Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or A Song of Ice and Fire. I only own the main character and the plot of this story.
Chapter Fourteen: 299 AC – Riverrun
No one was sure what she was looking for as she looked from face to face and her smiled faded. Finally, she turned to the Blackfish, "Where's Hoster?" she asked quietly. Everyone's faces turned sad, and Catelyn took a step towards Visenya, "He's been ill for the last four years, my Queen. He's in his chambers resting," She explained softly. Fear covered Visenya's face, and she spun on her heel towards the keep before anyone could stop her. Arthur followed her with a bellowed, "Queen Visenya!" which was ignored. Catelyn, Arianne, Daenerys and Sarella quickly followed after them with Robb watching in surprise, before seeing his uncle's face.
The Blackfish looked at his nephew, "Don't mind her your grace. Visenya had became close to Hoster in the time she had spent here before she was summoned to King's Landing just before the Rebellion," he explained.
Robb nodded and then turned to Ser Gerald, "You are more than welcome here in Riverrun. Where will your men stay?" he asked looking at the men so different form his own.
Ser Gerald nodded, "We left most of the men back down the road. I noticed that many tents were set up at the western and southern entrances, we shall set up at the North side closer to the water. As Visenya likes to be near water and it will make it easier for the men to bathe, not to mention the dragons," he explained as he turned to the other white cloaks still with him. "Ser Oswell and Prince Lewyn stay to escort Queen Visenya back to camp later. I shall have her men set up now," he ordered.
Robb Stark nodded, "Will any of your party be staying in the keep?" he asked looking them over.
The Prince, Jacaerys was watching him curiously with his wife next to him, "We shall all stay together in camp for now. It's aunt Visenya's orders," he explained, bowing his head to Robb in respect, which was returned, before escorting his wife back to the carriage. She kissed his cheek as before he helped her in and then he nodded to Ser Gerald, who barked something in what sounded like High Valyrian, and the soldiers began to form a guard to escort them out. The women all vanished back into the carriage, Robb's eyes lingering on the beautiful Valyrian beauty against his will, as the Prince mounted his horse along side a man with curly honey colored hair and Ser Gerald nodded to his fellow white cloaks and they moved out of the courtyard dragons following them.
Robb turned to the two men left standing there, "Please," he said gesturing for them to follow him into the keep.
He offered his arm to Talisa, who had been strangely silent through the whole exchange. A soft wine came from behind them, and they turned to see the dragon, Valyrian and the orange one had stayed behind when the others followed watching them. Prince Lewyn turned back briefly, "She'll be back a little later. Wait here," he said softly, Valyrian seemed to nod his head before curling up in the far corner of the courtyard eyes watching the doors. The other dragon followed, staying close to the bigger male. Prince Lewyn turned back to the waiting party of Ser Oswell, King Robb, Queen Talisa, the Blackfish, The Greatjon and Edmure, gesturing for them to continue.
They entered into the keep, servants scurrying about, and Robb led the way to his grandfathers chambers, worried and curious about what he would find when he got there.
The moment Catelyn had finished speaking Visenya was already heading into the keep. Ser Arthur calling after her cursing as he followed, knowing that she had become close to Hoster Tully. Visenya ran down the twisting hallways up towards the lords chambers, her dress flowing behind her, servants moving swiftly out of her way. A guard snapped to attention as she came rushing towards him, but it was someone who knew Visenya, from so many years before and he let her pass without stopping her.
Visenya entered the chamber, letting the cloak fall from around her shoulders to the floor impatient and rushed to the canopy bed that stood in the center with two windows on either side and sat down next to the man lying there, taking his hand tight in her own. The last time she had seen him, Hoster was tall, broad and strong, with blue eyes and brown hair, the image of a good Lord. Now stricken by illness, Hoster had lost weight and now appeared to have shrunk. His hair and beard had gone white, and he looked like a man of almost ninety instead of a man of sixty.
When her warm hand clutched his aging cold one, Hoster opened Tully blue eyes that looked unfocused, but the moment he saw a glimpse of purple, he focused instantly on the eyes of the woman at his bedside. A soft smile crossed his face and joy filled his chest, "Welcome home Mother of Dragons," he murmured hoarsely his throat dry. She instantly poured a glass of water and helped him drink it, settling him against his pillows without hesitation, "I always knew you would return."
Visenya had tears in her eyes as she took his hand and pressed a kiss to it. "I could have never come home without your help Hoster," she murmured tears in her voice.
