DAENERYS
Dany sat in the back of a wagon with her legs tucked under her. She wore a shawl over her head to keep her hair hidden away from a glancing look. The capitol had filled in the recent days, much like the tourney merchants, entertainers, and craftsmen travelled around various corners of the world to set up shop in Kings Landing. Jae sat across from her with his legs crossed and Longclaw in his lap, Ghost lying down in the middle of them with a tarp thrown over him. Brienne and Podrick sat in the front of the wagon steering the horses who pulled them as they travelled south along the kingsroad deep into the woods.
"Are you certain Lord Baelish wouldn't spring some sort of trap to kidnap you two?" Brienne asked.
"Once again yes Brienne, Baelish gains nothing from taking us for ransom" Dany sighed as she explained for the fourth time on their journey. Truth be told Dany wasn't nervous even if sellswords were waiting for them, she was confident Jae and Brienne could keep them safe. Brienne elected to remain quiet as they followed the secluded trail way deep into the Kingswood. She wasn't sure if Jae thought them safe but given his moving gaze on the tree lines around them, he wanted to be safe most likely.
"Only Dany and I will approach the house," Jaehaerys said, causing both Brienne and Podrick to begin to argue. "If this does get reported back to the King and Queen then I wish not to give them cause to throw either of you from the capitol especially if this is something you shouldn't know" he explained causing them both to quiet down begrudgingly. They had come along by request of Jae but he didn't want them to get in trouble for him or their scheming. This could be the leverage to stop Aegon and his threats on Jaehaerys but there was no guarantee he would even care, first they needed the truth to use. They reached a clearing out of the woods after their travels when Jaehaerys told them to stop. There was a large home a further way down, it faced towards the woods and castle. Outside it stood a woman who was hanging clothes from a line to the side. They climbed out of the back and Jae helped Dany down from the ride.
"Stay out of sight, and that is an order from your prince" he half-joked as he and Daenerys began up the path. The Prince put his sword back on his hip and Dany adjusted her headwear now that she didn't need to hide her hair. The woman's back was turned but when they approached the house she seemed to take notice of them and she quickly moved towards the pair.
"Uhm, are you lost?" She asked, her eyes looking at Jae's sword. Despite pale skin, she had a slight Dornish accent on her tongue.
"We came looking for someone," he explained, she grew nervous at the words.
"Well it's just me and my family here, do-do you have a name?"
"I don't, but I'm told she is a child, I know it may be hard to believe but we don't mean any threat" he said, just as she looked sceptical Dany reached up and pulled her shawl from her head revealing her platinum silver hair.
"We only wish to visit our family, now step aside by order of your Prince and Princess" Daenerys said, holding her back straight and lining her voice with as much authority as she had. A newfound fear coursed through the woman's face as she tried to think about her next action, while she thought Jaehaerys approached the door, Dany quickly behind him. The lady moved to stop them and Jae's hand flew to his hilt causing her to flinch.
"Wait please, I-I can show you but you mustn't tell anyone what you have seen here today please the Queen has gone to great lengths to ensure this secret" she begged. Dany and Jae didn't even need to look at each other before they both nodded. The nameless lady took a deep breath before motioning for them to follow her inside the cottage. Once inside they were greeted by a small number of women, some older, some younger, all dressed simply. They all looked surprised at the appearance of two new individuals in the doorway, "The Prince and Princess" she said gesturing to the pair of them causing a few of the sitting women to stand.
"We wish to see the babe and her mother, and ask her a few questions," Jaehaerys said. They looked between themselves for a few moments trying to silently weigh their options before one finally nodded and went to fetch the girl. A moment later a pretty young woman in a simple sky-blue gown entered the room, she had fair skin and pale gold hair. Shining green eyes, the same green one could find in jewellery, she was also holding a wriggling, cooing, buddle of blanket in her arms.
"Mama" they could hear the girl sigh exhausted.
"What do you want?" She asked harshly, holding her child tight, as though they might snatch her away in a moment.
"That babe, who is her father?" Dany asked as she tried to lean and get a peak at the girl.
"Why does it matter? We have never bothered anyone, we don't want anything"
"We aren't here to take your girl away I promise, what's your name?" Dany asked, trying to be more gentle.
"...Marei and this is Elaenor," She said after a moment of hesitation. "Look if you're not here to take her, and I assume you're not here to hurt her, what is it you want?"
"Just the truth, her father, is it Aegon?" Dany asked, Marei hesitated again.
