Chapter Eighteen: Riverrun, 299 AC
Line of Succession
The same night Lyra and Sansa Stark were returned to their families loving arms, when the Targaryen party all retired for the night, Jace was sat in his and Roslin's tent looking thoughtfully at the letter that his aunt had handed him. It was from the Tyrell's, speaking about their coming arrival and asking about what his plans were for marriage. He knew his aunt hadn't sent out announcements for his marriage because she wanted them to have a calm couple of moons first before the Game of Thrones commenced among the Westeros nobility. He knew Mace Tyrell had another daughter Margaery that he was hoping to wed to Jace to seal the alliance, but Jace was already married, binding the Riverlands to the Iron Throne. Edmure planned to give his oath of allegiance after he and Arianne were married, and he was officially the Lord of Riverrun.
The get Margaery close to the throne would be to wed her to the closest bloodline. His aunt Visenya was a woman, Robb was married, and all his brothers were too young and well there was Quentyn Martell, rumors swirled that he was the coming Heir to Dorne as Arianne was going to be Lady of Riverrun, and as Trystan was wedding Ryanne Tyrell, she couldn't marry him. This left either Oberyn Martell, which would never happen, or Visenya's cousin Smalljon Umber, who wasn't wed yet. There were pros and cons to that marriage and Jace wasn't sure how his aunt wanted to handle the ambitious family from The Reach, but he knew they wouldn't be getting to the Iron Throne.
But as the alliances were now coming together in person, he would have to speak about how he was already married. Royal weddings were usually a spectacle, but Visenya had pushed theirs through because there needed to be a clear line of succession, and it needed to show the Realm as a whole that the royal family was settled and, in a position, to govern and care for the Seven Kingdoms. Joffrey was clearly as mad as King Aerys was said to be and it was also known, he was not the son of Robert Baratheon but Jaime Lannister. He wasn't married and had no children, meaning his brother Tommen was his heir and it was said the boy was simple, so therefore not a threat.
So, his wedding to Roslin, gave him the advantage.
Small, gentle hands ran across his naked shoulders, and he turned his head to see his beautiful naked wife standing behind him, smiling coyly, "What has you thinking so hard husband?" she asked rubbing his tense neck firmly with her small hands. He groaned in appreciation and then turned pulling her to him and kissing her hip, "I am thinking that instead of reading the letter my aunt gave me, I should be enjoying my lovely wife," he murmured softly against her skin.
Roslin's eyes softened, "You're the future King Jace," she pointed out softly as she ran her hands through his curly hair, "You won't always have time to ravish me."
She felt him smile, "Yes and as future King I should be working on making an heir with my beautiful wife and not paperwork," he complained jokingly as he pulled her down into his lap.
She giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and when she was settled, she smiled shyly, "It's hard to make an heir when you already have one," she whispered in his ear.
Jace pulled away looking at her confused before her words actually penetrated his mind and he placed a hand on her stomach, "Are you... You're with child?" he sputtered.
Roslin smiled at him lovingly and nodded linked the fingers on her stomach between hers. A grin split his face, and he pulled her into a deep kiss. Roslin lost her breath at his attack on her and kissed him back just as fiercely, thankful beyond words she had been given such a loving and amazing husband and not sold off to the highest bidder like many of her sisters had been. When they had first been intimate, she had been very shy and unsure of herself. It had taken Jace a while before she was comfortable sharing his bed. As Walder Frey's daughter she was no stranger to talk of sex or actually seeing one of her many brothers with the maids. But it had always made her blush and after Viserys had tried to rape her on their way to Vaes Dothrak, she hadn't been comfortable around strangers or anyone really, other than Jace.
It had been his patience and Visenya telling her that intimacy was nothing to be frightened of and telling her that it was a beautiful moment between two people who loved each other, that relaxed her. It was then she was sure she could be with him without fear. That first night after their very beautiful wedding, Jace had taken her back to their room refusing to let her be carried off for the bedding like her father would have done, and that made her place her trust in him. He had been so gentle with her that when they finished, she had cried into his chest, he hadn't said anything, but she knew he was thankful for the trust she had given him.
