Chapter Seventeen:
299 AC – Bonds
The alliance between the Targaryen and Northern kingdom had been discussed, written up by the Maester of Riverrun and signed by all concerned parties, allowing arrangements to go into place. The Day of the Alliance as many called it had ended in a grand feast where Visenya was danced off her feet by old friends and new ones. She was allowed to relax for the first time in fifteen years, and effortlessly slipped back into Daella as she laughed with Catelyn and Maege Mormont, before being spin out onto the dance floor by Prince Lewyn.
Jacaerys and Robb spent the night side by side, drinking and laughing as they shared tales of their lives and their different battle experiences. It was an experience for many to see the two cousins' side by side. They could have been brothers if not for their coloring. Roslin spent her night charming all the lords that were present in Riverrun, which were a lot as many were pleased to see one of their own as future Queen of the Realm. Never had a minor noble house risen so far in the eyes of the other Great Houses, not even when Walder Frey's second son wed the only sister of Tywin Lannister. Robb's wife was far different. She spent her night at the high table, looking down on the merriment with a look of disgruntlement, a far cry from the future Southern Queen. Many were reminded of Cersei Lannister when Robert Baratheon had gone north to call Ned Stark as Hand of the King.
Sarella spent her night with Dacey Mormont. The girl was beautiful in a rough kind of way and so different from the woman of Dorne. The girls bonded by their experiences in life and Sarella spent her night flirting, dancing and drinking with the girl, happy to have one more night of peace before she went off on her mission. She was nervous. Not only did she have to locate and capture the Mountain that Rides, Gregor Clegane, she had to sedate and return to Riverrun with Tywin Lannister, the Realms more terrifying and powerful lord. If she didn't succeed, it would mean an unpredictability in the ongoing war.
Daenerys spent her night with her sister and time with Roslin, completely overwhelmed by the culture differences around her. It was so different to everything she had experienced in Essos and was also different from everything Viserys had told her about Westeros. Riverrun had impressed her, it was a good fortress and seeing it surrounded by armies, it made her chest ache in a good way, and she looked forward to what would come. However, she had a hard time keeping her eyes off the handsome man whose presence seemed to grab everyone's attention. She had known of course that her hand might be bartered in marriage in order to gain alliances, but she hadn't expected to be spoken of like mere cattle like Lord Bolton and Lord Karstark had done earlier. Visenya's defense had meant a lot to the young Targaryen Princess. She could admit, to herself, she would not have been against marrying Robb Stark had it been an option, but he was very clearly wed and had a strong affection for his wife, if the way he looked at her was any indication.
She had no idea how many times Robb's eyes had been drawn to her as she moved about the room, an emotion, not quite regret but something, rising in his chest. Jace noticed, because he always noticed everything and the future king of the realm kept drawing his cousins attention away from the princess, noting the protective stance of Ser Jorah, who had not left the princess's side since their arrival at Riverrun. Ser Loras Tyrell was shadowing Roslin, the boy under squire for Ser Gerald with the promise, that as long as he had his fathers permission, he could become a Kingsguard.
Loras was hurting, Visenya could tell. Everyone had known the rumors surrounding Loras and Renly Baratheon. She hadn't put much stock in them until she had met the eighteen-year-old knight. It was clear the two boys had a very deep affection and relationship with each other. Visenya had nothing against same sex couples and had made that clear to Loras when she had spoken to the boy while in Mereen. It had allowed the boy to relax, and he had been spending quiet a bit of time in Roslin, Sarella and Daenerys company, the three girls treating him like one of them as they bonded. He also felt less alone around the girls and liked to listen to them gossip, as it reminded him of his siblings.
They days after the celebration were rough and busy.
Visenya spent hours with Robb and Jacaerys, going over plans and counter plans should something fail or come up unexpectedly. She didn't tell the boy about her plans concerning his sisters, as she had not heard anything from Daario. She wasn't concerned yet, it had only been three days after all, but she would ask Arthur if he had heard anything later on. It was beautiful to see the two boys bonding as cousins and it lightened her heart to see both boys together in the training yard with their squires and fellow warriors, joking and teasing each other as they prepared.