"I… he took a liking to me you must understand" she started while her daughter started to fight her to be set down, Marei conceded and set the three-year-old down on a pair of wobbly legs. The girl turned around and stared up at them with a pair of deep purple eyes that instantly reminded her of Aegon's, she had small waves of white blonde hair that curled past her ears. "Soon I became reserved for the prince by his request and no other patron could lay a finger on me, so when my moonblood stopped a few months later there was no doubt in my mind who it was that fathered it"
"What did Aegon say?" Jae asked while Elaenor started towards the pair of strangers in her home, Dany knelt and held her arms open while the girl made her way over.
"Nothing, not to me at least, the queen contacted me once it was clear I was pregnant and offered me a bag full of gold to be rid of the babe" she admitted and Dany gasped slightly at her words but pulled the girl into a hug as she reached her. Elaenor played with her ponytail before Dany took it and tickled her nose with the tip of it earning a boatload of giggles.
"You refused," Jae said and Marei nodded.
"Nothing would make me get rid of my child, I intended to leave the brothel and different work so she wouldn't have to grow up like that but before I could the Queen gave me a new offer, to live in secret and raise the girl without anyone knowing" she finished while carefully keeping an eye on her daughter in Dany's arms.
"Why did you decide against the gold?" Jaehaerys asked, earning a slight scowl from the woman.
"What? Is it so strange to believe a mother may love her unborn child?"
"No no, I just, from my understanding most women in your line of work would have taken the money"
"Do you know many whores, my prince?" She asked.
"No no no, that was not my meaning" he quickly rushed out causing a quiet chorus of giggles from many of the women in the room.
"If you want to know so much, growing up in a whore house as an orphan isn't much of a life, I had few friends and even fewer people I could genuinely trust. When I came of age my maidenhood was sold to the highest bidder and men have been using me since, some gentle and some cruel, some handsome and some ugly, some were nobodies who barely had the coin for a few hours with me, and some, where Prince's who could buy out the whole brothel if they wanted. But through all of it, I had been alone, I saw my babe as a chance to not be alone anymore and I wanted to take it, it might not be easy to understand as royalty but sometimes you only get the things you desire once in your life" she explained while Dany and Jae listened intently. Daenerys felt for the woman, she could understand why she did what she did.
"Aegon might not know," Dany said looking at Jaehaerys.
"Please if it is so I wish to keep it that way, the last thing I need is her being dragged to court to be paraded around or put under scrutiny" she said and now it was Jaehaerys who scowled slightly as she described his upbringing.
"It's not so bad really" Jae lied. Growing up the target of court was a nightmare really and she knew it. She watched him grow up distant from almost everyone including most of his family, even his father was too wrapped in grief to properly show his son love, outside of her and Ser Jaime he was also alone.
"Do you have what you came here for? Can I put my daughter back to bed please?" She asked holding her arms out for the little girl who Dany willingly handed over without a second of hesitation.
"We can leave you be, thank you for your time," Dany said before leading Jaehaerys back out by the hand. They continued hand in hand back to the carriage, Dany thought about if they should even make use of the information they gained. The idea of flaunting Aegon's bastard in his face after years of listening to him say Jae was a stain on the family tree was very sweet, but she also wished to honour Marei's wishes and allow her to remain in secret with her daughter.
"Do you want children someday Jaehaerys?" She asked him, they would be expected to have kids, to help continue the royal line but she knew if he didn't desire them she wouldn't force the subject.
"I used to always think no, but maybe she has a point, being alone is terrible" he said looking over at her, sending her heart fluttering to the clouds.
RHAENYS
Rhaenys travelled flea bottom with her two closest cousins and Ser Arys behind them. Just like the tourney, the three girls looked around at the foods and items on display, which they happily sampled.
"Rhae it's so sweet" Tyene gushed as she held up the other half of a baked treat with some jelly-like filling seeping out. She carefully ate from her cousin's hand and her eyes went wide and a savoury, extremely sweet flavour exploded in her mouth, even after she swallowed her tongue looking in the corners and on the edges of her teeth for more. Tyene bought a small bag full of the goodies, eating them periodically as they walked, Arys was only a few steps behind them next to Arianne, the two of them giggling about something.
"Any ideas for your brother?" Tyene asked the princess while they looked at some of the less busy stalls. Rhaenys was here with the intent to find her brother a wedding gift, she had intended not to until her mother had all but demanded she get him something.
