. Brandon had the right of it, Valyrian's were proud people. Very proud people. There was a soft knock on his door and he called to whoever it was, his nephew walking in alongside his older sister.

"The servants say the packing is almost complete?"

"Aye."

The younger sighed deeply, before looking him directly in the eye.

"That was stupid, what you did. Noble and absolutely the right thing to do, but stupid nonetheless. However, Jelaerya, Baemala, and Taecegon have talked sense into their father. Don't expect an apology from the man because make no mistake, he does not like us, but he does see the error in his ways."

To say he was surprised was an understatement, although deep down he was annoyed there would be no apology coming from Maelon for reacting as he had.

"How is your father?"

"Angry, and rightfully so. Someone did try to poison him and there is only one reason to do so, to destabilise House Targaryen as the top House of the Freehold. Although we all know who it was- "

"Kesi arlī daor." (Not this again.)

Rhaenys cut her younger brother off, rolling her dark brown eyes and shaking her head.

"Aemon, Taherys rhēdioty kostos daor" (Aemon, we cannot know if it were Taherys.)

Brandon was eyeing the siblings oddly, only one of which was blood to them and the other bound to them by marriage. They didn't know Rhaenys and Aegon well, as they didn't visit often due to how busy they were.

"Rhae- "

"Daor, valonqus." (No, little brother.)

And that ended the conversation, Rhaenys looking at him and speaking.

"I came here to tell you of what is going to happen now as I know Valyrian customs are strange to those who are not Valyrian. Even if you can guess from what my brother would've told you when he was fostering. With Jacaerys now being dead, Jelaerya is expected to marry Taherys and become his second wife and this would allow her to keep her title as Heir Freeholder but also makes Taherys and Gael Heir Freeholder's too. This then leaves the position of Lord and Lady Admiral open and there are two options. Either Saerysa and Aenor become Lord and Lady Admiral, or Rhaemon becomes so. However, Jelaerya has said she wishes not to go ahead with what is expected which will drive a wedge between House Caeniar and House Dallaeron which complicates things massively as they are so tied to one another. Then there is the matter of Nesaemera as her husband was killed too. She has it much easier with the fact by tradition she'll be marrying Viserys and will one day be Heir Freeholder again."

Ned's head almost burst at that, how different the positions worked here making him question everything he knew.

"What is it with your obsession with incest?"

"It's our way, uncle Brandon. Our blood does have magic in it, and to have that magic become too diluted could be catastrophic. Especially with Dragonlord families as this then means there are a lot of dragons unbonded. Unbonded dragons do go wild, and wild dragons don't listen to anybody and will kill anyone that tries to bond with them. That's something that can't exactly be risked."

Whilst he agreed with his brother, Aemon's words did ring true in his head. Wild dragons would not be a good thing at all. Even with a bond they were incredibly dangerous and left nothing but ash and death in their wake, a small shiver wracking through him as he remembered the aftermath of Baenyra letting her own yellow dragons flames loose on the Greyjoy fleet a few years prior.

"Nesaemera will wed Viserys on the morrow. She has been made aware of what her sister wishes for and agrees, Jelaerya is going to tell both Viserys and Rhaemon this evening. Helaena has also been made aware."

"In other words the North is taking multiple Valyrian guests."

"Aye. The plan so far is to wait until the Northern ceremony of Aeranor and Wynafryd as we will all be in White Harbour. As to how we will separate them, that is up for debate. There is a small window that we must seize if this is to succeed."

When they had left the room, he could not say. Brandon on his right, Aemon on his left, and Rhaenys on her brothers left. Trying his best to ignore the looks of the servants and other occupants within the manse as word had spread very quickly. Many speaking quickly to themselves in a dialect he did not know, his face clearly showing this as Rhaenys explained.

"Our servants were bought from Qarth- "

"Slaves?! But slavery is illegal in Dragonstone!"

Brandon yelled aloud in surprise. Their nephew finishing off his sisters words.

"They were slaves, uncle. Whilst aye, they were bought, we in Dragonstone believe people are not property. They were set free the moment they were on the island and given the option of working for us or making a life for themselves. Some have only been here for as long as a year and they don't speak Valyrian fluently so mix with their own Qaarthi language when they do not know a word."

They were in the dining hall now, seeing the table set up alongside twenty chairs and wondering why this was the case as there weren't that many people coming surely?

"Why Qarth? Could you not get them from Volantis or something?"

Aemon snorted at his question.