Sarella was bonding with Loras and Dacey Mormont, as the two would be going with her into Harrenhal. Well, Loras would be waiting with the get away battalion as Tywin and Gregor would know his face instantly, but Gerald was considering it a trial by fire. Dacey was going as Robb electee, with Visenya's cousin Smalljon accompanying them as her fake husband. They spent hours talking over plans and making decisions to make sure they would be safe and succeed. Visenya wasn't worried, she knew her daughter could do anything she set her mind too. It had been said often that she was extremely smart.
Robb had sent Mors Umber, Greatjon's younger brother, to lead the group of soldiers Visenya had sent to the wall. He had was an older man, like the Greatjon but had a lot of respect from those soldiers sword into the Night's Watch, he was the ideal choice as Last Hearth was the closest northern settlement to The Wall. Rodrick Cassel had been sent back to Winterfell to guard Rickon and Bran, also to take control of the group of soldiers Visenya had sent to Winterfell. The young King had been blown away when Visenya had entrusted the Captain of the Winterfell Guard with a vial of dragons blood for Bran. The wound would take months to heal but the young boy would be able walk again.
Two weeks after the Day of the Alliance, everyone began to depart. Sarella's group left first, heading towards the burned-out fortress that was once the home to House Whent before it died out. Visenya watched them go with a heavy heart and worry clouding her eyes. She hadn't seen her daughter in so long and now she was sending her on a dangerous mission that could see her lose her life. Lewyn departed after, heading towards the Stormlands where he would gather the army from Summerhall and lead them back, joining with the Tyrell host which was on its way.
She had received word from Doran, that he had begun to mobilize Dorne. She hoped everything would work out as they planned but she knew not everything always did. She still hadn't been to see Jaime Lannister, who was still a prisoner in Riverrun. She wasn't sure what to say. He had written to her; to apologize the year before but now… he had left Lyra and Sansa unprotected in Kings Landing with his insane son and unstable sister. Arya Stark was lost, no one knew where she was and even worse, he had tried to kill Ned. She knew he loved his little brother, but she felt his reaction to Catelyn's arrest of Tyrion, was very over the top. He should have spoke to Ned like an adult and instead had reacted like a spoiled child.
The rest of the Kingsguard had felt the same way.
The decision on what to do with him was still up in the air but Visenya knew it would be harsh.
Ser Gerald, as the Lord Commander had already stated Jaime would lose his White Cloak as the man had spit on it and broken his vows not once but thrice. Once she knew if Sansa and Lyra were free from Kings Landing, that Sarella had succeeded in her mission, she would go speak with Jaime. The only thing keeping him alive was the Stark girls captive in Kings Landing. Visenya wondered what Cersei would do when she realized she had lost all her negotiating power and would have to bend from her demands if she wanted Jaime back alive.
After their departure, Visenya's attention turned towards preparing to go to Dorne. If Sarella and Daario succeeded in their endeavor, she knew the three men would go on trial before the Martell's of Dorne. Elia, Rhaenys and Aegon deserved justice for their murders and Visenya would never deny Doran and Oberyn their vengeance. It had been a long time coming and it would be for the best that the three were brought to justice in Dorne, away from the main Lannister army, which was camped outside of Harrenhal and away from Kings Landing.
So, she was choosing who would accompany her on her journey. She knew Daenerys would be going with her. She had seen the looks exchanged between Robb and her sister and Visenya would allow no one to taint her sisters honor. It would be safer for everyone if Daenerys was away from the Northern King. With Daenerys came Ser Jorah, who had finally had it out with his sister, Maege. Their fight had been huge, voices ringing among the camps outside Riverrun and by the end of it, they were giving each other the silent treatment. Arthur would accompany her as well, to see his family but also to guard her.
