Summary:
Back to the Vale.
Notes:
I really wish I wrote this immediately after the last Mya chapter because I had a very good sense of how I wanted it to go but forgot.
Edits: Random spelling and grammar mistakes across some chapters.
Notice: If you need to re-familiarize yourself with the OCs or any of the other background details of this story, there is now an appendix for helpful reference. The only spoilers are some far off pairings.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Everyday the tension in the Eyrie grew thicker; Rhaenyra's accusation against Lysa Arryn lingered and no one spoke of it openly. Some lords still suckled up to the woman but there grew a silent neutral party and the number seeking her hand had dwindled. No lord sought escort down the mountain; all were restlessly waiting for a raven from the North.
After a month Mya had still not heard of a response from the Starks. Lady Lysa claimed the lack of a reply was proof of the siblings' false connection to the North and their guilt, but Lord Royce and others had urged for caution and patience.
One thing that nobles and servants alike gossiped of was Ser Lyn. Rhaenyra's insinuation of his tastes had been adopted as fact largely because of the man's reaction. For all the knight claimed he did not seek to dishonor a woman, none believed him.
Her beloved Mychel suffered for the scandal; whispers claimed her love was one the knight's favorites. She endured Mychel's cold shoulder for her laughter during the trial. Mya longed to crush the vile gossip by revealing her and Mychel's love but she couldn't do so, she feared Lord Horton might still tear them apart.
'We could marry any lord we wanted with one of those as our dowry.' Bella's suggestion still echoed in her mind regarding the Valyrian steel swords hidden in her, their, chambers.
Not even a few days had passed since she had received the blades that she had first taken the red one outside her chambers intent on buying the youngest Redfort's hand in marriage from Lord Horton. Mya had barely taken a few steps down the hall of her quarters before scrambling back in guilt. Some days she made it further than the last and very few did Mya resist the temptation completely. The days after Mychel snapped at her for giggling at Ser Lyn she hadn't even touched the sword, his sincere apology made her return to the habit. Only once before had she made it all the way up to the Eyrie before regretting it, now she had done it again.
When Mya looked through the grand hall at Horton Redfort her chest felt hollow, a cold dead cavity that grew and grew inside of her. No one cared to notice her, she was just a lowly staffer of the Arryn's after all, but at the same time it felt as if every single one of the lords, ladies, knights and squires knew what she held even if she'd never dared to unsheath it outside her chambers. The sanguine arming sword seemed tremendously heavy and Mya was no feeble woman.
She gave a whine and squeezed her eyes shut before spinning around and briskly abandoning the populated chamber. When she was far enough away, Mya hid in an alcove and slid to the floor clutching the blade.
Cursing the damn weapon, Mya was half tempted to drop it off the mountain to free herself of its seductive pull but that would both worsen her guilt and destroy her chance with Mychel. She wished she could throw it back in the blonde's handsome face but Lysa allowed none but the guards see her prisoners. Lord Royce had secured himself the responsibility of half the group's security, though was barred from questioning them. Bumping her head against the wall over and over again, she longed for the ordeal to be over.
The sound of footsteps caught her ears and she hastily stood and hid the sword behind her. While her eyes may have been like an owls, her ears were not and she barely had time to hide the blade.
Her gallant Mychel stopped in his tracks at the sight of her. His soft eyes widened before lighting up with affection. He had such a lovely smirk. "I thought I saw you in the hall."
"You weren't mistaken." Mya smiled, it was sweet of him to check on her.
"When did we start playing chasing games?"
Mya backed further into the hidden alcove and Mychel followed her. She hadn't intended it but the idea was an inciting one. "Since now."
Mychel prowled closer like a predator on a hunt and she was just a lowly cornered doe. His arms strong from swordplay wrapped around as he ensnared her. He stilled and looked up at her with a twinkle in his gaze. "What are you hiding from me, Mya?"
Frozen, Mya gulped. The weapon was no longer a secret. It was heavy as she moved it to her chest, pressing it deeply against her mail and leather.
"A sword?" His shorter stature and soft red hair masked his face but he sounded adoring. "May I see it?"
She tried not to cringe at that corrosive black flesh eating her up from the inside. Mya should be happy; she could marry her love, her talented knight could wield a sword worthy of him and bring honor and greatness to House Redfort. Yet she felt defeated. "No. It is a surprise, for when you're knighted and we can wed." It was a lie, she'd never lied to Mychel before.
His pink lips stretched into a grin. "Didn't you hear? Ser Lyn knighted me last night." The joy and pride that Mychel expressed was strong enough to make her own lips twitch upwards, yet it quickly collapsed and turned bitter. "I suspect my father had something to do with it, he didn't wish me to continue squiring for Ser Lyn after the rumors. Knighting me saves Lyn the shame." There was a pointed look at her.
Mya felt the ground crumble beneath her, or rather her lie. How had she not heard? Was she so lost in her head over the sword that she hadn't used her ears or was she simply deaf? Ignoring his ire at her over the incident, Mya shook her head again. "You must wait."
A touch of annoyance flickered on his face. "You lure me out here like a merling's song and now you tease? At least mermaids treat a man before drowning him. Here I expected congratulations and at least a kiss."
Her heart rang once more with guilt. He did deserve a reward, her Mychel became a knight at sixteen. She removed a hand from the sword and cupped his cheek. "Ser Mychel." Leaning down she laced her lips with his.
Mychel was left breathing heavily, much to her pride. "Can I see the sword? I'm a knight now."
"Not yet." Mya frowned and prayed he'd forget about the sword. After a kiss like that he should be thinking about her.
Another hot huff of frustration exited his mouth and hit her collar. "Why not?"
"It isn't ready yet."
"Then why did you even bring it?" The newly made knight ran a hand through his rosy hair.
Caught off guard, Mya couldn't think of an excuse, she didn't want to lie to her love. Silently she shrugged.
His hands caressed hers. "May I at least look at it? The surprise is already spoiled."
With her back against the alcove, Mya felt she had no choice. "You must promise to return it, swear upon your knighthood and our love."
"I swear, Mya, I will return it to you." Mychel said amused, as if he was humoring her.
Reluctantly she passed him the sheathed blade.
With a flourish, Mychel pulled the sword from the scabbard in one quick well trained pull. The bloody red rippled metal looked glorious in his hand. He gasped in awe at the ringing; an alluring yet horrifying hymn native to Valyria. If any squire could identify such steel it would be him, a boy, a man, who'd seen Lady Forlorn daily. "Valyrian steel. Where did you get this?"
Mya told him the truth. "Rhaenyra."
"The Dragon Queen?" The former squire asked stupidly.
"No. The woman who demanded to fight a moon ago."
Disbelieving, Mychel raised a brow. "The captive?"
"Yes." Mya felt her shoulders slump.
Sweet as ever, her lover noticed and grudgingly put the blade away before hugging her. "Mya, with this we could marry! My father would accept; the honor it would bring him to have a son own such a blade! He could get the king to recognize you!"
