(Location: Castle Black)
(Time: Morning)
"Look girls I know it's dangerous but he's our uncle I can't abandon him, especially when I know he could be alive" Daeron reasons with Sansa and Arya.
They were currently in the room that was provided to the girls in the kings tower, Daeron had just told them to that he would be leaving at the end of the week as he was joining the great ranging expedition in order to investigate the mysterious things happening beyond the wall as well as try to find the missing men.
Arya and Sansa were not happy when Daeron said they wouldn't be coming with him, Sansa especially as many times Daeron had gone into danger for her sake, how could she sleep at night knowing she didn't do the same for him.
"But why do we have to stay" Sansa cries out her blue eyes watering as she grabs onto Daerons arm, Arya acting very much just as upset as her sister was.
"Arya isn't ready for a dangerous place like this, she needs to stay here and I need you to keep her safe Sansa" Daeron says honestly, it was quite humorous that over a year ago he would be saying this to Arya instead of Sansa.
"I can take care of myself" Arya says indignantly narrowing her eyes at Daeron who shivered a little at the look but then sighs putting his hand on her head stroking her soft hair.
"I know Arya but this is different, this won't be like travelling in the wolfs wood, 300 people will be leaving and many may not return" Daeron says seriously to the girls.
"Stay here with my uncle and keep him company, look after him for me please, besides I'll have Shiera to protect me if I get into any trouble" Daeron says with a smile trying to reassure his little sisters.
'Daeron' he hears her speak through the link to him so he focuses on it.
'Is everything okay' Daeron asks her.
'Somethings stopping me from travelling over the wall I can perch on it but not cross, I wanted to see if I could catch a baby mammoth somewhere but as soon as I intended to go across it was like I couldn't take go any further and actually found myself flying away' Shiera says to Daeron with some concern.
'Do you have any idea why that could be?' Daeron asks curiously though he can't help the frown that mares his face.
'This wall is ancient, spells woven into the structure that do things I'm not sure of, if I was bigger I might be able to break through but I'm special, a lesser dragon like Vhagar wouldn't even perch on the wall' Shiera says to Daeron.
'Stay here and protect the girls, don't let them know you're here if you don't have to, don't need them worrying that you're not with me' Daeron says to her getting a mental nod back from her.
"I'll be fine, I'll have Shiera and we'll bring Benjen back and after we'll head towards Starfall and be with our friends" Daeron says with a smile reassuring the girls.
He then realises that he needs to head to the courtyard as he promised the Lord Commander he would help train the newer brothers, so he pecks Sansa on the lips, and hugs Arya before leaving.
For the next week that was Daerons schedule, he trained the men and spent time with his family and Shiera, he was a bit concerned with going beyond the wall, he knew what sort of horrors hid in the shadows so he could guess that perhaps the tales of others were not exaggerated, he wished he hadn't lost his Targaryen magic in Gogossos, it would've been immensely valuable right now.
Soon the day to leave Castle Black had approached and Daeron was getting ready to leave, he had already said his goodbyes to the girls and to Aemon, Alliser had barely left his side this week, he originally was supposed to able acting Lord Commander in Jeors absence but he had practically begged the man to be allowed to come onto the expedition.
He did not want to fail the Targaryen's again and letting one of the last male Heirs head beyond the wall without any kind of guard did not sit well with the old knight, he may be a brother of the watch but he never forgot where his loyalty lay.
"Are you sure you want to come with us, once we leave we head on there will be no going back" Jeor says to Daeron who just nods with a grim expression on his face.
"I'll be honest with you Lord Commander, I expect this expedition to go horribly wrong but I don't think it'll be because of wildlings" Daeron says grimly, Jeor doesn't really understand what he means but let's it go as he rides his horse to the front of the column.
Sansa and Arya watched Daeron disappear with the men into the tunnel heading off into the unknown once more.
(Starfall)
It had been hard sailing for the group as they had wanted to get to Starfall as quick as possible, Rhaenys belly continued to swell and it got more and more frustrating for her to be confined, she missed Jon a lot she could still feel him which gave her small comfort but she wanted him here with her, she wanted to feel him out his head in her stomach, she wanted to feel him inside her. She only really felt whole when she was, she was glad that Joy was here with her she had gotten to know her over the past few months and bonded over small things but mostly over their shared affection for Jon.
When they had reached Starfall they were welcomed warmly, especially by Arthur's younger sisters, Ashara and Allyria. Arthur's sisters were very beautiful, Allyria had dark hair with blue eyes and slightly tanned skin. But Ashara Dayne, she had to be one of the most beautiful women Rhaenys had ever seen, deep violet eyes full lips, dark hair that cascaded down her back in various curls, her breasts were nearly ripping themselves out of her dress, though her frame was quite slender.
Beric Dayne was a stern man and if it had been anyone else his face would most likely have remained the same, a constant frown. But Arthur had been the one to lead them to the castle, Beric may have been a hard man but he has always been proud of Arthur and was always glad to see him.
