Rhaenys Targaryen

The Summer Sea, 300AC

From the moment she closed her eyes, the only thing she saw was fire. Searing hot fire. All around the grass, climbing up the walls where people had stored food or clothing, raining down from above in massive streams. Feeling the warmth of the flames wrap around her like a fur blanket on a cold day. Reaching out to touch them and watching them dance in amongst her fingers as another jet rained down from above. Snapping her head up to see the silver and blue dragons taking it in turns and watching as people jumped from the walls surrounding the massive castle which most of its walls were already melted from the last time a dragon had encountered it.

A flash of black curls came into her focus and she was about to call out but realising there was no way he would've heard her from where he was. Noticing there were two others with him but neither of which she got a good look at to find out who they were exactly. An array of colours surrounding as she realised that the flames were laced with small flecks of silver and blue like the dragons colours- something which was written but many ignored due to their being no proof since the last dragon died more than one hundred years prior.

"Please."

The voice was not one she recognised. Soft and high like it were that of a child. Frantically looking around for who could've made it but realising she was now surrounded by a wall of fire. Beginning to walk through it but feeling a sharp pain in her arm when she came into contact with the flames but she pushed on. It was no use. The entire outer section castle was alight. People running to escape the flames and feeling someone grab her by the hips and yank her into the air. Fighting as much as she could and trying to turn to take in their face but it was of no use. Clawing at who had dared to lift her from the ground and letting out a hissing sound. Whoever it was running to escape the blazing inferno and trying to ignore the screams of people burning to death as another jet of flame rained down from above.

Rhaenys blinked and realised the heat was no longer as bad as it was previously. Looking down to her hand to see what the damage was and seeing black fur. What? Confusion welling deep inside of her but she had little time to think as one more jet of flame rained down from above between where she and her captor were. Both dragons moving in a circular motion and cutting off the outside from the only castle this monstrosity could be- Harrenhal. She began fighting to be set free again, being placed on the ground and preparing to go against who it was who dared to grab her, hissing loudly as she did.

"Really? That's the response I get? I free you from Kings Landing then free you from a castle on fire and you hiss and scratch at me? Stupid cats."

Confusion overcame her again at this, noticing now that the person who'd grabbed her was a young girl. With long dark brown hair with a wiry frame.

"We need to run Arry, now! Before they notice we've gone!"

The young girl huffed loudly and Rhaenys recognised her now and finally understood what was happening. She was in the cats mind, but this was the first time she had done so when she wasn't trying to do so. Letting out a yelp as she was picked up again by the girl she now knew was Arya Stark to somewhere she knew nought.

"Rhaenys!"

Her eyes snapped open and jumped back in fright at seeing Mychelah and Sansa looking down at her worriedly. Feeling her body covered in what she assumed was sweat. Shivering a little as the heat from the flames was replaced with cold wind of being on the ship headed for Qarth where Quaithe was adamant Daenerys would need help in the city, help only blood of the dragon could assist with. Where the masked woman had gone she knew nought, she hadn't seen her in well over a year and beforehand only ever saw her every few months. Remembering her words.

"To go north, you must journey south. To reach the west, you must go east. To go forward, you must go back. And to touch the light, you must pass beneath the shadow."

All she seemed to do was speak in riddles. Riddles were something Rhaenys despised because unlike Aegon, she wasn't someone who was good at reading between lines. Meaning such a topic was useless to her. How was it possible that to go north she had to go south? It simply wasn't. Right now, they were travelling to the far east to assist her aunt in whatever danger Quaithe was certain she would face where if things went well, would then travel to Volantis to meet up with her brother and hopefully his new wife. Mychelah reached over with a cloth which she took and wiped the sweat from her face, letting her cabin come into focus and acclimating to the cool air.

"I was in Balerion- "

"What do you mean?"

The woman who raised her as her own asked, remembering she had never told her what she could do. Believing she would immediately think her mad and would abandon the cause despite everything she had done for her. Not many people would willingly exile themselves to save a friends babe from people who would stop at nothing to end their line.

"I don't know, sometimes I can blink and I can feel ground beneath my feet, can claw at people, can weave into extremely tight spaces- "

"Warging, you're warging."

Mychelah looked to the young Stark oddly, clearly showing she had no idea what that meant. Nor did she, but it was clear Sansa did. Both waiting for her to elaborate.