"What do you buy your cunt brother when he is getting married?" Rhaenys sarcastically asked.
"Dunno, I only have cunt sisters," Tyene replied, sending the two girls into a small fit of laughter. She saw ornate swords from the far east he would never use, trinkets and bobbles he would never care for, books he would never read, mayhaps she should buy him a whore but she doubted the ever-smirking rose from the reach would appreciate it.
"I could try an exotic wine" Rhaenys suggested as her eyes fell on a stall lined with bottles of various colours and shapes.
"That gift won't last the wedding, jewellery mayhaps?" Tyene said.
"He'd never wear it, I could try clothes something nice"
"Sure if you want to meet the bare minimum of a gift for a prince"
"What are you getting him?"
"Nothing your brother is a massive ass, he doesn't deserve a gift all he is doing is swearing some vows he doesn't intend to keep" Tyene explained, Rhaenys agreed but her mother would make a deal out of it. Soon Arianne caught up to them springing her way into the middle of them.
"I got him a dagger," Arianne said in a light melody.
"Yes, give Aegon a weapon that will be good," Rhaenys said.
"He could get his hands on a weapon regardless" Arianne countered.
"Doesn't mean he actually knows how to use any of them at least, I think we will be safe yet" Tyene said. They continued to walk, Rhaenys looked back to see Ser Arys on high alert now that Ari wasn't in his ear. Rhae couldn't help but worry about the war looming that her cousins were still unaware of, she looked at all the merchants and tradesmen and thought about how many of them would still be here if a siege set in.
"Rhaenys did you hear me?" Arianne asked, snapping her out of her focus.
"Hm? No sorry"
"This way more stalls" she pointed down a side road that connected some of the major roads through the city. Rhaenys followed and looked over a table full of fine rings and necklaces, the merchant going on about which jewels would look best on the three girls no doubt trying to earn as much gold as he could. Even a joke or two earned a giggle from the girls, they looked for only a few moments, Arianne buying a small ring for her pinky.
"RHAENYS TARGARYEN" a voice called out causing Rhaenys to turn her head in response while her friends kept looking at their jewellery, suddenly the sound of steel filled the Ally as three men she had never seen before drew swords, Arys wasted no time pulling his in response.
"Stay back" He ordered and Rhaenys wasn't sure if he meant her or them. Either way, the three men advanced on him, only one stopping for a moment to stick two fingers in his mouth and whistle so loudly it cut through the noise of the crowd. She didn't have time to think about it as steel clashed against steel, Arys and the first man were crossing blades. The second man was staring at Rhaenys and attempted to slip by Arys while he was distracted but the kingsguard was ready and slammed his shoulder into the man sending him spiraling into the wall. Before Arys could finish the job the first man was attacking him again, the third one joining him in attacking the white knight. People realized what was happening and there was soon a commotion she hoped would draw the attention of the city watch.
"We need to leave," Tyene said, pulling hard on their arms. She was right, if that whistle was a signal they could be surrounded fast, they needed to get back to the castle. Rhaenys started moving but Arianne didn't, she stood in fear watching her lover fight off three men to the best of his abilities. She won't leave him. Quickly he was able to run his blade through the third man, a sickening groan spilling out as he crumpled to the ground. The first man took his chance and struck Arys, slicing him in the thigh. He cried out in pain and Ari winced, but he didn't stop fighting, trying to balance on one leg. He kept rhythm as best he could but he was already on the back foot and with the injury it was worse.
The third man saw his opening while Arys' sword was trying to block the other attacker. He moved to plunge his blade into the side of their protector but he got arrogant, Arys quickly brought his blade around and parried the attack away before lunging forward and driving his sword into the attacker's stomach. He cried out in agony as they both went to the ground, Arys tried to scramble back up to defend himself from the last man but it was too late. The original man who yelled her name drove his sword downwards through his back forcing a low guttural bloody groan out of him before he looked back over at us one last time. Then he slumped back down against the ground motionless, his life essence mixing with the stonework of the old city.
"ARYS!" Arianne cried as she almost took a step towards them but Tyene wrenched her backwards.
"We need to fucking leave" she said and Rhaenys reached forward to help drag the grieving girl away. The three of them ran fleeing into the crowd, Rhaenys wanted to book it directly down the road to the castle but before they could make it very far Tyene quickly veered off into a new side street where they quickly took cover. Tyene pulled a small knife from somewhere lining her dress Rhae couldn't quite see and put it in her palm.