They had been welcomed into Starfall and Rhaenys had been taken up to her room by Ashara who talked about her mother Elia, they were best friends when they were younger and she served as her lady in waiting while she was married to Rhaegar, Rhaenys loved hearing stories about her mother from her.
Though Asha had mostly stayed on the ship keeping it maintained, it was surprising that she never headed back to the iron islands, when Rhaneys asked why she said she wanted to see Jon again not hiding her feelings.
She unconsciously rubbed her belly, she wished her mother would've been here to see her grandchild and she wished Jon was here to hold her. Joy had been able to tell that Rhaenys was upset and would sleep with her in bed, Vhagar would also sense her feelings and would attempt to land in the balcony but she would warn him away, even if she trusted Arthur she didn't trust everyone in the castle and a dragon was a big secret.
They were all currently feasting in the hall, Rhaenys would usually have taken her meal in her room but Lord Beric has asked that everyone attend tonight as he had received some troubling news.
"As much as it is nice to have supper as a family father, what is this news you have" Arthur asks curiously as he drinks from his cup.
Beric sits there for a minute continuing to eat before putting down his utensils "I received a letter from Kings Landing, though I suspect that all Lords in the realm have" Beric states with seriousness in his voice. Everyone was paying attention to the Lord of Starfall now even Asha who was not very sociable and only really liked spending time with Jon.
"It seems your companion Jon Snows real identity has been discovered" Beric says while looking at Arthur who had turned pale.
"Daeron Sand the bastard son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark is hereby considered an enemy of the realm it is the duty of every lord in the seven kingdoms to search for him the king himself will be leading an expedition north with the help of Lord Stark to bring him to justice he is considered dangerous he practices foul magics and has three hostages" Beric quotes the parchment in his hands each word shocking the group more than the last.
"That is a viscous lie, Rhaegar married Lyanna he is no more a bastard than I am!" Arthur spits out in anger.
"Three hostages?" Joy asks the question curiously to which Beric nods.
"It seems he has taken Sansa Stark, Arya Stark and Myrcella Baratheon" Beric says looking at the blonde girl who sits there quietly.
"The Princess? None of us have ever met her" Rhaenys shouts out.
"They seem to be trying to pin more crimes onto Jon to enrage the small folk, they'll see him as another Blackfyre" Arthur says in disgust.
"That's not true now is it" Thoros says taking a swig from his cup, no one knew who he was talking to though. Joy sighs she hoped she'd be able to avoid this but it seemed that she'd have to be honest. Joy stands up and faces her friends hoping they would still be her friends by the end of this conversation.
"Joy?" Rhaenys says confused at what she was doing.
"The letter doesn't lie, we'll apart from the kidnapping part, I am Myrcella Baratheon, I was kidnapped by slavers while being taken to Dorne to secure a political marriage with the youngest son" Myrcella says to the shock of everyone but Thoros, Rhaenys looked a mix between shocked and betrayed, it hurt Myrcella to see that look on her face.
"I didn't say anything at first because you were all strangers and it would've been foolish to let you know I was a princess, then I discovered that you were all either Targaryens or Targaryen loyalists and i was a princess of the dynasty that had just replaced yours" Myrcella continues.
"But then I got to know all of you and I had so much fun, I didn't want you to hate me because you thought I was the daughter of the usurper" Myrcella said a bit tearfully.
Rhaenys tries to be mad but looking at her face she realises she can't, she was not even 13 name days it's no wonder she was scared. But she also looked after Rhaenys whenever Jon was not around and she loved her for it, so no she couldn't be mad at her for being a Baratheon but she would definitely be made for not telling the truth when she saw the opportunity.
Rhaenys gets up, it's been an increasing struggle to do so as her belly has swelled more and more, she approaches Myrcella and brings her into a hug allowing her to cry on her shoulder "No more lies, ok?" Rhaenys whispers to which Myrcella nods her head.
After she calmed down and they both took their seats again Arthur was curious about something so he looked at Myrcella.
"Myrcella what did you mean when you said we would think you are the daughter of the Usurper" Arthur says curiously.
"Oh well technically I'd be Myrcella Waters since Robert Baratheon isn't my father" Myrcella says casually drawing gasps and shouts of surprise from the group.
"What! Myrcella you mean your mother cuckolded him!" Arthur says in surprises. Though Thoros and Asha laugh at the situation.
"Yes, did you not find it surprising none of the royal children have any Baratheon features, it was quite easy to find that Baratheon hair colouring is almost always what the baby will have, it says as much in The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms" Myrcella explains to everyone.
"And I saw my mother fucking my uncle or father I guess I should say" Myrcella adds onto the end making Thoros spit out his wine and Asha laugh.
"So all the royal children are bastards" Arthur says with shock sitting back into his chair.
"Well I hope one day a certain someone will give me a new last name" Myrcella says with a small smile and a blush.
"If you're lucky he might get you pregnant then being the honourable fool he is he'd marry you too" Asha says casually, the first thing she said tonight.