"It's a rare gift that appears on occasion in those with Northern blood- "

"But I don't have Northern blood- "

"Aye you do, Rhaenys. It'd diluted, but your third great grandmother was a Blackwood. Despite them being in the Riverland's and having lived there for a long time, they do claim direct ancestry from Northern House's."

She turned to Sansa who nodded in confirmation of this. At least that part was explained, she'd need to read up on where her ancestors had come from.

"It's difficult to explain but as the books put it, you become one with a beast. It's believed to be the reason us Stark's can bond with direwolves. I didn't know Lady well enough, but my father suspected the gift appeared with us all. I know for a fact Jaeron can do it as it was him who sent a raven to my father to ask us if we were experiencing similar."

"But you never got the chance to know if you did have the gift or were imagining it as Cersei demanded your wolfs head."

Tears immediately welled in the redheads eyes before she left the room so neither of them would see. Feeling guilt overcome her for bringing it up. They'd been on the ship together for weeks and had gotten to know one another decently. The younger was a little dim, but she was someone who was eager to learn from her mistakes. Something Mychelah stepped in to teach her on like she had done with her when she was a little girl. Before she knew the truth of who she was and what it meant. The only one of them who knew was Aegon because unlike herself and Jaeron, he had inherited everything about their father. There was no denying it from people. Whereas she looked like her mother according to those who knew her apart from her indigo coloured eyes. The one feature she did get from her father.

"How long have you been experiencing this?"

She looked down sheepishly at this, hating being berated or feeling like she was about to get into trouble. Something she experienced a lot as a child as she wasn't exactly someone who remained out of trouble. There was no use lying though.

"A few years. I thought I was imagining it or I was going mad which was why I never told you and- "

"Don't continue, it sounds mad. Heck, it doesn't sound mad it sounds insane. But what did you see this time? You're covered in sweat and you're freezing. Even when you're ill you're not like this."

Was this something she wanted to say? Thinking long and hard on it before deciding to be honest. If she were to keep things from the woman who sacrificed so much for her, the guilt would eat her alive.

"Dragons. One silver, and one blue- I believe it was Rhaegon and Lyrax. Three men situated on the silver ones back and fire raining down from above. People screaming in pain as they burned or people falling or jumping to their deaths to escape a worse ending. Feeling the flames run along my arms yet not harming me. A soft voice saying 'please' but I don't know what that was. Before being grabbed by a young girl and being removed from the castle. But it wasn't just any girl nor was it any castle- "

"Who was it and what castle was it?"

Considering everything, she was taking this very well. Noticing now she had a cup of water which she took gratefully and gulping it down, not noticing until now just how dry her mouth was.

"Arya Stark and Harrenhal."

That shocked the other who immediately looked to the door before she said to tell the other female who she had seen and where she had seen her. She'd confided in Sansa when she told her that her sister was okay and had even demonstrated entering Balerion's mind, but she never knew it was a known thing. Jaeron could also do it apparently, feeling a kinship with the brother she had never met and had only heard about. The very brother who was fighting for a throne whilst Aegon was searching for an army to help. He already had the Golden Company, but in order to win they would need a lot more men, the move he had taken to get said company was a dangerous one. Saying he was the son of Helaena Blackfyre, daughter of Daemon II Blackfyre. If they found out that he wasn't who he said he was, they would immediately turn on him.

Standing up from the bed to get out of her soaked sleep clothes to pull on some loose trousers she was fond of when sailing alongside a long woollen lined shirt they had picked up in Volantis. Pulling on her boots which were aligned with the skin of a lizard lion from the North that were apparently becoming popular in Valyria's eldest daughter. Just as she was about to leave the room to search for Mychelah and Sansa, a single word was spoken again.

"Please."

This caused her to stop immediately as she looked around. It was the same voice, yet it was louder than it has been when she had heard it whilst in Balerion's mind.

"Please."

This time, it was louder. Pinpointing it to the corner of her cabin and looking in case there was a stowaway that had somehow gotten inside. But there wasn't anyone there, so who could've spoken?

"Please, mother."

The third time it was louder than the others. Like someone was stood directly beside her and had spoken directly into her ear. Turning to face the chest in which she kept her most prized possession. Reaching over to unlatch it to reveal the violet, red, and gold coloured egg. Nothing was too out of the ordinary with it but the second she touched it, the searing heat momentarily caused her to let go of it. Never had it felt so hot to the touch since she had been gifted it on her thirteenth name-day. Taken from the ruins of Summerhall alongside two that had been sent by her father to the Wall for safekeeping and a fourth to her brother. Carefully picking it up and feeling the life inside of it.