He chuckled lightly, "Yes you could have. Everyone always claimed that your brother was the last dragon, but I always knew the truth. It was you, a daughter born of ice and fire, a Princess come to bring about a new dynasty," he murmured eyes closed as he patted her hand. Visenya was speechless as she never thought of herself born of fire and ice, despite how true it was, to hear it now surprised her. her heart ached as she listened to this man, who had allowed her into his home, treated her like another daughter, went to war to seat her on a throne not her own, and tears trailed down her cheeks without her say so.
She clutched his hand in between hers, "It was never meant to be me," she finally said.
Hoster opened her eyes and laughed before it faded into coughing, "You birthed dragons form stone petrified eggs, you made sure your family survived the Rebellion and you crossed the Narrow Sea with an army of thirty-thousand men loyal to you, Visenya. You were always a dragon. The gods made sure your survived for a reason," he said after he finished and relaxed into the bed. "My nephew has been named King in the North and Trident by the Lords of the North and Riverlands. But you have always been Queen of the Seven Kingdoms."
Visenya flinched, "I'm only the regent. I was never meant to be Queen. My brother would have been king if he had won that battle and now, I hold the title in keeping for my nephew," she muttered looking down at the floor and thinking back to the Battle of the Trident and Robert Baratheon's war hammer slamming into her brothers chest and scattering the rubies through the water.
Hoster laughed again, "Rhaegar was an idealist and never realized that what he wanted for the Seven Kingdoms was impossible. The Game of Thrones will always be at play in Westeros, and everyone knows you either win or you die if you become apart of it. But you're a realist Visenya. You always plan for the worst, but you are always aware of what goes on around you and plan to get what you want. You were born to be Queen my dear, only myself and Rhaella were aware enough to notice that" he muttered to her.
Visenya was shaking her head, "I never wanted to be Queen. I never wanted to be named Princess of Summerhall. I wanted to marry my beloved and have a family. I never wanted any of this," she said sadly.
Hoster met her eyes, "It is the people who don't go looking for power that are the best wielders of it," he said, voice and eye holding wisdom as he watched her.
He knew Visenya Targaryen was always meant to be Queen, but the circumstances of her birth prevented that. She was a warrior, a princess of her house, a mother, sister and friend but he had never seen someone more suited to the crown than she was. Rhaella had written him once to tell him that the bannermen of the Targaryen family had more respect for the princess than they did for the Crown Prince, and she worried that there would be another Dance of Dragons. Hoster had tried to reassure her, but when the murmurs from the Riverlands had started after Visenya had spent those six moons in his home, well, he hadn't been able to as well as he had wanted too.
But then Visenya had gone to Dorne and had returned a changed woman.
Everyone had noticed it. Visenya had always had the kingdom's best interest at heart as she had grown. It was what made her so much more than her brother Rhaegar. Visenya had attended the Small Council meetings since childhood, been to every court, she knew every Gold Cloak by name, every merchant in the city and had explored every inch of Kings Landing, including Flee Bottom. All that in comparison to Rhaegar, who lived for songs and stories, many thought she was a better bet for a monarch. But when she had returned for Dorne and the rumors of her being wed to Rhaegar had surfaced, Visenya had changed. Sure, she still did all her normal duties but there had been something almost wistful about her.
Many people thought that Rhaegar had forced his sister to ride to war with him in the hopes that something would happen to her, leaving him a clear path to the throne. What they didn't know was that Rhaegar had been in love with his half-sister and while they knew she had almost become his second bride; they had no idea the lengths the Princess had gone to make sure it never happened. Visenya had been at Riverrun when it became known that she was barren. A plot cooked up between Visenya, Rhaella and Hoster himself to keep her safe from ever bearing a son as mad as her father. It also made sure there would be no Rebellion from Dorne, who would not have taken such an insult well, and because she loved her good-sister Elia Martell. Not to mention her relationship with Oberyn.
One thing everyone had known that Visenya, was that she was meant for great things.
Being named the Princess of Summerhall had been no small thing all those years ago. It had put her into the line of succession even above her brother Viserys. The only thing stopping her from being Queen, was her nephew, Jacaerys. But Visenya was too loyal to take the throne from him, So, Hoster hoped she had passed all her best qualities down to the boy she had raised as a son.
Tears leaked from her eyes, "I'm only a princess Hoster, I will always just be a princess," she said softly.
He squeezed her hands and their eye met, "A princess in title maybe, but look at everything you've accomplished so far Visenya, those are the actions of a Queen," he said softly back to her.
Visenya smiled slightly, "Maybe to you," she muttered wiping away her tears.
"You will always be my Queen," a voice spoke up from behind her.
Visenya turned her head to see Arthur, Arianne, Daenerys, Catelyn and Sarella had followed her into the room and were watching from beside the door nodding in agreement.