That left Ser Gerald and Ser Oswell as the guards for Roslin and Jacaerys, which Visenya didn't like. While Roslin knew how to use a dagger and Jace had inherited all his ancestors skills with a blade, there was always that small chance that something could happen. Aerys had always been accompanied by three Kingsguard at all time and Rhaella had had two, well one was with Rhaegar and one with Viserys. Visenya had proven herself a capable warrior, never defeated in battle, so there had never been a Kingsguard assigned to her, unless she left Kings Landing. Usually, Prince Lewyn was the one assigned to her. But now the order was split.
The Kingsguard was supposed to be seven strong. Back when her father was King, there was Lord Commander Ser Gerald Hightower, Ser Oswell Whent, Ser Lewyn Martell, Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Barristan Selmy, Jonothor Darry and Jaime Lannister. Jonothor was dead. Ser Barristan was guarding Joffrey in Kings Landing. Arthur had surpassed the Kingsguard, was not her personal shield and thus released of his position as a white cloak. Lewyn was headed for the Stormlands to gather the loyalist army at Summerhall. Jaime was a prisoner in the Stark camp and Visenya wasn't sure she would trust him to guard her back or any of her families, not after what he had done to her father, and he allowed what happened to Elia to pass without punishment for those involved.
The order of the Kingsguard, technically only had four members at the moment. Before leaving Mereen, Ser Jorah Mormont had taken vows to become a white cloak and had been assigned to Daenerys. It was the only position he could take that would save him from Robb Stark's sword as Ned had banished the knight from the north. Right now, Loras Tyrell was a squire for Ser Gerald and Visenya's Lord Commander was hopeful that the boy could prove to be a loyal knight and thus, take his place on the Kingsguard. But, even then, that left the guard missing two people and even among the people she knew, Visenya wasn't sure who she could elevate to guard the royal family.
She promised herself to think on it, but it did present a slight dilemma.
Jacaerys and Roslin needed protection while she was away. So, she went through their list of allies and thought deeply before coming to a decision. Shireen would accompany her, as the girl was still young. Arthur would come, Daenerys, Ser Jorah and Lillian. Sarella would of course be by her side, and she would take Grey Worm and Daario. Captain Whitefang would sail her ship and Valyrian, Sunfyre, Drogon and Stormcloud would accompany them on their journey. The rest of the dragons would stay in Riverrun as Jace and Robb prepared their army to march on the Westernlands.
With the Tyrell's defections from Joffrey, Lord Valeryon and the Greyjoy siblings siding with Visenya, she now had a large fleet, which would allow them to take Lannisport. However, they had to get into the Westernlands first and to do that, they would have to fight their way past. So, Visenya, Jace and Robb had spent hours with various Lord's going over plans and counter plans. Most would retreat to their keeps, hoping to keep their people safe but if Visenya used the dragons' she was hoping for a peaceful surrender, as many people remembered what Aegon I had done to Harrenhal. Visenya had hoping that fourteen dragons, with potentially of two most if she called on the two left behind at Dragonstone, would make many follow Torrhen Stark's actions. He was known through history as the King-Who-Knelt in order to save his people. She hoped many of the Western Lords would follow his lead, but didn't have her hopes up for that.
As things started coming together, Visenya knew she only had to wait.
~!~
A Few Weeks Later…
Riverlands, 299AC
Surprises and Unspoken Words
Visenya Targaryen hurried away from her tent and towards one of the horses saddled and waiting for her. She mounted quickly with a hurried word in dothraki to prepare a couple of baths to a few of the woman, before kicking the horse into a run leading down the road away from Riverrun. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she realized that Daario must have succeeded as there had been no word for weeks. She had been in the main camp, speaking with Lord Valeryon as word had come the night before that Mace Tyrell and his army would be arriving within two days, when one of the sentries who had been keeping watch up the road had reported the Targaryen banner approaching.