In the moons that had passed since then she had been more open in her affection for him and he for her. He had no problem fighting for her either. One of the Dothraki had said something to Jace one night during their journey from White Harbor, and her husband had challenged him to a duel to the death. That had made her fall even deeper in love with him. Visenya had told them that trying for a babe in the middle of a war wouldn't be a good idea, but she also said that not having the babe would make people wonder if Roslin was able to bare them an heir at all.
They had been married for moons but still she bleed. It had been upsetting for both Roslin and Jace as they both really wanted a babe. Jace had taken to making love to her as many times as he could, not that it had been a hardship for him, he loved her body. But now, moons later, back home in Westeros, she was carrying a babe which had been confirmed that afternoon by the Riverrun Maester.
Jace finally pulled away from her, "When did you learn of it?" he asked softly as he released her hands and trailed his fingers over her stomach.
Roslin giggled, "I have not bled for two moons. But I thought it was just from the stress of coming home and always being seasick on the journey. But Daenerys pointed out to me yesterday that my breasts were heavier, and my stomach looked slightly swollen," she explained with real affection for the blonde-haired woman. It had taken her six moons to be comfortable enough to call the Targaryen princess by her name, now the two of them were close friends.
Jace looked her over, noticing the differences now that he was actually looking for them. She did look like had had gained weight and her breasts were bigger, he also knew that if anyone knew about being pregnant it would be his aunt Daeny.
He released her to stand and then pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her stomach right where his babe was growing, a smile on his face as he pulled away. Then he rose to his feet and the heat in his eyes made Roslin tremble before he swept her away from the table and into their bed, his strong arms wrapped around her and his lips meeting hers as their bodies tangled together. No more words were spoken that night but if Ser Oswell and Ser Loras heard grunts and moans throughout the night, they didn't say anything.
It was the Prince and Princesses business and nobody else's.
~!~
The next morning, everyone noticed how happy the couple was, and Daeny kept sending secretive looks to Roslin. Finally when the morning meal was almost over, Visenya rose to her feet, gaining the attention of everyone around them, "What is going on?" she demanded suspiciously, her eyes had been on Jace's face since they arrived for the meal and her anxiety had built as she watched them exchanged secretive looks.
Roslin and Jace shared a grin, "Roslin's carrying a babe," he shared proudly.
Silence reined for a few seconds before everyone was on their feet rushing to congratulate them. Ser Gerald's shout the loudest among them as he laughed at the news of a new Targaryen babes. There hadn't been one born since Daenerys. Her son, Rhaego, didn't count as he would not have been a Targaryen, but the son of Drogo. This news was welcome as it presented a clear line of succession for the Iron Throne.
Roslin shared hugs and laughter with the women and men who had protected her since she came into Visenya's care. Daeny stood at her side happily but with the shadows of grief in her eyes, remembering her husband and the child she had lost. No matter what happened, she would always miss her husband and Rhaego, but she knew that they were watching over her and were waiting for the day they would meet again in the Night Lands. She knew one day, marriage would happen again, but she hoped, that it would be to a good and kind man, like the men her sister surrounded them with.
As Ser Arthur and Lady Lillian moved away from Visenya to share their happiness with Roslin, Jace looked around to find the one he really wanted to speak with. But he couldn't see her and uncertainty filled him, until Arthur lightly touched his shoulder and pointed to where dark hair was disappearing behind his aunt's tent. Jace nodded his thanks and shared a look with Roslin, who had nothing but understanding in her eyes, before he followed after his aunt.
He found Visenya with Valyrian and the other dragons.
The largest of the bunch was wrapped protectively around his rider with Sunfyre by her side, their colors clashing and meshing with the red and black of her gown. Moonfyre squawked a greeting to him when she saw him but didn't move towards him from where she was with Dreamfyre, Quicksilver and Silverwing sharing a cooked deer. Urrax, Balerion, Vhagar and Meraxes however, all growled at him as their circled their mother. This surprised him until he saw his aunt leaning her head against Valyrian's and tears were running down her cheeks and falling onto the dragons face as the dragon cooed comfortingly at her.
Seeing her so emotional surprised Jace.