It was all she ever wanted and more, her Mychel sharing her dream. And yet Mya was crying. Her hands clenched into fist against the Redfort's back. Could she betray Rhaenyra and her family's trust? Could she really do that? Yes. No. Oh how she wanted it.
She gently pushed the knight away. In her eyes he was just a blur rather than the handsome young man he was, that made it easier. Grasping the blade between them, Mya pulled it to her chest. "No. We can't."
"You can't be serious Mya? They are sellswords, Lady Arryn was correct. If they were sent by the Starks then we would have had a reply a week ago. How else do you think they got this sword if not from a dead man's hand? Only Essos allows women to fight and they are certainly tan enough. They aren't Northmen." While still clutching the sword with one hand, Mychel rubbed her upper arm softly with the other.
Mya shook her head. "They aren't, I know it. One is just a girl."
He cradled her cheek now. "It is a trick, a mummer, to appear innocent. There is no shame in falling for it."
"It isn't a trick!" She pushed him away and yet he still held onto the sword. "They brought me my sister. Bella would have become a whore if not for them."
Mychel paused, just enough for her to force his grip from the blade. He recoiled a few steps and brought the hand to his hair. "That makes no sense, why would they do that? How does that benefit them? Starks or not, it doesn't make sense."
"Lord Stark and Lord Tully rescued the king in the battle. Lord Stark might have known about her. He knew about me, the king showed him." Her mother had told her so.
"Mya, why would they take her to you rather than Winterfell and why now? Why would they not have a missive from Lord Stark requesting she be given a position among the staff here. Don't deceive yourself, they were somehow trying to use you and your sister in their schemes and lies." Mychel inched closer. "Let us show the sword to my father, we can marry and forget all about this." His voice was so warm and inviting, seductive and tempting.
Shaking her head, Mya had tears in her eyes. "They trusted me with it. You can't ask me to break their trust, you're a knight now."
Defeated, Mychel sighed. "Mya, this is our chance."
"Our marriage cannot begin with betrayal and bribes."
She saw Mychel jerk in annoyance and anger. "All highborn marriages began with bribes. What else are dowries but bribes?"
"Well I am not highborn! Maybe I prefer it that way. I like my mules and my mountain well enough. If I cannot have you without buying you then I don't want you!" She pushed past him intent on beginning the descent but she was stopped.
A hand clutched her wrist; Mychel, despite barely coming up to her eyes, was stronger, being a man and a swordsman carried advantages. "Mya, don't. We could be together."
"You'd have me sully myself for you but would you do the same?" Mya tried to rip her arm from his grasp but she only pulled him closer.
"I would sully myself by marrying you!" Mychel snapped loudly.
Mya growled. Her love wasn't worth more than the shame, but a stupid weapon was. "Not if I bought you with the sword." She sneered.
Still holding tight, Mychel ran his free hand through his hair as he seethed. "I can't marry you; my father would never allow it, you aren't a good enough-"
A clap echoed through the hall. She saw scarlet, the whole time he knew, he knew they couldn't be together and he lied and led her on. Mya hoped his cheek bloomed as red as his highborn sigil. Free of his grip, she stomped away, not even looking back.
"You know that I will have to tell them of the sword!" His voice called.
She paused. "How honorable of you, already breaking your knightly vows. Who knows what they'd do to me." Mya escaped without further incident.
Day by day and week by week Mya waited and waited expecting the blue cloaks or Redfort guards to seize her or bust into her and Bella's chamber and ransack the place for the swords. The sisters had hidden them of course, Bella thought that if they only found the classic steel blade then the guards would think the boy simply spiteful.
Her split with Mychel had unfortunately become gossip and she had to suffer Myranda's inquiries and Horton Redforts looks whenever in his vicinity; they were not particularly unkind, quite the opposite, but she wanted neither his sympathy nor pity.
Mychel for his part watched her with the sad eyes of a wounded mule, big, brown and slightly watery. From the few glances she spared him, she thought he emanated longing, whether for her or the sword she could not say. Mya at least appreciated his silence, she was grateful even.
There were some days however that she stared after the Redfort, longing to go back to him and feel his arms around her once more. Mya's heart tore itself apart as it hungered for his love. Most of the time though Mya was filled with righteous anger, she had lived her entire life as a bastard yet Mychel and his father couldn't stand to be loosely associated with the word. It was that frustration which kept her from running back to him.
Eventually the excitement of her and Mychel's shattered romance dulled and new tales replaced it. First there were excited whispers that Lady Arryn had finally conceded and let Yohn Royce finally hear the message meant for him after a month and a half of waiting. Then the gossip became quiet and mournful as Lord Royce's youngest son was dead.
She remembered the boy, he visited the Eyrie enough with his father for her to remember him. Waymar was hardly older than her, only a year or two. Mya remembered him to be handsome, graceful, slender and tall. She could still recall Myranda mocking her for making doe eyes at the boy even though she had been far worse, at least Mya wasn't related to him. Mychel, she always thought, was similar to the older boy in spirit, both talented youngest sons seeking glory with a good chance of finding it. Yet Waymar's search ended with his comely body being lost beyond the Wall with no accomplishments to his name.
Some of the rumors did claim he died in glory, that he was ambushed by the wildling king's army as he was mistaken for a Stark, when the king learned otherwise, the savages slew him. They say Waymar put up a valiant fight, cutting down some of the wilding's best commanders before falling himself. Mya disbelieved these stories.
Sadly, revealing their message had not secured the release of the five siblings, Lysa Arryn madly kept them locked under guard in their single room atop the Maiden's Tower, no matter how many weeks passed without response from the Starks.
In the following days, Lord Royce took steps to ensure the lions were protected after he departed. His second son was to remain and the Runestone men that he'd placed to secure the safety of the prisoners were to continue their task in his absence. The man wished to inform his family of their loss in person as the Starks had wished for him.
As such a notable lord, Mya was given the task to escort his descent. She thought the man didn't even need a guide but he had requested one. With his grief, Mya thought it no surprise that the man wasn't talkative, at least at first.
"Did the lions reveal anything to you or your sister on the climb?" The man's normally strong thunderous voice was quiet, barely perceptible above the wind.
Mya shook her head. "We only spoke idly."
He hummed disappointedly. "Tell me all you know of them."
And so she did. Lord Royce was one of the few others on their side. Mya told the bronze lord how they practically bought Bella from a whorehouse at the Stoney Sept, she told him their names and Elaena's fear of crumbling stones, of Obi's cliff jumping. The only things she neglected to mention were the swords and Mychel, the Royce didn't need to hear it and Mya didn't wish to think about him. "There was also another group searching for you though they departed shortly after learning you were not here, heading for the crossroads."
Yohn Royce took all the information in. "Do you know what they sought me for?"
"No, but I wouldn't give them much thought. One of them was mad enough to claim he was my son even though he looked much older than me. The three also traveled the high road alone."
The older man gave one last comment before returning to his silence. "Then they are either brave, stupid, or skilled."