Hoster chuckled, "You have been my Queen for these many years, and you will be my Queen until my last days on this earth. Whether your nephew rules or you do, Visenya Targaryen, Second of Her Name and Mother of Dragons will go down in history as the woman who set Westeros back to right and returned magic and the dragons to us," he said eyes falling closed again as he rested against his pillow, exhaustion dragging at him.
Footsteps came from the hallway and the sound of voices reached her before the door opened to admit Ser Oswell, King Robb, Queen Talisa, the Blackfish, Greatjon, Edmure and Prince Lewyn entered the room. They all stopped cold at the sight of the woman in white sat on the side of the bed, her hands clasping Lord Tully's and her head bowed over him, dried tear tracks on her face. Ser Arthur nodded at his fellow Queensguard in greeting before he picked Visenya's cloak up off the ground and moved to stand beside her, the women following, allowing the others to gather around the bed.
Robb looked at his grandfather, "Is he well?" he asked voice soft so he wouldn't wake him if he was sleeping.
Hoster heard and opened his eyes looking at his grandson. He kept one hand in Visenya's and waved Robb forward with the other. Robb released his wife and walked over to the bed taking it and sitting down next to his grandfather, "Robb, fight with this woman. She will never lead you wrong," he said sleepily.
Robb looked to the woman sat on the bed next to his grandfather and he nodded, "I promise, I will do my best grandfather," he said softly. Hoster squeezed his hand, "Good. You're a good boy Robb," he breathed, before relaxing fully into sleep.
Robb's eyes teared at his words, making him bend forward and kiss his grandfathers hands before he rose to his feet and moved back to his wife, who looked displeased over something and then looked with everyone else to watch Visenya. She leaned down and kissed Hoster's cheek before resting his hand on his chest and then rising to her feet. Arthur stepped forward and wrapped her cloak around her shoulders, arm around her to keep her of her feet, as her legs were shaky, and he escorted her out of the room, knowing the shock of the whole meeting was getting to her.
Catelyn moved so she was next to her and Visenya offered her hand with an understanding smile, the now Lady Stark accepting it with a thankful smile. Hoster Tully had allowed Visenya into his home, had treated her like another daughter and now he was dying. No one had had to say anything for Visenya to see that and she didn't think dragon blood would do anything for him as he was already too far gone. If she had been able to give it to him right after her got sick, things would be different. Now all it could do was ease his passing. Which broke her heart. Visenya had lost every parental figure in her life, she had hoped to have Hoster for a few years as things settled in the Seven Kingdom's after she claimed her families throne.
But as she had discovered over the course of her life, life was not fair.
Robb led them down into the Great Hall without a word. Visenya only partially away of what was going on around her before Arthur sat her down and shoved a cup of wine in her hand. She drunk and the taste of dornish wine made her focus on Arthur who was crouched in front of her. "Are you alright?" he asked watching to see if she was going to pass out on him.
Visenya nodded, "Yes. Hoster never said anything in his letters," she muttered to him.
Catelyn sat down beside her, "He didn't want to worry you. He said if you knew you would rush to come back here," she explained as everyone took seats at the table. "He knew you weren't ready yet. Had you returned while Robert was still King, you probably would have died."
Greatjon looked at his niece curiously, "When did you meet Hoster Tully?" he asked as he accepted a mug of ale.
Visenya smiled slightly, "It was in 279 just after Aerys had named me Princess of Summerhall and just after Rhaegar and Elia got married. Catelyn had become one of my ladies-in-waiting and I had just returned from Dorne where I was visiting the Martell's. I was a bit of a mess honestly as Aerys had spoken of arranging for me to become my brothers second wife as it became clear Elia would not be able to provide many children. We went riding when a group of thieves attacked us. I was thrown form my horse and injured. When the Maester inspected me after, he said something inside me was damaged and that I would never carry a child. The betrothal talk was dropped, and I had nightmare every night. Hoster came to check on me, held me through my sobs during the nights. He treated me like one of his daughters and we grew close before I was called back to Kings Landing. The last time I saw him was at the Tourney of Harrenhal when he had congratulated me on winning the melee. He has written me a couple of times since the Rebellion and we were in Essos," she explained the bond between the two.
Catelyn nodded, "Yes they did grow very close," she said with a look to Visenya that told her Cat knew she was hiding something.
Edmure grinned, "She taught me how to shoot a bow while she was here," he admitted to the chuckles of the Blackfish, "Yes, you did have a very big crush on her," he teased.
Edmure went red, "She's a very beautiful woman," he defended himself.