"Free me."

Catelyn Tully Stark

On Route from Storm's End to the Northern Camp, 300AC

It took them three days of hard riding before they were certain that no one was following them. Something both she and Brienne had found out the difficult way when they had stopped for a second time to water the horses and eat some rabbit Brienne skewered with her sword only to be set upon by three men wearing armour that had become familiar to herself since she had stepped into the camp. All yelling on how they were going to take her captive for what she done which confused her initially before remembering that if it weren't for Brienne pushing her to the ground and pretending to be at the least unconscious, she would've been taken for Renly's death.

Of all the things that Catelyn had witnessed in her life, seeing what happened to the younger Baratheon brother was something that she had never even read about never mind witnessed. The shadow had been so silent with only a slight gust of wind in its way as it entered the tent, and when it disappeared right after the deed was done, there wasn't even a weapon left behind. Remembering the days when she had been taking lessons under the Maester at Riverrun when Edmure had asked about the higher mysteries only to be shunned by him stating such a thing was useless and there was no point learning something that would be of no use to them in the future.

Yet now, apparently such lessons would've had a use. Knowing now that she would need to find someone somewhat knowledgeable on it to see if they had an explanation for what had occurred. Otherwise a bounty was going to be on her head which was going to put her family at an even bigger risk than they already were. By now, she was confident both Robb and Jaeron could handle themselves, but the others? Gods, how were Bran and Rickon? She hadn't seen them in months and she hadn't seen Arya or Sansa since Ned had left for Kings Landing. Had her youngest girl and youngest two boys mellowed out with their wildness? Had Sansa gotten the harsh reality that life was not a song and was of the finer aspects of politics?

Family. Duty. Honour.

Those were her House words as despite her now having the Stark name, she was still a Tully of Riverrun. Family before duty, and duty before honour. Yet what had she been doing since she had joined the campaign? She'd not held herself to her values and a horrid pit formed deep within. But without knowledge of what that thing was that killed Renly, if she were to travel to Winterfell to be with her youngest, she was practically inviting Renly's large army to attack the North. She was not going to be the Stark that lost Winterfell.

Brienne had stepped in and made quick work of the men that had come after them, their angered words confirming that they did believe that she had killed Renly. Even with the taller woman's assurance that she had not had stopped them. Instead calling her a traitor or a turncloak, threatening to send correspondence to Bitterbridge to have notification sent to the Redwyne's to lay siege to Tarth in retaliation. Once the work was done, she had looked to Brienne who nodded in response. Silently agreeing to stop only if they had absolutely no choice. Now, they were coming in on the fourth day straight, riding through the night and trusting they were headed in the right direction.

Due to their location, they had no choice but to ride around the Reach which added much more to their journey than Catelyn would've liked. It wouldn't surprise her if by the time she did arrive back they would've already heard what had happened. The thought that she was about to be berated not sitting well with her but she couldn't flee.

They reached Tumbleton on the sixth day of hard riding. Both having blisters in between their thighs that were on the verge of bursting. Both shaking as they dismounted and agreed to freshen up in an inn for a few hours and to get a change of clothing so neither stuck out so much. Her new sworn shield purchasing some worn down armour and herself choosing a deep purple dress with a puffed out skirt to give her more room. Having their fill on a mixture of rolls loaded with cheeses and spices alongside a thick meaty soup before they were back on their mounts. An audible sigh of relief left Catelyn when they crossed the border into the Riverland's, knowing that now she was out of a lot more danger than she had been in initially considering they had been riding directly where the Crownland's met the Stormland's. Being pinned between two rival claimants was not a good thing.

A further five days had passed before they reached Pinkmaiden, the thought that they were now a handful of days away from their destination removing a lot of the tension and stress that had built up. Instead of going around the border, she turned directly north towards the River Road which would take them to Ashemark where her nephews host was currently situated. Wondering if anything had happened since she had left other than the obvious. Reaching the road in question as the sun had set the following day and turning left. Brienne didn't talk much other than to speak in disbelief that everything had gone so wrong. It was either this, or ranting on how she was going to kill Stannis herself. Something Catelyn had made certain to bring up to her nephew as due to the blood relation to the Baratheon's, he was wary about being the one to do so. The last time someone of his family had killed one of their own was during the Blackfyre rebellions. Whilst she hadn't been born yet when the last one ended, her father spoke on it often as did her uncle.