"I-I-I've…never…" Rhae started her eyes wide as she looked down at the blade.
"You've got no choice, no one's where we are or that you're in danger" Tyene reasoned quickly, it clicked to the princess that she was their target. They knew her by name and their eyes were on her mainly even with Arys in front of them. "We need to find a business we can go to, somewhere to hide while someone gets the guards for us" she added and Rhaenys nodded, was this what it was like being a sand snake?
"A-A-Arys, he, he…" Arianne sobbed her head in her hands.
"Arianne you're going to be reunited with him soon if you don't shut up" Tyene snarled at her cousin who made no effort to stop her tears.
"We need to get to the keep" Rhaenys said and Tyene shook her head.
"We don't know how many there are and where, and they know what you look like, we need somewhere to go," Tyene said, Rhaenys thought about the whole scene again and something clicked into place.
"No, no they know what I vaguely look like, they had to yell my name, because I look like Arianne they didn't know which one of us was me" The two girls could easily pass for sisters, same dark hair, same olive skin though Ari was a bit darker. Hells they were even both princesses with a pair of younger brothers.
"Why is this happening?" Arianne asked a croak in her voice as the tears started to subside.
"Assassins sent after the royal family but why?" Tyene asked, looking at Rhaenys. She knew why of course but now wasn't the time to begin explaining the possibility of war on their shores. "Whatever reason can wait, we need to move" The sand snake took a glance up and down the main road looking for cutthroats with weapons. Once she was sure they were clear they took off once again, they slipped inside a tavern which was packed to the brim with drunk patrons. They quickly walked against the wall to the barkeep trying to keep eyes away from them.
"What'll ya have?" he asked in a gruff voice.
"Please we need help, this is the princess and someone is after her, we need to find the city watch for us," Tyene said, he eyed Rhae for a moment before a short chortle slipped out.
"Yea, 'cause I know what the fuckin' princess looks like," he said before waving them off.
"Please sir I-" Rhae tried to start.
"What you just walk in and show me a pair of Dornish whores and say one of thems the princess, let me guess I go and you rob me while I'm out, yeah right now fuck off," he said before turning to serve a different patron. Tyene scowled before they quickly slipped back outside and started towards the keep again before ducking into a bathhouse.
"Do you know anyone who might recognize you?" Tyene asked, Rhaenys tried to think but she didn't leave the keep often, she was never in the throne room when her father heard the plights of the small folk, and for the first time she was cursing her lack of Targaryen features.
"We just left him in the streets" Arianne lamented, Rhae was thinking that Ari would be of no use right now when a sudden idea came to her.
"We ran away from the crime" Rhaenys said and Tyene nodded.
"Yea not sure if you noticed there were assassins"
"No, I mean, the city guard has to have seen his corpse by now, we won't find help in front of us it's behind us" Rhaenys said and Tyene took a second to think about it.
"Do you even know where his corpse is by this point?" She asked and Rhaenys realized she couldn't exactly pinpoint where the alley had been when she was in a panic to get away. "Going back could be smart, if they expect us to head to the castle they might try to wait nearby and ambush us again, but where do we go after
"We should go somewhere to hide so we won't get spotted on the streets but somewhere they would know to look for us," Rhaenys said.
"Yeah but where would we go and who would know to look for you there?" She asked. Rhae thought about it, she knew one person who might have an idea.
JAEHAERYS
The wagon they rode in pulled into the city gates and Jaehaerys heard the frenzy of Kings Landing whip up into his ears. Dany sat next to him, her head resting on his shoulder as they bounced on the now cobblestone streets. Jae was deep in thought about the little girl and what kind of life he could have had if he wasn't never a known royal bastard.
"What the?" Brienne asked, causing the prince to look ahead seeing a large crowd and the city watch trying to clear the streets. "What is this?" She asked the first watchman to approach them.
"There has been a murder, we're trying to get word to the castle," he said, causing Jaehaerys to sit up slightly, accidentally shifting Daenerys.
"The castle?" He asked.
"Yeah, it was a member of the kingsguard," he said, causing all of them to shift their attention. Dany quickly reached up and ripped her headpiece off exposing her hair again.
"Show us" she demanded and he quickly nodded his head. There were two bodies in the alleyway, Jae carefully bent down and pulled Arys helmet from his head before setting him back down gently. "Ser Arys, he wouldn't have just been here on his own"
"So, then where is Rhaenys?" Jaehaerys asked. They all looked at each other for a moment before Jae grabbed Dany by the forearm and led them back to the wagon. "Oof I want you to take Dany back to the keep, you need to find the king and tell him Rhaenys needs to be found" he said as Dany started to pull against his grip.