Mya was thankful he hadn't questioned the whereabouts of the swords like those at court did; everyone knew Rhaenyra had been armed yet thankfully none had put together that she had them, none other than Lord Royce. She knew that he knew, surely he must after questioning her, but Mya appreciated his discretion.
She was unloading supplies from the mules when Ossy arrived with a near quarter of their stables and a fair number of followers. Nestor Royce was no surprise, he made the climb regularly enough, it was those behind him who caught her off guard. In the midst of a small party was Bella. At least her sister appeared in good spirits considering her unsavory company and the accent. The trio she recognized as the three from that horrid day three months ago.
Mya remembered them well enough, especially him: the biggest. For the single night he had spent at the Gate of Moon, he'd hounded her to convince her to stop seeing Mychel, it appeared that he got his wish. The man dismounted gracefully even in his plate armor though he was not the one to approach her.
Try as hard as she might, Mya couldn't find it inside of her to be angry at the trio. She was still bitter and annoyed at them for trying to separate her and Mychel but they'd only tried to warn her, even if the attempt was poorly done. Regardless, her relationship had broken apart on its own.
The woman, the brash one with the purple eyes, marched over with her siblings slowly trailing her.
"Yohn Royce departed near a month ago." Mya offered, thinking they were once more seeking the lord.
Behind the quickly advancing lady-knight, the lean white haired brother shrugged lazily. "We are aware."
"We returned for other purposes." The big black clad man added.
The woman said nothing and was deterred by nothing as she stormed her way at Mya before capturing her in strong arms. Mail clinked against the white and gold breastplate noisily as Mya was crushed. A fond voice roared in Mya's ear as they spun in circles, "Muña!"
When Mya was relinquished she received little time to recover before being caught again in another embrace, this one far softer even if like the first perpetrator this one also donned armor. Snowy hair tickled her cheek. "You'll be happy again in time." The slender sibling spoke with a strange mysticism that made the words feel like both prophecy and comfort.
"Thank you?" Mya said confused but also grateful once she was released. It was a nice hug, though unexpected.
The bigger man didn't move towards her, he only graced her with a nod and a sheepish "Muña."
That word tickled something in her mind yet she couldn't identify it, she'd heard it before. "What does that mean again?"
A mischievous smirk grew under the dark beard. "It means 'Mother.'"
Mya's breath left her in a sudden snort. It was just as ridiculous as the last time he tried it but with less anger clouding her thoughts she found herself mildly amused. "This again? You're mad."
His blue eyes sparked with mirth as he shrugged his shoulders. "It runs in our blood I'm afraid."
After rolling her eyes at the man for continuing the jest, Mya played along. "Not mine."
"Both sides, actually." The black and blue clad warrior corrected, though he sent her an apologetic glance before gifting her a small token of consolation. "Far more diluted on your side, obviously."
From behind the hulking man, a second woman appeared in the same armor as the first yet even taller. "Hug her already Oz, or are you too manly for hugs?"
Shaking his head, this Oz gave Mya a cautious glance. "Last time I was within reach of her, she shoved me over."
The new armored maiden's brow rose in interest as she grinned. "Impressive. This dunce is hard to knock off his feet, even for me." She punched the man lightly on the arm.
Mya laughed, lowering a bit more of her guard. "I was very angry at him."
The lady smiled. "Surely. Be gentle with the boys, they have a weak spot for their muña."
"Their? Are you not their sister?" Mya thought they easily looked like they could be, the newcomer and Oz especially as they alone were blue eyed and raven haired. Hell, Bella and herself could easily be mistaken as part of their family.
"No. Velara is the sole daughter born to their mother. I am measly a cousin," The woman explained.
Nodding, Mya picked up the earlier joke. "You must be Bella's then."
Bella recoiled and scrunched her face. "I hope not. Even the whores at the Peach couldn't push out a baby as big as she must have been."
Taking an insulted breath, the woman turned to the shorter bastard. "I'll have you know I was a small babe."
"And grew into a tall and chubby girl." Velara teased.
A glare was directed by the taller of the lady-knights. "Well fed." She muttered bitterly. "And I'm afraid I am not Aunt Bella's, my birth father is a…relative. Though these three and I also share an uncle through my mother's side."
"Ehem." The fake cough made everyone turn towards Lord Nestor. "If you are done jesting, I shall proceed and update Lady Lysa of your arrival. You will be expected inside the castle shortly, so do not delay." Without dallying he made his way to the large basket to be lifted up to the main keep. His guards made for the handhold climb. A grey haired man stayed behind.
Oz, not Ossy, made way towards a mule.
Mya's eye twitched as he began to fuss with the ties. "I can do my job without help."
Not even turning to her, the large man answered as he removed a heavy sack of grain like it weighed nothing. "Of that I have no doubt. But you are needed in the High Hall and it would be rude to leave you or our guide with all this work."
"I am needed? Why would anyone want me if not for this?" Mya's brain went immediately to the swords but surely not. She could think of no reason that she might be required by Lady Arryn, there was no good reason besides guiding lords and supplies up and down the mountain. Her heart seized for a breath before racing. Was she in trouble?
A gauntleted hand gasped her shoulder and strange violet eyes peered at her, Velara. "Yes, you are needed. Besides, we cannot have you miss all the excitement. It should be quite an entertaining display."
Her nerves cooled some but Mya was still tense. She turned to her original task but her eye caught on what was hung on Oz's back: Taelon's sword, almost entirely covered by a large heavy shield. Furious, she moved beside Kicker, the temperamental mule had earned its name well. She didn't care if he wasn't as annoying as she had originally believed. If he stole the sword then he'd get a hoove someplace unpleasant. "Why do you have that? It isn't yours!"
The man stopped and shrugged. "Of course it doesn't." He patted his hip where a large war hammer rested, it too was Valyrian steel. "This is mine."
"Then give it back!" Mya turned Kicker so its rear faced the knight, she may not have a weapon but she had a very feisty mule.
"Easy. That is exactly what we intend." Holding his hands up in surrender, the thinner brother turned to reveal the white and red scabbard holding the red blade that Mya had nearly bestowed to Mychel.
Mya looked to Bella at the betrayal, her sister at least looked guilty. The younger, more curvy, girl's voice was meek as she justified herself. "They were sent by the Starks and the king."
After a moment to scrutinize, Mya reluctantly nodded though she remained suspicious. "You are here to free them?"
Oz nodded and met Mya's gaze before peering over his pauldron at the old knight quietly observing them. "Aye, among other things. Now let us assist you so we can reach the Eyrie in time."
Reluctantly Mya conceded and rotated Kicker away from the man, no kicks would be necessary. One of her mules hurting a servant of the king would end poorly for her.
Between the trio, their cousin, Mya, Ossy and the old man the task of unloading was easy and swift. Bella proved not to be very helpful at the task and only unloaded the lightest supplies. Like Lord Nestor, she went up by bucket. Mya led the rest up the climb.
To Mya's great fortune , Oz shadowed her on the handholds. "I must apologize for my previous behavior. In hindsight I can confess that I had failed miserably at my goal of remaining objective. It was wrong of I to play off of your fears and belittle the extent of your love. I have no other defense besides my stress."