"Whilst I'd happily buy and free every slave in Volantis, that would bankrupt the Dragonstone coffers a dozen times over at least, plus it would instigate a war with House Caeniar. There is something you need to understand, uncle, each ruling family rules in their own way and are expected to accept this when they travel to and from. To undermine such ways is seen as one of the gravest insults in Valyrian custom. You do not undermine your vassals, especially with ruling families as I'll be honest, we all have sticks up our arses."

Now, it was Rhaenys' time to snort at her brothers words, but she did not shake her head which confirmed she agreed with what was said.

"I'll never understand your ways."

"We don't expect you to, solely to respect them. Respect is a two way street though."

It was indeed. Something his sister had ensured her children were taught when they were very young like all Northern children were. Not that there was much time left to talk as people began walking in and trying not to widen his eyes on who had appeared. The first to catch his eye was Helaera Tarennis and Jaeremon Vaelaleas who would one day be Rhaella's goodparents once herself and Jaehaerys were old enough to wed. Jaemon, Maevon, Rhaenyanne, and Helaena Velraenos. Daera and Taevar Rhaentheon alongside Vyserya Rhaentheon and Aeralon Celtigar- noticing their son was not there likely due to his very young age. All the Velaryon's. Then there was Jelaerya and Nesaemera Caeniar. Something was happening here, and he knew immediately he wanted no part in it, but it appeared he was being roped in anyway.

"Demātās." (Sit.)

Rhaegar's voice echoed in the room as Aegon followed behind his father alongside Elia and Lyanna, noticing there were many people without a chair but this was answered quickly.

"More people came than expected."

The use of common tongue surprised him somewhat, because from what Aemon and Rhaella had told him from their time in Winterfell only a handful of Valyrian's spoke the tongue. Had they been wrong? They would get their answer to that soon.

"I see your cousins are not here, Lord Freeholder Taevar."

"Raemarr wants no part in it, and Gael's hands are tied due to her prick of a husband. Why my uncle proposed that match I cannot say."

Servants walked out with numerous trays of food then, all taking it in turns in helping themselves one by one in a circular motion much like they had done when they had all arrived. When it finally reached Robb, his son spoke the question in all of their heads.

"Why has this meeting been called?"

At least someone had the decency to ask, for he did not want to know. Ned knew he had overstepped more than a few boundaries today, he was not going to trample on more. As his nephew put it, Valyrian's all had sticks up their arses. Jaemon Velraenos spoke then, noticing who could only be his wife Delaesa Caeniar on the opposite side of their daughter Helaena. The difference in age between mother and daughter making him shiver on the spot. To have a babe of your own at the young age of eleven was never something that would be entertained in the North, but things were different here. Much alike the south in ways where it was seen as the moment a girl had her moon blood for the first time she was no longer a girl and instead a woman.

"We all know of Jelaerya's wishes, and we understand why. However, by her doing so we are all impacted massively, Prince Robb."

Anger bubbled up within him at the fluid use of the common tongue which confirmed one of two things. Either his nephew and niece had lied to him, or everyone in this room had lied to his nephew and niece bar maybe six people total. Catelyn's hand moved to his knee to give him support as she clearly sensed he was getting worked up by the revelation.

"Is Taherys really that bad- "

"He killed Daeron's dragon because it was prettier than his own."

Horror filled Ned at Jelaerya's spit, clearly anger had taken over her in her grief over the death of her son.

"And he's not exactly secretive in his wishes to become Lord Freeholder. He and Jacaerys were close so he would never act against him, but he did loathe his brother."

"So you don't think Taherys done it?"

Aemon asked Delaesa, the sheer beauty of the Caeniar's due to their pure Valyrian blood being undeniable.

"No, I do not. He's a prick but he's not an idiot. It's way too convenient for it to have been him. Too obvious. Also, to kill ones own blood is not even a sin to us, it is barbaric. There's multiple pages detailing the woes of His Almighty and Their Holiness in the Godly Flames on the matter for a reason. The breaking of blood is believed to be one of the reasons not all of us are Dragonlord's anymore, after all."

There was a soft hum of everyone seated at the table but his mind was whirring as he had never heard of such a belief before. Putting it to the back of his mind to ask his sister about later in the day. Speaking of Lyanna, she was seated beside Elia and Oberyn Martell leaning back almost bored and clicking her nails on the wood in a rather annoying rhythm.

"There is only one way to get a Valyrian out of a promised marriage, brother."

She spoke to him, confusion growing deeper as he had no idea where she was going with this. But Catelyn understood as her grip tightened more on his hand.