His aunt was a very private person and while she had been a mother to him and he had called her naneth before he learned the truth, she had never shared much of her personal history with him or Daeny until recently. Oh, she talked about her life, but it was never about her personal relationships with others. He hadn't even known she had daughters until Sarella turned up on Dragonstone. Though he had understood the secrecy once Arthur had sat him down and explained the danger of it being known about the relationship between Dorne and the Targaryen Regent. He had also never seen her cry, not even when she learned of Ser Willem Darry's death. Many people thought her cold and uncaring, but Arthur had explained that Visenya didn't allow her emotions out because she was the eldest and she needed to be strong for her family.
"Aunt Visenya," he called gaining her attention as he walked towards her.
She turned to look at him and he saw her eyes had darkened to an almost black and her fair cheeks were marred with tear tracks. As he came closer a deep growl rumbled from Valyrian's chest and purple eyes watched him with narrowed eyes, making a slight unease spring in his chest. Most dragons wouldn't attack Targaryen's, but all these dragon's had a deeper bond with Visenya. He stopped, not wanting to test the large dragon who was very protective of his aunt, just in case. But she just looked to the dragon, and Valyrian calmed, allowing Jace to move over to her. He stopped at her side, resting a hand on Valyrian's snout and waited quietly, knowing his aunt would speak when she was ready.
He heard her inhale a deep breath before she started, "You had a brother and sister, you know," she began shocking him as she didn't usually speak of his siblings. He also knew he hated his father for everything he had put his wife through over his mother. There was no honor in Rhaegar's actions, not to mention his mother had been betrothed at her fathers word and had broken it with no thought to the consequences of her actions.
Now Jace looked at her with grey/purple eyes, listening intently, "Rhaenys was three when the sacking of King's Landing happened and Aegon was still a babe at Elia's breast. I was very close with the three of them as Rhaegar couldn't be bothered. He was disappointed that Rhaenys had been born a girl because when the betrothal was written between Dorne and the Crown, it was written that the first born, be it boy or girl, would inherit the Iron Throne. It was a dornish custom for the eldest no matter the gender to inherit. Aerys didn't approve of course but if he wanted a bride of Valyrian blood, he had no choice but to grant the Princess of Dorne's request."
Jace was shocked. His aunt rarely spoke of his siblings. Only twice to tell him they were dead and who had killed them when he had learned the truth. He had had no idea how it had actually happened, only that they had been killed when Tywin Lannister had sacked the city. She had told him before embarking on their journey back to Westeros.
Now she turned dark and glinting purple eyes on him and he fought the urge to fidget.
"Your grandmother, Rhaella and I were pleased a daughter had been born first. We both knew that Rhaenys would bring prosperity to the Seven Kingdoms. Aerys and Rhaegar on the other had said no way and so they planned for Elia to have a son and then the two would wed."
Jace tried to swallow his disgust. It was the one thing about the Targaryen family he couldn't stand. Marrying brothers to sisters, gross.
"I didn't agree, and I made sure Rhaegar knew that. Elia also didn't agree but she could do nothing to stop it either. When the Tourney of Harrenhal happened, Elia was shattered and hurt. No matter how much verbal or mental abuse was thrown at her, she smiled through it all because she loved Rhaegar. Loved him so much that even bedridden, she refused to hand her babe over to a wet-nurse and fed them both herself. However, when Rhaegar rode past her and laid that crown of winter roses in your mothers lap, in front of everyone and she accepted it smiling, I hated Lyanna."
Jace smiled as he thought of what Elia Martell had been like. The smile then shifted to a scowl when he again heard what his own parents had done to her. Visenya had raised him to respect women and the boundaries of marriage. She said he was much like his Uncle Ned who was known as a man of honor because of this. He wasn't surprised at his aunts admission; she had told him how she had taken him from a dying Lyanna and had given him a name to be proud of. He hated that Lyanna had tried to give him his brothers name and he felt that Visenya taking him was the best thing that ever happened to him.
"When I took you from the Tower of Joy, I swore I would never let you be like my brother. I swore I would raise you to have honor like the Starks were known for and I swore if you married, I would make sure you respected that marriage,"
He nodded, knowing if he behaved like Rhaegar, Visenya would call him out and set him straight right quick. Now she turned flashing eyes on him, and he felt his gut tighten over what she was about to say.