As Lewyn was due in two weeks time and Sarella hadn't completed her mission, it could only be one other person. She could hear Arthur cursing in behind her as he moved to catch up with her and she laughed in delight as she forced the horse to go faster. Their behavior shifted, instead of rushing to greet an ally, they were racing to see who could reach them first, their horses in a battle to outpace the other.
Daario heard their laughter before her saw them come flying around the bend which led to Riverrun. He was struck by his queen's happiness in that moment, and it shamed him to realize he hadn't seen her laugh like in all the time he had known her. Ser Barristan who hadn't seen his princess since the Battle of the Trident when Rhaegar fell was struck silent when he saw her, his heart skipping a beat at those Targaryen purple eyes and that smile, the one that made every give her whatever she had wanted. She wore a beautiful thin strapped velvet gold gown with no sleeves and very low cut in the front, dipping down to show her abdomen, with a flowing skirt that followed in the wing like a cape as her horse thundered toward them.
He could see Arthur just a tails length behind her pushing his horse to catch up and had to clear his throat to stop it from tightening as tears gathered in his eyes. All these years, he had thought all of them dead and yet, here they were. His heart ached as he saw Ser Oswell and Ser Gerald riding up behind Visenya, their White Cloaks shining in the sunlight and the old man wanted to throw himself at his brothers, men he had served with for years but couldn't as they were all riding a horse. Instead, he allowed himself to smile at them in greeting, seeing the gesture returned as they came closer. For the first time in a long time, Barristan felt hope for his future.
Visenya won their race, only pulling her horse back when she passed Ser Barristan, "I win," she announced breathlessly as her horse circled around the man and came to walk between Daario and Ser Barristan's. Arthur playfully glared at her, "You got a head start. That's cheating," he grumbled to the laughter of the surrounding men.
Visenya smiled before finally realizing who she was riding beside. She turned to look at Ser Barristan and for a moment he thought she was angry with him until she grinned, "Ser Barristan the Bold, in the flesh," she greeted him happily.
He bowed his head choked up at the sound of her voice, "Your grace," he muttered just as happily.
Visenya nodded her head and then looked at Daario who was riding silently at Ser Barristan's side. "No trouble I hope?" she asked looking him up and down for injuries.
He shook his head, "No trouble other than the storm that spread across the sea a few days into our journey. It's why we're a so late, we had to dock at Dragonstone until it passed," he explained, Visenya nodding her acceptance. It was understandable why they hadn't sent a raven if that was the case. She held up her hand to stop everyone as they came to the hill where you could see everything leading up to Riverrun and then rode over to the carriage that was stationed in the middle of the group. She dismounted her horse and knocked on the door after they came to a stop, her hair hanging around her in disarray from how fast they had been moving.
The door was opened by a young woman, the same age as Jacaerys and Robb, obviously Lyra Stark, and was surprised to see a woman with long wavy black hair and purple eyes standing there, "Your grace," she said instantly bowing her head as she moved back, inviting the woman into the carriage.
Sansa's eyes went wide before following her lead, bowing her head low to the most beautiful woman Sansa had ever seen before. She was even more beautiful that Cersei. Visenya climbed up into the carriage and sat down across from where the sisters were sitting next to each other, pulling her skirts inside and closing the door so no one could hear them. "Princess Lyra, Princess Sansa, I'm happy to meet you and see you both safe," she said making both girls look at her with wide eyes.
Lyra frowned, "Why did you save us? Not to say I'm ungrateful or anything but..." she asked, wondering what this woman wanted from her. after everything in Kings Landing, she was suspicious of this supposedly good dead.
Visenya smiled assuringly, "If someone had taken my daughters hostage, I would do anything in my power to get them back. Your brother had no idea how to bring you home. He could have tried to exchange hostages, Ser Jaime for the two of you but the moment Jaime left Stark possession, she could have killed you before you made it back to your family. So, I decided to step in. Saving you, was a gesture of good faith from the Targaryen's to the Stark's. Not to mention, my nephew Prince Jacaerys, is your cousin through his mother, your Aunt Lyanna," she explained gently.