"To be wed beforehand in secret."

"Aye."

Rhaegar confirmed, and he wanted to kick himself over not realising so himself. Especially since Maevon and Rhaenyanne were in the room currently who had done just that so she could get out of her own betrothal.

"Who do you plan on wedding?"

"I don't plan on wedding, if I had it my way I would've- "

Jelaerya cut off and took a few deep breaths. Whether that was to control her anger or to prevent herself from crying he could not say. The fact she was seated here when only a matter of hours ago her son and husband had been murdered and she herself almost had as well was impressive. Attesting to how strong the woman was and that she was not simply a pretty face.

"I'm assuming Lord Freeholder Taevar?"

Aemon piped up but the older man shook his head in the negative.

"Nay. I would happily have taken Jelaerya to wife but to do so keeps herself and her sons tied to Taherys by blood and by marriage. Had my cousin Gael not been wed to him then there would be no qualms in doing so."

Delaesa's words echoed in his ears now. The breaking of blood was barbaric to them and not even considered a sin. There only was a couple more options. Either she wed Monford Velaryon who had never taken another wife after the loss of his own during the Third Faith Rebellion, or she become one of many wives to someone else. But House Caeniar were heavily tied, many times over. Mostly to House Dallaeron and to House Vaelaleas which in doing so meant House Tarennis were out of the picture through Helaera and Jaeremon.

"Old Gods praise be, she plans to wed outside of the Freehold Ned. Specifically to either Edmure or Benjen through our ties by marriage."

"Uncle Benjen? Really mother Lyanna?"

Aegon asked Lyanna as Rhaenys looked equally as baffled as Aemon. Rhaella was not here, likely because she was far too young to be involved. It had been explained Valyrian council's were only permitted for those thirteen and older. Only in exceptional circumstances did such a thing change and even then it was avoided unless there was no other option.

"My brother would rather lay with a thousand whores than wed."

Catelyn spoke up, her distaste over her brothers ways being obvious to everyone. She'd despaired over him especially because their father had been ill for a while and he would not live forever. The man would need to settle some day.

"It is the most advantageous of the two. You'd one day be Queen of the Riverland's if that was the case, Jelaerya- "

"And what does that entail? For we are not brought up on the ways of the Summer Kingdom's."

It was quiet for a few minutes as he thought carefully before looking to his brother and speaking. He'd heard from Catelyn about the ways of the south for years and he had gotten more than comfortable with the politics of the lower Kingdom's. However, the moment he confirmed she would either have to convert to the Faith of the Seven or make it look like she had, her nose turned up at the thought. Not surprising, because the Faith Militant had caused three devastating wars on the Freehold. Whilst Valyria itself came out on top of all, there was still significant damage done. But the thought of calling a Caeniar of Volantis his goodsister? That was a strange one. A part of him believed he had misheard it was so unexpected.

"Will your brother be there for the marriage of Aeranor and Wynafryd in the Northern custom?"

"Aye, he will be. It's a big wedding, and us Northerner's rarely get a chance to celebrate to such a degree."

At this point they all returned to their own tongue and speaking far too rapidly for him to keep up with their words. His sister turning to himself, Brandon, Catelyn, Robb, and her children and tilting her head which was all the confirmation needed she wished to discuss in private. No one even so much as blinked an eye as they done so and left the room. Lyanna walking over to a wall and handing a shard of obsidian to Aemon who wasted no time in slicing his palm open and allowing fresh blood to fill the area before allowing it to drip into chinks on the carved wall. There was a loud cracking noise as his eyes widened at the metal work on the wall began moving and soon a chink was seen. His sister laughing at his reaction before pushing it open to reveal a room behind.

"The pyromancers and mages of Old could do some incredible things."

"But wasn't this manse built by Lord Freeholder Jaehaerys and Lady Freeholder Alysanne?"

Robb spoke up, looking equally as impressed by what was seen and hearing the same cracking noise as the door locked itself behind them. Inside there was what appeared to be a miniature alter alongside two massive tables that he recognised the shapes of. Fingers trailing along the edges in awe at the sight.

"I thought Valyrian's cared nought for Westeros?"

"They don't, dearest brother, but that doesn't mean they get curious. The table of Essos was built by Lord Freeholder Aegon and Lady Freeholder Elaena- Gaemon and Daenys' children."

"How many Aegon's have there been?"

His sister laughed a little at Brandon's words, not expecting an answer but Aegon just so happened to jump in then with an answer.