"Having promised all that, I will warn you only once Jace. Now that Roslin is with child- here she stopped for a few seconds to swallow as if the words were difficult for her to get out- if you ever look or think of taking another woman to your bed, ever have a child outside of your marriage, I will disinherit you and make Roslin's child heir to the throne," she swore, watching him intently.
Instantly denials and words of unfairness were about to come out of his mouth before he actually stopped and though about it. He loved his wife deeply; he knew that as well as he knew himself. He would never ever take another woman to his bed, would never father a child with someone not his wife. It was usually expected for the King to have a mistress, but Jace found the idea distasteful. The words his aunt spoke, were spoken in memory of Elia Martell and in respect for Roslin.
He swallowed the words he had almost blurted out and nodded before actually looking at his aunt, seeing her serious expression and the tension in her shoulders.
"I promise, Naneth," he choked out, the word slipping past his lips without permission and with an understanding nod, pulled him into her arms like she had when he was a child and had woken from nightmares or when he had fallen ill with a fever. He clutched her tight and buried his face in her neck, inhaling the spicy scent that always seemed to surround her, as tears rushed down his cheeks. For the second time since he learned the truth of his parentage, grief filled him for his siblings, for Elia Martell and for Visenya. His fathers wife had ever reason to hate him, but Visenya had told him that Elia didn't have it in her to hate a child for the sins of their parents and had even offered to take him in after the Rebellion.
Jace knew that he shouldn't be weak, he was going to be king some day soon. But his aunt always said, don't be afraid to be weak, we can always find strength in weakness, when she had been taking care of some of the Dothraki children when he was growing up. As he clung to her as he would when he was a child and she held him to her, he knew from the bottom of his heart that this woman was his mother. That she would always be his naneth, no matter if he was Rhaegar's son, she had been the one who raised him. Visenya had been by his side, had raised him to be the King the Realm needed and would be by his side until she died, he knew that as surely as he knew the sun rose in the East and fell in the West.
It had been hard these last few years since the truth had come out. His heart was broken when he learned that Visenya wasn't his mother. He had adored her, worshipped the ground she walked on, she was his hero. He had wanted to be just like her when he grew up. He hadn't been able to handle the fact she had lied to him for so long. Hadn't been able to handle the truth about his parentage either. All his life, he had Visenya and Arthur. To learn it was all a life, one that kept him safe, but a lie, had broken his heart and his trust. It had taken all these years for Jace to understand that the trust hadn't ever really broken, instead, he had allowed his hurt to rule him and had pushed away the two people that meant the most to him.
Since starting the campaign to return to Westeros, Jace had been watching Visenya as she built an army, secured alliances and fought to claim ground in the Targaryen name. All in his name. He hadn't been able to reach across the distance, he had put between them, to her. She had never changed how she treated him, but Jace had pulled away from her mothering and put a wall between them. Now, with Roslin pregnant with their first child, Jace longed for her advice and comfort. This conversation reminded Jace that while Visenya hadn't given birth to him, she was his mother, and he was allowed to love her that way.
As they held each other, Jace promised he would stop pulling away and instead would reach towards her from now on.
After he got a hold of himself, he took a step away from her and let her wipe the tears from his face, resting her hands on his shoulders. Then he met her eyes and saw nothing but understanding in her eyes, "It's okay Hir ion (my son)," she whispered in the elvish tongue. It was the language she had spoken to him with as a child, and he was the only person she had taught it too. They had used it to communicate when they were unsure of someone's allegiance or if they were in an area with too many people. She had asked him to not teach it to anyone else, but he was secretly teaching it to Roslin and would teach it to his child.
His aunt used to tell him stories of a place called Arda and would speak of all different kinds of legends and history. He remembered asking her if any of it was real when he was nine summers, and she had explained that she remembered the life she had lived before the one she was living now. It had fascinated him, and he had asked her to teach him everything she could. She had just smiled and a few weeks later, he started learning the histories of Arda. It had been and incredible experience, and some of the things he had learned, was things he wanted to implement in Westeros, and he was grateful she had shared it with him.
He smiled weakly at her, "I don't ever want to be like him," he whispered back in the same language.