"That is something we share." Admittedly he had been the one to stress Mya, though her longing for Mychel and prepping for Lady Lysa's return had also contributed.
"Now we also share our first romance failing spectacularly." The knight's voice was light, though not mocking.
Maybe a part of her was cruel or maybe she simply wanted company in her misery and found no better partner than her tormentor. Perhaps it was just curiosity. "What happened to yours?"
Keeping pace with her, Oz groaned but entertained her question. "Her father had pushed her to marry me to benefit his own household; he'd twisted our friendship for his gain. That alone is perhaps not uncommon but he had her mismanaging funds to send to him. She had faked much over our time together, though not in bed allegedly, as if that was much solace. My muña caught on quick enough, though she'd always disliked Carolei. I was sixteen and half simple then; denied the truth like a smitten fool.
"Anyway it was quite the scandal but the marriage was annulled shortly after a year. Her father was punished and she eventually married a man of lower status. It all worked out in the end." The tired sigh expressed how great a chore it was for him to explain, probably painful as well.
Logically Mya knew that what Oz experienced was worse than her situation with Mychel but the raw, scratchy and unhealed part of her still shouted that she felt more hurt, more pain, that she had loved the Redfort more than Oz had loved his wife. Mya didn't voice those lies. "How did you get over it?"
"With time, and eventually another woman, the right woman, helped fix the rest." His tone grew fond and for a moment Mya thought love could actually win out.
"Do you hate your first wife?"
He took a moment to think this time, the whispers of the others filling the would-be silence. "For a while I did but no. We do get along in short, limited interactions now. She wasn't a bad person, simply a pawn of her father. Carolei betrayed me for sure, but it was between me and her family, I can't fault many for choosing blood. Perhaps it could have worked out without the thieving; we'd been good friends since we were children. We would have done our duty as husband and wife but I think at the core friends always would have been the extent of our relationship."
Her heart panged and sunk inside her chest. "I don't think Mychel and I would have been happy." At least not under their circumstances: an unrecognized bastard girl and a talented trueborn son of a lord.
"It helps to move on if you think that way rather than possibilities of what could have been." Sympathy was heavily laced into his tone. "Look forward."
Even knowing he wasn't speaking literally, Mya focused ahead of her where she was a dozen handholds from the top. She and Mychel were over, and had been for a month. It hadn't worked out and it was time that Mya stopped thinking about how it might have continued. With a newfound resolve, Mya aided the others to their feet at the top of the long climb though none needed it.
Ser Vardis was waiting for them with Bella. He greeted the group and escorted them to the top of the Maiden's Tower. The knight kept silent throughout the trek. He kept a brisk pace that had Bella grumbling.
Climbing the stairs up the tower, Mya's little sister tugged on her sleeve. Bella's face was curled in a sheepish grimace. "I really hope they aren't mad that I spent some of their coin." In one of the more hopeless moments Bella had purchased a few dresses for herself and paid for a few months' meals. She couldn't really be to blame, at the time it seemed she was to become a permanent resident of the Gate of Moon.
Finally the door to the lions' cage was before them along with two guards, a blue cloak and a Royce man-at-arms. The five siblings had been imprisoned for over two months in the room. Mya pitied the family; while spared the torture of a sky cell, the lot of them being contained to a single lodging sounded unpleasant.
The two sentinels stepped aside at the knight's appearance. Ser Vardis offered them only a dull explanation. "The lady requires their presence in the hall."
After the jingle of keys and the removal of the bar, the door swung open and Mya had a moment to register the worn sight of the five over Ser Vardis' shoulder. Barely a few seconds later she was assaulted by a blur of black and gold. She nearly doubled over from the force of Elaena's tackle. "Muña!" Mother, Mya recalled the translation being.
From the side the elder knight grunted towards the retrieval party. "Recognize any of them?"
"Yes, all of them." Oz answered for the group, considering he was one of the few to fit on the small landing.
His voice attracted the attention of the young girl. "Ozzy!" Once more she launched herself faster than an arrow but her new victim withstood the attack with nary even a sway.
"Elaena!" The man hugged her close and lifted the little lady into the air as easily as Mya's father had once done with her.
A scoff sounded from inside the room. "About time," spoke a feminine voice ungratefully. "I was contemplating hanging myself for entertainment." Rhaenyra strutted to the door with the entitled impatience. Despite her dark jest, her eyes did bear a warm light at seeing Elaena and Oz.
In the midst of the crowded staircase, Velara chuckled. "Don't tease."
Rhaenyra's dark eyes snapped to the bigger woman. "You are welcome to borrow my noose. You'll need it considering that ugly oval you call a face."
Snorting, Velara squeezed past her look alike to be closer to the other woman. "Have you seen your hair? I'd have thrown myself out the window before having that nest of cobwebs on my head."
"You fucking bitch!" The white hair woman lunged forward with a glare capturing Velara in a hug. "I missed you!"
Mya heard the third lady-knight speak from the shadow of her cousin. "I'm surprised you haven't clawed anyone's eyes out, Nyra."
"Cass! You're here too!" Rhaenyra's voice was almost uncharacteristically welcoming. "If Lysa had let me do so then we wouldn't be in this damn hellscape, would we. Just because I don't have a little knife between my legs doesn't mean I can't wield a blade. It is like they expect us to faint at the sight of blood, when we know blood better. I truly loathe the Vale. How Lya married one of their ilk I shall never understand."
"Now now Nyra, no need to blame the whole group. There are at least a few fair Valemen," Cass soothed.
The former prisoner scoffed. "Your birthmother and grandmother literally committed genocide."
"They killed my uncle and grandmother under guest right, however both were rather indiscriminate… I don't support it." The larger woman defended. "Anyway, Lya married a good one; his mother had Royce blood, she beat all the sense she couldn't fit into her husband into her children."
"There was a lot she couldn't fit," Velara said, chuckling at her own joke.
Rhaenyra shook her head, disrupting her pale tangled hair. "Obviously." She said in response to Lara. "Now, what took you so long?"
"We didn't know that anyone else was here until Cass marched into the Crossroad Inn." Oz explained with Elaena still snuggled in his arms.
In the doorway, Taelon spoke up. "Who all is here? And how?"
"All of us. Mons, Haella and Mae are in Dorne but everyone else is in Winterfell now."
"With Uncle?" Jaeanna asked excitedly. Somehow two months as a captive and she still looked beyond beautiful. Mya never really tried to look pretty but she damn well thought that was unfair.
Cass hummed positively. "Aye, Val and Marg too. They also know everything; Robyn blurted before she realized the circumstances, Kepa has dark hair."
"And Sara is here?" Taelon inquired with longing.
Mercifully, the woman didn't delay her answer. "Yes and she has claimed Winterfell's library by conquest. You have Jael and maester Aemon to blame for securing Castle Black's entire library. She has rarely left, how she acquired two new familiars is a mystery."
The blond man sank with relief. "Gods, I wish I was there with her."