Both girls eyes widened as everything made sense.
"Thank you," Sansa said, tears in her eyes.
Visenya nodded, "You're very welcome, Princess Sansa," she said softly.
"Why have we stopped?" Lyra then wondered.
This time Visenya looked questioningly, "Your mother and brother aren't aware that I sent someone to smuggle you out of Kings Landing as I did not wish to get their hopes up in case Daario wasn't successful. It's just a little after dawn now. So, I want to take you into my encampment and get you cleaned up before I take you to your family. Not to mention, I am unsure if everyone is currently awake," she said watching their faces intently.
Both looked to be contemplating their choices before nodding, "We would like that very much," Lyra said softly.
Visenya nodded and climbed out of the carriage, "Very well. Sit tight, we'll be there soon," she said before closing the door and mounting her horse.
She nodded and they all began to move again heading towards their encampment. The sky was lit up with the dawn and Visenya wanted to make sure the Stark girls were cleaned up before she went to the keep, breaking her fast with the others as she wanted to present the girls to their mother. Catelyn had lamented about her daughters since their reunion and Visenya looked forward to seeing her oldest friends face when presented with the two of them, though her heart ached as the younger girl Arya, wasn't with them. It was going to break Catelyn's heart, to not know what happened to the girl.
The dothraki and Unsullied awake and moving around camp when they arrived, mutters of 'Khaleesi' and 'Dāria' greeted Visenya as she rode through, and she smiled at each person as they headed for her tent.
Handmaidens had already gotten baths ready and Roslin and Dany had given Visenya one of their fancier dresses for the girls to wear when they met their mother, as neither girl had any belonging with them.
When they reached her tent, they stopped and dismounted. Visenya moving over to the carriage and opening the door for the girls to see out for the first time in weeks. Daario had forced them to stay in the carriage, not wanting rumors to spread of the Stark girls not being in Kings Landing. Cersei had managed to keep their disappearance quiet and even Robb wasn't aware that his sisters were no longer in Kings Landing. Lyra and Sansa climbed from the carriage and looked around wide-eyed. There were so many people, and they could see the keep of Riverrun ahead of them. It was a place they only knew in stories from their mother, and each felt happy they had had a chance to see it. The girls held hands and stuck close to each other as Visenya led them into her tent, which was filled with servants.
At that moment, Visenya was thankful all the dragons had gone to hunt. She didn't think Lyra and Sansa would be able to handle seeing them until they were more settled. It must have been a shock, to find themselves out of enemy hands and back among their own people. She resolved to be gentle with them as they settled in and would urge everyone else to do the same.
Shireen was waiting for them practically vibrating with excitement. Ever since Visenya had saved her and cured her of the greyscale that had scarred her face, she had been stuck to the Dragon Queen like glue. Visenya had taken to allowing Shireen to share her bed with her as the girl was frightened of being left alone and she was bonding nicely with the dragon Stormcloud, which had surprised everyone until Visenya reminded them that Shireen's grandmother had been a Targaryen Princess. Now she had was waiting for Visenya to bring the two guests she said would be arriving soon to her tent, hoping for more female companionship.
Sansa and Lyra watched with wide eyes as the unsullied soldiers bowed to Visenya as she passed and then stayed bowed as they walked past. It had taken a few seconds for them to remember that because of Robb, they were Princesses in the North. When they entered the tent a little black-haired, purple-eyed girl greeted them and for a moment that both thought this was Visenya's daughter. "Princess Sansa, Princess Lyra, this is Lady Shireen Baratheon heir of Storms End. Shireen these are King Robb's sisters, Princess Lyra and Princess Sansa," she said introducing them.
They all greeted each other shyly as Visenya ushered the girls to the two steaming baths waiting for them, hidden behind privacy curtains.