She smirked at him, "If you ever became like him, I would be disowning you and then kicking your ass into a new age," she stated bluntly in the common tongue.
He startled at her words before bursting into laughter. He startled the dragons, who voiced their unhappiness to him before turning away, when they realized nothing bad was happening. Valyrian watched him for a few more seconds, wondering if his humans offspring had lost its mind, before settling down to sleep now that his human was no longer sad.
"I love you naneth," he said to her smiling, telling her without words, that he was sorry for everything.
She returned it as she released him, "I love you as well Jacaerys," she said softly as she ran a hand over his cheek. He caught it and held it to his cheek before pressing a kiss to her palm and releasing her, knowing that she only called him his full name when she was very serious.
"I hope it's a girl," he said unexpectedly.
A grin covered her face, "Rhaegar said the same thing only he wanted a boy, and he got a girl. I hope you will love the child no matter what," she said firmly at the end. Jace was already nodding before she finished speaking, "I promise," he swore. She pressed a kiss to his cheek and released him, watching without a word as he turned away and headed back to Roslin and the others with a smile on his lips.
Just before he turned to corner of the tent, he turned to look back at his mother. Visenya stood beside Valyrian but surrounded by all the dragons. She was dressed in dornish yellow, a beautiful sleeveless dress that dipped low in the front, hanging around her belly button and leaving her almost bare with fabric only covering her breasts. Her beautiful dark hair hung down for once with only two small braids holding her hair back. In that moment, the utter sincerity of the picture, made him think of the victory of Aegon and his two sisters and he wondered what his naneth would be like when the war was won. She looked beautiful, peaceful standing there, as if the dragons brought utter peace to her thoughts.
He smiled before turning away and nodded greeting to Ser Arthur as they passed each other, him heading to Visenya and Jace back to the celebrations. He knew if anyone could help his naneth, it would be her closest friend.
~!~
When Arthur figured enough time had passed since Jacaerys had gone to talk to Visenya, he headed to his Queen. Jace was on his way back, the two passing each other with a nod and he instantly took note of the tear tracks on his face before walking towards where the dragons were. He knew it was hard for Visenya, she had raised the boy as their son and now their boy was about ready to become a father himself. Arthur couldn't help but wonder if his queen was jealous as both her brother and now nephew/son had children, well she never had, not from lack of trying either. He knew she would never share it with Jace or the other young ones, but he knew she would speak with him.
He came to a stop just after he rounded the corner from her tent. The big beast of a dragon, Valyrian, was partially wrapped around her, Sunfyre draped across her lap and the others all lying close to her, glowing dragons eyes landing on him the moment he came into their sight, growls and grumbles shaking the ground around him as he froze. She looked like the Mother of Dragons they claimed her to be, and she also looked sad. Her face looked sincere, but he could see the shadows of her past in her eyes, small tears leaking down her cheek one at a time, so they were barely noticeable.
He above anyone, except maybe Lewyn, knew what she had given up that day on Dragonstone.
She didn't acknowledge him as he weaved through the dragons, after they had calmed once Visenya had spoken her mother tongue to Valyrian. Valyrian just huffed at him before he allowed Arthur to pass him, to where Visenya was sat. He lowered himself to sit beside her and smiled when Sunfyre squawked at him in greeting, the yellow and red dragon basking in the care from his mother. Arthur gently brushed a hand down his wing to return the greeting before turning to Visenya. Her purple eyes were dark, and he could see tear tracks on her cheeks, telling him that something emotional had happened between mother/aunt and son/nephew.
When Rhaegar first vanished with Lyanna Stark and the Rebellion started, Arthur hadn't been with him. Aerys had commanded him to watch over Visenya, who had been beside herself with grief over being barren and before that, the two weren't close. After the Tourney was when they had become close as they bonded over trying to find Lyanna and stop the rebellion. It was only when the Rebellion came to a head that he had seen Rhaegar again and at that point he had lost all respect for the Silver Prince, especially when Ser Gerald had told him what the two of them had done to Elia. So, when he was commanded to guard Lyanna who was pregnant with another heir at the time before they rode out to the Battle of the Trident, he had agreed only because of Visenya.
