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The Following NINE Chapters are avaliable for Patrons.
Chapter 31 (Reunion with The Starks), Chapter 32 (Night at Winterfell), Chapter 33 (A Tourney), Chapter 34 (Ned's Regrets), Chapter 35 (Direwolves of House Stark), Chapter 36 (No Time Left), Chapter 37 (A Wildling's Life), Chapter 38 (Crow's Eye), and Chapter 39 (To The South) are already available for Patrons.
Elia Martell Targaryen - 297 AC
The sun was shining, making the flowers and trees look brighter and more beautiful. She felt the sun kissing her olive skin. Elia was in the gardens of The Red Keep waiting for her brother, sitting on a bench; it had been some time since the last time she saw him. Birds were singing around the trees; she felt better hearing their songs.
Her brother had been in Essos for some time, reporting some strange events around Pentos; the captain of The Golden Company was seen in Pentos accompanied by a red priestess; her brother didn't know why but it didn't really matter to Westeros. The only reason why her brother had paid attention to it was the Golden Company's history with Westeros.
She wanted to know if there was any information regarding the kingdoms; Elia and Rhaegar feared another rebellion; that was the last thing anyone in the Royal Family wanted.
Because of that fear, Rhaegar and Elia accepted the betrothal between her little dragon, Aegon Targaryen and Margaery Tyrell; Rhaegar didn't want this; he wanted Aegon and Rhaenys to have a choice on who to marry, but Elia knew they didn't have the power right now. They needed a more stable Westeros; Aegon's marriage with Margery would bring The Reach on their side if The Rebellion did occur.
Rhaegar was a good king, but even the best of kings has enemies, and no king can please everyone. They were kings who tried to please everyone and, in the end, caused a war. A gentle breeze flew past her, and a bird landed on the stone ground near her, blue like the ocean, reminding her of someone that loved the color blue. She looked down at her ring, a wolf's head carved on the face of the ring, and she wondered what Lya would do if she were here. She missed her smiles and soft kisses, her eyes shining full of life.
Elia heard the birds singing around the garden, high in the trees. She always came here to calm herself or to be alone in her thoughts. She needed to be alone to think about everything that happened, about the future of Aegon and Rhaenys.
Alone here, she could think about her family, Doran and Oberyn. About herself.
Here she would often think about Lya; sometimes, Rhaegar would say that it was his fault that she died; she deserved a better life; instead, she died alone in a Tower and not among people that loved her.
Elia wished she would have been with her in her final moments, and maybe she could have changed something. But Aerys destroyed everything, and Robert Baratheon started a rebellion.
Lyanna had told them many times she had sent letters to Hoster Tully and Robert Baratheon that she loved Rhaegar and ran away with him willingly. No one knew what happened to those letters; Hoster Tully perhaps lied, but he had publicly told the king that he knew nothing of such letters.
The thought of Lyanna caused her to think of their lost child; she would have become a mother for the third time.
Sometimes she would think of Visenya, what kind of girl she would have been, would she have dark hair like her or silver hair of Targaryens, purple eyes, or dark grey like Lya. Would she be wild like her mother? Would she become a horse rider like her? Would she become like Visenya reborn?
A year ago, Tywin Lannister had asked for a betrothal between Daenerys and his grandson Joffrey Tully. Rhaegar didn't say 'yes,' but neither denied the man. Cersei Lannister had three children, Joffrey Tully, Myrcella Tully, and Tommen Tully. Rhaegar was afraid that Edmund Tully would marry Joffrey Tully to Sansa Stark. That would be a dangerous alliance to happen.
Rhaella had reassured them that the North wouldn't go that far; even if their Lord ordered them, many would be resigned.
Elia wanted to wait a little longer, but she knew her daughter Rhaenys wasn't that young anymore; she was eighteen name days, and she was at the right age for betrothal; Elia blamed Arianne for this one.
Rhaegar had a feast on The Red Keep last year for Rhaeny's name day, but mostly to see if Rhaenys would like anyone who would come there. Sadly that wasn't the case; she even almost fought with one knight.
The Riverlands acted like everything was alright, but Elia knew that was only a play; they would probably be the first to start a war if the chance was there. Cersei was probably poisoning Lord Tully's ear with sweet promises of revenge and power.