The Golden Tooth had a few guards waiting outside but she didn't spot any of Jaeron's men. Had they left? It didn't sound right to her that he would've commanded for them to leave. Not unless his position in the Westerland's was secure and the only way it would be secure was if he had managed to take Casterly Rock and bring Tywin Lannister to heel. Whilst it was something she would take immense pride in, the Old Lion wasn't going to be someone easy to beat. Stannis may have an army himself now but there was no denying that he wasn't as big a threat as the Lannister's.

It was clear to see when on the sixteen day of leaving Storm's End they reached their destination. Thousands of men and thousands of tents aligned alongside gods know how many sigils on flags flapping in the wind. Some turning to her when she was there and nodding her way but giving strange looks to Brienne.

Not that strange looks affected her and she did say on the journey she'd been picked on a lot since she was little not only for her looks but for her passion for weaponry. Her father had tried time and time again to get her to be more girly but eventually conceded. Was this how Arya felt when she was trying to get her to behave like a Lady? If it was, she needed to apologise to her youngest daughter and see about setting some boundaries. Dismounting from their horses as they were taken elsewhere and being led to the largest tent. A few pairs of eyes darting up and before she could blink seemingly felt two strong arms wrapped around her waist and auburn curls tickling the side of her face.

"We thought you were dead, mother."

What? Pulling away to look her eldest in the eye to see he had much more bruises than he had when she left for Bitterbridge. Wondering what they had done in the short time frame. Hopefully nothing too drastic or nothing that would limit them on opportunities.

"Nay my boy, I am very much alive otherwise you would not be gripping me so hard to crack a rib."

Who it was that snorted at her words she knew nought, but it did the trick as he let her go to take in who was in the tent. Jaeron was stood beside Ser Arthur and her uncle, nothing too strange. That was until she spotted two young boys tied up. Quirking an eyebrow towards them all to confirm what was happening here.

"Ser Arthur, please ensure our guests are well protected, I will speak to my aunt of the developments."

The Knight nodded in obedience before ordering the two boys to their feet and removing them from the tent. Once the flaps were closed though, the atmosphere immediately thickened.

"You were ordered to get information on them, not kill one!"

Insult deepened within her gut at this, confusion whirring around in her head before it dropped that word had already spread. Oh seven hells.

"I didn't kill Renly, Stannis hired an assassin to do so and they must've not recognised me and went straight for him before escaping."

The change was almost immediate. The anger on Jaeron's face disappearing into one of shock.

"His brother sent an assassin after him?!"

A shadow actually, but she wasn't going to tell that because it was a one way ticket to be locked away for fear of losing her mind.

"Aye, I had no time to react and was knocked to the ground in the ensuing scuffle. This is Brienne, she was a member of Renly's Rainbow Guard and she was watching over us when it happened. She can vouch that I had no part in it."

Brienne opened her mouth to confirm what really happened but Catelyn shot her a look quickly which silenced the woman immediately. A confused glare being shared between the cousins raised siblings but neither spoke on the matter, clearly realising there was more than she was letting on.

"Ser Brynden, kindly escort Lady Brienne out, I believe this is a conversation that should be family only. My Lady, we will send someone to size you and give you adequate clothing."

Brienne was about to protest once again, her loyalty to herself sticking out massively but with a simple nod she left the room with her uncle following behind.

"It appears your gamble paid off, brother."

"I didn't expect this to happen- "

"Gamble?"

Her confused question broke the pair from their conversation as they remembered she was unaware of what had happened. Being completely separated from them temporarily. Jaeron sighing deeply before gesturing her to sit down which was enough confirmation that a lot had happened. But what exactly had happened? Clearly there had been another fight considering the bruises the pair had on their faces, was it one they failed with? From her estimations on riding into the camp, it didn't appear there was a mass loss of the army.

"I sent a raven to Willas Tyrell outing myself. It was a risk, I will admit that with no hesitance. Offering to join our House's should Renly die."

Fuck, no wonder he was so angry with her when she made herself known. If word was out that she had killed Renly even though she hadn't, it meant it had definitely reached the Tyrell's by now. Had she ruined any chance of an alliance solely because she had witnessed what happened?

"Nay aunt, you did not. Willas Tyrell is riding this way alongside Mace Tyrell to discuss the terms. But I already know what they want- "

"Their daughter to be Queen. It would be a fine match, Lady Margaery is quite the sight to behold. Clever too, clearly studied under her grandmother a lot. She tried to talk me into breaking the betrothal between Robb and whichever Frey girl he chooses so he could wed one of her cousins instead- "

"And?"