She had told him that when the battle at the trident was over, she would return to make it all right. Lyanna would be returned to the North to her family, where she could hopefully be wed and hid away where no one would look for her. When Arthur asked about the child all she said was it was handled, and Elia was expecting another babe.
He could recall the fight between Rhaegar and Visenya when she had found out where Lyanna was and the insult, he had done to Dorne, with perfect clarity. He had set aside a trueborn Princess, one of Valyrian blood, that had been his wife for three years, for the lower born, wild she-wolf of Winterfell. An insult of the highest order, especially since the divorce in the eyes of The Seven, meant the children became bastards and no longer had the right to inherit the throne.
Had Dorne learned of Rhaegar's decision, before the Targaryen's escaped Westeros, they would have joined the Rebellion and turned their back on Aerys and Rhaegar. They would have made sure, Elia's son Aegon, was named King. Elia would have named Visenya as Aegon's regent, as many houses had pledged to her or been on the verge of pledging to her. She would have been just as magnificent of Regent for Aegon as she was now for Jacaerys. One thing Arthur never understood but could still recall, was the man he thought of as a friend calling his sister 'the Serpents Whore' and the slap Visenya had publicly delivered before gliding from the room like the Queen she was.
It was after that he found out of the truth between Visenya and Oberyn Martell and his four daughters. She had been in tears when she explained about how Obara, his eldest, had asked to call her mother and Oberyn had agreed. He had been stunned as Oberyn was well known for sleeping with just about anything that stayed still long enough. He never expected him to offer commitment to another, especially one that Visenya would demand. When she had spoke of her plans for after the war, when Rhaegar had won and Elia was queen, to go to Dorne and marry Oberyn and loved his children as her own, Arthur had felt pity because if Rhaegar had won, he never would have allowed her to leave.
He above anyone, knew the obsession Rhaegar had developed for his younger half-sister.
That was also when she admitted she had never been barren. It had been a secret cooked up between Queen Rhaella, Visenya and Hoster Tully because she never wanted to marry her own brother. The Maester had lied to Aerys and the bandits had been a group of hired mercenaries from Essos. Arthur had understood. Especially after what had happened with Aerys and how he had gone mad. Arthur still wasn't sure what had broken the king as he had been a semi good King when he first took the throne. It could have been a mixture between torture during his capture at Duskendale or suddenly having the crown on his head after his family died during the Burning of Summerhall. But by the end of his life, Aerys had been completely unreasonable to the point of madness.
Arthur would never admit it, but he had been thankful when he had found out about the King's death.
They had learned in Valyria that when a brother and sister married, there was a special blessing that had to be said before the Valyrian gods, and they needed to drink a vial of dragon blood before they consummated the marriage, as the blood healed all defects. But with the dragons having died off, histories destroyed in Summerhall, they had no idea about the dragon's blood. Visenya had been surprised to learn the truth about the Valyrian tradition to wed brother to sister and had laughed herself sick because of her forefathers whole, keep the blood pure, thoughts were part of why their bloodline had wilted down to nothing. She had been thankful for the lie they had cooked up though after the information was discovered.
However, Visenya suspected that even though the while being barren thing was meant to be a hoax to save her from Rhaegar, she was now sure it was true. Arthur couldn't help but wonder as she had been the mistress to Khal Bharbo for years and never once, did she conceive a child. He knew it had hurt her, especially with news coming about Oberyn's youngest four daughters. She constantly wondered how she could be barren as nothing had ever happened to stop it and she still had her moonblood every month. The Maester on Dragonstone had agreed that Visenya should have been able to carry and bare a child. It was a mystery.
Those thoughts now swirled through his head as he sat next to her. "It's okay," he whispered to her knowing she would understand.
Her face instantly crumpled, and her shoulders shook as sobs came from her and her head fell on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her as he had come to be used to and pulled her to his chest rocking her as he comforted her. Visenya had had horrible dreams for many years after the Rebellion, especially about how her brother died. He had shared a room with her much those first few months before they joined Bharbo's horde and for a full year afterwards. He had been the one to sooth her tears away and try to make her gain her stubbornness and strength back as they had drifted so far from home.
