Rhaegar

The Bloodwyrm came to a halt as its anchors pulled back it against the current. Rhaegar, next to his mother, noticed Bellatrix from the corner of his eye. They hadn't spoken since that meeting in the cargo hold. Neither had they ever come upon each other on any other occasion. He was careful to not put himself in a position of compromise, but with every day that passed, he made sure to see his mother first thing. Mostly because he had to see for himself that Bellatrix hadn't harder her. And with every day that he met his mother, who smiled upon seeing him, his worry subsided. Perhaps Bellatrix was telling the truth. Perhaps she was just a witch on the wrong trail. Perhaps they were truly lost.

Rhaegar shifted in his place, putting his hands behind his back. They had begun lowering the plank and a loud thud of the wood on stone was heard, followed by orders from the galley men. Rhaegar remembered what he said to her, and he was sure Bellatrix did too. He avoided meeting her gaze by only glancing her way and never directly at her.

"We're home," Rhaella said beside him in barely a whisper.

"Dragonstone is my home," Rhaegar stated. He felt his mother's hands wrap around his arm in an attempt to comfort him.

"Very soon you'll return to Dragonstone as a husband. There you can truly make a home with your family."

Rhaegar regarded her with a stroke of her hand. He wasn't sure he felt excited about the idea. They walked out together with the Rhaella's girls trailing close behind. Rhaegar felt Bellatrix's presence behind him. He then stepped aside, and kissed his mother's hand in a bid of farewell.

"I'll meet you at your chambers, mother." He said to her. Queen Rhaella nodded and ran a hand on his cheek before they parted ways. Bellatrix dared to look at him with eyes of sheer apprehension. Rhaegar, not immediately breaking eye contact, gave her a curt nod and Bellatrix took this as his permission for her to carry on, and she responded with a curtsy before walking away.

As promised, Rhaegar met his mother at the Red Keep not long after. Her handmaids were busy unpacking, setting the room for the Queen's comfort while she stood by the full-length windows overlooking the city. Rhaegar was quiet as he by the door, watching the scene unfold. Bellatrix was at the foot of the bed when she spotted him. He wasn't sure why it surprised him to see her going about as normally as any other handmaid would. Could she be telling the truth?

"My lord, my apologies. We did not see you." Alyssa said, standing abruptly to greet him. Jennie and Bellatrix regarded him by stopping and standing in wait.

"I wish to have a word with my mother. In private."

Rhaella gave them her consent with a nod. Bellatrix was the one to close the doors, meeting Rhaegar's gaze before shutting them in alone.

"What occupies your mind, my son?" Rhaella asked.

"I've given some thought to getting you local handmaids. There are many young, noble women here willing to serve you. They would come from noble houses and would be more familiar with the ways of King's Landing. It would honor their families." Rhaegar said this so quickly it caught his mother off guard.

"You want to replace my girls?" She asked in disbelief. "They've come all this way to be dismissed? Why so sudden? You know how they are to me and with me."

Rhaegar gave it a thought.

"Rhaegar." Rhaella began firmly, "Is this anything to do with Bellatrix?" He was stunned, but Rhaegar only shook his head.

"If your friendship with her will cause any strife in your future endeavors, then by all means my son, let her go." Her bluntness made it harder for him to speak.

A knock on the doors interrupted Rhaegar from his thoughts. With permission, Varys stepped in and greeted them.

"Forgive the intrusion your grace, but I must remind my lord about the small council meeting. They are waiting."

"Yes. That's right. The small council. Do excuse me, mother." Rhaegar said as if only just remembering, but he was more relieved to have a reason to avoid the impending discussion they were about to have.

The meeting with the small council was shorter than he had expected, but thankfully not any longer than he wanted. He knew it may not be a good time to bring the news to Rhaella, but he had nowhere else to go. He certainly did not want to be alone with his thoughts.

The double doors of his mother's chambers were ajar and as he stepped close to knock, he was not surprised to see Bellatrix already there except that she was alone with his mother. Her constant presence around her was double-edged: frustrating, yet exhilarating. He had almost forgotten to worry about his mother's safety being alone with the woman he wasn't sure he could trust.

"Is she decent? May I?" He spoke to Bellatrix as nonchalantly as possible.

"She is expecting you, actually." She replied without looking up at him. She moved away to let him in, and this gesture made Rhaegar feel beside himself.

"How did it go?" Rhaella's voice filled the room even as she sat towards the window, her back to him. Rhaegar was fully aware of Bellatrix's presence even as she backed away towards the door.

"The Dornish party is to arrive in a few days. They have advised that the wedding follow shortly after their arrival."

"How soon?"

"A fortnight."

"That's good." Rhaella turned to look at him as she said this. There was a small smile on her lips. "Congratulations, my love."

Rhaegar continued before Bellatrix could exit, "I intend to give the princess my full attention upon her arrival. She deserves it, and I would like to be well acquainted with my bride before our wedding. If I may."

Rhaella stared at him for a moment, shifted her gaze from him to Bellatrix, and chuckled lightly.

"You don't need my permission, Rhaegar. If that is what you intend."

"Oh. Yes." Rhaegar felt his face flush as he cleared his throat.

"Bella, my dear. Please see to Alyssa. I feel the little prince is hungry." Rhaella said while touching her breast tenderly. Bellatrix spared no time and as though she was in a hurry to leave, the door shut heavily at her exit. Rhaella motioned for Rhaegar to sit.

"She's taken by you." Rhaella said with a small smile, watching him take his seat. Rhaegar shifted uneasily. "Why makes you—?"

"As you are by her."

He paused this time and gaped at her just like he did when as a young boy she caught him lying about stealing a horse from the king's stables.

"Rhaegar, while it pleases me to know that your affections for her are…far beyond mutual affection, remember to be wise." She spoke with so much love that he saw it well in her eyes.

"You will hurt her, and in turn you will hurt yourself. She is my best girl, but you are a prince betrothed. You know how this must end, my darling."

Rhaegar nodded. Rhaella stood to hug him even as he remained glued to his seat. It astonished him that his mother had just confirmed what he could not admit to himself.