"That we know of? I'm the eleventh Aegon since Lord Freeholder Laenor and Lady Freeholder Maera back in Valyria- they were the parents of Lord Freeholder Aenar and his wives Lady Freeholder's Maeressa and Alyssa. Before that is unknown as they never wrote down any records of their grandparents and all of House Targaryen's lineage before this was destroyed by the Doom. Only a handful of names are known before this but not how we are related to them."

Aemon hummed and nodded at his brothers words.

"Sit down brothers, for there is a lot to be made aware of given what Jelaerya plans to do."

There was no fight on their side, remembering that it was expected to obey those who led the Valyrian cities and his sister was one of those leaders and they were in her Kingdom currently. Eyes trailing along the detailed maps drawn into the tables and noticing there were areas encircled with different coloured paint. Rhaenys clearly spotted this as she leaned over to point at the two most prominent sections.

"The area encircled in yellow is the Kingdom of Sarnor, the area encircled in white are the Disputed Lands."

Ned smiled her way at her explanation before turning to his sister again.

"There are two ways we can work around this, I believe Baemala and Taecegon are working through these options too. If this goes ahead, it is incredible shameful to House Caeniar for a multitude of reasons but the first one is the dilution of blood. If Jelaerya and Benjen were to have children they would be the first people with Caeniar blood to not have full Valyrian blood. They all take great pride in their purity, they will only wed people who are also fully Valyrian unless it is someone much further down the line like Aenor for example and even then it is rare. Aye, Visenya is wed to Daemador Mellarys and they're more open to marrying outside the blood, but his direct line is purely Valyrian. The same goes for Jaemon Velraenos."

"If it is shameful then why is she considering such a thing?"

His wife piped in, speaking the words all of them were thinking currently.

"For safety more than anything. I understand her reasoning even if she has not spoken the words directly to me, Rhaegar, or Elia for that matter. If she married Taherys as custom dictates, he becomes Heir Freeholder. This pushes her sons further down the line and if herself and Taherys were to have children then they're out of the question. Maelon will not stand for such a thing. The same goes for if Gael and Taherys were to ever have children but that's unlikely as they maybe spend five days a year in the marriage bed together. It would also anger Jaemon and Delaesa because then their daughter loses her title of Heir Freeholder whilst albeit the title is recent as of a couple hours ago."

Damn these Valyrian's and their complicated ways. Whilst he understood his sisters words the way it worked was so strange to him it would be like if it were to start raining blood in the North and covering the snow in the thick liquid. If Ned thought those of nobility in the south had sticks up their arses, Valyrian's made them simply look like they had woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Momentarily glad his nephew would never experience having to rule Dragonstone but one day his niece would be Lady Freeholder of Lys or Mantarys if anything happened to Jaehaerys' older brother Taemalys who was yet to be betrothed. Knowing Valyrian's he'd likely be wed to his sister Saera once she was old enough.

"However, this is where Baemala and Taecegon come in. They are planning on spinning it as a way of apology for how their father reacted. I've made it known that seizing a direwolf to anyone of House Stark is a grave insult and he done it anyway- "

"In other words have the marriage be an apology and a gift at the same time."

Now he was confused again as Aegon spoke up.

"Aye son. Maelon is not a man who apologises openly, but if it's worked as a way of saying sorry to House Stark for what he done by gifting one of his precious daughters to a member of House Stark- "

Lyanna trailed off, understanding blossoming within him at the reasoning.

"And you are certain Baemala and Taecegon will convince their father to agree on this?"

"Indeed goodsister. After all, Baemala is his favourite daughter although he'll never say so aloud, and Taecegon is his Heir meaning he holds council with him often as a result. Plus, it ensures both Jelaerya and her sons safety alongside Helaena which in turn makes House Tarennis equally more grateful to House Stark which then means Rhaella will be more highly regarded once she is old enough to become a Lady Freeholder herself."

Ned turned to Brandon at this, and from the way his older brother nodded confirmed he was all for it.

"That is it in a nutshell. Can one of you undo the locks so we can leave the chambers? And don't tell anyone in the North including Benjen until we know for certainty Maelon approves or at least is amendable to some compromises on the matter. You will all stay for the marriage of Nesaemera and Viserys as in the morning- it will not be as big a celebration as Rhaenys' and Aegon's wedding was and will just be a blood vow. We will leave around ten days after you do and meet you in White Harbour. In the extra time plus the journey, we will arrange the ins and outs of this arrangement."