"It could be worse." Oz offered emotionlessly.
There was a moment of silence before Jaeanna broke it. "Oh Orys… Dany and Stannis didn't…come with you?" She embraced the tall man, though truthfully Elaena received most of the hug.
Orys, Oz's true name, frowned and grumbled. "No, they better be home with their mother."
Jaeanna nodded mournfully. "I'm sorry Oz." Slowly she extracted herself from the embrace and turned towards the three lady-knights. "What of Aelarei?"
"Not with Laerra." Cass answered quietly. After a moment she continued speaking. "And Vel…" She waited for the inquisitive reply before finishing with a little more energy to lift the mood. "...you owe me a hundred dragons."
Mya rubbed her head as she tried to keep up with all the new names but there were so many, she gave up trying to remember them.
Silence reigned king for a brief second, before Velara cursed and caused a series of metallic rings. "Damnit. She's got another hellion in her belly?"
All Cass gave in response was a drawn out "Mhmm."
Clapping her hands together, Jaeanna squealed. "Wonderful!"
Contrasting the golden girl, Velara was stormy and brooding. "Ungrateful woman cost me gold. And I swear to you Cass: I will quit if you have me on the night shift guarding that thing."
"You better pay up when you can then." Cass teased without remorse.
"Where did everyone travel from?" Taelon asked.
As seemed common, Cass responded. "Winterfell, the singers, and near Whitetree." Mya had only heard of one of those locations.
From further down the stairs, the older white haired boy claimed another place Mya knew. "Harrenhall." Now that they were together Mya could say that he and Oberyn's strange hair was nearly identical.
In Orys' arms Elaena giggled. "High Heart! We met the ghost! She was so short! I was almost taller!" Mya could understand the appeal, for the little girl there wasn't much smaller than her.
"What of Kepa?" Oberyn spoke. Quiet, brave and arrogant is what she remembered of him.
Once more it was Cass to explain. "Still in Dorne as far as we know. Trust Mons."
Taelon nodded along. "What is our part moving forward?"
"First we need to get you free." Orys said plainly.
Cass continued from there, "After that we have two tasks in King's Landing then we stay at Harrenhall until the others arrive for the tourney. Orys, my father and I will make jousting sets for the boys."
Squinting skeptically, Taelon crossed his arms. "Do we have time for all that?"
"Plenty, we have little over four months. It'll be a close call on the armor if we adorn them appropriately to their station but between the three of us and a little help here and there it can be done." Cass explained confidently. Mya had not even the faintest idea of the time it took to smith so she trusted Cass.
"That is if we are let out of this ridiculous castle." Rhaenyra growled angrily.
Sighing, Taelon glanced at Ser Vardis, who watched over everyone like a hawk. "I suppose there is no eluding this unpleasantness."
Nyra snorted in agreement. "Let's get this over with. I want my armor back."
With a single command they were led back down the stairs by the guards that tailed them up the tower. Vardis and the two sentinels acted as the new rear of the party. Mya felt as if she too was a prisoner, or at least also a subject on trial.
The walk to the main hall was filled with small talk and Rhaenyra loudly insulting the Eyrie. Neither she nor Taelon made any effort to claim their blades or even mention it, if Mya hadn't been so scared to be associated any more with the group she might have brought it up but she didn't think it smart.
Ser Vardis stopped them at the open door to the High Hall before taking the lead. Mya and Bella were allowed to step aside and join the audience of lords, ladies and other court goers. The knight organized the group before guiding them into the grand chamber and bidding them to stop before all the onlookers. Mya expected the trial to begin immediately but instead he climbed the stairs to the two weirwood thrones and Lady Lysa and the little lord. Young Robert was thankfully asleep.
Before the captain of the guard could reach the regent, Rhaenyra spoke loudly. "Do express our thanks to the lady about the cold water Ser Vardis, it really does wonders on the muscles."
"Silence," The lady of the Vale screeched from her seat of power. She leaned back in her chair frowning as Ser Vardis whispered in her ear for minutes on end. The quiet buzz of impatience, gossip and conspiracies was deafening and worsened with every moment that passed. Eventually the regent dismissed the knight and scowled. "Whoever leads you step forth and state your name and purpose in the Eyrie."
Moving to the very fore of the column, even in front of the lions, Cass knelt. "I am Cassana Wildpack, an adoptive member of a branch of House Stark. My purpose on your lands is to deliver three messages on behalf of my parent house."
Lady Lysa lifted her chin and looked down her nose at the lady-knight. "You claim to be a servant of House Stark. Do you have any proof of your claim?"
Cassana's shoulders sank slightly. "Proof? What evidence would be adequate for you? Must I carry a living Stark over my shoulder or display their ancestral blade, Ice, to all attending? I am a verbal messenger."
Unamused, Lysa's scowl deepened but it soon grew into a pleased smirk. "Do you not carry a letter demanding the release of Stark personnel?"
"House Stark had not been informed of such an event at the time of my departure." The armored woman admitted.
Lady Lysa straightened as her confidence grew. "And yet you petition for their release?" She made no effort to hide her delight at the proceedings.
Mya herself was gritting her teeth in worry, for both herself and the lions. She couldn't believe that all that time the group spent talking on the stairs as if they'd already been released and in the end they had no plan!
"They are my cousins, we share an uncle." Cass' defense nearly had Mya pulling her hair out, the revelation had made her freeze in shock however. Mya couldn't see any similarities between the Wildpack and the lions.
The regent openly smiled. "So my sister and her lord husband did not send for these five?" The woman asked again as if to brag to the hall, that she was correct about the 'lions.'
Cassana still held her head high however and seemed unperturbed that she was failing to get her cousins released. "House Stark is unaware of the situation but had they known of their imprisonment, Lord Eddard would demand their release. My cousins had the task of personally informing Yohn Royce of his son's death."
Had that information not become so well traveled across the Vale then it may have been helpful, but everyone and their grandmother had heard the news of Waymar's death and most knew where the news came from.
Lord Horton, with Mychel by his side, spoke up in question. "House Stark received no ravens from the Eyrie?"
"Not as of a fortnight ago."
This time Lord Nestor protested Cassana's story. "Only a fortnight? Surely it took you longer than that to travel here?"
Cass shrugged. "I rode hard and rotated horses. I was given many tasks and little time to do all of them."
"And what of the vile accusation against Lady Arryn? Did House Stark receive a package during the king's visit?" Ser Vardis challenged. Mya noted that Lysa flinched and glared at her loyal knight for his inquiry.
"...I departed before the king, so I cannot say with certainty. The only package received in my time was the maester's replacement lens for his Myrish eye." Cassana glanced back at the lion siblings after she spoke. What she meant to convey Mya did not know.
Lysa, no longer wishing to prolong the trial, quickly tried to put it to an end. "Their accusation was false then, they should be punished for lying then."
Taelon stepped forth without prompt. "I admit the accusation was only said out of desperation. Your intent to have us executed forced us to defend ourselves in ways we deeply regret. Our intent with the accusation was to undermine your authority enough that we might be spared. You have our sincerest apologies, my lady." He bowed to the regent in hope for pardon.