"I wish to help you look," She argued.
"Dany please, these men killed Ser Arys. I need my head clear if I have to fight, and if I think you might be in danger for a second I won't be able to focus," he explained with a pleading look in his eyes, she relented and moved to climb into the wagon while Jae signalled ghost out of it.
"You stupid heroes and your determination to die," she said almost spitefully before kissing him and climbing back in the wagon. "Don't you dare die" she ordered him as Podrick helped the princess up into the ride.
"You keep telling me that," Jae teased.
"Because you keep charging into danger," she said before Pod urged the horses forward.
They wasted no time in running the streets of Kings Landing glancing down every alley, and every side street, checking under every tarp-covered carriage or wagon, and sticking their heads inside whatever establishments were open. They decided to stick together, surmising that if whoever was could kill a kingsguard they either had numbers or were good fighters.
"Do you think they would have headed towards the castle?" Brienne asked after closing the door to the bakery they had just checked. His palm rested on his pommel which they looked up and down the busy streets, Ghost hunting for a scent to track. This already would have been a difficult task any normal day but it was made that much harder by all the extra visitors. It made Jaehaerys wonder if this was a random incident or a part of a bigger plot against the royal family, something to figure out once they had more information.
Suddenly Ghost peaked up and started walking faster, the pair kept pace as he rounded into a bathhouse where he tried to follow the scent into one of the small spaces where clothing was stored. He snuck his snout in and pulled out one of Rhaenys' dresses, he had seen her in it earlier in the morning when they ate.
"She changed clothes" Jaehaerys stated holding the cloth up towards Brienne who inspected it for a moment.
"No blood, she isn't injured"
"Not yet," He said as Ghost sniffed around the ground in a small circle for a moment before taking off out the door. The two quickly ran to catch up to him as he circled outside a few more times before looking up at Jae with narrow-distance eyes, he knew what that meant. "Whoever clothes she took must have needed that bath, Ghost can't smell her anymore" Jaehaerys sighed.
"Oh this city just smells too awful" she argued and Jae couldn't disagree. He ran a hand through his hair and started to scan around the city. "Surely if she has changed clothes she intends to try and get to the castle"
"Maybe, but if that's the case the city watch may find her or whatever help the castle sends out, we should search further away just to be safe," he said, Brienne nodded but remained quiet. He looked at all of the buildings that made up the sights of King's Landing, where would she hide? "I have a guess, but it's just a feeling at best," he said after another few moments of thought, he stared up at the massive ruins of the dragonpit. With haste, they approached the remains of the host of the Targaryen's once great power. The great doors were meant to remain sealed but people had snuck their way in, searching for bones, scales, or maybe even forgotten eggs to try and sell for some profit, none ever found anything worthwhile and soon ruins went quiet once again.
They scaled the hill and were soon met with the grey ghastly corpse of the pit. He noticed the doors were open and faintly heard a commotion inside, he, Brienne, and Ghost entered quietly and saw a collection of two dozen men all armed.
"Ya, sure they came in here?"
"Aye they changed clothes but I remember that blonde one" blonde one? Tyene most likely.
"Well, what're all standing around for to get your cocks sucked? Start looking" one he then barked out and they all sprang to search the rumble and looked for any way into the caves that followed the hill. He didn't have to look to Brienne to know they couldn't fight the entire group even with Ghost, he turned to whisper to her.
"Go get the gold cloaks" She immediately opened her mouth but Jae didn't give her the chance. "Now Brienne, if we both die up here it won't matter that we found them if no one else knows, now go" she clenched her jaw for a moment.
"Don't do anything stupid" she whispered before creeping out of the ruins as quietly as she could manage with all the armour. He unstrapped his sword from his hip and pulled Longclaw out slowly and carefully before setting the sheath down.
Time to go do something stupid.
Jaehaerys crept around the edge of massive ruins scouting the group of them, this skill he had honed during two years north of the wall first with the watch then with the wildlings.
"You've gottem" Ygritte whispered while Jae loosed an arrow, he nailed a dear dead in the throat causing it to buck and thrash wildly while it bled out and collapsed. They didn't watch however as the redhead had turned and gave him a playful push, "See? Told you my way is the best way" she teased as they approached the prize.