"There is a lot to discuss here but I think perhaps it would be best to retire for the night" Beric says standing up leaving no more room for debate before leaving the room.
"Yes, Myrcella can you help me up to my room" Rhaenys asks, Myrcella jumps up and helps her up, almost everyone has left and filed out by nkw apart from Thoros and Asha who are still drinking.
"Lucky if he got her pregnant?" Thoros asks with a small laugh referring to what she said to Myrcella before.
"I'd squeeze out a whole litter of children if that man asked me to" Asha says with a dead serious face before finishing her cup and heading back to the ship.
(Beyond the wall)
Daeron had never felt as strong as he did now, perhaps it had something to do with the environment but he felt like his magic was empowered it made him feel invincible, he could no longer send his thoughts to Shiera though he could still feel her so he wasn't too worried.
They had travelled for a few days before they hit a wildling village, going up to the Lord Commander he looked worried.
"What's the problem" Daeron asked curiously as the Lord Commander was checking the food storerooms of the village.
"These wildlings were relatively peaceful, they wouldn't attack our rangers so we left them alone, nearly 100 people lived here and they all disappear without a trace, no food has been taken no belongings just people" Jeor says grimly as he puts down some cured meat.
"Alliser get this food packed away, no use letting it all go to waste" Jeor shouts out getting a nod from the man.
"Whatever's going on here I don't like it" Jeor says, and Daeron can't help but agree they have yet to see animals of any kind in the haunted forest, just the cold wind and the silence.
"We rest here for a day and then push onto crasters keep" Jeor shouts out to the men who shout back in understanding.
Daeron decides to head out into the forest he felt like something was wrong but he didn't know what, so to relax he decided to take a walk, the north was a beautiful place and beyond the wall even more so, it had the same charm of the north but seemed more natural.
Sitting down on a log Daeron decides to test his magic, drawing on it he feels ice form around his hand making a gauntlet, he then makes it change snap making his arm look like the tip of a spear. He makes his hand go back to normal and he touches the tree and freezes it completely it looked rather beautiful having it frozen leaves and all.
Daeron smiles at the sight when he sees something move in the corner of his eye, it looked like a woman running.
'Maybe it's a survivor from the village' Daeron thinks to himself as he runs after her.
She's fast but Daeron is quickly gaining ground almost getting to her however she jumps down into what looks like a small ravine of ice, deciding he had come too far to give up now Daeron jumps down sliding down the side until he got to the bottom, there was a large entrance to what looked like a cave though it was made out of ice.
Daeron summing up the remnants of his Targaryen magic lights up his finger to create a light and heads inside. The blue walls of the cave looked otherworldly and he often had to try not to slip, eventually after going through a few corridors it opens up into an expansive room, in the middle of the room is a platform raised off of the ground on the platform seemed to be a throne made of ice. There was an opening in the ceiling that let light into the chamber so Daeron extinguished his hand.
Kneeling at the foot of the platform was a woman, her skin was pale as the moonlight, Daeron had never seen someone look so pale before, her hair was even lighter than he skin being a pure white that had a soft glow, from behind Daeron could see her body as she was wearing no clothes she was petite and short maybe standing just above 5 feet.
The woman hears Daeron, his feet crunching beneath the ice crystals littering the floor. Daerons breath catches in his throat when he sees her.
Her porcelain-like skin has an icy hue, exuding a subtle shimmer as if kissed by moonlight. Her crystalline blue eyes gleam with an otherworldly glow, possessing an entrancing depth that seems to hold secrets of ancient frost and frozen magic. Long, flowing locks of pale, icy white hair cascade down her back, reflecting the light like freshly fallen snow.
Her features possess an almost haunting beauty, sharp yet delicate. Her high cheekbones are sculpted and refined, adding an ethereal grace to her countenance. Her lips, cool and softly tinged with a frosty hue, invite both fascination and trepidation.
She is adorned in a regal and ornate garment crafted from ice and frost. Delicate ice crystals intertwine to form an intricate and mesmerizing pattern that embraces her form, resembling frost-laden vines and delicate snowflakes. The ensemble accentuates her slender figure while exuding an aura of regality.
With each step, she moves with a captivating grace, gliding effortlessly across the frozen terrain. The air seems to grow colder in her presence, as if acknowledging her affinity with the wintry domain she commands.
Though her beauty is undeniable, there is an underlying sense of danger and ancient power that emanates from her very being.
She reaches out to Daeron with a soft and pale hand which he takes, he feels a strange connection seem to form when he takes her hand his magic seems to connect with her, she comes close to Daeron looking up into his eyes that he didn't realise had turned the same shade of blue as hers.
"King.."
(AN: tbh I'm sure you can guess who the girl at the end is, and btw Shiera not being able to cross the rule is kinda canon, when Queen Alysanne went to the wall her dragon refused to fly over it for some unknown reason, so I wasn't just doing it for no reason 😂. Anyway hope ya liked the chapter)