While Lysa seemed extraordinarily pleased with the apology, Rhaenyra spoke up. "I must confess that I spoke true about Corbray."
The lady of the Vale's good mood seemed to sour with the woman warrior's words, Mya doubted she had changed her intentions however. "Lying to a lord or lady during a trial is still a crime."
"And they have been punished for it already, my lady. Were they not imprisoned before my arrival?" Cassana defended.
The redhead clenched her hands on her throne. "They were. But we still have no evidence you are truly a servant of House Stark. They still stand accused of plotting to steal my son's rightful title."
From the back of the group, the old knight walked briskly before the two great seats. "Lysa, cut the nonsense. I can confirm her words, she delivered a letter to me from your sister. And she is here at the king's request. If you want Robin to be the damn Warden of the East then take it up with the king, not like any of these lords would follow the Kingslayer over an Arryn." Who was this man to talk to the regent of the Eyrie like so?
Lady Lysa looked as if she sucked on a lemon, she seemed reluctant to believe whoever the man was and let the five siblings go. "So be it. What was the king's request?"
Cassana pulled forth a sealed missive and held it up. "My Lady, as regent you may announce the king's decree."
With another pinched look, the redheaded woman waved her forward. In the silence the time it took for Cass to place the letter in Lysa's stout hands felt as if forever, just for the regent to pass it to the maester. Coleman read it through to her in whispers further delaying the announcement. With an audible grunt, piercing blue eyes gazed over the crowd. "Is the mule girl here?"
Mya's heart shuddered as more and more shoulders turned in her direction. She half wanted to run out of the hall but she was frozen in place by all the stares.
"Step forth girl." Lady Arryn called impatiently, Mya obeyed after gulping down her fears. "King Robert Baratheon, first of his name, formally recognizes you as Mya Stone, his natural born daughter."
Seconds passed before Mya comprehended what was said. Her father had acknowledged her after eighteen years. She was officially the daughter of a king, even if she was illegitimate. If only he'd done more than simply claim her and done so years ago.
Her eyes instinctively sought Mychel, who wore a sad smile as he became the second soul to clap. His action was mimicked by much of the hall until the High Hall shook with deafening thunder.
She tore her gaze away. If he wouldn't have her before then he couldn't have her now, or so she told herself, even then it felt forced. Mya let herself appreciate all the cheers, it felt nice, even if she knew they wouldn't have done so before.
When the applause slowed, Cassana demanded the attention of the court. "The king would also like to inform the Vale that a tourney will be held in King's Landing during the tenth month of the year to celebrate Lord Eddard Stark's appointment as Hand of the King. The sum of the champion purses shall be nearly one hundred thousand gold dragons. It would please the king greatly if you all were to attend and support his dear friend, as well as contribute to the competition."
The resulting cheers put the previous to shame, a tourney was a far greater event in the eyes of both lords and ladies. Mya frowned as she was all but forgotten. Even Mychel was eagerly speaking to his father.
"Ignore them," a voice spoke from her side, nearly lost in the loud chatter of the hall. Orys' kind eyes watched her with sympathy. "Their attention is not worth much, look at who they simper towards." He nudged his head in Lysa's direction with a grin.
Lady Arryn stood and simmered, her face red and pouty. The chamber slowly quieted for her. "The knights of the Vale shall not attend this tournament! Uncle, I forbid you from allowing any Vale knight from passing through the gate."
Protests started as bitter breaths and small mutters but a few brave men loudly expressed their discontent, only to be easily cowed.
The older man who so boldly spoke to the regent earlier, did so once more. "You'll need to find a new Knight of the Gate to cage these men, Niece, I'll not do it. I have come to resign from my post." Niece! Mya would have never guessed that he and Lady Lysa could be related.
"I do not accept it. You shall remain." Lady Arryn insisted with that lemony look she regularly wore, never before had there been such a sour woman.
Undaunted by the regent's command, the tall slender knight shook his head, swinging his grey hair. "You needn't accept it, I am leaving. My brother, your father, is now dying and while I may be a black fish, I am a Tully of Riverrun, I must return to the Red Fork."
At the mention of her father, Lysa's glare grew colder and she didn't speak. Only eying her uncle frostily without even a hint of hurt or betrayal, only anger.
Taelon awkwardly coughed. "In regards to the tournament, I must point out; it would be both insulting and suspicious for the Vale to withhold its participation. It could be seen as disapproval of Lord Eddard's appointment. House Arryn not attending can be forgiven but prohibiting your vassels is a protest that may not be taken lightly. I find it also to be the perfect opportunity for the lords of the Vale to petition the new hand to reinstate young Lord Robert as Warden of the East."
Lords and knights readily shouted their agreement, and under the great pressure of her liegemen, Lady Arryn conceded with a great deal of reluctance. "The Vale may participate." Cheers sounded at the woman's surrender.
After a moment, Rhaenyra spoke up dryly. "So are we free to go or must we finally proceed with the trial by combat?"
A bit of joy finally returned to Lysa's face. "You still stand accused of plotting the murder of my Sweetrobin. Do you finally have a champion?" Her declaration sent another wave of whispers through the crowd.
"I do." Rhaenyra announced with a searing scowl. She elbowed Orys. "Brother, do make it quick. I'd like for the lady to regret barring me from championing myself." The words were purposely spoken loud enough for Lysa and the entire hall to hear.
Orys snorted in amusement, unconcerned that he was about to fight one the Vale's best. "Of course, little sister."
Mya had looked for similarities between the lions and Cassana yet found none, but between the lions and the trio, she found them everywhere. Aethor and Oberyn's hair was the most obvious. Oz and Nyra had the same brows, cheeks, chin, the bridge of the nose, and the shape of their eyes! How had she missed it?
"Ser Vardis, would you like the honor of representing House Arryn?" The lady of the Eyrie spoke sweetly for the first time.
"Gladly, my lady." The captain of the guard bowed. "But I shall require my heavier plate."
The lady smiled, pleased at the course of events. "Of course, fetch the knight his armor." She commanded the man's squire gleefully.
"Fetch my belongings as well," Rhaenrya shouted after the servant with the entitlement of a princess rather than a prisoner. "I don't wish to torture myself with this castle any longer than I must. The fight will be over quickly and we shall be going."
It took ages for Vardis' squire and the others to return with the knight's sturdier plate, by then he had already removed the lighter breastplate.
The hall was rife with a buzzing tension. More than once Mya had caught a hushed whisper questioning Lysa's relentless accusation against the family. Fear was expressed for both sides, for a man many knew well and for a seemingly innocent family.
Orys passed Taelon's sword to Aethor and untied his helm from his hip when the other knight was nearly armored. Unfazed by the gossip and even wagers being made, Rhaenyra's champion strode to the center of the hall. When helmeted he looked as if a demon; twisted pronged horns of black steel sprouted from his head, a series of smaller spikes shadowed their larger siblings along Orys' crown.