"Still not sure if stealth is my way" Jaehaerys teased while pulling his furs up slightly to shield against the wind.
"That's because you don't know how to do it yet, don't worry, I'll make a silent killer out of you yet" She said with a gleam in her eyes.
Jaehaerys was sure she would be proud if she could see him now, she had taught him how to stalk and hunt as quietly as a mouse even in knee-deep snows. He crept up behind one alone and lunged forward, snapping his hand over the man's mouth and driving the sword through his back the valyrian steel carving him like bread. He screamed out against Jae's hand which died on his palm as the man began to slump against him. Jae slowly dragged him backwards before finding a spot tucking the corpse behind some rubble to bide him more time.
"Aye, there's a path through this rubble down here" one of the men yelled out.
"You three are with me, the rest of you stay here in case they slip by us" the main one from before ordered. Then a small group of them delved into the depths of the ruins, Jae knew he had to follow them in case the girls were down there. It took him a moment to find his chance and he quickly darted down the tunnel into the underbelly after that. It was pitch black down here save for a bit of flickering light he could see from around the corner.
"Fuckin lantern, there," he said before the light got brighter and he could hear their footsteps begin down the tunnel.
"Fook me this place is massive, 'ow we gonna find em down 'ere?"
"Either they got light too or they're just bumbling through the darkness, either way, we will find them" Jaehaerys followed them just out of the vision of their lantern his only worry was that the light might reflect off his blade or ghosts pelt and give them away should they look back. He was limited in choices so he decided to run the risk of being spotted and followed, suddenly there was a sharp noise cut through the dark silence ahead of them a clattering of chains. The four men hurried, Jae with them, and came across the three ladies who had gotten themselves cornered in a massive lair.
"C'mere pretty doves we only need to kill one of you, but that don't mean the other two can't keep us company on the trip back" one of them said as they approached, that was all Jaehaerys needed to hear. He rushed them from behind with ghost at his side, he didn't care about his noise volume anymore and one of them looked back in time to see the prince raise Longclaw over his head and bring it down hard into the crook of his neck, cleaving deep into torso before he slumped down. The rest quickly turned around and another was pounced on from the dark by Ghost, getting knocked clean off his feet and having his throat and face torn at violently. The third man quickly tried to rush the girls but only made it a few steps before Tyene stepped and threw a small knife which buried itself in the man's neck. His hand flew up to grab his neck in a feeble attempt to survive, the colour drained from his face before he sank to his knees. He opened his mouth as if to say something but the only noise that came was a low bloody wheeze followed quickly by a mouthful of blood before he fell over and fell still. The lantern falling on its side gave half of the light it could have to the lair.
"A valyrian sword, and a big white direwolf, you're Jaehaerys," The main man said as he raised his sword to point at Jae. Jae remained quiet for a moment as he pulled his sword from the corpse, it ran red from tip to hilt as the access gore dripped from the edge.
"Who are you?" He finally asked the man, he didn't sound too different so he might be Westerosi. His skin was pale and he had long loose dark hair and stubble lining his jawline.
"My name is of little consequence, they wanted to save you for later, but I can't lie I'm tempted to try my steel now" he said as a sickening grin grew on him. The flickering lantern right of him made it so that Jae could only see half of his twisted smile, the rest lost to the black abyss consuming the other side of his face. He readied his blade and took a few cautious steps towards Jaehaerys with passion in his eyes. Ghost inched to him, blood and flesh dripping from his teeth. We need prisoners to question.
"Hold ghost" Jae quickly ordered his wolf while glancing over. Ghost stayed keeping a careful eye on his target, the strange man attacked the moment Jaehaerys looked away. He lunged forward thrusting his blade straight at Jae's throat. Jaehaerys quickly knocked the sword away and had to block as the man immediately swung back again trying to take his head off. Sparks flew as he stepped forward and put all of his weight against Jaehaerys' sword and forced him backwards a few steps.
"You're fast" he complimented the prince before they both quickly advanced again. They traded swings and blocked the sound of steel on steel echoing off the cave walls. He was fast, Jaehaerys would dare say faster than Oberyn, but the young prince could keep up very well. Soon they were both covered in cuts and slashed, Jae only had a few on him, and the assassin was covered head to toe in dozens of bloody slices taken from his skin. His sword was draped with notches on both edges, dust fell loose from the ceiling as the great doors above them.
"Help has arrived, the gold cloaks are here and your sword won't last, yield ser" Jaehaerys offered.