Arianne smiled tauntingly, "My aunt my love?" she asked jokingly. Everyone laughed as his expense as he stuttered denials and his love for her. Visenya smiled slightly before turning her eyes on Robb, who was already watching her. "Shall we talk?" he asked silencing everyone at the table.
Visenya shook her head, "Tomorrow when we are settled, then both our councils can meet with each other," she said eyes narrowing slightly at his wife, who looked vaguely familiar to her.
Robb nodded as he wanted to wrap his head around this who day before trying to iron out an alliance between the Targaryen's and the North, "Agreed," he said.
Greatjon rose to his feet, "May I escort you back to your camp?" he asked when they all looked at him.
Visenya nodded, "I would like that Uncle," she said rising to her feet.
Ser Arthur, Ser Oswell and Prince Lewyn stood as well, Lewyn offering his arm to Sarella to escort her out, Ser Oswell doing the same for Princess Daenerys. Robb also rose to his feet and walked beside Visenya as they headed back to the courtyard, knowing it was respectful to do so. Everything that he had learned this day, everything Theon had said when he returned, made Robb's head spin. Everything was just spiraling at an uncontrollable pace. He needed a goodnight sleep before anything else happened.
Valyrian rose to his feet when he saw her and moved startling some of the soldiers who had been standing around the courtyard watching him. Visenya smiled at him and then nodded to Robb, "Tomorrow King Robb," she said as everyone mounted their horses, and she walked over to Valyrian who lowered his wing. "Tomorrow Queen Visenya," he agreed as he watched Greatjon join her guards and Visenya mount her dragon who was now bigger than what Robb thought Balerion the Black Dread, guessed to be.
The party headed out of the gates and across the bridge as Visenya and her two dragons rose into the air and took off. Robb headed back into the keep aware that things were now going to change but he was hopeful to what the future would bring.
In the time since the Targaryen party had had to make camp, it had unfurled with a curious precision to those watching. Many forgot that Visenya and the others had been traveling as wanderers for years now, so putting a camp and taking it down had been learned down to science. With just the two hours, it was already a fully functional camp. Greatjon Umber was surprised to see so many tents already set up and waiting. They seemed to circle around a large pavilion tent set near the waters edge before flowing out towards the Northern bannerman camp and road.
There were over twenty thousand tents covering the ground, some were plain black pavilion tents smaller than the one in the front, some were just small tents big enough for two soldiers and their belongings, some were made out of animal hide with one bigger than the others set near the biggest tent with the rest spread through out the camp. There were a few thousand wagons spread around, some were filled with furs, some filled with furniture though not as much as some camps hauled around, some had food, some were holding belongings, some held wooden posts that when set up were used to tie their horses too.
That was another thing, there were more horses in the camp than he had ever seen in one place. Greatjon could also hear the bellows from the War Elephants, and the Volantian's cursing from their handlers. It was easy to see the many cultures mixed together in Visenya's camp, as it was filled with all colors, fabrics and languages. One thing everyone had in common though, was the moment eyes landed on Visenya men were sinking into bows and woman curtseys. Except for the unsullied, the moment they saw her, they sank to their knees and bowed their heads to the grown, eyes revertant as they watched her.
Ser Gerald rode beside him as they passed through the encampment smiling slightly, "I notice you all travel light, why?" he asked looking around.
Ser Gerald shrugged, "The dothraki are simple people and whatever they don't have, they tend to raid to get. They are horse masters, to them to most important thing is their horse. The Unsullied have been trained in combat since they were children and see themselves as possessions and not people, when Visenya sacked Astapor she told them they were their own people. Slowly they are learning they are people, so they only have few belongings. When they have a permanent home, that will change. Everyone else is used to living on the go and having to carry their belongings themselves with no horse, so they travel light. But everyone here takes turned hauling Visenya's things, she had four wagons full even though she hates it she lets them do it because they asked to do it. These people all see Visenya as their leader and queen in some way or form," he explained as they came to the tent closest to the waters edge.
What surprised Greatjon the most was woman and children walked through the camp helping wherever they could. It was clear most of them were dothraki, but he could see a few Essosi mixed in. He wasn't sure which ones were from Volantis since he only had Talisa to compare too but none of the woman looked anything like the Queen of the North.
He was drawn from his thoughts when he dismounted his horse in front of the biggest tent Greatjon had ever seen. It had two circles on either side of it and the middle was open with a covering hanging five feet over top of the isle in front. It was big enough for three fully grown elephants to enter. There were white dragons sewn onto the red fabric of the whole tent. He could see a makeshift throne room set up in the opening and most of the smaller dragons lazing around it. There were guards standing at each of the four corners of the tent, three standing on either side of the isle that was created by the structure and he could see maids bustling about inside. Two banners hung on either side with three torches creating a pathway leading to the tent.