It had only been when Bharbo and she became lovers, that she was able to slowly put herself to right. She had begun training again, had taken care of Jacaerys, managed to make many of the horde love her and find time to be with Bharbo that she really began to shine again. The grief of losing almost her entire family and then having to send Viserys and Daenerys away to be kept safe had almost destroyed her. Every time Arthur saw her flushed with victory, saw the love she glowed with for the survivors of the rebellion, saw her best a man while fighting, he always remembered the almost broken form she had been and how he had sworn to always protect her.
Visenya may have been Queen Regent and a formidable warrior, but Arthur knew the woman hidden under all that hype.
When they had finally settled and Visenya had written an emotional letter to the dornish Prince, in order to gain some kind of peace, Arthur had sworn that one day he would return her to her love. The man she called the husband of her heart. He swore he would go back home to Dorne, to his sister and to return his queen to her love. It was something he had held onto all these years and he hoped would soon be possible.
Visenya finally calmed down and just sat quietly with her head on his shoulder as his hands rubbed up and down her back. "I miss my family," she finally whispered to him. Her soft voice sounded almost broken, and her eyes stilled dripped with tears as the grift for everyone flowed through her.
She felt Arthur chuckle, "I miss my sister and brother too," he agreed.
Visenya felt guild bubble in her again, even though he had told her time and time again that him going to Essos with them was not her fault, she still blamed herself. Arthur was content to blame everything on Rhaegar. But Visenya had refused to deny his vow to be her sworn shield, didn't think to release him from his White Cloak to return home when she had the chance, and he was now bound to her by his vow. Arthur was too noble and stubborn to turn his back on his word. He would not see his family again unless they came into contact with Visenya, and knowing Ashara, they would be united again someday soon. It was those thoughts Arthur was holding on too.
"I want to see my daughters," she confessed wearily.
Arthur held her tight as he also knew what it cost her to confess that. She had only ever spoken of them when she was drunk or had woken from bad dreams and her guard was down. He remembered holding her as she spoke of them in tears every time the Spider sent her a letter, telling her of Oberyn having another daughter. He knew the second Prince of Dorne, now had eight bastard daughters, the last four born to his paramour Ellaria Sand, who his queen hated just on principle.
"I know."
That was all he said as he held her in his arms, allowing her to gain control to return to being the strong queen again. Finally with a deep breath, she pulled away and purple eyes clashed with purple eyes, and he smiled at her, "Everything is going to be okay," he whispered. She smiled back and wiped the tears away from her face, "I know," she agreed before taking another deep breath and rising to her feet, emotions settling and took a deep breath knowing everything was going to change now. Arthur followed her movements and saw her turn slightly to where the sound of celebration was still coming.
"It is time," she whispered meeting his eyes again.
Arthur knew what she meant. They had kept Jace safe and hidden for fifteen years. He had grown safe and happy and loved under their care. He was now married, and another Targaryen heir was on it's way. The line of succession was secured. It was time for the world to know that even though that had been beaten years before, they were not forgotten and had come home stronger than ever before.
He bowed his head, "It is time," he agreed.
~!~
I, Prince Jacaerys, of Houses Targaryen and Stark, Second of My Name, Prince of Dragonstone, The Just Prince, Commander of the Dothraki and Future King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm and Rider of the Dragon Moonfyre, here by send claim of my inheritance. I am the only surviving son of Rhaegar Targaryen, and I was named heir to the Iron Throne by the late Queen Rhaella Targaryen. I write now to state my intents and call to arms all that will fight with me as the true King of Westeros.
This claim is hereby witnessed by: Ser Gerald Hightower, Lord Commander of the Queensguard
Ser Arthur Dayne, Sword Shield of Visenya Targaryen
Ser Oswell Whent of the Queensguard
Robb Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North
and Her Grace, Visenya of Houses Targaryen and Umber, Second of Her Name, Princess of Summerhall, The Unburnt, The Great Mother Khaleesi, Queen Regent of the of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains, Mother of Dragons, Mother of the Sand Snakes, Dāria to the Unsullied and Rider of Valyrian, The King of Dragons
~!~
Cersei Lannister, Doran Martell, Petyr Baelish, Euron Greyjoy, Mace Tyrell and Varys all received the letter and had many conflicting emotions. Only three were positive. Doran Martell's eyes lit with joy as many plans made in the past were now coming to fruition and called for someone to find Oberyn, his children and his nieces. While Mace Tyrell smiled as he and his men moved closer to Riverrun where Visenya and her men were waiting for them, and army so large, it trailed down the maid road and out of sight, the green banners with a golden rose flapping in the breeze as they marched to join their King.