The North was silent, but Elia had noticed that her good mother was paying extra attention to the North; neither she nor Rhaegar knew what was going through her head. Rhaegar once asked her why she wanted information on the north, but her good mother said she wanted to see if Robb Stark could be a good husband for Daenerys or Rhaenys. Neither of them believed her, just from the way she talked.
She kneeled and picked one of the flowers, blue like ice; it reminded her of Lya. It had been so long, but she still remembered like it was yesterday.
' The first-day Rhaegar met her, he had told her about Lyanna Stark, the wild mystery knight.
At first, Elia was furious at Rhaegar, but at the same time, she understood she couldn't have more children, and her health was very fragile.
She asked Rhaegar after two weeks if she could meet this Lyanna or, as he has started calling her, SheWolf.
She met her in the garden, Lyanna looked a bit tense to see her when she approached her, but despite that, she was keeping her head high like a proper lady. "Your grace," she spoke respectfully after a minute of silence between them.
Now looking at her, Elia could see what Rhaegar was seeing in her, she was gorgeous, and from her hands and arms, Elia knew she was wild, like Rhaegar claimed, a fighter.
"You're Lyanna Stark," she said, liking the smile on her face; her eyes noticed that she had the look of a wolf.
"Yes, your grace," she replied without missing a bit. Elia arched an eyebrow at her tone. "You can call me Elia," she said kindly, hoping to make her feel more relaxed.
Lyanna nodded and smiled back at her, "What is that you wanted to talk about?" she asked with a smooth voice.
"Walk with me," Elia suggested but more like an order, and Lyanna followed her without complaining. Her uncle was following behind them, she turned her head at him, and he took a few steps further back to give them more space.
"Rhaegar spoke to me about you," Elia said, wanting to start the conversation, knowing that perhaps Lyanna didn't want to; she noticed a brief blush on her cheeks at the mention of Rhaegar.
"Your gr... Elia," she said, now sounding a bit panicked.
"What do you think about Rhaegar?" Elia asked, stopping her dead on track, and saw Lyanna looking away. "I-I, he's a good man; I saw how he treated the children and gave them money, he's also very good at singing, and he likes how I am," Lyanna answered, blushing even more before looking away, hating herself for sounding like a little girl in love, instead of a proud wolf of House Stark.
Elia chuckled at her beautiful face. "I understand it very well; in Dorne, we have women like you, who are warriors," Elia said kindly, grabbing her arm and walking again around the garden.
"As does the North, your grace; House Mormont is a clear example of that," Lyanna added, briefly remembering Maege.
"What can you tell me about your family?" Elia asked and saw the surprised face of Lyanna, who hadn't expected the future queen of Westeros to be interested in her family; in the South, the northerns were known as savages.
"Well. I have three brothers...
Elia listened to everything Lyanna told her about her family, about her favorite brother Benjen Stark. Then after that, Elia told her about her own family.
"Maybe we can meet again tomorrow. We can drink tea," Elia suggested with a charming smile that Lyanna found quite beautiful.
"Or maybe we can go to ride," Lyanna suggested with a sly look, and Elia laughed in amusement. Lyanna looked at her, confused. After a good minute of laughter, she forced herself to stop, not wanting Lyanna to think she had suddenly lost it.
"I'm sorry, Lyanna, yes, we can Ride; I like to ride too," Elia answered, still laughing a bit.
She felt tears rolling down her cheeks and falling into the blue flower; she quickly wiped them away with her palm. Putting the flower closer and smelling it, sweet and bitter at the same time, Oh Lya, if only you were here with us, Elia thought, swallowing a huge breath before hearing footsteps approaching.
She lifted her head to meet her brother's eyes; his smile disappeared slightly at the sight of her tears. "How is my favorite sister?" He questioned, kneeling in front of her, wiping away the tears from her cheeks.
She chuckled in amusement as Oberyn sat beside her. "Your only sister," Elia corrected as he hugged her.