The girls who hadn't bathed since leaving Maidenpool where they had docked after leaving Kings Landing, as their presence was a secret, so they were grateful to be allowed to get cleaned up. They stripped down and let the maids pamper them as they scrubbed all the dirt away, both girls emotional as gentle hands took care of them, so different from the harsh treatment from the maids of the Red Keep. Visenya left them with a chattering Shireen who talked about anything and everything under the sun, distracting both girls from their own anxiety and then returned when they were out of the baths and in dressing gowns.
Visenya moved to stand behind Lyra and began pulling back her hair. Lyra watched in the mirror as fours braids pulled her hair away from her face and then joined in a bigger braid at the back of her head, leaving the black mass of wavy hair to hang down her back in traditional northern fashion. When she was finished, two maids stepped forward with undergarments for Lyra, as Visenya moved to help Sansa.
Sansa watched silently as they dressed her sister and allowed Visenya to do her hair. The Dragon Queen pulled the hair on top of her head back and then braided it down weaving small metal flowers through it, the rest hanging free down her back just like her sisters. When Visenya was finished she nodded and then waved two more maids forwards, each holding a bundle of fabric. "My sister Daenerys and good-niece Princess Roslin gave me one of their gowns for you, for the time being. They're more appropriate for a reunion than anything else right now and you'll both need a new wardrobe anyways as I imaged you've grown out of your old gowns," she explained quietly.
The dress Roslin had given up for Sansa was a silk light baby blue with long flowing sleeves, a high neck and a simple silver band that wrapped around below her breasts. The one Daenerys had given up for Lyra was a tight long-sleeved velvet dark grey gown decorated with heavy jewels around her neckline, wrists and matching belt. Visenya gave them sturdy boots, with a comment about slippers not doing well in the encampment. They both dressed and then sat down looking at themselves in the mirror. For the first time in three years, they looked like themselves, ladies of the north, Stark's of Winterfell.
Visenya went behind the privacy screen and changed before exiting in a beautiful silk white gown with elbow length sleeves that clung to her upper body, a low-cut neckline and skirt that flared out to the ground at her waist, and grey boots. The dress fading from white to purple at her knee and drug behind her when she walked. Her hair was left down in flowing waves and a circlet of a silver dragon biting its own tail wrapped around her head. She looked very beautiful and stunned the girls when she led them over to a table on the right side of tent on the other side of her screen.
Sitting there were three black boxes, obviously old as they were covered in dust and the carvings weren't like anything the girls had seen before. When Visenya opened them, obsidian crowns with diamond and sapphires decorating them, appeared and both girls lost their breath at the sight of them.
Visenya raised one, five diamond direwolf heads linking together as they faced the large circle sapphire that would rest in the middle of someone's forehead. She held it up to Sansa, "As the second daughter of House Stark this is yours," she said as it settled around Sansa's head. Then she turned to the other two and picked up one that had a wolf in the middle where it would rest on top of her head and was surrounded by emeralds and rubies that formed Heart Trees in a circle around the band. Visenya placed it on Lyra's head, "Crown of the first-born daughter of House Stark. When my ancestors conquered the Seven Kingdoms and united Westeros under one monarch, they kept all the jewels of the other houses. These were worn by the daughters of Torrhen Stark, the Last King of the North and have been sitting in the treasury on Dragonstone since the conquest," she explained why she was giving them to the girls.
Lyra and Sansa both felt honored to wear them and stunned at learning a piece of their history. They looked royal, Lyra thought to herself as she stared in the mirror. Sansa looked like their mother but looking in the mirror, for the first time in a long time, Lyra could see the Stark in her features, especially her eyes. They were their fathers eyes, and a tear leaked down her cheek as she remembered Ned Stark. Two dark skinned maids stepped forward and draped simple grey fur lined cloaks around their shoulders, drawing them back to the present.