When Ser Vardis stood even he seemed to flinch at the sight of his opponent. Compared to the Egen's average height, his opponent looked like half a giant. While armored to the teeth, the man in black steel was no less protected. The man seemed to gain confidence however when Orys removed the heavy warhammer from his belt and held it in a single hand with a shield in the other.
While Mya was teeming with worry, she had full confidence Orys would win. The bets favored Vardis however, none wished to forsake their pride as Valemen, though Cass bet strongly on her cousin. She was so lost in thought she only came to when Vardis moved on Oz.
The blackened demon dodged the attack with a surprising speed and struck the Vale captain's shield with such a blow it cracked and nearly sent the older man to the ground. The knight's momentum was the only thing that spared him from receiving a swift second strike as he had stumbled out of range.
To Mya's eye Ser Vardis became fearful, every step Orys took forward, the Valeman took two back, but Orys' steps were worth three of the Egen's. To one fighter the armor was a second shadowy skin and to the other it was a heavy shell of burden. Age, size, and armor, slowed the elder.
With the distance closed, Orys unleashed a storm of strikes. Twice did Orys smash the great wall between him and his enemy resulting in thunder. On the third a loud crack eked out of the giant triangular shield in its final moment. The forth hit was marked by a sharp crunch of the 'heavy' breastplate and Vardis hitting the ground with a groan.
Orys stepped on the man's limp sword hand and with his hammer he lightly smacked the weakly writhing man on the side of his beaked helm. "Dead." He commented emotionlessly as if he was truly the demon he masqueraded as. The horned helmet turned towards Lysa, who like everyone sat in a stunned silence. "Does that conclude everything Lady Arryn?"
Lysa inhaled a sharp breath at the sight of her easily defeated champion. "It does, you are dismissed but they are not welcome in the Eyrie again as punishment for their lies."
Rhaenyra sauntered forward with a satisfied grin. "I can live happily with that. Now our belongings."
"They will be brought to the winch," Lysa said curtly.
While Rhaenyra evilly smiled, Cass spoke up. "I take it we are not offered accommodations, the sun is nearly set?"
The lady of the Eyrie glared down at the group. "You are not. The bastard can guide you down the mountain."
Even if the ghostly haired woman despised the Eyrie, Mya still caught Rhaenyra cursing the woman under her breath. "Bitch."
No one really spoke until they were traversing down the mountainside. Unsurprisingly it was Rhaenyra who boldly broke the silence to rant. "What a despicable lump of a woman. I swear that little runt has sucked all her sanity out along with her milk."
Mya heard a gag before Oberyn's voice. "Nyra…gross."
"The stories clearly weren't exaggerated. I can see her trying to push Aunt Sansa through the moon door." Unfairly, even Jaeanna's voice was pretty and melodic.
Lysa's uncle, Brynden Tully otherwise known as the Blackfish, released a shocked grunt. "Lysa tries to kill Cat's girl?"
"Aye." Cassana confirmed, Mya couldn't see but she was sure that the lady-knight accompanied the answer with a nod, the woman always seemed to emote simple replies. "Littlefinger pushed Lysa out instead. Baelish committed whatever the female version of matricide is."
"Uxoricide," Taelon corrected. "And you meant mariticide rather than matricide."
Turning around carefully Mya saw Cass staring blankly at Taelon. "Why do you even know this?"
Oberyn threw up his hands though thankfully not startling his mule. Only he had the guts to take both hands off his reins at their height. "It is hard to believe he is Kepa's kid, isn't it?"
"We all know it comes from your mother," Cass smiled.
Perhaps Mya was simply a touch slow but it took her a moment to realize what felt wrong about the earlier conversation. "Wait! What was all that about Lord Baelish killing Lady Lysa? That makes no sense, she is alive! You just spoke with her!" Her confusion made her upset Kicker for a moment but she steadied him and resolutely looked forward.
The Blackfish spoke, easily identifiable by his throaty voice. "I thought you told her?"
Orys, she remembered him easily because of their long conversation. "I did, she just didn't listen."
"Told me what?" She couldn't recall anything he said related to Lysa or Baelish.
Sweet and sensible, Jaeanna tried to mediate. "Perhaps a cliffside is not the best location for this revelation."
No, Mya didn't like to be excluded. "I don't care. I want to know."
"Yes. Well, our joke is not exactly a joke." Orys explained, though he may be jesting.
Mya scowled and forced herself to act as if he was truthful, as unlikely as that was. "You can't be serious! That is impossible. I think I would remember giving birth."
Taelon made a skeptical noise. "Well you haven't actually done so yet. He isn't born for nearly six years if my timetable is correct."
She held her reins a little tighter but even in her frustration Mya was careful enough not to pull on them. "But that is impossible!"
"Or so we all thought. But suddenly we were here with no choice in the matter. I assure you that we take no joy in potentially preventing ourselves from being born." Cass seemed genuinely annoyed at her situation, and Mya didn't exactly take her for a liar.
Bits and pieces began to come together in her mind supporting their claim. "That's why you were so adamant about me splitting with Mychel?"
In his uniquely far away tone, Aethor spoke. "It was mutually in our best interests."
Orys elaborated, "His father married him off in our time, it caused you a lot of pain. We wanted to spare you that hurt while securing our future existence."
"This is mad; more mad than Lysa Arryn." Mya wanted to pace, stretch her legs, or just get away from the insanity.
Laughing, Oberyn was clearly enjoying her disbelief. "It does run in the family."
Mya recalled Orys saying the same thing… "Who even is your father?"
"Aegon the Audit!" Elaena added in her high youthful pitch as she rode with Orys.
Oberyn snickered to himself before correcting his baby sister. "Egg the Idiot."
Sighing, Taelon, ever the technical one, corrected Oberyn's false correction. "Audacious, Aegon the Audacious."
"Aegon, like the Targaryens?" Mya had never heard of another Aegon, though there could have been a Blackfyre one, though the Targaryens and Blackfyres are basically the same house.
"Just like the Targaryens…" Aethor drawled, his tone hinting, implying.
Mya caught on. "You don't actually mean him, do you? He's dead, we've all heard the tales."
Velara seemed to find that funny as she chuckled to herself. "Coming back from the dead will be horrifyingly common in the coming years."
"And not simply limited to the metaphorical sense." Taelon said cryptically.
Her brain ached from trying to understand, it was just unbelievable. "This is all some jest, isn't it. Me and a Targaryen king? No. It'll never happen."
Rhaenyra grunted. "Easier than you might expect. Trueborn Baratheons went extinct."
"The royal family dies?" Mya interrupted before the white haired woman could continue.
"Let's just say that you are of greater status than the royal children." Velara explained without explaining.
Taelon clarified, like usual. "They are not your father's children."
Gasping, Mya realized what that meant for the realm and her father's reign. "We must tell him then!"
"Not a wise idea. Are you really so desperate to be queen after seeing court?" Rhaenyra asked accusingly. "No? Well neither is Kepa, I suppose that is why he leaves it to uncle."