Oberyn kissed her forehead before noticing the blue flower on her hands. "Still thinking about her?" He asked with a sad smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Elia sighed sadly and turned her head to face him. "It is very hard sometimes not to think about her, especially when it is around the time of her name day," she replied with a low tone, whirling the flower around in her hands and looking at it, how beautiful it was.
Lucky us, Oberyn thought, he never voiced it out, but a part of him was glad that Lyanna Stark and her child hadn't survived; if Dance of the Dragons taught them anything was the danger of Lyanna's future children could pose. Her first child wasn't a boy, but it didn't mean that her second one wouldn't be a son. Someone that could pose a danger to Aegon.
He knew such thoughts weren't good ones, to be happy for the death of an innocent woman and her children, but if it meant his nephew, niece and sister were safe, and Aegon would ascend the throne without any rivalry, then it didn't matter to him.
"I understand, I love Ellaria, and I know how I would have felt if I lost her," Oberyn spoke softly to her, comforting her in times of need.
"But you still have your children and your husband. They all love you," Oberyn reminded her, grasping her hand gently.
She reluctantly nodded; the thought of her husband and their children always brought a smile to her face. She leaned to her right, resting her head on his shoulder, after a few moments of silence. "How are Aegon, Rhaenys, and...Rhaegar?" He asked, looking at the garden.
"Aegon said he will gladly do his duty as a prince of the realm and marry the Tyrell girl. . . He is only fifteen-name days, and yet he acts more like a grown man than a kid, he's very good with a sword, but he cares way too much what others think of him," she replied with a little frown, but still proud of her little dragon.
Oberyn chuckled hearing her; he had tried to show Aegon in a brothel how one should satisfy his lover whenever she was the wife or someone he liked outside of marriage. Still, the mere mention caused Aegon to walk away, saying he would never be a stain in his father's name.
"I will never shame my father's good name. If you want a companion for the brothels, you can take Viserys; he spends more time there rather than in the Red Keep with his family," Aegon said with a hint of anger and disappointment at the end before walking away.
"He will be a good king," Oberyn spoke quietly to his sister, who nodded without a doubt in her mind.
"Maybe I should take him to see Dorne again; I'm sure he would like to relax for a few months there," Oberyn suggested, and Elia looked at him with a sharp look.
Elia thought about it, and maybe that wasn't a bad idea, but Aegon preferred Dragonstone over Dorne, many times saying he dreamed of a black dragon shadowing the entire realm.
"I don't think he would prefer it; he likes Dragonstone, and I don't think being in Dorne would change his mind. He wants to be faithful to his future wife, and we all should respect it," Elia said.
Oberyn let out a tired sigh, knowing that to be true despite not really liking that Aegon was a son of Dorne.
"What about Rhaenys? Have you thought about any good husband for her?" Oberyn questioned with a grimace changing the subject.
Elia knew Rhaenys was Oberyn's favorite, and he wasn't a fan of Rhaenys marrying someone she didn't love.
"Rhaella suggested that Lord Jaime's heir or the son of Jon Arryn," she answered, knowing Oberyn's opinion about the first one.
A growl escaped from Oberyn hearing her suggestion. "To the Kingslayer, you want her to marry the son of the oathbreaker. The grandson of the man who wanted his daughter on the throne," he spoke, barely keeping his voice low. Just the thought of Rhaenys in the hands of the Lannisters made his blood boil.
"Lord Jaime is different from his father, and perhaps marrying Rhaenys would bring the West here, and the realm will be together, securing Aegon's crown and for his children," Elia countered, defending the man that had killed that madman, to this day she didn't know why Jaime killed him. Still, it didn't matter in the end.
His eyes turned white, and she remembered his words; she had asked her brother, Rhaegar, and even the maester why something like that could happen to someone, but none of them gave her a good answer.
Oberyn wanted to say something to counter Elia's argument but decided to stay silent, knowing he couldn't change his sister's mind when she was convinced of something.
"Any new information?" She asked quietly, looking at Oberyn and leaning closer.
Oberyn's face turned serious, "I think Riverlands are just waiting for the chance to grab the torches and burn us. The West is very quiet, a bit too quiet for my taste. Stormlands seems to be alright, thankfully Stannis Baratheon seems to have no ill thoughts towards The Crown, well except for Renly, he seems to want to avenge Robert Baratheon for some reason," Oberyn answered quietly for no one else to hear.