The slight hopeful tone in her sons voice was not missed on her, feeling bad that she had agreed to wed him to one of the weasels daughters. But it had to be done, Walder was not taking no for an answer in said regard and the less enemies they have, the better.

"I instead offered Rickon to one of her cousins, which she did not appreciate."

Jaeron let out a bark of laughter, a large grin on his face as he took a gulp of the ale in front of him. Robb shooting him a glare for finding the situation funny. It didn't last for long though as a few seconds later it was oddly quiet inside apart from hearing people talking outside when the flap blew open every now and then.

"What is it, nephew?"

"Majority of the force Renly rode to Storm's End with have joined Stannis, bulking out his army to be fifteen thousand now."

Catelyn's eyes widened a fraction, that was not good. With that many men it would be difficult to keep the ruse up with House Velaryon. This in itself was dangerous enough but knowing that Theon was a hostage to them now, if anything happened to him it would bring the Iron Islands into the fold which was something nobody wanted nor was it something anybody needed.

"I've tasked two of the wargs to keep an eye on Dragonstone, see if we can get close enough to find out Stannis' next course of action- "

"Speaking of Stannis, I have a simple request for Brienne. She wants to be the one to kill him."

"If we can make it so, she is more than welcome to be the one given the honours of executing my cousin."

That was simple, and it would pacify Brienne. Another Stormland's House on their side would certainly be useful because there was no way Lord Selwyn was going to support someone who was actively trying to end those his daughter was serving.

"Who were those two boys? And why are you both covered in bruises?"

It was silent after she asked the questions. Both thinking carefully on what they were going to say.

"The two boys are Willem and Martyn Lannister. Lord Kevan's sons to Lady Dorna Swyft. We needed to secure our position more so I took a small force and took the Crag and Castamere. Both boys were being kept for safekeeping in the Crag by House Westerling."

That was a bold move. One she wouldn't have thought of but as she thought more on it, the more it made sense. Now not only was Ashemark and the Golden Tooth under their control, now they could add another two castles in the Westerland's. Then she remembered the lack of men.

"Did you recall the men at the Golden Tooth, nephew? We passed it on our way here but no one was there."

Jaeron's eyebrows lowered in confusion which confirmed he had not. Which left two options. They'd been killed, or they had left. Neither of which were good.

"Lord Edmure, I want you to take two thousand men and ride to the Golden Tooth to find out what happened to those men."

Catelyn snapped her head around, not even realising her brother had entered. Him giving her a large smile but obeying the command without question. This part was strange to her but there wasn't much use in questioning it when it had been an order.

"I am guessing you went with Robb, nephew?"

"Nay, I did not. I went for Harrenhal."

What? Surely she did not hear that correctly? But with the stern expression on his face leaning back as if inviting her to question such a move. Then realisation sunk in, her aunt and cousins lived in Harrenhal. Rage blossoming within but just before she was about to say anything, he raised his hand slightly.

"I didn't attack the castle itself. I wasn't even intending to head there."

"Explain."

The word came out with much more bite than she initially intended it to, failing to grasp her emotions this one time as he explained everything. Of how Castle Darry was sacked and every occupant put to the sword, Lord Beric being killed which she cursed aloud at as it weakened them in the Stormland's, to Lord Dayne escaping in the midst and not being seen since. To the acceptance of the betrothal of Prince Tristayne and Sansa which confirmed that Dorne had decided to back House Targaryen again. To Jaeron flying to Sunspear once he heard of the Mountain's location in order to tell the Martell Prince's who were eager to see an end to the monster that butchered their sister and nephew. To the Red Viper joining him and Ser Arthur on Rhaegon to hunt him down and what caused him to do what he done.

No words were spoken once he revealed if the Mountain wasn't dead yet by the Dornish Prince's hands, he was at the least being tortured brutally. Letting everything sink in for her and the anger she had felt when he said he had went for Harrenhal leaving. He hadn't went for the castle, he went for the little army there was outside the castle. Weakening Lord Tywin even further than he already had which was going to buy them time. Was it going to buy them much? No, it wouldn't. But a couple of days can make all the difference. But it solidified one thing for Catelyn, she didn't despise her aunt like she thought she did. Understanding her anger welled from both her and her cousins being harmed. Once again realising that she had forgotten her values at some point during the campaign.

Family before duty, duty before honour.