They watched as Visenya accepted a fluffy black one and then she led them out of the tent. Standing at the end of the isle was a carriage and a group of three other woman, Shireen standing beside them, who were talking amongst themselves. A man with curly dark hair and a sword at his side was standing next to a horse, two men in a white cloaks next to him, waiting patiently, eyes on the tent the three women appeared from.
Visenya led them over to the women, three different sets of eye focusing in on them. "Ladies these are Princess Lyra and Princess Sansa of House Stark. Girls this is Lady Lillian Hightower one of my ladies-in-waiting," an older burnet with blue eyes and a kind face bowed briefly to them, "Daenerys Stormborn, Princess of House Targaryen," a beautiful white-haired purple eyed girl nodded her head in greeting, the girls offering the Princess a curtsy instinctively before remembering they were both Princess too, "and Princess Roslin Frey of House Frey, Future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and my good-niece," she introduced. Sansa and Lyra instantly curtsied to the small woman with waist length brown hair and dressed in Targaryen red, remembering their etiquette classes as children. They may have been Princess in the North, but Roslin would be the Queen of six kingdom's.
Roslin smiled gently in greeting and Shireen beamed at Visenya, "Are we ready for the surprise?" she asked excitedly.
Visenya smiled back at her, "Yes, are you ready to go?" she asked the girls. They all nodded, and Lillian helped Sansa and Lyra into the carriage, so they were sitting next to Shireen. Daenerys, Shireen and Roslin followed them in before Lillian entered and nodded to her Queen as they settled and Visenya closed the door. Visenya smiled at Ser Loras who had mounted his horse and moved over to ride next to the carriage, taking his duties as guard for Roslin seriously. After Jacaerys had fought him and the fight was a draw, Jacaerys had agreed it was a fine choice of guard for his wife after Ser Gerald approved. Jacaerys was now the only Targaryen without a shield and Visenya had taken to assigning Ser Oswell to protect him. He may have been older, but he was still one of the best Knights in all Westeros.
Part of her would have loved to take Valyrian but it seemed over the top to ride a dragon a couple of feet, instead of riding a horse. So, she mounted her steed and allowed Arthur to lead the procession down the pathways of the Targaryen encampment and towards Riverrun. She could see Valyrian's large bulk flying towards the encampment, all the dragons at his back and she could hear people shifting as word went around that the dragons were back and to make room for them to land. A smile crossed her face, and she turned away back to Riverrun, anticipation rising in her chest as they approached the keep.
~!~
Robb had received word of something going on in the Targaryen camp and when Olyvar, his squire entered the Great Hall with word of Visenya coming towards them, he knew something important happened. He stepped forward from where he had been waiting with the congregated lords who had all gathered to welcome her and watched as half a dozen soldiers, all the white cloaks and Jace entered the courtyard and exchanged a nod of greeting with his cousin.
Visenya slid from her horse and walked towards him, Jace and Arthur on either side of her, "What happened?" he asked, wondering what had brought her to the keep so early in the morning. Visenya grinned slightly, "Good news this time," she said scratching Grey Wind behind his ears in greeting as the rest of her party entered the courtyard. The Blackfish, Catelyn, Edmure, Arianne and Talisa all exited the keep at the same moment and moved to join the gathering of people, exchanging greetings with each other.
"Oh?" Robb asked curiously.
Visenya grinned at the Stark's, "It would seem that I have a gift from you from Kings Landing," she said to the surprise of everyone watching.
Robb's head tilted to her, "What on earth would I want from Kings Landing?" he asked suspiciously. There was only four things he wanted from Kings Landing, his sisters and his fathers bones.
Everyone shifted waiting for her answer.
Without saying a word, Ser Barristan stepped forward making many peoples eyes widen as the only Kingsguard spared by Robert Baratheon took his place at Visenya side with a white cloak hanging from his shoulders and his hands help, palms up with a scabbard in his hand, "I, Ser Barristan Selmy, known as Ser Barristan the Bold, Knight to her grace, Queen Regent Visenya of the House Targaryen, relinquish my hold on the ancestral sword of House Stark, Ice, and return it to its rightful home. Do you accept this, Robb Stark, King in the North?" he said, formally as he bowed his head with his arms out, offering it to the young man, who was looking at the Targaryen party with tears in his eyes.