Elia knew Red Keep was full of spies and spies from other kingdoms.
She nodded grimly; if Riverlands were their only enemy, they could bitch and moan all they wanted. "What about the Reach?" She questioned, and a sneer escaped Oberyn's mouth.
"The Tyrells are like dogs; they're loyal as long as you throw them a bone; they know never to bite the hand that feeds them," he answered with mockery.
"That's good to hear; Aegon marrying their precious flower should be good enough. What about The Vale?" She asked, noticing some little girls playing around the garden; she wasn't sure if they were spies or just girls playing around.
Stop being paranoid, Elia told herself, mentally slapping herself.
"I'm not sure, I wasn't able to get much information there, but Jon Arryn is the hand of the King. There's nothing to worry about, and the North is the same. Nothing there has changed," Oberyn answered quietly and with a hint of anger when he mentioned The North. Elia sighed, knowing Oberyn didn't really like the North, whatever that was because Lyanna was from the North or some other reason.
"Just because The North doesn't talk that much with the Crown, that doesn't mean they are trying to start a rebellion. The North never cared to associate themselves with the South," she countered, taking a step away from him.
"I know, Elia, but you must remember that Catelyn Tully is married to the north; her son prays to both the old gods and the seven. We need to remember that Lord Stark won't live forever, and we don't know who has a bigger influence over Robb Stark, his Tully mother or his Stark father. House Tully is still bitter towards the crown for sending Hoster Tully to The Wall," he said, his voice low and serious.
Elia reluctantly nodded in agreement; she understood that Oberyn was making a good point, all the more reasons for Rhaenys to marry the son of Jaime Lannister.
"I'm just saying we need to be careful," Oberyn added softly, putting his hand on her shoulder.
"...I understand,"
Walking again through the garden of the Red Keep, her eyes glancing at every little movement. Ser Oakheart followed them from behind but far enough not to bother his queen.
"How is Rhaegar?" Her brother asked after a minute of silence.
"He's fine; he has my good mother by his side and me; he's trying to heal every wound in The Seven Kingdoms," she answered sadly.
She still remembers three years after Lyanna and her child died, Elia told Rhaegar that they could try again to have another child.
But Rhaegar had refused immediately, almost in a panic, saying he would never risk her again as he did before.
"I almost destroyed everything once; I almost got you and our children killed or worse. I will never do that again. I have committed enough sins. I won't take away the mother of our children and the woman I love," he said with conviction, tears in his eyes, before kissing her lips passionately.
"I think we should go inside now," Oberyn suggested, and she nodded in agreement.
Rhaegar Targaryen 297 AC
The sun was shining, kissing his skin. The fresh air of the morning. He was looking at Rhaenys, Daenerys, and Egg playing together; this brought a big smile to his face. His sister's hair danced around the wind like a beautiful silver dress. Rhaegar felt his heart beating faster, seeing them playing and laughing with each other.
Looking at his sister's hair reminded him of Visenya...
He quickly dismissed that thought. She was not with him, and neither was Lyanna, no point in getting stuck in the past when he had two beautiful children in the present.
How would she look like, would she look like a wolf or a dragon or a Dragonwolf. . .
Rhaegar couldn't help but think; a little girl's face was in front of his eyes, a girl with Lyanna's face, wild like a wolf. Silver long hair like Dany, and nose like Rhaenys. He felt a hot tear on his cheek; Why am I crying? Rhaegar asked himself. He quickly wipe the tear with his sleeve. I can't think of Visenya and Lyanna anymore. I have to move on. My children don't need to see my crying...
It had been fourteen years, but he still felt for her; there were many times when he would wake up and look to his left, expecting to see her. Elia would sometimes talk about her, telling him she missed her; the Gods were cruel for not even leaving a child to remember her.
There were many times during the first year when Rhaenys would ask him why he was crying; most of the time, she would start crying, too, when she saw her father cry.
Since then, Rhaegar has tried hard not to look weak in front of Egg or Rhaenys.
Elia would often tell Rhaenys and Egg stories about Lyanna; she always said she was the bravest woman in the world. Most generous and brave.