"I'm no knight, and I have no intent to face your king's justice," he said before charging Jaehaerys again. Their duel raged on for a little while longer until Jae saw his opening, the man thrust forward hard but the prince was able to sidestep it instead and quickly bring his blade up and took the man's sword hand completely off just below his elbow. He fell to his knees crying out in pain as he clutched his bloody stump, Jae considered finishing him off there but this one seemed to call the shots, if there was anyone they would be able to gain information from it was him.
"You'll face my father's justice whether you wish it or not," He told the man. Jae told ghost to watch him and crossed the cave to the girls. "Are you alright?" he asked before getting nods from all of them even is Arianne looked a bit more shaken up.
"How did you know to look for us here?" Tyene asked.
"Well when I knew Arys was dead and Rhaenys might be in trouble I reasoned, she was one for the histories so if she had to go hide somewhere to be found later it may be at the dragonpit the biggest historical sight of the city which happens to sit on Rhaenys Hill" He explained, a slow smile drift along Rhae's lips as he told them his reasoning. She took a few steps before throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.
"I knew you'd find us," She said quietly as he hugged her back.
RHAEGAR
The King took no joy in participating or even just watching bloodshed, but when he heard Ser Arys was dead and his daughter missing he knew he would take some joy in his revenge getting her back. Arthur pulled his blade from the chest of another man, Arthur, Jaime, Barristan, and himself led a collection of gold cloaks against the mysterious group in the dragonpit. He had ridden here as fast as possible when he received word that Rhaenys was possibly in danger and Jaehaerys was facing them alone. When they arrived the men quickly fought without remorse but they were no match for the kingsguard's finest and the city watch combined.
"The Prince and Princess aren't here, but their blades were clean your grace," Barristan told him, Rhaegar was about to scowl when he saw them emerge from the rubble-covered tunnel along with his nieces and another much older man he didn't recognize.
"Take him and put him in the darkest cells the keep has," Arianne said first. Rhaegar didn't register it however as he ran over and pulled his daughter against him squeezing her tight.
"I'm sorry, I don't know how they got in the city but-"
"It's ok Father, I am fine, Jaehaerys was there in time to help save us" she cut him off in high valyrian. He pulled away from the hug before quickly embracing his son, Jae trying to be mindful of his weapon. The city watch took their only prisoner to the red keep in order to be questioned by Connington who was waiting back at the keep. The gold cloaks started to gather the corpses when the king spoke again.
"No" All heads turned to look at him.
"Your Grace?" Jaime asked curiously, Rhaegar's fist tightened at his side and for the first time in years, he felt the dragon's fury course through him.
"Let them rot, let their bones join these long still ruins, let it serve as a reminder to those who dare to bear steel against house Targaryen" he commanded, his anger dripping with each word. The city watch obeyed, Jaehaerys collected his sheath, ghost licked his chops, and the royal family made their way escorted by the watch and their remaining kingsguard. Rhaegar got the entire story from his kids and was ready to behead the last man himself, but Jae was wise to take a prisoner to question.
Upon returning to the red keep his beautiful wife, sister, and good brother with a sword on his hip were waiting just inside the great doors. Elia immediately wrapped her daughter up tightly, pressing her forehead with kisses. Dany flung herself at Jaehaerys who caught her in his arms as she buried her face in his neck. Even Oberyn let his emotions show as he pulled his daughter and niece into a hug against his chest, Arianne started to quietly sob into her uncle the king reasoned it had to have been a scary ordeal for the girl. Tyene said something quiet to her father who in turn thanked the prince. Rhaegar wished to relax with his family and be glad his kids were safe, but they still weren't.
The king made his way to the dungeons of the keep with only Ser Arthur with him. The sworn knight was quiet, likely sensing the king's wrath, Rhaegar was glad Dayne didn't try to calm him down, he wanted his anger for what came next. They reached the cells and could hear Connington long before they saw him and he tried to coax any response from the man.
"How did your men get into the city on foot, boat?"
"I thought I told you to go fuck yourself"
"I can't promise you the king's mercy but I can a clean, quick death if you cooperate" Gods please don't let him cooperate. The king reached the cells to see Jon, Varys, and a small number of castle guards.
"Ah, your Grace," the man said sarcastically. His eyes shifted from Rhaegar to Dayne before going back to the king. "Come to watch me die personally?"
"Why" was the first word the king muttered. "Why my daughter"
"You think you're special because of that crown on your head? How many daughters do you think to die every day not even the highest castle walls can keep you safe from the cruelty of this world"
"You expect us to believe this was some random attack?" Jon asked, crossing his arms.