"Who is this uncle? Do I have a brother if the princes are bastards?" Mya thought it would be interesting to have more family around, Bella was enjoyable enough and reminded her greatly of Myranda, which explained why those two got along.
Cass responded. "You have half-brothers, one is my father: Gendry. Though the uncle we speak of is Jaehaerys, Aegon's little brother. He is also my adoptive father and my aunt's husband, as well as the king. So I don't share blood with these five."
With the curiosity of a gossip, Bella joined the conversation. "So… What happens to me?"
"Without our interference, you stay at the Peach. Even try to entice Cass' father-" Taelon was cut off by Bella.
"Say no more." Bella's pitch was high and panicky. "Forget I asked, or even exist."
Orys hummed deeply. "At least you failed…"
"Anyway you'll meet him in King's Landing, along with an infant sister if we can find her," Cassana said to either her or Bella.
Mya blinked, then blinked again. "You're leaving?" She may have complained about them but there was so much she wanted to know and she did wish to spend some time with her alleged children, as strange as that was.
Huffing, Velara growled. "We sure aren't welcome here, so yes; we are leaving."
"After we get a hot bath like we deserve," Rhaenyra muttered.
"You're welcome to come along," Aethor added wistfully.
Going to King's Landing, traveling, meeting more siblings, it all sounded exciting but… "I have never left before…" and her mother, she would be fine, if a little lonely.
"Well you will, we aren't exactly giving you a choice." Velara said forcefully, taking Mya off guard. Her own daughter! Potentially…
Orys walked back his sister's words. "Yes we are. We are not going to force you into anything; not joining us or even getting with Kepa."
Mya was grateful that at least her boys were sweet. "Thank you. Can I think about it?"
"Of course. You have a lot to contemplate." Orys accepted, even though Mya knew they had things that needed to be accomplished in a timely manner.
Regardless, Mya let herself think, no matter how much her head hurt. She quickly realized something. "Wait! If you are half-siblings then…"
Taelon explained: "Our father doesn't have an affair if that is what you are assuming but he has another wife…"
"Another wife?" Mya echoed weakly. She didn't even know what to think. Sure she'd recognized some women as beautiful, but that was natural. Mya was just objectively assessing their appearances, that didn't mean she wanted to kiss them and do… whatever a woman might do with another woman.
Eagerly Elaena jumped in. "Yep! You love her! You say you love her more than Kepa."
Chuckling, Oberyn added clarification. "He gets on your nerves sometimes for our entertainment but you love him."
Jaeanna's giggles sounded like soft ringing chimes. "Unlike Uncle, Kepa has a spare bed."
"That would be because Uncle Jae is level-headed enough not to call his wife a mint because he thought he was clever. At least we got to watch that firestorm." Rhaenyra laughed lightly.
"Does Aegon make me wear dresses?" Mya had never felt comfortable in dresses, she always felt off wearing them, as if they didn't fit her. She didn't like how they dragged or got in the way of her ankles and feet. They were warm though from what little Mya could remember from her girlhood.
Humming negatively, Jaeanna elaborated. "No. Though you do wear them to some events, you always grumble about it to Mama and Kepa. You grow out your hair too and it looks very pretty. Like storm clouds."
"Storm clouds?" Mya repeated. Storm clouds were grey!
Oberyn made a strange indescribable noise. "You have some silver hairs, you're nearly fifty after all. Velara is mostly to blame, especially the dragon incident."
Now Mya was curious. "What happened?"
"She smacked Nymerion right on the snout then had a screaming contest with him." Orys laughed.
Velara chuckled at her past before boasting humbly. "The finest act of courage. You lot cannot compare to my greatness."
"Despite being sent to the spare room, Kepa says he has never been more proud. Though he did learn never to turn his back to one of us again at that age." Fondness was seeped into Taelon's tone.
"And to pay extra attention when around the dragons." Oberyn laughed. "Nymerion accidentally broke one of Kepa's ribs once with its tail when he wasn't paying attention."
"Dragons?" Mya blinked. Dragons? They talked as if they were alive again. Though the nine of them traveling to the past would be more mad than dragons returning, that is if they were truly from the future which seemed unlikely.
"Yes and they are not even the strangest thing to come. Your uncle Stannis kills your other uncle Renly with a shadow baby assassin. At least you'll get to ride on Nymerion with Kepa." Velara did bring up a good point but…
Mya doubted she would be so lucky. Why would a Targaryen prince desire her when not even the fourth son of a lord would marry her? She wasn't even a maiden anymore like Bella. Bella was womanly and already big breasted, she knew the theory on how to please a man, and Mya was too tall to be pretty and wore mail instead of dresses.
Would Aegon still want her if she didn't come with Storm's End? Because she must have inherited it for him to marry her. If the trueborn Baratheons lived then what was she to him but a bastard and not even a particularly beautiful one. It didn't matter though because it was impossible that these were her children.
A part of her still clung onto the possibility no matter how small it was. She wanted it to be true. Was it so wrong to hope?
Her future was before her, she could chase that hope and travel with them and leave all she knew behind her or she could stay and continue as she had been.
She knew her choice.
Notes:
Mya was kind of a spectator for the third quarter but oh well. I don't think I'll cover Mya and Co in King's Landing, seems redundant.
I just noticed that most of the Fandom seems to think that Cat and Robb arrived at Winterfell before Ned and Jon when that isn't the case.
I'll never get the time to write it but I kinda want to do a story where Jon abandons the Wall and shows up at Robb's camp and just says something like: "The punishment for desertion is death, but I ask for that death to be in your(Robb's) service. Let me die fighting your battles, and if I don't then you can take my head when this is all over."
I intend for my next update to be my Jon/Cersei story and then I'll come back to this. I'll try not to take so long again.
The next chapter will be back at the Wall continuing the main plot. POVs from Bran, Maester Aemon, and Tyrion.
Upcoming Chapter POV Order:
Multi VI
Realm I
Jon V
Notes:
Comments are always a great source of motivation, it is the best way for me to know that people are engaged in the story.
Here are the ages of characters as of the most recent chapter:
Canon:
Ned(35), Cat(33), Robb(14), Sansa(12), Arya(10), Bran(7), Rickon(3)
Jon/Jaehaerys(14), Aegon(16), Theon(19)
Rhaenys(17), Margaery(14), Val(18)
Jonsa Children:
Alsauna(24), Jonnel(20), Cailin(18), Minisa(18), Sara(18), Brynnard(12), Robyn(8)
Jon and Rhaenys' Children:
Daena(20), Baelor(19), Myriah(16)
Jon and Margaery's Children:
Laerra(23), Aemon(20), Haella(17), Lorys(14), Maenara(11), Aerea(5)
Jon and Val's Children:
Varon(25), Jael(25), Dalla(19), Shireen(15)
Arya and Gendry's daughter:
Cassana(22)
Aegon and Mya's Children:
Orys(24), Velara(20), Aethor(17)
Aegon and Myrcella's Children:
Taelon(22), Rhaenyra(19), Jaeanna(16), Oberyn(14), Elaena(6)