Arthur wasn't a big help; in the beginning, he had blamed himself for not staying with Lyanna and ensuring she was alright.
Elia would always tell him that he wouldn't be able to do anything. Elia told him they won because of him; without him, they could have lost, and Rhaegar agreed. Who knew what would happen if Arthur wasn't there and Rheagar didn't want to know.
His mother was a big help to him; sometimes, he would wonder why she wasn't Hand of The King instead of Jon Arryn.
She would deal with many things for him, making his duty easier and giving him more time to spend with Rhaenys and Aegon.
"Your grace," he escaped his thoughts when he heard Arthur's voice from behind; he was walking towards him.
"Arthur?" Rhaegar asked, not knowing why he called him.
Arthur looked at Aegon and Rhaenys with a smile before turning to face Rhaegar.
"I just came here to take Aegon and Rhaenys to train, and the Queen wants to talk with you; she's in her chamber," Arthur replied respectfully.
Rhaegar sighed, rubbing his temples before standing up; he had a few ideas on what they wanted to talk about, for betrothals or the upcoming Tourney in Harrenhal. "Very well, give your best against egg," Rhaegar said, smiling shyly as he walked past Arthur, followed by two Kingsguards.
Aegon Targaryen
He kept swinging his sword, but Arthur was blocking every swing; he had been trying for hours now to try and defeat Arthur at least once. Aegon wanted to see if he could do anything against Sword of The Morning, but he couldn't win.
I should show that I'm a great warrior, he thought with resolve.
Arthur mainly was on defense, blocking attack after attack, until with one move, Aegon's sparring sword was on the dirt.
"I think this is good enough for today," Arthur suggested; he saw the crown prince murmur something under his breath, a frown on his face, as if angry but not with Arthur but with himself.
Aegon was breathing heavily, his face full of sweat, grabbing a skin bottle, drinking water without stopping before throwing water on his face, neck, and chest.
I lost, he thought with a grimace, but not showing anger; he was the crown prince. He couldn't show weakness. He reminded himself that the tourney was approaching, and the whole realm would be there to see him. I will show everyone that I can be just like father, he thought; perhaps winning the jousting would be good enough. He wasn't that good at sword fighting, but jousting was where he was better; he could almost imagine it, crowning Margaery as Queen of Love and Beauty, the whole realm applauding for him, but most importantly, his father showing that he was proud of him and that he was a good heir that one day could become a king just like him, and be remembered in the history books for generations to come.
Throwing the bottle away, he was about to go to the library and read books when he heard clapping from behind him; looking behind, he wasn't surprised to see his sister, a short sword strapped to her waist.
"I should say I'm impressed, egg, you're better than me when I was your age, and give it a few years, and you might force Arthur to get serious," she japed; Arthur smiled in amusement. Aegon smiled along with his sister; she always reminded him to have a little fun every now and then.
Rhaella Targaryen
Four Years, it has been four years, she thought, despite telling every agent she knew to find him. He was nowhere to be found. Jon Snow had disappeared from the face of the earth in a puff of smoke. She knew there was a chance she was chasing a ghost, but a voice kept telling her that this Jon Snow wasn't a simple bastard.
After gaining more information, she found out the name of the wet nurse who was apparently there when Jon Snow was born. She had immediately sent one of her men to bring her here in secret for sharp questioning, but her most loyal men brought her the news that the wet nurse had thrown herself off a bridge, her body found half eaten by fish. That had happened four years ago, a few months after the information that Ned Stark's bastard had left Winterfell.
Rhaella didn't know why; no one knew why, that left the only other source of information was Lord Reed and Lord Stark, but they were highborn and important people of the realm.
The name day of Aegon was close, and Rhaella had suggested for a tourney to be held for him. That would be an excellent opportunity to find a husband for Rhaenys and Daenerys and for the whole realm to see that House Targaryen was still Strong.
Closing her eyes, she could almost see it; the dreams were clearer than a memory. A wolf with a dragon head riding a white horse in Harrenhal. The whole realm was wearing masks of happiness.
For your sake Lord Stark. I hope I'm wrong, she thought with a furious look.