Greatjon followed alongside the others with Ser Arthur leading as he headed towards the tent. He noticed that only the women and white cloaks followed them along with a boy he didn't know. Just as they reached the tent Valyrian arrived and landed in front of the tent. He snarled at everyone watching him, as Visenya slide from his back with practiced ease and then followed after his mother. Visenya nodded to the guards at the entrance, and they bowed their heads back at her as she entered. The dragons all scattered to the perches set around the black couch in the middle of the area.
Greatjon entered right behind Ser Gerald and looked around. The circle on his right was constructed with all kinds of perches telling him that it was the dragons room. The circle on his right held a feather bed covered in fur blankets, a dressing table and chair, a dividing screen, bathing tub and six trunks stacked around it. Candle holders littered many of the surfaces and torches surrounded the tent on all sides. All together it looked like a tent for a queen. Visenya went to the chaise that sat in the center of the room, the orange and yellow dragon sitting on the back of it and Valyrian's head shoved in from the back of the tent until it was curled to the right of her. It was comical to see a dragon head, larger than Greatjon himself laying down on the ground beside a woman who only reached his chest.
"What do you think uncle?" Visenya asked stroking Sunfyre's head in greeting.
Greatjon shook his head, "This is amazing niece. I've never seen such a coordinated army," he said honestly, meeting her eyes with a grin.
She smiled with pride, "Many of these men have fought side by side their whole lives. They have grown together, trained together, fought together, that's what makes them so accomplished," she said as Daenerys moved over to stroke Vhagar and Meraxes in greeting.
Her uncle went to say something when Grey Worm entered the tent, "Vōljes hen se vaokses, aōha dārōñe," he said bowing. Translation: Raven from the spider, Your Grace
Only when she nodded her head did he approach and hand it to her. She took it and read the paragraph written.
Visenya,
Daario has left with his packages, your grace. They will arrive at the Crag in three weeks time, I suggest you send men there to greet them. Joffrey is aware that you reclaimed Dragonstone as I needed a distraction for them to get away. Cersei has written to Tywin about it and is waiting for reply. They have also noticed they are missing their two hostages. Joffrey has gone into a rage and ordered everyone to find them and bring them back. It looks like things will reach a climax soon. Be seeing you.
-Varys
"Interesting," she murmured catching everyone attention.
Visenya looked up, "It would seem Daario was successful in his endeavor," she explained before turning to Ser Oswell, "Nyke jorrāelagon ao naejot jikagon naejot se crag se umbagon konīr syt se Stārke riñi. Kessi sagon tolī gīda lo issi lēda iā issaros bona ȳdragon pōja udrir sȳrī," not many understanding what she said. Translation: I need you to go to the Crag and wait there for the Stark girls. They will be more calm if they are with a person that speak their language well.
Ser Oswell nodded, "Yes, your grace," he agreed, sharing a look with Ser Gerald, before falling silent.
Visenya turned back to Greatjon, "I'm exhausted uncle. May we speak tomorrow?" she asked rubbing her eyes that were getting ready to drop.
Her uncle nodded, "Aye, we'll see each other in the council meeting and speak after, there's someone I want to introduce you too," he said bowing his head and leaving the tent towards his horse. He mounted and with a nod to everyone watching, he turned and headed back to Riverrun. He had a lot to speak with his son about.
Visenya dismissed everyone in her tent but the guards who she knew from experience wouldn't leave until their shift rotated. She had given up trying to stop them and just allowed them to guard her. Valyrian sprawled out in the opening now that everyone was gone and watched his mother as she climbed into the still steaming bath water that Lillian and three others had prepared.
Visenya allowed herself to relax. She was finally home, allied with the North and the Stark girls were on their way to their mother, everything was now falling into place.
Two days later, Sunspear received a raven.
Doran,
Begin slowly mobilizing Dorne. I have arrived in Westeros, and we have met with the King in the North. An alliance between hour houses has been struck and plans I had made on the ship heading to Essos are slowly falling into place.
We arrived at Riverrun two days ago. Arianne is well and her betrothed Edmure is smitten with her. They are very happy together. Sarella has joined me, please don't tell Oberyn, as I needed another set of hands to go through with my plan. If all ends well, I should be heading to Dorne soon.
DO NOT allow Oberyn or the Sand Snakes leave to fight yet. When we meet again it will be in Dorne and not on the battlefield. I look forward to the moons to come and seeing you soon.
All my love,
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, Queen of Dragons and Rider of Valyrian, The King of Dragons.