Cersei, Euron and Petyr all felt shocked, horror and unease fill them. No one had forgotten what a formidable women Visenya was, and no one had forgotten the madness of Aerys Targaryen. They could only imagen what Visenya would do to win the war and with sixteen dragons at her back, not many would want to fight her. Harrenhal was a good reminder of what dragon fire was capable of and Daella Targaryen hadn't been called 'Visenya come again' for no reason.
Varys just smiled as the screams of the bastard King and the Queen Regent echoed through the halls of the Red Keep as panic began to spread. He knew it was almost time for him to join his King and that things put in motions years ago were now going to start coming to pass. Jacaerys was almost ready to take his place as King and Varys honestly couldn't wait. In all the stories he had heard, it was well known that Jacaerys was his adoptive mothers son in every way and the Stark honor sung true in the young Targaryen Prince.
But if that letter had everyone in a tizzy, the one that arrived the following day had everyone in a downright spiral as it claimed to all that Visenya knew what she was doing and knew how to draw people to her side.
~!~
I, Her Grace, Visenya of Houses Targaryen and Umber, Second of My Name, Princess of Summerhall, The Unburnt, The Great Mother Khaleesi, Queen Regent of the of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains, Mother of Dragons, Mother of the Sand Snakes, Dāria of the Unsullied and Rider of Valyrian, The King of Dragons, hereby announce the marriage of Prince Jacaerys Targaryen to the Lady Roslin of House Frey and the share the happy news that the Princess of the Seven Kingdoms is with child and the line of secession in secured. May they have every happiness in the times to come and May the Seven watch over them.
~!~
Walder Frey opened the letter and as he read it, he beamed with happiness. All his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were all stunned to see their father/grandfather in such a happy mood. He rose from his chair at the front of the hall and clapped his hands instantly bringing silence, "Roslin shall birth the new heir to the Iron Throne," he announced proudly. Instantly many began to celebrate as no one ever thought a Frey could become anyone special and here one of their own was now the future Queen of Westeros and was carrying the heir to that legacy in her belly.
The celebrations lasted late into the night, Walder drinking more than he should have but happy that maybe with Roslin's marriage some of his other daughters might have a chance for a better future. What no one noticed was one of Walder's sons was scowling and practically seething in silence as he watched his family turn from the Lannister's and towards their true liege lords. He knew the Targaryen's would never win and that the Lannister's would triumph, and it seemed it would be up to him to make his family see that too. Including his father. If the letter in his room meant anything, then House Frey would become heavily rewarded for their part in the plans to come.
Sarella received the news from Loras, who had received them from Ser Gerald, the day after they had fled Harrenhal with their quarry and took great pleasure in telling Tywin Lannister about it. The man who had been sitting in a filthy carriage, with no news since his capture, and would soon be brought before the so-called Dragon Queen. He remembered Visenya, remembered trying to convince Aerys to marry her to Jamie when Cersei was betrothed to Rhaegar, the king had never agreed to it though. Now he was being taken to her and he couldn't help but be slightly apprehensive about it. If everything he heard about her was true and she truly had birthed dragons from flame, then he had good reason to be. She wasn't someone to mess with before being granted dragon's. He could only imagen what she would be capable of now.
Things were now so different than what Tywin ever expected them to be. However, a part of him was gleeful, for plans had already been made to get rid of the Young Wolf and there was nothing anyone could do about it as far as he was aware. What Tywin didn't know was the Dragons and wolves were now on the same side and things weren't going to be as easy as he hoped they would be. He never got to discover that though. As that night, with his meal, Sarella slipped the tonic her mother had provided into the Old Lion's food and Tywin fell into a deep sleep that he would not wake from, until he was presented to the Dragon Queen and the Crown Prince, two weeks later.