Robb's hands were trembling as he reached out and took the scabbard, tilting it so he could wrap his hands around the hilt and then pulled the Valyrian steel sword from its sheath; all the northern lords sucked in sharp breaths and Robb's breathing became uneven as he stared at the blade, "Ice," he murmured in awe looking over the huge valyrian steel sword. His eyes looked to Ser Barristan, "Thank you for your service, Ser Barristan," he said filled with gratitude.
Catelyn had tears in her eyes when she saw the sword and a sting of longing for her husband and daughters went through her heart as she watched Robb bow deeply in thanks. "Catelyn," she heard Visenya call and when she turned her attention to the Queen, Visenya slowly and deliberately turned to the carriage that had followed them into the courtyard. Cat's eyes following hers, and her breathing became lost when she saw two girls climb out from the carriage with help from their cousin. Her chest ached and tears leaked down her cheeks as she stepped toward the dark- and red-haired girls, "Lyra, Sansa," she called, both girls turning to face her.
When they saw who had called them both rushed over to their mother, Catelyn running to meet them, not caring who she shoved aside in her haste.
Robb watched his sisters reunite with their mother with tears in his eyes, his throat was so tight that he couldn't speak and then he opened his arms wide when he saw the matching blue eyes of his twin meet his for the first time in years. Lyra pulled away from their mother and rushed over into his arms, that locked tight around her as he buried his face in her hair. Exclamations of shock echoed from the lords around him and Robb couldn't bring himself to pull away enough to say anything. Lyra clung to her brothers doublet and cried as she inhaled the familiar scent of her brother, Grey Wind whining as he pressed against her skirts, which just make her cry harder.
Robb met Visenya's eyes, who was watching them with a smile, over his twins shoulder, "As a sign of good faith," she said without him having to ask. He nodded his head, relieved to have his sisters back under his protection, "Thank you," he said hoarsely as he clung to his sister.
Catelyn turned to her friend as she kept her arm wrapped around Sansa's shoulders, "Yes, thank you," she said gratefully.
Visenya nodded and then proceeded to tell them the other good news, Grey Worm had just delivered from one of their ravens, "Arya Stark has also been found," she admitted shocking everyone present.
Greatjon spun to face his niece, "How?" he asked shocked.
Visenya grinned, "Sarella found her at Harrenhal. She's disguised herself as a boy and has been serving as Tywin Lannister's cup bearer. She was headed up North with a man from the Night's Watch after Ned was executed and her party attacked, she's been trying to go North since then. Sarella explained that you were all here at Riverrun and she plans to bring Arya back with her, once their mission is complete," she explained gently.
Catelyn shook her exasperatedly, "She's just like you were, always finding trouble in places there ought not to be trouble in," she lamented about how her daughter ended up in the Lannister camp. The Stark siblings all laughed as they remembered the wildness of their youngest sister before Robb focused on her, "When will Sarella be headed back?" he asked anticipation and victory beginning to fill him. Finally all his family back together and the Lannister's not able to hurt any of them.
Visenya grinned wickedly, "As of this morning, they'll be on their way in a couple days," she said bluntly.
Catelyn was filled with so much relief that she moved and hugged Visenya tight, "Thank you for everything," she whispered gratefully into her ear.
Visenya smiled before they all headed into Riverrun, a celebratory air around them as two Stark's returned home. Catelyn keeping her arm around Sansa and Robb walked arm in arm with his wife and twin sister. That morning was a victory against the Lannister's, not that they knew it yet, and Visenya felt great pleasure when she thought about Amory Lorch locked up on Dragonstone until she was ready to head to Dorne.
Her plans were slowly coming together, soon; the Lannister's wouldn't know what hit them.