"No, it wasn't, but just know you aren't safe not in your city, not in your castle, not even in your own fucking beds" he spat.
"That's enough, have Pycelle tend to his arm and move him to the black cells" Connington ordered, their prisoner however had a different idea. He quickly bolted forward darting between the guards and reaching out towards the king, he's fast. Dayne was faster, in a white blur he ripped Dawn from its place secured to him and took the man's head off his shoulders before his hand could reach the king. It rolled along the floor before stopping at Rhaegar's feet, "Damnit Dayne"
"No one will lay hands on his Grace while in my presence" was all he said in response.
"We need to call off the wedding, your grace, at least postpone it until we can ensure the city is safe," Jon said, turning to the king. Rhaegar thought about it for a few months while the castle guards took the body away.
"If I may your Grace," Varys said, Rhaegar nodded in silent confirmation. "Word will spread of Ser Arys death and an attack on the royal family, to put any strain on the wedding over this will show fear and sow the very fear you sought to stamp out"
"You wish to try and retain respect whilst more assassins could already be in the city walls?" Connington was agitated as the words spilt from his mouth.
"If we stir a frenzy in streets now it will only triple the difficulty of catching future attempts on the crown, we wish to catch further killers but if all the travellers begin to flood out any other dangers could leave with them, with whatever new information they have gathered about us" the spider explained.
"Your Grace considers the wedding may be a prime opportunity to strike again"
"Not if we take precautions, no one gets into the castle without our knowledge or agreement, thorough searches, we could even put the Starks wolves to use, this is meant to be a day of glory for house Targaryen, for your son" Varys said.
"Rhaegar, please" Jon reasoned, the king silently stared down at the blood under his feet listening to what they both had to say. Then still without a word he turned and walked out of the dungeons with Dayne beside him. Once more the long-time friends walked in silence as Arthur blindly followed his friend.
"The Tyrells will want the wedding to proceed, and you know Aegon won't care much for the attack since no one was hurt," Dayne said and Rhaegar winced.
"Ser Arys died"
"He did his duty" Arthur reasoned.
"So we should care less because he swore to die for us?" The king asked as his temper began to die down.
"No, no of course not your grace, we will honour him the way we know how, and of course, you will need to replace him before the wedding," Dayne said, Rhaegar only let out a huff as they continued. The king and Lord Commander reached his chambers where he thankfully found his wife, she quickly stood and they embraced in the middle of the room as Dayne pulled the door shut.
"We could have lost her…" were the first things Elia muttered against his chest as she trembled in his arms, no longer needing to play the dutiful queen, he placed a kiss on the crown of her head.
"We didn't, our sweet girl came home safe" he felt as though he was reminding himself at that moment. When he heard Rhaenys was missing and Arys was dead he wanted to throw up with sickness, the worst things had run through his mind that she was kidnapped to be sold off, that someone was holding her down in a back alley and raping her, that she was already another corpse in Kings Landing. The relief he felt when he saw her not just alive but unharmed was indescribable, "The wedding my love…" he trailed off looking down at her.
"We can't, not after today," she said looking up at him.
"We can't just send the lords away while we hunt for more killers, and then what summon them back and hope no one suspicious sneaks in with them?"
"So put Aegon center stage next? We may as well draw a target on the back of his doublet" she exclaimed.
"We need to show the crown is strong at this moment" She stared into his eyes for a moment after the words left his lips.
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" She asked and he remained quiet.
"We can still search but I think the wedding should proceed, we don't have the food to sustain all these people on top of the half a million we already have" Rhaegar explained. Elia's expression darkened as she turned, walked away from her husband, and sat again.
"I suppose this is what I get, for marrying the Prince, a lifetime of fear my children will be murdered for their blood and daring to be born" She lamented, Rhaegar quickly walked over and crouched, taking her hands in his.
"Do you trust me?" He asked her, and she didn't hesitate in nodding her head. "Then trust I will do all in my power to keep them safe"
"It wasn't in your power Rhaegar, if it wasn't for Jaehaerys she could have been…" she trailed for a moment getting choked up at the mere idea of their daughter's corpse. "What will you do if, or when, your very best isn't enough?" Rhaegar didn't have the words to reassure her, he couldn't find them in that moment instead choosing to pull her into a hug. Just like when he faced Robert, he knew he had to be enough, no ifs.